SPRING BIG GAME 2024 ("HM MASSIVE COUNTER-ATTACK") - SCENARIO !

The present campaign situation is outlined in full (and lavishly illustrated) HERE. Up to date, chap? Then read on:

Campaign Map - Road System

 

Major-General Everard (and his coterie of keen young Staff Officers) have spent a great deal of time considering their massive counter-offensive. But where to strike ? Southward, against the traditional Anglican power-base in Ross on Wye ? Or North, to recover fallen Leominster from the Ludlow Expeditionary Force ? Perhaps North East, hoping to drive the Communists back towards their bases at Kington and Presteigne ? Or South-East, against Sir Gilbert Hill's so-called "Golden Valley Invincibles", aiming to capture Pontrilas?

Having cleared his throat portentously, Major - General Everard provided the long awaited strategic answer. He would clear his lines first, aiming to "make sure" of the east - west A438 road link between the BUF Mailed Fist Battlegroup (in Ledbury) and his own Crown Forces (in Hereford), and between his own Crown Forces and the newly installed "Blackshort" Garrison in Hay-on-Wye (not shown on the above map, but not far from Eardisley, which is).

It is well known that the supply lines along the A438 has regularly been "cut" by all sorts of raiders - the Anglicans, the Social Democrats of Bromyard and Sir Gilbert Hill's forces across the A438 (East) between Hereford and Ledbury, and the Communists and Sir Gilbert Hill's forces across the A438 (West) between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye. Major-General Everard will soon put a stop to this outrageous behaviour !

Hence, it has been agreed that the Blackshort Forces of Hay-on-Wye will "sally out" from Hay-on-Wye east along the A438, with the aim of "making a rendezvous" with Crown Forces advancing west along the A438 from Hereford (Table 1 - A438 West).

Simultaneously, it has been agreed that the BUF Mailed Fist Battlegroup will advance from Ledbury west along the A438, with the aim of "effecting a conjuncture" with Crown Forces advancing east along the A438 from Hereford (Table 2 - A438 East).

There are dark rumours of "strong Rebel forces" raiding across both parts of the A438, marching both north/south and south/north, aiming to "prevent any Government stranglehold" on such an important supply artery.......

Can Major-General Evarard "clear his lines" along the A438? Will he live to shake the hand of Roderick Spode, 7th Earl of Sidcup, leader of the Hay-on-Wye Blackshorts? Will the BUF "Mailed Fist" Battlegroup from Ledbury live up to their name, or go down to shattering defeat on the field of the A438 (East)? And can normal commercial traffic resume without fear of kidnap, highway robbery and roadside bombs? All these critical questions can only be answered by attendance at the Hereford1938 VBCW Spring Big Game 2024, Yarkhill Village Hall, 9th March 2024 (10am - 5pm) !

Absolutely, Major-General : the Ledbury BUF receive their campaign orders from Everard's HQ.

Gamers Notes

(1). The scenario should set us up for two "encounter battles" on classic lines, i.e. 3 Platoons attacking (Govt. Forces) v 2 Platoons defending (Opposition Forces), but with a novel twist - while the attack goes in on an East/West axis, the defending forces are not "sitting waiting" as usual, but are themselves playing "across the table", i.e. along a South/North axis. A suitable "commercial vehicle" (or vehicles) will be made available to HMG Forces to drive along the A438 in demonstration of their magnificent victories - or be captured and/or blown up in demonstration of their miserable defeat....

(2). The Umpires are way ahead of themselves this year. Normally at this stage of the campaign cycle, we've no idea whatsoever of the scenario for the Autumn Big Game - and sometimes barely an idea of the Spring Big Game ! However, with a definite air of smugness, we can announce that the Autumn Big Game 2024 is titled "Springtime for Stokkies" and will be a highly detailed simulation of the famous escape attempt (from Anglican captivity) by the lecherous unsafe in taxis swashbuckling commander of the King's Own Colonials, Stokkies Joubert !

(3). Hereford1938 VBCW Modelling Challenge 2024 and Spring Big Game 2024 SPECIAL PRIZES to be announced in forthcoming blogposts.....stand by........