When you are done with this one, we'll be moving you to the East Front, so pack your winter gear!
WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
Updates on Utah-Rhine?
Moderator: MOD_SPWaW
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Leibstandarte
- Posts: 122
- Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Austin, TX USA
- Contact:
Wild Bill,
Just got done with the last battle in this campaign. Boy oh boy was it intense. I am putting my finishinf touches on a complete and detailed AAR. Once I get it finished (not much free time naturally) I'll send it to you. If you would post it on the AAR site at Matrix that would be great. Feel free to post whatever you like of it here as well. Talk to you later, GREAT Campaign.
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Cavalry Trooper (8th US) and Grandson of a Leibstandarte Tanker.
Just got done with the last battle in this campaign. Boy oh boy was it intense. I am putting my finishinf touches on a complete and detailed AAR. Once I get it finished (not much free time naturally) I'll send it to you. If you would post it on the AAR site at Matrix that would be great. Feel free to post whatever you like of it here as well. Talk to you later, GREAT Campaign.
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Cavalry Trooper (8th US) and Grandson of a Leibstandarte Tanker.
Cavalry Trooper (8th US) and Grandson of a Leibstandarte Tanker.
Great! We'd love to have the AAR. I'll be dropping you a note on how to format it, the form we use.
Any screenshots would be good too. But I'll spell that out for you, Jason. Look for a letter shortly...WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
Any screenshots would be good too. But I'll spell that out for you, Jason. Look for a letter shortly...WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
I'm on battle 4. I've fought the battle twice now, both times to a draw. All those blasted AT pillboxes, Log pits, and mines, mines, mines!! My units consist of a platoon of Shermans, a platoon of Wolverines, engineer, and rifle units. This last attempt I dropped in a Ranger company, and their handiwork helped, but wasn't decisive enough to turn the tide. I lost 3 Wolverines to mines, and 2 of my Shermans were immobilized. By the time I got them back into action, it was too late. Those at pillboxes and log pits always manage to delay me long enough to prevent me from consolidating any of my gains and capitalizing on them.
I did manage to pulverize the infantry holding up in the town, so the Germans weren't able to mount a strong counterattack. But it was turn 19 by the time I was ready to move to points North and West of the town, too little, too late.
I think I am going to lick my wounds and move on to the withdrawal.
Most fun I have had yet, Bill. But I have a serious case of heartburn. Man, this one was NASTY!!
I did manage to pulverize the infantry holding up in the town, so the Germans weren't able to mount a strong counterattack. But it was turn 19 by the time I was ready to move to points North and West of the town, too little, too late.
I think I am going to lick my wounds and move on to the withdrawal.
Most fun I have had yet, Bill. But I have a serious case of heartburn. Man, this one was NASTY!!
I ain't no golden boy,
ain't no Grecian dancer,
and I ain't no loud mouth cowboy from the West...
I'm not the kind of man with all the answers, but I surely know the songs that suit me best.... LL
ain't no Grecian dancer,
and I ain't no loud mouth cowboy from the West...
I'm not the kind of man with all the answers, but I surely know the songs that suit me best.... LL
I am trying to design a map. I cannot find in the game manual how to set the height for buildings. For example, in St. Mere Eglise there is a building Wild Bill put in that is really unusually tall, like 100 feet or more. How is that done? When I try to put buldings on the map they seem to never go above 12 m.
Securitas
_________________________
88 is a really nice number
_________________________
88 is a really nice number
Hang in there Tiger! The 4th Battle is a nail biter...or even a gonad grabber to use a more formal term 
You can do it my man. Keep pumping smoke and artillery if you can get some.
William has been one of a cadre of superb testers who have made these last two campaigns worth the time. To all of those who have and are testing it, my thanks.
East Front Lovers, now you will have your Tigers and Panthers and get a lot of hard Russian war fighting, the intensity of which you won't often encounter in a wargame.
So let's get to the Rhine and then change those Shermans for Tigers in the upcoming "Watchword Freedom."....Wild Bill
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
You can do it my man. Keep pumping smoke and artillery if you can get some.
William has been one of a cadre of superb testers who have made these last two campaigns worth the time. To all of those who have and are testing it, my thanks.
East Front Lovers, now you will have your Tigers and Panthers and get a lot of hard Russian war fighting, the intensity of which you won't often encounter in a wargame.
