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…