A PROMOTION (AND THOSE FASCIST LEADERS IN FULL)

The "County & Social" pages of "The Hereford Times", renamed the "Military, County & Social" from the beginning of the Very British Civil War in Herefordshire, today carried a short announcement:

"Everard, Richard (Lt.) to be styled Major (County Rank Only) with seniority dating from the Battle of Winforton Pontoons. Major Everard will assume command of all HM Government Forces within the County, reporting directly to the Lord Warden of the Marches, Lord de Braose."

It appears that the Lord Warden has thus moved quickly to fill the leadership position so recently vacated ("with extreme prejudice") by Group Leader Giles. Demonstrating an unexpected delicacy of diplomatic manoeuvre, Lord de Braose did not forward Lt. Everard's name for promotion to the War Office (and hence the King), preferring to provide his new Commander in Chief with a "County rank" only. No doubt it was anticipated that, whatever Lt. Everard's undoubted military merits, his reputed closeness to Queen Wallis would have earned His Majesty's express disapproval of any proposed promotion within the regular Army.

As the newly promoted Major Everard settled into his substantial offices at the County Hall, he may have paused to give some thought to the fate of his various predecessors and fellow Government commanders:

(1). Lord Foy (in hiding): Government C-in-C at the beginning of the Herefordshire VBCW, Lord Foy enjoyed substantial early successes, including the capture of Anglican held Hereford and the detention of the Bishop of Hereford himself, before suffering successive disasters at the First and Second Battles of Foy. He escaped the Government rout at the latter only by shaving off his instantly identifiable moustache and diving head first into the River Wye in an attempt to swim to safety. It is said that he did indeed escape (by punt), but found himself unable to live with his consequent disgrace. He has therefore adopted a new identity and now lives under an assumed name, earning his living as a humble hop picker and agricultural labourer in the vicinity of Leominster.

(2). Captain Arrowsmith (absent without leave): BUF Supremo and effective Government C-in-C following the sudden departure of Lord Foy, Captain Arrowsmith rose to command prominence in a succession of subsequent battles (the Battle of Eardisley, The Battle of Bredwardine Bridge, and the Battle of Bredwarrdine Fords) which (just) contained the Anglicans' attempted advance from Ross on Wye to Hay on Wye in order to capture the whole of the south of the County. Known for his love of behemothic tanks and high technology (planes, "darleks", multi machine gunned armoured motorcycles and converted canal boats) together with a contempt for civilian lives, private property and cute furry animals (particularly dogs), Captain Arrowsmith's BUF forces and "canal boat fleet" enjoyed a last success against a Socialist/Anglican alliance at the Battle of Whitney on Wye before he inexplicably disappeared from Hereford and the Hereford VBCW. His controversial disappearance has subsequently been associated with the disappearance of the Bank of England's gold reserves and collapse of the pound sterling. There has been much County gossip and speculation about Captain Arrowsmith's subsequent fate : it is presently thought that the once all powerful BUF Leader now scrapes a living in Munich as a lowly translator for "aryan lifestyle magazines".

(3). Lord Robert Grover (returned to his estates): Senior Royalist Officer within the County during the early battles of Hereford's VBCW, it is said that Lord Robert "fell into disfavour" with Lord de Braose, HM Government's Lord Warden of the Marches, after intervening in Lord de Braose's enraged attempt to murder the imprisoned Bishop of Hereford. While a re-appearance in Hereford's VBCW cannot be ruled out, Lord Robert has, for the moment, "returned to his estates". 

(4). Major Straitt-Jackett (exploded): Major Miles Straitt-Jackett achieved an early reputation as a masterful VBCW diplomat. It was he who persuaded (the very late) "Cousin Verity" (a supposedly loyal Anglican LDV commander) into a "battlefield truce" at the Battle of Berrington Approaches, thereby saving HM Government from total disaster. He then brokered a treaty between HM Government and Sir Barrington Patchpole KC at the subsequent Battle of Wigmore, thereby administering the first check to Comrade Professor "Bill" Winters "Red Horde" offensive. But for one small matter, Major Straitt-Jackett may well have been destined to achieve overall command of HM Govt forces. The explosion of a heavy artillery shell directly on top of his head in the last stages of the Battle of Wigmore, however, did little for Major Straitt-Jackett's career prospects. He (or his re-animated remains) is presently an in-patient at the Special Hospital for Injuries Treatment, Woolwich, and his future remains uncertain. 

(5). Commandante Jay (sunk): Commandante Jay, the leader of the (Politically Confused) Spanish Nationalist Monarchist Field Force allied to the BUF in the course of many Hereford VBCW battles, distinguished himself further by finishing second in the County Golf Cup Challenge, and thereafter returned to Madrid for "a triumphal homecoming". Recalled to the BUF colours for the Battle of Wigmore, it is said that the ship carrying Commandante Jay struck an Anglican mine at the junction of the Rivers Severn and Wye, and rumoured that the transport sank "with all hands". The search for Commandante Jay continues, but it is very much feared that he has drowned, along with his entire Field Force.

(6). Commandant Stokkies Joubert (captured): A (reputedly very) loveable South African rogue, Stokkies Joubert commanded the "King's Colonials" from an early stage of the Hereford VBCW, taking part in the Battles of Second Ledbury and Marcle Ridge. A constant support for HM Government throughout the VBCW (when not wenching, carousing or "lying in" at the City Arms Hotel, Hereford), Joubert was captured by the Bishop of Ludlow's forces at the Battle of Winforton Pontoons, and presently languishes dolefully in the deepest dungeon beneath Ludlow Castle. 

(7). Group Leader Giles (shot at dawn): although HM Government have lost a significant number of leaders during the course of the Hereford VBCW (see above), Group Leader Giles is the only one to enjoy the dubious distinction of having been shot by his own troops after a drumhead court martial.

Notwithstanding his own meteoric rise to command, Major Everard must now contend with the substantial challenges to Government authority within the County. Attacked from both south and north by now battle-hardened Anglican armies and from the west by the fanatical legions of Comrade Professor Winter's Not So Broad Front (Not After Our Latest Round of Liquidations) True Communists, Major Everard must recruit new Government commanders, recall those who are still alive, at liberty and even arguably within their senses (Roderick Spode, anyone?), obtain immediate allies (a social call upon the Malvern Hills Conservators, perhaps?) procure substantial re-inforcements from within or without the County (Captain Queeg's WYRD Force?) and generally "stabilise his lines". None of this is likely to be particularly easy to accomplish, a prison cell or worse awaits any failure, and the statistical odds seem stacked against him.....

