Face to face games at Little Gaddesdon for 2015

We now have a full program for the whole of 2015.  I think this is a first for us, and my thanks go to the excellent group who have offered to run games.

All games are scheduled to start at 11 am and finish about 4.30 pm.

I have included doodles for each game and would urge you to complete these.  Even if you are unlikely to attend, this is useful information to guide us on numbers.  Some of the dates are a long way ahead, and we do appreciate that real life sometimes gets in the way.  So we are quite happy for you to subsequently change your response (in either direction) provided you give us as much notice as possible.  What we are really looking for at this point is an indication of interest, rather than a firm commitment, so that the design of the games can take account of likely numbers.

Sunday March 29 - War of the Roses, Paul
http://doodle.com/32e9fth89fknz2x7

Sunday, April 19 – English Civil War, Martin
http://doodle.com/ayvkqqrzn5gxa5uz

SUMMER BREAK

Sunday, September 27 – Chinese Warlords (was Zulu War), Paul
http://doodle.com/c2a3nn2dtf6qdmh3

Sunday, October 25 – WW2 Eastern Front, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

Martin (J)

Hi Chaps

Regrettably, we have had to postpone the May game, as we have recently been advised that the village hall has double-booked for that day.  The remaining schedule is unchanged however (see below).  All games are scheduled to start at 11 am and finish about 4.30 pm.

I have included doodles for each game and would urge you to complete these.  Even if you are unlikely to attend, this is useful information to guide us on numbers.  Some of the dates are a long way ahead, and we do appreciate that real life sometimes gets in the way.  So we are quite happy for you to subsequently change your response (in either direction) provided you give us as much notice as possible.  

Apart from the two spring games, where we would like some certainty, what we are really looking for at this point is an indication of interest, rather than a firm commitment, so that the design of the autumn games can take account of likely numbers.


Sunday March 29 - War of the Roses, Paul
http://doodle.com/32e9fth89fknz2x7

Sunday, April 19 – English Civil War, Martin
http://doodle.com/ayvkqqrzn5gxa5uz

Summer break

Sunday, September 27 – Zulu War, Paul
http://doodle.com/c2a3nn2dtf6qdmh3

Sunday, October 25 - Viet Nam LRRP, David
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - WW1 Trench Warfare, Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

Martin (J)

A reminder that our next two face-to-face k/spiels are as follows:

Sunday March 29 - War of the Roses, Paul
http://doodle.com/32e9fth89fknz2x7

Sunday, April 19 – English Civil War, Martin
http://doodle.com/ayvkqqrzn5gxa5uz

We so far have 8 players for the March game, but could certainly fit more in.  

Martin (J)

Hi folks

A reminder that we have a full autumn schedule for you, with a game every month.

Sunday, September 27 – Zulu War, from Paul
http://doodle.com/c2a3nn2dtf6qdmh3

Sunday, October 25 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - WW1 Trench Warfare, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

If you have not already done so, please complete the doodle with yes, no or even maybe.  Getting a good idea of numbers really helps the guys running the games to fine tune the scenario.

Martin (J)

Hi folks

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have found it necessary to make a change to our autumn schedule.  

The October Vietnam game will now take place in November, and will be replaced by an operational Eastern Front game set in October 1941.  The WW1 Trench Warfare game originally intended for November will now be played sometime in 2016.  The revised schedule is as follows:

Sunday, September 27 – Zulu War, from Paul
http://doodle.com/c2a3nn2dtf6qdmh3

Sunday, October 25 – WW2 Eastern Front, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

Many of you have already completed the various doodles, but could I please ask you to look again and make any changes necessary.  There are still places available for all games, so it’s not too late to register your interest if you haven’t yet done so.

[For some reason I cannot work out how to change the game description on the doodle pages for October and November to reflect the new games, so please just ignore those   ]

Martin (J)

Due to further unforeseen circumstances (a euphemism of course for Umpire disorganisation and/or caprice), the punitive expedition against the Zulu nation planned for Sunday, September 27th in Gaddesden later this month has been postponed.  

