The start of the day should really be very quiet. Nothing much happening.
Maybe some germans seen a long way off... doing mysterious stuff.
I saw the initial barrage as coming just before a main assault from the axis.
::Double post::
Yep, that's how I had it.
Like that bit in Band of Brothers where the guys come onto the front line to replace another company and wondering why they've shit in the foxholes when it's so quiet...then boom!!!
In the BoB book there's an account of a couple of guys who were on patrol on one of the quiet days just scouting around when they heard voices and, thinking they were Yanks, started heading off towards them to tell them to keep it down. They got within about 20 yards and realised the voices were German, that they'd got disoriented and ended up in the German lines!
Anyway, I digress.
S
Like that bit in Band of Brothers where the guys come onto the front line to replace another company and wondering why they've shit in the foxholes when it's so quiet...then boom!!!
Anyone got any fake turds?
Field telephones
There was a deal of concern for using other people's property - I am still concerned. If anything can be broken, it will be broken. I have spent enough already without paying for someone else's repairs.
I didn't see the original artillery plan working at all well, so I'm glad that has been scratched.
However, if there is instance on using them then fair enough - an excellent sub-plot as already outlined will be a useful addition to keep players busy. Yanks deploy however they see fit (given H&S and property care issues sorted). I can't see it having anything much of a tactical advantage but will add something to the game (and if it is an adantage then fair enough - Axis will have to do something about it).
Is it possible to physically cut the wires? If not then how can the lines be 'cut'?
Initial arty strike
I was hoping that the Axis would be allowed to move to positions somewhere near under a blanket Allied command of not opening fire until given the command (Allies busing doing chores/playing cards/listening to radio with maybe a guard or two who have to report enemy contact to their command), Axis call in strike (without need for co-ords) Flash, Bang, Wallop - game on. Allied commaders scream and shout, GI's scramble for small arms, Axis attempt initial assault.
Thought also has to be given to the Skorzeny Commandos - they are hanging around on the Axis rear line out of the way, when do they move out and do their thing?
Field telephones
There was a deal of concern for using other people's property - I am still concerned. If anything can be broken, it will be broken. I have spent enough already without paying for someone else's repairs.
Don't be concerned. I just don't want to push it. Shaun's broken stuff I've lent him the past and we're fine about it... I just don't want people to be carrying these telephones around everywhere as thats something they've not done with them... They install them in a location and leave them there. If we do that then I don't think we'll have any problems if they break. Also don't forget, my training is as an Electronics Engineer... I've done repairs for Boomer in the past.
Whatever happens Dave, it won't be you paying for them if they're broken so don't worry!
I didn't see the original artillery plan working at all well, so I'm glad that has been scratched.
Its not been scratched... its just altered. There will still be artillery signs, its just that we'll use radios to call in strikes rather than the phones.
However, if there is instance on using them then fair enough - an excellent sub-plot as already outlined will be a useful addition to keep players busy. Yanks deploy however they see fit (given H&S and property care issues sorted). I can't see it having anything much of a tactical advantage but will add something to the game (and if it is an adantage then fair enough - Axis will have to do something about it).
Is it possible to physically cut the wires? If not then how can the lines be 'cut'?
yes... use wire cutters or a penknife, we have plenty of wire.... and its dirt cheap. We won't need to pay for it.
Initial arty strike
I was hoping that the Axis would be allowed to move to positions somewhere near under a blanket Allied command of not opening fire until given the command (Allies busing doing chores/playing cards/listening to radio with maybe a guard or two who have to report enemy contact to their command), Axis call in strike (without need for co-ords) Flash, Bang, Wallop - game on. Allied commaders scream and shout, GI's scramble for small arms, Axis attempt initial assault.
Yup... thats the idea. So no need for coords...fine! Maybe this barrage is something set at divisional level rather than at brigade/battalion level? (or whatever germans used for organisation)
I like the idea of Yanks not opening fire unless fired on or ordered to fire... better make that part of the briefing, Steve.
Thought also has to be given to the Skorzeny Commandos - they are hanging around on the Axis rear line out of the way, when do they move out and do their thing?
Do what you want with them... they're yours to surprise us with. The only question is how long you get them for... i.e. do they switch to being Allied troops in the afternoon. I guess that can be decided at lunch and should be discussed with the commandos themselves.
Agreed on the arty strike, I will issue strict orders not to fire until ordered to.
This is a good point about the Skorzeny guys.
That means I'm going to be four men down all morning! Bugger. Also as soon as those troops aren't around for roll call it's going to be a bit obvious something strange is going on. Shite.
Perhaps as soon as they're shot they re-enter the game as Yanks.
Fup knows.
Its not been scratched... its just altered. There will still be artillery signs, its just that we'll use radios to call in strikes rather than the phones.
