kohlenklau

Definitely. I am really excited for the big trip!

 
 

Hey, it is Friday so enjoy some new stuff! Link at the bottom
FR40B SILVER PACK IS RELEASED
FR40B1 [muddy-crossing]
FR40B2 farm flavor objects 
FR40B3 Charb1bis
FR40B4 Brazil as Senegalese troops (delayed until GOLD)
FR40B5 French 75mm gun
FR40B6 Panhard Armored Car
FR40B7 PzIVD
FR40B8 [rubarth] scenario special mods
FR40B9 [corpsfrancs]
 
FR40B SCENARIOS
FR40B DROLE DE GUERRE                                    by PEB14
FR40B DER GIGANT                                               by kohlenklau
FR40B FIREFIGHT AT ANNELLES                          by kevinkin
FR40B RUBARTH'S RITTERKREUZ                         by kohlenklau
FR40B CENDRIERE'S FARM                                    revised so playable as axis vs AI
FR40B SEDAN-GRAD                                              by kohlenklau
 
Down the SILVER here
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6sr6ux04acmb628/AAArFV2KKoz2Tebriqfdvqvoa?dl=0
Reminder that you also need the BRONZE
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l7vq1tkou7jdx0f/AAAzqnXwNR9eXvqQk2SDdt_Pa?dl=0
and the BRONZE PLUS UP (patch)
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b1xxqze5cnnuq6o/AAAbeTl95UlC8Zo8MoXQ_uIca?dl=0

Phil, great to see the Goody Bag back and your sack is bulging more than ever 😉.
Seriously though I have found old things in there that I didn't have and of course the new things.  Excellent work amigo.
You know your retirement plan can be flexible, it's self-imposed after all.  We can discuss this soon over a pint and a pie.  Or something more fancy if the 'cost of living crisis' allows.

I now have the goody box link in my forum signature but I am organizing things still.
I am semi-retired! I will work to better prepare the mod for hand-off. This prep work will probably include finishing up a few scenarios. hilarious
PDF Manuals:
I will make updates & additions to the previously released "FR40 Mod Scenario Creation Guide".
I will add a "Read Me" manual since the mod is somewhat complex.
I will add a pdf of the "Fake Lobster" lecture which explains how I made vehicles
~~~~~~
Just last night I added some more maps to the FR40 collection. Others have blazed this trail before - I was able to use hexedit to bring over to CMFI a few select CMFB maps.
I think they will do nicely as substitutes for some of the 10 May 1940 - 12 May 1940 battles in the Ardennes.

CMBN French Résistance [maquis]
Hmmm, if only we had some energetic guys from France and some nut who would advise them...
Maybe you guys do in 2024 for the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Paris...?

I now have the goody box link in my forum signature but I am organizing things still.
I am semi-retired! I will work to better prepare the mod for hand-off. This prep work will probably include finishing up a few scenarios. hilarious
PDF Manuals:
I will make updates & additions to the previously released "FR40 Mod Scenario Creation Guide".
I will add a "Read Me" manual since the mod is somewhat complex.
I will add a pdf of the "Fake Lobster" lecture which explains how I made vehicles
~~~~~~
Just last night I added some more maps to the FR40 collection. Others have blazed this trail before - I was able to use hexedit to bring over to CMFI a few select CMFB maps.
I think they will do nicely as substitutes for some of the 10 May 1940 - 12 May 1940 battles in the Ardennes.

