AAR - 'On the Day, Went the Eagle's Landing Well?' - Part 1

THE OPENING MOVES

With the issuing of the aforementioned orders, the game was afoot. In the photo below you can see the start positions. Bottom right is the Luftwaffe who had to link up with the Black Shorts top right behind the house with the red roof (Dame Edith FitzPilchard’s house). The Kriegsmarine situated top left, having disembarked from their narrow boat had to meet up with the 5^th Column, pictured here bottom left behind the Old Mill. All figures were free to move as they wished with the proviso that the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe would be fired upon by the British if sighted as they were in uniform. The Black Shorts and the 5^th Column could move with impunity until some form of offensive act was committed, then that group could come under fire. Both Axis players chose to use this advantage and it was some time before the groups revealed themselves.

A view up Piddling Street showing the Square. A Maplins bus waiting forlornly to transport happy campers to Joe Maplin’s latest venture.

The Kriegsmarine boys take a ‘selfie’ with a view of Much-Piddling in the background.

Prince Phillip and entourage have arrived at Snapcase Hall and the Prince is greeted by Captain Lord Snapcase. Lady Bracknell from the Much-Piddling Women’s Institute is about to be introduced. Sir Douglas D’Emfore, MP for Mid-Devon arrives in his Austin 7 driven by his bodyguard, Sergeant V. A. G’Bond.

The Luftwaffe move out from behind the Cricket Pavilion having decided to open the batting. Led here by Steiner.

The 5^th Column start to move out from behind the Mill.

The Black Shorts move unhindered past Futtock’s Garage trying to meet up with the Luftwaffe.

Meanwhile, unaware of the impending danger, the sterling chaps of the Much-Piddling Home Guard have been left to their own devices whilst their incompetent leader entertains minor royalty in the Hall. Barliman Butterbur is serving pasties and scrumpy from his Mobile Pasty Unit, hence the NAAFI van is not doing much business with their offering of tea and ‘stickies’. Seen here are ‘Jonesy’, Walker, Godfrey, Wilson and Pike. Private Scrotum (the Snapcase families wrinkled retainer) has his ‘battle-bowler’ on and Private Michi is in the foreground trying to get the radio to work.

There was some manoeuvering to do for the Axis and not much for the Allies at this point. However, there were one or two surprises in store for the players, of which more later.

To be continued…

The Scarlet Patrol

...and now for something completely different!

Yes, I know I should be writing the AAR for 'On the Day, Went the Eagle's Landing Well?' but for the last 5 months I've been painting WWII and I fancied a real change. I am doing the AAR but painting Mounties for a small skirmish game as well, maybe 5 or 6 a side. This will take place on the snow terrain boards which I have not used yet.

Maintiens le droit

In a World Gone Mad, Three Men Stand Alone!

To enhance the atmosphere of the game I purchased some hats so that each senile old bugger could remember which side he was on!

Photo by Doug em4.

The Embuggerance Factor

The players were briefed at the start about an embuggerance factor which I hoped would cause chaos with vehicle movements later in the game. Using a flock of Tin Shed's lovely sheep I issued the following rules for the flock's movements throughout the game.

· The sheep move first every turn

· They move 5”

· When they meet a junction, throw a direction dice or assign a d6

· When they meet the edge of the board they turn around

· They always stay on the road

· A vehicle cannot drive through them

· A pedestrian can move through the sheep at half walking pace

Photo by Doug em4

The Game is Afoot!

At the start of the game the players were handed sealed envelopes with information particular to them and their initial orders. To set the scene these are now reproduced here:

LUFTWAFFE INITIAL ORDERS

You need to make contact with Roderick Spode as a matter of the utmost urgency. Spode will direct you as to what he needs to become Reichsprotektor. Schimmel has been given a top-secret code-book to deliver to Spode. You will need to keep Müller with you as he is the only member of your crew able to speak English. Spode is thought to be in Much-Piddling, see attached aerial photograph from reconnaissance mission.

KRIEGSMARINE INITIAL ORDERS

The commander and crew of U-47 must first rendezvous with the 5th Column led by Otto Skorzeny of the SS. The 5th Column will have vital information regarding the interior of Snapcase Hall and timings of the Prince’s visit. The 5th Column are thought to be hiding out in the vicinity of the Old Mill. If sighted by the Englanders you will be fired upon as you are in uniform.

BLACK SHORTS INITIAL ORDERS

The Black Shorts led by Roderick Spode must first rendezvous with the commander and crew of Immelmann II. The crew are currently located at the Much-Piddling Cricket Club pavilion. Although the code book which the Luftwaffe are delivering is vital, you know that you also need the Ancient Charter of Piddling. To become Reichsprotektor you must have the original document in your possession. Currently, the 10th Earl of Snapcase (Captain Lord Bertram Snapcase) is the legal holder of this medieval document and is entitled to the rights and privileges therein. The charter is held in Snapcase Hall on the top floor in a safe and you must seize it. You and your Black Shorts will assist Stahl in any way he deems fit but you must stress to him the urgency of obtaining the Ancient Charter of Piddling. If sighted by the Englanders you will not be fired upon as you are in disguise although disliked by the general population. Should you commit an offensive act, this will terminate your disguise.

                                                                     Heil Spode!

5th COLUMN INITIAL ORDERS

The 5th Column led by Otto Skorzeny of the SS must first rendezvous with the commander and crew of U-47. The crew are currently located at Much-Piddling on the canal. You have vital information regarding the interior of Snapcase Hall and timings of the Prince’s visit. The Prince has now arrived and is being entertained by the fool Snapcase. The attached plan shows the ground floor. Assist Prien in whatever manner he decides as mission commander. If sighted by the Englanders you will not be fired upon as you are in disguise. Should you commit an offensive act, this will terminate your disguise.

Character Cards

I've just finished the character cards for 'On the Day, Went the Eagle's Landing Well?' They should all have a uniform pale yellow background but the bloody printer ran out of yellow ink at a crucial moment. They'll just have to do as they are.

The Shadow of War Looms Over Much-Piddling

I have set up the 'On the Day, Went the Eagle's Landing Well?' table this morning. Quite pleased with the way it looks and an improvement on the first set-up back in March this year. Various views of the table here. Yes, I know I haven't finished the pub roof, but I will before Thursday!

A Mysterious Staff Car

Not much in the way of posting recently due to construction of things like fences, canals and walls for the game. However, a mysterious staff car has been observed parked at the rear of the Snapcase Arms in Much-Piddling. Plenty of rumours but no facts have emerged as to the identity of the occupants.

DevLAM in the Desert - The Scoop

Vagabond has posted the back story to one of his games for DevLAM '18 on his blog. It's a great read, have a look at it here:

https://vagabondswargamingblog.blogspot.com/2018/11/devlam-in-desert-scoop.html?showComment=1541228097614#c6994066642547447651