My friend Alfiere initiated a small experiment as part of our " Lets fight the same battle and compare screens".
We think that from this experiment we have arrived at a bug free way to play pbem with very few extra steps. this can only be played by Gentleman, as an element of trust is involved, you could switch sides and look at your enemies orders
1. Choose battle, swap OOB, Doctines etc.
2. First player initiates the battle in SOLO mode/Command both Sides
3. First player makes his initial deployment and orders for his side and exits game, do NOT start the game at this point.
4. First player sends his save file to player 2
5. Player 2 saves in Save/Battle and "Loads saved game", selects the side he is playing (by left click on the F2 map page), makes his deployments, saves (by exiting game) and sends back to player 1, do NOT start game at this point.
6. Player one saves in Save/Battle then "loads saved game", selects his side (by left click on the F2 map page), and plays battle giving orders etc for 15 MINS only.
7. Player one hits "pause" after 15 mins, changes side to the enemy, exits the program and sends file to player 2.
8. Player 2 Saves battle file and Launches "Watch Replay" he watches the replay just as in a pbem mode, exits, then loads saved game selects his side (by left click on the F2 map page), and fights 15 mins giving orders etc. Hit "pause" change side to the enemy, exits the program and sends file to player 1.
Remember, unlike pbem mode you will save the emailed file in Save/Battle not Save/pbem and remember to select OVERIGHT EXISTING FILE!!!
Once step 1-7 are completed, then step 8 is just repeated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Almost exactly like pbem but two extra steps, "Watch Replay" & "Change Sides" ORDER BUG FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & NO RED SCREENS!!!!!!!