Episode 53: My Better Half-Track

Don't button up or you might miss something. This episode is all about half-tracks. Those weakly armored, open topped, speedy little vehicles that we use to transport our troops and do sleazy vehicle bypass freeze moves in the last turn, to confound and frustrate our enemies.

Before we get to the main topic, though, we'll discuss a Top Ten War Books list as compiled by Military History magazine, and listen to another song entry from our "Write funny ALS Lyrics" contest. (Don't forget the contest ends July 30th).
Also we find out What's in the Box, indulge in some Box Art Review, and in general hack together another fine show.

We were doing a video simulcast while recording this episode. Be on the lookout as we'll be doing more of these in the future.

SHOW GUIDE
Top Ten war books
Box Art Review
Contest Entry: Run Through the ASL Jungle by Dennis Donavan
What's in the Box
Half-Tracks!

Lyrics
Whoa, heard it was a nightmare, LOL!, It’s all so true
They told me, “Fear the PTO!”, ‘cause the Japs are on the loose.

CHORUS:
Better not CX in the jungle, Better not advance into jungle
Better not stray in the jungle, Why? You’ll get ambushed, ya see

Thought I heard grumblin’, Playin’ a night rules game
200Yankee guns are loaded, The sgt. cries: “Take aim!”

Over in hex G10, Sgt. Schmutz he spoke:
“Let the privates know my wisdom, Fill the hex with smoke.”

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Episode 52: From the Land Down Under

ANZAC ASL sets the world right

G'day Mates! This edition comes to you from Down Under, sorta'. We hope it's a corker and not a yabber. Some of the last of the ASLOK 2010 interviews are here; Steve Linton and David Longworth make their appearances in this episode, including some "history of the game" discussion about that revered wargaming group, The Paddington Bears. Down under? They're top 'o the world in our book. In honor of these guys and all the great ANZAC players we're displaying McArthur's Corrected Map. Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?

The 2 Half-Squads Singers wow us yet again with more song entries presented for your entertainment. By the way, the song contest ends on July 31st and prizes will be awarded, so don't miss this great opportunity.

"What's in the Box?" uncovers the wonderful nuggets in MMP's very recent release of ASL Journal #9. The indefatigable Dave has already read it and gives his overview.

And there's lots more, so be a good bloke and pull up a chair, keep the bities away from you with an Aussie Salute, pour up some amber fluid, and we will put some shrimp on the barbie for yeh' -- and we will eat them for yeh, too. You're welcome.

Lyrics to Breakin' in the Grain
We're pinning in the grain, Just breaking in the grain
What a glorious feeling, we rally again
We're laughing at guns, so big on the hill
The sarge's in our hex, and we're ready to charge
Let the green half-squad chase, the H-I-P from the place
Come on with the wave, we have smoke on the way
We run down the plain, in the enemy firelane
Just pinnin' and breakin' in the grain.

Lyrics to Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you, I just rolled a 2.
Your Tiger's now burning, so have another brew (up).

SHOW GUIDE

11:00 - Letters

26:30 - Songs

30:00 - Scenarios We've Played Lately
43:00 - Interview with Steve Linton

1:09:00 What's in the Box? Journal 9

1:22:30 Interview with David Longworth (Paddington Bears)

1:38:50 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS
ASLSK2 Tutorial
Combined Arms Digital Library
Survival Books
Army Field Manuals
Battlespace strategy gaming magazine
The Paddington Bears

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Episode 51: Hold on to Your Holst, it's Time for Close Combat!

It's time to advance into close combat! Join us as we take a gander at the intricacies of engaging the enemy up close and personal. Both infantry and vehicle close combat are covered in this slightly larger than normal episode that is packed with ASL goodness. If you think there were too many letters last time then you will enjoy the lack of letters in this one.

Scott Holst is our guest on an interview from ASLOK. The 2 Half-Squads are not responsible for anything said by Scott. The opinions expressed by Scott are not necessarily those of The 2 Half-Squads.

Don't get ambushed as you advance into this episode!

SHOW GUIDE
4:15 - What We've Been Playing Lately
21:45 - Infantry CC
46:00 - Vehicle CC Quiz Show
1:14:30 - Scott Holst Interview
1:38:15 - Total Running Time

LINKS
Mattias' Module Dependency Chart

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Episode 50: Fabulous Fifty!

It's hard to believe, but we have actually made it to the big episode 5-0! Quite an accomplishment, wouldn't you agree? We had so many requests from listeners, celebrities, friends, and family who wanted to join us on this momentous night that we just couldn't decide who was most deserving. So we decided to keep it just the two of us and present our favorite kind of show -- lots of talk about our favorite game in the whole, wide world. And banter, boy do we banter!

Letters, letters, letters! Boy, do we have letters. Thank you to everyone who writes. The feedback and contributions are much appreciated. Your many links are below.

Also we look into "the box" and find some very cool Countersmith Turret Counters and the new ASL SK Expansion Pack #1, wherein we finally find out if the much ballyhooed "Kleinschmidt" counter appears. The answer will surprise you.

We'll save the celebrities for another time. This one is banter-licious!

SHOW GUIDE
2:00 - Letters
39:00 - ASL Lyrics Contest
40:00 - The Half-Squad Singer performing BUNGLE IN THE JUNGLE
50:00 - What's in the Box?
1:18:30 Total Running Time

LINKS
From Starter Kit to Full ASL by Mikka Sohlman
Bill Kohler's excellent player aids page
Games Club of Maryland
ASL Logbook
Yockbo's Boardgame Blog
ASL Training by Russ Gifford
Adelaide Gamer blog
Mattias' Module Dependency Chart

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ASL Extra #12: Maczek Fire Brigade

Welcome ASL fans, for another rollicking T2HS Extra. In this installment, our own Dave Kleinschmidt commands the Germans against challenger Rick Hollander's Polish defenders in "Maczek Fire Brigade". This is a popular tournament scenario for good reason -- it's well balanced and is a scant six turns long. Break out scenario J113 and follow along as our stalwart opponents engage in devastating and delirious mortal combat. Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions as regards our poor play. That way others may benefit from your wisdom. Zeb Doyle has a nice write up of his play of said scenario the Banzaii Blog.


Sound the alarm. This one's H-O-T.

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Episode 49: Houseman of Dark Shadows Style Zombies

Zombies rock! And so does anyone who can come up with an ASL Zombie scenario. The very idea is so cool it would be killing us if we weren't already undead. Glenn Houseman of the East Side Gamers is that very guy and we had the pleasure of interviewing him at ASLOK 2010. You can find a whole lot of "normal" ASL scenarios at their website also, but we think we need Zombie counters.

Have you ever heard of a female ASLer? Well one exists and we have the interview to prove it, thanks to a contribution from listener Mark Zielinski. Mark is also a contributor to The Dice Tower netcast.

Box Art Review makes an appearance in this episode with a look at the Bonus Packs from MMP.

"In the box" are some Americans from the 45th Infantry Division.  Those GI's can be found in the Rally Point Volume 5: Thunderbird Pack. They run rampant in some great scenarios from the famous Bill Sisler.

What are you waiting for? Hit the listen now button!

SHOW GUIDE

2:30 - Letters

24:00 - Scenarios We've Played Lately
28:00 - What's in the Box?
33:00 - Box Art Review

45:00 - Glenn Houseman Interview

1:08:00 - Liz Interview

1:32:45 - Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS

East Side Gamers

The Dice Tower

Schwerpunkt

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