Moving Blues

We are in the process of moving, so everything is packed away. But, once I get unpacked, I have a lot of neat stuff to share, I promise. So, sorry about the total lack of updates over the past five or six weeks. There just hasn't been much time for doing anything fun and less time to write about it. Heck, I just barely have internet service set up in the new house now. Thanks Comcast, you suck.

I did manage to get in a a day of Team Yankee back in February, where I played in two games. I lost both, naturally... but they were close, and I would have won the second game if we hadn't run out of time before my victory conditions were met (we had to call it at end of turn 4, I had to hold an objective at the end of turn 6). I have the photos on my phone. Which died a horrible death yesterday, naturally. I am supposed to be getting a new phone tomorrow, and maybe - maybe! - I can save some of the stuff on the old phone. I hope so.

I will say that I have gotten into very deep trouble with regards to the Pledge. I bought two boxes of Yuri's Wolves tanks for Team Yankee. That's ten T-64s and four BMPs. I also got a Soviet Motor Rifle Company. That's 79 infantry figures. And I ordered a set of the glow-in-the-dark Ogre Miniatures. The post office then lost them somewhere after putting them on a truck in my town. Grrrr... But I ordered some replacements. That's another, um... 43 vehicles. So I will update that counter.

And none of the terrain I have been buying should count against the Pledge, since it's all ready to play. Battlefield in a Box... lots of it. Like three sets of Modern Roads, Modern Road expansion, the Manor House, the Estate House, the Cobblestone Squares, the House Extensions, two Apartment Blocks, a Factory, a Department store, two oil tank sets, a Petrol Station, a box of the garages, another Desert Administration Building, Ruined Desert Houses, Desert Sandbag markers, the Overpass, a set of Carparks, and two Fast Food Restaurants (I am going to repaint one to be a Waffle House). I think that's it, so far. I want more apartments, some billboard signage, and at least one more Factory with the added floor that you have to order direct from Battlefront. I may get two. I think they make good office buildings.

Yellow and black roof, some signage... Waffle House

Plus... in the near future I will have photos of my new custom gaming tables and the painted gaming area... and an announcement hopefully in early April... So stay tuned, all 70-ish of you, and please share this info.

Some Team Yankee Photos

   We've been playing a good bit of Team Yankee around the club the last few months. I enjoy it, especially when I can play the West Germans. That Leopard II tank is amazing!

   Anyway, here are a couple of shots of our last game. The toys are the property of Jim Johnson.

Volksarmee T-64s... lambs to the slaughter!

East German Motor Rifles and Hinds...

   We played two games, with the players swapping sides. Both times, the West Germans won. There is a key to killing those Leopard IIs, but we haven't come up with it yet. In another game, it seemed that the Hinds would do the trick, but the FRG had insufficient AAA. A pair of Gepards in the rear and your Leopards are much safer.

Team Yankee Game Photos

   I was cleaning out my phone's photos the other day and ran across these photos I took of a game of Team Yankee we played back in January of this year. It was fun, although the freedom-loving workers and peasants of the Glorious Soviet Union were not victorious in their attempts to spread their more enlightened socioeconomic system to the capitalist drones of the decadent West.

   Yep, I played the Russkis. I loved this book back in the 80s, and enjoyed the game a lot.

No capitalist artillery? Close order, Comrades! 

Blasted Americanski infantry!

Comrade! Abrams tanks coming out of the woods!

Conscript drivers cowering from American tanks?

The Commissars will have 'words' with them!

Luckily for the T-72s on the far end, Abrams tank guns don't 

penetrate through the first two dead Soviet tanks.

The Highway of Death

Winter of '79

   If you haven't run across it before, and you're interested in Alternate History gaming, you might find this blog very interesting: Winter of '79. Currently, they are chronicling the Welsh Rising of 1979. I hope it goes well for the Taffys.

   You might recall that my Very British Civil War faction is Welsh Nationalists. So it is interesting to see the results coming through.

   Anyway, if you are into Cold War-era gaming, you will probably enjoy it.

Mutton Chops for VBCW?

posting from the queue outside the dps office, so forgive the lack of bells and whistles.

