| Prep Fire | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| The Uneasy Alliance | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| Distinguished Service | Kurt Martin |
| Snudl | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| New Product Reviews | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| MGs vs. AFVs | Jeff Shields |
| Following the Game | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| Keep it Simple Stupid | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| The Official Beer of ASL | Tim Hundsdorfer |
| Publishing Rivalries | Ray Tapio |
| Final Protective Fire | Tim Hundsdorfer |
I've got lots of new projects on the stove, folks.
First, I would like to spearhead a drive to get a Finnish module. It's time, I think for Finns to have their own counters. Throw in some mapboards and new scenarios and I think this would be a winner!
Also, I've reconstructed my web page (to an extent). I continue to work on it, so be patient. E-mail me if you want the address.
Marty Snow and I are putting together a newsletter for folks here in the west. It's about 16 pages and will cost $2 an issue, which we hope to send out quarterly. It will have a lot of the same stuff you find here, but will also include a lot of local news and a couple of scenarios laid out just like ASL players like them. If you are interested, e-mail me, but please keep in mind that if you get this, and you don't live in the west, you aren't likely to be interested.
I AM finished with school (for a while) and will again pick up the Narvik CG I am working on with the Infinitely Patient Terje Sparby. When I ask, Terje goes to work, but unfortunately I've been lax in putting his hard work onto the gaming table. Soon, though, soon.
In this issue: My campaign for a Finnish module begins with a little Finnish history, Kurt Martin's scenario and the second in a series of scenarios featuring U.S. minority troops--this time Japanese Americans, and keeping track of all your squad's abilities.
STIFF OF THE MONTH:
Me (again) for claiming Tom Huntington finished dead last at WWF.
Kenneth Li finished last.
No other country's troops command more respect among ASL players than the Finns. Their second-line troops have an "8" morale and can self-rally. Add in stealth, immunity to cowering, immunity to surrender via the rout phase method, and these are potent troops.
They do not, unfortunately, conform very well to their historical record, and are quite oversimplified. Jean-Luc got me on to this theme: Finns with their own color, own SW, and a variety of counter types which reflect the diversity of experience and equipment of Finnish troops 1939-1945.
Finland fought THREE wars during 1939-1945. First, during 1939 and 1940, they fought the Winter War, ostensibly with the Allies against the Russians. Second, they fought the Continuation War, which they joined following the tremendous success of the Wehrmacht in Barbarossa. Finally, in 1944, they again came to terms with the Russians, and, as part of the peace agreement, fought to expell their former German allies from Finnish soil in the Lapland War.
During the Winter War, the Allies particularly the English, were looking for any theatre of operations other than France and the Low Countries. Since it appeared that the Soviets had cast their lot with the Germans, Finland looked like a good area of operations. The Finns found, however, that the Western Allies were not able to provide the assistance that they needed, in fact, the bulk of Western assistance came after the Finns were prepared to meet Soviet demands. They turned, after the peace made in 1940, to the Germans, purchasing small arms, anti-tank weapons and aircraft.
The Finnish combatants in the Winter War were quite different from the later hardened veterans of the Continuation War. There were not enough rifles to go around, and hundreds of thousand of antique British, French and U.S. rifles had to be hastily imported. The excellent Lahti ATR (20L) was not available, nor were the legendary Finnish small arms. These were to come later, as a result of arms programs which became more important after the Winter War.
In fact, Finland leading up to the Winter War looked a lot like Norway. Defense budgets were paltry, training scant and neutrality was the order of the day. Only after the shooting started was there a distinction. While the Norwegians generally fought well, the Finns fought with individual initiative and aggressiveness which saved their country from being overrun.
During the Winter War, Finns should be represented by 468 squads and use allied SW. Their leadership structure is fine, and Finns should have the ability to self-rally. The real problem is, until the indigenous Finnish small arms become widely available in mid-to-late-1940, a "5" or "6" inherent firepower cannot be justified. On the other hand, a "4" range is equally unfair for the straight shooting Finns.
