tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28248855105190419002023-11-16T10:34:00.742+00:00Herefordshire 1938Wargaming and researching Herefordshire in the alternate 1930s 'Very British Civil War' universe.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-72668040361380056752017-04-03T11:32:00.002+01:002017-07-10T09:56:43.199+01:00Spoiling a Good Walk – Golfing VBCW-style!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Sir Alan McGuffin and the Committee of the Hereford Golf Club (which is neither Royal nor Ancient) welcome you to the County Cup Charity Challenge and wish you a pleasant day’s play.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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It’s time yet again for another VBCW Herefordshire Big Game! (The first to be held after Giles and I handed the reins to Clive and Roo.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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County luminaries from various factions have been invited to partake in the County Cup Charity Golf Challenge and, this being VBCW, have strolled onto the links with suspiciously platoon-sized caddies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As revealed in <a href="http://hereford1938avbcwtng.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/the-big-day-briefing-note.html" target="_blank">the Big Game briefing</a>, each player teed off on a randomly determined ‘home tee’. The objective of the game was to capture a flag (two per table) and then get one’s CO figure to a special objective in the centre of the golf course. Each player had to give up a section of infantry, but could ally themselves with another player by way of randomly drawn ‘golf buddy’ cards.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyone getting to this objective would then be transported with their surviving platoon members to the 18<sup>th</sup> fairway – a separate table where they would have to race other successful players to the clubhouse, deal with the ‘welcoming committee’ and claim the cup!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eustace Spode teed off, surrounded by his supporters, including a black armoured golf buggy. My starting position was in the right-hand corner of my side of the table. This meant I only had one flank to watch, but also that I had further to go to the special objective than players who teed off in the centre.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Luckily my golf buddy turned out to be "the blessed" Lady Rita Talbot-Ponsonby (platoon pictured above), who was teeing off in the centre on my left flank. If either of us captured a flag and made it to the special objective, both platoons would find themselves at the 18<sup>th</sup> fairway. Although the ‘golf buddy’ cards were periodically swapped, by chance Rita and I found ourselves allied throughout the game, which made things a lot simpler!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Blackshorts advanced towards the fairway, heading for a flag. Facing me was Nick and his militia, who had similar ideas. Note the circular terrain piece at the edge of the fairway. These were dotted around the tables and placing a figure on one of them triggered an event.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the centre of our table, the special objective was guarded by His Majesty’s Constabulary. Unlike our platoons, these stalwart chaps did not have to make nerve tests if they came under fire and had to be finished off before anyone could claim the objective.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On my left was an area of special terrain, disguised as a minefield, so I sent a section of Blackshorts to investigate. Assuming some sort of reverse-psychology trickery, I was somewhat perturbed to discover that this area actually <i>was</i> a minefield! I rolled a 6 on a d6, which meant that the mines were all duds – phew!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My platoons continued to edge forward, taking cover in the sand bunkers and such. We had a few newbies on the table, and even us veterans were quite rusty on the rules, so the going was slow at first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the centre, Carl’s Colonial troops had brought along an artillery piece for those long shots and opened up on the policemen – a nice target so bunched up together…<o:p></o:p></div>
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The result was rather predictable… Still the survivors held their nerve and readied their trunchions (and firearms) as the factions approached.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not to be outdone, Spode ordered his mortar to open up. The mortar team, taking cover in the rough and guided by their forward spotters, dropped a round on Nick (henceforth to be known as 'template guy')’s approaching veterans, knocking a few chaps over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alas the ‘golf buggy’ was less successful, getting bogged down on the green, no doubt giving the groundsmen palpitations. By now we were exchanging fire at a lively rate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Clouds pass overhead as Spode surveyed the scene. The Metropolitan section was veering off to the left, the Sidcup Highlanders moving up the centre alongside the spotters and anti-tank rifle team, while the Marches section were on the right, supported by the tank.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nick’s surviving veterans decided to investigate a strange looking area, locally known as a ‘Mommet grove’. Inside they found a crop of odd mushrooms, which they duly sampled…<o:p></o:p></div>
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What strange magic is this? Invigorated by the mushrooms, Nick’s troops were transported forward! Suddenly his entire platoon was virtually on Spode’s lap!<o:p></o:p></div>
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To make matters worse, this magical movement allowed his veteran section to rush forward and claim a flag, beating me to the punch. Luckily the flag could be captured more than once.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Undaunted, Spode urged his men forward – the British knee will not be denied! Blackshort fire caused Nick’s armoured car to falter, but in return my anti-tank rifle team was decimated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the other side of the table, a three-way brawl erupted as Lady Rita tussled with Steve’s militia and Neil’s Royalists (including the red-coated Zulu War Re-enactment Society) over the other flag.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Suddenly the remaining policemen in the centre were reinforced by a tank! This behemoth stubbornly refused to be destroyed or incapacitated for most of the game, despite the amount of firepower directed at it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nick and I continued to duke it out. My mortar team was reduced by his HMG fire and I was obliged to make up the numbers with my runners.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the other side, the melee continued to grow as more soldiers are drawn into the brawl. With practically three platoons held up in this scrap, Carl was able to move his men forward and engage the policemen and tank, especially after drawing Nick as a ‘golf buddy’, thus securing his flank and gaining a flag in the process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A nice overall view of proceedings. The brawl is at the top, Rita and Carl advance towards each other an the special objective in the middle whilst I attempt to outflank Nick at the bottom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Marches section of Blackshorts raced along the extreme right, hoping to get around Nick’s militia. However they are spotted by his HMG team, who whittled them down to half their strength.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However they pressed on to the fairway, as do the rest of the platoon, inflicting casualties against their opposite number, who was beginning to pull back a smidge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This allowed the Sidcup Highlanders to capture a flag – huzzah! Now either Lady Rita (battling in the centre) or Spode (hurrying to the left with the Metropolitan section) had to claim the special objective before anyone else (hoping that someone will disable that damn tank first).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Meanwhile on the other green, two platoons (led by Jay and Roo) have already fulfilled their objective and have made it onto the 18<sup>th</sup> fairway…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally the policemen were seen off and tank was rendered inoperable! It’s a race to the objective now. Carl’s CO was lurking worryingly close, but was shot by Lady Rita’s men – hurrah! But, oh no! His second in command raced forward and got to the special objective first! Carl and ‘golf buddy’ Nick’s platoons were duly spirited off to the 18<sup>th</sup> fairway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lady Rita and Spode made it to the objective next, but alas the magic had faded away and they were left to trudge back to the clubhouse the long way… something about being improperly dressed or somesuch twaddle…<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the 18<sup>th</sup> fairway the race to the clubhouse was heating up. Players shot at each other as they went forward. At the clubhouse the reception committee had tooled up and were also blazing away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two rival sections broke away from the scrimmage. Jay’s cavalry raced Roo’s artillery limber for the clubhouse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Disaster for Roo! His limber was destroyed by artillery fire from one of platoons trailing behind. Luckily he had a section of miners also running forward. Meanwhile Jay’s cavalry made it to the clubhouse grounds and charged at the reception committee.</div>
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But as their sabres flashed it’s Roo’s miners that managed to force their way past the committee first and reach the coveted trophy! Bravo that man, well played!<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so Roo won the cup and the day was rounded off with cheers and applause.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What a fun day’s gaming! Yes, my platoon failed to make it to the final hurdle, but for a change I didn’t get decimated and managed to actually deal out some damage. Of course the most important thing was that I got to meet up with VBCW chums both old and new and have a great time overall!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The whole scenario was very imaginative and well presented – I can hand over the mantle of Big Game Organiser to Clive and Roo, safe in the knowledge that it's in very capable hands!<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-86988635837550441722017-03-15T11:11:00.002+00:002017-07-10T09:57:22.310+01:00Saving 'Buffy' Blowhard<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Mayday! Mayday! This is flight 5W4Nfzzzzttttkk en-route to Hereffffzzzzzkzzfffzzrodrome. We are experiencing difficzzzztties and must make a forzzzd landing. Our co-ordinates are fffffzzzzzzzkkkzzzzkkttzzzkkzzzt”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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So the next VBCW Big Game (<a href="http://hereford1938avbcwtng.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">now under new management</a>) is scheduled for April 1<sup>st</sup>, but it’s been ages since I played a game, and I’m a little rusty on the ‘Went the Day Well?’ rules. Luckily the chaps at the Hereford Wargames Club, many of whom will be attending the event, decided to have a practice game last night and kindly invited me along.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With an offensive in the offing, General ‘Buffy’ Blowhard, a senior BUF staff officer, is being flown through stormy skies en-route to brief the local Fascist forces when his pilot is obliged to make a forced landing somewhere behind Anglican League lines.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After destroying the plane (and any sensitive documents therein), Blowhard and the aircrew make their way to the nearby village of Much Dribbling. Here they intend to lie low until BUF and Blackshort forces can be mobilised to rescue them. However local Anglican League and Albertine garrisons have also been alerted by the crash, and they too are on their way to investigate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And so battle is joined! BUF and Blackshort (me) forces hurriedly deploy piecemeal along one side of the table, whilst the rebels do so likewise opposite. I start off with my HQ and tank entering on the road to my right, the Metropolitan Blackshorts infantry section in the centre and the Sidcup Highlanders on the left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Metropolitan Blackshorts advance through a cornfield towards the village church – will the fugitives be hiding in there? The HQ section also advances, with the specialists splitting up to support the infantry sections. Signallers and anti-tank rifle team race forward to the church walls in order to get a view of the enemy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Meanwhile the Sidcup Highlanders search the nearest house for General Blowhard and co. but discover nothing. It takes a turn to search each building and read the small blue piece of paper secreted therein. Meanwhile my BUF compatriots are also moving forward, as do our opposite numbers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My tank spots a target – believe it or not Zulus?! No doubt rounded up by some zealous Anglican missionary, they are in the open. The tank opens fire and, while dealing little damage, causes the brave, if misguided, warriors to waver.<o:p></o:p></div>
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More scattered reinforcements make their way onto the field. The Ladies’ Fascisti cycle into the fray on my left, just in time to see their battle-hardened Highlander comrades throw themselves to the ground, startled by a backfiring car!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both sides are now inching closer to each other. The Metropolitan Blackshorts clamber over the church wall and begin to investigate the hallowed building. Along the road opposite, the enemy is struggling to get over the hedges but are nearing some ruined houses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Suddenly a group of men break cover! As the rebels approach the ruins, General Blowhard and the aircrew race from their hiding place. They quickly cross the road towards the church and the protection of the Blackshorts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both sides are starting to get to grips with each other. As Blowhard makes his way through the Blackshorts and back to BUF territory, the forces of order begin to exchange fire with the rebels. On my right, the tank is poised to unleash more terror upon them, but a well-placed shot from an anti-tank rifle disables it’s gun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My signallers can now see the enemy and are directing mortar fire onto them. They are joined by the largely redundant Blackshort anti-tank rifle team, who are quickly wiped out by enemy HMG fire. On both flanks my BUF allies are pressing forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Metropolitan Blackshorts occupy the church and begin to fire at the enemy, now taking cover in the recently vacated ruins opposite. The BUF artillery truck opens fire on these rebels, but the shot goes astray and lands perilously close to the church.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the left flank the rebels occupy more ruins and a firefight erupts between them and the BUF, who are soon joined by the Sidcup Highlanders, whilst the Ladies’ Fascisti take up positions in reserve. Among the enemy ranks, cricketers make good use of their bowling arms by lobbing grenades instead of googlies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The shooting is intense and both sides take casualties, but eventually one section of rebel militia can take no more and makes a run for it, muttering something about a lost scarf. However the triumph is short-lived as rebel armoured cars suddenly appear on each flank. Meanwhile Blowhard and co. are withdrawing through the cornfield behind the church as fast as they can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By now the Marches Blackshort infantry section has arrived. They make a beeline for the church walls, where the spotting team and runners are holding the line and suffering for it. The rebels cannot hope to catch General Blowhard, so all the Blackshorts and BUF have to do is hold them up long enough for him to make his escape.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the right flank the BUF exchange fire with the rebels. Again the fighting is deadly to both sides but it does the job of holding up the enemy. By now the hour is late and it is clear that Blowhard and co. will make it off the table safely. The BUF battle plan for the coming offensive is secure…<o:p></o:p></div>
