Against the Odds Magazine, ATO Magazine

09/28/2025

Seen today on the page. Sounds familiar!

09/27/2025

We let Last Stand break the story, but now it’s our turn.

One of the "Kickstarter bonuses" for the La Bataille de Kulm issue was a small, extra game. "1814 - End of Empire" is a pretty fast game, with just 16 counters. It explores one of Napoleon's finest campaigns against overwhelming odds and is a delight to play.
It looks like after all the Kulm issues have mailed, we will have (just) a few copies leftover. They won't have enough copies to justify setting 1814 up as a "Black Swan," so we will, instead, make it a 'freebie.'
While supplies last, anyone making a new order of over $100, from either ATO or TPS, can get a FREE copy of "1814: Empire's End." Just write "1814" in the 'notes' page at checkout and we will include it in your parcel. (And yes, you still get to pick a Pocket Battle Game too!)

One of the "Kickstarter bonuses" for the La Bataille de Kulm issue was a small, extra game. "1814 - End of Empire" is a pretty fast game, with just 16 counters. It explores one of Napoleon's finest campaigns against overwhelming odds and is a delight to play.
It looks like after all the Kulm issues have mailed, ATO will have (just) a few copies leftover. They won't have enough copies to justify setting 1814 up as a "Black Swan," and will, instead, make it a 'freebie.'

So, while supplies last, anyone making a new order of over $100, from either ATO or TPS, can get a FREE copy of "1814: Empire's End." Just write "1814" in the 'notes' page at checkout and we will include it in your parcel. (And yes, you still get to pick a Pocket Battle Game too!)

09/26/2025

Friday Funny.
Gotta keep the fur babies happy!

09/25/2025

This very easily could be a scene from "Bloody April." The Fe2d (shown shooting the Albatros) looks ungainly but stayed effective, still in use as a night bomber (and tank camo device-- see the comments for that story) through 1918.

Note that the gunner is STANDING on his seat-- no safety belt. When attacked from directly behind, he could telescope the Lewis even higher and stand on the SIDE of the cockpit... of course, the pilot is put in the "do I take evasive action or not?" dilemma.
We have seen few accounts of gunners falling out of the planes, at least, not while still alive.

Note-- we have a GAME on "Bloody April" that this scene might have come right out of. See comments.

artist Jim Laurier

09/24/2025

One of the most remarkable-- nigh on unbelievable-- and 'against the odds' situations of all time was the German presence in Africa in WW1.

The story is filled with ideas that no novelist would dare use, for fear of being ridiculed as ridiculous.

https://warhistory.org//article/british-invasion-of-east-africa

09/23/2025

Fascinating story about submarines in the ACW… did you know the UNION was exploring them also?

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/civil-war-subs/

09/22/2025

"Special Ops" were like a 'second front,' even before there was a second front.

https://warhistory.org//article/operations-behind-german-lines-1944

09/21/2025

It's a shock to realize the war in Vietnam ended 50 years ago. Sometimes it feels like a lot more...but sometimes it seems recent.

This covers the messy end, and one surprising battle.

https://warhistory.org//article/ho-chi-minh-campaign-april-1975

09/20/2025

"Eric's Table" walks us through the contents of the newly arrived "La Bataille de Kulm."

Note that he points out some tactical cards which were a 'kickstarter perk.'

https://youtu.be/a-STjrAKlzs?si=daZDjim5Cx-PiAF0

We are still shipping Kulm, having finished up the US and Canada and sent our first boxes to the UK and alternating shipping "east/west" with the Pacific Rim getting individual copies as fast as we can.

Sales have been overwhelming and we are 'eating into" copies that were earmarked for 'store sales.' But we will still take pre-orders for at least another week.
If you want La Bataille de Kulm direct from ATO (including the perks about adding a pocket battle game), you need to order right now!

https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=195

09/19/2025

Friday Funny

Blackadder has a Time Machine.

You can guess one of his stops.

(Enjoy the idea of ‘garlic pie.’)

https://youtu.be/2vAvoaOaJNM?si=d0eJg03UWNFMHne7

09/18/2025

September 18, 1862, to great and greatly bloodied armies sulked next to each other near Antietam Creek, with minor skirmishing. Lee awaited another attack, hoping he could turn a riposte into a victory. McClellan sat, hoping Lee would retreat so he could declare a victory. The previous day had seen what was and is the single bloodiest day in US history.

We'll have a game on the battle in early Spring. You can read more about it here:

https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=202

09/16/2025

Today we remember the Independence Day for our southern neighbor.

Yes, it really isn't May 5, but September 16. Rather like our July 4, which does not celebrate the SIGNING of the end of the American Revolution but rather the formal Declaration of Independence, Sept 16 remembers the "Proclamation of Delores," when an influential priest called for an end to bad "Junta" government and raised an army. Also, this fight was happening for freedom from Spain (acquired in 1821 after ten long years.)

Here is an explanation and video:
https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/mexico/mexico-independence-day
"Cinco de Mayo" remembers a turning point battle against French occupiers in 1862, and you will find THAT war covered in our very cool issue, "Cactus Throne," fighting for a different kind of independence. https://www.atomagazine.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=47&category=4