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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Thunderchicken on 30 June 2008, 11:16:07 AM

Title: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Thunderchicken on 30 June 2008, 11:16:07 AM
The Prussian invasion of England continues.......

As Prussian forces continue their push towards London British defences begin to strengthen. To support the recently successful defence of Shere Bridge the British command had drawn on units defending the Woking area. This strategy was not missed by the dastardly Prussian commander Herr Dreyer who immediately dispatched a force to exploit this weakness. Not realising the danger heading towards them the brave defenders of Shere Bridge bimbled back to their positions in and around Woking.

Just to the south of Woking on Horsell Common sits the rather quaint Maybury Inn. As part of the Woking defences it had been fortified by the Surrey Regiment who had immediately adopted this fine inn as their regimental mascot. The landlord of the Maybury Inn was the slightly unhinged Colour Sergeant (retired)  Obadiah Heap; a grizzled Crimean War veteran who has passed through the rapids of sanity and was now gently sculling in the serene pool of mild insanity. Obadiah had his eccentricities but by thunder he was still a good shot! He ran the inn with his devoted wife Eliza whos party piece, involving a yard of ale and  a brace of well worn golf balls, had secured her a legendary reputation throughout the environs of Woking.

Among the customers of the Maybury Inn this fine summers day is Major Farquar Farquarson who is enjoying a hearty repast of roast beef with all the ubiquitous trimmings. In the function room sits the annual general meeting of the Woking Sabbath Tiddlywinkers. A heated debate has errupted over the use of imported lightweight tiddlywinks which not only improved range but heralded unwelcome change to the more established winkers. Tempers are frayed.

Revelling in his tactical genius at Shere Bridge Farquarson devours his meal with all the grace of a demented octopus. As he listens to the constant thud of distant guns on the front lines a new closer sound arrests his attention. It was a sound he now knew well; the rumble, nay clank, of unreliable Prussian armour. Farquarson leaps to his feet and scans the horizon with the aid of his ageing eyepiece. The Prussians are approaching from the west!! Farquarson filled with rage. What made his bile boil; his grand collection of stomach ulcers bleed burning acid and his gravy stained tash twitch for all it was worth was not the admirable outflanking manouvre but the audacity and inconvenience of a Prussian attack on a SUNDAY!

Knowing his forces are nearby Farquarson mounts his trusty and rather geriactic steed Dougal. Leaving orders for Obadiah, Eliza and the Woking Sabbath Tiddlywinkers to defend the Maybury Inn (and the remainder of his roast dinner) with their lives he sets off to lead his men into battle.

Our intrepid reporter, Mr H G Wells of nearby Maybury Hill will document this battle on behalf of the Illustrated London News. I'm sure we will await his report with anticipation and polite levels of salivation.........     
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: fritzy on 30 June 2008, 12:13:46 PM
Hooorrraaaaagggghhhh, Give Ole Major Farquarson the thrashing he deserves Tally ho the Prussians (don't know any prussian phrases to put in there :'( :'( :'( lol). Reserve flight  of Fritzy Von Bakerheims' Jäger mit Whirlenkriegenfleigens are preparing themselves by terrorising the Naval Dockyard at Plymouth.

Can't wait to see the report where the British get Trounced and run off with there tails between there legs dragging thetea urns behind them. lol lol lol

Cheers

Fritzy
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Malamute on 30 June 2008, 12:51:14 PM
Steady on Fritzy old boy, or you'll choke on your Knockwurst sausage lol

We will give those Prussians a damn fine thrashing, What ho?!

Forward the Colours.... :)
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: DFlynSqrl on 30 June 2008, 02:43:26 PM
Fantastic!  I look forward to the next report.   :)

I just hope the Major can resolve this quickly, I'd sure hate for his dinner to get cold.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 30 June 2008, 06:23:54 PM
Not only are they attacking on a sunday but dearing dinner time! Kick em were it hurts!
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Malamute on 30 June 2008, 06:30:15 PM
Not only are they attacking on a sunday but dearing dinner time! Kick em were it hurts!
Just as we were settling down to roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnips, greens, and carrots with lashings of rich port enhanced gravy all washed down with a nice bottle of claret. :)
Damned indecent of them to interrupt luncheon especially when Spotted Dick was on the menu for dessert. >:(
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Ricco on 30 June 2008, 08:14:41 PM
Right Then,

When is Good Queen Vic (Gawd Bless Her!!)  going to call for some fine Canadian Lads from the Out Posts of the Empire to go and defend her Green and Pleasant Land???

Some "Bright Colonial Boy"s should drive out those Sausage Eaters.

Thunderchicken has already commenced making some contingency plans to evacuate to the colonies for safe keeping.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Skrapwelder on 30 June 2008, 08:32:55 PM
He ran the inn with his devoted wife Eliza whos party piece, involving a yard of ale and  a brace of well worn golf balls, had secured her a legendary reputation throughout the environs of Woking.

