John Kettler

Jarmo and I have now finally reached something remotely resembling a conventional battle, with identified armor in use on both sides. This turn several new Canadian infantry positions popped up in the center, and they're exchanging fire with my troops across the gulch. Meanwhile, I'm trying to blast away an MMG team from a heavy building and he's got an apparent Firefly returning the favor on some of my troops. The acute lack of infantry, limited crossing options for tanks, short LOS from fog and numerous buildings make for quite a finger chewing game of stalk. The good news here is that the tactical display shows me as owning all the VLs, a happy state which I'm sure won't last long. I still haven't figured out what Shandorf's heavy fire support consists of, but it has caused me considerable pain and lots of disruption. My own mortar fires seem to have semistabilized my far right, in that the pattern is now falling in such a way as to severely inhibit movement near the crossroads and punish the ill protected. I got a lovely straddle and some sort of hit on what may be a Luchs, but it's still coming. He appears to be shifting armor rightwards on the lateral road leading to the crossroads to reinforce the first AFV, which appears to be ready to push forward in a drive designed to seize my rear VL. To the left of the newly arriving AFV even more SS infantry is moving up on a combat line, having crossed the lateral road. I've done some moving of my own, but am not yet ready to say where. Shandorf is vastly amused that my own mortar pattern outliers are falling in my area, but I rather doubt he likes having the mean point of impact squarely athwart the crossroads. Even though he's mauled me, I delight in reporting that I killed some of his infantry outright and put more to flight on my far right. Possibly because of additional armor nearby, with or without troops, the church VL now shows as contested. Messages from Shandorf suggest that things aren't exactly peachy in the SS camp either. Regards, John Kettler

n/t

Wolfe, Working purely from the top of my head, the Gerlich 28/21 sPzb 41 saw wide use in North Africa, Russia, Italy, etc., and was even mounted on armored vehicles (250,222,251) in field mountings. I believe it was originally an FJ weapon, being light in weight but quite potent for its size. There was also a 42/30, about which I know almost nothing. The Germans designed a full size squeeze bore antitank gun, PAK 41 which was murderous in trials and in the field after limited production, but the weapon was canceled because of a tungsten shortage and because weapons like the PAK 40 were able to handle most battlefield threats. If you need further info I'll have to break out some books and do research. Regards, John Kettler

Michael, I'm confused. GRENADES & MORTARS was published by Ballantine Books as part of its Ballantine's Illustrated History of a Violent Century. The entire editorial team was British, but the book was printed in the U.S., at least my edition was. TWENTIETH-CENTURY ARTILLERY had all its design and editorial work done in London, but was printed in Singapore. Hope this helps. John Kettler

Michael, If you read any of his numerous works except this one he always is at pains to to explain that correct spelling for that which detonates a bomb, mine, shell, rocket or missile warhead is "fuze." I just checked his GRENADES & MORTARS on this point. The body text consistently uses the zed form, if you will. Regards, John Kettler

I hate it when I'm right! There was no counterattack on the church, but Shandorf's heavy fire support is now ranged in on my right and is blasting my positions mercilessly. A heavy building just took a single hit and blew to bits. Unfortunately, it was occupied at the time. American artillery is beginning to fall, but it's in the wrong place. Regards, John Kettler

The long sought turn flow has finally arrived, and turns and missiles of many sorts are flying back and forth wreaking havoc on various recipients. If my display is to be trusted, I now control 3 of 4 VLs in my battle against Jarmo. Mortar fire continues to pound the approaches of the leftmost VL, there is a real firefight raging across the river between an apparent Vickers MMG in a building overlooking the seemingly Canadian controlled third bridge, and my guys in buildings across the deep gulch. I'm doing minor repositioning of armor, and Jarmo appears to be moving some into the vicinity of the second bridge. His tactical intentions for that armor are presently unclear, being in a kind of swing position behind a heavy building allowing action against crossing either of the first two bridges or enabling a swift move in either direction. Will just have to see. The battle vs. Shandorf is a chaotic mess even by the military standards for chaos in battle, and the support fires are only making things worse. The SS forces are in and around the crossroads on my far right. I'm in buildings and woods nearby. Mortar and heavier unknown fire is raining down, causing spectacular treebursts, sending men scurrying for cover and adding to the intense confusion of battle waged in the fog at distances ranging from spitting to 40 meters. He has committed some sort of light armor to the fray as well. Both sides have taken casualties, but the real damage has been to cohesion and combat effectiveness. Things are so bad, the troops so battle averse, that my proposal for summary field tribunals all around--for cowardice in the face of the enemy--was met enthusiastically by my opponent, whose troops are now referred to by him as "useless hamstertruppen." I have even choicer names for my men. The feldwebels and sergeants have their work cut out for them to get these miserable excuses for soldiers back to their duty. There is some good news to report from the American side, though. While the martial insanity on the far right raged, my men quietly slipped in and took the church, the central and strong VL on the map. This gives me two of three VLs. I expect a counterattack soonest. Regards, John Kettler

