Episode 320: 10th Mountain Men

It is a pleasure to have Paul Works return to the show especially when he is accompanied by his friend and compatriot Dave Mareske. Dave gives us a wonderful review of his fathers life, including his time in the service and his time spent thereafter. We think you will agree that Cpl Ernie Mareske led a fascinating life and served in a challenging arena during WWII.  

Paul provides some insights into the research and development of this interesting scenario pack, including the "scrolling maps" included therein. This pack includes a "mini campaign game of four connected scenarios" and some unique, but not overwhelming SSR's. If you would like a look into the WWI game that these gentlemen are working on, you will not be disappointed by this episode. As opposed to the rest of our episodes. 

Cpl Ernie Mareske

SHOW LINKS
Get 10th Mountain Pack Here
Official Army 10th Mountain Division Page

SHOW TIMES
00:01 We Jump Right into the Interview
51:17 Total Running Time

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Kansas City ASL, and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.


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Episode 319: That's Some More Eh?

We announce the winner of the last contest and give details about our newest one. If you want to win these Schwerepunkt scenario packs you might have to break out of your comfort zone. But you can do so anonymously. Dave recounts his second spill -- an NDE -- while Kayaking. He definitely did not want more of that, eh? We finish covering Rule 19: Unit Substitution. Then take an in depth look at the scenarios from March Madness 2019 Close Combat Pack. We received copies of the latest from The Kansas City gents and will cover those on a future show.

SHOW LINKS
Close Combat Pack
Nippersink Creek

SHOW TIMES
00:01 That's Amore (Hollow Legions) Song
4:00 Banter
16:00 Contest Winner and New Contest Announced
24:40 Rules
45:22 Scenario Deep Dive
1:05:05 Total Running Time

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Kansas City ASL, and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.


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Episode 318: What's Your Experience Level Rating?

Dave and Jeff banter a bit about Jason and the Argonauts and the new Dungeons and Dragons films before jumping into Rule 19: Unit Substitution. In our What Have You Been Playing Lately? segment Dave T and Dave K discuss two playing's of Scenario ON-1 Freedom!, from Operation Neptune by Bounding Fire Productions for the Advanced Squad Leader game system.

SHOW TIMES
00:30 Banter
11:53 Rules 
36:51 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
56:58 Total Running Time

Support for The 2 Half-Squads is provided by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you. The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.

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Episode 317: The Dukes Ride Again

Once again we are honored to be joined by the designers of Dinant. Dan Dolan, Nadir Elfarra, and Carl Nogueira, who provide more advice and insight on said game. Before that we take some time to read fascinating letters all about the greatest game in the world Advanced Squad Leader. 

SHOW TIMES

00:30 Banter
10:30 Letters

25:00 Contest Announced

26:00 Dukes of Dinant Interview Part 2 

43:49 Total Running Time

 

SHOW LINKS

Periscope Film

Yankee ASL

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. 

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Episode 316: The Dukes of Dinant

Check out that amazing hand drawn map by Dan Dolan. Do you like it? We are honored to be joined by the designers of Dinant, Dan Dolan, Nadir Elfarra, and Carl Nogueira. It is a fascinating tale of how the whole project came about. Starting with the map and covering all aspects of game design. Dinant is a great addition to the world of Advanced Squad Leader.

We present the first half of the interview in this episode and will continue it in #317.

SHOW TIMES
00:30 We jump right in!
54:35 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS
Croix de Guerre on Game on BGG

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.

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Episode 315: Cows Possessed

Wow, yet another product to review. In the Box is Drop Zone Sainte-Mere-Eglise

Check out that whopping, over seven foot long, full color, kind of kinky, map board. Do you like hedgerows? We like hedgerows. The cows in France are not holy, they may even be....unholy!  At least when they die they do take on a Salvador Dali look. 

We introduce a new segment where we search Advanced Squad Leader topics on ChaGPT and see what we get. Let us know what you think. Some letters topics include the ASL Periodic Table by Dennis Donovan. Take a look, it's a whole lot of fun.

 

SHOWTIMES

00:30 Mostly Non-ASL Chat

11:00 Letters

23:10 ChatGPT Live

24:50 Contest Winner Announced!

27:30 What's in the Box?

55:02 Total Running Time

 

SHOWLINKS

VASL Info Updates

Sainte-Mere-Eglise at MMP

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. 

