Saturday 16 March 2024

HEREFORD SPRING BATTLE 2024 REPORT (2) - MORE FROM STOKE EDITH

Some more views of the the Battle of Stoke Edith, gathered from various Fleet Street staff photographers:

Spanish Requetes and Blue Division encouraged forward by Major General Everard (at rear)
Teutonic Fury - Goering's King's German Legion, Hanoverian Legion
and Fallschirmjager in a wheat field.

Kampfgruppe Goering HQ in the middle of the battle.
Max Schmelling confers with Lt-Col. Seidemann

KGL advance...

KGL Fire.

Government Tank. Considerably more technologically advanced than...

Opposition "Home Made" Armour !

HEREFORD SPRING 2024 BATTLE REPORT (1) - A438 EAST ("STOKE EDITH")

FROM ONE OF FLEET STREET'S FINEST !

THE BATTLE OF STOKE EDITH

As witnessed by our own correspondent, Ivor Goodview, present with H.M.Forces on the scene

Photos by our staff photographer Max Lens

The day dawned bright and clear across the peaceful Herefordshire countryside, as birds sang and rabbits frolicked in the fields - until the tramp of marching boots put them to flight. Long lines of HM Government troops passed my position, adjacent to the bright yellow commercial van that was waiting to travel along the A438 from Hereford to Ledbury.

Advance of Government Forces. Centre foreground, the CTV Heavy Howitzer

Ahead on the left lay some woods and scattered farm buildings, while the ground to the right was mainly open fields with some hedges, and a couple of houses adjoining the minor road that crossed the A438. This marked the line of the enemy defences, though none could be seen. Even the improvised barricade erected across the A438 appeared unmanned, although the woods behind could, and as it transpired did, conceal any number of men.

Reichmarshall Goering’s Kampfgruppe deployed to the left of the main road, while the Europa Division took position to the right. The Corpo Truppo Voluntaire advanced just to the right of the road, flanked by their Spanish allies, the Carlist Requetes in their distinctive red berets, and the Blue Division, with a government Assault Squad following. 

Reichsmarschall Goering's Kampfgruppe advance, HQ Section right foreground.

The "bright yellow commercial van" and the SA Artillerie-Ausbildungsschule, a key component of the
"Herman Goering Kampfgruppe". An Assault Squad of Hereford BUF (Umpire addition) left of the hedge.

Carlist Requetes in their disinctive red berets, centrepiece of the "Europa Division"

Beyond the Blue Division, the Italian CTV artillery moved forward and began to unlimber, and the anti-tank squad and Hungarian AT "Buzoganyveto" advanced ahead of them. Alone far out on the right wing were the Russian sailors of the Legion of St.Nicholas, advancing along a hedge.

The silence was suddenly shattered by an ear-splitting explosion, as the enemy artillery zeroed in on their Italian counter-parts, causing numerous casualties:

Italian CTV "Big Gun" on receiving end of Anglican shelling.

This was a devastating blow at such an early stage of the battle, but the redoubtable Major-General Everard, leading the advance in the centre, reacted swiftly by sending his runners to help recrew the gun. However, this took some time, so the advance continued under enemy shelling, including the notorious "Storridge Skunk" mobile mortar, and another mortar tucked away behind the farm on the left. Although less devastating than the opening salvo this did cause some units to waver, including the CVT and one unit of Germans.

Major General Everard (centre, square base) leads the Requetes and Blue Division forward

A (highly advanced) Government tank supports the Requetes

The advance continued under shellfire, and the sight of the Russians apparently heading towards their artillery seemed to concern the enemy commander, who sent a crack unit of infantry forward to stop them. This they did with great effect, driving back the sailors until they finally broke and fled. Meanwhile the Italian gunners gained a measure of revenge by knocking out the main weapon of the "Skunk".

Going, going........the Legion of St. Nicholas take a pasting from the Opposition

Gone - the Russian sailors have had enough of battle.

As the main thrust made steady progress, Goering’s Fallschirmjagers cleared out opposition around the farm, and Everard’s men neared the crossroads. An enemy anti-tank gun began a duel with the Government tank, which eventually silenced the gun with machine gun fire. An Anglican HMG in a house opened fire, but was soon destroyed by a barrage of fire from the advancing Spaniards, supported by the Italian HMG and artillery. A couple of trucks attempted to drive along the minor road but were stopped by tank fire. The enemy infantry finally made their appearance at the edge of the woods and began inflicting casualties on the Blue Division. The Anglican infantry on the far right, having routed the Russians, turned towards the Italian artillery, which, being unsupported, opted for an ‘Italian advance’, limbering up and moving rapidly away from the enemy.

At this point, Gen. Everard’s master stroke swung the battle decisively in the government’s favour. A previously invisible "Fifth Column" of BUF sympathisers appeared behind the enemy artillery, fired a swift volley, then charged forward, wiping them out in a vicious hand-to-hand melee.

The BUF "Fifth Column" spring their surprise !
(No, we've no idea what those yellow hoops are, either -
perhaps the BUF were shooting life preservers.)

