tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25912298435909825812024-03-19T01:48:26.596-07:00JJ's Wargames"Little Wars is the game of kings" - H. G. Wells.
My thoughts and ideas about my passion - Wargaming.carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comBlogger1092125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-51548104594312838302024-03-16T01:05:00.000-07:002024-03-16T01:05:32.701-07:00Battle of Camperdown - The Leeward Division Attacks, Kiss Me, Hardy at the Devon Wargames Group<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViLJCElLYWYuxLbnvDgPD6yCMcIRcqr38qKAP4rbNeQruJf2rmqp9GIhBvzHDG6CLeEmRut3jTSqu1kbvRE0Xbj7Tz1po4oKqRaU-QNSlZL9w6j6QC21TETxtSmKgNg_2UH9R__fHp7WTTEpDs8U92Nc_UDZLC9X5Z3fVolBN_Fxuu4ln3nbbA1T709o/s1920/Header%20KMH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViLJCElLYWYuxLbnvDgPD6yCMcIRcqr38qKAP4rbNeQruJf2rmqp9GIhBvzHDG6CLeEmRut3jTSqu1kbvRE0Xbj7Tz1po4oKqRaU-QNSlZL9w6j6QC21TETxtSmKgNg_2UH9R__fHp7WTTEpDs8U92Nc_UDZLC9X5Z3fVolBN_Fxuu4ln3nbbA1T709o/w640-h360/Header%20KMH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend I took the Camperdown collection to the Devon Wargames Group's first March meeting to run The Leeward Division Scenario, I played last month at Chez JJ with Mike and Jack using Far Distant Ships (FDS).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-dM45L5aW8lQSBxoxN2MHebru339yi9zP1eyc0HcWNJ8Ick0bl6OXPGCKMSUJlaiuWMjzywoDDLLCGliU3b08nrlv1xT0urB631dmW4hB4fQQQX7StHQ_DxW7-nXQW7g4rqzYNey6ITljTCftg7apJ2MvRBYFEt42F-sW4es1AI2Q5IC1Gn8U8SssH0/s3985/P1110734a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3158" data-original-width="3985" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-dM45L5aW8lQSBxoxN2MHebru339yi9zP1eyc0HcWNJ8Ick0bl6OXPGCKMSUJlaiuWMjzywoDDLLCGliU3b08nrlv1xT0urB631dmW4hB4fQQQX7StHQ_DxW7-nXQW7g4rqzYNey6ITljTCftg7apJ2MvRBYFEt42F-sW4es1AI2Q5IC1Gn8U8SssH0/w400-h318/P1110734a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you missed our playthrough of this scenario using FDS then follow the link below.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2024/02/battle-of-camperdown-leeward-division.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Camperdown - The Leeward Division Attacks, Far Distant Ships</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The initial plan had been to do something similar at club with a few additional ideas I had had since that game, but as always the plan changes on first contact and with more folks wanting to play than I had planned for and FDS, being a fleet level game better suited to fewer commanders, I opted to play this time using Kiss Me, Hardy (KMH) better suited to handle multiple players and offering an opportunity to compare and contrast with the FDS game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yV4_48fjEjoaEPGjjpSH3_oC1k4MfSM6IiI-44b0fLtU7dCjyKBf_ObkrUuOniY1sFApHNR5T9qG92rUwQ2zqPSRtEEiTitElDx9uaKXnsvabRydL148JBkWQPl_0MoO1TxT3y2hF_EYA2H2jshWChrypLUPuTjfdVz0DIZUHKhO4DIsdS7Tkn6LYkg/s876/Monarch%2074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="824" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yV4_48fjEjoaEPGjjpSH3_oC1k4MfSM6IiI-44b0fLtU7dCjyKBf_ObkrUuOniY1sFApHNR5T9qG92rUwQ2zqPSRtEEiTitElDx9uaKXnsvabRydL148JBkWQPl_0MoO1TxT3y2hF_EYA2H2jshWChrypLUPuTjfdVz0DIZUHKhO4DIsdS7Tkn6LYkg/w376-h400/Monarch%2074.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My KMH Ship Record Cards (SRC's) have become my standard way of <br />recording ship damage during my KMH games and are fairly easy to<br />pull together and store in a laminated format so they can be used again any time <br />I want to play a given scenario or big-battle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It just so happened that during the odd evening when on holiday in Madeira, the previous week, I had time to sit down and pull the Camperdown Ship Record Cards together and thus they were ready for this game and so with a quick bit of printing and laminating when I got home everything was set up to go. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qy3bXQI9TgfqNm3cg_ZKfyBoe9ddb0grVFxF_0o14DHWPmA5uuyfOfGpbYk8p_LGTFEO8-taA8zozu0NyHCeEXyDCtuS2HXvk2g__O3MIzyVsVp3m9FixCMYG9qYajhV_FoJxf3TAcMSH8Wjfo29l7b0jU9bvzdHSiNgB2xmrOpfpAb25aSmiYDbmww/s4896/P1120177.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qy3bXQI9TgfqNm3cg_ZKfyBoe9ddb0grVFxF_0o14DHWPmA5uuyfOfGpbYk8p_LGTFEO8-taA8zozu0NyHCeEXyDCtuS2HXvk2g__O3MIzyVsVp3m9FixCMYG9qYajhV_FoJxf3TAcMSH8Wjfo29l7b0jU9bvzdHSiNgB2xmrOpfpAb25aSmiYDbmww/w640-h480/P1120177.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chaps all set up to play with their KMH Ship Record Cards seen along the table edge ready to record the firing and damage results.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Needless to say much fun was had by all, and all six players had plenty to do managing their various commands during the game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The difference in play between KMH and FDS is very noticeable, with the former very good at capturing the feel of a naval battle from this period at the level of ships captain's, commodores and commanders of small squadrons such as this, with lots of narrative and individual ship drama that has become very familiar with the multiple games I have played using them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIsTvD1T1D3yReioBG7nAVXd7nocZELmcKrbGuHmQHy1FefvQqQX2hX65T_5P7lFrhllrVb5aydEfY1h6ENcMfqYYPyk6syqAvUgBaq2BRutLGBEr5At5nXuYChjqiu7QJXxBlo8aiW89iMkaaAyErj6zgYFYJtqlk3L3dwZOg8s0sTIj-wG4hXtFxd8/s4896/P1120178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIsTvD1T1D3yReioBG7nAVXd7nocZELmcKrbGuHmQHy1FefvQqQX2hX65T_5P7lFrhllrVb5aydEfY1h6ENcMfqYYPyk6syqAvUgBaq2BRutLGBEr5At5nXuYChjqiu7QJXxBlo8aiW89iMkaaAyErj6zgYFYJtqlk3L3dwZOg8s0sTIj-wG4hXtFxd8/w640-h480/P1120178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">FDS on the other hand gives a much better simulation of commanding one or multiple squadrons from the point of view of a flag officer looking to put his command in the optimal position to best allow his captains to fight their individual battles, only enhanced with more squadrons and bigger fleets on the table.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Both rules and the games they produce are in my opinion only enhanced by playing them with these larger models, seemingly emphasising the drama of the battle being portrayed no matter at what level of command the players are involved with.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4hs815g6cjnrFdsor1m2fYuSMiM2l_L-mWdgHWjBSNBe7rwIE809lq_F625JCnOfsMzQvwEvMU0jRUOLGbGxaUrVdqBYFLD4QamD2VeLlKZCvn3MFEPPB5iVXTszQL57b0ZQXfJtuBc2KqQrX0TybYJCzx-wG4c10wV9vY9T4nDfluCIvGP3W9HQ_N0/s4406/P1120187a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="4406" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4hs815g6cjnrFdsor1m2fYuSMiM2l_L-mWdgHWjBSNBe7rwIE809lq_F625JCnOfsMzQvwEvMU0jRUOLGbGxaUrVdqBYFLD4QamD2VeLlKZCvn3MFEPPB5iVXTszQL57b0ZQXfJtuBc2KqQrX0TybYJCzx-wG4c10wV9vY9T4nDfluCIvGP3W9HQ_N0/w640-h366/P1120187a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battle gets going at last weekend's DWG club meeting</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I have put together an AAR of our game on the Devon Club Blog, link below, with thoughts about the comparison between KMH and FDS, where you can follow the drama of our play and during which produced an interesting twist that enhanced the performance of the Batavians versus our first run through of this scenario.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TBZSuEjKFR7FqxRkSjmvbPOVCOsxtQtMbJHVqNUiqALrZ-6havnMxe9kGyDIgpMOk_PAl2VOehYoO5DRykjAaBq_JQM4l2neR-t4u7UY_ua8bl9hT9rS2SqK5sMvFkRKtrPPLoLiSRj0mUpXuWos4FHuYSebb-jwE5IfL-AA0-W-3DOmk7P1iNV-tCk/s1308/DWG.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1308" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TBZSuEjKFR7FqxRkSjmvbPOVCOsxtQtMbJHVqNUiqALrZ-6havnMxe9kGyDIgpMOk_PAl2VOehYoO5DRykjAaBq_JQM4l2neR-t4u7UY_ua8bl9hT9rS2SqK5sMvFkRKtrPPLoLiSRj0mUpXuWos4FHuYSebb-jwE5IfL-AA0-W-3DOmk7P1iNV-tCk/w400-h240/DWG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://devonwargames.blogspot.com/2024/03/camperdown-attack-of-leeward-division.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Devon Wargames Group - Camperdown, Attack of the Leeward Division, 'Kiss Me, Hardy'</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, I came away thoroughly content that I think I've found two sets of rules that allow for the sweet spot for a particular size of game with multiple players to be catered for as required allowing me much more flexibility around player numbers and time to play any given scenario or big battle, without losing the drama and narrative I look for in a good game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">More anon</div><div style="text-align: left;">JJ</div><p></p>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-78448380455191605142024-03-08T23:14:00.000-08:002024-03-08T23:14:40.397-08:00All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Six<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aj-_zSU_gctBSz_dWi7mMh9TDpKnbZWvqsjXKUaN7BPr5zwDCd2S6HT4lVCYX6ezcl_hKWLuHm0jrMxi5VnqWKzrLsLgENToYdEpdldrF4lak0ZHUrU64HCbkTiHoUdM1ib1zv4u6r9pJnLNVwZjbGyyFYc5PYxpEhD9-ENXcVAKpgwjXVJiUF-pHRA/s860/batavian-republic-navy-nav-images-in-publ_7e3a013eba85fbba10e98e1447571907.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="860" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aj-_zSU_gctBSz_dWi7mMh9TDpKnbZWvqsjXKUaN7BPr5zwDCd2S6HT4lVCYX6ezcl_hKWLuHm0jrMxi5VnqWKzrLsLgENToYdEpdldrF4lak0ZHUrU64HCbkTiHoUdM1ib1zv4u6r9pJnLNVwZjbGyyFYc5PYxpEhD9-ENXcVAKpgwjXVJiUF-pHRA/w640-h378/batavian-republic-navy-nav-images-in-publ_7e3a013eba85fbba10e98e1447571907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was two months ago since I last reported on progress with the Camperdown collection, and I have to admit that work in JJ's Shipyard was sporadic after Christmas with time having to be made for other activities, which included a lot of blog work preparing and posting my visit report on the Australian Artillery and Armour Museum which demanded the time to do it properly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you didn't see the last post on this project or any of the work completed so far you can follow the link below to Post No.5 and links to the preceding posts in the series.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu16xsNw8rrBG1LhRHCxqS-sEsI7N8a2QZCCo3VCUVR5DM9V1_ElVYLfAemeuVEQ9igNOLF21qXrUvvUjlKXYgiyDIoYbp-O1xQG7IHY-IhKN01a7Vl_OMsUv2zIHgN6TTcogwEmiSwqg7tYcyz3HMbstKyQfwVy62T3Wyfw-IPJGGDIfKS9wiL4BQhw/s640/thomas_luny_b1753_the_battle_of_camperdown_wm%20vignette.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu16xsNw8rrBG1LhRHCxqS-sEsI7N8a2QZCCo3VCUVR5DM9V1_ElVYLfAemeuVEQ9igNOLF21qXrUvvUjlKXYgiyDIoYbp-O1xQG7IHY-IhKN01a7Vl_OMsUv2zIHgN6TTcogwEmiSwqg7tYcyz3HMbstKyQfwVy62T3Wyfw-IPJGGDIfKS9wiL4BQhw/w400-h283/thomas_luny_b1753_the_battle_of_camperdown_wm%20vignette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/12/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project_22.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Five, The Dutch Rear Completed</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That said work has progressed not only with the next three models featured here, but with work on ideas around better presenting a battle scenario in a more manageable time frame, thus the post looking at my game with Jack and Mike play testing the rules Far Distant Ships which produced a very interesting and fun game, and a rule set I'm quite keen to develop games for going forward, again I have attached a link below if you mist my previous post from last month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hcQx2w1DcOp3akEGiMaqOLpNvmMcnKa8TO8VJ2BIpSkw5ZZ693J5IubdrA-Gyo3kW0xE8wb8KT-sV0-Rbz_kDb68u3c_I3IiJvr136F6hb-eK_ET9b4-HtSd3GetzPr2e9DrA7Kk4FnyN4OoKFFOKBadneJ46qTaFObcFb3LNCqyQz4Oq4AJq-yB6x8/s640/Header%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hcQx2w1DcOp3akEGiMaqOLpNvmMcnKa8TO8VJ2BIpSkw5ZZ693J5IubdrA-Gyo3kW0xE8wb8KT-sV0-Rbz_kDb68u3c_I3IiJvr136F6hb-eK_ET9b4-HtSd3GetzPr2e9DrA7Kk4FnyN4OoKFFOKBadneJ46qTaFObcFb3LNCqyQz4Oq4AJq-yB6x8/w400-h225/Header%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2024/02/battle-of-camperdown-leeward-division.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Camperdown - The Leeward Division Attacks, Far Distant Ships</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So it is really nice to get back to working the project and present this latest progress in the week when the blog passed <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Two Million Views</span></b>, give or take the odd 500,000 bot-crawls, but still a fun number to see after twelve years of writing and journaling my time in the hobby, which to be honest I'd be doing anyway as its amusing to look back over posts at stuff I was focussed on at such-and-such a time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">JJ's Wargames is, and continues to be, a lot of fun to produce and has been the conduit for me meeting and conversing with a lot of folks in the hobby that I might not have otherwise met or chatted with and has only added to the fun of the hobby, so thank you to everyone who has contributed over the last twelve years and, God willing, here's looking forward to the next.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHoZcmpm-9kds37RLpjyw24tfzswSWFm7BMIaPBNdQO3TM0dt2owHc5QmVmv-Cv9TMhFASKNILPUdrBe3YLbTnhhaZjAa7gXEC1wQeGFH87O1GlM0wh3JbdNUSq-M5i8izQPvzLX0y3cimr3YZLfLnPaVD5pGJAGlAV6rt6K67-cpK6euw8utabqrZHQ/s1664/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1664" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHoZcmpm-9kds37RLpjyw24tfzswSWFm7BMIaPBNdQO3TM0dt2owHc5QmVmv-Cv9TMhFASKNILPUdrBe3YLbTnhhaZjAa7gXEC1wQeGFH87O1GlM0wh3JbdNUSq-M5i8izQPvzLX0y3cimr3YZLfLnPaVD5pGJAGlAV6rt6K67-cpK6euw8utabqrZHQ/w640-h414/Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, so with the Batavian rear completed before Xmas I moved straight on to getting the centre done, with work on the fourth-rate Batavier 56-guns and the two outstanding third-rates Wassenaer 64-guns and Leijden 68-guns, which will leave just the razee Mars 44-guns and the four ships of the line in the Batavian van, after which I intend to revert back to the British and complete Admiral Duncan's windward division before finishing off the light ships of both sides.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So below we have from left to right Leijden 68-guns, Wassenaer 64-guns and Batavier 56-guns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dX_zTniwRFdGBM3f3lfp1hpHCAOq_ZqqViiu9Hz1z277LpAmXy1WfAxSWG85UXAxS-VAddcW0zyTB1MSrgZqcdyEeLogfuApYSh96iLiT4IbD4ZnQBPOG7jSWAeo_5cYih68I9cOgxqZWUnbZOJ6G8m4jfms7SyxTWvkFAFyzrVeXmL2OVhILw0ybjo/s4725/P1120157a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="4725" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dX_zTniwRFdGBM3f3lfp1hpHCAOq_ZqqViiu9Hz1z277LpAmXy1WfAxSWG85UXAxS-VAddcW0zyTB1MSrgZqcdyEeLogfuApYSh96iLiT4IbD4ZnQBPOG7jSWAeo_5cYih68I9cOgxqZWUnbZOJ6G8m4jfms7SyxTWvkFAFyzrVeXmL2OVhILw0ybjo/w640-h360/P1120157a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Batavier</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Batavier </i>was a 56-gun third-rate ship of the line laid down on the 8th September 1777 in the Amsterdam shipyard, launching on the 18th February 1779, and commissioning the following year.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyt6qtidizkHdtCuobzAWmTkZDnPwcx0Wfv9gh-TYvxE1YNgNwVLR2gWJa09n2J8BSo6EI2pdc3mU7GqTYVunkbqi_d4t5jVGxcLb65tRAwCWqz8KN6rw-AZ90VxUPjn5oLeAd6h9RxM1d8ieNwuQEaW3orvEzk_9ZJblPdG7ga6LWIx7IMmQiMWk7vTA/s3987/P1120161a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3502" data-original-width="3987" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyt6qtidizkHdtCuobzAWmTkZDnPwcx0Wfv9gh-TYvxE1YNgNwVLR2gWJa09n2J8BSo6EI2pdc3mU7GqTYVunkbqi_d4t5jVGxcLb65tRAwCWqz8KN6rw-AZ90VxUPjn5oLeAd6h9RxM1d8ieNwuQEaW3orvEzk_9ZJblPdG7ga6LWIx7IMmQiMWk7vTA/w640-h562/P1120161a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen 1048 tons (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 144 feet, 7 inches</div><div>Beam 40 feet, 10 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 16 feet, 5 inches</div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKkRdLx8NdFUP-fJCQOuqzDIIas9AhB6fLaiWaxyn3YdzOaa9toIRpKhCncxWG0iQBgNvovbEqDPJIvwZlxAXONz2Qgc2kgrv6Fh8TaOyWYIi1lwBCgnJTE_wLwD4f0rgNf7Lr1lRyuKNQhZr1Hq2lLJwulgFzVeoiBaZe46zq6KD7WyrrHibXRloeBo/s3798/P1120162a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="3798" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKkRdLx8NdFUP-fJCQOuqzDIIas9AhB6fLaiWaxyn3YdzOaa9toIRpKhCncxWG0iQBgNvovbEqDPJIvwZlxAXONz2Qgc2kgrv6Fh8TaOyWYIi1lwBCgnJTE_wLwD4f0rgNf7Lr1lRyuKNQhZr1Hq2lLJwulgFzVeoiBaZe46zq6KD7WyrrHibXRloeBo/w640-h562/P1120162a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 18-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 12-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck & Forecastle: 8 x 8-pounder long guns</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3qTM0Qt8DpIqTOVT2u_yEKuAxven1kmaXodMrThmGHNdf9fB9s83rYyiZn0YUsN3iHD_i6-OTULE_Q2gCuYF40NpLvqG25GwjrBsGks8pnkGlgTwJNmlaUdL7v79vWswQOPci0jrw5-zMJvsEZDCzzJBPNHlRU9d6Av1ZJFEDPDSmUdIp84Gbmo1DhI/s3416/P1120163a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="2558" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3qTM0Qt8DpIqTOVT2u_yEKuAxven1kmaXodMrThmGHNdf9fB9s83rYyiZn0YUsN3iHD_i6-OTULE_Q2gCuYF40NpLvqG25GwjrBsGks8pnkGlgTwJNmlaUdL7v79vWswQOPci0jrw5-zMJvsEZDCzzJBPNHlRU9d6Av1ZJFEDPDSmUdIp84Gbmo1DhI/w480-h640/P1120163a.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On 5 August 1781, <i>Batavier </i>took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank under Captain Wolter Jan Gerrit Bentinck sailing in the middle of the Dutch line, between the ships Admiraal de Ruyter and Argo. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nmwIrYM9TfH9qQT-_iv3ibvTsWXW-UpXfbNfQZeVCoHYFS0-su9g8LPGVfF7PaAZGUY8JACjIB52FNNpc2cY4Gb0REvd136e3mes7usjW2XQ2Vx9y2grJdd3bsm0lVvNeOMiu6HuDAxjDCl19yrt19CUruAB9QbWp4L538LSrO5nyV6ICRG1cdYcaGY/s2000/The_Battle_of_the_Dogger_Bank_5_August_1781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="2000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nmwIrYM9TfH9qQT-_iv3ibvTsWXW-UpXfbNfQZeVCoHYFS0-su9g8LPGVfF7PaAZGUY8JACjIB52FNNpc2cY4Gb0REvd136e3mes7usjW2XQ2Vx9y2grJdd3bsm0lVvNeOMiu6HuDAxjDCl19yrt19CUruAB9QbWp4L538LSrO5nyV6ICRG1cdYcaGY/w640-h384/The_Battle_of_the_Dogger_Bank_5_August_1781.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Dogger Bank, August 5, 1781 - Thomas Luny (National Maritime Museum)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>She was engaged by three British ships, and became unmanageable after a fire broke out. The battle, while indecisive tactically, resulted in a strategic British victory and afterwards <i>Batavier </i>was towed to Texel. Bentinck later died of wounds he received in the battle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf34WuJsu1VCtNlWWZxTuzz6QMAJ_I2UuR4BJvyu-mDsONuQHwa_EoZlpZoTQvtG9JrDyimNYn08Hc682-MvtRRv3HK_FqV5C28cEG9n095UVzSzRDI4qNw5TQz672vqJDTlY3U1Bx3wtzr3Rbs0pd1AXl69Vit35FXSXfUxhriBfUyiNEgRplFRdwZrs/s4264/P1120164a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="4264" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf34WuJsu1VCtNlWWZxTuzz6QMAJ_I2UuR4BJvyu-mDsONuQHwa_EoZlpZoTQvtG9JrDyimNYn08Hc682-MvtRRv3HK_FqV5C28cEG9n095UVzSzRDI4qNw5TQz672vqJDTlY3U1Bx3wtzr3Rbs0pd1AXl69Vit35FXSXfUxhriBfUyiNEgRplFRdwZrs/w640-h540/P1120164a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On 11th October 1797 <i>Batavier </i>took part in the Battle of Camperdown under Captain Jan Jacob Souter. Early in the battle, the ship was under heavy fire, but soon she drifted off, and she eventually left the scene and fled to Texel.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-RWeSvNO2Ir30yq4c5ceJGFvsXb5Ng_KT8nPAFLDep-TVQgYnMYBhqsgBSHrdTGYUOPoALXaGWJa8Enyu-pynQQ19UZ1OBpQg2_0vCyAf2mLMOHXdz4Ue0oLXpKTtJsShWKve_s9OT8XdVAtwxolBnBFmLqvrrV22WBh6_gz7xEaZ95cLm6GYPSgaCU/s1537/Batavier%20Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1045" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-RWeSvNO2Ir30yq4c5ceJGFvsXb5Ng_KT8nPAFLDep-TVQgYnMYBhqsgBSHrdTGYUOPoALXaGWJa8Enyu-pynQQ19UZ1OBpQg2_0vCyAf2mLMOHXdz4Ue0oLXpKTtJsShWKve_s9OT8XdVAtwxolBnBFmLqvrrV22WBh6_gz7xEaZ95cLm6GYPSgaCU/w436-h640/Batavier%20Map.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battle has been raging for about half an hour and already the <i>Batavier </i>is drifting out of the line, perhaps having come off the worse after an encounter with HMS <i>Triumph </i>74-guns</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The log of the <i>Triumph </i>makes mention of her fighting two or three enemy ships, with the historical commentary suggesting <i>Cerberus </i>and <i>Vrijheid</i>, but this plan suggests <i>Batavier </i>and <i>Wassenaer </i>likely adversaries given their place in the Batavian line. <br /><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>TRIUMPH</i></b></div><div><b><i>Log. JAMES READ, Master. Official No. 3081.</i></b></div><div><b><i>October 11th.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>P.M. 1\2 past 12, Admiral Onslow began to engage the centre. About 1, Admiral Duncan engaged the van. We soon after fell in between two ships. About 2, much cut up. Ship on larboard side sheered off, came up a fresh ship. 1\2 past 2, wheel shot away.</i></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUjeU4vtldZEZrLgjAyvPAimQDZSel3MziERMkUb4WjBSvlhhTrBXPBSnH6iurWx4SoCVo7NxjD2I5RI0_WvbpCEuxzzvoMlWh3E4qe_9oMq1goomgv8jc9vEXqOulF_B_KR0OIPhidRSijqFdsNoxugwUgD7_XDnp4BvlMg8B92bDPDUxBm9tC9_ZJo/s2000/Texel,_1799_RCIN_735079.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="2000" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUjeU4vtldZEZrLgjAyvPAimQDZSel3MziERMkUb4WjBSvlhhTrBXPBSnH6iurWx4SoCVo7NxjD2I5RI0_WvbpCEuxzzvoMlWh3E4qe_9oMq1goomgv8jc9vEXqOulF_B_KR0OIPhidRSijqFdsNoxugwUgD7_XDnp4BvlMg8B92bDPDUxBm9tC9_ZJo/w640-h434/Texel,_1799_RCIN_735079.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />On the 30th August 1799 the ship was surrendered to the British fleet under Vice-Admiral Andrew Mitchell during the Vlieter Incident, so called because of the area of the Texel anchorage where the surrender occurred, that saw a breaking out of sentiment towards the House of Orange among loyalist Dutch seamen who refused to take orders from their Republican officers that led to the capitulation to the Royal Navy, including <i>Batavier </i>even though she was the only ship of the Dutch fleet where no mutiny had broken out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu7wDWnekBHsFpzoOcpM08lCjID_HK7fYmRZ0IDIK504ZoRnSnuVcx_njo2TiWw8HQmxpWuiwl2WgtJy43OgbA9Qe-0niWHxERw8946k0ambHDIe6vGz16MfYq9MVJuhjwI9iSwMo-Rdg6Yil1r-x08Y2tMXLeM06w6LsDouTXXhcHKlPhkI-_29Ekl4/s4217/P1120166a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4217" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu7wDWnekBHsFpzoOcpM08lCjID_HK7fYmRZ0IDIK504ZoRnSnuVcx_njo2TiWw8HQmxpWuiwl2WgtJy43OgbA9Qe-0niWHxERw8946k0ambHDIe6vGz16MfYq9MVJuhjwI9iSwMo-Rdg6Yil1r-x08Y2tMXLeM06w6LsDouTXXhcHKlPhkI-_29Ekl4/w640-h558/P1120166a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Wassenaer </span></b></div><br />The Wassenaar was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line was launched at the Rotterdam Naval Yard and commissioned into the Dutch Navy in 1781.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu5JHBy5jiN9e2PIn-byGt6DItCW_RyrdKqt_5H6V_CLDyJ7d6VB30AD4qWvbDpxENtKopPacIjRszGBZvAJVZVK2fZ1UwS-I6JOiVc38eCwTFM8rXPsSnSa3-q4GYN4HUhWWXBw9KVpuu58RO4vIpthGPKlqNUzxDVCk9jWXTnETFcUbSVsqR9O-qg0/s4158/P1120167a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3514" data-original-width="4158" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu5JHBy5jiN9e2PIn-byGt6DItCW_RyrdKqt_5H6V_CLDyJ7d6VB30AD4qWvbDpxENtKopPacIjRszGBZvAJVZVK2fZ1UwS-I6JOiVc38eCwTFM8rXPsSnSa3-q4GYN4HUhWWXBw9KVpuu58RO4vIpthGPKlqNUzxDVCk9jWXTnETFcUbSVsqR9O-qg0/w640-h540/P1120167a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen 1270 tons (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 158 feet, 2 inches</div><div>Beam 42 feet, 8 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 20 feet, 2.5 inches</div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9dcSGzk12jEiHQHNq3mAG3j-25bmEa4JJabm8JcWXB3Zo2sCE-GSLgBXemJrDjPPO0vY91MNjXQro6CH4kw4PhsP_SGdmqTmx9zRlLdbXm-9zXYFZyD4fhIr4p56nSXF-JG1zlxtodonmETo3ge2Mp3mhl-8P2vz4GT1caFIfUi7a7b5sW4RzervOu8/s3679/P1120168a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3425" data-original-width="3679" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9dcSGzk12jEiHQHNq3mAG3j-25bmEa4JJabm8JcWXB3Zo2sCE-GSLgBXemJrDjPPO0vY91MNjXQro6CH4kw4PhsP_SGdmqTmx9zRlLdbXm-9zXYFZyD4fhIr4p56nSXF-JG1zlxtodonmETo3ge2Mp3mhl-8P2vz4GT1caFIfUi7a7b5sW4RzervOu8/w640-h596/P1120168a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 32-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck & Forecastle: 14 x 8-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0LwjDPREDuEhXpxBmsIRSP-uXspgX-vNo0p09K7OKxq2EImpR_XbbzCygmYfdVk7VaHV4PCw0ukghmZTWrY7L9aNlNgrwJ87671IfPGDzLJ52H0MiDf8B59yVsUidwmjbaLomQaeXOKB7djDQwFwtA8QXjfPGPEyX0_tDElpkBmZ78-ZDteBLde9AAo/s800/ShipWassenaar.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0LwjDPREDuEhXpxBmsIRSP-uXspgX-vNo0p09K7OKxq2EImpR_XbbzCygmYfdVk7VaHV4PCw0ukghmZTWrY7L9aNlNgrwJ87671IfPGDzLJ52H0MiDf8B59yVsUidwmjbaLomQaeXOKB7djDQwFwtA8QXjfPGPEyX0_tDElpkBmZ78-ZDteBLde9AAo/w640-h408/ShipWassenaar.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stern of the Dutch 64-gun ship Wassenaar</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMgg5C2Sn1sG_4PBHSzDcMJPVpbOw32Mci0YuV-MlkBxuDExLSmFHWo75JJzIDpytW5EyhA59z9DTf-_3XXRla_pq7adw20XDXdBo1Kw6QMEM-u6fxqm13XSZAf7c7p4k9zTcn2LfWM9NPELieyWOhtnnClq1nXKwpp9wrYXQEA7ppLAkkEXYO3HcK_o/s3672/P1120169a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMgg5C2Sn1sG_4PBHSzDcMJPVpbOw32Mci0YuV-MlkBxuDExLSmFHWo75JJzIDpytW5EyhA59z9DTf-_3XXRla_pq7adw20XDXdBo1Kw6QMEM-u6fxqm13XSZAf7c7p4k9zTcn2LfWM9NPELieyWOhtnnClq1nXKwpp9wrYXQEA7ppLAkkEXYO3HcK_o/w444-h640/P1120169a.JPG" width="444" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 11th October 1797 the <i>Wassenaar </i>took part in the Battle of Camperdown under the command of Kapitein ter Zee Adolph Holland. Holland was killed during the battle, and his ship surrendered to HMS <i>Triumph</i>. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCuwygjsvJLUToaoZzBLTHXTL2XrqpmTDB0OA8DvuDhVI9RbWG23m82McLLFPjmocs2NZuCA6n8FdNcCPboNEgmxLHQlIDpscZ0fxJmxa8CYiDvsYoKT6c7CFECMauw0N6dAmc_3A1EQPnwnDK6FFDlfBn7FZtLT5ZOrYKiMarOt8JgN_NQMS0KiF3Co/s1504/Wassanaer%20Map%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1036" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCuwygjsvJLUToaoZzBLTHXTL2XrqpmTDB0OA8DvuDhVI9RbWG23m82McLLFPjmocs2NZuCA6n8FdNcCPboNEgmxLHQlIDpscZ0fxJmxa8CYiDvsYoKT6c7CFECMauw0N6dAmc_3A1EQPnwnDK6FFDlfBn7FZtLT5ZOrYKiMarOt8JgN_NQMS0KiF3Co/w440-h640/Wassanaer%20Map%201.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 2pm the <i>Wassenaer </i>is shown struck and <i>Triumph </i>has now moved into the battle with the Batavian van and the flagship <i>Vrijheid</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZDo6dqEm_rU05I_n9EUjzVWGS89NYU0oiFjuFrKk4nodOEfoRPptBSfe0KM6lFfRShhWZH2JgtBis-a2oGZP-6lgqkOVhC-nbkVaxNR42UChRNIYFw1PaTGEw-3rDezb-1arysG0Iv9knzAySzZqodl-WPlBooZjZHK8G1BXLLAgKuKbafnJmsC3LIo/s4285/P1120170a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3622" data-original-width="4285" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZDo6dqEm_rU05I_n9EUjzVWGS89NYU0oiFjuFrKk4nodOEfoRPptBSfe0KM6lFfRShhWZH2JgtBis-a2oGZP-6lgqkOVhC-nbkVaxNR42UChRNIYFw1PaTGEw-3rDezb-1arysG0Iv9knzAySzZqodl-WPlBooZjZHK8G1BXLLAgKuKbafnJmsC3LIo/w640-h540/P1120170a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>HMS <i>Triumph </i>then sailed on to the centre of the battle, and when the <i>Wassenaar </i>was fired on by a Dutch brig, the crew raised the Dutch colours again. But in the end they were captured again by the British.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXI1vxnZ_KIDxVa61dee2XJZnemk28WM69mdETxROmLNFDtOCbURlRQCvpCBIuWR-VEg892n0JEdvv5MyjYbYgISY64aOKpSZdQyz6OQaZE9d0b6_GygvkzfN9m9bQOwmPTWExN_GmU_IyN91WAEg3JA-SNmiwweyqwbQhY6XiTwCwDZ4c8QDvwrZlZDY/s1531/Wassanaer%20Map%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1055" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXI1vxnZ_KIDxVa61dee2XJZnemk28WM69mdETxROmLNFDtOCbURlRQCvpCBIuWR-VEg892n0JEdvv5MyjYbYgISY64aOKpSZdQyz6OQaZE9d0b6_GygvkzfN9m9bQOwmPTWExN_GmU_IyN91WAEg3JA-SNmiwweyqwbQhY6XiTwCwDZ4c8QDvwrZlZDY/w442-h640/Wassanaer%20Map%202.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 3pm, with the battle reaching a close, the <i>Wassenaer </i>is shown under the watchful eye of HMS <i>Russell 74-guns </i>as the prizes are boarded.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BwP6rGTLhurKyh7zJliw_u28QQkty9sAkiLxy-YDGWElPSCvagmFjNRJSCy5WLezDBEbEuCrnlkh2Uqh5lTCG7zoLCrigzbThVTrm9-M5p3UBUxtCb_jiBAeIepgmv0j3-yaB55FUbDMLNEVCudxCLJgREXVZPANKfQ-b7UfVm1c8z8g-vzHFYFbJqg/s4187/P1120171a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3503" data-original-width="4187" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BwP6rGTLhurKyh7zJliw_u28QQkty9sAkiLxy-YDGWElPSCvagmFjNRJSCy5WLezDBEbEuCrnlkh2Uqh5lTCG7zoLCrigzbThVTrm9-M5p3UBUxtCb_jiBAeIepgmv0j3-yaB55FUbDMLNEVCudxCLJgREXVZPANKfQ-b7UfVm1c8z8g-vzHFYFbJqg/w640-h536/P1120171a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Leijden</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The <i>Leijden </i>was a 68-gun third rate ship of the line was launched at the Amsterdam Naval Yard and commissioned into the Dutch Navy in 1786.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPl5WZzxNsFnSLZVskK2DUMVod5pMRVmXIbManaHDAtx9gTUY8hQ4c-EqOjuWsidxM2BJ7ALvT3knICSlZU-ZooageEgIlOBJXN_OyZr9AT3eUvsCQUcfJVIPIEEz8FHBMa1xd5_miATZgF-6IxLDjTh1fvf44tf91ZbuxPVP4FOXj2mnNJj6WBsY-sc/s4189/P1120172a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="4189" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPl5WZzxNsFnSLZVskK2DUMVod5pMRVmXIbManaHDAtx9gTUY8hQ4c-EqOjuWsidxM2BJ7ALvT3knICSlZU-ZooageEgIlOBJXN_OyZr9AT3eUvsCQUcfJVIPIEEz8FHBMa1xd5_miATZgF-6IxLDjTh1fvf44tf91ZbuxPVP4FOXj2mnNJj6WBsY-sc/w640-h548/P1120172a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen 1307 tons (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 155 feet, 1 inch</div><div>Beam 42 feet, 10 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 18 feet, 7 inches</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8IMTz9qPe1wnOTdKTC8vzT1jSHBXsKXK_cFeEgPaSoxixYXSmecakdE_z90SkV-DvroPWZp9akN6olt2hFKI9zbrcmAPmAVKQKdIOTz1fPkONjBIqtcr9p4vzAmNJyPTwT0eGa0s2361Cs6NPU0MJ8XrM7Y3RI-By0jnigLqdpnCGhnR0QcBGzWBSDg/s3822/P1120173a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="3822" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8IMTz9qPe1wnOTdKTC8vzT1jSHBXsKXK_cFeEgPaSoxixYXSmecakdE_z90SkV-DvroPWZp9akN6olt2hFKI9zbrcmAPmAVKQKdIOTz1fPkONjBIqtcr9p4vzAmNJyPTwT0eGa0s2361Cs6NPU0MJ8XrM7Y3RI-By0jnigLqdpnCGhnR0QcBGzWBSDg/w640-h588/P1120173a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 32-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck & Forecastle: 16 x 8-pounder long guns</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaR64dDNMDSNn8ih5rAvUW8NXHg8eeDTMbyAbZMUFi0OPsIsXupr79SWalIrLVlf79QXwnu_JAl7BcBR0hMHcBclyyWdheQsagq1_hiLjS1mYvlEePpfjnRPHZNp9ChGUFGdiXKjSyhVh5YegGE3ZAXEysDxGxlOrvB123mbGRhJb7Si2Gzt-HZAhKc8/s3485/P1120174a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3485" data-original-width="2471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaR64dDNMDSNn8ih5rAvUW8NXHg8eeDTMbyAbZMUFi0OPsIsXupr79SWalIrLVlf79QXwnu_JAl7BcBR0hMHcBclyyWdheQsagq1_hiLjS1mYvlEePpfjnRPHZNp9ChGUFGdiXKjSyhVh5YegGE3ZAXEysDxGxlOrvB123mbGRhJb7Si2Gzt-HZAhKc8/w454-h640/P1120174a.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the 11th October 1797 the <i>Leijden </i>took part in the Battle of Camperdown under the command of Kapitein ter Zee J. D. Musquetier.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLvHW_ysUIS275Oyk0PJ2mR5WnE0ucuwr16xSpQ88CyPQp7VO51T34cPJmR8XvV7Pl3XDQC8UeyDEuo-Apw9DYgUXIuWVrBgtvwRNlV44c0oWzgIuib0Ea8F7BlZWKv4bGJKAfc1y4xrwKtUfgBq3HNrN02D1cRsvNmXLZuDUnh0g05kdr0Nf_9yrUSM/s4896/P1120175.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLvHW_ysUIS275Oyk0PJ2mR5WnE0ucuwr16xSpQ88CyPQp7VO51T34cPJmR8XvV7Pl3XDQC8UeyDEuo-Apw9DYgUXIuWVrBgtvwRNlV44c0oWzgIuib0Ea8F7BlZWKv4bGJKAfc1y4xrwKtUfgBq3HNrN02D1cRsvNmXLZuDUnh0g05kdr0Nf_9yrUSM/w640-h480/P1120175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As with the <i>Batavier</i>, the <i>Leijden </i>soon fell out of the Batavian Line of Battle in company with the razee <i>Mars </i>and together they made their way out and back to the Texel.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9-a2xx1iBbNtIatTz0eLERqlYTTxLTrH7B7dxDZeEeMAGCGINPlE-K5C_6jSGoY0G-R38xBSpzB5iZDmDS0_xiBXDZuKFy-8VpL7TIPqVk6HpatKO5Vn_EZ0sqpn62wGks5Esa2ohAOjtDC2nkeeXshf2IcjeBl2CbTAQtQcsNJHhFPsunLWM_vFwAs/s1531/Leijden%20Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9-a2xx1iBbNtIatTz0eLERqlYTTxLTrH7B7dxDZeEeMAGCGINPlE-K5C_6jSGoY0G-R38xBSpzB5iZDmDS0_xiBXDZuKFy-8VpL7TIPqVk6HpatKO5Vn_EZ0sqpn62wGks5Esa2ohAOjtDC2nkeeXshf2IcjeBl2CbTAQtQcsNJHhFPsunLWM_vFwAs/w440-h640/Leijden%20Map.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battle is lost and the <i>Leijden </i>in company with <i>Mars </i>makes good her escape</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H9OW_erZ4q-nlLEDcrSj2pEJeVhm2R0MiqAtZqifkG0Vi6lXTmanNAXHa5Xuihio_recao-rMJiPZW84GQIsnHa-etAgjn7pg9sNuCv0lcaindLjVLyi6veVC_ssafLHhqhKlt_O10uECUsgxOljK_LRzLuSqz9XyT6DWtPI4nSiqwiQWsGFZkP5ikA/s4028/P1120176a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3371" data-original-width="4028" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H9OW_erZ4q-nlLEDcrSj2pEJeVhm2R0MiqAtZqifkG0Vi6lXTmanNAXHa5Xuihio_recao-rMJiPZW84GQIsnHa-etAgjn7pg9sNuCv0lcaindLjVLyi6veVC_ssafLHhqhKlt_O10uECUsgxOljK_LRzLuSqz9XyT6DWtPI4nSiqwiQWsGFZkP5ikA/w640-h536/P1120176a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Likewise the <i>Leijden </i>would suffer the same fate as the <i>Batavier</i>, surrendering on the 30th August 1799 at the Texel to the British fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Andrew Mitchell.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG-mwkULRzRIwpyEJqN-xfLNSHeHMPEy43ArLIFg02IjlCMgm8Rngq1836G1C7c9c3VVFj87tXKOPOIRZJKmvip31wIwmpTphGKgGm82klShd2DbwlhFMkQa6ABw8InFK4Lq0OYZV8-c1GnKWXDGLMKdREJ23QxFk55qTbrXc4XVqyjhZismil4LyfHg/s4724/P1120160a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="4724" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG-mwkULRzRIwpyEJqN-xfLNSHeHMPEy43ArLIFg02IjlCMgm8Rngq1836G1C7c9c3VVFj87tXKOPOIRZJKmvip31wIwmpTphGKgGm82klShd2DbwlhFMkQa6ABw8InFK4Lq0OYZV8-c1GnKWXDGLMKdREJ23QxFk55qTbrXc4XVqyjhZismil4LyfHg/w640-h346/P1120160a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div>Work now moves on to the next three ships, the razee Mars, and the two third-rates Hercules and Gelijkheid.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm off to the Devon Wargames Group club meeting today to run The Attack of the Leeward Division at Camperdown, this time using Kiss Me, Hardy instead of Far Distant Ships, catering for more players, and it will give me an opportunity to compare and contrast the game it produces in comparison with that played last month using FDS. </div><div><br /></div><div>More anon</div><div><br /></div><div>JJ </div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-72268762580355991202024-03-01T23:37:00.000-08:002024-03-01T23:38:38.757-08:00Madeira 2024 - Some Winter Sun, Sea, Scenery, History and Wargaming Contemplation.<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOd_zDZJ4ykTMeXCfxAOxGMlffuVWb_MZTJyQaidnxsrFf8Ea9vJzuBCyaNnpW_S94EQxc7l1FzJks-0I_51xR3_wuJRfPnTKCQ9MFdFB1XPasoSPYEoaCYLJR7-J7KawKKG-3cWa2GlEYsTJQMXYdfDlpevJJy4l0FoVGVEIYTyr-TnhAUbocJHjadI/s1500/Madeira_Edward%20Poynter_Funchal%20Morning%20Sun_19th%20century.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1500" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOd_zDZJ4ykTMeXCfxAOxGMlffuVWb_MZTJyQaidnxsrFf8Ea9vJzuBCyaNnpW_S94EQxc7l1FzJks-0I_51xR3_wuJRfPnTKCQ9MFdFB1XPasoSPYEoaCYLJR7-J7KawKKG-3cWa2GlEYsTJQMXYdfDlpevJJy4l0FoVGVEIYTyr-TnhAUbocJHjadI/w640-h434/Madeira_Edward%20Poynter_Funchal%20Morning%20Sun_19th%20century.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funchal Morning Sun by Edward Poynter.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last week, Carolyn and I caught a plane from Bristol to fly south to the beautiful Portuguese island or more precisely, archipelago of Madeira, out in the Atlantic, just off the North African coast of Morocco, to enjoy a bit of warmer weather after enduring quite a cold last few months here in the UK and in need of a bit of sunshine. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Madeira, originally uninhabited, was claimed by Portuguese sailors in the service of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1419 and settled after 1420. It is a popular year-round resort, particularly for fellow Portuguese, but also British (148,000 visits in 2021), and Germans (113,000).<div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRqC7-yiEWxfRokyjX6pf9VbDc6ZG8QJGTO0B7UiX-E6zvWru6Gkdqwk_12t_Q4Eg_tpL3eUxtSsIrMo07GgaTBaWKetubwnaScdz_Lc7-6sa237K85AxPAoqYQKQFOZ5-sWKwVeuKQKrPtU8LPh94C8QjrBN605nfnwcwI_w8na0DfYMi3kJrjmkgrU/s1920/Madiera.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1920" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRqC7-yiEWxfRokyjX6pf9VbDc6ZG8QJGTO0B7UiX-E6zvWru6Gkdqwk_12t_Q4Eg_tpL3eUxtSsIrMo07GgaTBaWKetubwnaScdz_Lc7-6sa237K85AxPAoqYQKQFOZ5-sWKwVeuKQKrPtU8LPh94C8QjrBN605nfnwcwI_w8na0DfYMi3kJrjmkgrU/w640-h332/Madiera.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">The Portuguese autonomous Island of Madeira, an island paradise, often described as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, and there are historic links between the two. A famine in 1846 forced many Madeirans to emigrate with a large population moving to Hawaii and in 1902 in Honolulu, there were 5,000 Portuguese people, mostly Madeirans. In 1910 this grew to 21,000.</div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>It is by far the most populous and densely populated Portuguese island. The region is noted for its Madeira wine, flora, and fauna, with its pre-historic laurel forest, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main harbour in Funchal has long been the leading Portuguese port in cruise liner dockings, and is an important stopover for Atlantic passenger cruises between Europe, the Caribbean and North Africa.</div><div><br /><div>This would be our first visit to Madeira and we were really looking foreword to visiting it as well as enjoying the warmer climate it offered, with an opportunity to explore the history, enjoy the food and of course Madeira wine and take in a bit of walking for which the island has some amazing country walks that follow the famous mini-canals, levadas, that irrigate the dry southern half of the island with the copious rainfall from the northern half.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUXnbFTIySAKCL3atA72V8pzbgKqlPxsGx49EMlTkhahy-fv3bRWaVoYOD0dOkk5IG_cCU4bmCTK8FZZw1df0UVYE-BvFWiI3nXJHSRzHc2EjBMrLZsL6csbDxJ9YiPluqZGEQvz0ks_3Nlmq86n1uonCzx3YS2gPwAKv5gGR6mjTipJIOIo-J4MrDuw/s1081/Madiera%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1081" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUXnbFTIySAKCL3atA72V8pzbgKqlPxsGx49EMlTkhahy-fv3bRWaVoYOD0dOkk5IG_cCU4bmCTK8FZZw1df0UVYE-BvFWiI3nXJHSRzHc2EjBMrLZsL6csbDxJ9YiPluqZGEQvz0ks_3Nlmq86n1uonCzx3YS2gPwAKv5gGR6mjTipJIOIo-J4MrDuw/w640-h516/Madiera%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had booked ourselves an apartment in the island capital, Funchal, which also had an underground carpark for our hire car which we collected on our arrival at the air port before starting our drive into the city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKyj1V4z74YcwPMGI1YBg-j7XgAdAj_quLbLlqYBZ0Ipuj7rv5F3qvAalstInwqiFdu9wqrRCSkh6i8hWOL08TkyqaLh5vO0NXpVULEMomBMfdvQvsQiiFPWOZWu8wArt6IXFbmiLsF_46a4yoQTONVRGf-V1korMGJzIKYbP9t97lDi7IuncHobCOPo/s996/Madiera%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="996" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKyj1V4z74YcwPMGI1YBg-j7XgAdAj_quLbLlqYBZ0Ipuj7rv5F3qvAalstInwqiFdu9wqrRCSkh6i8hWOL08TkyqaLh5vO0NXpVULEMomBMfdvQvsQiiFPWOZWu8wArt6IXFbmiLsF_46a4yoQTONVRGf-V1korMGJzIKYbP9t97lDi7IuncHobCOPo/w640-h458/Madiera%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As with all these kind of adventures you can plan and prepare as much as you like but it is not until you get there that you can really understand the opportunities and the challenges that present, and Madeira proved to be right up there with the best in terms of both.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HvuRDPJ5dSnHZ2qEDpPZEJBMtaBhtYVKg4ehIdI3V_gpSxxfEyORCPRkXNSOuheh9OS55O3HEMASeVjxwjsbRIUZGfxS6GN6dw6kaJjZSO9NsVmE_RSqkTUQlAO8SIbVmVsOlVIrwJPh_8oKC_ltfYlNV0yRKVI-8VnIJhxI4CFjkx2tandJmdqgvDU/s4032/20240217_183736a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HvuRDPJ5dSnHZ2qEDpPZEJBMtaBhtYVKg4ehIdI3V_gpSxxfEyORCPRkXNSOuheh9OS55O3HEMASeVjxwjsbRIUZGfxS6GN6dw6kaJjZSO9NsVmE_RSqkTUQlAO8SIbVmVsOlVIrwJPh_8oKC_ltfYlNV0yRKVI-8VnIJhxI4CFjkx2tandJmdqgvDU/w640-h480/20240217_183736a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The engines are throttled back as we begin our descent to Madeira airport</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Madeira is a volcanic pinnacle of an island with a spine of mountains forming the summit of this large rock sat in the North Atlantic just off North Africa, with what little flat ground there is at an absolute premium.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFdS_EblkoCtf3YVNYnWTGWk8H9VZowFOLEl8-W-S38xKLCF2Qikcivxq-y4DwrF2qSglIe-7DFINBjFdXe-qgoxkXppuKxeVcROpoFNZqBL8jemo1q3hN81OoTAC5MgP6g7u6oeb7c90i-wyQ_L91KBRZ6St1542PlgnxJV17Yr-5W4qZcZu7O_sEFg/s4032/20240217_184121a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFdS_EblkoCtf3YVNYnWTGWk8H9VZowFOLEl8-W-S38xKLCF2Qikcivxq-y4DwrF2qSglIe-7DFINBjFdXe-qgoxkXppuKxeVcROpoFNZqBL8jemo1q3hN81OoTAC5MgP6g7u6oeb7c90i-wyQ_L91KBRZ6St1542PlgnxJV17Yr-5W4qZcZu7O_sEFg/w640-h480/20240217_184121a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we break through the cloud base I get my first view of the island</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This was only too obvious when I got my first view of the airport precariously perched on one of these rare flat coastal ledges and in the last twenty years has seen a massive construction programme that has seen the rerouting of all the principle island roads through a series of rather long and deeply dug road tunnels, some two or three kilometres in length that have been driven into the volcanic pumice and in the case of our drive from the airport into Funchal reduced a journey from over two hours before 2000, to the fifteen to twenty minutes it takes today. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtJJR0C4y3kS_X5mPShTVyM0g_9UoFbntbBWI26l6Zsb1QV91TbhxqpO0xd8btN2ws7LEffWzsLxLhZFhvRdA8CHTlSU9zNL1hS01bRWE4texwyO0ZNp2M3oQhUxc-YLaUlPdqQAQevVzL8LjSir6ncCttiHafbrob3K1QtALfIzK-73ZEdj0qZpS9ns/s3024/20240217_184413a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="3024" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtJJR0C4y3kS_X5mPShTVyM0g_9UoFbntbBWI26l6Zsb1QV91TbhxqpO0xd8btN2ws7LEffWzsLxLhZFhvRdA8CHTlSU9zNL1hS01bRWE4texwyO0ZNp2M3oQhUxc-YLaUlPdqQAQevVzL8LjSir6ncCttiHafbrob3K1QtALfIzK-73ZEdj0qZpS9ns/w640-h322/20240217_184413a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the base leg before final approach into Madeira airport, like all manmade constructions in the island, having to make best use of the limited flat ground near the coast, with even the main coastal highway running under the runway beneath the concrete pillars, far right, a road I would drive along the next day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />However much of the charm of Madeira is the timeless aspects of its scenery and architecture, with the view depicted in the header of a morning sun over Funchal by the nineteenth century painter Edward Poynter easily visualised in modern day Funchal, but of course combined with the twenty-first century requirements of getting cars to be able to drive down narrow streets designed for horses and buggies, and on streets with an incline that demands perfect clutch control, without burning the thing out, often to avoid cars simply parked on any flat space available that doesn't have something in the way preventing such abandonment. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhVoV7twXMUvgpGSRzYezSqAr3-uNmJ-hZVOQPKOu5JqRpLA3mCsMiiJOxNTSmwGS8pnFdYVhDVMJ30gFe_k7RabQslhaid2kiVsKhQH34Nrhyphenhyphenhp1Iz3gaAZvNhFndWbsClcVYk9KiQW3BZs_M4JgYJNRua8mut5P656uQVR0l0XAHtaDgquwgYdrGc8/s4000/20240225_142405a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhVoV7twXMUvgpGSRzYezSqAr3-uNmJ-hZVOQPKOu5JqRpLA3mCsMiiJOxNTSmwGS8pnFdYVhDVMJ30gFe_k7RabQslhaid2kiVsKhQH34Nrhyphenhyphenhp1Iz3gaAZvNhFndWbsClcVYk9KiQW3BZs_M4JgYJNRua8mut5P656uQVR0l0XAHtaDgquwgYdrGc8/w296-h640/20240225_142405a.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road leading up from Funchal town to our apartment, up which we walked most evenings back from our dinner restaurant, with the steps at the top of the path, given our nickname 'the devils staircase' in memory of a similar climb over a volcanic hump on the volcanic Tongariro walk in New Zealand. Oh and this is one of the wide streets! Note the bollards and railings to stop locals parking on the pavement.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDhKTYWORUm4xvVGnUgJRcOaDoDyypt0MA7jBpN5q7iIeV4CalAlcQwl9D1D4vnuQjdoSI64U9k6D7CwGx8cSOpguo3IfzPSv-RVWde3HVas1xY-aBxWPsBfq62xR7f54ZILSP7bYqLvDd427yC9r-ySkuemdqPAs44EcNX4Nok88cTVI1jB33P2b0PA/s4000/20240225_131421a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDhKTYWORUm4xvVGnUgJRcOaDoDyypt0MA7jBpN5q7iIeV4CalAlcQwl9D1D4vnuQjdoSI64U9k6D7CwGx8cSOpguo3IfzPSv-RVWde3HVas1xY-aBxWPsBfq62xR7f54ZILSP7bYqLvDd427yC9r-ySkuemdqPAs44EcNX4Nok88cTVI1jB33P2b0PA/w640-h296/20240225_131421a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palace and Fort of São Lourenço was built in the 16th century by order of King Dom Manuel I. It was modified several times from 1566, when it fell to a landward attack by French corsairs, seeing extra bulwarks added in the 17th century, to become the main residence of the captains and military governors of the island.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div>Simply put, getting around in Madeira can be one of the challenges, but I would argue that the opportunity to explore an amazing paradise, populated by the most lovely and friendly people, with views, historic architecture, cuisine and the history of the place, combined with a glorious climate would explain that our nine days was not enough and we have put a date in the diary for a return visit in the not too distant future.</div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp4R3gkqFk5As_BY6dpR5WpPi2WziJZAnJceyPzVY6EE-qzBrjs-IDtHsVaZ6hwDbBrUynC8iX6fTifOBIIJCUAbXice5M4TWvju4sNGUmS5B_QGeHX_m6bmS8mappyyu9a5dcvYvSe9qWhO-zPpgIQlH0Vz2ExdRa2yE_PY5PV1amR_c-Z9vTgIyWxE/s4000/20240225_131647a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp4R3gkqFk5As_BY6dpR5WpPi2WziJZAnJceyPzVY6EE-qzBrjs-IDtHsVaZ6hwDbBrUynC8iX6fTifOBIIJCUAbXice5M4TWvju4sNGUmS5B_QGeHX_m6bmS8mappyyu9a5dcvYvSe9qWhO-zPpgIQlH0Vz2ExdRa2yE_PY5PV1amR_c-Z9vTgIyWxE/w640-h296/20240225_131647a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The palace is one of several fortifications to be seen in Funchal, illustrating the struggle in previous centuries to protect the island's wealth creating trade, initially in sugar, from marauding French, Spanish and North African Corsairs, eventually managed with the ancient alliance between Portugal and Britain that offered protection from attacks by the Royal Navy.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned Madeira was discovered by the Portuguese and in 1418, two captains, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira exploring under service of Prince Henry the Navigator, were driven off course by a storm to an island they named Porto Santo (English: holy harbour) in gratitude for divine deliverance from a shipwreck.<br /><br />The following year, Zarco and Vaz organised an expedition with Bartolomeu Perestrello. The trio travelled to the island and claimed it on behalf of the Portuguese Crown and established a settlement. The new settlers observed "a heavy black cloud suspended to the southwest" and upon investigation discovered the larger island they called Madeira.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi2ZUnXasfYZiwRDMqrcM9e7b8GhpNhgxc_D7ntY3D0wwnoUowVqGlJzoEc9plSJrzC78NeYIMLav_uKMx5SPEO956MZJttfyggL-pATHlV9Csgoqy9JelavGSHEee8f0w81NsAoEcgFJo2hMkWn0JxhFcCd8dtYSuO3Y-vs1nEhmYBDTN6lmVuL7Bmo/s4000/20240218_113046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi2ZUnXasfYZiwRDMqrcM9e7b8GhpNhgxc_D7ntY3D0wwnoUowVqGlJzoEc9plSJrzC78NeYIMLav_uKMx5SPEO956MZJttfyggL-pATHlV9Csgoqy9JelavGSHEee8f0w81NsAoEcgFJo2hMkWn0JxhFcCd8dtYSuO3Y-vs1nEhmYBDTN6lmVuL7Bmo/w640-h296/20240218_113046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sugarcane production was the primary engine of the island's economy, which quickly afforded the Funchal metropolis economic prosperity. The production of sugar cane attracted adventurers and merchants from all parts of Europe, especially Italians, Basques, Catalans, and Flemish. This meant that, in the second half of the fifteenth century, the city of Funchal became a mandatory port of call for European trade routes.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdyIxYJPac84_ShvYCk1Q3S4yvXctkNihNPDFsYBxFqAETnoh0NI2BmZjzspipfgwqHrKP6J5SaB7u3MJkUxtjOID6gze3bhjMZWSeGE-2MEKhGfsLs26hGxHePbATuZxVJrk8OCb6KFTd3xewHmncKMxDUg7mjncW6CxOCn_gzBbB4ENYiDg1RZT0yw/s4000/20240218_112044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdyIxYJPac84_ShvYCk1Q3S4yvXctkNihNPDFsYBxFqAETnoh0NI2BmZjzspipfgwqHrKP6J5SaB7u3MJkUxtjOID6gze3bhjMZWSeGE-2MEKhGfsLs26hGxHePbATuZxVJrk8OCb6KFTd3xewHmncKMxDUg7mjncW6CxOCn_gzBbB4ENYiDg1RZT0yw/w296-h640/20240218_112044.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the 17th century, as Portuguese sugar production was shifted to Brazil, São Tomé and Príncipe and elsewhere, Madeira's most important commodity product became its wine. Sugar plantations were replaced by vineyards, originating in the so-called ‘Wine Culture’, which acquired international fame<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjH8m2ivBGYkOJ7aLOeaX39mLNYBOzKPKBMP3UVEwq_MCRXj4sDhxueSnsIuja35agDrSAF2qyAWWr8UXyJwEHUzMwnhpzcw1QcFaR9F-L_THebuYyfsKxtCSU1sQ1u75BUkfMSHWe0HMeFJE7J333XQiSHlyXj6iohhGX-qu6TKjkach6SowCnv37-w/s4000/20240218_133028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjH8m2ivBGYkOJ7aLOeaX39mLNYBOzKPKBMP3UVEwq_MCRXj4sDhxueSnsIuja35agDrSAF2qyAWWr8UXyJwEHUzMwnhpzcw1QcFaR9F-L_THebuYyfsKxtCSU1sQ1u75BUkfMSHWe0HMeFJE7J333XQiSHlyXj6iohhGX-qu6TKjkach6SowCnv37-w/w640-h296/20240218_133028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With the increase of commercial treaties with England, important English merchants settled on the Island and, ultimately, controlled the increasingly important island wine trade, consolidating the markets from North America, the West Indies and England itself. The Madeira Wine became very popular and it is said to have been used in a toast during the Declaration of Independence by the Founding Fathers of the United States.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuN8XQzdYdNBiVIJT2fM_LD73giPw8lu47lBiryrXOuoE01cLQCG9cWUDwTC-EP0RkpuQ3FGtv7vzxbSBerLq6_68C5n1Qupkrsu6Pjv_HlJcg24DEQbAWnlBQ9JUQkD-I_NGFP6xGDD-ZW03OFYrs0pbW7OzKwLTdYOqsranMmWKaaYzSPrno-FiuoE/s4000/20240225_190439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuN8XQzdYdNBiVIJT2fM_LD73giPw8lu47lBiryrXOuoE01cLQCG9cWUDwTC-EP0RkpuQ3FGtv7vzxbSBerLq6_68C5n1Qupkrsu6Pjv_HlJcg24DEQbAWnlBQ9JUQkD-I_NGFP6xGDD-ZW03OFYrs0pbW7OzKwLTdYOqsranMmWKaaYzSPrno-FiuoE/w296-h640/20240225_190439.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found some great restaurants during our stay, and the fish and seafood is another level in Madeira</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The British first amicably occupied the island in 1801 whereafter Colonel William Henry Clinton became governor. A detachment of the 85th Regiment of Foot under Lieutenant-colonel James Willoughby Gordon garrisoned the island.</div><div><br /></div><div> After the Peace of Amiens, British troops withdrew in 1802, only to reoccupy Madeira in 1807 until the end of the Peninsular War in 1814. </div><div><br /></div><div> In 1856, British troops recovering from cholera, and widows and orphans of soldiers fallen in the Crimean War, were stationed in Funchal, Madeira.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcJRUSc3ADLS7uUSyY9za5EuAQvJr1neNqq7w3_V86miKOtikUTs1atNSL_n2os3xV_2BnGZ-Aw7P-CXjLLV_LmXz3H1Mouzw692Jzy-pr7kmtkXWXUcW4j1L9PHnfMCtG8lGvVJuq2htcnbHhmmC2EL2bdIw7ZzdrQgAjnWLTYL30gCuP0gtmSi2_tY/s4000/20240218_114526.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcJRUSc3ADLS7uUSyY9za5EuAQvJr1neNqq7w3_V86miKOtikUTs1atNSL_n2os3xV_2BnGZ-Aw7P-CXjLLV_LmXz3H1Mouzw692Jzy-pr7kmtkXWXUcW4j1L9PHnfMCtG8lGvVJuq2htcnbHhmmC2EL2bdIw7ZzdrQgAjnWLTYL30gCuP0gtmSi2_tY/w640-h296/20240218_114526.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a weekend festival in full swing when we arrived and live music going on everywhere with this band drawing quite a crowd, and striking up with a Roy Orbison hit, 'Anything You Want, You Got It', when we arrived. They must have known I'm a fan of the late great Mr 'O'.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />During the Great War on 3 December 1916, a German U-boat, SM U-38, captained by Max Valentiner, entered Funchal harbour on Madeira and sank three ships, bringing the war to Portugal by extension. The ships sunk were:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>CS Dacia (1,684 tonnes or 1,856 short tons), a British cable-laying vessel. Dacia had previously undertaken war work off the coast of Casablanca and Dakar. It was in the process of diverting the German South American cable into Brest, France.</li><li>SS Kanguroo (2,262 tonnes or 2,493 short tons), a French specialized "heavy-lift" transport.</li><li>Surprise (620 tonnes or 680 short tons), a French gunboat. Her commander and 34 crewmen (including 7 Portuguese) were killed.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRBAa8tilulUjUG-pelLhDLRUvIBorZOMrVTS2V-yb0Bl2selhuG03mQW-CtoYjAJ5UczUKaBV8lxGT8dSXyGAakINVtp_f6YNb6Bm75aashHDYB6V25FeTjjhgJSDlYm57H-cekdnXo1tcQsjwnVZpHORQ3tMp8k_xGeoDi71PXSTNCV5jnqUyRuZ8U/s750/Coastal%20view.%20Madeira%20illustrated%20by%20A.%20Picken%201840.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="750" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRBAa8tilulUjUG-pelLhDLRUvIBorZOMrVTS2V-yb0Bl2selhuG03mQW-CtoYjAJ5UczUKaBV8lxGT8dSXyGAakINVtp_f6YNb6Bm75aashHDYB6V25FeTjjhgJSDlYm57H-cekdnXo1tcQsjwnVZpHORQ3tMp8k_xGeoDi71PXSTNCV5jnqUyRuZ8U/w640-h432/Coastal%20view.%20Madeira%20illustrated%20by%20A.%20Picken%201840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Funchal circa 1840</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After attacking the ships, U-38 bombarded Funchal for two hours from a range of about 3 kilometres (2 miles). Batteries on Madeira returned fire and eventually forced U-38 to withdraw.<br /><br />On 12 December 1917, two German U-boats, SM U-156 and SM U-157 (captained by Max Valentiner), again bombarded Funchal. This time the attack lasted around 30 minutes. The U-boats fired 40 120 and 150 mm (4.7 and 5.9 in) shells. There were three fatalities and 17 wounded; a number of houses and Santa Clara church were hit.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoTvlhHwm6n62Awb_YXAgMsgo96JPqQtGVZ_KEQst0nAdjnbiO411TbL0CiqlA1QaVxa6W0V93DNARby58egXKiy11RnpeZarBWsVtHB1cM9W6C9S85ZPrQHAPxR3KVMPB6-bYddiuGwfW7m3j_WFOIijSBOucVocrBZ47rGE0MeL0xhRfdlnq8ucnFs/s4000/20240218_112245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoTvlhHwm6n62Awb_YXAgMsgo96JPqQtGVZ_KEQst0nAdjnbiO411TbL0CiqlA1QaVxa6W0V93DNARby58egXKiy11RnpeZarBWsVtHB1cM9W6C9S85ZPrQHAPxR3KVMPB6-bYddiuGwfW7m3j_WFOIijSBOucVocrBZ47rGE0MeL0xhRfdlnq8ucnFs/w640-h296/20240218_112245.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Funchal circa 2024<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The last Austrian Emperor, Charles I, was exiled to Madeira after the war. Determined to prevent an attempt to restore Charles to the throne, the Council of Allied Powers agreed he could go into exile on Madeira because it was isolated in the Atlantic and easily guarded. He died there on 1 April 1922 and his coffin lies in a chapel of the Church of Our Lady of Monte.<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yjp7X2KCYSFeUfgpDs6b_719w5_a6y752X9LMj6wTcMonrZf_CtKr8j-Ffk-x744Kx6_OCIl5OaC_FZPCcW8ZleT76CAa9otD6BknLeDlwDDBLm1gxkQmQZuQdBNk4OixvWVg27dvF2GZiaK0Sm2QnmIpvgETNvTMz_kdZay_BFtshhY6yIlB8vSfpk/s4000/20240226_081650a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yjp7X2KCYSFeUfgpDs6b_719w5_a6y752X9LMj6wTcMonrZf_CtKr8j-Ffk-x744Kx6_OCIl5OaC_FZPCcW8ZleT76CAa9otD6BknLeDlwDDBLm1gxkQmQZuQdBNk4OixvWVg27dvF2GZiaK0Sm2QnmIpvgETNvTMz_kdZay_BFtshhY6yIlB8vSfpk/w640-h296/20240226_081650a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Funchal, seen from the terrace of our apartment.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPln25_bzwljVokb6ad3IX1wEY1Xtqz-720btu-to3icInVdWBT9yIo1vf3DXjMrXNVaYx_ZC5IAAn7trRTw2jF5UWORFs_4jiVP0yxucWUMOgcF5O2NjT3fuHTR-diIq99TUh8kTpTshameLjn_0cfOcCNQPuWgNrNsOzvmEKRO1lEwy1JDx6mq1OwsQ/s3648/20240218_112330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPln25_bzwljVokb6ad3IX1wEY1Xtqz-720btu-to3icInVdWBT9yIo1vf3DXjMrXNVaYx_ZC5IAAn7trRTw2jF5UWORFs_4jiVP0yxucWUMOgcF5O2NjT3fuHTR-diIq99TUh8kTpTshameLjn_0cfOcCNQPuWgNrNsOzvmEKRO1lEwy1JDx6mq1OwsQ/w640-h480/20240218_112330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As regular readers of the blog will know, I am a keen proponent of the joys of incorporating a love of history with a love of travel and a love of natural history and found opportunity to enjoy this alchemy in spades during our stay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg1eAUBZ8fX1mp-akCMRXo1-gjIiopplQsYF3u0xSsjwjPY4E3oGC79YF4QXuEeDesapHQDF6VymN1fFlAELMk9QGqs40_yNLPh0lqFxgKdJviwGlb4ZLti5OKs6rkVy5LWuFYFJNhSG3VuI3kNvfpWqCFbE-VM6OOk1SIJNR3M_TSYtfyrv-L2uzYgQ/s4032/20240222_123055a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="4032" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg1eAUBZ8fX1mp-akCMRXo1-gjIiopplQsYF3u0xSsjwjPY4E3oGC79YF4QXuEeDesapHQDF6VymN1fFlAELMk9QGqs40_yNLPh0lqFxgKdJviwGlb4ZLti5OKs6rkVy5LWuFYFJNhSG3VuI3kNvfpWqCFbE-VM6OOk1SIJNR3M_TSYtfyrv-L2uzYgQ/w640-h390/20240222_123055a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In Funchal on our walk down into town we would pass the old Anglican or English Cemetery, which is home to mainly British, German and American burials, with some British Commonwealth Graves, and many burials dating back to the late 18th and early nineteenth century. <div><br /></div><div>The tombstones offered a fascinating insight to the history of Madeira as a major, trade, travel and naval revictualling port, with the numerous inscriptions to British merchants, the wealthier classes from Georgian and Victorian Britain that relocated to Madeira for its obvious benefits in climate and others whose memorials prompted further research.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAKIR3jcl8fDmUubPKWvZR9WhfVh25RZzlbLL2ADJTDcZe3KRCagQm2P-puxu71gg0PXD6m0fzziMWOWoH8sZ00g-53QJazlP98o75MWTU9JFDyl6fhjdEYTk1OP_B_nJKw72z1JiQiXWvwb3R_BkBCfg8uHQfdMSXrI3qRCQZaYV8j878QOiIEoGpOs/s4032/20240222_121622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAKIR3jcl8fDmUubPKWvZR9WhfVh25RZzlbLL2ADJTDcZe3KRCagQm2P-puxu71gg0PXD6m0fzziMWOWoH8sZ00g-53QJazlP98o75MWTU9JFDyl6fhjdEYTk1OP_B_nJKw72z1JiQiXWvwb3R_BkBCfg8uHQfdMSXrI3qRCQZaYV8j878QOiIEoGpOs/w480-h640/20240222_121622.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The US Consul to Madeira, George True, only warranted a short two line notice of his death at the age of 30, in the copy of the New York Times I found recording his passing, but I was intrigued to see the memorial to him was erected by the crew and officers of the U.S.S. St Louis, especially given the date, the 22nd February 1864, in the final year of the American Civil War</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGi9Q1IOnQShl-L5L0ThGcBcgSxbLe7LbprgGGb4A9Cd19s567_BrWZQxPwcyrr5mylMZ5sct22NaP_LndaADGH5KGIGIPzPBt4-n7W7G1qaboB-y-u3yEflzYuyuueN1xgLhz2SVqUEMcAfzUJGYOFnvX0CIaW_vzkleRHham_CD3yp8irYiO06nPtw/s650/USS_Kearsarge_CSS_Alabama.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="650" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGi9Q1IOnQShl-L5L0ThGcBcgSxbLe7LbprgGGb4A9Cd19s567_BrWZQxPwcyrr5mylMZ5sct22NaP_LndaADGH5KGIGIPzPBt4-n7W7G1qaboB-y-u3yEflzYuyuueN1xgLhz2SVqUEMcAfzUJGYOFnvX0CIaW_vzkleRHham_CD3yp8irYiO06nPtw/w640-h414/USS_Kearsarge_CSS_Alabama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">A painting depicting the naval battle between the USS Kearsarge and the CSS Alabama, known as the Battle of Cherbourg 1864 - Xanthus Russell Smith</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The St. Louis was a sloop of war launched in 1828, with a compliment of 125 officers and men and armed with twenty 24-pounder smooth bore guns.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1862 she was rearmed with four 8-inch shell guns, twelve 32-pounder guns, two 20-pounder Parrott Rifles and one 12-pounder smoothbore before sailing to Cadiz, Spain, to join the Federal Squadron patrolling the Atlantic off the African coast between the Canaries and Azores in search of Confederate commerce raiders.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Af7wTfNPoF6IijGfd8Xjt_kJqWIg3BY-8T5lPmLPTOfO3PLYtr_FnwMkAFZopd89OhF0eCiA0JnJLNXtn82LWg1L6s2zmAtZPg5A9yD1X0i3r8qfExR8Yff2GgFUSurftijxcXDiZ7UA9nT3614xXTgacZFtuoBAm_HXEaIDSoJ8KzTFrbw9gh8I1w/s1280/USS%20St%20Louis%201854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1280" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Af7wTfNPoF6IijGfd8Xjt_kJqWIg3BY-8T5lPmLPTOfO3PLYtr_FnwMkAFZopd89OhF0eCiA0JnJLNXtn82LWg1L6s2zmAtZPg5A9yD1X0i3r8qfExR8Yff2GgFUSurftijxcXDiZ7UA9nT3614xXTgacZFtuoBAm_HXEaIDSoJ8KzTFrbw9gh8I1w/w640-h504/USS%20St%20Louis%201854.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The USS St Louis in 1854</td></tr></tbody></table><br />With comparisons with another famous hunt for a commerce raider, the German Graf Spee at loose in the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic in 1939, the hunt for the British built, Screw Sloop of War, CSS Alabama had similar drama, when after five successful commerce raiding expeditions in the Atlantic the Alabama was forced, after 22 months at sea and the destruction of 65 US merchant ships, to seek refitting and repairs to her boilers in the neutral French port of Cherbourg on 11th June 1864.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Alabama had been pursued for two years by the Screw Sloop of War, USS Kearsarge, who finally cornered the raider when she appeared off Cherbourg on the 14th June to initiate a blockade and telegraph for the assistance of the USS St Louis.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRXCP-sjAWImZ-B2XkIXBPM5sxG-3d_1no5LsK1lc7CZhN9X98n96STo-sK5zEUtsnNU2bsswCTfnkV43TwXyjvRicg79eDmqS3wd_rb4RD_QctUn7dKSWGp82xesgtNH62rntDa1JTgR_UyFI-jwNRQ5ZsjPKO8EXyqVlQOTy2T7cq2whoE2Uwuszuc/s800/USS%20St%20Louis%201874.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="800" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRXCP-sjAWImZ-B2XkIXBPM5sxG-3d_1no5LsK1lc7CZhN9X98n96STo-sK5zEUtsnNU2bsswCTfnkV43TwXyjvRicg79eDmqS3wd_rb4RD_QctUn7dKSWGp82xesgtNH62rntDa1JTgR_UyFI-jwNRQ5ZsjPKO8EXyqVlQOTy2T7cq2whoE2Uwuszuc/w640-h306/USS%20St%20Louis%201874.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The St Louis laid up and covered in 1874, but still bearing her masts and bowsprit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the end the St Louis would play no part in the final outcome, as the Alabama sailed on the 19th June to confront the Kearsarge, that would see the former sunk with the loss of 29 killed, 21 wounded and 70 captured, with a further forty Confederate sailors avoiding capture by being rescued by a nearby British yacht.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLg-0RoSNjWBZDqakWyWHzMV5JG31F_po5eEJn3ElwgPNPMvkKVGOQwEyD3BBmSj1UR0zvxGD-6qJVunqpNB6bmpHOSzP_z1uSzRxB2liE5JP62tCH-GufH_ZeXe3qHCgpnruI702SIyLCmidflxIS_pS_JVxMw2Oo2fDcOhJzBNrZmIm5u9A4KgIYYQ/s4032/20240222_123111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLg-0RoSNjWBZDqakWyWHzMV5JG31F_po5eEJn3ElwgPNPMvkKVGOQwEyD3BBmSj1UR0zvxGD-6qJVunqpNB6bmpHOSzP_z1uSzRxB2liE5JP62tCH-GufH_ZeXe3qHCgpnruI702SIyLCmidflxIS_pS_JVxMw2Oo2fDcOhJzBNrZmIm5u9A4KgIYYQ/w640-h480/20240222_123111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another interesting gravestone lay horizontal and broken, and I nearly overlooked its inscription recording the death of Albert Marshall, Stoker HMS Rodney, 29th January 1894, from injuries received in the performance of his . . . , the rest of the inscription lost to time.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9YOY5cAmh7F9-cHN0xfJRNwmwcTpddg2IJ_mRDi7GaMsyNJ3Rr0LG6DBqeBs9DxQNIDyv5hBi4BD-sQfTUxh9RAIuLGK5UcFXa6bsIB0KnhF0vOXQOEb1uAyd7kfAZuv4vjyM59ssihJtLAd0mhwmSkh7aNfB2MokSVbQ59H3avFTxmJMZ77UFP5FoQ/s4032/20240222_123516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9YOY5cAmh7F9-cHN0xfJRNwmwcTpddg2IJ_mRDi7GaMsyNJ3Rr0LG6DBqeBs9DxQNIDyv5hBi4BD-sQfTUxh9RAIuLGK5UcFXa6bsIB0KnhF0vOXQOEb1uAyd7kfAZuv4vjyM59ssihJtLAd0mhwmSkh7aNfB2MokSVbQ59H3avFTxmJMZ77UFP5FoQ/w480-h640/20240222_123516.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The rank of stoker was not highly regarded in the navy, which seems very unfair, as no coal burning warship was combat ready without a gang of competent stokers ready to fire up the boilers to allow the various ships commanders to perform their duties and it was often these poor chaps who were condemned to a very distressing demise, trapped below decks, should their ship succumb to excessive damage.<div><br /></div><div>Further research revealed the look of HMS Rodney in 1894, built ten years prior to the death of Albert Marshall, as one of the six Admiral Class battleships, and with HMS Rodney having the honour of being the last British battleship to carry a figurehead.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNyiAESNMVn6A7Qb5hTGs4dg4yagC_d2T6ZuVLEDM6ELdf1rG1Ff1kZ_0aKOml3-GiBzaJwBKFmw1R-glILd9aJYFXKNaaaFECa_Qi8bT3tayehVvSpA8mH5wfHjVM1EJv648gt7yqFQcLlROieLaZCZwCZhvgUHmU6vmezo3k8qalTwPQrzJBhggT14/s744/HMS_Rodney_(1884).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="744" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNyiAESNMVn6A7Qb5hTGs4dg4yagC_d2T6ZuVLEDM6ELdf1rG1Ff1kZ_0aKOml3-GiBzaJwBKFmw1R-glILd9aJYFXKNaaaFECa_Qi8bT3tayehVvSpA8mH5wfHjVM1EJv648gt7yqFQcLlROieLaZCZwCZhvgUHmU6vmezo3k8qalTwPQrzJBhggT14/w640-h504/HMS_Rodney_(1884).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>With a displacement of 10,300 tons she could barrel along at some 16 knots, with a compliment of 530 men and was armed with four breech-loading (BL) 13.5-inch main guns, six BL 6-inch guns, twelve 6-pounders and four above-water torpedo tubes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Commissioned in June 1888 with the Home Fleet, she would serve with the Channel and Mediterranean Fleets where in the latter deployment she was involved with an International Force in rescuing Ottoman Turkish soldiers and civilians from Greek insurgents during the Cretan uprising in 1897-98. She remained in service until 1909 when she was sold off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many of these tombstones record the deaths of British citizens travelling from or to home from the wider empire with Madeira fulfilling a stopover before proceeding on to the final destination, and in some cases being the final destination, with many of those concerned being relatively young, like Sarah McKenzie, just 25 years old when she died, although no date for her death is recorded here.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB4vqtkGrcv-HmzHUt_gjsQNC_77YKed5gAeFJyvRPmH73kXX2WGdfiST7ayflcXBx_U6gmqIYFXKBY_DEh3IpmYrFJBk2w5E2cETJdAgAeJbJt2QUuGzSDivKkgA4qwpXJ0UOdUeBOCfizBhp5zdKqb2NJwjMwRp_5vZQN9LAjK0DPbG3NUyE2gkeLI/s4032/20240222_122250.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB4vqtkGrcv-HmzHUt_gjsQNC_77YKed5gAeFJyvRPmH73kXX2WGdfiST7ayflcXBx_U6gmqIYFXKBY_DEh3IpmYrFJBk2w5E2cETJdAgAeJbJt2QUuGzSDivKkgA4qwpXJ0UOdUeBOCfizBhp5zdKqb2NJwjMwRp_5vZQN9LAjK0DPbG3NUyE2gkeLI/w480-h640/20240222_122250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I was equally interested in the ship recorded as providing her passage, the S.S. Arab and discovered the following manilla coloured photo of the stream ship built in 1879 for the Union Steamship Company, later transferred to the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company in 1901, and scrapped in Harburg, a suburb of Hamburg, Germany, a year later.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIQCG3ISiQ6RklXz980Y898JkI_dDeGZdI7dNUijKacQiGnysu4E8bNCk4onnOlzX-ijGH7maF2QWFat3MdD5D0nlZMX1DHX7YEnWQQYf3LEKw19eCZuMhr73Itn_Rpemp1TbYqwj8FjCUdaQmTxcgsmUZdFz6co4ul1FDC7sEYQfm5eUkE17wqq_wQs/s805/201401231240580.Arab%201879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="805" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIQCG3ISiQ6RklXz980Y898JkI_dDeGZdI7dNUijKacQiGnysu4E8bNCk4onnOlzX-ijGH7maF2QWFat3MdD5D0nlZMX1DHX7YEnWQQYf3LEKw19eCZuMhr73Itn_Rpemp1TbYqwj8FjCUdaQmTxcgsmUZdFz6co4ul1FDC7sEYQfm5eUkE17wqq_wQs/w640-h436/201401231240580.Arab%201879.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Interestingly the Arab is recorded as having brought home the New South Wales Contingent that had served in the Sudan with British forces during the Suakin Expedition 1884-85 and the campaign fought against the Mahdist forces, with the Arab arriving back in Sydney on the 19th June 1885.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Finally I came across one of the Commonwealth grave stones, recording the final resting place of Chief Shipwright RN, E. Mann, aged 45 of HMS Argonaut, 22nd June 1915.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgveCEYmwxSQIQY2QnYyLoIfXHLWDqC7KV5Wl3MSsIh_jofJR2tm-gxDBT6nswdXtW41DdfH_B0maKj7suC3RQ7xN3TFovgYhlD03xlUxU3mk_EBOj7a70eQzb3-5UR4Uyu3B43443WsD_SAtmtC1JVmXybZSdDJp6lZyAb43oxmcLa87csyo0eeCa8tM/s4032/20240222_123930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgveCEYmwxSQIQY2QnYyLoIfXHLWDqC7KV5Wl3MSsIh_jofJR2tm-gxDBT6nswdXtW41DdfH_B0maKj7suC3RQ7xN3TFovgYhlD03xlUxU3mk_EBOj7a70eQzb3-5UR4Uyu3B43443WsD_SAtmtC1JVmXybZSdDJp6lZyAb43oxmcLa87csyo0eeCa8tM/w480-h640/20240222_123930.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>HMS Argonaut was a Diadem-class protected cruiser in the Royal Navy. She was laid down in 1898, and commissioned for service on the China station in 1900. From 1906 she served in the Home Fleet, and during the First World War she served in the Atlantic. She was converted to hospital ship in 1915, and sold for breaking up in 1920.</div><div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vM4mdYwuPKAWtQtTEubPkALhJ638xLUnhCLDwYWJ6eTAxtEoqdXqUTeLsxRpaKXhxhQGNcPAvkBckXymQ39PoFf3bOT5RQVAHPfkpDrPMggJ9BeY1gGnEcvoUxitIzLKSwD_fy-2EA91a1Kv8G4yjooOmgzoTPOOuQs-TbKibkUL1GqCX-EUiJtindU/s800/HMS_Argonaut.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="800" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vM4mdYwuPKAWtQtTEubPkALhJ638xLUnhCLDwYWJ6eTAxtEoqdXqUTeLsxRpaKXhxhQGNcPAvkBckXymQ39PoFf3bOT5RQVAHPfkpDrPMggJ9BeY1gGnEcvoUxitIzLKSwD_fy-2EA91a1Kv8G4yjooOmgzoTPOOuQs-TbKibkUL1GqCX-EUiJtindU/w640-h490/HMS_Argonaut.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">HMS Argonaut, a </span><span style="text-align: left;">Diadem-class</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">protected cruiser</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the First World War Argonaut was part of the 9th Cruiser Squadron, operating in the Atlantic. The squadron was stationed off Cape Finisterre from August 1914 to July 1915. While a part of this unit, Argonaut captured the German merchant ship Graecia. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-fZUJvet-JEt9HQe92Uyk1lWWqsaTrxuWCQ9Ll1cPI3E9Y-SQhAYH0pY0P_fajYFxTWu7HUFBqFZeEcXnxMEEFYp4JRhuSY_mZq6qQoj1lRROOOaWKBPCKjk0TIqrtTW9ovbwGNNwlRnyyJNieZ-fckdEhHxgiqHiZVHoiTBmRdOYjfGY43Q7SPHBEk/s5750/NH%2089536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4368" data-original-width="5750" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-fZUJvet-JEt9HQe92Uyk1lWWqsaTrxuWCQ9Ll1cPI3E9Y-SQhAYH0pY0P_fajYFxTWu7HUFBqFZeEcXnxMEEFYp4JRhuSY_mZq6qQoj1lRROOOaWKBPCKjk0TIqrtTW9ovbwGNNwlRnyyJNieZ-fckdEhHxgiqHiZVHoiTBmRdOYjfGY43Q7SPHBEk/w640-h486/NH%2089536.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Funchal harbour, taken during the 1870s or 1880s. Four British battleships are present, among them two of the three five-masters (Minotaur, Agincourt and Northumberland). The ship at far right, partially hidden by the land, appears to be HMS Monarch.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div>Today, the harbour at Funchal has changed little from that pictured above, save for the addition of two, an inner and outer, breakwater walls, and instead of British warships now plays host to pleasure boats, whale watching catamarans and replica Santa Maria sailing ships, cruise ships and the Portuguese navy.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYkExwScitMS3OmGaGii9uMGju0qrFaNHkLcPPnoDjgRHQujD4xTrF7yncZAiIScIbvrw1k7znt0l-ucKoBVpWUk1cEzKB9SYZUkVEeXRvPFMxHfh_SYT5eiFd-xPTcUUhbTQjSprwUva13dw1R9wfGp0sxvNJk_NluioHUSbUfkkngCXYQchbdC6YV8/s4000/20240218_121113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYkExwScitMS3OmGaGii9uMGju0qrFaNHkLcPPnoDjgRHQujD4xTrF7yncZAiIScIbvrw1k7znt0l-ucKoBVpWUk1cEzKB9SYZUkVEeXRvPFMxHfh_SYT5eiFd-xPTcUUhbTQjSprwUva13dw1R9wfGp0sxvNJk_NluioHUSbUfkkngCXYQchbdC6YV8/w640-h296/20240218_121113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funchal harbour in 2024</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdMPbjeiDwPyyPEWESlLjsmw_ePoxQSoqZGWfiixU6iZiuMeu7Bg4R0dq1x7nO8c3bhvfDIo_Hi2LnV7Lh5Q5pdJwe5CSvsywHMMe1GMI-rDjVyExCaCk1LdJTOkS-V0JWe3oVktn2UvxSxQ1_8FmnGcrQNING68KsObTFkRMlFvM93wAP0BrSd75kWE/s4896/P1110819.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdMPbjeiDwPyyPEWESlLjsmw_ePoxQSoqZGWfiixU6iZiuMeu7Bg4R0dq1x7nO8c3bhvfDIo_Hi2LnV7Lh5Q5pdJwe5CSvsywHMMe1GMI-rDjVyExCaCk1LdJTOkS-V0JWe3oVktn2UvxSxQ1_8FmnGcrQNING68KsObTFkRMlFvM93wAP0BrSd75kWE/w640-h480/P1110819.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The replica Santa Maria, used for whale watching.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG9rSH_3EKwt8_JzLKLA5gDK2knqz0vzTK5SyM32DhXfcneOeEU10v2B0vLWMVZ9seo3Z_1QakuyY_ScK5ONbACYLtVEasnvvySSfiANQukIOdsN2MvXyw-vWOLsQNZ8nlsx7DpHmblfICa3ca8ZrN4P6OIiDhQ70jUU0eYXvgi_DiOJ5yY8uwqw01pg/s4000/20240221_110643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG9rSH_3EKwt8_JzLKLA5gDK2knqz0vzTK5SyM32DhXfcneOeEU10v2B0vLWMVZ9seo3Z_1QakuyY_ScK5ONbACYLtVEasnvvySSfiANQukIOdsN2MvXyw-vWOLsQNZ8nlsx7DpHmblfICa3ca8ZrN4P6OIiDhQ70jUU0eYXvgi_DiOJ5yY8uwqw01pg/w640-h296/20240221_110643.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cruise ships are in town, which heralds lots of 'Saga Louts' wondering about and time to take the car for a spin!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The great British marine artist Thomas Whitcombe 1763 to circa 1824, painted scenes from Madiera, including the picture below of the Portuguese frigate, Real Fonsor 28-guns, seen approaching Funchal.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEESmIjzPihOcFv0a3X4pUuPWPf7HscXa-K0TfPAuPrTsVL7ipjyoHYiXVx0NH8Oximes2FIfvTwXQ9PQdr08jcN9_y1h7lKWD61x1lS2C_CWmccmd1WR-5ZL-XKAln06rtm0OtjiJbbGzRryj1NnOUS0RpzBFCuLalX11TuomYE1x0sKfyLXWEDMu2UY/s1772/whitcombe-a-portuguese-frigate-off-an-island-l800-jpeg.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1772" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEESmIjzPihOcFv0a3X4pUuPWPf7HscXa-K0TfPAuPrTsVL7ipjyoHYiXVx0NH8Oximes2FIfvTwXQ9PQdr08jcN9_y1h7lKWD61x1lS2C_CWmccmd1WR-5ZL-XKAln06rtm0OtjiJbbGzRryj1NnOUS0RpzBFCuLalX11TuomYE1x0sKfyLXWEDMu2UY/w640-h422/whitcombe-a-portuguese-frigate-off-an-island-l800-jpeg.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Portuguese Navy's frigate 'Real Fonsor' shortening sail as she approaches Funchal, Madeira, with other vessels lying in the roadstead offshore. - Thomas Whitcombe dated 1812.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The photos I took from a park above the harbour, of the modern day Portuguese navy corvette, <span style="text-align: center;">António Enes, made for a great comparison to Whitcombe's classic rendition.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotAJI4gysGxnp2dJfeexRX3A9Aq642zHEhmGh6LnjpamKQQ6M-tuYcWX_V3Kk83mDvIfOXpVQiCwVoyVIqQJD6Dkzb8FnOVidEgSRPmEK7JuF2FnE-iDxepPu7DKv0_O7cTXBYRkiI5YYqhDHhKs0xhTaAxpB6UfYYVNPyw0SZ6Clz7A62leT0TAX_Yk/s4896/P1120079a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="4896" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotAJI4gysGxnp2dJfeexRX3A9Aq642zHEhmGh6LnjpamKQQ6M-tuYcWX_V3Kk83mDvIfOXpVQiCwVoyVIqQJD6Dkzb8FnOVidEgSRPmEK7JuF2FnE-iDxepPu7DKv0_O7cTXBYRkiI5YYqhDHhKs0xhTaAxpB6UfYYVNPyw0SZ6Clz7A62leT0TAX_Yk/w640-h316/P1120079a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portuguese Navy, João Coutinho-class corvette, NRP António Enes, pennant number F471, built and launched by the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia in Cartagena in August 1969, the sole survivor of a class of six such vessels, seen here operating off Funchal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo5ApErYP56FUg7rxF36uuNVHk0nGMMRbXBbsgmQgA8esxdrEE7m281Jwc19oCe5BtnR3F8XjbnrNuODPMtIIrVGSCmssz2DnsseiQKBbgAL-OK0-QzAeQWK2QRJtlYaLbHhJ09G8DPr8TaajGntv4oR0Ra3_Kqg25T-219Ro8JeDTnXWiusBT_J3GsE/s3916/P1120082a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="3916" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo5ApErYP56FUg7rxF36uuNVHk0nGMMRbXBbsgmQgA8esxdrEE7m281Jwc19oCe5BtnR3F8XjbnrNuODPMtIIrVGSCmssz2DnsseiQKBbgAL-OK0-QzAeQWK2QRJtlYaLbHhJ09G8DPr8TaajGntv4oR0Ra3_Kqg25T-219Ro8JeDTnXWiusBT_J3GsE/w640-h452/P1120082a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The António Enes are armed with 1 × twin 3 in (76 mm)/50 calibre Mk 33 guns, 1 × twin 40 mm (1.6 in)/L70 Bofors guns, Hedgehog ASW mortar, 2 × depth charge throwers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Everywhere you go in Funchal, there are reminders of its long history, with former coastal forts now converted into very nice <span style="text-align: center;">restaurants, with gun embrasures incorporated into coastal views with added historical ambiance, to living history in the form of toboggan sledge rides in traditional basket sledges dating back to the 19th century when they were used as a means of transport by the locals wanting to travel quickly from the village of Monte, now a suburb of Funchal into the city.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ccNru1Imrna6ed1Bz1dRxJAmB7kOIO-vrZsCGbIBjPtBQAeYAdFheUR37a3VOtbzbnEVtyVqlGDXUh_EcFmXoK1yqTLAA7XV3tfK2WTQ9aoJXMJ89UVj6OE_BQPgVeYJOkGFT5EPzhHvVgAYzT6TDKb5uO6lmrNSezkXpiMkL1XCKHhBCplabimfnsA/s4032/20240218_150737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ccNru1Imrna6ed1Bz1dRxJAmB7kOIO-vrZsCGbIBjPtBQAeYAdFheUR37a3VOtbzbnEVtyVqlGDXUh_EcFmXoK1yqTLAA7XV3tfK2WTQ9aoJXMJ89UVj6OE_BQPgVeYJOkGFT5EPzhHvVgAYzT6TDKb5uO6lmrNSezkXpiMkL1XCKHhBCplabimfnsA/w640-h480/20240218_150737.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Restaurante do Forte located at the (17th Century) historical fortress of São Tiago <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kWULIlhTzJrL28fW34caJltlAIaC6tR4TH1hGSZxv_M8WEUf0N01pUEjTAOi4l33P4H6bQ3Eb-GS_W30oWbXbPLZzJR35y5Ou3DyHzLPbGX55SJ2tj_bdA3J9kczq3JigR4PZQXzIrFVwuyufJSuYVx7AEDxmDu2ndpIZU0t48e0d7kRDxm9DtIWAiU/s4032/20240218_150749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kWULIlhTzJrL28fW34caJltlAIaC6tR4TH1hGSZxv_M8WEUf0N01pUEjTAOi4l33P4H6bQ3Eb-GS_W30oWbXbPLZzJR35y5Ou3DyHzLPbGX55SJ2tj_bdA3J9kczq3JigR4PZQXzIrFVwuyufJSuYVx7AEDxmDu2ndpIZU0t48e0d7kRDxm9DtIWAiU/w640-h480/20240218_150749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80ufVF0EooZNTwToG0kwlpTBLgK-fezJtxELhakBlFB9iMEVptfg5v2SEn63pWmPgGx0_7GECnSQOlUrU_4QmUW8hSdHPrCFZkuyOjp_nsNDEEwqYc13WOPtphfr1Pj7WPtr7_5wCqjBIGLUz7S69gLpAr_okbN60LhSY0MVqeIrWufG1NRxTJKLse98/s4000/20240218_141551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80ufVF0EooZNTwToG0kwlpTBLgK-fezJtxELhakBlFB9iMEVptfg5v2SEn63pWmPgGx0_7GECnSQOlUrU_4QmUW8hSdHPrCFZkuyOjp_nsNDEEwqYc13WOPtphfr1Pj7WPtr7_5wCqjBIGLUz7S69gLpAr_okbN60LhSY0MVqeIrWufG1NRxTJKLse98/w296-h640/20240218_141551.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Monte Basket Cars travel two kilometres in ten minutes with passengers safely in the hands of two drivers (the so-called carreiros), who push and guide the basket car from the rear, using their boots as brakes. This means of transport dates back to 1850 and continues today as a tourist attraction.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng6OqhjCX8HZ8sCEnh8l9t6P92ehAYwyjd4Plv8m-pXat2fqqcDSGbu1dItR9UWfZArTEIELgwrBacHfSBRwtvSJhpGyo3oXG5tA_61sW9KcPn8TrTeHUOa6rvck41uB1dn2d4QtGxopI-dOBvAYay8EzxRcf1Xuqt9xZ4aZ-pGtgd-vqdtpQuvf06B4/s4032/20240222_155803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjng6OqhjCX8HZ8sCEnh8l9t6P92ehAYwyjd4Plv8m-pXat2fqqcDSGbu1dItR9UWfZArTEIELgwrBacHfSBRwtvSJhpGyo3oXG5tA_61sW9KcPn8TrTeHUOa6rvck41uB1dn2d4QtGxopI-dOBvAYay8EzxRcf1Xuqt9xZ4aZ-pGtgd-vqdtpQuvf06B4/w640-h480/20240222_155803.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funicular railways have been replaced by cable cars, but the sledges still run.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFRbYMafebxYG8phRFdi8RvchkXIz7CkM4UnuFwBntfiiCV3X-cxLHI17s4khyoBBV-kRcQ9Bhww2ro5JsrCUzXjVJqcNLNAO8jeYG9Rmw5cLELcl5j8RruADE2hKawO0rv77uvL3Iy7um0K7F3zJFO20aODYgNEuOFlpbDaEe3ALNwdI5d5Rripvw_8/s1671/20240227_160023a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1671" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFRbYMafebxYG8phRFdi8RvchkXIz7CkM4UnuFwBntfiiCV3X-cxLHI17s4khyoBBV-kRcQ9Bhww2ro5JsrCUzXjVJqcNLNAO8jeYG9Rmw5cLELcl5j8RruADE2hKawO0rv77uvL3Iy7um0K7F3zJFO20aODYgNEuOFlpbDaEe3ALNwdI5d5Rripvw_8/w640-h420/20240227_160023a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The ride was great fun, with the drivers turning the sledges side on to sharp corners, rally car style, with watchers along the route to control other vehicles who might otherwise inadvertently drive across in front of a sledge, not such a problem back in 1850.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSJ6oVwwLzVAETGyZkLf3yXEcr-OSdF01o7TB9cLUBts-wGPyMuNLJ6O-hqEiGsAfKUKqMB3RSBYViNHv_0Gjn5HKmGnU-_kp6ugFn4eAmM5QfDUXrefq_fCQpllxZoJbAw4JJkHTiIVP0pJkX64TzR308RzPgtSq6OslmKZLx0jYFNw6w65RFTro1Jo/s4000/20240222_161522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSJ6oVwwLzVAETGyZkLf3yXEcr-OSdF01o7TB9cLUBts-wGPyMuNLJ6O-hqEiGsAfKUKqMB3RSBYViNHv_0Gjn5HKmGnU-_kp6ugFn4eAmM5QfDUXrefq_fCQpllxZoJbAw4JJkHTiIVP0pJkX64TzR308RzPgtSq6OslmKZLx0jYFNw6w65RFTro1Jo/w640-h296/20240222_161522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GbkXIaGvtCr37_L1t0U3ETWxkrndmH91r5Oa7-c72U7uEqNSIL0gTQPZVCPCVjH8M1a7ozDpW1QSKwn8yijVUS6XrUMMT9o3NKYmRGcuWnKbRKXvppCNpisaAoR3wCyLO3UHUZvsa1DqguQq7wRcmZ3cgt38dkKtfBk4x-9tIZ0iD4jJiUwawzwxJf0/s4000/20240222_161121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GbkXIaGvtCr37_L1t0U3ETWxkrndmH91r5Oa7-c72U7uEqNSIL0gTQPZVCPCVjH8M1a7ozDpW1QSKwn8yijVUS6XrUMMT9o3NKYmRGcuWnKbRKXvppCNpisaAoR3wCyLO3UHUZvsa1DqguQq7wRcmZ3cgt38dkKtfBk4x-9tIZ0iD4jJiUwawzwxJf0/w296-h640/20240222_161121.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl4os9-lfTcMHsu-32qzygCPsKpNirRrYBFIgZKs5mduAS4WjfCYLXddaLtdv_yp66EZdAC0ejS_9tqRWlM8JQa14sz92QrnOrahB28f-tUn59p-BoJBliKNT_p8krsCGSEdHlJiv-E3nFEKAFKPpE6z3SKFk-WH6_6InZ8UOJQiN92vQ4c3r18L-sZc/s1867/20240227_145546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1867" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl4os9-lfTcMHsu-32qzygCPsKpNirRrYBFIgZKs5mduAS4WjfCYLXddaLtdv_yp66EZdAC0ejS_9tqRWlM8JQa14sz92QrnOrahB28f-tUn59p-BoJBliKNT_p8krsCGSEdHlJiv-E3nFEKAFKPpE6z3SKFk-WH6_6InZ8UOJQiN92vQ4c3r18L-sZc/w640-h480/20240227_145546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 'in action' photo taken by one of the route marshals, reveals the shinny tarmac on the roads, brought to a high sheen due to the constant use of the sledges and specialised shoes, and producing a glassy surface that would be treacherous to drive on even in dry weather let alone in the wet,</td></tr></tbody></table> <div>Another great way to explore more widely in Funchal is to ride the two cable cars to the top of the town where as well as enjoying the views and using the sledges as part of the return journey, you can explore two marvellous gardens incorporating plants and trees, native to the island and from all parts of the globe.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOnP6baqgo9K8U3Ea6XsvjKqCjPp5hTRdYr9t9h0kx0stvCAMk5KgF16kYPEyTQePQz6s9_C8mKLZ9LPY2aXN7neRYbYEW8H29423dVVA1uYx5I3cNZzn9gycR05KXE_nt1nhsRktrkK8AuFC26kgWZn3JSegxoU2Q5x7Q5PmU81dEonY2zq0-OrEpvg/s4000/20240225_134749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOnP6baqgo9K8U3Ea6XsvjKqCjPp5hTRdYr9t9h0kx0stvCAMk5KgF16kYPEyTQePQz6s9_C8mKLZ9LPY2aXN7neRYbYEW8H29423dVVA1uYx5I3cNZzn9gycR05KXE_nt1nhsRktrkK8AuFC26kgWZn3JSegxoU2Q5x7Q5PmU81dEonY2zq0-OrEpvg/w296-h640/20240225_134749.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkTc39oRozg69WuljrNu2U65pUXcGCa96s8ZLg8Zsc9iO1wYYnw4qBrJlFVu9fxv9Bq9yprK4Rz0yIuB1By05zOzMMlSWdNgyZSWqakpSNZ7C0G_h2-ERIesXBKe0KtbDGjtfuwpHBUhgqcKtN-UZuQGCXqrSJl-_q3ts4ZUoXXCFX2n3MMwvXMEDrmA/s4032/20240222_141645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkTc39oRozg69WuljrNu2U65pUXcGCa96s8ZLg8Zsc9iO1wYYnw4qBrJlFVu9fxv9Bq9yprK4Rz0yIuB1By05zOzMMlSWdNgyZSWqakpSNZ7C0G_h2-ERIesXBKe0KtbDGjtfuwpHBUhgqcKtN-UZuQGCXqrSJl-_q3ts4ZUoXXCFX2n3MMwvXMEDrmA/w640-h480/20240222_141645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7MqOMV_FmQVrnuASc9EKch1FMVewpKZz_1uUR6XzUQm5rqA-hi_chHPISSXV97eKkeygE_BjsU4dYxVecPcuTykYtqkgnwrdCBnwDIfqwpKFEtFibZ7Py5bydQ3QN0RoK9pL3ev0XcHpJwlSjNeSmx-PqD1pAWLcFkYTq9eg1iqbFFsEH1vYUmQoJq0/s4032/20240222_144110.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7MqOMV_FmQVrnuASc9EKch1FMVewpKZz_1uUR6XzUQm5rqA-hi_chHPISSXV97eKkeygE_BjsU4dYxVecPcuTykYtqkgnwrdCBnwDIfqwpKFEtFibZ7Py5bydQ3QN0RoK9pL3ev0XcHpJwlSjNeSmx-PqD1pAWLcFkYTq9eg1iqbFFsEH1vYUmQoJq0/w480-h640/20240222_144110.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think it is rather sad that we still need signs like this, and I rather go with the Darwinian theme of thinning out the weakest members from the heard by natural selection, so if you are stupid enough to need this sign, perhaps the gene pool should end there.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACHeyA31PGPPRhHeZwxx1k5fj4LIj36t2kh_FbBNuczIVuZKOVIKsZtAdCTlTEYAS2fNTQl7vDM7bGvqnZS0-GfWLY7-X-Qr8nkP2Nr4jEli4CJhyphenhyphenhgTK3NthzXfy8OY4roSemUHr7AqcISh6368sNM1H-fy4cTqjmE6GksooKMIQ8wcTJFMrI9rSYJQ/s4032/20240222_144506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACHeyA31PGPPRhHeZwxx1k5fj4LIj36t2kh_FbBNuczIVuZKOVIKsZtAdCTlTEYAS2fNTQl7vDM7bGvqnZS0-GfWLY7-X-Qr8nkP2Nr4jEli4CJhyphenhyphenhgTK3NthzXfy8OY4roSemUHr7AqcISh6368sNM1H-fy4cTqjmE6GksooKMIQ8wcTJFMrI9rSYJQ/w640-h480/20240222_144506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0B6dnCD9tcoEH7m38JGiB-6VymYoJoUx8JEi6Yf_Et2CkF09uqyi99o87-QFzZidYKmoXRIN0axJ2NhCATb5wc1ueVpo9zzyI8WcrtVXHKSBZZIGHMlefycwZxtEZZjVQWt2y_5DG4Dul0oK6nJJn_M59uzqTlczHYonqQvxXnoJK_83ZLqWVR9stx8/s4032/20240222_151956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0B6dnCD9tcoEH7m38JGiB-6VymYoJoUx8JEi6Yf_Et2CkF09uqyi99o87-QFzZidYKmoXRIN0axJ2NhCATb5wc1ueVpo9zzyI8WcrtVXHKSBZZIGHMlefycwZxtEZZjVQWt2y_5DG4Dul0oK6nJJn_M59uzqTlczHYonqQvxXnoJK_83ZLqWVR9stx8/w640-h480/20240222_151956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtYE88Cv9EhkToy9PIs7-mP4f_BueaNbdzUhVmCswq07ndTfYfO8yf6lTr7RV47CYniUNWqTpN5nsv488VtwqA30dVnfue7EX9oLUtgBtmjPTtylQfkdLHf3kJKh7a1GepPoNf_5jKb-Q1KalBbazEOTJIcGeWsQIRigYxynBpop10wVGEOgHKrxk3JM/s4032/20240222_151613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtYE88Cv9EhkToy9PIs7-mP4f_BueaNbdzUhVmCswq07ndTfYfO8yf6lTr7RV47CYniUNWqTpN5nsv488VtwqA30dVnfue7EX9oLUtgBtmjPTtylQfkdLHf3kJKh7a1GepPoNf_5jKb-Q1KalBbazEOTJIcGeWsQIRigYxynBpop10wVGEOgHKrxk3JM/w640-h480/20240222_151613.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH6c7nAmAJLs0Gd0y4xO11LvjeTJndCqkVVYGSq7F9K_NP6YV7NzuIEpl39ES7YAkWjBQUVE506Hq9b69jR9OnrX6ApMUvfniL72U5L2B0RM5VcPzsjiCofh78WG88g2wPt7DwljTsxEBHN66psftkXWId3mxHTfCGIi5lJTJGl-YBZQaE5qvroa1AbU/s4032/20240222_152610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH6c7nAmAJLs0Gd0y4xO11LvjeTJndCqkVVYGSq7F9K_NP6YV7NzuIEpl39ES7YAkWjBQUVE506Hq9b69jR9OnrX6ApMUvfniL72U5L2B0RM5VcPzsjiCofh78WG88g2wPt7DwljTsxEBHN66psftkXWId3mxHTfCGIi5lJTJGl-YBZQaE5qvroa1AbU/w480-h640/20240222_152610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In addition we grabbed a boat ride to see the whales that turned out to be dolphins, and not easily seen as there were too many folks on the boat, who all wanted to be on one side of it when the one Common Dolphin showed up, and so I contented myself with a nice day out on the briny together with the odd picture of a fin and a splash!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMF4fCJ9wmQR6yOGK4j_DrHtLzPvaOsMi-1bMQcuLi6CCDFKng90r9RKs_VwVqbjY2pMmPMw2NF-gnJm0LcqYpodMl4uh3XCtm9Xuw74jFI6xwbG-8MdW-mWdgiwJqFUkj4HWhcwbAtNec-KimA3GHrUQcUFP3w39V2nWGb1Y6N9RU_8Jc2uzfoutqiU/s4896/P1110826.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMF4fCJ9wmQR6yOGK4j_DrHtLzPvaOsMi-1bMQcuLi6CCDFKng90r9RKs_VwVqbjY2pMmPMw2NF-gnJm0LcqYpodMl4uh3XCtm9Xuw74jFI6xwbG-8MdW-mWdgiwJqFUkj4HWhcwbAtNec-KimA3GHrUQcUFP3w39V2nWGb1Y6N9RU_8Jc2uzfoutqiU/w640-h480/P1110826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfmMjgh37AFdA67b0Ib237RQvlQWEogH1pxNb58qTm2R-_-NGZopcYEpyVYMa14pXyyxZmLQ60E2YCvMQDYtvc3YsYZPIMnGqVz2iUiGszUnVtVpdeZjs7L-3zaO4bNg-0NOnJypdWsnO-1oR0rSvcAbg-hDOsS6ABu9PT329CpXP1CuTW1zZ939nkFs/s4896/P1110823.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfmMjgh37AFdA67b0Ib237RQvlQWEogH1pxNb58qTm2R-_-NGZopcYEpyVYMa14pXyyxZmLQ60E2YCvMQDYtvc3YsYZPIMnGqVz2iUiGszUnVtVpdeZjs7L-3zaO4bNg-0NOnJypdWsnO-1oR0rSvcAbg-hDOsS6ABu9PT329CpXP1CuTW1zZ939nkFs/w640-h480/P1110823.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTL9FatsGwmeycXBe9T5ngyALrpfDPbjkWgX3UB93XXqbK3qryQJsGfLUNcuL4jW9xtr3vQzTb-0AqGhzibhkpR6hC0osEFdJm22w-9CKjuVBICtHNGJxVE1ncjN5Q52ORDjdjQQVqybsIZhLNBZXAbaXRxHET_K5syGxVa_NrPw0jRyvr7-c2tKjN-w/s4000/20240219_170338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTL9FatsGwmeycXBe9T5ngyALrpfDPbjkWgX3UB93XXqbK3qryQJsGfLUNcuL4jW9xtr3vQzTb-0AqGhzibhkpR6hC0osEFdJm22w-9CKjuVBICtHNGJxVE1ncjN5Q52ORDjdjQQVqybsIZhLNBZXAbaXRxHET_K5syGxVa_NrPw0jRyvr7-c2tKjN-w/w296-h640/20240219_170338.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsbR6pvoPgrK5sMrYUhE0IgxisehmjBx3Pi-LoQdPwyDUJlASmUSQ_ettkkRxXmrPoaI5CRcirK0CSbFAT_TzgIvm0K00gnQVofr_a0TchmrwMQvJw0lg_GwassKceIveqWNWl5ioS9b9UDsLyZ4iUG753BeG0jtW5UMWp4A_K3aSqkFr2eTdBZ0aWeY/s4000/20240219_154203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsbR6pvoPgrK5sMrYUhE0IgxisehmjBx3Pi-LoQdPwyDUJlASmUSQ_ettkkRxXmrPoaI5CRcirK0CSbFAT_TzgIvm0K00gnQVofr_a0TchmrwMQvJw0lg_GwassKceIveqWNWl5ioS9b9UDsLyZ4iUG753BeG0jtW5UMWp4A_K3aSqkFr2eTdBZ0aWeY/w640-h296/20240219_154203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course as beautiful as Funchal is, we had the car so that we could explore the rest of the island determined to drive its circumference and include some specific venues along the way during our stay, plus to build in a few walks to further explore the interior. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4vFKJ8fXsi6iwEC0eaii54YpZ1TQ8we2NYpCvJIs4xXs7FOYIaE8qNV1Vu_CaGZPN1Bhe5Tb0AcX7H5Csm9uv3ymJDEYFPxuagWFT8ExRNFXPKCHzW4npHNjCqB-bAKwKrKAvUij4Y12B72tpDIzvWsP06rr6s8dar5dmCr_YuHzxXsOyTMZaVSmTIs/s1917/Topo%20Route%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1917" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4vFKJ8fXsi6iwEC0eaii54YpZ1TQ8we2NYpCvJIs4xXs7FOYIaE8qNV1Vu_CaGZPN1Bhe5Tb0AcX7H5Csm9uv3ymJDEYFPxuagWFT8ExRNFXPKCHzW4npHNjCqB-bAKwKrKAvUij4Y12B72tpDIzvWsP06rr6s8dar5dmCr_YuHzxXsOyTMZaVSmTIs/w640-h360/Topo%20Route%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The map illustrates our wider exploration of Madeira</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiFEWKMayNiHompiGNvl1ItVXVEXCZ2obC9cf4SLlcuhKmWiwUQOfpijhThSs4uDJU-tNjBuUrk-ysG8f_kf2_DnLBplwYfUmTRRThDDClgfVY0BzlzuKiy0KJVEkoYtEFArd9q60M8DIZ7XM_MpITWcnVZ44rQHXQ2DazWo40kGn5OpK0FOztNL85lA/s76/Point%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="76" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiFEWKMayNiHompiGNvl1ItVXVEXCZ2obC9cf4SLlcuhKmWiwUQOfpijhThSs4uDJU-tNjBuUrk-ysG8f_kf2_DnLBplwYfUmTRRThDDClgfVY0BzlzuKiy0KJVEkoYtEFArd9q60M8DIZ7XM_MpITWcnVZ44rQHXQ2DazWo40kGn5OpK0FOztNL85lA/s1600/Point%201.jpg" width="76" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Eagle Rock</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahhobUfOlZLa_GK99IT9VpGypB7wZSJo4e1IFRBZa-_3n7mYNofZeWbaX-R0UUfhlH4sW8uT18zXVB5iy7CIJFoLtsFkeh_JC9oBIhtxWKMw8-QH3Mga5Zg-7xdR4hRP0WHNfXVef0nJzZMfWNDi2W7q1T8pYuw9f4V1uCe5-4wLJ3MhsQXuAAfE0moo/s4896/P1110832.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahhobUfOlZLa_GK99IT9VpGypB7wZSJo4e1IFRBZa-_3n7mYNofZeWbaX-R0UUfhlH4sW8uT18zXVB5iy7CIJFoLtsFkeh_JC9oBIhtxWKMw8-QH3Mga5Zg-7xdR4hRP0WHNfXVef0nJzZMfWNDi2W7q1T8pYuw9f4V1uCe5-4wLJ3MhsQXuAAfE0moo/w640-h480/P1110832.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Fortim do Faial (Santana), was an 18th century watchtower against invaders, but is today a perfect viewing point for this stunning part of the coastline and nearby Eagle Rock.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eZcndQyZrUEWaH_bWc797xfA0xN59NDkw23_AmxXE9vmOtirYM57eS61LtHMud2Vc4e98vALUuwF8B9FRmN1bAllulrPJq4WwORdc0RZ1wY_5Dzikp91lbgQYQNiXlUBGnh50qh_VMINpyB0OuCWwN6b8E8_rs4fNLBAMnhjxJSHNI7nJWz1B7UZvVk/s4896/P1110830.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eZcndQyZrUEWaH_bWc797xfA0xN59NDkw23_AmxXE9vmOtirYM57eS61LtHMud2Vc4e98vALUuwF8B9FRmN1bAllulrPJq4WwORdc0RZ1wY_5Dzikp91lbgQYQNiXlUBGnh50qh_VMINpyB0OuCWwN6b8E8_rs4fNLBAMnhjxJSHNI7nJWz1B7UZvVk/w640-h480/P1110830.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird of Paradise plants abound in the island and always catch the eye.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Penha de Águia, known as the Eagle Rock, is a green mountain culminating at about 550 meters (1,800 feet) above sea level, in the north-east of Madeira, between the small municipalities of Faial and Porto da Cruz. This volcanic mound was formed by the emission of vast quantities of lava 5.8 million years ago.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7DqhlFgxMth64haUP_fjwLDexHqnQT1Wzvh-kSzKep-uhmc4XZGjSg4MGiNB8dHm93m2G40ERD3QcFdsblM-AIn19idgsoNGtFR93Aw-L0khEtHLJrVkAcouva0h0cEXYWxnjnsckyZLmWTUJd78GzpfyUnlMqeAriZihKGAGqaUoOAB_zEc8hMofWE/s4896/P1110834.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7DqhlFgxMth64haUP_fjwLDexHqnQT1Wzvh-kSzKep-uhmc4XZGjSg4MGiNB8dHm93m2G40ERD3QcFdsblM-AIn19idgsoNGtFR93Aw-L0khEtHLJrVkAcouva0h0cEXYWxnjnsckyZLmWTUJd78GzpfyUnlMqeAriZihKGAGqaUoOAB_zEc8hMofWE/w640-h480/P1110834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Penha de Águia, or Eagle Rock seen from </span>the Fortim do Faial</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJPhupBxsooXNuXdiW7tgUFV9e0OP8JjiAqmAqkZLPgFeqn2EbVeohVu3RwqYHSXwmT4T1XD8JGIAS5NPDoSO8znx2B6sHct1j-uLZlxWxUf51HUczk5tQhdMA1Tegw-7_lch9fLAB81_UrNi68mFBkBsNyD27RKh_XSVwmksCenbtVOE2RmV7JRc8F4/s4896/P1110838.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJPhupBxsooXNuXdiW7tgUFV9e0OP8JjiAqmAqkZLPgFeqn2EbVeohVu3RwqYHSXwmT4T1XD8JGIAS5NPDoSO8znx2B6sHct1j-uLZlxWxUf51HUczk5tQhdMA1Tegw-7_lch9fLAB81_UrNi68mFBkBsNyD27RKh_XSVwmksCenbtVOE2RmV7JRc8F4/w640-h480/P1110838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnMsQk2dIHxwAV7EywWSDOktX1iUPtg1WR6NbZ0oinlqqgL1d4sdoAk3K13UBfs0h0VvaNaSlhyphenhyphenVL8vNJzJgnlpalCRxc5wQ8LHpUtOvYnip-yYpxbUqSlhRnpBx76IPxVo5BvQGUUISn0DSkgKFjA8F-T8CqGJvXfqd3mQaYKeUNWlsFIvPBEUiyRAo/s4896/P1110836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnMsQk2dIHxwAV7EywWSDOktX1iUPtg1WR6NbZ0oinlqqgL1d4sdoAk3K13UBfs0h0VvaNaSlhyphenhyphenVL8vNJzJgnlpalCRxc5wQ8LHpUtOvYnip-yYpxbUqSlhRnpBx76IPxVo5BvQGUUISn0DSkgKFjA8F-T8CqGJvXfqd3mQaYKeUNWlsFIvPBEUiyRAo/w640-h480/P1110836.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12l0cnocFX38faBMXY3aImcaJU6YuQBosdW7Fd43M3Sd2CZvktmLw5CY37Y6GvDyx5mbTelZq5XyJRiNdWKNy2Q3MdBqNu2WekuT4eWaF9XVL1-SJWca4pJo6OLj70Mz4thhrQw1p8of8tgxpPsrASEl6JAgrtszGBVlPUPgBIxhkTKyApoxOuM7OycM/s4896/P1110839.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12l0cnocFX38faBMXY3aImcaJU6YuQBosdW7Fd43M3Sd2CZvktmLw5CY37Y6GvDyx5mbTelZq5XyJRiNdWKNy2Q3MdBqNu2WekuT4eWaF9XVL1-SJWca4pJo6OLj70Mz4thhrQw1p8of8tgxpPsrASEl6JAgrtszGBVlPUPgBIxhkTKyApoxOuM7OycM/w640-h480/P1110839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not exactly an Eagle, but a beautiful male Kestrel, <i>Falco tinnunculus</i>, on the hunt for lizards and small mammals.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc7-ieAHNQWIqp34iTfD4GupZTp7Yu8D7H3RlaqCpjia8mKWBP3z39XPubo8O8eOIdr-5sj6BxJY5P6ogQzpU8lV7iX5TCR_Odw0mXp6lQ9MIpMiU1bhEa5l6J19loqReziakOrMi_EGcOo-c5wCoWhpSV75kr2uklN83nOuAdvQJKpwakGhLP2ZfLpI/s4896/P1110852.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc7-ieAHNQWIqp34iTfD4GupZTp7Yu8D7H3RlaqCpjia8mKWBP3z39XPubo8O8eOIdr-5sj6BxJY5P6ogQzpU8lV7iX5TCR_Odw0mXp6lQ9MIpMiU1bhEa5l6J19loqReziakOrMi_EGcOo-c5wCoWhpSV75kr2uklN83nOuAdvQJKpwakGhLP2ZfLpI/w640-h480/P1110852.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRwcPYspClejNFxZBS_Bf64M92lGPXl4Bi0wT8Mj1OEw5vMXIPm_icWqIILse8W2J2cHBqhLHIYRHzs1MBeQa3XUjXBUPtdUbpKfkrDt2LlTTxjACAizZgthAi0JxhiVAqdkpMSAfJjwAgkYn1TOPmXkwwTL32P3ORZB-KufgiRtqsuH-sbYEB0ibM7g/s4896/P1110856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRwcPYspClejNFxZBS_Bf64M92lGPXl4Bi0wT8Mj1OEw5vMXIPm_icWqIILse8W2J2cHBqhLHIYRHzs1MBeQa3XUjXBUPtdUbpKfkrDt2LlTTxjACAizZgthAi0JxhiVAqdkpMSAfJjwAgkYn1TOPmXkwwTL32P3ORZB-KufgiRtqsuH-sbYEB0ibM7g/w640-h480/P1110856.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3STfvkk8im1uRPPQ0QyFClIAumusd1EWtVy5yjuCwtBMjo0CwBfHRaJd7NjLnyM9_UHG0HAbeCRwyn5lwup9ht1ZRJvRtONWtNX7-qYZzXaWwrJMTUKc9b7PzKJJ-JCxEeg7YJrSvb-_aGIfITHLW9iPwyZYL_gQB34Jn32GqZYsItZJYVjvcIz9FHg/s4896/P1110842.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3STfvkk8im1uRPPQ0QyFClIAumusd1EWtVy5yjuCwtBMjo0CwBfHRaJd7NjLnyM9_UHG0HAbeCRwyn5lwup9ht1ZRJvRtONWtNX7-qYZzXaWwrJMTUKc9b7PzKJJ-JCxEeg7YJrSvb-_aGIfITHLW9iPwyZYL_gQB34Jn32GqZYsItZJYVjvcIz9FHg/w640-h480/P1110842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whilst checking out the views, a constant "click click" call drew my attention and eventually I spotted this Blackcap, <i>Sylvia atricapilla,</i> being all shy among the bushes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnax-GF8VpES_zRl-AQQFf0_QLHN-YGKKXdBDrscz-bx-kD0pnB19QxoGc18B-ocr0tsZpa8bb9ZSrlKM0c7Uj49B8o0mPQNqrUIbanXiL9MFw9O1clsFMPUciiJQOnKjT2Fxy2BZPLO9twzfvogLsAKlShkNTDG7PC9g-iPbKhZTO1vVqwVroLI0MWU/s4896/P1110844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnax-GF8VpES_zRl-AQQFf0_QLHN-YGKKXdBDrscz-bx-kD0pnB19QxoGc18B-ocr0tsZpa8bb9ZSrlKM0c7Uj49B8o0mPQNqrUIbanXiL9MFw9O1clsFMPUciiJQOnKjT2Fxy2BZPLO9twzfvogLsAKlShkNTDG7PC9g-iPbKhZTO1vVqwVroLI0MWU/w640-h480/P1110844.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99kme2hDWv6fOZoA2_xMDmwhUfuyXupIa7u3kNNMspBNmZzEeqHm-5DhQvfFUBUaP9u9mawPmpvNjIVGWswTr-T5rHN4tz_638xPla6Lw2Hznuny-Baq3MfqL2GFsqNlqr1VUOaNwscFqVY78ujZbx-WhLhzsjzhnjyx6Lck8INufgZRrY1IakwQSpY/s4896/P1110845.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99kme2hDWv6fOZoA2_xMDmwhUfuyXupIa7u3kNNMspBNmZzEeqHm-5DhQvfFUBUaP9u9mawPmpvNjIVGWswTr-T5rHN4tz_638xPla6Lw2Hznuny-Baq3MfqL2GFsqNlqr1VUOaNwscFqVY78ujZbx-WhLhzsjzhnjyx6Lck8INufgZRrY1IakwQSpY/w640-h480/P1110845.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Madeiran wall lizard (<i>Teira dugesii</i>). Watch out for that Kestrel!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVQmJk6asIo7Fm7EVFAcTLlwhhno951mpFoSQnr3VaQvrgNHtdi28ampX_UpqXSoJbiuGOvcI7g93WpXPZ9QDhCF3ODmUv5_rpd9ESSaaybL4m-HNMeD6uzDRiuaYHsHWEru2qQiwTfRTA-m10HAfz9W5NIIZEfhdNyWE_2Oz8p2VwPRVsaUfzFqlEPg/s4896/P1110847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVQmJk6asIo7Fm7EVFAcTLlwhhno951mpFoSQnr3VaQvrgNHtdi28ampX_UpqXSoJbiuGOvcI7g93WpXPZ9QDhCF3ODmUv5_rpd9ESSaaybL4m-HNMeD6uzDRiuaYHsHWEru2qQiwTfRTA-m10HAfz9W5NIIZEfhdNyWE_2Oz8p2VwPRVsaUfzFqlEPg/w640-h480/P1110847.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOANaIei3FX3MvsINFQM2tN4GaOY2cg4pNgqhV-0f0eyAzDU2jzwSJqiVmnvmFdLW5Ae68HUQnW-fiFtJuNwhGhLSrnGPgDDGpHC7_TkN9br8HRtGWrCmOS0GaUFu5FhX0RaE95jcH0l7bSnwB4QaEO04RmYqRU7jYc77JzWmH90iZmLFIXRO3C6Pw50/s76/Point%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="76" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOANaIei3FX3MvsINFQM2tN4GaOY2cg4pNgqhV-0f0eyAzDU2jzwSJqiVmnvmFdLW5Ae68HUQnW-fiFtJuNwhGhLSrnGPgDDGpHC7_TkN9br8HRtGWrCmOS0GaUFu5FhX0RaE95jcH0l7bSnwB4QaEO04RmYqRU7jYc77JzWmH90iZmLFIXRO3C6Pw50/s1600/Point%202.jpg" width="76" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ponta do Pargo</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yUPudTuViCEWVnXgNhr0YR5gXFxagHV-sxoQreqg5JCOUem93TzCZfyy96ffxrbxx2Xo8Zldp1vAPRJTctgnuyKZDfgYo2SXV5MLt50JclJVxu_pqL6syZ-TROjBMnDeJeiHwuUZZXlhgb595NuMiLbaJS9xJhZ6no-yGP1p9V2v29Vbd8IAB46tQOA/s4896/P1110859.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yUPudTuViCEWVnXgNhr0YR5gXFxagHV-sxoQreqg5JCOUem93TzCZfyy96ffxrbxx2Xo8Zldp1vAPRJTctgnuyKZDfgYo2SXV5MLt50JclJVxu_pqL6syZ-TROjBMnDeJeiHwuUZZXlhgb595NuMiLbaJS9xJhZ6no-yGP1p9V2v29Vbd8IAB46tQOA/w640-h480/P1110859.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The name of Ponta do Pargo came from its location on the extreme west tip and because it is rich in a species of fish called Pargo, a member of the snapper family.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPWfJqgbA8LE9QXfgQ4pkdQ9OnMcNbBqFRi4kjKy7WHeQPMK0-GcOGt_-qoDr1iYn6fOdBu1zJDJrTQ50IIDB_B7pKUetJCzgFBp5s_kR5uh-CXoXMxPzaOH7clwzWPBimq2zob3mV4KbHquPYYWF9H4g1z7VCTadUCH7CRz5MSSPNrs5Sck3l5dAwjs/s4896/P1110860.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPWfJqgbA8LE9QXfgQ4pkdQ9OnMcNbBqFRi4kjKy7WHeQPMK0-GcOGt_-qoDr1iYn6fOdBu1zJDJrTQ50IIDB_B7pKUetJCzgFBp5s_kR5uh-CXoXMxPzaOH7clwzWPBimq2zob3mV4KbHquPYYWF9H4g1z7VCTadUCH7CRz5MSSPNrs5Sck3l5dAwjs/w640-h480/P1110860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse, opened in 1922.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The iconic Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse located at the Ponta do Pargo escarpment, a rocky cliff escarpment (950 feet, above sea level), the lighthouse was inaugurated in 1922, its silhouette has dominated the skyline of this escarpment. Its light is just over 1,000 feet above sea level, sometimes becoming enveloped by fog but an important signal for seafaring ships looking to avoid a close encounter with the nearby rocks.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreFeo9T1JpaZJV0W4bczx0yEdGycYiUvz-Rj7u1ZVQRaxRC9fRqdxcmO2r9tq11bFOa_ZMH0j4xyLjty5vwh23BuAj7JpderGDU9TGzTwMMAHZCptl4NN7ffsD7GQCkITYN7sazedgEYY8OByGyEz1Dkr8Q-RfzRUPs_fMdL-bvJ2szYAODTvGsLY8oo/s4896/P1110872.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreFeo9T1JpaZJV0W4bczx0yEdGycYiUvz-Rj7u1ZVQRaxRC9fRqdxcmO2r9tq11bFOa_ZMH0j4xyLjty5vwh23BuAj7JpderGDU9TGzTwMMAHZCptl4NN7ffsD7GQCkITYN7sazedgEYY8OByGyEz1Dkr8Q-RfzRUPs_fMdL-bvJ2szYAODTvGsLY8oo/w640-h480/P1110872.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHNnJTDsrHkZNm0nCq_uZa-E7dzuhh6pPAV6Qj3AUbHh3-nSXojkKkyuG3StAk1f_RUmYxuzvse5QidpqTVrNijdLeoNE_oVw1qlQO_WD-7QlqmjBoXyoetzmFgUilpA1bKdWEPieRMjvYzz6MvRmIgUNZnZLC-daJK4IhVXGzOerMgnUKSf4yi-tkhQ/s2865/P1110866a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="2865" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHNnJTDsrHkZNm0nCq_uZa-E7dzuhh6pPAV6Qj3AUbHh3-nSXojkKkyuG3StAk1f_RUmYxuzvse5QidpqTVrNijdLeoNE_oVw1qlQO_WD-7QlqmjBoXyoetzmFgUilpA1bKdWEPieRMjvYzz6MvRmIgUNZnZLC-daJK4IhVXGzOerMgnUKSf4yi-tkhQ/w640-h430/P1110866a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found lots of kestrels in Madeira, this one a female, happily enjoying the view from the lighthouse </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikmPES1yAcfHr_IadO4Xt51VY6gcu5rhSF478kOPdsuLf8ZNg-mFL88X-seA8Z4_vndaGd6xELCcSVxOaq4y5mNeLCTRKUf-enw2kFKNCjZt8GKP5hWU7cwlmMy_tgksC_s86JuwHdn19w-mwFa73qh_OO8yIghzmZmioB5l9_HGFOZGgjkBicOzbTps/s4896/P1110875.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikmPES1yAcfHr_IadO4Xt51VY6gcu5rhSF478kOPdsuLf8ZNg-mFL88X-seA8Z4_vndaGd6xELCcSVxOaq4y5mNeLCTRKUf-enw2kFKNCjZt8GKP5hWU7cwlmMy_tgksC_s86JuwHdn19w-mwFa73qh_OO8yIghzmZmioB5l9_HGFOZGgjkBicOzbTps/w640-h480/P1110875.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7pUR-JWhgFbNHrJj9asgEQcAypZxqEIhhbKFmfI2hRRyqfS6bDztDhYJXQL70DFibWhkF_U-pFv9_CPVpce2Kf3A_u-lN8kLaPqxMrGKhqVSkMbbkWKn3gc5BO-0jkFrzMm8w5sc8N6qhC6h43hyumgVKdZuJKF6UQThyvgoeMonM8XK3k-lT0kQSr8/s75/Point%203.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="75" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7pUR-JWhgFbNHrJj9asgEQcAypZxqEIhhbKFmfI2hRRyqfS6bDztDhYJXQL70DFibWhkF_U-pFv9_CPVpce2Kf3A_u-lN8kLaPqxMrGKhqVSkMbbkWKn3gc5BO-0jkFrzMm8w5sc8N6qhC6h43hyumgVKdZuJKF6UQThyvgoeMonM8XK3k-lT0kQSr8/s1600/Point%203.jpg" width="75" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Santana</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdl24j1RtSFkTSPz2VDLxdbUgCDsPjoWR2CAdLeCQBNMXsKHU24buIK0_nCGDGcAxzlYUjAeZyy9N0g25lR-bQHiqm2DLUZxo9VkewAoRcvE0mkg-1kHqx-jniYinlABMrdve1RzZMQ5E1eXib4RAPzRw2GXVurO3z3aibN5aT5SXI8leb8vnb3JaGGg/s4000/20240218_114257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdl24j1RtSFkTSPz2VDLxdbUgCDsPjoWR2CAdLeCQBNMXsKHU24buIK0_nCGDGcAxzlYUjAeZyy9N0g25lR-bQHiqm2DLUZxo9VkewAoRcvE0mkg-1kHqx-jniYinlABMrdve1RzZMQ5E1eXib4RAPzRw2GXVurO3z3aibN5aT5SXI8leb8vnb3JaGGg/w640-h296/20240218_114257.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Santana, not the band from the 70's, but the village in Madeira, is short for Santa Anna (Saint Anne) is known for the traditional homes constructed with sloping triangular rooftops, and protected with straw.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These were mainly rural homes, used by local farmers, during the settlement of the island, with white-painted walls, red doors and windows with blue trim. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeleSo_GqIn_TmPW5dLdxvHr7qnR4ABk0d741Y9YnrBJnnLFPwz0xFo3470tRZWzzDBocWxSOMwk213W4q60kmL9yQJa4bVqZlSnUMOh7mVbtWDgjGrq4Kr4z7qtqHWjdRzRTn6QXXUgIIQ3rUFNbYM96CK-MTVTodQOsSx_WOeX67zHl3llFcpVU8pk/s4000/20240220_141010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeleSo_GqIn_TmPW5dLdxvHr7qnR4ABk0d741Y9YnrBJnnLFPwz0xFo3470tRZWzzDBocWxSOMwk213W4q60kmL9yQJa4bVqZlSnUMOh7mVbtWDgjGrq4Kr4z7qtqHWjdRzRTn6QXXUgIIQ3rUFNbYM96CK-MTVTodQOsSx_WOeX67zHl3llFcpVU8pk/w640-h296/20240220_141010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46zRBzLd9x865nBrXHXyrbY9C8ugvhzIEPj9SmTkE4PNkLD-IKTXj8uK0tDht3gVvFCd5420nQqzJoES9FQXudTEyAtv8Nh4eNRdkgecnruhAs5-bGfnbbT_MXA-JevIhufJ4COVE3LKwiBBYO0b69RPisVfxgsIE5dUe9xmi8_IE39tezN4Y6OaBYrg/s4000/20240220_141219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46zRBzLd9x865nBrXHXyrbY9C8ugvhzIEPj9SmTkE4PNkLD-IKTXj8uK0tDht3gVvFCd5420nQqzJoES9FQXudTEyAtv8Nh4eNRdkgecnruhAs5-bGfnbbT_MXA-JevIhufJ4COVE3LKwiBBYO0b69RPisVfxgsIE5dUe9xmi8_IE39tezN4Y6OaBYrg/w296-h640/20240220_141219.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Most of the surviving buildings are tourist attractions, and maintained (for example, the straw roofs are replaced every four to five years).</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhu8vieqds5AGffI6cN0WUixPps5lR_9nhH7ZwrMwLxDtf0QfTgaxgvgbyd_PvuRA72Gb1zSRHJ5PdL4fGjdeU58zdi5pMsI08bBi4PB0dUzAcFqZ0SMpObV1BdutTS9Ueq4bCaT0oPuhcKitY0ajs8fHfBEI-tBAc6ubd370Knpy4pS3HjS87Yp4DVM/s4000/20240220_141324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhu8vieqds5AGffI6cN0WUixPps5lR_9nhH7ZwrMwLxDtf0QfTgaxgvgbyd_PvuRA72Gb1zSRHJ5PdL4fGjdeU58zdi5pMsI08bBi4PB0dUzAcFqZ0SMpObV1BdutTS9Ueq4bCaT0oPuhcKitY0ajs8fHfBEI-tBAc6ubd370Knpy4pS3HjS87Yp4DVM/w296-h640/20240220_141324.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the local authority will need to have a word about the unofficial colour scheme!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFgpag3IbugTCjIEWZYE4bKAlXQnjr-hD_R9GTW_v5LlF4XcvumytA0WMC_IO6eoU4Z2pfrwXilcEOOQdI-HKZ5IerAdoBkXNFd9929fF1gI6NzihpQgMxvpPk7sO-CcbLacU1grVQrBozih_YupvxDQzrRMXuONS7cWuO399xVUdBA5JXHFAGsG5Jt4/s75/Point%204.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="75" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFgpag3IbugTCjIEWZYE4bKAlXQnjr-hD_R9GTW_v5LlF4XcvumytA0WMC_IO6eoU4Z2pfrwXilcEOOQdI-HKZ5IerAdoBkXNFd9929fF1gI6NzihpQgMxvpPk7sO-CcbLacU1grVQrBozih_YupvxDQzrRMXuONS7cWuO399xVUdBA5JXHFAGsG5Jt4/s1600/Point%204.jpg" width="75" /></a></div><br /> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Achadas da Cruz Cable-Car</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9cxv0tnw5bz866cangGd86dVHfpc5PTpTs-XrkNEuJRtmLhq7OqhXNwUHqcxasbnn9GYPpKJfN9pTBicmFzouKqJRr9nZ246FQeAUS3xF3KUYJ4VBe3drFFLcvefvlEW-tZmWeg6MAAnHdF6YDAzbF9HA6ROWOmcr4Irc9l6dDEL6XIm04vyrJ09CUo/s4000/20240221_134214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9cxv0tnw5bz866cangGd86dVHfpc5PTpTs-XrkNEuJRtmLhq7OqhXNwUHqcxasbnn9GYPpKJfN9pTBicmFzouKqJRr9nZ246FQeAUS3xF3KUYJ4VBe3drFFLcvefvlEW-tZmWeg6MAAnHdF6YDAzbF9HA6ROWOmcr4Irc9l6dDEL6XIm04vyrJ09CUo/w296-h640/20240221_134214.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cables of the Achadas da Cruz cable-car leading down to the coastal path 2000 feet below. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The Achadas da Cruz cable-car was top of the list of places we wanted to check out, with a nearly 2000 foot descent to the coastal path below, echoing to the crashing waves of the North Atlantic swell and a perfect place to just sit and enjoy this sun trap, beside the little cluster of cottages that has grown in the wake of an ever increasing number of visitors keen to see this remarkable place, and needing the odd refreshment before catching the car back to the top of the cliff.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3wBgaIXHd2WWRsScRI7FuDSHdYeuZateWxj510vH8ocYsaMQ4vtsE0dDFy8vY2Jv40C4OiPHsI1NVRusPgubGhTaqA5QPxt8TUUcluGY0wNu10zn7fFliouCo0Eh964T8XSX4OGn-ylbjHUa_MhbFFlzGQ5c_3uUPZGwS4KY3D3h1VDnnpEW_uiIU4M/s4896/P1110887.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3wBgaIXHd2WWRsScRI7FuDSHdYeuZateWxj510vH8ocYsaMQ4vtsE0dDFy8vY2Jv40C4OiPHsI1NVRusPgubGhTaqA5QPxt8TUUcluGY0wNu10zn7fFliouCo0Eh964T8XSX4OGn-ylbjHUa_MhbFFlzGQ5c_3uUPZGwS4KY3D3h1VDnnpEW_uiIU4M/w640-h480/P1110887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeka48MaJYrjLxbwvipL1FompVXWZOx4eUg9SHglqlmbY97fW2Kwnn76FeuIruDC588jF-AoQuOivhKOCoe_ffnhU9lNVqrnwiH7orFKZDMOOi_HbfAtzAW0ieK4K9OGq6JZ42-pLfbIR4JBhxWn8whIa-Ns22GR5v6DahQg3VGEdkvfGEuE9cVurDfrk/s4896/P1110878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKOD6sL6OjgVjZmwomNXWp7eJrWB7j6dWdIMR6dNhkDnUhUCbFb_OmMN6CwDfKYmHv5quH-IdPbR-ClgDCED0LWVc3oBeaH3nkVfnyVIuJr5raCqAZ21vW04dwTQ_sf_jxy68qF-U446EV2PXgvrqqFQagYZWYStBij7f67D3clpU3LQIsIuP1qbFqnQ/s4896/P1110888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKOD6sL6OjgVjZmwomNXWp7eJrWB7j6dWdIMR6dNhkDnUhUCbFb_OmMN6CwDfKYmHv5quH-IdPbR-ClgDCED0LWVc3oBeaH3nkVfnyVIuJr5raCqAZ21vW04dwTQ_sf_jxy68qF-U446EV2PXgvrqqFQagYZWYStBij7f67D3clpU3LQIsIuP1qbFqnQ/w640-h480/P1110888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljsiQu1sxErkkyarQi3KoehR9W5LPkeDLfyB4m4OavTkbCAnUHmvvnPBracWtnjTjF7nDbjMK5H19IhyphenhyphenBzWZjFm2g7StV_1l0vzYemq0mwA4sk3xb1pQEjlW7N9Wd2cFtfTvByMXVQbJajAUrem-fr6AcuqUy1LXIL8vYiJmZIbm3gWiiNHDCt5unzO8/s4896/P1110899.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljsiQu1sxErkkyarQi3KoehR9W5LPkeDLfyB4m4OavTkbCAnUHmvvnPBracWtnjTjF7nDbjMK5H19IhyphenhyphenBzWZjFm2g7StV_1l0vzYemq0mwA4sk3xb1pQEjlW7N9Wd2cFtfTvByMXVQbJajAUrem-fr6AcuqUy1LXIL8vYiJmZIbm3gWiiNHDCt5unzO8/w640-h480/P1110899.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVRRWWXEl6k1L2GE1ljwiDgImq8nQW9b-wCrSnMT3LPqaf5YPwCIkeUd_Fi85t0WXuIu8NU7raLM3Gyrnsm0BmmxEIa4RxxB3ipVTyHefV6gTeP2ug4XFdDZmDEY-T89OusadjmoZYK_V5jIpsiyIeg2gvZloAhzORdfV7IgqV8HtBVwX5HFRyQX7q88/s4000/20240221_140632.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVRRWWXEl6k1L2GE1ljwiDgImq8nQW9b-wCrSnMT3LPqaf5YPwCIkeUd_Fi85t0WXuIu8NU7raLM3Gyrnsm0BmmxEIa4RxxB3ipVTyHefV6gTeP2ug4XFdDZmDEY-T89OusadjmoZYK_V5jIpsiyIeg2gvZloAhzORdfV7IgqV8HtBVwX5HFRyQX7q88/w296-h640/20240221_140632.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah yes, that perfect Zen moment! Living the dream.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uRpNo8sjvMJf5Y3VcUyRtM7GcwYVNyulNu1wbpenJZf6fL_Wz7BJJpp8j15bVT5mg8n0LvkZzDmX0Wh2ns1ZgnoHZPQQ66lSPRDBVioSK04B8bgvfjNSblXvvmg42lJSjYFwb5lib-OoRvkShp3qZLoZSPCn7sYKQ5NQ81Gp61yMngYAQdABJvzmDnw/s4896/P1110892.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uRpNo8sjvMJf5Y3VcUyRtM7GcwYVNyulNu1wbpenJZf6fL_Wz7BJJpp8j15bVT5mg8n0LvkZzDmX0Wh2ns1ZgnoHZPQQ66lSPRDBVioSK04B8bgvfjNSblXvvmg42lJSjYFwb5lib-OoRvkShp3qZLoZSPCn7sYKQ5NQ81Gp61yMngYAQdABJvzmDnw/w640-h480/P1110892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3LsKfUNSDHG7p8_OZS0N6piPgERiQUDqivAWnDahgFo5uvHGNMJ4yeY_p85jZYtXzWXhnHr4V5cSbZXS2t0-3hzFv4j7ZZUnVdVJ4ZKEIkHGwlGLd6UmN5gMRAcYneLtd2rnURfm17FwSaczPFqy5j9vjJ0U1niPu5aYze3AMaRn6X7612jPg2gAT5k/s2283/20240221_151037a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2283" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3LsKfUNSDHG7p8_OZS0N6piPgERiQUDqivAWnDahgFo5uvHGNMJ4yeY_p85jZYtXzWXhnHr4V5cSbZXS2t0-3hzFv4j7ZZUnVdVJ4ZKEIkHGwlGLd6UmN5gMRAcYneLtd2rnURfm17FwSaczPFqy5j9vjJ0U1niPu5aYze3AMaRn6X7612jPg2gAT5k/w518-h640/20240221_151037a.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuFLmFrYxEDTxRYDd5HoxgxP9anEh9Y29ETV-4X9xzHSiiEeQ5VjCzep9soIQ4VJOSEVbE98kzGXzj4Hn6AhicFwHNi9-pByHaH0ydqSSMJ8B8_ErB7FJo8boqPTMkZXDzk6u7WbDSf7ChgQFCCaHiX1flVPUuOHi5-la7g3AEdEejBbU1Zb8xdij1Ko/s4896/P1110909.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuFLmFrYxEDTxRYDd5HoxgxP9anEh9Y29ETV-4X9xzHSiiEeQ5VjCzep9soIQ4VJOSEVbE98kzGXzj4Hn6AhicFwHNi9-pByHaH0ydqSSMJ8B8_ErB7FJo8boqPTMkZXDzk6u7WbDSf7ChgQFCCaHiX1flVPUuOHi5-la7g3AEdEejBbU1Zb8xdij1Ko/w640-h480/P1110909.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Canary, <i>Serinus canaria,</i> hunting for bugs among the garden veg. These fork tailed little finches were quite common, singing away with a delightful warbling song.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijyva37A7FCPbSFEKNekSjeS1g1YmndtaJKvObSDFy60A9uVEmmEl0tOfb2UuEXlQOXv7jZRVjLsCLQ1gjVXg65qCTBB7VJbvvZSzmxTQJL0aaT7Ue-uzpq4s9JiCf_it6vRwKyE-ePclHN9-CS_oBPNr7UsWvPZ8A4ukLrJVCqlIwRaqD8ZO_vdDy4Y/s75/Point%205.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="75" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijyva37A7FCPbSFEKNekSjeS1g1YmndtaJKvObSDFy60A9uVEmmEl0tOfb2UuEXlQOXv7jZRVjLsCLQ1gjVXg65qCTBB7VJbvvZSzmxTQJL0aaT7Ue-uzpq4s9JiCf_it6vRwKyE-ePclHN9-CS_oBPNr7UsWvPZ8A4ukLrJVCqlIwRaqD8ZO_vdDy4Y/s1600/Point%205.jpg" width="75" /></a></div><br /> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Coast Road from Seixal to Porto Moniz</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaWKbOVokBb1jwUAqADLu0h_TTMUAzw4ZbXveNssr9CoOOscnwLEDW99dUmKZ5vOABs3bqJxSWZD7oSrsogqOnh-4lXkLf12OV5IFBAMjN2ikkCfEQJ370tFJik91N4cfu8uIX3fz9MMBmF1OQ77I9mv-RCwg4XISE7QBSTBPSefUc-G7DxFcxeIAhmw/s4896/P1120005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaWKbOVokBb1jwUAqADLu0h_TTMUAzw4ZbXveNssr9CoOOscnwLEDW99dUmKZ5vOABs3bqJxSWZD7oSrsogqOnh-4lXkLf12OV5IFBAMjN2ikkCfEQJ370tFJik91N4cfu8uIX3fz9MMBmF1OQ77I9mv-RCwg4XISE7QBSTBPSefUc-G7DxFcxeIAhmw/w640-h480/P1120005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our drive up to the town of Seixal and on to Porto Moniz follows the north coast road that cuts through the new tunnels created in the volcanic rock cliffs that plunge into the sea, with the occasional stretch offering a chance to park up and take in yet more massive Atlantic waves, with spectacular white foam crashing against the rocks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5bzVodE55M50jCYkCg16TtOaiPobKlnugn1pF5Sk9e2Kl5EvJUsbUgoj8yhW9ptMSIIWHDvCWR4ylB0U5s-uEBbs7TzDVXa1KCe3KbEQk4A95dKhzOzjcZrfASbl8BGAkHravHO3KTG4LhEJ3TcszFUo8AY3wko3IihGG7zsCcZpZ6zq77m2Gc00InQ/s4000/20240223_131559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5bzVodE55M50jCYkCg16TtOaiPobKlnugn1pF5Sk9e2Kl5EvJUsbUgoj8yhW9ptMSIIWHDvCWR4ylB0U5s-uEBbs7TzDVXa1KCe3KbEQk4A95dKhzOzjcZrfASbl8BGAkHravHO3KTG4LhEJ3TcszFUo8AY3wko3IihGG7zsCcZpZ6zq77m2Gc00InQ/w296-h640/20240223_131559.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4K124L4rNhlJalJUizlpTLuGfdkd530ILb6R03d0L3AMfqthme-JNqN_EqHd5XXmF9MCHtc6XaVJEmNiWOQZTyfWLzKIiiruOhzqm4NgtiA_gQJVQXtdJZk5AMDyxPTjZHlnaezglXxUI81LNnUvDVqwbDGUYIajb3NH9JFqKL31CVgvEcZtZeUwKYI/s4000/20240223_131037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4K124L4rNhlJalJUizlpTLuGfdkd530ILb6R03d0L3AMfqthme-JNqN_EqHd5XXmF9MCHtc6XaVJEmNiWOQZTyfWLzKIiiruOhzqm4NgtiA_gQJVQXtdJZk5AMDyxPTjZHlnaezglXxUI81LNnUvDVqwbDGUYIajb3NH9JFqKL31CVgvEcZtZeUwKYI/w640-h296/20240223_131037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpr-QDNwKeVCkb6nAMh7DpzxSqlENdvSCtDgTOUc2T9O8kfF0XaKYB7whUO_V6lo1THPp0HE_CHsC70_xvUNF3djgzFhcCmq4tr-mYxDaQgelgw_35FWnVri7DKRZ5ZGEfB3GCj1FVZqwI73vMY9XQhI9LSLNDiKyNcmB2iD-ci8Hb-yxxLi4cosoc83Q/s4000/20240223_131455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpr-QDNwKeVCkb6nAMh7DpzxSqlENdvSCtDgTOUc2T9O8kfF0XaKYB7whUO_V6lo1THPp0HE_CHsC70_xvUNF3djgzFhcCmq4tr-mYxDaQgelgw_35FWnVri7DKRZ5ZGEfB3GCj1FVZqwI73vMY9XQhI9LSLNDiKyNcmB2iD-ci8Hb-yxxLi4cosoc83Q/w296-h640/20240223_131455.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The scene at Porto Moniz below was just as dramatic, and Carolyn's plans to take a dip in the volcanic heated rock pools and lidos was curtailed by the rough seas that top them up with fresh water and so we contended ourselves with a walk around the town and lunch instead.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaQDLz5-wM4GWZAStW-XjfOW0K7ZrEwgMHtajQxKTX7CnA5pDcKbR4DDLxNVMitrGhgJqLFZ6hqK92mQhwPCEu7c25RxluKZqitYO0TyqPDKxW-qCrJgHK3pXHXMbthX6I6mCNXUpcBaXMb5eKbNwDDBCaq7usto8x3fdcEZckZmwLejr8L43pElPhGE/s4896/P1120052.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaQDLz5-wM4GWZAStW-XjfOW0K7ZrEwgMHtajQxKTX7CnA5pDcKbR4DDLxNVMitrGhgJqLFZ6hqK92mQhwPCEu7c25RxluKZqitYO0TyqPDKxW-qCrJgHK3pXHXMbthX6I6mCNXUpcBaXMb5eKbNwDDBCaq7usto8x3fdcEZckZmwLejr8L43pElPhGE/w640-h480/P1120052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNT1Sde8jJE9xQtsMgvsy3jsb2lO6r0d61FFyhm97HQKRsRKoilp5jEG-Ss0PWnxrrGkcOWggqtYyUWHwug7AVsjRlZCZ6IMDpjBL_Nj3RW_bPRrpAtCKORYWmzckZ9vDQZSDrQAqHrH9lY0e3BiGzoL_FGAIomUbq36eKRVDyIwLO8M3C00x1HHbNQE/s3072/P1120049.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNT1Sde8jJE9xQtsMgvsy3jsb2lO6r0d61FFyhm97HQKRsRKoilp5jEG-Ss0PWnxrrGkcOWggqtYyUWHwug7AVsjRlZCZ6IMDpjBL_Nj3RW_bPRrpAtCKORYWmzckZ9vDQZSDrQAqHrH9lY0e3BiGzoL_FGAIomUbq36eKRVDyIwLO8M3C00x1HHbNQE/w640-h400/P1120049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD5tvjP8A-gDXlhS9LaktIl3cQI9MYNrUvcND1IunYt3IoCcC4sOtL3V2eJX9KAxWiEEc8NLzATEiioq5WS81N4hDgSu5weClWUz7vJ9pOAJO9K93s382qVGW-OOVbdE1MrW3M0_ZtejLjlI33ExpMbpJ6A7nsQ1bgJxfkmVBRbqP_u6c3ycVGSTx5Pw/s4896/P1120039.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD5tvjP8A-gDXlhS9LaktIl3cQI9MYNrUvcND1IunYt3IoCcC4sOtL3V2eJX9KAxWiEEc8NLzATEiioq5WS81N4hDgSu5weClWUz7vJ9pOAJO9K93s382qVGW-OOVbdE1MrW3M0_ZtejLjlI33ExpMbpJ6A7nsQ1bgJxfkmVBRbqP_u6c3ycVGSTx5Pw/w640-h480/P1120039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1urAp9XaNBO8hCS4MB0bh6Sj9zvlV0v21CIeqqt09bDJUus5V3nEQ5X1UREPhpxz6TiOGOiOW3o8SVShlU8F8P_P5GAgIgqMAN76xkjlmGmd_l0W-QMdvS9yrahyphenhyphen1B3wnCu4_MLmuVvpj1NUPw0o_lqvfVOCWaq6NjUwhoKmUj9ZBYfCclksAnrGsDo/s4896/P1120045.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1urAp9XaNBO8hCS4MB0bh6Sj9zvlV0v21CIeqqt09bDJUus5V3nEQ5X1UREPhpxz6TiOGOiOW3o8SVShlU8F8P_P5GAgIgqMAN76xkjlmGmd_l0W-QMdvS9yrahyphenhyphen1B3wnCu4_MLmuVvpj1NUPw0o_lqvfVOCWaq6NjUwhoKmUj9ZBYfCclksAnrGsDo/w640-h480/P1120045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeydKJilw5oyK6utiSvCWx21B_szKL6GmF0fyah4DZCug7njAF6e6OqRzsCD6Ov9YkL6Adp_qBPB5mbZZbHxENRwjdFtWk6CaqfSafb_i7_4BESE6oI954lVJJvwUIayzM53xr7_QGxOEUvCX1skkG95YvTTf3ixaE6ZaWp4caIcdQMjpPCmSIv3ed9I/s6192/P1120069.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="6192" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeydKJilw5oyK6utiSvCWx21B_szKL6GmF0fyah4DZCug7njAF6e6OqRzsCD6Ov9YkL6Adp_qBPB5mbZZbHxENRwjdFtWk6CaqfSafb_i7_4BESE6oI954lVJJvwUIayzM53xr7_QGxOEUvCX1skkG95YvTTf3ixaE6ZaWp4caIcdQMjpPCmSIv3ed9I/w640-h198/P1120069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctLu6PNjB78HtJtR7K2Ek4AnXiByfZ4MuMz7UATH_S02_f2y_Fb_6KtVDqMqefIMXrXPKmvV3LUsSw_7KJfsF-UoCXeaXUB5t6geiizCNqyFpD8505BK_wnnJcBR0fCrkugyXgxiSe8oXJy6rZhawZIjhy_zH3jsx3X5hSmC4oK19ZIflr7vyVW-ccm8/s4896/P1120076.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctLu6PNjB78HtJtR7K2Ek4AnXiByfZ4MuMz7UATH_S02_f2y_Fb_6KtVDqMqefIMXrXPKmvV3LUsSw_7KJfsF-UoCXeaXUB5t6geiizCNqyFpD8505BK_wnnJcBR0fCrkugyXgxiSe8oXJy6rZhawZIjhy_zH3jsx3X5hSmC4oK19ZIflr7vyVW-ccm8/w640-h480/P1120076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fork tail, sweet song and brown wing covers reveal yet another Atlantic Canary perched among the tree tops.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPArWOoxvKtmUY99Ty0qN252-w8SP8VixbeqTe-cIm9P1kwDMi9-perFtgWFfPwx6rtb8xRNnSQKTtASMWIvZhKPmPny2h2AVQiFiwTrBlASacEJwbYC_yyZrcyOIcxifmxsurWVCFDgGsLANdvmLiZBpcKeo1x_g37LyQ1awfJfK-CB6IRe-_VfLj7sM/s75/Point%206.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="75" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPArWOoxvKtmUY99Ty0qN252-w8SP8VixbeqTe-cIm9P1kwDMi9-perFtgWFfPwx6rtb8xRNnSQKTtASMWIvZhKPmPny2h2AVQiFiwTrBlASacEJwbYC_yyZrcyOIcxifmxsurWVCFDgGsLANdvmLiZBpcKeo1x_g37LyQ1awfJfK-CB6IRe-_VfLj7sM/s1600/Point%206.jpg" width="75" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Eira do Serrado to Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley)</span></b><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtulcHihZQQ_ppAOR3O179XCM_zYCFSltBw7V23VsonqnplLc6x8p9aCiJf9kMiXEcSYy1gH9huq4F1KamcJNO2rLTWqDY-6SZkmAsF2ahi4RGu0QujXANFfs2bLEV94m_uUEB0FWZaFNGuzg0Vqal9PtqxtjZ0YdMGhhDK0bfUgZFSgFIEMwb2PDmeA/s4896/P1120084.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtulcHihZQQ_ppAOR3O179XCM_zYCFSltBw7V23VsonqnplLc6x8p9aCiJf9kMiXEcSYy1gH9huq4F1KamcJNO2rLTWqDY-6SZkmAsF2ahi4RGu0QujXANFfs2bLEV94m_uUEB0FWZaFNGuzg0Vqal9PtqxtjZ0YdMGhhDK0bfUgZFSgFIEMwb2PDmeA/w640-h480/P1120084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Nun's Valley walk was recommended by a friend, with the name of the walk recollecting the flight of nuns from Funchal into the mountains to escape the attentions of rampaging corsairs.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FQK0EJL8d097RNSqwaSKUukNkoc8W1zQHcWQPFY7N3FL9n0kPVXL0YCK0HwMqFMNARiL9JN2rfLV6pWDEjiS4b4KcbswApBj9AUGyAhoU5LPzNBh5P8sx4TDlESsj-cvIw103hgXlgwDI_zbWw3cPyVf355X3l9hWfbHDmIjARd1pQKeW3c73pdX1XI/s4896/P1120087.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FQK0EJL8d097RNSqwaSKUukNkoc8W1zQHcWQPFY7N3FL9n0kPVXL0YCK0HwMqFMNARiL9JN2rfLV6pWDEjiS4b4KcbswApBj9AUGyAhoU5LPzNBh5P8sx4TDlESsj-cvIw103hgXlgwDI_zbWw3cPyVf355X3l9hWfbHDmIjARd1pQKeW3c73pdX1XI/w640-h480/P1120087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The route up to our start point at Eira do Serrado<b style="font-size: large;"> </b>was tortuous and with an early morning start for our walk with a very sunny day in the offing we enjoyed spectacular views down into the valley as we made our way down to the town of Curral das Freiras nestling below.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nlwkOjVIeLXTzYzJ15_PD53nZSTN4UoSvAMKBRv-PN1-hq226dUtuZH1Bi-Lq_FsdFM3bGNp80SDbzGk6R4BibDAGEUaENCH2QScA8kZ_S5mzToc1CsJoir3hql7JybAq3Y6AiGtEa7KeTgzibc5c9kZq-JCIK83E0YpFKfApvCqvFAgaWXqftwhlxU/s4896/P1120086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nlwkOjVIeLXTzYzJ15_PD53nZSTN4UoSvAMKBRv-PN1-hq226dUtuZH1Bi-Lq_FsdFM3bGNp80SDbzGk6R4BibDAGEUaENCH2QScA8kZ_S5mzToc1CsJoir3hql7JybAq3Y6AiGtEa7KeTgzibc5c9kZq-JCIK83E0YpFKfApvCqvFAgaWXqftwhlxU/w640-h480/P1120086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ5C_HOg1d39LvIHVIUUc7Z2E1548yS76EZqVKXa_D2Ye4-c5zPT10n8d8M6721KRsKfJirOeleDi7aLlFR7t6uwjYfcN99ttPpIbBkOiiCQV3TecGvzs2x5gUb5CWJ1vYV0pqmxJOeZVDwKdVKE8mKZL2KK_VbwdrXPWzUu45cTbR2PRO2MLoA6h5Ds/s4896/P1120094.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ5C_HOg1d39LvIHVIUUc7Z2E1548yS76EZqVKXa_D2Ye4-c5zPT10n8d8M6721KRsKfJirOeleDi7aLlFR7t6uwjYfcN99ttPpIbBkOiiCQV3TecGvzs2x5gUb5CWJ1vYV0pqmxJOeZVDwKdVKE8mKZL2KK_VbwdrXPWzUu45cTbR2PRO2MLoA6h5Ds/w640-h480/P1120094.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKJAIlFRjH0W8VKkdniJIVzuwAO_8ibAmiZt6Uy27RiGffCxjwDk-rLG_ShjZUQyYJQ_r0o5_f8JBnlwoDsztzW1PSWiJKh0sGt73m2nZsBg0S_3XuvgKRjLLJww3tZEXhqEmTC6WvR0sURyGhHTMQcmxWQPliBCbnTyxfWUmZS3VfLputEdr3EsTbVI/s4000/20240224_113526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKJAIlFRjH0W8VKkdniJIVzuwAO_8ibAmiZt6Uy27RiGffCxjwDk-rLG_ShjZUQyYJQ_r0o5_f8JBnlwoDsztzW1PSWiJKh0sGt73m2nZsBg0S_3XuvgKRjLLJww3tZEXhqEmTC6WvR0sURyGhHTMQcmxWQPliBCbnTyxfWUmZS3VfLputEdr3EsTbVI/w296-h640/20240224_113526.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div>Parts of the path down are really steep and we were both glad to have brought our walking poles to take the pressure of the knees, constantly being locked to control the rapidity of the descent.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZvTWy8LVRPJ5mVAopcqOR1jhPmQXHaSuqaloUlG9deX449lOjXRTXFJKyv9nRDBh5Edh6BcIej5lUCHHJaMLVLClH4qPLTz5mg3mpMrUZj4q02oiQkYDi7diD5UV3JV6w8zLB4v_zLwMGf2Hdoyk0uy-wpmVF1uig_vF8isyfkJ7Z4wvczNP-cLjfoA/s4896/P1120095.