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - GROUP LEADER GILES - AN OBITUARY

Staff Commander A.D. Mann, official spokesman for H.M.Government's "Warden of the Marches", Lord de Braose, today confirmed the "death by firing squad" of BUF Group Leader Giles, formerly one of the County's most prominent battlefield commanders.

The late BUF Group Leader Giles

"Thanks to our excellent communications network, news of Sir Gilbert Hill's assault across the Wye in the general area of Winforton reached Hereford very quickly," stated Staff Commander Mann. "It was imperative that re-inforcements be rushed to this new front as soon as possible. Upon enquiries being made, however, it was discovered that our senior commander, Group Leader Giles, was lolling about in his private quarters, quite disinterested in battle, instead perusing a Colefax & Fowler catalogue and gorging himself upon strawberry ice-cream. There was only one possible sentence for such a gross dereliction of duty. Captain Queeg of Wyrd Force organised a drumhead court martial and the subsequent firing party."

Giles (38) originally rose to prominence in the VBCW as the loyal BUF henchman of toady to subordinate of Captain Arrowsmith at The Battle of Bredwardine Fords, there being some suggestion that he transferred to the BUF Three Counties Legion from the Malvern Hills Conservators shortly after the earlier Battle of Bredwardine Bridge. Arrowsmith's initial patronage assisted Giles' rise within the Government command structure, as did the notoriety associated with his name featuring on the Anglican "Most Wanted List" after his spiteful massacre of the Ludlow Expeditionary Force's RNVR Rocket Crews at Bredwardine Bridge (note 1).

Storm Leader Giles (as he then was) thereafter served with distinction at the Battle of Whitney on Wye, before assuming overall command of Government forces following the still unexplained disappearance of his former military mentor, Captain Arrowsmith. It was thought at this time that Giles' influence would wane within the Government command structure; instead, following his stubborn defence at the Battle of Berrington Approaches and battlefield promotion to BUF Storm Commander, Giles' future prospects brightened considerably. Joint leadership (together with the allegedly late Major Straitt-Jackett) of the Government assault columns that successfully invaded came to the assistance of Sir Barrington Patchpole KC at Wigmore burnished his burgeoning reputation and lead to his rapid further promotion, on this occasion to BUF Group Leader.

A publicity still of Giles released by HM Govt.
upon his promotion to BUF Group Leader 

Against this background of sterling service to the Government cause, how can the BUF Group Leader's sudden "dereliction of duty" be explained?.Some say that Giles never quite recovered from being severely wounded in the course of his epic "woody battle" at the Battle of Berrington Approaches. His illness at the subsequent battle of Wigmore was evident to all military observers, and caused his early - on this occasion, honourable - retirement from the field of battle. Others suggest that the administrative strain of organising the relocation of BUF Barracks within Herefordshire - a very long term project - brought on a severe case of "PTSD" and exacerbated a pre-existing complaint of "OCD" (evidenced by Giles' obsession with the BUF interior design being carried out by the fashionable new firm of Colefax & Fowler). Nobody can quite explain, let alone understand, the late Group Leader's obsession with strawberry ice-cream, which seems to have originated from some kind of "cinematic in-joke" unknown to all but the Group Leader himself. Be that as it may, a few point to the notorious ambitions of Captain Queeg, the newly appointed commander of the Government's "Wyrd Force", and darkly suggest that the drumhead court-martial may have reached its conclusions obscenely swiftly. (note 2).

Group Leader Giles was unmarried, and had no issue. He is buried in an unmarked grave. Donations to the BUF Benevolent Fund (Three Counties Legion). No flowers, please (by order, Staff Commander A.D. Mann).

Notes

(1). see Note 4 to the account of the Battle of Bredwardine Bridge.

(2). in an alternative time-line, Hollywood apparently filmed this version of the Group Leader's final moments.  

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - FIRST REPORTS!

After his personal triumph at the Battle of Winforton Pontoons, Sir Gilbert Hill has provided a fully illustrated Press Release in celebration of his hard fought victory and commemoration of the fallen.

A panoramic shot of the start of the battle. Sir Gilbert's forces are in the centre, flanked by his Anglican allies.
The first smokescreen has been laid down as the Anglican Tank Brigade (on left) undertake road manoeuvres.
Following a prayer from the Bishop of Ludlow, Sir Gilbert gives the order : Boats away!

Sir Gilbert's assault boats storm the River Wye as pontoon bridge building gets underway.

Towards the middle of the battle: pontoon bridge building is well advanced as the Anglican tanks await
their opportunity to cross the river. Hidden by clouds of smoke, Sir Gilbert's forces are landing on the northern bank.

Sir Gilbert and his command staff observe as battle is joined.

Sir Gilbert's forces storm the northern bank of the Wye. Lord Scudamore's Loyal Legion, under the command of newly arrived Lt. Everard, wait in line amongst the green crops, wondering when their promised Government reinforcements
 will arrive. "Stokkies House" - and the scene of his ultimate capture by the forces of Ludlow - is to the left.

Sir Gilbert completes his Pontoon Bridge and throws his tank support into battle. The battle is almost over and,
with the capture of Stokkies Joubert and rout of his King's Colonials by the forces of the Bishop of Ludlow,
HM Government's remaining troops are forced into "an orderly retirement towards Hereford"

Having successfully extricated HM Government's forces from the battlefield, the newly arrived Lt. Everard, anxiously dashed off a brief report to County HQ. Unfortunately, such was the confusion in the County caused by Sir Gilbert's "breakthrough battle", Lt. Everard's despatches soon fell into "enemy hands". Here they are in full:

"To :         General Officer Commanding                                                       From :  Lt.Everard

                 H.M.Government Forces                                                             Acting Commander

      Marches Command                                                               South Hereford Region

Sir,

Herewith my report concerning the recent action in the Willersley – Winforton area.

Intelligence was received that a large Anglican force, supported by the renegade Sir Gilbert Hill’s troops, were mounting an amphibious operation to cross the River Wye near the villages of Winforton and Willersley, supported by an entire tank brigade, and included the building of three pontoon bridges. The enemy also had the assistance of several smoke tanks with seemingly unlimited ammunition, which due to the prevailing wind blowing into our faces throughout the day hindered our defensive fire.

As the news was received late there was no time to gather all our forces, and although all available troops in the area were rushed to the spot some unfortunately did not arrive in time to assist in the battle, causing us to be even more severely outnumbered and out-gunned. Despite this our men put up a stout resistance for as long as possible, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, before eventually being forced to withdraw in the face of overwhelming odds.

