I recently did something that I have not done for a long time ... I bought a copy of the latest issue of WARGAMES ILLUSTRATED.
My reason for doing so was to read a copy of a specific article about 3D printing that had been written by the magazine's Office Manager, but much to my surprise I discovered several other articles that were of interest to me, including one by Mike Blake and Chris Swan about their forthcoming book about the Boxer Rebellion (RIGHTEOUS HARMONIOUS FISTS; BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES IN CHINA 1898 - 1901) and another by Dan Mersey about THE FOURTH PUNIC WAR. The latter is set in an alternative version of the 1930s, when Carthage still existed and was fighting against the still-extant Roman Empire for control of the Mediterranean.
He has created his armies from a variety of figures drawn from Mark Copplestone's 'neo retro' 1930s-style 30mm range and has fought his tabletop battles using the XENOS RAMPANT rules that he co-wrote with Richard Cowen. Reading this article made me realise that had I not already started out on my Belle Époque project, I might well have followed a somewhat similar path.
A very interesting concept, if I didn't have too many projects on the go I may have really got into Mark Copplestone's retro figures. I usually buy the wargame magazines when I visit Inverness so will get a copy next week.
ReplyDeleteDonnie McGibbon,
DeleteI don’t know of a wargamer who doesn’t have too many projects that they are either working on or want to get started!
The Copplestone figures are so attractive; I just wish that they were 20mm or 15mm as these would fit in with my existing collections.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteYou got me very intrigued by the 1930s Fourth Punic War! I can imagine naval battles between Rome and Carthage using your Gridded Naval Wargames rules!
--Chris
Chris,
DeleteThat's something that I had not considered ... but it would be fun!
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeletePlease bear with me. Humour me even.
Some over-thinking and at the risk of seeming to take it far too seriously, in this alternate reality what happened in the third (and even second) Punic wars? Also, they remained at peace for over 2000 years and then conflict broke out? Did the machine-gun toting lass on the cover inspire a feud?!! :)
Regards, James
James Fisher (James),
DeleteTo quote the article:
'I wanted to do something of my own '1930s The Never Was'. Influenced in part by Star Wars, Ian McKellen's Richard III movie, general interwar worker discontent, the rise of Ancient Rome, and the all-to-real Spanish Civil War (not necessarily in that order), I settled on the Fourth Punic War.'
'My Fourth Punic War sees a resurgence of the trading powerhouse of Carthage in North Africa, supported by allies and mercenaries drawn primarily from Latter Day Gaul (France), Iberia (Spain), and various North African kingdoms. As in the earlier Punic Wars, the Army of Carthage is a multicultural, mixed bag; more units are raised outside of Carthage than from within.'
'Rome's army is primarily raised from within Italy with some subject Germanic tribes - sorry, I mean nations - and Balkan and Alpine soldiers of fortune.'
He lists the various sorts of units including:
Carthage:
* Carthaginian Infantry
* Gallic Infantry
* Iberian Infantry
* International Brigade Infantry
* Numidian Cavalry
* Vickers 'Elephant' Tanks
Rome:
* Roman Infantry
* Pretorian Guard
* Balkan Infantry
* Alpine Troops
* 'Flaming Pig' Engineers
* Panzer I and CV33 Tanks
The Sten gun-armed girls on the front relate to a completely different article ... but in the world of imagi-nations, who knows if they are not really Gallic insurgents taking on the might of modern-day Rome!
I hope that this is enough information to whet your appetite.
All the best,
Bob
Thank you for taking the time for such a detailed reply. It sounds an interesting concept, no doubt great fun and lots of options/opportunities. I'm sure that it will fly with many.
DeleteI have too many of my own plans on the go based on historical periods of greatest interest to add anything further :)
Regards, James
James Fisher,
DeleteThe wargamers curse! Too many potential projects and not enough time!
All the best,
Bob
Nice post Bob - I am actually intrigued by the cover artwork on the magazine - French Resistance girls in action, I assume?
ReplyDeleteRross,
DeleteThe magazine's theme seems to be insurgency, with several articles related to that ('The Makhnovist Insurgency', 'Vive La France', 'Sisters of the Resistance'), and the cover illustration goes with the third of these. (Unfortunately, I cannot get 'Listen carefully; I will only say this once' out of my head since reading the article. I've obviously been watching too many repeat episodes of a certain BBC TV programme!)
All the best,
Bob