Hi Guys,
although in English and very late, let me just add my few lines as an AAR/Review of the Lille tournament.
I drove up to Lille from Holland with Roderick Moolenaars, very nice drive on a sunny Friday afternoon. Relaxed a bit at our Airport hotel (we always like to see some Runway hexes) then went to the tournament site. Great idea to start the first round on Friday evening this year, takes pressure off the schedule.
Round 1: The IJA's Last Battle vs Stephane Tasky
First time we played each other although we met in Arnhem last year. I had the attacking Japanese and found it a real challenge to go forward against Stephane's troops. Very interesting situation, where you want to get a Jap MMC into the Prison as soon as possible, but your 3-4-7 squads are very vulnerable. Good use of Smoke/WP from the Mortars and a magnificent Banzai Charge towards the Prison got me the victory, but I had to work hard and sweat for it - well done Stephane 1-0
Round 2: Too Little My Friend vs Jerome Rey
Again, first time we played each other. I took the attacking French, who have a great OB against a German force which has not space to retreat. Jerome's setup gave me a good hint on his AFV setup and two lucky shots (a 2+2 NMC and a Advancing Fire Critical Hit from an Armored Car) knocked out a squad w/ ATR and Pz II holding one side. His tank then set ablaze the entire Brush area, threatening my attack. Agressive use of my radioless AFV gave my French infantry the chance to move forward. Jerome's strong reinforcements came on board, but time had run out so we needed a Ruling. Never satisfactory, but sometimes unavoidable. The large number of buildings I had taken gave me the victory, but what a pity we could not play on to finish the game. 2-0.
Round 3: About his Shadowy Sides vs mr Jassaud
Very interesting scenario, in which I got the lousy Germans defending against huge Russian tanks and a bunch of infantry. But in the distance, the sounds of Panzer engines coming to the rescue. I think my setup worked OK, my opponent was not agressive enough with his infantry on the first three turns, leaving him on the edge of the village when my Panzers appeared. The nasty beasts made havoc on his infantry, OVR-ing one or two squads per Turn and avoiding any face-off with the KVs. I would call this a little pro-German. It was great to have a new opponent at his first tournament, whose rules knowledge was so good and knew what he was doing. But as an "old fox" in ASL tournaments, I could also show him a lot of VERY nasty tricks, which I am sure he will use himself on a next unfortunate victim soon! 3-0
Round 4: Nova Bude Butte vs Mr T
Second time we played aganst each other - I took the defending Wallonian SS men against Georges' Russian hordes. Georges played an excellent attack - very agressive but very well spread out, with super positions for his tanks. Unfortunately for me, I failed to have ROF on the MMG and HMG, broke and LMG and then the squad manning the HMG on Turn 1/2. That gave the Russians a too-easy approach and Georges moved his forces into the village very well. A very interesting battle raged around the Level 2 building, while my Stug left the Hill to harass several of Georges' tanks. Ending in a malfed MA and burning wreck on a Critical Hit, but buying some time as well. Time ran out as I was about to set up my reinforcements....which obviously meant a Draw, since there was so much left to play. I may have judged it 65-35 in favour of a Russian win....although the entry and effect of the fantastic reinforcements can change that quite a bit. Second time Georges and I could not complete our scenario in a tournament - but we have a date to finish this game (we wrote everything down) and see what might have happened.
Thanks to Francois and his family, my opponents and everyone else. It was a great time in Lille, as usual. See you in Arnhem!