A strange oversized distributor cap from a 1983 Austin Ambassador is seen on the horizon
An enormous pencil with what appears to be a turbojet engine gaffer taped to the back. What sort of fool would wish to pilot this sort of fantastical device.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Ice Station Thule - Secret Weapon Teasers
Ted has sent these photos out of not so Secret weapons.. As the allies have been copied in on the mail shot these can be disclosed Wikileak like to anyone who passes by.
A strange oversized distributor cap from a 1983 Austin Ambassador is seen on the horizon
An enormous pencil with what appears to be a turbojet engine gaffer taped to the back. What sort of fool would wish to pilot this sort of fantastical device.
A strange oversized distributor cap from a 1983 Austin Ambassador is seen on the horizon
An enormous pencil with what appears to be a turbojet engine gaffer taped to the back. What sort of fool would wish to pilot this sort of fantastical device.
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Ice Station Thule - Allied Armoured Piste Basher
The allies will be assaulting Ice Station Thule in the next game. Here are the build photos of the Armoured Piste Basher.
The question is 'Where did that Polar Bear come from ?'
Monday, 22 December 2014
Ice Station Thule
Yes, we have decided to stage the next game in Arctic Norway. Although the specifics of the game haven't been settled as yet this will be a case of role reversal with the Allies attacking.
The remnants of Von Holensteins Paranormal Division have relocated to Norway. Reinforcements and requisitions from as far away as Italy have been sought which will introduce new characters into the story. All of us have 'invested' in new figures and vehicles !
The Society of the Golden Dawn will have the opportunity to utilise the Sword of St Godswain and make the most of its special features. This is their reward for victory in Trumpington.
I know the Ice Station is already under construction and Craig has been painting his SS in Winter Camouflage (far easier than pea camo!).
I now have some Finns who will double as Norwegian Linge and we will use my resistance figures to represent Polish slave labourers.
Ted has been constructing a motorised sledge for Allied use and the building of the Ice Station is in hand. There has also been talk of penguins and other wildlife plus Unidentified Foreign Objects have been sighted against the backdrop of the Northern Lights.
More to follow soon
The remnants of Von Holensteins Paranormal Division have relocated to Norway. Reinforcements and requisitions from as far away as Italy have been sought which will introduce new characters into the story. All of us have 'invested' in new figures and vehicles !
The Society of the Golden Dawn will have the opportunity to utilise the Sword of St Godswain and make the most of its special features. This is their reward for victory in Trumpington.
I know the Ice Station is already under construction and Craig has been painting his SS in Winter Camouflage (far easier than pea camo!).
I now have some Finns who will double as Norwegian Linge and we will use my resistance figures to represent Polish slave labourers.
Ted has been constructing a motorised sledge for Allied use and the building of the Ice Station is in hand. There has also been talk of penguins and other wildlife plus Unidentified Foreign Objects have been sighted against the backdrop of the Northern Lights.
More to follow soon
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Trumpington - The Aftermath
This was a really enjoyable game. We all really like the concept of order dice that is part of the Bolt Action system and it did lead to one side or another having a 'run' of orders.
Although points values don't always fit in with our games I think use their Use will help balance out the Axis and Allied 'conventional' units. In our games special weapons can be very effective but there is always a severe downside should they fail so using them is a gamble. In this case my use on the Butchers was too effective as it took out all the people in the building (including my own) rather than the intended unit on the first floor and in the attic. The other end of the spectrum would have involved a catastrophic explosion !
Using the recommended squad sizes will also reduce the number of order dice and will speed things up. Further tinkering with the house psychic rules will probably involve a psychic order dice or two being thrown into the mix. It gives a little more variety without disrupting the main system.
Most importantly we had fun, which is what this hobby is all about. The following couple of days were full of suggestions and wish lists for the next game of which more in due course.
Although points values don't always fit in with our games I think use their Use will help balance out the Axis and Allied 'conventional' units. In our games special weapons can be very effective but there is always a severe downside should they fail so using them is a gamble. In this case my use on the Butchers was too effective as it took out all the people in the building (including my own) rather than the intended unit on the first floor and in the attic. The other end of the spectrum would have involved a catastrophic explosion !
Using the recommended squad sizes will also reduce the number of order dice and will speed things up. Further tinkering with the house psychic rules will probably involve a psychic order dice or two being thrown into the mix. It gives a little more variety without disrupting the main system.
Most importantly we had fun, which is what this hobby is all about. The following couple of days were full of suggestions and wish lists for the next game of which more in due course.