The Fifth Column's success was short-lived as numerous enemy infantry, assisted by the machine gun of the damaged Storridge Skunk, sought revenge, and in a prolonged close-range fire fight the BUF partisans were eventually slain.

5th Column in firefight around the Anglican artillery....
....and eventually overcome (possibly by experimental ammunition
in the form of luminous yellow hoops)

Nevertheless, the Fifth Column's gallant sacrifice had lured significant Opposition troops away, allowing the Spanish troops to overcome their immediate opponents and seize the cross-roads. The Government (highly advanced) tank smashed its way though the Opposition barricades, clearing the way for the yellow commercial van to proceed towards Ledbury.

Government Tank v Opposition Barricade.......

Only one winner........

On the left the Germans advanced steadily, seizing the farms, eliminating the enemy mortar, and whittling down the LDV across the road. The German artillery knocked out an enemy armoured car, allowing their compatriots to also reach the crossroads.

Kampfgruppe Goering seize a strategic farm.

The Fallschirmjager knock out an Opposition armoured car as.....

The Requetes and allies seize the A438. Victory !

Major-General Everard’s brilliant tactics of concentrating his main strength in the centre while luring the enemy away with some raw Russians and a surprise rear attack, confirmed his growing reputation as one of HMG’s most reliable commanders.

I spoke afterwards to Tenente Guiseppe Eyasacrema of the CVT Artillery about his rumoured challenge to the "Big Gun" of the SA Artillerie-Ausbildungsschule. He suggested that the result was an honourable draw. The Germans had destroyed an armoured car but his men, despite horrific casualties early in the battle, had recovered to knock out the Storridge Skunk’s mortar and helped eliminate the enemy HMG. In celebration he was sending a case of Chianti to his German colleagues.

VBCW Verify - having been pasted by Anglican artillery at the beginning of the game,
 the CTV "Big Gun" executes "an Italian advance"

VBCW Verify - Anglican Infantry in hot pursuit of said CTV Big Gun !

VBCW Verify - Help ! CTV Artillery in search of Chianti (and a cover story).

News is still coming in regarding the Blackshort advance along the A438 (West) from Ross on Wye towards Hereford, but initial reports suggest a similar victory for the forces of the Spode family, which will be more welcome news for HM Government.....

Note : with many thanks to Alan (aka Mr Ivor Goodview, Mr Max Lens and of course Major General Everard) for the battle report and all photos ! Further reports follow.........

Thursday 14 March 2024

A WARGAME FIRST ? CAMPAIGN CHARACTER CREATED & COLOURISED

Comrade Colonel Professor Winters, the "Great Leader" of the Presteigne Soviet, was (for once) not in  command of the Communist "raiding forces" recently engaged along the A438 to the west of Hereford (Spring Big Game 2024). Having suffered a severe defeat at "The Disaster at Dinmore" (Spring Big Game 2023), Winters only narrowly escaped subsequent liquidation, and was wise enough to leave the raiding forces in the hands of a junior commander, Captain Izny Stroganov.

A rare photograph of Winters before the start of the Very British Civil War has recently been auctioned at Bonhams:

Professor Winters in his rooms at Cambridge, 1935. 
During this year, Winters started his famous "Dialetical Debate" with Raj Palme Dutt,
chief theoretician of the CPGB. See HERE

As admirers of  contemporary colourised photographs we are, of course, delighted that the "Bonhams Portrait" has now gone through this process:

Professor Winters 'colourised'.

Along with the rest of us, Professor Winters now waits anxiously for news of Captain Stroganoff's "A438 Encounter" with the enemy:

Comrade Colonel Professor Winters "Field HQ" outside Presteigne.
When will that phone ring ? What will be the news ?
.
Note: For those readers who appreciate a firm distinction between reality and fiction (hardly anybody in the Hereford VBCW), it should be noted that Winters' photograph was created by Rob B using an AI programme. For more AI generated images of the VBCW, including some by Rob B, see HERE. AI is clearly a massive boon for the wargame campaigner and RPGr - now it is possible not only to create a campaign character, but also create his or her portrait photograph. Could it be that Winters' "Bonham Portrait" is a wargame first ?

Tuesday 12 March 2024

FIELD HOSPITALS and AMBULANCES

While we wait for all the Battle Reports to come in from the Spring Big Game 2024 ("HM Government's Massive Counter-Offensive"), some useful contemporary paper illustrations of Field Hospitals and military ambulances:

Medical Crews from the SCW with Ambulance.


The same theme. This is from the same series of paper soldiers as
the Propaganda Set to be found HERE.

Print Modelling Challenge No.1 - make a paper (or card) ambulance for your Platoon !

Print Modelling Challenge No.2 - a more "elderly" type of ambulance for your Platoon.

Out of period (Korean War Americans) but that tent could be useful...
For other paper tents, see HERE

Why the focus on Field Hospitals and military ambulances ? Subject to the Battle Reports, we have more than a suspicion that certain individuals will be grateful for their services after Saturday's events, including a certain Eustace Spode......

