Shep

I thought I'd weigh in here, too. I have a little insight because I was in two branches of service, the Marines and the Army - Infantry and Cavalry Scout. I loved the Marines for the esprit de corps, and the training I received there was much more challenging than the Army. However, the training and the job for 19D Cavalry Scout was a very enjoyable thing, and I'd do it all over again. I also have the perspective of staying in touch with a lot of young people who are presently serving the first few years of their respective tours. Let me just say... don't go Navy. If what you're looking for is challenge and personal growth in mental toughness, then the Marines are for you. However, the Army has some great jobs that are a ton of fun. But whatever you do... join. It is very important for our country that young men like you serve and perpetuate our freedom. We depend very much on your generation. Major Carnes mentioned the tons of benefits that are available for those who are willing to serve. But let me emphasize one that is SO IMPORTANT: the benefit to all of us because of your willingness and dedication. ------------------ Scouts Out!

1. TCP/IP 2. Full game movies 3. Significant issues of gameplay accuracy 4. Allied AA vehicles. ------------------ Scouts Out!

Thanks, Mike. I'm fishing for something more definitive, either from BTS or people close to the source. Mark P.S. Get back to your studies! ------------------ Scouts Out!

Recycling the topic. Come on, guys, there has to be someone who has a clue about this... Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

I've seen a lot of discussion about the vehicles that were not included in CMBO. For whatever reason, there were some ugly ducklings left out at the big dance. I'm curious about a few things: 1) Will BTS add any more of these poor orphans before CM2? 2) I'm sure their priority lies behind the TCP/IP patch, but can there be the slightest revelation of a time frame or priority for them? 3) Assuming there are more vehicles coming before CM2, what will be the package for them? An add-on pack (I'd buy it in a heartbeat)? A free patch? Anyone? Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

The AARs are valuable for me in this: They confirm what I already know - so I try to remind myself to follow the principles as reiterated. And they also disseminate new ideas, which I hope to cultivate into victories. Plus it's fun to see two obviously proficient players go at it. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Did I miss something there? I thought the battle was done, and you two are posting the rest of the AAR by monday or so. Different battle? Now you're making me re-read the topic... Could it be that my reading comprehension is beginning to fail? And I'm so young (just turned 40 a week ago)! Mark

Fionn, is that the best you have? Being a DIP is a wonderful way to go... haven't you heard? Of course, I have some vague recollection that we were supposed to avoid decisive engagements or something. Always annoyed me, that. At least you have the humility (seriously) to put the AAR up there when you received a drubbing at the hands of one of our Finest. There are some great lessons there on both sides. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Near as I can figure, Fionn, after reading the AAR... Your main mistake was MESSING WITH THE U.S. CAVALRY IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! Get some, Major Carnes. Now... The comments on winning the recon battle are especially valuable. It is often decisive to not only gain adequate recon on the enemy, but also to flummox his efforts through deception, or through suppression and destruction of his recon assets. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

I played both SL and ASL... from the beginning of both systems. I can remember going to down to Nan's game store in Houston and shelling out the big bucks for both the ASL rulebook and Beyond Valor... and digesting the new rules in all their complicated glory. I lasted through all the modules until the Hasbro buyout, although my ASL time waned quite a bit when my gaming partner moved to San Diego, and family and work demands increased. I just knew that CM would be the fulfillment of the promise of ASL, and boy was I ever right. It's nice to live in the time that we do. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

I say we send a gratis copy of CM to John Cleese and see how he takes it. By all rights he should totally fall for it!!! ------------------ Scouts Out!

Hmmmm... St. Anne's Chappele (5 or 6 times) Wittman at Villers Bocage (5 or 6 times) Plus the Airborne one at Le Manoir de la Fiere. Just a favorite event. "I don't know a better spot to die." And that strange one called Quick Battle that seems to be different every time you play it. I just figured it was a game bug or something... Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Sociology: What is the connection between computer wargamers and Monty Python? Seems like a lot of guys chimed in on the fun this afternoon. Any educated guesses? ------------------ Scouts Out!

Sgt. Moylan: "He's got pointy teeth!" Cpl. Grammont: "He can leap about..." [stretching his arms to maximum width]

Re: 101st Airborne... You mean the Screaming (african? or european?) Eagles?

Brave Sir Robin, Sir Robin: He ran away and he chickened out!

Sacked, nothing. I want them used as targets in a skeet shooting tournament! And then stuffed. And sold as (not quite) living pets. And then slapped with fishes as a part of a bizarre folk dance from an obscure corner of the british isles.

Uncontrollable LOL... and I've heard it a million times. And when finally confirmed as dead, may they be buried under a larch tree! ------------------ Scouts Out!

That, sir, is a dead [former member of the Birdsong Testing Committee for Combat Mission!!!] parrot.

Sacked, nothing. I want them used as targets in a skeet shooting tournament! And then stuffed. And sold as (not quite) living pets.

Frankly I'm shocked that these issues were not considered by the designers or confronted by playtesters. Just who was in charge of the Birdsong Testing Committee? I demand his resignation!!! ------------------ Scouts Out!

African or European?

Okay, I thought a long time about posting this, and decided to do it for fun. I was playing a dawn/dusk scenario a while back, and I was listening to the birdies singing... And I realized that I was listening to the song of an AMERICAN ROBIN... So I looked it up in my bird guide, and it seems the range of the American Robin is indeed limited to North America. So how's this for the ultimate niggle in this wonderful game... THE BIRDSONGS ARE INACCURATE!!! You can imagine my consternation and loss of immersion over this issue... Please keep up the good work, guys, and continue to ignore the irrelevant. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

And don't forget: "Get some get some GET SOME!!!" ------------------ Scouts Out!

The Schmidt section alone in Three Battles easily has enough info for a dozen scenarios (scenario pack idea?). Schmidt was such an epic battle, yet it doesn't get the ink the others do, because it was an American blunder and failure. Perhaps the one triumph of the Schmidt fiasco was that the Bloody Bucket guys who survived knew everything there was to know about defending an isolated town against overwhelming odds. That knowledge was put to great use at Marnach and Clervaux, and was crucial in saving Bastogne. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!