Wild Bill Wilder

Thanks, Jeff. How I came to commit such a grievous error is unforgiveable. Wyatt, I owe you an apology. Yes old WWB is doing a great job with the Boots and Tracks team. We have had our share of good leaders on this team which has kept is so productive. To Moon, my good friend (remember the tutorial for CMBO? ), all the staff of Battlefront, including sometimes pain in the butt but very close friend, Madmatt, I thank you. For all the Raiders I thank you. You make a gray-panther all nostalgic and grateful. Yes, I'll still be around but its time to let the mantle of administration and authority rest on someone else's shoulders. Me? Ah, shoot, now I'm gonna really get down and dirty with some hopefully top-notch battles so you won't forget me. You'll have nightmares about those confrontations to come. And go ahead, get excited about CMAK. You have a right to do so. You are going to be very pleased! Ghosts of Rommel, Montgomery, Wavell, and many more will wander through your mind as you drive your "battleships of the desert" on their next mission. Some of the best scenarios I've ever seen for CM are coming your way. Dump the sand out of those boots, grab the mosquito repellent, curse the heat and the Desert Fox and go to war! The Kunel

i'm going to try to do one with existing vehicles in the game. I don't remember seeing the trucks we need but maybe I can figure something out to make it work. Let me look at the orders of battle again. Who knows? I hope to do something with the LRDG raid on Barce in September 1942...WB

I hope to have about a dozen or so scenarios in CMAK. Its been fun. I really wanted to do an operation on Rommel's first attempts to take Tobruk but there was not enough time. Maybe later. Still you are going to be very pleased with what is coming in CMAK. Some of the best CM scenario designers and testers are involved and I am honored to have worked with them on this. Good to be back doing CM stuff again. Thanks to all of you for your very kind thoughts here. That just makes it all the more worth all the time spend doing it. Wild Bill

Though a scenario section, since the Raiders have been contributing scenariso to this game for three years now, I felt you should be aware of this news. Effective September 30th, the flag of the Wild Bill's Raiders is being taken down. The Raiders will officially be disbanded. The individual teams working with the Raiders will continue. You can find their sites on the Wargamer. They include: Steel Panthers: The Arsenal Team Combat Mission: Boots and Tracks Squad Battles: The Squad Battles Team Steel Beasts: The Steel Beasts Team The four team captains, including the recently promoted Frank E-4 Harmon for Squad Battles have been great team players. They include in addition to Frank, the recently retired Louie "Gung Ho" Marsh, Bryan "Marauder" Melvin, and Eric "RnR" Myers. I cannot omit the name of Neil "Dingo" Stalker who has been all things for me in every situation: web designer, scenario creator, writer, and one of the most loyal friends a man could ever have. In addition some 32 Raiders serving with these teams have given their best. Six years ago almost to the day, Wild Bill's Raiders came into being. The original seven have gone except for me. We have in that time supported the beta development of over a dozen wargames, done over 1,000 scenarios and campaigns and participated in the development of three of the four mega-campaigns. When the Raiders began there was no such thing. There were not to my knowledge small independent teams working together to enhance various wargames on the market. From humble beginnings to having set a precedent in the hobby that is now mirrored all over the world, the Raiders have done their job, and done it well. So a salute to my fellow team members. Thank you all. You did well. To David Heath and David Landrey, who gave me my chance in the hobby, a profound vote of gratitude. Without David Heath allowing me to post scenarios and articles to the old "Gamers Net" site, I might have remained in the shadows. No man has supported me more than old "Sergeant Rock." And to you dear friends, who have loyally supported the Raiders in every effort, I am so appreciative. So an era comes to an end. What about me? Will I just "fade away?" Not likely. We are just putting the finishing touches on our Newest Mega Campaign (see the announcement) and I've completed 12 scenarios for the upcoming Combat Mission: Afrika Korps. There is still a lot I want to do. I won't fade away at all. I still love wargaming. I still enjoy all of your and your friendship. I'm not going anywhere, just looking to using my meager creative talents for new scenarios and games. Again, thank you all. The Raider helmet now goes to posterity. I hope the memory of what we have done will remain for a long time. It was worth, wasn't it, Raiders? Wild Bill Wild Bill Wilder Founder, Wild Bill's Raiders "In Arduis Fidelis"