Our right flank was held by our colonial troops under Commandant Stokkies Joubert, who also failed to receive adequate reinforcements. It was anchored on a farmhouse and came under heavy and sustained assault by crack Anglican troops. The centre was held by our Second Platoon, of whom only the Forest of Dean Free Miners and Lord Scudamore’s Loyal Legion were present, supported by one field gun (Signore Mussolini’s gift) and belatedly by two tanks. The left flank was held by the BUF Wulfhere section and the newly arrived Cameroon Highlanders, in their first action. They also had our lorry-mounted artillery, ‘The Dominator’, and latterly  two tanks.

Under cover of a sustained smoke bombardment the enemy infantry crossed the river and began building bridges. Fierce fighting ensued all along the line. The Forest of Dean Miners drove back their attackers, and accurate fire from our heavy weapons prevented the Anglicans completing their bridge in this area. On our right the burning oil surprise weapon was released into the river earlier than intended after the tanker was hit by an Anglican artillery round, so it only delayed bridge building briefly. Sadly the roadside bombs and caltrops also did little damage.

Heavy HMG fire caused the Cameroon Highlanders to retire but they eventually reformed, while the BUF was pitted against two enemy units, inflicting severe casualties and fighting heroically to the last man in a prolonged melee. Fortunately the Wormelow Wildcats arrived in the nick of time to fill the gap. 

A tank melee in the centre ended inconclusively with both sides losing tanks. Lord Scudamore’s men were subjected, not only to heavy fire, but also a barrage of juju spells from Sir Gilbert’s native witch doctor. However they held their ground showing that British pluck and resolve were more than a match for primitive native superstition.

It is a sad commentary that the Anglican Church is now so desperate in this struggle for the soul of the country that they are prepared to encourage the performance of Black  Magic and other arcane rituals by drug-crazed natives, using the blood of cockerels and other such foul rites to try to unnerve our stout-hearted and true defenders of the faith. May God have mercy on their souls.

A late attack by the grim-faced harridans of Sir Gilbert’s Women’s brigade was repelled by a gallant charge by the BUF Canine Section, which put the gin-sodden old biddies to flight.

Sadly our colonial friends on the right seemed to lack their usual elan (whether due to their ritual pre-battle drinking games I cannot say) and proved unable to stem the overwhelming forces against them, culminating in the loss of the farmhouse redoubt and the unfortunate capture of their commander, Stokkies Joubert. The collapse of our right flank made a temporary withdrawal of our remaining troops a prudent measure. I doubt that the Anglicans will long be able to hold a man of such redoubtable stature as Commandant Joubert, whose temporary loss will be felt in boudoirs throughout the county.

In short, a temporary setback, but the performance of (most of) our troops in the face of overwhelming numbers is to be commended.

Respectfully yours,

Lt. Richard Everard"

For his part in this notable Anglican and Allied victory, the Bishop of Ludlow has ordered a "Day of Hymnals and Rejoicing" (rapidly translated by his more PR conscious Chancellor, the Rev. Duff-Postin, into "A Victory Parade and Gala Fun Day"). Ludlow's Saturday evening papers have gone into overdrive, and the Bishop has confirmed the capture and incarceration of Stokkies Joubert by formal statement. Goodness knows what Ludlow's Sunday supplements (more pages than ever!) will say.......

Note : with thanks to Alan, Doug and Roo for the photographs. An "Umpire's Wash-Up", complete with further "illustrations" will follow in due course.

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

HEREFORD AVBCW AUTUMN 2018 BIG GAME

“BRIDGE OVER TREBBBLED WATER”

LATE NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN

TABLETOP TEASER

The Hereford AVBCW Autumn 2018 Big Game ("Bridge over Trebbbled Water") is nearly upon us! A "hard-core" of AVBCW gamers are committed to converge on Burley Gate Village Hall, Herefordshire, at 10am on Saturday 13th October for a full and frenzied day of "double fisted" AVBCW action!

That's right, double fisted! Each player is bringing along not one, but two, full Platoons to commit to action! (note1) It's going to be the greatest test of each player's command ability since, well, um, lesssee now...well, at least since Zama! But will Sir Gilbert Hill prove to be Scipio or Hannibal? With the fate of his nephew, Chief Superintendant Ronald Bigsworth-Hill, hanging in the balance (and the possibility of dear Ronald being hunted down and himself hanged by the BUF unless it goes "the right way"), Sir Gilbert has doubled his efforts and re-doubled his forces...

Sir Gilbert Hill intends to fight "double fisted" with his two Platoons

Sir Gilbert has bravely announced his "battle line up" well before the Big Day, trumpeting the addition of a "Colonial & Dominion Platoon" to the original "Golden Valley Invincibles". But will this "propaganda coup" hand the military advantage to Sir Gilbert's enemies, or is it mere recognition that the much feared Government Intelligence & Telegraphs Section ("GITS") would be bound to discover the composition of his forces before the "Big Day"? After all, it appears that they have already discovered the location of Sir Gilbert's intended battleground:

An Intelligence Map hand drawn by a GITS operative, said to be based on Sir Gilbert's own
Operational Maps. The meaning of "Table1", "Table2" and "Table3" remains obscure, but
may be a secretive Government code.

If the Government's intelligence is accurate, it appears that Sir Gilbert and his Anglican allies plan a river crossing to the west of Hereford itself, striking from the south to the north of the County in the area of Winforton and Willersley. But what tactics will Sir Gilbert and his Anglican allies (variously, the Bishop of Ludlow, the Rev. Canon Colcannonroo and the Rt. Rev. Canon Winters) adopt to try to "force the crossing"? A straightforward "charge of the assault boats" across the river? Or a careful construction of Pontoon Bridges to bring the Anglican Tank Brigade into play (if there is an Anglican Tank Brigade, of course)? Should Sir Gilbert concentrate all his available forces (at least 18 infantry sections plus supporting weapons!) on one part of the battlefield, or should he spread them out in the hope of reducing the Government's resistance and counter-fire? How will Sir Gilbert use his section of "tracked and armoured smoke dischargers" to best advantage?

And what of the newly promoted Group Leader Giles and his newly arrived Government ally, Lieutenant Everard? What will be their plan of defence with their available forces (at least 12 infantry sections plus supporting weapons)? Field fortification and investiture of Willersley, Winforton and "the Farm" may have many advantages, but may also leave the "Western Approaches" ("Table 1") dangerously denuded of defenders, an open avenue for the Anglican Forces to pour through in the direction of Mortimer Country. How will Group Leader Giles use his BUF Tank Brigade (if there is a BUF Tank Brigade, of course) and supporting "Big Guns" - well in advance of his principal battle line with the aim of disrupting the Anglican crossing of the River Wye, or echeloned deep in defence?

