magazine question

[goat major]

Before it merged with Military Modelling in the late 70s, Battle Magazine appears to have been called "Battle for Wargamers" but earlier in the 70s it looks like it was just called "Battle". Was it always a specifically wargames magazine or did it only become so when the "for wargamers" bit was added ?

[Impecunious Hero]

Interesting question; I only remember Military Modelling with Battle mixed in, and the endless letter pages arguments about how there was too much Wargaming/not enough Wargaming content. So on a scout round the internet I came across a post from 2015 on a blog called “Where the sea pours out”; this examines a pile of issues of both Battle & Battle for Wargamers from the 1970’s. Whilst the blogger’s Primary interest is on the fantasy content of the magazines, it does show that Battle was apparently originally a military history with some Wargames content Magazine, then focusing more and more on Tabletop Action (presumably leading to the mid-1970’s name change), before finally being absorbed by Military Modelling.

[garyp]

It always used to have articles other than wargaming ones. I'll ask my pal Iain - he has every issue stashed away somewhere

[Jeremy]

I took interest when it was Military Modelling. Still have their hardback on my shelf. Must be about 30 years old and I’ve had it since brand new

[World2dave]

Good blog shout Imp, looks very interesting.

[Etranger]

It always used to have articles other than wargaming ones. I'll ask my pal Iain - he has every issue stashed away somewhere

I've got some of the 'Battle' magazines in a box somewhere. It started off with some military history and militaria too, then became more purely 'wargaming' before folding back into MM. Later on there was 'Practical Wargaming' from the same stable.

[battleeditor]

The original Battle contained very little for wargamers, and even when the wargame content increased, it continued to have a fair amount of non-wargame content. “Battle for Wargamers” was sadly short-lived.

[goat major]

thanks all for interesting answers. Do we know what date Battle for Wargamers started ?

[grizzlymc]

late '70s?

[goat major]

Thanks I assume it was. I'm trying to work out the year/month if possible.