Tag: WW1
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L/Cpl William Kemp – Killed in Action
Lance Corporal William Kemp of the 2nd Scottish Rifles was killed in action one hundred years ago. I grew up seeing his name on the local war memorial, as did my father who was also named William Kemp. My dad was keen on family history, he could tell me all the living relatives and knew…
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Book Review – Fatal Choices by Seth Owen
Fatal Choices: Wargames, Decisions and Destiny in the 1914 Battles of Coronel and Falklands by Seth Owen My rating: 5 of 5 stars I backed the Kickstarter campaign and got both the ebook and the paperback version of this as well as some pre-cut counters for playing the scenarios. The book is a fascinating tour…
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Remembrance Challenge
We took our cubs to the local war memorial in the Church just down the road from the Scout Hall. Before we went we”d got the cubs to make a wreath of poppies and to write a message on it. Each boy did his own personal wreath. We then went on a walk down the…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 10
Third week of October 1914 BEF Report to the War Office The Belgians on our left were attacked and driven out of their trench line, and retreated towards Calais. The BEF left flank is, although entrenched, hanging in the air again. BEF reserve troops are at St. Omer. A request to the navy is made…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 9
Second week of October 1914. BEF Report to the War Office BEF’s part of the front aint as big as we thought it would be, we cover it to Bapaume. Team Control Gloss Well this was where I stopped following the team very closely and handed over to Paul, one of the map umpires, for…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 8
The first full week of October 1914. BEF Report to the War Office Orders are to entrench from south of marshed terrain In Dixmuiden towards Arras. Right flank tries to attempt a limited attack from Arras and surroundings directioned to the east to conform to the German line. It seems that a solid trench line…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 7
29 Sept to 4th October 1914. BEF Report to the War Office Some more confusion, Germans frontline is from the Marsh area (Dixmuiden) to the South, direction Arras (which the Germans appear to have abandoned?) which means that the British advanced somehow without orders to do so. It seems that a change in warfare is…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 6
The last full week in September 1914. BEF Report to the War Office 30th September 2014 While taking the new positions, the BEF was attacked by the Germans, Arras was lost but the German casualties were high. British right flank doesn’t have contact with the French. On the political point, the Belgiums requested to the…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 5
Third week of September 1914. BEF Report to War Office 23rd September 1914 Situation Due to the fact that both the Belgians collapsed to the left of us and to the right of us the French 6th Army were thrown back as well, the BEF was in a difficult position. With bravery and in coordination with…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 4
8-14th September 1914. I didn’t get a picture of the main control map this turn, so you’ll need to use your imagination. BEF Report to the War Office 14th September 1914 Situation We have attacked the German First Army on our Right flank. They were numerically superior (Five Corps to our three) but we managed…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 3
The first week in September 1914. BEF Report to the War Office 7th September 1914 Situation We have moved up into a line between the coastal marshes at DIXMUDE to LILLE. Two corps of the German First Army are on our Right flank and we intend to attack them in the flank. We believe that they…
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Megagame: Iron Dice – Turn 1
The first turn of this megagame covered the first three weeks of August 1914. During this turn the British decided on their plan (K) and mobilised the BEF to France. British Strategic Discussions There were three plans considered. Plan F was a landing at Ostend to directly support the Belgians; Plan K landing in France…