GWS 2026 and a New Project

After the rigorous analysis on what we least like about wargaming, time for a brief update this morning before diving into the first of the Salem Church battle reports.  First, a big thank you to everyone who weighed in with their thoughts on their least liked aspects of wargaming.  Commentary was robust, interesting, and most welcome.

Given that the GWS 2026 data file hit my Dropbox yesterday, attention will turn to preparing that file for the coming year's analysis.  Since I ended the 2025 reporting year examining what we disliked about the hobby, I thought an immediate follow-up with a similar analysis for the 2026 survey might provide an interesting compare and contrast while the 2025 results are still fresh in mind.  Will much change?  We will see.  On a positive note, survey response was up by about ten percent over 2025.  A ten percent increase is a welcome bump from a couple of years seeing a slide in participation.  In a quick count 17 readers put in the "PWJ2026" code into the survey Comments field.  Without confirming, I recall we had 11 such entries last year.  Excellent!  At some point, I will produce select a set of summary statistics for this august group of dedicated readers. 

A New Project

New project?  Yes, it appears that is the case.  Having my arm slightly twisted into submission, I am embarking upon a new, joint project with a friend.  I have long considered this period but figured there were already too many projects in work.  Even if overwhelmed by temptation, I figured that I would tackle this period in 10mm.  Well, I have been a victim to temptation and coercion.  The project will not be in 10mm but 28mm!  The first tranche of figures arrived from the UK on Monday.  What have I done?  Well, giving a little boost to The Lead Pile if nothing else!  The counter in the sidebar illustrates this loss of resolve in reducing The Lead Pile.  Any guesses?

Sedgwick's Corps on the attack!

Next time, a battle report on the first of several playings of the ACW Battle of Salem Church when we see five of Postie's Rejects locked into battle for control of the Orange Plank Road.

Until next time.

Never Hurts To Ask!

I have a weakness for operational wargames of the hex-and-counter type.  While WWII miniatures games do not often get a showing out on my gaming table, my favorite boardgames tend to cluster within the WWII operational genre focusing on a single campaign.  With this apparent vulnerability, I am regularly on the lookout for some of my favorite series.  One such series is Clash of Arms' Winter Storm.  The third volume in this series is the 1989 game, Edelweiss, which provides a study of the third phase of Case Blue in the June 1942 offensive into the Caucasus.

Now, I already have a copy of Edelweiss.  Still, when an unpunched copy popped up on eBay last year with a very low opening bid, my interest was piqued.  Why such a low opening bid?  Well, the game has some damage listed of the slight mildew variety.  The photos illustrated the mildew on one of the counter sheets, but the other counter sheets looked unblemished.  Figuring I could, at least, use most of the parts from the game, I committed to the opening bid.  Besides, there was a chance that I could mitigate the damage to that one counter sheet.  When the auction ended with no other bids, my opening bid turned out to be the winner.

Damaged counter sheet

When the game arrived, sure enough, there was damage to the German counter sheet.  There was no musty smell, though.  That was a good sign.  I tried treating the mildew, but my efforts proved unsuccessful.  Not all of the counters showed damage so this could still provide a player's copy as a spare.  I boxed it up and set in on the shelf.

New, shrinkwrapped counter sheet

On a whim and something of a Hail Mary attempt, I sent an email to Clash of Arms last month stating my situation and wondered if there was any chance that a spare German counter sheet was tucked away somewhere in the warehouse.  Next day, I received an email from the company saying that it was my lucky day as there was, indeed, an extra counter sheet in the warehouse.  The new counter sheet could be on its way for $8 plus nominal shipping.  Hooray!  That was my lucky day!  Although the game is more than 35 years old, it never hurts to ask.

What about last week's scheduled run out of the Salem Church scenario as an introduction to both remote gaming and the rules?  Well, I was forced to cancel Monday's session as I was involved in a minor car crash that afternoon.  I escaped unscathed but the car is somewhat banged up.  We rescheduled our session for Friday evening.  Guess what?  We never managed to play a single turn or even turn the cameras toward the table.  We spent the entire two-and-a-half hours discussing the potential for a new, joint miniatures project.  I know, some are probably laughing at the thought of me tackling yet another project.  Don't I have too many as it is?  Yes, but the sales pitch was convincing.  Could I squeeze in one more?  Almost certainly.  We will see where this goes.

What's Next?

As temperatures begin to cool and the calendar confirms the seasonal change to fall, thoughts drift toward what the fourth quarter may hold.

Having recently finished up the third playing of the Quistello battle on Thursday (thank you, Peter!), I wrestle with either bringing another 18th Century battle to the table while the rules are still fresh in mind or jump to something else for a brief diversion.  The rules withstood the change over from each BMU occupying a one larger hex to each BMU occupying two smaller hexes.  Still, a few situations need to be codified (at least in my mind) before the next run-out of the rules as I adjust and become more familiar to the two-hex format.  While Peter has provided a terrific battle report on his blog (see Quistello), I ought to hammer out my impressions of our game as well.  Sadly, my Allies fell in defeat but managed to put up a respectable fight despite having de Contades' Brigade caught almost entirely by surprise.  Well, I thought so at least! 

On the painting front, painting seasonality in the graphic below illustrates that my painting production tends to increase from now until year-end.  Will 2025 maintain this seasonal pattern?  I guess we will see in January.  Since I have not re-run this seasonality study since 2020, perhaps, it is high time to update this analysis and assess whether this pattern still holds today?  Hmm.  Something to add to my To Do list. 

