The 2 Half-Squads: Recent Episodes
None
You won't believe the stunning facts that Advanced Squad Guru Tom Meier reveals on this show. We considered making a whole lot of edits, removing all the stunning info, but decided to leave them in, just for your wanton, and scandalous satisfaction.
What We Have Played Lately is Scenario FB17: Stalingrad Redux.
In the Box is March Madness 2025 Scenario Pack: Schnake Eyes! Check out the scenarios here.
SHOWTIMES
0:01 Small Talk
8:00 What's in the Box?22:00 Contest Winner Announced25:00 Interview with Tom Meier
47:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately57:48 Total Running Time SHOWLINKS
Stalingrad Redux on ASL Scenario Archive
Summer is fast approaching and so is the next episode. We just can't believe how fast time flies. Or how SHOCKING this episode is. Scott Mullins discusses how to track your ASL games, using the ASL Archive and other methods. Matt Zajak discusses his background and his campaign games with his buddies, as well as his favorite miniature ancients rule set, favorite Advanced Squad Leader tournaments and scenarios, basically all things ASL. Most importantly Matt discusses his travels to Russia and help with the Ponyri game. We even dare to chat about our wives (and it's all good).
Dave forgets that he has played 1,402 games so far.
How about that opening song? The lyrics were provided by Rob Banozic and the song was performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers. It originally appeared on #205
SHOW LINKS
Box Cars Again Blog
WWII Wayfinder on Youtube
SHOWTIMES
00:01 Song: He's Got Really Hot Snake Eyes
04:00 Banter
08:10 Scott Mullins
26:45 Matt Zajac
51:25 Half of The Forgotten War Scenarios
1:27:25 Total Running Time
REALLY HOT SNAKE-EYES
(to the tune of "Bette Davis Eyes"
Lyrics by Rob Banozic)
His rolls are always low
I've never seen 'em high
His dice are never cold
He's got really hot snake-eyes
He'll turn the MGs on you
You won't pass a check twice
It's cold as East Front snow
He's got really hot snake-eyes
And they'll break you, they'll crit-hit you
They're the bones that will defeat you
They're atrocious, 'cause he always gets the
Rolls that make the stacks crush
God! why do I always roll so high, he's got really hot snake-eyes
You like your +3 stone
The place to stand and fight
But all you do is moan
He's got really hot snake-eyes
He'll take a '1' shot on you
And roll those wicked dice
Until you give up, too
He's got really hot snake-eyes
They'll DM you, when he plays you
Trash your plan with the dice he loans you
They're ferocious 'cause he always gets the
Rolls that make the stacks crush
All the boys think it's just fine, to get really hot snake-eyes
And they'll break you, they'll crit-hit you
They're the bones that will defeat you
They're atrocious, 'cause he always gets the
Rolls that make the stacks crush
All the boys think it's just fine, to get really hot snake-eyes
MMP does not want you to know about all the other games that exist in the world. We would never spend time on this show discussing games like Dungeons and Dragons, Settlers of Cataan, or Twilight Imperium, because we are such Advanced Squad Leader loyalists and Fan Boys. Or would we now? In this very show, Jim Burris gives us an update on the St. Louis Tournament and what HE has been playing lately. James Treu gives us his gaming background and says hello. We also manage to read a few letters.
SHOWTIMES
0:01 Small Talk
8:30 Jim Burris23:30 Letters41:00 Contest Winner Announced
42:00 James Treu
55:30 Total Running Time SHOWLINKS
Matt Quinton's Youtube
It's an unbelievable show with stunning bombshells dropping all over the show. We continue our interviews from March Madness with Rick Reinesch, who gives us a great insiders take on the new Mannerheim Cross as well as many other interesting tidbits. Jeff DeYoung also graces us with an interview and we have a thoroughly enjoyable time hearing the bombshell that Jeff drops on us. AMAZING!
SHOWTIMES
0:01 Small Talk
8:30 Rick Reinisch
40:00 Jeff DeYoung
55:30 Total Running Time
In the Box we find Slaughter at Ponyri. In this episode we take the time to have a first look at the components and the terrain rules included with this powerful looking game.
We continue our interviews from March Madness with Dave Mareske, who give us a great preview of the new March Madness 2025 Scenario Pack Snake Eyes, as well as many other interesting tidbits. On with the show!
Opening song is a new one, Minimum Move!
SHOWTIMES
0:1 Song Minimum Move!
2:00 Interesting Chat
10:00 What's In the Box Interview with Dan Best and Paul Works
54:21 Total Running Time
Minimum Move(based on Minimum Wage by They Might Be Giants)
Lyrics: Louis PadolVocals: The 2 Half Squad Singers
"Minimum Move"
SHOWTIMES
0:1 Song Minimum Move
2:00 Interesting Chat
18:00 After Action Report
45:00 What's in the Box?
1:03:40 Total Running Time
Dave made it to March Madness and all Jeff got was a lousy T-Shirt. Actually it is a cool T-Shirt of the Korean design. Dave got the 2025 T from Kansas City ASL guys that has all participants on the back as various leader or Hero counters.
There will be a lot of interviews in the show this year and we will start with Paul Works and Dan Best, who give us a great preview of the WWI game as well as many other interesting tidbits. On with the show!
Opening song was a repeat from episode 204, DC Hero.
SHOWTIMES
0:1 Song DC HERO
4:00 Interesting Chat
18:00 Interview with Dan Best and Paul Works
54:21 Total Running Time
DC Hero
-- Concept: Dennis Donovan
-- Lyrics: Dennis Donovan, Rich Spilky, Stephen Stewart
-- Vocals: Stephen Stewart
-- Mixing/Technical: Jim Bera
Playin’ ASL, in the P.T.O.
The Marines vs. Jappos, Code of Bushido
Read all the SSRs, and I started to scheme
Coming up with a plan, when I noticed something:
There is one DEMO, to blow stuff away
And with a gleam in my eyes, I knew I’d found the way:
There’s a Japanese private, in the Second World War
Wasn’t sure how to use one, but he knew for sure
That one DEMO, felt good in his hands
Didn’t take long, to understand
Just one DEMO, will beat the foe
But a one-way ticket, for DC heroes
So he did a banzai
No way he’d get dropped
With his H.E. man purse
Those Yankee Devils will be stopped!
By a DC Hero,
For Nippon he will die!
He’s a DC Hero
He’s got one DEMO,
DC Hero Yankees will die!
DC Hero
Yankees will die!
He won’t sur-vive this fight.
On a road without a name, out on Corregidor
There’s a Sherman Tank Dozer, stopped in hex G4
Yeah, this day is his last, filled with lots of pain
That one DEMO, gonna win the game
So he started chargin’
8 MF enough?
But if he gets wounded
Gettin to the target will be tough!
For a DC Hero
for Nippon he will die!
He’s a DC Hero
for Nippon he’ll die!
YEAH DC HERO
Nippon he’ll die!
That one DEMO,
Nippon he’ll die!
He’s gonna win
Gonna win tonight
SHOWTIMES
0:1 Song DC HERO
4:00 Interesting Chat
18:00 After Action Report
45:00 What's in the Box?
57:10 Total Running Time
This is the moment that Mannerheim Cross is presented to the world! Bounding Fire Productions is bringing down the hammer with this one. In this episode we cover the contents of said game. The components and maps and such. The winner of Best of Friends 2 is announced also.
SHOW LINKS
Best of Friends on the Archive
SHOW TIMES01: Bantero
12:01 Contest BoF2 Winner Draw13:20 What's in the Box? 47:03 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.
Thanks to Dennis for another roaring song parody to get this show off on the right foot. Reminding us to establish those fields of fire. Lastly we take a deep dive into Best of Friends 2 Advanced Squad Leader Scenario pack that brings us some of the fantastic work from our friends in Sweden.
SHOW LINKS
Best of Friends on the ArchiveMario's Dice Towers
SHOW TIMES01: Song Fields of Fire (Lyrics by Dennis Donovan)
2:31 Bantero39:00 Letters40:10 What's in the Box? Best of Friends 2
54:06 Total Running Time Fields of Fire Lyrics So said the father to his son
“Cover the city on board one,
Same for the big hill to west
Whether in tournies or playtest.”
“Av’nues of approach you must scry
How else to make the en’my die?
Make sure to watch for fire lanes
And to play the bore sight game!”
“Cover the flanks
Against cavalry and tanks
Cover your front
With Fields of Fire!”
“Remember to pre-reg and deploy
Remember rout paths to destroy
Remember always play your best
Remember, ah, I forget the rest.”
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
Get ready to play a lot of VAASAL during this years ASL eOpen 2025. We talk with Dave Goldman who explains how to sign up, how the tournament works and other details. It is one of the largest online tournaments. You can actually win some cash prizes! Register today. And Dave does a deep dive into Action Pack 14.
SHOW LINKS
ASLOPEN.ORG
SHOW TIMES01: Song PTO (Lyrics by Dennis Donovan)
2:31 Interview with Dave Goldman39:00 Another contest winner40:10 What's in the Box? AP14
59:35 Total Running Time Startin’ PTO, with a good friend of mine
It’s the Allies vs. Nippon, 1939
Been wantin’ to get play it now, yeah it’s finally time
We’re gonna bust it out, set it up, check it out, PTO
Wah-waaaah (Yeah, yeah, startin’ PTO) wa wah
Wah-waaaah (Yeah, yeah, learnin’ PTO) wa wah
Wah-waaaah (Yeah, yeah, playin’ PTO) wa wah
Wah-waaaah (Yeah, yeah, lovin’ PTO) wa wah
Wah-waaaah (We’re, doin’ PTO) wa wah
We’ll play it on the main lands, and the Pacific isles
Learning the Chapter G rules, it’ll take quite a while
All the HASLs and campaign games, really drive us wild
C’mon and bring it on, set it up, check it out, PTO
Yeah, I spent all my money, and bought the PTO
(buyin’ it up, sortin’ it out)
Got a Gung Ho and BRT, and then Code of Bushido
(openin' it up, checkin' it out)
Took it out to our club meet, for tell-and-show, yeah, yeah
(settin’ it up, layin’ it out)
Yeah, it’ the coolest thing around, tell your buddies it won’t let you down
We’re gonna bust it out, set it up, try it out, PTO
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.
You can't have a better person than Bret Hildebran to come on the show. We are lucky enough to have
him grace the Broadcast Foxhole with his wisdom and insight as the Director of Advanced Squad Leader Oktoberfest Tournament in Ohio. It is the largest tournament in terms of ASL players in attendance.
SHOW LINKS
ASLOK.ORG
SHOW TIMES
00:31 Interview with Bret Hildebran55:00 Bret draws the contest winner
57:11 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
Once upon a time, Kyle sent us a letter about playing Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit Solitaire (or solo). Kyle plays both sides and he does not have a split personality. Although, in the picture to the right it does look like his defense has been frustrated by his own attack. Join us as Kyle reminds us why we like full ASL, other games, and most importantly why Starter Kit is so good, and why playing against yourself has it's virtues.
SHOW LINKS
None Today
SHOW TIMES
00:31 Interview with Kyle Beach51:11 Total Running TimeThe 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.
Happy Holidays All! Jump into the Broadcast Foxhole with us and hear a What Have You Been Playing Lately segment that covers Dave and Dave's game of Scenario FB 13: Don't Economize. What better way to enjoy the holidays than having a listen and sipping some warm cider along with that nice big bowl of Sugar Tanks. After that we open our present and find Action Pack 13 in the box. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and Happy New Year!
SHOW TIMES
0:02 Sugar Tanks Song
3:00 Banter
10:00 Letters
22:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
39:00 What's in the Box?46:00 Total Running TimeSHOW LINKS
Sugar Tanks Video Game (they stole our idea)Women's Sugar Tank Top (they also stole our idea) The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful Patreon and Paypal sponsors.
Lyrics to Sugar Tanks (lyrics by D. Donovan, performed by Aaron Kleinschmidt)
Sugar, oh Tanky, TankyIt's breakfast cereal, and you'll soon be wanting some. Tankies, have lot's of sugar, they taste like candy corn, and they look like Panzer II's.You just can't believe the tastiness when when eating them. You just can't believe the crunchiness when when eating them. They are so crunchy oh, it's true. Ah, Tankies, they're honey roasted, they are pure sugar dude and they've got some caffeine too. Yummy Tankies, with extra sugar, they taste like victory. And they might have some nutrients too. When you have a bite, you'll know how good these tanks can be.Dump some in a bowl then pour some cold milk over them. Pour a big bowl for me. Pour a little cold milk on them buddy! Oh, Tanky, Tankies. Give them a whirl. The views and opinions expressed on this show are not necessarily those of The 2 Half Squads.
Getting this one done a bit late, but is it really better late than never? Mike Ryzy joins us in the podcast foxhole as we take a look at the Gun rules and Action Pack #13. The sound is a bit staticky at points so bear with us. Dave talks about the movie Red One and his upcoming Frostgrave game. He just never shuts up and he is a showoff.
SHOWTIMES
0:02 OBJECTIVE SCHMIDT Parody Song (lyrics by D. Donovan, Performed by the T2HS Singers)
3:34 Greetings and Chat about Earthquake Rules
10:20 Gun Rules
30:20 Dave Talks of Red One and Frostgrave Christmas Game
42:00 New Contest Announced (Entrants due by January 13)
31:50 Box Art Review
45:05 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKSGI Joe Recoiless ToyFrostgrave Christmas Scenario
Mannerheim Cross
OBJECTIVE SCHMIDT SONGTo the tune of “I Saw Three Ships”
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan, performed by The 2 Half-Squad Singers Objective Schmidt is coming soon, by BFP for ASL
Objective Schmidt is coming soon, this news you can't be ignoring
It comes with 2 new HASL maps, of Vossenack and Kommerschmidt
And 18 new scenarios, one of which is a campaign.
There won't be a big magazine, just a booklet with some pages.
Of HSR's and CG stuff, and the historical background.
And what price tag will OS bring, one hundred clams? I'd gladly pay.
Which release date are you thinking? BFP we are imploring.
And all the souls on earth shall sing, on release day, on release day.
I hope it's what Santa will bring on Christmas Day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice again when comes the day, when comes the day?
More new stuff from the three wise men, who sleigh us with all their new products.
The ASLOK interviews continue with an interview with Alan Findlay of Broken Ground Design. Alan walks us through all of the amazing new products that are available. He gives us a super close up look. Thank you Alan. Remember to volunteer to playtest the Chaco Wars scenarios for Steve Swann and Alan. Box Art Review makes it's return featuring the art from Journal #14. We end with a brief look at a game that Bendis and Summers (they're famous) played at ASLOK.
SHOWTIMES
0:02 MASH Parody Song (lyrics by D. Donovan, Performed by The 2 Half-Squads Singers)
3:34 Greetings
12:00 Interview with Alan Findlay
27:00 Contest Drawing
29:00 New Contest Announced (Entrants due by December 13)
31:50 Box Art Review
40:45 Bendis and Summers Play at ASLOK
45:05 Total Running Time
MAS*H KOREA SONG
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan, performed by The 2 Half-Squad Singers The Forgotten War is here you see
A new venture for MMP
It’s Post World War 2, you see
The Korean War in the ‘50s [REFRAIN]:In Forgotten War the scene is
The UN, ROKs and MarinesVersus the KPA and the ChineseThe Chosin Few designers knowThey put into it heart and SeoulIf they screwed up module 15That they’d be in some deep kimchiThere are new rules pages
Updated Chapter H is
Included with 16 scenarios The 4 new maps have rough terrain
Which Chapter W explains
There’s 7 brand-new counter sheets
The jet aircraft are pretty neat Forgotten War will cost us
About one hundred dollahs
And I will take three copies if you please
I brave man once asked Perry
To tell us “When will it ship, please?”
Is it to be or not to be
Why oh why ask me?
Did you see the new box?
Papyrus font really ROKs
and you can figure the rules out with some ease.
Hey, look what's in the mailbag! We got some letters, and we open the show with that. After a look at some cool technological advances in playing aids, Wai Wong and Jonathan Kay from Canada give us a look at ASLOK and their thoughts on all things Advanced Squad Leader.
SHOW TIMES
0:32 Banter
3:40 Letters
16:10 Latest ASL Gaming Aids42:00 Interview with Jonathan Kay and Wai Wong51:04 Total Running Time
LINKS
Victory Games on Youtube
Download this episode (right click and save)
Don't take the wrong way to Cinicnnati. ASLOK's not there! ASLOK was near Cleveland, in Aurora,Ohio as a matter of fact. this show features two of our interviews from the tourney. The first is with Ed Beekman of the North Texas Shootout Tournament. Ed discusses his gaming background and the Northern branch of the ASL gaming groups. And he offers a copy of "A Fistful of Scenarios Pack" as a prize. Offer ends 11/15/2024. Dave Wiesanhahn joins us and gives us the scoop on the DC Conscripts.
SHOW TIMES
0:02 Song "Wrong Way to Cincinnati"
3:40 Banter
16:10 Interview with Ed Beekman25:10 What Have You Been Playing Lately?31:00 Interview with Dave Weisenhahn51:51 Total Running Time
Oh boy, have we got a show for you! Not only do we bring back our special guest from last show, Mike Ryzy, but we also give you a great opening SONG with lyrics by D. Donovan and beautiful vocals by Megan K.
But that's not all! We also present a rip roaring edition of Quiz Show/ Rules that finishes rule C10. Would you believe that we have the usual and somewhat interesting BANTER?
Not only that, but we also provide you with a look at ASL Action Pack #18: Roads to Rangoon
SHOW TIMES
0:02 Song "All About That Rate"
3:40 Rules
40:10 Banter
47:30 What's in the Box?
1:02:20 Total Running Time
LINKS
They are in the write-up above. Look for the blue letters.
LYRICS
Because you know I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no re-zid
I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no cowers
I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate, no malfing
I'm all about that rate
'Bout that rate...
Yeah, Rate of Fire’s, in A9.2
And I can make it, make it, it’s not that hard to do
'Cause I got that good luck, that all the guys crave
And all the right rolls in all the right phases
You’ll see my machine guns, workin' that R.O.F
You know my luck’s unreal, I just can’t make it stop
When I get lucky rate runs, I use ‘em up
By shooting up all your kill stacks from the bottom to the top
Yeah, my mentor he told me "Don't worry about the SAN"
He says, "Boys like a little more shooty in a fire fight"
You know with ordnance, guns and MGs I get rate with them all
So defeating you in two turns – won’t take very long
(Chorus)
I'm bringing shooty back
So many shots you’ll have a heart attack.
So, when we’re playing, I know I’ll squish you flat
But I'm here to tell you...
Gonna shoot up all your kill stacks from the bottom to the top
Yeah, my mentor he told me "Don't worry about the "SAN"
He says, "Boys like a little more shooty in a fire fight"
You know I will get a one on the colored die when I roll
Yo, just letting you know my rate runs can last all year long(Chorus x2)
Mike Ryzy brings the box for this show and he gives us a look inside Special Ops #12. Why Special Ops #12? Because it came in the mail. It has a new map and 4 scenarios (2 for Starter Kit), and a look at Jim Bishops article on the third die for R.O.F.
Rule C10 finishes off the show for today.
SHOW LINKS
Special Ops #12
SHOW TIMES
00:01 "ASL Edelweiss" Song
2:00 Much Chit Chat12:00 Contest Winner Announced13:00 What's in the Box?29:00 Rules
48:47 Total Running Time
"ASL Edelweiss" Lyrics by Rich Spilky Performed by The 2 Half Squads Singers
A-S-L, A-S-L, Every die roll enchants meRule book thick, games not quick, Line of Sight is no problemEight on the eight is an N-M-C, Will my morale sustain me?A-S-L, A-S-L, Special ammo forever! A-S-L, A-S-L, Please save me from slow players!Wind and rain, brush and grain, Each board looks lovely to meA two is good and a twelve is bad, Yet target types perplex meA-S-L, A-S-L, Skulking safely forever!
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.
Sleeze Freezer! An Advanced Squad Leader parody song replay from episode 180. It relates well to the Heretical rules Sleeze Freeze rule rewrite from last episode. From part one of the Pleva interview. This show presents part one of said interview. Enjoy!
SHOW LINKS
None today
SHOW TIMES
00:01 "Sleeze Freezer" Song
4:00 Steven Pleva Part Two59:07 Total Running Time
"I'm a Sleeze-Freezer" by Jim Bera and Dennis Donovan (not The 2 Half Squads Singers).
Victory is only true in fairy tales,
Earned by other guys, but not by me
Luck was out to get me. That's the way it seemed.
When I play Squad Leader I get creamed
Then I saw that page About our pet peever
It's D2.3, and it's quite the find
VBMmmmmmm, it's called sleeze-freezing But its not cheating, lighten up guys
I thought "maybe I should try a different game."
Seems the more I played, the more I lost.
What's the use in tryin'? I'll get crushed a-game.
When I need a victory, I get slain.
Then I read that page, now I'm a sleeze-freezer
Not a trace of shame in my mind
VBMmmmmmmm, I'm a sleeze-freezer I'm not a cheater, lighten up guys
Aaaarg. Luck was out to get me.
Well that's the way it seemed.
Disappointment haunted all my games
But then I used that rule, now I'm a sleeze-freezer
Not a trace of shame in my mind.
Bet your boots, I'm a sleeze-freezer . . . But not a cheater, lighten up guys...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.
The marvelous Steven Pleva is our guest today. Steve is one of the better players of the game and has won many tournaments during his storied career. In part one of this interview he discusses the Pleva Heretical Rules and several other topics.
We are unworthy!
SHOW TIMES
00:01 Right into the interview.
8:00 Pleva Bidding System21:00 ASL Memories of Opponents25:00 What Makes a Great Player pt. 131:00 Heretical Rules
48:14 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.
ASL After Midnight! Finally an Advanced Squad Leader parody song that is about the victorious side of the game, rather than all of our wargaming foibles and faults. Donovan's game must have improved over the years. We finish off our coverage of the rules in section A with the rule 26: Victory Conditions. Now you will be able to go back to all those games you have on hold and tally up the winner of each one. That only took us 16 years.
Picture of Vincent Maresca's Dice Tower
SHOW LINKS
None today
SHOW TIMES
00:01 "ASL After Midnight" Song
7:00 Rules VC 30:00 Dave's Digression34:00 Rules VC Part 2
46:28 Total Running Time
ASL After Midnight
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan
Performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers
ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFVs all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone
I took the building 'bout 1 A.M. Rolling, rolling.
Close Combat phase skills showing again, rolling, rolling.
My squads lit up in his IR light
Its time to assault move to the right.
ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFVs all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone
Got T-34's, 1.8 inch thick steel, rolling, rolling
Ready to target a German Stug, rolling, rolling
The dice are heavy, the games at stake
Can't roll boxcars and see the MA break
ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFV's all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone
The air's electric, with Armored power, rolling, rolling
My dice are hotter, by the hour, rolling, rolling
The VC Buildings, are mine for the win
The buildings rockin' as my squads advance in
ASL after midnight, rolling dice till the dawn
AFV's all burning wreckage, they're gone, they're gone
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.
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 Bantero16:00 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
A10.5 (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.
