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Vagabond, Doug em4 and myself have a game planned for November which I have entitled "On The Day, Went The Eagle's Landing Well?" It is set in September 1940 a few days after Army Group A under von Runstedt has established a beach-head from Portsmouth to Ramsgate. More of the scenario later. Needless to say the game, the miniatures, the plot etc. will be Hollywood-style rather than historically accurate, my apologies to the purists among you.
I have just completed my U-Boot crew to be commanded by Doug em4 who will be playing the part of Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien.
L-R: Matrose Friedrich Engelmann, Obergrefreiter Albert Zöller, Oberleutnant Hans Bothmann, Oberbootsmann August Ronshausen, Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien, Stabsmaschinist Gustav Böhm, Obersteuermann Hans Sammann, Obermaschinist Gustav Werder, Matrose Heinrich Heinz, Fähnrich z. See Iwan Oldekop.
(https://i.imgur.com/AQZrrpc.jpg)
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Nice job.
I love the invisible bases.
Tell us more...
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A very handsome and stalwart bunch as befits their commander (me). Cracking job, m’lud - looking forward to leading them into battle.
Doug
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Thanks, chaps. :)
The Luftwaffe contingent is not quite finished yet but here is a picture of their commander, Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl (Vagabond) having a chat with Gunther Prien (Doug em4).
Vagabond thinks I have painted Stahl as either taking cocaine or playing the harmonica! Doug em4 thinks he is putting his false teeth back in! Any other theories?
(https://i.imgur.com/Bshyzzr.jpg)
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Vagabond? Never heard of them down here in the Colonies? :?
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Excellent :-*
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Vagabond? Never heard of them down here in the Colonies?
a person who wanders from place to place without a home or job but in this case Vagabond is a much esteemed and loved member of the LAF. See below.
Excellent
Many thanks, Captain. :)
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...and now the defenders of this royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, etc. Imagine Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 playing in the background and wipe away a tear!
(https://i.imgur.com/dZzbL5K.jpg)
L-R: Private Charles Godfrey, Lance-Corporal Jack Jones, Sergeant Arthur Wilson, Private Joe Walker, Captain Lord Bertram Wilberforce Snapcase, Private Frank Pike, Private Scrotum, Volunteer Sam Stewart, Reverend Lieutenant Harold 'Stinker' Pinker, Private Sponge.
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The U boat crew look excellent, as do the Home Guard, this looks like it's all coming on a pace.
Well done.
Vagabond - a person who wanders from place to place without a home or job, yep, that about sums me up for the last 10 years, hence the name. I assume Poiter50 has some meaning as well. :)
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Nice job.
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Thanks for your kind remarks, everybody. More to come.................
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Vagabond? Never heard of them down here in the Colonies? :?
I’m intrigued what this post means - must be something esoteric and gnomic I’m guessing.
Doug
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Vagabond thinks I have painted Stahl as either taking cocaine or playing the harmonica! Doug em4 thinks he is putting his false teeth back in! Any other theories?
Pez dispenser?
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...and now the defenders of this royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, etc. Imagine Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 playing in the background and wipe away a tear!
(https://i.imgur.com/dZzbL5K.jpg)
L-R: Private Charles Godfrey, Lance-Corporal Jack Jones, Sergeant Arthur Wilson, Private Joe Walker, Captain Lord Bertram Wilberforce Snapcase, Private Frank Pike, Private Scrotum, Volunteer Sam Stewart, Reverend Lieutenant Harold 'Stinker' Pinker, Private Sponge.
Nicely done and it really does show up howmuch better the old Wargames Foundry sculpts werectgan the WL versions of the same subject matter.
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Ah, my bad, I thought you meant the manufacturer of the figure. :(
In that case, who makes Stahl?
a person who wanders from place to place without a home or job but in this case Vagabond is a much esteemed and loved member of the LAF. See below.
Many thanks, Captain. :)
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Pez dispenser?
Nice one, voltan, I like that idea!
Nicely done and it really does show up how much better the old Wargames Foundry sculpts were than the WL versions of the same subject matter.
Quite agree carlos, I have both but the Foundry ones are just like the real thing!
Ah, my bad, I thought you meant the manufacturer of the figure. In that case, who makes Stahl?
No problem, Poiter50. :) Stahl is from Warlord, the Blood Red Skies ace figure, Adolf Galland.
P.S. In respect of the origins of this forum I intend not to display any forbidden symbols. I would be very happy for people to point out any omissions in my pictures, thanks.
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Ah, thank you, nice imaginative use.
No problem, Poiter50. :) Stahl is from Warlord, the Blood Red Skies ace figure, Adolf Galland.
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Today, I have for you the Women's Land Army. As most of you will know, the WLA was disbanded at the end of the First World War but was reformed in 1939. The aim was to release male agricultural workers for military service and replace them with women. The women were usually called Land Girls. The land Girls would normally work 50 hours a week and were paid 28 shillings a week. The average wage for male agricultural workers was 38 shillings per week.
(https://i.imgur.com/3xRDW88.jpg)
Five WLA girls have been assigned to work at Cold Comfort Farm, near Much-Piddling. Madeline Bassett thinks she has seen a Jerry parachutist (disguised as a nun) land behind the pig sty. Boldly, she leads the other girls out to investigate, armed with their shotguns.
L-R: Lady Florence Craye, Stephanie 'Stiffy' Pinker, Honoria Glossop, Roberta 'Bobbie' Wickham, Madeline Bassett.
(https://i.imgur.com/qMnnJuB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CwHkJH2.jpg)
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L-R: Lady Florence Craye, Stephanie 'Stiffy' Pinker, Honoria Glossop, Roberta 'Bobbie' Wickham, Madeline Bassett.
So...Jeeves won't be far behind?
...and will Spode lead a band of Nazi sympathizers?
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Having seen the Land Girls I think Stahl is possibly having to use his inhaler? :o lol
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Having seen the Land Girls I think Stahl is possibly having to use his inhaler? :o lol
Yes, I think Stahl is getting a little bit over-excited about the Land Girls! lol
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...and will Spode lead a band of Nazi sympathizers?
Now it's funny you should say that, gweirda!
Down at the Old Mill on the outskirts of Much-Piddling, Spode's Black Shorts are having a clandestine meeting. Well about as clandestine as you can get with red armbands and footer-bags! Spode's latest policy is to ensure that every citizen at birth be given a British–made bicycle and umbrella. Now that invasion has become a reality, Spode's Black Shorts are an illegal organisation but the Flying Squad have not caught up with Spode, yet!
L-R: Lord Haw-Haw (awaiting flag), Unity Valkyrie Mitford, Sir Roderick Spode (Lord Sidcup), Diana Mitford, Sir Osbert Molesworth (with abject apologies to Plynkes).
(https://i.imgur.com/kgrNc1U.jpg)
Spode has chosen black shorts (or skirts) for his followers because, as Gussie Finknottle says, "by the time Spode formed his association, there were no shirts left".
Bertie Wooster has some choice words to say about Spode and his Black Shorts "It is about time, that some public-spirited person came along and told you where you got off. The trouble with you, Spode, is that just because you have succeeded in inducing a handful of half-wits to disfigure the London scene by going about in black shorts, you think you're someone. You hear them shouting 'Heil, Spode!' and you imagine it is the Voice of the People. That is where you make your bloomer. What the Voice of the People is saying is: 'Look at that frightful ass Spode swanking about in footer bags! Did you ever in your puff see such a perfect perisher?'"
(https://i.imgur.com/LzLB1X3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aipPDh1.jpg)
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How dare you! I'm calling my effing lawyer! That's defamation, that is!
lol
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How dare you! I'm calling my effing lawyer! That's defamation, that is!
lol
My abject apologies, Sir! I was having great difficulties finding miniatures wearing footer-bags! ;)
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No, I love it. I was going to do the same with one of mine. I always thought he looked that sort. But I don't need to now, as you've done a top job yourself.
The moustache is a lovely touch, I hadn't thought of that. I have in the past briefly left myself a toothbrush moustache when shaving, just for a few minutes. Simply because seeing yourself with one is just about the most hilarious free laugh you can get. Who would have thought that the simple act of cutting some of the hair off your face could leave you in hysterics for several minutes.
Went the Day Well? was shown at my local volunteer-run old-timey picture house a couple of years ago. I went with my brother, thinking we would be the only ones there, but a busload of re-enactors showed up, all in costume and in a 1940s bus. Civvies, Home Guard, ARP wardens, coppers, the lot. It was fantastic. Great film, too.
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This is coming along great Martin :D :-*
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This is coming along great Martin :D :-*
Many thanks, Steve. More to come soon...............
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No, I love it. I was going to do the same with one of mine. I always thought he looked that sort. But I don't need to now, as you've done a top job yourself.
The moustache is a lovely touch, I hadn't thought of that. I have in the past briefly left myself a toothbrush moustache when shaving, just for a few minutes. Simply because seeing yourself with one is just about the most hilarious free laugh you can get. Who would have thought that the simple act of cutting some of the hair off your face could leave you in hysterics for several minutes.
Went the Day Well? was shown at my local volunteer-run old-timey picture house a couple of years ago. I went with my brother, thinking we would be the only ones there, but a busload of re-enactors showed up, all in costume and in a 1940s bus. Civvies, Home Guard, ARP wardens, coppers, the lot. It was fantastic. Great film, too.
I do have to say that when I trim my beard I always leave a pair of mutton-chop whiskers! Makes me laugh but my wife hates it!
Went the Day Well? is one of my favourite films (along with Ice Cold in Alex) and is one of the inspirations behind the scenario I am building for this game. It must have been great watching it with re-enactors in costume, great stuff. Two other films are contributing as well.
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This thread is amazing, love the minis you've painted (particularly the black shorts) but the joining together of such iconic films as the Eagle has landed, went the day well with dads army is sheer brilliance. Can't wait to read an AAR and see some photos of how it played out. My money is on the land girls sorting out Spode and the black shorts :)
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This thread is amazing, love the minis you've painted (particularly the black shorts) but the joining together of such iconic films as the Eagle has landed, went the day well with dads army is sheer brilliance. Can't wait to read an AAR and see some photos of how it played out. My money is on the land girls sorting out Spode and the black shorts :)
Thanks, you obviously have the same eccentric sense of humour as myself! lol
The game takes place in late November and the AAR will indeed appear here afterwards.
The Land Girls will be a formidable force at close range with their shotguns. If Spode enters their line of sight I suspect his black shorts will be peppered with shot!
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The Royal Navy contingent for 'On The Day, Went The Eagle's Landing Well?'. Without giving too much away, the game has a sub-plot involving a VIP Naval Officer. Here he is with his Royal Marine bodyguard and naval escort.
L-R: Able Seaman Sid Staines, Chief Petty Officer Horatio Pertwee, a VIP, Colour Sergeant Tudor Bryn 'Shut Up' Williams, Colonel Hercules Grytpype-Thynne.
(https://i.imgur.com/jUctJgP.jpg)
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L-R: Matrose Friedrich Engelmann, Obergrefreiter Albert Zöller, Oberleutnant Hans Bothmann, Oberbootsmann August Ronshausen, Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien, Stabsmaschinist Gustav Böhm, Obersteuermann Hans Sammann, Obermaschinist Gustav Werder, Matrose Heinrich Heinz, Fähnrich z. See Iwan Oldekop.
I'm afraid, that Iwan is obviously the russian spy. Maybe he should change his name. ;) lol
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Iwan is obviously the russian spy
Now that is a thought! A real twist in the plot! ;)
Edit: forgot to mention one more source of inspiration for this game, series 3, episode 3 of Foyle's War, "They Fought in the Fields".
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By Jingo Snapcase, you’ve put some work in on this one - can’t wait for November😀 Sergeant Williams is particularly splendid. As is the VIP🤫
Doug (AKA Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien)
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CPO Pertwee lol lol lol
I’d keep an eye on that one.
They look superb.
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Thanks Doug em4 and levied troop, glad you liked them. There is still the Kampfgeschwader 200 contingent to come, just two more figures to finish. But for the moment here are some of the villagers who have volunteered to become ARP Wardens training on the cricket ground at Much-Piddling.
(https://i.imgur.com/gApcazE.jpg)
Verity 'Peaches' Snapcase is only there on sufferance as her guardian (Captain Lord Snapcase) is drilling the Home Guard at Snapcase Hall. Dame Edith is wishing she had never agreed to look after the spiteful brat!
L-R: Verity ‘Peaches’ Snapcase, Warden G. D'Arcy "Stilton" Cheesewright, Chief Warden William Hodges, Dame Edith FitzPilchard, Claude "Catsmeat" Potter-Pirbright.
(https://i.imgur.com/PWBgtuX.jpg)
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I have now completed the Luftwaffe contingent for the game in November. These sterling chaps are to be commanded by Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl (Vagabond).