Using British 458's is not a bad option, as all applicable SW, concealment, etc., can be used (keeping in mind that self-rally should be allowed). Leaders, with their grey color, will stick out (other than 8-0), but allowing the Finn to mix in some grey concealment counters should make this work. Large numbers of Russian ATR's were used, and in some cases the improved "to kill" number of the Russian ATR should apply.
Finns did not use AFV in the Winter War, other than in February, 1940, when 4 of the 5 Finnish FT-17 French Tanks were destroyed.
Between the Winter War and the Continuation War, the Finns turned inward, and to Germany, rather than depend on the Western Allies. Finnish small arms and SW were coming on line, the Pak32 was arriving in large numbers, and Finland was building an Air Force. Finns were also becoming familiar with captured Soviet equipment--including hoards of the T-26 tank and 76MM AT Guns.
The Diplomacy during this period was very touchy. The Russians were suspicious of any contacts amoung the Finns and Germans (and their spy net, Rote Kapelle, kept close tabs on thesecontacts). Germany was, nonetheless, the contact of choice for the Finns, and, indeed, Finland was more of a partner than the other minor Axis nations.
Partially, this was because of Finnish success in the Winter War. Further, the Finns had the Baltic between them and the Germans--a luxury afforded none of the other minor states. With the destruction of the Deutscheskriegsmarine in Norway, the Finns could (and did) use the Baltic as their buffer. A volunteer regiment was raised in Finland to fight for the Germans (the core of the SS Wikingdivision).
Britain, now standing alone, saw little value in Finland, which was felt to have been bled white by the Winter War. The Russians saw the dangers of Finnish armament programs, but were busy reorganizing the Red Army, and felt that the real opponent was Germany. Antagonizing the Finns only assured that they would form a second (and quite dangerous) front in case of a German attack.
When the Germans launched Barbarossa, the Finns stood by and waited for a chance to grab the territory that the Russians had taken in 1940. There was heavy German pressure on the Finns, and the Finns did allow German aircraft to use bases in Finland and transport German troops to attack Murmansk (Petsamo)--the 20th SS Mountain Division. The Soviets' hand was forced, and they started bombing June 25, 1941, bringing Finland into the war. Finnish war aims were simple: restoration of the territory lost in the Winter War.
The Continuation War is the conflict where the Finns fit best in ASL terms. Their inherent FP reflects the superiority and advanced design of Finnish small arms. They have a wide range of German SW and AFV's available to them (though TAHGC has never provided us with the counters for the SCORES of Russian tanks converted by the Finns and used in combat).
The Fenno-German alliance was, nonetheless, a VERY uneasy one. The Finns resisted Nazi racial ideology, and Finnish Jews were not repressed as was the case in other minor axis countries. In fact, 352 Finnish Jews were in the curious position of fighting in the Continuation War and 23 lost their lives. Some Jewish regugees were, however, delivered to the Germans in 1942.
The Germans sought assistance from the Finns in linking up between Svir and Tikhvin, but the Finns were never to press an attack in this area, which would have meant the strangulation of Leningrad (despite the history books, Leningrad was never truly besieged, as there was an open corridor between the Finns at Svir and the Germans at Tikhvin.
Finnish assistance was also sought in breaking the rail line from Murmansk to Moscow, but here, too, the Finns were reluctant. The attacks were never pressed. [There was a series of guerilla actions launched against the railroad but they were unsuccessful. -jds]
With the surrender of the 6th Army at Stalingrad, Finnish military leaders and diplomats decided that seeking a separate peace was the best course for Finland, and made contacts through the U.S.--with whom the Finns were NOT at war.
For the next two years, the Allies would vacillate between offering Finland terms to get out of the war, and applying hard pressure. In 1944, the Finns accepted Soviet terms. But the peace didn't last long, as the Soviets pressured them to eject German forces from Finland. Just as advanced German weapons like the Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck were getting to the troops, the Germans became the enemy.