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Episode 314: Journal 13 Deuxium Partie

We titled this one "deuxiem partie" to make us seem smart. Did it work? 
:30 ASL and Non ASL Chat

No matter your answer, we present the rest of the Advanced Squad Leader Journal #13. You probably have noticed that the cover of said journal is unique among ASL Art.  You are, most likely, therefore hoping for a BAR - Box Art Review. It is your lucky day. Box Art Review returns.  

Some banter topics include ChatGPT, the Second Front Computer game, and the wonderful ASL Players.Net.  Cool stuff. 

SHOWTIMES

11:45 What's in the Box?

23:10 Box Art Review - BAR

32:00 Scenarios

1:01:09 Total Running Time

 

SHOWLINKS

ASL Journal 13 on Board Game Geek

ASL Net Videos and Such

Second Front Games

Changes added to VASL

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. 


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Episode 313: Lucky J 13

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, and peoples of all ages, get ready for a look at the newest ASL arrival; Journal 13!

There are three winners of  our contests announced in this show, so listen closely. Maybe it will be you! We take a wee bit of time to read the latest letters, and then we are off to the races with a look in the box to see Journal #13.  Can you believe it?  A journal again? It's been so long, so very long. Now we can all relax on the couch and read ASL stuff and not the stupid newspapers and art mags that we are used to reading to fill the void in our vacant, dull, lives. Is that last sentence a bit over the top?

SHOWTIMES

:30 Some talk of Dave's CA Vacation

11:55 Contest Winners Announced and 

Dave on the beach!

17:30 Yet Another Give-away. Entries Due by February 18

18:20 Letters

22:45 What's in the Box?

52:43 Total Running Time

 

SHOWLINKS

ASL Journal 13 on Board Game Geek

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design  and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. 


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Episode 312: VASL Shimmers with Doug Rimmer

We are very fortunate to have Doug Rimmer join us this evening. Doug is one of the many unsung heroic developers of the Virtual Advanced Squad Leader site. Doug discusses the wonders of VASL, revealing some of the more recent developments in the upcoming version of the program. We chat a bit about the future plans for VASL and even let you know how you can send in some suggestions and ask about problems you are having with the system. If you listen closely, you will hear some trouble shooting advice!  

Long Live the Selfless Developers of VASSAL and VASL!

SHOWTIMES

:03 Let's Get Right to the Interview 

1:13:54 Total Running Time

 

SHOWLINKS

The VASSAL Engine

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design  and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. 


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Episode 311: Surrender Your Integrity

Clink and Drink Boys and Girls!
(as long as you are of age)

Clink and drink in the New Year kids!  Best wishes for 2023 to all of us! We welcome Mike Ryzy back to the broadcast foxhole for an interesting discussion of  Battlefield Integrity and the Field Promotion rules.  We hope you will indulge us as we banter a bit longer today, and also cover some of the most amazing WWII/War related items that appeared In The News in 2022. And we think you might enjoy the tour of Jeff's game/music room.

But first, let's listen to Surrender! 

Surrender! 

Concept and Lyrics: Dennis Donovan

Performed by: The 2 Half-Squad Singers

Took an MC, a 3MC, and I rolled a ‘2’
A Russian half-squad, also broken

and they’re inexperienced.

Plus 4 DRMs on to their Heat of Battle roll:

I rolled box cars, now a white flag’s being flown

  

Chorus

It’s 16 alright?, okay, alright

That just seems a little weird
Surrender, surrender, they

Throw in the towel today, ay, ay, ay

F.5 says in the Desert, refusal it is NA                             
Unlike the late war, Allies vs. the Japs in the Philippines
No, fanatics, Gurkhas, commissars, or Partisans,          
Will surrender via the Rout Phase Method  A20.21

Chorus

Surrender at night?  In CC?  That’s right

It just seems a little weird
Surrender, surrender

You’re disrupted anyway, ay, ay, ay 

Whatever happened to all my broken half-squads over there?
Thought they rallied in the building, but they all disappeared
Oh yeah, that’s right, they got captured ‘cuz they couldn’t rout
Got surrounded, they all gave up, put that ol’ white flag out

Chorus

They were next to, your K.E.U.s, 

It was, just as I feared
Surrendered, surrendered

Because they couldn’t rout away, ay, ay, ay 

SHOWTIMES

:03 Song "Surrender!"

2:40 ASL Talk

15:00 Tour of Jeff's Game/Music Room

18:55 In the News

29:30 Rules 

1:02:54 Total Running Time

 

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design  and kind donations from listeners like you.

The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts. 


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