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 LINKSNone today
SHOW TIMES
00:01 "In a Stack" Song6:00 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
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 LINKSRichard Bog's Plane Found
D-Day Commemorative CoinD-Day Changed the Sand
Clarence Bud Anderson Passes
D-Day Map Makers
SHOW TIMES
00:01 ASL Journal Number 9 Song3:00 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 nightAnd 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 kinksThe 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 sight
I became GROFAZ almost over nightAnd 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.
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.
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.
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.
Board with Major Overlays. Mini-Campaign?SHOW TIMES00:01 Right into the Interview
4:45 Creation of Twilight of the Reich41:05 Possible New Project
50:01 Total Running TimeLOS Examples
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.
Download this episode (right-click and Save)
he 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 with Lyrics by Dennis Donovan; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers
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
SONG LYRICS (sung to "There's a Hole in the Bucket" by Dennis Donovan)
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.
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.
SHOWTIMES0:01 Song 2:17 Chit Chat9:15 Festung Budapest Pictures (Dave's Europe Trip)16:00 Remembering Dean Essig20:00 Letters29:55 What Have You Been Playing Lately34:00 Contest Winner and new Contest Announced38:00 Rules
58:10 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Fundraiser for Dean Essig's Grandchildren
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 outYou started wonderin’What the heck it’s all aboutThis thing called Hakkaa PäälleHow on earth is that pronounced?Finns are, what it’s all about---- Beyond Valor had some FinnsWhen BV first came outIn “Fighting Withdrawal”They chased the Ruskis outAre they over-powered?We will never quite find out'Till Hakkaa Päälle’s out--- Hakkaa Päälle’s job’sTo flesh the Finnish outAnd, the 3 Winter WarsAnd what Sissis are all aboutHASL Hakkaa PäälleIs the fourteenth moduleA.S.L.’s what it’s all about - Hey! --- Said, “Finns or I-tal-ee-ans?”When I pulled the counters outIt’s a gray areaSo I checked the forums outIt seems in Hakkaa PäälleA new color can’t be foundDo you toss the old blue Finns out?--- When AFVs Russian (rush in)Throw kloriharstis outPulkas are for sleddin’Not dancin’ - I found outThese toys in Hakkaa Päälle likeFan sleds to get aroundAre what it is all about--- You turned your playtests inYou filled the forms all outThat was decades agoGetting printed is in doubtYou want the Hakkaa PäälleMMP, please put it outAnd end the HASL drought--- You put your order inYou take your wallet outYou put your card number inAnd ya print the receipt outYou’ve pre-ordered Hakkaa PäälleAnd in a day or there about“Levels reached!” MMP did tout--- At Winter OffensiveSome great news did get outChas did some Facebookin’And got the updates outHe did some Hocus-PocusAnd he got the module outIt’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.
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 are brought to you by the most Amazing Bounding Fire Productions and our Wonderful Patreons.
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?
Join us twits as we look in the box to find Avalon Hill's Partisan, 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 Stuff14:50 Letters28:00 LFT #16 Board Controversy33:40 What's in the Box?
53:18 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKSASL 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 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!
The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful contributors on Patreon.
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.
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 TIMES0:02 Banter and Contest Draw8:40 After Action Report17:45 Doug Rimmer and VASL Tips48:09 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
VASL Templates
VASL Table TemplatesScenario Set-up FilesMap MakingNational 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.
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!
The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful Patreon and Paypal sponsors.
SHOW TIMES
0:02 Hello Rally
4:00 Doug Rimmer
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!
Happy Holidays All! Jump into the Broadcast Foxhole with us and learn about Gun Duels during our Rules segment. Box Art Review makes it's return with a look at Ken Smith's fantastic art for the Sainte-Mere-Eglise game from Multi-Man Publishing. What better way to enjoy the holidays than having a listen and sipping some warm cider. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakkuh, Happy Kwanza and Happy New Year!
The 2 Half Squads is brought to you by our sponsors Bounding Fire Productions and our wonderful Patreon and Paypal sponsors.
SHOW TIMES
0:02 I Want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas Song
4:00 Banter
13:00 Box Art Review
21:00 Contest Winner
25:00 Samsung Portable VASL Drive 27:45 Rules
41:00 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Here Comes Santa Claus
Lyrics to I Want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas (lyrics by Donovan, performed by Megan Kleinschmidt)
I want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas, Only Blood Reef Tarawa will do
Don't want Gung Ho! or Code of Bushido, I want a Blood Reef Tarawa to with and enjoy
I want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas, I don't think Darling wife will mind do you?
It doesn't have to be unpunched or even new, Just get one off ebay, That's exactly what I'd do
I can see it now on Christmas morning, with my gift so rare. Oh what joy, you might surmise
When I open up the box and see some DC Hero standing there.
I want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas, an Armies of Oblivian won't do.
No Haakke Paalles, no Pegasus Bridgeses.
I want a Blood Reef Tarawa-whatsits.That Blood Reef Tarawa is really cool.
Friends say a HASL would east up all my time, owning and not playing is a very heinous crime.
There's lot's of room to play in our two car garage. I'll keep it there and play all year.'
Safe from feline barrage.
Refrain
I want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas, an Operation Watchtower won't do.
No Bridge Too Fart or Forgotten Warses, I only want Blood Reef Tarawa-whatis
That PTO module's really cool!
Join us as we take a shot at the firing modifiers from Chapter C Rule 6; Target-Based to Hit Determination DRM. Hard to believe that we haven't covered those in the previous 331 shows. The Knights of the Podcast Table song was written by Dennis Donovan of course. He is indefatigable. If you want to get an early Christmas gift copy of Dzerhezinsky Tractor Works from Critical Hit, find the contest announcement in this show. It's great!
Knights of the ASL Table lyrics
We’re the Knights of the ASL table. We play when ere we’re able.
We do our thing on the podcast scene, and our work is im-pec-cable.
In Chicago land we play a lot. You'll hear “PaK” and “stack” and “FAQ” a lot!
We’re Knights of the ASL table. Our shows, in-val-ue-able.
And many times, our banter shines in ways un-for-get-able.
We like to say “Sha-ZAM!” a lot. We shoot from the tree tops a looooooot.
Our French accents are fable. They’re quite in-de-scribe-able.
Between our casts we have a blast, saying “in-defa-ti-gable!”
It’s busy when you play a lot. We two say "multi-man" a looooooooot.
SHOW GUIDE
:03 Song
1:10 Chitty-Chitty Chat Chat
31:30 Rules
1:05:55 Total Running Time
LINKS
Legacy Map Set at Critical Hit
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.
We are so glad that all of the Halloween "Spooktackular" advertisements stuff is over! Please enjoy the opening song repeated from episode 65. There are some interesting and entertaining letters. Our AFV segment takes a look at the M3 and M3A1. Lastly, Jeff and Dave take a look at a playing of Operation Neptune's ON-6.
SHOW TIMES
00:01 The Ring of Fire with Lyrics by Dennis Donovan; Performed by J. Cash (originally appeared in Episode 65)
3:10 Small Talk
14:10 Contest Winner Announced
15:45 Letters
18:30 Armored Fighting Vehicles
41:10 After Action Report on ON-6 Sweeping West
57:05 Total Running Time
SONG LYRICS (lyrics by Dennis Donovan)
My friend, make sure to bring
Scenarios, that have some bling
FTs and barb-ed wire
Just like the one called Ring of Fire
I want to play K.E.’s Ring of Fire!
I said, ‘wow!’, ‘Wow!’, ‘WOW!’, and my voice got higher
It’s 6 turns, turns, turns, down to the wire
The Ring of Fire
I talked him into playing Ring of Fire
I’ll throw down, down, down, when the stakes get higher
And he’ll learn, learn, learn, baptism of fire
Trial by fire.
T. O. T. 4-0 is sweet
S.S. and Brits do meet
Old French tanks with F.Ts? Wild!
Oh, and ECs are mild
I thought I could fight fire with fire
In the town, town, town and break the quagmire
And got burned, burned, burned, but his first fire
& Subsequent Fire
I attacked as the Brits into the ring of fire
Morale went down, down, down when things got dire
And I yearned, yearned, yearned, artillery fire
In this funeral pyre
And got burned, burned, burned in Ring of Fire
In Ring of Fire
In Ring of Fire
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.
It's a Halloween Special that includes very few chills and thrills, but banter, AFV segment and an after action report on ON-6 Sweeping West from Bounding Fire Productions.
SHOW LINKSBounding Fire Productions
SHOW TIMES00:01 OBA From the Sky with Lyrics by Troy Nordine; Sung by A 2 Half-Squad Singer (originally appeared in Episode 63)2:10 Small Talk12:30 Contest Winner and New Contest18:30 Armored Fighting Vehicles41:10 Dave and Dave's After Action Report on ON-6 Sweeping West55:17 Total Running Time SONG LYRICS (lyrics by Troy Nordine)Picture your squad in a raft, crossing a river,
Attacking German SS with powder blue eyes,
Somebody calls you, your Sargent is screaming,
“It's our movement phase, so get going guys”
The Germans in bunkers are firing at you,
Bullets go flying right over you're head,
Look for the chance to fire your rifle,
And they're gone...
OBA from the sky obliterates them....
Your movement phase begins, you run to the buildings,
While German Defensive First Fire flies over your head.
Your opponent smiles, as his mortar shot hits you
But your morale is so incredibly high.....
More of your squads, appear on the shoreline,
Assault moving toward the VP.
The Germans are climbing to the top of a nearby building,
Then they're gone.......
OBA from the sky obliterates them.......
Picture a wall with an AFV hull down,
It's gun barrel pointed directly at you,
Suddenly your saved as your opponent rolls boxcars,
He's Malf'ed is MA and recalled his tank...then.
OBA from the sky obliterates them.....
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.
We know you want to get a look at Dave's Tar Pit Diorama(sculpted by the great Sean Cooper and molded at The Alchemy Works), so here it is! Since we didn't have time last show to dig into the insides of Le Franc Tireur #15, we now take the time to get into the articles therein. Oui, Oui, we, promised that we would not speak in French accents for the show but Jeff manages to make a French gutteral noise in the first moments of the segment. After that, we follow through on our promise. However, our pronunciations of our many fellow ASL players names clearly needs some work. Our apologies. If you haven't found them yet we have a look and a link to Scott's Eagle Has Landed Scenarios. We highly recommend you read the post. It is entertaining and certainly quality stuff.
SHOW LINKS
The Alchemy WorksScott's Eagle Has Landed Scenario's
SHOW TIMES00:01 Houlie Dice with Lyrics by Stephen Hicks; Sung by A 2 Half-Squad Singer (originally appeared in Episode 62)2:10 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat10:30 Rules22:00 What's in the Box?51:00 Grumble Jones Halloween Eagle Has Landed Scenarios57:41 Total Running Time SONG LYRICS (sung to the tune of "Safety Dance" by Stephen Hicks)
I can't roll low if I want toBut Craig Houlistan canWatch as he kills my PantherWith a lowly tin can. I can't roll low if I want toThough I try and try.When my 10-3 rolls an NMCThen My 10-3 dies.
Houlie Dice, Houlie diceThey're outta control.Houlie dice, Houlie diceOh look, another low roll.
I can't roll low if I want toMy dice come up high,But I see Craig's it'sAnother "snake's" and I cry.
Houlie Dice, Houlie diceThey're outta control.Houlie dice, Houlie diceOh look, another low roll.
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.
Le Franc Tireur has put out another gem. Le Franc Tireur #15 featuring some fantastic maps from Steve Swan and Tom Repetti. We take a look at these fun boards as well as the new Arid/Desert rules. Minarets on Mosques, can you believe it? Before we get to that information we read some letters from our beloved listeners, we cover the British rules in the nationality section of the Advanced Squad Leader rulebook, and banter about Dave's favorite toy soldiers, Britain's Swoppet Knights.
SHOW LINKSSwords and Roses - Britain's Swoppet Knights
Heroes on Deck DVD
Great Lakes Aircraft Carriers at Military History
Chicago Marine Heritage Society
SHOW TIMES
00:01 ASL Lumberjack Song with Lyrics by Randolph King; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers (originally appeared in Episode 54)1:45 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat13:25 Letters19:00 Contest Announced (enter by October 15, 2023)21:00 Rules32:00 Whatsa is ina the Boxa?43:00 Terrain Time59:55 Total Running Time SONG LYRICS (sung to "The Lumberjack Song" by Randolph King)
I play ASL and that's OK.
I play all night and I play all day
I move my troops, I rally well, I fire my panzerfausts
When opponents get too cocky, I bombard them to heck!
I rally well, I shoot big guns, I blitz my tanks alot
and if there's too much open, I lay the smoke I've got
I shoot big guns, MG's get rate, And often just for fun
I'll play in Frenchmen's clothing, and surrender on turn one!
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.
It is an honor to have the illustrious, bright and optimistic Adam Lunney appear on the show all the way from Canberra, Australia. Yes, this is THE Adam Lunney who authored the books We Together and Ready to Strike. Once again you can see from his credentials that we are unworthy to have Adam on this lowly podcast. In spite of that he agreed to discuss his books, his gaming background, and most importantly, his love for the greatest game in the world; Advanced Squad Leader.
SHOW LINK Adam's Website
SHOW TIMES 00:01 ASL Favorite Things with Lyrics by Dennis Donovan; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers (originally appeared in Episode 56 2:30 Interview with Adam
53:46 Total Running Time
Adam's Picture of Normandy
SONG LYRICS (sung to "A Few of My Favorite Things") GS on Shermans and Shurtzen on Panthers Flame-throwing Cromwells and AA on Panzers Living the chaos that Sniper checks bring These are a few of those ASL things
Chapters and chapters of tables and rules The ultimate wargame goes way beyond kewl Just like those fighters with bombs under wing And reading to see what those SSRs bring Rural or Urban, cross streets in quick dashes When playing night rules remember gun flashes Winter offensives that last throughout spring These are a few of those ASL things
When my squad break When my luck stinks When I’m rolling bad I simply remember those ASL things And then I don’t feel so bad
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.
Jim Aikens returns and shares his thoughts on printing scenario packs and playtesting in general. We open with a blast from the past. The Run Through the Jungle song from good ol' Episode 53.
In the rules segment we cover the Yanks, Americans, U.S.A., troops and their corresponding nationality traits from Rule 25.3.
SHOW LINKS USS Iowa Museum SoCal ASL
SHOW TIMES 00:01 (Don't) Run Through the Jungle Song with Lyrics by Dennis Donovan; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers 12:40 Rules: Nationalities of ASL; Americans
23:50 Jim Aikens Part 2 1:03:27 Total Running Time
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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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.
It is a pleasure to present a look at the SoCal gamers lives, through an interview with the charismatic and wise Jim Aikens. This discussion is so thorough, that we will present it in two parts. In part one we learn about Jim's gaming background and how very well organized this club is, with players who are "pretty far out there" in the wide open spaces of the large state of California, having a set of regional directors. Kleinschmidt can relate to this club because it has Field Trips. They travelled to the Jaques Littlefield AFV Collection, and the USS Iowa. Wow. There are no surfing safari's with these Californians.
SHOW LINKS
USS Iowa Museum SoCal ASL Jaques Littlefield Tank Collector
SHOW TIMES 00:01 Breaking in the Grain Song with Lyrics by Martin Marquis; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers 1:20 Interview 9:00 Human Wave Rules 37:10 Partisan Rules 43:50 What's in the Box? 1:03:27 Total Running Time
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.
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.
We like to wave at Human's. We were so busy waving hello, and singing along to the wintry song Human Wave (sung to the tune of The Carol of the Bells), that we forgot to banter for a really long time. Just an average time. Aren't you the lucky ones?
The Rules covered in this show continue rule 25:Nationality Distinctions. Focusing on Human Waves and Partisans. Remember partisans don't do a human wave.
SHOW LINKS
Human Wave at DC Conscripts Human Wave at Wiki Human Wave Tutorial at ASL Players.net
SHOW TIMES 00:01 Human Wave Song with Lyrics by Dennis Donovan; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers 1:20 Bantero 9:00 Human Wave Rules
37:10 Partisan Rules 43:50 What's in the Box? 1:03:27 Total Running Time
LYRICS to the Human Wave Song Two squads per hex, Con-tiguous, A chain of three, With SMC, Not adjacent, To a unit, In Line Of Sight, Even at night, A, twenty, five, point two three. Jive, No HOB, Nor a patsy [PAATC], Just IPC, No LTC, No pin result, Move by impulse, Cover lots of ground, Enemy’s found, Into their hex, It gets complex, FPF checks, CC effects, “Hürrah!” We cheer, Human Wave’s here, Very, Very, Very Scary..Humans rush, Very, Very, Very Scary..Humans rush Russians can send, Men without end, Into the fray, Most everyday.......... Rushing head-long...
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.
Scenario ON-3 from Operation Neptune This show's opening number originally appeared in the middle of Episode 50. It is called Bungle in the Jungle with lyrics by Dennis Donovan and performed by one of the worst of The 2 Half-Squad Singers. Letters includes a Robert Barratt's report on the CA guys game day on the USS Iowa. 18 gents gaming away. Amazing! Also David Wiley shares how he got into this hobby, and more.
Today's Rules segment gets us started on the long awaited rule 25:Nationality Distinctions. Lately Dave and Dave finished Scenario ON-3 Stuck Ducks and we take a look at how that went.
SHOW LINKS
M60 Patton Tank Info
SHOW TIMES 00:01 Bungle in the Jungle Song Lyrics by Dennis Donovan; Sung by The 2 Half-Squad Singers
3:30 Banter 14:44 Letters 25:15 Rules 48:30 What Have You Been Playin Lately? 58:10 Winner Announced 59:06 Total Running Time
Richard's Picture of USS Iowa
Thinking ‘bout forests of palm trees and collapsed huts Picked up Code of Bushido (forget ‘bout the rent!) Down at the game store – got it last Friday Driving me nuts –waiting for ASL Sundays Japs and Marines, H-T-H in the jungle It’s wild and crazy, as are we: “Gung Ho!” Let’s play Bungle in the Jungle, well, that sounds good to me! Its ASL scenario Number sixty-two or sixty-three It takes place in Burma, 1942 PTO rules in effect, including light jungle Brits are attacking and the Japs are defending HA-GOs vs. Stuarts couldn’t be cooler Our usual wager? “I’ll bet you a dinner.” This game that we zealots play is a winner Let’s play Bungle in the Jungle, well, I want the Japanese! A 2 6 point 5 for balance With a dr when we disagree OOB’s full of Desert Rat nasties I’ll have to ambush him in the kunai grass He’s a master of ARTY and loves overruns My emplaced AT Gun rookies lie waiting for him to light up his Stuarts spell out his doom But my plan turned to crap now I sing a new tune!
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.
We rally hope you rally liked the Rally Phase song by Dennis Donovan that opened this episode. If you ever find yourself wondering what actions you can take in the Rally Phase just pull this episode up on your phone and have a listen. It will remind you of all the wonderous possibilities. And your opponents will not think less of you, will they?
If you would like a review of the rules that might apply when you capture your opponents cool stuff, then check out the "Rules" segment on captured and unqualified possession. No, the word possession does not refer to the demonic kind.
We hope the cool opening song, a new segment and a longer show time makes up for the rather long banter at the beginning. The new segment is Armored Fighting Vehicles, in which we take a look at the statistics and history of our various Advanced Squad Leader 3/4 inch counters!
SHOW LINKS
Tank Encyclopedia
SHOW TIMES 00:01 Rally Phase Song
4:30 Banter 18:00 Contest Announced
22:20 Rules 48:30 AFV (Panzer I B) 1:00:06 Total Running Time
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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.
We open this show with a blast from the past. We have decided to repeat some of the classic AdvancedSquad Leader parody songs, starting with "My Favorite ASL Things" with lyrics by Whit Richardson. This allows us to post them with lyrics on our Youtube Channel also.
There are a few letters to share to get us caught up. In the Box is the newest item from Broken Ground Design, the Sticky Overlays. They are on clear plastic so they can be placed over any colored "open ground" and still match the particular shade of green that they happened to use on any board that you choose. Cool! Then Dave and Dave discuss how their playing of ON-2 Wet Feet went. The feet sure did get wet!
SHOW LINKS
Advanced Squad Leader Tutorial
SHOW TIMES 00:01 Favorite ASL Things Song 2:00 Banter 10:20 Contest Winner Announced 14:00 Letters 24:20 What's in the Box? 34:12 What Have You Been Playin' Lately? 49:33 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Kansas City ASL, 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.
It is a pleasure to have Paul Works return to the show especially when he is accompanied by his friend and compatriot Dave Mareske. Dave gives us a wonderful review of his fathers life, including his time in the service and his time spent thereafter. We think you will agree that Cpl Ernie Mareske led a fascinating life and served in a challenging arena during WWII.
Paul provides some insights into the research and development of this interesting scenario pack, including the "scrolling maps" included therein. This pack includes a "mini campaign game of four connected scenarios" and some unique, but not overwhelming SSR's. If you would like a look into the WWI game that these gentlemen are working on, you will not be disappointed by this episode. As opposed to the rest of our episodes.
Cpl Ernie MareskeSHOW LINKS
Get 10th Mountain Pack Here
Official Army 10th Mountain Division Page
SHOW TIMES
00:01 We Jump Right into the Interview
51:17 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Kansas City ASL, and kind donations from listeners like you.
We announce the winner of the last contest and give details about our newest one. If you want to win these Schwerepunkt scenario packs you might have to break out of your comfort zone. But you can do so anonymously. Dave recounts his second spill while Kayaking. He definitely did not want more of that, eh? We finish covering Rule 19: Unit Substitution. Then take an in depth look at the scenarios from March Madness 2019 Close Combat Pack. We received copies of the latest from The Kansas City gents and will cover those on a future show.
SHOW LINKS
Close Combat Pack
Nippersink Creek
SHOW TIMES00:01 That's Amore (Hollow Legions) Song4:00 Banter
16:00 Contest Winner and New Contest Announced24:40 Rules45:22 Scenario Deep Dive
1:05:05 Total Running Time The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions,Kansas City ASL, and kind donations from listeners like you.
Dave and Jeff banter a bit about The 7th Voyage of Sinbad,film and the new Dungeons and Dragons film before jumping into Rule 19: Unit Substitution. In our What Have You Been Playing Lately? segment Dave T and Dave K discuss two playing's of Scenario ON-1 Freedom!, from Operation Neptune by Bounding Fire Productions for the Advanced Squad Leader game system.
SHOW TIMES00:30 Banter11:55 Rules 36:51 What Have You Been Playing Lately?54:35 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.
Once again we are honored to be joined by the designers of Dinant. Dan Dolan, Nadir Elfarra, and Carl Nogueira, who provide more advice and insight on said game. Before that we take some time to read fascinating letters all about the greatest game in the world Advanced Squad Leader.
SHOWTIMES
00:30 Banter10:30 Letters25:00 Contest Announced26:00 Dukes of Dinant Interview Part 2 43:49 Total Running Time SHOWLINKSPeriscope FilmYankee ASL
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.
Check out that amazing hand drawn map by Dan Dolan. Do you like it?
We are honored to be joined by the designers of Dinant. Dan Dolan, Nadir Elfarra, and Carl Nogueira.