Sticking to the topic of year-end painting, before the weather turns cold, time to think about what I want to tackle in the painting queue and get those figures primed for the long winter.  FPW Germans still figure prominently in the painting queue with a number of units already completed and awaiting a turn at the photo box.  My early August order from Lancashire Games, long held hostage by Irish Customs, finally made into my mailbox last week.  Hoorah!  Now, I have some more FPW Prussian and Bavarians to push into the production line.  What I want to concentrate on over the winter months is still undecided.  Probably more 15mm figures as I strike off on a project expansion into a new conflict but a return to Biblicals in 25mm is likely as well.

Plenty of time to formalize plans before the weather becomes too cold to prime figure outside.

Data for the GWS2025 have been recoded and processed.  First thing I took a peek at was the number of PWJ readers who completed the survey and entered the identifying code into the Observations field.  Nineteen of you took that extra step in the survey.  The number 19 seems about right in capturing those readers who regularly leave a comment.  Thank you!  Now, as a profile of those readers responding, a few of the demographic attributes are illustrated in the panel below:

Hardly surprising to see Old Grognards frequenting these pages!

The Road Ahead in 2024

While I have not put down a formal prospectus for my New Year's goals for several years, I figured this year I would make an exception and return to an old tradition.  Having thrived on vague objectives in the past, I offer a little more clarity on what 2024 might hold on the wargaming front.

Battles to Fight
On the miniatures' gaming front, 2023 saw an unprecedented number of games played.  The final count reached 103.  Certainly, the most gaming in a single year for me but not too far ahead of 2022's 89 games or 2021's 97 games.

Playing more than one hundred games in any year is a big undertaking.  With this volume, other hobby areas suffer.  For 2024, I ought to dial back the number of games played.  What is a more sustainable number?  Since gaming emphasis has seen a shift to more hosting and game preparation takes extra time and effort, I put down 70 games played as a target for the year.  That works out to a little less than three games every two weeks.  I am already off to a poor start since no games have seen the table thus far in 2024.

2023 saw the fighting of large, historical battles multiple times with a variety of different teams of players.  2024 will continue this trend.  The 1744 WAS Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo remains out on the table for more replays once I have returned to full strength.  With one playing in the books, I can see this battle being refought a few more times before packing it away.  After that wraps up, there will be more battles to plan and field.  Thoughts of fighting an operational campaign with remote players has been a recurring thought.  The campaign would feature PBeM for the operational aspects with major battles resolved on the gaming table in miniature.  Top of the list is the notion of refighting the 1796-1797 Napoleonic campaigns in Northern Italy.  We will see if I make any headway or find interest in this venture.   
   
What other periods to consider?  Having many collections, sifting through all of the available options is difficult.  Narrowing choices down to a few periods and rules is a challenge.  While a number of my collections saw action in 2023, still, several did not.  Perhaps an attempt at working some of these overlooked collections into the gaming rotation would be good?  With SYW/WAS painting still going strong, expect more battles in these periods to hit the table.  Napoleonics were neglected in 2023.  Having three distinct Napoleonic collections, perhaps, at least one of them can get to the table.  I have been looking forward to getting my FRW collection out on the table, perhaps, this is the year?  The notion of a campaign game as mentioned above would tie in nicely and kill two birds with one stone. The Great Italian Wars collection has not hit the table in more years than I recall.  I need to rectify this situation in 2024.  Getting my untested WotR project out on table for its first battle would be fun too but whaich rules?

Despite making an effort to bring some of these neglected collections to the table, expect to see Ancients coming to the table in regular rotation whether that is in the form of Sumerians, Biblicals, or Punic Wars.  The Basic Impetvs games in 2023 were a blast.  I want that fun to continue.  The BI games are quickly brought to the table without a lot of preparation and research.  Maybe another ACW battle will be singled out for study?  I really am spoiled for choice.  Looking at the boxes of figures, I do not even remember the last time my French & Indian Wars collection saw action.  Same goes for the WWII collections.   

Figures to Paint
2023 saw an expansion of the SYW/WAS projects.  The French were begun in 2022 with Spanish, Hanoverians, and Piedmontese mustering out in 2023.  Plenty of work remains on building up these armies.  Expect more 18mm SYW/WAS units to march out in the New Year to continue filling in the ranks.  In addition to the armies mentioned above, perhaps British or Jacobites could slip into the production queue?

Biblicals (and Sumerians) will continue to see action at the painting desk.  If I could make a sizable dent in The Lead Pile on these fronts, maybe I can reach the Trojan stratum in 2024?  Maybe.  Still plenty of Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, and Sumerians remain to be painted.  The planned expansion of the Franco-Austrian War project to include the Franco-Prussian War has remained stalled for several years.  In anticipation of launching a Prussian project in 2023, more figures came in house.  With an ample supply of figures, I really ought to get serious and get on with painting Prussians.

Now, not all of these plans can be fulfilled in 2024 especially since other units tend to slip into the painting queue to help break up any monotony.  Making a start on at least some of these would be a good step forward.  One goal I would like to tackle is shifting to a more equal mix of 15/18mm and 25/28mm figures.  2023 was decidedly geared towards fielding 18mm units.  I would like to see that mix shift to include more of the larger figures.  

For number of painted figures to target, I had trouble reaching 1,000 figures in 2023.  Given that, I may dial that goal back a bit.  Reaching 750 painted figures especially with a redirection toward 25/28mm seems doable.  I can reassess at midyear and see where the counts stand.  That goal may move back up.

One goal never made before is to actively attempt to shrink The Lead Pile.  While placing a moratorium on figure purchases is unlikely (especially if Newline Designs offers the regular January sale), let me see if I can manage to paint more than I buy.     

Rules to Design, Develop, Test
Having been playing Fields of Honor for a number of years with frequent outings on the table, 2024 may be the year that I work to move the rules from my revisions contained on QRS to a codified body of rules.  A coherent body of text with detailed design notes may help players (and me!) understand the design philosophy underlying the rules.  2024 saw the rules used in several settings including SYW/WAS, ACW, AWI, and FAW.  While all share a common game engine, each maintains its own feel.

