6th September, was the last Partizan at Kelham Hall and it was a jolly good day. As usual the Very British Civil Forum or as Trick and Laurence like to call us, A Very British Parlour Forum, put on a normal Very British Civil War game and this one was the battle for Frisby on the Wreake.
The Royalist and British Union of Fascists forces started in the village of Frisby defending it from the Socialist and Anglican League hordes from Leicester who were on a mission to collect supplies for the coming winter months and hopefully capturing the village so they can control the Ashfordby Valley and the Ashfordby mine.
The battle started with a heavy downpour that meant it was impossible to see the opposition for a couple of turns so everyone started running about to get into favourable positions and when the rain finally stopped the shooting started.
The Royalists left flank advances with the local cricket team and the WI leading the way
The Anglican League advances across open fields
The Socialist Forces of Leicester on general advance to the village
The Humberstone Militia advancing on the Socialist's left flank
The first shots feel upon the Snibston Miners Militia who where cut down to a man by the Royalist forces positioned by the cricket club and river. But the Humberstone Militia had man handled its 18pdr up to the top of a hill, set up and started to rain, poorly aimed shells on the Royalist lines.
Anglican Leaguers and Socialists carry on advancing toward the Royalists
Royalists Vickers MG sets up at the top of the church tower, with a Boys A/T rifle below them
Royalists Right Flank
Royalists left flank with cricketers and WI racing to set up positions before the Socialist horde comes
Frisby on the Wreake, C1938
Both sides continued to advance to get into position but the weight of fire from the Socialist left flank rained heavily on the royalists right causing two of the Royalists sections to become casualties of war, leaving the right seriously weaken. But it the nick of time more Royalists reinforcements from Melton Mowbray entered into the fight.
The Duck Pond and Water Works with Morris Men dancing in No Mans Land
The Royalist left flank advancing to tackle the red menace
What's this and the Anglican League didnt notice
The left flank Royalists Militia Head Quarters leading the way(ish)
The WI's jam jar launcher under the command of Mrs T readying to fire.
The battle raged and was hard pressed as the Royalist left came under a strong assault from both the Anglican League and the Socialists centre as each side fought its other to a stand still. Meanwhile on the Royalist right the pressure was starting to take its toll on the beleaguered Royalists there as the Socialist left carried on pressing its attack.
The WI defence Militia readying themselves for the red tide
The Weasels standing steady
The Anglican and Red tide rushing forward
The Royalists right under pressure
More Anglican and Socialists piling forward
The Humberstone Militia and the Socialist left pressing forward
The Socialist centre crushing all before it
The Midland Red, "The Big Red Bus" transport
As the Royalist left and the Anglicans and Socialist hit each other hard, neither side giving an inch and both leaving the safety of there cover to engage in hand to hand. Bullets whizzed about and grenades exploded but only a few people on each side where hurt such was the poor shooting on both sides.
The Anglicans taking position in the hedges
The Red tide washing it way towards the village
Royalists air-plane observing the situation and realising soon will be lost
The Royalist left taking position around Norman & Cooks warehouse
The village of Frisby
Royalists tankettes taking positions to hold the bridge while cricketer bombers plan to mine the bridge
Royalist Tankettes with the Right flank command in the rear.
But soon all was over, the Humberstone Militia's 18pdr found it mark, after failing to hit anything it took the top of the church tower killing both the Vickers stationed there and the Boys A/T rifle team. But also caused a bit of a discord with the Anglican League as they shelled a C of E church and destroyed its tower, something under the alliance that the socialists can not do. The Socialists argued that it wasn't there fault as the Royalists had placed a Vickers at the top of the tower and it was there fault for doing that. The debate continues and the alliance is on shaky grounds. Meanwhile the Royalist right collapsed leaving the Socialists to sweep into the village from that side force the Royalist left to retreat and give up the village to the City of Leicester Socialist forces.
The Royalists left command advancing behind the WI flag
The Weasels give up the defence of the wall and race towards the Anglicans
The Anglicans race towards the Weasels
Further Anglicans advancing to support there battle brothers.
The Socialist centre advancing across the field and supporting the attack
Photography from the Leicester Mercury showing the combined might of the Leicester Alliance
The Church, St Thomas of Canterbury on fire after the Socialists destroyed the tower.
The tower burning well and no fire bridge to put it out.
All in all it was a good day and I learnt some important lessons about set up positions and flow of the game. Hopefully next time I will make it better.
Great show and Thanks to Tricks and Laurence and all at Newark Irregulars to making it a great show.
Have a nice day.
PK
paints grey horses - specifically, dapple greys.
