September 30, 1997
| Terry Ford |
| Michael T. Rodgers |
| Grant Linneberg |
| Terry Ford |
| Terry Ford |
Why B:RV has not made it, is any one's guess. So a short issue here till the big packages start coming in the mail for me to review
Hope you Enjoy!
Bruce Probst (bprobst@melbpc.org.au) writes:
Thanks for the digest, but do you think you might get around to
renumbering it one of these days? It's been issue "7.6" for the last
few issues now
[Thanks for the kick in the head, Bruce. Ed.]
You made a comment in your first issue about "(more proof of a shift
to the table top mini market.)", referring to an issue of Critical
Hit. I was quite surprised by that statement. In my experience, the
vast majority of ASL players don't do miniatures in or out of ASL
for a variety of reasons. While it's possible we're seeing new
players who are coming in from a miniatures background, I see more
newbies either coming into gaming for the first time, or from some
other branch of the hobby.
[NB: some editing done for liability's sake. -jds]
On a lighter note, Bob Lyman and myself will be hosting an ASL event
at the Gamefest '98 convention in Timonium, Maryland, May 1-3 1998.
We are in the early planning stages, but I'll keep you posted with
more details as they develop.
John
Wanted to drop you a line and tell you from my point of view THANKS.
As a true beginner to the game of ASL even though I have been trying to
learn it since 1988 all the help I can get is greatly appreciated. I was
able to get on line and receive the last ASL-Digest and enjoyed it as well.
Look forward to walking myself through your Scenario Replay and learning
what I can.
I have down loaded VASL and look forward to using it someday.
However; since I stated this back in 1988 I can never seem to find anyone
to teach/play this game with. You mentioned that you found your partner on
AOL how did you do that? For the record if it is hard or takes AOL
subscription don't bother to tell me.
I will be in the VASL main room on 11 August 1998 at 6:00 P.M. so I
hope that will help. In the mean time keep up the work someone thinks it
is ok and worth the effort. Which I could help but with a ranking of 6+1
don't feel qualified as of yet.
I have Critical Hit Vol., 4-1 and will drop my order to Avalon Hill
for the 97 Annual and use my Elite membership as well, thanks for the
hint. What do you think about the VFTT? Would you recommend that I get
the complete back issues? Whatever you suggest I will use it and hold
myself responsible not you so don't let that come into the picture.
As for how I get the Digest that is not a issue that I feel is a
problem. As long as the word is out there that I can use to find it I
would be happy. With that said can you point me in a good direction to get
the back issues of the digest?
Thanks, SSG Schultz (6+1)
[Earl and I have been working towards a story on the Paddington Bears down
under, but now it looks like Earl will not be able to go and cover them,
well, maybe next year. Ed.]
I thought that Tim Hundsdorfer's Sequence Of Play winter rules guide was a
stroke of genius. So here is a S.O.P. Cavalry guide that should have been
with the Cavalry guide in this year's annual. [Michael T. Rodgers]
S.O.P. Cavalry Rules Guide
Rally Phase
[Editor: Grant wanted me to note that this scenario is a part of a
series of scenarios he is working on that feature the Calgary
Highlanders.]
18 July 44, North of Fleury sur Orne, France:
The Calgary Highlanders arrived in France in July of
1944 as part or the 5th Brigade of the Canadian 2nd Division, just after
the capture of Caen. Pushing south from Vaucelles on the southern
suburbs of Caen, the Fifth and Sixth Brigades were part of Operation
Atlantic. The objective was to capture Verrieres Ridge, a dominating
hill southeast of Caen that provided the Germans with a commanding view
of everything south of the city. But just before the ridge itself lay
Hill 67, a low ridge rising out of the wheat fields. Securing that hill
was given to the Calgary Highlanders. It would be their first action of
the war.
VC: The German player wins if he has more Good Order MMCs than the
Canadian player on level 2 hill hexes of hill 740 at game end. Squads
count as 1 MMC, half-squads as .5 MMC (is there a better way to phrase
these VC?)
Board Configuration:
Turns: 6
Canadian OB: ELR 3, SAN 4
C coy, Calgary Highlanders [setup on board 9 on hexes numbered less than 5]
457x9, 247x2, LMGx2, HMG, PIATx3, LT MTR x2, Radio, 9-2, 8-1, Foxholesx4, Trench x2
Elements, Support Coy, Calgary Highlanders [setup on board 9]
57L AT x3, 228 x3
Elements, HQ, Calgary Highlanders [setup in grain on hill 740]
Carrier C w/ 9-1 Inf. Leader as passenger, Carrier A [must setup Adjacent to Carrier C]
Elements, Sherbrooke Fusiliers [enter north edge of board 9 on after a Canadian unit has Freedom of Movement]
Sherman VC(a), Sherman V(a) x3, (+ one Priest(a)?)
Elements, B & D Coys, Calgary Highlanders [enter north or west edge of
board 9 between 9GG6 and 9Y10 on turn 4]
457x2, 247, 8-1, MMG, PIAT
German OB: ELR 3 SAN 2
Elements, 272 Panzergrenadier Division [setup on board 43 in hexes # < 7]
447x10, 467x6, LMGx4, MMGx2, HMG, PSK, Lt MTR, Radio, 9-1, 8-1, 8-0, 6+1
PZ VG Pz VIE Pz IVH x3 [enter on south edge of board 43 on turn 1]
SSRs:
OK, now the long awaited ASL DIGEST Survey results that everyone has been
on the edge of their chairs in heavy baited expectation, and so on.
There were 11 responses to the survey. So far I have around 106 on the subscribers
list so that's around 10.4% representation.
