tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1979881029515018772024-03-10T10:50:00.689-07:00A J's Wargames Table"It's amusing, it's amazing, and it's never twice the same: It's the salt of true adventure and the glamour of the game."
Talbot Mundy, The Ivory TrailA Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.comBlogger811125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-9548925470111320632024-02-29T13:05:00.000-08:002024-02-29T13:05:16.803-08:00Painting Peasantry - 3<p>...and a library sale find.</p><p>Some progress on the desultory painting process on the peasants for Lion Rampant. The last batch of twelve out of sixty is on the painting block, and finally the end is in sight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FWw1IewijAKXLwou_Om9E5_QcGOUrHbP7F7uKp1e5iA0qTTgU06bdd1AQXc5Ja7F3ya7XUiv8Fkxcu6I_wNppj2J64GLG33wgCr0MNL6sqnL4XEJXVYc44xlmXD2jh2ACC3p1pObuPXKNlvviXRO2k0A8o3FMSfLUB1wmwpXrWUYwUBe5JmN2URRJ-do/s1600/Jaquerie_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FWw1IewijAKXLwou_Om9E5_QcGOUrHbP7F7uKp1e5iA0qTTgU06bdd1AQXc5Ja7F3ya7XUiv8Fkxcu6I_wNppj2J64GLG33wgCr0MNL6sqnL4XEJXVYc44xlmXD2jh2ACC3p1pObuPXKNlvviXRO2k0A8o3FMSfLUB1wmwpXrWUYwUBe5JmN2URRJ-do/w362-h271/Jaquerie_5.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><p></p>A visit to our local library monthly sale turned up a little gem in the shape of <i>Aircraft of the RAF since 1918</i> by Owen Thetford. As soon as I picked it off the shelf it opened to the page on one of my favourite aircraft, the DH9A Ninak. It was fated that i should buy it for the princely sum of $1.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlY0O-raCQigey5A15svalkqtvhvK2-peslLgz_n6CI6AZrwIm6vOt8yqH385JSZh26ZxRwgZqnILbGszJfyOajzEG73d1UGQa2LNqU508AT42bF8JqnOc8PZSID06kkvZ5nltPvQnLmx9Yd6J3AEmzzcjyU3BKFvj0BQmMdwyM4S0KoRDHN4emfppUbB/s1600/Aircraft%20of%20the%20RAF_since_1918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlY0O-raCQigey5A15svalkqtvhvK2-peslLgz_n6CI6AZrwIm6vOt8yqH385JSZh26ZxRwgZqnILbGszJfyOajzEG73d1UGQa2LNqU508AT42bF8JqnOc8PZSID06kkvZ5nltPvQnLmx9Yd6J3AEmzzcjyU3BKFvj0BQmMdwyM4S0KoRDHN4emfppUbB/s320/Aircraft%20of%20the%20RAF_since_1918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-30812278381550656612024-01-24T12:25:00.000-08:002024-01-24T12:25:58.338-08:00Painting Peasantry - 2<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Some progress on the peasantry. The first batch of twelve is done and ready for the base work. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoSV34KLzrYYhWmFZMGdHeC-C_u2UsIh0Edinh3GvsrlHA9P9p1vCS-EOL5HXeoE5VU1eHEnV2tcioVi5YccB5mHddlZwjH-rXbXOlr4FyKOQTg_0jaXjdF3s5KksBySsAKnSJqBM84Q-CONoksZDXMFLSLIY6TK71FZcfjK8dcepeu3-BVNRBk8ZT7eA/s1600/Jaquerie_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoSV34KLzrYYhWmFZMGdHeC-C_u2UsIh0Edinh3GvsrlHA9P9p1vCS-EOL5HXeoE5VU1eHEnV2tcioVi5YccB5mHddlZwjH-rXbXOlr4FyKOQTg_0jaXjdF3s5KksBySsAKnSJqBM84Q-CONoksZDXMFLSLIY6TK71FZcfjK8dcepeu3-BVNRBk8ZT7eA/w355-h267/Jaquerie_3.jpg" width="355" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I gave these a double dip in the gunk to get the proper hard working, hard used grungy peasant look. For some reason, perhaps the pervading damp weather, the matte varnish turned out a bit shiny. I might give them another go over when the weather's warmer.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next batch are on the painting block, ready for undercoating. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkRXVwE9xGY2cTXCVQA_LB7w2DV_JjVeBGxiQ1-pFq420RG0MYLEaWVEBNgg0dvFLM7DgICrpFEv1oZtzUuxIm0GFaTHSnJDKUvBndLok5JLNp1ObGkyPctitamNjyzQk8-y4pZ-2vnOcckOqE5H2dKtidLIkugC5LwRpmeNrFF0k2wc4QKYFcPtlZPyj/s1600/Jaquerie_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkRXVwE9xGY2cTXCVQA_LB7w2DV_JjVeBGxiQ1-pFq420RG0MYLEaWVEBNgg0dvFLM7DgICrpFEv1oZtzUuxIm0GFaTHSnJDKUvBndLok5JLNp1ObGkyPctitamNjyzQk8-y4pZ-2vnOcckOqE5H2dKtidLIkugC5LwRpmeNrFF0k2wc4QKYFcPtlZPyj/w359-h269/Jaquerie_4.jpg" width="359" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Lying face-down to the right is the 'War Doctor,' a present for my Whovian wife.</span><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-67215705555021254482024-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:002024-01-11T10:41:05.680-08:00Painting Peasantry - 1<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I've made a little progress on the peasantry for Lion Rampant. Given I have sixty figures to paint up I am breaking them down into batches of twelve.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUj7d8nDwNbawVPCYGkDcbNSlNyirnA3JubH3UPHJ0LNsd9SkLmwDxNmXJLK4E5pap4oJSkx6vFypTR49EROIs5qazNWi15O6JJ5kgQ4ECsk-4wP1NeSOPEC8boQ-kIOEBMDGLw4ZcH0vvzKjufiqZHPjTROPdMjiKPJ0NozMhzd8s3NuJhPH4XFHpSKCi/s1600/Jaquerie_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUj7d8nDwNbawVPCYGkDcbNSlNyirnA3JubH3UPHJ0LNsd9SkLmwDxNmXJLK4E5pap4oJSkx6vFypTR49EROIs5qazNWi15O6JJ5kgQ4ECsk-4wP1NeSOPEC8boQ-kIOEBMDGLw4ZcH0vvzKjufiqZHPjTROPdMjiKPJ0NozMhzd8s3NuJhPH4XFHpSKCi/s320/Jaquerie_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A slightly blurry image of progress so far.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I prefer to use a mid brown undercoat for most figures these days, as it's more subtle than black especially for irregular troops like these with mixed coloured clothing. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As usual I painted in the faces and hands before moving on to blocking in the clothing. Thanks to my archaeologist daughter's expertise on historical fabric dyes I can get something approaching the authentic garb our ancestors wore.</span></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-81896434769476973712024-01-01T12:07:00.000-08:002024-01-01T12:07:00.903-08:00Happy New Year! And...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAs0Tabu4OjopyxJPuKkuNTfUlKuQSHm5XiLS3-PgLioiaG2M80TKgBsQp71w7-PH0j6M_0u0UVN7xLK6XiUX0C5NP822ArihaeZW6pvdRN-2ZyRzRsdk1IyB3RMNJlr4TWg3aMqCOC3vj_W0e39IhEKkX1M5zKyJH2HwVl2GRhviV3giK1fCET63gxOs/s1200/Happy%20New%20Year_image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAs0Tabu4OjopyxJPuKkuNTfUlKuQSHm5XiLS3-PgLioiaG2M80TKgBsQp71w7-PH0j6M_0u0UVN7xLK6XiUX0C5NP822ArihaeZW6pvdRN-2ZyRzRsdk1IyB3RMNJlr4TWg3aMqCOC3vj_W0e39IhEKkX1M5zKyJH2HwVl2GRhviV3giK1fCET63gxOs/w494-h278/Happy%20New%20Year_image.jpeg" width="494" /></a></div><br />Some figures. <p></p><p>These chaps are the peasantry contingent for the <i>Lion Rampant</i> First Barons War collection.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEH0TVMOuEKYTxwl7DvTPUJZ53jd1bBW5lACdN2rHtP6RP3nhh7qUBMKB6BablQB50guSjvU75fzMy21UlI4ZByK0Q5Zr4rPjDnZrG-nnM35eleB-hoPSKySfUYPXGDA_asqDBRmTKrV2E7hsXJ2_iFizKkllt_814_KhbKQje6tkdMa-oXf4GFK7pMbJ/s1600/Jaquerie_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEH0TVMOuEKYTxwl7DvTPUJZ53jd1bBW5lACdN2rHtP6RP3nhh7qUBMKB6BablQB50guSjvU75fzMy21UlI4ZByK0Q5Zr4rPjDnZrG-nnM35eleB-hoPSKySfUYPXGDA_asqDBRmTKrV2E7hsXJ2_iFizKkllt_814_KhbKQje6tkdMa-oXf4GFK7pMbJ/s320/Jaquerie_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />They have four basic poses - pitchfork, axe, hatchet, and club. I might convert a few to bidowers (light infantry). There's an extra chap in one pack, so I'm thinking of making a small vignette of a woodcutter.<p></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-88054833756004052302023-12-25T12:54:00.000-08:002023-12-25T12:54:53.835-08:00Merry Christmas!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Merry Christmas, one and all! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j0PQHC31nDBKbl10x9hcbZtEUYgzSlPALyRXH-k4jfPyS819VN89yd9SP6ARmwAVizXYPZRS_ZMLPkJWJ0WX3f4Dfv9EITQBaP1wU1MWJa4w1jAAhA4nL_JxEXpCvweoTDd8X_7VABLXX2I1nPzOcjiQV__WBRFuXUuChIVqLO-ePWlswj5DEkf_eSne/s5989/Merry%20Xmas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4470" data-original-width="5989" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j0PQHC31nDBKbl10x9hcbZtEUYgzSlPALyRXH-k4jfPyS819VN89yd9SP6ARmwAVizXYPZRS_ZMLPkJWJ0WX3f4Dfv9EITQBaP1wU1MWJa4w1jAAhA4nL_JxEXpCvweoTDd8X_7VABLXX2I1nPzOcjiQV__WBRFuXUuChIVqLO-ePWlswj5DEkf_eSne/w524-h392/Merry%20Xmas.jpeg" width="524" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you got some nice shiny gaming related presents. My batch of Blue Moon 15mm peasants/Jaquerie for the First Barons' War arrived a day early, so I'll be working on cleaning them up and painting them over the holiday. With luck I'll be able to game more this year, and the new figures will take their place on the tabletop - where in a fine old wargaming tradition for new units they'll probably get trounced. :)</span><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-46381032551002398002023-12-12T12:14:00.000-08:002023-12-12T12:14:01.653-08:00Library booty<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Our local library had a sale recently at which I picked up a couple of pieces of treasure.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp_UVtag9gL4Px16b-Z1ZQvKYbSPK2kRPV4NZjVkE1ThfAnAIUzG6yj_G0-0Yygl1Bov_pFlydSPmE1CXwvKsTZvtxNXY72zs1FEO1QAMTmyN5ZNC9-FZMUNhQS9w6W-yRZaCMqkYPZHLNe-nMBVEfYAkbmt2qxiETGayUkciH_mEirLTzxWWj72vMkgD/s1600/Libary%20booty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglp_UVtag9gL4Px16b-Z1ZQvKYbSPK2kRPV4NZjVkE1ThfAnAIUzG6yj_G0-0Yygl1Bov_pFlydSPmE1CXwvKsTZvtxNXY72zs1FEO1QAMTmyN5ZNC9-FZMUNhQS9w6W-yRZaCMqkYPZHLNe-nMBVEfYAkbmt2qxiETGayUkciH_mEirLTzxWWj72vMkgD/w382-h287/Libary%20booty.jpg" width="382" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The first recounts the adventures of all Royal Naval VCs of the First World War - including Norman Holbrook, commander of submarine B11 that penetrated the Dardanelles and after whom a town in Australia is named. The second is a famous book on the Siege of Malta and details the naval and mercantile operations to relieve the island.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">* * * * <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After a bit of thought, instead of expanding my ECW collection I decided to round off my 1st Barons' War array with the addition of two packs of Old Glory Blue Moon range Jacquerie figures. They'll make up several bands of peasantry and some of bidowers (light infantry). I dropped onto these at <a href="http://nobleknight.com/" target="_blank">Noble Knight Games</a> for a little over half the retail price, which is a welcome bargain. <br /></span></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-28051986843395246022023-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:002023-11-19T12:06:30.880-08:00A Slight Diversion<p><span style="font-size: small;">Model railways - my other hobby. What with all the strife in the world filling social media and the news every day it's nice to work on something not military-related. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">A few years ago I was lucky enough to drop onto a whole HO scale starter layout including locomotive, rolling stock, an oval circuit of track for only $10 at a Salvation Army shop. I've tinkered with it on and off over the years, and this summer I built a row of shops. These are very much still a work in progress, needing basing, signage, and some touching up and varnishing to stop the printed brickwork from turning into a mess through unexpected moisture.