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A fun, and well overdue, VBCW battle! The forces of order took the lion’s share of casualties but managed to rescue the General from rebel clutches. In reality the purpose of the game was to reacquaint ourselves with the rules, and for that it served it’s purpose well. Lots of laughs all round – great stuff!<o:p></o:p></div>
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-25724768879890864202017-02-23T10:41:00.001+00:002017-02-23T10:43:05.873+00:00Herefordshire 1938: The Next Generation!A few weeks ago I was asked if there was going to be a VBCW Big Game this year. This was my answer:<br />
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<i>Giles and I have been organising these big games since 2012. While I can't speak for Giles, personally I've decided to take a long break from doing any more.</i></blockquote>
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<i>After a while the work behind the scenes becomes onerous and I've always been of the opinion that, when a hobby begins to feel like a job, it's time to step back from that hobby - this is how I feel about the VBCW big games at the moment I'm afraid.</i></blockquote>
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<i>I'm not selling my VBCW collection just yet - if someone else takes up the baton I'll do my best to pop along and support as much as I can, but my days of chasing people up for orbats and curry orders are, for the time being, over :)</i></blockquote>
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Happily, other chaps have manfully stepped into the breach and have volunteered to keep the flag flying! They have organised a new Big Game for April 1st 2017, and have created a new blog. It can be found at <b><a href="http://hereford1938avbcwtng.blogspot.co.uk/">http://hereford1938avbcwtng.blogspot.co.uk/</a></b><br />
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This new blog will be the source of information for new Big Games (although I'll be using this blog to write any AARs from my perspective). Please pop across and take a look!JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-3527756755475594102016-07-11T11:21:00.000+01:002016-07-11T11:21:29.681+01:00Local News<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(OOC: Apologies for the lack of updates in VBCW
Herefordshire. I’m busy with my Frostgrave stuff at the moment, having pretty
much painted everything I need for VBCW. However, <a href="http://bolvbcw.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/colonel-mustard-and-scarlet-lady.html" target="_blank">this post by erstwhileVBCW gamer ‘Leadboy’</a> requires some kind of retort…)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who is the ‘Scarlet Lady’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Decent law-abiding listeners throughout the county have been
shocked and scandalised by the recent output from a traitorous radio station,
the ‘Bishop’s Broadcasting Service’.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Transmitting from rebel-held Ludlow, their so-called news program
claims to have uncovered the identity of the ‘Scarlet Lady’ – an unfortunate
young woman, who is rumoured to appear in a number of photographs from the
collection of the late gadabout, Colonel Patrick Mustard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These frightful derrogutypes, the rebels claim, are of none
other than Lady de Braose, supposed wife of our dear Governor!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until now this noble Baron has refused to lower himself and
answer such ludicrous claims, but at the urging of his press secretary, has
released the following statement: “What utter rot! It just goes to show how
desperate these fellows are, to cast aspersions on a man’s wife, especially when
that man is not actually married! Silly b-s!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Indeed, as everyone in proper Herefordshire society knows,
Baron de Braose is a confirmed bachelor, who’s only mistress is his job!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Manuscript still in Rebel Hands</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The salacious memoirs of the aforementioned Mustard is still
thought to be in rebel hands, being last seen in the grubby oil-stained hands
of a socialist rabble-rouser.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As is the habit of these unscrupulous reds, excerpts have
been leaked to the more disreputable organs of the press (see above), however
most of these have been dismissed as the perverted workings of an unbalanced
hack by experts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many however are still taking this work of fiction
seriously, and have expressed an interest in securing the manuscript. Shady
deals are thought to have been made, although the authorities have disavowed
any involvement, merely warning individuals against making private agreements
with such unpleasant characters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fighting Near Aconbury<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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After a period of calm, fresh fighting has erupted around
the Aconbury front around the Hereford-Ross road. Our correspondent Mr.
Morrison has phoned in this report from Shell village:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>A BUF lorry carrying fuel had broken down and been hidden in
a barn near Shell village. The BUF/Royalist forces were tasked with recovering
the fuel. The Anglican League forces were ordered to sweep the village and farm
for rumoured hidden fuel supplies. Both sides were under strict orders NOT to
destroy the fuel.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Unknown to both sides the ruined village was occupied by the
remnants of the Shell LDV, who had been decimated in a previous battle after
being deserted by their Anglican allies. Now nursing a bitter hatred of both
sides they were determined to fight to the last to defend their village against
all-comers.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> As the Hereford Small
Traders advanced into the village on the Anglican left flank and Lord
Scudamore’s Loyal Legion did likewise on
the Royalist right both suffered casualties when ambushed by the Shell LDV, who
knocked out an Anglican armoured car with grenades. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>In the centre the BUF reached the barn, where they were
inadvertently joined by Lord Scudamore’s Legion seeking cover, and the Gas
Street Irregulars seeking loot. With 75%
of the King’s men in the barn the Anglican commander, unaware the barn
contained the vital fuel, decided it made too tempting a target for his mortar
team to ignore. As spectators held their breath the mortar scored a direct hit,
but to the disappointment of the onlookers the bomb turned out to be a dud and
failed to explode!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Meanwhile the avaricious tendencies of the Gas Street
Irregulars had left the Royalist left flank held by only the BUF Company
Sergeant, who now faced the Archenfield Young Farmers and an armoured car
advancing along the road through a wood. In an act of seemingly suicidal
bravery he charged the Farmers, who failed their morale test and fled. He then
survived a machine-gunning attempt by the armoured car and charged it in
return. The raw crew also failed their morale test and drove off. Sgt.’ Mad Wullie’ MacFeeble has been
recommended for the Cross of St.George (Iron Class).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>A desperate charge towards the barn by the Forest of Dean
Free Miners and the Bishop of Hereford’s Suffragen Militia was met with a hail
of fire from the BUF HMG and artillery, and repulsed with heavy
casualties. The Shell LDV were finally
wiped out by the Royalist cricketers of Lord Smedley’s Gentlemen’s Second XI,
and the game ended with the Royalist/BUF forces triumphant, having had the best
of luck. If only that mortar shell had exploded...........!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr. Morrison was also on the present during a BUF punitive expedition
against malcontents on Windy Ridge:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Both sides were tasked with investigating suspicious lights
from the church tower and checking the village for spies. The BUF had also
assembled a demolition team to destroy the Bishop’s Broadcasting Corporation
transmitter on Windy Ridge, which was guarded by the Archenfield Young Farmers.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>A cautious approach by both sides uncovered a number of
malcontents and deserters lurking in the woods and houses, some of whom
surrendered quietly but a few decided to fight and put up a ferocious
resistance, causing casualties on both sides, before being eliminated. This
diversion basically bogged down the whole centre of the battlefield.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>On the Anglican left wing the Forest of Dean Free Miners
were driven back from the church by the Cheltenham Ladies College and Gas
Street Irregulars, who occupied the tower, but found nothing untoward.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>On Windy Ridge the firepower of the BUF supported by an
armoured car forced the Archenfield Young Farmers to fall back, but time ran
out before the demolition of the transmitter could be carried out.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kington on the Verge!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Welsh nationalists holding the market town of Kington are on
the verge of surrendering, a military spokesman has revealed:<o:p></o:p></div>
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“With the railways cleared of rebel saboteurs, we have been
able to transport heavy siege guns from Royalist bases in the West Midlands,
and are currently using them to great effect against the Taffies,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There can be no doubt that Joubert’s men and our brave
Territorials have their tails up now, and soon they will have liberated Kington
and, with the rebels in full flight back across into Wales, will have secured
the border within days!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ex-Bishop Attacked!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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An attempt has been made on the life of the former Bishop of
Hereford, currently staying in the city at a guest of Baron de Braose. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At 3 a.m. last Wednesday, an intruder broke into the
ex-Bishop’s lodgings in the Green Dragon Hotel and lunged at the stricken
cleric with a kitchen knife. Thankfully the noise alerted a section of de
Braose’s personal guard, who were also staying at the hotel. These stalwart
fellows managed to apprehend the would-be assassin before he could fulfil his
gruesome intent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A man, thought to be a crazed anarchist agitator escaped
from nearby Burghill Asylum, is currently being held under arrest at Hereford
city gaol.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In order to protect the former Bishop, orders have been
given to fly him to an undisclosed location for his personal safety. Captain
Arrowsmith’s air flotilla is currently on standby at Hereford Racecourse in
readiness for this transportation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Society News<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sir Barrington Patchpole, QC, is delighted to announce his
engagement to Lady Deirdre Ffaines-Muir of Wigmore Manor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The couple, both long-standing widowers, are believed to
have developed a close attachment during their work with the Landowners’
Protection Association, branches of which they both lead.<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-992185688551234082016-05-12T13:41:00.001+01:002016-05-12T13:42:03.226+01:00The Hereford Wargames Website<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://herefordwargamers.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://herefordwargamers.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/pic1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The new Hereford Wargames Website can be found at <a href="https://herefordwargamers.wordpress.com/">https://herefordwargamers.wordpress.com/</a> - please check it out!<br />
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This website is intended as a hub for all wargamers (and indeed boardgamers, card gamers etc.) in and around Hereford.<br />
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Our aim is to connect individuals, gaming clubs and groups – allowing like-minded gamers to get in touch and get some good games going!JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-42461686950909131192016-04-18T08:52:00.001+01:002017-07-10T09:59:11.343+01:00The State of Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/VBCW%20maps/Herefordshire_UK_parish_map11.png~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/VBCW%20maps/Herefordshire_UK_parish_map11.png~original" width="315" /></a></div>
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Once again battles have been fought and the balance of power is shifting. However this time things have been complicated by rumours of the contents of Colonel Pat Mustard’s salacious memoirs, currently in the hands of the Socialists.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Although deemed to be largely a work of fiction by mainstream experts, the possible existence of this scandalous tale of love affairs, assignations and lust among the Establishment has sent ripples of discontent throughout British society. Authentic or not, the manuscript gives the Socialists a strong bargaining chip, for one of their barges, plus it's crew, is currently being hauled out of the river by the BUF.</div>
