Western Front Kriegsspiel

Discussion copied from Yahoo discussion group
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I have a huge interest in the Great War and was thinking about how to
game it with Kriegspiel. I'm not really sure that it is do-able, what
do you guys think? Is there a game there? If so how would you approach
it? I recently got a huge collection of trench maps on CD which is what
started me on this train of thought.

Thanks
Rob deWolfe
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A number of years ago, Corinne and I ran a by-mail game we intended to
be centered on trench raiding -- one day turns, with players
submitting SOPs and raid plans.

Inevitably, perhaps...

1) It had too much detail for us to managebly resolve

and

2) Players promptly tried to launch all-out offensives.



However, properly constrained in detail and permitted orders, it could
work pretty well.

James Serrett
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I would have thought Peter Pig's Square Bashing was pretty much
perfect for a quick and easy KS.

It has the advantage that you can play a few ordinary games
with the players first, so they get a hold on the system before
throwing them into a KS.

Not only does the umpire not need figures, he doesn't even
really need a table. Ideal for space limited gamers!

Mark Plant
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At what level were you thinking?
I have a game where the basic unit is the battalion and figures rules
at company level but you can go down to skirmish level of further up
the High Command system (there was a MegaGame on 1914). What was it
that was interesting you?

Chris Russell
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Either the same level as normal Kriegspiel or dropping
down one level so the markers represent companies
rather than battalions.

Cheers
Rob deWolfe

A key question to answer in this is what kind of command control is envisaged here. In most cases I would have thought the game would be about planning as once in action there is a limited amount of input available to commanders.

hammurabi70 wrote:A key question to answer in this is what kind of command control is envisaged here. In most cases I would have thought the game would be about planning as once in action there is a limited amount of input available to commanders.

So did anyone go to the SALUTE WW1 game and/or comment on it with regard to this?

Rob, i spotted this post on forum. I made such a game, further details can be found on my blog :

http://oldfaithful68.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

Just looked at this. Very impressive. Did you make the map? I didn't recognise it.

Martin (J)

Hi martin, many thanks. The game board was made using an original 1:20000 scale map of a sector north-west of ypres. With a bit of artistic interpretation. I have included a link below on how i made the whole thing from scratch.

Essentially the road layout, major and minot routes, key towns like vlamertinge, boezinge are featured, canals and rivers, etc.

http://oldfaithful68.blogspot.co.uk/p/durham-tactical-society.html?m=1

The game is pkayed to the british army 1896 edition rules for the conduct of the war game and i have faithfully reproduced the british army forms, for telegraph and signal, pigeon carrier service and field service note books for orders and messages to be sent and received.

Hope this helps. Happy to send more info or photos if people want to know more.

Hope this helps ?

Indeed very interesting and impressive.

Love the Kriegsspiel box; think I need one too, but it will have to accomodate A3 maps.

May I ask where you picked up the 1:20000 map?

Is there much/any other Kriegsspiel-type activity in the northeast?

Hi King-Rufus, thanks for comments. McMaster University archives is where i got the map. Brilliant resource! Here is link.

http://lt1.mcmaster.ca/ww1/wrz4mp.php?grid=28

Am only just getting back into the wargaming fold. I believe durham wargames group may have done kriegsspiel type game in recent years. Other than that i am not aware. I have just started a new job once i have settled i would love to bring together a group to play the ww1 game.

I am developing a napoleonic game too, keep an eye on my blog