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHfoAvJT0hZwuLUhmKCQ-s29a9vz5_a7NwCfAxPeKIvXIUqoS4DKqjf8MeVzfIBgU92JBsxo_ygmEibLZ71Bl1-GbP_0UeGNUFKulmQ8XGfBZXAReRKiWAls086QPAqx91QfdUYCrvDDDsg_f26nevHw-KWeS6LBhjIcj4FcU3oefP1MJMTChcgIzUnfI/s1600/Bank%20Street_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHfoAvJT0hZwuLUhmKCQ-s29a9vz5_a7NwCfAxPeKIvXIUqoS4DKqjf8MeVzfIBgU92JBsxo_ygmEibLZ71Bl1-GbP_0UeGNUFKulmQ8XGfBZXAReRKiWAls086QPAqx91QfdUYCrvDDDsg_f26nevHw-KWeS6LBhjIcj4FcU3oefP1MJMTChcgIzUnfI/s320/Bank%20Street_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">The centre ones of these came from </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">building templates from a street in Illinois, which I took and adapted. The tower on the left and the green-roofed building on the right I totally scratch built. I may or may not install lighting. We'll see.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Of course I need townsfolk to populate the future community, so I ordered a batch of 100 figures off e-bay. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s7k9PFy0o1IEfTZkkK4dX1wuQ_tqkER0Rom5U9LR9WqFh008Raz8vPpfHLL6a0ZJ1JnAmwg8YOUsLCBVocdU42mDUppOzywQcVdK1L-EiPLAyPsQPHAKkKjo2eassiDSsi556Gc-RmRTTo56LMu1BeEdsakiA0NqX7w3Qj1-nlUtiZYwHtndvTzqhgR-/s1600/Townsfolk_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s7k9PFy0o1IEfTZkkK4dX1wuQ_tqkER0Rom5U9LR9WqFh008Raz8vPpfHLL6a0ZJ1JnAmwg8YOUsLCBVocdU42mDUppOzywQcVdK1L-EiPLAyPsQPHAKkKjo2eassiDSsi556Gc-RmRTTo56LMu1BeEdsakiA0NqX7w3Qj1-nlUtiZYwHtndvTzqhgR-/s320/Townsfolk_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">They're made in China of hard plastic and come in a reasonable variety of poses. Two things became clear immediately - a lack of ethnic diversity and a surprising choice of clothing colours, most quite garish.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Luckily it doesn't take much to do a little cut-and-shut work in rearranging limbs, and the plastic takes ordinary craft paint quite easily. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cUvVxC8klkTaZ0QhUGZwyOgMHNHnTcu8RtuGQakYmZCAhPsA_dsMMZ96DuHHVohSeAjV7zml_8sgNhP1vudzzSCAbzP0TB9TSzlOpbBLCWQhyphenhyphenf4FOwbTaLDK5FcQIBazo6fQVDIsAbtbuLPa6wZY3gnA6CmfOMXUZFuHr1raj_0HKzeNf1O8r4hAxSmr/s1136/Townsfolk_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1136" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cUvVxC8klkTaZ0QhUGZwyOgMHNHnTcu8RtuGQakYmZCAhPsA_dsMMZ96DuHHVohSeAjV7zml_8sgNhP1vudzzSCAbzP0TB9TSzlOpbBLCWQhyphenhyphenf4FOwbTaLDK5FcQIBazo6fQVDIsAbtbuLPa6wZY3gnA6CmfOMXUZFuHr1raj_0HKzeNf1O8r4hAxSmr/s320/Townsfolk_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />If there's sufficient interest I may set up a separate blog to cover my occasional fumblings and stumblings through the model railway hobby. Do NOT expect ultra-precise prototypical 'button counting' work. I don't roll that way. ;)</span><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-35098352753723897022023-11-11T08:12:00.003-08:002023-11-11T08:12:51.742-08:00We will remember them.<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x10flsy6 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x41vudc x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto">They
shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary
them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the
morning, We will remember them.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2satMhp2BOHU8LGscLygNvmiYFm4zOU65UUJ2bXgbZf3WCzeusSARUts6wjS52hyfLOl-V5x83RTks_An2mR2WU7kLIbmNQhp8Ahj9rYkvnWZb1eslR04ioDbMOzIXqbrhIonZyUaSPrD2X2a7mf51rUpHt2_mhyphenhyphen5FJEEIiUCf3UlYCK4o7rrd_xEdoc/s500/Poppy%20field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="500" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2satMhp2BOHU8LGscLygNvmiYFm4zOU65UUJ2bXgbZf3WCzeusSARUts6wjS52hyfLOl-V5x83RTks_An2mR2WU7kLIbmNQhp8Ahj9rYkvnWZb1eslR04ioDbMOzIXqbrhIonZyUaSPrD2X2a7mf51rUpHt2_mhyphenhyphen5FJEEIiUCf3UlYCK4o7rrd_xEdoc/w450-h281/Poppy%20field.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x10flsy6 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x4zkp8e x41vudc x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><br /></span><p></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-28103087372399984582023-10-10T11:45:00.005-07:002023-10-10T11:45:55.158-07:00Change of plans.<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In light of the horrific situation in Palestine I've decided against starting a WW1 Middle Eastern collection. It seems too near the knuckle to game a location that's currently seeing so much bloodshed. I've decided instead to expand my existing ECW collection to a size more reasonable to game with. It'll basically mean adding to each side three or four regiments of foot, a regiment of dragoons and perhaps another cavalry regiment apiece too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8cP41yvh_jOst79dUyOUglj8ttIkS9Vn2hgVYACwabXIqbCeKA_L5q028A_Il2sXByPpmVzuStYs-eI_Dg5NqPkvyH78N9Bzykr5mmXZ-9EPU9IwpMa8Fy1-_Uf7uBvT2fn9A_Ehbp5yy4DTzrSgXJAzY8LcBCzj9EsQxtDy4QHhOjelBMOsKR7nUJ_Q/s768/Oh%20shit%20the%20colonels%20here.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8cP41yvh_jOst79dUyOUglj8ttIkS9Vn2hgVYACwabXIqbCeKA_L5q028A_Il2sXByPpmVzuStYs-eI_Dg5NqPkvyH78N9Bzykr5mmXZ-9EPU9IwpMa8Fy1-_Uf7uBvT2fn9A_Ehbp5yy4DTzrSgXJAzY8LcBCzj9EsQxtDy4QHhOjelBMOsKR7nUJ_Q/w393-h197/Oh%20shit%20the%20colonels%20here.jpeg" width="393" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh sh-t! The colonel's here!</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-52834706853669885202023-10-06T12:58:00.001-07:002023-10-06T12:58:44.785-07:00It's been a while...<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A busy l</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ife and dealing with long Covid suppressed any desire I had to game over the summer months. Now the cooler weather's here I'm thinking of starting up again, perhaps with a new 10mm project, perhaps by expanding an old one. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a nod to the potential new project I recently bought Allenby's Gunners...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hcdkBwqdSW_JRNzSYDjuTfghyphenhyphenF52OKgZzC0wbwEBOSsvVeqZWqHPFv5dm6BSRw8bxjqTIRTB_Wd5LQhCMMb-HsZyRmAY_jmBKAADpp1AKVihqIocgQ8LVFIf-Wzg0cJvRu4GD2AA7qFcvbb69ID5zkiY7OsP3SJKpjqNNR86v7ftWeQ-i6AqtfzyZu9o/s359/Allenby%20Gunners.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hcdkBwqdSW_JRNzSYDjuTfghyphenhyphenF52OKgZzC0wbwEBOSsvVeqZWqHPFv5dm6BSRw8bxjqTIRTB_Wd5LQhCMMb-HsZyRmAY_jmBKAADpp1AKVihqIocgQ8LVFIf-Wzg0cJvRu4GD2AA7qFcvbb69ID5zkiY7OsP3SJKpjqNNR86v7ftWeQ-i6AqtfzyZu9o/s320/Allenby%20Gunners.jpeg" width="267" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The blurb...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The book tells the story of artillery in the
highly successful World War I Sinai and Palestine campaigns. Following
Gallipoli and the reconstitution of the AIF, a shortage of Australian
gunners saw British Territorial artillery allotted to the Australian
Light Horse and New Zealand Mounted Rifle brigades. It was a
relationship that would prove highly successful and Allenby's Gunners
provides a detailed and colorful description of the artillery war,
cavalry and infantry operations from the first battles of Romani and
Rafa, through the tough actions of Gaza, the Palestine desert, Jordan
Valley and Amman to the capture of Jerusalem. The story concludes with
the superb victory of Megiddo and the taking of Damascus until the
theater armistice of 1918.<br /><br />Smith Covers the trials and triumphs
of the gunners as they honed their art in one of the most difficult
battlefield environments of the war. The desert proved hostile and
unrelenting, testing the gunners, their weapons and their animals in the
harsh conditions. The gunners' adversary, the wily and skillful Ottoman
artillerymen, endured the same horrendous conditions and proved a tough
and courageous foe. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've yet to start in on the book, but it sounds promising. There are a number of blogs out in the blogosphere which are inspirational, such as:-</span></span></p><p><a href="https://gridbasedwargaming.blogspot.com/2022/07/solo-ww1-palestine-campaign-rules.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grid based Wargaming</span></span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.michaelscott.name/ww1/ww1blog/ww1blogpost004.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Michael Scott's WW1 Blog</span></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Although Michael hasn't posted anything on this project for a while, it's still inspiring stuff. He bases his gaming on the Too Fat Lardies <a href="https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product-category/if-the-lord-spares-us/" target="_blank"><i>If the Lord Spares Us</i></a> rules set, which I plan to use as they lend themselves to solo play. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, I might begin a new period in this interesting theatre of the Great War, with its eclectic mix of units types and terrain - plus Lawrence of Arabia! Or, I might continue with my ECW collection, expanding from the handful of foote and horse to something approaching a worthwhile army for both Parliament and Royalists. Decisions decisions...<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-64111048521154135662023-03-26T12:30:00.003-07:002023-03-26T12:30:44.053-07:00Brothers in Arms: Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm on a bit of a Second World War kick at the moment. After quickly finishing the book covering the Madagascar campaign I found </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">our local library has </span>this book on their listings, so put in a request. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKHSB1tnlnznD-T6nVxBancSi7L6Z9wY01_9sVRTu95PPIyvf8W3zD1cx5fjhDpiWvLo5Q8ILCOytv_tQn6768ZNSyX7rVBv931xrbcEGpXl-SqoGILdc29-p4-xLr5R3nNBtz08nNZJA7qdr_RSffNCUm3lNXjjVOIpTn00VhH32kfKrH4Cz2CKs1g/s488/Brothers%20in%20Arms.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKHSB1tnlnznD-T6nVxBancSi7L6Z9wY01_9sVRTu95PPIyvf8W3zD1cx5fjhDpiWvLo5Q8ILCOytv_tQn6768ZNSyX7rVBv931xrbcEGpXl-SqoGILdc29-p4-xLr5R3nNBtz08nNZJA7qdr_RSffNCUm3lNXjjVOIpTn00VhH32kfKrH4Cz2CKs1g/w389-h389/Brothers%20in%20Arms.jpeg" width="389" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Although I'm not quite at the half-way mark I can definitely say it's a brilliant read, quite gripping in its account of the regiment's actions in Normandy. Holland does have an excellent sense of narrative, making the men and the scenes - all too many of which are harrowing - come alive to the reader. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So far the book has covered some actions fans of the Too Fat Lardies' <i>Chain of Command</i> rules are familiar with - especially Operation Martlet, with the fighting around Fontenay and beyond, which is covered by their pint-sized campaigns book. Recommended. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On a personal note, I'm slowly reaching the sunlit uplands of health after fighting off the worst of Covid. Paxlovid medication helps, but of course anyone who has had to take this stuff should be familiar with one of the side-effects - a semi-permanent taste in your mouth that makes you feel you've licked something like this, all over...</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhalb6Sb8oBKuLdTbQz7hgyFqATj6EpxJzSX0oX-TvTUrdCtktTEXKnYX7jrfdXecCzvxDFY1YriZhx4T5PFDMQjBGr8eomsj3iBfyjQCtBHBDj0pi_uVHfRI5Rh5o-4aufvUnfZR9DF7AL_sBr8vJJATaRRTtf_YntHfA0rNUx1J_D0pGT6T9BBF9aw/s800/Rusty%20the%20Sherman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhalb6Sb8oBKuLdTbQz7hgyFqATj6EpxJzSX0oX-TvTUrdCtktTEXKnYX7jrfdXecCzvxDFY1YriZhx4T5PFDMQjBGr8eomsj3iBfyjQCtBHBDj0pi_uVHfRI5Rh5o-4aufvUnfZR9DF7AL_sBr8vJJATaRRTtf_YntHfA0rNUx1J_D0pGT6T9BBF9aw/s320/Rusty%20the%20Sherman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rusty the Sherman says Hi!