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZvTWy8LVRPJ5mVAopcqOR1jhPmQXHaSuqaloUlG9deX449lOjXRTXFJKyv9nRDBh5Edh6BcIej5lUCHHJaMLVLClH4qPLTz5mg3mpMrUZj4q02oiQkYDi7diD5UV3JV6w8zLB4v_zLwMGf2Hdoyk0uy-wpmVF1uig_vF8isyfkJ7Z4wvczNP-cLjfoA/w640-h480/P1120095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BLToWmFEC9sI-niFC_f4KV0SEi_MjEJGocSOz88AFKvsp8BjOqpx5-kQeCKlYkvdhVHpl1VI_gNCUhutHEeNQYi2IDVvlmtXIUSpr4SgTP3zawW-9ebxC_ecVIt3TQbK11CnZ9geiNQE1-_3QUcpYfgfulVN3d7IwUDM9r82JFxSvT7sObO1VlvM5Eo/s4896/P1120096.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BLToWmFEC9sI-niFC_f4KV0SEi_MjEJGocSOz88AFKvsp8BjOqpx5-kQeCKlYkvdhVHpl1VI_gNCUhutHEeNQYi2IDVvlmtXIUSpr4SgTP3zawW-9ebxC_ecVIt3TQbK11CnZ9geiNQE1-_3QUcpYfgfulVN3d7IwUDM9r82JFxSvT7sObO1VlvM5Eo/w640-h480/P1120096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFUFrvBxJgdhb70-VfbzneEvtzmYQP0C_g_9SH69cbrWS32EVvc_DJcv7FILKQm2pZlBVHBLh2J2yzz2x-3mVwXOiOx9huIiDObsBCegByGTy05MP59iZtjCFdq8LrUEyVD7rKYO9Y_qtOxM8NM8ZkQWo9niqVJRFMloo9gY5FaoLkby6U7TptaxtAmo/s4896/P1120098.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFUFrvBxJgdhb70-VfbzneEvtzmYQP0C_g_9SH69cbrWS32EVvc_DJcv7FILKQm2pZlBVHBLh2J2yzz2x-3mVwXOiOx9huIiDObsBCegByGTy05MP59iZtjCFdq8LrUEyVD7rKYO9Y_qtOxM8NM8ZkQWo9niqVJRFMloo9gY5FaoLkby6U7TptaxtAmo/w640-h480/P1120098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoQOAAo_qFPWOgTh5EABFax9OTvme640vsXVjUdylPMa8IDGCWL1abdippqEfJLf1MkODvEX3OprSGwtMsIifBVcZgTMlgFFNwc8K-guRjWqyIXvAPk-_5Jwp6lTG1bzdIqSFVQMZd361wp3mh1QczJz267zmKm4f5zr7wT2I0PYTSkeeR8oErwdWxOg/s2956/P1120104a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1828" data-original-width="2956" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoQOAAo_qFPWOgTh5EABFax9OTvme640vsXVjUdylPMa8IDGCWL1abdippqEfJLf1MkODvEX3OprSGwtMsIifBVcZgTMlgFFNwc8K-guRjWqyIXvAPk-_5Jwp6lTG1bzdIqSFVQMZd361wp3mh1QczJz267zmKm4f5zr7wT2I0PYTSkeeR8oErwdWxOg/w640-h396/P1120104a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The pleasure of getting back on to flattish ground was very much appreciated by the knees and the additional pleasure of enjoying a refreshing beverage in town was very much appreciated by me.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7ghxk1fbaVu0KKIVhL0-X9euCiWbsHuyj-A5FlCBP9EbWvf-gtsiwZ6ay8Ift-6aLgov5HxERi1CZvep5d262S73WoMc98f6s8h-Q4n4KOUKCva9GBcqPQhIl_uju0iDSC9p2WR34vRySHi1kpt5_b2FWuPeHYyOEoJtbbhQRqKS5hp8-9HvNGgzV9Y/s4896/P1120108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7ghxk1fbaVu0KKIVhL0-X9euCiWbsHuyj-A5FlCBP9EbWvf-gtsiwZ6ay8Ift-6aLgov5HxERi1CZvep5d262S73WoMc98f6s8h-Q4n4KOUKCva9GBcqPQhIl_uju0iDSC9p2WR34vRySHi1kpt5_b2FWuPeHYyOEoJtbbhQRqKS5hp8-9HvNGgzV9Y/w640-h480/P1120108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAfcr9mFmtptzVvstfabd_C4QGAVotnxTpyuomqRIiTctwU4Zal7oPH9Cbl3qaFcqkDxkgHQZtcmVjIIIIxC3Ln8m4s_ASZsiZt1b7M_AWnMvQl8OryChE7KSvzpvBk5bsHlS635RllmungEAWLtLle9xKn-sWal88Jdtv1wTSnP3kQpaz8YIf5OUyG8/s76/Point%207.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="76" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAfcr9mFmtptzVvstfabd_C4QGAVotnxTpyuomqRIiTctwU4Zal7oPH9Cbl3qaFcqkDxkgHQZtcmVjIIIIxC3Ln8m4s_ASZsiZt1b7M_AWnMvQl8OryChE7KSvzpvBk5bsHlS635RllmungEAWLtLle9xKn-sWal88Jdtv1wTSnP3kQpaz8YIf5OUyG8/s1600/Point%207.jpg" width="76" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Pico do Arieiro</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu5Y4A0d_J6fASNhWPMC11Y1JxtUwn7-JPlOVhmp1zM2D4BwTqT3qw4SS5hfl2fwErr8nEI-iFlH57KQ-LN5SjtpJSgIHssd8U6WfW723aHk-1Ez8bWRBBEivOTi9C4z_cNP9C9Q2-F8RHNYzEQnyRu7DGOI25zd579QGeCpz7pLrYoFEIMMbvvztdV8/s5584/P1120111.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="5584" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu5Y4A0d_J6fASNhWPMC11Y1JxtUwn7-JPlOVhmp1zM2D4BwTqT3qw4SS5hfl2fwErr8nEI-iFlH57KQ-LN5SjtpJSgIHssd8U6WfW723aHk-1Ez8bWRBBEivOTi9C4z_cNP9C9Q2-F8RHNYzEQnyRu7DGOI25zd579QGeCpz7pLrYoFEIMMbvvztdV8/w640-h220/P1120111.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The second highest summit in Madeira can be reached by car and so we hired a private cab to drive us up some very tight roads so that we could both enjoy the stunning views, without me having to constantly scan the road ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3YQVJZmJ5Wel2nGcjW178_RT2dy5g2BMfiKiyqqP66EEKRAJETo6BYXhOfFwRljAwCB8IKZv_6Z-jgyzLLMF_ZoiaOMMs6f4-Fi_hNsaeRMbAJuzgDWFUENsHqQtsTrhTGVmqSmmjRcW5j3uly0ItmsX1-XvK3IDjKgO-HOkhLzHEDksZSG0UW9dVM/s4000/20240224_134726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3YQVJZmJ5Wel2nGcjW178_RT2dy5g2BMfiKiyqqP66EEKRAJETo6BYXhOfFwRljAwCB8IKZv_6Z-jgyzLLMF_ZoiaOMMs6f4-Fi_hNsaeRMbAJuzgDWFUENsHqQtsTrhTGVmqSmmjRcW5j3uly0ItmsX1-XvK3IDjKgO-HOkhLzHEDksZSG0UW9dVM/w640-h296/20240224_134726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The summit is occupied by a NATO radar installation run by the Portuguese defence forces, but the area is open to the public to enjoy the amazing views above the cloud layer that forms around the peaks on Madeira.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjc2hmlXKLoAtiHaCIhrknbiID0Wl16K8ushH4iEmpPmZuMnr_-GOxJ0rRibxJKYtBdGKq6MxaxjsKcn8tw4wg9KvE9xF6w7U450JlC8T8xFpaamyB5V2vbzxra5C9wIRSkuDW_2Jg8AzsNZm3cE5mF6jgNg1DKU5vuXonq-Rh5Sd07ZZC88VlMx4qHw/s4000/20240224_140924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjc2hmlXKLoAtiHaCIhrknbiID0Wl16K8ushH4iEmpPmZuMnr_-GOxJ0rRibxJKYtBdGKq6MxaxjsKcn8tw4wg9KvE9xF6w7U450JlC8T8xFpaamyB5V2vbzxra5C9wIRSkuDW_2Jg8AzsNZm3cE5mF6jgNg1DKU5vuXonq-Rh5Sd07ZZC88VlMx4qHw/w640-h296/20240224_140924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkvfleskzjmrDfuVcRPHR3sikwHfhkiuZe-jyYHcYGc5s8qg69qn_vBAymigdYsipdNn-SRTpQ1oNQun8n2TSvmu4T5Ai6TkqU21vMrb5GsPwJ43HZ510hqKrkQjt0TXPizvdjdMVDrKiowFe4LKCgTeUZ6r3xgj7PFTpb7OmTUZ-ZpOM6A2ji-JlpVw/s4000/20240224_134445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkvfleskzjmrDfuVcRPHR3sikwHfhkiuZe-jyYHcYGc5s8qg69qn_vBAymigdYsipdNn-SRTpQ1oNQun8n2TSvmu4T5Ai6TkqU21vMrb5GsPwJ43HZ510hqKrkQjt0TXPizvdjdMVDrKiowFe4LKCgTeUZ6r3xgj7PFTpb7OmTUZ-ZpOM6A2ji-JlpVw/w640-h296/20240224_134445.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDZASpz9xstihLb9d5zxO_Iu0zm6buiUUPN6wp_I0uNbjFqvAfm2KR5pgjd9bIGu4mwf3qrv7pCrTjpz1NUXVgB7WJ8FCJvDtlyrBfS8x8u1BK0GZIPrbpycPlwz-7o3dGnoIF3yJuTopeFb3QL3k3tkUvGl9E9z7zdLrWDu-Q3YVO6QJmQtVGfc0wy0/s4000/20240224_134755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDZASpz9xstihLb9d5zxO_Iu0zm6buiUUPN6wp_I0uNbjFqvAfm2KR5pgjd9bIGu4mwf3qrv7pCrTjpz1NUXVgB7WJ8FCJvDtlyrBfS8x8u1BK0GZIPrbpycPlwz-7o3dGnoIF3yJuTopeFb3QL3k3tkUvGl9E9z7zdLrWDu-Q3YVO6QJmQtVGfc0wy0/w296-h640/20240224_134755.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CIERC_lKYT1ekhMuPTUIU6neD3bGH_F4RidW1l0_R3EsBA-0-g6W7rnz1IAHUDdYiN2wDvqX8drArp_iQukH-daDfwON47zjymh17mFvRUOrP9FTdbo50VO1iPz3B8LadkJshFaFDCsoyuz1gLznE0OrS_W7ctDhzRoVWtjyhTe9x9H0ZfYdyqz2NVo/s4000/20240224_134802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CIERC_lKYT1ekhMuPTUIU6neD3bGH_F4RidW1l0_R3EsBA-0-g6W7rnz1IAHUDdYiN2wDvqX8drArp_iQukH-daDfwON47zjymh17mFvRUOrP9FTdbo50VO1iPz3B8LadkJshFaFDCsoyuz1gLznE0OrS_W7ctDhzRoVWtjyhTe9x9H0ZfYdyqz2NVo/w640-h296/20240224_134802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxlmka7mmVOdWFCjBWaYMYwqQ6SgX1JluDG9LGnF1569swMdu4YoYVaKouovyYE-Ma3qI2zwsfQ4jIJYjpGgSKT673VR7wewSsALhxMRnchxEZWMhIX8yoLMcYion4ahOZINtpIP3bvMRp2CaUBNJ0ePrjyZfq0a5bDGDRfFsg7sYmEvwjFdgRacpxaQ/s4000/20240224_134836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxlmka7mmVOdWFCjBWaYMYwqQ6SgX1JluDG9LGnF1569swMdu4YoYVaKouovyYE-Ma3qI2zwsfQ4jIJYjpGgSKT673VR7wewSsALhxMRnchxEZWMhIX8yoLMcYion4ahOZINtpIP3bvMRp2CaUBNJ0ePrjyZfq0a5bDGDRfFsg7sYmEvwjFdgRacpxaQ/w640-h296/20240224_134836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUflY5tcJ4oU9M6BhDcjZAWTCsVUaWr-_YpnBWtoJgGRp4x8IMR1giHJJXxSHdnJ-YC19MYdMlDcefSVf0RC9sTRAMFJVS5BDrW761pKLMUTv4Na71L1psAfuD8Z5A_hVY1DpsyBAg_QN_PQW3tNNrbaK-MCn6icGGytbJEVGB1-Rjsl97pmVR8RV_yx0/s4000/20240224_135956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUflY5tcJ4oU9M6BhDcjZAWTCsVUaWr-_YpnBWtoJgGRp4x8IMR1giHJJXxSHdnJ-YC19MYdMlDcefSVf0RC9sTRAMFJVS5BDrW761pKLMUTv4Na71L1psAfuD8Z5A_hVY1DpsyBAg_QN_PQW3tNNrbaK-MCn6icGGytbJEVGB1-Rjsl97pmVR8RV_yx0/w640-h296/20240224_135956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These high mountain areas are home to very specific fauna that has developed to survive in this challenging environment.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYSeREz7mC9cKHjk4zg-uFXrEpwqal0CvbttWnl-_112TgOOkNdaMMLMJ1C4acz4Q-X6inQguPByBoy8PgxrmMjH3atgb1HWFL6s-sWRJSkDaKjmiKknAxV_VEYhxMivV67DPtGzeQvBlBLYla_qhD6JClEUwtL5D0NL5kIYWAP_OIamZPIFlWAGz5YM/s4896/P1120122.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYSeREz7mC9cKHjk4zg-uFXrEpwqal0CvbttWnl-_112TgOOkNdaMMLMJ1C4acz4Q-X6inQguPByBoy8PgxrmMjH3atgb1HWFL6s-sWRJSkDaKjmiKknAxV_VEYhxMivV67DPtGzeQvBlBLYla_qhD6JClEUwtL5D0NL5kIYWAP_OIamZPIFlWAGz5YM/w640-h480/P1120122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My attention was grabbed by a rapidly moving little bird that I would know at home as a pipit, such as the Meadow Pipit, and indeed I was right, when I got to check my bird book, but with this one a unique sub species endemic to Madeira and the Canary Islands, Berthelot's Pipit, <i>Anthus berthelotii, </i>a new sighting for me and an exciting spot.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo12UFgQKzUNOt6H_bPuvfpdRAmucwMRH3lXPub7-Sxzi-aZyMtbeR5_QgWekzftjK88H8oo0GDHWtjx5B3SkHk46mX_KeklV5TnhEgR3f3UF3XXkSQbQCXy9oR1IS3uFyZtyT6TlyAvkHqf1x2kSbGunWFyhGiUy-sRC_3ioG8QeY-JrU4dbIJLlhoY/s2318/P1120135a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="2318" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo12UFgQKzUNOt6H_bPuvfpdRAmucwMRH3lXPub7-Sxzi-aZyMtbeR5_QgWekzftjK88H8oo0GDHWtjx5B3SkHk46mX_KeklV5TnhEgR3f3UF3XXkSQbQCXy9oR1IS3uFyZtyT6TlyAvkHqf1x2kSbGunWFyhGiUy-sRC_3ioG8QeY-JrU4dbIJLlhoY/w640-h552/P1120135a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Berthelot's Pipit, </span><i style="text-align: start;">Anthus berthelotii maderensis, </i><span style="text-align: start;">is the specific variety found in Madeira.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPFqz2c_Cm1V_K2NmKgzAnqY3FcgsbPEdXNt3cfglzKQc6BQPVEx16niD3AYS80bv5Zpde5GcAaozOwv5XIbSw-lw-Nhm8Svv5OpGyj1zn3LjAYkH_PD6vBWWLux5yy-CrLLd6iWShx-NujYfI9owj_zzYN5Di4hxl7EOQ9ITt4n0BfNXMraeeaXTzxM/s3851/P1120139a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="3851" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPFqz2c_Cm1V_K2NmKgzAnqY3FcgsbPEdXNt3cfglzKQc6BQPVEx16niD3AYS80bv5Zpde5GcAaozOwv5XIbSw-lw-Nhm8Svv5OpGyj1zn3LjAYkH_PD6vBWWLux5yy-CrLLd6iWShx-NujYfI9owj_zzYN5Di4hxl7EOQ9ITt4n0BfNXMraeeaXTzxM/w640-h436/P1120139a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As well as the radar installation, the summit is a good location for an observatory with unobstructed views of the night sky.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zXYZsyNmYgHK9x9pvQ22x9cV1dAA8G16P3Sf27wVaonc37j6eoDOri_N0HJCe3gQGwbX2FNaPzd_QR1EgFs0204OVK02li65YY3KmHXKBsLBGSqPrY1aMgkqWY56iFILh3MrU9k-ouMqLCbdrsqqOcPTah7sUIU-kTZQ-VMBOIYGFT5PjKrAi0r9TJQ/s4896/P1120130.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zXYZsyNmYgHK9x9pvQ22x9cV1dAA8G16P3Sf27wVaonc37j6eoDOri_N0HJCe3gQGwbX2FNaPzd_QR1EgFs0204OVK02li65YY3KmHXKBsLBGSqPrY1aMgkqWY56iFILh3MrU9k-ouMqLCbdrsqqOcPTah7sUIU-kTZQ-VMBOIYGFT5PjKrAi0r9TJQ/w640-h480/P1120130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUSgZ7ZGdhBZLA0ohFRhmQkg5zGP79J-VP_CUcs-Kn3qWUYDY8DAltbqrZDQkX8J5iMxm1kk73Bz6L-mXhNGt3XzNGaqPTr93wpLnQDvZm2GjnTJRUHEf2JYj1Yt1I66_Max7I_Xrd40to74ltJmEG9tsEDjYY9k4N4bG0CaIWyXB_yoKk2zrMjlXnGI/s4896/P1120125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUSgZ7ZGdhBZLA0ohFRhmQkg5zGP79J-VP_CUcs-Kn3qWUYDY8DAltbqrZDQkX8J5iMxm1kk73Bz6L-mXhNGt3XzNGaqPTr93wpLnQDvZm2GjnTJRUHEf2JYj1Yt1I66_Max7I_Xrd40to74ltJmEG9tsEDjYY9k4N4bG0CaIWyXB_yoKk2zrMjlXnGI/w640-h480/P1120125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To be able to walk on these heights and just soak up the majesty of the views below through the breaks in the clouds was very special and made for one of our most memorable days among many on Madeira.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrsO8zx3nZwh5edrv-Br7RQnVKWZCkhaJSo0Jqgg0DVXB18POQmS_9IIZoVQUy1wByzVBjrTqfekakP4j4nhua3fVU8RrJt43aU3OZN9oIY0Fw7yAsPjXkp9oUHYGJzYDcMdeW_Ex7ywP4LORE2m_a3tPeoc6sqzy6fYcGh11iU2fYSe6YB2Wl63Z6Qs/s4896/P1120129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrsO8zx3nZwh5edrv-Br7RQnVKWZCkhaJSo0Jqgg0DVXB18POQmS_9IIZoVQUy1wByzVBjrTqfekakP4j4nhua3fVU8RrJt43aU3OZN9oIY0Fw7yAsPjXkp9oUHYGJzYDcMdeW_Ex7ywP4LORE2m_a3tPeoc6sqzy6fYcGh11iU2fYSe6YB2Wl63Z6Qs/w640-h480/P1120129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtruy3jG2bxPlAKJkq95FYFUcHvKwnaP5b3Y_jgS5PZRCfAd7hLlNsATUejacFHyd6yMEzhiJXhi1esbGXfy_woP-Fbo0ygJMttO8ewPKvP44eDN0iKs3EyMRJ91dlZN3oWuWOif0o0BVSbUDuWM4OfnuSTEfMX-fbgkSaBF05pfWCK3Rb6FBUw3GO7cE/s4896/P1120150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtruy3jG2bxPlAKJkq95FYFUcHvKwnaP5b3Y_jgS5PZRCfAd7hLlNsATUejacFHyd6yMEzhiJXhi1esbGXfy_woP-Fbo0ygJMttO8ewPKvP44eDN0iKs3EyMRJ91dlZN3oWuWOif0o0BVSbUDuWM4OfnuSTEfMX-fbgkSaBF05pfWCK3Rb6FBUw3GO7cE/w640-h480/P1120150.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4aDfpa9aGNDBqs48Vzf8Cd5-UDwJarMKV4P4YpFOqK6oThEZ99GDiLKk8lqZ0Cfq6OqG_nlRdKj-fFU9XF4z-NCWHtL6KLZg9eeRnK9MqDl84-N-LH-TblnnulGapbc-gpOi8g9x3rsmM789Y_itg76ExHtbBHyH53mV5gJLsLFF8yHhs1WD3PL3k8I/s7520/P1120152.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="7520" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4aDfpa9aGNDBqs48Vzf8Cd5-UDwJarMKV4P4YpFOqK6oThEZ99GDiLKk8lqZ0Cfq6OqG_nlRdKj-fFU9XF4z-NCWHtL6KLZg9eeRnK9MqDl84-N-LH-TblnnulGapbc-gpOi8g9x3rsmM789Y_itg76ExHtbBHyH53mV5gJLsLFF8yHhs1WD3PL3k8I/w640-h164/P1120152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Carolyn and I had an amazing nine days in Madeira and we are now back suitably refreshed looking forward to warmer weather at home and with me recharged with ideas for work on projects in hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>The beauty of time away from the normal routine is an opportunity to regroup and refocus and the odd evening after dinner gave me a chance to get my Kiss Me Hardy Ship Record Cards done for the Camperdown collection, along with some other reading and contemplations.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dPviHzXrVcpRyJhNgqG30epJWFSP0i19F03ZNlZgXCWrKAwD6KjpFPYAFDuuOTbZlovEJRXwkZqmsEHjVZiRKqWbL0eg_xUAzcr795DjMKkz4iIwcjPbkR4OzsfJhtqR8OH9irQjh8JewBahyVbe4zNyxLBpOeCHKp9GQA1YQm3JDgwvaQU-i6odtro/s1919/Camperdown%20cards.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dPviHzXrVcpRyJhNgqG30epJWFSP0i19F03ZNlZgXCWrKAwD6KjpFPYAFDuuOTbZlovEJRXwkZqmsEHjVZiRKqWbL0eg_xUAzcr795DjMKkz4iIwcjPbkR4OzsfJhtqR8OH9irQjh8JewBahyVbe4zNyxLBpOeCHKp9GQA1YQm3JDgwvaQU-i6odtro/w640-h360/Camperdown%20cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One job finished while I was away - my new KMH, Battle of Camperdown Ship Record Cards are finished.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As well as that, I placed an order with Helion Books for one of their latest new titles, and it turned up soon after we got back home, and will give a clue as to what I intend to build next as part of the 1:700 ship collection.</div><div><br /></div><div>Book review to follow.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkqP7Y8K9BggDxYnJyr8atcGEmzWJHMztsGdRMygZk9QuVmqdR5wRGS-8Do__xfADPhCXIPc2qdUYbqu5C4s7SEoXE2_CJwFEgSGBNEkLwFr4aVx3LrbJxHTPSR1wbt7WlyANDXCDnHxN1p9Z-VzRFuaDBj2qHJfwu18YiutcBOozJW6YtC-01M3vSH4/s525/helion1001444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkqP7Y8K9BggDxYnJyr8atcGEmzWJHMztsGdRMygZk9QuVmqdR5wRGS-8Do__xfADPhCXIPc2qdUYbqu5C4s7SEoXE2_CJwFEgSGBNEkLwFr4aVx3LrbJxHTPSR1wbt7WlyANDXCDnHxN1p9Z-VzRFuaDBj2qHJfwu18YiutcBOozJW6YtC-01M3vSH4/w426-h640/helion1001444.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new reading.<br /><a href="https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/suffren-versus-hughes-war-in-the-indian-ocean-1781-1783.php?sid=77bbddf1910228f4d83db3447f2da916">https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/suffren-versus-hughes-war-in-the-indian-ocean-1781-1783.php?sid=77bbddf1910228f4d83db3447f2da916</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>As well as that, I have been further contemplating the use of Far Distant Ships (FDS) for future big-battle games and extending the collection into earlier periods to be able to fight some of the most notable historic engagements from the Seven Years War onwards and have been pondering the problem of decent maps illustrating battle set-ups, perfectly available for a battle like Trafalgar, but less so for actions such as the Battle of Minorca, 20th May 1756 or 'Byng's Action', a battle from my schoolboy history lessons complete with the drama of Admiral Byng being shot on his own quarterdeck at Portsmouth for failing to do his duty, otherwise known as <i>"pour encourager les autres".</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbWHpZW5CjuIL3RP7L5GhnhMLLh0pvN_N65FQoGfJQIkOAy7zwwUkQTpMFIhYKa6gC_7PvfGV6acWqfcLemjGbMwBceRfT8WUVcDl0h4aQl5MqHRdFkJEdI-xw-hiFjidb2ZYbuH8ZS5PaczX0W3V0E5gKXiBKaeW9qOPZhDffYM4m7AFbkmPFwgVtHs/s3119/Minorca%2020th%20May%201756%20(Byng's%20Action).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2914" data-original-width="3119" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbWHpZW5CjuIL3RP7L5GhnhMLLh0pvN_N65FQoGfJQIkOAy7zwwUkQTpMFIhYKa6gC_7PvfGV6acWqfcLemjGbMwBceRfT8WUVcDl0h4aQl5MqHRdFkJEdI-xw-hiFjidb2ZYbuH8ZS5PaczX0W3V0E5gKXiBKaeW9qOPZhDffYM4m7AFbkmPFwgVtHs/w640-h598/Minorca%2020th%20May%201756%20(Byng's%20Action).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Battle of Minorca, 20th May 1756 or 'Byng's Action' as set up in Flying Colours from GMT and ripe for conversion to Far Distant Ships in 1:700</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Then I discovered that the GMT board game 'Flying Colours works on the same time and sea scale as FDS, which should make converting their setups for a tabletop rendition very dooable - more anon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, in my delving's into naval activities around Madeira, I came across a minor action that I was unfamiliar with but has sparked some ideas for another scenario, described on Wikipedia as the 'Action of 24th February 1780'</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Oh6uOnfpVykU5YWWqF_2d6juMdgr_jVO9SEvqAWpR97sLKYMDNppRCqyPZ0OGYZFxy1-Rvl8kK5eD9stkGW2aF5LoS7W0jNxsMznPfWQiEhG1-vyfh9dwp6OS7g72KfOvCKFBdcpaSqvBlkAuKy-D7z4RpEH4HMZwxZJVwGthuCMsppTHUwipxZacs/s1289/Plan_des_man%C5%93uvres_du_vaisseau_le_Proth%C3%A9e_en_1780_pour_sauver_son_convoi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1289" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Oh6uOnfpVykU5YWWqF_2d6juMdgr_jVO9SEvqAWpR97sLKYMDNppRCqyPZ0OGYZFxy1-Rvl8kK5eD9stkGW2aF5LoS7W0jNxsMznPfWQiEhG1-vyfh9dwp6OS7g72KfOvCKFBdcpaSqvBlkAuKy-D7z4RpEH4HMZwxZJVwGthuCMsppTHUwipxZacs/w640-h478/Plan_des_man%C5%93uvres_du_vaisseau_le_Proth%C3%A9e_en_1780_pour_sauver_son_convoi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan of the movements made by the French ship Prothée to protect its convoy while it is attacked by several English ships off Madeira on 24 February 1780.<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Action_of_24_February_1780&oldid=1186916988">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Action_of_24_February_1780&oldid=1186916988</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This skirmish developed as Admiral George Rodney, flush with the success of his nighttime victory at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent or the 'Moonlight Battle' the previous month, and his subsequent relief of Gibraltar was leading the fleet back to the Caribbean when, as Clowes describes it below, from volume Three of his History of the Royal Navy:<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><i><b>'On this return voyage it</b> </i>(Rodney's Fleet)<i> <b>fell in with fifteen French supply vessels, convoyed by two sixtv-fours, bound for the Ile de France, in the Indian Ocean. One of the ships of war, the <span style="text-align: center;">Protée</span>, and three of the storeships were taken. Though trivial, the incident illustrates the effect of operations in Europe upon war in India.'</b></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The French naval accounts seem to make more of the action than the rather dismissive four lines from Clowes, complete with an illustration seen above, so might make for an interesting tabletop recreation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, enough of all this holidaying and contemplative rumination, back to the painting desk.</div><div><br /></div><div>More anon </div><div>JJ</div></div></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-23581352671352374922024-02-16T02:01:00.000-08:002024-02-16T02:01:23.510-08:00JJ's on Tour - The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, (Part Two, WWII German, Post War Equipment, Small Arms and Uniforms).<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqkdIHNKN2w3Atm21DT4hWcRpes56WCmW4EjB21yVqM7y24vCOPnngziOluMQWjldrXIe3SFog7XVoXeeCv65Gt8Zi5nYLtrzGFTwMwG496qigBUmpgrxhM7ME7CIc2IGb5Bq8fJhgdJL4boOLRleRQWN5mIoWF7Q_kLgQ_qIxjgYaVVI9-Tsij1-sZA/s1918/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1918" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqkdIHNKN2w3Atm21DT4hWcRpes56WCmW4EjB21yVqM7y24vCOPnngziOluMQWjldrXIe3SFog7XVoXeeCv65Gt8Zi5nYLtrzGFTwMwG496qigBUmpgrxhM7ME7CIc2IGb5Bq8fJhgdJL4boOLRleRQWN5mIoWF7Q_kLgQ_qIxjgYaVVI9-Tsij1-sZA/w640-h360/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;">This is Part Two of a two part post looking at the collection of the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum that I visited on the ninth leg of our Australia trip, after arriving a Cairns in late January early February 2023.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As with Part One, this is a long long post to allow me to give a comprehensive overview of this very impressive collection, that seems to be added to each and every month, so if WWII German and Cold War tanks and guns 'float your boat' I suggest making a brew or something stronger if it's your preference, and I hope enjoy the read and accompanying pictures.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pGL5HSOatN2Lrac3F2SnCRexSoX0mnEQuRe0D_P_48ZCZ_fT15HUDShlQ04v1ivWXzu_kEGtmiGotoyBGhc_dCFgTfXXROF0g8sqDdcRDk3BcORKw6yKjGxjRHa-o8HsDT_MFTA_RX8rgIA7p1DDlymN0tHCJCp0JiSVrfQch-iBg62nGw6zpRtZTfY/s1417/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1417" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pGL5HSOatN2Lrac3F2SnCRexSoX0mnEQuRe0D_P_48ZCZ_fT15HUDShlQ04v1ivWXzu_kEGtmiGotoyBGhc_dCFgTfXXROF0g8sqDdcRDk3BcORKw6yKjGxjRHa-o8HsDT_MFTA_RX8rgIA7p1DDlymN0tHCJCp0JiSVrfQch-iBg62nGw6zpRtZTfY/w640-h486/Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route so far on our travels through Australia, starting down in Melbourne just before New Year 2023.<br />Map courtesy of <a href="https://www.freeworldmaps.net/australia/">https://www.freeworldmaps.net/australia/</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The link below will take you to Part One if you would like to follow things sequentially and where I have attached a link to the previous post in this series, entitled 'JJ's On Tour', which as a series covers our four month expedition across the Pacific Area October 2022 to February 2023.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjC4LUXOEeJZwhO_inGZNh3f5MYCCe7S80CA29nFdeAYGNs7p4dv8C8BC8nxrSQbl1iV-4CJ1AL0BGYoh_x1ugG1Xwuc2f3ZFK7Rd3g2rP6jP4d6FyqViZcyEPe6utUUrPEjKn8_D-N-FrV4l8uBtBFsTpuY0kD17vfD_E7SaYHmRuRJUId9YIIFav2s/s4896/P1070945a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjC4LUXOEeJZwhO_inGZNh3f5MYCCe7S80CA29nFdeAYGNs7p4dv8C8BC8nxrSQbl1iV-4CJ1AL0BGYoh_x1ugG1Xwuc2f3ZFK7Rd3g2rP6jP4d6FyqViZcyEPe6utUUrPEjKn8_D-N-FrV4l8uBtBFsTpuY0kD17vfD_E7SaYHmRuRJUId9YIIFav2s/w400-h300/P1070945a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2024/01/jjs-on-tour-australian-armour-and.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's on Tour - The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum (Part One, WWII British & Empire, Japanese, Soviet-Russian and US Equipment)</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b style="font-size: large;">German WWII Vehicles & Guns</b></p><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>German Panzer 38T </b></b><b><b><b>Light </b></b></b><b><b>Tank </b></b></span></div></div>The Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), originally known as the ČKD LT vz. 38, was a tank designed during the 1930s, which saw extensive service during World War II. <div><br /></div><div>Developed in Czechoslovakia by ČKD, the type was adopted by Nazi Germany following the annexation of Czechoslovakia. With the German Army and other Axis forces, the type saw service in the invasions of Poland, France and the USSR. Production ended in 1942, when its main armament was deemed inadequate. In all, over 1,400 Pz. 38(t)s were manufactured. The chassis of the Pz. 38(t) continued to be produced for the Marder III (1942–1944) with some of its components used in the later Jagdpanzer 38 (1944–1945) tank destroyer and its derivative vehicles.<div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9mTbF_F44T6Bb-AP-WQ5ao0Dx3ZZJj2au6WtiCigo4TsgUYU4KMeg9eqAyniq7FhzjPP_bhRryVLlJvZHleYmphQwRHyATSwYaQZvb2v33gLN9Y7F34q3ttDp0gDj-YP0SL6hT5IJhgmq631v4Ilx_qbrM8JmZKeg-0T_1-Sk0gUBiyx_oHEW1Qv3kg/s4896/P1080133a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9mTbF_F44T6Bb-AP-WQ5ao0Dx3ZZJj2au6WtiCigo4TsgUYU4KMeg9eqAyniq7FhzjPP_bhRryVLlJvZHleYmphQwRHyATSwYaQZvb2v33gLN9Y7F34q3ttDp0gDj-YP0SL6hT5IJhgmq631v4Ilx_qbrM8JmZKeg-0T_1-Sk0gUBiyx_oHEW1Qv3kg/w640-h480/P1080133a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>The two-man turret was centrally located, and housed the tank's main armament, a 37 mm Skoda A7 gun with 90 rounds of ammunition. In addition, a 7.92 mm machine gun was in a ball mount to the right of the main gun. This machine gun could be trained on targets independently of the main gun, or coupled to the main gun for use as a conventional coaxial machine gun.</div><div><br /></div><div>The driver was in the front right of the hull, with the radio operator seated to the driver's left. The radio operator manned the hull-mounted 7.92 mm machine gun in front in addition to operating the radio on his left.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZnlmvMAhJ51BTPQtELcEsSUVEzN5XCDFeNDgviVMhucv-nZx2-QY5LkNW7eD8fy9ogaqSZ5mAiDrp29KYFoGPZX1gAUVAzk8ek-TsExFhxT2O_ZDP1tHvxr0RTQ2St5BnB54YGZCEQP1u-JrJpoUV_HgKPCnLnXSiIjWBPFGH7QSPeuNfVHrCmCb69M/s3456/20230202_140337a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2382" data-original-width="3456" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZnlmvMAhJ51BTPQtELcEsSUVEzN5XCDFeNDgviVMhucv-nZx2-QY5LkNW7eD8fy9ogaqSZ5mAiDrp29KYFoGPZX1gAUVAzk8ek-TsExFhxT2O_ZDP1tHvxr0RTQ2St5BnB54YGZCEQP1u-JrJpoUV_HgKPCnLnXSiIjWBPFGH7QSPeuNfVHrCmCb69M/w640-h442/20230202_140337a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In German service, a loader position was added to the turret by reducing the ammunition capacity by 18 rounds.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> All future Panzer 38(t) tanks were rebuilt according to this specification and those already in service were modified accordingly. The commander had to aim and fire the main gun in addition to his role as commander.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT38Pb0xRQaitHz3aWfedeTtErlPh3CfhNR8r4Bg5raKxaJpQ8EFuY0iHY_R_CUx9GrmXDgtR04tmFnJWYgK5xIGgyoD6dm9PrbiCCjFKDkYNVxX2KhXvVoKhHVCQ_LpvvYmO4AdC4PpLeC-wpTrVtW_gqZ4KRK4igXJnUBZawAlUWSFGLaxzU2m1SXA/s3859/20230202_135936a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="3859" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT38Pb0xRQaitHz3aWfedeTtErlPh3CfhNR8r4Bg5raKxaJpQ8EFuY0iHY_R_CUx9GrmXDgtR04tmFnJWYgK5xIGgyoD6dm9PrbiCCjFKDkYNVxX2KhXvVoKhHVCQ_LpvvYmO4AdC4PpLeC-wpTrVtW_gqZ4KRK4igXJnUBZawAlUWSFGLaxzU2m1SXA/w640-h424/20230202_135936a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><br />The engine was mounted in the rear of the hull and powered the tank through a transmission at the front of the hull with five forward gears and one reverse gear. The track ran under four rubber-tyred road wheels and back over a rear idler and two track return rollers. The wheels were mounted on a leaf-spring double-bogie mounted on two axles.</div><div><br /></div><div>The museum have a short video, link below, showing this wonderful exhibit being started up and given a short drive in preparation for AusAmourfest.<br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fzVKsOb2YBA" width="320" youtube-src-id="fzVKsOb2YBA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">German Panzer IV Ausführung D & Panzer III Ausführung J</div></span>The Panzerkampwagen IV Ausf. D was commonly known as the Panzer IV D and was the fourth version of the Panzer IV series and the first variant to be produced during the Second World War.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two-hundred and forty-eight Panzer IV Auf D's were ordered in 1938, seeing just 232 built when production ended in about October 1940, which makes this a very beast indeed and such a thrill to see one this close up.</div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDnAAKSkI7D3rxjCZqtgGEanmfa4AlHoshd6Bo7KoNBR7kiIsyt7inrXQIICu0vIRBlsKvOa2E9ZhLWUQJWTigHrvDREG9SE9-m2B6naKCR8BOi0T4G7cd-xqXV7ZzDYXHWVmQOGzTBU21mGftKl3vYA2bHg93fyOUmN9Y6gFum8SjbDHMZF2qiTOZb4/s4032/20230202_135949a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDnAAKSkI7D3rxjCZqtgGEanmfa4AlHoshd6Bo7KoNBR7kiIsyt7inrXQIICu0vIRBlsKvOa2E9ZhLWUQJWTigHrvDREG9SE9-m2B6naKCR8BOi0T4G7cd-xqXV7ZzDYXHWVmQOGzTBU21mGftKl3vYA2bHg93fyOUmN9Y6gFum8SjbDHMZF2qiTOZb4/w640-h480/20230202_135949a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Built on the same dimensions as the previous models (Ausf. B and C) the D saw the reintroduction of the hull machine gun and the protruding drivers plate and changed the turret's internal gun mantlet to a 35 mm (1.38 in) thick external mantlet as opposed to 30mm on the Ausf C. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvmf2k1ssOyIBftX3R8aDuHZd6TKaEnyb3D9jQcRloC6F3fMFaM-tg5aJpK-uEsylXJABnJRz9318uRDU_1KWsmAHTJ2f2jor5DHI_L5rFZh84HEzaJ0AZ5iK6VYx5BphItFkIBIzbmvcXmhmwAS722kzTkuFvplHjxrEin7sxb2Mbwld4uLqQIs0FVE/s4032/20230202_135958a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvmf2k1ssOyIBftX3R8aDuHZd6TKaEnyb3D9jQcRloC6F3fMFaM-tg5aJpK-uEsylXJABnJRz9318uRDU_1KWsmAHTJ2f2jor5DHI_L5rFZh84HEzaJ0AZ5iK6VYx5BphItFkIBIzbmvcXmhmwAS722kzTkuFvplHjxrEin7sxb2Mbwld4uLqQIs0FVE/w640-h480/20230202_135958a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div>As I was about to take a closer look at the Panzer III J, close alongside, my camera battery packed up, and Alex introduced himself and we began talking about the collection, and in my distractedness I later found I only had a partial view of the III J in the picture of the IV D above and so for completeness I have linked to the video walk around provided by mulligan64 on his YouTube Channel.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SpAW_cK1LWE" width="320" youtube-src-id="SpAW_cK1LWE"></iframe></div><div><span><br /></span></div>This vehicle was rebuilt from battlefield relics acquired on the Eastern Front and represents the most common type of the 13 variations of Panzer III.</span></div><div><span><br /><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Panzer IV Ausführung E</div></span>The Panzer IV Ausführung E was introduced in October 1940, and was the fifth production model of the Panzer IV medium tank which would see a significant increase in armour carried by the tank compared to the Ausf D. </div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_LvJ6uN1dughbk01n-odN4i3RcisAv5t_bFkSySEFo22O1mvF1m3I01wpMFa0YGEoUmBq9YeYbowf9QXj2sBT1u_S_cwfiGFZ24JExSAZIbq0sOM-LE2bGHT5KqYxpbWiuMTu-oehC2334nHHIV6MOT9pVa7MWZnKU9oPoHvrNhF64CVflFOLYOmTV4/s4032/20230202_141935a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2786" data-original-width="4032" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_LvJ6uN1dughbk01n-odN4i3RcisAv5t_bFkSySEFo22O1mvF1m3I01wpMFa0YGEoUmBq9YeYbowf9QXj2sBT1u_S_cwfiGFZ24JExSAZIbq0sOM-LE2bGHT5KqYxpbWiuMTu-oehC2334nHHIV6MOT9pVa7MWZnKU9oPoHvrNhF64CVflFOLYOmTV4/w640-h442/20230202_141935a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This saw 30 millimetres (1.18 inches) of armour on the bow plate, while a 30-millimetre (1.18 inches) appliqué steel plate was added to the glacis as an interim measure. A new driver's visor, adopted from the Sturmgeschütz III was installed on the hull front plate. A new commander's cupola, adopted from the Panzer III Ausf. G, was relocated forward on the turret eliminating the bulge underneath the cupola. </div><div><br /></div><div>Older model Panzer IV tanks were retrofitted with these features when returned to the manufacturer for servicing, and up to 206 Ausf. Es were produced between October 1940 and April 1941.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI2puX1Qkkz0rrVcYyK99lNOj6T3OTM4G7Vs6I72KjJsULI0_-qdmAYl8AkJ344rSVjhBsYpoRjmHF3Hoxyjaazw6aH7JZhNPYPqKv4XsN5g68Bcq3cI1zMgKB9Q5D4yG11WOUlRX_goygmC7SdX_SFWttZxVkEwfVBHlNIOLsIEGFRr9jYgX-Ngn-u0/s4032/20230202_142012a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2820" data-original-width="4032" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI2puX1Qkkz0rrVcYyK99lNOj6T3OTM4G7Vs6I72KjJsULI0_-qdmAYl8AkJ344rSVjhBsYpoRjmHF3Hoxyjaazw6aH7JZhNPYPqKv4XsN5g68Bcq3cI1zMgKB9Q5D4yG11WOUlRX_goygmC7SdX_SFWttZxVkEwfVBHlNIOLsIEGFRr9jYgX-Ngn-u0/w640-h448/20230202_142012a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The introduction of the Ausf E into service with the German Army in late 1940 allowed every medium tank company to reach a strength of ten Panzer IVs for the fighting in the Balkans, North Africa and at the start of the invasion of Russia.</span></div><div><span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgDLGlBkMnrGEFPNWKSrPEoEinNOr1aMZ0GBG_Zy_NN6BG70FsoSXv2BGmw0owJDEdZDYYDmipbJtZdO6yKieJX2skPxY-91wvlMjS8XEeSc1vtph_F-x0tDPYA1C8R_cd0S8TgHPlwQ11Q4iu6d8LQOop_3AsW47YF0imDln8DX72jZgDT96ds5eWqc/s4032/20230202_141943a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgDLGlBkMnrGEFPNWKSrPEoEinNOr1aMZ0GBG_Zy_NN6BG70FsoSXv2BGmw0owJDEdZDYYDmipbJtZdO6yKieJX2skPxY-91wvlMjS8XEeSc1vtph_F-x0tDPYA1C8R_cd0S8TgHPlwQ11Q4iu6d8LQOop_3AsW47YF0imDln8DX72jZgDT96ds5eWqc/w640-h480/20230202_141943a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This careful restoration has seen the uncovering and protection of the original paintwork and markings revealed during the rebuild in their original positions on the tank.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span><br /></span></div>In 1941, the seventeen Panzer Divisions that took part in the invasion of Russia contained 438 Panzer IVs ranging from Ausf Bs to Fs.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The Ausf E remained in service until the last examples became unserviceable or were destroyed in 1944.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V0my0iRa6aIHOff_2dFQidIqIPP95fuSU4zFH5-Itlr3tUdAKudyPzBBtb2lYPagjprODHqDw1xqkllQ2ek4DEbqakRFCbPCs7OUzGBhBJl_CRqr-8Xs3zfWKKI-y9dcthgmqXsyS3VNx9XKFBIMXQnQcPbN0Egpcvq9F8KwOMdToAcvBcscfJl7uoo/s4032/20230202_141949a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V0my0iRa6aIHOff_2dFQidIqIPP95fuSU4zFH5-Itlr3tUdAKudyPzBBtb2lYPagjprODHqDw1xqkllQ2ek4DEbqakRFCbPCs7OUzGBhBJl_CRqr-8Xs3zfWKKI-y9dcthgmqXsyS3VNx9XKFBIMXQnQcPbN0Egpcvq9F8KwOMdToAcvBcscfJl7uoo/w640-h480/20230202_141949a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht98I_uJSvPKaLvCmcvLMu-bCj4fJCQES_18GtHTFGglBmOTOvoHx0x1O1eKaZj0zxjseppWCI41DyK0aDzVxfARyg_8M6RGWygLfPn91MIL8OdK7t6g2o2pIkmJtpxKDRpSOdiJ-ZsaHD2Rer4Ilfwpo0fvIBcopXMpQk_6c1_Owj0EOfcK_jEaIujpY/s4000/20230202_142116a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht98I_uJSvPKaLvCmcvLMu-bCj4fJCQES_18GtHTFGglBmOTOvoHx0x1O1eKaZj0zxjseppWCI41DyK0aDzVxfARyg_8M6RGWygLfPn91MIL8OdK7t6g2o2pIkmJtpxKDRpSOdiJ-ZsaHD2Rer4Ilfwpo0fvIBcopXMpQk_6c1_Owj0EOfcK_jEaIujpY/w640-h480/20230202_142116a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>This exhibit was acquired by the museum as a destroyed relic and has been restored in its current condition by the museum workshop.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_P_39LJLe7eLbewNGZSPmh2Y6bKrSfLv_qNs0tDgNCf9H6G-9qwZmNHYEFH2HlOt71e7nKld2Ra-3RZyE-rTHayjyqIURQ8yT4CFEqnEdO7iqYpvX3n3mBouuJtWFbZu0D-_JoUgNtPI94BVN3bbLz0mSQr2cd9xdtfH6acY_JHJNsGNZJMrvY65_P0/s4032/20230202_142211a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_P_39LJLe7eLbewNGZSPmh2Y6bKrSfLv_qNs0tDgNCf9H6G-9qwZmNHYEFH2HlOt71e7nKld2Ra-3RZyE-rTHayjyqIURQ8yT4CFEqnEdO7iqYpvX3n3mBouuJtWFbZu0D-_JoUgNtPI94BVN3bbLz0mSQr2cd9xdtfH6acY_JHJNsGNZJMrvY65_P0/w640-h480/20230202_142211a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German Panzer IV Ausführung G</span></div></span><div>On 26 May 1941, just before Operation Barbarossa, it was decided to improve the Panzer IV's main armament. </div><div><br /></div><div>In November 1941, the decision to up-gun the Panzer IV to the 50-millimetre (1.97 in) gun was dropped, and instead Krupp was contracted in a joint development to modify Rheinmetall's pending 75 mm (2.95 in) anti-tank gun design, later known as 7.5 cm Pak 40 L/46. Because the recoil length was too great for the tank's turret, the recoil mechanism and chamber were shortened. This resulted in the 75-millimetre (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/43. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Ausf. F tank that received the new, longer KwK 40 L/43 gun were temporarily named Ausf. F2.</div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_IV#cite_note-Osprey-35"></a><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpAyCgH6M2SsdqzlrQAyqmQFiKsnJ9RaEoF5zUeHZD-w8hjT8CfNvqkrz0JIhcVv00NMkz15KRnQ7BmF3ca1_h2b3b9FMiwUW3qqYKBtwLgW7IYfADJudGOkV9NhrMYNkveMdU_H8PNVHtE8SfwqOaM8GiSfvXeG53Pyd29ygVjlEQY7qN_cfpXWp_DM/s3976/20230202_140446a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2693" data-original-width="3976" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpAyCgH6M2SsdqzlrQAyqmQFiKsnJ9RaEoF5zUeHZD-w8hjT8CfNvqkrz0JIhcVv00NMkz15KRnQ7BmF3ca1_h2b3b9FMiwUW3qqYKBtwLgW7IYfADJudGOkV9NhrMYNkveMdU_H8PNVHtE8SfwqOaM8GiSfvXeG53Pyd29ygVjlEQY7qN_cfpXWp_DM/w640-h434/20230202_140446a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the new KwK 40 was loaded with the Pzgr. 39 armour-piercing shell, the new gun fired the AP shell at some 750 m/s (2,460 ft/s), a substantial 74% increase over the howitzer-like KwK 37 L/24 gun's 430 m/s (1,410 ft/s) muzzle velocity. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Initially, the KwK 40 gun was mounted with a single-chamber, ball-shaped </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">muzzle brake</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which provided just under 50% of the recoil system's braking ability.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Firing the Panzergranate 39, the KwK 40 L/43 could penetrate 77 mm (3.03 in) of steel armour at a range of 1,830 m (6,000 ft).</span></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1IJBkmx8GOwk2cI_0_UxNW_EkdT6Gf3k8Ax2xd1TDYyoG6UIFJlA5KxgL9k5pwvaqDZ-RJ8ZQMN_ZBuuRXQwpmmaZEclM1fa8XTFVQBKQOjf10o-SCJTL0vOVnpj9630vE1x4IzsGGidbxf3BYdjlPgJI4l39diEysutbRVcE33soUAF7j5z2gkRE8E/s610/new119%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="610" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1IJBkmx8GOwk2cI_0_UxNW_EkdT6Gf3k8Ax2xd1TDYyoG6UIFJlA5KxgL9k5pwvaqDZ-RJ8ZQMN_ZBuuRXQwpmmaZEclM1fa8XTFVQBKQOjf10o-SCJTL0vOVnpj9630vE1x4IzsGGidbxf3BYdjlPgJI4l39diEysutbRVcE33soUAF7j5z2gkRE8E/w640-h452/new119%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzer IV Ausf. G in the Russian winter<br /><a href="https://www.panzernet.net/panzernet/stranky/tanky/pz4.php">https://www.panzernet.net/panzernet/stranky/tanky/pz4.php</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span><div><div><span>Three months after beginning production, the Panzer IV Ausf. F2 was fitted with an improved muzzle break and was renamed the Panzer IV Ausf. G, and during its production run </span>rom March 1942 to June 1943, the Panzer IV Ausf. G went through further modifications, including another armour upgrade which consisted of a 30-millimetre (1.18 in) face-hardened appliqué steel plate welded (later bolted) to the glacis.</div><div><br /></div>To simplify production, the vision ports on either side of the turret and the loader's forward vision port in the turret front were removed, while a rack for two spare road wheels was installed on the track guard on the left side of the hull. Complementing this, brackets for seven spare track links were added to the glacis plate.<span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This exhibit was acquired by the museum as a battlefield relic and has been restored in its current condition by the museum workshop.</span></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div></span></div><span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Panzer IV Ausführung J</div><div><span>The </span>Panzer IV, Ausf. J was the final production version of the Panzer IV series of German tanks produced in World War II.</div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Despite addressing the mobility problems introduced by the previous Panzer IV, Ausf. H model, the introduction of the Panzer IV, Ausf. J, was considered a retrograde step by the Panzer units that used it.</div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoYxu88TbGHsLcyAJ9Q4svM2iJ4MT2BWjmyoxyUeoSAlrpB3sC1IjoKtIGWiIzY7mRjTPGw2e-apNnKucDZlIgty79E_co7G1PZh1keM71uoNWqDiQFTa00C2-On5ss9tH2oCU97_pkyOvrmViOFPSTi0RDleWxMo8iasA5QXGSqN6Slj_4sPqtarM_8/s4032/20230202_140531a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="4032" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoYxu88TbGHsLcyAJ9Q4svM2iJ4MT2BWjmyoxyUeoSAlrpB3sC1IjoKtIGWiIzY7mRjTPGw2e-apNnKucDZlIgty79E_co7G1PZh1keM71uoNWqDiQFTa00C2-On5ss9tH2oCU97_pkyOvrmViOFPSTi0RDleWxMo8iasA5QXGSqN6Slj_4sPqtarM_8/w640-h386/20230202_140531a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>With the urgent need to replace heavy battlefield losses resulted in the simplification of the manufacturing processes to speed up production at the cost of performance on the battlefield.</div><div><br /></div><div>Modifications included:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The electric generator that powered the tank's turret traverse was removed, so the turret had to be rotated manually. </li><li>The manual turret traversing mechanism was modified and fitted with a second gear which made hand-operation easier.</li><li>The resulting space from the removal of the generator was later used for the installation of an auxiliary 200-litre (53 US gal) fuel tank; road range was thereby increased to 320 km (200 miles).</li><li>The engine's radiator housing was simplified by changing the slanted sides to straight ones.</li><li>The number of return rollers was reduced from four to three.</li><li>The cylindrical muffler was replaced by two flame-suppressing mufflers.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhCFAWXXkpH_q6r2Is8SwCHlRb4OBdLyZgzvZm2h3fVSeJr5G8shqNSv5jCd-h15_FcG6Lzx3wMZUJp_6vZfbRZppknqC0OHUMI78IUlGXogWIii2ZmkLoIxM7uooTXv3AX9-JR_PyYeRKl62J0sQV8u99qY1REMH93yNz3qJ6aj2AWD5MQwe5hUGnZM/s4032/20230202_140558a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhCFAWXXkpH_q6r2Is8SwCHlRb4OBdLyZgzvZm2h3fVSeJr5G8shqNSv5jCd-h15_FcG6Lzx3wMZUJp_6vZfbRZppknqC0OHUMI78IUlGXogWIii2ZmkLoIxM7uooTXv3AX9-JR_PyYeRKl62J0sQV8u99qY1REMH93yNz3qJ6aj2AWD5MQwe5hUGnZM/w640-h480/20230202_140558a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This exhibit was acquired by the museum as a Eastern Front battlefield relic and has been restored in its current condition by the museum workshop, displaying the 'Thoma Schuzen' (wire mesh screens) that were designed to disrupt the trajectory of enemy anti-tank rounds to reduce their ability to effectively penetrate the side armour of the tank.</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div>Again with regard to the unique collection of Panzer IV models, the museums has produced an interesting video review of their collection, link below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DRKNCZP5WZA" width="320" youtube-src-id="DRKNCZP5WZA"></iframe></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Panther Ausführung A</div>Of course one of the star exhibits right next to the other one, seen below, immediately caught my attention on entering the display gallery, but in the spirit of delayed gratification only adding to the experience I resisted making an immediate beeline to this very special and rare tank.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The Panther was a German World War II medium tank designed to counter the Soviet T-34 medium tank and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV.</div><div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZRILWbLAvakNT7_ytpfc-BiugiEMyQpxmZS4AVq_KKPmQ3-C8eA3645svwAqFk3Y0u71EkdPVlWuZoTeomAxXZKEDXCfySvvRaFjXDFAny0ZABSHLvtZYGEBKqDP09Md9sVV1BwIHdIuyvwztz0P1YHbw7f81Z4Jz8zw33spfbagxZDw-DrrJ275RY4/s4032/20230202_141356a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="4032" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZRILWbLAvakNT7_ytpfc-BiugiEMyQpxmZS4AVq_KKPmQ3-C8eA3645svwAqFk3Y0u71EkdPVlWuZoTeomAxXZKEDXCfySvvRaFjXDFAny0ZABSHLvtZYGEBKqDP09Md9sVV1BwIHdIuyvwztz0P1YHbw7f81Z4Jz8zw33spfbagxZDw-DrrJ275RY4/w640-h412/20230202_141356a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Unlike most German tanks the naming of Panther production variants did not follow alphabetical order: the initial variant, Panther "D" (Ausf. D), was followed by the Ausf. A and then the Ausf. G variants.</div><div><br /></div><div>Production of the Panther Ausf. D commenced in January 1943 and they first saw combat during the Battle of Kursk in July/August 1943. Initially there were significant technical problems that effected the reliability of the Panther because they had been rushed into service.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmrdygXgHvEbqU7NanFw6oW-vUtgABr5rAsJaR2Fhv8tTXodHqSzwI1ofN9YXRlLc3otgd1CyTCFUXHZky0RGMHqsTXbwhGR5Irg-zWs8QF0FnlcIuJXSz9OROBb-rKI_FFpDuYGz8f0QKX7UJiKsswfNScgJaJrcDI_TvSwg83Cw6GDH65FEHe3H2-0/s4032/20230202_141444a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmrdygXgHvEbqU7NanFw6oW-vUtgABr5rAsJaR2Fhv8tTXodHqSzwI1ofN9YXRlLc3otgd1CyTCFUXHZky0RGMHqsTXbwhGR5Irg-zWs8QF0FnlcIuJXSz9OROBb-rKI_FFpDuYGz8f0QKX7UJiKsswfNScgJaJrcDI_TvSwg83Cw6GDH65FEHe3H2-0/w640-h480/20230202_141444a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The improved version, the Panther Ausf. A, entered production in August 1943. The</span> major modifications including a better turret with a new commander's cupola, increased turret traverse speed, a mounting bracket for an anti-aircraft MG34 on the cupola, and a ball mounted MG34 in the frontal plate.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>As the war progressed there were a number of issues that impacted the tank's effectiveness. These included the bombing of production plants, increased shortages of material, and a lack of fuel and adequately trained crews.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8rRV-Gj9J5qVG0Qq4MPP3K83aNlNvnk30dUBJUiMreAfyNmOY6bOQnQuUeifDs3x8-FtCO3EQUeqEcaX2eURfrITiWbo37LRxnyrGmKG28JOKb7DLVqU2EQAoaX5lFO8HzrIHcsM1jALmuGzmhFE7hX8mXCv_RAM5ii0sb9u9HMARTNdVOvQ4vq33U0/s4032/20230202_141452a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8rRV-Gj9J5qVG0Qq4MPP3K83aNlNvnk30dUBJUiMreAfyNmOY6bOQnQuUeifDs3x8-FtCO3EQUeqEcaX2eURfrITiWbo37LRxnyrGmKG28JOKb7DLVqU2EQAoaX5lFO8HzrIHcsM1jALmuGzmhFE7hX8mXCv_RAM5ii0sb9u9HMARTNdVOvQ4vq33U0/w640-h480/20230202_141452a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Though officially classified as a medium tank, its weight is more like that of a heavy tank and its weight at 44.8 metric tons puts it roughly in the same category as the American M26 Pershing (41.7 tons), British Churchill (40.7 tons) and the Soviet IS-2 (46 tons) heavy tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Panther was the first German tank to have sloped armour which increased the effective thickness of the armour from 80mm (3.1 inches) to roughly 140mm (5.5 inches), effectively making the front of the tank impervious to enemy fire. However the sides of this tank were very vulnerable, ranging from only 40mm (1.6 inches) to 50mm (2 inches) of either barely sloped or completely flat armour. </div><div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RyPU7XrMS4Je0wWyV2OXurtp8Nv2C7c933upxTCq2V1kw-wbaxKJcqTwU_1oNrcPGkRxsLTMxmMSWVsSwD4kRvoP9mYj8uP711kc2rzwgPjlnDSnkicjKZDmwK8PQspNh-vSeKGK1XVPDcK_eGUsvf5TscHeIiBMmt3l6dWRvaYOvfVa6iRWp2Gz9zQ/s4032/20230202_141506a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RyPU7XrMS4Je0wWyV2OXurtp8Nv2C7c933upxTCq2V1kw-wbaxKJcqTwU_1oNrcPGkRxsLTMxmMSWVsSwD4kRvoP9mYj8uP711kc2rzwgPjlnDSnkicjKZDmwK8PQspNh-vSeKGK1XVPDcK_eGUsvf5TscHeIiBMmt3l6dWRvaYOvfVa6iRWp2Gz9zQ/w640-h480/20230202_141506a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from the UK and then underwent a full four-year restoration prior to arriving at the museum.</div><div><br /></div><div>Research has identified that:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The hull and turret were fabricated by the Hermann Goring Steel Works in Linz, Austria, but the final factory it was assembled in is unknown.</li><li>The tank was probably used by the 12th SS Panzer Division in Normandy after the 1944 D-Day invasion.</li><li>Post-World War II the tank was refurbished by the AMX factory prior to service with the French Army.</li><li>This tank served with the French 501-503rd Regiment de Char de Combat before it was disposed of to the Saumur Tank Museum. (Now there lies a story about how this very very rare tank ended up being relocated from Saumur to Cairns, Australia).</li><li>The Panther was restored to its current condition by Axis Track Services in the UK.</li></ul></div><div>You can follow the fascinating story of the completion of this restoration project in the video link below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oeWV-9s7az8" width="320" youtube-src-id="oeWV-9s7az8"></iframe></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Panther Ausführung D Glacis Plate</div><div>This Panther Ausführung D Glacis Plate was recovered from the battlefields on the Eastern Front and carries traces of Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste together with original paint and illustrates well one of the key changes between the Ausf. D and later Ausf. A seen above with the 'letter box' style of machine gun port seen here as opposed to the ball mount that replaced it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKVrQfYobtLCIOGyKrRuymtBALhmrjdQNWEiVtHNcLDjkf6DcWHkdr_aEJnWNZcctwMBOSM-v6vfEUZihSvt7sAFX5j6v4dyi5NNLl-fVvtIFiOQwtDEWco3EcjtPaoB9RgCTTe4ctlMJjxHJPT7EPzfUOB0ETydJEs02SJwI1ihU-NLbnWPFH8PHIBc/s4032/20230202_141058a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKVrQfYobtLCIOGyKrRuymtBALhmrjdQNWEiVtHNcLDjkf6DcWHkdr_aEJnWNZcctwMBOSM-v6vfEUZihSvt7sAFX5j6v4dyi5NNLl-fVvtIFiOQwtDEWco3EcjtPaoB9RgCTTe4ctlMJjxHJPT7EPzfUOB0ETydJEs02SJwI1ihU-NLbnWPFH8PHIBc/w640-h480/20230202_141058a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Tiger 1 Ausführung E</div></span>There are today only nine Tiger I tanks surviving in museums and private collections worldwide. As of 2021, Tiger 131 (captured during the North Africa Campaign) at the UK's Tank Museum is the only example restored to running order.</div><div><br /><div>This amazing exhibit is the result of hours of painstaking work piecing together multiple parts of armour plating, much of which needed stress cutting and pressing back into shape before it could become an addition to the jigsaw puzzle of seeming scrap iron that has been transformed into perhaps the most famous or should that be infamous tanks of World War II, the Tiger heavy tank.</div><span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwKVj-59qzkMN1UyQbZn7pyNC5LCU_mgr7Ve1qedmLrX6W5CCxiyvy03tsyrE8UY-IY4i5Nq8EV-6MmHXFYJAHIvP12gWZSn3Ufm6xD3-FGjJJJmk0Ga8lPHse4ov-y89sCNm6VVAPBRWBKwqbhwv51B3rJmX2B_AOZlOaS-1qg4ZzPHZYrd8xT8U3fk/s4032/20230202_141634a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="4032" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwKVj-59qzkMN1UyQbZn7pyNC5LCU_mgr7Ve1qedmLrX6W5CCxiyvy03tsyrE8UY-IY4i5Nq8EV-6MmHXFYJAHIvP12gWZSn3Ufm6xD3-FGjJJJmk0Ga8lPHse4ov-y89sCNm6VVAPBRWBKwqbhwv51B3rJmX2B_AOZlOaS-1qg4ZzPHZYrd8xT8U3fk/w640-h310/20230202_141634a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Parts of Tiger tanks are not easy to find these days and parts that have not been destroyed are even harder, and the fabrication of damaged existing parts has to be seen to be believed. The hull alone took a year of work to reconstruct. and it took five years to acquire all the parts necessary before the rebuild commenced in 2020.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Most of the tank came from one Tiger with other parts salvaged from other Tiger tanks to keep the fabrication of parts to a minimum.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqKAMqdLyuNlrgdh8uHVCPxCUTV5VFZc-CiQi-xlEmCuG1WCjfwRCIv4hyAkM60jczGugelDP0-IjUOVfWYUf3mX1SMLrAhXmMrXQZ2sOCx8UbCD2pe5fC2kFR3jlB8LlRcNZchkcfKr7wQKgCqvtMOYgaGKU7gySPcezL9i-RkWIkX_BOKVr-nVJesQ/s4032/20230202_141514a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="4032" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqKAMqdLyuNlrgdh8uHVCPxCUTV5VFZc-CiQi-xlEmCuG1WCjfwRCIv4hyAkM60jczGugelDP0-IjUOVfWYUf3mX1SMLrAhXmMrXQZ2sOCx8UbCD2pe5fC2kFR3jlB8LlRcNZchkcfKr7wQKgCqvtMOYgaGKU7gySPcezL9i-RkWIkX_BOKVr-nVJesQ/w640-h458/20230202_141514a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Production of the Tiger I began in August 1942 at the factory of Henschel und Sohn in Kassel, initially at a rate of 25 per month and peaking in April 1944 at 104 per month. An official document of the time stated that the first Tiger I was completed on 4 August and 1,355 had been built by August 1944, when production ceased. Deployed Tiger I's peaked at 671 on 1 July 1944.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrvBdyBdRjqsgwqzTDuaGDgo4mwuaHBAstpOWo6SG1E8VFX0uUjKUhf1l2qUt8VrQIw7KJ9-C-vSq-pHv4GvlFqnqa8i90HwgpdT8hSyzpglAUzZFJL9Z0Km39yu8SWw5-nEflWnSEG2Ga_sKoI5QbJ_1LLHxij59iE82UHztTLArDmwIxckPAZ9ItkY/s800/The_British_Army_in_Tunisia_1943_NA2640.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrvBdyBdRjqsgwqzTDuaGDgo4mwuaHBAstpOWo6SG1E8VFX0uUjKUhf1l2qUt8VrQIw7KJ9-C-vSq-pHv4GvlFqnqa8i90HwgpdT8hSyzpglAUzZFJL9Z0Km39yu8SWw5-nEflWnSEG2Ga_sKoI5QbJ_1LLHxij59iE82UHztTLArDmwIxckPAZ9ItkY/w640-h640/The_British_Army_in_Tunisia_1943_NA2640.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger 131, an early model Tiger was captured by British troops in Tunisia in April 1943 and shipped back to the UK for evaluation, now the only running Tiger Tank in the world in the safe keeping of the Tank Museum, Bovington and the film star in Fury.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Eager to make use of his powerful new weapon, Hitler ordered the new tank into service months before it was planned to be phased in after the necessary time to deal with the teething problems that accompanied the introduction of a new vehicle.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj0PSXXTkdQPhDK8QAUB_ndp8ayBezY4BL00T2HFFk96O2iDOO5Mi5kqhxkaV29Lz4l3jmMixc8z9aNheJcbH2zmvuR8Lra6TJu0i4Eb2-QQtleeqMzQIA2rXxNQW9-_1yK9yj6YE3YWkYoRZPHb9uDOTwOiLLs2tvdxRnLXmc4xXiCO07nXsqBt7Ols/s2048/ln6lr7wzlvu91.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="2048" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihj0PSXXTkdQPhDK8QAUB_ndp8ayBezY4BL00T2HFFk96O2iDOO5Mi5kqhxkaV29Lz4l3jmMixc8z9aNheJcbH2zmvuR8Lra6TJu0i4Eb2-QQtleeqMzQIA2rXxNQW9-_1yK9yj6YE3YWkYoRZPHb9uDOTwOiLLs2tvdxRnLXmc4xXiCO07nXsqBt7Ols/w640-h408/ln6lr7wzlvu91.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early production model Tiger tank in action near Leningrad, displaying the early model cupola.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A platoon of four Tigers went into action on 23rd September 1942 near Leningrad. Operating in swampy, forested terrain, their movement was largely confined to roads and tracks, making defence against them far easier. Many of these early models were plagued by problems with the transmission, which had difficulty handling the great weight of the vehicle if pushed too hard.<div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzYPX8uNC4uNkenVHr5CzCc-vsDAAREIxNubMaZkRSRRfzqjTW0LlaCoR2U1TW5JHx8b4jHp2ClA1CWkHs5wDqTNWSETf2UG1BObNUG6WSZ1mnUqruW96UirLDT722lktIO343hQ7CmvZc3K6Qpd7N3oEs1VY3jDka4RHSrraq5pb5iF8o6qnwTESH3w/s4032/20230202_141609a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzYPX8uNC4uNkenVHr5CzCc-vsDAAREIxNubMaZkRSRRfzqjTW0LlaCoR2U1TW5JHx8b4jHp2ClA1CWkHs5wDqTNWSETf2UG1BObNUG6WSZ1mnUqruW96UirLDT722lktIO343hQ7CmvZc3K6Qpd7N3oEs1VY3jDka4RHSrraq5pb5iF8o6qnwTESH3w/w640-h480/20230202_141609a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div></span>Early Tigers had a top speed of about 45 km/h (28 mph) over optimal terrain. This was not recommended for normal operation, and was discouraged in training. An engine governor was subsequently installed, capping the engine at 2,600 rpm and the Tiger's maximum speed to about 38 km/h (24 mph). Tiger crews report that typical march speed off-road was 10 km/h (6 mph). </div><div><br /></div><div>However, medium tanks of the time, such as the Sherman or T-34, had on average a top speed of about 45 km/h (28 mph). Thus, despite the Tiger being nearly twice as heavy, its speed was comparatively respectable. <span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ3rrvtqL7qPvasc99preILwNkxvLSaq5X4o_5BcyRQSS4LGWqHpVnUsPGaEVqA1yfSYpGU7XVJsBQr0rHs2r8YgnGgfcx_LeW0aqZoUg_aWagTUZWuN_HWXOT0Tppc1dpFOAl5EtcLwfA-UnZj7gG4i4fnKQKxAsJqAlbpxS-QVe5CL7t7KtygrnPsg/s4896/P1080127a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ3rrvtqL7qPvasc99preILwNkxvLSaq5X4o_5BcyRQSS4LGWqHpVnUsPGaEVqA1yfSYpGU7XVJsBQr0rHs2r8YgnGgfcx_LeW0aqZoUg_aWagTUZWuN_HWXOT0Tppc1dpFOAl5EtcLwfA-UnZj7gG4i4fnKQKxAsJqAlbpxS-QVe5CL7t7KtygrnPsg/w640-h480/P1080127a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>The average reliability of the Tiger tank in the second half of 1943 was similar to that of the Panther, 36%, compared to the 48% of the Panzer IV and the 65% of the StuG III. </div><div><br /></div><div>From May 1944 to March 1945, the reliability of the Tiger tank was comparable to the Panzer IV. With an average of 70%, the Tiger's operational availability on the Western Front, was better than 62% of Panthers. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the Eastern Front, 65% of Tigers were operationally available, compared to the 71% of Panzer IVs and 65% of Panthers.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyV0oB1Krlq0Rb_09f1UP3k6hd_UmlqhgQ5Jwt_eau3ea8PO_BauEHqwKOjjnKk919OPB4m1-aQggrYXbUZ4RBy4Y3fO_xXrdDhCZcfJTAS6-jc_3GxxgaHS5XejsxSevhrBzC9WiQrmOAMfCFI7BepINEY9qWI8xNWep6uMJMAHfozylqDBUcamUJsA/s4896/P1080128a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyV0oB1Krlq0Rb_09f1UP3k6hd_UmlqhgQ5Jwt_eau3ea8PO_BauEHqwKOjjnKk919OPB4m1-aQggrYXbUZ4RBy4Y3fO_xXrdDhCZcfJTAS6-jc_3GxxgaHS5XejsxSevhrBzC9WiQrmOAMfCFI7BepINEY9qWI8xNWep6uMJMAHfozylqDBUcamUJsA/w640-h480/P1080128a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span>The Tiger was originally designed to be an offensive breakthrough weapon, but by the time it went into action, the military situation had changed dramatically, and its main use was on the defensive, as a mobile anti-tank and infantry gun support weapon. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuipGSCmUsPzoscZ__ks0SYUgw5ryxoo7FuF-YCIvt4JOJnz6yHUd9ZMZxftaLdmR8frudn-pbrMUsoTWf0-UgKqg_rqTyWBShiqfmtbmZo5TuXMMeZ2IwyLkDt9aVLDdzOykqUTqj5YLsHZN2n4cLakUNxBHRTPzxcTxuZ478mXbexeZpZXQhNI9kjU/s788/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2935-18A,_Russland,_getarnter_Panzer_VI__Tiger_I_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="788" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuipGSCmUsPzoscZ__ks0SYUgw5ryxoo7FuF-YCIvt4JOJnz6yHUd9ZMZxftaLdmR8frudn-pbrMUsoTWf0-UgKqg_rqTyWBShiqfmtbmZo5TuXMMeZ2IwyLkDt9aVLDdzOykqUTqj5YLsHZN2n4cLakUNxBHRTPzxcTxuZ478mXbexeZpZXQhNI9kjU/w640-h410/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2935-18A,_Russland,_getarnter_Panzer_VI__Tiger_I_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tactically, this also meant moving the Tiger units constantly to parry breakthroughs, causing excessive mechanical wear. As a result, Tiger battalions rarely entered combat at full strength.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnwIYqWbvEP38cCxySVy144hzIVKAOBKHh_j08DWjw6eqFLKcJm79fe74SZ0yuP6kRdy7a5GmYiQl54MUxYnPW5Owe2I1JJk66OEG0pufqqVgElQS07Ua12gMDeOrVRKZSrewAtaNOPnptEl4TTkFm0wuTb1EI7yoeDcNVAp4WmOkOlhK4bjd8sBYSw4/s4032/20230202_141700a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnwIYqWbvEP38cCxySVy144hzIVKAOBKHh_j08DWjw6eqFLKcJm79fe74SZ0yuP6kRdy7a5GmYiQl54MUxYnPW5Owe2I1JJk66OEG0pufqqVgElQS07Ua12gMDeOrVRKZSrewAtaNOPnptEl4TTkFm0wuTb1EI7yoeDcNVAp4WmOkOlhK4bjd8sBYSw4/w640-h480/20230202_141700a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div>The museum have put together a video presentation of the build process for their Tiger and is well worth watching to understand the skill and ingenuity required to build a Tiger tank from scraps of original parts - truly inspiring.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MnZ2VBO7vao" width="320" youtube-src-id="MnZ2VBO7vao"></iframe></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Maybach HL 120 TRM Engine</div>During the Second World War, the Maybach Motorenbau Company produced the engines for most of Germany's tanks including the Panzer I, II, III and IV, the Tiger I and II whilst alsoi producing engines for half-tracks such as the Sd.Kfz 251 and 250 personnel carriers and prime movers like the Sd.Kfz 9.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ULK3XyvmPHNxtrlodzIZFIuWMOWm6AQv-8lFLJ5Sg1u3EQa1XILrNBSOntv_CQKt1wExw2WxzsisM3W8p7Lq3oX8rzDB8s4ATADFWb1VqTkp1syyw_DO_SNkkAVpANvn9pWUCRgsXv4YSNEpeSNU80I0UswBvf5xRePhd64SLhFJntXB_rr3VaMVeOs/s4032/20230202_141256a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ULK3XyvmPHNxtrlodzIZFIuWMOWm6AQv-8lFLJ5Sg1u3EQa1XILrNBSOntv_CQKt1wExw2WxzsisM3W8p7Lq3oX8rzDB8s4ATADFWb1VqTkp1syyw_DO_SNkkAVpANvn9pWUCRgsXv4YSNEpeSNU80I0UswBvf5xRePhd64SLhFJntXB_rr3VaMVeOs/w640-h480/20230202_141256a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div>The Maybach HL120 TRM was a 12 cylinder, liquid cooled petrol engine with an output of 330 hp or 220 kw and was used to power the Panzer III, IV (Ausf. C onwards) and the Hummel self propelled gun.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia and shows extensive battle damage caused by fire, explosions, and projectile impacts.</div><div><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Early Production Tiger Tank Turret Roof</div>This early model Tiger I turret roof and commander's cupola show the effects of a catastrophic internal explosion in the turret, likely either caused by being hit by enemy fire or the crew destroying the tank after mechanical failure had forced its abandonment and thus needing to avoid it falling into enemy hands.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWvmUz3idOKB9ciHZKpLN3bhSRETPWiSHqWJ6qiwMfAauOhfVmTNMFh1GwlgRNAg80Wv4XfiZMFlkZAS1MYVWDP3RYqpR0l0LLs8-6BBxUKZInbd0KvKkGOBGLRro4D2KvhDddIL8tIoYGhMC2QGifUFuaLk_9HttTo2aFACESUCEqWXYZS0oF49U7WA/s4032/20230202_141158a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWvmUz3idOKB9ciHZKpLN3bhSRETPWiSHqWJ6qiwMfAauOhfVmTNMFh1GwlgRNAg80Wv4XfiZMFlkZAS1MYVWDP3RYqpR0l0LLs8-6BBxUKZInbd0KvKkGOBGLRro4D2KvhDddIL8tIoYGhMC2QGifUFuaLk_9HttTo2aFACESUCEqWXYZS0oF49U7WA/w640-h480/20230202_141158a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Early production turret roofs, as revealed here, were only 30mm thick and left the tank vulnerable to artillery fire, with late production Tigers having a roof thickness increased to 60mm.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit was acquired from the Ukraine.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRIxzjA2hgCR9clk_Xa4EIgMRqG58XACbIMnJ31KGYaUodrLAI2oDSIxWJx9uXgI6sIKM3ZmTXb-dGghWHzWfpV2oBAGohfrVqMIFwwXigGOtM6orLFL0eleGAohSvp2jYZO8_vFY_76gvgP7TNpLfNWnJbaHutO18KrbEdPm9DdUtKoGQf7PLdhb50M/s4032/20230202_141218a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRIxzjA2hgCR9clk_Xa4EIgMRqG58XACbIMnJ31KGYaUodrLAI2oDSIxWJx9uXgI6sIKM3ZmTXb-dGghWHzWfpV2oBAGohfrVqMIFwwXigGOtM6orLFL0eleGAohSvp2jYZO8_vFY_76gvgP7TNpLfNWnJbaHutO18KrbEdPm9DdUtKoGQf7PLdhb50M/w640-h480/20230202_141218a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Arranged around the Tiger rebuild was a selection of other Tiger components not used for one reason or another, usually because of extensive damage, with better examples being used instead.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MGVaeK3Cyu-N1Xdc24ZQ9c-zQsjLqMNSdZ46HcfV-tqtCjlAemalssM76YWneHI80xRu21Nw6tZIce21FOkdgTTqqKh0OBUm2RRv3ONqdgtHRG5fvkNLb8fOZ9MOQb4HX5WtM6qVstcu6yVrTUP69mVg1lzIniSSGkUa8Lbfrv5n1EpmrAalFQb5xI0/s4032/20230202_141524a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MGVaeK3Cyu-N1Xdc24ZQ9c-zQsjLqMNSdZ46HcfV-tqtCjlAemalssM76YWneHI80xRu21Nw6tZIce21FOkdgTTqqKh0OBUm2RRv3ONqdgtHRG5fvkNLb8fOZ9MOQb4HX5WtM6qVstcu6yVrTUP69mVg1lzIniSSGkUa8Lbfrv5n1EpmrAalFQb5xI0/w640-h480/20230202_141524a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>These unused parts are placed alongside the reconstructed vehicle to illustrate the armour thicknesses, and the various parts of the tank and are an excellent exhibit to better illustrate the protection afforded to Tiger crews.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVcpHnLvjumNf5G6xyMGXCp3V8cI6Tw0-6xyJBX132hoV1R0EXZG0-fNXOmzDyRGout8XpHO3xRmtt2JrltXQcXAyNzN-GhedRvTv-5Z3CY_ZBcXGGfhUKQSleI1sqmYtGAyy-pHdXousfN3gEc8c8gDx8BYCgGIJufA1rmQeQY8IgbJ1dIQ9PlfhtBg/s4032/20230202_141538a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVcpHnLvjumNf5G6xyMGXCp3V8cI6Tw0-6xyJBX132hoV1R0EXZG0-fNXOmzDyRGout8XpHO3xRmtt2JrltXQcXAyNzN-GhedRvTv-5Z3CY_ZBcXGGfhUKQSleI1sqmYtGAyy-pHdXousfN3gEc8c8gDx8BYCgGIJufA1rmQeQY8IgbJ1dIQ9PlfhtBg/w640-h480/20230202_141538a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvWnI6xLldb-TxpX8R-GFxwsor_nQv6tE6oyRl8_4u6OxqHNgEA_mGYPt7-e1hA_6xt7z0CMELujttjQOn25T5s9p4lTTuzSrpq_87QB5LGm5uk9hk2l9pib4sIB0ftoLsipeBTF4KnjYbkJsTdhu40roiDNRR84vsXxMX1SuW7sBGU7qj85Ex2dWntA/s4032/20230202_141545a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvWnI6xLldb-TxpX8R-GFxwsor_nQv6tE6oyRl8_4u6OxqHNgEA_mGYPt7-e1hA_6xt7z0CMELujttjQOn25T5s9p4lTTuzSrpq_87QB5LGm5uk9hk2l9pib4sIB0ftoLsipeBTF4KnjYbkJsTdhu40roiDNRR84vsXxMX1SuW7sBGU7qj85Ex2dWntA/w640-h480/20230202_141545a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>As seen below and on the other reconstructed vehicles, discovered original paintwork and markings are carefully preserved amid the reconstructed camouflage paint and this also extends to original battle damage, with the rear armour around the engine deck below displaying a hit and splatter damage from a light armour piercing round that had nowhere to go when it hit the original Tiger.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPdJElkQ8MtfaebnupKtWLiV2kz2w0XA-uu9he02WKq0nIAQ8P2r9OHpqnkK6EDXF8tUIUYB8IClPzQU5EOCnCglRKJHo5-5O70CPbvsDFK90AJcQO0nj_QyjODjTpMcE9utJUcFWNuomjdjKKUmi-jpuXV17WMRznw5IcPplckoAzGhuUmABq-3_2-A/s4032/20230202_141559a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPdJElkQ8MtfaebnupKtWLiV2kz2w0XA-uu9he02WKq0nIAQ8P2r9OHpqnkK6EDXF8tUIUYB8IClPzQU5EOCnCglRKJHo5-5O70CPbvsDFK90AJcQO0nj_QyjODjTpMcE9utJUcFWNuomjdjKKUmi-jpuXV17WMRznw5IcPplckoAzGhuUmABq-3_2-A/w640-h480/20230202_141559a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-umg1UWVZ91_V9SoST2Er2wY4ehFQcdIEFVHbDvQ835VdIoczaLOmv9vj8Yvr6HDl4huvMDh2ekW6WJ85joRk9cT1Qzlgp2LW5X026qGYc9KvoHeH63UC94Pjd7OFPPZ-_dvV1Y_8tEhm6rro43fHR9HztDzySSd63alSezrv9uYG6HlSHTnXJz_iNqY/s3415/20230202_141643a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2477" data-original-width="3415" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-umg1UWVZ91_V9SoST2Er2wY4ehFQcdIEFVHbDvQ835VdIoczaLOmv9vj8Yvr6HDl4huvMDh2ekW6WJ85joRk9cT1Qzlgp2LW5X026qGYc9KvoHeH63UC94Pjd7OFPPZ-_dvV1Y_8tEhm6rro43fHR9HztDzySSd63alSezrv9uYG6HlSHTnXJz_iNqY/w640-h464/20230202_141643a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY4VbHTZNKaRPYxBg9dbk35H88_VlpVXoi6iYJvb9b47YtrjKPBoSzX5MsppRMYnbRJNsE55e1tAV6Vhp0tcwdW7ppEFNj9g1TfI2oerBYzwtPvsdJHvcHK0YkAnFUOIKi49TGublpDqZK8FNGTSWS23XHiBjASsXw0Vz9V0PymGM5484_u4NA_5m5mk/s4032/20230202_141651a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY4VbHTZNKaRPYxBg9dbk35H88_VlpVXoi6iYJvb9b47YtrjKPBoSzX5MsppRMYnbRJNsE55e1tAV6Vhp0tcwdW7ppEFNj9g1TfI2oerBYzwtPvsdJHvcHK0YkAnFUOIKi49TGublpDqZK8FNGTSWS23XHiBjASsXw0Vz9V0PymGM5484_u4NA_5m5mk/w640-h480/20230202_141651a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>It was great to see the Tiger, a relatively new addition to the display hall, and one to compare with those at Bovington and Saumur.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqGtRlzWmlcAqV4X237dC1po-jNmbU8aLn-M-oZk_rpCT1KhQ6U6DFNzHn48p6MM8UGkwhA6RiPfM_8kzuWmmIj4aDoDBhr7dHH_5IIdFCo2sYoany97SQW8R9M-qsiknh7X51xMwI8sg8_o20mLZZJzgOjQfYNlI427oXckANjBwa6tccII5wjxXHRE/s4032/20230202_141619a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqGtRlzWmlcAqV4X237dC1po-jNmbU8aLn-M-oZk_rpCT1KhQ6U6DFNzHn48p6MM8UGkwhA6RiPfM_8kzuWmmIj4aDoDBhr7dHH_5IIdFCo2sYoany97SQW8R9M-qsiknh7X51xMwI8sg8_o20mLZZJzgOjQfYNlI427oXckANjBwa6tccII5wjxXHRE/w640-h480/20230202_141619a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung A</div></span>The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was Germany's most-produced fully tracked armoured fighting vehicle during World War II, and second-most produced German armoured combat vehicle of any type after the Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track.<span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAVljvDR0244m5WTpo5CUuetmqXYbDuy-1NHVHNThNDQFd9B6ztfTqK4vwWTSRHBOjNm77U0d3cg5xH_ESswyrFkemWv5FZnlpsmiXaLFUSu09pBC-2yFJaVSVolagopZ15XZlE3_AhJy09a170SyqGmvakUWQ5lXi3zVO4XwppyxAkMnWMkJJCg7xd8/s4032/20230202_140034a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAVljvDR0244m5WTpo5CUuetmqXYbDuy-1NHVHNThNDQFd9B6ztfTqK4vwWTSRHBOjNm77U0d3cg5xH_ESswyrFkemWv5FZnlpsmiXaLFUSu09pBC-2yFJaVSVolagopZ15XZlE3_AhJy09a170SyqGmvakUWQ5lXi3zVO4XwppyxAkMnWMkJJCg7xd8/w640-h480/20230202_140034a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div>It was built on a slightly modified Panzer III chassis, replacing the turret with a fixed armoured superstructure mounting a more powerful gun. </div><div><br /></div><div>Initially intended as a mobile assault gun for direct-fire support for infantry, the StuG III was continually modified, and was employed successfully as a tank destroyer.<br /><br /><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVD-_zCFeKNpYFUfVAdSYnD0SnJdbyOXqSjUZcRj2IjqUJkdduAa8DrJ61QtwVeuvoeO4BLYcaVL_TolvpiKMRAkzLqiZdVroCwqjZxVaMfRHSYTPSx7NYEyztqxp_selpWQ81Qb9J0DofB6aXpCrl0UtmbtL5hZGjGT624CDbDRC3ZIukwHXp8cW7Ig/s4032/20230202_140048a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVD-_zCFeKNpYFUfVAdSYnD0SnJdbyOXqSjUZcRj2IjqUJkdduAa8DrJ61QtwVeuvoeO4BLYcaVL_TolvpiKMRAkzLqiZdVroCwqjZxVaMfRHSYTPSx7NYEyztqxp_selpWQ81Qb9J0DofB6aXpCrl0UtmbtL5hZGjGT624CDbDRC3ZIukwHXp8cW7Ig/w640-h480/20230202_140048a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia and is the only StuG II Ausf. A of the 36 made in early 1940 known to exist.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Research indicates that it belonged to Sturmgeschutz Battery 660 and was lost as it attempted to cross the Shosha River in the Tula region of Russia.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fLIR42fnlcGoaeQz_T2dh5F0BwN-rjCEx6a2DlhDyLSh1fIS5TelSZq1ZpGCAwVgT-Nj5EI1f5Z7Bz2AvHhKOqT3WcGcg5q_G69il64jKgB1qBXR4CVkGae2kIo47JbyseExEg3IXlzhbk1h4BkMmmGTPKjdgspugLnCbG81RSlT8N8Rt7HI0z4K5aE/s670/Stug_ausf_a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="670" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fLIR42fnlcGoaeQz_T2dh5F0BwN-rjCEx6a2DlhDyLSh1fIS5TelSZq1ZpGCAwVgT-Nj5EI1f5Z7Bz2AvHhKOqT3WcGcg5q_G69il64jKgB1qBXR4CVkGae2kIo47JbyseExEg3IXlzhbk1h4BkMmmGTPKjdgspugLnCbG81RSlT8N8Rt7HI0z4K5aE/w640-h408/Stug_ausf_a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Stugs of Sturmgeschutz Abteilung 192 displaying their </span>Totenkopf emblem</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Totenkopf (death's head) emblem on the superstructure denotes it as belonging to Sturmgeschutz Abteilung 192 which was one of the units that took part in Operation Barbarossa and later saw action at the Battle of Smolensk and the Battle of Moscow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f0WR-p-jAEA" width="320" youtube-src-id="f0WR-p-jAEA"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">German Sturmgeschütz III Ausführung F</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Believed to be the only existing StuG Ausf. F and thought to have been operated by Sturmgeschutz Abteilung 244 in Stalingrad from November 1942 to February 1943, where the German 6th Army and this battalion were destroyed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6X-yJUGn9Ua0J6_6MhkCUDaO10DPWo3Q5q6UJ1-TujsIAyvQbchOVtP1X3ujLtHokAi9y4M79hYnLb5TrCzNf_D8Gs3EZNMfWa8gj6pU8XsNlc3dtyOrDzD-caZe7F2l4869dnw3gF13fdoEn0dSrt7eiGOhil2L4Ezu4FbBLjmznGZ5k-easJm8gQk/s4896/P1080125a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="4896" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6X-yJUGn9Ua0J6_6MhkCUDaO10DPWo3Q5q6UJ1-TujsIAyvQbchOVtP1X3ujLtHokAi9y4M79hYnLb5TrCzNf_D8Gs3EZNMfWa8gj6pU8XsNlc3dtyOrDzD-caZe7F2l4869dnw3gF13fdoEn0dSrt7eiGOhil2L4Ezu4FbBLjmznGZ5k-easJm8gQk/w640-h406/P1080125a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>After the Germans encountered the Soviet KV-1 and T-34 tanks, the StuG was reequipped with a high-velocity 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/43 main gun (spring 1942) and in the autumn of 1942 with the slightly longer 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 gun. </div><div><br /></div><div>These high-velocity guns were the same as those mounted on the Panzer IV for anti-tank use. These versions were known as the 7.5 cm Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf.F, Ausf. F/8 and Ausf. G (Sd.Kfz.142/1).</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdch3klsSCahT1vj4nIUGlC4iSzofVS2P2OuTn3OQjNex2DNBlK7S2Yysh7t28hEtWHDpyvaGenICwxesBwzBjsBzavWFqQez4Yga0UWeC8_qlELAR1cLsVENQ0DmoGFicbqbIyEU5rnIp5uTucNBS56r2__Hsp7CzraN_PbW79QSUgjJJu0L0OdDaO0w/s1024/9703362194_e7d26c2a70_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1024" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdch3klsSCahT1vj4nIUGlC4iSzofVS2P2OuTn3OQjNex2DNBlK7S2Yysh7t28hEtWHDpyvaGenICwxesBwzBjsBzavWFqQez4Yga0UWeC8_qlELAR1cLsVENQ0DmoGFicbqbIyEU5rnIp5uTucNBS56r2__Hsp7CzraN_PbW79QSUgjJJu0L0OdDaO0w/w640-h396/9703362194_e7d26c2a70_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><span><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Seen here are the additional 30 mm armour plates that were welded to the 50 mm frontal armour from June 1942, making the frontal armour 80 mm thick.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CiEYfBuc8_8GLBPJeyE2EefXyiTotdx2Jba54TD6t6YDz6UIJTAXCAWxnfbahWe3t8wXJarC75Ue-hIQdCVbE8R1xZ2jLasJg5WDWBs7dyoU64mtvCczHCkECYUzhTLjBQvGsRdxD0F7Y0dT3RYxplXpk_gX3mklpuzSgVrmN8Z4mZ6dQEjcUhOATV8/s4896/P1080126a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3241" data-original-width="4896" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CiEYfBuc8_8GLBPJeyE2EefXyiTotdx2Jba54TD6t6YDz6UIJTAXCAWxnfbahWe3t8wXJarC75Ue-hIQdCVbE8R1xZ2jLasJg5WDWBs7dyoU64mtvCczHCkECYUzhTLjBQvGsRdxD0F7Y0dT3RYxplXpk_gX3mklpuzSgVrmN8Z4mZ6dQEjcUhOATV8/w640-h424/P1080126a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Firing armour-piercing Panzergranat-Patrone 39, the StuK 40 L/43 could penetrate 91 mm of armour inclined 30 degrees from vertical at 500 m, 82 mm at 1,000 m, 72 mm at 1,500 m, 63 mm at 2,000 m, allowing the Ausf. F to engage most Soviet armoured vehicles at normal combat ranges.</div><div><br /></div><div>Below is the link to the museum's video featuring this particular vehicle. <span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ClqfKr8fuFo" width="320" youtube-src-id="ClqfKr8fuFo"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sturmhaubitze 42</span></div><div><span>The</span><span> </span>Sturmhaubitze 42 (StuH 42) was a World War II German self propelled gun built on the battle proven chassis of the Sturmgeschütz III Ausf. F/8 and G assault guns.</div><div><br /></div><div>The StuH 42was developed in 1942 and was designed to provide the Wehrmacht with effective combat support against infantry and infantry fortifications, but was also capable of performing an anti-tank role.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3l5VifakqhBGcP-Hz4kEqanA8g2rWRGIJC0cNOJHDTC-yBx0Ddo8LbgdPZHXpvig_81vtE4wpElgJTch72gHAwPgGbPIl1ZEntYC3Gf6ryiLqL_OAAkSW6VKLbteq0mxzyDNXuFHKRxFPNeNsKAGgSfLvyCNuZK7thrjsNun2-MquFX4w8nHvyubnDk/s4032/20230202_143012a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2725" data-original-width="4032" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3l5VifakqhBGcP-Hz4kEqanA8g2rWRGIJC0cNOJHDTC-yBx0Ddo8LbgdPZHXpvig_81vtE4wpElgJTch72gHAwPgGbPIl1ZEntYC3Gf6ryiLqL_OAAkSW6VKLbteq0mxzyDNXuFHKRxFPNeNsKAGgSfLvyCNuZK7thrjsNun2-MquFX4w8nHvyubnDk/w640-h432/20230202_143012a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </span></div><div>The StuH 42 saw extensive service with Sturmgeschütz detachments on both the Western and Eastern Fronts until the end of the war.</div><div><br /></div><div>The barrel of the 10.5 cm L/28 howitzer was shorter, thicker and tapered more towards the muzzle than the muzzle of the 7.5 cm StuK 40 L/48 gun found on the StuG III variants, allowing it to deliver a much larger quantity of high explosive to the target.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ8ILjLEd7-mGrsVC_JhgszQz-Wmpd-2_uGX_xt6NniKGuzSalMGLj2o1qiDzC3lCc0us4GVFKNx6S65ky2vj_KW4tvkRW3Nx8Kv69Po1WQI_qzXmFzcVEST23dEjsXb9GMCl2uUc1hCaJf72evgd9zAHa2PcbOqAb2dzXXUTaSb0BbwEgaxEoaDAxgY/s4000/20230202_142958a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2378" data-original-width="4000" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ8ILjLEd7-mGrsVC_JhgszQz-Wmpd-2_uGX_xt6NniKGuzSalMGLj2o1qiDzC3lCc0us4GVFKNx6S65ky2vj_KW4tvkRW3Nx8Kv69Po1WQI_qzXmFzcVEST23dEjsXb9GMCl2uUc1hCaJf72evgd9zAHa2PcbOqAb2dzXXUTaSb0BbwEgaxEoaDAxgY/w640-h380/20230202_142958a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>In addition to 26 high explosive shells, a combat load for a StuH 42 also contained 10 hollow charge anti-tank projectiles which could penetrate 90-100 mm of armour.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Later models of the StuH 42 did not have a muzzle break attached to the barrel, simply to streamline production.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyN23csOGfxHhyphenhyphenSj4gwqbklCSaexP_1fKmGbiwAPnZAfMaM8pQOf7XXOl3faF8Dk5JYW-cuDsys1LQBiKYnND5VByRpk7hz8UNngqnbna3L3Ym0qL5KtBqiF4joqgC1mzVdk-USH2-tTJgjuHkvjXTDsly_Db6g6a1kfLgSPL4RCjtuOx8CTgZD3cYXQ/s4032/20230202_143029a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyN23csOGfxHhyphenhyphenSj4gwqbklCSaexP_1fKmGbiwAPnZAfMaM8pQOf7XXOl3faF8Dk5JYW-cuDsys1LQBiKYnND5VByRpk7hz8UNngqnbna3L3Ym0qL5KtBqiF4joqgC1mzVdk-USH2-tTJgjuHkvjXTDsly_Db6g6a1kfLgSPL4RCjtuOx8CTgZD3cYXQ/w640-h480/20230202_143029a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sturmgeschütz IV </span></span></div></span>The Sturmgeschütz IV (StuG IV) (Sd.Kfz. 167) was a German assault gun variant of the Panzer IV used in the latter part of the Second World War. It was identical in role and concept to the highly successful StuG III assault gun variant of the Panzer III.</div><div><br /></div><div>Initially they were intended as a mobile armoured gun platform, providing close fire support to the infantry to destroy bunkers, pillboxes and other entrenched positions. As the war progressed and the production of tanks was unable to keep up with the attrition number, they became a valued supplement to the Panzer forces on both the Western and Eastern Fronts.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20QOG8uvfiCK1-FBOXScUXN8rk6k-58mpc9n4CLar2YXNCrPKx3ekYrFxmFHl2VJKnEMXnemVzwMKuOmxyUZt_k2R7APrkCR_4i9x7ZGqppKdzpUgCKQpVpsM10cPUrSyLwIaF8VbOucujUS2YLKbccQRn_sXQi8AM792_SLhNd6eMyYVVFsdLoqpJk4/s4032/20230202_140618a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="4032" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20QOG8uvfiCK1-FBOXScUXN8rk6k-58mpc9n4CLar2YXNCrPKx3ekYrFxmFHl2VJKnEMXnemVzwMKuOmxyUZt_k2R7APrkCR_4i9x7ZGqppKdzpUgCKQpVpsM10cPUrSyLwIaF8VbOucujUS2YLKbccQRn_sXQi8AM792_SLhNd6eMyYVVFsdLoqpJk4/w640-h448/20230202_140618a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The Sturmgeschütz IV resulted from Krupp's effort to supply an assault gun. As Krupp did not build Panzerkampfwagen IIIs, they used the Panzerkampfwagen IV chassis in combination with a slightly modified Sturmgeschütz III superstructure.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIrmO5ZEjnWFfVIeDrErjpBD85Ud01G2YOFUXTG01WSAFxXrmmaBcJ7c25p3zMm5kkj1Xt9P8arrf5NN9rsVgpeoB1BaFlS0u8u1cRbU4sojvBGNRO-UMiFkhMFME-AOqQ-ZfaVZX9cD9Dgst7Y3rGYw_tQQS_8LGPYm2gbfildDfgC1EZx4o-24P8Ok/s3794/StuG_IV_Wreck_Normandy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3794" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIrmO5ZEjnWFfVIeDrErjpBD85Ud01G2YOFUXTG01WSAFxXrmmaBcJ7c25p3zMm5kkj1Xt9P8arrf5NN9rsVgpeoB1BaFlS0u8u1cRbU4sojvBGNRO-UMiFkhMFME-AOqQ-ZfaVZX9cD9Dgst7Y3rGYw_tQQS_8LGPYm2gbfildDfgC1EZx4o-24P8Ok/w640-h418/StuG_IV_Wreck_Normandy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A StuG IV knocked out and abandoned in Normandy. I have a feeling that this is one of the StuG IV's operated by 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division during their failed counterattack on Carentan.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The gun mantlet of the StuG IV was known as the 'Saukopf' or 'pig snout' and modifications included Zimmerit paste as seen here, a shielded MG 34 on the roof and Schurzen spaced armour.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit was acquired as a battlefield relic from the Eastern Front and rebuilt to its current condition by the museum workshop. </span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisho4PZ3bCQCYz0zgYjphPcbY4fBK86c2vW4ldDUr9l5eg2XQpjRsqRgq8beMbmqrJglwpu0rtnFQK5fwfnIGo5SrIdLK4R3nYjtLMpkRK7T3OZqHtzdgilca3tISqCi5GymVrZTeylpyDZyxCcUBHoSLVgHh31u2wVQiMtdoZfF0gfYkTgRTv_mYSzpc/s4032/20230202_140638a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisho4PZ3bCQCYz0zgYjphPcbY4fBK86c2vW4ldDUr9l5eg2XQpjRsqRgq8beMbmqrJglwpu0rtnFQK5fwfnIGo5SrIdLK4R3nYjtLMpkRK7T3OZqHtzdgilca3tISqCi5GymVrZTeylpyDZyxCcUBHoSLVgHh31u2wVQiMtdoZfF0gfYkTgRTv_mYSzpc/w640-h480/20230202_140638a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Panzer IV/70 (V) "Jagdpanzer"</span></span></div><div>The Jagdpanzer IV/70 was a casemate-style turretless Jagdpanzer (tank destroyer, literally "hunting tank") developed against the wishes of Heinz Guderian, the inspector general of the Panzertruppen, as a replacement for the Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III). </div><div><br /></div><div>Guderian objected against the needless, in his eyes, diversion of resources from Panzer IV tank production, as the StuG III was still more than adequate for its role.</div><div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div></span><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUydIYU-swW4YdrwG3rgSdX_yKwLDebG8wtxIHDmJ_Fv8Te0bq38yQm5Zlfk6lgCMhA09CuiESImGjYgF_rJ5D0NOvUWdybGNQKrRh1fgwNW2W9vs90H7NakVCLhXxkZK0nRyoNwfqqulXiMTO6ChETJibKCoh-mehU32BBgSUjs7BFrvcWSofdwKMPSs/s4032/20230202_142901a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="4032" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUydIYU-swW4YdrwG3rgSdX_yKwLDebG8wtxIHDmJ_Fv8Te0bq38yQm5Zlfk6lgCMhA09CuiESImGjYgF_rJ5D0NOvUWdybGNQKrRh1fgwNW2W9vs90H7NakVCLhXxkZK0nRyoNwfqqulXiMTO6ChETJibKCoh-mehU32BBgSUjs7BFrvcWSofdwKMPSs/w640-h354/20230202_142901a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><br />The Jagdpanzer IV used a modified Panzer IV Ausf. H tank chassis, with 80mm sloped armour plates on the front replacing the tank's almost vertical 100 mm front hull plate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Internally, the layout was changed to accommodate the new superstructure, moving the fuel tanks and ammunition racks. </div><div><br /></div><div>To make the manufacturing process as simple as possible, the superstructure was made from large, interlocking plates that were welded together.</div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I1YHI6U_0TJ-BHgtMOLvzmG3KUsuuQJVZYsjWXp7eUpdJXx3nqizd_tGmel7xkgb2OuCzk3iGmGi-VUIkqsm9LGpqxABnONfnsuOEbwvxVSbck8A9hzFeCZZWP57mtSfvK1XWmOxiv_3xEx7OpIyQRxSO1zGnyKZJ0M3DAf1Tdw6LwdOhi3Lypxpims/s4032/20230202_142918a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I1YHI6U_0TJ-BHgtMOLvzmG3KUsuuQJVZYsjWXp7eUpdJXx3nqizd_tGmel7xkgb2OuCzk3iGmGi-VUIkqsm9LGpqxABnONfnsuOEbwvxVSbck8A9hzFeCZZWP57mtSfvK1XWmOxiv_3xEx7OpIyQRxSO1zGnyKZJ0M3DAf1Tdw6LwdOhi3Lypxpims/w640-h480/20230202_142918a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></span>Installing the much heavier Pak 42 meant that the Jagdpanzer IV was nose-heavy, especially with the heavy frontal armour. This made them less mobile and more difficult to operate in rough terrain, leading their crews to nickname them Guderian-Ente ("Guderian's duck"). To prevent the rubber rims of the roadwheels being dislocated by the weight of the vehicle, some later versions had steel roadwheels installed on the front.<br /><br />The final prototype of the Jagdpanzer IV was presented in December 1943 and production started in January 1944, with the Pak 39 L/48 armed variant staying in production until November. Production of the Pak 42 L/70 armed variants started in August and continued until March/April 1945.</div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicu6PhpRPuN5D2Pk6OSnHLtlNylcRmjMldXAfq4IlpOXKpHIqHi78gsJx4_MFbbHAIB_u28iwH7rcjohP3ZTxxHWvmL5NSqfx3LR5vNIiTJV17ASg2XzbQWU9T8KTZBkylfFp-LGZUQRK5Gu2Jqtv4yRhm3u-54rzxVlveckn3FXW2eINl1lPEBj669rY/s3510/20230202_142944a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3510" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicu6PhpRPuN5D2Pk6OSnHLtlNylcRmjMldXAfq4IlpOXKpHIqHi78gsJx4_MFbbHAIB_u28iwH7rcjohP3ZTxxHWvmL5NSqfx3LR5vNIiTJV17ASg2XzbQWU9T8KTZBkylfFp-LGZUQRK5Gu2Jqtv4yRhm3u-54rzxVlveckn3FXW2eINl1lPEBj669rY/w640-h548/20230202_142944a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>The Jagdpanzer IV served in the anti-tank sections of Panzer and SS Panzer divisions. The vehicle fought against Western Allied forces in Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, and Soviet tanks and troops on the Eastern Front. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tyVa-sCqswxVdrgAfupKjQJnFl5w99QfaucNqUXL4CW6_b7jEVSv4j1geokeLwZxCxzRq3CD3ruzuVSvWChwAlntLA3NaNFbEteGvvsHp8yOBI14mVqR_pcZulFtLWaaO2eF9vif1R4PZAfs26BJpWTP-4cnvMs88D9MbBad3ylcnO-xK7LSbKDH0b0/s800/large_000000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="800" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tyVa-sCqswxVdrgAfupKjQJnFl5w99QfaucNqUXL4CW6_b7jEVSv4j1geokeLwZxCxzRq3CD3ruzuVSvWChwAlntLA3NaNFbEteGvvsHp8yOBI14mVqR_pcZulFtLWaaO2eF9vif1R4PZAfs26BJpWTP-4cnvMs88D9MbBad3ylcnO-xK7LSbKDH0b0/w640-h450/large_000000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well known picture of a Jagdpanzer IV/70 operating during the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It was very successful as a tank destroyer due to its low profile, accurate gun and good armour protection, but performed poorly when used out of role as a substitute for tanks or assault guns to support infantry.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was rebuilt by the museum workshop using relics recovered from battlefields of the Eastern Front and sports the late war 'Ambush' camouflage scheme seen used during the German Bulge offensive codenamed Whact am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine).</div><div> <span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjJSLB4R0AbGrH1wAJnl88hB2tDUxHuFNr4NKp2QjF3-qsUU1k5b8ABvoQfaCDW6de2fWJ0YRRCx7sg6SPnQQA4fh6iEDU-88lQPgOUtBXA8RUrmikbtAm42RCA41NEowTWUIhEOB1j6C9lyzJ8rm3EMTC09M9F6tYjk1Cms9RKQGoGRDbd9LTvyRxOs/s4000/20230202_142952a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjJSLB4R0AbGrH1wAJnl88hB2tDUxHuFNr4NKp2QjF3-qsUU1k5b8ABvoQfaCDW6de2fWJ0YRRCx7sg6SPnQQA4fh6iEDU-88lQPgOUtBXA8RUrmikbtAm42RCA41NEowTWUIhEOB1j6C9lyzJ8rm3EMTC09M9F6tYjk1Cms9RKQGoGRDbd9LTvyRxOs/w640-h480/20230202_142952a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Jagdpanzer 38 (Sd.Kfz. 138/2) Hetzer ("baiter")</span></span></div></span>The Jagdpanzer 38 (Sd.Kfz. 138/2), commonly known as Hetzer, was a German light tank destroyer of the World War II based on a modified Czechoslovakian Panzer 38(t) chassis.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div>The Jagdpanzer 38 was intended to be more cost effective than the much more ambitious Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger designs of the same period. Using a proven chassis, it avoided the mechanical problems of the larger armoured vehicles.</div><div><br /></div>The Jagdpanzer 38 first entered service with the Heeres Panzerjäger-Abteilung 731 in July 1944, and saw continuous service until the end of the war.<div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDwoZ5-z-beTEd7cNiWbWA4_ji77ufxtWONGEbRmLqQcNNHOoDWdzxcMAywG5Am_9ErVW4Zs773IzT0XPsktn4QI3ALln2kgxyMMRcsIlxo4qZouXcRq4FgU6oFU42L-cwfXhnonxp7m9mu_vlHqtBu7E4TaHbQCq9SRKyinogdbY2p0DAmfFk-2_zfg/s3575/20230202_140400a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2311" data-original-width="3575" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDwoZ5-z-beTEd7cNiWbWA4_ji77ufxtWONGEbRmLqQcNNHOoDWdzxcMAywG5Am_9ErVW4Zs773IzT0XPsktn4QI3ALln2kgxyMMRcsIlxo4qZouXcRq4FgU6oFU42L-cwfXhnonxp7m9mu_vlHqtBu7E4TaHbQCq9SRKyinogdbY2p0DAmfFk-2_zfg/w640-h414/20230202_140400a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>The Jagdpanzer 38 was one of the lighter category of German tank destroyers that began with the Panzerjäger I, continued with the Marder series, and ended with the Jagdpanzer 38.</div><div><br /></div>The Jagdpanzer 38 was one of the most common late-war German tank destroyers. It was available in relatively large numbers and was generally mechanically reliable. and had a remote-control machine gun mount that could be fired from within the vehicle. <div> <span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEzXuBtFnNQHP4ZnEppOGGl1X9WCik10t_rCvTEHtJ137fff-Ytyn4xIz1DnTBhLLZEJJFk3gDeTEYx1Wkt88ld47gxngRdWv3QvgSKvepdsBIFHUrRqN4KIFoCMIR5LwNpkQt6AEnFMCWVLc9d9Koz-I-nZlMwJFse-2OFdvx_fw33a8OKS-_g_0vY0/s3921/20230202_140429a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3921" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEzXuBtFnNQHP4ZnEppOGGl1X9WCik10t_rCvTEHtJ137fff-Ytyn4xIz1DnTBhLLZEJJFk3gDeTEYx1Wkt88ld47gxngRdWv3QvgSKvepdsBIFHUrRqN4KIFoCMIR5LwNpkQt6AEnFMCWVLc9d9Koz-I-nZlMwJFse-2OFdvx_fw33a8OKS-_g_0vY0/w640-h418/20230202_140429a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>The 75 mm Pak 39 L/48 gun of the Jagdpanzer 38 was a modified version of the 75 mm StuK 40 L/48 used in the StuG III and StuG IV assault guns. With this gun, the Jagdpanzer 38 was able to destroy nearly all Allied or Soviet tank types in service at long ranges (except heavy tanks), and its fully enclosed armour protection made it a safer vehicle to crew than the open-topped Marder II or Marder III series.</div><div><span><br /></span></div>Its small size made it easier to conceal than larger vehicles. It was not intended for a mobile, meeting engagement or the typical Wehrmacht blitzkrieg style of warfare. It rather excelled when emplaced along pre-determined lines of sight where the enemy was expected to approach and when used in defensive positions to support a prepared ambush.<div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFhfHigtrcgKPjghu_0dliK6WkBzNOU0bkUUTRe_pbLO9NuRKYb4Tni1Uqz8pZEg5N0XkO8touJp1MuGbbuzCxKKg4LCRafGChOB9nfvo3CUb5LcI30a6c_6bneHPUQXuMC0hNyZTYr4TbifS9NbjsRtRFUlBi2DzSbQUnYPI76ycdUWZhtTU-hYy-JI/s4032/20230202_140414a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="4032" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFhfHigtrcgKPjghu_0dliK6WkBzNOU0bkUUTRe_pbLO9NuRKYb4Tni1Uqz8pZEg5N0XkO8touJp1MuGbbuzCxKKg4LCRafGChOB9nfvo3CUb5LcI30a6c_6bneHPUQXuMC0hNyZTYr4TbifS9NbjsRtRFUlBi2DzSbQUnYPI76ycdUWZhtTU-hYy-JI/w640-h386/20230202_140414a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>Its main failings were comparatively thin side armour, limited ammunition storage, poor gun traverse, and a poor internal layout that made operating the vehicle difficult, as well as leaf springs and drive wheels that were prone to failure due to the increased weight.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Tf4BfTZaZMjejR0uTM8k_LX3fH9Nh7ycojAXkfezwfBfXTsF8STBY6rQ9gb4CpoHDa1xl9_BAS_vJes6wjyfKMlT3By-KMwarvL7XGTPurYPOUOOs2EB0cemxB45io5OeOE7G0ZaeSWwSiiUbuHNbC5ZKsIIS2Bm2aW9EO5P2DAjQoeiaPtMJlZtTo/s759/6w91uwczakf91.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Tf4BfTZaZMjejR0uTM8k_LX3fH9Nh7ycojAXkfezwfBfXTsF8STBY6rQ9gb4CpoHDa1xl9_BAS_vJes6wjyfKMlT3By-KMwarvL7XGTPurYPOUOOs2EB0cemxB45io5OeOE7G0ZaeSWwSiiUbuHNbC5ZKsIIS2Bm2aW9EO5P2DAjQoeiaPtMJlZtTo/w608-h640/6w91uwczakf91.jpg" width="608" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer knocked out in Prague, during the fighting in May 1945</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The vehicle seen here was acquired from a collector in Luxembourg, and its history shows it was manufactured in 1945 and saw service in the defence of Prague where it sustained battle damage.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was returned to the workshop for repair but never again saw active service, later being modified and used by the Swiss Army.</div><div><br /></div><div>The vehicle underwent an 18-month restoration project by Axis Track Services in the UK to restore it to its 1945 condition before delivery to the museum in March 2015.</div><div><br /></div><div>The museum video below demonstrates the original engine being started up as well as look inside the crew compartment.</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2fWGmXrLOIE" width="320" youtube-src-id="2fWGmXrLOIE"></iframe></div></div><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Jagdpather Tank Destroyer</span></span></div></span>The Jagdpanther (German: "hunting Panther"), Sd.Kfz. 173, was a Gereman tank destroyer built by Germany during World War II.</div><div><br /></div><div>In October 1943 a full-size prototype built by Daimler-Benz was demonstrated to Hitler.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpE5jkYmPEVS6aEltt5vko6dJxl4-9UBgm1W1AQl2P2_S1VwhmRMzNe_1sKQlaNlDyRH3d22Z87S6ymOeiQ1GH0ZRVgsR6uEnXLSj90wyGttxoqRT2P_DMpf2Dg0q8VeIbszfKphpJmWnzUtshKCQJjILiZyl4yv9vevVWeFOW7-o6F_aJ88gaHHpwts/s3000/In-action-first-blood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="3000" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpE5jkYmPEVS6aEltt5vko6dJxl4-9UBgm1W1AQl2P2_S1VwhmRMzNe_1sKQlaNlDyRH3d22Z87S6ymOeiQ1GH0ZRVgsR6uEnXLSj90wyGttxoqRT2P_DMpf2Dg0q8VeIbszfKphpJmWnzUtshKCQJjILiZyl4yv9vevVWeFOW7-o6F_aJ88gaHHpwts/w640-h378/In-action-first-blood.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jagdpanthers in Normandy in the summer of 1944</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The Jagdpanther was armed with the long-barrelled 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 L/71 gun, similar to the main gun of the Tiger II ("King Tiger"). The gun was mounted in a central mantlet, giving it a limited traverse of twelve degrees to each side. <div><span><div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div></span><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlw7CEgJC-9i4BCmYbqlza_tjvgd_tUuhdyP2csKP4ugtWOqxIv-HUpclL_GjzAwgo-G5p8cFy3Fev0c8I7qxfzEeILY8jN6sbK__3T-a4mgOmUiQ5NiQ-fCBJe7ieVivmAWWAq7zHTkKG6lqazlBfG1EXLkKZfDSJF2YkmvzIHrrbj5I1AmEZqrqKKM/s4032/20230202_141243a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlw7CEgJC-9i4BCmYbqlza_tjvgd_tUuhdyP2csKP4ugtWOqxIv-HUpclL_GjzAwgo-G5p8cFy3Fev0c8I7qxfzEeILY8jN6sbK__3T-a4mgOmUiQ5NiQ-fCBJe7ieVivmAWWAq7zHTkKG6lqazlBfG1EXLkKZfDSJF2YkmvzIHrrbj5I1AmEZqrqKKM/w640-h480/20230202_141243a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></span>The Jagdpanther was preceded by two attempts at mounting an 8.8 cm gun as a self-propelled anti-tank weapon; the Ferdinand proved to be too heavy, and Nashorn lightly armoured and under-powered.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhiPj8JODCMTwQKyigYQ9UZwrhChsfpTdAqYnL-wQL3Tei6OXsFYMaFr3pCk4BTzWeq6-dLsYMgRkuo9CF0gEtOn4JnJhIcPNZMl8leVlA9Yi8otu1G6FTrWogAgA6p2QbocibApfOXgHyuUa_ra3UfZKOodOYGOhMjwBpGKxMdQzYR9HVMQkhd7fmDU/s600/Ferdinand-2-600x292.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhiPj8JODCMTwQKyigYQ9UZwrhChsfpTdAqYnL-wQL3Tei6OXsFYMaFr3pCk4BTzWeq6-dLsYMgRkuo9CF0gEtOn4JnJhIcPNZMl8leVlA9Yi8otu1G6FTrWogAgA6p2QbocibApfOXgHyuUa_ra3UfZKOodOYGOhMjwBpGKxMdQzYR9HVMQkhd7fmDU/w400-h195/Ferdinand-2-600x292.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand 'Elefant' </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>There were two main variants. The earlier G1 1944 model had a small welded main gun mantlet, one-piece Pak 43/3 gun, a modified Panther A engine deck, and had two vision openings for the driver. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGZ8GjdqDyzb5bvyeRJ9Xm7RV1oDx6B_kYCwXm8dXvBbv7amiAh_O7xqMMaerPHpakMhTZtd9Ybff0v0DyeO3fKis3vmZUNtJxiu1l9JlO_KrATYtNJFxI9hDcvF2r99xMqs8zV5nxHJyONPLw15KoUkgzUvcbGuO8liR-alJY1udDS50hYwF1RSZTDg/s928/nashorn14.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="928" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGZ8GjdqDyzb5bvyeRJ9Xm7RV1oDx6B_kYCwXm8dXvBbv7amiAh_O7xqMMaerPHpakMhTZtd9Ybff0v0DyeO3fKis3vmZUNtJxiu1l9JlO_KrATYtNJFxI9hDcvF2r99xMqs8zV5nxHJyONPLw15KoUkgzUvcbGuO8liR-alJY1udDS50hYwF1RSZTDg/s320/nashorn14.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nashorn (Rhinoceros)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The G2 Jagdpanther used a Panther Ausf. G engine deck, a larger gun mantlet bolted externally, and a two-piece KwK 43/4 L/71 gun and a single vision opening for the driver.</div><div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFM9COpBOT_0TU6ahW39veBvL0AiVtpDY0P4nR6ES1OKZFLiUqgRpOaZYC4i8ZJnHssrArcrMa5K2y4BGeDNNciEKkUDoanVX8KmcIJ67-KT1xxBecn-t7qGvdrMzKhwCCBRHjavMLF5gVnRGQY31sQ-R2py4SZxbaqofKRovsbUha8J9MLH0wH3Wz-c/s4032/20230202_141323a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFM9COpBOT_0TU6ahW39veBvL0AiVtpDY0P4nR6ES1OKZFLiUqgRpOaZYC4i8ZJnHssrArcrMa5K2y4BGeDNNciEKkUDoanVX8KmcIJ67-KT1xxBecn-t7qGvdrMzKhwCCBRHjavMLF5gVnRGQY31sQ-R2py4SZxbaqofKRovsbUha8J9MLH0wH3Wz-c/w640-h480/20230202_141323a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span>A total of 415 Jagdpanthers were produced from January 1944 by three manufacturers: MIAG in Braunschweig produced 270 from January 1944 until the end of the war, Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen Hannover (MNH) produced 112 from November 1944, Maschinenbau und Bahnbedarf (MBA) in Potsdam produced 37 vehicles from December 1944.</div><div><br /></div>The last 'production' Jagdpanthers were produced at the factory just after the end of World War II by German staff under the supervision of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) during the American and British occupation of Germany. Nine Panthers and a dozen Jagdpanthers were produced, then shipped to England for evaluation.</div><div><div><span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; text-wrap: nowrap; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagdpanther#cite_note-6" style="background: none; color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;"></a></sup><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwmZKyus9lwmUDQMzTVKKcpd14DKmG6Lu-PO0LZzz82XCowdk-QXNV0JBjTEFJroUVosC5Hm_6qVf5UxtnD11a4W4g5zF0mlofJ5GKdq19MH-BXOqTWN6sAH9R0L_puS3-syt6e7-wUTAkrMzj1mQHNgeD5UsDb4-xMSoPazSjYYbcHPLKCPuTw0OQ5s/s4032/20230202_141318a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwmZKyus9lwmUDQMzTVKKcpd14DKmG6Lu-PO0LZzz82XCowdk-QXNV0JBjTEFJroUVosC5Hm_6qVf5UxtnD11a4W4g5zF0mlofJ5GKdq19MH-BXOqTWN6sAH9R0L_puS3-syt6e7-wUTAkrMzj1mQHNgeD5UsDb4-xMSoPazSjYYbcHPLKCPuTw0OQ5s/w640-h480/20230202_141318a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This exhibit was rebuilt by the museum workshop from battlefield relics recovered from the Eastern Front and you can see a full length video of the rebuild in the video link below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nLuceQHLkuU" width="320" youtube-src-id="nLuceQHLkuU"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 251/9 Ausführung C Halftrack "Stummel"</span></div></span>The Sd.Kfz. 251/9 is a self propelled gun variant of a Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack and was one of the many improvisations the Wehrmacht made to the Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack family during the war.</div><div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLgboNq7oIokFvacQw5SwdplEjVKrgyjq38c6Zx7IA-t3CSrOWCPWTSiBYu-xcskDtWFI7G0KsGkd8_S-fG-T7jkhyphenhyphenSgEt3wmfg3PzqnZ5RNBJBM9IWfhzvuuIycT9-sPpKyYT6tq4eS6aigjlqM519M2-BJDjbsxF5g8DxnpTTgHcHJPLAeiZaAYvA8/s3611/20230202_141920a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="3611" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLgboNq7oIokFvacQw5SwdplEjVKrgyjq38c6Zx7IA-t3CSrOWCPWTSiBYu-xcskDtWFI7G0KsGkd8_S-fG-T7jkhyphenhyphenSgEt3wmfg3PzqnZ5RNBJBM9IWfhzvuuIycT9-sPpKyYT6tq4eS6aigjlqM519M2-BJDjbsxF5g8DxnpTTgHcHJPLAeiZaAYvA8/w640-h484/20230202_141920a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The usual forward mounted machine gun of the Sd.Kfz. 251 was replaced with a short barrelled low velocity 75 mm L/24 howitzer, which was the same gun and mounting used on the StuG III's and Panzer IV's. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEr1a3bzCPFRKhitUJYCy4W1UU41d2xbBKkbLecJvcRPeN8NSiwtlvuye-jaM_rI-ftGXUNsRZqbNyrE2BZid3kFI34bizSSSc_hrZK191wphtukmviqGi978XwXN8oYHz5__07M5RQRZhrSd-_KnOawYy3w68uuEhHp06u8InAN5LnIdQqK8AGMozIg/s610/new41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="610" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEr1a3bzCPFRKhitUJYCy4W1UU41d2xbBKkbLecJvcRPeN8NSiwtlvuye-jaM_rI-ftGXUNsRZqbNyrE2BZid3kFI34bizSSSc_hrZK191wphtukmviqGi978XwXN8oYHz5__07M5RQRZhrSd-_KnOawYy3w68uuEhHp06u8InAN5LnIdQqK8AGMozIg/w640-h376/new41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>From 1942 each Panzergrenadier Battalion was supported by a platoon of </span>Sd.Kfz. 251/9's which gave them fast and effective fire support when other fully tracked assault guns were not readily available.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM59PMCoSjJEMcO81F7X_Q09QZ4QkGcDEI7BvD4B2H3uADyY7bVeS02n7gcDgyhD_F_Y1hT5uyIy7v-ss1Dh1gUck1cp5rJ7-4Kxp0DKZK9hJDpxfkAXTj-5uRDhDtfUhJ4xqL84O6zmjYnkBq3T2NjQ6UwiYqo2T8QqJD6X6i8b9D95U-YbqIxEs3jSM/s4032/20230202_142200a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM59PMCoSjJEMcO81F7X_Q09QZ4QkGcDEI7BvD4B2H3uADyY7bVeS02n7gcDgyhD_F_Y1hT5uyIy7v-ss1Dh1gUck1cp5rJ7-4Kxp0DKZK9hJDpxfkAXTj-5uRDhDtfUhJ4xqL84O6zmjYnkBq3T2NjQ6UwiYqo2T8QqJD6X6i8b9D95U-YbqIxEs3jSM/w640-h480/20230202_142200a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The Sd.Kfz. 251/9 was nicknamed "Stummel" ("stump") and committed in great numbers on the Eastern Front, but also saw extensive service against the Allies after the D-Day landing.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The Sd.Kfz. 251/9 has provision to carry 52 rounds, but many extra rounds were carried whenever it was possible, notably on the rifle racks and crammed in extra soft bags.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOtwY2BZ5YpLN__HJAKVNzvaBELm_CJrkgB1HfSPypshhaIIIQz28W7AcyDr7XFqyfCXbhOenhQVpY_av_tbhNFR4f6GMg0_7dJb_AgFr6RyPIXBSYu213har6TIKfRHG73dVjTnJj6oamxvVXa9Q9W7pZOPog41G5wvTFw42jTqm8GF71c-dhz2WRBY/s4032/20230202_142126a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOtwY2BZ5YpLN__HJAKVNzvaBELm_CJrkgB1HfSPypshhaIIIQz28W7AcyDr7XFqyfCXbhOenhQVpY_av_tbhNFR4f6GMg0_7dJb_AgFr6RyPIXBSYu213har6TIKfRHG73dVjTnJj6oamxvVXa9Q9W7pZOPog41G5wvTFw42jTqm8GF71c-dhz2WRBY/w640-h480/20230202_142126a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausführung D Halftrack Armoured Personnel Carrier</span></div></span>The Sd.Kfz. 251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251) half-track was an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport the Panzergrenadiers of the German mechanized infantry corps into battle. Sd.Kfz. 251s were the most widely produced German half-tracks of the war, with at least 15,252 vehicles and variants produced by various manufacturers. </div><div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXnaZR027tKYOL-0ssqmFUgCX0MYpZBQFdjgT5MurkifZEZ9AeFvt6Kq7uHq29FF_pbR57ka3OyQ4fE_zRsgVuy8CSbgsomMEGrexL51WZwxGHPzPzPPNCpjY5PuvYHIkrPYKu4P65GbyqQafqAl5LoUCMZJ6on0HP6X_b__jcsW0WM9PmBO4qer4Xp0/s4032/20230202_142837a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2575" data-original-width="4032" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXnaZR027tKYOL-0ssqmFUgCX0MYpZBQFdjgT5MurkifZEZ9AeFvt6Kq7uHq29FF_pbR57ka3OyQ4fE_zRsgVuy8CSbgsomMEGrexL51WZwxGHPzPzPPNCpjY5PuvYHIkrPYKu4P65GbyqQafqAl5LoUCMZJ6on0HP6X_b__jcsW0WM9PmBO4qer4Xp0/w640-h408/20230202_142837a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div>There were four main model modifications (Ausführung A through D), which formed the basis for at least 22 variants.</div><div><br /></div><div>The initial idea was for a vehicle that could be used to transport a single squad of 10 panzer grenadiers to the battlefield protected from enemy small arms fire, and with some protection from artillery fire. The standard mounting of at least one MG 34 or MG 42 machine gun allowed the vehicle to provide suppressive fire support for the infantry squad once they had disembarked in battle.</div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVp8LzA0ti8Czlx_ESbOuEgQzQDzZ-O4qBNSpJBTcda8wWoAv3cAAM8LfFnL9IouR1AXj-iPpPcGjIlii4TtVbaQAvz5Yt77Ta1G9aulZu5joundoqHWwtFMYonmW9xSYgUF5L87DgD5Ltum0yEHyBza7WCAYCeejuSQyIlUZSIr438ZfxaJakCprt6o/s3585/20230202_142810a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="3585" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVp8LzA0ti8Czlx_ESbOuEgQzQDzZ-O4qBNSpJBTcda8wWoAv3cAAM8LfFnL9IouR1AXj-iPpPcGjIlii4TtVbaQAvz5Yt77Ta1G9aulZu5joundoqHWwtFMYonmW9xSYgUF5L87DgD5Ltum0yEHyBza7WCAYCeejuSQyIlUZSIr438ZfxaJakCprt6o/w640-h412/20230202_142810a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div></span>The first two models (Ausf. A and B) were produced in small numbers from 1939. Ausf. A and B models can be identified by the structure of the nose armour, which comprised two trapezoidal armour panels. The B model, which began production in 1940, eliminated the fighting compartment's side vision slits. The C model, which started production in mid-1942, featured a simplified hexagonal-shaped forward armoured plate for the engine. Models A through C had rear doors that bulged out. The C model had a large production run, but was quite complex to build, involving many angled plates that gave reasonable protection from small arms fire. </div><div><br /></div><div>From early 1943, the D model was developed with the purpose of halving the number of angled body plates, simplifying the design and thus speeding up the production. D models can be easily recognized by their single piece sloping rear, with flat doors.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvePxWgw6FJQwe5BpM68klIWB7qaWWv5jD7bBKmDDtYukOL6aL366gLhFKUYAEDm4vf_6L1SQ4_QbN-Po_kkjIg8YagYiBO3ix_dZYqQI0zWXvs4r6OQd5d4YRmPKadu5FeXqHPQJUwhZomAMEjhxLroJ1lPjDEWdxieyK4Be_KqPq6oqkYe3gdnA7tM/s4000/20230202_142819a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvePxWgw6FJQwe5BpM68klIWB7qaWWv5jD7bBKmDDtYukOL6aL366gLhFKUYAEDm4vf_6L1SQ4_QbN-Po_kkjIg8YagYiBO3ix_dZYqQI0zWXvs4r6OQd5d4YRmPKadu5FeXqHPQJUwhZomAMEjhxLroJ1lPjDEWdxieyK4Be_KqPq6oqkYe3gdnA7tM/w640-h480/20230202_142819a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This Sd.Kfz. 251/1 D was acquired from the UK and research on its chassis number 548730 indicates that the vehicle was made by the Auto-Union factory in Chemnitz, Germany in early December 1944.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 251/22 Pak 40</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The </span>Sd.Kfz. 251/22 was a German World War II medium sized armoured fighting vehicle with a 7.5cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun mounted in the back.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They were heavily used as the German operations turned into defensive actions, from Italy to Normandy and the Eastern Front.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOomnx6F6UM8UJxDxJDgW4QwfDP9XP05zovxSloZ9vQlQMeVe17yWtwJbBfsAYAeNuw2jjN1U7UfSRHO_rrFZPCxc_Xe8p6uOSzxe-GRQq0RscxzLBq4WWA-F7uohglfz92Qxo5F4JEE_t1VLa6cG4hmoU3FrpjYvPAH76IPauStvH-Z3HVqIGnML9vTQ/s4032/20230202_142728a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOomnx6F6UM8UJxDxJDgW4QwfDP9XP05zovxSloZ9vQlQMeVe17yWtwJbBfsAYAeNuw2jjN1U7UfSRHO_rrFZPCxc_Xe8p6uOSzxe-GRQq0RscxzLBq4WWA-F7uohglfz92Qxo5F4JEE_t1VLa6cG4hmoU3FrpjYvPAH76IPauStvH-Z3HVqIGnML9vTQ/w640-h480/20230202_142728a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The range of the gun allowed the vehicle to be used in a relative safety from well camouflaged, pre-arranged positions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In December 1944, Hitler gave this version of the Sd.Kfz. 251 top production priority and it is believed approximately 1200 of the vehicles were built using Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. D bodies.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuGeuup_d7LKBIN3SM1Pc0deza9GOQIS0lMFdVH5DimcRmZfwl5ogB-mJMrTtXPjWVpbIUN-ZrZSnxb0-N-DVUVez4Tew1B-Qf_6E3Pw7ylt_9fiQKTTcj5e-QnEqRtacjuu4vnMbuX7eTEkWs7B6ByHHkAIH7HEd6Z126HMnoUVCXwIk2Zm1ryo5jEg/s3677/20230202_142742a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2753" data-original-width="3677" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuGeuup_d7LKBIN3SM1Pc0deza9GOQIS0lMFdVH5DimcRmZfwl5ogB-mJMrTtXPjWVpbIUN-ZrZSnxb0-N-DVUVez4Tew1B-Qf_6E3Pw7ylt_9fiQKTTcj5e-QnEqRtacjuu4vnMbuX7eTEkWs7B6ByHHkAIH7HEd6Z126HMnoUVCXwIk2Zm1ryo5jEg/w640-h480/20230202_142742a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The chassis was never designed to cope with the extra weight of the Pak 40 gun. This combined with the blast shock and recoil triggered many mechanical breakdowns and excessive structural fatigue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The mount comprised to H shaped beams welded to the floor, on the middle of the rear compartment. The shield was modified with trimmed angles, and the platform was made of flat triangular plates holding in place the original gun cradle. Traverse was 18 to 19 degrees and elevation ranged from -3 to +22 degrees. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The vehicle was stored with twenty rounds of HE and AP and usually the crew carried extra rounds in loose containers, stored wherever there was suitable space.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB2BqnFEk7S5PxvxxSTiVHHl9XNHGt-3IUfqvstXUxpXwm0zhJzvbiP3P0j9P58Oj6YoKhiyHy9IqOVPAxejpzE7H2uUOz4UJRnKcocm9hrIKNYKl0-nyywlakGPwUvryjceKi8p2TxzjE8BO2CBgeMYRDH04LoDHZ-CtlIr0XbyarBtGJ_n8qmRcrV4/s4032/20230202_142757a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB2BqnFEk7S5PxvxxSTiVHHl9XNHGt-3IUfqvstXUxpXwm0zhJzvbiP3P0j9P58Oj6YoKhiyHy9IqOVPAxejpzE7H2uUOz4UJRnKcocm9hrIKNYKl0-nyywlakGPwUvryjceKi8p2TxzjE8BO2CBgeMYRDH04LoDHZ-CtlIr0XbyarBtGJ_n8qmRcrV4/w640-h480/20230202_142757a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span>This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">Czech OT810 Armoured Personnel Carrier</span></div></span>The OT-810 Armoured Personnel Carrier is a variant of the World War II German Sd.Kfz. 251.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Czech Army utilized captured and abandoned German Sd.Kfz. 251s for their post-war armed forces, with these left over vehicles eventually wearing out and the need for replacement vehicles arose for which the OT-810 was created as a replacement.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT49IW1_kxC0HikwXcLcF2ACQB-3u5SWXjdTERaDXO_s9jgEijNruL2PO0dNZ7PZEUBAUZTo6TquPoI2mpNyKSXzM7VZ6v7R-moEyQmpwdNXBx7kDjq3BjbwwIWZ28B0vd_SnjQt_48Eb1lfP2_2BNLYykbSsrwhlwnc5uRQlpd4kwKKEWV8Mw999lbv4/s4032/20230202_143140a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT49IW1_kxC0HikwXcLcF2ACQB-3u5SWXjdTERaDXO_s9jgEijNruL2PO0dNZ7PZEUBAUZTo6TquPoI2mpNyKSXzM7VZ6v7R-moEyQmpwdNXBx7kDjq3BjbwwIWZ28B0vd_SnjQt_48Eb1lfP2_2BNLYykbSsrwhlwnc5uRQlpd4kwKKEWV8Mw999lbv4/w640-h480/20230202_143140a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The OT-810 Tatra and Skoda, both of whom were involved in the original construction of Wehrmacht Sd.Kfz. 251s, and design started in 1952, stopping in 1954, but then recommencing in 1956 with an initial batch of ten vehicles produced between 1958-59.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the end the vehicle was accepted into service under the OT-810 designation ('OT' means 'Obrneny Transporter' or 'Armoured Transporter').</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tGvLFAyJxptDk03uyfsLs8ULJtV5zpopUjlZybVo69354Z3f8Gocs9827ksWmeeeAZc5zb3epRvJS6GS8fPUQS0KSosstbqVKvV7wzcIvJpCcuJnFm4mU0ToDtISeeeLptYu4vfnjnAxzmsaaQACJHzFeDMirvcS5TV7JF2HwwGRWEFfjVeqLjHmJgU/s4032/20230202_143120a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tGvLFAyJxptDk03uyfsLs8ULJtV5zpopUjlZybVo69354Z3f8Gocs9827ksWmeeeAZc5zb3epRvJS6GS8fPUQS0KSosstbqVKvV7wzcIvJpCcuJnFm4mU0ToDtISeeeLptYu4vfnjnAxzmsaaQACJHzFeDMirvcS5TV7JF2HwwGRWEFfjVeqLjHmJgU/w640-h480/20230202_143120a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The vehicle was not very popular, being hard to control and providing a cramped infantry compartment together with a difficult maintenance reputation causing it to be nicknamed "Hitlerova pomsta" or "Hitler's revenge". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At least 2,400 OT-810's were built and used by the Czech armed forces until well into the 1980s and would see the vehicle enclosed with an armoured roof over the troop compartment for better protection from shrapnel and exposure to radiation or gas. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjLPFvKYO3AepnwdlbWElZKIHPgX7BBqfhJIo9z1ktekd2WLODG973Dk_x_Q5dI_XAYrAI1pL0TEfjeHg8sGbY1XISQz4hUsjx5FKztfGhEdwgoPKLkTzLX22TZwkSvPG51h0Htbpxbut777tuTCXwBtZNAezTk9xYobzLaW29Wrhep4gPuIiUKnHchU/s4032/20230202_143126a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjLPFvKYO3AepnwdlbWElZKIHPgX7BBqfhJIo9z1ktekd2WLODG973Dk_x_Q5dI_XAYrAI1pL0TEfjeHg8sGbY1XISQz4hUsjx5FKztfGhEdwgoPKLkTzLX22TZwkSvPG51h0Htbpxbut777tuTCXwBtZNAezTk9xYobzLaW29Wrhep4gPuIiUKnHchU/w640-h480/20230202_143126a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div>This exhibit was acquired in the UK and like many surviving OT-810s has been painted to resemble an </span>Sd.Kfz. 251 for use in military re-enactment's.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 250/3 Ausführung A Halftrack (Radio Variant)</span></div></span>The Sd.Kfz. 250 family of vehicles was a series of light armoured half-tracks, adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard Sd.Kfz. 251 halftracks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTiTqmKuv6HayawbGEwJhYsS4XseImXAzIYdw-L5uo6SB64UsEiMN4FpzK7HZxKwB_T4Yy7qT7_JmrvjIADsZInAJF1bWesAXZl5YlkpH6jwmIuMkZVbl1JlkG2WDVAG2AxeWlbFG310O9G_dWyrN_aNAc26YY4prmBXTsv8P8AYGOof9-cCxb_Damsc/s798/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-217-0493-22,_Russland,_Sch%C3%BCtzenpanzer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="798" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTiTqmKuv6HayawbGEwJhYsS4XseImXAzIYdw-L5uo6SB64UsEiMN4FpzK7HZxKwB_T4Yy7qT7_JmrvjIADsZInAJF1bWesAXZl5YlkpH6jwmIuMkZVbl1JlkG2WDVAG2AxeWlbFG310O9G_dWyrN_aNAc26YY4prmBXTsv8P8AYGOof9-cCxb_Damsc/w400-h256/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-217-0493-22,_Russland,_Sch%C3%BCtzenpanzer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This vehicle is the early version of the Radio/Command variant and was used by battalion and higher level commanders.<br /><span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTO82wxSLSVuqNwH1QLClQ3vFLI1Tk_nkF6QocgQTK_XSsouuNXVb2qotPQ1gbVxlhXeSdr38r4arN_1cBV9NCTfumNHmwQWRgCPWBsApvLu9bv8TftL7hLcBKbwDT8L3tFd0z2rQBBINuUAnMLumJveNNfltf69sIWoJj_encVKVZLvKMbeUvyOa19Q/s4032/20230202_140057a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTO82wxSLSVuqNwH1QLClQ3vFLI1Tk_nkF6QocgQTK_XSsouuNXVb2qotPQ1gbVxlhXeSdr38r4arN_1cBV9NCTfumNHmwQWRgCPWBsApvLu9bv8TftL7hLcBKbwDT8L3tFd0z2rQBBINuUAnMLumJveNNfltf69sIWoJj_encVKVZLvKMbeUvyOa19Q/w640-h480/20230202_140057a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span><b><br /></b></span></div>The large 'bedframe' antenna was easy to spot at long range, making them more vulnerable to enemy fire.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Production of this early version stopped in October 1943 with some 4,200 built and the complex body-shape dropped in favour of a neue art (new version) with flattened crew compartment sides made from a single piece of armour. This greatly simplified manufacture but in both variants the level of protection was minimal - rifle-calibre small-arms fire and shell fragments would likely be stopped, but heavy machine guns, anti-tank rifles and virtually any form of artillery could perforate the Sd.Kfz. 250 even at long range.<div><span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheO6DVA11Se_eFEziCyiiA4-aYo0OxkhLTB5_KQ-dx9DAnkv0Uvm6uo6ojYQ4Zi0A3mPAoPewN8JFiiORIkvnPZgTWCVBg0DDmk443kQvsRFP1JRXDeGzcYn7Tbr9ACjQEX31HTjAW1axhA0-PBKVb0Ycy5lF8kqDiyxFNc12I3VRDfIefURFJkzye14I/s4032/20230202_140126a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheO6DVA11Se_eFEziCyiiA4-aYo0OxkhLTB5_KQ-dx9DAnkv0Uvm6uo6ojYQ4Zi0A3mPAoPewN8JFiiORIkvnPZgTWCVBg0DDmk443kQvsRFP1JRXDeGzcYn7Tbr9ACjQEX31HTjAW1axhA0-PBKVb0Ycy5lF8kqDiyxFNc12I3VRDfIefURFJkzye14I/w640-h480/20230202_140126a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The unit markings on the vehicle are larger than the standard size usually found and replicate those for the tactical markings of an headquarters vehicle from the Medium Reconnaissance Company of the 1st SS Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" (LSSH).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W7jA0t1yrZYyPfNm7JO231QVV6ORArxntYdKoMmI6spShV5hDP1dVcOjHSNtkdLybKqyIk7-yXXREuS4z959alS4qPF-slBjRfmffPtkwFD_h8SE-yYFatmaFFLaoOLYkk_olKOc1cKNOGB_Hnruds3CgIAebndTHzMQtG5h48MoDs6_-jOm_sU6NNg/s4032/20230202_140119a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W7jA0t1yrZYyPfNm7JO231QVV6ORArxntYdKoMmI6spShV5hDP1dVcOjHSNtkdLybKqyIk7-yXXREuS4z959alS4qPF-slBjRfmffPtkwFD_h8SE-yYFatmaFFLaoOLYkk_olKOc1cKNOGB_Hnruds3CgIAebndTHzMQtG5h48MoDs6_-jOm_sU6NNg/w640-h480/20230202_140119a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia.</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 250/8 Ausführung B Halftrack (7.5cm K51 Gun)</span><br />The Sd.Kfz. 250/8 support variant was armed with a 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 gun as used in the early Panzer IVs and an MG 34.</div><div><br /></div><div>The KwK 37 gun was later replaced by the slightly revised version under the designation 7.5cm K51 L/24.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCth8xKTgIveswXJKjVBqZ8GOjy7eTIYd33yx4mHAss0WcOe6aYqJvHjcD6hCfkB9orebVy36qokgSvRHSNzNeHxkWtO6uYhY6-k8PV3JOF6baDUU3aA8bOmaUVNqIKsEOCI7gN8EbrMmqhnqUPn2CTlKYAGIz4aBw5uIrs3lvUPrBvaojhaZest7rSs/s3838/20230202_142028a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3838" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCth8xKTgIveswXJKjVBqZ8GOjy7eTIYd33yx4mHAss0WcOe6aYqJvHjcD6hCfkB9orebVy36qokgSvRHSNzNeHxkWtO6uYhY6-k8PV3JOF6baDUU3aA8bOmaUVNqIKsEOCI7gN8EbrMmqhnqUPn2CTlKYAGIz4aBw5uIrs3lvUPrBvaojhaZest7rSs/w640-h504/20230202_142028a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Sd.Kfz. 250/8 appeared for the first time in November 1943, but full production did not begin until March or April 1944 because of delays in the production of the K51 gun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYHtS1_hBkQZCkBOwHxZ1Pb5sIB7RwBxfOzMWlEV4PqV-RxLyaiLftWSrrQC1-4aPc12m2Bt9DxOTKO-vxYA5syGVn-r6qhn4xCx2uRMl0esNXmZDpio27zhwFSj4L_Wi0ygfg8n_70e8sW-BWTjVvKPSd_mQ1CcxKzifoBbPGYwUP_LK5f3aiDXjISY/s4032/20230202_142049a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYHtS1_hBkQZCkBOwHxZ1Pb5sIB7RwBxfOzMWlEV4PqV-RxLyaiLftWSrrQC1-4aPc12m2Bt9DxOTKO-vxYA5syGVn-r6qhn4xCx2uRMl0esNXmZDpio27zhwFSj4L_Wi0ygfg8n_70e8sW-BWTjVvKPSd_mQ1CcxKzifoBbPGYwUP_LK5f3aiDXjISY/w640-h480/20230202_142049a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The small size of the vehicle and the size of the gun limited the crew to three men and only allowed for twenty rounds of 7.5cm ammunition to be carried.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw4dqoAW-Sf2LJKDDNtGsNEgzknqgl6BVIotwmpg5NvHV1TF4BRWPjb3FenX9698HtNMC6RUWDXyeyxxdDMbZ8qv3LB4iIGs_XDLYWQvOv8Nm6xrUA9XscmRXEeyrU8Sq41-32n-LhHhPO5KYBJPwKFNZypGdRez7eM8Rt8QDouQsZEA3h45PzDJc9cE/s4032/20230202_142223a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw4dqoAW-Sf2LJKDDNtGsNEgzknqgl6BVIotwmpg5NvHV1TF4BRWPjb3FenX9698HtNMC6RUWDXyeyxxdDMbZ8qv3LB4iIGs_XDLYWQvOv8Nm6xrUA9XscmRXEeyrU8Sq41-32n-LhHhPO5KYBJPwKFNZypGdRez7eM8Rt8QDouQsZEA3h45PzDJc9cE/w640-h480/20230202_142223a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To provide extra protection for the gun crew the normal front and side walls of the vehicle were raised with additional armour plates, however the installation of the gun and the added armour led to a significant upward shift of the centre of gravity which increased the likelihood of the vehicle overturning at speed or when traversing uneven ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxlpQKRgsHHE5TG8WLAoArlgx-SpZaylqRsGScahdS4my5g7oN6-q0C3h_ZAtq3Sn5zHE3PmpWhVN7_T6oeB6qknOL9K7shBN8JUso7HVUf5Lk3BUwZZV7A1EVHXFF_BEwLstVqByMlpj0iv5hIFNaFpDavvr3ZGEHTXYOD3JHwnxOeSijM1cb-6Q0wk/s4032/20230202_142038a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxlpQKRgsHHE5TG8WLAoArlgx-SpZaylqRsGScahdS4my5g7oN6-q0C3h_ZAtq3Sn5zHE3PmpWhVN7_T6oeB6qknOL9K7shBN8JUso7HVUf5Lk3BUwZZV7A1EVHXFF_BEwLstVqByMlpj0iv5hIFNaFpDavvr3ZGEHTXYOD3JHwnxOeSijM1cb-6Q0wk/w640-h480/20230202_142038a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The Sd.Kfz. 250/8 saw extensive action on the Eastern Front against the Russians and later against the Allies after the D-Day invasion, providing support to infantry units against fortified positions or light armoured vehicles in offensive and defensive operations.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5tl9493ka2J2n6DUTnCN89KARYDaMa6j4iH23pO5BrxleNQXmnCjk2ajTjkil9fe7iDiuBACzJlCsPhLillljmdXvF0388LBkaVZ8qrX7PuPBCMpksykgETSzHd6p0psEihmhG-gLNh8vtcIQzGTze_5Ha1ltXfqMLmwz-OTZlpuVgSvup2l7VWuQw4/s4032/20230202_142059a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5tl9493ka2J2n6DUTnCN89KARYDaMa6j4iH23pO5BrxleNQXmnCjk2ajTjkil9fe7iDiuBACzJlCsPhLillljmdXvF0388LBkaVZ8qrX7PuPBCMpksykgETSzHd6p0psEihmhG-gLNh8vtcIQzGTze_5Ha1ltXfqMLmwz-OTZlpuVgSvup2l7VWuQw4/w640-h480/20230202_142059a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 250/3 Ausführung B Halftrack (Command Variant)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Sd.Kfz. 250/3 Ausführung B Halftrack represents the later development of the Ausf. A illustrated previously sporting its 'bedframe' antenna.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXxwQMLsXfM0qZ2IYCspv1JJT-k8ZlZZbu-7bdDMbOAPQx5V2Kkhf1KKpGmmhLXRWqBTMHj69px2Z70BJio3rqVawe7wbU4_E4kT_xoLE63jLkf4TGMTSjNFy95NgpUcKB1hmNhFEcNO9z_7Oi1T41WzZyV60-ZbRnxCh9qhptQKnJc2P6DKRpEHg5pc/s4032/20230202_142507a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXxwQMLsXfM0qZ2IYCspv1JJT-k8ZlZZbu-7bdDMbOAPQx5V2Kkhf1KKpGmmhLXRWqBTMHj69px2Z70BJio3rqVawe7wbU4_E4kT_xoLE63jLkf4TGMTSjNFy95NgpUcKB1hmNhFEcNO9z_7Oi1T41WzZyV60-ZbRnxCh9qhptQKnJc2P6DKRpEHg5pc/w640-h480/20230202_142507a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It had fewer seats but was equipped with long range radio equipment and likewise with the Ausf. A used by Battalion and higher level commanders as personal command vehicles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_Ey3aCWKxtn4TlbR5-WxCXxycpCaPAhouaMDj91FkREyy5KE8OCySwZlH0ry-sKCabNmF9ZDzHrupSWd0tcqj8YabCooMFyzmUOR2kLoWVeym8xIJMwqOsS6vnNfz68XUS-cSby_2xQAKRdxgxjENE94XVA2kiafiJFI8cvRIs5PYreL9Fu1Yq7Azk0/s2836/20230202_142530a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="2637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_Ey3aCWKxtn4TlbR5-WxCXxycpCaPAhouaMDj91FkREyy5KE8OCySwZlH0ry-sKCabNmF9ZDzHrupSWd0tcqj8YabCooMFyzmUOR2kLoWVeym8xIJMwqOsS6vnNfz68XUS-cSby_2xQAKRdxgxjENE94XVA2kiafiJFI8cvRIs5PYreL9Fu1Yq7Azk0/w596-h640/20230202_142530a.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Discarding the 'bedframe' antenna made these vehicles less conspicuous and the previous arrangement was replaced with whip antenna instead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXK6qYXwuE2D6ANVrRpVLTNOJpukZh9uKqbsQR6-31IJBsg15CqqedagWLn1-VpQNiCQUVofzZsTtxP8iRk5TNicaGv_1BnFS0oBAUXoTaIZawzDrC3qzXnk3DYstu6h8iCDVPHceZZPZJyBcwSi3ZUJu2RuqPnFDuk2hJCnhbnIFoLeWC01xQsWZP0M/s4000/20230202_142539a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXK6qYXwuE2D6ANVrRpVLTNOJpukZh9uKqbsQR6-31IJBsg15CqqedagWLn1-VpQNiCQUVofzZsTtxP8iRk5TNicaGv_1BnFS0oBAUXoTaIZawzDrC3qzXnk3DYstu6h8iCDVPHceZZPZJyBcwSi3ZUJu2RuqPnFDuk2hJCnhbnIFoLeWC01xQsWZP0M/w640-h480/20230202_142539a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was made in 1943 by Demag and was recovered from a forest on the Russian/Finnish border near the town of Kemijarvi, an area of Finland occupied by the SS Nord Division during World War II.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsPcwUjgOVMvc_yS_u6G417yNPE5l_wzJkjqfs9yMC6JQMDIAHpn-FXudI92qMxHgu9RAV7CtoM4peTzlvcX-LvgsMDqJXYjDHiUjAqTyAWBF-c_DJR16k0h-2x3BHAfNQbEnnA5ue26rUq79B06_kWSL_1Fmk3vg3haAAhEpLgBIux5sHQMiISZUdks/s4032/20230202_142550a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsPcwUjgOVMvc_yS_u6G417yNPE5l_wzJkjqfs9yMC6JQMDIAHpn-FXudI92qMxHgu9RAV7CtoM4peTzlvcX-LvgsMDqJXYjDHiUjAqTyAWBF-c_DJR16k0h-2x3BHAfNQbEnnA5ue26rUq79B06_kWSL_1Fmk3vg3haAAhEpLgBIux5sHQMiISZUdks/w640-h480/20230202_142550a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The vehicle was restored by by Axis Track Services in the UK.