Dandelion

If I am not mistaken the PaK 40 uses a double (spaced) 5mm gunshield. And as far as I know a 50 calibre could by 1944 penetrate up to 25 millimeters under the most advantageous conditions (range, material and angle). Thus it ought to have the capacity to inflict very serious damage on a PaK 40 ta a range of 50 meters. It is in fact amazing what people can do with halftracks in CMBO even against a morally intact foe. Firing a 50 calibre from an old hardmount on a low capacity suspension vehicle moving in terrain is simply fiction, as anybody knows who has ever tried to hit anything firing from even a modern high capacity suspension MCV moving in terrain, using modern softmounts or handheld light automatics. Cheerio Dandelion

Well you need to buy a workshop platoon, did you make sure to? Nah, kidding "a few battles" says the manual (p.117) and I have indeed got vehicles back the very next battle even. Including a Tiger with a turret penetration. Which is an impressive but not impossible repair rate. Of course, there will be a problem if you loose the crew. Cheerio Dandelion

I don't understand. Why e-mail with demands? Why not just let the game end and AI decide victory levels? Regards Dandelion

That text has always interested me Andreas. The opening one, with your position on those who took part in the war. As Beever says, we're living in very non-judgemental times - well Europe is - and stark taking of position is rather rare. I wanted to discuss it not to challenge it or pass my own judgement on it, but rather to follow your path reaching this position. My own just goes in circles, leading round and round and then back to the same spot again. I'm not talking braunen Scheißdreck, nor any revisionist retards, I'm talking my relation to Großvati. Mine and yours I guess, as their stories seem very similar except on the random point of survival. Well. Guess that'll have to wait for its beer also. Speaking of which, Mattias suggested the other day (yesterday in fact) that him and me go visit you in London as a separate thing (and not wait for my anniversary trip, on which he is not going anyway). He had in mind very soonlike, as he gets off in mid june. You in London still by mid- and late June? It'd be real nice of this other fellow - Dr juzzy - was also around then. He seems an interesting bloke. Cheerio Tommy M N (Dandelion)

LOL! Well Fritz, Your Fritz was called Fritz? Mensch Meier! Oh sorry - Mensch Fritz! My Fritz was also called Fritz! And his Fritz too. In fact the Fritz of his Fritz was also called Fritz. I'm not sure what the other Fritz was called, I'll have to ask my Fritz Fritz. Cheerio Fritz PS How do we do when we split tabs after the beer this summer? Numbers? I'll be Fritz 1. You can be Fritz too. PPS How does Willie sound? Thats my grandfathers older brothers nick. We can make all foreigners call all Germans Willie, and you can produce one of those fine scenarios of yours, a "save Willie" scenario... PPPS Yes we'll have a mean Tommy post on Teutonic humour again very very soon...

Is that the Dzhe-place disappearing there? What's that blue flag with white cross in the corner? Cheerio Dandelion

Lee, Kipling wrote of Thomas Atkins, a (fictional) soldier serving in the British army in the colonies. Like most of his work it was used in pro-war propaganda and "Tommy" Atkins became a popular figure. The Germans picked it up. Its still used about the British, especially the soldiers. It has no negative undertone in German. Not really positive either I suppose. Its plainly the "Brits". I've been looking for somebody named "Fritz", prompting the British to pick up the name. But I can't find any significant person. Alte Fritz perhaps? Thats Fredrick the Great. Would be very interesting to know if there was a character behind the term. Sergei, Interesting, I didn't know that, but you know it sounds just like the Kaiser. The man was deranged. In my German dictionary it says that the term "Hun" was first used by British press during the first war, and then caught on. So its quite credible that the journalists were referring to some at the time well known Kaiserlich outburst. Cheerio Dandelion