Instead I shall that day (starting 11am) be umpiring a new scenario, provisionally named THE YEAR OF THE HORSE: Von Sternberg Rides Again, set in Manchuria 1922 and loosely based on the real life Chihli–Fengtien War of that year – (hopefully not “another war that nobody cares about”).

This scenario takes us back to the days when real men wore pigtails   and features a colourful cast of Manchus, Mongols, Tatars, Cossacks, Chinese Warlords and White Russians. Also (if the Little Gaddesden Amateur Dramatic Society can deliver) a mysterious Oriental of uncertain sexuality named Suzy Wong, with a Luger tucked into her garter, just visible through the slit in her red silk skirt.

Perhaps even Mr Chan will put in a rare guest appearance? 
Available toys for aspiring Emperors of China include armoured trains, light and heavy tanks, armoured cars, lorried AA guns, balloons, heliographs, plus primitive biplanes and rocket launchers.

There is a convenient plain of millet to fight across, interspersed with occasional fortified villages and a coal mine, and beautifully decorated with colourful Pagodas.

This sounds like fun, and a really exotic topic.  I think I've heard of this Baron von Sternberg cove.  Not a very nice chap by all accounts   .

I will send out a circular later so everyone picks up on this change of topic.

Martin (J)

According to doodle we have 9 so far, which is not bad, particularly with the change of topic. Still room for more though.

Martin (J)

Have updated the full autumn schedule at the head of this thread, as there have been a few changes in recent weeks.  The revised schedule is as follows:

Sunday, September 27 – Chinese Warlords, from Paul
http://doodle.com/c2a3nn2dtf6qdmh3

Sunday, October 25 – WW2 Eastern Front, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

Martin (J)

10 players gathered for Sunday’s game on military operations in Manchuria in 1922.  This was an excellent and unusual scenario, and our thanks go to Paul for running it.

A largely Mongol force had been recruited by the former White Russian commanders Ataman Semyenov and his deputy the homicidal, insane, and not especially loyal, Baron von Ungarn-Sternberg.   These ne’er-do-wells were intent on taking-over territory E of the Sha River.  The local Imperial Chinese forces were under the command of the ‘Great Leader’, and had the unenviable task of holding an extended front, and protecting the key coal mines (their main source of revenue), together with the railway leading to the export ports on the Pacific coast.  Other important assets included the Chinese HQ, which also housed their treasury.  The Great Leader was supported by the formidable Ms Suzie Wong (Age 23), his ‘confident’, head spy and reputedly chief torturer.

The first few days saw the Chinese forces adopt a defensive posture whilst attempting to establish Mongol intentions.  Semenov and Ungarn-Sternberg meanwhile probed to find a weakness in the Chinese positions.  Even at this stage our White Russian chums found it difficult to coordinate, as they were deployed some days’ march apart, and the mad Baron seemed not especially inclined to adhere to the chain of command.  The Chinese had an advantage here, with a more conventional command structure, and all 3 of their commanders in telegraph contact.

A thrust by Ungarn-Sternberg’s low-grade Mongol infantry in the S began to draw Chinese forces of the Green Lotus Division in that direction.  He then artfully concentrated his numerous and proficient cavalry further N, and thrust E across the Sha River, together with other infantry and artillery.  Semenov only heard of this from his own outposts, and his first reaction was that the Baron intended to defect!  Nevertheless, he then sent 10 of his own cavalry regiments across the river further N.  Both forces crossed the railway, cut the telegraph, and temporarily surrounded a large body of the Chinese Red Dragon Division.



They were unable to coordinate an attack however, and Semenov was himself threatened by Chinese reinforcements approaching his rear.  So he pulled back and switched his main attack about 50 miles further N.  

The Great leader had by now taken personal control of elements of the Green Lotus Division on the southern front and launched a series of successful attacks, supported by his detachment of tanks.  The more numerous and better-armed Chinese forces crushed several of the Baron’s infantry regiments in a series of battles.



The Chinese Red Dragon Division had by now concentrated its forces opposite Baron von Ungarn-Sternberg’s main body.  The latter had sent his cavalry plundering far afield, so lacked the numbers to defend his position.  An initial Chinese attack failed, but they attacked again the following day in full force, crushing the Mongol main body and capturing the Baron himself.

