Personal side to ASL

[applecatcher4]

I was wondering if any ASLers had ever played a scenario in which they knew personally or had met a real life participant. I think it might add something to have a SMC called grandad! If so, did you keep your buddie in the backfield or did he lead the human wave?

 

[Robin Reeve]

My grandfather (Montagu P. B. Reeve, 1898-1963) was Quartermaster, then Brigadier General in Burma, and - though he was wounded by a shrapnel - he did look after the logistics problems (he witnessed the 23rd Indian Division retreating in the region of Imphal).
Though logistics did play a very important role in that campaign, I unfortunately don't know how I could create an ASL scenario on such a topic!
Though I have my grandfather's sword hanging on the wall of my living room, I don't think he ever used it against a Japanese katana - but I heard he broke one trying to kill a scorpion his wife had found in the bathroom...
In 1918, leading Indian troops, as a young lieutenant (IIRC), he led a night assault against a Turkish MG nest, on a hill, north of Jericho, in Palestine.
It was a diversionary attack, while Allenby was leading the main one elsewhere.
There too, ASL is not very well adapted to WWI.

 

[King Billy]

I once met a guy who was taken prisoner in Tunisia. He was in a Valentine tank battalion that was attacked in the Karrerine offensive.

His battalion was distroyed trying to hold off the Germans tanks. I'm sure the battle is in a scenario published in one of the Annuals.

Really nice guy, but did not want to say much about the battle.

Bill

 

[Robin Reeve]

Karrerine... you meant Kasserine, I presume?

 

[applecatcher4]

One of my grandfathers was a Royal marine - Real marine to any US Marines reading - throughout the war. he was attached to eighth army and was on active service in Egypt, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, France, Holland and germany. He was in heavy anti-aircraft battalion. He saw action but was never very specific and, of course, he has passed away now.

I also had a great grandfather who died at the Battle of Jutland but that does not make a very good ASL simulation.

 

[trevpr1]

I feel lucky if I'm playing a battle I've read about, never mind knowing anyone personally.

 

[swellington]

my freinds grandfather was in Battle of the Bulge specifically "La Gleize" Belgium only met him in the nursing home a few times as a teenager when my freind and I would visit him, if he talked about it he would always complain about how his boots hurt his feet soo much, couldnt get much battle details out of him, but at the time i wasnt much of an interviewer.

 

[Daniels]

I would be surprised if I have not. At work my office is regularly tasked to provide escorts for different ceremonies may of these ceremonies involve WWII veterans. As a rule they are a bunch of real nice guys who are happy to be on the right side of the grass.

 

[applecatcher4]

I feel lucky if I'm playing a battle I've read about, never mind knowing anyone personally.

Agreed.

Message too short.

 

[Darrell Andersen]

My grandpa Ozzy was in the 4th Marine Div., was a ParaMarine previously.

Eniwetok, Saipan and Iwo. I'm working on a scenario depicting the 4MarDiv assaulting the Rock Quarry on DDay on Iwo.

I've met 1SG Len Funk (CMoH) and Dick Winters. Not sure if either have a scenario. Both of their units have been depicted liberally.

 

[applecatcher4]

My grandpa Ozzy was in the 4th Marine Div., was a ParaMarine previously.

Eniwetok, Saipan and Iwo. I'm working on a scenario depicting the 4MarDiv assaulting the Rock Quarry on DDay on Iwo.

I've met 1SG Len Funk (CMoH) and Dick Winters. Not sure if either have a scenario. Both of their units have been depicted liberally.

You win so far. Will gramps have his own SMC?

There must be scenarios that depict Dick Winters. One day, someone will bring out a "band of Brothers" pack.

 

[sswann]

I friend of mine was one of the original Marine Scout/Snipers on Guadalcanal. He was still an excellent shot at age 80.

 

[Buck K]

I was wondering if any ASLers had ever played a scenario in which they knew personally or had met a real life participant. I think it might add something to have a SMC called grandad! If so, did you keep your buddie in the backfield or did he lead the human wave?

My Dad (Sgt 7th ID 32nd) was involved in two scenarios. First Banzai (attu) and Shoestring Ridge (Leyte). He was awarded the Bronze star at Shoestring Ridge on the same day of the scenario. After I discussed his recollection of Shoestring Ridge (a graphic emotional discription that included the mutilated body of his best friend (" who owned a deli in NYC, and looked at a picture of his son on a pony every night"). Due to his obvious discomfort for the subject, I sold all my ASL stuff, only to buy everything back ten years later. I do recall him objecting a bit to the role that ASL gave to a marine MG in the scenario, though his fond recollection of a marine 155 battery was clear. His recollection of the action at Attu was summarized as the most scared he has ever been -- the chaos, moaning, not knowing who was in the next foxhole, etc. He also gave credit for surviving the engagement to the engineers which he would mention many times over the years.

He served at Attu, Kwajelein, Leyte and Okinawa and didn't talk that much except to tell stories of spiders/snakes/and fishing with hand grenades. I have thought about designing scenarios involving his unit, but so far I haven't even played these two, primarily since I haven't progressed to PTO and/or night. I think it would be emotional (recalling how dark/tortured my father's war memories were), but I don't believe I would assign a SMC as my father, or care what happened to the cardboard counter that may have represented him. ASL is a long way from his war.

