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The AVALON HILL

Published First Day O f Every Other Month

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SUBSCRIPTION $4.98

VOLUME 1 NO. 5

Publication Office: 210 West 28th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211

JAN. 1965

AVALON HILL HAS GONE TO COLLEGE

Fraternity Life Not Complete Without a n Avalon Hill Chapter I
With the coming of the New Y e a r , many new d e c i s i o n s m u s t be made. Chief among t h e m , f o r expectant high school g r a d u a t e s , i s the choice of c o l lege. Aspiring youths in s e a r c h of institutions of h i g h e r l e a r n i n g m u s t do s o way in advance. By applying now chances a r e good that you will be a c cepted a t the college o r u n i v e r s i t y of your choice. Choosing Your College T h e r e a r e m a n v r e a s o n s f o r choosine this college o r t h a t university. P e r h a p s you want to play football; b e c o m e a b o i l e r m a k e r , o r a Philadelphia l a w y e r . M o r e important, p e r h a p s you want to play Avalon H i l l g a m e s . In t h i s e v e n t the selection of a college m u s t b e done with m u c h g r e a t e r forethought. We a r e listing v a r i o u s s c h o o l s we know have Avalon Hill m e m b e r s in f l o u r i s h i n g n u m b e r s . In alphabetical o r d e r , the-y are: Alliance College, Cambridge Springs, Penna. ; Baldwin - Wallace, B e r e a , Ohio; C a r n e g i e T e c h , P i t t s b u r g h , Penna. ; Iowa U.. Iowa City, Iowa; M. I. T . , M a s s a c h u s e t t s ; P u r d u e , W e s t Lafayette, Indiana; New Mexico Inst. of

Operation Stretch
by E d i B i r s a n In r e g a r d to A l b e r t Nofi's "Long R o m p s . ' I I have operation "Stretch" on Reds counter-attack. The following divisions a r e moved a s indicated s d a s to i s o l a t e Blue units a r o u n d city C43- 16. Unit Square IV C o r p s HQ 38- 15 4 A r m o r e d Div. 40- 13 16 Inf. Div. 40- 16 17 Inf. Div. 40- 17 18 Inf. Div. 42- 13 19 Inf. Div. 43- 19 20 Inf. Div. 41-13 I11 C o r p s 3 A r m o r e d Div. 40- 18 R e p l a c e m e n t s 6 A r m o r e d Div. 38- 14 I Army 1 Amphibious Div. B43- 14 1 Paratrooper Div. 42- 19 The movement of 1 P a r a t r o o p e r Div. not only blocks the only e s c a p e r o u t e f o r Blue but a l s o p r e v e n t s the 4 a r m o r ed Division f r o m linking up with the now doomed units. The t h r e e a t t a c k s ( a g a i n s t the 1 & 2 Amphibious and 1 p a r a t r o o p division) should l e a v e t h e Blue c o m m a n d e r with a p r e t t y difficult p o s i t i o n a t city C43- 16. On the R i v e r l i n e 26 N. S . , I have 5 Inf. Div's. f r o m the I11 C o r p s , t h r e e Inf. Divisions f r o m the I1 C o r p s , plus the second mountain a n d second p a r a t r o o p divisions. The b i g g e s t p r o b l e m i s in the north w h e r e the d i s t a n c e is too long f o r m e to c a r r y out a l a r g e s c a l e a t t a c k . To c o u n t e r h i s move to C3-28, I lined-up t h r e e a r m o r e d , and five Infantry divis i o n s f r o m 10-17 to 10-25 i n thfs o r d e r ( r e a d i n g f r o m West t o E a s t ) 5th Inf. Div., 22 Inf. Div., 1 A r m o r Div., 5 A r m o r Div., 21 Inf. Div., 2 A r m o r Div., 10 Inf. Div. , and the 9th Inf. Div. with t h e i d e a of eliminating Blue's 16 Inf. Division a t 4- 1 a n d on the following turn attack in force. The r e s t of m y f o r c e s a r e s p r e a d out in the r e a r with 4 I n f a n t r y Divisions in the N. W. i s l a n d and 1 s t Mountain Division a t 27-23. H. Q. units a r e gene r a l l y s p r e a d out behind the m a i n f o r c e s a t cities.

" P l a y - i n " d e m o n s t r a t o r s upstage the dedication of Johns Hopkins' m a s s i v e l i b r a r y in a n a t t e m p t to get Avalon Hill gaming 101 added to the c u r r i c u l u m .

Mining & Technology, S o c o r r o , N. Mexico and Rice U., Houston. Texas. We a r e positive t h a t m a n y m o r e e x i s t . But t h o s e l i s t e d a r e s u r e to welc o m e Avalon Hill f a n a t i c s with open g a m e b o a r d s . R e m e m b e r - when your college d a y s a r e o ' e r and the g a m e of life begins, they'll not a s k f o r your r e s u m k . Instead, they'll a s k f o r your won-loss r e c o r d i n Avalon Hill gaming.

Huntington by-Mail League Deluged with Applicants

Huntington, Indiana: John E. Bailey, Corresponding S e c r e t a r y , r e p o r t s t h a t t h e r e i s a "landslide of jubilant Avalon Hill enthusiasm". He r e p o r t s , "we have a total e n r o l l m e n t of 100 m e m b e r s and m o r e coming e a c h day. " However, t h e r e i s s t i l l r o o m f o r m o r e . Two ( 2 ) p e r c e n t of o u r m e m b e r s h i p i s c o m p o s e d of foreign AH f a n s , and 3% c o m e f r o m the south. A l m o s t no m e m b e r s live in Virginia and points south. T h i s l e a d s m e to believe t h a t no one p l a y s AH g a m e s in Dixie. At any r a t e , m y F r e n c h blood boils a t the thought t h a t t h e r e a r e no f e m a l e m e m b e r s in the league. C ' e s t plus q u o u n c r i m e , c ' e s t une F a u t e . " M e m b e r s h i p Does Not L a p s e Until Next December Mr. Bailey s t a t e s that m e m b e r s h i p d o e s not l a p s e until D e c e m b e r 1, 1965. He a l s o a s k e d u s to publish the v e r y l a t e s t r u l e s to Afrika K o r p s . Unfortunately, s p a c e l i m i t a t i o n s p r e c l u d e u s f r o m doing this. The next b e s t thing i s f o r League M e m b e r s to s e n d u s a s e l f a d d r e s s e d , s t a m p e d envelope, plus 25$ s o t h a t we c a n get the new Situation C a r d and Instruction F o l d e r r e v i s e out to t h e m p o s t - h a s t e Information about the P l a y - b y - M a i l League c a n be obtained by w r i t i n g to: Avalon Hill W a r g a m e r ' s P B M L e a g u e , Bx. 572, Huntington, Indiana 46750.

. . a bi-monthly magazine mailed pretty close to the first day of January, March, May, July, September and November.
The Avalon Hill General is edited and published by the Avalon Hill Company, Baltimore, Maryland.
Copyright 1964 T.A. H. C. Baltimore, Maryland. Printed in U. S . A .

Units block the p a s s below Mechili. Notice t h a t t h e r e i s no Unit g a r r i s o n i n g the home b a s e . T h i s i's not n e c e s s a r y a t this point s i n c e Tobruk cannot p o s s i bly f a l l f o r s e v e r a l t u r n s . 2nd A p r i l - G e r m a n T u r n

Naval Affairs
Walter G u e r r y G r e e n I11 P. 0. Box 621 Burlington, N. C a r o l i n a As usually is the c a s e when I make a definite s t a t e m e n t of absolute fact, someone h a s t u r n e d up t o prove m e wrong. A l b e r t A. Nofi h a s informed m e of a c a s e i n which the Italian subm a r i n e Cappellione under the command of one S a l v a t o r e T o d a r o s a n k a B r i t i s h gunboat with h e r 2 - 3. 9" in World War 11. T o add i n s u l t to injury David L. A m e s o n h a s c a l l e d m y attention to an incident in the R e d S e a in June 1940 in which a n Italian s u b m a r i n e , the T o r r i celli, - with 1 - 100 m m gun w a s able to fight 3 B r i t i s h d e s t r o y e r s and a gunboat f o r 40 m i n u t e s before being sunk. The Italians sunk one d e s t r o y e r and heavily d a m a g e d the gunboat. However, m y b a s i c contention r e m a i n s the s a m e ; in the g r e a t m a j o r i t y of c a s e s the subm a r i n e would have no chance of sinking the e s c o r t in a s u r f a c e g u n n e r y b a t tle. J a p P l a y e r H a s Definite Advantage I have r e c e i v e d a n u m b e r of r e q u e s t s f o r c o m m e n t s on the l a t e s t A-H naval g a m e , Midway. Although I have not had sufficient t i m e to evaluate i t t h o r oughly a s I n o r m a l l y l i k e t o play a game 20 o r 30 t i m e s b e f o r e attempting to c o m m e n t , I d o have a few r e m a r k s . One m a j o r exception I would take with the d e s i g n staff i s in the e n t i r e concept behind the game. It s e e m s to m e that the J a p a n e s e c o m m a n d e r i s given a m a j o r advantage in knowing that any A m e r i c a n f o r c e i s a t s e a a t a l l a s in the r e a l battle the e n t i r e J a p a n e s e operational plan w a s b a s e d on the supposition (fortunately p r o v e d to be e r r o n e o u s ) t h a t the A m e r i c a n f l e e t was s t i l l a t P e a r l H a r b o r . The U. S. f l e e t gained a c o m p l e t e t a c t i c a l s u r p r i s e when it launched i t s a i r a t t a c k s . Of c o u r s e it would b e r a t h e r difficult t o r u n the g a m e any o t h e r way u n l e s s p e r h a p s three boards were used representing the e n t i r e P a c i f i c a r e a , a n unspecified collection of s e a r c h a r e a s , and a n o r m a l t a c t i c a l board. Unfortunately such a g a m e would no l o n g e r be able to go by the n a m e of Midway, but f o r those who enjoy making t h e i r own g a m e s i t i s a n idea w o r t h considering. I would a l s o take exception t o the method of rounding off a i r a t t a c k odds. T o m y m i n d rounding off 5:6 odds a s 1: 2 while 7:4 i s 1: 1 just d o e s n ' t m a k e any s e n s e whatsoever. Accordingly I have s t a r t e d using the old s l i d e t a b l e s

Africa Korps Re-played

Beginning with t h i s i s s u e o u r r e s e a r c h and design staff r e c a p s a s e r i e s of m o v e s taken f r o m g a m e s a s they have been played by staff m e m b e r s . We a r e p r e s e n t i n g , h e r e , the f i r s t f o u r t u r n s of a n A f r i k a K o r p s g a m e . The v e r y l a t e s t r u l e s will b e u s e d . They include: ( 1 ) the B r i t i s h 4-4-7 Unit s t a r t s a t Mechili i n s t e a d of M s u s ; ( 2 ) no s e a movement i n o r out of Bengasi; ( 3 ) the G e r m a n Supply T a b l e is i n c o r porated; ( 4 ) G e r m a n player s t a r t s with a Supply Unit a t Agheila; ( 5 ) you m a y d e s t r o y your own Supply Units when i n d a n g e r of c a p t u r e . F i r s t April A bad r o l l of the d i e "sinks" the supplies. Thus, t h e r e i s only one on b o a r d a t t h i s t i m e . G e r m a n player r i s k s no combat but a d v a n c e s a s shown. The isolation of Bengasi now completely p r e v e n t s the 1-1-7 Unit f r o m e a r n i n g a s t a y of execution. 2nd A p r i l

Allied T u r n

German Turn

The end of t h e f i r s t G e r m a n t u r n in A p r i l finds the B r i t i s h 1- 1 - 7 Unit i s o l a t ed i n Bengasi. The Bologna Unit h a s moved b a c k t o the G e r m a n home b a s e a t W-4 t o g a r r i s o n it. F a i l u r e t o g a r r i s i o n i t .on the f i r s t t u r n m e a n s that the G e r m a n player could not r e c e i v e a n y supplies on the second t u r n . Notice that the Savena Unit h a s taken a s o u t h e r n route east. . a n attempt to discourage a n y s o u t h e r n h a r r a s s m e n t t h r u s t by the B r i t i s h . A l s o notice that m o s t of the G e r m a n - I t a l i a n Units u s e d the 2 - s q u a r e R o m m e l movement bonus. F i r s t A p r i l - Allied T u r n