Mutton Chop Miniatures (http://www.muttonchop.co.uk) makes some pretty nifty stuff. I especially like the phone boxes and post boxes.

Check them out!

CDC: Scots Send Aid

Caernarfon -- The cause of the Provisional Republic of Wales has been much assisted by a recent shipment of supplies and war materiels from the Scottish Republic. The Scots are waging their own fight for independence in teh North, and giving King Edward the Adulterer a good thrashing! Knowing our desperate need for military hardware, the Scots have sent a Rolls Royce Armoured Car to assist us in our struggle against those still loyal to the English king in Cardiff, and the Blueshirt cronies they have brought in.

Model 1924 Rolls Royce Armoured Car

   Once appropriately painted, this new addition to the Welsh forces will help us sweep the Fascists back to the London gutters where they belong. It is expected that the Welch Fusiliers will be receiving this beauty.

CDC: Democratic People's Republic of Wales Announced

Maerdy -- Comrade Leader Llewellyn Jones announced today the creation of the Democratic People's Republic of Wales. Surrounded by coal miners, he called on the proletariat class to rise up against the oppression of the Fascist state and King of England, and to avoid the seductive capitalist state of the Republic of Wales, currently headquartered in Caernarfon.

   Jones laid out his plan for a socialist worker's state in Wales. Part of the plan includes a non-aggression stance towards the Caernarfon government, saying "The proletariat must first concentrate on striking off the shackles of the English monarch and his Fascist lackies. Only then can we afford the effort to establish a real socialist state in Wales, dealing with the capitalists of the so-called Provisional Government through peaceful political process of referenda. Our victory in such a contest is inevitable."

  Interim President Saunders of the Provisional Government, speaking from his home in Caernarfon, responded by welcoming the assistance of the working men of southern Wales in the struggle against England's king, but did not go so far as to offer war materiels to the DPRW. He also claimed that no Provisional Government troops would be first to start a fight with the socialists, but also reiterated his stance against "godless Communism."

[Editor's Note: This comes from an idea engendered from this thread on TMP.]

CDC: Capitol of the republic Announced

Cymraeg Darlleda Chwmni (Welsh Broadcast Company):

   The Provisional Government of the Republic of Wales has announced the site of the new capital shall be the historic city of...

Caernarfon!

   Located in the Northwest, in the historic region of Gwynedd, Caernarfon has long been a symbol of English oppression, since Edward I of England built his massive stone castle there to hold the countryside against the Welsh people. Provisional President Saunders chose the location. Although the southern cities are larger, their proximity to Monarchist and Fascist control make them undesireable for locating our government there.

   Perhaps following the end of our current War of Independence, a move might be countenanced by the Senned. Until the Final Victory over English Fascism and Monarchy, the capital shall remain in Caernarfon.

Weird War II: Jurassic Reich

   Why yes, that is an Ankylosaurus with a howdah mounted Flakverling-20 on it. This beautiful model, known as the Flakasaurus, is going to be available at Historicon next week from Eureka Miniatures. They have a growing line of Jurassic Reich figures, including Nazis riding Deinonychus, leading a pack of Velociraptors, and flying on Stukasaurus, a Pterosaur.

  I bought some of the Stukasaurus last year to add to my German VSF forces on Venus. Haven't done anything with them yet, but I might be moving them up the priority list soon.

Very British Civil War Quandry: Vehicles

   I am currently caught in a dilemma. I cna really only afford to get one vehicle to start this project, though I am sure I will be getting at least one or two additional ones. These are the selections I think I have it down to, with photos from the retailers. Please vote in the poll I'll be starting to let me know which you think goes best with the Welsh Nationalists faction as described so far.

   First is an armored truck with a Heavy MG. It comes with a choice of gunners, and I think I can make either the Red or White Russian work. This model is available from Brigade Games. I like it because it shows the lack of sophistication for the Welsh Nationalists, but I worry about its actual performance as well.

   Another vehicle available from Brigade Games, this is a Mk.I Rolls Royce armored car, the 1924 model with solid wheels rather than spoked ones. Again, the armament is light, but a good deal more protection. I see this as having been posted to an RAF base in Wales for security, and then taken over by the Nationalists when they captured the airfield. Sadly, most of the aircraft were flown away by their English pilots.