Trumpington - Part 3
Here we see the schoolboys attempting to break into the rear of Jones the Butchers. There was at least one Bren Unit on the first floor hosing down the Fallschirmjaeger in the landing field. Although they broke into the rear by smashing the windows they were prevented from gaining access by the two ladies of the Post Office who happened to be armed with Shotguns and issues of 'Women's Own'
The next stage saw a unit of Fallschirmjaeger cross the road into the cover provided by the East Wall of Jones' Butchers. They were followed by the cows who stopped in the middle of the High Street. Von Holenstein and the Paranormal Division crossed the road by the Guest House with their elite 'Werewolf' unit to the fore.
At the same time the Essex Regiment arrived at the south western end of the table. Dismounting from their transport they took up position along the edge of Farmer Giles' field and let rip into the Fallschirmjaeger heavy weapons. Although the paratroops held their nerve they lost the use of all their heavy equipment including the cameraman who had been waiting to record events for posterity!
The view of the front of the Butchers. There is a unit of Home Guard commanded by Jonesey in the rubble on the south side of the High Street opposite the shop. This intrepid band of brothers refused to budge and held their ground from the Fallschirmjaeger on the landing ground. Keeping the Germans in the open allowed the mortar based in the grounds of the church hall to start inflicting multiple pins, forcing them to the ground. Even the Paratroop Command unit was unable to 'encourage' the paratroopers from leaving their hastily dug scrape.
In a desperate attempt to rescue their colleagues south of the High Street the paratroops on the East side of the Butchers run into the road attempting to break in from the front, all the while driving the cows ahead of them. They take damage from the Essex Regiment jeeps and scout car who had turned into the High Street by the church. Damage was split between soldiers and cows with the remaining bovines heading into the rubble opposite. One could see Jonesey licking his lips at the potential profit from these cows conveniently slaughtered for him outside his own Butchers Shop
Disaster! A sneaky murder hole in the eastern eaves of the attic in the Butchers allowed the British to fire a snap shot at the Paranormal unit. Lucky hits meant that some of the technicians were struck in addition to the unfortunate Oberst Heinz Beanz who was pushed in front of Von Holenstein by Her Fleck as he was ordered to 'Take one for the team'
Winding up the Vaksomaticpsychicflayermaschinen, it was targeted at the troops in the house. Unfortunately the machine worked 'too' well and it had the effect of turning the brains of all the occupants of the building into jelly, that included the Fallschirmjaeger who had recently sought cover there. The last reported words of Gefreiter Schultz were reported to be ' Dear God, he's slimed me !'
The werewolves made a rush for the eastern end of the churchyard where they were met by Colonel Blakencroft and his fellow explorers. Fortunately for them the good Colonel opened up the carry box to reveal that he had indeed collected his elephant gun and other firearms as opposed to the similar looking carry case that contained his butterfly nets. Ultimately it made no difference as the werewolves routed the small band of adventurers
The werewolves run along the alleyway to support their colleagues south of the high street but are sniped at by the few remaining concealed troops hidden in buildings opposite the church.
The Essex Regiment vehicles hurtled down the High Street supported by a Vickers MkVI light tank that churned its way over the fields obliterating and routing the remaining German Parachutists. The column seemed to be heading straight towards Von Holenstein. The Daimler Scout car and Jeep then strafe Von Holenstein and his command team.
The Vaksomaticpsychicflayermaschinen is targeted at the vehicles but the consequence of frying the minds of the vehicle crews is the loss of control of their respective vehicles and Von Holenstein being hit by a rogue riderless motorcycle.
Given the near decimation of the German Command Team, what was left of the assaulting unis were withdrawn back to the Z-Boots and Von Holenstein made his way back across The North Sea to their base in Norway.
The Society of the Golden Dawn retain the sword of St Godswain and now have time to study its properties. Jonesey offers steaks all round as he carves up the dead cattle outside his butchers. Steiner was captured and Her Fleck now has a permanent limp. Pike did absolutely nothing from his perch in the church tower. He didn't't even spot a swarm of paratroopers and a glider land nearby as on every occasion he was 'looking the other way'.
The next stage saw a unit of Fallschirmjaeger cross the road into the cover provided by the East Wall of Jones' Butchers. They were followed by the cows who stopped in the middle of the High Street. Von Holenstein and the Paranormal Division crossed the road by the Guest House with their elite 'Werewolf' unit to the fore.