So let's get to the Rhine and then change those Shermans for Tigers in the upcoming "Watchword Freedom."....Wild Bill
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
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Pantherblaster
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2000 10:00 am
- Location: Bilthoven, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hi Bill,Originally posted by Wild Bill:
It's gotten very quiet in Western Europe. A lot of you were headed to Germany, but I've heard nothing of late?
How goes the campaign? Did you make it?
WB
I have to say that I have only finished the first one and are in the process of playing the second one. The first one went the way I wanted it except the last turn wen I guess I lost my concentration a bit. Using an extra airborne platton and landing it south of the major objective city reinforced by snipers, bazooka and recon teams payed out perfectly, while my Wolverines north and my - little above average - Shermans south finished of any german counterattacks. Used a lot of jeeps (in different versions) and have a lot of cheap units (snipers, MG's, recon teams, etc.). This gives me the advantage of seriously upgrading my taskforce during the game, while it still has strong numbers and the much needed flexibility. Lot's 60mm jeeps for smoke and stunning use aswell.
Regrets,
Pantherblaster
"War is the continuation of politics by all other means"-Vom Kriege, Carl von Clausewitz.
I'm having a great time with this campaign. Have completed the first three battles with a marginal and two decisive victories. This campaign rocks!
The second battle, the beach defend, ended kinda odd though. I was nine turns in and a p-38 spotted more tanks coming down the middle and upper roads (including the two Panthers!). However, the game then ended and showed me that I had won a decisive victory. I'm not sure why though, since it seemed that the Germans had me against the ropes.
In the next battle, Carentan, I loved the heavy recon squads that came with the auxillary forces. I had one of these recon squads that was down to 2 men, yet it close assaulted and destroyed the 2 brumbakers. Those 2 men saved my hide since all I had was a stuart, a 105 tank (with he only) and some halftracks in the area. I was disappointed to see that I couldn't purchase recon squads that were similar equipped.
Just starting the bocage scenario...
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"I would have much rather that he had given me one more division" - Rommel after receiving his field marshall baton
The second battle, the beach defend, ended kinda odd though. I was nine turns in and a p-38 spotted more tanks coming down the middle and upper roads (including the two Panthers!). However, the game then ended and showed me that I had won a decisive victory. I'm not sure why though, since it seemed that the Germans had me against the ropes.
In the next battle, Carentan, I loved the heavy recon squads that came with the auxillary forces. I had one of these recon squads that was down to 2 men, yet it close assaulted and destroyed the 2 brumbakers. Those 2 men saved my hide since all I had was a stuart, a 105 tank (with he only) and some halftracks in the area. I was disappointed to see that I couldn't purchase recon squads that were similar equipped.
Just starting the bocage scenario...
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"I would have much rather that he had given me one more division" - Rommel after receiving his field marshall baton
"I would have much rather that he had given me one more division" - Rommel after receiving his field marshall baton
, don't you? -
Pantherblaster
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2000 10:00 am
- Location: Bilthoven, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hi Bill,
I'm preparing for Paris now. So far I've only had decisive Vict's, although I have to say that the bocage scenario was one tough cookie!!! Lost a lot of vehicles due to mines (blasting things!!!) even though I have a section a Sherman flails in my standard list. I didn't have any of them on the most south-western approach though, so in the end I had to redirect this group to above the river, instead of south of it. Throughout this really good campaign I have to say that I really like the Airborne's. Taking objectives early and taking a lot of attention (meaning shots) away from my advancing armored horde. Losses in these Para's are also quite small due to the fact that I alway sent 4 or more Bazooka teams, several snipers, MG's, and recon groupes with them making lots of small (deadly) units. I'm seriously upgrading my standard list due to the limited losses so far replaced Stuart Platoon with Jumbo (76)'s, and 60mm Jeep's with SP 81mm, a few Ranger sections instead of a few recon teams (I had something like nine of those in the first battle). Your maps really look Cool by the way!!!. Really appreciate the time and attention your putting into SPWAW,THANKS
I'm preparing for Paris now. So far I've only had decisive Vict's, although I have to say that the bocage scenario was one tough cookie!!! Lost a lot of vehicles due to mines (blasting things!!!) even though I have a section a Sherman flails in my standard list. I didn't have any of them on the most south-western approach though, so in the end I had to redirect this group to above the river, instead of south of it. Throughout this really good campaign I have to say that I really like the Airborne's. Taking objectives early and taking a lot of attention (meaning shots) away from my advancing armored horde. Losses in these Para's are also quite small due to the fact that I alway sent 4 or more Bazooka teams, several snipers, MG's, and recon groupes with them making lots of small (deadly) units. I'm seriously upgrading my standard list due to the limited losses so far replaced Stuart Platoon with Jumbo (76)'s, and 60mm Jeep's with SP 81mm, a few Ranger sections instead of a few recon teams (I had something like nine of those in the first battle). Your maps really look Cool by the way!!!. Really appreciate the time and attention your putting into SPWAW,THANKS
"War is the continuation of politics by all other means"-Vom Kriege, Carl von Clausewitz.
