kb9sog

What's the sound of one shell clapping? /back to lurker mode/ ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

No doubt, Rick. I had the same experience in my neck of the woods. It isn't very often that an audience sits and watches the credits roll while reflecting on what they just watched. I remember picking up my kids at my aunt's house after the movie. She asked me, "how was the movie?" I opened my mouth but very few words could come out. I'd never been speechless after watching a movie before. I saw it 3 times in the theatre and now watch it at home on the VCR every so often. It may not have been the most realistic portrayal of battle tactics in a movie but it did a great job of telling a story and gripping the audience by the seat of the pants. I got my money's worth. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

I've been doing some reading lately on WW2 tactical combat. I've enjoyed reading some books based on suggestions from this group. Now I'd like to return the favor: Infantry Combat: The Rifle Platoon by John F. Antal and Armor Attacks: The Tank Platoon by John F. Antal I picked up the Rifle Platoon book and Barnes and Nobles and was pleasantly surprised by it. I will definitely purchase the Armor Attacks book now that I've finished it. Basically, it's "an interactive exercise in small-unit tactics and leadership." If anyone here is Generation X, you might remember reading books as a kid called, "Choose Your Own Adventure." When I was a kid, I used to devour that series of books. Well, in a nutshell, these books are like the "Choose Your Own Adventure" series with army tactics. You assume the role of a platoon second lt. in the book and you have to make tactical decisions on how to lead your men. Your decisions will ultimately spell victory or utter defeat. It is modern day combat, post Gulf War. It is an excellent read and has really opened my eyes to tactical strategy. Something that we'll need in Combat Mission. Just to keep this post slightly on topic. Check it out if you've got the dinero. Enjoy. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

Actually, the same thing happened to me in a PBEM with a friend of mine. We were playing the chance encounter scenario. I was rolling over the enemy as the Americans and had 4 shermans to zero stugs at Turn 8. I issued orders for the turn and sent it off. When I got the movie back, I had lost one sherman to the Gods. No where on the map. The funniest part about it was that all of my units with moving orders started the movie sequence at the end of their movement line. They warped! In any event, this was a minor glitch in the code for the beta demo and it doesn't show up very often. It has since been squashed by the BTS team in further development. I can't wait for the full release! Cheers. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

These types of posts are always welcome. Keep bringing them in. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

Doh! I'm so confused. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

I really appreciate the articles by Los and Fionn concerning real life tactics. That fella Wittman that posted on this forum about Mortars was excellent! If you could get him to write some articles for CMHQ, I'm sure that it would be a hit. My other favorite past time is reading the AAR's from people that role play their reports. The new Reiserg AAR is excellent, BTW. Keep the turns and movies churning! I do appreciate seeing the screen shots in the middle of the AAR's, the more the better in my opinion. (I know that you can just watch the movie but sometimes I really like to read then click the still picture to enhance the drama.) One last thing. If you were to post AAR's from people doing Gold Demo testing on different scenarios, I would be in heaven. Although, it might be against the non-disclosure agreement to do so? If posting that kind of stuff goes against the non-disclosure agreement, I'll understand. In a few words....Tactics on Manuever(sp.), tactics on setting effective ambushes (I enjoyed Fionn's AT article), tactics on using combined arms in an assault, articles on how to use different types of squads effectively (ala Wittman), and AAR's with plenty of still pics and drama. Keep Los (and Fionn when he gets the time) churning out the articles and see if you can get Wittman to sign on as an author. Excellent site revision with the 800x600, Matt. Looks fabulous. Man, I spend way too much time at the sight. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit www.arrl.org for information about Ham Radio. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES [This message has been edited by kb9sog (edited 02-08-2000).] [This message has been edited by kb9sog (edited 02-08-2000).] [This message has been edited by kb9sog (edited 02-08-2000).]

I concur. Sounds like a decent idea. ------------------ BJ Simpson Visit [url=http://www.arrl.org for information about Amateur Radio. In Hoc Signo Vinces [This message has been edited by kb9sog (edited 02-02-2000).] [This message has been edited by kb9sog (edited 02-02-2000).]

Cheers! ------------------ 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio http://www.arrl.org Home page of the Amateur Radio Relay League. Ask me about ham radio: kb9sog@arrl.net BJ Simpson

That's correct. Roger Wilco will work without developer support. In fact, if you want to use it just for internet telephony purposes, you can. I've used RW in the past for EAW and other military flight sims. All you need to do is connect to one or the other's ip address and you're talking. It won't make much sense (although you still could) to use RW for PBEM games since you will have to watch the movies separately. However, once tcp/ip support is implemented and you can watch the movies at the same time, it will be great. You will have to connect to one player's ip for the game and the other player's ip for the Roger Wilco game. ------------------ 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio http://www.arrl.org Home page of the Amateur Radio Relay League. Ask me about ham radio: kb9sog@arrl.net BJ Simpson

