Play like a Prussian – Sunday's Special Kriegsspiel demonstration!
Gamers and historians can get connected for a Special War College seminar on Sunday, 8 AM – Noon. Mike Dunn will present a fine example of hands on history, producing a 19th Century Prussian Kriegsspiel game, using the original rules. Players become staff officers, and with Dunn as umpire, engage in a small battle that teaches the value of terrain, command and control, plus the wise use of initiative.
H. G. Wells had great fun with his efforts, but Kriegsspiel is the true mother of wargaming that attempts to simulate military history. This Teutonic wargame helped shape strategy by the 1860s, and still does to this day.
After the game, Dunn provides a short talk on Kriegsspiel's history and current applications. He is exceptionally qualified to do so – Dunn is a Battle Simulations Specialist at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. This is a rare opportunity to see how wargames still have a deadly serious side, and yet another example of the value one gets by attending Historicon.
Want to know more? Check out this article from Speiegel – even if your German is rusty, the photos of an original 19th century game board and pieces will be interesting. < link