Fleet Street's miiltary correspondents breathlessly await the opposing C-in-C's solutions to this "tabletop teaser", just as their Foreign & Colonial counterparts muse over the first entry into the Hereford VBCW of substantial bodies of "native levies" from the Empire and beyond (note 2):

Lt. Everard leads a section of the Cameroon Highlanders, a regal gift from the Fon of Bandjun,
King Kamga II, hereditary ruler of Cameroon, to his "fellow monarch", Edward VIII. The
Cameroon Highlanders are expected to play a major part in the Government's resistance
upon the Wye and and throughout the County.....

....while Sir Gilbert has of course welcomed Chief Kansan O'Flynn and his native levies into the
tender embrace of the Hill Enterprises (Dominions&Colonial) Platoon (blogposts passim)

The newly arrived Lt. Everard has been heard to sniff that his native troops are at least trained and uniformed regulars, rather than "mere mercenaries"; an insult which, it is understood, Chief Kansan intends to remedy by "poppin' Everard in ma'evah boiling pot" at the first opportunity. And how does the Chief intend to do this? Why, dark rumours are already circulating of the Chief's principal "ju-ju man" and his mastery of the dark arts.....

Can Lt. Everard escape the encircling coils of "ju-ju"? Can Sir Gilbert and his allies triumph, and save Sir Gilbert's nephew from "the long drop"? Do the Anglicans - or even the BUF - really have a Tank Brigade? Can Group Leader Giles pull off another masterpiece of "fighting defence" (and yet another promotion)? All these questions can only be answered by participation in the AUTUMN 2018 BIG GAME, BRIDGE OVER TREBBBLED WATER....

Notes

(1). The late addition of the Rt. Rev. Canon Winters means that the Bishop of Ludlow's forces will be fought as usual, one Platoon commanded by the Bishop (Clive) and one by the newly arrived (but still Rt. Rev) Canon (Robb). The remaining forces (Roo, Doug, Giles, Alan) will nevertheless indeed be fought "double-fisted". May any modern and bad taste jokes resulting please be directed to Umpire Roo.....

(2). if you ignore the Abyssinians, of course. And the "Chinese Christian Converts". And no doubt others innumerable now lost in the mists of campaign history....

Late Notes for Players

(1). Given the lower numbers of players than usual, we will be playing all three tables as "one table" in wargame terms, even if the same are slightly separated physically. C-in-C's should note that sections of Platoons can therefore be "intermingled" by Players if it is thought to their tactical advantage, and Platoons (and their constituent sections) are not therefore restricted to "one table" as usual. Food for thought....

(2). Please have a late check of the special Scenario Rules (blogposts passim) applicable to this Big Game, and remember that we are playing the original "one phase" rules, not the Mort amended "two phase" rules. A look at the original rulebook may therefore help....

(3). Remember your own lunch and the usual tenner!

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - SPECIAL RULES

HEREFORD AVBCW AUTUMN 2018 BIG GAME

“BRIDGE OVER TREBBBLED WATER”

SCENARIO SPECIAL RULES

1. General : Move Phases

We are reverting to the original “WTDW” Rules in relation to “phases”:  i.e. returning from “two phases per move” to “one phase per move”. Mort introduced the “two phase amendment” three or so years ago in order to make the wargame more realistic, but the overwhelming feedback from Hereford VBCW players is that “speed of play” is more important for a Big Game.

2. General : Chance Cards

We are reintroducing “chance cards” for this game, with a special set of cards specifically for this scenario (or numbered cards with a table of events cross referenced to such numbers).

3. Special : Platoon Roster Amends

The usual Platoon Roster consists of one Platoon HQ, one Platoon Heavy Wpn (MMG or Mortar), one Platoon AT Weapon, three infantry sections, one tank OR big gun and “something VBCW”, which may be another infantry section, or VBCW type vehicle(s). The usual rule (sometimes strained in its observance) is that one cannot have both a Big Gun and a Tank, or two Tanks, or two Big Guns, within a Platoon. See the Platoon Generator.

For this game, we are abandoning that rule. So this time, you can have (if you want) two Big Guns, or two Tanks, or a Big Gun and a Tank per Platoon. A river crossing demands more heavy weaponry than usual for both “defender” and “attacker”, and it is realistic - even for the VBCW - that both sides would seek to concentrate their available heavy resources about the riverside. Or the Umpires say so, anyway.

Amend your Platoon Generator results accordingly.

4. Special : Deployment Zones

Before play commences, the defenders (HM Government) may set up their (1). HQ Section (2). AT weapon (3). 1 x Big Gun (and forward observer if appropriate) or Tank, all within one foot of their table edge. Their remaining Platoon assets (e.g. usually 3 Infantry Platoons, the infantry heavy weapon [MMG or mortar] and 1 Big Gun or Tank) remain off-table and are diced for at the end of each succeeding move. A successful die roll results in the relevant unit (of the defenders’ choice) arriving at any point along the baseline at the beginning of the following move.

Die Rolls for Arrival

6 = 2 x“off table”units from the Platoon arrive (Defender’s choice)

5 = 1 x “off table” unit from the Platoon arrives (Defender’s choice)

4 = a non-infantry unit from the Platoon arrives (Defender’s choice)

1 - 3 = nothing arrives.

HM Govt always take initiative cards at the start of each turn equivalent to the total number of their units, whether on board or off board. If HM Govt players have more cards than they “need”, the most appropriate can be played, and the rest simply discarded.

Before play commences but after the HM Government forces have deployed, the attackers (Anglican & Allies) may set up all their available units within one foot of their table edge.

Rationale for these rules: HM Government are defending lengthy stretches of the River Wye. It is reasonable that they should have some units “in situ” with reserves arriving to the (newly identified) “threatened point” in a somewhat haphazard manner. Anglican forces will have “spotted” HM Govt. defenders before launching their attack at the “threatened point”, hence their set up after HM Govt. forces.

5. Scenario Special Rule : Assault Boats

Assault Boats (exclusively in Anglican & Allied Hands):

(a). may be dragged across ground, one boat per Section. The Section should be distributed around the boat in a realistic “carrying” mode. Move rate across ground: 12 inch full move/6 inch half move.

