tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.comments2024-03-18T16:51:43.393+00:00Balkan WargamerBalkandavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comBlogger1401125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-86696031606584663542024-03-18T16:51:43.393+00:002024-03-18T16:51:43.393+00:00Not sure I would have bought it to be honest. I pr...Not sure I would have bought it to be honest. I probably would if I came across it second-hand but it was a good library pick.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-43050783775614442862024-03-17T21:27:37.115+00:002024-03-17T21:27:37.115+00:00So, a book worth buying then? I must admit a prefe...So, a book worth buying then? I must admit a preference for the more unusual, off-the-beaten-track wars & campaigns (rather than, say, yet another book about Waterloo or Gettysburg).<br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-46600034189004010722024-03-16T08:31:59.071+00:002024-03-16T08:31:59.071+00:00Nice set-up you have 👏👏 I tend to play games wit...Nice set-up you have 👏👏 I tend to play games with smaller numbers of figures and, wherever possible, I like to have plenty of variation in the figure poses. <br />The old Gladiator Games ECW figures are rather nice - they have a hint of a cartoonish look about them, but paint up well. They’re available from Fighting 15s but unfortunately their website has only a couple of images of the ECW range. <br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-88192359338587776402024-03-15T09:31:35.980+00:002024-03-15T09:31:35.980+00:00That's interesting because that sprue was part...That's interesting because that sprue was partially responsible for me starting this project. I got as far as priming the sprue before abandoning the idea. While bigger than the Napoleonics they are still noticeably smaller than Essex and Peter Pig. They are also difficult to cut into smaller bases, which is fine if you only play Pike & Shotte rules, but I want to play FK&P as well. Finally, while I understand the commercial reasons, I just don't like the uniformity. The sculpts are nice though.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-3736526237102867662024-03-15T09:27:15.618+00:002024-03-15T09:27:15.618+00:00I have a few Bishops' Wars scenario games plan...I have a few Bishops' Wars scenario games planned over the next ten days, along with much painting. Also to get up to scratch with FK&P. First was last night which went well. I'll do a round up of the games and how FK&P works at the end.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-84843304948764140102024-03-15T07:31:34.984+00:002024-03-15T07:31:34.984+00:00Just started on a similar project. I was suckered...Just started on a similar project. I was suckered in by the freebie sprue of Warlord Epic scale Covenanters in WI last year. They are apparently quite compatible with PP etc.Alastairhttps://wargaminggallimaufry.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-70158796735631715502024-03-15T00:36:06.275+00:002024-03-15T00:36:06.275+00:00Marvellous parade and a great set-up for the game....Marvellous parade and a great set-up for the game. Report to follow, I trust?!<br />Regards, JamesJames Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-6285507564218585262024-03-10T17:17:34.649+00:002024-03-10T17:17:34.649+00:00I should read Wright's book. I got interested ...I should read Wright's book. I got interested when researching my book on Turkey in WW2. I hadn't appreciated the impact of Churchill's intervention on Stalin's thinking, given that is where Stalin fought. In particular, another intervention through the Black Sea in 1940. It turns out it wasn't just paranoia. Churchill did take a plan to sail a fleet into the Black Sea to cut off oil supplies to the Cabinet.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-60568658405142091942024-03-10T01:40:48.175+00:002024-03-10T01:40:48.175+00:00I saw this in a bookshop recently, but have plenty...I saw this in a bookshop recently, but have plenty to read, so just took note of it. Your review/overview adds to the 'get it sometime' column. I have started reading Richard Harrison's translation of "Russian Civil War 1918–1921 An Operational-Strategic Sketch of the Red Army's Combat" as a starting point to increasing my knowledge of the Civil War. Damien Wright's "Churchill's Secret War With Lenin" is also on my shelves. Always plenty to read. You seem to get through them at an impressive pace!<br />Regards, JamesJames Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-57166833037591293302024-03-09T15:40:20.771+00:002024-03-09T15:40:20.771+00:00My problem with naval fire support is that it can ...My problem with naval fire support is that it can overwhelm a scenario. Although that is probably more a WW1/2 issue given the much higher number of warship guns. Real old school ordering with NavWar! I wrote my one and only cheque to them last year!Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-28570749706538569592024-03-09T10:45:04.028+00:002024-03-09T10:45:04.028+00:00There were certainly plenty of challenges for both...There were certainly plenty of challenges for both sides in this conflict. I must admit, I do like to include naval support in my games where possible (such as for the Israelis in Lebanon). Navwar - the old reliable 👏👏<br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-61902262935533448202024-03-04T09:47:42.783+00:002024-03-04T09:47:42.783+00:00Indeed, fairly common for the period although the ...Indeed, fairly common for the period although the White Russians took it to almost Holocaust levels. I think what shocked the author was the vehemence of some British officers on the subject.