Napoleon (2023): Can We Fix It? Little Wars TV 2024-01-16 | Today on Little Wars TV, Greg puts on his screenwriting hat and rewrites Ridley Scott’s 2023 movie, Napoleon. Can a new version of the script explore a more focused, compelling story? Is there another woman in Napoleon’s life who offers a stronger character arc than Josephine? Before rewriting the script, Greg explores the reasons why the original 2023 movie does not work. Then, he maps out a 3-act story with new main and supporting characters. You can be the judge! What did you think of David Scarpa’s script? How does this new story stack up? Can Napoleon's life story even be told in a single film...even a 4 hour director's cut? And would you be excited for a Spielberg-produced HBO miniseries in the future? If you enjoy military history, miniature wargames, and the occasional diversion in historical film and television, subscribe to the channel! We’d love to have you here!
11-Player Napoleonic Campaign | Summer 1813 Little Wars TV 2024-01-02 | Our 1813 campaign continues into the Summer armistice period, with Napoleon and Tsar Alexander engaging in a round of high stakes diplomacy and political gamesmanship. Today, in Part 2, Little Wars TV engages two Napoleonic historians to serve as arbiters of the truce negotiations. How will our chess board in Prussia and Saxony be reset as fresh armies rush to the front for the climatic showdown in the Fall? You're about to find out!Subscribe to the channel and be sure to join us for a blockbuster conclusion in the final chapter of our 1813 wargame campaign! Armies will collide in a massive tabletop battle--but NOT at Leipzig. Can Napoleon save his empire, or will the coalition surround and destroy the French armies, ending Bonaparte's regime once and for all? It's all on the table and coming up later this month on Little Wars TV....If you'd like our scenario campaign guide, including the full orders of battle for 1813, visit the FREE STUFF page of our website, http:///www.littlewarstv.com
What Pyrrhus Teaches Us About Modern Strategy Little Wars TV 2023-12-26 | Hannibal once ranked Pyrrhus of Epirus the second greatest general of antiquity. As a distant relative of Alexander the Great, Pyrrhus famously invaded Italy and waged war against the Roman Republic and Carthage. Despite winning almost all of his battles, he was unable to win the war. Today, Little Wars TV talks to Professor Michael Taylor and Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy about what we can learn from Pyrrhus today. Does this great captain of antiquity offer any lessons modern strategists can apply in the 21st Century, over two thousand years later?If you want to learn more about Pyrrhus of Epirus and his war against Rome, check out our feature documentary, which includes four expert historians! And if you want to see our club play a massive, multi-part tabletop wargame of the Pyrrhic War, it's one of the most popular wargames we've played on our channel!ANCIENT WARFARE MAGAZINEkarwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/pages/ancient-warfare
11-Player Napoleonic Campaign | Spring 1813 Little Wars TV 2023-12-19 | Today the guys at Little Wars TV begin Part 1 of a massive Napoleonic wargame campaign, covering the Spring of 1813 in central Germany. Starting in late April 1813, players maneuver armies across a custom theater map and battle for the survival of Napoleon's empire. Before the game, we sit down with historian Dr. George Nafziger to understand how the events of 1812 shaped the stakes for 1813. To play the game, we're using Hollandspiele's "Campaign of Nations" hex and counter boardgame and combining that with the classic 1990s "Volley & Bayonet" rules for miniature battles.HISTORIC MAIL!We want to thank our episode sponsor, HISTORIC MAIL, for their support of the channel. Historic Mail sends weekly letters from famous historical figures, giving you a window in their lives and times with copies of primary source documents. It makes for a very unique holiday gift for a history-loving friend, a family member, or even yourself! You can get 10% off by going to http://www.historicmail.com/littlewarstv and check out with our discount code LITTLEWARSTV.And if you want a shot at a FREE holiday gift, leave us a comment on this video and you'll could win one of two free copies of "Campaign of Nations" by Hollandspiele. Just let us know your favorite Napoleonic battle! At the end of the video you'll hear Greg and Miles offer their favorites. Even if you don't win a free board game, everyone can still download a 100% free copy of our 1813 campaign guide with orders of battle, new game counters, fog of war flags, and special rules to play the Spring campaign using "Campaign of Nations."Go to the FREE STUFF page of our website, http:///www.littlewarstv.comPart 2 of our 3-part 1813 campaign event is coming up next, so stay tuned! Again, our thanks to the team at Historic Mail for their support! Use our link and code for your discount if you're on the hunt for a holiday gift idea.
1813 Campaign Finale Trailer Little Wars TV 2023-12-05 | In 1813, all roads led to Leipzig, the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars. But on the season finale of Little Wars TV, 11 players choose their own roads on a custom theater map of central Germany. We aren't refighting one battle...no, our club will wargame the entire 1813 campaign from April to October! Our Napoleonic 3-part campaign event begins December 19, 2023, exclusively on Little Wars TV. Like, subscribe, share, and do all the things, because we're going out with a bang. Over HALF of our regular viewers have not yet subscribed to the channel. What are you waiting for? Army level maneuver? Check. Diplomacy on an international scale? Check. Surprise twists along the way? Count on it. Miniature tabletop battles? You better believe it!
3 Takeaways from the 2023 Great Wargaming Survey Little Wars TV 2023-11-28 | Today on Little Wars TV, we're joined by Jasper Oorthuys of "Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy" magazine! Jasper started the Great Wargaming Survey over a decade ago, collecting annual responses to track trends within the miniature wargaming hobby. We're unpacking the results of this year's 2023 survey, focusing on three key takeaways. But WSS makes all of the survey results public on their website, sharing insightful blog posts on relevant questions. You can explore the results of previous surveys and start reading more about the 2023 survey on their Great Wargaming Survey blog below:karwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/blogs/great-wargaming-survey-blog-wss-magazineWhat do you think of the topics discussed in today's video? Do you have a 3D printer or are you thinking about getting one? Will you try virtual tabletop gaming in 2024? And what about the dreaded "graying of the hobby?" What are you seeing in your own club and region?