(b). may be “launched” into the River Wye without movement penalty (e.g. if moving from “ground” to “river” within one move, the 1/60 models are allowed to “jump in” the boat without movement penalty and the move completed “on the water”)

(c). have a carrying capacity (in water) of one Section or equivalent eg. (1). Heavy Wpns (MMG or mortar) (2). HQ Group & AT Group/Rifle. There are five (5) assault boats per section, and therefore sufficient (if that is what a player chooses to do) to carry the entire infantry component of a Platoon with Hvy Wpns and AT Group/Rifle. Assault boats cannot carry Big Guns, Tanks, Armoured Cars or Cavalry. These can only cross the Wye on completed Pontoon Bridges.

(d). move rate on water: 1D6+6 inches. Boats are unaffected by current, winds, etc. and may generally be moved as if they were “trucks on water”. Occupants may fire from boat moving at this rate without penalty.

(e). may be “disembarked” from the River Wye without movement penalty (e.g. if moving from “water” to “ground” within one move, the 1/60 figures are allowed to “jump out” the boat without movement penalty and the move completed on land at the water movement rate)

(f). casualties to a Section do not affect the above rules. The effects of fire on a Section carrying/travelling within a boat are dealt with by the Morale Rules (e.g. Jumpy/Suppressed)

6. Scenario Special Rule : Firing on Assault Boats

Assault Boats may be fired upon (of special interest to HM Govt. players):

(a). boats are treated as unarmoured trucks for the purposes of being fired upon. Apply the same rules for working out casualties within the boat if it is hit by fire;

(b). boats may be destroyed by fire (“sunk”). Apply the same rules for working out casualties within the boat if it is sunk. Surviving 1/60 figures should be placed in an irregular circle around the “sunken” boat before it is removed from play and are deemed to be “swimming”.

(c). Movement rate for swimming figures: 3 inches in the direction of the player’s choice. Swimming figures should obey the “unit coherency” rules. It may be a long swim to the nearest river bank….

(d). All weapons save pistols are deemed lost to swimming figures. Each swimming figure is deemed to have a pistol. It may not be worth getting out of the water even if a river bank is reached….

7. Scenario Special Rule : Building Pontoon Bridges

Pontoon bridges (exclusively in Anglican & Allied hands):

(a). consist of four parts - entry ramp, pontoon one, pontoon two, exit ramp (“pontoon parts”) This replicates the three actual 1/60 scale pontoon bridges available (Airfix Pontoon Bridges widened for 1/60 scale tanks). A completed Pontoon Bridge is sufficient to cross the width of the 1/60 River Wye (2 feet wide);

(b). it consequently takes a minimum of four moves to build a Pontoon Bridge. One “pontoon part” per Pontoon Bridge may be laid per move;

(c). it takes one Section to build a Pontoon Bridge. Casualties to a Section do not affect their building ability. The effects of fire on a Section building a bridge are dealt with by the Morale Rules (e.g. Jumpy/Suppressed);

(d). “Pontoon parts” appear as if “by magic”, i.e there is no necessity to transport them to the water’s edge. Consequently, if a Section arrives at the water’s edge and their player declares “I’m laying a Pontoon part” (i.e. the entry ramp, in this example), the ramp becomes available to that section immediately, as if “by magic”. “Building a pontoon part” counts as a full action, e.g. that is the only activity the section can undertake that turn.

(e). A Section building a Pontoon bridge must be in physical proximity to the “pontoon part” being laid, e.g. at the water’s edge for the entry ramp, on the entry ramp itself to build pontoon one, on pontoon one to build pontoon two, on pontoon two to build the exit ramp.

(f). A player may “swap” a pontoon bridge building section by physically swapping figures around in accordance with the usual movement rules. This will allow a unit that is “jumpy” or “suppressed” to retreat from their bridge building duties and be replaced by a unit with higher morale/greater ability to “finish the job”, but at considerable cost in time and force ratio to the attacking player.

(g). once a Pontoon Bridge is finished, either side can of course “attack across it” if appropriate, according to the usual Big Game rules for combat.

8. Scenario Special Rule : Firing on Pontoon Bridges

Pontoon Bridges may be fired upon (of special interest to HM Govt. players):

(a). pontoon parts of pontoon bridges are treated as armoured cars for the purposes of being fired upon. Apply the usual rules for working out casualties on the pontoon part if it is hit by fire (e.g. a section standing on the relevant pontoon part);

(b). pontoon parts may be destroyed by fire (this applies even if and after a Pontoon Bridge has been ‘completed’). Apply the usual rules for working out damage to the pontoon part and casualties on the pontoon part if it is destroyed. Surviving 1/60 figures should be “retreated” and placed on the pontoon part immediately behind the destroyed pontoon part.

  

9. Scenario Special Rule : Smoke

(a). Sir Gilbert Hill has a special “additional unit” of three tanks (provided by the Umpires), armed only with smoke shells. All other players (and Sir Gilbert’s other tanks or artillery) may fire smoke shells. Sir Gilbert takes an extra initiative card per move for his “additional unit” of smoke shell tanks.

(b). Mortars cannot fire smoke shells. Only tanks and Big Guns.

(c). Dice for the prevailing wind (a). at the start of the Big Game (b). after lunch. This is undertaken by throwing an GW EM-4 direction die. There is no die for wind strength, which is constant.

(c). Fire smoke shells as per normal rules. A player must declare “firing smoke” before undertaking measuring/dicing etc.

(d). A smoke shell burst consists of a piece of white kapok on a DVD disk. Once a smoke shell is fired, place as per normal rules. Place a dice on said DVD disk turned to “3”. Each smoke burst lasts for 3 moves, with the die being turned back each move (to “2” and then “1”. After “1” the DVD disk is removed). Smoke bursts drift according to the prevailing wind at 6 inches per move. Smoke bursts are moved accordingly at the beginning of each turn, before any other actions.

(e). If a “smoke DVD” is between a firing unit and a unit being fired upon, the unit being fired upon counts as if in “soft cover”. This is the case irrespective of the firing unit, whether tank, big gun, infantry section or the like. The position of artillery observers makes no difference to this rule.

(f). if two “smoke DVDs” are between a firing unit and a unit being fired upon, the unit being fired upon counts as if in “hard cover”. This is the case irrespective of the firing unit, whether tank, big gun, infantry section or the like. The position of artillery observers makes no difference to this rule.

10. Scenario Special Rule: Anglican/Allied Special Artillery Ammunition

The Anglicans & Allies have a stock of “special artillery ammunition” for this game, increasing the range of the relevant “special” shell by (a scale) 3 feet. With this limited number of shells, Anglican guns will therefore be able to hit “anything on the table” (eg. the likely deployment of each forces’ guns, the width of the River Wye at 2 feet, the 8ft table, and the 4ft artillery range with observer).