Yes, sorry, that's what I meant, FT's are scratched re. arty strikes.
Role call as normal, all together. When you march off into the field and start sorting positions send Webby's lot back to safezone on some errand (may be task them with dropping propaganda leaflets at Axis CP area - should sound convincing to Allies to hear that and see them leave?)
- they will carry on going to our end.
I know Webby and Orky want to play as Allies, not Axis. They are doing it for the sake of the game - so for their sake (and Steve's!) return them to Allies when they are dead. BUT, they keep wearing the blue scarves so for the whole day the Allies are going to be suspicious of some other surprise.
They could die pretty quickly... if things go tits up.
I suggest also having a time that they keep playing axis up to... just in case. After that time they keep playing until they are shot.
I'm bored talking about phones now,
......& I'm still not happy about borrowing things from one site to take to another no matter how matey you feel with Sean .
Re Commandos - reckon once killed they regen as Yanks , but don't tell them that just to keep them motivated ! In reality they were rounded up early on and shot , the fear of them did far more damage then they did in actuality , hopefully reporduced. Plus it's unfair to rob 4 people of the allies
Webby and co to muck around near their cars after safety brief , pretending to be chronoed or loading up etc Like the idea of scarves on all day .
Re Fireworks display , reckon without too much planning the game play should go
1 Axis drive allies out of Malmedy ( taking their fecking phones with them 
)
2 Bounce onto Bastogne
3 Attack starts with Fireworks display , watched by the regening yanks and those in Bastonge . FW display will be commanded by the german command, but in colusion with the Allies , to make sure as many players as possible can see it go off. If you like we can plant most of the allies in Bastogne to see the show, and then call most of them out to regen after the display to take up positions in other bases .
4 Game continues as unplanned !
I'm bored talking about phones now,
......& I'm still not happy about borrowing things from one site to take to another no matter how matey you feel with Sean .
Sean lends stuff out to friends all the time. Its not you that needs to be concerned. It's me. Personally I'm fed up of your wingeing about it. SO thats both of us...
Re Commandos - reckon once killed they regen as Yanks , but don't tell them that just to keep them motivated !
That won't work. They need to know what they're doing. Are you going to be there to tell them not to regen? I don't think so...
Re Fireworks display , reckon without too much planning the game play should go
1 Axis drive allies out of Malmedy ( taking their fecking phones with them
2 Bounce onto Bastogne
3 Attack starts with Fireworks display , watched by the regening yanks and those in Bastonge . FW display will be commanded by the german command, but in colusion with the Allies , to make sure as many players as possible can see it go off. If you like we can plant most of the allies in Bastogne to see the show, and then call most of them out to regen after the display to take up positions in other bases .
4 Game continues as unplanned !
All good... phones are not going to be at Malmedy anyway!
Don't worry about the commandos , I will arrange for them to know that once killed they are back to being yanks , probably by means of secret orders to be opened on return to regen by Webby .
Erm... you'll need one for each commando. There is no guarantee that they'll all return to regen at the same time. Then what happens when some start heading over to the US regen, but the others are still playing as Axis.
Its not going to work too smoothly that way.
I still reckon that one life for them is way too little and is not making enough of what could be a very interesting game element.
I suggest you keep them playing as Axis until their position is no longer tenable. i.e. they've been completely found out.
I don't think they will last long anyway - there were pretty much a failure in 1944 and many playing are expecting sommat to happen anyway.
Their longevity is down to you two Allied commanders. It would be easy for the commandos to take the fuel and remove the signs without any Allies seeing them, unless you have tasked squads to be in the area.
I can't see any merit in forcing them to play on, once the game is up and they are dead instruct them to return to Allide regen, not Axis.
But please don't forget, these guys want to play as Allies!
I agree with Dave and Guy.
I want them back on my side asap, and it's more about the notion of there being undercover soldiers than the actuality of it. Once the word gets around that there are dodgy Yanks it doesn't matter if they're still there or not, everyone will be suspicious
I suspect they'll get as far as fiddling with a sign or not following orders from their designated NCO and will get the chop.
Giving a little orders envelope and telling them to return to the Allied CP once they're hit won't be a big problem, they can then read the orders and show it to anyone who thinks they are messing around.
S
Okay... sounds like we have a plan...
As usual... if things go tits up... we can change it! 
If things go tits up I'll do my best Lt Dike impression and going for 'a walk'.
lol... now thats leadership!
Sorry, typo. I meant wank, to appease the stress of leadership.
If I'm at the CP no-one will notice as we'll be knee deep in genetic material anyway.
Fnar.
Your an officer, get a WAAF to do that sort of thing . If you were british you'd have a Batman for that job !