It is a fascinating tale of how the whole project came about. Starting with the map and covering all aspects of game design. Dinant is a great addition to the world of Advanced Squad Leader. We present the first half of the interview in this episode and will continue it in #317. SHOWTIMES
00:30 We jump right in! 54:35 Total Running Time SHOWLINKSCroix de Guerre on Game on BGG
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.
Wow, yet another product to review.In the Box is Drop Zone Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Check out that whopping, over seven foot long, full color, kind of kinky, map board. Do you like hedgerows? We like hedgerows. The cows in France are not holy, they may even be....unholy! At least when they die they do take on a Salvador Dali look.
We introduce a new segment where we search Advanced Squad Leader topics on ChaGPT and see what we get. Let us know what you think. Some letters topics include the ASL Periodic Table by Dennis Donovan. Take a look, it's a whole lot of fun.
SHOWTIMES
00:30 Mostly Non-ASL Chat11:00 Letters23:10 ChatGPT Live24:50 Contest Winner Announced!27:30 What's in the Box?55:02 Total Running Time SHOWLINKSVASL Info UpdatesSainte-Mere-Eglise at MMP
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.
We titled this one "deuxiem partie" to make us seem smart. Did it work?
No matter your answer, we present the rest of the Advanced Squad Leader Journal #13. You probably have noticed that the cover of said journal is unique among ASL Art. You are, most likely, therefore hoping for a BAR - Box Art Review. It is your lucky day. Box Art Review returns.
Some banter topics include ChatGPT, the Second Front Computer game, and the wonderful ASL Players.Net. Cool stuff.
SHOWTIMES
:30 ASL and Non ASL Chat11:45 What's in the Box?23:10 Box Art Review - BAR32:00 Scenarios 1:01:09 Total Running Time SHOWLINKSASL Journal 13 on Board Game GeekASL Net Videos and SuchSecond Front Games
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.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, and people of all ages, get ready for alook at the newest ASL arrival; Journal 13!
There are three winners of our contests announced in this show, so listen closely. Maybe it will be you! We take a wee bit of time to read the latest letters, and then we are off to the races with a look in the box to see Journal #13. Can you believe it? A journal again? It's been so long, so very long. Now we can all relax on the couch and read ASL stuff and not the stupid newspapers and art mags that we are used to reading to fill the void in our vacant, dull, lives. Is that last sentence a bit over the top?
Dave on the beach! SHOWTIMES
:30 Some talk of Dave's CA Vacation
11:55 Contest Winners Announced and17:30 Yet Another Give-away. Entries Due by February 1818:20 Letters22:45 What' in the Box?52:43 Total Running Time SHOWLINKSASL Journal 13 on Board Game GeekThe 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
We are very fortunate to have Doug Rimmer join us this evening. Doug is one of the many unsung heroic developers of the Virtual Advanced Squad Leader site. Doug discusses the wonders of VASL, revealing some of the more recent developments in the upcoming version of the program. We chat a bit about the future plans for VASL and even let you know how you can send in some suggestions and ask about problems you are having with the system. If you listen closely, you will hear some trouble shooting advice!
Long Live the Selfless Developers of VASSAL and VASL! SHOWTIMES
:03 Let's Get Right to the Interview 1:13:09 Total Running Time SHOWLINKSThe VASSAL Engine
Clink and drink in the New Year kids! Best wishes for 2023 to all of us! We welcome Mike Ryzy back to the broadcast foxhole for an interesting discussion of Battlefield Integrity and the Field Promotion rules. We hope you will indulge us as we banter a bit longer today, and also cover some of the most amazing WWII/War related items that appeared In The News in 2022. And we think you might enjoy the tour of Jeff's game/music room.
But first, let's listen to Surrender! Surrender! Concept and Lyrics: Dennis DonovanPerformed by: The 2 Half-Squad Singers Took an MC, a 3MC, and I rolled a ‘2’A Russian half-squad, also broken
and they’re inexperienced.
Plus 4 DRMs on to their Heat of Battle roll:
I rolled box cars, now a white flag’s being flown
Chorus
It’s 16 alright?, okay, alright
That just seems a little weirdSurrender, surrender, they
Throw in the towel today, ay, ay, ay
F point 5, says in the Desert, refusal it is NA Unlike the late war, Allies vs. the Japs in the PhilippinesNo, fanatics, Gurkhas, commissars, or Partisans, Will surrender via the Rout Phase Method A20.21
Chorus
Surrender at night? In CC? That’s right
It just seems a little weird Surrender, surrender
You’re disrupted anyway, ay, ay, ay
Whatever happened to all my broken half-squads over there?Thought they rallied in the building, but they all disappearedOh yeah, that’s right, they got captured ‘cuz they couldn’t routGot surrounded, they all gave up, put that ol’ white flag out
Chorus
They were next to, your K.E.U.s,
It was, just as I fearedSurrendered, surrendered
Because they couldn’t rout away, ay, ay, ay
SHOWTIMES
:03 Song "Surrender!"2:40 ASL Talk15:00 Tour of Jeff's Game/Music Room18:55 In the News29:30 Rules 1:02:54 Total Running Time The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
Holiday greetings to you all! This is the season for joy and gladness, before the great grey days of the New Year that will inevitably arrive for many of us.
Mike Ryzy and John Harmeyer drop by the broadcast foxhole and present their view of Bounding Fire Productions fantastic Crucible of Steel. Mike and John played all 32 scenarios in chronological order and using a campaign system that Mike modified from The Long March by Heat of Battle. Yes, you heard that right, ALL 32. But first, how about some letters? It's been awhile since we shared some.SHOWTIMES0:40 Bantero8:00 Letters23:30 Crucible of Steel Talk1:00:11 Total Running TimeSHOW LINKS Errata for Covered ScenariosCovered Scenario PackJohn Tewell's Flikr Philippines PhotosArmored Train SmialyASL eopen Info The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreon supporters, Bounding Fire Productions, and Broken Ground Design
Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! There is a whole lot of new products in the Advanced Squad Leader World of Gaming Goodness to be thankful for. One of these gems is the new scenario pack Covered from Broken Ground Design . It includes a new board and 13 scenarios. We also take a look at Dispatches From the Bunker #53, which includes the usual fantastic game tips from Carl Nogueria.
There are no turkeys in this flock of ASL goodies. Gobble them up!
SHOWTIMES0:40 Banter8:18 From the Bunker #5323:30 Covered1:02:38 Total Running TimeSHOW LINKS Dispatches From the BunkerGreat Mink EscapeCovered Scenario Pack The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreon supporters, Bounding Fire Productions, and Broken Ground Design.
There's Ken Dunn makes a long looked forward to interview along with Multi Man Publishing's very own Perry Cocke. Ken has designed a boatload of ASL goodness in the form of many scenario designs. He is also the man that brought us Operation Veritable, and the ASL Starter Kits (but that is a story for another show).
Perry gives us an update on what we can expect from MMP in the near and far future, things like Journal #13, AND Journal #14 soon after that. Yes, let's get excited! Also a coming HASL on Timor, Battle of Mokra (tracks the Polish Army all through the war) and a Marco Polo Bridge pack. There is also a little chat about some non-ASL games that are in the pipeline at MMP. Card Games too. There is some discussion about Kawaguchi's Gamble: Edson's Ridge and the rules issues that were dealt with in the production process. SHOWTIMES 1:00 Interview 54:18 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Drop Zone: Sainte-Mere-Eglise A Conversation with Ken on Reddit Get Your Electronic Rulebook Here
Hope you enjoy the brief banter about Chili Parties, before we get in to what Dave has played lately which is ASL Scenario 206: A Line Too Thinly Held. Dave is defending with the Americans against Dave T's North Koreans who are attacking at night.
We then finish the prisoner rules/quiz section (finally). This portion covers how we move our prisoners around the Advanced Squad Leader Board, the way that they can escape, and the methods that said prisoners can use to rearm them selves once they are free.
In the Box Jeff discovers the newest issue of Dispatches from the Bunker #54, and it is a good one.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Brief Banter 7:00 What We've Been Playing Lately 14:00 The Rules 43:00 What's in the Box? 58:12 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Spreading Blaze ASL Tourny Dispatches From the Bunker
Don't forget that you can watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
It's time to do something really spooky. Play Advanced Squad Leader in miniature! That's a really scary and FUN idea, boys and girls! We are thrilled to have Hayes Wauford join us for this episode and have him compare notes with Dave about how each of them approached the task at hand. Hayes has made some fantastic WWII terrain for his games and you can hear about it here. And see more of it's glory, on our Youtube page.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Some Halloween Chit Chat 9:26 Interview 52:30 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Pinterest ASL Miniatures Camel City Wargamers (Hayes Photos) 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.
Let's attempt to untangle the prisoner rules shall we? We saw Rich help us out with that tangled web in Episode 302 and we learned a lot. So, it's time for a little quiz show style rule review. The banter is a bit long on this one but Dave takes the time to discuss his little vacation. The one that made this episode a tad late. There are pictures included on the Youtube version of this episode.
Before we have all that fun we present a masterpiece of a song; Tangled up in Rules. Thanks again to Dennis Donovan.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Song: Tangled up in Rules 5:26 Banter 17:34 Rules 50:11 Contest winners announced 56:30 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Grand Ole Opry
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.
Tangled Up In Rules
Concept: Jeff Hallett
Written by Jeff Hallett and Dennis Donovan
Vocals, music, and mixing: Firefly
Early one morning, the sun was shining
I was playin’ ‘gainst Fred
Startin’ up a new campaign game
One from the Barricades, Red We both played ASL together
Just couldn’t play it enough
We never did like that Squad Leader mess
The rulebook wasn’t big enough
Now it’s time to get the show on the road
Wondering what units to choose
Setting up will take weeks at most Lord knows there’s SSRs, to go through
Tangled up in rules
He was married when we first met
Soon to be divorced
Helped him through a rough time, oh yes
With Advanced Squad Leader of course
We played that game as much as we could
Never gave it a rest
Stayed up late most every night
Arguing, but only in jest
He poked around in Chapter B
As I was yakkin’ away
Heard him mumble something ‘bout “ rubble
Collapsing on a wide city avenue?”
Tangled up in rules
I had a half-track set up in some woods
Lurking on the flank for a spell
But it wasn’t really doing all that much
Then one turn some mortar shells fell
So I read all about area fire
Chapter C, 1 point 5-5
Knowin’ he’d smile and probably gloat
If my half-track got destroyed
But the HT’s partially armored
So I asked around online
I’ve seen a lot of answers
But none made sense in my mind
What else is new??
Tangled up in rules
He was lookin’ in the Perry Sez
When I popped opened a beer
I just kept reading the Chapter C pages
The examples aren’t so clear
And later on when we figured it out
Finally gettin’ back to our game
He was saying, “I’m still not quite clear
‘bout that whole open-topped thang.”
I muttered somethin’ underneath my breath
And studied the links on the page
I must admit I felt a little uneasy
When he pointed out some errata from Journal 2
Tangled up in rules
I'd setup for a perfect shot
‘Twas no way I could lose
He walked into my clever trap
Put his men's heads in the noose.
I rolled a six & yelled, “I got ya good!”
He said. “I hate to disappoint you,
Your squad's of the inexperienced kind
And that machine gun's captured, too
And did you forget that the SSR
Said the ammunition was short?
And I must point out your sustained fire
Will only add to the growing list of your blues…”
Tangled up in rules
He took a burger off the stove,
And offered me a bite
“I see you read Chapter O,” he said
“Your eyes hurt from the tiny type?”
Then he opened his book of rules
And showed me something he’d
Written down in the margins were notes
From 1993
And every one of those notes was true
There were all from an ol’
Q & A on the last page of
Avalon Hill’s ASL Annual ‘92
Tangled up in rules
I fought against him in Stalingrad’s streets
In the cellars under the stairs
There were Ruskis on the attack at night
And starshells in the air
Russians are stealthy for ambush but
Conscripts aren’t, I realized
He won most all ambush rolls
And lots of my guys died
When the star shells finally burned out
His squads had all withdrawn
The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on playing on, like in A point 2**
Tangled up in rules
So now I’m really confused again
I got to figure it out somehow
All the rules that I thought I knew
Are eluding me right now
Some CG SSRs
Some in Chapter H
Don’t know where errata’s listed
I don’t know why we chose this campaign
And me, I’m still scratchin’ my head
Wondering what’s the point
12 years now we’ve been playing our game
And haven’t even started German, Turn 2
Tangled up in rules
**A.2 ERRORS: All errors stand once play has progressed past the point of commission.
304 packs a punch. The saga of the invasive animal species continues as Dave recounts the adventure of the attacking squirrel, and Jeff relates his big fish stories. Dave's been playing Scenario WO42 Spartan Style with Dave Timonen and in the box is Green Hell of Inor! We round this episode off with an entertaining round of Quiz Show with Team Spilky against Team Black Riders of the Night of Death. What a blast!
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Banter 10:00 What You Been Playing Lately?
13:15 What's in the Box? 29:00 Quiz Show 1:03:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Green Hell of Inor at LFT
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.
Chad Cummins and Chuck Hammond (or do you say Chuck Hammond and Chad Cummins?) lend some serious heft to this show. They share the delightful story of how Hazardous Movement began, from it's humble beginnings to the massive global domination that they now enjoy. The scenarios in their packs promise to bring the fun back to your ASL game, and they promise to be well play-tested and therefore, well balanced. Many of the Advanced Squad Leader tournaments include these gems in their playlists. Order a pack, play a few of them, and you will understand why they are so well respected.
The 2 Half Squads are brought to you by the most Amazing Bounding Fire Productions and our Wonderful Patreons.
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Straight into the Interview 1:03:49 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Hazardous Movement
Joined once again by Rich Spilky, we are able to provide some real quality content. Rich guides us through three of his famous charts. The first is IFT and CC effects on guarding units and firepower, the second is 26a Effects of No Quarter, and the third is a complex looking but actually very elegant and simple chart entitled 26b Effects of No Quarter. After all that ASL goodness Rich points out the best parts of Jim Bishop's article Prisoners: Take 'em or Leave 'em. There are also some tactical tips and tricks revealed herein. Enjoy!
We are now posting our episodes (with more visuals) on Our YouTube Channel. Easter Egg.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Talk, Chat 15:00 Spilky Charts
35:00 Bishop's Prisoner Article
57:54 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by kind donations from listeners like you, and Bounding Fire Productions.
There is another contest in here. You might like the product that is to be given away. Listen for it.
We have two boxes to open on this show. So many ASL treasures. So little time. The first is the the Three-Player Pack from the gents who produce the March Madness stuff. Dave presents a close look at those scenarios and, all of 'em are designed for three players, not two, but three players. Yes, count 'em, three! If you like the Deluxe Advanced Squad Leader products or the Korean War module, you will absolutely love the Winter Offensive Pack #13 because it features three new boards for Deluxe ASL games, and it includes two Korean War scenarios, and two more for WWII in the Pacific featuring the U.S. Marines. Semper Fi!
We are now posting our episodes (with more visuals) on Our YouTube Channel.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Talk, Chat 12:00 Contest Winners Announced
21:00 New Contest Announced 24:00 Three-Player Pack 44:00 Winter Offensive Pack #13 58:12 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by and kind donations from listeners like you.
Rich, Mike and Jared return to the Remote Broadcast Foxhole and join us in a serious Roundtable conversation about our love of the game. We can tell you why Advanced Squad Leader is the greatest game in the world. We also tackle that age old question that we find on so many forums, "Does ASL teach history?". Then we compare and contrast wargames with fantasy games. But, before that, we hear a questionable rendition of the song Olive Groves written by the one and only, Dennis Donovan, and let our listeners speak as they congratulate us on the big 300.
What's in a number?
We would like to thank our mysterious benefactors for the wonderful gifts that we have received in the mail. Wow. You really do like us! And, in order to pay back the community we'd like to offer...wait for it, it's a really big prize...are you ready? It's a brand new copy of... SWORD AND FIRE: MANILA. To hear how to enter the drawing have a listen.
We are now posting our episodes (with more visuals) on Our YouTube Channel.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Song Olive Groves 3:00 Listener Voicemails
9:30 Roundtable Discussion 1:?? Contest Announced 1:26:38 Total Running Time
Olive Groves
Concept & Lyrics: Dennis Donovan
Performed by: The Worst of The 2 Half-Squad Singers
The scenario starts in a sleepy little town Down around Anzio And the guys are preppin’ for another game Reading the SSRs
The orchards in this one are strange Always in season it seems Well, we’re talking’ ‘bout Olive Groves Oh, Olive Groves
Well, the MF and the MP They both are doubled Groves have a hindrance of one ‘though it’s not quite apparent, They are inherent And the T.E.M.’s one
Some say that this rule’s inane But it’s part of the ASL game Oh, we’re talkin’ ‘bout Olive Groves Oh, Olive Groves
‘though they grow in the Mediterranean You find them in North Afrika too Rule A9 3 2 Says AFVs in Groves Can claim wall advantage, that’s right
And though it’s part of the ASL game The groves don’t see much play So just keep re-checking rule F13
Readin’ ‘bout the Olive Groves Oh, Olive Groves
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and kind donations from listeners like you.
Sword and Flame: Manila is here as you most likely already know. We take a look in that big ole box and are wowed by the size of the map in there. Well it's folded up and in many sections, but when it is assembled it is BIG! You're going to need to play on the floor of your garage we thinks. Once again our fans send us some entertaining and informative letters. We announce a new contest as we draw the winners of the old contests. We've got good ASL stuff to give away. Listen to find out how to get that East Side Gamers Dezign Pak 2.
Don't forget you can watch us on our Youtube channel.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 - Some of the Last Banter? 11:01 - Letters 28:40 Contest Winners Announced 33:05 What's in the Box? 1:00:40 - Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Possum vs. Opossum Military Miniature Magazine
This episode brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreon Supporters
This episode is a must listen. Well, we think all of our episodes are must listens but what do we know? The most excellent ASLer Jim Bishop honors us with his presence and knowledge, and he provides us with a fascinating hour of Advanced Squad Leader talk.
Don't forget you can watch us on our Youtube channel.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 - NO Banter 1:01 - Jim Bishop 1:00:40 - Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Jim's Amazing Blog
This episode brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreon Supporters
It's the return of Box Art Review. We take a look at the artistic qualities of the new Hollow Legions cover art. Ken Smith still has what it takes! In fact, he has gotten better.
The concealment rules are wrapped up here in part three, starting at rule 12.151 Searching and ending at 12.41 bypassing concealed units. In the Box is The Very Best of March Madness scenario pack from the gents at Kansas City ASL. Get a copy by joining our contest by sending a gmail to us with the subject line "They've Gone Mad!" by June 20th, 2022.
Don't forget you can watch us on our Youtube channel. That is if you can stand a gander at our ugly mugs.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 - Banter 5:00 - Box Art Review 19:25 - Rules 41:10 - What's in the Box? 53:00 - Another Contest Announced 58:40 - Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Ken Smith Art
This episode brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons
Gather round if you dare while we croak up some horrifying, shocking, terrifying, and paralyzing banter about household pests and possums. These stories will have you running for the cover of a pest free home. Speaking of mice, if you would like a free Mythical Mighty Mouse Bundle then send us a gmail with Micky Plays ASL in the subject line by June 10, 2022 and we will enter you in the contest.
But if you can survive that fright-fest, there's some very good Advanced Squad Leader talk to be had as well. We continue part II of the concealment rules.
Then we get into a box of arid desert land and Italians, Eritrians, and Ethiopians. Hollow Legions is unwrapped and compared to the original versions of the game components. Grab a beverage to slake your parched thirst and listen. Or watch us on our Youtube channel. SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 11:00 - Contest Announced 14:25 Rules 37:40 Hollow Legions 1:00:40 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Hollow Legions at Ritter Krieg The ASL Article Index
This episode brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons
Join us in the Broadcast Foxhole for a discussion of Dave's new art acquisition. We want to stress that the work by George Parrish now belongs to all of us in the ASL community. It has been secured for the ages. We discuss a recent game of ASL Scenario 206 Hey That Ain't a ROK! and show the progress on this wonderful scenario. Then we cover (as best we can) the Concealment Rules. Can you see us now?
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Chit Chat 9:04 Art News 12:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 18:00 Rules 48:43 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Scenario 206 on ASL Archive The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
Download this episode (right-click and Save)
It's the magnificent Dr. Martin! Rex was the editor for The General magazine that provided so many of us with so much gaming knowledge and entertainment. He takes us back to the Avalon Hill days and on a walk through his history in video games as well. You will most likely want to read his thesis paper titled Cardboard warriors: the Rise and Fall of an American wargaming subculture, 1958-1998. He analyzes the reasons we game. And shows us the original art for Hedgerow Hell by G. Parrish.
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Interview 59:04 Total Running Time
We have all kinds of letters today. Happy letters, sad letters, angry letters and glad letters. All of them entertaining and informative letters. The sad part of the show arrives when we have to cover rule 17. WOUNDS. It's a terrible thing when your cardboard SMC is wounded and there are a few rules you need to know when that unfortunate thing happens to your cardboard leader on the cardboard battlefield. To finish up we look in the box and find Winter Offensive Pack #12.
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Banter 11:40 Letters 33:00 Rules 53:00 What's in the Box? 1:01:17 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Nor'easter Tourney ASL Open Great Clown Panic of 2016 VotG Solitaire
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
Al Mortemore 1934-2022 We will miss you. We'd like to thank two listeners today for the kind donations of fantastic ASL product. John Bullough sent us a copy of Retro ASL rules variant in a 55 page rulebook that can be considered ASL lite. We are thrilled to get a good look at March Madness Commissar pack from Dave Mareske at Kansas City ASL. We take a deep dive into those scenarios and they cover a broad range of situations featuring COMMISSARS. The audio on Dave's recording his a bit staticky. Our apologies.
Take a break from basketball and have a listen!
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Banter 9:45 Retro in the Box 28:45 Commissar Pack Scenarios in the Box
55:50 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Nor'easter Tourney Commissar Pack at Ritter Krieg while they last. March Madness Commissar Pack at BGG Retro 5th Edition at Wargames Vault
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
While we chit chat we give you look at Dave's new gaming table from Wyrmwood, and a few of the ASL scenarios being played upon said table. Then comes the moment you all have been waiting for. In the Box we find Advancing Fire's Prokhorovka! This one packs a whopping five maps, a ton of scenarios and not too many odd new rules. If you love tank battles you are going to love this one.
Thanks to Stephen Banks we have Beyond Valor and YANKS for sale on ebay. Click on the link to go there and bid. You can support the show AND get a great value in return.
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Chit Chat 28:45 What's in the Box? 59:55 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Nor'easter Tourney Prokhovoroka Map on World of Tanks on YouTube Prokhovoroka at Ritter Krieg The Battle on Wikipedia
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions
We are thrilled to get a good look at Operation Neptune from Bounding Fire Productions. It looks fantastic with a wonderful map and a variety of scenarios that cover a broad range of situations during that operation. And as if that wasn't enough, it is a campaign game too! But before we get to all that ASL goodness, we read a few letters from listeners.
