My Interest in Wargaming

My interest in war gaming began when I was in my early teens. But I have to say that I was always into military history, prior to my gaming. I loved to watch the movies Battle of the Bulge, The Longest Day, Anzio, Sink the Bismarck, Midway etc. I would read many books to further my knowledge.

My first real war game, in a sense, began with those plastic green soldiers, artillery, trucks and tanks. You know, the ones you could find in a grocery store, or department store. I see they are again being reintroduced. My uncle would come over and we would game. We would set all the pieces out and take turns picking them, going back and forth. Once the pieces were picked, we would set them up a good distance apart from each other. We would stand the infantry up, place our artillery, trucks and tanks, and commence throwing a clothes pin at them. Infantry were killed if they fell on their bellies, wounded if on their backs; vehicles were knocked out if the were flipped. Same as the artillery guns. My younger brother and I continued this as a hobby if you will, while we both had the chicken pox. My how I have advanced into my gaming career.

As I grew a little bit older, I noticed our neighbor would have several visitors on Saturday nights. I didn't pay too much attention until I noticed they would seem to end up in my neighbor's basement. My buddies and I were somewhat curious as to what was happening, and we became somewhat peeping Toms. We would sit outside his window looking into the basement, wondering what was going on. We could see a rather large wooden table set up containing sand. They seemed to be measuring distances with rulers and rolling dice. It was fascinating in a sense.

As time went by, we would continue to watch, wondering what it was they were playing. Until one night, I was outside the window watching, and my neighbor came out and asked if I wanted to watch from inside the house. I quickly said yes, and was introduced to war gaming. Here I am, some 25 yrs later, writing about it.

I cut my teeth on micro-armor. Funny, because I always like tanks and WW2 was my favorite. My first models I ever bought and painted though, were modern armor. Now this was in the early 80's, so the Soviets were still a threat. This is what they were playing the night I was introduced into gaming. From there, I was introduced into my first campaign game as I became a country in a new campaign his group was starting. As they say, the rest is history.

We have played many a campaign since then. From ancients, to moderns. I have been involved in play by mail as well as science fiction. I do have a wide interest, which helps to keep me gaming. Once I tire of one thing, I can move on to another, and in time go back to what I tired of. Rules and games are always changing to try and keep the hobby fresh.

Now I game about twice a week, at the same house where I was first introduced to the hobby. I have gone to a few conventions, the furthest being Historicon in Lancaster PA. I have a friend who is a re-enactor for the Confederates and I try to get to the local re-enactment which takes place every September. All of this helps me to find new ideas and to keep the old ones fresh.

In time, I hope to get my daughter involved, but that will be her choice. War gaming isn't for everyone, but it is a fun hobby to be involved in. I love history and in particular, military history. This is a way for me to enjoy and express it.