Maximus, If you think long and hard you might come up with a reasonable explanation for why I haven't. If my cybernetic poverty concerns you so much, you are more than welcome to buy me a top of the line Mac or maybe a fully rigged 1.7 GHz Area51, Falcon or similar PC system. I will not only be grateful but relieved, knowing that I've at last met your cybernetic expectations concerning me. Sincerely, John Kettler

Attention grogs, demigrogs, mod makers and the militarily curious! For the princely sum of U.S. $9.99 your local Barnes & Noble can provide you with a profusely illustrated, technically rich 320 page handbook called TWENTIETH-CENTURY ARTILLERY which covers artillery from WWI through 2000, with a huge chunk devoted to the period preceding and during WWII. Each weapon has a color illo, a paragraph describing the weapons's development, technical aspects and quality, and a data table. Unfortunately, either the eminent ordnance specialist and former Royal Artillery Master Gunner didn't proof the galley or it was screwed up after he turned in corrections. I say this because there are some lulus awaiting the unwary in a book covering not only standard artillery but flak, railway guns, certain SAMs, even selected ICBMs, plus manportable AT weapons and armored trains. The worst one I found was that the illos were swapped for the German 37mm flak and the 2cm Flakvierling. Somewhat exciting was the ZSU-23-490mm M1. 490 23mm barrels. Eek! Two captions fused, actually. ZSU-23-4 and 90mm M1. There are some spelling howlers too. I was particularly stunned to find that every use of the word "fuze" was misspelled "fuse," particularly since Ian Hogg carefully explains proper ordnance nomenclature in his other books. My guess is someone ignorant of military terms did a spellcheck and ordered a global search and replace. On the plus side, this book is inexpensive, has the kind of information new CM players desperately need, is a great visual resource for the mod builders, and has grog stuff I've never seen before, including the first illo I've seen anyplace of the desperate, dangerous improvised weapon called the Northover Projector (launched chemically ignited Molotovs prone to burst during firing and ignite) and the mentioned but seldom seen Land Mattress multiple rocket launcher used by the Allies. Yes, the Allies had MRLs, even if not one is in the game. If you want to know what fires that honking 28cm round in the German artillery list, look here under the 28cm K5(E). If you don't know a PIAT from a Panzerschreck, a Panzerbuchse from a PTRD, this is for you. Can't tell your 12.8cm Pak44s from the similar looking K44s? Help awaits. Ditto for the bewildering array of 88 models and the difference between a sIG 33 and and an sfH 18, both 15cm in bore but radically different in performance. See what a British 7.2 looks like, find out why the 3.7" AA gun wasn't used like the very similar 88 for ground targets, and learn to tell Oerlikons from Polstens. All of the above and more await your viewing and reading pleasure. Exercise a little caution and make sure the picture matches the technical data. Remember, too, that the illos are to a common size, NOT a common scale. And they're off! Regards, John Kettler [ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: John Kettler ] [ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: John Kettler ] [ 08-25-2001: Message edited by: John Kettler ]

Panther G, I might win that contest. Gen One iMac, 233 MHz G3 64 MB RAM (added 32), 2 MB VRAM ATI Rage Pro 6 GB HD, OS 8.6 If you check the official BTS recommended minimum specs, you'll find my rig doesn't meet them. Happily, it still runs CM at 640 x 480 with full smoke but no fog visuals. Haven't run the time-to-compile test you describe, though. Regards, John Kettler [ 08-24-2001: Message edited by: John Kettler ]

