Episode 333: Tarawa for Christmas!

 

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!

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Episode 332: Orsogna Knights

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 Box contains the new Orsogna from Advancing Fire. 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.

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
15:00 What's in the Box?
31:30 Rules
1:05:55 Total Running Time

LINKS

Legacy Map Set at Critical Hit

Bounding Fire Maps

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.

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Episode 331: Ring of Tinnitus

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. 

The Board

End of Game

Just before last Close Combat

 

 

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.

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.

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Episode 330: Spooktacular Spectacle

 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 LINKS

Bounding Fire Productions

SHOW TIMES

00:01 OBA From the Sky with Lyrics by Troy Nordine; Sung by A 2 Half-Squad Singer (originally appeared in Episode 63)

2:10 Small Talk

12:30 Contest Winner and New Contest

18:30 Armored Fighting Vehicles

41:10 Dave and Dave's After Action Report on ON-6 Sweeping West

55:17 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.

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Episode 329: La Brea and Le Franc

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 Works

Scott's Eagle Has Landed Scenario's

SHOW TIMES

00:01 Houlie Dice with Lyrics by Stephen Hicks; Sung by A 2 Half-Squad Singer (originally appeared in Episode 62)

2:10 Chitty Chitty Chat Chat

10:30 Rules

22:00 What's in the Box?

51:00 Grumble Jones Halloween Eagle Has Landed Scenarios

57:41 Total Running Time

SONG LYRICS (sung to the tune of "Safety Dance" by Stephen Hicks)

I can't roll low if I want to

But Craig Houlistan can

Watch as he kills my Panther

With a lowly tin can.

I can't roll low if I want to

Though I try and try.

When my 10-3 rolls an NMC

Then My 10-3 dies.

Houlie Dice, Houlie dice

They're outta control.

Houlie dice, Houlie dice

Oh look, another low roll.

I can't roll low if I want to

My dice come up high,

But I see Craig's it's

Another "snake's" and I cry.

Houlie Dice, Houlie dice

They're outta control.

Houlie dice, Houlie dice

Oh 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.

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Episode 328: Lumberjacks and Le Franc Fifteens

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 LINKS

Swords 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 Chat

13:25 Letters

19:00 Contest Announced (enter by October 15, 2023)

21:00 Rules

32:00 Whatsa is ina the Boxa?

43:00 Terrain Time

59:55 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.

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Episode 327: Sunny Adam Lunney

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

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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.

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Episode 326: Run Through the Jungle with Jim

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

51:28 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.”

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.

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Episode 325: Breaking in the Grain with Jim Aikens

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 safaris 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.

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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.

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Episode 324: Humans Wave at J14

We like to wave at Humans. 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...

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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.

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Episode 323: Bungly in the Jungly

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

58:45 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!

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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.

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Episode 322: Rally Phase A la Gaga

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 make 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 5/8 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

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.

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Episode 321: Favorite ASL Things

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.

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Episode 320: 10th Mountain Men

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 Mareske

SHOW 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.
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.


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