T his weekend, the question of what, precisely, constitutes an "imagination" came up in an online forum of which I am a part. To be fair, the issue originates from further afield in a Facebook group that I am not a member of, but I weighed in with my own view. The following was in response to the question posed yesterday (Sunday) morning by an exasperated member of my own rather more gentlemanly town square, who had been met with a strident response to information he shared about his (admirable) hobby activities on said FB group. Here is, more or less, what I wrote: To my mind, the concept of imagi-nation(s) is a broad one. It can range from historical refights or what-if scenarios/battles/campaigns between armies of a particular era, to completely made up combatants operating in a quasi-historical setting, to the rather generic red and blue forces of the Prussian Kriegspiel that examine a particular tactical problem, task, or exercise. ...
The battle for Pickelhaubewicz over, Stollenian Colonel von Grundig leads the shattered remains of his army from the field around the village. . . and, indeed, from the Duchy of Schleiz, which now must be ceded back to the Electorate of Zichenau.
Colonel von Grundig, at the head of his troops, puts on a brave face, but he must surely be thinking of returning to the family estate in Courland and a rather more quiet life than he has enjoyed in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, from the heights just to the east of Pickelhaubewicz, Major von Hirschbiegel and his aide observe the departing Stollenians. Ever the gallant and fair victor, the good Major raises his sword in salute to his stalwart foes.
Here's a panorama of the whole scene as it unfolds. Imagine the shame von Grundig's men will feel as they march back into Stollen proper, toward the capital of Krankenstadt and their Grand Duke, Iriwn-Amadeus II. Well, at least the gun wasn't abandoned!
And as the sun sets in the west, what further (mis)adventures await the soldiers of Stollen? Which enemies will they meet on the field of Mars next? And what of Colonel von Grundig? Might he be coaxed from a premature retirement into obscurity? And if so, what tactical blunders might he commit? What opportunites for victory might he miss? And might the chance for a Stollenian victory against uneven odds be possible at this point given Stollen's 0-3 record in the last year? Tune in again right here to find out!
Comments
Steve
All have experience in commanding forces of a size like that of Stollen.
The candidates are listed alphabetically along with their last employer.
Bose, Heinrich, a small Hessian state.
Humbrol, Werner, a small Saxon state.
Liquitex, Etienne, France.
Newton, Pender, the United Provinces.
Polk, Jebadiah, a small German state.
Revell, Salvador, small Italian state.
Revo, Beano, a small Italian state.
Tivoli, Ceasaro, a small Balken state.
Winsor, James, England.
I am sure any of these outstanding Generals may be hired for a reasonable fee.
But let us continue to hope that General Grundig is not dismissed for doing his best.
Jim
-- Allan