stevetherat

If any of you non-philosophites are wondering what the hell has happenend to the CM BB, find a book called "Sophies World" (I can't remember the author, but he's north European). This book tries to explain philospohic genres and thought from the viewpoint of a father explaining it to his young daughter. It is very easy to read and understand, and as a test, the author has included a little puzzle at the end. If you have understood the book you will 'get' the end. Othewise, a re-read is in order! Good luck Steve

The British 17pdr (which I'm sure is 77mm cal.) fired APDS shot - Arour Piercing, Discarding Sabot. This type of ammunition discarded all but a very hard, and small, projectile after firing, which increased muzzle velocity, and therefore penetrative power. But there again I might be wrong... Steve

Happy Birthday WBW! stevetherat

Hello chaps and chapettes We've all heard about the MG motorcycle sidecar combo, but what about the Light Mortar combo? I've just been reading about the BEF in Norway and the book mentioned the German mountain troops having light mortars mounted in their motorcyle combos! groovy. Anyone else heard of wierd stuff? Steve

The CM AVRE was designed for the Normandy landings only. It is a bunker and pil box buster. A range of tanks, all called AVREs were introduced for specific tasks. One of them is this tank modelled in CM. Others included flail tanks, flame throwers, bridge builders, and carpet layers. They were owned and operated by the Royal Engineers for clearing beaches and other obstacles in preparation for the landing by infantry and armour. The 'shell' of the petard mortar operated in a similar way to HEAT ammunition, where the main blast was 'directed' into the target. This would explain the small crater left by the bomb - the explosion was directed INTO the ground and not exploded around it. Did you know that USArmy refused to use these weapons, even though they were offered by Britain for no expense? You may be able to tell which of the Armies - Commonwealth and US - was more successful on D-Day, partly due to the help of AVREs. Hope this clears a few things up. Steve.

Bates, yes, I saw that - can't wait! Earlier in the year I missed Longest Day on TV so will definately not miss this. Both books, however, are far better than the films. Much more expressive and detailed. So come on anyone (especially in the UK) give up your copies for a good cause! Steve

Hello one and all Seasons Greetings to you all! So, why am I in such a jovial mood? Because Amazon.co.uk have just sent me a huge package of books containing Arnham 1944 (Middlebrook), And We Shall Shock Them (Fraser), Six Armies in Normandy (Keegan), The Battleaxe Division (Ford), and The Return of The Naked Chef (Jamie Oliver). The last one was for my girlfriend. Honest! I also have three more on order but are out of print at the moment. While we're on the book case, does anyone have a retired copy of The Longest Day or Operation Market Garden for sale? I read them ages ago from the library but would like to own a copy of each. Post here if you would like your copy to go to a nice hospice. So, what are you all getting for Christmas? Steve

Thanks for replying Steve That's one of the best things about this game and the Company - you can talk directly to the people who make the decisions. Great! I reckon you're about right. There must be a vast majority of people that just play, contented. Then there are people with technical problems that come here to find a solution. Finally, there are the people that want to enrich their playing experience, share thoughts and comments and generally try to make the game even better. Manta, I wish I could have been here then. I would have felt really good about being part of the creative process. Lucky you! Cheers, Steve

I was just wondering what proportion of CM players also use this forum? I mean, do all players also post, or are some content to just play? Do you carry out surveys like that? How will you notify people who just play that there is an update patch? Just a thought I had. Nothing pressing. Anyone else got any ideas? Steve

Hello Jesse I'll play you. Post your details here and I will get back to you. I haven't played a real player either and really want to. Let's do it! Steve

A good book depends on your nationality. If you're British, don't buy anything by an American author. Sorry about this damning generalised remark, but that seems to be the opinion (damning and generalised - and for that, RACIST) of most American authors on the subject of WW2. Following suggestions from other members, I got a book from the library, D-Day by Stephen Ambrose. It was so racist I sent it back, disgusted. He proclaims that every other nationality, except Americans, are gutless fighters. AND (this is the most annoying bit) he and his contemporaries continually say that America won the war - completely dicounting the sacrifice and effort of the Commonwealth, European and Russian armies. I sincerely hope that not all Americans think this way, and from at least playing this game you are aware that you were not the only nation on the battlefield. While we're on the subject (sorry but I feel REALLY annoyed right now), are you SURE it was America that retreaved the Enigma machine from a German sub? I didn't think so.

gentleman, may I offer myself up for stepping in? I would gladly fill any place made available by a dropout (no offense). contact therat@thelair.co.uk if you are interested. ps I'm pretty much a newby, but I am keen! Steve

What about the Brit's friend, Monty? Well, before his head became inflated after the desert campaign. I saw a TV prog, one of those spooky ones like Twilight Zone. It had an interesting take on the future of war: In about 300AD, or whatever, wars WILL be decided with computer games. By then, all our resources would have whittled down and we would have nothing to build the tanks with! Plus, all the poeople would have been redesigned by modern office work to thin straggly alberts, and wouldn't be able to GET to the battlefield, let alone FIGHT in it. So, they play games and the loser has to kill the coresponding comrades in his country, and the winner wins his argument or takes a bit of land, whatever the fight was about. Anyone see it?

You guys are too much. Cheers a lot fellas. Anything I can do for you, just shout. Steve

Thanks fellas. Appreciated. Keep 'em coming! steve

thanks madmatt, I'm off right now to try them out. you're a right on geeza! am I a proper member yet?

Can anyone help? I have an iMac 400DV with minimal extensions, System 9 and plenty of RAM. The trouble is, when I scroll around the battlefield I sometimes freeze up, which is a complete arse, especially if I'm in the middle of planning. Any suggestions? Steve

OK, I have read The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far and Overlord. Plus a few others like Finest Hour and The Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby, but I'm looking for more good ones. I'm thinking of getting Band of Brothers next, but can anyone suggest any others? I have more of a leaning toward British battles, but as long as they are descriptive and accurate, I don't mind. Cheers, Steve

wild bill! how are you? haven't heard of you for ages. keep in touch, i'd love to do more trials for you if you have any on the boil. steve

I thought this conversation was about tanks? In that vein, what about the British airborne tank, the Tetrach? Was flown in by glider and even used on D-Day. It had a 2pdr main gun and tin foil armour, but it was better than nowt! Where is it? Steve

olle, you are spot on with squadron formation (although numbers were about 15-16 tanks organised in threes or fours). the sherman vc was designated A3E8 (easy 8) and did have a 17 pdr. btw, 17 pdrs are not 76mm but 77mm. BTS? steve

curih - spot on! steve - i got a book out of the library but i cannot remember what it was called (silly arse). it detailed an encounter when usa and bit armoured troups met and the difference was noted. we did put another mg on but it was much smaller than a .50 - lewis gun i think (AA). steve

Hello chaps I want to add something to the mix: the British never used the .50 cal MG in their HTs and dismounted them; you didn't give us any ammo for it. Plus, we were standardised on the .303 ammo anyway. So, WE could definately fit in OUR squads. Could it be that you yankees dismounted your HMG also from your common or garden HTs when not in command or support mode? Just throwing something in. Steve

i'm in for next champs please. or maybe last minute reserve? whatever. i prefer allies, but will play anything. this sounds really good! therat@thelair.co.uk

hey rommel22 would love to play pbem with you. send over your file and we'll begin. a small one to start with. i guess you'll be playing the nazis. fine by me! steve therat@thelair.co.uk