Dear Mother, (an MCNA summary)

MarkFroio · Post by **MarkFroio** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 2:35 am

Dear Mother,

My long campaign in North Africa is over, and now I can tell you all about it.

As you know from my earlier letters, I waited by my mail box for my new assignment for several weeks last spring and early summer. When I received my assignment, my heart raced with anticipation. I was being sent to North Africa at last!

My campaign started off well enought,but soon Icame to respect and be wary of the Tommies and their equipment. Their 2lb guns are hard to spot in the desert, and the Matilda II proved to be a worthy advisory to our Panzers. However, we adjusted our tactics, and with help from our 88 AT guns, we learned how to handle these difficulties.

As we raced back and forth across the trackless desert, I made some new friends. Barxia(sp?)Bill comes to mind. He was very helpful when he was around. I also lost some friends and men as they did their best to fight for the Fatherland.

Also, I had the pleasure to visit Malta for a short time. Things there didn't turn out the way we would have hoped, but it was an interesting time none ther less.

During my time in the desert, I was slightly wounded (don't worry I recoverd nicely). Also, I earned the Iron Cross and Knight's Cross. I have never felt prouder than when Gen. Rommel pinned the Iron Cross on my dusty coat.

I have to admit, though, that I ame happy to be leaving North Africa. The last few weeks were wearing on my troops and me. It was obvious in our battles, and we probably suffered more casualties than we should have. Our last mission was to escort Gen. Rommel himself. I am happy to report we got the General to his destination without a scratch.

Well it's off to Russia for me now. I'm looking forward to being away from the deseret and the cooler weather. I'm sure the winters in Russia can't be as cold as at home.

Your loving son,

Hans

[ November 20, 2001: Message edited by: Max VonLoben ]</p>

MarkFroio · Post by **MarkFroio** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 2:39 am

I had a blast playing MCNA. I posted some of my thoughts when I was about half way through. Well, Hans and I are now finished.

Even though my score was only 93 (decisive defeat)I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next two MCs.

Has anyone else finished and how'd you do?

Thanks to Wild Bill and everyone involved in making MCNA.

[ November 20, 2001: Message edited by: Max VonLoben ]</p>

mao · Post by **mao** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 8:19 am

I finished! <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 8:35 am

I was on my 13th battle and my HD crashed. Now I have to start over!

troopie · Post by **troopie** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 9:31 am

I survived. Bill and company make them tough. Waiting for Guadalcanal.

troopie

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 11:34 am

Excellent letter home, Max! You did your duty and you will be certainly appreciated when you get back to Germany.

Oberst Dietsl spoke well of you to Rommel. He was impressed. Unfortunately, so was Jodl, who was listening in on the conversation.

He overruled the Fox's wishes and you'll soon be on a Junkers 52 headed for the East Front.

It has been said that if you "Kick in the Door, the whole rotten thing will cave in." I guess you will soon be finding out, won't you.

Keep in touch Max. Bring us garlands of victory!

Oberst Wildman

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 11:35 am

Oh, I meant to ask you...did you rescue any prisoners, save any fellow soldiers, amphibously assault Tobruk or succeed in stealing those Matildas.

If not, more battles await you one day. You are weary of the desert now, but one day you will return. <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Oberst W

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 11:37 am

Great reports from all of you who have endured sun and sand for so long!

Thanks for the update. Terribly sorry about the crash, Drex. If you start over, try some of the alternate scenarios to take a different path.

I wish you the best when you try again.

WB

MarkFroio · Post by **MarkFroio** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 12:23 pm

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Wild Bill:
[QB]Oh, I meant to ask you...did you rescue any prisoners, save any fellow soldiers, amphibously assault Tobruk or succeed in stealing those Matildas.

I did all of that except for the amphibous assault on Tobruk. I'm not saying that I did it all well, but Hans and I gave it our best.

I like to judge my enjoyment of games by how many $ or cents an hour they cost. This game is way off the charts. It has got to be around 25 or 30 cents an hour now. And that does not include reading the top notch info that was provided. The great part about all this was that it wasn't just assault, defend, meeting engagement. It was a lot of fun trying to steal tanks or escorting Rommel. I also really enjoyed the ambush along the road. I forget where exactly, but it was the first time I had the Panzer IIIs with the 50mm guns. Anyway, like I said earlier, I had a blast. I'm really looking forward to the next two meag-campaigns. In the meantime I'll be able to play some of the latest scenarios and regular campaigns.

Thanks again to everyone involved with SPWAW.

alassi · Post by **alassi** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 7:43 pm

I don´t know about you, Max...but when i write a letter to my mom..i don´t usually speak of the calibers of weapons..:=D

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 8:41 pm

Yes, better to talk of death, blood and mayhem. Mom loves those kinds of letters <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0"> <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

You do get a bang for the buck with an MC! That is for sure.

Glad you enjoyed the info and pics. They took as much work as the scenarios.

The only person who understands just how much work and how many hours goes into collating, correcting, fine tuning and testing a Mega Campaign besides myself is Brent Richards.

And to think I was crazy enough to take on a second one! Doing a mega campaign is the hardest single task I have ever undertaken. But reading reports like these makes it wall worth it.

My helmet is off to my teams, the Desert Fox-41 Team and the Operation Watchtower Team. Great job by you all!

WB

mao · Post by **mao** » Thu Nov 22, 2001 7:10 pm

I am on my second run of MCNA and I am playing different scenarios and it's still fun (particularly since I now know how to deal with Matilda IIs and entrenched 2pdrs.

Time to go, have to start my assault on Antelat (sp?)

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Thu Nov 22, 2001 11:07 pm

Mao, I enjoyed your excellent critiques and comments the first round. I found them to be quite helpful.

I think in discussing, we helped other gamers. I appreciate it.

How goes PG and your fine site?

WB

mao · Post by **mao** » Fri Nov 23, 2001 8:23 pm

PG2 goes well --- there is a large and active community; we have many MB of new graphics, sounds, campaigns and even program patches made by players.

The holy grail of PG2 would be to get the source code - but I doubt that will ever happen.

Drex · Post by **Drex** » Fri Nov 23, 2001 9:52 pm

Restarted MCNA and I'm on the third battle. This time I am keeping record of my points, awards ,etc. It might be interesting for others to do the same so we can compare. frankly I can see an almost infinite replay value in the Mega-campaigns. by the time you got through all the combinations you could start over and it would seem new all over again. Bring on "Lost Victories"!