Against the Odds Magazine, ATO Magazine

03/21/2025

Friday Funny

But certainly not true!

03/20/2025

An intriguing video looking at 'wartime tests" of bomber defensive fire ammo versus the Bf/109, including analysis of the fighter's "weak spots."

https://youtu.be/ldS5mN0QjWo?si=3KVhl0e8X429HV4P

03/19/2025

Nice "unbagging" video that looks through the rulebook too.

https://youtu.be/OdMIEQ6Immg?si=_rj5n4e77kY6R6OO

"Almost a Miracle" is very nearly sold out. If you want one (without needing a miracle,) grab one now!

https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=157&category=0

03/18/2025

Here's a really nice video, blending historical video, computer generated images, modern interviews, and the compelling "meeting" of former foes.

Call it, "P-47s vs King Tigers."

https://youtu.be/E7ROgLQzCh0?si=pyOSvqRZw9ojtVrR

03/17/2025

While much of the Western world celebrates the Day of St Patrick, usually (at least in the US) with foods of somewhat Irish nature and not-at-all-Irish green beer…let us remember March 17 is also the day for St. Gertrude of Nivelles, best known as the patron of cats (and cat owners) but also ascribed for protecting gardeners, travelers, widows, and crazy people.

Happy St Gertrude’s Day!

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3563

03/16/2025

Straight-up military analysis of the remarkable "Battle Tactics of the Hussites." Asymmetrical warfare that defeated invasions and whole "crusades" sent against them. (Joan of Arc was actually planning on leading a 6th Crusade into Bohemia when the Burgundians changed her schedule!) https://deremilitari.org/2025/02/battle-tactics-of-the-hussites-in-the-15th-century/

The "schism" and resultant conflict began on differences in perception and expectations from religious performances that seem absurd to us today. But this bitter and sustained struggle devastated large parts of the empire in a manner not seen again until another religious conflict, the Thirty Years War, took place in roughly the same regions. The Imperial player must destroy the heretics and retake Bohemia before the Pope is forced to make concessions in another church council. The Hussite player, led by the devout, blind and gifted military leader, Jan Zizka, must prevent this and try to begin a Reformation in Europe one hundred years early
You probably DON'T have a game on the Hussite Rebellion in your collection, and our "Blind Faith" is a great place to start. (Beautiful map!) https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=179&category=4

03/15/2025

One of the most remarkable stories in military history is the "departure" of Napoleon in 1814, and his shocking "return" in 1815. This article dives in nicely, to what we call "The 100 Days."
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/napoleon/100-days-napoleon-returns-exile.html

While there are scores (or hundreds!) of war-games on Waterloo/100 Days Battles, we believe our award-winning approach is the most interesting. Designed by the late John Prados, players see the situation in Europe in 1815 as Napoleon retakes the throne of France... and EVERYTHING that follows is up to you! There may not BE any battles in Belgium! https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=90&category=6

03/14/2025

For the Day...

03/13/2025

As you recall, we love "found" stuff and also museums we can all visit.

Here is an observation bunker at Heuqueville that...maybe we don't want to visit!

https://www.normandybunkers.com/upper-normandy/hkb-heuqueville?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0dd6HY9DKQCZrlVA278qfeB5bvlK1-ORVHwWGQTdIRrzst_TYo9qiwc60_aem_VICUH2JDXv81a9R_MMHuFA

03/12/2025

From the Developer of our next release, "Strike of the Heron."

"Update: Lookin' good. Counters have arrived as you can see. Map tweaks finished. All scenarios are almost set -- still tweaking a bit here and there."

We are showing a preliminary map, and Russ said later-- "The map is down to a couple minor roads. The rules...are almost set -- working on the unit placements in the scenarios based on the period maps. We're aiming to provide some historical leeway in unit placement, both on map and entry hexes, to offer gamers their own spin in setting up their offense and defense. Lines of supply are especially important and you never know when you can find an opening or need to seal a gap. "

So things are looking good for our next issue shipping soon! https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=193

03/10/2025

Cool story many of us (including this writer) never heard of. The "solution" sounds like something from a movie...

Was This Little-Known Standoff Between British Soldiers and Colonists the Real Start of the American Revolution?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/was-this-little-known-standoff-between-british-soldiers-and-colonists-the-real-start-of-the-american-revolution-180986105/?utm_source=smithsonian-weekender&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&lctg=91958968

Reminder—we have FOUR copies of “Almost a Miracle” left.

Both sides faced challenges they did not expect, and both sides contributed nearly as much to their own failures as they achieved in victory.

The game will provide insights into how narrowly the Americans succeeded and how close the British came to their own victory.

https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=157&category=0

03/09/2025

Two deadly Japanese bases blocked the Allied advance across the Pacific: Truk and Rabaul. The Naval Institute takes us into those actions.

https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2014/january/two-birds-one-hailstone

Our Operation Cartwheel game was a big hit and went OOP. We managed to assemble a few copies the games--no magazine, darn!--and make them available for gamers to enjoy. "Operation Cartwheel". https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=176&category=0

03/08/2025

Now imagine a BUNCH of them playing, amidst a mass of wildly screaming, armed and dangerous people.

03/07/2025

Today’s Friday Funny reminds us of a great movie.

Kind of.

03/06/2025

“Unboxing” our Cities of the Damned” issue.

https://youtu.be/e9WUG4E_mrk?si=j21ZpCAJwDui1DVb

Fast jump to our page

https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=180&category=0

No two conflicts show the breath and scope of urban warfare the Western Allies ran up against in 1944 than the battles for Aachen and Cassino. Both campaigns...

03/05/2025

Well, even before the movie, everyone "knew" about the "300 Spartans" at Thermopylae, right?

While we know there were several thousand "other Greeks" fighting there too, the "300" has been a solid number... right?

We love sound explorations of alternative answers... and this is a good one.

https://www.badancient.com/claims/did-300-spartans-halt-persian-advance-thermopylae/

03/04/2025

It's always nice to see real 'progress' on game production.

Flight of the Heron-- the counters are here! (Sorry, we need to get the boss a better camera...)

Pre-order now and save! https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=193

03/03/2025

Interesting story on the CSS Hunley, including the proven maxim that testing something one way successfully, may not translate well when you change a critical tactic.

Unconventional, unlikely, and unexpected, the Confederate submarine in her abbreviated career achieved a naval-history milestone 150 years ago.