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-53050729613540285462023-03-22T09:22:00.004-07:002023-03-22T09:22:49.978-07:00Some sick bay reading<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Covid has sunk its nasty claws into my wife and me yet again. I feel like ten miles of rocky road. Thankfully I have a couple of books to cheer me up while I get over this crap.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The first is <i>A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar. </i>Detailing the move by the Allies to occupy the French colony to prevent it being used as an advanced base by the Japanese, it saw heavy fighting against Vichy French forces. It served as a test bed for seaborne assault techniques, which stood the Allies in good stead during the Normandy landings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCrcL9A3bvJFjSKdsmzij6Q2LtuYwh2D689QTIsgsU_I71seasp_Dc3MK8uMdu07L3vRDDGNcTp7DLrnoPRsbQXFWgpipkxg0r1kZsRhTzg68_WOS3q8rcyXVUy_yTf9inLwfEXdb4MnT2mwgUNIugAZZrPsk12qsWH1y977vR-G3n-d7w1cxZTr1QA/s600/A%20Strange%20Campaign_The%20Battle%20for%20Madagascar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCrcL9A3bvJFjSKdsmzij6Q2LtuYwh2D689QTIsgsU_I71seasp_Dc3MK8uMdu07L3vRDDGNcTp7DLrnoPRsbQXFWgpipkxg0r1kZsRhTzg68_WOS3q8rcyXVUy_yTf9inLwfEXdb4MnT2mwgUNIugAZZrPsk12qsWH1y977vR-G3n-d7w1cxZTr1QA/w467-h245/A%20Strange%20Campaign_The%20Battle%20for%20Madagascar.png" width="467" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">The second book is <i>Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze</i>. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrkZZW9E0QlROMPqaIcbYt83vv_y2m2L2s7LZMWGlMBhBUb4adXp4Nsd13mbzHIcZ7CX6frZsP3WmPswSWrZ_UzqJ72v9uuPf-_27mvs3Na9hCJAKQ6GWzjCoSI9lFvZaUJHwbJUMrT1xEud2GwOngv74qNKoZOPeSuzDI2p08WD3ToTQFUA28KKfbg/s210/Shanghai%201937.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="210" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrkZZW9E0QlROMPqaIcbYt83vv_y2m2L2s7LZMWGlMBhBUb4adXp4Nsd13mbzHIcZ7CX6frZsP3WmPswSWrZ_UzqJ72v9uuPf-_27mvs3Na9hCJAKQ6GWzjCoSI9lFvZaUJHwbJUMrT1xEud2GwOngv74qNKoZOPeSuzDI2p08WD3ToTQFUA28KKfbg/w325-h325/Shanghai%201937.jpeg" width="325" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i>This covers the long drawn out battle for the city between Chinese and Japanese forces during the 1937-1945 war that led to the rise in Chinese nationalism against the Colonial powers. An excellent and epic movie was made about the defiant defense of the Sihang warehouse by eight hundred men of the Chinese army against relentless Japanese attacks, all under the astonished gaze of the Westerners across the canal. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mw1tgQQcdXuX-YM7np-tw_a_mZ0MpIKPi44lRwvaUlAWMwmf74IMFn38lm3BML7I5n_wNgwogwTRToEndCiHiSVfucL085JB8Ye7jqTkZELmSwSLovRiKsFxcYJPa9pTMazaBPM2tVDrscJEeGgoghOtTmwzB3IzUdkr1Eic_T7nqtpnLvNhy4X53w/s1024/The%20800.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="1024" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mw1tgQQcdXuX-YM7np-tw_a_mZ0MpIKPi44lRwvaUlAWMwmf74IMFn38lm3BML7I5n_wNgwogwTRToEndCiHiSVfucL085JB8Ye7jqTkZELmSwSLovRiKsFxcYJPa9pTMazaBPM2tVDrscJEeGgoghOtTmwzB3IzUdkr1Eic_T7nqtpnLvNhy4X53w/s320/The%20800.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Certainly worth a look. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-26091734218960062672023-03-06T11:15:00.003-08:002023-03-06T11:15:59.472-08:00Town temple ~ Beginnings<p>When most people think of a Roman temple they usually picture this, seen here in the original colours...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5Lyy7hltkFvc_N2qinc-QeYqbUqQAhjIpEUe4nlYRpcGzNjBviKhDYjavd5n3naZSnmQ02DfT5hRGZVdLf3Oh9suLTXhCDrthF_WkfmecDaYQ3gnjSBnf6ANQMgtoCWff3G4FgIEWGAf_55cdEJHaFm_6k-CFXBCiaFPm3oYh7pdemhqhDqclgISEQ/s800/Heyday%20of%20a%20Temple.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="800" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5Lyy7hltkFvc_N2qinc-QeYqbUqQAhjIpEUe4nlYRpcGzNjBviKhDYjavd5n3naZSnmQ02DfT5hRGZVdLf3Oh9suLTXhCDrthF_WkfmecDaYQ3gnjSBnf6ANQMgtoCWff3G4FgIEWGAf_55cdEJHaFm_6k-CFXBCiaFPm3oYh7pdemhqhDqclgISEQ/w435-h227/Heyday%20of%20a%20Temple.jpeg" width="435" /></a></div><p></p><p>In reality there were different designs, such as the Romano-British 'temenos' style. This is a reconstruction of one near Nottingham, UK.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdNRAsCf0b-gfsPjDWAX1dXaPcIdCwClbxsTlBKqZwLqrtNbQTkheSS7k5rNspBVJVFMiXMrrUK9pZLGTJxRE9gw6q841Ogp2oObdRUcX4KDLYCRQdBNB2BPUJnpgavqmlVt4DaaKe9MrxkNPK_cUkEDusw7n0MqVzGH-Ivg2HwXxR7vwUycuUS4PCQ/s750/Roman_British%20temple.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="750" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdNRAsCf0b-gfsPjDWAX1dXaPcIdCwClbxsTlBKqZwLqrtNbQTkheSS7k5rNspBVJVFMiXMrrUK9pZLGTJxRE9gw6q841Ogp2oObdRUcX4KDLYCRQdBNB2BPUJnpgavqmlVt4DaaKe9MrxkNPK_cUkEDusw7n0MqVzGH-Ivg2HwXxR7vwUycuUS4PCQ/s320/Roman_British%20temple.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>I built one of these with the attendant high priest/priestesses' house years ago...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1OqFWWYFDxyAKkiP8mRjyL4wyOxIaPYwTVi0IvzTyYaGFvmhM_nfPc47PaB51y9W5N8yIO3MKBpbOf5hufmhehjkbATD9ydGQUjMMSVxKpecDdl_baA3u-SDojQWSDrIJlN2ClEdvaI-oVfMp61hcXRvRwq8-zl6CYnZ8jhorRkVyGgiTBpgCHA20w/s1600/Temenos%20temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1OqFWWYFDxyAKkiP8mRjyL4wyOxIaPYwTVi0IvzTyYaGFvmhM_nfPc47PaB51y9W5N8yIO3MKBpbOf5hufmhehjkbATD9ydGQUjMMSVxKpecDdl_baA3u-SDojQWSDrIJlN2ClEdvaI-oVfMp61hcXRvRwq8-zl6CYnZ8jhorRkVyGgiTBpgCHA20w/s320/Temenos%20temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, that green is a bit lurid. I'll tone it down when I get time.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>...but no thoroughly civilised Roman town should be without at least one in the classic Mediterranean style.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH8nC5RzGqjTs_ZXLh218id1m6SP2pRn9ZJaRSrWRrGEhi09jUXFOrhvI7GZ9WVoXGud34qcNjQuOOCe6JQpGyaixv0Sz1L53UOClRwXrJcd_ppe-wXYfCiwQm7qioq6jHbMm3FkkLKwbrhoL_CMaN0GKwS08zsPLZYE4bZQL9F_ss5cA2JI00SoinA/s1600/Beginnings%20of%20classic%20temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH8nC5RzGqjTs_ZXLh218id1m6SP2pRn9ZJaRSrWRrGEhi09jUXFOrhvI7GZ9WVoXGud34qcNjQuOOCe6JQpGyaixv0Sz1L53UOClRwXrJcd_ppe-wXYfCiwQm7qioq6jHbMm3FkkLKwbrhoL_CMaN0GKwS08zsPLZYE4bZQL9F_ss5cA2JI00SoinA/s320/Beginnings%20of%20classic%20temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The beginnings of the temple, with an expanded foam core mounted on thick card and a square of MDF. Next up will be to clad the walls, fit the columns then the roof.</p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-20240649984780078592023-02-28T08:49:00.005-08:002023-02-28T08:49:49.022-08:00A little construction work.<p>Some years ago I began work on a 1/300th scale Roman town, with modular pieces which can be interchanged to alter the layout. Emigrating and other stuff rather got in the way, so it's been a while since I added to the set-up.</p><p>Here's a trio of urban buildings, based on archaeological interpretations of Silchester, Deva and Venta Icenorum. The middle is a courtyard apartment block, the right a combined apartment/emporium, and the lower left another, slightly fancier urban dwelling. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR2aixjEEMqJXiyLJaejCKn3YgDqSq9I-Gv0icgCr1rbdN3teME2-usM9Wc78C5sIbvCKzKws9YFpKnniWIir2T5Xcc9ad43IkxFhW7Yxw4N6jI8RLtNTb4oSWoicX2gJdtZ7rdF1dugpip_VCYnR9x06-rHUNjo-wMa3Ql5Fxpn1W_W8ZlV_74qXtA/s4288/Roman%20town%20buildings_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR2aixjEEMqJXiyLJaejCKn3YgDqSq9I-Gv0icgCr1rbdN3teME2-usM9Wc78C5sIbvCKzKws9YFpKnniWIir2T5Xcc9ad43IkxFhW7Yxw4N6jI8RLtNTb4oSWoicX2gJdtZ7rdF1dugpip_VCYnR9x06-rHUNjo-wMa3Ql5Fxpn1W_W8ZlV_74qXtA/w372-h249/Roman%20town%20buildings_1.JPG" width="372" /></a></div><p></p><p>Construction is card on foamcore and expanded polystyrene off cuts. The emporium columns are slim cocktail sticks, those of the fancier building lengths of expired ballpoint pen tube. A balcony will go on top of this.</p><p>They're all a bit basic right now. Once I've filled up some gaps they'll get a coat of paint/filler mix then window and door detailing.<br /></p><p>Following an idea from another gamer I plan to mount these on square sections of quarter inch thick floor tile, which should be sturdy enough for the purpose. Ideas for a temple and a theatre are bubbling away at the back of my mind. Just got to work out the details...</p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-52700634072641838822023-01-29T08:21:00.000-08:002023-01-29T08:21:09.809-08:00Library Haul<p>Our local library service held one of its book sales this past week. I scored these three books - Churchill's biography for a few dollars, the Ballard books for free!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBBG3uo2gO3cpX6jNoyOJFLaERMJXEianx9Uz6A5BvPncgp1ipNi42EW6t_Me743qPkXARV9gHH3Ef8eHCZIDih9TsIrMKVErOcZ-EeXfcgHpnYIvNJBmrxb2Tj_fcUW4wE7-gncyT0SKJ30VsFcEh1fl6D0QM9aPxx8Qmlwcit65xG1TZ97GalBxrA/s4288/Ballard%20books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBBG3uo2gO3cpX6jNoyOJFLaERMJXEianx9Uz6A5BvPncgp1ipNi42EW6t_Me743qPkXARV9gHH3Ef8eHCZIDih9TsIrMKVErOcZ-EeXfcgHpnYIvNJBmrxb2Tj_fcUW4wE7-gncyT0SKJ30VsFcEh1fl6D0QM9aPxx8Qmlwcit65xG1TZ97GalBxrA/w419-h280/Ballard%20books.JPG" width="419" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ballard's discovery of the Bismarck needs no explanation. He also explored the waters off Guadacanal, the rightly named Ironbottom Sound, with a number of survivors of those 1942 battles aboard his research vessel. The book contains a wealth of photos of those sunken ships, their guns still eerily pointing at each other.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0yoYtk00qX0yBXW19HaWHh5CiwAgtkxjFJ-I_VrZzHM0IN7RAypdbKTCjFpLHKrU1CL5ow_B8BhteNlM6qj3x-B3LIZix7ArZKxxLDCOvkxAn5U6xBwG6gCkbNVYK0XtEhWLT9BnyNQTIeoUhQDrO0GU-BCvJ3cu7L9gO-dts8e-3hHF69JvUlvZpw/s4288/Churchill%20bio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0yoYtk00qX0yBXW19HaWHh5CiwAgtkxjFJ-I_VrZzHM0IN7RAypdbKTCjFpLHKrU1CL5ow_B8BhteNlM6qj3x-B3LIZix7ArZKxxLDCOvkxAn5U6xBwG6gCkbNVYK0XtEhWLT9BnyNQTIeoUhQDrO0GU-BCvJ3cu7L9gO-dts8e-3hHF69JvUlvZpw/s320/Churchill%20bio.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />Violet Bonham-Carter's biography of Churchill covers the years from their first encounter in 1906 to 1916, which of course covers the First World War and the ill-fated Dardanelles campaign. Useful stuff for the insights to his life and career. <p></p><p><br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-62747635965877902832022-12-31T09:46:00.003-08:002022-12-31T13:31:44.116-08:00Happy New Year!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LMhfIricd4cN-Axti6aicx2lU5VCWDo6KVIO1uxXbL4R3aE2pu0pBsu5rCSkgdEYNR-RF9TH8XKNuVGyK6V6HvvdELTCQrcyQ41pWf13z7rp9oSGZx5b9bpQs3o1EfA2_u64Syevjjwofks0zkrv3HqyYKokOE6gh3RBsdIwlGf38t0eLkfTqxxGhQ/s600/Happy%20New%20Year%20image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LMhfIricd4cN-Axti6aicx2lU5VCWDo6KVIO1uxXbL4R3aE2pu0pBsu5rCSkgdEYNR-RF9TH8XKNuVGyK6V6HvvdELTCQrcyQ41pWf13z7rp9oSGZx5b9bpQs3o1EfA2_u64Syevjjwofks0zkrv3HqyYKokOE6gh3RBsdIwlGf38t0eLkfTqxxGhQ/w470-h326/Happy%20New%20Year%20image.jpeg" width="470" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year to all. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was a funny old year. I didn't get much gaming in, real life having too many distractions including catching Covid-19 back in May. This coming year promises to be better. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I hope to finish the 1906 alternate history pre-Dreadnaught naval campaign, and maybe round out some of my existing collections before embarking on something new (First World War Palestine keeps singing a siren song - <a href="https://gridbasedwargaming.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Grid Based Wargaming</a> has an excellent campaign running at the moment).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, take care everybody, look after yourselves, and let's hope this coming year is a bit less mad for us all. <br /></span></p><br />A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-68586612660521682272022-11-11T13:16:00.000-08:002022-11-11T13:16:20.018-08:00We will remember them<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:<br />