Response and an update Shandorf, Ah, but I have studied at the feet, fists, elbows and teeth of Fionn, from whom I learned extraordinarily painful lessons about the importance of recon. Yes, I had some lead elements moving quickly from cover to cover, but as the hail of inbound lead will soon show, I didn't send those men out unsupported. I took some chances because of the poor visibility conditions, but it didn't seem rash with the information I had at the time. Instead, what I did was take a calculated risk intended to quickly seize the crossroads. You simply got there first with your SS regulars, allowing you to gloat. Okay, you've had your fun. Send me a turn! Jarmo again disappeared, but since he came back this time after some charity party/music event, we've sent a bunch of turns (now game turn 5 of 25) winging back and forth. He appears to be probing the contested leftmost VL, to which I've thoughtfully responded with mortar fire. Let me just say that it's scary stuff in the fog, especially short rounds. Either the FO needs a refresher course or the mortars need repair, for the group shot looked more like Nebelwerfer fire than mortar fire. There are also indications that armor in the center rear on his side has begun to shift to my left. There are no infantry firefights so far, and I appear to control two bridges outright, with a fourth also contested. This is per my tactical display, which may or may not be accurate. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who fights under the agreements Jarmo and I reached, then gets this map, has serious work and stomach churning ahead, for it's a city fight with minimal infantry. Not the best way to go. Very exciting! Regards, John Kettler

My plea was heard! Well, halfway. Shandorf has returned. Jarmo is absent from combat altogether. Whatever Shandorf was subjected to didn't agree with him, for he came back spoiling for a fight and found one in Turn 1. Yes, there's a merciless point blank firefight already in progress near the rightmost crossroads between advancing American infantry and what appear to be Himmler's boys, also surging forward. I predict serious lumps for all concerned. The FP scores at this range are enormous. Will keep you posted. Regards, John Kettler

Well, it appears I rejoiced too soon. The hideous KFC cabal was but a diversion, during which both Jarmo and Shandorf were made desparecidos by a party or parties unknown. Would whoever took them, whether terrestrial or ET, please bring them back? They both owe me turns, and we were finally beginning to get a flow going. Regards, John Kettler

Babra, I can try, but I have nowhere to host the image. Which Firefly type were you interested in seeing? Regards, John Kettler

Babra, The article I reference has pictures of both types in question, along with many other Firefly versions including the rare Coldstream Guards' field mods armed with 60 lb. rockets. Regards, John Kettler

Okay, things are more or less back on keel now. The ghastly cabal has been exposed, and turns are flowing in the prescribed manner. The aliens brought Shandorf back. Again. Maybe they finally finished their tests on him. I hope so! I got a file from him and sent one back. I'm attacking everywhere in force. Yeah, right. Jarmo claims he sees/hears me. Maybe he does, and maybe he doesn't. I do know the fog does weird things to sound. Visibility is not good, but it's terrific compared to my battle with Shandorf, where white canes are mandatory, so thick is the fog. Capitaristfroginchina, (Kelter indeed!) I see the barbs on your wit need no sharpening. Your description of the limitations of LOS info in scattered trees as applied to your poor Hummel was a minor masterpiece. Smite that Churchill, I say. If it takes a King Tiger , then use that. Regards, John Kettler

Capitalistdoginchina, It's "Kettler." Am no relation to the woman whose fingers were purple because she "heard it through the grapevine." (Helen Keller) I see. Plots. Conspiracies. Cabals. Enemies everywhere and conspiring to drive me (dramatic pause) mad. Too late, I fear. Hoo hoo! Hoo ha! Hoo he! Pray forgive the indelicacy, but what was a Hummel doing so close to the front lines that the first shot of the game got it killed? Seems to me that such a fearsome beast should be kept in trail and whistled up from the rear only as and when needed. As you know, I AM the leading expert on armor employment in ME's, with a spesh e all i tee (Brit speak) in night combat using Crocodile support in cities. Is this Treeburst155's infamous barren billiard table map? Wouldn't bocage block LOS? Maybe you were simply accursed and got daylight without fog! At the rate things are going, I'm going to need virtual sunblock when my army eventually comes back into the sun. I'll either go blind or combust. Jarmo, Sorry about that! I thought you were saying your turn to me was too big, but that you knew I couldn't read it without special software. If this happens again send this : "Please stuff and resend last turn n/t" to me. Even with severe brain function degradation I'll grok that right away. I'll try to get the file off tonight (already 3:15 a.m. PDT here); if not, after I awake. Regards, John the Tired

