Aragorn2002

How's progress, Bram?

Agree with all you say, except about Snowden. Personally I think Snowden was a Russian spy. I don't buy his idealistic bull for one second.

EZ, Dropbox link doesn't work anymore.

Well said, Erik. But mark my words, Putin won't stop here. In fact he has just begun. Let's us also not forget the war against Georgia for example. This is a man with a plan. Yesterday evening I did watch a discussion on the BBC, the program was called "The pity of War", after the book (title based upon a poem by Wilfred Owen), between the historian Niall Ferguson and other historians about whether WW 1 could/should have been avoided and whether the outcome did justify the sacrifice. There are lessons to be learned there. I'm not saying Putin must be allowed to do as he pleases, in fact I'm convinced that we are heading for another (hopefully cold) war, but let's chose our actions carefully, because the west can't afford another huge, self-destructing conflict. But we certainly have to start thinking about preparing ourselves and our friends and allies for the difficult times ahead.

Please replace 'Zero' with 'PanzerMike'...;-D

Zero, you complete and utter bastard...;-D

Thank you, Bil, great entertainment, as always.

Und alles kam wie es kommen musste. Thank you, Elvis, it's been fun.

He didn't really launch an attack. He started to launch one and then stopped it. He should have finished that attack fast, wipe out those T-34s and move his armor asap to other areas, where they were needed. Yeah, all history now.

Well, really. Something like that had to happen. Especially with buttoned tanks. I bet that Panther is a goner too. After that the battle is as good as over.

I beg your pardon?

Looks like disaster is imminent for Elvis. I don't understand what he is waiting for. A short counterattack would have had some chance, but now he is just waiting until he is outmanoevred, which is exactly what Bil is doing. That view from that T-34/85 on the Panther's flank is pretty spectacular. I would add another tank to join him if I were Bil. Chance to kill most of Elvis's armor in one strike.

Great stuff, Bill, thank you. Pity the Hetzer was just out of your sight, but still great to watch.

Collingwood, I totally agree with what you say about the right personality. It makes me laugh to see Chris laugh each time something explodes. Although I'm a lot older than he is, it still has the same effect on me.

The reality is, whether we like it or not, that there is nothing and no one to replace the 'Pax Americana', as cynical as that term may sound to some, especially in the Middle East. I fear for the time countries like Russia, China or India are going to take over. Yes, big USA brother is watching us Europeans and probably costing us a lot of money and influence, but what does Europe has to offer nowadays? Nothing. Better to stand in the shadow of a friend, than stand alone. And wars can not be fought without attrocities and innocent victims, because it appeals to the worst in men. Sad facts of life. Irak and Afghanistan are extremely difficult areas to wage war in, especially because the population is also very divided among themselves. No justification, just facts. A lack of decent local leaders and surrounding countries with their own agenda makes it even harder. On top of all that there is religion and culture.

Indeed, very enjoyable. That shooting party was sensational. Pity about the crash. Boy, am I ready for this game.

I second John's request. That screenshot looks spectacular.

Well, they've smiled now on his flamethrower team. Might be the last thing they will ever see, but still.

Die with honor, Elvis. Dran, drauf und dürch. In other words, attack, before Bill has all his units where he wants them for the next push.

Very enjoyable AAR, Bil. Thank you for all the work and energy involved.

Congrats with that kill, Elvis. Keep them coming!

Especially because the Hetzers are very vulnerable themselves, even for artillery. I'd pull them back and make them turn up somewhere else.

We all share your dream. I've tried to go back to CMBB several times, because of missing the eastern front, but after CMBN it just wasn't the same anymore.

I know that. I'm refering to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The same victim culture.

The problem with the Japanese is that they still see themselves as victims of the war. As a dutchman with quite a few elderly friends (dutchmen and Indo-dutchmen) who lived and suffered in the Dutch East Indies during the war under the cruelty of the Japs I'm also disgusted by the Japanese approach of the war in the Pacific. A brother of my grandfather died in one of their camps after being tortured to death in the most sadistic way. I understand Erwin. What the Japs did to Europeans and Indo-Europeans (and the Chinese, Korean etc. etc.) was almost as bad as what the Germans did to the Jewish people. Imagine the Germans having monuments for their war criminals. Well, the Japs have.