Inspired by the dubious successes of the Prussian Army in its invasion of England, (See: Teddington, Battle of) my friend Mark and I played out a Prussian attack into the Irish Repuplic.
With this attack the Prussians hoped to get their hands on what was reportedly a new type of war machine being developed by the Irish.
(See: Yours in a White Wine Sauce)
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/search/label/Around%20the%20World%20in%2080%20ModelsIn accordance with the wishes of the government, images of the war machines have been redacted for reasons of state security.
In order to simulate the experimental nature of the Irish steam tanks they were accorded lower sustain and start numbers than most vehicles. Because of this it was very hard
to keep the vehicles moving, let alone laying down any effective fire on the enemy. The three instances in which the any of the vehicles had a decent target fate would intervene
via some of the most ignominious dice rolling it has been my disappointment to witness.
The battle played out very nicely for the Hun as they pushed in and forced the Fenians to a fighting withdrawal. However owing to the recalcitrant nature of vehicles in development,
the new fighting vehicles had troubles from the start. Plagued with engine failures kept one of the machines from even entering the fray. The two vehicles that did manage to function
at all got to the field just in time to take a parting shot or two before retiring in the face of overwhelming Prussian odds.
The small village where the battle took place. The Prussians came on out of the woods to the left. The Prussian advance scouting roll was so poor that the Irish were
allowed sufficient time to prepare a warm welcome.
Irish Regulars and local Militia occupy the hedgerow facing the Prussian advance. A unit of the High King's Own Rifles occupied the upstairs portion of building behind the militia.
Irish defenses seen from the Prussian line.
Irish Regulars in the crossroads.
The Prussian infantry and artillery set up on the edge of the woods. One of their infernal devices attempts to move forwards.
After trading a few rounds of fire the Prussian Jaegers made a bold push against the barricade,
forcing the Irish there to fall back.
Prussian Regulars move up, looking to exploit the gap made by the Jaegers. Right after this picture was taken, the Irish Steam Monitor Iron Kelly fired a rocket barrage at the Jaegers. The shot missed the Jaegers but deviated right into the center of this Prussian platoon, killing at least half of them as well as one of the officers leading the unit.
One of the Prussian steam tanks crashes through the barricade and rakes a burst of machine gun fire into the Militia.
After falling back into cover the Militia regroup ans fire several volleys into the Prussian Dragoons.
With a huge gap in their defenses and Prussians pouring through, the Republican soldiers had no choice but to withdraw. The Kings Own Riflemen held the rearguard and gave the remainder of the Irish forces time to withdraw and regroup.
While terrible in their grandeur, the secret war machines of the Republic failed to inflict a single casualty. Obviously further efforts will need to be made before these behemoths see the battlefield again.
16 September 2008, 08:02:13 AM
