Traject0ry

Oh, one more thing... After having a long conversation with the crew I decided upon a following solution: No changes are made to the 100 Minutes scenarios as they are re-presented in the FK&C. Everybody participating is to remember that war is not fair and these scenarios are not that balanced as they are designed to provide a result other than draw. This tournament is for the experienced, tough-skinned and hardcore CM:BO player. If you like such scenarios best that always result in draw this tournament is NOT for you. War is not fair. -T [ July 15, 2002, 03:08 PM: Message edited by: Traject0ry ]

I am hoping to see a growing use of this topic I'm very pleased as many of those who have received "the final query" (I hope) have answered already. If you did not get the mail post here and demand one immediately! I'm starting to post a list here (from today on) showing people wanting to join and which side they prefer. People will not have names but I'll refer to you by either BF aliases or e-mails. If you like additional info, have inquiries to make or complaints to announce feel free to do so here or mail me personally. The funniest thing is that not a single one has volunteered for the TCP/IP second Wave (perhaps the UBB to J's e-mail does not work ) thus leaving me with an option of simply having the second wave as part of the tournament allowing more player entries. So far the situation is (based on the enquiry replies) as follows: LFHB participants (e-mail/preferred side): BigAlMoho@aol.com/Allied jon@pixar.com/will not participate (too busy) bigzergrat@earthlink.net/Any jkvirtan@messi.uku.fi/Allied stoffers@wanadoo.nl/Axis tdfxman@yahoo.com/Axis Y Packman64@msn.com/Allied schmegeg@gte.net/Any way we like FK&C participants (e-mail/preferred side): josbornesprint11@earthlink.net/Axis marko.m.honkanen@welho.com/Allied jdejohn@stny.rr.com/Allied rich.tebb@blueyonder.co.uk/Allied pbkuk@yahoo.co.uk/Allied nigel@heppenstalls.demon.co.uk/Allied DESIM8@aol.com/Allied mike_the_wino@softhome.net/Axis ormsby5@value.net.nz/Any (Prolly Axis ) ezp@mail.com/Allied gpaull@pacbell.net/Axis reed_schaffer@mindspring.com/Axis escurlock@surfbest.com/Allied mikecampbell@paradise.net.nz/Any tero.leppanen@pp.inet.fi/Axis smope@ponyshow.com/Any? I'm quite certain that the increase in number of the scenarios to be played in the LFHB and FK&C from three to four shall be gladly accepted as this allows eight participants to each of the challenges. At the moment I have 22 people interested and slots for 16 in LFHB and FK&C but if the merging of second wave is done we have a seating for 32 participants playing Pbem and we forget the idea of a TCP/IP tourney altogether. Well, back to the recruiting office... -Traj [ July 22, 2002, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: Traject0ry ]