L-R: Leutnant Ernst Sabartovski, Fahnenjunker Günter Koch, Feldwebel Jürgen Zimmermann, Oberst Kurt Steiner, Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl, Stabsfeldwebel Wolfgang Wagner, Oberfeldwebel Dieter Müller, Oberleutnant Manfred Schimmel, Flugkapitän Hanna Reitsch, Stabsfeldwebel Raimund Weiser, Oberfähnrich Franz Lizst.
(https://i.imgur.com/0Waj3l0.jpg)
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This is brilliant. What a great and eclectic collection of models and characters :)
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This is brilliant. What a great and eclectic collection of models and characters :)
Many thanks, I am a great admirer of your painting so thank you for your kind remarks. Fifth Column and Women's Institute to complete yet and that will be 60 figures, 30 a side for the November game.
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Knowing the proclivities of my opponent in this game, I can’t believe there isn’t a Brahms to complement Oberfähnrich Franz Lizst.
You’re a force of nature on this project - fantastic. Which brings me back to a suggestion I made by email, why don’t we extend this game over 2 days? Seems a pity to limit such a gaw-juss project to just one day.
Doug
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I can’t believe there isn’t a Brahms to complement Oberfähnrich Franz Lizst
I think there may be a Miss Brahms in the Much-Piddling WI. She works at that department store in town, Grace Brothers I think it's called.
why don’t we extend this game over 2 days?
Will give it some serious thought and reply by e-mail.
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I think there may be a Miss Brahms in the Much-Piddling WI. She works at that department store in town, Grace Brothers I think it's called.
Brilliant lol
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Really a very clever idea .Pulp Ww2 taken to the next level.
Wonderful characters and can't wait for next batch , nuns as 5th columnists, a platoon of armed clergy , pillbox desperadoes, novelty improvised armour ?
Absolutely fabulous.
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Really a very clever idea .Pulp Ww2 taken to the next level.
Wonderful characters and can't wait for next batch , nuns as 5th columnists, a platoon of armed clergy , pillbox desperadoes, novelty improvised armour ?
Absolutely fabulous.
Thanks, Lysandros. There will be some surprises in the game which won't be revealed until the actual game. I can reveal however, there will definitely be a nun in the 5th Column!
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Brilliant lol
Her friend, Mrs. Slocombe will also make an appearance in the game, one hopes!
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How dare you! I'm calling my effing lawyer! That's defamation, that is!
lol
Plynkes as the leader of the Black Shorts. Priceless! lol
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A very nice collection, Snapcase!
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Her friend, Mrs. Slocombe will also make an appearance in the game, one hopes!
Do NOT on any account, let Vagabond get near her pussy....
Doug
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Fun stuff. Looking forward to seeing this one pan out further.
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I was wondering how long it would take for someone to mention Mrs. Slocombe's pussy.
LAF did not let us down. lol
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Plynkes as the leader of the Black Shorts. Priceless!
I am expecting to see some gratuitous violence in the game once Plynkes, sorry, I mean Sir Osbert Molesworth starts laying about him with that cricket bat!
A very nice collection, Snapcase!
Thank you, a few more to come shortly.
Do NOT on any account, let Vagabond get near her pussy....
Never fear Doug, Mrs. Slocombe has it all in hand (ooh err!), see picture below!
Fun stuff. Looking forward to seeing this one pan out further.
Thanks, Ragnar. Some more miniatures are being painted but cannot be revealed until the game begins. ;)
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to mention Mrs. Slocombe's pussy.
Sorry, but I could not resist. Schoolboy-humour will out!
(https://i.imgur.com/KiK8fZX.jpg)
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There is a 5th Column operating in Much-Piddling, currently not suspected by the Security Services. They are seen here at a secret meeting outside the village pub. They are waiting for the Fifth Man who will apparently be in possession of some information of great value to the Abwehr. More of their mission later................
L-R: Liam Devlin (IRA), Joanna Grey (Nazi sympathizer), Hermann Görtz (Abwehr), SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny (in disguise!).
(https://i.imgur.com/zCeePaT.jpg)
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Nice figures.
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Yeah; some cracking figures there, old boy and you done ‘em proud.
Doug
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Thanks Doug.
I have now completed the Sarissa Water Mill for use in the game. I'm still looking for a dead body to hang on the water wheel as per The Eagle Has Landed!
(https://i.imgur.com/x8bf3SI.jpg)
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Cracking job on that. 👍
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Many thanks, SABOT, I've been following your 1939/40 PROJECT with great interest. Not for this game but maybe for the future, RAF Winkleigh will make an appearance. Then it will be time to
steal emulate your great ideas! ;)
I'm thinking of the Black Squadron and it's Lysanders in particular.
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At the Much-Piddling Cricket Club, Lord Snapcase is enjoying a cigar and surveying the wicket at lunchtime with his faithful bulldog, Chulmleigh. 'Old' Scrotum (the aged and wrinkled family retainer) is about to serve a liquid lunch for His Lordship. The visitors (Market-Snodsbury CC) don't look very likely to make the required runs for a win! Especially after they've been fed Dame Edith FitzPilchard's famous Plum Duff at lunch.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9U6W85.jpg)
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At the Much-Piddling Cricket Club, Lord Snapcase is enjoying a cigar and surveying the wicket at lunchtime with his faithful bulldog, Chulmleigh. 'Old' Scrotum (the aged and wrinkled family retainer) is about to serve a liquid lunch for His Lordship. The visitors (Market-Snodsbury CC) don't look very likely to make the required runs for a win! Especially after they've been fed Dame Edith FitzPilchard's famous Plum Duff at lunch.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9U6W85.jpg)
That's posh, that is.
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I like how this is has developed. :)
'Chulmleigh' is perhaps better spelt Cholmondeley though, at least that's how one does in Cheshire. ;)
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That's posh, that is.
I like how this is has developed.
Cheers, chaps, thank you.
Arlequin, you chaps are rather posh in Cheshire, down here in Devon it's plain old Chulmleigh. Snapcase Hall is a couple of miles from Chulmleigh which is how the bulldog got his name. Cholmondeley-Warner would have been funnier though! lol
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At the Much-Piddling Cricket Club, Lord Snapcase is enjoying a cigar and surveying the wicket at lunchtime with his faithful bulldog, Chulmleigh. 'Old' Scrotum (the aged and wrinkled family retainer) is about to serve a liquid lunch for His Lordship. The visitors (Market-Snodsbury CC) don't look very likely to make the required runs for a win! Especially after they've been fed Dame Edith FitzPilchard's famous Plum Duff at lunch.
(https://i.imgur.com/i9U6W85.jpg)
I can't help wonder how bad Market-Snodsbury's eleven are to let Much-Piddling score 730 runs. I just hope no-one's given them any weapons, it could be down right dangerous.
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Arlequin, you chaps are rather posh in Cheshire, down here in Devon it's plain old Chulmleigh.
I failed on all levels there, Cholmondeley is (just about) in Shropshire, where I used to live. I pass through it so often I forget there's a county border. ::)
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I can't help wonder how bad Market-Snodsbury's eleven are to let Much-Piddling score 730 runs.
voltan, I made this sign by searching Google and only after it was finished did I think how unlikely the score was! :) However, once the Market Snodsbury eleven have consumed the sumptuous lunch provided at Much-Piddling they are very unlikely to go for any runs, only trying to hit boundaries! A devious trick by the Much-Piddling team but one that has reaped rich rewards in the past in the Mid-Devon Cricket league.
Cholmondeley is (just about) in Shropshire
Arlequin, that's odd, I had a look on the map and Cholmondeley has a place to the east of it called Chorley.
In Devon, Chulmleigh has a village to the east called Chawleigh (where I live)! How weird. :o
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What a fantastic project, simply lovely!!!
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Arlequin, that's odd, I had a look on the map and Cholmondeley has a place to the east of it called Chorley.
In Devon, Chulmleigh has a village to the east called Chawleigh (where I live)! How weird.
Regional variation perhaps? You lot do talk funny down there after all. ;)
Chorley/Chawleigh = Ceorls' ley/leah/leagh = Clearing of the Freemen, as opposed to that of the Thane, who the town is reputed to be named after. Oddly exactly the same name (Ceolmund) is given as the root for Cholmondeley, which never developed into a town, lying so close to Whitchurch and Nantwich as it does.
Edit: I was right, it is in Cheshire. ::)
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Regional variation perhaps? You lot do talk funny down there after all. ;)
Chorley/Chawleigh = Ceorls' ley/leah/leagh = Clearing of the Freemen, as opposed to that of the Thane, who the town is reputed to be named after. Oddly exactly the same name (Ceolmund) is given as the root for Cholmondeley, which never developed into a town, lying so close to Whitchurch and Nantwich as it does.
Edit: I was right, it is in Cheshire. ::)
This is all very fascinating.
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What a fantastic project, simply lovely!!!
Thank you, sir!
You lot do talk funny down there after all
Ged on? In Deb'm? Ark at ‘ee, alrite my boody!
Chorley/Chawleigh = Ceorls' ley/leah/leagh = Clearing of the Freemen, as opposed to that of the Thane, who the town is reputed to be named after. Oddly exactly the same name (Ceolmund) is given as the root for Cholmondeley, which never developed into a town, lying so close to Whitchurch and Nantwich as it does.
Thanks, that is very interesting. I'm fascinated by old place names and surnames. As you can see from the Domesday extract below, Chawleigh was originally called Calvelie which I think meant 'place of the calves. It's also been spelt Calverleigh and Caluelie.
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Meanwhile, back at Much-Piddling the local garage and filling-station is now open for business. The garage is run by Montgomery Futtock but everyone calls him 'Old' Futtock. 'Young' Futtock (his son) is the chauffeur up at the Snapcase Hall. The first photo shows 'Old' Futtock tinkering away outside his garage.
(https://i.imgur.com/CN9vECN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/q1AA2uw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IbwJgme.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RGwu5zN.jpg)
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As you can see from the Domesday extract below, Chawleigh was originally called Calvelie which I think meant 'place of the calves. It's also been spelt Calverleigh and Caluelie.
"Zo my little Saxon ami, how are we the spelling of zat? No idea? Ca va, I weel rite it zo, in a hundred years, who will care?". ;)
... and yes, back to the '30s. :)
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"Zo my little Saxon ami, how are we the spelling of zat? No idea? Ca va, I weel rite it zo, in a hundred years, who will care?".
So true! lol lol lol lol
Snapcase of Devenescire!
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I'm still looking for a dead body to hang on the water wheel as per The Eagle Has Landed!
May I respectfully suggest that Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl would be a perfect candidate?
These additions (mill, cricket ground, garage) are making me leak with excitement.
Doug
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Try not to leak on the carpet! ;)
May I respectfully suggest that Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl would be a perfect candidate?
Ah, the inter-service rivalries are coming into play. I love it! Last time it was Scotland Yard and MI5, this time it's the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine. lol
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............ and now the back story, or at least, Chapter 1. This will be the over-arching story with detailed mission sheets, special character rules and victory objectives being issued to the players nearer the time.
On The Day, Went The Eagle’s Landing Well?
Chapter 1: Stahl Takes It Rough
“Achtung, prepare for a very rough landing!” Staffelkapitän Stahl’s voice came over the intercom. “Assume crash positions, we are too low to bail out!”. Those who hadn’t already, strapped themselves in as best as they could as the Tante Ju (Junkers Ju 52) bucketed around in the storm. Stahl was frantically looking for a field big enough to put the heavy Junkers down. The storm was completely unexpected, coming as it did after two weeks of unseasonably good weather in September 1940. The meteorological officer from the Grossraum Wettererkundungsstaffel back at Juvincourt airfield had predicted strong winds but nothing like this. In the flashes of lightning outside the cockpit the words Immelmann II could be read below the cockpit perspex. This had been Hitler’s personal Ju 52 until the outbreak of war and was now in the possession of Kampfgeschwader 200. It was being flown by Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl, Iron Cross First and Second Class and German Cross in Gold. Stahl was head of a detachment within KG 200 responsible for flying large aircraft (including captured allied planes) on special long-range flights under difficult navigational conditions.
It was this unseasonably good weather which had allowed the German 9th and 16th Armies (Army Group A) under Field Marshal von Rundstedt to cross the channel and establish a bridgehead on the English coast between Portsmouth in the west and Ramsgate in the east. Initial signs were that Unternehmen Seelöwe (Operation Sealion) was proceeding to plan. Army Group C under Field Marshal von Leeb was ready for embarkation at Cherbourg for the second landing at Lyme Regis. It was intended that the 6th Army would advance northwards from Lyme Regis through Taunton aiming for the vital docks at Bristol. The overall strategic aim was for the German forces to advance north and establish a line from Gloucester to Maldon. The Germans, having taken London assumed that the British would negotiate for peace. Churchill had repeatedly stated that the British forces would not surrender, “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”. The countryside west of the Taunton-Lyme Regis stop-line would be left until the surrender and then elements of the German 6th Army would be used to subjugate Devon and Cornwall.
