RESCUE IN 54mm Imperial Attack #3

 

"My Ladies, your rescuers plan to attend you this day. Splendid as they come on, aren't they? Would you...."

Princess Alice stopped him from saying more remarking, "You are cool in the face of impending destruction, Ragnar Khan. I see none of your warriors opposing our rescuers."

"I was about to offer a safer location for you and Miss Roosevelt. But now.... Why don't we remain here observing as bullets begin flying, perhaps in our direction? Let's watch, shall we?"

IMPERIAL LEFT FLANK

"Observe their few numbers compared to my warriors suddenly appearing from cover."

That is only the Royal Marine spear point, Sir," said the Princess. "More...."

"Royal Marines and Highlanders follow from directly behind," added Alice.

"Plus a line of Bluejackets in reserve, I assume."

"Destruction looms for your Imperials, Princess Alice. See how my warriors storm into hand to hand combat. We will excel with our long sharp blades and nerve."

"Ha, your brave rescuers retreat," smirked the Khan.

"Yes, Ragnar Khan," continued Alice, "only to establish a new line."

"Some even form in a shallow pond to oppose your warriors. I foresee your end Ragnar Khan. Your impertinent people now fail to continue their forward aggression. Wavering."

IMPERIAL EXTREME RIGHT FLANK

On A Side Table

Unbeknownst to Ragnar Khan II and the Ladies

The American Commander became aware of a defile to attack Ragnar Khan's forces in the flank and took advantage of it. A troop of cavalry and one company of infantry left the beach area off the bottom of this image hurriedly turning left covered by a high ridge.  

While a unit of Khan's spearmen losing their way entered the other end of the defile seeking friends to join.

Each foe suddenly found each other. Spears were thrown and shots were fired.

The Reaction Table caused the natives to abandon the field as their foes pursued.

The cavalry came on fast in pursuit. They are at the edge of the Side Table. The Main Table lies three feet away but the latter distance is only a gap in which players walk and sit. In reality the Side and Main Tables are adjacent without a gap.

We now return to the Main Table....

IMPERIAL RIGHT FLANK

"Mr. Khan, I demand that you immediately cease this senseless slaughter. By what right do you shed blood, and much less contain the Princess and myself?" My country, my family will...."

"I have every right in the world as a sovereign, my dear Miss Alexandra Elizabeth Roosevelt."

"You've had your say, my lady. Nothing can stop me. Now let us observe how your Americans fight."

"I see them Mr. Khan - briskly advancing, blue uniforms on their left and khaki on their right," said Roosevelt.

Unfortunately there are no photos but warriors erupted out of the vegetation fighting several rounds of melee versus the blues. The latter prevailed with a severe loss of men.

"I see my Khaki clad soldiers leveling rifles at your warriors."

"And look there! Our cavalry rides into your flank," shouted Roosevelt.

"It will do them no good! Notice my clever warriors springing an ambush hurling spears into them and fighting with swords too?", said Khan.

"But no, your spearmen are beginning to run!," shouted Roosevelt. (Not pictured)

THE END PHASE

Indeed they did run and very few warriors remained to fight the Americans. Over on the other flank Khan's warriors realized they could not break the foe there.

By 2:00pm it was apparent we had reached a denouement for Ragnar Khan. Both sides had fought well and suffered many casualties. For this see Closing Remarks below.

So as the Game Judge I asked the other four players if they thought it was worth continuing the fight. None agreed this was a good idea. Therefore, we used a pause in the battle to redeploy. The warriors withdrew behind the shallow stream passing in front of the Undunga Ruins followed by the Imperials reorganizing into a routine line of battle. We assume several hours transpired for this redeployment. Below is what things looked like as the sun began to set.

Ragnar Khan's Left Flank.

His Center.

I commanded the lancers marching them uselessly when I remembered them!

 

Khan's Right Flank.

DOES KAHN HAVE ANYTHING "UP HIS SLEEVE?"

OFCOURSE!

"Excellency? What is your will?"

"We will bring forward our hidden allied reinforcements. They arrive tonight by the Full Moon," said Ragnar Khan.

"And Excellency, if they fail to arrive?"