Here are the scenario general briefings for the "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave" battles: Title: April's Fool Type: Allied Advance Class: Semi-Historical Date: 1st of April 1945 Location: Germany, near Munster Time: Dawn Terrain: Damp Weather: Overcast Length: 30 turns Size: Medium After crossing the Rhein in strength (23rd March) the British troops prepared to move against the heartland of Germany. Under orders from Montgomery the British advance was launched 27th of March. Among the mixed groups marched 6th Guards Tank Brigade supporting the 513 US Parachute Regiment. As the advance continued at full speed the Guardsmen developed an admiration of the paratroopers as their dash and enthusiasm was in all ways exemplary. The paras in turn were more than happy about the proper support provided by the Churchill tanks always ready to be used as cover or to pound enemy positions with their powerful main guns. As the dawn of 1st of April started to break the troops were closing Munster. The resistance encountered was swept aside and the shocked Germans were captured in numbers. Soon enough the resistance intensified and as the Guardsmen buttoned up their armour facing enemy fire they heard the familiar shouts of their bold comrades: "Come on boys, let's go!" Whatever the trouble the paras would keep moving on... Title: Audacity at Auillon Type: Axis Advance Class: Semi-Historical Date: 29th of July 1944 Location: France, near Villebaudon Time: Day Terrain: Dry Weather: Overcast Length: 25 turns Size: Medium Operation Cobra was at full swing and the American units were finally pouring into the amiable tank land of the Central France. German high command saw that the US thrust had to be stopped but had very little reserves to throw against the spearhead. Several flanking attacks were made by 2nd and 116th Panzer Divisions. The German plan of cutting through the attacking troops with such a modest force was doomed due to the constant trouble with the allied air superiority. In spite of the greater enemy strength and appalling conditions for armoured operations due to aerial threat the Germans fought with skill and resolve. Elements from 2nd Armoured Division and 4th Infantry Division occupied the area between Tessy-sur-Vire and Villebaudon. One of the main attack lines of the 2nd Panzer was conveniently using the road connecting these cities thus bidding it head on with the Americans. Title: Birds of Prey Type: Allied Advance Class: Semi-Historical Date: 9th of August 1944 Location: France, near Sourdeval Time: Day Terrain: Dry Weather: Clear Length: 25 turns Size: Medium As Operation Cobra had seen the breakthrough necessary for the allied to gain access to the good tank country of Central France the German were desperate to contain these penetrating forces. Lacking in resources and unable to deploy properly as the Allied controlled the airspace the German divisions lost their steam one by one and were pushed back. One of the units, 116th Panzer Division, had been in line for quite a while first attacking the Americans but being soon forced to defensive as the infantry covering it's southern flank was routed by the Americans. Small detachment of infantry and armour was left behind and surrounded near Sourdeval as the division slowly withdrew. During night of the 8th the isolated Germans managed to use the cover of the darkness and nearby woodland and nearly made their escape. As the day broke the detachment was forced to dash for safety while another German task force was deployed to hold the Americans. Facing infantry, armour and aircraft the Germans still decided to give it a shot. Title: Hallo 2nd Panzer! Type: Meeting Engagement Class: Semi-Historical Date: 26th of December 1944 Location: Belgium, near Celles Time: Dawn Terrain: Light Snow Weather: Snowfall Length: 25 turns Size: Medium The Battle of the Bulge had come to the turning point. Despite the initial surprise and the local victories the Germans had been unable to reach their goals. As the 2nd Panzer Division had been spearheading the attack and reached Celles in Christmas time the US 2nd Armoured Division was ready to strike back. As the American assault managed to isolate a good portion of the 2nd Panzer the Germans were forced to concentrate in attempts to relieve these troops fighting for their survival. As the 116th Armoured Division and Panzer Lehr could do little to assist the relieving was a feat not easily pulled through. As the confusion caused by the American attack hit the Germans they were unable to concentrate their efforts. Forces dashed piece-meal against the Americans who had little trouble concentrating their efforts. One skirmish was fough over a ridge between Celles and Ciergnon as the Germans attempted to keep open their supply lines to east. The men involved only later learned that the same road had been cut farther east at Rochefort thus leaving their gallant and costly fight without any tactical value. -T

