Incoming Mail

Letters to the Editor

by the readers

S-1 Personnel

Letters, notes and cards from the readership! I need to request those writing to me to include their addresses on their letters-- I save letters but tend to toss envelopes.--GN

With some trepidation I enclose my check for $8.00 for the Command Post. Something about a Fall 1990 issue being typed in January of 1991 makes me a little leery...

Seriously: I know that you must have had many a hair pulling moment trying to get the thing out at all - let alone on schedule. Good luck!

Could you please forward me a copy of issue #2 as I did not indeed receive it.

I'd also like to suggest that you make an appeal for all readers to send in any mail order sources for miniatures and such that they have so that a list could be compiled. In fact I'd be willing to do the compiling, if they would send me the address's so that it could be published in a future issue. I think that such a list could be useful. Let me know your thoughts.

    --Peter Lindsey Monroe, LA

I suggest anything with such a source of supply to contact me through the Command Post's Champaign address in order to get Peter's address.

Thank you for the copies of the CP--they make me all the more glad that I purchased CD, CA, and OTT. I have several articles to submit--do you have requirements for format, etc. If you can use the following, please do so:

Those who seek hard to find information regarding WWI weapons, tactics, battles and organizations, should consult the 11th and 12th Editions of the Encyclopedia Britannica. The 11th Edition was published just prior to the war, and provides a good deal of information as to armies, weapons, etc, prior to hostilities. The 12th Edition, however, is a gold mine of information: Hungarian Houved mobilization, composition of infantry companies of the major powers and how they evolved as the war went on: development of the mortar, the tank, the machine gun, and on and on. I cannot oversell this source, it is fantastic, and virtually unknown as well.

The 12th Edition, it should be noted, comprises only 3 volumes, and is frequently added to a set of the 11th Edition as 'Three additional volumes" (Most decent libraries have a set of the 11th Edition, reputed to be the best Edition ever.) If you cannot locate a copy, write to me and tell me what you need. we can work out a photocopying deal if practical (ie there are hundreds and hundreds of copies of information.).

I would like to suggest that it might be worthwhile to include a "recommended reading" section from time to time - there is a lot of really good information out there which is available to almost anyone, but much of it is as obscure as the 12th Edition of the Britannica.

    --Christopher G. Johnson

I checked out the 12th Edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica at the University of Illinois's library and found it to be all that Chris claimed it to be. I will report on what I have found in the next issue or so of the Command Post.

I recently had the opportunity to look at the Winter '90 issue of the CP through a friend who had obtained it in a set of CD rules that he had purchased. CD coverage is almost non-existent this side of the pond -- one, very enthusiastic, review appearing in November 1990 and a Korean War scenario the previous year. Considering that I brought my set of CD in early 1987 I think this shows the rules have been around here for some time, but that there is not much interest in them, which is a pity. The fact that the CP has appeared here a year behind the United States adds only further proof of this.

I am only aware of two demonstrations of CD at conventions in the UK, and these were both at the Edinburgh show in 1989. One was my clubs own Kasserine game which I had the privilege to organize, while the other was a Battle of the Bulge game of the fighting around Stavelot. Hopefully CP will be able to put UK CD players in contact with each other so that we can all work together to promote the system in Britain,

My club uses 1:300 (5mm) models exclusively since we feel that they give a better visual impression of the size and scope of operational level combat - try getting a whole Panzer Division in 15mm or 1/76 on a table without it becoming an FO's idea of paradise, and you'll see what I mean. Using 5mm figures is also much cheaper (and easier to paint too!) so I wonder how many other CD groups out there use this smaller scale rather then the 1/76 recommended in the rules.

I was interested in the Market Garden Game. We tried doing this in regular CD scale in 1988/89 but it ground to a halt mostly due to the size. Adopting the "bathtub" approach for this action is an interesting solution and I would be interested to hear what the result was.

On to some "meat" for the actual newsletter. I've noticed some mistakes in the Data and Organization Charts (other than typo's) which I have corrected and include in this letter. I have also enclosed a number of extra British vehicles - see the enclosed sheet.

