der Bob

Steve: His name was John Banner. He and Colonel Klink were my two favorites in the show, which had me glued to the TV every Friday night as a teenager. Last August while wasting time in the American Airlines Admiral's Club in DFW, Hogan's Heroes was on the TV--but I couldn't get my 14-year-old son interested in it. How tragic... Anyway, Klemperer (and Banner) will always be fondly remembered by us old farts who watched them during our "formative years" (deformative?). der Bob <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Big Time Software: I saw an interview with him a couple of years ago. I thought he wasn't looking very healthy at the time. What I didn't know about Klemperer is that he was apparently a rather big star of the stage. BTW, the actor that played Sgt. Schultz (name escapes me right now) was an Austrian (or German?) Jew who escaped before it was too late. So it is kinda ironic that the two regular German characters in the TV show were both fugatives from Hitler's regime. Because of their bumbling antics in the show I somehow find this to be poetic justice Steve<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wesy: I have been upgrading my own pc for over 10 years, but the last try to build a new system from scratch taught me to just buy one already built. For a hair over $2000 (less than $150 more than I paid for all the parts separately), I got a Gateway AMD840 Athlon, 45 GB ATA 100 HD, 128MB ram, 32MB Riva TNT, Creative Sound Blaster Live, 250MB Zip, DVD/CD Rom, 17" .24 monitor, 3 Boston Accoustic speakers, printer, digital camera (a crappy one, though), 56K modem/network card, Windows ME, a ton of other software (some useful, some not), 24hr/day 800 support, 1 year parts/labor/on-site warranty, 2 more years parts warranty, and no farkin' headaches! I couldn't get my homebrew to work (and neither could the technicians at the place I bought the parts), so I returned all the parts and phoned Gateway. I am 100% satisfied with the results.

See what I mean? Poor RMC writes what any reasonable person (English- or German-speaking) should instantly recognize as sarcasm, and obviously he thinks CM is a great game, whereas Sudden Strike (whatever that is) is more-or-less a suboptimal vehicle for selling useless crappy souvenirs. What happens to him because of his message? He gets the CM fanatics to declare "Jihad" on him for being a "troll"! Would you guys please take it easy? RMC: I apologize for the absence of senses of humor in many of this board's members. der bob

Gentlemen: I'll try to be brief, but that is always a challenge for me (see what I mean?). First of all, to the "quitters": Just because some immature sadistic people post disgusting pictures on "our board" (that's a good one) that make normal people recoil in horror doesn't mean you have to LOOK at them, or even read any of their posts. It's like people complaining about what's on TV or the bookshelves--JUST DON'T WATCH OR READ WHAT OFFENDS YOU! On the other hand, if you cannot stand the thought that there are weirdos out there taking pleasure in such things, what makes you think we care if you "leave" this board? That's your choice, of course, but why clutter up the already-saturated board with your "farewell"? That's analogous to the pointless "I'm on vacation" emails that clog up corporate email systems. Some of you have been very helpful and courteous to others, and for that reason it's a shame you think you're punishing someone by "leaving". To the over-protective parents: if someone posts a message expressing discontent with "our game" on "our board", just ignore it, don't write back accusing them of being a "troll". If someone doesn't like this games because it's turn-based, or because they don't like the faces of the characters, or whatever, that is certainly their prerogative. You don't have to further clog the board with your attacks on someone who dared to express their views on the game and its perceived shortcomings. We can't stop people from wasting their time writing why they won't buy CM, but we can spare ourselves the spectacle of 20 replies telling the person "we don't care". Finally, I love this game. I don't play anything else any more (CC, Panzer Elite, Talonsoft's excellent collection, etc.), and I find few (if any) bothersome faults with CM. BTS has done a most remarkable job in creating and supporting this game. I just think many people get too protective about it. Nothing is perfect, and constructive criticism (without having to beg forgiveness when offering it) should be encouraged to help build an even more remarkable game. Just lighten up, guys. You remind me of classical music connoiseurs (of which I am one) who think that once something appeals to "the masses", they cannot enjoy it anymore (like this board). Please ignore the posts you don't like, and continue to support and amuse each other. Just remember, if you feel the need to leave, I don't give the proverbial rat's ass. der bob (ducking like a soccer referee in anticipation of missiles thrown by angry over-protective parents)

