12-12-2008, 06:05 AM
What is your real name?
Rui Valente
How did you decide upon your Blitz nickname?
Flavius Aetius was a Roman general during the last days of the western Roman empire. He was referred to as the “last of the Romans” by chronicler Procopius and his major claim to fame may be the defeat he inflicted upon Attila on the battle of Chalons. I always had a great admiration for his achievements, even from a relatively early age and, contrary to what usually happens when I dig-in to find more details about someone, his reputation has survived unscathed and even reinforced after further study.
What ladders are you represented on?
Pzc Ops and Classic Wargames, though I only play in the Panzer Campaigns ladder now.
What is your favourite PC War-game?
I only play Panzer Campaigns these days. Of course I have a background containing many other important titles, all computer, no boardgames: Vulcan, Desert Rats and Ancient Battles from the ZX Spectrum days; Steel Panthers, the V4V and the W@W series and also the Great Battles Series from later times can lay claim to be my favourite wargame at different moments.
Who has been your hardest opponent?
There are two guys who deserve mention and who I faced when I was more experienced. Tobias Timm (TET2) is a remarkably able player, capable of delivering the most powerful blows and capable of turning the most complicated situations into stalemates or partial successes. The other would be Paolo Penza (Paolo), who is a very resourceful player, remarkably opportunistic and a terrific counter-puncher.
How long have you been a member of the Blitz?
Record shows since August 18th 2004.
What War interests you the most?
I alternate a lot, for extended periods at a time between WW2 and everything ancient (usually Roman history), WW2 dominates in the last couple of months.
If you could choose to be present at one military historical event what would it be?
I think it would be hard to beat taking part in the first wave of the Normandy landings or being dropped with the airborne. Of course you would be hard pressed to live through all unscathed for the privilege...
What is your favourite War movie?
That would be Turner’s Gettysburg. Long, detailed, accurate and captivating. I was ready to charge downhill bayonet fixed or not with 20th Maine’s soldiers the first time I saw it.
What do you snack on while gaming?
Usually nothing.
What is your favourite and least favourite aspect of the Blitz website?
I like the possibility of meeting people from all over the world. The Blitz also allows me to feel comfortable about my tastes and hobbies as there are two kinds of reactions that I usually get from people outside the wargaming scene when I reveal I usually play wargames: frequently they think it’s childish, while others still look at me as if I was some kind of aggressive psychopath under a calm exterior.
There are no negative aspects that I can think of.
Do you own any war memorabilia?
Not technically mine yet, but my father kept his army manuals and battledress from the days he spent fighting in present day Guiné-Bissau in the early 1970’s at the time it was still our colony.
What is the best military book you have read?
Can’t really say any particular one.
One very influential book that I come back to from time to time, as they are thought provoking or make a particular good job of explaining it’s underlying subject are Frieser’s “The Blitzkrieg Legend”, Kershaw’s “It never snows in September” and Max Hasting’s “Overlord”.
For the ancient period it would be Adrian Goldsworthy’s “The Roman Army at War” - or any other books he wrote as you can’t go wrong with any of them.
What do you think was the single most important event of WWII?
The battle of France, in particular the Hitler/Rundstedt halt order which allowed the almost encircled BEF to escape. The German victory in France also had significant influence in the way Operation Barbarossa was later launched.
What is the most interesting military documentary you have ever watched?
I liked the Battlefield series of documentaries, particularly the first ones.
Which is your favourite HPS PzC title?
That would be Market-Garden’44, it is really wild. As the campaign also contains relatively few units it is also very manageable.
Are there any war games catching your eye at present?
Nothing other than Panzer Campaigns and i wouldn’t have time for more anyway.
What piece of wisdom would you like to pass on to your fellow Blitz members?
Keep your wits. Things are hardly as bad as they look and even if they are there is always something that can be done about it.
Watch you flanks and rear for possible isolations – this game is mostly about that. Keep your line safe and balanced, even when attacking.
