Science vs Luck

SCIENCE VERSUS

LUCK A game of war, doctrine and matchsticks

Devised and written by Jim Wallman

© Jim Wallman 1990

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SCIENCE VERSUS LUCK A game of war, doctrine and matchsticks

Devised and written by Jim Wallman

Setting Up The Game The game is designed for a group of players – ideally as a fun club project. It has scope for role playing, planning and playing with matchstick cannons and toy soldiers. To work best it needs around 8-10 people ideally in a club setting (ie. A hall and several tables), though it will work with less, down to two players and one table (if you just play the battle game part). The players are divided into teams of 2. There are enough briefings for six teams, though it is easy to ad teams. Ideally you need an even number of teams, but that isn’t essential. The Game Structure The game is played in three distinct phases: 1. The Arms Exhibition – buying the weapons for the next war 2. Evaluation and Doctrine - testing the new weapons and deciding how they will be used 3. Battle – the acid test of both equipment and doctrine. Each of these phases is distinctive. 1. The Arms Exhibition. The players start off representing senior military figures from a fictitious 19 th century powers which are visiting the Grand Geneva Arms Exhibition of 1859. They are given their briefing to purchase the best weaponry they can for their armed forces. Of course the definition of ‘best’ will depend on their briefing. The actual matchstick cannon models you have are laid out as if on display at an arms fair, with card labels and they can be inspected. We have found it helps to have lots of different models. But they must all work. Unfortunately the players may not touch them, or test them out – they are relying on the manufacturer’s description and the look of the thing to decide which cannon to buy for their armed forces. Actually testing them represents the cannon’s performance in battle, so they won’t get a chance until later.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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The guns models available are then bought at auction – teams can bid for the one they want. If you have enough models then a team can buy more than one cannon. This represents the procurement decisions taken by the ministry of war. 2. Evaluation and Doctrine The players now drop a level in seniority and become the planning staff in entirely different countries (swapping with a country played in the first phase). They are given their Doctrine briefing. One player has to devise the infantry doctrine, one has to devise the artillery doctrine. They have to write this doctrine down. At this point they can test the gun/s and line up the toy soldiers to try out doctrine, but not on the battle terrain (we use the floor or a spare table for this). The players may not evaluate the cannon using the lives of their toy soldiers. However, they can create paper targets etc to test accuracy. Once the doctrine has been written down by all teams, we can move on to the war fighting phase. 3. Battle. A war has broken out between various of the powers represented. This is their opportunity to see how their procurement, doctrine and planning will pan out. As it happens, the frontiers of these countries include a number of key passes, which are represented by the tables with terrain on. Setting Up the Battle For each battle you will need a table per team and enough cloths, trees, buildings etc to set up a simple and fairly open terrain on each one. To ensure the entire game is playable in a reasonable time, it is best to have multiple tables – though it could be played out several times on the same table. The terrain should not be elaborate cover should be fairly sparse, like

and this:

Before the battle the players get demoted again and re-arranged once more. The player writing the infantry doctrine becomes a junior front line artillery commander, and the player writing the artillery doctrine becomes a junior front line infantry commander. If you want to create a further challenge you can get them to swap nationality once again too. The player then have to read their written doctrine (which they didn’t write) and must fight the battle accordingly. The battlefield is set out something like this.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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The Battle Rules explain how the war is fought. Game Over At the end of the game, there are no winners as such, but there should be a lively discussion about which doctrine was superior. With any luck they will also moan continually about the poor purchasing decisions and the daft doctrine handed down by their superiors. Summary of Briefings: There is one document, called ‘Arms Bazaar’ which has briefings for each country for phase 1 of the game. There is also the document ‘Weapons’ which is a guide to how you might describe your model guns – though you may have to produce your own version. There are separate documents for each country, each one consists of the briefings for the Infantry and Artillery evaluation teams in Phase 2. Namely, Albionia, Bosrovia, Freedonia, Ruritania and Sylvania.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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SCIENCE Vs LUCK THE BATTLE RULES EQUIPMENT At least one working matchstick firing cannon model. A collection of 50 or so plastic 20mm or 25mm figures (Airfix will do fine – but they need to be able to stand up unaided, so you might have to make small card bases for some of them). Tape measure or ruler Dice 10 Matches or cocktail sticks per cannon. Model terrain such as trees/lichen etc and a cloth. LAYOUT A wargame terrain is laid out, featuring undulations in the ground, trees, lichen etc. Avoid dense terrain and hedgerows, as this will skew the game. The cannon is placed at one end of the table and is controlled by one player, the figures placed at the other end and controlled by the other player. SEQUENCE OF THE TURN Each turn has two phases: 1. The Attacking Player's Phase In this the attacking player (in command of the figures) moves all his figures in accordance with the rules below. He has a time limit of 2 minutes (or less as directed by the umpire). 2. The Defending Player's Phase. In this the defending player (in command of the gun) fires as many matchsticks of his allocation for that turn as he can in one minute. MOVEMENT Figures may move 6" (15cm) at the walk or 9" (22 cm) at the run. Figures may not move and fire. Movement speed and policy about taking cover must be according to doctrine as laid down in the appropriate latest version of the attacking force’s Infantry Manual. So, for example, running will not be permitted unless it says so in the Manual. Guns may move 6" (15 cm) during their phase - and lose 2 shots penalty for the time taken.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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FIRING If infantry get within 12" (30cm) of the gun they can (if doctrine permits) open fire on the 'crew'. Roll 1d6 & score 6 to hit. If they start firing within 6" (15cm), roll 5 or 6 to hit. Each 'hit' takes one shot from the gun’s allocation on the subsequent phase. Cannon fire is simple. Fire a matchstick and if a figure is knocked over it is a casualty. Casualties are NOT REMOVED from the playing area. If due to mishandling the matchstick does not properly leave the barrel of the gun when fired (=misfire) then that shot is lost for that phase. MORALE The gun will continue firing until overrun or all its shots are destroyed by infantry fire. The infantry take a morale test on very simple lines: Every time 10% of the total start strength are hit in a single turn, roll 1d6: Score Result 5-6 Continue unaffected 3-4 Pause - no forward movement next phase (may fire if in range) 1-2 Recoil - must move away on subsequent turns (either behind hard cover or increase the range). Must take successful morale roll to stop recoiling. FACTORS: Company Commander Obviously Leading Bugler Still Playing (if doctrine requires it) Still Adhering to doctrine in manual Below 50% strength Out of sight of cannon

+1 +1 +1

-1 -1

Note: The Company Commander can be regarded as the player - and as such need not be affected by morale results if he wishes. MELEE If any attacking infantry reach the gun, it automatically loses one matchstick per figure that reaches it. WINNING AND LOSING The gun wins if it beats off the infantry. The infantry win if the gun loses all its matchsticks; ie. it is destroyed.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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ANNEXES : THE TEAM BRIEFINGS Print out the following pages separately, one for each team – there are enough for six teams, though they all follow a pattern so you can easily create your own additional fictional countries. There is a list of made-up guns that you can use to describe your toy matchstick cannons – or you can use your own descriptions. The first batch of player briefings are the national briefings for the 1859 Arms Show in Geneva. The second batch are the letters requesting development of new artillery and infantry doctrines, again, specific to each fictional country. The final page is the Extract from the old infantry training manual that the infantry doctrine player is supposed to update. The is is the same for everyone and each infantry doctrine development player gets a copy of this. It is most important that the players do not see any of the game structure, or the game rules above prior to the game because, as in real life, they cannot know what battlefield conditions are really like until the war starts.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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** G E N E V A

1 8 5 9 **

THE INTERNATIONAL EQUIPMENT EXHIBITION Field Artillery Weapons Exhibit Manufacturer

Description

KRUPP

Lichte Feld Kanone 'K'.

ARMSTRONG

'Acme' Mk2 12pdr Horse Gun.

WHITWORTH

Type D Field Gun (18pdr).

VICKERS

4.7" Heavy Howitzer.

FN Belgium

QF 75mm Field Gun.

BOFORS

The 'S' Gun. 105mm.

CREUSOT

60mm Canone de L'Infantrie

RHEINMETALL

7.6 cm Feldkanone.

