All the cool kids seem to be playing this “Very British Civil War” thing… and I’ve found it a rather intriguing idea. Of course I know nothing of the “official” history or politics or factions, but I imagine there would be some sort of “Republican” movement leaning to the political left, and some sort of “Royalist” movement leaning to the political right… Anyway, that’s what I’ve used.
Slopshire, May 1938
SITUATION
After many weeks of fighting in and around Slopshire. The remains of the Slopshire Textile Workers Trade Union and the Slopshire University Faculty Association are the last holdouts of the Republican cause and have holed up in a ruined industrial area.
SCENARIO
The Royalist forces must attack and winkle out the Republican forces holding the ruined factory complexes.
FORCES
Royalist Forces - 44th Royalist Brigade
C-in-C Colonel “Bert” Lehne
8th Battalion, Royal Highland Regiment (11 – Tac 4, Mor 4)
4th Battalion, Slopshire Rifles. (15 – Tac 4, Mor 4)
231st Trench Mortar Battery (Tac 4, Mor 4)
2nd Platoon, 45th Independent MG Company (Tac 4, Mor 4)
Republican Forces
C-in-C – Comrade Commander W. Brown
Slopshire Textile Workers Trade Union (10 – Tac 2, Mor 4)
Slopshire University Faculty Association (10 – Tac 2, Mor 4)
THE GAME
(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)
The Slopshire University Faculty Association holding out in the ruins of the Powdered Baby Milk Factory.
The Highland Regiment and supporting Machinegun Detachment with the Slopshire Textile Workers Trade Unionists holding the ruined Faux Persian Carpet Factory
Colonel Lehne with the Slopshire Rifles and Trench Mortar Battery begining their advance.
Panoramic of the ruined industrial area.
The Highlanders move up to their Kicking off point and hold for a bit while the MG and the Mortars begin their preparatory barrage of the Slopshire University Faculty Association holding in the ruins of the Powdered Baby Milk Factory.
Ah, CLA…. Artillery is useless, MGs kill everything…
MGs taking their toll on the Slopshire University Faculty Association while the trench mortars bombs go wild.
More casualties caused by the MGs and pretty fireworks from the Trench Mortars.
The Troops ready for the assault waiting for the preparatory barrage to lighten up.
The Rifles begin their advance – taking fire from the Faculty Association.
The assault goes in.
The trench mortar shifted it’s barrage to the ruined Faux Persian Carpet Factory
Where the Slopshire Textile Workers Trade Unionists were hiding amidst the rubble.
Much to the surprise of everyone, a mortar bomb actually fell among the rubble emplacements and caused a few casualties – I think the only casualties the Slopshire Textile Workers Trade Unionists took during the game…
The faculty association sold themselves dearly, but, having been softened up by the withering MG fire, cracked. The few that survived the initial rush of the Rifles quickly surrendered.
The Highlanders go in!
Many of the Slopshire Textile Workers Trade Unionists served in the Great War and were a bit more handy with a rifle. Their fire caused a few casualties among the highlander and their morale wavered.
There was some confusion among the Highlanders and their advance slowed, the Slopshire Textile Workers took full advantage of the stalled advance and cut the highlanders down.
The remaining Highlander beat a hasty retreat but most were shot as they retreated.
We called it a draw at this point. The Republican forces had lost one of their positions and half of their force, but had reduced the Royalist forces to the point were it was futile to continue their attack. They would have to regroup and attack again the next day – during the night the last of the Trade Unionists slipped away under cover of darkness. – hoping to meet up with other Republican forces further south.
Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:
Should have another report for you in a couple days. Maybe a pic of a painting I’m working on that some may find amusing. Nothing happening on the figure painting front.
Great fun. I doubt the average university faculty would make much of a showing - they would be too busy arguing about the management structure of the unit. I speak as a retired academic. :)
ReplyDeleteTim, those buildings are brilliant. Did you make them yourself?
ReplyDeletePaul
Those Republicans are making milk out of powdered babies? Hanging's too good for them, I say!
ReplyDeleteWonderful report!
ReplyDeleteA draw in VBCW is just fine; regroup, enjoy some tea and crumpets and then back on the pitch for more action!
Thanks guys!
ReplyDeleteYes, I made the buildings myself.
Nice report with the sepia-tone photos. :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of PG Wodehouse and also of an old Peter Sellers' film called "I'm All Right Jack", about trade unions and such.
Completely out of context, but I heard this bit of info:
ReplyDelete“It turns out that the son of the late, Ron Stetkewicz will be attending the 2010 Philadelphia Miniaturia in Cherry Hill, NJ this November 5th. I don’t believe he has a booth but is just attending the preview. Then would be the time to talk with him about what you are looking for. His father used to make all the brass hardware in the industry and now his son is going to begin doing it also. Its not that far from where you live, Agnes, so maybe we can meet there. I hope all is well with your husband, and you can make it to the show. Love and Blessings, Midge.”
He could make anything for this line of minis, too.
....?
ReplyDeleteI'd say the faculty morale was a bit too high and they should have had some sort of special ability to cause delays for the attacker.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, their own ability to formulate an execute a plan should also be fairly low.
Perhaps a junior faculty hero could lead the charge but at the risk of being cut down by friendly fire?
On the othe rhand, the textile workers seem to be cut from a different cloth... .