The 1- 1 - 7 Unit b e c o m e s a u t o m a t i c a l l y eliminated and i s r e m o v e d f r o m B e n g a s i . The 4-4-7 i s moved to N-22 thus preventing the G e r m a n a r m o r e d Units on t h e e s c a r p m e n t f r o m advancing e a s t w a r d a t a l l - - a neat move that i s well worth the r i s k of l o s s in a 2- 1 battle. F i r s t May

German Turn

The end of the f i r s t Allied t u r n finds t h e i r Units i n the u s u a l s t a n d a r d positions shown. It i s i m p o r t a n t that Allied

(Continued on P a g e 12)

(Continued on P a g e 8 )

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New England
1

' Midway, D-Day, Tactics II,

Stalingrad Re-worked
by Victor Madeja

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Middle Atlantic
Victor Madeja 287 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y. 11211

Thomas S . L a F a r g e Groton School Groton, M a s s a c h u s e t t s EDITOR - New England covering Maine, Vermont, New H a m p s h i r e , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Limited Intelligence Game

by T h o m a s S. L a F a r g e AH Note: the following i s the conclusion of a 2 - p a r t a r t i c l e ; the f i r s t having a p p e a r e d in the November I s s u e . B. Movement i s conducted in a n o r m a l Avalon Hill fashion, with movement f a c t o r s r e l a t i v e to the d i s t a n c e and t i m e s c a l e s the individual d e s i g n e r s m a y u s e . T e r r a i n ( r i v e r s , f o r e s t s , mount a i n s , e t c . ) i m p o s e s the s a m e l i m i t a tions, a s do r o a d conditions (whether y o u ' r e on one o r not, and if you a r e , whether i t i s p r i m a r y o r s e c o n d a r y . ) T u r n s a r e done s i m u l t a n e o u s l y , howe v e r , which can get f a i r l y h a i r y , but s a v e s a l o t of t i m e in t h e long run: The idea being that the p l a y e r s s e n d in t h e i r locations to t h e C o n t r o l F i g u r e a l l a t once, r a t h e r than have j u s t one player send in, and have the Control F i g u r e send h i m b a c k a r e p o r t , a n d then have the next player s e n d in, and s o on, which would prolong the g a m e t o a point w h e r e it would s p a n g e n e r a t i o n s ("I l o s t because great-grandpappy bungled a n advance. " ) I ' m not saying it won't now, of c o u r s e - a g a m e of t h i s played by m a i l gives pause f o r thought. But t h i s b u s i n e s s of s i m u l t a n e o u s m o v e s I have not f i g u r e d out e n t i r e l y . If two a r m i e s should happen to bump into e a c h o t h e r (coming up opposite s i d e s of a mountain, o r something i m p r o b a b l e l i k e t h a t ) and they w e r e completely u n a w a r e of each o t h e r , I think C o n t r o l F i g u r e should halt the play f o r the two a r m i e s , and send r e p o r t s of the contact to the two c o m m a n d e r s , telling t h e m what s q u a r e t h e contact w a s m a d e on, and how many s q u a r e s they have left t o move. Obviously s i m u l t a n e o u s movement on the field of b a t t l e involves i m mense complications, s o ' s o m e system might be worked out t o shift f r o m s i m u l taneous t o a l t e r n a t e m o v e s when c o m bat o c c u r s . If you can s e e a way out of t h i s , p l e a s e t e l l m e about it. I haven't bcc.11 s l r r p i n g a t a,ll well rracently.
C. Corpbat. A v e r y s t i c k y s u b j e c t , b e c a u s e of the movement paradox. All I can s a y about that i s that if you have

T h e r e i s a m a j o r failing in Midway that, I believe i s due to t u r n p a t t e r n : movement, s e a r c h , and o p e r a t i o n s . P r e f e r a b l y , it should be: 112 m o v e m e n t , s e a r c h , 112 movement, and operations. Historically speaking, quite a bit of t i m e often e l a p s e d between " r e c c e " contact and the a r r i v a l of the a i r s t r i k e . During the battle the J a p a n e s e c a r r i e r s m a d e a s h a r p t u r n n o r t h w a r d d u r i n g t h i s period. Consequently, H o r n e t ' s a i r s t r i k e b e c a m e completely w o r t h l e s s ; the leading 35 dive b o m b e r s and the f i g h t e r p r o tection of the T P D ' s n e v e r sighted the c a r r i e r s and the unprotected torpedo planes were creamed a s a result. This indicates t h a t p r e p l a n n e d e v a s i v e action i s not a n unnoteworthy f a c t o r . T h i s innovation in the t u r n p a t t e r n would m a k e i t p o s s i b l e f o r the s h i p ( s ) to be in 9 p o s s i b l e s q s . r a t h e r than 1 during the o p e r a t i o n s section. A s a m o d e r a t e compensation the p l a n e s a r e given a s t r i k e potential of 3 a d j a c e n t s q s . , in s u c c e s s i v e o r d e r , out of the 9. E a c h s e p a r a t e s t r i k e would have the choice of s t r i k i n g a n y one of t h e s e 3 z o n e s providing they a r e a l l within range. Of c o u r s e , to be s u r e of finding the enemy, 3 a t t a c k s m a y be sent. At any r a t e , t h e s e s t r i k e g r o u p s would be c l o s e r t o what t h e i r n u m b e r s actually w e r e . It would be foolhardy to launch suicide m i s s i o n s b e c a u s e of the s m a l l chance of locating the e n e m y with sufficient strength. This is aimed a t changing MIDWAY f r o m the p r e s e n t g u e s s i n g m a t c h v e r s i o n . Guessing. of c o u r s e , w a s a m a j o r f a c t o r in the a c tual battle, but in the o r i g i n a l v e r s i o n one lucky g u e s s followed by a n a l l out s t r i k e often l e f t the outcome s e a l e d (dividing the s h i p s into g r o u p s c h a n g e s t h i s only slightly). Airpower In D-Day L a s t i s s u e I s u g g e s t e d doubling ' a l l m o v e m e n t in D-Day. Although this i s f a r m o r e r e a l i s t i c , i t tends to f a v o r the G e r m a n s . (Converging o n the invaded b e a c h e s i s f a s t e r and when the defensive l i n e s in E F r a n c e a r e r e a c h e d , rapidly moving r e s e r v e s c a n c o u n t e r a t t a c k a m u c h l a r g e r a r e a of the line and switch quickly f r o m flank to flank. ) To expand on this idea m o v e m e n t i s doubled a l s o d u r i n g the invasion t u r n s but the Allies r e c e i v e a n equally a c c u r a t e bonus to m a k e up f o r it. The A l l i e s r e c e i v e 8 b o m b e r counte r s and the G e r m a n s , 12 AA units. The b o m b e r units (they have unlimited m o v e m e n t ) can: 1. Interdict - a ) a b o m b e r

EDITOR - - Middle Atlantic covering New York, New J e r s e y and Pennsylvania.

unit i s placed on a r i v e r zone (between two s q s . ) , a n y G e r m a n unit r e t r e a t i n g o v e r t h a t zone (moving toward the Rhine) h a s i t s combat p e r m a n e n t l y r e d u c e d by 1, and A r m o r by 2 (heavy weapons would be abandoned), t h e zone f o r t h a t t u r n would count a s 2 sqs. (moving over a r i v e r zone to a n o t h e r sq. would count a s 3 s q s . ) ; b ) the "B" unit i s placed on any plain o r c i t y sq. r e s u l t s in t h a t sq. counting a s 2 f o r t h a t turn. 2. Reduce e n e m y positions - 2 "B" units reduce the defensive f a c t o r of a defending unit by 1 (if the unit is doubled 4 "B" f a c t o r s a r e r e q u i r e d ) f o r t h a t t u r n the unit would be r e d u c e d by one ( a 443 would i. e . b e c o m e a 433) f o r t h a t turn. Although no unit m a y be reduced by m o r e than 1, up t o 4 units m a y be reduced e a c h turn. AA units have unlimited m o v e m e n t , no r e g u l a r c o m b a t f a c t o r (like R o m m e l unit), and no zone of control. One AA unit o n a zone o r sq. n e u t r a l i z e s the e f f e c t s of a "B" unit on t h a t sq. f o r t h a t t u r n . Both t h e s e s p e c i a l i z e d u n i t s a r e moved during the r e spective p l a y e r s t u r n s . Tactics One addition t h a t i s n e c e s s a r y f o r absolute play balance i s simply: no units m a y e n t e r e n e m y t e r r i t o r y dpring the f i r s t turn. If one nation saw that a n o t h e r w a s making p r e p a r a t i o n s f o r w a r and making m a s s i v e troop movem e n t s , this nation would s u r e l y p r o t e c t i t s b o r d e r and c i t i e s . It i s v e r y diffic u l t to move about.40 d i v i s i o n s s e c r e t ly. P l a y Balance f o r STALINGRAD Many of the m o r e e x p e r i e n c e d playe r s have d i s c o v e r e d that the R u s s i a n s a l m o s t invariably win. The g a m e m a y be balanced by: 1. introducing the automatic victory rule. 2. Changing the t i m e r e c o r d s o t h a t 2 months = 3 t u r n s ; the m o v e m e n t r a t e p e r t u r n i s unchanged; Monthly r e p l a c e m e n t r a t e s a r e unchanged. 3 . S a m e a s # 2 e x c e p t e a c h month = 2 t u r n s . Anyone of t h e s e 3 i s m o r e r e a l i s t i c than the p r e s e n t v e r s i o n and the l a s t i s m o s t r e a l i s t i c . The m o v e m e n t i s unchanged, e v e n f o r the two week t u r n , b e c a u s e it i s not unusual f o r a r m o r to c o v e r 200 m i l e s ( 6 s q s . ) and infantry 140 m i l e s ( 4 sqs. ) i n two weeks.

(Conttnued on P a g e 8 )

Sure - Fire Plans Can be Disastrous

by C a r l Knabe, I1 H i l a r y Smith 7805 Maple Ridge Rd. Bethesda 14, Maryland I have been reshuffled and now have a school a d d r e s s of: 1258 State S t r e e t C o u r t s , West Lafayette, Indiana; and a home a d d r e s s of: 2133 Bittel Road, Owensboro, Kentucky. T h e r e h a s been a g r e a t deal of confusion in m y m a i l delivery T h e r e s e e m to be a l o t of "infallible plans" ( f o r winning AH g a m e s ) floating around. Now planning i s a good idea, but s o m e of you fellows a r e getting a little c a r r i e d away. A n u m b e r of t h e s e s u r e - f i r e s t r a t e g i e s show a good d e a l of c a r e f u l thought, s u c h a s P a u l R. S i r a g u s a ' s ( 9 Washington S t . , Norwich, Connecticut) OPERATION PLUNGER, outlining G e r m a n t a c t i c s and s t r a t e g y f o r STALINGRAD and E r i c Stein's (105 Wenley House, West Quadrangle, Ann Arbor, Michigan) g e n e r a l s t r a t e g i c a n a l y s i s f o r the s a m e game. ~ o t h of t h e s e a r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of s o m e of the fine work people have s e n t m e . BUT, in a t l e a s t one g l a r i n g instance, r e l i a n c e o n a " s u r e - f i r e " plan w a s d i s a s t r o u s ! I r e c e i v e d a n anonymous l e t t e r f r o m one s h e l l - s h o c k e d g e n e r a l , m a n y of the h o m e - m a d e g a m e s t h a t a l o t of you have. In t h e s e g a m e s w h e r e you have a navy the a i r f o r c e t a k e s o n a n additional load of bombing s h i p s a t s e a , o r bombing s h i p s being r e p a i r e d in p o r t , and the like. T h i s involves co-ordination to b e able to fit the diff e r e n t s p e e d s a t which land t r o o p s , s h i p s , and a ~ r c r a f t r a v e l into a single turn. T h e L a r g e r the Game - T h e G r e a t e r the Variable s With a i r c r a f t c o m e m a n y s u p p o r t f a c i l i t i e s which should be taken into account f o r a c c u r a c y . One i s a i r b a s e s , f o r they m u s t be able t o be c o n s t r u c t e d and dismantled. Another i s the a n t i a i r c r a f t battalions f o r with a i r c r a f t c o m e s the c o u n t e r weapon. Also t h e r e m u s t be a s y s t e m of interception d e v e l oped s o t h a t incoming r a i d s m a y be m e t and d e s t r o y e d , if possible. Also t h e r e m u s t be a s y s t e m of r e p l a c e m e n t and coupled with this a r e the f a c t o r i e s f o r ~ r o d u ing the r e p l a c e m e n t a i r c r a f t . c T h i s b r i n g s in p a r t of the Incentive f o r long-range bombing a t t a c k s on industry which played such a vital p a r t in the l a s t World W a r - F o r any p l a y e r would like to d e s t r o y h i s opponents m e a n s of advantage and having a n a i r f o r c e with a f u l l r e p l a c e m e n t r a t e i s one of them. T h e r e a r e m a n y p r o b l e m s to be worked out with Air F o r c e s but this a r t i c l e w a s w r i t t e n just to show the p o s s i b i l i t i e s of i n t r o d u c i n g a i r c r a f t into a game.