Is it possible the enemy was using a great deal of "area fire"? In other words, was the building in a tactically important location, one that if YOU were attacking, you would spray with every bullet you had to suppress likely machine gun positions? I don't know, it's just a thought...probably the only one I'll have today...or this week, for that matter. der Bob

Some saint posted a message about CM on the Panzer Elite board, suggesting that CM was really worth a look. My life hasn't been the same since...sniff. As my son and I were driving around in the Ardennes last week, we were taking notes about the countryside, planning to create wonderful scenarios about battles in towns like Clervaux. What a way to spend our European vacation (his first, my 15th). Anyway, I forget who first turned me on to CM, but I will thank him eternally. der Bob

Merci beaucoups, Henri! I will try your advice and see what gives. The scenario was fun despite the relative ease with which I won--it is the first scenario I've played in which my flamethrowers actually got to use those tanks strapped to their backs; in fact, they toasted several buildings "up close and personal". Thanks again, der Bob <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Henri: I haven't played this scenario , but take the editor and check out the probability for arrival of the reinforcements. I have seen it as low as 5%, in which case there is a 60% chance that the reinforcements will not have arrived 10 moves after the first possible move. Henri<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gentlemen (and Ladies?): I just finished pounding my son's Limeys into dust in Germany's 1st Counterattack. He claimed my crushing victory was due to faulty balance in the scenario design, rather than any flicker of military genius. I haven't yet played as the Brits, but it did seem a bit odd that his lone reinforcement--a 75mm Sherman--arrived on the last turn of the game (turn 23), and didn't even take any orders to move. It just sat there for one turn and then it was all over except the notes of "Deutschland Uber Alles" wafting around the burning remains of the destroyed town. Has anyone else played this yet, and if so, what is their opinion of the playbalance? Should I be telling my son he really is NOT as smart as his old man, or was I truly just blessed with a preponderance of force and Hummels (all three of which were knocked out or immobilized by his Jabos, by the way)? Thanks for any insight, my fellow addicts... der Bob

Dogcow: Sounds like you (or one of your subordinates) foolishly withdrew your troops' schnapps ration just before the lead started flying...I recommend it be reinstated forthwith, and is best administered with some sufficiently teutonic martial music blaring over the camp loudspeakers... Seriously, like others have advised you, just keep at it. I got annihilated the first few times I played (the demo); I've now gotten better enough to usually whip the AI, no matter which side I take (although I get quite bloodied in the process most of the time). Have fun, and keep the Jagermeister flowing! der bob

DOH! Too many years of beating myself at wargames obviously have taken their toll. Sorry for leaving John's original message (although worth reading twice!) in its entirety in my reply. der bob John: I of course don't know you, but like many others on the CM board, I feel compelled to congratulate you on an excellent post summarizing CM. I started wargaming even before you did (at age 9, in 1961, with "Tactics II"). I bought my first computer (an Atari 800) just so I could play "East Front 1941". I think I have well in excess of 50 board wargames (mostly Avalon Hill), and I have no idea how many computer wargames/simulations I possess. Most of them have been vastly enjoyable--despite the fact that my only opponent was almost invariably me. None of them, though, ever captured my heart the way CM has. My only regret about CM is that it came along when I have so many other responsibilities (wife, 3 kids, business, home, motorcycle, etc.) that require my time, leaving precious little to admire my loyal (sometimes!) troops as they run about the most beautiful computer-rendered landscapes to-date. You are also right about what a thrill it is when , for example, one's last surviving tank in the "Maaastricht" scenario is a lousy Stuart, but it manages to sneak up on the sole remaining PzIV and take it out with a 30M flank shot just as you watch the PzIV's turret slowly turn toward the Stuart. Yes, you captured the essence of the attraction of CM very eloquently (and perfectly spelled) post. I thank you, and hope your post is taken to heart by any waverers out there who wonder if they should purchase CM. Take care (and watch out for those spunky Stuarts!), der Bob [This message has been edited by der Bob (edited 07-12-2000).]