I agree with you whole heartedly Major Tom. Here's my two cents: Playing a game of LD with my pal from work. We are using "gamey" tactics but I saw strategy that really shocked me as a General--working in his favor too. (The "gamey" part of it is no problem for me since we've been putting a lot of road miles on the demo. ) I am American. He is the Germans. I set up ambushes with the rifle squads in the forests to attrit (both flanks, American perspective) the rush of HT's and panzer squads. My ambush on the left flank is fubar (still learning what works and what doesn't) after 3 turns has been wiped out. Oh well. The armor is concentrating fire on the town buildings to shock my troops. The right flank ambush is successful with one HT knocked out and working for my second kill. This is where it gets good. He made a break with one HT right down the middle of the road, through the town, across the bridge in 60 seconds flat..unscathed. Wow! Bravado? Or luck? We will see. Has me crapping my pants with my defenseless mortar guys on the hill. You can imagine what might happen in turn 5 if he can get the truck under the minimum range requirement before I can knock it out. That HT made it past my 50 cal and my ambush bazooka team...spirited away in the town somewhere. (Just in case, you're reading this Phil. Gamey, yes, but if it was double blind, I think that he might have done it the same way anyhow. He is semper agressus. hehe cheers ------------------ 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio http://www.arrl.org Home page of the Amateur Radio Relay League. Ask me about ham radio: kb9sog@arrl.net BJ Simpson

I found the link to CM via USENET comp.sys.ibm.game.war-historical I found this in November '99 while I was searching for information for TOAW. I was trying to provide my mother-in-law with a list of games to choose from when deciding on a Christmas present. At that time, there was a lot of noise on the newsgroup about some new beta demo that was breaking new ground in the wargame genre. I clicked the link to battlefront.com and was instantly sold after reading the manifesto. I've had great success ordering from small-time developers marketing their own wares in the past. They really pay attention to detail and shoot for top notch quality. (I actually *buy* shareware, gasp!) I'm also into hyper-realistic baseball computer games, like, Strat-o-matic. They've done a great job with their genre and it keeps getting better. All in all, based on past experiences with small developers, I knew that I would not be disappointed. (And then, I downloaded the demo...yikes! I'm hooked!) CM is way under-publicized for the greatness that it shows in the beta demo alone. But word of mouth from fans does hold a lot of stock for people with money to spend on the next great thing. I was hooked into RTS games for 2 years because a friend of mine wanted to play a LAN game of WarCraft I. Blizzard was quite small in those days...look at them now. In my opinion, Blizzard Entertainment still churns out quality products. (My interests have grown away from the RTS genre since that time--no flames please---unless they are from flame tanks in the gold demo...thanks.) Keep talking the game up in public forums to show your support...people will come. ------------------ 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio http://www.arrl.org Home page of the Amateur Radio Relay League. Ask me about ham radio: kb9sog@arrl.net BJ Simpson

Interesting stuff, Stabsfeldwebel. My grandfather served in the 101st as a Medic. He glided into France aboard a transport glider at the start of Operation Overlord. He doesn't like to speak too much about the war. He's a strict catholic and I believe that the memories are a bit much. I happened to come across an article in a historical periodical that ran an exclusive on the bravery of Medics during WW2. It went into detail about how men who were morally objective to war, yet, wanted to serve their country were thrust into the Medic role at bootcamp. The other foot soldiers at bootcamp viewed them as cowards. However, on the battlefield, these same foot soldiers viewed the Medics of WW2 as some of the most brave men to serve during the war. Makes me feel proud. ------------------ 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio http://www.arrl.org Home page of the Amateur Radio Relay League. Ask me about ham radio: kb9sog@arrl.net BJ Simpson

My name is BJ and I am a CM-oholic. I have had this problem for 3 months now ever since I clicked a hyperlink to battlefront.com from a USENET message bulletin board. Since then, I have repeatedly clicked on other hyperlinks offering CM information, screenshots, and tactics. It has dominated my imagination as well. My habit has grown into joining mail lists about Meta-campaigns and posting my email address at the pantherworks for prospective PBEM games. I have even dabbled in tweaked textures and sounds. When I can't get enough of the things that I have listed above, I scour CMHQ for AAR updates to ease the pain of this addiction. When I dream at night, I dream of running through a field of gold CD's. Each packed with a hearty and beefy manual. And the roar of a UPS truck can just be heard as it rolls around the corner. The worst part of this habit--er, addiction, is that I have knowingly tried to convince my friends, family, co-workers, even strangers to give it a try. I guess that would make me a CM pusher. My wife doesn't understand the depth of this addiction as my habit has been formed through online media and available beta demo downloads. I fear that the cat will come out of the bag as soon as the doorbell rings on D-Day when the UPS man asks her to sign for a package called: "Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord." I have tried to substitute the cravings with classic war movies, re-installation of Panzer General, Panzer Commander, Europeon Air War, new purchases of TOAW--WOTY edition, but nothing helps. I am a CM-oholic. Admitting this is my first step towards digital sobriety...at least until D-Day hits! ------------------ 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio http://www.arrl.org Home page of the Amateur Radio Relay League. Ask me about ham radio: kb9sog@arrl.net BJ Simpson [This message has been edited by kb9sog (edited 01-20-2000).]

