Episode 394: Back to the Fort

What?!?  ANOTHER12 minutes of banter?  Yes, but at least you get to hear about Jeff's work and Dave's Aldi Adventure.  But there's more!  A great way to make your own playing cards for the games you love! Then we get into the meat of the show with the entertaining, and informative, long time Advanced Squad Leader player Gary Fortenberry.  This second half of our conversation with Gary covers some of his time with Avalon Hill, thoughts about the rules, the transition to MMP from AH.  We talk about tournaments, other games, Curt Schilling and our dads. Did you know that there is a Magic the Gathering/Poker player connection? After listening to this show, we can say "Now you do!"

SHOW LINKS

Apollo's Templates

SHOW TIMES

01: Chitty Chitty Chat Chat

12:00 Gary Fortenberry

48:01Total 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 393: Fantabulous Fortenberry

After 12 minutes of banter that covers Jeff's annual fishing trip and  Dave's Civil War trip we get into the meat of the show with the prodigious and informative long time Advanced Squad Leader player Gary Fortenberry.  In this, the first half of our conversation with Gary covers some of his time in the military, the early days of the famous fanzines like, Fire for Effect, In Contact and of course, Gary's ASLUG publication.  Jeff and Dave get a personal lesson on how to use the special boards that Gary designed, like 1a, 2a, etc.  NOW we will always remember how to align them. The conversation ends with his time at Avalon Hill.  Next up, part two!

SHOW LINKS

None

SHOW TIMES

01: Chitty Chitty Chat Chat

12:00 Gary Fortenberry

44:36 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 392: Return to St. Louis

Our interviews from St. Louis ASL continue in this very episode!

First man up is Dave Pope, a fascinating individual who has developed some scenarios and is working on a project to demystify the Advanced Squad Leader rules. It would fix some grammar issues, utilize more bullet points, and he wants to work with MMP on it. Dave would like to start a gaming group in the Southwest Missouri area and is looking for players. Contact us if you are interested in joining!

Second interview is Rich Domovich, who gives us an update on his ASL adventures. He attends several international tournaments every year. Amazing!

Steve Tinsley joins us for his first appearance on the show, and we finish the show with another visit with Paul Works who gives us an update on the Kansas City ASL stuff including the WWI development, and some new scenario packs in the works.

SHOW LINKS

St. Louis ASL

SHOWTIMES

• 00:01 Banter
• 07:50 Dave Pope
• 19:20 Rich Domovich
• 25:20 Steve Tinsley
• 29:30 Paul Works
• 48:38 Total Running Time

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This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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.

Episode 391: Gateway Arch Goodies: St. Louis Interviews

Jeff sends Dave forth to the St. Louis ASL Tournament (finally)! What an exciting adventure. He returns with 10 interviews that will fill many a show. And, fill it with quality content, instead of the usual blather. 

First interview is Jim Burris, the tournament director. Jim gives us an update on the standings, the history of the tourny, and some rule tips too!  Francis Biss was kind enough to talk with us for the first time, telling us of his start in gaming and tournament experiences. Francis is an original Purple Boxer!

Apologies for the audio quality, Dave was struggling with the equipment while on the road. 

We finish the show with another visit with Doug Kirk who gives us an update on the Advanced Squad Leader events in his life, as well as his ASL preferences.  

Before Dave set out on his road trip adventure, he managed to cut the freon line on his AC unit at home. Details related in the Banter segment. Yikes!   Go forth ASLer"s everywhere!

SHOW LINKS

St. Louis ASL

SHOWTIMES
00:01 Dramatic Presentation: Dave Sent Forth 

1:45 Banter

12:30 Jim Burris
24:00 Francis Biss

30:00 Doug Kirk

38:38 Total Running Time

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Episode 390: Ghost Rider Fire and Art du Pont

Mike has brought along  ASL Action Pack #22: A World at War. We open this box and find 3 new maps and 12 new scenarios and take a gander at this fine product.

Does a pin result affect a motorcyclist?  Can a motorcycle Bog?  We don't know but we are about to find out.  It is time to finish the motorcycle rules that we started last show. 