As Stahl battled with the controls of his Tante Ju, his mind skipped back to his meeting with Reichsmarschall Göring earlier that week. “I want you to go to Devon ahead of the army and set up a provincial governor who will be responsible to the Luftwaffe and not those damn fools in the Oberkommando des Heeres!” the Reichsmarschall had expostulated. The rivalry between Göring’s beloved Luftwaffe and his rivals in the Heer was legendary. “Our glorious pilots have smashed the RAF. Oberst Leiste here will give you the details. I want you to land at RAF Winkleigh and meet Roderick Spode who is to become Reichsprotektor Spode of the Protektorate of Devon and Cornwall. Flugkapitän Hanna Reitsch will accompany you to show Spode how highly we value him. Oberleutnant Manfred Schimmel has been given a top-secret code-book to deliver which will enable Spode to take control in advance of the half-witted Heer!”. With that, Stahl was dismissed from the august presence and driven away from Carinhall to re-join his squadron in occupied France. Now here he was, five miles short of Winkleigh airfield, all instruments dead, trying to find a landing site in an electrical storm. In a flash of lightning, Stahl saw his chance and took it. A big field apparently clear of obstructions. Shouting to his navigator Leutnant Ernst Sabartovski to obtain their position, Stahl readied himself for a crash-landing and brought the Ju 52 down onto the field. Too late, he saw the old abandoned cars in a line across the field which the British used to inhibit German glider landings for the invasion. With a grinding crash and a roar of the three powerful BMW engines, Immelmann II turned on its starboard wing as the port wing tore away from the fuselage.
To be continued........
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A great way of establishing a series of linked games, I look forward to the AAR's :)
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A great way of establishing a series of linked games, I look forward to the AAR's :)
Thanks, Ballardian. First game is in November with Doug em4 and Vagabond and then I hope to play some smaller solo games in the new year, all linked off this story. Chapter 2 to come shortly.
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Chapter 2: Prien Meets the Fat Lady
“Can this verdammte lastkahn not go any faster?” shouted Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien, Iron Cross First and Second Class, U-boat War Badge with Diamonds and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. “Actually mein Kapitän, this is technically a schmales boot, not a lastkahn” replied Obersteuermann Hans Sammann. Sammann was something of a pedant and did not choose his moments for displaying his pedantry too well. “Arschloch!” came the succinct reply from the hard-bitten U-Boot commnder. Currently the hand-picked raiding crew from the new type VIIB Unterseeboot, U-47 were travelling at four miles per hour on the Barnstaple to Tiverton Canal. U-47 was currently resting on the bottom of the Western Approaches, two miles out from Saunton Sands and just south of Lundy Island. Prien and his men had rowed ashore under cover of darkness and hidden the rubber dinghies in the sand dunes. The mysterious 5th Column they were to rendezvous with had arranged to leave a narrow boat ready for the submariners to head inland. They were looking for the branch off the main canal at Molton-Magma to join the Market Snodsbury to Much-Piddling Canal.
It felt like three weeks ago but it had only been three days since Prien had been in Paris at the offices of Kommandierender Admiral Frankreich. Prien had been summoned by the commander of Admiral Frankreich, Admiral Karlgeorg Schuster.
“I want you to go to England and capture Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark,” stated Schuster brusquely. Schuster was not the kind of Admiral to be questioned by a mere Kapitänleutnant and Prien merely nodded his head in acquiescence whilst his mind was in a whirl. He was a U-Boot commander, not a spy. “As you know, Prien, the Kriegsmarine is not the Führer’s favourite branch of the armed forces. I want to install Prince Phillip as head of the puppet government when the British surrender. That way, the Kriegsmarine will rise to the top in the Führer’s mind and we will assume our rightful position in the Reich. My secretary Brünnhilde will give you the details and plans of the operation, codenamed Griechischer Prinz.”
With that, Prien was ushered out of Schuster’s palatial office and into Brünnhilde’s less spacious but more functional office. She seemed keen to sing the details but Günther assured her that was not really necessary. Brünnhilde produced a red folder marked Streng Geheim: Unternehmen Griechischer Prinz and handed it to Prien. Brünnhilde then went on to explain that Otto Skorzeny, a member of the Führer’s bodyguard, had already secretly landed in Devon to contact an Abwehr agent code named Starling. Starling has provided the tantalising intelligence that Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark was to visit a Home Guard platoon in Much-Piddling, where Joanna Grey (Starling), a German sleeper agent, lived. Prince Phillip, accompanied by his Royal Naval escort and Royal Marine bodyguard was to meet the local MP for Mid-Devon, Sir Douglas D’Emfore and then visit the Much-Piddling Home Guard under the command of Captain Lord Bertram Wilberforce Snapcase before being served luncheon at Snapcase Hall, on the outskirts of Much-Piddling. As it transpired agent Starling was Sir Douglas’s personal assistant which was how she had come by the vital intelligence. Sir Douglas would be accompanied on the visit by a highly trained bodyguard, one Sergeant-Major V. A. G’Bond late of the Sherwood Foresters but now assigned to an elite VIP protection unit. Trained by Eric Sykes, G’Bond was a close-combat specialist. As Günther left the offices of Kommandierender Admiral Frankreich, the final words of Brünnhilde were echoing in his head; “Es ist nicht vorbei, bis die fette Dame singt!”.
To be continued.....
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lol lol lol
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What a verdammt gute introduction to a game of supposedly hilarious fun and excitement. Very good characterization of believable pulp characters - and situations...
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What a verdammt gute introduction to a game of supposedly hilarious fun and excitement. Very good characterization of believable pulp characters - and situations...
Poiter50, glad you are enjoying it!
Michi, many thanks for your kind comments. Another couple of chapters and the main characters will be positioned for the start of the game which takes place on 23rd November. We have allowed for it to continue into the next day as I seem to have made it rather complex!
I am hoping that the players have a lot of fun with it by getting into character, hence the back-story. :)
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My team of proof-readers have passed Chapter 3 as fit for human consumption so without further ado.....
Chapter 3: Steiner Pulls It Off
There was a massive grinding of tortured metal, sparks, a curious sense almost of weightlessness as the Tante Ju fuselage rolled over and over in the Devon field. Stahl felt like it would never end but suddenly there was relative quiet, broken only by the ticking of cooling metal and the drip of aviation fuel onto a red-hot engine. With both wings and their engines broken off in the crash, there was still the nose engine of Immelmann II attached to the fuselage. “Scheisse!” shouted Stahl as he suddenly understood the significance of the dripping fuel. He tried to stand but found he couldn’t move. Something was pulling at his foot and then he realised it was Steiner trying to pull him out of the wreckage of the cockpit.
Steiner. The man was a mystery. Leiste had told him at Carinhall that he could pick his own crew but he must include a highly decorated and experienced Fallschirmjäger officer, Oberst Kurt Steiner. There were all sorts of rumours about Steiner. Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and then disgrace. Steiner had tried to prevent a roadside execution by an SS unit. For this, he was court-martialled. Rather than face the firing squad, Steiner was allowed to transfer to a penal unit on the Channel Island of Alderney, where they made high risk attacks with their captured motor torpedo boat using manned torpedoes against Allied convoys passing through the English Channel. Virtually a suicide unit. Leiste had offered a chance for Steiner to redeem himself in the eyes of Göring. The Luftwaffe wanted a fighting man on this mission and, in their view, not only was he a fighting man but he was expendable.
Stahl came to just as Immelmann II exploded in a ball of flame. A column of dense black smoke rose into the air. Stahl suddenly realised that the storm that had caused the crash was over, as if it had never been. Rolling over Stahl saw the rest of the crew, some injured but everyone was there. Hanna Reitsch had been thrown clear of the plane during the crash landing and suffered only minor scratches. Oberfeldwebel Dieter Müller had been trapped in the burning fuselage but somehow Steiner had managed to free him and drag him to safety. He had a bad leg injury and a nasty knock to his head. Stabsfeldwebel Raimund Weiser had a piece of metal embedded in his arm but Stahl was surprised to find that the whole crew was still alive.
“So, Sabartovski, where are we?” enquired Stahl. “I believe we have come down about a mile north-west of a village called Much-Piddling” replied Sabartovski, “we need to head south-west for Winkleigh to rendezvous with the Black Shorts and Spode”. “We will reconnoitre the village and try and liberate some transport. Zimmermann, see if you can retrieve a machine-gun from the wreckage. You all have your personal pistols and Steiner has retrieved enough hand-grenades so take one each” ordered Stahl. With that, the unlikely invading force set off on foot in the direction of Much-Piddling.
To be continued.....
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I am undecided which party has my sympathy yet... lol I will follow with keen interest.
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I am undecided which party has my sympathy yet... lol I will follow with keen interest.
Thanks, Michi, obviously I'm biased because I'm commanding the Much-Piddling Home Guard as the rather dim and bumbling Captain Lord Bertram Wiberforce Snapcase!
A bit more scenery for the game:
A statue to be erected in Much-Piddling village square. The village's greatest hero, the Elizabethan swash-buckler and explorer (some would say pirate but b'damned to them), Sir Francis Snapcase. Born in Much-Piddling in 1540, 'tis rumoured he died in El Dorado in 1599.
The inscription reads: Sir Francis Snapcase, 1540 - 1599, "Singed the Queen of Spain's Bush"
(https://i.imgur.com/cYZAhaN.jpg)
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Fnar, fnar.
Cracking work old bean!
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Elizabethan swash-buckler and explorer (some would say pirate but b'damned to them), Sir Francis Snapcase. Born in Much-Piddling in 1540, 'tis rumoured he died in El Dorado in 1599.
The inscription reads: Sir Francis Snapcase, 1540 - 1599, "Singed the Queen of Spain's Bush"
There is a game about it to be played in the not so distant future, I suppose. Either the first part or the second.
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Cracking work old bean!
Thanks, jon_1066. :)
There is a game about it to be played in the not so distant future, I suppose. Either the first part or the second.
Yes, there is an Elizabethan game planned for later, possibly Witchfinder General. But for now Sir Francis is only set-dressing for this Operation Sealion game. :)
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Thanks, Michi, obviously I'm biased because I'm commanding the Much-Piddling Home Guard as the rather dim and bumbling Captain Lord Bertram Wiberforce Snapcase!
A bit more scenery for the game:
A statue to be erected in Much-Piddling village square. The village's greatest hero, the Elizabethan swash-buckler and explorer (some would say pirate but b'damned to them), Sir Francis Snapcase. Born in Much-Piddling in 1540, 'tis rumoured he died in El Dorado in 1599.
The inscription reads: Sir Francis Snapcase, 1540 - 1599, "Singed the Queen of Spain's Bush"
(https://i.imgur.com/cYZAhaN.jpg)
That’s a really nice job, m’lud. Inscription and weathering look the bizz. Congratulations on a cracking bit of scene dressing.
Doug
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Amazing project, I will follow this with anticipation!
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Amazing project, I will follow this with anticipation!
Thank you, Ockman. :)
As a person of such eminence as Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark is visiting Much-Piddling, it is only natural that the local MP should be there to greet him. As a consequence, Sir Douglas D'Emfore, MP for Mid-Devon has taken time out from the House and returned to his constituency to greet the esteemed royal visitor. As an MP in wartime, Sir Douglas is escorted by his Personal Protection Officer, Sergeant-Major Victor Albert G'Bond, late of the Sherwood Foresters and trained by none other than Eric Sykes himself.
Sergeant-Major G'Bond has booked a car out of the car pool for the visit and was rather amused to discover an Austin 7 which could have been his own personalised number plate!
(https://i.imgur.com/7ymVxkH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Vmcq8Br.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eLr3lDe.jpg)
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Nice paint job.
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Sweeeeeet..... I refer you to the question I posted on your blog.
Doug
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Nice paint job.
Many thanks! :)
I refer you to the question I posted on your blog
Doug, answered on the blog, cheers. :)
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Doug, answered on the blog.....
Oooops - I’ll head over there right away, suitably chastened😊
Doug
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Love the Austin 7, a very characterful model & paintjob :)
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Nice paint job.
Thanks, Ultravanillsmurf.
Sweeeeeet.....
Thanks, Doug.
a very characterful model & paintjob
Cheers, Ballardian.
