••••••••••••••••••

Q. :: can Wargames help you?

A We are the exclusive • distributor of top

quality figures and help many players with army selection, design and the development of winning tactics.

If you are a experienced historical miniature wargamer you already know about these quality products ... • Essex • Corvus • Dixon • Donnington • Tin Soldier If you are less experienced, or just starting in the hobby, you can most certainly benefit from our advice. In the long run, top quality figures are the least expensive because you will continue to be satisfied with them.

Take pride in your armies, play what the champions play. They only use the best!

In the last twelve months these figures have been used by the winners of the following major events: • Ancient National Championships­

Essex Seleucids • Renaissance National Champion-ships-Essex Irish

• Historicon Masters-Essex Seleucids • Norm Gisclair-Essex Late Romans • Camelot '85-Essex Welsh ·Southwest Championships-

Essex 100 Years War • Historicon '84-Dixon Samurai In three quarters of the above, the runners-up were also playing Essex.

Q. Are you looking for more than high

quality figures?

A Wargames knows and • supports the hobby like

no other manufacturer or distributor

In addition to the best figures we ... • Started the WRG rules committee • Co-founded the U.S. Society of

Ancients • Strongly support the U.S. Pike & Shot

Federation • Sponsor the Pike & Shot National

Championships • Co-started and sponsor the National

Ancient Championships • Sponsor local tournaments all over the country

• Offer advice about armies & figures • Offer complete armies in

15mm and 25mm • Offer "play ready" terrain as good as the figures

• Design effective army packs • Supply the champions Look at other manufacturers, do they support the hobby? Try calling them for advice .

Q Are Essex figures really • twice as good?

A.Ask the winners!

Pike & Shot National Championship_ • First place winner-Mike McGooey,

Essex Irish • Runner up-Bryan Sherzer,

Essex Poles National Ancient Championship • First place winner-J.B.H.,

Essex Selecuids • Runner up-Steve Hernden, 25mm Sicilians Book III

At the recent Pike & Shot National Championships one of the minor prizes was the choice between half an Essex army or a full army by another manufacturer. The half army from Essex was chosen. When the other quarter finalists were questioned, they stated they would also have chosen Essex.

Q Tired of your • manufacturers dropping

or reducing historical lines?

A Wargames' main • concern has always

been supporting the historical miniatures hobby.

When fantasy was looking very attractive, some manufacturers reduced or dropped their historical lines. Others dropped their 25mm lines. This was because all some of them are interested in is selling you figures, not supporting the hobby. Many enthusiasts were stuck with half armies they could no longer build. Now that fantasy is shrinking, they are returning to 25mm's and to historical. Work with Wargames, the NON­FANTASY COMPANY.

Q Have you been • disappointed because

some Essex figures were not entirely compatable with your existing armies?

A We also carry Corvus • figures, the best

"smaller" 25mm miniatures. Corvus smaller 25mm figures are

known for high quality. Corvus solves your compatability problems.

25mm Dixon Samurai, FS1

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Your ••••••• Q. What's new from

Wargames?

A. More of the best.

New releases • Essex Seleucids-"anyone can win

with them," Alan Hamilton, S.w. Society Newsletter. (see listing)

• Tin Soldier 15mm Late Romans • Average dice-$1 .75 a pair • Newbury Fast Play Ancient Rules (see listing)

• Dixon Marlburain-Late 17th Century • Essex-Late 17th Century

7th EDITION Starter Packs-s2995

• Essex Seleucids Price Code & Description A MP70 Phalangite medium infantry

pike A MP70A Phalangite heavy infantry

pike A MP71 Argyraspids medium infantry

pike A MP71A Argyraspids heavy infantry

pike A MP72 'Roman' Argyraspids heavy

D A A A A A A A

C A A o

MP73 MP74 MP74A MP75 MP75A MP76 MPn MP78

MP79 MPBO MP81 MP82

infantry, heavy throwing weapon, shield Mounted general Heavy calvary Extra heavy cavalry-H39 Heavy cavalry Extra heavy cavalry-H39 Super heavy cavalry-H16 Civic militia cavalry Tarantine light cavalry, javalin & shield Arab camel archer Archers-assorted poses Slingers-assorted poses Howdah with pikeman, javelinman, archer and driver for mounting on Elephant-E2

o MP83 Howdah with three archers and driver for mounting on Elephant-E2

A MP84 Thorakites spear & shield A MP85 Threophoros light infantry,

javelin & shield New Horses F H39 Seleucid half armoured

E2 Seleucid elephant-$6.99 (more to come)

