The 2 Half-Squads

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:

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 [email protected]. 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.