A few bits of set-dressing knocked out to improve the scenery. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to have time now to paint the farm animals before the game. :'(
(https://i.imgur.com/p8ltgN8.jpg)
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Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to have time now to paint the farm animals before the game. :'(
(https://i.imgur.com/p8ltgN8.jpg)
M’Lud. The farm animals of Devon are doubtless relieved that, on this occasion, you’ll be refraining from touching them up with a paint brush😀😀😀.
Doug
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The farm animals of Devon are doubtless relieved that, on this occasion, you’ll be refraining from touching them up with a paint brush
lol lol lol lol lol
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This photo is from back in March this year. I did a trial set-up to plan the table. I now need to do another set-up to fit in Snapcase Hall, which has grown bigger than expected. I also need to finish painting the canal and the swing-bridge. Panic now sets in! :o
(https://i.imgur.com/RxbtNbV.jpg)
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:-* :-* :-*
See you in the hot tub, big boy.....😊
Doug
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M’Lud. The farm animals of Devon are doubtless relieved that, on this occasion, you’ll be refraining from touching them up with a paint brush😀😀😀.
Doug
Come to Wales, the sheep love being touched up :-*
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See you in the hot tub, big boy....
Looking forward to it ;) Vaggers seems a little reluctant, possibly due to him already being sewn into his winter hessian underclothes! It's not a cool look in the hot tub!
Come to Wales, the sheep love being touched up
Thanks for the invite, Lord Raglan.
Q: What do you call a sheep tied to a fence in Wales?
A: A leisure centre. ;)
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.....and herewith chapter 4 of the back story which places the submariners and the 5th Column for the start of the game.
Chapter 4: Prien Pootles Along
At the exact same moment as Stahl was dragged free from Immelmann II, Prien was approaching Much-Piddling on the Market Snodsbury to Much-Piddling Canal from the south east. Prien knew nothing of Stahl or his secret mission but was curious earlier when a large black smoke cloud had erupted into the sky somewhere over to the north west.
Prien had had to contain his impatience as the narrow boat pootled along at four miles an hour. However, they were now close enough to Much-Piddling to demand caution and the submariners moored the boat to the bank within sight of the village as the dawn broke. From the horrendous storm and downpour in the night to a lovely Devon morning with the September sun shining on the dew, it was a startling contrast. It looked like the start of a beautiful day in Much-Piddling as the villagers started to go about their business, unaware of the dark forces of war looming around them.
Prien now took a few minutes to assess their situation. His orders were to contact the 5th Column. They were hiding out in the vicinity of the old mill on the road to Loose-Chippings. They had information regarding times and locations and a vital map. Prien’s orders were to rendezvous with the 5th Column first and to use them and their information in the kidnap attempt as required.
“Fähnrich,” said Prien addressing Iwan Oldekop, “take a bearing on the map for the old mill, wir marschieren!“ "But, Herr Kaleu, we should first have Frühstück. I heard of those nice Devon cream teas they serve in Much-Piddling!" replied Iwan. "Well, you are rrright,” answered Prien, “let's see which way they clot their cream...VORWÄRTS!"
Dialogue in italics courtesy of Michi, see below. lol
To be continued...
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“Fähnrich,” said Prien addressing Iwan Oldekop, “take a bearing on the map for the old mill, wir marschieren!“
I.O.:"But, Herr Kaleu, we should first have Frühstück. I heard of those nice Devon cream teas they serve in Much-Piddling!"
G.P.:"Well, you are rrright. Let's see which way they clot their cream...VORWÄRTS!"
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I.O.:"But, Herr Kaleu, we should first have Frühstück. I heard of those nice Devon cream teas they serve in Much-Piddling!"
G.P.:"Well, you are rrright. Let's see which way they clot their cream...VORWÄRTS!"
Love it!!!!!!!!!!! lol
Edit: Loved it so much, I've added it to the story, see above! :-*
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In a previous post, Sergeant-Major Victor Albert G'Bond was driving the Austin 7. Here on the left, is the dismounted version in case he needs to get involved in any fisticuffs! On the right is Private Ted Bovis. Ted started as a Yellowcoat at Maplins Holiday Camp, located just outside Steeple Bumpleigh (although not outside enough for the residents of that idyllic village!) but is now the camp comedian. Private Bovis is replacing 'Stinker' Pinker in the Home Guard line-up for reasons explained in the forthcoming Chapter 5. The real reason is I suddenly realised that the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine contingents had a machine-gun each but the M-P.H.G. (Much-Piddling Home Guard) were sadly lacking.
(https://i.imgur.com/8QoxZiE.jpg)
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Mad Lord,
The table looks mighty fine! :-* :-* I have to say that I am really looking forward to seeing the vaunted Much Piddling Manor/Snapcase Hall after all these years of hearing about the whiskey fueled dementia …...ah, eccentric aristocratic behavior that occurs there lol lol
Lon
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A Fabulous thread , one which could only happen and develop on the LAF forum. I d,ont know how I missed it , btw, I think S,Kapitan Stahl is lighting a gasper ( cigarette) .
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The table looks mighty fine! I have to say that I am really looking forward to seeing the vaunted Much Piddling Manor/Snapcase Hall after all these years of hearing about the whiskey-fuelled dementia …...ah, eccentric aristocratic behaviour that occurs there.
Thanks Lon, plenty more whiskey-fuelled dementia eccentric aristocratic behaviour to come in Chapter 5 below. Glad you are enjoying it!
A Fabulous thread , one which could only happen and develop on the LAF forum. I d,ont know how I missed it , btw, I think S,Kapitan Stahl is lighting a gasper ( cigarette) .
Thanks, Belisarius. I believe you are right, Stahl is indeed 'aving a fag!
...and so on to Chapter 5 of this nonsense which sets the scene for the Home Guard dispositions in the game.
Chapter 5: Snapcase Brews Up
It was not unexpected when Snapcase had been given command of the local Home Guard. Back in May, when he heard Eden on the radio announcing the formation of the Local Defence Volunteers (later to become the Home Guard) Snapcase felt a call to arms. Having fought through the Great War on Major-General Kenwood-Chef’s staff, Bertram Wilberforce Snapcase had some experience of war at the sharp end. It wasn’t all ‘cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off’ on Kenwood-Chef’s staff. Bracegirdle Kenwood-Chef liked his staff to get out on the front line and mix it up with the Germans. Now Bertram was a little too old to serve in the regular army for this war. Truth be told, he could also be described as ‘not playing with a full deck’, or as his Aunt Dahlia used to say ’not the full jar of marmite’! Although something of a bumbling incompetent buffoon (as his uncle, General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett put it) Snapcase was the 10th Earl of Snapcase and the local land-owner. His family could be traced right back to the battle of Agincourt where a distant ancestor had stiffened his sinews and summoned up his blood alongside King Henry V. So, it was no surprise to all and sundry in the class-conscious society that was 1940 that the local aristocrat received his commission from King George to raise a platoon of the Home Guard.
Captain Lord Snapcase was now supervising one of the most important military manoeuvres of the British Army. The Much-Piddling Home Guard lads were ‘brewing up’ and although they needed no supervision in this vital task, he was dying for a drink. Something stronger was really in order but Old Scrotum had suggested quite rightly that the mainbrace should only be spliced after the arrival of the VIPs! Snapcase had arranged for the NAAFI van to visit Snapcase Hall on the occasion of this auspicious visit by Prince Phillip. The van was parked out of sight to the rear of the Hall, ready to serve tea and sticky buns to the men whilst Prince Phillip and other assorted dignitaries would partake of smoked salmon, lobster thermidore, Pimms and Dom Perignon inside the Hall.
At that moment, Private Ted Bovis arrived carrying the Lewis gun, the pride and joy of Snapcase’s platoon. Ted had started as a Yellowcoat at Maplins Holiday Camp, located just outside Steeple Bumpleigh (although not outside enough for the residents of that idyllic village!) but was now the camp comedian. “Sir, Captain Snapcase, sir!” he shouted. “What is it, man?” the Captain enquired. “Sir, Reverend Lieutenant Pinker asked me to tell you, sir.” “What man, spit it out!” snapped Bertram, rapidly losing patience. “Lieutenant Pinker has been delayed at Twing Hall and will not be coming to the parade, sir”.
Twing Hall was the residence of Major-General Bracegirdle Q. Kenwood-Chef at Loose-Chippings, a village north of Much-Piddling. Kenwood-Chef had taken up residence there after the Great War and he and Snapcase had become near-neighbours. There was a big scandal brewing locally and the villagers of Loose-Chippings had more gossip circulating than they would have liked. Much-Piddling matrons were enjoying the chance to warn their daughters about the dangers of associating with Loose-Chippings’ bachelors. “You’ll come to no-good, them Loose-Chippings folk have always had low moral standards, you mark my words, missy!”
In 1939, just before the outbreak of war, Kenwood-Chef had divorced his wife of long-standing, Countess Gertrude Sepulchrave and announced his intention of marrying Consuela Banana-Hammock, his Venezuelan house-keeper. ‘Stinker’ Pinker had been tasked to officiate at the wedding which was due to take place in December 1940 and was currently detained at Twing Hall in vital discussions about decorating the church with Venezuelan flags and flor de Mayo.
Just then, there hove in sight an Austin 7 transporting the august personage of Sir Douglas D’Emfore, the MP for Mid-Devon. Snapcase immediately put an end to the impromptu ‘brew-up’ in the Snapcase Hall grounds and paraded his platoon at the Hall gates to welcome the first of the visiting dignitaries. A very important day in the history of Much-Piddling had begun.
To be continued...
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This is a very general map based on my set up back in March. I think Snapcase Hall may well extend more to the west now, so the farm will probably move south nearer the cricket pavilion. Things may change! Both the 5th Column and the Black Shorts will have better information and maps for the participants once they meet up with them. Initially, neither of them will be aware of the others' presence.
(https://i.imgur.com/uQfT6d8.jpg)
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Superb, just the ticket, pip pip , “ I say , where’s that duffer Bertie got to , old bean ? “. 🍸🎩
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“I say, where’s that duffer Bertie got to, old bean?“
Belisarius, I believe he's at the Drones watching the Darts Tournament, it's Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright versus Bingo Little in the final and the smart money's on Bingo to win!
Prien's Schmales Boot! Just finished the narrow boat on which Prien and his crew arrive at Much-Piddling.
(https://i.imgur.com/SvMLLcw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZFl6mDa.jpg)
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Prien's Schmales Boot! Just finished the narrow boat on which Prien and his crew arrive at Much-Piddling.
(https://i.imgur.com/SvMLLcw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZFl6mDa.jpg)
Hell’s Bells and Black Enamel, Snapcase - your driving me to the extremes of pleasurable anticipation with all this fabulosity. It’s just splendid. And to make matters worse, you’re teasing me cruelly with the narrow boat - you know I want a real one, you bounder.
Doug
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Terrific. Love this project. The canal boat is a beaut . Top notch. 👍
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That narrow boat is lovely.
Is it a Sarissa model?
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you know I want a real one, you bounder
I'll see if I can knock up a 1:1 scale one in MDF, then. ;)
Terrific. Love this project. The canal boat is a beaut . Top notch.
Cheers, SABOT, loving your project too, plenty of inspiration there.
That narrow boat is lovely. Is it a Sarissa model?
Thanks, yes, it is from Sarissa.
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Great looking table, I eagerly anticipate the AAR :)
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Great looking table, I eagerly anticipate the AAR :)
Thanks, Ballardian.
Half a pound of flour and lard
Makes a lovely clacker
Just enough for you and me
Gor bugger Janner
Oh how happy us'll be
When us gets to the west country
Where the oggies grow on trees
Gor bugger Janner
Now you make fast, I'll make fast
Make fast the dingy
You make fast, kiss my ass
Make fast the dingy
And we'll all go back to oggie land
To oggie land, to oggie land
And we'll all go back to oggie land
Where they cant tell sugar from
Tissue paper, tissue paper, marmalade and jam, oi
Oggie oggie oggie.......
Barliman Butterbur, the Landlord of The Earl of Snapcase public house in Much-Piddling, is supporting the Home Guard with his latest invention. Having installed an old iron range on his veteran lorry, he follows the Home Guard on manoeuvres and cooks his delicious pasties to order. Any troops fighting in the vicinity of the Much-Piddling Mobile Pasty Unit (or MPU for short) get an immediate morale boost. Barliman always has a barrel of scrumpy on the back of the Oggie-Lorry as well for light refreshments.
(https://i.imgur.com/ezyaJwS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/djXgolw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/07CrIZu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4ULdlne.jpg)
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lol lol Love the converted truck! A real gem and I love the area bonus that the Pasty Unit gives. Most excellent.
Lon
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Clever idea and a nive conversion :-* :-* :-*
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Barliman Butterbur...cooks his delicious pasties to order...always has a barrel of scrumpy on the back of the Oggie-Lorry
Pasties and cider - alright, I join the guard! Where do I have to sign?