• •••••••• Q. Interested in rules for

Napoleonic, WWII, A.C.W. or Colonial?

A Newbury Rules are the • best!

Newbury Napoleonic, Colonial and A.C.W. RULES are used in the British Championships and by most players of these periods in England. They have been designed for use with 5mm, 15mm and 25mm scale figures, are not biased in favor of one Nation, and are excellently cross·referenced. Rules Description & Price • Colonial Warfare/2nd edition-$8.95 • Aerial Combat (193()'19Q5) 3rd edition­

$6.95 • Napoleonic Warfare/4th edition-$8.95 • Sebastopol, Sadowa & Sedan/

19th century warfare-$8.95 • American Civil War/2nd edition-$8.95 • Cambrai to Sinai (1917·1967) 3rd edition-$8.95

• Warfare through the Ages/Manual-$8.95 • Warfare in the Ancient World/2nd edition,

upgrade-$5.95 .1000 years of Medieval Warfare

(5OQ.1500) 2nd edition, upgrade-$5.95 • Constantinople to Vienna (1450·1700)

3rd edition, upgrade-$5.95

NEWBURY FAST PLAY Napoleonic Rules are ideal for your fun games. • Napoleonic Warfare-$4.95

SKIRMISH WARGAMES RULES • 20th Century Warfare, Rules-$7.95 • 20th Century Warfare, Supplement-$5.50 • 20th Century Warfare, Tables & Lists-

$5.50 • The Old West/Part One-$7.95 • The Old West/Part Two-$7.95

NEWBURY NAPOLEONIC ARMY LISTS, which are used in British Championships, contain 26 different armies, which with combinations of Allies extends the choice to 50 armies. In addition to the European Armies: American, British Indian, British North American, Mameluke, Mypotean, Persian, Mahratta (Indian) and Turkish lists are included. Anny Lists • Lists for Napoleonic Warfare-$3.95 • Lists for WWII, (Canbrai to Sinai)-$8.95 • Lists for 19th Century (call for price)

Q. How do I oreler Ihe besl?

A. We make il easy.

1. Determine prices through our price codes: A & B $ .85 E $1.05 C .99 F 1.20 D 1.10 a 5.95

Price·breaks for clubs. Club discounts are as follows:

Over $25 - free postage, $50 -10%, $100 - 15% and $200 - 20 % Discount . DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

2. Mail orders add $1 .50 shipping and handling charges to all orders under $25. COD is an additional $1 .50. ==.

3. Telephone orders ~ . . .

214/241-3425 -and use your major credit card .

Please mail check & your order to: 1410 Pr omenade Bank Center . Ri chardson . TX. 75080

.WARGAMES. •••••••••••••• WARGAMES SUPPORTS WARGAMERS

EXC LUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR OF STANDARD GAMES, INTEGRAL TERRAIN, NEWBURY RULES & ESSEX, DIXON, TIN SOLDIER, DONNINGTON, CORVUS, KONTOS & MILITARY MINIATURES

Send $2 for samples and full listing. Please specify army and manufacturer.