After the Anglicans have used a “special shell” (represented by a plastic piece or appropriate card), however, it must be handed over to HM Govt forces, who may “fire it back” in succeeding turns as they wish, again turning over the card/shell representation to their opponents when they do so.

“Special” shells may be combined with “smoke” shells i.e. if a player wishes to fire a smoke shell over a very long distance, they can do so by obeying this and the “smoke” rule.

Finally - “Umpire Surprises”

The Umpires have some “surprises” up their sleeves, as usual. “Surprises” usually appear after lunch in a desperate umpire sponsored attempt to “rebalance” the game (if, as usual, it hasn’t quite worked out as they thought). Other “surprises” may be introduced for specific Platoons, in which case the Umpire will let the relevant Platoon player know by direct email in advance of the game, and tell the remaining players at the appropriate point during the game.

*****

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - MARITIME MODELLING CHALLENGE (2)

Those "volunteers" taking part in the Maritime Modelling Challenge may wish additional inspiration (apart from Alan's photos in the last post) to "get on down" to the model boat yard. The "Junior General" homepage provides these helpful images:

(a). Boats

British "Stormboats" and "Assault Boats" of the late WW2 era. Although HM Govt might wish for one of these as a complimentary means of naval defence, it's rather doubtful that the Umpires would allow it - these Fast Motor Launches have more of a chance! If the BUF wish to liaise with "a foreign power", these Wehrmacht assault boats might make an appearance in a later "amphibious" game : Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

(b). Pontoon Bridges

The same "Junior General" webpage provides a very detailed, illustrated look at how to build a "Bailey Bridge" : from Part 1 here to Part 7, yes Part 7 here. The Umpires are providing the pontoon bridges for the forthcoming Autumn Big Game 2018 ("Bridge over Trebbbled Water") and promise to keep 1/60 scale bridge building endeavours a lot simpler. Special scenario rules for bridge building, artillery fire, smoke, sinking assault boats and swimming/drowning Anglican infantry will be put up on the blog well before the day of the BIG GAME.

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - MARITIME MODELLING CHALLENGE

At the last two Big Games - Autumn 2017 and Spring 2018 - a "modelling doggy bag" was available for collection by any volunteers within the Group, consisting of five (5) smaller plastic "assault boats" and one (1) large "Landing Craft". These had been picked up by the Umpires off Ebay in the summer of 2017 - don't say that we don't plan ahead!

A number of volunteers duly made off with their "doggy bag" of duff plastic (hey, they were cheap), hopefully with the intention of re-producing the boats, neatly painted and converted, whenever necessary.

Well, the time has finally come! The Autumn 2018 Big Game ("Bridge over Trebbbled Water") features an assaulting Anglican & Allies Force crossing the River Wye using those same assault boats. A later game (Autumn 2019 or Spring 2020 - we told you the Umpires plan ahead) will feature a Royalist/BUF Force using those same assault boats and Landing Craft in a contested beach assault. So it doesn't matter which side our volunteers are on : their "flotillas" know no masters!

Please don't ask : where on earth can the Umpires find a beach in the land-locked County of Herefordshire? The Umpires are endlessly resourceful, and all will be revealed in due course! (audience yawns).

Now, the original intention was to set out a post with detailed instructions on how the Assault Boats and Landing Craft should be converted. The intervention of camera problems has changed this intention, however, and for the better. This is the VBCW, after all, and the idea of a single, uniform conversion of any kind of boat was simply too "industrialised" a concept. We're into "homemade"!

So, the good news for our volunteers is: you can convert your plastic boats just as you wish! Please bear in mind the following pointer, however : the assault boats are just that, i.e. for conveying infantry and infantry support weapons across water. No "armour" please. No "5 different weapons platforms all round the boat, including 2 heavy lasers, etc..." It's just a simple assault boat. Ditto the landing-craft. Now cue a drum-roll:

Alan's Assault Boats

Alan, industrious as ever, has been the first volunteer to convert the contents of his doggy bag and passed on these photos of his conversions. Although Alan is best placed to give all the details, the essential steps for all of us are demonstrated, e.g:

(1). find said doggy bag of duff plastic in amongst your "to-do someday" modelling pile;

(2). remove and wash contents (the assault boats seem to have had a hard life);

(3). separate top (deck) section from bottom (hull) section by application of fingers and a little force

(4). create interior deck with plasticard or similar, scissors/knife and a file;

(5). fit and glue interior deck to interior of hull;

(6). add any extras inspiration and/or your bits box causes you to add (always bearing in mind that each boat should carry an infantry section of 10 men or equivalent, so not too crowded);

(7). paint or spray grey. Add any "weathering" wizardy that you want (or none at all) or any other painted details (e.g. Alan's brown decks and ship numbers - or none at all); 

(8). varnish and leave to dry;

(9). stand back and admire;

(10) pack in your kit to take to the Autumn Big Game 2018!! Don't forget!!

And that's it. Some further notes:

(1). The above is the minimum conversion. If you want to go further, be our guest. But please don't "waterline" the assault boats. The existing plastic bottoms are fine in terms of scale (the assault boats may well have to be dragged across the ground as well as "be in the water")

(2). Creating the "interior deck" can be fiddly for the first one, but once you're satisfied, that first "interior deck" serves as the template for the remainder, and its then "simples";

(3). the interior deck should be low enough so that 28mm figures placed within come up to about shoulder height on the sides of the assault boat. We don't have to be exact about this, so "whatever looks right" to you;

(4). when you're making your interior deck, you'll see that the bottom of the hull has two "channels" moulded in. These can be filled with Milliput or similar, which creates a nice feel of weight to the boat and also leaves the "bottom" flush and ready to receive your new interior deck.

(5). if you follow the above method, please don't throw away the "tops (or "deck")" section just yet. We might want to convert some of the "assault boats" into "patrol boats" for later scenarios and the deck might come in useful. Anyway, please don't throw it away.

Alan's Landing Craft

So much for the "assault boats". What about the rather larger "Landing Craft" within the same doggy bag?

More good news. For "Bridge over Trebbbled Water", the Autumn 2018 Big Game, we don't actually need the Landing Craft. We have (umpire converted and provided) Pontoon Bridges instead. You therefore don't have to do anything at all in relation to the "Landing Craft" at the moment, if you don't want to or don't have time. On the other hand, we will need the Landing Craft for the intended "Beach Assault" game, so you might want to do all the amphibious modelling work at the same time....