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Brilliant job.
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It’s getting better and better. You’re turning into something of a LAF super-star😀
Doug
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Most excellent.
Clever idea and a nice conversion
Brilliant job.
It’s getting better and better.
Lon, gamer Mac, Ultravanillasmurf and Doug, thank you all for your very kind comments, glad you like the MPU, it will be in action in November in our big game.
Pasties and cider - alright, I join the guard! Where do I have to sign?
Michi, no need to sign anything. Anybody who likes Oggies and Scrumpy deserves a shot at glory! I hearby appoint you an Honorary Member of the Much-Piddling Home Guard (motto: TARDA ET SENEX DICTUS).
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Not for the first time, you have me reaching for Google translate....😀
Doug
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I hearby appoint you an Honorary Member of the Much-Piddling Home Guard (motto: TARDA ET SENEX DICTUS).
I feel knighted now! Thank you M'lord There is an urge to contribute an appropriate miniature of me, I guess... lol
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There is an urge to contribute an appropriate miniature of me, I guess...
Michi, if you would like to post me an appropriate miniature to represent you as a Home Guard in the game on November 23rd, I will certainly post him back to you after the game (no doubt covered in glory and medals).
If not, I'm happy to rename this miniature, Private Michi to represent you in the game! Let me know what you think? :)
(https://i.imgur.com/opIEDct.jpg)
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Not for the first time, you have me reaching for Google translate....😀
Doug
Did you like the Home Guard motto? ;)
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If not, I'm happy to rename this miniature, Private Michi to represent you in the game! Let me know what you think? :)
(https://i.imgur.com/opIEDct.jpg)
Due to the lack of British forces in my stash, I would be very happy to have him to represent me on your table. The similarity is perfectly striking!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9ZGwlycGk8/W7epChxhQTI/AAAAAAAAKNY/YD3I7z8qwBUHVzg1KVkPE1UqAfNmuzpKACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC04406.JPG)
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The similarity is perfectly striking!
I see what you mean and a rather striking portrait, if I may say so, sir!
Private Michi will report for duty then.
...and without further ado, the concluding chapter which puts everybody in their places for the commencement of action on the big day...
Chapter 6: Betty Slocombe Warms Her Pussy
“I’m covered in it!” announced Madeline Bassett in a rather sniffy tone. “What?” enquired ‘Stiffy’ Pinker. “Ordure, what do you think?” replied Madeline, a blush coming to her cheeks, not the sort of words a young lady was used to uttering, in private or public. “What?” repeated ‘Stiffy’ in a sharp tone. “You know,” began Madeline “feculence, egesta, do I have to spell it out for you?”. “Ah, pig poop, you mean, dear?” speculated ‘Stiffy’. “Yes, that’s it, not the sort of thing one encounters much at Totleigh Towers, Daddy simply wouldn’t stand for it,” pronounced Madeline. “Not much of a pig man, Sir Watkyn then, eh?” asked ‘Stiffy’.
It was the girl’s first day on the farm. What with the war and all that, they’d thought it rather a lark to join the Women’s Land Army. “Bit of a hoot, what!” Honoria Glossop had opined at the time. Having persuaded Madeline and ‘Stiffy’ to ‘do their bit’ and Honoria having already talked Lady Florence Craye and ‘Bobbie’ Wickham into volunteering, the girls had been outfitted and posted to Cold Comfort Farm in the parish of Much-Piddling. So far, Madeline thought, the farm was living up to its name.
Amos Starkadder had met them by the farm gate with the words “Ye’re all damned!” and it certainly looked that way to Madeline. Amos was a preacher at the Church of the Quivering Brethren in Loose-Chippings and believed in brimstone and hellfire. Madeline was beginning to miss the company of Gussie Finknottle and if one began to miss his company, then one was halfway up the Rannygazoo without a paddle!
Meanwhile, in Much-Piddling village itself, Dame Edith FitzPilchard was beginning to wish she hadn’t agreed to Bertram Snapcase’s appeal for help. With the visit of Prince Phillip and his entourage to Snapcase Hall, Bertram had wanted his ward, young Verity ‘Peaches’ Snapcase out of the way. Her mother and father had disappeared up the Limpopo some years previously (Bertram suspected it was to get away from ‘Peaches’) and Snapcase Hall seemed to be the only home for her. However, she was proving something of a trial, already expelled from St. Trinians, a rather progressive private school located just outside Steeple Bumpleigh, ‘Peaches’ was a somewhat unnerving presence around the Hall with her catapult. Dame Edith had acquiesced to Bertram’s request for help and had taken ‘Peaches’ with her to the village hall where ARP Chief Warden William Hodges was giving a lecture about ‘how to shout put that bloody light out’ as Bertram, Hodges nemesis, had referred to it.
The Much-Piddling Women’s Institute were slated to give a lecture on making jam after Hodges talk and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jennifer Rachel Abergavenny Slocombe, known as Betty to her friends, was worrying. “The central heating broke down last night, I had to light the oven and hold my pussy in front of it!” she’d told her friend and fellow WI member, Miss Shirley Brahms.
Not much has been said of the Black Shorts and the mysterious 5th Column yet. They lurk in the shadows, probably the best place for people of that ilk. Suffice to say, Spode was heading for Much-Piddling having seen nothing of the promised Luftwaffe at RAF Winkleigh. Skorzeny and chums were in hiding at the old mill awaiting Prien and his crew.
And so, dear reader we leave the aforementioned dramatis personae who are now assembled to play their part in the momentous day that went down in history as “On The Day, Went The Eagle’s Landing Well?”
Friday 23rd November will see the dénouement to this thrilling tale of everyday country folk. Till then…adieu.
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Blimy , if that’s the Land Girls aboard that trolley, I,d like to see them hard at work in my Milking Shed . 😃
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she was proving something of a trial, already expelled from St. Trinians, a rather progressive private school located just outside Steeple Bumpleigh,
That's a worrying achievement, I have been wondering if the St Trinian's mob will turn up in a universal carrier, like they did in The Pure Hell of St Trinian's .
*oops, edited to get the right film.
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Terrific and top notch as always. 👍
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To my shame I've only just come across this thread. Cracking stuff! I remember enquiring on Frothers many moons ago if anyone had ever had a go at wargaming "Went the Day Well". Glad someone has really run with the film's setting and combined so many elements!
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Blimey, if that’s the Land Girls aboard that trolley, I'd like to see them hard at work in my Milking Shed.
;)
(https://i.imgur.com/xTQY68q.jpg)
I have been wondering if the St Trinian's mob will turn up in a universal carrier, like they did in The Pure Hell of St Trinian's.
That is a great idea, voltan. I haven't got time to paint one now before the game but definitely for next time! lol
(https://i.imgur.com/oomFraC.jpg)
Terrific and top notch as always.
Cheers, SABOT, appreciate that, thanks.
Glad someone has really run with the film's setting and combined so many elements!
Thanks, Onebigriver. 'Went the Day Well?' is indeed the original inspiration but then it spiralled out of control with Dad's Army and P.G. Wodehouse. Glad you like it. :)
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Might be worth looking at:
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-1/ (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-1/)
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-2/ (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-2/)
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Might be worth looking at:
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-1/ (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-1/)
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-2/ (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/savage-school-girls-2/)
Thanks, Ultravanillasmurf, they are already in my queue, just awaiting painting! (I just bought a Carrier from Warlord too, don't think it will be done in time for the game though :'( )
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Not much in the way of posting recently due to construction of things like fences, canals and walls for the game. All the boring stuff has to be done but it's not really worth a photo. However, a mysterious staff car has been observed parked at the rear of the Snapcase Arms in Much-Piddling. Plenty of rumours but no facts have emerged as to the identity of the occupants.
(https://i.imgur.com/AyoNiKe.jpg)
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Nice paint job.
The wheels look a bit small.
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Nice paint job.
Thanks.
The wheels look a bit small.
Yes, do you think it's the wheels or are the mudguards a bit big?
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This has got to be my favourite thread to read and look at on LAF, really looking forward to how the game pans out, great back story and would make a better film I'm sure than some of those its named after!
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This has got to be my favourite thread to read and look at on LAF, really looking forward to how the game pans out, great back story and would make a better film I'm sure than some of those its named after!
Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm setting up the terrain for the game today, so I'll post a photo later.
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Yes, do you think it's the wheels or are the mudguards a bit big?
The front mudguard does look a bit wide, it is not so noticeable on the rear one.
The ground clearance looks small as well.
Not being at all knowledgable about the prototype, I would suggest jacking up the suspension and moving the front wheels out a bit. It does look like you could go from one lock to the other inside the front mudguard, not requiring a wheel well.
Just to be clear though, I would be more than happy to have painted something that good and be proud to have it on the table top.
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Just to be clear though, I would be more than happy to have painted something that good and be proud to have it on the table top.
Very kind of you to say so. :)
It does look like you could go from one lock to the other inside the front mudguard, not requiring a wheel well.
It looks like the Staff Car is going to be a hairy drive for someone!
I have set up the 'On the Day, Went the Eagle's Landing Well?' table this morning. Quite pleased with the way it looks and an improvement on the first set-up back in March this year. Various views of the table here. Yes, I know I haven't finished the pub roof, but I will before Thursday!
(https://i.imgur.com/kdHYdJe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GFHp8p8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1JI5YNI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Jj87jkU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ur3ksrn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cLpw6BG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cQeyWkO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RfXUQsA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TuUSRcw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PL4z3VS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QYHX6TL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Oji4u6y.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5SuHDUb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EJo3ncq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1pUiimh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XlBTzho.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7o8t9im.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yLS88Tv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/654GaJt.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0XdIOgQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vGlTUxm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eIoSoDW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yw9cMqm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/v4j5XGv.jpg)
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Nice detailed board.
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Nice detailedboard.
Thanks, I wanted quite a complicated set-up with no real lines-of-sight and plenty of cover. Not quite sure how it's going to play out yet but we'll find out at the weekend!
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That flock looks like it's out for revenge for the pasties.
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Great stuff. Overall looks superb. Love your canal. 👍😬
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Some lovely details on that board :-* :-* :-*
Looking forward to the AAR
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It seems invidious to home in on just one scene amongst all this fantastic loveliness but I have to say, those chaps lined up by the moored narrow boat look a particularly fine body of men. I dare say they are led by a splendid, heroic type - ruggedly handsome, kind to animals and a bit of a charmer with the ladies. Eh...?
Doug
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That flock looks like it's out for revenge for the pasties.
lol lol lol
Great stuff. Overall looks superb. Love your canal.
Thanks, SABOT.
Some lovely details on that board. Looking forward to the AAR
Thanks, gamer Mac. The game is being played on Thursday and Friday this week. After all the other games are played (see http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=113083.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=113083.0)) I will be starting work on the AAR.
I have to say, those chaps lined up by the moored narrow boat look a particularly fine body of men. I dare say they are led by a splendid, heroic type - ruggedly handsome, kind to animals and a bit of a charmer with the ladies. Eh...?
I have to say Doug, you're probably right! ;) Obviously, only a commander with charm, erudition and wit could lead these boys into battle!
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Do enjoy this thread.
Thinking some day I may have to visit Much-Piddling!
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Do enjoy this thread.
Thinking some day I may have to visit Much-Piddling!
Let me know when you are in the vicinity, I'll buy you a pint of cider at The Snapcase Arms!
I've just finished the character cards for 'On the Day, Went the Eagle's Landing Well?' They should all have a uniform pale yellow background but the bloody printer ran out of yellow ink at a crucial moment. They'll just have to do as they are.
(https://i.imgur.com/We2kwoT.jpg)
Great news, Private Michi has reported for duty in Much-Piddling in time for these portentous events.
(https://i.imgur.com/PH6zC6U.jpg)
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Great news, Private Michi has reported for duty in Much-Piddling in time for these portentous events.
(https://i.imgur.com/PH6zC6U.jpg)
:D :D :D Yeah, it feels great becoming famous!
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Great job on those. 👍
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Yeah, it feels great becoming famous!
I'm expecting great things of you, Private Michi!
Great job on those.
Thanks, SABOT. :)
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Great looking table, hope it’s all going right and the Eagle has landed well.
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Looking forward very much to the AAR ;) ;D
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Ok, you're just showing off now. Inspired work, the attention to detail and character is pant wettingly brilliant.
Did Bingo win the darts?
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It wasn’t half bad :D. Huge thanks to the Mad Lord (well named) for a cracking long weekend and to Vagabond, gentleman of this parish, for his tremendous contribution.
