GEN. PETTYGREE'S CRASH LANDING BATTLE STORY

LAE AIRFIELD, NEW GUINEA - 1943 

Click on images to enlarge them

Nothing here is AI generated.

"General Mac Arthur and I are at the Lae, New Guinea American Air Base with a unique and important Battle Story."  

"Correct General Pettygree.  We are at the beginning of the Allied advance pushing back the deepest southerly penetration of The Empire of Japan."

"Read on Ladies and Gentlemen as we listen in."

"Lae Tower. This is Badger 1. I'm damaged an' comin' in."

Captain Ballard jumped to the radio operator saying, "Sparks, redirect him to Salamaua."

"Badger 1, This is Lae. Negative. I say again. Negative. Proceed to  Salamaua." He added. "We've been attacked, the runway is a shambles and now too short. Do not...."

"No choice Tower," said Badger 1."I must land."

"Sparks, radio the ambulance to the field and tell that pilot we'll be ready," ordered Ballard.

The ambulance arrived at the end of the runway. It was the only available undamaged section. The problem was Badger 1 had insufficient room to land and stop. Plus, a Zero shot down earlier was on fire posing another threat if it exploded.

Wielding a wrench, Tiny asked, "He ain't gonna land, is he?"

  

Medic Smitty exclaimed, "It's impossible!"

Additional help came out of cover to offer assistance.

"Do you see him, Murph?"

"Yeah, Shorty. He'll never make it. There he is."

"Badger 1. This is Lae. Beware of the drop off at the tree line," warned Sparks.

"I see it Tower. - Gear down. - You got any Blatz beer?"

"Nah. How 'bout a Schlitz?," countered Sparks.

"You're on, Sparks!," said Badger 1.

"Steady," coaxed Badger.

"I hope my landing gear doesn't collapse. There isn't much room is there?," Badger rhetorically thought. "Another twenty yards and...."

"Down. Fuel gone. Still too fast. This is gonna be close! Help me Lord," prayed Badger.

"Running behind a White Scout Car, Murph shouted, "Look, he made it! Holee' cow!

Nobody noticed the Zero slowly slipping over the cliff edge.

Clambering aboard the left side of the P-40, Tiny shouted, "Hey Buddy! Open the canopy!"

Seconds later, Badger exited his smoking aircraft, alive and well. All heard him thank his rescuers and God for deliverance.

Meanwhile, Murph, Shorty and their Papuan allies jogged to the cliff. Not long after, the Zero fell disappearing to the jungle floor below. The pilot was nowhere to be found, presumed dead. He didn't make it out alive.

"He shouldn't have bothered us, eh, Murph?," offered Shorty.

"Yeah," said Murph. "Let's go. We've got some clean-up to do on the runway."

"Well Sparks. I didn't believe he would land  with so little runway room left and not careen over the cliff. Physics is physics. A P-40 no matter how well handled can not stop in that short of a space. I wonder how he managed it," wondered Ballard aloud.

"One a wing and a prayer, Sir," said Sparks. "On a wing and a prayer."

 

At the cliff edge, Badger silently prayed, "There must be more You want me to do. Thank You, again, Lord."

A TIME FOR INTROSPECTION?

1. Badger 1 offers  a metaphorical story to consider. He did not have much runway left before the very high probability of pitching over the cliff like the enemy pilot.  Certainly it is true for me. How much runway do I have left before everything ends here? And what will I do with unknown time remaining? How about you?

2. Listen to young Fr. Mark Goring's take: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpWSSO7yr6E

3. Are we setting our relationship with God aside in a condition of minimalism or do we think He is a fable to be a totally ignored waste of time. I understand. In both cases there are better bets to place to provide for the life hereafter.

4. Ignoring God or anyone has negatives. Unanswered questions, guilt, pain, and little time for resolution. We spend an average of 8-9 hours daily on electronic screens. We walk alone or with our children and dogs scrolling/texting. We eat with them stealing precious time from loved ones and friends. We can't stand the silence of our own thoughts and we can't hear whispers from God inviting us to pay attention to Him and develop the relationship He desires because we have no time. Or we block Him out.

5. Many don't believe in God or do not trust. I understand. Years ago I heard the antidote. It went something like this.

"God, I don't know if you exist. My reason tells me you do not. So does conventional wisdom. My friends might think I'm crazy if I inquire. However, if you really exist, I honestly ask you to please show me." 

He will show you in the form of people speaking with you, by reading, by considering the 2,000 year duration of Christianity when nothing else has survived that long, by honest analysis, prayer, attending Church and listening for whispers. I invite you to try it.