I'd be grateful if you could send me the current issue of the CP plus any back numbers apart from the first, which I have. If you have started charging for it, please drop me a note of the price so that I can pay you. Since it is a long way to here, I have enclosed two IRC's to help with the postage.

    --Jim Trappitt Bolton, Lancashire, UK

The Information on the British Forces will be found in the next issue of the Command Post. I have enclosed a form under S-5 for clubs and individuals to fill out and send in for publication.

Thank you for the Command Post and the answers to your questions about the game and the system. Anyway there are some problems with the distribution, I subscribed to the Command Post in September 1990, and I have received the first and third issue, but not the second one. Could you send it to me please - I'll send you a champagne bottle.

I can't really agree with your ratings on the French Army in CA. You have the French Foreign Legion as Experienced, Morale 9. I think that it is a bit short for a elite unit like the French Foreign Legion. In our club we use the following:

    All Foreign Legion Troops: Elite, Morale 10, except for 2nd REP: Elite, Morale 11.

But we are French and proud of it, which may explain the need for modification. We have also done the same thing with the 2nd escade de chassuers in Dijon, and all recon aircraft squadrons like the 33rd Reconnaissance Squadron in Strasbourg.

Thank you and please continue the magazine

    --Loic Jegar

You are correct in terms of the need to upgrade the French Foreign Legion, and I don't think anyone disagrees with your views. The article on the French 11th Airborne Division in Command Post#4 agreed with your ratings, as did the supplement on Desert Shield.

I wish to propose an alternative to the "damaged" combat result for AFV's. My main problem with the rule as written is that the rate of fire (ROF) reduction has variable results on different vehicle types. Vehicles with a high ROF (ie Bradley M-2's) have only a slight reduction in firepower, whereas those with a ROF of 1 (ie Soviet Tanks) get a total fire kill -- the same as a complete KO. In the latter situation, it does not strike me as a logical that partial losses should totally eliminate a unit's ability to fight.

My suggestion: keep the ROF the same, but cut the hit probability by 50%. This solution is based on two assumptions:

1.) The hit probability represents the chance that a full. strength unit, firing as a group, will obtain hits on a target unit.

2.) The damaged result means that a unit's losses have cut its combat proficiency in half. 50% losses will therefore cut the hit probability in half. I couldn't reduce the units movement allowance, as I figure that slowed vehicles would drop out of the fight, within the time frame of the game.

I think that this approach would create a more equitable partial loss than does the current rule. Of course, equitable partial loss may be entirely out of sync with the philosophy of the game. Also, my two above assumptions about the game may be erroneous. I invite your, the game designers's, and other readers comments.

    --Donald Kreipke

Our local CHW house rules state that if a vehicle with a ROF of one is damaged, the vehicle losses one of its eligible fire phases, but it always may still fire in the close fire phase. Thus if the unit does not move, it may still fire in any two of the three fire phases. Command Post would be interested as to how other groups would handle this question.

First of all Command Post #4 and the Desert Shield Supplement were very good. I do have some input on the issue overall. The long awaited TO&E's for the 82nd Airborne and 101st Air Assault Divisions was greatly appreciated. I do feel the morale of 12 is a bit high: not to take anything away from either of these formations. I served for six years in the 2nd and 4th Infantry Divisions and found the overiding problem in building unit morale and cohesiveness is the high turnover due to training, schools, and promotions - all of which limit the time that people are together. I have friends in both the 82nd and 101st, and they tell me much the same story. Anyway, my suggested morale would be a 12.

Along the same line of thought the United Kingdom formations, especially the 1st Armored Division, are made of long service troops with less turnover, and I would rate them a 12. Don't take the above as criticisms, but just another opinion. Morale ratings are always highly subject to debate. As evidence of my stand, may I offer GDW's own series on WWIII battles, in which the British have a proficiency of 8 for their armored units, and the 82nd and 101st a proficiency rating of 7. Again food for thought.

On to other quirks. Thank you very much for the organization of the 3rd/73rd Tank Battalion. I like to collect and paint hard to find formations and the only remaining unit to use the Sheridan definitely falls into that category. I quickly zipped through the the issue, and alas no Sheridan stats, which granted most people would say no loss. Anyway, I would like your opinion of my Sheridan Stats.