And now, I need to sleep and then hopefully start to post the many pictures from the various games. As well as recovering from the sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption, I also need to seek therapy after my tour of the neighbourhood of Snapcase Hall aboard m’lud’s Quadzilla quad bike. Exhilarating and only occasionally terrifying.... :)
(https://velodoug.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/b63833e3-9dab-4288-b7ef-c3e3b12b4f6c-e1542931303162.jpeg)
Doug
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Great looking table, hope it’s all going right and the Eagle has landed well.
The Eagle landed well and I hope John and Doug enjoyed it as much as I did.
Looking forward very much to the AAR
There are loads of photos and I do have a dim and distant memory of last Friday so I'll try and produce an AAR this week. Beware though, those of a sensitive disposition, there were some despicable acts and tragedies enacted throughout the course of the game!
the attention to detail and character is pant wettingly brilliant.
Very kind of you to say so, thanks.
Did Bingo win the darts?
Yes, Bingo spent the duration of the game in the pub playing, not realising there was a war on outside!
As well as recovering from the sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption
Yes, same here! Glad you enjoyed the Quadzilla Z8 ride.
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At the start of the game the players were handed sealed envelopes with information particular to them and their initial orders. To set the scene these are now reproduced here:
LUFTWAFFE INITIAL ORDERS
You need to make contact with Roderick Spode as a matter of the utmost urgency. Spode will direct you as to what he needs to become Reichsprotektor. Schimmel has been given a top-secret code-book to deliver to Spode. You will need to keep Müller with you as he is the only member of your crew able to speak English. Spode is thought to be in Much-Piddling, see attached aerial photograph from reconnaissance mission.
(https://i.imgur.com/TCJzwfv.jpg)
KRIEGSMARINE INITIAL ORDERS
The commander and crew of U-47 must first rendezvous with the 5th Column led by Otto Skorzeny of the SS. The 5th Column will have vital information regarding the interior of Snapcase Hall and timings of the Prince’s visit. The 5th Column are thought to be hiding out in the vicinity of the Old Mill. If sighted by the Englanders you will be fired upon as you are in uniform.
BLACK SHORTS INITIAL ORDERS
The Black Shorts led by Roderick Spode must first rendezvous with the commander and crew of Immelmann II. The crew are currently located at the Much-Piddling Cricket Club pavilion. Although the code book which the Luftwaffe are delivering is vital, you know that you also need the Ancient Charter of Piddling. To become Reichsprotektor you must have the original document in your possession. Currently, the 10th Earl of Snapcase (Captain Lord Bertram Snapcase) is the legal holder of this medieval document and is entitled to the rights and privileges therein. The charter is held in Snapcase Hall on the top floor in a safe and you must seize it. You and your Black Shorts will assist Stahl in any way he deems fit but you must stress to him the urgency of obtaining the Ancient Charter of Piddling. If sighted by the Englanders you will not be fired upon as you are in disguise although disliked by the general population. Should you commit an offensive act, this will terminate your disguise.
Heil Spode!
5th COLUMN INITIAL ORDERS
The 5th Column led by Otto Skorzeny of the SS must first rendezvous with the commander and crew of U-47. The crew are currently located at Much-Piddling on the canal. You have vital information regarding the interior of Snapcase Hall and timings of the Prince’s visit. The Prince has now arrived and is being entertained by the fool Snapcase. The attached plan shows the ground floor. Assist Prien in whatever manner he decides as mission commander. If sighted by the Englanders you will not be fired upon as you are in disguise. Should you commit an offensive act, this will terminate your disguise.
(https://i.imgur.com/TjAywKy.jpg)
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(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/DVxkklnOn0qcsEuKTXth3g--~B/aD00Mzc7dz02MzA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/de_DE/News/contentfleet/simpsons-mal-anders-funfjahriger-lasst-sich-mr-burns-frisur-verpassen-73224.jpg)
EXCELLENT...
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(https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/DVxkklnOn0qcsEuKTXth3g--~B/aD00Mzc7dz02MzA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/http://media.zenfs.com/de_DE/News/contentfleet/simpsons-mal-anders-funfjahriger-lasst-sich-mr-burns-frisur-verpassen-73224.jpg)
EXCELLENT...
lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol
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Loving this. 👍
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Loving this. 👍
Cheers, SABOT.
The players were briefed at the start about an embuggerance factor which I hoped would cause chaos with vehicle movements later in the game. Using a flock of Tin Shed's lovely sheep I issued the following rules for the flock's movements throughout the game.
· The sheep move first every turn
· They move 5”
· When they meet a junction, throw a direction die or assign a d6
· When they meet the edge of the board they turn around
· They always stay on the road
· A vehicle cannot drive through them
· A pedestrian can move through the sheep at half walking pace
(https://i.imgur.com/SlyyAz1.jpg)
Photo by Doug em4
(https://i.imgur.com/puUsV9f.png)
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To enhance the atmosphere of the game I purchased some hats so that each senile old bugger could remember which side he was on! ;)
Photo by Doug em4.
L to R: Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien (Doug em4), Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl (Vagabond), Captain Lord Bertram Snapcase (Mad Lord Snapcase).
(https://i.imgur.com/ikpXVr1.jpg)
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To enhance the atmosphere of the game I purchased some hats so that each senile old bugger could remember which side he was on!
Great idea! Admittedly the Luftwaffe hat looks most spiffing on top of that officer and gentleman!
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Why does the Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien look photoshopped?
Looking forward to more photos
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Why does the Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien look photoshopped?
Caught, red-handed! We spent two days playing this game, wearing our hats and forgot to take a team photo with all three of us in it. Doug photoshopped his elegant physiognomy into this one just so we had a shot of all three of us in hats at DevLAM '18.
lol lol
Admittedly the Luftwaffe hat looks most spiffing on top of that officer and gentleman!
I'm not sure he's a gentleman!
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PART 1 – THE OPENING MOVES
With the issuing of the aforementioned orders, the game was afoot. In the photo below you can see the start positions. Bottom right is the Luftwaffe who had to link up with the Black Shorts top right behind the house with the red roof (Dame Edith FitzPilchard’s house). The Kriegsmarine situated top left, having disembarked from their narrow boat had to meet up with the 5th Column, pictured here bottom left behind the Old Mill. All figures were free to move as they wished with the proviso that the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe would be fired upon by the British if sighted as they were in uniform. The Black Shorts and the 5th Column could move with impunity until some form of offensive act was committed, then that group could come under fire. Both Axis players chose to use this advantage and it was some time before the groups revealed themselves.
(https://i.imgur.com/jPmggJy.jpg)
A view up Piddling Street showing the Square. A Maplins bus waiting forlornly to transport happy campers to Joe Maplin’s latest venture.
(https://i.imgur.com/Brw14hU.jpg)
The Kriegsmarine boys take a ‘selfie’ with a view of Much-Piddling in the background.
(https://i.imgur.com/HbDRlTC.jpg)
Prince Phillip and entourage have arrived at Snapcase Hall and the Prince is greeted by Captain Lord Snapcase. Lady Bracknell from the Much-Piddling Women’s Institute is about to be introduced. Sir Douglas D’Emfore, MP for Mid-Devon arrives in his Austin 7 driven by his bodyguard, Sergeant V. A. G’Bond.
(https://i.imgur.com/A0d6Jgg.jpg)
The Luftwaffe move out from behind the Cricket Pavilion having decided to open the batting. Led here by Steiner.
(https://i.imgur.com/5vQWd8v.jpg)
The 5th Column start to move out from behind the Mill.
(https://i.imgur.com/HDUzmtF.jpg)
The Black Shorts move unhindered past Futtock’s Garage trying to meet up with the Luftwaffe.
(https://i.imgur.com/wOMIbfv.jpg)
Meanwhile, unaware of the impending danger, the sterling chaps of the Much-Piddling Home Guard have been left to their own devices whilst their incompetent leader entertains minor royalty in the Hall. Barliman Butterbur is serving pasties and scrumpy from his Mobile Pasty Unit, hence the NAAFI van is not doing much business with their offering of tea and ‘stickies’. Seen here are ‘Jonesy’, Walker, Godfrey, Wilson and Pike. Private Scrotum (the Snapcase families wrinkled retainer) has his ‘battle-bowler’ on and Private Michi is in the foreground trying to get the radio to work.
(https://i.imgur.com/eMdAQGK.jpg)
There was some manoeuvering to do for the Axis and not much for the Allies at this point. However, there were one or two surprises in store for the players, of which more later.
To be continued…
P.S. Most of these photos were taken by Doug em4.
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Why does the Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien look photoshopped?
Looking forward to more photos
There’s always one, isn’t there.....? :D
Doug
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Love it.
The juxtaposition of U-boat crew and gaily painted narrowboat is hilariously brilliant lol
Well done you senile old buggers!
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Barliman Butterbur is serving pasties and scrumpy from his Mobile Pasty Unit... and Private Michi is in the foreground trying to get the radio to work.
The only explanation I can accept is that Private Michi has been filled with a proper amount of scrumpy already to even consider doing anything else than consuming pasties and the aforementioned and at the same time "trying to get the radio to work" without the slightest hint of success in his attempt. There is a reputation to loose, you know... :D
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Tremendòus. Loving it. 👍
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Love it.
The juxtaposition of U-boat crew and gaily painted narrowboat is hilariously brilliant lol
Well done you senile old buggers!
Many thanks, Captain Blood. It was indeed a hilarious four days of gaming. More eccentricities to follow...
The only explanation I can accept is that Private Michi has been filled with a proper amount of scrumpy already to even consider doing anything else than consuming pasties and the aforementioned and at the same time "trying to get the radio to work" without the slightest hint of success in his attempt. There is a reputation to loose, you know...
Michi, I did omit to mention that Private Michi had already won the Home Guard Pasty-Eating Competition and was quietly consuming the gallon of scrumpy that was the prize for the competition! Unfortunately the radio, which could have called for reinforcements from Captain Square (Loose-Chippings Home Guard) was never going to work in this game. The Much-Piddling Home Guard are on their own, facing down the might of the Luftwaffe.
Tremendòus. Loving it.
Cheers, SABOT. "We shall fight in the fields and in the streets".
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Great idea! Admittedly the Luftwaffe hat looks most spiffing on top of that officer and gentleman!
Michi you are quite right about the officer and gentleman, just ignore the Mad Lord. And I'm sorry I shot you. :) At least I think I did. o_o
Gamer Mac - I think you'll find this is a Zaphod Beeblebrox moment rather than Doug's dissembodied head floating in the ether.
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Michi you are quite right about the officer and gentleman, just ignore the Mad Lord. And I'm sorry I shot you. :) At least I think I did. o_o
Gamer Mac - I think you'll find this is a Zaphod Beeblebrox moment rather than Doug's dissembodied head floating in the ether.
OK - that’s enough of the rude comments about my photoshopping - it was hurried job, ok? And all because Vagabond (Officer and Gentleman? - pshwaw and tsk...!) was distraught at the lack of a group show with hats.
Here’s a much better group shot, unphotoshopped and giving due prominence to the correct person:
(https://velodoug.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/61950c02-95da-42c8-8da9-cc343be6926d.jpeg)
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Here’s a much better group shot, unphotoshopped and giving due prominence to the correct person
Can't remember why I had stuffed that cushion up the front of me weskit?
PART 2 – THE LUFTWAFFE GET A SURPRISE
The players had spotted a mysterious part of the scenery at the start of the game. The rules stated that they could not lift the roofs of buildings without a figure going inside and scenery could not be examined without a figure in base to base contact. At this point the Pickett-Hamilton forts were in the lowered position but I can only find a photo of mine in the raised position.
(https://i.imgur.com/kHm8KvT.jpg)
The Pickett-Hamilton was designed to be lowered into the ground when not in use. Norman Pickett (one of the designers) was a friend of Donald Campbell and gained permission to build the prototype at Campbell’s workshops.
(https://i.imgur.com/4c1PF0Q.jpg)
For this game I had placed two Pickett-Hamiltons and invented an underground stay-behind Auxiliary Unit base of which the Pickett-Hamilton was only a part.
(https://i.imgur.com/RYtbCpq.png)
There would be an Auxiliary Unit sniper in each pillbox, activated as follows; the AU sniper has a +1 Shooting and a -1 for cover at all times, even when not in cover. If the sniper is in cover the minus for this accumulates. Moves as normal. The sniper will activate after a uniformed German passes within 5” of the Pickett-Hamilton pill box. If not activated after 6 turns, the sniper will activate anyway.