Midwest
C a r l F. Knabe I1 1258 State S t r e e t C o u r t s West Lafayette, Indiana EDITOR - Midwest covering Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. who complained.. . n o , r e a d it f o r y o u r selves: D e a r Sir: Since you a r e the m i d w e s t editor of the n e w s l e t t e r the Avalon Hill G e n e r a l , it behooves m e to w r i t e you a t this time. I a m a s u b s c r i b e r in Ohio, I live i n the Cleveland a r e a and have been a n a r d e n t f a n of AvalonHill. I have a l l the Avalon Hill g a m e s and enjoy playing t h e m with m y f r i e n d s . Through the G e n e r a l I m e t t h i s f r i e n d and challenged h i m to a g a m e of Stalingrad. - I u s e d your s e t u p f o r the R u s s i a n s f r o m the Sept. i s s u e . T o be c r u d e , they c l o b b e r e d m e ! Did ybu notice I s a i d they? I thought I w a s only playing h i m , but he had a staff of s i x t e e n g e n e r a l s behind h i m c a l culating e v e r y move he m a d e ! I a m a high school s e n i o r , and s o i s h e , and s o w a s h i s staff of b r a i n s . And I do m e a n b r a i n s ! E a c h m e m b e r w a s the top in h i s school. E a c h m e m b e r w a s a National M e r i t S e m i - F i n a l i s t ! They used what they c a l l e d t h e i r ' s u r e method' f o r victory. They have d e v i s e d one f o r e v e r y Avalon Hill g a m e a t 97-1 odds f o r victory. You m a y not think t h i s t o be t r u e , youhave to play t h e m to believe. Now, why a m I telling you a l l this 7 They have no n a m e f o r t h e i r ' b r a i n t r u s t ' , though I do know s o m e of the n a m e s of the m e m b e r s , a l l you have to d o i s r e a d the p a p e r s . They have a s p e c i a l c o m m a n d post just f o r Avalon Hill g a m e s , and yet with a l l t h e i r power they will not r e c e i v e any publication o r announce t h e i r o r g a n i z a tion. T h e i r r e a s o n ? They told m e they had y e t to ' p e r f e c t ' a way to win f o r A f r i k a K o r p s . Once they did they s a i d they would t u r n a l l , t h e i r information o v e r to the Avalon Hill people to be used a t t h e i r d i s c r e t i o n . My p r o b l e m i s this. I gave t h e m m y w o r d of honor that I would not announce myself a s having played a g a i n s t t h e m n o r having any knowledge of t h e i r ' b r a i n t r u s t ' . A s you c a n s e e I have not identified anyone and I will not put m y s i g n a t u r e on this l e t t e r . However, I will put the m a t t e r into ypur -hands hoping that you will i s s u e a challenge t o t h e s e eggheads in your column. I a m confident that you could m u s t e r up a staff to face t h e s e ' m a s (continued on Page 1 2 )

Maryland, D. C. , West Virginia, V i r ginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South C a r o l i n a , Georgia, A l a b a m a , M i s s i s sippi and F l o r i d a .

'Overing

Building Your OwnGame is Laborious - But Fun

by H i l a r y S m i t h

I would like to t e l l you something directed toward those p e r s o n s who w r i t e and a s k what the units a r e , the symbols I use, the s t r e n g t h s of the v a r i o u s units, etc. c o n c e r n i n g m y g a m e . hi^ I think is the most fun of designing your own g a m e , t h a t i s the invention of your symbols, y o u r r u l e s , and doing all your own research. ~~d f o r m e to supply you with the necessary information it would b e a t r e m e n d o u s amount of w o r k f o r j u s t the w r i t t e n r u l e s which a r e o v e r ten typed p a g e s . T h i s i s not taking into account a l l the many, m a n y r u l e s that a r e j u s t c o m m o n law r a t h e r than w r i t t e n down. But if you have a p r o b l e m in making up your g a m e don't h e s i t a t e to w r i t e m e and a s k .
A i r F o r c e Adds V a r i e t y The accent my this month will be o n the a i r f o r c e s . T h e r e i s only one g a m e with extensive a i r f o r c e s and this i s Midway. However, if you w e r e to adopt the Midway s y s t e m t o l a n d b a t t l e s t h e r e would have t o be s o m e c h a n g e s m a d e . The r o l e of the a i r f o r c e s in a land battle game would be one of helping out with a t t a c k s , p o s s i b l y shooting up supply wagons, r o a d s , r a i l r o a d s , ports and other tactically important targets. his would m e a n t h a t if the g a m e w e r e down o n the division l e v e l , the air forces would be able to toss in points to.be added to the a t t a c k e r o r the sides. w i t h a i r forces i t would be p o s s i b l e t o m a k e a 15 - 6 into a 3-1 by just providing three points w o r t h of b o m b e r s and fightdr - b o m b e r s from an airbase that is within range of the battle. On the o t h e r s i d e of c o u r s e , the defender would be able t o place p a r t of h i s a i r f o r c e o v e r a w e a k point in his line to boost it up. hi^ defende r ' s a i r c r a f t would be able to add t o the defense of the ground t r o o p s u n l e s s this defending a i r c r a f t w a s d e a l t with by the a t t a c k e r ' s a i r c r a f t . The a i r c r a f t wouldplay a l a r g e r r o l e if you had a l a r g e r g a m e s u c h a s a r e

CONTEST NO. 5
T h i s contest involves a multiple a i r a t t a c k situation a l r e a d y s e t u p f o r you. Applying the r u l e s f r o m t h e Midway g a m e the U. S. player i s attacking. In t h i s c o n t e s t you a r e the Japanese player. Your object is t o apply the s c r e e n i n g v a l u e s of a l l your s h i p s a g a i n s t attacking a i r c r a f t s o that you will s u f f e r t h e l o w e s t probability of fleet d a m a g e f r o m a long r a n g e standpoint. F i r s t - study t h e a t t a c k s i t u a tion: the T 4 , D3 and T 2 s q u a d r o n s a r e attacking t h e Akagi; t h e D2 and T 5 squadrons a r e attacking the Mogami. Now - don your flight komona and r e f e r to the ATTACK PLAN. Each s q u a d r o n is l i s t e d f o r you u n d e r t h e Attacking A i r c r a f t column. Under t h e S c r e e n i n g Ship column you a r e t o w r i t e i n the n a m e of t h e J a p a n e s e ship o r s h i p s on t h e s a m e l i n e with the a i r c r a f t t h e i r s c r e e n i n g values a r e t o b e applied a g a i n s t . T h i s is a l l you h a v e t o do. S e e t h e hypothetical e x a m p l e (A). ATTACKPLAN
-

Attacking Aircraft

S c r e e n i n g Ship

Ten ( 1 0 ) w i n n e r s will b e named. Winning e n t r i e s will b e the i r r e v o c a b l e d e c i s i o n s of t h e judges. No e n t r y will b e r e t u r n e d n o r will we be a b l e t o publ i s h winning e n t r i e s . In c a s e of t i e s , e a r l i e s t p o s t m a r k e d e n t r i e s will decide (allowances m a d e f o r d i s t a n c e . ) Winn e r s a w a r d e d F R E E Avalon Hill e a m e s of t h e i r choice. HOW TO ENTER T h i s c o n t e s t is f r e e t o a l l s u b s c r i b e r s . Simply f i l l i n t h e ATTACK PLAN and m a i l to: T h e Avalon Hill Company, 210 W. 28th S t r e e t , B a l t i m o r e , Maryland 21211 - Contest Dept. Entries m u s t b e p o s t m a r k e d on o r b e f o r e Friday, F e b r u a r y 5, 1965. P r i n t your n a m e and a d d r e s s c l e a r l y . Make s u r e you mention t h e g a m e you wish a s winning p r i z e .

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- - - -CUT HERE- - -

AH NOTE: T h o s e of you not wishing to m u t i l a t e your magazine m a y send in copy o r photostat. Naturally, only one t o a c u s t o m e r allowed.

ATTACK PLAN

Attacking Aircraft

S c r e e n i n g Ship

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David Butler Takes to the Air to Win Contest #4

Q u a r t e r b a c k B u t l e r t h r e a d e d the needle 4 consecutive t i m e s to a m a s s a total of 145 y a r d s . . . a n e f f o r t d e s e r v ing of the f a m e d Hickok B e l t , (okay C h a r l e s Hickok, Contest # 3 w i n n e r , uns t r a p i t and send i t along. ) But a s f o r you E d i B i r s a n , a contest #2 w i n n e r , b e t t e r u n s t r a p your whole s u i t and t u r n it i n . . . y o u r s t e r l i n g c a l l s totalled a minus 12 y a r d s . It w a s a p a s s e r ' s d a y a s D e f e n s e s A , F , A and E c a m e u p in t h a t o r d e r . On the "Long Gain, entrants were a w a r d e d 50 y a r d s . The following q u a r t e r b a c k s a l s o e a r n e d f r e e Avalon Hill g a m e s i n addition t o a n o - e x p e n s e s paid t r i p t o t h e B a l t i m o r e Colt q u a r t e r b a c k t r y - o u t camp: 1. David B u t l e r , 3506 T u l a r a D r i v e , B o i s e , Idaho. 2. J i m Schneider, 936 W. 7th A v e . , Oshkosh. Wisconsin. 3. T h o m a s C. H a r r i s o n , 1001 So. Penna. , Roswell, New Mexico. 4. Butch E d s e l l , 208 Hiawatha T e r r a c e , F r a n k f o r t , Kentucky.

5. David G. M o o r e , 1871 Snowden Ave. , Memphis, T e n n e s s e e . 6. F r e d W e b s t e r , 8 4 4 A s h c o m b D r . , Valinda, California. 7. Don W. Alexander, 89 18 Blankenship, Houston, T e x a s . 8. P h i l l i p P o u l o s , 3140 Arundel L a n e , Indianapolis, Indiana. 9. J a m e s M. S t o r m e s , 4839 Yacht Club Rd. , Jacksonville, F l o r i d a . 10. TIE: G a r y S c h e c h t e r , 71 1 Heman, University City, M i s s o u r i ; T e r r y G r i n e r , S. 4214 Madelia, Spokane, Washington; J a m e s Heaton, 341 1 Alexis Rd., Toledo.

Central
Daniel Hughes 1634 North Sheridan Wichita, Kansas 67203 EDITOR - - C e n t r a l covering North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Neb r a s k a , Iowa, K a n s a s a n d M i s s o u r i .

