tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post7176170773297503002..comments2024-03-29T02:18:02.207-07:00Comments on The Mad Padre's Wargames Page: Manoeuvre, Psychology, and the War-gameMad Padrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00410143683610813671noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post-11256841608484156702018-09-28T05:43:31.864-07:002018-09-28T05:43:31.864-07:00Great post, very interesting.Great post, very interesting.Nick Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04949727669816521786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post-82746357422192975032018-09-27T06:51:05.062-07:002018-09-27T06:51:05.062-07:00I followed that tweet yesterday too. Most fascinat...I followed that tweet yesterday too. Most fascinating. Gives pause for thought, and like everyone else, I'm not sure I have any answers of the how, other than it occurs when opportunity presents itself. Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666947574653683678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post-73856462111333265122018-09-27T06:32:48.312-07:002018-09-27T06:32:48.312-07:00Definitely not a fan of attrition long been a fan ...Definitely not a fan of attrition long been a fan of trying to use the various principles of war in wargames (surprise, concentration of effort, etc) but on a game table where you know your opponent(s) psychology can also come into play. Hmm he usually does this and I usually do this so if I make it look like I'm doing this but do that instead......of course if your opponent knows you well he may notice and see through you so best stick to sound principles while being sneaky but there have been some memorable gotcha! moments.<br /><br />On the other hand, I can recall a game where we were ahead and the player elected to overall command despaired and surrendered at some minor setback... WHAT???? Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04053555991679802013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post-62077443127877029082018-09-27T01:08:37.003-07:002018-09-27T01:08:37.003-07:00I find that I enjoy games with objectives and of m...I find that I enjoy games with objectives and of manover over games of attrition. Thanks for sharing.commissarmoodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17453787431294606707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post-59114412447859024872018-09-26T22:52:21.288-07:002018-09-26T22:52:21.288-07:00An interesting post and one which much to ponder u...An interesting post and one which much to ponder upon. I think you are indeed on to something with what you say. I really like your emiail quote. Perhaps it is only me but l miss the morale tests of my wrg 6th edition days. I enjoy Dbm but miss that dice throw and recalling the factors from memory. It did not take ages nor was it interrupting the game . One got to the stage of only having to throw throw dice to be aware whether or not it was necessary to total up factors. To me it replicates nicely the combination of a chance factor in morale as well as taking into account battlefield circumstances.tradgardmastarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116967655904601740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6519665561624985779.post-55054760010540049042018-09-26T14:04:17.136-07:002018-09-26T14:04:17.136-07:00An interesting yopic, Michael. That quotation def...An interesting yopic, Michael. That quotation defining 'manoeuvre', though, in my view might equally apply to attrition. How? Years ago - speaking as a non-military war gamer, you understand - I gave as my method of attack as 'presenting the defenders with roo many targets to shoot, and trusting that the scale and ferocity of the assault of the assault would induce a sense of inexorability - it just could not be stopped'. <br /><br />The large scale late battles of Napoleon yurned rather into battles of attrition, I think, and maybe even in 'real life' increased scale tends towards attrition. At Borodino, Davout sought to manoeuvre the Grande Armee into a more favourable position before attacking. napoleon's refusal to do so (possibly fearing that the attempt would merely manoeuvre the Russians out of their position, deferring once again the decisive battle napoleon sought. <br /><br />The Western and Eastern fronts were bereft of manoeuvre until lessons learned at the minor tactical level offered at some flweting chances of infiltration, bypassing strength and attacking weakness. I think that is why I (among many) find that conflict unappealing: it is difficult to carry out such manoeuvres on the table top.<br /><br />I have occasionally noriced, though , the manner in which an apparent deadlock can be resolved suddenly, with the collapse of one side. I am reminded of the comment made to General P.G.T. Beauregard at Dhiloh, in which, after nearly ewo days of battle, the Confederate Army was likened to a sugar cube soaked in water: still holding its shape, but in imminent danger of collapsing and dissolving.<br /><br />I recall a refight of the Battle of Castalla (Spain, 1813) with a friend, many years ago. I had the French. My guys managed after much effort to clear the ridges. Reaching the eastern end, they looked down into the town itself, packed with British and Spanish troops. My guys had pretty much spent their whole strength levering the Allies off the ridge. So I called the retreat.<br /><br />Never would I have believed the speed and ferocity of the Allied counter-offensive. As my troops reeled back towards the Pass of Biar, they were only barely fending off the enemy attacks, broken units were given no chance to rally, and things got even stickier once they reached the defile. This from an army that I had driven, with hard fighting, from the ridge tops.<br /><br />Though I lost that battle (and the same action a few years later in exactly the same way), I have always regarded it as one of the most engaging and fun war games battles I've ever fought/played.Archduke Piccolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15533325665451889661noreply@blogger.com