Episode 345: Can't Explain (the Rout Rules)

It's those scary rout rules! Yes, we finally

tackle them in the rules section. They read fairly easy but require that 2 page example in the rule book.  Must be a bit challenging. 

SHOW LINKS
None today

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "Can't Explain (the Rout Rules)" Song
3:00 Bantero

16:00 Letters
25:00 Rules
58:28 Total Running Time

Can't Explain
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan
Performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers

These rules here guys

A10 point five (can't explain)

Smartest guys in the world

Yeah, any Rout Rules, yeah

Grofaz (can’t explain)

Almost grokked them once

but they (hurt my brain)

Dizzy in the head when

reading Rout rules

They’re really complex,

you know that it’s true

They give me headaches

again and again

A Gordian Knot, dude

Can’t explain

Just what they mean

Tried to decipher them dude

But haven't a clue

And they hurt my brain

(can’t explain)

Yeah, they're giving me a headache, man

(can’t retain)

A bit of help would

make me real glad

From the Rosetta Stone?

That wouldn’t be bad

I get little glimpses every

now and again

About what they mean, but

Can't explain

A single word

I’ve studied those rules

Since ‘eighty two

And still can’t explain

(wracked my brain)

Even Oppenheimer,

(can’t explain)

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. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 344: In a Bitterest Stack

Jump with us into the box and land on a brand new Bounding Fire Production called Bitterest Day. It includes a wonderful map of the Sugar Loaf Hill area on Okinawa, a sheet of counters, scenarios and more.

SHOW LINKS
None today

SHOW TIMES
00:01 "In a Stack" Song
6:00 What's in the Box?
44:30 Contest Draw and New Announced
50:28 Total Running Time

In a Stack
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan
Performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers

I have three elite squads, I'll move them in a stack.
With the 10-3 leader, now no turning back

I need two more MF's to get across the road.
I'll chance the minus two and hope I don't get hosed.

I'm moving all my guys I'll move them in a stack.
If my mentor saw this, he'd have a heart attack!

My opponent shakes his head and chokes on his coffee.
No I'm not a newbie but it sure seems like it, eh?

I'm sure I'll kick myself and catch a lot of flack.
I'll probably cry poor if my guys all get kacked.

We might get blown away by ignoring all the facts.
It's not easy moving out, when facing a kill stack

My guys will hopefully survive 20 down 2.
I need to get into the woods in hex G2.

If I look hard enough into the rule book.
Maybe I will find an out before my goose gets cooked!

Maybe the Dice Gods will cut me a little slack.
No cover anymore it's too late to turn back!

I see the turns go by the end is getting close.
Desperate times they call for desperate measures dude.
----

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. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 343: ASL Journal 9 in the News

We hope that you enjoy the reprise of  Dennis Donovan's ASL Journal Number 9 parody song that we open with. We take a look at the Mobelwagon and Ostwind in our Armored Fighting Vehicles segment and then touch on What's in the News. What we are playing lately is scenario FB8: For Want of Crust or Crumb. If you watch on Youtube you can be among the first to see the newly framed art from Hedgerow Hell.  Or just look to the right. 

SHOW LINKS

Richard Bog's Plane Found

D-Day Commemorative Coin

D-Day Changed the Sand

Clarence Bud Anderson Passes

D-Day Map Makers

SHOW TIMES
00:01  ASL Journal Number 9 Song

3:00 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat
10:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
17:00 Armoured Fighting Vehicles
30:40 What's in the News
44:24 Total Running Time

ASL JOURNAL 9

Dennis Donovan - lyrics and 'singing'

Jim "MixMasterJames" Bera - audio

I took my troubles down to Gaming Fools
You know that game store that grog nard dude
I went in Sunday when he opened up at nine
‘Cuz he plays A.S.L. and, he plays it all the time.

At ASL I am a flop with it
I haven’t won a game since 2006
He did a face palm and he sighed a mighty sigh
Said what you need my boy is, ASL Journal 9

He grabbed one and rang me up and gave me a wink
He said it will improve my game in under a week
It’s got a cool CG that’s called Suicide Creek
Scenarios, and articles, still in the shrink

I stayed up reading until dawn that night
I started playing every weekday night
And when I beat my friend for the thirty-second time,
I hugged my copy of, ASL Journal 9

It’s play-tested well, they’ve worked out all of the kinks
The 2 Half Squads they did a box art RE-view I think
You'll soon be a 10-3 just like ol’ Colonel Klink
Paid one-oh-five, it’s so worth it! That's what I think!