(Slightly long pos.) Well, I've been doing my part to help generate word of mouth sales. Been spreading the word around my workplace like crazy and informing my relatives as well. In any event, a coworker and I have been engaging in battles on the beta demo using the chance encounter scenario. We both love the game and he is addicted, been trying to get him to commit to a pre-order. Anyhow, after a search of the board for bug reports and finding nothing like what I have experienced, I give to you the following: I am the Americans, around turn 14, and I am running the map. The battle is almost complete and I am making a flanking push towards the German objective in the woods. I am in great shape as all German armor has been knocked out and that I have 4 Shermans left. My opponent has been retreating to the "alamo" (German objective in the woods for 2 turns) to reinforce it for the endgame. Lastly, my platoon of riflemen reinforcements have just arrived at the start point of the American map. Now the bug: I issued my orders...I sent two shermans down the road in hunt past the church and will have them stop on the road by the German start point buildings, rotate and place area fire on the "alamo" from the German rear. I order the other two shermans to fast move down the road by the wheat field turn next to the 2 story farmhouse and rotate and provide cover just in case my opponent tries a flanking move on my left (American perspective). I order the recently arrived platoon riflemen to run to the American Wooded Victory Location just for starters. I also have a full platoon of riflemen hiding in ambush just short of the "alamo" facing the victory location. I hit the go button, the computer processes, and I send off my turn. My opponent sends me back the email with a subject line "How in the Hell?" He writes, "I don't know how you did it but I want Star Trek ability for my troops also! Beam me up, Scotty!" (He's got a good sense of humor.) Anyway, I load up the movie and to my complete astonishment, every unit that was given move orders of one sort or another, had warped before the movie to odd ball spots! My reinforcements were suddenly past the church. My tanks in hunt mode were already at the German start point of the scenario. One of my fast move tanks was ok and in the spot that it was supposed to be but the other fast move tank has vanished into thin air! Not anywhere on the map! Lastly, my ambush team at the "alamo" somehow reappeared and were lying in ambush, in open ground!, to the rear side of the "alamo." Apparently, only my units were affected as his setup appeared normal. The only thing that I can think of is that perhaps the pbem turn got corrupted in transit. I'm not a sophisticated computer person but that is the only way that I can rationalize it. We had a perfect, bug free game the first time we played it so I am discounting the learning curve on how to play pbem. Just very peculiar. Sorry to post a long message. Anyone else have this type of bug in the beta demo? ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson

Europeon Air War by Microprose. This game has a renewed interest for me since there are literally tons of free 3rd party enhancements available now. It is the finest solo play WW2 sim in existence and will be very tough to dethrone. It is an absolute steal at most game stores...probably can pick it up for 20 bucks USA. If you ever had any type of interest in flight simulations (especially WW2) this is the one to get. ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson

Fionn and Rick, c/o Madmatt Been waiting patiently for updates to your Last Defense skirmish. (Well, ok, maybe not.) I hope that the battle hasn't been scrapped. I really do enjoy the drama and love reading the different perspectives of how the battle is progressing. Although Fionn seems to be advancing at a victory's pace, I still feel that Rick's chances at holding the ground are very good. And Rick, from the tone of your AAR, you sound slightly pessimisstic at being able to hold the ground. Just remember that the Jerries must evict you from the town and that certainly isn't an easy task to do. In any event, Fionn, you are a heck of a busy guy. I can empathize with how your time management options can be varied. (Lions, Tigers, King Tigers, Meta-Campaigns, Oh my!) When you guys get the chance, keep the turns rolling over at CMHQ. You've at least got an audience of one. Buena Suerte Amigos, P.S. BTS, I haven't been so excited about the release of a PC game in a long time. As Tom Petty says, "The waiting is the hardest part." ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson

P.S. When you open up your game to play the turn that was sent to you... Select play email, this will bring up a box where you'll have to point it to C:\Combat Mission Beta Demo then select the PBEM file and press open (or ok). Hope that helps. ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson

Take the attachment that you get from your opponent and unzip it into your C:\Combat Mission Beta Demo folder. (Assuming that is where you installed the program.) If you get a question from windows that asks you if you want to overwrite the file, select yes. (Unless you are wanting to save the movie files for each turn, then don't overwrite it.) (BTW, I am involved in one PBEM game with a close friend of mine and I don't save each turn's movie files. It's just a matter of preference. Play your turn out and do exactly as the program tells you to do...find the PBEM file in your C:\Combat Mission Beta Demo folder and zip it, attach it to an email to your friend and send it. Repeat every turn. I hope that helps in layman's terms. ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson

Would like to learn how to take a screen shot in the beta demo. I've tried the print screen button on the keyboard. I've looked in the readme and gave a quick search to the discussion archives. Sorry if this is a lame question but I really would like to take a screen shot of my German platoon of veteran soldiers from my CE PBEM. Would like to submit it to the Hero Section. P.S. What directory do screen shots get saved in by default? ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson

The good news is that BTS is thinking to the future of this game. (Already thinking in terms of the Combat Mission Series...the next three installments.) Keep up the good work BTS. I continue to be impressed by the demo and wait with baited-breath for the release of the full product. ------------------ ***** 73 de kb9sog Support Amateur Radio BJ Simpson