The Hacker brothers and Bill Thomson tell war stories as the head of the Wargame Academy no doubt recruits Squad Leader players.	Designer Randy Heller finds it tough going in his pride and joy these days - having not won the event for the past five years.

25 games were played; 15 of the 6-turn scenario and ten of the 8-turn scenario. Balance remained tight with 13 German wins and 12 losses.

The original champ, '99's Phil Evans, was eliminated in Round 2 by Bruno Sinigaglio with weak German combat results out of the gate. Designer and two-time champ, Randy Heller, was nearly bounced by Forrest Pafenberg in another early round upset. Forrest played a brilliant Allied defense in the 6-turn scenario while Randy pursued an attrition strategy. By the18 AM turn, he had eliminated approximately 20 American units, but was not yet close enough to the victory point towns to secure a victory. Forrest left the road to Eupen defended with one unit and no back up, needing all artillery near Stavelot to counter German threats in that area. On the final turn, Randy swung 12SS onto the road leading to Eupen and gambled on the one die roll needed, a D4, to capture Eupen. Using his "lucky die," the needed result materialized and the Germans captured Eupen, resulting in a German win.

Bruno Sinigaglio was on a roll this year with a combination of skill, perseverance, and good dice. Once past Evans, he put "the kosh" on Marty Musella and Larry Hollern, both high caliber, experienced players. In the semi-finals, Bruno was paired against Ed Witkowki's Germans. Ed just couldn't seem to kick start his forces as he was plagued by adverse combat die rolls. Randy Heller played Bill Morse in the other semi-game. Randy's first couple of turns were on the mark and Bill's Allied forces were on the run. By Turn 4 of the 8-turn scenario, a lesser player than Bill would undoubtedly have thrown in the towel. On 18 PM, Parker's Crossroads was captured, and on 19 AM, the Samree fuel dump was taken. Both Peiper and Fuh. Es. defended the fuel dump from an American counterattack. Yet Bill was able to muster a flanking combined arms attack for a 2-1 to take it back. The last turn resulted in Randy's long shot attack on Bastogne (1/6 chance of success) and a 2-1 to, again, capture the Samree fuel dump. Neither attack succeeded, leaving Bill with a hard earned win.

The Final thus pit Bill Morse and Bruno Sinigaglio in the 6-turn scenario as both tried for their first title in this event. Bill had trouble from the beginning with very lackluster combat results. He used the Peiper breakout turn to maneuver the KG next to Stavelot. He knocked on that door, but was unable to get in, giving Bruno his first BWD title.

Grognard con is well named with old timers like Bruno Sinigaglio and John Tighe Sr in attendance pushing cardboard.	Larry Hollern and Phil Evans work off the rust in the Mulligan Round on Tuesday night which guarantees everyone at least two games.