Dennis visits to review the art on the Chef du Pont box. And he provided the lyrics to the opening song, Never Gonna Give it Up.  We think the lyrics are clear enough in the song and don't need to be listed here.

SHOW LINKS

Action Pack #22

SHOWTIMES

00:01 Song
05:00 What's in the Box?
20:00 Rules 

17:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

24:00 Rules 
59:35 Total Running Time

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Episode 389: Sledge Sisters Ride Again

Summer is passing quickly and we are celebrating the 250th celebration of the birth of the United States of America!   We read some letters and are glad to welcome Mike Ryzy back into the Broadcast Foxhole. What we have been playing lately covers Mike's cow scenarios, and Dave and Dave's playing of Scenario BFP-174 The Castle of Onega. In the rules segment we cover the ever important rules D12 and D15 (part one, to be continued in episode 390). Did you know that sledges have reindeer pulling them?  How cool is that!?!  We think that you need to learn to drive your motorcycle like Steve McQueen in the Great Escape!  So have a listen to this show. You will be glad you did.

How about that comedy bit? Thank you to Dennis, once again!

SHOW LINKS

Alpenfestung

WWII Wayfinder on Youtube

SHOWTIMES
00:01 Comedy Bit
02:00 Banter
11:00 Letters

17:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

24:00 Rules 
52:12 Total Running Time

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Episode 388: Bishops Take on Tanks Two

Once again, we are super excited to bring back one of Advanced Squad Leader's best contributors, Jim Bishop.  Jim will discuss the in-depth look at his newest article on Tanks in the latest Journal. You will learn how to use tanks to sleeze freeze other tanks, how to win the gun duel, what factors to check before the game to help secure your well deserved victory, and many other things about armored warfare in ASL.  

No banter today. Well it is at the end. 

SHOW LINKS

Bishop Says on ASL Academy

Jim's Astrophotography

SHOW TIMES

2:00 Jim Bishop Interview

45:15 Total Running Time

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 387: The Bishop Returns

We are super excited to bring back one of Advanced Squad Leader's best contributors, Jim Bishop.  Jim will discuss the current status of his blog, his thoughts on the process of scenario design and his part in holding tournaments with Fortenberry. He will return on the next show for an in-depth look at his newest article on Tanks in the latest Journal. 

First, we have some banter about Space Food Sticks and Tang and other oddities while giving a sneak peek at some Swag from the next Grumbler Jones Tourney. 

SHOW LINKS

Grumble Jones Blog's New Look

Bishop Says on ASL Academy

SHOW TIMES

2:00 Grumbler Swag Gifts and Tourney Slide Show

10:00 Too Much Banter Perhaps

15:40 Jim Bishop  (The Good Part)

40:38 Total Running Time

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 386: Bring a Dead Friend

If you are ever in the Chicago area, you might want to lunch at Big Ange's. We love their BBQ. Letters includes the usual variety of topics including VASL help, historical facts, compliments and criticism.
Mike Ryzy joins us for part of the show (recorded last time). What we have been playing lately are Scenario BFP-161 Red Ice and BFP-169 Last Minute Heroics.

BFP-162 Red Ice Early in the Game 

SHOW LINK

Big Anges Eatery

A Time for Trumpets Book

Angel Down on Wikipedia

Fun With Boxes

SHOW TIMES

0:1 Banter 

11:00 Letters

24:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

48:17 Total Running Time

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

BFP-169 Last Minute Heroic End Game

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 385: A17.309, Three Scenarios and a Board

Mr. Donovan has provided the opening song and we would like to thank him for it!  Where is that rule??

In our rules segment we cover rule D8: Immobilization and Bog. Break out your beanies, we broke ours. Listen to the rules. It might help you remember.  In the Box is Winter Offensive Bonus Pack 17. 

SHOW LINK

WO #17 

Angel Down on Wikipedia

SHOW TIMES

0:1 Parody Song A17.309 

4:15 Intro and Chit Chat

15:00 Rules

43:00 New Product Announced

46:30 What's in the Box

54:01 Total Running Time

                      This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 384: Mighty Martin Vicca

Martin is in the wonderful suit.