Stop listening to negative people about this. Badger did. He landed safely with heavenly help.

6. How much time do you have left before landing at the end of your runway? - Place your bets.

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GEN. PETTYGREE'S SYW INDIA BATTLE STORY

 

GENERAL PETTYGREE'S

SEVEN YEARS' WAR BATTLE FOR INDIA

September 6, 1758 (2025)

My dear readers, two-hundred sixty-seven years ago the ruins behind us were inhabited by Yeta Khan. He was an ally of France then embroiled in the global conflict known as The Seven Years' War. His opponents were my countrymen from Britain. The prize was India

Yeta Khan's shadow influenced a large portion of southern India where the two European nations desired to develop monopolistic trade. On 6 September 1758 (2025) he....

Emerged from his stone fortress to consult with Kanwar (Prince) Verma.

"What is the situation now?," Yeta Khan inquired.

"The British are expected today to the south. Meanwhile, dignitaries...."

"In El Wil-Yam Village below are greeting our first arrivals."

"The vanguard of our horsemen."

"Followed by the Orange Sash Contingent from Delhi."

"Elephant drawn artillery."

"Javelin Light horse and the Red Sash Contingent from El Wil-Yam. These will form your Left Flank. More warriors are expected hourly."

"This is good. Very good," said Yeta Khan.

Yeta Khan's Left Flank

Javelin Light Horse and Red Sash Infantry arrive.

The battle line fills out.

72 muskets lead 72 swordsmen.

They Advance.

The Cavalry Battle.

Khan's men eventually fall back conceding to the foe.

To the right Red Sash Swordsmen charged into East India Spice Co. foot.

The Sepoys lose, rout and are pursued by the Swordsmen.

Left Flank Result? Both sides were exhausted in a draw.

Yeta Khan's Center and Right Flank

Yeta Khan's Center consisted of the Orange Sash Contingent stretching into his Right Flank.

With the foe oncoming.

Khan's foes press forward on his Right Flank; Cataphracts, and the British 44th Foot.

Khan's Right Flank from lower right to upper left is engaged by a screen of archers followed by the 44th Foot. These are Khan's best troops, a squadron of cataphracts, French sepoys and a regular battalion from Europe (blue and white flags). 

Each side's cataphracts charge each other at the extreme end of the field, the honors eventually passing to Khan's super heavies in the foreground.

The resolute lines of both sides clashed ending with the Khan's men essentially withering away in the Center and Right Flank. The image above shows the end of Khan's hopes as his Orange Sashmen are overwhelmed by Jumbos. French hopes perished on the Field of El Wil-Yam.

CLOSING REMARKS

1. The Gang of Six left to right.

Seated: Bob B., Earl K. and Keith L.

Standing: Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz), Todd B. and yours truly Bill P. (Gen. Pettygree).

2. This was a fun game lasting about four hours. Gaming the SYW in India is certainly different. We made it extra different adding cataphracts and elephants.

3. Your writer was so embroiled with Der Alte Fritz on Khan's Left Flank that he could not track most combat details happening elsewhere.

4. Many indigenous natives are from our Northwest Frontier and Sudan collections of the 1890s. Some were Ancient Numidians. We use what we have. A very good idea.

5. God willing 12/06/25 will see a new Ottoman invasion aimed at Vienna. Many of the same miniatures will be featured on Keith L's three 6'x32' tables in Woodstock, IL.

6. Comments welcome.

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GENERAL PETTYGREE'S GREAT AIR RACE!

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DIAMOND AERODROME, SICILY

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

GENERAL PETTYGREE'S GREAT AIR RACE

Part 1 of 2

Dear Readers,

WWII is over. In a spirit of non-lethal competition, may I present my first Great Air Race? It is time to lay our prodigious differences aside. We are at the Diamond Aerodrome near Mount Etna on the lovely Island of Sicily. It is all fictional of course and so this is solely for entertainment. As Brigadier Peter Young's Petrus Monument overlooks our competitors, let me briefly introduce them left to right.

Lt. Imahara in a famous A6GM Zero. (Speed 50cms)

Lt. Meyer in the Emil version of the ME-109. (Speed 45 cms)

Lt. Duggan seated in a Spitfire I/II A. (Speed 45cms)

Captain Ward in a USN early war Wildcat. (Speed 40cms)

A D4 is added to each speed providing variable movement. 

1 = +5cms, 2 = +10cms, 3 = +15cms and 4 = +20cms.

The tower has alerted the pilots to approach the starting gate and....