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Sd.Kfz. 11/1 Flak - Halftrack with Flak 38</span></div>The Sd.Kfz. 11 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug – special motor vehicle) was a German half-track that saw widespread use in World War II. Its main role was as a prime mover for medium towed guns ranging from the 3.7 cm FlaK 43 anti-aircraft gun up to the 10.5 cm leFH 18 field howitzer and it could carry eight troops in addition to towing a gun or trailer.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4245NpO_yKBk-HOx8iconnMAUiogEn3pibgbAxGaDH8-hG7W0C0TNFCAk3KaLd34OwQ8g665rKgQt8faWVJOab_nadnImnYTqlkGdBZSBxJPKue0hqjzPbnCzZD-HffMMPvqb6X55VaDJ4ZEmK5OjGr9xFwn7fncwr-75OX7phSDC3uMfoaM0_FJ8KM/s4032/20230202_140725a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4245NpO_yKBk-HOx8iconnMAUiogEn3pibgbAxGaDH8-hG7W0C0TNFCAk3KaLd34OwQ8g665rKgQt8faWVJOab_nadnImnYTqlkGdBZSBxJPKue0hqjzPbnCzZD-HffMMPvqb6X55VaDJ4ZEmK5OjGr9xFwn7fncwr-75OX7phSDC3uMfoaM0_FJ8KM/w640-h480/20230202_140725a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The later version of the Sd.Kfz. 11 was produced in 1944 was an anti aircraft vehicle using the armoured front superstructure of the Sd.Kfz. 251 and mounting a 2 cm Flak 38 gun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The 2cm Flak 38 was mounted on an open flatbed and the mesh-like sides could fold out flat to allow the crew a wider platform to stand on when operating the gun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRoShVBZ-fCUy-iVc7tETsE3LKBmrrqxwhZwQy6pq_xRBH6KH1nVHybOayuC5K2LcmNNDiSnBkGqnJxHkENgmOA2ZCOBELL9q7HXXO7M6qQ23uCo03Hp-3Kizc3s5ZmidPikPiJEbsSb2Fy3YI5OsoINmthRP6UaakeJCxE8ScSLYalBkAK3isEojih4/s4032/20230202_140744a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2270" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRoShVBZ-fCUy-iVc7tETsE3LKBmrrqxwhZwQy6pq_xRBH6KH1nVHybOayuC5K2LcmNNDiSnBkGqnJxHkENgmOA2ZCOBELL9q7HXXO7M6qQ23uCo03Hp-3Kizc3s5ZmidPikPiJEbsSb2Fy3YI5OsoINmthRP6UaakeJCxE8ScSLYalBkAK3isEojih4/w640-h360/20230202_140744a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>These vehicles saw extensive service on the Eastern and Western Fronts being used in the anti-aircraft role but also in a ground support one for the infantry and the Flak 38 gun was easily removed to allow the vehicle to operate as a tow, troop carrier, supply carrier or field ambulance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdP9aq3Hw9CAXEsOcosCDXLTcp5jGRFZ6pQ6ius5ERnzCjhncT3uNEyaaUX90Sd0D_cudJKJaNE2zyR4rElrP4CbZDq_YENZXAbUOOKZo-iqAL3dmJzZxsF-EQDvZyKxV6dtCEFtEn4IYfAZ8DHNo83w2LmYdPZyXeCiDq5Gb16t9ej1GqUdeXys33KI/s4032/20230202_140800a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdP9aq3Hw9CAXEsOcosCDXLTcp5jGRFZ6pQ6ius5ERnzCjhncT3uNEyaaUX90Sd0D_cudJKJaNE2zyR4rElrP4CbZDq_YENZXAbUOOKZo-iqAL3dmJzZxsF-EQDvZyKxV6dtCEFtEn4IYfAZ8DHNo83w2LmYdPZyXeCiDq5Gb16t9ej1GqUdeXys33KI/w640-h480/20230202_140800a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The vehicle was restored by by Axis Track Services in the UK, and is the only example of this vehicle known to still exist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">German Raupenschlepper Ost 7.5cm Pak 40</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span>The World War II German </span></span>Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO) was a tracked vehicle based on the Steyr 1500A light truck. It was developed after fighting on the Eastern Front identified the need for a fully tracked light weight transport vehicle capable of dealing with the mud and snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0rAuj5b5mlBtIU63d6XjX_gjkOOksJj_vdLcpz8LtzPAZ8GO3tgX3777yD01s088Ffhsx0YuiafLeQE6Hwx1r22RUPWwsfWwZ3gKOL83a_VRyzsBxPDPoVLT1XuUFzBtK-73Qhg9nEWQA15MVBJzroQJb6yTywtG7WPFVCANM5gkHqvvXZBXfjHPPV0/s4311/P1080120a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="4311" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0rAuj5b5mlBtIU63d6XjX_gjkOOksJj_vdLcpz8LtzPAZ8GO3tgX3777yD01s088Ffhsx0YuiafLeQE6Hwx1r22RUPWwsfWwZ3gKOL83a_VRyzsBxPDPoVLT1XuUFzBtK-73Qhg9nEWQA15MVBJzroQJb6yTywtG7WPFVCANM5gkHqvvXZBXfjHPPV0/w640-h442/P1080120a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Only a few months after the RSO was introduced into service the development of an armed version began.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Initial designs were for the gun to be unloaded by a collapsible crane each time it was to be fired, however the Wehrmacht insisted on a gun that was permanently mounted on the vehicle.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lHAxMt5j94G1OH0sFfkQkqiJlGt5W5A5TUWEyIOHjWyMWAKHIfqgwi-VL657H5duaSFDgChVp2JoI-2XeVBQKcnpH-Pd2MTlAstLXZW2LDmaOYbqr5VXn9g1ehuy2GvMiBe68zcZvlOtTyTAwl6lblXE-eWYFEZT9GJTRTMZklNTXd9FMcce15HlL4w/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-203-1696-25,_Albanien,_Raupenschlepper_Ost_mit_Kanone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lHAxMt5j94G1OH0sFfkQkqiJlGt5W5A5TUWEyIOHjWyMWAKHIfqgwi-VL657H5duaSFDgChVp2JoI-2XeVBQKcnpH-Pd2MTlAstLXZW2LDmaOYbqr5VXn9g1ehuy2GvMiBe68zcZvlOtTyTAwl6lblXE-eWYFEZT9GJTRTMZklNTXd9FMcce15HlL4w/w640-h408/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-203-1696-25,_Albanien,_Raupenschlepper_Ost_mit_Kanone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">An RSO truck towing a 105mm howitzer</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The development was carried out by Steyr in 1942 and resulted in the RSO Pak40 which was armed with a 7.5cm Pak 40/4 gun that could traverse 360 degrees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It had a lightly armoured cab and collapsible sides on the cargo deck to provide a fighting deck for the gun crew. The result was a lightweight, cheap to produce, and highly mobile infantry anti-tank weapon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm2LDC-fcPUHfafQET3pE5EWO0dNbN7I8FSe3B5dl7Yxaj0rhVUYuYSHqZUJeZsBwFeD1B_gDlg8bYlOCbGD2KYecikxU2nldk8lFAHy8VlnoAKR7HBNWFus6suMtt4ReIpR21m7hZokvnUDLk9cL0HhlSeixcUeFm3YQBfpAv1tWAvE2TYyRnIHeBuE/s960/071843870c545ab4a11cd1fe0300e996.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="960" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm2LDC-fcPUHfafQET3pE5EWO0dNbN7I8FSe3B5dl7Yxaj0rhVUYuYSHqZUJeZsBwFeD1B_gDlg8bYlOCbGD2KYecikxU2nldk8lFAHy8VlnoAKR7HBNWFus6suMtt4ReIpR21m7hZokvnUDLk9cL0HhlSeixcUeFm3YQBfpAv1tWAvE2TYyRnIHeBuE/w640-h350/071843870c545ab4a11cd1fe0300e996.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div>It is not known how many of this RSO variant were produced, but it is generally believed toi be less than a hundred.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Although the RSO Pak 40 provided improved mobility in the field it was not popular with the crews because:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>It was slow, noisy and the engine had a tendency to overheat in warm weather.</li><li>The lack of armour provided little protection for the crew.</li><li>The high silhouette made it difficult to conceal.</li><li>The small fighting platform made it difficult to work in an effective manner and,</li><li> The floor lockers for ammunition storage was difficult to access when the weapon was in use.</li></ul><div>The vehicle earned the nickname 'Rollender Sarg Ost', a play on the RSO abbreviation which translates to 'rolling coffin east' reflecting the thoughts of the soldiers who operated it.</div><div><br /></div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug_ktNGnJm56mm_RAYGJWp-2FcShDId-sGzyl7OcNlaO2NJYMb22llygxyBm09wT2UtvWVZ6Nhsu7MJGwMCwEKDN_XP_tQp4knAx-p2kxtH-vJQpppr0sYQDaaCYe5eVzaZFFjZM_pPtqzZ9j750DoY1u-YLAXPQ0kN_hLXc4IreJV-nUf03AsRAskH8/s4896/P1080121a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3143" data-original-width="4896" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug_ktNGnJm56mm_RAYGJWp-2FcShDId-sGzyl7OcNlaO2NJYMb22llygxyBm09wT2UtvWVZ6Nhsu7MJGwMCwEKDN_XP_tQp4knAx-p2kxtH-vJQpppr0sYQDaaCYe5eVzaZFFjZM_pPtqzZ9j750DoY1u-YLAXPQ0kN_hLXc4IreJV-nUf03AsRAskH8/w640-h410/P1080121a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span>The exhibit was acquired from a collector in Germany and if you would like to know more about the RSO Pak40 you can follow the link to the museum video.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yYIZVZWR5_8" width="320" youtube-src-id="yYIZVZWR5_8"></iframe></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Volkswagen Type 82 </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kübelwagen</b></span></span></div>In 1937 German High Command identified the need for an inexpensive, light-weight military transport vehicle, that could be operated reliably both on and off-road, in extreme conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Developmental testing by the military began after a presentation of the prototypes designated as Type 62 in November 1938. Despite lacking four wheel drive, the vehicle proved very competent at manoeuvring its way over rough terrain, even in a direct comparison with a contemporary standard German Army 4x4, and the project was given the green light for further development.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL-JM4vSdI8FHfO9TtNFxIMaEDlA3NPtugBzzIsMGHRCvZzTt8urZ-r9uDACKO8Zya6l7cJy6BMtmWQpicfyLTU8Apbtf9lFzSGm__LCY-8focySzVpfOXN1OfF9Iww-G1KjN5lVhkUhIoa_PeIdZl1WntgOqLoylslFUXwDr-bX7xzgAWFhRJ0-BP1E/s3769/20230202_140852a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3769" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL-JM4vSdI8FHfO9TtNFxIMaEDlA3NPtugBzzIsMGHRCvZzTt8urZ-r9uDACKO8Zya6l7cJy6BMtmWQpicfyLTU8Apbtf9lFzSGm__LCY-8focySzVpfOXN1OfF9Iww-G1KjN5lVhkUhIoa_PeIdZl1WntgOqLoylslFUXwDr-bX7xzgAWFhRJ0-BP1E/w640-h514/20230202_140852a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Based heavily on the Volkswagen Beetle, the Type 62 prototype was further developed and in 1938 was known as the Type 82.</div><div><br /></div>Full-scale production of the Type 82 Kübelwagen started in February 1940, as soon as the VW factories had become operational. No major changes took place before production ended in 1945, only small modifications were implemented, mostly eliminating unnecessary parts and reinforcing others which had proved unequal to the task.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2-mbn5kRXTbBEPG1XcHVlclX2f-Vi2sN3mo5v7J8xBYIoDzlPIq9CmHgbHIHRERKHuwSIibCAVuAZ61b31fCr23aCUkz4bhYrHDWNW1LBc1OG3un2LVjfEECje-tIgm2hjuCqIxseO9ovb3mjG1krxjkM4gYpxDhuBBKSCrc2s6NzoeEsqQMow6Sfsg/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2926-07,_Russland,_Unternehmen__Zitadelle_,_VW_K%C3%BCbelwagen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="800" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2-mbn5kRXTbBEPG1XcHVlclX2f-Vi2sN3mo5v7J8xBYIoDzlPIq9CmHgbHIHRERKHuwSIibCAVuAZ61b31fCr23aCUkz4bhYrHDWNW1LBc1OG3un2LVjfEECje-tIgm2hjuCqIxseO9ovb3mjG1krxjkM4gYpxDhuBBKSCrc2s6NzoeEsqQMow6Sfsg/w640-h410/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-022-2926-07,_Russland,_Unternehmen__Zitadelle_,_VW_K%C3%BCbelwagen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />When Volkswagen production ceased at the end of the war, 50,435 Kübelwagen vehicles had been produced, and the vehicle had proven to be surprisingly useful, reliable, and durable.</div><div><br /></div><div>The production number also explains how ubiquitous the vehicle has become for portraying the German Army in any film about World War II.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeYP7e22sXHMc3GaEk_m0zKwxOX7CgbJS1tCX7VeaXfNEhSKTF4vZ2lg7o7T0Wu3U-n4mPhuGVzSGBzqD0xJLeLecVvkxdWHPk_8zH2rGoe8aj5xusFRHyh17TRuMPb2UC5ZsR7yH4_ghd7DpgAWhKG9EfGWIS1omCPAnKJ9CPKyb6zOLIQxoeWjqGBg/s4032/20230202_140834a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeYP7e22sXHMc3GaEk_m0zKwxOX7CgbJS1tCX7VeaXfNEhSKTF4vZ2lg7o7T0Wu3U-n4mPhuGVzSGBzqD0xJLeLecVvkxdWHPk_8zH2rGoe8aj5xusFRHyh17TRuMPb2UC5ZsR7yH4_ghd7DpgAWhKG9EfGWIS1omCPAnKJ9CPKyb6zOLIQxoeWjqGBg/w640-h480/20230202_140834a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">German Volkswagen Type 166 </span><span><b>Schwimmwagen</b></span></span></div>The Volkswagen Schwimmwagen (literally "swimming car") is a light four-wheel drive amphibious car, used extensively by German ground forces during the Second World War.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first units to be equipped with the Schwimmwagen were the Waffen SS on the Eastern Front, followed by its issuing to Wehrmacht units in North Africa, and later on the Western and Italian Fronts, including Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;"> </span>and Field Divisions.</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sD1HoN0M6C3uH_1C-mmtQC90kejlArYRg4t8MtQnQjEf525CeGqjr_edAKjFaiKcz0_5_dEnyhnX9gaahCAwiD-cFaZpXRKWHfWh1mmJDUO6cA8gzyz07ItE_r1kJxEaLUctbG3bBhL5NSBjqKaSYDhcWFhk22a8Swqx-ZFw-1lppXV9R-xUda83sRY/s4032/20230202_140821a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sD1HoN0M6C3uH_1C-mmtQC90kejlArYRg4t8MtQnQjEf525CeGqjr_edAKjFaiKcz0_5_dEnyhnX9gaahCAwiD-cFaZpXRKWHfWh1mmJDUO6cA8gzyz07ItE_r1kJxEaLUctbG3bBhL5NSBjqKaSYDhcWFhk22a8Swqx-ZFw-1lppXV9R-xUda83sRY/w640-h480/20230202_140821a.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>The Schwimmwagen used the engine and mechanicals of the VW Type 86 four-wheel drive prototype of the Kübelwagen, also used for the Type 87 four-wheel drive 'Kübel/Beetle' Command Car. The Type 128 prototype, was based on the full-length Kübelwagen with a wheelbase of 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in).<div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7u-NV30BrdM7qwGXadAHrn6DyNUyyKNk380I5DRbvfDJu7u9GqoiSwMdqkmjlDnY8GEHfAObML2bUnCLYtnZ2p7RQvq9Lmo7N79-G8Etc-jQ-tHOnBHyrYZFP-1L2BJUUmb870MPJyWqzf3tjUeygS42Q51fRmF8Pcg1DehRkZo0KsHoYHUYSNxOF0A/s900/DuuEah9XgAAKiUE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="900" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7u-NV30BrdM7qwGXadAHrn6DyNUyyKNk380I5DRbvfDJu7u9GqoiSwMdqkmjlDnY8GEHfAObML2bUnCLYtnZ2p7RQvq9Lmo7N79-G8Etc-jQ-tHOnBHyrYZFP-1L2BJUUmb870MPJyWqzf3tjUeygS42Q51fRmF8Pcg1DehRkZo0KsHoYHUYSNxOF0A/w640-h480/DuuEah9XgAAKiUE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps one of the most famous pictures of a Schwimmwagen in action was these SS men operating with Kampfgruppe Peiper during the early days of the Ardennes Offensive in 1944</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>All Schwimmwagens were four-wheel drive in first gear (and reverse gears on some models) only and had ZF self-locking differentials on the front and rear axles. </div><div><br /></div><div>As with the Kübelwagen, the Schwimmwagen had rear portal axles, which provided increased ground clearance, while at the same time reducing drive-line torque stresses with their gear reduction at the wheels. The Schwimmwagen had a top speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) on land.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxEUwwOziP_htgYD44I5h_BV0rD-fYF6_3kEYv3d6tspL4Q8X4wSxHDHUuCeea8zfRWnyoljrIQEjMKX7Ov6zMrxHtwbujM5JiJuxi1ZK2-_CjcfmLbadiidCMj52KsCEU9FrhELP4YADPG3mvuuAlCj5zI_dLKEk8OcWzJLDMdPk629MGI1O3eT0p6Y/s4032/20230202_140806a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="4032" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxEUwwOziP_htgYD44I5h_BV0rD-fYF6_3kEYv3d6tspL4Q8X4wSxHDHUuCeea8zfRWnyoljrIQEjMKX7Ov6zMrxHtwbujM5JiJuxi1ZK2-_CjcfmLbadiidCMj52KsCEU9FrhELP4YADPG3mvuuAlCj5zI_dLKEk8OcWzJLDMdPk629MGI1O3eT0p6Y/w640-h446/20230202_140806a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>When crossing a body of water a screw propeller could be lowered down from the rear deck/engine cover. When in place a simple coupling provided drive straight from an extension of the engine's crankshaft. This meant that screw propulsion always drove forward. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Schwimmwagen had a top speed of 10 km/h (6 mph) in the water. For reversing in the water there was the choice of using the standard equipment paddle or running the land drive in reverse, allowing the wheel-rotation to slowly take the vehicle back. The front wheels doubled up as rudders, so steering was done with the steering wheel both on land and on water. The Schwimmwagen could also be steered by the passengers using the paddle(s).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibibH7mDuSoiUZRPJEfDfUBeh6QPnN4i0dBj3iA8L12h-A6vF2leSuj7IvwR9KAdzPs9PQL1ZxCzROtNII3z6Lyd3Uuy5XddgULJ_vZXFqqXCOp9WF5QHKl69TuZjMcVcwN3Bd8MzHTyLbgOCWhOZjIsrYzsMXObwJnTIUDVHMRd_v8sPc471_qKdLAZo/s4032/20230202_140831a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibibH7mDuSoiUZRPJEfDfUBeh6QPnN4i0dBj3iA8L12h-A6vF2leSuj7IvwR9KAdzPs9PQL1ZxCzROtNII3z6Lyd3Uuy5XddgULJ_vZXFqqXCOp9WF5QHKl69TuZjMcVcwN3Bd8MzHTyLbgOCWhOZjIsrYzsMXObwJnTIUDVHMRd_v8sPc471_qKdLAZo/w640-h480/20230202_140831a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A total of 15,584 Type 166 Schwimmwagen were produced from 1941 through 1944; 14,276 at Fallersleben and 1,308 by Porsche; the VW 166 is the most-produced amphibious car in history. Only 189 are known by the Schwimmwagen Registry to remain today, and only 13 have survived without restoration work.</div><div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Steyr 1500A Light Truck</span></div><div><span>Production of the Steyr 1500A Light truck </span>began in 1941. The 1500A saw extensive use throughout the rest of World War II with various branches and formations in the Wehrmacht, including the Waffen-SS and the Afrika Korps. </div><div><br /></div><div>Production ended after being cancelled in 1944, by which time Steyr had produced some 12,450 vehicles and Auto Union and Audi some 5,600, a total of 18,050 vehicles, many of which stayed in service until the end of the war.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiQxUPECLUjVM9H-RzAKYyk2LwQjmMtD2M1ebGbBWU_dS3mUbQMYKVw23wPck9tfvjxa838xtH3bbWvsH4MeBi5-LMKRAlv4eV9DSGq1LbMrFDYGpG8KtknBGimDvv285Uqa92GCsIzRZNJbTDOdtcubmNF2GYxgkbsriSP9Pjopy69HwEFKIL6WqvYk/s3617/20230202_141008a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="3617" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiQxUPECLUjVM9H-RzAKYyk2LwQjmMtD2M1ebGbBWU_dS3mUbQMYKVw23wPck9tfvjxa838xtH3bbWvsH4MeBi5-LMKRAlv4eV9DSGq1LbMrFDYGpG8KtknBGimDvv285Uqa92GCsIzRZNJbTDOdtcubmNF2GYxgkbsriSP9Pjopy69HwEFKIL6WqvYk/w640-h456/20230202_141008a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were two main variants of the 1500A, the first being the 1500A-1, which was a fully enclosed troop carrier with bench seats fitting to the load bed, and was ideal for transporting squads of troops.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second variant was the command car version, designated the Kommandeurwagen Kfz 21. The command car version featured a radio transmitter and luxury interior and a fold-out roof. Some of the light truck bodies were also modified and used as field ambulances.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgXJNs78u0rh_GmOP0-IvfpBMcceWXC8pYpiz6mKi8t7EinLt4uweGQtsG5vhHWas_FeGn5GfNKS5sQfnx0oZPE1ITtWnIuvBLBqri5FroazrpRPq73IuhkMQvktAyomduYQPVgZFqzJE8_fjsGmTTN_7wFIHE-47BGokYMYUusirRakG4ll0Fc3mrm4/s4032/20230202_141015a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgXJNs78u0rh_GmOP0-IvfpBMcceWXC8pYpiz6mKi8t7EinLt4uweGQtsG5vhHWas_FeGn5GfNKS5sQfnx0oZPE1ITtWnIuvBLBqri5FroazrpRPq73IuhkMQvktAyomduYQPVgZFqzJE8_fjsGmTTN_7wFIHE-47BGokYMYUusirRakG4ll0Fc3mrm4/w640-h480/20230202_141015a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The 1500A was powered by a 85 hp, 8-cylinder air-cooled Steyr 3517cc OHV petrol engine, and had a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) on roads, and 45 km/h (28 mph) cross-country. The 1500A had a maximum range of 400 kilometers (250 miles) when travelling on roads, and 280 kilometers (175 miles) when travelling cross-country, and the total fuel capacity was 100 liters (22 gallons).</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVN4snfGH9g0cXcZqwCMFpmD_OKMyFeI5s8LepSseSRnBDY_LF5BIBWEiarjeRKHx-t-aIeiZ0CGv7ue0CRX5qjEXRGbhQwrJkom6X1qQjyF2JIWeZEX1Pgn0FN92mycDRSWxX3KVdmlW0l2O3XGzHWUqffCAk-gMjGDE5785q1wG3oOseeSmHFXLXRE/s4032/20230202_141030a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVN4snfGH9g0cXcZqwCMFpmD_OKMyFeI5s8LepSseSRnBDY_LF5BIBWEiarjeRKHx-t-aIeiZ0CGv7ue0CRX5qjEXRGbhQwrJkom6X1qQjyF2JIWeZEX1Pgn0FN92mycDRSWxX3KVdmlW0l2O3XGzHWUqffCAk-gMjGDE5785q1wG3oOseeSmHFXLXRE/w640-h480/20230202_141030a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The light truck version of the 1500A required a crew of two. The passenger capacity varied depending on the type of vehicle. The troop carrier version could carry eight passengers and the command car version six.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32ZUwiJg1ea9g_iwy78Tdi_Jk4_3XzpfzVHK3yOKgeCuaTldwk0UjMiH7IRrD2GUG0rZk_PJwhXaCqEEK6NRXXmnCkqOiBKXVRJsqC4L9g_HCjsBIE1NtIIkJh74DfqaQT2Fe4ZeS6E6b4GFXolglix2l047cFoWVmjkGiZHl8rnnRqlvY6wm-Rbw76Q/s4032/20230202_141041a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32ZUwiJg1ea9g_iwy78Tdi_Jk4_3XzpfzVHK3yOKgeCuaTldwk0UjMiH7IRrD2GUG0rZk_PJwhXaCqEEK6NRXXmnCkqOiBKXVRJsqC4L9g_HCjsBIE1NtIIkJh74DfqaQT2Fe4ZeS6E6b4GFXolglix2l047cFoWVmjkGiZHl8rnnRqlvY6wm-Rbw76Q/w640-h480/20230202_141041a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The museum have produced an excellent video showing the restoration process required to bring this vehicle to the state I pictured it in during my visit.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qg7jDKKYnfI" width="320" youtube-src-id="qg7jDKKYnfI"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German Zundapp Motorcycle and Sidecar</span></span></div>The Zündapp KS 750 is a World War II-era motorcycle and sidecar combination developed for the German Wehrmacht before and during the Second World War, by the German company Zündapp G.m.b.H. </div><div><br /></div><div>After entering service in 1941, over 18,000 were built through 1944, and deployed on all major German battlefronts, for use in a variety of roles. The KS 750 was an integral design, with the rear wheel and the sidecar wheel shaft driven, powered by a 751 cc (45.8 cu in), overhead valve, flat twin engine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12g4V5MmjUAP4sHYkXh43aUnUCNGisnY9tD9S22dFKDu-WJbfXxsTELcWZpgxY2xKPIRkFRXF5eisCLUtG_AszXnHFTGIPDqmCQAui61xPxvoY_gCaANJYuaWZay4GnRlmGTx6iwz4YjJ_eJzlilCLnsngtGdoSSDtxfaYvV6qMSWKc87_WHhMAnmTOQ/s4032/20230202_140857a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12g4V5MmjUAP4sHYkXh43aUnUCNGisnY9tD9S22dFKDu-WJbfXxsTELcWZpgxY2xKPIRkFRXF5eisCLUtG_AszXnHFTGIPDqmCQAui61xPxvoY_gCaANJYuaWZay4GnRlmGTx6iwz4YjJ_eJzlilCLnsngtGdoSSDtxfaYvV6qMSWKc87_WHhMAnmTOQ/w640-h480/20230202_140857a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The series production started in the spring of 1941, and in eight years Zündapp produced 18,695 KS 750 in their Nuremberg factory.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7-T4FaIehuo7bqJA9J1Sj1O1EL5a74-f1oPjyf61zFX55i_bbpVbk4YI660PIP99IJ2QKJCob3WNsuOuRW6PKaqHAhJFCrdiEiNEEtX1-dBLI_0W009GZw3rPdD3LC9MMB4DIuIUYSjLVLHxsqDuTHKV_pU87tdIsrQsY598hrXcaxTXGyac1M4ffic/s4032/20230202_140907a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7-T4FaIehuo7bqJA9J1Sj1O1EL5a74-f1oPjyf61zFX55i_bbpVbk4YI660PIP99IJ2QKJCob3WNsuOuRW6PKaqHAhJFCrdiEiNEEtX1-dBLI_0W009GZw3rPdD3LC9MMB4DIuIUYSjLVLHxsqDuTHKV_pU87tdIsrQsY598hrXcaxTXGyac1M4ffic/w640-h480/20230202_140907a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German Kettenkrad SdKfz2 (Light Halftrack Gun Tractor)</span></span></div>The Sd.Kfz.2, better known as the Kleines Kettenkraftrad HK 101 or Kettenkrad (Ketten = chains/tracks, and krad = the military abbreviation of the German word Kraftrad, the administrative German term for motorcycle), started its life as a light tractor for airborne troops. </div><div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmKcZG78zlEUuyG-WG_Sedl9tylvpoNeM1yoMnL_MfSbeXt0yAFowJ_L7OZOcYYgqPkj4MlyHqs2fx3uwkSUrRJ17uvkItO7BTOsXPrjrOS7-i4nPFAS5hOPUeRNR0YQx2WrQ80TcSBFKC5-yR9KhD6wMPKdmnD1OmYXgJbMkjT-SpKGu4iaptNFnD_w/s3623/20230202_140924a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2738" data-original-width="3623" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmKcZG78zlEUuyG-WG_Sedl9tylvpoNeM1yoMnL_MfSbeXt0yAFowJ_L7OZOcYYgqPkj4MlyHqs2fx3uwkSUrRJ17uvkItO7BTOsXPrjrOS7-i4nPFAS5hOPUeRNR0YQx2WrQ80TcSBFKC5-yR9KhD6wMPKdmnD1OmYXgJbMkjT-SpKGu4iaptNFnD_w/w640-h484/20230202_140924a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><div><br /></div><div>The vehicle was designed to be delivered by Junkers Ju 52 aircraft, though not by parachute. The vehicle had the advantage of being the only gun tractor small enough to fit inside the hold of the Ju 52, and was the lightest mass-produced German military vehicle to use the complex Schachtellaufwerk overlapped and interleaved road wheels used on almost all German military half-tracked vehicles of World War II.</div><div><br /></div>Steering the Kettenkrad was accomplished by turning the handlebars: Up to a certain point, only the front wheel would steer the vehicle. A motion of the handlebars beyond that point would engage the track brakes to help make turns sharper. It was also possible to run the vehicle without the front wheel installed and this was recommended in extreme off-road conditions where speed would be kept low.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChTcpROLGa1rV6A5W4YZd7Tv1Seoy_ACqKvzRHSEQLNtqt7lYDafZ0BadRynVoy7OZ-F3FznJXrxPCzpz8_GKeW8aG4ot0ggd5zu4xISzvjWsu8K7YIa95ZSYwicmc0Du4kMW0WV-SvB3sS9FxIcDdFVENm_9WC4chD8zAAenjJy-b13ee7-zso7nod4/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="800" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChTcpROLGa1rV6A5W4YZd7Tv1Seoy_ACqKvzRHSEQLNtqt7lYDafZ0BadRynVoy7OZ-F3FznJXrxPCzpz8_GKeW8aG4ot0ggd5zu4xISzvjWsu8K7YIa95ZSYwicmc0Du4kMW0WV-SvB3sS9FxIcDdFVENm_9WC4chD8zAAenjJy-b13ee7-zso7nod4/w640-h438/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kettenkrad in Russia, Winter 1943/44.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Most Kettenkrads saw service on the Eastern Front, where they were used to lay communication cables, pull heavy loads and carry soldiers through the deep Russian mud.</div><div><br /></div><div>Later in the war, Kettenkrads were used as runway tugs for aircraft, especially for the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, and sometimes the Arado Ar 234 jet reconnaissance-bomber.</div><div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzrk3X12tsFDxVkPIcm2Pvyl2II-4fkTAssN57BXQ8TBnySqmMMsejD2WNP0YmvNruZcVNdHtsQCTXCDCG5wI5VfDRYoazERQZpI7FhY7aOkm_Kl4z_uNmdIVYy47S1MeMaJwgBMBaNIiB4QBCE2EkNvI0N7f1XKC1633sGbsa380xgk-gxqfOP4o3fw/s4032/20230202_140931a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzrk3X12tsFDxVkPIcm2Pvyl2II-4fkTAssN57BXQ8TBnySqmMMsejD2WNP0YmvNruZcVNdHtsQCTXCDCG5wI5VfDRYoazERQZpI7FhY7aOkm_Kl4z_uNmdIVYy47S1MeMaJwgBMBaNIiB4QBCE2EkNvI0N7f1XKC1633sGbsa380xgk-gxqfOP4o3fw/w640-h480/20230202_140931a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>This exhibit was acquired from the UK.</span></div><div><span><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German "Goliath" Light Charge Carrier</span></div>The 'Goliath' Leichter Ladungsträger was a World War II remote controlled demolition vehicle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Designed as single-use vehicles that were destroyed by the detonation of their warhead, they carried 60 or 100 kg (130 or 220 lb) of high explosives, depending on the model, and were intended to be used for multiple purposes, such as destroying tanks, disrupting dense infantry formations, and the demolition of buildings or bridges. </div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m1vu3Tzadrpw8ObSzTP_sbDdYvzrfZ2Is6yVJJ3wLrGczuwR6jMqBRcwZL1VZKSYFZ2FooRHiKBje2sQjMZKD3FVpaD_tr8xdncs7qzZJX1MDgWg_TuF-Sjt2Ms8_bZDOa184sHoSmQ7PbiJ1BWklttBPhi7pIk0fF29P1B-wZQxcyJ7Vxx8k7y0Ea0/s4032/20230202_140940a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_m1vu3Tzadrpw8ObSzTP_sbDdYvzrfZ2Is6yVJJ3wLrGczuwR6jMqBRcwZL1VZKSYFZ2FooRHiKBje2sQjMZKD3FVpaD_tr8xdncs7qzZJX1MDgWg_TuF-Sjt2Ms8_bZDOa184sHoSmQ7PbiJ1BWklttBPhi7pIk0fF29P1B-wZQxcyJ7Vxx8k7y0Ea0/w640-h480/20230202_140940a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>During the invasion of France in 1940, the Germans discovered a prototype of a miniature tracked vehicle developed by the French vehicle designer Adolphe Kégresse. The Wehrmacht's ordnance office directed the Borgward automotive company of Bremen, Germany to develop a similar vehicle for the purpose of carrying a minimum of 50 kg (110 lb) of explosives. </div><div><br /></div><div>The result was the electric powered Leichter Ladungsträger SdKfz. 302 which was capable of carrying 60 kg (130 lb) of explosives. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkrqQl38neOJf1twASsYzExetAqw2MOpKtjO0bn08guE9WEuxSOnq_wtdp_QwNvliHIancMQ2O-gT83kawSBJGmgQXZte4HxodhPdDnW8ousqF9-1nGg6s9TVw4Gx9Hrnn6baZTScl6giJXYmuaq6cCYVA7BfP-llwO8ljXLgrn5oOITT8itsSjHw3GM/s602/main-qimg-7f16e03ee834e6ffba7d820fb867901a-lq.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="602" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkrqQl38neOJf1twASsYzExetAqw2MOpKtjO0bn08guE9WEuxSOnq_wtdp_QwNvliHIancMQ2O-gT83kawSBJGmgQXZte4HxodhPdDnW8ousqF9-1nGg6s9TVw4Gx9Hrnn6baZTScl6giJXYmuaq6cCYVA7BfP-llwO8ljXLgrn5oOITT8itsSjHw3GM/w640-h516/main-qimg-7f16e03ee834e6ffba7d820fb867901a-lq.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured Goliath carriers on Utah Beach after the D-Day landings</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The vehicle was steered remotely via a joystick control box. The control box was connected to the Goliath by a 650-metre (2,130 ft), long command cable connected to the rear of the vehicle. The cable transmitted power to the vehicle, controlled movement and steering and the detonation of the explosives.</div><div><br /></div>The second variant of Goliaths (SdKfz. 303) began development in April 1943 and was slightly larger and was powerd by a cheaper two-stroke Zundapp SZ7 petrol engine and its armour was increased from 6mm to 10mm with a increased capacity for 100kg (220 lb) of explosives.</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB7T2yXdG835vqlHulFmt7NonwQtYmA-mRfYNnL2nhxzeKfWrDbuPwM5iaWHMJAlYLvwT7ZFLMlv49VbRCmHCMatTYUEpkNl_qKKDyF6axl-uSl8ZdFS07THmfj-FGMFbblsb-hjJNyjON2hhtPzf5JU3FZMT4ZG8iZ3YWwzLNHhtdixKkEQeCZBwEcM/s4032/20230202_140948a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwB7T2yXdG835vqlHulFmt7NonwQtYmA-mRfYNnL2nhxzeKfWrDbuPwM5iaWHMJAlYLvwT7ZFLMlv49VbRCmHCMatTYUEpkNl_qKKDyF6axl-uSl8ZdFS07THmfj-FGMFbblsb-hjJNyjON2hhtPzf5JU3FZMT4ZG8iZ3YWwzLNHhtdixKkEQeCZBwEcM/w640-h480/20230202_140948a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From early 1942 Goliaths were used on all fronts where the Wehrmacht fought. They were mainly used by specialized Panzer and combat engineer units. Goliaths were used in Italy at Anzio in April 1944, and against the Polish resistance during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. A few Goliaths were also seen on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day, though most were rendered inoperative after artillery blasts severed their command cables.</div><div><br /></div>Although a total of 7,564 Goliaths were produced, they were not considered a success due to the high production cost, their low speed (just above 6 kilometres per hour (3.7 mph)), poor ground clearance (just 11.4 cm (4.5 in)), their vulnerable control cable, and their thin armour which could not protect the vehicle from small-arms fire that alone any type of anti-tank weapon. The Goliath did help lay the foundation for post World War II advances in remote-controlled vehicle technologies.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit is an example of one of the early electric Goliaths and was a Western Front battlefield relic in a pretty poor state when the museum workshop set about restore it as seen here and with the remarkable process recorded in a series of videos in the link below.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/imMxglqiSl4" width="320" youtube-src-id="imMxglqiSl4"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Hummel 15cm Self Propelled Gun </span></div>The Hummel (German: "bumblebee") was a self-propelled gun based on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis and armed with the 15 cm sFH 18/1 L/30 howitzer. It was used by the German Wehrmacht from early 1943 until the end of the war. <br /><br />The full name of the Hummel was Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel, Sd.Kfz. 165. </div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4R5QM3UwjW_L9I-JHEhC0bDfsQJ6P8YrzGJIav3vyso2_Xfiz7zXghS6B4-IkTB_az18K9e8-OK8RRvEb_YR-C7OTSAfJkH6usNrVwJfjY-k4jFI7NhDIJR6EYV3yoKskjwvqvnJTUCRofxUdn6HdyrsfrJ5CY5UDoP0wULqnG_Wz0_Sht68eqKqPwE/s3643/20230202_141841a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3643" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4R5QM3UwjW_L9I-JHEhC0bDfsQJ6P8YrzGJIav3vyso2_Xfiz7zXghS6B4-IkTB_az18K9e8-OK8RRvEb_YR-C7OTSAfJkH6usNrVwJfjY-k4jFI7NhDIJR6EYV3yoKskjwvqvnJTUCRofxUdn6HdyrsfrJ5CY5UDoP0wULqnG_Wz0_Sht68eqKqPwE/w640-h532/20230202_141841a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Hummel was developed to provide artillery support for the fast-moving Panzer Divisions. They could use direct fire mode at targets they could see or, more commonly, use indirect fire at targets plotted on a map.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hummel crew travelled in the open-top armour plated high silhouette compartment. Protection against the weather could be provided by canvass covers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCZliOrhIbWB627B4l2Z8BTHSrK5I7XagsMAigVrk6BFXHIBIWHbqR5Ho0IqSeCDXBCIRC3qdbzTeY1o3QlT2r1GSL7RMzdWolA3iGxg0_cDClD3s_eQXskbFsZvll-0gHsxgx4BqPdGWjybuvPl3-4tWajiCer_YHmajfnLnCNo_LRrkkVVh6Xv-L1I/s4032/20230202_141908a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCZliOrhIbWB627B4l2Z8BTHSrK5I7XagsMAigVrk6BFXHIBIWHbqR5Ho0IqSeCDXBCIRC3qdbzTeY1o3QlT2r1GSL7RMzdWolA3iGxg0_cDClD3s_eQXskbFsZvll-0gHsxgx4BqPdGWjybuvPl3-4tWajiCer_YHmajfnLnCNo_LRrkkVVh6Xv-L1I/w640-h480/20230202_141908a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first option considered was mounting a 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer on a Panzer III chassis, rejected in favour of the same gun on a Panzer IV chassis. Only one prototype was built before the third design mounting the more powerful 15 cm sFH 18 L/30 howitzer was adopted on the specially designed Geschützwagen III/IV, which combined elements of both the Panzer III (driving and steering system) and the Panzer IV chassis (suspension, and engine). The same chassis was also used for the Nashorn tank destroyer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />The engine was moved to the centre of the vehicle to make room for an open-topped lightly armoured fighting compartment at the rear housing the gun breech and crew. Late models had a slightly redesigned driver compartment and front superstructure offering more room to the radio operator and driver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs0MP0PyIqHsS7FqNy-OnDVPqbTfir96mj1tBrG1INPDuCYsKmR_cw5cXubUsDc0IakWPIEwADFVycb8Irx3TyCnVY-CHqGTcX6NZg2yYhd54WiUjdK3E6y1H-W23S8PICZhwBp83ksFLJ7FgsKwMouwyJt7stdUJtko03ok_UL0rvAuHaztOG1DPGo0/s4000/20230202_142149a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs0MP0PyIqHsS7FqNy-OnDVPqbTfir96mj1tBrG1INPDuCYsKmR_cw5cXubUsDc0IakWPIEwADFVycb8Irx3TyCnVY-CHqGTcX6NZg2yYhd54WiUjdK3E6y1H-W23S8PICZhwBp83ksFLJ7FgsKwMouwyJt7stdUJtko03ok_UL0rvAuHaztOG1DPGo0/w640-h480/20230202_142149a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The German Army Wehrmacht and SS Panzer Divisions each had their own heavy self-propelled artillery battery as part of their Artillery Regiment battalion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each battery normally consisted of six Hummels supplied by one Munitionsträger Hummel armoured ammunition carrier.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97DP1CQXC6w5Nb11UrfeIcSj8o2LltcjBvJaXkfr7lnDswdgfN0WxrwMyauTH_3QwzEd2cDdrwAAFzAVDXCKyfCVSd6cpo87Cka6WHsoknqWOrtkSciF9ESJfawDvY31qApAT40XsfwWJTT6sAQp_xpfMlF20YSFXNss764wiWaQLoB4-QHdMnQ_aIpA/s794/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0596-25,_Russland-Mitte-S%C3%BCd,_Panzerhaubitze__Hummel_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="794" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97DP1CQXC6w5Nb11UrfeIcSj8o2LltcjBvJaXkfr7lnDswdgfN0WxrwMyauTH_3QwzEd2cDdrwAAFzAVDXCKyfCVSd6cpo87Cka6WHsoknqWOrtkSciF9ESJfawDvY31qApAT40XsfwWJTT6sAQp_xpfMlF20YSFXNss764wiWaQLoB4-QHdMnQ_aIpA/w640-h404/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0596-25,_Russland-Mitte-S%C3%BCd,_Panzerhaubitze__Hummel_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A battery of Hummel howitzers in field position, Eastern Front, June – July 1943</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In March 1943, the first batch of eight Hummel SPGs entered service, followed by another 46 in April. A fewmonths later they saw their first action during Operation Zitadelle (Citadel) in July 1943 on the Eastern Front.</div><div><br /></div><div>As well as the Eastern Front, Hummels saw service in Greece, Italy and North West Europe until the end of the war, and a small number were captured by the Soviet forces and used against Axis forces in Hungary.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtzMVZbgI3OvZKnJxXVhs6zcdIVz4smEOKtCWpMgfzdnge5L-d35ZAqgPf275uO69xFVN06USkSVA3v5GxRwkmmsX7127YP_x4vlCbts_k7d5FnflWOWFXyC1gMPiDL3WFTYH-fo3N5vwXf9UHMLVmXJvH2mh6cY-O3P6Lyf6L-bTkaizoORFNhnd8F0/s4032/20230202_142135a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtzMVZbgI3OvZKnJxXVhs6zcdIVz4smEOKtCWpMgfzdnge5L-d35ZAqgPf275uO69xFVN06USkSVA3v5GxRwkmmsX7127YP_x4vlCbts_k7d5FnflWOWFXyC1gMPiDL3WFTYH-fo3N5vwXf9UHMLVmXJvH2mh6cY-O3P6Lyf6L-bTkaizoORFNhnd8F0/w640-h480/20230202_142135a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired as a destroyed relic and restored by the museum workshop.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NcitGe9BGcE" width="320" youtube-src-id="NcitGe9BGcE"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><span><div style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German Pak 36 3.7cm Anti-Tank Gun</span></div></span><div><span>The Pak 36 </span>(Panzerabwehrkanone 36) was a German anti-tank gun that fired a 3.7 cm calibre shell. It was the main anti-tank weapon of the Wehrmacht infantry units until mid-1941 when it was gradually replaced by the 5 cm Pak 38 gun.</div><div><br /></div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJO1SbFvwTuerefSRKXYtnIDoLU-1eHUODik_KqsVCZx4bikXbBfKXXv7HJhN7VKlqrRC6Q4jhh8i0lje7KSh2p-ErksXr67kR22K1yVvpsguyiq_bxVpdEfat82sfx2pALI_FLAhOnaI0QE7zR63506-JRdu12gW5-wjScPMbCcmNv9fKxGY_FYErStc/s3810/20230202_142336a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2380" data-original-width="3810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJO1SbFvwTuerefSRKXYtnIDoLU-1eHUODik_KqsVCZx4bikXbBfKXXv7HJhN7VKlqrRC6Q4jhh8i0lje7KSh2p-ErksXr67kR22K1yVvpsguyiq_bxVpdEfat82sfx2pALI_FLAhOnaI0QE7zR63506-JRdu12gW5-wjScPMbCcmNv9fKxGY_FYErStc/w640-h400/20230202_142336a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span>Design of a horse-drawn, 3.7 cm anti-tank gun (designated 3.7 cm Pak L/45) by Rheinmetall commenced in 1924 and the first guns were issued in 1928. By the early 1930s, it was apparent that horse-drawn artillery was obsolescent, and the gun was modified for motorized transport by substituting magnesium-alloy wheels and pneumatic tires for the original spoked wooden wheels. Re-designated the 3.7 cm Pak 35/36, it began to replace the 3.7 cm Pak L/45 in 1934 and first appeared in combat in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. </div><div><br /></div>The KwK 36 L/45 was the same gun, but used as the main armament on several tanks, most notably the early models of the Panzer III.<div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq3DtXJ1EwdBTWAYpiJ0-zRHP7st0vpXBjWC5dxFYmsH-hUvnTTazPSW-TdkbLfWRyJI8cEiGCiBVvOxfiH8EKzfA4z2FyH-lhATll8JyLETkwkFKzW_YtgsaJxvHQqh0SRkWy4vcvUut5R-uj4SWoMFtXRQV3I262b7pKJg3ZOl4GCyoqeJmaqbiwWc/s4032/20230202_142359a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq3DtXJ1EwdBTWAYpiJ0-zRHP7st0vpXBjWC5dxFYmsH-hUvnTTazPSW-TdkbLfWRyJI8cEiGCiBVvOxfiH8EKzfA4z2FyH-lhATll8JyLETkwkFKzW_YtgsaJxvHQqh0SRkWy4vcvUut5R-uj4SWoMFtXRQV3I262b7pKJg3ZOl4GCyoqeJmaqbiwWc/w640-h480/20230202_142359a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">The Stielgranate 41</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">shaped charge.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span><br /></span></div></span>In the 1940 Western Campaign, the Pak 36, was found to be inadequate against Allied tanks like the British Mk II Matilda, the French Char B1 and Somua S35, however the gun was still effective against the more common light tanks, such as the French Renault FT-17 and R35 which represented the majority of the armoured vehicles encountered during the Battle of France.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfJSFU0xTE6bPcwyi6HaJScsP8EC244tlIphXgm_Vi0qDDpyC50C9Hv0xU08Af_GjOvKRHo821gMgTJ2gdDdF8AQUCaD4HLumyRZIZR14-Cc464gaDJBIpf_MRvhtCF41f981sNwEERm5MKCfCVc8hbBHMOt9ktMByawp5y7wZXFTWUPEbh1n7vceccY/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-127-0391-21,_Im_Westen,_deutsche_Soldaten_mit_getarnter_Pak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfJSFU0xTE6bPcwyi6HaJScsP8EC244tlIphXgm_Vi0qDDpyC50C9Hv0xU08Af_GjOvKRHo821gMgTJ2gdDdF8AQUCaD4HLumyRZIZR14-Cc464gaDJBIpf_MRvhtCF41f981sNwEERm5MKCfCVc8hbBHMOt9ktMByawp5y7wZXFTWUPEbh1n7vceccY/w640-h440/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-127-0391-21,_Im_Westen,_deutsche_Soldaten_mit_getarnter_Pak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German soldiers with the 3.7 cm Pak 36 anti-tank gun in Belgium, May 1940.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>During the initial phases of Operation Barbarossa in 1941, the Pak 36 could penetrate the armour of the majority of Soviet AFVs at ranges up to 1000 m from the front, with the notable exception of the T-28s and T-35s, which it could penetrate only at under 100 m. The Pak 36 could not penetrate the relatively thick armour of the T-34s and KV-1s.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9OCjr1ydFm50vF2bWX_k6PXdDcgwOq2O9UlHgdGIRa2J35gVn9MofP9lK7pUpta1YEw4gX6dkUFGFcIaeMIdcmYcvqfJmDpwqDP6lC88tGtKFMvjhnDTyzR3lArrrf1cYD-cqtFJi7WKwbCWkcD4jQMB1TljCePrapNkMrlLs6RGswIBm1C8ntwdFlA/s3520/Walki_uliczne_w_Charkowie_(2-724).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="2519" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9OCjr1ydFm50vF2bWX_k6PXdDcgwOq2O9UlHgdGIRa2J35gVn9MofP9lK7pUpta1YEw4gX6dkUFGFcIaeMIdcmYcvqfJmDpwqDP6lC88tGtKFMvjhnDTyzR3lArrrf1cYD-cqtFJi7WKwbCWkcD4jQMB1TljCePrapNkMrlLs6RGswIBm1C8ntwdFlA/w458-h640/Walki_uliczne_w_Charkowie_(2-724).jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five German soldiers of the 89th Infantry Regiment with a 3.7 cm Pak 36 anti-tank gun on a Kharkov street during the First Battle of Kharkov in October 1941.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>By late 1941 however, the widespread introduction of the T-34 on the Eastern Front made the Pak 36 obsolete, considering its poor performance against it, leading to it being nicknamed "Heeresanklopfgerät" ('army door-knocking device') by German anti-tank crews for its inability to affect the T-34 aside from notifying its presence by futilely bouncing rounds off its armour, regardless of the angle or distance.</div><div><br />The advantages of the Pak 36 were its relative ease of handling and mobility where it could be brought into action very rapidly by as few as two men (it weighed only 432 kg); its good quality optical aiming devices; that it was small and easy to conceal and that it had a very high rate of fire.<div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnxiqdQprwE59pWSk1JROYeD0vWnmtZbNU-7RA0WNo8y1Z7USmBO1BTBBK9UWjey30g5mQfNGaxp2dPnHguGomBZ-WsGVxurzjf1eUI2zjPfwzi7WMyqZZ1xq_lHLzase4eOdq6_0I1xLpApQQ7balTAl9vlUJtMsMn6tcw7i2MYnoEnx8MEFoYjAgSg/s2356/20230202_142354a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1691" data-original-width="2356" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnxiqdQprwE59pWSk1JROYeD0vWnmtZbNU-7RA0WNo8y1Z7USmBO1BTBBK9UWjey30g5mQfNGaxp2dPnHguGomBZ-WsGVxurzjf1eUI2zjPfwzi7WMyqZZ1xq_lHLzase4eOdq6_0I1xLpApQQ7balTAl9vlUJtMsMn6tcw7i2MYnoEnx8MEFoYjAgSg/w640-h460/20230202_142354a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span><div>In 1943, the introduction of the Stielgranate 41 shaped charge meant that the Pak 36 could now penetrate any armour, although the low velocity of the projectile limited its range. The Pak 36s, together with the new shaped charges, were issued to Fallschirmjäger units and other light troops. The gun's low weight meant that it could be easily moved by hand, and this mobility made it ideal for their purpose.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the Pak 36 was gradually replaced, many were removed from their carriages and added to SdKfz 251 halftracks to be used as light anti-armour support.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from Germany.</div><span><br /><div style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German Pak 38 5cm Anti-Tank Gun</span></div></span>The 5 cm Pak 38 (L/60) (5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60)) was a German anti-tank gun of 50 mm calibre. It was developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG as a successor to the 3.7 cm Pak 36, and was in turn followed by the 7.5 cm Pak 40.</div><div><br /><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrAdUckRpltUQGoV7M8yHMvkSNKL2Os6fu0BR3LqTz4JAW7c8tZi_EUmPh5FGNQPF7gESs5yK9BSK8VszUgpoOUzjoLs6rst6qafSm_7M4colxRLwkJR2X5y8tGIplGrjg7eBF-0dJbNArSvBKq_iFF7HkVFgmLTwoU1DyNb73ncmok9qGXiRUmxVW-E/s4032/20230202_142619a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2479" data-original-width="4032" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrAdUckRpltUQGoV7M8yHMvkSNKL2Os6fu0BR3LqTz4JAW7c8tZi_EUmPh5FGNQPF7gESs5yK9BSK8VszUgpoOUzjoLs6rst6qafSm_7M4colxRLwkJR2X5y8tGIplGrjg7eBF-0dJbNArSvBKq_iFF7HkVFgmLTwoU1DyNb73ncmok9qGXiRUmxVW-E/w640-h394/20230202_142619a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></span>The Pak 38 was first used by the German forces during the Second World War in April 1941. When the Germans faced Soviet tanks in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa the Pak 38 was one of the few guns capable of penetrating the 45 mm (1.8 in) sloped armour of the T-34. The gun was also equipped with Panzergranate 40 APCR shots with a hard tungsten carbide core, in an attempt to penetrate the armour of the heavier KV-1 tank. Although it was replaced by more powerful weapons, it remained a useful weapon and remained in service with the Wehrmacht until the end of the war.</div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI0BNsWytdZLU_kDNACA00hdqqiHYaxyBjokDGVvXW8MALG8csbaQUjlm0riLX1ldTLgegimxxdNiBsCTXkNu821u7XQzIUz2T8pbuX-CdrxiJhVcld25X2cli-uuhGp5SnOBWiBS9A0UO9XHPMaVFPRz50J8TRDsEbhT_1RuMuOZCpc0qXExc_-9oJE/s4032/20230202_142607a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjI0BNsWytdZLU_kDNACA00hdqqiHYaxyBjokDGVvXW8MALG8csbaQUjlm0riLX1ldTLgegimxxdNiBsCTXkNu821u7XQzIUz2T8pbuX-CdrxiJhVcld25X2cli-uuhGp5SnOBWiBS9A0UO9XHPMaVFPRz50J8TRDsEbhT_1RuMuOZCpc0qXExc_-9oJE/w640-h480/20230202_142607a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The Pak 38 saw service in most campaigns the German forces participated in, including against Australian forces in North Africa.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyfq5xNsO2r1iOmTpawICSaCMaPXP0LuA6C0DjyqJv5vxm9sZ1M1L_7NEvEReVacH8rv4vX7XUNUwtQ72E6uDSbeGqUpUoVbJN-ZgXu1A7EsmA4eYV2eBgDlVndmtV3hXoTRsjFKZnCZz0PQLeF0PyzJsMXhHFZ_dfNbtApbiAez61-t_GkmaXEe5QJo/s1297/20230202_142630b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1297" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyfq5xNsO2r1iOmTpawICSaCMaPXP0LuA6C0DjyqJv5vxm9sZ1M1L_7NEvEReVacH8rv4vX7XUNUwtQ72E6uDSbeGqUpUoVbJN-ZgXu1A7EsmA4eYV2eBgDlVndmtV3hXoTRsjFKZnCZz0PQLeF0PyzJsMXhHFZ_dfNbtApbiAez61-t_GkmaXEe5QJo/w640-h428/20230202_142630b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gun on display, soon after its capture, with an unknown Australian soldier.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Records held by the Australian War Memorial indicate that this gun was one of two Pak 38's captured intact by the 2/15 Battalion, 20th Brigade, 9th Division AIF during the Battle of El Alamein on the 28th-29th October 1942 and returned to Australia for proof trials, before becoming an army display gun and then later disposed of.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14StJkUcjMWn1aDFJeUWkwF4T5jGvjgsu7naoJWykK33tkRjM9wd9Qin3OCnufFtB2LObNzAb9dMYnatNN-FdegRYb03pDYkT_3Ti7RISvR9t7D7e8cQHwnwqkul-ZpIGbuJg_4vDgiOSqeWMzLtsx_PN8QciNPAo7JBu7_9-ZspdavlmYfeS1jwAF64/s4032/20230202_142633a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="4032" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14StJkUcjMWn1aDFJeUWkwF4T5jGvjgsu7naoJWykK33tkRjM9wd9Qin3OCnufFtB2LObNzAb9dMYnatNN-FdegRYb03pDYkT_3Ti7RISvR9t7D7e8cQHwnwqkul-ZpIGbuJg_4vDgiOSqeWMzLtsx_PN8QciNPAo7JBu7_9-ZspdavlmYfeS1jwAF64/w640-h290/20230202_142633a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>You can watch a video of the restoration of this special Australian memorial to the soldiers of the AIF that fought in North Africa in the link below.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CU3J4ULjv6A" width="320" youtube-src-id="CU3J4ULjv6A"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German Pak 97/38 7.5cm Anti-Tank Gun</span></div></span>The Pak 97/38 (7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 97/38 and 7,5 cm Panzerjägerkanone 97/38) was a German anti-tank gun used by the Wehrmacht in World War II. The gun was a combination of the barrel from the French Canon de 75 modèle 1897 fitted with a Swiss Solothurn muzzle brake and mounted on the carriage of the German 5 cm Pak 38.</div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CMS5TyPnr4-Ow2Ad46ZkGoI4PiyyuqJ9JYYC8re5-cXDYJVAcF1DIK8AXoVWBCoJfQ0C1_au0R7jKIBLOf5ksZ4z3OAHg_zTmlir3JBMO-VGF3Xtp_VZ1l0wBR-pj0v8_Hhe4mo_bvE4eiypAuUsu68QJciEkFpct1UneHDXMjmRhvZ5owzysaIaCYo/s4000/20230202_142418a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="4000" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CMS5TyPnr4-Ow2Ad46ZkGoI4PiyyuqJ9JYYC8re5-cXDYJVAcF1DIK8AXoVWBCoJfQ0C1_au0R7jKIBLOf5ksZ4z3OAHg_zTmlir3JBMO-VGF3Xtp_VZ1l0wBR-pj0v8_Hhe4mo_bvE4eiypAuUsu68QJciEkFpct1UneHDXMjmRhvZ5owzysaIaCYo/w640-h388/20230202_142418a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>During the invasion of Poland and invasion of France the Wehrmacht captured thousands of 75 mm Model 1897 guns, built by the French arms manufacturer Schneider. These guns were adopted by the Germans as the 7.5 cm FK 97(p) and the 7.5 cm FK 231(f) and used in their original field artillery role.</div></span><br />Soon after the German invasion of the USSR in 1941, Wehrmacht units encountered the medium T-34 and the heavy KV Soviet tanks. The thick sloped armour of these vehicles gave them invulnerability against German towed 3.7 cm Pak 36 anti-tank guns. The situation led to requests for more powerful weapons that would be able to destroy them at normal combat ranges. Since Germany already had a suitable design, the 7.5 cm Pak 40, this weapon entered production and the first pieces were delivered in November 1941. However, until enough of these were manufactured, some expedient solution was required.<span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF9zycWRKS-kBCwyGEePGRoEPE0EOkzTdjm9ClKKB0aif1sEIKWXUZuUy6_r7Pd2AwKQxa5kKAXBgr9Y788xgbX-2KIkOxsmsmBWem9TkNdCyxJ76kWTbOzQ-47ajag3yAj8_j-1lSOtctl5N4dLAry9B14bOz5oroIHB4QrBChbdfqSMCn_uuEBf6y4/s3147/20230202_142434a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="3147" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheF9zycWRKS-kBCwyGEePGRoEPE0EOkzTdjm9ClKKB0aif1sEIKWXUZuUy6_r7Pd2AwKQxa5kKAXBgr9Y788xgbX-2KIkOxsmsmBWem9TkNdCyxJ76kWTbOzQ-47ajag3yAj8_j-1lSOtctl5N4dLAry9B14bOz5oroIHB4QrBChbdfqSMCn_uuEBf6y4/w640-h518/20230202_142434a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>It was tempting to adopt the readily available French gun to the anti-tank role. In the original configuration, those guns were ill-suited for fighting tanks because of their relatively low muzzle velocity, limited traverse (only 6°), and lack of a suitable suspension (which resulted in a transport speed of just 10–12 km/h). </div><div><br /></div><div>It was decided to solve the traverse and mobility problems by mounting the 75 mm barrel on the modern split trail carriage of the 5 cm Pak 38 anti-tank gun. To soften the recoil, the barrel was fitted with a large muzzle brake. The gun was primarily intended to use HEAT shells as the armour penetration of this type of ammunition does not depend on velocity.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz_xGWrfZADkF41iDbEGyTOXGEPDilBkYR38p0eXZSd9_C2QSa-8xhdmYumGxoqVtVkkGt2zpAJwUx1_8tu7XyYT4-XuyivJBxwgTJYReMM8iyqxxtxKZcgRnefRh0DftnxlF4-GnAXUxH1pbzW0xvc4-zTm1Id3iCZIzLgejPcfHfw8ehlAoh8ynIkU/s564/3f26a128d657793c7b11e454cb1a68f0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="564" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz_xGWrfZADkF41iDbEGyTOXGEPDilBkYR38p0eXZSd9_C2QSa-8xhdmYumGxoqVtVkkGt2zpAJwUx1_8tu7XyYT4-XuyivJBxwgTJYReMM8iyqxxtxKZcgRnefRh0DftnxlF4-GnAXUxH1pbzW0xvc4-zTm1Id3iCZIzLgejPcfHfw8ehlAoh8ynIkU/w640-h446/3f26a128d657793c7b11e454cb1a68f0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Pak 97/38 reached the battlefield in the summer of 1942. Despite moderate effectiveness and a violent recoil, it remained in service until the end of the war. The scale of use can be illustrated by the ammunition used: 37,800 HEAT shells in 1942 and 371,600 in 1943. On 1 March 1945 the Wehrmacht possessed 145 Pak 97/38 and FK 231(f) guns, although only 14 were employed by frontline units.<br /><br />Ten barrels with shields were experimentally mounted on the Soviet T-26 light tank chassis, resulting in vehicles designated the 7.5 cm Pak 97/38(f) auf Pz.740(r). These self-propelled guns served with the 3rd Company of the 563rd Anti-Tank Battalion before being replaced by the Marder III on 1 March 1944.</div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7s_Rn_o4N80o8ldYqSutJC0sUPpzz8500XLRmSkdXlySoQrQMl9DcFi2L2-lQomEgepZG_gWQCYYwZckgBR8QGWJV9Mg2LoZtKKBUvIWEJUmu7B_0sVzOvcJE_1YxRibQqUiSYNnbxmUrsT7vvvf45XnulbKz8FJPX0yX-YxCPbZNjXh1xXqhAIT1Q0/s2546/20230202_142451a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="2546" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7s_Rn_o4N80o8ldYqSutJC0sUPpzz8500XLRmSkdXlySoQrQMl9DcFi2L2-lQomEgepZG_gWQCYYwZckgBR8QGWJV9Mg2LoZtKKBUvIWEJUmu7B_0sVzOvcJE_1YxRibQqUiSYNnbxmUrsT7vvvf45XnulbKz8FJPX0yX-YxCPbZNjXh1xXqhAIT1Q0/w640-h204/20230202_142451a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Pak 97/38 was produced using captured barrels and could fire capture French and Polish ammunition. Together with light weight, good mobility and sufficient anti-armour performance with HEAT shells it was regarded as a decent anti-tank weapon.</div><div><br /></div><div>It had shortcomings, particularly its low muzzle velocity. Although it did not affect the armour piercing characteristics of its HEAT ammunition, it meant insufficient performance when firing regular AP shells and - because of difficulties in hitting small mobile targets - its low effective range of about 500 metres (550 yards) even with HEAT.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired in Finland.</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Pak 40 Anti-Tank Gun</span></span></div>The 7.5 cm Pak 40 (7,5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 40) was a German 75 millimetre anti-tank gun developed in 1939–1941 by Rheinmetall and used during the Second World War. The Pak 40 formed the backbone of German anti-tank guns for the later part of World War II.</div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJSC83v__2LhOb51y5q7Oonbww7_K9CQePlEIJjITHHkQP3mzHtBLmd4xuuSOavNDyhWzh5zwuFfPc61pI9yiNtCnC2oXF7u1TrMT4863ctYjvR3z8ot9XDzu8rptMb1ZJ0RF6_UtsLQEGNA4dvCIYZbdEaNvJYF0TNW2p5qGZWEFgzw-5HumI71cV5M/s4032/20230202_140147a.jpg" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2499" data-original-width="4032" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJSC83v__2LhOb51y5q7Oonbww7_K9CQePlEIJjITHHkQP3mzHtBLmd4xuuSOavNDyhWzh5zwuFfPc61pI9yiNtCnC2oXF7u1TrMT4863ctYjvR3z8ot9XDzu8rptMb1ZJ0RF6_UtsLQEGNA4dvCIYZbdEaNvJYF0TNW2p5qGZWEFgzw-5HumI71cV5M/w640-h396/20230202_140147a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Development of the Pak 40 began in 1939 with contracts being placed with Krupp and Rheinmetall to develop a 7.5 cm anti-tank gun. Priority of the project was initially low, but following the invasion of the USSR in 1941 and the unexpected appearance of heavily armoured Soviet tanks such as the T-34 and KV-1, it was given an increased priority. The first pre-production guns were delivered in November 1941.</div><div><br /></div>In April 1942, the Wehrmacht had 44 guns in service; by 1943, the Pak 40 formed the bulk of German anti-tank artillery.<div><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYMAYo6oZVPl3LYPxwZK3BDyoKgOVnkrZlCXiclqB2NJxApnJwQXaxV8t7j84dznm_f6WzPUvygIrcw9VbUo9mq7vJP0pnDOJCs73lhTxvcUR2ss6Q3QOP_OfMj8OhIv5AA-aCTcimJREI61CuZMJ79rp2Yk_x0m9qUkY9-HiePw2gWb-fujq15TYGSA/s4032/20230202_140218a.jpg" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYMAYo6oZVPl3LYPxwZK3BDyoKgOVnkrZlCXiclqB2NJxApnJwQXaxV8t7j84dznm_f6WzPUvygIrcw9VbUo9mq7vJP0pnDOJCs73lhTxvcUR2ss6Q3QOP_OfMj8OhIv5AA-aCTcimJREI61CuZMJ79rp2Yk_x0m9qUkY9-HiePw2gWb-fujq15TYGSA/w640-h480/20230202_140218a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The Pak 40 was the standard German anti-tank gun until the end of the war, and was supplied by Germany to its allies. Some captured guns were used by the Soviet Red Army.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the war, the Pak 40 remained in service in several European armies, including Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Norway, Hungary and Romania. About 23,500 Pak 40s were produced, and about 6,000 more were used to arm tank destroyers.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1S9a6zS2GffgbmBOua8uXZyJI3v07_RSn_z3c8M5XD8m_T0clC5D2HXGDXdFT5Za98bdQnoRnCbOFb8eKbweXTvqZ3A3PyupvZZ7ONV_kONl2VFBCb2KQRaw291arsUprn9VrV3PyOCqpL4MJJAITwxqPy3lfSwyF5uVZ4xgBDribGdX8tIGlbgPSV4/s800/f6s19q1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1S9a6zS2GffgbmBOua8uXZyJI3v07_RSn_z3c8M5XD8m_T0clC5D2HXGDXdFT5Za98bdQnoRnCbOFb8eKbweXTvqZ3A3PyupvZZ7ONV_kONl2VFBCb2KQRaw291arsUprn9VrV3PyOCqpL4MJJAITwxqPy3lfSwyF5uVZ4xgBDribGdX8tIGlbgPSV4/w640-h428/f6s19q1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The weapon was effective against almost every Allied tank until the end of the war. The Pak 40 was much heavier than the 5 cm Pak 38; its decreased mobility meant that it was difficult or even impossible to move without an artillery tractor on boggy ground.<br /><br />The Pak 40 was first used in Russia where it was needed to combat the newest Soviet tanks. It was designed to fire the same low-capacity APCBC, HE and HL projectiles which had been standardized for use in the long barrelled Kampfwagenkanone KwK 40 tank-mounted guns. In addition, there was an APCR shot (Panzergranate 40) for the Pak 40, a munition which - reliant on supplies of tungsten - eventually became very scarce.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDLfLEdUElOx37tuPkpys9Y8L6GhRfcZK7VE8hmrp1e0wN1vRyyAbocXyCNea-lVu_i77OSo9ZLQ_zx-dp1jdMPpJpOaEtUViu_peDKEhk6MfkISBMyKU4-nyMtd6URbYVVG_BI8zUeJm9ciuC9TkI4ivrb2MDiK8OWX0XH552Yh9tz98ECLdO6oIQEo/s4032/20230202_140202a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="4032" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDLfLEdUElOx37tuPkpys9Y8L6GhRfcZK7VE8hmrp1e0wN1vRyyAbocXyCNea-lVu_i77OSo9ZLQ_zx-dp1jdMPpJpOaEtUViu_peDKEhk6MfkISBMyKU4-nyMtd6URbYVVG_BI8zUeJm9ciuC9TkI4ivrb2MDiK8OWX0XH552Yh9tz98ECLdO6oIQEo/w640-h458/20230202_140202a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This exhibit was acquired from Bulgaria.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German 15cm Nebelwerfer 41</span></div>The 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 was a six-tube rocket launcher mounted on a modified 3.7 cm anti-tank gun carriage. It was one of a series of nebelwerfers developed and used prior to and during World War II by the German Army.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtluFKdBwpxJEiA9-L67os9zwdzs4jzknuv7nYGr04SbixKY6h4TL1eRnmpPOMiHu5r5rbB2zyb-B844_DYo1j11ag2rNhP_vxd5tDQN5F73O5_4No5u4xD0huCjyD7ikXgs6aW2H6AZ9OuVSqu1rDrzYe-BrCW4GoiS78PSS4eh5k7gHEw_zpKV156Dc/s4032/20230202_140317a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtluFKdBwpxJEiA9-L67os9zwdzs4jzknuv7nYGr04SbixKY6h4TL1eRnmpPOMiHu5r5rbB2zyb-B844_DYo1j11ag2rNhP_vxd5tDQN5F73O5_4No5u4xD0huCjyD7ikXgs6aW2H6AZ9OuVSqu1rDrzYe-BrCW4GoiS78PSS4eh5k7gHEw_zpKV156Dc/w640-h480/20230202_140317a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The name </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nebelwerfer</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">is best translated as "smoke mortar" and it was given the name to mislead observers from the League of Nations into thinking that it was merely a device for creating a smoke screen and not a weapon to breach the Treaty of Versailles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div>Like almost all German rocket designs, the Nebelwerfer 41 rockets were spin-stabilized to increase accuracy. The rocket had the motor and fuel cell at the front, and an exhaust ring with twenty-six holes that were drilled at a 14° angle about two thirds down the rocket and the explosives at the rear. The exhaust gasses from the burning propellant were expelled through the angled (venturi) holes causing the rocket to spin in flight after it left the barrel.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirps4RkW7ZzlLwzMD_tq8959hUsExjtOmdk655L-lhWRtmD-cc7_tTyuPV_Jhx7N-vW5BkUuzz-AB4w4ww0gItO2Vu1gTSf6t9I1QrgPCEC3wYUv95U9g2JX0sf70AM_piVKfUKr3yxEslgIiMvg3vY5BmfXhGnhuWXKsvVMh54a4CBCd55X_ivEzSfcw/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-220-0634-12,_Russland,_Laden_eines_Nebelwerfers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirps4RkW7ZzlLwzMD_tq8959hUsExjtOmdk655L-lhWRtmD-cc7_tTyuPV_Jhx7N-vW5BkUuzz-AB4w4ww0gItO2Vu1gTSf6t9I1QrgPCEC3wYUv95U9g2JX0sf70AM_piVKfUKr3yxEslgIiMvg3vY5BmfXhGnhuWXKsvVMh54a4CBCd55X_ivEzSfcw/w640-h404/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-220-0634-12,_Russland,_Laden_eines_Nebelwerfers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">A 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 launcher being reloaded</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_cm_Nebelwerfer_41#cite_note-:1-6"></a> The explosives were contained at the rear of the rocket. This meant that the rocket would still be above the ground when it detonated which increased the blast and fragmentation effect of the exploding rocket.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Nebelwerfer 41 was capable of firing high-explosive shells, incendiary projectiles chemical warfare rockets and smoke. The chemical warfare rockets were stockpiled but are said to have not been used operationally.</div><div><br /></div><div>The barrels do not have the normal breech or firing mechanism that other weapons have. Each rocket was manually loaded into the lower end of the barrel, as seen above, and held in place by a locking clip. An electrical sparking device is then attached to each rocket and connected to a manually operated ERZ39 initiator which allowed the operator to fire the six rockets individually from 15 to 20 metres away to avoid the exhaust flames.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamN7AX3bKneF77HpCM-iE_RyrkhAG4iWyWd73k18EILCsf0SuAVTYUvj_k8AcTuMvEpJLu1ZooomDNIghj6Yw8N-4vt7Hjjd-vwDcdsmsw-FNfehpA6-H_pmHxwzU60dU7QfujBsOYcOnSkzjh61HchcHoMAuOyf1qrEljFqzAmDFC5qg-vFERmZsvbo/s4032/20230202_140240a.jpg" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamN7AX3bKneF77HpCM-iE_RyrkhAG4iWyWd73k18EILCsf0SuAVTYUvj_k8AcTuMvEpJLu1ZooomDNIghj6Yw8N-4vt7Hjjd-vwDcdsmsw-FNfehpA6-H_pmHxwzU60dU7QfujBsOYcOnSkzjh61HchcHoMAuOyf1qrEljFqzAmDFC5qg-vFERmZsvbo/w640-h480/20230202_140240a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>After firing, a long streak of smoke was visible from a considerable distance, leaving the Nebelwerfer vulnerable to counter-battery fire. It was therefore necessary to relocate the launcher and crew as soon as possible after firing.</div></div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ha2PF83AXBRkaDiBxHpu_SZv7SJLplRsO0I_nel2zIVoBv-tEtAQnlHYCS-1E72Od9tt0535g-8osxUZ7pBJjluzZCJn5aQybO0MR_kw84QSZpBsQCkcxKcNRbZA5MIxl84ZvJtNyxDw_g7xyzWmOvD98Sl5UU5IfT32KCY8cunq1Pej1wKviMSN-CA/s1143/20230202_140311b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1143" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ha2PF83AXBRkaDiBxHpu_SZv7SJLplRsO0I_nel2zIVoBv-tEtAQnlHYCS-1E72Od9tt0535g-8osxUZ7pBJjluzZCJn5aQybO0MR_kw84QSZpBsQCkcxKcNRbZA5MIxl84ZvJtNyxDw_g7xyzWmOvD98Sl5UU5IfT32KCY8cunq1Pej1wKviMSN-CA/w640-h472/20230202_140311b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Allied troops nicknamed it Screaming Mimi and Moaning Minnie due to its distinctive sound.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired as a battlefield relic from the Eastern Front and was restored to its current condition in the museum workshop.<br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 7.5cm Le IG 18 (Light Infantry Gun)</span></span></div><div><span><span>In the aftermath of World War I, every military force immediately began to assess what they thought was most important to improve their arsenals for a future war. For Germany, one thing they felt was lacking was a light howitzer that could be incorporated into infantry units, mobile enough to remain with the front line units in an advance to provide easy and immediate supporting fire.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJTf9VRI5OSKZcIMVuGMigXF-ES9ehKd98fGd5_9uZc9yoptlk9Hx71BNr1E5S2u_znmo8a20GP5A7rcg3ERaenFlSY627CK-99OeXUo2s2GVZHiPanJ_bZ4CiX7g3I-I5T-Y61BWKxb8jkh1dMPNG42RMS3_6Moq5Q_E0OiWM5YKDmnrP-Q1dIJ2pY0/s4032/20230202_142307a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJTf9VRI5OSKZcIMVuGMigXF-ES9ehKd98fGd5_9uZc9yoptlk9Hx71BNr1E5S2u_znmo8a20GP5A7rcg3ERaenFlSY627CK-99OeXUo2s2GVZHiPanJ_bZ4CiX7g3I-I5T-Y61BWKxb8jkh1dMPNG42RMS3_6Moq5Q_E0OiWM5YKDmnrP-Q1dIJ2pY0/w640-h480/20230202_142307a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><div><br /></div><div>The Rheinmetall company designed the 7.5 cm Leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18 (7.5 cm le.IG 18)<span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span>in 1927, despite the terms of the 1918 Versailles Treaty prohibiting the Germans from developing new weapons; and to help deceive the League of Nations, the numerals 18 were incorporated into its official title to imply that the gun had been in production and service in 1918.</div><div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>The 7.5 cm le.GebIG 18 fitted a 12-pound (6 kg) high-explosive shell out to 4,000 metres (4,375 yards) and was capable of both direct and indirect fire.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZVX1J9-ryYTb1T5_v_LCGY8nPYdmKcKa9ld30S9snmU-nU-WMpA-QP4olMnFKhERdDtj-O4z7TiqbDUedwuqCJLc_l1WkhwlYrEBHqRATeIuLF4_LanvjD2Cx6dwzhyGfbP5H2XiF7FOB3PYhKyqR7kF1gNd2gT3PPRLRLLerqE2hgGPj1ehMtk2fXs/s596/Breech_of_7.5-cm_infantry_howitzer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZVX1J9-ryYTb1T5_v_LCGY8nPYdmKcKa9ld30S9snmU-nU-WMpA-QP4olMnFKhERdDtj-O4z7TiqbDUedwuqCJLc_l1WkhwlYrEBHqRATeIuLF4_LanvjD2Cx6dwzhyGfbP5H2XiF7FOB3PYhKyqR7kF1gNd2gT3PPRLRLLerqE2hgGPj1ehMtk2fXs/s320/Breech_of_7.5-cm_infantry_howitzer.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The mechanical operation of the gun is rather unusual for an artillery piece, with a fixed breech and a barrel which tips up from the muzzle for loading and ejection, not as it happens conveying any particular advantage, but also not incurring any particular weakness and proved quite satisfactory in practice.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><div style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8ylUSe0XWff4J0LFr5ghJ4V1jIBnQS_zSGbGsmH65d_al4P0kfUpJAIAwXf-8w4y1VXrNupgKTpdB1GsYpRIlGPn8M41OYNa7vQ0uIuYHgIugkInmhOrb2N0oVM11Tvp-erkR51gZulAYwYOml55MLKDRebhp4XfXQyJDKpn-a8995GgunoHkzkg-F0/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0594-33,_Russland-Mitte-S%C3%BCd,_Infanteriegesch%C3%BCtz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="800" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8ylUSe0XWff4J0LFr5ghJ4V1jIBnQS_zSGbGsmH65d_al4P0kfUpJAIAwXf-8w4y1VXrNupgKTpdB1GsYpRIlGPn8M41OYNa7vQ0uIuYHgIugkInmhOrb2N0oVM11Tvp-erkR51gZulAYwYOml55MLKDRebhp4XfXQyJDKpn-a8995GgunoHkzkg-F0/w640-h412/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-219-0594-33,_Russland-Mitte-S%C3%BCd,_Infanteriegesch%C3%BCtz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>There was a mountain gun variant, the 7.5 cm le.GebIG 18. that could be broken down into six to ten packs, the heaviest weighing 74.9 kg. These were typically assigned at two to each mountain battalion. Only six 7.5 cm le.IG 18F were manufactured in 1939.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>There was an airborne gun variant, capable of being broken down into four 140 kg loads and had smaller wheels and no shield.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>There was also an infantry support gun variant, known as the 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz L/13 and designed as a replacement for the le.IG 18, which could be broken into four to six loads. However, though prototypes were tested, the German army felt that it did not improve on the existing design sufficiently to merit introduction and the army stayed with the earlier gun.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrZg3V1PAEWdVlSN5Bc9FliBbVOjzEz-y6NWflr8UdZmQ3avRKsTRf0pdjwgOow21ZeJyHXSepDPvXzO3vNHGnGhnL9rBnv7oMOS52HR5zVXCjBecRsf1V1Ua3FsqK3vUxUgkFwDk_bHJjNEM8dfdqxUgRb-S5OXLkWBd2ppPnE9kNKLij534yigFc_I/s3649/20230202_142326a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2605" data-original-width="3649" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrZg3V1PAEWdVlSN5Bc9FliBbVOjzEz-y6NWflr8UdZmQ3avRKsTRf0pdjwgOow21ZeJyHXSepDPvXzO3vNHGnGhnL9rBnv7oMOS52HR5zVXCjBecRsf1V1Ua3FsqK3vUxUgkFwDk_bHJjNEM8dfdqxUgRb-S5OXLkWBd2ppPnE9kNKLij534yigFc_I/w640-h456/20230202_142326a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>This exhibit was acquired from Czechoslovakia as a battlefield relic and restored to its current condition by the museum workshop.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">Czech Howitzer Model vz 14/19</span></span></div>The Skoda houfnice vz 14 ("Howitzer model 1914") and Skoda houfnice vz 14/19 ("Howitzer model 1914/1919") were 100 mm (3.93-inch) field howitzers made in Czechoslovakia by the Skoda works.</div><br />The vz 14/19 was an improved version of the vz 14 and was created in 1919 after World War I with a longer barrel offering greater range, and some versions had rubber tires so they could be pulled by trucks but most retained wooden spoked wheels so they could be pulled by mule teams. <br /><br /><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-QKQp43uvNQYXNj2CSQRkOXg6S_6l3ZTf9FlPfyIMSlLsCrdeNJEbEEOFG0ORpT1vG8jg-89X_Ner8GwZFzodF-ba3f-iPsruzGfbiZFAtit5FgPLkT_ZF4CsG3c1f4R0Ogx1HFOFklfZUnSHxsIKaDWkWWhDijxweOTMLpE9WYF7fwHCPwpsH5EjLw/s3158/20230202_140303a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2256" data-original-width="3158" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-QKQp43uvNQYXNj2CSQRkOXg6S_6l3ZTf9FlPfyIMSlLsCrdeNJEbEEOFG0ORpT1vG8jg-89X_Ner8GwZFzodF-ba3f-iPsruzGfbiZFAtit5FgPLkT_ZF4CsG3c1f4R0Ogx1HFOFklfZUnSHxsIKaDWkWWhDijxweOTMLpE9WYF7fwHCPwpsH5EjLw/w640-h458/20230202_140303a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Germany captured a vz 14/19 when they conquered Poland and absorbed Czechoslovakia and later seized additional guns while fighting in Italy, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Greece. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeCmIC2ckHzGKCyHDGAuNJHnjPFbCu64V5wmluXbwSO-MivrsVNAnECc_9mrM6w0g4wbOWsGZYPggDqnE0YLcBw5GpKu-pxdBMVmo1nGU7qANnD9OWkQM4SFBlBG-7ViqxhqhCYueXK1hmeXwEh0srTKtlubNsdYPGd-u5hUDbomPMPDFc2FWPVgBAts/s600/LHVZ1419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeCmIC2ckHzGKCyHDGAuNJHnjPFbCu64V5wmluXbwSO-MivrsVNAnECc_9mrM6w0g4wbOWsGZYPggDqnE0YLcBw5GpKu-pxdBMVmo1nGU7qANnD9OWkQM4SFBlBG-7ViqxhqhCYueXK1hmeXwEh0srTKtlubNsdYPGd-u5hUDbomPMPDFc2FWPVgBAts/w640-h512/LHVZ1419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Due to their age, the howitzers were relegated to second line service and incorporated into defensive lines and fortifications after 1942.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4_NhfTjeTCprlm0rOzTZr-9dilhSpD7I6FQ02hOzoChjdTiuSnmez-Mmhd8YinewprtEs84ZHPTqs78uU-KSnNpuvC91FJSzWRF6R3rc8Kk1aSOtLheE_N4-wfBVkVg57RS9aVDt4_bVVD8DJJGJGIvnie380rUkjOHq850Uh65fZO9390-yXRq09AA/s4032/20230202_140246a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="4032" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4_NhfTjeTCprlm0rOzTZr-9dilhSpD7I6FQ02hOzoChjdTiuSnmez-Mmhd8YinewprtEs84ZHPTqs78uU-KSnNpuvC91FJSzWRF6R3rc8Kk1aSOtLheE_N4-wfBVkVg57RS9aVDt4_bVVD8DJJGJGIvnie380rUkjOHq850Uh65fZO9390-yXRq09AA/w640-h386/20230202_140246a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit was acquired from Belgium, and it was captured by the Germans during World War II, repainted and modified in a number of ways including being fitted with non-original shield, a muzzle break, a British 25-pounder firing platform, and Norwegian tyres.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span><div><span><span><div style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German 10.5cm leFH 16 Howitzer </span></div></span></span>The 10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 16 (10.5 cm leFH 16) was a field howitzer used by Germany in World War I and World War II.</div><div><br /></div>The was designed as a replacement for the old, standard light howitzer, the leFH 98/09. It had a longer barrel than the older gun, and also a new type of breech which needed one less movement in order to open. It fired the same ammunition as the older gun with one addition, the C-Geschloss (gas shell).<div><br /><span><span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZNkBkAMrctNCJ3kRvXOkyuNSqfK848sGPVShC-6ngV7Tk7pymQD-8I9pIG1Y4j-FG9jOSNMeSNIYevIYywojLHSJxWK97GGwA1c-nz1b0FDFYgmhNmQp3Pms93QcyRG9OHw1Bw-NMmcxKowsvO7eyVtrJpmfmPUdgXJYDh6UROusmZ_JZI6zvJCyAfk/s4032/20230202_143036a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2368" data-original-width="4032" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZNkBkAMrctNCJ3kRvXOkyuNSqfK848sGPVShC-6ngV7Tk7pymQD-8I9pIG1Y4j-FG9jOSNMeSNIYevIYywojLHSJxWK97GGwA1c-nz1b0FDFYgmhNmQp3Pms93QcyRG9OHw1Bw-NMmcxKowsvO7eyVtrJpmfmPUdgXJYDh6UROusmZ_JZI6zvJCyAfk/w640-h376/20230202_143036a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The shield provided minimum protection for the crew of six. A cut out on the left side of the shield provided limited forward vision for a gunner.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1sS1p3H8d81EAC-4L5PSR_k5gjIkaUQcwqPrswNvI5NQ_hYkcJGvHwH9KqpQGufh6I3J_olIHAe-YRtKSsg4IjVGf0cb-YStGCWWElA2sOuNf4krjmxSb0JG89-bO18adDglHajbREaOfmHhGEs-uNKQtWcIiWeEYA3VEaodYblwTjKjTIfCHSzjvRI/s1381/20230202_143102b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1381" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1sS1p3H8d81EAC-4L5PSR_k5gjIkaUQcwqPrswNvI5NQ_hYkcJGvHwH9KqpQGufh6I3J_olIHAe-YRtKSsg4IjVGf0cb-YStGCWWElA2sOuNf4krjmxSb0JG89-bO18adDglHajbREaOfmHhGEs-uNKQtWcIiWeEYA3VEaodYblwTjKjTIfCHSzjvRI/w640-h414/20230202_143102b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></span></span><div><span><span>It shared </span></span>the same carriage as the <span>7.7 cm FK 16 and was pulled by a team of horses or a vehicle. Its weight meant that it was not easy for the crew to move quickly.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Guns turned over to Belgium as reparations after World War I were taken into German Army service after the conquest of Belgium as the 10.5 cm leFH 327 (b) even though they were of German origin. They were usually deployed to areas where stocks of howitzers were limited.<div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ6Qze_WozmW688BaWA9gLMfGCk5DwpOjGbTD7VqlQASh9KbarQGCcs4_6bG2_6u3HfAlERge7ONw-dpk0B9EEQPxbNrplqTJWC65RMgJAfWkCTI6oEAIBxYHGvsTKy_AfX6vexgpe-mjYpI00SIGdUfK-q0GOBJQuyNMbSrpTWC9Y2XvPunPAzVFGYM/s4000/20230202_143050a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="4000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQ6Qze_WozmW688BaWA9gLMfGCk5DwpOjGbTD7VqlQASh9KbarQGCcs4_6bG2_6u3HfAlERge7ONw-dpk0B9EEQPxbNrplqTJWC65RMgJAfWkCTI6oEAIBxYHGvsTKy_AfX6vexgpe-mjYpI00SIGdUfK-q0GOBJQuyNMbSrpTWC9Y2XvPunPAzVFGYM/w640-h366/20230202_143050a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The exhibit was a war trophy given to the town of Penrith, the Australian one, not the Welsh one, in New South Wales.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j93gpdqHWlcXf5hnr4L_tMxf6p6D4B_IzEIA2e3Zu175mKoT1zkuE4K_LuY2fAayZVA8Ms9bLi-owDpo92BkS5j0YVeqbNDldeRDMjeV4KPtcrRvMFf3_4tuMqNSC8cxcSFl2VVVK0N8Ww5F-KVbK-qAGSk4ZP117_VNpNMFiaE3QF3Mhdr5lmiv6C4/s3385/20230202_143108a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="3385" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j93gpdqHWlcXf5hnr4L_tMxf6p6D4B_IzEIA2e3Zu175mKoT1zkuE4K_LuY2fAayZVA8Ms9bLi-owDpo92BkS5j0YVeqbNDldeRDMjeV4KPtcrRvMFf3_4tuMqNSC8cxcSFl2VVVK0N8Ww5F-KVbK-qAGSk4ZP117_VNpNMFiaE3QF3Mhdr5lmiv6C4/w640-h222/20230202_143108a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>It is showing the years of neglect and exposure to the elements and is on the museum's list of exhibits to be restored at a future date.</span></div><div><span><br /><span><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 10.5cm leFH 18 Howitzer </span></span></span></span></div>The 10.5 cm leFH 18 (German: leichte Feldhaubitze "light field howitzer") was a German light howitzer used in World War II.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 10.5 cm leFH 18 was the standard divisional field howitzer used by the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was designed and developed by Rheinmetall in 1929-30 and entered service with the Wehrmacht in 1935. Generally it did not equip independent artillery battalions until after the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943.</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlCe2x34iYLDkWEAevs5se2x-h-OFJgE4zZrEpekiMXucpuWpJN2YPZRqtoUOfp4D4Cpx9uq4Rqscs-36z_Q5Yru3D6mi6EAAz5QqbxEJUSmCFJnnBOu5jOM_k3j8ZSjwG7PHHSgcUAA24L13tI7OKruvgX6dsxgmiZNsEj9jJXaaw-ua3ZmF3lQOFcU/s3917/20230202_143213a.jpg" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="3917" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlCe2x34iYLDkWEAevs5se2x-h-OFJgE4zZrEpekiMXucpuWpJN2YPZRqtoUOfp4D4Cpx9uq4Rqscs-36z_Q5Yru3D6mi6EAAz5QqbxEJUSmCFJnnBOu5jOM_k3j8ZSjwG7PHHSgcUAA24L13tI7OKruvgX6dsxgmiZNsEj9jJXaaw-ua3ZmF3lQOFcU/w640-h366/20230202_143213a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Before 1938 the leFH 18 was exported to Hungary and Spain. Fifty-three were exported to Finland, where they were known as 105 H 33. One hundred and sixty-six were exported to Bulgaria in 1943 and 1944. One hundred and forty-two were purchased by Sweden between 1939 and 1942, designating it Haubits m/39.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOc_3TYVlB0SJCnf4s43QcScNpkw7sxG-hj-BEiCDopjIY_c2T9uvS6eC6mzhSwCVhC-zMVpMNn5RSfl25kclMZqspz2t-9E97GqqCYgD_6BTbJjJxiY854fPuMsxzQ2wxF90AkTl9gmDmSUF_RXjdcKQRbCtiqEgXE274QoyXeu5bIoj9KfT-x9S8x8/s640/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-031-2415-16,_Russland,_Soldaten_an_leichter_Haubitze.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="640" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOc_3TYVlB0SJCnf4s43QcScNpkw7sxG-hj-BEiCDopjIY_c2T9uvS6eC6mzhSwCVhC-zMVpMNn5RSfl25kclMZqspz2t-9E97GqqCYgD_6BTbJjJxiY854fPuMsxzQ2wxF90AkTl9gmDmSUF_RXjdcKQRbCtiqEgXE274QoyXeu5bIoj9KfT-x9S8x8/w640-h416/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-031-2415-16,_Russland,_Soldaten_an_leichter_Haubitze.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It had a heavy, simple breech mechanism with a hydro-pneumatic recoils system. The 10.5cm leFH 18 had wood-spoked or pressed steel wheels. The former were only suitable for horse traction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWHSrFzzb9WXBnq_uYw79e9dv-eyc3-bmipEVRnbGzvHmaI2sGkHuJYeQ9DrS2w6qBkw_GvYNG6hYuzEIVQRbFB8hNaDtisYHexzbcY20uB23cmPmr164AiZxzadNbJUZ-ZNz0HtGbd8xNcmSrF41eUY9e2BQodpUusOIndU_GnjXbzXcRmxzuRQeGR0/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-675-7927-25A,_Ostfront,_leichte_Feldhaubitze_in_Feuerstellung.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="800" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWHSrFzzb9WXBnq_uYw79e9dv-eyc3-bmipEVRnbGzvHmaI2sGkHuJYeQ9DrS2w6qBkw_GvYNG6hYuzEIVQRbFB8hNaDtisYHexzbcY20uB23cmPmr164AiZxzadNbJUZ-ZNz0HtGbd8xNcmSrF41eUY9e2BQodpUusOIndU_GnjXbzXcRmxzuRQeGR0/w640-h486/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-675-7927-25A,_Ostfront,_leichte_Feldhaubitze_in_Feuerstellung.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Initially it was not fitted with a muzzle break. In 1941 a muzzle break was fitted to allow longer range charges to be fired. This increased the range by about 1,800 yards and was known as the leFH 18M.</div></div><span><span><div><span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w-StT_UCy9GS6rodNygVOEKUvXkGwAi7HAdEHLZOU9AsWZAFO5Z0hVPY2UcT4U3kAQMl1oHHkUkyezNBf9xYrTc_8m5Y4EaQhGeblC7LabH1tNJ7Qb7hi5KZXYzlmACDOnOvUSfFNg4IZ_keD5CfnSK7cGDyx99gJA0b-AlH0gkMpOOG01WQRVo_c0I/s4032/20230202_143159a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="4032" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w-StT_UCy9GS6rodNygVOEKUvXkGwAi7HAdEHLZOU9AsWZAFO5Z0hVPY2UcT4U3kAQMl1oHHkUkyezNBf9xYrTc_8m5Y4EaQhGeblC7LabH1tNJ7Qb7hi5KZXYzlmACDOnOvUSfFNg4IZ_keD5CfnSK7cGDyx99gJA0b-AlH0gkMpOOG01WQRVo_c0I/w640-h438/20230202_143159a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>In March 1942 a requirement was issued for a lighter howitzer. This led to a second modification, known as the leFH 18/40. This modification consisted of mounting the barrel of an </span>leFH 18M on the carriage of a 7.5cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun. The new carriage increased the rate of fire as well as making the howitzer lighter. Additionally a more efficient muzzle break was added, decreasing the recoil. Ballistically, the 10.5cm leFH 18M and the leFH 18/40 are identical.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC0cKP61IlexU55BYMrjJQyBw95n5hff-DdzdJDuJOhBHFsirC_01IDvJCJLLaO6YjdPeKONgNDRDgwTvcRo1H4iIzFi4W8jQvlJn1nRXYAJdRtHg6gbyYixIQ2O91LtuHAV1o0AhtGuHtbSMowZ3ji-Q0sSgLcm-S1UdJy_WJV39l2UPNAfHN17EEuQ/s3621/20230202_143229a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="3621" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC0cKP61IlexU55BYMrjJQyBw95n5hff-DdzdJDuJOhBHFsirC_01IDvJCJLLaO6YjdPeKONgNDRDgwTvcRo1H4iIzFi4W8jQvlJn1nRXYAJdRtHg6gbyYixIQ2O91LtuHAV1o0AhtGuHtbSMowZ3ji-Q0sSgLcm-S1UdJy_WJV39l2UPNAfHN17EEuQ/w640-h282/20230202_143229a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div></span></span></div><span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit was acquired from Norway.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;">German 15cm sFH 18 Howitzer </span></div></span></span>The 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18 or sFH 18 (German: "heavy field howitzer, model 18"), was the basic German division-level heavy howitzer during the Second World War, serving alongside the smaller but more numerous 10.5 cm leFH 18.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly after coming to power in the early 1930's, Adolf Hitler commenced a secret re-arming program designed to undermine the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which forbid Germany to rearm. The sFH 18 was disguised to look like the WWI artillery pieces that Germany had been allowed to keep. Although incorporating improvements it was generally outdated compared to the weapons it faced. It was the first artillery piece equipped with rocket assisted ammunition to increase range.</div><div><br /><div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx9Wm0prZeos78j9zv_0KBMsNnZ5dg7HHvoDlgaYkpdNK7Impo8gl-dL2VFKmaYAqtancZ5QeEsYYF0U1l2R4AZLQP2EYMYKhH4ja7p9Bm10k6s_q2ISlAKzwCH3KOlPcuvrusVVC7oJEVzCp-KRinhtfQDFg8DQPN0t5xv7Wb8QMZpVuraUv65jLPi0/s4032/20230202_141746a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx9Wm0prZeos78j9zv_0KBMsNnZ5dg7HHvoDlgaYkpdNK7Impo8gl-dL2VFKmaYAqtancZ5QeEsYYF0U1l2R4AZLQP2EYMYKhH4ja7p9Bm10k6s_q2ISlAKzwCH3KOlPcuvrusVVC7oJEVzCp-KRinhtfQDFg8DQPN0t5xv7Wb8QMZpVuraUv65jLPi0/w640-h480/20230202_141746a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><br />The gun originated with a contest between Rheinmetall and Krupp, both of whom entered several designs that were all considered unsatisfactory for one reason or another. In the end the army decided the solution was to combine the best features of both designs, using the Rheinmetall gun on a Krupp carriage.</div><div><br /></div>The carriage was a relatively standard split-trail design with box legs. Spades were carried on the sides of the legs that could be mounted onto the ends for added stability. The sFH 18 had an unsprung axle and hard rubber tires and was designed for horse towing. Later versions had a two-wheel bogie which allowed it to be towed by a vehicle, but the lack of suspension made it unsuitable for towing at high speed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMKMFp05o10xApG5_gw4l1OcdCQnmlDXkQFw8rcjKezs8qadJcqcEMLnYykkEycqaFr-z_q5b96Ywz07rP2fXXsIN8sdGUMLAjsQFOa6vRZlLl9YWfhQfrDBRAQyc7r2If12ibO1WmWBYL0kP9E6fSyfcem7fobBifOZvptetdBGK9QIZFkj7AF3PSMc/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-078-3073-23A,_Russland,_Kursk,_Artillerie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="800" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMKMFp05o10xApG5_gw4l1OcdCQnmlDXkQFw8rcjKezs8qadJcqcEMLnYykkEycqaFr-z_q5b96Ywz07rP2fXXsIN8sdGUMLAjsQFOa6vRZlLl9YWfhQfrDBRAQyc7r2If12ibO1WmWBYL0kP9E6fSyfcem7fobBifOZvptetdBGK9QIZFkj7AF3PSMc/w640-h436/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-078-3073-23A,_Russland,_Kursk,_Artillerie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The gun was officially introduced into service on 23 May 1935, and by the outbreak of war the Wehrmacht had about 1,353 of these guns in service. Production continued throughout the war, reaching a peak of 2,295 guns in 1944.</div><div><br /></div>Against the Soviet Union, the sFH 18 lacked the range of the Red Army 122 mm and 152 mm ML-20 gun-howitzer, whose maximum range of 20.4 kilometres (22,300 yd) and17.3 kilometres (18,900 yd) allowed it to fire counter-battery against the sFH 18 with a 7 (7650 yd) and 4 kilometres (4,400 yd) advantage.</div><div><br /></div>Several countries continued fielding the sFH 18 after the war in large numbers including Czechoslovakia, Portugal and many South American and Central American countries. Finland bought 48 sFH 18 howitzers from Germany in 1940 and designated them 150 H/40. These guns were modernized in 1988 as the 152 H 88, and they were used by the Finnish Army until 2007.<div><br /><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00NtTJzjHOFI61NLEKixgEOCTdyw_B2SEjCeuPdGWJsJzT0B5If6b10_vPXnowT80qQ6XK0g6X0Tgaiv62ztMeoULzRZnkh7_agdvwIEAOCD68Hxp8ZEr37DftWe4XFtBWUsnAFyfXTBeMZDIB0VTiSaJZK_bVQq4B-6VWUOptglgf3MqjSQKhlNLo2Q/s4000/20230202_141815a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00NtTJzjHOFI61NLEKixgEOCTdyw_B2SEjCeuPdGWJsJzT0B5If6b10_vPXnowT80qQ6XK0g6X0Tgaiv62ztMeoULzRZnkh7_agdvwIEAOCD68Hxp8ZEr37DftWe4XFtBWUsnAFyfXTBeMZDIB0VTiSaJZK_bVQq4B-6VWUOptglgf3MqjSQKhlNLo2Q/w640-h480/20230202_141815a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><span><span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>This</span><span> exhibit was acquired from the UK.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Flak 30 Anti-Aircraft Gun</span></span></span></div><div><span><span>The Flak 30 (Flugzeugabwehrkanone 30) and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm </span>anti-aircraft guns<span> used by various German forces throughout </span>World War II<span>. It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war.</span><span> </span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>The original Flak 30 design was developed from the Solothurn ST-5 as a project for the Kriegsmarine, which produced the 20 mm C/30, and the C/30 became the primary shipborne light AA weapon and equipped a large variety of German ships.<div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIBW9XsyfCS41kkPty-T3JlLvsFTEr8pevvM3FWBOz0WEErhBJ28JW0I2Oc7a1po1CdfCpvVJ4KJNIQW-y9EFuW-ecXpEwSrxewhIsUi2YDDvYfDF3cCOxzRuWYMUibZluwrMJ7vPfi_03Rqovx7va3Q1UnmJe7na78j24FDYBJrG1e2bn2wLHNXLhH4/s4032/20230202_140326a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIBW9XsyfCS41kkPty-T3JlLvsFTEr8pevvM3FWBOz0WEErhBJ28JW0I2Oc7a1po1CdfCpvVJ4KJNIQW-y9EFuW-ecXpEwSrxewhIsUi2YDDvYfDF3cCOxzRuWYMUibZluwrMJ7vPfi_03Rqovx7va3Q1UnmJe7na78j24FDYBJrG1e2bn2wLHNXLhH4/w640-h480/20230202_140326a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div></span>Rheinmetall then started an adaptation of the C/30 for Army use, producing the 2 cm Flak 30. Generally similar to the C/30, the main areas of development were the mount, which was fairly compact, with set-up accomplished by dropping the gun off its two-wheeled trailer, and levelling the gun using hand cranks. The result was a triangular base that permitted fire in all directions.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uu2SNAOFqzw36aGhO5ggwLWITFmHqD95GFECNTzae3CZgYtliG4-KnXFBsj5b5iYCNp0nGYTDMisB2ZH7OH_gFv8IWwPeDSMmQHV2r7_obS2Q29q2DNZjjmpCUijAgd4iQE-Un_b9OUSWXkvABSrhGCPTFInRsmdK-oJQEOYnpWH6YESIES1YW7QsQ8/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-301-1953-24,_Seine-et-Oise,_Soldaten_mit_Flak-Gesch%C3%BCtz.jpg" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uu2SNAOFqzw36aGhO5ggwLWITFmHqD95GFECNTzae3CZgYtliG4-KnXFBsj5b5iYCNp0nGYTDMisB2ZH7OH_gFv8IWwPeDSMmQHV2r7_obS2Q29q2DNZjjmpCUijAgd4iQE-Un_b9OUSWXkvABSrhGCPTFInRsmdK-oJQEOYnpWH6YESIES1YW7QsQ8/w640-h408/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-301-1953-24,_Seine-et-Oise,_Soldaten_mit_Flak-Gesch%C3%BCtz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The main problem with the design was the rate of fire of 120 RPM (rounds per minute) which was not particularly fast for a weapon of this calibre. Rheinmetall responded with the 2 cm Flak 38, which was otherwise similar but increased the rate of fire by 220 RPM and slightly lowered overall weight to 420 kg. The Flak 38 was accepted as the standard Army gun in 1939, and by the Kriegsmarine as the C/38.</div><div><br /><span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 2cm Flakvierling 38 Anti-Aircraft Gun</span></span></div></span>The improved Flak 38 20 mm anti-aircraft guns was produced in a variety of models, including the Flakvierling 38. The term vierling means literally 'quadruplet' and refers to a mounting carrying four guns.<div><br /></div>The Flakvierling weapon consisted of quad-mounted 2 cm Flak 38 AA guns with collapsing seats, folding handles, and ammunition racks. The mount had a triangular base with a jack at each leg for levelling the gun. The tracker traversed and elevated the mount manually using two handwheels. The gun was fired by a set of two pedals, each of which fired two diametrically opposite barrels in either semi-automatic or automatic mode. The weapon could also be configured to fire single barrel, double barrel or side by side.</div><div><br /><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUfw5TYIsHRX_vrJ3QLAkEIH1CQ38nnqNrX7FOopgCvljBr2-qMyYkcdZn2A3IdH4OgJDbua0Sty9BTGmS7ecEa1RjSOGjU1O0K3BxykQWNn2ZUbjG6GsCiM4Dr31Ii8wpOqJ6GgjNggL1O5s4XvgFjdtI6p1wfXbDLxSD2_70QHcfKuH4F2uTJnnejQ/s4032/20230202_142254a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUfw5TYIsHRX_vrJ3QLAkEIH1CQ38nnqNrX7FOopgCvljBr2-qMyYkcdZn2A3IdH4OgJDbua0Sty9BTGmS7ecEa1RjSOGjU1O0K3BxykQWNn2ZUbjG6GsCiM4Dr31Ii8wpOqJ6GgjNggL1O5s4XvgFjdtI6p1wfXbDLxSD2_70QHcfKuH4F2uTJnnejQ/w640-h480/20230202_142254a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span>Each of the four guns had a separate magazine that held only 20 rounds. This meant that a maximum combined rate of fire of 1,400 rounds per minute was reduced practically to 800 rounds per minute for combat use – which would still require that an emptied magazine be replaced every six seconds, on each of the four guns. The effective vertical range was 2,200 metres. It was also used just as effectively against ground targets.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ84oqbUV2m22Ac4oKT76OpiKjLczljAREatvAsaCyud68fcbdnLMR94l1mGvcrlhJdb3KaxpQs0fyxBtvfZFGmrfkopU2lbBo7S9A8sAvWWISMtfTHv7FEB2RJSmyVAi-uQ8ckI4xH4J9UJNUAAPCNeZka28DPl_SYedvSUmgyVkdm3mfC8lIfrtKx84/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-J08339,_Ausbildung_an_der_Vierlings-Flak.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ84oqbUV2m22Ac4oKT76OpiKjLczljAREatvAsaCyud68fcbdnLMR94l1mGvcrlhJdb3KaxpQs0fyxBtvfZFGmrfkopU2lbBo7S9A8sAvWWISMtfTHv7FEB2RJSmyVAi-uQ8ckI4xH4J9UJNUAAPCNeZka28DPl_SYedvSUmgyVkdm3mfC8lIfrtKx84/w640-h464/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-J08339,_Ausbildung_an_der_Vierlings-Flak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Flakvierling four-autocannon anti-aircraft ordnance system, when not mounted into any self-propelled mount, was normally transported Sd. Ah. 52 trailer, and could be towed behind a variety of half-tracks or trucks, such as the Opel Blitz, Sd.Kfz. 251 and Sd.Kfz. 11.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfHloOFyzhSWGLrar6qEebuhoopRtaWPDksZ2uSLncaS2mdPwSPviKT88sLwd37cnpA3lF8CNUb_yXMz_rv615EmwEw39AR3J0DSpN9FHxZfkXodBB6ndjzMtHvuJh_3wi4odw9Kl0ytqH33BMEyFi_5gLyTvVzH5dqtkXwegrOywVEqO5JQDZGX_CSI/s512/unnamed%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfHloOFyzhSWGLrar6qEebuhoopRtaWPDksZ2uSLncaS2mdPwSPviKT88sLwd37cnpA3lF8CNUb_yXMz_rv615EmwEw39AR3J0DSpN9FHxZfkXodBB6ndjzMtHvuJh_3wi4odw9Kl0ytqH33BMEyFi_5gLyTvVzH5dqtkXwegrOywVEqO5JQDZGX_CSI/w640-h426/unnamed%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Its versatility meant it could be mounted on half-tracks and tank hulls to produce mobile anti-aircraft vehicles, such as the Sd.Kfz. 7/1, and the Wirbelwind and the original Möbelwagen prototype both based on the Panzer IV tank. In Kriegsmarine use, it was fitted to U-boats and ships to provide short-range anti-aircraft defence, and was also employed in fixed installations around ports, harbours and other strategic naval targets. The Flakvierling was also a common fixture on trains.</div><div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Pm0E38syT9kwSO2QogvFWIVXNm4cVQ_st5gOtFNO3gHMtIJIzsE5Yg1qEKdIDF_l-5Ct34d_QO8h8B3ROTHhzS5OCXPTC_q2TuxMMbQ6qKdTSVb4ahQtcRgp4rucieVU5VKmP2wV-UzwLYn4GJ-XJQzlyOUqu0x7F07PmD2Y527qyTFRWbeyqlv4HA/s4032/20230202_142240a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Pm0E38syT9kwSO2QogvFWIVXNm4cVQ_st5gOtFNO3gHMtIJIzsE5Yg1qEKdIDF_l-5Ct34d_QO8h8B3ROTHhzS5OCXPTC_q2TuxMMbQ6qKdTSVb4ahQtcRgp4rucieVU5VKmP2wV-UzwLYn4GJ-XJQzlyOUqu0x7F07PmD2Y527qyTFRWbeyqlv4HA/w640-h480/20230202_142240a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><span><div><span><br /></span></div>This exhibit was acquired from Spain.</span></div><div><span><br /><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 3.7cm Flak 36 Anti-Aircraft Gun</span></span></div>The 3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37 and 43 were a series of anti-aircraft guns produced by Nazi Germany that saw widespread service in the Second World War. The cannon was fully automatic and effective against aircraft flying at altitudes up to 4,200 m.</div><div><br /></div>The cannon was produced in both towed and self-propelled versions. Having a flexible doctrine, the Germans used their anti-aircraft pieces in ground support roles as well; 37 mm calibre guns were no exception to that. With Germany's defeat, production ceased and, overall, 37 mm calibre anti-aircraft cannon fell into gradual disuse.<div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6qEHy31LFZ5amnyjZTwCTTbnHNiCIwiwy_LDVvfbpXTbOnnULBjMpczcfk3eGw4uRvWZShI4KCwfA7TRZMB1CkfKQx75QvsOr97vSmLLSR7S3bVB5ej1yY5Go7B27vTOMSqpjsUkV4Yydn8pLufzQ_wPL7RIbei19PHJEmY5JJVmZfq4IeDXFMp6RxI/s4032/20230202_142642a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6qEHy31LFZ5amnyjZTwCTTbnHNiCIwiwy_LDVvfbpXTbOnnULBjMpczcfk3eGw4uRvWZShI4KCwfA7TRZMB1CkfKQx75QvsOr97vSmLLSR7S3bVB5ej1yY5Go7B27vTOMSqpjsUkV4Yydn8pLufzQ_wPL7RIbei19PHJEmY5JJVmZfq4IeDXFMp6RxI/w640-h480/20230202_142642a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span>The original 37 mm gun was developed by Rheinmetall in 1935 as the 3.7 cm Flak 18. It had a barrel length of 57 calibres, which allowed 4,800 m (15,700 ft) maximum ceiling. The armour penetration was considerable when using dedicated ammunition, at 100 m distance it could penetrate 36 mm of a 60°-sloped armour, and at 800 m distance correspondingly 24 mm. It used a mechanical bolt for automatic fire, featuring a practical rate of fire of about 80 rounds per minute (rpm). The gun, when emplaced for combat, weighed 1,750 kg (3,860 lb), and complete for transport, including the wheeled mount, 3,560 kg (7,850 lb).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pBeW8L7YMnYpKyAvMAqPChGMjPXq1nK4LHySW7QfiAtuWl7bqvGLQE50jsHMH8n_JQOuIb_Km0jcrDr_yUANrdae_yYfFBOgccDGm644j42BLCJAK5BqcUNuAWulzSLrJExANAcF6OXXEZ0pPM3VujaB3RByOhXrzT-enVpWehVYUTumb0-XDLAgMyc/s792/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-478-2162-26,_Italien,_Flak.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="792" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pBeW8L7YMnYpKyAvMAqPChGMjPXq1nK4LHySW7QfiAtuWl7bqvGLQE50jsHMH8n_JQOuIb_Km0jcrDr_yUANrdae_yYfFBOgccDGm644j42BLCJAK5BqcUNuAWulzSLrJExANAcF6OXXEZ0pPM3VujaB3RByOhXrzT-enVpWehVYUTumb0-XDLAgMyc/w640-h406/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-478-2162-26,_Italien,_Flak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Flak 18 was only produced in small numbers, and production had already ended in 1936. Development continued, focusing on replacement of the existing cumbersome dual-axle mount with a lighter single-axle one, resulting in a 3.7 cm Flak 36 that cut the complete weight to 1,550 kg (3,420 lb) in combat and 2,400 kg (5,300 lb) in transport. </div><div><br /></div><div>The gun's ballistic characteristics were not changed, although the practical rate of fire was raised to 120 rpm (180 rpm theoretical). A new, simplified sighting system introduced the next year produced the otherwise-identical 3.7 cm Flak 37. The Flak 36/37 were the most-produced variants of the weapon.<div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FGhhrbCNIq0TibjnWek-PDS_W3WxISP6syUixk1yt6hqk5VV8XOjL5Yx5CiqwPGZJyppcCFi-iePuC3VOIuL2M5chnsLq93DBpQiKdGyvk22Bae8jVZuHb3t4XwMqO4UvAddVGC1Yrzm3K8TRKOOi3YNvNJFEmEW789uftYHsMlwvjtMukLICUl-5ZY/s4032/20230202_142659a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FGhhrbCNIq0TibjnWek-PDS_W3WxISP6syUixk1yt6hqk5VV8XOjL5Yx5CiqwPGZJyppcCFi-iePuC3VOIuL2M5chnsLq93DBpQiKdGyvk22Bae8jVZuHb3t4XwMqO4UvAddVGC1Yrzm3K8TRKOOi3YNvNJFEmEW789uftYHsMlwvjtMukLICUl-5ZY/w640-h480/20230202_142659a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>The 3.7 cm Flak 43 was a dramatic improvement over older models. A new gas-operated breech increased the practical firing rate to 150 RPM, while at the same time dropping in weight to 1,250 kg (2,760 lb) in combat, and 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) in transport.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>It was also produced in a twin-gun mount, the 3.7 cm Flakzwilling 43, although this version was considered somewhat unwieldy and top-heavy.</span></div><div><br /><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2lBqvNRwaZlGjvk6eI2jtYJVPNJ1I-hUCDzWkBrWRqkzY_PyCOYLOr68G_44VEMfAUQpqi4ZDEv70_hgK1Y0w0cEYxeotcCMFUAeknF7zQJ6AkaQul1pM6iE6OE9vI7m8Gu8x0q-Kk98GEpVRyEGhC2bQVcg-PIiKhzRE78EjOVHmxYA94-o5u3es-U/s4032/20230202_142719a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2lBqvNRwaZlGjvk6eI2jtYJVPNJ1I-hUCDzWkBrWRqkzY_PyCOYLOr68G_44VEMfAUQpqi4ZDEv70_hgK1Y0w0cEYxeotcCMFUAeknF7zQJ6AkaQul1pM6iE6OE9vI7m8Gu8x0q-Kk98GEpVRyEGhC2bQVcg-PIiKhzRE78EjOVHmxYA94-o5u3es-U/w640-h480/20230202_142719a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from the USA.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 8.8cm Flak 18/36/37 Anti-Aircraft Gun</span></span></div>The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 was a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun, developed in the 1930s and was widely used by Germany throughout World War II, universally known as the "eight-eight" by the Allies. </div><div><br /></div>The name applies to a series of related guns, the first one officially called the 8.8 cm Flak 18, the improved 8.8 cm Flak 36, and later the 8.8 cm Flak 37. Flak is a contraction of German Flugabwehrkanone (also referred to as Fliegerabwehrkanone) meaning "aircraft-defence cannon", the original purpose of the weapon.<div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsX1dprISVtlUQBtJuV9sUnCBa50ihI3UKVe_nOeS2hBT_7tjiV9RBkQo-QjhukKpNEqHK1Om39QyHWLwPFI5Rz_Ym2rOhXDV9iWHmz5iiQdntF7iVw1U29NQY3ROlL6YiwnjbaNtVMGHZ4_DiKW9Fmbbmdi8uNR5B5CncjOiI3bBHDhx3LRQccENFRQ/s3773/20230202_140710a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2207" data-original-width="3773" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsX1dprISVtlUQBtJuV9sUnCBa50ihI3UKVe_nOeS2hBT_7tjiV9RBkQo-QjhukKpNEqHK1Om39QyHWLwPFI5Rz_Ym2rOhXDV9iWHmz5iiQdntF7iVw1U29NQY3ROlL6YiwnjbaNtVMGHZ4_DiKW9Fmbbmdi8uNR5B5CncjOiI3bBHDhx3LRQccENFRQ/w640-h374/20230202_140710a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>The versatile carriage allowed the 8.8 cm Flak to be fired in a limited anti-tank mode when still on its wheels; it could be completely emplaced in only two and a half minutes. Its successful use as an improvised anti-tank gun led to the development of a tank gun based upon it.</div><div><span><br /></span></div>Prototype 88s were first produced in 1928. This early model, the Flak 18, used a single-piece barrel with a length of 56 calibres, leading to the commonly seen designation L/56.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5SsVVdWyTAqgzyl3d_l-VuCUbpLDu29t-Pdz7971kdZKQMuzmO6AGcKXVAjf21hMyOPjJWAHY8xqlRN_-9Tq4eDfeAIHJ2-PwAnrex7tJnp-FYgBNmhFMs-f9kBoCqU2EHZOXXJoPCL-oVrAlkTsRQ_rlacxUPU3RWTJQv05hMKr88LGizSXuoeV_w4/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-724-0135-16,_Flak-Stellung_in_Russland.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5SsVVdWyTAqgzyl3d_l-VuCUbpLDu29t-Pdz7971kdZKQMuzmO6AGcKXVAjf21hMyOPjJWAHY8xqlRN_-9Tq4eDfeAIHJ2-PwAnrex7tJnp-FYgBNmhFMs-f9kBoCqU2EHZOXXJoPCL-oVrAlkTsRQ_rlacxUPU3RWTJQv05hMKr88LGizSXuoeV_w4/w640-h408/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-724-0135-16,_Flak-Stellung_in_Russland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8.8cm Flak 36 being emplaced, with both bogies already detached</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The Flak 18 was mounted on a cruciform gun carriage. A simple-to-operate "semi-automatic" loading system ejected fired shells, allowing it to be reloaded by simply inserting a new shell into a tray. The gun would then fire and recoil; during the return stroke, the empty case would be thrown backward by levers, after which a cam would engage and recock the gun. This resulted in firing rates of 15 to 20 rounds a minute, which was better than similar weapons of the era. High explosive ammunition was used against aircraft and personnel, and armour-piercing and high-explosive anti-tank against tanks and other armoured vehicles.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Flak 18 was available in small numbers when Germany intervened in the Spanish Civil War. It quickly proved to be the best anti-aircraft weapon then available. The flak detachment proved accurate and versatile in combat against mainly land targets, the high muzzle velocity and large calibre made it an excellent long-range anti-vehicle and anti-bunker weapon. Many improvements were identified as a result of use in the Spanish Civil War and were later incorporated into the Flak 36.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DQn83Aj94LtAHADtOJgEmF2jZtHOAB6rJrR_DTJSMAOVs5irYLLlw_rfe_aUp4w1sLhf9fxIzxXYw_dT7Ypy7n7WwycfplQNIVCGQ0Fj_R-QrfVaA7xPtaHDnvJphVk8DnDDAfNxVaS6dWazuMuuluePK7x2Cm-8B-N3akk_lNlt3R_yghfICAkKt3w/s800/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B21685,_Russland,_Flak_bei_Panzerabwehr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DQn83Aj94LtAHADtOJgEmF2jZtHOAB6rJrR_DTJSMAOVs5irYLLlw_rfe_aUp4w1sLhf9fxIzxXYw_dT7Ypy7n7WwycfplQNIVCGQ0Fj_R-QrfVaA7xPtaHDnvJphVk8DnDDAfNxVaS6dWazuMuuluePK7x2Cm-8B-N3akk_lNlt3R_yghfICAkKt3w/w640-h440/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B21685,_Russland,_Flak_bei_Panzerabwehr.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An 88 mm gun in a direct fire role, USSR, 1942</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The German Condor Legion made extensive use of the 8.8 cm Flak 18 in the Spanish Civil War, where its usefulness as an anti-tank weapon and general artillery piece exceeded its role as an anti-aircraft gun. For the Battle of France in 1940, the army was supported by eighty-eights deployed in twenty-four mixed flak battalions.<br /><br />During the North African campaign, Rommel made the most effective use of the weapon, as he lured tanks of the British Eighth Army into traps by baiting them with apparently retreating German panzers.<div><br /></div>For the invasion of the Soviet Union, Germany deployed the 8.8 cm Flak in 51 mixed AA battalions.<br /><br />The 8.8 cm Flak was arguably most effective in the flat and open terrain of Libya, Egypt and on the Eastern Front but were more limited in the topography of Italy and France.<div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zAMC8T3XikSpnNUihLCaUX_FKwOll4VeoU07tEK7BoJ_IalJRpxvZgND6lzP3WRkNDKHC5GLbhWbHzJSY0KjpoGZOn2-pnrfkqXKdF_NduowMjm98jYn3CZhBqQX5KOAq_lH4LN40wQzKnzXTFwJtL45zwG5XMkHDRnC8Z0PuSKyWPe9m8nVwV45KCI/s4032/20230202_140647a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zAMC8T3XikSpnNUihLCaUX_FKwOll4VeoU07tEK7BoJ_IalJRpxvZgND6lzP3WRkNDKHC5GLbhWbHzJSY0KjpoGZOn2-pnrfkqXKdF_NduowMjm98jYn3CZhBqQX5KOAq_lH4LN40wQzKnzXTFwJtL45zwG5XMkHDRnC8Z0PuSKyWPe9m8nVwV45KCI/w640-h480/20230202_140647a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This gun is a Flak 36 and was acquired from a dealer in Europe.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 8cm Granatwerfer 34</span></span></div></span>The 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 (8 cm GrW 34) was the standard German infantry mortar throughout World War II, and was designed and developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG, being basically an upgraded version of the French Brandt mle 27/31 81mm mortar.</div><div><br /></div><div>The GrW 34 mortar was an indirect fire weapon used for close fire support with a variety of ammunition and was relatively simple to operate.</div><div><br /><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMEMZEf8hFWhzJXdKyOc02ku30g9TSkkYMzQKfeb1-o38-5LYiJGbz5Ten3yveiNdDxeDXUFmuoqwBWm77RYeQYYHGUND94ACA6IHZ4zUFVOz-VNPJrQQHE2cnsQ4SzZbQ1ZfVvftEwo4a9YLjFsSlX3P2VLZLTMzpgq0ZwVk-PWjNyiSh3rKhltarD0/s4032/20230202_143250a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMEMZEf8hFWhzJXdKyOc02ku30g9TSkkYMzQKfeb1-o38-5LYiJGbz5Ten3yveiNdDxeDXUFmuoqwBWm77RYeQYYHGUND94ACA6IHZ4zUFVOz-VNPJrQQHE2cnsQ4SzZbQ1ZfVvftEwo4a9YLjFsSlX3P2VLZLTMzpgq0ZwVk-PWjNyiSh3rKhltarD0/w640-h480/20230202_143250a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span>The weapon was of conventional design and broke down into three loads (smooth bore barrel, bipod, baseplate) for transport by the mortar crew.</div><div><br /></div><div>A mortar crew consisted of three members, the gunner who aimed the weapon, the assistant gunner who loaded the round at the command of the gunner, and the ammunition man prepared and handed over the ammunition to the assistant gunner.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0JKOkpYy2WwwXP77FLpDtYVUKqKyW0UxyANKTS4Cfl4-QjXN3gP6oY9rozrv8hsY9P2lOisAJMIepZ-qZCMYkoSRvYh6IpfS6s9C7AY-_NLGtS-6alJnEuEcFZZz84DF13tJsE1p7ToL7Q5kz3G6sAo6rxASQET_jij0iugRtVXsipjs8piitWAKAe8/s658/755969255de829d26b90008d86f79672.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0JKOkpYy2WwwXP77FLpDtYVUKqKyW0UxyANKTS4Cfl4-QjXN3gP6oY9rozrv8hsY9P2lOisAJMIepZ-qZCMYkoSRvYh6IpfS6s9C7AY-_NLGtS-6alJnEuEcFZZz84DF13tJsE1p7ToL7Q5kz3G6sAo6rxASQET_jij0iugRtVXsipjs8piitWAKAe8/w466-h640/755969255de829d26b90008d86f79672.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br /><div>After the gunner has aimed the mortar, the assistant gunner slides a purpose designed round, fins first, down the tube which is generally set at an angle of between 45 and 65 degrees to the ground with the higher angle used for shorter firing distances, on reaching the base, a fixed pin in the mortar detonates a propellant change (located at the axis of the fins); the resulting blast is channelled out via the holes in the shaft between the main body and the fins. As the gases from the detonation expand, they are prevented from further expansion by the walls of the mortar tube and the actual round itself. The path of least resistance is to move the round back up the tube.</div><div><br /></div>The GrW 34 was noted for its accuracy and rapid rate of fire.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLitRJml6jqVPQn8b1LoVitl2O9BXr_kpGUBLE83OUrpZapf1NU_ur0jthI1eeeClDtnK1RGNgqqAY7Eb3DRP86ejl3JbKmJUXv95Sy5kDibBG9qSl1gyhBRIIo6zpICih6wRgbyWCdZUrFt6Sn-_KMPYtAz7UrDG4LdHVOcRsrobUjlgHXZMQ2K_Fn1o/s3520/Stanowisko_niemieckiego_mo%C5%BAdzierza_w_g%C3%B3rskiej_wiosce_w_Bo%C5%9Bni_(2-540).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="2479" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLitRJml6jqVPQn8b1LoVitl2O9BXr_kpGUBLE83OUrpZapf1NU_ur0jthI1eeeClDtnK1RGNgqqAY7Eb3DRP86ejl3JbKmJUXv95Sy5kDibBG9qSl1gyhBRIIo6zpICih6wRgbyWCdZUrFt6Sn-_KMPYtAz7UrDG4LdHVOcRsrobUjlgHXZMQ2K_Fn1o/w450-h640/Stanowisko_niemieckiego_mo%C5%BAdzierza_w_g%C3%B3rskiej_wiosce_w_Bo%C5%9Bni_(2-540).jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A four-man crew of Waffen-SS soldiers firing on Yugoslavian partisans, December 1943.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The maximum range was 2.4 km (1.5 miles), with the more important effective range being between 400-1,200 metres (440-1.310 yards).<br /><div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1otKj7arqhxIFcyReKjHGEf_Gl11Xn6H6wJnhFJDkQE6Z8FOpigM-G6SapwNP0RLmKfy_69wVHdANPYfi6zZN-FBnagmQ-rdkfqVhUTtszWbC-gY8FKwxTEmqmIkF6n4ykoWQuzFAZT7yEVrnxYvPae7_NDT40gCkOx-QmcsVHUJ447V7_7moMLRH6ac/s4000/20230202_143313a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1otKj7arqhxIFcyReKjHGEf_Gl11Xn6H6wJnhFJDkQE6Z8FOpigM-G6SapwNP0RLmKfy_69wVHdANPYfi6zZN-FBnagmQ-rdkfqVhUTtszWbC-gY8FKwxTEmqmIkF6n4ykoWQuzFAZT7yEVrnxYvPae7_NDT40gCkOx-QmcsVHUJ447V7_7moMLRH6ac/w640-h480/20230202_143313a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 12cm Granatwerfer 42</span></span></div><div><span>During World War II the Soviet M1938 mortars were captured and utilised by the Germans in large numbers on the Eastern Front, and </span>in German use, the captured Soviet mortar was given the designation 12 cm Granatwerfer 378 (r).</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Their impressive performance lead to the development of the </span>12cm Granatwerfer 42 (Grenade Thrower Model 42) by Germany during 1942. Its official designation was 12 cm GrW 42.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PciDgJG8PsTXkIuxd0M9AY-kELS2RXbsjEPzTjrRBA7KcpZh905SW8EW-EbT3HxhH0-f6n6FTTPw0kLF_0xaDsKrtqwBD3dYpakbfsNZGiQIDSoFNcfIbh_avF0ToCgm_4OZbgR39T36eNpQn8CHUIDivtACti7Y6zAr9Q9gPduwEHDv0mxOkC-YRBI/s4032/20230202_141717a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PciDgJG8PsTXkIuxd0M9AY-kELS2RXbsjEPzTjrRBA7KcpZh905SW8EW-EbT3HxhH0-f6n6FTTPw0kLF_0xaDsKrtqwBD3dYpakbfsNZGiQIDSoFNcfIbh_avF0ToCgm_4OZbgR39T36eNpQn8CHUIDivtACti7Y6zAr9Q9gPduwEHDv0mxOkC-YRBI/w640-h480/20230202_141717a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span><div>The GrW 42 remained in service until the end of the war and gave German infantry units a close support weapon with a heavier performance than the other mortars used in general service at the time.</div><div><br /></div>The GrW 42 was the usual three part construction made up of a circular base plate like the previous Soviet design, the tube barrel and the supporting bi-pod. Because of the greater weight of the weapon (280 kilograms or 620 pounds) a two-wheeled axle was utilized, enabling the mortar to be towed into action. The axle could then be quickly removed before firing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The exhibit was acquired from the UK.</div><div><span><br /><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German 80cm Railway Gun Shell Case</span></span></div>The World War II German 80cm railway gun owed its origin to a 1935 study initiated by the German Army High Command into what would be needed to penetrate the thickness of concrete in the newly completed forts of the French Maginot Line.</div><div><br /></div><div>In early 1937 after preliminary work by Krupp AG, the leading German steelworks and armaments manufacturer, Hitler approved its manufacture in the hope the gun would be ready to demolish the Maginot Line defences by the spring of 1940.</div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VXqgaceA1nQ7eKlGyjOGV5Fkt3ZlTJ8DKMRAAhx614_Tyzueb4Nc5o93NjqdVnMJEIrwf6MqV_LylnuCk6sHdt8MiKRutQbG1aPeptQF9RyKZwLrs_yNHSFFE2-jnIL1pa69pWS3sx1zsHJMgROzOZRrDz8qp513QN4HcL1RUj0GU0QIeUfo0PC2I3Y/s4032/20230202_141732a.jpg" style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VXqgaceA1nQ7eKlGyjOGV5Fkt3ZlTJ8DKMRAAhx614_Tyzueb4Nc5o93NjqdVnMJEIrwf6MqV_LylnuCk6sHdt8MiKRutQbG1aPeptQF9RyKZwLrs_yNHSFFE2-jnIL1pa69pWS3sx1zsHJMgROzOZRrDz8qp513QN4HcL1RUj0GU0QIeUfo0PC2I3Y/w640-h480/20230202_141732a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The manufacture of the cannon proved harder than had been anticipated and it wasn't until 1941 that the first barrel was test fired. It was nearly a year later before the full gun was finally tested in the presence of Hitler.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bEAjPj6P5_UPZqueAOazFL6TSCS_dZ4hQwc6_rO_O6Wd3dqXhfwcQpPrqEyLfzl1qBakWkO8YeQoe6hSkf4jeSw0kYJPkQaOzjKVPQspXa1K-DkpuuLCKi7sAZCVK0EOImqOcOJ26SvPAeEQOJeURhbLUU4hfNue6Cuiw_j5SLKiCrPK0JnD861HsWc/s768/schwerer-gustav-firing-test.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="768" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bEAjPj6P5_UPZqueAOazFL6TSCS_dZ4hQwc6_rO_O6Wd3dqXhfwcQpPrqEyLfzl1qBakWkO8YeQoe6hSkf4jeSw0kYJPkQaOzjKVPQspXa1K-DkpuuLCKi7sAZCVK0EOImqOcOJ26SvPAeEQOJeURhbLUU4hfNue6Cuiw_j5SLKiCrPK0JnD861HsWc/w640-h494/schwerer-gustav-firing-test.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Krupp 80cm Kanone (E) Schwerer Gustav / Dora being readied for a test firing on 19 March 1943 at Rügenwalde, Germany in the presence of Adolf Hitler and Albert Speer. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first 80cm gun completed was given the name 'Schwere Gustav' in honour of its originator Gustav Krupp. According to the tradition of Krupp, no payment was made for the first weapon. The second gun named 'Dora', after the wife of the chief design engineer, was produced at a cost of seven million Reichsmark.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first operational service of an 80cm gun was at the siege of Sevastopol in July 1942 where it successfully destroyed a number of fortifications. The gun was then sent to the besieged city of Leningrad, but before it could be set up the Russian offensive forced its withdrawal. It would next see service in 1944 when it fired approximately 30 shells during the Warsaw siege.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsinGusbnPgZm4WpTArs7LtSHPIn-kqeRrHYsfAR29rqDlGzAORpAfCXupiphNP2wBV-lsuxvBPFU4iImeYZfNQDmtRemRAQBb4-fTGO4zvMIOsUNGatVby4ah5MgM0vjbK7XsDDdjendL8PcOpkmMH3JkCBT9udfROBYjSnbjOVKeHDQchRHqSoIHWI/s4032/20230202_141740a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsinGusbnPgZm4WpTArs7LtSHPIn-kqeRrHYsfAR29rqDlGzAORpAfCXupiphNP2wBV-lsuxvBPFU4iImeYZfNQDmtRemRAQBb4-fTGO4zvMIOsUNGatVby4ah5MgM0vjbK7XsDDdjendL8PcOpkmMH3JkCBT9udfROBYjSnbjOVKeHDQchRHqSoIHWI/w640-h480/20230202_141740a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>As the German war situation deteriorated the 80cm guns were withdrawn from the front line to Germany where they were destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the Allies.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 80cm shell case on display was located in Germany where it was being used as a water storage container.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Portable Machine Gun Pillbox</span></span></div><div><span><span>In 1943 the German Army first used portable machine gun pill boxes (bunkers) in defensive positions against the Russians on the Eastern Front. The pill boxes were known by the nickname of 'Armoured Crabs' because of their appearance.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>Their success on the Eastern Front lead them to be used in large numbers by the Germans in defensive positions in preparation for the D-Day Invasion and in the Italian Campaign.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0OWY8oNbIX3XoULJg_pn5Qt3-VJW4G5Pkp-l3Op2jYcVMUSvrMDSIqTb8ZLBHIP_hBbTasxhTpXFyfIEbkLJHsQKnAdTsDMhZUnLsuNSc0EE04WejMyaUj88ueWF_q9k5eDvA1msGYGtTJtF_6gG0M0aOozXCE3bV7Vosr_h2L-afuSz0euGybbbbVw/s4032/20230202_143448a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0OWY8oNbIX3XoULJg_pn5Qt3-VJW4G5Pkp-l3Op2jYcVMUSvrMDSIqTb8ZLBHIP_hBbTasxhTpXFyfIEbkLJHsQKnAdTsDMhZUnLsuNSc0EE04WejMyaUj88ueWF_q9k5eDvA1msGYGtTJtF_6gG0M0aOozXCE3bV7Vosr_h2L-afuSz0euGybbbbVw/w640-h480/20230202_143448a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>When set up, multiple pill boxes were sighted together with interlocking fields of fire from other pill boxes because of their limited 60 degree arc of fire.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The 3 ton cast-steel pill boxes were 1.70m (5.6 ft) wide and had an overall height of 1.82m (6ft). When emplaced, less than 1 metre protruded above ground.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich5YgHC7dv_QJVW_HL2M1rj3iN5M_iXi-_MWmQPP2haK27BdOBBtXdksTswwuNmt7Z_LuD8J4Rlp5uDPSH1t8zQKCmN08UVVp1v-paUD2KGpLEpfI7OiFvA6D5vmRVBcgf3uHKWRldhyphenhyphenOSMwWnN13b52ATpwU7hLhgEeDmEqPKv_TE2yvflh6SUPa95o/s636/20230202_143441b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="636" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEich5YgHC7dv_QJVW_HL2M1rj3iN5M_iXi-_MWmQPP2haK27BdOBBtXdksTswwuNmt7Z_LuD8J4Rlp5uDPSH1t8zQKCmN08UVVp1v-paUD2KGpLEpfI7OiFvA6D5vmRVBcgf3uHKWRldhyphenhyphenOSMwWnN13b52ATpwU7hLhgEeDmEqPKv_TE2yvflh6SUPa95o/w640-h618/20230202_143441b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>Entry into the pill box was through a small lockable trap door in the rear, and a small vent and two collapsible periscopes were mounted on the roof.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Armour thickness varied from 14cm (5.46 inches) at the level of the machine gun aperture, 9cm (3.51 inches) below </span>the machine gun aperture, 4cm (1.56 inches) on the sides and rear and 1cm (0.39 inches) on the lower section and floor.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDzpUfouwtHl35bx36yEqrSgkCLs_sZSl98Ya4rCk2pdCKvCD-QEO-GOuG7pjRUWSGLrBG60lmKWu9JUT24px1G_Is6gQ1A2s_ziXKb9ULvAt7W4w6ipcB5jnz_92jXph0G_T4J-maMolDd6fXaPW-yLWN7xzfjiojCJhc00r41g7fWk6BDpxzdGFdf4/s4032/20230202_143456a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDzpUfouwtHl35bx36yEqrSgkCLs_sZSl98Ya4rCk2pdCKvCD-QEO-GOuG7pjRUWSGLrBG60lmKWu9JUT24px1G_Is6gQ1A2s_ziXKb9ULvAt7W4w6ipcB5jnz_92jXph0G_T4J-maMolDd6fXaPW-yLWN7xzfjiojCJhc00r41g7fWk6BDpxzdGFdf4/w640-h480/20230202_143456a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>For transportation purposes, the pill boxes were mounted on wheels in an inverted position and then towed behind a truck or tractor. Once a strategic position was identified, a suitable sized hole would be excavated, and the pill box would then be flipped over into the hole resulting in the entire lower section and part of the upper section being buried, with only the machine gun aperture, the rear entry hatch, and the part of the roof with the two periscopes and the vent left exposed, with the remainder concealed by dirt, rocks, or other materials found on the battlefield.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVKmCNEujHQEHJjyi8X2M6X_cx-JsC_N4mdaSf8G9aimwi0CL9rnJUjhIl6_QVEmwCx9HGY-DPlv1Yj7keajcrMhWdfULOC9Pwk5BD98YRakgWFWedQ5tmnYuQ2axS5jRJHIjjUG5tdb0JwCJ5AG_Q4p2SK0Arba3V5X8rgCVMsm9rRvaBL4vZ0q8nJQ/s942/20230202_143441c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="942" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVKmCNEujHQEHJjyi8X2M6X_cx-JsC_N4mdaSf8G9aimwi0CL9rnJUjhIl6_QVEmwCx9HGY-DPlv1Yj7keajcrMhWdfULOC9Pwk5BD98YRakgWFWedQ5tmnYuQ2axS5jRJHIjjUG5tdb0JwCJ5AG_Q4p2SK0Arba3V5X8rgCVMsm9rRvaBL4vZ0q8nJQ/w640-h416/20230202_143441c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>An MG-42 or MG-34 machine gun was mounted on a semi-circular grooved bracket which was secured to the walls of the pill box. The mounting allowed a 60-degree horizontal traverse with the limited elevation controlled by a small handle to the left of the machine gun.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu_0hbbW9PiFEP5AhRAnMcU4Vwxl2hrhQ3aKWkkJvLrpUXKlMxe5MTd2NllY2mmu2fOcTFVnEGVzIZXXbZ7AqDTC6XlPL_pM0zHK-4qdzuMe8B0eb9I0xNw_Vc6ces9URo-m4K8jk_237TsAkf_XqYplzOotkGfF-AUwY7TDrhK37RwLzgtTFPj6Og9c/s4000/20230202_143514a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu_0hbbW9PiFEP5AhRAnMcU4Vwxl2hrhQ3aKWkkJvLrpUXKlMxe5MTd2NllY2mmu2fOcTFVnEGVzIZXXbZ7AqDTC6XlPL_pM0zHK-4qdzuMe8B0eb9I0xNw_Vc6ces9URo-m4K8jk_237TsAkf_XqYplzOotkGfF-AUwY7TDrhK37RwLzgtTFPj6Og9c/w640-h480/20230202_143514a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Under combat conditions the gunner had a limited field of vision through the forward aperture, and the observer looked through one of the periscopes to observe and direct the gunners fire, with enough ammunition for five to ten hours of fire.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Frontal protection against rifle, grenade and artillery fire was by means of an iron slit cover which was manipulated by hand to cover the machine gun aperture. There was enough room inside for the two crew to sit comfortably and move around to a limited extent, and a small heating stove was incorporated together with the ventilating apparatus operated by a foot pedal which provide sufficient airflow when all the vents were closed.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFndkLBWAA_qxgkD4jUmv30J71r3VqqDFPPlbp4t2ddL8qrR7WKJA54d7KwLN74vAXh1AllK11_RfJDwizJkC23Z4ocJmDF8WcJyEXkTNmCsDWlsHKs__GSTvbP1TJ3MdlY6iifoSRRR9uxvPqpKNCiK5aTK36Em6buVMXUhqyartJYUO86VW0jnUoLGU/s4032/20230202_143507a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFndkLBWAA_qxgkD4jUmv30J71r3VqqDFPPlbp4t2ddL8qrR7WKJA54d7KwLN74vAXh1AllK11_RfJDwizJkC23Z4ocJmDF8WcJyEXkTNmCsDWlsHKs__GSTvbP1TJ3MdlY6iifoSRRR9uxvPqpKNCiK5aTK36Em6buVMXUhqyartJYUO86VW0jnUoLGU/w640-h480/20230202_143507a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was once part of the Gustav Line which was one of a series of German WWII military fortifications defending the Western section of Italy.</div><br /><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Partieadler (Eagle of the Party)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrT8YUsfF6ZonOwjiq-yd7YwdjpBzb14evqfpvTcMvzeQBYPSFw1b9K2PObyS6ICWRsZNxeDWoIXpHYXhJPht8OWxxSQ-9dtYJU1wDrblUy28g6R0Pum0OwuXestTig8Who0cnmGB3MdJw1YXx2vJ9jSZnP2mb9NvFQhHIAERcPytNNhA6KIpHcjK95c/s3822/20230202_143403a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="3822" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrT8YUsfF6ZonOwjiq-yd7YwdjpBzb14evqfpvTcMvzeQBYPSFw1b9K2PObyS6ICWRsZNxeDWoIXpHYXhJPht8OWxxSQ-9dtYJU1wDrblUy28g6R0Pum0OwuXestTig8Who0cnmGB3MdJw1YXx2vJ9jSZnP2mb9NvFQhHIAERcPytNNhA6KIpHcjK95c/w640-h326/20230202_143403a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ_Qem_WixPFlLsSfc7fQ6hdvDdX_0oyQCmDtfdDhP5Vqeh0AxHOwcRToNBxqxW5-g_lXW9S6UqfqY1Vk1nnoD0GispCQdk9aWE2Q_o9LOv4XTHb9w0reUhRHglCz6c2MbsCsSZY4olcdeltCaEnmAex8jmdvFTT8PYQF7kt5nnNuIZya70YFM_9csis/s4032/20230202_143409a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2279" data-original-width="4032" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ_Qem_WixPFlLsSfc7fQ6hdvDdX_0oyQCmDtfdDhP5Vqeh0AxHOwcRToNBxqxW5-g_lXW9S6UqfqY1Vk1nnoD0GispCQdk9aWE2Q_o9LOv4XTHb9w0reUhRHglCz6c2MbsCsSZY4olcdeltCaEnmAex8jmdvFTT8PYQF7kt5nnNuIZya70YFM_9csis/w640-h362/20230202_143409a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">German Bits & Pieces</span></span></div><div><span>As any casual reading of the exhibits presented in this and the previous post will demonstrate, together with the series of video presentations produced by the museum and linked to here, the collection of exhibits has been built around the acquiring of multiple battlefield relics over several years to eventually allow a complete vehicle of gun to be reconstructed from those salvaged pieces, together with fabricated parts where original items were either inaccessible or too badly damaged to be usable.