Notwithstanding rumours of the Baron’s defeat, Ataman Semyenov pressed on with his own operations in the N, spearheaded by his elite White Russian commando regiment.  This was probably the correct decision, as he was able to take control of a key stretch of the railway, and bring a permanent halt to Chinese coal exports.  The mad Baron’s cavalry were also still at large east of the River Sha, ravaging a large area.  Indeed a portion of them had captured the Great Leader’s HQ, together with his treasury and Ms Suzie Wong (Age 23).

At this point negotiations began.  The Chinese had actually won most of the battles, but the fierce Mongol cavalry were still a potent force, and Semyenov could not easily be prised from the railroad in the north.  The on-going hit to his revenue, and the loss of his treasury, inclined the victorious Great Leader to talk.   A deal was agreed on the basis of an exchange of prisoners, and a payment to Semyenov to allow coal shipments along the railway.  The Great Leader’s natural inclination had been to execute the mad Baron, but he was bereft at the loss of Ms Wong (still age 23), and in order to obtain her release agreed to hand back Ungarn-Sternberg.  Semyenov welcomed his colleague back with feelings which can be imagined, but put on a brave face.  Both sides began preparing for the next war.  

Our next game is in October and is an operational treatment of the Eastern Front in the autumn of 1941.  Panzer divisions are racing eastwards, but can the Red Army stop them?  We have 10 signed-up at the moment but could fit more in.  Our final game this year is in late November, on long-range patrol operations in Vietnam.

Sunday, October 25 – WW2 Eastern Front, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz


Martin (J)

A reminder of our remaining autumn games, and a taste of what’s in store for 2016.  There looks to be a healthy turn-out for both forthcoming games, but we can certainly fit more in.  Please complete the doodle(s) if you’re interested.

[NB due to changes in the game schedule, the doodle descriptions no longer fit the games.  For some reason we cannot seem to change the text.  Sorry for any confusion]

Or next game is in October, and is an operational treatment of the Eastern Front in the autumn of 1941.  Panzer divisions are racing eastwards, but can the Red Army stop them?  

Sunday, October 25 – WW2 Eastern Front, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Our final game this year is in late November, on long-range patrol operations in Vietnam.

Sunday, November 29 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

Games already planned for 2016 include a 1644 English Civil War campaign, the 1879 Zulu War, and WW1 Naval.

Martin (J)

Thanks for the AAR Martin, now I know what Sternberg was up to, I had no idea on the day!

I have to make it clear that the messed up attack on the Red Dragon Division was down to Umpire incompetence (that's my story and I'm sicking to it   ).  

I thought I was attacking a hastily deployed rearguard in front, flank and rear, expecting to rout them after which I was confident my cossacks would be able to spread panic throughout the Chinese ranks as their comrades fled past them and Von Sternbergs troops would mop up the rest of them.

In fact I discovered the position I attacked was deployed in a town with artillery in an all round position, so my attack bounced. Jeez, look at that stack of red tiles on the first photo!

Ataman Semyenov

A reminder that our next game at Little Gaddesden is this coming Sunday.  An operational game set on the Eastern Front in 1941.  It's still not too late to register on the doodle if you're interested.  As usual, the game will start at 11 am and finish about 4.30 pm.

Sunday, October 25 – WW2 Eastern Front, from Graham and Sean
http://doodle.com/42agwwrfmr2226nq

Sunday, November 29 - Viet Nam LRRP, from David
http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz

Martin (J)

Our final game this year is on Sunday 29 November set during the Vietnam War and features long range reconnaissance patrolling operations.  Players will work as part of small teams tasked with a variety of missions, often behind enemy lines.  We seem to have 11 registered for this so far, but could still fit more in.  Please complete the doodle if you would like to attend.

http://doodle.com/ngxvc697e8ia9kcz


This will be followed by (in order of importance) tea & biscuits, and our rather informal AGM.  Here is the chance to rise up and dethrone the evil coterie who have dominated our group for too long   .


Martin (J)

Curses! You shall not escape the All-powerful Committee, abominable Rufus.

Slither, slither etc