Airborne

Personally, I don't put much faith in CAS in this game. Too expensive, and too dangerous to the friendly side. I was playing a quick battle as the US experimenting with different units. My FBs came in and took out 2 of 3 of MY 105mm howitzers. Neat effects, but not worth it in my opinion. Now give me the British and "start the purple!!" ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

My favorite "Air" game is talonsoft's "Battle of Britain". If you have even an interest in this early air battle this game is for you. I like its successor,12'oclock High, but it runs too slow on my machine--and is a bit too overwhelming.. I agree that Highway to the Reich is an outstanding board game. Don't forget the other giants--Atlantic Wall, Campaigns for North Africa, and Wacht am Rhein. Great mega games that rarely got played....to bad..... -------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

You've already heard from me Greybeard. I was a TOW section leader with Eco 505th Parachute Inf. in the 82nd from 81-85.. Went to REFORGER 82--loved Germany- Panama, Alaska--all with the 'Eighty-Deuce'. Even had Naval and Marine amphibious training at Little Creek, VA.. Good post. -----Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet [This message has been edited by Airborne (edited 08-04-2000).]

I agree DrBydon.. North Africa is where I want to be. Remember the AH boardgame Tobruk. That was my favorite early tactical game. Can't wait to fight the Gazala battles in CM3?? Give my those Matildas, Grants, and Mk IIIs. ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I've seen pictures of men jammed onto tanks--closer to a platoon of men then a squad. Most tanks could easily hold a squad of troops. But,of course, they usually appear more concerned with simply holding on than having any kind of combat effectiveness. If engaged, they should suffer an extra penalty because they are so exposed. I agree that inf. should have some ability to fight from halftracks. ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I just ran across an interesting photo of a Pz IV with a white star on the rear hull.. Apparently, the Herman Goering Panzer Divison used the star as their division tactical symbol. ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I've got one better.. I was playing a small QB with 1 M-26 , 2 M-24s and some infantry (US). My light tanks were knocked out but I had taken out all of the german armour. I (foolishly) started 'hunting' with my heavy tank and it lost its tracks fairly close to a building.. All of a sudden, this German SS infantry unit (not sure if it was a squad or HQ) which was down to ONE man starts charging across at me from the building and close assaults my tank-- and takes it out. He almost immediately died but, man, did he have balls ...... Pretty neat stuff. -----Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

36 ----Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

Thanks Matt, You've summed it up real nice. Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

"which brings up a question I've been meaning to ask. Is there a secret to getting a tnk to fire smoke? I've never been able (they always switch to another target and fire HE)." I just recently played a hotseat QB game with my brother--he's still waiting for the full game. He had a couple of panthers and I had some various types of shermans. I was able to use smoke from the shermans to blind him while I maneuvered against him. I've not had any trouble getting tanks to fire smoke. Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I've been attacking the AI when all of a sudden I start getting hit with a lot of smoke rounds. It tends to blind everyone and doesn't appear to be tactically sound because the AI isn't following up with an attack. Perhaps they are trying to disrupt my attack? It looks pretty, though.. -------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

An excellent source for the US Army is "World War II Order of Battle" by Shelby Stanton. This mammoth red covered book covers all US regiments and divisions. Great charts show the TO&E for battalions, regiments, etc.. Some other favorites: Eisenhower's Lieutenants by R. Weigley Brute Force My favorite Bulge book is Danny Parker's "Battle of the Bulge". This has many maps, pictures and is a great bulge source book written by one of the great Bulge boardgame designers. ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet [This message has been edited by Airborne (edited 08-02-2000).]

M. Hofbauer, THanks for the reply. That answers my question. I have long studied WWII armor and never ran across this. Take care, Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I didn't see this in a search, but I've noticed in 2 battles with British Cromwells there is a white star on the back of the turret. Anybody know what this means? Just curious.... ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

Actually, the modern US Army went back to the regimental system in the mid/late 80s. There are 3 regiments per division. Some divisions only have two active regiments and one reserve division. "He neglects to mention that the regiment also possessed a cannon company which (at this stage of the war) contained 12 105mm howitzers." Per US Order of Battle by S. Stanton, a US infantry regiment had 6 105mm howitzers attached. -------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WendellM: I'd strongly suggest The Operational Art of War from Talonsoft in this regard (either Wargame of the Year Edition, or, much better: Century of Warfare version). Wendell<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thanks Wendell, I had forgotten about that one. I did play it alot--but that's been quite a while back. In fact, I designed an Ardennes scenario for it. -------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by coe: a few strange things I had happen with 1.03 I had a halftrack (german) advancing along and it came up to a cromwell...the half track fired its machine gun at it but instead of flooring it into reverse and fleeing for cover it kept going and almost got popped. (it finally did when the cromwell hit it the turn later). When I mean it kept going, it really did, out in the open towards the cromwell instead of reversing it into the nearby trees! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> When I was at the Fort Benning, GA Infantry school we were taught to charge an ambush. Fire everything you've got, and pray. I was always glad that I didn't have to put that to a real world test! ------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

But of course, CM is a "Tactical" game. The designers have obviously poured their hearts and souls into this endeavor --it shows. What we really need is for some company to make another attempt at better operational/strategic WWII events. Updates or revampings of West Front, Pacific War or Third Reich immediately come to mind. Just a thought..... Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HoosierTreadHead: I just finished "Strike Swiftly" a history of the 70th Tank Battalion. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Not a bad book, considering the author was a cook in the 70th! How come there are no cooks and other REMFs running around CM armed with potato peelers and skillets? ----------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I say, "leave it alone". It works as is. It would be interesting to be able to watch the entire battle or save video scenes, however. ---------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

Did quite a bit of it over the years. Hard to do these days with cats and kids, etc... -------Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

Thanks for the input gents. I did post a similar message to the CM Tech section. I did'nt have any problem with the new driver, Digdug. Before I could complete my driver install, however, I had to d/l a new Internet Explorer service pack from microsoft.com. After this, I completed my video driver d/l (1.05) and I was blowin' things up real good. Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I downloaded the patch. Previously, I was running 1.02. For quick battles, you have the option of making RANDOM; quality, weather and time of day. I believe it is for quick battles only. -----Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I recently updated my Voodoo3 2000 drivers from: http://www.3dfxgamers.com/drivers/voodoo3/voodoo3_win9x.stm This really made smoke effects, arty splashes and vehicle kills much more 'interesting'. I was previously very disappointed with the blocky smoke and uninspired high explosives. Before I could finish installing the driver, however, I had to download a new version of microsoft internet service pack--from Microsoft.com. I've also posted this over on the main CM page under--Voodoo Smoke... Check there for some other players responses/problems,etc.. Hope this helps......Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet

I have a relatively new video card--Voodoo3 2000. I wasn't real happy with the smoke effects in CM. I just updated my drivers and-lo and behold-the graphics are outstanding!! I can now get the smoothed out smoke effects and the gun muzzle fire and explosions are fantastic. Don't even get me started on catastophic vehicle destruction. Just increased my love for this game 10 fold. Have fun all......Chris ------------------ Land Soft--Kill Quiet