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Mark Johnson

@wargamestogo.bsky.social

750 followers 55 following 210 posts

This is my wargame-focused account, tying in to my irregular podcast. Proud parent of trans & cis daughters.🏳️‍⚧️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼 Discord: https://discord.gg/vxEG9bMPdx WargamesToGo.com

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · 4d

What was your first tabletop wargame?

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · 5d

Now some wonderful nautical history at the Connecticut River museum. The successful British raid on Essex in 1814, the AWI’s Turtle, and a replica of the Onrust that first brought European explorers to the interior in 1614.

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · 6d

A bit of FIW tourism today. Drove down the Lake Champlain/Lake George corridor, then visited Fort William Henry. A little cheesy (1950s reconstruction & museum mannequins), but still good to see & understand. And yes—I’m also playing AFAoS right now on Yucata.

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Sep 3

I love me a good (shorter) hex & counter game, too. ;-)

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Sep 3

We play HotW at GamesByEmail.com. An unofficial version, I think. Have been played nine games in a couple months.

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Sep 3

These were the “history games” I played in August. Arguably HotW is more euro and M44 is more wargame, but I think they both count. I love this in-between category.

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Aug 28

Thanks again, Jan. She just got married, so less inclined for a WG, but I get what you mean. She is working with the international student office. They’re some help.

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Aug 28

Thanks, Jan. I meant finding a German apartment, then signing a contract as an American still in the USA…before going over there. All of the credit check, identity verification, and other docs asked for on ImmoScout24 are only possible when already living in Germany, with a German bank account.

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Aug 28

I’ve got an adult kid moving to Germany for grad school soon. Figuring out how to find & sign a contract for an apartment is tricky. DM me if you’ve got experience or tips with this.

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 18

ATO “minigame” Assault on Narvik getting set up. Not sure about that fatigue tracking for each unit…

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 17

Also liked seeing the accurate French uniforms (Chausseurs Alpins?)

www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...

THE FRENCH ARMY IN THE NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN, 1940

The landings at Bjerkvik during the battle of Narvik after fierce bombardment by British ships. French troops massed in boats under machine gun fire from the rocks and shore.

www.iwm.org.uk

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 17

That’s fair (about Narvik), though I thought it showed the horrible vise that civilians were caught in.

Now I’m looking forward to Konvoi and Krigsseileren (on Hulu and Netflix, respectively).

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 17

Yes! Volko, what did you think of the ending, or the young mother’s entire plotline?

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 17

This is a good companion film. Streaming on Prime.

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 9

I’d been setting up to try ATO’s mini game Assault
On Narvik when I learned a fan made map redone “in SPI style.” It looks so much better that I’m waiting to play until I can print it out. (I wish it had snowy mountains, but the green tones are an improvement over the original’s inexplicable reds).

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Jun 1

Five years ago I used some bonus money to treat myself to a 5year subscription to S&T Quartely, now almost up. No games in these, but an entire journal devoted to a specific topic, with a foldout map. Truthfully, they pile up at home, but I love the chance to dive into these when there’s time. 🌍🌏🌎📖

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · May 25

There’s so much in @cfarrell317.bsky.social latest blog entry that I had to go past the Purple Haze and Pandemic-LotR stuff to get to what wanted—a critical look at the “history” in Pax Hispanica. Worth it.

open.substack.com/pub/chrisfar...

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · May 14

It’s fantastic. Especially if you’ve got both wargame and roleplaying roots. (Or at least interest.)

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · May 13

New podcast episode 27.1 is about the Invasion of Norway in WW2.

boardgamegeek.com/blog/2623/bl...

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · May 9

Good timing. I’ve got a new one to be released this weekend. Watch this for a little prep. :)

youtu.be/YZ79i11JSnU?...

The sinking of Blücher - The King's Choice (2016)

YouTube video by ashton

youtu.be

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Apr 12

Yes, Norge Angrepet! boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...

9Apr40: Norge angrepet!

Basically regiment to brigade level fast, simple game of the April-June 1940 campaign in Norway. 7 10-day turns. Area movement. Has Norway Unprepared and Nazi Treachery/Surprise rules, as well as v...

boardgamegeek.com

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Apr 12

A nice morning cutting counters & watching @pushingcardboard.bsky.social ‘s Livestream YouTube episode

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Apr 9

Today’s the 85th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion of Norway. I tried Lou Coatney’s pnp wargame on the topic. Rules are short, but a bit tricky to parse. In this game, the Germans were NOT able to gain control.

boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...

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Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Apr 7

On my list! Thanks 🇳🇴

Mark Johnson @wargamestogo.bsky.social · Apr 6

On @cfarrell317.bsky.social 's excellent blog, Illuminating Games (now at chrisfarrell317.substack.com), he recommended Real Time History on YouTube for its WW2 docs. This one about the 1940 Battle of Norway is just what I needed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_7O...

Battle of Norway 1940 (Documentary)

YouTube video by Real Time History

www.youtube.com

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