At the same time the Essex Regiment arrived at the south western end of the table. Dismounting from their transport they took up position along the edge of Farmer Giles' field and let rip into the Fallschirmjaeger heavy weapons. Although the paratroops held their nerve they lost the use of all their heavy equipment including the cameraman who had been waiting to record events for posterity!
The view of the front of the Butchers. There is a unit of Home Guard commanded by Jonesey in the rubble on the south side of the High Street opposite the shop. This intrepid band of brothers refused to budge and held their ground from the Fallschirmjaeger on the landing ground. Keeping the Germans in the open allowed the mortar based in the grounds of the church hall to start inflicting multiple pins, forcing them to the ground. Even the Paratroop Command unit was unable to 'encourage' the paratroopers from leaving their hastily dug scrape.
In a desperate attempt to rescue their colleagues south of the High Street the paratroops on the East side of the Butchers run into the road attempting to break in from the front, all the while driving the cows ahead of them. They take damage from the Essex Regiment jeeps and scout car who had turned into the High Street by the church. Damage was split between soldiers and cows with the remaining bovines heading into the rubble opposite. One could see Jonesey licking his lips at the potential profit from these cows conveniently slaughtered for him outside his own Butchers Shop
Disaster! A sneaky murder hole in the eastern eaves of the attic in the Butchers allowed the British to fire a snap shot at the Paranormal unit. Lucky hits meant that some of the technicians were struck in addition to the unfortunate Oberst Heinz Beanz who was pushed in front of Von Holenstein by Her Fleck as he was ordered to 'Take one for the team'
Winding up the Vaksomaticpsychicflayermaschinen, it was targeted at the troops in the house. Unfortunately the machine worked 'too' well and it had the effect of turning the brains of all the occupants of the building into jelly, that included the Fallschirmjaeger who had recently sought cover there. The last reported words of Gefreiter Schultz were reported to be ' Dear God, he's slimed me !'
The werewolves made a rush for the eastern end of the churchyard where they were met by Colonel Blakencroft and his fellow explorers. Fortunately for them the good Colonel opened up the carry box to reveal that he had indeed collected his elephant gun and other firearms as opposed to the similar looking carry case that contained his butterfly nets. Ultimately it made no difference as the werewolves routed the small band of adventurers
The werewolves run along the alleyway to support their colleagues south of the high street but are sniped at by the few remaining concealed troops hidden in buildings opposite the church.
The Essex Regiment vehicles hurtled down the High Street supported by a Vickers MkVI light tank that churned its way over the fields obliterating and routing the remaining German Parachutists. The column seemed to be heading straight towards Von Holenstein. The Daimler Scout car and Jeep then strafe Von Holenstein and his command team.
The Vaksomaticpsychicflayermaschinen is targeted at the vehicles but the consequence of frying the minds of the vehicle crews is the loss of control of their respective vehicles and Von Holenstein being hit by a rogue riderless motorcycle.
Given the near decimation of the German Command Team, what was left of the assaulting unis were withdrawn back to the Z-Boots and Von Holenstein made his way back across The North Sea to their base in Norway.
The Society of the Golden Dawn retain the sword of St Godswain and now have time to study its properties. Jonesey offers steaks all round as he carves up the dead cattle outside his butchers. Steiner was captured and Her Fleck now has a permanent limp. Pike did absolutely nothing from his perch in the church tower. He didn't't even spot a swarm of paratroopers and a glider land nearby as on every occasion he was 'looking the other way'.
Monday, 1 December 2014
Trumpington -Part 2
Whilst the Bootleggers and the Police were embroiled in their own internal infighting another group of Fifth Columnists arrived to clear the landing field of obstacles and set up the landing lights. Unfortunately for them the cows took a deep interest in their actions and accompanied their every move.
Having laid out the Orange Target Landing panel the Fallscirmjaeger started to arrive. All of the 'sticks' landed safely and they were able to converge and start to collect their weapons from the canisters.
With the Bootleggers making a hasty getaway the Metropolitan Police Unit continue to the Church Hall where they are to meet The Society if the Golden Dawn. The bus contains members of Special Branch assigned by Scotland Yard for this purpose.
Corporal Jones' section make their way to the ruins opposite the Butchers as part of their patrol. APR Warden Hodges goes with them. At this time no alarm has been raised.
Fallschirmjaeger recover their weapons and form into sections. The cows are still following the Fifth Column schoolboys mid photo.
