kzucker
06-17-2010, 01:39 AM
THE OSG REPORT
January 2010
• CSW FUNDRAISER SALE
• SPECIAL STUDY COLLECTION
• NAPOLEONIC TOUR WITH KEVIN ZUCKER, MAY 2010
Support Consimworld with your donation and obtain
20% OFF ON REMAINING OSG GAMES
OSG has postponed 2010 price increases until 1/31 for all current contributors to Consimworld. If you use the site to stay abreast of gaming news, please show John Kranz that his labor of love is appreciated. If you contribute now, or you have done so recently, at the Silver or Gold level, you are eligible for 20% discounts on OSG products. Please go to http://www.Napoleongames.com for more information. As of 1 February the retail prices of all OSG stock will be increased.
SPECIAL STUDY COLLECTION
Buy SS Nrs. 1 through 4 for $112, get the new SS Nr. 5 for FREE!
Everyone who is serious about understanding operational warfare in the Napoleonic age must have a set of these five books. Collected in one place is all the knowledge I have gained in many years of study, bringing-in individuals to comment on events as they are occurring, to tell us what it was like to be there. Take advantage of this unique collection while you still can ... order at http://www.Napoleongames.com -Kevin Zucker
Production Update
Just formatting the Appendices and double-checking all the maps. I hope you like Order of Battle info! John Wladis has done much more than list the units, showing critical factors in their deployment. Nr. 5 is coming in at around 150 pages. The books are off to the printer, I hope within 7 days... We are reprinting Nrs. 1-4 at the same time as Nr. 5. You can see samples of the new book at http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?13@1.dGdhahMVF6g.2@.ee6bef6/7008
VISIT 1796 BATTLEFIELDS http://www.napoleongames.com/tour_2010.html
To really understand the Napoleonic environment it is necessary to visit the battlefields in person. If you've been wanting to travel on one of these tours, I guess you'll want to soon...
Space is limited so let us know if you are interested ASAP and we will try to hold your space.
Memories of the Napoleonic Tour in Italy
From: Richard Filippi
Each tour is unique but this account from year 2000 will give you a flavor of traveling in Italy...
At Castiglione we meet up with Austrian Bernhard Voykowitsch. Castiligione was also where we first met Ricardo and Cristina. We all gathered at a cafe where a class of touring English high school students (with Bernhard) also stopped. Bernhard, author of the definitive book on the battle, "Castiglione 1796." On August 5, 1796, Napoleon faced Austrian FM Wurmser who moved south along Lago di Garda in an effort to relieve Mantova. Through superior maneuvering and audacity, Napoleon routed finally the Austrians. The Austrians retreated eastward across the Adige River, abandoning the Mantovan garrison. After Castiligione, we first drove north to the tower of the Risorgimento where in a strong breeze we could see the campaign develop with a view all the way across Lake Garda to Brescia.
We then moved on to the Risorgimento museum near Solferino. It is well worth a visit, as it covers the entire 18th century, including the Napoleonic period. There is a tower there that allows you to see both the Castiglione and Solferino battlefields. We end the day in Borghetto, were Napoleon crossed the Mincio River in pursuit of Wurmser. Napoleon even slept there?
On to Lago di Garda and Rivoli. At Rivoli we joined up with Alessandro Massignani, a historian with several books in print. On January 14, 1797, Austrians troops under Gen. Alvintzy attacked Napoleon, defending the heights of Rivoli. Napoleon eventually defeated the Austrians, as another attempt to relieve Mantova fails. Gen. Massena, particularly brave during this battle, is ennobled 'Duc de Rivoli' by Napoleon. Bernhard led us up some steep goat paths until we topped a crest and could look down into the Chiese valley and see where the battle took place. The area is very mountainous and it was easy to see how units could get lost or confused in this difficult terrain. On the crest, we discovered and explored an abandoned Italian fortress from the 1880's (this area was the old Italian/Austrian border until WWI). We lost Rich and Peter, left behind in the fort as we moved ahead. They eventually made it to the key ridge perpendicular to the small mountain we were climbing, while Jen and Joe accompanied Bernhard to the River overlook and checked on the accuracy of the river bend in OSG’s Bonaparte in Italy map. After this hardy trek over the mountainous battlefield, (imagine traversing several mountains like that in the snow, as the Austrians did) we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon meal at a nearby restaurant to discuss the merits of the battle. At dinner in Sarego we had a fantastic time. The meal began with a special welcoming drink of our hosts's own Red Tokay, served with Bruschette & patatine (toast of fried rosemary). The first course was a cold pasta salad and the second was grilled tenderloin, French beans and Cirio tomato salad. With dessert was served Spumante, Coffee, vodka and other spirits. We all spoke fluent Italian by last glass (even the Italians).