OERLIKON

Light Field Gun Mk IX. 80mm.

ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORIES

8.5cm.

25pdr Gun/Howitzer.

Advertisment: While you are visiting the show, why not visit 'La Cantiniere' restaurant and sample the delights of Modern French Military Cuisine?

© Jim Wallman 1990

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INTERNATIONAL ARMS BAZAAR GENEVA 1859 You are representatives of the Silvanian Government. Your mission is to select two new artillery pieces for your military. Your primary objective is to achieve best value for money and at the same time purchase the most impressive-looking equipment to maintain your standing among other arms purchasing nations. The military worth of your purchases is, obviously, important so you need to decide whether the equipment looks effective too. The precise military value of the hardware you buy will be assessed by others. In this exercise, you are to procure for the government at least one, and preferably two prototypes of new field artillery pieces. You should spend as little of your budget as possible. Where there is competition between buyers from other nations, the time-honoured method of competitive bidding will be used. You will be issued with which to do this. You can also indulge in side deals if this seems worthwhile. Good luck, and good hunting!

© Jim Wallman 1990

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INTERNATIONAL ARMS BAZAAR GENEVA 1859 You are representatives of the Bosrovian Government. Your mission is to select two new artillery pieces for your military. Your primary objective is to achieve best value for money and at the same time purchase the most impressive-looking equipment to maintain your standing among other arms purchasing nations. The military worth of your purchases is, obviously, important so you need to decide whether the equipment looks effective too. The precise military value of the hardware you buy will be assessed by others. In this exercise, you are to procure for the government at least one, and preferably two prototypes of new field artillery pieces. You should spend as little of your budget as possible. Where there is competition between buyers from other nations, the time-honoured method of competitive bidding will be used. You will be issued with which to do this. You can also indulge in side deals if this seems worthwhile. Good luck, and good hunting!

© Jim Wallman 1990

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INTERNATIONAL ARMS BAZAAR GENEVA 1859 You are representatives of the Ruritanian Government. Your mission is to select two new artillery pieces for your military. Your primary objective is to achieve best value for money and at the same time purchase the most impressivelooking equipment to maintain your standing among other arms purchasing nations. The military worth of your purchases is, obviously, important so you need to decide whether the equipment looks effective too. The precise military value of the hardware you buy will be assessed by others. In this exercise, you are to procure for the government at least one, and preferably two prototypes of new field artillery pieces. You should spend as little of your budget as possible. Where there is competition between buyers from other nations, the time-honoured method of competitive bidding will be used. You will be issued with which to do this. You can also indulge in side deals if this seems worthwhile. Good luck, and good hunting!

© Jim Wallman 1990

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INTERNATIONAL ARMS BAZAAR GENEVA 1859 You are representatives of the Freedonian Government. Your mission is to select two new artillery pieces for your military. Your primary objective is to achieve best value for money and at the same time purchase the most impressive-looking equipment to maintain your standing among other arms purchasing nations. The military worth of your purchases is, obviously, important so you need to decide whether the equipment looks effective too. The precise military value of the hardware you buy will be assessed by others. In this exercise, you are to procure for the government at least one, and preferably two prototypes of new field artillery pieces. You should spend as little of your budget as possible. Where there is competition between buyers from other nations, the time-honoured method of competitive bidding will be used. You will be issued with which to do this. You can also indulge in side deals if this seems worthwhile. Good luck, and good hunting!

© Jim Wallman 1990

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INTERNATIONAL ARMS BAZAAR GENEVA 1859 You are representatives of the Albionian Government. Your mission is to select two new artillery pieces for your military. Your primary objective is to achieve best value for money and at the same time purchase the most impressive-looking equipment to maintain your standing among other arms purchasing nations. The military worth of your purchases is, obviously, important so you need to decide whether the equipment looks effective too. The precise military value of the hardware you buy will be assessed by others. In this exercise, you are to procure for the government at least one, and preferably two prototypes of new field artillery pieces. You should spend as little of your budget as possible. Where there is competition between buyers from other nations, the time-honoured method of competitive bidding will be used. You will be issued with which to do this. You can also indulge in side deals if this seems worthwhile. Good luck, and good hunting!