Lee Its an English speaking site so English dictionaries rule. And its all in the intent of the speaker. Sounds it innocent and playful in English, it will be conceived as such here. One should perhaps note that the Germans didnt get to choose these names for themselves (unlike Tommy, Yankee and Poilou). Thus all words serve well as insults if said with an undertone of resentment, whereas "You...you Tommy you!" just doesn't sound very insulting regardless of how you speak it. Much like "Jerry". It does not leave you wondering about intents. Hearing "Boche" from a Frenchman would be serious. I cant see a situation where this would be a friendly joke. The word is equivalent of the N word for black people really. Full of hate and disgust. Hearing it from an Englishman or American is not the same. They are forgiven, for they know not what they are saying There is a treaties on military slang - very interesting in fact - in this article on WWI. An excerpt on "Boche" reads: --- "Although the French used Fritz as well, Boche was the term of choice. Its etymology is complex and uncertain, but its pejorative implications of obstinacy and generally uncivilised behaviour are undeniable. The Germans loathed the word and considered it a profound insult. Bergmann claimed that the Germans used no such derogatory terms, for "wir Deutschen wissen uns zum Glück frei von... kindischen Hass" ("we Germans know ourselves to be happily free from such childish hatred"), but Dauzat disputes that. The unusually derogatory nature of Boche may reflect French bitterness over the defeat of 1870 and the invasion of 1914. Dauzat insists that Boche is a "mot de l'arripre" ("a word of the rear"), and that the soldiers preferred Fritz, Pointu (for the pre-1916 German spiked helmets) or even Michel for artillerymen." --- "Free of childish hate", yeah right. Anyway, here also it says "Fritz" was not intended as an insult by the British troops, and indeed that "Jerry" relieved "Fritz" as the normal term for Germans, so making the two completely equal in meaning. But they still sound different:) Cheerio Tommy PS. Met a Texan over the internet who did not like to be called Yankee. Yank was good, Yankee was not. His comment immediately triggered a rather fierce debate between Americans (this was BBC) in which we others could only be shamelessly amused spectators.

Flame "Fritz" is listed as a nickname in my dictionary, but sounds rather...resentful. Like "Kraut" and "Hun", but not at all as bad as "Boche". I have yet to meet a German very fond of any of these terms. I realise that you meant no offence, and none is taken. I was very careful to check up "Limey", to feel safe you would not be offended by it either (it says its US jargon for Englishmen in my dictionary, and I couldn't imagine the Yanks to be offending you, so I chose that one). I hope I was successful in this. "Jerry" is the personal favourite however, and is I firmly believe popular among Germans in general, especially older perhaps, as it sounds so in want of resentment. There is no German Kiplingish Thomas Atkins by the name of "Fritz". The equivalent of "Tommy" would be "Landser". But its not quite the same. You couldnt say "Landser" to a civilian, it just sounds strange. Also, "Landser" is obsolete while "Tommy" is still alive. "Jerry" is really the answer But I know we habitually offend British in return, also with no intent. In German, "English" is more or less synonymous with "British", to most people anyway, and so every UK citizen is called "Engländer". This usually will not make Scotsmen, Welsh or Irish frolic. The term "UK" is not used at all and when I translate it into German in EU documents, people ask me what state I am referring to. Its "England", or "Gross Britannien". Overt pipe-blowing and kilt wearing might render men the term Scottish, but thats just about what it'll take. I read the account of a Welshman taken prisoner in 45, who was interrogated and among other things was asked why he had come to Germany to fight (the eternal question). He answers "for freedom", even though he admits he feels a little stupid saying it. Anyway, the German officer is enraged and shouts in Oxford-English "Get out of here you bloody Englishman!" The Welshman ends the story there, because to him the irony is full circle. But actually there's no real point to the story. So he's Welsh. That's what the officer said wasn't it? While we are on this topic, might I take the opportunity to ask how the names "Jock" and "Mick" are perceived by their respective target ethnic groups. Predominantly negative or positive? Cheerio Dandelion

If you say so, ..Limey. Cheerio Dandelion [ May 23, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: Dandelion ]

