TRAX 1 Tank Platoon leader (1985)

 

 

TRAX I was a wargame developed by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences in the mid-1980s. It was designed to support the training of tank platoon leaders. The game modified the Dunn-Kempf terrain board and components to create a simplified, faster-paced training tool.

The game was set at platoon level, with models to represent individual tanks and sections. Any modern wargamer familiar with the work of WRG would have recognised a TRAX 1 game in progress.

TRAX I focused on low-cost methods of leader tactical training and aims. The game was a ‘multiplayer’ solo game with the players representing American forces against an umpire controlled Warsaw Pact enemy. It was targeted at maximising training and included four exercises with detailed lesson plans.

This book includes extensive notes about the game design and are still of relevance to any developer working on developing their own tactical wargame.

This book is published by the History of Wargaming Project as part of ongoing efforts to document the development of professional wargaming.

 

Cold War Nuclear Wargaming 1947-1991

 

During the Cold War, more accurately known as the First Cold War from 1945 to 1991, wargames were a staple in the military, political, and industrial sectors. This book delves into a seldom-explored area of literature: nuclear wargaming. It features a variety of professional wargames from that period, including Tom Schelling's classic crisis game set in Cold War Berlin, which often incorporated nuclear war scenarios, Dr. Paddy Griffith's strategic nuclear wargame, and decision-making games for political leaders facing the ultimate choice of whether to resort to nuclear options in response to a Warsaw Pact invasion of Europe. Additionally, it includes extracts from tactical nuclear wargaming rules used by the British and American military in their land wargames, as well as a civil defence exercise addressing the challenges of local government managing the transition to war and the immediate post-strike period.

This book is a unique contribution to the professional wargaming literature and is published by the History of Wargaming Project

The Meteoric Rise of Professional Wargaming in NATO

 

This article is not making a geopolitical statement, it is merely explaining the key driver in the massive expansion of professional wargaming.

The time, effort and money injected into professional wargaming in NATO has increased dramatically in the past five years. The reason is market forces. In defense terms, market forces means war is coming.

A crude summary is that China wants a greater China, which includes areas currently with their own government. A major rival is Japan. Japan’s defense spending is rising and by 2030, it will be the third largest in the world. Shortly after that Japan, own its own, would be able to fight China to a standstill. Anyone who has watched Shogan should grasp that Japan has a warrior culture and when mobilized, the whole national will would be engaged in supporting the war effort.

India is also out growing China. The British Empire valued the contribution of the Indian soldier and no-one who has taught Indian students would doubt they would fight if their country was threatened. So, if China wants to do a regional land grab, it has a limited window of opportunity before its. neighbors reach their full military readiness.

Russia is continually testing Western resolve, on the sea, under the sea, in the air and wants to reclaim the Russian empire. Putin is routinely threatening the West with war and destruction as he seeks to define his legacy. Now Western leaders have broken the cultural norm and have openly threatened Russia (and China) back.  

The impact of Russian/ Chinese rhetoric and policy statements has been to persuade those who really matter in the West, that war is coming. Of course, future history is decided by leaders. Russia and China might decide to become liberal democracies, or at last join the world order again. Western leaders might decide it is not worth fighting over the wilderness of Finland or obscure Baltic Republics. Perhaps some negotiated adjustment of borders might be sufficient to avert war. Wargames are not about predicting geopolitical futures; they are largely focussed on war fighting when diplomacy fails.

In the meantime, there is a surge in the frequency and importance of the wargames behind closed doors. It is no secret that the games are nearly all about fighting Russia and China. War is coming. Professional wargaming is now a career option for school leavers.