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEqTTYocHzZqz0LDJJNC0fPoUKLZ9z1Fg9xvuEManoRIEqTmBcVc4KgmeUcFfzuYMZ9-vjyppXBln_-oH9QexfpDDR1RRTdnTtnWbHCJnCmOZbkmcsSmx-tVwipW4kRihy8J_mvXOjfA_xVSd_ZzvYzxYQO7wjkSJY9tShW_9T-sIaDs7PchiytPAdHs/s4032/20230202_143550a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEqTTYocHzZqz0LDJJNC0fPoUKLZ9z1Fg9xvuEManoRIEqTmBcVc4KgmeUcFfzuYMZ9-vjyppXBln_-oH9QexfpDDR1RRTdnTtnWbHCJnCmOZbkmcsSmx-tVwipW4kRihy8J_mvXOjfA_xVSd_ZzvYzxYQO7wjkSJY9tShW_9T-sIaDs7PchiytPAdHs/w640-h480/20230202_143550a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>This collection of parts points to the work necessary to be able to recreate the many rare vehicles seen in this presentation and the damage displayed indicating why they were rejected or perhaps held for another build project with the hope of salvaging what are very rare pieces of scrap metal in the 21st century.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYgb4noM2J-J1EufNCzSVBg5-bqAX9jdPXDvxvzNQUz7GrFwSRFfBW4pfLuCAT8QssN6iI1NqlcwNC0ICMqxCDfTdCuiB6PBgNNwAHRDPVhsbshFPUoJCZtitjIzwtMy57MNGE-RUoac2FYuDoCn8Hk41vrfm73uH2uyp55gF8N43yK0ECyU3hD4YfVw/s4000/20230202_143353a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2402" data-original-width="4000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYgb4noM2J-J1EufNCzSVBg5-bqAX9jdPXDvxvzNQUz7GrFwSRFfBW4pfLuCAT8QssN6iI1NqlcwNC0ICMqxCDfTdCuiB6PBgNNwAHRDPVhsbshFPUoJCZtitjIzwtMy57MNGE-RUoac2FYuDoCn8Hk41vrfm73uH2uyp55gF8N43yK0ECyU3hD4YfVw/w640-h384/20230202_143353a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBIkPngTV27XOUKFCMsyGn3vSiGbhm_AP_j7SXt90rBgz4Bc-JDXyNi_ZyKSu_zPaEHddzmuEYGig-aCqc6nFWroBuWYfpe96twD3MsEJpRh1upnF3GcKYMxz3s-oprIo2E2fWpkfHG5uyD93NdXlXPpLp1uehmJvVaa6huZ3ooRPVi09HkiPkdKKU_A/s4032/20230202_143347a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBIkPngTV27XOUKFCMsyGn3vSiGbhm_AP_j7SXt90rBgz4Bc-JDXyNi_ZyKSu_zPaEHddzmuEYGig-aCqc6nFWroBuWYfpe96twD3MsEJpRh1upnF3GcKYMxz3s-oprIo2E2fWpkfHG5uyD93NdXlXPpLp1uehmJvVaa6huZ3ooRPVi09HkiPkdKKU_A/w640-h480/20230202_143347a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvRIJ5pf2oULmhC2sqHuFowlPXoj0IwaTXQXpLgDIbTHAzjuFuMZDJDQv_oUggFwJ1JPwqw8WMPgCLAV8HzHxXx-JSO31IQKCa9uDI9hB1cMBXMjZUBg85CcQKB_mUMKlOTqcRMyKXZW-GUZyzR8cMPBvkD0TWan938k8-pe9fX11LsqbJ28bEeh5OYw/s4032/20230202_143343a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvRIJ5pf2oULmhC2sqHuFowlPXoj0IwaTXQXpLgDIbTHAzjuFuMZDJDQv_oUggFwJ1JPwqw8WMPgCLAV8HzHxXx-JSO31IQKCa9uDI9hB1cMBXMjZUBg85CcQKB_mUMKlOTqcRMyKXZW-GUZyzR8cMPBvkD0TWan938k8-pe9fX11LsqbJ28bEeh5OYw/w640-h480/20230202_143343a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHsxhwQ_lopOF7ROIiUNKX2ML0OvLA980VpQKyv8e3pyeWHVgxza30jUwH4_8mrsv25-M8IfiwSvg-ADWZpzzzAH6Vzao_D05r1HvYGFDznIazIyveB7RnyYzSf5kzIp09-90yCJZe1yGT2KdeNg_Hfx-7BombAMwNIheWTJaXUU0yFLS_Nu7-BoZgqI/s4032/20230202_141123a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHsxhwQ_lopOF7ROIiUNKX2ML0OvLA980VpQKyv8e3pyeWHVgxza30jUwH4_8mrsv25-M8IfiwSvg-ADWZpzzzAH6Vzao_D05r1HvYGFDznIazIyveB7RnyYzSf5kzIp09-90yCJZe1yGT2KdeNg_Hfx-7BombAMwNIheWTJaXUU0yFLS_Nu7-BoZgqI/w640-h480/20230202_141123a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoxx7eBy-mhGTxSefh-RMoOGXL5_Sy63DQqsgMRpStv2zE1LTL8n-QpdOY-Ykpnmak2eBroRZt459rroQIYuRLXwEuLnabH-KtlRnc3Zj0q4iUjeLN8w01g4wbS_BySH5eERVirh_51bhXtWYlgERdtLU08OYZ3IsrAUp3aepvMx_2qZqhq-j0AlxEFQ/s4032/20230202_141150a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoxx7eBy-mhGTxSefh-RMoOGXL5_Sy63DQqsgMRpStv2zE1LTL8n-QpdOY-Ykpnmak2eBroRZt459rroQIYuRLXwEuLnabH-KtlRnc3Zj0q4iUjeLN8w01g4wbS_BySH5eERVirh_51bhXtWYlgERdtLU08OYZ3IsrAUp3aepvMx_2qZqhq-j0AlxEFQ/w640-h480/20230202_141150a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqtSLifu6_LGBd0xz4dCqz7CUQsYSkVv5UaIyObJglFREuE81rHa4JZkNDPJnUiYVGMyXquceBxSewT8GTfQbz4zKcNfO2ZUJR2GUhOkssG8XcZZddk3J2tN703UMbFFzKGGeTfXlFyNlmFkD5XBtkkrkEWXnlOaftA21Yt1QZmp3ct4HOkFU2ektz5U/s4032/20230202_141138a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqtSLifu6_LGBd0xz4dCqz7CUQsYSkVv5UaIyObJglFREuE81rHa4JZkNDPJnUiYVGMyXquceBxSewT8GTfQbz4zKcNfO2ZUJR2GUhOkssG8XcZZddk3J2tN703UMbFFzKGGeTfXlFyNlmFkD5XBtkkrkEWXnlOaftA21Yt1QZmp3ct4HOkFU2ektz5U/w640-h480/20230202_141138a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 700;">French Renault UE Chenillette</span></span></div>The Renault UE Chenillette (small tracked vehicle) or tractor blindé (armoured tractor) as Renault preferred to call it, was a light tracked carrier and prime mover produced by France between 1932 and 1940 to tow artillery guns and ammunition supplies.</div><div><br />It had a small cargo carrying capacity of about 350 kg but could also tow a tracked trailer, a close copy of the British type, and known as the Renault UK which was capable of carrying 600 kg.</div><div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1OZTxKNGhp3ULBu3kQ3NN7_EPNieEJM5SULo4IaoS6sw29y-QjK5Xg_NqCf4H87gwQthZlf372sN6JOBEx_YH6l-7TqRdLR_6LZ2vxGvcdvCtLMYV0JMlPqWxxQdFa59IoNcEFk56lYnJQvUYKgJ9JQ_LaeeZ8mm6WOyZcOVlU8lEcQdYxuyFpQZ1DM/s4627/P1080084a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="4627" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1OZTxKNGhp3ULBu3kQ3NN7_EPNieEJM5SULo4IaoS6sw29y-QjK5Xg_NqCf4H87gwQthZlf372sN6JOBEx_YH6l-7TqRdLR_6LZ2vxGvcdvCtLMYV0JMlPqWxxQdFa59IoNcEFk56lYnJQvUYKgJ9JQ_LaeeZ8mm6WOyZcOVlU8lEcQdYxuyFpQZ1DM/w640-h454/P1080084a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>The vehicles were lightly armoured to provide protection to the crew only. To reduce the overall height of the vehicle the crew drove with their heads above the roofline and to protect their heads two hemispherical armoured hoods (calottes) were fitted. The hoods had vision slits, but to improve the field of vision, the front section of these hoods can like a visor be pivoted backwards.</div><div>After the surrender of France in 1940, about 3000 UE and UE2s were captured by the German Wehrmacht. Most were employed as tractors to tow the 37 mm, 50 mm and, ultimately, 75 mm and 76.2 mm anti-tank guns. A small number were armed with machine guns, anti-tank guns and rocket artillery.</div><div><span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyTKiPUdFde51SNm8gj3vVWdI0IASzKv1tHQLCYjlxEFWytSjeAchgGeFg4gQ1bjw7alHEca_K199itC_dcOlMr1D2xU9Ud7pBUDgFwJUHkdxIgCMKcjUwycHzhSYZ06_9uJlRbRliu9gk0eSzt5QHJ6T9jeqzHByJRvuahvJYWwmlSAtlF2RNgB0mm8/s864/SC189921-SP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="864" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyTKiPUdFde51SNm8gj3vVWdI0IASzKv1tHQLCYjlxEFWytSjeAchgGeFg4gQ1bjw7alHEca_K199itC_dcOlMr1D2xU9Ud7pBUDgFwJUHkdxIgCMKcjUwycHzhSYZ06_9uJlRbRliu9gk0eSzt5QHJ6T9jeqzHByJRvuahvJYWwmlSAtlF2RNgB0mm8/w640-h522/SC189921-SP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">Soldiers of the US 101st Airborne Division with a captured Renault UE in Normandy, June 1944.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit was acquired from France.</span></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Post World War II Vehicles & Guns</span></b></span></div><div><span>As a child of the 1960's I grew up in the shadow of the threat of nuclear annihilation and the annual Soviet parades of military hardware trooped through Moscow every May 9th and featured on the evening news in those years of stand-off between the two super powers of the Soviet Union and the Western Allies lead by the United States.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsIkto25DaXuz0oh4rbCHx9szv3qAy_ZKATCMmKN39tqCi4sNBlRjIBQYXVshnntalrJtOd9NdUGqqkKl2YHSlqQamXVavW1dAHqpR_Ydahj5xNT6F9BKFrlODNLm4490Vm7kIiA0kgRFUocJ2Fyfe7K4A-B5sg09KcLINHct9pt0OMRzG853JYD916M/s640/DSCF9102b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="640" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsIkto25DaXuz0oh4rbCHx9szv3qAy_ZKATCMmKN39tqCi4sNBlRjIBQYXVshnntalrJtOd9NdUGqqkKl2YHSlqQamXVavW1dAHqpR_Ydahj5xNT6F9BKFrlODNLm4490Vm7kIiA0kgRFUocJ2Fyfe7K4A-B5sg09KcLINHct9pt0OMRzG853JYD916M/w400-h288/DSCF9102b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2019/11/berlin-2019-part-one-thirtieth.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Berlin 2019, Part One, Thirtieth Anniversary of the Collapse of the Berlin Wall</span></b></a><br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2019/11/berlin-2019-part-two-historic-capital.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Berlin 2019, Part Two - The Historic Capital of Germany</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>When the Berlin Wall came down on the 9th November 1989, and covered in my post looking at our trip to the German capital back in 2019, I well remember the sense of relief back then, that it seemed the dark days of nuclear obliteration and the years of massive military expenditure were over, and we could all look forward to lower taxes and the ones collected being spent on more important priorities other than military hardware. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Fast forward to today and with an expansionist leader in Russia, bent on restoring the old Imperial Czarist borders that has led to a war in Ukraine, all that Cold War military hardware is now getting a chance to show what it can do in a full on major land war and these seeming museum pieces are now very much contemporary weapons on video reports from the front all over YouTube.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m88Wm2bdoo1c40cWu33KTIiluf9cHRabsaqndZTC6ct1BKs_vDN8NDCfAuaCXVxPXEWb2DydjZ3vOFIEPfFueQH2yqLKy83vdUwJpRRq-V0ZeJuzqGVJdCfUiiGPvOIfCm5_wley5orPfuNsgLSPbIKeMHU_G0dk66IW8uDg_vbE2HvbEg1JTL99BLc/s4896/P1070883a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3129" data-original-width="4896" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m88Wm2bdoo1c40cWu33KTIiluf9cHRabsaqndZTC6ct1BKs_vDN8NDCfAuaCXVxPXEWb2DydjZ3vOFIEPfFueQH2yqLKy83vdUwJpRRq-V0ZeJuzqGVJdCfUiiGPvOIfCm5_wley5orPfuNsgLSPbIKeMHU_G0dk66IW8uDg_vbE2HvbEg1JTL99BLc/w640-h410/P1070883a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div>I remember a passing interest in wargaming the Cold War back in the 1980's, playing several 'what if' scenarios with friends using the WRG Modern rules and Heroic & Ross and Skytrex 1:300 models to recreate ranks of Soviet T72's and BMP's rolling through the Fulda Gap up against Chieftan MBTs and FV434 APC's, but my primary interest has always been in the WWII era and my collections reflect that focus.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>However the memories of youth and the no doubt new focus generated in this era of late twentieth century military hardware by today's conflict keeps alive a passing interest reflected in the pictures presented here of the museum's collection of Soviet and Western weapons, by no means a full presentation, but capturing rather my own interest and I hope illustrating what a comprehensive collection is here to be seen.</span></div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5Vrii42zi1oTrwXxIUIGIlog9tkkFNfIWOhl2zehQTSz5bawMMlXNsm55ZFao9uTczUV1SzsK1ZMYqlDT91u_vmmJHL8XbJeNZkQdKCT5YCW1yI166zY-xD7Vw-_nLBS8WDOJmrTti-f23PLiyVXCO99CexLPFywzuMtvYBEs2-ZCeowh5SvIfaKdvI/s4896/P1070882a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2692" data-original-width="4896" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5Vrii42zi1oTrwXxIUIGIlog9tkkFNfIWOhl2zehQTSz5bawMMlXNsm55ZFao9uTczUV1SzsK1ZMYqlDT91u_vmmJHL8XbJeNZkQdKCT5YCW1yI166zY-xD7Vw-_nLBS8WDOJmrTti-f23PLiyVXCO99CexLPFywzuMtvYBEs2-ZCeowh5SvIfaKdvI/w640-h352/P1070882a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British Churchill 6.5 Inch AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers)</b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;">The Churchill 6.5-inch Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers (AVRE) was a post-WWII conversion of the Churchill VII infantry tank.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;">The AVRE had the Mk. VII's 75mm gun replaced with a 6.6-inch (165mm) L9A1 demolition gun which fired a 64-lb (29kg) plastic-explosives filled round used for demolishing emplacements and obstacles.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyXiway3lMkU2NrgQYXzJJNQ54iX-MUMi2ByFwLmr1Q706ZECfoCn0JEJc1rj4GMOi_q6ojy9LAh7aVxCqSPC6k7PJpbKNHjQmQgQxghhlKzIrlv_sHNTCPhMu8Hf_-eEXDUsYDdy616o_D7Zbfm2DxA1No61KP8Op1H9IRRjdWNlUHXjb6ELXJE6MZg/s4032/20230202_145018a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="4032" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyXiway3lMkU2NrgQYXzJJNQ54iX-MUMi2ByFwLmr1Q706ZECfoCn0JEJc1rj4GMOi_q6ojy9LAh7aVxCqSPC6k7PJpbKNHjQmQgQxghhlKzIrlv_sHNTCPhMu8Hf_-eEXDUsYDdy616o_D7Zbfm2DxA1No61KP8Op1H9IRRjdWNlUHXjb6ELXJE6MZg/w640-h372/20230202_145018a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>A bracket was fitted to the tank to carry large fascine bundles used to fill in ditches and trenches.</div><div><br /></div><div>The crew were drawn from the Royal Engineers, except for the driver who came from the Royal Armoured Corps. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Churchill AVRE was in service from 1954 until 1963 when the Centurion AVRE replaced it, armed with the same gun.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-U3s56ceUQrRex_7vLj_PyQeeW292cfny3-jQmLmLF0JVYNZEBhizmWLHuZkeD3g6iA4FaY-M79W5bdZRB5qIhHT3XG7Z9tDVvgRWJXm5GXrxZyyb_mfmc2ski4ZUrSrhS4kWBl8xXnMldFEGFBN6LZvBRKTk2ru6qhwNnQoFElaDegEiLgCd0YpPWM/s800/Churchill_VII_AVRE_With_Fascine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="800" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-U3s56ceUQrRex_7vLj_PyQeeW292cfny3-jQmLmLF0JVYNZEBhizmWLHuZkeD3g6iA4FaY-M79W5bdZRB5qIhHT3XG7Z9tDVvgRWJXm5GXrxZyyb_mfmc2ski4ZUrSrhS4kWBl8xXnMldFEGFBN6LZvBRKTk2ru6qhwNnQoFElaDegEiLgCd0YpPWM/w640-h434/Churchill_VII_AVRE_With_Fascine.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Churchill AVRE with fascine on a tilt-forward cradle. This particular example is a post-WW2 AVRE on the MK VII chassis.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This exhibit was acquired from the Littlefield Collection in California in 2014.<br /><span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>British </b></span><b>Centurion</b><span><b> Main Battle Tank</b></span></span></span></div>The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. Introduced was a successful tank design, with upgrades for many decades and the chassis was also adapted for several other roles.</div><div><br /></div>Development of the Centurion began in 1943 with manufacture beginning in January 1945 withs, six prototypes arriving in Belgium less than a month after the war in Europe had ended in May 1945. It entered combat with the British Army in the Korean War in 1950 in support of the UN forces. <div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktQvMFdIGQbOMoUKUyFfaYPNxPxfSePlf0ZQw8qL6uhgkurFnIDNglp-kzzsxvJcS5GInWG7OmIQxUBDiv4UREPQ9qmrtJYtqD7YlltVtYZx0SI0kY-s1_o6D6EW2GD-EE4HOvUU6fkXGmP2BhRcDG_NJDAdczgbaKjwPoCEL_gknJcMzd-Tsh_oE_xk/s4491/P1070853a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="4491" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktQvMFdIGQbOMoUKUyFfaYPNxPxfSePlf0ZQw8qL6uhgkurFnIDNglp-kzzsxvJcS5GInWG7OmIQxUBDiv4UREPQ9qmrtJYtqD7YlltVtYZx0SI0kY-s1_o6D6EW2GD-EE4HOvUU6fkXGmP2BhRcDG_NJDAdczgbaKjwPoCEL_gknJcMzd-Tsh_oE_xk/w640-h324/P1070853a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><div><br /></div>In 1967, Australian M113 armoured personnel carriers commenced operations in South Vietnam. Although they successfully conducted combat operations in their areas of operations, reports from the field stated that they were unable to force their way through dense jungle limiting their offensive actions against enemy forces.</div><div><span><br /></span></div>The Australian government, decided to send a squadron of Australian Centurion tanks to South Vietnam. The 20-pdr armed Australian Centurions of 'C' Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment landed in South Vietnam on 24 February 1968, and were headquartered at Nui Dat.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hhkJjBiUoFr_wbL4sZaNp3Phno2n_JUwhyphenhyphenIhyphenhyphenuEewoi3ZZrhv5QuXU1okcxwcpabdKQbRB6PKPFQLWGMlFTC0adxvye6kPsnsNOG_Ieh7mKp9g8LYaBdMoDeG0Kkq7EvEd5ouvUCxcz3vTxFhEF0RdCttJytxDob3RLwWTahg6lHe2IKKQlTm0MBu1I/s640/4074281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="640" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hhkJjBiUoFr_wbL4sZaNp3Phno2n_JUwhyphenhyphenIhyphenhyphenuEewoi3ZZrhv5QuXU1okcxwcpabdKQbRB6PKPFQLWGMlFTC0adxvye6kPsnsNOG_Ieh7mKp9g8LYaBdMoDeG0Kkq7EvEd5ouvUCxcz3vTxFhEF0RdCttJytxDob3RLwWTahg6lHe2IKKQlTm0MBu1I/w640-h440/4074281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Originally deployed as 26 Centurion tanks, after three and a half years of combat operations, 58 Centurions had served in country; 42 had suffered battle damage of which six were beyond repair.<br /><br />Each Centurion in Vietnam normally carried a basic load of 62 rounds of 20 pounder shells, 4,000 rounds of .50 cal and 9,000 rounds of .30 cal machine gun ammunition for the tank commander's machine gun as well as the two coaxial machine guns. They were equipped with petrol engines, which necessitated the use of an extra externally mounted 100-imperial-gallon (450 L) fuel tank, which was attached to the vehicle's rear.<div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpYoPSLYnLKwSaLV7-Q4qGkZfTAOynBYJRleqs3gqiAdhCuLFLAwdbPQdmpuQy-Gwr2GemU2YiPjyugM_Pyv6MTxp4MtbC9GbpLWMohMKBLhvXSKKQIK36wamgFt0rFc8mnKB5hO09o7NvS6-ZxbpmLTNFvv-bnuYa_YtIiPPvRyNPWEps1XIhDWTOJY/s4291/P1070854b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="4291" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpYoPSLYnLKwSaLV7-Q4qGkZfTAOynBYJRleqs3gqiAdhCuLFLAwdbPQdmpuQy-Gwr2GemU2YiPjyugM_Pyv6MTxp4MtbC9GbpLWMohMKBLhvXSKKQIK36wamgFt0rFc8mnKB5hO09o7NvS6-ZxbpmLTNFvv-bnuYa_YtIiPPvRyNPWEps1XIhDWTOJY/w640-h228/P1070854b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span>This exhibit did not see service in Vietnam but was one of 60 Centurion tanks purchased in 1950 as a Mark 3 with a 17-pounder gun, upgraded to a 20-pounder in the late 1950's and reclassified as a Mark 5.</span></div><div><span><b><br /></b><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>British </b></span><b>Chieftain</b><span><b> Main Battle Tank</b></span></span></div></span>The Chieftain FV4201 was the main battle tank (MBT) of the United Kingdom during the 1960s, 1970's and 1980s and at its introduction in 1966 was one of the most advanced tanks of its era, having the most powerful main gun, and most effective armour of any tank in the world. The Chieftain also introduced a supine (retiring backwards) driver position, enabling a heavily sloped hull with reduced height and it remained in service until replaced with Challenger 1.</div><div><br /></div>Like its European competitors, the Chieftain found a large export market in the Middle East, but unlike the Centurion, it was not adopted by any other NATO or Commonwealth country. The first model was introduced in 1967. Chieftains were supplied to at least six countries, including Iran, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan.<div><br /></div><div><span><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CGvEX9cz41ZFq3nBidfuwCNaA7cYDCf_tVaU1fq_Ayu_u75N36WeZFiP-W2bEXr_PcRWXD7zv23PFMMLsQ6Eajgi1XH45wq0UAFzI2edoKqolxfc_SlCsR1tdCy-V6K_devj2E2zzShOd5TPb5posnqfcs81DJXl8W_RcGfRS5RQStl6BAxXy8cSmuk/s4896/P1070847a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="4896" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CGvEX9cz41ZFq3nBidfuwCNaA7cYDCf_tVaU1fq_Ayu_u75N36WeZFiP-W2bEXr_PcRWXD7zv23PFMMLsQ6Eajgi1XH45wq0UAFzI2edoKqolxfc_SlCsR1tdCy-V6K_devj2E2zzShOd5TPb5posnqfcs81DJXl8W_RcGfRS5RQStl6BAxXy8cSmuk/w640-h398/P1070847a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">An agreement for sales to Israel and local production was cancelled by the British Government in 1969, despite considerable Israeli technical and tactical input into the development of the tank, especially the capacity to operate successfully in desert environments, and the provision for the tank to make good use of hull-down to maximum effect in the final design. This experience spurred the creation of the indigenous Israeli Merkava.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span>The largest foreign sale was to Iran, who, at the recommendation of General Tal, took delivery of 707 Mk-3P and Mk-5P (the letter P standing for Persia), as well as 187 FV4030-1, 41 ARV and 14 AVLB before the 1979 revolution. Further planned deliveries of the more capable FV4030-2 (Shir 1) and FV4030-3 (Shir 2) series were cancelled at that point.<span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElYnNrJ8FR6K2s5vfjh5Rdtjr-xtbUGiPFOr6OBYaYpw4P9onxe7HPQA82RLyeE22Q1Ek9LQxNy2vN2rbMREJj0PqcQhoUAXjxIbDCfVvQ0iiAeg6TI_yKqBsS6Gc6i9B572Lytav9l2_NsIauNMKLwuRERaUFQVp6kaseUDTINqUBVCcUvew3ev1UKY/s4896/P1070850a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="4896" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElYnNrJ8FR6K2s5vfjh5Rdtjr-xtbUGiPFOr6OBYaYpw4P9onxe7HPQA82RLyeE22Q1Ek9LQxNy2vN2rbMREJj0PqcQhoUAXjxIbDCfVvQ0iiAeg6TI_yKqBsS6Gc6i9B572Lytav9l2_NsIauNMKLwuRERaUFQVp6kaseUDTINqUBVCcUvew3ev1UKY/w640-h406/P1070850a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>The tank was used heavily during the Iran–Iraq War of 1980–88 with mixed results, engine break downs being a common issue. Chieftains participated in the biggest tank battle of the war in early 1981. Iran lost 200 Chieftain and M60A1 tanks in battle. In return Iraq lost 50 T-62 tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kuwaiti Chieftains participated in the Gulf War of 1990.<br /><span><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDk8Gg2NjUSYoa8q6beopCksG_nM2SiIJYZ4dzPdr5C2BMfdocudxv4UWVdc1tXsyIoDj_5dZ_01QnoXlEvTwCdy_Wsn8irPoI8A9aMiegprPmQeyuAVeKLmxxeU99VyNW8Jhu52IeAFfPwFFil3LP20ww9iHaELdPS89K2njMotAHZBZUJkHffPX_lg/s4896/P1070849a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDk8Gg2NjUSYoa8q6beopCksG_nM2SiIJYZ4dzPdr5C2BMfdocudxv4UWVdc1tXsyIoDj_5dZ_01QnoXlEvTwCdy_Wsn8irPoI8A9aMiegprPmQeyuAVeKLmxxeU99VyNW8Jhu52IeAFfPwFFil3LP20ww9iHaELdPS89K2njMotAHZBZUJkHffPX_lg/w640-h480/P1070849a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In 2000, Carolyn got me a tank and AFV driving experience up on Salisbury Plain for a fortieth birthday present with Juniper Leisure, during which, in company with the boys Tom and Will, I got to drive the mighty Chieftain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRLFDVVZ1T9iQbRYnlyyqbCf0zqD_EsnglXz9tXMX4snF9QQiXXHRUhG9JBOumHeyuGNl2V8dtyvI8-cRIdlrvf3sIacieLG8UoVRVMcm-ZxgvWvAAfBJdGzzNZLWdw0Ywa8JHvCLUsOo0xXFvb7Voi1wmYJXmRqhh2s4w1WkWOeSYSB62sfMWD9XHAA/s2112/TD-HEADER-1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="2112" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRLFDVVZ1T9iQbRYnlyyqbCf0zqD_EsnglXz9tXMX4snF9QQiXXHRUhG9JBOumHeyuGNl2V8dtyvI8-cRIdlrvf3sIacieLG8UoVRVMcm-ZxgvWvAAfBJdGzzNZLWdw0Ywa8JHvCLUsOo0xXFvb7Voi1wmYJXmRqhh2s4w1WkWOeSYSB62sfMWD9XHAA/w400-h59/TD-HEADER-1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tank-driving.com/"><b>https://www.tank-driving.com/</b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think the smile pretty well sums up the day we had which was gloriously sunny for September and Tom must have enjoyed it as he opted to have a go himself when he turned eighteen, and we got him the added fun of driving over an old car, which I have a video of somewhere.</div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0YNpza34v9Bimcg4gRiq7EpBoCNMyKrhsmbfrAolfJBegVXnhD-6SdEfAZ4ZDZh07EYiWjOqEg7qkiXQ-6jgcw3QcOW75IEpRZdhfeMOxM4GhymdMX2U2zl6D2FU5MK_HVFsLVcTu50-Y5NZnrTtDXO0mCis0fUixiH8IOQBPWzP77xcoFFwfMZWXJ4/s1818/20240104_162908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1818" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0YNpza34v9Bimcg4gRiq7EpBoCNMyKrhsmbfrAolfJBegVXnhD-6SdEfAZ4ZDZh07EYiWjOqEg7qkiXQ-6jgcw3QcOW75IEpRZdhfeMOxM4GhymdMX2U2zl6D2FU5MK_HVFsLVcTu50-Y5NZnrTtDXO0mCis0fUixiH8IOQBPWzP77xcoFFwfMZWXJ4/w640-h480/20240104_162908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span>I think Will captured what a Chieftain is all about, even if he was only four at the time - don't mess!!</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh_-umGuhBNQ7S7NCef10fr0ER4Xjvhf7bZ6hhj7_nQdv9v9Btrl5o1UtfmeF1Q1ziqcGB2zfv5XfzrOutNDkVq8nOPMB8Ix7P3R7DVIKdokbWYGsVxeiY8IsszzwFcE56_k6O7GACNuhD2VtWXM5qEXm2wP9pZlktvJGc0qSJHAMXSNTpVoSWDNKYcI/s1725/20240104_163008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="1725" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh_-umGuhBNQ7S7NCef10fr0ER4Xjvhf7bZ6hhj7_nQdv9v9Btrl5o1UtfmeF1Q1ziqcGB2zfv5XfzrOutNDkVq8nOPMB8Ix7P3R7DVIKdokbWYGsVxeiY8IsszzwFcE56_k6O7GACNuhD2VtWXM5qEXm2wP9pZlktvJGc0qSJHAMXSNTpVoSWDNKYcI/w640-h500/20240104_163008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British FV433 Abbot Self Propelled Gun</b></span></span></div>FV433, 105mm, Field Artillery, Self-Propelled "Abbot" is the self-propelled artillery variant of the British Army FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs), using much of the chassis of the FV430 but with a fully rotating turret at the rear housing the 105 mm gun and given the vehicle designation of FV433.</div><div><br /></div>Its correct designation was "Gun Equipment 105mm L109 (Abbot)". "L109" was little used, probably to avoid confusion with the 155 mm M109 howitzer that entered UK service at about the same time. The name "Abbot" continued the Second World War style of naming self-propelled artillery after ecclesiastical titles. The FV433 used a different configuration of power pack from other vehicles in the FV430 series.<br /><div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEd3amf5wqJSfhyphenhyphenKn_K2xTidIcrwGUHaZUk_hXQBrj3bzzcbY5e3r679T9bKGUIuA5f9Dad8daGkyrXOgnlkvNgYZj5xka1jkKNvMaP_3GsArFFXggLW_ex7BzJvsZUbd8fsgC_H9Ny0d20HXkZEleAynIDVRCQJHlj_WUpXgDPpBcY3-zvoruQJgZjg/s4032/20230202_145043a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEd3amf5wqJSfhyphenhyphenKn_K2xTidIcrwGUHaZUk_hXQBrj3bzzcbY5e3r679T9bKGUIuA5f9Dad8daGkyrXOgnlkvNgYZj5xka1jkKNvMaP_3GsArFFXggLW_ex7BzJvsZUbd8fsgC_H9Ny0d20HXkZEleAynIDVRCQJHlj_WUpXgDPpBcY3-zvoruQJgZjg/w640-h480/20230202_145043a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>A completely new ammunition family, comprising shells, fuses and cartridges, was designed for Abbot's designated "105 mm Field" ("105 mm Fd"). It uses</span> electrical instead of percussion primers, and compared to the US M1 type ammunition has longer shells.</div><div><br /></div><div>The widely used US M1 type round was called "105 mm How" in UK service. The 105 mm Fd ammunition came in two marks, both separate loading (shell and cartridge loaded separately). </div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazY7qkOwrrxq7n_nZFv0KyXtKfAxJLO2D5_kP_Xb6SHpdH9gwCA5y0flpZlu5qruKMBDM-dlgCU8N14X6PNJNSgBas8jkOoLlETnP69jFKkULgCbJs-uMkIEVo2xMQu-x4H7Mc5nSkSTB4zKwQvWvRs2utSTw-wDR3_3omqxL777gTUw8-xND9Ac0DgE/s4032/20230202_145059a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2066" data-original-width="4032" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazY7qkOwrrxq7n_nZFv0KyXtKfAxJLO2D5_kP_Xb6SHpdH9gwCA5y0flpZlu5qruKMBDM-dlgCU8N14X6PNJNSgBas8jkOoLlETnP69jFKkULgCbJs-uMkIEVo2xMQu-x4H7Mc5nSkSTB4zKwQvWvRs2utSTw-wDR3_3omqxL777gTUw8-xND9Ac0DgE/w640-h328/20230202_145059a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><div>The 105mm Fd Mark 1, was used initially, and had a UK-produced 105 mm How shell, mostly US pattern fuses and reduced charge 105 mm Fd cartridges with their electrical primers (105mm M1 uses percussion primers). </div><div><br /></div><div>The Mark 2 adopted a new projectile design, including an improved lethality HE shell (heavier with more HE) and full charge cartridges. Its shell types include HE, Smoke, Coloured Marker (Red and Orange), Illuminating, and HESH for direct fire against enemy armoured vehicles. Direct Action, Controlled Variable Time (CVT) and Mechanical Time (MT) fuses were available for HE and Coloured Marker shells.</div><div><br /></div></span></div></span>Maximum range with 105 mm Fd Mark 1 ammunition was 15 km, the Mark 2 gave 17.4 km. Maximum rate of fire was 6–8 rounds per minute with 40 rounds carried in the vehicle.</div><div><span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pRlCvhRW3CynREBRpgr6k6CaWiD_zgOeSO-XBsFXcmfCu8a0asmM0VmNPJRyT0Gl0k6OgIugYaYCz_gGGCXaAhZ8hFDW_JUO1G7eZyCh_8ZoOf0S4V11CJ1p8igLvGDZY2IDO4x76MrpuibQLyekTXIjt0VAn7sQ7QKoVoTqEe3AlQFlc8q-lXEM6eY/s1882/20240104_162918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1882" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pRlCvhRW3CynREBRpgr6k6CaWiD_zgOeSO-XBsFXcmfCu8a0asmM0VmNPJRyT0Gl0k6OgIugYaYCz_gGGCXaAhZ8hFDW_JUO1G7eZyCh_8ZoOf0S4V11CJ1p8igLvGDZY2IDO4x76MrpuibQLyekTXIjt0VAn7sQ7QKoVoTqEe3AlQFlc8q-lXEM6eY/w640-h434/20240104_162918.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours Truly having fun giving the Abbot a little run.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span>The Abbot was able to swim across water, using a flotation screen fixed around the hull, raised to provide buoyancy. The action of the tracks was sufficient to drive it forward at about 3 knots (5.6 km/h). Each Abbot was supported by an amphibious Stalwart High Mobility Load Carrier with additional ammunition.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Abbot was replaced by the AS-90 self-propelled gun in the mid-1990s.<br /><span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British Saracen Armoured Personnel Carrier</b></span></div></span>The FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed and produced by Alvis and used by the British Army. </div><div><br /></div><div>Growing up in the UK in the 1970's this vehicle became a familiar sight on British TV news as it was often used to help police 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland as rioters came out onto the streets of places like Belfast and Londonderry.</div><div><br /><span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLPEewweZ5gzyBl6HyvI5atGdQTQdEMf0g3zqzMkPw4OVSKGgWCWwX76xsnp-vw16cqjfmBZwNcte3W6F3AFwnBIMWRGaTq32uJavDwBgPf_VRWaMvKlQBYW3qwCpZgcJl82lfau3_MzN924IU2w9p0iAz8RjWsNGXo4z9PYd8GPkCfCJZ61jcDod9NY/s3645/20230202_144746a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2766" data-original-width="3645" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLPEewweZ5gzyBl6HyvI5atGdQTQdEMf0g3zqzMkPw4OVSKGgWCWwX76xsnp-vw16cqjfmBZwNcte3W6F3AFwnBIMWRGaTq32uJavDwBgPf_VRWaMvKlQBYW3qwCpZgcJl82lfau3_MzN924IU2w9p0iAz8RjWsNGXo4z9PYd8GPkCfCJZ61jcDod9NY/w640-h486/20230202_144746a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span>The FV603 Saracen was the armoured personnel carrier of Alvis's FV600 series. Besides the driver and commander, a squad of eight soldiers plus a troop commander could be carried. Most models carried a small turret on the roof, carrying a Browning .30 machine gun. A .303 Bren gun could be mounted on an anti-aircraft ring-mount accessed through a roof hatch and there were ports on the sides through which troops could fire.</div><div><br /></div>As a member of the FV 600 series, it shared a similar chassis to the FV601 Saladin armoured car. The chassis, suspension and final drive remained similar, but the engine, transmission and braking systems varied significantly.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Ms1gSezklMwK0Fq3m51u9_y5oYU9VtxMhfdAuiu-i0C8pxPDZ-NtSkohxWF12i5StLlP9_hGpfDG7NUYq-8mlEpU_xygDP6tu-4Q7m1J6MkUTwPXSpfVjq8ljjq6nFvit2ITW_VDmiqelpyHiAMGL_fVvyEJu7vdpCsPjv-CfKjXrxItC-aEkadHp0/s677/british-apciwm.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="677" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66Ms1gSezklMwK0Fq3m51u9_y5oYU9VtxMhfdAuiu-i0C8pxPDZ-NtSkohxWF12i5StLlP9_hGpfDG7NUYq-8mlEpU_xygDP6tu-4Q7m1J6MkUTwPXSpfVjq8ljjq6nFvit2ITW_VDmiqelpyHiAMGL_fVvyEJu7vdpCsPjv-CfKjXrxItC-aEkadHp0/w640-h528/british-apciwm.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />Saracen was produced before Saladin because of the urgent need for a personnel carrier to serve in the Malayan Emergency, entering production in 1952.<br /><br />The Saracen was produced both with and without turrets fitted.<span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British FV432 Armoured Personnel Carrier</b></span></span></div>The FV432 is the armoured personnel carrier variant in the British Army's FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has been the most common variant, being used for transporting infantry on the battlefield. At its peak in the 1980s, almost 2,500 vehicles were in use.<br /><br />Although the FV432 was to have been phased out of service in favour of newer vehicles such as the Warrior and CVR(T), they were upgraded to extend their service because of the Army's need for additional armoured vehicles in the Afghan and Iraqi theatres.</div><div><br /><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYHWCM6WhEGYlTg5JAezllRbkb8PdJvmKC_yiPZ6hFvDfaWz-GyCtgq8ZchNOWqPLMB0oN9EnD7SEy6U3DdnABT8JQoUFIKk4YlACyYrBT4JbWIyEBAosj9wGpftogXz31vuLcneHIf01qj3xwRW9FzcMgwuJ54AMjQIdMZmzppN-CClxafF6mLJvQpY/s3877/20230202_144801a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="3877" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYHWCM6WhEGYlTg5JAezllRbkb8PdJvmKC_yiPZ6hFvDfaWz-GyCtgq8ZchNOWqPLMB0oN9EnD7SEy6U3DdnABT8JQoUFIKk4YlACyYrBT4JbWIyEBAosj9wGpftogXz31vuLcneHIf01qj3xwRW9FzcMgwuJ54AMjQIdMZmzppN-CClxafF6mLJvQpY/w640-h454/20230202_144801a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span>The improvements took the form of an engine upgrade, a new steering unit and a new braking system, as well as improvement in armour protection to a level similar to that of the Warrior., with the intention that the FV432s would free up the Warrior vehicles for provision of reserve firepower status and/or rotation out of theatre.</div><div><br /></div>Production started in 1962 by GKN Sankey and ended in 1971, after constructing approximately 3,000 vehicles.<br /><br />The FV432 is of all-steel construction with a conventional tracked design chassis with the engine at the front and the driving position to the right. Directly behind the driver's position is the vehicle commander's hatch. There is a large round opening in the passenger compartment roof, which has a split hatch, and a side-hinged door in the rear for loading and unloading. The passenger compartment has five seats on either side – these fold up to provide a flat cargo space.</div><div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YIPET_JwSJBc-15zI_2Rqj2h9I9TTAXOSsGDTpXsHBlvpOsBcsdXBAbnlyJhMK5JoIH1Oql6dCmGIdo2bbLNRkPLIe2JFTNChG_ISZg9dhL5lI3Q0H-LaR2RyJje-IG8eAPIZSlNme-6FJtkkitoPs85nD8BQT2WG9yTu6m2lj946Pd3oOODLBcJGxE/s1687/20240104_174433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1687" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YIPET_JwSJBc-15zI_2Rqj2h9I9TTAXOSsGDTpXsHBlvpOsBcsdXBAbnlyJhMK5JoIH1Oql6dCmGIdo2bbLNRkPLIe2JFTNChG_ISZg9dhL5lI3Q0H-LaR2RyJje-IG8eAPIZSlNme-6FJtkkitoPs85nD8BQT2WG9yTu6m2lj946Pd3oOODLBcJGxE/w640-h426/20240104_174433.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yes, to make the trio, I can include the FV432 on my AFV driving CV.</td></tr></tbody></table><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div><br /></div><div>The museum exhibit was acquired from the UK.</div></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British FV103 Spartan Armoured Personnel Carrier</span></b></span></div>FV103 Spartan is a British Army tracked armoured personnel carrier and was developed during the 1970s as the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) version of the British Army's Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) family of armoured fighting vehicles, entering service in 1978.<br /> </div><div><br /></div>As the APC variant of the CVR(T) family, the FV103 has been used by small specialized groups such as mortar fire controller teams, anti aircraft teams and also reconnaissance teams. The vehicle can carry seven personnel, in a combination of three crew members and four passengers or two crew members and five passengers.<div><br /></div><div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbVW6do21CIK0svSbjhD1X29NldajJP68AOKRJ-x7ldxXz8bCO5SA1Gss2z3wtZUBLP97eBNJFfhcNezQYGmbmbzRtFzqTnhk4qt0Bcnbvz72BeofCW0vNJ-_wfhKjfGG6xcu8GEMpLLccgi3LgQaoMCn-4plta9IAoBIhnhQFpqPNMXKd4-cMduZNuc/s4032/20230202_144912a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2530" data-original-width="4032" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbVW6do21CIK0svSbjhD1X29NldajJP68AOKRJ-x7ldxXz8bCO5SA1Gss2z3wtZUBLP97eBNJFfhcNezQYGmbmbzRtFzqTnhk4qt0Bcnbvz72BeofCW0vNJ-_wfhKjfGG6xcu8GEMpLLccgi3LgQaoMCn-4plta9IAoBIhnhQFpqPNMXKd4-cMduZNuc/w640-h402/20230202_144912a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>An anti-tank variant of the FV103 was produced, named the FV120 Spartan MCT (Spartan with MILAN Compact Turret) was also used by the British Army. It had a two-man turret, and was equipped with two MILAN Anti-Tank Light Infantry Missiles in launch positions with eleven more carried internally. </div><div><br /></div><div>By mid-2009 the Spartan had been replaced by the Panther Command and Liaison Vehicles.<br /><div><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British FV434 Armoured Repair Vehicle</b></span></span></div></span>The FV434 is the Armoured Repair Vehicle variant of the British Army's FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles. Introduced in the 1960s it is operated by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). </div><div><br /><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YMOGKwH5TaAh_Pc3ESPzT25M8CJ1F5YPmsVcguf2Ko7JnTcUxRF5bpMd5n9DJ0wl7MaYbH5un5YnUsqTyNd1Ss_Uu6YaCddMVvKjR-I09bJ_S1TRx8aFbkSL7J51lP1XHfUvKG65_dj3zoIgDeoo1y_2QF-rjH6IZYVWONAIRTwMEazLIezu7cHziIc/s4032/20230202_144942a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2461" data-original-width="4032" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YMOGKwH5TaAh_Pc3ESPzT25M8CJ1F5YPmsVcguf2Ko7JnTcUxRF5bpMd5n9DJ0wl7MaYbH5un5YnUsqTyNd1Ss_Uu6YaCddMVvKjR-I09bJ_S1TRx8aFbkSL7J51lP1XHfUvKG65_dj3zoIgDeoo1y_2QF-rjH6IZYVWONAIRTwMEazLIezu7cHziIc/w640-h390/20230202_144942a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div></span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The FV434's primary role is to repair disabled and damaged vehicles, but it also has a limited recovery capability. It is fitted with a crane (capable of lifting up to 3 tons) to assist its work in repairing armoured and un-armoured vehicles. The FV434 is capable of changing other FV430 series power packs, however, it is unable to handle the power pack the British Army's </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Challenger 2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">main battle tank</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> - this is done by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Challenger armoured recovery vehicle</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in forward areas and soft skin repair vehicles in base areas.</span></b></span></div><div><span><b><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMkrr__ZNAM0Yz6sbPHzZ_1CdoFmGM6Amwi9iveCFOxcds6x0D5p7NKPklF4Yrh7xsh_Kjl7fbtnjsxEnxsVkiw9JuiAvDGJuNAQz5u7G0Sm418EBRlF231wayeq6fm6uoi8418tgFTIGVAIIUpiSp6oMuU-RjoAh5OBRfm1d7o1fcRoi2U-jKFz1IGU/s272/images%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="272" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMkrr__ZNAM0Yz6sbPHzZ_1CdoFmGM6Amwi9iveCFOxcds6x0D5p7NKPklF4Yrh7xsh_Kjl7fbtnjsxEnxsVkiw9JuiAvDGJuNAQz5u7G0Sm418EBRlF231wayeq6fm6uoi8418tgFTIGVAIIUpiSp6oMuU-RjoAh5OBRfm1d7o1fcRoi2U-jKFz1IGU/w400-h272/images%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div></span>In addition to the crane, the FV434 is fitted with a fold-away work bench to the rear of the vehicle. Like its personnel carrier version, it is capable of amphibious operations with the aid of a flotation screen. Once in the water, it is propelled by its tracks at up to 5.6 km/h. It is crewed by four soldiers: commander, driver and two fitters.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This exhibit is used as a day to day work-horse around the museum and was acquired from the UK.<b style="font-size: medium;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span><b style="font-size: medium;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British Sabre </b><b>Reconnaissance</b><b> Vehicle</b></span></div>The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), is a family of armoured fighting vehicles in service with the British Army and others throughout the world. They are small, highly mobile, air-transportable armoured vehicles and were designed to replace the Alvis Saladin armoured car.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sabre is a variation of the CVR(T) featuring the turret from a wheeled Fox Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle mounted on the hull of an FV101 Scorpion.</div><div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyZhLBUietpujffUvt7Hsw0S4H_4MuvSjUAMVW7GfMZIWk4hXKoGzcRALmV4qy7wvlaGGIIzpOZUYI1YMBc9bD9kBmnE1iTIjHgtPEzNNSSn1_u9pEaa18ed-vcobSN8mmpUab6Xv3OKoDh4oyPOKv0bXU8QGoz3xCF2SwsGCwnwh6DtFyx0jkTkro28/s4032/20230202_144814a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyZhLBUietpujffUvt7Hsw0S4H_4MuvSjUAMVW7GfMZIWk4hXKoGzcRALmV4qy7wvlaGGIIzpOZUYI1YMBc9bD9kBmnE1iTIjHgtPEzNNSSn1_u9pEaa18ed-vcobSN8mmpUab6Xv3OKoDh4oyPOKv0bXU8QGoz3xCF2SwsGCwnwh6DtFyx0jkTkro28/w640-h480/20230202_144814a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span>The combination of the Fox turret and Scorpion chassis was not successful, and Sabre was withdrawn from British Army service in 2004.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from the UK.<br /><span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>British Daimler Ferret Scout Car Mk II</b></span></span></div>The Ferret armoured car, also commonly called the Ferret scout car, is a British armoured fighting vehicle designed and built for reconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 in the UK company Daimler. It was widely used by regiments in the British Army, as well as Commonwealth countries throughout the period.</span></div><div><span><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMWMyF0LUG2pk8kwQewBKxMJ3oM76t1TnhPoFtRPtNrM7_ElQWmm3pY3gUX7OtTdCvH-a9_2EmQDWmP7MUugiZeVp1_MI6bYIADMu6XjdJBImZJMGrvNV4mno1Icfy_pABMAYW5ZImXm-e9bsGFTfX0wHUGVpwDPPtZ52fOxzkg1R93JboTXr_HIUNHs/s4032/20230202_144637a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMWMyF0LUG2pk8kwQewBKxMJ3oM76t1TnhPoFtRPtNrM7_ElQWmm3pY3gUX7OtTdCvH-a9_2EmQDWmP7MUugiZeVp1_MI6bYIADMu6XjdJBImZJMGrvNV4mno1Icfy_pABMAYW5ZImXm-e9bsGFTfX0wHUGVpwDPPtZ52fOxzkg1R93JboTXr_HIUNHs/w640-h480/20230202_144637a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><span><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div></span>The Ferret was developed in 1949 as a result of a British Army's need to obtain a replacement model for its Second World War light armoured vehicles. Due to the success of their Reconnaissance Scout Car, the Dingo, Daimler was employed to design and manufacture the Ferret.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV6irLyBZTzWGUen-Y5dbVQZxdz_o4yXTqaeBC1lruLlwpDNjssErgJaWR2BvIMJb-KZ7WgpetXDj0a9Vq2OsFTMRkTzaLoPCWCSVtUHikU0nd8u4xovgP3p4FuEUkIXVv4nKcjzk1Q8f-ha96aAVXeAAEvermaaQTB1LZhUIA2vXzYOK51lZGj4mVGo/s700/img_55-1_29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="700" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV6irLyBZTzWGUen-Y5dbVQZxdz_o4yXTqaeBC1lruLlwpDNjssErgJaWR2BvIMJb-KZ7WgpetXDj0a9Vq2OsFTMRkTzaLoPCWCSVtUHikU0nd8u4xovgP3p4FuEUkIXVv4nKcjzk1Q8f-ha96aAVXeAAEvermaaQTB1LZhUIA2vXzYOK51lZGj4mVGo/w640-h368/img_55-1_29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Ferret shared many similar design features with the Dingo and Canadian Ford Lynx, but featured a larger fighting compartment and an optional small machine gun turret. It was built from an all monocoque steel body, making the vehicle lower but also making the drive extremely noisy inside as the running gear was within the enclosed body with the crew. Four wheel drive was incorporated together with run-flat tyres. The turret, though not fitted to all models, carried a single machine gun. Six forward-firing grenade launchers fitted to the hull (three on each side) could carry smoke grenades.<div><br /></div>A total of 4,409 Ferrets, including 16 sub-models under various Mark numbers, were produced between 1952 and 1971. It is possible to upgrade the engine using the more powerful FB60 version from the Austin Princess 4-Litre-R; this upgrade providing a 55 bhp over the standard B60 engine.<div><span><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>British Fox Armoured </b></span><b>Reconnaissance</b><b> Vehicle</b></span></div></span>The FV721 Fox Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled) (CVR(W)) was a 4 × 4 armoured car manufactured deployed by the British Army as a replacement for the Ferret scout car and the Saladin armoured car. The Fox was introduced into service in May 1975 and withdrawn from service 1993–94.</div><div><br /></div>It had a crew of three and had a low profile rotating turret armed with a 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon, which was manually fed with three-round clips; 99 rounds were carried. A coaxial L37A2 7.62 mm machine gun was mounted with 2,600 rounds. The weapons were not stabilised. This turret was also equipped with a set of two 4-barrelled smoke dischargers.<div><br /><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCPuX61HT6WjoDXQmXujK8kg27u_Bu3LX-GufrqJSQQYvMg-1Hyz80D2oZs4JV2rBvs95LdB1AebCUXwGALWBMixJ4GvxGHm3ylXxJo67Qit7dTJUBP_tifE_QWTNyRf0xWcbMzK_OSfwQyJzfO_xBGVMY9p3bRoVvCDv29XLYZbjOttNUd06fjQc35I/s4032/20230202_144840a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCPuX61HT6WjoDXQmXujK8kg27u_Bu3LX-GufrqJSQQYvMg-1Hyz80D2oZs4JV2rBvs95LdB1AebCUXwGALWBMixJ4GvxGHm3ylXxJo67Qit7dTJUBP_tifE_QWTNyRf0xWcbMzK_OSfwQyJzfO_xBGVMY9p3bRoVvCDv29XLYZbjOttNUd06fjQc35I/w640-h480/20230202_144840a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span>The vehicle had a combat weight of 6.75 tonnes and was designed to be air-portable. The Fox had aluminium armour and was fitted with a flotation screen. It lacked protection against nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Powered by a Jaguar 4.2-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine, the Fox was one of the fastest vehicles of its type.<br /><br />The Fox was typically attached to armoured and mechanised infantry battalions. The use of high mobility light vehicles such as the Fox would provide the ability to outflank heavier armoured divisions. This also potentially enabled the Fox to act as a scout and a vehicle that could engage similar light vehicles. The Fox's all-welded aluminium armour on the hull and turret protected against medium gun fire and artillery splinters, bud did not protect the vehicle from heavy (.50.calibre) machine gun fire.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikF8nPoUo8grMwDd6aXgEztohxIFFhnkb7IIc5XgjJ8tnJzra7D7aGlFayREvLHtOyTVjqEn0mdM4zxnlgufXMcGmYBhvKqckDBcmerQWVRMu-0qTO6MCnU_cNdopqCmjLcx7azRIyh5wvsppRWHxAwsxkve5B3ezp87pr8OA8MDJgnhyphenhyphenh3HRV5fTrS9U/s3697/20230202_144855a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2356" data-original-width="3697" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikF8nPoUo8grMwDd6aXgEztohxIFFhnkb7IIc5XgjJ8tnJzra7D7aGlFayREvLHtOyTVjqEn0mdM4zxnlgufXMcGmYBhvKqckDBcmerQWVRMu-0qTO6MCnU_cNdopqCmjLcx7azRIyh5wvsppRWHxAwsxkve5B3ezp87pr8OA8MDJgnhyphenhyphenh3HRV5fTrS9U/w640-h408/20230202_144855a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><span><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Saladin Armoured Car</span></b></span></div>The FV601 Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car built by Alvis and fitted with a 76mm gun. </div><div>Used extensively by the British Army, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car that had been in service since World War II.</div><br />The Saladin was widely used by the Sultan of Oman's armed forces throughout the Dhofar conflict, and saw extensive action during the period 1971 to 1976. Often crewed by British servicemen (loan soldiers) and Omani servicemen, the Sultan's Armoured Car Squadron consisted of an estimated 36 Saladins. They saw extensive action supporting troops from the British SAS, Oman Firqa, Oman regulars, and Iranian forces in their war with the Adoo. Many vehicles were mined and repaired, and after the end of the war in 1976 the Saladin remained in service until the early 1980s.<div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiltZPtAa2ASFnEJZhc8At3l4p4Zxa64PsOwP8CQo085aAe7zOnw_Fvt42ZL_zAWozy_xL4qIScJ33fMjYF1xNR_IqWz2TxA-KxsulABfAkERjeyx4JlPvWnoeHMO4QaMqWKffWTs1EHGyRFRaiQA2uwsNvZMEO61kDoZSB5lzg35H-Lru5ocKKYKr5Vg/s4032/20230202_144824a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiltZPtAa2ASFnEJZhc8At3l4p4Zxa64PsOwP8CQo085aAe7zOnw_Fvt42ZL_zAWozy_xL4qIScJ33fMjYF1xNR_IqWz2TxA-KxsulABfAkERjeyx4JlPvWnoeHMO4QaMqWKffWTs1EHGyRFRaiQA2uwsNvZMEO61kDoZSB5lzg35H-Lru5ocKKYKr5Vg/w640-h480/20230202_144824a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div>Fifteen Saladin's were supplied to the Australian Army in the early 1960's and were only used for training. Many ex-Australian Saladin's remained turretless because of the fitting of Saladin turrets ono M113 carriers to make the Fire Support Vehicle (M113-A1-FSV) used in the Vietnam conflict.</div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>US M47 Patton Medium Tank</b></span></span></div></span>The M47 Patton is an American tank, the second American tank to be named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates of tanks in battle. It was a further development of the M46 Patton Tank.</div><br />The M47 was the U.S. Army's and Marine Corps' primary tank, intended to replace the M46 Patton and M4 Sherman medium tanks. The M47 was widely used by U.S. Cold War allies, both SEATO and NATO countries, and was the only Patton series tank that never saw combat while in US service. Although roughly similar to the M48s and M60s they were completely new tank designs. The M47 was the last US tank to have a bow-mounted machine gun in the hull.<div><br /><div><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9k6nqRJVKsLWqGroE7bEHetDRhe23REv3dnjBEaLeH-kdCNf_LdmTDTtTGPeUuXiw7gp9tr14E7QcmYRdM2Pc-ZX75knTKF8DcYtNILJ6-VdSdNjx7K9v7sQ4A8PyklZDNL7u8d5U3eOReDgKjeoxVRZ8FGqG4z9IhU_2wXhCmlukQZsNbUyf_7CoS60/s4036/P1070851a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2356" data-original-width="4036" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9k6nqRJVKsLWqGroE7bEHetDRhe23REv3dnjBEaLeH-kdCNf_LdmTDTtTGPeUuXiw7gp9tr14E7QcmYRdM2Pc-ZX75knTKF8DcYtNILJ6-VdSdNjx7K9v7sQ4A8PyklZDNL7u8d5U3eOReDgKjeoxVRZ8FGqG4z9IhU_2wXhCmlukQZsNbUyf_7CoS60/w640-h374/P1070851a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span>After fighting erupted in Korea, the Army decided that it needed the new tank earlier than planned. It was deemed that there was not enough time to finish the development of the T42 and to fix various problems that were likely to emerge in a new design. The final decision was to produce another interim solution, with the turret of the T42 mounted on the existing M46 hull. The composite tank, developed by the Detroit Arsenal, was named the M47 Patton and entered production in 1951.</div><div><br /></div>The first M47s were not fielded to the 1st and 2nd Armoured Divisions until summer 1952. Standardized in May 1952, the M47 Patton's production ran until November 1953; Detroit built 5,481 tanks, and American Locomotive Company (Alco) produced 3,095, for a total production run of 8,576 M47 Pattons.<div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqCPxGm0J7V21FPfBMwZyE-8TB-U1hx2ldw0zo6A3ReatlhseLpIoqUOt1gb6p4ZNQi1EAuOXceii04u5_hTHmyorcCn2gNUqEJRIl2OCg9z8Yd4_gzNkioBE8fxTJs64ER__LBVnWJ4DZt_ifuzg3A35F3Z31fuOFCaBIJlmw6nXSYGIj0w_BUxcplk/s3762/P1070852b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="3762" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqCPxGm0J7V21FPfBMwZyE-8TB-U1hx2ldw0zo6A3ReatlhseLpIoqUOt1gb6p4ZNQi1EAuOXceii04u5_hTHmyorcCn2gNUqEJRIl2OCg9z8Yd4_gzNkioBE8fxTJs64ER__LBVnWJ4DZt_ifuzg3A35F3Z31fuOFCaBIJlmw6nXSYGIj0w_BUxcplk/w640-h250/P1070852b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">US Army M47s remaining in storage were expended as targets in the 1970's.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">This exhibit was acquired from the Netherlands.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>US M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank</b></span></span></div>The M41 Walker Bulldog </span>was an American light tank developed to replace M24 Chaffee light tank. Initially it nicknamed 'Little Bulldog', then renamed 'Walker Bulldog' after General Walton Walker, who was killed in a Jeep accident in Korea in 1950. </div><div><br /></div><div>The development of the M41 light tank began in 1947. The key requirement for increased anti-tank capabilities was achieved by installing a long 76-mm gun with an improved sighting system. Production started in 1951 at Cadillac's Cleveland Tank Plant. By 1953 the M41 Walker Bulldog had completely replaced the M24 Chaffee in the United States Army.</div><div><br /></div><div>The M41 was an agile and well-armed vehicle however it was noisy, had a high fuel consumption rate, and its weight limited its ability to be transported by air.</div><div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKvk8rUOcu1HlTdawkJ6oieqFx7zjM1aeEIdCLkEkJiHpikY2jbGbPD8NlErvrRBRb37TTm7DGXoQeAU_qHeUZizCmEzTZbBXp_ALl3b7shyphenhyphenNHnQbxGxt43f0JlXPTUdVRR8HBblN0j9RJk947Jr7qFoIuNQ21VYH5ZhhnyTw69-HE65-Eja3OL3Hscw/s4604/P1070864a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="4604" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKvk8rUOcu1HlTdawkJ6oieqFx7zjM1aeEIdCLkEkJiHpikY2jbGbPD8NlErvrRBRb37TTm7DGXoQeAU_qHeUZizCmEzTZbBXp_ALl3b7shyphenhyphenNHnQbxGxt43f0JlXPTUdVRR8HBblN0j9RJk947Jr7qFoIuNQ21VYH5ZhhnyTw69-HE65-Eja3OL3Hscw/w640-h368/P1070864a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>By March 1952 over 900 M41s had already been manufactured. These entered service too late to take part in the Korean War,</span> though some may have been shipped out to US forces in that region just as the fighting ended.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1964, the decision was made to replace the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Chaffee light tanks with the M41. The first M41A3s arrived in January 1965 equipping five ARVN tank squadrons by the end of the year. The M41 proved extremely popular with South Vietnamese tank crews, who were generally of smaller stature than their American counterparts and did not experience the same discomfort operating within the tank's limited interior space. By 1973, over 200 M41 light tanks remained in service with the ARVN.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI39sVZHjWJR9IOGuPB59tKNzvYlPjfgTZuTC4J8Mdyc0qVZAAqdARWu9QzcPg6wDKaNBge7gClsNZrBzoq_MCMoYHX2dODGHfKgKfQEjALlOA6TXoKiYAAm4SNx5S9nhmIK_UfyFfDZ48DekcaNkJh0D8_1Sird9gIJx-S4Z6KLW3iVvs240fLI1EWA/s1368/ARVN_M41_Walker_Bulldog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1368" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI39sVZHjWJR9IOGuPB59tKNzvYlPjfgTZuTC4J8Mdyc0qVZAAqdARWu9QzcPg6wDKaNBge7gClsNZrBzoq_MCMoYHX2dODGHfKgKfQEjALlOA6TXoKiYAAm4SNx5S9nhmIK_UfyFfDZ48DekcaNkJh0D8_1Sird9gIJx-S4Z6KLW3iVvs240fLI1EWA/w640-h494/ARVN_M41_Walker_Bulldog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Vietnam"></a>South Vietnamese M41 tanks during a training operation.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>With the introduction of increasingly well-armoured Soviet main battle tanks, the M41 was no longer perceived as powerful enough for frontline service, and it was replaced by the much lighter and more heavily armed Sheridan during the late 1960s. Most second-hand US M41s were refurbished and subsequently sold or donated to US allies abroad, namely Brazil, Japan, and South Vietnam.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from New Zealand.</div><span><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span><div><span><span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soviet-Russian T-54/55 Medium Tank</b></span></span></div>The T-54 and T-55 tanks are a series of Soviet main battle tanks introduced in the years following the Second World War. The first T-54 prototype was completed by the end of 1945 and from the late 1950s, the T-54 eventually became the main tank for armoured units of the Soviet Army and armies of the Warsaw Pact</span></span> countries.</div><div><br /></div><div>Additionally T-54s and T-55s have been involved in many of the world's armed conflicts since their introduction in the second half of the 20th century and are the most-produced tank in history with estimated production numbers for the series ranging from 96,500 to 100,000.</div><div><br /><span><span><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3oWpLsFWp9LbTKDQ7YM_2Ho09PHDCuFQRhRBQwaUlELSXLgVk4GdAvNElnEJiXeVXJbHurq45bLXdyMaK_z_OjogsD2OQIRFTKwpRzaWiUS3nVd97gy1zdL_RknwKet6gTCckluqPam-FKfdEwHwAMrgJnt9Z_kG0C60_L3FO1z7UukcIKlxp_D2upw/s3017/P1070841b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="3017" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3oWpLsFWp9LbTKDQ7YM_2Ho09PHDCuFQRhRBQwaUlELSXLgVk4GdAvNElnEJiXeVXJbHurq45bLXdyMaK_z_OjogsD2OQIRFTKwpRzaWiUS3nVd97gy1zdL_RknwKet6gTCckluqPam-FKfdEwHwAMrgJnt9Z_kG0C60_L3FO1z7UukcIKlxp_D2upw/w640-h456/P1070841b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span>Production of the initial series of T-54s began slowly as 1,490 modifications were made. The Red Army received a tank that was superior to World War II designs and theoretically better than the newest tanks of potential opponents. The 100 mm gun fired BR-412 series full-calibre APHE ammunition, which had superior penetration ability when compared to the T-34 that it replaced.</div><div><br /></div><div>The T-54/55 is mechanically simple and robust. They are very simple to operate compared to Western tanks, and do not require a high level of training or education in their crewmen. The tanks have good mobility thanks to their relatively light weight (which permits easy transport by rail or flatbed truck and allows crossing of lighter bridges), wide tracks (which give lower ground pressure and hence good mobility on soft ground), a good cold-weather start-up system and a snorkel that allows river crossings.</div><div><br /></div><div>By 1950s standards the T-54 was excellent, packing considerable firepower and armour protection in a reliable design whilst also being smaller and lighter than contemporary NATO designs. However at the time the T-54 lacked effective sub-calibre ammunition and was reliant on HEAT rounds for anti-tank ammunition until the 1960s. This and the fact that the T-54 had a simple fire-control system meant that the T-54 was inaccurate at longer ranges.<br /><span><span><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bTIoqVjWIXc" width="320" youtube-src-id="bTIoqVjWIXc"></iframe></div></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span>The T-54/55 and the T-62 were the two most common tanks in Soviet inventory and in the mid-1970s the two tank types together comprised approximately 85% of the Soviet Army's tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to know more about this very important Cold War Soviet Tank, just follow the link above to a short video presentation featuring their 65 year-old veteran exhibit.<br /><span><span><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></div><span><span><span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soviet-Russian T-72 Main Battle Tank</b></span></span></div></span></span></span><div>The T-72 is a Soviet second-generation main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It was one of the most widely produced post-World War II tanks, second only to the T54/55 family, and the basic design has also been further developed as the T-90.</div><div><br /></div>About 25,000 T-72 tanks have been built and it was the most common tank used by the Warsaw Pact from the 1970s until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It was also exported to other countries, such as Finland, India, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yugoslavia, as well as being copied elsewhere, both with and without licenses.<div><br /></div><div><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMd-iSUOpqU-wBcpvM0jVpYX0mwWyUFqOoB1aRJ52tjuj9Qm1KND3IUZJJ5AJdYrVYwvNYnJXwWxPqkTuFBS35J3yB7Xv9LFv5qlCYATOIdT8oYG_rIhI4p1XOBOVeQZN8HBTs_YMkaiQy9PSv3yNV80vkW-Nx7tcItO3qRRm-6ewJU0b-wLyoTFmMTw/s4465/P1070869a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="4465" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMd-iSUOpqU-wBcpvM0jVpYX0mwWyUFqOoB1aRJ52tjuj9Qm1KND3IUZJJ5AJdYrVYwvNYnJXwWxPqkTuFBS35J3yB7Xv9LFv5qlCYATOIdT8oYG_rIhI4p1XOBOVeQZN8HBTs_YMkaiQy9PSv3yNV80vkW-Nx7tcItO3qRRm-6ewJU0b-wLyoTFmMTw/w640-h286/P1070869a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span>Like all Soviet-legacy tanks, the T-72's design has traded off interior space in return for a very small silhouette and efficient use of armour, to the point of replacing the fourth crewman with a mechanical loader.</div><div><br /></div>The way that the unused rounds are stored in the autoloader system has been exposed as a flaw, as observers have noted that penetrating hits can easily set off a chain reaction that detonates all of the ammunition. The result is the turret is blown off resulting in a so-called "jack-in-the-box" explosion. This vulnerability was first observed during the Gulf War and has again been exposed in the recent war in Ukraine.<div><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC0WXlJN3EWWFrBBRSn0EGxCsyEBXlDwJsWMEa1Pawx8_6ZSgc3NDD_5awMDvgOvi7br1JL1a0SXHOM9SGG_1MFDusMfQWib8WjcAaTY7DhF5WnZNp-YWmmtIX7qc6r-G2hqHvM8sRyeWtJzpWEMuuM0jI92DxjafPN26JzKepju4XUwOfy9NPw235TU/s4896/P1070867a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC0WXlJN3EWWFrBBRSn0EGxCsyEBXlDwJsWMEa1Pawx8_6ZSgc3NDD_5awMDvgOvi7br1JL1a0SXHOM9SGG_1MFDusMfQWib8WjcAaTY7DhF5WnZNp-YWmmtIX7qc6r-G2hqHvM8sRyeWtJzpWEMuuM0jI92DxjafPN26JzKepju4XUwOfy9NPw235TU/w640-h480/P1070867a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span>The T-72 is equipped with the 125 mm (4.9 in) 2A46 series main gun, a significantly larger (20-mm larger) calibre than the standard 105 mm (4.1 in) gun found in contemporary Western MBTs, and still slightly larger than the 120 mm/L44 found in many modern Western MBTs. As is typical of Soviet tanks, the gun can fire anti-tank guided missiles, and standard main gun ammunition, including HEAT and APFSDS rounds.</div><div><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrlXw10E9XfPfpNwOe0eZnkkV-c49UGke6_F10QINRgROpkXVKoPDlUE185robuo_-O_Urk5J9lymO33CJErrSBppCIRw5SV9ZEH4q_Lc42a0lbDo6_58TI3tMrnR7-39plKE5wkUpaB6UbGUC_PRUzmY70P3zTG2kpwnvt-e4yU4mvVUN6tpfmG2i78/s3484/P1070868b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="3484" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrlXw10E9XfPfpNwOe0eZnkkV-c49UGke6_F10QINRgROpkXVKoPDlUE185robuo_-O_Urk5J9lymO33CJErrSBppCIRw5SV9ZEH4q_Lc42a0lbDo6_58TI3tMrnR7-39plKE5wkUpaB6UbGUC_PRUzmY70P3zTG2kpwnvt-e4yU4mvVUN6tpfmG2i78/w640-h220/P1070868b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span>The Russian Federation had over 10,000 T-72 tanks in use, including around 2,000 in active service and another 8,000 in reserve (mostly T-72Bs). The T-72 has been used by the Russian Army in the fighting during the First and Second Chechen Wars, the Russo-Georgian War, and the Russo-Ukrainian War. The T-72 has been used by over 40 countries worldwide.<span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42D9KnnEULo" width="320" youtube-src-id="42D9KnnEULo"></iframe></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">This exhibit is a T-72 M1 acquired from the Czech Republic, and you can learn more about the history of this tank in the link to the museum video above.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span><b><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soviet-Russian 2S1 Self Propelled Gun</b></span></div></b></span></span></span></span>The 2S1 is a Soviet self-propelled howitzer based on the chassis of a MT-LB APC, mounting a 122 mm 2A18 howitzer. In the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika (Russian: "Carnation"). </div><div><br /></div><div>The 2S1 is fully amphibious with very little preparation, and once afloat is propelled by its tracks. A variety of wider track are available to allow the 2S1 to operate in snow or swamp conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><span><span><b><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOcxAuT_fiGIU7LmQyDcvOmOX_nyYjy2CW5520qll1qBGR2T7gKdZLf9u9HkGEdIxCG0jzXWYhU8N62mKQ5h_z6puIZWlO28p5xfkWpdxkfzdiaCsCAChtxK7FCM1i_1S3xliVbWo_CVinRmjfjfIq3UdXFlFlCR9OZZGJLUH9UQHwKuHI8IQf0EgwN8/s4538/P1070878a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2474" data-original-width="4538" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOcxAuT_fiGIU7LmQyDcvOmOX_nyYjy2CW5520qll1qBGR2T7gKdZLf9u9HkGEdIxCG0jzXWYhU8N62mKQ5h_z6puIZWlO28p5xfkWpdxkfzdiaCsCAChtxK7FCM1i_1S3xliVbWo_CVinRmjfjfIq3UdXFlFlCR9OZZGJLUH9UQHwKuHI8IQf0EgwN8/w640-h348/P1070878a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><br /></b></span></div></b></span></span></span></span>The 2S1 uses a 122 mm howitzer based on the towed D-30 howitzer. The gun is equipped with a power rammer, a double-baffle muzzle brake and a fume extractor. It is capable of firing HE (high explosive), leaflet, HE/RAP, armour-piercing HE, flechette and chemical rounds. It is NBC protected and has infrared night-vision capability.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQINEVXIJ_LyCQWDQey4BFtWSFQpzPd_v6lTVML_Jn6NVEYwRhFVG-qWoXPIaHZxSm2SuyHuxebGDc6wUuvDkQbxFtJwKWtcqKz8miyND0o-BrMSVbU2yibgOpoAGyaMqT_55YEDG_BAR0p44E4PnEipw5qSiyq1g2MVV_eNDuVNUhS8LXC4g4KPQN4R8/s630/630_360_1662140909-573.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="630" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQINEVXIJ_LyCQWDQey4BFtWSFQpzPd_v6lTVML_Jn6NVEYwRhFVG-qWoXPIaHZxSm2SuyHuxebGDc6wUuvDkQbxFtJwKWtcqKz8miyND0o-BrMSVbU2yibgOpoAGyaMqT_55YEDG_BAR0p44E4PnEipw5qSiyq1g2MVV_eNDuVNUhS8LXC4g4KPQN4R8/w640-h366/630_360_1662140909-573.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This exhibit was acquired from Switzerland.<br /><div><span><span><span><span><b><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><br /></b></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Soviet-Russian 2S7 Pion Self Propelled Gun</span></b></span></span></span></span></div>The 2S7 Pion ("peony") or Malka is a Soviet self-propelled, 203 mm gun. The 2S7 Pion was identified for the first time by NATO forces in 1975 and was named M-1975 by NATO. Its design is based on a T-80 chassis, carrying an externally mounted 2A44 203 mm gun on the hull rear.</div><div><br /></div>It takes the crew about six minutes to set up and five minutes to dismantle. The vehicle carries four 203 mm projectiles for immediate use. The gun is capable of firing nuclear ammunition. The gun has a range of 37,500 metres (23.3 mi), but this can be extended to 55,500 metres (34.5 mi) by using a rocket-assisted projectile. The Pion has been the most powerful conventional artillery piece since entering service in 1983.</div><div><br /><div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0M0_1CVcSXMteZeNSgS4FLSVQxGjoBMCRiJ3MMQZxWDQIZSj9N3NccShYEj1SYkOiNgJ44tGgYyV5PfGe-wTQboCTzczCPL4Gvpa8OWOaiiTXd7e0EYk-q5zRCf23Pv1GqwoKz2WaFbded-D39fqiICmvNOTlmNL0CL3qnF7489b3QBX0KFKzBga-0g/s4309/P1070871a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="4309" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0M0_1CVcSXMteZeNSgS4FLSVQxGjoBMCRiJ3MMQZxWDQIZSj9N3NccShYEj1SYkOiNgJ44tGgYyV5PfGe-wTQboCTzczCPL4Gvpa8OWOaiiTXd7e0EYk-q5zRCf23Pv1GqwoKz2WaFbded-D39fqiICmvNOTlmNL0CL3qnF7489b3QBX0KFKzBga-0g/w640-h416/P1070871a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div></span></span>One interesting feature of the Pion is the firing alarm. Because the blast of the weapon firing is so powerful – it can physically incapacitate an unprepared soldier or crew member near it from concussive force – the Pion is equipped with an audible firing alarm that emits a series of short warning tones for approximately five seconds prior to the charge being fired.<span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj0qTDt8Qx7wkBNMdl_Uozfw871HI5soRtgdRKCs83yphv08gn5AEiTY11KxHjCZYsdk7RQIllPlOjHXCrZ3_yiEKwAqb1RRLFlQ7Rka52PNh370abOfwbRQJn4pCEgqEiAVteQJTT4CNiT4m0aoROEeHDm6tPxh04BX7g84xgBxUpceXea5tLK3d-As/s1600/UA_43rd_brigade_firing_2S7_Pion_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj0qTDt8Qx7wkBNMdl_Uozfw871HI5soRtgdRKCs83yphv08gn5AEiTY11KxHjCZYsdk7RQIllPlOjHXCrZ3_yiEKwAqb1RRLFlQ7Rka52PNh370abOfwbRQJn4pCEgqEiAVteQJTT4CNiT4m0aoROEeHDm6tPxh04BX7g84xgBxUpceXea5tLK3d-As/w640-h440/UA_43rd_brigade_firing_2S7_Pion_02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2S7 Pion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine firing</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from the Littlefield Collection in California in 2014 and you can find out more about Pion in the link to the museum video below.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqPyg9nEdMs" width="320" youtube-src-id="NqPyg9nEdMs"></iframe></div></span></span></div><br /></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soviet-Russian S-75 Dvina Surface to Air Missile</b></span></div></span></span></span></span></span>The S-75 Dvina (Russian: С-75; NATO reporting name SA-2 Guideline) is a Soviet-designed, high-altitude air defence system, built around a command guided surface-to-air missile. Since its first deployment in 1957 it has became one of the most widely deployed air defence systems in history.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the early 1950's the Soviets initiated the development of improved air defence systems to replace the World War II-vintage gun defences in response to the development by the United States of high altitude planes with nuclear strike capability.</div><div> <div><span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzYpiGZCvMrdy1XWVhPM93dabpFzgjHT_QIGgkC0oEdFRuegSMFqdfbJVNGhxNFw2ixGS47oBxZHPXhR2oi8xaNRyG1bSNJiw61nfRSx8TIx-Nv1LIoLwrY7qyo1qfnIMO5LL6_X8udhDxBVXOkTp_6-Uu9_gTt_ELmIwqQo1m-74xhLwk9Id_w60cYI/s4313/P1070863a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="4313" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzYpiGZCvMrdy1XWVhPM93dabpFzgjHT_QIGgkC0oEdFRuegSMFqdfbJVNGhxNFw2ixGS47oBxZHPXhR2oi8xaNRyG1bSNJiw61nfRSx8TIx-Nv1LIoLwrY7qyo1qfnIMO5LL6_X8udhDxBVXOkTp_6-Uu9_gTt_ELmIwqQo1m-74xhLwk9Id_w60cYI/w640-h408/P1070863a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span></span></span></span></span>This program focused on producing a missile which could bring down a large, non-manoeuvring, high-altitude aircraft. As such it did not need to be highly manoeuvrable, merely fast and able to resist aircraft counter-measures.</div><div><br /></div>Wide-scale deployment started in 1957, with various upgrades following over the next few years. The S-75 was never meant to replace the S-25 Berkut surface-to-air missile sites around Moscow, but it did replace high-altitude anti-aircraft guns, such as the 130 mm KS-30 and 100 mm KS-19. Between mid-1958 and 1964, U.S. intelligence assets located more than 600 S-75 sites in the USSR. These sites tended to cluster around population centres, industrial complexes, and government control centres. A ring of sites was also located around likely bomber routes into the Soviet heartland. When deployment of the S-75 was ended in the mid-1960s, there were approximately 1,000 operational sites across Russia.<div><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue16libZw0GSGE-7ApZ1-FO3lxVhRyd68kXtzqWm6gtPHwq3_rVM2PoI_oGzm-naapOx8BjPxCDtXA7eEzgshge69g3QOt-9p2wNHhKnce0nQ2G3Dajm7y_qbrbzLRSgXXZ7sRgWfCXHq4R_51bzwcZmYWIr_-JK1BfWoyhoIRNw2B145akETFJgK6ww/s4896/P1070866a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue16libZw0GSGE-7ApZ1-FO3lxVhRyd68kXtzqWm6gtPHwq3_rVM2PoI_oGzm-naapOx8BjPxCDtXA7eEzgshge69g3QOt-9p2wNHhKnce0nQ2G3Dajm7y_qbrbzLRSgXXZ7sRgWfCXHq4R_51bzwcZmYWIr_-JK1BfWoyhoIRNw2B145akETFJgK6ww/w640-h480/P1070866a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></span>While the shooting down of Francis Gary Powers' U-2 in 1960 is the first publicized success for the S-75, the first aircraft shot down by the S-75 was a Taiwanese Martin RB-57D Canberra high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. In this case the aircraft was hit by a Chinese-operated S-75 site near Beijing on October 7, 1959.</div><br />During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a U-2 piloted by USAF Major Rudolf Anderson was shot down over Cuba by an S-75 in October 1962.<br /><br />In 1965, North Vietnam asked for assistance against American airpower, since their own air-defence system lacked the ability to shoot down aircraft flying at high altitude. After some discussion it was agreed to supply the PAVN with the S-75. The decision was not made lightly, because it greatly increased the chances that one would fall into US hands for study.<div><span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrBxiKAkCAWn0EnYOQZ4Q4XuqzpvyjQcGeZWzEYEqodJNSTSPqwanqkOptmPMqH-NQB2D6h1lsWqXZEeW3YPpHiz0z6DZWUqEk-_dx6Fpwg2Q8amEOkuOafu8wtvTUrUzFjn-IRxKw7m2Il9AMnG_1tnr68sBh642a8UGY9aMxGG4XplbxDx5cugHUzM/s771/SA-2-north-vietnam.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="771" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrBxiKAkCAWn0EnYOQZ4Q4XuqzpvyjQcGeZWzEYEqodJNSTSPqwanqkOptmPMqH-NQB2D6h1lsWqXZEeW3YPpHiz0z6DZWUqEk-_dx6Fpwg2Q8amEOkuOafu8wtvTUrUzFjn-IRxKw7m2Il9AMnG_1tnr68sBh642a8UGY9aMxGG4XplbxDx5cugHUzM/w640-h386/SA-2-north-vietnam.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">North Vietnamese S-75 missile prepare to fire at American aircraft</div></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></span>Soviet Air Defence Forces started to replace the S-75 with the vastly superior S-300 system in the 1980s. The S-75 remains in widespread service throughout the world, with some level of operational ability in 35 countries.</div><div> </div><div>This exhibit was acquired from Bulgaria and you can find out more about it in the link below.</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z1mcU25K9GE" width="320" youtube-src-id="z1mcU25K9GE"></iframe></div><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><span><span><span><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soviet-Russian Light Artillery Tractor (AT-L 49) & 122mm Howitzer M1938 (M30)</b></span></span></div></span></span></span>The Artilleriyskiy Tyagach Lyogkiy, or AT-L, meaning light artillery tractor was a Soviet Cold War era artillery tractor.</div><div><br /></div><div>An artillery tractor, also referred to as a gun tractor, is a specialised tractor or vehicle used to tow artillery pieces of varying weights and calibres. The first artillery tractors were designed prior to the outbreak of World War I, often based on agricultural machines such as the Holt tractor.. Such vehicles allowed the tactical use of heavier guns to supplement the light horse drawn field guns.</div><div><br /><span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVwp-p1lcovJHA-lfBAP7Q-RWkIF3CxGTtV3_psyq1f_8zELJJYqkJiQrpcB0afYkhTtR-I63l0bcDF-fqx4cLiGgmStF1odD8lydzcranGVTxMDnm93ZCT4ra1sgSE7vSYzaG7DLD4_0Oll4fhi2CbnwNOGlm_kTkOOxLz1jhGreHiri6tB6O9J9prg/s4896/P1070874a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2466" data-original-width="4896" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVwp-p1lcovJHA-lfBAP7Q-RWkIF3CxGTtV3_psyq1f_8zELJJYqkJiQrpcB0afYkhTtR-I63l0bcDF-fqx4cLiGgmStF1odD8lydzcranGVTxMDnm93ZCT4ra1sgSE7vSYzaG7DLD4_0Oll4fhi2CbnwNOGlm_kTkOOxLz1jhGreHiri6tB6O9J9prg/w640-h322/P1070874a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>The AT-L was basically a major conversion of a wheeled vehicle, being fully tracked and capable of carrying two tons of supplies or pull a light artillery piece. It was manufactured from 1949 to 1958 and was widely used across the Communist nations, being exported to Vietnam, Egypt and Syria. It had a 135hp two stroke diesel engine capable of 65 kph (40mph).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span>The 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30) was a Soviet 121.92 mm (4.8 inch) howitzer. The weapon was developed in the late 1930s, and was in production from 1939 to 1955. The M-30 saw action in World War II, mainly as a divisional artillery piece of the Red Army (RKKA). Post World War II the M-30 saw combat in numerous conflicts of the mid-to late twentieth century in the service of other countries' armies, notably in the Middle East.<span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8oNoHzNGnUDwPrY3DQbZmPVqPIoz3zQzGGk7In2mNdlneMELIKLKGb90iwdOPiFBJAMygjVV4NRezc3R7Mij_NWJuoBI8AIdyY5vvc3iTM7f_KWzdIOS4rVmeoi796MnnPKfaEWyyY7Kl_JW9dqALnFhd536R4uITO47VTeebmQbF8oP_GkbVp-b_xA/s4126/P1070873a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="4126" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8oNoHzNGnUDwPrY3DQbZmPVqPIoz3zQzGGk7In2mNdlneMELIKLKGb90iwdOPiFBJAMygjVV4NRezc3R7Mij_NWJuoBI8AIdyY5vvc3iTM7f_KWzdIOS4rVmeoi796MnnPKfaEWyyY7Kl_JW9dqALnFhd536R4uITO47VTeebmQbF8oP_GkbVp-b_xA/w640-h392/P1070873a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></span>M-30 howitzers were primarily employed for indirect fire against enemy personnel. They were also used against field fortifications, for clearing minefields and for breaching barbed wire. Their HE-fragmentation shells presented a danger to armoured vehicles. Fragments created by the explosion could penetrate up to 20 mm of armour. The shells could also damage chassis, sights or other elements of heavier armoured vehicles.</div><div><br /></div><div>For self-defense against enemy tanks a HEAT shell was developed in 1943. Before 1943, crews were required to rely on the high-explosive action of their regular ammunition, with some degree of success. According to a German report from 1943, even a Tiger was once heavily damaged by SU-122 assault guns firing high-explosive shells.<br /><br />M-30 howitzers were towed by a variety of means, from horses, oxen and both Soviet and American-produced Lend-Lease trucks (such as the Dodge WC series and Studebaker US6s) and STZ-5 and Ya-12 purpose-built artillery tractors, and occasionally manhandled by the Soviet artillerymen themselves.<span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_u54PA_NnppqV-ssd9f4qkasMO-qKFCUICcuamlpgGIGmYuGZVVGuXR_DwaJiUoyvUYRAYEeoPEMO2Sov4QCa_d3aCD0P17EQhmTK75_-HSs7nuqn5VbaD-PCQM2S-EzDWCPOcpQ4zMJyX7oH3lG6FfvMP1x74O9hG-MNim-rw4FhGxL2KqKopP2WmQ/s3518/P1070876b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="3518" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_u54PA_NnppqV-ssd9f4qkasMO-qKFCUICcuamlpgGIGmYuGZVVGuXR_DwaJiUoyvUYRAYEeoPEMO2Sov4QCa_d3aCD0P17EQhmTK75_-HSs7nuqn5VbaD-PCQM2S-EzDWCPOcpQ4zMJyX7oH3lG6FfvMP1x74O9hG-MNim-rw4FhGxL2KqKopP2WmQ/w640-h250/P1070876b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></span>The gun was eventually replaced by the 122-mm howitzer D-30 after the latter was adopted for service in 1960.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both the AT-L and the M1938 were acquired from Bulgaria.</div><div><br /><div><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Soviet-Russian BMP-1 (Infantry Fighting Vehicle)</b></span></span></div>The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty, meaning "infantry fighting vehicle. The BMP-1 was the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) of the Soviet Union during the Cold War era in the 1960's when the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare was likely.</div><div><br /></div>The BMP was a combination of the properties of an armoured personnel carrier (APC) and a light tank. It increased infantry squad mobility, providing fire support to them, and allowed the infantry to operate from the relative safety of its armoured, radiation-shielded interior in contaminated areas and to fight alongside it in uncontaminated areas.</div><div><div><br /><span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxkc_CLjE7TeIYea02gKnTh3XEPRY6zvEJq1QQC4UHLQA3Xa0X6ZmNLBcEMQb_dKCzk9zB5ep_lUW9oAXPB2EU2RNWgrMqryWGw52JT7Up8GRO2NKwL2_43djmzW0PwFGjL86QSbuRp8kV0oiJX8VqKgCIHjOxjpsOyqrkvTHFp2AvzfVgQgdh7phk7s/s4182/P1070880a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="4182" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxkc_CLjE7TeIYea02gKnTh3XEPRY6zvEJq1QQC4UHLQA3Xa0X6ZmNLBcEMQb_dKCzk9zB5ep_lUW9oAXPB2EU2RNWgrMqryWGw52JT7Up8GRO2NKwL2_43djmzW0PwFGjL86QSbuRp8kV0oiJX8VqKgCIHjOxjpsOyqrkvTHFp2AvzfVgQgdh7phk7s/w640-h334/P1070880a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></span>The BMP went into service with the Soviet Army in 1966, and between then until 1982 went through a process of continuous development and upgrading, including the armaments, chassis, engine and transmission.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLb4MvHmjwVMHgeFM602yvtvCHv4iEK8QZ-kDmmhJQN1HoXxpUNLwkGho6yOQFTJF8FnsCjgohbqaVLdHfoysfd05txfsTuGT3K8Da66yL_C6PTtM4pQplMjSTsvSAhETZIQW3zqLzSGS4aMW88y0WkJT3ohuQAj7VAC8q1nsRH2UVC1O7zIwAzFtPZU/s600/Hardware.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="600" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLb4MvHmjwVMHgeFM602yvtvCHv4iEK8QZ-kDmmhJQN1HoXxpUNLwkGho6yOQFTJF8FnsCjgohbqaVLdHfoysfd05txfsTuGT3K8Da66yL_C6PTtM4pQplMjSTsvSAhETZIQW3zqLzSGS4aMW88y0WkJT3ohuQAj7VAC8q1nsRH2UVC1O7zIwAzFtPZU/w640-h572/Hardware.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The main changes to the armaments were the replacement of the largely ineffective 9M14M Malyutka ATGM with the more reliable, longer ranged and more powerful 9P135M or 9P135m-1 ATGM launcher.</div><div><br /></div>The BMP-1 is still currently being used in the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine by both Russian and Ukrainian forces due to its wide availability compared to the much more modern but less produced BMP-3. </div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from Germany and you can check out the link below to the museum video covering the BMP-1.<br /><div> <br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ReKfojN_l8g" width="320" youtube-src-id="ReKfojN_l8g"></iframe></div></div><span><span><span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><b>French Panhard AML</b></span></span><b>-245 Light Armoured Car, Model 60 </b><b>Variant</b></span></div></span></span></span>The Panhard AML (Auto Mitrailleuse Légère, or "Light Machine Gun Car") is a fast, long range, and relatively cheap first-generation armoured car with 4×4 reconnaissance capability. </div><div><br /></div>In 1956 the French Ministry of Defence commissioned a replacement for the Daimler Ferret scout car, and the Panhard AML 245 was developed as a private venture by the Société de Constructions Panhard et Levassor, a military subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën, and entered service in 1961.<div><br /><div><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc1lTtRT9kICXamK3f-B0luEVTY9Fa5dCxOKzEzat_85BNTWX-599p4VWILh4F3p9ykDbWDyGUrKcoUt2pTbxeGK6dIl1cwTbVFqbUHCr8OZCftbneX0ihuBf10ma5kivYLC8NDGdH24lIN57CWoBrk6WqjV_Lqoi-pKltydthoc09y7-m_4wwR3n4Wg/s4032/20230202_144652a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc1lTtRT9kICXamK3f-B0luEVTY9Fa5dCxOKzEzat_85BNTWX-599p4VWILh4F3p9ykDbWDyGUrKcoUt2pTbxeGK6dIl1cwTbVFqbUHCr8OZCftbneX0ihuBf10ma5kivYLC8NDGdH24lIN57CWoBrk6WqjV_Lqoi-pKltydthoc09y7-m_4wwR3n4Wg/w640-h480/20230202_144652a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></span></span>As with much post-war hardware based on the experience of subsequent colonial theatres, the AML was recognized for its outstanding ruggedness, dependability, firepower-to-weight ratio, and adaptability to the numerous minor conflicts waged since 1945.</div><div><br /></div>Since 1959, AMLs have been marketed on up to five continents; several variants remained in continuous production for half a century. They have been operated by fifty-four national governments, and other entities worldwide, seeing regular combat including use in Angola, Iraq, and the Falkland Islands.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from Ireland and was previously used by the Irish Defence Forces.</div><div>For four decades the Irish AML 60's were used as part of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and the last were retired from service in 2013.<br /><span><span><span><div><span><span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">German Leopard 1A5 Main Battle Tank</span></b></span></span></div></span></span></span>The Leopard (or Leopard I) is a main battle tank that was designed and produced in West Germany, first entering service in 1965.</div><div><br /></div>The design started as a collaborative project during the 1950s between West Germany and France, and later joined by Italy, but the partnership ended shortly after and the final design was ordered by the Bundeswehr, with production starting in 1965. In total, 6485 Leopard tanks have been built, of which 4744 were battle tanks and 1741 were utility and anti-aircraft variants.<br /><br /></div><div><div><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBWKbskoUTCxoPE2k6H6PF3NOhGphEFAQlFbLRPVzasIsI5PmDZ8Jn3y2-bKqoq1MdR-jPTXK3XNrnQqXtQAGl8x4ABt6svuLDrw_gNYtJ8JWAIt3_1S4JNpKSWuk59gZZPxFPVI9RetKaSD_urfeDMH8M-KH-4qNZgykSWpXgHQ1qhgfmlTNPyPtcv8/s3796/20230202_144208a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3796" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBWKbskoUTCxoPE2k6H6PF3NOhGphEFAQlFbLRPVzasIsI5PmDZ8Jn3y2-bKqoq1MdR-jPTXK3XNrnQqXtQAGl8x4ABt6svuLDrw_gNYtJ8JWAIt3_1S4JNpKSWuk59gZZPxFPVI9RetKaSD_urfeDMH8M-KH-4qNZgykSWpXgHQ1qhgfmlTNPyPtcv8/w640-h406/20230202_144208a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div>The Leopard quickly became a standard of many European armies, and eventually served as the main battle tank in over a dozen countries worldwide. Since 1990, the Leopard 1 has gradually been relegated to secondary roles in most armies. In the German Army, the Leopard 1 was completely phased out in 2003 and the Leopard 2 MBTs have taken over the MBT role.</div><div><br /></div></span></span></span>The Leopard 1 has a conventional layout shared with numerous other post-World War II tanks, with the driver's compartment located in the front fighting compartment with a rotating turret in the centre in which the commander and gunner are seated in the right half of the turret and access their positions from a single-piece hatch in turret roof, on the right side, while the loader takes the left half and is provided with his own rear-opening hatch; and an engine compartment in the rear of the hull, separated from the crew compartment with a fireproof bulkhead.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXXsOAL1rzF-Z6a9OK2BbZeP2BLQlFjj-cz3fpw1xdiyHPjX5mSq9tRb4n9_tPpcntgxbT0dWkBjjgl06CTgA8R7DdxO4VNvUbW9ul46kmSfqnUb6YyjZEj6-SQuMwGy_CMZarV-WN9A5ivvxLtUFiYQ9hqlA6TqhpTY9nQah7FXi1yIFa1YjRJc0Tzc/s2500/Militairen_van_5_Groep_Geleide_Wapens_op_een_Duitse_Leopard_1_tank_tijdens_een_verplaatsingsoefening_(816-988_025227).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="2500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXXsOAL1rzF-Z6a9OK2BbZeP2BLQlFjj-cz3fpw1xdiyHPjX5mSq9tRb4n9_tPpcntgxbT0dWkBjjgl06CTgA8R7DdxO4VNvUbW9ul46kmSfqnUb6YyjZEj6-SQuMwGy_CMZarV-WN9A5ivvxLtUFiYQ9hqlA6TqhpTY9nQah7FXi1yIFa1YjRJc0Tzc/w640-h480/Militairen_van_5_Groep_Geleide_Wapens_op_een_Duitse_Leopard_1_tank_tijdens_een_verplaatsingsoefening_(816-988_025227).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bundeswehr Leopard 1 in 1967</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The armament consists of a licensed UK Royal Ordnance Factory, 105 mm L7A3 rifled main gun which was not stabilized on the first production series, and two MG 1 (later replaced with the MG3) machine guns: one is installed co-axial with the main gun (1,250 rounds are carried for it), while a second, anti-aircraft machine gun, is mounted on a skate rail above the gunner's hatch. The main gun uses NATO-standard 105 mm ammunition, with the majority of the loadout (42 rounds) stored in an ammunition magazine inside of the hull, to the left of the driver's station, 3 rounds are kept in a ready rack in front of the hull magazine—for immediate use—and another 15 rounds are racked inside the turret, for a total of 60 rounds carried onboard.</div><div><br /><div>This exhibit was acquired from Poland.</div><span><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div><br /></div></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">German Flakpanzer Gephard</span></b></span></span></div>The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard ("anti-aircraft-gun tank 'Cheetah'", better known as the <span>Flakpanzer Gepard) is an all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG). It was developed in the 1960s, fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics. </span></div><br />In Germany, the Gepard was phased out in late 2010 and replaced by the Wiesel 2 Ozelot Leichtes Flugabwehrsystem (LeFlaSys) with four FIM-92 Stinger or LFK NG missile launchers; however the <br />Gepard has since been widely used in combat in the Russo-Ukrainian War, mostly to shoot down drones.<div><br /><span><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-KThkub_xMnYIpbirLEFrhBgv9nzZqYF_96rRMWmqNtneYkVSfPs0NJcoy1dIBtjrIeTXuJPqQSU682XQQWs0HNtaGUgyoI5VLwJtjDjJN7LVTUurL0sUQeI-h0y55oiJHKygChuQqGUwtaCbvi-VkyRaHAxDYw-KShaoHC_H-AxR34JhGHSRm32uNA/s3880/20230202_144131a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="3880" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-KThkub_xMnYIpbirLEFrhBgv9nzZqYF_96rRMWmqNtneYkVSfPs0NJcoy1dIBtjrIeTXuJPqQSU682XQQWs0HNtaGUgyoI5VLwJtjDjJN7LVTUurL0sUQeI-h0y55oiJHKygChuQqGUwtaCbvi-VkyRaHAxDYw-KShaoHC_H-AxR34JhGHSRm32uNA/w640-h474/20230202_144131a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div></span>The Gepard utilizes two Oerlikon GDF, 90 calibres (3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)) long, with a muzzle velocity of 1,440 m/s (4,700 ft/s) (FAPDS (Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot) rounds), giving an effective range of 5.5 km (3.4 mi). The ammunition is 35×228mm calibre.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NEuQPHn5T4Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="NEuQPHn5T4Q"></iframe></div><br />The KDA autocannon has a dual belt feed for two different ammunition types; the usual loading per gun is 320 AA rounds fed from inside the turret and 20 AP rounds fed from a small outlying storage. The 40 armour-piercing rounds are normally fired singly with the guns alternating; they are also intended for self defence against light armoured ground targets. Each gun has a firing rate of 550 rounds/min.<span><span><span><span><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Australian Leopard AS1 Main Battle Tank</b></span></div><div><span>The Australian variant, the Leopard AS1, entered service with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in 1976 and were operated by the 1st Armoured Regiment based in Puckpunyal and later in Darwin until 2007.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a2HvVYfZRXaU5mxGg3HsiwctU4jBS_EsPyhEtz3zMAhz1ZZAIzT_A2jYz_yYjgS7x3PDZrAmsgyZ8cG6L1quAfVX0CC_aCXei1owzQL0gTa1BV4DcLMowwxer85C_rrqmchuyHW2Gc3ZJ_SzSGje2uqr7fzBKEug8plkctreQ374l7PDSiIKWIJ0h7c/s4032/20230202_144105a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="4032" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a2HvVYfZRXaU5mxGg3HsiwctU4jBS_EsPyhEtz3zMAhz1ZZAIzT_A2jYz_yYjgS7x3PDZrAmsgyZ8cG6L1quAfVX0CC_aCXei1owzQL0gTa1BV4DcLMowwxer85C_rrqmchuyHW2Gc3ZJ_SzSGje2uqr7fzBKEug8plkctreQ374l7PDSiIKWIJ0h7c/w640-h270/20230202_144105a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Numerous modifications were required for Australian service, which included:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Reinforced engine bay floor.</li><li>Cobelda fire suppression system</li><li>Additional sensors for air temperature, atmospheric pressure and wind direction.</li><li>Therman barrel jacket with modified clamping bands.</li><li>Machine guns modified to fire Australian ball and tracer ammunition.</li><li>Additional internal and external brackets for storage of equipment such as tool boxes, F1 machine gun and ammunition boxes.</li><li>Panoramic zoom telescope for commander and turret telescope for gunner.</li><li>Electro hydraulic gun/turret drive system with weapons stabilisation and coupled to the ballistic computer.</li></ul><div>The Leopard AS1tanks served for over thirty years before being replaced by the US made Abrams in 2007.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UsAE5S5JiTw" width="320" youtube-src-id="UsAE5S5JiTw"></iframe></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The exhibit is on loan from the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Tank Museum, </span>Puckpunyal.</div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Land Rover 106mm Recoilless Rifle</span></b><br />The idea of modifying a Land Rover to mount a 106mm recoilless rifle was developed by the Australian Army in 1960. The initial vehicle underwent trials in 1962 at the Armoured Centre, </span>Puckpunyal.</div><div><br /></div><div>From 1963 onwards various RAEME Workshops undertook the modifications of 69 existing Land Rovers Series 88's, 24 existing Series 2 vehicles, and 45 brand new Series 2A Land Rovers. The converted vehicles were used to equip the anti-tank units of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and later the anti-armour platoon of infantry regiments. The modified vehicles were known as 'Gunbuggies' or 'Sport Cars'.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhb7JefMc9ZinVKzFgw3vOku_YlM4dF_oC8V1Dk_GBtyYIdeO6kndbltVPHwUHdaTWgUvoLp1IBw5_IWVtHpIXRt9knZtVqDjFHu3oA8tAWX3wkHSgdOyAyQAOmIGAPO2y1Rw9_QEGWH8x1m99oa0L930159MLzNgw3nP3jf6IWIoAuA26PJEmK0NJc4/s3175/P1070884b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1783" data-original-width="3175" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhb7JefMc9ZinVKzFgw3vOku_YlM4dF_oC8V1Dk_GBtyYIdeO6kndbltVPHwUHdaTWgUvoLp1IBw5_IWVtHpIXRt9knZtVqDjFHu3oA8tAWX3wkHSgdOyAyQAOmIGAPO2y1Rw9_QEGWH8x1m99oa0L930159MLzNgw3nP3jf6IWIoAuA26PJEmK0NJc4/w640-h360/P1070884b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Six of the 'Gunbuggies' saw service in the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units that operated in the Australian field of operations did not have tanks and so the 106mm recoilless rifles were dismounted and used for base protection, while the vehicles were re-fitted with M60 machine guns and used as convoy escorts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last vehicles were withdrawn in the 1990's after thirty years of service.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Fury Film Stars - Tiger Stunt Double and Sherman Interior Set.</span></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I remember going to see Fury when it came out in the cinemas back in 2014 and enjoying the portrayal of a US Army M4A3E8 Sherman tank crew in the final days of World War II as they embarked on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also well remember the hype that accompanied its release around the fact that it featured the only remaining Tiger tank in running order, namely Tiger 131 lovingly maintained by the Tank Museum in Bovington UK, as well as also featuring their M4A3E8 suitably adorned for its movie star role as the tank 'Fury'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL8lHuBqCzHeBlO-BAU6dN45xYdqoISsqGepdKkGUjEovuOkj_6x1ibe71JshabyhbyQtGiThuK8ILbwyCbJVbs_B5JOuJOSCfYEghZ1zS1o8S-xnND_SqMOgnlGxBSRtQqWFaxv0WNCt4g4xmyqmvH6aPkbUwVkYG_WxDyvN2W-tsdOfi02hemocJaU/s2880/fury_movie-wide.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL8lHuBqCzHeBlO-BAU6dN45xYdqoISsqGepdKkGUjEovuOkj_6x1ibe71JshabyhbyQtGiThuK8ILbwyCbJVbs_B5JOuJOSCfYEghZ1zS1o8S-xnND_SqMOgnlGxBSRtQqWFaxv0WNCt4g4xmyqmvH6aPkbUwVkYG_WxDyvN2W-tsdOfi02hemocJaU/w640-h400/fury_movie-wide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;">I've attached a link below to the Tank Museum's video recounting the preparation for their two vehicles and the nervous apprehension of effectively using their priceless Tiger tank as a film prop, and the relief when it was packed up on to its transporter after the film crew had compiled what would become an epic sequence of tank battle as the Shermans went toe to toe with the German behemoth which looked spectacular on the big screen and certainly got the adrenalin running.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;">The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum is home to several other props from that film including the 'mock Tiger' seen below that was used as a stand in for the more dramatic manoeuvres performed to avoid any strain on the running gear of Tiger 131 and at a casual glance, certainly with a bit of CGI magic, the replica is quite impressive.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHek-epfM-Xs_QscvqwaotVehz8lPrCXknQfquYfspqZ-pElpP4pC8cGHloAb1aarsUYTMKO7rni2184mR5LtDw65xzh7Egq7z0LRJB9gLAD3Esb6tBwHRzxwomKEFlpmZYXI4RU_aZyqgvTf-RVaWP1ZbqId-LHSKpLr6sYqftPLYSwS9Z7jqS2xbGLo/s4759/P1080123a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="4759" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHek-epfM-Xs_QscvqwaotVehz8lPrCXknQfquYfspqZ-pElpP4pC8cGHloAb1aarsUYTMKO7rni2184mR5LtDw65xzh7Egq7z0LRJB9gLAD3Esb6tBwHRzxwomKEFlpmZYXI4RU_aZyqgvTf-RVaWP1ZbqId-LHSKpLr6sYqftPLYSwS9Z7jqS2xbGLo/w640-h310/P1080123a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ8IB6opbNNlMta0pxyHM2hraUzTUAmXeSWl6IL-cANGblbq-9OjFjTc4QiQSlBnNvxNLGKGMxXiYrUaAG3naeHbOZQktxzbcYOeboDIy4GAJ-HPmo9ax3ISpXpElpBGIdb8OAznZjdY5OiZzfjCdmoJC6xS1x3tPD-sTOBitPePuj6609934jcp8Y_w/s4896/P1080124a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="4896" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ8IB6opbNNlMta0pxyHM2hraUzTUAmXeSWl6IL-cANGblbq-9OjFjTc4QiQSlBnNvxNLGKGMxXiYrUaAG3naeHbOZQktxzbcYOeboDIy4GAJ-HPmo9ax3ISpXpElpBGIdb8OAznZjdY5OiZzfjCdmoJC6xS1x3tPD-sTOBitPePuj6609934jcp8Y_w/w640-h366/P1080124a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/db-i1Y60iKs" width="320" youtube-src-id="db-i1Y60iKs"></iframe></div><br /></span></div><div><span>The other impressive aspect of the film was the intimate scenes recreated within the Sherman tank, as the crew were filmed performing their various roles in the most tense and dramatic moments.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxHgZJFZWcktI5UitO4DRXU_VS3HMWTcSNzAwXOimtF7n0OW0vjP3ZGU2z2Uirad5mcsD-ezE1EgPkAsyz-u_dW3ymNU7ueo71w4GHer_MxyF7X35jXJN9cScntdopx8biyCgpNR-Q1WgIpeaMNzPC4f33CxBiQHVoB0VzKTWyklXcaOA2-5RDg8zzDk/s4032/20230202_143638a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxHgZJFZWcktI5UitO4DRXU_VS3HMWTcSNzAwXOimtF7n0OW0vjP3ZGU2z2Uirad5mcsD-ezE1EgPkAsyz-u_dW3ymNU7ueo71w4GHer_MxyF7X35jXJN9cScntdopx8biyCgpNR-Q1WgIpeaMNzPC4f33CxBiQHVoB0VzKTWyklXcaOA2-5RDg8zzDk/w640-h480/20230202_143638a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>Room inside a real Sherman turret is very limited and so it meant that it was not possible to have the camera and the actors and film crew inside a real turret, and so to overcome the problem, a 30% larger scale replica of the interior of a Sherman tank was built from steel, fibreglass, MDF and plywood and incorporated:</span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical motion system that safely replicated the motion inside a moving tank for the action sequences and the traversing of the turret.</li><li>A special effect system that replicated the firing of a machine gun and the main gun, whch produced smoke to coincide with their firing.</li><li>A computer system that choregraphed the motions and sounds within the tank during the actions scenes.</li></ul><div><br /></div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifTf4n08OQH9PctbiL0bqf5EDUC7gh5c_CFikIxAjwjcV4worSH-gwhCCj1X8KpQ1DSDfeYpWE3MIh2VqIiBA7TqDEPKU_sqxK2DJmOcWdrpY49wuiZmEEQT9CeoX-aJEWFj40z0r2kKia8a45Vimh0EcBOmbOyAoxvcnKprox5aEq7-8y7Ms5xwGJmI/s4032/20230202_143657a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifTf4n08OQH9PctbiL0bqf5EDUC7gh5c_CFikIxAjwjcV4worSH-gwhCCj1X8KpQ1DSDfeYpWE3MIh2VqIiBA7TqDEPKU_sqxK2DJmOcWdrpY49wuiZmEEQT9CeoX-aJEWFj40z0r2kKia8a45Vimh0EcBOmbOyAoxvcnKprox5aEq7-8y7Ms5xwGJmI/w640-h480/20230202_143657a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsYQWeG7uFkLLpKxVC2GS4WPEwrdsZ6Bd-8IuEZ1xBz-cgvI1RpEtAIGv6h6wKkviwMvkiXvZVi5rzs10sGnkm5Ftk3Q-22xQF8GD_z28LwETnrm98dt8CUbDIpL1rtDx7P1ny0LlaHKUCUEl87Uaqv06BZBuLhCH4WB2ixibqyzNXeii7ya5svuiMts/s1024/5d163c2493b16.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsYQWeG7uFkLLpKxVC2GS4WPEwrdsZ6Bd-8IuEZ1xBz-cgvI1RpEtAIGv6h6wKkviwMvkiXvZVi5rzs10sGnkm5Ftk3Q-22xQF8GD_z28LwETnrm98dt8CUbDIpL1rtDx7P1ny0LlaHKUCUEl87Uaqv06BZBuLhCH4WB2ixibqyzNXeii7ya5svuiMts/w640-h426/5d163c2493b16.webp" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOro_QaIUNyiwMxSoR787thFi7H49uwAIKsXk8PFQjSkIMh9ifn7LgEwrI7awBXQLORaKRSh8QGrVpraMQ4R5Q2oAUQVHHfsgl8nB4UiSfwOlaNfiYJo9Y92PGvPOLBuzh3YaODN74VBnpsyhgsqo7JvTjhDufOCTPjXa-2G4u-XmSzPn2jPkhfL7LGQ/s4000/20230202_143708a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOro_QaIUNyiwMxSoR787thFi7H49uwAIKsXk8PFQjSkIMh9ifn7LgEwrI7awBXQLORaKRSh8QGrVpraMQ4R5Q2oAUQVHHfsgl8nB4UiSfwOlaNfiYJo9Y92PGvPOLBuzh3YaODN74VBnpsyhgsqo7JvTjhDufOCTPjXa-2G4u-XmSzPn2jPkhfL7LGQ/w640-h480/20230202_143708a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dKVkA8DaIMY" width="320" youtube-src-id="dKVkA8DaIMY"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1TWTBkXTUm4" width="320" youtube-src-id="1TWTBkXTUm4"></iframe></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Military Memorabilia and Small Arms.</span></b></div><div><span>One aspect that I really enjoy when visiting military museum collections are seeing the items that reflect the personal story of individuals that participated in specific campaigns or actions together with items directly relating to those historic events, something I have featured here on the blog when visiting British Regimental and National museums at home and something I was keen to see during my time in Australia, looking specifically for those Australian items and stories that I was less likely to encounter at home.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>British forces were not involved in the Vietnam conflict unlike the Australians, touched on in the accounts of some of the vehicles seen in the collection and so it was interesting to see items reflecting the Australian experience of that war.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMtMV3KQ0p1JTY2ZoqmvocE_nDAf8aG7rQdDbB3AGPlhjT3laobGw5SyWH1UP9atu1D2nqw2C39xONo0V_H1NJ7L0-JQ61SaEfUwIEQ2hya5AdBtXv5iLgdbm1NyjR_zqfTMsbq-Gx90wZNsAjGbAYYKR4nhqhQoOTKnpOaam3ZLOtBruAj6gtSuJUWc/s3981/P1070855a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2687" data-original-width="3981" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMtMV3KQ0p1JTY2ZoqmvocE_nDAf8aG7rQdDbB3AGPlhjT3laobGw5SyWH1UP9atu1D2nqw2C39xONo0V_H1NJ7L0-JQ61SaEfUwIEQ2hya5AdBtXv5iLgdbm1NyjR_zqfTMsbq-Gx90wZNsAjGbAYYKR4nhqhQoOTKnpOaam3ZLOtBruAj6gtSuJUWc/w640-h432/P1070855a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6r2twLhHavGkyjcIoy7kmH4TEbVX8iKJEh1hsAp31t-nOSpLeuoWfTqTADmnSuaXl3GH9ysp4SJdEjVd4W902N8I8ygySOs0pev7rTdkj1euZ4VpJiZQ0pJcVByVBxFCY_TJGSwFDLqNsPwixkWETPhceah8b_ICvp3Naw6QpZFgwTbJUBNG9ojFL8Y/s4896/P1070856a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6r2twLhHavGkyjcIoy7kmH4TEbVX8iKJEh1hsAp31t-nOSpLeuoWfTqTADmnSuaXl3GH9ysp4SJdEjVd4W902N8I8ygySOs0pev7rTdkj1euZ4VpJiZQ0pJcVByVBxFCY_TJGSwFDLqNsPwixkWETPhceah8b_ICvp3Naw6QpZFgwTbJUBNG9ojFL8Y/w640-h480/P1070856a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj-Ke55ocBbEO8SvzJOAX_4yrKznKFabnhetyEq9xwobnQA71ddO62TC-OBw4S_RlC32Bhok6XWBr2tPQjMEbCbUXRY9s8OVOt_h_JQuDy4t66Sn-FqufCy8suW-QRilJBndEhSQxZratI3XAvTU_NDzuLm3yxg2McnA5oYlHULFNJhMoQG7NG2O9J9Q/s4896/P1070857a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj-Ke55ocBbEO8SvzJOAX_4yrKznKFabnhetyEq9xwobnQA71ddO62TC-OBw4S_RlC32Bhok6XWBr2tPQjMEbCbUXRY9s8OVOt_h_JQuDy4t66Sn-FqufCy8suW-QRilJBndEhSQxZratI3XAvTU_NDzuLm3yxg2McnA5oYlHULFNJhMoQG7NG2O9J9Q/w640-h480/P1070857a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span> </span></span></div>Below are items relating to Corporal William (Bill) Garlick of the 2/40th Battalion of the 2nd AIF recruited almost entirely in Tasmania.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>In December 1941 Bill was deployed along with his battalion to the Dutch Timor as part of 'Sparrow Force' to guard an airfield at Penfui, with himself attached to Head Quarters Company, 4th Platoon, (Armoured Carriers).</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>The Japanese attack on Dutch Timor began on the 20th February 1942 with amphibious and parachute forces and Sparrow Force conducted a three day fighting withdrawal that in the face of lack of food, water and ammunition, together with a Japanese force closing in on their rear, saw them force to surrender, with the surviving members of the 2/40th facing a harrowing time as prisoners of the Japanese and dispersed throughout Japan's conquered territory.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eHCUVveP35UeN-inSFowRFA_OcyDzvBhYwnzOqTPEQKKCX9QTlNgXynpqFeRamuR_mOx-7C3vyFhzopRok106UcHR5peqK3bRdtGUTLj4Z4TmUd17ypiQKEXRHFyDlCM7h4IqdkV0V1GnBt__hJCNr3VrdKd6m-48vTFbb8T24_blYYooaKkJVDaqp4/s4896/P1070858a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eHCUVveP35UeN-inSFowRFA_OcyDzvBhYwnzOqTPEQKKCX9QTlNgXynpqFeRamuR_mOx-7C3vyFhzopRok106UcHR5peqK3bRdtGUTLj4Z4TmUd17ypiQKEXRHFyDlCM7h4IqdkV0V1GnBt__hJCNr3VrdKd6m-48vTFbb8T24_blYYooaKkJVDaqp4/w640-h480/P1070858a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>Bill Garlick was one of the lucky ones, surviving a torpedo attack on the prisoner transport ship Tamahoko Maru by the US submarine Tang, whilst being transported to Japan in June 1944, that saw only 72 of the 267 Australian POW's surviving the sinking.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTrRc2LmIIeE08YiKGeoxPfjmF1xUVlpfA3DAW0BJwnO2mZNMyeG1APXR09OOw6AJQemfhRTrv2jUuWBYYSz-gGvl9fqAr7ya8nCmgcnClL436snCsFtkHcY86QBVu9Hpln_HJTeVEm2RKmyYA5nPJfG-WTg-iI5KGIyoFkH7XLJMiMM74eV7i0Co2ZU/s4896/P1070860a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTrRc2LmIIeE08YiKGeoxPfjmF1xUVlpfA3DAW0BJwnO2mZNMyeG1APXR09OOw6AJQemfhRTrv2jUuWBYYSz-gGvl9fqAr7ya8nCmgcnClL436snCsFtkHcY86QBVu9Hpln_HJTeVEm2RKmyYA5nPJfG-WTg-iI5KGIyoFkH7XLJMiMM74eV7i0Co2ZU/w640-h480/P1070860a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1U5HbBhceT4OiD_f5iJEwBsEtoM7BCI2drPnetwdkuXpyNc0E_EuxTT7Yct7rP8jtzJ_q5pjgZ_24MUxSumzTtMvrwBEaaFPwl5GD4t3jbXTF4Cg7OH4YWfBnOpiBYh183QnshNoxTyPTaEQItzBYlPWcxgZcAxvVB_-w5oPgxbgZTKXoaktnXfBNwI/s4896/P1070862a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1U5HbBhceT4OiD_f5iJEwBsEtoM7BCI2drPnetwdkuXpyNc0E_EuxTT7Yct7rP8jtzJ_q5pjgZ_24MUxSumzTtMvrwBEaaFPwl5GD4t3jbXTF4Cg7OH4YWfBnOpiBYh183QnshNoxTyPTaEQItzBYlPWcxgZcAxvVB_-w5oPgxbgZTKXoaktnXfBNwI/w640-h480/P1070862a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>The flag and medal collection relating to Trooper Peter 'Jock' Grandison, Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade has an interesting tale behind them related on the information board below entitled 'First to the Bottom of the Rhine'.</span></span></div><div><span><span> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLOCcWkmuj68s7L8n_P-B-KilTwNsdYu394qp9VCHVtIgixHgidJnevKx-JpAO0dGbJRIe69rKNsZVnFUlYbor35SQZz_uGIIUvyy3Xy6lRijbrf81DYZx_pUVxj4pB8hD0DdHvnPKI9VAllacKjrkZt8mCOG35nxwZGWm-IAwEx4c90j0HcruHohU8w/s4896/P1080110a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLOCcWkmuj68s7L8n_P-B-KilTwNsdYu394qp9VCHVtIgixHgidJnevKx-JpAO0dGbJRIe69rKNsZVnFUlYbor35SQZz_uGIIUvyy3Xy6lRijbrf81DYZx_pUVxj4pB8hD0DdHvnPKI9VAllacKjrkZt8mCOG35nxwZGWm-IAwEx4c90j0HcruHohU8w/w640-h480/P1080110a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPchceGaHfK9aqKx7bnGHS0h6jQJ_jktEug53vR9NrYTNxERXHKZvlDhLvlAlPPYs8OtaXuD-3dLcpY0xaglYIYFEG-lcdrXBCcLr2PZ7BE5UceNRpGPkFdjhIynq0ijDIbgR76q7V-6UbVFqrnKdi_uBu-lO4TcT9iI6r3_vE84jD4VQD-FjH_CGcVDE/s4122/P1080111a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4122" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPchceGaHfK9aqKx7bnGHS0h6jQJ_jktEug53vR9NrYTNxERXHKZvlDhLvlAlPPYs8OtaXuD-3dLcpY0xaglYIYFEG-lcdrXBCcLr2PZ7BE5UceNRpGPkFdjhIynq0ijDIbgR76q7V-6UbVFqrnKdi_uBu-lO4TcT9iI6r3_vE84jD4VQD-FjH_CGcVDE/w640-h570/P1080111a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMPBwBZthvqVs0wf0nspDtta__uVIhF3NrWoHbtJtoY6H6GD64KuhtXgsep2Cz7-mDT-Ob_Tfqg0C3CUi83dBGZpd4hPZNbpO6hvEqilHHQ68SMIAdSnvFQDVaRscxMcdmgvcswoRd3zk5YKoAdexFnO3BH_tTyXbA91d0y0jNxD-uXPLMgPE7y5UJRs/s3524/P1080112a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3524" data-original-width="2363" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMPBwBZthvqVs0wf0nspDtta__uVIhF3NrWoHbtJtoY6H6GD64KuhtXgsep2Cz7-mDT-Ob_Tfqg0C3CUi83dBGZpd4hPZNbpO6hvEqilHHQ68SMIAdSnvFQDVaRscxMcdmgvcswoRd3zk5YKoAdexFnO3BH_tTyXbA91d0y0jNxD-uXPLMgPE7y5UJRs/w430-h640/P1080112a.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally in the lower gallery the museum houses a fine collection of World War II small arms and items of uniform and kit from some of the combatants involved that compliments the armour and artillery collection by reminding the visitor that in the end it still comes down to the 'Queen of the Battlefield' otherwise known as the 'Poor Bloody Infantry' to go in and occupy the ground, often in the face of the enemy, once the other arms have supported them onto the position.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9BwBNQYT5kQGq1AQlpeEXKbG2t5XurSFNu2ftQ7lYm4XufELDq2bzh6EeAqGHzjkahFbbHiujesieEBvVj4cwXD_4NRXttQRHevQHPDFC6ZkhZdfQq7iSOEh3dboocFFK3bgX5bqX9QqHagiPNy1davi-jvBUYjgQrGaoGVphws-kWWKxGASRDVHtb4/s4000/20230202_145626a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="4000" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9BwBNQYT5kQGq1AQlpeEXKbG2t5XurSFNu2ftQ7lYm4XufELDq2bzh6EeAqGHzjkahFbbHiujesieEBvVj4cwXD_4NRXttQRHevQHPDFC6ZkhZdfQq7iSOEh3dboocFFK3bgX5bqX9QqHagiPNy1davi-jvBUYjgQrGaoGVphws-kWWKxGASRDVHtb4/w640-h464/20230202_145626a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNv2GzuTrHso08NWlb6lwzChEPxzUmmYCNt82e8-AWXb0y24CbTEDNQ6YAm0X5DE-pXlazBASbVjua_Ag4msQ_82qSU3f3JdSFnF_aV2SWkNGjeS40fDHO4gClr4ShAWKkDIG0pZj1-1S0xt9lshjYvJOMt4ey7z2CrKayyHr3dooBd0qgq552Eud__w/s4032/20230202_145723a.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNv2GzuTrHso08NWlb6lwzChEPxzUmmYCNt82e8-AWXb0y24CbTEDNQ6YAm0X5DE-pXlazBASbVjua_Ag4msQ_82qSU3f3JdSFnF_aV2SWkNGjeS40fDHO4gClr4ShAWKkDIG0pZj1-1S0xt9lshjYvJOMt4ey7z2CrKayyHr3dooBd0qgq552Eud__w/w640-h480/20230202_145723a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8nfTPIFFpmYDWK5xwgocwxj4lBym6mHHRrBa3ROx4n9R0qUkqGKshLWF8-KNDMWmJNScXfKJE0yjN1ei0OlvlbJ8AIpjUwVugi4truGu3hChk9RokoZV7I9K80SV2x8cKfAqapWk1l2ynrf4e23G9XzUktrHvZdiBBn48cCCOWRbzEyZKKUPinltzH4/s4032/20230202_145814a.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8nfTPIFFpmYDWK5xwgocwxj4lBym6mHHRrBa3ROx4n9R0qUkqGKshLWF8-KNDMWmJNScXfKJE0yjN1ei0OlvlbJ8AIpjUwVugi4truGu3hChk9RokoZV7I9K80SV2x8cKfAqapWk1l2ynrf4e23G9XzUktrHvZdiBBn48cCCOWRbzEyZKKUPinltzH4/w640-h480/20230202_145814a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBftPfusfwoXK9h7940W848nHV6a113uo9xIzKd38a_U3lKdtspZWKTPh34tqrHLBYk6W988I70HvMUcr9b39kf0AEhcfmT-FfH22JiJCNpV1a6KzD6TftQ_EkhKrV9KiDiYnLFnfPp0G1IFW5gSOIaOmMTovwDafnVmi3f8DiXgdJ5Sh2rXQMNk_ZGdM/s4032/20230202_150029a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBftPfusfwoXK9h7940W848nHV6a113uo9xIzKd38a_U3lKdtspZWKTPh34tqrHLBYk6W988I70HvMUcr9b39kf0AEhcfmT-FfH22JiJCNpV1a6KzD6TftQ_EkhKrV9KiDiYnLFnfPp0G1IFW5gSOIaOmMTovwDafnVmi3f8DiXgdJ5Sh2rXQMNk_ZGdM/w480-h640/20230202_150029a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWegIUGsM94hu8pzBaDH6qscyUQE_zDY1jJ99dFZo6ipugbkJNNCMbwisbc8krUkga5rpRowVBYLEX5HcOoux5-I8dC3Kyio29a3uBgux9NIJfHscURAim2WKSZ4PfO5jwBdQ_4IjB5ON2aWZ6r3_E2X6gqCKaEHcRyKeY8lysvzN26WMB5Iswi7Rp-5M/s4032/20230202_145821a.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWegIUGsM94hu8pzBaDH6qscyUQE_zDY1jJ99dFZo6ipugbkJNNCMbwisbc8krUkga5rpRowVBYLEX5HcOoux5-I8dC3Kyio29a3uBgux9NIJfHscURAim2WKSZ4PfO5jwBdQ_4IjB5ON2aWZ6r3_E2X6gqCKaEHcRyKeY8lysvzN26WMB5Iswi7Rp-5M/w640-h480/20230202_145821a.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7w_sr8RLtNAJDW6G0xuQQuyq3EiTeSm4j5fRl9GiU4JzZfuYN2i21LWggGZK4y02o17t58fRTtdn5k0zg9RUbhQ8SQdB0_hGTxeFJdY5icpbyDoC-bNwf6Nh5HlZPF0wAJd1zWpUw2lw_CNhkQg8OeEp5CVD93D8GhPvXq3-kcGsXcoNYJlbIaSF09g/s4032/20230202_145827a.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7w_sr8RLtNAJDW6G0xuQQuyq3EiTeSm4j5fRl9GiU4JzZfuYN2i21LWggGZK4y02o17t58fRTtdn5k0zg9RUbhQ8SQdB0_hGTxeFJdY5icpbyDoC-bNwf6Nh5HlZPF0wAJd1zWpUw2lw_CNhkQg8OeEp5CVD93D8GhPvXq3-kcGsXcoNYJlbIaSF09g/w640-h480/20230202_145827a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWF00bipQf37ZP3-CRqx7Iww9vG2NP07gq9PWaWzFJiUYR9mfbHRfS0LmndpiiqwTxJyYf8Ggbs2tuCLNQAAZQRI0w64th6tUXYxZEzE-LkDIkD6fw4WuiNWcq9wG85kDBBrPDlrqLMKjFsdTYK0NkVgvPA9xHHEa-FW0FyWqyIRl3zw_aBvjwlflJ-4/s4032/20230202_145836a.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gVLi6tbIyxbJrWwt6Eez53LUPAwZZ0Y6GFPcTiRanymECGmyLw8nEt5teeAHAEk7LplQ_IybWOZ1WGnJxh5ttG0A1gFt56bvS3_WsLj7MEzxFex7ZuXGxof1vf9FZgYmN900RzcKCZkiOWLYPv5udEdRvc_CK8ZwvDI5D1-qXzF-Fk51MgYwwf1JKzk/s4032/20230202_150202a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gVLi6tbIyxbJrWwt6Eez53LUPAwZZ0Y6GFPcTiRanymECGmyLw8nEt5teeAHAEk7LplQ_IybWOZ1WGnJxh5ttG0A1gFt56bvS3_WsLj7MEzxFex7ZuXGxof1vf9FZgYmN900RzcKCZkiOWLYPv5udEdRvc_CK8ZwvDI5D1-qXzF-Fk51MgYwwf1JKzk/w640-h480/20230202_150202a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></span></div></span></div></div>I have to say how impressive the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum collection is and what an amazing job they are doing in returning to a remarkable state of restoration through refabrication and repair some incredibly rare vehicles and guns, always conscious about retaining historical scars of battle and authentic paintwork to inform future generations about how they might have appeared on the battlefield and the weapons that most likely caused their destruction.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you care to follow the video links attached and go to the museums YouTube Channel you can see this amazing restoration work being done which is adding to the collection with a continuous schedule of new restorations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankyou to the staff who were very welcoming and I would encourage anyone with a similar interest and the opportunity to visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-32053255674328011602024-02-03T14:57:00.000-08:002024-02-04T01:41:51.350-08:00Battle of Camperdown - The Leeward Division Attacks, Far Distant Ships<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MPGBYIQ3fqyWxZ77_fE00JETB0rQ0LHEEfqbejtSI9VDnJBoumRTZBWD8LUQba826JHzs1PaUD0H8_Fr5_4UEvNl3SKVGpOt6tCvLzcvWduzOm15LYIZjE2FUBdGItmBqlCbbegUrbphxfgS8F6BNls4WKEgw3AUAIZ1KJMtYMQe-ykgcOrWtrmSZT0/s1920/Header%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MPGBYIQ3fqyWxZ77_fE00JETB0rQ0LHEEfqbejtSI9VDnJBoumRTZBWD8LUQba826JHzs1PaUD0H8_Fr5_4UEvNl3SKVGpOt6tCvLzcvWduzOm15LYIZjE2FUBdGItmBqlCbbegUrbphxfgS8F6BNls4WKEgw3AUAIZ1KJMtYMQe-ykgcOrWtrmSZT0/w640-h360/Header%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It has been with much anticipation that I looked forward to posting this AAR on a new set of rules for me, namely Far Distant Ships (FDS) written by David Manley, as part of my New Year Project to complete and play the Battle of Camperdown and covered in my recent post looking at the preparations for our game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvw_Sv6xMRO80yj2Snz0BuaDfrATVfdD3W3V6cFc-YJMfSr4vVHkyk4XEpzNPRjWLJbJ2PKEONIXgO2r4ypqQ11NoJ1x_38aM75f_sDtgM6JSkRtIqDQHJiXic94DmA4RS0nm89LpwJpTcQoiY8jebd9ONNbsjOb8SGMLxI7MkLljUW6NIoVEML1S4NU/s1501/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1501" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvw_Sv6xMRO80yj2Snz0BuaDfrATVfdD3W3V6cFc-YJMfSr4vVHkyk4XEpzNPRjWLJbJ2PKEONIXgO2r4ypqQ11NoJ1x_38aM75f_sDtgM6JSkRtIqDQHJiXic94DmA4RS0nm89LpwJpTcQoiY8jebd9ONNbsjOb8SGMLxI7MkLljUW6NIoVEML1S4NU/w400-h286/Header.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2024/01/battle-of-camperdown-preparations.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Camperdown Preparations, The Leeward Column Attacks! Playtest</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On first and subsequent reads, FDS certainly chimed with thoughts around staging and playing bigger battles using 1:700 models, but as my post alluded to, reading is one thing and playing is another and so getting a scenario together to give the rules a chance to show their potential was important.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Recalling similar efforts four years previously with Kiss Me Hardy and the Trafalgar collection, I decided to mimic the practice games for that project that used a discreet section of the Trafalgar attack, namely that of the Leeward Squadron under Admiral Collingwood, to do something similar with the Leeward Division of Admiral Onslow at Camperdown, with the similarities only too obvious when the set up is seen deployed on the table.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt8HqX_I4FLso1He7JNfbu485LtKmHMqsFI74RxX4IkgawzOLnkS5t628iIbSGcfuZ85ylYr5burVcoD3Alorxs8ZW7_HP7NJ3uhDh3YjwMlf2vmM5mE3DjbdTQI39HkRAIJySx5ReFFlAR4YVutg3bkh6myXzNfKkNXCc2DxeXJK0L1Gnp8ZkOJVux8/s1358/20240123_160553a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1358" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt8HqX_I4FLso1He7JNfbu485LtKmHMqsFI74RxX4IkgawzOLnkS5t628iIbSGcfuZ85ylYr5burVcoD3Alorxs8ZW7_HP7NJ3uhDh3YjwMlf2vmM5mE3DjbdTQI39HkRAIJySx5ReFFlAR4YVutg3bkh6myXzNfKkNXCc2DxeXJK0L1Gnp8ZkOJVux8/w640-h334/20240123_160553a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think a good parameter as to how well a particular rule set works on the simulation/game measure is, in terms of the simulation side, do the rules capture the aspects of a particular historical engagement, to the point that with all things being equal, in terms of set up and constraints on the players representing those placed on the historical counterparts they are representing, they enable a very similar replay of the events that occurred as recorded. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Similarly as regards the game parameter, are the rules fun and absorbing for the players involved? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So as well as observing the play mechanics and routines, I was very much focussed on the simulation/game aspect, with the set up designed to represent the constraints alluded to and not presenting a 'what-if' playing of the attack we were portraying.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This scenario recreates the attack on the Batavian Dutch rearward squadron under Rear-Admiral Hermanus Reijntjes, flagship <i>Jupiter</i>, by the British Leeward Division under Vice Admiral Richard Onslow, Flagship HMS <i>Monarch</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN_AFnix_Zp46RL4oGiMJmt-KkDfymxoVNiVrMIq_D3eRqoS5lk2pz88zuJrpjPlxlHnj795TO3f6SO4n-zd08Kenenrh5I0Y2aE2zCePjYFNB6V5VZMmA6rFvHqLH0CIr3lZLzypmudffeP75bLqTteZkvlQkBuM5IbjxL0Jli0uHdLjmw_XraZzvbQ/s1288/OB%20British%20Red%20Division.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1288" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN_AFnix_Zp46RL4oGiMJmt-KkDfymxoVNiVrMIq_D3eRqoS5lk2pz88zuJrpjPlxlHnj795TO3f6SO4n-zd08Kenenrh5I0Y2aE2zCePjYFNB6V5VZMmA6rFvHqLH0CIr3lZLzypmudffeP75bLqTteZkvlQkBuM5IbjxL0Jli0uHdLjmw_XraZzvbQ/w640-h196/OB%20British%20Red%20Division.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made an error with the carronade factors (CF) on the British 3rd-rate Inferiors (64-gunners) which should have been +2 not +3. That's what play tests are for!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tZsuHYjqDCcyN-2hjdrDeXbi-Omin6E0D-CEqiorM720-rYhKJmtRSkZPbWnjIwbrL3lEf7qHcd1Q29YRe6gFR7VyfjKcuduQkvW6xskOaq5zFXoqzYTQ4ptg29AMyuddjDrS3jQTXJo1QC1B3C_wwHkzqAl_s6BGmlIBCEyduONeMB0ujYhhxnUpto/s1328/OB%20Batavian%20White%20Sqd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1328" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tZsuHYjqDCcyN-2hjdrDeXbi-Omin6E0D-CEqiorM720-rYhKJmtRSkZPbWnjIwbrL3lEf7qHcd1Q29YRe6gFR7VyfjKcuduQkvW6xskOaq5zFXoqzYTQ4ptg29AMyuddjDrS3jQTXJo1QC1B3C_wwHkzqAl_s6BGmlIBCEyduONeMB0ujYhhxnUpto/w640-h200/OB%20Batavian%20White%20Sqd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Environment</span></b></div><div>Wind from the North West, Light Breeze, and Visibility good.</div><div>The action is fought on a 9’ by 5’ table using 1:700 models, scaled to one inch to 20 yards or 1cm to 8 yards.</div><div><br /></div><div>See the diagram at the end of this scenario pack for an indication of the position of individual ships in the respective lines.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fKo3UDhR86bIAp0i2PSE8hMC3rwCvVGf8hg0ax8qGCtUU_HEpDfUlHC2mI8KpljUkLWgQlwyZR_fOy9B2NDX83QW5qB5QDcQg9HQDc4OIp27OJgcGai3JjdG8t19tdd1AyMVck2tgXZP1LAoc3-sxIVj4Jp_NiJJHx16RTWTUIW3I3c_ao6ZidJJDxw/s4896/P1110736a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fKo3UDhR86bIAp0i2PSE8hMC3rwCvVGf8hg0ax8qGCtUU_HEpDfUlHC2mI8KpljUkLWgQlwyZR_fOy9B2NDX83QW5qB5QDcQg9HQDc4OIp27OJgcGai3JjdG8t19tdd1AyMVck2tgXZP1LAoc3-sxIVj4Jp_NiJJHx16RTWTUIW3I3c_ao6ZidJJDxw/w640-h480/P1110736a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Leeward Division under full sail bear down on the Batavian line ahead.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Setup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Weather Column</div><div style="text-align: left;">Leeward Division: Vice Admiral Richard Onslow, Flagship HMS <i>Monarch</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The British line deploys sailing North West to South East</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Batavian Setup</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trailing Squadron: Rear-Admiral Hermanus Reijntjes, flagship <i>Jupiter</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Frigate Line: Independent ships</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Batavian squadrons deploy first, heading South West to North East</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The frigate line deploys to leeward of the battle line at least 20 cm away, Independent and may be dispensed with if signalling rules are not in play. </div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDbN70t-sIn1PJn_hA7o1lIvWdw958B0kpjsv2ZdfJ97aqC8lo6jdaMUJDo7uErK2PZyWSEivFN_Y330Pohcdhrc7APOzyMEnvHHwiyTBnqa3v6NceqjgWxfh6fnEzU0w2-6P64hrKZI-CDVV8SCBwnyEeTzZ9UGDU9J_e0lTHrmO1h6n3HxcP2Ayt5U/s4896/P1110735a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2069" data-original-width="4896" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDbN70t-sIn1PJn_hA7o1lIvWdw958B0kpjsv2ZdfJ97aqC8lo6jdaMUJDo7uErK2PZyWSEivFN_Y330Pohcdhrc7APOzyMEnvHHwiyTBnqa3v6NceqjgWxfh6fnEzU0w2-6P64hrKZI-CDVV8SCBwnyEeTzZ9UGDU9J_e0lTHrmO1h6n3HxcP2Ayt5U/w640-h270/P1110735a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Batavians open with their broadsides on the approaching British</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The map below illustrates the approach of the British fleet towards the Dutch line and in particular the Leeward Squadron under Vice Admiral Onslow aboard HMS Monarch on which this scenario is focussed.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOItpIIaa9fFKYq2-k6a7SnBxY8jM9ofpPQBIlvvS5vD5yzmPLxxI1IZF7IGhk_cVEisyu6a-On1ch2K4vRhuDikrNeA2SmBfTImh3JoGn28jgAuR8eeHFL3ansNl8afy1bEb2FgWTBGsWOr4QResMcPU1H4odYvj1l1XeY16veE9jnoL6BNQIVmOyOM/s355/imageedit_3_3868039071.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="355" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOItpIIaa9fFKYq2-k6a7SnBxY8jM9ofpPQBIlvvS5vD5yzmPLxxI1IZF7IGhk_cVEisyu6a-On1ch2K4vRhuDikrNeA2SmBfTImh3JoGn28jgAuR8eeHFL3ansNl8afy1bEb2FgWTBGsWOr4QResMcPU1H4odYvj1l1XeY16veE9jnoL6BNQIVmOyOM/w640-h598/imageedit_3_3868039071.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many contemporary illustrations and paintings of the Battle of Camperdown portray Admiral Duncan's flagship HMS <i>Venerable </i>flying 'Signal No.5, 'Close Action', including this one by Thomas Whitcombe, with the red and white chequer signal flown at the mizzen, as a punishing broadside is delivered to the Batavian flagship <i>Vrijheid</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Batavian Dutch reversed course and headed towards their base at the Texel, edging ever closer to shallower water as they did so to help them in their efforts to discomfort any British attack on their line as they sought sanctuary within their home port.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44u5-sniNdsDm4H4KjxaMIAGQLIN9v9hFC9ZkpVfZSIL7e1WzFmR3PnlNUIMAp_1XRgw56byrF82FkqKgl3zoVm1f-7gH7yz_jKfLHM2v4t7aXZjLxM3EvU1GPa7gMWArt2wb-dWytDZ4O2QB1EokGa61pQjpH7clGvKhLfq99CP45wA2FojBKivtStM/s1914/Signal%20No.%2041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1914" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44u5-sniNdsDm4H4KjxaMIAGQLIN9v9hFC9ZkpVfZSIL7e1WzFmR3PnlNUIMAp_1XRgw56byrF82FkqKgl3zoVm1f-7gH7yz_jKfLHM2v4t7aXZjLxM3EvU1GPa7gMWArt2wb-dWytDZ4O2QB1EokGa61pQjpH7clGvKhLfq99CP45wA2FojBKivtStM/w640-h358/Signal%20No.%2041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Howe's signal book was in use for the Battle of Camperdown.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On realising the enemy’s tactic, Admiral Duncan has signalled the British fleet at 11.35 <b>‘Signal 41’, to ‘Bear up and sail large’</b>, followed by a further signal at 11.53, <b>‘Signal 34’</b> instructing captains to <b>‘To Pass through the Line and to Engage the Enemy to Leeward’</b>, later followed at 12.05, <b>Signal 5 'Close Action'</b>, at which point the set up presents the situation as seen below at 12.30pm as the British are about to move into long range for the great guns.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdcj68_E53iTqjPNSNmnfBDfIYHcxerl8hILuqjIJzyZwhXydVATdpr000iTi5KHyftgZG6m_IoKKff1Kw6yNSjqwFwtCibpOqHJd6mWgH7wGNm2zwftTGzHpKDMeRNiHmn1XQa6NPlqwGR8bRn2NuR8b7_B8y-Xug896qrGvWB_2KM_6puzWhPJHPNE/s992/Plan%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="686" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdcj68_E53iTqjPNSNmnfBDfIYHcxerl8hILuqjIJzyZwhXydVATdpr000iTi5KHyftgZG6m_IoKKff1Kw6yNSjqwFwtCibpOqHJd6mWgH7wGNm2zwftTGzHpKDMeRNiHmn1XQa6NPlqwGR8bRn2NuR8b7_B8y-Xug896qrGvWB_2KM_6puzWhPJHPNE/w442-h640/Plan%201.