Next day, at Arcole we met several residents who shared their enthusiasm for the battle. Arcole has a monument at the foot of its famous bridge and a fantastic Napoleonic museum. An architect from Rome built the museum to house his private collection of Napoleonic memorabilia. It is open to the public. The collection includes his own, very good recreations of some of the most famous Napoleonic paintings; and many artifacts, letters, medals, uniforms, and drawings from the period. The jewel in the collection is the curator, an ancient who is also the local historian who took us on a personal tour of the town, the battlefield and the famous bridge that Napoleon crossed to defeat the Austrians, as depicted in Gros' famous painting. The truth, as told by our guide, is that it never happened. Napoleon attempting to stop his routing troops fell off his horse into a nearby swamp and almost drowned. He was nearly captured, but his troops rallied enough to pull him out of the muck. The French never crossed the bridge. The Austrians later withdrew from Arcole, as the French attacked the town from the rear. Paolo invited us to a typical Italian country lunch at his father's summer home, and departed to start the preparations. We took the van on a gonzo expedition down the narrow dikes to a peach orchard and discovered what appeared to be the approaches to a river ford opposite Ronco. Several hours later, after an amazing meal of roast chicken, grilled sausages, polenta, and bottles of homemade wine, we continue on to Mantova.
We ended the day as guests of friends in Mantova. This famous walled medieval city is surrounded by lakes. The Austrians garrisoned it and then spent seven months trying to relieve it. Napoleon besieged it and defeated successive Austrian relief efforts. In the end, on February 2, 1797, FM Wurmser surrendered Mantova to the French. Of a garrison of 20,000 only half were fit for service. The rest were wounded, sick or malnourished. We enjoyed the sites, sounds and food of this fantastic city. We gathered at an outdoor cafe for our last meal together; Americans and Italians joined together by a common passion: the life, times and battles of Napoleon Bonaparte. We ate and drank and talked until almost daybreak.
GAME BOXES
We are still waiting on boxes for 1806 and Four Lost Battles. Just spoke to the box guy today; he is making boxes for Clash of Arms too, this week... If you have ordered a boxed version of one of these games and received a ziploc, your box will be mailed separately when available.
January 2010
• CSW FUNDRAISER SALE
• SPECIAL STUDY COLLECTION
• NAPOLEONIC TOUR WITH KEVIN ZUCKER, MAY 2010
Support Consimworld with your donation and obtain
20% OFF ON REMAINING OSG GAMES
OSG has postponed 2010 price increases until 1/31 for all current contributors to Consimworld. If you use the site to stay abreast of gaming news, please show John Kranz that his labor of love is appreciated. If you contribute now, or you have done so recently, at the Silver or Gold level, you are eligible for 20% discounts on OSG products. Please go to http://www.Napoleongames.com for more information. As of 1 February the retail prices of all OSG stock will be increased.
SPECIAL STUDY COLLECTION
Buy SS Nrs. 1 through 4 for $112, get the new SS Nr. 5 for FREE!
Everyone who is serious about understanding operational warfare in the Napoleonic age must have a set of these five books. Collected in one place is all the knowledge I have gained in many years of study, bringing-in individuals to comment on events as they are occurring, to tell us what it was like to be there. Take advantage of this unique collection while you still can ... order at http://www.Napoleongames.com -Kevin Zucker
Production Update
Just formatting the Appendices and double-checking all the maps. I hope you like Order of Battle info! John Wladis has done much more than list the units, showing critical factors in their deployment. Nr. 5 is coming in at around 150 pages. The books are off to the printer, I hope within 7 days... We are reprinting Nrs. 1-4 at the same time as Nr. 5. You can see samples of the new book at http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?13@1.dGdhahMVF6g.2@.ee6bef6/7008
VISIT 1796 BATTLEFIELDS http://www.napoleongames.com/tour_2010.html
To really understand the Napoleonic environment it is necessary to visit the battlefields in person. If you've been wanting to travel on one of these tours, I guess you'll want to soon...
Space is limited so let us know if you are interested ASAP and we will try to hold your space.
Memories of the Napoleonic Tour in Italy
From: Richard Filippi
Each tour is unique but this account from year 2000 will give you a flavor of traveling in Italy...