Time to get back to an in depth interview with a famous Advanced Squad Leader player. That player is the marvelous and mighty Martin Vicca! He gives us a view from Aberdeen Scotland all about ASL, his history, his thoughts and opinions and his contributions to the Greatest Game in the World!

SHOW LINK

The Inversnecky Cafe

SHOW TIMES

0:31 Jump Right into the Martin Vicca Interview

51:44 Total Running Time

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 383: We'll Be Dead . . . All Good!

In the box is From the Cellar Pack #10 from LFT, and we take a double take at Advanced Squad Leader Journal 16 from MMP. We banter a bit about fretting over things and living a life well played, as Mike Ryzy joins us once again.

SHOW LINKS

From The Cellar #10 at Ritterkrieg

SHOW TIMES

01: Chit Chat

8:35   What's in the Box?  Cellar #10

17:50 What's in the Box? Journal #16

46:00 Total Running Time

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 382: It's Time for Rules...Changes

Join us for a detailed look at Journal 16 from MMP, a Journal about the greatest game in the world; Advanced Squad Leader.  Most of our time spent here today will be used to discover the new rule changes to the game.  This is BIG STUFF folks! Dennis Donovan provides the artistic flourish that we need to end the show, by graciously providing us with a Box Art Review.

SHOW LINKS

None Today

SHOW TIMES

01: Chit Chat

8:35 What's in the Box?  Journal 16

38:00 Box Art Review

45:36 Total Running Time

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 381: You Gotta Have Faith

A detailed look at the in and outs and frozen chaos of Le Franc Tireur's Task Force Faith, is the main topic of this show.  We give you a detailed look at the rules, terrain and designer notes of said game.  We cover the notes, so you don't have to.  

Dave gives us a look at Scenario BFP-159: Machine Gun Alley from Mannerheim Cross

SHOW LINKS

Buy TFF at BFP

SHOW TIMES

01: Chit Chat

8:35 What's in the Box?  Terrain Time

38:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

49:36 Total Running Time

BFP - 159 End of Game

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 380: We Schwear We Love Schuerzen

From the frozen depths of the Midwest, we present our chilly show (but hopefully not to a chilly reception). In this episode we cover Rules D10 Wrecks and D11 Gyro Stabilizers and Schuerzen.  We schwear
we do!  Honest!   Put on your beanies, grab a warm cup of cocoa and join us.  

SHOW LINKS

None today maybe none ever again?  Do any of you click them?

SHOW TIMES

01: Chit Chat

6:35 Rules D10 and D11

38:30 Total Running Time (still trying to stay under 45:00 minutes, and still slightly overachieving)

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 379: The Grain Looks More Grainy

Mike Ryzy joins us once again! What we have been playin' lately includes Mike playing ASL again with his friend online. Dave K recounts his playing of Scenario BFP 155- Stalingrad Reds from Mannerheim Cross.  In the box is Action Pack 20 which has a large variety of scenarios and one map #98. Action Pack 21: Blitzkreig to Paris with many maps. Mike also provides a look at the rules changes from Journal 16. 

SHOW LINKS

None Today

SHOW TIMES

01: Chit Chat

7:20 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

17:35 What's in the Box?

32:00 Total Running Time

End Game the road hexes on left held

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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 378: Vehicles as Cover for Our Not Wearing Pants

Welcome to the 2026 version of The 2 Half-Squads.  The 2026 version is pretty much the same as the 2025 version only with new Rules and Box Art and such. This episode includes some very nice and thoughtful letters to welcome in your new year. What we have been playin' lately is a Frostgrave Game, and Scenario BFP 154- Little Tin Can Opener from Mannerheim Cross.  Brush up on your Rules as we cover Rule D9 Vehicles as Cover.

SHOW LINKS

None Today

SHOW TIMES

01: Chit Chat

7:20 Letters

18:15 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

23:00 Rules

Photo by Louis Padol

44:00 Total Running Time

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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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