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Special Rules</span></b></div><div>The table may be “scrolled” to East and West and South and South West (Should the Batavians attempt to edge closer to the coast) as required.</div><div><br /></div><div>The South table edge is considered to be coastline. Shallows commence 30cms beyond the table edge as follows:</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijleM1JUDdeAq8046BcXTggTQnsR4YkT1zw7dTx0RuAmSvUUqjikaIbvqZnjW-eqcIjFe2rrdbWamYg2Wi__Z5I_yZGBmzCneMvRTeiuN9-JjPCkVWn4aYOMI4BPoVZHZQS-Snt1niuOfpS0YIhRsv46kZHivOzqsUpluU86L7uj5MvSw5g4DA2KPW1gs/s1051/Distance%20table.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="1051" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijleM1JUDdeAq8046BcXTggTQnsR4YkT1zw7dTx0RuAmSvUUqjikaIbvqZnjW-eqcIjFe2rrdbWamYg2Wi__Z5I_yZGBmzCneMvRTeiuN9-JjPCkVWn4aYOMI4BPoVZHZQS-Snt1niuOfpS0YIhRsv46kZHivOzqsUpluU86L7uj5MvSw5g4DA2KPW1gs/w640-h168/Distance%20table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Batavian ships are able to navigate closer to shore due to their shallower draft.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Batavian ships are not equipped with carronades. They have a +1 gunnery modifier at Close Range.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">British ships are equipped with carronades. All 3rd Rates have a +3 gunnery modifier at Close Range. All (Inferior) 3rd Rates and 4th Rates have a +2 gunnery modifier at Close Range.</div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1YW-ItyCpX6kns7K7N4MjBkvO3H8zWfdkWNX-BV59uO64AbhA3MfWTaY6m5zzuGmFA171Uzu8AtvRuVwMDPb95USiwe7ZhfxFHoa3sM04m1dszoy7m4jJz_IrbeLM1EWBUkvmY5En4pwkxB5h40PZmfLDN21wtCD3bpDKbo0by7KkEEiSts_Qt58YNI/s4896/P1110737a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1YW-ItyCpX6kns7K7N4MjBkvO3H8zWfdkWNX-BV59uO64AbhA3MfWTaY6m5zzuGmFA171Uzu8AtvRuVwMDPb95USiwe7ZhfxFHoa3sM04m1dszoy7m4jJz_IrbeLM1EWBUkvmY5En4pwkxB5h40PZmfLDN21wtCD3bpDKbo0by7KkEEiSts_Qt58YNI/w640-h480/P1110737a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Monarch </i>signals a change of heading for a required course correction.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>Agincourt:</b></div><div>Throughout the action the Agincourt failed to close with the enemy (for which her captain was later court martialled). If players wish to recreate this aspect then Agincourt is not allowed to voluntarily close to within Short range of any enemy ship of the line, apart form those that have struck.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACEfKHpvk0rFmSqP0IobxMsPp7ODrbuM_fwMaUtGF8EwCZdp2_ju9In4IO3RFb6KZs9_atuyy-7wI8GSCaoepFht91Ffr0lxAZHhBKWpaKO42L7KASlfuvlPIYY9pbMCmQe2HYCQ-NOLSp1lVioDxtlbXJstbRUsiiFedC5Vzp0NhjeUhczFHpQRc1BQ/s898/imageedit_1_5501420852.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACEfKHpvk0rFmSqP0IobxMsPp7ODrbuM_fwMaUtGF8EwCZdp2_ju9In4IO3RFb6KZs9_atuyy-7wI8GSCaoepFht91Ffr0lxAZHhBKWpaKO42L7KASlfuvlPIYY9pbMCmQe2HYCQ-NOLSp1lVioDxtlbXJstbRUsiiFedC5Vzp0NhjeUhczFHpQRc1BQ/s320/imageedit_1_5501420852.png" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain John Williamson c 1775<br />Captain of HMS <i>Agincourt </i>was court martialled in the wake of the battle.<br />Further information about his history and that of HMS <i>Agincourt </i>can be found in my post from December last year.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/12/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Four, The Leeward Division Completed</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div>The Court Martial verdict on Captain John Williamson was a clear indictment of his behaviour at the battle, and the evidence against him and in support of him provided by fellow commanders and other eye witnesses provides historians with a more detailed record of the battle than can be extracted from the ships logs.</div><div><br /></div><div>As laid out in the court's judgement, the verdicts failed to find him guilty of cowardice and disaffection, but it seems they were content to conclude that he failed to obey and do his duty by Admiral Duncan's signal and appear not to have ruled out negligence for the cause of his not engaging the enemy and doing his utmost towards their destruction.</div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i><b>'The Court, pursuant to an order from the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., bearing date the fifteenth day of November last past, directed to the said Skeffington Lutwidge, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue and Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the river Medway and at the buoy of the Nore, proceeded to inquire into the conduct of Captain John Williamson, late commander of his Majesty's ship Agincourt, one of the squadron under the command of Admiral Duncan, and to try the said John Williamson upon several charges, for that during the engagement of the said squadron under the command of the said Admiral Duncan with the Dutch fleet on the eleventh day of October last, he, the said John Williamson, did not upon that day, upon signal and order of fight and upon sight of several of the enemy's ships which it was his duty to engage, do his duty, and obey such signal, and also for that he did, on the said eleventh day of October last during the time of action, through cowardice, negligence or disaffection, keep back and did not come into the fight or engagement, and did not do his utmost to take or destroy such of the enemy's ships as it was his duty to engage, and to assist and relieve such of his Majesty's ships as it was his duty to assist and relieve, and having heard the witnesses produced in support of the charges, and by the prisoner in his defence, and having heard what he had to allege in his defence, and having maturely and deliberately weighed and considered the whole : the Court is of opinion that the charges of cowardice and disaffection have not been proved, that the other parts of the charges have been proved in part. </b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i><b>Therefore, in consideration of the case and the nature and degree of the offence, the Court doth adjudge the said Captain John Williamson to be placed at the bottom of the post captains list and rendered incapable of ever serving on board any of his Majesty's ships or vessels in the Royal Navy, and he is hereby sentenced accordingly.'</b></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Batavian Gunnery:</b></div><div>Many Batavian captains reported that they couldn't use the lowest (and heaviest) batteries on the lee side due to the heeling over of the vessel. Reduce the Gunnery Factor of Batavian ships of the line by -1 on their lee broadside when sailing in a quartering or beam wind.</div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqKYKmkDhKeoVrtCMEHTKF6Dx2zKzgdj9Z7_c1FpgA4fhsk91-zzekEXE_bTfzIF9wL1yhFuHpqjBsjrlfsqMZiAOncnFy6NR36fO5qVF6pZ7AH87UxwehUAIKSI5l_Q6iKIDbJ0pMnCDECHQTtIDfBYrMaxxnCXNQe9_F-ij481FhhgAgFuZg367uc4/s4732/P1110738a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2615" data-original-width="4732" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqKYKmkDhKeoVrtCMEHTKF6Dx2zKzgdj9Z7_c1FpgA4fhsk91-zzekEXE_bTfzIF9wL1yhFuHpqjBsjrlfsqMZiAOncnFy6NR36fO5qVF6pZ7AH87UxwehUAIKSI5l_Q6iKIDbJ0pMnCDECHQTtIDfBYrMaxxnCXNQe9_F-ij481FhhgAgFuZg367uc4/w640-h354/P1110738a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British press home their attack successfully passing their test to pass through the enemy line, issuing raking fire as they make their way to leeward.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b>Shoals:</b></div><div>The Dutch coast is only three miles away. The off table area to the South West, beyond the Batavian line is shoaling water, but the shallow drafted Batavian ships may operate in them safely. British ships are at risk of grounding in this area.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy8t9VRDIwIkqptQmwCSav6akc828oLVSO0A7Jrp0Rof2Cz2nUmjrH83u1yvQsXIAF5nFWb-ykP-O00PpTc-89C_1pN6kmgicJkTLINh3s053L36K_aXqmDuH4FTS0nJM9Kz2SOG0Iwu866o1VojHLySsC0xOWPKXlHycYh45EEDJNrHEmRLr8LDOikg/s573/74's%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="573" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiy8t9VRDIwIkqptQmwCSav6akc828oLVSO0A7Jrp0Rof2Cz2nUmjrH83u1yvQsXIAF5nFWb-ykP-O00PpTc-89C_1pN6kmgicJkTLINh3s053L36K_aXqmDuH4FTS0nJM9Kz2SOG0Iwu866o1VojHLySsC0xOWPKXlHycYh45EEDJNrHEmRLr8LDOikg/w640-h556/74's%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This contemporary illustration of the battle with the Batavian flagship <i>Jupiter </i>highlighted illustrates the proximity of the Dutch coastline</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>Batavian Training:</b></div><div>The Batavians had conducted extensive gunnery training whilst under the blockade but had little opportunity to practice other aspects of seamanship. All Batavian ships are treated as Veteran for gunnery, but as Average for all other aspects.</div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAJ3p8FiDCLH5ucW3nCe8-1VV1JKRefdZorczX1I7aNrFoHaBkX9d8VZfTF4f4HgRt3IH2CpcEpykIqI4XeTgdavWnhfQleBVnb-jNjWVvNQQEtr8N_HePsbwWdqdTs3CtjVSwEde6D76XyMvME4GFG0sTwvAm55VjAHI2Gop9Ysj5QQkNopdftc28fM/s4533/P1110739a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="4533" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAJ3p8FiDCLH5ucW3nCe8-1VV1JKRefdZorczX1I7aNrFoHaBkX9d8VZfTF4f4HgRt3IH2CpcEpykIqI4XeTgdavWnhfQleBVnb-jNjWVvNQQEtr8N_HePsbwWdqdTs3CtjVSwEde6D76XyMvME4GFG0sTwvAm55VjAHI2Gop9Ysj5QQkNopdftc28fM/w640-h358/P1110739a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Agincourt</i>, living up to her historical predecessor, has turned away at medium range to engage the Batavian line, bearing 'light damage' for later testimony at Captain Williamson's court martial.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Victory Conditions</span></b></div><div>The game ends immediately once one side’s fleet morale breaks, a Tactical Victory going to the side that first causes its opponent’ fleet morale to break.</div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixifq8ZEQHabnrUtNJ-GXizlAfp1IlGlCLmm6NK6Yzq6dqB60phjd9B3gIyIQMgwSswlwB-GRMM3p1Agsp3SrIgMeKovY6qBrD9W4tFQ6dEXy6IAR7HOGMJU605F1EvPreORMU_GIQ9YuP53S3ADnWwdaybho7V1rY2zU8KGidEpdEkLbNrRE17e9-qzw/s4896/P1110740a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="4896" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixifq8ZEQHabnrUtNJ-GXizlAfp1IlGlCLmm6NK6Yzq6dqB60phjd9B3gIyIQMgwSswlwB-GRMM3p1Agsp3SrIgMeKovY6qBrD9W4tFQ6dEXy6IAR7HOGMJU605F1EvPreORMU_GIQ9YuP53S3ADnWwdaybho7V1rY2zU8KGidEpdEkLbNrRE17e9-qzw/w640-h432/P1110740a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Monarch </i>74-guns bears down on the gap between the Batavian flagship (right) <i>Jupiter </i>74-guns and the following <i>Haarlem </i>68-guns (left). Behind the <i>Haarlem</i>, the 56-gun <i>Alkmaar </i>is taking a stern rake from the 64-gun HMS <i>Director </i>which will cause her to strike soon after.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As outlined in the historical set up prior to 12.30pm when our game time starts Vice-admiral Onslow has received and passed on all the signal instructions from Admiral Duncan and his squadron is seen bearing down on the Batavian line under a full press of sail intent on passing through their line to luff up on the leeward side to administer the coup-de-grace following the requisite raking fire dished out on their way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course one of the British squadron, HMS <i>Agincourt </i>was quite content to turn away at medium range and start to exchange broadsides with the 68-gun <i>Cerberus </i>and 74-gun <i>Jupiter </i>which gave us an introduction to the gunnery rules, which are very straight forward comparing opposing d6 rolls and adding in the various factors for range, ship size, crew ability and damage sustained, to give a comparison total with damage levels generally dished out according to the level of difference advantaging the attackers total to that of the defender, i.e. less than which is no effect, equal, more than, twice as much etc.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyXcz-K9GUVmP4ob7fD-IAyNcPriO5c4fjEa_c7ilikkX6Za3u2cO8mazYgxjShoi1gdnf-JuwKGZjUleDWMqST_Iyc3cpB5bLYgZDeq0Af9IpY3ge3CK_wUL9NlxY96LNoO4Oa6mk2T5_qIcnbw1WBpjThH07L0OiGnjVPalfPv2d0c2lUlK8F4GTD0/s4896/P1110741a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3348" data-original-width="4896" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyXcz-K9GUVmP4ob7fD-IAyNcPriO5c4fjEa_c7ilikkX6Za3u2cO8mazYgxjShoi1gdnf-JuwKGZjUleDWMqST_Iyc3cpB5bLYgZDeq0Af9IpY3ge3CK_wUL9NlxY96LNoO4Oa6mk2T5_qIcnbw1WBpjThH07L0OiGnjVPalfPv2d0c2lUlK8F4GTD0/w640-h438/P1110741a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Bligh's HMS <i>Director</i>, blasts the <i>Alkmaar </i>with a stern rake, causing the latter to strike in response to the 'Heavy Damage' result, the first to strike to the British attack.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is no book keeping required with FDS with ship status in terms of damage, sail settings and ship morale all noted by the placement of an appropriate counter on the model's base, which are seen in the pictures.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We came up with a few home tweaks to allow for our ships to turn at any time in their move and to fire as they bear, according to the orders they were operating under, ruling that the sail speed used at the start of the move applied throughout it, irrespective of course changes affecting the wind bearing; that kept the movement process simpler and less taxing than applying proportionate movement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Additionally we allowed captains to manoeuvre as required, once they got within close range (20cm) using their initiative to best comply with their last signalled orders.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgCZN6TK6BVtd0Q0mIiYCtkIkEkglf-6fJkXAT_FmmJMfFTNkhCBHWEyUa6JajfYO46jnAYeHoaa1rfyC030X_0M5Tk6QRrEKLYbyX0IG_FMb83CDW4u2Y0Pk2O3-a5Kg3hbijj4dtSQK8CAHxPPXrfM1aDyt93vc9YGe7V72MFUnwFUf0xXdlMo4YY4/s4896/P1110742a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgCZN6TK6BVtd0Q0mIiYCtkIkEkglf-6fJkXAT_FmmJMfFTNkhCBHWEyUa6JajfYO46jnAYeHoaa1rfyC030X_0M5Tk6QRrEKLYbyX0IG_FMb83CDW4u2Y0Pk2O3-a5Kg3hbijj4dtSQK8CAHxPPXrfM1aDyt93vc9YGe7V72MFUnwFUf0xXdlMo4YY4/w640-h480/P1110742a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Director </i>luffs up alongside the <i>Alkmaar </i>which promptly hauls down her colours before inviting another close range broadside. The punishing attack caused our first critical hit test resulting in a fire aboard the <i>Alkmaar </i>as seen by the strike and fire markers at her bow.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final tweak we worked in to our play was to allow ships to fire as they bear during the movement phase, particularly at close range where potential rakes became involved, rather than sticking rigidly to a move then fire phase process, marking ships already fired with smoke to ensure they didn't fire again in the turn and putting damage markers next to the target ship's base to indicate that the damage would take effect at the end of the current turn, when it was then placed on the base as normal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Batavian 'veteran' status for firing had the required effect of causing a gruelling approach phase for the British as they ran the gauntlet of medium/close range broadsides, forcing them to spend command points administering repair tests to the most badly affected. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9bUYzjMKnM7S2CsKZWiRhPXqesQC2TT5MEEy5dhJp1AbhqH3c3hNgrkmHVo6jeY698EAIIMeNrhvxLkgks-bVtSo67j5k69IG7pAxoqLjIYrZO1HtMq8K4YktjLAfWZr13PHu54NuGr4GGYAKHvOuTjWDhJGl6121K-Er-a1335wgSkbFOOFK3lv_Ug/s4896/P1110743a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9bUYzjMKnM7S2CsKZWiRhPXqesQC2TT5MEEy5dhJp1AbhqH3c3hNgrkmHVo6jeY698EAIIMeNrhvxLkgks-bVtSo67j5k69IG7pAxoqLjIYrZO1HtMq8K4YktjLAfWZr13PHu54NuGr4GGYAKHvOuTjWDhJGl6121K-Er-a1335wgSkbFOOFK3lv_Ug/w640-h480/P1110743a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However retribution was not long in coming as the British squadron swept into the Batavian line, easily passing the test to pass through it despite the Batavian admiral spilling wind from his leading ships to allow the two fourth rates Alkmaar and Delft to attempt to narrow the gap between them and the third rates.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCQa3XK6yordUDZGo9qyHzXElKwjuAICUhyphenhyphenHVctWoxW4gmlNiRMyv7PrKzxdw6rrjCc6DeBcICerKfmoYp4V54P-yJWkeJeOvnBlOSRXgLP9u5_dA5Pw3LaVIlJZHMIe2uKiNaaGkMAbawUT1dLCrkW9R4Lr-sSZ7N983cOJZsYIPBSiNZ7cuRCGnRng/s4599/P1110744a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3076" data-original-width="4599" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCQa3XK6yordUDZGo9qyHzXElKwjuAICUhyphenhyphenHVctWoxW4gmlNiRMyv7PrKzxdw6rrjCc6DeBcICerKfmoYp4V54P-yJWkeJeOvnBlOSRXgLP9u5_dA5Pw3LaVIlJZHMIe2uKiNaaGkMAbawUT1dLCrkW9R4Lr-sSZ7N983cOJZsYIPBSiNZ7cuRCGnRng/w640-h428/P1110744a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Batavian 74-gun flagship <i>Jupiter </i>strikes to the British 74-gun flagship <i>Monarch </i>following a bruising close range encounter as the latter passed astern of the former, the fourth and final Batavian ship to strike and causing the squadron morale to fail seeing the 68-gun <i>Cerberus </i>and the 44-gun frigate <i>Monnikendam</i> make their escape towards the shoals and the Dutch coast.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY04-JA_NY597uveZfGlmyKIwY2tDL70t-1CbHm4LxgEGEUsabHOzfh56b7YG4PsWrqU_iudosCnmNQzZ5rRCnvzLfUAMWBe0JWpEfYpYBvBVLwEifd-R4Isqm4ADepNdn0JFf09ZNv_LQ5q86Gq4nIfgOTgHSM8kPvvTMhQPl9N4JJ5TlET8oU6hrzjA/s4547/P1110745a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2648" data-original-width="4547" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY04-JA_NY597uveZfGlmyKIwY2tDL70t-1CbHm4LxgEGEUsabHOzfh56b7YG4PsWrqU_iudosCnmNQzZ5rRCnvzLfUAMWBe0JWpEfYpYBvBVLwEifd-R4Isqm4ADepNdn0JFf09ZNv_LQ5q86Gq4nIfgOTgHSM8kPvvTMhQPl9N4JJ5TlET8oU6hrzjA/w640-h372/P1110745a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <i>Agincourt </i>continues to bombard from medium range, focussing her efforts against the leading <i>Cerberus, </i>as Batavian resistance reaches its climax with the <i>Jupiter</i>, second Batavian ship seen in the line, about to strike to the <i>Monarch </i>passing astern of her.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV75DwCtA81A_0JhOP5UXwkjlUE7j5Ba0o66x09hNYIIMhlkuWJzkMT7o0c-ys3oiO8ptkTFkxzi-HzPZIUaX-sugoavMjvQUB6_2fbnR0UmsLp-3aryqx8lwk4-kmbZlq1T2PaHLuadNI52HD1yeZn01bCmP4Kql-NF3JEdQzPbmGlEFfC_G4x-ue51Y/s4896/P1110746a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV75DwCtA81A_0JhOP5UXwkjlUE7j5Ba0o66x09hNYIIMhlkuWJzkMT7o0c-ys3oiO8ptkTFkxzi-HzPZIUaX-sugoavMjvQUB6_2fbnR0UmsLp-3aryqx8lwk4-kmbZlq1T2PaHLuadNI52HD1yeZn01bCmP4Kql-NF3JEdQzPbmGlEFfC_G4x-ue51Y/w640-h480/P1110746a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British attack at its height which would culminate in four Batavian ships striking in quick succession from the close in damage recieved at this stage. The small blue d6 on the card indicates that number of remaining preservation points (squadron morale) with the loss of each ship of the line taking two of that total and the flagship three. The Batavian would also see the brig <i>Daphne </i>strike after getting a return broadside from <i>Director </i>after firing at the British third rate,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The rules nicely model the British 'passing through the line' tactic by requiring each ship in this effectively line abreast formation to test the resolve of each captain to press on through the gaps in the Batavian line, themselves in 'Fighting' formation of anywhere between 9cm to 18cm between ships, with a score of 5 plus required on a single d6 adding +1 to the die roll for VA Onslow's command abilities and +1 for the British ships being 'veteran' with Monarch adding +2 for being 'crack'.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not surprisingly all the British ships testing managed to pass, with failure resulting in the affected ship turning away to windward to run parallel with the enemy line.</div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_FHH3b3eDTsb8LNg4jOhpdvvTh2_a5WAzwNtehLRri9quTbQzSL4PZu0At6z5Ni8jhYMijZFntB1YL4kRCK0RuCco5SIwvxB3kv9ff4IUGSXO_Hx7AgQtZZIomVo2GSRHiG759UgK2lsQQx9zHmt968s2SrWhxne1KAxP18aWvxxw__Bht5XipiWdF0/s4896/P1110747a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="4896" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_FHH3b3eDTsb8LNg4jOhpdvvTh2_a5WAzwNtehLRri9quTbQzSL4PZu0At6z5Ni8jhYMijZFntB1YL4kRCK0RuCco5SIwvxB3kv9ff4IUGSXO_Hx7AgQtZZIomVo2GSRHiG759UgK2lsQQx9zHmt968s2SrWhxne1KAxP18aWvxxw__Bht5XipiWdF0/w640-h332/P1110747a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire on the Alkmaar would get out of control and the small fourth rate would be destroyed before it could be brought under control.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3mvhvZNSHftx4uU6G2cvWZ0FeCZ2cq-gPQJM8IeU5Hm0Y-7FYA22CnaS138mqL3Fr4Eh95VIwccJgjLmzaye8ZoZ_QGRv-FYJUH5SiyMskZj7S1rihZMdiYRibK9Br9Y8oHhU6P5X949J_CuWoytc09DT7doQoSV8CXl_0RRNIZ7MTMKypsRKZhq54I/s4316/P1110748a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="4316" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3mvhvZNSHftx4uU6G2cvWZ0FeCZ2cq-gPQJM8IeU5Hm0Y-7FYA22CnaS138mqL3Fr4Eh95VIwccJgjLmzaye8ZoZ_QGRv-FYJUH5SiyMskZj7S1rihZMdiYRibK9Br9Y8oHhU6P5X949J_CuWoytc09DT7doQoSV8CXl_0RRNIZ7MTMKypsRKZhq54I/w640-h442/P1110748a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Batavian brig <i>Daphne </i>fires at HMS <i>Director</i>. She would strike in the next turn following a return salute from the British third-rate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our game ran for eleven turns effectively one hour and fifty minutes of battle with the Batavian squadron defeated by 13.50 which makes a fascinating comparison to the historical situation seen in the map below, showing the affected ships struck and hove to among their British captors, with the Jupiter last to capitulate striking at 13.45 historically and 13.50 in our game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdJfhYZdgGVqAog9q0vqfXjnVqq8Xux3cEWm2sND7qspDnSnzCxQyCJjIt4hxt8JPAyE_qaLi2_iw1iCOKpr9i07GzlDLMs19uDZgS6bE4O9Ku3Rr9yCBUM0WhjMKgovo7TsoxjZ7b8efBxxpoH80zAAKaXNKiSSkHOQ5k2_rCOMszvt2O0eXRwPrKkk/s987/Plan%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="674" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdJfhYZdgGVqAog9q0vqfXjnVqq8Xux3cEWm2sND7qspDnSnzCxQyCJjIt4hxt8JPAyE_qaLi2_iw1iCOKpr9i07GzlDLMs19uDZgS6bE4O9Ku3Rr9yCBUM0WhjMKgovo7TsoxjZ7b8efBxxpoH80zAAKaXNKiSSkHOQ5k2_rCOMszvt2O0eXRwPrKkk/w438-h640/Plan%203.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Monarch's signal log for our game records the following:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">12.40 to the Division - Signal No. 04 - New Heading 'East'</div><div style="text-align: left;">13.20 to Ship No. 20 (Agincourt) - Signal No. 52 - 'Engage the Enemy More Closely'</div><div style="text-align: left;">13.40 to ship No. 15 (Montagu) - Signal No.76 - 'Take Possession of Struck Enemy Ship'</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTt5zpIXOhXfxNi9QO8YEV16Cx5sFvVR314nhEH5IJxebdX4KjX_XoD26V4LMFgTL8Iw43G07jK-ZdL0wtfgH8yZbYWsy47pZbimE8IJhMPU6unn3NxXdR6F39CBLw9DNv_zR5Fs0N61SRbc-rgZyrK2-kY20HPYpiLYgwr4HaZcucopcS79sVGi2hls/s4837/P1110749a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4837" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTt5zpIXOhXfxNi9QO8YEV16Cx5sFvVR314nhEH5IJxebdX4KjX_XoD26V4LMFgTL8Iw43G07jK-ZdL0wtfgH8yZbYWsy47pZbimE8IJhMPU6unn3NxXdR6F39CBLw9DNv_zR5Fs0N61SRbc-rgZyrK2-kY20HPYpiLYgwr4HaZcucopcS79sVGi2hls/w640-h486/P1110749a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So the verdict on our first game of Far Distant Ships was very positive, giving a fast flowing game which became more intuitive the longer we played which is always a good sign.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I loved the narrative created by the game and the multiple decision points presented to players in the commanding of their respective squadrons, and it was really great to see that the rules transition very nicely to a larger scale of model that they were not originally intended for, but I hope we have illustrated that they can equally work well with.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi575Nkkoq_fkJuXoro8aZTEV6UxRFeGBxAcpMMg1wMpzk1q9cMzYy2n6k6PPJl56Ph0F8CY0zzvu2pvuk-uNRu4s8nbwdoeac0r03a6MohDmHKdzo-M-rueyloyCANueLrXToRIJ1vUNJrR1oub0MaaJd9LDwfRh9AVdSdtJPWdvR-o749P98_ylmREpg/s4343/P1110750a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3341" data-original-width="4343" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi575Nkkoq_fkJuXoro8aZTEV6UxRFeGBxAcpMMg1wMpzk1q9cMzYy2n6k6PPJl56Ph0F8CY0zzvu2pvuk-uNRu4s8nbwdoeac0r03a6MohDmHKdzo-M-rueyloyCANueLrXToRIJ1vUNJrR1oub0MaaJd9LDwfRh9AVdSdtJPWdvR-o749P98_ylmREpg/w640-h492/P1110750a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>Yes we found we had to tweak aspects to our preferred way of playing that probably springs from Kiss Me Hardy and our unconsciously competent way of playing those rules and the firing as you bear, turning circles and simpler movement rules take their inspiration from that rule set, but carried over very seamlessly as did our use of the firing angle template and using the mainmast as a point of aiming.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition I will add a few extra markers to the set to include recording critical hit outcomes, and in that respect I found the use of markers a refreshing change from written recording of damage on a record card.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the Batavians were confirmed shooters at the hull proponents we did not try out the targeting of the rigging which might have proved interesting with the British approach conducted under full sail for much of the time, and I might try the Leeward Line Scenario from Trafalgar to see how a Combined Fleet line up would do using those tactics in that set up, but that will be for a future play test.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_tjp32axOIUlmG-EWTgNVtKDr4oRVpugBKRc2blbwSA_sPtAhU2ANUVnzO0VHMBGwdQneJ6z0L5ecgEzah-ulXJUbuujZuKTN5nFYTVLsQGP_WG72oqMK3TKat2HsZxHXEaBXQphOspp3AkqrxOQF3piocTlabkl3b-iCBQETzGbVLCDtvx0I4yLqJw/s3985/P1110734a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3158" data-original-width="3985" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_tjp32axOIUlmG-EWTgNVtKDr4oRVpugBKRc2blbwSA_sPtAhU2ANUVnzO0VHMBGwdQneJ6z0L5ecgEzah-ulXJUbuujZuKTN5nFYTVLsQGP_WG72oqMK3TKat2HsZxHXEaBXQphOspp3AkqrxOQF3piocTlabkl3b-iCBQETzGbVLCDtvx0I4yLqJw/w640-h508/P1110734a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In summary, then, we really like Far Distant Ships and I will be happy to get these out on the table for another game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you to Jack and Mike for putting the rules to the test and providing the fun for this AAR.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More anon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div></div><p></p>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-29142683212353891482024-01-26T22:56:00.000-08:002024-01-27T00:38:52.242-08:00Battle of Camperdown Preparations, The Leeward Column Attacks! Playtest<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9iRS6qAInm-Z0gU0TIoRDwStXvP40sH4eQRzhyphenhyphenDHMxLlKe1EnOV3MDcAgiNPlBkQgALcg63KyZH4aBUJZFOL78vpxtmioLVEPWAtewLecFsFIY7s5pSt4b0k_adFJVCZzDFrtOt_oE7LDMslOdEz0sk1sfUO-XS5gBgSsavHjlZFQfLeVOrPTigfK-k/s1501/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1501" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9iRS6qAInm-Z0gU0TIoRDwStXvP40sH4eQRzhyphenhyphenDHMxLlKe1EnOV3MDcAgiNPlBkQgALcg63KyZH4aBUJZFOL78vpxtmioLVEPWAtewLecFsFIY7s5pSt4b0k_adFJVCZzDFrtOt_oE7LDMslOdEz0sk1sfUO-XS5gBgSsavHjlZFQfLeVOrPTigfK-k/w640-h458/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Captain Bligh goes to War', HMS <i>Director </i>leads the attack of the Leeward Division at Camperdown - Geoff Hunt</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;">With a new year well underway I have seemingly entered a rather creative stream of inspiration for planned projects in 2024 that has rather distracted me from a lot of other plans I have in mind, but in the spirit of Zen and my new year resolution of going with the flow, I have decided to enter into the spirit of said creative thinking and simply play with the ideas as they arise.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was back in April 2021 that I wrote a brief note highlighting a, at the time, brand new set of Fleet Rules for the Age of Sail written by David Manley, Far Distant Ships (FDS).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey6UdZflP6J0HZGr-hAg7vreWG-_WSywSvS5Tm8jHx3oYwgNDf1UQcz7_BRSo_iF_und5A2MBCcFzlJZi5OJNKO52RdkJcbRH5ExnFyNO7BAK5iuUyBZfoQJ14df_KBITGMmiqZsuPLPwDxENvXk1639-Oi-20ujfk2OEUlwpTrCEKhYZdm9HN8GxB4A/s640/Far%20Distant%20Ships.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="451" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey6UdZflP6J0HZGr-hAg7vreWG-_WSywSvS5Tm8jHx3oYwgNDf1UQcz7_BRSo_iF_und5A2MBCcFzlJZi5OJNKO52RdkJcbRH5ExnFyNO7BAK5iuUyBZfoQJ14df_KBITGMmiqZsuPLPwDxENvXk1639-Oi-20ujfk2OEUlwpTrCEKhYZdm9HN8GxB4A/w453-h640/Far%20Distant%20Ships.jpg" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2021/04/far-distant-ships-new-fast-play.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Far Distant Ships, New Fast Play Tactical Rules for Fleet Actions in the Age of Sail - David Manley</span></b></a><br />The rules are available via Wargame Vault.<br /><a href="https://www.wargamevault.com/product/352181/Far-Distant-Ships"><b>https://www.wargamevault.com/product/352181/Far-Distant-Ships</b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>At the time I was very much involved in planning several games, including Trafalgar, based on using Kiss Me Hardy (KMH), and really enjoying the granularity in narrative that KMH offers, that I rather put FDS to one side as I got to grips with building the 1:700th collection in readiness for those first games.</div><div><br /></div><div>Roll the clock forward into 2024 and I now have a good deal of experience running games using KMH at this scale, that I am now thinking of looking at a specific way of playing large fleet actions over a shorter period of playing time, purely as an alternative for those times when access to a large table and space is limited for one reason or another.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess it's the wargaming equivalent of golf clubs, always needing that particular club to be able to play that particular type of hole, different rule sets can often work better in different gaming situations. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk5YSW4tDu3isCLBeXjqPOfDxx-Bm50ONg58TjwpYwAV7jRLlnxLNbz9qHm9enLmJm2iH867Xtgyq5Y5HCtvgCBfRNSlkj27iIHUQuehrPVbyLGLluuGSChzBo5Uyimnp-4-t_x49IKwlLHf-C7fFseb0gSv7f_kBaQing66SjlA8P33dgRkk9CUuEcQ/s4896/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk5YSW4tDu3isCLBeXjqPOfDxx-Bm50ONg58TjwpYwAV7jRLlnxLNbz9qHm9enLmJm2iH867Xtgyq5Y5HCtvgCBfRNSlkj27iIHUQuehrPVbyLGLluuGSChzBo5Uyimnp-4-t_x49IKwlLHf-C7fFseb0gSv7f_kBaQing66SjlA8P33dgRkk9CUuEcQ/w640-h480/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trafalgar played at Llancaiach Fawr Manor last year using KMH<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-battle-of-trafalgar-2023-kiss-me.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Battle of Trafalgar 2023 - 'Kiss Me Hardy!' in the Grand Manner</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Thus I thought it might be interesting having another look at these rules, suitably adjusted for 1:700th scale, rather than the more usual 1:2400 or 1:1200 that are commonly used model scales for these types of big battle rules.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before launching into my ideas about FDS, I should mention that David, who I have met several times at the NWS gatherings at Yeovilton in recent years, was very poorly just before Christmas, and I would again send my best wishes on his rapid recovery.<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1VI1VCmGX2XUAE3s5ofXKxnMPbZhoRlqrBc_vTS8eYj0fNVk60CDrQwFY57tgQmAsOB7sK9C6xMxZL6KpN37biLJlZwPvB6xoAPqAfEPwOTPUYEH3g2OhgGHc83GvvLrZaSOTBIJwbVMMJcBNDJ8yhDHxL2xyq-_0M6yLTqmAroJIZo3jjxjlZxWVp0/s1568/20240123_160538a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1568" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1VI1VCmGX2XUAE3s5ofXKxnMPbZhoRlqrBc_vTS8eYj0fNVk60CDrQwFY57tgQmAsOB7sK9C6xMxZL6KpN37biLJlZwPvB6xoAPqAfEPwOTPUYEH3g2OhgGHc83GvvLrZaSOTBIJwbVMMJcBNDJ8yhDHxL2xyq-_0M6yLTqmAroJIZo3jjxjlZxWVp0/w640-h428/20240123_160538a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My test bed table set up to run a game using Far Distant Ships using for the first time the initial group of models constructed for my Camperdown project, together with my new range sticks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Naval wargames, much like other genres in the hobby are faced with the common challenges of scaling time and ground scale, of perhaps that should be sea scale, to adequately model the movements and firing range capabilities of the models being used in the time each turn of the game represents.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63QMlcOMcN4Du2TFL13wQvJnLHkncSVYDwyddVNfhM0lRYeLKtkPwkMqmLC93eqIQVkpgqDzwXfTUXMhCy94nOL1EmriijY1TgRxciksoQ-3H8dqiWxek-QVTcN-XCTH3r3ICqwbk6S216T7iLgxec7u-xr91pgjufG7h_YXKkBFYioiIiLds4ewDJCY/s3072/DSCF2240a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="3072" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63QMlcOMcN4Du2TFL13wQvJnLHkncSVYDwyddVNfhM0lRYeLKtkPwkMqmLC93eqIQVkpgqDzwXfTUXMhCy94nOL1EmriijY1TgRxciksoQ-3H8dqiWxek-QVTcN-XCTH3r3ICqwbk6S216T7iLgxec7u-xr91pgjufG7h_YXKkBFYioiIiLds4ewDJCY/w640-h310/DSCF2240a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape St Vincent using KMH at the Devon Wargames Group on the 225th anniversary of the battle, another big game that added to my thought process<br /><a href="https://devonwargames.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-battle-of-cape-st-vincent-14th.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Devon Wargames Group - The Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14th February 1797, 225th Anniversary Game</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The dilemma comes with getting a scale that compliments the models in a way that doesn't have movement rates and gun ranges look way out of line with the models used, a problem only exacerbated with more modern periods, where gunnery and missile technology have forced wargamers to use ever smaller model ships to allow the game to fit on a reasonably sized table not requiring an aircraft hanger </div><div><br /></div><div>The age of sail presents less of a problem especially in the age of the smooth bore cannon and black powder where getting up close, broadside to broadside was often the aim, but the larger scale models do put an added demand on space and the ability to reach the models across acres of table when it comes to bigger battles.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnLZ5G8Hch3pUZV_dZAU_qPtPlM20xwBiFk-K92r8CyerfI4cJAUt9_C7XblPt98SD1OskfqWN4eAoQjUN9BP_O5ZA3vY93kn-sdAOjzekxmfI-oWtDWaP23Rzknufk07Qixxzh5ORUYcSqeOke6GjyMoN-lcTPLf8_mqBIDiJmK4Itv3xYk4cN0zrYQ/s1358/20240123_160553a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1358" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnLZ5G8Hch3pUZV_dZAU_qPtPlM20xwBiFk-K92r8CyerfI4cJAUt9_C7XblPt98SD1OskfqWN4eAoQjUN9BP_O5ZA3vY93kn-sdAOjzekxmfI-oWtDWaP23Rzknufk07Qixxzh5ORUYcSqeOke6GjyMoN-lcTPLf8_mqBIDiJmK4Itv3xYk4cN0zrYQ/w640-h334/20240123_160553a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Monarch, Powerful and Russel each of 74-guns lead the British leeward column into the attack on the Dutch line, consisting of from left to right Cerberus 68-guns, Jupiter 74-guns, Haarlem 68-guns Alkmaar 56 guns and the Delft 56 guns with the 18-gun brig Daphne and the 44-gun frigate Monnikendam behind.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Kiss Me Hardy is an excellent set of rules with a rather unique activation method that produces a granular narrative game that works really well with the 1:700th models, but needs time to allow for its four to five minutes of real time scaling to replicate say the three hours (thirty six turns of play) of intense battle, at Trafalgar for example. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">At <span style="text-align: center;">Llancaiach Fawr Manor we fought twelve turns of Trafalgar over two days of gaming, replicating the most intense stage of the battle in its first hour, and the Combined Fleet was well on its way to defeat with the loss of six ships struck, one blown up and one squadron </span>withdrawing, but with still a lot of battle left to game given the time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd_CZ7VnfuI1P7qpTvqX77r1hWjkhHVGx4UACv0KNU3qcLpHsQIX-HYOlWHYGnddq32fM2oPFkFYNMjKcSmcWPBwY3CFVkA0NT2Hv7gFLVPJoIQlEHetRf3Ns4SfkcZeMdrhH2JpIUYWFlbMX18NdU5Z_guu3yGPrFStQPFZCbJ6RQ4cnwvXr5hauQUs/s1615/20240123_160602a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1615" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd_CZ7VnfuI1P7qpTvqX77r1hWjkhHVGx4UACv0KNU3qcLpHsQIX-HYOlWHYGnddq32fM2oPFkFYNMjKcSmcWPBwY3CFVkA0NT2Hv7gFLVPJoIQlEHetRf3Ns4SfkcZeMdrhH2JpIUYWFlbMX18NdU5Z_guu3yGPrFStQPFZCbJ6RQ4cnwvXr5hauQUs/w640-h318/20240123_160602a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch, nearest to camera, flying signal 41 'Engage enemy's rear' leads the charge at the Battle of Camperdown. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Thus prompted by my experience I have reached the stage experienced by many of those who have been on this journey before me, namely how best to compromise to still get the granularity of the game and its representation of a particular battle and still retain the look on table of a Nicholas Pocock battle portrait.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviL7oqbSYc8ZaoEnBm1LV9j_TF3przhSXrGHYRn2Gny3vw_YL6b-aVyNkjPv5-qWsmchlQ9qgRSxTi2GywbnlyxK8POsQrqDHNGvTvwnPc1Pxno2FtyEsgo_69kNKyCBEiERohhCJySRsJD5qWOydxmvH19hzXspCTB-pMavbaec9HUE8cRAJT7YdQOk/s942/GFA%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="683" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviL7oqbSYc8ZaoEnBm1LV9j_TF3przhSXrGHYRn2Gny3vw_YL6b-aVyNkjPv5-qWsmchlQ9qgRSxTi2GywbnlyxK8POsQrqDHNGvTvwnPc1Pxno2FtyEsgo_69kNKyCBEiERohhCJySRsJD5qWOydxmvH19hzXspCTB-pMavbaec9HUE8cRAJT7YdQOk/w290-h400/GFA%20Cover.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><div>So my search for a possible alternative big-battle rule set turned to looking at the board game arena and two tabletop rule sets, Far Distant Ships and Grand Fleet Actions in the Age of Sail (GFA).</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, I dismissed the board game options such as Wooden Ships and Iron Men, Close Action and the more recent Flying Colours from GMT, with no desire to return to hex gaming, and with GFA having some interesting concepts, especially around command and control and command radii, but still using the familiar method of crossing out hull, gunnery and crew boxes, similar to the board games and lower level tabletop rules, and something I was keen to avoid, looking for a cleaner way of recording damage over a longer time period, possibly with discreet on-table markers.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ih_2ZtLCKKUAheNgagwq319gzIP3aQuEoRIAH16SV3rFGjxOtLyaqc_n0U4s-MykPnzWf55oyI8sm13OMLRCIYhh6XVuE2a9G0G3Wp58S8BG9_EPGpxpMPpNiLrPoMcM8sr8XbSNCGgrtm5tATf77X4DHs_0PEdpcqdhKGfqbeTwHYs4ZPpsovpQE_Q/s1574/20240123_160648a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1574" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ih_2ZtLCKKUAheNgagwq319gzIP3aQuEoRIAH16SV3rFGjxOtLyaqc_n0U4s-MykPnzWf55oyI8sm13OMLRCIYhh6XVuE2a9G0G3Wp58S8BG9_EPGpxpMPpNiLrPoMcM8sr8XbSNCGgrtm5tATf77X4DHs_0PEdpcqdhKGfqbeTwHYs4ZPpsovpQE_Q/w640-h344/20240123_160648a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vice-admiral Reijntjes aboard his 74-gun flagship, Jupiter, prepares the Dutch rear for battle</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>So in the end it came to Far Distant Ships, with my primary interest based on the needs boxes seemingly ticked, namely, the players are put firmly on the quarterdeck of the fleet flagship as the commanding admiral, and similarly subordinates such as squadron commanders. </div><div><br /></div><div>The players are solely concerned with bringing their fleets and associated squadrons into battle in the most favourable way, signalling their intent in good time, and in true Nelsonian style leaving the rest of the initiative to ships captains once the action gets up close and personal.</div><div><br /></div><div>As an admiral, you are not concerned with the minutia of the ships under your command, namely how many hull boxes are undamaged on HMS Boaty-McBoatface but rather what damage level are they at overall, namely worn, light, medium, heavy or struck, and FDS makes clever use of these damage levels either on the hull or the rigging, depending on where enemy fire has been directed, to model the damage that could be received in a ten minute turn of combat.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PjjpVS4EQB0tZZ-ScVXFz-uIlq0e2SP0LmDY0CE6PCdaXxwpWx00UAygyXSC5xcpC3IuYJV3XCl0F2n40zbTunbA9L0b6liWDYMulZ36qky41MR4xwF5Y8AqSoj_2vBYKH9_gxOPYDq9ZTtayQJLrUB5lGXDLH80V8OmjuPOu7JKUTKPUyG8vVrMnBM/s1529/20240123_160812a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1529" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PjjpVS4EQB0tZZ-ScVXFz-uIlq0e2SP0LmDY0CE6PCdaXxwpWx00UAygyXSC5xcpC3IuYJV3XCl0F2n40zbTunbA9L0b6liWDYMulZ36qky41MR4xwF5Y8AqSoj_2vBYKH9_gxOPYDq9ZTtayQJLrUB5lGXDLH80V8OmjuPOu7JKUTKPUyG8vVrMnBM/w640-h442/20240123_160812a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haarlem (nearest to camera), Jupiter and Cerberus lead the Dutch rear squadron ahead of the smaller fourth-rates </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The time period per turn was important and ten minutes makes refighting battles lasting several hours much more do-able in a normal gaming day and the only major adjustment I needed to make was scaling the rules to 1:700, that is one inch to twenty yards or one centimetre to eight yards, with some new range sticks seen in the picture of the test-game table segmented into close, medium and long range bands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course regular followers of the blog will know that I never play rules as written and am an inveterate house rule writer and adapter, and I did see David on a YouTube video talking about FDS and saying he was happy for players to make additions and changes as they saw fit, so I will be holding him to that. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8cCqVAx-cHeDE8-P5LzBtBpAGlAq4lGi3b4VDV5dd4MViwvFGl07r60mv4WEwDjThoTrw7-z5M5R-8UGstnBRWmjh1HvEZVAMmH4eERTQn8y9mHsyg0RVfn23UAkUfKgY4j6wY797Gi3FEQ4Q2dARRebcGBcc3n09tcM5K8OVa7hD8O5QcJhlSkN200/s1583/20240123_160825a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1583" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8cCqVAx-cHeDE8-P5LzBtBpAGlAq4lGi3b4VDV5dd4MViwvFGl07r60mv4WEwDjThoTrw7-z5M5R-8UGstnBRWmjh1HvEZVAMmH4eERTQn8y9mHsyg0RVfn23UAkUfKgY4j6wY797Gi3FEQ4Q2dARRebcGBcc3n09tcM5K8OVa7hD8O5QcJhlSkN200/w640-h450/20240123_160825a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dutch 56-gun fourth rate Alkmaar </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>So my changes are tweaks rather than massive alterations such as preferring my regular KMH turn circles rather than the 45 and 90 degree turn templates and my own angle of fire templates.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEHoCTLHjQDpvKeMEm1JTU-04ijEA9p4PC5NyKo51bkdMLscUmffeot_rShWYP5YYsgyg8XrNU93MUjCo5_yvIR_U3O-8XZabRQxZn8HOjyWz1PAQozzzrz9TVgOmQY8Uml5oGT1I0iTz9roMIxJyF_OQcQzsBsLybEP34hFNLxJXBkFYA6MOhN5EIBA/s1565/20240125_130444a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1565" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEHoCTLHjQDpvKeMEm1JTU-04ijEA9p4PC5NyKo51bkdMLscUmffeot_rShWYP5YYsgyg8XrNU93MUjCo5_yvIR_U3O-8XZabRQxZn8HOjyWz1PAQozzzrz9TVgOmQY8Uml5oGT1I0iTz9roMIxJyF_OQcQzsBsLybEP34hFNLxJXBkFYA6MOhN5EIBA/w640-h480/20240125_130444a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signal flags and squadron record cards complete my pre-game preparations.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In addition, with the rules covering signalling, I have sought to define certain 'General Order' signals in terms of the requirement they place on the recipients, for example:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Engage the Enemy </u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>No ship shall start firing broadsides except in self defence until this signal is made or until the Admiral's flagship opens fire.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCjru1_n4gAs6LvGUEI9nDExpw7G0tqSXCjymfDNVmOR4wtyHoJmJnopgm3c-lZxLcRK4KLGNllk4As72jdyVzlxXLXat0h10PIE3M6Zj6chewrxrFrLbY18K779xJEREBULksDTkX8X9XYi-hAfhvWZKg3tMMDQGTOMfvFhatTVojpXBvfbDeSnON0s/s1026/markers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="1026" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCjru1_n4gAs6LvGUEI9nDExpw7G0tqSXCjymfDNVmOR4wtyHoJmJnopgm3c-lZxLcRK4KLGNllk4As72jdyVzlxXLXat0h10PIE3M6Zj6chewrxrFrLbY18K779xJEREBULksDTkX8X9XYi-hAfhvWZKg3tMMDQGTOMfvFhatTVojpXBvfbDeSnON0s/w400-h215/markers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new game required some specific new markers to be used on table, thus negating any record keeping</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Additionally I have continued with the PPV or Point Preservation Value used in KMH to determine when a squadron will break due to losses inflicted on it, adding a bit of variation to different nationalities, and have created some simple record cards on which dice can be used to record PPV loss and break-point threshold, together with a die for counting the use of Command Points.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure how much signalling will be required in any given game, but have included the full range of flags or orders as included in FDS so that they can be used if and when the opportunity arrises.</div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirQhcuSDvlb32APIB1EApig1ze6KJU8kJ91OshmoSE2PWr4rrJQ7cD1v2qomTQxTN-uxW9F59oOnsYWvrroaMBmm1Yr6m4FPRMngyi6gxhveKhyphenhyphenLsC4biUw6efTrR8W0wi9dQO2UXRsDnBt0JFc05-2gcbQZ4em1S6cJtDDYiBA9lfUFmKqWgVaeLE-E/s1529/20240123_160853a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1529" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirQhcuSDvlb32APIB1EApig1ze6KJU8kJ91OshmoSE2PWr4rrJQ7cD1v2qomTQxTN-uxW9F59oOnsYWvrroaMBmm1Yr6m4FPRMngyi6gxhveKhyphenhyphenLsC4biUw6efTrR8W0wi9dQO2UXRsDnBt0JFc05-2gcbQZ4em1S6cJtDDYiBA9lfUFmKqWgVaeLE-E/w640-h342/20240123_160853a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With all the preparation work complete I'm really looking forward to getting this test game going</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As when I started this little adventure into 1:700 age of sail back in 2021, my old pal Jack is coming over to Chez JJ to help me playtest FDS and the ideas I have for using the rules and like the earlier preparation with KMH, I have adapted the Camperdown collection to form a Leeward Column scenario, set up in the pictures above, to try out the rules recreating the attack on the Dutch rear by British Vice-admiral Onslow's leeward command.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzps-HigW03a5G-rrOK0O_x8YKCECBN99ggoZKqHHc8qLlAk_lk6eb4eX2Q4tip96rcUWw16kb-LIw6dGNRkR2PFQ84nsAunhpLNVg7yZrLTUr6mSBjFHW_J4NxaON3bFExT52b1sLQ8TGo0SyWulqaOFejhs-hKYPPn04xDzRNXdFe1ll9eQKncZJbfU/s1919/Camperdown%20map%20revised.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1919" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzps-HigW03a5G-rrOK0O_x8YKCECBN99ggoZKqHHc8qLlAk_lk6eb4eX2Q4tip96rcUWw16kb-LIw6dGNRkR2PFQ84nsAunhpLNVg7yZrLTUr6mSBjFHW_J4NxaON3bFExT52b1sLQ8TGo0SyWulqaOFejhs-hKYPPn04xDzRNXdFe1ll9eQKncZJbfU/w640-h356/Camperdown%20map%20revised.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scenario will pitch Onslow's British squadron against the Dutch rear or white squadron as arrayed at the Battle of Camperdown to test FDS for 1:700 big battle use</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The nine British ships of the line, including the 50-gun Adamant, pretty well demolished the Dutch rear in about two hours of battle or twelve turns of FDS so it will be interesting to see how well the rules model this historical scrap in a very discreet part of the Dutch line of battle and I will post an AAR in the wake of our game. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More anon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div><p></p></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-37249333866049905682024-01-16T02:50:00.000-08:002024-02-15T03:01:33.102-08:00JJ's on Tour - The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum (Part One, WWII British & Empire, Japanese, Soviet-Russian and US Equipment)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoBOKppVPe6gBGVBQCqDawXMv4-XMorYXid_Vvy2j0kMJzGoWiXF_axH-WxF3FFljRh8Jm0odk7SaMSHFzfP8z4gP0Y-MD-2sfW538ggEb6FeL9D5I4CTHumKo0WGd18wK9NSJx6xZG0Q8xkKz7M78l68TjB1cD0Ir91OH6EcuFHn36lUmEqrpuxInJU/s1918/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1918" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoBOKppVPe6gBGVBQCqDawXMv4-XMorYXid_Vvy2j0kMJzGoWiXF_axH-WxF3FFljRh8Jm0odk7SaMSHFzfP8z4gP0Y-MD-2sfW538ggEb6FeL9D5I4CTHumKo0WGd18wK9NSJx6xZG0Q8xkKz7M78l68TjB1cD0Ir91OH6EcuFHn36lUmEqrpuxInJU/w640-h360/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So over New Year I was thinking, what would be a great topic for the first post in 2024 and with the current series of posts covering the little expedition down-under, this time last year having got us to Cairns, what better than to take a look at the wonderful experience, the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, or 'Oz Armour', is for those of us, who like nothing better than spending time getting close up and personal with military vehicles and big guns.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a very large collection of militaria, vehicles and guns and I wanted to make this post a comprehensive overview, but it quickly became apparent that the size of it and the number of pictures I took warranted splitting things up into two posts, <b>with</b> <b>Part Two to follow looking a the German and Modern collections plus the display of small arms and uniforms</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The opportunity to visit arose with our staying close by, at Port Douglas, and with Carolyn agreeing to amuse herself by the beach, I naturally grabbed the car to make the short drive down the Cook Highway to the museum to spend the late morning and early afternoon absorbing the depth of this collection in a somewhat unexpected part of the world, it seeming rather incongruous to see Tiger and Panther tanks parked up in a giant hanger in Queensland.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQtt0oH5_4CH8KaDouSLpScql6E7nsMdfvQmn8y36gzlOy9eA5WozvkDeXv_P_Qz2RolZxN6lvWsR6XmglpUSF26alg7i1cX_iQz7mR03dvKcq4S3EMpy5tNfkwY9C3N7m4lPzLh1XL1YSNYuOPOqkU5xQMBjQ05Je-mHtxHajZisHcYmmFWRCtL0jtQ/s639/Header%20Port%20Douglas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="639" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQtt0oH5_4CH8KaDouSLpScql6E7nsMdfvQmn8y36gzlOy9eA5WozvkDeXv_P_Qz2RolZxN6lvWsR6XmglpUSF26alg7i1cX_iQz7mR03dvKcq4S3EMpy5tNfkwY9C3N7m4lPzLh1XL1YSNYuOPOqkU5xQMBjQ05Je-mHtxHajZisHcYmmFWRCtL0jtQ/w400-h224/Header%20Port%20Douglas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/12/jjs-on-tour-port-douglas-kuranda.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's on Tour - Port Douglas, Kuranda Skyrail & Great Barrier Reef, Australia.</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In my last post, link above, I covered our arrival on this the ninth leg of our Australian leg of our four month tour across the Pacific and the anticipation for this visit only whetted by the vehicle seen below, parked up at Cairn Airport, in the markings of my Dad's old Division, Guards Armoured, a seemingly good omen that this would be a very memorable stop over, amongst many that we had already encountered on this trip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7PStzGcToxsFpCGOKfhuojNMnYmjQ6VkngL2FbarS1RAilNnFQhMCi_3vCPRBq_cYDlRVAXLRYYXiB5mq_1dR4ZKGN7fTqvave1hTb9aqjTPkk7Vydyir4f0vz9Zb-waspFwZ6gMJPrNfP0NV_YT1_y0eqKbv15IMDPcjFhx8p1z_Jg0woN136JmdjE/s1417/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1417" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7PStzGcToxsFpCGOKfhuojNMnYmjQ6VkngL2FbarS1RAilNnFQhMCi_3vCPRBq_cYDlRVAXLRYYXiB5mq_1dR4ZKGN7fTqvave1hTb9aqjTPkk7Vydyir4f0vz9Zb-waspFwZ6gMJPrNfP0NV_YT1_y0eqKbv15IMDPcjFhx8p1z_Jg0woN136JmdjE/w640-h486/Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route so far on our travels through Australia, starting down in Melbourne just before New Year 2023.<br />Map courtesy of <a href="https://www.freeworldmaps.net/australia/">https://www.freeworldmaps.net/australia/</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRh77Hh0c5BZkE-f81cyrA47lAAGESbwjeioR061y1IYE2Cik5FIhfCqT2X2t9-xN-2QO6aHSpHBBuCrlM6l5HgorzaTRc_WYUwN7SA9MORE55_-AsjP4h2_C7d6tUK92GYLggS0GbIAHeWKKyo7onGvj_1vAhPZRjka4QxYLHdWSWGBPHOabVIAQ7L8/s4896/P1070263a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="4896" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRh77Hh0c5BZkE-f81cyrA47lAAGESbwjeioR061y1IYE2Cik5FIhfCqT2X2t9-xN-2QO6aHSpHBBuCrlM6l5HgorzaTRc_WYUwN7SA9MORE55_-AsjP4h2_C7d6tUK92GYLggS0GbIAHeWKKyo7onGvj_1vAhPZRjka4QxYLHdWSWGBPHOabVIAQ7L8/w640-h432/P1070263a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQOcKEyiIlep4sbPGmIxxZEtl_Bvv46VNQoDjTYSCdw9gAppA-hPf4XpSygWrehg5tvWHvvH1hHBw_z0AYfL6lklmKj_imI2Z1cu-3lpsKtkBGfsrEC7ZGgYW9IsBBRMSS-NltUXvjouPddx7CCFpUqtTPeuYut-_Cgw3yJ0vK5HcB9FEmo0dJZbsmaQ/s4128/P1070262a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2932" data-original-width="4128" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQOcKEyiIlep4sbPGmIxxZEtl_Bvv46VNQoDjTYSCdw9gAppA-hPf4XpSygWrehg5tvWHvvH1hHBw_z0AYfL6lklmKj_imI2Z1cu-3lpsKtkBGfsrEC7ZGgYW9IsBBRMSS-NltUXvjouPddx7CCFpUqtTPeuYut-_Cgw3yJ0vK5HcB9FEmo0dJZbsmaQ/w640-h454/P1070262a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whilst putting this post together and reliving the visit in my mind's eye, I have to wish the chaps at the museum well as I recall the recent videos from the area showing the building seen below that houses the collection up to its foundations in water following the cyclone and massive rainfall that hit this area of Queensland just before Xmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5I5ApE6gRIc" width="320" youtube-src-id="5I5ApE6gRIc"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know that they had a bit of flooding in the lower gallery that houses the collection of small arms and uniforms from World War II, but as I understand were not damaged in the deluge as per the rest of the collection, which was extremely good news.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O8l33oRzGhHUewm4yu-mbzW2pBlHSfeRoVa2jsXK3tTr7QB1gB5Xf4qHyaEQjm3FLzoolOwzC9UOeUNxsjL61ZkZRyMK9muHdCdHkznCkAb7xQriUfdckxujRsWkrT58ICG-5L9qZOc0qyEuhE7tbdtUQTyaUfl7Oc7ry-pPlIy2UzDk50ZKnnK7pek/s4032/20230202_151647a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1757" data-original-width="4032" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O8l33oRzGhHUewm4yu-mbzW2pBlHSfeRoVa2jsXK3tTr7QB1gB5Xf4qHyaEQjm3FLzoolOwzC9UOeUNxsjL61ZkZRyMK9muHdCdHkznCkAb7xQriUfdckxujRsWkrT58ICG-5L9qZOc0qyEuhE7tbdtUQTyaUfl7Oc7ry-pPlIy2UzDk50ZKnnK7pek/w640-h278/20230202_151647a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Whilst parking up outside my attention was immediately grabbed by this early mark of the Churchill tank.<div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTh3OIlvd3Pr-fH853fjaaHkfZK5xeQLza9OozH0XqedxezVfXQ7NoLdve4-ZUXjyr4gHFXevRuXW9lV6a2hFELc51_NDYO12DFU4yxIMNjH1uynhqe5yETsqMM5dvgZ6CdrvAb3GTXaCV2Ox3hJkpK9UE9t2bXcYUpPPH6GDB4KT09iu9x3XvXE8RrY/s4032/20230202_151714a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2077" data-original-width="4032" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTh3OIlvd3Pr-fH853fjaaHkfZK5xeQLza9OozH0XqedxezVfXQ7NoLdve4-ZUXjyr4gHFXevRuXW9lV6a2hFELc51_NDYO12DFU4yxIMNjH1uynhqe5yETsqMM5dvgZ6CdrvAb3GTXaCV2Ox3hJkpK9UE9t2bXcYUpPPH6GDB4KT09iu9x3XvXE8RrY/w640-h330/20230202_151714a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm not sure of the Mark for this tank but it carries a 6-pounder gun, which at least makes it a Mark III or later variant, especially with the square access doors on the hull, but the rounded cast turret causes me to guess at a Mark IV, the most numerous option, despite the lack of guards over the tracks which was a common addition on later models.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcN1N5_pvO79gabnmvgjtw2djwnKfXK_Qh3jvgL-P-nCEQoVghFqW4jov1GZQa9eH1ajaIt8YPJr40US-vY24Y7X1FIlJGveQr4jqMHzdGUIWTBOvncpLjQAXQO4MXEYhomlAl4cXpe-bJKOcvmVfNuV_yIXx58BeSdgMe-b4MOb0hIAihVPzCyQfcX8/s4032/20230202_151731a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcN1N5_pvO79gabnmvgjtw2djwnKfXK_Qh3jvgL-P-nCEQoVghFqW4jov1GZQa9eH1ajaIt8YPJr40US-vY24Y7X1FIlJGveQr4jqMHzdGUIWTBOvncpLjQAXQO4MXEYhomlAl4cXpe-bJKOcvmVfNuV_yIXx58BeSdgMe-b4MOb0hIAihVPzCyQfcX8/w640-h480/20230202_151731a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Having visited some of the big armour collections in Europe including our own Bovington, many times and Saumur in France, I was not exactly sure what to expect with this collection, but I think the picture below, that greets the first time visitor on entering the massive purpose built show hall or indeed hangar, explains why my jaw dropped at the thought of spending as much time as I needed simply absorbing this amazing collection, that and getting used to the wildlife that can be seen enjoying the weather just outside.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVymJ80nsjn9XjTNyZ26VFgiowy3ZAk2aiEw99PqmZ8f60bFpsx0eWLJskCF_QzdYga3bvrJniSOUa1tdSl6VEUByyFn9MriUHwVnCgwuBwXEXa9mn1UoOhQN4z6XV_RCUqqFRTYL423pBJ-XIZJ5SbyJAHssFnQAKFDklo3JV4l_aonTGw0M8o716zQ/s4032/20230202_145431a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVymJ80nsjn9XjTNyZ26VFgiowy3ZAk2aiEw99PqmZ8f60bFpsx0eWLJskCF_QzdYga3bvrJniSOUa1tdSl6VEUByyFn9MriUHwVnCgwuBwXEXa9mn1UoOhQN4z6XV_RCUqqFRTYL423pBJ-XIZJ5SbyJAHssFnQAKFDklo3JV4l_aonTGw0M8o716zQ/w640-h480/20230202_145431a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wildlife in these parts quickly reminds you that this is not Bovington in Dorset!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In addition I would extend my thanks to the staff at The A.A.& A. Museum for their enthusiastic welcome, especially Alex who noting my avid interest and rapid photography very kindly took the time to give me a guided tour of the most impressive items in the collection together with the back story of how they came to be there and in a lot of cases how the chaps set about reconstructing many of the vehicles I have pictured here, with I think some sixty percent now restored back to running order.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvIfoYwPx6B_s6yFgP4idpgygjkdHwS5aYQMMWmEFYHlKRg0MXkDIcJK4DVG1fooOFqWZhs0dugCcBFYM56QpjAJkNdfCCN-Ep9e17s9d3lLOMp9KWKlG63SVZaMtOUBs3LJRhfVTvbKB-Z1MM19GTdiFl89zvSmzT9xPYyrDcWGp38GwYDcP7wvHnnE/s1536/Askari-Medals-No-Font-1086x1536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1086" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvIfoYwPx6B_s6yFgP4idpgygjkdHwS5aYQMMWmEFYHlKRg0MXkDIcJK4DVG1fooOFqWZhs0dugCcBFYM56QpjAJkNdfCCN-Ep9e17s9d3lLOMp9KWKlG63SVZaMtOUBs3LJRhfVTvbKB-Z1MM19GTdiFl89zvSmzT9xPYyrDcWGp38GwYDcP7wvHnnE/w141-h200/Askari-Medals-No-Font-1086x1536.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://askarimedals.com/">https://askarimedals.com/</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I should add that Alex is the owner of Askari Medals, dealing in Military Service Medals and badges, covering the Boer War, WWI and WWII, link above.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcqPYJ8vYw5xPyxVHPHOrprlz8vxDEzLts_wEH0QBDLFK0mbzQFv4GKCQT7OZ5Iu8zAbeAgM3hpbMl3w1Kv3aezm9WhvCOV5aQprZ_IldHexpaBk6jIcC8Ruyfp7e2d5tJ0Fua_20PnX7Hz1DG04tbmn_odeMEw8QSPR75b_nC6k7JUr6_q6GH6ZV4lE/s4896/P1070840a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3164" data-original-width="4896" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcqPYJ8vYw5xPyxVHPHOrprlz8vxDEzLts_wEH0QBDLFK0mbzQFv4GKCQT7OZ5Iu8zAbeAgM3hpbMl3w1Kv3aezm9WhvCOV5aQprZ_IldHexpaBk6jIcC8Ruyfp7e2d5tJ0Fua_20PnX7Hz1DG04tbmn_odeMEw8QSPR75b_nC6k7JUr6_q6GH6ZV4lE/w640-h414/P1070840a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view that greets the first time visitor - let the fun begin!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The careful reconstruction of many of the exhibits seen is wonderfully captured in one of the first to be encountered on entering the exhibition hall, with the British 6-inch howitzer seen below reconstructed from the remains of three such weapons and is indeed a tribute to the skill of those involved at the museum in the dedicated preservation of these increasingly rare military artefacts.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kMdHUf_WKMiQTMyqokPMqinAQbW_xf5hpTM8lWQxMieNOUKCzGfkqGZwEmxf5DUIGvbBlbhWCaEiK-i8uyzw7C3j9XeMhS4pX4vSCjo0mIgOUZtH0nYH8AefbPQrv901EHw6I7rApjdFm9pw8gIZ966brsl7kO7fgI3w0ZOj18oi59GLp0I0z16tD3Y/s4896/P1070844a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="4896" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kMdHUf_WKMiQTMyqokPMqinAQbW_xf5hpTM8lWQxMieNOUKCzGfkqGZwEmxf5DUIGvbBlbhWCaEiK-i8uyzw7C3j9XeMhS4pX4vSCjo0mIgOUZtH0nYH8AefbPQrv901EHw6I7rApjdFm9pw8gIZ966brsl7kO7fgI3w0ZOj18oi59GLp0I0z16tD3Y/w640-h422/P1070844a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As the notice board explains, many of the parts used for this reconstruction were obtained at auction by farmers who used them to produce improvised farm equipment, spear into plough shears taken to its full extent, whilst others had been sat for many years on military ranges and bear the scars of their post war service. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbMdNO8Gcwuvdpy4jXuHhMOJg-O_Rub2gMl9_y4slUcLXu-FZJLSRchE2-MQhsi3j_oEdePUwxGH8WsISlOFjvFoeIinGqPBYLxUoreeRWPJlR29y4cFP76JX7n9fMpjqxGPYgWCcWlGywSoqZWKm2hoxkS1RiR2ApAbwl7g26CbzbZwfOg6WLKoRBGY/s4896/P1070845a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbMdNO8Gcwuvdpy4jXuHhMOJg-O_Rub2gMl9_y4slUcLXu-FZJLSRchE2-MQhsi3j_oEdePUwxGH8WsISlOFjvFoeIinGqPBYLxUoreeRWPJlR29y4cFP76JX7n9fMpjqxGPYgWCcWlGywSoqZWKm2hoxkS1RiR2ApAbwl7g26CbzbZwfOg6WLKoRBGY/w640-h480/P1070845a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">British breech loading 6-inch howitzer</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP552UaEuMtA2jYRHOun1XM7_TyLtQhMQ30VWP11xmjnFTXn0WUQyCrDzoP6XO779JoNuLVWQJmYAd33kaVMbbqQGpAQOkEamcc_Isasra-YdRGSPk_-irJLkCmcHHq8jZROiaUu6sPiGD0GowiHGiu4674wizGxYwnCMuZ1dgLCBfQs3azKsVT2XQpg/s4896/P1070846a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP552UaEuMtA2jYRHOun1XM7_TyLtQhMQ30VWP11xmjnFTXn0WUQyCrDzoP6XO779JoNuLVWQJmYAd33kaVMbbqQGpAQOkEamcc_Isasra-YdRGSPk_-irJLkCmcHHq8jZROiaUu6sPiGD0GowiHGiu4674wizGxYwnCMuZ1dgLCBfQs3azKsVT2XQpg/w640-h480/P1070846a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a very comprehensive collection of vehicles and guns, some I had never seen before in other collections and with others unique to the collection or very specific to the Australian experience in the World Wars and Post War eras, not so completely covered as well back home, and so not knowing when I might get the chance to return, I decided to take plenty of pictures to inform my own wargaming interests and thought I would share that endeavour here for others as well; and so I have broken the post up into specific parts of the collection as I viewed them, with World War II, like many, being a primary interest of mine so receiving a greater focus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Australian Developed and British Empire WWII Vehicles & Guns</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Australian Cruiser IV Tank, Sentinel AC E1 17-Pounder</b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only tank produced in quantity in Australia during World War II in response to the war in Europe and later to the the threat posed by Japan in the Pacific, the Sentinel featured a single piece cast hull, with the AC I originally armed with a 2-pounder gun, and like the Canadian RAM tank was based on the drive train, engine and lower hull of the American M3 Medium Tank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t7F3EuEKpbpmzDKdXMqO7uRZ7vUkQYyr458FSzrd4Z3C1Z9ZApGYsWay_GZXVcxez7mxFrW1jjOGwsljofIbwfZzyoqH7UNNWmZeToNsl0Hl2kgECf6A77pU6ECGjJRjRwNuwhZNhX2_7I-PotcdU3O7UN0wnuFATEeGS-Uy_PrUjn7XMrTp28dzSAQ/s640/AC_E1(AWM_P03498.010).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="640" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t7F3EuEKpbpmzDKdXMqO7uRZ7vUkQYyr458FSzrd4Z3C1Z9ZApGYsWay_GZXVcxez7mxFrW1jjOGwsljofIbwfZzyoqH7UNNWmZeToNsl0Hl2kgECf6A77pU6ECGjJRjRwNuwhZNhX2_7I-PotcdU3O7UN0wnuFATEeGS-Uy_PrUjn7XMrTp28dzSAQ/w640-h530/AC_E1(AWM_P03498.010).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With 2.5 inch frontal and 1.8 inch rear and side armour, the Australian tank was playing catch-up in July 1943 with the newer German tanks and the programme was ended with just sixty-five production vehicles completed with the decision taken to direct the money put into the AC production run into railway infrastructure, ready to be able to deliver the numbers of American tanks set to arrive in the country to arm the Australian tank corps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The exhibit seen here is an AC IE hull with an AC III turret mounting a 17-pounder gun to represent the AC IV prototype seen in the wartime photo above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The development of this model of Sentinel tank played a key role in the Allied victory in North West Europe in 1944-45, as the work by the development team to put a 17-Pounder gun into the compact turret of this medium tank informed greatly the development of the British Sherman IC and VC 'Firefly' with the Australian team helping by sharing their experience with the British design teams that developed perhaps the most potent Allied tank in that theatre.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdULfDtH3LcF9iW_pstBFOfHpFmOMzBLeP1q8uss9GV_FOlUIU-y0Z7QnS9-yyCD38sMLr4kVpFF-r5NaABN46FyTemz2_JgvxFDzHNzk75eg-EKqulyc1y7F5UtgqwwsxiiPkQukjqn-Xz4OK6T3x_coKIb7WIuYcvGB4KCWMk-CJD4ELRxU1T4ALjA/s4588/P1070887a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2557" data-original-width="4588" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdULfDtH3LcF9iW_pstBFOfHpFmOMzBLeP1q8uss9GV_FOlUIU-y0Z7QnS9-yyCD38sMLr4kVpFF-r5NaABN46FyTemz2_JgvxFDzHNzk75eg-EKqulyc1y7F5UtgqwwsxiiPkQukjqn-Xz4OK6T3x_coKIb7WIuYcvGB4KCWMk-CJD4ELRxU1T4ALjA/w640-h356/P1070887a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Australian Cruiser IV Tank, Sentinel AC E1 17-Pounder</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Local Pattern 2 (LP2) Carrier</span></b></div><div>Based on the British Bren Carrier No.2 Mk.1, the first Australian carrier was built at the Victorian Railway Workshops, Newport, in March 1940 and modified to Australian conditions.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sff5gwfqYXWo_5geJfkhUYupqq6qzwC3hD6gjxZv9VcmmhvLXJV0WPid5Ra3RFFt4-jatJa5esaRp8zOa1NsCB0PiL-EkgmC1RE2b1zp4sqaGE51jVt_6jK1tPEvD1a1tApwUxcV-8QcgMe7l87YE99BvYfDwJWGTvbG7YLDyGhvuqAXwxVwajWpER8/s4896/P1070890a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2825" data-original-width="4896" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sff5gwfqYXWo_5geJfkhUYupqq6qzwC3hD6gjxZv9VcmmhvLXJV0WPid5Ra3RFFt4-jatJa5esaRp8zOa1NsCB0PiL-EkgmC1RE2b1zp4sqaGE51jVt_6jK1tPEvD1a1tApwUxcV-8QcgMe7l87YE99BvYfDwJWGTvbG7YLDyGhvuqAXwxVwajWpER8/w640-h370/P1070890a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Australian Local Pattern 2 (LP2) Carrier</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Initially used by the Australian army to train tank crews, and by cavalry regiments as scout vehicle's, the utility of the vehicle, as discovered by British units, was not lost on the Australians, with its adoption as a key transport vehicle for infantry battalion carrier platoons and as a liaison and reconnaissance vehicle for the artillery regiments.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Australian carriers served with Australian troops in the Middle East, Malaya, New Guinea and in the south-west Pacific.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Dingo Armoured Scout Car</span></b></div>With only 245 of these very Australian light armoured cars being built, this is a bit of a rare beast to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Built by Ford Motor Company and based on their commercially available 30cwt truck chassis, it was fitted with a Marmon-Harrington all wheel drive kit and powered by a Ford V8 engine, giving it a top speed of about 50mph, but with a somewhat restricted off-road mobility due to the front axle often distorting when driving over rough ground.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNkju9cySaklS6RkRMnSNCTQEJ4VqpoUCihPvkUN2lJfhHKTo-oOnN6BnEX4zXvQoW3DZJf2Jl494wMurMiMsoUhas8vz_VWnGSFysmDBIoKIAyiecnq_S7sUBj6-9Hhss3xrGjO7hdEykchrocw18ypoggqG5lSXy_wMqVT3MknD8HaoZx7F38aPklc/s4896/P1070892a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="4896" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNkju9cySaklS6RkRMnSNCTQEJ4VqpoUCihPvkUN2lJfhHKTo-oOnN6BnEX4zXvQoW3DZJf2Jl494wMurMiMsoUhas8vz_VWnGSFysmDBIoKIAyiecnq_S7sUBj6-9Hhss3xrGjO7hdEykchrocw18ypoggqG5lSXy_wMqVT3MknD8HaoZx7F38aPklc/w640-h362/P1070892a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Australian Dingo Armoured Scout Car</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Dingo never saw service overseas and were phased out of production in early 1943 in favour of better types, such as the Canadian produce Lynx scout car.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Ordnance 25-Pounder (Short)</span></b></div><div>The story behind this very Australian redesign of the British QF (Quick Firing) 25-pounder field gun/howitzer is indicative of the ingenuity of Australian troops returning home from operations in the North Western Desert, to face the Japanese threatening their homeland and finding their Infantry Divisional structure, based on the British doctrine for fighting in North West Europe and extended to desert operations, totally unsuitable for jungle fighting in terrain such as that encountered in the roadless stretches of New Guinea, where many divisional vehicles could not operate and guns had to be light and easy to disassemble and reassemble for transport in aircraft or on the backs of mules.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuVO6Rrr0bwBkTAwHOIse-yUdqGiAYTqG1VU9_I5Kbh8-rThR6gH6fSus6VtmEJsGP1WwjcAI5ydHkuCrYMTeLF3woO6bVa4MuTyjMvJpKipsWTXTcP6_EVV5ntQlMNGn_lZ8hCD3_kiunAnTWIz9pydwsXY47W1LAWpKXC0o2PsoBCxy73SM_4py0ig/s4113/P1070898a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2846" data-original-width="4113" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuVO6Rrr0bwBkTAwHOIse-yUdqGiAYTqG1VU9_I5Kbh8-rThR6gH6fSus6VtmEJsGP1WwjcAI5ydHkuCrYMTeLF3woO6bVa4MuTyjMvJpKipsWTXTcP6_EVV5ntQlMNGn_lZ8hCD3_kiunAnTWIz9pydwsXY47W1LAWpKXC0o2PsoBCxy73SM_4py0ig/w640-h442/P1070898a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Lacking artillery support in the early campaigns in New Guinea, the new gun was issued to units in August 1943, and would see service in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Borneo.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uouHZqlp_buzKBrTIthHEdEOyx2XX1ZuOLnKulwV2Cir8VFybLuRxnNS4hMq8TZTp9PC0RLOqKavaacclvNYrTzdUEoa1rdxg09biVRNQ0J9QHGquePmE_Q23m-jdhyphenhyphenQcSn17Ze8vHQ4SeRd7WtCDy6cW2_tmeDUFAQlNBMzI08hvv0pkC8Wt68_7UI/s4896/P1070894a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uouHZqlp_buzKBrTIthHEdEOyx2XX1ZuOLnKulwV2Cir8VFybLuRxnNS4hMq8TZTp9PC0RLOqKavaacclvNYrTzdUEoa1rdxg09biVRNQ0J9QHGquePmE_Q23m-jdhyphenhyphenQcSn17Ze8vHQ4SeRd7WtCDy6cW2_tmeDUFAQlNBMzI08hvv0pkC8Wt68_7UI/w640-h480/P1070894a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Australian Ordnance 25-Pounder (Short)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The new guns used as many of the standard 25-pounder parts as possible, but with significant differences designed to reduce the weapon's weight, such as shortening the gun's barrel and recuperator, and making the trail lighter, whilst also retaining the same ammunition as used with the standard weapon, that saw a slight reduction in range to about 87% of that of the standard 25-pounder.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh2eY26oYsQhb097x_u1oIaoLV6llhyphenhyphen7a1UI5xRSqSDMD8cHfctF1TeT1FGQ58e9rVtF8qxRyRGPinNNvZ46OhmNt60t7YTFe6FO-hNYTtLSqJ1z5A3g1ZMeDP7VxW-WFM32kRlrNfYvUzaaVzFYEZgvvKcxDEPoArrBkvDkQo1mkbhtOXlU30DoKziE/s4896/P1070897a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh2eY26oYsQhb097x_u1oIaoLV6llhyphenhyphen7a1UI5xRSqSDMD8cHfctF1TeT1FGQ58e9rVtF8qxRyRGPinNNvZ46OhmNt60t7YTFe6FO-hNYTtLSqJ1z5A3g1ZMeDP7VxW-WFM32kRlrNfYvUzaaVzFYEZgvvKcxDEPoArrBkvDkQo1mkbhtOXlU30DoKziE/w640-h480/P1070897a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>By the end of 1944, 213 of these guns had been produced, that would see the introduction of a brand new carriage with larger wheels and tyres to prevent wheel bounce encountered in the first production run, able to provide rapid artillery support to Australian infantry operating in very difficult terrain, and earning them the nickname, the 'snort' by Australian soldiers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYpd4JAx_J1ELuQ6IXwHHFcfXsmJDP4oaoJEnBmUfTSGSouuzUrG00JgL6d9MWlTndVtex4lbuD8BpXRQ0bDBe3or9km7KivvdT-DZ74VrBUU2A4mU0y8S7vjgJNKs_UcUoxVIfPjdi8W8WH_QPBjPQSiOgNeaJNZ4XLUsxAR5GBoZnBizikfctjeSW8/s4896/P1070895a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYpd4JAx_J1ELuQ6IXwHHFcfXsmJDP4oaoJEnBmUfTSGSouuzUrG00JgL6d9MWlTndVtex4lbuD8BpXRQ0bDBe3or9km7KivvdT-DZ74VrBUU2A4mU0y8S7vjgJNKs_UcUoxVIfPjdi8W8WH_QPBjPQSiOgNeaJNZ4XLUsxAR5GBoZnBizikfctjeSW8/w640-h480/P1070895a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One aspect worth noting, and as see below, that I really appreciated seeing, whilst viewing the collection, was the presentation of the types of ammunition used by the equipment displayed, giving a marked impression of the capabilities of the weapons platform displayed.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrLjx2aE_vR7oN2Nv3-lxW6gFB8L2rtRQ23xsSfLuH0VeoVWMCDKjX0Rq7UbsIYwACU0l3O2VSXRkYl2ZwMxp6GNIVWaq_sYeYT5-DkjFnVUhSszGW7qxKVNjDPk4t2L9YonrECS06T-aPUceviaAHFovNQR3P20y30IsVk19Nx1MZqmY-MF_GA4E3Ng/s4896/P1070896a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1666" data-original-width="4896" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrLjx2aE_vR7oN2Nv3-lxW6gFB8L2rtRQ23xsSfLuH0VeoVWMCDKjX0Rq7UbsIYwACU0l3O2VSXRkYl2ZwMxp6GNIVWaq_sYeYT5-DkjFnVUhSszGW7qxKVNjDPk4t2L9YonrECS06T-aPUceviaAHFovNQR3P20y30IsVk19Nx1MZqmY-MF_GA4E3Ng/w640-h218/P1070896a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25-pounder armour piercing and HE rounds.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Ordnance 2-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The British 2-pounder (40mm) anti-tank guns was the same gun that was mounted on British tanks in the earl years of WWII and was a very effective anti-tank weapon for that period, already proven against German tanks in France 1940 and in the Desert War against Italy and later the Afrika Korps in early 1941.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps its main weakness was the lack of an effective high explosive round, which was to prove a major problem for British tanks armed with the gun coming up against German anti-tank gun screens, particularly in North Africa, where the Besa machine guns were unable to knock these guns out and long range, a problem not overcome until heavier guns came into British service, such as the 6-pounder and US 75mm types.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdJfghE948E7Ck8PgGJhf-V0_bUz4jWU4Me-QCfqP079eqYH0Ibr0GVYpUfJ83Szu-uSRU1Q-MOlY68N9gVkHR6y9HSZwRp1PtZUfWOqzNyRK1nOLVWxVEb-yeSUyg1jkj-scozY_e4qw5nsVqbkzP9h7TnMFBKV1dVh6qt_acLWiLfZdCD3jWj3JmDY/s4896/P1070900a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3076" data-original-width="4896" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdJfghE948E7Ck8PgGJhf-V0_bUz4jWU4Me-QCfqP079eqYH0Ibr0GVYpUfJ83Szu-uSRU1Q-MOlY68N9gVkHR6y9HSZwRp1PtZUfWOqzNyRK1nOLVWxVEb-yeSUyg1jkj-scozY_e4qw5nsVqbkzP9h7TnMFBKV1dVh6qt_acLWiLfZdCD3jWj3JmDY/w640-h402/P1070900a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Against the Japanese, as with the Italians, the lack of an HE round was less of an issue and up against comparatively weakly armoured tanks, the 2-pounder was again to prove itself very formidable, with the Australian gunners of the 13th Australian Anti-Tank Battery providing the Japanese pursuit through Malaya on their drive to Singapore a salutary lesson at a well executed ambush at Bakri, knocking out ten Type 95 Ha-Go tanks on the 15th January 1942.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CB8PWWBukj9ThyphenhyphenU1SVC8_ox1JjC_wxmKEsRyNWVTSpKO7-ewytDYcuZwpvqpdDeAdEAvw9xcZccEAZ7UThzEVYe6yXynV7GXP9xnWSZKsxF5RNFyR_kNFTlzVuUf75CTpo8VAZGhJVz5PhY-kwDLQaFDC3eOnJ5uWmOsaLN8yy9nP4iC9aM20VNjAQ8/s640/4093365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="640" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CB8PWWBukj9ThyphenhyphenU1SVC8_ox1JjC_wxmKEsRyNWVTSpKO7-ewytDYcuZwpvqpdDeAdEAvw9xcZccEAZ7UThzEVYe6yXynV7GXP9xnWSZKsxF5RNFyR_kNFTlzVuUf75CTpo8VAZGhJVz5PhY-kwDLQaFDC3eOnJ5uWmOsaLN8yy9nP4iC9aM20VNjAQ8/w640-h494/4093365.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAKRI, MALAYA, 1942-01-15. GUNNERS OF 13TH AUSTRALIAN ANTI-TANK BATTERY USING A 2 PDR ANTI-TANK GUN ACTION AGAINST JAPANESE TYPE 94 LIGHT TANKS AT A ROAD BLOCK. THE FORWARD TANK HAS BEEN SET ON FIRE WHILST OTHER TANKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ROAD BLOCK, WHICH IS A FELLED RUBBER TREE, HAVE BEEN DISABLED. TWO GUNS OF THIS BATTERY KNOCKED OUT FIVE TANKS.<br /><a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/040367">https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/040367</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfPBPxItm93heiTwsS18x-mGa5f-zT36CqmBNa0QTvj5MwAhwHkL0jW3h135bGlwWpmmfzDHZVc5BN3JGU5kjOlCYfJeCgza5t9P-Pcbx2k4XBVrC33ao5a0OCB_UUxkibrgX5SFu_NwKVlmOe0pwFHKt5zJ9spzIAPefUxFJhpga2hV6NwGD0D9vySI/s640/4085593.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="640" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfPBPxItm93heiTwsS18x-mGa5f-zT36CqmBNa0QTvj5MwAhwHkL0jW3h135bGlwWpmmfzDHZVc5BN3JGU5kjOlCYfJeCgza5t9P-Pcbx2k4XBVrC33ao5a0OCB_UUxkibrgX5SFu_NwKVlmOe0pwFHKt5zJ9spzIAPefUxFJhpga2hV6NwGD0D9vySI/w640-h438/4085593.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A two pounder Anti-Tank Gun of the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment, 8th Australian Division, AIF, directed by VX38874 Sergeant (Sgt) Charles James Parsons, of Moonee Ponds, Vic (centre), with two crew members, identified as VX56083 Gunner (Gnr) Lenard Edward Coutts and Gnr Ken Daniels, standing against their Anti-Tank Gun in a clearing near the road block at Bakri on the Muar-Parit Sulong Road. <br /><a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/068589">https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/068589</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1fQI3S3_DEW_0k85fdb5L6UEsHU2ne49_tZ603nmO8jrYxDD0DvaOLbJHM0sgC4XqwKTicVirS7MxiX2nPJZ13dsxtyyl6VXgAVFkGAZxxuj1UagtuBSye-7P0IEPg7999b4nDSctya-Npf58FWi8OZs4eUA4SPuhqJsFo0Z6ty6nIH6xQ2BvBSiH64/s640/4096802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="640" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1fQI3S3_DEW_0k85fdb5L6UEsHU2ne49_tZ603nmO8jrYxDD0DvaOLbJHM0sgC4XqwKTicVirS7MxiX2nPJZ13dsxtyyl6VXgAVFkGAZxxuj1UagtuBSye-7P0IEPg7999b4nDSctya-Npf58FWi8OZs4eUA4SPuhqJsFo0Z6ty6nIH6xQ2BvBSiH64/w640-h486/4096802.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAKRI, MALAYA, 1942-01-15. ONE OF THE TEN JAPANESE TYPE 95 HA-GO LIGHT TANKS KNOCKED OUT BY GUNNERS OF 13TH AUSTRALIAN ANTI-TANK BATTERY USING 2 PDR GUNS IN AN AMBUSH DURING A WITHDRAWAL IN MALAYA. THIS IS THE TANK SHOWN ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE ROAD BLOCK IN PHOTO NO 040367.<br /><a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/040370">https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/040370</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The 2-pounder was introduced into Australian service in 1939, seeing service in North Africa, Syria, Greece, Malaya and New Guinea, later replaced in 1941 by the 6-pounder.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf1xOIZTHyom3jDfv720KT-mOBFAsaOk7eYBDb1N9aVBhSzWWiURGDor2vbUWzYQL8R312xdWp5eowAeq9GXI74WfuwPfjku1uvWOD2ix0oAkOdHz0J7oAhetNL3JrC1nP0ztGVh2V4lho6BVojPwvHQV7tqEomEK4znJ54rMzHVA7-hH4ayWakPSexA/s4896/P1070901a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3073" data-original-width="4896" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf1xOIZTHyom3jDfv720KT-mOBFAsaOk7eYBDb1N9aVBhSzWWiURGDor2vbUWzYQL8R312xdWp5eowAeq9GXI74WfuwPfjku1uvWOD2ix0oAkOdHz0J7oAhetNL3JrC1nP0ztGVh2V4lho6BVojPwvHQV7tqEomEK4znJ54rMzHVA7-hH4ayWakPSexA/w640-h402/P1070901a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IE3sAIfP-wT1c0G2XauLG1r4ndpHgBitoXHZrhpESEMUXsAaK2jdFknOE5_ZdkZRYE8cebjxmK-pwlQpARckQr9l-akKrl3pggWO6WBh_i0nvxL2GRZer8sEhhNb5RGdo0uFmDj9Lthy_cNtyKER-MIaL8litiQ8EA6ETvI374CUzCupIKKtJ-gyNrQ/s3161/P1070902b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="3161" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IE3sAIfP-wT1c0G2XauLG1r4ndpHgBitoXHZrhpESEMUXsAaK2jdFknOE5_ZdkZRYE8cebjxmK-pwlQpARckQr9l-akKrl3pggWO6WBh_i0nvxL2GRZer8sEhhNb5RGdo0uFmDj9Lthy_cNtyKER-MIaL8litiQ8EA6ETvI374CUzCupIKKtJ-gyNrQ/w640-h282/P1070902b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Cruiser Mk. I Tank</span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Sentinel Tank was the Australian cruiser tank and this the Mark I (AC 1) began as a 2-pounder equipped design in November 1940, later designated Sentinel in February 1942.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On six Sentinel's survive today, with five in Australia and one in the collection at Bovington, UK.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMxsYhm79e7al_hZED00SrcLJ7lNw9D4KN1ab6924M0-KnSo991uqNels6cucAQ7j9mJ4XqVemT7CEVpl45erV0Em3_4w38WODX5kZDanqyYL9z5cKSFxgWHwlXGsk4_x_NGLbwmlcgdHZ94S6OOl1yZX9mfJ8G_zlFqy2-Ukjr6ehuJY5Rptd2AFJFk/s4799/P1070903a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="4799" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMxsYhm79e7al_hZED00SrcLJ7lNw9D4KN1ab6924M0-KnSo991uqNels6cucAQ7j9mJ4XqVemT7CEVpl45erV0Em3_4w38WODX5kZDanqyYL9z5cKSFxgWHwlXGsk4_x_NGLbwmlcgdHZ94S6OOl1yZX9mfJ8G_zlFqy2-Ukjr6ehuJY5Rptd2AFJFk/w640-h386/P1070903a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Matilda No.3 Mk. I Dozer Tank</span></b></div><div>The Infantry Tank Mark II or Matilda II was a British infantry tank that saw service in France and North Africa in the early years of WWII, where its heavy armour made it an excellent choice as a infantry support tank.</div><div><br /></div><div>By 1942 the tank was practically obsolete when facing the heavier German tanks and ever increasing calibres of anti-tank guns, but with war against the Japanese in the Pacific, it found a new theatre where its effectiveness as an infantry support tank once again reasserted itself.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTZEyhDNBhsc83tEJVsCb9-17edZoj-CLiIB1Gapdma-uSzTWTOHaGB3slIhrZv5PbjPvRVCtmu0EqY8jQTyR2lTrfOTNw0sA_0K1O7yvuA7h5mW4UDujhVkONYHSFlkQ0blwG9eWLKEHTyDIy-HyZ6AEbttItrWS2saa9K11OpRpwM4f9S9eTsH-hn4/s4179/P1070905a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="4179" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTZEyhDNBhsc83tEJVsCb9-17edZoj-CLiIB1Gapdma-uSzTWTOHaGB3slIhrZv5PbjPvRVCtmu0EqY8jQTyR2lTrfOTNw0sA_0K1O7yvuA7h5mW4UDujhVkONYHSFlkQ0blwG9eWLKEHTyDIy-HyZ6AEbttItrWS2saa9K11OpRpwM4f9S9eTsH-hn4/w640-h442/P1070905a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Australian Army made extensive use of the Matilda II tank during the fighting in the jungles of the Pacific and as a result of experience gained saw a number of specialised vehicles created and based upon it that included the Matilda Dozer, seen here, Matilda Hedgehog (Rocket Projector) and Matilda Frog (Flame Thrower), with the dozer version used to level steep gradients, fill bomb craters, build river crossings and clear obstacles such as Japanese bunkers whilst under fire.</div><div> </div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Australian Ford 2-Pounder Anti-Tank Portee</span></b></div><div>The 2-Pounder Portee was used extensively by British and Commonwealth Forces in North Africa in particular, providing a mobile platform for the gun that could enable it to fire on the move, stopping in favourable ground to fire at enemy armour before moving away to cover or to deploy the gun off the truck to give it better cover and a much lower profile.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKFt7sy1acUBNDn1e7g_T1KyyovY3Oo14Nf08H33hHj_DwdrWtHmP8EmSbHq1-jRerBNqn1m4XEIpo7ZQyF3LvlWUVxryLA5QsqGCNelGIp2FVt0RcWKxrG8di9N101n9sJXFcATMzvgMJTLqhGya70zO1PViCE0PVLKCNQcTXhhmRGs8gD2c7lJVwoQ/s4554/P1070908a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3489" data-original-width="4554" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKFt7sy1acUBNDn1e7g_T1KyyovY3Oo14Nf08H33hHj_DwdrWtHmP8EmSbHq1-jRerBNqn1m4XEIpo7ZQyF3LvlWUVxryLA5QsqGCNelGIp2FVt0RcWKxrG8di9N101n9sJXFcATMzvgMJTLqhGya70zO1PViCE0PVLKCNQcTXhhmRGs8gD2c7lJVwoQ/w640-h490/P1070908a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSvTblzwm4GRr7S0ii23o0HMXV_BydHLvmP_mnSAaDYjvq38t_kqgCT3rnklBGqwwZlCUFYUGQLxGTqivO1nyyuFhZpBaQjBQZIPreTjmfw-YvRREjC-rYnaS_OiIhFu4Khr9xaU4njBUg4Ta-wxAB2CYZSIq2wCSw_7HeL-VTUf7vHeTOWgK-q7F7Ks/s1351/P1070909b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1351" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSvTblzwm4GRr7S0ii23o0HMXV_BydHLvmP_mnSAaDYjvq38t_kqgCT3rnklBGqwwZlCUFYUGQLxGTqivO1nyyuFhZpBaQjBQZIPreTjmfw-YvRREjC-rYnaS_OiIhFu4Khr9xaU4njBUg4Ta-wxAB2CYZSIq2wCSw_7HeL-VTUf7vHeTOWgK-q7F7Ks/w640-h388/P1070909b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Australian 2-Pounder Portee on exercise in 1942</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONVMq0qB69a9Ftz0PwQDteTQT_xLQCft41AGv82WBBB0QGt4DfuJLkLVJEtcLGBGuxZJZv9V7yWFM964xtf_CvhldKHD3cIOT_Jrvq6o8R2HhJWFmoVbKkGO3cZ_EUKoWunIL6fFLGmj-aeaHn6LlEydrJpJ7nsVFwHYkanNyMN6evdP2rr-5A5DkX9o/s4896/P1070907a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="4896" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONVMq0qB69a9Ftz0PwQDteTQT_xLQCft41AGv82WBBB0QGt4DfuJLkLVJEtcLGBGuxZJZv9V7yWFM964xtf_CvhldKHD3cIOT_Jrvq6o8R2HhJWFmoVbKkGO3cZ_EUKoWunIL6fFLGmj-aeaHn6LlEydrJpJ7nsVFwHYkanNyMN6evdP2rr-5A5DkX9o/w640-h450/P1070907a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Canadian RAM Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carrier</span></b></div><div>I last saw a RAM tank back in the previous October 2021 during our stay over in Vancouver standing outside the Old Drill Hall of the British Columbia Regiment, and in that post I mentioned the later development of this Canadian tank into the Kangaroo Armoured Personnel Carrier.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52bNTtOjnPeRKg8Ny-9A2xQQ06P3V_OhA6EiX093soDD0JVQoqAz2cX6ui6efLQr5n4xecbi7wzpQKX_q6dJXsb3HAGSUsQe_DG-xfexJCXtUIxy-7AfT98iKfwGArk8AAJCK0GSlEz0CgpVCwoVNQ8Z4x5hVCOzSNrvDddPOva2TugG_dgnk5dB6WFQ/s640/20221023_092909a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52bNTtOjnPeRKg8Ny-9A2xQQ06P3V_OhA6EiX093soDD0JVQoqAz2cX6ui6efLQr5n4xecbi7wzpQKX_q6dJXsb3HAGSUsQe_DG-xfexJCXtUIxy-7AfT98iKfwGArk8AAJCK0GSlEz0CgpVCwoVNQ8Z4x5hVCOzSNrvDddPOva2TugG_dgnk5dB6WFQ/w400-h300/20221023_092909a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canadian RAM II stands guard outside the Old Drill Hall in Vancouver, a memorial to the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2022/10/jjs-wargames-on-tour-rams-easy-8s-in.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames on Tour - Rams & Easy 8's in Vancouver, Beautiful British Columbia</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>So it was a real treat to see this very important vehicle in the history of armoured warfare in this collection, marking as it does, a very uniquely Canadian contribution, being the first purpose built fully tracked armoured personnel carrier (APC) replacing as it did the more familiar option of half-track carriers and offering superior tactical mobility on the battlefield coupled with greater armour protection to infantry now able to accompany tanks into the attack.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7yibhvXTTYwuOEyv-1fnGgfID5rQSIrxgElcFwnZ8oV9OFcPgqUVI-Cw2kSupqoO5ksQRBjI04wlOkkwjPHDOQGYHzLhNacw4aTSlnzVNSm6H99cuCYtcsqMsAwmBQoZBlqBE-FkB7mBBJUZ9GJz0uvtc1h7pfhmMoRPUJMXGuQQlj10JHbSXl-WIoQ/s800/IWM-NA-24043-Priest-Kangaroo-Conselice-19450413.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="800" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7yibhvXTTYwuOEyv-1fnGgfID5rQSIrxgElcFwnZ8oV9OFcPgqUVI-Cw2kSupqoO5ksQRBjI04wlOkkwjPHDOQGYHzLhNacw4aTSlnzVNSm6H99cuCYtcsqMsAwmBQoZBlqBE-FkB7mBBJUZ9GJz0uvtc1h7pfhmMoRPUJMXGuQQlj10JHbSXl-WIoQ/w640-h634/IWM-NA-24043-Priest-Kangaroo-Conselice-19450413.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Priest Kangaroo personnel carrier of 209th Self-Propelled Battery, Royal Artillery, transports infantry of 78th Division near Conselice, Italy, April 1945.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The utility of using APC's was first demonstrated by Canadian Lieutenant General Guy Simmonds, leading Canadian II Corps, when he initiated the use of 72 converted M7 Priest SP Guns as the first type of Kangaroo carrier, with their guns removed and the resulting aperture welded over capable of transporting twelve assault infantry, and used in Operation Totalize 8th August 1944 south of Caen in Normandy.</div><div><br /></div><div>However despite the demonstrated success of the new APC's in reducing infantry casualties in the attack, the need for SP Gun vehicles required the development of a new approach which would lead to the adoption of the RAM tank chassis. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmoJud5-Fh2Xn5du9niUfrCI69mb2LW7v-9OBAqlfUW2uy6WDeERQ4VJoWWeFbGOnaFkKlJZt8H7kL2nbiLv1rjwSL_CnX1M1wk4SjutNDVKPgIbh-RwtRCjn6K8qt2FEoYgzBjwYRl7cO0zPaKLXF5A8g-DO0Bf3qOIk6nJV9vKszh0RlOGqWshmq9g/s4726/P1080077a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="4726" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmoJud5-Fh2Xn5du9niUfrCI69mb2LW7v-9OBAqlfUW2uy6WDeERQ4VJoWWeFbGOnaFkKlJZt8H7kL2nbiLv1rjwSL_CnX1M1wk4SjutNDVKPgIbh-RwtRCjn6K8qt2FEoYgzBjwYRl7cO0zPaKLXF5A8g-DO0Bf3qOIk6nJV9vKszh0RlOGqWshmq9g/w640-h364/P1080077a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of these RAM Kangaroo's were operated by the Canadian 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron and the 49th Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, part of British 79th Armoured Division, better known as 'Hobart's Funnies'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With a crew of 2, the Kangaroo could carry 8 to 10 passengers, safe within her 'pouch' as seen below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxH-Wj2_844qcH4t2X3WYUAeYAJeMY25XjkBfYC9ouO_7A2DyKbJGO4AN7qjWTDVxWdTe5MzRXHtKxIspy-WieHDGg-QXLP_R8rWyOnAtAFjRL0sSYDbFw-f7gBJ2BGGAnnmNirLsEZMyvAa-8mTL1wpj8d0HrMlyFocZJ7YPga_cg5c0b8xArOb89Pg/s4896/P1080114a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxH-Wj2_844qcH4t2X3WYUAeYAJeMY25XjkBfYC9ouO_7A2DyKbJGO4AN7qjWTDVxWdTe5MzRXHtKxIspy-WieHDGg-QXLP_R8rWyOnAtAFjRL0sSYDbFw-f7gBJ2BGGAnnmNirLsEZMyvAa-8mTL1wpj8d0HrMlyFocZJ7YPga_cg5c0b8xArOb89Pg/w640-h480/P1080114a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Canadian Sexton Self Propelled Artillery Mk. II</span></b></div>The 25pdr SP, tracked, Sexton was a Canadian-designed self-propelled artillery vehicle of the Second World War. It was based on Canadian-built derivatives of the American M3 Lee and M4 Sherman tank chassis. Canada had set up to produce the Ram tank using the M3 chassis and Grizzly (a copy of the M4) to complement US medium tank production; when Sherman production in the US expanded and supply was no longer a problem, it was decided in 1943 to switch the Canadian production lines to produce the Sexton to give the British Army a mobile artillery gun using their 87.6 mm (3.45 in) Ordnance QF 25-pounder gun-howitzer for commonality with towed guns. The Sexton could fire either HE shell or an armour-piercing shell. It found use in the Canadian, British, and other British Commonwealth armies, as well as other countries.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzPA4Mj7izHJjvmTzGIuJytvbdIgWhR2uxhItu8H4cdW7uFrJpD0xK5N6pDACu5fYATJQVsM_oGTxpU7VoeMDhFffEuABDL_h8RsMGuLoeQBpPSHhNL3sfdCXzku4-vR2AREUiXFA_1qOXLoFjNhGCm3oBXNsJveRZ-Xv5nGA2vf82aVttnZ9kU488_k/s4896/P1080079a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3176" data-original-width="4896" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzPA4Mj7izHJjvmTzGIuJytvbdIgWhR2uxhItu8H4cdW7uFrJpD0xK5N6pDACu5fYATJQVsM_oGTxpU7VoeMDhFffEuABDL_h8RsMGuLoeQBpPSHhNL3sfdCXzku4-vR2AREUiXFA_1qOXLoFjNhGCm3oBXNsJveRZ-Xv5nGA2vf82aVttnZ9kU488_k/w640-h416/P1080079a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik91Z8TFwwtg1dXfzk-UVNMUxebzXp0aqGubTXVMzcATqPEJdEcCEmmmLpwcYgxuIaMDZpAhDzRObc1hP62nYO6ZPQNSyhbDjcrfdKRl6WSa5iailmThWH9Qz7ftiyNR4odw1Q5XtXpfR8U8Ca1pC96CGpB8vKJFKvdKqXMblucn7MjwSj6m2f3MKzOJM/s799/Sexton_25-Pounder_Self-Propelled_Gun_Howitzer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="786" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik91Z8TFwwtg1dXfzk-UVNMUxebzXp0aqGubTXVMzcATqPEJdEcCEmmmLpwcYgxuIaMDZpAhDzRObc1hP62nYO6ZPQNSyhbDjcrfdKRl6WSa5iailmThWH9Qz7ftiyNR4odw1Q5XtXpfR8U8Ca1pC96CGpB8vKJFKvdKqXMblucn7MjwSj6m2f3MKzOJM/w630-h640/Sexton_25-Pounder_Self-Propelled_Gun_Howitzer.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sexton SPA of the 13th Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the oldest regiment in the British Army, here part of 11th Armoured Division, fighting in Normandy, Netherlands and across the Rhine into Germany. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>This is Sexton S-287403, produced in early 1945 by the Montreal Locomotive Company and was the 2,115th Sexton produced from a final production run of 2,150 such vehicles.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOTkB-gszsLpdNm_1YBBN73lhcyc5apZ84sPFW5W8JpUKsIeionxnPOVmY8K-UWya-xTo6cFHmhaBqsf2BCiVSjgyUcPS_6GdLEF9ZPW9Tzc2sRDmlIrJ-t7j7nZwfjHQlWQmaK5h1HnkvhQJRVVBFCidK8_sL9DNe7d8utoJI5SGfCAK2dZcVxdx11o/s4896/P1080081a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOTkB-gszsLpdNm_1YBBN73lhcyc5apZ84sPFW5W8JpUKsIeionxnPOVmY8K-UWya-xTo6cFHmhaBqsf2BCiVSjgyUcPS_6GdLEF9ZPW9Tzc2sRDmlIrJ-t7j7nZwfjHQlWQmaK5h1HnkvhQJRVVBFCidK8_sL9DNe7d8utoJI5SGfCAK2dZcVxdx11o/w640-h480/P1080081a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Entering into service in March or April 1945 it was not shipped overseas as the war was reaching its end, and after service with the Portuguese Army in the 70's was returned to Canada for an 8-year full restoration in London, Ontario, before being purchased by the museum in 2019, and is displayed in the markings of 2nd vehicle, A Troop of the 19th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, 1st Canadian Army, July 1944 to May 1945.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6AUrgWvErqbqWGV0hyphenhyphenEfh5sQYpiuRUPZCz0KYvS760mSLTWTjkiUZ-9T2Va-NTLGb7g34MhIS4WSd4bBYdwnR_iUZSm46t3aBeNsKyznzUJ-IfySZHB-eBl2Mt6zgj-XYYlYybFWKMRdnh1OYn8tqD_47VfwJHl29bR_KTjfXtqbg6Y41D0jsme6q-M/s4896/P1080080.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6AUrgWvErqbqWGV0hyphenhyphenEfh5sQYpiuRUPZCz0KYvS760mSLTWTjkiUZ-9T2Va-NTLGb7g34MhIS4WSd4bBYdwnR_iUZSm46t3aBeNsKyznzUJ-IfySZHB-eBl2Mt6zgj-XYYlYybFWKMRdnh1OYn8tqD_47VfwJHl29bR_KTjfXtqbg6Y41D0jsme6q-M/w640-h480/P1080080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Canadian Lynx 2 Scout Car</span></b></div><div>At first glance, I took this to be another Daimler (Dingo) Scout Car, similar to the one shown above on display at Cairn's airport, but is in fact the Canadian derivative of that vehicle supplied to Canadian forces in WWII, the Lynx Scout Car.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxZ5cthgOHsL6TruaxIE_CbOU_Qh-rGMKYBCEZoOtViF9iyKl-cAXBfhqBCQbc0SMf4Lt36PWK_LZk77a0eMVjnqQiEAHD3wvZ6Lw5wBqp0GfPXpw0T9pKS7XMXcjsHBeYRkhGlMD9P6-tOz7FYPlMHSda1lMsYpHPU7Tbo83HiFcfrjxAGe2u6T0_Mc/s4032/20230202_144509a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxZ5cthgOHsL6TruaxIE_CbOU_Qh-rGMKYBCEZoOtViF9iyKl-cAXBfhqBCQbc0SMf4Lt36PWK_LZk77a0eMVjnqQiEAHD3wvZ6Lw5wBqp0GfPXpw0T9pKS7XMXcjsHBeYRkhGlMD9P6-tOz7FYPlMHSda1lMsYpHPU7Tbo83HiFcfrjxAGe2u6T0_Mc/w640-h480/20230202_144509a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A closely related vehicle, the Ford Lynx Scout Car, or "Car, Scout, Ford Mark I" was produced by Ford Canada in Windsor, Ontario. The Lynx design grafted a Dingo hull onto a chassis fitted with a conventional four-wheel drive and running gear. While the engine was much more powerful the gearbox and suspension were inferior. The type went into production in 1942 entered service in 1943.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lynx 2 differed from the Mk.1 in adopting the canvas roof as used on the Dingo and was fitted out with heavier duty axles and springs resulting in a slightly smaller steering ratio than Lynx 1.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZPPZjLUL_bNKpsu3G2dEPNBb4lLObqOuolE4MObFj5w1lzT8v8zxhGMIE7GuZ_1Ar-ZKep_jm4gdNcLZcY1rO5GcbWDPe3gFnaWFxiSKfd1o3Ap9tWAHAC120Cx5nccv_6wDS5RNhdbJbPoYmqcjUD0bxZSgUfTJByB5msR4QAi1Q2OTM9kQ0WYDbP4/s4032/20230202_144447a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="4032" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZPPZjLUL_bNKpsu3G2dEPNBb4lLObqOuolE4MObFj5w1lzT8v8zxhGMIE7GuZ_1Ar-ZKep_jm4gdNcLZcY1rO5GcbWDPe3gFnaWFxiSKfd1o3Ap9tWAHAC120Cx5nccv_6wDS5RNhdbJbPoYmqcjUD0bxZSgUfTJByB5msR4QAi1Q2OTM9kQ0WYDbP4/w640-h416/20230202_144447a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>By the end of 1945, 3,255 Lynxes had been produced and used to equip Armoured Car, Armoured Reconnaissance and Armoured Regiments together with use in HQ and Signals units in armoured formations.</div><div><br /></div><div>This particular example is shown in the markings of the Australian 1st Armoured Division.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfX7NAAKjQmLYwhdQ-6ISer4pgSL3Vyzh5lqvEe-yebDB3h9uRRu9nMLLlHD3rULBJS2eXB2ZzU_9HHBSooKn7Wwu5Z7lhnFEznGm1rkmoIQQQ5m4fvwemJHvsz20xA180Dt5oBTz3i5csBjVGCydIF8lEiOVutYjmvzSlkpGJhI87k99BxXL7GIZ3hzM/s4032/20230202_144531a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfX7NAAKjQmLYwhdQ-6ISer4pgSL3Vyzh5lqvEe-yebDB3h9uRRu9nMLLlHD3rULBJS2eXB2ZzU_9HHBSooKn7Wwu5Z7lhnFEznGm1rkmoIQQQ5m4fvwemJHvsz20xA180Dt5oBTz3i5csBjVGCydIF8lEiOVutYjmvzSlkpGJhI87k99BxXL7GIZ3hzM/w640-h480/20230202_144531a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Humber Armoured Car Mk. IV</span></b></div>The Humber Armoured Car was one of the most widely produced British armoured cars of the Second World War. It supplemented the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car and remained in service until the end of the war.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMka2lAx7E7_XGVZXd-RnF98j-W3T3EvpSpiTj8cMpP8cpFCR6qdQR-iU5PGR9Ph57my1Hh8W9kwAJxiO3_jLjltiJLx1W6-FahxqpZl_fRfrDOyFBC4a-UUqWFYC4YIrDLGJ2TfZkZxfVz6VsIoubehfuPNEPBrrirthGcoyIzGWM_yASxCheRcnFz3A/s500/5445687e3565f8033fd0fcf73de0de2d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMka2lAx7E7_XGVZXd-RnF98j-W3T3EvpSpiTj8cMpP8cpFCR6qdQR-iU5PGR9Ph57my1Hh8W9kwAJxiO3_jLjltiJLx1W6-FahxqpZl_fRfrDOyFBC4a-UUqWFYC4YIrDLGJ2TfZkZxfVz6VsIoubehfuPNEPBrrirthGcoyIzGWM_yASxCheRcnFz3A/w640-h426/5445687e3565f8033fd0fcf73de0de2d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humber Light Reconnaissance Car Mk IIIA of No. 2806 Armoured Car Squadron RAF Regiment near Eindhoven, the Netherlands, 1944-1945.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>This a Marl IV was equipped with the US M5 or M6 37 mm high velocity gun in place of the 15 mm Besa. The larger gun required the removal of the third crewman in the turret (the wireless operator). Turret hatches were rearranged with the new gun and crew layout. About 2,000 units built.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim404Cd6TNIgVWy4g-lbdN-nskKcbb_JcJ7r8kNLtzSmOJwVhTc1B5NRoZ1-oGQZxF3P99mZespzqDWNKl6b8o6O2ttS5k_cBhEKwuBhuhYNo_NRxMD7R2s5EI3PZnuuqgvC1levv8nJstWhyD1KvmrRcm7bpBFzBEcjq-GVrORcq7a0cS2RBDleXb-a8/s4896/P1080086a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim404Cd6TNIgVWy4g-lbdN-nskKcbb_JcJ7r8kNLtzSmOJwVhTc1B5NRoZ1-oGQZxF3P99mZespzqDWNKl6b8o6O2ttS5k_cBhEKwuBhuhYNo_NRxMD7R2s5EI3PZnuuqgvC1levv8nJstWhyD1KvmrRcm7bpBFzBEcjq-GVrORcq7a0cS2RBDleXb-a8/w640-h480/P1080086a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw22AaXFm6gb6avlBvlRuXEchjR8SKxiBlW1NbmOS6qmK8K4xeiIYCca-wPN9LUeRFgEbZAAjhk3TG_iBaIcusIvcMO7Z-45AgYjarysr9FlHQ38LeOzZkZRGdcKlo5XZEuHsC5v_-kE-1a_8k5hZrC3wwIUtlGLIDFjo07KqrSeUUc9YPJJrLHVU_9fQ/s563/61b369a1ffe9f0719b22c71b_a183737-v6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="563" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw22AaXFm6gb6avlBvlRuXEchjR8SKxiBlW1NbmOS6qmK8K4xeiIYCca-wPN9LUeRFgEbZAAjhk3TG_iBaIcusIvcMO7Z-45AgYjarysr9FlHQ38LeOzZkZRGdcKlo5XZEuHsC5v_-kE-1a_8k5hZrC3wwIUtlGLIDFjo07KqrSeUUc9YPJJrLHVU_9fQ/w640-h530/61b369a1ffe9f0719b22c71b_a183737-v6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A battle-scarred Humber IV of the 7th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment, 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars in Normandy, France, 18-20 July 1944. 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The exhibit below was acquired in the UK and is seen here displayed in the markings of British 11th Armoured Division and the TAC sign for the Division Armoured Recce Regiment, which was 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry, later the 15th/19th Kings Royal Hussars as of 8th August 1944.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIFsqg2YPEA7s8GRpdnNGAzCjUHuJR6i8ibbuJh_CIZSMSrtn0GIlBrpZx8T6zQ583GoNmibxudsO9-CJe7cidjE9f7ISXGlwJQLMBjBW32v7DWELEMSZog6dSIdYF0aKSqvL_Bi3UcJpKUpejJy73aqjCMEbbNTFmiWYKfD5b_dGUPUWjHRRrGo6pdg/s3756/P1080087a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3613" data-original-width="3756" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIFsqg2YPEA7s8GRpdnNGAzCjUHuJR6i8ibbuJh_CIZSMSrtn0GIlBrpZx8T6zQ583GoNmibxudsO9-CJe7cidjE9f7ISXGlwJQLMBjBW32v7DWELEMSZog6dSIdYF0aKSqvL_Bi3UcJpKUpejJy73aqjCMEbbNTFmiWYKfD5b_dGUPUWjHRRrGo6pdg/w640-h616/P1080087a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iX0vsNTHJoPBc77sihyJR7UdtE5RC-Uyr2K6krbTqLstJ2U-mh850UX1nRWeuakgANJCAM3SJke4ZLZE9-lFpJaRxKEMh5VWeKfeU4k8_O3r2wTx0N8IwTzyKOqi9s3S4MyGZBh05YtAk8Un6mad51e7E10fKhbXxxxTNS1hy4M8kaGWjX3iOOhTH5k/s4896/P1080089a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iX0vsNTHJoPBc77sihyJR7UdtE5RC-Uyr2K6krbTqLstJ2U-mh850UX1nRWeuakgANJCAM3SJke4ZLZE9-lFpJaRxKEMh5VWeKfeU4k8_O3r2wTx0N8IwTzyKOqi9s3S4MyGZBh05YtAk8Un6mad51e7E10fKhbXxxxTNS1hy4M8kaGWjX3iOOhTH5k/w640-h480/P1080089a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxwQDjvytEfs8WCrFoa843hXCwBYd57AAs3s_XBHpJfrM_XFAvk-K75O_yMih0f-FbjNQhZEAdKweW_Ve_Zm3YOU_jfhlGkVhEDO8l4EeVJzw_2YIqiBLl8RjCyu5R7pE0sv9wTDLRErYqngr-UF_7BmpKupQCqJH1jqkHmZe2FSeM6-cMTmaE8sE-ng/s4896/P1080090a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxwQDjvytEfs8WCrFoa843hXCwBYd57AAs3s_XBHpJfrM_XFAvk-K75O_yMih0f-FbjNQhZEAdKweW_Ve_Zm3YOU_jfhlGkVhEDO8l4EeVJzw_2YIqiBLl8RjCyu5R7pE0sv9wTDLRErYqngr-UF_7BmpKupQCqJH1jqkHmZe2FSeM6-cMTmaE8sE-ng/w640-h480/P1080090a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fXHL_9vmyYoPuuIqGy07hencDv_N_1gVVklc_EkTU2Te6g_09lJ6aobVO1WotQelAbbjKAkUPyooz-urtH1rNNJq1G23eO105ywmfNZP5-iSUtwlcVP5mncVayMQjAmx7QCtKHwS0OmUgWxf7YMorlRyWzmYBUzETVtMEKvByoHAyswjAWjDLIcuIk4/s4896/P1080091a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fXHL_9vmyYoPuuIqGy07hencDv_N_1gVVklc_EkTU2Te6g_09lJ6aobVO1WotQelAbbjKAkUPyooz-urtH1rNNJq1G23eO105ywmfNZP5-iSUtwlcVP5mncVayMQjAmx7QCtKHwS0OmUgWxf7YMorlRyWzmYBUzETVtMEKvByoHAyswjAWjDLIcuIk4/w640-h480/P1080091a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Archer Self Propelled Anti-Tank Gun</span></b></div>The Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer was a British tank destroyer of the Second World War based on the Valentine infantry tank chassis fitted with an Ordnance QF 17 pounder gun. Designed and manufactured by Vickers-Armstrong, 655 were produced between March 1943 and May 1945. It was used in north-west Europe and Italy during the war. This vehicle was unusual in that its gun faced the rear of the chassis instead of the front.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpLRKAJXv2yh6eddJerRJBcz6xT9m6QvC8a1qKsbakdxKaiyI6mlM68zNa66wjDZA1XrPqchBLT6_eVlhPfIyfoztlb-BJAIXspqWUG8HiRWA6hZHr_xP4i04-twOEk1QtVjZ2AGR-yvwhIEceLBXXFQi7Mz6zU-r9i75xgTT3SUJawxbkunln9ZQb2A/s4896/P1080092a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpLRKAJXv2yh6eddJerRJBcz6xT9m6QvC8a1qKsbakdxKaiyI6mlM68zNa66wjDZA1XrPqchBLT6_eVlhPfIyfoztlb-BJAIXspqWUG8HiRWA6hZHr_xP4i04-twOEk1QtVjZ2AGR-yvwhIEceLBXXFQi7Mz6zU-r9i75xgTT3SUJawxbkunln9ZQb2A/w640-h480/P1080092a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Production started in mid-1943 and the Archer entered service in October 1944. It was used in North-West Europe and (in 1945) in Italy. By the end of the war, 655 of them had been produced.</div><div><br />Under military doctrines prevalent in Commonwealth armies at the time, vehicles such as the Archer were "self-propelled anti-tank guns" and operated by the Royal Artillery (RA), rather than Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). This was the same for two vehicles of US origin, that were initially conceived as "tank destroyers" though not used as such by the British: the 3 in. Self-Propelled Mount M10 and 17-pdr Self-Propelled Achilles.)<div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3SsfbQS_ToLlLhg8jOO5JDiLS2V2zamjxGbefirUe_6qEazs2tSMMOb_LbgNOehs1uBsNzGZXcUoxmxDOQbrvY5uC1xgSP8JKkGPg9Adg-Z15Wsrgbhy8-ZCSeMarfFBuHl1HWqQDE_3sQBr0WInfRLUNG8qDu2BcgA_e6e9n1LLevdeCf5DMl37oM4/s960/16683154_414677402214201_941310951_n-1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="921" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3SsfbQS_ToLlLhg8jOO5JDiLS2V2zamjxGbefirUe_6qEazs2tSMMOb_LbgNOehs1uBsNzGZXcUoxmxDOQbrvY5uC1xgSP8JKkGPg9Adg-Z15Wsrgbhy8-ZCSeMarfFBuHl1HWqQDE_3sQBr0WInfRLUNG8qDu2BcgA_e6e9n1LLevdeCf5DMl37oM4/w614-h640/16683154_414677402214201_941310951_n-1.png" width="614" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Archer near Nutterden, 9 February 1945. Photo: - IWM<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Valentine Infantry Tank Mk. III</span></b></div>I have a special place in my heart for the Valentine, as it was on this tank that my Dad learnt to drive, after volunteering for service with Guards Armoured Division in 1943, then mustering and training in the UK for the planned invasion of Europe and before the division was issued Sherman V's.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know Dad spoke fondly of the Valentine, but I think fell in love with the Sherman in comparison, being much faster and certainly more reliable, and I well remember getting a tour of the inner workings of this tank from the chaps at Bovington after I had explained my personal interest.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGaBzwE5ccY14eItFkRJGx31PvBdo1S4x2CqIvgAxIMEyS7gfZEuexLY8HhMbuWt-AKPVoOp2hZuhw22kDcCV0zWna4TDQWigzlavbZTKarPH9STMHp9tCDh8XPAnrZ_oRmjroTP978vGZgltELpn4mG2eVkcvISsmnNsYoXaa9z4aLAH-vow7kQDR6U/s4632/P1080094a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2634" data-original-width="4632" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGaBzwE5ccY14eItFkRJGx31PvBdo1S4x2CqIvgAxIMEyS7gfZEuexLY8HhMbuWt-AKPVoOp2hZuhw22kDcCV0zWna4TDQWigzlavbZTKarPH9STMHp9tCDh8XPAnrZ_oRmjroTP978vGZgltELpn4mG2eVkcvISsmnNsYoXaa9z4aLAH-vow7kQDR6U/w640-h364/P1080094a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Designed to replace the Matilda, The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during World War II. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in eleven marks, plus various specialised variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBY3tsxSL91LpGY_jvl14ZiqOXHopp9QIm4ov60_mLi0wmipU42CfAlLGh2IJJ4mAlzdGnRgFLzM3f12EqpsnOnQigKjDOIMxit_KZSaqKPU9SyJaJhsx7KxW5LQpr6TViTGHJPfsilI-KpBVRXMKNJOlJ66_sLdIgDoNvaU60ENylGwFV8nmrqQmZoY/s590/Valentine_tank_Mk3_desert.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="590" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBY3tsxSL91LpGY_jvl14ZiqOXHopp9QIm4ov60_mLi0wmipU42CfAlLGh2IJJ4mAlzdGnRgFLzM3f12EqpsnOnQigKjDOIMxit_KZSaqKPU9SyJaJhsx7KxW5LQpr6TViTGHJPfsilI-KpBVRXMKNJOlJ66_sLdIgDoNvaU60ENylGwFV8nmrqQmZoY/w640-h430/Valentine_tank_Mk3_desert.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine Mk 3 in North Africa carrying infantry from a Scottish regiment</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The many variants included riveted and welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament. It was supplied in large numbers to the USSR and built under licence in Canada. It was used extensively by the British in the North African campaign. Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRZYag_OCprGxhFKunXBIEAItSH9csJmMhJ-P9IXA1VFYfwiK4FyCOor9CgtXc5cBr6c6bSDCxCp-2urT3nmePiTYcEm-XikwNGDJG_zcW87-BvaaM43zu5EZU1I6UycS2JgpQBNi2CUq2X97ZB4hlVcFndRM4IrOVchk43Dv3SsSw7SYa-Sogjcc27Y/s4896/P1080098a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3306" data-original-width="4896" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRZYag_OCprGxhFKunXBIEAItSH9csJmMhJ-P9IXA1VFYfwiK4FyCOor9CgtXc5cBr6c6bSDCxCp-2urT3nmePiTYcEm-XikwNGDJG_zcW87-BvaaM43zu5EZU1I6UycS2JgpQBNi2CUq2X97ZB4hlVcFndRM4IrOVchk43Dv3SsSw7SYa-Sogjcc27Y/w640-h432/P1080098a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The display shows the 2-pounder rounds used by the earlier Marks including the III but the Mark VIII and the better Mark IX would would be upgraded with a turret modification to carry the 6-pounder gun in the race to keep up with heavier better armed German types.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7psXyUTQBEsSBLqWo3AXzIc7PpDYqI-DCYta8XsefnkwqLHipzLkhu9hKK23cRXOEmGdJXspHILcWRzQGEw-Njs6v14qySNA899oKLkciB5YZewfQBkj3N7a22Oq3-jejnHF-PF_IVauIpWPv8ukNYvED_qA8VamXMBGhDAQyH6K3CdW2Hv-23ohUqXU/s4896/P1080096a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7psXyUTQBEsSBLqWo3AXzIc7PpDYqI-DCYta8XsefnkwqLHipzLkhu9hKK23cRXOEmGdJXspHILcWRzQGEw-Njs6v14qySNA899oKLkciB5YZewfQBkj3N7a22Oq3-jejnHF-PF_IVauIpWPv8ukNYvED_qA8VamXMBGhDAQyH6K3CdW2Hv-23ohUqXU/w640-h480/P1080096a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzw8Cf86sr57DCuLgIJOzcZPAWAKQC_9NdSTwNDz92kDu65zidmEMVS4oe6-tyzgF2W7FI2PNZstPEjZbSitN4diXdMzu8R_q1_TTkUZisM_dCpiJvmIMcl_j588Mb-5rLpdMz-Q2ZGWMYG_ZQ6zMveOuqmoroXNx7bnm6143PO8gTKgaNf1vnZYmyQQ/s4112/P1080097a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3174" data-original-width="4112" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzw8Cf86sr57DCuLgIJOzcZPAWAKQC_9NdSTwNDz92kDu65zidmEMVS4oe6-tyzgF2W7FI2PNZstPEjZbSitN4diXdMzu8R_q1_TTkUZisM_dCpiJvmIMcl_j588Mb-5rLpdMz-Q2ZGWMYG_ZQ6zMveOuqmoroXNx7bnm6143PO8gTKgaNf1vnZYmyQQ/w640-h494/P1080097a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Matilda Mk. II Infantry Tank</span></b></div><br />The Infantry Tank Mark II, best known as the Matilda, is a British infantry tank of the Second World War.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQPr08vTgjvErSqLuWz7t-rQK5CmBJAFHRVi9O7nInXqfFC7hxzTMKC7n8-IHGxPyKYQtt6tar17VVFdTC5hSzoAKrXQOJlHJPFkPWZiAMdh0F4k8c75HcW32BWg_fOa37_w2tBJh60PZa_h95E9oZxjbUG0KtG6E9Wc_DkShueyPFYOxVgCINGAHRNg/s4896/P1080100a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQPr08vTgjvErSqLuWz7t-rQK5CmBJAFHRVi9O7nInXqfFC7hxzTMKC7n8-IHGxPyKYQtt6tar17VVFdTC5hSzoAKrXQOJlHJPFkPWZiAMdh0F4k8c75HcW32BWg_fOa37_w2tBJh60PZa_h95E9oZxjbUG0KtG6E9Wc_DkShueyPFYOxVgCINGAHRNg/w640-h480/P1080100a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The design began as the A12 specification in 1936, as a gun-armed counterpart to the first British infantry tank, the machine gun armed, two-man A11 Infantry Tank Mark I. The Mark I was also known as Matilda, and the larger A12 was initially known as the Matilda II or Matilda senior. The Mark I was abandoned in 1940, and from then on the A12 was almost always known simply as "the Matilda".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaRDoYo5kX3gzT_c5401PzzqlmI_DD4vPsc3d01JVMth_tGxYjvTtneuzqgJuLNIft8LkiL4SMV52WuK9VyqzBGwJk-apA6rIx78TeBmA-qVUfGkNF3xVIjzlWeD9Cbvzr6K_Z4gjDOc4zQH_PoQZ6-2MbtfACQa_MGylRAxByJcxnI9r03tKCrNPMsM/s800/E_003743_E.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaRDoYo5kX3gzT_c5401PzzqlmI_DD4vPsc3d01JVMth_tGxYjvTtneuzqgJuLNIft8LkiL4SMV52WuK9VyqzBGwJk-apA6rIx78TeBmA-qVUfGkNF3xVIjzlWeD9Cbvzr6K_Z4gjDOc4zQH_PoQZ6-2MbtfACQa_MGylRAxByJcxnI9r03tKCrNPMsM/w640-h464/E_003743_E.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand soldiers recapture a Matilda tank, previously captured by the Germans, and take prisoner its German crew. It had been knocked out by an anti-tank gun after an attempt to break through the Allied lines, 3 December 1941.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCQRk7fsEHJg2o9RHR3PThJeuFV-O6amROzJPRokq3E-EeYnz4boSkMc9l2HRwK3JIR3Lwddxw9JdqNzEwl8Obph2UDd_kpGjTdPUVgigu1ALPekTlmfRYTQr8VlNWcE04PJWjdw1OdzdAsRmZwLYAhNd7zFC-8oZRxmtktQSiAtpVIqicC-MpRuPkJY/s4896/P1080099a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="4896" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCQRk7fsEHJg2o9RHR3PThJeuFV-O6amROzJPRokq3E-EeYnz4boSkMc9l2HRwK3JIR3Lwddxw9JdqNzEwl8Obph2UDd_kpGjTdPUVgigu1ALPekTlmfRYTQr8VlNWcE04PJWjdw1OdzdAsRmZwLYAhNd7zFC-8oZRxmtktQSiAtpVIqicC-MpRuPkJY/w640-h452/P1080099a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With its heavy armour, the Matilda II was an excellent infantry support tank but with somewhat limited speed and armament. It was the only British tank to serve from the start of the war to its end, although it is particularly associated with the North Africa Campaign. Only two were available for service by the outbreak of the World War II in 1939. It was replaced in front-line service by the lighter and less costly Infantry Tank Mk III Valentine beginning in late 1941.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPh7UkVpyyqtm4ExXGks807TOcuf9cVmJUCh1t1ypNi_rldxv39pfbuhvjZzj2rXt_i_-MmJhrnQFHmHuBt0CGJrCwK1yKRjXTl5noANvgVvA-Eb5YJj9tOOK4wVU8bKq-jNHrjw03U9V_xsSVjEmdroFIpgjSWkdGSVJz2n2mMx1hfWGepmqyIG-2tE/s4896/P1080102a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPh7UkVpyyqtm4ExXGks807TOcuf9cVmJUCh1t1ypNi_rldxv39pfbuhvjZzj2rXt_i_-MmJhrnQFHmHuBt0CGJrCwK1yKRjXTl5noANvgVvA-Eb5YJj9tOOK4wVU8bKq-jNHrjw03U9V_xsSVjEmdroFIpgjSWkdGSVJz2n2mMx1hfWGepmqyIG-2tE/w640-h480/P1080102a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Churchill Infantry Tank Mk. VII</span></b></div>British Infantry Tank design reached its epitome with the A22 or Churchill until experience demonstrated to British tank designers the need to produce the all-round main battle tank that would eventually lead to the Centurion arriving too late to have any impact in WWII.<br /><br />The Tank, Infantry, Mk IV (A22) Churchill was a British infantry tank used in the Second World War, best known for its heavy armour, large longitudinal chassis with all-around tracks with multiple bogies, its ability to climb steep slopes, and its use as the basis of many specialist vehicles. It was one of the heaviest Allied tanks of the war.</div><div><br /></div><div>With side plate fittings indicating this particular vehicle was originally an AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) for battlefield engineer support, this exhibit was acquired as a derelict wreck from a farm in New South Wales and was restored to its current condition by the museum.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRjvw_WYQTNZPsLUHG8XwKYgbjSqTy2qpI5IGvqDGsasLXgTbKZDIJC8cPkGLpmzwN1jF5C4p7wfEXlZzRuPbvuR6nGE6doZuCc9fNx-iMR3Mi_32bSlJga0fR9u9Eh3u-NPBpW0ovqqSgspS85dsL3PPmmB1Umjl-Cz-z7mEDE4jY_H0Mqzttjd0PBs/s4896/P1080103a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRjvw_WYQTNZPsLUHG8XwKYgbjSqTy2qpI5IGvqDGsasLXgTbKZDIJC8cPkGLpmzwN1jF5C4p7wfEXlZzRuPbvuR6nGE6doZuCc9fNx-iMR3Mi_32bSlJga0fR9u9Eh3u-NPBpW0ovqqSgspS85dsL3PPmmB1Umjl-Cz-z7mEDE4jY_H0Mqzttjd0PBs/w640-h480/P1080103a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The origins of the Churchill's design lay in the expectation that war in Europe might be fought in conditions similar to those of the First World War, and thus emphasised the ability to cross difficult ground. The Churchill was hurried into production in order to build up British defences against a possible German invasion. The first vehicles had flaws that had to be overcome before the Churchill was accepted for wide use. After several marks (versions) had been built, a better-armoured specification, the Mark VII, entered service with the British Army. The improved versions performed well in the later stages of the war.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N9Zr_EuDRDkUVKin77XZyh_ieZK5b2xe7QVK9rtVh8riogv0E6Wc7cWSwtDZglvKrYA-BgO4lPWm9C7A2Ibw4SbU5mgEcbS_Bd7Upqc2Ff24PINUSmxaUfWgjfMWC8dDLvdTkY0WWaaQV2a3OH2mKCrtlfQ1unQmTCPRBqkWjiweKIiI66U-mYoXPAw/s4500/P1080107a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2870" data-original-width="4500" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N9Zr_EuDRDkUVKin77XZyh_ieZK5b2xe7QVK9rtVh8riogv0E6Wc7cWSwtDZglvKrYA-BgO4lPWm9C7A2Ibw4SbU5mgEcbS_Bd7Upqc2Ff24PINUSmxaUfWgjfMWC8dDLvdTkY0WWaaQV2a3OH2mKCrtlfQ1unQmTCPRBqkWjiweKIiI66U-mYoXPAw/w640-h408/P1080107a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Churchill was used by British and other Commonwealth forces during the North African, Italian and North-West Europe campaigns. In addition, 344 Churchills were sent as military aid to the Soviet Union during the Second World War and more than 250 saw active service on the Eastern Front.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mHHAcmmpmbSct8cJH09L9OtD-SWaVJOHcci_rtUsJI8L6QLoJv0sYkkYNpsVkz8V-kvnWIUhkscXL2vwXlWEfrnajBonDO59EpEsdUyl_5uEOv0CnGjckSxj3oJWq8eHBPGgT8imqu1FfMtrg64jem1KE6oo4BQGPyz-mPabBkrlqqXvK0AecSqaowA/s4896/P1080104a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mHHAcmmpmbSct8cJH09L9OtD-SWaVJOHcci_rtUsJI8L6QLoJv0sYkkYNpsVkz8V-kvnWIUhkscXL2vwXlWEfrnajBonDO59EpEsdUyl_5uEOv0CnGjckSxj3oJWq8eHBPGgT8imqu1FfMtrg64jem1KE6oo4BQGPyz-mPabBkrlqqXvK0AecSqaowA/w640-h480/P1080104a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrH0QfUCsAwFyZzMZItXM6Q2-pdHh1kSFzCAM2cbhvQNEc2VckQ0K8C9VJe6HOU5IwgESlm6Dy2ijWxrZUA5iXoqA40eMAbpL_sUR1KPLAfOExg7dbHDvdKERIlSoF3Riw24Fh8N17CZci7OzIrkv6eFYW6vFJFKU-OASRpCbsYGPwUxyC8crCmXea7o/s4319/P1080105a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="4319" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrH0QfUCsAwFyZzMZItXM6Q2-pdHh1kSFzCAM2cbhvQNEc2VckQ0K8C9VJe6HOU5IwgESlm6Dy2ijWxrZUA5iXoqA40eMAbpL_sUR1KPLAfOExg7dbHDvdKERIlSoF3Riw24Fh8N17CZci7OzIrkv6eFYW6vFJFKU-OASRpCbsYGPwUxyC8crCmXea7o/w640-h480/P1080105a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British QF (Quick Firing) 3.7-Inch Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun</span></b></div>The QF 3.7-inch AA was Britain's primary heavy anti-aircraft gun during World War II. It was roughly the equivalent of the German Flak 8.8 cm and American 90 mm, but with a slightly larger calibre of 3.7 inches, approximately 94 mm. Production began in 1937 and it was used throughout World War II in all theatres except the Eastern Front. It remained in use after the war until AA guns were replaced by guided missiles beginning in 1957.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVOxt39PwiqE3gFxNkXIOFkSx_iEuGycSQoP15FofBUeI9lipIxleLlrWaC2BPyi-b60Iwx8hqKI_0WC_BjNhz3p-E7HllmQfK8ShW8EZivjXGxLsQhIMs9uJOna2jgWDQ3oItfMwWypMK2r_HUWcq4CA6x0mUyT5MtOC0yNV1x0WJ0EnRYv_2msJw7A/s4896/P1080058a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVOxt39PwiqE3gFxNkXIOFkSx_iEuGycSQoP15FofBUeI9lipIxleLlrWaC2BPyi-b60Iwx8hqKI_0WC_BjNhz3p-E7HllmQfK8ShW8EZivjXGxLsQhIMs9uJOna2jgWDQ3oItfMwWypMK2r_HUWcq4CA6x0mUyT5MtOC0yNV1x0WJ0EnRYv_2msJw7A/w640-h480/P1080058a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The gun was produced in two versions, one mobile and another fixed. The fixed mounting allowed more powerful ammunition, Mk. VI, which gave vastly increased performance. Six variants of the two designs were introduced. The gun was also used as the basis for the Ordnance QF 32-pounder anti-tank gun variant used on the Tortoise.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8HAHj41TAkDxcdhWhVfCqCIuIxJkdqNrNzN_7aZnTg6ZaCJtoVK_FM8c4L9Jvc4clFU3Ojs13oLE8ldH4GX4eQbGenLqnCPth5hz1cU_Ic7PPdDcGrr9y_S9NqtAjv5ABDSWFOcuUJZ4569cQM8stjM1I74x0jK8jBuOc5FLUEpPdOgUiHgwlFkXMl4/s4780/P1080059a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="4780" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8HAHj41TAkDxcdhWhVfCqCIuIxJkdqNrNzN_7aZnTg6ZaCJtoVK_FM8c4L9Jvc4clFU3Ojs13oLE8ldH4GX4eQbGenLqnCPth5hz1cU_Ic7PPdDcGrr9y_S9NqtAjv5ABDSWFOcuUJZ4569cQM8stjM1I74x0jK8jBuOc5FLUEpPdOgUiHgwlFkXMl4/w640-h438/P1080059a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The gun's effective ceiling varied depending on the predictor and fuse. The Mk VI ordnance significantly increased the potential effective ceiling. The British definition of effective ceiling at the start of World War II was "that height at which a directly approaching target at 400 mph can be engaged for 20 seconds before the gun reaches 70° elevation"</div><div><br /></div><div>Mk III Ordnance, Predictor No. 1 and Fuse No. 199 - 23,500 feet</div><div>Mk III Ordnance, Predictor No. 1 and Fuse No. 208 - 24,600 feet</div><div><div>Mk III Ordnance, Predictor No. 2 and Fuse No. 208 - 25,300 feet</div><div><div>Mk III Ordnance, Predictor N. 11 and Fuse No. 208 - 32,000 feet</div><div>Mk VI Ordnance, Predictor N. 11 and Fuse No. 208 - 45,000 feet</div></div></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fjOZl5VA4XZcLT3p3Em28YGGusWUTSst3O-uiBx_LkPoVWLUcaal6lrLwTjkh4uKhDFQnrKmoHa6gc-2ummbb4-TpV8bhLOktNjWp0AzXC4broGZSE2fgMnmrwA0EPDNOlGB3PpEQ9xZrHapfm1BQOY17_cQ8VOmRJ8ZG-ByozDFOURubtJ_DUHi7E8/s4896/P1080062a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fjOZl5VA4XZcLT3p3Em28YGGusWUTSst3O-uiBx_LkPoVWLUcaal6lrLwTjkh4uKhDFQnrKmoHa6gc-2ummbb4-TpV8bhLOktNjWp0AzXC4broGZSE2fgMnmrwA0EPDNOlGB3PpEQ9xZrHapfm1BQOY17_cQ8VOmRJ8ZG-ByozDFOURubtJ_DUHi7E8/w640-h480/P1080062a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The 3.7 found little use as a dedicated anti-tank gun except in emergencies. There were few 3.7-equipped heavy anti-aircraft regiments in the field army and most were not subordinate to divisions where the anti-tank capability was required. The arrival of the smaller 76 mm (3-inch) calibre 17-pdr anti-tank gun finally obviated the need.</div><div><br /></div>Like the rival Flak 8.8, the 3.7-inch also proved to be a useful high-velocity medium artillery piece. With the declining threat from the Luftwaffe in the later stages of the war, under-employed 3.7 units were called upon to supplement the field artillery in both the North West Europe and Italian theatres, where the accuracy and effectiveness of the 3.7 with mechanical Fuse 207 at ranges up to 20,000 yards (18,000 m) and all-round traverse was valued by artillery commanders. Using the 207 or VT fuse allowed the gunners to deliver precise airbursts above targets such as enemy batteries or mortar positions. However, repeated firing at low angles increased the wear on the gun and mounting. HAA units sometimes operated with the Army Groups Royal Artillery of medium and heavy guns, and were employed as siege artillery at the siege of Dunkirk. By the time of Operations Veritable and Plunder (the Rhine crossing) in early 1945, HAA regiments were fully integrated into corps-level fire plans.<div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwIQAbMsDcdDb2Tw6my9YwrADnqxAa6xm6_4-rROGmeZp9kj0QHMAEybNv6dc2pTYhQcHARUQgKgq-_pErhfIEy9-KL2IUztTZjC5Ik-eSd0VZc4avd7ujgmCSDG5C9rawK8FDjE9qsmM7SInsZD9xvThiNDeBxfhipP7c-zADHdu0WWRHYhJdXIYvt8/s800/Hyde_Park_Anti-aircraft_guns_H_993.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwIQAbMsDcdDb2Tw6my9YwrADnqxAa6xm6_4-rROGmeZp9kj0QHMAEybNv6dc2pTYhQcHARUQgKgq-_pErhfIEy9-KL2IUztTZjC5Ik-eSd0VZc4avd7ujgmCSDG5C9rawK8FDjE9qsmM7SInsZD9xvThiNDeBxfhipP7c-zADHdu0WWRHYhJdXIYvt8/w640-h478/Hyde_Park_Anti-aircraft_guns_H_993.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">QF 3.7 inch anti-aircraft guns in Hyde Park, London in 1939.