    Vehicle Designation M551 Light Tank
    Weight Medium
    Speed 80/35A
    Armor 9/2
    Cargo None
    Night Vision Passive IR
    NBC Yes
    AAMG H
    Turret MG L
    Main Gun M81152mm Gun/Missile Launcher
    152mm GUN ROF 1 (5) HEAT, [HE 5]
    Sillelagh ROF 1 (4)

    Weapon5"10"20"30"40"50"60"
    152 HEAT7x56x55x53x52x52x52x5
    Shillelagh*--5x75x75x75x7-
    *Shillelagh Minimum Range 25"

    Sources: Armor and Infantry, 1950-1975: WRG, Jane's Armor and Artillery, 1985-1986.

I have just a few other observations, which include extreme enjoyment in seeing the 313th Military Intelligence Battalion.

We have had Electronic Warfare rules for quite some time, but rarely a listing of resources available. The Ranger stats helped with my Grenada campaign. Another vote by the way for having an 82nd/101st morale of 11 was by our one actual Ranger having a fit seeing the Maroon Berets ranked equal to his old 1/75th.

Lastly, yet one more morale nit picking item would be Jeff Glasco's 11th French Airborne Division. Overall very good, but the 2nd Foreign Legion Parahas to be one of the finest, if not THE finest combat formation around, and it definitely rates a 12. I did notice in your article that you rated the Foreign Legion a 12.

Thank you for your time and please consider the above as constructive comments or opinions, and not criticisms of an excellent publication. I'm looking forward to the Japanese Army and Marine/Amphib landing rules. Korea I can live without overall a dull war, plus serving there from March 1979 to April 1980 didn't do much to improve that opinion. Five days after I was in country I was pulling patrols on the DMZ from Camp Liberty Bell.

I would like to see some more Arab Israeli War Data and Scenarios, which make for a good compromise when the group is split between playing CD and CA. One quick question on the OTr Miniatures. You mentioned that Minifigs is repacking their sets to provide complete regiments. This should great as I have to go to Orlando to get most of my miniatures, and the WWI selection is limited, Do you have an address where I can get a catalog so I could order by Mail?

Thank you once again - looking forward to your next great issue.

    --Gunther H. Bellows Micanopy, FL

If all such letters were as nicely phased as yours, critical comments would always be welcomed. In response, I can do the easy ones first for a Minifigs address see S4.

The ratings that were given to the units for the "Desert Shield Storm Supplement" were based on the different armies as of January, 1991. 1 would not rate the 82nd or 101st as elite now, but rather as veteran, and I would drop their morale back to an 11. However, at the time the units were rated, the 82nd and 101st were enjoying a luxury not often enjoyed by American units. Their advance elements had arrived in August, and were frozen in place. Discharges, transfers, schools, etc: all of those little things that can keep one's personnel constantly changing didn't matter any more. Each unit was built up to war strength, and then was given six months to train together under a very real threat. They then fought their war, returned home, and now those units are broken up to some extent as everyone is catching up on what they were to have been doing as part of their career path.

One day while looking through the junk on my desk I happened to find the Summer 1990 issue of the CP (unopened). I had been concerned because I hadn't received an issue since I first subscribed back in July of 1990. To date I have only received the Winter 1990 and the Summer 1990 issues. I do however like the CP very much. As to feedback on the issues mentioned in the Summer 1990 issue I think that $8 an issue is OK, I also think that 8 issues per year would be great. As for contents, the five issues are just fine. I do like scenarios with background better than scenarios without. I would like to see special issues (especially RDF Forces of the World.) and Bathtub Armies, especially for the modern era. Other ideas that I would like you to look at would be "Special Forces of the World," and "Hovercraft and Landing Craft," as well as a section on the international colors for tanks. For Example; RATT VAN (TOC) 121st ENGINEER BN 1991

I enjoy the CP. I have included a check for renewing my subscription, as well as some air rule additions. Keep up the good work.

    --James Lee Savannah, GA

Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Newsletter #6
To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues
To MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1991 by Greg Novak.

This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other articles covering military history and related topics are available at http://www.magweb.com