To the main question of the format of the DIGEST:
A WWW page publication: 4
e-mail Text: 3
The votes I counted were ones that expressed a definite desire for one format
over the other, there were several that said no difference. There was one call
for a Adobe Acrobat format.
There was one response that he didn't play the scenarios and one response that said
he liked to play the scenarios.
One of the common remarks was that most wanted to see articles about weapon
systems and tactics (tank vs. tank, FT vs. buildings).
So what does this generally mean, not much off hand, I will try and put more
history works in the DIGEST and tactics articles, the format I think will remain
the same. As for WWW, I believe Jeffrey Shields has the DIGEST on his page. If
I had the ability, I think the Adobe idea would be my bet to move the format.
We continue with the topic of mechanized movement from the chapter in FM 7-7. In chapter
3 the use of Terrain is stressed to avoid unnecessary exposure. +1 or +2 cover
will affect enemy direct and indirect fires. Squads with a morale level of 8
will generally have good odds moving in the face of firepower if brush and
or kunai is available to cancel out FFMO, also remember that residual fire is
reduced by each TEM of the area fired into.
Make it second nature to use gullies or depressions, you can use bypass to travel
next to treelines and have fast cover available for unexpected contact with the
enemy.
Also a good point to try and unload troops from carries in cover or shielded by
cover. To unload troops in the open is asking for trouble.
How The Platoon Moves When Tanks Lead
When tanks move first, it is usually with a screen of infantry armed with bazookas
or other anti-tank weapons and ATGs and crews on the flanks to watch and spot the
enemy fires and react and bring pressure to those targets. When tanks move first
it is the infantry and ATG crews job to protect the rear and flanks of the tanks.
How The Platoon Moves When It Leads Tanks
The infantry will generally move ahead of tanks and search out the enemy's ATG
positions and tank hunter teams. The infantry will move in and clear a breach
and then move into the position of protecting the flanks as the tanks move up
and bring supporting fire.
Leading Through Built-up Areas
The infantry must clear the streets and buildings on each side of the street
as the tanks move down the street. Squads must move in a staggered pattern on
alternate sides, as the squads move along the street they have two tasks. They
must make sure there are no enemy positions at ground level and some squads
must move along the upper levels to keep your enemy from getting that deadly
street fighting bonus.
One thing to remember is that fighting in a urban area can get out of hand because
units will tend to travel in single file along roads. The enemy can move quickly
to appear behind you if you over extend your troops to capture gains to fast.
Summary of Movement When Not In Contact
The technique for moving when in contact with the enemy is: FIRE AND MANEUVER.
The fire element covers and protects the advance of maneuvering units with its
fire. Whenever possible, the fire element moves undetected into a firing position.
A high volume of surprise fire from an unexpected direction has a much greater
effect than fire from a known position. Having a great volume of fire come from an
area that your ASL enemy thinks is just a pile of dummies may cause him to over
compensate his fores to a perceived new threat, throwing his defense or offense out
of balance. And also throw his plans off balance.
When placing fire elements, you will start to learn and spot perfect areas for
fire lanes and how to concentrate your fires.
Next we will move on to how the enemy defends.
End of Part Two
That's it. A short one. Hope to have more reviews of newly released ASL products
by the end of next month and some ASL Solo stuff for October. Many thanks to the
people that have sent in contributions, your efforts are greatly appreciated. And
anyone else, please send in your AAR or anything on ASL. If you don't I may have to
let may wife write her article about ASL. And you can just imagine.
Copyright is retained by original authors. Remember to contact the author for permission before
making any use of any of the articles contained in the Digest.
John Appel (jappel@anodyne.com) wrote:
Earl Schultz, SSG (SchultzE@usfk.korea.army.mil) wrote:
S.O.P. Cavalry Rules Guide
Michael T. Rodgers, MichaelRodgers@compuserve.com
Prep Fire Phase
Movement Phase
Defensive Fire Phase
Advancing Fire Phase
Rout Phase
Advance Phase
Close Combat Phase
Original Scenario: Hill 67
Grant Linneberg, sushi@cadvision.com
Hill 67 v1.5
N
+-------+--------+ | Overlays:
| 9 | S
+-------+--------+ G5 on 43W9-X8
| 43 |
+-------+--------+ Only rows R to GG are in play.
Canadian sets up first, German moves first.
AFTERMATH:
The Highlanders advanced on toward the hill in the afternoon in textbook
fashion: two companies up, two companies back, HQ in Carriers in the
middle and support following. They took Hill 67 with little trouble.
Knowing the Germans would be quick to counterattack, the Canadians
occupied the German trenches and foxholes and dug their own slit
trenches. But the Battalion commander, Lt. Col. MacLauchlan, made
several defensive errors, the first of which was deploying C coy too far
forward on the hill rather than on the reverse slope. He also setup part
of his HQ squarely in the middle of the hill, right next to an ammo
carrier, which (not surprisingly) was hit by German mortar fire.
Luckily, the 272nd division was fairly weak. The Calgaries managed to
hang on to the hill with help from the supporting tanks of the Sherbrooke
Fusiliers. For the Calgaries it had been first action, first victory.
The Brigade's fight for Verierres Ridge would be another matter
altogether.
ASL DIGEST Survey Results
ASL Mechanized Infantry Tactics, Part 2
Terry Ford, TFORD48157@aol.com
Movement After Enemy Contact Is Made
Fire and maneuver is used in all of these situations, and is preformed the
same way in each case. Fire and maneuver are two actions that take place
at once. A fire element covers the movement of a maneuver element by shooting
at the enemy position. The maneuver element moves forward to either close with
the enemy or to a better position from which to fire at the enemy. What generally
affects the distance between the elements is range of weapons and available cover.
Final Fire