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British 6-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun</span></b></div>The Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6-pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, serving during the Second World War as a primary anti-tank gun of both the British and United States Army (as the 57 mm Gun M1). It was also used as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7cLNbuQ6ca36_0DzWlAs87pyfuap7QwUOUTchaKoaG1HyJKH8eHT8Cnt55UiUBAtiXVhWhwG6dMDfR1FyOlfoWtqsx7b3xYbpY2GlY08ALonh4XmuPZdv-xniXcHLGzJYQ1F9D2gzrbLtya6ySAXzCPRp-ARXd4QiBSUEqBXsZcyS9EHesD4ULHKY8Q/s4032/20230202_144411a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="4032" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7cLNbuQ6ca36_0DzWlAs87pyfuap7QwUOUTchaKoaG1HyJKH8eHT8Cnt55UiUBAtiXVhWhwG6dMDfR1FyOlfoWtqsx7b3xYbpY2GlY08ALonh4XmuPZdv-xniXcHLGzJYQ1F9D2gzrbLtya6ySAXzCPRp-ARXd4QiBSUEqBXsZcyS9EHesD4ULHKY8Q/w640-h350/20230202_144411a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although designed before the start of the war, it did not reach service until the North African Campaign in April 1942, first seeing action in May at Gazala and having an immediate impact on the battlefield able to penetrate any enemy tank then in service. There, it replaced the 2-pounder as an anti-tank gun, allowing the 25-pounder gun-howitzer to revert to its intended artillery role.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw7-8yKZzO9XSpmaG2MutEmy0N_Po_0cWzu00gz3YxoI70uEWYNbXJgNLqeKpaU-cJdRUiS3izp0aglCEvUrbXGK_Kvm2aqOCjxmQmSI6Y-Jo-9e9N3xVBipViLMvIf_nCIIqjAHXzC5D7yp7T2t7xGMyNz55gs51weFoOA3j160TBtj_ZaU-j2M5xes/s3016/20230202_144437a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3016" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw7-8yKZzO9XSpmaG2MutEmy0N_Po_0cWzu00gz3YxoI70uEWYNbXJgNLqeKpaU-cJdRUiS3izp0aglCEvUrbXGK_Kvm2aqOCjxmQmSI6Y-Jo-9e9N3xVBipViLMvIf_nCIIqjAHXzC5D7yp7T2t7xGMyNz55gs51weFoOA3j160TBtj_ZaU-j2M5xes/w640-h636/20230202_144437a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Six pounder anti-tank guns were used by Australian troops in the Middle East, New Guinea and the islands.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vcIn_zvIlsGp8VOXcx1kJYUMqgPP2nJQBXMQz4ByhAE2TSvEFdmFFykc9bMtquYvI7RMvm4ON72KWKaGETef-LKg_oW890lAO5VWP3jzfM26IFyHnR7NhYBV6NyhfKDkU1Yln8Cnd6mF56Re3gPxYI3vqzZd0FUG369b79Thu1Qd90dhS00bv_dBYa4/s2638/57mm_Gun_M1_-_Saint-Malon_Bretagne.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2638" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vcIn_zvIlsGp8VOXcx1kJYUMqgPP2nJQBXMQz4ByhAE2TSvEFdmFFykc9bMtquYvI7RMvm4ON72KWKaGETef-LKg_oW890lAO5VWP3jzfM26IFyHnR7NhYBV6NyhfKDkU1Yln8Cnd6mF56Re3gPxYI3vqzZd0FUG369b79Thu1Qd90dhS00bv_dBYa4/w436-h640/57mm_Gun_M1_-_Saint-Malon_Bretagne.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A U.S. 57 mm M1 gun firing from Champs-Vauverts gate in Saint-Malo</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The 6-pounder was followed into production by the next generation British anti-tank gun, the Ordnance QF 17-pounder, which came into use from February 1943. As a smaller and more manoeuvrable gun, the 6-pounder continued to be used by the British Army for the rest of World War II and for about 20 years afterwards. <div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British 17-Pounder Mk. II "Pheasant" & Ordnance QF Anti-Tank Gun</span></b></div>Also known by the 17/25 pounder designation, a stop-gap measure named Pheasant mated the 17 pounder gun with a modified 25 pounder carriage. This enabled the gun to be pressed into service before its own carriage design was ready.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbvMTToh7GXGk31ZLMQ2iSMd-IKEQ3hBM6X4NvNp-84qHa3EkXJSeFvcHNJjJFdU5htXdBavEh9a5XsAoFL5tfPuFmzmZHXowoPQXx7dt75RaasXtKMis-2Atcp3Il9jzaS_yFq48WVzg1k2X9a0aq5kR9oe_VoDwvQHrZLIM7FgpvlehYRnrKss5VTE/s4896/P1080064a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="4896" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbvMTToh7GXGk31ZLMQ2iSMd-IKEQ3hBM6X4NvNp-84qHa3EkXJSeFvcHNJjJFdU5htXdBavEh9a5XsAoFL5tfPuFmzmZHXowoPQXx7dt75RaasXtKMis-2Atcp3Il9jzaS_yFq48WVzg1k2X9a0aq5kR9oe_VoDwvQHrZLIM7FgpvlehYRnrKss5VTE/w640-h366/P1080064a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Ordnance Quick-Firing 17-pounder (or just 17-pdr) was a 76.2 mm (3 inch) gun developed by the United Kingdom during World War II. It was used as an anti-tank gun on its own carriage, as well as equipping a number of British tanks. Used with the APDS shot, it was capable of defeating all but the thickest armour on German tanks. It was used to "up-gun" some foreign-built vehicles in British service, notably to produce the Sherman Firefly variant of the US M4 Sherman tank, giving British tank units the ability to hold their own against their German counterparts. <div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7Ansc8y3xMFjjrKMaeZtHvncU_46cSnEuTfy9toOQfaq9WVGQSEsM0yDX-D_g1j6PJxPEMykRh0qlbwyDd29idWWudS3v0Iim361BBRNQ2MXxxNnnCh_eJwaDLI4_C3keI0isLCDUbNkBfeAzokd8yZMOkBCGN50w3Sw6F_MKB1BVaFBkW6BNAqMP3M/s800/A_British_'Pheasant'_17-pdr_anti-tank_gun_in_action_on_the_Medenine_front_in_Tunisia,_11_March_1943._NA1076.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="758" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7Ansc8y3xMFjjrKMaeZtHvncU_46cSnEuTfy9toOQfaq9WVGQSEsM0yDX-D_g1j6PJxPEMykRh0qlbwyDd29idWWudS3v0Iim361BBRNQ2MXxxNnnCh_eJwaDLI4_C3keI0isLCDUbNkBfeAzokd8yZMOkBCGN50w3Sw6F_MKB1BVaFBkW6BNAqMP3M/w606-h640/A_British_'Pheasant'_17-pdr_anti-tank_gun_in_action_on_the_Medenine_front_in_Tunisia,_11_March_1943._NA1076.jpg" width="606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A British 'Pheasant' 17-pdr anti-tank gun in action on the Medenine front in Tunisia, 11 March 1943.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Pheasant first saw action in February 1943, with the first 100 prototypes mounted on the 25-pounder carriage, with the majority converted over to the new carriage as they became available.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EZL_9u5xNBJjTGo3vjAD4Lml3v9x0Nh7IRp_1uYjM4PjzjK1zuBu9KJqFNxBcW_Q9Pm_lDndCBhcqOd7_8sZizjC4GUR4MBgB81YrUY3t2APFJC3DYq6uOg4NCfRv-V1BJG-wT-8i7Ke993BxXUmwAlFztL0022kKr_SMS0tL-J5yo-OqR0qsRcpZ_A/s4896/P1080065a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3034" data-original-width="4896" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EZL_9u5xNBJjTGo3vjAD4Lml3v9x0Nh7IRp_1uYjM4PjzjK1zuBu9KJqFNxBcW_Q9Pm_lDndCBhcqOd7_8sZizjC4GUR4MBgB81YrUY3t2APFJC3DYq6uOg4NCfRv-V1BJG-wT-8i7Ke993BxXUmwAlFztL0022kKr_SMS0tL-J5yo-OqR0qsRcpZ_A/w640-h396/P1080065a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The 17-pounder used the following ammunition types:</div><div><ul><li><b>Armour Piercing Capped</b> (APC) Armour Piercing Capped was a basic AP shell used with field guns, but was not used when the 17pdr was mounted in the Sherman Firefly tank. </li></ul><ul><li><b>Armour Piercing, Capped, Ballistic Capped </b>(APCBC) Armour Piercing, Capped, Ballistic Capped ammunition could penetrate 163 mm of armour at 500 metres and 150 mm at 1000 m. </li></ul></div><div><ul><li><b>Armour-piercing discarding sabot</b> (APDS) Armour-piercing discarding sabot could penetrate 256 mm of armour at 500 m and 233 mm at 1000 m, and allowing it in theory to penetrate the armour of even the German Tiger II heavy tank. Most sources are in agreement that APDS was not available on D-Day itself, but reached Normandy in increasing amounts by the end of June or early July 1944. It was available for the breakout battle from Normandy and the advance to the Netherlands and Germany. The weight of the enclosed shot, excluding the enclosing sabot, was 7.7 lb (3.5 kg).</li></ul><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmt56xLlbYqAVf5LHp6XUA6LyXiWeu7JOcCrFGhreXCLqFY0CkPUsfHksSeLhC6ItLXWX03e9rL6SGPZzU_n2ZuYnRApnMtP0U80bXuCRR3VOanDDs_t0PMfsCnmDXOh9bqptFUTPBIznyQnIDlJCeAUy8Vu3GwuNa8YkTveel_gXT1QtHrBOI9QDSLQ/s4896/P1080069a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2415" data-original-width="4896" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmt56xLlbYqAVf5LHp6XUA6LyXiWeu7JOcCrFGhreXCLqFY0CkPUsfHksSeLhC6ItLXWX03e9rL6SGPZzU_n2ZuYnRApnMtP0U80bXuCRR3VOanDDs_t0PMfsCnmDXOh9bqptFUTPBIznyQnIDlJCeAUy8Vu3GwuNa8YkTveel_gXT1QtHrBOI9QDSLQ/w640-h316/P1080069a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><b>High Explosive </b>(HE) The HE shells for the 17-pounder had smaller bursting charges (Mk 1: 1.28 lbs, Mk 2: 1.06 lbs) than those for the 75mm gun used by the Sherman (M48: 1.47 lbs, Mk 1: 1.64 lbs).</li></ul><ul><li><b>Practice, Shot Mk 10 </b>"The components of this practice round are similar to those of Shot APCBC, except for the projectile. The projectile is made of cast iron and is uncapped. It is fitted with tracer."</li></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sJfbWDGvMSfNbGl1FRreP2TzczyHn1SRp5FVk_SmmgwvPmJVmeS4-D0HLn8eAHBeg6olj0cs0JBhQRtBw0vfoA6SvCOR3zfADSwjdg6cUzFtevNpYFKWUgBzBXrYI1_RMqgKNKdJEdOyOqfta99dLyxSFKb2jngObIPMmuhLOdQK942E8B65XBlXAXs/s4896/P1080070a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2875" data-original-width="4896" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sJfbWDGvMSfNbGl1FRreP2TzczyHn1SRp5FVk_SmmgwvPmJVmeS4-D0HLn8eAHBeg6olj0cs0JBhQRtBw0vfoA6SvCOR3zfADSwjdg6cUzFtevNpYFKWUgBzBXrYI1_RMqgKNKdJEdOyOqfta99dLyxSFKb2jngObIPMmuhLOdQK942E8B65XBlXAXs/w640-h376/P1080070a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>APCBC ammunition was the standard ammunition for the gun, while APDS shot was used for about 6% of the average load of a 17-pounder-equipped British tank.<br /><br />While offering greater penetration, the smaller (sub-calibre) tungsten core of APDS was considered to provide less accurate fire than APCBC ammunition at ranges beyond 500 yards. This was due to the much lesser visible impact of rounds that fell short, making it hard to spot the fall of shot and correct aim. The APDS was also considered to cause less damage to an enemy tank if it did penetrate the armour. After penetration the core usually disintegrated.<br /><br />The 17-pounder produced a very large muzzle flash due to the large amount of propellant in its cartridges. Muzzle blast was also significant, described by crews of the anti-tank gun variant as resembling a hard slap on the chest.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oxE0nsELJWRztybm-C7yxUjndSb_G1McXtHeESK6O4-tD-o1tmfKUGpSRAYpdcYsSSNyWD5FWdgtrgpgpORN_KSlqBkiGySctWo1YPkpWQagJbZH9vveqdSEo5YzRXlzX1hppTVHCZ8R6L7nkig8kSZtNwEA7-3GwnN8EicqasnMWjqnOHMp1XE0h1A/s4896/P1080071a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oxE0nsELJWRztybm-C7yxUjndSb_G1McXtHeESK6O4-tD-o1tmfKUGpSRAYpdcYsSSNyWD5FWdgtrgpgpORN_KSlqBkiGySctWo1YPkpWQagJbZH9vveqdSEo5YzRXlzX1hppTVHCZ8R6L7nkig8kSZtNwEA7-3GwnN8EicqasnMWjqnOHMp1XE0h1A/w640-h480/P1080071a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Back in 2018, Steve M and I had a great day out at the Chalke Valley History Festival at which they had on display a towed 17-Pounder set up in one of the nearby fields and the owner took the time to talk about how well balanced this very big gun is on its purpose built carriage, making it a relatively simple task for a well drilled crew to manoeuvre the weapon onto a new facing should the situation demand, plus there's nothing quite like seeing these old weapons in their natural environment.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpABdEhvg7z5geiUGSlbbd_sI55gGtrumhUjPEOVqghxFDXLu6sj5VPvj-5zhG_5FzsVMfeJIBYPso6KNrHAF1eEh6Xpq1nTw-EI8uoSXRgm2vgGVJjJg26H_RYSOh3dJQkZjptZATRo6XELhFMlKd1KCBFSyuhVHH_am5wF82DaX1CuIyomdpuWjCsSg/s1600/DSCF1575a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpABdEhvg7z5geiUGSlbbd_sI55gGtrumhUjPEOVqghxFDXLu6sj5VPvj-5zhG_5FzsVMfeJIBYPso6KNrHAF1eEh6Xpq1nTw-EI8uoSXRgm2vgGVJjJg26H_RYSOh3dJQkZjptZATRo6XELhFMlKd1KCBFSyuhVHH_am5wF82DaX1CuIyomdpuWjCsSg/w640-h428/DSCF1575a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2018/07/chalke-valley-history-festival-2018.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Chalke Valley History Festival 2018</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British BL (Breech Loading) 5.5-Inch Medium Gun</span></b></div>The BL 5.5-inch gun was a British artillery gun introduced during the middle of the Second World War to equip medium batteries.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first units were equipped in UK in the summer of 1941 and in North Africa a year later, 20 guns equipped British and Free French batteries at El Alamein. Subsequently, it also equipped Canadian, Australian, South African, Polish and Indian regiments, and after the war, it was also used by New Zealand. In the Second World War the normal organization was a regiment of 16 guns organized into two batteries.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrwjhEMk7SmJmeup7JNuzltfo-8Mi2FZb6MR73_6pQbhbEjgbSVcy-o8UuY1DcSe1CcxnH3U5-3-HMclhTdqjD2dOWzc1jB6CtLtm5EHKHLFpyqtZWZSbNRJPJcq2PxENxvW5TJ0a88iC9Ogfq7EU5DupgBWQuOyU0GGLIYHU2zzDIWvwrz2A69H7NWI/s4252/P1080073a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2324" data-original-width="4252" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrwjhEMk7SmJmeup7JNuzltfo-8Mi2FZb6MR73_6pQbhbEjgbSVcy-o8UuY1DcSe1CcxnH3U5-3-HMclhTdqjD2dOWzc1jB6CtLtm5EHKHLFpyqtZWZSbNRJPJcq2PxENxvW5TJ0a88iC9Ogfq7EU5DupgBWQuOyU0GGLIYHU2zzDIWvwrz2A69H7NWI/w640-h350/P1080073a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Initially, the 5.5 inch gun fired a 100-pound (45 kg) shell, using four charges in two cartridges to give a maximum range table muzzle velocity of 1,675 feet per second (511 m/s) and a maximum range of 16,200 yards (14,800 m).<br /><br />In 1944 an 82-pound (37 kg) shell was introduced along with Charge Super giving a maximum muzzle velocity of 1,950 feet per second (590 m/s) and a range of 18,100 yards (16,600 m) yards. The new lighter shell contained 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) more explosive and gradually replaced the older, heavier shell.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPvEeJTe31W_3Pxver8KC4S-ruVOKXVqEWbFN3ryuh8TGNuvhq4mvrGi6VrpKj9N9O6s-UPPSSMZDg1fC1kge6itfhD8hBA4zEp2IDwIE5dDW0TJ_I26hkOKb8A5G4wxEka4zGd3m57Vg9409frNLguakgIQ2EL5A1wd4KGSAEcQfjpkCcStfMptNu80/s800/The_British_Army_in_the_Normandy_Campaign_1944_B9174.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="800" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPvEeJTe31W_3Pxver8KC4S-ruVOKXVqEWbFN3ryuh8TGNuvhq4mvrGi6VrpKj9N9O6s-UPPSSMZDg1fC1kge6itfhD8hBA4zEp2IDwIE5dDW0TJ_I26hkOKb8A5G4wxEka4zGd3m57Vg9409frNLguakgIQ2EL5A1wd4KGSAEcQfjpkCcStfMptNu80/w640-h404/The_British_Army_in_the_Normandy_Campaign_1944_B9174.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">5.5-inch gun firing near Vallee, Normandy, 14th August 1944.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In addition to high explosive rounds, there were several types of chemical shells weighing between 90 and 98 pounds (41 and 44 kg) and 100-pound (45 kg) coloured smoke shells; coloured flare shells were also developed. After World War 2, only HE was used. There was no AP (armour-piercing) round for the gun but, in an emergency, gunners were taught to remove the impact fuse and fire the unfused high explosive as an AP substitute.</div><div><br />The normal HE fuse was No 117, a percussion, impact fuse that was introduced in 1920 and saw use until the 1960s. In late 1944, the T100 proximity fuse became available.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British QF 3.7-Inch Mountain Howitzer</span></b></div>Ordnance, QF 3.7-inch howitzer is a mountain gun, used by British and Commonwealth armies in the First and Second World Wars, and between the wars.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSQY9rhJoFbjYsXwFMI8jzaaiZWafcipblVMnTAXSLdykLUHgko2-uQkTJIdvdzQPl0GuXczRfw2vHBggsyygoXoozK0FBbDW2iNd6EpW14VD4qJDwbng6ZGRLtci-VCS6x3Z0Waukpb103HtsGu5e6DiKPnCtF0I2WiTOp1s2g6z5TioAJbBZ5cuY8E/s4032/20230202_144224a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="4032" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSQY9rhJoFbjYsXwFMI8jzaaiZWafcipblVMnTAXSLdykLUHgko2-uQkTJIdvdzQPl0GuXczRfw2vHBggsyygoXoozK0FBbDW2iNd6EpW14VD4qJDwbng6ZGRLtci-VCS6x3Z0Waukpb103HtsGu5e6DiKPnCtF0I2WiTOp1s2g6z5TioAJbBZ5cuY8E/w640-h428/20230202_144224a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>During the Second World War, the weapon equipped artillery units engaged in the North African Campaign (Tunisia), the Italian Campaign, the Kokoda Campaign, and Burma Campaign, and was also used in the Netherlands and Ruhr fighting in 1944–45 by units originally destined for mountain warfare in Greece. In the latter theatre, on occasion the gun was dismantled and manually hauled up to the upper floors of buildings to provide close support in urban fighting. A lightened version was used briefly by airborne formations.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3aE7y4Mt7WRVlbNGW37vaPTPiyHkiGTGlQLEtJrN5D98tljPHPJGTlV07UVn8Meo0CjKo-xtF_89B-77Tmlequk30qBqNT_SiZv0JZaepFQZCrfU0h9vqC_cxzDNiXDlmczrYph6bZXC7w9Kv32AZa0nLsqaQo-wVEY6tyjw6hLrL_-Bz9YmziVk1c4/s800/3.7inchHowitzerInActionMawlu3November1944.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="800" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3aE7y4Mt7WRVlbNGW37vaPTPiyHkiGTGlQLEtJrN5D98tljPHPJGTlV07UVn8Meo0CjKo-xtF_89B-77Tmlequk30qBqNT_SiZv0JZaepFQZCrfU0h9vqC_cxzDNiXDlmczrYph6bZXC7w9Kv32AZa0nLsqaQo-wVEY6tyjw6hLrL_-Bz9YmziVk1c4/w640-h516/3.7inchHowitzerInActionMawlu3November1944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 3.7-inch howitzer of 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action against Japanese positions south of Mawlu, Burma, 3rd November 1944.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />The howitzer has a split trail, the first British weapon to do so, which allows firing at very high angles (a useful feature in mountainous terrain). It also has a large rectangular shield to protect the crew from small-arms fire, but this was often omitted to save weight. When it was first introduced, the howitzer had two wooden wheels and was light enough be towed by two horses. Later marks have pneumatic tyres and could be towed by any light vehicle, such as the Bren Carrier or jeep.<br /><br />The propellant casing had five "charge zones", but HE was restricted to no more than "charge four", to prevent premature detonation of the shell. The Australian Army did employ charge five in Papua New Guinea in emergencies – the gun crews referred to it as "O'Hara's charge". <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZl2Sr7nmtXfKnNaGXGEDDgk3HYN9TJBx0aVyFfBz6NIQ8DjNpJ6eBKLktAv41WSQzuKUsSsMOncaoz7kqbyY5zUoxZRVi9T82ZXVWKNUby-OFtwNQ5m6new-yIoV2Sdt5zT4yoPCIKC_7fEoNNqv-n2HXu07R6of9_uzLMaFzSHMTdmBb91221DivX0/s4000/20230202_144244a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZl2Sr7nmtXfKnNaGXGEDDgk3HYN9TJBx0aVyFfBz6NIQ8DjNpJ6eBKLktAv41WSQzuKUsSsMOncaoz7kqbyY5zUoxZRVi9T82ZXVWKNUby-OFtwNQ5m6new-yIoV2Sdt5zT4yoPCIKC_7fEoNNqv-n2HXu07R6of9_uzLMaFzSHMTdmBb91221DivX0/w640-h480/20230202_144244a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">British Ordnance ML 4.2-Inch Mortar</span></b></div>The Ordnance ML 4.2-inch mortar was a heavy mortar used by the British Army during and after World War II, and was a smooth-bore weapon of the Stokes pattern, designed by the Armaments Research and Development Establishment and produced by the Royal Ordnance Factories. It entered widespread British service in 1942, equipping chemical warfare companies of the Royal Engineers (RE). The Mark 3 became the standard model.<br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-CZCIVIwfr-6mQ2niSi33onPbS701b4Fs7EuANjfFuBPPnfgFyXSuAvYD7ELa4ww6bC6tuHc158xJzzIOmN9hE5AGVsraHN8NvN_iEoiShUbmO768x5gdEQijFLDsuCQHp4yF0B5fFo5jqyEiiq7WeIRRiaFJAr5qI_v9AYs_eMvGbSatAwYIl7gbd8/s4032/20230202_144301a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-CZCIVIwfr-6mQ2niSi33onPbS701b4Fs7EuANjfFuBPPnfgFyXSuAvYD7ELa4ww6bC6tuHc158xJzzIOmN9hE5AGVsraHN8NvN_iEoiShUbmO768x5gdEQijFLDsuCQHp4yF0B5fFo5jqyEiiq7WeIRRiaFJAr5qI_v9AYs_eMvGbSatAwYIl7gbd8/w640-h480/20230202_144301a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first combat use was at Second Battle of El Alamein, when the 66th Mortar Company (RE) was attached to the Australian 24th Infantry Brigade. During the battle, 66 Mortar Company provided intense, effective supporting fire on the 24th Brigade's exposed right flank, as the infantry advanced, expending all of the 4.2-inch HE mortar ammunition in the theatre.<br /><br />Around mid-1943, the Royal Engineer chemical warfare companies were disbanded as an emergency expedient and one heavy mortar company of each infantry division machine-gun battalion was equipped with the mortar. This company was organized with sixteen 4.2-inch mortars, in four platoons of four mortars each. In early 1944, divisions in Italy also held a pool of mortars for issue to other units as needed, usually troops in the divisional anti-tank regiment, some regiments even converted one or more batteries to mortars.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurdX39FhfJfpqMHFhyphenhyphenHAYpvyML1URVRc2fqjTNzJ-8AeCTik07iwHh8Ky1Sl1YIUvJ04xj3vmRV6rzNIcH7yWnSgO0aK8HXxJO1l4szMNIs6WpqtB30G1vwCKjnb0AkJW7qazvzsTEeVbr_PecaWWfQ31eMGq-9S36q7heahbG1ulwX6NsT4JwRUd1jA/s4032/20230202_144320a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurdX39FhfJfpqMHFhyphenhyphenHAYpvyML1URVRc2fqjTNzJ-8AeCTik07iwHh8Ky1Sl1YIUvJ04xj3vmRV6rzNIcH7yWnSgO0aK8HXxJO1l4szMNIs6WpqtB30G1vwCKjnb0AkJW7qazvzsTEeVbr_PecaWWfQ31eMGq-9S36q7heahbG1ulwX6NsT4JwRUd1jA/w640-h480/20230202_144320a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ordnance ML 4.2-inch mortars were slower to reach Commonwealth forces in the Pacific and Asia. Australian Army units in the South West Pacific theatre were reportedly the first to receive them, before forces in Burma.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Both HE (9.1 kg) and smoke (10.2 kg) ammunition was used. Smoke included WP and Base Ejection, and in World War II other types for practice. Two charges were available. In World War II, both streamlined and cylindrical bombs were available. Chemical munitions included the MK I chemical mortar bomb with Mustard gas (HS or HT fillings).<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUCYgxzYnRc_ThNKoUJrTwThPxzUNE-Q8zSo97W6tORZZPIcBtW-PM22fIHOH5bNm8p1o7rSiThXrIv-s-_k-v71Sm4vN3cBqDXlBx9Hak-OqCfrqUrVw0bipy57j-Xm3GMsnL3xkqByijJBUjd7TzyTLdBB3gUu5oSuDJCbJQ3n4bKZUrM5wWYx8-vo/s2981/20230202_144353a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="2981" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUCYgxzYnRc_ThNKoUJrTwThPxzUNE-Q8zSo97W6tORZZPIcBtW-PM22fIHOH5bNm8p1o7rSiThXrIv-s-_k-v71Sm4vN3cBqDXlBx9Hak-OqCfrqUrVw0bipy57j-Xm3GMsnL3xkqByijJBUjd7TzyTLdBB3gUu5oSuDJCbJQ3n4bKZUrM5wWYx8-vo/w640-h276/20230202_144353a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The Pacific theatre of the war was obviously going to be an area I was keen to focus on with this collection, and an area not so widely covered in European collections, and I was not to be disappointed with the display of Japanese items, including small arms, artillery and of course a tank.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGWjmxxc9im_lB3UEXSslcrfWAUOl2sZwH1hZKJ7MN9afleoTPpusaTrTci59J5ospxKC0OktnV6g3bHp5I6t9wvXimYID7NGrxk1Qhq-kceHScMUdipuQaozGnQL5yhO6bSfptp6NpNfiKqbYp5phFMQ-JqnQQkA5HKrAQCBzHdOTz1XbBdduPC4P_0/s4896/P1070913a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGWjmxxc9im_lB3UEXSslcrfWAUOl2sZwH1hZKJ7MN9afleoTPpusaTrTci59J5ospxKC0OktnV6g3bHp5I6t9wvXimYID7NGrxk1Qhq-kceHScMUdipuQaozGnQL5yhO6bSfptp6NpNfiKqbYp5phFMQ-JqnQQkA5HKrAQCBzHdOTz1XbBdduPC4P_0/w640-h480/P1070913a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good luck flag presented to Corporal Masayoshi Deura by family and friends from his hometown in the Tochigi Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo. He died on May 29th 1945 in Burma whilst on active service with the Japanese Imperial Army.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-size: large;">Japanese WWII Vehicles & Guns</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Japanese Type 94, 75mm Mountain Gun </span></b></div><div>This highly mobile pack artillery piece could be transported by horse or vehicle and was in service with the Japanese Army from 1935-45 and was used extensively in China and assigned to units of the Southern Expeditionary Army where it was sited in defensive positions on islands throughout the Dutch East Indies and the South Pacific Mandate, making it one of the most commonly encountered weapons by Allied Forces towards the closing stages of the war.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXC223REnOneD4diQ3rskp6qrXj71WawgJhlTnGWtfHj9MGU62Mx2yJDRzw0riXqCIb45FuHcxgq9BRShKfR1NcwsNU525C2MhM7aOpVAkOgQfzbc3LIGQVqoYY9z_D0vVKCGQaj0PbHtABPxl3Th61FOuzzU9RiVvZv3Gc2Bxj742yN5t8025DztmVY/s4896/P1070910a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXC223REnOneD4diQ3rskp6qrXj71WawgJhlTnGWtfHj9MGU62Mx2yJDRzw0riXqCIb45FuHcxgq9BRShKfR1NcwsNU525C2MhM7aOpVAkOgQfzbc3LIGQVqoYY9z_D0vVKCGQaj0PbHtABPxl3Th61FOuzzU9RiVvZv3Gc2Bxj742yN5t8025DztmVY/w640-h480/P1070910a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Based on a German Krupp design, the gun had a single piece barrel with a sliding breechblock, and its long split trail with a hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism was based on a French Schneider design, and it could be fired with the trails opened or closed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With a modular design construction, the gun can be broken down into eleven parts within three to five minutes for transport by animals or men, with the heaviest part weighing 210-pounds, and the weapon intended for transportation by six pack horses, or eighteen men. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once in position it could be reassembled within ten minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSk31PftOXeTJAQWMXwtp4nbRO48fjoxRpJ5xpu0VIlrfHJgbE94a5ck9rchVb5ZyK4Tjcj7vc0AnCTPtp6tboExNMlrRSWH9cEOjo16wWOlGVoBeaLL6po3DNdXFFFa0Gu7dsxJTDuPWnwjzi6p-JXLngcxCQp7BkCccxfBXWHPQf-8xVcRlnQHiBhk/s4896/P1070912a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSk31PftOXeTJAQWMXwtp4nbRO48fjoxRpJ5xpu0VIlrfHJgbE94a5ck9rchVb5ZyK4Tjcj7vc0AnCTPtp6tboExNMlrRSWH9cEOjo16wWOlGVoBeaLL6po3DNdXFFFa0Gu7dsxJTDuPWnwjzi6p-JXLngcxCQp7BkCccxfBXWHPQf-8xVcRlnQHiBhk/w640-h480/P1070912a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Type 94 was capable of firing high explosive , armour piercing, shrapnel, chemical star, incendiary and smoke rounds.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguxLlpA72QT9lSB6gORWR7agldfdiG5HFo4RBM_u7_-kyYVcplaKAUVYuhyphenhyphenswlRivGW_gNJPotfuxz3nBmR7ieaXzSHYgf9gUzaWxa5bDuK9X2g5gYz6BVUOnLMY-GwpqwrksoLroxEigp28h4DjFIpaIln3vK3Sp1IsaVqdAE7A7zwrz8kpaiTSK-7g/s2967/P1070911b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="2967" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguxLlpA72QT9lSB6gORWR7agldfdiG5HFo4RBM_u7_-kyYVcplaKAUVYuhyphenhyphenswlRivGW_gNJPotfuxz3nBmR7ieaXzSHYgf9gUzaWxa5bDuK9X2g5gYz6BVUOnLMY-GwpqwrksoLroxEigp28h4DjFIpaIln3vK3Sp1IsaVqdAE7A7zwrz8kpaiTSK-7g/w640-h266/P1070911b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Japanese Type 94, 37mm Anti-Tank Gun </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In service from 1936 to the end of the war, the Type 94 AT Gun was typically assigned to combat infantry regiments in groups of four guns, and each manned by a squad of eleven soldiers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was based on the German 3.7cm PaK 36 and had, in trials, a claimed penetration capability of 20mm of armour at 1,100 yards, and 40mm at much shorter distances. In combat it proved effective against light Soviet armour, when used in the Nomonhan Incident in 1939, but was hopelessly obsolete when used against M4 Shermans in the Pacific War.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kOJGjCKL8d46OFuF7OzAh9xVN0L8XOiDdmeGt6yOQ5cYjbY1CDrfk8TQOdyGZk1tMdkh6Vpju4AZmkusJyIfbpkECw0Gokc62AYKeOXC3x3tfZPLBfC5yAqJ2TWPFiuRbx-N4BkIq6e1_TZqttu5WuEUyd-LntCanRroNHEmX05e9mjB05arkscko9M/s4896/P1070915a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kOJGjCKL8d46OFuF7OzAh9xVN0L8XOiDdmeGt6yOQ5cYjbY1CDrfk8TQOdyGZk1tMdkh6Vpju4AZmkusJyIfbpkECw0Gokc62AYKeOXC3x3tfZPLBfC5yAqJ2TWPFiuRbx-N4BkIq6e1_TZqttu5WuEUyd-LntCanRroNHEmX05e9mjB05arkscko9M/w640-h480/P1070915a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Japanese Type 92, 70mm MM Battalion Gun</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In service with the Japanese Army from 1932 to 45, the Type 92 Battalion Gun was a light howitzer, used extensively in China and against Allied forces in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnsFI-9VTO3IsTLIj_QwYdrk5kIWvepnL-iKEVaOJTVlXpBCcbYhrgmMrKbWyCO2xwa12LVU1LF7WSF72DSl-yp3i6umlawEpEMzB7XX0HSjz6lHoc3t6QT0jQDi-acNChlVXn-oLvhrcdQlUq8lbMa-zYOeNMaEzI7hkpyzj_YYTmyCdloTWMezx-3g/s4896/P1070918a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnsFI-9VTO3IsTLIj_QwYdrk5kIWvepnL-iKEVaOJTVlXpBCcbYhrgmMrKbWyCO2xwa12LVU1LF7WSF72DSl-yp3i6umlawEpEMzB7XX0HSjz6lHoc3t6QT0jQDi-acNChlVXn-oLvhrcdQlUq8lbMa-zYOeNMaEzI7hkpyzj_YYTmyCdloTWMezx-3g/w640-h480/P1070918a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjILdNzYmPYzaUvHElCUSEa339PHi2UB9pMeMsh_ylSpDNpzwNF1ab_0djTUf7s-sAHSQokstM1HZd_BK2Gn3NVXDX5wT3oYNoC2amwi5fD-P6_Q1kChCaENPMOZSi8Y0_5YrGckBm5f6F4d7P-BzvNsBTSvTjoJH97DT_6vOtwFVXl7rnUts2qAzUds/s1587/P1070916b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1587" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjILdNzYmPYzaUvHElCUSEa339PHi2UB9pMeMsh_ylSpDNpzwNF1ab_0djTUf7s-sAHSQokstM1HZd_BK2Gn3NVXDX5wT3oYNoC2amwi5fD-P6_Q1kChCaENPMOZSi8Y0_5YrGckBm5f6F4d7P-BzvNsBTSvTjoJH97DT_6vOtwFVXl7rnUts2qAzUds/w640-h380/P1070916b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Able to be used in the low angle direct fire mode for neutralising fortified positions, machine-gun positions and light armour the barrel could be quickly configured to near vertical with the use of a hand crank for indirect support fire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-39UKE9pymD-8cRW9-34EikG-z9UVmdWqVjU7ZmWpNQ03dzL3H9AhK9xTgcuHzVu8SzXvLwLXlAh1F6lb0HhjvYYGCyZl80Pknve3q6JpqBQGK6knntMbrvToomnLZVK57Gs2-mvQ028e3rMw_qoD90BKAqbSpZRGgUdZ5ZkqAE6F3nR9ApthMC7t_4/s4896/P1070921a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-39UKE9pymD-8cRW9-34EikG-z9UVmdWqVjU7ZmWpNQ03dzL3H9AhK9xTgcuHzVu8SzXvLwLXlAh1F6lb0HhjvYYGCyZl80Pknve3q6JpqBQGK6knntMbrvToomnLZVK57Gs2-mvQ028e3rMw_qoD90BKAqbSpZRGgUdZ5ZkqAE6F3nR9ApthMC7t_4/w640-h480/P1070921a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was designed to be pulled by a single horse, although it seems that in practice three horses were usually used, and the gun would fire an 8.37 pound shell, either high explosive, armour piercing or smoke to an effective range of about 3,060 yards, and were reportedly used with considerable effect when encountered by Allied troops.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu9kyKLaze4-d_FYyngsEMuK6Go0RMtFChea7znKyN4bhEaNikGXiIZhsVeum9kkdUfMku0OyaH7rIX6SrLS1BcvMpCQaJHsGxWF_aIkdawvc84lQExbQxTAB4uj8BlaCnjz9opHD9t6FABD574lnikBFdSmsT_VJUfAYHjor0ptG4bVv_D5CmEsIRsQ/s3025/P1070919b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="3025" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu9kyKLaze4-d_FYyngsEMuK6Go0RMtFChea7znKyN4bhEaNikGXiIZhsVeum9kkdUfMku0OyaH7rIX6SrLS1BcvMpCQaJHsGxWF_aIkdawvc84lQExbQxTAB4uj8BlaCnjz9opHD9t6FABD574lnikBFdSmsT_VJUfAYHjor0ptG4bVv_D5CmEsIRsQ/w640-h210/P1070919b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-Av5pFVEc_H6ccvodXUIUpCaAJdXuNWd7rcKyGi_gS2cLT9NiqtfNWKYZkqx4Q16zGscXT4MQmBpjzFY2rG5thYCQ5NDD7ANKkcJehCI4d-CcMrnLFuK02N6ET8c1xX3ZLfuSzoXLqFw8YLfDBrUcQX8BiVG5vcx8tKB1YxYdDl8-aEQaX7HQJ983pE/s4657/P1070920a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="4657" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-Av5pFVEc_H6ccvodXUIUpCaAJdXuNWd7rcKyGi_gS2cLT9NiqtfNWKYZkqx4Q16zGscXT4MQmBpjzFY2rG5thYCQ5NDD7ANKkcJehCI4d-CcMrnLFuK02N6ET8c1xX3ZLfuSzoXLqFw8YLfDBrUcQX8BiVG5vcx8tKB1YxYdDl8-aEQaX7HQJ983pE/w640-h398/P1070920a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Japanese Type 31, 75mm Mountain Gun</span></b></div><div>The Type 31 was introduced to the Imperial Japanese Army in 1898 and was first deployed in combat during the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905.</div><div><br /></div><div>The gun would remain in service with the Japanese to the end of World War II, firing high explosive rounds using smokeless powder cartridges capable of firing a 13-pound shell effectively out to a range of 4,700 yards, with a maximum range of 7,100 yards, and with this particular example being captured in Burma in 1944.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQEQAkSYgDuaNjVZQMzjOwjGMsCVHxqWT1uIUUO0RH-zpgVPHwOT8pypFBBNW2f5nkOjIt5MrU-2lhPGPouhmU5x5fSVyoTXu92v46pscr7XrirWkZYPbAoaFs2FXIHQeiwqcfBgXHc_zQbd2iBlGBjLSUN035LIEk0uUUSeDrAKcG9amKj9I2nr5cgE/s4896/P1070928a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQEQAkSYgDuaNjVZQMzjOwjGMsCVHxqWT1uIUUO0RH-zpgVPHwOT8pypFBBNW2f5nkOjIt5MrU-2lhPGPouhmU5x5fSVyoTXu92v46pscr7XrirWkZYPbAoaFs2FXIHQeiwqcfBgXHc_zQbd2iBlGBjLSUN035LIEk0uUUSeDrAKcG9amKj9I2nr5cgE/w640-h480/P1070928a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgNDQEC6Ch0MN4_5RYUbw1LV22h6x8u8teBy97-f55AAeHtZJ6tOSgcnnh_67Qp1tFGNcfowE6wcG9XEYAQFTN_h4dojXg7eOHg99DAMAdD6gxtirJ0dncE3ugtTyceJoCfJMRdrVE9m9rMISuQcZazsbHPSSUCPV5cPu98g-fof6T0HVBggcb_RNHjg/s4896/P1070923a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgNDQEC6Ch0MN4_5RYUbw1LV22h6x8u8teBy97-f55AAeHtZJ6tOSgcnnh_67Qp1tFGNcfowE6wcG9XEYAQFTN_h4dojXg7eOHg99DAMAdD6gxtirJ0dncE3ugtTyceJoCfJMRdrVE9m9rMISuQcZazsbHPSSUCPV5cPu98g-fof6T0HVBggcb_RNHjg/w640-h480/P1070923a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another example of a Japanese Good Luck Flag. These flags were carefully folded and carried by young Japanese soldiers securely beneath their clothing for safe keeping, and were often taken as battle trophies on the death of the wearer. A growing trend has seen many of these signed flags being returned to the descendants of the soldier.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Japanese Type 91, 105mm Light Howitzer</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Introduced into service in 1931, the Type 91 10cm howitzer first saw service in China, and would see them used in large numbers during WWII with some 1,100 produced before wars end and another 100 manufactured in a motorised form.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gun's design was based largely on the French Schneider Canon de 105mle that was evaluated by the Japanese in the late 1920's and is noticeably lighter than contemporary German and US 105mm designs of the same calibre, with this gun weighing less than standard 75mm types used in Europe during WWI.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8uWHpjJ_WHNH-nUcs3y7WpxjzX7DpWnEuMq_gSey7UICMAislF6OXxH55uEEjz6nYA7PIq58BHmkLA43BLqtNkO82GwbKm2K9abHP6biL9EhjoR4U5PEoD7hXPauhoa8tqd7d5S315PLIVuRCRX-enUkXyW7cnDw44QEUg6410kprZ6GYPU0B7AN6RQ/s4896/P1070924a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8uWHpjJ_WHNH-nUcs3y7WpxjzX7DpWnEuMq_gSey7UICMAislF6OXxH55uEEjz6nYA7PIq58BHmkLA43BLqtNkO82GwbKm2K9abHP6biL9EhjoR4U5PEoD7hXPauhoa8tqd7d5S315PLIVuRCRX-enUkXyW7cnDw44QEUg6410kprZ6GYPU0B7AN6RQ/w640-h480/P1070924a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Type 91 10 cm howitzer was used in large numbers in front line combat service from the time of the invasion of Manchuria through the Soviet-Japanese Border Wars, the Second Sino-Japanese War and in most fronts during the Pacific War. The Type 91 was typically assigned to field artillery regiments together with 75 mm field guns.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3tBP1f0kkiUoftbBIT_dxzUCKZlXdEGiuFg-wAZD5NJCkJWaf6r_In8CvSSTZcNSjJli_k5Qah0AcGteabdcllQwdyO-Nhn3cByADc_ZGCxRzuNGKtT-MJmbSW3LyUI4hsdPybECgOx-0fSaCSdB4QJAbG02GWseULsz1YhyphenhyphenwpTpShwcPhw9I4mHxXM/s600/Type_91_10-cm-howizer-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3tBP1f0kkiUoftbBIT_dxzUCKZlXdEGiuFg-wAZD5NJCkJWaf6r_In8CvSSTZcNSjJli_k5Qah0AcGteabdcllQwdyO-Nhn3cByADc_ZGCxRzuNGKtT-MJmbSW3LyUI4hsdPybECgOx-0fSaCSdB4QJAbG02GWseULsz1YhyphenhyphenwpTpShwcPhw9I4mHxXM/w640-h488/Type_91_10-cm-howizer-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cadets of the Imperial Japanese Army during shooting training with Type 91 10-cm-howitzer at Fuji training ground. ca. 1935</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0zk9z-x1P0CR2zzbQXhlLAHUKr3jEhVSFLnUbpnUabrmATrnVR_MBQryApTkC9F2j5oBs8iFhLxoFLciZzoPiX14BCAPkrKdXWNAWSxmIzz9GU2puxOWPavZ15g2wk9RgcB1uvxfsGHUhTTvq00_IwpKAd0lPWb2eClj83U7jrEGG4ivWRwSSF11c6g/s4368/P1070925a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="4368" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0zk9z-x1P0CR2zzbQXhlLAHUKr3jEhVSFLnUbpnUabrmATrnVR_MBQryApTkC9F2j5oBs8iFhLxoFLciZzoPiX14BCAPkrKdXWNAWSxmIzz9GU2puxOWPavZ15g2wk9RgcB1uvxfsGHUhTTvq00_IwpKAd0lPWb2eClj83U7jrEGG4ivWRwSSF11c6g/w640-h408/P1070925a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAnnW1fG2YmCz26qygczspL5xBcO588jT3SUvxsxH7fmKpoWyDjK7aU2a1ErxnqF6qBBDyKOliKzhX4kUoRs7-tI3LQTlz1_TCkAy9sW5di1zdmTHLLDaGDlX8BBrgewMYlTrFAey4iJvvqn0s6E08kjSPUUxZ5v1RqxHvnL68W5ERS5ohsQ3nC4fL4A/s4896/P1070930a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAnnW1fG2YmCz26qygczspL5xBcO588jT3SUvxsxH7fmKpoWyDjK7aU2a1ErxnqF6qBBDyKOliKzhX4kUoRs7-tI3LQTlz1_TCkAy9sW5di1zdmTHLLDaGDlX8BBrgewMYlTrFAey4iJvvqn0s6E08kjSPUUxZ5v1RqxHvnL68W5ERS5ohsQ3nC4fL4A/w640-h480/P1070930a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting collection of Japanese items collected around an overgrown track in New Guinea in the 1970's.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLP3LSBR0zhqNhHIgiRKHxCgKDcHKlQKJqUCsCaXiNlrT6rDCDHgvrKKu5Xo96OdWzJavau56m_Y69GYsQPeMyoF0RnfH-bGMBzdeEecHTP82zKYRlZBXXXBAugxWavxkHCUcqvoYC6EsEjtKDASh_y7uccdZ9ooBQHZSF6qs-Ut7_24UtUiZv40C9UM/s4896/P1070931a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLP3LSBR0zhqNhHIgiRKHxCgKDcHKlQKJqUCsCaXiNlrT6rDCDHgvrKKu5Xo96OdWzJavau56m_Y69GYsQPeMyoF0RnfH-bGMBzdeEecHTP82zKYRlZBXXXBAugxWavxkHCUcqvoYC6EsEjtKDASh_y7uccdZ9ooBQHZSF6qs-Ut7_24UtUiZv40C9UM/w640-h480/P1070931a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Japanese military items with the 'Surrender Pass' to be shown to Allied troops when attempting to come out with hands up, probably unused if history is anything to go by.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uj2Vs9VCgnOsaifCSfgH5znF9XxRIEco62MENVJNyvANbEh9GfXD86lpTjaoAEP63PPyp8_NiworR74uDLtQCvpmJE0uPwdw8oRg_iUxf2hZFzs9hsAnPvoY7nf8uC_vdJBYoV7kgV__DTLRWXNAe_odNJA46P2ivOF1w4quQ10gaucczsRCPbciA58/s4896/P1070932a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uj2Vs9VCgnOsaifCSfgH5znF9XxRIEco62MENVJNyvANbEh9GfXD86lpTjaoAEP63PPyp8_NiworR74uDLtQCvpmJE0uPwdw8oRg_iUxf2hZFzs9hsAnPvoY7nf8uC_vdJBYoV7kgV__DTLRWXNAe_odNJA46P2ivOF1w4quQ10gaucczsRCPbciA58/w640-h480/P1070932a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Japanese Type 95, Ha-Go Light Tank</span></b></div>Produced between 1936-43, was a light tank used by the Japanese Army and the Special Naval Landing Force in the 1930's and the World War II.</div><div><br /></div><div>With about 2,300 of these tanks produced, they were the most numerous Japanese armoured fighting vehicle in WWII , and saw service in China, the Battle of Khalkhin Gol against the Soviets in 1939, Burma and the Pacific theatre.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqctvVHOdOlTUjVu4nof9p9ZVcyWehRhZ7hmIzUm6jSczYEoe0UWfRi6CBjYrKO_Nh54Z1As1srEE5CWOxpadyb21YchBqcnMzTIJUz6iFIllF_W7_SNVsS2Ef8AKbmJQiUWNsf6z6hxEqQVazNAat7Wd02Up2yXMp2xJMRo3e45lWDoRH-9lzDBalrWA/s4896/P1070933a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3141" data-original-width="4896" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqctvVHOdOlTUjVu4nof9p9ZVcyWehRhZ7hmIzUm6jSczYEoe0UWfRi6CBjYrKO_Nh54Z1As1srEE5CWOxpadyb21YchBqcnMzTIJUz6iFIllF_W7_SNVsS2Ef8AKbmJQiUWNsf6z6hxEqQVazNAat7Wd02Up2yXMp2xJMRo3e45lWDoRH-9lzDBalrWA/w640-h410/P1070933a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Australians regularly came up against them in Malaya, and New Guinea, often coming off the worse when confronted by the 2-pounder anti-tank guns pictured earlier.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4tfP5h7wBrvBTfuMvUDS-1sUq_t0VDBOSqMElhSD4_R8UMRyCOI1pb7Pp2SefOoaSRPKuup0Moas5GOLa9fG3WBpb94fXUVce8YoYVcKBd_EBk6toXXoCni9oEnsDWwuT5whWmjRDffUiwu898pmhArEWiKYzDBNWDVA7SO5LYT6zEgxh6q_hOj5mA0/s4595/P1070934a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="4595" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4tfP5h7wBrvBTfuMvUDS-1sUq_t0VDBOSqMElhSD4_R8UMRyCOI1pb7Pp2SefOoaSRPKuup0Moas5GOLa9fG3WBpb94fXUVce8YoYVcKBd_EBk6toXXoCni9oEnsDWwuT5whWmjRDffUiwu898pmhArEWiKYzDBNWDVA7SO5LYT6zEgxh6q_hOj5mA0/w640-h374/P1070934a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The main armament consists of a Type 94, 37mm tank gun firing high explosive and armour piercing rounds, back up by two Type 97, 7.7mm machine guns, and is powered by a 120hp, six cylinder air-cooled inline diesel engine giving a maximum speed of 28mph and a range of about 130 miles.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHspYgAYmZE5BsgOOKfXHJfO-jJnmVInzasJ-P38uKp7OUgWL1nv5pf1D_Gw7knTv8xgbFo81LHmUlEJPSiyEg-0p61dN25gHLcp6xXgX1KI5utvcP1OvtjarA2to0lb0EUrN9BsA4hLaMzYC96dxrBU75T2PwTNc1xZXUgS-lC8XkXfHnxRJ2i_N_BHE/s4710/P1070936a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2461" data-original-width="4710" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHspYgAYmZE5BsgOOKfXHJfO-jJnmVInzasJ-P38uKp7OUgWL1nv5pf1D_Gw7knTv8xgbFo81LHmUlEJPSiyEg-0p61dN25gHLcp6xXgX1KI5utvcP1OvtjarA2to0lb0EUrN9BsA4hLaMzYC96dxrBU75T2PwTNc1xZXUgS-lC8XkXfHnxRJ2i_N_BHE/w640-h334/P1070936a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuug7TfZc5qXWFACsppg4TuBm7UnX9iyzUYkDEfIZKmGhC9oo0nU33lwNnDWuXfBJtFLJKRU1MhEsc3r5SBUhWKvl2XSg_-lE9dde65jXvGlVuAZpsOqUganiCyRfbBYXlSGnJhNY9FB-YMnPbsJZIS2aQusWAkeLhd45iy-s8auodUfj1NPFduHk4bE/s3409/P1070937a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="3409" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuug7TfZc5qXWFACsppg4TuBm7UnX9iyzUYkDEfIZKmGhC9oo0nU33lwNnDWuXfBJtFLJKRU1MhEsc3r5SBUhWKvl2XSg_-lE9dde65jXvGlVuAZpsOqUganiCyRfbBYXlSGnJhNY9FB-YMnPbsJZIS2aQusWAkeLhd45iy-s8auodUfj1NPFduHk4bE/w640-h472/P1070937a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As far as armour goes the Ha-Go was indeed light with a maximum of 12-13 mm it compares unfavourably to say the M3 Stuart with its armour starting at 13mm up to a maximum of 51mm.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCHbt6swb17kNwqEr6oAlZPn25Ui8tMHKjd4uxDtFmBA_SwKMh2pS4HVx2CM2uYB_L51LZzZglpHxBn8JQA4iWGHKxO9l5dsiU-PHkvyh9lmq4WiZsvPQ4ek4Ak9p_1FfLGSoEYEpJRDXboZ8WvExC0UuOQ0HULQUp7WCOqcqcgmG-virSRp4O8wlQo4/s4537/P1070938a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="4537" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCHbt6swb17kNwqEr6oAlZPn25Ui8tMHKjd4uxDtFmBA_SwKMh2pS4HVx2CM2uYB_L51LZzZglpHxBn8JQA4iWGHKxO9l5dsiU-PHkvyh9lmq4WiZsvPQ4ek4Ak9p_1FfLGSoEYEpJRDXboZ8WvExC0UuOQ0HULQUp7WCOqcqcgmG-virSRp4O8wlQo4/w640-h492/P1070938a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b style="font-size: large;">Soviet WWII Vehicles & Guns</b></div><div><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian SU-100 Tank Destroyer</span></b></b></div>The SU-100 (Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 100) is a Soviet tank destroyer armed with the D-10S 100 mm anti-tank gun in a casemate superstructure. It was used extensively during the last year of World War II and saw service for many years afterwards with the armies of Soviet allies around the world.<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnqzda8Ujc7EPQ0sgUVxlsu69NNU3Pv-eTuEUX8Z2rr9kGFUGQMhPWIBlzfXF8G4xgr8h3HCrJY2GL9YnMfRzWOWJWPnMmeylDt5HQCXwtLMPeN9HZii01PVoo5EkSPhxiy6Pj5blgHI8g6hLTCcJLALZTMbtpvHI_K-Hgr5qb_2U42neXYuhaVzGjyI/s4896/P1080004a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3105" data-original-width="4896" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnqzda8Ujc7EPQ0sgUVxlsu69NNU3Pv-eTuEUX8Z2rr9kGFUGQMhPWIBlzfXF8G4xgr8h3HCrJY2GL9YnMfRzWOWJWPnMmeylDt5HQCXwtLMPeN9HZii01PVoo5EkSPhxiy6Pj5blgHI8g6hLTCcJLALZTMbtpvHI_K-Hgr5qb_2U42neXYuhaVzGjyI/w640-h406/P1080004a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The SU-100 was introduced in October 1944 and quickly became popular with Soviet tank crews as its gun could penetrate virtually any German tank then in service until being outmatched by the Tiger II. The gun was excellent, being able to penetrate the Tiger I at 2 km with APCBC rounds while its APHE rounds could penetrate a max of 218 mm of armour. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m3WRyNnjQDUqBaIv76DfPQEF5JTh_hJ6utvWhIhg4GlLX1kp_uxqd-_8CIyoV7gyMClNsDB5KPUsFuo9HIQwsgafoDQmHjxqnXV94jcY4bbMg6TrM0XOloqwitT-ldZynqssvH4b4KNvBHlQb46tCOpT6_BMvkhwO_LYhWtchyxfwIQ4gU9yJUbyUDI/s4655/P1080005b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="4655" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m3WRyNnjQDUqBaIv76DfPQEF5JTh_hJ6utvWhIhg4GlLX1kp_uxqd-_8CIyoV7gyMClNsDB5KPUsFuo9HIQwsgafoDQmHjxqnXV94jcY4bbMg6TrM0XOloqwitT-ldZynqssvH4b4KNvBHlQb46tCOpT6_BMvkhwO_LYhWtchyxfwIQ4gU9yJUbyUDI/w640-h204/P1080005b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The SU-100 quickly proved itself to be able to penetrate around 125 mm (4.9 in) of vertical armour from a range of 2,000 m (1.2 mi) and the sloped 80 mm (3.1 in) front armour of the German Panther from 1,500 m (0.93 mi) (with APCBC round).</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqZ4-O6Z_j17o9Otumt36yjvrtXR0uK5RmcvtHPTKsSD_eLjVw2m9rwM4Z73EG8m1_ZPYkNw8pnSfiTAK50iSshDE3Ll9ieMhPtwEXufIPrqZqrdkMsI5arvdWz5Mk7-QqhO3zvFWGAwdxhhH04uzyaKiiNBknJz-VxRZO5IH1PKfVouMWhIMw2IKJEU/s4896/P1080007a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3188" data-original-width="4896" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqZ4-O6Z_j17o9Otumt36yjvrtXR0uK5RmcvtHPTKsSD_eLjVw2m9rwM4Z73EG8m1_ZPYkNw8pnSfiTAK50iSshDE3Ll9ieMhPtwEXufIPrqZqrdkMsI5arvdWz5Mk7-QqhO3zvFWGAwdxhhH04uzyaKiiNBknJz-VxRZO5IH1PKfVouMWhIMw2IKJEU/w640-h416/P1080007a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The SU-100 especially saw extensive service during the last year of the war. It was used en masse in Hungary in March 1945, when Soviet forces defeated the German Operation Frühlingserwachen offensive at Lake Balaton. And although not intended for it, the SU-100 was also used in the Battle of Berlin because its gun could deal with heavy fortifications. However, its lack of a machine gun made it need aircraft and infantry support. By July 1945, 2,335 SU-100s had been built.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmFa8HR4Xv28PEtRpZCU4qpgbxq6PqKmeppGu_n3YEhyphenhyphenOQKFRQhtpIhI8pGcKphLIhSc2Cf9wXJ3T5f7n4-u_1f1i6jtjDx1r79FV-W3bnEmpPItYb3-ZRWpkfOzyJfqUmTxetYSZY0gKLKMG6mOyklrTg3a1MaY3yb_o87xoxREk_PfjXCQPDlDgNhI/s4896/P1080008a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmFa8HR4Xv28PEtRpZCU4qpgbxq6PqKmeppGu_n3YEhyphenhyphenOQKFRQhtpIhI8pGcKphLIhSc2Cf9wXJ3T5f7n4-u_1f1i6jtjDx1r79FV-W3bnEmpPItYb3-ZRWpkfOzyJfqUmTxetYSZY0gKLKMG6mOyklrTg3a1MaY3yb_o87xoxREk_PfjXCQPDlDgNhI/w640-h480/P1080008a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian T-70 Light Tank </span></b></b></div>The T-70 is a light tank used by the Red Army during World War II, replacing both the T-60 scout tank for reconnaissance and the T-50 light infantry tank for infantry support. The T-80 light tank was a more advanced version of the T-70 with a two-man turret—it was produced only in very small numbers when light tank production was abandoned. The T-90 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was a prototype vehicle with twin machine guns, based on the T-70 chassis.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWHKIKowtzoZwN6OkGDqlA4xUh5YxLtB5MJZhqGsxqZLclEGEerokRpgMznCSxpXbpqPkntSNQrLHnY9_EwPbcDWhYNQlaTvYP_Xz9f5QBVdK45OaHshi7_TJFWUqXIKXQMtmWPU8NG3mgFghGZ5KahQohMhrcIwQoWn1Vy755Bz_m7lyx2ts1rvAlWU/s4896/P1080009a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3395" data-original-width="4896" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWHKIKowtzoZwN6OkGDqlA4xUh5YxLtB5MJZhqGsxqZLclEGEerokRpgMznCSxpXbpqPkntSNQrLHnY9_EwPbcDWhYNQlaTvYP_Xz9f5QBVdK45OaHshi7_TJFWUqXIKXQMtmWPU8NG3mgFghGZ5KahQohMhrcIwQoWn1Vy755Bz_m7lyx2ts1rvAlWU/w640-h444/P1080009a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The T-70 was armed with a 45-mm L/46 gun Model 38 with forty-five rounds carried, and a coaxial 7.62-mm DT machine gun. The tank was operated by a driver and a commander who loaded and fired the gun. Armour thickness on the turret front was 60 mm, turret sides and rear: 35 mm, hull front and sides: 45 mm, roof and bottom: 10 mm.</div><div><br /></div>On 6 July 1943, a T-70 commanded by Lieutenant B. V. Pavlovich of the 49th Guards Tank Brigade destroyed four German tanks (three medium tanks and one Panther) near the village of Pokrovka.<br /><br />On 26 March 1944, Sergeant Alexander Pegov of the 3rd Guards tank army, commanding a single T-70, saw a column of approximately 18 German tanks approaching. He took an ambush position hidden by foliage and then he waited. After a German PzKpfw V “Panther” tank came within 150 to 200 metres (160 to 220 yd), the T-70 suddenly opened fire with APCR ammunition and set fire to one Panther and immobilized another. The knocked-out Panthers blocked the road while the T-70 retreated. Pegov was promoted to a lieutenant and decorated as a Hero of the Soviet Union.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFPPpzLpKgGNUnHaYDPmCrFvqz9-mAGlOMppzbnfDdpR7VQ3K_JxJ8bbDQ8E5LOQesrkzYyCMSSVBQVZiF8Co9Nfkc-uRume-yJ7Dn0iw_mCVSiesEl4RdwTvXlWddJYZuw8kmNGYm-k8i1h6X_oAiEOwhu3je_PTmRhUy4uEgS0BPnO7toHlPyDEt9E/s3500/%C5%BBo%C5%82nierz_niemiecki_przy_zdobytym_przez_siebie_czo%C5%82gu_radzieckim_(2-1623).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2456" data-original-width="3500" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFPPpzLpKgGNUnHaYDPmCrFvqz9-mAGlOMppzbnfDdpR7VQ3K_JxJ8bbDQ8E5LOQesrkzYyCMSSVBQVZiF8Co9Nfkc-uRume-yJ7Dn0iw_mCVSiesEl4RdwTvXlWddJYZuw8kmNGYm-k8i1h6X_oAiEOwhu3je_PTmRhUy4uEgS0BPnO7toHlPyDEt9E/w640-h450/%C5%BBo%C5%82nierz_niemiecki_przy_zdobytym_przez_siebie_czo%C5%82gu_radzieckim_(2-1623).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A T-70 light tank captured by German forces, April 1943.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian T-60 Light Tank</span></b></b></div>The T-60 scout tank was a light tank produced by the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1942. During this period, 6,292 units were built. The tank was designed to replace the obsolete T-38 amphibious scout tank and saw action during World War II.<br /><br />The Kingdom of Romania used the T-60 chassis to build some locally-designed tank destroyers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKhxirLdFwuvNuQ0HKBQaPJzl2QxuqTB-uYbDNXRVFvPeLfEqbzx7qWA1FXbm02DZOM5rlvehj_rMw9bOgv_Jjfmhyphenhyphendy9B4hr804g8qN6s4Bn23bnGxJoL_M7Kehntm5f6_NCmU1Qn12lbMfvbS8LY9dTayKkK4CBnPZ2ruD3ak0aTTS8Ocb5CepGMvk/s4896/P1080011a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKhxirLdFwuvNuQ0HKBQaPJzl2QxuqTB-uYbDNXRVFvPeLfEqbzx7qWA1FXbm02DZOM5rlvehj_rMw9bOgv_Jjfmhyphenhyphendy9B4hr804g8qN6s4Bn23bnGxJoL_M7Kehntm5f6_NCmU1Qn12lbMfvbS8LY9dTayKkK4CBnPZ2ruD3ak0aTTS8Ocb5CepGMvk/w640-h480/P1080011a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Development of the T-60 began in the first days of the German invasion. The new tank was to be a stopgap measure to restock the heavy losses suffered by the tank corps while production lines of the heavier tanks like the T-34 or the KV-1 could not provide tanks of desired reliability in desired quantities. Unlike its heavier siblings, the T-60 was designed to be produced on factories that did not have the machinery for dedicated tank production, such as the GAZ truck plant in Gorky, or the shipbuilding factory №264 in Stalingrad.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvWnJZmej_weyMZT7P6dpOhCHBJAsTk2kQi3wKD0DC9Fs91oAQqhvX4e81XX-0gHZtDCtfZvB92VNstIke9rhRFtykKE6UDxJCq4s_Yyi9Exh52f-lm92k96NI0qtwsMsyXL87B93I4P46Qv2rhOt4mBqCFz2tM0SxOVG9ZGyD6vlYQgNYGVvyL9BV0k/s640/t60factory264s11-3db96191bc5d251065de1b6dbaea15b7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvWnJZmej_weyMZT7P6dpOhCHBJAsTk2kQi3wKD0DC9Fs91oAQqhvX4e81XX-0gHZtDCtfZvB92VNstIke9rhRFtykKE6UDxJCq4s_Yyi9Exh52f-lm92k96NI0qtwsMsyXL87B93I4P46Qv2rhOt4mBqCFz2tM0SxOVG9ZGyD6vlYQgNYGVvyL9BV0k/w640-h480/t60factory264s11-3db96191bc5d251065de1b6dbaea15b7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-60 from the 3rd Guards Tank Brigade. A typical late production tank with an octagonal turret hatch and driver's hatch with an angular air intake.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The tank was originally meant to be armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun like the T-40, but on the People's Commissar for Tank Industry Vyacheslav Malyshev's suggestion, it was up-armed by an automatic 20 mm TNSh cannon, a tank version of the ShVAK used on Soviet aircraft, since the weapon was in production in massive quantities easily to rival those of the DShK. Using an aircraft weapon on a ground vehicle presented multiple problems: the cannon easily succumbed to dust and could only penetrate 15 mm of perpendicular armour at 500 m, which proved inadequate against the newer up-armoured German tank designs, thus firmly relegating the T-60 to infantry support role.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian T-26 Model 1931 Twin Turret Light Tank </span></b></b></div><div>The T-26 series of tanks were a development of the British Vickers 6-Ton Tank and one of the most successful tank designs of the 1930's until its light armour became vulnerable to newer anti-tank guns.</div><br /></div><div>Though nearly obsolete by the beginning of WWII, the T-26 was the most numerous tank in the Red Army's armoured force during the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ciqX9kFa9wCvwqbCXn_ne1B31tIOw9s1Ae0G4FrwncWPOtpV9RPSp55Vysq1palEz273LI_O1TA0o7fN66J6obkRWVOmokaXmCwCLMtk4p0UxgkxtDUW_nGYan6Wzb8mV1vyH3mknU9QDTq8f7cKP4KwoG6KZNGdutCh4jutpoMRZLvev1lrC6e7FaQ/s4896/P1080013a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3395" data-original-width="4896" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ciqX9kFa9wCvwqbCXn_ne1B31tIOw9s1Ae0G4FrwncWPOtpV9RPSp55Vysq1palEz273LI_O1TA0o7fN66J6obkRWVOmokaXmCwCLMtk4p0UxgkxtDUW_nGYan6Wzb8mV1vyH3mknU9QDTq8f7cKP4KwoG6KZNGdutCh4jutpoMRZLvev1lrC6e7FaQ/w640-h444/P1080013a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>T-26 model 1931, twin-turreted version armed with two DT tank machine guns. The first series-produced variant of the T-26 that was equipped with turrets differing from the initial Vickers design (Soviet turrets were higher and had an observation window). </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPi-_Mf3BJu0DOBmY5k3j0FPaVkmjdTF6kYflOvNfsHLjJjamz0dD_RHanH6sFnhDoTQGKSxXl7ceTd8LZXyIVGTKEmhBbqFze4Ao9Vum_Fn6IAHqdOMCGuM6VJ7VbUyGPR9F35fxE8YNYciTjXULnW1QTHkYjwp_DfjE-ASNZeT8-HrCdkuHL0848Pk/s1000/T_26M31_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1000" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPi-_Mf3BJu0DOBmY5k3j0FPaVkmjdTF6kYflOvNfsHLjJjamz0dD_RHanH6sFnhDoTQGKSxXl7ceTd8LZXyIVGTKEmhBbqFze4Ao9Vum_Fn6IAHqdOMCGuM6VJ7VbUyGPR9F35fxE8YNYciTjXULnW1QTHkYjwp_DfjE-ASNZeT8-HrCdkuHL0848Pk/w640-h478/T_26M31_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin-turret T-26 (with machine-gun armament) crossing a river during combat training of the Moscow Military District forces, 1936. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Tanks produced from 1931 to March 1932 had a riveted hull and turrets, a silencer affixed with two clamps, and lacked any cover over the air outlet window. </div><div><br /></div><div>About 1,177 T-26 mod. 1931 tanks armed with machine guns were accepted by the Red Army, which had 1,015 such twin-turreted tanks on 1 April 1933.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVvzOy4RROZisEzZsDn9hJoPpouEhNwzw-DWFAFVhTC9AznM2919L5okdcLf6FQtLY47bO6tJ3xuqhTrQwb9a-OhmykYNO8x-JjOh5YleekCJZSFh31XkrU0SWctTzh2KkgtXPOY0Z7w5dsAM-dShlqSt2Mt49CsbbQtQRrH-x7a60q6hx6A32lKHhe0/s4896/P1080015a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVvzOy4RROZisEzZsDn9hJoPpouEhNwzw-DWFAFVhTC9AznM2919L5okdcLf6FQtLY47bO6tJ3xuqhTrQwb9a-OhmykYNO8x-JjOh5YleekCJZSFh31XkrU0SWctTzh2KkgtXPOY0Z7w5dsAM-dShlqSt2Mt49CsbbQtQRrH-x7a60q6hx6A32lKHhe0/w640-h480/P1080015a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The T-26 fought the Germans and their allies during the Battle of Moscow in 1941-2, the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of the Caucuses in 1942-3 and some tank units of the Leningrad Front used their T26's until 1944.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Soviet T-26's fought their last actions in August 1945, during the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAEI-cYHxyj_Q7O_ANTq0cXfVNqNclLjnP9F67Swvm8zGGi0fswkfouW_O-wcSQkLQZA0cBeQaMJ11uNALQstMgabqpG4B-2ldt8_G9CXDsRYE0HGeWFMoSdF4LzCQzUfMYI0k6IZoCQQs6_s923HYt-AHmb0GxUZtacla-RNUvIDhx704XSln9QCvIY/s4896/P1080016a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAEI-cYHxyj_Q7O_ANTq0cXfVNqNclLjnP9F67Swvm8zGGi0fswkfouW_O-wcSQkLQZA0cBeQaMJ11uNALQstMgabqpG4B-2ldt8_G9CXDsRYE0HGeWFMoSdF4LzCQzUfMYI0k6IZoCQQs6_s923HYt-AHmb0GxUZtacla-RNUvIDhx704XSln9QCvIY/w640-h480/P1080016a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian T-26 Model 1933 Light Tank </span></b></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The most significant change in the T-26 1933 model was the transition from a twin turret armed with machine guns, to a newly designed single turret armed with a Model 1932 (20-K) 45mm anti-tank gun which was used in a variety of Soviet Tanks and fired the same ammunition as the infantry anti-tank version.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud1iMgtkXuNzGp1V9HpxkmWIyXhsZ5lZdiLxB-OsuMNRcuB2CXXVm24sKAkkQtvnaXA4VfmH8Omp_nbxQyGP1hI_x4M8LkG4LZTY6Qj-NWkYFcpJg20DtFS728hePOK0FLqeTS793GoUtnHkwxyWUHdDeEX_tqk7gidh_JN_3qB1ml32eI-UHuxOg8pQ/s4896/P1080017a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud1iMgtkXuNzGp1V9HpxkmWIyXhsZ5lZdiLxB-OsuMNRcuB2CXXVm24sKAkkQtvnaXA4VfmH8Omp_nbxQyGP1hI_x4M8LkG4LZTY6Qj-NWkYFcpJg20DtFS728hePOK0FLqeTS793GoUtnHkwxyWUHdDeEX_tqk7gidh_JN_3qB1ml32eI-UHuxOg8pQ/w640-h480/P1080017a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The new turret also incorporated a bustle on the rear to accommodate a 71-TK-1 tank radio, additional storage, and a ventilation fan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This vehicle was acquired from Spain and during the restoration work, evidence of German army tactical markings were found indicating that the vehicle had been captured and used by the Germans during WWII, and those markings are replicated here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TTCcpVhDKbFk48su_LluO-yweaaU-md7XlxP0QHY269tIWyuQw2nF7i8nePw44aYqeiReTJkmJ5EvCRnwVVs8OSMTtKJ6lTw4FO_NBYIqLCjBfPR5Q44qAv_1pG1k8qOZ3WUCbkMuPo5RU-6SfPLrhJUhA6bwHlfwioYMTJrzCD2B20UVLsn2b7sah0/s4896/P1080018a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TTCcpVhDKbFk48su_LluO-yweaaU-md7XlxP0QHY269tIWyuQw2nF7i8nePw44aYqeiReTJkmJ5EvCRnwVVs8OSMTtKJ6lTw4FO_NBYIqLCjBfPR5Q44qAv_1pG1k8qOZ3WUCbkMuPo5RU-6SfPLrhJUhA6bwHlfwioYMTJrzCD2B20UVLsn2b7sah0/w640-h480/P1080018a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian SU-76M Self Propelled Gun</span></b></b></div>The SU-76 (Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 76) was a Soviet light self-propelled gun used during and after World War II. The SU-76 was based on a lengthened version of the T-70 light tank chassis and armed with the ZIS-3 mod. 1942 76-mm divisional field gun. Developed under the leadership of chief designer S.A. Ginzburg (1900–1943). Its quite simple construction and multipurpose combat role made it the second most produced Soviet armoured fighting vehicle of World War II, after the T-34 medium tank.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4-17y-eIs1SiId5ccBB4QI1ousXwOa2JTnNBSX4qTOqNtDYyPCOjAfS5wlx0SHQsPKB5aKLaWJ2sqs-4NWprAmYdTvA-52a_wdmGpqrZZCaQc3M-ku8HqSgssdZIyqCqbSG9YrftgRkY0Seru88yinpMzYlOmvMKw5_7kzhz3RzBXJbH3WopPfMWkw4/s4896/P1080020a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="4896" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4-17y-eIs1SiId5ccBB4QI1ousXwOa2JTnNBSX4qTOqNtDYyPCOjAfS5wlx0SHQsPKB5aKLaWJ2sqs-4NWprAmYdTvA-52a_wdmGpqrZZCaQc3M-ku8HqSgssdZIyqCqbSG9YrftgRkY0Seru88yinpMzYlOmvMKw5_7kzhz3RzBXJbH3WopPfMWkw4/w640-h392/P1080020a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The SU-76M virtually replaced light tanks in the close support role. While its thin armour and open top made it vulnerable to anti-tank weapons and grenades, its light weight and low ground pressure gave it good manoeuvrability and low noise on the move. SU-76M was a reliable vehicle (the GAZ-203 engine unit confidently worked out not less than 350 hours without serious breakdowns). But the main advantage of light SPGs was their wide versatility.<br /><br />According to table of organization and equipment of 1943, each light self-propelled gun regiment was equipped with 21 SU-76M, there were 119 such regiments in the Red Army by the end of World War II. In the end of 1944 and the beginning of 1945, 70 self-propelled gun divisions (16 SU-76M in each) were formed to be included into rifle divisions. Also 4 light self-propelled gun brigades of the Reserve of the Supreme High Command (60 SU-76M SPGs, 5 T-70 light tanks and 3 US M3A1 Scout Car armoured personnel carriers in each) were formed, starting from the first half of 1944.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwaUaM-g_WS-JyTxxZmjNZ3Pm_CMRA6SiCijrNsFZ_4NvTInVXL4rugDLH6TB0pf-oMkrOUe_Endu5bxf14VOaQXRhHvxbIRhjazzDz836BUsjOXkKqija5oMMhCKtrmIL75Q-VhDf_0zaW9sEfxFnQOyGCnX7_KE9kYIhi7H_bZm_LFSp-dBRUcS7tI/s4896/P1080022a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwaUaM-g_WS-JyTxxZmjNZ3Pm_CMRA6SiCijrNsFZ_4NvTInVXL4rugDLH6TB0pf-oMkrOUe_Endu5bxf14VOaQXRhHvxbIRhjazzDz836BUsjOXkKqija5oMMhCKtrmIL75Q-VhDf_0zaW9sEfxFnQOyGCnX7_KE9kYIhi7H_bZm_LFSp-dBRUcS7tI/w640-h480/P1080022a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The SU-76M was a multipurpose SPG and combined three main battlefield roles: light assault gun for infantry support, mobile anti-tank weapon and mobile gun for indirect fire. With all these tasks, light SPGs successfully coped. The SU-76M had a large number of ammunition types. They included armour-piercing (usual, with ballistic nose and subcalibre hyper-velocity), hollow charge, high explosive, fragmentation, shrapnel and incendiary projectiles. This made the SU-76M an excellent multi-purpose light armoured fighting vehicle.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XbQ7yQ92SzqvQwoJ-ZEygCHTuPvMIuAaQSje8QuLSxJIeADvA6Zqlf3nXnKAyb4jz5OumgQWpY9LfbZRLu-N-x_Wku991TlZFe92RzGHbEHuW7UE8jJmaoDaXBkQmOrqWx8KKsawlI1LdAbWJEKbSnfo8rm6cdqgMJjQSPkrQqEVkGcFbavJklaDvTs/s4896/P1080023a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XbQ7yQ92SzqvQwoJ-ZEygCHTuPvMIuAaQSje8QuLSxJIeADvA6Zqlf3nXnKAyb4jz5OumgQWpY9LfbZRLu-N-x_Wku991TlZFe92RzGHbEHuW7UE8jJmaoDaXBkQmOrqWx8KKsawlI1LdAbWJEKbSnfo8rm6cdqgMJjQSPkrQqEVkGcFbavJklaDvTs/w640-h480/P1080023a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>As a light assault gun, the SU-76M was well-regarded by Soviet infantrymen (in contrast with their own crews). It had more powerful gun than any previous light tank for close support of infantry in defence and offensive, and communication between infantry and the SU-76M crew was simple due to the partially open fighting compartment. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VfjLh6iqMD-izn04PWRBNOYou2NOk4mle-Ds5C6JlEcTww8sS0nPz-Pm688KeTn3cnH7gZYtdO26VBqoVKfuUFJNKkrIcShvPhhgidUEgs-Dtdvpc5951yr0JbjQpbH0GPxMaiigA_63f6p4utnAjYpSfL_iSUHWo0LVgbPT_EPZpZECjq02on6cbls/s1536/01756%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1536" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VfjLh6iqMD-izn04PWRBNOYou2NOk4mle-Ds5C6JlEcTww8sS0nPz-Pm688KeTn3cnH7gZYtdO26VBqoVKfuUFJNKkrIcShvPhhgidUEgs-Dtdvpc5951yr0JbjQpbH0GPxMaiigA_63f6p4utnAjYpSfL_iSUHWo0LVgbPT_EPZpZECjq02on6cbls/w640-h440/01756%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soviet SU-76M light self-propelled in the city battle in the Battle for Berlin<span face=""Work Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>This was extremely useful in urban combats like the Battle of Berlin where good teamwork between infantry and AFVs was a key to success.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOMDOnao30i5VAyUYomLkLB8-qWakNNjPrSGM9uW4dCz2fQqsOj99Hw1E7MHvF9EoR2oIjPG5HV-XYv9SGH8ulG_rOOBTwvTUBh3gzOruFySCts0QoaAy5vMIJBQ5A7NZY7SrnC8r6vut5wFhdi4U7GdiDtTrwVG3rIlDpHG4sS87D_xywkA5N1vBQMM/s4896/P1080025a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOMDOnao30i5VAyUYomLkLB8-qWakNNjPrSGM9uW4dCz2fQqsOj99Hw1E7MHvF9EoR2oIjPG5HV-XYv9SGH8ulG_rOOBTwvTUBh3gzOruFySCts0QoaAy5vMIJBQ5A7NZY7SrnC8r6vut5wFhdi4U7GdiDtTrwVG3rIlDpHG4sS87D_xywkA5N1vBQMM/w640-h480/P1080025a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The SU-76M was effective against any medium or light German tank. It could also knock out the Panther tank with a flank shot, but the ZIS-3 gun was not effective against Tiger tanks. Soviet manuals for SU-76M crews usually instructed the gunner to aim for the tracks or gun barrels when facing Tigers. </div><div><br /></div><div>To improve the SU-76M's anti-armour capabilities, armour-piercing composite rigid (APCR) and hollow charge projectiles were introduced. This gave the SU-76M a better chance against heavily armoured German vehicles. A low profile, a low noise signature and good mobility were other advantages of the SU-76M. This was ideal for organizing ambushes and sudden flank or rear strikes in close combat, where the ZIS-3 gun was sufficient against most German armoured fighting vehicles.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILuscU_cCrty42zU9ktELcknN7NL_W0ki9_QNMdtBUf6IinUNhI1qJjQZMeO4QkEx7kgDT-oT8N2MUmSzA5JYbfbNs2bR1YjlXHJEgvfxQlTnHmOjXs_06gfcMsC8Ay4nkZx24A-nbLof1HE0_vlzTaWBlbkE9oM9sVMDSzsm7Ha2RRFUs1UkhM8VmhU/s4896/P1080026a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILuscU_cCrty42zU9ktELcknN7NL_W0ki9_QNMdtBUf6IinUNhI1qJjQZMeO4QkEx7kgDT-oT8N2MUmSzA5JYbfbNs2bR1YjlXHJEgvfxQlTnHmOjXs_06gfcMsC8Ay4nkZx24A-nbLof1HE0_vlzTaWBlbkE9oM9sVMDSzsm7Ha2RRFUs1UkhM8VmhU/w640-h480/P1080026a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian ISU-152 Self Propelled Gun</span></b><b style="font-size: medium;"> </b></b></div>The ISU-152 is a Soviet self-propelled gun developed and used during World War II. It was unofficially nicknamed Zveroboy "beast killer" in response to several large German tanks and guns coming into service, including Tigers and Panthers. Since the ISU-152's gun was mounted in a casemate, aiming it was awkward, and had to be done by repositioning the entire vehicle using the tracks. Therefore, it was used as mobile artillery to support more mobile infantry and armour attacks.</div><div><br /></div>Between December 1943 and May 1945, 1,885 ISU-152s were built. Mass production ceased in 1947, with 3,242 vehicles produced in total.<div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILty7RL8QBI24eoTlaVPXnCnJVyedrCCBjT8NDKmRtftWUE24x1fZWth-qLT0LTYGvNNdx6KzprpHfYin0nQIQMvvvWRtutQozLPdUCoZNLDKXcALC7HLUQtS0Um_LwjtUkFFUZ88npVOSWOfLhy4EYViPLZ5cCOL24ALNaLPI4hLmNxw6faCCHhxVWs/s4896/P1080027a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="4896" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILty7RL8QBI24eoTlaVPXnCnJVyedrCCBjT8NDKmRtftWUE24x1fZWth-qLT0LTYGvNNdx6KzprpHfYin0nQIQMvvvWRtutQozLPdUCoZNLDKXcALC7HLUQtS0Um_LwjtUkFFUZ88npVOSWOfLhy4EYViPLZ5cCOL24ALNaLPI4hLmNxw6faCCHhxVWs/w640-h334/P1080027a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The ISU-152 self-propelled gun combined three battle roles: heavy assault gun, heavy tank destroyer and heavy self-propelled artillery. The 152.4 mm gun used a number of powerful (shell and charge) ammunition. Some of these ammunition had a 43.56 kg high-explosive shell, or a 48.78 kg armour-piercing shell, or the heaviest of all, the 53-G-545 (53-Г-545) long-range concrete-piercing ammunition with a 56 kg shell. </div><div><br /></div><div>The ISU-152 was used for infantry and tank support in attacking fortified enemy positions in a direct-fire role, for artillery support on the battlefield in an indirect-fire role and for engagement against armoured vehicles in a direct-fire role.</div><div><br /></div><div>This example was acquired from Bulgaria.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIvdNn-68SuJaUKpwdzGvxwdoqqlx7gO3CcNAIMjZ3A3JbzEtys-WxcVNQsRziAlLYmlOAubK6YKlxCktSUC3WUEvWGF5z4NXTnCXz3CGbcmfUDyNFkSa84dEOVczFj35waBr_Hf2j94CuYvThA23ZMDMspUGH5_j5pIxngfas5UhtSVqJI6hFOGSd90/s4896/P1080028a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIvdNn-68SuJaUKpwdzGvxwdoqqlx7gO3CcNAIMjZ3A3JbzEtys-WxcVNQsRziAlLYmlOAubK6YKlxCktSUC3WUEvWGF5z4NXTnCXz3CGbcmfUDyNFkSa84dEOVczFj35waBr_Hf2j94CuYvThA23ZMDMspUGH5_j5pIxngfas5UhtSVqJI6hFOGSd90/w640-h480/P1080028a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian Kharkiv Model V-2-34 Diesel Engine</span></b><b style="font-size: medium;"> </b></b><div>The <span><span>Kharkiv Model V-2 was a Soviet diesel tank V12 engine designed at the Kharkiv Locomotive Factory and initially used to power the T-34 and KV tanks, but would also be used in the BT-7M, SU-85, SU-100, ISU-122 and ISU-152 Self Propelled Guns.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The power output of these engines ranged from 450-700hp but with gradual improvement later versions developed up to 1,200hp.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt-Zv3NLbQrKKFv8kygRjmCNwcmD_b2INS8nzFY_zLgU_kTmAtWUnRbamc5AZdzwQtgdf8CKquUSfJh-RTNrXuK9c6aTg0m0xFPS-syTCB9umWyphMNSnFOd8UDCnepsAq3KkEGwwehFz0KEuJTAl7XtYjxAK2fSTa2i7-tKs2LH_TaAUxtQS1LTYfPw/s4896/P1080030a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="4896" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt-Zv3NLbQrKKFv8kygRjmCNwcmD_b2INS8nzFY_zLgU_kTmAtWUnRbamc5AZdzwQtgdf8CKquUSfJh-RTNrXuK9c6aTg0m0xFPS-syTCB9umWyphMNSnFOd8UDCnepsAq3KkEGwwehFz0KEuJTAl7XtYjxAK2fSTa2i7-tKs2LH_TaAUxtQS1LTYfPw/w640-h378/P1080030a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian T-34/85 Medium Tank </span></b></b></div>First deployed in 1940, the T-34 was a Soviet medium tank which had a profound and permanent effect on the fields of tank tactics and design, possessing as it did at the time of its introduction the best combination and balance of firepower, mobility, protection and ruggedness of any tank, although its initial battlefield effectiveness suffered from the unsatisfactory ergonomic layout of its crew compartment, scarcity of radios, poor optics and poor tactical employment.</div><div><br /></div>The T-34 had well-sloped armour, a relatively powerful engine and wide tracks. The initial T-34 version had a powerful 76.2 mm gun, and is often called the T-34/76 (originally a World War II German designation, never used by the Red Army). In 1944, a second major version began production, the T-34-85, with a larger 85 mm gun intended to deal with newer German tanks.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF1CSOSiEZBm5P7GaMdxn3pkmOtktAzPcLCLgLZUHLNfBH0WfNsdVZglhOmAjO-Q2ePtvPfQrDGXhXSDttFXqGNMAFOhEImT8f6vLup3pIzg38zyk-dyWGf0AgPVqE2YyvMXjnApjkDRTCXo2VtD9sLFfu7mPe_DBRKhrs-17uuws1GwwWAfGLlslkxE/s4496/P1080033a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3111" data-original-width="4496" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF1CSOSiEZBm5P7GaMdxn3pkmOtktAzPcLCLgLZUHLNfBH0WfNsdVZglhOmAjO-Q2ePtvPfQrDGXhXSDttFXqGNMAFOhEImT8f6vLup3pIzg38zyk-dyWGf0AgPVqE2YyvMXjnApjkDRTCXo2VtD9sLFfu7mPe_DBRKhrs-17uuws1GwwWAfGLlslkxE/w640-h442/P1080033a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Production of the T-34-85 began in January 1944 at Factory No. 112, first using the D-5T 85 mm gun, however in parallel with this, the factory also started production of the T-34-85 using the S-53 gun (later to be modified and redesignated as the ZIS-S-53 gun) began in February 1944 and it would be this improved T-34-85 that became the standard Soviet medium tank, with an uninterrupted production run until the end of the war. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpZq9naLbaCCbyHK9rCuL9Wl_RoNlYgMrk5j4slzs78lZwURn6fXD89AwEKTrnDXWpVci8wSwy5v74nGO-ntl-w-CIjOJpoZOLbJmfaxb8P3pSzfjDBoJJNJfppv92G1ZCZ-ZKVJv7BAQjPsx_-bV5s0gVhyphenhyphenztpp32fkncXVLjdYLAkbu-TEt1-bABAU/s4653/P1080037a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="4653" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpZq9naLbaCCbyHK9rCuL9Wl_RoNlYgMrk5j4slzs78lZwURn6fXD89AwEKTrnDXWpVci8wSwy5v74nGO-ntl-w-CIjOJpoZOLbJmfaxb8P3pSzfjDBoJJNJfppv92G1ZCZ-ZKVJv7BAQjPsx_-bV5s0gVhyphenhyphenztpp32fkncXVLjdYLAkbu-TEt1-bABAU/w640-h392/P1080037a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The T-34-85 gave the Red Army a tank with better armour and mobility than the German Panzer IV tank and StuG III assault gun. While it could not match the armour or weapons of the heavier Panther and Tiger tanks, its improved firepower made it much more effective than earlier models, and overall it was more cost-effective than the heaviest German tanks. </div><div><br /></div><div>In comparison with the T-34-85 program, the Germans instead chose an upgrade path based on the introduction of completely new, expensive, heavier, and more complex tanks, greatly slowing the growth of their tank production and helping the Soviets to maintain a substantial numerical superiority in tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>By May 1944, T-34-85 production had reached 1,200 tanks per month. In the entire war, production figures for all Panther types reached no more than 6,557, and for all Tiger types (including the Tiger I and Tiger II) 2,027. Production figures for the T-34-85 alone reached 22,559.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooISiw33gxm-tmmUFdq2Gn392i4SBFIWiRul9_9rdx0OpBKgd7awlXltB1hu630yyuPqgJJ3nIiM-UtS_f9giHTyLeq_328OOY1Lb5DEvFtbp5PtcoxlzSIH3__baCIZm4dLGvAA8frocOdEExxstXTMVlSPO-ACvh_gJm-sHwxOBfHgbO_B3aJPHTNI/s4896/P1080034a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooISiw33gxm-tmmUFdq2Gn392i4SBFIWiRul9_9rdx0OpBKgd7awlXltB1hu630yyuPqgJJ3nIiM-UtS_f9giHTyLeq_328OOY1Lb5DEvFtbp5PtcoxlzSIH3__baCIZm4dLGvAA8frocOdEExxstXTMVlSPO-ACvh_gJm-sHwxOBfHgbO_B3aJPHTNI/w640-h480/P1080034a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On 12 January 1945, a column of Tiger IIs and other tanks from 424th Heavy Panzer Battalion were involved in a short-range engagement with T-34-85 tanks near the village of Lisow. Forty T-34-85 tanks commanded by Colonel N. Zhukov were attacked by the 424th Heavy Panzer battalion, which had been reinforced by 13 Panthers. The Germans permanently lost five Tiger IIs, seven Tiger Is and five Panthers for the loss of four T-34-85 tanks burnt out.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sQWe-Kv2zIyFiSbKNKlmiIqwfL_dFKBtJRR_omk8k4A7j1k0P_gD2o4bwAB4YoWspl8ztu074vIGwpplb6JDoA0Q6fkNkjprzvD0UoDTz9ZyLXFfMuk-Pf2CE95M6a62bbn1BABqO3o-S3hoXd-SsDdM2TxNqCvRY6X1B0RBWxvdghIgK8FqH_z4mpQ/s4896/P1080038a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sQWe-Kv2zIyFiSbKNKlmiIqwfL_dFKBtJRR_omk8k4A7j1k0P_gD2o4bwAB4YoWspl8ztu074vIGwpplb6JDoA0Q6fkNkjprzvD0UoDTz9ZyLXFfMuk-Pf2CE95M6a62bbn1BABqO3o-S3hoXd-SsDdM2TxNqCvRY6X1B0RBWxvdghIgK8FqH_z4mpQ/w640-h480/P1080038a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Mariya Vasilyevna Oktyabrskaya 16 August 1905 – 15 March 1944) was a Soviet Ukrainian tank driver and mechanic who fought on the Eastern Front against Nazi Germany during World War II. After her husband was killed fighting in 1941, Oktyabrskaya sold her possessions to donate a tank for the war effort, and requested that she be allowed to drive it. She received and was trained to drive and fix a T-34 medium tank, which she named "Fighting Girlfriend".</div><div><br /></div><div>Oktyabrskaya proved her ability and bravery in battle, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After she died of wounds from battle in 1944, she was posthumously made a Hero of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union's highest honour for bravery during combat. She was the first female tank driver to be awarded the title.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_ssuYypjKXMxwWJK4hVt5E43yKNUoItS0UuUdTAQHyBlrPERDwcpRmq9B9yeZD1CLkMbDKrtvWQLQVnvzijxXUiIk6XSL7H-qID5FvLX2AD136L4tHKXDBqHWlajc04Vqity_gRLeyEqaRKsVETk3REX9Tfe0L5pruQwb4V_eHhv_KqWQaPX6vXMAmQ/s4896/P1080035a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_ssuYypjKXMxwWJK4hVt5E43yKNUoItS0UuUdTAQHyBlrPERDwcpRmq9B9yeZD1CLkMbDKrtvWQLQVnvzijxXUiIk6XSL7H-qID5FvLX2AD136L4tHKXDBqHWlajc04Vqity_gRLeyEqaRKsVETk3REX9Tfe0L5pruQwb4V_eHhv_KqWQaPX6vXMAmQ/w640-h480/P1080035a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 76mm (Zis-3) & 85mm (D-44) Divisional Field Guns</span></b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the initiative of Chief Artillery Designer Vasiliy Gavrilovich Grabin and without state approval, not exactly a common or often rewarded attribute in the Soviet Union, Artillery Factory No. 92 began designing the ZiS-3 at the end of 1940. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ZiS-3 combined the light carriage from the 57 mm ZiS-2 anti-tank gun and the powerful 76.2 mm barrel from the F-22USV, the previous divisional field gun, together with an addition of a muzzle brake that reduced recoil and prevented damage to the light carriage when firing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUvjNh2dWfpoX_9Pf4ycEkgN_7hywwBygyAplkWD7vCDw6yOWqWPyA735v0zdI0Kc5yDv8-bvMk9jeW5G3nXAqnNIQC29iMkqSLAoOZTmf1QeplxXWuRrLMMedlzKfgpjkJnIGhbENTafin-mT1Tix4-yEXu0vS2qUOwiahu_wqUGujmXFKGRNpPp3pw/s863/Zis-3c.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="863" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUvjNh2dWfpoX_9Pf4ycEkgN_7hywwBygyAplkWD7vCDw6yOWqWPyA735v0zdI0Kc5yDv8-bvMk9jeW5G3nXAqnNIQC29iMkqSLAoOZTmf1QeplxXWuRrLMMedlzKfgpjkJnIGhbENTafin-mT1Tix4-yEXu0vS2qUOwiahu_wqUGujmXFKGRNpPp3pw/w640-h356/Zis-3c.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span>76mm (Zis-3)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>A subsequent demonstration impressed Joseph Stalin, who praised the weapon as "a masterpiece of artillery systems design." The ZiS-3 underwent an official five-day acceptance trial in February 1942, and was then accepted into service as divisional field gun model 1942 (full official name).</div><br />The gun was also quite popular with the German Wehrmacht. The gun was introduced into German service as the 7,62-cm-Feldkanone 288(r) and factories were retooled to produce ammunition for it.<br /><br />The ZiS-3 had good anti-armour capabilities. Its armour-piercing round could knock out any early German light and medium tank. The frontal armour of later tanks, like the Tiger I and later the Panther, however, were immune to the ZiS-3.<br /><br />A ZiS-3 battery had four guns, with three batteries making a division or battalion. Independent anti-tank regiments consisted of six batteries with no divisions. A staff battery included a fire-control section.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More than 103,000 ZiS-3s were produced by the end of the war, making it the most numerous Soviet field gun during the war. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9QK93Lr7Jki0Fq_UKVg3VtdyvUZnnF0p0uUhSwPMAzpfvSCpZGmlUCfFUlSUyugl2H7-V1VM7j5aY5AnykHMPmxc8Ar1bDQeT6mj8zjOv-MCWiMZYSBqdFa6PDPT8PJoLT9wxpNRcFUtes9ssT-sKJOqWYUeW0scw3Vo5MTJMMaDSCOxwnA-bJ0V7Y4/s4896/P1080039a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="4896" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9QK93Lr7Jki0Fq_UKVg3VtdyvUZnnF0p0uUhSwPMAzpfvSCpZGmlUCfFUlSUyugl2H7-V1VM7j5aY5AnykHMPmxc8Ar1bDQeT6mj8zjOv-MCWiMZYSBqdFa6PDPT8PJoLT9wxpNRcFUtes9ssT-sKJOqWYUeW0scw3Vo5MTJMMaDSCOxwnA-bJ0V7Y4/w640-h334/P1080039a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span>76mm (Zis-3) left and 85mm (D-44) right </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The 85-mm divisional gun D-44 was a Soviet divisional 85-mm calibre field artillery gun was designed as the replacement for the 76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3), but manufacturing did not commence until May 1945, and thus it did not see active service in WWII.</div><div><br /></div><div>The barrel was developed from that of the T-34-85 tank and was capable of firing 20–25 high-explosive (HE), armor-piercing, and high-explosive antitank (HEAT) projectiles per minute. <br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 45mm Anti-Tank Gun M1937</span></b></b></div>The 45 mm anti-tank gun model 1937, nicknamed the Sorokapyatka , or "little forty-five", was a light quick-firing anti-tank gun used in the first stage of the German-Soviet War.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>The gun was essentially an improved version 45 mm anti-tank gun model 1932 mounted on a 37 mm 1-K anti-tank gun chassis (itself a licensed copy of the 3.7 cm Pak 36) using modern ammunition. Other improvements comprised semi-automatic breech, sight, firing button, suspension, reliable shield mount, and movable part re-balancing.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJTVnkvJGU_RCbY2zOYzHxE35z7vYRKE5pkwAumvHMeIXpTxqKvqpEOq7bq4Zljwvv-rhZsvrXg02Av6uNA3EtHNP8lhmA1B1RbttDRf0jIH9CXaEPzLPn6Sadz1ABsey8rLS847kx4mpgE2VubX3q8XYajvgfP8wabyA9i0-iXXi_pBFwA-92DkEsww/s4773/P1080042a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3176" data-original-width="4773" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJTVnkvJGU_RCbY2zOYzHxE35z7vYRKE5pkwAumvHMeIXpTxqKvqpEOq7bq4Zljwvv-rhZsvrXg02Av6uNA3EtHNP8lhmA1B1RbttDRf0jIH9CXaEPzLPn6Sadz1ABsey8rLS847kx4mpgE2VubX3q8XYajvgfP8wabyA9i0-iXXi_pBFwA-92DkEsww/w640-h426/P1080042a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Due to insufficient armour penetration it was replaced in service by the longer-barrelled 45-mm anti-tank gun model 1942 (M-42) in 1942.</div><div><br /></div>The mass production of outdated model 1937 guns was stopped in 1943. The total number of guns produced was 37,354.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64uQ0QZIg3itilxY6VEdTQcBeHrsVVjNz4KUf_rjhPj3qdS4Xm8xOC5A4i-d_eIHNNLEREbyvbxgzlZHJI7ZBJybHdTOPkUaTXJcTUtiXAA6XoWpasO2yCRGU7E0D4kVORZxu2nNA_54ZQ_dl_kgH3mxLjnX8lJAb_QLYzazWKtFgLe6__Dyn8uEjOrw/s4896/P1080044a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64uQ0QZIg3itilxY6VEdTQcBeHrsVVjNz4KUf_rjhPj3qdS4Xm8xOC5A4i-d_eIHNNLEREbyvbxgzlZHJI7ZBJybHdTOPkUaTXJcTUtiXAA6XoWpasO2yCRGU7E0D4kVORZxu2nNA_54ZQ_dl_kgH3mxLjnX8lJAb_QLYzazWKtFgLe6__Dyn8uEjOrw/w640-h480/P1080044a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 37mm Automatic Air Defence Gun M1939 (61-K)</span></b></b></div></div>The 37 mm automatic air defence gun M1939 (61-K) is a Soviet 37 mm calibre anti-aircraft gun developed during the late 1930s and used during World War II. The land-based version was replaced in Soviet service by the AZP S-60 during the 1950s. Guns of this type were successfully used throughout the Eastern Front against dive bombers and other low- and medium-altitude targets. It also had some usefulness against lightly armoured ground targets.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NFYYBfDzE5af8okYQLd9Ju00orCOypknx9SL_oNwGV3uie6wE7m-fX49etGofoG5PPh0OSShawmPPjXxO9CgQvPZw8cLwtJhMVUzx7gTMXUeeBcxkM7rwzfdIoQycutbg4YDH0W3YXO_Ey3z9_p_ltyMk75K1j5_lXO7eh4novz0dyk0ytbX3yLiBNY/s4896/P1080045a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="4896" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NFYYBfDzE5af8okYQLd9Ju00orCOypknx9SL_oNwGV3uie6wE7m-fX49etGofoG5PPh0OSShawmPPjXxO9CgQvPZw8cLwtJhMVUzx7gTMXUeeBcxkM7rwzfdIoQycutbg4YDH0W3YXO_Ey3z9_p_ltyMk75K1j5_lXO7eh4novz0dyk0ytbX3yLiBNY/w640-h422/P1080045a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Soviet Navy purchased a number of Bofors 25 mm Model 1933 guns in 1935, trials of the weapon were successful, and it was decided to develop a 45 mm version of the weapon designated the 49-K. </div><div><br /></div><div>The development was successful, but the army thought that the 45 mm calibre was a little too large for an automatic field weapon. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgC-ggEFQ9tPwZkhHM-RS-LqRy0xLWLYCTpH2rXR4wQqSJuZW-QtwBYCEJsPl7Jj5U5KnbDKYU3HPUkXJWNrHHDJEEUbaTl0FXR3fC7z3fjaVJald9kiBd62JOd8KbGtDUU74TQ-i7-LQDX2VWfIrKxeMKTrW4Y7858qzwBXoWV4mVBPVMSGrHODtoRk/s800/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="800" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgC-ggEFQ9tPwZkhHM-RS-LqRy0xLWLYCTpH2rXR4wQqSJuZW-QtwBYCEJsPl7Jj5U5KnbDKYU3HPUkXJWNrHHDJEEUbaTl0FXR3fC7z3fjaVJald9kiBd62JOd8KbGtDUU74TQ-i7-LQDX2VWfIrKxeMKTrW4Y7858qzwBXoWV4mVBPVMSGrHODtoRk/w640-h414/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In January 1938 the Artillery Factory Number 8 in Sverdlovsk was ordered to develop a 37 mm weapon based on the same design. The task was fulfilled and firing trials of the new 61-K were conducted in October 1938.</div><div><br /></div>Competitive firing trials were conducted in 1940 between the 61-K and the Bofors 40 mm/56. There were no substantial differences found between them.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9rmOku7xIvFJCc-n3avul3eYhw37Ett0zReDjSrMLhg4UKpiI9euh1o1BT_0ptckNfLDJFixzlW-Rvw1O7jxrYjME13eakvcYdfGzvq9hb4cfcG7ZGGgLuqESTKym2ZcPeImCNMJJ6uRWaXer3veDQmYjjC7e-_zT-AuLIZtPtCI9KHRtzhg4k_E9Sw/s4896/P1080046a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9rmOku7xIvFJCc-n3avul3eYhw37Ett0zReDjSrMLhg4UKpiI9euh1o1BT_0ptckNfLDJFixzlW-Rvw1O7jxrYjME13eakvcYdfGzvq9hb4cfcG7ZGGgLuqESTKym2ZcPeImCNMJJ6uRWaXer3veDQmYjjC7e-_zT-AuLIZtPtCI9KHRtzhg4k_E9Sw/w640-h480/P1080046a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 152mm Howitzer-Gun M1937 (ML-20)</span></b></b></div>The 152 mm howitzer-gun M1937 (ML-20), was a Soviet heavy gun-howitzer. The gun was developed by the design bureau of the plant no 172, as a deep upgrade of the 152-mm gun M1910/34, in turn based on the 152-mm siege gun M1910, a pre-World War I design by Schneider. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was in production from 1937 to 1946. The ML-20 saw action in World War II, mainly as a corps/army level artillery piece of the Soviet Army. Captured guns were employed by Wehrmacht and the Finnish Army. Post World War II, the ML-20 saw combat in numerous conflicts during the mid to late twentieth century.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvtvsnw4S_OFZSW5mY5DiBLujsVT9iOtjN_QiyFDiuHCsEOeJDGYS92faqeAKTfdy04s7mOBugIy1hToa1H59FT8JSUb0BcyTXovrT5q_xAhnRgq8NjahkIpfp6Z9LOvXuhDX5ws7BKJfszW7BfbG1s8GbMtRRWxbUwGvTtcznUI-3CXQH2AGErqF_xA/s4566/P1080048a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="4566" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvtvsnw4S_OFZSW5mY5DiBLujsVT9iOtjN_QiyFDiuHCsEOeJDGYS92faqeAKTfdy04s7mOBugIy1hToa1H59FT8JSUb0BcyTXovrT5q_xAhnRgq8NjahkIpfp6Z9LOvXuhDX5ws7BKJfszW7BfbG1s8GbMtRRWxbUwGvTtcznUI-3CXQH2AGErqF_xA/w640-h412/P1080048a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Among other artillery pieces the Red Army inherited from the Imperial Russian Army a 152-mm siege gun M1910, developed by Schneider. The gun was modernized twice in 1930s, resulting in the 152-mm gun M1910/30 and the 152-mm gun M1910/34. However, its mobility, maximum elevation and speed of traverse still needed improvement.<br /></div><div><br /></div>The ML-20 was developed as a replacement and went through testing in late 1936 and early 1937. After some defects (mostly in carriage) were eliminated, the ML-20 was recommended for production and on 22 September 1937 it was adopted as 152-mm howitzer-gun model 1937.</div><div><br /></div><div>The gun was in production from 1937–1946. 6,884 guns were manufactured and about 4,000 ML-20S barrels for use in the SU-152 and ISU-152 self-propelled guns were also made.<br /><div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-JB54RGPLiJBXN5ZTfbG8zJDSZ2aPMyjvJD9ZOFtFKWXXZXmEXNliqDbhT8sMYMKfGVK-zX7CZBrmpaqv6GZiOgGWwLvI_A8jcixFWSZQcQpFo-GmOHAqV-Z_tSKG3bSDppIlia66mg3-IMryPFCiijyMnAW8iC6SGzoKarWqZKSgWCf7mV37McBvoU/s3981/P1080049a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="3981" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-JB54RGPLiJBXN5ZTfbG8zJDSZ2aPMyjvJD9ZOFtFKWXXZXmEXNliqDbhT8sMYMKfGVK-zX7CZBrmpaqv6GZiOgGWwLvI_A8jcixFWSZQcQpFo-GmOHAqV-Z_tSKG3bSDppIlia66mg3-IMryPFCiijyMnAW8iC6SGzoKarWqZKSgWCf7mV37McBvoU/w640-h590/P1080049a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was primarily used for indirect fire against enemy personnel, fortifications and key objects in the near rear. Heavy fragments of the OF-540 HE-Fragmentation shell were capable of piercing armour up to 20–30 mm thick, making a barrage dangerous to thinly armoured vehicles and to some extent to heavily armoured tanks.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEeAwhb8V3uZXKgStw9H7DTidMQ1iI_dPeC38XbaM9YlBohoFbxWlYfzxPBx99foYPV4QcuvqfHDXtNgpgMoHiH48o06agD2JuDjYC9RyEj1HDYzbAXqqUm6ejnEcUZ6Gz2xwNQwR-bm8wmK7DP7zMEqJlBGNQKlsQ2nqCF6YwCcHNL6PPHlI5VG7zgU/s1602/norm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1602" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEeAwhb8V3uZXKgStw9H7DTidMQ1iI_dPeC38XbaM9YlBohoFbxWlYfzxPBx99foYPV4QcuvqfHDXtNgpgMoHiH48o06agD2JuDjYC9RyEj1HDYzbAXqqUm6ejnEcUZ6Gz2xwNQwR-bm8wmK7DP7zMEqJlBGNQKlsQ2nqCF6YwCcHNL6PPHlI5VG7zgU/w640-h412/norm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the early stage of the German invasion of the Soviet Union hundreds of ML-20 were captured by the Wehrmacht. The gun was adopted by the Germans as 15.2cm KH.433/1(r) and from February 1943, the Germans manufactured an ammunition for the gun.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The gun was also equipped with armour-piercing shells for direct fire against armoured targets. Although not an ideal anti-tank gun because of its large size, slow traverse and slow rate of fire, in 1943 the ML-20 was one of the few guns effective against the new German tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 2nd August 1944, the ML-20 howitzer-gun No. 3922 became the first gun to shell German territory in the second half of World War II.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 76mm Regimental Gun M1927</span></b></b></div>The 76 mm regimental gun M1927 was a Soviet infantry support gun. The gun was developed in 1927 by the design bureau of Orudiyno-Arsenalny Trest (OAT) and entered production in 1928.</div><div><br /></div><div>A total of 18,116 pieces were built. On June 22, 1941, the Red Army had 4,708 of these guns. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLIUOVp13rfl5ty0Y30JHT2NEHBIUPh78iUEcZXIRljUIAr2Vb0NrBiD8DQaGj_Qu8UqQTaPaeRFBAbo5hn7xy2piV3Hbapkc1g1hqW1klK0j353TnohFkk79JfSIzb-zkCeWAKxl3nluI3GyElC1ECQc1206cKTcDSwqh7Q5K3V9JvwCsaFRY1ewrHg/s4896/P1080051a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLIUOVp13rfl5ty0Y30JHT2NEHBIUPh78iUEcZXIRljUIAr2Vb0NrBiD8DQaGj_Qu8UqQTaPaeRFBAbo5hn7xy2piV3Hbapkc1g1hqW1klK0j353TnohFkk79JfSIzb-zkCeWAKxl3nluI3GyElC1ECQc1206cKTcDSwqh7Q5K3V9JvwCsaFRY1ewrHg/w640-h480/P1080051a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>In 1943 the gun was replaced in production by the 76 mm regimental gun M1943, but remained in service until the end of the war. The Germans placed captured guns into service as the 7.62 cm Infanteriekanonehaubitze 290(r) (infantry gun-howitzer), while in the Finnish army they were known as 76 RK/27.</div><div><br /></div><div>The gun was intended for destruction of light field fortifications and openly placed personnel by direct fire. HEAT shell gave it limited anti-tank capabilities.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdfx4r1BMModA3cL6ZsMUXcUb5Pau-7fJmEboUaylnrM8xzUyCXdzdx__fMh-TG3ZUna77rBKeN0PP4WTBDCCrHBANrgjhZBuKBcbJ0aMvSXhnTZLcZw8LTuzSvPKfSfZ2ZW7bHwXs8j2t9ghwelQIktctKs5dO13eubBAar48Yco4e3NigqTBycKqqM/s4896/P1080052a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3182" data-original-width="4896" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdfx4r1BMModA3cL6ZsMUXcUb5Pau-7fJmEboUaylnrM8xzUyCXdzdx__fMh-TG3ZUna77rBKeN0PP4WTBDCCrHBANrgjhZBuKBcbJ0aMvSXhnTZLcZw8LTuzSvPKfSfZ2ZW7bHwXs8j2t9ghwelQIktctKs5dO13eubBAar48Yco4e3NigqTBycKqqM/w640-h416/P1080052a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The M1927 was issued to rifle and cavalry regiments of the Red Army. Artillery battalion of rifle brigade included one battery of M1927. Some guns were used by anti-tank artillery battalions.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCQkkDBGuuVj4smf52hY6327kxJExXz3drcOii0kXvAb9pGS9GjSC-tFIdklseZK7oH6cKGgLIwRyAM0vd7w5kr3cHnO3S7Emxo9VuTq6dDMhjb8PDnqJ6g2xSABLucVC4hI1S5eTfQW_XkkK_tarPTIrEyD-G_6vCWOqv4wPBQ5gtzRmQFFVHu4cuPQ/s4896/P1080053a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCQkkDBGuuVj4smf52hY6327kxJExXz3drcOii0kXvAb9pGS9GjSC-tFIdklseZK7oH6cKGgLIwRyAM0vd7w5kr3cHnO3S7Emxo9VuTq6dDMhjb8PDnqJ6g2xSABLucVC4hI1S5eTfQW_XkkK_tarPTIrEyD-G_6vCWOqv4wPBQ5gtzRmQFFVHu4cuPQ/w640-h480/P1080053a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 152mm Howitzer-Gun M1938 (M-10)</span></b></b></div>152-mm howitzer M1938 (M-10) was a Soviet 152.4 mm (6 inch) howitzer of World War II. It was developed in 1937–1938. Although production of the gun was stopped in 1941, it saw combat with the Red Army until the end of World War II and remained in service until the 1950s. Captured pieces were used by Wehrmacht and the Finnish Army. The latter kept the M-10 in service until 2000.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlkJFNF8JXbSKg86m0l08SaIDph5iHIZkbTlswi_3NxqWprXFRLFVYp79oX7sZokZN_cx2FFTqcr-PSof7v5fM52FFy2Q16FS_aq_8nxgCgCyYshzG11m0IXpGrcnqHuC6u6UxfJJsMGnVn8ApX0qXA-fN4aIuIC4PhfRI1DhkCPkfvQ-Qrvxl6XYzcY/s686/152mmM38.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="686" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlkJFNF8JXbSKg86m0l08SaIDph5iHIZkbTlswi_3NxqWprXFRLFVYp79oX7sZokZN_cx2FFTqcr-PSof7v5fM52FFy2Q16FS_aq_8nxgCgCyYshzG11m0IXpGrcnqHuC6u6UxfJJsMGnVn8ApX0qXA-fN4aIuIC4PhfRI1DhkCPkfvQ-Qrvxl6XYzcY/w400-h399/152mmM38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">152-mm howitzer M1938 (M-10) </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>By the early 1930s the Red Army (RKKA) started to look for a replacement for the 152-mm howitzer M1909 and the 152-mm howitzer M1910. Those pieces, developed before World War I, had unsprung fixed trail carriages and short barrels, which meant poor mobility, insufficient elevation and traverse angles and short range. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although both pieces were eventually modernized, resulting in the 152-mm howitzer M1909/30 and the 152-mm howitzer M1910/37 respectively, these were relatively minor upgrades which brought only limited improvement in some areas and didn't address others. It was clear that a completely new design was needed. However, at that time, the Soviets had little experience in developing modern artillery pieces and an attempted collaboration with the Germans failed because the design of the 152-mm howitzer M1931 (NG) too complex for the Soviet industry to produce efficiently, but these early failures gave Soviet developers some valuable experience.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuT1rsh-Jy7HYVVBPB0wakClIkDQ8AIUtTo-YtuNIlU6TNVzaTC3hQBcr-vUw9aBM6KJJcpPH4NrN78p4we23j6dI0RInPpwrRExGff6IK3RcQ-sK-H5nXkaafw8lb8iRZBZgITTO5hfwj8Rn_F9I-Zsb_CjTYYY80xNzj_NlURDURlPsFf8UyuS2fxI/s4896/P1080055a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3601" data-original-width="4896" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuT1rsh-Jy7HYVVBPB0wakClIkDQ8AIUtTo-YtuNIlU6TNVzaTC3hQBcr-vUw9aBM6KJJcpPH4NrN78p4we23j6dI0RInPpwrRExGff6IK3RcQ-sK-H5nXkaafw8lb8iRZBZgITTO5hfwj8Rn_F9I-Zsb_CjTYYY80xNzj_NlURDURlPsFf8UyuS2fxI/w640-h470/P1080055a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In 1937, work started on the design of the M-10 with the first prototype completed in November. The trials revealed numerous defects in the gun construction such as insufficient upper carriage strength, leaks in the recoil buffer, unreliable suspension etc. For army tests early in 1939, an improved design with a longer barrel was presented. Another series of army tests followed from 22 December 1939 to 10 January 1940, but even before it started—on 29 September 1939—the gun was adopted as 152 mm divisional howitzer model 1938. Later, the word divisional was removed from the designation.<div><br /></div><div>Unlike its eventual successor, the D-1, the M-10 was not equipped with a muzzle brake. While softening recoil and thus allowing for a lighter carriage, a muzzle brake has the disadvantage of redirecting some of the gases that escape the barrel toward the ground where they raise dust, revealing the gun position.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxtR0jcDITftjtL_YxSNso9-yp2-Ts_KiVsxRxgAhafDoD3vXjkY5cF_SXKEUGmpcqnwhyRQDIDr4SKJYI5xqGiwXiXj73ROIKAwWx8k0VA4fstZqUAOkCPYw2ahFi59M_K4lPAHi6xPNthVnr8VfNmzyGgzTH6-5k-R265W2Tme5Fx_w6qUSleEi0LY/s4896/P1080057a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxtR0jcDITftjtL_YxSNso9-yp2-Ts_KiVsxRxgAhafDoD3vXjkY5cF_SXKEUGmpcqnwhyRQDIDr4SKJYI5xqGiwXiXj73ROIKAwWx8k0VA4fstZqUAOkCPYw2ahFi59M_K4lPAHi6xPNthVnr8VfNmzyGgzTH6-5k-R265W2Tme5Fx_w6qUSleEi0LY/w640-h480/P1080057a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />The gun could be towed by an artillery tractor or a team of horses. In the latter case, a 400-kg limber was used.</div><div><br /></div><div>The tank-mounted variant, M-10T, was mounted in the KV2 Heavy Tank.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit was acquired from the UK and had been captured and used by the Germans who repainted the gun in a camouflage scheme which was was recreated, as seen here, during restoration.<br /><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Russian 76.2mm Air Defence Gun M1931 </span></b></b></div>The Soviet 76mm air defence gun M1931 was approved for Red Army use in year 1931 and was first issued in 1932. It was capable of firing High Explosive, AA-Shrapnel, and Armour Piercing shells.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxWkSpEZO783O9YP6FtbZk9oR46SZqRuswqOVcJFS54UFCI3urJwvRr0uEQ1cwFlfZdY2pIVibvANTHglXVxojcOYgCHD6cXeMauUndOnvNdohwuKj1jv5p0-FZdcxXsRZTupo80fdYo2KB6LIKCM_zEh42_QEmNtRrKYM1EiUfcv11OhUnFZXuR3Xm0/s4676/P1080076a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2302" data-original-width="4676" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxWkSpEZO783O9YP6FtbZk9oR46SZqRuswqOVcJFS54UFCI3urJwvRr0uEQ1cwFlfZdY2pIVibvANTHglXVxojcOYgCHD6cXeMauUndOnvNdohwuKj1jv5p0-FZdcxXsRZTupo80fdYo2KB6LIKCM_zEh42_QEmNtRrKYM1EiUfcv11OhUnFZXuR3Xm0/w640-h316/P1080076a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The M1931 and M1938 which succeeded it were used in the first stages of the German-Soviet War and were gradually replaced by the more powerful 52-K's.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Germans captured large numbers of the M1931 guns and used them to arm a large number of their home front anti-aircraft gun units. The German name for these guns were 7.62cm Flak M31 (r) and 7.62cm Flak M38 (r); and after running out of captured ammunition the Germans modified the guns to 88-mm calibre and were renamed 7.62/8.8cm Flak M31 (r).</div><br /><div><div><b style="font-size: large;">USA WWII Vehicles & Guns</b></div><div><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>US M3 Stuart </b></b><b><b><b>Light </b></b></b><b><b>Tank (Early Model)</b></b></span></div></div></div><div><span><span>The M3 Stuart Light Tank series were the first vehicles delivered to Australia during the Second World War under the Lend Lease Scheme, receiving some 370 Stuart tanks between 1941 and 1943, both M3 and M3A1 types and both petrol and diesel engine versions.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>The M3 Stuart equipped several units of the 1st Australian Armoured Division in 1942 and were the first Lend Lease tanks used in New Guinea against the Japanese by an Australian armoured unit.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNroW4Hf3FPnzfZWxW6EBf_U3Wk5LfylHrkarDHkUo8gmlW-0ZV7xvDrl5CKcNXpG7O_19J9J8SZmyKYRdu83Ssd4QSOhiDFRSqxlddJobH9OBU9vasG45HfGUDvMuRSJ9kkd-zR9nX0SYhPkhov1IMLrIUGOgLjkNgpGmz7Loaq3DMgqlteLkrNv5ACo/s4896/P1070943a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNroW4Hf3FPnzfZWxW6EBf_U3Wk5LfylHrkarDHkUo8gmlW-0ZV7xvDrl5CKcNXpG7O_19J9J8SZmyKYRdu83Ssd4QSOhiDFRSqxlddJobH9OBU9vasG45HfGUDvMuRSJ9kkd-zR9nX0SYhPkhov1IMLrIUGOgLjkNgpGmz7Loaq3DMgqlteLkrNv5ACo/w640-h480/P1070943a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hull number 945, the octagonal welded turret, and the high commander's cupola indicates that this exhibit is one of the earliest variants of M3 Stuart to arrive in Australia.</span></b></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9ANnmTOFBS7A-swE7s6UfwLp9pUujNnDocbWJ4TDPsiDXZ9qIn6cjwtt5tOfsoJ8VvMNfNqiv7nZ_ZE4wup-wemfvAXUspPm6ZekxrDQQ5qRqL-osgRcNMFLFseemkzx_vA6O_IysB91dCmcmY4BLqDCWC08CgWeEgweQqukhhEVJS5teRJi12U5e28/s512/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="512" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9ANnmTOFBS7A-swE7s6UfwLp9pUujNnDocbWJ4TDPsiDXZ9qIn6cjwtt5tOfsoJ8VvMNfNqiv7nZ_ZE4wup-wemfvAXUspPm6ZekxrDQQ5qRqL-osgRcNMFLFseemkzx_vA6O_IysB91dCmcmY4BLqDCWC08CgWeEgweQqukhhEVJS5teRJi12U5e28/w640-h458/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A Stuart at Giropa Point during the attacks of late December 1942. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/m3inactionph_1.htm">http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/m3inactionph_1.htm</a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span>M3 Stuarts served in Papua in 1942 and 1943, with the 2/6th Armoured Regiment using them in action at Buna and Sanananda to attack Japanese bunkers and fortifications. In subsequent campaigns the M3 Stuart Tanks were replaced by larger and heavier Matilda tanks, which had thicker armour and were better able to operate in jungle terrain.</span></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div></span><div><span><b><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>US M3 Stuart </b></b><b><b><b>Light </b></b></b><b><b>Tank MK III</b></b></span></b></div></b></span>The M3 Stuart formerly Light Tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II. It was supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war. Thereafter, it was used by U.S. and Allied forces until the end of the war.<br /><br />The British service name "Stuart" came from the American Civil War Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 Light Tank. In British service they were given the nickname "Honey", after a tank driver remarked "She's a honey". The United States Army, the tanks were officially known as "Light Tank M3" and "Light Tank M5".</div><div><br /><div><span><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPjSq7NWD9EGg-M1K_fmtJKY5TvBCLySdYi7d9_sYK23-1nWwFhWxKBOdNBScKHY0ZsktlhwKHf99mKrRyf4NuQSSRiNOfsSJj0BazCBS9_zYvsRYtN6KbkO57TIm93h_d_2E2fLDX0elb3igWfmYYfb8a1vJEeC6UAZiXi82_dFVeRd-dBuSdD2oSQU/s4896/P1070998a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPjSq7NWD9EGg-M1K_fmtJKY5TvBCLySdYi7d9_sYK23-1nWwFhWxKBOdNBScKHY0ZsktlhwKHf99mKrRyf4NuQSSRiNOfsSJj0BazCBS9_zYvsRYtN6KbkO57TIm93h_d_2E2fLDX0elb3igWfmYYfb8a1vJEeC6UAZiXi82_dFVeRd-dBuSdD2oSQU/w640-h480/P1070998a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></b></span><div><br /></div>The M3 Stuarts were the first American-crewed tanks in World War II to engage the enemy in tank versus tank combat when used in the Philippines in December 1941 against the Japanese.</div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span>Production of the vehicle started in March 1941 and continued until October 1943. Like its direct predecessor, the M2A4, the M3 was initially armed with a 37 mm M5 gun and five .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Internally, the radial engine was at the rear and the transmission to the driving sprockets at the front..<div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive1N48SkhuSxuTacdflxeTqLvpd10mZBt4tz0-1LCPjFRsS8wcUjuq2TgbSc49ZJDkepHO-JsX1ApS0PSbZubMnEDzEmO2K62t4rObgEFBGTCyRP9gPgp545mxL7ytdQYGLrw9tYfd94z1P8DF8eA1PLLOk7wP0MlLDZPSLGon1D78t3EN7wSTpFXjG4/s4896/P1080002a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive1N48SkhuSxuTacdflxeTqLvpd10mZBt4tz0-1LCPjFRsS8wcUjuq2TgbSc49ZJDkepHO-JsX1ApS0PSbZubMnEDzEmO2K62t4rObgEFBGTCyRP9gPgp545mxL7ytdQYGLrw9tYfd94z1P8DF8eA1PLLOk7wP0MlLDZPSLGon1D78t3EN7wSTpFXjG4/w640-h480/P1080002a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div></span>To relieve the demand for the radial aero-engines used in the M3, a new version was developed using twin Cadillac V8 automobile engines. The new model (initially called M4 but redesignated M5 to avoid confusion with the M4 Sherman) also featured a redesigned hull with a raised rear deck over the engine compartment, sloped glacis plate and driver's hatches moved to the top.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Although the main criticism from units using the Stuarts was that it lacked firepower, the improved M5 series kept the same 37 mm gun. The M5 gradually replaced the M3 in production from 1942 and was in turn succeeded by the Light Tank M24 in 1944.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs0jqa43bvYGkoPx8TVyLDBUGsmdYMfK05OgfO2EpzOhRMZIq1Bo6SLt1JpQY6oCYcC0BYU3wdKkjNiY6jVUw_M3KJUFUyDnqBDU3IkBv16k-fGhio3sbc3D2UxVMgVP60KWYmvl3dFmMRixLECLECN2sj_Y3nr0jEFsXXVZx86uiR5Mzjj01t7lD49A/s788/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-783-0107-14A,_Nordafrika,_amerikanischer_Panzer_M3__Stuart_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="788" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs0jqa43bvYGkoPx8TVyLDBUGsmdYMfK05OgfO2EpzOhRMZIq1Bo6SLt1JpQY6oCYcC0BYU3wdKkjNiY6jVUw_M3KJUFUyDnqBDU3IkBv16k-fGhio3sbc3D2UxVMgVP60KWYmvl3dFmMRixLECLECN2sj_Y3nr0jEFsXXVZx86uiR5Mzjj01t7lD49A/w640-h406/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-783-0107-14A,_Nordafrika,_amerikanischer_Panzer_M3__Stuart_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A British M3 (Stuart I) knocked out during fighting in North Africa<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>British and other Commonwealth armies were the first to use the Light Tank M3, as the "Stuart", in combat. From mid-November 1941 to the end of the year, about 170 Stuarts (in a total force of over 700 tanks) took part in Operation Crusader during the North Africa Campaign.</div><div><br /></div>The U.S. Army initially deployed 108 Stuart light tanks to the Philippines in September 1941. The first U.S. tank versus tank combat to occur in World War II, began on 22 December 1941, when a platoon of five M3s engaged the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 4th Tank Regiment's Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks north of Damortis. <div><br /><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh7NHaA5EIPfamSmiz7Mh0ec2deA3M4K7NeXNwFtrVmYTAJVl3KcBvqbtU01vYdjjaV7Knz0SbNZGlaImqopNhNE-WAsXAaH9pW1HEx-su4NJDFwxydBr6E7wmh2flJLdxCplbolvR4hVQP2UzDBQ4wMh06WLnXyjNZRYIpZT6FL5EuPDsW03hTWRwds/s4896/P1080003a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh7NHaA5EIPfamSmiz7Mh0ec2deA3M4K7NeXNwFtrVmYTAJVl3KcBvqbtU01vYdjjaV7Knz0SbNZGlaImqopNhNE-WAsXAaH9pW1HEx-su4NJDFwxydBr6E7wmh2flJLdxCplbolvR4hVQP2UzDBQ4wMh06WLnXyjNZRYIpZT6FL5EuPDsW03hTWRwds/w640-h480/P1080003a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Although the U.S. light tanks had proven effective in jungle warfare, by late 1943, U.S. Marine Corps tank battalions were transitioning from their M3/M5 light tanks to M4 medium tanks</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>In Europe, Allied light tanks were given cavalry and infantry fire support roles since their light main armament was not competitive against heavier enemy armoured fighting vehicles. </span>Though the Stuart was to be completely replaced by the newer M24 Chaffee, the number of M3s/M5s produced was so great (over 25,000 including the 75mm HMC M8) that the tank remained in service until the end of the war, and well after. </div><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyGzXw40H9Ltp_0XjCkkP7P6brFJbcEX4HiCKLZ8VwFMcXZ-PP-nZgwXqs5xOKpdeKf4McOol0T4YzNAzHq8vkq-QfJNZu42o2LqPrUY0h-vXIooyDDgocyQH2rnZZ63sD32XqPJwZ3yWQPPAYDwvsJrYQYi5TDezGNDduCGkxUBbUR1b2pCbMdmk2v0/s4896/P1070999a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyGzXw40H9Ltp_0XjCkkP7P6brFJbcEX4HiCKLZ8VwFMcXZ-PP-nZgwXqs5xOKpdeKf4McOol0T4YzNAzHq8vkq-QfJNZu42o2LqPrUY0h-vXIooyDDgocyQH2rnZZ63sD32XqPJwZ3yWQPPAYDwvsJrYQYi5TDezGNDduCGkxUBbUR1b2pCbMdmk2v0/w640-h480/P1070999a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><span><b><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></b></span></div><span><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M5A1 Stuart Light Tank </span></b></b></b></div><div><span><span>The M5 light tank first saw combat service with the US Army in Tunisia in 1943 in support of Free French Infantry units. It was quickly identified that the were unsuited for fighting against German tanks which had highly skilled crews, better armour and better guns.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>Although used in high numbers in the first months of the Italian and Normandy campaigns, they suffered the same fate as their North African predecessors when they confronted highly trained German armour and anti-tank units, that would see a total of 777 M5's lost in North West Europe and 424 in Italy, with the high casualty rate seeing them relegated to a reconnaissance and flank security role for infantry and other armoured units.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPq5ybveobeescYWGq25m3ZucFUe1WMgvxHuGA12s6tUcj5Oi3uVUUpcMCWQ62hEfdIBQavtFUvc0xHJZkyFVDJ6SWiWRbxu3TBaLo_hxHvGEZp_ONjGPDTTMnmdMGZiyY_We72APYwEpQpB25t_pGKzPwyEGSoTehEAwJk0C5Pu2Req8BuU4_8_FqAE/s4819/P1070941a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3583" data-original-width="4819" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPq5ybveobeescYWGq25m3ZucFUe1WMgvxHuGA12s6tUcj5Oi3uVUUpcMCWQ62hEfdIBQavtFUvc0xHJZkyFVDJ6SWiWRbxu3TBaLo_hxHvGEZp_ONjGPDTTMnmdMGZiyY_We72APYwEpQpB25t_pGKzPwyEGSoTehEAwJk0C5Pu2Req8BuU4_8_FqAE/w640-h476/P1070941a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><b style="font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><span>Increasingly obsolete in Europe, the M5 was successfully used as an infantry support tank by the US Army and Marines against the Japanese Army whose tanks and anti-tank guns had minimal impact on the operational ability of the M5's.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>This particular example was acquired from the UK.</span></div><div><span> </span></div></span><div><span><b><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>US M24 Chaffee </b></b><b><b><b>Light </b></b></b><b><b>Tank</b></b></span></b></div></b></span>The Light Tank M24 Chaffee was designed in the United States to replace the ageing and obsolete M3 and M5 'Stuart' Light Tanks.</div><div><br /></div>The first thirty-four M24s reached Europe in November 1944 and first saw combat during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyB5TDm-2rkEf7ztm_u-F3u2sJvT9xbfk2R5UVSEcQfEjlhi-qEQSnChIYcpIWbQZvB5YDcmBWsywPzg4-cueeF0DzmkZp7lSLUgomYqo1TWxA8565OPdndsPfxlL2VwdkPtvS3yF2VvcUciXJoy-Cvm0BdpxdXwqNiMg0HaDNzozfwNP8qNgjrzos6E/s650/battle-of-the-bulge-m24-chaffee-tank.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="650" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyB5TDm-2rkEf7ztm_u-F3u2sJvT9xbfk2R5UVSEcQfEjlhi-qEQSnChIYcpIWbQZvB5YDcmBWsywPzg4-cueeF0DzmkZp7lSLUgomYqo1TWxA8565OPdndsPfxlL2VwdkPtvS3yF2VvcUciXJoy-Cvm0BdpxdXwqNiMg0HaDNzozfwNP8qNgjrzos6E/w640-h488/battle-of-the-bulge-m24-chaffee-tank.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M24 Chaffee light tanks were first used in the Battle of the Bulge in the snowy Ardennes forests in December 1944. This tank belongs to the 18th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, February 1945.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div>The M24 started to enter widespread use in December 1944, but they were slow in reaching the front-line combat units. Some armoured divisions did not receive their first M24s until the war was over, and the contribution of the M24 to winning the war in Europe was insignificant, as too few arrived too late to replace the worn-out M5s of the armoured divisions.<br /><br /><span><span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUO4_UxleMUg17DjPwZwimT6bgxzwvUPxSXUm6UoiFymcB2sqfk7e9bDeae4OSWh6RfeLIWDTdWrKjk6Qvl1D7QdaC2FHhmWnl0BhAWYpXX00orz8q4RDyC80IA5YSkGNezA93zyBDTU_dBMbvoBWkOraoPrKj54yEFKTOMO_GRfr0aORN_A1lNwGZ8c/s4896/P1070961a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUO4_UxleMUg17DjPwZwimT6bgxzwvUPxSXUm6UoiFymcB2sqfk7e9bDeae4OSWh6RfeLIWDTdWrKjk6Qvl1D7QdaC2FHhmWnl0BhAWYpXX00orz8q4RDyC80IA5YSkGNezA93zyBDTU_dBMbvoBWkOraoPrKj54yEFKTOMO_GRfr0aORN_A1lNwGZ8c/w640-h480/P1070961a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Reports from the armoured divisions that received them prior to the end of hostilities were generally positive. Crews liked the improved off-road performance and reliability, but were most appreciative of the 75 mm main gun, which was a vast improvement over the 37 mm. The M24 was inferior in armour to German tanks, but the bigger gun at least gave its crews a much better chance to fight back when it was required, especially in infantry support. The M24's light armour made it vulnerable to virtually all German tanks, anti-tank guns, and hand-held anti-tank weapons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><b><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M3 Lee Medium Tank (Late Production)</span></b></b></b></b></b></div></span>The US Medium Tank, M3, was used during World War II. In British Commonwealth service, the tank was called by two names based on the turret configuration. Tanks employing US pattern turrets were called "Lee", named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee, while those with British pattern turrets were known as "Grant", named after Union General Ulysses S. Grant.</div><div><br /></div>The design of the M3 Lee and Grant was a compromise meant to quickly produce a tank for the British to combat the German Panzer III's and IV's. After extensive losses in North Africa and Greece, the British realised, despite their preference for the Grant tank, that to meet their needs for tanks with increased firepower, both the Lee and Grant tanks would need to be accepted if they were to overcome Rommel's Afrika Korps.</div><div><div><br /><div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipgXRWcsxu0gZ1BGAm4Qi8vWlqjBfnFb24GQ2Y2NyWFi-7QYU2CsBlEn6J3AcQrWXV21Pbd43Vj902qeSeiBrqVxvj-mpWxn3qldTuLiD5jWJlBVmfceo3lGoYHba9aDgyTzEYlKqk2H-XYdeCR3bDod0Sgu3PN24nRCrbgeZoibB6gkn1RdEeL5Psso/s4896/P1070975a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipgXRWcsxu0gZ1BGAm4Qi8vWlqjBfnFb24GQ2Y2NyWFi-7QYU2CsBlEn6J3AcQrWXV21Pbd43Vj902qeSeiBrqVxvj-mpWxn3qldTuLiD5jWJlBVmfceo3lGoYHba9aDgyTzEYlKqk2H-XYdeCR3bDod0Sgu3PN24nRCrbgeZoibB6gkn1RdEeL5Psso/w640-h480/P1070975a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></span><br />Of the 6,258 M3 variants manufactured, 2,887 (45%) were supplied to the British government for use by British and Commonwealth forces. 1,685 of these were Grants which the UK ordered directly from US industry for cash and which did not fall under the Lend-Lease arrangements.<br /><br />The M3 Grant first saw action with units of the Royal Armoured Corps in North Africa during the Gazala battles of May 1942. However, with the arrival of the M4 Sherman tank from October 1942 the surviving M3s in North Africa became surplus and were mostly shipped on to India. 657 Grants and 75 Lees were supplied directly to North Africa.</div><div><br /><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_mppukBnhYDvUg22gTUELxJZj0hrg-UXlRWIewM_2VitChDGgiC9lcRRSWZW_rcIzy9m_16z2qZoEly6KBbVB0lsY5gYUNwQqnMWSGK2fMOQp7dAA-OpV_NWGhwPP7mL8j_63QIqM-4X-XO-EvsG4rB3YerNYsZSLvLlwQ7lH3FPfXjEdn0ZtlE9zs/s4896/P1070974a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3308" data-original-width="4896" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_mppukBnhYDvUg22gTUELxJZj0hrg-UXlRWIewM_2VitChDGgiC9lcRRSWZW_rcIzy9m_16z2qZoEly6KBbVB0lsY5gYUNwQqnMWSGK2fMOQp7dAA-OpV_NWGhwPP7mL8j_63QIqM-4X-XO-EvsG4rB3YerNYsZSLvLlwQ7lH3FPfXjEdn0ZtlE9zs/w640-h432/P1070974a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div></span></span><div><span><span>By the end of 1942 the Australian Army had received approximately 255 M3 Lee tanks and 502 M3 Grant tanks. </span></span>The 1st Australian Armoured Division was formed in 1941 with a view towards complementing the three Australian infantry divisions then in North Africa, however it was retained in Australia, following the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, and by 1941-42 the cadres of three armoured divisions were formed, all of them were equipped partly with the Lee, Grant and Stuart light tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>This exhibit is a late production model M3 Lee having no hull doors, and is fitted with the longer M3 gun barrel as opposed to the M2, with an increased length of 1 foot seven inches.</div><div><br /></div><span><span><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><b>US M3 Grant Medium Tank </b></div></span></span>Design of the M3 commenced in July 1940, and the first M3s were operational in late 1941. I was well armed and armoured for the period, but due to design flaws (high silhouette, archaic sponson mounting of the main gun, below average off-road performance) it was not satisfactory and was withdrawn from frontline duty as soon as the M4 Sherman became available in large numbers.</div><div><br /></div>The design was unusual because the main weapon – a larger calibre, medium-velocity 75 mm gun – was in an offset sponson mounted in the hull with limited traverse and a small turret with a lighter, high-velocity 37 mm gun sat on top of the tall hull. </div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzz9kV4xtFU_i6Mi3ElFzpaR-o0cj8k6XLoYqEZXN4_00gYTUJBYHKf-n6lQsXxuTqdmfWTY97RAnoDMWykqdhuuhR-Ov0iA-e57jrnja2Ox8f_aOxEVxIjjhZu_6Si4uyXnKotuUTFI82p4unsp65lAj2rez-KI-bF9suQxtHNQB7IDBtkSgaiH593s/s4896/P1070977a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3080" data-original-width="4896" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzz9kV4xtFU_i6Mi3ElFzpaR-o0cj8k6XLoYqEZXN4_00gYTUJBYHKf-n6lQsXxuTqdmfWTY97RAnoDMWykqdhuuhR-Ov0iA-e57jrnja2Ox8f_aOxEVxIjjhZu_6Si4uyXnKotuUTFI82p4unsp65lAj2rez-KI-bF9suQxtHNQB7IDBtkSgaiH593s/w640-h402/P1070977a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span><span><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div></span></span>The British desired modifications for the tank they were purchasing. A bustle rack was to be made at the back of the turret to house the Wireless Set No. 19. The turret was to be given thicker armor than in the original U.S. design, and the machine gun cupola was to be replaced with a simple hatch. Extended space within the turret of the new M3 also allowed the use of a smoke bomb launcher, although the addition of the radio would take the space for storage of fifty 37 mm rounds, reducing the ammunition capacity for that gun to 128 rounds. </div><div><br /></div><div>Several of these new "Grant" tanks would also be equipped with sand shields for action in North Africa, though they often fell off. With these modifications accepted, the British ordered 2,000 Grants, with 1,685 ultimately built.</div><div><br /><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv-dQWfQoWjPmmm-olvDaY6OHr7SJo04bgEI4a0KXFtjZt1am1jncSJzFYl7UYlBNFiVlj09LYPNUAYvEARLc1Mexm6R6ZvNuysSYymEVVmGHljWlO3TCOCTJouakSZ-Qf32ogxuq2wVoXLisF2BW8204EgbjSiJMV1-tNr5OlmXFcYf79EtAXIZtYHY/s4896/P1070978a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv-dQWfQoWjPmmm-olvDaY6OHr7SJo04bgEI4a0KXFtjZt1am1jncSJzFYl7UYlBNFiVlj09LYPNUAYvEARLc1Mexm6R6ZvNuysSYymEVVmGHljWlO3TCOCTJouakSZ-Qf32ogxuq2wVoXLisF2BW8204EgbjSiJMV1-tNr5OlmXFcYf79EtAXIZtYHY/w640-h480/P1070978a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div></span></span>The M3 tank's first action during the war was in 1942, during the North African Campaign. British Lees and Grants were in action against Rommel's forces at the Battle of Gazala on 27 May that year.<br /><br />Their appearance was a surprise to the Germans, who were unprepared for the M3's 75 mm gun. They soon discovered the M3 could engage them beyond the effective range of their 5 cm Pak 38 anti-tank gun, and the 5 cm KwK 39 of the Panzer III, their main medium tank. The M3 was also vastly superior to the Fiat M13/40 and M14/41 tanks employed by the Italian troops, whose 47 mm gun was effective only at point-blank range, while only the few Semoventi da 75/18 self-propelled guns were able to destroy it using HEAT rounds. </div><div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk12H8npBbtfvT3In5Q2toV1tomkJ1L_GeuIj7Yjm0VCrSH7WmadlbjDHOqlKm9ZW2LyjQ7uTbwTzotc8PnjzTNjvm_rvxMbz5iY7y0_GuwvFmcla0x0Kteje0DysEdyhwGJHAXmKqUSpo2vWhi_Zj3rsxCP6vJ02ka-tEAnYi5WSK2gY6RZ_tdp51KM/s4896/P1070979a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk12H8npBbtfvT3In5Q2toV1tomkJ1L_GeuIj7Yjm0VCrSH7WmadlbjDHOqlKm9ZW2LyjQ7uTbwTzotc8PnjzTNjvm_rvxMbz5iY7y0_GuwvFmcla0x0Kteje0DysEdyhwGJHAXmKqUSpo2vWhi_Zj3rsxCP6vJ02ka-tEAnYi5WSK2gY6RZ_tdp51KM/w640-h480/P1070979a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>In addition to the M3's superior range, they were equipped with high explosive shells to take out infantry and other soft targets, which previous British tanks lacked; upon the introduction of the M3, Rommel noted:<i> </i></span></span></div><div><span><span><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zqbV9elYu0HdoNzQeBgNlKbB3fSr0jAScqP28uCUJ0AofQehodTq47obSYzb1ezxeqLz34wgUyjxpDZ0Nh5BP0YHUbHQuEh-uYczEB5C2MrHYrF0bPidap3vU5xUjB04rxPnGlQ3ACJXqgtCAEDNwrKYS4IWwRL0r5Ih8JkjwNdIEHr-bJSFUxjZw3w/s876/51kZgoEr4bL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zqbV9elYu0HdoNzQeBgNlKbB3fSr0jAScqP28uCUJ0AofQehodTq47obSYzb1ezxeqLz34wgUyjxpDZ0Nh5BP0YHUbHQuEh-uYczEB5C2MrHYrF0bPidap3vU5xUjB04rxPnGlQ3ACJXqgtCAEDNwrKYS4IWwRL0r5Ih8JkjwNdIEHr-bJSFUxjZw3w/s320/51kZgoEr4bL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="206" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span><span><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><i><b>"Up to May of 1942, our tanks had in general been superior in quality to the corresponding British types. This was now no longer true, at least not to the same extent."</b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX5gFWDgIiSBU1jxhH0IZ0-3Sc2aLUZQvhAdPNSn9uzz4g_wup5stUoQ5zmbpAbtV1vFatl4MrgazB_Ketn-XIyt7PtUikhQ5uab7K3_-h8KFgNELlmt1n17u6LLXPWPgZaQEAhM_ddpVmgIaSggKraYULQU6KgKjG4ycb5IFAJti12HvfVTz3qz266A/s4457/P1070980a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3294" data-original-width="4457" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX5gFWDgIiSBU1jxhH0IZ0-3Sc2aLUZQvhAdPNSn9uzz4g_wup5stUoQ5zmbpAbtV1vFatl4MrgazB_Ketn-XIyt7PtUikhQ5uab7K3_-h8KFgNELlmt1n17u6LLXPWPgZaQEAhM_ddpVmgIaSggKraYULQU6KgKjG4ycb5IFAJti12HvfVTz3qz266A/w640-h472/P1070980a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>The M3 Lee was shipped to the Soviet Union, although the Red Army referred to them as 'Grants' and the faults in the tank soon showed up to men who knew the benefits of the highly successful T-34, with the Soviets bestowing it the nickname, roughly translated as "a bed of honour for six men". With production of the T-34 reaching 1,500 tanks a month, the use of the M3 Lee declined after mid-1943 with its use confined to secondary fronts such as the Arctic Front.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgociLCjO-yj-Pffrra0UN-MSQzB9Ye7WbIe7hZfuexAOfQyKgLzcI5sUuiJD5-qhP93j4DVt7VshpT7ad0X0AxYDfrBb-VjhiCIkNSK19G39xkoejmDVwEC3wPvtSUR6nTmPrUnxtZaCijQzYc1G_XQxYFh7okj4oBsrENKpYZBQ_E9C5qSkIJQn00hsc/s4896/P1070982a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgociLCjO-yj-Pffrra0UN-MSQzB9Ye7WbIe7hZfuexAOfQyKgLzcI5sUuiJD5-qhP93j4DVt7VshpT7ad0X0AxYDfrBb-VjhiCIkNSK19G39xkoejmDVwEC3wPvtSUR6nTmPrUnxtZaCijQzYc1G_XQxYFh7okj4oBsrENKpYZBQ_E9C5qSkIJQn00hsc/w640-h480/P1070982a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>When the British received their new M4 Sherman tanks in 1943, they quickly transferred 1,700 M3's to the China-Burma-India (CBI) theatre for use by Australian and Indian forces.</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6wHgNrsb8SjGxu_DygjcFlemv2EbnBvh6WO32GLEd72fvVCUCmSoZf6BbvHvyzaAE1Jl7Kg24ifwXYGLIQBZr2iJf0bbQtYeEWu_Q7g9cv7vFmQyuk5kpdSPvezFbwY7RXRw9bGRcME61Zh2URCjbGhCIE92g9j_y16FnNoeg0BRKMZSxGKgbkGrcgo/s4896/P1070983a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6wHgNrsb8SjGxu_DygjcFlemv2EbnBvh6WO32GLEd72fvVCUCmSoZf6BbvHvyzaAE1Jl7Kg24ifwXYGLIQBZr2iJf0bbQtYeEWu_Q7g9cv7vFmQyuk5kpdSPvezFbwY7RXRw9bGRcME61Zh2URCjbGhCIE92g9j_y16FnNoeg0BRKMZSxGKgbkGrcgo/w640-h480/P1070983a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5kZSbUhUphzAbP6JkKlgAQvfwqmCs7Xq-6CzO1pb1KbFG7EBxLugPZwFyNJ3QtQsDM765pg11E8jAI8hpHw8V0K-srgxEqS-mG9wf3h4A61hzqTSSSpxe7eO1G_NLRwE7fgwSudo15VnXXg-Vrzb1m908QRsv-_lQkMcr5CmNHD6f31gDtmK9fo2_x4/s4896/P1070987a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5kZSbUhUphzAbP6JkKlgAQvfwqmCs7Xq-6CzO1pb1KbFG7EBxLugPZwFyNJ3QtQsDM765pg11E8jAI8hpHw8V0K-srgxEqS-mG9wf3h4A61hzqTSSSpxe7eO1G_NLRwE7fgwSudo15VnXXg-Vrzb1m908QRsv-_lQkMcr5CmNHD6f31gDtmK9fo2_x4/w640-h480/P1070987a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1zyy6u24LsLTE80ZJwYiwcvQY6swnEyW25m7PJvANosUp5MbtF-YltGETJeTnqs8MNOTJ45C1ttFyOIODmeOxBucYzf9vzbY6TaSP-5nByGsr1i5b9hXLx9fqGkg0zeroZJDjds8rI85nbzEvlMqDH01UiS9y2PDC8VSQgK_NeZ36osgUjxotBEHJNk/s4896/P1070984a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1zyy6u24LsLTE80ZJwYiwcvQY6swnEyW25m7PJvANosUp5MbtF-YltGETJeTnqs8MNOTJ45C1ttFyOIODmeOxBucYzf9vzbY6TaSP-5nByGsr1i5b9hXLx9fqGkg0zeroZJDjds8rI85nbzEvlMqDH01UiS9y2PDC8VSQgK_NeZ36osgUjxotBEHJNk/w640-h480/P1070984a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b>US M4A1 Sherman Medium Tank </b></b></b></span></div><div>The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was used by the United States and many of the other Western Allies in World War II and spearheaded many offensives by the Allies after 1942.</div><div><br /></div>The M4 Sherman evolved from the interim M3 Medium Tank, which had its main armament in a side sponson mount. The M4 retained much of the previous mechanical design but moved the main 75 mm gun into a fully traversing central turret.</div><div><br /></div><div>The M4 was the most-produced tank in American history, with 49,324 produced (including variants).