War on Mars? - ** Update 31/08/12 new photos**

[Malamute]

New Victoria, Mars. 20th August 1889. The offices of the Illustrated London News Overseas Reporting Team.

Your humble Reporter Archibald Harris-Hampton Esq. has come into possession of a copy of a letter dated 15th August 1889 from Lord Belborough of the Belborough Mining Company based in New Victoria, Mars addressed to The British High Commissionar Sir Sidney Rough-Diamond of the Martian Protectorate also Based in New Victoria the contents of which we publish for your consideration below:

Esteemed Sir,
I write to advise of the continued hostilities being shown by the indeginous skyborne Martian population against employees of the Belborough Mining company and its various properties. In recent days increased aerial activity is being seen along the canals, telegraph lines are being cut, trade caravans and convoys are being harassed and property is being burned.
I regret to inform that I believe an all out attack by these sky dwellers to be imminent and respectfully request the urgent action of the British government/protectorate in sending reinforcements to deter these natives and to defend the property of both the Belborough Mining company and the property of her Majesty Queen Victoria Empress of India, Venus and Mars (Gaud Bless 'Er).

Yours etc, etc

Lord Belborough

[OSHIROmodels]

I hear war drums... 

[Patrice]

Excellent.

Send the troops there!

These natives are impertinent, how can they believe that they have any ownership on their native planet?

[OSHIROmodels]

I hear war drums... 

And they're getting louder... 

[The_Beast]

*sniff* Sounds to me like the usual mischief the locals are up to. You know how ol' Burr-up-his-Bell goes on.

I'm sure a small force, entirely undermanned, led by the usual drunken sot we employ for such, will be sent to show the flag and cower these simple folk who MUST love the Queen (gawd bless 'er) as much as we.

The Right Honorable etc. etc. etc.

[Malamute]

New Victoria, Mars. 22th August 1889. The offices of the Illustrated London News Overseas Reporting Team.

Your Humble reporter Archibald Harris-Hampton is saddened to report war has broken out on Mars between the sky dwelling Martians and the forces of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Empress of India, Venus and Mars (Gaud Bless 'Er).

A mining installation 50 Miles west of New Victoria was attacked at dawn yesterday morning 21 August 1889 by a sizeable force of Martians. Fortunately the attack was repulsed by a detachment of sailors from HMAS Albert after the Martians had attacked and slaughtered the sleeping crew of a Japanese Aeroneff which was moored at the site. Some of the miners joined in the fight which left the ground littered with the corpses of these Martian Devils. Casualties were light, but the exact number of our fallen is yet unconfirmed.

Fortunately our Overseas Reporting Team was present at the site so is able to bring you this news and also provide photographic images of the battle as it unfolded.

Details are still unclear whether this was an isolated attack by the treacherous Skyborne Martians or the start of an all out war. Our correspondent is unable to confirm the reaction from the normally peaceful city dwelling Martians with this unsolicited attack against the Queen's Subjects and also the reactions of the other great powers present on Mars.

We will continue to report the news to you as it happens.

Photos to follow soon!

[OSHIROmodels]

Here is a brief pictorial overview of the Martian raid as mentioned in the Illustrated London News  

The Martian forces


The boys in blue


Initial moves by the Martians onto the docked Japanese neff 'Kaze' by descending from a Martian skiff



Having seen off the Japanese crew, the Martians jump to the ground and race off to tackle the Naval contingent



Hard fighting ensues but the Martians only seem to be interested in probing for weaknesses and are not out for an overall victory



In a bid to better understand the foe, the Martian war leader tackles Lt A.A. Milne and valiantly gives up his life for the overhead skiff to witness the earther forms of battle


Down to the last warband, the Martian skiff retreats to report back to the warcouncil on the earthers


They will be back...

cheers

James

[Malamute]

Excellent, although some of the commentary plays loose with the facts.

I'll sort out the pictorial images as recorded by the Illustrated London News Overseas Reporting Team tomorrow night.

After all their report will be unbiased as they were there in an observational capacity only

[Thunderchicken]

This is VSF at its finest! 

[OSHIROmodels]

After all their report will be unbiased as they were there in an observational capacity only

Bollocks

 

cheers

James

[gamer Mac]

Great looking game guys
Like the red tinge to some of the photos

[Patrice]

This is fascinating.

I don't play VSF and I don't want to play it, but when I see these pics I almost believe it's true.

VSF becomes a part of history! Congratulations.

[Dr DeAth]

Fine looking game and excellent AAR - pity I missed it 

[Jonas]

Great photos!

[Froggy the Great]

Very nice report!  You conveyed the action better than I think I do with my captioned photos.