I now have the goody box link in my forum signature but I am organizing things still.
I am semi-retired! I will work to better prepare the mod for hand-off. This prep work will probably include finishing up a few scenarios. hilarious
PDF Manuals:
I will make updates & additions to the previously released "FR40 Mod Scenario Creation Guide".
I will add a "Read Me" manual since the mod is somewhat complex.
I will add a pdf of the "Fake Lobster" lecture which explains how I made vehicles
~~~~~~
Just last night I added some more maps to the FR40 collection. Others have blazed this trail before - I was able to use hexedit to bring over to CMFI a few select CMFB maps.
I think they will do nicely as substitutes for some of the 10 May 1940 - 12 May 1940 battles in the Ardennes.

My retirement plan!
I promise I will go through all my France 1940 mods and get it organized for download.
Then in a week or so I will make the link my signature and offer to the community. 
Separate folders for the below:
the mod packs
sub mods that were in progress such as Chasseurs Ardennais
the completed scenarios
all the Belgium & France maps made or in progress not used in a scenario
all research items, photos, notes
raw files in paint.net and GiMP
scenarios as rough in progress "as is"
scenario creation guide
modtag text files
scenario briefing text files
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember that you all have my full permission to take the ball and run forward.
Good luck guys!
🇫🇷
 

If you are a "purist" then you probably will not even enter this thread. What I do in my mods must disgust you or whatever.
But if you are on the fence and might be inclined to play but just wish I didn't have to distort reality - then please follow this next paragraph!
MY NEW "SMG FILTER"
I came up with this idea a few weeks back to create an "SMG" filter for my French squads. It seems to work and I will explain how I do it. I have used it in 2 new scenarios.
I will first show how I used the "SMG FILTER" in this yet unreleased FR40B SEDAN-GRAD. In the below screenshot you see the green tint of a terrain objective, an exit zone named as SMG Filter. The 3 teams are the AI group numbered "A Teams" from the 3 squads in the scenario. A3, A4 and A5. Just the A Teams. Deployed to that funny little holding pen. It contains all of the SMG's in this scenario and all 3 of the grenade launchers.
My AI plan then progresses and when AI groups A3, A4 and A5 require any movement, the A Teams try to carry out the order, they are filtered away by the exit zone. I had some dash orders and sometimes not all 4 soldiers were exited. I was amazed. So, I added the zig zag and expanded the exit zone to better filter away the SMG's and grenade launchers.

Below is another SMG Filter on a bigger scenario. The filter is again an exit zone this time lined with heavy forest tiles to slow down the soldiers. All SMG's and grenade launchers are removed from play!

 
 
 
 
 

FR40B SILVER PACK HIGHLIGHTS (tentative for the 10 May release)
FR40B1 [muddy-crossing]
FR40B2 farm flavor objects 
FR40B3 Charb1bis
FR40B4 Brazil as Senegalese troops
FR40B5 French 75mm gun
FR40B6 Panhard Armored Car
FR40B7 PzIVD
FR40B8 [rubarth] scenario special mods
FR40B9 [corpsfrancs]
 
FR40B SCENARIOS (current list)
FR40B DROLE DE GUERRE                                    by PEB14
FR40B DER GIGANT                                               by kohlenklau
FR40B FIREFIGHT AT ANNELLES                          by kevinkin
FR40B RUBARTH'S RITTERKREUZ                         by kohlenklau
 
 

IF ANYBODY EVER WANTS TO GRAB ONE OF MY HUMBLE SIMPLE SCENARIOS...
AND EDIT IT
AND CHANGE IT
AND IMPROVE IT
AND THEN RE-RELEASE IT...
PLEASE DO!!!

If you are a "purist" then you probably will not even enter this thread. What I do in my mods must disgust you or whatever.
But if you are on the fence and might be inclined to play but just wish I didn't have to distort reality - then please follow this next paragraph!
MY NEW "SMG FILTER"
I came up with this idea a few weeks back to create an "SMG" filter for my French squads. It seems to work and I will explain how I do it. I have used it in 2 new scenarios.
I will first show how I used the "SMG FILTER" in this yet unreleased FR40B SEDAN-GRAD. In the below screenshot you see the green tint of a terrain objective, an exit zone named as SMG Filter. The 3 teams are the AI group numbered "A Teams" from the 3 squads in the scenario. A3, A4 and A5. Just the A Teams. Deployed to that funny little holding pen. It contains all of the SMG's in this scenario and all 3 of the grenade launchers.
My AI plan then progresses and when AI groups A3, A4 and A5 require any movement, the A Teams try to carry out the order, they are filtered away by the exit zone. I had some dash orders and sometimes not all 4 soldiers were exited. I was amazed. So, I added the zig zag and expanded the exit zone to better filter away the SMG's and grenade launchers.

Below is another SMG Filter on a bigger scenario. The filter is again an exit zone this time lined with heavy forest tiles to slow down the soldiers. All SMG's and grenade launchers are removed from play!

 
 
 
 
 

Of course it is sad to see you retire from CM but given what you have achieved over the years either as an author or contributor, it's understandable and well deserved. Of course I (we?) hope to see you around, now and then, at least as a player, but even if that is not the case, everyone can understand. Last but not least: your retirement plan is extremely elegant, that is:
(i) you have anticipated it
(ii) you hand over the assets with full permission to the community
(iii) you'll be here during the hand over period to answer questions (if I read correctly a previous post)
I cannot imagine a better plan.

My retirement plan!
I promise I will go through all my France 1940 mods and get it organized for download.
Then in a week or so I will make the link my signature and offer to the community. 
Separate folders for the below:
the mod packs
sub mods that were in progress such as Chasseurs Ardennais
the completed scenarios
all the Belgium & France maps made or in progress not used in a scenario
