Armchair Dragoons Forums
Game With The Dragoons => Online Kriegsspiels => Topic started by: panzerde on November 15, 2018, 03:13:33 PM
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Unfortunately it looks like we need to move turn tracking here.
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Unfortunately
:waiting:
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Unfortunately
:waiting:
"Unfortunately" from the perspective of having to move an in progress game, and unfortunate that an existing gaming forum is having serious problems, not unfortunately because ACD isn't a wonderful, welcoming place full of cuddly grognards and fluffy puppies.
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^And I'd argue some fluffy grognards. :whistle:
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Unfortunately
:waiting:
"Unfortunately" from the perspective of having to move an in progress game, and unfortunate that an existing gaming forum is having serious problems, not unfortunately because ACD isn't a wonderful, welcoming place full of cuddly grognards and fluffy puppies.
:ROFL:
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As a reminder to everyone, current game time is 2230 17 April 1809
It is full dark. If you have any additional orders prior to 2330, please send them ASAP. I will be advancing the clock today!
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2330 17 April 1809
And we're off and running again. Fatigue calculations next turn. :oh:
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Barracks moved … so for being late to the party. ::)
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0030 18 April 1809
We're past midnight and into a new day. It looks like everyone is here now and I want to get caught up with Jim's game, so next turn will happen Wednesday night.
Dawn is just three hours away - if you haven't yet sent me orders for the 18th, please do so. If you need a SITREP, please let me know and I'll get you a pretty picture and description of your situation.
Finally, an observation...there is a chance, when forces are in close proximity, for messengers to be intercepted. When there are a lot of messengers, there are a lot of chances...
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0130 18 April 1809
If you haven't sent me orders for the 18th, please do so. Dawn is coming on fast. Some of you people haven't slept, yet. I'm going to have to pull out my Chandler and Gill and see how realistic all of this night movement really is!
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As of this morning my expensive and relatively new gaming rig appears to have a blown power supply. I'm working on getting it fixed, but this may delay today's planned turn.
Reminder, if you haven't sent me orders for the 18th, please do.
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And...gaming PC is officially kaput. :tickedoff:
Heading out to get a new rig shortly, but that means setup and reinstalling games, etc. Hopefully a turn tomorrow.
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Ouch! More than just the power supply?
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Ouch! More than just the power supply?
Looking like it's motherboard and/or cpu. Replaced the PSU, replace CMOS battery...still no sign of power to the machine. Outlet is working, new power cord, it's just DEAD.
So, found one of these, refurb and on clearance at Frys. https://www.corsair.com/us/en/one
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Nice! Like the side mounted radiator panels. :bigthumb:
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0230 18 April 1809
The new computer is fortunately in a state to carry on, and so we're off. Two hours until dawn!
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Nice! Like the side mounted radiator panels. :bigthumb:
I really didn't want to buy a new machine at this point, but I have to admit that this one is pretty badass. I'd advise people to stay away from ABS brand gaming computers, given my "old" machine was not even three years old when it died on Saturday. Let's hope this one survives longer!
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Its good to have a real computer store close by.
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0330 April 18 1809
Dawn in ONE HOUR. There are a few of you who I don't believe have sent me orders for the day as of yet. Please do so ASAP.
Also note - if you've been sent orders from a superior, just because I've read what you've been sent please don't assume that I am acting as if you are implementing those orders. If your superior sent your orders saying "March to location A" I'm not just marching your corps off to location A. Please issue orders to your corps providing a marching order, rules of engagement, etc. and send those to me. I have a feeling some commanders may have the impression that they are implementing their superior's orders when they are in fact sitting still...
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0430 18 April 1809
DAWN. Armies are marching on the stricken field. Or about to be stricken field. Or something.
That turn took a good long while for me to run. Lots going on, and I'm continuing to tweak my TTS setup to make doing this easier.
There are a couple of players that I'm still short orders for. Your corps are sitting idle while I wait to hear from you. That may not lead to an optimum outcome for you...
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0530 18 April 1809
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0630 18 April 1809
Interesting things are happening...
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0630 18 April 1809
Interesting things are happening...
Like in the Chinese curse? "May you live in interesting times...." >:D
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0630 18 April 1809
Interesting things are happening...
Like in the Chinese curse? "May you live in interesting times...." >:D
Pretty much exactly that...
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0730 18 April 1809
After a holiday break (and some time to let my scratched cornea recover so I could see the damn game) we're back to a regular schedule. Let's shoot for a next turn Friday.
Hope everyone had a good holiday!
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0830 18 April 1809
A Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season.
This was an eventful turn.