SHOWTIMES 0:21 Chit Chat
6:30 Letters
28:45 What's in the Box? 59:55 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Saving Private Ryan Scenario by Mark Drake Nor'easter Tourney The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
Download this episode (right-click and Save)
Charlie Kibler has been involved in Advanced Squad Leader since it's inception and is most famous for his artwork on the boards of said products. We particularly love the Red Barricades work. He has worked for a variety of companies in the industry and has a fascinating story of the development of the Solitaire system that you can hear right here on this podcast. Pull up a chair and relax while you are snowed in and enjoy!
SHOWTIMES 0:30 Interview with Charles Kibler 55:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Kibler on Gamesquad Get Operation Neptune here at Bounding Fire Productions
Joe Leoce is not really "of Albany" as in "he lives in Albany". But he is the guy that started the New York City Advanced Squad Leader Championship. Otherwise known as the Albany Tournament. Joe worked with Trezza for many years on it, then Pleva came to help make it one of the best Tournaments in the U.S. He also designs and builds some dioramas/models that are used as the prizes!
Joe had an ASL game story published in the old Fire for Effect Fanzine in 1993 and another in Critical Hit. There is some great history in this interview. Joe's love for the greatest game in the world is infectious indeed.
SHOWTIMES 0:30 Interview with Joseph Leoce 1:02:14 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Jack Kwan's 2014 Photos from Albany New York State ASL Championship on Gamesquad Get Operation Neptune here at Bounding Fire Productions
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
We sure enjoyed Dennis Donovan's rendition of his humorous song that opened the show. ASLOK is over, but it will return next fall. The lyrics are below.
The Rule covered is A15. Heat of Battle. There are a lot of good things in that rule like, Hero Creation, Berserk, and the deadly Surrender.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Song ASLOK is Over 'til Next October 2:35 Chit Chat 13:00 Rules! 1:07:40 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Berserkers and defensive fire on Gamesquad Get Operation Neptune here at Bounding Fire Productions
Rally Phase Records Presents! ASLOK is Over, 'til Next October Sung to the tune of I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover by Art Mooney Concept and Lyrics: Dennis Donovan
ASLOK is over, 'til next October The fun is done for sure. One day next Autumn we'll do it again Playing ASL with all of our friends No use complaining, no times remaining for something we all adore.
ASLOK is over, 'til next October
so come back next year for more.
Things to think over for next October: Maybe play Corregidor. Enter a mini, or start a campaign! Become the GROFAZ, for fortune and fame. Even if it's raining, we'll be there playing up on the hotels top floor. Start looking over, your Red October Look at the balance in ROAR.
ASLOK is over, 'til next October
Bendis is the new Grofaz. Second is Cummins, he played a great game. They'll be back next year to throw down again. No need explaining, no one's remaining to play the game that we adore. When ASLOK is over, you'll see slumped shoulders Everybody's all gone home.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
Scenario MD1 The Bridge at Ramelle and Scenario BFP-35 Mai Phu are discussed during our What Have You Been Playing Lately segment. The Ramelle scenario by Mike Drake was based on the film Saving Private Ryan. It is compared to another version in the Scenario Designer's Handbook by Michael Dorosch. Jeff discusses his Space Empires game.
In the Box is MMP's Deluxe Redux and a brief look at the previous deluxe products. What a blast from the past. And we top all this ASL goodness off with a light dose of letters.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Song The ASLer 2:01 Chit Chat and Sad News. 10:50 What We Have Been Playing Lately 24:45 What's in the Box? 39:45 Letters 57:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Order Deluxe Redux at a great price here at Ritter Krieg Get Operation Neptune here a Bounding Fire Productions
The ASLer (sung to the tune of The Moonshiner) Lyrics by Christopher Dawson 2011
I've been an ASLer since all the way back. I've spent all me money on modules and packs. I'll go to the game den and set up the boards. And will play then until our dear wives do complain.
I'll win some, I'll lose some, I've spent my cash wad. And if you don't like me flame me on Game Squad. I'll play when I'm hungry but I'll drink when I play. If the snake eyes don't kill me, I'll play 'til I'm grey.
I'll go to some club meet in this here country. Ten Plano's of counters, I'll go on a spree. No women to follow, no children to whine. Here's hoping my dear squads don't walk on a mine.
Oh ASL, Oh ASL, Oh how I love thee. Even though you killed my 10-3. Bless all ASLer's, help us avoid booby traps. New counters smell sweet as the ink on the maps.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
There are a few ASLer's who consistently produce magnificent things for the
Advanced Squad Leader community. One of the most prolific is the indomitable Steven C. Swann, who has written all of the "Reference Notes for ASL" articles about the Marines, Fiji troops, Japanese Airborne, commando units etc., that you may have read in the General, and the Annual, and the Journal. If you haven't read them, well then, perhaps you should check them out. Steve has also designed 500 scenarios, the majority of which have been published by revered ASL producers as Critical Hit, Heat of Battle, Avalon Hill, Le Franc Tireur, and of course, the superior, Bounding Fire Productions; and that is just to name a few.
After all of his years in the hobby he has taught us that sure and steady wins the race!
SHOWTIMES 0:01 No Chit Chat today. We get right to the good stuff. 0:02 Interview 1:10:40 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Debate on Best Swann Scenario Steve Worked on Deluxe Pack from LFT The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreons and Bounding Fire Productions.
Electronic rule book is in the box this time. Jeff gives an honest and interesting review of said product from MMP. Use the link below to order your copy now. The To Hit Modifiers are covered in detail as we continue our coverage of the rules. Great stuff. So why don't you pull up a chair, put on your headphones, and have a listen?
SHOWTIMES 0:40 Banter 9:40 What's in the Box? 19:45 Rules 59:16 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Birthday Cards to Vet The Story of the US Canadian Border Mix Up ASL Electronic Rulebook The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreon supporters.
He's a man who needs no introduction. Carl Nogueira
of many different fames. Most notably, Carl is known for the wonderful tactical advice given in the Dispatches From the Bunker fanzine, and his work with the Nor'easter tournaments. Get the scoop here on the new third party company he will be starting soon. An amazing interview; if we do say so ourselves.
SHOWTIMES 0:30 Banter None 56:28 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Dispatches From the Bunker Carl's Hall of Fame Entry The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by our Patreon supporters.
It's a very scary show boys and girls.
Letters...What's in the Box?...Rules...what more could a person ask for? A better podcast? Yeah, we guess that's a legitimate request. But besides that, you can't ask for more than this episode brings you. It has everything AND it is also the Halloween Special (even though there isn't really anything special about it).
In the box we find Winter Offensive Bonus Pack #11, and it includes board 13a and 3 sceanrios. Our rule segment covers part 3 of the To Hit process; the to hit modifiers.
SHOWTIMES 0:30 Banter 10:00 Letters 18:40 What's in the Box 32:00 Rules 1:00:29 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS AC/DC Bagpipes Jim Bishops Advice Blog Face-To-Face Again to Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again”
Concept & lyrics: Dennis Donovan Copyright June, 2020
Face-to-face again I just can’t wait to play A.S.L. again Have to shelter in place until who knows when
Yeah, I can’t wait to play face-to-face again
A.S.L. again Goin’ to our club meets once again Playin’ guys I thought I’d never see again Yeah, I can’t wait to play face-to-face again
Face-to-face again I’ll get back to playin’ every other Sunday We’ll play Best of Friends** I’m hoping that the world gets back to normal
But that day is
No one knows just when
I just can't wait to play A.S.L. again But not until this COVID thing comes to an end Then I’ll be playing face-to-face again
Face-to-face, again Going with my buddies to all of the tournies
As soon as COVID ends
Insisting that world keeps playin’ our way
And that way is
Face-to-face, with friends
I just can't wait to play A.S.L. again But that won’t be ‘til quarantine comes to an end
Yeah I can’t wait to play face-to-face again
One of the better blogs out there is created by Jackson Kwan. You have heard his voice here when he has called into the show to advertise various Advanced Squad Leader tournaments in Asia. He is very active on Twitter and is a great source to find out what the latest plans are in ASL game production. We are sure you will enjoy this look at the ASL scene in the Pacific. We had a very good time conversing with Jack.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Interview 58:57 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Hong Kong Wargamer Blog Jim Bishops Advice Blog
Are you as excited as we are to see the return of In The News in this very episode? Most likely you're not, however there is a whole batch of new ASL product coming out, and tournaments being planned, and THAT IS some exciting stuff.
There are two new products here in the "digital box". Issue #113 of View From the Trenches, thanks to the indomitable and highly productive Pete Phillipps. And issue #1 Break Contact! Both of these marvelous Advanced Squad Leader fanzines are free. That's right...FREE.
Dave and Jeff also take some time to discuss their VASL game of AP87 Empire's Fall, and Dave K and Dave T's game of VotG7 Storming the Station. These photos will help our podcast listeners (as opposed to Youtube viewers) to follow along.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Bad Moon Rising 3:08 Banter 11:10 In the News 22:30 Contest Winner Announced 24:00 What's in the Box? 44:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 58:18 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS ASL October Fest FrF48 Bad Moon Rising on Archive View from the Trenches #113 Break Contact Issue #1 Hatten Rubble from Ritter Krieg Bounding First Fire 2021
Bad Moon Rising
Lyrics: Dennis Donovan Performed by: The 2 Half-Squad Singers
I'm playing Bad Moon Rising Friendly Fire 48 There are Russkies and Germans fighting Throwing down in the Ukraine
Don't expect daylight, it takes place at night. Turns in Bad Moon: 6.5
I see toe-may-toes a growing. I know Russkies are coming soon. Guarding the Kolkhoz is tough going. They will attack the village soon.
Scattered clouds at night, NVR is 3 - that's right. There's a full moon on the rise.
Russkies snuck across the Dnieper Yup, they are quite prepared to die. The Russkies are all hell bent for leather. Germans are in for a hard time.
ASL that's right, it's a huge part of our lives. We're playing Bad Moon on the Rise
Can't go out tonight, sorry darling wife.
We're playing Bad Moon on the Rise
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritter Krieg and our Patreon supporters.
Another great opening song on this episode; VASL is Broken. The lyrics can be found at the bottom of this post. In this show we discuss Dave's recent tour of Gettysburg and Antietam with guide Mike Ryzy. The photo on the right is of Dave presenting Memorial Art Review to the tour members. The photo below is of the Spilky Men, Dave's wife Laura, Mike Lembke, and our intrepid and knowledgeable guide Mike Ryzy.
Rich Spilky has donated a copy of Rally Point ASL Starter Kit scenario pack for you to win as a prize! Simply listen to the show, follow the instructions by September 15th, 2021 to be entered in the contest to win said prize.
In the box is the wonderful Full Rulebook ASL 2020 Scenario Pack It's a beauty of a pack! Do you maggots understand that? It's the Jungian thing, Sir!
There are always rules to learn, so we are going to tackle part two of the "To Hit" Rules.
SHOWTIMES 0:01 VASL is Broken 3:08 Banter 16:00 Contest Announced 27:50 What's in the Box? 30:00 Rules 102:43 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS None today.
VASL ls Broken
Lyrics: Dennis Donovan Performed by: Corporal Punishment
My dice roll average is 10.7 900 times those dice did I those cast. Got 90 boxcars and zero snake eyes. Random.org is random, my %$#!
What are the real odds of someone rolling, five 12's in a row? Here are the stats. 1 in 6 million if I rolled like that. In a casino they'd beat me with bats!
VASL is broken, like an old Yugo Dice Bot is kaput, what do we do? It's like a Sasquatch only I've seen it. But we all deep down know that it's true.
We are sure you enjoyed the lovely opening song on this episode, Good Evening Starshells. The usual batch of intersting letters is presented, and followed with the quick look at Action Pack #16. There are always rules to learn, so we are going to tackle the first part of the "To Hit Rules". All together now? Yes, we are!
SHOWTIMES 0:01 Song Good Evening Starshells 3:45 Banter 11:40 Letters 27:50 What's in the Box? 35:00 Rules 58:05 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Action Pack #16: From the Land Down Under
Alpenfestung
Good Evening Starshells
Concept: Chris Gammon Lyrics: Chris Gammon and Dennis Donovan Performed by: The 2 Half-Squads Singers
Good evening starshells Stalingrad says hello, You twinkle above us, We need light below.
Good evening starshells This night will be long, You are so illuminating, What could possilbly go wrong?
SMC or an, Armor Leader need to roll, a 4 or less you know. CE AFV Crew, or an MMC, need a 2 or less, yo. Think those IR mortars, they'll do a good jobba Slinging starshell's all night long.
Good evening starshell's
There's no moon in the skies. The NVR's one tonight, where's all those bad guys?
SMC or an, Armor Leader need to roll, a 4 or less you know. The SMC's told us, fire some and make sure you roll really low, low. Think those IR mortars, they'll do a good jobba Slinging starshell's all night long.
Can you hear me praying for a, a star shell, What could go wrong? All night long, shell thing, shell, shell, shell, slinging, sling, fling, shoot a shell.
Yeah we can sling fling, sling, some sling a shell. Fling, sling, some, fire off, something.
Box Art Review Extravaganza. Yes, it is an interview with THE David Pentland of Advanced Squad Leader (and many other companies) box art fame. Get the inside scoop on the techniques and tactics of a premier Military Artist, right here on this podcast!
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter? No there is not! 1:01 Interviews! Yes, there is much. 58:05 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Pentland's Facebook Fine Art Site Pentland's Facebook Military Site
Thanks to listener Nelson Isada we received The Steelworks for review, and for keeps. Yipee Yahoo! Listen to our rules section to see what you know, don't know (or perhaps have forgotten), about vehicle wrecks in the greatest game in the world; Advanced Squad Leader. SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banterino 11:06 Contest Winners (Pod and Twit) 21:00 What's in the Box? 41:00 Rules (Wrecks) ?00:42 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Steelworks at Ritter Krieg Steelworks at a Foreign Game Site
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritter Krieg and our Patreons. Theme song by Derek Miller
Nate is the big winner! Special thanks to Bill Cauble for donating the prizes.
Episode 275? Wow! Where did the time go? We couldn't think of any better guests to bring on to such a momentous show than these two distinguished gents from the DC Conscripts; Andy Goldin and John Gorkowski. It's a rollicking and rolling interview about all things ASL but especially about the East Coast gaming scene. Enjoy.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter? No there is not! 1:01 Interviews
1:00:42 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS DC Conscripts Website Red Banner and Script's Newsletters Human Wave Tournaments
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
We'd like to make a confession.... we incorrectly named the Bravo Biazza show. We meant to call it the Bravo Brevity show. So, while both shows are about two of the great new games from Advancing Fire, this show covers Brevity Assault. This system uses some colored lines to delineate the levels on the map. Fantastic touch! Dave gives a run down of the scenarios contained therein. Join us!
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 6:30 Letters
10:48 Contest Announced
32:11 What's in the Box? Biazza Ridge
1:05:28 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Historic KC Fest Articles on ASL on Webdex Zombie Pak 1 Broken Ground Design ZOMBIE COUNTERS New Romero Zombie Book Tales of the Zombie
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
Paul Works is a contributor to the Advanced Squad Leader Hobby who has been doing so for a long time. He helped get the Kansas City March Madness Tournament going when Mike Reed (Episode 267) had to stop. Paul has a long and storied involvement with wargames and ASL in particular. He also works with the Navy and gets to play wargames there too. What a job! What an ASL contributor!
It's another great interview that you will not want to miss.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter (Hamburger Hill Film and Atlantic Crossing) 11:20 Contest Winner Announced
17:15 Interview with Paul 1:05:28 Total Running Time
Paul and friends at March Madness
SHOW LINKS The Three Player Pack from ASL Kansas
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
This show opens with some lovely letters and then an in depth look at Biazza Ridge from Advancing Fire. Our very special guest Mike Ryzy helps us to give a run down of how this new mini campaign works. It is more of a group of connected and related scenarios that can be traced on a large operational map. This fantastic new offering is sadly, sold out, at this point in time. You can still get the 2nd game from Advancing Fire; Brevity Assault, from their website and other retail outlets. We will provide a look at that game a few shows from now. Look for it soon.
Don't forget you can contact... Carl Nogueira 7 Greenstreet New Bedford, MA 02740 for the NorEaster Packs (PDF only) under the Yankee ASL Label.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 8:30 Letters 27:15 What's in the Box? 58:37 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Advancing Fire (the new ASL producer)
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, 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.
Two back to back amazing interviews. Wow! (If we do say so ourselves).
Have you ever wondered how SSR's are written so that they have some consistency? Have you ever wondered if Advanced Squad Leader games could have been even more complex than they already are? Well, the answers to these fascinating questions can be found right here in our interview with the amazing Klas Malmstrom.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Too Much Banter? 14:14 Interview with Klas
1:03:16 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Klas' Victory Klas' ASL Website
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design 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 may recognize the name of Michael J. Puccio from an article on Paratroopers or one called "A Cavalry Primer for Neighsayers" published in ASL Annual 97. Or you may recognize it from one of the dozen or so scenarios he has designed for Critical Hit, Dispatches From the Bunker, Yankee ASL, or ASL Scenario 203: Hard Rok from Forgotten War; Korea. Even if you have not heard of Mike, perhaps because you are a Starter Kit player, or you are a random hit on this site, you still will very well enjoy having a listen. Check out the "Pooch" right here and right now.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 No Banter 1:30 Interview with Mike Puccio
1:06:40 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
None
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
Advanced Squad Leader. What a game. What a bunch of rules. We help you keep it all straight with a look at rule 10, Morale and a brief admiration of Carl Noriega's look at Heroes from a past issue of The Bunker. In the box this week is NorEaster Pack II fromYankee ASL and printed by Le Franc Tireur. Dave presents a breakdown of the first half of the scenarios. He has some fluidity issues with his new HP computer running video programs and the sound is a bit staticky/garbled at times. Apologies.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 5:30 Rules
30:15 What's in the Box? 1:06:30 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Nor'Easter Pack II at Ritter Krieg Order ROMA 2020 Here
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
There's a lot in this grab bag of a show that celebrates the coming of spring and the wide variety of Advanced Squad Leader products out there to enjoy. We also cover a great variety of topics that you sent in to our mailbox here in the Broadcast Foxhole. In the box is Roma 2020 from Multiman Publishing. designer of many scenarios in the early March Madness packs. Enjoy this blast from the past! What we have been playing lately is BFP27 Chopei Chopblock from Blood and Jungle and HS13 The Ravine from Operation Watchtower.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 10:00 Letters
22:15 What's in the Box?
39:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 1:08:03 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Rangers of Shadow Deep Order ROMA 2020 Here ASL Italia ASL Italy on Facebook La Federazione Italiana Wargame Get Your Electronic Rulebook Here
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
The views and opinions expressed on The 2 Half-Squads are not necessarily those of the hosts.
What a blast from the past, and a glimpse at the future. An interview with the marvelous Mike Reed of Kinetic Energy fame. Have a listen as Mike provides us with a look at the history of the Advanced Squad Leader world of Kinetic Energy Productions run by Mark Neukom and John Knowles. He also discusses the early version of the Korean War module that he worked extensively on but it never saw the light of day due do the copyright crackdown of 1996. Mr. Reed explains some of the early logic behind the design decisions about the rules governing the Chinese in Korea, etc. Mike was one of the original managers of the March Madness Tournament and designer of many scenarios in the early March Madness packs. Enjoy this blast from the past!
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 13:00 Interview with Mike
1:08:03 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Mike Reed/KE Farewell Letter
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
We love doing interview shows. Especially when youhave a guest like Scott Mullins who has a long and rich history with the gaming industry and
Advanced Squad Leader in particular. He has several blogs and insights on many things ASL. It is a fascinating interview and we are sure you will enjoy it.
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 13:00 Interview with Scott Mullins
1:04:03 Total Running Time
Dave's PTO inspired pillbox.
SHOW LINKS Grumble Jones ASL Blog Grumble's Outdoor Adventures
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
We open the show with some in depth letters that cover a variety of ASL and WWII related topics, and therefore there are a lot of fascinating links included below; Pim's Photos of battlegrounds in Holland, articles on Market Garden, Dien Bien Phu game review and our first look at Retro. Thanks to the listeners for the content in the letters department. Rules covered include Daisy Chains of course, and the second part of Landing Craft. Dave recounts a game of VotG 23 Heroes of the Soviet Union.
SHOWTIMES 0:02 Song Daisy Chains
2:00 Chit Chat 13:00 Daisy Chain rules. 10:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 24:45 Letters 43:30 Landing Craft Rules 1:04:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Scenarios with Daisy Chain
Pim's picture of one of the most famous bridges.
Pim's Photos All of our photo albums - Pims too Hells Highway Article– 101st Market Garden Battles S of Veghel Retro Tactical WWII Variant Rules Retro Review on Desperation Morale Dien Bien Phu Review by D. Windham
Rally Phase Records Presents!
Daisy Chains
Concept: The Two Half-Squads Lyrics and Vocals: Dennis Donovan Mixing: K.O. Studios
Daisy Chains - just read the rules about Daisy Chains B 28.531 explains about Daisy Chains AT Mines are watcha need to make up a buncha Daisy Chains, can only use them when an SSR's in place Save for the Japanese, (they can do what they please), when it comes to Daisy Chains.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
We got a lot of great stuff for Christmas including the fascinating New England Volunteers Post Card
1. Now that's a great way to send holiday greetings. In the box is the ASL March Madness Players Pack from our firends at Kansas City ASL. We take a look at some of the great sceanrios included therein. We have been playing the scenarios from Operation Watchtower and have a discussion of the first three turns of HS11 The Sand Spit here on the show. It's a night game. Neat-o. We are still learning how to do a video show and edit it into a quality audio podcast, so please be patient with us. Feel free to send us some constructive advice and kindly give some ideas for improvement. The show links include some pictures from Listener Pim, and an article on the 101st on Hells Highway. There was not enough time to cover them in this episode, so we will cover them in the next show and leave the links in here so you can have a preview now.
SHOWTIMES 0:02 Song OBA
2:45 Banter 13:00 New England Volunteers Post Card #1. 17:40 What's in the Box? 38:00 Shout Out Winner Announced 41:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 1:13:55 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Pim's Photos Hells Highway Article– 101st Market Garden Battles S of Veghel March Madness: The Players Pack
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
OBA Lyrics by Dennis Donovan, Performed by The 2 Half-Squads Singers
Yesterday, read all about OBA, Gonna use it in my game today, can't wait to use some OBA Artillery, it's way harder than it needs to be, there's confusion reigning over me, yeah OBA is not easy Use the radio to contact the battery. If things don't go wrong, place AR, roll accuracy. OBA: Replace the AR with a spotting round, roll for drift to see where it hits the ground, I believe the round will stray. Where'd the SR go? Off the board by hexrow J. I think now it's gone. How I long for OBA. ASL, it's such an easy game to play, until you try to use the OBA. Oh, I'm so done with OBA!
Rich Spilky joins us in the Broadcast Foxhole. He presents his analysis in the fine tradition of Bob Medrow's mathematical analysis of various aspects of the game we love, Advanced Squad Leader, that appeared in the old General Magazine from Avalon Hill. Special shout out to Chris Edwards for his work on the OBA analysis charts.
We have a contest ending January 15th. You need to call in using the button on the right side of the web page and give a "Shout Out" to a cool alser that you know and would like to recognize in public. Then you will be entered into the contest and we will draw the winner on January 16th. You can win a copy of A Decade of War, donated to us from fellow gamer Mark Woods.
