Pendraken Miniatures Forum

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

Well done K

i'll be purchasing a copy on payday

Alan

 =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Fantastic news Proffesor!  8)

Hurrah!

Congratulations

Take care

Andy

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

Quote from: Steve J on 14 January 2019, 08:08:40 PM
Just tried pre-ordering the printed copy (I much prefer print to pdf), but the cost of shipping was $14.25 :o.

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

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

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?

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

That's good to know :).

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

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

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

Broody Big Barkan Batters then?

Quote from: KTravlos on 16 February 2019, 10:43:54 PM
There is still an issue with UK printing, but it is close to resolution.

Update - Brigade Games has announced:

"Bloody Big Balkan Battles.
Print copies now available.
We have UK and EU printing/shipping options."
http://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/Bloody_Big_Battles

Excellent!

 :-bd :-bd

Good to hear.

My copy arrived today and only had chance to have a quick read through, but looks good :). The only downside is the binding doesn't allow the book to open as easily as the previous books, but only a minor issue to be honest. Looking forward to learning about a whole new conflict and eventually gaming it.

Steve, thanks for getting the book, and I'm glad you like the look of it. Konstantinos has done a terrific job of the history and produced a fascinating book. As for the battles, I was a bit apprehensive, expecting stodgy slogs like the stereotype view of WWI - but was pleasantly surprised by the amount of maneuver and how fast-moving the games were. I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/

... stand by for a Bloody Big Bristol Balkans Battle, coming soon to an AAR near you.

 Huzzah

Quote from: Dave Fielder on 30 June 2019, 09:28:59 PM
... stand by for a Bloody Big Bristol Balkans Battle, coming soon to an AAR near you.

Can't wait for a full photo-AAR of Bloody Big Bristols.

We'd have to censor the pics of Bloody Big Bristols ;) :D.

Quote from: Steve J on 02 July 2019, 08:04:29 AM
We'd have to censor the pics of Bloody Big Bristols ;) :D.

Could it be the first AAR to make it into the Top Totty thread?
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,1714.0.html

Have I just been voted Top Three Bristol Totty?