The Pacific (2010): How Much Money Did HBO Lose? Little Wars TV 2023-11-14 | In March 2010 HBO premiered "The Pacific," a lavish 10-part World War 2 miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. It took over three years to produce and cost HBO more than $215 million, making "The Pacific" the most expensive program ever made for television at the time. The miniseries won critical acclaim but stunned network executives with a viewing audience 70% smaller than its predecessor, "Band of Brothers."Today on Little Wars TV we explore the making of "The Pacific." Why did it cost so much money to produce? How far over budget did the production go? Why didn't a bigger audience tune in when the show aired? And finally, the $215 million dollar question...did HBO make back their money, much less turn a profit? We'll explore all of those questions and more. If you're interested in World War 2 generally, or the Pacific theater in particular, "The Pacific" was then (and remains today) must-see television. Every dollar spent on the production can be seen on the screen. It's remarkable that HBO greenlit such a staggering budget in 2010. Adjusted for inflation today, the equivalent 2023 cost approaches $300M for ten episodes. If you want to see what that kind of budget looks like in the hands of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, watch the miniseries for yourself. You won't regret it. But after watching this video, you have to wonder whether HBO executives regretted it....Do you want to see more historical war movie and TV content on Little Wars TV? Let us know in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this deep dive on the making of "The Pacific," maybe you'll reward us with a Like....or a Subscription? It's always appreciated!
Fall In 2023 Convention Recap Little Wars TV 2023-11-07 | "Fall In" is one of the largest historical wargaming shows in the USA, and the 2023 show was a blast! The convention was well attended and we saw some fantastic games when several of the Little Wars TV guys stopped by on Saturday. We hit the vendor hall, raided the flea market, met old friends from across the country, and filmed more than a few memorable games. In this video report, we bring you a tiny slice of the weekend festivities. And is truly is just a snapshot of the vast number of games and events being run from Thursday through Sunday. If you want the full HMGS show experience...come visit one! The crowds at these conventions enthusiastic and exceptionally welcoming to gamers of any experience level.Fall In 2023 was held at the Wyndham in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. All of us who attended this show owe a huge "thanks" to the volunteer staff of HMGS, the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, for putting on another successful convention. We'll see you all at Historicon next summer! Mark your calendars!
Insane 3mm Peleliu Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-10-24 | This week on Little Wars TV, three players must work together in a unique co-op scenario to assault and capture the island of Peleliu in four days. The wargame is played on a stunning replica tabletop custom-made for Peleliu using 3mm scale PicoArmor miniatures. Our scenario covers the entire operation--land, sea, and air--to see if our Marine Corps players can achieve the historical timetable goal of neutralizing the island in four days. Will our players plan a new invasion strategy and learn from the mistakes made in 1944? Before the wargame, Miles and Tony offer some historical context on the invasion and how US military planners bungled the operation in the face of new Japanese defensive tactics. It's our longest wargame episode ever, so if you enjoy the game, do us a favor and hit "thumbs up" to like! And if you REALLY enjoy the video, maybe this will be the one when you click SUBSCRIBE! Over half of our regular viewers still haven't subscribed!FREE MINISWant to win some FREE PicoArmor miniatures? Leave us a comment and FOUR random comments will be picked next week! Even if you don't win, PicoArmor is offering all of our viewers 10% off everything on their website using the discount code: lwtv23 picoarmor.comThat code runs through the end of the 2023 calendar year, so stock up or order a few sample packs and see what you think! 3mm scale is incredibly fast to paint, allowing you to field entire armies in a weekend.
Pacific Island Hopping Wargame Trailer Little Wars TV 2023-10-17 | Coming up next week on Little Wars TV, we refight the first week of the invasion of Peleliu from September 1944. Our players get to plan and execute the entire assault--selecting their own landing areas, allocating air and naval assets, and developing a combined arms operation. Played on a stunning custom tabletop in sweeping 3mm scale, we'll find out if the Marines can learn from history and devise a new plan to meet the 1944 invasion timetable goals. It's all coming up next Tuesday, right here! That makes today the perfect time for you to finally SUBSCRIBE to the channel and turn on Notifications so that you don't miss an episode.Are you loving the look of this table and want to play your own WW2 operational games at home? Our 3mm miniatures are from Pico Armor! They're offering a 10% discount on EVERYTHING through the end of 2023 with the discount code: "lwtv23"picoarmor.com
The 3 Best (& Worst) Osprey Historical Games Little Wars TV 2023-10-10 | Miles and Greg sit down to discuss their favorite...and least favorite...Osprey Games. With over 30 titles (and counting) since 2012, Osprey publishes a wide range of easy, quick historical and fantasy wargames. Today we focus exclusively on the HISTORICAL titles in the lineup. There are some outstanding games we play regularly in our club, including a couple lesser known titles we think you should check out. But around here, you know we don't shy away from constructive criticism, either. And there may be a few titles in the Osprey Games lineup you can afford to skip. So here we go! Let's talk the good, the bad, and the ugly of Osprey Games and their historical wargames! We polled our Patreon supporters to find out their favorites, and you'll see the results in today's video. But what about your favorite games from the so-called "blue book" series? Have you played our top recommendations? Do you think we missed any hidden gems? Let us know in the comments!If you'd like to hear Greg's 2020 interview with Phil Smith, the head of Osprey Games, it's Episode 1 of our LWFM podcast! This episode is one of our publicly available ones, and you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Soundcloud, etc. Direct link to the podcast interview here:podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-future-of-wargaming-according-to-osprey-games/id1530488608?i=1000491616538We again want to thank the sponsor of our Thermopolyae episode, Diratia Productions. They 3D sculpt awesomely affordable historical miniatures in multiple scales and eras of history. For a limited time they're offering 10% off their STL files at MyMiniFactory with the promo code "LittleWarsTV". Naturally, they have ancient Greek and Persian miniatures for you next Greco-Persian wargame:myminifactory.com/users/Productions%20Diratia
The Best General of Antiquity (according to Myke Cole) Little Wars TV 2023-10-03 | In the aftermath of our Thermopylae wargame against the guys at Mark's Game Room, we sit down with Myke Cole, author of "The Bronze Lie" and "Legion versus Phalanx," to ask who he would deem the best general of the ancient world. We know how Hannibal supposed once answered this question, so let's see what Myke has to say! We think his answer will surprise you, but Myke explains his rationale for the selection and makes an excellent case for a Spartan commander...just...not the famous Spartan commander you may have mind!We want to thank Myke for sitting down and spending a full afternoon with us, chatting about ancient military history. His books are exceptionally engaging and fun to read. You can find "The Bronze Lie" direct from the publisher here (no, not an affiliate link! We just think you'll enjoy the read):ospreypublishing.com/us/bronze-lie-9781472843760Also a big "thank you" to Ancient Warfare magazine for allowing us to republish some of their amazing illustrations in the video. You can find out what's coming up in the latest issue of the magazine here:karwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/pages/ancient-warfare
