The 2 Half-Squads

It's a super scary Halloween edition that looks into the dark digital box and discovers, much to our horror, the Grumble Jones Box Cars Again Halloween Scenario Pack.  This years scenario features terrible trolls.  We also burn up Kharkov in Flames with a frighteningly flaming review. To wrap things up, Dave discusses his game of Scenario BFP 175 Hostage to Fortune.  That is what we have been playing lately. 

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Join us for the exciting conclusion of the St. Louis ASL 2026 Interviews.  Maurizio from Italy, Larry from lands unknown, and Bob, Dave and Stanledo from Illinois.  

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What?!?  ANOTHER12 minutes of banter?  Yes, but at least you get to hear about Jeff's work and Dave's Aldi Adventure.  But there's more!  A great way to make your own playing cards for the games you love! Then we get into the meat of the show with the entertaining, and informative, long time Advanced Squad Leader player Gary Fortenberry.  This second half of our conversation with Gary covers some of his time with Avalon Hill, thoughts about the rules, the transition to MMP from AH.  We talk about tournaments, other games, Curt Schilling and our dads. Did you know that there is a Magic the Gathering/Poker player connection? After listening to this show, we can say "Now you do!"

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Apollo's Templates

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01: Chitty Chitty Chat Chat

12:00 Gary Fortenberry

After 12 minutes of banter that covers Jeff's annual fishing trip and  Dave's Civil War trip we get into the meat of the show with the prodigious and informative long time Advanced Squad Leader player Gary Fortenberry.  In this, the first half of our conversation with Gary covers some of his time in the military, the early days of the famous fanzines like, Fire for Effect, In Contact and of course, Gary's ASLUG publication.  Jeff and Dave get a personal lesson on how to use the special boards that Gary designed, like 1a, 2a, etc.  NOW we will always remember how to align them. The conversation ends with his time at Avalon Hill.  Next up, part two!

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The 2 Half-Squads is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions, and kind donations from listeners like you.

Our interviews from St. Louis ASL continue in this very episode!

First man up is Dave Pope, a fascinating individual that, has developed some scenarios and is working on a project to de-mystify the Advanced Squad Leader rules. It would fix some grammar that is not too well, and possibly utilize more bullet points, and he wants to work with MMP on it. Dave would like to start a gaming group in the Southwest Missouri area and is looking for players.  Contact us if you are interested in joining!

Second interview is Rich Domovich, who gives us an update on his ASL adventures, he attends several international tournaments every year. Amazing! 

Steve Tinsley joins us for his first appearance on the show and we finish the show with another visit with Paul Works who gives us an update on the Kansas City ASL stuff including the WWI development, and some new scenario packs in the works. 

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St. Louis ASL

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00:01 Banter

This show is brought to you by Bounding Fire Productions and our Patreons!

Theme song by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

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

Jeff sends Dave forth to a St. Louis adventure. He returns with 10 interviews that will fill many a show. And, fill it with quality content, instead of the usual blather. 

First interview is Jim Burris, the tournament director. Jim gives us an update on the standings, the history of the tourny, and some rule tips too!  Francis Biss was kind enough to talk with us for the first time, telling us of his start in gaming and tournament experiences. Francis is an original Purple Boxer!

We finish the show with another visit with Doug Kirk who gives us an update on the Advanced Squad Leader events in his life, as well as his ASL preferences.  

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St. Louis ASL

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1:45 Banter

12:30 Jim Burris

30:00 Doug Kirk

38:38 Total Running Time

Mike has brought along  ASL Action Pack #22: A World at War. We open this box and find 3 new maps and 12 new scenarios and take a gander at this fine product.

Does a pin result affect a motorcyclist?  Can a motorcycle Bog?  We don't know but we are about to find out.  It is time to finish the motorcycle rules that we started last show. 

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Action Pack #22

17:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?

24:00 Rules 

Summer is passing quickly and we are celebrating the 250th celebration of the birth of the United States of America!   We read some letters and are glad to welcome Mike Ryzy back into the Broadcast Foxhole. What we have been playing lately covers Mike's cow scenarios, and Dave and Dave's playing of Scenario BFP-174 The Castle of Onega. In the rules segment we cover the ever important rules D12 and D15 (part one, to be continued in episode 390). Did you know that sledges have reindeer pulling them?  How cool is that!?!  We think that you need to learn to drive your motorcycle like Steve McQueen in the Great Escape!  So have a listen to this show. You will be glad
that you did. How about that comedy bit? Thank you to Dennis, once again!

Alpenfestung

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17:00 What Have You Been Playing Lately?     

24:00 Rules 

Once again, we are super excited to bring back one of Advanced Squad Leader's best contributors, Jim Bishop.  Jim will discuss the in-depth look at his newest article on Tanks in the latest Journal. You will learn how to use tanks to sleeze freeze other tanks, how to win the gun duel, what factors to check before the game to help secure your well deserved victory, and many other things about armored warfare in ASL.  

No banter today. Well it is at the end. 

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Bishop Says on ASL Academy

Jim's Astrophotography

We are super excited to bring back one of Advanced Squad Leader's best contributors, Jim Bishop.  Jim will discuss the current status of his blog, his thoughts on the process of scenario design and his part in holding tournaments with Fortenberry. He will return on the next show for an in-depth look at his newest article on Tanks in the latest Journal. 

First, we have some banter about Space Food Sticks and Tang and other oddities while giving a sneak peek at some Swag from the next Grumbler Jones Tourney.