Buck.

 

[Bigkayeh]

Back in college, I went out to lead revival team from my college at a litttle Baptist church near Paris, TN and me and my music guy stayed with a couple from the church. He was from the 101st and his name was Bill, I don't remember his last name. He didn't make the jump on D-day but made all the jumps after that. He told us his story late one night after the services. He was really proud of what he and his comrades had been through. He had been telling the story in chronological order and when he came to the part about the liberation of the concentration camp, he got all choked up and couldn't go on. He excused himself and went to bed. Later in years, I realized the amazing opportunity I had be given and I wish that I had been more attentive and tried to retain more of his story.

 

[trevpr1]

I've met 1SG Len Funk (CMoH) and Dick Winters. Not sure if either have a scenario. Both of their units have been depicted liberally.

SP103 For Whom The Bell Tolls is Easy Co. 506PIR 101st Div (plus others) at Carentan in June '44. The 9-2 in the OB is almost certainly Winters.

Incidentally there's a super bit of audio history about the bells. I have a recording form the BBC a few days after D Day. The bell ringers were giving it large with the one remaining bell in the church tower to celebrate liberation.

 

[timberwolf pup]

My dad was in the 104th Infantry Division (the Timberwolves). I have not been able to find any scenarios directly concerning the 104th, although they did get a brief mention in the Battle for the Scheldt Estuary (Clearing the Breskins Pocket) as they formed the right flank of the First Canadian Army at that time (October - early November 1944). My dad never talked about his war days although as a DAV his involvement was obvious (he was hit by an Anti-tank weapon while hitching a ride on a tank in April 1945). Most of my knowledge of the 104th has been gathered from a) the 104th website, and b) Division history called 'Timberwolf Tracks'. There are plenty of potential interesting scenarios from their exploits as they combined with (at various times) British, Polish and Candadian forces. Supposedly, they were the first U.S. division to operate under Allied control, to reach the Mark River, participated in the expolitation of the Remagen Bridge and the encirclement of the Ruhr, and the first to hook up with the Russians at the Elbe. The 104th website has a picture of a memorial in Oudenbosch, Holland bearing the Timberwolf insignia. My daughter was able to visit it back in '99 on the 55th anniversary.

 

[timberwolf pup]

Oops, I forgot too mention that the 104th is also recognized as liberators in the Holocaust museum because of their discovery and relief of the Middlebrau concentration camp in Nordhausen, Germany.

 

[Toby G.]

Met I guy in my Uncle' office came ashore at Normandy a couple after D-Day fought across Europe. Got a Purple Heart when a tank brewed up the guy beside him and the shrapnel that him was part of the guy's dogtags

 

[applecatcher4]

My Dad (Sgt 7th ID 32nd) was involved in two scenarios. First Banzai (attu) and Shoestring Ridge (Leyte). He was awarded the Bronze star at Shoestring Ridge on the same day of the scenario. After I discussed his recollection of Shoestring Ridge (a graphic emotional discription that included the mutilated body of his best friend (" who owned a deli in NYC, and looked at a picture of his son on a pony every night"). Due to his obvious discomfort for the subject, I sold all my ASL stuff, only to buy everything back ten years later. I do recall him objecting a bit to the role that ASL gave to a marine MG in the scenario, though his fond recollection of a marine 155 battery was clear. His recollection of the action at Attu was summarized as the most scared he has ever been -- the chaos, moaning, not knowing who was in the next foxhole, etc.

He served at Attu, Kwajelein, Leyte and Okinawa and didn't talk that much except to tell stories of spiders/snakes/and fishing with hand grenades. I have thought about designing scenarios involving his unit, but so far I haven't even played these two, primarily since I haven't progressed to PTO and/or night. I think it would be emotional (recalling how dark/tortured my father's war memories were), but I don't believe I would assign a SMC as my father, or care what happened to the cardboard counter that may have represented him. ASL is a long way from his war.

Buck.

Clearly, you are the winner so far. A father in 2 scenarios! I also agree with you that any contact with the reality sometimes makes you question what you are doing simulating something so personally tragic as these stories but selling your kit? - You should have known better.

 

[Legion]

My ex-Grandfather-in-Law was in a Recce unit of the 5th Panzer Div during the Battle of France... the pictures he has of it all, including his first swim in the Channel are just absolutely amazing... as were his medals (w. Iron Cross 1st Class). I have his water bottle and mess kit, (with with Reich markings) and i used to have his gas-mask and container but my ex stole those along with most everything else i had! The castle in which i used to live in germany was a Hitler Youth training ground and i found a number of things there like old bayonets and daggers in excellent condition... also taken from me... sigh.
The Grandfather has pictures of his time in Russian before he was captured in '43; lots of cool pictures of Panzers. The only thing that saved him was that he know how to make and operate a still, the Soviets kept him alive to supply them with booze. He was finally released in '55 from the camps.

The other grandfather was in the minesweepers, his stories are also quite outstanding, though i have never been a navy man... there is a photo of him shaking hands with Hitler though and that was totally freaky!

Through both these men i had the chance to do one of the things i love the most, talking and interviewing WW2 vets...