The Kommandeur Volume 49 Number 5 Publication of AHIKS October 2014 From the President Kenneth Oates From the Editor Unsung Volunteer Contributions Sue and I recently drove and drove and drove east. Most wargamers have some sort of interest in history, Among the people we visited were Brian Stretcher and at least at some level. In most, if not all, of the historical his wife Denise. We also saw the new law office where situations around which our games are centered and we he practices; it overlooks the main street in Brevard compete, there were volunteers who will never be known, (accent on the second syllable). We had brunch before we their names never recorded or remembered. Some are drove and drove off. It has always been a pleasure talking commemorated as group by plaques or statues or in other to fellow members, and over the years we have met a ways, but most are not. Some of these made a contribu- good number. tion to their cause, large or small, but significant enough It is interesting how two people can examine an item to make a difference. and have completely different opinions about it. In Vol- We cannot go back in time to compile a complete list ume 48 Number 4 on page 4, John Michalski reviewed of those names, and we certainly do not have the funds to Rick Atkinson's book "The Guns at Last Light," the last memorialize them all. But we do have within AHIKS book in his trilogy on U.S. involvement in WWII. While many unsung volunteers who we can remember, and there was a lot he liked about the book, he wrote, "Rick's probably a lot we do not recognize. They have carried out style makes a good effort, but I'm afraid my expectations various tasks and stepped up to fill a slot in the ranks, or from the two earlier books...were too high." officer position and done so quite anonymously. Because I, too, enjoyed the first book, "An Army at Dawn," but this is a volunteer organization, there are many such con- I was ambivalent about the second, "The Day of Battle." tributions being continuously made, and with the 50th After reading John's review, I was cautious about buying Anniversary around the corner, individuals are continuing "The Guns at Last Light," but when one has two books of to make that contribution. These may or may not be a trilogy, one is required to purchase the third. I'm glad I known to the club as a whole, they may be something did. I am almost finished with the book, and I have thor- large or comparatively insignificant in the grand scheme oughly enjoyed it. When he covered The Battle of the of things, but, they have contributed something to make Bulge, he spent as much time writing about the generals the Society more enjoyable for the rest of us. They have arguing as about the fighting on the ground. Montgomery come forward when it would have been a lot easier to sit was always a thorn in Eisenhower's side, but he outdid back and watch someone else (let George do it). Some himself after he was given the two U.S. corps on the have even had personal challenges. north side of the bulge. His communication with the Brit- To these volunteers I take off my hat and say thanks ish press gave the British a completely wrong picture. for the contributions large and small you have made. John and I agree that Atkinson writes very well; his So today I ask two things: prose is a pleasure to read. If you are on the border be- 1) If you remember someone who falls into this cate- tween reading the book or not, I'd say, give it a read. gory, and you have a few extra minutes, write a short sen- A pair of words that are often confused are "lie" and tence or paragraph about that individual, what he did, and "lay." Things get more complicated in the past tense and submit it to The K during our 50th Anniversary. future tense, so I'll stick with the present. The verb "lay" 2) Volunteer your skill set or knowledge (yes, I know always has an object; Lay the pencil on the map. The the old adage, "Never volunteer"). The pay is great! verb "lie" never has a object; Lie down, Rover. If you say, "Lay down, Rover," Rover will not do it because it is Enjoy the games! grammatically incorrect. If someone is carrying the dog, you may say, "Lay Rover down." AHIKS T-shirts are again available. See page 20 for Kenneth the order form. 2 The Kommandeur Secretary’s Notes Bob Best Today is Friday, September 26, 1939. U-37, a Type IXa U- "Damage report!" calls the Captain. "Number 2 Diesel is out boat has been at sea for 26 days since the start of hostilities. We and we have hull damage Captain!" replies the First Officer. now join U-37 on patrol in the British Isles. Then the sound of the screws again grows louder followed by "Fire One! Fire Two! Fire Three! Fire Four!" Called U-37's more splashes as the escort passes overhead. An anxious wait Captain from the bridge as the U-boat made a night surface at- until the depth charges explode all around U-37 again, shaking tack from medium range on the escorted 10,500 ton tanker E.R. her violently. Brown . The Captain orders more evasive action and still the escort "Ja wohl, Herr Hauptman," cried the Chief Torpedoman hangs onto the U-boat's trail, pummeling the U-boat with each from below as he punched each fire button in turn. "Torpedoes successive pass. Finally the Captain orders the U-boat below Los!" crush depth to try to get away from the escort. The hull creaks Two G7e Electric Torpedoes and then Two G7a Steam Tor- ominously and then, IMPLOSION! U-37 makes its final plunge pedoes hissed from U-37's forward tubes and began the run to- into the depths of the Atlantic! ward the tanker. I lost my boat and my crew! Wow! What a first patrol! A "Clear the Bridge! Dive! Dive!" yells the Captain. As the very high-tension game! diving alarm bell sounds, the scurry of feet can be heard as the I finally was able to locate a copy of Consim Press' The deck crew scrambles down the bridge hatch. The Captain takes Hunters solitaire wargame simulating German U-boats at war, one last look around to be sure the bridge is clear before he 1939 to 1943. It has been sold out for months and I finally found joins the men below. Dropping down the conning tower ladder, this copy on ebay. This was my first war patrol with the game he pulls the hatch tight and then spins the wheel dogging the and my U-37 met the same fate of so many other German U- hatch into place. boats during World War II. It is now resting on the bottom of the The First Officer (WO1) is calling "Go. Go. Go." as he di- Atlantic. rects the men coming down the ladder toward the forward tor- But it is time to try another patrol. Maybe with a Type VII U pedo room. The type IX U-boats always "hang" at the surface -boat this time! upon diving, so men would run forward to add weight to the I am quite impressed with how easy the game is to play and bow and help the boat's bow sink faster. also how Consim Press has kept the game rules up-to-date at The Captain turns to the Torpedoman holding the stop their website. If you visit them at www.consimpress.com/the- watch. He is counting down the run time on the torpedoes. All hunters you will find errata and a number of add-ons, modules eyes are watching him anxiously as the time comes up on the and player aides for the game. If you like submarine warfare, first electric torpedo. then this game is for you! The Torpedoman shakes his head with a sad expression. If you are an AHIKS Facebook member you can read about Nothing ! Must be a dud! our Match Coordinator, Duncan Rice's adventures with his U- "Number two coming up!" he mutters in the deep silence of boat over on the AHIKS page. Duncan has posted about his vari- the plot room. He shakes his head again. Nothing! ous missions and victories there. You can follow the action and "Damn those electric torpedoes!" thinks the Captain, "just a see his crew receive decorations and promotions as he piles up bunch of duds!" the tonnage of Allied ships his boat has sunk. From what I un- Number 3. The G7a Steam "fish" is up next. derstand Duncan is also about to announce a Campaign Game of Boy! Two duds so far! The sweat is pouring off my forehead The Hunters that is about to begin on the AHIKS Forum. So if as I roll the dice for the third torpedo. I check the "to-hit" table. you own a copy of The Hunters and enjoy the game, check out EGAD! a "Miss"! Duncan's column here in this issue and then come by the AHIKS Here we are, down to the final "Fish." I roll the dice yet Forum and join in the action.