Updates on our VASL and other gaming experiences are also shared for your listening enjoyment, as well as a look at Broken Ground Design's Mythical Mighty Maus Mouse Bundle.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 6:15 Contest Winner Announced and Some Call Ins 12:30 What Have You Been Playin' Lately? 24:20 What's in the Box? And What We Got For Christmas. 31:00 OBA Analysis 1:04:03 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Maus Mouse From Broken Ground Roman Street Vendor
Don't forget that you can watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design , and kind donations from listeners like you.
Hope you enjoy the wonderful opening song by with lyrics by Chris Gammon and sung by The 2 Half Squads Singers. The lyrics are printed below. Some great ASLer's chime in like Alan Hume and Scott Mullins through the magic of voicemail. And that gave us the idea for our next contest.
We have a contest ending January 15th. You need to call in using the button on the right side of the web page and give a "Shout Out" to a cool alser that you know and would like to recognize in public. Then you will be entered into the contest and we will draw the winner on January 16th.
We finish out the show with part one of an in depth look at the Landing Craft Rules from chapter G.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 2:00 Greetings and Chit Chat 19:00 Contest Announced 24:00 The Rules 1:13:58 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS Spilky Tarawa Charts Where Half Squads Dare Trailer Where Half Squads Dare Play Through
To "O! Tannenbaum Concept and Lyrics: Chris Gammon
Oh Gammon bomb, oh Gammon bomb An SSR doth grant me You’re like an ATMM thing Just tossing one pulls the ring
Oh Gammon bomb, oh Gammon bomb Your minus three enthralls me A low die roll is what it takes Please no misses or Pin mistakes
Oh Gammon bomb, oh Gammon bomb Make toasty flame come easy
Oh Gammon bomb, oh Gammon bomb I need five more CVP My opponent did it again He overran my best men
Oh Gammon bomb, oh Gammon bomb! Let my revenge come swiftly
Don't forget that you can watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design , Kansas City ASL and kind donations from listeners like you
Welcome to a very fun show. Well, at least we had fun recording it. The letters we recieve provide us with some entertainnig ASL topics for discussion. It's always good to hear from you all. What we've been playin' lately is a lot of ASL. Check out our Twitter feed for the full updates. In this episode we discuss HS31 Protesting the Speculative from Multi-man Publishing's Operation Veritable. Have you mastered Naval Off-Board Artillery (hereafter referred to as NOBA)? If not then listen to "The Rules" segment right here.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 10:25 Long Awaited Letters 36:00 What Have You Been Playin' Lately? 49:59 The Rules 1:10:02 Contest Announced 1:13:58 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS All The Boards
Don't forget that you can watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design , Kansas City ASL and kind donations from listeners like you
Dave recounts his vacation to The Great Smoky Mountains, The Shawnee National Forest and Belmont University during the intro talk, while Jeff recounts his recent Sword of Rome game. In the Box is the Starter Kit Expansion Pack #2. This expansion includes the new Chinese, some new Japanese, and the first overlays for SK Advanced Squad Leader players. Two boards, eight scenarios, and some new weapons make it an interesting addition indeed. What we have been playin' lately is HS10 Chesty's Turn from MMP's Operation Watchtower (we apologize for forgetting we are recording for an audio podcast and not referring to hex numbers enough). We finish up with another look in the box at Swedish Volunteers original and Mult-man Publishing versions.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 12:12 What's in the Box? 29:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 45:00 Contest Announced - Entries Due Dec 1st. 46:00 What's More in the Box? 1:10:02 Total Running Time
Don't forget that you can actually watch the show, and not just hear it, on our Youtube channel.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
We welcome Stephen Stewart of VASLING with Stew fame. Stephen provides a fascinating listen as he discusses the variety of videos that he produces. They are legion, they are good, and you should check them out on his Youtube channel.
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 3:45 Interview 49:21 Total Running Time SHOW LINKS Stew's Replay VASLing With Stew #1
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you Don't forget that you can watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
Here is a fun little show. In the box is the March Madness Hollis Pack, - Partisans from the gents in Kansas City. It's a great scenario pack with a historical board included. Wow! We did not know what we were missing when we missed out on all the March Madness Packs. We always heard great things about them. There is a lot of Advanced Squad Leader product here and we hold a drawing from our Patreon supporters to see who will be the lucky winner of said products.
We have had many requests for a return to Box Art Review....and so we do. Break out your Croix de Guerre cover art by Ken Smith, relax and enjoy!
SHOW TIMES 1:00 Banter 12:00 What's in the Box? 33:00 Contest 36:00 Box Art Review 46:02 Total Running Time
Dave's 20mm Parrtisans.
Dave's 15mm Parrtisans for ASL.
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
If you haven't gotten the new Rat Pack Charts from Le Franc Tireur, have a listen to our detailed look at them and see if you don't think you need them afterall. We have a good time discussing the scenarios we have played lately, HS4 High Water Mark from Operation Watchtower. Dave and Jeff played that one. We also cover scenario HS27 Lawless Ways from Operation Veritable. Dave got a game in with his som Adam, scenario OB3 Brasche Encounter. By playing these games we realized that you get a whole lot of bang for your buck with Advanced Squad Leader games (especially the Bounding Fire Productions products). We bought them a while ago and are only now finishing them off. If you play them twice you can have twice as much fun. Why not three times?
SHOWTIMES 1:00 Banter 12:00 Rat Pack Charts Version 3 33:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
1:00:00 Give Away Items Announced 1:03:10 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS HS4 High Water Mark HS27 Lawless Ways OB3 Brasche Enounter
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Todays show covers the terrain gems from Onslaught to Orsha II. That includes slopes, culverts, cupolas and a little bit more. We do apologize for the poor audio quality. Covid is taking it's tech toll.
We follow that up with an in depth report from David Goldman about the ASL Open's first fully remote tournament played on VASL.There is a lot of valuable information in this interview. It's golden. You can learn about the in's and out's of such an endevour. Did you know that players still have conflicts regarding available time when they play digitally, even though the schedule is expanded? Did you know that some players don't play on VASL? What Rubes! We've been playin' on VASL since way back in....since....well...oh wait, yeah...nevermind. We wouldn't want to call any newcomers names. How rude would that be?
SHOW TIMES :30 Chit Chat 9:00 Terrain Time 31:35 Goldman ASL Open Interview 1:12:21 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Finally, we break open that box containing Croix de Guerre and Dinant and revel in the wonderful Advanced Squad Leader counters, maps and more. Dan Dolan must be proud. This game even has some NEW French counters, The Vichy French and Free French. We finish with a discussion of virtual gaming and the St. Louis Tournament with Jim Burris.
DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THE EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
SHOW LINKS Ritterkrieg's Croix de Guerre at the Right Price! Early Discussion of Dinant on Game Squad SHOW TIMES 00:02 Banter 8:00 What's in the Box? 34:00 Jim Burris Interview 1:06:04 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design, and kind donations from listeners like you.
Storms in Chicago, disaster strikes, cars stuck on lifts in garages without power, gaming table order attempt disasters on Kickstarter; these are just a few of the topics in Chit Chat. In the Box are both, the new Ritterkrieg Counter Stackers, and the rest of Onslaught to Orsha II (the parts that we didn't get to in our previous episodes). Add in a look at Scenario HS2: War Without Quarter from Operation Watchtower, and you have yourself a nice little show mostly about Advanced Squad Leader!
DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THE EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
HS2: War Without Quarter from Operation Watchtower
SHOW LINKS Ritterkrieg's Stack Guards Slopes Play Aid Onslaught to Orsha II SHOW TIMES 00:02 Can I Go Back to Turn Four? 2:00 Chit Chat 16:00 Mysterious Benefactor and Call In. 23:00 What's in the Box? 48:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately? 1:06:04 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design, and kind donations from listeners like you.
This episode is a whole lotta letters covering a ton of ASL, VASL and T2HS topics. Our listeners bring
their ideas, opinions, curses, praises, corrections, tech issues, playing suggestions and much more to our doorstep this show.
DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THE EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
SHOW LINKS
ASL Map of Players Adam Lunney Interview with Veteran
SHOW TIMES 00:02 Chas's Job Song 4:00 Lot's O' Letters 31:00 Free Sniper Counter Offer from Broken Ground Design 1:00:50 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
Chas’ Job (Sung to the Tune of Jessie' Girl) Lyrics: Dennis Donovan Singer: The 2 Half-Squad Singers.
Chas he is this guy, Yeah, I knows he plays a favorite game of mine
And he works for a company that’s always on my mind
Chas has got himself a job and I want to make it mine
‘Cuz he gets free stuff all the time And he gets paid to go to ASLOCK, I just know it Yeah ‘n’ he’s designing stuff with the guys, Late, late at night
You know, I wish that I had Chas’ job! I wish that I had Chas’ job! Where can I find employment like that?
Yes, ya know he has it made He makes 600K a year, plus some change You know, I feel so jealous ‘cuz his job’s A-S-L, dude And he gets to go on Gamesquad forums and answer questions, too
‘Cause he’s playtesting with the guys And he’s workin’ in the game industry, don’t ya know it And he’s taking it by storm You got that right
You know, I wish that I had Chas’ job I wish that I had Chas’ job Where can I find employment like that?
Like Chas’ job
I wish that I had Chas’ job Where can I find employment Where can I find employment like that?
And I’m lookin’ on his website all the time Wondering why he won’t hire me Ask my buddies, I’ve tried since ‘09 Guess I should re-submit my resume
Tell me, where can I find employment like that?
You know, I wish that I had Chas’ job I wish that I had Chas’ job I want Chas’ job
Where can I find employment like that Like Chas’ job I wish that I had Chas’ job I want, I want Chas’ job
Hääkaa Päälle!
It was such a pleasure to talk with Michael Koch in our second episode on the ASL scene in Germany. The discussion covers WWII sites to see in Germany when you attend the Grenadier Tournament, the history of ASL, and the wonderful fact that there is just too much good Advanced Squad Leader stuff being published today. What a problem to have! Michael also gives us a detailed look at what it takes to run a tournament and chats about his love for the Hatten in Flames campaign game. And so much more.
SHOW LINKS The Grenadier Tournament
SHOW TIMES 00:02 You Hexy Thing (Armoured Fighting Vehicles) 4:00 Interview with Michael Koch Total Running Time
'You Hex-y Thing' (Armoured Fighting Vehicles)
Lyrics by Clinton Paine, Performed by The 2 Half-Squad Singers
Armoured fighting vehicles Wend along this hex-y thing My armoured fighting vehicles Could be moving wrong on this hex-y thing
With my first armoured OB Move crew exposed down the open road Roll for ESB, I need this speed so badly My MMCs approach defending infantry In PFPh I was shooting at some people Now they're firing back at me on the IFT
But my armoured fighting vehicles Overrun the hex they're in And my armoured fighting vehicles Keep rolling on, on this hex-y thing
Where did you come from AT shell? How did you know where to conceal those guns? Did you know this game is everything I play for? Learn the rules, every night and day for? Then today I play my first combined-arms action Now you're firing next to me, giving it to me
My armoured fighting vehicles Have nowhere to run on this hex-y thing My armoured fighting vehicles’ PRCs long for their next of kin
Oh! Curse you, you hex-y thing Point blank fire from the hex you're in There's no way you can miss my side armour, these flanks are thin Oh! It's snake eyes, this hexing thing
Yesterday I mortar bombed those lonely people Now your rate of fire sprees serve it back to me
My armoured fighting vehicles Are all STUNNED or wrecks burning My armoured fighting vehicles Face side down or exiting
Oh, pinch me Stop retreating! Forget about those VCs, greenhorn Oh, I concede!
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
Rich returns to the Remote Broadcast Foxhole and has a serious conversation with Jeff about the state of some young Americans lack of historical knowledge. They also discuss Churchill's books on WWII. The meat of the show is a look at Rich's involvement with the development of Onslaught to Orsha II by Bounding Fire Productions. You get a chance to hear the designer of the new charts included therein discuss said charts. And we take a look in the box at all the components.
We are now posting our episodes (with more visuals) on Our YouTube Channel. The video version of this episode can be found here.
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Banter
13:00 What's in the Box?
1:08:46 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you.
What better way to start episode #150 than with the witty lyrics of a new song by Dennis Donovan. Then the studious Rich Spilky joins us and presents his amazing analysis of both, RB5: The Last Bid, and RO5: Men of Steel from Red October. Advanced Squad Leader at its finest.
We are now going to attempt to post most of the episodes with more visuals on our website.
The video version of this episode can be found here.
In the What We've Played Lately segment Dave gives an after action report. He and Dave T have been playing scenario HS32: A Few Rounds More, from Multi-Man Publishing's Operation Veritable. They played it on VASL.
Go Them!
SHOWTIMES
0:02 Song "Under a Stun"
4:00 Banter
13:00 Analysis of The Last Bid and Men of Steel
45:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
1:01:55 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Wu Wei's write up of his game of HS32 on Boardgame Geek
Rich's Article is in this issue of Banzai 24.1
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Under A Stun
Concept & Lyrics: Dennis Donovan
Editing: Chris Gammon and Dave Wallick
Under a stun
The crew, whose hatch wasn’t down
Under a stun
The crew who was hit by a sniper’s round
Read Chapter D!
For differences ‘tween Shock and Stun
Woe is me, the crew got stung
They’re under a stun
Under a stun
The half-track crew, who had a bad day
Under a stun
The crew who can’t just drive away
Blew their MC
Sad it is
They’re buttoned up ‘till next Movement Phase
Seems to me
For now they’re done
They’re under a stun
Under a stun
It’s a tank.. hit .by falling rubble
Under a stun
MG TK, number, equals TK Roll
So please tell me,
I know they’re stunned, are they broken too?
Buttoned up, having no fun
They’re under a stun
It seems to me, ….oh yeah
They’ll be back up in a turn or two
Stun is flipped, when CC’s done
they’re under +1 (plus one)
Under a STUN
Those guys suffered a ‘K’ result
Under a STUN, well
This turn, they can do nothin’ else
Sniper got me, d’oh! Commander’s dead!
They’re buttoned up
and they’re recalled too
They exit,
change has come
They’re under a STUN
Mike Ryzy joins us once again in the broadcast remote foxhole. The NEW Rules segment themesong makes it's debut, thanks to Aaron Kleinschmidt and The Two-Half Squad Singers.
Can a machine gun kill a lightly armored vehicle? Find out right here and right now. Then
break out your cover of Onslaught to Orsha 2
for the return of Box Art Review.
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Banter
14:00 Rules!
51:00 Box Art Review
1:01:55 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Download this episode (right-click and Save)
Wow, it's been a long time since we put up an ASL Extra for your enjoyment. This one was recorded last year. Dave Timonen faces off against Chris Walters, who is playing his first game in many years. It's amazing how the rules and tactics come back to him so quickly. Advanced Squad Leader is like learning to ride a bicycle, once you learn you never forget how to do it. Dave and Chris are playing Broich Bash, which was originally published in the old In Contact Newsletter. Then released in an ASL Annual as, A69 (ROAR US 102/German 114). It was then re-republished as Scenario 200 in YANKS! 2nd Edition (ROAR US 9/German 14). Set up your boards and play along with us. Or use VASL.
SHOW LINKS
Broich Bash on ASL Archive
The German set up is in the upper left hand corner and the turn numbers for the rest of the photos are uncertain for labeling purposes, but you will easily be able to follow along as you listen. Hear a few tips, and grab some tactical advice as you join us for Broich Bash.
Mike Ryzy joins us once again as we banter about the film Gettysburg and more. We are always thrilled with the quality of the letters that our listeners send, and the ones we read on this episode, are no exception. VASL tips abound within them. We have quite a few scenarios that we have played lately. All of them on VASL of course. Take a listen as Mike explains the "connected scenario" scoring system that we are using in the Objective Schmidt series of games.
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Banter
11:00 Letters
41:00 Give Away Items Announced
44:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
1:13:55 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL E-Open
VASL 101 Tutorials on Youtube
All Quiet on the Martian Front
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Well, Skype seems to make Dave's voice sound like he is on a telephone. Which, we guess, he technically is. In the box is Adam Lunney's wonderful book "We Together". Give it a read. We recount our playing of AP 118 Wise's War on VASL of course. And then we thought it would be fun to explore the controls on Virtual Advanced Squad Leader live on the air. We thought it would be fun but you may think otherwise after you have a listen.
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Banter
12:45 What's in the Box?
21:00 What We've Been Playing Lately!
30:00 VASL Explored
1:00:43 Total Running Time
Here is a show produced entirely in the Kleinschmidt household. We cover a bunch of back logged letters, dating back to February. Shame on us for being so delinquent. But at least here they are now and they are read by our guests Aaron and Laura Kleinschmidt. Did we ever mention that "Operation Schmidt" should have been called "Operation Kleinschmidt"?
In the digital box is the newest issue of Banzai from the Texas ASL gang and it is full of the usual tactics, reviews, and great opinions that we have come to expect from them. Please pardon Dave's sniffles. We couldn't edit them all out.
SHOW TIMES
3:00 Letters
32:00 What's in the Box?
100:02 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
The promised show about ASL in Germany is here. We have a few letters then we jump right in with the delightful and knowledgeable Kris Koch, joining us in the broadcast remote foxhole for a great interview. Mike Ryzy returns also to help us along. Enjoy!
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Brief Chat
3:00 Letters
25:30 Interview with Kris
1:02:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Conscripts Tourney in Germany
Grenadier Tourney in Germany
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Hey, really short write up for this show., It truly is, almost, well practically, 100% or so, dedicated to the Greatest Game in the World, Advanced Squad Leader. We have our knowledgeable, loyal and true friend, Mike Ryzy on hand to help us explain our rookie foray into Virtual Advanced Squad Leader, otherwise known as VASL. Did you win the British counters from Broken Ground Design? Listen to find out.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter Then on With the Show
50:00 The Brentrance Drawing
1:00:45 Total Running Time
Lock down continues. The Skype recording is a little sketchy on Dave's end but acceptable. Since we recorded this show the ASL Open has canceled as have most of our tournaments. The Texas ASL tourney is still on as of now. It is not scheduled to happen for several months yet. We open the most excellent New England Volunteers Pack as well as an interesting gift from Dennis. Subsequent First Fire is the topic of our rules section today, and we are joined by a special quest for said segment.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
12:15 New England Volunteers Scenario Pack
33:00 Quiz Show: The Rules
56:14 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
New England Volunteers Play Pack 1
Get Your Bob Ross Chia Pet Here
The enthusiasm of Derek Ritter is contagious and it makes for a wonderful interview even though Jeff and Dave were not in the broadcast foxhole together for the first time. Skype seems to suffice as Derek calls in to tell us all about the gaming stuff happening in North Carolina area, the tournament there, and all the new products that have hit the ASL market lately. There is a lot to hear here so have a listen. Let Derek's fire get you fired up for some Advanced Squad Leader play during your Coronavirus lock down!
SHOW TIMES
1:01:11 Total Running Time
SHOW LINK
Derek's Youtube Channel
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Learning often happens best by repetition, so why not give our past shows a listen while you wait for
the latest one to drop?
Tolkien's Letters, 1917, and The Witcher are the core of the discussion in the 0% ASL part of the show. Take a look, along with us, at the new game by Lone Canuck. It is The Battle of Konigsberg: The Bear's Revenge. Wow! The maps in this game are surely a step up from most of the maps you see produced for Advanced Squad Leader. We end the show with a discussion/after action report of our playing of Scenario 203: Hard ROK from MMP's Forgotten War.
Roll low and rally well, but not when you're playing us!
End of turn 3 maybe
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Chit Chat
16:00 What's in the Box?
38:00 Forgotten War After Action Report
57:30 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
The Battle of Konigsberg: The Bears Revenge
Nor' Easter Tourny 2020
Alpenfestung ASL in the Alps
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you
Our banter includes a little bit about long range guns and such in WWI and buzz bombs in WWII. Some random thoughts occur on systems of government; their meaning and intent. If you are going for broke on the Broken Ground Design British counters, please note that your entry is due by March 15th at the latest. Listen closely for the specific instructions to get into the drawing. Jeff takes us on a walk through Spilky chart #11. We round out the hour with Dave K, Mike R, Dave T, and Chris W discussing their first impressions of their first Korean scenario in a round table type format. Roll low and rally well, but not when you're playing us!
SHOW TIMES
0:015 Game of the Rising Sun (lyrics and credits below)
14:00 Nor'Easter Announcement
16:00 New Communist Chinese Counters Reviewed
23:00 British Counter Giveaway Announcement
28:00 Spilky Chart
50:45 Korea First Impressions
1:03:45 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL Open Tournament
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
You may want to listen to our Banter in this show, we discuss our various medical problems so.....yeah....on second thought......maybe you won't want to....too much information.
If you came here for ASL all the time, you came to the mostly right place. The good news is that you can learn a lot about defensive fire in our rules segment. Listen along and see what you know about the rules, and what you can learn about the rules of the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader. Woof, Woof.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Our health stories and adventures.
17:00 Rules
57:30 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL Open Tournament
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
Buon Giormo, O e la sera dove sei?
We are happy to bring you the tale of Jeff's Italian Trip. Sadly he could not meet up with the gentlemen from the new Italian game company Advancing Fire. Get over there and pre-order Brevity Assault and Biazza Ridge. Our "Letters" segment provides a delizioso distraction and Advanced Squad Leader talk.
In case you are wondering after you listen, those are not actually the sounds from the Victory at Sea album. Did you know that there are a ton of ezines published by the Texas ASL guys? The mag is called Banzai!!; and we review volume 24 issue 2 in this show. It has a great article for making a Banzai charge in ASL Starter Kit.
Caio!
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Jeff's Italian Adventures
18:15 Drawing for French Counters
39:0 What Have You Been Playing Lately
49:00 What's in the Box?
1:02:45 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL Open Tournament
Banzai!! Volume 24 issue 2
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
Some real art for Box Art Review
Greetings Listeners,
Best wishes for the New Year from our broadcast to yours!
We want to thank you for all of your amazing support over the years. We owe so much to you all.
Listen and see if you have won the French Counters.The drawing happens now.
Dave Kand Dave T played Trap by Mishap SV12 from the Swedish Volunteers. There is an after action report in this show. Photos can be found on our Twitter feed. We also recount a Desperado miniatures game that we played as well as a game of Space Empires that Jeff played. We also tear into the latest box of ASL goodness called The Fight for Seoul.
Desperado Zombie Game
Get over to the new Italian ASL company and pre-order Brevity Assault and Biazza Ridge.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Auld Lang Syne and Chat
12:35 Drawing for French Counters
16:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately
28:00 What's in the Box?
52:10 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Advancing Fire Game Company
Le Franc Tireur Korea Game
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
Greetings Cheery Holiday Listeners,
We believe you will forgive our slightly longer than usual banter, when you hear the heartfelt sharing that is included therein. Please remember to see your doctor. In our Rules segment we cover First Fire rules and marvel that it took us nearly eleven years to get to them. Learn all about First Fire in our usual kind of quiz show format. You get to see what you know as you try to guess the answers along with us. Review those FFMO and FFNAM modifiers while you listen.