Subscriber Directory
We have been informed that we a r e no longer allowed t o publish a d i r e c t o r y of n a m e s and a d d r e s s e s a s a d v e r t i s e d in o u r l i t e r a t u r e . However, we would be glad t o f u r n i s h s u b s c r i b e r s ' n a m e s upon r e q u e s t . Simply s e n d u s a s t a m p ed, s e l f - a d d r e s s e d envelope and we'll be glad to f u r n i s h you with a few n a m e s and a d d r e s s e s of o t h e r Avalon Hill s u b s c r i b e r s living in y o u r a r e a .

Critique on Popular Avalon Hill Games

by Daniel Hughes FOR t h i s i s s u e I thought Iwould give m y a n a l y s i s of s e v e r a l of the m o s t popul a r AH g a m e s . In the c o u r s e of the a r t i c l e , I will explain what I f e e l a r e the s t r e n g t h s and w e a k n e s s e s of each s i d e in the g a m e s , and m y o v e r - a l l i m pressions. D-DAY - P o s s i b l y the b e s t g a m e f o r b e g i n n e r s . F o r b e g i n n e r s , play balance l e a n s t o w a r d A l l i e s , but ultimately the G e r m a n s c a n b e a l m o s t invincible. The (Continued o n P a g e 7)

Survey the Best of The General

I
Everyone m a k e s New Y e a r ' s r e s o l u tions. O u r r e s o l u t i o n f o r 1965 i s t o b r i n g you, through T h e G e n e r a l , a m o r e informative and m o r e i n t e r e s t i n g m a g a zine. The only way we c a n d o t h i s is t o a s k you what type of a r t i c l e s you want m o s t . T h e r e f o r e we would a p p r e c i a t e your taking the t i m e to f i l l out the following q u e s t i o n n a i r e s o w e can b e t t e r d e c i d e what type of f o r m a t would b e m o s t d e s i r a b l e f o r t h e coming y e a r . P l e a s e b e a s honest and objective a s p o s s i b l e with your c o m m e n t s . . b e a s s u r e d that a l l s u r v e y r e s u l t s will b e kept confidential. 111. Which i s s u e did you enjoy the m o s t ? May J u l y S e p t . Nov. -

Discount Offer
The Coupon shownbelow is f o r t h e benef i t of the f u l l - y e a r s u b s c r i b e r . A s soon a s you h a v e a c c u m u l a t e d 4 such coupons, 1 e a c h f r o m t h i s and succeeding i s s u e s , you a r e entitled t o a $1.00 d i s count applied t o t h e p u r c h a s e of a n y Avalon Hill game. H e r e ' s how i t w o r k s E a c h coupon i s w o r t h 25C. But one coupon a l o n e d o e s not entitle you to a 25C c r e d i t . You m u s t a c c u m u l a t e 4 different coupons b e f o r e taking advanta g e of the $1.00 c r e d i t . When you have a c c u m u l a t e d 4 coupons, then you clip t h e m a l l t o g e t h e r a n d s e n d t h e m in with your o r d e r f o r a n Avalon Hill game. When o r d e r i n g in t h i s m a n n e r , you s i m p l y s e n d u s a check o r m o n e y - o r d e r f o r $1.00 l e s s than the u s u a l r e t a i l v a l u e of the g a m e . Coupons a r e valid only when o r d e r ing g a m e s by m a i l d i r e c t l y f r o m The Avalon Hill Company. Coupons c a n not b e r e d e e m e d a t any r e t a i l outlet.

IV. What type of a r t i c l e s and f e a t u r e s do you want t o s e e m o r e of?

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I. Who i s your f a v o r i t e l l E d i t o r ? l l L i s t by n u m b e r s 1, 2 a n d 3 e t c . . . n u m b e r 1 being your f a v o r i t e . Walter G r e e n , Naval A f f a i r s T - h o m a s S. L a F a r g e , New England Victor Madeja, Middle Atlantic Hilary Smith, South A t l a n t i c C - a r l F. Knabe. Midwest Daniel Hughes, C e n t r a l P - h i l i p B e a s l e y , Northwest S/Sgt. Louis Zocchi, Southwest Jon - Perica, Pacific Coast M - a r t i n D. L e i t h , A r c t i c 11. L i s t the t h r e e a r t i c l e s you enjoyed the m o s t . L i s t by headline a n d edition month. 1s t from issue 2nd from issue 3rd from issue

V. What i m p r o v e m e n t s and additions d o you think should b e m a d e ?

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VI. Do you think you will r e - n e w your I I s u b s c r i p t i o n when y o u r s r u n s o u t ? Yes No above will not be cons t r u e d a s a c o m m i t t m e n t o n e way o r the o t h e r - - we s i m p l y want t o get a n I - . i d e a of the f u t u r e potential of theUmag-

(Youranswer

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[ SAVE THIS COUPON 1

GOOD ONLY WHEN A P P L I E D TOWARD THE PURCHASE O F AVALON HILL GAMES

azine. )

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Tactics and Strategy for Bismarck Game

by Mathew Buynoski B i s m a r c k i s one of the b e s t g a m e s e v e r m a d e by Avalon Hill; it c o m b i n e s suspense, the t i m e e l e m e n t , and the thrill of a c h a s e in e v e r y g a m e . P l a y in B i s m a r c k c a n be s a i d to cons i s t of 2 p e r i o d s , the f i r s t m o v e , and o r d e r s of battle a r e not quite a c c u r a t e . In m y v e r s i o n , the B r . 50 Infantry Division, the l e a d B r . division on Gold Beach, i s m i s s i n g . So i s the 1 OSS P z . Div. G e r m a n w e a k n e s s - l a c k of mobile units, but good u s e of available units can compensate f o r this. Allied weakn e s s - t i m e and good t e r r a i n f o r d e fensive l i n e s . AFRIKA KORPS - F o r lightning, d e cisive s t r o k e s , the b e s t g a m e , which r e q u i r e s the m o s t s k i l l a n d c a r e . One m i s t a k e c a n b e fatal. T e r r a i n i n a c c u r a c i e s can b e significant. B r i t i s h weakness - l a c k of s t r o n g units. G e r m a n weakness - supplies and g a r r i s o n obligations. Weak point of g a m e - G e r man P z . units can fight 10 b a t t l e s without losing power. T h i s i s r e a l d i f f e r ence between g a m e a n d r e a l campaign. WATERLOO - F o r s t r a t e g i c a n d tactical m a n e u v e r , the b e s t game. F o r m o s t of the g a m e , f o r c e s do not have to hold s t a t i c defensive l i n e s . E a c h side can "pick u p i t s flanks" on wide sweeping m a n e u v e r s . F r e n c h w e a k n e s s -Allies have good defensive positions, which if held p r o p e r l y , can f o r c e h i m to s k i r t flanks, which t a k e s t i m e . Allied weakness - l a c k of s t r o n g u n i t s a t b e ginning. Center hill l i n e s m u s t b e held against f r o n t a l a s s a u l t , though a d r o i t u s e of available units and r i v e r l i n e s compensate f o r this. Even a f t e r c e n t e r hill line i s broken, s u p e r i o r m a n e u v e r can win f o r e i t h e r side. STALINGRAD - Usually play balance badly in f a v o r of R u s s i a n . However-careful u s e of e v e r y a v a i l a b l e r u l e technicality can to a l a r g e extent compens a t e f a r this f o r the G e r m a n s . G e r m a n weakness - h.lgh R u s s i a n r e p l a c e m e n t r a t e s , good R u s s i a n r i v e r defense l i n e s , and immobility in w i n t e r . Russian weakness - only 3 4 units to c o v e r e v e r increasing frontage a s g a m e p r o g r e s s e s . R u s s i a n s m u s t make c o r r e c t decision on when the s t r a t e g i c withdrawal should be made. If t h i s i s done p r o p e r l y , G e r mans m u s t c o m m i t t h e m s e l v e s t o one of t h r e e c i t i e s , and R u s s i a n s can u s u ally counter t h i s t h r u s t by m a s s i n g a l l reinforcements there. This i s especially t r u e in R u s s i a n winter moves. I like Afrika Korps b e s t , provided the original r u l e s a r e used. Waterloo is perhaps the m o s t r e w a r d i n g to a good tactician. Luck i s l e s s i m p o r t a n t h e r e than in o t h e r g a m e s . Stalingrad c o m e s in t h i r d , and D-Day fourth. I a m int e r e s t e d in h e a r i n g your c o m m e n t s . the hunt. I will d i s c u s s t h e m h e r e . Philip Beasley 522 W. 2nd S t r e e t Libby, Montana EDITOR: Northwest covering Idaho, Montana, Wyoming. Nevada, Utah and Colorado. In m y f i r s t column I a s k e d f o r suggestions and c o m m e n t s on m y ideas. I r e c e i v e d plenty of both f r o m Alfred Willis, Jr. of Chanute A i r F o r c e Base, Rantoul. Illinois. He s a i d t h a t today heavy t a n k s a r e incorporated i n a r m o r e d divisions; t h a t m y m o t o r i z e d divisions have too m u c h s t r e n g t h f o r t h e i r speed and t h a t basically infantry units w e r e a s s t r o n g a s a r m o r e d divisions. He a l s o s t a t e d t h a t the n u m b e r of divisions i s sufficient and that t h i s i s a m a t t e r of p e r s o n a l p r e f e r e n c e . I find that I a g r e e with h i m on a l l t h e s e points. But here, t h e r e i s the a r g u m e n t whether you want the game enjoyable o r h i s t o r i cally accurate. He a l s o had s o m e suggestions that I found v e r y good. I think the b e s t of h i s m a n y ideas i s a new type of infantry division with a c o m b a t f a c t o r of one and a movement f a c t o r of seven. T h e r e would be f o u r of these. Now, I would like t o m a k e s o m e suggestions of m y own. After playing one game with t r i p l e the r e g u l a r divisions, I found t h i s i s e n t i r e l y too many. Even with double the r e g u l a r divisions, the g a m e tends to d e g e n e r a t e into a battle in the n o r t h e r n f o r e s t . However, if you d e s i r e m o r e divisions, simply add s i x m o r e a r m o r e d , making the r a t i o of infantry to a r m o r what i t should be. A s f a r a s s t r a t e g y with the e x t r a divisions, n e i t h e r s i d e should t r y a v e r y bold s t r a t e g y the f i r s t turn. Although I know t h i s will prove unpopular with the m o r e audacious p l a y e r s , the only s t r a t e g y that will win i s a slow advance using a t t r i t i o n tactics. Although the West Point A t l a s of A m e r i c a n W a r s i s a good r e f e r e n c e book, it r e a l l y won't help your game s t r a t e g y , u n l e s s you have someone to i n s t r u c t you. However, the r e c o m m e n d e d reading l i s t at the end of the book i s a n excellent s o u r c e f o r f u r t h e r study. c o a s t s , b o a r d edges, and r u n s to p o r t f o r the s a m e r e a s o n . He s t a n d s a f a r g r e a t e r chance of being caught, heavily damaged, o r even sunk. Runs to p o r t s a r e e s p e c i a l l y dangerous because the p o r t s a r e usually clogged with B r i t i s h BB's itching to shoot up a German. Those of y o u i n t e r e s t e d to h e a r about adding C r u i s e r s t o t h i s game should write: Mathew Buynoski. 41 O r c h a r d P l a c e , Battle C r e e k , Michigan 49017. F i r s t Move T h i s move i s the m o s t important in the e n t i r e game of B i s m a r c k . It c a n d e t e r m i n e whether the B i s m a r c k will be bottled up o r e s c a p e to the safety of open sea. I offer two s t o c k m o v e s f o r the German: 1) move t o a zone w h e r e B r i t i s h Battleships w e r e originally placed. Usually they have moved out and the B i s m a r c k c a n avoid a n e a r l y , often crippling combat. 2) Move into one of the A r e a s D-5, E-5, o r E-6. The B r i t i s h have only two ships, one a c r u i s e r , to c o v e r this e n t i r e region, and the B i s m a r c k ' s c h a n c e s of escaping t o the open s e a a r e quite good, indeed. I caution a g a i n s t moving around Iceland o r staying c l o s e to Bergen. The B r i t i s h c a n too e a s i l y t r a p a B i s m a r c k in confined s p a c e s . The B r i t i s h Admiral, on h i s f i r s t turn, has no a l t e r n a t i v e but t o c o v e r a s many A r e a s a s possible without o v e r ly dissipating h i s strength. If the m a r c k i s not located, move the f l e e t toward the North Atlantic during the night of May 24rd. Chances a r e that t h i s i s w h e r e the B i s m a r c k h a s gone.

