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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. |
Roll the Panzers ...
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.
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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. |
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