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In Herefordshire, trust in the landed gentry has been shaken. In parishes in and around the scene of the recent Anglican League victory at Aconbury, residents have flocked to the Anglican banner. Local landowners south of Hereford, formerly content to remain neutral, have fallen over themselves to prove, should the manuscript ever be published, their piety and good character under the accusing glare of the ‘lower orders’ in their employ. Further north, newly conquered Brimfield and adjacent parishes have also followed suit and declared for the Bishop of Ludlow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However most of this area remains loyal to Miss Nemone Mortimer-Wagstaff. With her control over Mortimer Country, Nemone has been looking for a cause (and a husband) for some time, but has been unable to make up her mind until now. Worried by the discovery of Mustard’s memoirs, in which the young lady’s late mother is mentioned, she has made no secret of her desire to possess and destroy the document. In matters of romance her heart is currently torn between the Anglican ‘Shropshire Swain’ and a dashing Royalist officer from Shrewsbury.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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To the west, the Welsh border campaign has ended with the Fascists dealing a coup-de-grace to the rebels by pushing them out of their last strategic base at Whitney. However the joint Anglican/Socialist rear-guard has given the retreating forces plenty of time to withdraw and regroup closer to their respective HQs at Ross and Ludlow (now firmly under the Anglican League). The Welsh Nationalists have been similarly repulsed and but are clinging on in a besieged Kington.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A small but potentially significant development is the arrival of the Albertines – supporters of the King’s brother Prince Albert, whose armada sailed in force from his exile in Canada but was scattered by a storm and has landed piecemeal around the British coast. The small force of Albertines that washed up the Severn estuary have negotiated passage through the Forest of Dean and have set up shop along the Wye valley around Welsh Bicknor and Stowfield. They have since fought alongside the Anglicans but, should reinforcements arrive, they may well emerge as an independent faction.</div>
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So the Welsh border is largely in Royalist and BUF hands, but this has left the north and south of the county vulnerable to a rejuvenated Anglican League presence. Can the King’s forces anticipate the next threat quickly enough to counter it? Will the accord between Royalist and Fascist continue to hold? Will neutral parties such as the Landowners’ Protection Association and the Twiggy Mommet protest movement survive in an increasingly polarised county? Can the Anglican League exploit it’s recent gains? Will their alliance with the Socialists and Welsh hold now that another Royal has thrown his cap into the ring?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve no idea, but it’ll be fun finding out!<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-74082409711062019492016-04-13T09:24:00.002+01:002017-07-10T10:00:08.947+01:00April Big Game - Aconbury PictorialHere are some photos taken by the Anglican League war correspondent during the fighting at Aconbury.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%201%20-%20Anglicans%20advance.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%201%20-%20Anglicans%20advance.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anglicans advance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%203%20-%20Bishop%20of%20Herefords%20militia%20supported%20by%20Forest%20of%20Dean%20miners.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%203%20-%20Bishop%20of%20Herefords%20militia%20supported%20by%20Forest%20of%20Dean%20miners.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop of Hereford's militia supported by Forest of Dean miners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%204%20-%20Hereford%20Small%20Traders%20occupy%20a%20building.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%204%20-%20Hereford%20Small%20Traders%20occupy%20a%20building.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hereford Small Traders occupy a building</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%205%20-%20Archenfield%20Young%20Framers%20occupy%20hill.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%205%20-%20Archenfield%20Young%20Framers%20occupy%20hill.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archenfield Young Farmers occupy a hill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%206%20-%20Lady%20Rita%20leads%20the%20Anglicans%20into%20battle.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%206%20-%20Lady%20Rita%20leads%20the%20Anglicans%20into%20battle.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Rita leads the Anglicans into battle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2013%20-%20Anglican%20armoured%20cars%20advance.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2013%20-%20Anglican%20armoured%20cars%20advance.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anglican armoured cars advance</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2014%20-%20aerial%20view%20of%20the%20battle.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2014%20-%20aerial%20view%20of%20the%20battle.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of the battle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2018%20-%20Fascist%20armoured%20car%20destroyed%20by%20Lady%20Ritas%20roadside%20bomb%20team.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2018%20-%20Fascist%20armoured%20car%20destroyed%20by%20Lady%20Ritas%20roadside%20bomb%20team.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fascist armour destroyed by Lady Rita's roadside bomb team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2020%20-%20Anglican%20right%20wing%20holds%20firm.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2020%20-%20Anglican%20right%20wing%20holds%20firm.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anglican right flank holds firm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2023%20-%20Fascist%20advance%20in%20centre.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury/Aconbury%2023%20-%20Fascist%20advance%20in%20centre.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fascists advance in the centre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thanks to Rita for these great photos! The full set can be found <a href="http://s973.photobucket.com/user/jp1885_photos/slideshow/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Aconbury" target="_blank">on this Photobucket link</a>JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-45681481642727820552016-04-13T09:11:00.001+01:002017-07-10T10:00:48.941+01:00April Big Game - WhitneyHerewith follows an illustrated account of the fighting at Whitney-on-Wye from the perspective of <span style="text-align: center;">Major Miles Straitt-Jackett,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">Commanding Wulfhere Company, West Mercia Division, BUF.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%201%20-%20BUF%20troop%20barges.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%201%20-%20BUF%20troop%20barges.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUF troop barges</td></tr>
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<b>WHITNEY BRIDGE POST ACTION REPORT<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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By Major Miles Straitt-Jackett<o:p></o:p></div>
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Commanding Wulfhere Company, West Mercia Division, BUF<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%202%20-%20BUF%20right%20wing%20advances.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%202%20-%20BUF%20right%20wing%20advances.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUF right wing advances</td></tr>
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Sir,</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have the honour to report that the Socialist rabble and their lackeys attempting to hold Whitney-on-Wye toll bridge have been utterly routed, and the way is clear for a further advance by His Majesty’s victorious forces.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%203%20-%20BUF%20cavalry.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%203%20-%20BUF%20cavalry.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUF cavalry</td></tr>
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The action opened with both sides advancing towards the bridge, and our gallant forces suffered an early blow when the Socialists launched a rocket attack on Storm Leader Giles’s tank, destroying it utterly with four lucky hits. Undaunted, the infantry pressed forward determined to avenge their fallen comrades. The valiant BUF cavalry, having ridden down a scarecrow that may have been an Anglican spy, attempted to attack the enemy flotilla but the heartless swine within thought nothing of machine-gunning our fine equine steeds, so a tactical withdrawal was ordered to protect our noble beasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%206%20-%20Cheltenham%20Ladies%20College%20advance.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%206%20-%20Cheltenham%20Ladies%20College%20advance.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheltenham Ladies' College advance</td></tr>
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On our left flank the gallant ladies of Cheltenham College advanced in concert with the Wulfheres of the BUF and seized a dominant hill, while Viscount Scudamore’s Loyal Legion advanced along the river bank protecting our troop barges. The Gas Street Irregulars used their renowned searching skills to look for the missing manuscript in various buildings, and were pleased to find a rare first edition of Rev. Splong’s renowned work on the Mating Habits of the African Guinea Fowl. Fortunately I was able to point out the monetary value of said work before it was used as toilet paper. Alas, the manuscript was not found. Rumours that the enemy had located the missing document are probably false, and in any case it will turn out to be a crude forgery.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2010%20-%20Socialist%20rocket%20barge.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2010%20-%20Socialist%20rocket%20barge.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socialist rocket barge</td></tr>
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A generous lunch seemed to put fresh heart into the men (and ladies) as the afternoon battle swung decisively in our favour. The Socialist tank and armoured car which had caused heavy casualties amongst Viscount Scudamore’s Loyal Legion were finally destroyed, and our lorried artillery – ‘The Decimator ‘ - scored several direct hits on enemy Police, Post Office and Socialist units. These were finished off by the Cheltenham Ladies and Wulfheres, causing the enemy HQ and mortar to flee in their usual cowardly fashion. What a contrast to the gallant Viscount Scudamore’s Loyal Legion, who stood firm by the bridge despite suffering 90% casualties!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2020%20-%20Socialist%20tank%20destroyed.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2020%20-%20Socialist%20tank%20destroyed.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socialist tank destroyed</td></tr>
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On the river the Socialist water rats attempted to board one of our barges but their barge was sunk by accurate mortar fire, leaving the few survivors floundering in the water under Captain Arrowsmith’s machine guns.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2023%20-%20BUF%20barges%20reach%20Witney%20toll%20bridge.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2023%20-%20BUF%20barges%20reach%20Witney%20toll%20bridge.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUF barges reach Whitney toll bridge</td></tr>
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After this drubbing I expect the enemy will hotfoot it back to Ross to lick their wounds, while their odious propaganda machine fabricates a plethora of untruths to try to hide the extent of their inept and cowardly performance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2030%20-%20Socialist%20barge%20sunk%20by%20BUF%20mortar.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2030%20-%20Socialist%20barge%20sunk%20by%20BUF%20mortar.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socialist barge sunk by mortar</td></tr>
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Yours respectfully,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Miles Straitt-Jackett<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hon.Major<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2025%20-%20BUF%20infantry%20disembark.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney/Witney%2025%20-%20BUF%20infantry%20disembark.jpg~original" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUF infantry disembark</td></tr>
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Thanks Alan for this great report and some smashing photos! (<a href="http://s973.photobucket.com/user/jp1885_photos/slideshow/Wargames/April%209th%202016/Alan%20-%20Witney" target="_blank">More photos can be seen by clicking this Photobucket link</a>)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-18213539965624919372016-04-11T11:42:00.001+01:002016-04-19T08:38:53.390+01:00The Hunt for the Manuscript – Herefordshire Big Game April 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1450.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another Big Game last weekend!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So the various factions once more girded their loins and
scattered throughout the county in search of a <a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/the-hunt-for-manuscript-is-on-big-game.html" target="_blank">salacious manuscript that could bring down the aristocracy</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With a total of 16 players, we were able to spread out onto
three tables – these being:-<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Brimfield</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1444.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Situated in the north of the county, not far from the border
with Shropshire and Ludlow, where the forces of the Anglican League Bishop of
Ludlow and his ally the Bishop of Lichfield have retreated after making one
advance too far in the Welsh border campaign. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Closer to home and supported by mercenaries from Worcester
(paid for by an absent Sir Gilbert) they are able to make a more confident move
into Herefordshire but are opposed by the King’s Colonials, Herefordshire
Territorials and the Blackshorts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Whitney-on-Wye<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1447.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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The final throes of the Welsh border campaign, in which the
remaining rebel forces (a mix of Anglican League and narrowboat borne Socialists),
are fighting a rear-guard action on the River Wye against their pursuers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A numerically superior BUF force, also coincidentally using
narrowboats, have pushed the rebels back as far as Whitney-on-Wye – the last strategic
river crossing under Anglican control. The men in black were now determined to
salvage their battered reputation and finally avenge themselves against the
enemy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Aconbury</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1448.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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To be more precise the hills that dominate the Hereford to
Ross road – an area currently under control of the neutral Landowners’
Protection Association but slap bang between Anglican and Royalist lines.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After retreating from the Welsh border back to Ross, the
Anglican League (in alliance with a recently arrived force of Albertines)
plan to mount a strong advance now that their supply lines are shorter.