There are no official scenarios covering the Lapland War, and, in fact there were few major battles taking place during this time. At Pudasjaarvi, the Finnish Armored Division pressed the escaping Germans, and at Tornio, the Finns conducted an amphibious landing to cut off the German retreat, but abiguous and contradictory terms laid down by the Soviets meant that the Finns were to demobilize at the same time as they were supposed to push the Germans out of Finland.
The Finns, in the Lapland war, were in the process of demobilization, and more than at any time in the period 1939-1945, they were reluctant to risk their lives in a dubious military operation, in which even their highest commanders were reluctant. They could easily be represented by Soviet 628 squads, and with a low ELR. The ability to self-rally might also be taken away at this point. German AFV's and SW would still be in order, as the StuGIIIG and the PzIVJ were used in the Finnish Army until the mid 1950's.
Perhaps this is more history than necessary in a newsletter like this, but I feel strongly that the Finns deserve better treatment in ASL terms.
Certainly their own counter color--with blue on white (or vice versa) and better represented SW, including the 2FP LMG, a 4FP LMG, regular and Russian ATR's (in addition to the Lahti), and counters for the Winter War Troops and widely-used captured Soviet equipment. A few special rules, like allowing them to street fight in woods-road hexes and covering improvised AT weapons would be an important addition. The Finns, who were without equal in AT CC, should have certain advantages in CC vs. vehicles.
I have rambled on far too long, but more ASL players should be aware that the Finns were far from being the vanilla 648 squad offered in the countermix. The Finns ranged from desperate volunteers with shabby arms in 1939, to grisled veterans yearning to go home, fighting their former allies in 1944.
I hope you will join me in encouraging TAHGC to begin thoughts on re-releasing the Finns, with their own colored counters and a wide range of scenarios representing the Winter War, the Continuation War and the Lapland War.
LA HOUSSIERE, FRANCE, OCTOBER 29, 1944: Attempts by units of the 141st Infantry to rescue their 1st Battalion, surrounded and cut off in the Vosges Mountains, had failed. The overworked 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up of Japanese-American troops and white officers, was called to take over. On October 27th, supported by armor and artillery, they began their attack against the dug-in Germans. But the wet weather, thick vegetation and extremely rugged terrain quickly made the rescue attempt an all- infantry show. And when air drops to the "lost battalion" proved to be an impossible task due to the dense forest, the 442nd was ordered to push through at all cost. Renewing the assault, the 3rd battalion moved against the Germans' right flank, attacking a steep and well-defended ridge.
Victory Conditions: The Nisei win if they Control all level 3 hexes west of hexrow N at the end of any player turn.
Balance:
Board Configuration:
+---+ | 36| | | | | +---+ N^ Only hexrows A-N are playable
6.5 Turns, German sets up first, US moves first
U.S. OB Elements of Company I and Company K, 3rd Battalion, 442nd RCT (ELR 4) enter West edge on Turn 1 (SAN 3):
9 x 667, 5 x 666, 9-2, 9-1, 8-0, 149, 3 x MMG, 2 x 60 MTR
German OB Elements of the 198th Fusilier Battalion, 338th Infantry, ELR 3 set up on/east of hexrow D (SAN 4)
3 x 548, 3 x 467, 2 x 447, 9-1, 8-0 2 x MMG, 2 x LMG, 50 MTR, 12 x ?, 2 x trench, 6 x foxhole
Special Rules:
AFTERMATH: Their fist attempt was driven back with heavy losses. With some help from tanks from the 752nd Tank Battalion, the Nisei then drove forward a short way, but were stopped cold well back from their objectives. Suddenly, despite continuing intense machine gun and mortar fire, the Nisei began to move back up the ridge. Pvt. Hajiro led one rush, spraying German positions with a BAR. Despite a serious wound, Staff Sgt. Miyamoto led his men to the top of one rise where they took on the defenders in a hand to hand struggle in their entrenchments. Overall, the Nisei casualties were fearsome, but they took the high ground, and the next day broke through to the lost battalion. The attack shattered the German line, opening the way to the Rhine Valley. Three members of the 442nd, including Hajiro and Miyamoto were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. For their part in the rescue, the 442nd earned a Distinguished Unit Citation. Yet by November 9th, when most of the 442nd was finally removed from the lines, there were few men left to celebrate - the 3rd's two lead companies totaled only 28 men.
