I have factions from Liverpool Free State and their attackers, BUF and Government forces. All in 20mm.
Here are some of my pen portraits of some units;
VBCW Pen Portraits.
Strand Road Grenadiers.
Commander: Marine Superintendent Lionel Evans
They started life as a works defence unit for the White Star Line depot on Strand Road. When volunteers came forward who weren't White Star employees it was decided to expand the unit and its area of responsibility, so it now covers Strand Road completely from the " Dock Road " (Regent Road) up to Litherland Road. Most of the volunteers are dock workers of one description or another if not White Star Line workers.
The White Star Line has funded the arming of the Grenadiers but they have developed a liking for "close action" and their favourite weapons are the shotgun and molotovs. Any grenades proper are highly prized. 2 SMG's were initially supplied by the Communist Militia but they refused to supply anymore after trying to take over command and getting a bloody nose. White Star now gets small numbers from abroad.
The Grenadiers "close action" expertise usually leads them to being included in forces for counter attacks and raiding. For the latter, they supply in excess of the number of fighters requested, especially if the destination is outside LFS with a prospect of profit.
Anarchists Liverpool Column.
Elected leader: Sam Grice
This was originally made up of anarchists from Liverpool and the surrounding areas but after the setting up of LFS also accommodated the early anarchist volunteers from elsewhere in the UK and Europe. It includes some veterans from Spain, and like the Black Cat Column, gets its weapons from there.
Engagements include Hartley's Village, St Bedes Square, Bidston Hill.
Liverpool Tanks.
Commander: Major Chelmsford Heckle
This unit was the 4th Battalion TA of the Kings Liverpool Regt that had just been converted to 40RTR. It had not long started training on some training tanks at Altcar camp and after LFS was established its title was changed and it made up a platoon with its training tanks ( a Vickers MkII, two Vickers Light tanks MkII's and a Vickers Light tank MkVIA ) to aid in the defence of LFS. It is eagerly awaiting some " new " tanks but nothing has appeared as yet. The Russians only supplying the communist militia with tanks, though rumours abound of tanks being bought abroad and shipped in.
Battle honour: Hartley's Village.
Liverpool Chamber Of Commerce Commando.
Commander: Major Lionel Carnie
Led by the enthusiastic Major Carnie and nicknamed
" Carnie's Commando ", this unit is made up of members of, and staff of, the Liverpool Chamber Of Commerce. It operates as a mobile reserve and patrol unit using the members own automobiles and motorcycles for transport at full speed. The local police do not take kindly to the dangerous speeds that the "commando" races around Liverpool at and have tried to stop them to no avail. "LFS business…" is the cry heard by the police as the automobiles and motorcycles hurtle past and into the distance. They are armed with a variety of small arms that the members have obtained for themselves, sometimes from overseas. They have recently taken delivery of some armoured cars.
Gaming notes: The unit ALWAYS starts off-table. If its direct route is blocked it will divert by another route rather than stop. It is based on 3 x 3 bases and each has a d8 halved fire dice and a d6 assault die.
Alabama Volunteers.
Commander: Colonel "Eager" Eddie Curtis
An American volunteer unit raised in the Confederate states of the south. Named after the Confederate raider CSS Alabama built on the Mersey and with a large contingent of Liverpudlians that fought in her crew. The Americans drawing comparisons with LFS's struggle and that of the Confederacy.
Equipped with American weapons and kit, including some Ford trucks they shipped over, and full of the Confederate cavalry's élan, the Alabama Volunteers are ideally suited as motorized raiders.
National Unemployed Workers Movement.
Commander: Captain Reggie Oritt
Made up of volunteers from the unemployed, this is a full time unit. The method of payment is unusual in that most of it is made in kind to a nominated person, typically the volunteer's wife or mother. The payment is in food stuffs and general household supplies. The volunteer is paid a small amount of cash and a quantity of beer when off duty.
They are definitely anti Fascist and anti Police, being savagely attacked by both in the past. Their closest allies are the Greenshirt's, who have supported them during the hard times. They are otherwise most likely to be found fighting with the Communist and Socialist Militias.
British Union Of Fascists.
No. 1 Platoon, Edgehill Company, "Ironsides" Tank Regiment.
Commander: Sub-Company Officer Stanley Jones
Formed as part of the BUF automobile wing, immediately after The Leader became PM under the direction of The Tank Marshal, General A.A. Fielding. The tanks for the battalion are all commercially available, Vickers Export 6 Tonners and various Carden-Loyd light tanks.
As most of the "Ironside's" have a mechanical background or interest, they have proved to be very adaptable and good at field converting their tanks to meet different circumstances. Their use of fascines as a counter to street barricades being just one instance. The "Ironsides" base workshop has recently built a prototype SPG and ARV which are being trialled on the Liverpool Front.
In recognition of their prowess in the battles in the South, they have been rewarded by being posted to the Liverpool Front. "Bully Boy Boyce" as Liverpool commander has split the "Ironside's" up contrary to Gen. Fielding specific orders and they now operate in platoon or company strength and are moved around to keep the LFS defenders guessing where they will attack next. This is seen by Boyce's enemies in the BUF as a way of him hanging onto his power as Commander, keeping LFS contained by doing just enough to avoid censure while not losing his command by eradicating LFS.
The "Ironside's" also operate Il Duce's present, a Fiat 2000, he has also promised that he will send some other Italian tanks.
Their engagements include; Bidston Hill, Fort Crosby, St Bedes Square.
West Kirby Women's Section.
Commander: Zone Officer Miranda Bush
Led by the redoubtable Miranda Bush the Women's Section has expanded and become a combat cohort of women volunteers. It has kept the name "West Kirby Women's Section" as a reminder to the male BUF leadership that women are equal to men and there are plenty of women volunteers. As a result, and some say in spite, the battalion has been assigned to the Liverpool Front. They have taken heavy casualties in the fighting at Bidston and Bromborough.
Central Cohort, IV (Liverpool) Legion.
Commander: Cohort Officer Gerald Savin
Comprising the Toxteth, Kensington, and Everton sections with the Anfield support section. They saw heavy street fighting at the Liverpool Stadium during the Leaders visit and the Battle of Lime Street, the latter leading to the creation of LFS. Since then they have had to abandon their headquarters in Liverpool and have fought ferociously at Hartley's Village.
Salford Company TA, 10th Battalion 4th Manchester Regiment.
Commander: Major F. "Frantic Frankie" Openshaw
Always in a hurry, "Frantic Frankie" made a name for himself and his unit in the Battle of St Bedes Square where he led from the front and his company took part of the barricade. The company was put on a "war footing" when Liverpool declared itself independent. It suffered some fall in numbers initially as some members deserted or left due to being in reserved occupations. Those who remained have trained hard and have become an efficient unit, fighting on the Liverpool Front without relief.
Engagements include St Bedes and Hartleys Village.
24th (1st Derbyshire Yeomanry) Armoured Car Company.
Commander: Colonel Cedric "Cherry" Bakewell
Equipped with Crossley armoured cars (including a specialist anti-aircraft car) and an old Austin armoured car as a command vehicle, they are being used for mobile patrols around the perimeter of LFS and to raid the Miners collective of St Helens and Golborne. In large attacks they tend to be grouped with the Salford TA company.
Engagements they have fought in include; Hartley's Village, St Bedes Square.
You can have fun putting the unit portraits together, mixing in local history, personal history etc..
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