   Next is a Tank, Cruiser A9. I like the multiple turrets. It is also the most heavily armed of the vehicles I am looking at purchasing. This one is available through BEF MInitaures in the UK. Disadvantage is that its pricier, and has to ship overseas, rather than possibly picked up at Historicon next week. I haven't seen a US stockist, though I may be wrong. Anyway, it's a great model.

   Last on the list, but not necessarily the last I want to buy, is this Light Tank Mk. VI, built by Vickers. Another BEF Miniatures product. Carries two machineguns, and is both fast and fairly well protected (compared to the truck and the Rolls). Only getting one, though, not the squadron shown in the photo!



   So please vote in the poll. I need something to jar me out of my indecision on this critical issue.

Welsh Nationalists in VBCW

St. David's Cross

   The symbol of the new Welsh Republic, a flag bearing the cross of Saint David waves proudly above the Senedd, the Welsh National Assembly building. Saunders Lewis has been elected to the Presidency of the Welsh Republic. The English king has vowed to re-conquer our beloved Republic, and his Prime Minister, the Fascist pig Mosely, has sent his lackeys against us. Fortunately, the Men of Harlech have deserted the English army in droves, bringing with them much needed military equipment and professional skills.

Llandovery College Crest

Armed Schoolboys [Woodbine Designs]

   The boys above are students and Llandovery College, a public school founded in 1857. Typically of the public schools system, one of the primary products of Llandovery is officers for the Army. As such, the boys are trained to march, shoot, and even have ranks within the school's forces. The boys will, in times of need, form a Corps of Cadets with young men from other schools to assist in the defense of the republic against the English king and his Fascist stooges.

Citizens' Brigade [Woodbine Designs's "Damned Poachers"]

   These chaps are members of the Citizens' Brigade. Armed with civilian firearms, they lack the hitting power of most regular militia and Welsh Army units, but make up for it in fanatical loyalty and devotion to the defense of the Republic.

   In addition to the forces shown here, the Republic has Regulars and uniformed militia, plus assistance from the Anglican League.

A Very British Civil War

   Yes, Margaret, another new project. THis is one I have been excited about for a while, ever since I head about the sourcebook. I played in a Very British Civil War game at Historicon 2010, using the Iron Ivan Disposable Heroes rules. It was great fun.

   This past weekend, at our monthly games, we discussed this setting, and decided it would be fun to do in 25/28mm. The plan currently is for several people to do small forces of perhaps three squads with a support weapon or two and a vehicle.

   So, I am currently sourcing figures. I plan to pickup the sourcebook at Historicon, and may get the Disposable Heroes rules as well. Some of my fellows are looking at Too Fat Lardies for the rules set, but I only know I Ain't Been Shot Mum from them, and I don't think it would translate well for this scale of game. If they have a skirmish set, that would be better.

   Anyway, the madness continues. But I have been making some progress on old(er) projects so far this summer, and I hope that I can justify the new lead. I'll keep you posted on my findings as we go.

An idea whose time has come.

Pike? Check.

Shot? Check.

Zombies? Che - what!?!?

Yep, that's right: Renaissance zombies.

From AB One Games, written by Stephen Danes.

Available at Wargames Vault.

New Allies on Venus

Royal Hawaiians Arrive on Jungle Planet

Reporting for duty to Venus, the 25th Royal Oahu Rangers are a specialist corps of tropical scouts and pathfinders known affectionately as the "Birds of Paradise" for their use of tropical bird calls for secret communication in while on missions. Having served in various island actions both against homeland threats and in various island skirmishes, they are adept at navigating the threats of tropical environments. They are skilled in ambush, raiding and counter-raiding tactics and fight in what has been described by many Europeans as a very "un-gentlemanly" manner. Already perfectly acclimatized to hot and humid environments and undaunted by the drizzle and miasma of a rain forest, they were the perfect asset for the Kingdom of Hawaii to lend as aid and a sign of solidarity with the Republic of Texas.