Facing them is a scratch force of Royalist militias and Salopians, rushed
south to bolster defences.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I played the part of Spode and his Blackshorts at
Brimfield, the bulk of this report will concentrate on that action. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1449.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackshorts and Fascisti advance </td></tr>
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My Blackshorts advanced, got shot up and then retreated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The end.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sorry, but that’s about the gist of it… Okay, I’ll elaborate
a bit… Both sides advanced along the length of the table towards the village in
the centre. On the Royalist side the Territorials took the wooded left flank,
the King’s Colonials the centre and my Blackshorts the more open right flank.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1446.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anglican League death rays!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Facing the Territorials were the Bishop of Ludlow’s forces,
complete with disintegrator ray guns! (Knocked up by the Ludlow School science
department – actually glorified LMGs) and the ‘Shropshire Swain’ – a lovelorn
chap determined to win the heart of <a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/seasons-greetings-from-lady-of-manor.html" target="_blank">a certain lady</a>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1451.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royalists advance towards Brimfield</td></tr>
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Opposite the Colonials in the centre deployed the Worcester mercenaries,
paid to do Sir Gilbert’s dirty work and completely resistant to any offers to
double their bounty and swap sides (typical of Spode to forget his cheque
book).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1452.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King's Colonials move up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Deploying opposite me was the Bishop of Lichfield and his
troops. Using the platoon generator guide with which we ask all our players to build
their forces, I employed a mortar, anti-tank rifle and a light tank in addition
to the usual HQ group and infantry sections (three Blackshorts and a unit of
Women’s British Fascisti). Meanwhile my opposite number took to the field with
a large Char tank, anti-tank team, HMG, mortar <i>and</i>
a rocket battery towed by an LMG armed steam wagon, in addition to his HQ and infantry
sections.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so I moved forward alongside my Royalist allies,
outgunned but undaunted!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Royalist left and centre quickly dug in to the wooded
hills and village church, trading artillery and machinegun fire with the enemy –
managing to disable the Bishop of Ludlow’s tank. The remainder of Ludlow’s
forces sprang forward to occupy the village buildings, supported by the
mercenaries who similarly got indoors.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Blackshorts ran as quickly as possible through the open
field to the nearest hedge line, my tank taking the extreme left where it could
at least get a shot at Lichfield’s behemoth. Sadly my entire platoon seemed incapable of hitting anything when it came to shooting...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1456.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockets land among the Blackshorts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Blackshorts were forced to take shelter behind the hedge, where a barrage from the enemy rocket launcher took out my anti-tank rifle and a couple of riflemen. With the help of their signallers (before they too were killed), my mortar zeroed in on the enemy tank, but also failed to do any damage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My infantry could not advance further until the Anglican
tank was dealt with. However, in a depressingly familiar state of affairs, the
two tanks traded shots for the rest of the game – neither managing to knock out
the other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1460.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One death ray down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rate of fire was hotting up across the table, with the
King’s men challenging the enemy but facing a determined Anglican rebuttal. The
Colonials knocked out one of the lorry-mounted death rays, but lost an armoured
car in response.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1459.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackshorts line the hedges and get shot at</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Blackshorts could do little to support, being whittled
down not only by the heavy firepower of the enemy opposite but also being
enfiladed by the mercenaries (stubbornly refusing to change sides on the vague promise
of double payment sometime in the near future) in the building to their left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1468.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling back to reform</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could hold on no longer – even with the assistance of a
section of Loyal Americans and an HMG from the King’s Colonials. Once full
sections were now being merged into composite units in order to hold the line, but
with the forces of the King being battered across the table, little else could
be done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1469.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorbike police pierce the centre!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The final straw was when a section of Anglican motorcycle
police blasted through the centre of our line (to the theme tune of CHiPs!)
This foolhardy move was accompanied by a general advance by the Bishop of
Lichfield – largely untouched by my feeble (and inaccurate) counter-fire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1471.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the opposite side - Anglicans advance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was time for us to pull back and leave the village of
Brimfield to the Anglican League while we still had a relatively viable force. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1470.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling back further</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What of the manuscript?
Well a number of promising documents were discovered by both sides (I had
hidden some red herrings across the three tables), but the genuine article was
not to be found at Brimfield.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1463.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow(boat) victory at Witney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other tables both sides had mixed fortunes. At Whitney
the BUF pushed back the Anglican rear-guard, thus clearing the Welsh border
area of the rebels, but the much-desired manuscript and all the
society-wrecking scandal within had been discovered by the Socialists! The reds
immediately vowed to publish the document in full…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1464.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fighting at Aconbury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Aconbury the rebels fared better and managed to see off
the Royalists, ensuring that the no-man’s land between the two sides, and more
importantly the Hereford-Ross road, was in their hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me the game was a lesson in how not to plan a Big Game
in a hurry. Various factors meant that I didn’t give as much attention to the
day as I usually do. My on-the-spot decision to have all sides fight along the
length instead of the width of each table bunched things up and certainly made things difficult for
some players (including me). I also failed to pay full attention to the platoon
compositions that we ask players to submit before the game in order to help
balance things out. Lessons learned…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/April%209th%202016/IMG_1474.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of play at Brimfield</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, despite (for me) a poor game where I lacked any tactical imagination, it was great to see old
friends and meet new ones. It was gratifying to see that everyone seemed to
enjoy the day and, as usual, the food was top-notch!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the overall narrative – with Colonel Mustard’s scandalous
manuscript about to be published by the Socialists, things have got a lot more
interesting…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watch this space…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, here are some other reports of the game (to be updated as they roll in):-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Giles' report <a href="https://thelostcityofcarcosa.com/2016/04/17/avbcw-big-game-2016-04-09-the-hunt-for-col-mustards-memoirs-1/" target="_blank">part 1</a>, <a href="https://thelostcityofcarcosa.com/2016/04/17/avbcw-big-game-2016-04-09-the-hunt-for-col-mustards-memoirs-2/" target="_blank">part 2</a>, <a href="https://thelostcityofcarcosa.com/2016/04/18/avbcw-big-game-2016-04-09-the-hunt-for-col-mustards-memoirs-3/" target="_blank">part 3</a>, and <a href="https://thelostcityofcarcosa.com/2016/04/18/avbcw-big-game-2016-04-09-the-hunt-for-col-mustards-memoirs-4/" target="_blank">part 4</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://vbcf.freeforums.org/vbcw-herefordshire-big-game-april-9th-2016-t4288.html" target="_blank">Game thread on the Very British Civil Forum</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://fourcoloursupers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/vbcw-herefordshire-game-battle-of-river.html" target="_blank">Socialist Rob’s view of the events at Whitney</a><br />
<a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/april-big-game-witney.html" target="_blank">BUF after action report at Whitney</a><br />
<a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/april-big-game-aconbury-pictorial.html" target="_blank">Pictorial of the fighting at Aconbury</a></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-15356928413473772132016-03-31T11:18:00.002+01:002016-04-19T08:37:39.200+01:00Hunt the Manuscript! Big Game News - April 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Wittig.collection.manuscript.01.japanese.art.scrapbook.image.13.page.18.leaf.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Wittig.collection.manuscript.01.japanese.art.scrapbook.image.13.page.18.leaf.09.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a just over a week to go before the Big Game (Burley
Gate Village Hall, Saturday 9<sup>th</sup> April), it’s time to reveal all…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colonel Patrick Mustard; notorious seducer, rake and general
gadabout, is dead – done in, it is widely believed, by one of the many
humiliated cuckolds left in his wake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While many women may lament the passing of this infamous
ladies’ man, husbands throughout the shattered empire can breathe a sigh of
relief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or can they…?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, it transpires that Col. Mustard was in the process
of writing his memoirs – a no doubt salacious history of conquests that, should
it ever be published, would ruin the reputation of many a high-born lady.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being something of a battlefield tourist, Mustard was on a
motoring tour of the main front lines when he was shot, stabbed, throttled and
beaten to death. However the manuscript of his memoirs was not discovered upon
his person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Investigations reveal that it was last seen in his
possession when he left his hotel in Malvern. Between then and his death in
Monmouth he stayed at three locations in Herefordshire – ergo he must have
hidden the manuscript for safe keeping at one of these places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is imperative that someone recovers the manuscript – a
most valuable document that would cause untold damage to British high society
were it to fall into the wrong (or right, depending on your political outlook)
hands. Whichever faction finds the manuscript will win the gratitude of a great
many powerful people, including one who holds sway over a large swathe of
northern Herefordshire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The manuscript will be hidden somewhere on one of the three
tables, which represent the three places in Herefordshire (Brimfield, where
Government forces are guarding against a rebel incursion from Ludlow; Whitney-on-Wye,
where the Anglicans are retreating before a river-borne BUF advance; and
Aconbury, where the hills commanding the Ross road are being contested) visited
by Col. Mustard before his demise.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The race is on! Royalists, Fascists, Anglicans and Socialists (not to
mention mercenaries and newcomers the Albertines) must not only beat
the opposing side(s) but also scour the land for this important document and reap the
rewards!<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-70637424425071862002016-01-06T14:37:00.001+00:002016-01-06T14:43:32.424+00:00New Year SilenceHello folks - I hope you all had a jolly festive season.<br />
<br />
Here in Herefordshire 1938 it's all rather quiet at the moment - this is because I've pretty much finished my VBCW stuff.<br />
<br />
Will this be the last post on this blog then? Well, no, of course not!<br />
<br />
I'm not ditching VBCW, but I've now modelled/painted everything I need (in fact I've more stuff than I need!)<br />
<br />
There are still plenty of games to be played, and the narrative we've been running in our Big Games is by no means over. In fact I've already postulated an idea for the next bash, which is usually held March/April-ish time.<br />
<br />