ALARM ! A little old lady cycling along the High Street is, in fact, an SOE agent and spots the Fallschirmjaeger in the fields to her left. She races towards Frazer to raise the alarm and alert the Home Guard.
Realising that he is 'doomed' Frazer abandons the checkpoint and scuttles back down the High Street. Damned coward!
As the alarm is raised the GPO team are rumbled. They are detained by Special Branch officers leaving the last phone line uncut and intact. The call is sent out to Colonel Blakencroft and also to the Essex Regiment calling in reserves. Will Colonel Blakencroft arrive with Guns in the back of his Roller or Butterfly nets ?
The glider lands and slides to a halt near Denzils Hut. Heavy weapons are deployed from the rear of the glider together with the Paranormal Section under the Command of Von Holenstein. They make their way to the hedge line whilst the Fallscirmjager start to deploy closer to Trumpington village centre. The Paranormal Section are reliant on the regular troops securing the Church before they can enter and try to recover the sword of St Godswain.
Having secured the Guest House the Kriegsmarine head towards the woods that will allow them to cover the North side of the church. The traitorous schoolboys run across the road and flatten themselves against the end of Jones' Butchers shop. For some reason (probably a 1 on a D6) the cows follow them.
At this stage the game is in the balance. The Germans have secured the landing grounds and beach and have started to move into the village but the Allies are now on full alert and can act independently of their standing orders.
Here is a photo of the chart we used to mark progress of 'known' units. Game rules were a mixture of Bolt Action and House Rules with Freestyling thrown in when it seemed appropriate.
Having laid out the Orange Target Landing panel the Fallscirmjaeger started to arrive. All of the 'sticks' landed safely and they were able to converge and start to collect their weapons from the canisters.
With the Bootleggers making a hasty getaway the Metropolitan Police Unit continue to the Church Hall where they are to meet The Society if the Golden Dawn. The bus contains members of Special Branch assigned by Scotland Yard for this purpose.
Corporal Jones' section make their way to the ruins opposite the Butchers as part of their patrol. APR Warden Hodges goes with them. At this time no alarm has been raised.
Fallschirmjaeger recover their weapons and form into sections. The cows are still following the Fifth Column schoolboys mid photo.
ALARM ! A little old lady cycling along the High Street is, in fact, an SOE agent and spots the Fallschirmjaeger in the fields to her left. She races towards Frazer to raise the alarm and alert the Home Guard.
Realising that he is 'doomed' Frazer abandons the checkpoint and scuttles back down the High Street. Damned coward!
As the alarm is raised the GPO team are rumbled. They are detained by Special Branch officers leaving the last phone line uncut and intact. The call is sent out to Colonel Blakencroft and also to the Essex Regiment calling in reserves. Will Colonel Blakencroft arrive with Guns in the back of his Roller or Butterfly nets ?
The glider lands and slides to a halt near Denzils Hut. Heavy weapons are deployed from the rear of the glider together with the Paranormal Section under the Command of Von Holenstein. They make their way to the hedge line whilst the Fallscirmjager start to deploy closer to Trumpington village centre. The Paranormal Section are reliant on the regular troops securing the Church before they can enter and try to recover the sword of St Godswain.
Having secured the Guest House the Kriegsmarine head towards the woods that will allow them to cover the North side of the church. The traitorous schoolboys run across the road and flatten themselves against the end of Jones' Butchers shop. For some reason (probably a 1 on a D6) the cows follow them.
At this stage the game is in the balance. The Germans have secured the landing grounds and beach and have started to move into the village but the Allies are now on full alert and can act independently of their standing orders.
Here is a photo of the chart we used to mark progress of 'known' units. Game rules were a mixture of Bolt Action and House Rules with Freestyling thrown in when it seemed appropriate.
Trumpington - Part 1
The Trumpington Game has been and gone over a couple of really entertaining evenings. Here is a summary of events ( from a German perspective).
The start of the game commenced with a weather check. I had been hoping for poor weather, enough to keep the Home Guard inside the church hall and not particularly alert but not so bad that our Fallschirmjaeger would be scattered to all parts of the compass by strong winds. The die roll was favourable for the allies with good visibility and low wind. Whilst this did mean that all checkpoints and bunkers would be manned it also allowed us to plan the approach of the glider with some hope that the troops would actually land on the table. Private Pike even decided to keep lookout from his position on top of the church tower as opposed to reading his comic.
