Coded American Civil War message in bottle deciphered

A message in a bottle delivered to a Confederate general during the American Civil War has been deciphered, 147 years after it was written. This is quite an interesting article on the BBC web site. Link.
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New Walker 'Chomper' Completed

Just completed a Walker I bought some months ago. Made by Blue Moon Manufacturing it is from their 15/18mm Vehicle range. The body is resin, and the legs and arms metal. It went together fine (some drilling is necessary), and I'm reasonable satisfied with the result. In size it is very similar to the Critical Mass Walkers. Rather than going for the 'new out of the factory look' of some vehicles, I opted for the weather-beaten look.
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Vintage Wargaming Blog

Stumbled across this interesting blog which is dedicated to vintage wargaming. Well worth a look, and one I shall be following. Link
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New Combat Mission Game Coming Out

I was a massive fan of the first Combat Mission ‘Beyond Overlord’ that the company Battlefront released 2000. For me this was just a fabulous PC wargame in the main because of its suitability to play by E-Mail. The big news is that battlefront are releasing a follow up, called Combat Mission ‘Battle for Normandy’ . There is no firm release date yet, but this is definitely one to watch. Link
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British Battles

Quite by accident I stumbled across this rather good little site all about British battles. Link
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'The Eagle' - Film

In 1993 I read Rosemary Sutcliff's historical adventure novel The Eagle of the Ninth (1954) which tells the story of a young Roman young Roman officer searching to recover the lost Roman eagle standard of his father's legion in the northern part of Great Britain. The story is based on the Ninth Spanish Legion's supposed disappearance in Britain. I bought the novel on a trip north to see an old school friend of mine in Scotland. My wife and I were driving along part of Hadrian's Wall and stopped at one of the many forts where there was a tourist information centre, and that's where I picked the book up. The weather that March day was dreadful with torrential rain hammering down, and I remember thinking what a god forsaken spot the wall must have seemed at times to those Roman soldiers who were used to the sunny Mediterranean weather. It was a novel I greatly enjoyed, so I'm looking forward to seeing the recently released film 'The Eagle' which is based on the book.
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Lost city of Atlantis, swamped by tsunami, may be found

This is quite an interesting posting by Reuters. A U.S.-led research team may have finally located the lost city of Atlantis, the legendary metropolis believed swamped by a Tsunami thousands of years ago in mud flats in southern Spain. Link
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TMP - New 15mm Sci-Fi Message Board

On The Miniatures Page (TMP) a new message board has been created for those interested specifically in 15mm Sc-Fi gaming. Link
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Dawn Of War 2 - Retribution - Review

Found this review of the up and coming next release for the Dawn Of War 2 computer game on U-Tube. Beautiful :)
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Why is King John the classic villain?

This is quite an intersting article about the medevial English monarch, King John on the BBC web site. Link
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Humour - Complaint About Trains

The following is an actual exchange of correspondence between a customer and the Irish Railway Company.

Gentlemen,
I have been riding your trains daily for the last two years, and the service on your line seems to be getting worse every day. I am tired of standing in the aisle all the time on a 14-mile trip. I think the transportation system is worse than that enjoyed by people 2,000 years ago.
Yours truly,
Patrick Finnegan

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Dear Mr. Finnegan,
We received your letter with reference to the shortcomings of our service and believe you are somewhat confused in your history. The only mode of transportation 2,000 years ago was by foot.
Sincerely,
Irish Railway Company
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Gentlemen,
I am in receipt of your letter, and I think you are the ones who are confused in your history. If you will refer to the Bible and the Book of David, 9th Chapter, you will find that Balaam rode to town on his ass.
That.... gentlemen, is something I have not been able to do on your train in the last two years!
Yours truly,
Patrick Finnegan.

Retired military icons: The ultimate boys' toys?

There is quite a fun article on the BBC web site regarding buying ex military hardware. Link.
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Joke Of The Day - Last 10 pence

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Last 10 pence

A father walks into a restaurant with his young son..
He gives the young boy three 10p coins to play with to keep him occupied.

Suddenly, the boy starts choking and going blue in the face....
The father realises the boy has swallowed the coins and starts slapping him on the back..

The boy coughs up 2 of the 10p's but is still choking.
Looking at his son, the father is panicking, shouting for help.

A well dressed, attractive, and serious looking woman, in a blue business suit is sitting at a coffee bar reading a newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee.
At the sound of the commotion, she looks up, puts her coffee cup down, neatly folds the newspaper, places it on the counter, gets up from her seat and makes her way, unhurried, across the restaurant.