Get over to the new Italian ASL company and pre-order Brevity Assault and Biazza Ridge.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
15:00 The Rules Rule
47:00 Letters
1:13:40 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Advancing Fire Game Company
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
Dave Ramsey operates the fantastic Advanced Squad Leader website The ASL Archive. You kind find a trove of interesting ASL material here, publications, scenarios reviews, opponents wanted and even a source that tells you the average length of a scenario. The audio quality is a bit uneven and we apologize but you will learn of all the angles that you can get on a scenario in this interview with Dave.
SHOW TIMES
55:10 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Illuminating Rounds on Youtube
Barkmann's Corner Early Animation
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
What a great opening song, thanks to Dennis and Steve again! Speaking of the Swedish Volunteer pack Dave discusses his latest game from said pack, SV9 Mexico and Morocco. A new segment about books premieres in this episode. You may be saying to yourself...."self, haven't the Half-Squads always talked about WWII books?" And you would be correct, however Dave's review of Brackman's book about the Tokyo War Trails, titled The Other Nuremberg, goes into more detail than the normal banter.
We finally get to taking a gander at Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit #4 thanks to Ritterkrieg.com.
SHOWTIMES
0:01 Hooked on the Swedish Song
3:20 Banter With Special Offers So Listen Closely
16:50 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
29:30 Book Review
39:35 What's in the Box?
1:11:05 Total Running Time
Hooked on the Swedish
Concept: The2HalfSquads
Lyrics: Dennis Donovan
I just played the Swedish Versus the Ruskis Somewhere in North Finland 1943
Yeah, I saw those Counters blue on white For the first time Earlier tonight, now..
I…, I’m hooked on the Swedish And I don’t mean IKEA I mean the Volunteers
The Swede pack’s sweet as candy But it’s hard to find It runs about one thirty From an auction house on-line
It’s quite the smorgasbord: 14 scenarios One hundred plus counters Historical notes
Chapter H and Chapter A updates Give it a whirl It will turn you on
I..., I’m hooked on the Swedish And I don’t mean IKEA I mean the Volunteers
Go and get one Before they’re all gone Give it a whirl Get your ASL game on!
I, I’m hooked on the Swedish And I don’t mean IKEA I mean the Volunteers
I’m hooked on the Swedish And I don’t mean IKEA mean the Volunteers
Said I’m hooked on the Swedish And I don’t mean IKEA I mean that ABBA band...
Hello Fans, Friends, and Family,
Sorry for the slight delay in publishing, we won't name names but....Dave forgot to keep our scheduled time. A time that was already delayed due to scheduling issues. But, anyway.
We hope you enjoy the wonderful opening song by Dennis and Stephen Stewart.
The contest for the French Broken Ground Design Counters ends December 15th. Simply send us a gmail with French Counters in the subject line and you will be entered into our drawing.
For Box Art Review we run a special compare and contrast of bonus pack #7 and #10 viewed side by side. Dave adds an in depth look at the scenarios of Hatten in Flames.
The beautiful shot glasses with Clink and Drink printed on them along with our logo are available now in limited quantities (only 14 to be exact). Send us a gmail asking if there are any available and we will let you know what you need to do to get one....if you are one of the lucky 14 that is.
SHOWTIMES
0:01 Counterstruck Song
5:10 Banter With Special Offers So Listen Closely
19:13 Box Art Review and Shot Glass Fundraiser Details and Unicum Taste Testing.
27:00 Actual Box Art Review
35:00 What's in the Box?
45:00 Hatten Scenarios in Depth
1:09:30 Total Running Time
Lately Dave has played SV7 Probing Korsus from the Swedish Volunteers Pack. We cover Stream-Woods hexes, Light Woods, Prepared Fire Zones and Towers in our Terrain Time segment. That is a ton of terrain and it moves us nearer to the end of the terrain rules section in the Advanced Squad Leader Rule Book. At the end of the episode we tack on some recorded ASL talk from a meeting of the PAASL club, you may enjoy some guys just talking about ASL.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Chit Chat
11:30 What Have You Been Playin' Lately?
19:30 Allied Minor Counters from Broken Ground Design
23:00 Terrain Time
47:45 PAASL Chat - Just Talking ASL
56:00 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Nashville Parthenon
Scenario SV4 Robing Korsus in the Scenario Archive
Not sure that opening the show with banter about aging bodies is, by any stretch of the imagination, a good idea, but of course we do it anyway. Then we discuss getting stuck in the mud in your Kayak. Kayakers beware. During the letters segment we take a look at the new Pacific Theater offerings from Broken Ground Design. Exciting stuff. We introduce you to a few others. See their links below. Grab your conductor hat and get on board as we depart the station and cover Railroads and Steeples during Terrain Time.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
17:30 Letters
41:00 Terrain Time
1:13:52 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS:
Griff Hosker - Author
Broken Ground Counters Explained
Adam Lunney- Historian, Author, Loyal Listener
Ritterkrieg #83 Announcement
Bounding First Fire Tournament 2019
Together we discuss our visit to Comic Con and our wonderful time with Henry Winkler. Then Dave tells what it is like to become an almost empty nester, then he gives us an update from the Palatine Area Advanced Squad Leaders game club. During that report, you will hear from Will Marrerro, Dan Janezik, Mike Stubits, Ron Schatz, and Bill Forg. They discuss Scenario RPT 55: Coudehard Cache, Scenario HG-2 Konista Crackdown and Scenario 43: Into the Fray.
Together we discuss our visit to Comic Con and our wonderful time with Henry Winkler.
Letters are as fascinating as usual.
DAVE, HENRY, and MIKE
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
13:00 Letters
31:00 PAASL After Action Report
58:45 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Bunkers in Greece
Wild West Fest
The Greeks attacking the hill on left and woods on right.
Near the end. Success in taking the hill and most of the village.
We are honored to have the privilege of interviewing the designer of Multi-Man Publishing's Advanced Squad Leader Historical Module Number 9, Hatten in Flames, Andy Rogers. He is an interesting person to talk with. The game is a wonderful module with 8 scenarios and 2 campaign games based on the World War II battle. Check out the amazing website linked below to learn more about the battle and have a listen to this episode to learn more about the game.
SHOW TIMES
1;00 Intro
3:00 Interview
1:02:35 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Andrew Rogers Hatten Website
Andrew Rogers Hatten Website
Welcome to another fascinating episode of the one and only podcast dedicated 100% to the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader. Mike Stubits joins us again as Dave banters a bit too long perhaps but he recounts his wild adventures while in Greece. Just check out these photos from a most romantic Air B&B. That ought to get you interested. In our What's in the Box segment we look at Broken Ground Designs' Hungarian counters. Get your bell ready to ring in and play along with our Terrain Time segment on roadblocks. There are several after action reports in the PAASL recordings. Dan and Dave played Scenario WO13 All The Stops. Mike and Rich played FrF93 Wiener Walzer. ASL newcomer Vince played Ron in S1 Retaking Vierville. Get some advice on how to play them here.
Dan planning a move in WO13
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Dave's Amazing Greek Odyssey
20:00 Contest Winner Announced
25:00 What's in the Box?
34:00 Terrain Time
46:00 PAASL Talk
1:06:40 Total Running Time
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
Mike Stubits joins Dave and Jeff in the Broadcast Foxhole as he discusses his gaming background and his tournament experiences. He is freshly back from the St. Louis Tournament that he attended with Rich Spilky. And he recounts his adventures and the wonderful generosity of the Texas ASL boys!
You can brush up on your pillbox rules during Terrain Time, which doubles as a kind of Quiz Show so pack up your pachyderms, your ASL kit in your trunk, and play along!
SHOW TIMES
1:00 ASL Tournament Talk
29:00 Terrain Time
1:06:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Pachyderms at Brookfield Zoo
Boardgame Geek Pillbox Questions
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Ritterkrieg, Bounding Fire Productions, Broken Ground Design and kind donations from listeners like you!
Lot's of letters get us off on the right foot on this show. You can always rely on the listeners to provide some great material. Tournament announcements, commendations, questions and answers (although not very good ones, from us). What's in the Box? examines the Polish and Romanian
counters from Broken Ground Design and...wait for it....the new contest! BING, BING, BING, simply get on Twitter if you can, Tweet at #T2HSPoles state that you would like the Polish counters and you will be entered in the contest. We realize there could be some complications with this method including the fact that if you are not on Twitter you will hate us, but we will just have to figure it out as we go. Contest ends July 31st. What we have played lately is SV8 Mud and Blood, FrF97 Wrecking the Rentals, and ASL111 Balkan Sideshow.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Random Talk
9:30 Letters
37:30 What's in the Box?
47:00 Contest Announced
50:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
1:07:02 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Malaya Madmen Singapore July 26, 2019
Canadians and Brits at Arnhem
Duitse aanval bij Westervoort Video 10 mei 1940
Tanker Coin
Wild West Fest ASL Tourny
Possiby a Real Best of List That We Are On
St. Louis ASL Tourny
Peg Leg Porker - Nashville
ASL Balkan Sideshow Controversy on Game Squad
Welcome to episode 222. We are proud to present our interview with Oliver Gray. He has a lot's of interesting things to say about all of our favorite topics including but not limited to his counter storage system known as the Great Wall of Raaco, his collection of counters,WW2 history books, his Battleschool dice and of course his Advanced Squad Leader collection itself.
He is currently paytesting the Konigsberg Pack for George Kellin at Lone Canuck Publishing as has playtested Scotland the Brave for Ray Tapio at Critical Hit. He has been doing proofreading for Alan Findley of Broken Ground and he is a huge fan of Bounding Fire Productions products. Olli used to run a local ASL club in Scotland where he provided all the kit (he certainly has enough), and .up until a couple of years ago he had a semi regular get together for ASLers at Highlander Games in Dundee. Olli is a Veteran and served many years in the British Royal Air Force and loves a good old malt whisky. Here's to Olli.....cheers.....clink and drink.
SHOWTIMES 59:45 Total Running Time SHOW LINKS Oregon Laminating Corner Cutters
Despite the title of this episode it is, as usual, rated PG. Perhaps Dave and Jeff's natural animal magnetism is to blame. If you are wondering what this conversation is all about you will want to jump right into the letters section where you will be granted understanding as well as access to good old ASL talk. For the most detailed rules discussion continue to Terrain Time and learn about Narrow Streets. Watch out for that street fighting advantage.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Too Much Talk (but cool historical movie topics covered)
20:00 Letters
38:00Terrain Time
1:09:15 Total Running Time
Download this episode (right-click and Save)
We apologize for the bad audio quality in the first 8 minutes. Dave attended the ASL Open, even though he didn't play, he had a great time (surprisingly) watching Rich Spilky and Wes Vaughn play ASL 21 The Professionals. You can hear a discussion of it during banter. The winner of Critical Hit's Arnhem: The Third Bridge is announced. Terrain Time teaches you how to place and avoid anti-tank mines as you play with armored fighting vehicles.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 ASL Talk (disguised as Banter)
9:00 Winner of Arnhem: the Third Bridge Announced
21:00 Terrain Time
55:35 Total Running Time
Greetings Advanced Squad Leader Fanatics! Welcome to the show. Loose ends get tied up as we finish our review of LFT 14. Achtung Minen! Yes, learn your mine rules right here and right now but watch your step, we don't want you to go Kablooey. Terrain Time in a nice quiz type format covers those rules as well as wire rules.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Bantero
14:00 LFT 14 Continued
28:20 Terrain Time
1:01 Some Quick Plane Advice from LFT
1:04:42 Total Running Time
Greetings Brothers of the ASL Rule Book,
We hope you are doing well and that you will enjoy the wonderful opening song performed 100% (and we mean it when we say it this time) by Jeff Hallett. We remind our listeners of our contest to win Arnhem: The Third Bridge by Critical Hit. Enter by April first, and no, we are not fooling. The majority of this effort centers on Le Franc Tireur's newest magazine, issue #14. Inside you will find the history of the Italians in WWII and in ASL. It includes a full set of Italian counters with additional paratroops as well as many scenarios. In the What's in the Box portion of the show, Jeff discusses the card type game Mighty Little Defenders and Dave discusses, ASL Scenario SV3 Absolute Markajarvi.
SHOWTIMES
0:01 Long May We Run
4:45 Banter
19:15 Letters
37:00 What Have You Been Playin' Lately Bro?
50:00 What's in the Box?
1:14:10
SHOW LINKS
Blind Hex Chart
Human Wave Tournament
Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede
Interesting listeners want to know. Is it Dave and Jeff, or Jeff and Dave? Well everyone knows that these things are done alphabetically. That would make Dave and Jeff the official way of addressing the hosts of The Two Half-Squads, the one and only podcast dedicated 100% to the greatest game in the world: Advanced Squad Leader.
In this episode lot's o' lovely letters from our lucky listeners cover such topics as tournament announcements and other things of ASL interest. We review Arnhem: The Third Bridge by Critical Hit and offer it up as the perfect prize in for our newest contest. To win this CH product simply send us an email with "Dave and Jeff" in the subject line, or "Jeff and Dave", but putting "Dave and Jeff" will get you entered into the contest TWICE. You will need to pay part of the shipping unless you live in the continental U.S.
Our What's in the Box segment also includes a look at Broken Ground Design's full compliment of full color Axis Minor counters for use with Advanced Squad Leader.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Maybe Interesting Conversation
10:00 Letters
33:00 What's in the Box?
44:00 Contest Announced
50:00 More What's in the Box?
SHOW LINKS
Canadian ASL Tourny
Heroes ASL Tournament UK
Arnhem: The Third Bridge on BGG
Axis Minor Counters from Broken Ground Design
We decided not to link any of the music mentioned in the show. There is such a thing as evil.
Another amazing interview. This time we snag David Roth who utilized 25 research books and other sources including some interviews with survivors of the battle in order to design this amazing module. . He tells us of the challenges and joys of producing such a marvelous game for Bounding Fire Productions. Learn some history of the battle while you listen. Corregidor: The Rock contains a beautiful map and David gives us a thorough tour of the terrain and we get a preview of David's upcoming projects. Super!
SHOW TIMES
1:00:20 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL Open Registration and Scenario List
CASLO XXIII
Nadir Elfarra of Advanced Squad Leader Fame
We actually never discuss the ASL Ladder. We just put it into the title because it rhymes with Nadir, our guest. Nadir Elfarra has been a long time contributor to the world of Advanced Squads Leader. He was with the players around Los Angeles, Mark Neukom Steve Dethlefson and Eddie Zeman and many others who were all producing ASL stuff.
He has worked on Parkers Crossroads, done lot's of art for various publications. Operation Watchtower was his design and his original map can be found here at Desperation Morale, Nadir has been a play tester and proof reader for Decision Games as well as Multi-Man Publishing.
The quality of the audio varies but shouldn't be too distracting.
This interview is loaded. Enjoy.
Total Running Time
48:something
Bob Joins us again and we open with some BEARS talk, and since that will appeal to very few of you we also have a discussion about Peter Jackson's The Hobbit Trilogy and Russians in general. What we have been playing lately includes scenario ASL 173: Father Sunshine, and WO 20 Sealing Their Fate. What's in the box? gives us an opportunity to review the Russian counters from Broken Ground Design as well as the new Multi Man Publishing product for the Advanced Squad Leader game system, Hatten in Flames. While we have that game out in front of those the Muses spoke and asked us to do a Box Art Review. So we did.
Jeff found a full view of the original work that does verify his Poker Dog observations as you can see.
SHOW TIMES
0:01 Song An Overun
3:00 Opening Conversation
18:30 What Have You Been Playin' Lately?
26:20 What's in the Box? Broken Grounds Russian Counters
36:00 Box Art Review
48:00 What's in the Box? Hatten in Flames
1:12:30 Total Running Time
LYRICS to "An Overun"
Lyrics by Dennis Donovan, Performed by Megan Kleinschmidt and The 2 Half Squad Singers
I saw him at the open and my heart stood still
I’ll do one one-one, an over run?
I needed some CVPs and it fit the bill
I’ll do one-one-one, an over run
Yeah, he’s on a hill , Yeah, an easy kill
Went into hex G1 one-one-one, an over run
Knew not what I was doing, but I had to try
I’ll do one-one-one, an over run
The con-cept seemed easy, but my-oh-my .
I’ll do one-one-one, an over run
Yeah, I had to try ... Yeah, it’s do-or-die ... Yeah, I love this rule.
To do one-one-one, an over run
I declared one-one, an over run
I’ll do one-one-one, an over run
I attacked with 7 FP and I rolled a 5
I did one-one-one, an over run
Rolls like that are gonna get his guys
I did one-one-one, an over run
Yeah, it went just fine ....Yeah, ‘till I hit that mine .....Yeah, if ya get immob’d
It’s half FP on, an over run
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
An over run run
I did one-one-one, an over run
A very Happy New Year to you all! We wish all of you the best for a wonderful 2019 and many
more. The power goes out on was while recording which proves to be a fortuitous event, because when we resume recording weeks later we are graced by a visit from Bob Holmstrom as he makes a return to the broadcast foxhole. During What's In The Box?, we look at many of Broken Ground's new counters for ASL, including the panzerfaust counters, the IIIFT residual and fire lane counters. There are also FFE counters that have the firepower of the OBA right on them. And if you are tired of using those motorcycle counters for your bicycles you will be thrilled to find these new bicycle counters that include pertinent information like the fact that bicycles gain movement when heading downhill. To wrap up this episode we play Quiz Show. So grab your bell and play along with us!
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
7:30 What's in the Box?
26:30 Quiz Show
1:04:43 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Broken Ground Heretical Counters
Holiday greetings listeners. We hope this yuletide season finds you all cheery and staying warm by the fire. What better time than this to have a cup of hot coco and have a listen to the one and only podcast dedicated nearly 100% to the greatest game in the world....Advanced Squad Leader. In this episode Dave compiles a set of recordings he had hanging around on his computer, including a look at a scenario or two with local ASLer's Mark Woods, Doug Gries, Bob Holmstrom, and Dave Timonen, and the guys from St. Louis, Jeff Ital and Jim Burris. Megan joins us to read some letters in Jeff's absence. We finish up with a look at Broken Ground Designs Berserk counters and a reading of the footnotes to Tarawa. Listen while you drive and enjoy.
Jim Burris (above) Jeff Ital (below)
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Letters
8:40 Scenario 166 Skiing in Lapland Analysis
18:30 Scenario O15 Highland Frank
22:00 Scenario Across the Issel
28:15 Scenario J141 Riding With the King
33:30 St. Louis Club Update
38: Broken Grounds Berserk Counters
58:38 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL St. Louis
Recorded on a wintry night, we managed to finish #211 just before the power went out (forcing the postponement of the recording of #212), this episode features a whole bunch of letters, the announcement of the winner of the game YANKS, and an in depth look at the rest of the scenarios from Korea: Forgotten War.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Chit Chat
15:00 Letters
33:00 YANKS Winner Announced
37:30 Forgotten War Scenarios Part II
1:08:12 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
ASL Germany - Grenadier Website
If you are quite certain that you want to miss the bantery discussion of some interesting films that Dave and Jeff have seen lately, as well as info on how crackers are made you can skip right to minute nineteen and get a close look at the Kampfgruppe Scherer Player's Guide. This guide can provide you with a big assist when you play the game.
We are proud to present the last of our ASL Open interviews, with Bret Hildebrand and Mike Stubits, and this is one you won't want to miss.
Why would you want to miss any of them?
SHOW TIMES
0:01 Song SMC's a Goner (lyrics below)
3:03 Banter
19:20 Kampfgruppe Scherer Player's Guide
36:00 Interview
1:04:40 Total Running Time
LINKS
Kulning
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Le Franc Tireur Kampfgruppe Scherer Guide
Order it here at Ritterkrieg
Far Away Coast by the Drop Kick Murphy's
RALLY PHASE RECORDS PRESENTS!!!!
SMC's A Goner
Concept: D. Wallick
Lyrics: D. Wallick, D. Donovan
Vocals: Stephen Stewart Mixing/Technical: Jim, the Mix-Master Bera Sung to The Smiths' song "Girlfriend In A Coma"
Leader blew morale check, oh no!
I know, it’s serious
He was already broken, ya know
I know, it’s really serious
And do I want him to roll a wound check? No!
‘Cuz ya know, I would hate anything to happen to him
No, I don’t want to lose him
Do you really think he'll survive?
Do you think he’ll roll less than ‘5’?
Duuuuuuu-uuuuuuuude.
SMC’s a goner, ya know
I know it’s serious
Bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, my buddy
Goodbye
There were times when I could have rallied him
‘Cuz you know, it’s not like he’s a 10-2 and he just got
Got a field promotion
Now he's taking the check, time to fret
And he rolled a ‘5’ and he died.
Doooooo’oooooh!
Let me whisper a few bad words
I know it's serious
Hear the dulcet tones of Dave's nose flute, as well as Jeff's new flute provided to The 2 Half-Squads courtesy of Bill Forg and his amazing 3-D printer.
Many of you have been waiting a long time for the return of Box Art Review. The fine art chosen this episode is from Winter Offensive Pack #9. Pull up an image from your google search and have a gander. Beware, it is quite frightening......and just in time for Halloween!
Dave covers a playing of scenario WO11 Across The Issel and scenario ASL172 The Last Attack. We also have a wonderful interview with Chris Garret from the ASL Open.
The contest for the free copy of YANKS ends November 22nd. We already have tons of entries. Good luck to all you Yankee Devils.
Chris Garret at the ASL Open 2018
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Too Much Boring Banter
10:00 What Have You Been Playin' Lately?
25:00 Box Art Review
41:00 Interview With Chris Garret
58:40 Total Running Time
Disco, rap, space travel and cultural preferences are just a few of the topics discussed before we dive into our coverage of the greatest game in the world - Advanced Squad Leader.
Join Fred Canzolino and Mark DeVries as they discuss their favorite aspects of ASL.
We announce the winner of our contest for Hot Stove 3, you'll have to listen to find out if you are the lucky winner. There is also a new contest announced. Yes, you can win YANKS. Just send us an email with the word Yanks in the subject line and you will be entered into our contest to win a brand new game of YANKS, kindly donated by Mark Woods. Enter by the Thanksgiving deadline. Thank you Mark! Broken Ground Designs' new partisan counters are reviewed in What's in the Box. We are big fans of these counters.
SHOW TIMES
:30 Banter
15:00 Winner Announced
24:30 What's in the Box?
31:40 Letters
45:30 Interviews
59:35 Total Running Time
SHOW LINKS
Charts of Space Missions
Banozic, Emberton and Forg What a treasure trove of an interview! We've got it right here for ya brothers and sisters. It is the legendary and lyrical Robert Banozic. He is joined by Will Forg, and Zach Emberton, Together they reminisce and pontificate on all things ASL. Robert was one of the first names that early Advanced Squad Leader players recognize from his days in the early Chicago scene and his writings in many prominent publications, Backblast, The General and the Annual among others.
We forgot our ads in this one so thanks to our sponsors, Bounding Fire Productions, Ritterkrieg and Broken Ground Designs.
SHOW TIMES
1:00:15 Total Running Time
Helllooooo Listeners!