I, for one, am most grateful that the requirements for CM are low...since my rig doesn't even meet them. Gen One iMac 233 Mhz 64 MB RAM (added 32) ATI Rage Pro (2 MB VRAM) 6 GB HD OS 8.6 Would I love a faster, more powerful machine, one with fabulous graphics and all the bells and whistles? Absolutely! I had a 350 MHz iMac on loan while my 233 MHz iMac was repaired. It was a sad day when I had to go back to 640 x 480 after playing for weeks at 800 x 600. I'm lucky, though, to have the capability to play the game at all. I may or may not be able to upgrade this one enough to run CM:BB. Think good thoughts! For the record, if one is seeking maximum game sales, the hot tip is to develop on the Mac and port to the PC. This gives both the Mac and the PC markets, without the hassles attendant in trying to port from PC to Mac, which is reportedly much harder than going the other direction. Regards, John Kettler

I'm so frustrated! I'm in two games and have turns today from neither, hence no DARs. Jarmo is having problems sending files to me. I don't know what he's doing, but they're huge, necessitating that he stuff them. The stuff format is one I can decompress, for it's Mac native (two more Mac's, Fuerte!), but I had no compression capability, a problem I handled via a link Jarmo supplied to a free trial download of Aladdin's DropStuff. Jarmo was notified many hours ago to try again. So far, nothing. Shandorf has apparently been taken again by the aliens. Nothing has been heard from him since I sent my Allied setup, and that was yesterday evening. Regards, John Kettler

Jarmo sent me his German setup, receiving in turn the first German move in our Stalingrad West in the Fog. Shandorf has my Allied setup, a nightmare deployment exercise which severely taxed my less than optimally working brain. We're fighting in Treeburst155's masterpiece, a sprawling accreted old village which is both incredible and a tactical nightmare. The thing is full of twisting roads, hills, blind spots, stone walls, trees and...fog. Yes, fog. Shall we say the setup zone's unusual, too? Our esteeemed judge seem to be a photophobe, for I've seen normal daylight once in the tourney, that in battle with someone who left. That's all I have at the moment. Regards, John Kettler [ 08-22-2001: Message edited by: John Kettler ]

Nothing from Jarmo yet (hint), but I can say that I'm the Allies against jshandorf and that my brain splitting force buy has been sent to Treeburst155. It was much easier buying my force against Jarmo because of the mandatory platoon buy and minimum 800 pts. for armor. This exercise was cut from whole cloth, using dull scissors, and featured a bunch of new choices I'd never had before. Let's hope the garment fits the intended application! I'll keep you posted. Regards, John Kettler

GenSplatton, My mistake! I saw "Excel format" and promptly leapt to the wrong conclusion. I now have hard copies for both sides. Most useful, also scary! BTW, your Gebirgsjager entries below the main header are misspelled. Many thanks! John Kettler

It's a fight now to the Finnish, for I just sent Jarmo my setup. I'm Germans in an armor heavy engagement, and I'm using the force I bought. The map is a most unpleasant surprise for a tanker, being mostly a heavy urban area straddling a wide defile crossed by four bridges, which are the sole VLs. The two outer bridges are tied to a kind of ring road, while the inner ones are paths to the heart of the city and do not have straight through approaches. Nearby buildings could well lead to unpleasantry for whomever tries to cross. Naturally, the fog makes it impossible to see all the bridges from a common location, which would be possible in normal daylight. I think this'll cause serious coordination problems as the battle goes forward. That's all I have for now. Regards, John Kettler

rexford, Digging into my tiny reference pool for British armor I came up with the following by Chamberlain and Ellis in their "The Sherman and the 17pdr." which is in Feist's JOURNAL: Military Panorama No. 1, Feist Publications, 1969. Page 15 says: Firefly Types Most Fireflies were converted from the Sherman V (US designation:M4A4) mainly because the British had large lease-lend deliveries of this model, and the next most numerous were basically the Sherman I (M4). Of these a proportion were were the late-production M4 type with combination cast and rolled upper hulls which were newly delivered vehicles from USA sent for conversion to 17 pounder type. The British called this variant the Sherman Hybrid because it had the appearance of a cross between the cast-hull M4A1 and the welded M4. A very small number of M4A1 (British Sherman II), M4A2 (British Sherman III), and M4A3 (British Sherman IV) were also converted, the latter in very small numbers only since relativelyfew M4A3s came to Britain. Now, assuming that my tired brain properly processed all that detailed model differentiation stuff, the answer to your question is that both the standard cast-hull Sherman and the hybrid Sherman were used to make Fireflies. You should therefore invest the time to analyze both penetration cases. The cited article has pictures of both types in field service. I hope this helps. Regards, John Kettler PS Glad the books were actually of use!

How about an HTML or RTF version? Not everyone has Excel or runs Windows. Regards, John Kettler