Sgt Steiner

Hi Red Devils <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Red Devils: I have gamed w/ miniatures for years (15/20/25/28/54mm) but am just planning to move into 6mm WWII. Therefore I need recomendations on figures (6mm), terrain, and rules. I am interested in Regimental to divisional size battles (no 1:1 stuff) dealing w/ the early war years ('39 to '42). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well IMHO the best set of rules for what you are looking to play are Spearhead (http://members.xoom.com/ww2spearhead/) Units are Platoons/Troops of Tanks and Inf (ie 1 model Tank = 3-5 Real Tanks) and basic elements of manouvere are Battalions. Some abstracted systems but very playable in reasonable time with large forces (ie several Bttns per side) It is my preferred set for 6mm Of similar scale (ie roughly 1:5) is Command Decision now in its 3rd edition (http://www.primenet.com/~bgeipel/cdmailer.html) prior to Spearhead I used this set but it is more complex and suited to much smaller games IMHO (ie max 4 Bttns per side). Despite similar scaling the basic unit of manouvre is the Company. A new set which I have purchased but not used as yet is Battlefront WWII (by authors of ACW Fire & Fury set) (http://www.fireandfury.com/) A slightly different scale with i model = 2-3 Afvs or Combat Teams. No early War stuff included yet as only 1944-45 (but due in expansion set) Personally I find GHQ Micro ARmour to be by far best available in 6mm (but very expensive here in UK) also nice are CinC (not sure of availability of these) but I also use some Hoeriocs & Ros, Scotia and Irregular. H&R figures are good. Adler in UK have a very nice range of 6mm WWII which are tad larger than H&R (ie dont mix well) but would be my choice if I was starting out. Ref terrain etc and other rulsets figure manufacturers check out the relevant sections of the excellent resource site 'The Miniatures Page' (http://theminiaturespage.com/) If you want more detailed opinions from moi please feel free to email me and I will try to respond and 'mightily bored you will be' Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi I play Miniatures too Spearhead for 6mm stuff and various sets for 15mm Here are couple pics (poor quality) of some of my stuff ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK [This message has been edited by Sgt Steiner (edited 10-04-2000).] [This message has been edited by Sgt Steiner (edited 10-04-2000).] Here is another pic of some of my 15mm Panzers and a little Tabletop Gamers cartoon (from an old Battle mag way back in 1970's) Cheers [This message has been edited by Sgt Steiner (edited 10-04-2000).]

Hi Absolutely excellent post Thank you for taking what must have been considerable time compiling this. Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi all 36 years so far and happily married (15 yrs last Aug),one 7yr old son (trainee Wargamer) Constable in Royal Ulster Constabulary Been Wargaming since I was about 12 Mostly Miniatures in various periods but mainly WWII (still active Miniatures player) Piles of BoardWargames (PzBlitz was my first in 1976 followed closely by the amazing Squad Leader) now gathering dust ! Started PC Wargaming in late 1997 with Talonsofts Eastern Front(PzBlitz descendant) loved CC2 and WF but CM (SL descendant) is now my one true love Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi Slapdragon et al <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Slapdragon: and even more for the guy with a 10/90 that is still out in the mix plugging away.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Whose been talking about my win/loss ratio !? I have been found out Seriously though great set of threads re VGs and HWGs very interesting. Interestingly a similar discussion is always ongoing in Miniatures circles here in UK regarding those who play Wargames mostly/solely in Competitions and those who play 'proper' Wargaming The Compeitition type is seen as being very much a rules lawyer (due to wanting to win at all costs) and using unhistorical tactics/OOBS/etc etc whereas the 'true' Wargamer is more interested in simulating History as best they can. Many Wargamers fall into categories between these 2 'extremes' as indeed I suspect would many CM players fall between the VGs and HWGs to greater or lesser extent. Personally I would consider myself a HWG in both Computer games and Miniatures (and indeed with Board Wargames if I still played them) but with VG tendancies at times I did play in several Ancients period Miniature competitions years ago but lost 90% of my matches as my Armies (Galations and Gauls) were not 'competitive' in an open competition and were based mainly on what figures I had/liked rather than any potential lethal combination ! Bottom line for me is that as long as I have played my best in any Wargame and enjoyed the experience and if it had the right 'feel' (in a historical sense) I am happy. With CM I dont mind losing (just as well really) as the experience, immersive factor and sheer fun are of such a high standard Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi Bill or should I say 'Sleekit' ?? If you wish I can play you Pbem Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi all <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Airborne: During one battle (around Metz) I think, the US used British Crocodiles to assist in reducing a position. Edit: Don't forget about Market-Garden where the 82nd Abn fought with British Armor at Nijmegan. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> British Tanks and US Infantry operated in concert in Operations around town of Geilenkirchen in Nov 1944. Units of US 333rd Inf Regt (US 84th Inf Divn) and British Shermans of Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry (of 8th Armd Brigade) plus Churchill Crocodiles & AVREs from various units of 79th Armd. Check out the excellent 'Assault On Germany The Battle For Geilenkirchen' by Ken Ford (1989 David & Charles Military Books isbn 0715392085) Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi Matthias et al <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Abbott: Good idea Mattias.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I wholeheartedly agree, we have Super Pershings and Super Jumbos why not a 'Super Guderians Duck' Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi JWorthing et al <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JWorthing: They fought on June 6, 1944, D-Day, right? They were also part of the British Expeditionary Forces in 1940, right? What did they do in between. As far as I know, they only fought in france in 1940 and in france again in 1944/45. If this is true, why such a long wait in between. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 3rd Division (British) was nicknamed 'The Ironsides' and was commanded by Monty in 1939/40. After the Dunkirk debacle 3rd Division did indeed not fire a shot in anger again until 6th June 1944 when they assaulted Sword Beach. Interim period was spent intially in regrouping after Dunkirk (whilst Divn was largely intact it had little or no weapons/stores) from late 1941 the Divn was engaged in intensive training throughout England and Scotland and by 1943 onward was taining specifically for Invasion of Nazi Europe. In this it was not alone with numerous other British and Canadian units not being used in Africa/Med or Far East. I had undoubted pleasure of conversing with many old Veterans of Royal Ulster Rifles (part of 9th Brigade of 3rd Div) at their (now defunct) Rifles Association Club here in Belfast. Sadly all but a very few of these brave old men are now passed on....... For a good account of 3rd Divn actions from June 1944 look up 'Montys IronSides From The Normandy Beaches To Bremen With The 3rd Division' by Patrick Delaforce published by Alan Sutton publishing 1995 Cheers Gary ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi again <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Brian: Interesting abstraction. It'd add more flavor to the game... but I think it becomes a lesson in "weild-ability." I.e., is this unweildly? I know in ASL it would be, but in CM, source code could be added, with some identifcation on the map, to portray this. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well for Miniatures games it worked ok with like minded gamers. However you still get some chaps who will hug the edge of this danger zone as if it were table edge :} For CM similar problems arise as to how big is this 'danger zone' and how potent is the danger ? Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Brian: For what it is worth, all the veteran ASLers will tell you the same thing, the same problem exists in ASL (another game, not simulation, but, some will argue that point too) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Same applies to tabletop Miniatures games, one elegant solution in a couple of rulesets (Overlord and Grey Storm Red Steel) was to designate a zone on each flank as being dangerous ie units physically entering such a zone are subject to an abstracted attack which reflected possible off table enemy or indeed friendly fire. Made you think twice about hugging table edge ! Dont know if such a system would be possible to code/implement in CM though ?? Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi I have a Charles B MacDonald book entitled : 'The Battle Of The Bulge The Definitive Account' (published 1984 by Widenfeld & Nicholson isbn 0 297 78759 4) which is a superb volume well worth looking up. Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi 'Babra' et al <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Formerly Babra: Been a slice since the old beta days, folks, but the recent trends around here have really soured me. You can ban this troll or that, but this genre is always going to attract whackos. No game is worth this ****.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I advise you to reconsider as 1. Your contributions to the forum will be sadly missed. 2. This JP character will see this as a victory and we cant let that happen eh ? 3. It is easy thing to simply ignore his (or any one elses)threads and let him do what he does on his ownsome. Rise above it all mate Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi you asked for it This is me on duty in Nov 1994 during Pres Clintons visit to Belfast. I spent almost 17hours in this spot guarding Media (not my favourite species) and their paraphanelia, hence somewhat pained look on my face. Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hakko Ichiu: I think you'd be surprised at what one can find with a little looking. Any half-decent illustrated history of the war, and there are a lot of those, will have some space devoted to the pre-war situation, and will usually have peace-time photos of major cities, and sometimes smaller towns and villages. {Snip} I also wonder how much the smaller villages in France that were relatively unscathed during the war <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Check out any of the excellent 'Then And Now' Series of books/magazines for just this sort of info. I have their Battle Of Bulge, Panzers In Normandy and Blitzkrieg In The West volumes and it is totally amazing how many buildings from wartime are still about with virtually unchanged facades ! In fact most readily apparent difference between pics from 'then' and those from 'now' is the quality and width of roads. In 1940s many roads appear to be what we would probaly term tracks or C class roads, and are a lot narrower than todays versions. Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi James <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by James Bailey: Sarge, The Lorraine was the wrong place for Hitler to counterattack - 4 AD was one of the best in USA, {SNIP} <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Agree totally but it has been awhile since I read anything on these battles (only other tome I have covering Ami stuff in any detail is George Fortys 'Pattons Third Army At War' another good general read) being much better read on British 21st Army Group Operations. Think part of Mantueffels (got to love that name ) problem was being elevated overnight from a Divisional to a Corps Cmdr and then literally thrown in at deep end. The sheer aggressiveness of 3rd US Army meant Germans could not get time to get their act together. Zaloga argues that despite German disasters in Lorraine the committment of so much of their available armour etc had a 'spoiling' effect on 3rd Army progress which ultimately helped lead to Operational conditions that lead to Ardennes Offensive. Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Formerly Babra: I haven't read them, but isn't Blackburn's work a trilogy? "The Guns of Normandy", "The Guns of Victory" and "Where the Hell are the Guns". <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You could well be correct but no mention made of third volume that I could see ? 'Where the Hell are the Guns' would one presumes be about his post-war experiences and sounds faintly reminisant of Spike Milligans 'Where Have All The Bullets Gone' Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi Dumbo strange title I must say <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dumbo: "BTW Zalogas Campaign title 'Operation Bagration 1944 The Destruction Of Army Group Centre' is also superb and a must for all Ostfront fanatics." SOLD! Another book on my buy list. Thanks _dumbo<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Forgot to say that it is No 42 In Osprey Campaign Series and title is actually 'Bagration 1944...... etc' Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi all just thought I would post about two books I have just finished which I think would be of great interest to forum members : The Guns Of War by George G Blackburn actually a compliation of The Guns Of Normandy and The Guns Of Victory by author who served in a Canadian 25pdr Regiment from July 1944 thro to wars end. Very personal stuff written in a very poignant and absorbing style. Gives good insight into life of a gunner and the superb support given to hardpressed frontline troops, the amount of such firepower available on Allied side is impressive indeed. Lorraine 1944 Patton vs Manteuffel Osprey Campaign No 75 by Steven J Zaloga a concise but well written account of the fighting in Lorraine region in September 1944 (Arracourt Luneville etc). A great advert for American arms (the number of Panthers etc destroyed by units of 3rd Army mainly 4th Armd is awesome). The poor state of training/morale of the various Panzer Brigades committed to this region is apparent. Good maps and general info (maps are probaly more suitable for WF or SP3 than CM but still good). Some good photos also. One interesting titbit I picked up is that 4th US Armd had very few 76mm armed Shermans as apparently Patton did not think they were nessecary !! BTW Zalogas Campaign title 'Operation Bagration 1944 The Destruction Of Army Group Centre' is also superb and a must for all Ostfront fanatics. Also chaps can we try to stop all this bitching/moaning/gurning etc it is getting tad tedious Charles and co have given us an excellent game lets not spoil its forum......please.... pretty please Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi 'Operation Northwind' by Charles Whiting published by Leo Cooper 1986 Isbn 0436570947 Whiting not my favourite author (tad sensenialist) but this is one of his better books. Also the excellent After The Battle : Battle Of The Bulge a mighty tome by Jean Paul Pallaud has a section on Nordwind. Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Salutations <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Von Brizee: I have seen a Cpt. Stransky on this board too watch out Steiner<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> "I hate ALL officers " ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi

Hi CROSS OF IRON is all about me BTW the book it is based on was originally entitled The Willing Flesh (Das Geduldige Fleisch) and is by Willi Heinrich An excellent film well worth watching. Mind you I may be biased as I have it on DVD VHS and (dont laugh) Betamax I also own said book & the soundtrack ! Sad really when you think about it !? Salutations ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi all 'The Inglorious Bastards' A Anglo-Italian (I think) host of unknown actors (in loosest sense of word) in a sort of Dirty Dozen rip-off. Said Bastards included token Black chap who when the squad took on some SS garb (actually modern Swiss or Italian fatigues) to board a train was wrapped in bandages ala The Mummy Classic stuff. Come to think of it was entertaining in its own awful way Cheers ------------------ Sgt Steiner Belfast NI UK

Hi David