European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 17, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Gamer / replaying a Little history about 20 floors below the apartment of 1st it. Bryan la Shinskie tanks arc kicking up a Cloud of training Field dust that threatens to Block the setting Sun. The Roar and Clank of these Metal behemoths carry through the open Balcony window and add a bit of realism to another struggle a a table top Battle where thin puffs of Cotton represent smoke. La Shinskie a member of he co 4th in 24th amid is commanding British and american tanks no larger than a thumbnail. Chaplain capt Gordon Gros Colosc of the 3rd brigade of the 8th inf div has at his disposal the Armor hat once belonged to German Field marshal Rommel. Only much smaller. They arc re creating in miniature the world War ii Battle of Kasserine in North Africa. On a connecting table lop David Van Hoose a civilian contractor is pitting the British forces of Wellington against pfc. Joseph Ismil. Ismil assigned to he co 5th so 8th Cav is commanding Napoleon s forces in the final assault of the Battle of Waterloo. Tiny soldiers and horses the size of houseflies Advance in a straight line into the miniature fray where their Fate hinges on the Wisdom of their commander and the Roll of Dice. What appears As play a a simple game that might keep Young boys occupied on a Rainy Day a is serious business for these soldiers in Mainz West Germany. They defend their pastime As ardently As they might defend a River crossing in combat. A for today a military leaders War gaming is a tool to develop their fighting skills a says capt. Richard Filippi of the 527th Mil Intel in in main2. It is an educational tool for people who May be asked someday to Lead men into Battle. A we done to have if you will Little wars to keep our leaders seasoned a says Filippi who is part of a War gaming group in and around Mainz that meets regularly. The War games in miniature Are a safer and quieter but effective replacement for that experience he says. A serious War gamer can accrue Many of the same insights in a table top Battle that he would in a live one. Quot if he does he might save lives and accomplish the Mission with less loss of resources in a real Battle says Filippi. Miniature warriors prepare to do Battle in a piece created by Dan Petersen of Frankfurt. For example a platoon Leader asked to control a Hill or a town May not understand its importance in the big picture. A platoon Leader with War gaming experience can More easily visualize his position As a piece of a larger Puzzle. A the is better prepared to fight the War and win because he has used this tool a the Captain says. That a a lot of responsibility to put on what Are essentially toy soldiers. But the rules of miniature War games Are based on reality. A weapons effectiveness in the game mirrors its effectiveness in real life. For instance Leshinskie a Sherman tanks had to get close before their shells would penetrate the Armor of Groseclose a heavier Panzer tanks. Meanwhile Groseclose a 88mm artillery played havoc at Long Range with Leshinskie a forces just like it did when Rommel commanded. In the adjacent Battle the figure representing Frances Marshall Ney is penalized for being a weak commander just As in real life. In the game his weakness Means his area of command of troops extends Only a few inches. When troops under his command Are attacked they suffer for his faults. The game progresses by a Roll of Dice. The resulting number is then checked against a Chart that includes All of the possible results a hit or miss extent of damage distance of Advance or Retreat Etc. It is a popular Hobby among soldiers these players say. Hobbyists Are found at almost every . Military base. In Mainz players record their name and interests at the recreation Center. Another player looking for a game can Contact them. To another group miniature War gaming has a different Appeal. It is not the combat they Are interested in. It is the history. In a massive game that has been in Progress in Frankfurt since january 12 players Are recreating the civilized world of 250 . One player is Rome. Another is Carthage. Others Are Egypt and Macedonia and on and on until the entire ancient world is involved. Quot by no Means is War necessary a says Steve Greeley assistant curator of the spearhead museum at Drake Cavern in Frankfurt. A but there was usually a War going on  these players Are working under rules devised by Greeley whose first hero was Achilles. He has been working on the rules for about 10 include Dice Wil has Nev an Klepl can Elk needed and he Musi or expel Zanyi ploy Quot a after Armor for giving it when Are Man or outta Ever. A Yon Greeley  Ron Lei  6 c sunday j