Contents

• The Newsletter main page.
• KGW articles
• An AAR by Bohlin
• An AAR by thames
• WWIIOL articles
• Campaign #12 frontline maps:
• 2 column version, 3 column version.
• Campaign #13 frontline maps:
• 2 column version, 3 column version.
• WWII articles
• LW ace Barkhorn, filed by Janz
• The Dutch Regiment Stoottroepen - filed by ijah:
• Origins
• Veteran stories Part 1
• Other stuff
• How do we think?, an article by von Ick

Editorial

I'm sorry about the lateness of this Newsletter. I received quite a lot of stuff relatively late - nothing new in that per se - but I let you believe I would include it all. That was originally my intention, but I'm running out of time myself, so the Newsletter is actually a little thinner than planned. After all, I said it would be published on Saturday, and so it must.

The missing stuff will turn up next month, which being in the middle of summer, did run the risk of being exceptionally bare. Not any more - which is good I suppose.

One page missing I particularly regret though, is the D-day parade. I got several picture from the parade from Skippey, but I also asked for some accompanying text as I hadn't been there and couldn't do it myself. He said would ask Ace to do it, but it is only today I remembered I should have…eh…nagged both about it. I cleanly forgot, sorry.

This my 3rd Newsletter, was many ways, far easier to make than the previous ones, and I know now about when I can expect this or that contributor to cough up his contribution, which means I suppose I can cut down on the pleading e-mails 'demanding' stuff. That part of the job is in many ways, psychologically at least, the toughest as I dislike pleading with people to make them do their part, as we all have rather busy lives.

The job can be fun though. I had for a few weeks a humorous, mostly private feud going on with Vati, which is why the German "poem" is included. It took some doing getting him to contribute anything…

thames,
Editor-in-Chief,
KGW newsletter

Willy Tee cartoons

Vati's contribution

Und Goebbels brüllt ins Mikrofon:
"Wo bleibt Eure Invasion?"

Am 6. Juni um Mitternacht,
Da hat's geblitzt, da hat's gekracht
Und alle Leute wußten's schon:
Zip, zip, di dudela, die Invasion.

Lastensegler, Fallschirmspringer
Und noch and're schöne Dinger
- Bombenteppich monoton:
Zip, zip, di dudela, die Invasion.

Und auf dem Festland ist man drauf
Und nach Berlin geht jetzt der Lauf.
Berliner Luden hotten schon:
Zip, zip, di dudela, die Invasion.

Offiziere, Helferinnen
Wälzern sich in weißen Linnen,
Plötzlich ging das Telephon,
Zip, zip, di dudela, die Invasion.

Die Hitlerjugend, groß und klein,
Die mußten in den Volksturm rein,
. . . .
Soll das die Vergeltung sein?

KGW CO

Changes in HQ

Zhagxia is stepping down as KGW XO. Zhagxia has done a great job as XO always supporting me with ideas and information and keeping me on my toes. Zhagxia is stepping down because of RL issues.

As new KGW XO we will see Larsalot. This experienced officer will be a good replacement for Zhagxia.

The changes to the ranks of the abteilung officers will be announced by the abteilung COs.

Change of AO

KGW HQ and our officers in OKW have been working on getting a change of AO. We have passed Antwerp many a time and it is time to look for some new challenges.

This is the general attitude in 6. Armee and it will be 6. Armee that moves, which means we will still operating with the same squads, which we have worked with for a long time.

This is still under negotiation, so we don't know where we will be going yet. It could be centre or south AO.

There are also talks under way of making AO changes based on a fixed schedule, maybe every 6 months. This would mean a healthy change of environment on a regular basis.

Hopefully the AO change will be in place at reset.

Janz,
KGW CO

KGW XO

A tough decision, but needed.

Because of different circumstances my time to play WWIIOL has got lesser and lesser - therefore I decided to step down as XO KGW. It have been a pleasure being officer in KGW and being an officer in WWIIOL is exactly what this game is for me.

Yeah you guessed right - I will end my subscription on WWIIOL as well. There are several reasons

• played it for two years - which is a long time for a game ( but says something about the game)
• Gameplay is in some aspect moving the wrong way and in other the right way, but it's going to slow too keep me interesting in playing I want changes in gameplay - not eye candy.
• We all play WWIIOL for difference and I play it for the role-playing part and that is being officer, so when not time for such task, game lose its appeal to me.
• From august my time to play will get even lesser then today.

