The Russians are coming!

[Helen]

Hi Folks,

My friend Andrew and his gaming friends facilitated a public demostration game on "The Russians are coming!"

The fort is based on Fort Nepean "The Gibraltar of the South."

This demo game was held at our premier wargames convention in Canberra.

The aim of the group is to:

Promote an encourage the exploration and the colourful world that existed in the era of Australian colonial history around the 1880’s to 1890’s, when the colonial governments of Australia feared that a Russian invasion was imminent. We are hoping to encourage gamers to explore the “what if” scenarios through recreating of this period on the Wargames table.

Here are some of the pics that I took which you will find below. The game was sponsored by Eureka, Castaway Arts an Askaris Miniatures. Al at Askaris actually cast-out the Russian Cossacks for this very game even though they haven't been released yet. Thanks Al for all your assistance to Andrew and his group. A big thanks to all the other sponsors too.

All ships and terrain, scratch built! Figures are from various manufacturers. HLBS, Old Glory, Cataway Arts, Askaris Miniatures, Battle Honours, Eureka Miniatures and Wargames Foundry.

I'm not aware of the outcome, but I do know the Russian heavy armoured crusier was listing.

The Australian colonial states had the following at the game:
HMVS Albert (Gun Boat);
HMVS Cerberus (Turret Ship) ; and
HMVS Nepean (Torpedo Boat).
The Russians had:
Vladimir Monomokh (Heavy Armoured Crusier);
Russian Steam launch; and
2 x Russian Torpedo boat

For folks interested in learning more:
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/austcolwar/

Please enjoy.

[argsilverson]

Dear Helen,

Thanks for sharing.

Wow, that is a mega game. Very impressive!

I would like to see more photos [but I hate to sign in more yahoo groups].

Forgive my ignorance: those chaps on foot in light blue and white colonial helmet or ?

[Helen]

Dear Helen,

Thanks for sharing.

Wow, that is a mega game. Very impressive!

I would like to see more photos [but I hate to sign in more yahoo groups].

Forgive my ignorance: those chaps on foot in light blue and white colonial helmet or ?

Thanks Arg,

The chaps are Victorian colonial artillerymen AFAIK. Pith helmet was the norm for most. Depending on the volunteer unit there were even spikes. Australian colonial states had their own volunteer forces and very colourful they are. They encompass all good things you would expect to see from all Northern European armies.

[argsilverson]

Thanks helen,

Sometime I must find time and dig some more depth in the "british" colonial forces.

[Ray Rivers]

 

Darn, that is totally awesome!

Great mini's!  SUPER warships!

Helen, who makes the sailors that man the large, magnificent, cruiser in the first photo?

Once again... lovely!

[odd duck]

WOW a Cruiser and a coast defense monitor in 28mm All done to a high quality too,not to forget the other vessels It's taken me a while to recover my jaw from the floor!!Great terrain and figures too but those ships steal the show, very well done!!!

[Helen]

Thanks helen,

Sometime I must find time and dig some more depth in the "british" colonial forces.

Hi Arg,

Victoria is one of our states in Australia. There is nothing British about our lot except that may have been born there! 

[Helen]

Darn, that is totally awesome!

Great mini's!  SUPER warships!

Helen, who makes the sailors that man the large, magnificent, cruiser in the first photo?

Once again... lovely!

Hi Ray,

I believe they are Old Glory Seamen. This is a mixed bag you will find under the Boxer Rebellion range.

Helen

[Ray Rivers]

Thanks Helen,

Have to admit you folks down under sure do have a way of getting folks attention!

[argsilverson]

Thanks helen,

Sometime I must find time and dig some more depth in the "british" colonial forces.

Hi Arg,

Victoria is one of our states in Australia. There is nothing British about our lot except that may have been born there! 

Hope that I have not offended in any way.
I am aware about Victoria (state) and Australians.

I used the term "british" meaning english speaking territories! That's all. 

[Helen]

Thanks helen,

Sometime I must find time and dig some more depth in the "british" colonial forces.

Hi Arg,

Victoria is one of our states in Australia. There is nothing British about our lot except that may have been born there! 

Hope that I have not offended in any way.
I am aware about Victoria (state) and Australians.

I used the term "british" meaning english speaking territories! That's all. 

Hi Arg,

No way, actually I was born in Victoria.

You will find some great uniforms that our colonial state volunteers wore during this time and before federation in 1901.

Helen

[Chairface]

Phenominal pictures! Thank you!

[Mustasha Pasha]

Great project and tremendous inspiration!

We will do the Gallipoli landings in 28mm complete with naval support yet!

[Sheerluck Holmes]

Great looking game, and a wonderful idea too 

I hope Helen doesn't mind me posting some links about Point Nepean so others can learn more about it: http://www.pointnepeantrust.org/modules/content/index.php?id=3

The actual area can be seen in this photo



- it is the long thin area on the right hand side to the bay entrance, with Melbourne at the upper part of the bay... so you had to get past the Forts on either side of the bay entrance to get to Melbourne.

 And this is a link to an aerial photo of the Point (link only,as the picture is large) http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA25677D007DC87D/LUbyDesc/Point+Nepean/$File/point+nepean+2004+aerial+photo.jpg

And for those interested in Victorian Colonial military units: http://users.netconnect.com.au/~ianmac/volunt.html


Also, on a note of trivia, the first shots fired in anger in WW1, came out of the forts guarding the bay as they fired at German ships trying to leave the bay.