A Very British Civil War

My unit histories for the local AVBCW units.

Anglican League

1938

The Navy camp at Rixton had to decide which side to support.

It’s close association with the village of Rixton-with-Glazebrook and especially the vicar of St.Helens Church, Hollins Green made the choice easy.

Using the manpower and eagerness of the training camp along with the support of the local farm workers soon bolstered their numbers.

As they were still in training the units are pretty green, but have plenty of pluck.

They are currently defending the line of the river Glaze against the Irlam Communists and the river Mersey against Thelwall Communists also.

To the north the threat from Culceth has arose now they have sided with the Albertine forces.

Currently exists an uneasy peace whilst more pressing matters (Communist) mean a joint venture, but clashes still exist, like when the Culceth Company raided the Rixton Navy Camp for supplies.

The church has well supplied the regiment with standard Anglican Army uniforms and equipment.

The northern border is the Liverpool – Manchester Railway.

Culceth company

Albertines

1938

Culceth had strong ties with Canada through local leaders and their relatives living out there.

When the time came it was easy to convince the local population that Prince Albert was their best option.

Initially, Canada and the Albertines sent a small training party to Culceth to train up the volunteers to a good military standard and also supplied a good few weapons.

The Culceth Company has expanded to incorporate both Croft and Glazebury, stopping at the East Lancs road to the north.

The area south was stopped at the Liverpool – Manchester railway due to the influence of the Anglican backed Rixton Regt.

Currently exists an uneasy peace whilst more pressing matters (Communist) mean a joint venture, but clashes still exist.

Recently the Culceth Company has had to launch a raid into Rixton territory to get supplies from the Rixton Navy camp. A large number of blue battle dress jackets were taken and have now been used as a standard uniform for the company.

A Very British Civil War!

Monday nights game was "A Very British Civil War" game that took us back to 1938 in another  universe.
Warrington was under attack from the Lymm BUF and Edwardian troops from Dunham Massey.
Thank God for the lads from Cadishead and Irlam. 

The Factory was the main target for the Fascist, who shelled the roof off with mortars and even planted explosives but never set them off.
 

The chaps from Dunham captured some Thelwall socialist but  never got within 100 yards from the Factory.

The cops got three lots of civilians out of their farms and homes before taking a direct hit  from a mortar shell  killing all but the Inspector and one Pc.

Here we see the fish vans full of Thelwall communist driving into the action.
They arrived in the nick of time for the Trucks in the background belong to Hanoverian storm-troopers.
The Communist managed  to hold the Factory by the end of the night, the Fascist  lost a lot of men mostly to the bayonet after surrendering.
A very nasty Action from the Cadishead Red Butchers.

Allied victory near to Madrid

Battle was fought across 3 tables Sunday 2nd February.

The protagonists -

Jeff (Spanish) was taking the Picture and Les (French) had not arrived when taken.

Southern table - Jeff (Spanish) and Rob (French)
I have been told by our gallant Spanish commander that after seeing off the initial French cavalry charges the Spanish cavalry withdrew in triumph. Meanwhile the French ground out a slow advance against exceptional Spanish defences.
The Spanish were so confident they were able to dispatch reinforcements to the middle table.

Cavalry attacks                                           

                
 French infantry attacks

French attampt a breakthrough

Spanish gallantly hold out

Centre table - Adam (Spanish), Andy (Portuguese), Steve & Bailey (French)

The superb Generalship of both the Spanish and Portuguese commanders enabled them to force a crossing of the river under stiff French resistance. The only down side was the inability to find any crossing points in the first turns of the battle.

Spanish reinforcements arrived, but the arrival of fresh French troops caused the troops to retire back across the river........next time it will be different!

The plan for battle, but no ford found

Firefight with Spanish and French.        Some French cavalry sneak on the flank.





 The Portuguese and Spanish force a crossing, but were unable to exploit the hole.

Northern table - Bob (British) and Les (French)

Admittedly some of the British Generals could do with map reading classes - they appeared on the centre table only to turn round and go back!

Even without Picton and his scoundrels the British were able to force themselves across the bridge by employing a new tactic - Apparently artillery are the new TANK of the world (bit early, and no armour) but the heroic gunners led the advance over the bridge.

The British just like their fellow allies on the other tables were victorious, surely it only a matter of time before Madrid falls and the damned French are chased back over the border!!

Ready for battle, Cannons lead the way!

Cannons first?  Supports soon cross the bridge, and hold out

A great set of battles, and a fun time was had - just a bit frustrating they we were unable to find a ford early on in the game. Battle might have been a bit different on the centre table!! Next time!!  