Gentlemen: I just had to say how much fun it's been reading some (who has time to read 62,000?) of the messages on this board (excuse me--these boards). I think the one that said it all was someone's response to BTS' understandable plea to try to manage the tidal wave of CM shipment reports (or lack thereof) sweeping across North America, and soon everywhere else. The message said something like "this is a party, man, so don't try to stop it" (my apologies for mis-quoting somewhat). I couldn't agree more. I've never seen anything like it, and I am glad to have been a part of it. I want to thank first of all BTS for creating something that generates such excitement among us wargamers (old and young), and I want to thank all of you who continue to post such courteous, helpful, and enjoyable posts. This is really some kind of phenomenon, and it's just a gas to watch. Thanks again to all of you! der Bob

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Manx: I predict that the CM Series will go on to become the biggest selling wargame of all time!. I'm not sure what war based game holds that record at the moment, but it will be beaten!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> It looks like all you young'uns have forgotten about the classics we old farts grew up with: Afrika Korps, Blitzkrieg, D-Day, Battle of The Bulge, Stalingrad, Waterloo, Russian Front, Guadalcanal, Midway, Squad Leader (and Cross of Iron, Crescendo of Doom, GI:Anvil of Victory), Patton's Best, Fortress Europa, Panzer Blitz, Panzer Leader, 1776, Richthofen's War, Highway to The Reich, and others. When I contrast those (usually played solitaire) to Combat Mission (or even other excellent computer-based wargames, including Talonsoft's East Front, West Front, and Rising Sun), it is incredible how any of us remained wargamers all those dark non-electronic years! P.S. If anyone wants to buy my "paper and cardboard" wargame collection (mostly listed above), please let me know! I could use the reclaimed closet space. der Bob

Schugger(baby) and Charles: Thanks for your quick replies. I'll assume I was awfully lucky in this one. Honestly, since this is the most I've been able to play this remarkable game (being father of 3, maintaining a household and yard, full-time job, starting new business, etc. take their toll), I shouldn't jump to any conclusions or consider myself the Audie Murphy of armored warfare. I did brag to my son (14) of how my Shermans mangled the Panther, though, and he was impressed (which is rare). It was also sort of "cute" how my 76 slammed itself into reverse the moment it set eyes on the Panther. With any luck, the "real deal" game will be sitting by my front door when I get home tonight. Thanks again, gentlemen. der Bob

I was a bit surprised by how easily my Shermans annihilated the Panther. I had one 75 go around the right of the big hill behind which the Panther was lurking, the 76 go around the left base of the hill, and another 75 running amok through the German infantry in the center of the map (far left of the hill) like Oddball's Shermans at the railyard in Kelly's Heroes. The 75 on the right drove around the hill, immediately took MG fire from the Panther, buttoned up, reversed at high speed and squeezed off a shot that immobilized the Panther! Then the 75 remained hidden behind the hill, doubtless changing their underwear. Meanwhile, the 76 worked its way around the left base of the hill, but immediately backed up the instant it saw the Panther! I redirected it to go forward again in the next turn, and watched it go. Suddenly, the Panther was blown to bits. I couldn't figure out who did it until I watched Oddball's 75 driving around the far left, machine-gunning hapless Wehrmacht ground-pounders. It fired two shots at the Panther while driving full-speed (and perpendicularly to the Panther), and the second shot penetrated the upper hull, destroying the Panther. I was amazed to see 2/3 of my Sherman 75 shots damage then kill the Panther, with the killing shot coming from at least 3-400 meters while at "full trot". I don't know, does this seem kind of unrealistic to anyone else, or have I been too brainwashed to think of the 75 Shermans as "Ronsons", good only for slicing through infantry and providing German tanks with target practice? Comments please. der Bob ------------------ "We ain't got no booze"

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maximus: Well, I was too for a while (a wonderful person), but then when something new comes up, like scenario downloads or patch downloads, everybody seems to forget how to run their computer. So what is a man to do? I mean as a Mac-user, shouldn't you know by now that a CTRL-Click is the same as right-click? As Ripley said in Aliens, "Have IQ's dropped slightly since I've been gone?" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Max: I've never touched a Mac, so I cannot comment on that. I used to use IE 5, but I've developed an unhealthy dislike of Microsoft recently, so I use Netscape exclusively. I presumed that "save link as" probably meant the same as "save target as", but was a bit surprised by how fast it happened. I don't recall asking for instruction on how to use a browser or a mouse, but being the thoughtful (albeit caffeine-impaired) type you are, you leaped to the rescue. You ought to hang out at the Panzer Elite "general discussion" board for a while, since it will prove to be a target-rich environment for your rapier-like wit. Watch for "Alfred Jodl"--he's fun to spar with. der bob