2011 US Masters Player Profiles: John Desch In series of articles, we will be profiling the players who took part in the 2011 US Masters held in Philadelphia. See all result from the 2011 US Masters here...

Player Profile Name: John Desch. Hometown: Ithaca, NY. Current city and state: Alexandria, VA. College or University: Norwich University. Favorite Movie: Rock n’ Rolla. Favorite Historical Period: World War Two. Army Lists John's 1000 point Panzer Lehr... John's 1250 point Panzer Lehr... John's 1450 point Panzer Lehr... John's 1650 point Panzer Lehr... John's 1850 point Panzer Lehr... John's 2000 point Panzer Lehr...

US Rankings HQ Statistics (as of 8/12/11)

Rank ID Number Points Movement Tournaments 8. 5887 322.6818 0 9

Tournament Results For the Last 12 Months

Tournament Name Location Number of Players Nation Placing Points Earnt Flames Of War Masters United States 22 German 7 59.64 Southern Front Regional Qualifier United States 19   2 74.84 Cohorts II Late War Qualifier United States 24 Polish 2 80.50 Early War Nationals @ Historicon United States 55 United Kingdom 2 98.18 Showcase Showdown Partners United States 16 United Kingdom 1 76.00 I95 Spring Game Vault United States 18   7 52.00 Cold Wars Team Tourney  United States 48 German 7 57.75 Cabin Fever United States 18 United Kingdom 1 78.00 Leningrad Tournament United States 24 Soviet 17 28.00

Player Interview

Battlefront: What is your favorite Flames Of War army to play? John Desch: American Tankers.

BF: Why?  JD: It’s in the blood.  It’s what I did.  You can’t win friends with Panthers!

Below: John's Panzer Lehr Panzergrenadierkompanie at the US Masters.

BF: What is your favorite Flames Of War time period? JD: Late, late, like Hammelburg.

BF: Why?  JD: You get good American tanker choices.

BF: What is your favorite World War II battle or operation? JD: Bulge.

BF: Why? JD: See American tankers comment above; add snow, surrounded paratroopers, and whitewash.

BF: What is your favorite part of the hobby? (Painting, playing, historical research, collecting, assembling, etc.) JD: I like them all equally. Seriously.

BF: Why do you attend tournaments? JD: To hang with friends, drink beer, and occasionally roll some dice.

BF: Your tournament mantra? JD: “Here, get the cooler.”

BF: What is your favorite type of tournament? (Points, theme, time period, style, etc.) JD: Haven’t seen one that I didn’t like yet. I like themed events especially, and the various innovative approaches some GMs are coming up with. Team tournaments are especially fun.

BF: What are some of the most competitive armies to play? JD: Pre-September 2011 BAR, TankoBAR, Desert Rats, Lehr, anything with Wittmann in it, anything that has a 2+ morale check.

BF: What is your favorite platoon type? JD: Armored Rifles, the Swiss Army Knife platoon.  They come with a bottle opener.

BF: What are you general tactics that you use almost every game? JD: Rush forward, trusting everything to the Might of INSERT ARMY NAME HERE Arms.

BF: What army are you bringing to the Masters? JD: Lend Lease Russians or Lehr.

BF: Why? JD: They seem like fun to play with.

BF: What mission are you dreading the most?  JD: None, but I think Breakout is problematic.

BF: What mission do you excel at the most? JD: Dunno. I think I’m about okay at all of them.

BF: What points level do you like and dislike based on your army selection? And why? JD: I like the upper level points lists where you get more support.

BF: Is there a particular points and mission combo that you are really looking forward to seeing? JD: No, not really. All will be fun games.

BF: How do you think you will perform? JD:  As long as I play respectably, I’m not worried about the final outcome.  You cannot expect to win against this caliber of competition. I am looking forward to a seriously fun time.