Club vs. Club Thermopylae Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-09-19 | Today on Little Wars TV, historian Myke Cole joins us to discuss one of the most famous (and misunderstood) battles of the ancient Greek world--the Battle of Thermopylae. In popular history, it's known as the last stand of King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans, but Thermopylae is much more complicated than that. After talking to Myke Cole, three guys from our wargaming club travel to challenge Mark's Game Room for an epic, club versus club showdown. We're wargaming the land and naval battle simultaneously to decide the fate of Western Civilization! Will Xerxes find a way to punch through the Greek position or can the Greeks pull off another heroic stand?This episode is sponsored by our friends at Diratia Productions, 3D sculptors of awesome historical miniatures in multiple scales and eras of history. For a limited time they're offering 10% off their STL files at MyMiniFactory with the promo code "LittleWarsTV". They have ancient Greek and Persian miniatures for you next Greco-Persian wargame:myminifactory.com/users/Productions%20DiratiaDon't have a resin printer at home? No problem! You can also get their miniatures printed for you. We ordered figures from this service and they arrived in nicely packaged plastic blisters:only-games.co/collections/productions-diratiaThe wargame in today's video was played using Osprey's "Men of Bronze" rules and Brian DeWitt's fast-play "Greek Fleets at Sea." Brian told us that you can email him directly if you'd like a copy. He's selling them for $5 and his email is brian.dewitt@juno.com. We'll be talking more about "Men of Bronze" in a future video here on our channel. You can visit our official website and look under the Free Stuff section for our heavily-revised version of the QRS. It's 100% free at http://www.LittleWarsTV.com.Finally, a huge THANK YOU to the guys at Mark's Game Room for hosting us, filming the game, and also doing the editing! They did an awesome job and you should check out their new channel for more miniature wargaming goodness.
Building a Thermopylae Battlefield Little Wars TV 2023-09-12 | Today's terrain tutorial is all about dramatic topography! Do you want to model steep cliffs and big mountains without a big budget? Greg shows you how he made a custom 4'x4' tabletop for the Battle of Thermopylae. All of the terrain techniques used in this video are DIY methods you can apply to a wide variety of battlefields you may have in mind for your next big game. If you're looking for more wargaming terrain tips and ideas, we have lots of videos on the channel you'll enjoy watching next! Better yet, why not SUBSCRIBE and make sure you don't miss our future videos, either?
How to Play Ruthless Little Wars TV 2023-09-05 | In less than 8 minutes, Zach & Keith teach you how to play the free tabletop game "Ruthless." This Wild West skirmish system allows you and your friends to lead a posse through gunfights, cattle rustling, and adventure in the Old West! With just 2 pages of rules and a handful of miniatures, you can get into the action in record time with this 100% free-to-play game. We'll take you through the basic mechanics of a sample turn, illustrating how to play.Ruthless was written by our friends Mark Fastoso & Brian DeWitt of Mark's Game Room. They have a brand new YouTube channel and we encourage you to check it out here:youtube.com/@UCuDO7MjfB7Gl6wsXhv4B2cA And if you want to download a FREE copy of Ruthless, along with free scenarios, campaigns, and character design guides, we have all of that and more on our website:http://www.LittleWarsTV.com/Ruthless
High Plains Drifter Tabletop Game Little Wars TV 2023-08-22 | Today on Little Wars TV we're going to Hollywood! Specifically, back to Clint Eastwood's 1973 classic, High Plains Drifter. He plays "the Stranger," a mysterious gunfighter hired to protect a mining town from the vengeance of three outlaws they sent to prison. But all is not as it appears in the town of Lago...In our tabletop game, three players refight the climax of the film in 15mm scale featuring a custom-built set of Lago. All the buildings are painted blood red, just like the movie. Why? You'll have to watch High Plains Drifter to find out! The scenario on the table is a free-for-all, with each player claiming their own objectives based on characters in the film. And we're giving away the scenario rules, character cards, and everything you need to play this game at home! Our free scenario is called "Paint the Town Red." The rules used in the video are ALSO 100% free. Saddle up and deal out some vengeance in Lago at the link below:littlewarstv.com/ruthless-support.htmlIf you enjoy historical (& Hollywood) wargames, why not subscribe and leave us a comment? We read them all! Are there any other classic films you'd like to see on the tabletop?Great Wargaming Surveygws2023.paperform.co
How to Paint 6mm Normans & Saxons Little Wars TV 2023-08-15 | Do you want to try painting 6mm miniatures, but find yourself intimated to start a new scale? Today, Little Wars TV is joined by Christopher Grau of Feldgrau Productions for a beginner painting class in 6mm scale! Inspired by our 1066 series of pocket-sized armies and battles, he's tackling Dark Ages armies. These are Baccus 6mm miniatures, but the same tricks, tips, and techniques apply to any 6mm models you may have on your painting bench. Christopher covers the prep, painting, and basing for your first 6mm army. Do you want to see more painting tutorial collaborations on the channel? Let us know in the comments! Or perhaps you want to see more of Christopher's painting? If so, check out some of the videos on his channel, covering all kinds of 10mm and 15mm models!youtube.com/@FeldgrauProductions/videos
The Next Epic Little Wars TV Campaign Starts NOW Little Wars TV 2023-08-08 | Since our Pyrrhic War campaign, you've asked when our club will run another multi-part campaign event. The season finale of Little Wars TV is set to start filming this month and we're going out in EPIC style, featuring a giant theater map, operational maneuver, 8 players, massive armies, expert historians, free giveaways, and miniature battles on a grand scale. Ready to find out where we're going next? Watch now, subscribe now, and let's do this. Visit us at http://www.patreon.com/littlewarstv to join the campaign as an active participant. Otherwise, stay tuned here on YouTube when the campaign rolls out at the end of the year! You'll get to see the entire event either way!Take the WSS magazine Great Wargaming Survey now! It's LIVE throughout August 2023!gws2023.paperform.co
The Courier & Early American Wargaming Little Wars TV 2023-08-01 | Little Wars TV Tony sits down with one of America's founding fathers in the development of organized historical wargaming--Dick Bryant. Dick was the creator and publisher of The Courier magazine and an original member of HMGS, the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society. Though others would follow in later years, The Courier was America’s first historical wargaming magazine. Today, he takes us back to the 1960s and the early days of historical miniature wargames in the United States. How did the Courier begin? Why did HMGS organize its first convention? And where does Dick see the hobby going next?A huge "thank you" to Mr. Bryant for sitting down to share and record these amazing memories with us!