Reaching the boy, the woman carefully pulls down his pants; takes hold of the boy's' testicles and starts to squeeze and twist, gently at first and then ever so firmly.. tighter and tighter !!!
After a few seconds the boy convulses violently and coughs up the last of the 10p's, which the woman deftly catches in her free hand.

Releasing the boy's testicles, the woman hands the coin to the father and walks back to her seat at the coffee bar without saying a word.

As soon as he is sure that his son has suffered no ill effects, the father rushes over to the woman and starts thanking her saying, "I've never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic. Are you a doctor? "


'No,' the woman replied.
I'm with the Inland Revenue..'
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Portsmouth bids farewell to warship HMS Ark Royal

Some 5,000 people boarded axed aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal after it opened its decks for the final time as part of a farewell send-off. See more on the BBC web site - link.
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Battle: Los Angeles Trailer 3 (2011)

Okay, if your a sci-fi fan this looks quite good ! :)
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First FUBAR Game

After weeks of trying to get together with my 15mm sci-fi enthusiast chum (James) for a game, we at last managed it tonight trying out the free set called FUBAR. The concept of them was derived by Craig Cartmell who has also written the Forge Of War rules as well. The aim of FUBAR was to have a fast playable set of rules, that can fit in one side of A4. Trying out the 3rd Edition tonight, we were totally blown away by how well they played, and can't wait to have another one. Check out the FUBAR Yahoo group for more information.
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I haven't had time to do a AAR, but here are few photos from the game.
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Richard Winters Dies at 92; Led ‘Band of Brothers’

Richard Winters, the commanding officer of Easy Company, the Army unit whose gritty combat from the beaches of Normandy to the capture of Hitler’s mountain retreat was recounted in the book and television series “Band of Brothers,” died Jan. 2 in Campbelltown, Pa. He was 92 and lived in Hershey, Pa.
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See the New York Times link for more info.
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Recovered (almost) + Space Hulk Card Game

Well, after a few days taking it easy, the back has almost settled down and I've been fit enough to return to work. I've just this evening finished reading the the last of the Gaunt's Ghosts omnibus trilogy, 'The Lost'. What a great read, and I now I feel strangely sad having got to the end, wishing there was another couple still to read (sigh). The Space Hulk card game 'Death Angel' arrived in the post yesterday. I've skimmed through the rules, and I can't make any sense of them at the moment ! LOL. A more detailed read is required along with watching a couple of the vids on U-Tube on this subject. Here's one of the better ones:
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Laid Up With A Bad Back - Reflecting On Stuff

Today after waking up with a bad back I went into work hoping it would ease off like yesterday. However... it didn't. To cut a long story short my back went into spasm and it became so bad I couldn't sit at my desk. I ended up lying on the office floor for over half an hour and one of my colleagues ended up giving me a lift home (I was in too much pain to drive).
Installed on the sofa with a fistfull of pain-killers and muscle relaxants inside me I can now at least sit up, so it seemed a good opportunity to do a blog posting and reflect on the last couple of weeks.
They say things come in threes; first I'm struck down for almost a week with a bad dose of man-flu, followed by last night with me having an accident with my son which end up with his head hitting my mouth and giving me a badly split lip. Now the back goes..... Hopefully this is the end of this run of bad luck....
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Managed to get a game of Space Hulk in just after X-Mas. For the first time ever I used the solo play rules which I have to say worked really well. Continuing on the Space Hulk theme, after reading several good reviews I've gone and ordered myself a copy of the Space Hulk - Death Angel card game which should hopefully turn up in the next day or so.
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Since I posted on 22 Dec I've continued reading the Gaunt's Ghosts omnibus books. I've now finished 'The Founding' and 'The Saint', and laid up this afternoon I've now started on 'The Lost'. What a great series. As a frustrated sci-fi writer myself I can only read in awe at the scale of the stories and landscape that they are set in (deep sigh). My favourite character so far has to be Master Sniper 'Mad' Hlaine Larkin :)
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For the Company of Heroes players out there the big news is of course that the Version 3 of the Blitz mod was made available for download on the 24th Dec. Several new vehicles are included, my favourite being the German Sturmpanzer IV 'Brummbar'. Expensive to buy, and you can only have one, so it does poses some downsides to the alternative which is up to three Grilles. For offensive actions though it is as tough as nails and that 150mm Howitzer round does a huge amount of damage.
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Happy New Year

To all the readers of my blog, I would like to wish you a happy and prosperous 2011.
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Gaunt's Ghosts

