Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy

Wargaming is a big hobby with many diverse factions and perspectives: striking a balance that pleases everyone can be truly challenging! We like to think what sets Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy apart from other historical wargaming magazines is its focus on having fun, no matter what kind of wargamer you are or what your background is. WS&S is a light-hearted publication, that pays particular attention to games themselves and how to play them: it doesn’t get bogged down in lengthy historical expositions or recycle content you can read yourself in any history book. While popular periods like WWII, the Napoleonic era, and the ancient world get frequent coverage, we also try to feature the unexpected, with articles on spies, monsters and gangsters to name but a few.

Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy

Editorial

MINIATURE REVIEWS • A look at some of the newest miniatures, terrain pieces, and more from across the wargaming world.

THIS GAMING LIFE A WORD FOR IT • There really ought to be a word for it. Most likely the Germans, who have a knack for this sort of thing – consider the ubiquity of ‘Schadenfreude’, for example – have an apt term for that particular feeling that combines a sinking heart, sheer terror, and a sense of irretrievable tragedy. I speak, of course, of that moment of despair that follows after accidentally varnishing a newly painted regiment of Napoleon's Old Guard with a spray can of white primer. There is the overwhelming wave of disbelief quickly followed by realisation, and finally the numbness of spirit as one is stricken by the full horror of what one has done.

THE BEGINNING OF THE WELSH MARCHES Y MERS • Throughout the sixth and seventh centuries, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms pushed further westward, slowly conquering more territory in a series of conflicts that lasted for generations. After the battle of Deorham in 577, the Saxons captured Bath, Cirencester, and Gloucester, separating the Southwest Britons of Dumnonia from the West Britons of Gwent, Powys, and Gwynedd in what would become known as Wales.

REFIGHTING A ROMAN CIVIL WAR IN THE AEGEAN THE PHILIPPI CAMPAIGN • Following the murder of Caesar in 44 BC, two of the leading conspirators, Brutus and Cassius, escaped to the Eastern Roman Empire and started to raise an army to invade Italy. After a brief period of in-fighting, Octavian allied with Marc Antony and Lepidus to form the Second Triumvirate in 43 BC.

GAMING THE ALLIES’ NORMANDY BREAKOUT OUR WARGAMING SAFE SPACE • I recently took two old friends on a weekend visit to Normandy. This was their first visit to the battlefields, and they had asked me to serve as an informal tour guide. Over two days, I took them on a whirlwind tour of the D-Day sites. Taking the Eurotunnel to Calais, we drove like the wind westwards to Pegasus Bridge where we discussed how the British airborne had held the eastern end of the D-Day bridgehead in dramatic style. From there, we drove to Sword Beach to follow the story of Sgt Major Stan Hollis VC and the Green Howards as they pushed inshore towards Bed Pan Villa, Crépon, and beyond.

THE JOYS OF PLAYING THE BRITISH PLATOON SOMEWHERE IN NORMANDY • Although the TV screens of our youth were most likely filled with American GIs, it is the humble British infantryman with his dogged determination, mixed with that wonderful national characteristic – sarcastic pessimism – that most appeals to me for my games.

OPERATION BLUECOAT, 2-3 AUGUST 1944 BATTLING THROUGH LA BIGNE • In July, the Americans’ Operation Cobra finally achieved a breakout from Normandy's claustrophobic bocage country. The British swiftly acted to maintain pressure on the Germans’ right flank and draw enemy armour away from the advancing US spearheads. This took the form of Operation Bluecoat, which aimed to capture the route centre of Vire and the dominating high ground of Mont Pincon. XXX...