Mad Peter took his alcohol test and staggered off towards the beach in order to call in the Kriegsmarine through signalling with his storm lantern. The Home Guard had strewn Farmer Giles' field with anti glider obstacles and a roaming herd of cows (of which more later).
As Peter approaches the Beach a group of Fifth Columnists arrives along the Sea Road. Their job is to secure the Beach and hold it so that our assault troops can be evacuated.
The Home Guard on exercise. Their ' random' patrol mainly consists of wandering towards the churchyard and then heading back to the Church Hall. I don't think they ever got out of the compound!
On reaching the sand dunes Mad Peter misjudged the edge and falls head first onto the Beach. This delays the arrival of the Kriegsmarine and Peter has to be helped to his feet by the Fifth Columnists.
Black Sam the Bootlegger arrives in a lorry with his gang intending to deliver contraband to the Beach View Guest House. He is stopped by PC Grabber. Unfortunately for PC Grabber he recognises the gang for who they are, is then overpowered, trussed up like a turkey and thrown in the back of the lorry. The lorry then changes direction and accelerates back along the High Street. Black Sam has been 'made' and decides to quit the seaside town.
Confusion reigns. The lorry containing Black Sam almost rams the Metropolitan Police in their armoured van ' Holmes' as the bootleggers turn left from the High Street onto the Maldon Road. Slamming on the brakes they reverse at speed in the opposite direction and collide with a GPO van. Unbeknown to either the Police or the bootleggers the GPO crew are in fact traitors attempting to cut all the phone lines out of Trumpington.
Pike looks on at the firefight between the Police and the bootleggers. All thoughts of an invasion or raid are forgotten as this sideshow plays out..
Meanwhile the Z-Boats arrive. Appalling conditions overturn one of the boats. Their experimental status is indicated by the fact that the undersized of the assault craft have not been painted !
The Kriegsmarine finally make it to shore albeit wet and bedraggled. The fifth columnists have recovered Mad Peter from the sand dunes and have also found that the beachfront bunker is unoccupied.
The start of the game commenced with a weather check. I had been hoping for poor weather, enough to keep the Home Guard inside the church hall and not particularly alert but not so bad that our Fallschirmjaeger would be scattered to all parts of the compass by strong winds. The die roll was favourable for the allies with good visibility and low wind. Whilst this did mean that all checkpoints and bunkers would be manned it also allowed us to plan the approach of the glider with some hope that the troops would actually land on the table. Private Pike even decided to keep lookout from his position on top of the church tower as opposed to reading his comic.
Mad Peter took his alcohol test and staggered off towards the beach in order to call in the Kriegsmarine through signalling with his storm lantern. The Home Guard had strewn Farmer Giles' field with anti glider obstacles and a roaming herd of cows (of which more later).
As Peter approaches the Beach a group of Fifth Columnists arrives along the Sea Road. Their job is to secure the Beach and hold it so that our assault troops can be evacuated.
The Home Guard on exercise. Their ' random' patrol mainly consists of wandering towards the churchyard and then heading back to the Church Hall. I don't think they ever got out of the compound!
On reaching the sand dunes Mad Peter misjudged the edge and falls head first onto the Beach. This delays the arrival of the Kriegsmarine and Peter has to be helped to his feet by the Fifth Columnists.
Black Sam the Bootlegger arrives in a lorry with his gang intending to deliver contraband to the Beach View Guest House. He is stopped by PC Grabber. Unfortunately for PC Grabber he recognises the gang for who they are, is then overpowered, trussed up like a turkey and thrown in the back of the lorry. The lorry then changes direction and accelerates back along the High Street. Black Sam has been 'made' and decides to quit the seaside town.
Confusion reigns. The lorry containing Black Sam almost rams the Metropolitan Police in their armoured van ' Holmes' as the bootleggers turn left from the High Street onto the Maldon Road. Slamming on the brakes they reverse at speed in the opposite direction and collide with a GPO van. Unbeknown to either the Police or the bootleggers the GPO crew are in fact traitors attempting to cut all the phone lines out of Trumpington.
Pike looks on at the firefight between the Police and the bootleggers. All thoughts of an invasion or raid are forgotten as this sideshow plays out..
Meanwhile the Z-Boats arrive. Appalling conditions overturn one of the boats. Their experimental status is indicated by the fact that the undersized of the assault craft have not been painted !
The Kriegsmarine finally make it to shore albeit wet and bedraggled. The fifth columnists have recovered Mad Peter from the sand dunes and have also found that the beachfront bunker is unoccupied.
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