So worry not - while the content on this blog will be less frequent, things are still bubbling under the surface (including a collaboration with a local artist... watch this space!)JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-6759894705348747472015-11-25T08:40:00.000+00:002016-01-06T14:38:14.108+00:00Parish map update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/VBCW%20maps/Herefordshire_UK_parish_map10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/VBCW%20maps/Herefordshire_UK_parish_map10.png" height="640" width="504" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roo’s <a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/royalist-battle-report.html" target="_blank">Royalist report on the Battle of Kinnersley</a> the other day prompted me to put aside my current <a href="http://frostgravery.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Frostgrave obsession</a> for a minute and dig
out the parish map that I use to drive the narrative of our games for a well overdue update.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most obvious thing following the last Big Game is that
the forces of The King have made significant advances along the Welsh border.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The failure of the Anglican League’s push from their salient
at Eardisley has given the Royalists the impetus needed to move forward against
the anti-government presence in the area and tighten their grip around
Welsh-held Kington.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They have also followed the retreating Anglicans back to
Eardisley, and are also slowly applying a stranglehold there too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further south, the strategic river crossing at Bredwardine
is still being contested, but the timely arrival of Royalists at Dorstone means
that there is enough freedom of movement between these two areas to allow the
pro-Government forces to exploit the gap and reinforce the loyal parishes
abutting the Golden Valley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus Royalist territory abutting the Black Mountains has expanded slightly at the
expense of the anti-Government coalition, including Sir Gilbert, whose plans to
control the Golden Valley railway are still being thwarted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Outside the border zone, the small number of parishes under
control of the various Socialist militias has been reduced as their influence
continues to wane, whilst in the north-west, Mortimer Country still remains
part of the neutral(ish) Landowners’ Protection Association (while a couple of eligible
bachelors have piqued the interest of the lady of the manor, none have yet to press
their suit with any real determination).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the initiative rests once again with the pro-Government camp
and, along the Welsh border at least, the Anglican League and their allies must
dig in. However, while the Royalists and BUF are busy in the region, this
leaves their presence depleted elsewhere in the county…<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-68235606925632485932015-11-23T14:59:00.002+00:002015-11-23T14:59:35.777+00:00Royalist Battle Report<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2E6A9W00v9wNVo2bHpHSlUwYjg/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-80293609443565116562015-11-06T15:14:00.000+00:002015-11-06T15:14:22.893+00:00Tales from the Nippy City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/FG%20Initial%20Warband%201%20snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/FG%20Initial%20Warband%201%20snow.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yep, I've started <i>another</i> blog.<br />
<br />
You see, I've kinda gotten into Frostgrave, and have been busy painting stuff for that (hence the silence over here).<br />
<br />
If Frostgrave is your thing, then please pop over to <a href="http://frostgravery.blogspot.co.uk/">Tales of Frostgravery</a> and take a look!JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-11020567307801938272015-10-19T14:12:00.000+01:002015-10-28T14:06:16.622+00:00Man the Barricades! Herefordshire Big Game, October 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/horizon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/horizon.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After months of seemingly endless preparation, another Big Game has come and gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The overall ‘story arc’ was a continuation of the border
campaign, where the rebel Anglican League have been trying to wrestle control
of the railway line(s) that snake down the Welsh border from the Royalist and
Fascist forces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again we were honoured to play host to 15 players (2
sadly had to drop out at the last minute), which meant we could set the action
across three tabletop battlefields – these being:-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Kinnersley</b> – The
Anglican League had decided on a bold thrust from their salient at Eardisley
towards Leominster, hoping that such a move would, at the very least, draw
government forces from the impasse at Bredwardine (see below) and at best sever
communications between Leominster and Hereford.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However a royalist platoon from Shropshire had recently
arrived at the village of Kinnersley and had to be rooted out first, whilst the
King’s Colonials had pulled back from the siege of Kington and, hearing of this
attack, hoped to swoop down on the Anglicans’ flank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Bredwardine</b> –
Once again the Anglican League squared up against the dastardly BUF across the
River Wye at this strategic crossing point; control of which would seal the
fate of the Royalist territories wedged between the Black Mountains and Sir
Gilbert’s Golden Valley Protectorate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
River levels were low and both sides hoped to cross and turn
the other’s flank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to a Socialist no-show, the Anglicans were
outnumbered, but determined to win.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dorstone</b> – The last
remaining piece in the rebel Sir Gilbert’s jigsaw. If he could capture this Royalist
village then the whole Golden Valley railway would be under his control and he
could transport <s>illicit contraband</s> vital supplies to his <s>customers</s>
Anglican allies. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Sir Gilbert had secured the aid of some revolutionary
anarchists, the villagers of Dorstone would have to hold on until Royalist
reinforcements could arrive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A side-story I introduced this time around was the matter of
a certain young lady – <a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/seasons-greetings-from-lady-of-manor.html" target="_blank">Nemone Mortimer-Wagstaff</a>, who held the key to
controlling the ‘Mortimer country’ in the north-west of the county. Looking for
a suitable beau, her agents were sure to be making note of any brave actions on
the part of the players – some of which had received haughty missives from an
elderly maiden aunt or concerned uncle, demanding they succeed in this love
match!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Siege of Dorstone<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01537.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorstone village and it's defences</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I played the part of the loyal villagers of Dorstone – a small
Golden valley village practically cut off and at the mercy of the villainous
Sir Gilbert and his gangsters at one end and ragged Anarchists at the other. Barricades had been hastily erected at
the command of local lad turned big game hunter Joseph ‘Himalaya Joe’ Wagstaff
(cousin of the aforementioned young lady). He anxiously scanned the
horizon for Lord Robert Grover: a Royalist commander thought to be rushing to
the aid of the stricken village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01541.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anarchist Motor column advances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A shout went up: ‘anarchists!’ The Anarchists’ motorised
column had been spotted on the approaches, whilst a section of their revolutionary
horse was seen galloping in the distance. Another shout: ‘gangsters!’ Sir
Gilbert’s desperadoes were spotted at the other side of the village, his
armoured behemoths raising steam some distance behind his infantry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01542.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Gilbert's hoodlums</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this I was lucky, for thanks to a dice roll it would take 3 turns for Sir
Gilbert’s steam tanks to raise enough steam to get going. His armoured truck
also started off-road, and only reached the tarmac after much wheel-spinning in the mud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01543.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The defenders scatter to their positions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Royalist LDV section, supported by an HMG, rushed to the
barricades to confront the Anarchists, while the village militia went in the
opposite direction to face the hoodlums – a section of local farmers fanning
out on their flank as Sir Gilbert’s men probed to the side. At both ends of the
village Wagstaff had also stationed an improvised armoured car to support the
defenders, whilst a sniper and anti-tank rifle took up positions in a building
in readiness for Sir Gilbert’s advance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01540.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmers cover the flank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the middle of the village, the doughty ladies of the
local Women’s Institute – begrudgingly armed as a reserve section, rushed
through the churchyard to meet an anticipated charge from the Anarchist cavalry
lurking in the distance. Meanwhile in the HQ section, the local doctor made
ready to receive casualties.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01546.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armoured car comes up in support</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Anarchists made the first move, driving their vehicles
into a hail of gunfire from the LDV. They halted, disgorged infantry, and
whipped off the cover of one of their lorries to reveal a rather large looking
gun…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01547.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bent coppers move forward</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sir Gilbert also ordered his men forward, led by a section
of bent coppers – ‘policemen’ under the pay of the potentate. They too met with
a fusillade of fire from the stout villagers and halted. Meanwhile the anti-tank rifle crew waited in
vain for the steam tanks to appear, while the sniper took pot shots at anyone
who looked important, hitting and wounding Sir Gilbert’s NCO (who only survived
thanks to the rebel sawbones).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01544.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farmers take casualties</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However to the flank, the farmers were confronted by a
section of Sir Gilbert’s guerrillas, making good use of the hedge cover to
advance without taking serious casualties. They opened up both barrels of their
shotguns and halved the farmer’s section at a stroke, causing them to withdraw
into the nearest building to lick their wounds (and shelter from the
dispiriting drizzle that, thanks to a random event card, was sapping everyone’s
morale).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01545.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain rain go away...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Anarchists had now got their lorry-mounted gun into
action, and were blasting the LDV. Their return fire did little to damage the
lorry, but at least their own improvised armoured car caught a section of the
enemy in the open as they disembarked, causing some casualties.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01555.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anarchist flank attack through the woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was enough to deter any determined Anarchist charge,
but a section of their infantry did try to get around the defender’s flank by
advancing through the woods, only to meet the LDV’s Hotchkiss machinegun…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01551.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WI race to meet the threat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Sir Gilbert’s guerrillas infiltrating one flank, he
sent his Tommy-gun toting gangsters around the other, doing their best James
Cagney impressions as they went. Responding to this threat, the fighters of the
WI raced back into the village and towards the barricades that covered this
side of the village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01566.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defenders take a pounding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At opposite sides of the village, the attackers were
wavering – causing casualties yes, but taking casualties in equal measure. However
despite this fact, Dorstone was being pounded and it’s defenders were holding
on for grim death…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01553.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reinforcements!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly a dashing horseman leaped over the village walls
and cantered into the centre. ‘Where is your CO?’ this scarlet-jacketed rider
demanded. ‘I bring greetings from Lord
Grover!’ Reinforcements had arrived!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01571.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anarchist cavalry do a runner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the horizon, Lord Grover’s men could be seen! His vanguard
had driven off the Anarchist horse, and it was this that had allowed the WI to abandon the churchyard to
meet the gangster’s advance. Soon his militia were moving to confront the guerrillas.