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.<br />
At the going down of the sun and in the morning<br />
We will remember them.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm80sHkBvFix4lkN29MiSlWOKtxlm3PAJ6dQQnn--2PDs-wIYr7eKXR26yKM1ny54qDxpUKo-GiD2mDJIZQH6VGbBb2TjFkLtY1TJRLDy6Cn7Y4sH9hCvJya8ylFIlFGG1W5sJRaJI7nEqc9oRetwhQ3laQ6Fhw1Iklg8ZfuU5c9E0QHGKkyTdOZ9Dw/s1280/Poppies.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm80sHkBvFix4lkN29MiSlWOKtxlm3PAJ6dQQnn--2PDs-wIYr7eKXR26yKM1ny54qDxpUKo-GiD2mDJIZQH6VGbBb2TjFkLtY1TJRLDy6Cn7Y4sH9hCvJya8ylFIlFGG1W5sJRaJI7nEqc9oRetwhQ3laQ6Fhw1Iklg8ZfuU5c9E0QHGKkyTdOZ9Dw/w425-h283/Poppies.jpeg" width="425" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-6083342205561987742022-11-04T13:19:00.004-07:002022-11-04T13:19:45.832-07:00Heligoland - After game thoughts<p>Whilst most games go well, some games just feel... wrong. The Heligoland action is one such. In real life the Royal Navy was reluctant to tackle the island's defences, especially after they were upgraded in 1912. In the game I ran, the navy had far too easy a time of it, and it wasn't merely down to dice rolls. </p><p>I'll revisit the rules and see where they need tweaking. The 28cm howitzers, for instance, should do far more damage. <br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-54921794777361628162022-09-28T12:32:00.002-07:002022-09-28T12:32:48.932-07:00Bombardment of Heligoland ~ Part 2<p>As the Bombardment Group went about on the next westward leg, matters went from bad to worse with <i>Empress of India.</i> An 11 inch shell screamed in, striking her stern and damaging the rudder flat. Her steering shot, <i>Empress of India </i>began to swerve out of the line to port. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtgk-L9t3NJewERqu6WVbHCWB0Miiv-u463lCXWWOzw3XnQ6exKTD5JaLD-q532PAHhWQHlNRzuCg3nV8oCvmKesEq8q6DqzeHJKU0zlhgddH0yYub5nIBkOQLmjxJUJDTu07EGM2fO-SR6JbejbBfcbzx06HrM5D9n-Nop-0DxtpXi6nl-pQU9rPXQ/s4288/19_E%20of%20I%20rudder%20hit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtgk-L9t3NJewERqu6WVbHCWB0Miiv-u463lCXWWOzw3XnQ6exKTD5JaLD-q532PAHhWQHlNRzuCg3nV8oCvmKesEq8q6DqzeHJKU0zlhgddH0yYub5nIBkOQLmjxJUJDTu07EGM2fO-SR6JbejbBfcbzx06HrM5D9n-Nop-0DxtpXi6nl-pQU9rPXQ/s320/19_E%20of%20I%20rudder%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The damage control party were soon on the scene. EA Bert Hoskins scratched his head as he regarded the steel shard jammed in the rudder trunk. The whistle of the wind and the roar of battle came through the hole in the deck above his head where the enemy shell had entered.</p><p>"I dunno, Frank," he shouted to his mate, EA Frank Arkwright. "How should we fix this'n, then?"</p><p>"Do wot my Old Man always did when 'e 'ad a problem, mechanical-like," Frank replied in a gentle clatter of dropped aitches. "'It it wiv an 'ammer!"</p><p>"Right you are, lad." Bert held out his hand. "Pass me that there sledge'ammer..."</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Captain Marsh commanding <i>Empress of India</i> ordered a reduction in speed to take the strain off the rudder while repairs were made. The <i>Empress </i>described one full circle, her two fit consorts passing north of her and <i>Royal Sovereign</i> slowing to pass south. The wounded ship resounded with solid clangs and grunts before finally a cheerful voice came from the confines of the rudder flat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Try the bugger now, sir!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The message - suitably bowdlerised - made its way to the bridge. The quartermaster tentatively tried the ships wheel before grinning and nodding to his Captain. "Helm's answering, sir!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"And at the end of it all we merely exchanged places in the line." Marsh nodded approval. "Tell the engineering lads <i>well done</i>, and they can ask for an extra tot of run when this business is over."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qyaLsUaJvJ8tbNuNiQON-9gMltyDeD2h_S2KNyEWkYAhLpBAad-uYezOp6kb8tLhUtp3cNd_9EaI5FevSjj1w5llvn5d4jzZd-pjyMXpdBMSgzxnhbClBDJRACsFAblrwVX2ug3J-aF6_WDQyWqN4S08JegUQm7MXYEQ6tOK2uzTmosaTn5giI4X5Q/s4288/20_Hit%20it%20wiv%20a%20hammer.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qyaLsUaJvJ8tbNuNiQON-9gMltyDeD2h_S2KNyEWkYAhLpBAad-uYezOp6kb8tLhUtp3cNd_9EaI5FevSjj1w5llvn5d4jzZd-pjyMXpdBMSgzxnhbClBDJRACsFAblrwVX2ug3J-aF6_WDQyWqN4S08JegUQm7MXYEQ6tOK2uzTmosaTn5giI4X5Q/s320/20_Hit%20it%20wiv%20a%20hammer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>To the north the effects of the bombardment were increasing. The island resembled a volcano as shell bursts dotted the once-pristine surface. Two more emplacements erupted in flame and ruin as 13.5 inch shells found their mark. Fires raged in the upper village to lend an awful human tragedy to the scene. The steeple of St. Nikolas' Church rose serenely above it all.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj940Nn5970VsKjyz2ACHbgv7PR8mxQB0pA0Enk1uK30pMWBqKwH1IbpCvCVJJ4Ae4pPssHPV0MAxHzSD2syJ_xtNb0afHnDKGFUiqSqkGXDl9jrAXdx6ultas3YabgnqntzRVqQ9tWXCU2uzzhWgtLIdopNcjzkilkh3J8op-y892gVmQEvk93elBBoQ/s4288/21_More%20emplacements%20hit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj940Nn5970VsKjyz2ACHbgv7PR8mxQB0pA0Enk1uK30pMWBqKwH1IbpCvCVJJ4Ae4pPssHPV0MAxHzSD2syJ_xtNb0afHnDKGFUiqSqkGXDl9jrAXdx6ultas3YabgnqntzRVqQ9tWXCU2uzzhWgtLIdopNcjzkilkh3J8op-y892gVmQEvk93elBBoQ/s320/21_More%20emplacements%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5nMImpbZEVzHnUz3-iQcXyaaR3Ed_YynqI9I7ix-Z_vT-_3SRaujVtkXmypStMzrDMBWpAtRTwYj7cAdtQZBGXJkLj32AkUzRvNcWMdtzxSrgctkCULo30610EKLPD_tVC2hE-82gAbUbCCOHTgtqi-zPULxE4a2-pIGdcqgMxzssVaCQzDicn6_Ig/s4288/22_Fire%20degrading%20fast.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5nMImpbZEVzHnUz3-iQcXyaaR3Ed_YynqI9I7ix-Z_vT-_3SRaujVtkXmypStMzrDMBWpAtRTwYj7cAdtQZBGXJkLj32AkUzRvNcWMdtzxSrgctkCULo30610EKLPD_tVC2hE-82gAbUbCCOHTgtqi-zPULxE4a2-pIGdcqgMxzssVaCQzDicn6_Ig/s320/22_Fire%20degrading%20fast.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The next salvo destroyed the sole surviving 11 inch gun turret, effectively ending the island's heaviest-hitting artillery. Heligoland's defence now depended on the 28 cm howitzers, which had made a good show at pulverising <i>Royal Sovereign's</i> secondary armament, but had failed to penetrate her main belt and deck armour.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0rX3uTgX0zOB0k_H6A7LAvFHCHyOUSHxmTkfniNG2fdYErSAnl6sKNSG9wU8G-4sOKja-LmQ685rKvCfRg0sQZxITdOjb2WwaybqSlZZF2_vLih1GgV1cP-YUMrhfzoVRxJiIHJ1kXXlfyvBlgfbuLortHxm3pvwzHaV7noGJgALTijXWXxMwOHGrg/s4288/23_Last%20turret%20hit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0rX3uTgX0zOB0k_H6A7LAvFHCHyOUSHxmTkfniNG2fdYErSAnl6sKNSG9wU8G-4sOKja-LmQ685rKvCfRg0sQZxITdOjb2WwaybqSlZZF2_vLih1GgV1cP-YUMrhfzoVRxJiIHJ1kXXlfyvBlgfbuLortHxm3pvwzHaV7noGJgALTijXWXxMwOHGrg/s320/23_Last%20turret%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Edwards squinted through his binoculars. "Another hit on the civilian area, sir."</p><p>"Bloody hell," Ramsay muttered. "<i>Resolution</i> again?"</p><p>"Yes sir, but not to worry." Edwards lowered his binoculars and smiled. "She hit the enemy barracks this time." <br /></p><p>"It seems Captain Cavendish had a word with Thessiger."</p><p>"Quite likely, sir."<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-TJ_rwf7SDScXW4IAKBWOeXPMFBlsCHGVR0gNHHrhjvEqlHNt_w5bcJOd6XHoY6nOh68UoKzdaTH_JUFJebYgj0c1RwHS_jNsOBR8Q1PHkXfGDnzZxkPxXEtzhamBhGgFcQqqaTCe7xS_5MuCttT9-MXuTKcaqXe668xbo-dyHsVnNsKfZqyOndqtQ/s4288/24_The%20Kasern%20is%20hit.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-TJ_rwf7SDScXW4IAKBWOeXPMFBlsCHGVR0gNHHrhjvEqlHNt_w5bcJOd6XHoY6nOh68UoKzdaTH_JUFJebYgj0c1RwHS_jNsOBR8Q1PHkXfGDnzZxkPxXEtzhamBhGgFcQqqaTCe7xS_5MuCttT9-MXuTKcaqXe668xbo-dyHsVnNsKfZqyOndqtQ/s320/24_The%20Kasern%20is%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Kasern erupts.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Edwards resumed his scan of the island and its environs. Movement in the area of the inner harbour caught his eye and he stiffened. "Sir? Enemy torpedo boats heading toward us, close by the harbour."<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVUekIuBwdGAaWsjfF0AFpPLvsWRbDD7AoucKIVZTWe4ZaWxYNvaLONO1KFHqj75Q-ETBYJVfCILV3jNRRUPG09YJK46LME5EBotn2BNDM9ADScFSqVvMDf7HIp1O8EDvqni5gJi2YZ7ttbvWPP1-6tCCBTrQDBYM5TUzGrjX4ypHHnecnk9zhq-C1g/s4288/25_Better%20late%20than%20never.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVUekIuBwdGAaWsjfF0AFpPLvsWRbDD7AoucKIVZTWe4ZaWxYNvaLONO1KFHqj75Q-ETBYJVfCILV3jNRRUPG09YJK46LME5EBotn2BNDM9ADScFSqVvMDf7HIp1O8EDvqni5gJi2YZ7ttbvWPP1-6tCCBTrQDBYM5TUzGrjX4ypHHnecnk9zhq-C1g/s320/25_Better%20late%20than%20never.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Six lean shapes emerged from the haze of drifting smoke, their sights set on the Bombardment Group.</p><p>"Hmm." Ramsay studied the oncoming vessels. "I'm surprised they haven't made an appearance before now."</p><p>"We <i>are</i> down two 6 inch guns, sir. Those howitzers may not be good for penetrating solid armour, but they played havoc with our secondary guns and crews."</p><p>"Indeed. Perhaps those fellows yonder relied upon the damage we've suffered to our secondaries being greater than it is. Signal the squadron to be on the watch for torpedoes. Warn our lookouts, too. Beastly things!"</p><p>As he turned to give orders for a moment Edwards thought Ramsay referred to <i>Royal Sovereign's</i> stalwart lookouts before realising it was a non-sequitur. <br /></p><p>Although <i>Royal Sovereign</i> had lost all but two of her 6 inch guns to enemy fire, her consorts had not suffered anywhere near as much, or at all. As the German torpedo boats closed, so the British gun crews found their marks. The leading boats shuddered and split apart as the heavy projectiles ripped into their fragile hulls.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUx6qKS8Xn8dI3tKDmOxfJeO4Zfmdw7Mhk-0byIRtQl68EteDXqJ5xhDyq9zUuEZr7_gye7ENsx2q2nBmjFYU-wbKe2iUSKFDYgh3kZrB9zpVFv70EGD4BIk8nO4_raj_wzNzfNK9crTFOFIYk2QSnkSHEb4MJ_aISb-gg7_ZMZwWnX-V3T7eP5YBfQ/s4288/26_RN%20defensive%20fire%20is%20brutal.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUx6qKS8Xn8dI3tKDmOxfJeO4Zfmdw7Mhk-0byIRtQl68EteDXqJ5xhDyq9zUuEZr7_gye7ENsx2q2nBmjFYU-wbKe2iUSKFDYgh3kZrB9zpVFv70EGD4BIk8nO4_raj_wzNzfNK9crTFOFIYk2QSnkSHEb4MJ_aISb-gg7_ZMZwWnX-V3T7eP5YBfQ/s320/26_RN%20defensive%20fire%20is%20brutal.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>"Those fellows have plenty of pluck," Ramsay remarked as the surviving two torpedo boats sliced through the falling spray, debris and smoke to zero in on the squadron. Torpedoes shot from their tubes and splashed into the sea. Foaming wakes appeared, heading straight for the Bombardment Group.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LY8yVRen0khIxy534NJIsL0QGJ0Vbkun__WZW1ty-Oxzad2rOyRlQb9bw2m3CHDXljNyGix2OjH-da39UpMYG8q7GWk6_StoOi40crKEnYRYo-DtF1QhRa50ogCQfnIukzhKYHfgI2NWoMKKIYW62pLXHAcYHwUL66h-wZmLVDZGFl3KWy-USYRDQA/s4288/27_The%20two%20survivors%20launch%20torpedoes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LY8yVRen0khIxy534NJIsL0QGJ0Vbkun__WZW1ty-Oxzad2rOyRlQb9bw2m3CHDXljNyGix2OjH-da39UpMYG8q7GWk6_StoOi40crKEnYRYo-DtF1QhRa50ogCQfnIukzhKYHfgI2NWoMKKIYW62pLXHAcYHwUL66h-wZmLVDZGFl3KWy-USYRDQA/s320/27_The%20two%20survivors%20launch%20torpedoes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>An order came from Rear Admiral Crabtree. "Signal - the squadron must turn to comb the torpedo tracks!"</p><p>Ramsay gave the order to signal, but he could already see that years of peacetime naval maneuvers had paid off. The squadron's ships were already turning northward to comb the tracks. From his vantage point Ramsay could see trouble ahead. </p><p>"Damn it, Tom, but it's going to be tight."</p><p>Even as he spoke a colossal plume of smoke and dirty water rose from <i>Empress of India's</i> stern quarter. The resounding explosion was accompanied by a wave of heat that they felt even on <i>Royal Sovereign's</i> bridge.</p><p>Ramsay watched with a sick dread as <i>Empress of India</i> reeled and yawed - before carrying on as before. He breathed a sigh of relief. "I think she's hurt, Tom, but not as bad as I feared."</p><p>"Bloody good job, sir. It'd be a
