An excerpt from the desk of the Allied Commander-in-Chief: We are currently on day 39 of Campaign 52.  It has been another tough week. The axis is giving us a good run for our money, but the allies are as resilient as ever and we will prevail. Friday was suppose to be the start of another operation, what ended up happening was Allied players and officers scrambling to hold the axis advance with only half of the army. I have to say, the officers manning the map and the players supporting them did an excellent job covering the front to prevent what could have been a major campaign changer. S! To all of you on your excellent work.

On Wednesday night, the Axis squad 1775th, adopted a few of the RATS and took us on a few parachute drops.  I had a great time.  It’s been a long time since I was on a 100+ para-drop.  The ground combat was very intense and its gaming sessions like Wednesdays that re-stokes the Battleground Europe fires.  My thanks to the 1775th for inviting us to join their squad for an evening. - TOPD

I have had a chance to learn about many things as a RAT that I didn’t know as a player.  One of them is that many new players are doing much better after they have completed the new training courses.  But veteran players do not always understand what is happening to new players.  I want to make you aware of something very important.  Our new players help *your* side, and help to grow this game we all love.  Sometimes, players may mistake a new player for a spy – and this is a horrible experience for our new recruits.  99.9% of the time – when you see a rookie tag that is not doing something right – it is because they are new and don’t understand what to do .. exactly.  They know what they want to do – they just don’t know how to do it as easily as a veteran.  Talk nicely to anyone you see who is not acting perfectly.  A little help from you and they will probably join your squad, or help you again later when they are a better player.  Most of the veterans of this game can remember the first player who ever helped them fly, drive, tank or play infantry.   Just getting to a mission with the MSP and then learning to not fire, and not smoke is a great first lesson.   The rookies will crawl into town with you or follow you to cap a depot IF you take the time to train them, or get them to follow you.   Do the right thing – another subscription that stays in the game is just like YOU made a new subscription yourself.  Every new player helps give you the game and equipment you want for the future.   ‘Spies’ are so rare that you should stop worrying about any – you will see many, many more rookies.   Make a friend, a squadmate, or a player who will help you later.   We all benefit.  -  JOKER007

FROM THE DESK OF THE ALLIED COMMANDER IN CHIEF:

S! Allied Players

We are currently on day 39 of Campaign 52.  It has been another tough week. The Axis are giving us a good run for our money, but the Allies are as resilient as ever and we will prevail. Friday was suppose to be the start of another operation, what ended up happening was Allied players and officers scrambling to hold the Axis advance with only half of the army. I have to say, the officers manning the map and the players supporting them did an excellent job covering the front to prevent what could have been a major campaign changer. S! To all of you on your excellent work.

As I stated above, we lost half of the army during Euro primetime which meant that we would not get the bulk of those forces back until US low pop late into the early morning US time. When they did start trickling back, Klemzig put a large contingent into the Zeelands. This provided some excellent battles for the low pop players. It provided for some great combined operations, i.e. Naval, Ground and Para. At one time during a battle, 8 DD’s were pounding one of the Axis strongholds. How many times has that been seen lately? Great going guys! There are always opportunities to provide players with action and fun.

We had excellent turnout for our RDP bomber runs and the continued CAP and CAS for Allied objectives. Some of the awards for that operation are listed below. As mention above, Operation KIDNEY PUNCH was slated to start Thursday of last week and continue through the weekend. Well, there was a big change of plans. The players renamed the operation to “Kick’em in the ****”.

Watch your forums for further information about upcoming events and operations. There is a big milestone coming up in June. See the Battleground Europe Webpage for details from Jammyman.

And in closing, if you see strange “System” messages you’ve never seen before, it’s just the GM’s. They are working to help the HC of both sides provide larger battles for those in the Low Pop time periods. So don’t be alarmed or think anyone is taking sides, I can assure you they are not. Their goal is to enhance the game play and fun for the players and this is one of many ways of doing that.

Below is a list of promotions and awards. All the players involved are deserving. I give a big S! To those below.

Promotions:

Cf739 to XXO 2nd para brigade
Igor to 70 Bw Co
Sgtrose to 70 Bw XO

Awards:

Axis Denied Knight Cross

Flipflap
Brudster
Unpilot
Razersharp
Giggyboo
Tomellis
Rattank
Fader
Sport20
Baydive
Pretty1
Lodgey
Riverdog
Flanker
Jaguart
Staffsgt

Individual Citation 

Bigdave

Ground Transport Ribbon

Yortsed

Distinguished Service Award

Georgh
Vozz

FB Destroying Ribbon

KC23

Senior OIC Award

Pictboy

RDP Bombing Ribbon

Bundyrum
Thechort
FWDIII
Chieftom,  and all of the Dambusters

OCS Ribbon

Ramielga

ALLIED OFFICER OF THE WEEK:
Cf739 - He’s a young officer that step’s up and takes the map when needed)

ALLIED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: 
Bigass (what more can be said, he’s always there when you need him)

S! Allies,

-Trekman, Allied CinC