The Auxiliary Units or GHQ Auxiliary Units were specially trained, highly secret units created by the United Kingdom government during the Second World War, with the aim of using irregular warfare to help combat any invasion of the United Kingdom by Nazi Germany, which the Germans codenamed Operation Sealion. With the advantage of having witnessed the rapid fall of several continental nations, the United Kingdom was the only country during the war that was able to create a multi-layered guerrilla and resistance movement in anticipation of an invasion. The Auxiliary Units would fight as uniformed guerrillas during the military campaign. Service in the Auxiliary Units was expected to be highly dangerous, with a projected life expectancy of just 12 days for its members; along with orders to either shoot each other or use explosives to kill themselves if capture by an enemy force seemed likely. The two best known officers from this period were Captain Peter Fleming of the Grenadier Guards and Captain Mike Calvert of the Royal Engineers.
The first sniper to be activated was Private Seth Starkadder from Cold Comfort Farm as the Luftwaffe contingent moved within 5” of the pillbox. Seth stealthily crept from cover and opened fire. By some very lucky dice-throws, Seth managed to kill Flugkapitän Hanna Reitsch and Oberfähnrich Franz Lizst outright.
(https://i.imgur.com/a342sbG.jpg)
The Pickett-Hamilton fort can be seen under the tree, top right of the photo. Starkadder is in the ghillie suit, bottom right.
The first two shots of the game and two Luftwaffe down, unfortunately this display of marksmanship was not how the Auxiliary Units continued the fight but more of that later. The Luftwaffe player seemed to take this to heart and there was some gratuitous violence to follow.
To be continued…
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The players had spotted a mysterious part of the scenery at the start of the game. The rules stated that they could not lift the roofs of buildings without a figure going inside and scenery could not be examined without a figure in base to base contact. At this point the Pickett-Hamilton forts were in the lowered position
The Pickett-Hamilton fort can be seen under the tree, top right of the photo. Starkadder is in the ghillie suit, bottom right.
The first two shots of the game and two Luftwaffe down, unfortunately this display of marksmanship was not how the Auxiliary Units continued the fight but more of that later. The Luftwaffe player seemed to take this to heart and there was some gratuitous violence to follow.
I think you will find that the rules also stated and I quote "All Englishmen are expected to keep a straight bat to the wicket and maintain a stiff upper lip at all times"
There was also some thing about cucumbers but as this is a family forum we needn't go into that now.
Your Goon in a Silly Suit shot poor charming Hanna Reitsch in the back, without provocation or warning, I think it's quite right that the Luftwaffe should wish to extract revenge for this dastardly cowardly and vicious deed. ;)
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PART 3 – TRAGEDY FOR THE HOME GUARD
Meanwhile, the Kriegsmarine were out for a lovely stroll along the tow path of the Much-Piddling to Market Snodsbury Canal.
(https://i.imgur.com/oLcjdqK.jpg)
The 5th Column, staying in disguise, move cautiously through the woods towards their rendezvous with Prien and his men. Another Pickett-Hamilton has activated to their left. The occupant, Captain Peter Fleming is waiting until they have passed in order to cause more mayhem.
(https://i.imgur.com/6sFRwSI.jpg)
Unwittingly, I had made the link-up between the 5th Column and the Kriegsmarine somewhat easier than that for the Luftwaffe and the Black Shorts. The Luftwaffe had Cold Comfort Farm between them and the Black Shorts. Cold Comfort Farm was occupied by the Women’s Land Army who were, I hoped, to provide a formidable obstacle. The Kriegsmarine route behind the back of Snapcase Hall back-passages was pretty much out of sight all the way.
The Luftwaffe come up behind the sheep.
(https://i.imgur.com/VE8od3P.jpg)
The Black Shorts advance through Cold Comfort Farm, much to the disgust of ‘Stiffy’ Pinker and the other girls of the Women’s Land Army.
(https://i.imgur.com/oytjYyB.jpg)
All is quiet outside Futtock’s Motor Services.
(https://i.imgur.com/hUsA0Bl.jpg)
Hearing rifle shots, Sergeant Wilson of the Much-Piddling Home Guard snaps out a crisp order to Private Walker, “I say Joe, would you mind awfully stepping over to that wall and having a look to see what the devil’s going on?” Joe reports back, “Blimey, Germans coming up the main road!”
(https://i.imgur.com/EpKRhzn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YjB2BIn.jpg)
Zimmermann with his MG-15 takes up position behind the tree with a good view of the road and the approaches to Snapcase Hall. This turned out to be a very useful strategic placing for the MG-15 and caused me no end of trouble.
(https://i.imgur.com/hpLYRjo.jpg)
Zimmermann opens up with his machine gun and the fire proves to be very effective against the stout-hearted boys of the Home Guard. Over a few turns the scene around the MPU turns to carnage as the brave defenders are mown down. Private Michi is the only soldier to have survived the onslaught and is seen here giving return fire. For this solitary delaying action, Private Michi has been recommended for the Military Medal. Barliman Butterbur remains glued to the MPU and is cowering in fear behind his cast iron ovens. Leutenant Sabartovski can be seen on the left sneaking behind a wall trying to get a shot at Michi. In the background, members of the 5th Column are using the confusion to approach the Hall.
(https://i.imgur.com/VIZSGHA.jpg)
Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien makes contact with Joanna Grey, Otto Skorzeny and Liam Devlin. The 5th Column hand over the vital intelligence and the Kriegsmarine are now free to attempt to carry out their mission of kidnapping Prince Phillip from Snapcase Hall.
(https://i.imgur.com/lW7TifO.jpg)
After disposing of Seth Starkadder in a particularly brutal fashion the Luftwaffe make contact with the Black Shorts. Oberleutenant Schimmel hands over the secret code book to Roderick Spode in the pig sty. In return, he receives the startling news that Spode needs the Ancient Charter of Piddling to become Reichsprotektor. Currently, the charter is in the safe, located on the top floor of Snapcase Hall. Staffelkapitän Stahl now realises that he must penetrate the interior of the Hall to succeed in his mission.
(https://i.imgur.com/IaFyDj7.jpg)
The Ancient Charter of Piddling.
(https://i.imgur.com/QXaLOjq.jpg)
A rough translation of this ancient document runs as follows:
Do not make me work. The holder of this document has certain rights. The lord's right is his. This allows the holder to have sexual relations with peasant women on their wedding nights. The holder has the right to rule the fiefdom of Much-Piddling. The holder has the right to drive his cows through Market Snodsbury on a Sunday. At Easter the holder may promenade without his nether garments and wave his private parts at spinsters. The holder may wear a leather apron, roll up his trouser leg and dance the pavane at Muckletide. During the time of the Spurge the holder may wear odd socks and extend his cod piece. In July the holder can demand beer from any dwelling whilst the daughter of the house combs his beard. Given under our hand the above named and many others being witnesses, in the meadow which is called Runnymede, between Windsor and Staines, on the fifteenth day of June, in the seventeenth year of our reign. King John.
To be continued…
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great table, nice bunch of tinsoldiers. Seems to be very much fun
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I’m enjoying reliving that epic game - can’t wait until you get to the bit where Prien’s genius becomes manifest.
Doug
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Come on Snapcase, Old Bean. You’ve been reading the bumf for long enough. Stop trying to understand the long words and get on with the story :D :D :D
(https://velodoug.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/dsc01998.jpg)
I’m inspired by today having seen The Eagle Has Landed for the first time.
it’s too gorgeous a game not to share
Doug
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Come on Snapcase, Old Bean. You’ve been reading the bumf for long enough. Stop trying to understand the long words and get on with the story
Very well, my dear old thing. I have summoned the scribes to my study at the Hall. I shall now try to recall the cataclysmic events of that fateful day. Stiffening the sinews, summoning up the blood etc.........
it’s too gorgeous a game not to share
Thanks.
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PART 4 – THE WOMEN’S LAND ARMY COME OUT FIGHTING!
At the sound of all the gunfire coming from the outskirts of Much-Piddling, some of the military personnel from the Hall come to investigate. Led by CPO Pertwee here, backed up by Colonel Grytpype-Thynne, Sid Staines and Chief Warden Hodges. Sergeant-Major G’Bond is about to leap over the hedge into Cold Comfort farm.
(https://i.imgur.com/o9CXWBT.jpg)
The villagers and the Women’s Institute, also alerted by the sounds of war are rushing up the road to see what is going on. Here we see the redoubtable Dame Edith FitzPilchard leading the advance, followed by Betty Slocombe, Peggy Carter and Mary Berry. ‘Stilton’ Cheesewright joins the throng.
(https://i.imgur.com/hqYU2tF.jpg)
The girls of the Women’s Land Army are swift to react and emerge from Cold Comfort Farm with shotguns blasting!
(https://i.imgur.com/mizTj8M.jpg)
As the Luftwaffe make a flanking move to mercilessly cut down the wounded Home Guard a surprise awaits them. Well, it should do, but some very poor weapon maintenance now rears its ugly head.
(https://i.imgur.com/By6wodE.jpg)
‘Just before war was declared, Peter Fleming, then a reserve officer in the Grenadier Guards, was recruited by the War Office research section investigating the potential of irregular warfare. His initial task was to develop ideas to assist the Chinese guerrillas fighting the Japanese. He served in the Norwegian campaign with the prototype commando units – Independent Companies – but in May 1940 he was tasked with research into the potential use of the new Local Defence Volunteers (later the Home Guard) as guerrilla troops. His ideas were first incorporated into General Thorne's XII Corps Observation Unit, forerunner of the GHQ Auxiliary Units. Fleming recruited his brother, Richard, then serving in the Faroe Islands, to provide a core of Lovat Scout instructors to his teams of LDV volunteers. When Colin Gubbins was appointed to head the new Auxiliary Units, he incorporated many of Peter's ideas, which aimed to create secret commando teams of Home Guard in the coastal districts most liable to the risk of invasion. Their role was to launch sabotage raids on the flanks and rear of any invading army, in support of regular troops, but they were never intended as a post-occupation 'resistance' force, having a life expectancy of only two weeks.’ (Wiki)
Captain Peter Fleming appears from the secret entrance of the Auxiliary Unit bunker. I was expecting Captain Fleming to have quite an impact (as Starkadder did) on the game, however with his first shot his rifle jammed! Being camouflaged in his ghillie suit and hearing only a click, the Luftwaffe failed to observe his presence. I believe that on no less than five occasions the same thing happened. The dice were cursed!
(https://i.imgur.com/d3f7K55.jpg)
Meanwhile, the girls of the WLA put up a stiff resistance causing a delay in the Luftwaffe’s attempt to get to the Hall and obtain the much-needed charter. Here, Honoria Glossop and Lady Florence Cray advance under heavy fire to try and take out Zimmermann and his MG-15.
(https://i.imgur.com/uyA6sL5.jpg)
Refusing to give up in the face of overwhelming fire-power, the girls were cruelly shot down by their barbarous foe.
To be continued…
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Every new episode is a joy to read! I look forward to the next one...
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Every new episode is a joy to read! I look forward to the next one...
Thanks Michi, I'll try and produce them a bit faster now, before I forget what happened!
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Ahh yes; Captain Fleming. How we laughed as he strove to actually get his gun to work😀.
Speaking on behalf of the Kriegsmarine detachment, I must deprecate the actions of the Luftwaffe against the fragrant ladies of the WLA. I fear that the air arm of the Wehrmacht is far too Nazi as far as we sailors are concerned. We at least remember that there are certain standards to be observed even in the midst of battle.
Kapitänleutnant Prien
<as told to me>
Doug
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Another cracking episode. I am completely hooked into it and very grateful for the pleasure that this brings me, great stuff. 😬👍
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Another cracking episode. I am completely hooked into it and very grateful for the pleasure that this brings me, great stuff. 😬👍
Cheers, SABOT. Working on the next episode now, should appear in the next day or two. :)
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It would probably be a good plan at this point to include each player's objectives which may explain their actions. At the start of the game each player was given a sheet of Victory Points. Also as special events occurred, a written sheet was produced to explain it, as per the Auxiliary Units.
SPECIAL RULES FOR KIDNAP
To kidnap Prince Phillip two enemy must be in base to base contact. Phillip will then move with them. Phillip will resist one enemy with normal Combat rules.
To kidnap Sir Douglas one enemy must be in base to base contact. Sir Douglas will then move with them.
To gain Victory Points, either of the stated captives must be in your possession at end of game or have been escorted off the table.
Escorts going off the table with a captive cannot return.
