Battle of Westcombe Crossing

For three weeks, the British Union Of Fascists XI Legion "Dux Arthur" have thrashed the Somerset Freedom Fighters cells around Taunton. Confident after their series of victories, the BUF is bold enough to send patrols south of Blanding Hill into the River Otter Valley. Archibald Royston, Baron Otterford, will not suffer such insults. The River Otter Valley Local Defense Brigade has established a series of checkpoints along the roads leading South from Taunton. After months of relative calm in the valley, a serious clash was bound to happen. A BUF patrol moved to dismantle a checkpoint obstacle near a crossroads north of Westcome Moor on the western side of the valley. The ROV LDB force in the area is determined to keep the valley free from the Fascist stain. Led by the impetuous young Katherine Royston, Baron Otterford's younger sister, the two sides have a stand off at a choke point near the crossroads. Fresh from a few months listening to the mysterious Bolshevik Ivan Ivanovich during a trip to Paris, Kate is ready for a fight. Together with several teams of green ROV LDB volunteers, "Red" Kate moves to confront the Fascist threat. Little does she know that some BUF regulars are moving to support their autocratic compatriots at the crossroads.

BUF arriving in red from the north...ROV LDB at the crossroads and coming from the south.

Some background on the fearless leader in the River Otter Valley:
Third Baron Otterford, Archibald Royston.
Commissioned during The Great War and posted initially to Palestine. Returned home after being wounded in a skirmish with the Turks. Served on the Western Front until the Armistice. Posted as a liaison to American forces in Murmansk in 1918. Wounded in a Bolshevik ambush, returned home to recuperate. Posted to Palestine again in 1922. Fought Arabs and Jewish settlers for several years. Caused a scandal locally and at home by marrying Miriam Rutledge, the daughter of a wealthy Jewish merchant. Returned home in early 1936 upon the death of his father to became the Third Baron Otterford.

As the current crisis involving the King unfolds, Baron Otterford feels mixed allegiances. Having married his own heart's desire, he sympathizes with the King, but has reservations about the influence of "That Woman". Having been a King's Officer, he could easily side with the royalists if not for the  fascist dominance in the government. While he could even live with that snake Mosley as Prime Minister, the thugs of the British Union of Fascists are down right ungentlemanly. At least they are not Bolsheviks! Not a religious man himself, Baron Otterford is a bit taken aback by the hardline stance of the Anglicans, glass houses and all. Traditions are important, but not worth the end of the Empire. Albert is a fine chap, a man could follow that honorable fellow if only his brother would step aside. Quite a mess all around. On the whole, Lord Otterford is just hoping the brothers Edward and Albert can come to an understanding and leave politics and religion in the gutter where they belong. Good God! Even the anarchists and Luddites have returned.

Stand off at the crossroads...ROV chaps have a fine position.

The shot heard down the valley...we may never know who shot first. (Actually it was the lewis gunner on the hill)

BUF forces take cover and start trading heavy fire.

Crazy old Robert Smythe charges out at the BUF.

"Red" Kate brings up the ROV LDB reinforcements.

The two inexperienced forces trade lots of inaccurate fire...ammo quickly becomes an issue.

BUF regulars arrive to begin a flanking move.

Casualties slowly mount on both sides. 

Does Kate know about the regulars sneaking up on her flank?

I don't think so...her team is behind the hedge shooting it out with the thugs to the north.

BUF gets ready to make a major push.

Poor Larry Lenoire the lewis gunner takes a round in the chest.

The regulars lose a man to a long range shot from a ROV LDBer in the second story of the house.

With Larry out of the fight, the BUF get bold.

The action becomes general.

Kate leads her team in a rash charge...only to be met by a hail of fire.

BUF heroically charge the hill only to get shot to pieces.

Kate and crew retreat to the hedgerow minus one man.

Kate has second thoughts about mixing it up with the BUF.

BUF regulars are on the flank...the camp is in danger.

BUF move in to take a prisoner...but even wounded Sam Niles knows he can't fall into fascist hands.

BUF move to cut off the line of retreat.

Sam runs for it.

Kate orders a retreat...taking the wounded that they can with them.

BUF have won the race to the camp...that will cost the ROV LDB lots of ammo, food, petrol, and a truck.

The bloody affair comes to a close with the ROVers in retreat.

A fun battle using the card driven Combat Patrol rules from Buck Sardu. I liked the rules...flowed very easily. Have played them a few times at Historicon too. Next game I think I will try Force on Force to get a comparison.

ROV LDV started out with some good results in the ambush, but the BUF gained the upper hand. Baron Otterford will not be happy with Kate's impetuousness. 

Casualties;
LDB
-2 killed
-1 critically wounded
-2 heavily wounded
-1 lightly wounded

BUF
-3 killed
-3 critically wounded
-2 lightly wounded