So when you add all this my conclusion became - time to say goodbye - for now.

I say for now - WWIIOL is a good game and if I ever find the time again I surely will log in, maybe I will open my account time to time just to check out the game but there will be month between so I will not be able to full fill the rule set we have in KGW regarding attendance and dedication o KGW. It's a rule set I think its right and I have been a hardliner when it comes to judge other full filling those rules and I don't want anyone to send me an E-mail saying asking where I have been. ;).

I have been two years in KGW - the best squad in KGW both in play and social behaviour ( haven't tried other though :-0 ) KGW is more than just a virtual group of players - all members become friends in a way - some more than other and a special greeting to those.

Janz. Larsalot, kagetora, frik - who was the man who got me in the game, lmlange, Axe, Ace, Wilhelm, Beam, Blocq, sparre, tveskaeg, VR, pryssing pursche. ( I know the risk of missing one, if so I want to specify that all Wikings in my mind are my friends. )

One is missing on the list - Vonik. He has meant everything for me in the game. He got KGW to the level it is today but most of all he is for me the best officer in the game that be in-game and as off-game - S!.

So let that be the words - THANK YOU ALL - for a wonderful time.

S!
Zhagxia,
retiring KGW XO.

---

S! KGW

As you all know, the time has come for some rearranging in KGW HQ, I have been asked to take Zhagxia's position as KGW/XO. Though it is not my current wish to leave "my home" in Abt. Oden, I have accepted this duty after some pressure was brought on me ;-)

This means I will lead the entire KGW on those very few nights where Janz is not around, that I'm looking forward to nad bear in mind that I will make mistakes at least the first few times, so I'm counting on all Abt. CO to have patience with me in the beginning. On "normal" squad nights I will fill in where mostly needed, so I guess I will spend some time as LOKE/Scout for Sleipner, some resupplying Pz for Thor and some as an extra inf/opel driver when needed.

Sometime during the fall I will also join OKW, but only as RO (Reserve Officer) in our KG.

I will also take upon me the duty of keeping much of the info in standing orders more up-to-date than it has been lately and take the role as Communications Officer as well. A position KGW HQ decided to make some time ago, but to which no one has volunteered yet. Its not that I luv admin work, but I hate when its not in order... :-)

I also want to let you all know that when Janz finishes his term as KGW CO sometime early next year (unless he decides to stay longer), I have no current plans to step up as CO, I have never preferred the "top-leader" in organisations, I prefer the middle leader role, so we are still looking for a competent KGW CO with lots of spare time, at some point early next year among our current/former officers. I also want to be XO for more than ½ year if possible. However, I will be ready to take up the banner if no one else is available when the time comes.

My trusted Oden XO Amled will step up and take command of Abt. Oden and I wish him good luck in doing so, I know Amled is not much for the admin work that goes along with it :-) but I hope he will get a lot of support from his XOs. Amled and me has been talking about a restructure of Oden for a little time now, but it would be wrong of me to head such a change just before leaving the Abt. So I have now put it all into Amled's capable hands to do as he and his XOs sees fit and continue Abt. Oden as a skilled, dedicated and developing Abteilung.

S! to my friend Zhagxia for a job well done (in all positions) and for being an über Wiking for almost 2 years.

S! and big congratz to Amled :)

S! to all members of KGW, the best squad in WWIIOL.

Larsalot,
new KGW XO

Oden CO

Greetings fellow Wikings

First of I want to tell you that I am proud to have received this promotion to Oden CO. Secondly I want to tell you that while Larsalot has been preparing me for this for a while, this "Hi all I am the new Oden CO letter" is of course written in the latest possible hour with the shortest possible notice. So while I want to share with you all some of my ideas, it has not been possible to share these thoughts with my fellow officers so please read this as my thoughts without having the sanity check of the KGW officers, so they may look a little different upon implementation.

So will I, the new Oden CO, start revamping everything? No, not at all, I basically agree with Larsalot on all steps that have been taken along the way while he has been CO of this fine abteilung.

If there are two keywords to how I like things it is Organization and Discipline. Organization, meaning that Oden is organized so that none is ever in doubt of where they belong, and in the individual groups, down to who spawns what, who covers while who gains ground. Discipline in the sense that orders is to be followed without question in the field. The other side of that coin is of course that the officers shall pay attention to the suggestions and critique on the boards from the Oden members.

