Old_Airman

Choices for best book are numerous. Probably could not name "the best book", however here are some titles that would be good reading: "The Fall of Fortresses" by Elmer Bendiner. Navigator on B-17 crew. Talks about Schweinfurt-Regensburg Raids. Very personal and up close. If you want to learn about how modern armies modeled themselves read: "The Making of the Roman Army" by Lawrence Keppie OR "The Roman Soldier" by G.R. Watson. Things have not changed in 2000 years. "On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War" by Harry Summers is a real good book about why we lost that war. ------------------ We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. Shakespeare (Henry V)

If you want to learn about the Mortain battle that you are fighting, go to this webpage. Very interesting! My PBEM partner and I contacted the LTC who constructed some of the Mortain web stuff. He responded to us and sent along a rough draft from the book he is writing on the battle. It is absolutely fascinating. http://www.737thtankbattalion.org/ ------------------ We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. Shakespeare (Henry V)

So DF, after your last move when the squad in question did not fire at my scout car, you take back all you have said in this thread!! Did I read your email correctly that you wanted to MICROMANAGE your squads!!! Oh, how the winds of war change so rapidly!! Death to the American invader!!! See you in Bastogne, buddy!!!! ------------------ We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. Shakespeare (Henry V)

Good post. If you want a couple of books for reference I would suggest the following though one is not armor specific: 1. Handbook on German Military Forces (this is reprint of a War Department handbook published in 1945. You can get it a Barnes and Noble). Very good reference book that has diagrams of German doctrinal tank formations and phasing. 2. Armor Attacks by John Antal. A modern interactive exercise in small unit tactics. This book gives the reader a series of situations involving tanks at the platoon level. The reader is then asked to make a decision based on the situation. The reader then turns to another section based on his decision and sees the result in narrative form. ------------------ We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. Shakespeare (Henry V)

Well df, your topic sure has generated some discussion. To get back to df's point that in other discussion threads there seems be comments that suggest some gamers playing CM want more commands to gain further control of their squads and companies. DF, myself and most of you who commented in this thread do not really want that to happen. We all seem to like the uncertainty and surprize of have units go out of command or having them do something outside the parameters of orders given. I myself would not want BTS to make wholesale changes to the game engine to accommodate more FOW or FRICTION if it makes the game unplayable or reduces the enjoyableness I now experience with the game. That being said, I would say to BTS the first rule that a doctor learns is "first, do no harm." The game is winner and I wouldn't want the perfect to be the enemy of the good. However, the idea of having friendly units revert to national symbol icons or sound contacts may be a tweek in the programming that would enhance our desire to have a little more FOG and FRICTION in the game. This tweek would not necessarily change the way the AI employs the unit when it is out of command . It would, however, force the commander of the unit to redeploy his HQ unit to get a fix on his errant squad or platoon.

I don't know if this can be done by BTS. It might be a programming nightmare. But you all know how the enemy appears as national symbol icons when they move out of sight of the friendly force. Maybe friendlies could also revert to a star or iron cross when they are out of sight or out of command. That would really be realistic. What are your thoughts on this?

I'll second df's opinion on this. I have worked in numerous operations centers in my military career and I can tell you that commanders make HUGE decisions based on the slimmest of information. Orders get misintrepreted. Communications becomes spotty. Units are completely out of communication with command. Sometimes it is only the initiative of squad leaders that turns around the operation. And they do it without commo or orders to HHQ. By the same token, the initiative or lack of it from the squads can sometimes spell disaster. As a commander, you must always try to anticipate what to do if a unit fails in its assigned task. I don't think you want too many additional commands added to the game. It would ruin the magnificent uncertainty that seems holds one's attention. I think BTS got it about right. By the way df, see you in Bastogne!

47 years old, retired Air Force Officer (20 years was enough), married (wife watches the Lifetime Channel otherwise known as the Stalker Channel a lot while I play CM), no kids, two dogs. Actually, I used to have friends and a social life before CM. Now, I am perpetually living in 1944 - 1945. Is that Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade I hear playing again????

TCP/IP very desirable. Waiting patiently for the patch.

You have to move to win. Offensive is the key to victory. Standard military doctrine. A good rule of thumb to use is the 2:1 fire support ratio. In other words, lay a base of fire with two squads and move (crawl, sneak, move, run) the other squad against the objective. Once the attack squad is engaged, then move a squad that is in support to assist. Remember, fight platoons against squads, and companies against platoons and use a 2:1 fire support ratio

Twenty years. Retired USAF. B-52s, staff then command. Great career. Saw Europe and most of US. Worked and played with the best folks in the world. Military people of all services. Miss 'em more than anything.

Just want to say from an old retired military man's perspective that this is the best tactical level computer wargame I have encountered. Since getting the CD, I have spent many hours playing the scenarios and engaging in an Email war with another ex-military colleague. We both agree this is the best. It is truly all absorbing. We cannot wait until other expansion modules come out. You have lifetime customers. Just one thing though. Do you guys have any tips on how to balance playing the game and having a life? I have thought about putting the fridge in the computer room and knocking out a hole in the wall to have easier access to the bathroom. But the wife is not too keen on those suggestions. If you know of any please pass on before the divorce papers become final Great job guys!! Old Airman