Though a scenario section, since the Raiders have been contributing scenariso to this game for three years now, I felt you should be aware of this news. Effective September 30th, the flag of the Wild Bill's Raiders is being taken down. The Raiders will officially be disbanded. The individual teams working with the Raiders will continue. You can find their sites on the Wargamer. They include: Steel Panthers: The Arsenal Team Combat Mission: Boots and Tracks Squad Battles: The Squad Battles Team Steel Beasts: The Steel Beasts Team The four team captains, including the recently promoted Frank E-4 Harmon for Squad Battles have been great team players. They include in addition to Frank, the recently retired Louie "Gung Ho" Marsh, Bryan "Marauder" Melvin, and Eric "RnR" Myers. I cannot omit the name of Neil "Dingo" Stalker who has been all things for me in every situation: web designer, scenario creator, writer, and one of the most loyal friends a man could ever have. In addition some 32 Raiders serving with these teams have given their best. Six years ago almost to the day, Wild Bill's Raiders came into being. The original seven have gone except for me. We have in that time supported the beta development of over a dozen wargames, done over 1,000 scenarios and campaigns and participated in the development of three of the four mega-campaigns. When the Raiders began there was no such thing. There were not to my knowledge small independent teams working together to enhance various wargames on the market. From humble beginnings to having set a precedent in the hobby that is now mirrored all over the world, the Raiders have done their job, and done it well. So a salute to my fellow team members. Thank you all. You did well. To David Heath and David Landrey, who gave me my chance in the hobby, a profound vote of gratitude. Without David Heath allowing me to post scenarios and articles to the old "Gamers Net" site, I might have remained in the shadows. No man has supported me more than old "Sergeant Rock." And to you dear friends, who have loyally supported the Raiders in every effort, I am so appreciative. So an era comes to an end. What about me? Will I just "fade away?" Not likely. We are just putting the finishing touches on our Newest Mega Campaign (see the announcement) and I've completed 12 scenarios for the upcoming Combat Mission: Afrika Korps. There is still a lot I want to do. I won't fade away at all. I still love wargaming. I still enjoy all of your and your friendship. I'm not going anywhere, just looking to using my meager creative talents for new scenarios and games. Again, thank you all. The Raider helmet now goes to posterity. I hope the memory of what we have done will remain for a long time. It was worth, wasn't it, Raiders? Wild Bill Wild Bill Wilder Founder, Wild Bill's Raiders "In Arduis Fidelis"

Spookster, I don't think you will mind if I step in here and tell Edgars he is more than welcome to revise Wiltz for CMBB since it was my scenario originally. I just received from Sergei a nice re-do of the scenario Villers Bocage - Tiger for CMBB. He really did do a superb job! I think if the scenario is worthy of replay it does not hurt a thing to change it over to the newer game. It should prove interesting. I have learned that certain scenarios have a "feel," or a "flavor" that makes you want to play them over and over. So yes, feel free to do so. Would you send me a copy when it is done? bwilder@bellsouth.net I honestly have no problem with any of my 60+ scenarios or campaigns are redone in CMBB, just try to be sure and be as accurate as you can on the remake. Yes, fellas, the old Wild Man is still around WB

Well, on behalf of the Raiders, let me thank you for that kind remark,Code Talker. Our goal has always been to try to provide the best that we can. And words of encouragement like yours keep the flames of hard work burning brightly. Wild Bill

By way of information for those interested... Good news and bad news for you who follow the Raider antics on the Boots and Tracks site. http://www.militarygameronline.com/Boots_Tracks/index.php? Super Ted Quincey has stepped down as Team Captain due to other responsibilities. He will be greatly missed. He has done a fine job for these months. He, along with Kinch Kinscherf, really got things moving. Scott Boston is our new Team Captain for the Raider CM Team. He has some great ideas for new scenarios, reports, articles and other goodies both on the West Front and the East Front as time nears. He will mention the team members and the special function some of them are executing within the team framework. Though I deeply regret losing Ted, I'm thrilled to have Scott do his thing. The Raider Boots n' Tracks site has a bright future. We hope it meets your approval. Wild Bill

Good news and bad news for you who follow the Raider antics on the Boots and Tracks site. http://www.militarygameronline.com/Boots_Tracks/index.php? Super Ted Quincey has stepped down as Team Captain due to other responsibilities. He will be greatly missed. He has done a fine job for these months. He, along with Kinch Kinscherf, really got things moving. Scott Boston is our new Team Captain for the Raider CM Team. He has some great ideas for new scenarios, reports, articles and other goodies both on the West Front and the East Front as time nears. He will mention the team members and the special function some of them are executing within the team framework. Though I deeply regret losing Ted, I'm thrilled to have Scott do his thing. The Raider Boots n' Tracks site has a bright future. We hope it meets your approval. Wild Bill

I love the spontaneity of this event. It will be great to meet some of you in person. Dave, I'll see you Tuesday AM. Craig, I'll give you a call Monday evening. Same for you Rune. I hope we can get together prior to the meeting Tuesday AM. Do I get to drive the Abrams, Blackhorse? Wild Bill

I have made reservations in Radcliff, Econo-Lodge, just south of Ft. Knox. If I am able to pull this off, I'll be there by 6PM on Monday, August 5th. The Motel # is 270-351-4488 When you can, give me a call there Monday night, Rune. I'll really look forward to it. Wild Bill

