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Thursday, 9 April 2026

Have I found a way to end my campaign map analysis paralysis? I think so!

I recently wrote about my analysis paralysis, and I got lots of useful comments and suggestions. I looked at these in detail, and in the end I decided to take my inspiration from the campaign map used by Thistlebarrow (who writes the wonderful Napoleonic Wargaming blog) ...

Thistlebarrow's Napoleonic Campaign map. It is divided up into squares.
Thistlebarrow's recent Cordova Campaign map. It is divided up into squares, each of which represents a tabletop battlefield.

... and the maps I based on the Waddington's CAMPAIGN boardgame.

The main campaign map I created that was based on the Waddington's CAMPAIGN boardgame..
The map of France.
The map of Germany
The map of Russia.
The map of Spain.
The map of Italy.
The map of Austria.

These latter maps worked well when I used them for my Franco-Prussian War of 1810 campaign and I really should have thought about using something based on them for my Belle Époque, campaign map.

I think that have now identified a way forward ... and I hope to begin preliminary work on my Belle Époque campaign map over the next couple of weeks.


Please note that the first two maps featured above are © Paul Leniston/Thistlebarrow.

12 comments:

  1. BOB,
    Have you drawn up your terrain maps as samples of Regions - such that you now have a variety of settings ready. Are the built up areas equate to having four buildings per square on your map? Cheers. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      At present I have a few sketches on paper that I need to transfer to my laptop. At that stage I’ll begin to address the matters you have raised in your comments.

      Things are still very much in the experimental stages with regard to my maps and I suspect that they will evolve and change as I work on them.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. I really like those maps. I find having a map really get things moving. It especially helps put context to the games. Looking forward to your continued progress.

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    Replies
    1. WEK 3,

      Thistlebarrow's maps have evolved since he began his ongoing Napoleonic campaigns ... and they work! It was a no-brainer to choose to follow in hist footsteps.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  3. Hi Bob
    I am glad that you have recovered from your bad patch, and even more so that you have found my campaign maps useful. Let me know if you require any help converting them to your campaign system.
    regards
    Paul

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    Replies
    1. Thistlebarrow (Paul),

      One bad batch ends ... and another has just begun thanks to a COVID booster jab that has rather taken the wind out of my sails! Luckily, I know that I will recover from the jab's side effects over the next few days.

      Thanks for your kind offer of assistance. I will certainly be in contact if I need any.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Bob -
    You might have helped solve a similar dilemma I have been facing for a considerable while. It has to do with my Napoleonic 'War of the Nations', using my Big Battles 4 Small Tables rule set.. Now I do have a very good map of the 1813 campaign theatre in Germany, but it runs to many pages, and is gridded with 50km squares. You would think that maybe I would have thought before now about overlaying the thing with smaller meshed square grid, eh?

    That, I'll have to look into further.

    Thistlebarrow's scheme is brilliant - too brilliant for me to feel OK about copying! I quite like the Waddington thing, too. It has occurred to me that perhaps a map of Europe itself might be overlaid with a square grid. Also something for me to think about.
    Cheers, and glad to see you coming out of the doldrums into a brisk ocean breeze...
    Ion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo (Ion),

      One thing about wargaming is that most wargamers are only too happy to share ideas and allow others to copy them ... as long as the original is given due credit. There are a few out there who are very assertive about what they regard as 'their' ideas and concepts ... but its amazing how many of these 'precious' items are based on other people's work!

      Having begun to recover from my period in the doldrums, I went and had my regular-six-monthly COVID booster jab ... and now I am suffering from the side effects! Luckily, I know that this will abate over the next couple of days and then I can begin work on my maps.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. I'm looking forward to seeing the final results. It will make it easier to generate battlefields.

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    Replies
    1. Mark Cordone,

      Hopefully, if I can get the maps right, they'll give me years of fun and enjoyment.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Bob
    Having used your Waddingtons Campaign map, some time ago, I found it perfect for a PW based Campaign of my own. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

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    Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      Thanks for the feedback ... and I am very pleased that you found my version of the Waddington's map useful.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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