Snudl pushed some bricks out of the way and shook dust from his face. The last he remembered, a T-34 was headed straight for the machine shop. He'd lit and threw the petrol bomb, and it was a clean hit, but the tank kept coming, straight into the building.
It was now in front of him, burning out, with it's gun hanging off at a crazy angle. Members of the squad lay all around, but Werner was nowhere to be seen. Snudl's arm ached and there was a ringing in his ears.
The Russians were still around, he could hear their fire from across the street. Snudl wondered where Werner might be. There was no member of the squad left alive, so Snudl decided to make his way back to the Leutnant's HQ. Several secondary explosions from the tank convinced him to move quickly.
"Snudl, you are alive!" The Feldwebel was genuinely glad to see him. "I've just recommended you for the panzerjaeger stripe. Werner told us that you killed a T-34, good work man, good work."
Snudl blinked and only said: "I believe I'm hurt."
I recently ordered KGPI and KGPII (about which I have only this to say: I WAS ROBBED. I thought Youse was supposed to be on a 6+1! Didn't he say that Schilling got the 10-3 and Youse got the 6+1? That was the whole reason I bought it. Oh, well, at least I didn't have to hear the whine-fest that got Youse on the 8-1. :)
As an afterthought, I ordered Jatkosota from Critical Hit. I've obviously recently been taken with things Finnish, and Jatkosota had been sounding interesting for some time. Well, it was like one of those tiny flashlights or packs of gum at the checkout line: an impulse buy.
A few days later, when my package arrived, I opened it and, this is a little bit suprising, even for me, ignored the KPG's and dove into Jatkosota. (Actually, I looked for my Youse counter FIRST.) Bulge isn't my favorite theatre. People who know me already know that. Still, it may come as a bit of a shock that I would forego FIVE huge HASL maps and a new section of the rulebook (don't even TALK to me about slopes!) to look over an amateur product.
The first thing that happened as I opened the plastic cover is that counters began falling out--Squad Leader counters. Most odd, I thought, maybe Jim (at Boulder Games) had a box explosion and was handing out extra counters to his loyal customers. Then I saw the unmounted counters and slowly, it came to me. Sure enough, a slip of paper extolled the virtues of "recycling" your SL counters (TEDMS got mine.)
Mounting counters isn't a big deal for me, and I poured over the counters--Grey T-34's, T-28's and T-26's, and hey! Some sort of weird Swedish AA vehicle (cool) and a funky looking BT. Some light and heavy MG's as well, and (sheesh) a Tapio 10-1 Finnish Leader (well, publisher's perogative I suppose, sorry, Ray, I couldn't resist. :)
Well, on to the scenarios. You can never, IMO, have too many Finnish scenarios, and these look pretty good. Just gave them a cursory look, but a few use board 42 and 43 (which is neat) and almost all of them use the new counters. The scenario with the SS Nord and the Finns looks like an excellent three player scenario.
Time will tell how good these scenarios are, but there isn't one of them that I wouldn't try. I may have TEDMS on the ropes when it comes to Finn scenarios, but I'm a Finn-atic (sorry) and could probably play these straight through. They are of reasonable length and a good size for an afternoon of ASL.
The new CH counter art takes a little getting used to, but I'm hardly going to complain about that. People who complain about the new scenario format have too much time and too little imagination, IMO.
The historical notes that come with this pack are also very cool and most informative. The vehicle and weapon notes are also quite good--though they could, perhaps, have been a little more comprehensive. Finnish involvement ensured that this portion was up to snuff, though I'm a bit suprised there wasn't a little more distinction between the Continuation War (Jatkosota) and the Lappland War (which the Finns fought against the Germans).
