Welcome to one of the longest running games originally started on the 7th of March before “lockdown” and finally ended a couple of weeks ago when four of us gathered for a suitably “socially distance” session to finish the game off.
As a reminder two reinforced platoons of Anglican League troops have been ordered to engage a royalist force encamped at Elswick, but to add spice to the game the two platoons had slightly different objectives.
Anglican League Objectives
Captain F G Miller:
Intelligence has been received that Royalist Forces are encamped in Elswick following the recent Socialist attack on a supply column from Fleetwood to Preston.
It is understood that the a number of damaged armoured vehicles are present undergoing repairs.
Information is that a small Royalist force, reinforced with BUF and Local Volunteers are in the area.
You are to proceed with the 1st Platoon Bishop of Lancaster Guards reinforced with a platoon of local volunteers and attack the encampment.
Your primary mission is the destruction or capture of the armour, while inflicting damage on the Royalist and BUF forces.
The Honourable James Digby-Blair
The Bishop of Lancaster has requested support from your “pops” in the attack of Royalist forces currently encamped at Elswick.
This is the opportunity for redemption after the failed attack at Knott End and also another chance for a “pop” at those chaps of the BUF who are rumoured to be in the area.
“Pops” has given you the cream of the support available to the Volunteers so there is no excuse for not getting a result.
While you are technically under the command of that chap Miller your main aim is revenge and getting stuck into the BUF and if possible taking out their commander.
Royalist Objectives
In a similar fashion the 3 elements of the Royalist defenders had differing objectives, these were:
Captain Jimmy O’Neill (Regular Forces)
Well stuck out on a limb again, despite getting the majority of the supplies through (and an invite to the dance) the CO took umbrage at the damages to the tanks being transported to Preston.
So your reward you have been stuck out here guarding the damaged vehicles while the lads from the Royal Ordinance Corps are repairing them.
Now there is news that the “bloody” Anglican League are trying to finish off what the damn Commies started.
You need to defend the vehicles and try to drive off any attack. You are supported by the Local Defence Volunteers (and a strange lot they seem) and a platoon of BUF stationed on the other side of the town.
You don’t know what the locals have been up to but you have seen a couple of their lads sneaking about in the hedgerows.
Your objectives are to protect the armour and try not to lose many of the lads but you would happily fight to the last of the BUF.
George Wild – BUF
The army “cocks-up” and instead of being in a nice warm barracks in Preston you are stuck out in the sticks watching their backs and the “locals” don’t even like you in the pub!!!
Now it seems that the Anglican League are sticking their nose in and trying to get hold of the armour.
You have been instructed by “high command” to assist in the defence and also do as much damage to the League as you can, especially the Local militias that are being a pain the arse.
Major Barrington (Local Chief Constable and Local Defence Forces)
First the commies have a go at an Army convoy and now the rumours are that the Anglican League are going to try and attack the damage vehicles.
You have raised the alarm with the Local Defence Force and the lads are on standby.
The “rule of law” is a priority and the protection of the village and its citizens.
You have always been a bit “worried” about the lads in the local Fire Brigade and your suspicions have come true as “Hugh and Pugh” have just confessed that they have been “having a play” with both the engine and a couple of “surprises” they fitted in the roads. It proves they are bloody” pyromaniacs”.
You get on well with the Army chap so you will let him know where they have placed them but out of principle you will not tell that “oick” from the BUF.
Where we left the game was that the Regular Anglican League forces were pushing an attack on Elswick, but surprisingly not the armour! While the local Anglican League forces were going toe to toe with the BUF.
The Local Anglican League forces continued to push their attack on the BUF moving up with all their heavy weapons and concentrating fire.
This meant that the BUF were taking substantial casualties but the leader was safe as he was hiding behind the manor house! However the local AL had also been taking heavy casualties, one squad reduced to 3 men and the other to 2 men!!
However this did mean that the regular forces of the Bishop of Lancasters Guards were facing the Local Defence Volunteers and the Regular Army units and taking very heavy casualties. With the veteran unit reduced to just 2 men before they cracked .
Their situation wasn’t helped when the Royalist Regulars arrived on the flank and started to engage with machine gun and main gun in two different directions.
This finished off another section of the Bishops Guard who broke running past their mortar and sniper team.
Now the luck finally ran out for the armoured car, having survived 3 hits from the Major’s “elephant gun” (counting as an anti-tank rifle), being shot at three times by a improvised flamethrower (which all missed before running out of fuel) and two shots from the Vickers tank. The Royalist “tank hunters” charged out of cover and manage to hot with 9 out of 10 “bombs” and soon there were bits of armored car all over the road.
However on the other flank a rain a shot and shell were falling on the BUF and with all sections “doing a runner” the Local Anglican League forces were blooded but victorious.
On the right flank the Royalists were examining the battlefield and looking after their one , yes that’s right one casualty.
While the village was secure but will have to recruit a few more men into the fire brigade and local post office.
So how did they do?
Captain Jimmy O’Neill – Royalist Regulars (Paul and Alan)
The biggest winner of the day managing to get two tanks fixed and one into action helped destroy the Bishop of Lancaster’s Guards and only lost one casualty – mentioned in despatches and no doubt wondering what his next reward will be?
George Wild – BUF (Dave B)
Probably the biggest loser of the day, but maybe not looking at the Bishop of Lancasters Guards – given a right kicking by the Local Anglican League, lost most of his troops and heavy weapons, will have a lot of explaining to do when he gets back to base!!!
Major Barrington – Chief Constable and Local Defence Force (“Broken Dice David”)
Honourable mention – successfully defended the town although took some loses and the boys from the Fire Brigade won’t be happy having taken a kicking, but overall not a bad days work.
Captain F G Miller – Anglican League – Bishop of Lancaster Guard (Nigel and Dave A)
Competing with George Miller as the biggest loser of the day – definitely going to be in charge of the latrine cleaning services on his return to base, three sections lost an an armoured car oh dear, oh dear.
The Honourable James Digby-Blair (“Uncle Albert” Julian)
Will have made “pops” proud but lack of support to regulars may have upset the Bishop. Gave the BUF a right kicking the only failure not getting Wild himself. Although the “lads” did take high casualties in two section but none broke and all the supports survived.
So where will the Royalist focus turn next – where are those “commies”
Final construction of the core chasis, with the Breda just showing in the background.
The Uncivil Servant 