Boardgames to Explore
Each year I hope to rekindle my enjoyment of regular boardgaming sessions.  Like prior years, it did not happen.  For 2024, I want to focus some of the slack gained from reducing painting and gaming output toward hex-and-counter wargaming.

One of my favorite types of board wargaming is refighting historical operational campaigns.  WWII operations top this list.  Games under consideration include some oldies along with current offerings.  Topping this list for further study include a return to MMP's Operation Combat Series, a first look at Clash of Arms' Winter Storm Series, and a return Jack Radey's Eastern Front Series but in a new setting.  Each of these games require a lot of study.  I would also enjoy giving MMP's Battalion Combat Series a try.  

Blogging
Like clockwork, 2023 saw 120 posts yet again.  Updates posted ever three or four days remains a comfortable pace.  Still, I never want for material to ramble on about and I have yet to run out of material to publish.  I may reduce the frequency a bit in 2024.  We will see.  2023 saw a continuation of monthly analyses featuring the data crunching of the Great Wargaming Survey.  Expect more of the same in 2024.  Thoughts for January's topic are rolling around in my head.  I plan to examine gaming metadata.  Hopefully some of the findings will be of interest.

Enough rambling on vague objectives.  All of this is likely plenty to keep me busy in 2024.  Planning is an iterative process; expect change!

2020 Plans Spiked!

Spiking the guns

The type was barely set on my 2020 Project Plans when fate spiked those freshly laid plans.  Enveloped in a winter snow storm, I went down with a broken leg.  Ouch!  After finishing shoveling the driveway of four inches of new snow, I set off to fetch the mail.  On the return, I slipped, turned my ankle, and heard and felt a loud "crunch."  A bit dizzy and in pain, I picked myself off of the snow-covered street.  Looking towards the house sixty yards away, I wondered if I could make it home.  In a combination of hobbling and dragging my foot behind me, I headed back to the house.  I must have looked like Boris Karloff, pale and dragging my foot, when I entered the garage, opened the door, and called out to my wife. 

Having her help in removing my boot, I could see the foot quickly swelling.  The pain excruciating.  Calling the nearest Urgent Care Clinic,  Nancy announced that if we could get there within a half hour we could be seen and evaluated before they closed in ninety minutes.  With the snow coming down even harder and the streets a mess of snow and cars sliding around, we set off.  Arriving at the clinic within the thirty minute deadline, we noticed the clinic was already closed.  Trying to draw someone’s attention to the door, Nancy finally received a response.  Due to the storm, management decided to close early.  What?

Luckily, another clinic was only a few blocks away. With snow piling up quickly, we were happy to see this clinic still open and taking patients.  Quickly taken to X-Ray, an evaluation showed a broken fibula.  Immobilizing the leg and given a prescription for pain meds, I was sent on my way.  "Call an orthopedist on Monday," the physician said.  That is what I plan to do. 

How does this early year mishap change my project plans?  Well, like Napoleon before the gates of Moscow in winter, my mobility is reduced and a few plans may need to be spiked or adjusted.  Without knowing if this break will require surgery, a few changes are obvious.

First, there will no cycling until Spring.  That seems a long way off.  Cycling is an activity I enjoy and part of my daily routine.  How much fitness will be lost in six to eight weeks?  Not so young anymore, it may take a long time to recover.

Second, living in a house with three floors, getting between floors may prove challenging.  Bedroom is on the top floor.  Game room and painting area are in the basement.  Yeah, this may be a problem especially when negotiating two flights of stair on crutches.

Third, standing for any length of time is painful and fatiguing.  Unlikely to have many sessions at the large gaming table in the basement game room any time soon.

Where does this leave me? No cycling, for sure.  Gaming may, by necessity, move to either the kitchen or dining room table where I can sit and play.  Smaller wargames of the hex and counter type that can fit onto this smaller playing surface will see some attention.  Commands & Colors whether in the original blocks or miniatures will see increased gaming opportunities.  Smaller miniature wargames may see action too.  I may take a page out of Norm and others' play books and switch to gaming in small places for awhile.  As for painting, well, I still think I will sneak down into the basement for short painting sessions.

Not the way I envisioned the start of the New Year!   

2020 Foresight

Time for the annual uncloaking of the crystal ball to take a peek to see what 2020 may hold for the Palouse Wargaming Journal.

Battles to Fight
On the miniatures gaming front, 2019 represented a banner year at the gaming table.  By my count, over 30 games made it into the books in the year just past.  The most gaming in one year in my recent memory.  Can this become a trend and continue into 2020?  Stay tuned to see.
   
In the 2019 Project Planning post (see Project Plans 2019), I proposed conducting four monumental battles.  While 2019 did not see the full complement of four planned monumental battles hitting the gaming table in 2019 (Trebbia, Kunersdorf, San Martino, Abensberg/Eckmuhl), two of these battles saw action over several playings (San Martino and Kunersdorf).  The Kunersdorf battle just made it under the year-end wire and it continues into the early weeks of 2020.  

Preparing and gaming these monument battles took more effort (and available time) than anticipated with the research, battle mapping, figure painting (if needed), and coordination of my time for other hobby activities.  Add into these preparation activities,  the constraints of work and travel, I quickly ran out of hours in the day.  Therefore, attempting a feat of four large historical battles seems out of reach for 2020.  I like the concept of planning for a few big battles but will dial the number back for the New Year.  Two such battles will be penciled in for 2020.  Of course, Kunersdorf will likely remain on table for awhile longer as we challenge Frederick to do better than he managed historically.   

Which battle monuments are under consideration for 2020? 

