Posted on Mar 20, 2021 in Books and Movies, Front Page Features
Rain of Steel is an indispensable reference for understanding the Okinawa campaign. Moore’s book leaves the reader with a good understanding of how the scope of the campaign extended well beyond the waters surrounded Okinawa. Reading the book, the reader gains an understanding of how both the tenacious Japanese defense as well as the cost in lives and material, shaped US planning for the invasion of the Japanese home islands.
Posted on Mar 9, 2021 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
Retro Review # 4 Ace of Aces Wingleader Game Review. Publisher: Nova Game Designs Game Designer: Alfred Leonardi Price: varies (EBay) Passed Inspection: Includes 24 different World War II fighters, easy to learn, can be played almost in real time, different levels of complexity Failed Basic: out of print...
Posted on Mar 5, 2021 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
By Stealth and Sea. Publisher: Dan Verssen Games. Designer: David Thompson. Price $72.00 Passed inspection: Quality components. Glossy rules and scenario book. Engaging gameplay that explores in detail a rarely covered aspect of the naval war in the Mediterranean. Failed basic: No faults with game play. A minor component...
Posted on Feb 25, 2021 in Armchair Reading, Front Page Features
Eagles Over the Sea 1943-45. Seaforth Publishing. 2020. Author: Lawrence Patterson. 382 pages. ISBN-10: 1526777657 In Eagles over the Sea 1943-45, Lawrence Patterson focuses on the lens of maritime air operations to illuminate the decline of the Luftwaffe in the later half of World War II. While maritime air operations...
Posted on Feb 19, 2021 in Front Page Features, War College
BG James Gavin’s leadership, both in planning and execution, was a significant factor in the success of the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Market Garden and his successful leadership was possible due to a mastery of certain Mission Command principles. BG Gavin and his subordinates displayed disciplined initiative and...
Posted on Feb 8, 2021 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
“September’s Eagles – The Thompson Trophy Air Races 1929 – 1939” Board Game Review. Publisher: High Flying Dice Games Designer: Paul Rohrbaugh Graphic Design: Bruce Yearian Price $60.00 Passed Inspection: fun, fast and furious game play, 11 scenarios, solid game design, beautiful graphics, good for solo or multiplayer games,...
Posted on Feb 1, 2021 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
Tiger Leader, Second Edition. Publisher: Dan Verssen Games (DVG). Designer: Rick Martin. Developers: Kevin Verssen and Dan Verssen. Price $89.99 Passed inspection: An updated version of the original Tiger Leader. Redesigned unit cards and counters. Solitaire campaign narrative. Failed basic: Second edition rules for cover don’t match the first...
Posted on Jan 26, 2021 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
Devil Boats: PT Boats in the Solomons Board Game Review. Publisher: Compass Games Designer: Joe Carter Price $69.00 Passed Inspection: well researched, historically accurate, easy to learn rules, beautiful components, easily moded, strong narrative campaign, can easily add players. Failed Basic: printed errata sheet or revised rulebook did not...
Posted on Jan 18, 2021 in Armchair Reading, Front Page Features
If you asked a random reader about the Gallipoli campaign, they’d likely think of the Australian and New Zealand troops engaged in bitter combat with the Turks, or perhaps the French and British warships that tried to ‘force’ the Dardanelles, only to lose several ships to a Turkish minefield....
Posted on Jan 6, 2021 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
By Ray Garbee Chancellorsville 1863. Publisher: Worthington Games. Designer: Maurice Suckling. Price $75.00 Passed inspection: Fantastic introductory level game that will also appeal to seasoned gamers. An innovative approach to incorporating the fog of war that is critical to capturing the mind set of the commanders. Supports solo play...
Posted on Dec 28, 2020 in Boardgames, Electronic Games, Front Page Features
If 2020 was a pretty crummy year for the whole planet, at least we had some great games come out to see us through our Pandemic isolation. I think a trend of 2020 that will continue is that more games will have optional rules for solo play. Enjoy this...
Posted on Dec 27, 2020 in Boardgames, Front Page Features
By Ray Garbee 1917/1918: Storm in the West. Publisher: GMT Games. Designer: Ted Raicer. Developers: Ty Bomba and Chris Perello. Price $49.00 Passed inspection: An excellent update to a proven design. Good coverage of a pivotal year in the war. Excellent expansion covering the ‘what if’s’ surrounding the strategic...