Dave, Jeff and guess who? Listener Mark Kraatz at Gen Con
Did you know at Gen Con we were just walking down the street and someone yelled "Is that Dave and Jeff?" Would you believe it was listener Mark Kratz? We also discuss the longest ASL scenario ever played. MMP's Messenger Boys. It took well over a year and a half. Lets see you take that long to play a scenario. In the box is Winter Offensive Pack #9 . We snagged a nice interview at the ASL Open with Wes Vaughn and Doug Kirk. Cople of real great guys. Two finer gentlemen you could not meet.
Wes Vaughn and Doug Kirk watch a game at the ASL Open
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banter
12:25 What Have You Been Playin' Lately
27:00 What's in the Box?
39:30 ASL Open Interviews
1:23:10 Total Running Time
Fall is fast approaching and so is the next episode.
We just can't believe how fast time flies. Or how long this episode is. It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating #200 together. In this show Dave confesses his big mistake in tracking what we have covered and have not covered in the rules so far, he apologizes for covering the infantry fire rules again. Therefore, we cover the rules from opportunity fire to rule 7.32. Our goal is to cover the entire Advanced Squad Leader rule book before we conclude this show. After that Dave presents the first eight or so of the scenarios from the Forgotten War module. Boy, they look neat! To steal a pun from Donovon. They ROK!
How about that opening song? The lyrics were provided by Rob Banozic and the song was performed by The 2 Half Squad Singers.
SHOWTIMES
00:01 Song: He's Got Really Hot Snake Eyes
04:00 Banter
16:10 The Rules
51:25 Half of The Forgotten War Scenarios
1:27:25 Total Running Time
REALLY HOT SNAKE-EYES
(to the tune of "Bette Davis Eyes"
Lyrics by Rob Banozic)
His rolls are always low
I've never seen 'em high
His dice are never cold
He's got really hot snake-eyes
He'll turn the MGs on you
You won't pass a check twice
It's cold as East Front snow
He's got really hot snake-eyes
And they'll break you, they'll crit-hit you
They're the bones that will defeat you
They're atrocious, 'cause he always gets the
Rolls that make the stacks crush
God! why do I always roll so high, he's got really hot snake-eyes
You like your +3 stone
The place to stand and fight
But all you do is moan
He's got really hot snake-eyes
He'll take a '1' shot on you
And roll those wicked dice
Until you give up, too
He's got really hot snake-eyes
They'll DM you, when he plays you
Trash your plan with the dice he loans you
They're ferocious 'cause he always gets the
Rolls that make the stacks crush
All the boys think it's just fine, to get really hot snake-eyes
And they'll break you, they'll crit-hit you
They're the bones that will defeat you
They're atrocious, 'cause he always gets the
Rolls that make the stacks crush
All the boys think it's just fine, to get really hot snake-eyes
What a great opening song! Check out the lyrics below and enjoy the brilliance of the Donovan Studios as they continue to produce marvelous ASL songs. Lay out your boards and follow along as Rick Hollander and Dave Kleinschmidt present their After Action Report of Bounding Fire Productions scenario ITR 12 Sosabowski Slapdown that appeared in Into the Rubble 2. We delve into the Critical Hit product Hot Stove 1 in the What's in the Box segment to wrap things up until next time.
CONTEST: If you would like to win the copy of Hot Stove #1 by Critical Hit simply send us an email with the subject line "Hot Stove" by September 15th, and we will enter you into a drawing for the fine product.
Sosabowski Slapdown: end game.
SHOWTIMES
0:1 Song DC HERO
4:00 Interesting Chat
18:00 After Action Report
45:00 What's in the Box?
57:10 Total Running Time
This summer has been extremely hot
Dave's Russians push against Mark's Germans
and so is this episode. Why? Because we get back to the grind and continue our coverage of the Advanced Squad Leader rules, 7.0, Fire Attacks. When is that fire doubled? Halved? Tripled (oh yeah)? Do you even know? Of course you do.But you may not know the more advanced concept from this rules section. Match your wits and ASL knowledge against Jeff as he is quizzed while we discuss the rules on Fire Attacks. If you think the rules are boring, then take a listen to our interview with Bob Bendis from the ASL Open.
Jeff, otherwise known as the Black Belt of Death, reveals his humble beginnings in the wonderful art of Karate. He also tells us what chicks used to "dig" back in the day. We get some nice letters from listeners, very nice letters. Everyone's a hero in the re-issue of the Hero Pax from Critical Hit. They have been updated and have art added, as well as a few new scenarios.To finish off the program we have an interview with the very famous Brian Martuzas from the ASL Open. He has worked on Armies of Oblivion and Pointe du Hoc, and loves the new counters coming from Broken Ground Designs. We also interview Magnus who came all the way from Sweden, and tells us of the European ASL world.
Hello,
It's been a while since we have published an ASL Extra. This one has been recorded in a play by play style, where we follow every move and roll of an exciting game between Mike Ryzy's Germans and Eric Ortega's Russian defenders, as they try to hold onto some required buildings in Shklov, Russia. Hopefully you will enjoy listening along while the game is played, rules are recalled and strategy discussed. We had trouble posting photos to flikr so we put them all here.
Sorry HAL 9000, it had to be done.....and we had a lot of fun doing it.
Do you think a HAL unit would have it's line of sight blocked to the interior of the ship if you held the ASL rulebook up over it's little red eye? You will learn the answer to that question as we explore rule 6, LOS. It is a bit of a "quiz show" so sharpen your mind and prepare to listen. See if you can beat Jeff to the right answers.
You new ASLer's can learn alot about the history of the game from our interview with the very famous and most wise, Dave Ginnard. You older players will enjoy hearing about the good old days. He hails from Ohio and was there at the Genesis of Advanced Squad Leader. He's also a lot of fun to listen to in his own right. So give it a listen. Rich Spilky connected us at the ASL Open. Thanks Rich.
Remember to not run into any trees everyone.
Boy, that number 200 does look odd in the title. We hope you don't have your hopes up too much this one. Doing that almost always guarantees disappointment and we give you enough disappointment even without our listeners having an unusually high expectation for this podcast.
Following the usual format Jeff presents a look at BFP-78 Operation Wheatfield from Bounding Fire's Crucible of Steel, after the usual banter of course. If you didn't know that Dave went to Ireland, well, you will after this show.
Episode 200 is saved from its own banality by the marvelous interviews that we snagged at the ASL Open, right here in Chicagoland. You will learn some history of the game while you get to meet some of these wonderful people in the ASL community. ENJOY!
SHOWTIMES
0:02 MASH Parody Song (lyrics by D. Donovan, Performed by The 2 Half-Squads Singers
3:34 Greetings and a conversation about dummies and concealment
10:00 Wonderful, Glorious, Banter (hey, it's 200, let us dream)
13:00 Pathetic Request for Support
14:00 Good Ideas for Life
16:00 Not More Banter!.....Please No!
25:00 What's The Plan for the Next 30 Shows?
27:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
44:30 Dave Goldman and Zach Emberton interviews
1:03 John McDermot and Chris Edwards interviews
1:26:30 Callers (Larry, Alan and Jackson)
1:30:28 Total Running Time
Welcome back our friends to the show that never ends! Well, maybe never ends. Well, of course it will end. BUT IT WILL GO BEYOND EPISODE 200. Sorry to be the bearers of bad news. Anyway, we open with quite a bit of boring banter, then many rather interesting letters, a detailed look at Scenario 176: The Only Way Out, then finish up with a look at Critical Hit's Dutch Trucks III. This product has some limited use for existing ASL scenarios but is a lot of fun.
We had so much fun last time that we thought we would invite Rich Spilky, Bob Brown and Dan Dolan back into the broadcast foxhole for some more Advanced Squad Leader discussion. Bob gives us his gaming background, we discuss attending tournaments, and then we begin a rousing rendition of ADVANCED QUIZ SHOW (yes, these questions are tricky). Get your bell ready to use to buzz in and play along with us from the comfort of your own home. When you have Rich playing, you know you are going to get some great rules advice.
SHOW TIMES
3:10 Bob's Gaming History
11:00 Quiz Show
Break out your Red Barricades map and follow along as Rich Spilky and Bob Brown discuss campaign game III with the author of an article that provided Rich with a winning strategy. Dan Dolan's article was published back in 1993 in a fanzine called Fire for Effect that was published by Marc Hannah. It is fun to hear the three of them discuss the game and the fact that Rich was using his "radio" to stay in contact with Dan (who provided the wonderful photos, by the way).
PHOTOS ARE HERE ON OUR FLIKR STREAM
The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and Ritterkrieg and of course, kind donations from you. Subscribe to us on Patreon PLEASE.
If you aren't familiar with the Advanced Squad Leader videos by Kirk Pfan, known to his fans as idjester, then you have been missing out on a wonderful resource for the ASL community. His work is available on youtube here idjester. Kirk produces videos that cover the rulebook, step by step training of specific aspects of ASL, as well as some scenario analysis. There are a lot of resources on the web for us fans to explore. Perhaps we can be your tour guide. Time to forget your real life and step into the virtual ASL world (but, just for a short time).
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Interview with IdJester
1:04:10 Total Running Time
It may feel more like an early Spring, but we recorded this back in February and the Winter Olympics were still going on and we were buried in a moderately deep snow here in the Chicago area. Jeff had spent a little dough on Anzio - 1944 and Drive For Saint Lo from Lone Canuck Publishing. Rick Hollander and Dave analyze Scenario PAD 2: The Quick and the Dead. They offer an in depth look at that gem.
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Talk
13:00 What's in the Box?
41:50 Scenario Analysis
57:15 Total Running Time
Welcome everyone, we are speaking softly and not carrying a big stick. Life is too short for anything else. Did you know that Jeff is not interested in murder, and that neither of our hosts enjoy loud foul language? Well it's true, after all there are children listening.....and trying to sleep. Have you ever wondered what would happen if everyone swore all the time? Well we do. So no Prairie Dogging everyone. Did you know that this podcast is actually about ASL? Probably not due to all the stupid banter you get on this show, but we will cover some wonderful letters that do discuss Advanced Squad Leader
SHOW TIMES
1:00 Banterino
15:30 Letters From You, The Listeners!
36:00 What Have You Been Playin' Lately.
43:00 Spilky Banozic Crossfire in Banzai
46:00 What's in the Box?
59:00 Total Running Time
LINKS
Mark Evans Youtube ASL Product Reviews
Banzai 22.2
The Smiths - Ask
The Mash Theme - Why Dave Gets Sad When He Hears It.
Sure seems like Christmas (or maybe our birthdays around here). We have been getting a lot of cool ASL in the mail. Forgotten War, Lone Canuck and best of all, Operation Schmidt by Bounding Fire Productions. We dedicate most of this show to that fine product. After a mediocre comedy but that is clearly stolen from a joke Dave's Dad used to tell him, we skip the banter, because Jeff is not here in this show. And it's kind of hard for Dave to banter with himself. Especially if he wants to avoid any labels. After opening that box we jump into detailed coverage of the terrain of Operation Schmidt.
YeeeeHaaa! Welcome y'all. Have you ever wondered what is going on in our crazy society today? We sure have. Fake news, rude behavior, random death threats. And after all that we get into the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader! There is also a quick review of the Churchill film Darkest Hour. In the box is a game Jeff has long sought after and finally received thanks to listener Stephen Banks, Red Barricades. You can also get a sneak preview of Broken Ground's new and amazing counters for ASL, right here on this show. Pretty cool. And, if you ever wondered what would happen if you called the old Avalon Hill phone number, you can find out by listening.
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Greetings and Banter
17:30 Letters
44:30 What Have You Been Playing Lately?
54:00 What's in the Box?
Dave fails to stop the Italian tanks.Happy New Years everyone! This is a collection of recordings we have made throughout 2017 and never used in an episode. Then we added some new stuff today. You will find a little Tom Barkalow, Rick Hollander, Aaron Kleinschmidt, as well as a bit of Dave and Jeff and a lot of Advanced Squad Leader talk. Aaron and Dave open with some letters. Tom and Dave share an in depth scenario analysis of Broken Grounds' scenario Pad 4: Iron Coffins. We gave the wrong scenario name in the audio. Sorry. There also is quite an inconsistent sound quality due to the variety of recording sources. Quite a potpourri.
SHOWTIMES
1:00 Letters
15:00 After Action Report
30:00 A Closer Look at From the Cellar 8
1:00:41 Total Running Time
Happy Holidays All! Jump into the Broadcast Foxhole with us and learn about......what else really? Foxholes! That's right, our Terrain Time Training brings you the foxhole rules. Did we tell you that Dave ordered a nice Christmas gift for himself from Ritterkrieg. It included the U.S. Airborne! dice from Battle School and the amazing From the Cellar Pack 8 from Le Franc Tireur.
We'd also like to thank our Patreon patrons for sticking with us and showing their superb support even through the recent snafu perpetrated by Patreon. Remember that Patreon subscribers get special bonus material that currently consists of readings of Banzai Magazine from our friends in Texas. That way you can listen while you drive.... or paint miniatures.
SHOW TIMES
0:02 Song I Want a Blood Reef Tarawa for Christmas
4:00 Banter
12:50 Terrain Time
36:00 What's in the Box?
1:04:00 Total Running Time
After the fantastic interview last show, we couldn't really follow it up with anything as great as that, so we decided to clean out some letters, bring you what's new in the Advanced Squad Leader world with In The News, and talk about scenarios we have played lately. Simple, yet beautiful. Enjoy.
When you can snag interviews with people the likes of Ken Katz, you've got an excellent show with The Forgotten War, Korea 1950-1953. Ken does an outstanding job giving us the run down on the development, history, boards, counters and rules of this fascinating new module. We are really looking forward to this one.
very little effort on the part of the interviewers. You also don't need to edit a whole lot. Ken brings us the inside scoop on the soon to be released (well, soon is a relative term) Multi-Man ASL product
Happy Halloween All. We bring you a very scary show for this very scary season. Hear lot's of interesting ideas, thoughts and suggestions from our listeners as we share their letters. These letters also include some film suggestions and Advanced Squad Leader tournament announcements. Listen closely as we determine the winners of the contest and see if you are one of the lucky ones. Our contest participates answer the question "what would you like to see more of in ASL?". They have some great ideas. Scenario designers listen up.
In this episode we interview the indomitable Rich Spilky about his adventures and mis-adventures at ASLOK. You may have heard of the luck o' the Irish, well listen to this show and you will learn of the luck o' the Perry and how that can effect a games outcome. Rich raps it up with an in-depth look at his rules table 28. It's great, it deals with backblast! Can't get enough backblast now can we?
Is your refrigerator running?
Oh boy, have we got a show for you! Not only do we bring back our special guests from the last show, Spilky and the Forgs (great name for a rock band eh?) and we give you a great opening song with lyrics by D. Donovan and beautiful vocals by Megan K.
Not only do we provide you with a report from the
Texas ASL Tourney and we give you with a fantastic look at the new ASL Map Pad Packs from Broken Ground Design. Not only do we give you a rip roaring edition of Quiz Show and the usual and somewhat amazing BANTER.
But we also provide you with a....with a........well....maybe that is all we provide you with.
Realizing that Dave and Jeff alone make for an awfully lonely (and sometimes just plain awful) show, they invited Rich Spilky, and Bill and Will Forg to discuss their game of The Last Bid from Red Barricades. As you might expect, you will gain some great tactical advice from the discussion. After that "after action report" Rich and Bill both discuss their latest Advanced Squad Leader related products and ideas. These brilliant ideas include new charts, a better method of making tongs and counter containers, and much more. Oh, yeah, and don't think you can steal these great ideas. They are patented.
There really isn't anything such thing as "motor goat bun" rules in Advanced Squad Leader.But there are rules about WIRE, and we give them a steely look in this episode. Banter includes discussion of the film Guadalcanal Diary, The Fighting Sullivans and War For the Planet of the Apes. We cover a few ASL scenarios that we played lately, including Into The Rubble 17 from Bounding Fire Productions. Listen to the letters from our wonderful listeners and get some ideas about how to store your ASL goodies in order to better travel with it, discover players who are looking for fellow gamers in their area. Learn how to get started in the game.
CONTEST! Here is the latest contest... send us a gmail the type of specialty scenarios that would you like to see more of? More partisans? More special forces? Commandos? MGB? Or what historical area should be explored in an ASL product? Brest Litovsk? Corriegedor? Zombies?
Send us your opinion by October first and you will be entered into our drawing. The prizes include The Scenario Designers Handbook (1st place), Critical Hit 10th Anniversary Magazine (2nd place), and the Sabaton CD (3rd place).
Everybody loves counters. Alan Findlay of Broken Ground Design makes some cool ones. Alan checks in with The 2 Half-Squads and discusses his gaming background and introduction to Squad Leader. Broken Ground Design makes an interesting mouse pad scenario pack as well as some beautiful color counters that are historically accurate.
Did you know that Chinese Commissars are notorious pyromaniacs? If you didn't then you obviously have not listened to this episode of The 2 Half Saquads, the only podcast on the net, dedicated nearly 100% to the greatest game in the world, Advanced Squad Leader. Did you know our letters segments provide a place for listeners to make requests of other listeners much like some of the best ASL forums. A place for fans of the game to connect and make connections. If you think that is a great thing, then you need to support us on Patreon. Even if you don't think that is a great thing you still need to support us on Patreon.
Did you know that HIP units can be left off the board and their location can be written down on a sheet of paper? If you didn't then you don't play a lot of ASL AND haven't listened to this episode.
So,,,,,,why don't you give it a listen now?
The 2 Half Squads are sponsored by
Ritterkrieg and Bounding Fire Productions
SHOW TIMES
0:02 Song Sleeze Freezer
3:10 Banter
13:20 Letters
29:30 Free Hat Contest Winner Announced
31:30 What in Da Box?
1:08:50 Total Running Time
We have big news, really BIG news! We know you have been stressing over the fact that you have been listening to this fine podcast free of charge. We are now on Patreon and you can assuage your guilty feelings by subscribing for a measly $1 a show. You can't beat that with a stick. $1 a show. Simply head over to Patreon and subscribe.
We discuss a ton of scenarios from a variety of Advanced Squad Leader producers including ones from St. Louis Burma Pack, Into the Rubble 2, Le Franc Tireur and Multi-Man Publishing. Speaking of rubble we dig in to the rubble rules and since you might need to remove the stuff, we cover the Clarence, sorry, we meant clearance rules. That'll show how to clear, rubble, wire and all kinds of ASL stuff.
The world may be spinning out of control........or not, but we wouldn't know, as we have been down in the broadcast foxhole slaving over our computers and microphones in order to create this show for your entertainment. Our entertainment was provided by you, the listeners of this show, since you wrote the material we cover as we dive into your informative and amusing letters. Thanks so much for writing!
We also cover ASL Journal #6 is reviewed and, oh yeah, it has a great cover by Ken Smith.
CONTEST FOR FREE HAT ANNOUNCED - gmail us within three weeks of the posting of this show (specifying if you want the hat signed by us or not signed by us), and you will be entered into the drawing for the free hat provided by listener Joe.
What a joy it is to travel to the refreshing Great White North, where they still have snow and great Advanced Squad Leader players like the indomitable and dashing Michael Dorosh of The Scenario Designers Handbook Fame. Michael's credentials are impeccable regarding his service to the gaming community and the Canadian Armed Forces.
You don't believe us? Then you'd better have a listen.
In this ASL Extra we are proud to present Mike Stubits and Rich Spilky as our special guests. Join Dave Kleinschmidt as he provides a play by play of the Advanced Squad Leader scenario WO 18: A Quick Strike. Mikes Americans move against a crafty Japanese defense around the Munda Airfield in New Georgia. Break out your PTO rules, boards 74 and 75 and follow along.
We haven't taken the time to check in with listener mail lately. That drought ends with this very episode.No longer must you thirst for nuggets and gems from your fellow Advanced Squad Leader players from around the world. For you sophisticated listeners, we feature both Journal 11 and Journal 12 in Box Art Review. If you'd like a look at Winter Offensive Bonus Pack 8 you have come to the right place. We break it open right before your very ears.
Join us as we grab a two-four and head to the great white north and check in on the Canadian ASL scene. We we hate to sound like a pair of keeners but we are very privileged to have the honor of interviewing Steve Slunt of Canadian ASL Open,. We get an opportunity to discuss the Canadian ASL Association and other things. It won't cost you any Loonies to have a listen, eh?
Would you be so kind to join us for an inside look at ASL Journal Twelve? By inside look we mean we look inside and talk about the contents. We don't have any special connection to Mult-Man Publishing. Although we have interviewed Perry several times. This one has many great articles that range from advice for the rookie to advice for the grognard. There is a nice piece on the Korean Marines to get us all excited about the upcoming Korean Module.
Join Jeff and Dave as they banter about classic films like Robin Hood and Stalag 17 and other things before they get to the meat of this episode. To feast on that meat you need to clear the boulders and debris to get Into The Rubble 2. It is an amazing product that you will want to add to your ASL collection for sure.
Did you know that Marcel Marceu performed his act in total silence? No background music, no sound effects, no nothing...except fine pantomime. That is an amazing thing, but not nearly as amazing as this episode because it covers a whole lot of Advanced Squad Leader topics while reading letters from fans and ASL players around the world. Do take time to listen to them, as they include many interesting and controversial new house rules being discussed for the ASL Open, like no kindling, OBA red card draw fix, no smoke mods for flamethrowers, unlimited smoke placement for mortars, no more upper level VBM sleaze. Wow, hard to argue with the logic of those fixes. If you were a penguin you couldn't argue with those fixes 'cause penguins don't talk.
We finish our look at ASL Journal Five.
When we dive into the desert rules we climb a hillock, trudge through sand, rest in a sangar before leaping over a cactus hedge and into a cactus patch, which hurts a lot. So we head through the broken terrain, past an olive grove and stop in the vineyard to have a drink and rest for the evening.
We were lucky enough to catch Rick Reinesch and Sam Tyson for a 30 minute conversation about what's up at BFP.
Scrub the dust of your shoes, write your "Deir Jane" letter, figure out wadi you talking about, then prepare yourself for the second episode of The 2 Half-Squads that covers the desert rules that were released in the Advanced Squad Leader module West of Alamein. That was the one that introduced the desert stuff. We dust off our desert terrain rules and cover Scrub, Wadi's, Hammada and more.
You can roam through the desert on a horse with no name, but the trip would be much improved if you took this episode along with you to get you through the boring stretches of vast, waterless terrain. We finally bring you the beginning or a 3 or 4 part series covering the Desert rules for the Advanced Squad Leader game system. But first, we take a look at some of the scenarios that we have been playing lately, then we grab our pith helmets, water bottles and sun tan lotion and head into the parched desert.
Admit it -- you LIKE playing with GUNS. The more, the better. You don't want just one or two to choose from. You want LOTS of guns. Well, we guarantee you there is no better selection among ANY game on the planet than those available in ASL. Even the best video games pale in comparison to the bevy of beautiful, blazing artillery pieces provided in even the most basic of ASL modules. With that in mind, we present this first in a planned four-part series. Hardly comprehensive coverage, this is just a primer to the wonderful world of ASL guns. So gather your gumption and "Get thee to a Gunnery!".
And you won't want to miss the News Report. We have lots of goodies to talk about. We also have a double-feature of "What's In The Box?" and Jeff reviews "The Longest Day".
