Ok, since the 1st scenario has been signed off, lets get onto the second one.
Comments?
thought we had signed off on the 'no flags' and 'fortifications stay in the field' there?
I meant if there were any more issues.. 
ah, OK.
nope. I mean there is a logistical point of making sure that both sides 'start' at the same time each time, but as I am aware we have radios for that.
If I rock with the radio pack, I can be in constant communication with everyone.
I havea couple of minor concerns about the building of fortifications in phase 2.
Firstly how do we ensure people know where the positions they have to return to after being hit are? The Germans can be shown CP2 as we will pass it on route to CP1 but after that we are relying upon people finding them of their own accord unless we actually point it out to them.
Perhaps it may be wise to use a flag in this instance so dead players can be certain they have the correct spot and any live players know to avoid it?
Secondly who directs the building of the defences? Unless one of us is dead do we just leave people to their own devices to build the fortifications?
What about secondary objectives in this period? I think it would be sensible to have a couple reserve to add some variety if needed.
mean there is a logistical point of making sure that both sides 'start' at the same time each time, but as I am aware we have radios for that.
Yep, thats a must. The biggest problem at Cassino IMO was the timing, which radios will overcome.
One of the two commanders of each side will be at the second CP.
As for signalling when thing start I think some whistles would be sensible. I have a period "Thunderer" on order.
yes, that was the biggest problem at Cassino, one group of walkers and the schedule was completely thrown off, radios are most useful.
I think on the German side Dean is always going to be back at the fortification building area - being a 'rear line' officer, so he will be there to direct the building.
It also makes sense for the flag(s) to be back at the place where people go when dead to direct them. We can point out the direction to the defenders at the beginning of the scenario, and have the flag up to guide them.
What kind of secondary objectives are being thought about? We don't want to risk overcomplicating the scenario as it is designed to be fluid.
Flags? I thought we weren't going to have flags!
flags can certainly be used in the last game
not on the places that are attacked, but to mark the place that dead people go to.
We don't have to, the site is relatively small and having an organiser there to mark it would serve the same purpose I think.
Ok, although I don't think Dean should stay at the rear the whole time. He is the overall commander after all so will need to keep a handle on things. If I go down or feel the need to mount a patrol he may need to take over command of the forward post. We have a disadvantage there with only 2 of us vs 3 of you.
The secondary objectives would be stuff like setting a small mine field on a key spot like the road or recovering a lost heavy weapon. Something that would only take a few men but could have an effect on the overall battle.
As for signalling when thing start I think some whistles would be sensible. I have a period "Thunderer" on order.
Do we plan to allow the use of whistles in game rather than for calling ceasefires etc? They're good for signalling and for the psychological effect.
Flags? I thought we weren't going to have flags!
It doesn't have be flying but on the ground at the CP will confirm the player in the right spot.
I can shout "End-Ex" quite loudly you know. 
A whistle just helps a bit...
Also I was hoping that we'd be able to swap rear-echelon roles between us... I figured the same might happen with you guys.
To be honest you can be fairly flexible with it all...
Me and Dean have talked about the secondary objective and think it is not needed, and will more likely get in the way.
the German forces already have a secondary objective in the fortification that may require having men pulled off the front line. Creating others will lead to too much of a juggling act of forces, and complicate our role needlessly in preparing it.
If/when the tables are turned, can the US create ad-hoc defences if they so wished?
I can shout "End-Ex" quite loudly you know.
Also I was hoping that we'd be able to swap rear-echelon roles between us... I figured the same might happen with you guys.
To be honest you can be fairly flexible with it all...
Yes, I think swapping rear positions is a fine Idea for you, Dean isn't fussed but is willing if wanted.
I think it would be nice to state '3 blasts of a whistle = endex'
Then we can use them in the Game and we all know in advance, ehem 
(sorry Lardy, though you did win that one in virtue of you all being about to plug me with multi pistols)
If/when the tables are turned, can the US create ad-hoc defences if they so wished?
Well we don't have any stuff for us specifically, but Dean says it would be amusing if we 'requisitioned' a barbed wire from the position we have just taken and took it back to use...
No minefield though, as they have German signs.
plus we could have sandbags, so...
Three long wistle blasts to end sounds ok. Short 1s & 2s in game will be sufficient to signal with.
Plus we have the radios as 1st choice for subtly doing it.
Yeah, but for signalling a unit as a whole you can't beat a whistle. Plus it shits up the enemy. 