shame for the <i>Empress </i>to sink now after all this." <br /></p><p>The secondary armament of <i>Resolution</i> and <i>Repulse</i> made short work of the two remaining torpedo boats. </p><p>Ramsay eyed the floating wreckage and the heads of survivors in the water. "Brave fellows. They gave it a damned good try. If we have any boats left, Tom, make sure to ready them for search and rescue once this business is finished." <br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2weciAS3IM2jh4RFLf1czqr2fwz3kPSH5YGuWPpB37-i2aYEwJTq7fjGr8OkZH4at28fQrmiZoOWRRmZy1oHE-G-8NenCI_ixTuObHtrp14888CzOs0rPlYS2Ks7R2y0ib9MEabPib2KLyLiYV8PEFAqWrG8GAyI-vOYsWJiM3fUb8vugrmjwkqoeSA/s4288/28_Attempt%20to%20comb%20the%20tracks_E%20of%20I%20is%20hit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2weciAS3IM2jh4RFLf1czqr2fwz3kPSH5YGuWPpB37-i2aYEwJTq7fjGr8OkZH4at28fQrmiZoOWRRmZy1oHE-G-8NenCI_ixTuObHtrp14888CzOs0rPlYS2Ks7R2y0ib9MEabPib2KLyLiYV8PEFAqWrG8GAyI-vOYsWJiM3fUb8vugrmjwkqoeSA/s320/28_Attempt%20to%20comb%20the%20tracks_E%20of%20I%20is%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>"Aye aye, sir." Edwards gestured toward the island. "The enemy's
fire is definitely slackening. I think we're near victory." <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GuLlk81GH4yaLcdUTp1LBop-93nIKjB33DJIO0ayr3koiv_rHAQWyVq6ZATo_1zLywliVlfaoArp0Hhvl9rTug5Dt59ofor-01fmHVxXAZR3XNRLEGt0VCYVCw_y3fsaUtpQw-QPIDBloreBmkXaSSAT6vAxTNPS88Hg3q8MHQIrLM12yg2J4sTdpA/s4288/29_Last%20emplacements%20hit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GuLlk81GH4yaLcdUTp1LBop-93nIKjB33DJIO0ayr3koiv_rHAQWyVq6ZATo_1zLywliVlfaoArp0Hhvl9rTug5Dt59ofor-01fmHVxXAZR3XNRLEGt0VCYVCw_y3fsaUtpQw-QPIDBloreBmkXaSSAT6vAxTNPS88Hg3q8MHQIrLM12yg2J4sTdpA/s320/29_Last%20emplacements%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQtl8-Iu-4mGpoEN0lV_kHSzjyxCXBmb9XoVV3_rHVZ2geYzeaUG5SsK0Ae_aaQbEn-Sq1-EQWgRNHPU1_l4lW1sCUxklSNyon_ZnRMEHipcmwTRF2p9Yc86iIb_J1kSaU0IUd47cNEfIn0EKoklS-Cf2TZ8n_uPFov2opfrDVcFgO-jjapH2YtUzuQ/s4288/30_Last%20one%20goes%20up.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQtl8-Iu-4mGpoEN0lV_kHSzjyxCXBmb9XoVV3_rHVZ2geYzeaUG5SsK0Ae_aaQbEn-Sq1-EQWgRNHPU1_l4lW1sCUxklSNyon_ZnRMEHipcmwTRF2p9Yc86iIb_J1kSaU0IUd47cNEfIn0EKoklS-Cf2TZ8n_uPFov2opfrDVcFgO-jjapH2YtUzuQ/s320/30_Last%20one%20goes%20up.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The last emplacement goes up.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>A plume of smoke rose into the sky as the last 24 cm gun emplacement took a direct hit. Fire from the island died way altogether. The order to cease fire came from the flag bridge and a shocking silence descended on the scene. </p><p>The Bombardment Squadron approached slowly and cautiously, the lookouts scanning the area with keen attention in case any more torpedo boats were lurking. Some of the island's nearer 4.1 inch guns fired as the squadron came within range, but a few choice shots in reply from the 6 inch guns soon dissuaded them from any more efforts. </p><p>Soon a white flag was seen waving from the church tower. A picket boat emerged from the harbour flying another white flag and made its way toward the waiting ships. Rear Admiral Crabtree strode onto the bridge with the air of a man who saw a knighthood in his near future. </p><p>"Congratulations, sir," Ramsay greeted him with a salute. </p><p>Crabtree responded in kind then rubbed his hands together. "A splendid piece of work, eh, Jeff? Well well. Kindly signal the squadron to heave-to and anchor, then ask <i>Charybdis </i>to come along over here to land her troops. We can sew this business up before teatime, I think."</p><p>"Indeed sir."</p><p>Ramsay gave his orders then walked out onto the port bridge wing to lean on the rail. The fresh westerly wind failed to carry away the stench of smoke, propellant and, yes, burned human flesh. He looked down on the charnel pit a 28 cm shell had made of the closest 6 inch gun position. A surgeon's mate picked his way carefully over the blood-streaked wreckage in search of survivors as a damage control party got to work clearing debris. Lt. Edwards already had crews making ready to sway out the remaining boats to rescue the enemy torpedo boat survivors.<br /></p><p><i>More than a few of my gallant ship's company won't see another teatime, either.</i> Ramsay wiped his hand over his face, feeling suddenly weary. <i>I'll visit the wounded then comes the hardest duty - writing the letters to the bereaved families. </i>He looked over to the island, where fires still burned in the wrecked houses of the village. <i>But before all that it'd be a kindness to help save what we can from the damage we caused those poor civilians.</i></p><p><i>Royal Sovereign</i> slowed. Up on the forecastle the anchor crew got to work. With a last glance around<i> </i>Ramsay entered the bridge to give orders for firefighting parties to go ashore. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3cIErreOQdAcRqiZdYJbwcylrvAl93Jcs5kNhZti69RMGPnV6fxyNKZnbsjbp8vYugOHlgpuwLlaOc-qgYHqs3q7nXje9qKDc6ibtpXqyjc6d8l8HsNt30BCBPHdiIqwNoMbxs1jtiej9YvWw8r7x7LbJUBG8n-2cyzQL2BIY0igzAfiv7_VjGwjIA/s4288/31_End%20of%20the%20affair.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3cIErreOQdAcRqiZdYJbwcylrvAl93Jcs5kNhZti69RMGPnV6fxyNKZnbsjbp8vYugOHlgpuwLlaOc-qgYHqs3q7nXje9qKDc6ibtpXqyjc6d8l8HsNt30BCBPHdiIqwNoMbxs1jtiej9YvWw8r7x7LbJUBG8n-2cyzQL2BIY0igzAfiv7_VjGwjIA/s320/31_End%20of%20the%20affair.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-85764585006565001592022-09-26T13:14:00.003-07:002022-09-26T13:14:42.485-07:00Bombardment of Heligoland ~ Part 1<p>"The range has closed to 20,000 yards, sir." The <i>Royal Sovereign's </i> gunnery officer's voice carried down the pipe from the director tower high overhead. </p><p>The dark green hump of Heligoland Island loomed ahead, a thin line of gentle surf showing white along the foot of the russet cliffs. Most of the island appeared to be green and dozing beneath the May sunlight. Thin plumes of smoke from domestic fires rose above the red rooftops of the village at the eastern end. Nothing suggested massed German artillery waited for the British squadron to come into effective range. Nothing suggested the smiling sea to the west had been sown with mines, thus restricting the attacking ships' field of maneuver. <br /></p><p>Rear Admiral Crabtree turned to Captain Ramsay and smiled. "Here we go then, Jeff. We're about to see if the Hero's adage is correct. Is <i>a ship a fool to fight a fort</i> in our modern age?"</p><p>Captain Ramsay smiled back. "As much as I respect Lord Nelson, sir, my ship and I are determined to prove him wrong."</p><p>"Excellent! That's the spirit. I'll be off to the flag bridge." Crabtree clapped Ramsay on the arm. "Good luck, then, Jeff, and have at 'em!"</p><p>Within minutes the Bombardment Group had approached the designated firing area. The signal for a turn to port played out from the semaphore. As the arms swung through the message, distant flashes broke along the green line of the island. Moments later the express-train roar of plunging shells filled the air. Towering plumes of water rose all around the <i>Royal Sovereign.</i></p><p>Lieutenant Tom Edwards<i>,</i> the 2-i-C, glanced at the bridge chronometer then his fob watch. As water fell in torrents upon the deck and superstructure he turned to the duty midshipman standing wide eyed alongside him. "Make a note in the log, Mr. Watson. The enemy opened fire at 12.10 hours precisely..."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTKjGC36Hskartt113pWfvyO9uvEw4ic8msyljr5CYBypR133hXd1rQkbWPW18N3QXH6rN-PXR6IW3N1eu0jypBEY_BWrxa1v8NNaWC1DyW8rLRqKLfYu3Xy_PPOEJ0cbihCfVaMBtuXrYSXwwJ3lZMAg9oxvswBY09hAAyUGVo3dh-gfVn76KLUElw/s4288/2_Royal%20Sovereign%20under%20fire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTKjGC36Hskartt113pWfvyO9uvEw4ic8msyljr5CYBypR133hXd1rQkbWPW18N3QXH6rN-PXR6IW3N1eu0jypBEY_BWrxa1v8NNaWC1DyW8rLRqKLfYu3Xy_PPOEJ0cbihCfVaMBtuXrYSXwwJ3lZMAg9oxvswBY09hAAyUGVo3dh-gfVn76KLUElw/s320/2_Royal%20Sovereign%20under%20fire.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Royal Sovereign </i>leads<i> Empress of India, Resolution and Repulse (below, off camera) into action.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The second salvo from the island screamed in. Moments later a cataclysmic explosion shook <i>Royal Sovereign</i> to her core. Edwards saw the thick armour of the after 13.5 inch turret open up like an obscene flower with fire at its heart. When he looked back at the Captain, Ramsay's face wore an expression more suited to a man seeing a kid throwing stones at his conservatory. "Damned annoying, that," Ramsay muttered. "See to it, Tom."<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSvfiH5esatah05kNWXkYHNgduGgaRj2RV3Q697b8rCnmIoGSTZv_8AW9r0SjmlSOuP2IsD3QjNT3zLoHxKURIDQerW9nI_4PQADdwzsLZIU2aC2trjJIpMGwpkRGgl1WM9B86UzVL3XbLV_sIfuONIDu_m9M9Oy9BESs2xyCp_0xSJJ0JuNqITopUQ/s4288/3_Aft%20turret%20destroyed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSvfiH5esatah05kNWXkYHNgduGgaRj2RV3Q697b8rCnmIoGSTZv_8AW9r0SjmlSOuP2IsD3QjNT3zLoHxKURIDQerW9nI_4PQADdwzsLZIU2aC2trjJIpMGwpkRGgl1WM9B86UzVL3XbLV_sIfuONIDu_m9M9Oy9BESs2xyCp_0xSJJ0JuNqITopUQ/s320/3_Aft%20turret%20destroyed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Royal Sovereign's aft turret explodes.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p>As Edward gave orders to damage control, above his head the calm voice of the gunnery officer gave the word to fire. <i>Royal Sovereign's</i> forward turret guns belched flame and smoke as the wounded ship retaliated. Hits were observed. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoZC1wJZ8Eu2EP1ARo3J_hgRqXWAnOIeku9f2fdGpScjDMVswS1UtK96h1nyGFzQKVKkTa9rVl1niK_4Jn1vNw1qJ_E3kfaz3Wes6_rdxRUlsPowMfRFsmZkCERnq_35rCN34EihsgkMzbAkTPqNTSHB7yBuSwgtTXRLl-8w5IXWdh_oLYcKNW5SZeg/s4288/4_First%20hits%20on%20the%20island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoZC1wJZ8Eu2EP1ARo3J_hgRqXWAnOIeku9f2fdGpScjDMVswS1UtK96h1nyGFzQKVKkTa9rVl1niK_4Jn1vNw1qJ_E3kfaz3Wes6_rdxRUlsPowMfRFsmZkCERnq_35rCN34EihsgkMzbAkTPqNTSHB7yBuSwgtTXRLl-8w5IXWdh_oLYcKNW5SZeg/s320/4_First%20hits%20on%20the%20island.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL8qO4zC98ruWoKnD9hUyV9-Nef-cgl1uJNwPPHpXHDjQBoF3P5KoBxdPw5M6QTm7lLLRjSKY-5Bgi60iO_reZFHj97Y5yfHYss0vuVifp2zDUCIqvQMZKJK8Yuaixc7s1kPi_H085pqMf6GLrF8I80eaRMV5jcwCPqhSZYgikTYUrfFvTPAW1DXyJQ/s4288/5_RS%20takes%20a%20pounding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL8qO4zC98ruWoKnD9hUyV9-Nef-cgl1uJNwPPHpXHDjQBoF3P5KoBxdPw5M6QTm7lLLRjSKY-5Bgi60iO_reZFHj97Y5yfHYss0vuVifp2zDUCIqvQMZKJK8Yuaixc7s1kPi_H085pqMf6GLrF8I80eaRMV5jcwCPqhSZYgikTYUrfFvTPAW1DXyJQ/s320/5_RS%20takes%20a%20pounding.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Royal Sovereign at 'Windy Corner,' Empress of India following faithfully astern. Smoke pours from the gaping hole in the deck where the after turret stood.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>The ships of the Bombardment Group turned in succession, and the guns of Heligoland followed them along, shells raining upon the <i>Royal Sovereign</i>, making her shudder and rattle with every impact. It was not all one-way traffic. As more ships made the turn, so their guns came to bear. Soon, 13.5 inch shells rained down upon the island.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvgu45gXME_kU714gPWUtQfdrg_SmQDd-n9f0Z40FzdSmP52Rj43ssmem85j8MkLD6fNB8q4E5kCHFyc2fjRw_UE0ZwaTX5V0a8PX2s7ueBwytvFvLyNBNZDx4HNaUfhqgWchSd3P6M_ZkcMc95znnsqzpm9EpO2Ez7cZs7lN4aQI68RYLIg5cFYEXg/s4288/6_Group%20finds%20the%20range.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvgu45gXME_kU714gPWUtQfdrg_SmQDd-n9f0Z40FzdSmP52Rj43ssmem85j8MkLD6fNB8q4E5kCHFyc2fjRw_UE0ZwaTX5V0a8PX2s7ueBwytvFvLyNBNZDx4HNaUfhqgWchSd3P6M_ZkcMc95znnsqzpm9EpO2Ez7cZs7lN4aQI68RYLIg5cFYEXg/s320/6_Group%20finds%20the%20range.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKD567jcPEdjdUI2dguPO3-bDR1vrL4BySikzHNFOBjHbI2u0RRotMdU1xQ22u2rYMOHU05xMtxPegLUkFpRvYt48VBnmOmbTfXweAT88WwyAF-jC7R7cIAmS2YTG7Cdr37NF8czuvr8mufmPQbGjQz-gt32NCTDx0y2Y0-io5bB94JmumkVDRrW64Q/s4288/7_RS_taking%20it%20on%20the%20chin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKD567jcPEdjdUI2dguPO3-bDR1vrL4BySikzHNFOBjHbI2u0RRotMdU1xQ22u2rYMOHU05xMtxPegLUkFpRvYt48VBnmOmbTfXweAT88WwyAF-jC7R7cIAmS2YTG7Cdr37NF8czuvr8mufmPQbGjQz-gt32NCTDx0y2Y0-io5bB94JmumkVDRrW64Q/s320/7_RS_taking%20it%20on%20the%20chin.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>German fire concentrates on Royal Sovereign. </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Suddenly a plume of dirty smoke shot into the air above the cliffs facing the squadron. A cheer rose from the embattled <i>Royal Sovereign</i>, sounding thin amidst the cacophony of exploding howitzer shells and thundering guns. "A hit, a hit, a palpable hit!" cried Ramsay, rubbing his hands.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVu8Nd-V4J0IFSrTKTc7vCqlpoIlpD1RvXUqjfAqLfeuNdVpxRXFFa1UE8qF8QGmz-T4pGpYJKgYbX9LNM9GFCD63pZshw0bjTwUOLUK8lPj4sanjYu8PbuPCCvN1eOK9yyWYF1XjXPZVn_RbhOOdtH2cPn6qucGRydY1QVp6J9eLxJIB6uu2CZBXHw/s4288/8_A%20palpable%20hit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVu8Nd-V4J0IFSrTKTc7vCqlpoIlpD1RvXUqjfAqLfeuNdVpxRXFFa1UE8qF8QGmz-T4pGpYJKgYbX9LNM9GFCD63pZshw0bjTwUOLUK8lPj4sanjYu8PbuPCCvN1eOK9yyWYF1XjXPZVn_RbhOOdtH2cPn6qucGRydY1QVp6J9eLxJIB6uu2CZBXHw/s320/8_A%20palpable%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>"We'll need a few more of those to finish the business, sir," Edwards remarked.</p><p>"They'll get 'em," Ramsay replied.</p><p>They both braced themselves as the German gunners' reply slammed into their vessel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4vt5ReUsgXHiq_TYwxc-k87QAcd5dcZ2rthlTsAFtKjVkkSrGPXonz19htcVIwb-hGoBpAHH4eo_v1qp3Znc4FK9uN_QyKq_RzdX94V6eHajPjZqejad8E9xijhGbcA-ILAOIfaLvWjMcogbjV266OTeClC8u8gI4omiE6chUHfNk3xKGOo5X2RxVA/s4288/9_RS%20begins%20to%20suffer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4vt5ReUsgXHiq_TYwxc-k87QAcd5dcZ2rthlTsAFtKjVkkSrGPXonz19htcVIwb-hGoBpAHH4eo_v1qp3Znc4FK9uN_QyKq_RzdX94V6eHajPjZqejad8E9xijhGbcA-ILAOIfaLvWjMcogbjV266OTeClC8u8gI4omiE6chUHfNk3xKGOo5X2RxVA/s320/9_RS%20begins%20to%20suffer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>On the island a 13.5 inch shell found a weak spot on the westernmost 11 inch gun turret. Plunging through the armour it exploded deep inside the magazine, blowing the turret off as if it weighed no more than a tin can.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8zaTMvnIG7DF-lJJEU6ZZw4bLHgbFTUA0g3dWNSpmzExhG4QuHVH9N68DI7saIUxZWcFdEN5exiP2hXtOcf9SzppQHv6eXyuQNJf0c2m_jhyQocu5EC1Se60x3w0e4PkQTLm0_OCedw32c6SfMSf2Sv1XOfo4hDkGh8YX7wWJCma-0HQpcnloCXXaQ/s4288/10_First%2011%20inch%20turret%20destroyed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8zaTMvnIG7DF-lJJEU6ZZw4bLHgbFTUA0g3dWNSpmzExhG4QuHVH9N68DI7saIUxZWcFdEN5exiP2hXtOcf9SzppQHv6eXyuQNJf0c2m_jhyQocu5EC1Se60x3w0e4PkQTLm0_OCedw32c6SfMSf2Sv1XOfo4hDkGh8YX7wWJCma-0HQpcnloCXXaQ/s320/10_First%2011%20inch%20turret%20destroyed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Bombardment Group went about, but the turn and the resulting predictable course served to aid the German gunners. More shells rained down on the flagship, penetrating her hull and creating havoc with the steam lines. As pressure fell and hull damage mounted she found it difficult to maintain speed and station. </p><p>A midshipman ran onto the bridge, eyes shining with excitement, one hand holding a handkerchief to a gory shrapnel wound on his left cheek. He saluted the Captain. "Admiral's compliments, sir, and he requests you signal <i>Empress of India </i>to take the lead."</p><p>Ramsay lowered his binoculars long enough to regard the boy. "My compliments to the Admiral, and I shall comply with his wish." </p><p>As the boy ran off, Ramsay gave his 2-i-C a faint smile. "He's half excited, half terrified. The lad reminds me of my own days as a 'Snotty,' Tom, at the bombardment of Alexandria."</p><p>"I was at Rugby at the time, sir, but remember reading about it." Edwards nodded in the direction of the flag bridge. "If he survives, at least he'll have a dashing scar with which to impress the girls."<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81wj__dE9vCbvxbN8IwNrUB-wKN1mAntnBeOseNIPD9PpcoVu6BHsUiTc7hLi_dB8QTThFMSsB5IWM7kyRLAIvMABHzjoLHBV23GsRGsnjHCwB8WXl_pez7SUtu55gQmVKjt7vFECo93KCjBQcmIJixrY_lJbpmk2_etgeFmrzOrEsISpVSRDRGhhMg/s4288/11_RS%20falls%20out%20of%20line.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81wj__dE9vCbvxbN8IwNrUB-wKN1mAntnBeOseNIPD9PpcoVu6BHsUiTc7hLi_dB8QTThFMSsB5IWM7kyRLAIvMABHzjoLHBV23GsRGsnjHCwB8WXl_pez7SUtu55gQmVKjt7vFECo93KCjBQcmIJixrY_lJbpmk2_etgeFmrzOrEsISpVSRDRGhhMg/s320/11_RS%20falls%20out%20of%20line.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ramsay chuckled as he raised his binoculars again to study the effects of the bombardment. Moments later he groaned. "Oh Christ. <i>Resolution's</i> hit the village." He grimaced. "We hoped to avoid that. Let's hope the civvies are down deep in their cellars. There may be a few more hits on the town before this is over."<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B4G_DAU6eQDC3C4gMNH6UTgpxR4dtIC40bATZY7L-4FsoO5XSun818jrJzKOUXub8HWrSlw3e1XIugmO6tqzc0euQMunxEQaifmtTyTW5nFUKwqPUwQCkIR3q8jVocIjJhk9O6gTPhKzC5DiSdXQKBlEwHIDd5Tia7D-nXfGO3yTdwGBsD_O1ValfA/s4288/12_First%20Ooops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B4G_DAU6eQDC3C4gMNH6UTgpxR4dtIC40bATZY7L-4FsoO5XSun818jrJzKOUXub8HWrSlw3e1XIugmO6tqzc0euQMunxEQaifmtTyTW5nFUKwqPUwQCkIR3q8jVocIjJhk9O6gTPhKzC5DiSdXQKBlEwHIDd5Tia7D-nXfGO3yTdwGBsD_O1ValfA/s320/12_First%20Ooops.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>"I'm afraid so, sir." Edwards examined the island through his own binoculars as the next salvo roared away. "Ah, that's better. I believe we hit another of their emplacements, sir."<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5IE441__v8F-f9KwpNZxL0iexpIyAW3qd7D8mEvmj9rNlfn8BusEntndh_26Sjx6n8OBOiHTDDgfvLx3Bq96Pu5EEQwcgPypMMX0bI62mJ1E3XG3CLBuAE88SpD2g7DCFD4ZOJO_-w8S_rKA7xto5Syd-lF5n7wIDvoeadbngytnbhittfoBEqaNdw/s4288/13_Good%20practice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5IE441__v8F-f9KwpNZxL0iexpIyAW3qd7D8mEvmj9rNlfn8BusEntndh_26Sjx6n8OBOiHTDDgfvLx3Bq96Pu5EEQwcgPypMMX0bI62mJ1E3XG3CLBuAE88SpD2g7DCFD4ZOJO_-w8S_rKA7xto5Syd-lF5n7wIDvoeadbngytnbhittfoBEqaNdw/s320/13_Good%20practice.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The din of battle lessened as <i>Royal Sovereign</i> eased out of the line. Edwards suppressed an uncharitable sense of relief as he saw the German defensive fire switch to pummel the <i>Empress of India.</i></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXth2ywkbbKibTYgdHUe8qGneqi4jf8e5B5cDblfFP9JCxeZVDYUHXeQmTfxzZvVFF69kuFX1JKkBPG2OlyMC30HmXxq9_pW2G6lnbkGD_wcV-vceYymIJ38jbphkQdN81LgPpw03rzV-BW0Vy98fVLgfvuCwvNfObSn7n69xbcDlyc09rLscvmf9DLA/s4288/14_Fire%20switched%20to%20E%20of%20I.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4288" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXth2ywkbbKibTYgdHUe8qGneqi4jf8e5B5cDblfFP9JCxeZVDYUHXeQmTfxzZvVFF69kuFX1JKkBPG2OlyMC30HmXxq9_pW2G6lnbkGD_wcV-vceYymIJ38jbphkQdN81LgPpw03rzV-BW0Vy98fVLgfvuCwvNfObSn7n69xbcDlyc09rLscvmf9DLA/s320/14_Fire%20switched%20to%20E%20of%20I.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Empress of India takes a battering.<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>A plume of smoke rose above the island's cliffs. Ramsay frowned. "I think we hit something else over there, but I don't believe it's a gun position. I wonder what the devil it was?"</p><p>After a few minutes Edwards smiled. "I believe that last hit was their gunnery control, sir. Their fire is increasingly erratic."</p><p>"Good show!" Ramsay replied. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc14CKDWbDe-g9suGSzpcjT937VYPwgy-OWb_doUsKmVB_zYMwFA5QFsYFcS0btP8Q2vCZxqQbz4oxUhE6c4kc2TjVPbh9kv7s2nwAwxmI0ep8G3tDCpMYsz0u5I9t2ZHD3VKdv8F5ecmMs_sMLVZQ9hwoTUcqtlVnJN7JwRXMJOeap2DoMbnVI94lZQ/s4288/15_Hidden%20director%20centre%20hit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc14CKDWbDe-g9suGSzpcjT937VYPwgy-OWb_doUsKmVB_zYMwFA5QFsYFcS0btP8Q2vCZxqQbz4oxUhE6c4kc2TjVPbh9kv7s2nwAwxmI0ep8G3tDCpMYsz0u5I9t2ZHD3VKdv8F5ecmMs_sMLVZQ9hwoTUcqtlVnJN7JwRXMJOeap2DoMbnVI94lZQ/s320/15_Hidden%20director%20centre%20hit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The next salvo was the most effective to date. Two more emplacements erupted into ruin. </p><p>"Now we're talking!" Ramsay said. "I do believe we've set the gorse and bracken alight, too. That'll also hinder their fire direction."</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKSNtoe8HI924YZun2aiDSAlnNH6lGmdWtCRpaYgloIRBJ015aNPlaX3jUyQw8Czmt47fU63bEN2qExcASWBHEJhCdwEOSgPJVwSMW5Y7RMrqCze0vYJORyHu7oBgh-xZifbdiDh24jaDbDbI-qsGLodydm28c2zW1TP7jzdRIghExjI6YwNi5mHULA/s4288/16_Fire%20and%20two%20more%20howitzers%20destroyed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKSNtoe8HI924YZun2aiDSAlnNH6lGmdWtCRpaYgloIRBJ015aNPlaX3jUyQw8Czmt47fU63bEN2qExcASWBHEJhCdwEOSgPJVwSMW5Y7RMrqCze0vYJORyHu7oBgh-xZifbdiDh24jaDbDbI-qsGLodydm28c2zW1TP7jzdRIghExjI6YwNi5mHULA/s320/16_Fire%20and%20two%20more%20howitzers%20destroyed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Moments later his smile turned into a scowl. "Bloody hell, Tom! <i>Resolution's</i> hit the town again - and there's another hit, from <i>Repulse!