Good tactics, PB! You are indeed doing very well with those decisives. I like you unit selection too. Those Ranger units come in very handy and can be used for infiltration in the enemy's rear of course.
Those "Jumbos" though a tad slower are some mighty powerful opponents to the enemy "cats." Thanks for the update. Glad you are enjoying it...WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
Those "Jumbos" though a tad slower are some mighty powerful opponents to the enemy "cats." Thanks for the update. Glad you are enjoying it...WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
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Kluckenbill
- Posts: 258
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
What a GREAT campaign. I just upgraded to 4.4 because I had a PBEM game going on. I'm into the second battle, the first was tough.
I have a question that for some reason dawned on me during this battle. Why are the transport units not included in the anti-tank sections and platoons? It really seems unrealistic for the US player to have to buy additional trucks to move his AT guns around when IRL they were part of the platoon.
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Target, Cease Fire !
I have a question that for some reason dawned on me during this battle. Why are the transport units not included in the anti-tank sections and platoons? It really seems unrealistic for the US player to have to buy additional trucks to move his AT guns around when IRL they were part of the platoon.
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Target, Cease Fire !
Target, Cease Fire !
If it is the beach defense battle, Kluckenbill, it is to tie down those guns to those positions. The confusion and chaos of the beaches...using anything and everything to stop the German advance.
That was the impression I was trying to create. And I am glad you are enjoying it.
As you play through, you will sometimes, as any real commander in the war, lament a lack of something and wish for more. Sorry about that
..WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
That was the impression I was trying to create. And I am glad you are enjoying it.
As you play through, you will sometimes, as any real commander in the war, lament a lack of something and wish for more. Sorry about that
..WB------------------
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
So far, so good. I just finished the Paris scenario. My favorite so far! Hide and seek with tanks. I love it. My force is: Platoon of mixed Shermans. Rifle company. Mech engineer platoon. 81mm mortar section. FO. Bazooka section (used to be scouts)
Lessons Learned:
Upgrade the infantry first so that all squads have bazookas.
It's worth it to load infantry squads on tanks, even if you lose two men.
Dropping mortars on approaching tanks often discombobulates them long enough to drop the big stuff on 'em.
Big caliber artillery means never having to say your sorry.
Buying supply trucks is rarely a bad idea.
Experiment and have fun. I changed one platoon of the rifle company to Airborne. Yeehaa, things are jumping now (get it? Jumping?). Now, where appropriate, I buy a section of c-47s and load the airborne, bazookas, and light mgs and drop them where they will cause the most trouble. They have made all of the difference in several of the battles so far. I know this may draw some fire from the grognards, but this is just my Walter Mitty down time activity.
Trust your men. As I learned more about the game, I discovered that tanks and such could get rather close to an infantry unit that is keeping low. At first, I would have my squads open fire at max range...with predictable results Now, even though I'm sweating it out, I let tanks get closer and closer. It's still not a sure thing, but they more often than not wind up spanking the tanks.
But then, none of this would be possible if SP:WAW wasn't the great game it is.
Lou
[This message has been edited by Lou (edited November 19, 2000).]
Lessons Learned:
Upgrade the infantry first so that all squads have bazookas.
It's worth it to load infantry squads on tanks, even if you lose two men.
Dropping mortars on approaching tanks often discombobulates them long enough to drop the big stuff on 'em.
Big caliber artillery means never having to say your sorry.
Buying supply trucks is rarely a bad idea.
Experiment and have fun. I changed one platoon of the rifle company to Airborne. Yeehaa, things are jumping now (get it? Jumping?). Now, where appropriate, I buy a section of c-47s and load the airborne, bazookas, and light mgs and drop them where they will cause the most trouble. They have made all of the difference in several of the battles so far. I know this may draw some fire from the grognards, but this is just my Walter Mitty down time activity.