On the downside, some people may find the necessity of mounting their own counters unpleasant. Some may find the new scenario layout a pain. These are very weak criticisms.
My bone of contention is that (and Ray is up front about this in the design notes) Jatkosota scratches the surface of a theatre which is so rich that Jatkosota comes off as kind of a tease. Like Chinese carry out, I'll finish this and, within a short time, want MORE!
I'll withhold judgement on the scenarios until I've played them, but overall, I'd highly recommend this product. If the above paragraphs come off as negative, it's because it's so much easier to point to the faults in an article like this than it is to stand back and enjoy the view of the whole product. Jatkosota fills a wonderful niche in the game. Would I have liked to see a PL CG included? Yes. Would I like ToT quality counters? Sure. But Jatkosota is a product I do not at all regret having. It looks like a blast to play--and I'm one of those weird folks who likes to have something to do after a purchase, so the challenge of mounting the counters appeals to me.
If you are not a history buff, don't like mounting your counters and have a problem with CH's new scenario format, Jatkosota is not for you. But other ASL Finn-atics will consider it a must have.
Now, what was that OTHER stuff I got? Oh, yeah, I'll look at those maps tonight!
The tactic of using MGs against AFVs is often overlooked by beginners and intermediate players. However, all types of machine guns, even LMGs, can be used against unarmored and lightly armored AFVs (A9.6). A related tactic, not covered here, is the use of mortars (MRT) against AFVs. While these may appear as seemingly last ditch efforts, both tactics can be used to great effect against marauding tanks.
A MG may attack an AFV only at normal range, without halved FP penalties, and only as a predesignated attack against the AFV target (A9.61). ROF (A9.2), hit location (C3.9), and multiple hits (C3.8) apply to the TH DR, but Critical Hits (C3.7), and Deliberate Immobilization (C5.71) are not applicable. A vehicular MG can only make a TK attack if it's the vehicle's MA (D3.54), and pays the cost of changing VCA or TCA if necessary. Interestingly, MGs use the black TH numbers regardless of nationality, unless captured (A9.6).
Once a hit has been secured, factor penetration by range as for the <25mm gun (Table C7.31) to determine the To Kill number (TK#). Thus, at 7-12 hexes the TK# is 4; at 2-6 hexes, the TK# is 5; and at PB (0-1 hexes), the TK# is 6. If the MG is a .50 cal, the TK#s are even one better (as 12.7mm, Table C7.31). Note that a MG stuns an AFV if the DR is equal to the final TK# (Table C7.7) even if BU (A9.61). This is different from the mechanics of a normal AP round that Immobilizes or Shocks when equal to the final TK#, and results in a Possible Shock when the TK# is one greater than the final TK# (C7.4-7.42).
Against unarmored targets, the MG uses the same mechanics as against infantry, i.e., it does not require a TH DR (unless the AFV is partially armored), and can even shoot at all of the soft targets in the hex. Use the Unarmored Vehicle Destruction Table (QRDC) to determine the outcome. If a partially armored AFV is hit in its unarmored facing (using C3.9), the MG also uses the Unarmored Vehicle Destruction Table and the Unarmored Vehicle line of the IFT to determine the outcome of the attack (QRDC).
MGs like Small Arms Fire have other capabilities against AFVs, too. Passengers, riders, and crew (PRC) are particularly susceptible to the longer ranging fire of MGs, especially if the MG is directed by a good leader. Morale Checks (MC) against a CE crew can result in a Stun (D5.34) or a Stun/Recall (D5.341). CE halftrack passengers never suffer Stun results; they become BU on a stun result and break if they fail a MC (D6.62). The CE crew of Carriers remain CE even after a Stun result (D6.84). While Passengers and Crew often receive the protection of the AFV (TEM +2) (D5.31), Riders don't (TEM +0). Riders that fail their MC will suffer the consequences of Bailing Out (D6.24). The crews of halftracks can be seriously threatened by MGs using Elevation Effects, even if the crew is BU (D6.61). Take advantage of this when street fighting.