Friday 8 March 2024

EVE OF BATTLE !

On the eve of battle (the Spring Big Game 2024, Yarkhill Village Hall, tomorrow at 10am), something stirs in the treeline along the A438:

An eager scout of the Presteigne Soviet keeps a careful watch
for advancing Government Forces. Death to Fascists!
All hail the Revolution and Colonel Commissar Professor Winters !
With the (pre-Game) propaganda wars having reached fever pitch on this particular occasion, Opposition Forces already know that they will be facing the "Europa Division", supported by the Herman Goering Kampfgruppe, somewhere along the A438 to the east of Hereford. To the west of Hereford, a full "Blackshort Brigade" under the personal leadership of Roderick and Eustace Spode has already been spotted advancing along the A438 out of Hay-on-Wye:

"I do believe that there is movement out of Hay, sir."
"Bally Blackshorts, Jeeves !"

Fully illustrated AARs and inevitable post Big Game boasting. preening and propaganda wars to follow....

Wednesday 6 March 2024

HMG ARTILLERY SHOOT - OFF - AND INCOMING PROPAGANDA SALVO !

Welcoming the recently announced support of the "Hermann Goering Kampfgruppe", and now even more sure of forthcoming victory along the A438 (East) to Ledbury, Tenente Guiseppe "Bombasto" Eyasacrema of the "Corpo Truppo Voluntaire" has challenged the Reichsmarschall to an "artillery duel", or "Big Gun Shoot-Off":

Heavy Howitzer of the CTV plus crew (courtesy Alan).
Three colour camouflage is "so this season".

Tenente Eyasacrema is confident that his well trained artillerymen will prove more than a match for the "brown shirted bully boys" of the Reichmarschall's SA Artillerie-Ausbildungsschule. Promised "a target rich environment" somewhere along the A438 (East), Eyascrema is prepared to wager "literally millions of lire" (i.e. at least a shilling or two) that his CTV Artillery will, during the course of their intended Saturday manoeuvres, "despatch more Reds and other such unsavoury types" than his German colleagues.

The Reichsmarschall has yet to reply to the challenge. It appears that he is in anxious consultations with Staff Captain P.R.Mann of His Majesty's "Information Bureau" relating to the latest salvo of propaganda from the Socialists and their allies:

A Socialist Leaflet satirising the Reichsmarschall's unique physique and 
 love of uniforms. To general merriment, thousands of these leaflets have been
 littered around the A438 East.


A second leaflet, inviting children (or their parents) to play a variant of
 "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", i.e. "Pin the Decoration on the Goering".

Ouch ! The Reichsmarschall is not amused.........

Monday 4 March 2024

KAMPFGRUPPE GOERING !

In another triumph for His Majesty's propaganda machine, Reichsmarschall Herman Goering has been photographed "setting out for the Front" - the A438 (East) - in Herefordshire:

The Reichsmarschall, in jovial mood, leaving the Castle Hotel. 
The hotel dining room is, of course, instantly recognisable.

The Reichsmarschall with his HQ Section. From left - Medic, 2 Fallschirmjager "runners"
Max Schmeling (standard bearer, late world boxing champion and bodyguard),
 Lt-Col Hans Seidemann (No.2 i/c), formerly of the Condor Legion.


The Reichsmarschall inspects No.1 Section, Fallschirmjager. They make "martial shapes"
in order to impress their notorious distinguished commander.

No.2 Section, Fallschirmjager. Not to be outdone in their eagerness for battle,
they greet the Reichsmarschall with a few throaty verses of "Die Wacht am Wye!".

3rd Section, "King's German Legion" demonstrate their rifle skills.
One of the "new units" raised by the Reichsmarschall in Herefordshire.
Late WW1 camouflaged helmets.

4th Section, "Hanoverian Legion" - perhaps volunteering to serve as an efficient firing squad.
Another new unit raised in Herefordshire, equipped from WW1 German stocks.
Uncamouflaged "coal scuttle" helmets.

Fallschirmjager Support Weapons. An anti-tank rifle rushing forward; mortar
and observer with binoculars.

Heavy Weaponry - a detachment of the SA Artillerie-Ausbildungsschule.with "Big Gun" and tow.
Quite how effective these "back street bully boys" will prove as gunners remains to be seen.

Wearing a newly acquired "coalscuttle" helmet (gift of the Hanoverian Legion), the Reichsmarschall
pronounces himself "most satisfied" with "Kampfgruppe Goering" and orders the advance...

Notes : Fallschirmjager & Fallschirmjager Support Weapons - Wargames Foundry/Crusader. King's German Legion and Hanoverian Legion - Wargames Foundry WW1 Germans with "Mark's Little Soldiers" Adjutants. SA Artillery - scratchbuilt gun, Lledo tow, SA crew - Redoubt Victorian officers in Broderick caps. Uniform information - "Foreign Volunteers in the Very British Civil War (3) - Specialist Infantry and Artillery" (Osprey, 2011).