Historicon 2023 Show Recap Little Wars TV 2023-07-25 | Historicon is the largest historical wargaming show in the USA, and this year's convention was a huge success. Attendance was up, over 500 games were organized, and we filmed as much of it as we could in between running a full slate of club games! Our guys had a great time this year and we can't wait to show you some of the highlights. As always, this is only a small selection of the games on display over the weekend. There are literally hundreds of tables we never even had the chance to see.One table that was hard to miss in front of the vendor hall was the 54mm Fort William Henry set up. On the Bill's Wargame World channel you can see an interview with Steve and Shelby, who ran the game and built the fort itself:youtube.com/watch?v=Ky3UzopLp6sSo if you want to see everything with your own eyes, go ahead and circle your calendar for July next year and come to show! Let's break another attendance record in 2024 with a smashing turnout! A huge "thank you" is in order for all the attendees, vendors, volunteers, game masters, and HMGS staff.
Vicksburg Battlefield Guided Tour Little Wars TV 2023-07-18 | Join Little Wars TV for a guided battlefield tour of Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi! Today we're taking an extensive driving tour of the park with licensed battlefield guide Robert Terry. Our tour will cover seven key stops throughout the park. We absolutely loved visiting Vicksburg and highly recommend this park to any American Civil War history buff. If it's your first time, hiring a licensed guide is a fantastic way to get the most out of your experience. You can call the local visitor's bureau at 601-218-1749 to arrange a private tour. For the latest information and updates directly from Vicksburg National Military Park, visit their official page:nps.gov/vickIf you want to come along with the guys here at Little Wars TV for more battlefield tours, we have plenty of them on YouTube! Join us at the Alamo, Antietam, Hastings, and many more. Better yet, why not click the SUBSCRIBE button?
If Longstreet Went to Vicksburg...What Happens to Lee? Little Wars TV 2023-07-11 | Garry Adelman, the Chief Historian of the American Battlefield Trust, joins Little Wars TV to weigh in after last week's wargame. In our "what if" Vicksburg wargame, we explored one of the most fascinating near misses of the American Civil War. What if Longstreet and two divisions had been sent West in the spring of 1863 to support Vicksburg? Confederate leadership in Richmond debated that very possibility. But many of you left comments on the video asking a natural follow up question...what about the East?Without Longstreet and two of his best divisions, how would Lee have coped in Virginia during the summer of 1863? How would this strategic shift have impacted his ambitions to invade the North? Today on Little Wars TV, Greg and Garry Adelman offer opposing visions of how Lee might have reacted to the temporary loss of Longstreet. It's a fun, speculative debate! But what do YOU think? Would Lee still have pressed into Pennsylvania? Would the Army of the Potomac have found it's footing and attacked a weakened Lee? We'd love to hear from you in the comments. Do you want to see us collaborate with the American Battlefield Trust for more wargames?Visit http://www.battlefields.org to learn more about the Trust, their mission, and how you can help.
What If Lee Relieved Vicksburg Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-07-04 | Today on Little Wars TV, we play an operational wargame to help answer one of the greatest "what ifs" of the American Civil War. What if Robert E. Lee agreed to ship two of Longstreet's divisions west in May 1863? Lee was asked to do so but refused the near-unanimous advice of the Confederate war cabinet. Three players in our game will explore what might have happened if Lee sent Longstreet to Mississippi to lift the siege of Vicksburg. Could two veteran divisions from the east have made the difference and saved Vicksburg from Grant's encirclement?Join us for a fascinating operational exercise played on location in Vicksburg for the 160th anniversary of Grant's brilliant campaign!
Why Didnt the Confederates Relieve Vicksburg? Little Wars TV 2023-06-27 | The surrender of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863 split the Confederacy in half and is often considered a turning point of the American Civil War. But if Vicksburg was so strategically vital, why didn't Confederate leadership do more to relieve the siege and save the city? A relief attempt WAS made, but it amounted to too little, too late. A more aggressive plan to save Vicksburg was debated at length in Richmond but never enacted. Would that plan have worked? And who was the key figure who opposed it? The Little Wars TV crew travels to Mississippi to explore this fascinating moment in Civil War history. Join us the entire month of July for an incredible "what if" wargaming experience and multiple battlefield tours!It all starts July 4, 2023! Subscribe to never miss a wargame with us.