In summary, don't forget the option of using your MGs against AFVs. A quick look at the scenarios indicates an abundance of games where the tactic may come in handy, if not decide the game in your favor. Too many times players will leave AFVs CE, or will close with your forces with lightly armored tanks not expecting that LMG to open up and destroy or stop the offending AFV in its tracks.
Bob Oppen and I recently started an e-mail game of Chance D'un Affaire, and I thought I'd share bits of it as we go along. I won't be revealing any secrets, as Bob gets the Digest, but I'll try to give you the flow of the scenario as it goes along.
About the scenario:
Chance D'un Affaire is a great scenario. It features an attack
by French second line troops with armored support against a
variety of weak German groups, including two PzIIF's which begin
play abandoned. It takes place on board 6 and the French have to
go around or through the Chateau to get to the victory buildings
along the wall.
I've played this one before, at WWF 95, against Brian Youse. My French tanks didn't want to move, and my attack on the chateau was woefully delayed. The highlight was killing a 548 in CC with two French leaders.
The Chateau, while not the victory condition, is the key. If the Germans hold out there, they have the edge. If it falls quickly, the French gain the upper hand.
One of the interesting aspects of this scenario (and it is the case with our game) is getting the PzII's rolling (or not rolling).
They begin play in certain hexes, abandoned, with the crew standing by smoking and looking at cheesecake shots of Marlene Dietrich. The French must maneuver their FCM's and infantry to give them a good pasting before the crews get away in their tanks, which aren't much good against the FCM's, but play havoc with the green French squads.
I set up with two stacks at level 2 in the Chateau. The 8-1, LMG and 467 was set up to take a 6FP+1 shot at any CE tanks which moved up to threaten the PzII on my right. A 7-0, 247, 247 stack was a decoy.
After straightening out a LOS mess (that I caused), Bob moved everyone as far as possible. The tanks did not do the ESB to get a good shot at the PzII on my right, so I didn't have to test the strength of that LMG.
In my first turn, I moved a 467 into the hex with the tank on my left, to lay infantry smoke. I got extremely lucky and got it. The tank was heavily covered by a 24FP firegroup, but I figured that Bob was faced with the choice of firing at the 467, leaving a minimum of residual in the hex (CX, 2 orchard, hedge), or firing at the 127 getting in the tank with even more mods.
Beer and ASL. They go together like, well, beer and pretzels (or oatzels). Since brewers are known to provide big funding for all sorts of events, I thought ASL tournaments might catch on. In that spirit, I begin the quest for the "official" beer of ASL players.
The best ASL beer is Warmonger Weasel which features on it's label the Marder from Lost Opportunities, being driven (inexplicably) by a cow and a weasel. Warmonger Weasel is a hearty, dark beer. But, hey, I'll let TEDMS describe it:
"Hearing rumors that the Weinheinstephan yeast produces higher banana and clove esters, we switched yeasts in our Brain/Crusader recipe. The result is a nice improvement. The banana aroma is very strong and pleasant. It's still not as good as Tabernash, but probably as close as we'll get with our present equipment. Definitely a recipe that we'll be repeating."
I have little idea what he's talking about.
But, in the "spirit" of fairness (and with dim hopes of being showered with free beer), I open up this forum to alternative "official" Beer of ASL. Send your suggestions to: hundsdor@colorado.edu
To be a quality squad leader, you have to know your units. You need to read the vehicle notes before you begin play, not just when you've got a question.
Casually reading the vehicle and ordinance notes is a good idea, but familiarizing yourself with the specific notes on the vehicles on your scenario card before starting play is very important. Also read any multi-applicable notes. Pulling out those vehicle cards and keeping them close at hand is very helpful.