One of the greatest responsibilities for the officers is to create a game experience that brings maximum FUN for us all when we play this great game. On that note the Oden officers have for some time been planning to ' reorganize the Oden members. We want to maintain the 3 Oden groups, but we want to define their primary role and then let each and every Oden member decide what groups they will go in. The first draft looks much like what experience and time have created al ready:

• Oden1: The dynamic, close assault, cap group.
• Oden2: The static, sniping, covering group
• Oden3: The recon group

The draft we have been working with look like this:
Attention all Oden members; in our continued effort to make this squad a good, fun and challenging place to enjoy the game we play, we are going to reorganize the Oden members in the various groups according to each members individual preference. Or at least that is the intention, should 90% of Oden decide to go in Oden3 we would have to cut a few corners since we are looking for two somewhat balanced main groups (oden1 and oden2) and a smaller but dedicated recon group (oden3).

So we are emptying the Oden gruppen of all members and now I want you to tell me what group you would like to be in. The groups are:

Oden1: lead by (Amled), a great believer in organisation and discipline. In this group you must expect varied tasks, usually dynamic in nature. Therefore it is a requirement that you can both send and receive on Teamspeak. You will often find yourself up close and personal with the enemy trying to reach offensive and defensive objectives alike. Most often you will bring an SMG to battle, though you can also find yourself sweeping approach for our panzers, carrying other weapon types.

Oden2: lead by Vagnluv, swearing to the weapon skill and patience of his men. In this group you must expect to function as a true panzergrenadier, keeping those panzers safe from enemy sneaking bastards. The objectives of this group are often, but not always, static in nature. Most often you will bring a rifle or an LMG to battle, though you can be asked to carry any weapon type, dependant on the objective.

oden3: lead by (Sparre), also known as ubah-sneaky-bastard. In this group the art is to stay covert, report enemies for the rest of the squad to kill or avoid. Staying alive for extended periods of time with little combat action and tons of reporting is the name of the game in this group.

So now Oden members it is for you to decide where you want to be. If you are indifferent about which group you belong too you should post so, then I can use those to balance of the groups in the end.

Of course it will be changed to reflect the organizational changes we have made, but it should give you the general idea.

These definitions are merely a description of the groups' primary roles; they should not be considered to be in concrete as there most likely on each squad night will be a need to take on objectives that goes outside this definition. It is however what the members in each group should expect to do 80% of the time when in that group.

So expect very soon to be asked to choose: Where do you want to be?

Another thought on this subject is to enforce the groups more, so that we will rarely fight as one big group. For several reasons, the primary being that it's more fun to fight in a group where you know your fellow grenadiers like the back of your hand and it is much more possible to build and practice detailed tactics.

Other ideas include the rejuvenation of the Jäger training and certification, and also to arrange for extra infantry nights (not squad nights, no attendance logged and no requirement to join) where we do some infantry only assault kind of things, getting better at what we do and have a blast at the same time.

So what can I else tell you about me as a new CO…well I am not a great believer in democracy, I do honestly believe it turns things way too inefficient, but on the other hand I feel strongly that all should contribute with ideas and suggestions so that all is heard and still the decision process is efficient. I also absolutely despise lobbyism and going behind backs so it is my hope we can keep things open and honest and give constructive critique when that is called for and praise when that is called for. On that note it is also my hope that we use the KGW forum often so that all is informed and actively participating.

On a practical side, who will follow as the Oden1 group leader…well we will have to find out ASAP, I have a few in mind but would like to discuss this with them before naming any names. I plan to continue as the Oden1 group lead a little while yet while we identify and train the new group leader…and also it's a position I leave with reluctance, I have absolutely and without doubt ENJOYED being the Oden1 group lead, solely because of the great members of Oden which are some mean, skilled, bloody great people! It is however time to move on and all things have an end as they say.

So…this concludes my "Hi all, I am the new Oden CO" article, burned some midnight oil in the process, haven't put much thought into the structure or anything else, but I hope you all appreciate the honesty and bluntness if nothing else.

S! guys, I have great hopes for this fine squad and I plan to do my part to make it an ever greater place to be and an even more efficient killing machine!