Trust your men. As I learned more about the game, I discovered that tanks and such could get rather close to an infantry unit that is keeping low. At first, I would have my squads open fire at max range...with predictable results Now, even though I'm sweating it out, I let tanks get closer and closer. It's still not a sure thing, but they more often than not wind up spanking the tanks.
But then, none of this would be possible if SP:WAW wasn't the great game it is.
Lou
[This message has been edited by Lou (edited November 19, 2000).]
Lou, this is good stuff. You have some great ideas. This is the heart of a campaign, experimenting with various forces, trying various strategies to see what works best.
I have to concur with all your choices. I like especially the inclusion of airborne. They are good fighters and ready for an airdrop anytime.
Great going my friend. East of Paris was one of my favorites too, a deadly game of capture the flag and hide and go seek all rolled up into one.
WB
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
I have to concur with all your choices. I like especially the inclusion of airborne. They are good fighters and ready for an airdrop anytime.
Great going my friend. East of Paris was one of my favorites too, a deadly game of capture the flag and hide and go seek all rolled up into one.
WB
------------------
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
-
Pantherblaster
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2000 10:00 am
- Location: Bilthoven, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hi Bill,
I'm in Germany!!! Have played my first battles there in august and september (if I recall it rightly). I guess I'm still doing the wright things, because I've still only had decisive victories so far. I just keep upgrading my forces. Just bought a platoon of Chaffee's, three arm. engineer squads and am in the process of steadily replacing the two rifle infantry platoons by arm. infantry platoons with the best APC's (M3A2 if i'm correct). Replaced a section of M4 (76) Shermans with the 90mm Jackson TD's (I really love those!!!). Plan to replace my platoon of Wolverines with Jacksons aswell, because it will become more and more lickely that I'll be facing stuff like JagtTigers, JagtPanthers or Tiger II's any time soon. So the more armour piercing capacity I have the better it will be when meeting those big guy's. I've just chosen my support units for a rescue mission. I bought cargo aircraft , extra bazooka teams, MMG's, snipers, recon teams (all as usual), 1 105mm How. Batery, extra engineers (I expect some mineclearing as I attempt to breach the German lines to get to my own troops)and some 60mm Jeeps to provide me with the covering (smoke) fire. Just took a look at the map before I chooose my support. Hope it will all workout right, because this really looks like the perfect ambushing place. The last scenario I finished with a score 17945 and the Germans with 921. I just dropped a reinforced Airborne company just in front of the most forward objectives with my armoured fleet running like hell to get to them and reinforce them. Worked out perfectly. Lost 67 troops. Really slaughterd the PC in this one. Well have to go now, there's a bunch of troops waiting to be relieved and sent on their way to Berlin.
Regards (did I write "regrets" at the endf of my first mail? Oops quess I did!!! Sorry, that's what can happen if English isn't your native language),
Pantherblaster
I'm in Germany!!! Have played my first battles there in august and september (if I recall it rightly). I guess I'm still doing the wright things, because I've still only had decisive victories so far. I just keep upgrading my forces. Just bought a platoon of Chaffee's, three arm. engineer squads and am in the process of steadily replacing the two rifle infantry platoons by arm. infantry platoons with the best APC's (M3A2 if i'm correct). Replaced a section of M4 (76) Shermans with the 90mm Jackson TD's (I really love those!!!). Plan to replace my platoon of Wolverines with Jacksons aswell, because it will become more and more lickely that I'll be facing stuff like JagtTigers, JagtPanthers or Tiger II's any time soon. So the more armour piercing capacity I have the better it will be when meeting those big guy's. I've just chosen my support units for a rescue mission. I bought cargo aircraft , extra bazooka teams, MMG's, snipers, recon teams (all as usual), 1 105mm How. Batery, extra engineers (I expect some mineclearing as I attempt to breach the German lines to get to my own troops)and some 60mm Jeeps to provide me with the covering (smoke) fire. Just took a look at the map before I chooose my support. Hope it will all workout right, because this really looks like the perfect ambushing place. The last scenario I finished with a score 17945 and the Germans with 921. I just dropped a reinforced Airborne company just in front of the most forward objectives with my armoured fleet running like hell to get to them and reinforce them. Worked out perfectly. Lost 67 troops. Really slaughterd the PC in this one. Well have to go now, there's a bunch of troops waiting to be relieved and sent on their way to Berlin.
