The Canadian Wargamer Podcast Episode 14, with our guest, Shawn Taylor of Great War Spearhead

The Canadian Wargamer

Shawn Taylor is the first published Canadian rules writer that we've had on the podcast. (James has also published rules, but he's a host, so he gets an honourable mention). Shawn is an amazingly prolific rules writer. He's best known for his collaborative work with Robert Dunlop on Great War Spearhead, a popular set of rules for fighting large (corps level) First World War battles in small scales. Besides GWS, Shawn has authored rules for clandestine warfare in Nazi occupied Europe, SF skirmish actions defending Earth from alien invaders, and French-Viet Minh actions in IndoChina.

Shawn was an enthusiastic and talkative guest. Our guest bio conversation covered his long military career and family heritage and how that informs his gaming and choice of subjects. We spent a lot of time discussing the Great War, a subject that arguably has been poorly served by war-games rules and not well understood by wargamers. Shawn walked us through the mechanics of GWS and how it puts players in the role of senior commanders, thus challenging players to resist their own possible stereotypes about lions led by donkeys.

We also talked about Shawn's other projects, including Mourir Pour L'Indochine and its recent successful Kickstarter, as well as the gaming scene in Victoria and the Lower Mainland, which we hope to visit (virtually) in a future podcast interview.

Links to our Guest Shawn Taylor:

Shawn Taylor Publications Rules: https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/gwshii

Great War Spearhead on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/480426242475999

God's Own Scale Interview with Shawn Taylor and Robert Dunlop:

https://godsownscale6mm.podbean.com/e/episode-41-the-one-with-shawn-taylor-and-robert-dunlop-talking-great-war-spearhead/

Shawn's Book Recommendations for the CWP Virtual Library:

Mark Zuehlke, Ortona: Canada's Epic Battle

https://www.amazon.ca/Ortona-Canadas-Epic-World-Battle/dp/1550545574/ref=sr_1_1?crid=P8QD5BMBGISL&keywords=mark+zuehlke+ortona&qid=1648844507&s=books&sprefix=mark+zuelke+ortona%2Cstripbooks%2C106&sr=1-1

Mark Zuehlke, Tragedy at Dieppe: Operation Jubilee, August 19, 1942: https://www.amazon.ca/Tragedy-Dieppe-Operation-Jubilee-August/dp/1771620161/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9H9RI7DBM55Q&keywords=mark+zuehlke+dieppe&qid=1648844599&s=books&sprefix=mark+zuehlke+dieppe%2Cstripbooks%2C134&sr=1-1

Terry Copp, Fields of Fire, The Canadians in Normandy (2nd Ed)

https://www.amazon.ca/Fields-Fire-Canadians-Normandy-Second/dp/1442626550/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MHLOEC1YYS1H&keywords=terry+copp+fields+of+fire&qid=1648844705&s=books&sprefix=terry+copp+fields+of+fire%2Cstripbooks%2C61&sr=1-1

Terry Copp, Cinderella Army, the Canadians in NW Europe, 1944-45

https://www.amazon.ca/Cinderella-Army-Canadians-Northwest-1944-1945/dp/0802095224/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2U1YAWKITI9OC&keywords=terry+copp+cinderella+army&qid=1648844793&s=books&sprefix=terry+copp+cinderella+army%2Cstripbooks%2C73&sr=1-1

Our Closing March in Honour of Our Guest:

The Meeting of the Waters (Quick March of the Rocky Mountain Rangers), played by the band of the Royal Highland Fusiliers:

https://youtu.be/K6vw45WlSoY

Contest:

Listen closely to the podcast for details on how to win some of Bob Murch's fabulous Cossack miniatures, proceeds go to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Fund for Ukraine.

Contact Us:

Canadian Wargamer Podcast Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/canadianwargamerpodcast

Mike: [e-mail]

@MarshalLuigi

www.madpadrewargames.blogspot.com

James:

[e-mail]

@JamesManto4

www.rabbitsinmybasement.blogspot.com