I go to every tournament in sightI became GROFAZ almost over night
And when I cornered Chas at ASLOK twenty nine
He signed my copy of A-SL Journal 9

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. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 342: Cirillo and Deller Return!

It is part two of our interview with Bill Cirillo and Sean Deller. The conversation about Twilight of the Reich. and a little Festung Budapest continues. Stick around after the interview to hear about the new contest we are currently running. But first enjoy, one more time, Denns Donovan's classic song about the anticipated reissue of YANKS! from episode 166.

SHOW LINKS

Twilight of the Reich at MMP

SHOW TIMES
00:01 Yanks! (Song)
4:00 Interview
49:20 Contest
54:42 Total Running Time

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. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 341: Cirillo and Deller: They're Stellar

We are honored to have Bill Cirillo and Sean Deller join us in discussing all things Twilight of the Reich. As well as a little Festung Budapest in this two part interview. The sun is setting so you better get listening!








SHOW LINKS
Twilight of the Reich at MMP







SHOW TIMES
00:01 Right into the Interview
4:45 Creation of Twilight of the Reich

LOS Examples


41:05 Possible New Project
50:01 Total Running Time



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. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

******

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Episode 340: Rushing Berserkers with Dennis

The dashing Dennis Donovan appears once again in the Broadcast Foxhole with us and we have a roarin' berserk time. We revisit Dennis's Russian Berserkers song that originally appeared in Episode 154.  In the Box is Winter Offensive Pack #15 and our rules segment finishes the basic nationalities in such as the Axis Minors, Ethiopians, and Swedes.

SHOW LINKS

Bitterest Day at Bounding Fire

SHOW TIMES
00:01 Russian Berserkers Song
1:45 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat
13:05 What's in the Box?
36:00 Upcoming Products
39:00 Rules
1:06:55 Total Running Time

Russian Berserkers
sung to "There's a Hole in the Bucket"
lyrics by Dennis Donovan
performance by The 2 Half-Squads Singers

There’s some Russian berserkers! Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
There’s some Russian berserkers! Herr Colonel! Berserk!

Well shoot them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Well shoot them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm shoot them!

With what shall we shoot them? Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
With what shall we shoot them? Herr Colonel! With what?

Mit der Flakvierling, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Mit der Flakvierling, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm Flakvierling!

Der Flakvierling’s kaputt, Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
Der Flakvierling’s kaputt, Herr Colonel! Kaputt!

Well fix it dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Well fix it dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm fix it!

With what shall we fix it? Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
With what shall we fix it? Herr Colonel! With what?

With a crew, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
With a crew, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm, a crew!

The crew it is broken, Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
The crew it is broken! Herr Colonel, broken!

Well rally them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
Well rally them, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm, rally them!

With what shall we rally them? Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
With what shall we rally them? Herr Colonel! With what?

With a Feldwebel, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm!
With a Feldwebel, dear Volksturm! Dear Volksturm, Feldwebel!

Der Feldwebel is busy, Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
Der Feldwebel is busy, Herr Colonel, busy!

Doing what, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm?!?! Dear Volksturm!
Doing what, dear Volksturm? Dear Volksturm, doing what?!?!

On the radio, Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
On the radio with HQ, Herr Colonel, HQ!

And what is he saying, dear Volksturm, dear Volksturm?
And what is he saying, dear Volksturm, saying?

There’s some Russian berserkers! Oh Scheisse! Oh Scheisse!
There’s some Russian berserkers! O! HQ, Berserk!

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. You can also watch the show on our Youtube channel.

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Episode 339: Hakkaa Hokey Paalle Eclipsed

 We sure enjoyed Dennis Donovan's rendition of his humorous song that opened the show. We are dancing to the Hakkaa Paalle Hokey Pokey, as we speak. The lyrics are below.  Mike Ryzy joins us in the Broadcast Foxhole while we read some letters, announce a new contest and discuss the various qualities of two nationalities in the Advanced Squad Leader system; The Italians and the Finnish. Dave and Mike have started a game from the Grumble Jones Pack Scenario MM75: Woodland Pursuit and Mike and Jeff have played some starter kit.