© Jim Wallman 1990

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INTERNATIONAL ARMS BAZAAR GENEVA 1859 You are representatives of the Latverian Government. Your mission is to select two new artillery pieces for your military. Your primary objective is to achieve best value for money and at the same time purchase the most impressive-looking equipment to maintain your standing among other arms purchasing nations. The military worth of your purchases is, obviously, important so you need to decide whether the equipment looks effective too. The precise military value of the hardware you buy will be assessed by others. In this exercise, you are to procure for the government at least one, and preferably two prototypes of new field artillery pieces. You should spend as little of your budget as possible. Where there is competition between buyers from other nations, the time-honoured method of competitive bidding will be used. You will be issued with which to do this. You can also indulge in side deals if this seems worthwhile. Good luck, and good hunting!

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF SUPPLY Government Buildings 20-28 Central Avenue Hedar 3410 The Director SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY Hawkhill Range Eldershot 1120

Our Ref: S/Sup1/38/21 Your Ref: Date: 7 July 1860

Dear Director WEAPONS EVALUATION TRIALS

As the process to modernise our armed forces continues, a number of Arms manufacturers have made it known that they have some new and highly destructive artillery weapons available for purchase. We have examined the technical specifications of all those on the market, and two prototypes in particular have been selected for more detailed evaluation. These weapons will be delivered to the School in the next few days for you to evaluate them. You are to conduct trials and write a short report on which of the two shall become our main artillery weapon into the 1860's and beyond. You are to consider the following factors: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.

Ease of reloading and relaying. Rate of fire. Smart appearance for ceremonial and public display. Weight of shell. Range. Manoeuvrability Sustainability under field conditions. Accuracy.

Having made recommendations as to the best weapon, and subject to Ministerial approval to the purchase, you are to revise the Manual of Artillery Tactics for the employment of the new weapon - in particular in the anti-infantry role. Features to consider are: a. Range at which effective fire should be opened. b. Recommended rates of fire. c. Preferred method of fire (ie. low or high trajectory etc). d. Conditions under which the employment of the gun is most and least effective. e. Hints on the operation of the weapon itself. These revisions will be in the form of short notes which will form the basis of future training courses for the whole army. I look forward to receiving your initial reports with all dispatch. Matthew Panasonic MINISTER OF SUPPLY

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF WAR, DIRECTORATE OF ARMY TRAINING Government Buildings 14-18 Central Avenue Hedar 3410

The Director SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY Bayonet House Eldershot 1120

Our Ref: D/Inf/38/21 Your Ref: Date: 7 July 1860

Dear Director REVISION 23 : INFANTRY TACTICS MANUAL 1860 1. You will be aware that all our neighbouring nations are busy re-equipping their armies with new and more powerful artillery weapons. This, in the view of the Chiefs of Staff, necessitates a revision to the new Infantry Training Manual 1860 now in the process of production. 2. I would therefore be grateful if you would provide me with an outline draft chapter for the manual on Tactics On Assaulting Gun Positions. I attach a relevant extract from the 1855 Manual for ease of reference. 3. This draft, if accepted by the Chiefs of Staff, will form the basis for all Army training on the subject over the next 10 years at least. 4. Giving the printing and distribution time lag, I look forward to your earliest response. Major Gen. Arthur Dedshott Director Army Training

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF SUPPLY Government Buildings 20-28 Central Avenue Zephyr 1101 The Director SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY Sparrowhill Range Central Barracks Willowshot 2430

