Wild Bill Wilder

I know! I had one like that too. He hid among the houses on the right at the bend in the road where it leads into Noville. There he accounted for at least five German AFVs, but another PZIV would have none of it. He became a blazing altar of Freedom Fighters holding on to Noville by their fingernails...Those are the heroes!...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Two that I can see Jeff, the type of operation set for this battle did not seem to work well. It caused a premature ending for some. The no man's land setting was too large. I set it that way originally in order to be able to see the entire map, but that is no longer necessary. So I changed both of these. I take it you are playing the Germans You could be right, I'll take a look again at that too. And Big John Waters! Good to see you up and about. I know this is your kind of game! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks Howard, and you are all right. Carentan is a top notch operation. Well worth the time playing it. I'll be offering a new one by the end of this month of Task Force Butler in the fighting around Montelimar in southern France as a part of Operation Dragoon. Also a revised Desobry will go up soon which will allow you a good possibility of playing it through...no sudden cutoff as before. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

For those who have problems with the Team Desobry operation, I have made some changes and just played through the first battle, rather haphazardly (I lost 4 Shermans) and it still rolled over to battle #2. The Raider Test group is playing it this week once more and if it passes their stringent comments, I'll repost it on the CMHQ Scenario Depot for those who would like a second chance to get past battle #1. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

For those who have problems with the Team Desobry operation, I have made some changes and just played through the first battle, rather haphazardly (I lost 4 Shermans) and it still rolled over to battle #2. The Raider Test group is playing it this week once more and if it passes their stringent comments, I'll repost it on the CMHQ Scenario Depot for those who would like a second chance to get past battle #1. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

As to Movies, there are so many that can relate to the time period of CMBO. Here are a few... The Longest Day D-Day, 6th of June Big Red One The Victors Hell is for Heroes Breathrough Patton Battleground (Bulge) When Trumpets Fade (Hurtgen) Attack A Bridge too Far Battle of the Bulge The Tanks are Coming Kelly's Heroes Some are semi-documentary type - others are pure fiction. Some good documentaries, well worth watching are: Battleground ( a series of 12) --Battle of Normandy --Battle of the Rhine D-Day (series of 3) Crusade in Europe (about 20 episodes based on the writings of DD Eisenhower) ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

After quite a few years of reading, writing and scenario design for numerous games, I've come up with a list of favorites for me personally. This might be of help to you. Wild Bill The US Army in World War II Series, publisher: US Govt Printing Office Cross Channel Attack Breakout and Pursuit Siegfried Line Riviera to the Rhine Lorraine Campaign Battle of the Bulge The Last Offensive GENERAL There’s a War to be Won, Perret Delivered from Evil, Leckie Heroes of World War II, Murphy Battles and Battlescenes from WW2 Daring to Win, Eshel Bravery in Battle, Eshel Tank Aces, Zumbro Tank Aces, Forty Iron Cavalry, Zumbro Tank Commanders, Forty Clash of Chariots, Donnely and Naylor D-Day Operation Overlord Series (4), Order of Battle, Christopher Chant, editor Swords and Plowshares, Maxwell D. Taylor The 101st Airborne at Normandy, Bando Band of Brothers, Ambrose Overlord, Hastings D-Day, Ambrose NORMANDY Panzertruppen II, Jentz Churchill’s Desert Rats-Normandy to Berlin, Delaforce Invasion! They’re Coming, Carell Panzers in Normandy, Then and Now, Lefevre Normandy, Essame Death Traps, Cooper Beyond the Beachhead, Balkoski Six Armies in Normandy, Keegan Steel Inferno, Reynolds The 12th SS Panzer Division, Walther The Blood Soaked Soil, Williamson Hell on Wheels, Houston Strike Swiftly, Jensen FRANCE The View from the Turret, Folkestad St. Lo, Us Army Historical Division The Clay Pigeons of St. Lo, Johns Against the Panzers, Karamales MARKET GARDEN-WEST WALL Operation Dragoon, Bruer Death of a Nazi Army, Bruer August, 1944, Miller A Bridge too Far, Ryan Division Commander, Miller THE ARDENNES A Dark and Bloody Ground, Miller Battle of the Bulge, Parker Bastogne, the First Eight Days, Marshall Hitler’s Last Gamble, Dupuy The Devil’s Adjutant, Reynolds A Time for Trumpets, MacDonald A Blood Dimmed Tide, Astor Bastogne and the Ardennes Offensive, Arend FINAL BATTLES Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, Whiting One More River, Allen These have all proven to be a big help to me. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

The scenario is indeed intensely difficult for the German side. That was my intention. 3 Panthers and some infantry against that horde of Allies will test a wargamer's skill. I'd advise staying out of the hedgerows as the Germans except for the infantry. Cover the objectives from good firing positions with your Panthers. Even a very good tactician is going to lose a Panther, I think, probably two before its over. It is a test of skill and courage, no doubt about that...Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