Wait....Did the Chinese Win the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir? Little Wars TV 2023-06-20 | The Chosin Reservoir is one of the most iconic, enduring battles fought in the Korean War. Today, over 70 years later, both the Chinese and the Americans remember this battle as a victory against the odds. How can both sides see the same battle as a victory and who was the true underdog of this story? On Little Wars TV we interview former Marine and current Deputy Director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, David Vickers, to ask one simple question: "Who actually won the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir?"
3 Must See Exhibits at the Museum of the US Marine Corps Little Wars TV 2023-06-13 | The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a world-class facility any military history buff won't want to miss. Museum admission is 100% free, 7 days a week, and today we're taking you inside the galleries with us! We talk to Deputy Director David Vickers and Public Affairs Chief Gwenn Adams to find out their favorite exhibits. We'll also show you our favorite part of this incredible museum.There is SO MUCH to see here, and these three highlights are only the beginning of what you'll find. In fact, as you'll learn in this video from Gwenn, the museum is undergoing a major expansion right now! We'll talk to her about the latest updates from the National Museum of the Marine Corps. We want to thank David, Gwenn, and the entire staff for welcoming Little Wars TV to the museum to play our Chosin Reservoir wargame. If you missed that event, check out the video report here:youtube.com/watch?v=I6JAoovjppkTo plan your own visit to this incredible museum, check out their website and learn more:usmcmuseum.com
Massive Chosin Reservoir Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-05-29 | This week on Little Wars TV, we remember "The Forgotten War" with a massive 12' long tabletop wargame of the Chosin Reservoir. In November 1950, a stunning Chinese surprise attack hit the 1st Marine Division deep in the snowy mountains of North Korea. Surrounded and heavily outnumbered, the Marines fought their way out the trap and retreated south. But will our Marine players be able to do the same? We visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps and talk to Deputy Museum Director David Vickers about the history of this iconic moment in Marine Corps history. Then, we fight our wargame in the museum lobby using 10mm Pendraken miniatures. It's a massive, 8-player wargame covering the first week of the Chosin Reservoir at operational scale!Our thanks to the museum staff for hosting this fantastic event and allowing us to share our love of historical wargaming with the public. Learn more about the National Museum of the Marine Corps and plan your visit here: usmcmuseum.comThe miniatures in today's wargames are 10mm scale figures from Pendraken's extensive Korea range. You can find their Korean War miniatures available here: pendraken.co.uk/korean-war-753-c.aspFinally, we want to wish all of our American viewers a happy Memorial Day holiday. It's a day to remember the fallen, not just from Korea, but across every war fought in American history.
Historian Explains Why Bakhmut Mattered in WW2 Little Wars TV 2023-05-23 | Why is Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine so focused on the town of Bakhmut? Historian David Glantz, the world's leading expert on operations in the Donbas during World War 2, offers a historical perspective. You may be surprised to learn that Bakhmut--which then went by a different name--was also a key strategic point in 1942-43. Through the lens of World War 2, retired US Army Colonel David Glantz explains why Bakhmut may be more important than many in the news media assume. We want to thank David Glantz for sitting down with us as part of an upcoming series on operations around Stalingrad in 1942. When our interview veered off into current events, we knew that this segment was too good and too relevant not to post on the channel immediately!To stay up to date with all the military history and tabletop wargaming on Little Wars TV, why not SUBSCRIBE and join us? It's as easy as a click of a button!
10mm Korea Wargame Trailer Little Wars TV 2023-05-19 | Little Wars TV celebrates the Memorial Day holiday with a look back at the "Forgotten War." We're fighting a massive tabletop wargame covering the entire Chosin Reservoir in 10mm scale with Pendraken miniatures. Can the Marines and their allies escape the Chinese trap? Or will our Chinese players learn from history and devise a more cunning strategy to surprise the UN forces in the frozen mountains of North Korea? We'll find out on May 29th, 2023! If you love military history, historical wargames, and playing with toy soldiers, why not subscribe to Little Wars TV? We'd be thrilled to have you!
ScrumCon 2023 Recap Little Wars TV 2023-05-16 | This April Tony attended Scrum Con, a tabletop and role-playing event in Silver Spring, Maryland. Scrum Con started in 2019 and organizes a wide mix of tabletop games. That includes historical wargaming, but also fantasy, science fiction, pulp, and role playing adventures. All of the events are participation games!Tony interviews one of the organizers of the show to talk about how it started and where Scrum Con is going in 2024 and beyond. You can learn more about this event in the Washington DC area at the official homepage. The games do book up fast, so make sure you add this to your 2024 calendar!scrum-con.comSupporting regional shows and events is one way we can all help the growth and exposure of the hobby. It's also a great opportunity for historical gamers to showcase great-looking battlefields to the wider tabletop community. So even if you're not in the Washington DC area, take a look around your own region to seek out local events and shows like this one!
What If Rommel Won at Second Alamein? Little Wars TV 2023-05-09 | It's one of the great "What If" questions of World War II...what if Rommel had won a decisive victory at Alamein and collapsed the British position in Egypt? There was very real fear in 1942 that the Desert Fox could do precisely that. In our video last week, Ed noted that Rommel's opponent was not intended to be the resolute, steady Bernard Montgomery, but rather, William "Strafer" Gott. Ed speculates that Rommel would have had an easier time handling Gott, which could have led to a much different outcome in North Africa.But then what? Ed walks through a nightmarish string of events that might have followed. This is pure "what if" speculation but a powerful reminder of how history can turn on the smallest coincidences and mishaps. What if Gott hadn't been shot down and killed in August 1942? What if Gott was in command of the British 8th Army at Alamein? And what if Rommel pulled off another stunning victory like Gazala, opening the door to Cairo and the Suez?If you enjoy exploring military history's "what if" moments and battles, SUBSCRIBE and join us on Little Wars TV. We play tabletop wargames and try to rewrite history all the time!