The arrival of Lord Grover gave the defenders heart, with the remaining farmers
pulling back to the centre of the village to form an improvised section with
the NCO and HQ runners.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01565.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Can you hear whistling?'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lord Grover’s dashing messenger trotted up the street to Wagstaff, who had
bravely joined the barricades and was bowling over ‘policemen’ with his
elephant gun. ‘My Lord presents his compliments and requests-‘ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His sentence was cut short as an ominous whistle filled the
air, followed by a nerve-shattering explosion!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01564.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pressure mounts...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the dust settled the village doctor patched up a wounded
and clearly stunned Wagstaff. The messenger, a tempting target for Sir Gilbert’s
spotters in his red jacket and astride a white charger, was not so lucky. ‘Incoming’
was the cry, as yet another mortar round thudded into the village green. Sir
Gilbert’s vehicles had extricated themselves from the mud, and had arrived…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01567.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord Grover's men</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the LDV, now joined by the anti-tank rifle team, and
sections of Grover’s force were managing to keep the Anarchists at bay, Sir
Gilbert’s flank attacks were also stalling. Yes his guerrillas had knocked out
a section of Grover’s militia, but his regulars were soon on the scene to repay
in kind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01563.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell hath no fury...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The WI had also reached the barricades and turned their
Lewis gun on the cocky gangsters, who had forgotten to bring enough ammunition
and were helpless against the women’s wrath!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01562.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'It's the WI - let's scarper!'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the battle, the armoured ‘Beaverette’ car had
performed sterling service. Not only had it accounted for several ‘policemen’,
but had also seen off two failed attacks by the enemy’s tank-hunters. However
it’s luck was not to last, for once again the hunters leapt forward. The car
was ready for them, and opened up it’s machinegun, taking down one of the
attackers – a strange cross-dressing chap pushing a pram-full of explosives.
Unfortunately his comrade, a mad Scotsman reeking of strong drink, was
unscathed and planted his sticky bomb to devastating effect…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01572.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BOOM!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sir Gilbert’s vehicles had by now reached the village, and
were bringing their machineguns to bear on the beleaguered barricade. This
combined with the mortar fire, finally broke the brave defenders, who retreated
through the carnage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01570.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvised section, improvising</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The improvised section now moved forward to take their
place, only to be met by a fierce charge by a scratch force of surviving bent
coppers and other lackeys of Sir Gilbert. Hand-to-hand combat ensued, with the
outnumbered villagers failing to withstand the brutal rebel thugs, who pushed
them back from the barricades and finally entered the village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01576.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barricade breached!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However light was fading and, although battered and bruised,
the defenders still had plenty of fight left in them. The WI were in the
process of emerging at Sir Gilbert’s flank as the charge occurred, and could possibly
have swung back to eject them from the village. The sniper was still active and
able to draw a bead on his targets, possibly including Sir Gilbert himself, if
he had chosen, like his far more courageous counterpart ‘Himalaya Joe’, to lead
from the front.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01577.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anarchists holding back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the other side of the village the Anarchists showed
little sign of renewing the attack (rumour had it that their CO, if Anarchists
have such a thing, was secretly enamoured with Wagstaff’s cousin, the famous
Nemone).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01578.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not all the hoodlums are so keen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lord Grover’s men had also by now arrived in force, armoured
vehicles and all, and with Sir Gilbert’s infantry either running away or
battered from the charge, could have soon re-established control of the
village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01580.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grover's men enter the village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so the day drew to a close with an honourable draw.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t have chance to record the events on the other
tables, but it appears that at Bredwardine, neither side was able to force
passage over the river - ‘Can’t we do something more interesting next time?’
being the cry (be careful what you wish for…) It seems that both sides have
given up trying to secure the bridge – maybe an indication that the border region
is dwindling in importance?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01558.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action at the river crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things were a little more clear-cut at Kinnersley however,
with the Royalists convincingly beating back the Anglican assault after some spectacular
explosions and, if rumours are to be believed, a gallant Royalist captain
single-handedly destroying an Anglican tank with his sword! Ms.
Mortimer-Wagstaff’s agent is reported to have looked on with interest...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01569.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking out a tank with a sword!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again a great day’s gaming with some sterling gents
(and lady), who all entered into the spirit of things with gusto. We used a
trial version of ‘Went the Day Well?’, which prompted some head scratching, but
all issues were settled in the usual friendly manner. Bravo to all
participants!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Wargames/17th%20Oct%202015/DSC01568.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More action at Kinnersley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what happens next? I think it's pretty clear that the border campaign has run it's course. The Anglican League and their allies, while making some strategic gains, have been unable to fully consolidate in the region, with many important railway junctions and river crossings still in government hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the BUF have once again failed to cover themselves in glory the more moderate Royalists have risen to the occasion, pushing back the rebels and ensuring that the lifeline from Hereford to the loyal pockets along the border are still intact, leaving Sir Gilbert's Golden Valley territory extremely vulnerable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Welsh nationalists have retreated to Kington and are under siege, whilst the various left-wing factions have been unable to put their stamp on proceedings and are losing what little influence they had in the county. Lots for me to think about...<br />
<br />
Rob (Lord Grover)'s view of proceedings is <a href="http://fourcoloursupers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/vbcw-defence-of-dorstone.html">here</a>.<br />
Giles' report of the fighting at Bredwardine starts off <a href="http://thelostcityofcarcosa.com/2015/10/18/avbcw-2015-10-17-a-quarter-of-a-grand-later/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Sir Gilbert's latest propaganda nonsense is <a href="https://velodoug.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/dorstone-barricades-stormed-by-golden-valley-heroes-sir-gilberts-latest-triumph/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Newcomers Alan and Rita's account of the action at Bredwardine is <a href="http://thelostcityofcarcosa.com/2015/10/23/avbcw-2015-10-17-alan-ritas-photos/">here</a>.<br />
The Bishop of Ludlow's tale is <a href="http://bolvbcw.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-battle-of-bredwardine-fords-october.html">here</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-46131085963139802222015-10-12T10:46:00.002+01:002015-10-12T11:01:49.642+01:00Big Game News!The next Big Game is due to kick off this Saturday (17th October) at Burley Gate Village Hall.<br />
<br />
In anticipation of the day, here's a quick look at Saturday's edition of the Hereford Times...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOOuIFFokQRF_pDBhzH6ATDB0C2faLtCmOer0rcWPjdcXZFZA5D2XW5ZFWV7z_VzPbxWeET5cjRq5cEFW3rGvwDG_Lm0xE-Xn9RlqduWMluuzYjnz9JMPCCiebBCGQxgzn_di1uH9o-0/s1600/mason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOOuIFFokQRF_pDBhzH6ATDB0C2faLtCmOer0rcWPjdcXZFZA5D2XW5ZFWV7z_VzPbxWeET5cjRq5cEFW3rGvwDG_Lm0xE-Xn9RlqduWMluuzYjnz9JMPCCiebBCGQxgzn_di1uH9o-0/s200/mason.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Outsiders spotted!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again the greatest threat that civil war can bring has
been spotted in this glorious county – outsiders!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Armed groups have been seen making their way
cross-country to join in the battles to come. Some carry the dreaded and alien
red banner of socialism, or it’s brother the red and black flag of Anarchy.