all research items, photos, notes
raw files in paint.net and GiMP
scenarios as rough in progress "as is"
scenario creation guide
modtag text files
scenario briefing text files
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember that you all have my full permission to take the ball and run forward.
Good luck guys!
🇫🇷
 

My retirement plan!
I promise I will go through all my France 1940 mods and get it organized for download.
Then in a week or so I will make the link my signature and offer to the community. 
Separate folders for the below:
the mod packs
sub mods that were in progress such as Chasseurs Ardennais
the completed scenarios
all the Belgium & France maps made or in progress not used in a scenario
all research items, photos, notes
raw files in paint.net and GiMP
scenarios as rough in progress "as is"
scenario creation guide
modtag text files
scenario briefing text files
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember that you all have my full permission to take the ball and run forward.
Good luck guys!
🇫🇷
 

IF ANYBODY EVER WANTS TO GRAB ONE OF MY HUMBLE SIMPLE SCENARIOS...
AND EDIT IT
AND CHANGE IT
AND IMPROVE IT
AND THEN RE-RELEASE IT...
PLEASE DO!!!

In a week shy of 2 months, I and about 3 other guys have created a France 1940 mod of damn decent results. 
Call me an a-hole, but I think a few heads should hang in shame!
Get it here
 

Phill, this is just a little gifts, to express our gratitude for all the works that you did since years long, with your help to resolve something on the forum to many countries, with calm and friendly mind, added to your touch of humor that we will missing on the forum, and on this picture showing with my touch of jokkes but also all my thanks and my respect!
JM, May 4 2023

Merci Phil!
But we all know playtesting is the easy part of it.
Your work... and in general all community author's work... THAT's what deserve proper recognition.

A big loss for the CM community. I hope you will be back ones again someday in the not to distant future.
A big, big thanks for all your work and inspiration over the years...
THANKS ! 😎

Very sad but you will be missed my friend, thank you for all you have done for the CM community!
Cheers Phil, thank you again.

If you are a "purist" then you probably will not even enter this thread. What I do in my mods must disgust you or whatever.
But if you are on the fence and might be inclined to play but just wish I didn't have to distort reality - then please follow this next paragraph!
MY NEW "SMG FILTER"
I came up with this idea a few weeks back to create an "SMG" filter for my French squads. It seems to work and I will explain how I do it. I have used it in 2 new scenarios.
I will first show how I used the "SMG FILTER" in this yet unreleased FR40B SEDAN-GRAD. In the below screenshot you see the green tint of a terrain objective, an exit zone named as SMG Filter. The 3 teams are the AI group numbered "A Teams" from the 3 squads in the scenario. A3, A4 and A5. Just the A Teams. Deployed to that funny little holding pen. It contains all of the SMG's in this scenario and all 3 of the grenade launchers.
My AI plan then progresses and when AI groups A3, A4 and A5 require any movement, the A Teams try to carry out the order, they are filtered away by the exit zone. I had some dash orders and sometimes not all 4 soldiers were exited. I was amazed. So, I added the zig zag and expanded the exit zone to better filter away the SMG's and grenade launchers.

Below is another SMG Filter on a bigger scenario. The filter is again an exit zone this time lined with heavy forest tiles to slow down the soldiers. All SMG's and grenade launchers are removed from play!

 
 
 
 
 

Here is one in the works that should be fun! Almost done with the AI plan. 

FR40B SEDAN-GRAD
^
Torcy, France (a suburb of Sedan). It is 1620 - Montag 13 May 1940. A light wind blows off the Meuse to the north. A thick haze hovers over the entire area. The ground is damp. You are a zug-fuhrer in Infanterie-Regiment Gross Deutschland. 
^
You have your 4 rifle squads, slightly depleted from the combat of these last 4 frantic days. Your men seem to run off soldier's humor and funny little pills from the medical staff. The sounds of a Sturmgeshutz approaching puts a big smile on the oberfeldwebel. 
^
Opposite you through that thick haze of the battlefield are the remnants of the 295e Regiment D'Infanterie. They were pounded mercilessly by the luftwaffe all day and then by our heavy artillery. Even after all that, a few have decided to resist.
^
The crossing of the Meuse did not go without losses. Finally we were able to eliminate several bunkers and build a bridge near Gaulier. The vehicles started moving across - but then several trucks were knocked-out by machinegun fire. Clear out those stragglers and get the trucks rolling again! You have 30-35 minutes.
^
Take the "corner restaurant" (250 pts) and the "factory office building" (250 pts). Points also awarded for elimination of the enemy and keeping friendly losses below 30%.

 

I gotta tell a funny story of modder's frustration.
Yesterday I sent a revised link for a few folks along with some scenarios. A few changes fixed some Char's not appearing properly. My buddy texts me and image of his screen and the tanks are now invisible. INVISIBLE!!!???
I almost threw my PC out the window. I then took a few breaths and thought...ok, he and I are playing a PBEM right now, all weekend really, I wondered...
Did you put the new mods into z and RESTART?
uhhh, no.
OK, that fixed it.
It is always something. It can be found. It can be fixed. 

I gotta tell a funny story of modder's frustration.
Yesterday I sent a revised link for a few folks along with some scenarios. A few changes fixed some Char's not appearing properly. My buddy texts me and image of his screen and the tanks are now invisible. INVISIBLE!!!???
I almost threw my PC out the window. I then took a few breaths and thought...ok, he and I are playing a PBEM right now, all weekend really, I wondered...
Did you put the new mods into z and RESTART?
uhhh, no.
OK, that fixed it.
It is always something. It can be found. It can be fixed.