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0930 18 April 1809
I swear, next game I'm going to adapt "The Eagle Fights" tactical system to Table Top Simulator and have you guys game out the actual battles using that. I bet we could make it work.
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I for one would LOVE to play with "The Eagles Fight" system.
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I for one would LOVE to play with "The Eagles Fight" system.
Jim is working on setting up some TTS games using Blucher from Sam Mustafa, which is more complicated than The Eagle Fights, but can be played with unit cards as well. Watch for an announcement, but I would think we'll be playing a game on a Saturday evening soon. We stream those to Youtube. No reason we can't do the same thing with The Eagle Fights...
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"The Eagle Fights" would work a LOT better in TTS than on the tabletop where the cardboard pieces are a real challenge.
Would you lot PLEASE not distract me from my task(s) at hand!!
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0930 18 April 1809
I swear, next game I'm going to adapt "The Eagle Fights" tactical system to Table Top Simulator and have you guys game out the actual battles using that. I bet we could make it work.
I am in!
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1030 18 April 1809
Today will be a busy, busy day.
Apologies for the longer then normal delay between turns. I've been fighting off a stomach flu, and we had some players who had met up and were discussing plans. If you are one of those players, I need orders from you based on your discussion...
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I'm still waiting on orders for the next turn from some players. Next turn tomorrow, so if you haven't updated me as to what your corps is doing, I'll assume your earlier orders are still in effect.
Please get me new orders if you expect something different to happen, particularly if you were just part of a conference of commanders that decided a strategy. I will still need your orders to your divisions as to how your corps intends to carry out what was decided.
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1130 18 April 1809
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Hey all - we had some late orders, some of which I didn't get forwarded on until this evening. We'll be advancing the clock tomorrow evening. If you have any orders for the 1230 18 April turn, please get them to me ASAP if you haven't already.
If all goes well and I don't freeze here, we'll shoot for another turn Friday. I'd like to get things galloping along here a bit faster.
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1230 18 April
Well, definitely an eventful hour! Please get me any orders you have for 1330 ASAP. We will run another turn Friday.
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1330 18 April 1809
Thanks to everyone for sending their orders in. Shooting for another turn Monday, though if it looks like everyone has responded earlier, I may go ahead Sunday.
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We have some players that are pretty familiar with 19th Century operations, and some others that are pretty new to them. While there are some truly excellent books on the various Napoleonic campaigns, not the least of which is John Gill's trilogy on the very campaign we're playing, it may be that some of you might find the American Civil War more accessible in terms of understanding how these campaigns were conducted.
If so, I recommend trying out Maryland Campaign of September 1862: Volume 1, South Mountain by Ezra Carman and Thomas Clemens. Carman was a participant in the campaign and war who later spent much of his life compiling the definitive history of the campaign. Carman's manuscript was cleaned up and annotated recently by Clemens. The book both describes the activities of both armies in a way that will feel familiar to players of this game, and includes numerous written dispatches and orders between the various commanders. Reading this would likely be very helpful in understand what's going on in the game.
https://www.amazon.com/Maryland-Campaign-September-1862-Mountain-ebook/dp/B0042VJ1LM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549241382&sr=8-2&keywords=the+maryland+campaign (https://www.amazon.com/Maryland-Campaign-September-1862-Mountain-ebook/dp/B0042VJ1LM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549241382&sr=8-2&keywords=the+maryland+campaign)
Next turn tomorrow night. Enjoy your SportsBall this evening!
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Hehehe...John Gill.... (http://static.skaip.org/img/emoticons/180x180/f6fcff/giggle.gif)
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/villains/images/9/96/JohnGill.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180208151716)
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John H. Gill in this case, not Star Trek John Gill. :2funny:
He's a player on the Austrian side in Cyrano's game, btw...
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Speaking of reading, our campaign, and John Gill - all three volumes of his trilogy, Thunder on the Danube are going for the ridiculous price of between $1.30 and $1.99 on Kindle right now. Given that the hardback of just the first volume is priced at $136, this is clearly a steal. If you haven't read these and you at all interested in the subject, I mean even a little, grab these now for a total of less than $5.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=1809+Thunder+on+the+Danube
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Damn, I'm in at that price. Thanks! :bigthumb:
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These are really good. Probably the best English language work on this campaign available.
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1430 18 April 1809
We're cruisin' now! Keep those orders coming. Next turn Wednesday. If we're moving faster than you can keep up now, please let me know so we can adjust the pace. Otherwise I'm going to try and keep things are a turn every two to three days.
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A: The books are essential.