SHOWTIMES

0:01 Song 

2:17 Chit Chat

9:15 Festung Budapest Pictures (Dave's Europe Trip)

16:00 Remembering Dean Essig

20:00 Letters

29:55 What Have You Been Playing Lately

34:00 Contest Winner and new Contest Announced

38:00 Rules 

58:10 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS 

Fundraiser for Dean Essig's Grandchildren

Hex J32

Bitterest Day

Rally Phase Records Presents!
Hakkaa Päälle (To the air of "The Hokey Pokey")
Concept and Lyrics: Dennis Donovan

You heard the gossipin’
You checked the rumors out
You started wonderin’
What the heck it’s all about
This thing called Hakkaa Päälle
How on earth is that pronounced?
Finns are, what it’s all about
----

Beyond Valor had some Finns
When BV first came out
In “Fighting Withdrawal”

Hex G37

They chased the Ruskis out
Are they over-powered?
We will never quite find out
'Till Hakkaa Päälle’s out
---

Hakkaa Päälle’s job’s
To flesh the Finnish out
And, the 3 Winter Wars
And what Sissis are all about
HASL Hakkaa Päälle
Is the fourteenth module
A.S.L.’s what it’s all about - Hey!

Hex G38

---

Said, “Finns or I-tal-ee-ans?”
When I pulled the counters out
It’s a gray area
So I checked the forums out
It seems in Hakkaa Päälle
A new color can’t be found
Do you toss the old blue Finns out?
---

Cogwheel Rail Station

When AFVs Russian (rush in)
Throw kloriharstis out
Pulkas are for sleddin’
Not dancin’ - I found out
These toys in Hakkaa Päälle like
Fan sleds to get around
Are what it is all about
---

You turned your playtests in
You filled the forms all out
That was decades ago
Getting printed is in doubt
You want the Hakkaa Päälle
MMP, please put it out
And end the HASL drought
---

You put your order in
You take your wallet out
You put your card number in
And ya print the receipt out
You’ve pre-ordered Hakkaa Päälle
And in a day or there about
“Levels reached!” MMP did tout
---

At Winter Offensive
Some great news did get out
Chas did some Facebookin’
And got the updates out
He did some Hocus-Pocus
And he got the module out
It’s Finnished, and finally out!

The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions. 

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

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Episode 338: We Ran

Break out your Box art of Twilight of the Reich and Festung Budapest and put on your art appreciation eyeglasses for the return of Box Art Review. In the Box is the Grumble Jones Pack Vol 1 from the Kansas City March Madness folks. Scenario FB2: The Devils Free to Have a Try is analyzed in this show. 

The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful contributors on Patreon and Paypal.

SHOWTIMES
0:01 I Ran Parody Song

4:00 Banter 

19:00 Box Art Review 

23:15 Contest Winner and New Contest Announced

38:00 What's in the Box?

49:09 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
1:00:47  Total Running Time 

SHOW LINKS 

Bitterest Day

Grumble Jones Pack at Encircled Productions

I RAN

Lyrics: Dennis Donovan

Vocals: The 2 Half Squad Singers

Assaulting down the avenue
I never thought I’d see a stack like you 

Thirty-six down two
With 8-3-8s and HMGs
That kind of at-tack broke me right into
A 6 + 1 it’s, true.

And I ran, I routed far away
I just ran, I ran towards hex row A
Low crawl?  No way!

A DM appears above my head
A badge of shame for the next turn or two
The troops hate me it’s true
The coward’s running faster still           

Until some woods or buildings come in view                             

‘Til cover comes in view

And I ran, I ran far from the fray;
I just ran, ‘cuz no quarter’s in play
In cover I will stay

Reached out a hand to roll the dice
I can’t believe I need to roll a two
To rally?  Need a two!
Got shot at and rout-ed again
I’m running like that Forrest Gump it’s true                   
Soon I’ll be off board two                                

And I ran, don’t want to pass away
I just ran, stay and fight? No way?
We will lose any way

And I ran, to live another day
I just ran, what can a coward say?

