Bloody Big Balkan Battles! is out with Brigade Games Publishing!

[KTravlos]

After almost two years of hard work by me and Chris Pringle, helped by many others in Denmark and Turkey, our scenario and resource book for the First and Second Balkan War is finally out by Brigade Games Publishing in pdf form and coming up in hard-copy ! You can know use Bloody Big Battles! to model the great battles of the 1st and 2nd Balkan Wars!

You can get a full media blurb at my blog https://phdleadhead.blogspot.com/2019/01/bloody-big-balkan-battles-is-out.html

"For almost 600 years, from the fabled shores of the Bosphorus, the Ottoman Sultans ruled over a vast land in Europe, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Danube.  Sometimes enlightened, sometimes cruel, the rule of the Chalifs of Islam had steadily receded before the fury of national ideals and the rising might of European imperialism promoted by bayonet and capital. And yet it still survived, still stubbornly clinging to Balkan territories rich in history, industry and population. The "Great Patient" seemed to spite Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro; the states created by bloody struggle by those who once were termed the gavur rayahs of the Sultan. They saw with worry the growing appetite of aggressive great powers, all making claims to what they saw as their just inheritance. And then by coup and counter-coup, the fall of a Red Sultan, and the rise of a Committee, the rapaciousness of a young Great Power, and the entente of two old foes, the Balkan states saw danger and opportunity and struck. In the span of just a month of the greatest battles seen in Europe since 1871, the dream of Osman was shattered.

This scenario supplement for Bloody Big Battles! permits you to re-fight those great battles that saw the end of the Ottoman Empire in Europe and the formation of the basic modern borders in the Balkans. Nine scenarios cover some of the most important battles of the First Balkan War, covering the campaigns of Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria against the Ottoman Empire which would drive the Empire to the very gates of Istanbul/Constantinopole/Tsarigrad.  Five scenarios then cover the Second Balkan War, the conflict between the successful allies which pitted Serbia, Montenegro and Greece against Bulgaria over the legacy of the Ottoman Empire.

Each scenario provides a distinct operational and tactical puzzle for war-gamers to resolve. From straightforward assaults against fortified positions like the First Battle of Chataldja, to complex double envelopments like the Battle of Lule Burgas, from the extensive broad fronts of the Battle of Bregalnitza, to the knife fight in close quarters of the Battle of Bizani. There are small scenarios easily played in one or two hours, like the Battle of Dioran (the actual First battle of Dioran), and more substantive scenarios like the Battle of Kumanovo, still playable in an evening.  There are battles fought on rolling hills and plains, like the Battle of Kirkkilise, and battles fought in some of the worst ground people have ever thought of fighting each other in an organized manner, like the Battle of Kalimanchi.

You will see how these wars where similar and how they differed from The Great War. You will understand the crucial role of terrain as a military variable and grapple with key decisions of force to task distributions in an unforgiving strategic operational and tactical environment. You will see the last glory days of the bayonet charge, and the opening bloody howl of modern artillery.  There is challenge to satisfy all types of war-gamers.

An included overview of the historical events and biographies of many of the commanders whose roles you reprise on the table-top will provide you with the background to give you an inkling of the vast stakes and human drama associated with these battles. An annotated bibliography provides you both with the sources used to build the scenarios and further reading to enrich your understanding and experience. A figure guide helps you find suitable ways to represent the armies in almost all scales of miniature war-gaming.

A struggle for a vast future awaits! Take command and see how history was forged!
You can purchase the "Bloody Big Balkan Battles" Supplement at

http://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/Bloody_Big_Battles
or
https://mailchi.mp/brigadegames/bloodybigbattles
"
With Respect
Konstantinos Travlos, PhD

[Shedman]

Well done K

i'll be purchasing a copy on payday

Alan

[paulr]

 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Fantastic news Proffesor! 

[Nick the Lemming]

Hurrah!

[Womble67]

Congratulations

Take care

Andy

[Steve J]

Just tried pre-ordering the printed copy (I much prefer print to pdf), but the cost of shipping was $14.25 .

[Chris Pringle]

Just tried pre-ordering the printed copy (I much prefer print to pdf), but the cost of shipping was $14.25 .

Sorry about that, Steve! OK, raised this with Lon, apparently he is still sorting out UK printing costs and distribution. Hopefully you will hav a cheaper option soon.

Chris

[Steve J]

That's great news Chris . I'll keep an eye on their website for updates.

[Dave Fielder]

I tried to do an order today and shipping still USD $24.00, does anyone have an idea on when they might have this one sorted for UK customers? Or is there a way of getting the PDF printed (lawfully) and professionally in the UK?

[KTravlos]

There is still an issue with UK printing, but it is close to resolution.

[Steve J]

That's good to know .

[Dave Fielder]

Good news, I need a new book to challenge Steve J with when I start back at Corsham ...  But keep it quiet for now.

[Steve J]

I'd better pul my finger out then and get some units painted .

[Shedman]

I'm looking forward to this when it's available in the UK. Although I will probably relocate the battlefields 5000 miles to the east and 7 years earlier