Cold War Gone Hot (or Tepid)

About a week ago on one lovely early Summer's evening, I picked up my copy of Cold War Commander to read in the garden, not something we can always do with our variable martitime climate here in Blighty. This came about after looking at the recently released Pendraken Arab-Israeli  on the Pendraken Blog earlier in the day. Too tired for any heavy reading, a browse through the rulebook seemed a perfect way to spend an hour or so relaxing after a long day.

The book in question.

Flicking through the book brought back many happy memories of playing some NATO vs Warsaw Pact  games some 10 or more years ago (I can't believe it's that long since I played) as well as a superb Portbury Knight's Campaign organised by one of the club members who really was into the whole Cold War 1980's milieu. The campaign really energised the club and lots of us took the dive into 6mm wargaming. Alas as with many things in the wargaming world, interested died away and to free up funds and some space, I sold off my BAOR battlegroup.

With the release of CWCII at Partizan, my interest was piqued as to what changes had come about in the rules, so checking the Pendraken forum, all lot of the issues with the original rules seemed to have been addressed, such as the ATGW's not really being worth buying, compared to say a MBT. Naturally there is plenty more but you get my drift.

As with these things, the flap of butterfly wings could be heard in the distance as my mind began to ponder whether to dip my toe in the water once again. One thing led to another and I was soon perusing the offerings from Pendraken, TimeCast and the Plastic Soldier Company, along side the ever affordable Heroics & Ros 6mm ranges. Aside from what scale to go with, the issues of cost, battlegroup versus brigades and what forces began to swirl around in my mind.

For large scale battles that we used to play at the club, 6mm is a complete no brainer, where I would normally have at least an Mechanised Infantry Battalion and Tank Regiment on the table. Whilst fun, they were long games, you needed at least a 6' x 4' table and really an opponent to play against. Whilst tempting these days that is not really an option. However it is still damned tempting for sure! So after much thought and advice from other forum members, Battlegroups of say a couple of Companies plus a Tank Company or two with support, would be the best way to go and be much more solo and time friendly. 

For the forces and setting I must admit that I always favour the classic NATO vs Warsaw Pact, nominally set in the late 1970's to early 1980's. Chieftain tanks facing off against T-54/55's and T-62's really floats my boat, leaving the Challengers and later MBT's for others to play with! However a sort of Balkans setting or maybe a Russo-Turkish War that escalates has also piqued my interest. Then there is my perennial interest in Austria, which could provide some interesting games, but accessing the right equipment is a bit of an issue in 10mm compared to 6mm. 

To go alongside with the above, I remember reading and enjoying 'Red Storm Rising' by Tom Clancy many years ago, so ordered a copy to get me back into the swing of things. Along side this a copy of Hackett's 'The Third World War' is on its way to me. I have in mind to order 'First Clash' by Macksey whose other books I have enjoyed over the years. I think that will be more than enough reading material for me.

I did wonder whether to carry on using CWCI for my possible games, but in the end decided it was well worth getting CWCII for a whole variety of reasons. I went for the rulebook rather than the pdf, as I much prefer the former to the latter. To help keep printing costs down, Pendraken have only included a few sample lists, with all the others being freely available via their forum. Aside from cost, this allows them to be updated on an as needs basis which is a good idea.

As you can see, another large project beckons and with much for me to ponder, lists to plan etc. But in the meantime I need to prepare for a large Battle of Waterloo games in a couple of weeks with friends, where I am taking on the role of his Grace the Duke of Wellington. So time for some trial games to get au fait with the rules as well as some background reading. Happy days!

So until next time, stay safe and keep healthy!