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MIKES Mel ELSUSA AMERICAN CIVIL W AR lInU

ACW IA Inf. tunic kepi firing ACW 20A Cav. shell jacket kepi holding ACW IB Inf. tunic kepi advancing carbine ACW2A Inf. shell jacket kepi firing ACW 20B Cav. shell jacket kepi firing carbine ACW2B Inf. shell jacket kepi advancing ACW 21A Cav. tunic kepi firing carbine ACW 3A Inf. frock coat kepi firing ACW 21B Cav. tunic kepi firing shotgun ACW 3B Inf. frock coat kepi advancing ACW 22A Cav. tunic S hat firing carbine ACW4A Inf. tunic Slouch hat firing ACW 22B Cav. tunic S hat firing shotgun ACW 4B Inf. tunic S hat advancing ACW23 Cav. shell jacket lance (Rush's ACW,A Inf. shell jacket S hat firing Lancers) ACW,B Inf. shell jacket S hat advancing ACW 24A Cav . Officer shell jacket kepi ACW6A Inf. frock coat S hat firing (Iron ACW 24B Cav. Officer tunic S hat

Brigade) ACW 2,A Cav. Std. bearer shell jacket kepi ACW 6B Inf. frock coat S hat advancing

(Iron Brigade) ACW Z,B Cav. Std. bearer tunic S Hat

ACW7A Officer kepi sword and pistol ACW OPl Cav. tunic kepi firing carbine ACW7B Officer S hat sword and pistol ACW OP2 Cav. tunic S hat firing carbine ACW8A Standard bearer kepi ACW SB Standard bearer S hat ACW HI Galloping Horse

ACWH2 Cantering Horse ACWH3 Walking Horse

Caesar1s Romans RRl Legionary Throwing Pilum RR2 Legionary standing with Pilum RR3 Legionary with Sword RR4 Legionary running with sword RR' Centurion RR6 Eagle Bearer RR7 Cohort Standard Be.arer RR8 Musician RR9 Roman Cavalryman (AH34) RRIO Roman Cavalry Standard (AH34)

NAME __________________________ __

ADDRESS ______________________ _

CITY _______ STATE ______ ZIP ___ _

Send for your free catalog. Please include $2.00 for shipping and handling.

Mikes Models; P.O. Box 1141 ; Denvi"e, N.J. 07834

RRll I11yrian Peltast RR12 Thracian with Javelins RR13 Thracian with Romphia RR14 Spanish Scutarii RRl, Spanish Caetrati RR16 Numidian Infantry with Javelins RR17 Numidian Infantry with Bow RR18 Spanish Cavalryman (AH27) RRl9 Numidian Cavalryman (AHll) RR20 Syrian Horse Archer (AH29)

MIKES MCIELSuSA Box 11 4 1 Denville, NJ 078J-l

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FEATURE ARTICLES

THE HISTORY OF SAILING TACTICS, PART III JON WILLIAMS concludes his in-depth background to the period ..... .. . . . ...... .. .... . .. ..... .... .. . . . ... .. . .. .... . . ...... .. ..... . .. . ..... .. 5

NAVAL FLAGS 1792-1815 BARR Y FOX describes the flags ,of Major and Minor powers . .. .... .. . . ....... . .. .. .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . ... . . ... .. ..... . .... . ... .... . . . . . . .... . . . .. . 15

AN ALTERNATIVE TO PRAETORIANS MICHAEL PANKOV/C provides a note on Singulares and Strators . .... . .. . ... . ............. . . .. ........... . ......... ... ..... . ....... . .. ...... . 23

THE RAILROAD IN THE RECONQUEST OF THE SUDAN GRANT SIGWORTH describes the " Desert Railway". . . . ..... ... . .. . .. . .... . ... . . .. . ...... . ... . . ... ........ . . .. .. . ... .... . . . ...... .. .... . ... 25

REACTION IN SKIRMISH GAMING WALTER SIMON proposes some rules. . . ... . . .. . .. ... .... .. . . .. .. . . . ... .. ... . ....... . . . . . . . .... .. . . . . .. . .... .. . . ... . .. . ............... . .. 29

NAPOLEONIC WARGAMING - AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH ARTHUR HARMAN with how to game at a higher level. .... . ................... . ........... . .. ...... . . . . ...... . ......... .. ...... .... ..... . .. 41