s-

The Hunt Once out in 4he Atlantic, the Em a r c k ' s m a j o r t a s k i s t o avoid c o m b a t with B r i t i s h battleships a s often a s p o s s i b l e , e s p e c i a l l y if he i s damaged and the B r i t i s h a r e n ' t . V e r y often, e v e n such a no-account ship a s Repulse h a s sunk a damaged B i s m a r c k . At night, however, the e n t i r e p i c t u r e changes; the B i s m a r c k ' s B-range s u p e r i o r i t y on the battle b o a r d enables h i m t o go hunting f o r the B r i t i s h , and c u t t h e m up badly. I once had the m a r c k and engaged the Renown, alone, a t night. It took m e only 1-1 2 gun s a l vo to r e d u c e that s h i p t o a sinking .. w r e c k and a 5-point gain f o r m e . To counter t h i s G e r m a n t a c t i c , the B r i t i s h A d m i r a l would do w e l l to pile h i s BB's a t night. During the day, when safe f r o m t h e s e f o r a y s , the Brit'ish A d m i r a l should f o r m the " 9 - A r e a Defenser1,o r a r i n g of ships around to B i s m a r c k ' s l a s t known position. A G e r m a n inside one of these c i r c l e s c a n only move into A r e a s containing B r i t i s h ships, and will n e v e r be l o s t , a s long a s the Defense i s m a i n tained. The b e s t policy f o r the B r i t i s h i s to move t h e i r s h i p s randomly inside the defense. Eventually a combat should occur through a chance meeting of B i s m a r c k and a B r i t i s h BB. E v e r y effort should be m a d e to f o r c e the B i s m a r c k into a c o r n e r . because h e r e his mobility i s reduced and the B r i t i s h chance f o r bringing h i m to battle i s increased.

a-

The B i s m a r c k p l a y e r should avoid

Limited Intelligence Game

$ y ( l;

simultaneous m o v e s you m a y have s i t uations i n which one unit i s b e i n g a t t a c k ed by two e n e m y u n i t s , one of which it i s itself attacking in conjunction with a fellow unit. Who i s t h e a t t a c k e r , and who i s the d e f e n d e r ? You could w o r k out a Combat R e s u l t s T a b l e f o r just two u n i t s attacking e a c h o t h e r , but a situation a s d e s c r i b e d above m a k e s f o r a l i t t l e confusion. The n o r m a l Combat R e s u l t s T a b l e h a s 144 possible c a s e s . The odds r u n 1 t o 1, 3, t o 2, 2 to 1. 5 to 2, 3 t o 1, and s o forth. Two d i c e a r e rolled. What happens i s t h a t the Marquis de Champignon with 3,200 m e n a t t a c k s t h e Archduke G r e g o r Leopold, who h a s 2, 000. T h i s is roughly 3 t o 2. s o the M a r q u i s r o l l s , s a y , a n 8. T h i s m a y m e a n t h a t he l o s e s 300 men, and the Archduke l o s e s 700. A b a t t l e a l ways r e s u l t s i n both s i d e s l o s i n g m e n , the winner being he who l o s e s the l e a s t .

How to Save Your Gettysburg (Hex) Game

by Louis Zocchi I would l i k e to s a y a few w o r d s h e r e t o a l l AH f a n s who think that Gettysburg I1 is a l o o s e r . T h i s g a m e c a n b e conv e r t e d into a v e r y fine g a m e if you will m a k e a few m i n o r changes. I don't know why t h i s didn't o c c u r t o AH, but h e r e is a l l you have t o do. I n c r e a s e the movement of i n f a n t r y to 6, a r t i l l e r y to 7, and c a v a l r y t o 9. Change the a r t i l l e r y r u l e t o t h i s . A r t i l l e r y h a s a n effective r a n g e of 2 s q u a r e s on offense only. T h i s m e a n s that if a n e n e m y a r t i l l e r y unit can b e r e a c h e d by infantry, the infantry m a y a t t a c k i m m e d i a t e l y without stopping i n the s e c o n d a r y zone t o withstand f i r e . If you a t t a c k e n e m y a r t i l l e r y with your a r t i l l e r y f r o m 2 s q u a r e s away, you d i s r e g a r d any a d v e r s e r e s u l t s t o the attacking a r t i l l e r y . T h i s m e a n s t h a t if you r o l l - a t t a c k e r eliminated o r exchange, nothing happens. If you r o l l a t t a c k e r back 2 nothing happens. All r e s u l t s a d v e r s e to the defender a r e effective so if defender i s f o r c e d b a c k 2, he m u s t r e t r e a t . If you find that the south is winning too many g a m e s a f t e r you have made t h e s e changes i n the r u l e s you c a n m a k e a n o t h e r change. All HQ u n i t s c a n delay the e n e m y 1 t u r n if they block the r o u t e the e n e m y m u s t take t o r e a c h your position. The HQ u n i t s h a v e no combat power, but m u s t

Southwest
S/SGT. Louis Zocchi 139 Belvedere C i r c l e Biloxi, M i s s i s s i p p i EDITOR - Southwest covering Arizona, New Mexico, T e x a s , Oklahoma, Arkans a s and Louisiana. b e eliminated b e f o r e you c a n move past them. V a r y Road E n t r i e s If your s o u t h e r n p l a y e r is s t i l l winning t o o many g a m e s , o r you would l i k e to add a n e l e m e n t of doubt into the g a m e , n u m b e r a l l the r o a d s on the b o a r d . I believe you will find 15 r o a d s . Write the n u m b e r s 1 t h r u 15 on s m a l l p i e c e s of p a p e r and p l a c e t h e m i n a hat. Shake up the h a t and d r a w out one of the p i e c e s of p a p e r . The n u m b e r on .the p a p e r will t e l l you which r o a d you m u s t e n t e r on. If t h a t r o a d i s blocked u s e the next clockwise unblocked road. R e t u r n t h e p a p e r to the h a t s o that t h e r e will b e a chance that someone e l s e can u s e the r o a d . T h i s method of play gives big advantage. The south the North will b e f o r c e d t o d i s a p a t e h i s s t r e n g t h and r u n a l l o v e r t h e p l a c e t r y i n g to kill off the union f o r c e s a s they a p p e a r . Of c o u r s e t h e south will b e using the s a m e method to b r i n g on h e r f o r c e s and you could get s o m e n a s t y s u r p r i s e s .

However t h e r e might be a situation w h e r e t h e Archduke would l o s e 700 m e n , and t h e M a r q u i s would l o s e 200, a n d yet have to r e t r e a t ; o r t h e Archduke might have to r e t r e a t . The C o n t r o l F i g u r e m u s t b e t h e m a n t o f i g u r e out the odds, s o a s t o avoid unpleasant, v i t r i o l i c s c e n e s a s t o whether 4 , 9 0 0 t o 2,500 is 2 t o 1 o r not. I do l i k e t o k e e p things i n t e r m s of h u n d r e d s . I a m not going t o put down h e r e m y own Combat R e s u l t s Table, but I ' m s u r e you c a n m a k e your own, i t ' s not v e r y h a r d . Also, the Control F i g u r e s e t t l e s c o m bat: He t h r o w s t h e d i c e . ( I m'ay h a v e m i s l e d you with t h e bit about the M a r quis rolling a n eight. ) TWO KINDS O F S U P P L Y UNITS

bivouac, but they a r e a b l e t o defend themselves.

(Continued from I P a g e 2)

Naval Affairs

D. Supply. Supply t r a i n s a r e of two kinds: Ammunition, a n d g e n e r a l s u p ply, o r , l e s s pompously, food. They a r e a s s e m b l e d i n m a j o r c i t i e s of o n e ' s own country, a n d e a c h one c a n supply a c e r t a i n n u m b e r of m e n . They can b e a s big a s you l i k e , but the b i g g e r they a r e , the longer it takes to assemble them. You might have t h e m g a t h e r s u p p l i e s f o r t h r e e thousand m e n f o r e a c h t u r n t h a t they w a i t - I l e a v e t h a t u p t o you. When t h e y ' r e a s b i g a s you want them, you s e n d t h e m off. They should m o v e with t h e s p e e d of h u s s a r s , I would tend t o think, and b e s u b j e c t t o a l l the m o v e m e n t l i m i t a t i o n s . T o b e supplied by t h e m , t h e u n i t s in question m u s t b e within a c e r t a i n d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e m .
A s i n "Afrika K o r p s , " u n i t s m u s t r e supply with ammunition a f t e r e a c h battle, and with g e n e r a l s u p p l i e s , a f t e r a given length of t i m e . If t h e food t r a i n g e t s through, but not the ammunition, then the units m a y move, but not fight. , O r if the c o n v e r s e happens, then they m u s t

INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL VARIABLES E. V a r i a b l e s . One c a n introduce m i l l i o n s of exciting optional r u l e s into t h i s g a m e . Having a d e s e r t i o n r a t e i s one i d e a - you can w o r k out a g r a p h whereby the d e s e r t i o n r a t e r i s e s i n proportion t o the s c a r c i t y of food, o r when a sound defeat h a s been a d m i n i s t e r e d , o r when t h e r e a r e f o r c e d m a r ches. Forced marches a r e another possibility. F o r a f e w e x t r a s q u a r e s p e r t u r n , you pay in man-power. (Shades of A. P. Hill romping through the c o r n f i e l d s a t Antietam. ) Weather, and i t s effect on o b s e r v a t i o n and movem e n t . . I could go on and on. I have l e f t a l o t of s c o p e f o r anyone who i s i n t e r e s t e d to play a r o u n d with. If you have a n y c r i t i c i s m s , i d e a s , plans f o r a n e l e c t r o n i c IBM Control F i g u r e , s e n d t h e m t o m e . My a d d r e s s is w r i t t e n l a r g e above. E s p e c i a l l y , if anyone t r i e s t o produce one of t h e s e , I would b e f a s c i n a t e d t o h e a r of it. The whole i d e a involves i m m e n s e e f f o r t s , a n d l o t s of t i m e , but I think i t ' s worth it.

f r o m m y C h a n c e l l o r s v i l l e s e t to d e t e r m i n e odds. B-17 Optional Rule Adds R e a l i s m I would a l s o r e c o m m e n d the inclusion of the B-17 r u l e a s r e g u l a r f e a t u r e a s s u c h b o m b e r s took p a r t in the battle and w e r e available f o r s e r v i c e . T h i s and the o t h e r optional r u l e s do a g r e a t d e a l to i m p r o v e t.he b a s i c r e a l i s m of the g a m e . T h i s i s s u e ' s l i s t of r e c o m m e n d e d books includes: Defeat a t S e a - C. D. B e k k e r - t h e s t o r y of the G e r m a n Navy in World War 11. The F i g h t f o r the S e a - C o m m a n d e r David D. L e w i s , USN - s t o r y of s u b m a r i n e w a r f a r e in the Atlantic in WW I and WW 11. Midway - F u c h i d a and Okumiya - a n e x c e l l e n t study of the battle of Midway. The G r e a t S e a War - P o t t e r and Nimitz - a s u r v e y h i s t o r y of World War IInaval operations. Next i s s u e I hope to s t a r t analyzing B i s m a r c k including s e v e r a l p r o p o s a l s f o r a m o r e i n t r i c a t e and r e a l i s t i c game. Hopefully t h i s will include s o m e i d e a s f o r m o r e effective a e r i a l operations.