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Episode 337: Twilight Partisan Twits

Join us twits as we look in the box to find Avalon Hill's Partisans!, and Twilight of the Reich from MMP. Letters and a new parody song from Donovan and Rider!

SHOW TIMES

0:01 Song Partisans, Partisans!
3:00 Chit Chat About Stuff
14:50 Letters
28:00 LFT #16 Board Controversy
33:40 What's in the Box?
55:18 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS

ASL EU ROMA '24 Tournament 

Partisans, Partisan a parody song to Naked Eyes’ “Promises, Promises”

Concept: Russ Rider Lyrics: D. Donovan, R. Rider 8/2021

When it first came out

In the late ‘80s
Never had a doubt
That it’d be cool
I remember buying
Module 4, dude.
To complete my ASL kit
At first I didn’t care for it
Then played the Partisans!, Partisans!
Knowing they’re stealthy
Partisans!, Partisans!
E.L.R. of 5 is neat

They don’t surrender
During the route phase
And don’t disrupt
No multi-hex fire groups
Elite they are never
Nor inexperienced

Broken morale is a six
Irregulars are in the mix
I played the Partisans! Partisans!
You know I’ll always keep [the]
Partisans!, Partisans!
On the to-play’ list

They’re in the BV counter set
Are Partisans all Russian? Nyet
There’s lots of other instances
Of other National Resistances [by]
You can play the Partisans, Partisans!

I thought I’d never play
Irregular troops
Partisans!, Partisans!
Thought I’d never keep
Module 4, Partisans!
But now I believe!

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Episode 336: Sebi & Ulric: Advancing Fire Maestros

Buon giorno! More Advanced Squad Leader Maestros appear right here. We finally secure an interview with Sebastiano Caltabiano and Ulric Schwela of Advancing Fire fame. The in and outs of scenario design, historical research, game production, and much more are discussed! Prego.

SHOW TIMES
0:30 Right into the Interview
57:50 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS

ASL EU ROMA '24 Tournament 

International Wargame Competition on Youtube

The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful contributors on Patreon and Paypal.

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Episode 335: Vassaling Gems

Welcome to part two of our time with Doug Rimmer looking at how you can create your own counters and maps in VASL! Make your own 9-1-9 Engineer! Just like last show, you might want to watch on YouTube, but if you are a good listener the podcast may work fine. After that we have an after action report on Scenario FB1: Uncles and Pups from Multi-Man Productions game Festung Budapest.

SHOW TIMES
0:02 Banter and Contest Draw
8:40 After Action Report
17:45 Doug Rimmer and VASL Tips
48:09 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS

VASL Templates
VASL Table Templates

Scenario Set-up Files

Map Making

National Geographic Krampus on YouTube

The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful contributors on Patreon and Paypal.

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Episode 334: Here We Go a Vasling (Hello Vasl)

Happy Holidays All!  Jump into the Broadcast for a look with Doug Rimmer at the newest and coolest things that can be found in VASL! Watching on Youtube may be your best way of ingesting this content but if you are a good listener the podcast may work fine. We are wishing you all a Happy 2024!

SHOW TIMES
0:02  Hello Rally
4:00 Doug Rimmer and VASL Tips

47:00 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS
VASL Templates
VASL Table Templates

Scenario Set-up Files

Map Making

Lyrics to Hello Rally (lyrics by Donovan, performed by the 2THS Singers)

Hello?? RALLY!!! Would you schmoes, rally?!?!
Just get back up on the line where you belong!
You don’t look swell, golly. I can tell, by golly.
You’ve been bawlin’ and low crawlin’ for now, way too long.
DM’d you ain’t, staying The attack, you’re delaying.
Try to whistle a different tune every now then.
Won’t, take no crap fellas. Get back up on your feet, fellas.
Rally! Don’t you Rout away again!

I said, “Hello?!?!? Rally!!!” Don’t you dilly-dally!
It’d be nice to have you back where you belong.
You’ve been through hell, golly. That charge was indeed folly.
You’ve been chokin’ and you’re broken, you won’t be for long.
I feel my hair, grayin’, cause DM’d you’re stayin’
Try to get, good order status every now and then,
So, woe is me fellas, hope that you can roll a three, fellas
Rally! Don’t you rout away again!

The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful contributors on Patreon and Paypal.

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