Sounds like there's a chance Mrs. Heap may aid the defense by "doing the office of a Two pounder." to steal a bit from Falstaff.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on 01 July 2008, 12:11:38 AM
Just as we were settling down to roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, parsnips, greens, and carrots with lashings of rich port enhanced gravy all washed down with a nice bottle of claret. :)
Damned indecent of them to interrupt luncheon especially when Spotted Dick was on the menu for dessert. >:(

Good heavens! Interrupting the consumption of spotted dick  :o

Is there no end to those fiendish devils' jiggery-pokery?

They deserve a damn good thrashing for that. Six of the best from Her Majesty's [Gawd Bless 'Er!] finest will do the trick.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Sterling Moose on 01 July 2008, 01:12:36 AM
Damn, nearly coughed up a Brussel Sprout!  How dare they attack on a Sunday, damned Hun, have they no respect.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: twrchtrwyth on 01 July 2008, 02:43:22 AM
I dread to think what you chaps will do when you see the state of the cricket pitch after they drove their tank over it! :o
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: fritzy on 01 July 2008, 09:59:30 AM
                 

           Good heavens! Interrupting the consumption of spotted dick  lol


         Good Grief am I at the right forum ??? ??? ???

       For comments like that we have to invade. Could we have a little more prussian support as I'm feeling a little out of place. Like finding myself in the middle of Manchester United fans wearing a Chelsea outfit lol lol lol

      Now to over-run the pub and introduce a continental menu and proper beer, with wearing lederhosen compulsory lol

   Cheers

   Fritzy


                 
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Thunderchicken on 01 July 2008, 10:40:24 AM
Right Then,

When is Good Queen Vic (Gawd Bless Her!!)  going to call for some fine Canadian Lads from the Out Posts of the Empire to go and defend her Green and Pleasant Land???

Some "Bright Colonial Boy"s should drive out those Sausage Eaters.

Thunderchicken has already commenced making some contingency plans to evacuate to the colonies for safe keeping.

Good idea that man! I might just take you up on that idea. What colour would you suggest for the uniform? Methinks something to make them stand out from the Brit lads (and within reason!).
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 01 July 2008, 02:04:43 PM
I know ospray publisthing made a book about forces and smale wars fought in the North amrican content. I know around the time frame you looking at that they fought aginst a few native tribes. Sorry I dont know there name but I will look them up.
Also of interst is that after the civil war the old Irish Bergade tryed to invade and got mud stomped. I think there Idea was to crate a new Irish home land or to try and hold the contry hostage in exchage for Irland.

Also I think the fist time Canadian lads served over sea's in there won units was the 2nd anglo Boar war. I will looking it up and let you know what I find.  Also on a kind of unrelated link on another almost war between the US and old england check out the pig war in set around the puget sound, near the Washigton, and BC border.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on 02 July 2008, 09:44:33 AM
Right Then,

When is Good Queen Vic (Gawd Bless Her!!)  going to call for some fine Canadian Lads from the Out Posts of the Empire to go and defend her Green and Pleasant Land???

Some "Bright Colonial Boy"s should drive out those Sausage Eaters.

Thunderchicken has already commenced making some contingency plans to evacuate to the colonies for safe keeping.


Good idea that man! I might just take you up on that idea. What colour would you suggest for the uniform? Methinks something to make them stand out from the Brit lads (and within reason!).

In the real world they appear to have worn uniforms very similar to the British prototype, but of course in the wonderful world of VSF, anything's possible.
RAFM have some Canadian figures in their 1885 "Riel Rebellion" range here:

http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RAF&Category_Code=RR

but sadly none in those splendid RCMP style hats  :( The infantry in sidecaps are very attractive, though.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 02 July 2008, 11:32:25 AM
I just finished reading up on the Red river Rebellion, the Fanin raids and Riel Rebellion. I think once I finish my project in the NWF I might try and set my next on in the Amreican and Canadian PNW, only I am seeing a group of filliabusters and corprate types trying to carve up there own Kingdom :D
But as Ricco said thouse RAFM mind will add a nice mix to the home troops with there dress helments.
Dose any one know if they ware  red uniforms or what?
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Dewbakuk on 02 July 2008, 12:09:51 PM
The uniforms broke down into the same colours as the British army, red for regulars, green for rifles, blue for artillery etc.

The RCMP hats and uniforms didn't come in until the 1920/30's unfortunately. That said, I intend to have some dressed that way in my Deadlands game if I can find figs that I like. The Pulp figures ones are too 'square' for my taste.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 02 July 2008, 12:26:46 PM
Did the milita also ware the Red also?
Oh and sorry for hijacking this form
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Dewbakuk on 02 July 2008, 02:29:18 PM
Yes and no. The first actual overseas deployment of Canadian troops was during the 2nd Boer War. As such, the uniforms were khaki, although they still had red ones for ceremonial/home use. The units sent were also raised from militia etc for this purpose, so would have been issued new insignia and the khaki uniforms before being sent out.

