Aragorn2002

Gorgeous!

Don't forget the Wehrmacht was in full retreat on all fronts and waiting until Stalin reached the Rhine wasn't an option. Something had to be tried. In hindsight it may seem a reckless operation, but were there really many alternatives? The execution of the operation may have been sloppy, but for the Western allies it was 1918 all over again. The total German collapse seemed imminent. If one studies the German OOB in the Netherlands one really wonders how the Germans pulled it off. Even the II.SS Panzerkorps hardly had the strength of a brigade and only a handful of armored vehicles, mostly concentrated in the recon elements. Market Garden wasn't just a victory of the two Waffen SS divisions, but also of every last man the Germans could get their hands on. Personally I think MG was a calculated risk. It did cost a lot of lifes, but it had to be tried. I think Montgomery realized that too. Imagine history's judgement if MG hadn't take place...

Thanks John

Last I've read is they are still working on it, but it's close to release. Yes, definitely looking forward to that too. Btw someone is also working on three Korsun-scenarios, of which one is already available. Recommended.

Perhaps the developments in the east also made Montgomery and Eisenhower throw caution in the wind. The Red army stood at the border of Eastern Prussia and both Roosevelt and Churchill knew that if Stalin saw the opportunity to occupy the whole of Germany, he wouldn't hesitate. Even if he would withdraw again after the Germans were defeated, he would make sure to leave a looted wasteland behind. The German recovery in the east in the autumn of 1944 wasn't less of a miracle as that in the west. Might have been of influence upon the Allied decision making.

Must admit. Good points. And never underestimate your opponent.

Easy does it, MJ

And the best thing is they are working on an eastern front module, starting with the Russian-Japanese war of 1939.

I like Tiller's games a lot, especially Rshew and Korsun. Great games indeed, although a little outdated perhaps. Never tried MG though.

You're very welcome. The base game is for free and comes with some imteresting battles. Among them Greyhound Dash, about the role of the 116th Panzer Division, during the Ardennes offensive. A real masterpiece.

The Market Garden module of Command Opps 2 is also very realistic and offers the opportunity to study the entire operation from both sides in detail. It also shows how close the Germans came to defeat. Really underestimated game, CO 2.

Great staff work, that's for sure.

We will, Elvis. All the best.

Yeah, let's do that. Hypocrite. And back with you to my ignore list. Should have known better.

Thank you and may you soon have your own little private Brexit.

That's rich, coming from a miserable old B who daily fills this forum with his empty remarks and schizophrenic Cromwell nonsense.

How is it coming along, MJ? Just curious, not impatient.

Guys, I'm looking for a book, which seems to be extremely rare and very hard to find for a decent price. My wife happens to go to New York next week and she's willing to have a look for this book (The Kravchenko Case by Gary Kern). Can any of you recommend a good second hand bookshop in the centre of New York where this book might be found?

I think during the Sicily operation nobody really was in control. But I must admit I haven't read that book.

Good choice. Personally I also prefer the lesser known generals who did their heavy duty in modesty and silence (and were allowed to do it in that manner). Bradley is another good example. For the British I like Alexander best. Excellent commander. One of my favorite German generals is Dietrich von Saucken. A Prussian warrior in the best tradition. What a remarkable man. Could have avoided Russian captivity, but chose to stay with his men, when the end came in Kurland. Ended up in a wheelchair after being tortured and ill treated as a POW. I'm sure some will just call him a Nazi and a criminal, but for me this man is an example of a man for all seasons. They don't make them like that anymore. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_von_Saucken

That's a generous answer in the best American tradition. Thanks for that! I guess I'm just trying to say that most, if not all of these men had to carry the burden of a very heavy responsibility and had the lives of many, many soldiers in their hands. I think it was Napoleon who once said that after a lost battle even the drummer boy can tell you how you could have won it. Or something like that.

Double post. Goddamned...Can someone please remove them?

Double post...