B: Yeah, having the dude in my game is no pressure. No pressure at all. Although he's a very fine fellow and, as Jason can tell you, issued the funniest KS order of all time. I will defend this.
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1530 18 April 1809
My everyone is suddenly very chatty again. Messengers all over the map!
Next turn Friday unless someone cries uncle!
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Birthday dinner for my daughter tonight, so it's likely the next turn will be tomorrow.
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1630 18 April
Hornet's nests have been stirred. Messengers all over the place!
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1730 18 April
This is a busy work week for me and I'm traveling Thursday and Friday. Next turn is this coming weekend.
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1830 18 April 1809
We have and have had some folks on vacation, and I've had a rough work schedule. Hoping to pick back up again this week. Please send me your orders for 1930 if you have any!
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1930 18 April 1809
Everyone is back in the fold now. Next turn this weekend, when I take a break from assembling my new gaming table.
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1930 18 April
Everyone is back in the fold now. Next turn this weekend, when I take a break from assembling my new gaming table.
New gaming table?!? Pics!!! :applause:
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1930 18 April
Everyone is back in the fold now. Next turn this weekend, when I take a break from assembling my new gaming table.
New gaming table?!? Pics!!! :applause:
It's one of these, without the decorations. https://ultimategametable.com/collections/elite-series/products/copy-of-table-of-ultimate-gaming-3-5-elite-series-standard-table-height?variant=12354495217752
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1930 18 April
Everyone is back in the fold now. Next turn this weekend, when I take a break from assembling my new gaming table.
New gaming table?!? Pics!!! :applause:
It's one of these, without the decorations. https://ultimategametable.com/collections/elite-series/products/copy-of-table-of-ultimate-gaming-3-5-elite-series-standard-table-height?variant=12354495217752
(http://www.aarcentral.com/emoti/worship.gif)
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Nice new table! :bigthumb:
But yer game time traveled a hundred years.... :o
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Nice new table! :bigthumb:
But yer game time traveled a hundred years.... :o
Added "1809" for those playing the home game.
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2030 18 April 1809
Dusk is coming on, full dark in two hours.
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2130 18 April 1809
Dark in one hour!
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I think we may have a number of people on Spring Break; we're waiting on orders. I would like to run a turn tomorrow or the next day; if you want/need to send orders for 2230, please do so ASAP. It will be full dark in the next hour.
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2230 18 April 1809
And that is full dark, gentles. Unless you have otherwise told me, or are involved in an ongoing withdrawal/pursuit I have stopped all marching and have your divisions encamped for the night.
If you need a sitrep or other information please let me know. Please start preparing your orders for morning.
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I posted this in the forum for the other game we are playing and wondered if any of you chaps might be able to answer or have a view on this:
Anyone have or seen the Vae Victis no 144 game called The Eagles of the Danube: The Campaign of April 1809. I saw a report about someone playing it and it was the first I have heard about this magazine game. Anyone had any experience with it? I am tempted to buy a copy and am just wondering if it is any good... Thoughts?
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I posted this in the forum for the other game we are playing and wondered if any of you chaps might be able to answer or have a view on this:
Anyone have or seen the Vae Victis no 144 game called The Eagles of the Danube: The Campaign of April 1809. I saw a report about someone playing it and it was the first I have heard about this magazine game. Anyone had any experience with it? I am tempted to buy a copy and am just wondering if it is any good... Thoughts?
I haven't played that specific game, but I do have a number of Vae Victis games. My experience with them has been overwhelmingly positive in terms of the game and the graphics. The materials tend to be a bit light weight. These are magazine games, or derived from magazine games, so that isn't surprising. The price reflects this. I would say go for it!
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1930 18 April
Everyone is back in the fold now. Next turn this weekend, when I take a break from assembling my new gaming table.
New gaming table?!? Pics!!! :applause:
It's one of these, without the decorations. https://ultimategametable.com/collections/elite-series/products/copy-of-table-of-ultimate-gaming-3-5-elite-series-standard-table-height?variant=12354495217752
So what were your thoughts on this table? I'm considering pulling the trigger on this one from their catalog.
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2218/2961/products/2018-04-11_15.44.05_1171x@2x.progressive.jpg?v=1549415536)
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They don't look very happy for having such an awesome table
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They don't look very happy for having such an awesome table
They were just told they would be playing Agricola.
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They don't look very happy for having such an awesome table
They were just told they would be playing Agricola.
:ROFL:
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So what were your thoughts on this table? I'm considering pulling the trigger on this one from their catalog.
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2218/2961/products/2018-04-11_15.44.05_1171x@2x.progressive.jpg?v=1549415536)
The table is great. I absolutely love playing on it. It's very roomy and solid. I'm looking forward to adding some of the accessories, but the basic table itself is worth every penny.
