Grenades from Heaven at the Battle of Saint Leonard's Church

 A brief report of a Very British Civil War game at the South Jersey Gamers Association monthly club gameday. Six players with the card driven Combat Patrol rules. 

Many thanks to the players that embraced the quirkiness of AVBCW.

Battle of Saint Leonard’s Church

A fierce battle broke out in the River Otter Valley last month between the forces of King Edward and the rebel alliance. Lord Otterford had dispatched a ragtag band of his personal troops, Anglican League allies, and his sister’s (“Red” Kate) communist friends. The rebels were determined to seize valuable supplies before the reactionary forces could destroy them.

The high command of the British Union of Fascists (BUF) XI Legion dispatched their own troops to thwart the rebels. BUF regulars, Nazi German “advisors” and some of the local BUF thugs arrived just in time to contest the supplies.

Interrupting tea time, the BUF thugs were the first to open hostilities as the rebels were gathering key supplies. The combat became general as both forces took up positions in the town and surrounding fields and gardens. 

Although the Nazi advisors initially gained fire superiority in the center of town after some brutish treatment of the locals, the She-wolves paid a heavy price when faced with counter-fire from the Anglican troops delivering the near mythical “five rounds rapid” with typical English accuracy. This is only deserving since these same She-Wolves had forced themselves into the Dog and Pony Pub, rudely handling Professor Burns and his wife, and even spilling Colonel (Retired) Wellington’s (no relation to the famous Duke) second G&T. 

On the southern flank, Otterford’s home guard troops of the River Otter Valley Local Defense Brigade (ROVLDB) skirted both sides of Saint Leonard’s church to capture some supplies and put pressure on the BUF thugs. A daring run through the church cemetery turned into mayhem as the Vicar’s funeral party scattered and BUF grey shirts scaled the walls in a daring attack. 

The town square in front of the church entrance was pure chaos. Red Kate’s heathen commie red beret’s stormed the church but were rebuffed at the church doors and caught outside in a murderous fusilade. Soon a hail of grandes descended causing casualties to her troops and several townsfolk. It was worse than Luthor’s 95 being nailed to the door. These dastardly bombers were BUF thugs throwing their grenades from the second floor windows. In a peculiar incident, all are reminded to open the window BEFORE throwing out a grenade. Young Sammy Atkins has earned a medal from the King for selflessly throwing himself on a grenade to save his BUF colleagues. The fact that it was his own grenade was not recorded on the medal citation. Young Sammy has now been seen showing off his battle wounds arm in arm with Fraulein Helga from the She-Wolf advisors. Helga sports her own wounds courtesy of Anglican marksmanship. Bandages are all now the rage with the youngsters, as is courting foreign women just like the King. This leaves fine young English lasses like Kate to have to look into the communist dating pool or even, heaven forbid, date a Frenchman!

Sensing an opportunity for a major victory, Lord Otterford dispatched one of his precious makeshift armored lorries to add some firepower to the attack. Despite this heavy armor rolling in, the Anglican attack seemed to lack the usual verve so the Lord also sent his personal assistant, Miss Martha, to harangue the Anglican League to close with and destroy the BUF oppressors. This proved futile as the Anglican and BUF regulars would not come to grips and warily side stepped each other rather than cause more damage in town. Were it not for this impromptu cease fire, casualties would certainly have been heavier. Was it all a ruse to negate the superior BUF firepower, a true attempt at peace, or just the fog of war, we may never know. Rumors of an armistice conference between the BUF and Anglican League to be held at the seaside in Sanditon are pure speculation. I am sure Ms.Austen would have turned it into quite a novel. 

As the sun dipped, a quiet fell over the battlefield as both sides withdrew with the supply they could carry. Lord Otterford could claim a hard won victory despite the casualties. His troops lost five brave souls killed, and three wounded. BUF losses were limited to one brave lad killed and four wounded., and young Michael Thatcher taken hostage by Red Kate’s troops. He has reportedly been released in exchange for a basket of fish and chips. Three townsfolk also died in the scuffle, recriminations about who is to blame will likely lead to feuds and retribution.

The battle came down to the last few cards in a melee over the final supply crate.

A mix of pictures below…I forgot to take any good shots so the players have sent me a bunch. 

Quiet village

Red Kate's troops move up

Very orderly Nazi advisors

Sneaking in the back door

BUF troops in a perfect wedge formation

Good firing position

Captured the supplies in the garage

First casualty of the game 

Grenade!

Chaos at the church door...perfect picture

Grenades just kept coming. 

Cease fire! An armistice, or a nasty ruse?

Thugs getting ready for some Grenade-Chucking-Thuggery (TM)

Sharp dressed men.

Telling the to behave. 

A text book base of fire position at the hedgerow. 

It all came down to the fight at the church for the last supply point. 

Traffic jam.