Battle of Bungstarter (tip of the hat to Maj. Gen. Tremorden)

Trouble was brewing in the jungles of Africa. Colonel Blythely Smythe was just back from a successful safari when the local natives took umbrage to his presence on their land.


"Death by Unga Booongaaa!" was the cry that went up in the villages as the war drums started their endless beat.


The expedition started to get just a little concerned. They would need to march through the veldt and then pass through some jungle to get back to the river and safety.



Meanwhile, back by the boats the highlanders decided that the drums could only mean trouble. Deciding it was better to take a look around the Highlanders land and start to search the local village.












But the village and local wood shed were empty. Needing fuel the Askaris are assigned to start cutting wood and moving it to the boats.





The Askaris at the wood shed were quickly overwhelmed by a band of natives pouring out of the woods. Meanwhile the other company of Askaris and the Highlanders made their way to Bungstarter station. On the way they too were met by angry natives pouring out of the woods. The Askaris were the first to be set upon by natives. But with a sharp volley they were able to see the natives off in short work. However, before they could regroup they were hit in the flank and quickly surrounded by Natives.

The party of hunters quickly made it to what they perceived safety between the Highlanders and Askaris. However, the Highlanders soon found themselves surrounded as well. With a quick volley of muskets they chased off one band and then need a quick about face to get stuck in with their bayonets as another warband charged home. It was hard work with the bayonets and very touch and go. In the end the Highlanders and Askaris were left standing while the natives scurried back into the jungle. Some quick work back at the boats to clear off the remaining natives and fix the damage they had done to the boats and it was back down the river to safety.

WWII Eastern Front

Ok, so I posted these pics awhile back with absolutely no write up. We decided to introduce the new guy Rob to a game of Battleground WWII. Dewey came up with a scenario from the Eastern Front with Hungarians and Russians. Joey and I played Hungarians and Dewey and Rob played the Russians. Dewey might have only really just given Rob guidance, it's been too long and I can't remember exactly. Anyway Joey and I surged across open ground while Rob waited for us from the relative safety of his Dascha. I employed fire and movement to slowly marched across the open ground. Joey employed a more radical approached and seemed to march across the open ground with full regimental band and color guards. Strangely enough this daring approach didn't really pan out for him as one of his squads was literally wiped off the board.

Rob, managed to track my tank in the opening salvo but it remained and effective bunker for most of the game. I was able to drive his antitank gun crew away from the gun and keep them pinned down while I moved forward. Then towards the end of the game when Rob's reinforcements finally made it into play, my tank was able to destroy one tank and damage another.

As always with Battleground it was an enjoyable game. Lots of fun was had by all.

Don't Drink the Water!

Editor’s Note: While I continue to search for O’Malley and his well over due article, I decided to re-publish a post from his father. The senior O’Malley made quite the name for himself during the Spanish-American war. It is also quite evident that the proverbial apple did not fall far from the tree.

O’Malley here and I am not dead yet. Things had quieted down a bit in Havana and I, dear readers, decided to go in search of some action just for you. Grabbing my trusty Browning Autographic Camera and saying my farewells to the dusky little jewel who’s husband was banging on my cabana door. I quickly strolled to the docks as fast as my legs could take me. It seems the locals haven’t quite gotten on board with the new American-Cuban relations.

At first, dear readers, I was barred entry to the boat. The Marine Sergeant told me the boat was headed to Nicaragua and they had all the riff raff on board they needed. I shouted... "The American public has a right to know!", and slipped him a bottle of rum and off I was to the steamy jungles of Nicaragua, nothing is too good for you dear readers. It seems that a local yokel by the name of Emilio Sandista and his rag tag band of “Sandinista rebels” was stirring up the populace over some elections. The American consulate had been surrounded and it was up to the Marines to cut their way through the Jungle to the capital city of Managua and rescue the hapless inhabitants.

Once off the coast the Marines jumped into some boats and made their way to the small seaside port of Chichigalpa. Their plan was to “borrow” the local Steam Engine and ride into Managua. The Marines were led by a Stalwart young lad by the name of Chesty Puller. Things got off to a rocky start as one of the boats loaded with cannons was sunk by the shore battery. The Marines landed on the docks and quickly stormed into the small village.





They came under desultory fire from a few fiends hiding in the bush but the crack shooting of the Marines quickly saw them high tailing it through the brush. Another company of Marines faced off against a band of Rebels and some Mexican regulars who arrived on the last Local. They had with them crates of modern rifles and ammunition which they had been supplying the rebels with. With a shout like wild Indians the Marines stormed across the square and chased off the rebels and slammed into the Mexican regulars.



Meanwhile on the other side of town a company of Marines started to bottle up the Nicaraguan army in the local abbey. Things got a little dicey for our boys in blue as the Mexicans provided some much needed backbone.



Just when things seemed to be grave the sound of cavalry trumpets resounded through the hot sticky air. Once again it was the cavalry to the rescue.




Unfortunately, the cavalry was caught by surprise when came through the brush only to find a battery of cannons staring right at them.



However, this distraction was all that was needed to allow the Marines to storm the citadel and capture the town.





The Marines are left to lick their wounds and wait for re-enforcements. I have taken to establishing relations with the locals. As always readers, you can count on me to bring you all the action, Hot and Heavy!

Table Soccer

Ok, here is the latest off of my painting table. I must admit I was a little intimidated by the task of painting the jerseys for the '94 World Cup USA men's team but once I plunged into the project it turned out to be easier than I thought. The trick was actually to not paint stars. Huh?? I know, I know "that made no sense" but when I tried to paint an actual star it looked off. When I painted something vaguely shaped like a star it actually started to look better. Well here they are, just waiting for me to go to Dewey's and thrash him again.

On the work table

Here is a sample of some of the planes I have put together. I am thinking that there will be a new hero for WWI. I Haven't decided on a name yet but I am busily working on this project.