</i> Who the hell's the gunnery officer aboard <i>Resolution?" </i></p><p><i>"</i>Thessiger, sir. George Thessiger. He was in my class at Dartmouth."</p><p>"I hope Palmer rakes him over the coals after this is finished," Ramsay fumed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Quite, sir..."<br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsznJvVnpXR-Aq0sUwWs0Qk-R9MqxkJUHopt4bCVrf0iLvNaWbGnaNS4TFL7ItY73XkG8i71G0XonrjpDms0H9ExAN9b61OvZ89Uv5Z_A5z3pTzYL_nayQXZyB5tofHX6zg2HQQ0Db86-aT6q2ClAF_LNRoiISrTAU8y9Jm2ISW56l1SBNLG9dIP72Yg/s4288/17_Another%20Ooops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsznJvVnpXR-Aq0sUwWs0Qk-R9MqxkJUHopt4bCVrf0iLvNaWbGnaNS4TFL7ItY73XkG8i71G0XonrjpDms0H9ExAN9b61OvZ89Uv5Z_A5z3pTzYL_nayQXZyB5tofHX6zg2HQQ0Db86-aT6q2ClAF_LNRoiISrTAU8y9Jm2ISW56l1SBNLG9dIP72Yg/s320/17_Another%20Ooops.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX5_OHlfS9MEnGzAurzY8EI03ChbPs2hdVCOF6MEaq2V-n0FNLA4I7IA-zoCAnEHh7xvB0yZJfyJdrB6I-YKKbs4le5JF1ji3J7M4tD6ZW1LCP15A3oZqKLHrMIkYR_Svc0Tc2v6aNPFLvfq4BEHnaDWBzCjx_jpCPYr5qyEVrlFWrK1VAi4o1q8Udg/s4288/18_And%20a%20third%20Ooops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX5_OHlfS9MEnGzAurzY8EI03ChbPs2hdVCOF6MEaq2V-n0FNLA4I7IA-zoCAnEHh7xvB0yZJfyJdrB6I-YKKbs4le5JF1ji3J7M4tD6ZW1LCP15A3oZqKLHrMIkYR_Svc0Tc2v6aNPFLvfq4BEHnaDWBzCjx_jpCPYr5qyEVrlFWrK1VAi4o1q8Udg/s320/18_And%20a%20third%20Ooops.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">* * * *<br /></p><p>The concluding part of this action will be posted soon.<br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-28417469301394005882022-09-11T08:12:00.000-07:002022-09-11T08:12:01.092-07:00Heligoland Scenario <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Set up for the bombardment game. The Royal Navy intends to destroy all the gun positions located to the left of the line lighthouse-church. </span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuksr_m972fDwFu7tpg_mR747LZ6sErT_7FbtEvezOy2hssXF9jmtJD6Fv2825KOpyJnJAcE7IoH8tjI0ZapsTv2nTGYOnxIRAsVulkYbuWsfFWE9d6Udvwep6KAPQC8fmWEE5wvc9zzLoNHH7KvRRh4LprPAXJTb2dbhkKjvsww7cW486x_ZssG-PDg/s4288/Heligoland%20defences.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuksr_m972fDwFu7tpg_mR747LZ6sErT_7FbtEvezOy2hssXF9jmtJD6Fv2825KOpyJnJAcE7IoH8tjI0ZapsTv2nTGYOnxIRAsVulkYbuWsfFWE9d6Udvwep6KAPQC8fmWEE5wvc9zzLoNHH7KvRRh4LprPAXJTb2dbhkKjvsww7cW486x_ZssG-PDg/w512-h342/Heligoland%20defences.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This scenario requires a slightly different approach to registering hits. I'll dice as normal for the number of hits on the defences, but only Critical hits count. Due to the island's elevation the bombarding force is unable to get precise fixes on the artillery positions, so the type of Critical hit is then diced for, which will feature <i>Turret</i>, <i>Emplacement</i>, <i>Magazine</i>, <i>Director/Gunnery Control</i>, <i>Fire</i>, and <i>Civilian</i>. <br /></span>
</p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Turret</b> refers to one of the two 21cm/8.2 inch gun turrets. Dice to see </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">which one is hit. <br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Emplacement</b> refers to one of the eight 28 cm/11 inch howitzers. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Dice </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to see which one is hit. </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Magazine<i> </i></b>hits indicate a turret or emplacement is destroyed by the </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">explosion. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Dice to see which one is hit.</span><br /></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Director/Gunnery Control</b> indicates the main fire director is hit and </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the artillery will then devolve to local control, resulting in a -1 on the hit </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">dice. </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Fire</b>. Undergrowth and/or small buildings have caught light. Depending </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">on the wind direction the smoke could interfere with gunnery direction, </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">causing a -1 to hit.</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Civilian</b>, or <b><i>Oops</i>...</b> Through some vagary of ballistics a stray shell has </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">hit the town. 1d6 score of 1 = St. Nikolas' church. 2 = The kasern </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(barracks) 3 - 6 = Dwellings. </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Duplicate scores have no effect. </span> </span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><br />A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-11392903521425616682022-09-09T11:15:00.002-07:002022-09-09T11:15:58.954-07:00Queen Elizabeth II, RIP. <p>Whatever your feelings on the monarchy - and I have a few, pro and con - the passing of the Queen marked the end of an era. She ruled for all my life to date, and the traditions that go with a constitutional monarchy weigh on all British people. It's something people of other countries don't get and never will. <br /></p><p></p><p>I'm going to avoid the social media outlets of FaceAche and Twitter for a few days. The amount of viciousness unleashed over her passing is positively sickening. </p><p>Hopefully, with luck and a following wind, I'll fight out the fictional attack on Heligoland this weekend. The weather's turned a bit cooler which makes my gaming room more comfortable. <br /></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-43025550956588842162022-08-28T13:18:00.003-07:002022-08-28T13:48:54.619-07:00Gun sites and Splash markers<p>A little prep work is in order before I play out the Heligoland action.</p><p>I decided I didn't have anywhere near enough splash markers, so these are now under weigh. They're fabricated from off cuts of clear plastic stuck in place and made more water-like with copious blobs of hot glue. Markers for the Heligoland artillery emplacements are centre-right. Since this is likely to be a one-off game I'm not bothering with a lot of detail for these.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TzrZF16LY47QknbtcRsgivczE-0R9E0K8OUFdF_4hXHKCCjPH6ETOCDgFQE4ES0db5v-NQS_N6RZxVDj7LB25_iw5XVnpQlqxGQD9OmEa6wDtiOvv32QT8H6BIEM_VkrBB0IITXRJJjOR-yFmRc4w8gejqdysPabdXdaTzcg3TcA6WacE4olIWJClw/s4288/Splash%20markers%20and%20gun%20sites.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TzrZF16LY47QknbtcRsgivczE-0R9E0K8OUFdF_4hXHKCCjPH6ETOCDgFQE4ES0db5v-NQS_N6RZxVDj7LB25_iw5XVnpQlqxGQD9OmEa6wDtiOvv32QT8H6BIEM_VkrBB0IITXRJJjOR-yFmRc4w8gejqdysPabdXdaTzcg3TcA6WacE4olIWJClw/w363-h243/Splash%20markers%20and%20gun%20sites.JPG" width="363" /></a></div><p></p><p>Along with this I had to buy a new blue sheet for use with naval gaming. I clean forgot to remove the last one before our cat decided to use it to sharpen his claws...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VsryzMfxwyrYyf5oJIg9SoPaTLzkYti3nm98oiTrZM8xO8JrpIJVqEFA8YnJ3V3Jj6D2GmJgXEqp_EHTkP-ZqriXt6Qzl8a2o1JcxHaDsjSaoyjajxR7d16xo9hWVxQfxu268Zaiq0eplqr_Z-iasFHiqLKpWmmooa8kOzCRAjK8wO3sIDC7xeXcEA/s4288/Catted%20and%20replacement.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VsryzMfxwyrYyf5oJIg9SoPaTLzkYti3nm98oiTrZM8xO8JrpIJVqEFA8YnJ3V3Jj6D2GmJgXEqp_EHTkP-ZqriXt6Qzl8a2o1JcxHaDsjSaoyjajxR7d16xo9hWVxQfxu268Zaiq0eplqr_Z-iasFHiqLKpWmmooa8kOzCRAjK8wO3sIDC7xeXcEA/w358-h239/Catted%20and%20replacement.JPG" width="358" /></a></div><br />And now for a gamer's dilemma - nothing to do with naval gaming. I've sold a large batch of unwanted miniatures so now I'm contemplating what to buy with this windfall. I <i>should</i> get enough figures to more-or-less finish off my 10mm ECW collection (if a collection can ever be said to be finished...). <p></p><p>But! As wargamers know, there's always a new period flaunting its gaudy temptations to draw our eye. Peter over at <a href="https://gridbasedwargaming.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Grid Based Wargaming</a> is running a neat episodic 1917 Middle East campaign. A tough modern Ottoman force, ANZAC troops, Imperial infantry in pith helmets, Lawrence of Arabia, tanks, aircraft, armoured cars. A set of brigade-size rules in the shape of <a href="https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product-category/if-the-lord-spares-us/" target="_blank"><i>If the Lord Spares Us</i></a> from Too Fat Lardies. What's not to like? I'm sorely tempted to splash some cash on <a href="https://www.pendraken.co.uk/middle-east-669-c.asp" target="_blank">Pendraken's starter packs</a> for this period and theatre. <br /></p><p>Decisions, decisions...</p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-73073902001290634792022-08-17T03:00:00.001-07:002022-08-17T03:00:00.198-07:00 “A ship’s a fool to fight a fort.”<p>
</p><p lang="en-GB" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So said Admiral Lord Nelson. With the
centenary of Trafalgar so fresh in the collective minds of the Royal
Navy, the Admiralty is pondering the Hero’s words anew as they
contemplate an attack on Heligoland.</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9_uAJ9vcxbrpb1PGt8El08AxB-pD6Y00jjBUQiPGT66kAEgZDLmC2qxNXE_8D8hMktwfbbfu8eMFy7dlek3E3PIzmo05EwG7yRlTDDZYJAG8nDrv9DlI3i6pzr2uqiJGec1CJIdcSzivR_HwftncrwL3CiTP5Ad4yRHA4a2xz4vg8vEdb4Y9XUTmxg/s800/Heligoland_1890-1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="800" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9_uAJ9vcxbrpb1PGt8El08AxB-pD6Y00jjBUQiPGT66kAEgZDLmC2qxNXE_8D8hMktwfbbfu8eMFy7dlek3E3PIzmo05EwG7yRlTDDZYJAG8nDrv9DlI3i6pzr2uqiJGec1CJIdcSzivR_HwftncrwL3CiTP5Ad4yRHA4a2xz4vg8vEdb4Y9XUTmxg/s320/Heligoland_1890-1910.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
the island was transferred to Germany in 1890, the new owners
immediately began work on </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">fortifications</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
centred around a quartet of </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">21cm/8.2
inch guns</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
and eight </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">28cm/11
inch howitzers</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
These were supplemented by a number of 4.1 inch/105mm guns positioned
around the island for close-in defence. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">Since
the main artillery is located two hundred feet above sea level it
also has the attribute of increased range and plunging fire. </span></span></span>
<p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">T</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">welve
heavy artillery pieces on a rock-steady firing platform </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">and
plunging fire </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">capability…
Quite.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
only bright spot is that this heavy armament won’t be augmented any
time soon, as there’s a tug of war between the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">German</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
navy and the army when it comes to </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">the
allocation of </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">artillery.
