Atlantis campaign begins...

[Bullshott]

Correction to notes on the published West Coast map:

Thre was no Battle of Port Harrison - this is another example of inaccurate Prussian Propaganda! This 'battle' refers to an attack on a civilian geological survey by Koshindan raiders some 20 miles to the south of Port Harrison. When the raiders eventually faced the firepower of the US Marines they withdrew with thieir prisonners rather than be cut down like the dogs they are. United States of America have noted this raid and will respond in due course with maximum prejudice.

[warbeads]

<snip>

Please register your interest in the Atlantis campaign by leaving a message below - listing:
1 - Username, and name and numbers of the gaming group you represent, if applicable;
2 - factions you represent;
3 - type of games you will be playing (fleet-level actions, RPG/party-type games, aeronef combat etc).

Good luck one and all!

1)  Warbeads, solo play Aeronef actions initially

2)  Brazil and Argentina, possibly a third South American or Spanish faction later...

3) Aeronef actions possible currently.

[Alfrik]

The Falklands British Aeronef Flotilla flanks the Argentine Areonef fleet in a surprise move, devestating them!

[warbeads]

We don' need no stinkin' flanks!

[Froggy the Great]

Dispatch from the H.M.S, Katherine to the Admirality, March 18, 1890:

It appears that the crew of the H.M.S. St. George is not all lost.  Signals were received from the ship today, but so faint as to admit no possibility of triangulation.  The St. George reports that it is unflyable but otherwise intact.  They report foraging crews encountering native forces, as well as the wounding and capture of Lord Delabrough and the loss of all men on the party.  Requesting further orders...

[Bullshott]

Captain Fonda looked out from the cave entrance. The terrible weather of the past three weeks had finally abated, meanung that the prospects for the coming day’s fight were good; he would be able to use the ‘nef Rio Grande for support and the ground would bee good underfoot (he hated fighting in the rain).

He took out his pocket watch and checked the time under the light of a lantern. Seeing that it was two hours before dawn he signalled to Sergeant Bronson to wake the men.

As the men roused themselves Fonda checked the coffee pot, which turned out to be still warm. He poured himself a cup, then set about checking his revolver. He checked the mechanism and began to load the gun, but found his hand was shaking too much. “Concentrate man!“ he thought “It wouldn’t do for the men to see you shaking like a rookie”. To take his mind off the forthcoming fight he pondered the events that had brought him to this place.

Three weeks ago Captain Heston’s men had a bloody encounter with the pirates and their Sanwar allies on Pyramid Island. The battle had achieved nothing for the Americans, other than getting several good marines killed or wounded. The pirates had departed as swiftly as they had arrived.

Around the same time, the academics in Zdolgath, the native city nearest to Port Harrison, made a breakthrough in understanding the local native languages. Within a few days they found themselves able to converse with the northern Atlanteans (a semi-nomadic people whose culture apparently resembled that of primative Europeans) and, using the northerners as translators, had begun to learn the language of the ‘civilised’ Altanteans.

On learning that the white men could understand their language, a group of tribesmen from the fjordlands to the north had approached the Americans with interesting news. They told of brown-skinned men who came from the sky and raided their villages; stealing their flocks and killing anyone who resisted with “staves that spat fire and smoke” and “metal guardians with cruel blades”. Then one of the men produced a bag, from which he produced the bloated head of a man with brown skin and North African features. A Koshindan raider!

Of further interest was the news that the raiders appeared to have made a camp amongst some old ruins about four days march to the north of Zdolgath. The tribesmen said that they had seen this place and there appeared to be white men held prisoner there. They would have attacked this camp if it wasn’t for the threat that the metal guardians posed. However, if the white men wanted to attack the raiders the tribesmen would provide them with guides.

This was too good a chance to miss for the Americans. The raiders were known to have captured young Henry ‘Idaho’ Smith, son of Senator Smith, while accompanying a survey team working for his father’s New England Mining Company. If Smith was among the prisoners it would be a coup for the marines if they could free him; not only would they have dealt a blow to the raiders but Senator Smith was a major supporter of the Navy. If his son was released it would certainly help in freeing-up reinforcements for the American expedition.

The clatter of men of men arming themselves and the smell of the Iron Man suit’s coal-fired engine starting up brought Fonda out of his thoughts. He loaded the final shell into his revolver and closed the cylinder. Then he looked at his mixed command as they readied themselves in the lamplight at the back of the deep cave that had been their home this night.

The marines needed no orders as to what to do. Tough, professional soldiers and veterans of a tour on Venus, these men would go to hell and back without question.

Further back, Chief McQueen’s sailors readied themselves, cursing at having to fight on foot but ready all the same for what was to come. The chief and his men had been chosen from survivors of a survey steamer that had been wrecked in the fjordlands. During their week-long trek back to the American-controlled area they had become familiar with the terrain this expedition now found themselves in.