Hi all This might strike some as slightly morbid, but I am curious about what songs and traditions were used by allied troops (all nationalities) when burying the fallen. Both melody and lyric, if any, would be interesting to know. Germans used - catholic of protestant made no difference - "Ich hatt' einem Kameraden", which I have the feeling many here already knows. Goes like this (at very slow step): Ich hatt' einen Kameraden, Einen bessern findst du nit. Die Trommel schlug zum Streite, Er ging an meiner Seite In gleichem Schritt und Tritt. In gleichem Schritt und Tritt. Eine Kugel kam geflogen: Gilt's mir oder gilt es dir? Ihn hat es weggerissen, Er liegt vor meinen Füßen Als wär's ein Stück von mir Als wär's ein Stück von mir Will mir die Hand noch reichen, Derweil ich eben lad'. "Kann dir die Hand nicht geben, Bleib du im ew'gen Leben Mein guter Kamerad!" Mein guter Kamerad!" Translated (more or less literally, and unprofessionally - I'm sure there's a better translation out there) I had a friend The best of friends When the drums sounded [to arms] He was always by my side At the same pace and step At the same pace and step A bullet came flying Had it my name or yours? His was the life torn away He fell by my feet As if a part of me As if a part of me He tries to stretch me his hand But I have to reload "Can't lend you my hand, wait for me in eternity, My good friend!" My good friend!" [The stretching and lending of hands are figures of speech just as in English - it means the fallen friend needs help, but that the storyteller is powerless to help, but then again will soon die himself anyway so maybe it does not matter much, sort of] I have the soundfile on it if anybody wants it. No copyright to fear. The American, English, Canadian, French and Polish counterparts? Regards Dandelion

Contradiction with intent? Dandelion

We agreed to quit the Stuart-scenario. Not becasue of the Stuarts mind you:) But because we both want historical simulations. The scenario said in the briefing it was one, but it became increasingly apparent that the claim for research was unwarranted. As neither map nor forces, nor experience levels, really computed with actual conditions. Major turn-off, so we simply quit. We're trying another one instead. Thus, I left the Stuarts undefeated and am impressed by my opponents extreme precision in their use. On the other hand, I shall not again in any close future line up for the firing squad like that. Stuarts have confounded me before. Trying to design scenarios, I find they "tilt" balance. British Amd Bn have 12 of these guys, so one includes them to give the Brits eyes and ears. Problem is, in an environment not allowing too long ranges, they're better than the MBTs. In any June7-8-9 12SS-Canada scenario e.g., the Stuarts must be part (because they were). But in the enclosed environment, they become more than a match for the PzKpfw IV. Well what do I know. Maybe they were. Cheerio Dandelion

Red, Try the tech forum, they'll probably be able to help you better than us here Cheerio Dandelion

Lee, Nah they're still at it. Ever seen the ammunition stowage of a Stuart? For the purposes of CMBO, it is inexhaustible. Creating massive damage, in spite of lacking cannister. Rate of fire, but more than that the machineguns. The machineguns are wreaking havoc. And that's not the AI. That's a pbem opponent. Looks like a ladder-gamer-thing. The Stuarts are utilising two game-technical "flaws". First the time needed to aim. Makes sure my men don't have time to discharge weapons against the Stuarts before they've dashed by. Second the multiple targets bug, making sure that all men see more than one Stuart at any one time, the Stuarts switching distances to them (as they dash back and forth)and thus prompting them to change targets all the time, making it even more certain that they'll never be able to discharge. On top of that some quite realistic tactics too, making sure one Stuart at least is always at the rear firing at any one group of men to keep heads down. It all serves me right for deploying in a straight frontal line. Verdun revisited, what a draftee thing to do Cheerio Dandelion

Sergei Russia was attacked by volonteers from Spain and thus should harbour a grudge. Besides, Spain was lost to that much detested Buchanin. If it ails her however, she can smile in remembrance of how she stole the entire gold reserve of Spain during the Civil War. Perhaps that evens the score somewhat. And! That's how mischievous Europeans were. We don't do these things anymore. The Swedes are curbed, the Russians pauperised, the Germans tamed, the British exhausted and the French calmed. This is an entirely Old Europe seeing light. Andreas, don't worry about the British capitalist oppressors. The err of their ways will inevitably create growing misery for workers as competition for profit leads capitalists to adopt labour saving machinery, creating a vast reserve army of unemployed. These will eventually and inevitably rise up and seize the means of production, creating a harmonious worker state. Having once massacred the bourgouisie of course, can't make an omelet etc. And we all want omelets. Cheerio Dandelion

