To the shores of Tripoli… and then back again. It only struck me when I sat down to write this editorial that our theme for this month, America at War, takes us from the famous US Marine action near Tripoli in 1804 (subject of the Marine Corps Hymn), via the Civil War, the Boxer Rebellion in China, the Great War in France and back to the shores of Tripoli (or near enough!), with the US amphibious landings in North Africa during Operation Torch, World War Two. Such effortless continuity, which if I hadn’t pointed out it was an accident might have seemed impressive!
The theme of America at War is of course no accident, but rather the result of several months of planning and application by our contributors. One of the quirks of this month’s all-American theme is that none of the articles herein have been written by Americans! We thought it would be interesting (particularly for our US readers) if all the theme articles centred on that great nation were actually supplied by non-residents. So, our America at War theme articles have actually been supplied by an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman.
As well as the half dozen theme articles, we also have a couple of our popular Rules Showcase articles for you, along with a Designer’s Notes, featuring new rules and supplements from Warlord Games and Osprey.
I am very pleased to welcome James Morris back to the pages of Wargames Illustrated this month with an article on his fabulous World War Two Crete project and the same goes for Doctor Steve Tibble, who supplies us with the first in a cracking series of articles on re-thinking the Crusades.
OBSERVATION POST
We take a look at what’s new and forthcoming in our hobby.
THEME:
“TO THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI”
We begin our America at War theme content with the United States’ first military intervention in North Africa. Pete Brown takes up the story …
DESIGNER’S NOTES:
DRACULA’S AMERICA, FORBIDDEN POWERS
Jonathan Haythornthwaite, author of the top-selling Dracula’s America rulebooks, talks about the latest volume in this Weird Wild West series.
THEME:
THE DRAGON’S CHOICE *EXTRA MAP*
As part of this month’s theme, Dave Tuck and Malc Johnston take a look at the brave men of the United States Marine Corps, in a famous action at the turn of the 20th Century, during the Boxer Rebellion
CRETE 1941 – PART 1
James Morris shares his latest project; gaming Crete 1941. In this first of two articles, he tells us why and how the game came together.
THEME:
WHO’S CIVIL WAR IS THIS ANYWAY?
Neil Smith discusses the brave men and their regiments who were not American by birth, but fought for their adopted nation, Union or Confederacy, in the Civil War.
DESIGNER’S NOTES:
STRONTIUM DOG
We took a trip to Warlord Games to meet up with top rules author Andy Chambers and take a journey into the Badlands with the Strontium Dogs.
THEME:
THE LAST BATTLE
As part of our America at War theme, Pete Brown looks at the last battle of World War One, which involved U.S. ‘Doughboys’ in a tragic assault against the German-held French town of Stenay.
WARGAMING WITH PLASTIC SOLDIERS – PART 1
Rupert Mitchell presents the first in a two-part overview aimed at gamers interested in exploring a new scale, a new material, a new era or a combination of these – 1/72 scale plastic.
THEME:
AS DESPERATE A VENTURE
Steve Blease takes us through one of the first major actions undertaken by American troops during World War Two.
MODELLING: MDF TERRAIN, DETAILING, WEATHERING AND MORE
Gary Faulkner returns with the final part of his series on painting those MDF items we all buy, and then worry about painting!
THEME:
WARGAMING AMERICA’S WARS IN PLASTIC
In connection with our theme, Rupert Mitchell looks at what is available in plastic for gaming American wars, home and away.
RETHINKING THE CRUSADES – PART 1 – SIEGE WARFARE
The first in a series of articles by leading expert in the field of Crusader warfare, Dr Steve Tibble. Beginning with Siege Warfare.
RULES SHOWCASE:
A LITTLE BIT OF DARK AGES?
Nick Simmerson explores the game-within-a-game that is Sub-Roman Warbands; the large-scale skirmish game that forms a part of the new Shieldwall supplement for Hail Caesar.
SHOW REPORT:
LEGIONARY
Our report on the eye candy from Legionary 2018.