CIVIL WAR in RURITANIA

Set in the central European kingdom of Ruritania in 1870, this is a small action involving the armies of Crown Prince Rudolph and his half-brother Prince Michael. Now, it must be said, in the original book, and in all the subsequent films that have been produced under the title 'The Prisoner of Zenda', all sympathy and allegiance has been given to Rudolph. After all, he is the rightful heir to the throne. However, the original book acknowledged that Michael was actually more popular with the population. Indeed, it is clear he always carried out his state duties with energy and dedication. While his idle half brother preoccupied himself with shooting anything with four legs, and consuming the nation's grape production. So, for a change, I openly declare my allegiance to my namesake, Prince Michael the Dark, the man that will truly serve the Crown and People of Ruritania, or die fighting in their defence!

Aware that his half-brother was gaining in popularity and might just threaten Rudolph's control of the treasury, and not forgetting the palace wine cellar, the Crown Prince ordered those regimental commanders he still trusted to meet him at Zenda Railway Station. From there, he would personally lead his army against the Castle of Zenda. and destroy all potential opposition to his rule. 

But Good Prince Michael had friends in high places, and forewarned, he called upon those that honoured his late father, the King, to join him at Castle Zenda, where, God Willing, the dignity of the realm might still be saved. By the way, the original book also confirmed that Michael was the more popular son of the late king!

MOVE ONE. The train arrived with Rudolph and his White Guard. Here, he took command of four battalions, and a company of artillery. There was a slight delay in their moving off, however, when Rudolph resolutely occupied the station's cafe.

MOVE TWO. Prince Michael hurriedly deployed two loyal battalions, and his own cavalry regiment to the South of Castle Zenda. He ordered the fearless Count Rupert to hold the castle, with the Zenda regiment, and an artillery piece. A band of armed farmers and smallholders also demanded that they should be allowed to aid Michael in his honest cause, and promised to give Rudolph a bloody nose. Michael thanked them for their support. 

MOVE THREE, Rudolph's advance picked up pace. Some of his Jaeger (grey/green) surprised Michael's own regiment (buff/red), but inflicted no casualties. MOVE FOUR saw the partisans surprise the rear of Rudolph's main force, and inflicted a casualty. While skirmishers in the front of the main force now exchanged casualties. There was also the first artillery round fired, on Michael's infantry. 

MOVE FIVE saw Rudolph's infantry (blue/blue) suffer further casualties from the partisans, but not much else. MOVE SIX saw the infantry charge the partisans behind a high hedge, suffering further casualties in their charge. But they made almost equal slaughter of the partisans in the subsequent melee. No one could blame the partisans for now scattering. MOVE SEVEN confirmed that over half the daylight had been expended, and Rudolph's main force were still bogged down in the highway. Time was now against them, night fighting or a siege was not part of the plan. Rudolph decided to cease firing his gun, and ordered a general advance. MOVE EIGHT brought more bad news, his skirmishers on his right flank had suffered two casualties from the castle gun and some kind of multi-firing rifle contraption. He also received word his jaeger were nearly down to half strength. If they broke, what next would follow?

MOVE NINE. Crown Prince Rudolph ordered his troops to retire back to the railway station, where a supply of grape juice had been stored for him, purely for medicinal purposes.

CASUALTIES

Rudolph's Army suffered nine casualties out of fifty-five. Michael's army lost two infantry and three partisans out of fifty-two. (This was a fun game, and my first outing for my Ruritanian collection. Had to borrow some artillery crew from other collections, but all the others are based on uniforms seen in the 1952 film starring Stewart Granger, James Mason, Deborah Kerr, Robert Douglas, and many other great character actors. 

MGB

NEW ADDITIONS for CHRISTMAS (Dec.9)

This is my last batch of painted figures for the year. Have just packed away my hobby paints, etc., to concentrate on home projects, and some socials during the festive season. 

Very much enjoyed working on these, I can remember having several Lone Star naval infantry in my childhood, formerly my late brother's. Picked up this batch for £8 delivered. I think they will prove most useful.

Winter storm at Sea!

Original condition

Also completed, two broken lead figures kindly supplied by George Mills. Rather than a typical WW2 infantry uniform, these will now serve as Royal Navy Reservists on sentry duty, they wore a blue version of the khaki battledress.

Next up, made of bits of metal, is a scratch-built Soviet WW2 Ampulomet. A rather strange weapon, it fired a glass bomb which on smashing would cover an enemy tank in a highly corrosive chemical. Thought to have a range of about 270 yards, fair numbers were used during 1941, but replaced by anti-tank rifles in 1942. Still, it makes an interesting addition to my Soviet army and will require some special rules for service. At eight shots a minute, its not to be mocked!

My Soviet army needed a suitable command base. These are recent swaps with Tim Gow.

The 18th Rifle Division, sixteen figures strong, is now able to take to the field. They are wearing the 1943 light khaki overshirts.

Among a batch of Starlux figures recently acquired were two broken medievals. They have been repaired and given an appropriate paint job.

Have also recruited a Starlux paratrooper, this gives me a unit of seven.

Have constructed from plastic and metal bits a third French artilleryman, to operate a mountain gun.

Here are some 1960s-made British Paratroopers with support weapons. Still to decide how to utilise the figures parachuting? For the moment, they will aid the others by celebrating any successful hits.

Quite common in the US, but not in the UK, this 1950s Lincoln Logs railway figure (lead) has been given a helping hand, using wire and Milliput. 

My battleplan is to now stage a few games during the holiday season, the WW2 Soviets and Germans having already been placed on the wargames table. 

Finally, I must thank Paul Watson for his generous sponsorship, and also George Mills for his kind donations during 2022.

Very Best Wishes for YULE!

MGB

SWAPS AND SOVIETS (DEC.3)

My WW2 Soviet collection has made some real progress. When George Mills sent me a batch of ECW figures, he confirmed they could be swapped for others more useful to my collection. Tim Gow took up the offer and the figures were swapped for nineteen Airfix Soviets, ten Hing Fat Soviets, and seven 1960s Lone Star British paratroopers. To this number, I was also able to pick up another batch of cheap Airfix Soviets on Ebay. So my original collection of twenty-six painted figures has substantially increased.

Here is the 10th Rifle Division. It served at Leningrad and also in the Baltic. Formed in 1920, disbanded in 1946. For simplicity, my battalions are given Divisional designations. This unit is fourteen riflemen and two LMG crew.

Here is the 17th Rifle Division. Formed in Gorki in 1920, it was wiped out at Vyazma in 1941. It comprises twelve riflemen.

Here are the Hing Fat figures, these will serve as elite or Guard troops. Just eight figures.

Here is the 150th Rifle Division. Raised in Vyazma in 1939, wiped out in Kiev in 1941. It comprises eleven riflemen, and one LMG crewman.

These are some converted figures, representing the 3rd NKVD Railway Security Division. Raised in Mogilev, they served from 1939 to 1942, then wiped out.

Not shown is another Rifle Division, sixteen strong. Still working on this unit, Will probably represent the 18th, raised in Kazan. Serving 1939-46.

MGB

SOME MORE FIGURES TO SWAP

George also sent some 54mm AWI figures. I already have a large collection covering this period in 28mm, so I would prefer to swap these for something else. I'm not counting heads, but I could still use 54mm naval figures, for example, Lone Star, Starlux, or old lead castings. I would also welcome 54mm French Foreign Legion figures, or figures that could represent late 19th/early 20th century French

The AWI comprise 20 Militiamen, and 38 Soldiers.