Here are the scenario general briefings for the "For King and Country" battles: Title: Dies Irae Type: Advance (Germans/SS vs. British) Class: Semi-Historical Date: Operation Epsom 30th of June 1944 Location: Southwest of Caen Time: Dawn Terrain: Dry Weather: Clear Length: 25 turns Size: Large Epsom offensive had brought the British VIII Corps across Odom. This served as a reason for the Germans to commit most of their reserves including 1st, 2nd, 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions against the hard pressed British troops forcing them back over the river. In the last days of June the fact that no German armoured assault could throw the advancing allies back to the sea was clear. The best of the German armoured forces on the Normandy front had been committed piecemeal to halt the British thrust and their steam was dwindling as the VIII Corps fought for survival. Elements from the 2nd Battalion (Glasgow Highlanders) 15th Division had moved during the cover of the night to their new positions Near Tourville. After digging in and preparing to face once more the attacking Germans they tried to get some rest despite the sounds of battle just south of them. In the first hours of the 30th of June some supplies got through to them and though the food was all welcome no other munitions were received. As the first signs of dawn were noticed by the soldiers they heard a sound coming from the south. It was the sound made by an armoured vehicle closing in fast. Title: Mechanized Bushmen Type: Advance (UK vs. German) Class: Semi-Historical Date: 13th of June 1944 Location: North-west from Tilly (near Verrieres) Time: Day Weather: Clear Terrain: Damp Length: 25 turns Size: Medium Breakthrough to inner France was in the allied grasp but several key locations were still to be captured before the dash to final victory could begin. The most important "locks" defended by the Germans were St. Lo (constantly under pressure from the advancing Americans) and Caen (the main objective of the Commonwealth forces since the D-Day). Between these locations in the heart of the Bocage country was Tilly (has been written "Tilley" in some of my older sources) where some of the fiercest fighting took place as 50th British Division (under Major-General D.A.H. Graham) and 7th British Armoured Division (then under Major-General G.W.E.J. Erskine) clashed with the (in)famous Panzer Lehr (under General Bayerlein). As the "Desert Rats" of the 7th Armoured marched towards their fiasco in the hands of Wittmann many small "Lehr" detachments deployed to slow down the allied advance were hotly engaged with the 50th Division troops. One such battle was fought near Verrieres (n-w from Tilly) when panzer under Hauptmann Felmer supported by a mixed detachment of grenadiers from the 902nd Regiment faced elements of the 9th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry backed by armour from the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment and 5th Battalion R.T.R. (actually a 7th division unit by the time). Title: Arch Enemies Type: Meeting (German/Fallschirmjaeger vs. British) Class: Semi-Historical Date: 21st of April 1945 Location: Germany, near Zeven Time: Night Terrain: Damp Weather: Clear Length: 25 turns Size: Large In 7th of May 1945 the Guards Armoured Brigade accepted the surrender of 7th Fallschirmjaeger Division. Since Rhine these two Divisions had fought against each other with both ability and resolve affecting soldiers on both sides. When the war finally ended on the western front the battered 7th Division was at Cuxhaven. Their request of being allowed to surrender to their formidable opponent the Guards Armoured Division was honoured to the letter. Only a few weeks earlier the Divisions had been smiting each other to pieces. Late 20th of April the British Signals spotted heavy German radio traffic near to their position. A detachment from the Guards Armoured was sent into the darkness in order to reconnoitre enemy movements. Knowing that they would be facing the dreaded 7th Fallschirmjaeger Division the Guardsmen advanced boldly with a grim idea of what future would bring along with it for them. Title: April's Fool Type: Allied Advance Class: Semi-Historical Date: 1st of April 1945 Location: Germany, near Munster Time: Dawn Terrain: Damp Weather: Overcast Length: 30 turns Size: Medium After crossing the Rhein in strength (23rd March) the British troops prepared to move against the heartland of Germany. Under orders from Montgomery the British advance was launched 27th of March. Among the mixed groups marched 6th Guards Tank Brigade supporting the 513 US Parachute Regiment. As the advance continued at full speed the Guardsmen developed an admiration of the paratroopers as their dash and enthusiasm was in all ways exemplary. The paras in turn were more than happy about the proper support provided by the Churchill tanks always ready to be used as cover or to pound enemy positions with their powerful main guns. As the dawn of 1st of April started to break the troops were closing Munster. The resistance encountered was swept aside and the shocked Germans were captured in numbers. Soon enough the resistance intensified and as the Guardsmen buttoned up their armour facing enemy fire they heard the familiar shouts of their bold comrades: "Come on boys, let's go!" Whatever the trouble the paras would keep moving on... -T [ July 15, 2002, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: Traject0ry ]

That was a loooooong drink . Hope you got my mail... -T

Aieee! :eek: I'm flooded with people coming aboard. This will need a BIT reorganizing as the original idea was to keep the circles small (six players from the 100M to the LFHB and six new dudes to the FK&C) but this is getting way out of hand. No worries though as my allies Down Under will provide a few extra scenarios to get this filled up and I hope that none of you is turned back from my door. Last time (100m) I had to work hard to get eight guys up to it and one was replaced in the end. This time I have to work hard to fit you all guys in. Better this way methinks... I'll gather up recruits via e-mail next Monday and when I get the count of you troopers the list will be posted here 4 every1 to see. I need a drink, be back tomorrow... -T

