Friday 16 February 2018

Book: Small Wars (from The History of Wargaming Project)

Courtesy of John Curry's History of Wargaming Project subscriber email and Bob Cordery's (Wargaming Miscellany) post this little tome caught my eye (see below, and it's a beauty!):


It concentrates on asymmetrical wargame and fills a gap I have in COIN games (or could be seen as a starter into this area). The figure count required is low and te ingenuity level is high. Having read each section you want to play.
  • ISAF Operations
  • Colonial Foreign Legion
  • Afghanistan (Soviet Era)
  • Bush Wars (Africa) 
  • 1920's Ireland: The Flying Column
  • Vietnam
Note: I am not on commission but it is a little gem, see link below (Note: It is in the Solo Wargaming Section although I think the games would be best run with an umpire and group of players over a pint).

Small Wars

4 comments:

Dave S. said...

I was looking at this book the other day. There are some interesting subjects, but wasn't sure about the scale for the games. Are they more on the operational (or even strategic) side or sort of grand tactical?

Thanks,
Dave

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

A mixture:

ISAF game is squad based decision making with detachments of a (reinforced) company going into action (you see the men as playing pieces)
Colonial Foreign Legion Company Level Command (can be played solo) of an isolated outpost (survival being the ultimate name of the game), abstracted force detachments
Soviet Afghanistan strategic-operational (nation level) You talk in Divisions
Vietname detailed strategic-operational again you talk in Divisions/Brigades
Bush Wars - resource planning and "catch the pigeon" Platoon Level but sparse regional area

All good ;)
Hope this helps

Prufrock said...

Hmm, looks good! Thanks for the review!

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Also forgot to mention a 1920's Ireland British "Flying Column"
An eclectic mix of games that don't meed that much kit but are very thought provoking!