Chainmail Game System: Game Turns

[Rdubs]

Thanks for the input.  I have some thoughts about this and a couple questions.


By 3rd edition Chainmail a result of 0 -19 is a result of immediate melee ( as it is stated that “lower total must immediately react as follows)

What I find interesting is the evolution of the post morale melee combined with the excessive casualties melee into the 1st Edition Morale table is structured into 4 rows with very similar results

What I find interesting is the evolution of the post morale melee combined with the excessive casualties melee into the 1st Edition Morale table is structured into 4 rows with very similar results

Of note is that 1 to 15 is also fall back with fighting which I find strikingly similar to melee continues and what I assume ended up being his intent.

I think it is also important to look at the Miscellaneous Melee considerations.  Here we see an item that is most likely familiar to modern wargamers.  3 is a consolidation move it seems and would allow a situation where a unit falls back within 3 inches of a supporting unit, the victor continues its charge and a melee round ensues which then allows a 6 inch move by the supporting unit into battle.



We finally get to Swords & Spells where he writes in up to 3 combat round which I find interesting due to fatigue in chainmail triggering on 3 combat rounds.


(Contributed by JeffroJohnson via Twitter)

If we look at contemporary sources we see similar systems that seem to prove this style of combat resolution was in favor at the time.




(Contributed by PurpleDruid via Discord)




(via PurpleDruid from Rules for Wargaming, Arthur Taylor, 1971)


All of this really does lead me to believe that the Immediate Melee option was intentional and meant to facilitate multiple combat rounds within the Move System Turn.



In OD&D we read specifically that Chainmail takes precedence unless overridden by one of the 3 Brown Books.  It seems that Underground combat is one of these times as it does state a 10 round combat limit.  However,  Land Combat specifically states that we should use Chainmail 1 to 1/RAW and I think we have enough evidence pointing to multiple melee Rounds per Turn.

As for my questions:

Do you have any contemporary scans that may help clarify the written rules?

Do you have any verbal history or notes that backup the interviews and other people's statements that Gary played one round of melee only in chainmail or land combat?

To be clear I am more interested in the game of Chainmail when it pertains to these questions than I am 0ed.

Finally.  When is and what is your next book?

Thanks man.