Dick Reece

In "Ham and Jam" the Jerries started virtually on top of my boys and I was stunned by the appearance of that bunker directly in front of me. Had I known the Germans were going to be in such close proximity I might have deployed a little differently. Hi Vet:^) I guess I designed the scenario assuming everyone would know the history,my mistake:^).I see your point regarding visible setup zones,especially in this instance,but it still wouldn't help for the majority of scenarios,IMHO.In fact,it would be a hindrance to the fun IMHO,by removing a bit of FOW.Historically the Brits landed very close to the pillbox,so that's the way I tried [apparently unsuccessfully:^(] to portray it.In addition,as Scott pointed out,I accidentally left it set for daytime after playtesting,and it was in fact a night battle.I suggest you play it again with the parameters set to night,I'll bet it's more challenging and fun,and your setup won't be quite as critical as it apparently was the first time.I hope at any rate you enjoyed it,and thanks for the constructive input,much appreciated.:^) Dick

Hi Scott, I'd be interested in hearing exactly what it is you think is wrong with the pegasus bridge scenario?Seems kind of odd to me,that you'd badmouth the work on a public forum, and then in the same breath ask for sources,etc? Since you've already passed judgement on it,apparently you're an expert. How then,and why would you, ask for input from others? There is no way you can do another Pegasus bridge scenario,without duplicating some of my work.I'm truly interested in finding out exactly what you seem to think is wrong with it? If it's a bunch of nit picking little grognard things,just keep it to yourself, I don't want to hear a bunch of miniscule details I may have missed.The number of piats is incorrect of course,but there is no way to make the scenario fun and balanced without them.If you check the formations you'll see I reduced the number of them,and also the ammo for each.Historically no engineers showed up,and only two tanks,one of which retired after the other was torched.There was a company of German engineers nearby,who could have easily reacted and counterattacked.The time was a mistake,I honestly don't know how it happened,I distinctly remember setting it for night.But,I am getting older, so I could have left it by accident.You see,if you'll play with the editor,you'll soon find that it's easier to work with the map parameters set at day,working in the editor with a night setting makes it harder to see,at least if you're getting older and grayheaded,and require reading glasses when using the PC,like I do.Perhaps I forgot to change it back? Please forgive a tiring middle aged man for a small mistake.There's an easy fix,load it in the editor and change it in parameters to night. As far as the locations of each leader and there troops,they are historically accurate,I went to great pains to make sure of that.In all,I spent six weeks making and refining this scenario. Since CM is based on one minute per turn, I was faced with compressing time a little, but still making a fun scenario.Most of the action took place in a very short time.Thus the smallness of the scenario. I suggest you do a bit of research yourself,instead of criticizing someone's work, and then asking the public for help.The way you've posted makes you appear as though you really have no idea what you're talking about,which is probably much closer to the truth. If this scenario had been done strictly "by the book" historical, it would be a dry,dull scenario,and a complete walkover for the British.I tried to keep it as historical as possible,but still fun [obviously a foreign concept to some who call themselves grognards] scenario. Lastly, I don't understand the little red smiley face,apparently representing anger or some other infantile emotion? Why should you or anyone else be upset with me or any other scenario designer, for doing the best we could with the job at hand? I worked my butt off for over a year on CM,churning out 8 scenarios and 2 operations in that time,hoping they'd make it to CD.I got real lucky,2 made it.It was a blast for me:^),and I intend to do it again. The last thing anyone of us needs to hear from any of you is a bunch of barbed,non-constructive,infantile criticism,especially when it's so obvious you don't know what you're talking about. Next time do us, the scenario authors,the common courtesy of at least writing us in private by e-mail, to correct what you may see as an obvious mistake,but may be a simple oversight,or even ignorance.Contrary to your apparent belief,we are just as human as you.I suggest you grumble to us in private next time,instead of cheapening our long hard hours of work by complaining in public,and making yourself a complete fool in the bargain. Sincerely, Dick Reece,the author of Ham and Jam

New CM scenario up at Rugged Defense! http://home.wanadoo.nl/edwin.vos/cm/cm.htm

Hi, For those interested, a newer,updated version of the Guns of Fallstein CM operation has been posted.It may change again,as it is a beta operation as stated on the posted text. Go here: www.home.wanadoo.nl/edwin.vos/cm/scen/guns.htm thanks! Dick

Actually it's a really valid question.Assuming the house just caught fire on turn one of a 30 turn scenario,in real life they could probably stay in the house anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes,or longer,depending on the condition of the house.Most likely there are enemy troops close by,so they may tarry a bit whilst they discuss their options.They may also wait in hopes that the smoke the house is producing blows in the direction they wish.My guess is after 30 minutes,there skin would be about as red as your neck appears to be from your post,hahaha:^)[just kidding-I saw a chance for poking fun so I did:^)]

Comparing Combat Mission to SPWAW is like comparing the taste of Virginia sugar cured Ham to that of bacon fat.Combat Mission is in a whole new class all it's own.It earned that status, let's leave it there. SPWAW is great, for what it is, which is yet another revision of the SP genre'.It is Windows compatible, has great new terrain and graphics, new sounds,new armor rules,but in the final analysis it is nothing like Combat Mission.Those are just facts, no badmouthing. None needed, the facts speak for themselves.Why badmouth SPWAW, someone else's attempt at making another really great wargame? It doesn't add to the lustre of CM to do so, as a matter of fact it kinda scuffs and tarnishes the CM shine to see the fans ridiculing everything else.The Game CM does it's own talking, it doesn't need any negative spokesman to compare it's qualities to other games, they are already loud,proud and obvious to those of us who know.Take it from me,I have playtested both.CM is in a class all by itself.It's unfair to compare anything else to it.I seriously believe when it's released it will be a strong contender for Game Of The Year,and will no doubt become the Wargame of The Year. Dick "Warmeister" Reece