I did get the version that that won't let you play Agricola. In fact, if you put any Euro game on it, it throws it to the floor.
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By the way, turn coming tonight or tomorrow, so last call for night orders. After that we're going to rip through the evening hours at a pace of a turn every couple of days until dawn on April 20. Please be preparing your April 20 orders.
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I did get the version that that won't let you play Agricola. In fact, if you put any Euro game on it, it throws it to the floor.
As much as I like Agricola, I still lol'd at that!
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2330 18 April 1809
Next turn Tuesday evening, unless I'm so beat from work that I just get drunk instead.
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My apologies, some of the email notifications ended up in my spam folder and with chaperoning my daughters senior class trip and softball being underway, this game totally slipped my mind. Didn't help that until recently I was off the board. I'll get caught up tonight and tomorrow.
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My apologies, some of the email notifications ended up in my spam folder and with chaperoning my daughters senior class trip and softball being underway, this game totally slipped my mind. Didn't help that until recently I was off the board. I'll get caught up tonight and tomorrow.
No worries, I have your dispatch you sent this evening. I'll run the turn tomorrow.
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...0230 19 April 1809
That's correct, we've gone three hours. No action was expected and so I've run a longer turn. I plan to start doing this more often, and only switching to one hour turns when events warrant it. Which may be frequently once dawn arrives. Kreigsspiel is supposed to be event driven, so we're going to do that.
Dawn is two hours away. Please prepare your orders for April 19th and get them to me post-haste. I would prefer that your orders are for the entire day.
Here are a few tips on order writing, quoted from Tweleve Scenarios for Kreigsspiel by Bill Leeson, published by Too Fat Lardies:
Operation Orders
Operation Orders are orders from the commanding officer which deal with strategic and
tactical operations such as marches, protection, reconnaissance and battle.
Sequence of Orders
The orders should be set out in a logical sequence, the precise order of which may vary
with circumstances, but which, in general are in paragraph order as follows:
- Information as to the enemy and our own other forces.
- The intention of the commander in the most general terms, with distribution of
forces in the margin. - Orders for the advanced guard. Time of starting, assembly point, route to be
followed, reconnoitring and any special duties to be performed. - Orders for the main body. Either the distance to be preserved between it and the
advanced guard or place and time of departing. Order of march in the margin. - Any orders for the flank guard. As for 3. as a rule, but special mention of any
reconnoitring duties. Sometimes the point at which the flank guard will be
detached. - Orders for outposts. Instructions as to how they are to join the column of route
(Ed. This is something which is not normally asked for in Kriegsspiel) - Order for the second line transports and supply column. The distance to be
preserved between it and the main body or any special arrangements. - The position of the commanding officer.
If the cavalry is not attached to the advanced guard or main body, but rather is constituted
as an independent cavalry force it would appear as no.1 in the distribution list in the
margin, and ‘Orders for Cavalry’ would appear in paragraph 3 of the orders, with orders for
the advanced guard becoming 4. etc.
Notes on Writing Orders
Before Writing
- Read the briefing.
- Study the ground under consideration either the full scale map or the index map –
whichever is allowed. Note the scale. - Assess the situation. “Imagine, for instance, that you are in command, halting at
the place mentioned in the data, surrounded by your staff. You must now see the
troops in formation on the country before you, your own as well as the enemy’s.
The more vividly you imagine, the better will be your tactical work. Be clear about
what your orders are. How are you to act in order to carry out your superiors’
intentions?” - When dealing with movements of troops work out the time needed to march, not
only for your own troops, but for the enemy as well. - Consider the counter-measures likely to be adopted by the enemy. Remember that
he may be moving as well, and that he is most likely to do that which you will like
the least. - Arrive at a definite decision. Are you to act offensively or defensively? Are you to
contain the enemy, or avoid him altogether? No half measures. Be clear what you
intend to do and carry it out with determination. - Consider the distribution of your troops. Check that you have disposed of all the
troops allotted to you.
Sometimes a briefing assumes that you are writing your orders the night before they are to
be put into operation, and have, therefore, plenty of time to think about them. Sometimes
the briefing puts you in the middle of a situation which calls for a fairly rapid response. In
the latter cause you may have to issue some orders almost instantaneously and then take
some time to work out what is to follow.