Alan's plastic doggy bag Landing Craft is in the centre of the above picture : numbered "LV8". Again, a simple conversion : the front bow has been cut from top deck to waterline (with a moveable "door" scratched to fit) and the rear has been altered to provide a new rear deck and cabin. Various small details have been added to complete the picture, and the finished conversion painted. That's it!

We can leave up to you how you want to achieve your own Landing Craft conversion. The only piece of conversion that is really necessary is the bow arrangement, as the existing "rear compartment" is perfectly serviceable if you don't want "crew figures" out in the open. If you want to figure out how to add a "landing ramp" to your Landing Craft, or put in an interior, please be our guest again....

If you're really keen, of course, there's nothing to stop you supplementing your Landing Fleet with other boats or scratchbuilds:

Alan's "rowboats"

Alan's Scratchbuilds

Alan's "Landing Fleet"

.....and then trying to persuade the Umpires that you can actually use such scratchbuilds in any particular scenario!

With many thanks to Alan for getting ahead on his conversions and providing the photographs. Any questions, please circulate same on the email Group!

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018 - GENERAL BRIEFING

AUTUMN BIG GAME 2018

"BRIDGE OVER TREBBBLED WATER"

THE GENERAL SITUATION

The Hereford 1938 AVBCW Campaign is so sweeping in geography (note 1), so fast moving in chronology (note 2), that it seems hardly any time at all since "The Great Cattle Rustle" in MORTIMER COUNTRY (see The Spring Big Game 2018 General Briefing and subsequent posts). Indeed, it isn't : our 1/60 scale campaign participants have hardly had time to draw breath and re-ammunition. It is but a fortnight or so later.

And a busy fortnight for all concerned.

The Not-so-Broad-Any-More Communist Front (prop: Comrade Professor Winters, aka Rob) remain in the north-west of the County, grouped in the general area around KINGTON, PRESTEIGNE, KNIGHTON and BRAMPTON BRYAN. Having previously and triumphantly broken through HM Government's long standing Siege Lines at KINGTON (see The Autumn Big Game 2017 Overview), the Red Horde are said to be "licking their wounds" after subsequently failing to capture WIGMORE HALL (notwithstanding an unprecedented 3:1 numerical advantage), the principal seat of "independent LDV" authority within Mortimer Country. Comrade Professor Winters has denounced such talk as "reactionary propaganda", preferring to claim that his fanatical troops are "licking only their captured ice creams" and engaging in such necessities as re-arming, re-provisioning, re-selecting and "re-educating" (the last not being confined to enemy prisoners, but including social democrats, socialist democrats, democratic socialists, trade unionists, ideological deviationists, and indeed anyone that does not fervently believe in the historically inevitable advance of the vanguard of the Red Revolution under the eternally wise leadership of Comrade Winters, ably "assisted" by Comrade Gollumroo (aka Roo) and the Comintern).

The "historically inevitable advance of the vanguard of the Red Revolution" at The Battle of Wigmore.
A Communist Armoured Hedgerow Breaching Vehicle ("AHBV") leads the Reds into battle....

....only to finish up crashed into the Wigmore Hall Cricket Pavilion, its crew and
accompanying infantry destroyed,  the AVHB itself set alight by "friendly fire"
from a Communist 18pdr. Spies! Agent Provocateurs! Fifth columnists!
 A filthy capitalist plot, no doubt.....

The Anglican League (prop: Captain-General Jermingham aka Mort) remain in both the south-east and north-east of the County, their previous advances - apparently - temporarily(?) stifled.

In the south-east, with his Strategic Command Post safely quartered in ROSS-ON-WYE, the Captain-General himself anxiously eyes his northern battlefront, situated roughly along the line HOARWITHY to WOOLHOPE. Morale has not quite recovered from his regrettable absence at the recent Anglican Raid into MORTIMER COUNTRY, nor its somewhat embarrassing cause. The Captain-General, his long anticipated "return to action" in MORTIMER COUNTRY having been trumpeted with enthusiasm from church pulpits across the County (in advance of the Spring Big Game 2018), instead found himself strangely absent from the field of valour. Some say that this was due to "inclement weather" (note 3) while others tell of the Captain-General's Field Column having to "ask directions of a local" as to the whereabouts of WIGMORE HALL, and being directed not into MORTIMER COUNTRY, but towards CENTRAL LONDON (note 4). Truly unfortunate that the Field Column asked directions of an opera loving agricultural type (or BUF spy). It is said that the Captain-General's "advance on Wigmore Hall" foundered somewhere around the outskirts of Royalist-held GLOUCESTER amidst the very distant strains of Gotterdamerung.....

Wigmore Hall, Wigmore Street, Marylebone. A concert hall, not a Herefordshire battlefield.
After being so comprehensively misdirected, Captain-General Jermingham saw neither...

In the north-east, with his Strategic Command Post safely quartered in LUDLOW CASTLE, the Bishop of Ludlow (aka Clive) mutters as to the slow progress of his famed (at least in his own diary) "A49 Thrust" southward towards HEREFORD. Having reached the deer park of BERRINGTON HALL itself as a result of the Battle of Berrington Approaches (see the Bishop's Broadcasting Service's account), the Anglican lines so remain there. The westward Raid into MORTIMER COUNTRY, undertaken partly to stifle the Not So Broad Communist Front's own advance and partly to assuage the love of "The Shropshire Swain" (former ward of the Bishop) for Miss Nemone Mortimer-Wagstaffe (step-daughter of Sir Barrington Patchpole KC, leader of the Mortimer Country LDV) proved not to be a success, but a mere distraction from the urgent business of capturing the important County town of LEOMINSTER. Notwithstanding the able leadership of the Bishop of Lichfield (aka Tym) and the somewhat less able leadership of the Shropshire Swain and his Anglican Staff College Advisers (aka Clive, again), the undermanned Ecclesiastical Raiding Parties failed to capture "the true" WIGMORE HALL, suffered (once again) the massacre of the Ludlow Light Lancers (reformed after their similarly comprehensive annihilation at The Battle of Eardisley), and generally escaped with only a few MORTIMER COUNTRY pigs and cattle...

The Ludlow Light Lancers.
Re-formed. Re-Organised. Re-Painted.
Re-Massacred.