Grading British Commanders in the Desert Little Wars TV 2023-05-02 | Following our Operation Compass wargame, Ed returns to evaluate the long string of British theater and army commanders who served in the campaign for North Africa. He starts with the three principal theater commanders of Middle East Command--O'Connor, Auchinleck, and Alexander. Who will earn top marks? Then, Ed examines the generals who led the Western Desert Force (later organized at the 8th Army)--Wavell, Cunningham, Ritchie, Gott, and of course...Montgomery. Two of these generals earned "failing" grades from Ed!Join us for a fun debate here on Little Wars TV! And if you missed our Operation Compass miniature wargame, be sure to check that out next!
North Africa Operation Compass Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-04-18 | Today on Little Wars TV, we rewind the clock to January 1941 at the height of a major British offensive across Libya. This is the climax of Operation Compass, a wildly successful operation on the verge of wrecking Italian dreams in North Africa. We set up two tabletops to refight the twin battles at Derna airfield and Fort Mechili between the Italian army and the Commonwealth's Western Desert Force. Will the British momentum continue, or can the Italians finally stem the bleeding and hold firm?We're wargaming these battles in 6mm scale with GHQ miniatures on custom hex terrain.
The Alamo (2004): The Making of a Box Office Bomb Little Wars TV 2023-04-11 | In April 2004, Touchstone Pictures released their long-awaited, big budget war epic "The Alamo" starring Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid. At the time, it was the second most expensive live-action film ever produced by the Walt Disney Company, filmed in 2003 across the largest set constructed in North America. Despite the budget, The Alamo was panned by critics and ignored by audiences, destined to crash as one of the largest box office bombs in cinema history. The saga of HOW this film was made is even more fascinating than the familiar story retold on screen.In this video essay, we'll explore the drama behind the camera throughout the six year production odyssey of The Alamo. It's a story of directorial power players, big name actors, a ballooning budget, and studio interference. Remarkably, at the end of it all, director John Lee Hancock found a way to deliver one of Hollywood's most accurate depictions of the historical personalities from 1836. We'll talk about what the film got right, what it got wrong, and five reasons why the movie ultimately tanked at the box office. If you missed our Alamo wargame here on Little Wars TV, we encourage you to check that out next!
Get Your FREE Alamo Ruleser Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-04-04 | If you enjoyed our 15mm Alamo wargame earlier this month, you're probably curious to learn more about the unique game rules we played. The entire game is printed on a 10" long ruler, so every player always has the rules in hand! How could a wargame fit onto a ruler? Who came up with this unique concept? And how can you get a free copy of the Ruleser?We're talking to veteran wargamer David Good, who organized the Alamo game you watched us play in the club. David first encountered the "Ruleser" at a HMGS convention in the 1980s. We'll let him tell you the story of how the game developed from there and how he built his incredible 15mm Alamo mission complex. Our thanks to David, Rich Hasenauer and Ron Prillaman. To download their Alamo Ruleser plus the complete Alamo scenario, visit the Free Stuff section of http://www.LittleWarsTV.com and grab yourself a free PDF!
8-player Mega Alamo Wargame Little Wars TV 2023-03-21 | This week on Little Wars TV, seven players from our club refight the final assault at the Alamo on the morning of March 6, 1836. We play this epic last stand in 15mm scale on a magnificent custom tabletop in true 1:1 scale. We have all 176 Texian defenders represented individually, along with over 500 Mexican miniatures sweeping over the walls in waves. Can the defenders inflict enough punishment to turn our version of the Alamo into legend? Or will a new attack plan by Santa Anna and his generals manage to storm the Alamo at a lower cost? Before the wargame, Chal and Dave unpack the complicated historical legacy of this iconic moment in history. How many defenders were really inside the fort? Why didn't Santa Anna bypass the Alamo? And did the old Spanish mission have any real strategic value at all? All this, and much more, today on Little Wars TV!The entire wargame you see today comes to us courtesy of fellow gamer David Good, and the rules used in the battle date back to the 1980s. Learn more about the "Alamo Ruleser" and get your own FREE copy of the scenario and the rules on our website:http://www.LittleWarsTV.comHead to the Free Stuff page and download the PDF at no cost, thanks to David and the original designers, Rich Hasenauer and Ron Prillaman.
Cold Wars 2023 Show Vlog: Was It Fun?? Little Wars TV 2023-03-18 | Mark and Carl go behind the scenes with their impressions of Cold Wars 2023 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. You heard our club offer some thoughts last week, but Mark's Game Room ran a lot of events at the convention. They'll talk about those games, the experience, and the venue with a fresh take. But as always--spoiler alert--the ultimate takeaway remains the same. If you haven't had the chance to attend a HMGS show, you absolutely should add these conventions to your tabletop travel bucket list. It's historical miniature wargaming at its best.We're excited for Mark, Carl, and their club to roll out a brand new wargaming YouTube channel this summer, "Mark's Game Room." We've been egging these guys on every step of the way, so stay tuned on June 6, 2023!To learn more about the HMGS convention schedule, visit their official homepage. The next big show is Historicon 2023 in Lancaster, PA and we'll be there! Will you?http://www.hmgs.org
Cold Wars 2023 Convention Recap Little Wars TV 2023-03-14 | This weekend, the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society staged Cold Wars 2023, their first of three annual conventions. We're recapping just a small fraction of the hundreds of games on display in case you missed the show. And judging by the attendance...a lot of you missed the show (including most of the guys in our own club). Greg and Zach do some investigative work to ask why so many attendees, game master, and vendors sat this one out. We have some theories....But of course, for those of us who did attend, Cold Wars was a great time to catch up with old friends and check out some truly excellent historical wargames. Join us for the March 2023 recap at Valley Forge, PA!For a full length version of HMGS President John Hollier's interview, track down our podcast Little Wars FM everywhere podcasts can be found. Our Patreon supporters will get early access next week, but in April the full interview will be publicly available.