Finally, he considered 2nd Lieutenant Abner Ravenwood. Fonda did not know why Ravenwood had joined the marines (he was too bookish and never quite fitted in with the marines), but he was glad for him now. Ravenwood had been assigned to the marine guard detail for Professor Shanks’ anthropologists and archaeologists in Zdolgath, with whime he smmed at times to have more in comon then the other Marines officers. His temperament meant that he got on well with the academics and, once the key to the northern Atlantean language had been fathomed, his gift for languages soon had him conversing with the northern tribesmen. Now he had proved his worth as liaison officer with their native guides.

A face appeared out of the morning gloom. It was Sergeant Bronson, fully armed and chewing on a cigar. Time for action.

[Fuzzywuzzieswiflasers]

ooh goody can't wait

cheers
Fuzzy

[Bullshott]

US Marines Release Pirate Captives

Quartermain Alive

US forces on Atlantis have announced a major victory over the Koshindan pirates. In a daring dawn raid US Marines, led by Captain Fonda, freed four white captives held by the pirates; including Idaho Smith (son of Senator Smith) and the famous British explorer Allan Quartermain. US casualties were light; comprising eight marines, one sailor and six native Atlantean scouts, although it is with regret that one captive also lost his life (shot in the back by a pirate). By contrast, the Koshindans lost twenty seven men (including five Europeans) and two automatons destroyed.

Lieutenant Colonel Wayne, commanding officer of US forces in Port Harrison, said that the high bodycount and kill ratio was a credit to the US forces involved and praised Captain Fonda for his leadership. He has also recommended Chief Petty Officer McQueen for a special commendation; for leading his naval landing party in deadly hand-to-hand fighting during the initial assault, despatching pirate guards with extreme predjudice.

Full details of this action here : http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=17496.0

[ushistoryprof]

News from our field reporter Ernest Wallington III on location in Atlantis: While on assignment with a patrol unit of Her Majesties Royal Marines, the remains of a missing scientific expedition was found at the out skirts of a lost city. The bodies had both stab wound and bite marks.  Among the remains was a camera that contained astounding evidence of the existance of an all new species of powerful semi-inteligent creatures.  Scientists are undecided as to if this is a natural creature or the more likely posibility that they are a manufactured creation of the  bizzar sciences of Atlantis gone wild.  What is known is that these creatures are powerful and very violent. With the kind permission of Her Majesties Government here is the first published photo of these creatures.

for additional photos check:

http://worldhistoryprof.blogspot.com/2010/03/lizardman-warriors-on-march.html
 
Explorers beware!  God Save the Queen!

[ushistoryprof]

Air Battle Reported over Atlantis. 
As reported by our special correspondent Ernest Wallington III. Intercepts have been obtained from sources within Her Majesties Government that describe a large aeroneff engagement.  Directional triangulation has placed the incident off the East Coast of Atlantis. Below are the messages, certain parts have been censored by the government and are identified by D.B.C. (Deleted By Censor).

Sighting report by SMS Blitzen- Unknown ships in restricted zone at … D.B.C…Ships appear to be cruisers and scouts. Closing for further identification.

SMS Blitzen reporting-it appears that the ships ar…….

Command to patrol squadron Wagner-investigate sighting of unknown force by SMS Blitzen at …D.B.C.… and failure of SMS Blitzen to respond to communications from command.

SMS Thor, commanding Squadron Wagner reporting-Large squadron of …D.B.C.… aeroneffs forces located at …D.B.C.… no sign of SMS Blitzen. Investigating.

SMS Thor reporting- …D.B.C.… refuses to acknowledge our hails. …D.B.C.… squadron is heading to …D.B.C.… in restricted zone. Request permission to use force if necessary to prevent further incursion.

SMS Frankfurt reporting-Thor heavily damaged, Kiel is burning, Hamburg, Metor & Kondor are destroyed. They have Battle Cruisers repeat Battle Cruisers. Request immediate assistance, repeat, request immediate assistance.

garbled- …troop transports, multiple troop transports…

Komet reporting-all surviving units heavily damaged, Commodore Eric Von Brauns is dead, Thor is gone, remaining ships retiring to base at …D.B.C.… Unable to stop incursion at …D.B.C.… the …D.B.C.… are here in force.

End Intercepts.

A review of Jane’s All the World Aeroneff Fleets identifies the SMS Thor as a Heavy Cruiser, the Hamburg, Frankfurt & Kiel as Light Cruisers, the Metor, Komet & Kondor as Destroyers and the Biltzen as a Scout.  Obviously a powerful force has entered into play in the arena that is Atlantis.
God Save the Queen.
 

[Haarken]

Aeronef Action at Atlantis.

London, March 23 1890.

On the afternoon of the 21st of March, the cruiser HMS Minotaur and HMS Centaur were engaged in action with the French commerce raider Revenant and the light cruisers Formidabile and Patriote.

The 13th Cruiser Squadron consisting of HMS Minotaur and HMS Centaur intercepted the enemy squadron during a reconnaissance patrol of the south-western coasts of Atlantis.