George Bradford and His Computor Results Table

The device i l l u s t r a t e d h e r e w a s ins p i r e d by M a r t i n L e i t h ' s o r i g i n a l idea in the S e p t e m b e r / 6 4 i s s u e . It i s b a s i c a l l y the s a m e p r i n c i p l e , but c a r r i e d to its ultimate degree. The object i s to r e p l a c e the d i e without l o s i n g a n y of i t s probability f a c t o r s . T h i s h a s been done by w i r i n g 6 s w i t c h e s f o r the A t t a c k e r a n d 6 f o r the Defender to a s e t of 6 indication l i g h t s . P r o c e d u r e in play would b e a s follows: The odds a r e d e t e r m i n e d , and the l a r g e d i a l i s turned until i t points to the p r o p e r odds s u r r o u n d i n g i t . T h i s a c t i o n m o v e s the bank of l i g h t s a c r o s s the r e s u l t s With this s y s t e m the defender a l s o i s allowed t o take p a r t i n t h e outcome of the r e s u l t s , however he m u s t not allow t h e a t t a c k e r t o s e e which switch he h a s thrown. T h e n e c e s s a r y e l e m e n t s would be; 6 s m a l l l i g h t s with s o c k e t s , 6 toggle s w i t c h e s , and s u f f i c i e n t knife switches t o a l l o w f o r 36 c o n t a c t s . T h e s e l a t t e r m u s t b e adapted t o have 6 cont a c t s on e a c h switch. The d i a l a r r a n g e ment and the cabinet can be built to your own d i s c r e t i o n . s c r e e n by sliding i t along 2 r o d s by m e a n s of a pulley s y s t e m , to the p r o p e r column. At t h i s point t h e Defender t h r o w s a n y switch of h i s choosing on the b a c k of the s e t . NOW the A t t a c k e r t h r o w s one of h i s 6 switches which c o m p l e t e s t h e c i r c u i t a n d a n y one of the 6 lights could light up. T h e r e a r e 36 possibilit i e s b u i l t into the s e t w h i c h c o r r e s p o n d s with the common die. The bank of lights r i d e s c l o s e behind t h e g l a s s s c r e e n on which i s mounted a negative piece of f i l m with a l l the Avalon Hill r e s u l t s printed on i t , plus a column of 1-6 f o r s p e c i a l p u r p o s e s l i k e G e r m a n supplies in A f r i k a Korps. T h i s piece of f i l m ( i t could b e p a p e r ) c a n b e r e movedand replacedwith theappropriate one f o r a n y game. When one of the 6 l i g h t s c o m e s on i t lights up only the combat r e s u l t d i r e c t l y i n f r o n t of it, b e c a u s e i t i s shielded s o a s not to a l low light t o e s c a p e e l s e w h e r e . The accompanying d i a g r a m shows t h e complete wiring. The u s e of c o l o r ed w i r e s f o r e a c h c i r c u i t is r e c o m m e n d ed.

Arctic
M a r t i n D. L e i t h Box 623. Quesnel. B . C . . Canada F o r t h i s i s s u e , I ' m going to r e l a x and t u r n the column o v e r to George B r a d f o r d , of R. R . 2, P r e s t o n , Ont., who s u b m i t t e d the following d a t a on a "Combat R e s u l t s Computer. T h i s c o m p u t e r w a s designed by George and a f r i e n d , who is a Bell t e l e phone tech.

Survey Results ln~omplete

The r e t u r n s of t h e Design Questionn a i r e w e r e n u m e r o u s but inconclusive. T h e r e w a s v e r y l i t t l e i n t e r e s t in Yorktown, - B a s k e t b a l l S t r a t e g y , C o r a l Sea and Bull Run. However, of the m o s t often checked g a m e s , no one title h a s stood out. But, leading the s u r v e y a t the m o m e n t (and q u e s t i o n n a i r e s a r e s t i l l coming in d a i l y ) a r e Guadalcanal, Battle of the Bulge, Italian Campaign, Jutland, K o r e a - - and T a c t i c s 111. So, o u r design d e p a r t m e n t i s r e s e a r c h i n g a l l of these titles. Many "Other T i t l e s " Suggested Quite s u r p r i s i n g w a s the number of "write i n candidates. I t The Battle of B r i t a i n s c o r e d high i n t h i s category. A l s o , n u m e r o u s World War I campaigns r e c e i v e d mentions. Some of you went into g r e a t length; notably o u r Sage S a r g e , S/Sgt. Louis Zocchi, who sugg e s t e d S q u a r e Mill (the exciting Don Quixoti combat g a m e ) which is a d i r e c t steal from a rival manufacturer's S q u a r e Mile g a m e (the g a m e that inc r e a s e s g a s m i l e a g e by showing you how C h r i s t o p h e r Columbus managed t o get o v e r 7 , 0 0 0 m i l e s on a g a l l e o n . ) Sinking s t i l l f u r t h e r into the l u d i c r o u s w e r e suggested: Keep A b r e s t (the f a m ous a r m y m a r c h i n g g a m e ) and C u r r e n t E v e n t s (the new r a i s o n eating while standing in s h a r k i n f e s t e d w a t e r s game. ) The end, m a n .

COMBAT

RESULTS C O M P U T E R

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(4)

Reading List

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6L to 4 5

"

(4)

M i l i t a r y Policy And National Security edited by William W. Kaufmann, 1956. R e a l i t i e s Of A m e r i c a n F o r e i g n P o l i cy, - by G e o r g e F . Kennan, 1954. P a n z e r L e a d e r , by Gen. Heinz Guderian, 1952. Combat Actions In K o r e a , by Maj. R u s s e l l A. G u g e l e r , 1954. Inside R u s s i a Today, by John Gunt h e r , 1958. The Soldier And The State, by Samu e l P. Huntington, 1957.

1L to 1R Z L '.a 6R

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i6)
(6;

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Questlon Box
hlIDWAY: Q: Get this situation, M r . Hill. My opponent and I have just divided coulbat on the Battle Board. We find that a l l of h i s s h i p s have d i r e c t e d t h e i r s c r e e n ing values a g a i n s t e v e r y o n e of m y a t tacking a i r c r a f t except one D-3 c o u n t e r . Now, according to the r u l e s , that D - 3 counter c a n a t t a c k one of h i s s h i p s a t . 3- 1. What I want t o know i s this. can I b r e a k this D-3 counter down into t h r e e D-1 c o u n t e r s and have t h r e e diff e r e n t I to 1 a t t a c k s against t h a t s a m e ship? A: Yes. The a t t a c k e r h a s h i s choice of attacking once a t 3 to 1, o r t h r e e 1 to 1 ' s .

Operation Overlord II Ready to Roll

by Jon P e r i c a T h a n k s to the a l m o s t 200 people that w r o t e in to a n s w e r m y July r e q u e s t f o r a m u l t i - p l a y e r D-Day game, final p l a n s a r e just about complete. It took a little bit longer than w a s expected to g e t o r g a n i z e d b e c a u s e of the l a r g e n u m b e r of applications. All the r e q u e s t s t h a t were received were carefully considered s o we could pick the b e s t qualified persons. Finally, 87 p l a y e r s w e r e chosen f o r e a c h side to a c t a s c o m m a n d e r s , subordinates and staff m e m bers. The s e t - u p t o be used by the defende r s was the the Tom B o s s e l e r . After the initial placement, a l l c o m m a n d e r s will have c o n t r o l o v e r t r o o p movement. The G e r m a n A r m y i s divided into t h r e e groups. A r m y Group I i s defending the South of F r a n c e , while A r m y Group I11 i s covering the N o r t h e r n coast. A r m y Group I1 a r m o r units a r e f o r m e d into the f i r s t P a n z i e r A r m y to a c t a s a mobile r e s e r v e . Invasion Expected a t South F r a n c e T o m a k e s u r e that a l l p a r t i c i p a n t s w e r e f a m i l i a r w i t h the p r o c e d u r e f o r movement, p r a c t i c e m o v e m e n t s f o r both s i d e s have taken place. The Allies have made a d u m m y landing a t south F r a n c e while the G e r m a n s have m a d e p r a c t i c e withdrawls f r o m all their beachheads. Due to the two p r a c t i c e m o v e s , a c t u a l s t a r t i n g of the c o n t e s t w a s delayed until C h r i s t m a s Vacation. Then a t l a s t the final p r e p a r a t i o n s w e r e finished, the Allied f o r c e s c o m m a n d e d by ~~h~ srnythe announced that south F r a n c e h a s been s e l e c t e d a s the invasion a r e a . F u r t h e r news on developm e n t s in the g a m e will a p p e a r in the near future.

p
Pacific Coast
J on P e r i c a

5643 R a ~ n a r a Avenue
Woodland Hills, California 9 1364

EDITOR - - P a c i f i c C o a s t co w a i i , C a l i f o r n i a , Oregon, Washington and the F a r E a s t .

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Q: If s e v e r a l c o u n t e r s a t t a c k the s a m e ship but the s h i p i s sunk before a l l a t t a c k s on it a r e r e s o l v e d , c a n the r e maining s q u a d r o n s fly away without going through with the a t t a c k ? A: No. Remaining s q u a d r o n s m u s t go through with the a t t a c k and s u s t a i n the inevitable 10s s e s . Q: May m o r e than one a i r c r a f t c o u n t e r attack the s a m e s h i p ? A: Yes, a ship m a y be attacked by any number of c o u n t e r s and f r o m m o r e than one rectangle.
Q: May a s c r e e n i n g s h i p f i r e a t m o r e than one s q u a d r o n c o u n t e r ? A: Yes, it m a y f i r e a t any n u m b e r of c o u n t e r s a s long a s s u c h c o u n t e r s a r e firing at One ship f r o m one rectangle. At no time may a f i r e a t plaries in more than One And a may f i r e at planes in the same r e c t a n g l e if they a r e a t t a c k i n g d i f f e r e n t ships.

The a c t u a l field c o m m a n d e r s f o r both sides a r e as follows: German: Supreme Commander - Tom Bosseler F i e l d M a r s h a l A r m y G r o u p - Jon P e r i c a General Frederick Brems General Eugene Langerfield F i e l d M a r s h a l A r m y Group - George Phelps General Dave Kellogg General John Bailey General L a r r y Bristol Allies: S u p r e m e C o m m a n d e r - John Smythe G e n e r a l Nelson Kempsky Colonel-General J o e M i l l e r Colonel-General Dan Wenschoffef Colonel-General Dan Walker G e n e r a l P a u l McKibben Colonel-General Jeff E h m m e l Colonel-General Gail Hoskins G e n e r a l David Arnold Colonel-General Dale Garbutt Colonel-General G a r y Coldwell The following l i s t i s the approximate n u m b e r of units defending e a c h invasion area: south F~~~~~ 4 1 B r i t t a n y and Bay of Biscay 12 ~ ~ sea 34 t ~ h North S e a to S o m m e s R i v e r 30 L e H a r v r e and Normandy 33 1 s t P a n z i e r A r m y 61 The a n s w e r : position 41-5 a t 1-26 and 7A-2 a t R - 2 7 . Why? B e c a u s e now the G e r m a n s would have to soak-off a g a i n s t the 41-5 Unit to a t t a c k Tobruk a t 2 to 1. And with the 7A-2 Unit c o m pletely , blocking the 21-3 R e c c e Unit and preventing it f r o m being u s e d a s the soak-off Unit, the G e r m a n s , with a total of 24 a t t a c k f a c t o r s available, could not a t t a c k a t 2 to 1. Because of the soak-off r e q u i r e m e n t , a n a t t a c k a g a i n s t Tobruk m u s t be done a t 1 to 1. Of c o u r s e , you might want to a t t a c k one o r two of the 2-2-6 Units now in Tobruk but that would a c c o m p l i s h absolutely In f a c t * any attack against Tobruk under these circumstances be s h e e r lunacy you "cultivated" dice. ) Well, did you figure c o r r e c t l y ? If Yes, then w e give you O u r s a n c t i o n open your own m i l i t a r y academy.

