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Saturday 12 May 2018

The Madasahatta Campaign book: A fitting tribute to Eric Knowles

I have just finished reading the printed proof copy of a small, hardback book that I have compiled about the late Eric Knowles's famous Madasahatta Campaign. I created it as a tribute to Eric's pioneering work in the world of UK wargaming, and the book will be published in due course. In the meantime I am having copies printed for Eric's family and friends.

As can be seen from the images of the front ...


... and back covers ...


... the book contains all the background information to the campaign as well as copies of the campaign newspaper and reminiscences of some of those who took part.

14 comments:

  1. Other gamers' campaigns are always interesting. Is this being published by LULU?

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      It will initially be published by a Lulu.com in hardback format. I may look at a paperback or eBook edition in due course.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Bob,
    I remember Eric Knowles 'MADASAHATTA CAMPAIGN' from decades ago- I clearly recognise and recall his MAP which I must have seen in Wargames Illustrated or other Hobby magazine. Your book would be a fascinating read - well done. Does your book contain any Gaming Photos of the miniature battles for the Campaign? Best Wishes. KEV.

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    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson,

      Regrettably there are - to the best of my knowledge - no photographs of the battles that were fought as part of the Madasahatta Campaign. The book does, however, contain the briefings, copies of the map sections, and copies (with transcribed text) of the campaign newspapers.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. Bob,
      That is a shame and a great pity that there are no records of the games in photos - I like to take photos of our miniature Battles - one reason is that if ever the battlefield is re-visited then we'd know what the table set up was...another reason why I like to draw a plan of the Battlefield with all it's features shown and measurements of where hills are and streams. It is an essential extension of painting figures and making scenery - I find Maps fascinating. Cheers. KEV.

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    3. Kev Robertson,

      It is a shame that no photographs were taken at the time, but in the days before digital cameras and smart phones, I doubt if the sort of cameras we had back then would have been able to cope with the lighting in Eric's basement.

      Properly recording ones battles so that one can read and enjoy them in the future is part of the pleasure one gets from wargaming. I have recently been re-reading some of the early battle reports on my blog, and have thoroughly enjoyed them.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  3. Looks very interesting Bob- sadly I tend to read more about campaign games than play in them these days. Keeping game momentum up seems to be the hardest part.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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    Replies
    1. Pete.,

      I haven't taken part in anything like the Madasahatta Campaign since it ended, although I have run several mini-campaigns and thoroughly enjoyed them. They are quite easy to stage, quick to fight, and it is easy to maintain ones interest and momentum.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  4. Looks very interesting. A fitting tribute.

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    1. Lee Hadley,

      I hope readers find it interesting. Taking part was a defining moment in my wargaming career, and I owe a great debt to Eric.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. One book I'll be getting. One of my regrets is that I don't have a single photo of my own early wargames 'career' - not a single battle or convention recorded for the 70s or 80s. Just didn't happen much back then.

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    Replies
    1. Rob Young,

      I think that a lot of us wish that we had photos of our pre-digital age wargames.

      The book will be in hardback format, and will cost about £15.00. If I convert it into a paperback, the cost will come down ... but I have no idea if and when that will be.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. Well I look forward to when it is published. These are the kinds of wargaming chronicles that appeal to me greatly.

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    Replies
    1. Natholeon,

      We luck you won't have to wait too long. I hope that the book will be published by the end of the month.

      All the best,

      Bob

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