At Castiglione we meet up with Austrian Bernhard Voykowitsch. Castiligione was also where we first met Ricardo and Cristina. We all gathered at a cafe where a class of touring English high school students (with Bernhard) also stopped. Bernhard, author of the definitive book on the battle, "Castiglione 1796." On August 5, 1796, Napoleon faced Austrian FM Wurmser who moved south along Lago di Garda in an effort to relieve Mantova. Through superior maneuvering and audacity, Napoleon routed finally the Austrians. The Austrians retreated eastward across the Adige River, abandoning the Mantovan garrison. After Castiligione, we first drove north to the tower of the Risorgimento where in a strong breeze we could see the campaign develop with a view all the way across Lake Garda to Brescia.
We then moved on to the Risorgimento museum near Solferino. It is well worth a visit, as it covers the entire 18th century, including the Napoleonic period. There is a tower there that allows you to see both the Castiglione and Solferino battlefields. We end the day in Borghetto, were Napoleon crossed the Mincio River in pursuit of Wurmser. Napoleon even slept there?
On to Lago di Garda and Rivoli. At Rivoli we joined up with Alessandro Massignani, a historian with several books in print. On January 14, 1797, Austrians troops under Gen. Alvintzy attacked Napoleon, defending the heights of Rivoli. Napoleon eventually defeated the Austrians, as another attempt to relieve Mantova fails. Gen. Massena, particularly brave during this battle, is ennobled 'Duc de Rivoli' by Napoleon. Bernhard led us up some steep goat paths until we topped a crest and could look down into the Chiese valley and see where the battle took place. The area is very mountainous and it was easy to see how units could get lost or confused in this difficult terrain. On the crest, we discovered and explored an abandoned Italian fortress from the 1880's (this area was the old Italian/Austrian border until WWI). We lost Rich and Peter, left behind in the fort as we moved ahead. They eventually made it to the key ridge perpendicular to the small mountain we were climbing, while Jen and Joe accompanied Bernhard to the River overlook and checked on the accuracy of the river bend in OSG’s Bonaparte in Italy map. After this hardy trek over the mountainous battlefield, (imagine traversing several mountains like that in the snow, as the Austrians did) we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon meal at a nearby restaurant to discuss the merits of the battle. At dinner in Sarego we had a fantastic time. The meal began with a special welcoming drink of our hosts's own Red Tokay, served with Bruschette & patatine (toast of fried rosemary). The first course was a cold pasta salad and the second was grilled tenderloin, French beans and Cirio tomato salad. With dessert was served Spumante, Coffee, vodka and other spirits. We all spoke fluent Italian by last glass (even the Italians).
Next day, at Arcole we met several residents who shared their enthusiasm for the battle. Arcole has a monument at the foot of its famous bridge and a fantastic Napoleonic museum. An architect from Rome built the museum to house his private collection of Napoleonic memorabilia. It is open to the public. The collection includes his own, very good recreations of some of the most famous Napoleonic paintings; and many artifacts, letters, medals, uniforms, and drawings from the period. The jewel in the collection is the curator, an ancient who is also the local historian who took us on a personal tour of the town, the battlefield and the famous bridge that Napoleon crossed to defeat the Austrians, as depicted in Gros' famous painting. The truth, as told by our guide, is that it never happened. Napoleon attempting to stop his routing troops fell off his horse into a nearby swamp and almost drowned. He was nearly captured, but his troops rallied enough to pull him out of the muck. The French never crossed the bridge. The Austrians later withdrew from Arcole, as the French attacked the town from the rear. Paolo invited us to a typical Italian country lunch at his father's summer home, and departed to start the preparations. We took the van on a gonzo expedition down the narrow dikes to a peach orchard and discovered what appeared to be the approaches to a river ford opposite Ronco. Several hours later, after an amazing meal of roast chicken, grilled sausages, polenta, and bottles of homemade wine, we continue on to Mantova.
We ended the day as guests of friends in Mantova. This famous walled medieval city is surrounded by lakes. The Austrians garrisoned it and then spent seven months trying to relieve it. Napoleon besieged it and defeated successive Austrian relief efforts. In the end, on February 2, 1797, FM Wurmser surrendered Mantova to the French. Of a garrison of 20,000 only half were fit for service. The rest were wounded, sick or malnourished. We enjoyed the sites, sounds and food of this fantastic city. We gathered at an outdoor cafe for our last meal together; Americans and Italians joined together by a common passion: the life, times and battles of Napoleon Bonaparte. We ate and drank and talked until almost daybreak.
GAME BOXES
We are still waiting on boxes for 1806 and Four Lost Battles. Just spoke to the box guy today; he is making boxes for Clash of Arms too, this week... If you have ordered a boxed version of one of these games and received a ziploc, your box will be mailed separately when available.