With their enemies thus momentarily(?) confused, if not yet confounded, are the County members of HM Government (prop. Lord de Braose, Governor and Warden of the Marches, aka JP) celebrating? Far from it. The British Union of Fascists (prop. Captain Arrowsmith aka Rich) is in utter confusion. Bad enough that Captain Arrowsmith has "gone AWOL" (as to which, the Capital & Counties Tearoom remains alive with gossip); bad enough that the newly promoted Group Leader Giles (aka Giles) has been distracted by lingering wounds and a rumoured re-location of barracks; bad enough that their loyal foreign allies, the Politically Confused Spanish Nationalist Monarchist Fascist Catholics (aka J), seem to have foundered somewhere in the Bristol Channel; the worst that the Government's wily diplomatist-in-chief, Major Straitt-Jackett (aka Alan), was "truly exploded" on active service in MORTIMER COUNTRY. It is said that, even if he survived the explosion, Major Straitt-Jackett will "never quite be the same" and may not even "return to operations" (other than of great length and difficulty, upon what remains of his person). With the leadership of the BUF in such disarray, and HM Government's battle lines in danger of contracting into the confined triangle of LEOMINSTER-HEREFORD-LEDBURY, to whom can HM Government (together with its various allied LDVs) look for battle leadership? The famous Lord Grover (aka JP, again), renowned for having once destroyed an enemy tank with nothing but his sword, seems to have returned to his country estates. That hard-riding, devil-may-care swashbuckler of a South African, Stokkies Joubert (aka Roo, again), seems to have scattered his commando and taken to a life of careless ease in the 'watering holes' of HEREFORD. After a desperate call for "substantial reinforcements" from the Hereford Shire Hall, Edward VIII has despatched merely one out of favour staff officer, the unknown quantity that is Lieutenant Everard (aka Alan, again). Perhaps the entire fate of Edwardian Herefordshire now depends upon a brand new hero, Major Sir James Barleycorn, MC (aka Tom) the undoubted victor of the Battle of Mortimer Country. Having held off three attacking Communist Platoons with only one Mortimer LDV Platoon throughout the course of that battle, can the newly promoted and freshly decorated Barleycorn MC demonstrate similar heroics in other parts of the County?

Barleycorn MC (aka Tom) at the conclusion of his unprecedented defensive fight at the Spring Big Game 2018.
 It is said that, of all the recent promotions and decorations in recognition of his achievements,
none has given Barleycorn MC greater pleasure than the award of "The Wigmore Bunny"
by a grateful local population (aka The Umpires, to general player acclamation)

The Hereford1938 AVBCW Campaign thus remains delicately poised. As the Fleet Street military correspondents (and their bookmakers) have it : the game's afoot, and it's anybody's game.

But not anybody's family.

The redoubtable Sir Gilbert Hill (aka Doug), Herefordshire's answer to John D. Rockefeller/Alphonse Capone [insert somebody slightly controversial -ed.], is famously fond of his family.

And now his nephew, Chief Superintendent Ronald Bigsworth-Hill, (aka Doug, again) is in mortal danger. And still somewhere in MORTIMER COUNTRY.

The many avid readers of the Hereford1938AVBCW Blog will recall that, "but a fortnight ago", the gallant Bigsworth-Hill "answered the call of Wigmore" and rushed to the defence of Sir Barrington Patchpole KC and his family (aka JP, again) against the simultaneous assaults of the Communist Front, the Anglican League and HM Government.

A panoramic shot of the Wiltshire Police Flying Column,
under the command of Chief Superintendant Bigsworth-Hill,
gallantly preparing to defend Mortimer Country.

The same legions of readers will further recall that the said Sir Barrington sensibly/infanously/treacherously then "did a squalid deal" with the forces of HM Government in order to repel the assaults of the Communists and the Anglicans upon his previously independent fiefdom. The precise terms of such "deal" may yet be in dispute (Sir Barrington beware), but the potential results for his former loyal ally and equally former BUF Storm Leader (2nd class, deserted), the very same Bigsworth-Hill, are much to be feared. The BUF have a particularly nasty, not to say final, way with deserters from their cause....and Ronald has consequently "gone into hiding".

Sir Gilbert is a criminal psychopath/respectable businessman sensible chap. He knows that to rescue his nephew, Ronald, from his hiding place in MORTIMER COUNTRY will be difficult. He knows that to do so, he will require all the might of his famed "Golden Valley Invincibles" and the full support of his historic allies, the Anglican League, together with his own new recruits, Chief Kansan O'Flynn and his tribal supporters. All that Sir Gilbert and his allies have to do, however, is draw HM Government forces towards them in the south of the County by crossing the RIVER WYE and advancing north. With his encirclement by the newly distracted HM Government forces thus broken, Chief Superintendant Ronald Bigsworth-Hill can then make his escape in good order...

"But that's impossible!" exclaimed the Anglican Staff Officer. "A contested crossing? Under fire? Assault boats and pontoon bridges? Why, the WYE is even now at full spate! With the recent rains, it's three times its usual width! Treble the difficulty! Even if it isn't impossible, it's never been done before - at least not outside of Hollywood!!!"

"Why honeychile, you're almost so right..." drawled Miss Sweetmeat, Sir Gilbert's very very personal secretary. "Lord de Braose, that deah boy, will never expect it. And that's just why it can be done....."

Can the Golden Valley Invincibles and their Anglican allies pull off their daring plan? Is the RIVER WYE ready for (homemade) assault boats and hurriedly assembled (converted Airfix) pontoon bridges? Will HM Government rally their presently almost leaderless troops and see off Sir Gilbert? Can Ronald Bigsworth-Hill be saved from capture and the gallows? Can Chief Kansan O'Flynn even swim?

All these dramatic questions, and more, can only be answered by participation in the AUTUMN 2018 AVBCW BIG GAME, "Bridge over Trebbbled Water", at the BURLEY GATE VILLAGE HALL, SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2018, 10AM - 5PM!!! 

Notes

Note (1) : not quite so sweeping, actually. With a few limited but necessary "historical" anomalies, the Hereford1938AVBCW campaign is actually confined to the boundaries of the County of Herefordshire, an area of 842 square miles.

Note (2) : the "chronology" of the Hereford1938AVBCW campaign has always been deliberately left rather vague, best expressed as "a year in real time roughly equates to a month in campaign time". With two "Big Games" a year, the campaign interval between "battles" is thus about a fortnight. The campaign has just passed its sixth anniversary "in real time", but the "starting campaign month" has never quite been articulated. If this timeline is considered generally acceptable, and May 1937 considered the starting point of both the national and County VBCW, we may not yet even be in 1938, but only preparing to celebrate Christmas 1937...scary. 

Note (3) : it actually was. Strange now to think that the Spring Big Game 2018 took place against the background of heavy (and unseasonable) snowfalls, making long journeys very difficult and unpredictable. It is not only in the Hereford AVBCW that the weather plays unexpected tricks on the population....

Note (4) : full details of the historic Wigmore Hall in Central London can be found here.