gaffertape

MENSCH, based on the last few winters here in Toronto, I may not need to store snowballs for April - we can just pick snow of the ground. GAFF

I'll buy you a nice cold beer if you ever come to Toronto, STUKA. Still have fond memories of our battle in the snow. GAFFERTAPE

JUJU: Ah, yes - I know the film you're referring to, and its a very different story. I think Anthony Hopkins played Hitler in it. STUKA: Weapons get fired, but there's barely a moment of 'fighting in the field'. Most gunfire is restricted to the tunnels. The men refer to having just been ambushed, but I'm sure that budget constraints precluded them from showing it. Definitely a small independant film with a modest budget, and certainly more of a ghost story than a war story. COMMISSAR: I think the Toronto Film Festival may have been the first showing of the film. It definitely won't be on video yet, and it may not get a theatrical release, or at least not a wide one. Then again, it does star one of the guys from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, so that may boost its potential audience. The Internet Movie Database does list it if you search for 'bunker' (look for the one made in 2001), but there's very little info on it. GAFF

The film your referring to may have different source material, although who's to say? I fear that without any of the military gear to keep me occupied I would have been disappointed. Basic premise is a squad of German soldiers take refuge in a bunker as the Americans advance. Fearing that they are surrounded they attempt to escape via some abandoned and appropriately spooky access tunnels. Its well acted for the most part, and the storyline had potential, but it didn't frighten me or pay off emotionally. Gaffertape

Just saw a flick at the Toronto Film Festival called The Bunker. Its technically a psychological horror, but it is set on the Western front in 1944. Not a bad movie, but my main interest in it was the German equipment used throughout, as its characters are German soldiers (played by English actors, but its not as distracting as I found this in Enemy At The Gates). I don't know enough about uniforms to say if they were absolutely correct, but they looked good to me. Definitely some work went into making them look worn out which was refreshing. I question how some of the men carried their MP40s in action - it looked menacing but I don't think they could have fired them. Two MP44s and an MG42 also make an apperance. Would '44 have been to early to see the MP44 on the Westfront? Gaffertape

I'm heading on over to download them - your last CM sound pack was absolutely tremendous, SCIPIO. - GAFF

Helpful information, sir. Thanks! - GAFF

Cheers, CLUBFOOT. We wish you all the best.

This doesn't fit your requirements for writing style, but I have a big honking book called "2194 Days of War" that literally lists events for every day of WWII. Granted, the notations are rather limited but it does give a sense of how all-encompassing the conflict was. Not sure if its still in print. Fair number of maps and pictures. GAFF

M.Dorosh: Thanks for the book recommendation - I'll track down "Tug of War".

Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

He will be missed For my money, his best performance ever was in Glengarry Glenn Ross - watch this film and you'll totally forget the usual warmth and charm associated with his roles. GAFF

I definitely would have bought the game if it hadn't included the Canadians, but I was glad to see us included nonetheless. My memory is terrible, but I have read several books about the Canadian experience in WWII. Just finished one called "Steel My Soldiers Hearts", which gave a pretty grim portrayal of a Canadian tanker. "Ortona" was a good read as well, although that was Italy, not Normandy. I'm trying to get more stuff about the Sheldt Estuary battles, which sounded really brutal. GAFF

Got them working - Its like having a brand new game. Absolutely terrific work, sir. I highly recommend these to everyone. GAFF

I used the MPEG suite to convert, and I noticed that although the files expanded (and are much bigger), they are still recognized as WinAmp files, not wavs. They may still work - I don't have CM here at work to test. - GAFF

Say, Otto: Better leave that bridge intact. Otherwise, the thirty Pershings I have back here under my command will never make it to Berlin. - GAFF

Keeping the Shermans alive is a tricky prospect. All the advice here is dead-on. Myself, I tend to over-use my armour, and in the hopes of getting into a good position I will often lose Shermans who get past my own infantry screen. Patience is the key, and I don't have enough of it. - GAFF

bump

Check your e-mail sir - I was away for a bit so I got lost in the shuffle. I can't seem to access the Rumble II Allied messageboard that you set up. Any ideas? Please contact me ASAP, as I'm in the dark regarding my troops. gaffertape@eudoramail.com

Robert Mayer: Slightly off topic, but I think your magazine is excellent. I really enjoyed last month's Aliens vs Predator II article - particularly the tounge-in-cheek movie references. I'm glad BTS chose your magazine to showcase new CMII info. GAFF

Those German HTs with a 75 can work wonders if used properly. You do need to keep them in cover and if you move them move them fast. I've taken out a Sherman head-on with one. Naturally though they are much more potent when they DON'T have to deal with enemy armour. GAFF

Looking forward to the article, although I seem to be in the minority: I prefer to defend. For me, the key is to plan how YOU would attack your own positions if you had about double your force size. GAFF

Welcome YECoyote You won't believe how much better the full version is... Frankly, I think your decision to take a month off of work might be somewhat conservative. GAFF

I'm honoured, but the credit to my win goes to my AI gunner (who rarely missed), and CROCKETT who came to my rescue just in time. Loved the game, Gordon. Looking forward to the AAR and the Rumble Mark II. - GAFF

Thanks for the post, SHRIKER - I'll make a point of catching the Sunday airing. Sounds excellent. - GAFF