Here we go again. Check this link out. That is an order soldier! New Tournament -T

Click the link below: <a href="http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=025502" target="_blank"> *Click* me, I am a link!!!!</a> -T P.S. Edited due to liberal use of brackets [ July 11, 2002, 08:07 AM: Message edited by: Traject0ry ]

Beware as the " Two Steps of Death " -tournament is about to begin! This is a two step tournament where players are divided into three groups providing six best scored players (three allied and three axis) whom shall participate into the latter phase deciding the actual winners (AXIS and ALLIED). Simple, innit? "2SD Twelve Commandments (Rules):" </font> 1. Thou shalt have fun</font>2. Thou shalt provide replacement player if dropping out</font>3. Thou shalt be ready to play all games via e-mail</font>4. Thou shalt mail ALL opposing players (four) of YOUR challenge at least once a week</font>5. Thou shalt post the results into this topic</font>6. Thou shalt inform others if you are unavailable for more than two days (post here)</font>7. Thou shalt play at your own pace BUT at leas one game at any given time</font>8. Thou shalt send turns of the games going at least twice a week</font>9. Thou shalt post to this topic as often and as stupid messages you like</font>10. Thou shalt not cross the line of rough manners and become a barbarian</font>11. Thou must give a functioning e-mail address that WILL be published under this topic</font>12. Thou shall have other mail service available than Hotmail as the mailbox in Hotmail is too small!</font>The idea is as follows: "For King and Country" -challenge includes four scenarios involving British troops against Germans. Three of the scenarios where presented earlier in the "100 Minutes" -tournament. FK&C will involve two groups of eight players each. Both groups will follow the same procedure with each player playing all four scenarios against different opponents with one half playing all as AXIS against the rest playing them all as ALLIED. This part of the tournament will thus have 16 players in two groups of four and is available for all willing tough-skinned players though some places are taken by people who have already applied. How to Join then? Please send me mail which will provide the information that you WANT TO PARTICIPATE, WHICH SIDE YOU PREFER (Allied/Axis) and GIVE A FUNCTIONING E-MAIL ADDRESS or post the information here under this topic. If you DO NOT WANT your e-mail to be posted here there is NO place for you in the tournament. Got it? "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave" -challenge includes four scenarios with US forces facing the Germans. This is for those willing to continue with me from the "100 Minutes" bunch consisting yet another eigth players. If more than two jump the ship the vacant places will be filled by other willing victims. Best players (AXIS and ALLIED) will continue from FK&C and LFHB -challenges (NOT the second wave TCP/IP people!) to the "Death by Dawn, Death at Dusk" -Grand Final consisting two scenarios. If the best player(s) are not willing or able to participate in the Finals their place will be taken by the trooper(s) "next in line". A total of FOUR players will play the final battles and then these will be later made available to all willing players in a free challenge format not affecting the tournament results. Rewards: Glory and fame. Something little perhaps to make you guys smile. A diploma. Another possibility: There will be also a project called "Second Wave" including additional players wishing to clash arms. It has two sections (one for FK&C and one for the LFHB scenarios) of six players with the FK&C section being EUROPEAN TCP/IP ONLY (if possible)while the LFHB section shall be US TCP/IP ONLY (if possible). This will sadly not take place (2nd Wave) as there simply was not enough people interested No rewards for 2ndW guys. Except fame and glory... Those willing to enter mail J. Boyd: traject0ry@yahoo.com.au and provide the information that you WANT TO PARTICIPATE the 2ndW TCP/IP games and WHICH SIDE YOU PREFER (Allied/Axis). The tounament starts as soon the vacant places (six) are filled - earliest at the 25th of July. Traject0ry out. P.S. Here is a link to the 100 Minutes Topic for the interested: "100 Minutes" [ July 16, 2002, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: Traject0ry ]