Others profess to support His Majesty, or that traitorous cabal of Bishops
known as the Anglican League.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some are thought to have hopped over the border from Wales
or the Forest of Dean, while others hail from more exotic climes – Shrewsbury,
Ludlow and even Winchester!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The authorities advise all locals to remain calm, and if
possible avoid all contact with the outsiders. If contact is necessary,
Herefordians should respond politely, mutter something unintelligible and then
charge them twice the price that they would normally do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kington: A tough nut to crack?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The border town of Kington; occupied by Welsh nationalists
and with it’s strategically important railway station; has been the scene of
feverish activity recently, with the Welsh defenders throwing up formidable
defence works in preparation for a Royalist assault.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However it seems that the King’s men are wary of shedding
too much blood in capturing the town. After receiving a bloody nose at the
battle of Bullock’s Mill, Royalist forces appear content merely to maintain a
blockade of the town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The exotic accents of the King’s Colonial troops that locals
have become so used to in recent times are beginning to fade away as their platoons
are slowly moving away to other postings, leaving the siege line to be held by
our brave Herefordshire Territorials.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whence are the Colonials bound? Only time will tell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Society news</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iDv-xqqec-pnfgfd9C9hXI_YdJ9BoA4gNEMLgvQfxETX_SzPZx4ZSc_uNrmpAAVeiMQEuu88bTkh0jYks1lNyaJaAN8EPBvspjQgUNmvVBjEVHMd8jIlDNYQPwhYPrHFgzYlh0EueWs/s1600/gipsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iDv-xqqec-pnfgfd9C9hXI_YdJ9BoA4gNEMLgvQfxETX_SzPZx4ZSc_uNrmpAAVeiMQEuu88bTkh0jYks1lNyaJaAN8EPBvspjQgUNmvVBjEVHMd8jIlDNYQPwhYPrHFgzYlh0EueWs/s200/gipsy.jpg" width="132" /></a></b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fresh from her presentation to the King, the debutante Miss
Nemone Mortimer-Wagstaff, Ward of Lady Deirdre Ffaines-Muir and last surviving
member of the once-powerful Kingmaking Mortimer family, has taken up residence in
her Guardian’s residence at Wigmore Manor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hundreds of local well-wishers descended on the manor to
witness her arrival and cheered as she stepped out from Her Ladyship’s
motorcar. Miss Mortimer-Wagstaff seemed somewhat taken aback by her rapturous
welcome, but quickly regained her composure and smiled warmly at the crowd.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The arrival of such a glamorous young lady has set the area
alight – it is not for nothing that such a large swathe of North Herefordshire
is called ‘Mortimer Country’, and many local folk draw great pride from their
association with such an ancient dynasty. Indeed, many have already pledged
their allegiance to Miss Mortimer-Wagstaff, and have promised to take up arms
for her if necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like moths to a flame, her return has also drawn scores of
admirers and potential suitors, each vying to gain her attention and favour
with acts of bravery. It is believed that such a state of affairs is most
pleasing to Her Ladyship, who is keen to establish a suitable match for her
ward, and is said to have dispatched agents to all corners of the county in
search of a sterling fellow to take hold of the Mortimer tiller and steer it
into profitable waters!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anglicans on the move</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the main battle lines around Foy appear to be static,
the Anglican League presence in the border country is stirring. Not content to
sit tight in their recently captured salient at Eardisley, reports are coming
in of a significant Anglican force heading out of the village for parts
unknown.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A current theory doing the rounds is that this force is
heading north to break the siege of Kington at the behest of their Welsh
allies. Others believe that some sort of advance into Royalist-held territory
is being attempted, while many in Hereford are clinging to the hope that they
have opted to withdraw from Eardisley and retreat into nationalist Wales.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever their intentions, readers can be sure that they
will be keen to regain the initiative.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_7OdRggiBPHHYza2_qhbPwgrvRvpMSVoA1GGcxVgkWf6h8VCEsGXeJSazRllz9YxGaHXhngIYSIhuEhNxD-GYBNBUq6RL5GLORSZcCku5fsz1-mxbPSCTBCEYFw4GZyywwyIQiyJ7Wk/s1600/greenlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_7OdRggiBPHHYza2_qhbPwgrvRvpMSVoA1GGcxVgkWf6h8VCEsGXeJSazRllz9YxGaHXhngIYSIhuEhNxD-GYBNBUq6RL5GLORSZcCku5fsz1-mxbPSCTBCEYFw4GZyywwyIQiyJ7Wk/s200/greenlands.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stand-off at Bredwardine</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The current stand-off at Bredwardine continues, as both
sides face each other across the important Bredwardine Bridge; the only
crossing point over the River Wye for some distance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neither the Anglican League and their allies, or the
BUF/Royalist coalition, managed to score a convincing victory during the last
battle for the bridge, and sources report that both sides are now looking for
ways to break the deadlock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Current low river levels are sure to complicate matters, as
a number of fordable points have been discovered by locals recently, and news
travels fast in Herefordshire…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dorstone defended!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The quiet village of Dorstone, the only Royalist-held
village on the Golden Valley Railway, is said to be bracing itself for the
oncoming storm, as several factions converge on the area in order to gain
mastery of the vitally important railway line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Practically cut off from the outside world, villagers are throwing
up defence works using whatever they can find. Bathtubs and toppled-over
wardrobes block the main street, the forge and motor garage are hives of
activity while at the approaches to the village large holes are being dug for
an unknown purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some reinforcements are getting in, as Royalist militiamen trickle
in via seldom-patrolled back roads, but more importantly a famous Herefordian
has arrived in the shape of Joseph ‘Himalaya Joe’ Wagstaff – explorer, big game
hunter and devoted subject of His Majesty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking on the village green, Wagstaff has pledged defend
the village of his birth with ‘every drop of blood’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lord Reith’s demands</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnsn9eYyGeODNNuedMJZH30a8vajCFotDLvnwbE7fo9Fid5TnzzKZLV78ZHTNoky2FGYXhyKxlP3P3fYMDdq9tsyq_EfUN7Sg-_O-CYtwgT9XieZsAnOzvAJJdsRL98fOXPYbiskyhHA/s1600/waverley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnsn9eYyGeODNNuedMJZH30a8vajCFotDLvnwbE7fo9Fid5TnzzKZLV78ZHTNoky2FGYXhyKxlP3P3fYMDdq9tsyq_EfUN7Sg-_O-CYtwgT9XieZsAnOzvAJJdsRL98fOXPYbiskyhHA/s200/waverley.jpg" width="114" /></a></b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation,
the recently ennobled Lord Reith, has turned his fiery gaze from the glamorous
world of radio and television and onto the sleepy Herefordshire countryside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He has written to the authorities to demand that the local
Three Counties BUF Legion suspend the use of it’s controversial mobile pillbox
(nicknamed the ‘Darlek’) on the grounds that it infringes BBC copyright. Lord
Reith asserts that the contraption is a direct copy of a design the Corporation
drew up as part of a proposed science fiction series.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lord Reith further demands that the ‘Darlek’ be handed over
to a BBC so that it can be ‘suitably dealt with’. Failure to comply will have ‘dire
consequences’, threatens with Director-General, amid rumours of an eccentric ‘scientific
advisor’ arriving at Bredwardine with the intention of putting this deadly
weapon out of action.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-62273134228693016542015-09-25T11:06:00.000+01:002017-07-07T14:09:25.780+01:00Scientific Advisors – Splendid Chaps, all of Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/th_Who%201.jpg" height="300" width="400"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Who are these strange chaps?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, they claim to be ‘scientific advisors’, although they’re nothing like the scientists I’ve ever come across!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/th_Who%203.jpg" height="300" width="400"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For a start, they all insist on being called Doctor John Smith - the Doctor for short, and when they turn up (seemingly at random), they always bring with them some sort of mobile laboratory disguised as a police box. How they manage to carry out any experiments in such a cramped space is beyond me…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%205.jpg" height="301" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heresy Miniatures</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They are, to a man, very eccentric – if only in their dress sense (ranging from navvy jackets to frilly shirts). They can also sometimes be overheard muttering to themselves about how the civil war shouldn’t actually have started (then again, that’s something we all wish), claiming that King Edward VIII should really have abdicated and that, by rights, his brother should be on the throne!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%204.jpg" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crooked Dice</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Apparently these odd fellows are determined to investigate the source of this ‘anomaly’, by attempting to, and I quote: ‘neutralise the temporal paradox and reverse the polarity of…’ well, something or other – one tends to get a little lost when talking to the Doctor!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%208.jpg" height="200" width="150"></a> <a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%206.jpg" height="200" width="150"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Personally I think that, while each one of them undoubtedly possesses a brilliant scientific mind, they are all completely bonkers, and are only sent to assist us when HQ has had enough of their wittering and wants one of them out of the way for a while…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%207.jpg" height="200" width="149"></a> <a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%2011.jpg" height="200" width="149"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some lovely ‘temporal traveller’ miniatures from Heresy and Crooked Dice that I have been meaning to treat myself to for ages - happily some birthday money has allowed me to indulge!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%2010.jpg" height="200" width="148"></a> <a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%2012.jpg" height="200" width="149"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>For a change I’ve actually taken my time in painting these, as opposed to my usual base-coat and quick-shade method, allowing me to experiment with shading, highlighting, drybrushing and such. I’m very happy with the results!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/Who%209.jpg" height="320" width="239"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-43734980583728978132015-09-11T12:00:00.000+01:002015-09-11T12:00:00.485+01:00Civvy Street<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0845.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought it was high time to add some more non-combatants to my VBCW collection. Luckily my mate Giles had emailed me asking if I wanted to add anything to a Wargames Foundry order he was doing (taking advantage of their 20% discount offer).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I plumped for their 'British Characters' set from their excellent Home Guard range, which conssts of a vicar, verger, scary-looking nun, policeman, ARP warden, an elderly chap, a lady of a certain age and a woman with a bicycle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I also added the 'Max Normal' figure from their 2000AD range, as I think he doubles up nicely an important bank manager/businessman type fellow. He's a bit larger than the Home Guard range, but seeing as I based these on a variety of bases I had knocking about, they all vary in height anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
These civvies can be used as tabletop decoration, objective markers or plot points etc. and add a nice bit of character to my collection! (And no, I didn't paint the 'W' on the warden's helmet - luckily I found an old transfer sheet in my bits box.)JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-64864016347663419802015-08-27T09:20:00.001+01:002015-08-27T09:28:34.546+01:00"Conservatism With Knobs On"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0820.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting my grubby mitts on a set of Blind Beggar’s uniformed
female militia got me thinking… I was originally going to paint them up as a
women’s BUF unit, but in the end decided to go for one of the smaller
right-wing units – the British Fascisti.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The British Fascisti was formed in 1923 by Rotha
