Something a little different...

...in the forthcoming issue of Wargames Illustrated, the hobby's leading magazine! Well, as I have often contributed numerous articles over many years I would say that, wouldn't I?

The November issue features the theme of Pulp Adventure Gaming. This is the second article I've penned against the background of P.G.Wodehouse's Blandings Castle novels. The first appearing in #300, the special anniversary issue; Lord Emsworth's Last Stand being one of the themed article. This time the action is rather more 'Pulpy', but you'll need to buy it though to learn more...

Holding up the sky!

Again! Don't be alarmed though loyal readers, I've not developed Atlas delusions! I've merely been supporting a backboard which is sometimes used by Dan to blot out the unwanted background when taking pictures here in GHQ. He visited GHQ on Thursday to take photographs to accompany the latest piece I've had accepted for publication in an upcoming edition of Wargames Illustrated, where the theme will be Pulp Wargaming. I can't say too much about the piece or the issue involved, but here are a few pictures of aspects of the layout, taken just before 'the balloon went up' ~

Summer 1940, somewhere in sleepy Shropshire... Blandings Castle, ancestral home of Clarence, Earl Emsworth, his family and his prize porker, the 'Empress of Blandings'.

Scenes of rural idyll abound. Sheep may safely graze, or not. Boy Scouts must always be prepared, but for what we wonder?

About as busy as it gets in sleepy Market Blandings...until now that is.

Meanwhile, who can this distinguished guest be arriving with military escort at Blandings Castle?

It's almost 'Opening Time' at the Red Lion inn, but will it be 'Last Orders' for these gentlemen and other residents?

The greatest feat of flying for the Luftwaffe's ace pilot Otto von Bikkel sees the glider land exactly on target! {Matt made this glider model from scratch using card and air drying clay, along with another for the British paras, when he was 13. I've kept and treasured them for thirty years now so I hope you'll appreciate it too.}

Professor Braynstawme, the greatest scientific mind of the age, prepares to fire his D-Ray in an unexpected live test! Some visiting 'foreign Johnny' called Einstein looks on in awe!

What could these strange objects be? Giant mobile pepper pots perhaps? Or some dastardly Hun secret weapon? 

"Is it bird? Is it a plane?" they ask. "No, it's B.E.R.T. at Blandings!" Another of Professor Braynstawme's projects arriving in the nick of time to save the day...or not? 

All taking place under the scrutiny of that great British institution, the British Broadcasting Corporation and that nice Mr Dimblebury.

Even in the midst of the struggle for national survival in 1940 Winston can still find time to visit Blandings to witness Braynstawme's latest 'triumph'. Lord Emsworth and the family gather to welcome their distinguished guest as he inspects the local troop of Sea Scouts.

Meanwhile, it's stiff upper lip time for the staff of Blandings Castle as they face an unknown foe...

If any of this has wetted your appetite, and I do hope it has, don't forget to keep an eye out later in the November issue to see how the action unfolded ~

In the meantime, remember that "KBO!" is the Order of the Day, as Winston Churchill would undoubtedly have remarked to Braynestawm in the heat of the action!

Hoodlum Hooch Hokkum in Howardville

An occasional run out for a part of my Pulp Adventures collection featured in the most recent game with Paul here in GHQ. Captain Watson and his 'boys in blue' from the Precinct House vied with the mobster Don Bicclione and his Family over the movement of a shipment of moonshine from the outskirts of Howardville to the dockside Speakeasy. Just a few snaps taken during the game which I hope will give a sense of the riotous amusement the game provided ~

The Fleets in port it seems which means more business for Don Bicclione's Speakeasy unless shore leave is cancelled. The USS Paddock is tied up and the crew are anxiously awaiting much needed R&R.

The 'mean streets' of Howardville busy with its citizens going about their daily lives unaware of the violence and mayhem about to be revealed in their midst 

Captain Watson marshalls his forces outside the Precinct House. Reporters of the Howardville Bugle are on hand to capture the moment for their readers.

Don Bicclione's men are ready to load the shipment and speed it on its way to the Speakeasy. Their hideout/warehouse is in a quiet quarter where the neighbours certainly won't disturb them.

The streets of 'Chinatown' are unusually quiet. Perhaps the Blue Tong have got wind of the shipment and have their own plans for its destination?