Alamo Wargame Trailer Little Wars TV 2023-03-07 | This March is the 187th anniversary of an iconic moment in Texan history--the Alamo. And next week on YouTube, Little Wars TV refights a true 1:1 scale wargame on a stunning 5'x7' custom table, where each 15mm figure represents one man present in the 1836 battle. A professional artist and veteran wargamer, David Good, assembled this model replica to exacting historical detail. And now...we're going find out how long the Texian rebels can hold out with a massive, seven-player tabletop event. Can the Texians do the impossible and hold off waves of Mexican troops in this brutal, nighttime assault? Or will Santa Anna's conscript army overwhelm the defenses in short order? Find out March 21st, right here on Little Wars TV. It's a spectacular game you won't want to miss. SUBSCRIBE and turn on your YouTube Notification Bell to never miss an episode!
Fireball Forward Rule Review Little Wars TV 2023-02-28 | This week, the guys on Little Wars TV review Fireball Forward, a 2012 company-level World War II wargame written by Mark Fastoso and Jonathan Miller. We score rules based on five categories, then offer a final total score at the end. To learn more about the game and pick up a copy of the rules or scenarios, visit the official homepage for Fireball Forward below:http://www.fireballforward.com/fireball-forward.htmlTo watch Tony & Greg play a Fireball Forward scenario, check out our Band of Brothers battle in Foy, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge! We played the same scenario twice as a direct comparison of Fireball Forward and Crossfire. If you want to try that scenario at home, we're giving it away for free as a PDF download on our "Free Stuff" section of Little Wars TV. To watch the Fireball Forward/Crossfire battle, check it out here: youtube.com/watch?v=e3tvgM3_-UEAnd remember to visit us at http://www.LittleWarsTV.com for a complete list of other wargame reviews. Have you played Fireball Forward? What do you think of the game? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your experience. Help Tony & Greg settle their long-standing debate: Do you prefer Fireball or Crossfire?
Riachuelo 1865 Wargame: South Americas Largest Naval Battle Little Wars TV 2023-02-21 | This week on Little Wars TV we set a course for South America in the summer of 1865! Paraguay is engaged in a bitter, bloody war of expansion against three regional rivals. Today we wargame the Battle of Riachuelo, the largest naval battle ever fought in South America, set during "The War of the Triple Alliance." Can the Paraguayan fleet pull off a surprise attack on the Panara River, or will the Empire of Brazil hold the river? We're playing the game with 1/1200 miniature ships on a 6'x8' tabletop using Tom's homebrew naval rules for the age of steam and iron warships. It's a fantastic wargame played in an under-appreciated historical conflict. The War of the Triple Alliance last more than 5 years and would prove to be the deadliest war in South American history. Explore this fascinating chapter of history with us on the tabletop! SPITHEAD MINIATURES (1/1200 ships)facebook.com/spitheadminiaturesEAST COAST IRONCLADS (1/1200 3d prints)wargaming3d.com/product/war-of-the-pacific-setLONG FACE GAMES (3d prints)wargamevault.com/browse/pub/6867/Long-Face-GamesAre there other dark corners of military history you think we should explore on Little Wars TV? Tell us your ideas in the comments! We do read them all. And if you enjoy today's wargame, why not subscribe and join our army of historical wargaming nerds? We'd love to have you.
Test of Resolve Rule Review Little Wars TV 2023-02-14 | This week, the guys from Mark's Game Room review "Test of Resolve," a wargame published in 2021 by David Knight and Tim Couper. The game is written specifically for the Wars of the Roses, allowing players to refight small to large battles of the late medieval era. You can learn more about the game and purchase a copy directly from the authors here:testofresolve.comThe club at Mark's Game Room are developing their own unique style for reviewing rules, leading up to the launch of their own YouTube channel! Here at Little Wars TV we're really excited to see a new historical wargaming channel taking shape. So let us (and them!) know what you think of their review format! And if you missed Mark's guys refighting the Battle of Edgcote using Test of Resolve, that wargame video is linked here:youtube.com/watch?v=aEt4tOhOUms
Battle of Edgcote Wargame | Marks Game Room Little Wars TV 2023-01-31 | Today on Little Wars TV we're joined by Mark Fastoso and his club for the Battle of Edgcote! It's the summer of 1469 and the War of the Roses rages on with a fresh rebellion against King Edward IV's Yorkist rule. Can the Earl of Pembroke put down a rebel host led by Robin of Redesdale? It's a 28mm wargame with colorful heraldry, charging knights, and bitter historical rivalries. The figures are Perry Miniatures and the rules used to play the scenario are "Test of Resolve." Mark is also joined by historian Graham Evans to talk about the history of Edgcote and what the battlefield looks like today. You can learn more about the Northamptonshire Battlefield Society and Graham's wargaming rules with the links below:Northamptonshire Battlefields Societynorthantsbattles.comGraham's Books on Amazon:amazon.co.uk/Graham-Evans/e/B07PY977QB?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1675184863&sr=8-1Graham's Gaming Blog: wargaming4grownups.blogspot.com
How 6mm Miniatures are Made Little Wars TV 2023-01-24 | Let's take a tour of the Baccus production facility to learn how 6mm miniatures are molded and cast! It's a truly "hand crafted" process and a fascinating look at how our toy soldiers come to life. Peter and his team typically host tours of the workshop the day before their annual "Joy of Six" show in Sheffield. We attended the July 2022 show and took the tour this summer. You can learn more about Baccus, the show, and future tours on their website under the "News" section!http://www.baccus6mm.com
Small Scale Gaming with Luke’s “Geek Gaming Scenics” Little Wars TV 2023-01-17 | This summer at the Joy of Six convention in Sheffield we bumped into Luke of Geek Gaming Scenics, one of our favorite terrain channels on YouTube! Luke does some absolutely awesome builds for historical, fantasy, and sci-fi...but they are typically 28mm projects. So what is Luke doing at a 6mm show like Joy of Six? We're on the case to find out why he's suddenly interested in smaller scales, what he has coming up next, and which period could tempt him to try historical wargaming! If you missed our 1066 Wargaming series, it showcases what you can do with small scales, small budgets, and small spaces. We think you'll love it. And to find out what Luke is doing in ALL scales, we think you'll enjoy checking out Geek Gaming Scenics.youtube.com/c/GeekGamingScenics