The Actual Written Orders
a) Each set of orders should be logically arranged. Deviate from the model when
there is need to. Break up orders into numbered paragraphs and put everything
into one paragraph relating to one subject, giving precedence to the most
important matter.
b) Each order should be as short as possible. Shorter sentences are easier to
understand. Experience shows that wordy orders are usually abbreviated by
those for whom they are intended, which may well result in alteration in their
sense. Reasons for a given disposition have no place in the orders since if they
are well put together they will justify themselves.
c) Each order should be clear and intelligible. ‘It is as well to consider the
question: What knowledge can the recipient have of the general situation? Will
he understand my point of view from the wording of the order? Terms which
are easily misunderstood since their significance depends on the point of view –
such as “right, left, in front of’ etc should be avoided. Replace them with
points of the compass, but avoid intermediate points such as S.S.W. Roads
should be indicated by two points – “The road from Verny to Metz”. If the
intention is to march towards Metz. “The southern outlet of Verny”, if there is
only one, but “The outlet towards X” if there are more.’
d) Do not use uncertain terms. An ambiguous order is loosely carried out. Avoid
“as far as possible”, “as well as you can”, for the commander must accept
responsibility and shift none of it onto the shoulders of the subordinate. It will
be reprehensible in the drawing up of an order to choose an ill-defined or
ambiguous expression under which to hide ones own indecision.
e) The order should not trespass on the province of the subordinate. Your order
should not contain details which the subordinate will be better placed to work
out for himself from being on the spot. In practice you can interfere if the
subordinate is making an error which will jeopardise the attainment of the
object you have in view.
f) The orders should not try to arrange anything too far in advance. Elaborate
directions for various hypothetical cases are to be avoided. It is possible that
one of these cases may occur, but it is just as likely that something unforeseen
may happen, leaving the subordinate uncertain, now, of what should be done.
On the other had it is nearly always important for the subordinate to recognise
clearly the general object aimed at by the order, so that they themselves may
be able to strive to attain it if the general situation demands a procedure
different from that originally directed. (The difficult aspect of giving orders
dealt with here is giving the subordinate a clear enough idea of the intention,
so that he can use his initiative in a changing situation without trying to
prescribe details in advance which could end up hindering the subordinate’s
initiative. There is obviously no harm in the commander trying to foresee some
of the possible responses of the enemy, but he does not have to burden the
troop leaders with them.)
g) Particulars of time and place should be exactly given.
h) Underline the opening words of each paragraph to emphasise them.
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Lookit' you writing love poetry.
*swoon*
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I knew that'd get you all jiggity.
You should see what's on my table.
Also, a copy of Verdy's Free Kreigsspiel showed up at my place today. 'Cause that's what we're actually playing when we play at Origins.
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Is anyone else amused about how those recommendations for order writing are themselves longer than any orders (per se) I've ever written?
They're longer than some of my sitrep updates, too!
(...some of them. >:D )
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;D
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Is anyone else amused about how those recommendations for order writing are themselves longer than any orders (per se) I've ever written?
They're longer than some of my sitrep updates, too!
(...some of them. >:D )
I've seen your writing. Wikipedia is shorter than what you write.
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0330 19 April 1809
Dawn in one hour. If you haven't yet, now would be a good time to get me orders for 19 April.
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No pressuring, just checking in.
We are still up and running?
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No pressuring, just checking in.
We are still up and running?
Yep - I've been waiting on a few responses. I'll have something going out tomorrow or this weekend.
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No problem, just making sure. Enjoy!
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...0430 19 April 1809
There are a lot of messengers on the roads. I'm going to shoot for another turn Tuesday before I head to Origins.
Napoleon, check you spam folder since some of the email I sent you ended up there before. Need a response from you!
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Panzer, sent a reply at 4:11. I had seen it was helping wife and neighbor get the garden planted, in the mud and spotty rain. :go-on:
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Panzer, sent a reply at 4:11. I had seen it was helping wife and neighbor get the garden planted, in the mud and spotty rain. :go-on:
Received! Just wanted to be sure you saw it. See you on Saturday.
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0630 19 April 1809
I am returned from Origins and many hours of Kriegsspielling there, and we are off!
One of the toughest things for my 1970's wargame trained brain to remember is that kriegsspiel is event and not turn driven. It isn't necessary to always advance the clock in one hour intervals, rather the clock should advance until something happens. In this case, there weren't a ton of decisions to be made by anyone between 0430 and 0630, so we've jumped two hours.
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Heads up - next turn will be tomorrow night. If you have orders, please get them to me before then!
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Alright you lot...I'm waiting for some orders from some folks, so no turn tonight. If you are planning on orders for 0730, I need them ASAP!
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I've just emailed all players concerning using email to send updates. Please respond to that email if you have an opinion either way.
I am also now going to post updates on my blog at https://panzerde.blogspot.com when the game clock advances.