Report from - 

Miguel San Jose Badajoz, 

embedded with Major General Beresford, 1st Portuguese Army

Relic

Played our first game of Relic tonight at home.
Bailey got some bad cards to start with and got his character kill so started again. We played fare amont of turns and I got my relic card and went for the middle. Did not look at the middle before I got there and fell foul of the skill tests which killed me. Time was running out so called it a Bailey win by default.
We enjoyed the game and run into a few first couple of  game questions which went ok. The game is based on Talisman and has the same feel to it but felt very different to me with the different attributes and leveling up system. It was only our first game and only played three characters but they felt quite different with the different stats and asset levels ect. and of course the 40k universe. 

Ste

Had a look at this web/Blog and found it quite good for WH40K

Was originally found on 'Bitz Box' Facebook page.

Bitz Box Painting Page

Descent, First Blood

Played our first game of descent v2 on Monday night. I played as overlord as its my game and knew the rules (well most). We are all new to the game with me playing first blood twice at home to get used to the gameplay.
The group was split very well with each player taking a different base character we had,
Thief,
Knight,
Rune Master,
Disciple.

If you look closely you will notice that I switched the unpainted models for Lord of the Rings miniatures to make the game more artistically pleasing because I have not painted the figures that came with the game which I think are very good.

From my plays at home I found that it is very hard to win this scenario as overlord so I started hard and stayed hard (but fair) to try and give myself an edge. I got some good cards early and poisoned the knight first turn and with Bob getting some bad rolls all game which he kept till the end getting a wound turn after turn. On my first turn I ran the goblins straight for the exit and blocked the heros in the first room with the ettin. The heros spotted my plan killed the ettin and dashed after the goblins killing one just in time. The next few turns fell into them trying to kill mauler and me dashing my goblin of the table. I think I got some good cards and always had one to play each turn to cause a good effect for me. On the second to last turn I managed to get the rune master down and had two goblins at the exit with the thief standing in there way but only one wound on mauler!

Tense finish coming up!

The rune master got up,

Bob the warroir failed his poison check taking him to his hit point total,  down he went,

Lee killed one goblin wounded the second but not killed,

Bailey the disciple got into base contact with mauler, MISSED!

Overlords turn, my goblin ran like sh! T of a shovel, Overlord win.

What a close finish, fun game as always. I think this was a good choice of game and the group agreed.

When we play again I think it will be a different story for the overlord now the heros know the game better. Playing them two learning games at home gave me a big advantge. This mission I think is designed to learn how it all works and it does this well in my opinion.

Both me and the heros learned some valuable lessons, heros work well together not apart and keep your eye one the win conditions were the main ones for me. Oh and as overlord I need to be sneaky and mean.

Spanish Campaign History

British Gunners fight head to head with French gunners at close range, the result is  total destruction for the gunners on both sides from canister 

French Troops in the South hold the bridge fort.

 Portuguese's Forces charge over the Bridge West of Madrid 12th August

Talavera 

Battle of Talavera.

MAWS Black Panthers Spanish Campaign History

1808

Build Up to Invasion.

After the French and Spanish defeat at Trafalgar the alliance between the two countries began to brake up. Napoleons hold on the Royal Family of Spain began to slip.

Prince Ferdinand plotted to dethrone his father Charles IV and was arrested. In 1808 Napoleon used the internal dissent to his advantage. Charles was induced to abdicate and retire to Rome with his Queen, which left Napoleon free to proclaim Joseph Bonaparte as the new king of Spain.

Napoleon sent troops into Spain to support the new king Joseph, which led to insurrection and war between the two Nations.

None Historic Campaign Game History

Portugal had surrendered to the Continental system and declared themselves Neutral in 1801, after a brief war with Spain. In secret they still traded with the United Kingdom.

In 1807 Napoleon sent a force into Portugal to enforce the ban on trade with Britain, the British reacted by sending a force to instate neutrality back to Portugal.

A treaty was made and the French force was allowed to retire back to France (one year earlier than in history) in British ships.

The British then left two forces in Portugal at Lisbon and Oporto.

April 1808

French forces march into Spain with 4 corps, two in the North and two in the South. Spanish garrisons at Lerida, Tarragona and Barcelona surrender without a fight to the 2^nd and 4^th corps,

13^th April

In the North Spanish resistance is crushed by the 1^st and 3^rd corps, a Battle takes place outside Burgos at Gamonal against the 1^st Spanish Corps controlled by General Castanos and the 3^rd French corps controlled by General Mermont. Over 27000 Spanish confront 28000 French. The battle is a disaster for the Spanish.

14^th April

Burgos is captured by the French who leave a garrison and continue to give chase to the retreating Spanish force heading south towards Valladolid, meanwhile the 1^st corps moved along the north coast capturing Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastion.

May 1808

Most of the North East coast and North coast are now under French control, British forces in Portugal begin to march into Spain heading North towards Corunna and East towards Madrid. The 1^st Spanish corps camps outside Madrid but does not construct defenses around the city.