<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI1_Ibhv2cEb_jPzEOXVQ0nAfeBGfCIeTqslpdfOHd0ZWRCyh7bWbtB9-ITSGwqIZll8HEUhPm6jsPPubUUkdXrfw5hF4P2VmgEh6wOVY3m4wbFc1XXcmlpz-CT5a8s6lTz80uNtZ4nNrBv1si0GFLw5EX9Pnl1DG4dsE5G9pgrHwiikCMZOv0oW2aVw/s4896/P1070945a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI1_Ibhv2cEb_jPzEOXVQ0nAfeBGfCIeTqslpdfOHd0ZWRCyh7bWbtB9-ITSGwqIZll8HEUhPm6jsPPubUUkdXrfw5hF4P2VmgEh6wOVY3m4wbFc1XXcmlpz-CT5a8s6lTz80uNtZ4nNrBv1si0GFLw5EX9Pnl1DG4dsE5G9pgrHwiikCMZOv0oW2aVw/w640-h480/P1070945a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>When the M4 tank first went into combat in North Africa with the British Army at El Alamein in 1942, it was superior to the lighter German and Italian tank designs of that era, but by 1944 the M4 was inferior to German heavy tanks, but was able to fight on with mutual support from numerical superiority and from growing numbers of fighter-bombers and artillery pieces.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EngeiF9yyZjWHccxts0PXNmL9evzvBSoCigOs4RmtoBdjJKuOjkpXZb_C4xG1I84tWNGcOmmVj8fyxutYWZZmmYrou96Tq37QqmvHc5cod9Lw8BROBXaWgxtDtkRNbBAV7SV8thYLfLt25M43iVSzNBIhcz-lAWj36tgcJmnXJDmjfo_c6yRKioVabo/s4896/P1070946a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EngeiF9yyZjWHccxts0PXNmL9evzvBSoCigOs4RmtoBdjJKuOjkpXZb_C4xG1I84tWNGcOmmVj8fyxutYWZZmmYrou96Tq37QqmvHc5cod9Lw8BROBXaWgxtDtkRNbBAV7SV8thYLfLt25M43iVSzNBIhcz-lAWj36tgcJmnXJDmjfo_c6yRKioVabo/w640-h480/P1070946a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div>This particular example was acquired from the UK and was produced in October/November 1943 by the Pressed Steel Car Company under Production Order T-3605 which required 1600 tanks consisting of 1374 M4A1's and 226 M4's. The serial number 28005 / USA 3036535 through to serial number 29604 / USA 3038134 were allocated to the tanks.</div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M4A4 Sherman Medium Tank (British 17-Pounder Firefly) </span></b></div>The British anticipated future developments in German armour and began development of a 3 in (76.2 mm) anti-tank gun even before its 57 mm predecessor entered service. Out of expediency and also driven by delays in their new tank designs, they mounted the powerful 76.2 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun in a standard 75 mm M4 Sherman turret. </div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6Z2wT-ntjhDZ1FqIFroUSNBo-IxnCMKwZyTSqGqeFCZMnR7yrc7rrUIjJOvF3DRIu2qm8IPs1Zi0atXxOs04uSD6rpdoXFfYf0jqIdpF5Oe3QBsBI0tdZhpKY_cUlYQASCKxGiN-jI_D4yWLL-eWI4FLkAeu16bocbuJGsEw91NtNRLBRIb75SwufSM/s3957/P1080108a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3430" data-original-width="3957" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6Z2wT-ntjhDZ1FqIFroUSNBo-IxnCMKwZyTSqGqeFCZMnR7yrc7rrUIjJOvF3DRIu2qm8IPs1Zi0atXxOs04uSD6rpdoXFfYf0jqIdpF5Oe3QBsBI0tdZhpKY_cUlYQASCKxGiN-jI_D4yWLL-eWI4FLkAeu16bocbuJGsEw91NtNRLBRIb75SwufSM/w640-h554/P1080108a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div>This conversion became the </span>Sherman Firefly.<span style="font-weight: 400;"> The U.S. M1 gun and the 17-pounder had nearly identical bore diameters, but the British piece used a more voluminous cartridge case containing a much bigger propellant charge. This allowed it to penetrate 174 mm (6.9 in) of unsloped r</span>olled homogeneous armour (RHA) at 100 m (110 yd) and 150 mm (5.9 in) at 1,000 m (1,100 yd) using APCBC ammunition. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 17-pounder still could not penetrate the steeply sloped glacis plate of the Panther but it was expected to be able to pierce its gun mantlet at over 2,500 yd (2,300 m); moreover it was estimated it would defeat the Tiger I's frontal armour from 1,900 yd (1,700 m).</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijC24PTYIMUB5sJU4D8Pb4YieoigWEtSZRqaoMvp4erXYmx6kpuzZDw-zUCqELy9kVHoRWuh8NSOsQkGASUM3ZUXjADM-yUZJ1ulG5PMK68Ot2fzkrrl5E9Y3br1Cdmuxj78x4IFI4qpZwXT3EKTZln3gqjRLMZJVpTPBQ0HJ4x7xq75tndpJdjZrWnc/s4618/P1080109a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="4618" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijC24PTYIMUB5sJU4D8Pb4YieoigWEtSZRqaoMvp4erXYmx6kpuzZDw-zUCqELy9kVHoRWuh8NSOsQkGASUM3ZUXjADM-yUZJ1ulG5PMK68Ot2fzkrrl5E9Y3br1Cdmuxj78x4IFI4qpZwXT3EKTZln3gqjRLMZJVpTPBQ0HJ4x7xq75tndpJdjZrWnc/w640-h400/P1080109a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div></div><div>You can watch an interesting video covering the story of the development and use of the Sherman Firefly here.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xXVlz5fJvmk" width="320" youtube-src-id="xXVlz5fJvmk"></iframe></div><br />In addition the following video looking at the merits of the Sherman is nicely presented in this video from the chaps at the Tank Museum, Bovington.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bw9-EJKnRjU" width="320" youtube-src-id="Bw9-EJKnRjU"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH5MiGKWbp8Bm3PRvkfst5wrV4fX9zhTRh1HskckoTjdjjXZqNjW6QHEXu0DcrGaZOHi49OFmROKwr6JcMP49WRu3egolRIyQIhUQvs6hkCVcrgsOgBl-9W5F6ehrl9vRMI3A4HHoheTN1c4_o8tiL_OpBcijQYFM_YtQhTc2nSQ_Roysd5zTaUsKpnM/s640/Dads%20Tank.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="640" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH5MiGKWbp8Bm3PRvkfst5wrV4fX9zhTRh1HskckoTjdjjXZqNjW6QHEXu0DcrGaZOHi49OFmROKwr6JcMP49WRu3egolRIyQIhUQvs6hkCVcrgsOgBl-9W5F6ehrl9vRMI3A4HHoheTN1c4_o8tiL_OpBcijQYFM_YtQhTc2nSQ_Roysd5zTaUsKpnM/w640-h450/Dads%20Tank.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dad, sat in the drivers position (right) next to the CO's pennant for a RA Battery Command (OP) M4 Sherman V, at the liberation of Eindhoven in September 1944. This is a Sherman Artillery Observers tank with a telegraph pole standing in for a main 75mm gun.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2017/09/hells-highway-holland-2017.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Hell's Highway - Holland 2017</span></b></a><br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2013/09/today-in-1944-monday-september-18th.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Today in 1944 - Monday September 18th, Dad's War.</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><div style="text-align: left;">My father served with Guards Armoured Division in a Sherman V (Observation Post) tank from Normandy to Germany and always spoke very fondly of the Sherman, underlying its reliability and the fact that its speed often enabled their gun tanks to defeat heavier German tanks by getting rapidly on to their flanks, anecdote I know, but from someone who did it for real.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>US M26 Pershing</b></b><b><b><b> </b></b></b><b><b>Tank</b></b></span></div></span>Originally known as the T26E3 it was renamed the M26 Pershing in March 1945 after General of the Armies John J. Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War I.<br /><br />Although development of the M26 was was started in 1942, it was it was delayed because of significant opposition from within certain circles of the Army who believed the Army Doctrine required tank destroyers rather than heavy tanks to combat the German Tiger and Panther tanks.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTagJXnpGFkvmt2grqsfubr1MQkSwQRx9AcOlA2ywbdTIIvoNzOKyMhvw8aBhd3h_dmODefKDH8x2F3X3B3OO40EM6vZ2PX_AeGay7_Wxbyllf-M9LNq8k2880_J_Z2RpGq92GtCouQ1arRUzUWtTWt2xqQ7jPscxC3TaS3CRvXVgrMwoGmEOWsSuxag/s750/M26_pontoon_ferry_remagen-7d3115637e954619936108bb04b78336.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="750" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTagJXnpGFkvmt2grqsfubr1MQkSwQRx9AcOlA2ywbdTIIvoNzOKyMhvw8aBhd3h_dmODefKDH8x2F3X3B3OO40EM6vZ2PX_AeGay7_Wxbyllf-M9LNq8k2880_J_Z2RpGq92GtCouQ1arRUzUWtTWt2xqQ7jPscxC3TaS3CRvXVgrMwoGmEOWsSuxag/w640-h518/M26_pontoon_ferry_remagen-7d3115637e954619936108bb04b78336.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An M26 Pershing of A Company, 14th Tank Battalion, is transported aboard a pontoon ferry across the Rhine on March 12, 1945.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Designed as a heavy tank, the Pershing was a significant upgrade from the M4 Sherman in terms of firepower and protection, however its mobility and manoeuvrability was unsatisfactory because it used the same engine that powered the M4A3 Sherman tank that was ten tons lighter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJLyJizwyMMlYpWIUa89eBopdzggFNgMrhfGOXbkfMtLu_DRZN-18wa0QgwYNIcUzsRryzLYPP3H-HAci05vXHimsgqlcnMoI6BLcMaM_nd-pXJ643Xy3DlCiPr3zoi3EKz8XL-A1lohjvuiT53VLAK-TNqpZBxQbx86Ch6hUSFsGjtQbpQ00cJU9wU4/s4442/P1070939a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="4442" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJLyJizwyMMlYpWIUa89eBopdzggFNgMrhfGOXbkfMtLu_DRZN-18wa0QgwYNIcUzsRryzLYPP3H-HAci05vXHimsgqlcnMoI6BLcMaM_nd-pXJ643Xy3DlCiPr3zoi3EKz8XL-A1lohjvuiT53VLAK-TNqpZBxQbx86Ch6hUSFsGjtQbpQ00cJU9wU4/w640-h400/P1070939a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The delays in design, development and production meant that only a small number of M26's saw combat during the final months of World War II, however the Pershing has left historians with one of the most impactful images of tank warfare in WWII when on the 6th March 1945, when tanks of the US 3rd Armoured Division fought their way into the bomb shattered city of Cologne, up against the Panthers and Panzer IV's of the 106th Panzer Brigade tasked with holding Nazi Germany's fourth largest city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What followed was captured by an American combat film team as they monitored and filmed the progress of 3rd Armoured and the eventual clash in the streets, outside Cologne Cathedral between a German Panther tank and the mighty Pershing M26 codename Eagle 7 commanded by Sergeant Robert 'Bob' Early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugNaDUNazTFi9f9H4M7eavfLgeAcV8YGMc0_KhjKmVzzNthzjgJh45FxtoxUHfg0tFkxalGgDBDlDrs6b69oyDe_tTwzCIbTG-pw9PplA30viZ0P8Zzh7SPdFK-YQiTnWmd-xADRUiscTl7hsvhOcg7fHxOsvIvueH6SVcVuAEvlIa_6CWOObeojVtdI/s1200/battle-of-cologne-tank-duel-fb-image-74269.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugNaDUNazTFi9f9H4M7eavfLgeAcV8YGMc0_KhjKmVzzNthzjgJh45FxtoxUHfg0tFkxalGgDBDlDrs6b69oyDe_tTwzCIbTG-pw9PplA30viZ0P8Zzh7SPdFK-YQiTnWmd-xADRUiscTl7hsvhOcg7fHxOsvIvueH6SVcVuAEvlIa_6CWOObeojVtdI/w640-h334/battle-of-cologne-tank-duel-fb-image-74269.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The video link below to the Battle Guide Channel gives an excellent forensic overview of this amazing film footage and is well worth a watch if you haven't seen it.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o_Uhx1YInQU" width="320" youtube-src-id="o_Uhx1YInQU"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US LVT 4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked)</span></b></b></div></span>The Landing Vehicle, Tracked (LVT) is a small amphibious landing craft, used during World War II. Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they rapidly evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles as well. The types were all widely known as amphtrack, "amtrak", "amtrac", as well as "alligator" or "gator".</div><div><br /></div>The LVT had its origins in a civilian rescue vehicle called the Alligator in 1935, to operate in swampy areas, inaccessible to both traditional cars and boats. The United States Marine Corps, which had been developing amphibious warfare doctrine became interested in the machine after learning about it through an article in <i>Life </i>magazine and arranged the design a more seaworthy model for military use.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbwGLtm9WL0s7ol3qmMEIHk_b0OKmJtHyRDsHmQkyGApAbp7LkfP8VyyTVHhLuhJD3HdwOiRO3eql77pBZ9NgTY-PwvHKqEFa4YWrGRTMgssChOOlbSjLxfRaupOnBEbaMYBfHuGf_nVwPeOrGa-y-fRcZErzK__LbEGp8VdrHFQOHzVyGf8yYxpkZ50/s4654/P1070948a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="4654" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbwGLtm9WL0s7ol3qmMEIHk_b0OKmJtHyRDsHmQkyGApAbp7LkfP8VyyTVHhLuhJD3HdwOiRO3eql77pBZ9NgTY-PwvHKqEFa4YWrGRTMgssChOOlbSjLxfRaupOnBEbaMYBfHuGf_nVwPeOrGa-y-fRcZErzK__LbEGp8VdrHFQOHzVyGf8yYxpkZ50/w640-h346/P1070948a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>The LVT-1 could carry 18 fully equipped men or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo. Originally intended to carry replenishment from ships to shore, they lacked armour protection and their tracks and suspension were unreliable when used on hard terrain. However, the Marines soon recognized the potential of the LVT as an assault vehicle. Armoured versions were introduced as well as fire support versions, dubbed Amtanks, which were fitted with turrets from Stuart series light tanks (LVT(A)-1) and Howitzer Motor Carriage M8s (LVT(A)-4). Production continued throughout the war, resulting in 18,616 LVTs delivered.<span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAkQFh70HbUGk8eguHJlN_M03c3MKFiohyuHCP4k_Coa6WnjmZ5vq9l7pRrxv7Zyef5vwDfUTmw1gZPtxnU-Fh8Q80U4nR5wuC7Z6WyQFtWa8BfcHojbSq8jrWP26p6CfyDhgjrfrvSIbvLcAacMHtd8iFG1d_WU3uPKumpsR8C_EiegYv2vLUKCuuJQ/s1458/Tracked_landing_vehicles_(LVTs)_approach_Iwo_Jima;fig14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1458" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAkQFh70HbUGk8eguHJlN_M03c3MKFiohyuHCP4k_Coa6WnjmZ5vq9l7pRrxv7Zyef5vwDfUTmw1gZPtxnU-Fh8Q80U4nR5wuC7Z6WyQFtWa8BfcHojbSq8jrWP26p6CfyDhgjrfrvSIbvLcAacMHtd8iFG1d_WU3uPKumpsR8C_EiegYv2vLUKCuuJQ/w640-h402/Tracked_landing_vehicles_(LVTs)_approach_Iwo_Jima;fig14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LVT-4 approaches Iwo Jima - Tracked landing vehicles (LVTs), jam-packed with 4th Marine Division troops, approach the Line of Departure at H-hour on D-day. In the centre rear can be seen the control vessels which attempted to maintain order in the landing. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>LVT's were mainly used for logistical support at Guadalcanal up until the development of the LVT-4 version which allowed for embarkation and dis<span>embarkation from a rear ramp, greatly improving combat utility by allowing troops to dismount from the vehicle much more quickly. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>The first usage of LVT in combat was during the amphibious assault on Tarawa in late 1943. Of 125 vehicles used (50 new LVT-2s and 75 LVT-1s), only 35 remained operational by the end of the first day. Marines who arrived in LCVP "Higgins boats" could not cross the reef and had to wade through chest-deep or higher water while under heavy enemy fire; casualties were horrific and many who made to the beach alive had lost their rifles and other essential gear. </div><div><br /></div><div>Despite their apparent utility however, the LVT-4 was too lightly armoured for combat, and the open crew and passenger compartment resulted in serious injuries from both machine gun fire and shrapnel. The operation also revealed the need for close-in fire support, which the Amtracs lacked.<br /><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyVY9rAO6HoTZUlZyo_g743_sNF-bCYkNGSKZ29M3BlSs2oKB44nL1c0iBKkx5pVLzyo_nY4F2zdgPEreiximyIe8yezJv88QAsM0GmqlcGE-n95CzN-pE4ZaUEzD2ErtZDQ37KPwndgw0A-dKoNk2S3JeZ9K-ORG8Ca_3BOFLLRZUiDebrmzg_A-8B4/s4896/P1070949a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyVY9rAO6HoTZUlZyo_g743_sNF-bCYkNGSKZ29M3BlSs2oKB44nL1c0iBKkx5pVLzyo_nY4F2zdgPEreiximyIe8yezJv88QAsM0GmqlcGE-n95CzN-pE4ZaUEzD2ErtZDQ37KPwndgw0A-dKoNk2S3JeZ9K-ORG8Ca_3BOFLLRZUiDebrmzg_A-8B4/w640-h480/P1070949a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>As a result of Tarawa experience, standardized armour kits were provided for the LVTs to be used in contested landings, and the gun-armed "amtank" LVT(A)-1 and LVT(A)-4 were developed to provide fire support. Armed with a 75mm howitzer, the latter was was especially effective in this role as it was capable of destroying Japanese fortifications as it came ashore. Although usually used during landings only, in the Marianas campaign "amtanks" were employed inland, much like regular tanks.</div><div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3kqYamuTMGkLZzXTtIB5wh0mDgh6iy_dFOvi-jq50JYPz5ajMMILZruAkF8sF8a8ZA9Ffh9Thyphenhyphenfd5qSqVFD6BpdbfRhkHGHcyeDSMSxQaXYSM_wYS_eR9QJg0cec-DilgyYPTihigtNN30sXwovuHoNXs7G6eC-ewF6QU6WZTCRWW4bSOTxSVPV7h0k/s4896/P1070950a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3kqYamuTMGkLZzXTtIB5wh0mDgh6iy_dFOvi-jq50JYPz5ajMMILZruAkF8sF8a8ZA9Ffh9Thyphenhyphenfd5qSqVFD6BpdbfRhkHGHcyeDSMSxQaXYSM_wYS_eR9QJg0cec-DilgyYPTihigtNN30sXwovuHoNXs7G6eC-ewF6QU6WZTCRWW4bSOTxSVPV7h0k/w640-h480/P1070950a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>The largest use of LVTs was in the Leyte landing in October 1944, with nine US Army amtrac and two amtank battalions deployed. As there was no fighting on the beaches, this is one of the least famous LVTs operations. Over 1,000 LVT's took part in the Battle of Okinawa.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBbNsi3fwu-UP-MeTsHRtuirbHd5-boFrLeSHTL-WbBBlafG3jveBu1vNxXiZ7ktKO-ssTLIUsz8d2iuKF1VuQCoIYPDLMbPrJ2N3jx76n5b3C5eSC6MQ5wf5I-wP1BR9ul8oXL1Ueimermrw3cgrZAj207r2Tu3fulv1r0O_YukI1LRN5SQxv2boeRc/s800/The_British_Army_in_North-west_Europe_1944-45_B11628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="800" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBbNsi3fwu-UP-MeTsHRtuirbHd5-boFrLeSHTL-WbBBlafG3jveBu1vNxXiZ7ktKO-ssTLIUsz8d2iuKF1VuQCoIYPDLMbPrJ2N3jx76n5b3C5eSC6MQ5wf5I-wP1BR9ul8oXL1Ueimermrw3cgrZAj207r2Tu3fulv1r0O_YukI1LRN5SQxv2boeRc/w640-h396/The_British_Army_in_North-west_Europe_1944-45_B11628.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Marines land from Buffalo amphibians at Westkapelle during the invasion of Walcheren Island, 1st November 1944.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Although usually associated with the Pacific theatre, toward the end of the war LVT's were employed in Europe as well. The U.S., British, and Canadian armies used the Buffalo in the 1944 Battle of the Scheldt, during Operation Plunder crossing of the Rhine in March 1945, along the Po River in Italy, across the river Elbe, and in a number of other river crossing operations.</div><div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGnP3N8n6RJHDBqkOcZHMLRDlQle9cfrTyBbEAkPL-J6XeCjRISCdRjfQXq8w_OS2Kr6vqQwV-pns_43SQvSwBHn7ZSsHJQuDjktoVr-1Gs9sX1kUwssABbgEten9rSON5QaxjzgCnIhzce9Kd6VFbz9u3bl2SLm9aRuE8RymsNIaCO9IGX8RWLQM75c/s4327/P1070951a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2639" data-original-width="4327" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGnP3N8n6RJHDBqkOcZHMLRDlQle9cfrTyBbEAkPL-J6XeCjRISCdRjfQXq8w_OS2Kr6vqQwV-pns_43SQvSwBHn7ZSsHJQuDjktoVr-1Gs9sX1kUwssABbgEten9rSON5QaxjzgCnIhzce9Kd6VFbz9u3bl2SLm9aRuE8RymsNIaCO9IGX8RWLQM75c/w640-h390/P1070951a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US LVT(A)4 Landing Vehicle Tracked Armoured</span></b></b></div><div>The LVT(A)4 was based on the LVT(A)1, but were upgraded with the open topped turrets from the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage with the M3 75mm howitzer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Armed with a 75mm howitzer, the LVT(A)4 was especially effective in the fire support role as it was capable of destroying Japanese fortifications as it came ashore and after it landed on the beaches. As the infantry and machines moved inland, the LVT(A)4's were used like regular tanks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31L8vWMr8EnzPpRCSBqYh6wmKOJO4Nf3nCLstccDgAYjOO1Luymp0rQRZ4KgBYFd8rkNCgoVuU_FnDx_h1qTNEVYf-5Ek3gNx6hWDrNiM34aQ4MTyHIBQ8fnATtbC7OxpIfC6MdE6Nyi3KebPv0Il_xIhHoqrsNAgKZGdGIs1Br1gVDDSo-Ebcp4M-go/s4896/P1070988a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="4896" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31L8vWMr8EnzPpRCSBqYh6wmKOJO4Nf3nCLstccDgAYjOO1Luymp0rQRZ4KgBYFd8rkNCgoVuU_FnDx_h1qTNEVYf-5Ek3gNx6hWDrNiM34aQ4MTyHIBQ8fnATtbC7OxpIfC6MdE6Nyi3KebPv0Il_xIhHoqrsNAgKZGdGIs1Br1gVDDSo-Ebcp4M-go/w640-h378/P1070988a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">LVT(A)4's saw action in many of the main Pacific Island battles such as Iwo Jima, the Marianas Campaign, the Leyte Landing, and the Battle of Okinawa.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiAosAg8W6TGiDMs5x-ZryTryIqCvdehIxOME4YRLnoXbazu70yN1pnwMT_vgAoAg5bvM7pzr-Vnfh78Q_2Va7GmvB92FsTwh4U5siOmlo3ctllNeHOgSElzD1P92dcJiTumkDOpJFcy4q7tZHTFv0XbD96wbw-fzfXiMe7WOF261U_uvCW46yaO9k4Q/s1472/lvta_peleliu3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1472" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiAosAg8W6TGiDMs5x-ZryTryIqCvdehIxOME4YRLnoXbazu70yN1pnwMT_vgAoAg5bvM7pzr-Vnfh78Q_2Va7GmvB92FsTwh4U5siOmlo3ctllNeHOgSElzD1P92dcJiTumkDOpJFcy4q7tZHTFv0XbD96wbw-fzfXiMe7WOF261U_uvCW46yaO9k4Q/w640-h382/lvta_peleliu3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">LVT(A)-4 of the Marine 3rd Armoured Amphibian Battalion.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Beach at Peleliu - 15 September 1944.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Small numbers were also employed in Europe by the US, British and Canadian Armies seeing action in the 1944 Battle of the Scheldt, during Operation Plunder crossing of the Rhine in March 1945, along the Po River in Italy, and across the river Elbe, together with other river crossing operations.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX_9xybMyJARs4uC87hxDGhyphenhyphenU3kV9sOOafvKZrv1eV8uNrdPQJrQwYEDqQ8gnKGzCv8HCUiol_IrHm_FUA5R-CryBSKt8IzHyGtjO-A4EV6BSHALSY4mDBj5FZ6wXxMLh8AlFiW50CSP1nNo-9sthDDSivqrRlWtU83P98CrnGqSWhHZFW4cNJGPyfjs/s4896/P1070990a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX_9xybMyJARs4uC87hxDGhyphenhyphenU3kV9sOOafvKZrv1eV8uNrdPQJrQwYEDqQ8gnKGzCv8HCUiol_IrHm_FUA5R-CryBSKt8IzHyGtjO-A4EV6BSHALSY4mDBj5FZ6wXxMLh8AlFiW50CSP1nNo-9sthDDSivqrRlWtU83P98CrnGqSWhHZFW4cNJGPyfjs/w640-h480/P1070990a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US Staghound Armoured Car</span></b></b></div></span>The T17E1 Armoured Car was an American armoured car manufactured during the Second World War. It saw service with British and other Commonwealth forces during the war under the name Staghound, but was never used on the front line by US forces. A number of other countries used the Staghound after the war; some vehicles continued to serve until the 1980s.<span><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUIknLvGqf-JwQ2kdpNZ_7nAOpdljG7pZXRfP4n73kJQlUVGE33-GxL3NZVmQNVxt8y4muN60VIB4LQohxK0tfGPc9D9KxI6b_qphwIqJ5nUkEBA3aSgUAu_2j3iSJz3IulPycCNs13Mktl0yMoYjQysZqIrTvry0YFx3ManfHW_pkou-ArgIfyu0nfA/s4607/P1070969a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2929" data-original-width="4607" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUIknLvGqf-JwQ2kdpNZ_7nAOpdljG7pZXRfP4n73kJQlUVGE33-GxL3NZVmQNVxt8y4muN60VIB4LQohxK0tfGPc9D9KxI6b_qphwIqJ5nUkEBA3aSgUAu_2j3iSJz3IulPycCNs13Mktl0yMoYjQysZqIrTvry0YFx3ManfHW_pkou-ArgIfyu0nfA/w640-h406/P1070969a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div>The Staghound entered service too late for use in the<b> </b>North African Campaign where its combination of armour, range and main armament would have been an advantage in a light forces reconnaissance role. As a result, it first saw operational service in Italy, where many units found its large physical size too restrictive in the narrow roads and streets of Europe. </div><div><br /></div><div>It saw most service at squadron and regimental headquarter level; an armoured car regiment having three Staghounds with the Regimental HQ and three with each HQ of the four squadrons in the regiment. Conditions for the Staghound improved when the Italian campaign became more mobile in the middle of 1944, and the Staghound was also used in north-west Europe campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Staghound entered service with the Australian Army in 1943, and the last of the vehicles were retired in the late 1960's.</div><div><br /><span><b><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0J3Y9NJ5eJflFEtxdIZuGuCQQ48y8V7JmYA99trqol_Lt8KqtELMGAlG_BouU7dh5nVCyc1AHfkvJYf3kWf8scINfpUMF4zVX6KMKYXu-zqxIW9QLr_94RZ0c-OsGliWT8Ikxbl3l3PbqYwqJhgukHtMC22o5JtuNB-NnMcyzHpeXfDj5wLxTEYkJUE/s2889/P1070970b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="2889" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0J3Y9NJ5eJflFEtxdIZuGuCQQ48y8V7JmYA99trqol_Lt8KqtELMGAlG_BouU7dh5nVCyc1AHfkvJYf3kWf8scINfpUMF4zVX6KMKYXu-zqxIW9QLr_94RZ0c-OsGliWT8Ikxbl3l3PbqYwqJhgukHtMC22o5JtuNB-NnMcyzHpeXfDj5wLxTEYkJUE/w640-h376/P1070970b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><span><b style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">US T17E2 Staghound Armoured Car (Anti-Aircraft)</b></span></div></b></span>The T17E2 was an T17E1 fitted with the normal turret removed and a Frazer-Nash-designed turret mounting two 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) M2 Browning heavy machine guns that could elevate between +75 and -10 degrees for anti-aircraft defence. </div><div><br /></div><div>The turrets were built in the US for British Motor Torpedo Boats. Redesign of the turret and mounting was carried out. 2,610 rounds were carried. </div><div><br /></div><div>It had a reduced crew of three compared to the crew of five for a normal Staghound, consisting of a commander/gunner, loader and driver.<br /><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpidnjGC87gUHBj2XzGmKrRJtGXf4SKSNVDW2CiuonvXtm1NplcX2VR31f2mN9ABpGXz2MfFDtsJ5VxQHBVFoZv5xRMb8UQ4HLmyABwBJd4iZWxgOLH3vJDqPfFI4m3RZhSBl0xZTl6MAJPBZ0LSH-gVye1M2rSNKXTSs-pdHtSHHXsvpOtQEBsD9C9k/s4896/P1070973a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3519" data-original-width="4896" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpidnjGC87gUHBj2XzGmKrRJtGXf4SKSNVDW2CiuonvXtm1NplcX2VR31f2mN9ABpGXz2MfFDtsJ5VxQHBVFoZv5xRMb8UQ4HLmyABwBJd4iZWxgOLH3vJDqPfFI4m3RZhSBl0xZTl6MAJPBZ0LSH-gVye1M2rSNKXTSs-pdHtSHHXsvpOtQEBsD9C9k/w640-h460/P1070973a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The T17E2 was developed as a result of continued Luftwaffe attacks on armoured columns in the Western Desert Campaign in early 1943, however by the time they were delivered to the army in Italy and North West Europe in April 1944 the threat of air attack by the Luftwaffe was negligible.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqzF91cZ85PCfZ4MXwwuFV36DdZ-QqOyXFyo6Plowy9NIhZ0sXFDqppqQ8ytdYobEyn0sYuL7SjNNwv7xBlFjwugNPXOogCdSFn7wSldU-jMH_XuvjpI3Z0pDO4_MTbASNZqH0F_2H5eyahQcBmvpwvbxau4yYBbA9bwdbJpK5j8M42NYEgBzsqRCSQo/s4896/P1070971a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4896" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqzF91cZ85PCfZ4MXwwuFV36DdZ-QqOyXFyo6Plowy9NIhZ0sXFDqppqQ8ytdYobEyn0sYuL7SjNNwv7xBlFjwugNPXOogCdSFn7wSldU-jMH_XuvjpI3Z0pDO4_MTbASNZqH0F_2H5eyahQcBmvpwvbxau4yYBbA9bwdbJpK5j8M42NYEgBzsqRCSQo/w640-h426/P1070971a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M8 Greyhound Armoured Car</span></b></b></div>The M8 light armoured car is a 6×6 armoured car produced by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. It was used from 1943 by United States and British forces in Europe and the Pacific until the end of the war. In British service, the M8 was known as the "Greyhound", because of its top speed capabilities.</div><div><br /></div>The M8 was initially developed as a tank destroyer with a 37mm gun but by the time it entered service in early 1943 it was clear that the 37 mm gun would not be effective against German tanks; so it took on a reconnaissance role.<div><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR56R6T6Psa-u3cDWG4XfnUS4uKb7nlb7bQo6pX9UBwue4_5jZ3xKKouIV02zQD7ijsmLHqNxXfIurvY_ZyiTfaqh-I-hkTuStc20U5de-F9PfxmPK-T0Gst1qqv-rPDbLGad2oyOiUxEYI_SJUKZiK0Otw6QGI23ooUjb_SeystEaVeT7JoK7l9jjuN4/s4896/P1070991a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3406" data-original-width="4896" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR56R6T6Psa-u3cDWG4XfnUS4uKb7nlb7bQo6pX9UBwue4_5jZ3xKKouIV02zQD7ijsmLHqNxXfIurvY_ZyiTfaqh-I-hkTuStc20U5de-F9PfxmPK-T0Gst1qqv-rPDbLGad2oyOiUxEYI_SJUKZiK0Otw6QGI23ooUjb_SeystEaVeT7JoK7l9jjuN4/w640-h446/P1070991a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The M8 first saw action in Sicily in 1943 and was subsequently used by the US Army in Italy, Northwest Europe and the Pacific. In the latter theatre, it was used mostly on Okinawa and the Philippines, and was even employed in its original tank destroyer role, as most Japanese tanks had armour that was vulnerable to its 37 mm gun. <div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M36 "Jackson" Tank Destroyer</span></b></b></div>The M36 tank destroyer (formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36), was the last dedicated American tank destroyer used during the latter part of World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, and a large new turret mounting the 90 mm gun M3.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWn38D6EKslRjMpI-wFLRkM4VLZORPBHHkMN2KwvOxHlzI_mh6bYK-R6yYgXxr6-su0HGdN5rgARhG69wT1ZT1oYbBFzQH35oORVyK_u-oe8snF-5kxXIrCXrGwMW9xFGeF2RIsSzE4Ev_4iMPXZ70BefFGxGxLKj9bONuVqJoBIYdOGVBJvBmOlLit8/s4687/P1070993a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="4687" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWn38D6EKslRjMpI-wFLRkM4VLZORPBHHkMN2KwvOxHlzI_mh6bYK-R6yYgXxr6-su0HGdN5rgARhG69wT1ZT1oYbBFzQH35oORVyK_u-oe8snF-5kxXIrCXrGwMW9xFGeF2RIsSzE4Ev_4iMPXZ70BefFGxGxLKj9bONuVqJoBIYdOGVBJvBmOlLit8/w640-h394/P1070993a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>The T71 Gun Motor Carriage, which would become the M36, was completed in March 1943. However due to multiple issues, the production only started mid-1944 and the first deliveries arrived in the European theatre in September 1944, two years after the idea was first proposed.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8V03OYuZTA55j3a8uJE6t5MSgQ68eGY8BDssE4DrLLMBGOdBmpB1W2aebei5J6OG3NdCsE9cxLSoLc14q-ru2kKZB1ulEqFlstoqnxt5uEiwfp-U0uPiRz-X1_H7-Vu2bKu3klxFEO_5_9NicCa76OXXGg-8gWgFFIEyGEZo7I6YzqVr99lPMJWqbVA/s1269/SC198612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1269" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8V03OYuZTA55j3a8uJE6t5MSgQ68eGY8BDssE4DrLLMBGOdBmpB1W2aebei5J6OG3NdCsE9cxLSoLc14q-ru2kKZB1ulEqFlstoqnxt5uEiwfp-U0uPiRz-X1_H7-Vu2bKu3klxFEO_5_9NicCa76OXXGg-8gWgFFIEyGEZo7I6YzqVr99lPMJWqbVA/w640-h394/SC198612.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M3690 mm GMC during the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The British nicknamed the M36 the "Jackson" after fames American Civil War General "Stonewall Jackson".</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M3 Armoured Personnel Carrier & M7B1 "Priest" 105 Howitzer Motor Carriage</span></b></b></div><div>The Carrier, Personnel Half-track M3 was an armoured vehicle used by the United States, the British Empire and other Allies during World War II and in the Cold War. Nearly 43,000 were produced and supplied to the US Army and Marines, as well as British Commonwealth and Soviet Red Army forces, serving on all fronts throughout the war.</div></div></div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4C9dOGd96K0G27Uu7rTH9aOuFtvw8_WTJRPWVkFeq4PG2CCknAMONgjohhNn8yAEbdBTJup1LwHEXNObYY1ogdh3jcjzkGF1uTh1RdOIVT8F6Pv9r1ltxSRpF22FvgTvHG0dfKqN-LWyJuCdtv-maRDgNHUjEui2NOBLwlYR3ySXCuMIGtKMZ3fSPcc/s4896/P1070995a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="4896" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4C9dOGd96K0G27Uu7rTH9aOuFtvw8_WTJRPWVkFeq4PG2CCknAMONgjohhNn8yAEbdBTJup1LwHEXNObYY1ogdh3jcjzkGF1uTh1RdOIVT8F6Pv9r1ltxSRpF22FvgTvHG0dfKqN-LWyJuCdtv-maRDgNHUjEui2NOBLwlYR3ySXCuMIGtKMZ3fSPcc/w640-h390/P1070995a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The American 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 was a self-propelled gun vehicle produced during World War II. It was given the official service name 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, Priest by the British Army, due to the pulpit-like machine gun ring, and following on from the Bishop and the contemporary Deacon self-propelled guns.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC0rMHQpOohx8pj4raZmc1i05ABZucFz_b5u4hoAJcF9LXvHLZH-RbfKT0lbY-N-tUAo7UuV5P6YM_KEI9b2gW3Nol8wKSNUSISjnKAFL6Vi98eWv9cCvFQzpSW5PNOTD7WEPo8S1bh5Y8mglILJ9ildV4-6k2mQ0jHjKeOAsvwcPbs_6T0Ryi4niC-M/s271/images.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="271" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC0rMHQpOohx8pj4raZmc1i05ABZucFz_b5u4hoAJcF9LXvHLZH-RbfKT0lbY-N-tUAo7UuV5P6YM_KEI9b2gW3Nol8wKSNUSISjnKAFL6Vi98eWv9cCvFQzpSW5PNOTD7WEPo8S1bh5Y8mglILJ9ildV4-6k2mQ0jHjKeOAsvwcPbs_6T0Ryi4niC-M/w640-h439/images.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">M7 Priest of the 14th Armoured Field Artillery Battalion in Carentan, Normandy, France. 1944.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US 37mm M3 Anti-Tank Gun</span></b></b></div>The 37 mm gun M3 is the first dedicated anti-tank gun fielded by United States forces in numbers. Introduced in 1940, it became the standard anti-tank gun of the U.S. infantry with its size enabling it to be pulled by a jeep.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the mid-1930s, the United States Army had yet to field a dedicated anti-tank artillery piece; anti-tank companies of infantry regiments were armed with .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns. Although some consideration had been given to replacing the machine guns with a more powerful anti-tank gun, the situation began to change only after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Combat experience from Spain suggested that a light anti-tank gun, such as the German 37 mm PaK 35/36, was capable of neutralizing the growing threat posed by tanks.<br /> <br /><div><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAR8cI4Xm7eGTu_RkBk_dB8e7lGxnjTopDtibUuQhoNZxmIx55QC6eaGzn48-KSDLXjxk52s84RoUJgD4l-R52xIn_EAgx6vUXyGWv7rsVlhYwQTQsk49MN0KHCiX6-h5hwlxgEssHAW6LKSQXP6-zy0wNMriOgwb_LRZbi17KAgGmv9ISVq8rSVFaDw/s4896/P1070963a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="4896" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAR8cI4Xm7eGTu_RkBk_dB8e7lGxnjTopDtibUuQhoNZxmIx55QC6eaGzn48-KSDLXjxk52s84RoUJgD4l-R52xIn_EAgx6vUXyGWv7rsVlhYwQTQsk49MN0KHCiX6-h5hwlxgEssHAW6LKSQXP6-zy0wNMriOgwb_LRZbi17KAgGmv9ISVq8rSVFaDw/w640-h406/P1070963a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>In January 1937, the Ordnance Committee recommended development of such a weapon; two PaK 36 guns were acquired for study. As the projected main user of the weapon, the Infantry Branch was chosen to oversee the work. They wanted a lightweight gun that could be moved around by the crew, so any ideas of using a larger calibre than that of the German gun were discarded.</div><div><br /></div>Development and testing continued until late 1938. Several variants of gun and carriage were proposed until on 15 December a combination of the T10 gun and T5 carriage was officially adopted as the 37 mm gun M3 and carriage M4.<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f0U8JbfVY8iYcxpDEZ_mTNPAQ39WVbCI1pVz1YllK5zE9XwC1cMuQAhAMLXjH-VPQpFH2lqX3e9o28P5vQyKiwn_UNnAbWcNlvU-nE548KrO6_muliawJR7j0KIc7Ds10evqL3lKTXVy35iW70s5a2f_MqpJJkm6kMubISTIgGmKLtxZB2t9lD9OkVE/s4896/P1070966a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3147" data-original-width="4896" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f0U8JbfVY8iYcxpDEZ_mTNPAQ39WVbCI1pVz1YllK5zE9XwC1cMuQAhAMLXjH-VPQpFH2lqX3e9o28P5vQyKiwn_UNnAbWcNlvU-nE548KrO6_muliawJR7j0KIc7Ds10evqL3lKTXVy35iW70s5a2f_MqpJJkm6kMubISTIgGmKLtxZB2t9lD9OkVE/w640-h412/P1070966a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The M3 saw action for the first time during the defence of the Philippines in December 1941. It went on to become a factor in the Guadalcanal Campaign, where it was successfully employed against both Japanese armour and infantry. The light weight of the gun made it easy to move through difficult terrain.</div><div><br /></div><div>While high-explosive and canister ammunition proved useful in stopping Japanese infantry attacks, against enemy fortifications the M3 was only somewhat effective because of its small high-explosive projectile. Its overall effectiveness and ease of use meant the gun remained in service with the Marine Corps and with some army units in the Pacific until the end of the war.</div><div><br /></div><div>The experience of the M3 in the North African Campaign was completely different. The gun was not powerful enough to deal with late production German Panzer III and IV tanks. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbceYws_G8WRfruPGG40l5BhB0__RCjU5KFYDJcb_5EtwSRQlzayOU6P7EO8q-uU5WKjPLmLwIV5AKMXa1chS0FyEbpAr6SL_qWuwR4MVQAQJ9Ai6LrJyLnvtLvkT-dY4ZA92dSoJWthOBAAwuiMmhbj3Z1846tF1MRPqd2KQLCk6YeMfishI8DIXZaA/s4896/P1070964a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbceYws_G8WRfruPGG40l5BhB0__RCjU5KFYDJcb_5EtwSRQlzayOU6P7EO8q-uU5WKjPLmLwIV5AKMXa1chS0FyEbpAr6SL_qWuwR4MVQAQJ9Ai6LrJyLnvtLvkT-dY4ZA92dSoJWthOBAAwuiMmhbj3Z1846tF1MRPqd2KQLCk6YeMfishI8DIXZaA/w640-h480/P1070964a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Meanwhile, the Italian campaign was launched, and M3 guns saw action from the day of the Sicily landing on 10 July 1943. That day the 37 mm guns demonstrated once again both their effectiveness against pre-war tanks when they helped to repel an attack by Italian Renault R 35s and inability to cope with modern threats in a subsequent encounter with Tiger Is from the Hermann Göring division. The Italian theatre had a lower priority for reequipment than Northwest Europe, and some M3s were still in use in Italy in late 1944.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl7zdNyXNiJ-ZbbnQq2M1M_tMepVr3qpOv452iHw7HLN0ytiZSMJwAAqUHrs1VFJ7UJXF9b2-ohvOxfkW-xs2pwP0dHNVNqL1oFfZAKonk5X23hZ3R4N_Htw9Afuj1lgMxnC8Q5m8aIun635c-BuFbOqbfKNHGzu8ABLW_vlkaRx6XPY6STh7OcpYIZA/s414/37mm_gun_crew_in_battle_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="414" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl7zdNyXNiJ-ZbbnQq2M1M_tMepVr3qpOv452iHw7HLN0ytiZSMJwAAqUHrs1VFJ7UJXF9b2-ohvOxfkW-xs2pwP0dHNVNqL1oFfZAKonk5X23hZ3R4N_Htw9Afuj1lgMxnC8Q5m8aIun635c-BuFbOqbfKNHGzu8ABLW_vlkaRx6XPY6STh7OcpYIZA/w400-h315/37mm_gun_crew_in_battle_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>By mid-1944, the M3 had fallen out of favour even with airborne troops, despite their strong preference for compact and lightweight weapon systems.</div><div><br /></div><div>The M3 was phased out of U.S. service soon after the end of the war.<br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>US M101A1 (M2A2) 105mm Howitzer & M1A1 (M114) 155mm </b></b><b><b>Howitzer</b></b></span></div>The 105mm M2A1 (M101A1) howitzer was the standard U.S. light field howitzer in World War II and saw action in both the European and Pacific theatres . Entering production in 1941, it quickly entered the war against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Pacific where it gained a reputation for accuracy and a powerful punch. The M101A1 fires 105 mm high explosive (HE) semi-fixed ammunition and has a range of 12,330 yards, making it suitable for supporting infantry.</div><div><br /></div><div>It continued to see service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_LgUrKmZf_ZYzfwWcXDIOY9-zm4chdTaAxFadLpdQHi40jExF_opRmFDtBTfMTC6qOig8DRevjfad5LWB866mbr17n5V4IV20jG0Wd21WJdkowzTMzo2oFoRCUE7GUi8jNmDms59g3bfj16zYyPdebfdhIzPFjEJvcsfpONebLw3jb54w1H5jM1Eums/s4896/P1070955a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2511" data-original-width="4896" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_LgUrKmZf_ZYzfwWcXDIOY9-zm4chdTaAxFadLpdQHi40jExF_opRmFDtBTfMTC6qOig8DRevjfad5LWB866mbr17n5V4IV20jG0Wd21WJdkowzTMzo2oFoRCUE7GUi8jNmDms59g3bfj16zYyPdebfdhIzPFjEJvcsfpONebLw3jb54w1H5jM1Eums/w640-h328/P1070955a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">US M101A1 (M2A2) 105mm Howitzer (left) & M1A1 (M114) 155mm </span><span style="text-align: left;">Howitzer (right)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>M2A1 105mm howitzer (on the M2A2 carriage) was the standard weapon used by most field regiments of the Royal Australian Army (RAA) during the Vietnam conflict.</div><div><br /></div><div>After Vietnam the M2 Howitzers continued to see limited service in the Australian Army Reserve, but were replaced with 81-millimetre mortars with an emphasis on the retention of indirect fire support skills. In regular service they were replaced by the 105 mm L119 Hamel gun and the 155-millimetre M198 howitzers.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTnRvKSro7eOimkjqUf8cRmqQXy_T2vrhCifJGvL3a5VY5hjbZWTHLzEk_DgofLwQqEk6YgUi2xgTuEDJxorROTZbQoPn8vDtwWlblBdcYU6Gqz8qUdVE51Vywlheh6Xgva1Y21XE0EW-UQMyvdIDiiQdcm6vHIb6SVPBcVNQd3AD4GtDCU4kQ-jIf68/s2820/P1070956b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="2820" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTnRvKSro7eOimkjqUf8cRmqQXy_T2vrhCifJGvL3a5VY5hjbZWTHLzEk_DgofLwQqEk6YgUi2xgTuEDJxorROTZbQoPn8vDtwWlblBdcYU6Gqz8qUdVE51Vywlheh6Xgva1Y21XE0EW-UQMyvdIDiiQdcm6vHIb6SVPBcVNQd3AD4GtDCU4kQ-jIf68/w640-h292/P1070956b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The M1 155mm was a towed howitzer developed and used by the United States Army. It was first produced in 1942 as a medium artillery piece. It saw service with the US Army during World War II, the Korean War. During this period it went through many modifications. In 1962 it was redesignated as the M114 and went on to see service in the Vietnam War, before being replaced by the M198 howitzer.<br /><br />The gun was also used by the armed forces of many nations. The M114A1 remains in service in some countries.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MqGkeTwYb0ZiZS2LoNSgSJoxPegMDsMuHWLUJY_1AGD3cemDcZ3O8r8W9ieL8kcfdvjDJ0UdbTuKoWwfMMiP6GLQ8ORxG_-jA4Ul0KxuQLmgLIbRrNmSLMghXKVkteKTAuqUltEd4kxbQRw55mqLrgrsl94nslBMMKuOOApnt21tAJc1jD0VNy33Smc/s4896/P1070954a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2905" data-original-width="4896" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MqGkeTwYb0ZiZS2LoNSgSJoxPegMDsMuHWLUJY_1AGD3cemDcZ3O8r8W9ieL8kcfdvjDJ0UdbTuKoWwfMMiP6GLQ8ORxG_-jA4Ul0KxuQLmgLIbRrNmSLMghXKVkteKTAuqUltEd4kxbQRw55mqLrgrsl94nslBMMKuOOApnt21tAJc1jD0VNy33Smc/w640-h380/P1070954a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M1 155mm "Long Tom" Field Artillery Gun</span></b></b></div>The 155 mm gun M1 and M2 (later M59), widely known as "Long Tom" were 15mm calibre field guns used as a heavy field weapon. The gun could fire a 100 lb shell to a maximum range of 13.7 miles, with an estimated accuracy life of 1,500 rounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Long Tom was also adopted by a number of other nations, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Israel, and the Netherlands.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg5sPFLvXRJFyTAGo0a_2Wl7Sn2A2VF6Y1QlMGW9hhntYEcH3ukt1VxmyFRr_RlJeTKBYFt8paPmUAlS-6vC4lK2EreYUSgt-3r2F7tKGIvB2DB55NIbvIOkTfYTWNbSZVLSftndi8C5n5ADzRKtrbuQdpMarLEUb4La7L33GH2BtmsRUs-bkqOXyQtA/s4896/P1070959a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3412" data-original-width="4896" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg5sPFLvXRJFyTAGo0a_2Wl7Sn2A2VF6Y1QlMGW9hhntYEcH3ukt1VxmyFRr_RlJeTKBYFt8paPmUAlS-6vC4lK2EreYUSgt-3r2F7tKGIvB2DB55NIbvIOkTfYTWNbSZVLSftndi8C5n5ADzRKtrbuQdpMarLEUb4La7L33GH2BtmsRUs-bkqOXyQtA/w640-h446/P1070959a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The gun was capable of firing High Explosives, Smoke, Armour Piercing and Chemical Shells.</div><div><br /></div>The gun was developed into M1A1 and M2 variants. After World War II, the United States Army re-organized, and the gun was re-designated as the M59.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ammunition for the 155 mm gun was "separate-loading", that is with the shell and the powder charge packaged, shipped and stored separately. The shell is lifted into position behind the breech and then rammed into the chamber to engage the shell's rotating band into the barrel rifling.</div><div><p style="margin: 0.5em 0px 1em;">Ramming the shell home is followed by loading a number of powder bags, as required for the desired range. The powder charge could be loaded in up to seven charge settings. Once the powder is loaded, the breech plug is closed and locked, and a primer is placed in the breech plug's firing mechanism. After setting the elevation and azimuth, the gun is ready to fire. The firing mechanism is a device for initiating the ammunition primer. The primer then sets off the igniter which ignites the propelling charge of the ammunition. A continuous-pull lanyard first cocks the firing pin, then fires the primer when pulled.</p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOyzkzADpX0u-Zd02Uhu1ATCsUfCrRfp3k2xeVaYZXAWzTL-49FyfHHu9jTY91HShdJfSnD8DiPNx_omo6TOUZVTJGupBHiqEoMnH-tq1AqByuaxLFy91QM3XzO3Px-RNFo1Vrs1c2Y3X-jblK0qKKZb2y8cbpGJvZ8n9ljDe7wliumPNipoD5rlCuNI/s2841/P1070960b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="2841" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOyzkzADpX0u-Zd02Uhu1ATCsUfCrRfp3k2xeVaYZXAWzTL-49FyfHHu9jTY91HShdJfSnD8DiPNx_omo6TOUZVTJGupBHiqEoMnH-tq1AqByuaxLFy91QM3XzO3Px-RNFo1Vrs1c2Y3X-jblK0qKKZb2y8cbpGJvZ8n9ljDe7wliumPNipoD5rlCuNI/w640-h276/P1070960b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">US M115 203mm Howitzer</span></b></b></div>The M115 203 mm howitzer, also known as the M115 8-inch Howitzer, was a towed heavy howitzer used by the United States Army. Until the 1950's it was designated the 8-inch Howitzer M1.</div><div><br /></div>The original design of the M1 8-inch howitzer started in 1919, but lapsed until resurrected in 1927 as a partner piece for a new 155 mm gun.<div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSDQhzBeGz9ME4MItk2gJ3IDsPVR9DT5so6zScRnJJ7Ov_4URQekHHJQbBjxNIFqnVYhjyaz81HyoP_0gllJQCmTAVlXyl2bjaFjTejFcUNs4hRRYsE6s7AJ-xGYzO6f6BY7wcIXl7gcfEa_WaD8YPL68o2y-DhIIcUv-95a2dK5SLJ1m0EnFE1bMhjs/s4896/P1070967a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSDQhzBeGz9ME4MItk2gJ3IDsPVR9DT5so6zScRnJJ7Ov_4URQekHHJQbBjxNIFqnVYhjyaz81HyoP_0gllJQCmTAVlXyl2bjaFjTejFcUNs4hRRYsE6s7AJ-xGYzO6f6BY7wcIXl7gcfEa_WaD8YPL68o2y-DhIIcUv-95a2dK5SLJ1m0EnFE1bMhjs/w640-h480/P1070967a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>The M115 saw service in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis and the Croatian War of Independence. During World War II, the M1 was towed by the Mack 7⅓ ton 6×6 truck or the M4 tractor. <div><br /></div><div>This completes Part One of my overview of the A.A.& A. Museum collection, which will be followed in Part Two with a look and the World War Two German and Post War Modern equipment, together with the display of small arms and military uniforms.</div><div><br /></div><div>I should also mention that the museum has a YouTube Channel</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdPpdEtt8qAxjT0nCCzOBlLu61QA0-cV0A-t98SIiLKWb1PXkmGSsodPAo1NVm57S3tBj7zfbtl2duFu8gvG-pr5m0t0JzkKUcEIDu-FSnNnVIdMKdTYHgHfDO2uoMT0EVWSVMV21Ne3E0k-TiVnfm_Ts0Zd2htt-rvRYJWK6tbbV3F9ul1FAI7BkrBI/s176/channels4_profile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="176" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdPpdEtt8qAxjT0nCCzOBlLu61QA0-cV0A-t98SIiLKWb1PXkmGSsodPAo1NVm57S3tBj7zfbtl2duFu8gvG-pr5m0t0JzkKUcEIDu-FSnNnVIdMKdTYHgHfDO2uoMT0EVWSVMV21Ne3E0k-TiVnfm_Ts0Zd2htt-rvRYJWK6tbbV3F9ul1FAI7BkrBI/w320-h320/channels4_profile.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ausarmour" style="text-align: start;"><b>https://www.youtube.com/@ausarmour</b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The museum seems to be constantly adding new exhibits to the collection and renovating pieces to full running order as material and time permit and I have enjoyed tuning in on their Workshop Wednesday videos showing the latest activities together with full feature length restoration recordings like the one featuring the M3 Grant shown in this post which was indeed an 'Incredible Transformation' and well worth sitting down with a brew if you enjoy seeing the amazing skill and ingenuity required to bring these vehicles back from derelict range targets or farm side sources of scrap iron.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Av8Oa6RCA4" width="320" youtube-src-id="-Av8Oa6RCA4"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway I hope you've enjoyed the first post here on JJ's for 2024 and as always more anon</div><div><br /></div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-73869933248428655132023-12-30T04:06:00.000-08:002023-12-30T15:12:44.127-08:00JJ's Wargames Year End Review, 2023 and The Plan for the New Year Ahead, 2024<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9u_pdgamy0yolu0BMZ5Awh7OY3elD3ujiB_H0AcTKxjx_4UuZHYUWsroc8WntkDNye181tbI7zzEkH-S3Ewc-NrZQlyurZV3guchQJkX2-GjsdwjvvDdrH51n-X-VyGYoTr56sCHpegolyLUbYzY2eszvwyA3urZ9YTJl2EasSfiC8W29bTMIhyL-8E/s1920/Header%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1920" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9u_pdgamy0yolu0BMZ5Awh7OY3elD3ujiB_H0AcTKxjx_4UuZHYUWsroc8WntkDNye181tbI7zzEkH-S3Ewc-NrZQlyurZV3guchQJkX2-GjsdwjvvDdrH51n-X-VyGYoTr56sCHpegolyLUbYzY2eszvwyA3urZ9YTJl2EasSfiC8W29bTMIhyL-8E/w640-h350/Header%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The last twenty months have been a bit of a rollercoaster in terms of life experiences, that includes my hobby time, but that has seen the normal routine of producing JJ's Wargames joining in with everything else and having to adapt to the demands of only so many hours present in a day, that is allowing the occasional break to sleep.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thus producing my normal review of the previous twelve months in the hobby together with a look at how I did against what I had planned and more importantly what would be the direction of travel for the next year ahead seems to be a bit of a moving feast given that my last blog review was back in 2021 in the wake of Covid and our coming out of lockdown.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiV1ZOd7t4-gYdk5SOzGjC_L9Zm2mKObl22Z1wtlDrSwe0ER_We_AzylnKJhSw3gRAfJTsOR1PSpfGKFgzudCx5EEOGaxTWzU1DVd3PXbEUEGePk4aUn0pcMFlRhKi1FHdrHqpplFqiQgMC1perCmtKdT9emxxZ9yCirfPgCR8C8h1bo23seGGm0TXM4/s640/Header%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="640" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiV1ZOd7t4-gYdk5SOzGjC_L9Zm2mKObl22Z1wtlDrSwe0ER_We_AzylnKJhSw3gRAfJTsOR1PSpfGKFgzudCx5EEOGaxTWzU1DVd3PXbEUEGePk4aUn0pcMFlRhKi1FHdrHqpplFqiQgMC1perCmtKdT9emxxZ9yCirfPgCR8C8h1bo23seGGm0TXM4/w400-h219/Header%202022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2021/12/jjs-wargames-year-end-review-2021-and.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames Year End Review, 2021 and The Plan for the New Year Ahead, 2022</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This I think rather impresses upon me why I have a habit of working to a normal routine that would see me traditionally planning my time in the hobby annually, and reviewing progress against the plan as a great way of getting things done in the time available and not simply floating from one idea to the next and never really feeling that anything started had reached a natural completion, which appeals to the Zen nature in me, of going with the natural flow; and yet here we are after a break in transmission put simply down to the fact that for four months, from the end of October 2021 to mid February 2022, Carolyn and I were living out of suitcases on the other side of the globe, which rather put paid to the '<i>normal routine!</i>'</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So to reassure myself as much as anything, I decided to scan back over the intervening months between this review and my last in an effort to try to get a sense of direction and in so doing finding myself amazed somewhat as to how many experiences had been had in that time and how much progress had been made in project work, suggesting that at least having made a plan was certainly better than having no plan at all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJJMdmGueJzuHh6V9xy6R-v9XNCr4l5IvW9pLISps3LvMhJRe3_4iW6L1CXOHvuhkwhvb0yVN7pUhAuH1SmzDJjh3-gJe5TczdqPYYO1LeKnAO6CamsigKQfwa2D5ZtNJEfZI13lyL4qRwhHFGIlfANttDpasc7097dtLRljEPDWpJZjiyBqgGe6pRDE/s1711/Books%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1711" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJJMdmGueJzuHh6V9xy6R-v9XNCr4l5IvW9pLISps3LvMhJRe3_4iW6L1CXOHvuhkwhvb0yVN7pUhAuH1SmzDJjh3-gJe5TczdqPYYO1LeKnAO6CamsigKQfwa2D5ZtNJEfZI13lyL4qRwhHFGIlfANttDpasc7097dtLRljEPDWpJZjiyBqgGe6pRDE/w640-h406/Books%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books reviewed here on JJ's since my last review.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Starting with the blog itself, content has inevitably changed to incorporate my travels, including themes, with some imposing on the time available more than others, with the All at Sea, Age of Sail collection and gaming taking precedence over others and a return to military and naval reading and book reviews that has had to compete for time with other reading I have indulged in during my leisure time, espicially in planning phases for our big journey.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I was pleased to have included in my time away and on return home, six titles reviewed from JJ's library that have in the main inspired my All at Sea project work but are nevertheless jolly good reads and I was pleased to have them included in the array of titles reviewed here on JJ's.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I should add that even here my reading time has given way to the titles included from my Audible collection which has allowed me to work whilst absorbing a great book or two, finding myself recently deeply engrossed with the Aubrey & Maturin collection from Patrick O'Brian, that is a perfect addition to time at the painting desk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Other areas of my hobby that were current back in 2021 have given way to the pressures of getting back on track with current major themes, hence my regular Vassal meet-ups with Steve M , and work on my AWI Mohawk collection have had to take a back seat as I focussed on finishing ship collection builds for friends Bob and Jack.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhMKqE7TAxir_A1WvuTIiw_YWUaTKBUCyGBQHOgFDksgkle6SJxN40Z1QNpAEGyHNKwsTwNLcCLv2mZaJZdYZRUC_Pm-DgcJu4y_CdLRZXM8YOyC4L0dwjdToJbeFWsdkinZqIuobJqqAmwD6H5F6RqlAXk6xMS-3ogyi7nkNmy2knIJTsBYTkQJVAVk/s1919/Cape%20Finisterre.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhMKqE7TAxir_A1WvuTIiw_YWUaTKBUCyGBQHOgFDksgkle6SJxN40Z1QNpAEGyHNKwsTwNLcCLv2mZaJZdYZRUC_Pm-DgcJu4y_CdLRZXM8YOyC4L0dwjdToJbeFWsdkinZqIuobJqqAmwD6H5F6RqlAXk6xMS-3ogyi7nkNmy2knIJTsBYTkQJVAVk/w640-h360/Cape%20Finisterre.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new year of 2022 got off to a cracking start with me able to run the Battle of Cape Finisterre or Calder's Action at the DWG in February, enabling me to claim having run all the key actions from the 1805 campaign.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back at the review for 2021, I noted that my focus was very much on progressing the work started with the All at Sea collection having run Trafalgar at Warlord Games that year and with the collection added to, with an eye to staging the Battle of Cape St Vincent in time for the 225th anniversary of the battle in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk8fnNd_CIkOvJ2GUVCHAKeX34X5iOwndm3w1pGFCYGlSNz1hbXtXESWLpe-V-ROHhfgMOSsPpAg1BxF5N38biifbxMTqSZkfbB_-QC628xOxIkjHUkIPVP_pUorr09D_rQtRMzOToQg4jZTzmrbwllIUnCopEO1RbCh2EDg7MpQFEc2FM0sPPn8aOf0/s1920/Cape%20St%20Vincent.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1920" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk8fnNd_CIkOvJ2GUVCHAKeX34X5iOwndm3w1pGFCYGlSNz1hbXtXESWLpe-V-ROHhfgMOSsPpAg1BxF5N38biifbxMTqSZkfbB_-QC628xOxIkjHUkIPVP_pUorr09D_rQtRMzOToQg4jZTzmrbwllIUnCopEO1RbCh2EDg7MpQFEc2FM0sPPn8aOf0/w640-h340/Cape%20St%20Vincent.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a real pleasure to roll out the massive Spanish fleet in time for the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Cape St Vincent at the DWG in February.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Battle of Cape St Vincent using Kiss Me Hardy (KMH) was a real treat to bring to the table in terms of the numbers of models involved and I learnt a lot about how to and how not to fight this big battle and is a theme I want to come back to in the future.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA24G95as41KXwnxeREhWGO9IaKzATxcFUTBG1p69LLS-k3kjK-KlIApkzQZFtGamjAJkPScTX_R03MJnAGsdPI8nujp5z5dZZXfkTihkB7k61xGMlVrt6pGj65dYGQwmhSbG2TmjG3adABOKkoxiyK5C8GKS7yyk9DpsBWw6F9bN_WVaAPZrJBk_Pjg/s1920/KMH%20Scenarios.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1920" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA24G95as41KXwnxeREhWGO9IaKzATxcFUTBG1p69LLS-k3kjK-KlIApkzQZFtGamjAJkPScTX_R03MJnAGsdPI8nujp5z5dZZXfkTihkB7k61xGMlVrt6pGj65dYGQwmhSbG2TmjG3adABOKkoxiyK5C8GKS7yyk9DpsBWw6F9bN_WVaAPZrJBk_Pjg/w640-h358/KMH%20Scenarios.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Ship Scenarios for KMH that included 'Sercey off Sumatra', WOJE action off the Bahamas and the Packet Ship Antelope in action with the French Privateer Schooner Atalanta</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As well as big-battle themes, progress was made in developing a collection of and playtesting several smaller single ship and squadron level scenarios and games for KMH in 2022 that saw several of these small actions run at the DWG club meetings and a playtest of a scenario from Chris Stoesen's, War of Jenkin's Ear (WOJE) scenario book for KMH and Sharp Practice, using some suitable Napoleonic stand-in's to recreate his interesting fight off the Bahamas in 1742.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppqSOT9j7XA21W_n7Poy3_oL8AZyAOHgIuoVMwPwE-MR7GoH6eYQU8-6D2LyY_KVcBGVotnyDo0HAckzyhMnUU6ma8wjfWXxpHb0taZXRwaFDgaVpwEIYsUra1P5mMoos0fJvvxKB1jhNn87gYH4pDhd6Hl1S3H0L2mCLwiYg__JsMb3sgHa_3wRBCVA/s1920/NWS%20Yeovilton%20Leeward%20Line.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1920" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppqSOT9j7XA21W_n7Poy3_oL8AZyAOHgIuoVMwPwE-MR7GoH6eYQU8-6D2LyY_KVcBGVotnyDo0HAckzyhMnUU6ma8wjfWXxpHb0taZXRwaFDgaVpwEIYsUra1P5mMoos0fJvvxKB1jhNn87gYH4pDhd6Hl1S3H0L2mCLwiYg__JsMb3sgHa_3wRBCVA/w640-h358/NWS%20Yeovilton%20Leeward%20Line.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Naval Wargames Society Meeting at Yeovilton where the Penarth boys joined Captain Steve and me to play the Leeward Line Scenario.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My year with KMH in 2022 was topped off nicely at the Naval Wargames Society Meeting at Yeovilton where the Penarth boys joined Captain Steve and me to play the Leeward Line Scenario recreating Collingwood's attack at Trafalgar, a collaboration that was to lead on to bigger things in 2023 on my return from travels.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ukck5PPTwqQ_PHxnvhnE75tXw0rDbclNaGf9fcJJHjto46fneCTvH8bPIX__S4ARSgNl_FcxhPqlPs3a_qZLRiIs7-be98nzr_wi-r6KU131NmRtfoPLMXu0L3glAoovhc4iRSscf_nvUeoGJqxoNICet4ogWSV-gbAOt0TTUEesurLX7hldIf5p9Qw/s4754/All%20at%20Sea%20Bob%20&%20Jack's%20Fleet%20Builds%20June%2023%20third%20rates%20renown.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="4754" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ukck5PPTwqQ_PHxnvhnE75tXw0rDbclNaGf9fcJJHjto46fneCTvH8bPIX__S4ARSgNl_FcxhPqlPs3a_qZLRiIs7-be98nzr_wi-r6KU131NmRtfoPLMXu0L3glAoovhc4iRSscf_nvUeoGJqxoNICet4ogWSV-gbAOt0TTUEesurLX7hldIf5p9Qw/w640-h358/All%20at%20Sea%20Bob%20&%20Jack's%20Fleet%20Builds%20June%2023%20third%20rates%20renown.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob's French third rates of renown completed before going on my travels</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EbG4LBLto9H9HILGu1XiyCFTvInMxwEAFSbnT8oRszjV5LoUd3oDjlX_0O6fFEaYf6T1NZ8aAZ316zzhDluuskUiVsQGl3oixBcErdhORVwt1SwNMd6HGEzUwwWRrza1LUX9enxcKntoDwTOpfXwXhWB9p1nBkO-pPNKXXxv_q8p-yX_88_oyF6Urmk/s640/Jack's%20Spanish%20collection%20Aug%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EbG4LBLto9H9HILGu1XiyCFTvInMxwEAFSbnT8oRszjV5LoUd3oDjlX_0O6fFEaYf6T1NZ8aAZ316zzhDluuskUiVsQGl3oixBcErdhORVwt1SwNMd6HGEzUwwWRrza1LUX9enxcKntoDwTOpfXwXhWB9p1nBkO-pPNKXXxv_q8p-yX_88_oyF6Urmk/w640-h480/Jack's%20Spanish%20collection%20Aug%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack's Spanish collection completed in 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As well as adding model ships to my own collection I was really pleased to be able to start to build two collections for friends in the club, Bob and Jack, that would be started in 2022 and completed on my return from travels in 2023, and now both the chaps have significant core collections for the British, French and Spanish fleets.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjWLojQMc2ovFWXcAcCMRX1feSArOfSm5jwRYv2TErohMGzKNeBV56LAOLn_F9V7Qz7t7ODbaN-5DnFfS5eCNLboqgyOKeZR8b8rbA_tkRlTMG3EsRpYskwQzowXfkL4IBmCqkKJnuUdkClIV9OSO2oELQVZBmhHkdh-XWRfQCuqhlIOAw9pyGBKRAqM/s640/AWI%20Militia%20Mohawk%20Collection%20March%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="640" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjWLojQMc2ovFWXcAcCMRX1feSArOfSm5jwRYv2TErohMGzKNeBV56LAOLn_F9V7Qz7t7ODbaN-5DnFfS5eCNLboqgyOKeZR8b8rbA_tkRlTMG3EsRpYskwQzowXfkL4IBmCqkKJnuUdkClIV9OSO2oELQVZBmhHkdh-XWRfQCuqhlIOAw9pyGBKRAqM/w640-h384/AWI%20Militia%20Mohawk%20Collection%20March%2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Perry's AWI Continentals successfully converted into my first large batch of Tryon County Militia.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As regards other activities in 2022 prior to leaving in October for Vancouver, the AWI Mohawk collection ended for now on a bit of a hurrah as well as a proof of concept build that saw my Perry's AWI Continentals successfully converted into my first large batch of Tryon County Militia presenting a firm foundation for continuation of this theme at a later date.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT30G8ij2txAPG3-Zqr5FXqmyW7BaZUyaCDt9Cx_L4DilcCxbHGU0nTItdvhzacFNmVkzrsYeFUq41mrgkn67lj7nKgrpRsfV26R5r-EOEcjNVlIazPNTu6SX4Snb6vvC3mzI8wRsnH3NqBVxtBnj_hyAJ6UAr6pEcyJ6pDz9DMbkAHxzEAD-qSATxXU/s3824/Vauban's%20War%20March%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="3824" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT30G8ij2txAPG3-Zqr5FXqmyW7BaZUyaCDt9Cx_L4DilcCxbHGU0nTItdvhzacFNmVkzrsYeFUq41mrgkn67lj7nKgrpRsfV26R5r-EOEcjNVlIazPNTu6SX4Snb6vvC3mzI8wRsnH3NqBVxtBnj_hyAJ6UAr6pEcyJ6pDz9DMbkAHxzEAD-qSATxXU/w640-h404/Vauban's%20War%20March%2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really fun game of Vauban's Wars played at Chez JJ's with Chas and Vince back in February 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In February 2022 I got to try out a long anticipated playthrough of Vauban's Wars, which are a brilliantly unique set of rules designed to allow the playing through of sieges, something that played a large part of many horse and musket campaigns, none less so than the Peninsular War which has figured large here on JJ's.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRimeyneSRJSXcppaB3eD7H59UuJkFpsvkcDFXwLBWozwIJZt40g3OojZBbsm1_3HpDPIAzKQxshh4rCLllOwI1p4X0HgLhyyrZABqDziTYcxxZRdf0li0YbDR3kH0sc3O5AmPhpFfx_MJVq9AST8UkGleiXjoB1K1jRMNj1LlbZcmftOuFX1ioUoEB0/s1920/Shows%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRimeyneSRJSXcppaB3eD7H59UuJkFpsvkcDFXwLBWozwIJZt40g3OojZBbsm1_3HpDPIAzKQxshh4rCLllOwI1p4X0HgLhyyrZABqDziTYcxxZRdf0li0YbDR3kH0sc3O5AmPhpFfx_MJVq9AST8UkGleiXjoB1K1jRMNj1LlbZcmftOuFX1ioUoEB0/w640-h360/Shows%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlights from some of the shows attended in 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In addition to the wargaming and modelling I attended some great shows in 2022, that saw a big boys beano to Partizan in May and a trip to Colours in September amongst others.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdgWsSQNkPiW_3NL4kWQxCaWMeZLdw3iPw62qAhUiIki80771czcJkkDPtNW8454LnuOMqll3lWKeeNy6UMdpUW2rhC7jmE1JtGMlbfuNBW8ZHvD7QMy006QTzfjgAwnMnhj2ySIaNke4PqvcE-jaJzpVBhUM5qwS5e7HkDopiGayAAiS6kRXVT4vfvw/s4288/Trincomalee%20March%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="4288" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdgWsSQNkPiW_3NL4kWQxCaWMeZLdw3iPw62qAhUiIki80771czcJkkDPtNW8454LnuOMqll3lWKeeNy6UMdpUW2rhC7jmE1JtGMlbfuNBW8ZHvD7QMy006QTzfjgAwnMnhj2ySIaNke4PqvcE-jaJzpVBhUM5qwS5e7HkDopiGayAAiS6kRXVT4vfvw/w640-h360/Trincomalee%20March%2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In March Carolyn and I travelled up to Yorkshire for a short break and I got to see the last remaining Leda Class Napoleonic British frigate, HMS Trincomalee at Hartlepool which was a very special trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Alongside the wargaming shows, there were some excellent trips to various military history venues, that started with my visit to HMS Trincomalee in the March but would include later that year t<span style="text-align: center;">he Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, the Wars of the Roses battlefield of Blore Heath, the RAF Cosford Aircraft Collection, the Soldier of Shropshire Military Museum and a May time expedition to enjoy the delights of Rome.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuB1Sw9h7J9arKFAK2Nf1g32Mil7f4nJ_iwEqiCIzdZXSj04C_vVx66zTvgtNM9emRL-KUM3z7nivGkxBrpvCY56qqRoLl_05g4IrZ1l58k6nvH_bU5ozokHver1kmJBZdFmQkdKBZ7zVNnz5aETf5Q_xctVwrL5ByGflbR4w6LrqryfvVmeWFSGI1gM/s1920/Trips%20and%20Excursions%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuB1Sw9h7J9arKFAK2Nf1g32Mil7f4nJ_iwEqiCIzdZXSj04C_vVx66zTvgtNM9emRL-KUM3z7nivGkxBrpvCY56qqRoLl_05g4IrZ1l58k6nvH_bU5ozokHver1kmJBZdFmQkdKBZ7zVNnz5aETf5Q_xctVwrL5ByGflbR4w6LrqryfvVmeWFSGI1gM/w640-h360/Trips%20and%20Excursions%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trips and excursions in 2022 include the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, the Wars of the Roses battlefield of Blore Heath, the RAF Cosford Aircraft Collection, the Soldier of Shropshire Military Museum and a May time expedition to enjoy the delights of Rome.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then, as if all of a sudden, Carolyn and I found ourselves on a plane from London Gatwick bound for Vancouver and 2022 changed dramatically and without precedence as we began our four month odyssey.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-dw2Zh2C1nnYXnl0_v57ScUcEPJBUBQlc4WgGSnQ4Azn3qwoP-kzl9rQgeZvqTxqBGJKebW41QX5vWFEjEPR7Ot3ue0ftiI_2cPCJiBsokQnURmT8m3xqLfBX8EE_3wvDs4PpVGkrkvbIdID8wvuJgsvSj6riPUHLWkizIdp8ABi-PEu8kb6sgNR3I4/s1730/Big%20Trip.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1730" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-dw2Zh2C1nnYXnl0_v57ScUcEPJBUBQlc4WgGSnQ4Azn3qwoP-kzl9rQgeZvqTxqBGJKebW41QX5vWFEjEPR7Ot3ue0ftiI_2cPCJiBsokQnURmT8m3xqLfBX8EE_3wvDs4PpVGkrkvbIdID8wvuJgsvSj6riPUHLWkizIdp8ABi-PEu8kb6sgNR3I4/w640-h332/Big%20Trip.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>RAM tanks in Vancouver, battleships in Hawaii, carronades, Maori Warriors and First World War fighters in New Zealand, all easily combined with a bit of R&R in Fiji or Mount Cook and the Remarkables.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The posts for this trip, suitably entitled 'JJ's on Tour' are still ongoing, illustrating the amazing experiences we enjoyed in our time away, and I hope showing how the hobby of historical wargaming is able to grab inspiration and find incorporation to activities no matter where in the world you may find yourself, be that looking at RAM tanks in Vancouver, battleships in Hawaii, carronades, Maori Warriors and First World War fighters in New Zealand, all easily combined with a bit of R&R in Fiji or Mount Cook and the Remarkables.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf3B_sKgRZEoXN49LdNNe_EkGvvGccrXk8zY7OHakI-mMgGilnDTx3_zHGoiqJ7OymzXieDiUXm1TFIoAqZYoZ2isDs_I6nq7bfbt9PjqIWwup-LiPyTKhj0sJqr_rgVt5CqNAl5Lz0e0NVpQSQeVIlOy0E_p9bWNxxOYb9OqqGy6s9FZn10Huq2kmCY/s639/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="639" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf3B_sKgRZEoXN49LdNNe_EkGvvGccrXk8zY7OHakI-mMgGilnDTx3_zHGoiqJ7OymzXieDiUXm1TFIoAqZYoZ2isDs_I6nq7bfbt9PjqIWwup-LiPyTKhj0sJqr_rgVt5CqNAl5Lz0e0NVpQSQeVIlOy0E_p9bWNxxOYb9OqqGy6s9FZn10Huq2kmCY/w640-h356/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>New Zealand, especially, will always hold a very special place in our memories down.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>New Zealand especially will always hold a very special place in our memories down under and I should especially thank the guys from the Christchurch Wargaming Club, and in particular Mark Paul and Ion who very kindly invited me to join them for some Napoleonic action at the club during our time in town and where we later spent a delightful Christmas on our return, prior to heading off to Australia - thanks chaps and I hope you might be able to come to Exeter on a reciprocal invitation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQLRnl5iEY3qMSdFXapQ7J_tu71cYvZhkun5n3yFQRpNfrE2qK9MJDqUeBnv9CQILD6dwEBt4M2239Lyhyphenhyphen8lxY8WGt7h2nH7oq4U5WfR_Ga-yfN-MKNGFGozHZOrUtDQh3_IQNA-E4vcedhjTyAed3IKanoG-YFfoEinajjUisrVwF_YOMKihK4WaHk8/s639/P1030623a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="639" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQLRnl5iEY3qMSdFXapQ7J_tu71cYvZhkun5n3yFQRpNfrE2qK9MJDqUeBnv9CQILD6dwEBt4M2239Lyhyphenhyphen8lxY8WGt7h2nH7oq4U5WfR_Ga-yfN-MKNGFGozHZOrUtDQh3_IQNA-E4vcedhjTyAed3IKanoG-YFfoEinajjUisrVwF_YOMKihK4WaHk8/w640-h424/P1030623a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wargaming break from all the tourist stuff provided by the chaps, Mark, Paul and Ion from the Christchurch Wargaming Club. It was so nice to simply roll bones and talk wargaming after two months on the road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On our return to dear old Blighty in February, a new year was already well under way and the All at Sea collection reasserted itself as a primary task with work immediately recommenced on Bob and Jack's collections, with me re-learning skills with the paintbrush and rigging thread to get back up to speed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ekt4ucAfaHCqEptFGGXgTMZOQon9DcOqfW0WZz23PJ1TFqLEKrsUqnTx3yAeAioYmZkpaaUQITAvhM6D2PUaRy0G1CIqlgcWdGiRvafoTdqCHl8HBjbIC992YpQ-wJfWP9NNnkvAapqjd944Lz2ypeJea109joDIxCbw4M2lMhkzLMgODJ0f5ucjDXw/s640/All%20at%20Sea%20Bob%20&%20Jack's%20Fleet%20Builds%20June%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ekt4ucAfaHCqEptFGGXgTMZOQon9DcOqfW0WZz23PJ1TFqLEKrsUqnTx3yAeAioYmZkpaaUQITAvhM6D2PUaRy0G1CIqlgcWdGiRvafoTdqCHl8HBjbIC992YpQ-wJfWP9NNnkvAapqjd944Lz2ypeJea109joDIxCbw4M2lMhkzLMgODJ0f5ucjDXw/w640-h360/All%20at%20Sea%20Bob%20&%20Jack's%20Fleet%20Builds%20June%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I was really keen to work on Warlord's new models once Bob and Jack's collections were finished.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>As well as this there were games quickly organised at club to resume work on the small ship scenarios and the excitement of getting to work on the new models released by Warlord just before I left and something I was really keen to work on once Bob and Jack's models were finished.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMoWBHBQwU0OJiRmpIR0cG8cvuGAONB_wxkfoehS1S7NG7FWHnlCTk833yWAHaNSZRSt3hawMiN2og7bf_f-lpx-i4-BTdsOnKryuK79CMwKXnCOIRUDrNd3xIm5YSIctRDjIill-VGSt66sf1Vv6Dpn2a4ywQdp_k4iWppQUly1779678t02zcSNuZo/s1915/All%20at%20Sea%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1915" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMoWBHBQwU0OJiRmpIR0cG8cvuGAONB_wxkfoehS1S7NG7FWHnlCTk833yWAHaNSZRSt3hawMiN2og7bf_f-lpx-i4-BTdsOnKryuK79CMwKXnCOIRUDrNd3xIm5YSIctRDjIill-VGSt66sf1Vv6Dpn2a4ywQdp_k4iWppQUly1779678t02zcSNuZo/w640-h360/All%20at%20Sea%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The All at Sea project work recommenced on my return with new models added to the collection that included the new Warlord Fourth-Rate and Razees, whilst additional Small-Ship/Squadron scenarios were play tested at club that saw the Chase of the Alexander and the Battle of Cape Ortegal recreated at club.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As mentioned, Captain Steve and my meeting up with the Penarth Chaps at Yeovilton led on to further plans that saw us decide to get chaps from both the DWG and Penarth together in the summer to play a weekend game of Trafalgar using Kiss Me Hardy which saw me preparing a couple more new models from Warlord to add to the Trafalgar collection to new named models, the Spanish Santa Anna and the British 64-gun Agamemnon in preparation.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYCQ9UmGR-eQaDjOKOMOtgc1ijsbZxdj0Ir1PI9L8v4PzHsIDpzHRUZzzvmTegj62nE2bGvMHzXiyLAVryLMMe4Jqd9UlePTfXLx8AA9odLPm4SC4x8uNnYSngv3NXX185B7iS1BqJTSu-tvaox64ZYBxv_Q74RdmsSb57f56V9-AnKQSH45bDxl6k2Q/s640/Two%20for%20Trafalgar%20-%20Santa%20Anna%20&%20Agamemnon%20July%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYCQ9UmGR-eQaDjOKOMOtgc1ijsbZxdj0Ir1PI9L8v4PzHsIDpzHRUZzzvmTegj62nE2bGvMHzXiyLAVryLMMe4Jqd9UlePTfXLx8AA9odLPm4SC4x8uNnYSngv3NXX185B7iS1BqJTSu-tvaox64ZYBxv_Q74RdmsSb57f56V9-AnKQSH45bDxl6k2Q/w640-h360/Two%20for%20Trafalgar%20-%20Santa%20Anna%20&%20Agamemnon%20July%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small bit of preparation work saw these two important named additions to the Trafalgar collection</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>This activity would culminate in a bit of a highlight for 2023 when in July both clubs got together to stage this big battle over two days providing a fantastic game full of drama and narrative played for the sheer fun of enjoying a big game.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraiD8VjLw9Eab8xRhMNgDPNa3FsfqtnK114UltQGQBjp-GmPSVS9-ayR39RJt_8nZV0oOwwRXkcCPdj0Q2hbpFhOMv2S0Q-6-8JetjDS76au6CAAZzGxXgsP0uVCA0hcWBl5JyGo2BToSqzVnihNJdV025fZ3vYlXKG_d2VDMPidiH0idOrDctVxzdsk/s640/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraiD8VjLw9Eab8xRhMNgDPNa3FsfqtnK114UltQGQBjp-GmPSVS9-ayR39RJt_8nZV0oOwwRXkcCPdj0Q2hbpFhOMv2S0Q-6-8JetjDS76au6CAAZzGxXgsP0uVCA0hcWBl5JyGo2BToSqzVnihNJdV025fZ3vYlXKG_d2VDMPidiH0idOrDctVxzdsk/w640-h360/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuIbvJu2gFdfnAmQQLI1rPA_PUOF8FL2jdZ-BiiJ3T5iwX8qwnjjQQ-FpNcMw9NEZ71kfCaW90bNXB_PkfGzTEZEJaNkGdrE_o8QntA2DN6SCEUVCha7czvzWH7JTOvmE9PtBpRZGqE4lF1gDVzTBfDDK_TlCKTDvX7LEH5_49CGRaJ1PEr8lIYsl9qY/s4894/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="4894" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuIbvJu2gFdfnAmQQLI1rPA_PUOF8FL2jdZ-BiiJ3T5iwX8qwnjjQQ-FpNcMw9NEZ71kfCaW90bNXB_PkfGzTEZEJaNkGdrE_o8QntA2DN6SCEUVCha7czvzWH7JTOvmE9PtBpRZGqE4lF1gDVzTBfDDK_TlCKTDvX7LEH5_49CGRaJ1PEr8lIYsl9qY/w640-h384/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM80zWZUkxVlDCZP04ZL1nFo9n2rPbYY7ul0AB-Vwc7nVHRLQZJoLL45Hk7MEhkRWgcEguSA2GW271k-VE7l3bMC_RsWjYebSvspVeGGcErmxHTfVt6w9cjSvIbcVjWfBKW1guKPUcbf6UJ9yfj84WzsQ1EDVFYYX6wyY8MLD8zwaoIx19YdUp0uXoqQ/s4896/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM80zWZUkxVlDCZP04ZL1nFo9n2rPbYY7ul0AB-Vwc7nVHRLQZJoLL45Hk7MEhkRWgcEguSA2GW271k-VE7l3bMC_RsWjYebSvspVeGGcErmxHTfVt6w9cjSvIbcVjWfBKW1guKPUcbf6UJ9yfj84WzsQ1EDVFYYX6wyY8MLD8zwaoIx19YdUp0uXoqQ/w640-h480/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE6c5iIcblE6mA7AkosDYjMCKeqWqbEPd2heo-0PU4a3ITAq290dS7C21mnGhil06i-8dTrR63bqXThuJzLzDL-NdMrAX8jJEKFnOhXesTPiWxxyEsgVJxgiHUuj-7EXHc4yq-s2DIcSG8P9CPOE2Siy93f23R65L814CnS0ivo2xRWBzaV8JjV9NR1Q/s640/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE6c5iIcblE6mA7AkosDYjMCKeqWqbEPd2heo-0PU4a3ITAq290dS7C21mnGhil06i-8dTrR63bqXThuJzLzDL-NdMrAX8jJEKFnOhXesTPiWxxyEsgVJxgiHUuj-7EXHc4yq-s2DIcSG8P9CPOE2Siy93f23R65L814CnS0ivo2xRWBzaV8JjV9NR1Q/w640-h480/Trafalgar%20Wales%20July%2023%20-%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I and the Devon chaps had a fantastic weekend in Wales and the Penarth boys made us all very welcome and together created a game that will live long in the memory and with plans to set up similar get togethers going forward.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEDBUC6RwC70Xt81okLNOSVUhOix9m8Fcm3LxHGEciZQrDk3Zw4rc2dJk71sVFKNFHmK1Ck0gyxcrkPP_A2fVXzj0tGBOWUjcYTLXR8emo1AoqrZO8xV9nyRLfnxguJw7vvXaHoMlhQ6dYEA1kGnMGJb602jnd82P_6dSjSZM-pJBxB_SDMRde5Di6d0/s1919/Bantry%20Bay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1919" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEDBUC6RwC70Xt81okLNOSVUhOix9m8Fcm3LxHGEciZQrDk3Zw4rc2dJk71sVFKNFHmK1Ck0gyxcrkPP_A2fVXzj0tGBOWUjcYTLXR8emo1AoqrZO8xV9nyRLfnxguJw7vvXaHoMlhQ6dYEA1kGnMGJb602jnd82P_6dSjSZM-pJBxB_SDMRde5Di6d0/w640-h358/Bantry%20Bay.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Bantry Bay 1796 - </span>Naval Wargames Society Meeting at Yeovilton 2023 </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Another aspect of my naval wargaming activities has been a growing association with the chaps at the Naval Wargames Society and I was eager to pick up where we left off in 2022 by preparing a new game to present at Yeovilton in October which led to the preparing of the Bantry Bay 1796 game and some work on my first pieces of coastal terrain as this fictional action was deemed to have been fought in the entry to Bear Haven anchorage selected by the French invasion force to start their landing.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuA7u6rV4pR-t5eUkPf8KLKGyS6J-NrKWYs7CE8WLfTLhyphenhyphenwM3k44mkw8WCOKDicyd3Sc1b88kkWeeFIgNj_TYgF5sSKWoYnAm7cyGNgjq3usolQjJQ0fjG090t2yMfAk7mAsvbc_0e8yHcPgnspKEno5qT_VM6bbsXAp78acYmM-TPZgBnOQswkQARsU/s1920/Camperdown%20Project.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuA7u6rV4pR-t5eUkPf8KLKGyS6J-NrKWYs7CE8WLfTLhyphenhyphenwM3k44mkw8WCOKDicyd3Sc1b88kkWeeFIgNj_TYgF5sSKWoYnAm7cyGNgjq3usolQjJQ0fjG090t2yMfAk7mAsvbc_0e8yHcPgnspKEno5qT_VM6bbsXAp78acYmM-TPZgBnOQswkQARsU/w640-h360/Camperdown%20Project.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">As planned in 2021/22, the Battle of Camperdown project is underway for completion in 2024 and the first test game.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Finally, and as alluded to in my plans presented in the 2021/22 review, my intention to build the fleets for the Battle of Camperdown was started this autumn and good progress with the project build has seen the completion of the Dutch rear division and the British leeward division with work to complete the Dutch centre to start in January 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXduTALuohCEyoCF_CnjSZy0U6hkiMnJwzRvUcoMuzbeKG8XNXNHPmpjpuOsyZ_00tZ3_lycDjZiWPKeEJuCA-h2VGG1UBTgx3tltq_7s0C9IX8Fr1La2YCFjw6VJF46hgtBSQOwg35rb__d0fQxn7MOBR-AElYNPGiptnyAhk-N323rTv_ksgPOw6t18/s640/Melbourne.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXduTALuohCEyoCF_CnjSZy0U6hkiMnJwzRvUcoMuzbeKG8XNXNHPmpjpuOsyZ_00tZ3_lycDjZiWPKeEJuCA-h2VGG1UBTgx3tltq_7s0C9IX8Fr1La2YCFjw6VJF46hgtBSQOwg35rb__d0fQxn7MOBR-AElYNPGiptnyAhk-N323rTv_ksgPOw6t18/w640-h360/Melbourne.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As regards other activities in 2023, the New Year began in Melbourne, Australia with trips to the MCG to watch Australia play their test match against South Africa, swiftly followed by our acclimatisation to all things Australian, which has lead to my ongoing series of posts set to conclude when we arrive in Darwin in February 2023 prior to departing for Singapore and home. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkCCm1l9jhetBBoAkd1RP_FaxbFekDzdVKnC-MyELdPQFzbdEMnX0r8dV8c4a8XFGzKBmR4PSmIN7rS6v6YQz_fhNMIt4KQRKHXdBn2y1HPIdYVLVzXPVafzBLT9er9Sa_Ju7JhBpwoZnlZzvMkXI7aEQr55VZHhErommWVwMnraJZYPBFfp621JpVjI/s1920/May%20Events.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkCCm1l9jhetBBoAkd1RP_FaxbFekDzdVKnC-MyELdPQFzbdEMnX0r8dV8c4a8XFGzKBmR4PSmIN7rS6v6YQz_fhNMIt4KQRKHXdBn2y1HPIdYVLVzXPVafzBLT9er9Sa_Ju7JhBpwoZnlZzvMkXI7aEQr55VZHhErommWVwMnraJZYPBFfp621JpVjI/w640-h360/May%20Events.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Trips to the Roman town of Silchester in May and another beano north to attend Partizan and a visit to the National Civil War Centre in Newark.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On arriving home, the activities calendar picked up as quickly as the wargaming one with trips to the Roman town of Silchester in May and another beano north to attend Partizan and a visit to the National Civil War Centre in Newark.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgzyE_edAjW_JcZ6ngRHqCoqP6UEfCbXxsXfVEu39uqu4BudBuiW6_zWxrHejIbGctoJFjmqR-uZCm_u3eOrFXl5jNfxwdG-kfn_NYa2ZRqbkUOC6uFjwTon33m8ZU_RVyWBCO8POgMWjI5n-m9vcMqrHAsBu3xJruf3-KM_V4IZvAeoBw2QXWGK7Fcw/s640/Trip%20to%20Oxford.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgzyE_edAjW_JcZ6ngRHqCoqP6UEfCbXxsXfVEu39uqu4BudBuiW6_zWxrHejIbGctoJFjmqR-uZCm_u3eOrFXl5jNfxwdG-kfn_NYa2ZRqbkUOC6uFjwTon33m8ZU_RVyWBCO8POgMWjI5n-m9vcMqrHAsBu3xJruf3-KM_V4IZvAeoBw2QXWGK7Fcw/w640-h360/Trip%20to%20Oxford.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Later in the year Mr Steve and I travelled up to the Cotswolds and Oxford to spend a couple of days visiting interesting historical sites and battlefields from the English Civil War, Wars of the Roses and the Usurpation of Richard II by Henry Bolingbroke.<div><br /></div><div>Whilst in Oxford we made the pilgrimage to the grave site of the greatest author of the 20th century, the late great J.R.R. Tolkien and his wife Edith, in grateful appreciation for his lifetimes work on books such as the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and others brought to publication by his son Christopher, and got to soak up the ambience of one of his favourite pubs in Oxford with a drink at the Lamb & Flag, where we able to toast the great man more appropriately.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgxXcwch8SJbYlpC-PY-Lva4PP1eIEfjdvtZoyh9K_x5W6GwGIscwYG_CMf-Q78Z8FJgB37IHEK3O08LqJPqQZUDj89v5DwDgxAkeF50b9HvOA8YqVD3CmDg3YZ2cQaSKPNhQbFkGEFYVPj3JSUxCFILBH5Gw1HADa6bQ0nPVXVD1nYtjfPVnn4mwfeg/s1916/Tolkein.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1916" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgxXcwch8SJbYlpC-PY-Lva4PP1eIEfjdvtZoyh9K_x5W6GwGIscwYG_CMf-Q78Z8FJgB37IHEK3O08LqJPqQZUDj89v5DwDgxAkeF50b9HvOA8YqVD3CmDg3YZ2cQaSKPNhQbFkGEFYVPj3JSUxCFILBH5Gw1HADa6bQ0nPVXVD1nYtjfPVnn4mwfeg/w640-h360/Tolkein.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Later in November, my wargaming year was nicely concluded with a trip up to Farnborough in the company of Steve M where we met up with Glyn, Andy, Andy T. from Penarth and Simon from the NWS at the Wargames Association of Reading's show Warfare.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGefUUJQUu2_UX4Ogm6jbKRNrfIBh2KodK5XC-JVZ6BNPzg7epawLeXu0eKKRvLd8Gu3cdjcK1J8ZrTznAtCtojLBRM-RBjcFWVmuHjYGPsGAM_gd-8D8mxz53A4BM6jiE2fQch1zujUKx5UGkwTxH9MblS1KYi6iLEaBgmoBcDTHOGNSoxIFpSav3O1U/s640/Warfare%20Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="640" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGefUUJQUu2_UX4Ogm6jbKRNrfIBh2KodK5XC-JVZ6BNPzg7epawLeXu0eKKRvLd8Gu3cdjcK1J8ZrTznAtCtojLBRM-RBjcFWVmuHjYGPsGAM_gd-8D8mxz53A4BM6jiE2fQch1zujUKx5UGkwTxH9MblS1KYi6iLEaBgmoBcDTHOGNSoxIFpSav3O1U/w640-h356/Warfare%20Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>That said my wargaming year and the one that preceded it would not be complete without reference to my friends at the Devon Wargames Group which has and continues to play a big role in my wargaming calendar and where I get to test a lot of my own projects on the patient and unsuspecting members that make it the great place to go and play wargames.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1QrKOIvI2oHLsrvKAcw06r7Rnx3bVNiFlFGyVIjvZt6tXOsUAtgpZqJiQprPbHFfV1RDhnNqo1IQvKp6oY1F186mvt86BeV19go2nJVTTXjOcv_4dcyGPV7bA8qyACnUvca8mTn37uxjFpYQ6F5rouegwe2QD5hz-Lc6ysvcnTfJNqJgIlxWSxR16dQ/s640/P1110561a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1QrKOIvI2oHLsrvKAcw06r7Rnx3bVNiFlFGyVIjvZt6tXOsUAtgpZqJiQprPbHFfV1RDhnNqo1IQvKp6oY1F186mvt86BeV19go2nJVTTXjOcv_4dcyGPV7bA8qyACnUvca8mTn37uxjFpYQ6F5rouegwe2QD5hz-Lc6ysvcnTfJNqJgIlxWSxR16dQ/w640-h480/P1110561a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Devon Wargames Group at its best, coming together to play one big game at our annual Gus Murchie Memorial meeting in December, that traditionally signs off another club year.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The club membership has continued to grow in the time covered by this review and presents the club with a nice problem to have, namely how to provide enough games for a growing membership, and maintain the club spirit of inclusion and friendly fellowship that is the essence of our great hobby; with the club displaying all those attributes this month with our annual Gus Murchie Memorial Game that brings the club together to play one big game in the festive spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been my honour and privilege to act as Chairman for the club since its forming back in 1981, now in its forty-second year, and I'm looking forward to starting another full year of club events in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that concludes my review of the key activities that have contributed so much content to JJ's Wargames and progressed my projects in the hobby, which I'm pleased to say pretty well corresponds with my plans laid out in 2021 to focus my activities around the All at Sea, Age of Sail collections with the Cape St Vincent anniversary game ticked off and the Camperdown project well underway incorporating the new models from Warlord Games.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also proved myself correct in the assumption that other projects such as the AWI and Romano-Dacians would likely go on hold as soon as our travel arrangements were confirmed and smile at the hope expressed in that post about commencing my Wars of the Roses project and thoughts of getting into the English Civil War.</div><div><br /></div><div>So where does JJ's Wargames go from here, now with the blog having passed its tenth anniversary and approaching two million views and six thousand comments, and my hopes to entertain my readers with content they might find interesting, but certainly with content that I find interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiVTHgd6OPwwyy2kS21PVQbZyX2eE9dKeCps6en81JFV3lKJrXkNE1dEOT3XT7pxbXe-IRNokT4SD1gwSDVus3Y6hpQTw7uwajVi7gnHK0Q7gxxw7TwpnHh6a6aAS0G0qiIMXFPxzZLf3UJTajiaNJZSAId7rvAJt2NXvU_m-GoxMKN08ADeEy8x167s/s960/Camperdown%20-%20Gardner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="960" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiVTHgd6OPwwyy2kS21PVQbZyX2eE9dKeCps6en81JFV3lKJrXkNE1dEOT3XT7pxbXe-IRNokT4SD1gwSDVus3Y6hpQTw7uwajVi7gnHK0Q7gxxw7TwpnHh6a6aAS0G0qiIMXFPxzZLf3UJTajiaNJZSAId7rvAJt2NXvU_m-GoxMKN08ADeEy8x167s/w640-h306/Camperdown%20-%20Gardner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Well I intend to focus my activities on completing everything I would like to do with the age of sail collection, which will start with the completion of the Camperdown project and a running out of the game in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd150GZBrSrOtqV2WhuMYfjGc5bUkRvQVtvH4LuRRGxYokWWGBipLFfiHt3jN63tEc0Yl6RxpvRZV8R819lzc8jLKnUpZ6f1vpamgi4-nZyln7I46kjbbem4WpxuFODk6Qv6rRmYc8aOPlG6JRpds6uI4ZTNTbHUkepNIRD_lFgNRx6xKTk7gRtalEwo/s1670/Signal%20Cards.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1670" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd150GZBrSrOtqV2WhuMYfjGc5bUkRvQVtvH4LuRRGxYokWWGBipLFfiHt3jN63tEc0Yl6RxpvRZV8R819lzc8jLKnUpZ6f1vpamgi4-nZyln7I46kjbbem4WpxuFODk6Qv6rRmYc8aOPlG6JRpds6uI4ZTNTbHUkepNIRD_lFgNRx6xKTk7gRtalEwo/w640-h480/Signal%20Cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signal Flag lockers being prepared for some new game ideas in 2024 to go along with my big set-piece battle repertoire.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As part of this project, I am working on pulling some games together in the New Year using a Fleet Battle set of rules to try out some new ideas better suited to putting the players of these large set-piece battles more firmly in the role of an Admiral rather than a ships captain, and with more emphasis on command and control at fleet and squadron level and less on individual ship sailing and damage control management.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcgmzSMIyy5hOnRSLONQ8Vr9l_DcR2T0ZT8Rh0ve1k5kmrhhZ_LxSocMg1-dIKDz0Ud8qwxlOLoU5UjhZEwTyztKIfWnZGsjtXIJLp1Mnm07sZ01mlGtYdIu0yrR5Vs6UwzPs5Hrm1BMbWqrtTx2i6Pm__xjbspYQ9OMMwAljc63OBY3nV3Dj0GModBU/s1765/20231228_154054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="1765" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcgmzSMIyy5hOnRSLONQ8Vr9l_DcR2T0ZT8Rh0ve1k5kmrhhZ_LxSocMg1-dIKDz0Ud8qwxlOLoU5UjhZEwTyztKIfWnZGsjtXIJLp1Mnm07sZ01mlGtYdIu0yrR5Vs6UwzPs5Hrm1BMbWqrtTx2i6Pm__xjbspYQ9OMMwAljc63OBY3nV3Dj0GModBU/w640-h488/20231228_154054.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Christmas present from Carolyn was the complete collection of William James' Naval History together with some extra models from other family members.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The big games played so far with KMH have demonstrated the need for a somewhat different approach, but I'm keen to maintain the narrative that KMH generates through its chit activation and built in friction that it causes, and I still see KMH doing its magic for my small battles and small ship actions alongside To Covet Glory as I continue to develop my small ship/squadron scenario book, now enhanced by a marvellous Christmas present from my darling wife as seen above.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXvYFVDM7fZfpIgXyayOJ9fdbETApCfpL7mLpD-gYYVnfgOJjpEBVh31km3XT-oUg7Lfqh7o2-HesXMHZQan6bmvz7nZlkwstmD4UAzqmWPWHmgLkzng1abvPp6y3KzcWnHqtaTHmGtExGYWxzum4kP1IWY1OIePsVJczbk9siOUz8YY4nDPyYCjfdsk/s1200/Providien.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1200" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXvYFVDM7fZfpIgXyayOJ9fdbETApCfpL7mLpD-gYYVnfgOJjpEBVh31km3XT-oUg7Lfqh7o2-HesXMHZQan6bmvz7nZlkwstmD4UAzqmWPWHmgLkzng1abvPp6y3KzcWnHqtaTHmGtExGYWxzum4kP1IWY1OIePsVJczbk9siOUz8YY4nDPyYCjfdsk/w640-h392/Providien.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Action off Providien,12 April 1782, by Dominic Serres (1722–1793)<br />A clue to where my next project for the All at Sea collection intends to focus after Camperdown has been completed. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say any rules I use will need to be modified to suit my own tastes and plans to invite Jack back over to Chez JJ to help in that process, as he did in our test games some four years ago when the Warlord models first became available, are underway.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizURsnuogQuPv-mmH-WLWEWAjlaklbIudF6MMnm9863SfqBDslJ0j3rnjObFvnYuX6IaUsN_lpLUSfBBS3dlRxdUDpiEXy7LlIR3WTOcIaCQ-NN6yzklN0OkGHKhZ5VnCMQoNi0S0553RYfDZ9I7KcfmGwYsd8X_ak4okaD-v4nHqoneAqAZodoIJOIP0/s814/SouthIndia1794.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="814" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizURsnuogQuPv-mmH-WLWEWAjlaklbIudF6MMnm9863SfqBDslJ0j3rnjObFvnYuX6IaUsN_lpLUSfBBS3dlRxdUDpiEXy7LlIR3WTOcIaCQ-NN6yzklN0OkGHKhZ5VnCMQoNi0S0553RYfDZ9I7KcfmGwYsd8X_ak4okaD-v4nHqoneAqAZodoIJOIP0/w640-h328/SouthIndia1794.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Carnatic coast of India is the setting for my next age of sail collection build.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The other focus for All at Sea are my plans, hopefully this year, will be to branch out into the naval war of the American War of Independence, and a plan to build the contending fleets of French Admiral Pierre Suffren and British Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, which has been moved up the development stage with my work building the Dutch fleet for Camperdown and the feasibility of the modifications to the Dutch fleet equally applicable to the French and British ships serving on the east coast of India in 1781-83.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGZnPqnKT-pEvtKDD10Y__D33vgfkeuHg8Z-KTHh1dsSKFySBKjR5qGyPNQWGjHXU1rsncmDSyeR6R4qPQ2gv4xyDw8j4KFnXxmuPHaSWlvN9CQaACdTGP616IPxkoz6sKBa68vB2OGWtgC_WHr95BocEZpbKqeA62N58DICyuXYkkGaH7paDRVqHf9I/s525/helion1001444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGZnPqnKT-pEvtKDD10Y__D33vgfkeuHg8Z-KTHh1dsSKFySBKjR5qGyPNQWGjHXU1rsncmDSyeR6R4qPQ2gv4xyDw8j4KFnXxmuPHaSWlvN9CQaACdTGP616IPxkoz6sKBa68vB2OGWtgC_WHr95BocEZpbKqeA62N58DICyuXYkkGaH7paDRVqHf9I/w426-h640/helion1001444.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/suffren-versus-hughes-war-in-the-indian-ocean-1781-1783.php?sid=77bbddf1910228f4d83db3447f2da916">https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/suffren-versus-hughes-war-in-the-indian-ocean-1781-1783.php?sid=77bbddf1910228f4d83db3447f2da916</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In addition, it is with some anticipation that I await the publication of the next naval title from Helion Books, set to be published in Spring 2024, which will likely add further inspiration to this project build, with Quintin Barry the author of a previous title I have and reviewed here on JJs, 'Far Distant Ships: The Blockade of Brest 1793-1815'.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWfnbLPBexA5pTtVRFSqG9HF0qLnQknOQhKh41Ju1joWlRQ0vl1cEIoYj06fR5J1VvEYrHVNyz6KRkp7Vi6FrbnaPwiPCk81_SyJkW_8ANHQi8zfxh-p4rnCQ4ODFouB7gHOjNl-X3YbmlucM81n9Jbk6EC_bvLGVublcAh08WM40PfOhlK6_ZFeatD4/s1600/P1010714.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWfnbLPBexA5pTtVRFSqG9HF0qLnQknOQhKh41Ju1joWlRQ0vl1cEIoYj06fR5J1VvEYrHVNyz6KRkp7Vi6FrbnaPwiPCk81_SyJkW_8ANHQi8zfxh-p4rnCQ4ODFouB7gHOjNl-X3YbmlucM81n9Jbk6EC_bvLGVublcAh08WM40PfOhlK6_ZFeatD4/w640-h480/P1010714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://devonwargames.blogspot.com/2013/02/battle-of-sadras-1782.html">https://devonwargames.blogspot.com/2013/02/battle-of-sadras-1782.html</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I have had a long interest in the Hughes and Suffren campaign with a collection of Langton models rolled out at the Devon Wargames Group over the years to scratch this particular itch, but I think it would have an enhanced look when played in the 1:700th Grand Manner.<div><br /></div><div>Alongside the completion of this collection I have some ideas for a small campaign using the models that will follow the completion of the build project, so lots of interesting stuff to write about on the age of sail front.<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_mMFnhx7VtyJqHbYOLU5_eul5DCRIaUR40u1CCBO0KAd8EFPN4LJM9zfNK4_0nigeUp5ATLpjbnXKCYVeUp3GmspfzjZ5FuW7NT2kmJqt9KQx9sQ8iwk8MB2Wwx2QMGZ00VNLxjXdCLC5KRdeGepqaCzdcjQVu91VAJ8r99giXbFGtNTplzBfy_FXEI/s748/Kiss%20Me%20Hardy%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_mMFnhx7VtyJqHbYOLU5_eul5DCRIaUR40u1CCBO0KAd8EFPN4LJM9zfNK4_0nigeUp5ATLpjbnXKCYVeUp3GmspfzjZ5FuW7NT2kmJqt9KQx9sQ8iwk8MB2Wwx2QMGZ00VNLxjXdCLC5KRdeGepqaCzdcjQVu91VAJ8r99giXbFGtNTplzBfy_FXEI/w311-h400/Kiss%20Me%20Hardy%20Cover.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great set of rules for Age of Sail fans, that give a great narrative to the games I play.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I have managed to play a lot of games in four years using Kiss Me, Hardy, a very much underestimated set of rules if some reviews I have read are to go by, not without their faults, but that applies to all rules, but with some very clever mechanics that make for a very intriguing game once they are mastered.</div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say and as is my want I have incorporated changes from others and additions of my own, to Nick Skinner's original set that sees us playing a different set of KMH rules than the original, that I feel has added to the granularity without moving away from the wonderfully intuitive game the rules create that allows players to focus on being commanders of ships or squadrons without over indulgence in the minutia of which particular round or rounds to load in the 24-pounders.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been asked to post a copy of the JJ's House Rules additions to KMH which are now written into my rewritten set of the rules that incorporates all the stuff that has been garnered from the years of Lardy Specials, and my plan is to publish a PDF of these additions as soon as time permits, more anon.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>As well as the All at Sea stuff, the usual mix of content will be a feature of JJ's going into hopefully the next ten years of the blog and I look forward to sharing the adventures with you in 2024, likely starting with a post covering my visit to Oz Armour, better known as the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum just out side Cairns earlier this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until then I will wish everyone a very happy 2024 and may your dice keep on rolling sixes!</div><div><br /></div><div>As always, more anon,</div><div><br /></div><div>JJ<div><div><div><div><div><div><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-17814615317323848032023-12-24T01:04:00.000-08:002023-12-24T01:04:32.719-08:00Happy Christmas 2023 - Peace and Goodwill to All.<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8MPH-rMOUI1EeXyW-_kzHlC24rmmBd9YHbAFU2xYB1RJWeiVOKIn8rIgzYDAn62to04TvXdNSz9qYukUP99dd4Q8IxS1qYEDRIo6Aqjd0ZqSC_OCpcVctNqdEkQ5mJf_K33Xc9wu1lIjCZg5TVZcFXmiNMV_vNyJqUtLPQMtlTow0Z9up7Ls28JfOTM/s640/Xmas%20Post.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="640" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8MPH-rMOUI1EeXyW-_kzHlC24rmmBd9YHbAFU2xYB1RJWeiVOKIn8rIgzYDAn62to04TvXdNSz9qYukUP99dd4Q8IxS1qYEDRIo6Aqjd0ZqSC_OCpcVctNqdEkQ5mJf_K33Xc9wu1lIjCZg5TVZcFXmiNMV_vNyJqUtLPQMtlTow0Z9up7Ls28JfOTM/w640-h562/Xmas%20Post.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Well another year is fast coming to a close and I write this Christmas greeting to all my readers with somewhat mixed feelings, conscious of the time of year when we celebrate hope and goodwill to all, but at a time of a major war in Europe and a bloody conflict yet again in the Middle East.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGarhQ7gnpLsqilSS7g5xt62Zbeur4E377V6q04tMVEcW7vRDdWYVholmFSACbY_Sy9EeLZNHfbQG7JikPU_UvQ946A4ms1XksdJJ9Tu3yTSOosfqFPF8fM23PM97v3me1aQosV72zRSb29jX1ejHFxDapTAly4xNQvYwHXKa-oSq_DxU0_JiIN5IC_E/s640/P1040869a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGarhQ7gnpLsqilSS7g5xt62Zbeur4E377V6q04tMVEcW7vRDdWYVholmFSACbY_Sy9EeLZNHfbQG7JikPU_UvQ946A4ms1XksdJJ9Tu3yTSOosfqFPF8fM23PM97v3me1aQosV72zRSb29jX1ejHFxDapTAly4xNQvYwHXKa-oSq_DxU0_JiIN5IC_E/w640-h480/P1040869a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Christmas saw us enjoying the delights of Christchurch, New Zealand with a bit of Christmas Morning Punting on the River Avon.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">This blog is avowedly apolitical and very much designed to be a sanctuary for those of us who enjoy the finer qualities of life that are the characteristics of friendly social interaction, artistic endeavour and historical enlightenment bestowed on the serious followers of our hobby, but it is a challenge in these times of conflict to enjoy those delights when one is only too aware of the suffering of others.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nao5YjZ6HW2hyphenhyphensI2W8kwbUqsAIDV4zayuGZpPNK5wrtySWjxOlocjnx1k6GRQNlbs6NblraaNMjGjsbgLctnMDa6xEj-n-pQ1JbSjmibUO0lCMiL3TKGEsSFUiF0842RXyQ-YATcBcVhP4GPIidvUY3YBfwuy0YYKo5bt1LNA9P0mG43Tz_yvwCnNJE/s640/20221225_105401a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="640" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nao5YjZ6HW2hyphenhyphensI2W8kwbUqsAIDV4zayuGZpPNK5wrtySWjxOlocjnx1k6GRQNlbs6NblraaNMjGjsbgLctnMDa6xEj-n-pQ1JbSjmibUO0lCMiL3TKGEsSFUiF0842RXyQ-YATcBcVhP4GPIidvUY3YBfwuy0YYKo5bt1LNA9P0mG43Tz_yvwCnNJE/w640-h574/20221225_105401a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know the relationship with time changes dramatically the older we get, but it is hard to imagine how quickly twelve months has passed when I look at this picture of Carolyn and me enjoying Christmas 2022 in Christchurch NZ.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Personally, I have enjoyed an amazing fourteen months that saw Carolyn and I enjoy four of them, from the end of October 2021 to February this year, exploring the other side of the globe from Vancouver on the Pacific coast of Canada, to Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore that was a life changing experience in so many ways and for the better; this together with my eldest son Tom and his now fiancée Beth, announcing their engagement last Christmas, with plans to marry in summer 2024 and my younger son Will settling into his medical career in Cardiff with a new house and partner, Ollie, and equally much to look forward to in the New Year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAf2dyUT_OvBJ6fU5X4ij8ttQziuARclfS9n8znBjyjxanwA4rGqqR4C7FZl2BJk6F2ycOW4SMx9RtLrXhtvC4-jynuKqdTgHQXh67CIxQ9GltIVO5ExRUBoOnGHW7w_R8Dbog52ktE3-6o1lel3aYmWJSZEm480_MuHO-XYaA81m0NMnZIVz7LTS6Os/s2048/406574192_2242898132708054_5776577026731108163_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="946" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAf2dyUT_OvBJ6fU5X4ij8ttQziuARclfS9n8znBjyjxanwA4rGqqR4C7FZl2BJk6F2ycOW4SMx9RtLrXhtvC4-jynuKqdTgHQXh67CIxQ9GltIVO5ExRUBoOnGHW7w_R8Dbog52ktE3-6o1lel3aYmWJSZEm480_MuHO-XYaA81m0NMnZIVz7LTS6Os/w296-h640/406574192_2242898132708054_5776577026731108163_n.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peggy with her Christmas collar, and ready for fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our lives have been changed irrevocably with Tom and Beth adding to their family with a new Labrador puppy, Peggy, now eighteen months old and the love of my life as Carolyn and I have become once a week doggy day carers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgI0rb8uBZZQ-I_VdMUxgMuAp71UtNDsGWrY9tmd3bLkXo40xBY8gQCfZ6pXJ7ByWHkzMALwhNTXWTS4t96sY2AJtYD_DOodTEGK4fK_05eSyN1hOAvHhugYUUzJir33zQkWzXS3d133U5E4dlzC4Xr0GAN_P3vqlfjZNfhpZmoJbrS5Y0Ygx3UrknRQ/s4406/P1100843a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="4406" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgI0rb8uBZZQ-I_VdMUxgMuAp71UtNDsGWrY9tmd3bLkXo40xBY8gQCfZ6pXJ7ByWHkzMALwhNTXWTS4t96sY2AJtYD_DOodTEGK4fK_05eSyN1hOAvHhugYUUzJir33zQkWzXS3d133U5E4dlzC4Xr0GAN_P3vqlfjZNfhpZmoJbrS5Y0Ygx3UrknRQ/w640-h292/P1100843a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big-battle fun this year in Wales with the Trafalgar refight, and plans for similar events going forward.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-battle-of-trafalgar-2023-kiss-me.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - The Battle of Trafalgar 2023</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">All this and an absolutely non-stop rollercoaster year in the hobby with much to write about in my End of Year-New Year Blog Review in time for New Year's Eve which will have a look back on key themes here on JJ's and plans for 2024.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Z47l3AWiord27TVJNAHaZzIBLDuBF2YQ-Tu0CykUZcHRl5QniVb6wdtYNvat0dxbKZrc3uJN5D7pUBJCxKQzd-hShnPcazO1Zutlz0rqDvAzQiYeZP-HjdBJlwJHlgUHOVy7KTkE_1XQkLXFPUtEpdhUJzxG5Efal1kTaHp-IacJgT6ipM2ODVsArQ/s4896/P1110360a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="4896" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Z47l3AWiord27TVJNAHaZzIBLDuBF2YQ-Tu0CykUZcHRl5QniVb6wdtYNvat0dxbKZrc3uJN5D7pUBJCxKQzd-hShnPcazO1Zutlz0rqDvAzQiYeZP-HjdBJlwJHlgUHOVy7KTkE_1XQkLXFPUtEpdhUJzxG5Efal1kTaHp-IacJgT6ipM2ODVsArQ/w640-h372/P1110360a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet more fun on the water in 2023, with the Bantry Bay game at the Naval Wargames Society Meeting at Yeovilton in October.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/10/naval-wargames-society-weekend-2023.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Naval Wargames Society Weekend 2023 - Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton.</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The header for this Christmas Greeting alludes to the current and ongoing main theme which is my deep-dive into the Naval Age of Sail era and the development of the collection of model ships for planned games going forward, and I'm looking forward to having some more and interesting things to write about in that regard here on JJ's in future posts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But that will have to wait until the festivities are over and I have time to get back to my desk to prepare future posts and so in the meantime, I would like to wish all my readers, contributors and followers of JJ's Wargames, a peaceful and happy Christmas and hoping Santa rewards all good little boys and girls, oh and Labradors.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Christmas</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">JJ</div><p></p>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-50405885006052342572023-12-22T01:16:00.000-08:002023-12-22T01:16:15.495-08:00All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Five, The Dutch Rear Completed<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_uDsK7cORyp896rrw9jQvT7SwMvr56NUGWJE9mm-NaDyexZLW8axwbIT4mDebps9_J6SD_Npm0KhtzCf9W6pJoeyShyj4vxZOV_Qt6DxW20TamGL9VHmBUWsysdRgAseOYrgBrSx1U0uHKLHin-uVQlFYRwNl6YXSV_NINgXAavfuNZU5hp8Hds_GlI/s727/thomas_luny_b1753_the_battle_of_camperdown_wm%20vignette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="727" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_uDsK7cORyp896rrw9jQvT7SwMvr56NUGWJE9mm-NaDyexZLW8axwbIT4mDebps9_J6SD_Npm0KhtzCf9W6pJoeyShyj4vxZOV_Qt6DxW20TamGL9VHmBUWsysdRgAseOYrgBrSx1U0uHKLHin-uVQlFYRwNl6YXSV_NINgXAavfuNZU5hp8Hds_GlI/w640-h452/thomas_luny_b1753_the_battle_of_camperdown_wm%20vignette.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was back in September, when this project got started proper, after a few proof of concept builds on a few ships of the Dutch fleet, including the all important fourth-rate model released by Warlord that really enabled this little adventure to start.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/09/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part One, The Dutch 74's</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/10/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Two, British 64's of the Leeward Division</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/11/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Three, British 74's of the Leeward Division</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since then the build routine has now settled into one of completing about three models per build which fits in quite nicely with other stuff that I'm working on, more anon, and has meant that as we head on into Xmas and the New Year a good foundation for these opposing fleets has been laid and I can start to progress some new ideas I've had about how I might present this game when it comes to the table.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdesRJFIyqFju9VsvhiXi_V65fyg1dBJHVjR-EaDM0dTX_S-90zlcdWQdiuT0ihrvTV_on2W0WoiuillkK0BuzC8g7T1bxiXYYyX2D0Cml2RJCAr1Q93sZsweqqMsE4TzwlkLFOt_XL213x29eZmQY7mYPT6lfxg0XnD-Jyz4hyKHQBmBdrdJDnaVbKI/s640/Photo%2013-02-2022,%2009%2013%2047%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="640" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdesRJFIyqFju9VsvhiXi_V65fyg1dBJHVjR-EaDM0dTX_S-90zlcdWQdiuT0ihrvTV_on2W0WoiuillkK0BuzC8g7T1bxiXYYyX2D0Cml2RJCAr1Q93sZsweqqMsE4TzwlkLFOt_XL213x29eZmQY7mYPT6lfxg0XnD-Jyz4hyKHQBmBdrdJDnaVbKI/w400-h256/Photo%2013-02-2022,%2009%2013%2047%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/12/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown Project, Part Four, The Leeward Division Completed</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The latest additions to the collection sees the last ships of the line to be added to complete the Batavian Dutch Rear Squadron under the command of Rear-Admiral Hermanus Reijntjes, aboard his flagship, the 72-gun <i>Jupiter. </i><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeOHJ8hyphenhyphenYNzDUszZFiSvztALC-4mUC7zdFh8yMx_Zl0y_HZFncyAwwdBDYIvm8gAPkaqZiXlcvBGOkp7HJ35py_7cDr9ao-EfgNWGhD6chc4s2OrPAw-AgdCOfcT6Heht3OzHhaCH8mU5W5Lxt4oCeRfL877xWbUCVtQreON-CqwKFJOjB20VXmK84gU/s1911/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1911" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeOHJ8hyphenhyphenYNzDUszZFiSvztALC-4mUC7zdFh8yMx_Zl0y_HZFncyAwwdBDYIvm8gAPkaqZiXlcvBGOkp7HJ35py_7cDr9ao-EfgNWGhD6chc4s2OrPAw-AgdCOfcT6Heht3OzHhaCH8mU5W5Lxt4oCeRfL877xWbUCVtQreON-CqwKFJOjB20VXmK84gU/w640-h414/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Battle of Camperdown for the Dutch rear squadron was pretty well over and done with in about forty-five minutes of close range and point blank cannonade as the eight British ships of the line of the Leeward Division swept into the attack and demolished the four Dutch ships and the 44-gun frigate <i>Monnikendam </i>that got herself involved in the battle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">William James describes the arrangement of the Dutch Rear and the British attack thus;</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>'At about half past noon Vice-admiral Onslow, whose ship, the Monarch, was leading the larboard division of the British fleet, cut through the Dutch line, formed thus: Beschermer, Gelykheid, Hercules, Devries, Vryheid, States-General, Wassenaer, Batavier, Brutus, Leyden, Mars, Cerberus, Jupiter, Haerlem, Alkmaar, and Delft (with the nine frigates and corvettes stationed as an inner line, for the most part facing the intervals in the outer one), between the Jupiter and Haerlem, pouring into each of those ships, in passing, a well-directed broadside.<br /><br />Then, leaving the Haerlem to the Powerful, the Monarch luffed up close alongside of the Jupiter; and the two latter of these ships became warmly engaged. The rounding to of the Monarch afforded to the Monnikendam frigate and Atalanta brig, in the rear, the opportunity of pouring some raking broadsides into the former; and the Atalanta, in particular, did not retire until considerably damaged by the Monarch's shot. The remaining ships of the larboard division, more especially the Monmouth and Russel, were soon in action with the Dutch rear-ships; among the last of which to surrender was the first that had been attacked, the Jupiter.'</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IBZG0bVsmx-kZx6UxD17gOQ3FWm4MX_mfM6i21P94IXZnunWAjlA5ulYVnNPtxZZwOkZuG4CR0JRUDQ1uB8Yyo-KU6IOOKmjUhdxNm3Ad2cNNdES11tmmPTuP3kmOYx4dU73TSePunNAWkgied7NXeKFKuNlqgEM7k8Si3vSNbT2IO_mDVKcaAXxCO0/s4896/P1110562a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3034" data-original-width="4896" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IBZG0bVsmx-kZx6UxD17gOQ3FWm4MX_mfM6i21P94IXZnunWAjlA5ulYVnNPtxZZwOkZuG4CR0JRUDQ1uB8Yyo-KU6IOOKmjUhdxNm3Ad2cNNdES11tmmPTuP3kmOYx4dU73TSePunNAWkgied7NXeKFKuNlqgEM7k8Si3vSNbT2IO_mDVKcaAXxCO0/w640-h396/P1110562a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three new additions to the collection that complete the Dutch Rear, Cerberus 68-guns, Haarlem 68-guns and Alkmaar 56-guns.</td></tr></tbody></table></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>James concludes his description of the battle with a very inciteful description of the Dutch tactics and of the British fleet and the condition of its ships after the fighting had ceased, from which I have drawn the details of the Leeward Division indicating the the losses caused by such damaging tactics;</div><div><br /><b><i>'The appearance of the British ships at the close of the action was very unlike what it generally is, when the French or Spaniards have been the opponent of the former. Not a single lower mast, not even a topmast was shot away; nor were the rigging and sails of the ships in their usual tattered state. It was at the hulls of their adversaries that the Dutchmen had directed their shot; and this, not until the former were so near, that no aim could well miss. Scarcely a ship in the fleet but had several shot sticking in her sides. Many were pierced by shot in all directions; and a few of the ships had received some dangerous ones between wind and water, which kept their pumps in constant employment. The Ardent had received no fewer than 98 round shot in her hull. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>The Belliqueux, Bedford, Venerable, and Monarch had likewise their share. As to the last-named ship, such was the entire state of her masts, rigging, and sails, that, were the topsail sheets which had been shot away hauled home, no one, viewing her from a little distance, would have believed that she had been in action.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDhBBG-Uh_iiGdcQ-SHcCDXk03ca0nHKuOh_AkHbh0ydPbaJ6tAXjU-t-BfRMUqY0Na_Z4r-a6WzzS45eZGv7QWmmuWQxQ2-6bHJW7B3KeBQ8QDeS_N0Csq764nH_22MSXamxDaYDtsrwLpO8sjT36PYXF8q3JDHoKs_l575LQuxDIwEJkVDVx3Ii0XU/s4896/P1110563a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDhBBG-Uh_iiGdcQ-SHcCDXk03ca0nHKuOh_AkHbh0ydPbaJ6tAXjU-t-BfRMUqY0Na_Z4r-a6WzzS45eZGv7QWmmuWQxQ2-6bHJW7B3KeBQ8QDeS_N0Csq764nH_22MSXamxDaYDtsrwLpO8sjT36PYXF8q3JDHoKs_l575LQuxDIwEJkVDVx3Ii0XU/w640-h480/P1110563a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><i><br />With hulls so shattered, the loss of men could not be other wise than severe. . . . </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Monarch, two midshipmen (J. P. Tinlay and Moyle Finlay) and 34 seamen killed, one lieutenant (James Retalick), one lieutenant of marines (James J. Smith), four midshipmen (George Massey, Benjamin Clement, Daniel Sherwin, and Charles Slade), one master's mate (John Chimley), two petty-officers, 79 seamen, and 12 marines wounded; . . . </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Powerful, eight seamen and two marines killed, one lieutenant (Ulick Jennings), one lieutenant of marines (R. G. W. Walker), one midshipman (Daniel Rogers), the boatswain, and 74 seamen and marines wounded; . . . </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Monmouth, one petty-officer, one seaman, two marines, and one boy killed, 16 seamen, two marines, and four boys wounded; </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCgFopaHkqbahqehtSGWOSgR-HXvyt2-aHMvVQTn1jH8FYhdGsLJ1mWhnHs7qR1ClOca_jWHbcJ5AJtFEWwQCxvGvmkITxCV2DNAocjC86WHhqkZ7JYB-nICJrpHSzOQT56ohiAHk5eXPm6zmVbsbuAyDnjKtw9f9WDxsDila7gb0pDuoiam7jsrQzWk/s1093/North%20Holland%20-%20Camperdown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="1093" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCgFopaHkqbahqehtSGWOSgR-HXvyt2-aHMvVQTn1jH8FYhdGsLJ1mWhnHs7qR1ClOca_jWHbcJ5AJtFEWwQCxvGvmkITxCV2DNAocjC86WHhqkZ7JYB-nICJrpHSzOQT56ohiAHk5eXPm6zmVbsbuAyDnjKtw9f9WDxsDila7gb0pDuoiam7jsrQzWk/w640-h290/North%20Holland%20-%20Camperdown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Director, six seamen and one marine wounded; </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Montague, three seamen killed, one lieutenant (Ralph Sneyd), one midshipman (James Forbishly), two seamen, and one marine wounded; </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Veteran, one lieutenant (Francis Ferrett), and three seamen killed, and 21 seamen wounded; and </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>the Russel, one lieutenant (David Johnson), her master (Thomas Troughton), one master's mate (George Taylor), her boatswain, (John Brooks), two pilots (Thomas Abbott and Thomas Sherrard), and one sergeant of marines wounded:'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The details of these three Dutch ships, the final batch that completes the Dutch rear or white squadron are as follows:</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Cerberus </b></span></div><div><span><div style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Cerberus </i>was a 68-gun third-rate ship of the line laid down on the 31st August 1782 in the Amsterdam shipyard, launching on the 22nd March 1784, and commissioning that same month.</span></div><div style="font-size: large;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyAWOpamQCTwS923cafeEZiPtYFYvwhNUMasRrJ8or3j4P-yZyIE79duXZZaLMoFA6jM-Ds74v6AVBeeoDxinbpI54SUcJ9Pes8WUkX3o3-Che0QSSxixoI-kC53A7SjO0TNAvwY8ejsIjIaTbpBqa7uyUG-bAD2M-V56mou612szOpfprYQ2LNj5-R4/s4459/P1110565a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3483" data-original-width="4459" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyAWOpamQCTwS923cafeEZiPtYFYvwhNUMasRrJ8or3j4P-yZyIE79duXZZaLMoFA6jM-Ds74v6AVBeeoDxinbpI54SUcJ9Pes8WUkX3o3-Che0QSSxixoI-kC53A7SjO0TNAvwY8ejsIjIaTbpBqa7uyUG-bAD2M-V56mou612szOpfprYQ2LNj5-R4/w640-h500/P1110565a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen ? (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 155 feet, 1 inch </div><div>Beam 42 feet, 10 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 18 feet, 11 inches</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh7_KorAZ8oG70xZHfiN4wbEupfmFhLwEHlMLKWSc5_ROt2qIL1MLMK2mm8lB-JQgsvVEl5n9o_yILYVSGybpL9Ryvtez8X_C25ssDxOrB_iwyyvbNhTzAFpzTKBMGzRChJk1hM3y9HZJdkZfcD6i8FSFj1HuZePNJ09MU_6bb6ZKLU7yWJncehCWEdc/s4281/P1110566a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3448" data-original-width="4281" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh7_KorAZ8oG70xZHfiN4wbEupfmFhLwEHlMLKWSc5_ROt2qIL1MLMK2mm8lB-JQgsvVEl5n9o_yILYVSGybpL9Ryvtez8X_C25ssDxOrB_iwyyvbNhTzAFpzTKBMGzRChJk1hM3y9HZJdkZfcD6i8FSFj1HuZePNJ09MU_6bb6ZKLU7yWJncehCWEdc/w640-h516/P1110566a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck & Forecastle: 16 x 8-pounder long guns</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdwgqaAMcAxigN6vsq97pTbV5lyfPv3ncZOG42wfkvUKJEucL6Ap7zdPVOk3hSgSAeIE0iKp3s7o9grmGB-cWFi33hcAWaEtiDFIkMME2mAETvagTRZVrbEZH7oqIM8QGUnyzpqTOS7kvgd6ud3jDzfBz-U6Tl2lwL9Oz_6LmRlGOYRSfOhodQzBN0nc/s3672/P1110568a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdwgqaAMcAxigN6vsq97pTbV5lyfPv3ncZOG42wfkvUKJEucL6Ap7zdPVOk3hSgSAeIE0iKp3s7o9grmGB-cWFi33hcAWaEtiDFIkMME2mAETvagTRZVrbEZH7oqIM8QGUnyzpqTOS7kvgd6ud3jDzfBz-U6Tl2lwL9Oz_6LmRlGOYRSfOhodQzBN0nc/w406-h640/P1110568a.JPG" width="406" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Named after Cerberus the Greek mythological Hound of Hades that guarded the gates of the Underworld to stop the dead from leaving, <i>Cerberus </i>was under the command of Kapitein ter Zee Jacobson.</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8Xh3PaIrXsGWIsPdrvIZyHOjn9-aURFAR2xeqwWOkf1CofdOGPlqm7fP80FDEvpyimrZV2-3ODdnYuii_MhmFExd9y4RWKpDI9sm8h4ZwCjCNeOOfpa9lAWK8XSV-dyKjd5YIgzcWY4_5fUpsepCIY4laO07JIp2GM7_4a4Phof_5q2y0vNcjj9S7bI/s1535/Cerebus%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8Xh3PaIrXsGWIsPdrvIZyHOjn9-aURFAR2xeqwWOkf1CofdOGPlqm7fP80FDEvpyimrZV2-3ODdnYuii_MhmFExd9y4RWKpDI9sm8h4ZwCjCNeOOfpa9lAWK8XSV-dyKjd5YIgzcWY4_5fUpsepCIY4laO07JIp2GM7_4a4Phof_5q2y0vNcjj9S7bI/w436-h640/Cerebus%201.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The British Leeward Division have just got into action and it seems likely that the <i>Cerberus </i>has already come under fire from <i>Veteran </i>as the British 64 sailed on past the Dutch flagship <i>Jupiter</i>, with it seems <i>Cerberus </i>already commencing a withdrawal from the fight</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Observing the movements of the <i>Cerberus </i>it seems she likely quit the line promptly on seeing the collapse of the Dutch rear and may have come under fire from HMS <i>Veteran </i>at about 13.00, with the log of <i>Veteran </i>recording exchanging broadsides and spotting the <i>Hercules </i>on fire;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'About 1 we </i></b><b><i>stood into the enemy's line, firing our broadsides at </i></b><b><i>such ships of the enemy as we could bring them to </i></b><b><i>bear on. </i></b><b><i>At 20 minutes past 1, perceived one of </i></b><b><i>the enemy's ships on fire.'</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxLaSpZ2HIHY8YA9v7-n4MFphEoF7qucnDcxwYPaKrsDzIBMa2-j8qsmG8_uZj3YD0euNEzhgDBAzmFYkS9bXkZv6bv-H7lOmyd8zwW_ulBYuDbsytHgoGtNjV87cQuIED9lNz_3EyvEty-oqZAuEJh6PgGhZlt_9Y3uXGA-f3IuFSfvCyY2cWnTq7qI/s4241/P1110569a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3320" data-original-width="4241" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxLaSpZ2HIHY8YA9v7-n4MFphEoF7qucnDcxwYPaKrsDzIBMa2-j8qsmG8_uZj3YD0euNEzhgDBAzmFYkS9bXkZv6bv-H7lOmyd8zwW_ulBYuDbsytHgoGtNjV87cQuIED9lNz_3EyvEty-oqZAuEJh6PgGhZlt_9Y3uXGA-f3IuFSfvCyY2cWnTq7qI/w640-h502/P1110569a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>The minimal involvement of <i>Cerberus </i>seems to be reflected in her casualties suffered, just five killed and nine wounded and reportedly only suffering light damage.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOlj8AI_699iBcfJMZGHW2KRPnAwBI1b6p08DXwW7Mp7t7h_IuXN9CzBIQjKMtapmCpAx0qbXFVy6g0ppfWAbjG8kGVJv7aYT54jKwJIGWCJFJGMSQ-vIgoO3LZKATvXsC86qYTeP9Xydius-N3oeliXO5xsEID1OULDRxubNWC-CWvtX-HItOBvwxiI/s1511/Cerebus%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOlj8AI_699iBcfJMZGHW2KRPnAwBI1b6p08DXwW7Mp7t7h_IuXN9CzBIQjKMtapmCpAx0qbXFVy6g0ppfWAbjG8kGVJv7aYT54jKwJIGWCJFJGMSQ-vIgoO3LZKATvXsC86qYTeP9Xydius-N3oeliXO5xsEID1OULDRxubNWC-CWvtX-HItOBvwxiI/w442-h640/Cerebus%202.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Cerberus would make good her escape from the battle, but would end up as part of the Batavian Dutch fleet that surrendered to Vice Admiral Sir Keith Mitchell in the Texel on 30th August 1799 during the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland, known as the Helder Expedition.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMXJlpKOo_q51RoZk0Kd21pKlzKmQfcjOF-kn5_JpeNcmWWEu5xJQmqYT2ZykqRg7RsCN09eesIYri7VPdgwRcn1VaER1jCDjKnZDYdDC_bVxU_x4jdz83HLa9k0c_aFhRivKo4J7CInQohT66emSc3STsdjI7hDqezQ2ySEwbQq20bvglWSeCUDYBuc/s4470/P1110570a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3314" data-original-width="4470" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMXJlpKOo_q51RoZk0Kd21pKlzKmQfcjOF-kn5_JpeNcmWWEu5xJQmqYT2ZykqRg7RsCN09eesIYri7VPdgwRcn1VaER1jCDjKnZDYdDC_bVxU_x4jdz83HLa9k0c_aFhRivKo4J7CInQohT66emSc3STsdjI7hDqezQ2ySEwbQq20bvglWSeCUDYBuc/w640-h474/P1110570a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGVmm6XuPS7LZ72kVMibCO5o-Sy5gdJ4SnOb2l9SlicNQrFIMlhxo1OoykSXFXLOEVs9-z44eRVGloGeXsAWtz8PdoED1Ej6szBDENWUc5QuM2dnn7-wdUFZmqklAyhv_M_gHVM67d1R__bms6z-YiTETe3n802eZM5e95_WZawgnNg7gtOyyLuZEcHY/s2000/Texel,_1799_RCIN_735079%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="2000" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGVmm6XuPS7LZ72kVMibCO5o-Sy5gdJ4SnOb2l9SlicNQrFIMlhxo1OoykSXFXLOEVs9-z44eRVGloGeXsAWtz8PdoED1Ej6szBDENWUc5QuM2dnn7-wdUFZmqklAyhv_M_gHVM67d1R__bms6z-YiTETe3n802eZM5e95_WZawgnNg7gtOyyLuZEcHY/w640-h434/Texel,_1799_RCIN_735079%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Surrender of Rear Admiral Story's Texel Squadron on the 30th August 1799, Cerberus being one of eight Dutch ships of the line, and her commander Captain De Jong seen returning in the Dutch admiral's barge following the negotiations with British Vice Admiral Mitchell.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Haarlem</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Haarlem </i>was a 68-gun third-rate ship of the line laid down on the 16th July 1783 and launched two years later in 1785 at the Amsterdam shipyard.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MIm3R1yGpi2LKSYM9yOlHqMGqieM9ItMwxVSlcAk39hP8U28AyoqrEZ2A6I0BOwiMLY-yCwfGILP4DJHWJzw9hxxrLFsEhkNX2P3ZahLT_ss7iEamQcxnZ2qome01J11nABbAkDiI6skmX6ILUDo7N4zcxEZOYcEsYK9oX8NVKvvgV-25p52uMLMpG8/s4582/P1110576a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="4582" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MIm3R1yGpi2LKSYM9yOlHqMGqieM9ItMwxVSlcAk39hP8U28AyoqrEZ2A6I0BOwiMLY-yCwfGILP4DJHWJzw9hxxrLFsEhkNX2P3ZahLT_ss7iEamQcxnZ2qome01J11nABbAkDiI6skmX6ILUDo7N4zcxEZOYcEsYK9oX8NVKvvgV-25p52uMLMpG8/w640-h504/P1110576a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen ? (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 155 feet, 1 inch</div><div>Beam 42 feet, 10 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 18 feet, 7 inches</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP45upGDOwSzTjtw0rbJQ7DZcV-fnoOL34F4JXlGwDKSxLDoCvhF4vBbJt9srqrDYKZg3hCRr7OaMLKsmnzSXCQnQso7VZN4girOvK0QvJ-Q363wCLTU5c1KGNAk5KEFJ_NH-mL0WOZzaDMgc61PfYq7hPCAVyjwttfrylgdg5z8D-b2Qxxz9rMG3yv4/s4532/P1110577a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="4532" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKP45upGDOwSzTjtw0rbJQ7DZcV-fnoOL34F4JXlGwDKSxLDoCvhF4vBbJt9srqrDYKZg3hCRr7OaMLKsmnzSXCQnQso7VZN4girOvK0QvJ-Q363wCLTU5c1KGNAk5KEFJ_NH-mL0WOZzaDMgc61PfYq7hPCAVyjwttfrylgdg5z8D-b2Qxxz9rMG3yv4/w640-h506/P1110577a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck & Forecastle: 16 x 8-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfD4oZ9HaQsZwzbluJUuc5NsoDQu1GWqUIrrAUGfWxdIw_fVfZK0loCcY1FkBjGi0luP_d6YLSt_7IPtZZM4-jKyJfWxPb0fHLhTAhpA5BkFbSz2CSIx7sIJnt83FQzU06zmv5Qvk1bW8PF4Wf31_vuSFruHipvqlDAjhAk7cbr3uuErFFKzlzm8njrw/s1537/Haarlem%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1043" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfD4oZ9HaQsZwzbluJUuc5NsoDQu1GWqUIrrAUGfWxdIw_fVfZK0loCcY1FkBjGi0luP_d6YLSt_7IPtZZM4-jKyJfWxPb0fHLhTAhpA5BkFbSz2CSIx7sIJnt83FQzU06zmv5Qvk1bW8PF4Wf31_vuSFruHipvqlDAjhAk7cbr3uuErFFKzlzm8njrw/w434-h640/Haarlem%201.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The <i>Haarlem </i>was under the command of Kapitein ter Zee Wiggers, and like the <i>Jupiter </i>and <i>Cerberus </i>ahead of her in the Dutch line, waited until the approaching British ships were well within effective range before opening fire, with Oslow's flagship HMS <i>Monarch </i>coming under intensive damaging fire from them as she attempted to breach the Dutch line.