Regards (did I write "regrets" at the endf of my first mail? Oops quess I did!!! Sorry, that's what can happen if English isn't your native language),
Pantherblaster
"War is the continuation of politics by all other means"-Vom Kriege, Carl von Clausewitz.
Having the right forces is a big key to success. You've chosen well all the way through. How did you do against the vaunted West Wall scenario? That one is a real toughie, or it was for me?
Well, you'll be across the Rhine before you know it, as soon as you deal with the Battle of the Bulge.
Good reports, PB and the rest of you. Thanks...Wild Bill
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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
Well, you'll be across the Rhine before you know it, as soon as you deal with the Battle of the Bulge.
Good reports, PB and the rest of you. Thanks...Wild Bill
------------------
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator, Scenario Design
Matrix Games
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
-
Pantherblaster
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2000 10:00 am
- Location: Bilthoven, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Back again,
Well for the westwall I choose to (again) drop para's behind the enemy rear (just behind the most rearward German objectives), to the extreme north and south to be precisely. Then I used massive artillery to lay down smoke patterns around my airborne troops (so they've got some cover and won't be wiped out in the first two turns) and to the extreme southern and northern part of the map on the positions where I suspected the bunkers, MGnests and other stuff would most likely be. I completely let the center of the map alone. My armoured and engineer, mech-inf and other heavy forces where positioned in front of the smoke screens (on their respective flanks) and moved them forward behind engineer infantry and engineer tanks, while some of my Para's (notably the bazooka teams) went in their direction as fast as possible (searching for, in particular thos bloody AT pillboxes). All of this went fine and I quess after the sith turn I was through the dragon tooth in the south and the mine fields and most of the bunkers in the north. Went I was through I just went rampaging behind the German lines (blasting fortifications and rifle squads) I think I lost something like four tanks and maybe two APC's, losses amongst the ranks of the PAra's were higher though!!! Oh! the scenario which I played after this one workedout so well and fast (estimated 6 turns) that the Germans couldn't even use their reinforcements which I noticed just after the battle review. I Love the campaign and am now in the process of playing the relief operation, and I don't want to spoil the game for anyone else but, wouldn't it be bether to place some ATguns or grenadiers at the northern road toward the village being besieged (I'm not using the southern one so I don't know about that one). I'm moving on just too quickly (turn 4 and the first relieving units are already arriving, not para's they are busy destroying the enemy rear). Just a suggestion. Still love this campaign though yessir!
Regards, PANTHERBLASTER
Well for the westwall I choose to (again) drop para's behind the enemy rear (just behind the most rearward German objectives), to the extreme north and south to be precisely. Then I used massive artillery to lay down smoke patterns around my airborne troops (so they've got some cover and won't be wiped out in the first two turns) and to the extreme southern and northern part of the map on the positions where I suspected the bunkers, MGnests and other stuff would most likely be. I completely let the center of the map alone. My armoured and engineer, mech-inf and other heavy forces where positioned in front of the smoke screens (on their respective flanks) and moved them forward behind engineer infantry and engineer tanks, while some of my Para's (notably the bazooka teams) went in their direction as fast as possible (searching for, in particular thos bloody AT pillboxes). All of this went fine and I quess after the sith turn I was through the dragon tooth in the south and the mine fields and most of the bunkers in the north. Went I was through I just went rampaging behind the German lines (blasting fortifications and rifle squads) I think I lost something like four tanks and maybe two APC's, losses amongst the ranks of the PAra's were higher though!!! Oh! the scenario which I played after this one workedout so well and fast (estimated 6 turns) that the Germans couldn't even use their reinforcements which I noticed just after the battle review. I Love the campaign and am now in the process of playing the relief operation, and I don't want to spoil the game for anyone else but, wouldn't it be bether to place some ATguns or grenadiers at the northern road toward the village being besieged (I'm not using the southern one so I don't know about that one). I'm moving on just too quickly (turn 4 and the first relieving units are already arriving, not para's they are busy destroying the enemy rear). Just a suggestion. Still love this campaign though yessir!
Regards, PANTHERBLASTER
"War is the continuation of politics by all other means"-Vom Kriege, Carl von Clausewitz.