AXIS Z is back from his vacation -T

Still waiting a reply, i was hoping to wrap this up a bit sooner... Once more my valuable time has ran out and I'm getting busy at work. Thus I start recruiting for the next "Mini-Tournament" tomorrow. You'll be e-mail'd and notified of the rules etc. as the project advances. I'm expecting to launch it before August. The idea is as follows: "For King and Country" -challenge (not for you guys) includes the three scenarios involving British troops (no "Recount" that is) slightly modified from this one. It will require six new participants. "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave" -challenge includes three scenarios with US forces facing the Germans. This is for you and I trust that SIX of you are willing and able to continue with me and my sad projects. If I have eight willing members some will be placed in reserve and shall enter the tournament when the "Second Wave" -project unwraps (see below). There will be also a project called "Second Wave" including additional players wishing to clash arms with you. It has two sections (one for FK&C and one for the LFHB scenarios) of six players with the FK&C section will be EUROPEAN TCP/IP ONLY (if possible)! For other (than European) TCP/IP gamers a LFHB -challenge will be provided if requested. I shall need six guys for this one - if they do not materialize it'll be buried without any commotion. This project will be separate from the rest of the tournament and called "Shadow of the Eagle". Best players (AXIS and ALLIED) will continue from FK&C and LFHB -challenges to the "Death at Dawn, Death at Dusk" -Grand Final consisting two scenarios. If the Second Wave does not pull through or the players are not willing to participate in the Final their place will be taken by the troopers "next in line". A total of FOUR players will play the final battles and then these will be made available to all participants in a free challenge format... Thus it is six guys for FK&C, another six for LFHB and a respective total of 12 for the 2ndW (plus possibly six for the independent SotE)giving us a number of 24 or 30 for players. Any additional ideas you can mail to me traject0ry@hotmail.com or post here (or to the Tourney topic when it is opened). GET THE "100 Minutes" done ASAP ! HQ out, -T

OMG :eek: , We replaced an early casualty - I hope we do not need to replace a weary one as well... The problem is that the replacement player would either have to start from the thick of it as the rest of you are already somewhat familiar with the scenarios. I try to reach this "silent one" and hear his story... -T

Mwahahahah - more draws on J's scens than on mine. Well, he produced them in 3:1 ratio so I guess I'm still one down... Chirp chirp told the little bird, eleven -yes, eleven!- scenarios almost ready to enter the tournament world (though I need only five...) as J goes through his archives of reworkable scenarios and waste. Soon, lads... -T

What for? The game engine is dsigned to give a company to battalion level gaming quality. To have Finn SS or Sissi troops around just makes the code longer and thus slower. Want it in small groups and that's FPS for you dude. If you like a tactical battle without anything fancy you are welcome to the CM world. All Finns are modeled too tough in the wargaming world anyway -T

I'll try to device something "schmegeg-proof" for the next tourney... -T

*Bump* If you did not get my mail with the "progress form" attached (excluding the Finn...) just mail me and I'll resend. -T

I have one coming up (recruiting starts this Friday) for veteran gamers (one group of Pbem ONLY and another TCP/IP ONLY) with good experience. To get in to my mailing list mail me at traject0ry@hotmail.com and I'll get back to you. Also to those not interested in long and arduous tournaments I'll run "For King and Country" Challenge of three scenarios 25 turns each. That's mere three games and YOUR name on the "honours board" with results. -T

Cheers! Excellent job - keep your head up and the rest of us posted. -T

But now the question is what is this "job" to be done ? Usually it is defined by the politicians, but does this remove all the responsibility from the soldiers ? If the soldiers are ordered on a mission that requires killing unarmed civilians and commiting war crimes, can they just hide behind the "job had to be done" phrase ? Wehrmacht officers tried this in Nuremberg and the result was that "doing the job" was no excuse for war crimes in the Eastern front. Following orders does not remove responsibility from the soldiers. I was taught in the army training that an illegal order is not to be fulfilled. I see this as such that if not killing civilians results in failure in mission, then failure it will be. What kind of society would I be defending, if it allowed killing civilians ? Would the society that I was sent to defend, be any better than that of the enemy, if it asked for killing innocent civilians in order to survive ? Interestingly, the question of war crimes is at the moment very actual as the International Criminal Court starts functioning from this day (July 1st). Unfortunately, for some reason, the USA sees itself above other democratic countries and is not going to join even though it signed the treaty in 2000. Even such countries as Iran, Yugoslavia and even Israel are joining.</font>

