ASL Extra #15: Kamikaze Gorge

Near Baguio, Luzon Island, The Philippines, April 17, 1945:  It has been a little while, but we have finally posted another ASL Extra episode, for your enjoyment and edification. This one plays out  SP193  KAMIKAZE GORGE from our friends at Schwerepunkt.  You may learn a trick or two from our distinguished players: tournament champion Bob Holmstrom, and tournament contender Rich Domovic. Bob's attacking Americans must clear two of three hilltop areas.  Rich's Japanese will utilize all of their special abilities on the defense. This episode will not teach you the rules, but should help you see a larger, tactical view of the scenario played.  It will also help you understand the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader.

LINKS

Photos of scenario SP193 KAMIKAZE GORGE on our Flikr site

Listen now with streaming audio

Or download this episode. Right-click here and select to save the file.

Episode 72: DC and Darn Cranky

Fireworks are an essential ingredient in any celebration of Independence Day in the US. But you don't have to be from the USA to enjoy the art of pyrotechnics. In fact, in Advanced Squad Leader, use of the Demolition Charge -- or DC -- is employed and enjoyed by all nationalities. What's that? You're a little arsonphobic? Listen in and we'll tell you how to get comfortable handling these powerful, useful tools.

First, though, we'll read some listener mail. Then Jeff has a little fireworks display of his own in a cranky tirade about . . . well, we won't say right here. Fortunately, Dave brings some peace and love back to the show by playing the final entries in our "You know you play too much Advanced Squad Leader When . . ." contest, followed with an announcement of a new contest.

You'd better listen to this show. BOOM BABY!

LINKS
Texas-ASL Group's XX (Dos Equis) Scenario Pack

SHOW GUIDE
11:00 - Letters
19:00 - Cranky Jeff
24:00 - Contest
30:00 - Spilky Tips
34:00 - Auction Update
41:00 - DC Rules
1:27:00 - Total Running Time

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Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

Episode 71: Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along

Come join Jeff, Dave, and guest Bob Holmstrom, as they go bobbin' along while dishing out a hefty helping of Advanced Squad Leader. This show is full of great ASL conversation. We take a look at MMP's Action Pack #8 - Roads Through Rome. Jeff offers up a book review of Combat Jump by Ed Ruggero. We discuss what we've been playing lately, read some rather humorous letters, listen to the latest contest entries and more.

The 3rd round of our Auction offers up issues #40 - 49 of On All Fronts, the classic original SL/ASL fanzines. That auction will end on July 25th. Email or tweet us with your bid(s), then watch our Twitter feed for updates so you'll have a chance to bid again if you like.
And don't forget that the 2nd round of our T2HS Auctions was for a used copy of Paratrooper. This game will go to the highest bidder on July 6th, 2012. Get your bid in soon.

We need you to call in and complete the sentence "You know you play too much ASL when......" Dial (+1) 641-715-3900 x218209, leave us your completed sentence, and you will be entered into our drawing and you could win some cool stuff. Free stuff......did we say it's free?

SHOW GUIDE

3:30 Letters

29:00 On All Fronts Added to Auction

36:15 What We've Been Playing Lately

53:00 Book Review

1:00:00 Latest Contest Entries

1:03:00 What's in the Box?  AP #8

1:17:40 Total Running Time

LINKS

Bob Holmstrom's Blog

ASL Australia

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Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

Episode 70: To Kill a Panzerbird

Join Dave and his daughter Megan as they read some fascinating letters, including one that announces the establishment of a new ASL site for you ANZAC players. Dave gets to quiz his friend and special guest, the Piano Man, on a Quiz Show that is all about the To Kill Table, and it's corresponding rules section.  So break out your To Kill Table and follow along as we cover some good old ASL rules crunchiness! You can hear the first of our new contest entries in this very episode. These loyal listeners will show you how easy it is to enter our contest. Simply call us and complete the following sentence "You know you play too much ASL when....", then shoot us an email telling us that you called. Follow those simple steps, and you will be entered into our contest, and can win fantabulous prizes. And don't worry.  Jeff will return next episode.

The second of our T2HS Auctions includes a used copy of Paratrooper. Email or tweet us with your bid(s), then watch our Twitter feed for updates so you'll have a chance to bid again if you like. Items will go to the highest bidders on July 6th, 2012. This is a great opportunity to get Paratrooper and help out The 2 Half-Squads at the same time.


SHOW GUIDE
2:00 Letters
11:00 ASL ANZAC Site Announcement
14:30 New Contest Entries
19:15 Quiz Show
59:17 Total Running Time

LINKS
Vote for ASL on Board Game Geek
ASL Australia

Listen Now:

Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

Episode 69: The Show With No Name

We managed to fill a whole episode with some odds and ends and we had a lot of fun doing it! Give us a call and let us know how you can tell when you've played too much ASL. Do that, and you will be entered into our contest to win some fantastical Advanced Squad Leader products. Start you're sentence with "You know you've played too much ASL when.....".  Example: "You know you've played too much ASL when you view the landscape out the window as hexes of terrain."

Box Art Review makes an appearance in this episode with a look at Operation Veritable and Operation Watchtower from MMP.

We received a package in the mail the other day. "In the box" was a Raaco storage tray system that we dug into, and examined, just to bring you a review. Thanks to Andreas at Trojan Games.

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

SHOW GUIDE

8:10 Letters 

23:30 Auction Winner / New Contest Announced

28:20 Top 10 Things an ASLer will never say

32:00 What's in the Box?

42:00 Box Art Review

54:40 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS

Trojan Games/Raaco Storage

The New ASL Ladder

Check Here to Vote for ASL on Game Squad
Hitler's Bunker Photo's at Time Life
David Pentland at Cranston Arts

Listen Now:

Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.

Episode 68: Stahlwart Stahler

Photo courtesy of Jim Stahler
All rights reserved

Not content with the ton of interviews we snagged at the ASL Open, we pursued another ASL legend, Jim Stahler.  After a near miss we made a connection with the man responsible for the Chapter K Training Manual for the Advanced Squad Leader Rule Book. Jim has also authored several articles for the Journal/Annual, and he has a big -- nay, GIGANTIC -- ASL project in the works that you can hear about here. Wow! This is one interview you won't want to miss.

And here's just a reminder that your chances to bid in the first T2HS Auction will soon be over. Email or tweet us with your bid(s), then watch our Twitter
feed for updates so you'll have a chance to bid again if you like. Items will go to the highest bidders on May 15th 2012. This is a great opportunity to get some great stuff and help out The 2 Half-Squads at the same time.

Here are the auction items:
Squad Leader - the Avalon Hill original. Used, good condition, might be missing some counters. 
Cross of Iron - the Avalon Hill expansion for above. Used, good condition, missing a counter.
For King and Country - the ASL module. New, un-punched.


SHOW GUIDE
6:10 Letters
19:30 Jim Stahler Interview
1:16:30 Total Running Time

LINKS
Brits hope to dig up Spitfires

Listen Now:

Download this episode: Right-click here and select to save the file.