andy callan – The Wargaming Erratic

Hammerhead – an exceptional show – quite a plaudit. Well it is the show of 100 participation games. OK may thats an overstatement. It is the show of participation though.

A show dedicated to participation is exceptional – in the UK

It celebrates each year from the start in 2014 with a collectable figure. In that time it has grown to be part of a Triumvirate of Newark Shows, alongside the two Partizans.

I am happy to say I did participate.

An unexpected start – I met Andy Callan……..

Andy Callan lept up from the table to explain his participation with Peter Dennis as they got ready to play with Renaissance WoFun “flats”. Andy was so enthusing and I promised to return to play. I should have played there and then as I never made it back. At least I was able to compliment Andy on his article back in Spring 1987 when, I think Stuart Asquith was at the helm, Practical Wargamer published “Leaders and Generals”. Andy’s ideas about leadership and how to emulate it the wargame have stuck with me.

Andy said at least “Never mind the Billhooks” had buried rumours of his demise: That certainly made me smile. Anyway, mention Andy Callan and I just go back to a writer who had excellent ideas and could communicate them well. Thank you Andy for a great start to my wargaming day.

The main hall was well set up with plenty of room – and I think just one no show trader. Not bad as we still leave the COVID era behind……

The Gamers Lounge meant even more opportunities to play. And note next years show is 4th March 2023

Those WoFUN flats are very tempting as my efforts have never realised an actual army in this period – Redbox 1/72 plastics based for IMPETUS are still waiting for all their mates who reside in numerous boxes………hours of painting left versus instant armies right – compelling for side projects?

The WoFUN flats are plastic – digitally carved and printed which come in “pop out” sheets with bases sold separately. Andy Callan “pressed” this sample into my hand and I am tempted, very tempted.

Some interesting Sci Fi figures were available

And some scenic items – lots more 3D printing in evidence

More Renaissance figures of the 25/28mm crossover era

Landesknecht – I think these might be old glory or foundry?

Well I missed the Wargames Illustrated Magazine free rules giveaway this Autumn. The rules were “never mind the billhooks”. Written for Wars of the Roses. They are just one of many or should I say one of the “plethora of rules” that wargamers can access these days.

So what fuss would there be, given their free, should be more bargain basement than of any original value surely?

Well Andy Callan is the author and for me he has history and if he has authored the rules they will be worth a look. I first encountered Andy Callan as a writer in the 1980’s when I recall his ideas about rules were running against the grain: Something to stir up trouble in wargaming circles most of the time. After all we can be a fussy lot.

Over the years I have kept articles from magazines. Yes I know I have probably destroyed some valuable copies in the process. Still I have what I need. And more to the point I have articles that are still useful reading even decades on.

So back in Spring 1987 when I think Stuart Asquith was at the helm, Practical Wargamer published an article by Andy Callan entitled Leaders and Generals.

He covered three periods in the short article that was really about rules design. The medieval and dark ages era leaders should worry about unit formation – a measure of order, unit aggression – a measure of fighting spirit and unit strength. The latter being an amalgam of numerical strength, armanent and relative fatigue.

The Leaders would be allocated command points.

His main objective for this period was that the “big man” (he coined that term) should be focused on being a “leader” and not be a “general” standing at the back directing operations with so many staff officers.

Move forward a couple of years and we are back with Stuart Asquith who via Publisher Argus Books offered the “wargaming in history” series of A5 booklets.

Simon MacDowell authored Goths, Huns and Romans.

He offered a set of rules within a booklet that also gave some background history; explained the forces and troops involved; set out a variety of game options from skirmishes, through encounter battles to campaigns.

Simon required his leaders to personally intervene to motivate troops to act. Control Points were allocated to each Leader along with inspiration points.

Both these writers were contemporary with the first trials of what became DBA. DBA was conceived in 1988 and was first published in 1990.

And so I thought that all this was disconnected from today. Yet I happened then to rediscover an article by Daniel Mersey in Battlegames shortly after publication of his successful Osprey publication Dux Bellorum around 2012.

And nestled there is Daniels’ homage to that 1980’s wargames era and specifically Andy Callan.

I remember Andy Callan promoting what I consider to be important considerations when trying to replicate the feel of a period through command and control. And I think the other key theme is that you make your rules period specific.

I hope his latest rules “never mind the billhooks” carry on that theme of challenging the status quo and promoting enjoyable and satisfying wargames.

And one final point, Angus McBride bestrides the world of illustrated warriors. His work has become synominous with Osprey. Yet Rick Scollins had a way to engage you in the 1980’s and as you can see he even influenced the young Daniel Mersey (see above). And perhaps appropriately it is his West Saxon Thegn who illustrates that 1988 article in Practical Wargamer.

Happy wargaming whatever your rules preference.