4^th May

French forces attack the city of Valladolid, which is only defended by a small group of civilians; a blood bath takes place within the city raising the Spanish hatred of the French.

6^th May

At sea a Russian fleet under a French flag attacks a small British fleet leaving Lisbon, the British ships escape but Lisbon harbor is attacked and the docks are fired. War is declared between Portugal and France as a result.

9^th May

French 4^th Corps march towards Madrid from the North East from Saragossa and take up camp at Alcala North of Madrid.

June 1808

15^th June

Spanish and British forces engage the 4^thFrench corps forces controlled by General Soult at El Goloso five miles North of Madrid, 24000 French attack 27000 Spanish and 21000 British, the result an Allied victory. The French forces retreat back to Alcala where they prepare to defend the town. They are attacked 3 days later by the 1^st British corps controlled by General Moore and 3^rd Spanish corps controlled by General San Juan, the British force the French out of the town in hand to hand combat.

20^th June

The French retreat back to Burgos followed by the Allied forces and another battle takes place South of Burgos at Saldana de Burgos. Only British and French forces are engaged in this battle, the British are given a bloody nose and are forced to retreat back to Madrid.

29th June

15 miles South of Madrid the Spanish 2^nd Corps controlled by General Palafox and French 2^nd Corps controlled by General Jerome Napoleon confront at Fuentiduena de Tajo, 19000 French attack a force of 22000 Spanish and force the Spanish to retreat back towards Madrid.

29^th June

To the North West of Madrid General San Juan marches his army towards Valladolid and engages French forces at Villacastin. Spanish forces are beaten back from the town by French fire power. Spanish forces retreat out of gun range and dig in.

July 1808

1^st July

General Soult makes camp in Burgos and awaits reinforcements, meanwhile General Barron Bachelu advances his army and captures Lugo after the British 2^nd abandon the city. The British 2^nd corps under the young General Wellesley retreat to Santiago and fortifies the city.

1^st July

At Villacastin another battle takes place between the Spanish, British and French. 28000 French engage 55000 Allied troops, General Mermont is forced to retreat from the town and regroup in the mountains.

5^th July

The Spanish forces at Villacastin retreat back to Madrid leaving the British to hold the pass through the mountains, British forces are attacked again by Mermonts force and manage to hold the French back.

6^th July

South of Madrid at San Fernando de Henares the French 2^nd Corps launch another attack on the Spanish held bridge. The battle ends with the French backing away and regrouping.

7^th July

The following day Jerome’s force attacks the bridge again but the bridge is blown and the battle ends with no overall winner. This leaves Jerome to look for another way across the river to Madrid, he sends scouts to find a crossing.

9^th July

North of Madrid French forces under General Soult engage San Juans force at El Pardo, the French try and capture the fort at El Pardo but are beaten to it. They are forced to regroup and head towards Madrid.

9^th July

At San Fernando de Henares the 2^nd French corps forces find a ford by chance, French Scouts discover a Spanish battalion bathing in the river. The ford is captured and French forces cross to flank the Spanish resulting in a Spanish retreat back to Madrid.

12th July

British forces at Villacastin are again attacked by French forces, 25000 French attack15000 British. Moore’s army is beaten out of the town. They are forced to retreat at a fast march back to Madrid.

14th July

Soults force attacks Madrid, which is defended by General Hoyas Travalas and the 1^st Division of the Spanish 3^rd Corps. Hoyas force put up a brave fight and San Juans reinforcements arrive to late to save the city from being captured. San Juan and his army retreat West towards Talavera.

28^th July

General Wellesley advances on the city of Lugo and attacks the city from the East and West, the French retreat into the city and the siege of Lugo begins.

29^th July

At El Carpio de Tajo General Palafox , General Moore and General San Juan’s forces meet, they engage the French 2^nd Corps under General Jerome Napoleon and are pushed back to Talavera.

August 1808

3^rd August

At Talavera the Allies are meet by the Portuguese, they plan to trap the advancing French. The British are reinforced with fresh troops from Portugal. 90000 Allies mass around the city and in the countryside awaiting the 23000 French 2^nd Corps. The French attacked the city but when the Portuguese attacked from the rear and flank the French had to retreat North into the mountains to escape being destroyed.

11th August
General Wellesley's force fall back to the river and the siege of Lugo ends, allied forces continue to patrol the surrounding area with Spanish scouts. French forces within the city begin the search for food and fresh mounts for the horseless cavalry who slaughtered half their horses to feed the army.
12th August
A large Battle takes place West of Madrid between the Spanish, British and Portuguese forces and French Forces. The French 2nd Corps managed to save the right wing of Soults Corp and pushed the Spanish South into the Portuguese lines positioned West of Madrid. French forces in the center held the road to Madrid from the Portuguese giving Soults remaining beaten Southern force time to retreat back into the city. British forces now held the South West plains of Madrid.