• Abensberg/Eckmühl.  Still on the list but research for Eckmühl suggests this may not provide a competitive situation.  Even with that caveat, it may provide insight into these twin battles for which I am lacking from readings alone.  Having walked parts of the Eckmühl battlefield, presenting Eckmühl would provide a more personal touch.  
• Rivoli.  Keeping an early Italian Napoleonic battle from the 2019 list in the mix, I switch to Rivoli over Trebbia.  While it would be rewarding to see Suvorov's Russians take to the field, I will be content to challenge Napoleon with Austrians alone.  I could still change my mind.  
• Telamon - With a dozen Celtic units crossing the painting desk in 2019, time for Telamon, I think.  Besides, four more chariots from Newline Designs have arrived in-house!  Add those chariots to the painting goals for 2020.  

Other battles to consider?  With so many collections, it is difficult to sift through all of the choices and narrow it down to a number of games that I can actually find time to present.  The 10mm ACW collection has not been on the gaming table in more than a year.  Maybe more than one of the smaller battles can squeezed onto the table in 2020?  Perhaps a brief return to Norm's Two Flags-One Nation for smaller games on a grid?  Looking at the current Five Years Ago on PWJ widget, Chadd's Ford battle from Brandywine shows up.  Five years ago.  Seems more recent than that.  How many years since I last fought an AWI battle in 15mm?  Too many to count.  I should consider pulling the AWI troops out for a muster too.

With a number of blogs over the past year showing multiple battle reports and rules' reviews set during WWII including at least one interesting campaign, I am motivated to get some of my WWII collections out onto the gaming table.  Whether it is skirmish-level in 28mm using Chain of Command or battalion-level or larger in 15mm,  I plan to make an effort to getting WWII back into game rotation. 

I imagine Commands & Colors will be a frequent choice in the New Year as it was in the Old Year.  Coincidentally, a Commands & Colors battle set in 1850s Caribbean is on the gaming slate for this weekend.  The British and the EIC take on locals forces in a battle in 25mm.  That should be interesting.

I would enjoy getting the troops for Samurai Battles back onto the table whether using Commands & Colors or Impetvs.  Impetvs has not seen action for many years.  I will try to get Impetvs back into a regular rotation in 2020 along with To the Strongest!.  Good candidates for Impetvs and TtS! include Great Italians Wars, Assyrian Wars, and English Civil War.  Yeah, that's it.  2020 will see a return of Impetvs to the gaming table.  I hope I still like it!

Figures to Paint
While I had no new projects planned in 2019, I suggested that starting a Hittite Army for the Assyrian Wars was a possibility.  That did not happen.  In 2020, I commit to starting a Hittite Army in 25mm.  My initial goal is to complete one unit per month for a total of twelve by year-end.  If I stick to that plan, I may have enough Hittites to field a small, gameable army for Basic Impetvs or TtS! at least.  I also plan to add more units to the already large Assyrian Army.  Year-end 2019 saw work return to the Assyrian Wars project and those efforts continue into the New Year.  

Although 2019 saw the completing of more than 1,600 painted figures, don't expect the same effort in 2020.  That pace is not sustainable.  I set my painting goal to 900 for 2020.  If 25mm turns out to be the focus, fewer than 900 figures will see the brush.  If 15mm sees more activity then I may finish a few more than 900.  Besides pushing Hittites into the painting queue for the first time, expect more of the same as 2019 as various projects see additions to their numbers. More 1799, 1859, and SYW troops in 18mm are planned to move into the painting queue, for sure.  Perhaps I will begin an 1866/1870 Prussian Army in 18mm? 

Expect more units for many of the 28mm projects to include adding a few units to the Great Game project.  After playing a few Commands & Colors games using 19th Century British in India armies, I picked up some Foundry figures including Russian Crimean War artillery and Afghans.  About time to bolster their numbers and get my Russians and Natives into a game.  Enough figures remain in inventory to field one last, 40-figure Landsknecht pike block and a couple of units of Gendarmes.  Those go onto the 2020 list too.  

By completing 1,600+ figures in 2019, one might expect The Lead Pile to see a noticeable dip in size.  Well, I cannot see a significant decrease.  Let's see if I can reduce both The Lead Pile through painting and reduced purchases.  Reducing purchases?  Is that possible when I have great difficulty passing up a sale?  

Rules to Design, Develop, Test
After playing Summer of '59 and Wars of Coalition from QRS' exclusively for a couple of years now, 2020 may finally be the year to begin codifying the rules into a coherent body of text. I know, I said that in 2018 and 2019 but I really am serious this time!  If 10mm ACW sees action on the table in 2020, I ought to re-examine Republic and see how it has held up over the years. A few amendments may be needed to bring it in line with my current thinking. 

Boardgames to Explore
While I had hoped for regular boardgaming sessions in 2019 and we did get in several good sessions, the frequency was not as often as expected.  A large number of current and out of print board wargames came into the house throughout 2019.  I would enjoy getting at least a few of these onto the gaming table in 2020.  Oh, and I really should cut back on wargame purchases in 2020.  I went a bit overboard in 2019.  Every time Nancy sees the game closet, she mentions that, "you really have a lot of games."  When will you play them?  I say, "when I retire."  There are also several games covering Operation Mercury that would be fun to explore in 2020.

A couple of the games added to the collection could be played as possible campaign games to generate tabletop battles.  I am thinking specifically of Assyrian Wars, Sekigahara, and Imperium Romanum to name just a few.  I have often considered using Clash of Arms' Campaigns of R.E. Lee as a battle generator in a campaign game.  So many great choices if I drift off into a campaign.  Maybe even using Victory Games' 1809 or TAHGC's Struggle of Nations as a campaigning tool?  