Wherever the illegal hooch finishes up you can be sure it will be beyond the financial reach of these down and outs who have made their home on an abandoned lot.

Captain Watson has sensibly deployed his machine gun on the Precinct House's roof giving a field of fire all the way to the harbour.

Officer Dribble seems blissfully unaware that the mob are just above his head! He need not have worried, Sergeant Moore and his machine gun have the drop on them.

The Police car and it's passengers come under unexpected fire from the mob in their roadster. One offer falls in the hail of bullets, another death in the line of duty!

Despite their surprise at the unexpected attack the Police return fire. In the hail of bullets the monsters are cut down and their roadster burst into flames!

Sensing a chance to be a hero Officer Desch has reached the rooftop and surprised another group of mobsters. He kills one in his initial assault but then sensibly retires as the Tommy guns spit their bullets all around him.

A second roadster and it's load of mobsters join the fray but are soon neutralised by the Police fire. They die in the exchange and their car is a smoking wreck. The consignment though and it's escorts are close to their destination. Can Don Bicclione's men pull this off? Sadly not, as a hail of bullets destroys the engine of the truck and wipes out the accompanying mobsters...

In a final gesture more mobsters led by O'Toole rush the Precinct House armed only with clubs, knives and iron bars. Officer Brecher takes aim with his BAR but miraculously no mobsters stop a bullet! It's all too late though for the Don. Two of his close associates are gunned down and his consignment of moonshine is burning in the truck fire!

The game was played using Bolt Action rules over six turns. After a slow start Captain Watson got the measure of his task and saw it through to a successful conclusion despite the best efforts of his dice. The buildings are all from Old Glory bar the warehouse which Phil scratchbuilt. The figures are from Bob Mutch's Pulp Figures range. The USS Paddock I built based on a piece of UTT* with the upper housing and main gun from MiniMe. The vehicles are from all sorts of manufacturers such as Lledo, Corgi, Days Gone By and so on.

*UTT - Universal Tourist Tatt, sold the world over.

"It was just business."

 The final action of 2021 here in GHQ was a game set in my fictional suburb of the Big Apple, Howardville. Once more, and for the very first time that GHQ relocated to its current home, the Baldinnis and the Bicclionis vie for domination of this patch of Mafia turf. The rules used were Bolt Action 2, adapted for individual figures. First, a few pictures to set the scene ~

The 'mean streets' of Howardville...

Down an alley looking towards Chinatown...

Hard Times! Down and out in Howardville...

The lure of celebrity and the rise of the talkies...

Final destination...sadly for many residents on the wrong side of the law...

It's been a few years, as the cobwebs testify!

Let's see how the game unfolded, shall we...?

The Baldinni family arrive in style!

Carlo 'Knuckles' Napoli and his bruisers sneak around the back, leaving Bicclioni's henchmen to cover the front of the building  

A sharp exchange of fire across the entrance to Chinatown marks the start of the action.

Matteo Bicclioni takes cover behind his wheels, leaving his wife Sara to cover him from her seat!

The firefight at Chinatown is hotting up! Lead is flying everywhere...

The henchmen rush forward to support Matteo and Sara as Edwardo Scarfinni sprays their car with lead!

Matteo and Sara are suddenly faced by Baldinni's muscle as they try to sneak around the flank. Fists fly as their pistols missed their mark!

With the firefight causing a distraction Knuckles and his thugs ready themselves for close action...

While shots are exchanged to little effect Knuckles and his men rush the remainder of Baldinni's henchmen!

Fists against a squeeze gun? Never a good idea really...

In the desperate struggle Matteo is down and out!

Seeing her husband struck down Infront of her Sara's anger is raised and she throws herself into the action to avenge his loss!

Meanwhile around Chinatown the action continues unabated. As hitmen go few of these would make the grade it seems!

The Baldinni family's wheels block the street and provide cover for the Don and his children...

As casualties mount the Bicclioni's gang fail a Morale check after loosing seven members Don Bicclioni waddles to safety! As Don Philippe Baldinni later remarked, "It was just business, nothing personal."

Finally it just remains for me to wish you all a very 

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful, Prosperous and above all Healthy New Year!