Military History

[LunarOrbit]

 

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[Bob B.]

I know this is an old thread but I just found it.  I too have a strong interest in military history.  I’m interested in individual battles and events, but I’m even more interested in the art of warfare.  I particular enjoy studying the evolution of military technology, organization, strategy, and tactics through the years.  I've always thought battleships were really cool and got started studying them.  Then after visiting Gettysburg and Antietam a few years ago I began researching all forms of warfare.  I still have much to learn but I'm making progress.  It is a fascinating topic.  I’m most interested in the period 1853-1945, which is when warfare and technology changed most dramatically.

[Ottawan]

I agree on that historical period Bob. My main interest lies in the Civil War which is why I'm looking forward to touring those battle sites.

[Bob B.]

I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit to the battle sites.  I just checked the special events schedule at the Antietam Web site but they don't list next year's schedule yet.  As I recall, the special events are usually on weekends and are spread out over the year.  What I saw was a combined arms demonstration and I think it was either late summer or early fall.  They had demonstrations for each arm of service - infantry, artillery, and cavalry - and then they acted out a mock engagement combining all arms.  There was also a lecturer who gave a talk on period firearms.  The demonstrations and lecture were spaced out every hour or two throughout the day.  This gave plenty of time to visit different parts of the battlefield between demonstrations.  I thought it was well organized and I really enjoyed it.

My visit had me arriving in Gettysburg and checking into my hotel in the evening.  The next morning I drove to Sharpsburg and visited Antietam and then drove back to Gettysburg in the evening.  I then spent the whole next day at the Gettysburg museum and battlefield, stayed over night, and then left about noon the next day.  I thought the one day at Antietam was enough, but I would have really liked to stay over one more night and had a whole second day at Gettysburg.  There is definitely more to see there then I had planned for.

BTW, I just made X-15 pilot, woo-hoo!

[govannon3]

Yes! I'm very interested in military history, from age eight (I'm near 44 now). I like the politics,ideals, causes of conflict, as well as ballistics, mechanics, concept and psychological warfare (scariest of all). Tactics and strategie (pinscer (sp) and three prong, and other techniques.
The Art of War, Macchiavelli, Hitler, Napolean and Stalin (dictators can teach us too, as many politicians seem to know). I know of internecine wars, M.A.D, and more. With the right kind aggregate knowledge and support, one can conduct a war on all three levels: that relate to: ideas, events, and people. Once you cover, reasonably well, all these facets and many variables, you can be virtually unstoppable, but read your history first. Remember Santayana, and about forgetting and then repeating history. There are also "weapons of mass distraction", these are psychological, and in use today, in N. America

[Big RI Joe]

Just putting out a feeler here.

Wondering if anyone shares my interest in military history. <p>[img width= height=]http://www.thespacerace.com/canflag.jpg[/img]</p>

I'm a great lover of military history and wargaming. I love the grand strategy WW2 Hearts Of Iron game!

[Ottawan]

I'm not familiar with that game Joe, any others?

[madmax]

Anyone interested in ancient Roman military history?
I wrote a computer game about the fall of the Roman Empire a few years ago, if anyone is interested in taking a look at it.

[Ottawan]

I'm currently playing the CivIII Conquests scenarios Rise of Rome & Fall of Rome so I would be interested in seeing what you have there madmax.

[Big RI Joe]

I'm not familiar with that game Joe, any others?

Lets just say this: I've been playing board wargames since 1972 and computer games since 1992. If you have an interest in a period or game, please let me know and I'll give you an idea about what games are available.
For starters, please check out http://www.strategypage.com/. HOI 2 is fantastic!

[Big RI Joe]

Anyone interested in ancient Roman military history?
I wrote a computer game about the fall of the Roman Empire a few years ago, if anyone is interested in taking a look at it.

Madmax, I started reading about Roman military history at the age of 8, 45 years ago......I'm definitely game!

[Ottawan]

Check your PM Joe. . . .

I got into strategy board games with SPI publications magazine "Strategy & Tactics" when I had a subscription back in the early 70's. As you are probably aware there were six issues a year and each came with a new board game.

This expanded into purchasing SPI's monster games such as "Terrible Swift Sword"(Gettysburg),Shiloh and Antietam, War in the Pacific and War in Europe and even some of their science fiction games about future space conflicts.

I still have my SPI magazines and the games but I am more into computer games right now. Besides, those four & five map board games take up way too much space and are subject to destruction when you have a cat!!!

I care more for the grand strategy games or for individual battle simulations down to regimental or brigade level more than for the first person type games or those with an Age of Empires or Command & Conquer type engine.

Ever do any of the SPI games?

[Big RI Joe]

Check your PM Joe. . . .

I got into strategy board games with SPI publications magazine "Strategy & Tactics" when I had a subscription back in the early 70's. As you are probably aware there were six issues a year and each came with a new board game.

This expanded into purchasing SPI's monster games such as "Terrible Swift Sword"(Gettysburg),Shiloh and Antietam, War in the Pacific and War in Europe and even some of their science fiction games about future space conflicts.

I still have my SPI magazines and the games but I am more into computer games right now. Besides, those four & five map board games take up way too much space and are subject to destruction when you have a cat!!!

I care more for the grand strategy games or for individual battle simulations down to regimental or brigade level more than for the first person type games or those with an Age of Empires or Command & Conquer type engine.

Ever do any of the SPI games?

I sure did. My first wargames were SPI games. I liked their earlier tactical series of games......Phalanx, Renaissance of Infantry, Musket and Pike, etc. My first S&T game was Destruction of Army Group Center, which I punched but never played. I really played the SPI quads extensively by mail. I was a member of AHIKS, a play=by-mail society and had over 100 different matches and oponents and was rated for over 50 individual games. I bought, looked at admired and eventually sold all the SPI monsters you mentioned. My favorite Civil War battle was Antietam. I really wanted to play it, but it wasn't able to due its lack of PBM suitability. If you're interested in Regimental/Brigade level games, check out the offerings by Talonsoft.
                       At my wargamimg apogee, I had over 400 games. Now I have my SPI quads, and two favorite Avalon Hill games: Bulge '81, and Fortress Europa. I could go on about computer wargamer forever. THere's just one relevant term though: Hearts of Iron 2 by Paradox Entertainment!

[madmax]

My first S&T game was Destruction of Army Group Center, ...

Me Too!

[Big RI Joe]

My first S&T game was Destruction of Army Group Center, ...

Me Too!

Do I laugh out loud or duck, Madmax??????? TRying to decipher that game almost caused me to quit.....Actually, I believe the next game, was Scrimmage.....now there's one for the books!