Blogging
Expect to see blog updates averaging one every three to four days.  This is a comfortable pace and I have yet to run out of material to publish.  Expect wargaming topics to be broken up by my occasional ramblings on cycling around the Palouse and travels around the world.  A big backlog of travel stories still awaits to be committed to paper including a two week exploration of Egypt and the Nile Valley.  Still more travels around Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland remain as well as exploration of ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.

2019 saw me offer some data crunching services for the Great Wargaming Survey.  While several of those analyses have been published, a stack of other interesting analyses await.  Expect to see a few of these in 2020 too.  

Having completed the Napoleonic cavalry refit in 2019, time to consider photographing the collection.  Maybe I should get this collection onto the gaming table a some point during the year?  A few units still remain awaiting a slap of paint.  Perhaps, 2020 sees the completion of the 28mm Peninsular War project with figures on hand?  Several battalions worth of Spanish infantry await in The Lead Pile.  Having received a nice-sized Brigade Games' voucher for Christmas, it could be put to good use calling up more troops to the colors.  Other projects could use a turn at the photo booth too.

Enough rambling.  That is likely plenty to keep me busy in 2020.  Planning is an iterative process; expect change!

Project Plans 2019

As has become routine in the first days of the New Year, time to consult the crystal ball to see what may lay ahead in 2019 for the Palouse Wargaming Journal.

Historical Battles to Fight
I enjoyed the notion of fighting "monumental" battles presented in 2018 whereby several battles were selected and staged for prolonged play.  Mollwitz, Foz d'Arouce, and Zorndorf were the three battles tackled in 2018.  While 2018 had four such battles penciled in on the calendar, only these three made it to the gaming table.  From these repeated playings, I gained considerable insight into the battles and quite enjoyed the experience of research, set up, and recreation.  

Given the enjoyment drawn from these 2018 ventures, 2019 will see a similar set of goals.  The twist for 2019 is that all battles selected will be commemorating notable anniversaries in 2019.  The monument battles under consideration for 2019 are (drum roll, please):

Trebbia 1799 in 18mm
While I was prepared to slot Rivoli into the gaming rotation for 2019, the allure of having a set of anniversary battles was too great.  In keeping with the concept of an early Napoleonic battle to replace Rivoli, Trebbia will get the nod.  Trebbia provides an opportunity to field a combined Russo-Austrian army against the French.  There may be painting needed once an Order of Battle is drawn up.  

Kunersdorf 1759 in 18mm
Kunersdorf (by special request) represents another chance at an anniversary battle in August.  Like Zorndorf played on the 260th anniversary in 2018,  Kunersdorf allows another opportunity to field Jake's Russians on the field of battle.  Facing off against Frederick again, this time the Russians will be joined by an Austrian army. 

Abensberg-Eggmuhl 1809 in 18mm
Napoleon vs the Archduke Charles battling it out in Bavaria along the Danube.  Having visited the Eggmuhl battlefield in May 2018, staging one or both of these engagements for the 210th anniversary provides an opportunity to share a bit of my battlefield walk near the village of Eggmuhl.  Recreating one or both pair of battles in 2019 coincides with the 210th anniversary of the battles in April.  An anniversary game; I like the sound of that.  The massive collection of Napoleonics suited for the 1809 campaign have not been out of their storage boxes in years.  Eggmuhl would be a good chance to see this venerable collection back in action.

San Martino-Solferino 1859 in 18mm
The battlefield of San Martino I visited during the 150th Anniversary commemorations in 2009.  A return to this battle in 2019 seems a fitting time to see this battle back out on the gaming table in an encore, 160th year, anniversary performance.  While the battle will likely focus on the major action around San Martino, I may expand the battle to allow the inclusion of nearby forces.  Broadening the scope of the battle may force a different decision matrix from the first outing ten years ago.

Developing and fighting four protracted battles may be too much to ask in 2019.  Perhaps, picking three of the four is prudent but which three?  In addition to the monuments detailed above, what other games might see action on the gaming table in 2019?  Topping the list of collections to get out onto the table are the Great Italians Wars and Assyrian Wars armies.  Perhaps a mix of games using To the Strongest! and Impetvs in a matched pairing?  If other gaming opportunities arise, that is fine.  These goals provide a reasonable nucleus from which to plan.

Figures to Paint
With no new project(s) planned for 2019 (yet) and no pressing need for projects needing vast quantities of figures, I set the painting goal at 900 figures and will prepare to paint what inspires me.  Perhaps 2019 will see the start of an 18mm Prussian army for either 1866 or 1870?  Perhaps, 2019 sees the beginning of a Hittite army to face either the Assyrians or Egyptians?  Of course, these would not be considered new projects; simply expansions to existing projects.  See, it is quite easy to justify such actions.  Perhaps something new entirely?

More 1799, 1859, and SYW troops in 18mm are planned to cross the painting desk in 2019.  If the Battle of Trebbia is fought, the Russians will likely need augmentation especially in the cavalry arm.  Expect more 28mm figures seeing activity at the painting desk than in 2018.  With 15/18mm dominating production in 2018, a more balanced approach is likely to be seen in 2019.  Regardless, The Lead Pile needs to experience a reduction in 2019 so I ought to buy less, paint more.

With the Society of Ancients choosing Telamon as its Battle Day battle and the expectations of following all of the assorted Battle Reports in the coming months, I am inspired to push some 28mm Ancients lead into the painting queue.  It has been a long time since any ancients of the 28mm variety crossed the painting desk.  A quick check of the Paining Log confirms this recollection.  The last 28mm Ancients unit passed off the painting desk in 2017.  A large number of Celts/Gauls and Germans have remained untouched for years in The Lead Pile.  Perhaps, some activity on the Ancients front?  To exacerbate the problem with Celts, last week I placed an order with Northstar for a few Crusader Celt collections having a couple dozen figures each.  What can I say, they were on sale!        

