Campaign Series Vietnam

[Jason Petho]

We started off by going over some of the new Warsaw Pact infantry graphics with some different uniforms and weapons and then we dove into a new OPERATION LAM SOM 719 scenario. This is scenario number 2, where we have ample helicopters, paratroopers and a mechanized force to try and advance deeper into Laos. Ah, the epitome of senseless violence indeed. There was a lot of good discussions and questions today, with ample tactical advice for playing!

[Jason Petho]

We started off with something a little different. I showed you one way to create outlines for new graphics, as it is explained in the manual - in case you're so inclined. Then we dove back into the LAM SON 719 scenario. It's a fascinating fight with lots of action all over the map. I really enjoy these types of scenarios where you have a lot of things to think about and deciding how to manage your resources. Alas, the anti-aircraft made short work of some helicopters, but we're making excellent progress! There was lots of great discussion, thank you for tuning in and thank you for watching!

[Jason Petho]

As a bonus, I had the opportunity to stream on the Slitherine TV Twitch channel this morning, so jumped on the chance. We dove back into Operation Starlite and I was giving some basic tutorial explanations about the game as well as some intense combat all around. I have a new hatred for snipers and recoilless rifles as we advanced into the Viet Cong stronghold. On the bright side, our assaults were going well today! We even secured Hill 43 with relative light casualties!

[Jason Petho]

 We went over the latest status for the various UPDATES for Middle East and Vietnam, showed the progress on the new nations that will be added and then dove back into the senseless violence in Laos. We wrapped up the second scenario, giving lots of ideas for scripting potential and had a lot of great discussions. This episode was filled with random tips and tricks to keep in mind when playing!

[Jason Petho]

We started off by giving an overview of the new North Korean's that will be included in the Campaign Series Vietnam 1.40 UPDATE coming in January. This is for those that are keen on the Korean War and wish to create those scenarios. That means CS Vietnam will have China and North Korea with the United States and South Korea for organizations available for that. Then we generated a lua file with the new csmklua2 cslint tool and played through the number 3 scenario of the Lam Son 719 scenario set. What a bloody mess that was, especially since were without any form of air support.

[Jason Petho]

With the month of December upon us, it was decided to fulfill a recommendation by one of our supporters, so we started up a West Front scenario called Aachen - West Wall as the Americans. I was informed it's a great scenario for learning how to use engineering units, so it will be fun to experiment with that. I will spend December playing through the session, taking a break from the Middle East and Vietnam games, although I will still spend the first part of the sessions going over the latest and greatest.  There was a good turn out during the stream and that lead to lots of brilliant discussion!

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series West Front:   We dove straight into the scrapping and continued to push towards the West Wall. The German artillery is showing it's hand and is nailing some of our advance forces, where I am suffering unnecessary casualties. On the bright side, we are advancing well towards our planned crossing points of the Wurm River and we are brushing past most of the German initial resistance so far. There are a number of traffic jams, but we're making excellent progress thus far.

[Jason Petho]

So close! We're 500 metres from the Sharnhorst Line. I don't know how it is defended in that sector yet, but so far, it's been pretty convenient. This makes me wonder if it's a trap, but I'm going to push through anyway and hope to avoid the additional Pantherturm's I keep running across. I also two additional locations where I'm trying to cross, although this is turning ugly indeed due to the German artillery. I've noticed that Hetzer's are nearly impossible to kill, that's a struggle to figure out the best course of action for those. Onward into the valley of death!

[Jason Petho]

 Well then, things are getting very interesting indeed. We managed to cross over the Scharnhorst Line. In one place, but that still counts! I have no idea what I am getting myself into, but I'm sure it will be a doozy. I have a number of crossing locations that I'm trying to attempt to cross although the numerous anti-tank guns and machine guns paired with leaders are just plain evil. It's a bloody affair but a hell of a lot of fun! 

[Jason Petho]

We started off with some reminders about the new UPDATES for Middle East and Vietnam as well as the future plans for the series. Then we dove into the chaos of the Scharnhorst Line, where we did manage to break through in two places. Keep in mind, these are two very small bridgeheads, but any bridgehead is better than none!  The German artillery and anti-tank guns continue to be the bane of my existence, but every turn we are making progress. I can't wait to hunt down that artillery, that will be oddly satisfying.

[Jason Petho]

Merry Christmas! I hope Santa was good to everyone! I didn't stream live today, but recorded this prior to Christmas. I continued the play of the AACHEN WEST WALL scenario and continued the advance through the Scharnhorst Line. We have now successfully established three small bridgeheads into through the line. North, South and West of Aachen. It's still extremely messy and I have a lot of work to do yet. My losses are heavy and I fear they won't get any better anytime soon. It is good for the morale to be on the other side of the wall though!

[Jason Petho]

We are making excellent progress, although it's a bloody mess. I still keep running into small ambushes with anti-tank guns. Some of those Pantherturms and 75mm anti-tank guns are absolutely brutal. On the bright side, I have punched through the Scharnhorst line in 4 different spots now. Some are more successful than others, but it is nice to see some progress, considering we are nearly a third of the way through the scenario. This is a challenging but fun scenario, I'd recommend it if you're looking for some hours to burn!

[Jason Petho]

We spent the entire session going over the Campaign Series Middle East 3.00 and Campaign Series Vietnam 2.00 UPDATES that are going to drop later this month. These are very large updates that change how things work and how things look. We went through all what is new including the graphics and order of battles. I also showed how you'll be able to use some of the older graphics in part or whole if that is your preference, as well as going how you can continue a scenario you were playing previous to the updates. There was also some time showing some of the tools that are new and included in the Tools folder. An informative session about what you can expect with the latest UPDATES!

[Crossroads]

CS: Vietnam Public Beta for 2.00 is now available for download. It is a new baseline; save files are not compatible with previous version, so finish those first. That said, it is a big one, with new Scenario Browser frontend, revised 3D Map images in 250 m/hex scale, Campaign groupings for scenarios, and some new stuff, such as Laos 1971 scenarios.

North Korean Order of Battle is available too. No Korean War scenarios yet - full set of editors are available though.

Installer uninstalls the previous version, then adds the new one. We'd appreciate any and all feedback on this!

Release Notes

Campaign Series Vietnam 2.00 Public Beta announcement and download  link

[Jason Petho]

I have returned from the vacation and I am back in action! We went over the latest UPDATE news and showed off the PUBLIC BETA's. After we dove back into the AACHEN West Wall scenario to see where I left off and what kind of attacks needed to be formulated. Clearly I had forgotten mostly what I was doing, but we were back on track. I started the assault into Aachen proper and we're taking over some blocks. It will be a nasty affair, but a good fight indeed. We didn't cover the whole turn this session, as the BETA's took some time, but we are making good progress! It's good to be back!