Their commander, Major Thomas Kipitupu, is proud to serve his king alongside his kingdom's Texican allies. He and his men will lend all of their talents to the efforts to forge a new colony in the hostile, shadowy jungles of Venus. Forging paths, scouting new territories and lending warclub and rifle to battle any hostile forces they might encounter, I am sure the Texican Marines on Venus will quickly come to appreciate their merits.

Sadly, our staff photostat artist was confined to his bunk with a nasty fungal infection, so no photostats are available at this time. We hope he will recover soon, so he can get back to work and earn the ridiculously large sum he receives as a per diem from this journal... I tell you, it's the last time I hire one of my wife's useless relatives...

[Editor's Notes: Eli sent me the basic text of the above copy in an email. I made a few minor changes to make it fit in a bit better stylistically, but it's a great addition to the VSF storyline as far as I am concerned. I wonder what's going to happen on Venus? There should be some kind of adventure their in the nearish future if I can pull a few things together. Stay tuned!]

Kingdom of Hawaii?

My friend Eli runs his own gaming blog, called "I See Lead People." I've mentioned it before here, I am sure, and there's a link to the blog in my links.

Anyway, he threw out an idea sort of off-the-cuff for a new VSF power: Hawaii. Before you scoff, check out this link: http://leadpeople.blogspot.com/2009/04/atler-nations-kingdom-of-hawaii-part-1.html. It fleshes out the idea a little more, and begins to make some sort of sense. I could see the Kingdom of Hawaii becoming as powerful as, say, the Papal States, Imperial Mexico or even the Republic of Texas, with the right set of circumstances.

At any rate, its a fun idea to kick about. Check it out, and let Eli know what your thoughts are.

Weapon Qualifications

11 April 1881

Yesterday we had our bi-annual small arms qualifications as required by regulations for all Republic Marines. Everyone qualified on the standard issue Martini Henry and NCOs holding the rank of corporal and above had to qualify with both the Martini Henry Rifle and 1877 Colt Dragoon. Like always, I earned a "Sharpshooter" qualification. I just can not seem to qualify as an "Expert" (Order of precedence: Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert). Mr. Griggs qualified "Expert" and shot range perfect on the pistol. He almost beat Lance Corporal Jones (not to be confused with Private Jones or Corporal Jones) with the rifle. After we qualified and met our requirements, Major Higgins challenged us to a shoot-off with the enlisted shooting Martinis and the officers shooting the Dragoons. Lance Corporal Jones as always blew the competition away and Subaltern Griggs outmatched all of the Army officers, with Captain Lamar coming in second by seven bull’s-eyes. I am not surprised by the results, as Marines pride ourselves on our shooting; after all we are all still infantry first and engineers second. It also helps to have Mr. Griggs on our team, as he was on the Naval Academy's shooting team. Petty Officer 3rd Class Valen was on hand to document the event and even used his new subminiature camera box to capture the event. It is amazing to see the advances in technology as I would have never thought a box camera could fit in your hand.

The temple added more to the mystery this week as Doctors Carruthers and Palmer found another hidden door in the antechamber leading north towards the Highlands. It seems as though they were pressing the stones that moved and found the correct combination. As the door opened the Guardian on the West wall turned his head north and his upper torso shifted as well where the spear tip faced the corridor. I am not getting anywhere near that temple below ground as it always feels evil to me. Lady V will not go down the stairs either and I trust her instincts as animals seem to be able to sense things better than us humans.

Next week we will be playing Rugby against the Brits. The Army's Blacklegs team will go first, taking on their 24th Regiment's team, and then we will play the British engineers the following week. It is nice to have these challenges as it helps to pass the time and get the men’s attentions focused away from the strains of life for a short period of time.

Mr. Griggs confirmed that he will be assuming the Executive Officer role when the RTS Santa Fe battle group returns. We are expecting another squad of Marines to arrive, making it six squads and two platoons, with a colour sergeant as well. Sergeants Garcia and Cromwell will stay as the platoon sergeants and the new colour sergeant will be the company sergeant. No word as yet who the new lieutenant or captain will be. Mr. Griggs is not down in the mouth at all, but is actually looking forward to the change as we will have an officer of higher rank to represent us. Mr. Griggs has come a long way in our time on Venus, and though he still has a ways to go, he has learned to trust the judgement of his senior NCOs.