Lintorn-Orman: an upper middle-class daughter of an army major who served in
the Women's Reserve Ambulance and Scottish Women's Hospital Corps during the Great
War and gained a penchant for dressing in male uniform.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0822.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like many of her class she was virulently anti-communist, royalist,
patriotic and pro-empire. Alarmed by the rise of the left she sought out others
with similar beliefs to form the British Fascisti – it’s name inspired by
Mussolini’s movement. However Lintorn-Orman’s group was originally more a
royalist organisation, as opposed to an explicitly fascist one, leading extreme
right-winger Arnold Leese to label it ‘conservatism with knobs on.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Composed of largely of minor aristocracy, obscure
politicians and disgruntled ex-army officers, the group suffered from numerous
splits, especially after the general strike, when the anticipated socialist
revolution that would allow the BF to spring forward and save the day never
materialised. Soon it was eclipsed by larger fascist groups. Riven by
factionalism, the group dissolved in 1934, with Lintorn-Orman, dependant on
alcohol and drugs, dying in 1935 amid rumours of hedonistic parties.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the VBCW universe, the British Fascisti is reborn as war
breaks out by Lintorn-Orman’s fictional equivalent, Emma Picton-Bryant, who
returns from a Swiss alcohol addiction clinic to reform the group. Soon cadres
of British Fascisti militias are operating – sometimes as an adjunct to the
BUF, sometimes as rivals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
One such cadre, a female section under the command of Lady
Lydia Gravie-Browning, has been training with the forces of the BUF’s Lord
Cirencester in Gloucestershire. Refusing to be relegated to traditional women’s
roles, Gravie-Browning has been vocal in her demands for the group to take a
more active combat role. Fed up with her constant (and to his mind, rather
shrill) badgering, Lord Cirencester has arranged for this cadre to be
transferred to the Three Counties Legion in Herefordshire, where their dark
blue uniforms will at least make a change from all that black.<br />
<br />
The minis, from Mason's Blind Beggar line, are painted in a rough approximation of Picton-Bryant's uniform, as shown in the <a href="http://solwaycraftsandminiatures.webs.com/books.htm" target="_blank">Solway sourcebook </a>(minus armbands - I couldn't face painting lots of tiny F's, plus it makes
them faction-neutral enough to use in other forces if need be).<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/ae220/jp1885_photos/IMG_0819.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(A test piece in BUF uniform - based with a spare bike to act as a messenger/runner)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-70897858355721645242015-08-20T21:48:00.002+01:002015-08-20T21:48:58.764+01:00VBCW Hereford Big Game, October 2015Long time, no post (well, I have been on holiday).<br />
No eye candy as of yet, but I can reveal that we're nearer to settling on a date for the next VBCW big game!<br />
We're looking at either Saturday 17th or 24th October.<br />
More details dan be found at http://vbcf.freeforums.org/hereford-big-game-17-24th-october-t3967.html<br />
Please drop us a note if you'd like to come along!JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-58420885153245610482015-07-30T13:55:00.002+01:002015-07-30T13:59:10.102+01:00Fences and BushesReal life things, like work, the Summer holidays and various other issues, means that I haven't done much wargamey stuff recently (with the exception of a fun <a href="http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=78074.msg993827#msg993827" target="_blank">Song of Blades and Heroes game</a> with my daughter one rainy Sunday).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
However I did treat myself to some rather nice resin fences from an eBay seller known as <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/smallterrain/" target="_blank">Small Terrain</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
They arrived ready for use - being painted dark brown, highlighted a little and based with static grass. However I decided to give them a couple of extra drybrushes, and added spots of my own basing stuff, just to tie them in a bit with the rest of my terrain collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Speaking of which, I also found a few minutes to knock up these bushes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
So nothing earth-shattering, but a little progress nonetheless.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-75917150873261326722015-07-01T14:18:00.000+01:002015-07-02T13:13:57.737+01:00So what's this 'Very British Civil War' all about?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.canada.com/gallery/0817_loveabroad/1wed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.canada.com/gallery/0817_loveabroad/1wed.jpg" height="375" width="375" /></a></div>
<br />
In 1936, Britain's playboy King Edward VIII, thought by some to have far-right sympathies and a propensity for meddling in politics, abdicated in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. <br />
<br />
In the 'A Very British Civil War' (aka VBCW/BCW/ECW3) universe he refuses to give up the throne. <br />
<br />
By 1938, parliament is dissolved, torn apart by the resultant constitutional crisis. <br />
<br />
In the search for a new leader, the King appoints Oswald Mosley, leader of the British Union of Fascists, as Prime Minister. <br />
<br />
Opposition to the new government forms around the Anglican League - a loose coalition of churchmen, disgruntled members of parliament and left-leaning political groups. <br />
<br />
Attacked by regular forces loyal to the King and their BUF auxiliaries, the Anglican League militarises, as do communist organisations, local defence volunteers and a whole host of disparate groups. Soon forces loyal to the King's brother, Albert, Duke of York, arrive from Canada, adding another claimant to the throne into the mix.<br />
<br />
Scotland closes its border and declares itself independent, nationalists take up arms in Wales and Cornwall while other parts of the UK such as Liverpool declare themselves 'free states' and the British Empire begins to crumble.<br />
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Set in a fictionalised and stereotypical bygone age, replete with 'what-ho's' and 'toodle-pip's', cricket on the village green and tea with the vicar, Britain descends into civil war!<br />
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For further VBCW information, please pop into the <a href="http://vbcf.freeforums.org/">Very British Civil Forum</a> and check out the VBCW sourcebooks, available from Solway Crafts and Miniatures.JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-9722612419027281022015-06-30T14:57:00.000+01:002015-06-30T15:55:31.082+01:00Crickey, My Bikey!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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According to Roderick Spode, every Englishman should have in
his possession an honest, British-made bicycle. Surely everyone had a bicycle in the 1930s, but what about their 28mm counterparts?</div>
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The trouble is, do you really want to double the size of
your VBCW collection by making bicycle mounted versions of all your troops?
Sure, Wargames Foundry and Warlord Games both do infantry on pushbikes (I have
a <a href="http://hereford1938.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/on-yer-bike.html" target="_blank">unit made out of these figures</a>), but even so…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Luckily I discovered that Dixon Miniatures, in addition to
also making bike-mounted troops, also sell pushbikes on their own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mounted on whatever small bases I had to hand, these make
great ‘mounted’ markers for any unit so inclined to pedal. Two packs gives you
enough to give an entire infantry section a bike each, or have a single marker
for each section and plenty left over for scatter terrain, objectives and such.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If, like me, you have a two or three minis lying around
spare (in my case the survivors from my WW2 Perry plastic sprue and a smidgen of Greenstuff), you can base
them with a bike to create messenger/runner (er, peddler) figures too.<br />
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These Dixon bikes are very easy to put together (simply glue the handlebars into the hole already provided) and don't take a lot of cleaning up.</div>
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"I were right about that saddle though..."</div>
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JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-57213519558756754962015-06-24T16:59:00.000+01:002015-06-25T09:26:38.212+01:00Fowler Steam Wagon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Following one of my habitual trawls through the For Sale
section of the Lead-Adventure Forum, I purchased a trio of diecast steam
lorries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of them was a Fowler steam wagon, with a blue metal
cab/trailer and a bright red plastic underside. Further investigation revealed
that it was initially made to celebrate 60 years of Halls Mentho-Lyptus, from
1927 to 1987. However the Halls Mentho-Lyptus lettering had been removed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iat4uw8rOu46Sy8lzM9SogyVged6rQJmn5JJwqqzLYRfImta9gzJMfgnF4-cEBvEX7E6nGqAV70Woo_m15uA0lgzHbFYQxK1AZ9islY1QCYeCTkFeX0sDQ2yK26KMliP4gpJLRC1xH8/s1600/Fowler-Steam-Lorry-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iat4uw8rOu46Sy8lzM9SogyVged6rQJmn5JJwqqzLYRfImta9gzJMfgnF4-cEBvEX7E6nGqAV70Woo_m15uA0lgzHbFYQxK1AZ9islY1QCYeCTkFeX0sDQ2yK26KMliP4gpJLRC1xH8/s400/Fowler-Steam-Lorry-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An original (not mine, which was missing the decals)</td></tr>
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The other two steam lorries were, in my view, too small for
28mm gaming (my fault for not asking what the scale was initially), but they
did come laden with plastic barrels, which I was able to prise off to use as
scenery, objectives etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both the Fowler and the barrels were sprayed black (courtesy
of Halfords) and given a few drybrushes. I was tempted to knock up some decals
for the wagon, but in the end I decided that I quite liked the plain, ‘well
used’ look and so left it as it was.</div>
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Simple yet effective!<o:p></o:p></div>
JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2824885510519041900.post-64457371670802812912015-06-16T14:14:00.000+01:002015-06-16T14:14:44.842+01:00...and Now a Word From Our Sponsors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During the interwar years, many people were alarmed at the increasing urbanisation of the countryside. Notables such as J. B. Priestley, writing of his 'English Journey', and Clough Williams-Ellis, author of 'England and The Octopus', complained of the suburban housing, petrol stations and arterial roads that encroached upon their rural idyll.<br />
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Another complaint was the proliferation of advertising hoardings - "roadside placards or other inacceptable (sic) displays" - along the highways and byways of Britain.<br />
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Well, with apologies to the <a href="http://www.cpre.org.uk/about-us" target="_blank">Campaign to Protect Rural England</a>, it's time that the dreaded 'octopus' spread it's tentacles onto the tabletop battlefield!<br />
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This is one of those projects that I've been mulling over in the back of my head for some time, and, while not fully realised, has to be attempted and got out of the way to make room for other ideas.<br />
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I started off by trawling the web for various vintage advertisements, pamphlets and political posters (plus one or two I made myself) and resized them to fit on pieces of card. A search for contemporary photos of such hoardings show a wide range of size and style - some with large single adverts, others plastered with a mosaic of smaller posters.<br />
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I cut some stiff card to what I thought would be a realistic size and stuck on the resized adverts etc. Ideally I would liked to have printed each poster separately, overlaying one on top of the other where they overlapped, but as I only had one sheet of sticker paper left (I use sticker paper as opposed to messier paper and glue), I opted to do the layout on the PC first and print them out all in one.<br />
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The cards were then lined at the back (hopefully to represent wooden planking) and framed with bamboo flower sticks from the local pound shop.<br />
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Two of the hoardings are supported by diagonal bamboo struts (inexpertly held in place with putty and glue), while two were mounted on stilts so that they could stand above walls, hedges and the like. These stilts were then stuck onto small bases - perhaps too small - it remains to be seen whether they remain upright during a game.<br />
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These hoardings can be used simply as VBCW battlefield scenery, or maybe as blinds and such. They're not perfect, but they'll do, and more importantly that's one more idea out of the way!JPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958118384086619111noreply@blogger.com8