In any scenario game you are faced with the possibility that you will get to play someone very different from yourself.  At the Black Cat Productions game “The Battle for Stalingrad” I got the opportunity to play General Hermann Hoth, a real life general for the German army during WWII.  I did my research and found him to be a no-nonsense guy, a realist, and a hard-charger who expected a lot out of his men, but gave a lot in return.

            When I arrived at the field- in uniform, it should be noted- I looked around at the men assembled there and decided that I was going to really go for it on this one.  I opted not to take a marker on the field and instead brought only a small wooden swagger stick like the kind carried by military officers throughout history. 

            Wielding only this small piece of wood and brass I strode through the waves of paint that confronted me, confounding the enemy and (hopefully!) inspiring my men all the while.

            At one point I saw a clear opening in front of me as long as I could get a force around the enemy’s right flank.  I looked to my left and saw a small knot of my men huddling behind some imperfect cover waiting out the storm.  If only I could get them some cover fire they were in a perfect position to break out and hit the enemy in the side.  I went to them and explained the plan.

            “When I yell ‘Push’ you are to run forward and fire to your right, clearing out those enemy in front of us.  Do you understand?”  Nods all around.

            I walked purposefully through a storm of paint to the team that was holding our right wing.  OPFOR was the name of the group, and they are a quality unit, let me tell you.  I explained to their commander that when I gave the signal they were not to move up but lay down heavy cover fire for my movers on the left.  He relayed the instructions and the trap was set.

            I looked to my left and saw the runners still hunched under withering fire… I hoped that it would work and gave the signal.

            Upon my command OPFOR lay down what remains to me the most complete blanket of cover fire that I have ever seen.  Meanwhile on the left… nothing happened.

            I started to yell, I pointed with my stick, I waved my arms and strode headlong into the open air trying to get them to move.  Finally their eyes met mine and four of the five moved out.

            There was only one man left in the position.

            The one remaining player was a boy of about twelve or thirteen years.  I strode like a predator up to him and lay my baton on his chest.

            “I’m putting you up on charges,” I hissed.

            His eyes grew as big as coffee cups.

            I laughed and slapped him on the shoulder.  “It’s alright, man.  I’m just kidding.  Go have fun.”

            We took the position.