Welcome to Durban War Games Club

Who are we?

First a little history

The Durban War Games Club (DWGC) as it is now known has been around for many years under several different names. From the, 'Durban Miniature Wargames club' to 'Durban Area Wargamers' and 'Westville Historical Military Modelling Society' (WHAMM) which regularly met at the Westville Library in Durban.

Each club name representing the same hobby club, initiated by different gentlemen who have played their part in the clubs history and have been instrumental in it's history, these the revered "veteran" gamers who still roll their dice in defiance of the odds today.

When the club was officially constituted is lost in the vagaries of time, however to paraphrase and borrow a quote, "a wargames club needs two people and two armies". With this in mind Noel Zaal can attest that the first wargames in Durban was played as early as 1969, making DWGC arguably the oldest wargames club in SA (at least until someone proves otherwise).

In his personal account Shawn Comrie (a co founder of the Bluff Chess Club) writes that in late 1975 while browsing through Adam's Bookstore, "amongst the thousands of books at Adam's shelves, I chanced upon a book, "The War game" by Terence Wise (Which I still have). Inside was a small note from Noel Zaal advertising his war games club in Durban." This clever piece of marketing at the target audience is what drew people to the hobby along with the friendly atmosphere, a genuine love of war gaming, history and fun that is present in the club.

Another mentionable name is that of Grant McKenna, who joined the war gaming scene in Davenport after reading about war gamming in a newspaper article in 1977. Later he ran a group from the Wizards Bookstore in Windermere centre, demonstrating Warhammer Fantasy and 40k games for them in the early 2000's. The bookstore sponsored tournaments and benefitted from the sales driven by new converts and enthusiast.

An enterprising and young Andrew Martins bought distributer rights from Games Workshop and sold models from his newly formed gaming store, Blaze Gaming, ran from his mother's garage in Avondale road, right across from Greyville racecourse, where he also hosted regular games session on thursdays. He held painting workshops and terrain building days; one club member recalls building the hall of Meduseld (from LoTR) right out of the White Dwarf article. Around 2002 Andrew joined forces with "Eric's Hobby Specialist" store in Kensington Durban North, where Eric hosted our gaming space. Attendance and stock grew dramatically. Unfortunately when Eric moved his shop to Gateway we had to find a new venue.

In 2005 the Warhammer players and the Historical players formally joined forces to fall under one club name with a purpose of growing the war gaming scene in Durban.

So what war games do we do play?

What do we not play?! The gaming genre's can be split up pretty much into periods of history like this: Ancients and Medieval, Napoleonic, American Civil War, Anglo Boer and Anglo Zulu Wars, WWII, Modern conflicts and Fantasy.

Our favourite rule sets are:

The 'Fields of Glory' rule set for all armies ancients and medieval has taken root since DBM has started to diminish. These games are led by Richard Gordon, who also acts as our liaison to the MSSA (Mind Sports South Africa). He is instrumental in setting up competitive play in this rule set.

The black powder era of warfare is often played in 6mm with various rule sets such as fire & Fury adapted for Napoleonic and ACW. A popular yearly event is the battle of Waterloo at Noel's house held over two days.

We have some home grown rules developed by Noel Zaal for Anglo Zulu and Anglo Boer wars that have proved very popular and dynamic especially with the younger members of the club and has garnered their interest in the period.

WWII is the most widely represented in terms of rules and theatres of operation. On the smallest level of combat we play 'Rules of Engagement' in 28mm for platoon skirmishes with a focus on Northern France. Flames of War has been introduced recently for 15mm version of Company sized forces. Larger regiment/battalion sized engagements in North Africa are also played in 6mm with Noels adapted rules. Mervin Mathee is the overlord at the larger battles, adapting the Spearhead Rule set for 6mm models, he often umpires large, multiple division sized games themed on the campaigns for the Rhine, Barbarossa to Bagration and even the Pacific theatre.

For more modern conflicts we have played Arab - Israeli clashes and the border wars in Angola, also using the Modern Spearhead rule set.

Fantasy Gaming is the most well represented side of the club. Warhammer 40K and Warhammer Fantasy being the premier rule set. We regularly attend national gaming conventions and have our own league system in place.

Tristan Coetzee has introduced 'Warmachine' the latest in fantasy rule sets, which is becoming popular throughout the country.

Occasionally Tom Bailey brings out his French Foreign Legion to beat off the 'Fuzzy Wuzzies' with his unique and fun scenario's that include airships and gunboats. Epic 40k has seen the table top, as has Aeronautica. Besides Table top wargaming the members are fans of various board games, with Settlers of Catan and Arkham Horror. 'Advance third Reich' has a dedicated weeknight at Mervin's house.

Many members are also avid online gamers too, and we have an affiliation to a Role Play group and Magic the Gathering has a fan base.

Each member takes part in his hobby as and when he can, at his own pace, with no pressure. There is a healthy mix of competitive play and the pure fun of socialising and bringing either the historical events of the past or the imagined world of fantasy to life with the roll of a die.

So many games, so little time!

Membership Fees

We collect a yearly membership fee that covers the costs of magazine subscriptions, teas & coffees and additions to our terrain and gaming boards and trophies. The cost is R240 for the employed "working stiffs" while students pay only R120.

Every year in February we hold an AGM to discuss any important matters that need to be taken care of in the new year and elect committee members.

Current committee members are: