Holman

Happy Birthday, WBW! Three cheers for the man whose generosity and talent have made CM (and plenty other games) better for all of us! We owe you our thanks. Martyr

Is it true that early Soviet tanks, lacking radios, actually used signal flags to communicate with one another?

Sir, I would be very interested in the Micro Armor units. I can't offer anything in return, but I can promise to keep the collection together and in good condition. Please email me if you're so inclined. Martyr

Ah, Hogan's Heroes. When I was five or six years old (back in the early 1970s), I saw an episode featuring a captured allied pilot smuggled out through the prisoners' series of tunnels. (Remember the tree stump?) Well, there was some footage of the airman coming down on his parachute, and I thought I would replicate this feat by leaping from my Dad's desk to the couch in the corner. I missed the couch, hit the hard slate floor, and wound up with six stitches in my chin. I'm thirty-one now, and I still have the scar. Colonel Klink will be missed.

I'm not sure I can call myself an Old Salt, since I've been much more of a lurker than a poster on this board. But I *have* been checking the new posts every day since about a month before the Beta Demo came out. And, hey, that's a long time! Martyr

Heh heh... Before the inevitable, here's a list that I wrote for my Dad (much enraging him) in the last days before the balloting. "Top 25 Reasons to Vote for George W. Bush in 2000:" 25) 15-minute review of Death-Row cases leaves plenty of time for golf with Poppy and Jeb. 24) "C" averages at Andover and Yale demonstrate commitment to making the most of the American public education system. 23) Election of two oilmen to the White House guarantees an administration that understands the plight of the typical American worker: the hardworking oil company chief executive. 22) Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura can't both be wrong. 21) End to Clinton-Gore fuzzy math, with its so-called "percentages" and "long division." 20) End to Clinton-Gore fuzzy grammar, with its so-called "subject-verb agreement" and "complete sentences." 19) Preventing EPA meddling ultimately benefits struggling American farmers in extreme northern parts of Alaska. 18) Oliver North ready to assume ambassadorship to Iran. 17) Gore still shamelessly trying to scare America's seniors, which is only what you would expect from a candidate who is simply itching for the chance to sell out our great country to his devious evil masters overseas. 16) Increased size of military ensures quick response when it becomes necessary to bomb the United Nations building. 15) Bold stance against Buddhist temple fundraising demonstrates that America will finally stand up to invading onslaught of slanty-eyed jackbooted robe-wearing vegetarian Zen-Taoist missionary thugs. 14) Bold fundraising appearance at Bob Jones University demonstrates dedication to strong anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, anti-Protestant, anti-Darwinist, anti-feminist, anti-race-mixing values. 13) Bold delayed retraction of Bob Jones University appearance demonstrates dedication to plurality and the GOP's new Big Tent. 12) Periodic sudden reversals on willingness to meet with Gay Republicans demonstrates that Dubyah is a uniter, not a divider. 11) Firm stance against dalliances with interns leaves plenty of time for 15-minute reviews of major policy initiatives or whatever. 10) Peace in the Middle East assured by airlifting "What Would Jesus Do?" bracelets to both Yasser Arafat and Ehud Barak. 9) Vietnam-era military experience sends strong message to Mexico. 8) Replacement of government welfare system with faith-based private initiatives ensures that our nation's poor will never lack lukewarm casseroles, Sunday-morning entertainment, and free tracts on "How To Be Saved." 7) One-party rule in the White House and Congress ensures freedom and rights for all real Americans. 6) "A vote for Gore is a vote for Nader!" 5) Colin Powell's and Henry Kissinger's phone numbers on speed-dial in case it becomes necessary to demonstrate that White House is in touch with non-white, non-Christian side of America. 4) Colin Powell's and Henry Kissinger's phone numbers on speed-dial in case it becomes necessary to find Yugoslavia on a map. 3) It's time for a national kegger. 2) To bestore honner and integritability to the Wife House. And the number one reason to vote for George W. Bush in 2000: 1) Proposed tax breaks, corporate welfare grants, and Republican spending measures eradicate the budget for social safety net, thus finally halting the misguided socialisms of the so-called "Great Society," the so-called "New Deal," and the so-called "American Dream." > Vote with your heart and good sense, > > Dad I would, Dad, but Mom is again refusing to run this year. Love, Paul

If CM didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent it... Martyr

I for one hope that people will continue to hang around this board for a long time. We all know that the board helps us players by providing answers, ideas, and even opponents. But the board also helps BTS (and, thus, our beloved game) by offering them a pool of opinions and experienced players from which to draw feedback. Being a part of this board means contributing to the future of CM! Martyr (who has lurked on this board every day since about six months before CM was released)

Hey there Raiders, I've loved all of the scenarios to come out of your group, and I always look forward to new ones. Keep up the excellent work, gentlemen, and thanks! By the way, has there been a new version of "Reckless Abandon" posted yet? I seem to remember a discussion of some unit set-ups that needed to be tweaked, but now I can't find the thread. Thanks, Martyr

Last night I was checking the new releases at my local independent video store, and I came across a WW2 documentary called "The Battle of San Pietro." It's from 1943 and, unless I'm mistaken, it was directed by John Huston. The film was sponsored by the War Department and chronicles the course of one long valley battle in Italy (before the fall of Rome). According to a note on the box, though, the film was never shown because it was deemed demoralizing and therefore no good for consumption on the home front. Since the footage shows lots of American soldiers in body bags, and makes no attempt to glamorize a very long and costly battle, I can see why the War Department decided that it didn't make good propaganda. The soldiers look haggard, unshaven, and tired. The wounded are obviously in pain. For these reasons alone, this documentary gives some real insight on history. It is also very well-directed, with consistently interesting footage and a relative lack of BS. It definitely gives you a sense of how difficult the hill country fighting was in central Italy. It also gives some attention to the civilians whose towns and livelihoods were totally destroyed by the war's passage. I don't know if the VHS version has only recently been released or if my video store only just now acquired it, but it was listed as "new." I recommend looking for it. Martyr

Aside from CM2, of course... I'm anxiously awaiting Shrapnel's ALL AMERICAN: 82ND AIRBORNE IN NORMANDY (sequel to 101ST AB IN N.). Think of it as the realistic alternative to the upcoming SQUAD LEADER computer game. I'm also looking forward to STARFLEET COMMAND 2 and FALLOUT TACTICS. Both look good, and look to build on proven quality. I've started playing BG2, and it is every bit as good as BG1. Possibly better. Certainly prettier. Martyr

Looks great, Matt! Will these uniforms be a part of MDMP-3? Martyr

Hey Wild Bill, Any more news about the new version of your Team Desobry operation? I'm looking forward to the update, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Martyr

As for signs, it seems that the game's label feature would do the trick. In fact, one solution to the "how big is this map really?" question would be for designers to use landmarks and list them in the briefing. Knowing that the town of X is halfway to the objective would give you a sense of where the current map lies in the whole scheme of the operation.

Actually, that large building (in which I had positioned a full platoon of veteran fallschirmjagers) burst into flames because one of my top-floor teams fired a 'faust at your approaching Kangeroo! I guess that's what I get for playing with matches in a mattress factory... The rapid exodus from that burning building was one of the funniest sights I've seen in CM. Martyr

Henri says: "In another pbem this week, I have a lot of tanks and infantry. SEVEN of my tanks are disabled by gun hits from artillery, and four bog down while the enemy tanks waltz around the terrain without problems Only two or three of my tanks ever manage to move into combat intact, where they are killed without claiming any enemy tanks. A number of my vehicles are killed by an enemy AT gun, who remains invulnerable despite being fired at by my 105 artillery since the beginning of the scenario, in addition to being fired upon by infantry and machineguns from a half-dozen kangaroo-mounted machineguns." Hey, that opponent is me! Clearly my superior skill and tactical genius have brought Henri to his quivering knees. Surely his terrified forces are even now searching their rucksacks for clean socks and hankies from which to sew together white flags. Only my gentlemanly sense of mercy and fair play stands between Henri's hapless draftees and their utter annihilation... Well, actually, I have to admit that Henri *has* had extraordinarily bad luck in this game. Not the least of his worries is that he has been forced by the scenario to attempt an armored assault over what is essentially a kilometer-long plain of open mud. In fact the only reason my tanks are still moving is that all the roads are on my side of the map. Well, that's not strictly true. There are *some* roads on Henri's side, but they were all mined... I can vouch for the fact that, despite the gods' malevolent interference with his dice rolls, as an opponent he is the very model of courage in the face of the abyss. Henri, another game? Paul "Martyr" Roberts

Henri, I'm not having any trouble with your ISP. Just so you know. I just sent you a turn, in fact Martyr

Jochen, you posted this about half an hour ago in your "HEAR ME OUT" thread: "I will refrain from such bad taste in the future....." Those were your words. Just stop. Martyr

This is serious. Jochen, not only did you post an image that was in incredibly bad taste, but you did so *knowing* that it would result in calls for you to be banned. When it happens, you won't won't be able to blame anyone but yourself. One last thing, though. Please edit your opening post here to remove that gruesome and offensive image. You owe that much to people who might visit this board without knowing what to expect from a "JOCHEN PEIPER" thread. I'm willing to cut a confused kid some slack, but not when you continue to waste the charity of others. One thing you must not be allowed to do is turn this generally mature and helpful forum into a magnet for people who would minimize the crimes of the Nazi regime. Martyr

I sent in my name to be included on the RD ladder, but I haven't shown up on the list yet. (I mean the list of those who have not yet played three games.) How often is the site updated? Martyr

Remember that "credited" kills in the unit info display only mention kills that were seen and confirmed. Think of all the kills that you know your mortars cause, but that don't show up because they were not seen and confirmed. Perhaps the fact that snipers fire at long range means that few of their kills are confirmed and listed?

Oops! Playing 1.05 now. (Thanks BTS!)

Hello all, Well, I've had plenty of time with the AI (which is still capable of teaching me my lessons). Now I believe I'm ready to REALLY get stomped. Is there an intelligent, humorous, ruthless opponent out there who wants to give me a try? I'm playing 1.04. I'd like to start no more than two games right now (so don't deluge me). I'm also looking for double-blind games. Here are some fairly short scenarios I haven't opened yet: Aachen Chambois Drop to Destiny Hamminkeln Le Lorey Merry Xmas at (wherever that one is) If you haven't played one of these scens, and want to try me, please send me a quick note. I'm willing to play as Allies or Axis, and I can get off one or two turns each afternoon/evening starting tomorrow (Friday). Get in touch and we'll mix it up! Paul "Martyr" Roberts [This message has been edited by Martyr (edited 08-24-2000).]

PE is an excellent sim. I'm looking forward to seeing the third-party developers iron out the few remaining kinks, but it's a great sim today. If you like modern tanks, you really should look at STEEL BEASTS. It's due to ship any day now, and will be the most realistic modern tank sim ever produced.

This issue has been discussed. Do a search under "pirate."