Map and Counters

Respected Game Designer and Author, Danny S. Parker, undergoes Treatment for Cancer

I am pleased to report that well-known game designer and recognized expert on the “Battle of the Bulge,” Danny S. Parker, is currently recuperating at the home of his sister, Sharon, after receiving a stem cell transplant and chemotherapy for his cancer. Encouragingly, the early results of his treatment — despite the inevitable and unfortunate side-effects of chemotherapy — seem favorable. For those readers who are unfamiliar with Danny’s extensive and varied contributions to wargaming and to the field of World War II military history, Mr. Parker is credited with the design of BATTLES FOR THE ARDENNES (1978) for SPI, DARK DECEMBER (1979) for OSG, and HITLER’S LAST GAMBLE (1989) for 3W. In addition, Danny also provided considerable assistance — particularly with his detailed research into the German and Allied orders of battle — to Charles B. MacDonald (the former deputy chief at the Office of Military History, U.S. Army) during MacDonald’s writing of “A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge.”



Danny S. Parker

It should also be noted that, besides designing a number of different conflict simulations on the Battle of the Bulge, Danny has also written numerous essays on World War II with special emphasis on the fighting in the Ardennes in 1944. His own meticulously-researched book on the last major German offensive in the west, The Battle of the Bulge, Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944-1945 was published in 1991, and was followed three years later by the first definitive work, by any military historian, on the air war over the Ardennes from late 1944 through early 1945, To Win The Winter Sky, published in hardback in 1994. Moreover, in spite of his current illness, Danny is working on yet a new book — he completed the introductory chapter while still in the hospital — to be published in December, titled “Fatal Crossroads”.

I sincerely hope that Danny’s many fans will join with me in wishing this long-time contributor to the hobby of wargaming a speedy and complete recovery. In addition, for those visitors to my blog who would like to leave messages of support or encouragement for Mr. Parker, and also for those readers who would like to follow the patient’s progress during this critical phase in his convalescence, please visit his Guest Page at: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dannyparker/createorsignin