Amled,
Oden CO

Campaign #13 Capture Office change

With the new HE model functioning on grenades as well as it turned out to work, an issue with a certain "gameyness" at depot disputes was addressed by making those office capture buildings much harder to destroy than they have been previously.

This change went into effect with the new campaign (#13) start this afternoon, Saturday 12th June.

Geof Rey Evans
Producer/CRS
"We PWN PvP"

Awards

ijah, Thor CO, announced 3 June:
Fallen, you are hereby awarded the Gold Kill Badge for actions on the 2 June 2004

Fallen's record
4 Bofors = 12 points
8 MLE 38 = 24 points
Total = 36 points

A very impressive kill list

Congrats on a well deserved medal
S!

---

ijah, Thor CO, announced 4 June:
thames, you are hereby awarded with the Silver Assault Badge, which is given for attendance.

Congrats thames
S!

---

ijah, Thor Co, announced 10 June:
Hiiva, Skippey and Svartur step forward please:

Skippey and Svartur, you have been awarded with the Silver Kill Badge.

Skippey's record
2 Mle 1934 = 6 points
6 Mle 38 = 18 points
1 Panhard = 3 points
5 inf = 0.5 point
Total = 27.5 points

Svartur's record
2 s35 = 8 points
1 Stuart = 3 points
1 h39 = 3 points
2 Panhard = 6 points
Total = 20 points

_________________

Hiiva, you have been awarded the Bronze Kill Badge

Hiiva's record
2 QF 2lb = 6 points
1 Matty = 7 points
1 inf = 0.1 points
Total = 13.1 points

Congratulations gentlemen!
S!

---

Janz, KGW CO, announced 20 June:
Skcreape, for your excellent work as THOR XO you are awarded the KGW Officer Service Ribbon of abt. XO level.

You have done a great job in your period as officer and we are going to miss you in staff.

S!

 

Editor's note: No image available...

---

Larsalot, Oden CO, announced on 30 June:
S! KGW
I present for you now, 4 of the most dedicated Oden Grenadiers:

• Mpathy42
• Thoma
• Amled
• Bauerkgw

These current grenadiers has the top attendance in Oden, all having particapated on more than 32 squadnights in a period of 26 weeks. They have also participated in other vital Oden duties, such as Opeldriving and much more.

They have fought in more than 50 KGW town captures on those squadnights, also a great feat, to which we salute you.

Therefore I have the pleasure of pinning the first ever Gold Infantry Assault Badges on each of your chests.

Big Congratz Grenadiers, you are truly the core of Oden. Im proud to fight with you...

Stats (cause I luv them and like to share ) since Oden attendance log began by Zhagxia late april 2003:

• Mpathy42 : 79 squadnights
• Thoma : 78 squadnights
• Amled : 70 squadnights
• Bauerkgw : 63 squadnights

A bit on the low end actually, since a few nights here and there are missing from the log.

Member News

• Axeinc promoted to Kommandant der XVI Panzerkorp and the Rank of Generalleutnant.

 

• nozzred - Detached from KGW
• thewitch - Detached from KGW (HDM)
• Vrichter canged name to Vr
• Mengil - Moved from Active to OEL
• Makrel - Moved from Active to OEL
• Woom - Moved from Active to OEL
• Schwartz - Moved from Active to OEL
• Fredrich - Moved from Active to OEL
• Scr8 - Detached from KGW
• Dunba - Detached from KGW
• Gemini - Detached from KGW
• ih8tanks - Detached from KGW
• noriette - Detached from KGW
• kuhlmey - Detached from KGW
• dufaux - Detached from KGW
• bech - Detached from KGW
• ltparks - Detached from KGW

 

• hmskill - passed trial in Hugin
• Cobalt85 - passed trial in Hugin

 

• Fishymas - Moved from Oden to OEL
• Limp - Joined KGW (Oden)
• Avaggdu - Joined KGW (Oden)
• Hein - Moved from Thor to Oden
• Branti2 - Joined KGW (Oden)
• Howie - passed trial in Oden

 

• ih8tanks - Joined KGW (Sleipner)

 

• Vondoosh - Joined KGW (Thor)
• Akeron- Moved from Thor to OEL
• Skcreape - Moved from XO Thor to Thor
• Aceuk - Moved from Thor to XO Thor

75mm Gun coming...soon (™)

ATR coming...soon (™)