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-70495712354950499612024-03-04T09:46:24.501+00:002024-03-04T09:46:24.501+00:00It has the advantage that you can use late war fig...It has the advantage that you can use late war figures from 16 countries. Even the White Russian armies had plenty of allied uniforms. The author talks about how Denikin's staff looked straight out of a British staff team. Just add in some Russian Civil war figures for colour.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-14229045075292973312024-03-03T19:21:30.890+00:002024-03-03T19:21:30.890+00:00It sounds a very useful book. I’ll add it to my on...It sounds a very useful book. I’ll add it to my ongoing “wants list”. <br />To be honest anti-Semites were common on all sides in this conflict. Everyone seemingly wanted to find a scapegoat. Shameful all round really ☹️👎<br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-33973367895841296162024-03-03T19:13:48.393+00:002024-03-03T19:13:48.393+00:00Thanks for the informative review. I doubt I’ll at...Thanks for the informative review. I doubt I’ll attend the exhibition, but it was good to hear your thoughts about it.<br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-38524924876994150582024-03-03T03:37:15.861+00:002024-03-03T03:37:15.861+00:00Gonna have to pick this up, been planning to use t...Gonna have to pick this up, been planning to use these guys in a project soon...Thaddeushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12766454012810262152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-78880780800336151942024-03-03T03:31:15.587+00:002024-03-03T03:31:15.587+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Thaddeushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12766454012810262152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-70293881088860630582024-02-25T19:28:30.934+00:002024-02-25T19:28:30.934+00:00Fair point, although the Nuremberg defence would b...Fair point, although the Nuremberg defence would be the other side of that coin.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-2237543831804671502024-02-25T19:27:26.535+00:002024-02-25T19:27:26.535+00:00As Churchill put it, “If Hitler invaded Hell I wou...As Churchill put it, “If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons.”Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-32666102372263863542024-02-25T19:25:20.571+00:002024-02-25T19:25:20.571+00:00I did think the same. Particularly as the CPGB was...I did think the same. Particularly as the CPGB was heavily infiltrated by MI5, and he had openly been a member since 1937. The Soviets were in a pact with Germany when he was appointed to MI. Fettes probably helped!Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-53610355227085480162024-02-25T12:16:59.290+00:002024-02-25T12:16:59.290+00:00I understand the need to help the Soviets but juni...I understand the need to help the Soviets but junior officers making their own decisions about what information is shared and when, is a slippery slope.<br />Chris/NundanketAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-17933955992520430442024-02-24T22:58:30.937+00:002024-02-24T22:58:30.937+00:00I’m not overly convinced that the ruling elites ar...I’m not overly convinced that the ruling elites are especially concerned about the working classes. Surely if you went to a proper school you were (almost certainly) fine? <br />In any event MacGibbon appears to have missed the opportunity to say that he had “drawn a line under it” - as if that is in any way, shape or form the sort of thing a person (let alone a British politician) can get away with… Enough politics. Sorry.<br />I suspect, whether the Western allies agreed with Soviet politics or not (NOT), they still needed the Soviets to keep exhausting the German war efforts by diverting troops & resources into the conflict in the East. I can fully understand why someone might question their superiors. Indeed, why not share Orbats? If it helps the Soviets defeat the Germans in a “meat grinder” then surely that would benefit all the Allies?<br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-66971992013664628982024-02-24T21:46:37.879+00:002024-02-24T21:46:37.879+00:00Maybe there is a bit of hindsight in what I'm ...Maybe there is a bit of hindsight in what I'm going to say, but didn't the Intelligence Corps vet people beforehand, or was it assumed that because he went to Fettes, MacGibbon was a good chap who could be trusted?nundankethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12895608927860103442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-35234208834517407112024-02-23T15:52:21.957+00:002024-02-23T15:52:21.957+00:00And more would have been awarded, justifiably read...And more would have been awarded, justifiably reading some of the accounts in the book, had the unit ballot rule not been invoked.Balkandavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316312376197661629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503525750652233710.post-43740649067247084852024-02-22T22:13:16.947+00:002024-02-22T22:13:16.947+00:00The VC’s awarded clearly indicate considerable bra...The VC’s awarded clearly indicate considerable bravery. I always assumed (much like Rorke’s Drift) that the Government was trying to distract attention away from the not insignificant casualties and trying to present the action as a success, demonstrated by the number of gongs awarded. Still, as I said above, the bravery of the soldiers and sailors involved is beyond doubt.<br />Cheers,<br />GeoffElliesdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09265204443922617741noreply@blogger.com