Oh my god, we're doing Arnhem

The high point of the wargaming year in Belgium is without a doubt Crisis, [TSA](http://www.tsoa.be)'s yearly convention. Each year since 1997, we have presented a participation game there, and so will we in 2005.

Each year also sees a long and convoluted decision process on what the game for that year will be, and this year was no different. We quickly settled on a [participation game system](http://www.nirya.be/snv/ttm/archives/000040.html), proposed by Phil, but had not decided on a game yet.

We had the faint idea of doing something really spectacular, then dropped that idea and focused on the Battle of Halen (famous Belgian victory over German cavalry in 1914), but that was probably a bit too ambitious to do in full S&V style.

The latest suggestion is to do Arnhem 1944 in 6mm, and I quite like this. I've always been interested in this tragic battle, and when our recent love affair with [Blitzkrieg Commander](http://www.wargamesdirectory.com/html/bkc/default.asp) incited a renewed interest in WWII gaming, Alan came up with the idea (the suggestion was mentioned innocently in a game of War of the Ring and took hold from there) of doing Arnhem in 6mm for Crisis.

The plan is to use BKC rules, combined with the participation system (Phil, that's your job :) ), as the game system. For the terrain and OOB's, we'll use the excellent [Rapid Fire](http://www.rapid-fire.uk.com) supplement on Market Garden. The terrain will probably be in the order of 3x1.5m and we'll be representing the entire Arnhem - Oosterbeek - Wolfheze sector, featuring the entire 1st Airborne division and all of the German units represented.

It's a tall order, but I'm fairly optimistic we'll be able to complete the game on time. And when it's completed, it's just a question of doing some extra troops and terrain boards to be able to do the whole of Market Garden. Megalomaniacs'r'us, indeed.

miniatures

Latest Wargames Illustrated

Now that I'm finally getting on track with my life again (moving to a barely finished house tends to monopolise one's available time), and now that we have a fully working broadband connection again (we were back on dialup until a week or so ago), the pieces are finally in place once more for me to do some posting on TTM, which I admit I have been neglecting a bit (apart from squishing the ever increasing amounts of comment spam). Those of you who enjoyed the silence will have to go elsewhere now, I'm afraid :)

Anyway, the latest [Wargames Illustrated](http://www.wargames.co.uk/WarIllustrated/Illustrated.htm) fell into our mail box today (now that we *have* a mail box :) ), and I am fairly impressed with it. Some time ago [I expressed some pessimism](http://www.nirya.be/snv/ttm/archives/000073.html) regarding the state of wargame magazines (well, WI), agreeing with Ray Lucas that most of the articles in the magazine were nothing more than barely disguised advertisements - "adverticles".

The current issue of WI (#212 - May 2005) can be accused of falling in the same trap, but there are some articles I find very interesting in there, something which has not happened in quite a while (jaded veteran wargamer that I am - ahem). To name but two, there is an adverticle on Rapid Fire 2 (which gives a good rundown on what's new and helps one decide whether one wants to buy the rules -- I'm tempted) and what looks like an interesting battle report on a Byzantine vs Sassanid WAB game (adverticle for the release of Beyond The Golden Gates, the latest WAB supplement, but nevertheless quite nice).

Anecdotal evidence for all of this came when I was reading the RF2 article - towards the end I got a genuine 'aha' experience, when I read a good scenery tip (although it probably was not meant as such by the author). One chipmunk does not make a nut party, but this does give one hope for the future.

Oh yes - the scenery tip: apparently, [Faller](http://www.faller.de) (well known German miniature railroad scenery manufacturer) proportionally reduces the dimensions of the upper stories of their buildings, so that they look better while still not becoming too large. That certainly goes some way towards explaining (along with my lack of modelling skills, of course) why my scratch built buildings (yes, both of them) look distinctly out of place and crude next to the professional ones. Something to try for the next building!

miniatures

Getting back on track

After over a month of post-drought here on [TTM](http://www.nirya.be/snv/ttm), times are about to change. The lack of new material from me was mainly due to our move; at first, there was no time because I was busy preparing for the move and packing stuff, and afterwards there was no time because we were busy unpacking stuff and getting the new house into a state that somewhat resembles somwhere one might actually want to live (I quote Alan -- "I'll come and play in your wargame room once you have stairs in the house". He wasn't kidding -- the stairs will be put in next week).

Then

Battle of Wechta Ridge

Hi everyone, we have finally completed the first battle in the campaign. Have a read.

Download file

Both Generals have now been asked for their next set of orders, so watch this space for further news.