HMS Minotaur and HMS Centaur engaged the French light cruisers with accurate fire as soon as they came within range of their guns, the first salvo from the Exeter class cruiser HMS Minotaur bracketed the Formidabile and within minutes the light cruiser was reduced to a burning wreck.

The L'Epee class commerce raider Revenant and the Formidabile class cruiser Patriote attempted to shelter the stricken Formidabile but with all of it's main armament out of action and under an increasingly accurate bombardment the light cruiser struck it's colours.

HMS Centaur whose gunnery duel with Patriote had been less effective closed the distance between the two ships with dramatic results, only the intervention of Revenant prevented HMS Centaur delivering the final blow.

Revenant whose gunfire had proven particularily ineffective in the early stages of the action closed with HMS Minotaur and the two vessels traded fire damaging each other heavily as action descended into a melee. Having allowed the Patriote to escape the Revenant now fell under the guns of both HMS Minotaur and HMS Centaur, despite skillful handling by it's Captain the Revenant was destroyed.

With Revenant dispatched HMS Centaur gave chase to the badly damaged Patriote. The light cruiser struck it's colours after a single salvo from the HMS Centaur disabled the Patriote's steering and put it's last gun out of action.

HMS Centaur dispatched the two slowly sinking wrecks with close range gunfire having embarked the remaining survivors from the two vessels. HMS Minotaur and HMS Centaur both received moderate damage but are immediately ready for action.

Commodore George Henry Jackson

Another British victory. This time this one was much more decisive, the fleets were pretty evenly matched (both had a total of 20 gun points whilst the British had 48 hull points to the French 47) but the British inflictated 44 damage points on the French whilst the French only inflicted 27 damage points. The French have now lost 2 L'Epee class commerce raiders, 2 Formidable class light cruisers and 1 Vaillante class destroyer for the loss of 1 Rawalpindi class cruiser.  No pictures of the battle as the French as they are still wearing their undercoat but i'll post up some pictures of my British later on.

Haarken

[ushistoryprof]

General Communiqué from His Imperial Majesty Tsar Alexandrovich III’s Colony of Vodkaland- Be it known to all that his Imperial Majesty proclaims the formation of this fief in his ownership for all time.  All hitherto claimants by natives or other European governments of the area sometimes known as “island of native site 15,” Atlantis are now null and void. All territories, properties, valuables, minerals, sciences and persons of this area are now under the benevolent protection, leadership and control of His Imperial Majesty Alexandrovich III, Tsar of All the Russia’s.  Any interference will be ruthlessly dealt with, as was the case of the recent unfortunate incident with mislead units of the German Imperial Aeroneff Navy.  His Imperial Majesty regrets the loss of so valiant (if foolish) a man as Commander von Brauns and the many fine sailors under his command. Regardless of personal feelings, this land is now part of Greater Russia and will be defended as such!

Signed,
Count Mikhal Brodinoff
Col. Gen. Commanding
15th Territorial Army
Imperial Colony of Vodkaland

[Bullshott]

General Communiqué from His Imperial Majesty Tsar Alexandrovich III’s Colony of Vodkaland- Be it known to all that his Imperial Majesty proclaims the formation of this fief in his ownership for all time.  All hitherto claimants by natives or other European governments of the area sometimes known as “island of native site 15,” Atlantis are now null and void. All territories, properties, valuables, minerals, sciences and persons of this area are now under the benevolent protection, leadership and control of His Imperial Majesty Alexandrovich III, Tsar of All the Russia’s.  Any interference will be ruthlessly dealt with, as was the case of the recent unfortunate incident with mislead units of the German Imperial Aeroneff Navy.  His Imperial Majesty regrets the loss of so valiant (if foolish) a man as Commander von Brauns and the many fine sailors under his command. Regardless of personal feelings, this land is now part of Greater Russia and will be defended as such!

Signed,
Count Mikhal Brodinoff
Col. Gen. Commanding
15th Territorial Army
Imperial Colony of Vodkaland

Now this has got to be a temptation for the Japanese ...

[gamer Mac]

Eye that’l be right.
Cum and get iit!!!

Major Duncan MacThegrassgrow
Commander of the Blackwatch on Her Majesty’s (Gaud Bless Er) Island of Atlantis

[Froggy the Great]

March 26, 1890:  Dispatch from the H.M.S. Katherine
Admiral Radslip,

The crew of the H.M.S. St. George is confirmed to still survive.   Faint signals indicate their location to be near the site of an earlier lost expedition.  Have transmitted the map coordinates for possible salvage but weather precludes a scouting mission at this time.  They report heavy fighting and the capture of a soldier of undertermined race while rescuing Lord Delabrough.

The H.M.S. St. George casualty reports are contradictory - current death count exceeds the crew complement of the vessel, yet they appear fully staffed.  Please advise as to how next to proceed.

Respectfully,
Captain Horatio Agglethorpe
H.M.S. Katherine.