"Then we shall invite the ladies to join us in the submersible boat and pass through the cave tunnel below the reef. Afterwards we will resume vexing the great powers," whispered Khan.

CLOSING REMARKS

1. The Gang of Five seated left to right: Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz) and Kurt D. Standing left to right: Rob O. Chuck The Lucky and Yours Truly Bill P. (Chronicler for The Adventures of General Pettygree)

2. Miniatures: We use what we have.

4. 54-60mm Manufacturers: Armies in Plastic, Britain's, John Jenkins Designs, King and Country and one more which I can't remember from the UK whose owner passed away. Treefrog Miniatures sells all of these except Armies in Plastic. Both companies give superior service.

4. Imperial Left Flank: Chuck The Lucky: 

1 Mounted Officer who survived

33 Highlanders of which 4 were lost.

34 Royal Marines of which 11 were lost.

Gardner Mechanical Gun and 6 crew of which 0 were lost.

26 Bluejacket Shore Party of which 0 were lost. (Unengaged)

100 Miniatures of which 15 were lost. (15%)

Opposed By Jim P. Der Alte Fritz

91 Warriors of which 37 were lost. (41%)

5. Imperial Right Flank: Rob O.

49 Khaki Infantry of which 10 were lost.

25 Blue Infantry of which 14 were lost.

14 Cavalry of which 7 were lost.

88 Miniatures of which 31 were lost. (35%)

Opposed By Kurt D.

92 warriors of which 50 were lost. (54%)

6. Grand Totals

Imperials: 188 Miniatures of which 46 were lost. (25%)

Warriors: 183* of which 81 were lost. (44%)

*12 Lancers not included guarding Ragnar Khan. (Unengaged)

7. We hope to resume the tabletop game next month. Return here for news and....

8. Write your comments below, if you please.

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RESCUE IN 54mm ARRIVALS #2

 

PRESENT DAY

MANZIBAR ISLAND

SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

See Chapter 1 here:

https://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2024/08/rescue-operation-in-54mm.html

"Ragnar Khan sighted the Imperials landing in Kokona Bay. Sound assembly Navali."

"May I remind the Captain, if you please, the horses are being watered."

"Right. We must be ready for our time, our destiny, is near."

"What is going on? I'll go the the ruins and find out."

"Thank you for joining us Miss Roosevelt. Henceforth we shall drop the pretense of your incognito names because the game is afoot."

"You have that advantage, Sir."

"I always did."

"Turn and observe Kokona Bay. See the warships anchored offshore? I believe the men assembling on the beach are from your country, Princess Alice Windsor."

"They will rout you, Ragnar Khan, if I know those bluejackets."

"Then, let them come. I told you the great powers would arrive to rescue you."

"You are a ruffian, Sir."

"True, but with good cause."

"Good cause!" remarked the Princess. "What cause?" she demanded.

"Revenge. Don't you remember your history, ladies? My Father, Ragnar Khan I, was ignominiously defeated and imprisoned on the Northwest Frontier where he died. I blame General Pettygree. He had the gall to call my lost realm inheritance, The Empire of Wrath."

"Your father's armies were among the cruelest in history invading India."

"Rubbish. Observe the arrogant confidence coming hither."

Royal Marines.

"Longboats bringing your bluejackets ashore."

"Scottish Highlanders, so far from home."

"You will never succeed Ragnar Khan.  Imprisonment or the gallows beckons. You will not escape that destiny."

"I can and will."

Meanwhile at Kokona Beach

"Mate, call over the Petty Officer."

"Oh sure, you do it, yourself, Jacko." 

"Sir, that ruin far away. Is that where the ladies are?"

"Yes lad. That's what our commanding officer says. Look alive for the foe. There's no telling where they are hid'n in all that vegetation."

"Aye, aye."

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Forces from England and Scotland are assembling ashore.

2. Waiting for the Americans.

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Rescue Operation in 54mm

TWO MONTHS AGO

UNDUNGA RUINS, MANZIBAR ISLAND

SOMEWHERE IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

"Welcome Miss Patricia Reynolds. I trust your ride with my horsemen was tolerable. But how I go on. Permit me to introduce myself. My name is - Ragnar Khan."