[Editor's Note: The 1877 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolver in .45 long caliber was the standard issue military side arm for the Republic Military in 1881. The design proved quite popular overseas as well, and was exported to both the United Kingdom and the United States in large quantities. All of the former 1860 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolvers in .44 caliber were either sent to the Yucatan Republic or remained with the Republic Militia Forces. All enlisted men and NCOs are armed with the current service rifle or carbine, depending on service branch. Officers are armed with sword and revolver, and NCOs may carry a revolver as well. Cavalry troopers often carry non-standard issue pistols as back-up to their sabers for mounted combat. The only exception is the Medical Corps, members of which carry pistols only.]

First Man Returned to Earth

05 April ….

Private Wells was transported to Camp Trafalgar aboard our dirigible, Orca, with further transportation to Earth to be carried out aboard the HMS Fitzgerald. It will be another week at least until the RTS Santa Fe is expected to return, and we needed to send Wells back for better treatment than we can deliver on Venus. The other two men, Privates Johnson and Kelley, will return to duty tomorrow, although on a limited status. I just hope this is the last of the deaths and injuries we receive but that would be naïve of me to truly believe. RSM Taggart is feeling more comfortable, as he is almost at full regulation battalion strength and is more than happy his men are returning to duty. All three privates will receive the notorious "bloody slash."

Corporal Mendoza and crew returned back to Fort Humid to build additional water tanks and windmills in which to utilize the water from the wells they have been drilling these past two months. We currently only have two tanks and two windmills, and after their construction project is complete we should have an additional three around the fort's interior. Sergeants Garcia and Cromwell have also been building additional chariots on their spare time, as there are plans to utilize them once the new roads are built. Corporal Jones is still working on the new warehouse and is approximately 90% complete. Corporal Redfeather is working on the brick kiln and intends to send a small aerial patrol further north to find an gravel pit and hopefully a quarry. They will first utilize the Orca piloted by Seaman 1st Johannson, and if they spot a potential site will then send a mounted patrol north. We are still only using mounted patrols as we are better to maneuver from those fast dinos.

RSM Taggart and I talked about our boys and also about the anticipation and speculations of what they will face as fish at G.M.I (Gannon Military Institute). We talked of our time in the service, as we both joined as soon as we were out of school at the tender age of sixteen. Both of us completed school because our dads were both serving as career NCOs in the Republic military. It runs in the family, I suppose. It's still rather unusual, because most men do not graduate from school as the Republic is still very rural. Only about three out of ten men continue past the 6th grade. Petty Officer 3rd Class Valen, our resident Alamo Gazette combat journalist, has still been writing on the troops and Mr. Griggs. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has written about us, as only the officers have been permitted to read the drafts he is sending home. We grunts will just have to wait for a paper to make its way back to us.

Mr. Griggs will have one year in grade come May and will be very happy to start his second year as a subaltern. If we receive more troops, it is very likely we will receive another officer of lieutenant grade and Mr. Griggs will be forced to take on the position of executive, rather than commanding, officer. I think it will be difficult for him to step down in position, as these last seven months he has been in charge of us. We will also receive a colour sergeant as well if that happens. I would be happy to have Garcia promoted, as I am impressed with his performance here on Venus, but he does not have enough time in grade yet. He has only been a sergeant for one year and must at least have two more years in grade before he is eligible for promotion. (This should not be a problem for any of us, since we are the 1% of the Republic Marines who are serving off Earth). Well, I'm off the NCO Mess for dinner and a cigar.

[Editors Note: Wound Stripe (aka the Bloody Slash): For receiving an enemy-inflicted wound in battle, a member of the Republic’s armed forces is eligible to receive a Wound Stripe. This takes the form of a red ribbon, four inches in length, one half inch wide, with the location of the battle in gold on the ribbon. The ribbon is sewn diagonally at a 45-degree angle above the cuff on the left sleeve. Multiple awards are possible; additional ribbons are sewn above the first.]

