Issue 20 is now in the hands of our new printers based just a few miles up the road from here in Crawley, West Sussex, which means a somewhat shorter journey for me should any last-minute emergencies arise!
With Christmas just around the corner and a new year hard on its heels, there's plenty here to keep you entertained and occupied over the festive season.
A gentle reminder also to subscribers whose run has ended recently - it's time to re-subscribe! If you're not sure when you sub ended, just email me at henry@battlegames.co.uk and I'll sort it for you. Please also ensure that we have up-to-date contact details for you: I do send out both email and postal reminders, and a surprising number bounce back or are returned to sender!
Anyway, here's what you can expect in this fun-packed issue which sees Battlegames move out of its teens:
- With one of her husband Jonathan's photos featured on the front cover, Diane Sutherland gives us A brush with Mr Kipling. More than simply a guide to bad poetry, this is an in-depth look at ingenious ways to turn interesting comestible packaging into fortifications suitable for your colonial adventures. You'll never look at a dolmades tin or ice cream tub in the same way again.
- Mike Siggins has plenty of praise to give Keith Warren and his Real Time Wargames campaign rules in Forward Observer, moving on to discuss Pete Waterman (yes, really!), the Treemendus way of miniature arboriculture, enforced frugality in the hobby, competing direct-application pigments, and the new Wundermaterial, Reddiprene 38.
- Gary Mitchell takes a breather from his new post over at Miniature Wargames to bring us Gaming the Balance, a fascinating alternative WWII scenario that pitches the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard against invading reptilians, based on the Harry Turtledove World War novels. More than a little tongue-in-cheek, this gives scope for you to prove that "they don't like it up 'em!" as you digest your mince pies.
- Wargamer and historian Chris Scott continues his thought-provoking series Talking wargaming with Invincible squares?, in which he draws to our attention the historically inconvenient fact that a good number of squares proved not to be impregnable at all.
- The Table Top Teaser this time is a real belter. Get ready to make some maps for An affair of outposts — an introduction to map moving in which two advance guards do their best to find and defeat the enemy and then hold their ground. A proper challenge to your wargaming skills, and the biggest Teaser map I've had to create yet!
- If it ain't broke... is new writer Robin Miles' paean to the Wargames Research Group's 5th Edition rules. More than just a journey into nostalgia, Robin plays through a Macedonians versus Seleucids scenario to help explain why he feels that this venerable ruleset still has much to offer.
- My own pen gets an increasingly rare outing to recount A Visit to Osprey Publishing. Earlier this year, I accepted an invitation from Osprey marketeer Joe McCullough to meet the team behind this well-known publishing brand, ask lots of impertinent questions, and explore the treasure trove of goodies held in their vaults. And, as a bonus, I got to play a Wild West game after lunch!
- Another newcomer sees their name in lights this issue, with a wonderful piece dealing not only with the Salonika campaign of 1915-17, but also with how he managed to research the part that his own ancestor played in that conflict where he lost his life. Trapped in the Birdcage by Barry Lee is not only informative but also inspiring, with photos of some of his beautifully-painted WWI miniatures.
- Recce is truly crammed, and I still couldn't fit everything in! Books, games, miniatures, rules, glues — the list goes on and on. I've also instituted the new format, with photographs provided of the miniatures reviewed that are actual size wherever possible.
- Then, of course, we have the calendar of events supplied by Tricks of the Newark Irregulars, an update for our Battlegames Combat Stress Appeal, which includes some exciting news, a competition this month is to win a 36-man Seven Years War battalion of the nation of your choice kindly donated by Minden Miniatures and, to round things off, messages from your favourite advertisers.
Have fun reading, and season's greetings to you all!
P.S. Not only do we now have issues 1-10 available as great value PDF downloads, with more to follow soon, but you can still download the free three-year celebration issue No Charge! from the homepage of our website. As at tonight's stats, a staggering 6,455 people have already done so!