Historicon Military Seminar Series Topics 2008
THE MILITARY SEMINAR SERIES
The Military History Forum returns for its third year at HMGS. Join with authors, artists, rules and scenario designers, gaming and hobby VIPs, etc., for some of the most interesting seminars and discussions you’ve ever attended as a wargamer or student of military history. The following is a list of the seminars offered at this year’s convention. This year’s convention theme is also well represented with some great seminars about the Seven Years’ and French & Indian Wars. [Seminars are not available for pre-registration – they are a first-come first-seated basis in the Hopewell or Laurel Grove rooms at the convention, so plan to arrive early to ensure a seat!] Click here for speakers’ bios.
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Ground Combat in the Clouds: Mountain Warfare Tactical and Operational Considerations
Thursday 1:30 PM, 1.5 hrs, Hopewell Room
Lester Grau – Guest of Honor
Man has been fighting for control of mountains for centuries, despite this being one of the toughest locales for a good dust-up. It is a different fight with different tactics and different operational considerations. Les Grau takes a look at high-altitude fighting with an emphasis on the Sino-Indian War, the Indian-Pakistan fight for the Siachen Glacier and British/Soviet/US attempts in Afghanistan.
Secret Turning Points of the Napoleonic Wars
Thursday 2 PM, 1 hr, Laurel Grove Room
Dana Lombardy, Armchair General magazine
Famous, decisive battles from 1805-1815 such as Austerlitz, Borodino, Waterloo, etc., have been the subject of numerous books and even movies. Less well-known, but equally critical decisions and events also took place that had significant impact on the course of the Napoleonic Wars. Dana Lombardy, former publisher of Napoleon Journal, presents a seminar offering "secret" turning points that led to strategic advantages or fatal errors. This will be a fun seminar where the audience can participate by suggesting their favorite "secret" turning points in the Q&A portion of the talk.
Preliminaries to Operation Blau and Blau I and II, 1 Apr. – 23 July 1942
Thursday 3 PM, 2 hrs, Hopewell Room
Col. David Glantz – Guest of Honor
Describes German and Soviet planning for the summer campaign of 1942, the genesis of Operation Blau, operations conducted from 22 May to July 1942, to include Khar’kov and Kerch’ (May 1942), Operations Fridercus and Wilhelm (June 1942), the fall of Sevatopol’ (June to July 1942), and operations during Blau I and II (28 June to 23 July 1942).
How to Write History (without putting people to sleep!)
Thursday 3 PM, 1 hr, Laurel Grove Room
Gerald D. Swick, Armchair General magazine
Aching to see your name as the author of a book or article about Austerlitz, War Plan Orange, or the value of Spanish moss to the Confederate cavalry? Stumped about how much research to do, how to approach an editor, or whether you can include humor in your historical writing? Whether you’re interested in writing military, social or political history, this is the seminar for you!
A Fresh Look at First Bull Run
Thursday 4 PM, 1 hr, Laurel Grove Room
John Hill – Guest of Honor
The battle of First Bull Run has often been dismissed as a bungling clash between amateur armies. However, John Hill will make a convincing case that commanders on both sides exhibited a relatively high level of tactical competence and operational skill throughout a hard fought, day-long battle – and when compared to many later battles, it was downright masterful.
Beginnings to the Age of Louis XIV – Theme Seminar
Thursday 5 PM, 1.5 hrs, Hopewell Room
René Chartrand – Guest of Honor
Light troops in Ancient times and their tactics. Renewed interest in the second half of the 17th century; notably regarding light cavalry hussars. The influence of Indian tactics on early European troops in America.
Turkey’s Remarkable Victory: The Crimean War’s 1853 Danube Campaign
Thursday 5 PM, 1 hr, Laurel Grove Room
Frank Chadwick
In July 1853, eighty thousand Russian troops invaded the Danube Principalities – modern day Rumania – and triggered the Crimean War. The outcome of the war seemed almost a foregone conclusion. Russia in 1853 was the dominant military power in Europe, had been since the Napoleonic Wars. The Turkish Army, by comparison, was poorly trained, equipped, disciplined and – it was widely believed – poorly led. Twelve months later, Russia withdrew from the Principalities. In the intervening time, six major engagements were fought – Kalafat, Oltenitsa, Citate, Rahova, Silistria, and Giurgevo – every one of them a Turkish victory. What happened? Frank Chadwick walks you through the critical decisions and events of the campaign along with a detailed description of the Russian and Turkish Armies in 1853. Handouts provided.
Admiralty Trilogy Seminar – the German Dream
Thursday 630PM, 1 hr Hopewell Room
Larry Bond
Join the Admiralty Trilogy crew for a presentation on the quirky history of the German Navies in the Twentieth Century. From a Hochseeflotte through a Kriegsmarine to a Bundesmarine, the Germans have tried to go down to the sea in ships and usually ended just going down in the sea. Trace the successes and failures of the Deutsche Matrosen. Afterwards, the usual Q&A with Larry Bond and crew with highlights of coming attractions.
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