And they don't become "worst cases" during the fighting either? I'm very happy for you, I wish everyone was like that. I'm no longer sure you know what "nastiest" can actually mean. And I have no idea where you got that. And I never denied that. In fact, I explicitly discussed it. Are you refering to your "arrogant" guy who "ignores the value of life." _Ignores_?That's the sort of person who might enjoy some nasty guerilla warfare. I reject the idea, though, that he's the sort you need. Not if you want your forces to be the "Good Guys." If you want to organize a death squad, OTOH, I'd want your arrogant barbarian warriors.</font>

Speaking for myself, I think "ignore value of human life" gives that impression, and saying that a soldier should be "arrogant", not, for instance, "confident", "resolved", or "ruthless" furthers it. But you seem to have developed a much more moderate position.... just be careful with absolute terms like "nastiest" and "ignore."</font>

I hope I made my point. No more posting here by me as the topic gets too hot. If anybody has anything else to say to me directly feel free to e-mail, traject0ry@hotmail.com -T

One section answered in time from up to down... Nice points on the good soldier. Once more my field of service needs strong individuals capable of quick and ruthless action. Team is a tool to them as if they have a good team the job gets done more easily. Thus keeping the team capable of functioning to the very best of performances is a very high thing on the priority list. Could not find a switch - I must be either "on" or "off" all the time... Sounds like my idea of a good/better officer gets echoed here... The objective of the war is to win. The conditions for victory are politics. Soldiers talk about missions and battles. The goal is to complete the orders while keeping your force ready for the next assignment. There is a clear difference between killing civvies for fun and out of necessity. Rob made a point that soldier should do his best to avoid civilian casualties. He should also make them if the best effort of avoidance falls short in a critical situation. People do get used to death and dying. Warfare is such a devious contest - knowing your death is one shot away makes the sanest of persons to crack at least a bit. This is a common condition among veterans. Those saying that killing is a natural thing to modern human are WRONG. It is an extreme act and even when "called for" will cause after effects to most humans. Officer has a pistol (at least we do) and we also carry a rifle in the very case we run into enemy. The fact is that officer should be made of steel able to control his troops in combat, after it and even prevent all harassment of civilians and such. He should stop his starving men from stealing food, punish them from acts of unnecessary violence against civilians who will sell them to the enemy without a second thought. It is not an easy task. The truth is not here or in the books. It is on the fields. Nice speech as I can agree to most of it. Still people here seems to think that it is okay in my mind to shoot civilians. It is not. Sad fact is that it is done in every major conflict - out of necessity or just for the heck of it. The guy doing it for a proper reason seeing no alternative is doing his job. The guy doing it for fun belongs to an institution or against the wall. -T

A professional soldier who thinks this way needs retraining. Deliberately killing civilians or unarmed combatants is a WARCRIME and anyone doing so should be punished accordingly. I know of no "professional" army who trains their soldiers in any other manner. As an ex Army officer I have had the occasion to counsel the very rare soldier who has spoken this way. It is against international law and against the law of any country who has signed up to the Geneva Conventions. I do accept that things things happend in the past, and I can understand the situations that cause it. It still does not make it right. If the mission requires the delibereate murder of civilians then you need to do it a different way. Cheers Rob</font>

But where do you draw the line? A single man who could endanger your platoon? Kill him. A village where someone shoots at your men? OK, order an airstirke! Reminds me of certain actions of German soldiers when fighting partisans. Take a few hostages and kill them if you don't get information. Hey, if it's for the mission... Sorry for the crude examples, but where do you actually draw the line? Is there any? I've been a soldier (thank god during peacetime), trained as a sniper/sharpshooter and I had lots of discussions with my comrades about these topic. I'm targeting an enemy soldier 500m away, he's sitting against a tree, smoking a cigarette. No danger for me. Could I kill him cold-blooded? I'm really glad I never was in a situation where I had to make such decisions.</font>