Healing Wounds

29 March ….

This has been another long week, as construction, storms and the ongoing heightened awareness of the Hun is still driving us to keep our patrols and defenses manned at 100%. Private Wells is still alive, but has been unconscious with fever. The other two men are doing well but are still on bed rest. Doc Armstrong says if all continues to go well with their recovery, the wounded men, excluding Private Wells, will be back to work in another week. Wells is going to be day-to-day on his recovery for at least a month, or until the RTS Santa Fe battlegroup returns. Then he will be transported back to Earth for further treatment in better-equipped hospitals. Camp Trafalgar’s doctors came to assist Monday and provided some homegrown remedies they have found here on Venus. There is a blue colored powder derived from a berry plant's leaves that they use for a pain reliever that works quite well. It is amazing how different plants have different effects on alien planets.

Corporal Redfeather’s crew began construction on a brick kiln so he can make proper roads with bricks, as we have not found a gravel pit or rock quarry as of yet. Corporal Jones keeps piling the lumber up to dry (which is always a chore on rainy Venus). He has almost filled the open warehouse to the roof and will actually stop work at the sawmill next week in order to construct another covered warehouse for storage. Corporal Mendoza’s water well crew is making repairs as they hit some hard rock just north of the Aetherpad.

Sergeant Garcia and Sergeant Cromwell surprised me at the NCO club yesterday with a roast. Seems it has been ten years of years of service under my command when they were raw recruits and nine years since I pulled them through those moist Yucatan rainforests all those years ago. We were part of the first offensive during the Yucatan Conflict and the Frogs and Mexicans were not expecting an attack so far from the border. The Republic of Yucatan is now one of our closest allies, closer, in fact than any nation other than Great Britain. All of the NCOs took a part in the jest and it was quite a pleasant evening. The toast was also premature as it has almost been eighteen years since I enlisted in the service of the Republic.

[Editors Note: The Republic of Yucatan extends south-west with Villahermosa as the border city extending down to Guatemala. The capital is in Campeche and is fortified from the sea. The Republic of Texas and Great Britain recognized them as an independent country in 1874.]

Remembering the Alamo

Fallen Soldiers Remembered

Today, at every Texican Army outpost, and aboard every Texican vessel, a toast will be held, followed by a 13-gun salute - one gun for every day that the defenders of the Alamo mission held out against overwhelming numbers of Mexican soldiers led by that bloodthirsty tyrant, Santa Anna.

We provide the good citizens of Victoria Landing with this information so as to prevent them being startled when the local Texican forces fire their salutes this evening, just as the sun sets.

Mad Scientist Found?

The notorious mad Belgian inventor, Herr Doktor Professor Otto Maton has, as we all know, been the most diligently sought after fugitive from justice the Earth has ever known. His fiendish devices almost toppled the Belgian monarchy back in '79, and his associate Professor Fassenbender's sinister scientific experiments have warped humanity itself!

Recent investigations by a Mister Sherman Homes, of Kensington, London, indicate that the mad doctor and his nefarious associate may have smuggled themselves and some of their diabolical creations to Mars. There is even some hint of agents of the Kaiser being behind his escape to the Red Planet. All citizens of the Empire are encouraged to keep a steady watch for these dangerous foreigners. If you see any giant mechanical men, or small metallic spiders in your neighborhood, please alert the authorities immediately!

Happy Birthday Texas! You too, Sam!

Texas Independence Day

Celebrations for the anniversary of the declaration of independence for the Republic of Texas have begun here in Victoria Landing at the Texican Delegation. Forty-five years ago today, the Republic declared it's independence from the tyranny of the Mexican dictator, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Fireworks, a rodeo, music and dancing are all planned for the festivities.

In addition, the Texican Consul, Mister Andrew Jackson Houston, son of the late first president of the Republic, has provided a traditional Texas barbecue for the prominent citizens of Victoria Landing. Texicans of all stations are invited as well. Two entire sides of beef were brought from Texas for the event. This barbecue is in celebration both of the birth of Mr. Houston's father, who would have been eighty-eight years old today, and Mr. Houston's newborn son, Samuel Andrew Houston, who was delivered of Mrs. Houston here in Victoria Landing two weeks ago.

[Editor's Notes: Today actually is both Sam Houston's birthday and Texas Independence Day. Me, I plan on celebrating with a cold beer or two and a big juicy steak. Have a great day!]