"Sir, I demand to know why you brought me here - and where is here?"

"Why you are here is to permit the great powers to rescue you. As to the location, we are in the Ruins of Undunga on Manzibar Island between the Indian Sub-Continent and the east coast of Africa. Didn't the the Star of Bombay's Captain reveal your destination?"

"No he did not! This is preposterous. Why would any great power care about me?"

"You underestimate yourself Miss Reynolds. We'll talk about it later. Meanwhile, I have someone you should be pleased to see again."

"Miss Reynolds, I believe you know Miss Penelope Faversham. You both attended the Grand Ball at  Delhi's Imperial Hotel."

"Well yes, though how you know this is a mystery."

"Ah oui. Well, there are duties now calling upon me. So why don't the two of you get reacquainted. I'll drop by later and escort you to supper. Adieu."

"He is a cheeky fellow, Patricia."

"Mad is more like it, I should say!"

"There is no point continuing to use our incognito names. He knows, Patricia, that you are really, Alexandra Roosevelt."

"And that you, Penelope, are actually Princess Alice Windsor?"

"Precisely."

"No. They will not run. Where could they possibly hide for long? Just keep your eyes on them and report any suspicious behavior to me without delay. Should they be harmed by anyone, you will not see the next sunrise. Do you understand, Tangarore?"

"Très bon!"

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CLOSING REMARKS

All characters are fictitious as is Manzibar Island.

The above is the backdrop introducing  a tabletop rescue operation using 54mm collections of Rob O., Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz) Joe G. and yours truly, Bill P, Chronicler for The Adventures of General Pettygree. Our regional pards will move units and throw dice as we play this scenario several times.

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Merry Christmas 2023 and Always

 

This painting arrived as a Christmas card a few days ago. It is the most beautiful depiction of love and adoration of Jesus by heavenly angels and his Mother Mary I've seen. 

Linger here for a few minutes this season in contemplation please. What is important? What are your thoughts and feelings about it including your relationship and engagement now and in the future with Jesus?

You are invited to post your thoughts in Comments.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Bill

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BOMBARDMENTS TODAY!

 

Readers are most likely familiar with prodigious WWII naval bombardments and the destruction intended ashore. Numerous Pacific Theatre battles may come to mind as the Allies recovered lost islands and territories into August 1945.

However, D-Day's thunderous salvoes sent into Normandy on June 6, 1944 may come more easily to mind. I recently watched The Longest Day again thinking about terrible destruction, death, shock and deafness intended for coastal defenders. It consumed every fiber of their being. How could it not?

It got me to thinking about the minute by minute bombardment consuming us daily. What is it doing to us? Why do we allow it --- such as?

Overdoing texting, emailing, social media, screen time at and off of work, video games, addictions, pursuit of experiences, television, workaholic and/or newsaholic behaviors, too busy for interaction with family and friends, the disappearance of quiet time and more. How about allowing cell phones to disturb family chow time, sleep or precious unrecoverable time with our children/grandchildren? 

My Marketing Director, Michael,  tells a story about an ice skating practice. He sat in the stands watching his child skate. His cell phone was intentionally someplace else so he could be in the moment with his offspring. However,  a nearby mom was immersed constantly on a cell phone. Her daughter then had an issue with a skate. The mom did not hear multiple pleas for mom's help because screen time was more important. Michael soon got the mom's attention.

One more thing as Easter nears. The most important negative dynamic is....

There is insufficient silence for us to hear the voice of Jesus in many different ways. 

"And get to know me."

"Come and follow me."

It's Time To Go Home.

Every Blessing and Happy Easter Everyone!

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CLOSING REMARKS WHICH MAY APPLY FOR YOU

It’s Time To Come Home Whether You

·         Retired from the Catholic or your Faith tradition (Understandable)

·         Have remained home since Covid (You aren’t alone)

·         Want to learn about Catholicism (Founded 2,000 years ago in the year 33)

·         Hear an almost silent voice inviting you (Saying come)

·         Aren’t sure, distrustful, hurt, don't believe or too busy (Come anyway)

·         Think Catholicism is unbiblical (It is scripturally biblical)

Don’t think you are welcome (You Are Welcome!)  

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