Scenarios to Design and Development
Scenario research, design and development are rewarding aspects of the hobby.  Scenarios are needed for Kunersdorf, Trebbia, and Abensberg-Eggmuhl.  San Martino will need a scenario update as well to expand the scope of the battle.  Plenty of work with just these four battles.

Rules to Design, Develop, Test
After playing Risorgimento 1859 and Wars of Coalition from QRS' exclusively for a couple of years now, 2018 2019 may finally be the appropriate time to begin codifying the rules into a coherent body of text. The nucleus of game engine for these rules began as a heavily modified version of Whitehouse's Ironsides and Old Trousers.  Today, Howard's originals would barely be recognizable.

Solo Wargaming
Certainly!  Solo gaming in both miniature and cardboard will likely consume a chunk of my allocated gaming time.

Boardgames to Explore
A number of boardgame group sessions were shared in 2018.  Hopefully, these sessions become a trend in 2019.  A couple of batches of board wargames came in house in the latter stages of 2018 due to several Black Friday sales.  Other games came in infrequently from eBay purchases.  Some of the titles were old and out or print but a number of new and recent releases too.  No commitment as to what should see action on the gaming table in 2019. 

Tackling either a new or old monster game sounds fun.  A step in this direction would be to learn or relearn at least one new monster.  My shelves are full of these monsters, many having not seen action in years or decades.  Expect to see some MMP titles and perhaps a Europa game on the table.  For MMP titles, Squad Leader/ASL, OCS, BCS, SCS, GTS or other three-letter acronym systems all look very interesting to try.  Since I have yet to play either a BCS or GTS game, 2019 may be the year to try.  Maybe strike out on a follow-up GMT 1914 title while that system is still somewhat fresh in mind?  The Serbian front looks interesting.  A number of magazine games are on my RADAR for consideration including some very old S&T and Vae Victis games.  Too many interesting choices!  Difficult to foresee which of these may see time at the table. 

Blogging

Expect to see blog updates average two to three posts per week.  I find that pace comfortable and seldom run out of material to share.  Expect wargaming topics to be broken up by my occasional ramblings on cycling around the Palouse and travels around the world.  A big backlog of travel stories still awaits to be committed to paper including a short battlefield walk of Eggmuhl and more travels around Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.  Likely a few Mayan ruins' posts linger somewhere from my New World adventures too.

Once the Napoleonic cavalry refit is completed, photographing the collection will be in order.  Updating the Photo Gallery which was not undertaken in 2018 could see some progress in 2019.

For planning 2019, that is a wrap on a look ahead.  Planning is an iterative process; expect change!

Reflections on Gaming, 2018

Time to reflect and reconcile the objectives set out at the beginning of 2018 (see Project Planning 2018) against my actual progress.  Figure painting has already been addressed in an earlier post so I will skip that and dive into the 2018 gaming goals and how those survived the test of time.

Historical Battles to Fight
On the gaming front, my primary plan was to develop and game one "monumental" historical battle per quarter.  Each monument was meant to be fought multiple times before moving on to the next monument.  How did that work out?  Let us see.

2018Q1 - Mollwitz 1741 in 18mm
Following the initial contest in late 2017, the ground at Mollwitz was fought over twice more in 2018.  Frederick managed to go 3-0 in these battles but the victory was within Austrian grasp in two.  An interesting yet tough fight for the poorly trained Austrian infantry.  The Prussians had challenges of their own.  Mollwitz comes down to the Austrian cavalry clearing the flanks of Prussian cavalry and defeating the Prussian infantry juggernaut before the Prussian infantry can reach the outclassed Austrian infantry standing in front of Mollwitz. Some tense moments in each of the three battles but the historical result prevailed.

Mollwitz

2018Q2 - Albuera 1811 in 18mm Combat at Foz d'Arouce in 28mm
The second quarter battle of Albuera was replaced by another Napoleonic Peninsular War battle.  Rather than Albuera, the Combat at Foz d'Arouce was fought.  Instead of 15mm, it was fought in 28mm.  Foz d'Arouce saw action three times on the table.  Wellington was victorious in all three actions.  Again, the historical result prevailed and the battle featured my new church!

Foz d'Arouce

2018Q3 - Zorndorf 1758 in 18mm

Zorndorf was recreated on the gaming table four times.  The decision was split.  Two victories for Frederick  and two victories for Fermor.  Since the historical outcome was inconclusive, a 2-2 record supports the historical outcome.  Zorndorf remained on the table for about four months leaving no time in fourth quarter to stage a fourth monument.

Zorndorf

2018Q4 - Castiglione 1796 or Rivoli 1797 or Trebbia 1799 in 18mm

No monument battle in Q4 due primarily to holidays and scheduling challenges.  Instead, the Assyrian Army took to the field against an Egyptian Kushite Army in a pair of To the Strongest! battles.  Rivoli will be saved and presented another time.

Scenarios to Design and Development
Scenario research, design and development were completed for Zorndorf and Rivoli but that was it.  No new scenarios to go with Norm's Two Flags - One Nation rules.  Over the Winter Break, I did manage to replay my Fox Gap scenario using Norm's latest amendments to TF-ON.  Presentation for that replay is in work.  

Rules to Design, Develop, Test
2018 plans included moving from QRS to codified rules for a couple of works-in-progress.  No movement on this front.

Solo Wargaming
Yes, plenty of solo wargaming including miniatures, blocks, and hex and counter games.

Boardgames to Explore
The wargame collection grew significantly in 2018 due to eBay purchases and several publishers' Black Friday sales.  Not as much time spent on boardgaming as planned but I did get in one, long-term game of GMT's 1914: Offensive a Outrance via VASSAL.