They're off. In the lead are Meyer (left) and Ward (right). Behind by a length are Imahara (left) and Duggan (right). Each has risen to Altitude 1 subtracting -5cms in speed. The white arrow on the Check Your Six template tracks height.

Meyer crosses the starting line first, throws 1D6 earning 1 point. Seconds later Duggan scores 3, Imahara earns 5 and Ward also scores 5.

All must pass to the right  of the fortress tower. Meyer holds his lead followed closely by Duggan and Imahara. Ward trails in the fourth position. They will bank left. None may use their MGs until the tower has been left behind.

Ward's (blue aircraft) D4 throw was high and so he closes on the others while rounding the tower. Just ahead are Duggan (tilted) and Imahara (far left). Meyer holds the lead heading under cloud cover. He did so because rules disallow aircraft under clouds to be engaged.

As the planes pass the Fortress Tower, Ward's Wildcat demonstrates using Turning Template C. He will fly the length of the template consuming 20cms.

He completes movement using a tape measure for another 30cms. Ward has deviated left away from the other planes apparently heading for the yellow building in the upper right. Before the race I interviewed the American Ace.

"Captain Ward, congratulations qualifying for The Great Air Race. What are your thoughts?"

"Thank you General Pettygree. You've assembled a fine list of veteran pilots all of whom want to win the race. I'll have my work cut out for me because my Wildcat is a little slower."

"How will you compensate Captain?

"Without giving all my tactics away, theoretically I will be in last place a considerable amount of time. Steering the shortest course away from my competitors reducing my potential to take damage seems the best course of action."

"I see. The old fable of the tortoise and the hare, then?"

"Something like that, Sir."

Well the two hares are now leading the pack. Both missed the fuel tank target. Preceding this, Imahara caused two points of damage on the ME 109.

While Duggan in third place scored 3 points of damage on a 5 point target.

Moments later all aircraft are seen approaching the next Gate. Ward scored 8 points of damage on the yellow building holding true to his tactics from my interview. Left to right are Meyer, Duggan, Ward and Imahara.

We are now mid-way in the race. The pilots are rounding the last pylon before passing through the treacherous Volcano Gate. Not only might the volcano spew a cloud of ash (a die throw will decide this), there is a Grand Battery of Anti-Aircraft trouble ahead.

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Fun and different inspired by "Gaslands," the popular car race game.

2. Come back soon for the finish.

3. Your remarks are welcome.

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MAJOR RENO AT THE LITTLE BIG HORN

 

2026 will be the 150th year since the 1876 Great Plains Centennial Campaign. In that year thousands of Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne fought the US Army four times. The Plains warriors won the last three.

Powder River: March 17th. 

The Rosebud: June 17th.

Major Reno at The Little Big Horn: June 25th.

Lt. Colonel Custer at The Little Big Horn: June 25th.

Questions:

Custer's 7th Cavalry was soundly defeated at The LBH.

(1) We know some details. But how did it develop to the finish? 

(2) What were the circumstances, nuances and mysteries that led to defeat?

(3) Can we learn more by immersing ourselves in historical games (kriegspiels)?

Answers will be forthcoming after conducting several innovative games. Last year we played The Rosebud successfully five times. This year we will do Major Reno's operations of June 25, 1876 as his three troops, A, G and M with scouts....

Arrive at a ford in a bend of The Little Big Horn River.

(Click on images to enlarge them.)

Locations:

Troops A, G and M: Foreground, Center and Background.

Troop A's Crow Scout hurries through the ford.

However, Troop G's Crow Scout is very reluctant to cross. He knows signs seen in the past 24 hours indicate that the largest encampment ever is ahead and wants nothing to do with getting closer.

D Troop (The guidon needs repainting to M.) has just arrived at the ford.

CLOSING REMARKS

(1) "To the men and warriors on both sides of the battle who fought for the right as it was given them to see the right," as written by J.W. Vaughn's With Crook on the Rosebud.

(2) Reno Source Material:

Above Photos: Interpretation of Major Reno's Battalion Arriving at the LBH ford.

Custer's Luck by Edgar I. Stewart

The Battle of The Little Big Horn by Mari Sandoz: Fascinating immersive storytelling.

The Sioux Campaign of 1876 Centennial Campaign by John Gray.

Custer Battlefield, Official National Park Handbook (1987) by Utley

I will be reading through several other recommended sources.

(3) Players: Ideally one per cavalry Troop and 2-3 for the Lakota and Cheyenne.

(4) Regional pards. Let's enjoy the ride by moving miniatures and throwing D6s and help tweak the scenario.

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