Valour & Fortitude Rule Review Little Wars TV 2023-01-10 | Little Wars TV reviews "Valour & Fortitude," a free 4-page wargame written by Jervis Johnson, Alan Perry, and Michael Perry. The game is designed for corps level Napoleonic battles using any scale miniatures. We'll review the game in five categories and offer a final evaluation at the end.This is a complete, FREE tabletop game, and you can download the rules, army lists, and supplemental information from Perry Miniatures here:perry-miniatures.com/valour-fortitudeYou can also purchase a print copy of Wargames Illustrated (Oct. '22) for the printed game booklet. You can visit us at Little Wars TV on our "Free Stuff" section for a copy of our Montebello scenario AND our revised, reformatted Quick Reference Sheet for "Valour & Fortitude." We love the potential of this game and the opportunities it offers for easy, accessible Napoleonic battles.http://www.LittleWarsTV.com/FreeStuff
Inside Alan Perrys Epic Game Room! Little Wars TV 2023-01-03 | This summer Little Wars TV made the journey across the Atlantic to visit the UK for a week of gaming, museums, and historical tours. En route to the "Joy of Six" show in Sheffield, we stopped by Nottingham for a visit with the Perry brothers. It was an absolute blast to spend several hours with Alan and Michael Perry, two legends of the miniature tabletop hobby!Alan and Michael are world-class miniature sculptors, and whether you enjoy historical or fantasy gaming, there's a good chance you've painted or played with figures they hand-sculpted. Today we're stealing a glimpse inside Alan's game room and chatting about what they like to play at home, what's coming next for Perry Miniatures, and much more. If you're looking for your next 28mm historical project or you want to check out their FREE new Napoleonic game rules, visit them here:http://www.perry-miniatures.comNext week we’ll be back to review their latest game, “Valour & Fortitude,” co-authored by Jervis Johnson.
Learn to Play a FREE Napoleonic Wargame | Valour & Fortitude Little Wars TV 2022-12-20 | Today, let's play the new Napoleonic rules "Valour & Fortitude" from Jervis Johnson, Alan Perry, and Michael Perry! It's a miniature tabletop game sharing many similarities to "Black Powder," except this one is a fraction of the length and free to play. We've now played this game several times in the club and found it to be a fast, fun Napoleonic experience. This tutorial familiarizes you with the core game concepts, walks through the turn sequence, and explains key mechanics of play. After the holidays, we'll return with a rule review video and dive even deeper into "Valour & Fortitude." There's a lot to like, a few nits to pick, and plenty of reasons for you to give this game a shot with some friends at home.GET THE RULES FOR FREEYou can purchase a printed copy of the rule booklet via Wargames Illustrated magazine or download a free copy of the game and all supplemental material from Perry Miniatures here:perry-miniatures.com/valour-fortitudeGET OUR MONTEBELLO SCENARIO FOR FREEVisit the "Free Stuff" section of our homepage for a PDF copy of our Valour & Fortitude Montebello scenario! Complete with orders of battle, unit labels, scenario map, and special rules. We also have a copy of our revised, cleaned up QRS for the game. Grab that too!http://www.LittleWarsTV.com
1066 Pocket Sized Hastings Wargame Little Wars TV 2022-12-06 | This week on Little Wars TV, the guys conclude our 1066 trilogy with the a dramatic showdown at the iconic Battle of Hastings. Historically, this is a battle that forever redefined English history by ushering in William the Conqueror's Norman rule. Today, we sit down with medieval historian Kelly DeVries to discuss lingering questions about the events of 1066. Why did Harold Godwinson rush to engage William? Is the current battlefield location accurate? And why would Duke William risk everything to cross the channel on a perilous invasion? And then, two players will face off in a "pocket sized" 2'x2' wargame to refight Hastings in 6mm scale. Can the Anglo-Saxons rewrite history? Find out now!Our 1066 series showcases how you can fight the biggest, most famous battles of the Dark Ages and early Medieval era without a big budget! If you like our armies, they are 6mm scale Baccus Miniatures, though you can play Big Battle Ravenfeast with ANY scale figures you like! The Big Battle supplement is available right NOW, for free, on the official Ravenfeast website:http://www.ravenfeast.comA special "thank you" to Professor Kelly DeVries of Loyola University in Maryland. If you enjoy watching our historical wargames, SUBSCRIBE and share one of our game reports with a history-minded friend!
Hastings Battlefield Tour Little Wars TV 2022-11-29 | Join Little Wars TV for a guided walking tour of Hastings, the most iconic battlefield in England! We're rolling the clock back to October 1066 as we explore the battlefield park, now operated by English Heritage. We'll be joined by a licensed Blue Badge guide and you're invited to come along for the tour! The battlefield is only a half-mile walk from the train station in Battle, which makes this a very accessible historical site from London. Our club spent about 3 hours on location, but in this video we'll summarize the highlights and key stops in less than 15 minutes. Where did Harold Godwinson die? What did the terrain look like in 1066? And what's the most important battlefield site you need to see that is NOT located inside the park boundaries? We'll cover all of this and more on today's guided walk! We also referenced a great guide book in today's video written by professors Kelly DeVries and Michael Livingston, "1066: A Guide to the Battles and the Campaigns." Link to the book appears below...it is not an affiliate link. Just a genuine recommendation if you're travelling to the UK to see these sites!amazon.com/1066-Battles-Campaigns-Michael-Livingston/dp/1526751976Next week, we're back on LWTV with our miniature tabletop Hastings wargame. If you missed the first two great battles of 1066, we refought Fulford Gate and Stamford Bridge last week. Watch those now! And if you enjoy exploring battlefields around the world and want to drop in on another walking tour, we have guided walk videos of Antietam, the Alamo, Princeton, and many more.
