Busy with preparation

I don't know if you guys out there find the same as I do but I tend to pause between wargames, especially if they are part of  a campaign, while I find and paint new pieces.

Recently, I acquired a large number of AFVs and support vehicle, mostly on eBay.  For me, that's the start point.  I like to convert all that are chipped and worn to the colours and emblems of my mythic nations.  As each nation has one or several large boxes in the "command centre", they then transfer to their appropriate nation.

I  have also been working on a new world map for a simpler "world war" that will be conducted on a manageable scale.  It fits neatly onto 8 x A4 sheets and is supposed to be largely ocean so another 4 x A4 would be added top and bottom with nothing of consequence to make a full map.  Anyway, the beauty of this world is that it has a limited number of nations with an even more limited number of participants.

Anyway, on to the point of this note.  The Semille scenario between Doza and Pays De Cheval was not worth playing out as the surviving units from the PDC would have been completely overwhelmed by the Dozans.  I put that down as a map victory given the battalions moving in and those standing.

Which means I get to start my next planned scenario set.

This one doubles up as both East Friesland and simultaneously, East Hamvoord, which it was originally intended for. East Friesland is one of a pair of very close islands which have a long history of conflict and unification. After the last war, East Friesland's extreme right wing government was ejected and replaced by a communist one, The Republic of Hess Novinia having freed them from the facist invasion.  West Friesland was freed by Celtica Maritime, Maravaal and Chelician troops and allowed to drift back to a right wing democratic government.

East Friesland was comfortable enough. They had been alternately communist and socialist prior to the war.  Their relationship with West Friesland continued to worsen over the years with frequent posturing and friction between them, including frequent military manouvres close to one another's borders.

During the past five years, with an international restriction on arms sales, East Friesland has not moved on in technology terms.  However, West Friesland has secretly been allowed access to designs for armour and hand weapons by Barovia.  Furthermore, Barovia has recently shipped a number of obsolete fighter aircraft to the island state under the guise of machinery.
With Barovia offering some help and backing, West Friesland makes its move. Late Spring 1942, troops land in secret and make their way to the capital, Kavoska (Kav-oss-ka) in small groups.

The centre of East Friesland government (and united Friesland in the past) is The Old School House in West Kavoska. Here  is where democracy begun and to this day, it forms the core of the parliamentary buildings. Across the square, stands St Constance's Church on the steps of which, famed democratic campaigner, Milos Gaaven was shot, leading to the Freedom Riots of 1802.

 Whereas East Kavoska is industrialised, the West side of the city gives way to rural housing and then countryside.  Thus the appearance of an angry mob outside the Old School House during a debate on tax and financial plans is unexpected.  When stones and a couple of Vandegrad Cocktails are thrown, the call goes out from the security at the building. 

An angry mob starts to build

Shortly after, the military police arrive but the mob disperses swiftly, just melting into the night. As the military start to secure the area and post more guards, the trap is sprung.

Military Police arrive but the mob is in no mood to fight

West Friesland soldiers appear and open fire on the East Friesland Military Police.  Immediately both outgunned and surprised, the MP unit retreats and sends out a frantic telephone call for further backup. Unfortunately, at this stage, they fail to mention the suspicion that the enemy are trained military and well equipped.

A further unit of military police turn up with a couple of armoured cars, expecting that will be more than sufficient. It is just the beginning.

Help arrives in the form of FAI APCs

More enemy troops are moving in and they have also brought some backup.

Trapped in and around the Old School House, the military police begin a stubborn resistance to the attack coming in from several sides.  More petrol bombs are thrown. The politicians are led out of the rear and through the old gardens to safety as the military set about putting up a fight.

The old gardens offer a haven behind the Parliament buildings

The protagonists:

East Friesland Military Police and FAI APCs

West Friesland Troops with Half Track and PZ1

Two platoons of each MPs and WF troops balance the game somewhat although the WF also bring an HQ unit attached to which is a PZ1 tank and a half track.  The PZ obviously has th advantage since it can pierce the FAI armour with ease whereas the 7.62mm machine gun used by the East Friesland is not going to cut through its armour.

Next article - "The Old School House Siege"