We've been waiting on a couple of players on vacation, but will advance the clock today or tomorrow. Depending on how much contact there is, I may advance time more than one hour.
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0730 19 April 1809
I only advanced time an hour. There were some important messages delivered this turn and I want to give players enough time to react to them.
I will send out status updates to everyone with current positions shortly.
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Invading your Kriegsspiel ever so briefly.
Just saw a rather well done video about Kriegsspiel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-seIA9tukDs&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-seIA9tukDs&feature=youtu.be)
Very well done history of the game in about 15 minutes.
Right, I leave you to your gaming.
Vive la France!
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That’s an excellent video. I posted it on my blog a few days ago.
It does make me wonder...that video, and many period drawings, depict the participants gathered around a single table, not off in separate spaces. I’m getting the impression that Von Reisswitz Kriegsspiel maybe wasn’t played quite the same way we’ve been playing.
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That’s an excellent video. I posted it on my blog a few days ago.
It does make me wonder...that video, and many period drawings, depict the participants gathered around a single table, not off in separate spaces. I’m getting the impression that Von Reisswitz Kriegsspiel maybe wasn’t played quite the same way we’ve been playing.
That just means you've improved it! :bigthumb:
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That may be the case. It may also be that we’ve complicated it. ???
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That’s an excellent video. I posted it on my blog a few days ago.
It does make me wonder...that video, and many period drawings, depict the participants gathered around a single table, not off in separate spaces. I’m getting the impression that Von Reisswitz Kriegsspiel maybe wasn’t played quite the same way we’ve been playing.
The modern photos represent life goals for me. My kind of crazy. They’ve been around for years and I’ve never been able to suss out who they are and what palace let them in.
You don’t have to play the KS double-blind, of course, but you can’t doubt from the rules themselves that that’s how they’re intended to be played. There were fellows at Historicon that ran 1824 minis games. Interesting exercise, but, frankly, I’ve always found the move to contact the most interesting.
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Interesting exercise, but, frankly, I’ve always found the move to contact the most interesting.
I as well...and this is what puts us in the "niche of a niche" category.
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0930 19 April 1809.
Yes, we jumped two hours. We have a lot of movement, but no one in contact as of yet. Keep in mind that I may do two, three, or even four hour turns in the interest of moving the game to action. You'll want to write your orders from this perspective. Figure you're providing direction for the day, not hour-by-hour. When something happens, that then may trigger order updates. Otherwise, formations are moving to carry out their existing orders.
In that spirit, we'll have another turn Wednesday evening.
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...1130 19 April 1809
Thanks to everyone for getting orders and dispatches into me quickly. It makes it MUCH easier to keep things rolling.
A reminder/request: If you send the same dispatch to more than one recipient (and it is much appreciated that you are all sending me those as individual emails) it can be very helpful to your fellows to know that you sent the message to someone else. In the message, putting in something like "Copies to XXX" lets them know that others have also received the message.
Next turn will be Friday, assuming we don't all just spontaneously combust from the heat.
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...1230 19 April 1809
If you didn't receive a messenger or an update from me, your situation is unchanged, If you need a SITREP, let me know!
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...1430 19 April 1809
We've jumped two hours again. There was a fair amount going on in terms of movement and positioning this turn, and a good bit of die rolling. I've allowed various commanders to detach small cavalry units for specific missions beyond the generic 10KM radius patrols. Like messengers, I've been rolling to see if these small cavalry detachments come to grief as a result of cavalry skirmishing.
The next turn will be an hour - things are on the verge of happening. My intent is to process the turn Sunday. I'll be out of town from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon and away from my gaming computer.
As always, if you received not messages or updates from me, your situation is unchanged.
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1530 19 April 1809
Apologies for this turn taking a bit longer to get to you than I had hoped. I had car trouble coming home from Ohio on Sunday and then some minor oral surgery on Monday. Yesterday all I wanted to do was get liquored up to recover from the prior two days!
As always, unless you received an update from me, your situation remains the same.
I've been reading Prelude to Waterloo again, mulling over just how completely confused the messaging during the campaign and how this directly impacted Quatre Bras and Ligny. It was a lot more dangerous to be a staff officer carrying messages to a general in combat than our game portrays. If we did what seems historical, an awful lot of messages would never arrive!
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...1630 19 April 1809
Apologies for this turn being so tardy. Work took me out back and mugged me the past week or so, which wasn't helped by what I suspect was a case of food poisoning.
Messengers have been sent and units moved. As usual, if you've received no email from me, your situation is unchanged. If you would like a sitrep, please let me know!