Troops are massing along the Franco-German border, and the French army artillery is superior to that of the German army. There's at least one company of troops in garrison on the island. It's believed their complement of machine guns has been increased.</span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">S</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">o
it is that the Admiralty ordered up the four </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Royal
Sovereign</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
class battleships </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>Royal
Sovereign, Empress of India, Resolution</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
and </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>Repulse</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Their 13.5 inch main armament offers a ‘bigger bang for the buck’
when it comes to shore bombardment. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
class has the unfortunate reputation of being unstable in high seas,
hence their nickname of the ‘Rolling Ressies.’ Stormy weather in
the North Sea precluded any immediate move against Heligoland after
the Battle of the Humber for this very reason. Now April has turned
into May the weather has settled and the operation is on once more. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
plan is for the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>Royal
Sovereigns</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to close with the island in the afternoon so the sun will be in the
eyes of the defenders. The </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">bombardment
group</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
will commence </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">targeting
the shore defences</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
while the five </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>London</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
class and four </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>Majestic</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">
class battleships stand off as cover in case the German fleet sallies
forth from Jade Bay. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">Under
no circumstances are the village or the lighthouse to be targeted.
The civilian area is marked by the steeple of St. Nicholas’ church.
(The </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>kazern</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">/barracks
for the island’s garrison is located too close to the village to be
targeted safely and so is, unfortunately, also out of bounds).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">T</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">he
fleet has the usual complement of cruisers and destroyers, among
which is HMS </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i>Charybdis</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
This elderly Second-class Protected Cruiser was used for troop
transport from 1905 onwards, and performs the role for this mission. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Game
</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>M</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>echanics.</b></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">All
heavy artillery on Heligoland will range up to 20,000 yards (10
nautical miles). Add one to the firing dice for a totally stable
firing platform and there are no penalties for bad weather. Each
weapon counts as one calibre larger on the </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">progressive
fire</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
table to reflect the effects of plunging fire, so 11 inch guns will
count as 12 inch, 8.2 inch as 9.2 inch.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Shore
bombardment takes a different approach. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">All
ordinary hits are ignored. Critical hits count, but only </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Turret,
Gunnery Director Centre, Fire </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Magazine</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
hits have any effect. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Magazine</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">hit
will only destroy the turret it serves. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
result of </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fire</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
indicates that undergrowth </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">or
buildings</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
ha</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ve</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
been ignited by a shell burst. Depending on the wind direction this
will decrease the defending fire </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">factor</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
by one </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">due
to smoke obscuring the range finder</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">s</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">V</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;">ictory
Conditions.</span></span></span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">T</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">he
Royal Navy has to destroy all twelve main artillery positions for
victory. Once this has been achieved it’s assumed the smaller
vessels will close with the shore to suppress the 105mm guns and
provide fire support as </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Charybdis</span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
lands her troops.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
German defenders will achieve victory if two ships of the Bombardment
Group are sunk or crippled, at which point the group will withdraw.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">With luck and a following wind - and cooler weather - I'll fight out the engagement in the next few days. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p><style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; background: transparent }a:link { color: #000080; so-language: zxx; text-decoration: underline }</style></p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197988102951501877.post-49059643604202806732022-07-17T03:00:00.001-07:002022-07-17T03:00:00.189-07:00Battle of the Norwegian Sea ~ Conclusion<p><b>0805 hrs:</b> Action became brisk with an increasing exchange of salvos. HMS <i>Hermes</i> suffered the attentions of all three German armoured cruisers as well as SMS <i>Berlin</i>, and succumbed under the weight of gunfire.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9y8rwDuiD3ScMnFXvlTecgqEYm6W_Z95MoihwUZiVq81UWdD1EbKmBsQn8jEjT4ccf97PLlLV2N0piJRA30WavvB_72Ns-rM15QYoN2zUgIe7WyEJbcNTDaZeaY3STxnXV2zjSoUWzEQlf8jvAbTjeQj8G_7iTL8dKuER2_ZaUx7FgCAowoii4rLtg/s4288/4_Hermes%20hit%20fatally.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9y8rwDuiD3ScMnFXvlTecgqEYm6W_Z95MoihwUZiVq81UWdD1EbKmBsQn8jEjT4ccf97PLlLV2N0piJRA30WavvB_72Ns-rM15QYoN2zUgIe7WyEJbcNTDaZeaY3STxnXV2zjSoUWzEQlf8jvAbTjeQj8G_7iTL8dKuER2_ZaUx7FgCAowoii4rLtg/w362-h242/4_Hermes%20hit%20fatally.JPG" width="362" /></a></div><p><b>0810 hrs:</b> Minutes later <i>Berlin</i> followed her enemy to the bottom as the combined weight of <i>Aboukir's</i> and <i>Euryalus'</i> secondary armament salvos ripped into her hull. The Royal Navy's gunnery from their main armament was poor, with several rounds missing their targets by a wide margin. The light cruisers fared better in spite of the rolling seas, their gun crews managing to compensate and score several telling hits on their opposite numbers.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAWSEByIbPLH73Vi8RiAulBPhqbsbpuEXa25ZNZCIgddgJc35cK4bYdA6HG8QEPUtQaR03Pqt1uXthqbqJetYe7GF2czDASbOJVtW3AOmeDOEr045d_1T9ZT2CSv8DwaUkAzVDBXoXcr1wVixwrzRC02bBDt6HiK8sNxnv9V7AuGtv5TVDf3bnb1KKA/s4288/5_Berlin%20follows%20suit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAWSEByIbPLH73Vi8RiAulBPhqbsbpuEXa25ZNZCIgddgJc35cK4bYdA6HG8QEPUtQaR03Pqt1uXthqbqJetYe7GF2czDASbOJVtW3AOmeDOEr045d_1T9ZT2CSv8DwaUkAzVDBXoXcr1wVixwrzRC02bBDt6HiK8sNxnv9V7AuGtv5TVDf3bnb1KKA/w354-h237/5_Berlin%20follows%20suit.JPG" width="354" /></a></div><p><b>0815 hrs:</b> The range closes. <i>Highflyer</i> sees an opening and launches two torpedoes on a track timed to hit SMS <i>Prinz Heinrich</i>. German gunnery is good.<i> Euryalus</i> takes heavy cumulative damage and begins to slow.<i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyXwLlKPAIxwrbCwpI9lroZml-VodHrsieuSAew4O6Y-2h_1RLDKeNbcdsB3N9agLOhtcYX5DZiDlxU8u2Mdex9JleBLoqYUjvpSFeBBV8c3HF3ff3-V5WuWd27HTBz9cOUaFKkiHF_tJLdKpCrCDCuJ12au-n78Od5igXvAUng1WPUviQGQuvtUqmw/s4288/6_Highflyer%20launches%20torpedoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyXwLlKPAIxwrbCwpI9lroZml-VodHrsieuSAew4O6Y-2h_1RLDKeNbcdsB3N9agLOhtcYX5DZiDlxU8u2Mdex9JleBLoqYUjvpSFeBBV8c3HF3ff3-V5WuWd27HTBz9cOUaFKkiHF_tJLdKpCrCDCuJ12au-n78Od5igXvAUng1WPUviQGQuvtUqmw/w356-h237/6_Highflyer%20launches%20torpedoes.JPG" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>0820 hrs:</b> <i>Prinz Heinrich</i> fails to spot the torpedo tracks in the turbulent seas and takes a fatal hit astern. The Royal Navy's gunnery improves somewhat and they make better practice on the other two German armoured cruisers.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvsb82-w9XFs-Q1xLcdXut0BNY9xM2C-fgpPyUYItgRuRyulwjE6bZ6-2Rd8HTw-x0kK116Ppjda8Ws4MlYUHrt3irte7LXtweLjeHBtHIukMPJ7Ky9d50O0GjHfkoScD0b-aQRQHnNtnXWlqNot83qTCVAm_611nWVLU_IH6lyDntxuDaNgVBJ_fMg/s4288/7_Prinz%20Heinrich%20is%20mortally%20damaged.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvsb82-w9XFs-Q1xLcdXut0BNY9xM2C-fgpPyUYItgRuRyulwjE6bZ6-2Rd8HTw-x0kK116Ppjda8Ws4MlYUHrt3irte7LXtweLjeHBtHIukMPJ7Ky9d50O0GjHfkoScD0b-aQRQHnNtnXWlqNot83qTCVAm_611nWVLU_IH6lyDntxuDaNgVBJ_fMg/w356-h238/7_Prinz%20Heinrich%20is%20mortally%20damaged.JPG" width="356" /></a></div><p><b>0825 hrs:</b> It's not all one-way traffic. The surviving German armoured cruisers turn their 15cm secondary armament on <i>Highflyer</i> and she succumbs to heavy cumulative gunfire. Her demise allows <i>Hamburg</i> a chance to forge ahead, making best speed in the rolling waters. Emboldened by her late sister ship's success HMS <i>Hyacinth </i>tries her luck and fires two torpedoes. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalKXSpAUFDHsNd5YcxSkNL1_P3PYgEgG6msVo1MomkueiWG6vWH99VLaeYLMBR8cJqHo3BPDYMzJ5N8igG5UScLKeeoHxuFH6PPZiaYDy_WqB-DeDAHTIQQ9aU_sJ5VoBc9HOHtN42GoloAiS9DWp11jyrxxESV0ADAkB0tENDzFVNlPiSH6mvnZipw/s4288/8_Highflyer%20tries%20her%20luck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalKXSpAUFDHsNd5YcxSkNL1_P3PYgEgG6msVo1MomkueiWG6vWH99VLaeYLMBR8cJqHo3BPDYMzJ5N8igG5UScLKeeoHxuFH6PPZiaYDy_WqB-DeDAHTIQQ9aU_sJ5VoBc9HOHtN42GoloAiS9DWp11jyrxxESV0ADAkB0tENDzFVNlPiSH6mvnZipw/w362-h241/8_Highflyer%20tries%20her%20luck.JPG" width="362" /></a></div><p></p><b>0830 hrs:</b> This time the torpedo tracks are sighted. The two German armoured cruisers try a partial turn to starboard in an effort to avoid the attack, keeping in mind they can't deviate too much or they'll be forced into neutral Norwegian waters. One torpedo reaches the end of its run and sinks. The other almost runs out of steam but smashes into <i>Friedrich Karl</i>, inflicting telling damage. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBKfz6zIaC4OKthk26A-l_IHy0ftO8dQ-JROCmzqFUI5_3ji9Sp9cGyxjMHr94DFqgVoPWmcpEFyNuk1kagpLyE7CuTPlUKwv1ZsCkoETnT0rKER8WdkcwisCcorE7Cjx96NIhWBQLNvbAbufL4NJlN5cK11FMgRhwCly73agK78morGAJYAH-8BanA/s4288/9_Friedrich%20Karl%20takes%20a%20palpable%20hit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBKfz6zIaC4OKthk26A-l_IHy0ftO8dQ-JROCmzqFUI5_3ji9Sp9cGyxjMHr94DFqgVoPWmcpEFyNuk1kagpLyE7CuTPlUKwv1ZsCkoETnT0rKER8WdkcwisCcorE7Cjx96NIhWBQLNvbAbufL4NJlN5cK11FMgRhwCly73agK78morGAJYAH-8BanA/w362-h242/9_Friedrich%20Karl%20takes%20a%20palpable%20hit.JPG" width="362" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>0835 hrs:</b> Random event. A timely squall arrives in just the right place. Kommodore Schafer is mindful of the damage inflicted upon his ships and the fact <i>Hamburg</i> is heading for the North Atlantic with little chance of the enemy stopping her. With the Kaiser's known tenderness toward his fleet's survival Schafer decides to call it a day and head for home. Turning into the squall he manages to break contact with the enemy. The rain front will pass over <i>Hamburg</i>, further obscuring her from pursuit. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfb77KpZ0X5OksYUIUlAhJE6ZqKVqPIrgOSo9mLKStr_ya1d3n6-nf9uchWMxi-wW-GqAa20zemgKHniJsyzxX9huLhJ5AXYGVUGZJeFEv3Zwp3j6SCdpuUnfVLcc7yeQTzQxpAOMxKH90Ci-YbEH7pox7aIT4hk7PiKJOPGWp1QaDDhei2pB7aSjJQ/s4288/10_A%20timely%20squall%20descends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4288" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfb77KpZ0X5OksYUIUlAhJE6ZqKVqPIrgOSo9mLKStr_ya1d3n6-nf9uchWMxi-wW-GqAa20zemgKHniJsyzxX9huLhJ5AXYGVUGZJeFEv3Zwp3j6SCdpuUnfVLcc7yeQTzQxpAOMxKH90Ci-YbEH7pox7aIT4hk7PiKJOPGWp1QaDDhei2pB7aSjJQ/w366-h245/10_A%20timely%20squall%20descends.JPG" width="366" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>0840 hrs:</b> Rear Admiral Sir James Bryce RN is both frustrated and secretly relieved by the enemy's breaking contact. He has lost two of the Royal Navy's more modern cruisers, the surviving third isn't in a position or condition to pursue the <i>Hamburg</i>, and HMS <i>Euryalus</i> is in a bad way. Should the weather in these high northern latitudes worsen she could be in serious danger of foundering. Sending a complete action report to the Admiralty he too decides to turn for home and orders a course set for Scarpa Flow.</p><p style="text-align: center;">* * * * <br /></p><p>And so the Battle of the Norwegian Sea ends in a tactical German defeat but a minor strategic victory. Schafer succeeded in getting at least one light cruiser into the North Atlantic. SMS <i>Hamburg</i> will commence a <i>guerre de course</i> against British and French merchant shipping as soon as she's refueled and repaired battle damage off Iceland.</p>A Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07834159033854153921noreply@blogger.com1