SHOW LINKS:
West Coast Melee East Side Gamers Gamers Armory World War II - in HD Sacred Jewelery by Robin Hallett Mention "The 2 Half-Squads" in the seller notes and you'll get your purchase beautifully gift wrapped AND Robbie will include a free gift. Each piece is hand made to order, so don't delay.
C4 Corner Cutter Mention "The 2 Half-Squads" when you order and receive a dollar back. It's the "Buck-in-the-Box" promotion.
It's great to have guests and do interviews, but sometimes it's nice to get back to basics. This time it's just the two of us and The Rule Book, hunkered down and in it deep. The main topic of this episode is Bypass Movement. It must have pained the Starter Kit designers to make the decision to leave out the bypass rules, and the introduction of bypass must be one of the top most compelling and enticing reasons to step up to Full ASL. If you don't know anything about bypass, you're going to learn a lot. If you already know bypass, you're probably going to learn something new. In any case, don't let this episode pass you by.
Of course, we also read some Listener Mail and find out "What's In the Box". Dave does a movie review of "Hart's War" and Jeff imparts some of his vast knowledge of grenades. It's Halloween, everyone, and this is one sweet treat.
Dig it.
Today we fill the broadcast foxhole to capacity and hold our first "round table" discussion. Can you guess the topic? Well, if you answered "Advanced Squad Leader", you are absolutely correct. Joining us today are three Chicago-area ASL veterans, Louie Tokarz, Rich Spilky and Bob Holmstrom. Add to that mix ASL vet and T2HS co-host, Dave Kleinschmidt, and we have an ASL virtuoso quartet gathered for your listening pleasure. The forum is open and relaxed, and if you like sitting around talking about your favorite hobby with others of like ilk, then you're going to like this episode a lot.
The running time for this show is nearly 90 minutes, but we only got to a small handful of the the topics we wanted to discuss. You know what that means . . . there will be more round table discussions in the future, with lots of different guests. Egad, so much to do, so little time!
If you're looking for Listener Mail, Box Art Review, Quiz Show, History Report and other T2HS regular segments, sorry, but there was no time this time, but join us next time -- which will be coming along in a short time.
Dig it.
One of the benefits of producing a netcast like this one is the opportunity it gives us to interview various ASL "celebrities". So far none of them have shown any self-awareness of that "celebrity" status, though they all most assuredly deserve the title, given the time and effort they dedicate to the hobby and -- more importantly -- donate to the community.
Our guest today is no exception, though his contributions to The Game are exceptional indeed. Mark Pitcavage (Dr. Mark Pitcavage, if one were to honor his PhD in history) is a name well known in ASL circles, and we were very pleased to "meet" him today for the first time to chat about our favorite topic. We think you'll find the discussion entertaining and informative. If you've never visited Mark's web site, dedicated to Advanced Squad Leader, then you're missing out. Check it out as soon as you can at http://www.desperationmorale.com/
Yes, we are very lucky to get to talk to so many NICE gamers, any one of whom you should have no fear taking home and introducing to your mother. Oh wait. That would be a wee bit creepy.
Before we start Mark(ing) Time, though, we still make room to sift through some listener mail (of course!) and indulge in our other usual antics. Stick around. This is a good one.
August was a busy month for us, especially with a fun-packed, four-day excursion to Indianapolis for GenCon. But we were still able to record a couple of fantastic T2HS (The 2 Half-Squads) episodes -- the first of which we offer here for your approval.
In "Get Movin'!" we continue our series covering, in detail, the phases of the game. And if you can't guess which phase is covered this time you should go back to playing "Chutes 'n Ladders".
There's a lot to cover, but we still carve out some time for listener mail, a quick movie review, and some other goodies.
You're going to like this episode. How can we be so sure? . . . because it's ASL.
Dig it.
Ah yes, we hate to say it but the end of summer break is drawing nigh (here in the Northern latitudes, anyway) and soon the kids will be back in school. With all the homework, projects, sports, and other scholastic activities monopolizing the lives of our youngsters, how are we adults to fill the empty hours? Hmmm. How about some ASL?
In this episode, we go to prep school -- Prep Fire Phase school, that is. With the ASL'ers favorite cheat sheet (the trusty ASOP) in hand, we take a detailed view of every event in this first action phase of the game turn. Why do we love Prep Fire so much? Because we finally get to FIRE!
We are happy to break from our studies to talk with Matt Shostak of the Texas ASL club. You know Matt and friends of course if you've ever laid eyes on the excellent Banzai!! [sic] publication, a newsletter -- and so much more -- put together and offered for free by that honored group from the greatest state in the lower forty-eight. Did we mention they offer Banzai!! for FREE? How's that for a sample of Texas hospitality?
Put on your thinking caps and join us!
Web Links for this show: * Texas ASL Club
- The Banzai newsletter (all 50 issues in one zip file)
This episode's main topic is Fire weapons: Flame Throwers and Molotov Cocktails.
This episode was our first LIVE audience show. Thanks to technology provided by TalkShoe we were able to broadcast our audio live on the internet and were joined live by listeners. It was pretty cool. We had about twenty-five people joining us via chat and call-in. We need to work out a few kinks in the technology, but all in all it was a great experience. The Quiz Show segment with instant answers from the audience was pretty cool for those able to participate.
Note: If you were not listening "Live", this episode may seem a bit confusing and disjointed; for that we apologize. We have a number of ideas about how to improve on this format and fully expect future Live casts to be much better. Also, it's possible we will re-record the main segment on Flame thrower weapons and MOL's; there was a lot of good content there that deserves proper presentation.
This episode of The 2 Half-Squads featured the music of American composer Leroy Anderson. You can use the widget below to sample the tunes we played and purchase the full versions from Amazon.
Amazon.com Widgets
To download a compressed (smaller file size) audio version of this episode, click - here -.
Now that we've spent a couple of episodes talking about tanks, we thought it time to take a look at a lighter topic -- what the lonely soldier could do to combat those nasty AFV's. With that in mind, this installment examines the ins and outs of Light Anti Tank Weapons (aka LATW's). Join us for an in-depth quiz show that is sure to inform and delight. So sit down, keep your hand near the buzzer . . . and Lighten Up!
Hello! This episode should have photos if you use itunes! We will also put them on the flickr side bar. This episode features Tim Klepaczyk's Germans defending against Ron Schatz's Americans in a Starter Kit #2 scenario called 88's at Zon. Neutral commentary is provided by Dave and special guest Larry Schroeder provides a lively end game analysis. Don't miss the exiting finish to this game!
Then join us for a round table discussion of ASL in general at the end of this episode. Wow! We'll be doing a lot more of these in upcoming episodes.
(If you want to download this episode and are not an iPhone/iTunes etc user, you should download the mp3 version from here.)
Finally, another ASL Extra! The scenario featured this time is S23 MONTY'S GAMBLE from Starter Kit #3. As you have requested we are taking care of our Starter Kit listeners. Of course we hope ALL our listeners will enjoy listening to Ron Schatz and Dave analyze this one. Also included is an interview with Ron at the end. Break out board u, or pull it up from VASSL and have a grand old time mocking our strategies. Oooooh-Laaaah!
This time we are happy to have Lars Thuring join us via Skype from his home in Germany. Lars is a long time ASLer and one of the master-minds behind the upcoming (and FINAL) ASL module, Hakkaa Paalle!. Join us as we mercilessly throw him the really tough questions such as, "how do you pronounce 'hakka palle'", "do you make big money designing scenarios", and "can you get MMP to put Dave's name on a counter"? And lots more.
Of course, it wouldn't be T2HS without an engrossing reading of Listener Mail. We also feature a heart-warming reunion with the contents of "What's In the Box". Plus there's "Scenario Report" and a special 45 minute segment of "Box Art" Just kidding. Actually there's NO Box Art this time. Do we hear a collective sigh of relief? Or are those whispers of despair?
Dig in and enjoy.
Links of Interest
C4 Corner Cutter St. Louis ASL Tournament Winter War books and video
Schwerpunkt #3 Amazon.com Widgets
Dim the lights and get comfortable as we raise the curtain on another brilliant ASL drama. After some fascinating listener mail, Jeff discusses the benefit of Preparation H, after which Dave dazzles with yet another engrossing Box Art Review Oh, the humanity! We then get into the meat of the show, a dramatic dialog on the ASOP (Advanced Sequence of Play) section on the Rally Phase. Finally, Dave presents a history report on a very personal WW II hero, Cpl. Edward F. Kleinschmidt of the 12th Armored Division's, 43rd Tank Battalion.
During intermission and after the show, join the campaign to get Dave's name on a counter! Let's demonstrate the power of the T2HS listening audience by emailing MMP and requesting -- nay, DEMANDING! -- they create a German SMC counter (no less than a 9-1) with the name "Kleinschmidt" for inclusion in the upcoming Hakka Palle module. Send an email to info@multimanpublishing.com. Don't delay. And email often!
Show Links:
The C4 Corner Cutter Battles Magazine The Game Vault Croix de Guerre Doomed Battalions
How do you pronounce "cupola"? Leave us a comment.
Welcome to Tanks University. Here's our university level course on tanks. We're happy to welcome visiting Professor of Tankology (PhT) Bob Holmstrom for a lesson on Vehicle Overrun. Strap on your thinking helmets and be prepared to take copious notes as Dr. Bob leads us through this oft-avoided -- but oh, so fascinating -- territory. We also discuss Platoon Movement of tanks, discuss the ASL Open, and lots more.
Show Links
C4 Corner Cutter by Counter Culture
Contact Alex Key: hobbies747@gmail.com
Le Franc-Tireur: http://www.lefranctireur.org
Schwerpunkt: http://mysite.verizon.net/resvy9ue The Texas ASL club celebrates publication of their 50th issue of Banzai! http://texas-asl.com/
Newbie-Do is a mini-series designed specifically for the new ASL player. In this first installment, Jeff and Joe play through two turns of Starter Kit 1's first scenario, "Retaking Verville". We cover victory conditions and setup, and then walk step-by-step through each phase -- explaining in each event in detail as we progress. If you never played ASL before or are confused by the phases and such, grab out your Starter Kit and follow along.
We have fixed the problem with this episode and re-posted it. The missing final minutes have been added back in. Sorry about the error. Thanks for listening, everyone!
It's business as usual in the broadcast foxhole, which means our carefully laid plans to talk in-depth about Phases in ASL quickly fall apart amidst a lot of other monkey business. Still, we do finally get down to a good discussion of the pre-game sequence. We'll be covering the rest of the phases (hopefully) next time. We hope you enjoy this one. Thanks for listening!
Show Guide: * Listener feedback -- We get a LOT of email. Sorry if you don't get to yours on this show. We're doing our best. Please keep writing! * What's in the Box -- Another splendid offering from Schwerpunkt * Scenario Report -- What we've played recently * Box Art -- Egad! What can one say about it? * ASOP: Pre-game Sequence -- an in-depth look at what needs to happen before the first dice roll.
Show Links: * Counter Culture -- C4 Corner Cutter * Schwerpunkt -- Tampa Bay ASL Group * ASL Scenario Archive -- Monkey's with Typewriters. Free Scenarios! * Texas ASL Group -- Great ASL newsletter * Cheeta the Chimp
In this Extra Episode Mike Stubits plays Dave K. in AP 44 The Burial Mound. Set up your boards and follow along if you dare. Rich Spilky provides the neutral commentary in this after action report of a scenario that is on the ASL Open list. Hope you can learn something from this scenario analysis.You need boards 56,57,and 58 or look them up as VASL. Thanks to Mr. Waller you can hit the link to the Archives in the comments section and viola! Instant map viewing! That is so amazing!
It's Spring! A time when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of . . . mortars? Well, that's where our thoughts have turned. It's too early (at least here in mid-western North America) to bring out the gardening tools, so instead we celebrate the season by hauling out another handy tool -- the mortar. Test your knowledge (and endurance) with our mortar quiz show.
Also in this episode: * What's in the Box? -- it's something from the Tampa Bay ASL group. Can you say "Schwerpunkt"? * History -- about the . . . hmm, we can't pronounce it, so how can we type it? * Listener Feedback * And lots more
After too long a break, we are back with the next exciting installment. And here we are very happy to announce The 2 Half-Squads t-shirts!
We can't remember what made us think anyone would want to admit -- let alone advertise -- they listen to this podcast, but here they are, and to tell the truth, they're pretty darn nice shirts. If you want one, here's how to order. 1. Send us an email stating how many and what size(s) you want and your shipping address. 2. We'll email you back to let you know if your shirt(s) is available. 3. Make a donation on this site ($20 for each shirt in the continental USA, $30 everywhere else). 4. We'll email you when your shirt(s) ship. 5. Go to your front door and start watching for the mail man.
We also have a little conversation with Keith Dalton from MultiMan Publishing to see what's up in 2009 for ASL.
There's also a "What's in the Box" segment, covering Action Pack 5: Eastern Front.
Dig it!
Join us for a great game of scenario A103 MAYHEM IN MANILA. Two excellent and well respected players give us a glimpse of their thought and strategies as Bob Holmstrom's Japanese try to defend a stone building or two from Bob Miller's attacking Americans. You need deluxe boards a-d to follow along (or just a good imagination, or go on VASL and look at the boards there). Addendum: Click on the link on Will's name in the comments section. It is a link to the board set up.
Happy New Year to all from The 2 Half-Squads!
It’s going to be a great year for ASL, thanks in part to the efforts of our guest today, Rich Spilky. Rich is a long-time ASLer with a passion for finding better ways to play the game. And to him that means simplifying the decoding of complicated rules and complex circumstances. Available for download at the link below, Rich has created a variety of tables and charts that clearly present results for common situations that might otherwise cause lengthy and abstruse delving into The Rule Book. So download Rich’s Player Aid Pack and read along as Rich discusses the utility of these great player aids. It’s ASL smarter, faster, better. It’s ASL The Spilky Way. (Rich Spilky's email address is richspilky@comcast.net)
We also have a great book report from Dave, who just finished reading not one, but TWO ASL scenario builders handbooks (generously donated to us by a listener from Anchorage, Alaska). There's also listener feedback AND we announce the soon-to-be-available T2HS t-shirts.
Oh yeah. It's going to be a GREAT year for ASL!
Links for this episode
You can now get to this web site with the simple URL http://www.the2halfsquads.com Rich Spilky's Player Aid pack The Official War Journal of the Philippines Historical Boardgamers Club Scenario Designer's Handbook by Michael Dorosh
Scenario Designer's Guide by Mark Pitcavage
Mark Pitcavage's Desperation Morale web site
Dave King's C4 Corner Cutter
Jay Richardson's excellent ASL Starter Kit tutorials, parts 1 through 5 on BoardGameGeek.com * Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4 * Part 5
Triple Point Blank Fire
Just in time for the holidays, our gift to you is our biggest episode yet. It has to be BIG because the topic is . . . TANKS! Tis the season to give TANKS and we're right on track. We take 'em apart and put 'em back together to bring you better understanding of these oh-so-amazing armored fighting vehicles. There's a lot to cover so we call in a guest armor leader, Joe, who scopes out vehicle counter symbols. Jeff then deftly breaks down tank movement rules, and Dave dispenses a wealth of knowledge about vehicle smoke dischargers.
Oh, and there's so much more! You won't want to bypass this one, so pour yourself a cup of cheer, gather your family and friends close and tune in to this roaring, fully-tracked adventure. You'll go to bed with visions of turrets dancing in your head.
Once again this episode is not for everyone. It is a scenario analysis and after action report. ASL Scenario AP 29 RAFF'S DILEMMA (from Action Pack #4) is the chosen one for this extra episode and Rich Spilky plays a tenacious German defense against Dave's attacking Americans. Break out boards 11 and 54, set up the pieces with us, and follow along if you wish. Or perhaps you just want to have a listen.
We are especially excited about this episode because we hold our first phone [actually, Skype] interview. And it's with none other than Keith Dalton from Multiman Publishing. It was really great that Keith could take time out from his busy day to talk with us. While we had to deal with some frustrating technical issues this first time out -- including an abrupt end to the conversation -- we are very pleased with the result and optimistic about working out the kinks in the near future. No doubt this type of thing will become a pretty regular part of the show. We'll chat more with Keith, as well as other ASL celebrities, players of note and other interesting guests. Our tasty talk with Keith starts about 2.5 minutes into the show and runs for about 32 minutes. We then go back to the appetizer course for some listener mail, followed by a surprise entre from some friends in Sweden. There are the usual helpings of chatter and banter, and Dave serves up a fine dessert of History a la Sniper. It's an ASL smorgasbord. Feast on it!
Show Links: C4 Corner Cutter from Counter Culture Friendly Fire scenario packs Triple Point Blank Fire blog Pavilchenko song
In this ASL extra Dave K plays Mike S in scenario J104 "Flanking Flamethrowers" from one of the Journals. Following the usual "Extra" format, it is a scenario analysis and after action report. Also has a mini interview with Mike at the end.
This episode features an analysis and after action report of Starter Kit scenario S7 "Prelude to Festung Brest". We chose this one because it is available for FREE on the MMP website. Go and get the free scenario, set up your boards all you rookies, and follow as we try to give you some helpful playing advice. Dave T and Jeff battle each other in this one, and Dave K gets a chance to offer neutral commentary (it's fun because you get to criticize the others).
We're very happy to be joined this time by ASL veteran David Goldman. Dave talks about his history with gaming, playing ASL, and the trials and tribulations of running the annual "ASL Open" tournament in Chicago.
We also look to see "What's in the Box" -- and it's something you might find indispensable to your ASL collection.
And this week we sprung open the coffers and blew a wad on new equipment for the studio. We hope you enjoy the improved sound quality.
We're back to the standard format show with Episode 10. Today we cover some listener mail -- which always leads to interesting discussions. Then we take a look at "What's in the [some-kind-of-container-but-not-necessarily-a] Box." We closely examine some oft forgotten details about Snipers. And lots more. Dave finishes up the episode with an art major's view of some ASL box art.
Lots of fun for everyone! Dig it!
SHOW LINKS:
C4 Corner Cutter Boardgame Geek Fear the Boot (RPG podcast)
Dragons Landing (RPG podcast)
Starter Kit Scenarios Operations Magazine Cold Steel Wargame Club of NE Alabama
Here is the episode that was intended to be the first ASL Extra. Some lost tracks were reclaimed, thanks to the miracle of putting the tracks on CD as a back up. Once again, this episode is NOT FOR EVERYONE as it is a scenario analysis and after action report. Scenario J86 "Frontal Assault" from Journal 5 is the chosen one. Dave and his friend Rick give you a pre-game and a post-game discussion straight from the heart. Please have mercy on them as they reveal their ASL shortcomings. This is not as technically clean as we'd like, but, it's only an "extra" episode after all.
And now for something completely different! A scenario analysis of AP18 "Village of the Damned" from Action Pack Three. This very unique podcast is not for everyone as Dave and Jeff talk aloud as the game is set up, revealing why you should never fear them if you meet them at a tournament. They also give an after action report. This one is a little rough as it is Dave's first effort at producing a show on his own (Jeff is the true techie). It is recommended that you get out the scenario, set up your boards and follow along. Designed as the 2nd in a series, it becomes the 1st, due to technical problems with the other bonus episode. Fate has seemed to smile upon this scenario analysis.
And we're back with an action-packed episode featuring -- you guessed it -- MMP's ASL "Action Pack 4", also known as "Normandy 1944". Our pal Joe joins us in the broadcast foxhole as we unwrap and reveal the contents of this highly-anticipated (at least to us ASL addicts) addition to the ASL arsenal. Watch out for those "bocage" rules!
We also cover some listener comments, talk more (yes, MORE) about counter storage, ASL boxes, snipers, and lots more. It's 81 minutes and it's all ASL. Dig it!
In this episode we interview Steve and Dan, two new ASL players (and we mean REAL NEW) to see what they think of the greatest game in the world, and get a few newbie's questions answered. We compare ASL with Hollywood's vision of WWII. Dave played his 1,000th game! There is some listener mail, and more discussion about counter storage. We hope you enjoy our efforts to bring you the finest in ASL entertainment!
We recorded this one back in June, but didn't want to release it too close on the heels of Episode 6.
In this Episode, we check out "What's in the Box?" (it's Starter Kit 3!), Dave whips out a list -- which he compiled during his most recent re-reading of The Rules -- of rules he forgot he knew. Jeff gives a little history lesson at the end of the show. And there's plenty of the usual madness.
We hope you enjoy it.
This episode addresses some requests to help new ASL players. We discuss ways to find other players, what you need to buy to get started playing and how to store all that stuff. Then we cover some differences between the Starter Kits and the "full" rules, and get into a beginner's discussion of the Defensive Fire Phase.
Here are some links to web sites we discussed:
Board Game Geek VASL
MMP's list of differences between Starter Kits and full rules Plano storage solution
(When we first published this episode there was a problem with the audio cutting off the last 2 minutes of the podcast. We fixed the issue and posted a new file which now plays correctly.)
In Episode 5 we interview Robert (Bob) Holmstrom, one of our favorite local ASL masters. Bob chats about his ASL history, discusses tournaments, helps us with the "What's in the Box" segment (it's Valor of the Guards!) and more. We hope you like it.
It's our first show since going public. We've had nearly a thousand listeners and have received some very positive and encouraging responses. A special "thank you" to all of you who took the time to write a comment or send us an email. Your input and support is very important to us. We love hearing from you!
In this episode, we read some of the listener feedback. Then, in our Favorite Scenarios segment, Dave picks a battle with an extra dimension of excitement from the "Partisan" module, while Jeff continues with updates from the "Blood Reef: Tarawa" campaign (we'll be posting pictures on this soon). Dave tells us "What's in the Box?", we play the ASL Quiz Show, and Dave gives an interesting history lesson. And, of course, we have lots of fun. We hope you enjoy this episode!
As always, thanks to Penmachine.com for providing our theme music.
Hurrah! We fixed the audio issues we had with episodes 1 & 2. The embedded player is now working!
Tonight we’re joined in the broadcast foxhole by our pal, Joe Pellam, who talks about his gaming history, his fascinating visits to Iwo Jima while in the Navy, and his love of ASL. A great guy, and a good friend, we’re pleased to have him as our guest.
Do you have a topic you would like to hear discussed on “The 2 Half-Squads”? Do you have an idea for a show segment? Do you know someone that would be a good guest? We’d like to hear from you! Leave us a comment here, or send an email to the2halfsquads@gmail.com
Listen now with streaming audio
Undaunted by the mistakes and problems in Episode 1, we plunge ahead for 78 thrill-packed minutes.. This time we talk about the release of the long-awaited “Valor of the Guards”. We wonder about how many ASL players there are in the world. Jeff whips out the “Top Ten” list: “Why You Should Play ASL”. Of course we play “What’s in the Box?” and discuss a favorite scenario. Then Dave reveals a short list of rules that he used to forget and gives a little WW II history lesson.
This episode includes some intro music courtesy of Penmachine.com
We had some technical problems with the audio on this episode. It will not play with an embedded player. You will have to download it.
Here we go with our first episode. This is our first experience with podcasting, too. We’ve scraped together some equipment, loaded up some software and popped open a couple of cool beers. We learned a lot and discovered some better ways of doing things, but rather than re-record the show, we’re publishing it as is and you can expect much better production values in future episodes.
We had some technical difficulties with the audio on this web site. The embedded player does not work for this episode. You will have to download this episode.