Our Ref:S/Sup1/38/21 Your Ref: Date: 7 July 1860

Dear Director WEAPONS EVALUATION TRIALS As the process to modernise our armed forces continues, a number of Arms manufacturers have made it known that they have some new and highly destructive artillery weapons available for purchase. We have examined the technical specifications of all those on the market, and two in particular have been selected for more detailed evaluation. These weapons will be delivered to the School in the next few days for you to evaluate them. You are to conduct trials and write a short report on which of the two shall be our main artillery weapon into the 1860's and beyond. You are to consider the following factors: a. Ease of reloading and relaying. b. Rate of fire. c. Smart appearance for ceremonial and public display. d. Weight of shell. e. Range. f. Manoeuvrability g. Sustainability under field conditions. h. Accuracy. Having made recommendations as to the best weapon, and subject to Ministerial approval to the purchase, you are to revise the Manual of Artillery Tactics for the employment of the new weapon - in particular in the anti-infantry role. Features to consider are: a. Range at which effective fire should be opened. b. Recommended rates of fire. c. Preferred method of fire (ie. low or high trajectory etc). d. Conditions under which the employment of the gun is most and least effective. e. Hints on the operation of the weapon itself. These revisions will be in the form of short notes which will form the basis of future training courses for the whole army. I look forward to receiving your initial reports with all dispatch. Dr V. Vayne MINISTER OF SUPPLY

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF WAR, DIRECTORATE OF ARMY TRAINING Government Buildings 14-18 Central Avenue Zephur 1101 The Director SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY Matchlock House Willowshot 2430


Dear Director REVISION 23 : INFANTRY TACTICS MANUAL 1860 1. You will be aware that all our neighbouring nations are busy re-equipping their armies with new and more powerful artillery weapons. This, in the view of the Chiefs of Staff, necessitates a revision to the new Infantry Training Manual 1860 now in the process of production. 2. I would therefore be grateful if you would provide me with an outline draft chapter for the manual on Tactics On Assaulting Gun Positions. I attach a relevant extract from the 1855 Manual for ease of reference. 3. This draft, if accepted by the Chiefs of Staff, will form the basis for all Army training on the subject over the next 10 years at least. 4. Giving the printing and distribution time lag, I look forward to your earliest response.

Major Gen. Hiram J Thunderdog Director Army Training

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF SUPPLY

Government Buildings 20-28 Central Avenue ASHUR 3410

The Director SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY Whizbhan Range Central Barracks Pharoot 2430


Dear Director WEAPONS EVALUATION TRIALS As the process to modernise our armed forces continues, a number of Arms manufacturers have made it known that they have some new and highly destructive artillery weapons available for purchase. We have examined the technical specifications of all those on the market, and two in particular have been selected for more detailed evaluation. These weapons will be delivered to the School in the next few days for you to evaluate them. You are to conduct trials and write a short report on which of the two shall be our main artillery weapon into the 1860's and beyond. You are to consider the following factors: a. Ease of reloading and relaying. b. Rate of fire. c. Smart appearance for ceremonial and public display. d. Weight of shell. e. Range. f. Manoeuvrability g. Sustainability under field conditions. h. Accuracy. Having made recommendations as to the best weapon, and subject to Ministerial approval to the purchase, you are to revise the Manual of Artillery Tactics for the employment of the new weapon - in particular in the anti-infantry role. Features to consider are: a. Range at which effective fire should be opened. b. Recommended rates of fire. c. Preferred method of fire (ie. low or high trajectory etc). d. Conditions under which the employment of the gun is most and least effective. e. Hints on the operation of the weapon itself. These revisions will be in the form of short notes which will form the basis of future training courses for the whole army. I look forward to receiving your initial reports with all dispatch. Prof Hiram Z. Hackenbush MINISTER OF SUPPLY

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF WAR,

DIRECTORATE OF ARMY TRAINING Government Buildings

14-18 Central Avenue ASHUR 3410

The Director SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY Shako House Central Barracks Pharoot 2430



Major Gen. Horace Smyth Director Army Training

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF SUPPLY Government Buildings 20-28 Central Avenue Zweisetig 3410 The Director SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY Finchhill Range Beechot 1120