The download seems to be going flawlessly and it installed without a hitch. You might want to take a new look Abbott. Some things have been added that might appeal to you. Certainly it won't replace CM, but it might be of interest to you...Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Increasing aggressiveness for the US players in the editor might help. Placing them a little closer to the action might help too. And make sure they have a way to get to the battle without too great a difficulty. If they are accidentally boxed in with heavy foliage, they might be unable to get to the fight. Just a few ideas to help you, Panzer Man. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Oh and be sure and check out Sinpoet's fine program of well-known figureheads from WW2 (the movies we all love.) You can find them at Boots N Tracks, the CM site on the Wild Bill and the Raiders page. They are really great! http://wbr.thegamers.net ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

PLEASE, please let me know where I can get these maps once you have done them. Please send a copy to me. I would be ever so grateful! In that vein, I would love to see a CM map depot started, where folks could download good maps for their own scenario design. What do you guys think? Be a great place to put those fine maps you are all doing! My E-Mail address is right here on the forum. I would love to have copies of these jewels. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Very good suggestion, Pak40. I'm on it. Once I have it revised and more playable, I'll probably post it on CMHQ depot for you to replace the one that is there. I think it is worth the effort, don't you? ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Frank Donati has done a good review of CM for The Gamers Net. Go here and click on the article for the read... http://www.thegamers.net/main/index.asp ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Frank Donati has done a good review of CM for The Gamers Net. Go here and click on the article for the read... http://www.thegamers.net/main/index.asp ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

For those who have been disappointed with the Desobry operation, let me suggest this. If you are playing the GIs, set up your defenses so that you cover your flanks well. The Germans want to get past you to Bastogne. If you stop them in the town and on the flanks, you should do well. If you don't, they will get past you. I recommend a strong force to cover the hill on the US right and some tanks and infantry on the outskirts of Noville on the left to watch those roads. I've found that if you do that, you can keep the operation alive. The Germans won't flank you (as the AI is trying to do) and you can do well. In my own personal repeated play of this operation, I have found this to be the case for the Americans. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

When playtesting this operation (I spent a LOT of time on it, believe me)I discovered in the very first battle that German infantry was flanking me on my (US) right. I had accidentally forgotten to move a platoon of tanks (with infantry aboard)into the city. I sent them straight up the hill on the right and stopped them, even pushed them back. This was enough to keep the operation alive for all the battles. So I left it as it was with some other modifications. Now one alternative might be to open the operation in the editor and change the operation from Attack or Advance to Destroy. This would put a different goal in front of the Germans and might avoid this sudden ending from taking place. In other words, the German purpose is now not to sneak around the Americans but annihilate them. This might be the key to making it playable all the way through. But in my own personal experience, by guarding the flanks and stopping the German advance, I was able to play through the operation all the way. I do recommend this strategy to all of you. Or change the setting. I enjoyed the battle myself immensely. I'm really sorry it has left a bad taste with some of you....WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Both Wiltz and Son are scenarios that fit the description of what you are looking for. These qualify except that they are a little smaller than medium. Also keep a watchful eye for "The Wrong Hill" which may be just your cup of tea (or coffee, your choice ) ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

It sounds like one of those typical bloody battles you two are always involved in Thank you. I definitely had a two player type situation in mind when I did this one. I'm glad it worked out well for you warriors. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

And a couple of more, "Bridgehead at Benicourt" and Men of Marvie. I think they will work well, but of course you don't have them yet WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Releiving the Rangers is a little heavy on the German side. Against the AI, it is pretty tough, but a good German player can do some real damage against a human US player. Depends on the skill of both players. Meyer's Wrath might be an option for you unless you have played it already. Got another one coming soon, The Wrong Hill. That seems pretty good for 2 player. Giving it some final touches this week. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Found it in US Army in WW2, "The Siegried Line." It mentions General Taylor coming to the aid of some of his men with two antitank guns he rounded up from the Divisional HQ. I'll look up the pages...Okay, page 153. Other sections on this fighting, 146-148, 150, 174. Some of XZX Corps hung around the area and was on call to aid the 101st in case of armored counterattacks. Makes some good reading! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Insanity can make a positive contribution, especially in the gaming world? This "madness," however, which kind is it? I guess this depends on the day, the moon and who is writing him ! Seriously, great stuff Matt. Having said that, am I in any danger? ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Wow...! Assimilated! It's great. It's even better once someone has told you it happened. I feel like ...I feel... assimilated. I am happy with it because "resistance is futile" And I love these new smilies...love 'em. You guys are creative geniuses...but the "moon" wins the prize...at least until now! Thanks Borg for making it painless! The Assimilated Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Whichever one has the best chance of winning. I love to win! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com