And be patient if things don’t go your way, it’s just a game after all.
Rui Valente
How did you decide upon your Blitz nickname?
Flavius Aetius was a Roman general during the last days of the western Roman empire. He was referred to as the “last of the Romans” by chronicler Procopius and his major claim to fame may be the defeat he inflicted upon Attila on the battle of Chalons. I always had a great admiration for his achievements, even from a relatively early age and, contrary to what usually happens when I dig-in to find more details about someone, his reputation has survived unscathed and even reinforced after further study.
What ladders are you represented on?
Pzc Ops and Classic Wargames, though I only play in the Panzer Campaigns ladder now.
What is your favourite PC War-game?
I only play Panzer Campaigns these days. Of course I have a background containing many other important titles, all computer, no boardgames: Vulcan, Desert Rats and Ancient Battles from the ZX Spectrum days; Steel Panthers, the V4V and the W@W series and also the Great Battles Series from later times can lay claim to be my favourite wargame at different moments.
Who has been your hardest opponent?
There are two guys who deserve mention and who I faced when I was more experienced. Tobias Timm (TET2) is a remarkably able player, capable of delivering the most powerful blows and capable of turning the most complicated situations into stalemates or partial successes. The other would be Paolo Penza (Paolo), who is a very resourceful player, remarkably opportunistic and a terrific counter-puncher.
How long have you been a member of the Blitz?
Record shows since August 18th 2004.
What War interests you the most?
I alternate a lot, for extended periods at a time between WW2 and everything ancient (usually Roman history), WW2 dominates in the last couple of months.
If you could choose to be present at one military historical event what would it be?
I think it would be hard to beat taking part in the first wave of the Normandy landings or being dropped with the airborne. Of course you would be hard pressed to live through all unscathed for the privilege...
What is your favourite War movie?
That would be Turner’s Gettysburg. Long, detailed, accurate and captivating. I was ready to charge downhill bayonet fixed or not with 20th Maine’s soldiers the first time I saw it.
What do you snack on while gaming?
Usually nothing.
What is your favourite and least favourite aspect of the Blitz website?
I like the possibility of meeting people from all over the world. The Blitz also allows me to feel comfortable about my tastes and hobbies as there are two kinds of reactions that I usually get from people outside the wargaming scene when I reveal I usually play wargames: frequently they think it’s childish, while others still look at me as if I was some kind of aggressive psychopath under a calm exterior.
There are no negative aspects that I can think of.
Do you own any war memorabilia?
Not technically mine yet, but my father kept his army manuals and battledress from the days he spent fighting in present day Guiné-Bissau in the early 1970’s at the time it was still our colony.
What is the best military book you have read?
Can’t really say any particular one.
One very influential book that I come back to from time to time, as they are thought provoking or make a particular good job of explaining it’s underlying subject are Frieser’s “The Blitzkrieg Legend”, Kershaw’s “It never snows in September” and Max Hasting’s “Overlord”.
For the ancient period it would be Adrian Goldsworthy’s “The Roman Army at War” - or any other books he wrote as you can’t go wrong with any of them.
What do you think was the single most important event of WWII?
The battle of France, in particular the Hitler/Rundstedt halt order which allowed the almost encircled BEF to escape. The German victory in France also had significant influence in the way Operation Barbarossa was later launched.
What is the most interesting military documentary you have ever watched?
I liked the Battlefield series of documentaries, particularly the first ones.
Which is your favourite HPS PzC title?
That would be Market-Garden’44, it is really wild. As the campaign also contains relatively few units it is also very manageable.
Are there any war games catching your eye at present?
Nothing other than Panzer Campaigns and i wouldn’t have time for more anyway.
What piece of wisdom would you like to pass on to your fellow Blitz members?
Keep your wits. Things are hardly as bad as they look and even if they are there is always something that can be done about it.
Watch you flanks and rear for possible isolations – this game is mostly about that. Keep your line safe and balanced, even when attacking.
And be patient if things don’t go your way, it’s just a game after all.