Things have calmed down a bit on my end and I'm feeling mostly back to normal. We should be back to a more frequent turn schedule.
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...1730 19 April 1809
I have some questions out to some of you concerning orders; please respond as quickly as you can. Let me know if you'd like a sitrep. As always, if you received no message from me, your situation hasn't changed.
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We are holding at 1730 right now. We have a player traveling and I'm waiting on orders. I'd like to advance the turn tomorrow, so if you're planning on getting me orders please do so by then.
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1830 19 April 1809
Lots going on!
Since battle, or the possibility of battle, is happening all over, here's some detail about how battles work and what I need to know from you when there is a battle.
Battles happen in two hour rounds. At the end of a round, each side decides if it will continue battle or withdraw, unless one side is completely defeated and has broken.
Battles are fought with three deployment areas: Left, Center, Right. I need to know what forces you want deployed in each of these sectors each round. I also need to know what sector any participating leaders are deployed in.
Units may also be deployed in reserve. Units in reserve can be moved out of reserve and deployed into one of the three sectors at the beginning of a combat round. Units deployed into one of the three sectors can be placed in reserve at the beginning of a combat round.
Combat happens by rolling a minimum of three dice per side. The side with the higher total roll wins that round and does the difference of the two rolls as morale damage to the losers forces. The winner then takes half of the difference between the rolls as morale losses. Each side can roll additional dice depending on the amount and type of forces engaged, the leaders engaged, terrain, fortifications, flank attacks, etc. Light cavalry adds 1 die, heavy cavalry two. 2:1 odds adds two dice for the attacker, 1:2 odds would add two dice for the defender. Attacking across a minor river would add one die to the defender. Leaders have tactical ratings that can add a die, or, if they are exceptionally poor leaders, subtract a die - but no side ever rolls less than three dice.
If one side wants to break off, there is a disengagement round. During that round only the side breaking off the combat takes morale losses.
Once a unit's morale reaches zero, it breaks. At the end of the round where a unit breaks, the enemy advances into the area the broken unit occupied, and gains a moral advantage. Friendly units adjacent to the broken unit suffer a morale penalty, and likely now have enemy units on their flank.
Due to the above, a unit that seems close to breaking should be removed to the reserve and a fresh unit deployed, if forces are available.
If a side disengaged, there may be a pursuit phase of two hours of movement, where the side that didn't disengage can use his cavalry to pursue. Disengaging cavalry in good order will screen the retreating units, but will take loses, If there's no screening cavalry, retreating infantry will take losses. Broken units not protected by cavalry can take severe losses.
At the end of all the battle rounds, units lose strength points (i.e. take casualties) based on their morale state. Basically, the bigger the morale loss, the worse the casualties. Units also take fatigue for every hour they are in battle.
I hope that helps you have some idea how battles are fought, and helps you plan. As you can see, this is a pretty course system at this level. I may provide a extra die on occasion to someone who tells me they are using some clever tactic, or who has managed to maneuver into the enemy rear, or something of that nature. Having said that, don't try and micro-manage your deployment; the combat system really can't handle those kinds of inputs.
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...1930 19 April 1809
And things are in motion! Exciting times ahead, indeed. Please get me orders for an anticipated Thursday turn. If you need a sitrep, please ask.
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2030 19 April 1809
There are some pretty important things happening, so please respond if I've sent a question or you need more information about what I've sent you.
If you didn't receive a message, as usual, your situation is unchanged. Note that doesn't mean nothing is happening near you, it just means you may not be aware of it yet...
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...2130 19 April 1809
And I have been drinking Robitussin straight from the bottle for the past several days. I had to attend a business function one night last week with a client. and I think someone in the crowd shared their crud with the rest of us.
Back in the saddle now, and it is DUSK.
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...2230 19 April 1809.
It is now full dark. Dawn is in six hours. Please be readying your orders for the 20th.
Note that a few of you may have received reports with the timestamp of 2130. This is incorrect; it is 2230. I may have been drinking. Again.
Let me know if you need sitreps, etc.
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...more likely your outrageous hat slipped down over your eye's...again...........
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...2330 19 April 1809
Just one hour left in this day, four hours until dawn.
The past couple of weeks have been no fun here. I had a vicious cold, which I thought I was done with. That turned into a sinus infection. I'm not over that entirely, but feeling well enough to want to spend time at the computer again, outside of work.
All of which is a long way of saying I'll be trying to knock out some faster turns this week. Since it's night, we'll probably have some two hour turns to speed things along. Please start sending me your orders for the 20th.
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0030 20 April 1809
It has been an eventful evening. Fatigue calculations are complete. If you need a sitrep on your corps, please let me know.