THE MECHANICS OF FRENCH INFANTRY MANEUVER GF NAFZIGER investigates how long it took to maneuver. . . . . ........ . ..... . .... .. .... .... . .. .. .. ... . . . ... . .. . .. . . .... ... . ... . . . .. .. .. .. . . . . 45

SASS CRAIG TA YLOR presents a complete campaign rule set. .. . . . . . . ... . ... . . .. ... .. .... .. .. ........ . . .... ....... . ... .. . . . . .. . ... . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. 49

DEPARTMENTS

THE REVIEWING STAND with Jay Hadley .. .. . . .... ....... . .................... .. .... . . ... . .. . . . .... ... . . .... .. . ... .. . . .. . ................ 33

DRILL MANUAL WRG Renaissance Rule Interpretations by George Gush . .. . .. ... . . . .. .. .... ... . . ..... . .............. . . . ... . .... ... . .. . ... ... 47

THE COURIER DISPATCH News of the hobby with Rob Maclean ... .... ......... . ...... .. . . ....... . . .... .. . .. . ... .. .... . . .. . . ....... ... .... . 57

DISPATCHES FROM THE FIELD letters to (or at) the Editor . . .. .... .. . ... . . ...... .... .. ........... . . .. . . .. .. .. .. . . . ... . ....... . ...•. ..... ... .. 62

VOLLEY FIRE What do you like (or hate) about this issue ... .. . .. ... . . .. . . .......... . . . . . ........... . . .. . . . . . .. ...... . . . .. .... . . . . .......... . . 64

5 33 57

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'lCbr

~~U'M£:tt MANAGING EDITOR: Richard L. Bryant

BUSINESS MANAGER: leo Cronin ART DIRECTOR: Joseph Miceli

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Bruce Milligan THEME EDITOR: THE AGE OF SAIL

Jon Williams

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS William Abrams; Ken Bunger; Phil Barker; Robert Beattie; lynn Bodin; Rodman Burr; Pat Condray; Jay Hadley; Peter Hollinger; Ian Knight; Paul Koch; Doug Johnson; Robert Mosca; Nick Nascati; Cliff Sayre; George Schneider; Kruse Smith; Walter Simon; Ned Zuparko.

STAFF CARTOONISTS: Jon Rettich Jose Niera

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Pat Condray Tom Desmond

THE COURIER DISPATCH: Robert Maclean

STAFF ILLUSTRATORS Alan Archambault, AI Karasa

John Thull, Joe Matthews, larry Schuman John Tolive, Terry Manton

THE COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. Richard L. Brya nt, President

DIRECTORS Richard Brya nt, leo Cronin, Gloria Miceli

THE COURIER is published approximately bi-monthly at Brockton, MA 02401 USA.

SUBSCRIPTIONS USA - $14.00; CANADA & S. AMERICA, surface rate -$17.00. UNITED KINGDOM & EUROPE write to: Athena Books, 20 St. Mary's Rd., Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 2NP England. AUSTRALIA & N. ZEALAND write to: The Tin Soldier, 424 George St., Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

BACK ISSUES Recent back issues are available for $3.50, USA; $4.00 Canada & Foreign surface; $5 .00 Foreign airmail. See last page of issue for listing. Monies in US funds drawn on US banks or international Postal Money Order. Subscriptions start with NEXT published issue after receipt of payment.

No responsibility is assumed for statements of fact or opinion made by the authors. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited manuscripts, but all sub­missions are welcome, no query necessary. All sub­missions should contain a self-addressed STAMPED envelope large enough to return the submission.

This magazine and other publications ofThe Courier Publishing Company are sold with the understanding, that every reasonable attempt is made to deliver them safely through the mails. The Courier Publishing Company is not responsible for items lost in the mails. Replacements will be provided at their usual cost

All DOMESTIC DEALER INQUIRIES, ADVERTISING COpy AND INQUIRIES, DOMESTIC SUBSCRIP­TIONS AND ARTICLES to THE COURIER, Box 1878, Brockton, MA 02403.