HOME GUARD VICTORY POINTS
Retain Charter +1 VP
Prevent capture of Prince Phillip +1 VP
Prevent capture of Sir Douglas +1 VP
Kill 90% of the Luftwaffe +1 VP
Kill 90% of the Kriegsmarine +1 VP
LUFTWAFFE VICTORY POINTS
Meet the Black Shorts +1 VP
Steal Charter +2 VP
Capture Sir Douglas +1 VP
Kill Prince Phillip -2 VP
Kill Sir Douglas - 1 VP
Kill 90% of the Home Guard +1 VP
KRIEGSMARINE VICTORY POINTS
Meet the 5th Column +1 VP
Capture Prince Phillip +2 VP
Capture Sir Douglas +1 VP
Kill Prince Phillip -2 VP
Kill Sir Douglas - 1 VP
Kill 90% of the Home Guard +1 VP
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PART 5 – THE KRIEGSMARINE ENJOY THE TOWPATH
Ladies and gentlemen of the audience, you may have been wondering what’s happened to the Kriegsmarine? The Luftwaffe have suffered casualties from a sniper, engaged the Home Guard and had to deal with the Women’s Land Army. They have also met with Spode who has not declared himself for the Germans yet and so is still free to lounge about Much-Piddling in his ‘footer bags’ without fear of retribution. What about the Kriegsmarine I hear you cry? Well, the cunning brain of old Gunther Prien has ensured that so far, the Navy boys have remained undetected! They’ve had a lovely stroll up the towpath to meet the 5th Column, gained the plan of the ground floor of Snapcase Hall and the details of Prince Phillip’s visit. Pausing only to surreptitiously view the ferocious battle being fought out the other side of Market Snodsbury Road and for a large slug of Obstler from Prien’s hip-flask, the proud lads of the Kriegsmarine return down the towpath to take up positions in the back passages of Snapcase Hall.
(https://i.imgur.com/v2m4ssN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mNnrFCo.jpg)
Whilst CPO Pertwee and ‘Catsmeat’ Potter-Pibright head down Market Snodsbury Road to lend assistance to the brave girls of the WLA, Able Seaman Staines, Sergeant-Major G’Bond and ‘Old Shut-Up’ take an alternative route through Cold Comfort Farm. However, G’Bond has a different strategy in mind of which more later.
(https://i.imgur.com/NONeTdy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7N5EmsF.jpg)
The 5th Column advance across the front of Snapcase Hall across the stables and garage. Joanna Grey seen here passing Butterbur who is still cowering in the Mobile Pasty Unit. One assumes that Grey is a vegetarian as she declines to help herself to the pasties scattered about.
(https://i.imgur.com/PIT2HIX.jpg)
Meanwhile Spode and his chums are lurking in the barn opposite Snapcase Hall. Still undercover, they are awaiting the right moment to make a dash for the Hall and to seize the charter whilst the Luftwaffe carry on the fight. Stahl’s tactics now become apparent.
(https://i.imgur.com/AxCY4PE.jpg)
The situation now seems set for a treacherous assault on the ancient Hall itself and its distinguished visitors. Can things get any worse?
To be continued…
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So exciting!
Where will this go?
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I bit off and swallowed my fingernails...I start to admire the "naval" action. Prien still seems to be the cold blooded genius after Scapa Flow! :D
(http://www.u47.org/images/prien/boardgame_01.jpg)
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This is a really wonderful thread. I can't wait until the next episode.
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Even I’m excited about how it will go and I actually played in it....!
Doug
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Thanks, Ockman, Duke Donald and Doug, more fun to come soon.
Prien still seems to be the cold blooded genius after Scapa Flow!
Michi, yes the cold, calculating machine-like, intellectual man-of-steel was well in evidence here. It must be all those hours he spends underwater, or maybe all the fish he eats! Just to show you his mettle, here is a photo of the man enjoying a cocktail whilst the heroes of the Home Guard are dying in Much-Piddling. Slightly out of focus I know, but it was later in the evening and all three of us were slightly out of focus. The cocktails were quite powerful.
(https://i.imgur.com/DBJlnLV.jpg)
A 'Between The Sheets' for Doug (Prien), white rum, brandy, triple sec and lemon juice. A real sinew-stiffener!
(https://i.imgur.com/E2Rvhr0.jpg)
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PART 6 – AN ENTRANCE IS FORCED IN THE BACK PASSAGE
We saw earlier that Sergeant-Major V. A. G’Bond was making a beeline for Cold Comfort Farm along with Sid Staines and ‘Old Shut-Up’. However, once in the farm as Sid and ‘Old Shut-Up’ headed one way to help the valiant girls of the WLA, G’Bond turned the other way heading for an innocent seeming log shed at the end of the farm. Seen here with the red roof, middle left.
(https://i.imgur.com/yyYeMgI.jpg)
Snapcase’s cunning plan for the defence of Much-Piddling was about to be revealed. Should Field Marshal von Leeb and his 6th Army set foot in Devon the boys of Much-Piddling Home Guard intended to be the ones to stop his little game! Hence, the surprise in the log shed.
(https://i.imgur.com/geopgam.jpg)
G’Bond had been dispatched to the log shed by Snapcase when the firing commenced earlier that day. G’Bond knew exactly what he had to do. Pulling the ropes which attached the false sides to the shed he revealed Snapcase’s secret weapon……………a Beaverette!
(https://i.imgur.com/Fkb6YcW.jpg)
The first version of the vehicle was built in 1940 by Standard Motor Company at the instigation of Lord Beaverbrook, then Minister of Aircraft Production (hence the name Beaverette). It was based on commercial car chassis, on which a simple riveted armoured hull was mounted. The 11mm of steel was backed by 3 inch thick oak planks. The hull was open at the top and at the rear. The armament consisted of a Bren light machine gun, which could be fired through a slot in the casemate armour. Subsequent versions received all-around protection and a machine gun turret - an enclosed one with a Bren MG or an open-topped one with twin Vickers machine guns.
BEAVERETTE RULES
It can only be driven by a member of the Home Guard or other British military. It takes one turn to open the fake log-shed and another turn to start the engine. In one turn it can move 8”. The armament is a Bren Gun and counts as a machine gun in the rules. After receiving 3 wounds the vehicle will cease to move but can still fire. After 4 wounds the vehicle is destroyed.
N.B. if the Beaverette is proving too powerful in the game (to be decided by the players), it will suffer a mechanical breakdown.
(https://i.imgur.com/XA8Qb5H.jpg)
Meanwhile, back at the Hall, Prince Phillip and the assembled glitterati of Much-Piddling high society are awaiting cocktails in the drawing room. In the absence of any imminent libation, Prince Phillip is flirting with Sam Stewart, Snapcase’s driver (and some say, much more!). Sir Douglas D’Emfore and Lady Bracknell look on askance.
(https://i.imgur.com/NzL2hp9.jpg)
Up the back passage, the Kriegsmarine effect an entrance. Whilst Fähnrich zur See Iwan Oldekop and Obergrefreiter Albert Zöller keep a watch through the rear entrance to the drawing room, Oberleutnant Hans Bothmann and Oberbootsmann August Ronshausen stealthily proceed through the rear entrance and into the library, taking position by the door that leads into the hallway. Prien is dividing his force to make two rear entrances at once, a cunning plan, mein Kapitänleutnant!
(https://i.imgur.com/8qtGxRF.jpg)
To be continued…
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PART 7 – BLOODY MURDER AT THE HALL
At Cold Comfort Farm, Sergeant-Major G’Bond has finally managed to start the Beaverette 4-cylinder petrol engine and is heading for the farm exit to get out on the road.
(https://i.imgur.com/8S5GSie.jpg)
As the Beaverette emerges from the farm entrance a sad scene unfolds in front of G’Bond’s eyes. He is too late to save the girls of the WLA. Bodies surround the Pickett-Hamilton fort where the fighting was at its fiercest.
(https://i.imgur.com/c3NrqRM.jpg)
Here we can see that although the girls are down, they have taken a heavy toll of the brutal invader. Oberleutnant Manfred Schimmel has been shot by Bobbie Wickham. Staffelkapitän Peter Wilhelm Stahl himself has been killed leading the charge against the brave girl’s shotguns. Lady Florence Cray and ‘Stiffy’ Pinker (‘Stinker’ Pinker will be inconsolable) have been mown down by Feldwebel Jürgen Zimmermann with his MG-15. Zimmermann appears to be the Grim Reaper himself with the number of casualties caused by his machine gun. Will he be able to sleep at night after this bloodbath? At present, only Claude ‘Catsmeat’ Potter-Pirbright is returning fire with his Tommy Gun and his lone resistance sadly, cannot last.
(https://i.imgur.com/Mhfs0UC.jpg)
Back at the Hall, the Black Shorts are trying to carry out Stahl’s last order, ‘get the charter if it’s the last thing you do’. Unity Mitford is trying to enter the Hall through the main gate. The Black Shorts have not committed any outright offensive action yet but Warden G. D'Arcy ‘Stilton’ Cheesewright has taken charge at the gate and is rightly suspicious of the devious Black Shorts and is refusing to allow Unity access.
(https://i.imgur.com/AZY15Tp.jpg)
At the sound of shots from the Hall itself, the villagers who were heading up Market Snodsbury Road turn into the Hall instead to investigate. ‘Peaches’ Snapcase, in the care of Dame Edith FitzPilchard, has reached the door first armed only with her catapault. Captain Snapcase himself has returned to his ancestral home at the sound of gunfire and shoulders the Mitford sisters aside as he attempts to find the cause of the shots.
(https://i.imgur.com/FKOFGia.jpg)
But now the real tragedy of this invasion plays out. Shots are fired through the main door to the Hall by the Kriegsmarine. ‘Peaches’ is cruelly murdered in cold blood on the steps of the Hall! Will the killer of this fourth-former from St. Trinians ever be held to account? Cries of outrage and horror are heard from the following villagers.
(https://i.imgur.com/qp6NQ1m.jpg)
As ‘Peaches’ lies dying on the steps, Hermann Görtz of the Abwehr hides behind the stone wall and tries to kill more of the villagers. Will the horrors never cease?
(https://i.imgur.com/TfJgrH6.jpg)
Even now, more tragic events are unfolding. ‘Peaches’ had managed to down Bothman with her catapault before being mortally wounded. Seeing the carnage, Private Charles Godfrey under the auspices of the Red Cross approaches the Kriegsmarine to try and negotiate a cease-fire whilst he removes the body of young ‘Peaches’.
“My sister Dolly has made some lovely cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. I wonder if you chaps would like to take a break and have a sandwich?”.
These are the last words spoken on earth by Godfrey as even under the protection of the Red Cross he is cut down by a hail of sub-machine gun fire.
(https://i.imgur.com/qy69hh1.jpg)
To be continued…
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I just noticed in the last photo above, that even in death, 'Peaches' is giving Diana Mitford a 'V' sign! lol
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A real sinew-stiffener!
Not half....my sinews have remained permanently stiff ever since....!
I just noticed in the last photo above, that even in death, 'Peaches' is giving Diana Mitford a 'V' sign! lol
:D :D :D She was a plucky one, no doubt. But having elected to involve herself in the grim business of war, she had to accept the possibility of retaliation, which when it came was swift and final. My memory must be playing tricks because I thought she was shot by one of the 5th columnists.
More top quality posts, Old Bean.... :-*
Doug
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It's really exciting, it is!
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This is everything great about gaming!!
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This is everything great about gaming!!
Thank you, sir! Just reminded me to add the last chapter, do the Kriegsmarine manage to kidnap Phil the Greek? ;)
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do the Kriegsmarine manage to kidnap Phil the Greek? ;)
The man who recently retired, I wonder what the Kriegsmarine did to him...
Probably offered some rank and post to Herr Battenberg. lol
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There is a 5th Column operating in Much-Piddling, currently not suspected by the Security Services. They are seen here at a secret meeting outside the village pub. They are waiting for the Fifth Man who will apparently be in possession of some information of great value to the Abwehr. More of their mission later................
L-R: Liam Devlin (IRA), Joanna Grey (Nazi sympathizer), Hermann Görtz (Abwehr), SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny (in disguise!).
Where are the Devlin and Gortz figures from? Devlin looks like Warlords LDV???
(https://i.imgur.com/zCeePaT.jpg)
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PART 6 – AN ENTRANCE IS FORCED IN THE BACK PASSAGE
Meanwhile, back at the Hall, Prince Phillip and the assembled glitterati of Much-Piddling high society are awaiting cocktails in the drawing room. In the absence of any imminent libation, Prince Phillip is flirting with Sam Stewart, Snapcase’s driver (and some say, much more!). Sir Douglas D’Emfore and Lady Bracknell look on askance.
(https://i.imgur.com/NzL2hp9.jpg)
To be continued…
I just recapped your fantastic story (I wish I could join) and I have a small question.
I cannot recognise the make of Sam Stewart and naval officer minis. Can you point out the manufacture(s) of them?
Thanks in advance
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Probably offered some rank and post to Herr Battenberg.
lol lol
Indeed! ;)
argsilverson and Charley Bourne, I've remembered where two of the four figures mentioned. I will try and give you the answer to the other two as soon as I remember! Old age, you see. ;)
Prince Phillip and Liam Devlin are both Warlord. I gave Devlin a Mauser instead of a Molotov and just painted the BEF Officer in RN blue.