Thanks, Buddy! I was worried about that. I'm glad to know that. Well, I've been purveying the Atlas, I guess I take 75 to Chatanooga, 24 to Nashville and 65 to State Highway 31 West, south of Louisville. Does that sound right? Is there lodging in the area or does anyone know. I'm getting quite serious about making this trip. Wild Bill

Rune, drop me a note with some ideas on how to find FT. Knox and the Musuem if you can. I'm seriously thinking, almost convinced myself to make the trip. You say that you will be meeting at the Museum on the 6th at 9AM? Are there motels in the area near the installation? Send me any info you can Rune. I think I'm on Madmatt's blacklist right now, so I'll appeal to you. Or you can call me. You have my number...or I can call you. Let me know. Wild Bill

Franko's excellent scenario is only the first step in a complete renovation of the B&T site. Ted Quincey has formed a fine new team of designers and testers. They've been hard at work. So you are about to see a new look, new battles and many other enticing innovations from this Raider group. Keep visiting and enjoy the changes. Wild Bill --------------------

It was my pleasure, Treeburst. Good to see the successful completion of another tourney. These have been a great experience for me and a good time of learning. Wild Bill

There are some great things coming from this newly renovated Raider Team. I think you will be very pleased to see the changes. Great new scenarios, a new look and other items of interest for all of you CM fanatics. What you see here is the first step in some big innovations at the B&T site. Wild Bill

No worries, Panzerman. With everything else I am doing, I'll be awhile, a long while doing 40 scenarios on the Pacific. You'll probably keep up quite well with us. I hope we can keep up with you. Thanks, Jester. I know how you feel :eek: WB

We have one able candidate. Still room for two more. Standing by. You'll enjoy this island odyssey! WB

Holien, you are a deadly opponent! :eek: In actuality, as some "whipped like a dog" US players will tell you, it ain't that easy. You are a skillful commander and used prevention along with aggressiveness. You anticipated. You did not take anything for granted. I'm betting your approach to Kommerscheidt-Schmidt was cautious. You can't be too cautious of course, or you'll never get there. The overall scores are actually pretty evenly balanced. I'm hoping it was fun and challenging for you. I've thoroughly enjoyed your participation and AARs, along with all the other formidable warriors in this tourney group! Wild Bill

Mike Thompson has been working on a new project using COmbat Mission. The results are amazing. He and others are creating a full Pacific game with terrain, troops and weapons peculiar to the Pacific War. I'm very impressed with his work. If you have an interest in the US Army-USMC war against the Japanese, then you are gonna love this! I really don't think BTS will do a Pacific game. So for those folks who want to see one, this is a nice opportunity. I need 3 CM guys to test some scenarios for this game. To be able to do requires a little work It means you will have to download the bmp, wav and other files that will be needed to create the conversion game. Those who have worked with me before know the routine. I sometimes work you hard but we have fun. I need people who are consistent, who will hang in there with us. If you are interested, especially if you have tested with me before, drop me a line. I prefer a direct answer via e-mail to talk with you personally. bwilder@bellsouth.net So there it is. If any of you have an affinity or interest in the Pacific and can hang in there till it is done, let me know. I DON'T need quickstarters/quickquitters. I think you'll be pleased with the changes in the game that Mike Thompson has effected. The new Pac terrain REALLY looks good! I'll notify here when we have our crew complete. Wild Bill

Good advice. Lack of warning is almost always a sinn to use default setup. I've been guilty of this but my thinking was that unless the intro tells you differently, use the default setup in the game. Wally does have a valid point, however, and sometimes we as designers, enmeshed in what we are doing tend to think that everyone automatically knows. That is not the case. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try to remember to do just that in the future. Wild Bill

Thank you, Gentlemen. Loving the wild side of war (makes sense, doesn't it), this is still one of my personal favorites. I know, of course, what to expect from either side and still find replay most challenging. After reading the history of this battle and seeing the ideal situation in it for the "big Cats" and a ton of other fun things in wargaming, I just had to try to recreate its feel. For me, that is most important. I want to get the feel of the local commander, his frustration, fear and anxieties as he goes head to head with the enemy. I think you do get just that feeling no matter which side you take. I hope both Underdog and WBS enjoy themselves as they fight for their lives. Wild Bill [ March 14, 2002, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Wild Bill Wilder ]

You are a persevering hero, Big Dog. Thanks! Wild Bill

Hey Ralph. Scenarios have varying degrees of "toughness." Some are fairly easy. Others are next to impossible. Much depends on the skills of the player. How do you get that skill? More than anything else, by trial and error. There are some shortcuts, of course. And you can set the geme more or less to the level of difficulty you can handle. But more than reading, playing will give you that edge you so want to have when fighting these battles. Good luck with it. Wild Bill

It certainly keeps me on my old calloused toes! Thanks Big Dog! Somebody give that dog a new bone! WB