GETTYSBURG: Q: If a Unit i s in the woods on the adjacent s q u a r e f r o m the r i d g e s c a n the Unit continue unobstructed into the ridges and move two squares or does it have to stop on the edge of the ridge? A: The very latest ruling states that there shall be no movement delays or penalties in Gettysburg. CHANCELLORSVILLE: Q: Do a r t i l l e r y Units get doubled d e fending against attacking artillery on opposite shore? Do they triple if in a fortress? A: Yes to both. BASEBALL STRATEGY: Q: A r e you allowed to c a l l f o r a "pitchout" with no one on b a s e ? A: NO. although the r u l e s do not m a k e this provision, we a r e s t a t i n g that the " c a t c h e r " cannot c a l l f o r it s i m p l y b e c a u s e t h e r e would be no r e a s o n t o d o s o in a r e a l g a m e .

Q: If a s t a c k o f t w o Units h a s been s u r rounded and the top Unit h a s been e l i m h a t e d but the bottom Unit s u r v i v e d b e c a u s e of the s o a k - o f f , i s the r e m a i n i n g Unit allowed to move one s q u a r e s o he could get b e t t e r odds in his f o r c e d a t tack, o r does he have to s t a y w h e r e he
iS7

A: The s u r r o u n d e d Unit m a y move that one s q u a r e , but only one s q u a r e in an a t t e m p t to a t t a c k a t b e t t e r odds. TACTICS 11: If the defender is f o r c e d back and the only r o u t e of r e t r e a t is a c r o s s a r i v e r , i s that defending ullit e l i m i n a t e d ? A: No.. . u n i t s m a y be r e t r e a t e d a c r o s s r i v e r s , into f o r e s t s o r into lmountains. However, in c a s e of a r m o r : they c a n not r e t r e a t into woods o r m o u n t a i n s ; and only mountain Units m a y r e t r e a t into mountains.
Q:

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A s a f r e e service to s u b s c r i b e r s , t h e OPPONENTS WANTED Meanwhile - following ads a r e i n s e r t e d exactly a s they a r e submitted to us. Ads received after the 15th day of t h e month preceding publication Back at Tactics II date will a p p e a r i n the following issue.

by E r i c R . Shimer I a m convinced that Tactics is the b e s t game you've e v e r come u p with. Since I a m a h i s t o r y major, I go to all l e n g t h s to see that your other games a r e completely accurate. Unfortunately, this destroys their playability for all but the most avid historian. But Tactics -- - It's flexible because you needn't w o r r y about historical accuracy. A f t e r playing the standard "old h a t M versions, I came up with one of my own which I call Tactics 1 1 1. I have made the following changes and additions to the original game: Beach g a r r i s o n s double their defensive f a c t o r s when attacked from seaward. U s i n g the h a c h u r e s i n the mountains to determine elevations, uphill units double their defensive factors. Cities double defensive factors. I have made additional weather cards. P o r t s a r e considered friendly a s soon a s all enemy opposition is eliminated from them. If you capture a city and hold it f o r six months, it can be used a s a supply point f o r thevictorious a r m y , but it may not be used for r e placement. Exchanges a r e computed a s in D-Day. Mountain t r o o p s have their regular 1 f o r 1 l o s s of BTA f a c t o r s , a s do HQ's when moving i n mountains. Armored units l o s e 3 B T A ' s f o r every space moved through mountains. A l l other units lose 2 BTA's. Movement through f o r e s t s is computed normally except for a r m o r e d units which lose 3 B T A ' s f o r every space moved through forests. One airborne brig. p e r block may land i n a forest area, but may only move 1 block i n the t u r n it lands. A f t e r w a r d s , it is allotted its regular BTA. However, airborne units may not take off f r o m forests. Some new units have been added, bringing the unit totals to 7 HQ's, 2 1 inf divs (42 b r i g s . ), 4 a r m inf divs ( 8 brigs. ), 4 a r m cav r e g t s , 6 a r m divs (12 b r i g s . ), 2 mt divs ( 4 b r i g s . ), 2 air divs ( 4 brigs. ), and 2 marine divs ( 4 b r i g s . ) . T h e s e t r o o p s a r e allotted r e g u l a r l y , but with 1 a r m cav r e g t p e r c o r p s . E v e r y f i f t h numbered inf div is a n a r m inf div. Combat factors a r e a s follows: HQ's = 0 - 1 - 7 , inf b r i g = 3 - 3 - 5 , mt b r i g = 3 - 3 - 5 , m a r brig.3-3-5, a i r brig.2-2-4, a r m b r i g = 5 - 5 - 7 , a r m inf brig.4-4-6, and a r m cav r e g t = 2 - 2 - 8 .

Wanted: An opponent f o r any A.H. land battle game. Must be used to losing. Your side i s your own preference. Specify rules and game ih the f i r s t Letter. Write to: Jobn Amersbadian, 2 Chauncey Street. Watertown, Mass. Wanted: Opponents f o r Afrika Korps. Chancellorsville, Gettysburg ('61 o r '64 copyright), Waterloo. Stdingrad. and D-Day. Any Side will b taken. Our players will win on any side. WRITE: The T. A. S. E. Club. C / O Mark Diamond. 5747 Aylesboro Ave., P i t t s b u r ~ h , Pennsylvania 15217. ADULT OPPONENTS ONLY (20 yrs. and over): I will be glad to match wits over the gaming board with you, taking either ~ i d e the following games: Din Day. Stalingrad, Waterloo, Football Strategy. Write or phone Dick Rustin, 200 Cabrini Boulevard. New York 33 WA 8-1093. FROM: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology War Games Society. TO: - AnyExperiencedStalingradplayer. SUBJECT: YOUR DEFEAT inSTALINGRAD play-by-mail. TERMS: One game eitber side with play balance rule (4.5.6) replacement r a t e OR Two games both sides with your choice of (4.5.6). (4.5.7), (4.6.7). (4, 6. 8) replacement rate in bothgames. CONTACT: Stanley D. Hoffman, Apt. 306, 50MassachusettsAve., Cambridge Massachusetts 02139. Wanted: - Victims to go down to defeat before the following invincible and undefeated armies: Germans in D-Day. Afrika Korps, Stalingrad o r Bismarck; North in Chancellorsville o r Gettysburg (old version); any other Avdon Hill game. Write to T e r r y Griner, South 4214 Madelia. Spokane, Wash. ICH BEDARF!! Ein wurdiger Britischer Gegner in Bismarck. Meine Aufzeichnung ist Dreizig und Funf (und die Funf s i n d s e h r a l t . ) Einigea Opfer? George Walters, 1529 Gleneagle Rd., Balto., M : ID 3-4080 (P. S. - Einiges Avdon d Hill Personal O p f e r ? ) ANYONE, who is looking to get cut down to size-George Tur and I will gladly oblige in D-Day, Afrika Korps. Tactics 11. Waterloo o r Midway - Please Contact: William Drahyk. 31-26 34th St.. Astoria 6, N. Y. tel. AS 8-8874 (212) live o r by-mail. Anxious to play a worthwhile opponent. I,ll take the Allies, I,ll use two optional rules. One: No s e a movement through Bengazi. Two: The isolation rule. This game of Afrika will he played with a Germansupply counter on the f i r s t turn!! ! If willing write: 119 Juniper Road, Belmont 78, Massachusetts.

Interestedin joining an AvalonHillgame club? Live on the West side of Cleveland, near Lakewood? If your answers a r e E, write to Bill Barilka, 1509 St. Charles, Lakewood, '44107 Ohio. If it's simply f o r playing A.H. games o r inventing new ones, there's a place f o r you. A similar club i s being formed on the E a s t Side, centered in Shaker Heights, tbat will provide future cometition f o r us In playing tournaments. k p o n e n t s Wanted: Do you think your German defense f o r D-Day i s pretty good? How would you like to t r y it out againat an invasion strategy tbat hasn't failed yet? If you feel brave, write to: Robert Zilske, 1615 S. Douglas Street. Appleton. Wisconsin. Members Wanted: Do you have trouble finding opponents to play Avalon Hill war g a m e s ? If you do, then our club is f o r you. We have just organizeda playby-mail group f o r people all over the country. Our organization will have its own newsletter and will hold tournaments by mail. If you a r e interested in joining, write to: Robert Zilske, 1615 S. Douglas St., Appleton. Wis. Would d l the Napoleone, Wellingtons. Lees, Meades. Rommels. Stalina, and other AHenthusiasts who live onCleveland's e a s t side contact Roger B. White, Jr. a t 16470 S. P a r k Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44120 if you a r e interested in forming a game group, club, o r Command Staff. Am looking for an opponent f o r any Avalon Hill games playable by mail. If anybody lives near m e (Milwaukee) and would want to f o r m an Avalon Hill War Game Club. Call m e a t 543.7135 after 4:OOon Weekdays. WilliamHoyer. 7833 W. Becber. West Allis 19. Wis. If any person in the Twin Cities a r e a would like to f o r m an Avalon Hill game club would You please contact m e by letter o r call 698-6300. If you write please have a l i s t of the games you own. David L. Ameson, 1496 Hartford Ave., St. Paul. Minn. 55116. Do you belong to a cluh? No? Well if YOU live anywhere near m e send the names of the A-H games you own plus your name and address to: King Jobn I, 1118 No. 11th Ave.. Melrase Park. Ill. 60160 by postcard, letter, phone ( F I 36056). pony e x p i e s s o r olympic runner. Wanted: Preferably alive-any halfcompetent German general o r staff willing to freeze to death on the steppes of Russia, (i.e. Stdingrad). If this notice leaves you cold, don't write Alan Rothfeld c / o Lincoln Clark. Gov. Dummer Acd., South Byfield. Mass. Can also l a D-Da and Afrika Kor s. Needs Worthwhile Opponent. Contact Donald Greenwood, 128 Warren Street,

p mail opponent f o r Afrika Korps, Mid.a , ,y or other A-H game. Write: Bill ~ u l ~ t 410 S. Market St., Charleston, t, ~ i ~ ~ i.i ~ s i w i l l anyPPone in the Houston. Texas area interested in joining anAvalonHill Game Club, please contact: Michael R. Childers, 3137Tilfer. Houston 17. Tex. MI 5-0946.

Need Tactics I1 opponent. Everyone in my home t m n would rather ride the Burf than play Avalon Hill games. Dirrgusting. Also have Play-by-Mail kit.. philipC. Meyer, P. 0. Box404, Honokaa, nawaii, 96727. opponents reqvested for: Gettysburg (hexagon version), Verdict. Verdict 1 , 1 ~ ~ ~ U-Boat. Bismarck. Sta~ ~ ~ ~ lingrad, D-Day, and Afrika Korps. Call c e o r g e Callen. 251-3898, 1208 S. 34th s t . , ~ p t .1, ~ i r r n i ~ g b a m , Ala. WANTED: One retired Union General to m e e t Confederate Colonel (that's ~ ~ ~ t u c k y a t Gettysburg 64 for a suh) showdown on the field of battle. Send your f i r s t move to: Colonel Jack Wilson 2388 Sydney Ave.. Louisville 5. Ky. ~~~~~e in the Rhode Island a r e a intereated in forming an ~ ~ a l o n WarHill game c l u b contact: M. L. Price, 142 ~ v e r reenSt..Providence. P L 1-8265. 1 amglooking f o r an opponent to play ti^^ 1 and will take either side. 1 preferably within distance of my home. Contact Bruce Davidson. BOX 209, RD 64, Scotia, N.Y. 12302.