The situation appears to be such that we can speed through the night. I am planning a two hour turn before this Friday, and probably another one this weekend, unless orders from one of you changes the situation.
Dawn in four hours. Please prepare your orders for April 20!
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...0230 20 April 1809
Yes, a two hour turn. Almost everyone had some sort of update. Dawn is in two hours, so please send me your orders for 20 April if you haven't already done so.
If you received a dispatch at 0130 and want to issue orders taking effect immediately, note that I move units an appropriate distance to reflect that hour.
I doubt we;ll get another two hour turn tonight; there are too many things happening that won't allow that.
I'm aiming for the next turn to be Tuesday or Wednesday.
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...0330 20 April 1809
Dawn in one hour! Get me orders for 4/20 if you haven't yet please!
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0430 20 April 1809
It is DAWN. If you haven't sent me orders for 4/20, please do so. As always, let me know if you need a sitrep.
Napoleon - please be sure to check that email isn't going to your spam folder again. You've had some this evening...
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...0530 20 April 1809.
We are fully engaged in the activity of 20 April at this point. If you have orders or need a sitrep please send me a message ASAP.
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...0630 20 April 1809.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the US-based players. With the holiday, I should have some time to get out at least one turn between Thursday to Sunday, hopefully two.
As always, let me know if you need SITREPs, etc.
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...0730 20 April 1809
Apologies for the delay in getting this out. My mother-in-law fell the day after Thanksgiving and has been in the hospital ever since. That's complicated life here somewhat.
I think we're back in the saddle now. There's a lot going on, and it looks like April 20th will be the day of decision! I'm going to move things along now to get caught up.
Please let me know if you need SITREPs, etc.
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Ouch! Hope she is on the mend, Doug.
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Ouch! Hope she is on the mend, Doug.
+1
Wish her our best.
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Thanks guys. Poor woman broke ribs and her shoulder. She fell leaving a restaurant the day after Thanksgiving. She and my FIL are in their mid-80s and he can't hear, so it's not been easy.
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Thanks guys. Poor woman broke ribs and her shoulder. She fell leaving a restaurant the day after Thanksgiving. She and my FIL are in their mid-80s and he can't hear, so it's not been easy.
Yikes! I hope everything settles soon and gets her as far down the road to recovery as she can get at this point.
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Unfortunately, I think her rugby playing days are over.
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I know that feeling..................
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Unfortunately, I think her rugby playing days are over.
Can still be a cheerleader, tho, right?
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I'm fairly certain my very Lutheran MIL feels about cheerleaders they same way Martin Luther would have.
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Plus, I suspect the kind of cheerleaders you get with Rugby are a bit like this;
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:ROFL:
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Like the East German Women's Olympic team.
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Except more attractive......
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I'm fairly certain my very Lutheran MIL feels about cheerleaders they same way Martin Luther would have.
"...nuns are kind of like cheerleaders, right?"
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Habit forming?
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0830 20 April 1809
The next turn will be Monday. Please send me orders ASAP.
I hope everyone had a good holiday!
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0930 20 April 1809
It is ON. The next turn will be on Friday. Everyone have a safe and happy New Year!
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1030 20 April 1809
I hope everyone had a Happy New Year.
I gave people a couple of extra days due to the holiday to get me orders. I'm shooting for Tuesday for the next turn.
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1130 20 April 1809
I hope everyone had a good holiday and is successfully back at it now that we're nearly through January!
Sorry for the long pause, gentlemen. I've been very engaged on development work for another expansion for Horse & Musket that will be released in February. Checking and testing 20 scenarios turned out to be more time consuming than I had planned.
I believe everyone has had a message if not an outright sitrep. If you need more information please let me know. Now that I have more time, I'm planning a turn on the weekend. We have a couple of battles in progress!
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1230 20 April 1809
There's some shootin'! Thanks for getting your orders in. Next turn towards the end of the week.
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1330 20 April 1809
Sorry for the delay folks - I've been waiting for orders. I'm still waiting for orders for some folks, but we're proceeding anyway.
If you have orders, please send them ASAP.
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1430 20 April 1809
Moving right along, now. Let me know if you need SITREPs.
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...1530 20 April 1809.
I hope everyone is well and bunkered down. Fortunately we can play wargames remotely.
As always, let me know if you need SITREPs.
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Did this one wrap up? Or just sort of peter out?
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I would like to know the same. I hope everybody stayed and is in good health? I stopped receiving Mails and would be interested in some closure.
It is a long time ago, but the experience was great and I would do it again if I could.
Best wishes