Another highlight of 2018 was the development of a cooperative campaign game on the French & Indian War.  I ran the strategic/operational aspects of the campaign via VASSAL using Markham's Montcalm & Wolfe DTP boardgame while Peter at Grid-Based Wargaming resolved the tactical battles generated by the campaign engine.

Campaign map AUG 1758

That experience was great fun.  I think Peter may have fought out 16 individual battles before the British won the war.  

Other Boardgames Played

Commands & Colors:
A handful of Commands & Colors games using the Ancients, Napoleonics and AWI versions saw action on the table both in block and miniature.  No Samurai Battles but maybe in 2019?







Bey's Jours de Gloire 
Fuentes de Onoro 1811 from Vae Victis saw action and was the inspiration for the Combat at Foz d' Arouce battle.  This series is huge and a number of the early Napoleonic battles look very interesting to replay.

Triumph & Tragedy
Played this a couple of times as a three player game.  I recall being attacked and beaten both times by my ally!

Squad Leader
After roughly a 35 year hiatus, I made a return to the WWII tactical combat game that started it all, Squad Leader.  Only a few games were played (only one FtF) but my interest has been rekindled in this classic. 


In general more games saw action in 2018 than in recent memory.  Likely a few more have been overlooked as memory of games played fades.  A good mix of miniatures vs board, FtF vs PBeM vs solo, two-player vs multiplayer, period, and scale.  Quite a good diversity of gaming and an enjoyable re-entry into boardgaming.

Blogging
I managed to stick to the 2-3 posts per week goal for a total of 135 posts.  Content rotated between games played, units painted, travel, cycling, plus some miscellaneous content.  The average number of comments per post increased which is most welcome.  Reader comments are always appreciated!

No progress on updating the Photo Gallery.  The galleries are even more out of date now than at the beginning of 2018.

Looking Ahead to 2019
With a retrospective completed, the next logical step in this progression is to put plan to paper for 2019.  Those plans are still formulating.  Until next time.

Project Planning 2018

Time to consult the crystal ball to see what may lay ahead in 2018 for the Palouse Wargaming Journal.

Historical Battles to Fight
While a game (or two) is always out on the gaming table, sights are set on developing four "monumental" historical battles in miniature for 2018.  My thought is to feature one "monumental" battle per quarter spending time to fight each battle more than once before moving on.  Tentatively, the following are under consideration:

2018Q1 - Mollwitz 1741 in 18mm
Mollwitz has already seen one playing in late 2017.  At least one or two more playings expected in 2018.  An account of the first game can be found at Dashing Through the Snow. 

2018Q2 - Albuera 1811 in 18mm
My initial development of the Battle of Albuera scenario was created to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the battle back in 2011.  Albuera provides an interesting and challenging situation for all participants and would make a good group game.  Resource management is particularly important at Albuera.  Albuera is a good sized game for three to five players and provides an opportunity to pull my 18mm "Empire period" Napoleonics from their long period of storage.  Included for reference are two photos from that 2011 game showing initial dispositions. 

Albuera Initial Deployments

Albuera Initial Deployments

2018Q3 - Zorndorf 1758 in 18mm
With the 260th Anniversary of the battle in August 2018, Jake has set one of his 2018 goals as fielding the Russian army for Zorndorf.  That is a great goal.  At the rate units are already mustering off his painting desk, we will see the Russians before the August anniversary.  While I have yet to consult the Prussian OB for Zorndorf, my Prussian army ought to be sufficient without additions.  I may add some Prussian units into the painting queue just for good measure.

2018Q4 - Castiglione 1796 or Rivoli 1797 or Trebbia 1799 in 18mm
To continue momentum on my French Revolutionary War project, one of these three battles would make a good choice to end the year.  While Rivoli has seen action on my gaming table in 2004 (has it really been that long?), the other two have not.  Should I update Rivoli and send the Austrians down the Adige to attack Joubert or give one of the others a test on the field of battle?  With Trebbia, my Russians would get to see their first action.  That might be fun.  Below is a photo from that 2004 Rivoli game:

Rivoli Battlefield

In addition to the monuments detailed above, what other games might see action on the gaming table in 2018?  With my varied interests and collections, many possibilities are on offer.  Will 2018 see the first Great Italian Wars or Assyrian Wars game in action?  Perhaps the Punic Wars or Reconquista will witness a clash or two? 

While the 10mm ACW collection has seen recent maneuvers on the game table under the guidance of Two Flags-One Nation, my own Republic rules have not been out in ages.  Maybe a re-run of either Gettysburg 1863 or Stones River 1862/1863 would be a fun exercise? 

ECW or WWII skirmish?  Both could squeeze into the schedule as could quick, pick up games of Canvas Eagles, Samurai Battles, or Commands & Colors Ancients.  The 28mm Peninsular War collection has not had a run-out in ages.  With a new terrain piece heading my way and destined for the Iberian Peninsula, I am even more motivated to get the collection out on the table.  As always, so many periods, so little time.

Figures to Paint
With all projects in sufficient quantities to field armies for games, there is little pressure to concentrate on any one project to reach that critical, gameable mass.  No new project(s) planned for 2018 either.  Without either of these incentives, the 2018 painting goal ought to be something more pragmatic.  As a step towards pragmatism, the 2018 goal is to make a dent in The Lead Pile by buying less than I paint.  A painted figure goal of 900 seems reasonable. 

To reduce The Lead Pile, effort should lean towards the 15/18mm category since 2017 saw most painting activity in the 25/28mm size.  To aim towards that objective, the 1799, 1859, SYW, and Feudal Japan projects should see renewed activity.  With moderate effort, the inventory of the Peter Pig Samurai figures in inventory could be brought down to near zero.  If enough progress is made on the 1859 project to field French, perhaps, a start on a small Prussian army for either 1866 or 1870 could be contemplated?  Does starting a new Prussian army for either the 1866 or 1870 conflicts count as a new project or an expansion of the existing 1859 project?