Entire Contents Copyright © 1985 by The Courier PUblishing Company, Inc.

MAY/JUN 1985 VOLVI, N03

THE VANGUARD

EDITOR'S NOTES

The GAMA awards this year got off to a shaky start with the resignation of the awards committee chairman, and the temporary loss of the Academy membership list. Howard Barish, VP of GAMA had to take up the reins as awards committee chairman on short notice but has done a tremendous job putting it all together.

There has been a lot of interpretation about the GAMA awards and in the past there has been ballot-stuffing and other abuses. The committee, in the past few years, has tried to solve these problems so as to enhance the prestige of the awards as a recognition, both by the gaming public and by the recipient's peers, of excellence of achievement in Miniatures, Role Playing and Boardgaming.

I believe the present system is as good as we are ever going to get. It is a two-step process : 1. all interested gamers nominate the game rules, miniatures, magazines, etc. of their choice by using the ballot published every year in the various gaming publications. (The Courier published the most recent in Vol VI No. 1.) 2. Members of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design make the final selection by vote. (The requirements for membership in the Academy are quite liberal - any gamer who has made a proveable contribution to the hobby - author, editor, club organizer, play tester - can join.) In my experience members of the Academy vote only in areas in which they are familiar with the products nominated, e.g., a designer of fantasy board games will not vote for best historical miniature line unless (as they often are) he is also a historical miniature gamer & familiar with the nominees.

The one way to prevent abuses is for everyone to participate in the process. Fill in your nomination ballot & mail it in. Those of you who can, join the Academy and participate (dues are $3 per yearl) .

The Courier won the award for Best Professional Miniature Magazine for 1984. We have now won the award for every year of our existence (si nce 1979). It would not be possible without all the freely given hard work by our editors, illustrators, photographers, authors and you, the readers, without whose input this magazine would be a shadow of its present self. A heartfelt thanks to you all.

NEW NAPOLEONIC EDITOR

In this issue I would like to introduce Jim Arnold, our new Napoleonic Period Editor (see biography on page 43) . Ned Zuparko has decided to step down after 4 years. Ned has brought many exciting authors to these pages: George Jeffrey, Peter Hoffschroer, P.J. Haythornthwaite, G. NafZiger, Paddy Griffith, and Ger'd Hughes. I believe our Napoleonic Wargaming is all the better for it... Many thanks, Ned.

Jim has several rules sets under his beltas well as having been published in professional historical works. I am confident that he will open up a whole new vista for Napoleonic gamers in these pages. Welcome aboard, Jim.

Oh yes! Jim wanted me to point out that the Napoleonic articles in this issue and several that will see print in the next few issues were gathered during Ned's tenure.

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A HISTORY OF SAILING TACTICS IN THE AGE OF FIGHTING SAIL

PART III BY JON WILLIAMS

SHIP DRAWINGS BY W.H. KEITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY A. KARAS A

RODNEY AND THE SAINTES

The Royal Navy had reformers other than Howe and Kempenfell. One of the most curious and contradictory was George Brydges Rodney. He had a good and innovative tactical mind and was a tenacious fighter, having distinguished himself in the Seven Years War, but he was also somewhat elderly (61 at the time of his first command in the American War, 1779), and afflicted with " gout and gravel", which required him to spend the entirety of his night action with the Spanish in bed, relaying instructions to the fleet through his flag captain. In combat he tended to be unsteady, issuing commands and then countermanding them shortly thereafter. He

5

also had a testy temper, and preferred to adopt an authoritarian manner with his subordinates, rather than unbending to the point of trying to make them understand what his tactical innovations were and how he intended them to be carried out. These attitudinal problems were some­what smoothed out during most of the period of his command by his brilliant flag captain, Walter Young, who unfortunately died before the decisive action off the Saintes.

Rodney was also hugely in debt, and during the early part of the war was living in Paris to escape his creditors. It was only by virtue of a large loan from the chivalrous French marshal Biron that he managed to return to England and assume his new command.

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