The uniforms of the militia's before being formed into Regulars were varied, however many of them were the red everyone loves.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Dewbakuk on 02 July 2008, 02:31:41 PM
For a description in brief, this is pretty good http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/boer/canadianuniforms_e.html
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Skrapwelder on 02 July 2008, 03:03:15 PM
Some pictures from Canada's Military Heritage site:

http://www.phmc.gc.ca/cmh/en/page_540.asp?flash=1 (http://www.phmc.gc.ca/cmh/en/page_540.asp?flash=1)

(http://www.phmc.gc.ca/cmh/book_images/high/v3_c2_s03_ss00_03.jpg)(http://www.phmc.gc.ca/cmh/book_images/high/v3_c1_s06_ss01_02.jpg)
(http://www.phmc.gc.ca/cmh/book_images/high/v3_c1_s06_ss01_03.jpg)

For some added flavor you could include a unit of Meti scouts. A friend of mine uses some of the Foundry Mountain Men and the Ride with the Devil figures for his Metis.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Dewbakuk on 02 July 2008, 04:11:38 PM
I asked about Metis figs in this thread on TMP
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=102901

Some suitable figs came up.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Skrapwelder on 02 July 2008, 04:14:17 PM
I asked about Metis figs in this thread on TMP
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=102901

Some suitable figs came up.

I'd forgotten about those Texians.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Dewbakuk on 02 July 2008, 04:17:16 PM
Yeah, I was quite impressed by them. Good job you recomended them  ;)
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 02 July 2008, 04:46:13 PM
Yep they look great, just more stuff for me to blow my cash on. lol
I never wanted to be rich anyways.
lets see here once I add a few more reguler line troops and lancers to my NWF, and Then I add a few home servie line troops with the spiked helments, I will be off to a good start.
I will have to map this out and put it on another thread I am thinking.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Ricco on 02 July 2008, 06:25:21 PM
I should have said "Wild Colonial Boy".  It was the eve of Canada day when I wrote it.

As for troops, everyone who had stuff to say about RAFM and Canadians looking just like Brits was right on.  There are some differnt alternatives.  In one campaign that was never "fought"  troops were deployed to the west in red tunics with blue service uniform pants or earth brown/dark tan pants. Head gear was a hat with one side turned up much like the ANZACs.

In the 2nd Anglo-Boer war, most Canadian units other than the RCR and some Arty, were issued with Stetsons (RCMP/Forest Ranger/Boy Scout hats).  There are figs representing US units with this type of head gear.  Bob Murch - Pulp US marines, Brigade - Banana wars and Old Glory- Pancho Villa, lines that could substitute in a pinch.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 03 July 2008, 12:43:28 AM
So when are we going to see this big inconvenient battle?
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Thunderchicken on 03 July 2008, 11:36:17 AM
So when are we going to see this big inconvenient battle?

Malamute and I fought the battle yesterday but alas we will keep you in suspense until tomorrow while we download the pics and write the report up. It'll be worth waiting for  ;) 
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: thejammedgatling on 03 July 2008, 01:06:28 PM
Funny you should be talking about the Fenian raids and the Red River expedition. I just finished reading a book about the Canadian voyageurs or river guides that took part in that campaign. It was led by none other than General Wolesely. So impressed was he by the performance of the voyageurs (many of whom were French speaking and part or full blood Indian) that he got around 500 of them to lead his troop boats up the Nile in the rescue attempt on Gordon some years later. So yes, I suppose the first official deployment for the Canadians was the Boer war, but the first time the British empire had called upon their skills in a military campaign (outside of the Americas and Canada) would probably be the Sudan. I have most of the Perries Sudan range but would love them to create a Sudan whaling boat (the type they used) with Voyageur crew.

Just think...can you imagine the cultural mix in the Sudan campaign? Canadian full blood Indians guiding Scots Highlanders, Egyptian fellas and Turkish Bashi Bazouk mercenaries past yards where Chinese labourers toiled to build railways and West African kroomen guided steam launches up the Nile? It reads almost like a VSF novel. Not sure the paint box is up to it...

thejammedgatling
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: commissarmoody on 03 July 2008, 01:43:42 PM

[/quote]

Malamute and I fought the battle yesterday but alas we will keep you in suspense until tomorrow while we download the pics and write the report up. It'll be worth waiting for  ;) 
[/quote]

Damn you for makeing us wait!   :D
Always enjoy your reports and cant wait.
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Skrapwelder on 04 July 2008, 12:24:17 AM
Back on the subject of alternate Canadian units you could also consider fielding some French-Canadian Zoaves. They served overseas in Rome until about 1870 and returned to Canada and formed several para military militias.
(http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/book_images/high/v2_c7_s12_ss01_01.jpg)

More form the Canadian military Heritage site:

http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/html/glossary/default-en.asp?t=&letter=P&page=3 (http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/html/glossary/default-en.asp?t=&letter=P&page=3)
Title: Re: An Inconvenient Battle. Sunday 2nd July, 1881.
Post by: Dewbakuk on 04 July 2008, 04:12:33 PM
We could.... but, you know.......... that's like admitting they're there  :P