Episode 108: The Invisible Man and Other Models

Hello......hello......is there anybody out there?  Oh, there you are. We couldn't see you at first.

We think you will enjoy this episode even though it contains an inordinate amount of banter and goofy chit-chat. Unless you think Munster model talk isn't goofy.

First we chunk through a slew of letters -- and those letters cover a lot of Advanced Squad Leader topics of interest. Dave and Jeff have started play of the large scenario, God Save the King and we discuss that event during the What Have You Been Playing Lately? segment. By popular demand Box Art Review makes its long awaited return. Get out your pens and paper and prepare to take notes. There'll be a test at the end of Episode 200.

We hope to see you at the ASL Open during the weekend of April 12th!

Our game of God Save the King.

SHOW GUIDE
12:06  Letters
39:45 New Contest Announced
40:00  Wut U Bin Plain Lately?
56:10  Box Art Review: Journal 10
1:06:35 Total running time



LINKS
ASL Open 2014 
Ernie Pyle Museum
Link 1 to Malaya Madness
Link 2 to Malaya Madness
Sergy Larankov Photography
David Pentland Art


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Episode 107: Dethlefsen Take Two

Happy New Year everyone! Did you make a resolution to always roll low and rally well? How's that workin' out for you so far?

We can think of  no better way to welcome the new year than to enjoy the second part of our interview with Steve Dethlefsen of Heat of Battle.  Fortress Cassino: The Road to Rome, Berlin: Red Vengeance and Onslaught to Orsha are just a few of the many HOB products we discuss in this episode. The real gem though is an titillating and insightful glimpse at the Kohima game still in development. And things stay interesting as the conversation turns to such topics as why we study WWII so much, and the nefarious Nestor Makhno.

How's that for a kick-off to 2014? Cheers! Or, as we like to say, Clink . . . and DRINK!

SHOW GUIDE
2:00  Chat with Steve
22:00  What's in the Box? Berlin: Red Vengeance
59:10  What's in the Box? Operation Merkur

1:10:15 Total running time

LINKS
HOB : Berlin: Red Vengeance
HOB: Cassino the Road to Rome
Brief History of the Battle of Kohima
After the Battle Books

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Episode 106: Steve Dethlefsen Speaks

It is time for Christmas and this year we have a rather special gift for you, an interview with Steve Dethlefsen of Heat of Battle fame. Dave remembers ordering a ton of cool presents from HOB way back in the day before you were born. Yes, it was during the ancient days of Advanced Squad Leader, when we had to wander far and wide seeking scenarios to play. From a faraway land called California, from the mind of the wise men dwelling there came these ASL treasures.

Join us for this important addition to our History of ASL interviews. It's better than frankincense and myrrh, yes? (Not better than gold, though.)

SHOW GUIDE
2:00  Chat with Dave and Jeff
11:06  Letters
27:10  Steve Dethlefsen
1:02:55 Total running time

LINKS
HOB : God Save the King 
HOB: Cassino the Road to Rome
Mark Watson's ASL Annual Reprint Guide

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Episode 105: The Phone Lines Are Open

Happy Thanksgiving to our USA listeners. Just in time to cap off your celebrations, here is another episode of The 2 Half-Squads. Of course, this show is the last thing for which you should be giving thanks. If all the turkey, stuffing, casseroles, gravy rolls and pie didn't make you feel sick, this episode certainly will!

In this episode we take a close look at the 1990 ASL Annual. Now there's a great piece of Advanced Squad Leader history. Twenty-three years has not made this publication any less pertinent or valuable.

We also do a favorite segment called, "Terrain Time" in which we discuss Runways, Walls, Hedges, and Wall Advantage.  We hope that the information included herein, will help your game.

As usual we accept no responsibility if this episode doesn't help you one bit, but otherwise claim all accolades.

If it ain't the best thing in the world to be thankful for, at least it's 2nd best. Or maybe 16th . . . would you believe 23rd?

SHOW GUIDE
1:00  Banter.....does it ever end?
10:00  Letters
25:15  Old Man Dan's Funeral
26:30 What.... More Letters?
41:52 What'cha Been Playing Lately?
46:50 What's in the Box?
1:07:15 Terrain Time: Walls and Hedges.
1:38:16 Total running time

LINKS
FSB Prison (anyone know who created these? We want to give credit where it's due.)
Hong Kong Wargamer mentioned again.
ASL Annual '90 in the ASL Archive

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Episode 104: Guns, Tomatoes and Steel

Having recorded this episode nearly a month ago -- so it's been sitting in the can all this time -- one might think it's gotten a bit stale. But lo and behold, it's still fresh as a daisy and submitted here for your approval.

As you might guess from the photo at right, we're going to be talking tonight about a wonderful product from Bounding Fire Productions, Crucible of Steel. (Our sincere gratitude goes to BFP for this generous donation.) This is one What's in the Box segment you won't wanna miss. Don't yet own this module? Don't worry! There's plenty of time to get it on the top of your Christmas wish list -- right above that "peace on earth, good will etc, etc" part.

Ever seeking to surprise and delight our audience, somehow the show starts with a discussion of tomatoes. While this is certainly a surprise, were not sure how delighted you'll be. But hang on, Letters follows close behind, followed by a listener-submitted entry of Box Art Review.

It's all good. Go ahead and be jealous.

SHOW GUIDE
:30 -- Banter and Letters
19:30 -- Box Art Review of Journal 9 -- written by Dennis Donovan
30:49 -- Quid in Capsa? It's Crucible of Steel
1:10:09 -- Total running time

LINKS
Tarawa extension map (anyone know who created these? We want to give credit where it's due.)
Tarawa extended rules
The Dispatches from the Bunker website is down, but you can contact them by email at aslbunker@aol.com

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Episode 103: Rally 'Round the Rising Sun

Hello everyone. How are you today? We are fine. Really, we are fine.  Because the long awaited Rising Sun has arrived on our doorstep.  We dig into it on this show, and there is a lot of it. But first we read some wonderful letters, and take a look at some interesting scenarios, while discussing what we've been playing lately on the Advanced Squad Leader front.  Rise On!

Dave gleefully opens Rising Sun.

Beer Run (look closely at the "bombs")

SHOW GUIDE
0:03 ASL Song "I Ran"
3:30 What's With All This Banter?
12:13  Letters of All Sorts
34:10 What'cha Been Playing Lately?
45:25 What's in the Box?
1:04:06 Total Running Time

SHOW LINKS
JD JESTER Tutorials  
Rising Sun on Triple Point Blank Fire Blog
Rising Sun on Boardgame Geek 

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