Whilst laid low with a heavy cold/(man)flu these last five days, I took the time to finish off a (average) novel about Alexander the Great and then make a start on a large stack of Warhammer 40k novels that my brother-in-law has kindly lent me. The first one I selected was 'The Founding' by Dan Abnett, which is all about a unit called 'Gaunt's Ghosts'. If you like sci-fi combat novels I can't recommend this enough. Great characters, tremendous vision and attention to detail and good stories make this a real "don't want to put the book down even though its 1:30 in the morning" experience. I'm only half way through the book but can't wait to see what happens next, and then get stuck into the two follow on books, 'The Saint', and 'The Lost'
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German WWII Propaganda film

Found this propoganda film on U-Tube. There are some fascinating clips of some very rare vehicles like the Sdkfz 251/21 - Flakpanzerwagen with the triple 15mm Drilling MG151 AA Mgs. Also of note are the number of Panzerschreks being carried by the Infantry platoon at the end.
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Last trip for one of Britain's iconic aircraft

A very sad day...
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Harrier jump jets flown by the RAF and Royal Navy have taken part in their last operational flights.

The aircraft is regarded as one of Britain's greatest military innovations, but the jets are being retired early as part of Ministry of Defence spending cuts.

A 16-strong fleet took off from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland on today's farewell journey to several other air-force bases before returning home.

BBC Link
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Daily Mail (some nice photos) Link
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Farewell To The Harrier

For those in the UK who live near any of the bases named below, this is a last opportunity to see the Harrier flying with a flypast of 16 aircraft in diamond formation.
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RAF Cottesmore 1300 – 1310 hrs – Depart and form diamond
RAF Marham 1318 hrs
RAF Wyton 1322 hrs
RAF Wittering 1326 hrs
Stamford 1327 hrs
RAF Cranwell 1401 hrs
RAF Waddington 1402 hrs
RAF Scampton 1404 hrs
RAF Coningsby 1411 hrs
RAF Cottesmore 1415 hrs
Oakham 1416 hrs
RAF Cottesmore 1420 hrs – Recover and land
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Nothing feels good about the decision to retire this very capable aircraft early. I suppose it is a reflection of how bad the countries finances are in. Must confess I'm gutted.
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Nebelwerfer Rocket Launchers In Action

Stumbled across this excellent little video on U-Tube of Panzerwerfer Nebelwerfer Rocket Launchers in action. You wouldn't have wanted to be close to one of them when firing off, or on the receiving end of the rockets for that matter !
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Blue Moon - 15mm Heavy Infantry

I found time over the weekend to take a few photos of some 15mm sci-fi figures that I painted up a couple of months back. The boys are made by Blue Moon Manufacturing (15ALN-101 Orion Republic Heavy Infantry) and can be bought either direct or through Old Glory. Link. Casting and detail quality is excellent, and they were a real pleasure to paint. Included in the photos are a couple of vehicles by GZG and Old Crow to add additional flavour :)
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Ig Nobel for 'whale breathalyser'

This is a quite an intersting article about a London-based scientist's use of a remote-control helicopter to get breath samples from whales has led to her being awarded an "Ig Nobel" Prize. Link to BBC web site.
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Best Card Trick Ever

This is very clever and well worth watching. Best Card Trick Ever
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In War and Paint: Diary of a Modern Day War Artist

This is quite good. It shows the work of a modern-day war artist. Link to BBC.
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From trench to tomb: The unknown warrior's journey

This is an interesting article on the BBC web site about how an unknown warrior was carried from a French battlefield 90 years ago, to be laid to rest among kings and statesmen in Westminster Abbey (UK). But how did this symbol of the sacrifice of war come to be chosen ? Link
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The First World War From Above

This is worth checking out on the BBC web site.
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The story of the Great War told from a unique new aerial perspective. Featuring two remarkable historical finds, including a piece of archive footage filmed from an airship in summer 1919, capturing the trenches and battlefields in a way that's rarely been seen before. And aerial photographs taken by First World War pilots - developed for the first time in over ninety years - show not only the devastation inflicted during the fighting, but also quirks and human stories visible only from above. Presented by Fergal Keane. Link
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Amazing Piece Of Flying

This is an amazing piece of flying by this Chinook. Must confess I went cold when I saw how close the blades were to the ground...
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WWII Bomb Detonated in Germany

A 550lb (250kg) bomb from World War II has been successfully detonated during a controlled explosion in a river in Potsdam, Germany. Nine tonnes of straw had to be placed on top of the bomb, to contain the blast and shrapnel.
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We like explosions ! :)
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WWII Bomb Detonated in Germany – Military Videos - Military.com
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Harrier Jump Jet Retired Early - UK Defence Cuts