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p bus. Hampton. Buckroe Beach o r F o r t ~ ~ ~ Va. a ~e a ethat would like to r r , join an Avalon Hill Game Club. write or phone Robert Beyma, 701 N. Hope s t . , phoebus, Va. (tel. PA 3-8128). play-by-Mail Tactics I1 opponent want.d. write: H~~~~ solomon, 3330 Decatur Lane, St. Louis Park. Minn. p l a y - b y - ~ a i l Afrika ~ ~ r p s opponent ,,,anted. Write: Mark Diamond, 5747 ~ y l e s b o ~ ~~ e ~.i t , s h u r g h , Pa. r t To the General: ~a~~ ~ a will k u m b l e . . Wanted: ~ ~ opponents in D-Day, Gettysburg (bexagon), Stalingrad. Afrika Korps, and id^^^. would like to play in person hut can fight by mail. Teddy Slafka; 5803 southington; Houston, Tex. 77033; Sophomore Jesse Jones High. age 15. Opponent: Lots Of Luck' I have lost Only ( 2 ) games' WANTED: Seasoned Generals who a r e in a classification equal to my 34-5-1 record. Anyone who meets the above requirements may choose from the following games and sides: Gettysburg (1958) - Any General - Meade o r Lee may apply. Afrika Korps - I will fight only Commander-in-Chief Wavell. Anyone not qualified - Forget it, you would not l a s t m o r e than five moves! Include your personal rules in your reply. Send acceptance dispatches to:John Rockbola 104 E. Rocks Rd.. Norwalk. Conn

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Africa and Russia. (D-Day too, if you have a grid 'Ystem.) Write: EdHughes, 610 S. Thomas Street. Bedford 22. Pa. oeD Ai nt i P those games in you have only one person to fight? Write to Roger B. Jr., 16470 S. Park Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44120 and can play a game with eight, yes Eight, sides which battle over the plains of Spain.

UNDEFEATED; ~erz~~shei~d~~r~e~o~i,","~~e~Lp,"~~~
nent fe o Afrika Korps. Proceed a t your i df r own risk. Contact: L a r r y Fila, 1742 P a r m a Hilton Rd., Spencerport, N.Y. I declare my seniority in this sectionbut.do g T send requests to play-bymall, instead join the A. H. GAMERS CLUB. Write to: Jack Greene. J r . , 670 D a r r e l l Road. Hillsborough. Calif. 94010. Don't bother writing if YOU live in Nevada. SO as not to insult Your Or goad YOU into a battle you don't want. I use a witty remark to get your =You are interested in Napoleonic strategy. 1 don't want your attention. Interested? If you want to intelligently discuss strategy in Waterloo, or have a game contact, Glenn Biegon, 6127 SW 34th St., Miami, Fla. 33155.

Anyone i n t e r e s t e d i n h e a r i n g about "Tactics 111" at g r e a t e r l e n g t h , contact E r i c R . S h i m e r , I l l i c k ' s M i l l Road, M t d . R t . # 2 3 , Bethlehem, Pa. 1 8 0 1 7 .

who feel they a r e capable of defeating my undefeated and staff and our impregnable defenses and our aggressive attacks in D-Day, Tactics 11. and Afrika if any Commanders would like to join the staff' please write: Brian HeaveyB 4413 Willow Woods Dr., Annandale, Va. Member of the USAF will take on a l l comers a t most any Avalon Hill game. Onlyprofessionalmilitarists need apply. A3C John W. Videtto, AF15716876, Box 1503. FH 1029-38. Lackland AFB, Tex. Aufmerksamkeit! Gibt is einDeutscher General, wer so dum ist. dass er mich einSpiel der Stalingrad spieien werden? Icb bin der Russki naturlich. Bitte schreihen Sie Ihre hinzugefugten Regeln in dem e r s t e n Brief. Schreiben Sie nach Marshall Niels Holtet. 8516 North Greenwood. Niles. Illinois 60648.

Eiy~ s ~ ~ ~ o R ~ n g a ~ ~ ~ n r ; ' ~ e n e ~ a " ; ~ S ~

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TO all available opponents: I will a c cept any challenge to a game of D-Day o r Stalingrad with me. I will take either side. Grid coordinates in D-Day were supplied by CarlKnabe in the May and July issues. Grid coordinates in Stalingrad were supplied by Louis Zocchi in September issue. Write: Ron Bullis, 1215 Main St. ;Osage, Iowa; Zip Code: 50461.

p d a preference for the German side in the game Afrika ~ o r p s , would he willing I to engage such people as the British player in a game & modestly, quietly whip the tar out of them. Contact Jim Heaton. 3411 ~ l e x ~ d . , ole do, Ohio i ~ h Inexperienced British Commander wanted for Play-by-Mail game of ~ f ~ Ki k ~~ conditions: July sup. ~ ~ ~ . plement Victor Madeja's Isolation Rule. Write: Lew Mitchell 111. 8 Lee place. Basking Ridge, N. J. 07920. MINIATURE WARFARE STRATEGISTS of Central New Jersey, a r e invited to attend our weekly kriegspiel meeting. For information contact: Henry H. Bodenstedt. 86 Manalapan Avenue, Freehold. New Jersey. A 21 year old Barber & History major undefeated in Afrika Korps. D-Day and Tactics 11 wishes to engage anyone in a game ofAfrikaKorps ( I p r e f e r Germans) D-Day (1'11 take either side). Tactics I1 (either side). Chancellorsville (eitber side). Subject your capitulation. write: James L. Lattimore, I221 Cambridge. Corpus Christi. Texas 78404.

Africa Korps Re-played and Re-hashed

(Continued f r o m P a g e 2) Again, G e r m a n s u p p l i e s a r e "sunk. " ~ u r e i n f o r c e m e n t s a r r i v e and a d v a n c e , t with the a i d of t h e R o m m e 1 Unit, a l i t t l e beyond Msus. The 21-3 R e c c e Unit b e c o m e s a n inviting t a r g e t a s it i s positioned a t the e n t r a n c e to the well guarded p a s s . It c a n now b e a t t a c k e d by enough Allied Units to g u a r a n t e e i t s e l i m i n a tion - - but such a n a t t a c k would p l a c e Allied Units i n a v e r y untenable position and m a t e r i a l l y w e a k e n t h e i r e f f o r t s a t defending T o b r u k . (Units with a s t e r isksused theRommelmovementbonuS.) F i r s t May - Allied T u r n m e n t s due in June that would m a k e Tobruk p r a c t i c a l l y i m p r e g n a b l e , h a s s e v e r a l c o u r s e s of action open. He could benefit by attacking the 1-1-6 Unit a t 1-28 t h e r e b y cutting off the Ailies f r o m t h e i r home b a s e v i a c o a s t road. But the 4-4-7 a t H-24 ~ r o v i d e sg r e a t e r s t r a t e g i c a l opportunity. Now it b e c o m e s c l e a r why this i s a b a d d e f e n s i v e position f o r the 4-4-7 Unit. F i r s t , in the 3 to 1 a t t a c k the G e r m a n s w i l l win the position a t H - 2 4 thus it would not be possible f o r the Allies t o f o r m a n o t h e r defensive p e r i m e t e r outside of Tobruk. Secondly, if a 4-4-7 r e t r e a t i s c a l l e d f o r , it will be placed a t 5-25 (Knightsbridge) which m e a n s it cannot g e t into Tobruk on the next turn. Why? B e c a u s e the f i r s t s q u a r e the 4-4-7 could move t o would be e s c a r p m e n t s q u a r e I- 25. No additional m o v e m e n t would be allowed u n l e s s it i s along the r o a d s q u a r e s . So in o r d e r to t a k e the r o a d s q u a r e s into Tobruk, it would have t o t r a v e l v i a 1-26, then to the r o a d junction a t J - 2 7 which i s controlled by an e n e m y Unit- The 4-4-7 could not go straight On up to TObruk befrom c a u s e that would amount t o the s a m e thing a s moving a c r o s s two e s c a r p m e n t s q u a r e s in the s a m e turn. F o r t u n a t e l y f o r the Allies, t h e i r two' Units a l r e a d y on 1-25 could move one s q u a r e onto 1-26 and then into Tobruk. In summation, the German advantages derived from this a t t a c k f a r outweigh the r i s k of a n exchange in the attack' 2nd May - Allied T u r n t e r s ' in t h e i r one weak spot - Afrika K o r p s . If t h i s w e l l - o r g a n i z e d group be angered to respond, you are the one to do it. ~~d if you do play, lIm you will be amazed at their d e c e p t i v e n e s s and m a y b e s o m e of the designers of Avalon Hill will look this way.. . A Humiliated ~~~~~~l Evidently s o m e s u r e - f i r e p l a n s a r e m o r e s u r e - f i r e than o t h e r s . O r m a y be t h e r e a r e n ' t any s u r e - f i r e p l a n s . . . ? T h e r e d o e s s e e m to be a pronounced tendency to overlook that f r u s t r a t i n g t h i r d p a r t y p r e s e n t a t e v e r y AH game: Lady Luck. I wonder what Lady Luck would have to s a y about those 97 t o 1

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a s u p p l y Unit i s hustled back to g a r r i s o n the home b a s e t o m a k e i t usable f o r r e ceiving r e i n f o r c e m e n t s that will not find r o o m i n Tobruk. Meanwhile, the 7A b r i g a d e s continue t h e i r s o r t i e south; while the 41 b r i g a d e s f o r m a l i n e just west of the Egyptian border without fear of attack since German supplies cannot r e a c h f a r enough to s u s t a i n any attacks here. Thus, the f i r s t f o u r t u r n s a r e c o m plete. The German player is now faced with the f i r s t of many important decisions. What would you do ? Would you a t t a c k Tobruk a t 2 x 1 o r would you l e a v e a s m a l l seiging f o r c e and continue e a s t w a r d with your a r m o r e d Units? Your decision h e r e m u s t be predicated on events t h a t will o c c u r within the next few t u r n s . I s a n a t t a c k worth the r i s k ? C e r t a i n l y if you don't a t t a c k on this t u r n , T o b r u k will b e beefed up to the point w h e r e i t will b e a l m o s t impossible t o take i t until D e c e m b e r a t t h e e a r l i e s t . But if you do a t t a c k . . . a n d l o s e . . w e l l , t h a t could c o s t you a y e a r of t i m e . On the o t h e r hand, conquest of Tobruk g r e a t l y i m p r o v e s your supply situation and, a t the s a m e t i m e , r e m o v e s the l a s t d e f e n s i v e redoubt open to the All i e s . It a l s o nullifies the s t r a t e g i c a l

A l l i e s withdraw and r e g r o u p , f o r m ing a defensive barrier on the escarpment a r o u n d Tobruk. Meanwhile, s e x e r a 1 7A B r i g a d e s begin a h a r a s s m e n t journey southward. R a i d s of this s o r t will prove a continual t h o r n in the G e r m a n side. It will f o r c e t h e G e r m a n s to be e v e r w a r y of t h e i r supply a n d r e i n f o r c e m e n t l i n e . . .good move on the A l l i e s p a r t a t t h i s s t a g e of the g a m e . Not s o good i s the 4 - 4 - 7 move to H-24, a s will b e l e a r n e d i n the next G e r m a n t u r n . 2nd May

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J-37 K-62 - - The 3 to 1 a t t a c k r e s u l t e d in a n "exchange. " T h u s , the G e r m a n s l o s t t h e i r t h r e e Italian Units w o r t h 8 a t t a c k f a c t o r s . The r e m a i n i n g G e r m a n Units o c cupiedH-24 after combat was resolved. The Allied m u s t now b r a c e t h e m s e l v e s f o r the inevitable s e i g e of Tobruk. If they c a n hold out f o r one t u r n then the s t r o n g 4-4-7 and 3-3-7 Units due n e x t t u r n ( J u n e ) c a n be brought d i r e c t l y int o Tobruk. But just in c a s e T o b r u k f a l l s on the next G e r m a n turn, Allies place t h e i r Supply Unit out to s e a . Also,

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e f f e c t of the s o u t h w e s t e r l y h a r a s s m e n t f e i n t s by. the A l l i e s . So l e t ' s h e a r f r o m a l l of your a r m c h a i r g e n e r a l s . . send u s your decision. We want to know what you, a s R o m m e l , would d o in this v e r y s a m e situation. In the m e a n t i m e , you have the opportunity to t e s t y o u r s e l v e s right now on y o u r ability a s the Allied general. You s e e , t h e l a s t Allied t u r n (2nd May) w a s not the b e s t that could have been made. In f a c t , a v e r y slight change applied to the l a s t t u r n i s a l l that i s n e c e s s a r y to g r e a t l y r e d u c e the danger of l o s s to Tobruk. We'll even give you a hint. You only have to change the position of two Allied Units. F o r the 0 3. a n s w e r , t u r n to page 1 , 001-