Dear Director WEAPONS EVALUATION TRIALS As the process to modernise our armed forces continues, a number of Arms manufacturers have made it known that they have some new and highly destructive artillery weapons available for purchase. We have examined the technical specifications of all those on the market, and two in particular have been selected for more detailed evaluation. These weapons will be delivered to the School in the next few days for you to evaluate them. You are to conduct trials and write a short report on which of the two shall be our main artillery weapon into the 1860's and beyond. You are to consider the following factors: a. Ease of reloading and relaying. b. Rate of fire. c. Smart appearance for ceremonial and public display. d. Weight of shell. e. Range. f. Manoeuvrability g. Sustainability under field conditions. h. Accuracy. Having made recommendations as to the best weapon, and subject to Ministerial approval to the purchase, you are to revise the Manual of Artillery Tactics for the employment of the new weapon - in particular in the anti-infantry role. Features to consider are: a. Range at which effective fire should be opened. b. Recommended rates of fire. c. Preferred method of fire (ie. low or high trajectory etc). d. Conditions under which the employment of the gun is most and least effective. e. Hints on the operation of the weapon itself. These revisions will be in the form of short notes which will form the basis of future training courses for the whole army. I look forward to receiving your initial reports with all dispatch. Sir Peckham Rye MINISTER OF SUPPLY

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINISTRY OF WAR, DIRECTORATE OF ARMY TRAINING Government Buildings 14-18 Central Avenue Zweisetig 3410 The Director SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY Shako House Beechot 1120



Major Gen. Hyde Parke Director Army Training

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF SUPPLY Government Buildings 20-28 Central Avenue Footar 3410 The Director SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY Tithill Range Willowshot 1120


Dear Director WEAPONS EVALUATION TRIALS As the process to modernise our armed forces continues, a number of Arms manufacturers have made it known that they have some new and highly destructive artillery weapons available for purchase. We have examined the technical specifications of all those on the market, and two in particular have been selected for more detailed evaluation. These weapons will be delivered to the School in the next few days for you to evaluate them more fully. You are to conduct trials and write a short report on which of the two prototypes shall become our main artillery weapon into the 1860's and beyond. You are to consider the following factors: a. Ease of reloading and relaying. b. Rate of fire. c. Smart appearance for ceremonial and public display. d. Weight of shell. e. Range. f. Manoeuvrability g. Sustainability under field conditions. h. Accuracy. Having made recommendations as to the best weapon, and subject to Ministerial approval to the purchase, you are to revise the Manual of Artillery Tactics for the employment of the recommended new weapon - in particular in the anti-infantry role. Features to consider are: a. b. c. d. e.

Range at which effective fire should be opened. Recommended rates of fire. Preferred method of fire (ie. low or high trajectory etc). Conditions under which the employment of the gun is most and least effective. Hints on the operation of the weapon itself.

These revisions will be in the form of short notes which will form the basis of future training courses for the whole army. I look forward to receiving your initial reports with all dispatch. Prof Q. Quentin Quail MINISTER OF SUPPLY

© Jim Wallman 1990

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MINSTRY OF WAR, DIRECTORATE OF ARMY TRAINING Government Buildings 14-18 Central Avenue Footar 3410 The Director SCHOOL OF MUSKETRY Backback House Willowshot 1120



Major Gen. Hewlett Packhard Director Army Training

© Jim Wallman 1990

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EXTRACT FROM THE INFANTRY TACTICS MANUAL 1855.

C H A P T E R

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TACTICS ON ASSAULTING GUN POSITIONS 231. The tactical employment of the standard 50-man infantry company requires that all infantry action is offensive in nature, and this is especially so in the attack on Artillery positions. Speed and Aggression are the watchwords in this sort of operation. 232. The Company Commander should, wherever possible, ensure that the route to the guns are clear of significant obstacles, and if this is not the case, to ensure that his men have the means to cross said obstacles. 233. The Company should form up out of sight of the guns, in the standard 2-deep line open order formation (ie. with one man's space between each man). 234. On the given Order from the Company Commander, The Company shall fix bayonets. 235. On the given order the Company shall advance at a steady and determined pace towards the guns. Steadiness is regarded as paramount for ensuring that the enemy are intimidated to the greatest extent. 236. Once within 50 yards of the objective the company bugler shall sound "The Charge" and The Company shall overrun the gun positions. 237. Casualties are not to be assisted until after the assault is complete. 238. Engaging in musketry against gun crew is not regarded as effective, the bayonet being the primary and decisive arm on the battlefield.

© Jim Wallman 1990

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Science vs Luck

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