It was announced yesterday that the entire UK Harrier force is to be retired early. All flying will have ceased by 1 Apr 2011. As someone who has had the privilege to be involved with this great aircraft, I must confess I'm totally gutted by the decision.
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This is an interesting article about the aircraft on the BBC web site: Link
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Five days aboard one of Britain's silent warriors, the submarine HMS Talent

How long could you go without daylight, family contact, or any precise idea of where you are? A submariner on HMS Talent can do it for three months. Andrew Preston survived five days - and surfaced with a new respect for our silent service.
Read more on this rather good article on the Daily Mail web site: Link
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Building A Bomber Plane In Just A Day

In the midst of World War II, workers at a Welsh aircraft factory gave up their weekend off to build a Wellington bomber from scratch in just 24 hours. Why? To set a new world record. Check out this interesting article and short video on the BBC web site. Link.
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A Little Known Tale of War

This is an interesting little essay on Armchair General web about the Italians in WW2. Link
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Britain Remembers 70th Anniversary Of The Blitz

LONDON — The courage of the military personnel and volunteers who suffered the ordeal of the intense Nazi bombing of London was remembered Tuesday on the 70th anniversary of the day the first bombs fell. Link
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To mark the occasion, extraordinary colour film has been released for the first time, showing bombed-out landmarks in flames and prime minister Winston Churchill inspecting civil defence workers.


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M1128 Mobile Gun System

I've always had an interest in armoured vehicles, and thought I'd share some links with regard one I've been following for a while. The M1128 (Stryker) Mobile Gun System is an eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicle mounting a 105 mm tank gun, based on the Canadian LAV III light-armored vehicle. It is in service with the United States. As ever of course there is a Wikipedia page devoted to it Link.
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To get a real feel for the 22 ton vehicle a few clips from U-Tube always help :) It has an unmanned turret and autoloader.
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Warhammer 40k - Space Marine - Trailer

Saw this today, and think it looks quite good :)
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HMS Glowworm

Stumbled across this intersting site about HMS Glowworm.
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On 8th April 1940 The British destroyer HMS Glowworm, alone and outgunned took on the German Heavy Cruiser Admiral Von Hipper and her destroyer escorts. In spite of the heavy odds against her she managed to score hits on her mighty opponent and in a last act of defiance she rammed the Cruiser before she sank. Link
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Battle of Britain Peewit convoy attack remembered

On a cloudy August day in 1940, the skies and seas around the Isle of Wight witnessed the first sustained clashes of the Battle of Britain.

With the Luftwaffe able to fly from occupied northern France, shipping along England's south coast was an easy target for the German bombers.

Convoy CW9 - codenamed Peewit - was hauling coal from Medway before dispersing off Swanage when it was hit.

Three fierce air battles ensued as the RAF attempted to fend off the strikes.

See the BBC web site for more info - Link
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WWII Database

For anyone interested in WW2, this site is an an intersting visit. It is called the WWII Database, and has a simply astonishing amount of detail in it. Well worth a visit. Link
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HMS Dasher

This is quite an intersting site with quite a comprehensive essay about HMS Dasher, and its rather poor in-service career during WW2 which ended abruptly on 27 Mar 1943 when it sank due to an intrenal explosion. Link
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Operation Catapult: Naval Destruction at Mers-el-Kebir

This is a fascinating little essay about Operation Catapult and the Naval Destruction at Mers-el-Kebir. This is where the part of the French Fleet was destroyed by the British early in WW2. Link

HMS Investigator Found

HMS Investigator had been sent in search of the Franklin expedition, but was lost while on a quest to find the Northwest Passage through the Arctic. Link
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Inside the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

This is a very cool little video, well worth checking out.
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The BBC has been given exclusive access to film the world's most advanced fighter jet - the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, built by Lockheed Martin for the US and UK military. Britain had planned to buy around 150 aircraft for the RAF and Royal Navy - but with each plane costing at least £70m that number is likely to fall.
Squadron Leader Steve Long - the first Royal Air Force pilot to fly the Joint Strike Fighter - explained its unique capabilities to Jonathan Beale.
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Link
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Soldier saved by rosary - just like his great-grandfather

A soldier who stood on a landmine in Afghanistan may owe his life to a rosary - just as his great-grandfather did in the Second World War. Check out this interesting article on the Telegraph web site. Link
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Humour - Dad at Comedy Barn

This is very funny :)
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Military Podcasts

I've almost finished listening to the pod casts that you can download from the UK Defence Academy site, so I have been casting around to see what else there is out there. I immediately came across another Blog web site called Military History Podcast. Well worth a look.
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