Andreas, The great part is that even playing the Soviets, you still get to play soon-to-be-betrayed Poles, or Telegraph friends as they have been known to be called. In fact, can't think of any greater power in European history which did not betray Poles. Napoleon did it. Both Gustavus Adolphus and Charles XII did it. The Russians, Austrians and Germans have all done it countless times. Well, there are the Italians of course. They never betrayed Poles. Hm. Really makes you wonder why they'd want to join the EU. But perhaps it should make me wonder why the EU is inviting them instead... Cheerio Dandelion

...strawberry jam and hotdogs...aaagghhh. Somebody send Colombia the surrender file please, it's all over. Dandelion

Well size does matter for loading time of course, as a larger file takes longer to load, but you were referring to size of the bmp folder itself right? Not being a software expert in any way, I believe numbers rather than size matters there. I could be - and probably am - wrong, but it seems to me that the more files I have in the bmp folder, the longer the loading time. Let's just point out again that I am as sure about this as I am about the weather next year Cheerio Dandelion

Well Lee, I can imagine him looking with tense anticipation in his home at the execution of the turn. Comes this kind of chicken-run duel, and then....BOOM, both blow up. LOL! Chicken surpriiise! I'm sorry, I know I am being a small person, but I'm just laughing my trousers off over here. Talk about suicide bombers. LOL I'll make sure to keep your crews at arms length distance at all times when we play Lee. You're not crashing fighter bombers into your foes too are you? LOL! * wiping tears of laughter * Hrm, must be that Teutonic sense of homour coming back at me here. Well. For my part, I "cheated", and checked normal allotment of ammo to Stuarts (they're still going back and forth), and that sure depressed me. If they all empty their loads at 30 meter distance, I'll be taking some 800 37mm HE rounds. So joke's on me I guess. Cheerio Dandelion

Speaking of Wasps... At Rethem, april 10th, the 1/5 Welch attacked German positions using, among other units, two Wasps. These were part of a five carrier column trying to rush the bridge at Rethem (as the infantry got stuck on the fields outside town). In the battle resulting, one Wasp fired at a German officer changing positions, drenching him completely in fuel. For reasons unexplained, ignition failed, and the young officer stopped, staring at his heavily polluted uniform. Ignition did not fail on all attempts. The Wasps were able to take out three PaK 40's before meeting a drastic end in the hail of panzerfausts. It seems the crews perished when the vehicle was blown by fausts. At least these two. I'm working on an operation depicting the Rethem battle, and found this episode in the War Diary of 1/5 Welch. Thought Black Hand would want to hear it Cheerio Dandelion

Lee, Was it the primary or secondary explosion that knocked out your vehicle? In the latter example I mean. Cheerio Dandelion

British and Commonwealth uniform do have a strong thread of tradition in them, which is really nice. One can trace all kinds of fashions of history in their uniform details. Come to think of it, I can't see any other nation so conservative, nor fond of picking up traits from certain eras. Except perhaps the Americans, but with such a young nation the possibilities of including historical traits lessens. Looking at the Blues and Royals parading, one can see details from practically all the periods that the British cherish as golden eras of one valour or other. Though I don't understand why this particular unit wears black uniforms, I must admit. Meaning no offence at all, I actually think (deep) green is a more attractive colour than scarlet. Though the British have forever stolen the scarlet as their own particular colour, the Government tartan is predominantly green and so it must look rather smart with green doublets, no? Of course, I can still see the problem. I guess nobody would give the Mounties green jackets. The Black Watch ceremonial dress is really a sight. We have very few such sights left in the world, and the fantastic appearance brings them to level with the Indian Gvt Bengal Lancer guards, or Jordan Arab Legion camel corps. I watched them (well I think it was them, might have been other highlanders with black jackets and Gvt tartan) relieve the Gurkhas last time I was in London, and the whole scene was rather unreal. For so many reasons. Cheerio Dandelion

LOL! Teutonic sense of humour. Allright, that was funny, but you're only bringing our humour up to obscure and veil the globally equally infamous Anglo-Saxon nutritional preferences. Cheerio Dandelion