But don't stop there. Know about your infantry units as well. I suggest putting together flash cards with infantry unit capabilities on them. Keeping them on-hand during play will allow you to remember national characteristics, inherent support weapons and special unit abilities.
Did you remember your Japanese assault engineer squad gets WP grenades on a 1-3? That's a MC 50% of the time! What about assault fire for your SS squads? Or ATMM? Did you remember that your second line British squad DOES cower?
Well, if you had your infantry card available, you would have.
For experienced squad leaders, this may be old hat. For newer players, or players learning new nationalities, this is an excellent way to learn ALL the rules and take advantage of EVERY ability. After all, isn't that what separates the 8-0 from the 8-1?
ED: I recently commented to Ray Tapio Critical Hit Czar, on the rivalries within the ASL publishing community. My point, specifically, was the competitive edge between CH and MMP. I found Ray's answer enlighting, especially for the unwashed masses (myself included here):
I wish to address the apparent rivalry between me personally/CH and MMP. I have a great deal of respect for the men that make up that organization. I have spent time at cons with, and played scenarios with, many of those guys. There is nothing _personal_ on my part or that of anyone at CH, including Steve Pleva, Steve Swann, etc. against these fellows. We have a lot in common, I feel. When the word came down that the Annual was history, relegating ASL coverage only to The General; when it became obvious that AH was moving on to new products; when it appeared our hobby/pursuit/outlet for the love of military history and simulation gaming was at risk, we all were spurred to action to do something about it. I admire those decisive men who prefer action over hand wringing. I admire these men.
The above is stated with the obvious facts of the existence of differences on the approach to forwarding, publishing within, breathing life into, and guaranteeing the future of the ASL hobby. As you now know, the MMP men decided to take their group to AH to insure the continued existence of ASL. I chose to move CH in the direction of opening a wide outlet for the creative works produced by ASL hobbyists _outside_ of AH as part and parcel of our effort to achieve the _same_ goal. While these efforts are somewhat divergent, I feel they combine to give the ASL hobby a strength and vibrancy which is unmatched in ANY segment of the board wargaming hobby. This is a good thing.
The above is also stated with the obvious reality that anyone who does something should wish to do the _best_ job they are capable of. I play and manage a club of men in an area hardball league and have done so since 1989. We were just knocked out of the playoffs by a team from Sherman, Connecticut (called the "Tanks", if you can believe that!). We have a bitter rivalry with those guys that goes back to days past, and "big" games over the years. One of my close personal friends is their pitcher and coach, Jim Smith. Our on field competition is intense, and I mean intense. After this bitter defeat was swallowed by my guys (we lost 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th; we led 6-0 early on, including 2 home runs in the top of the 1st, one by yours truly as lead off hitter to begin the game) we joined the opposition for a post game party. We all love the game, compete intensely to be the best, maybe get carried away a little in the heat of combat, but all laugh about it in the end and enjoy the fellowship of our mutual love for baseball.
I view the relationship with the MMP guys the same way as any "rivals" across the diamond. But it is letters from guys like you that make me realize it may be approriate in the context of the ASL hobby to tone down the fire breathing stuff a bit. It isn't a country hardball league, after all, and a different kind of man makes up the ASL hobby. Thanks, Tim, for assisting in focusing my attention on the need to be aware of that fact.
ED: So clearly, we all (certainly including myself) need to recognize that personal differences and personalities may be quite different than what they seem by following a string of e-mail messages. Healthy competition in the ASL publishing community seems to be (and should be) the standard. Thanks to Ray for setting the message straight.
Another month come and gone, and I think, another successful issue. Having a steady stream of contributions come in makes things easier on me, and improves the quality. It also decreases the "iconoclast" factor.
I must admit, though, that after six months of putting out new Digests, I'm having second thoughts about it's value, especially to this audience. Perhaps light tactical articles are preaching to the choir on this list, and I get little in the way of feedback on what articles are good, and which are just stupid. I'd like to have more opportunity to reach out to newer players, and maybe this is accomplished through the various web connections.
Do I really rave? That much?