While focus may be on the 15/18mm side of the ledger in 2018, expect to see a steady stream of 25/28mm units winding their way through the painting queue too.  Plenty in The Lead Pile to muster large numbers of Assyrian Wars, Reconquista, Peninsular War, Great Italian Wars, Punic Wars, or ECW units.  Writing out these lists reminds me that a recent influx of ECW lead arrived in-house.  Adding in a TYW lead gift received earlier in the year, perhaps the 30mm ECW project ought to see renewed interest at the painting desk?   

Scenarios to Design and Development
Scenario research, design and development are rewarding aspects of the hobby.  To that end, scenarios are needed for Zorndorf (HoW) and Castiglione/Rivoli/Trebbia (Wars of Coalition).  The scenario for Albuera may also require some attention and last minute refinements.  Finally, having built a scenario for Norm's Two Flags - One Nation rules in 2017, two more scenarios are under consideration.   

Rules to Design, Develop, Test
After playing Risorgimento 1859 and Wars of Coalition from QRS' exclusively for a couple of years now, 2018 may finally be the appropriate time to begin codifying the rules into a coherent body of text. The nucleus of game engine for these rules began as a heavily modified version of Whitehouse's Ironsides and Old Trousers.  Today, Howard's originals would barely be recognizable.

Finally, Impetvs on Grid has been drawing my attention again.  Plans to push forward with rules for Feudal Japan on a grid are back at the fore.

Solo Wargaming
Of course!

Boardgames to Explore
Recently, feelings of nostalgia towards my early wargaming roots have surfaced.  That is, board wargaming.  From playing SPI's Borodino in the early 1970s on a card table against my grandmother (!) there has always been a spot at the table for the "hex and counter" board wargames.  Yeah, that is right, "grandmother."  She played a pretty good game too and was a rules' stickler.

Part of my boardgaming Renaissance is due to the acquisition of a number of old, out of print titles as well as some new releases.  Some of the OOP titles were games I had in the past and recall fondly.  Others are games only recently discovered.  Another cause for this renewed interest is actually getting some of these games to the table and rediscovering their value and enjoyment.  Thoughts of using a boardgame as a campaign generator for table top battles is always in mind.

In 2018, I would enjoy increasing the time spent peering over the maps and counters of the list set forth below.  Note, most of the items on my Wish List are series games to hopefully reduce the inevitable learning (or relearning) curves.  While many may not make it out onto the gaming table in 2018, one from each group would be a success. My top picks to see action are listed below: 

Borg's Commands & Colors (and derivatives)
Borg's series is one of my favorite "set 'em up quickly and finish in an hour" games.  The guys I often game with enjoy these series as well.  A game of C&C is rarely dismissed on game night and a quick pick-up game is never more than  a few minutes away.

Resch's 1914 Series including 1914 Offensive a outrance via VASSAL

I became interested in WWI via the Serbian front following my reading of an excellent history of the conflict and Dan Carlin's commendable series Blueprint for Armegeddon.  Picking up Serbien muss sterbien to help in following and studying the campaign, the game system intrigued me.  My initial thought was that even though the counter density of SmS was low, the system was of a complexity that I hesitated to tackle.  Luckily, a fellow blogger was also interested in the 1914 system and suggested we tackle the introductory scenario in 1914 Offensive a outrance and put the system to test.  Through this first scenario via VASSAL, we both are learning system basics.  After completing the intro scenario, we may decide to carry on to one of the regular scenarios.

Dalgliesh's Combat Infantry
I received a copy of CI as a Christmas gift from Scott.  This is the first block game from Columbia Games to hit my shelves.  Unfamiliar with these, I would enjoy giving this system a try in 2018. 

Essig's Operational Combat Series including Tunisia II
One of my favorite series from one of my favorite game designers of all time.  After a long hiatus from playing OCS, I brought Tunisia II out under the Plexiglas at the end of 2017.  Would enjoy relearning and honing my skills in these classic, WWII operational games.  Games via VASSAL or FtF are preferred but even solo study is a good alternative.

MMP's Advanced Squad Leader (ASL)
I recently bought a copy of ASL Start Kit #1 as a means to reintroduce myself to the old AH classic Squad Leader and its offspring ASL.

Critical Hits' Advanced Tobruk System (ATS)Another remake of one of my first wargames from the mid-1970s.  Would enjoy dabbling in this one as a comparison of design engines between ASL and ATS.

Bey's Jours de Gloire series including Fuentes de Onoro
This series of Vae Victis games has been in the collection for a number of years.  While I have pulled them off the shelf, set up a scenario or two and attempted to push a few counters, I have never gotten too far.  Perhaps 2018 is the year I make a more determined attempt?

Blogging
For blog updates, the last three years have seen post frequency hanging onto the 140-150 annual publication rate. Averaging two-three posts per week is a rate that seems comfortable to maintain and will be the 2018 goal too.  Expect wargaming topics to be broken up by my occasional ramblings on the cycling around the Palouse and travels around the world.

Besides writing blog posts, the photo gallery could use work.  The gallery for the 28mm Reconquista collection is horribly out of date.  To ensure photo consistency, I plan to rephotograph the whole collection.  While updating the Reconquista collection, I would like to add two new galleries to catalog the 28mm Peninsular War and Great Italian Wars collections.  All three of these tasks will take some effort to complete.

If half of these goals come to pass in 2018, I will be satisfied with the effort.  Regardless of outcome, the journey will be interesting and entertaining as always.  With so much on the plate for 2018, perhaps, this should be part of a three-year project plan?