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuiDzAqXqZxftJVxZEUsvdNZHgiuxh1f-VhtmGMuX9PdDLXRtVmjswxL-oUr01tqsz3nidhJvHogsJpDjPFU1TwFRSpMpO9Z_bLJ4mHXlUV9wdKzFHtGyHgGzm4R87_BiOemtIqOvLvkyyjNgQNq7eveUAl1tYhJvB5InY92IIHAV4hsre4PzrClI8gQ/s3672/P1110579a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuiDzAqXqZxftJVxZEUsvdNZHgiuxh1f-VhtmGMuX9PdDLXRtVmjswxL-oUr01tqsz3nidhJvHogsJpDjPFU1TwFRSpMpO9Z_bLJ4mHXlUV9wdKzFHtGyHgGzm4R87_BiOemtIqOvLvkyyjNgQNq7eveUAl1tYhJvB5InY92IIHAV4hsre4PzrClI8gQ/w426-h640/P1110579a.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The return salute was not long in coming as Captain Edward O'Bryen skilfully navigated the gap between the <i>Jupiter </i>and <i>Haarlem </i>raking both, as the <i>Monarch </i>passed through the line, closely followed by HMS <i>Powerful </i>which raked the Haarlem again before directing a punishing broadside into the Dutch frigate <i>Monnikendam</i>, already badly shot up by the <i>Monarch</i>, whilst attempting to impede the progress of both British ships and being roughly dealt with in response.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArFe3PualaqalSwIAIMWae8hCR_XAvag8ycHpEjf2CfAv2pqo4cVATI3eE5yhCF4XXbDcRLiHfltOtfpkCHTp6QbOulHzgPnPEWe-liWchG8iuONRuAvM-I-9uMAaqfdDY3a5PcXR-mYaIjZECNxx7oIkf4oACJeknRcqnRPuoT1Iq9MR-EKOPPV11NA/s10824/Haarlem%20Drawing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="10824" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArFe3PualaqalSwIAIMWae8hCR_XAvag8ycHpEjf2CfAv2pqo4cVATI3eE5yhCF4XXbDcRLiHfltOtfpkCHTp6QbOulHzgPnPEWe-liWchG8iuONRuAvM-I-9uMAaqfdDY3a5PcXR-mYaIjZECNxx7oIkf4oACJeknRcqnRPuoT1Iq9MR-EKOPPV11NA/w640-h222/Haarlem%20Drawing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line Drawing of the Dutch 68-gun Haarlem<br /><a href="https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/4.MST/invnr/%401~1.1~1.1.1~22~22">https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/4.MST/invnr/%401~1.1~1.1.1~22~22</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Dutch rear soon disintegrated into a confused melee as eight British ships of the line descended on the four Dutch and the frigate <i>Monnikendam,</i> with the<i> Haarlem </i>finding herself now subjected to a close range battering from Captain Bligh's HMS <i>Director</i>, working her way towards the Dutch centre.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YuXhss8QMfuzmQxsn1xlVKVRwf1Vqmxmiz19fDvV0l09IOQIl2N9Q6lXQgPfIs1wvelSXqq5CXYrL2P7Cw4bFHpUX-0_iKOXIb9LcDDXDZu5-nUykC7Nfec00B7tMM9WAUkrqQkVRoQRFj1eD1P3Ysh_gG0gADBlyH_7FWn7Nm6iNlfcJp_0ixH5sqE/s4353/P1110580a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3374" data-original-width="4353" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YuXhss8QMfuzmQxsn1xlVKVRwf1Vqmxmiz19fDvV0l09IOQIl2N9Q6lXQgPfIs1wvelSXqq5CXYrL2P7Cw4bFHpUX-0_iKOXIb9LcDDXDZu5-nUykC7Nfec00B7tMM9WAUkrqQkVRoQRFj1eD1P3Ysh_gG0gADBlyH_7FWn7Nm6iNlfcJp_0ixH5sqE/w640-h496/P1110580a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Director </i>was soon joined by the 50-gun <i>Adamant </i>in the close range barrage against the <i>Haarlem</i>, now very badly shot up and in a parlous state.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x20k8_9rLOJ9VYNbhr7bpvx7TogbAyhaz-rmgRX7ndTheqJQCurpN6G1YWGfln1F5lBP8bRGU3egSrflb2zci-bw-vtf_o6XKE2GBKdGJaeSFvLsg2f4JY5GCiudx1Pa6C26XeTo1wcYaiNsOqb_quylcg2Fz4DiMdO119CdbjqLMwRZE1-MXuX0ct0/s1522/Haarlem%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1045" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x20k8_9rLOJ9VYNbhr7bpvx7TogbAyhaz-rmgRX7ndTheqJQCurpN6G1YWGfln1F5lBP8bRGU3egSrflb2zci-bw-vtf_o6XKE2GBKdGJaeSFvLsg2f4JY5GCiudx1Pa6C26XeTo1wcYaiNsOqb_quylcg2Fz4DiMdO119CdbjqLMwRZE1-MXuX0ct0/w440-h640/Haarlem%202.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Dutch rear consisting of the <i>Jupiter</i>, <i>Haarlem</i>, <i>Alkmaar </i>and <i>Delft </i>were quickly overwhelmed and all had struck by 13.45 and the <i>Monnikendam </i>striking soon after to the British frigate <i>Beaulieu</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqZ82UYvfO7U_MzoFTMDqhv9ONAivR0CiqLs_uLRQdofFeA2lUPBGo_PtacEMc4n3HcusnhVUwruU1CtsjGv_mZM1WEZ3fI3Wrw1Osu3BmtuICPzSQ7B4HL8tnB28hJo6LOwgR93EafAq5_61r4W4QokJPrISzpz9IcKAy-kF4tjhaQGje7lBq_oaydY/s4297/P1110581a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3361" data-original-width="4297" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqZ82UYvfO7U_MzoFTMDqhv9ONAivR0CiqLs_uLRQdofFeA2lUPBGo_PtacEMc4n3HcusnhVUwruU1CtsjGv_mZM1WEZ3fI3Wrw1Osu3BmtuICPzSQ7B4HL8tnB28hJo6LOwgR93EafAq5_61r4W4QokJPrISzpz9IcKAy-kF4tjhaQGje7lBq_oaydY/w640-h500/P1110581a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The state of the <i>Haarlem </i>and her casualty tally showed the battle she had endured with her hull reportedly badly shot up, and her mizzenmast shot away and her losses unrecorded but remarked as 'heavy'.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her capture would see her taken into the Royal Navy as HMS <i>Haerlem</i>.</div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Alkmaar</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The fourth-rate, 56-gun Alkmaar, nominally of fifty guns, was built at the Enkhulzen shipyard and launched in 1782.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWSoTP4hgtEliyB0j1l5EunNoh5B1WG-8hGyJ5RFnMTjjseBr4n_u1jM_mazng9TAt3W7Bw9uBeVbIC9u2gyQ9S1VotCqdk2y9hDhIWd0K6CYl1mQU4FkKwcHMBgAoX38O-IsT03XNQi5UJNQdXzUE_LPs_Ruygi2tgYW2Ouxlprx40p_K2zuOY9ujbQ/s3934/P1110571a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3193" data-original-width="3934" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWSoTP4hgtEliyB0j1l5EunNoh5B1WG-8hGyJ5RFnMTjjseBr4n_u1jM_mazng9TAt3W7Bw9uBeVbIC9u2gyQ9S1VotCqdk2y9hDhIWd0K6CYl1mQU4FkKwcHMBgAoX38O-IsT03XNQi5UJNQdXzUE_LPs_Ruygi2tgYW2Ouxlprx40p_K2zuOY9ujbQ/w640-h520/P1110571a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her general characteristics were:</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tons burthen ? (bm)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Length of gundeck 143 feet</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beam 39 feet, 11 inches</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Depth of hold 18 feet, 6 inches</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFiUtfU9J2ZRhfDo9DtgDNTVoheHnc4I2miI3dVh0ns_ORF1vWHTxs2uzef09xUxEEeik3Qrw5Z0Gu_HPnP6ATj18HTuJfp_TQx1Ulab02b4Nn5lUVyeZFpVSLU6WbtAiUEhn3KYItNx90hIAEOWG7heMSq82hMJyOIUqr_9se9J4GurxvN02h-dKj-o/s3838/P1110572a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3304" data-original-width="3838" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFiUtfU9J2ZRhfDo9DtgDNTVoheHnc4I2miI3dVh0ns_ORF1vWHTxs2uzef09xUxEEeik3Qrw5Z0Gu_HPnP6ATj18HTuJfp_TQx1Ulab02b4Nn5lUVyeZFpVSLU6WbtAiUEhn3KYItNx90hIAEOWG7heMSq82hMJyOIUqr_9se9J4GurxvN02h-dKj-o/w640-h550/P1110572a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 24 x 18-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 24 x 12-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck & Forecastle: 8 x 8-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq4s55EtnTcA7udYfpfHVGDw7Sd7GO4G1DrfheRk1ATHI-jngiJBTIir4tGvwmpa53P5t1A7ekiLXOonY3TbT6VaBOyfZtIpJyL4A2wKckLppzJjrhOICIkVQN1vNFtvD-LsFtUo1SjC8NbhK1crrh9vF0hFAeb-lRl7lHtd72-HfDuaMahX532MLvjw/s1533/Alkmaar%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="1040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq4s55EtnTcA7udYfpfHVGDw7Sd7GO4G1DrfheRk1ATHI-jngiJBTIir4tGvwmpa53P5t1A7ekiLXOonY3TbT6VaBOyfZtIpJyL4A2wKckLppzJjrhOICIkVQN1vNFtvD-LsFtUo1SjC8NbhK1crrh9vF0hFAeb-lRl7lHtd72-HfDuaMahX532MLvjw/w434-h640/Alkmaar%201.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Kapitien-Liutenant ter Zee, Kraft and his command, the <i>Alkmaar, </i>was in a good position to witness the fate of the Dutch ships ahead of her and the raking attacks made by the <i>Monarch </i>and <i>Powerful </i>against the <i>Jupiter </i>and <i>Haarlem</i>, but soon found herself similarly under attack from the <i>Monmouth </i>that raked her and the Delft astern and then by William Bligh's <i>Director </i>as she passed on the bow to luff up alongside the <i>Haarlem</i>.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB25DgZxRzWJMRlpQG_J4HD9At0lb40uHj0xd9g0Foe_PB-tetvwDv8x63qr4ECLsnv-bRjIW_PfcgGdD51E7VPsx9gSWATJCN5-rtMfgd8-bv54kH7BBJktX-AjHLrPXvLWk8IObpAVUsNIrtxd90Yl9xebr6xQMZ86RuxyWP_6E0u4Q8cTifmHz-Oog/s3672/P1110573a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2326" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB25DgZxRzWJMRlpQG_J4HD9At0lb40uHj0xd9g0Foe_PB-tetvwDv8x63qr4ECLsnv-bRjIW_PfcgGdD51E7VPsx9gSWATJCN5-rtMfgd8-bv54kH7BBJktX-AjHLrPXvLWk8IObpAVUsNIrtxd90Yl9xebr6xQMZ86RuxyWP_6E0u4Q8cTifmHz-Oog/w406-h640/P1110573a.JPG" width="406" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The action became so close that the British ships had to take extra care to avoid the risk of firing into one another in high seas, heavy rain and poor visibility.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryxpgItHn2D1p_ulknMpHMUxlKn30wVlCbCxc71LT5kCM6_liAX6PxXnbQraSngTi9wZOPt_Yjqra0FR13C95UIjcyFZK6mxl7yM8ZKPK8gjFYU7lCz9g6p2AoFd4VAmHvz4zJUIlmpm7Y5_nKmARW6oerIvMd_0L5PVXbOOkt8LmWdRA0fcCGU5aGMo/s3922/P1110574a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3346" data-original-width="3922" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryxpgItHn2D1p_ulknMpHMUxlKn30wVlCbCxc71LT5kCM6_liAX6PxXnbQraSngTi9wZOPt_Yjqra0FR13C95UIjcyFZK6mxl7yM8ZKPK8gjFYU7lCz9g6p2AoFd4VAmHvz4zJUIlmpm7Y5_nKmARW6oerIvMd_0L5PVXbOOkt8LmWdRA0fcCGU5aGMo/w640-h546/P1110574a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Dutch centre and van soon pulled away from the rear most ships as the British attack reached its culmination at just after 14.00 when all of the Dutch rear had struck or, in the case of the <i>Cerberus</i>, were beating a hasty retreat.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D5417J8AaCLVkuTx6DHI6Iv7yprDkNaVTX6yyHNNNztruZDtQaDrBJ39noRkTto8ad90h4Lm37pGzVYKUvsgSG-GmIVlPOl1H5E2LeEefvE-TgjoEzx1ubomPi9gcrwYQTj7GZCecWMILCF5Rmw2_RPglbe2v88zGd9th0S8HJlx2HHYM3Wby8p8CSc/s1532/Alkmaar%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D5417J8AaCLVkuTx6DHI6Iv7yprDkNaVTX6yyHNNNztruZDtQaDrBJ39noRkTto8ad90h4Lm37pGzVYKUvsgSG-GmIVlPOl1H5E2LeEefvE-TgjoEzx1ubomPi9gcrwYQTj7GZCecWMILCF5Rmw2_RPglbe2v88zGd9th0S8HJlx2HHYM3Wby8p8CSc/w438-h640/Alkmaar%202.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Fourth-rate ships like the <i>Alkmaar </i>were long obsolete as being capable to take their place in the line of battle, made only to obvious when locked in close battle with 64 and 74-gun third-rate ships of the line, and despite determined resistance from her and her consort <i>Delft</i>, would be overwhelmed and suffer the second and third highest recorded casualties after the fleet flagship <i>Vrijheid </i>with 156 dead and wounded, the <i>Alkmaar </i>with 88 dead and wounded, and the <i>Delft </i>with 119 that including 43 dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of those 88, 26 were killed and 62 wounded with her hull very badly shot up and dismasted, she would be taken into the Royal Navy as HMS <i>Alkmaar</i>.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPG3WR1ZRxeSzmZKN4-lO4AHzXraWN_HZbOs5aGhJR43LYEW86Ao7mrfruyecV5v3uM5WvPf2OBiSNrLyCVbT3gv86Pc7EAPiDCdLo6rO57GwdG1jLRa00_ceInQgF_Ok6wC_5qsoJJAi86Pj8fpNrBQ-MZgKX1imY9p3-caxx0zD-_L4Sdf_AwB3ltOY/s4095/P1110575a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3326" data-original-width="4095" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPG3WR1ZRxeSzmZKN4-lO4AHzXraWN_HZbOs5aGhJR43LYEW86Ao7mrfruyecV5v3uM5WvPf2OBiSNrLyCVbT3gv86Pc7EAPiDCdLo6rO57GwdG1jLRa00_ceInQgF_Ok6wC_5qsoJJAi86Pj8fpNrBQ-MZgKX1imY9p3-caxx0zD-_L4Sdf_AwB3ltOY/w640-h520/P1110575a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next part of the project build will start in the New Year and see work commence on the Dutch centre, with the three outstanding ships of the line, Wassenaer 64-guns, Batavier 56-guns and Leijden 68-guns, before completing the red squadron with the 44-gun razee, Mars, the two 18-gun brigs Atalante and Galatea and the 24-gun sixth-rate Minerva.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More anon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-82430863833082444022023-12-16T00:15:00.000-08:002023-12-16T00:15:56.837-08:00Big Xmas Game, Sword Beachhead and Pegasus Bridge - Flames of War.<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyljtHvjXHMT7tHR1RIDTLXJGWN3mxSgWJU-9wj-t_lwqcjMf7GVTH7xXiboyLR9oMgNNHJlWDjfK9clbEomq9qFHaMaxIJ5QywRWYg70fRDSslk3PWTH3K67JKoirk8FCVPHqokYlD9-4iGJ4eKHjPVfBLLOKwlKEygzcIUq5sADh4VO2OeFGk6nKg8/s800/138746_full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="800" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyljtHvjXHMT7tHR1RIDTLXJGWN3mxSgWJU-9wj-t_lwqcjMf7GVTH7xXiboyLR9oMgNNHJlWDjfK9clbEomq9qFHaMaxIJ5QywRWYg70fRDSslk3PWTH3K67JKoirk8FCVPHqokYlD9-4iGJ4eKHjPVfBLLOKwlKEygzcIUq5sADh4VO2OeFGk6nKg8/w640-h466/138746_full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the Festive Season is well underway and the decorations are going up in readiness for the big day, when families gather together and celebrate, you will find wargamers also gathering to celebrate, good games, good fellowship and an appreciation of having friends who get the daft hobby that we enjoy, that other folks would simply nod about with absolutely no understanding about the magic of a great table with lots of toys on it ready to do battle and bring history alive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am very lucky to have such people in my wargaming life, folks who I have gamed with for well over thirty odd years and who have got used to and accepting of my bizarre behaviour, with the tribute paid back in equal amounts, and with the the passing of time they are the chaps I enjoy being with, relaxing over a fun wargame and talking rubbish. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAufNxORldIcSIN0h4AbZju-boylAg-Wqua_ssXOuSO_bpCvQ4eOm5PHJWKJczIgqD1hIftkQomKdU5ZBiWZ8LPyb3nrhSZALCQKoU-WXEgZj9w_krsqXTpk80njsHbX0yTZIWwNrqKX1sUK6sjsf0b3CygtRl-Su3n523eDRYJNDOaFsCvFpeNoIYWmE/s640/Battle-Of-Antietam%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAufNxORldIcSIN0h4AbZju-boylAg-Wqua_ssXOuSO_bpCvQ4eOm5PHJWKJczIgqD1hIftkQomKdU5ZBiWZ8LPyb3nrhSZALCQKoU-WXEgZj9w_krsqXTpk80njsHbX0yTZIWwNrqKX1sUK6sjsf0b3CygtRl-Su3n523eDRYJNDOaFsCvFpeNoIYWmE/w400-h150/Battle-Of-Antietam%20a.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />My last visit to Clive's house was back in December 2021 with the Battle of Antietam in 28mm our festive game.</td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2021/12/battle-of-antietam-in-grand-manner-fire.html">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Antietam in the Grand Manner, Fire & Fury Brigade</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of my old friends is Clive, who has a lovely house up in North Devon, and very kindly invited me to join him and other pals to enjoy a D-Day themed big-game, our last gathering being back in 2021 which was a fun ACW themed day, link above.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5T2GMDp38f-66CXDciH4qUuiS3r0c5AuiHlOl4EVrY5rQ2XfwPvQVgGfW3ifUzQzt68Fq5Jub_pSl_DzYI31KJpuOR5SB1XnW_meXJ6zOjGNRQov6VaIskDU-xdoP7RPDD-ocxVyD-STq0QfajVv-_RFOzszK_wCjgGVgZjujMbfI_x7L9KmiOrdM64c/s893/Q-Sword-Beach-MAP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5T2GMDp38f-66CXDciH4qUuiS3r0c5AuiHlOl4EVrY5rQ2XfwPvQVgGfW3ifUzQzt68Fq5Jub_pSl_DzYI31KJpuOR5SB1XnW_meXJ6zOjGNRQov6VaIskDU-xdoP7RPDD-ocxVyD-STq0QfajVv-_RFOzszK_wCjgGVgZjujMbfI_x7L9KmiOrdM64c/w466-h640/Q-Sword-Beach-MAP.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scene for our game, this year focussed on the push inland from Sword Beach by the British 8th Brigade, 3rd Division and 4th Special Service Commando, towards Periers Ridge and Pegasus Bridge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The focus of our game was to be the <span style="text-align: center;">push inland from Sword Beach by the British 8th Brigade, 3rd Division and 4th Special Service Commando towards Periers Ridge and Pegasus Bridge, and on arrival, as well as hot drinks and biscuits we were treated to a glorious table capturing the key features and towns that dominated the battle area together with a nicely presented folder illustrating our commands, their objectives and any special rules that might be appropriate.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MrA6-DFzw79DjpZGJQWeWa0MvNO3btB-i4XzOjYql5_5VJ0QJdytDcBy_HwYxfG2CEgfEtSm03Q6PvAO8E1Kx1uuQSQ14pyHOjGHUaPb2kKg5OB3uoXyHITKYgF5OoY8MtE3_PxfcyluPvPEuemFhwK9IawHbPIk9OVJw_FVr2i_n_8dAMbC0Ce-mUM/s3980/20231206_113439a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="3980" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MrA6-DFzw79DjpZGJQWeWa0MvNO3btB-i4XzOjYql5_5VJ0QJdytDcBy_HwYxfG2CEgfEtSm03Q6PvAO8E1Kx1uuQSQ14pyHOjGHUaPb2kKg5OB3uoXyHITKYgF5OoY8MtE3_PxfcyluPvPEuemFhwK9IawHbPIk9OVJw_FVr2i_n_8dAMbC0Ce-mUM/w640-h376/20231206_113439a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clive's prepared map helped everyone orientate themselves to the table.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For a largish multi-player game where the emphasis has to be on ease of play as much as anything, Flames of War seemed to be a good choice, with a rule set that is not to formidable to reacquaint oneself with and demonstrated by how we had the game rolling along in pretty rapid fashion, helped by the fact that everyone involved has a few wargames under their belt to fall back on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbenP_TbEw3QmNisOhgcJ26nde46WzpESgFbtIWsGlX4LSmo_JySPl2PJhKg75wPgk30P9JVM6hJ0Mr2JOjo9kZ04zQ6eJwoNYb3-hh-3fIHCrcjMdkvm58Ix8bws3NoqCM-0L1CNxX2RbT7YcyLFrCzI7xRVAV5VrWqYucQQnjQTNF4FywasLvw3X_o/s4032/20231206_103923a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbenP_TbEw3QmNisOhgcJ26nde46WzpESgFbtIWsGlX4LSmo_JySPl2PJhKg75wPgk30P9JVM6hJ0Mr2JOjo9kZ04zQ6eJwoNYb3-hh-3fIHCrcjMdkvm58Ix8bws3NoqCM-0L1CNxX2RbT7YcyLFrCzI7xRVAV5VrWqYucQQnjQTNF4FywasLvw3X_o/w640-h480/20231206_103923a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east, with 21st Panzer Division's Flak battery atop Perier's Ridge, closest to camera in front of Beuville village and the road leading from the beaches via Hermanville sur Mer, and beyond at the opposite table end, the Caen Canal and River Orne bridges, with the town on Benouville dominating that end of the table.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The idea was to fight our battle with the historical forces involved and Clive provided a mapped out timetable of when specific formations could enter the table.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXb-ILwBf5yVQ0zyKdIxPTre0AvpJ3PkfO5QiH8P1I5b8_OxhWlYf2va7KcNTaNzJSlEgAQka_i-CWwRVw51nuqO0a3cpPAvlQd6RghjFgxbE3lqS20lSc1cX2jkkeP8LL-vijrTKGoYOkRVN5mab2SjOR_BY4zXHoIoB-vZK4Q5_jdfS_GC86-KINEM/s4032/20231206_113354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXb-ILwBf5yVQ0zyKdIxPTre0AvpJ3PkfO5QiH8P1I5b8_OxhWlYf2va7KcNTaNzJSlEgAQka_i-CWwRVw51nuqO0a3cpPAvlQd6RghjFgxbE3lqS20lSc1cX2jkkeP8LL-vijrTKGoYOkRVN5mab2SjOR_BY4zXHoIoB-vZK4Q5_jdfS_GC86-KINEM/w480-h640/20231206_113354.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Battle Script was all prepared with the various timings for when the principle actors would enter stage right or left.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQKDZVK6gcfKTGdZJEX3HOGpNKG5cbc5k_EEs00PohqMdq53xMs40X4ETroF4z9aszoV9Y1oHsiVL3YL0ngYTdiJ-jEMRHPdHp1qlLlY9ijC4CsA58QUuHu19XepMsMHyxqoKuRjT_L4uuPUk9es1C5U6Rdw-5g90Pi0F8-6UVW1vpNH_WsHd4d10DgA/s4032/20231206_103855a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQKDZVK6gcfKTGdZJEX3HOGpNKG5cbc5k_EEs00PohqMdq53xMs40X4ETroF4z9aszoV9Y1oHsiVL3YL0ngYTdiJ-jEMRHPdHp1qlLlY9ijC4CsA58QUuHu19XepMsMHyxqoKuRjT_L4uuPUk9es1C5U6Rdw-5g90Pi0F8-6UVW1vpNH_WsHd4d10DgA/w640-h480/20231206_103855a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's the way to start the day! Let battle commence.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Our battle reflected the historical events on the ground, with the surviving German defenders seeing the dawn of D-Day and recovering from the shock of finding British Paratroops amid their positions the night before, before rallying to commence counterattacks to regain lost ground.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63iauN7Y1rU4sXKDACnzW2w4nUtFm63F2Z6HtbFfJQ4PLxvwPtNzRH79h5TdSlqUqubJAPbUmw6_BY85UqwOqRPi4zeN-VN4-TWs_XUXW_qvZnVuVmwwlZxewPDArUxavak7ngqqXMW8honPP-1U6b6NqCnwM5x-qhXiUcDMeVrplpVzsY7zaXDq-AsI/s4032/20231206_103947a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63iauN7Y1rU4sXKDACnzW2w4nUtFm63F2Z6HtbFfJQ4PLxvwPtNzRH79h5TdSlqUqubJAPbUmw6_BY85UqwOqRPi4zeN-VN4-TWs_XUXW_qvZnVuVmwwlZxewPDArUxavak7ngqqXMW8honPP-1U6b6NqCnwM5x-qhXiUcDMeVrplpVzsY7zaXDq-AsI/w640-h480/20231206_103947a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men of the 716th Division prepare to enter Benouville to contest its occupation by British 6th Airborne.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Benouville was rapidly rocked by large explosions as 105mm howitzers targeted the cluster of houses, softening up the 6th Airborne men who now occupied them, along with those holding the Caen Canal bridge, in preparation by an assault by infantry from the 716th Division.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxbFoAxHmL-fG9pBoxQNKDOcdU-7O_FCPK-QZO1ocWZ9q-E5qRMRN2qervHxx9LuvIUAjpgPUilxKozSyChj9nfFOkOZlrvhXVOLLBbqXE5drPzAZP2R4f8eXJwfkth1HwiXSHOhMkr7SKX1pjzrSjnP5MSTwB20YGssB2RRKta85B6YiqltZmAd80Y4/s4032/20231206_103950.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxbFoAxHmL-fG9pBoxQNKDOcdU-7O_FCPK-QZO1ocWZ9q-E5qRMRN2qervHxx9LuvIUAjpgPUilxKozSyChj9nfFOkOZlrvhXVOLLBbqXE5drPzAZP2R4f8eXJwfkth1HwiXSHOhMkr7SKX1pjzrSjnP5MSTwB20YGssB2RRKta85B6YiqltZmAd80Y4/w640-h480/20231206_103950.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clive's efforts included labelled entry points on the table for the forces earmarked to arrive at specific times in the day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>My own part in our game was to assume the role of <i>Major </i>Hans von Luck who, in the absence of the 21st Panzer Division's commander <i>Generalmajor </i>Edgar Feuchtinger, busy enjoying the finer delights of life in Paris, was responsible for organising the German counter-attack to be launched east and west of the River Orne on D-Day.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6OzmXAhSeW3ZKndv2QjlEA88XAiAaopgB_-PfoADvdklButx3lXuVEkvw1E-r85sZTe3KOC9aPk44MmyrVeZgDWDkpYcEHtaNIJ05LI24MaevSRkyJblqjyyGmvtMowkR0_Vay2qJ6zSefCFF5jWLFJKJYJhz2PJXajNhgkoqGth5xBkovOIStgPql4/s4032/20231206_103954a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6OzmXAhSeW3ZKndv2QjlEA88XAiAaopgB_-PfoADvdklButx3lXuVEkvw1E-r85sZTe3KOC9aPk44MmyrVeZgDWDkpYcEHtaNIJ05LI24MaevSRkyJblqjyyGmvtMowkR0_Vay2qJ6zSefCFF5jWLFJKJYJhz2PJXajNhgkoqGth5xBkovOIStgPql4/w640-h480/20231206_103954a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Caen Canal Bridge, firmly in 6th Airborne's hands as our battle began.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As I assessed the chances of 21st Panzer advancing down the road and off the table to Hermanville-sur-Mer, the battle to control Benouville started to grow in intensity as the airborne units that were occupying the buildings started to succumb to the heavy artillery fire being thrown at the town.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKslAaaGB_AKq4ZMR4I7DL3VWugSJgBCKPYkVAX50h6Vl1ayqwgW0eGnWC8nu-5BlWe8dY5tiQ2e8utmX00s8gXDrq13Ny0lrNx9PxiHav3dH_eb9myRzADpCB8LVcfG-36Zl-qqqpPaRL_1iGVN5wcXH-3eGXFUGQ53BN-Q9eZ3UPbUw4HCiEHxuavy8/s4032/20231206_104009a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKslAaaGB_AKq4ZMR4I7DL3VWugSJgBCKPYkVAX50h6Vl1ayqwgW0eGnWC8nu-5BlWe8dY5tiQ2e8utmX00s8gXDrq13Ny0lrNx9PxiHav3dH_eb9myRzADpCB8LVcfG-36Zl-qqqpPaRL_1iGVN5wcXH-3eGXFUGQ53BN-Q9eZ3UPbUw4HCiEHxuavy8/w640-h480/20231206_104009a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th Airborne muster before Benouville to support their elements in the town battling to maintain their hold.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>However with a threat posed by advancing Commandos and supporting tanks coming along the road from Ouistreham, the German infantry had to keep reserves available to deal with that issue as well as providing sufficient forces to contest Benouville, which posed some interesting challenges and kept the hopes alive for 6th Airborne of an early relief.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9Bhya4zW8-7A7AC3BHwZTbIQCKzuH3bZVfGxRqgJCLTe_AzJCKMt7f1m-g-9o3jlh2nG6J98UQRnSRQPLOF1-I53f9sPGolevKoQAIHAS3tsY77A8vH640ashGSwWgHWvoKjy2J6RtnniIcihbKewVwHEbAwVGXeNvZp7kNvlfwsNxF9Q5drs87XXAA/s4032/20231206_104019a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9Bhya4zW8-7A7AC3BHwZTbIQCKzuH3bZVfGxRqgJCLTe_AzJCKMt7f1m-g-9o3jlh2nG6J98UQRnSRQPLOF1-I53f9sPGolevKoQAIHAS3tsY77A8vH640ashGSwWgHWvoKjy2J6RtnniIcihbKewVwHEbAwVGXeNvZp7kNvlfwsNxF9Q5drs87XXAA/w640-h480/20231206_104019a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pegasus Bridge, saw the first allied casualty of D-Day when Lt. Den Brotheridge of the Oxs & Bucks Light Infantry, 6th Airborne Division, was killed by German defenders as he led the charge across it to capture the opposite end and drive off the garrison.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxchHe3DcgX7ckYljE4FNvW9U9RsjZEv6SGhHWM4Kq3EJPPWwQNXQFnGvf0e2CTEfIXu_cxlExAzL17ZAkqhyNNAHtINYzQnPk3qLZKW06FLrNNHW_xPezBNA9Qnp7Yzn5jL5H9cx_X81GDyRuuNUlB1Ar4UlkGJxHkBECGmpa38c4b-fesZyXB8TPCXg/s4032/20231206_104029a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxchHe3DcgX7ckYljE4FNvW9U9RsjZEv6SGhHWM4Kq3EJPPWwQNXQFnGvf0e2CTEfIXu_cxlExAzL17ZAkqhyNNAHtINYzQnPk3qLZKW06FLrNNHW_xPezBNA9Qnp7Yzn5jL5H9cx_X81GDyRuuNUlB1Ar4UlkGJxHkBECGmpa38c4b-fesZyXB8TPCXg/w640-h480/20231206_104029a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th Airborne had a firm grip on the Caen Canal and River Orne crossings and were ready to support the fight to hold Benouville.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJbkkshpy98Mn2VKKPB0Gc4qUc40vaY4ataCuF0HJQc9n_WNUOtOPsCOpnslXsu4_mR5PrWyauD-yhZmSySl5cJ89rv5kuP8WmauAzrEw237u1SB8UsId3QuaEhmSX0pLaSHyiq03IhZErD0kYYNbUiU_alX79wSrlOD3K8NcRZJLdlq7n0vaR8XpfMk/s4032/20231206_113316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJbkkshpy98Mn2VKKPB0Gc4qUc40vaY4ataCuF0HJQc9n_WNUOtOPsCOpnslXsu4_mR5PrWyauD-yhZmSySl5cJ89rv5kuP8WmauAzrEw237u1SB8UsId3QuaEhmSX0pLaSHyiq03IhZErD0kYYNbUiU_alX79wSrlOD3K8NcRZJLdlq7n0vaR8XpfMk/w480-h640/20231206_113316.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My command from 21st Panzer Division would see me deploy all but Recce elements from the Panzeraufklarungs-Abteilung, and having the 8.8cm AT battery firmly ensconced before my armoured units rolled on to the table.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There's no finer sight to command than an impressive column of tanks and armoured infantry, ably supported by multiple quad flak halftracks, which with the combined fire from a similarly armed flak unit from the 716th ID easily saw off three over exuberant Typhoon pilots who got carried away and tried to strafe my command on its arrival, with all three 'Jabos' shot down for their temerity.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbEf1Bz2CBF6m9u4G14MlZrNiv3Z-prY03dHKJx_5Qw7GI2n3seq-duYExfmr9HeAVmsgn53Ur1SkZJ1RYfMwcvgsoUhQllk8aYBjYF3RlRbr9rrduzD3gpE07PCyD_QZdsrV9FCMlTROFHxzkcBo5o4EjZU-ExnblaJQu4UekCQQKv5I14QdcQKrmus/s4032/20231206_114254a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbEf1Bz2CBF6m9u4G14MlZrNiv3Z-prY03dHKJx_5Qw7GI2n3seq-duYExfmr9HeAVmsgn53Ur1SkZJ1RYfMwcvgsoUhQllk8aYBjYF3RlRbr9rrduzD3gpE07PCyD_QZdsrV9FCMlTROFHxzkcBo5o4EjZU-ExnblaJQu4UekCQQKv5I14QdcQKrmus/w640-h480/20231206_114254a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzers March, 21st Panzer head for the beaches beyond Hermanville-sur-Mer.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei0qurspZYgQZWsYVNjPGDGLdbefGTENj6ayzyjWrggw2Tl9WdXP0V9uGJX8RmajD4I0vyfooN8mWKm6ofawduFZrg94c97ul4yz7-zzfunYEpwtGi5KJtdrdK2nxM3hBAjjpXFrRYMqTQGooQXZZMoUab61Y5g48_-_Cf8nnaP4CU000a8wV2lJmP9Q/s567/Pzd-H_1SSPzdFr44.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="567" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei0qurspZYgQZWsYVNjPGDGLdbefGTENj6ayzyjWrggw2Tl9WdXP0V9uGJX8RmajD4I0vyfooN8mWKm6ofawduFZrg94c97ul4yz7-zzfunYEpwtGi5KJtdrdK2nxM3hBAjjpXFrRYMqTQGooQXZZMoUab61Y5g48_-_Cf8nnaP4CU000a8wV2lJmP9Q/w640-h246/Pzd-H_1SSPzdFr44.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Panzer IVH was still a formidable tank in 1944 with its 7.5cm L/43 gun and capable armour protection - this one in the colours of 1st SS Panzer Division Liebstandarte Adolf Hitler, summer 1944.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YHL-4f2wtjJhSBckqChJ5XPaVoi6QWjCsZ4qhAtSLa-T739WN69v2QyTEW3_Th8-nCefMwZBGxnJW7lx_kf14Pa-cAPUFqWPjM7_y12Yifpk7rVnxOAT63HITxsSVb-ccHLf_3E38l67XKMjXaUNsplg-AbBRqUsvJ5aDi2sk-qmivHsVAsrUYWGrYA/s3964/20231206_114259a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3964" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YHL-4f2wtjJhSBckqChJ5XPaVoi6QWjCsZ4qhAtSLa-T739WN69v2QyTEW3_Th8-nCefMwZBGxnJW7lx_kf14Pa-cAPUFqWPjM7_y12Yifpk7rVnxOAT63HITxsSVb-ccHLf_3E38l67XKMjXaUNsplg-AbBRqUsvJ5aDi2sk-qmivHsVAsrUYWGrYA/w640-h488/20231206_114259a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The village windows of Beuville shake as the 21st Division Panzers move up to the front. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>By lunch time, pretty well all our units were on the table, with 21st Panzer preparing to deploy off the road at the Beuville bridge as forward units of the British 8th Brigade were observed entering the table from Periers Ridge, and with Sherman DD Tanks advancing down the road in support of British Commando's coming to the support of the hard pressed airborne chaps in Benouville.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYjSW1BTEQr1r99mQEhQds2p-6P8ZEsh8hgySCMh6IDxFPYXjobE3PteDcIdSkgwVybkwh74eYHshXFDPpZP8jHDeqOtm7IUkOPP6qOrey-WEp3P8KjLRTQ70ebcOLS2NxZjjvVCrt2tI0mL_PFoC__t3anFAwmONkyrsiLA21oqE_LJNp9HF9xBmDvU/s4032/20231206_125843a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYjSW1BTEQr1r99mQEhQds2p-6P8ZEsh8hgySCMh6IDxFPYXjobE3PteDcIdSkgwVybkwh74eYHshXFDPpZP8jHDeqOtm7IUkOPP6qOrey-WEp3P8KjLRTQ70ebcOLS2NxZjjvVCrt2tI0mL_PFoC__t3anFAwmONkyrsiLA21oqE_LJNp9HF9xBmDvU/w640-h480/20231206_125843a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As lunch beckons our afternoon battle is arrayed with pretty much all the forces deployed ready to contest the centre ground for ascendancy on D-Day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The struggle to gain ascendancy in the centre of the table, with the fight to control Benouville raised another notch for the Germans, as a troop of Sherman DD tanks spearheaded the approach of 4th Special Service Commando, suggesting to the German infantry that occupation of the buildings would be a good idea and with 21st Panzer massed around Periers Ridge forced to deploy from off its parade to the beach, to deal with armoured and infantry elements of British 8th brigade together with mortar, artillery and air assets in close support advancing from the opposite direction.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCtTcZetxbP8UQBHnlumaN2pBQvlbA5v0KzjP5vdIKooEkDxiJafaF9nFLByDSSGMWdlk7HJ3OTrrKYvmtMVuRl1HVGE0ULcU3It8ioqPGEhXUgl-bRtZjCWXQ12VLRyh77028Fuo2evUpY1dEkXDEZSTd2AJpeK4-VMX8E8UywyXJWm9u20g0fExAJg/s4032/20231206_125858a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCtTcZetxbP8UQBHnlumaN2pBQvlbA5v0KzjP5vdIKooEkDxiJafaF9nFLByDSSGMWdlk7HJ3OTrrKYvmtMVuRl1HVGE0ULcU3It8ioqPGEhXUgl-bRtZjCWXQ12VLRyh77028Fuo2evUpY1dEkXDEZSTd2AJpeK4-VMX8E8UywyXJWm9u20g0fExAJg/w640-h480/20231206_125858a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leading elements of British 8th Brigade arrive on table after getting clear of Sword Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The British 8th brigade were the spearhead unit of 3rd Division consisting of the 1st battalions of the Suffolk and South Lancashire Regiments and the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire's with armoured support provided by the 27th Armoured Brigade, with three regiments, 13th/18th Hussars with Sherman DD's and the 1st East Riding and Staffordshire Yeomanry using standard Sherman tanks.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdcggmP8bbSHwny6Q0MniQnkr2rC1yZ2A_gEKtvqIypbVyE4haTy_sSBAZuRPphjp2YbV5_2OJDb-gjwGp0bpuERoRVtdmjSRcqE1EqfIm45z2FSALGLbc-56nfYAwyvPN5TQxTrpFWuzO1ZNGRF0GAbU5KEqEhtsiyVmVz8SjYy0MapHCoLlOXgdX0I/s4032/20231206_125905a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdcggmP8bbSHwny6Q0MniQnkr2rC1yZ2A_gEKtvqIypbVyE4haTy_sSBAZuRPphjp2YbV5_2OJDb-gjwGp0bpuERoRVtdmjSRcqE1EqfIm45z2FSALGLbc-56nfYAwyvPN5TQxTrpFWuzO1ZNGRF0GAbU5KEqEhtsiyVmVz8SjYy0MapHCoLlOXgdX0I/w640-h480/20231206_125905a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A troop of British DD tanks spearhead the march of 4th Special Service Commando towards Benouville</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Historically Periers Ridge would prove to be a high-water mark and the defensive attributes offered to my 88mm anti-tank guns atop it and a wooded small river in front immediately appealed as a suitable position on which to deploy the Panzers in readiness to greet the onrushing British tanks, with caution needed to allow for the support of M10's from 20th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery and the odd Firefly lurking in support.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2qjhbselLXpQw0cJNxVOYZkRUIMvifQJPIG1HFy422nyzKTiiGIo5_1W16zAKjrHNh22LqJq_OB6P-3hFxYcr36vlZOkv5MSySqbvO2KANNggHtb9yIlaq0pT9VBvT3fHicGu4xl5Xzchf89NhJYh0lDRfjkTwiOMMNnPjleFZR30BNKer_go7Anfz4/s4032/20231206_125913a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2qjhbselLXpQw0cJNxVOYZkRUIMvifQJPIG1HFy422nyzKTiiGIo5_1W16zAKjrHNh22LqJq_OB6P-3hFxYcr36vlZOkv5MSySqbvO2KANNggHtb9yIlaq0pT9VBvT3fHicGu4xl5Xzchf89NhJYh0lDRfjkTwiOMMNnPjleFZR30BNKer_go7Anfz4/w640-h480/20231206_125913a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German units had very good AA support on hand which was useful as Typhoons were constantly lurking overhead.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY9etSCFFKK6QU4Zp8vj7aMZ2Od6gEc93vi2LO3ucN28-GX8lZzgZ8b37Hm2u1-RNYJQl1hcUEk-7eXxVR_EUXbFL6JL5szfD4iqgEDDzVHzwjlcn0RSJpqeMqzL4Q4ULwaoUlJU02sulB0BYJb5RFSc9YlBIZBJmi0PuiLO4yrect9GwvZ21T4D9Eyk/s4032/20231206_125934a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY9etSCFFKK6QU4Zp8vj7aMZ2Od6gEc93vi2LO3ucN28-GX8lZzgZ8b37Hm2u1-RNYJQl1hcUEk-7eXxVR_EUXbFL6JL5szfD4iqgEDDzVHzwjlcn0RSJpqeMqzL4Q4ULwaoUlJU02sulB0BYJb5RFSc9YlBIZBJmi0PuiLO4yrect9GwvZ21T4D9Eyk/w640-h480/20231206_125934a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The artillery of the German 716 ID were kept busy in support of forward units throughout the day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As it turned out my Panzer crews were more than ready for the test as the lead tank spotted a Sherman lurking on the edge of some woodland near to the Beuville river, knocking it out with its first shot, ably supported by the following tanks which quickly dispatched two M10's in the fields beyond, finishing off vehicles that had been hit by the 88's causing their crews to abandon them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emboldened by this early success the lead Panzer then pressed on to the treeline in front of the river to stalk and knock out a second Sherman that had boldly pushed on across the river to continue the advance, but was left cracking and smoking among the trees.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSc0AifVRl5AkQ4U01ygQi5vewLaD1F9E-s0ofGnGeTKdVTSkxq9di8NNJOEIZfdNl48t4PQj6njdqVEjwEG04ceQqLXeUfB1-Nl2Gh7dfQ62EucZPyLNuk0h7SgtY4CqsxZaP3cRiDwGzDzYCSnlmN1XhQksidWTdeJ6ybyGFOlfC01_RttUt082wnYQ/s4032/20231206_145100a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSc0AifVRl5AkQ4U01ygQi5vewLaD1F9E-s0ofGnGeTKdVTSkxq9di8NNJOEIZfdNl48t4PQj6njdqVEjwEG04ceQqLXeUfB1-Nl2Gh7dfQ62EucZPyLNuk0h7SgtY4CqsxZaP3cRiDwGzDzYCSnlmN1XhQksidWTdeJ6ybyGFOlfC01_RttUt082wnYQ/w640-h480/20231206_145100a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contact!! - 21st Panzer get the drop on British armour supporting 8th Brigade as the lead Panzer IV opens fire on a Sherman trying to make best use of the cover from the nearby woods.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfeGMQ0WXYSxUXatUIr9DfhyC-KJwIct0V9L4-HGrVQFupG_jtLubscL8M81C_OyO4pRoUiUi4E9ld3RP8YHH108bA_4BpHi5ukQAWbVsaV842bfCBM6pFoclYYvLO40Bu85tEZAhD5yHARp0XTKEM0Xc72sOwO8-W5LSM8MdJ25r1hKneuL5hGX71Xo/s4032/20231206_144937a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfeGMQ0WXYSxUXatUIr9DfhyC-KJwIct0V9L4-HGrVQFupG_jtLubscL8M81C_OyO4pRoUiUi4E9ld3RP8YHH108bA_4BpHi5ukQAWbVsaV842bfCBM6pFoclYYvLO40Bu85tEZAhD5yHARp0XTKEM0Xc72sOwO8-W5LSM8MdJ25r1hKneuL5hGX71Xo/w640-h480/20231206_144937a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first shots from the 7.5cm L/43 gun slammed home.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />At this stage of the battle, a motorcycle dispatch rider drew up beside my command tank with orders for me to return to RHQ for an urgent Ops meeting with the Divisional commander, well actually, that's slightly exaggerated, I had in fact to return home to pick up my son's Labrador from 'Doggy Day Care', so was forced to depart earlier than anticipated.</div><div><br /></div><div>However when I left, the Signal Cameraman who had accompanied our march to the sea was well pleased with the day that he had had with 21st Panzer, providing plenty of material to impress the folks back home with our success on the Festung Europa front, but I gather from subsequent reports of later events that the British managed to negate a lot of our efforts before Beuville, but those reports will of course not appear in my Post War Recollections, probably to be entitled 'Panzers March!!'.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87HZBcn26Y5EZxccgOOnQ9JnpvtZdrEFLHw6O-WAyqrLMbd_1ZMxfyAqekJFM3r9yV_frkOtWSs39R3R1Og0nyOeRdkTH26v6yerawV8JwIUVBgVqhMXrZuxRmhF3DAd40Tyn-__SJq3VN0ahq68uF5LO1hMU1yIVbon8kzbJFP02weqR1iAfHZSH1V0/s4032/20231206_145156a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87HZBcn26Y5EZxccgOOnQ9JnpvtZdrEFLHw6O-WAyqrLMbd_1ZMxfyAqekJFM3r9yV_frkOtWSs39R3R1Og0nyOeRdkTH26v6yerawV8JwIUVBgVqhMXrZuxRmhF3DAd40Tyn-__SJq3VN0ahq68uF5LO1hMU1yIVbon8kzbJFP02weqR1iAfHZSH1V0/w640-h480/20231206_145156a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next shot finished the job and in combination with the 8.8cm guns on Perier Ridge would see the nearby fields littered with burning Shermans and M10 Wolverines.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As you will see from the list of objectives issued to the respective German commanders, Player Four (21st Panzer) was tasked with holding Periers Ridge and once the Allied forces were sufficiently roughed up, pressing on to Hermanville, a task that was well in hand when I was recalled.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36h3KduJ0lli8uMnNysSWNH2nE_4JGiUcSinM7mn33tO0qJkGligYsr52EfAjLi3d02dr5m2nbDOSbYnwSupwLGPI82kfojloCO1_LiFJdWxGoD1EEfos09KY_-wKmuwnAxgg5rR83nrxs3IvULfr6ECerGEwk9BWTdxhPK6GATFpzIjltbiWAbkOG5o/s4032/20231206_113341.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36h3KduJ0lli8uMnNysSWNH2nE_4JGiUcSinM7mn33tO0qJkGligYsr52EfAjLi3d02dr5m2nbDOSbYnwSupwLGPI82kfojloCO1_LiFJdWxGoD1EEfos09KY_-wKmuwnAxgg5rR83nrxs3IvULfr6ECerGEwk9BWTdxhPK6GATFpzIjltbiWAbkOG5o/w480-h640/20231206_113341.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clive's briefing notes for players capturing special rules in play and the player objectives for our game.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>What fun, and another absorbing enjoyable day at Chez Clive to look back on with fond memories. Our game was played in the normal relaxed frivolous banter that tends to be the norm, gloriously intermixed with Clive's attention to detail to present the challenging historical commentary that supported the game seen here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Clive for a lovely day and to my fellow players, Chas, Nick, Mike, Stephen, Steve M. and Vince who provided the drama portrayed in my pictures from the day together with their company that made it complete - cheers chaps and Happy Xmas to one and all.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-6176131518623155692023-12-08T23:17:00.000-08:002023-12-12T00:55:46.929-08:00All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Four, The Leeward Division Completed<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpcNZMefMUPgFvueZznyQEyuwYcQuIPZv-BUFSA2Ss0Rzkikv-bB62NmjWzWSnsTdHf7jQZLiRbqH22fTdgfZCFEMlSASvKTMmohH8bXyIiH6jNjZEcaqQL8bYjy31GTzoFLqbARDHG4pz_cXzARfufKklb7rlwxhAB42Lb0jFNHtig3F0L-cKnf9y-s/s1280/Photo%2013-02-2022,%2009%2013%2047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1280" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpcNZMefMUPgFvueZznyQEyuwYcQuIPZv-BUFSA2Ss0Rzkikv-bB62NmjWzWSnsTdHf7jQZLiRbqH22fTdgfZCFEMlSASvKTMmohH8bXyIiH6jNjZEcaqQL8bYjy31GTzoFLqbARDHG4pz_cXzARfufKklb7rlwxhAB42Lb0jFNHtig3F0L-cKnf9y-s/w640-h410/Photo%2013-02-2022,%2009%2013%2047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of Camperdown - Oliver Hurst<br /><a href="https://www.oliverhurst.com/product-page/the-battle-of-camperdown">https://www.oliverhurst.com/product-page/the-battle-of-camperdown</a><br />The Leeward Division in the thick of it at Camperdown with Vice-admiral Sir Richard Onslow's HMS <i>Monarch</i>, subject of my last post seen to the right, likely engaging the Dutch 74-gun <i>Jupiter, </i>broadside to broadside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />In the last post covering this project to build the British and Dutch fleets at the Battle Camperdown in 1:700 scale, with the object of getting the collection up and playing in 2024, I looked at the second group of three ships that made up the nine of Vice-Admiral Onslow's Leeward Division, see link below.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ksiA-u3uQVq1jxcAK4f9Gsr4t6aO15VVELv0Gb5Dk6gkK6Ks-X1imq83zrDi97M2nVHFlwLda6_gg2og_JJBlP58F8Ll3Lannn3mKQ0lnO2RdPGmC7XkPzibpXLAgWaPeZT66aUOCeQV_kyOzW2eDdXfLxMmBOesWxaqUYTOqZcOIYnBNhYn4b570EU/s4730/P1110437a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2645" data-original-width="4730" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ksiA-u3uQVq1jxcAK4f9Gsr4t6aO15VVELv0Gb5Dk6gkK6Ks-X1imq83zrDi97M2nVHFlwLda6_gg2og_JJBlP58F8Ll3Lannn3mKQ0lnO2RdPGmC7XkPzibpXLAgWaPeZT66aUOCeQV_kyOzW2eDdXfLxMmBOesWxaqUYTOqZcOIYnBNhYn4b570EU/w400-h224/P1110437a.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/11/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown Project Build, Post Three</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />In this post, number four, I am showcasing the final three ships, HMS <i>Powerful </i>74-guns, HMS <i>Agincourt </i>64-guns and HMS <i>Adamant </i>50-guns.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyRepyKu3HT5hB2nYhWLBlS6tiIed8wnoRKqAq_QAWYJVbEeUuiQrbiUBB5aRCE8i514V-K1TUOnQ2fTXiV7z3q6gmOUK_b53hcZXSLT6ceKsCI8db7bJr_h3sLZo3ekgxGBx0WIiGt3KrtK1wMr9P4achPZx0SmevDXgcPXfMp2T-7yW6RQ97FcTiI8/s1036/The%20Leeward%20Division.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="1036" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyRepyKu3HT5hB2nYhWLBlS6tiIed8wnoRKqAq_QAWYJVbEeUuiQrbiUBB5aRCE8i514V-K1TUOnQ2fTXiV7z3q6gmOUK_b53hcZXSLT6ceKsCI8db7bJr_h3sLZo3ekgxGBx0WIiGt3KrtK1wMr9P4achPZx0SmevDXgcPXfMp2T-7yW6RQ97FcTiI8/w640-h362/The%20Leeward%20Division.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eight ships of the line that would form the Leeward Division at Camperdown, to this would be added the fourth rate <i>Adamant </i>50-guns with, as shown here, the attached fifth-rate frigate HMS <i>Beaulieu </i>40-guns (to be completed along with the other British small-ships).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The completion of these models and this part of the British fleet starts to break the back of this project as we head towards the New Year, by which time I am planning to complete the Dutch Rear under Rear-Admiral Hermanus Reijntjes with the completion of the three outstanding ships of his command, the two third-rates, <i>Haarlem </i>and <i>Cerberus</i>, and the fourth-rate <i>Alkmaar</i>.<br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXATg6LDU7FtOxcForJl_eAG9B0eypo_efn2hqZT3pVKFS_ccLwQAg3CCdMIBexWFr5uZi9vZGmD8RqDIFXrWaI_Tdhgd_B5zmsqCHtcF_o7VkFY-ZIPgyRKuCw4EBYEalC4Ls12b2oSeNBUz9N9Q8CHLXL9jTnNj8geZ7tnPAzYeI59nGywKPOnc2q3Y/s1853/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1853" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXATg6LDU7FtOxcForJl_eAG9B0eypo_efn2hqZT3pVKFS_ccLwQAg3CCdMIBexWFr5uZi9vZGmD8RqDIFXrWaI_Tdhgd_B5zmsqCHtcF_o7VkFY-ZIPgyRKuCw4EBYEalC4Ls12b2oSeNBUz9N9Q8CHLXL9jTnNj8geZ7tnPAzYeI59nGywKPOnc2q3Y/w640-h424/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A satisfying planner as we head towards Xmas 2023, showing the completion of the British Leeward Division.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">So as with the previous posts in this series, as well as showcasing the new models, I thought it would be interesting to look at the statistics and history's of the ships these models represent together with other interesting facts from this particular battle and the ship's logs recording their participation in it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3unUXmbJzOyiAmJPcblA87uOe6uPbA8aO6abGNA8_RZEGcoHGoiU2JGuevc08gYaflwNykSDI65ffai3nmXAogrEWTPgw9DAQlRJVeSwmQRcAVGvITogDHU1E1uLs7gt8mENXgMKIbEN0x4pwYmBsHRLGdjgZUzaHbU9MkngXJ14-LmBhvMaf8PbliI/s4896/P1110503a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2264" data-original-width="4896" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3unUXmbJzOyiAmJPcblA87uOe6uPbA8aO6abGNA8_RZEGcoHGoiU2JGuevc08gYaflwNykSDI65ffai3nmXAogrEWTPgw9DAQlRJVeSwmQRcAVGvITogDHU1E1uLs7gt8mENXgMKIbEN0x4pwYmBsHRLGdjgZUzaHbU9MkngXJ14-LmBhvMaf8PbliI/w640-h296/P1110503a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The balance of the Leeward Division, from left to right, <i>Agincourt </i>64-guns, <i>Powerful </i>74-guns and <i>Adamant </i>50-guns</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Powerful</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">HMS <i>Powerful </i>was part of the revived Elizabeth Class 74-gun ship originally designed by Sir Thomas Slade in 1765, and built and launched at Blackwall Yard, London on the 3rd April 1783.<div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgc6XaycG71F_El6QSBwJKdijTEJoEZshlVZmEgyfgC_4c6x-VyIJ9pX2CvsDru_pvgOso3PZujDedCPFk2-1_9gqk0296WyMuxmVRSeC12-9LIM7BCGmPm6BJDCpn_SkRpNhT5xmmLRECEcXYD8W_iemjvDUYU7RHwbybneXTcD_zknrIZkwqwcaDNB0/s1049/Superb%20followed%20by%20Powerful%20-%20D%20Gardner%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1049" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgc6XaycG71F_El6QSBwJKdijTEJoEZshlVZmEgyfgC_4c6x-VyIJ9pX2CvsDru_pvgOso3PZujDedCPFk2-1_9gqk0296WyMuxmVRSeC12-9LIM7BCGmPm6BJDCpn_SkRpNhT5xmmLRECEcXYD8W_iemjvDUYU7RHwbybneXTcD_zknrIZkwqwcaDNB0/w640-h496/Superb%20followed%20by%20Powerful%20-%20D%20Gardner%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 74-gun <i>Superb</i>, followed by <i>Powerful </i>and <i>Donegal </i>with frigates <i>Acasta </i>and <i>Amethyst </i>in the Atlantic January 1806 - Derek Gardner</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen 1626 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 168 feet, 6 inches </div><div>Beam 47 feet, 0.75 inch</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 8.5 inches</div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CCBO2Cy0N7CGxEC-uRIxJN-AO0cqqPdv8x7jDm-Uc28g5QNTedZIMK6ojCSttj2VZZsa6QfyIRlFDak3MG6mkgf_ZfU26UgGS7mJsLvMvjG_vVqa-H8mcBUetevdUJ-zHVUSX5txNj7OIJX9Te7bFMkDmPFg8pzjiNl9zodnTrx7fJLl7zRbD2TJaGY/s4873/P1110505a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4873" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CCBO2Cy0N7CGxEC-uRIxJN-AO0cqqPdv8x7jDm-Uc28g5QNTedZIMK6ojCSttj2VZZsa6QfyIRlFDak3MG6mkgf_ZfU26UgGS7mJsLvMvjG_vVqa-H8mcBUetevdUJ-zHVUSX5txNj7OIJX9Te7bFMkDmPFg8pzjiNl9zodnTrx7fJLl7zRbD2TJaGY/w640-h480/P1110505a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 28 x 32-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 28 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 14 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 4 x 9-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><div>As part of the building program for the Royal Navy during the American War of Independence, <i>Powerful </i>was commissioned in the month of her launch under Captain Thomas Fitzherbert, until paid off in 1785. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6NP4T4mdsSB0CkIAcWdCWkRcia47FftNKD_hkcwqyimdr6BlA6HgCqAymmfoCU6QYJcHxwhF7CZDC8PXMEUsDr7n8lk72mddDxHIEV0VrwTaGX_Kq1fVp5qzjnf5XJU5LwOcOysGnE27g8U6EmVoSBwUJT53nc2yNr0Rmln1i1HqlBlLI7nwoDOKmVk/s1280/Berwick_BombayCastle_Powerful_Defiance.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="1280" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6NP4T4mdsSB0CkIAcWdCWkRcia47FftNKD_hkcwqyimdr6BlA6HgCqAymmfoCU6QYJcHxwhF7CZDC8PXMEUsDr7n8lk72mddDxHIEV0VrwTaGX_Kq1fVp5qzjnf5XJU5LwOcOysGnE27g8U6EmVoSBwUJT53nc2yNr0Rmln1i1HqlBlLI7nwoDOKmVk/w640-h236/Berwick_BombayCastle_Powerful_Defiance.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drawings for HMS <i>Berwick</i>, sister ship of <i>Powerful</i>, the former launched in April 1775, illustrates the lines of this revised Elizabeth class third-rate 74.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Recommissioned in May 1786 under Captain Andrew Sutherland, she served as flagship to Rear-Admiral Thomas Graves, after which she went into Plymouth dockyard for so called, 'small repairs', costing the exchequer some £12,299.5.2d, about £2,722,325 at today's value, these repairs lasting from May 1788 to March 1789.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtP8x48iDeI_EUdbvNtD5lO6frUDNRVcrufCPdVpKK0La-dCSQoiujR5di8gSHho4K8buP39ItoLw_oPhsVm6UdJ9TPMIfWYJ9bApo3sDepVegYRB0NMz3t8hBT3HpZuqDg6gDXzcigymtv9BC-qWoPo1v3ktvjyt8auLvJH8PbmypTHkLI6BLHSUIVQ/s1280/Nicholas_Pocock_-_The_Battle_of_Camperdown_1797,%20Vessels%20Ardent%201796%20HMS,%20Powerful%201783%20,%20Venerable%201784.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1280" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtP8x48iDeI_EUdbvNtD5lO6frUDNRVcrufCPdVpKK0La-dCSQoiujR5di8gSHho4K8buP39ItoLw_oPhsVm6UdJ9TPMIfWYJ9bApo3sDepVegYRB0NMz3t8hBT3HpZuqDg6gDXzcigymtv9BC-qWoPo1v3ktvjyt8auLvJH8PbmypTHkLI6BLHSUIVQ/w640-h450/Nicholas_Pocock_-_The_Battle_of_Camperdown_1797,%20Vessels%20Ardent%201796%20HMS,%20Powerful%201783%20,%20Venerable%201784.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown 1797 - Nicholas Pocock<br />Vessels illustrated from left to right are HMS <i>Ardent </i>1796, HMS, <i>Powerful </i>1783 and HMS <i>Venerable </i>1784. This must be in the mid afternoon, when the <i>Powerful </i>joined the ships of the British van in their attack on the <i>Vrijheid</i>, dismasted in the centre and with the <i>Hercules</i> depicted close on her stern quarter on fire.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In December 1793, <i>Powerful </i>was recommissioned under Captain Thomas Hicks, fitting out in Plymouth between March 1793 to January 1794 at a cost of £9,959, a further £1,170,458, before sailing to Jamaica under the command of Captain William Otway on the 15th January, her time in the Caribbean concluding seven months later with her paying off in the August of 1794.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGw23dcLIyQMOVxEmYwKdik0mvD-aMnIMXRFCMVm11KMIPinQwpgod0k4uMyNaBYNJcTqWjdTgl_IqUsvviAz_0992Kp_ecnmGyHqVFV9evaFy3gFD_zCi_AD-nwF5yJXKgoo2PLw6PV4J8fLFN1vEbpmfcPErStI35lRdL-qNqv_ig-zbOR4TCAdpyA/s1072/William_O'Bryen_Drury_miniature.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1072" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGw23dcLIyQMOVxEmYwKdik0mvD-aMnIMXRFCMVm11KMIPinQwpgod0k4uMyNaBYNJcTqWjdTgl_IqUsvviAz_0992Kp_ecnmGyHqVFV9evaFy3gFD_zCi_AD-nwF5yJXKgoo2PLw6PV4J8fLFN1vEbpmfcPErStI35lRdL-qNqv_ig-zbOR4TCAdpyA/s320/William_O'Bryen_Drury_miniature.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Captain William O'Bryen Drury, took command of HMS <i>Powerful </i>in August 1795, <br />and under whose command she would serve at the Battle of Camperdown 11th October 1797</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Recommissioned yet again in April 1795 under the command of Captain Richard Fisher she was fitted out in Portsmouth in July of that year for a further £10,381 just a little over £1.5 million in modern sterling, before coming under the command of Captain William O'Bryen Drury in the August, returning to Plymouth two years later in May 1797 for a further refit costing £8,924 another £1.3 million.</div><div><br /></div><div>It would be under Captain O'Bryen Drury that she would serve at the Battle of Camperdown 11th October 1797 losing ten killed and seventy-eight wounded in the action.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXwbktzrVH6HIHeyxWiFBvhf2dFoCnd8rL21SR2tXKdktBJZ2iCmzZ33Hgqa5dwEkqjol4F1M8HAGjtG64HvLYzE_2zBqtpBrXhHJPN2E8aHGCLrlJALKi4a1sKFhu3bKM8ThtIUYVUDqJVVW2gEqiLc-Q-OhpuvewPEfC-T_NZlepa_5tVdtgoZUv6A/s4896/P1110506a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXwbktzrVH6HIHeyxWiFBvhf2dFoCnd8rL21SR2tXKdktBJZ2iCmzZ33Hgqa5dwEkqjol4F1M8HAGjtG64HvLYzE_2zBqtpBrXhHJPN2E8aHGCLrlJALKi4a1sKFhu3bKM8ThtIUYVUDqJVVW2gEqiLc-Q-OhpuvewPEfC-T_NZlepa_5tVdtgoZUv6A/w640-h480/P1110506a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The log of HMS <i>Powerful </i>in succinct to say the least, and contains the barest summary of her activities in the morning and afternoon of the 11th October.</div><div><br /></div><b>Extracts from the log of HMS Monarch at the Battle of Camperdown</b></div><div><b>Log. JOSEPH WILLIAMS, Master. Official No. 2886.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>October 11th.</b></div><div><b>A.M. At 7, tacked ship. Saw the enemy's fleet. </b><b>10, bearing down on the enemy's line. Let a reef out </b><b>of the topsails. At noon, signal No. 95 by Admiral </b><b>Duncan to exchange stations in the line. Took our </b><b>station immediately as second to the Vice-Admiral </b><b>close on his starboard beam. Fresh breezes and </b><b>cloudy. Bearing down on the enemy's line.</b></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDj6JoWMHHvcpjxFAUd_4Qfs5CvxGa4NfvMiOQWkR0YQczNQJV98OY-MZ786CaeZ2FWeVbVgNvgerjr5DRs3LzOhz2-t1Jyg9mSwJ6WJbRTUq0bxj_e_938l96vncp_mrwWK5tOUaC65zf-4yA8ranqbBDEv5rjsa1s4ahPNzJbg_3N-crZCqVVOmY5w/s3672/P1110507a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2854" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDj6JoWMHHvcpjxFAUd_4Qfs5CvxGa4NfvMiOQWkR0YQczNQJV98OY-MZ786CaeZ2FWeVbVgNvgerjr5DRs3LzOhz2-t1Jyg9mSwJ6WJbRTUq0bxj_e_938l96vncp_mrwWK5tOUaC65zf-4yA8ranqbBDEv5rjsa1s4ahPNzJbg_3N-crZCqVVOmY5w/w498-h640/P1110507a.JPG" width="498" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>P.M. </i></b></div><div><b><i>At 1\2 past 12, the Vice-Admiral cut </i></b><b><i>through the enemy's line, close astern of the Dutch </i></b><b><i>Vice-Admiral. At the same time cut through </i></b><b><i>and opened a close fire on the Dutch Vice-</i></b><b><i>Admiral's second astern and on a frigate on our lee</i></b><b><i>bow.</i></b></div></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWJzHRoKoBW3RTrx7DlWY6OtEVh7uHB9albwdpvQaTR4_lwGYt-INqFW_dOxpOSI0qhGSnhp7uRzqYsIBu7oYlIKTzbZ8AxQZk8cYZn80lTg_1xpRO-kznDkouFQfg1hESuTbF8hMxNFNl1I3mwSVNYyBACPfX6WZQFEzLoaZAGsyXRfFvwD3DmttTms/s1485/Powerful%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1011" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWJzHRoKoBW3RTrx7DlWY6OtEVh7uHB9albwdpvQaTR4_lwGYt-INqFW_dOxpOSI0qhGSnhp7uRzqYsIBu7oYlIKTzbZ8AxQZk8cYZn80lTg_1xpRO-kznDkouFQfg1hESuTbF8hMxNFNl1I3mwSVNYyBACPfX6WZQFEzLoaZAGsyXRfFvwD3DmttTms/w436-h640/Powerful%201.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQE1MgCdOYmFT9M6nQZEV9AqvVXdT-Ud6J75vilyjWg1a6Pm137ywoP1NlbW-k_dpYK87blh9VtFvyWvyJe5AGqO-3BbaBy7UwfpQHtyHE10mbU_U8qs0NoSJ2MjaE-9a5h56wmePjr2cSvucsQWSOtsQ6Y03VREpFCSRew2b1u5ySxzWrLcuQ-d6rmAU/s4465/P1110508a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3537" data-original-width="4465" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQE1MgCdOYmFT9M6nQZEV9AqvVXdT-Ud6J75vilyjWg1a6Pm137ywoP1NlbW-k_dpYK87blh9VtFvyWvyJe5AGqO-3BbaBy7UwfpQHtyHE10mbU_U8qs0NoSJ2MjaE-9a5h56wmePjr2cSvucsQWSOtsQ6Y03VREpFCSRew2b1u5ySxzWrLcuQ-d6rmAU/w640-h506/P1110508a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>At 16 minutes after one, our opponent struck and the frigate hauled off.</i></b></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWndrFL1dKxOt2W8CCDgPKVAvGyYcuUhSRWIzjaDVlhb8eqn6TCJBJIl8D8auaEUOtXsDPVcnB5ti9KIHBdpB3u7tA_S7CnMa8GGj7KU2j13qgbY1c2NVcv735ZzGXLFKp-Mg2scbZOHEQXgsTpGBpmjg3rSu5C38Eej3bryklzYZGYCyCwJ342UagqE0/s1136/Powerful%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWndrFL1dKxOt2W8CCDgPKVAvGyYcuUhSRWIzjaDVlhb8eqn6TCJBJIl8D8auaEUOtXsDPVcnB5ti9KIHBdpB3u7tA_S7CnMa8GGj7KU2j13qgbY1c2NVcv735ZzGXLFKp-Mg2scbZOHEQXgsTpGBpmjg3rSu5C38Eej3bryklzYZGYCyCwJ342UagqE0/w434-h640/Powerful%202.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Made the signal to </i></b><b><i>the ships astern that the enemy was not taken </i></b><b><i>possession of. Loosed the mainsail, and set it, </i></b><b><i>made sail along the enemy's line towards the van, engaging as we passed them.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO20WbEGFaa__OTR0upS4Pbj56EwI2205Sm1Vsd1hbJlfHju5kXh_k_3DRaRrNsVaCIQjGSZJXArQW57DFbXZm9VVRfahiepKQu8cqdiJcNXzRbu0XRomzqKNnTnY1-niSLjEIlKcL-n4f_oCLqx_cW3MhaDvqA3Uv1ANkiGanrzdAP_dbKT2OwPkom4/s1530/Powerful%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO20WbEGFaa__OTR0upS4Pbj56EwI2205Sm1Vsd1hbJlfHju5kXh_k_3DRaRrNsVaCIQjGSZJXArQW57DFbXZm9VVRfahiepKQu8cqdiJcNXzRbu0XRomzqKNnTnY1-niSLjEIlKcL-n4f_oCLqx_cW3MhaDvqA3Uv1ANkiGanrzdAP_dbKT2OwPkom4/w442-h640/Powerful%204.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><b><i><div>Wore ship to support Admiral Duncan closely engaged in the van, opened our fire on the Dutch Admiral, as did another ship. At half-past 3, the Dutch Admiral being totally dismasted struck. The firing then ceased. At sunset, saw the land of Egmond. Employed knotting, splicing, &c. repairing the damages.</div></i></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNS43aFSRCz9xMHyK9vAjJINgU_u608n1mevRSKrGAP897a9lUAt-tABZt6NBiirNVWFsGSPFlTFimXlgAI8f5-8xjkebbOwFArKFHoEmjUg1fCEg_QGUThfGMfu7GRtkFpLdRumnn3KF5HCXPBrNonCMGtK2EG2W6oyAx_wJU2AJxirJZOo-BGiEdp4/s4394/P1110509a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3613" data-original-width="4394" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNS43aFSRCz9xMHyK9vAjJINgU_u608n1mevRSKrGAP897a9lUAt-tABZt6NBiirNVWFsGSPFlTFimXlgAI8f5-8xjkebbOwFArKFHoEmjUg1fCEg_QGUThfGMfu7GRtkFpLdRumnn3KF5HCXPBrNonCMGtK2EG2W6oyAx_wJU2AJxirJZOo-BGiEdp4/w640-h526/P1110509a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Agincourt</span></b><br /><div>The <i>Agincourt </i>was one of five ships purchased from the East India Company in early 1796 while building or being serviced by Thameside yards.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQfbK0-f3Fj4qDuTknDGZKMXhmWNNoZ6H2NoaVRM9nHQVcCkTC41dAxDmMTaz4BqRXC93Cne8GhKiFdWQ_raA7Z8OP9K5VWk_IHW_GzLVbsnq_Y6s1UBrQldmzkthWJZiiXHkjXzAtNDXbW4IUkSl0IrSOuUYweajlpZaKYhuwrzsxpsHo_kmO9vsGes/s4896/P1110510a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="4896" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQfbK0-f3Fj4qDuTknDGZKMXhmWNNoZ6H2NoaVRM9nHQVcCkTC41dAxDmMTaz4BqRXC93Cne8GhKiFdWQ_raA7Z8OP9K5VWk_IHW_GzLVbsnq_Y6s1UBrQldmzkthWJZiiXHkjXzAtNDXbW4IUkSl0IrSOuUYweajlpZaKYhuwrzsxpsHo_kmO9vsGes/w640-h472/P1110510a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen 1626 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 172 feet, 8 inches </div><div>Beam 43 feet, 4.5 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 8.75 inches</div></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Cg1kg8WpsObC3dJ6y2MAK1oR1rJ_uGVFbt7-vzp3efUb62a55TcFi1zrUn7-oNCD2_qoAVwTAdutCYTsANmEzOhKgymAEdtceRzpTMKk8RZVR_N2WaqsrMFsCrAzxeGS2dAzYdlibkT1UxsG2QY8vJlSLJH3q6lfZdBgXc3El7HSeLrv_-CEsEK-0jQ/s1914/Agincourt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1914" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Cg1kg8WpsObC3dJ6y2MAK1oR1rJ_uGVFbt7-vzp3efUb62a55TcFi1zrUn7-oNCD2_qoAVwTAdutCYTsANmEzOhKgymAEdtceRzpTMKk8RZVR_N2WaqsrMFsCrAzxeGS2dAzYdlibkT1UxsG2QY8vJlSLJH3q6lfZdBgXc3El7HSeLrv_-CEsEK-0jQ/w640-h212/Agincourt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plan of <i>Agincourt </i>dated 1795, originally East India Company Ship <i>Earl of Talbot</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 28 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 28 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 6 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 2 x 9-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Originally named East India <span style="text-align: center;">Company (EIC) Ship </span><i style="text-align: center;">Earl of Talbot,</i><span style="text-align: center;"> the</span><i style="text-align: center;"> Agincourt </i><span style="text-align: center;">differed from the other four company ships purchased in that the EIC</span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i><span style="text-align: center;">had designed these vessels to be some twelve to fourteen feet longer than a Navy built 64, allowing them in the original design to carry 28 x 18-pounder long guns on the lower deck, with one more gun port per deck on each side.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3csrWAXbDDW-wb0C4c0W8wcXxSWzRHSS-Tq41HsYb3MavznNBF4zuN0vUO7WJ26y3cJw6E7WUMRmIfNOHxNMMwMtgofadYmRmcijYimUTtzsujlmym8Aj2T9yOn0WQ9HUe48xrB86lm8lRBnlyOe3w_nUvmMUrNgye_9-_lsTHOw8BWOoBEJUgi0jeY/s4612/P1110511a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3451" data-original-width="4612" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3csrWAXbDDW-wb0C4c0W8wcXxSWzRHSS-Tq41HsYb3MavznNBF4zuN0vUO7WJ26y3cJw6E7WUMRmIfNOHxNMMwMtgofadYmRmcijYimUTtzsujlmym8Aj2T9yOn0WQ9HUe48xrB86lm8lRBnlyOe3w_nUvmMUrNgye_9-_lsTHOw8BWOoBEJUgi0jeY/w640-h478/P1110511a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The extra port however was not used on four of them, with the Agincourt being the exception, allocated the 28 x 24-pdrs and 28 x 18-pdrs to fill her lower and upper deck, instead only carrying 6 x 9-pdrs on her quarterdeck instead of the ten issued to the others.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IfkFzZzEtNvDJqZ8LWFjxvJ3NzMmUWXReMRf62d1PMrkrpfBOlDqF3q23Zm18fgpLcDq2rYLLQMWp6JQeOlWmHc8SZZ6xb_EcPhnLGOZxCiU55wfMvrcoMuHLdT4WRrYX6EWOboT3H5NamiXX1jy-DWSlvqoTddCqlUVVFSRa46lYy6bqyEbulLsyVk/s3607/P1110512a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3607" data-original-width="2234" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IfkFzZzEtNvDJqZ8LWFjxvJ3NzMmUWXReMRf62d1PMrkrpfBOlDqF3q23Zm18fgpLcDq2rYLLQMWp6JQeOlWmHc8SZZ6xb_EcPhnLGOZxCiU55wfMvrcoMuHLdT4WRrYX6EWOboT3H5NamiXX1jy-DWSlvqoTddCqlUVVFSRa46lYy6bqyEbulLsyVk/w396-h640/P1110512a.JPG" width="396" /></a></div><div><br /></div>HMS Agincourt was commissioned in October 1796 under the command of John Williamson, joining the North Sea Fleet at the Nore where she was at Gravesend during the mutiny and under whose command she would serve at Camperdown on the 11th October suffering no casualties.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m41ELXodjp-XhTnYzp7QnKxSi0LCFUCyguKP4t1x_lyC4wnWEC40XP8HD6R48oojNtPvGcJqzGpsJJ8bdVNPRj7EendUZwBum0nVrl0vtRtIJ0fqzskmFCes64dVpGWtu1nLKPuguJTsvL2-6vqm6gWGqWApdAmgEoijJKXCxON1hd61C3yCd8nBGoo/s905/Captain%20John%20Williamson%20circa%201775.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m41ELXodjp-XhTnYzp7QnKxSi0LCFUCyguKP4t1x_lyC4wnWEC40XP8HD6R48oojNtPvGcJqzGpsJJ8bdVNPRj7EendUZwBum0nVrl0vtRtIJ0fqzskmFCes64dVpGWtu1nLKPuguJTsvL2-6vqm6gWGqWApdAmgEoijJKXCxON1hd61C3yCd8nBGoo/s320/Captain%20John%20Williamson%20circa%201775.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain John Williamson 1745 - 1798 circa 1775.<br />A difficult man it would seem, his last positive claim on posterity<br />is perhaps having Williamson Passage in Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island,<br />named after him. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Captain Williamson deserves particular mention as, following the battle, he was brought to court-martial at Sheerness lasting from the 4th December until the 1st January 1798, charged with cowardice, negligence and disaffection, being subsequently cleared of the former and latter charges but found guilty of disobeying signals and not getting into action.</div><div><br /></div><div>He was sentenced to being placed at the bottom of the captains list and rendered incapable of ever serving onboard a ship of the Royal Navy, effectively ending his naval career and appearing to have broken him with his death on the 27th October 1798 at his lodgings in London following a short illness and death put down to 'an inflammation of the liver and bowels' suggesting he might have drunk himself to death. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStm-bZ2lKi_9gMG-xiTY2UvmffvXxQ1X9skp7zTHGQ9SOR7WFEsHh4znDrxrIopvz78Cmv1_7sYYrIsQ8VeI0li0t4Fo6QTOup9O5x7FwD6k13wMf4iWoS-phct4OWcKua_0FPpch3DTcR5MOxDgRCuKZCkMlzAy7cc4dxmzaEtKfr7-vqlj-lTcSSwE/s450/John_Cleveley_the_Younger_The_Death_of_Cook_1784.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="450" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStm-bZ2lKi_9gMG-xiTY2UvmffvXxQ1X9skp7zTHGQ9SOR7WFEsHh4znDrxrIopvz78Cmv1_7sYYrIsQ8VeI0li0t4Fo6QTOup9O5x7FwD6k13wMf4iWoS-phct4OWcKua_0FPpch3DTcR5MOxDgRCuKZCkMlzAy7cc4dxmzaEtKfr7-vqlj-lTcSSwE/w400-h265/John_Cleveley_the_Younger_The_Death_of_Cook_1784.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lieutenant Williamson would become infamous for his appearing to not come<br />to the aid of Captain Cook and his party when Cook was attacked and murdered<br />on the 14th February 1779 in Hawaii.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>No stranger to conflict and controversy, Williamson, who joined the navy some time in 1759 as captain's servant to Captain Peter Denis commanding the Dorsetshire 74-guns, he seeing action at the Battle of Quiberon Bay that same year, would pass his lieutenants exam in August 1766 and would later serve as a junior lieutenant aboard HMS Resolution during Captain James Cook's last voyage of exploration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Williamson was in command of the launch at Kealakekua Bay when Cook and his men were attacked and Cook and several of his men were killed, with Williamson, who had been at odds with Cook, was blamed by some for not doing enough to save his colleagues, he claiming to have misunderstood Cook's signals, and supposedly having to fight several duels as a result of such accusations.</div><div><br /></div><div>However his career continued to prosper, promoted Commander in October 1780 and a Post Captain on 11th June 1782, and commanding HMS Crocodile, a 24-gun sloop until she was wrecked on a return voyage from India in May 1784.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhT0KgzRK-9rPZpJGek43cOAIKnJnf_U8ARq2YQQzlJLdRe5diwg3ZpYiCUbSvYxRunQa89OootI9osNNGvNuxiOXoVa3PJskSvYsLuthx79pHCQvnrV_8LRkczWL5U35V8tm93oI5Ys87ouzyZNCrfS_wmlaNZLdpJSHDCEEZXhKOxoF8lj-tg4yZG4/s699/Sir_Hugh_Cloberry_Christian.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhT0KgzRK-9rPZpJGek43cOAIKnJnf_U8ARq2YQQzlJLdRe5diwg3ZpYiCUbSvYxRunQa89OootI9osNNGvNuxiOXoVa3PJskSvYsLuthx79pHCQvnrV_8LRkczWL5U35V8tm93oI5Ys87ouzyZNCrfS_wmlaNZLdpJSHDCEEZXhKOxoF8lj-tg4yZG4/w309-h400/Sir_Hugh_Cloberry_Christian.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian, made Commander in Chief of the Leeward Islands in 1796<br />and responsible for bringing Captain Williamson to a court-martial on charges of disrespect to a senior officer, namely him.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>In December 1795, he was in command of HMS Grampus 50-guns on a voyage to the West Indies but was in front of a court-martial by May 1796 for being disrespectful to Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian for which he was found guilty, but even this did not stop him being appointed Captain of HMS Agincourt in the October.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are several recorded statements from contemporaries that lend a clue to the character of this seemingly difficult man, with Midshipman James Trevenen aboard the Resolution describing him as;</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>'a wretch, feared and hated by his inferiors, detested by his equals and despised by his superiors; a very devil, to whom none of our midshipmen have spoke for above a year.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>William Griffin, cooper aboard Resolution wrote that he was;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'a very bad man and a great Tyrant.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sir Richard Onslow said, 10th December 1797;</div><div><b><i>'Captain Williamson is a troublesome man - often disagreeing and in affrays, that He challenged Lord Chatham (John Pitt) who would not employ him - had quarrelled with Captain Hooper.'</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>Lady Spencer, wife of The Earl George Spencer said;</div><div><b><i>'Captain Williamson is a black-guard.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpId8wrTt96-GQ_UKy-ejODeyEq_9Jp2JSpyIsYqnrXjIg3NX2pjyCZKrZTCUKIL71kiDgZZ0MfSOelpB8XX4FAlv7l9iamEZfpDrEVJz8AX9380IyfwZU9pi_4X-JTIpZbqBrqHHItGPhyphenhyphendzb0t_GeJQ1j1nd1FHlvE1XuzZL2WzrUjoAbo-Q6NijX3w/s4583/P1110513a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3524" data-original-width="4583" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpId8wrTt96-GQ_UKy-ejODeyEq_9Jp2JSpyIsYqnrXjIg3NX2pjyCZKrZTCUKIL71kiDgZZ0MfSOelpB8XX4FAlv7l9iamEZfpDrEVJz8AX9380IyfwZU9pi_4X-JTIpZbqBrqHHItGPhyphenhyphendzb0t_GeJQ1j1nd1FHlvE1XuzZL2WzrUjoAbo-Q6NijX3w/w640-h492/P1110513a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b><div><br /></div></b></div><div><div><b>[The log of the Agincourt makes it appear that she rather </b><b>distinguished herself than otherwise in the battle. It must be </b><b>remembered that, according to the evidence for the prosecution at </b><b>the court-martial on Captain Williamson, she was hove to for some </b><b>considerable time a mile or so to windward of the Dutch fleet. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>This was denied by Captain Williamson and by the master. But, </b><b>as the Court inflicted a heavy sentence on the former, and pointed </b><b>out to the latter, while he was giving his evidence, the penalties to </b><b>which witnesses guilty of perjury or prevarication were liable, it is </b><b>clear that the Agincourt's account of the battle cannot be entirely </b><b>trusted.]</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Extracts from the log of HMS Monarch at the Battle of Camperdown</b></div><div><b>Log. PHILIP Cox, Master. Official No. 2278.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>October 11th. AM</b></div><div><i><b>. . . At 25 minutes </b><b>before 12, answered signal No. 87. At 22 </b><b>minutes before 12, answered signal No. 36. At 10 </b><b>minutes before 12, answered signal No. 14. At 8 </b><b>minutes before 12, answered signal 39, and at 5 </b><b>minutes before 12, answered signal No. 41. Squally </b><b>with small rain. Set the mainsail. Tacked ship </b><b>and made sail. Answered signals 14, 68 and 11. </b><b>Cleared ship for action. Set topgallant sails. Saw </b><b>22 sail of the Dutch fleet lying in order of battle. </b><b>At 25 minutes before 12, answered signals as </b></i><b><i>above.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjEYpTATRL4yOaX8ULV4cdHQX6ZjEzVl6jssxGIGrRRMIwMt2MxnQGuMSq3uUpKwMT0aJw6Q2pGJmC4KQc0g2e_d9uSFCgI2-EmCkhZ5RicvHiYqdMkjmDXc-7wURtah00lD4VZy0VANdVj779_jyZ_CUBhna71DcyKaNkgcvb1u4zGPuuxZp5S_B7c4/s1499/Agincourt%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjEYpTATRL4yOaX8ULV4cdHQX6ZjEzVl6jssxGIGrRRMIwMt2MxnQGuMSq3uUpKwMT0aJw6Q2pGJmC4KQc0g2e_d9uSFCgI2-EmCkhZ5RicvHiYqdMkjmDXc-7wURtah00lD4VZy0VANdVj779_jyZ_CUBhna71DcyKaNkgcvb1u4zGPuuxZp5S_B7c4/w436-h640/Agincourt%201.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><i><div>P.M. At 1\4 before 1, the Monmouth and the ship ahead of her crossed us and run to leeward. At 10 minutes before 1, Vice-Admiral Onslow began the attack on the Dutch Admiral. At 1, we, in the Monarch's wake, engaged a yellow-sided ship.</div></i></b></div><div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qpmTyCWiglTFVnQOJNVWgk61v1tAxAMWklPPWufDyijdrvuuA-cF8dMewEc3x8tGYKtweyPST6fJM__Sz0JJTLm6dxJrVJfO2CeRjAIOQVntXHpD46Mq2r9sNRoMoyjHgxlpbWCSWF8yJYwEGrpFNPktlm1dEHi6yWL2FGLbeAlvSxZ7_foM3T2CfTM/s4561/P1110514a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3589" data-original-width="4561" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qpmTyCWiglTFVnQOJNVWgk61v1tAxAMWklPPWufDyijdrvuuA-cF8dMewEc3x8tGYKtweyPST6fJM__Sz0JJTLm6dxJrVJfO2CeRjAIOQVntXHpD46Mq2r9sNRoMoyjHgxlpbWCSWF8yJYwEGrpFNPktlm1dEHi6yWL2FGLbeAlvSxZ7_foM3T2CfTM/w640-h504/P1110514a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>20 minutes past 1, the Belliqueux, being next </i></b><b><i>astern and to leeward, came between us and the </i></b><b><i>Dutch ship; finding our ships so crowding together </i></b><b><i>and likely to damage each other, ceased firing and </i></b><b><i>made sail to engage a black Dutch ship ahead.</i></b></div></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mMlzzoQNXwpVz0oPhRnu3Qe7w-fL53jNSGwwYLBBoaA170BbFarzoGdeajHhqEoh-oUc12TaegP5yVgWaNaBrAIBam1Wgq0Y8t5PUhsSdIv3zlW0DEC3kV8R8cqZYOcaIgz0w2-taflIilsC4WPtX58Uk2hehDz6NHiw8SNbL0bzGbQ_oGactogcLcM/s1536/Agincourt%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1037" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mMlzzoQNXwpVz0oPhRnu3Qe7w-fL53jNSGwwYLBBoaA170BbFarzoGdeajHhqEoh-oUc12TaegP5yVgWaNaBrAIBam1Wgq0Y8t5PUhsSdIv3zlW0DEC3kV8R8cqZYOcaIgz0w2-taflIilsC4WPtX58Uk2hehDz6NHiw8SNbL0bzGbQ_oGactogcLcM/w432-h640/Agincourt%202.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div><div><b><i>1\2 past, engaged the black ship right abreast and </i></b><b><i>to leeward, our ships crowding up rendered it </i></b><b><i>dangerous to fire any longer there; finding there </i></b><b><i>was so many of our ships in the rear, hauled our </i></b><b><i>wind in order to get ahead of the Dutch Vice-</i></b><b><i>Admiral, set foresail and making sail, when the </i></b><b><i>boatswain came aft and reported the fore mast gone. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>We then bore up to engage a Dutch black ship to </i></b><b><i>leeward of us, but the Monmouth being to leeward </i></b><b><i>of us and wearing, got up with her before we </i></b><b><i>possibly could. The carpenter coming aft and </i></b><b><i>reporting the mast would stand, we again hauled our </i></b><b><i>wind, and fired into a yellow-sided ship with a </i></b><b><i>Dutch flag flying, called the Double Prince. After </i></b><b><i>some time, being reported she had struck, in the act </i></b><b><i>of making sail for the purpose of joining the van, it </i></b><b><i>was called out from the poop she had not struck, </i></b><b><i>and meant to rake us ; had brought our starboard </i></b><b><i>side almost to bear upon her, when one of our ships </i></b><b><i>on the starboard tack fired 2 shots at her. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasxZQ6iPtLcx71L49guIOch8ljyF5Qp0SL8opklPtO4Vt5whZNVT6au-0icyU_gsiLDVmqRH6NGy1V2FH6_yB3ahne3FYDnfuMVTNV-yM5tZwNCasa2iynCmlgCoPSG7KJcnDdCxDUfqFjfHmsMaqQ9EFmkJwJ5I4_-VmGNOuksacch6todWDzfqJ0f8/s1508/Agincourt%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasxZQ6iPtLcx71L49guIOch8ljyF5Qp0SL8opklPtO4Vt5whZNVT6au-0icyU_gsiLDVmqRH6NGy1V2FH6_yB3ahne3FYDnfuMVTNV-yM5tZwNCasa2iynCmlgCoPSG7KJcnDdCxDUfqFjfHmsMaqQ9EFmkJwJ5I4_-VmGNOuksacch6todWDzfqJ0f8/w446-h640/Agincourt%203.jpg" width="446" /></a></div></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Turned up </i></b><b><i>hands to make sail for the purpose of joining the </i></b><b><i>van, when a large Dutch ship coming down before </i></b><b><i>the wind, we beat to quarters and got the larboard </i></b><b><i>guns cleared. The large Dutch ship ran aboard </i></b><b><i>the other ship, and seeing us on her larboard bow, </i></b><b><i>hailed us, and desired we would take possession of </i></b><b><i>her. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09_hZpnlC2Uh_Kwzafg0C_OswcaPlqw41aAwH07vle5ZkrnElsKbLLoClsa6hvq3o_rJzjQ9jZfGoB0n_4B8iFpv8jsSxPrkFlNjQybP8SqV3TSZTrotYcV2sxbCB_zkYoUlKsk4wcG7Lr3nAMYuSgJTh7OZEm_oAJmFQKJvCTO2-zD-oQpxT-bfyiRU/s1534/Agincourt%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09_hZpnlC2Uh_Kwzafg0C_OswcaPlqw41aAwH07vle5ZkrnElsKbLLoClsa6hvq3o_rJzjQ9jZfGoB0n_4B8iFpv8jsSxPrkFlNjQybP8SqV3TSZTrotYcV2sxbCB_zkYoUlKsk4wcG7Lr3nAMYuSgJTh7OZEm_oAJmFQKJvCTO2-zD-oQpxT-bfyiRU/w444-h640/Agincourt%204.jpg" width="444" /></a></div></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>1\4 before 3, the firing ended in the Admiral's </i></b><b><i>division. At 4, Admiral NW 3/4 mile. At 7, </i></b><b><i>wore ship. Admiral made signal No. 101. \ past </i></b><b><i>8, Admiral made the signal No. 171. 1\2 past 10, </i></b><b><i>backed and filled occasionally. Hoisted out 2 cutters and pinnace. Do. employed sending men on board </i></b><b><i>the prizes and taking prisoners on board. Damages </i></b><b><i>received in the action (viz.) 1 shot in the starboard </i></b><b><i>side, 1 do. in the larboard do., 1 between wind and </i></b><b><i>water, two foremost shrouds and fore mast much </i></b><b><i>damaged, mizen mast wounded, a few shot through </i></b><b><i>the sails.</i></b></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltycFBAge0e2viE-UraF1gdJt-AualBZcW_NE7SvN8chCpvbObD_1809DfFdDrvhs2xsUeDyvQsfyJvnvO3Z4MCSHi5D8LyqN-gkN5s59k00DC6NRCNnZPbDje4xvhL8MPFhVMjfYOkr3odVBG4_dHt3cMax8OxW-HxGBOlclNLDZMEi-AL2iC1EQ99M/s4896/P1110515a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltycFBAge0e2viE-UraF1gdJt-AualBZcW_NE7SvN8chCpvbObD_1809DfFdDrvhs2xsUeDyvQsfyJvnvO3Z4MCSHi5D8LyqN-gkN5s59k00DC6NRCNnZPbDje4xvhL8MPFhVMjfYOkr3odVBG4_dHt3cMax8OxW-HxGBOlclNLDZMEi-AL2iC1EQ99M/w640-h480/P1110515a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Adamant</span></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xFUO54JcJ1dOcRfGoS6YGGM9I_7Qcz4dk_VY-RbjTlIEohxI28SvBUo7LzMqlvRMvAc711F6WChazWs-NHS5KbIwZvKCLy-fOrfZJ6nrJw0hiFKwL5-jyOhXZu8rhXnbiBjNOH1TVRhagPL59N5CRwK-d2xfNTN53MDCivZAQB8XhzUVqQn-MDMreXA/s1000/bf936adb3ebc2532c3070fddb6bbc417.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1000" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xFUO54JcJ1dOcRfGoS6YGGM9I_7Qcz4dk_VY-RbjTlIEohxI28SvBUo7LzMqlvRMvAc711F6WChazWs-NHS5KbIwZvKCLy-fOrfZJ6nrJw0hiFKwL5-jyOhXZu8rhXnbiBjNOH1TVRhagPL59N5CRwK-d2xfNTN53MDCivZAQB8XhzUVqQn-MDMreXA/w640-h420/bf936adb3ebc2532c3070fddb6bbc417.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spithead Anchorage - Geoff Hunt<br />Illustrating the ships captained by Jack Aubrey, the <i>Leopard </i>takes centre stage, sister ship of the <i>Adamant</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>HMS <i>Adamant </i>was a Portland Class 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line, one of eleven designed by John Williams and built by Peter Baker of Liverpool and launched on the 24th January 1780.</div><div><br /></div><div>The class were the largest group of 50's built to a single design with the peculiar conditions of warfare in the American colonies leading to an increased rate of production in the 1770's.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJSmSgfE5POY-JAMhsKloCFEhsuHkwuYDKPceHa5ikJRkMxQnfXnj153yGsHpKeabmlTZ-UK6ddypTPYclNElaHhfNEKQ4aGcihgZB89uvB6k76Aa1pnqnmGEtLEAXM0Sdlo2gLYkEkKVpnu2D1Po1N23VGKA3c4mSns_GxW_OFX8mQ0VaS9KovJ9ra0/s4613/P1110516a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3479" data-original-width="4613" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJSmSgfE5POY-JAMhsKloCFEhsuHkwuYDKPceHa5ikJRkMxQnfXnj153yGsHpKeabmlTZ-UK6ddypTPYclNElaHhfNEKQ4aGcihgZB89uvB6k76Aa1pnqnmGEtLEAXM0Sdlo2gLYkEkKVpnu2D1Po1N23VGKA3c4mSns_GxW_OFX8mQ0VaS9KovJ9ra0/w640-h482/P1110516a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div><div>Tons burthen 1626 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 146 feet, 3 inches </div><div>Beam 40 feet, 9 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 17 feet, 7.5 inches</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkooKeCH12OeXiHR2qzyJM7abII-D2-JWjAXmpl691n30SNMZrwclEsQh-k1TKLTgsQwJ1N9nT8Jb22cYzl_w1f1xLSPYfU86AMEtVHK3HsYUQrh8DKc_HiSQ9P3_hYUkPtJYA5rG3Eihb4A-pqkFhSv0PWbx-V8Pd7u99swSvyJQjEONrMsrcV_7_nAE/s1280/Bristol_(1775)_RMG_J3859.jpg.98fd2a235bceabf6579a26769089dbc8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="1280" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkooKeCH12OeXiHR2qzyJM7abII-D2-JWjAXmpl691n30SNMZrwclEsQh-k1TKLTgsQwJ1N9nT8Jb22cYzl_w1f1xLSPYfU86AMEtVHK3HsYUQrh8DKc_HiSQ9P3_hYUkPtJYA5rG3Eihb4A-pqkFhSv0PWbx-V8Pd7u99swSvyJQjEONrMsrcV_7_nAE/w640-h242/Bristol_(1775)_RMG_J3859.jpg.98fd2a235bceabf6579a26769089dbc8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lines of Adamant's sister ship Bristol , launched 25th October 1775 at Sheerness Docktard</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 22 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 22 x 12-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 4 x 6-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 2 x 6-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Commissioned in November 1779 under the command of Captain Gideon Johnstone, she sailed for North America on 13th August 1780, and was with Vice Admiral Arbuthnot's squadron at the Battle of Cape Henry on the 16th March 1781, later escorting a homeward bound convoy in December 1782 under her new captain David Graves who took command the previous February.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcluxw-fSE-xuHjQVRvib2JqjrgID5Me0ePFRkj87gJPQeXODTVIDPB8P9g0JVCr9ztONywh9RxFp85QzBQ4He9FyvGfF8zWX4mdbAlupdiIhisyfpfDOC9RwN4iQEeHvlUVZJEzqOiOlNAMIPUAyGiAD3ogXOFloP8DxtIa5aBulSJCYpYSuDiH2vjA/s4548/Conquerant_at_Cape_Henry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="4548" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcluxw-fSE-xuHjQVRvib2JqjrgID5Me0ePFRkj87gJPQeXODTVIDPB8P9g0JVCr9ztONywh9RxFp85QzBQ4He9FyvGfF8zWX4mdbAlupdiIhisyfpfDOC9RwN4iQEeHvlUVZJEzqOiOlNAMIPUAyGiAD3ogXOFloP8DxtIa5aBulSJCYpYSuDiH2vjA/w640-h400/Conquerant_at_Cape_Henry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French 74-gun ship Conquerant took the brunt of the British attack at the Battle of Cape Henry suffering 93 casualties out of a French total of 181. Adamant escaped the action without loss, that saw this prelude action to the Chesapeake later in the year end in favour of the British with the French squadron forced to depart, ending plans to cooperate with Lafayette's army.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In April 1783, Adamant was paid off, but was soon recommissioned for foreign service, refitting between May and September that year, before sailing to the Leeward Islands in November where she served as the flagship of Admiral Sir Richard Hughes for the next three years, before returning home to be paid off in September 1786.</div><div><br /></div><div>In August 1787 she entered the docks in Sheerness to begin a 'great repair' which completed in May 1789 at a cost of £23,533, about £4.8 million in today's money. Recommissioned in the February and fitted out as a flagship she sailed for Nova Scotia in June with Admiral Hughes hoisting his flag in her, serving three years on the station until her return home in June 1792 to be paid off.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoDQaTXA7FNAUgDIb6PDR0K9GkDpFfhmOqfNR5HM-zqEg8mQJ-C2_ZLxZiA_pb8_GwqoB50q2ec3qnhXdI8HBA7cqLHt6X9-SegRVcQjmvmtrTJpaQEdjRvv5M7MHaN3-GTijk2pPhFDt05ijf8Yt7v7V_OkN1-SGpRvfrgWTxiXpPlgL1VQzTtYOf1U/s1536/44b4ed09-3bbd-4640-ba3e-ffa46c4e12f6.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1206" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoDQaTXA7FNAUgDIb6PDR0K9GkDpFfhmOqfNR5HM-zqEg8mQJ-C2_ZLxZiA_pb8_GwqoB50q2ec3qnhXdI8HBA7cqLHt6X9-SegRVcQjmvmtrTJpaQEdjRvv5M7MHaN3-GTijk2pPhFDt05ijf8Yt7v7V_OkN1-SGpRvfrgWTxiXpPlgL1VQzTtYOf1U/s320/44b4ed09-3bbd-4640-ba3e-ffa46c4e12f6.webp" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain William Hotham, circa 1806 - John Raphael Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Hurriedly recommissioned in April 1793, with the outbreak of war with France, she sailed for the Leeward Islands in September 1794 under Captain Henry D'Esterre Darby to be succeeded by Captain Henry Warre in November 1796, and by May 1797 had returned to home waters, for Adamant to be caught up in the Nore Mutiny, 12th May 1797, with Captain William Hotham in command since January.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of the two-decker ships of Duncan's fleet, only his flagship HMS Venerable and the Adamant under Hotham remained loyal, and it was just these two ships that continued the blockade of the Dutch fleet, maintaining a bluff by continual signalling to a non-existent fleet beyond the horizon until the mutiny collapsed in June.</div><div><br /></div><div>Adamant would be under the command of Captain Hotham at Camperdown escaping without any casualties from the battle.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIE_Z7EZR0yYo7cF5Yuoza-vQbbClNHQFQdSKh8Xe-b08dfFLD2gsNZ3saqlCAIBhTgU6C5kNTfnp82frgafMC4awcxpyrzTkxLLpuRTprKbwVg4NxkQEw2Il7isCrsXCBnZN50ss42YMUOeeWFAlaEysqOPo4kMjmHO2ARv4ifzvIvPw-XN3tQl2iNo/s3987/P1110517a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3987" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIE_Z7EZR0yYo7cF5Yuoza-vQbbClNHQFQdSKh8Xe-b08dfFLD2gsNZ3saqlCAIBhTgU6C5kNTfnp82frgafMC4awcxpyrzTkxLLpuRTprKbwVg4NxkQEw2Il7isCrsXCBnZN50ss42YMUOeeWFAlaEysqOPo4kMjmHO2ARv4ifzvIvPw-XN3tQl2iNo/w640-h554/P1110517a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>[The Adamant's station in the line was next ahead of the Isis, </b><b>but she was ordered on joining the fleet on the 11th to take station </b><b>astern of the Russell. The Alkmaar was therefore her opponent. </b><b>She appears to have passed on to the Haarlem. Mr. Bom credits </b><b>her with having broken the line between the Wassenaer and </b><b>Batavier, but under the circumstances it is probable that some </b><b>other ship was mistaken for the Adamant.]</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Extracts from the log of HMS Adamant at the Battle of Camperdown</b></div><b>Log. WALES CLODD, Master. Official No. 2289.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>October 11th AM</i></b></div><div><div><i><b> . . At 10, bore up and </b><b>made sail, as did the fleet. 1\2 past, spoke H.M.S. </b><b>Circe, who ordered us to take our station astern of </b><b>the Russell. 1/4 past 11 , shortened sail and took 2 </b><b>reefs in the topsails per signal. At noon, fresh </b><b>breezes and hazy. Running down towards the </b><b>Dutch fleet, which were forming the line on the </b><b>larboard tack.</b></i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZmrDc16FgrU857U_R-ksEgjdy0z3obOdHOvNWYfAMnFkwmGNdAJRuo1Ctgjll56JsMnmk353FmXWvyfB5Y8ZZUXBglrYoSOsU5W0uMiKa1HkRD-VkbF0eo_ewNWAKoEu0vmf6Owuyn6zOousXSRkzvQ2mgYgVCAONsvFmF9EvrtOZRB1ciO9lbe1sCo/s3560/P1110518a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3560" data-original-width="2198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZmrDc16FgrU857U_R-ksEgjdy0z3obOdHOvNWYfAMnFkwmGNdAJRuo1Ctgjll56JsMnmk353FmXWvyfB5Y8ZZUXBglrYoSOsU5W0uMiKa1HkRD-VkbF0eo_ewNWAKoEu0vmf6Owuyn6zOousXSRkzvQ2mgYgVCAONsvFmF9EvrtOZRB1ciO9lbe1sCo/w396-h640/P1110518a.JPG" width="396" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>P.M. Moderate breezes and cloudy. 10 minutes </i></b><b><i>past 12, in 3rd reef the topsails. 1\2 past, out 3rd </i></b><b><i>reef. Set topgallant sails and driver. Standing </i></b><b><i>down to the enemy. 40 minutes past 12, Admiral </i></b><b><i>Onslow began to engage the Dutch Vice-Admiral.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtgkfNp9AX67SZmHLHvkejRXHEt5lETmDk6T4k-ezWpeMUKwsRKsAM9j2G_5vvUpZH5qDyKvC0v2KBLQBVXAMREVFYzFWD6GQc2ZX3ykvOIBqGqY2xpojbXOBIsni2eEy3q_FYD-iEOJ8oF1jHhLrY-9ODXPoaJa8jecdDHi9VdJQ80jnw2bavi11nqo/s1530/Adamant%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtgkfNp9AX67SZmHLHvkejRXHEt5lETmDk6T4k-ezWpeMUKwsRKsAM9j2G_5vvUpZH5qDyKvC0v2KBLQBVXAMREVFYzFWD6GQc2ZX3ykvOIBqGqY2xpojbXOBIsni2eEy3q_FYD-iEOJ8oF1jHhLrY-9ODXPoaJa8jecdDHi9VdJQ80jnw2bavi11nqo/w436-h640/Adamant%202.jpg" width="436" /></a></div></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 1, began firing on the enemy's ships and continued </i></b><b><i>till 40 minutes past 2, when we observed 4 </i></b><b><i>sail of the line and a frigate had struck to us and </i></b><b><i>our ships in the rear; had the fore topsail yard shot </i></b><b><i>away with sundry of the topmast and topgallant </i></b><b><i>rigging. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 3, answered the signal to stay by prizes. </i></b><b><i>Out boats and took possession of the Haarlem. </i></b><b><i>Sent the 1st and 4th lieutenants, 1 petty officer, and </i></b><b><i>63 seamen and marines on board her. Employed getting </i></b><b><i>up fore topsail yard, replacing rigging. Received </i></b><b><i>from the Haarlem 76 prisoners. </i></b></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsNZIP5euKfMv1fBJaEKTVDRS85Z4Gn5V7EDILdJ66_kBJ8gMU1wQ_OwbgQd6MttB8tMxv7iaRo0f_S8bBCWDnNlQ0aMqAx5gO3ultwrrCGcCba9VvsfJ1INohdUj84tXfqmI7qXUKhrppFUYesT2XAYg882WSeBKNTA2T-5qKZQ8sYdttIydo50Zprg/s4811/P1110519a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3542" data-original-width="4811" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsNZIP5euKfMv1fBJaEKTVDRS85Z4Gn5V7EDILdJ66_kBJ8gMU1wQ_OwbgQd6MttB8tMxv7iaRo0f_S8bBCWDnNlQ0aMqAx5gO3ultwrrCGcCba9VvsfJ1INohdUj84tXfqmI7qXUKhrppFUYesT2XAYg882WSeBKNTA2T-5qKZQ8sYdttIydo50Zprg/w640-h472/P1110519a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 5, answered our </i></b><b><i>signal to come within hail of the Monarch. 1\2 past </i></b><b><i>6, spoke do., who told us to stay by the Haarlem.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 7, bent fore topsail and set do. At 10, in boats. </i></b><b><i>At 11, took the Haarlem, 68 guns, in tow and made </i></b><b><i>sail. Light breezes and cloudy weather.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><div>October 12th.</div><div>A.M. Moderate breezes and cloudy. 6. Out 2nd reef the topsails and made all sail. Saw the greatest part of the fleet in the SE quarter with several of their prizes. Employed variously, cleaning ship, &c. Tacked ship, fresh breezes and cloudy. Haarlem in tow. H.M. ships Russell and Monmouth to leeward with their prizes in tow, the Monnikendam, Dutch frigate, in company.</div></i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzrvYShiOS-YPjlwACxzDxvv7SBUYNMei2vWYOzzi0eOo3vb0BV9JMtuMBOqfsj1oMp5RCgLKVKAiB02A1hGx995iAx_bL86Q-cGFkWpHWcZJrS5knbBJ2HETom6JlMwMmIKUJwa7enLwwMZb4qKJKQUx0cpl40CTmHrsp1-soa75DDOGM12Y3dzwi8U/s4241/P1110520a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="4241" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzrvYShiOS-YPjlwACxzDxvv7SBUYNMei2vWYOzzi0eOo3vb0BV9JMtuMBOqfsj1oMp5RCgLKVKAiB02A1hGx995iAx_bL86Q-cGFkWpHWcZJrS5knbBJ2HETom6JlMwMmIKUJwa7enLwwMZb4qKJKQUx0cpl40CTmHrsp1-soa75DDOGM12Y3dzwi8U/w640-h530/P1110520a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div>Next up: The season's festivities kick-off with a trip up to North Devon to enjoy a WWII recreation of the battle to capture Pegasus Bridge, played with friends using Flames of War, AAR to follow, and I'm aiming to try and get the next post in this series up before the Xmas break looking at the three outstanding ships of the Dutch Rear, the two third-rates, <i>Haarlem </i>and <i>Cerberus</i>, and the fourth-rate <i>Alkmaar, </i>before preparing my Year End Review and the look forward to plans for 2024 which I'll post in the normal way, in the break in between Xmas and the New Year.</div><div><br /></div><div>More Anon</div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-64160992617425272932023-12-02T01:40:00.000-08:002023-12-02T01:42:16.805-08:00JJ's on Tour - Port Douglas, Kuranda Skyrail & Great Barrier Reef, Australia.<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweVOxz2lqJrJne5U44134G8rq7IrLzkXW0b-rE3ZvIM7QTIcsQPf3NHC5Cq3FTur2PqQBhNeOoRTRlDJTAt_bjVKaFQf-rvaHTdaPN8KsAz5e8Sgadrm-sXcMwWFDgvbcw0G3Fz7q34Y1zpKPv1JQORHHAy8CmwckvCEfXII8VOvbCGbNk5aaLoS-agY/s1920/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1920" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweVOxz2lqJrJne5U44134G8rq7IrLzkXW0b-rE3ZvIM7QTIcsQPf3NHC5Cq3FTur2PqQBhNeOoRTRlDJTAt_bjVKaFQf-rvaHTdaPN8KsAz5e8Sgadrm-sXcMwWFDgvbcw0G3Fz7q34Y1zpKPv1JQORHHAy8CmwckvCEfXII8VOvbCGbNk5aaLoS-agY/w640-h358/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;">Having enjoyed a wonderful few days on Hamilton Island, see link below, we were back onboard a plane heading south to Brisbane to catch a connecting flight to travel further north into Queensland and up the coast to Cairns where we intended to hire a car and drive to Port Douglas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA2QiDqxCmYahLZPMJuD9G0nLiAXN6z5bMu02Zy-sHLXJRYrFrH6Uc2H2MozdfZl8J1I8JPy3WwIxYr-6B16qGVEfMtp0_tYtV1oXutAERQBPMHFnkykqHePe8ava1nK1MAl6W8fwF89K1y878QUfr37exrS8UaArIoa7kKHXEcGvr-tzh9tWed4U2e0/s1365/Hamilton%20Island.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1365" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA2QiDqxCmYahLZPMJuD9G0nLiAXN6z5bMu02Zy-sHLXJRYrFrH6Uc2H2MozdfZl8J1I8JPy3WwIxYr-6B16qGVEfMtp0_tYtV1oXutAERQBPMHFnkykqHePe8ava1nK1MAl6W8fwF89K1y878QUfr37exrS8UaArIoa7kKHXEcGvr-tzh9tWed4U2e0/w400-h225/Hamilton%20Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/09/jjs-on-tour-hamilton-island-and.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's on Tour - Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The flight to Cairns via Brisbane is just over six hours, and once we had landed and picked up our car the evening was already closing in, and so we stopped off in the outskirts of what appeared to be a lovely looking city, and somewhere it would have been nice to linger, but instead quickly picked up a few groceries, before driving to our accommodation. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_aXZ1eLrT5WmCX6ohEh289P4D6lJ_XYrSyWl8pxAMnrdkYYSvBqouoTBsFWhyphenhyphenNRP2twwsTk-vIZ7ZVR8GQefTIOayWLfz2r_o6NcAFWuULYcSuJQMpAFkOOCh3xLD3Gmppj5NEwZyWt41nqz3dH-TuQDx1qAziJ5pEkaZDtAoLIPP6qH8LephpEBk6I/s1417/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1417" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_aXZ1eLrT5WmCX6ohEh289P4D6lJ_XYrSyWl8pxAMnrdkYYSvBqouoTBsFWhyphenhyphenNRP2twwsTk-vIZ7ZVR8GQefTIOayWLfz2r_o6NcAFWuULYcSuJQMpAFkOOCh3xLD3Gmppj5NEwZyWt41nqz3dH-TuQDx1qAziJ5pEkaZDtAoLIPP6qH8LephpEBk6I/w640-h486/Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route so far on our travels through Australia, starting down in Melbourne just before New Year 2023.<br />Map courtesy of <a href="https://www.freeworldmaps.net/australia/">https://www.freeworldmaps.net/australia/</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br style="text-align: left;" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>The first leg of our stay saw us basing ourselves is the little coastal town of Port Douglas, home to some 3,500 - 4,000 souls, that can often double with the influx of tourists like us staying there, with the town named in honour of the former Premier of Queensland, John Douglas from March 1877 to January 1879.<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjGsrXJmZkw_KM49XJx3ILKJPYFfYc7_jCl1Ug2H5PKy4ZsslJDUmgDIHBeu8YuRku8W8gnnCRQx_5rQYy14DN32GR1Dx6SZz8zh1Epagmru-J12nbomuu-PN8o7rfoRfRyBJ4z5W708ioOwE3dRHzGigHKBWmjqZTwWrshW_aYWUXualXZhFBUErsYA/s1000/John_Douglas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="863" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjGsrXJmZkw_KM49XJx3ILKJPYFfYc7_jCl1Ug2H5PKy4ZsslJDUmgDIHBeu8YuRku8W8gnnCRQx_5rQYy14DN32GR1Dx6SZz8zh1Epagmru-J12nbomuu-PN8o7rfoRfRyBJ4z5W708ioOwE3dRHzGigHKBWmjqZTwWrshW_aYWUXualXZhFBUErsYA/w345-h400/John_Douglas.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Premier of Queensland, </span>from March 1877 to January 1879,<span style="text-align: left;"><br />John Douglas after whom Port Douglas is named.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had made the trip to this part of the state to see the coastal features of this amazing part of the world, namely the lush tropical rainforests that clad the nearby mountains and of course a closer look at the Great Barrier Reef.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you will see from the map below Port Douglas was handily placed for our plan to take a couple of boat trips out to explore the reef at Low Isles and the local coast area with its classic mangroves and sometimes home to the Australian Salt Water Crocodile, and also to head back down towards Cairns to take the world famous Kuranda Skyrail that offers a very unique way to see the rainforest, from the canopy and at ground level before taking a glorious rail trip back down to the coast via the Kuranda railway.</div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgE_NbxrQEDRdYmlsVILKEX-6z3VZVr-XKPeDu_-XrV2b7QWkmV20Q7U7vU1BBbSXx3cha6aYXQgOEfBZ-_h2wDEVQmi2Vm7y8Fdv7tGKYycUWMyoW1n81GQnqfqxBSG9bZfZ8j1dP7Uy1cXp9h3jEKaYKiAl_antc5GXpuDATCOW-pO36s2eN1d9cec/s1445/local%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1445" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgE_NbxrQEDRdYmlsVILKEX-6z3VZVr-XKPeDu_-XrV2b7QWkmV20Q7U7vU1BBbSXx3cha6aYXQgOEfBZ-_h2wDEVQmi2Vm7y8Fdv7tGKYycUWMyoW1n81GQnqfqxBSG9bZfZ8j1dP7Uy1cXp9h3jEKaYKiAl_antc5GXpuDATCOW-pO36s2eN1d9cec/w640-h476/local%20map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After landing at Cairns airport we made the one hour drive up the coast, via the Cook Highway, Route 44, to Port Douglas, top left on the map, with a nine mile boat trip planned the next day out to Low Isles close to Batt Reef on the Great Barrier Reef, and later return south to enjoy the Kuranda Skyrail and our fist close up look at the Daintree Rainforest.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whilst staying in the area we then planned to relocate to the Daintree Rainforest Ecolodge where we could spend some time right in the heart of the forest, before returning to the coast for the final part of our stay at Palm Cove, those legs to be covered in future posts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should say that on arrivals at Cairns Airport I was delighted to see that one of my planned visits for our stay was well represented in the passenger forecourt as we made our way out to the car hire office in the form of this nicely restored Daimler Dingo Scout Car, suitably displayed in the markings of my Dad's old division, Guard's Armoured, and displaying the tac-sign '52' indicating a vehicle of the 1st Bridging Troop, Royal Engineers, from the collection of the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, close by on the outskirts of town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHJRj-N9P-f0R0qO8OSftxWV3ii89vHO1MovyaDpBnS0CcjSTE7D9Ah9c8vFrw2FAQgVVwqMMfuOsOrmJEPb6V3Ktd_gI_khjqatoaRgpDl7PWSDM8COqeIlX0BB1z9Kwy-JMzH5wtW6VjrxPeUvj-oHXDoUFBdXJw89sf7AGYYagEJnNj4zJsH4m34s/s4128/P1070262a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2932" data-original-width="4128" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHJRj-N9P-f0R0qO8OSftxWV3ii89vHO1MovyaDpBnS0CcjSTE7D9Ah9c8vFrw2FAQgVVwqMMfuOsOrmJEPb6V3Ktd_gI_khjqatoaRgpDl7PWSDM8COqeIlX0BB1z9Kwy-JMzH5wtW6VjrxPeUvj-oHXDoUFBdXJw89sf7AGYYagEJnNj4zJsH4m34s/w640-h454/P1070262a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Daimler Dingo Scout Car in the markings of Guards Armoured Division, at Cairns Airport, from the </span>Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, to be covered in a future post. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt14nrE5iqbbTe5S1MHKrK_aw_yLMWORllPWdh5zem_e3-pCqHENnUhNW7cVjd31PPwC3460q1bW5YEeKnyBjNLhV5eYEBBZpwygVPYuu-vcB4iqXLYnzetBhsRvBqaQQ8cOUkzUcWq2x7ufm-Q5SufDlJHN_6agQYdMRSXgZgvAj0wDjbiUpICEFBGTk/s4896/P1070263a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="4896" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt14nrE5iqbbTe5S1MHKrK_aw_yLMWORllPWdh5zem_e3-pCqHENnUhNW7cVjd31PPwC3460q1bW5YEeKnyBjNLhV5eYEBBZpwygVPYuu-vcB4iqXLYnzetBhsRvBqaQQ8cOUkzUcWq2x7ufm-Q5SufDlJHN_6agQYdMRSXgZgvAj0wDjbiUpICEFBGTk/w640-h432/P1070263a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was getting a bit 'dimpsey' (an ancient Devonian expression that you can Google) by the time we got to Port Douglas, so we contented ourselves in grabbing a bite to eat that evening before exploring the town the next morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Living close to the sea ourselves, all be it in a very different part of the world, we immediately tuned into the small coastal town vibe that we are very familiar with and we were blessed with some glorious sunny weather shinning bright over the marina the next morning, in perfect timing for our planned boat trip to Low Isles out on the Great Barrier Reef.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uK_ly46pZbre_r05y9rXyXQkN_7Y9EmEek9eqeHhixwPzqNrbwCPbTiZwYhDBitGr-SU_KeDq1aB3s_JxfNUp2Z8kngf4jdN2wGM0zKUrGReXlWHN6ZgojFmWT85lWIoj73g1oofj8r7A0bg_3JllOVC6OzDd2qKvc8wW9qXqLxw7EhU-AiB4V34y6c/s4000/20230125_095741a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="4000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uK_ly46pZbre_r05y9rXyXQkN_7Y9EmEek9eqeHhixwPzqNrbwCPbTiZwYhDBitGr-SU_KeDq1aB3s_JxfNUp2Z8kngf4jdN2wGM0zKUrGReXlWHN6ZgojFmWT85lWIoj73g1oofj8r7A0bg_3JllOVC6OzDd2qKvc8wW9qXqLxw7EhU-AiB4V34y6c/w640-h288/20230125_095741a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Douglas Marina looking splendid under a beautifully blue North Queensland sky setting up the day for out trip to Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituRKIy_fIlaAsOghjc3FJJqd42yiWPI0cJneVGmtohAf1vtM2ZULPWgJYNr_ybz0qnbELjveRHsr26JJ3xQOKmis3n5xRETBrwvo6rGaJaq3PfDXbnZSft4MpapP3M9_Ue9VA8uhczJ_6zz6-jl9QW-99iZs1UKoFUQxwnHYgHJpx2IhnmCaxDxsU9BM/s1244/Low%20Isles%20Port%20Douglas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1244" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituRKIy_fIlaAsOghjc3FJJqd42yiWPI0cJneVGmtohAf1vtM2ZULPWgJYNr_ybz0qnbELjveRHsr26JJ3xQOKmis3n5xRETBrwvo6rGaJaq3PfDXbnZSft4MpapP3M9_Ue9VA8uhczJ_6zz6-jl9QW-99iZs1UKoFUQxwnHYgHJpx2IhnmCaxDxsU9BM/w640-h404/Low%20Isles%20Port%20Douglas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Low Isles is a short nine mile boat trip out from Port Douglas and the destination for our first day in town aboard the former America's Cup Press Boat 'Wavedancer, seen below.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>We were very impressed with the giant catamaran 'Wavedancer' that was the boat to take us out for our day on Low Isles, and the crew made everyone feel very welcome, with plenty of room on board to find a pleasant spot to sit and just enjoy the view as we made our way out, it having been constructed as a 'Press-Boat' for a previous America's Cup Yacht Race event, not to mention the very enjoyable catering for those feeling peckish that included a great buffet lunch on board before we made our way to the island on the glass bottom boat that enabled a dry look at the reef below.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkoUW8Ls9njiPGDu0KZvZ0BzhSPefpvpgPbDkCSvDNnjrYWzNPjEKe8Vq8pPbgZ3YlWQI46S11Oj_hcUKD2avqUWY3eykVwk6RaRVa8K3HruHXesyG69BO3aQPc_KCGc5xDPSEPgSGLUgYywgM08choNwLxau2_UKWnmENECGX4sY3uBS3xht4AxfODk/s4000/20230125_114227a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkoUW8Ls9njiPGDu0KZvZ0BzhSPefpvpgPbDkCSvDNnjrYWzNPjEKe8Vq8pPbgZ3YlWQI46S11Oj_hcUKD2avqUWY3eykVwk6RaRVa8K3HruHXesyG69BO3aQPc_KCGc5xDPSEPgSGLUgYywgM08choNwLxau2_UKWnmENECGX4sY3uBS3xht4AxfODk/w480-h640/20230125_114227a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 98-foot luxury catamaran Wavedancer, our boat for the day on our trip to Low Isles </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnz4Dltlv3anFxw0e9TFiD7bU0qixqCoKRik2ay2fD6Bry5IKEWOQ_7I1_flGf9l6j4rZfLn_i9DKJGDk8ItSZW4hWBKPuaEs9XpKvN2LpUmxA2LrJTJXQBIPiU2jH3eevvYe2tP2SC4HXCjlhQTBUv8qvBFQ0w9Wv-sR1R_zuQBZA5bsC5WgEgDGo9E/s4000/20230125_114301a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnz4Dltlv3anFxw0e9TFiD7bU0qixqCoKRik2ay2fD6Bry5IKEWOQ_7I1_flGf9l6j4rZfLn_i9DKJGDk8ItSZW4hWBKPuaEs9XpKvN2LpUmxA2LrJTJXQBIPiU2jH3eevvYe2tP2SC4HXCjlhQTBUv8qvBFQ0w9Wv-sR1R_zuQBZA5bsC5WgEgDGo9E/w640-h480/20230125_114301a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogIXuugUQyYk_QPfUnpO-16tGvv_H1MHgUzDLlen41e4lOeWy0aHwp6Ne04iv8m65tD95BkRSvqLLQPHbS5LKEbmm5Mo3xD7-ubdt51x6ZjgzhlsyYGQMY7kDfTZZO7FoN9JpCpy088kt-RaIkb8zNo1vL9mROKI0bpf3l7uR63n_xHvJpJjOiOSIkT4/s3648/20230125_101412a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogIXuugUQyYk_QPfUnpO-16tGvv_H1MHgUzDLlen41e4lOeWy0aHwp6Ne04iv8m65tD95BkRSvqLLQPHbS5LKEbmm5Mo3xD7-ubdt51x6ZjgzhlsyYGQMY7kDfTZZO7FoN9JpCpy088kt-RaIkb8zNo1vL9mROKI0bpf3l7uR63n_xHvJpJjOiOSIkT4/w640-h480/20230125_101412a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fH8oeKCpGA5N1U_hXGsobE7CGY2SCo8AC10kqbvI0MBx2EE50gc5ZhD1Fy53a5MgAKeIxME9mTqSp_HNTJ6j1g5Ke2sYUi3_HPWGEQNTvcTCNU7Hi8NfKyIghFUtpJPQfRJvD3pUHLleGnKIGJOxKvrAM24JhPXbY_07IqMNB6ivGWUUt-ZxcUFjC1Y/s4000/20230125_150255a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fH8oeKCpGA5N1U_hXGsobE7CGY2SCo8AC10kqbvI0MBx2EE50gc5ZhD1Fy53a5MgAKeIxME9mTqSp_HNTJ6j1g5Ke2sYUi3_HPWGEQNTvcTCNU7Hi8NfKyIghFUtpJPQfRJvD3pUHLleGnKIGJOxKvrAM24JhPXbY_07IqMNB6ivGWUUt-ZxcUFjC1Y/w480-h640/20230125_150255a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I mentioned, the boat and catering arrangements were very easy to enjoy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzVAQUgQFa-uFC8KWCLzovS44FN1Veqt-VD1Mrm-zYojGtoBp7fneyOGQFKd1sUFPcfe_yexRsslRNGh_QxS8S4OUJkfqLseKeBl7bUKHYb21mDOMq2BAAVBgY16CVi2JoIO3hgXxepNfUWaGZ4c0ceISkjprGmN3W9plvAqkKiELCRJ964kODNjsCHk/s4000/20230125_100529a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzVAQUgQFa-uFC8KWCLzovS44FN1Veqt-VD1Mrm-zYojGtoBp7fneyOGQFKd1sUFPcfe_yexRsslRNGh_QxS8S4OUJkfqLseKeBl7bUKHYb21mDOMq2BAAVBgY16CVi2JoIO3hgXxepNfUWaGZ4c0ceISkjprGmN3W9plvAqkKiELCRJ964kODNjsCHk/w640-h480/20230125_100529a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Douglas and the moorings in Packers Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IwMIPvHuILjjo_hc72G24zDSv2xA0siW3QrGaE6SN7o4p8whJWRPlJQq1jEwDoGeOTD65rQr_T5zQ28hCMxrSTIcTbmFOv7eY2Rf8PlNmYSL2oH2Rl0h5R1XznMWqq9dKhZYpWNjWygGKhZ7UixtGt8WU7HboznA0r3WzxWheta2V336pfJYoIV53VQ/s4000/20230125_101400a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IwMIPvHuILjjo_hc72G24zDSv2xA0siW3QrGaE6SN7o4p8whJWRPlJQq1jEwDoGeOTD65rQr_T5zQ28hCMxrSTIcTbmFOv7eY2Rf8PlNmYSL2oH2Rl0h5R1XznMWqq9dKhZYpWNjWygGKhZ7UixtGt8WU7HboznA0r3WzxWheta2V336pfJYoIV53VQ/w640-h480/20230125_101400a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD46gBVJ7pYrenbPKOvvObIfE8cWogfyxS9N9qk8r60wr3nM9G9U8EMF-XAJgL-qMFTPCzm1j7GYPbu_c8E72HeKKfIpX9iTD_eHPpRPKG0_tHHVoicNX8cXBf7iYw4iPmNiqaRc3zgD6ODDcGr-Q1y55Z4usV6fWiymL44hyphenhyphen8Xr3bZRiWhVaB_hs0mWs/s4000/20230125_110320a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD46gBVJ7pYrenbPKOvvObIfE8cWogfyxS9N9qk8r60wr3nM9G9U8EMF-XAJgL-qMFTPCzm1j7GYPbu_c8E72HeKKfIpX9iTD_eHPpRPKG0_tHHVoicNX8cXBf7iYw4iPmNiqaRc3zgD6ODDcGr-Q1y55Z4usV6fWiymL44hyphenhyphen8Xr3bZRiWhVaB_hs0mWs/w640-h480/20230125_110320a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first view of Low Isles and its imposing lighthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The short nine mile trip out to the islands was very pleasant and once the Wavedancer was tied up to its floating mooring, and after our very enjoyable buffet lunch, we were encouraged to prepare for the short boat trip in to the island, with those intending to bathe with the Irukandji donning their stinger suits before embarking, whereas those of us intending to simply enjoy exploring the island and soaking up a bit of R&R in the sun whilst observing the wildlife opted for the glass bottom boat that enabled a dry viewing of the coral on the Great Barrier Reef, doing very well I gather, despite all the prostrations from various quarters that the natural wonder was doomed before the early part of the century was over.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ivt_cQn3liTtvfRFsW5-zvdCBI1754iMTsmwVrJYritktObhot_Y5DInVhGSS-QZDxLRFbKqe7XWo__aGPcN8DeHBv5p3t-yBzcr8FA4aZWIiS8VGF6-L4MjPQdMRrFEDKn94sVAMl-5EiiGPtjABKa4X9ywyxyHLQtBPameg0BDNkD-1SaeaTYfmBk/s4000/20230125_114634a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ivt_cQn3liTtvfRFsW5-zvdCBI1754iMTsmwVrJYritktObhot_Y5DInVhGSS-QZDxLRFbKqe7XWo__aGPcN8DeHBv5p3t-yBzcr8FA4aZWIiS8VGF6-L4MjPQdMRrFEDKn94sVAMl-5EiiGPtjABKa4X9ywyxyHLQtBPameg0BDNkD-1SaeaTYfmBk/w480-h640/20230125_114634a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first view of the Great Barrier Reef and its blooming coral</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Low Isles is made up of two islands, Low Island being a sandy cay, whilst the nearby Woody Island is a mangrove island, with both adjacent to the reef that surrounds them and is home to a diverse community of marine life.<div><br /></div><div>The reef seen in these pictures is dominated by fifteen species of soft corals and over 150 species of hard corals dispersed among them, providing a home for a large variety of fish, molluscs, sea cucumbers and other animals.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are nine species of sea grass growing on the sand flats of Low Isles which is home to the spider shell, rays, green turtles and dugongs, and interestingly the late Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray on the Batt Reef, just east of Low Isles.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITMIQomOsWojCXFcyyWbpA_ZEZPzwAAiFmmiZhwM2C6OBFsrGb8n8z3XumrcRxilrCK9p6kc7Ci8M_2zSk8zTDqwHeLJg0LXdUPqTCVG71ClJAafhKXJNoyJu3inr5Ck4ZKysxaGMI0LxicG-pPRRpijcPb7n9z9BAbwKpOhWc2QBAvkmFg8yePZUwZE/s4896/P1070285a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITMIQomOsWojCXFcyyWbpA_ZEZPzwAAiFmmiZhwM2C6OBFsrGb8n8z3XumrcRxilrCK9p6kc7Ci8M_2zSk8zTDqwHeLJg0LXdUPqTCVG71ClJAafhKXJNoyJu3inr5Ck4ZKysxaGMI0LxicG-pPRRpijcPb7n9z9BAbwKpOhWc2QBAvkmFg8yePZUwZE/w640-h480/P1070285a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>More accustomed to looking skywards rather than seawards, the one thing that immediately caught my attention over and above the constant briefings from the crew about this that and the other, was the birdlife, especially as our travels to this part of the world had coincided with the height of the breeding season for most species, and I immediately noticed two species of Terns flying over and close to the boat, which I later identified as Bridled and Greater Crested, which heralded a splendid afternoon of the most delightful bird watching any enthusiast could enjoy.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhQ8FoFUIMSrY_B0c961o6ank85H8MiUndTcbs6EqrVVkke9SNOvaSeu2ZzgEBWr24aAKuxGBMXwnBvWrSQ4sd2mYRz9aTjTwOQsyFDlC_1bhDwn8zhoG7u1TLXnhhjJZyUyW-jQhXwQs8d70exmUmdasUUZaCsPAVempEn1bnqJWupp7Y86O4ueQ7LM/s4000/20230125_124730a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhQ8FoFUIMSrY_B0c961o6ank85H8MiUndTcbs6EqrVVkke9SNOvaSeu2ZzgEBWr24aAKuxGBMXwnBvWrSQ4sd2mYRz9aTjTwOQsyFDlC_1bhDwn8zhoG7u1TLXnhhjJZyUyW-jQhXwQs8d70exmUmdasUUZaCsPAVempEn1bnqJWupp7Y86O4ueQ7LM/w640-h480/20230125_124730a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinger suits donned, the water did its trick of drawing the bathers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18-p9j7vK_O_LX1A_eyWnwZaJHHvUQZHZ7TVcrMXlMTYNuRuHCKR51BJMg9GRayddlaxMIz5KBX43rK5y-ts3I02uepCtGdclEvpMMiiJSx_0gVbcO1J_OQKShCUGwxozaUGPSU7MK1lxa05HP8NoP198fIIJExSn9ogEl2QrrgscCWZZmByK5mo6RhU/s4896/P1070266a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18-p9j7vK_O_LX1A_eyWnwZaJHHvUQZHZ7TVcrMXlMTYNuRuHCKR51BJMg9GRayddlaxMIz5KBX43rK5y-ts3I02uepCtGdclEvpMMiiJSx_0gVbcO1J_OQKShCUGwxozaUGPSU7MK1lxa05HP8NoP198fIIJExSn9ogEl2QrrgscCWZZmByK5mo6RhU/w640-h480/P1070266a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bridled Tern, one of many to be seen from the islands breeding colony, cruising on a fishing trip with plenty of hungry fledglings to be seen on shore.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAnlI_vYXCYG3-XtZ15ZIvPaTeZTvX17zVU9dalk7ezhVf3vGBQKs0EEqg7rdIP5jKIwaoy6qUqFLey2kepIpIWn-ZGK7y2n_9DojWHB6a5jqcaHZTyFn6t7i9hE6aWkU7nSKWF4wl3C0R6y0UYBNaeQmGkDJT677IVG_btghCjxkZZzM4OS1aP83NvY/s4896/P1070289a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAnlI_vYXCYG3-XtZ15ZIvPaTeZTvX17zVU9dalk7ezhVf3vGBQKs0EEqg7rdIP5jKIwaoy6qUqFLey2kepIpIWn-ZGK7y2n_9DojWHB6a5jqcaHZTyFn6t7i9hE6aWkU7nSKWF4wl3C0R6y0UYBNaeQmGkDJT677IVG_btghCjxkZZzM4OS1aP83NvY/w640-h480/P1070289a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridled Terns populate the island and were in full-on chick-raising duties during our visit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>In addition to the Terns, other treats lay instore with our first introduction to the local giant pigeon we were to become more familiar with during our stay in this part of Queensland, with the Pied Imperial Pigeon, busy with nest duties in the shade of the fronds of a coconut palm close to the beach.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAbmY0jFQOjuH3agW6jMt_ev8dSWZIJMzZJUrLlO_UZmF5O9Aix9cK84i9jVOKMQ50KA1qGmGIVrfLWofnueJceHrXEyfhnZ_zgeYhfdbikmdsCTmQSbsrG1r56jCrwixFOfKwbC0k6ZG78bVs5efKSHMn0PnmLu_55olmWkeMpcJYb1069M9jSnWuKI/s4896/P1070293a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAbmY0jFQOjuH3agW6jMt_ev8dSWZIJMzZJUrLlO_UZmF5O9Aix9cK84i9jVOKMQ50KA1qGmGIVrfLWofnueJceHrXEyfhnZ_zgeYhfdbikmdsCTmQSbsrG1r56jCrwixFOfKwbC0k6ZG78bVs5efKSHMn0PnmLu_55olmWkeMpcJYb1069M9jSnWuKI/w640-h480/P1070293a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pied Imperial Pigeon sat on the nest, securely arranged in a coconut tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCUBFTxYsaTwQBQelpygclYckH_zOENduA696hv6jpgOmf5Z8zIi7Xs2naolRAbUARbs4UKJDVjAJ4NY_MjTWORvCKzKiMEp79PwB6wvbIykwfh36OnRXk00PJNwLKmIyvX4iaVNvkZm8gEAY0jHlyLs-CX7KKs6CZofqEBYVCEo-y1o72d5VUieCOCo/s4896/P1070319a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCUBFTxYsaTwQBQelpygclYckH_zOENduA696hv6jpgOmf5Z8zIi7Xs2naolRAbUARbs4UKJDVjAJ4NY_MjTWORvCKzKiMEp79PwB6wvbIykwfh36OnRXk00PJNwLKmIyvX4iaVNvkZm8gEAY0jHlyLs-CX7KKs6CZofqEBYVCEo-y1o72d5VUieCOCo/w640-h480/P1070319a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other species of Tern seen during our visit to Low Isles were these Greater Crested Terns, equally busy feeding their young</td></tr></tbody></table><br />However the 'piste de resistance' of the day lay only a few yards away at the top of the Low Isles Light House, established in November 1878 and with modernisation keeping it still in operation today, protecting mariners from the hazards of the local waters around.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2cVDaGvJJUMCCtbDPHbYUoXQD3-r_wP6dyLOzwsUNffMNpcPTYsqlLVyHSPkyeOkraa0Drq3pY0EptopJTDwpYUzRrlJbcZt3AaZahdDMA_kS6lnL3sTIs-qV23NZ6dYSme_kolh2NvRKzBX1F_L98c7aMtR1EaR61qZEkteKKzFUEQ58m8SDb1aTD4/s4896/P1070303a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2cVDaGvJJUMCCtbDPHbYUoXQD3-r_wP6dyLOzwsUNffMNpcPTYsqlLVyHSPkyeOkraa0Drq3pY0EptopJTDwpYUzRrlJbcZt3AaZahdDMA_kS6lnL3sTIs-qV23NZ6dYSme_kolh2NvRKzBX1F_L98c7aMtR1EaR61qZEkteKKzFUEQ58m8SDb1aTD4/w640-h480/P1070303a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we gazed up it was very noticeable that the gaze was being returned, and the massive heap of sticks adorning the top of the light soon drew the eye to the new keeper, one of a pair of Eastern Ospreys, themselves very busy with the work of bringing up a new generation.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jXVN6apnfLSm2F-Qbr9wgoeYUhXVg7guRuX6avjhr16cBdspJm41rC33Gtf2npl5AghqJ8LtrvdHY8HDzEAiEaoqf0IoB4SNz0wtBwT26jb0REzDVqRpNG5PkuOKc1y_jp04pVGPyDHt-MgLZV_zTPdU27Vk_fXQNSCRU8b78NldIMo-sv5H5dQ_6eA/s4896/P1070300a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jXVN6apnfLSm2F-Qbr9wgoeYUhXVg7guRuX6avjhr16cBdspJm41rC33Gtf2npl5AghqJ8LtrvdHY8HDzEAiEaoqf0IoB4SNz0wtBwT26jb0REzDVqRpNG5PkuOKc1y_jp04pVGPyDHt-MgLZV_zTPdU27Vk_fXQNSCRU8b78NldIMo-sv5H5dQ_6eA/w640-h480/P1070300a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My only experience of Ospreys in the northern hemisphere is seeing the nest site of the protected pair that set up home on Loch Garten in Scotland, back in the nineties, but the birds were long gone when we visited the site, that and seeing the odd captive bird, so seeing this closely related species in the wild next to its nest was a holiday highlight and a real treat.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEPnDVK8APzyiKp-l-TAdBdhW6UTkHraNywDMhEZGMEwIp5o5vBSY8uIGn_W3MQ9f41ar69P3GhzYEfKuhrDZnSXos9QlHz1xXYWdN_9rJhyphenhyphenZzgK123O2WUj4tj02H1VbTyMEeUD_QSamwc9FSUzrlCV2MnPEskqu1_MVlxMryc7WfgrHMIfOUc9ieEg/s4896/P1070302a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEPnDVK8APzyiKp-l-TAdBdhW6UTkHraNywDMhEZGMEwIp5o5vBSY8uIGn_W3MQ9f41ar69P3GhzYEfKuhrDZnSXos9QlHz1xXYWdN_9rJhyphenhyphenZzgK123O2WUj4tj02H1VbTyMEeUD_QSamwc9FSUzrlCV2MnPEskqu1_MVlxMryc7WfgrHMIfOUc9ieEg/w640-h480/P1070302a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magnificent Eastern Osprey perched below the nest and such a treat to see. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />The knowledge modern science has around the Great Barrier Reef is based on the work of the great research done by people like Dr Charles Maurice Yonge who at the tender age of 28 was appointed leader of an expedition of twelve scientists to Low Isle and the Great Barrier Reef, arriving on the 16th July 1928, together with his new wife Mattie, who served as the expedition's medical officer.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvbTsAFxwzyVBOsaDpE7MCihu1Jj29bkNMzRQK4MYoaukdjLT1ePQoYGBlp3UwSHL7BVOHm9D261wW7YWUPa8ehlgbUgsbW5AuCrDpT5755vukBuOPJf_kw8q3VcFog5RFpwRCNSahbqlNTeA5_mRKy58JBJDjZAfmJXenepRRrU1Es2DXbkaogeChMo/s1289/nla-obj-144984769-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvbTsAFxwzyVBOsaDpE7MCihu1Jj29bkNMzRQK4MYoaukdjLT1ePQoYGBlp3UwSHL7BVOHm9D261wW7YWUPa8ehlgbUgsbW5AuCrDpT5755vukBuOPJf_kw8q3VcFog5RFpwRCNSahbqlNTeA5_mRKy58JBJDjZAfmJXenepRRrU1Es2DXbkaogeChMo/w496-h640/nla-obj-144984769-1.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir Charles Yonge and his wife Mattie in 1928-29 during the expedition to the Low Isles.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In the thirteen months of pioneering research carried out by this team from the British Association for the Advancement of Science they concluded their expedition with ground breaking studies of the giant clams and their relationship with the local corals, forming much of the basis of clam research today</div><div> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SA65TLaYcIhXt6T4Jje5bb101zZ3HPZyZA_G8prLGdpx3AxZWcKzzadVZjYZSWDy19eNuhvIPYd7LG7aNP_lh32LfKy9AyudRm4vLNYZZIDBA9yieNSbMgFGYRU3Ck1eIj4yCvxdSfHvlb2Ybcn1q3LzGtBGdZC2DZRCv7At2QHo5y5ZP8uRkv8PrM8/s4425/P1070306a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3006" data-original-width="4425" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SA65TLaYcIhXt6T4Jje5bb101zZ3HPZyZA_G8prLGdpx3AxZWcKzzadVZjYZSWDy19eNuhvIPYd7LG7aNP_lh32LfKy9AyudRm4vLNYZZIDBA9yieNSbMgFGYRU3Ck1eIj4yCvxdSfHvlb2Ybcn1q3LzGtBGdZC2DZRCv7At2QHo5y5ZP8uRkv8PrM8/w640-h434/P1070306a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The island houses a delightful museum recording the exploits of these pioneering scientists together with displays of items associated with their stay.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdNRFicwIrz78wD7LHe-dvXA-i47-qT9Q7YDw0NDBDTBCIbfFZI9WyhjdpzHxrZvkr26KZg9_-8TC1V5gkvCiMwb9yNKqI64yH444FjSocz4b2SrB2DWO64FY7bnksdwDuACKU65plc0jNICA8HxBEZJd9xVyCAyVk_kKlxngZBW6oDuiPiR_CxIUfGU/s4896/P1070307a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdNRFicwIrz78wD7LHe-dvXA-i47-qT9Q7YDw0NDBDTBCIbfFZI9WyhjdpzHxrZvkr26KZg9_-8TC1V5gkvCiMwb9yNKqI64yH444FjSocz4b2SrB2DWO64FY7bnksdwDuACKU65plc0jNICA8HxBEZJd9xVyCAyVk_kKlxngZBW6oDuiPiR_CxIUfGU/w640-h480/P1070307a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSDTvCAg12ohc-g8xKdtUi2pnzfH0eH3pVvVc4xEPH53SG0u-YCAOcuDWg89yPu6J8UDTg_v5BQkkBiFeC-csuGHR9BLXdSgOFSieYGaHYq6AVWEBEE_hU30F5TMu7fDb55-7kf4FsSyqUrh28Fta0aVeuUXI7UISW5WTlCd4uJCXtdo514Nln4HWTYs/s4896/P1070296a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSDTvCAg12ohc-g8xKdtUi2pnzfH0eH3pVvVc4xEPH53SG0u-YCAOcuDWg89yPu6J8UDTg_v5BQkkBiFeC-csuGHR9BLXdSgOFSieYGaHYq6AVWEBEE_hU30F5TMu7fDb55-7kf4FsSyqUrh28Fta0aVeuUXI7UISW5WTlCd4uJCXtdo514Nln4HWTYs/w640-h480/P1070296a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old winch, used to drag trolleys up the beach with stores brought in by boat, circa 1920.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our day on Low Isle simply flew by and in seemingly no time we were heading back to the Wavedancer with a bit of a wait while successive boat trips went back to the beach to collect more of our party, giving time for those of us already aboard to observe the marine life that tends to gather around large boats, particularly when little people are want to drop the occasional tit-bit overboard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb3AnxdlSL0kZFzEdAfUw-Tjl-G0jYXGQTnA86SPNzvzNbvVb52SvvW5SHnD0eHfj6Yya0KVSd9O2O6D-ysqoPDYSPcuFxq5260zRiqgAfypj6pyvA0LZATAGSZpvHJ4Ra26cRqsJLzrhbDsxPUFDgabGQKrlX49pwS-M1k2B11cfkIlWmCZh2n3IFoA/s4896/P1070315a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb3AnxdlSL0kZFzEdAfUw-Tjl-G0jYXGQTnA86SPNzvzNbvVb52SvvW5SHnD0eHfj6Yya0KVSd9O2O6D-ysqoPDYSPcuFxq5260zRiqgAfypj6pyvA0LZATAGSZpvHJ4Ra26cRqsJLzrhbDsxPUFDgabGQKrlX49pwS-M1k2B11cfkIlWmCZh2n3IFoA/w640-h480/P1070315a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batfish were drawn to the stern of the boat by the occasional tit-bit dropped by fascinated children and adults</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4lduzoH7HbRWD3tLmnC-i0Sh_YRC8dcrlJVZJSRlyTVpU_L_Cb0Ci2-3YALxbM2UiUmXQCg13Q6BTs9f7JkorVB-_QQ7Qib6t7T2K9e51b7tR8GGTSrs52Sp2pVPXRmCyLSvdGeZC2Ngtf4gLFck9GeJLxNacobptTYJu0sR-l8XQJnVAiCU7sEzvxc/s4896/P1070333a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4lduzoH7HbRWD3tLmnC-i0Sh_YRC8dcrlJVZJSRlyTVpU_L_Cb0Ci2-3YALxbM2UiUmXQCg13Q6BTs9f7JkorVB-_QQ7Qib6t7T2K9e51b7tR8GGTSrs52Sp2pVPXRmCyLSvdGeZC2Ngtf4gLFck9GeJLxNacobptTYJu0sR-l8XQJnVAiCU7sEzvxc/w640-h480/P1070333a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course if you draw fish to a boat in these waters you might get more than you bargained for, with this Reef Shark I photographed coming close to the boat to take a closer look.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUq1x59baC6rNJTy9z9dErctQvzooenqTqBZRBhkKczGl4x_JHiQQ1eCwLi_8SEeFe9R5m4b7F_cXh76ImSO9N2-A9c-6eZAhLWSxDXut_4BB__Ri5kn04SBDksMp-Hznw7IW1G7UDYpamC5j_PofEZbUBe83hHKegcyw9mYnkX7o6ZVcwKUWhg1X73c/s4896/P1070331a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUq1x59baC6rNJTy9z9dErctQvzooenqTqBZRBhkKczGl4x_JHiQQ1eCwLi_8SEeFe9R5m4b7F_cXh76ImSO9N2-A9c-6eZAhLWSxDXut_4BB__Ri5kn04SBDksMp-Hznw7IW1G7UDYpamC5j_PofEZbUBe83hHKegcyw9mYnkX7o6ZVcwKUWhg1X73c/w640-h480/P1070331a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our first day based in Port Douglas was a spectacular adventure out on to the Great Barrier Reef in glorious sunshine. Our next day was to be equally spectacular if very much different and with a sky, the time of year being the 'wet season', heralding a change in the weather as the clouds rolled in over the Coral Sea.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXkj14786aF0qcMnOuV3k6Z2PedWYiwC7QeUd0vzIF-vxoQiRoXlgeOidj_4lbUoD83VqD1tqD7wlOdFMJ9lH4MmlFy-_QKwzhJenGCMXhhHlP-SDgtc9l_IluCv15tdH6ePdyBw3UDbQZ4p-aFw1c4eNgXYSrshKRW2PLfezl8-sDNnLxjxLGqn5lRo/s897/Skyrail%20map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="435" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXkj14786aF0qcMnOuV3k6Z2PedWYiwC7QeUd0vzIF-vxoQiRoXlgeOidj_4lbUoD83VqD1tqD7wlOdFMJ9lH4MmlFy-_QKwzhJenGCMXhhHlP-SDgtc9l_IluCv15tdH6ePdyBw3UDbQZ4p-aFw1c4eNgXYSrshKRW2PLfezl8-sDNnLxjxLGqn5lRo/w310-h640/Skyrail%20map.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Located about fifteen minutes north of Cairns the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a great way to get to see the world's oldest tropical rainforest as it makes the five mile climb up to Kuranda on the Atherton Tableland, with the opportunity to explore it over and below the canopy and like the Great Barrier Reef off shore is one of the great natural wonders that north Queensland has to offer.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0dlKGOx1oCmWuFZJl5fo-sX3roS2zLxjK2G113pc-zVqIPjqCydPio4fCvNJad7x-K46WCbY-FDY824WE5SFya8hj30ROYVXNnmEGRxDm1ReuLiinSgCaeK9xU8ThSqz4jzIFiVaaFDa0lcRMWizXzPe994dGetuI_JqRh1o7WitzHsHn_hueqekqbQ/s4896/P1070367a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0dlKGOx1oCmWuFZJl5fo-sX3roS2zLxjK2G113pc-zVqIPjqCydPio4fCvNJad7x-K46WCbY-FDY824WE5SFya8hj30ROYVXNnmEGRxDm1ReuLiinSgCaeK9xU8ThSqz4jzIFiVaaFDa0lcRMWizXzPe994dGetuI_JqRh1o7WitzHsHn_hueqekqbQ/w640-h480/P1070367a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The views offered of the coastal area in this part of Australia are simply stunning, as I hope my pictures have captured, and as the car starts to climb into the coastal Macalister mountain range, clad in thick rainforest of ancient trees, the views of the forest canopy and the occasional glimpse of the rugged terrain below are absorbingly breath taking.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObn0n2X8Gbqeut1U1brIiRqPlQt4rfBdKvJygfWCZ0ApC6ZXBG72jYotM-Whl5qa9OVHHCkxbibmIzrXuc48PsqIcoQ_5Zv3Bw3Y0qEgY_Kg-O8lCDNiP4_LrxjLlXYBXKmuVhSUjKz18FPqsp8ZYVX0y3dbYoQBUCOPg6RFX7kHsIhgLw8dtLMJyxHM/s4896/P1070369a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObn0n2X8Gbqeut1U1brIiRqPlQt4rfBdKvJygfWCZ0ApC6ZXBG72jYotM-Whl5qa9OVHHCkxbibmIzrXuc48PsqIcoQ_5Zv3Bw3Y0qEgY_Kg-O8lCDNiP4_LrxjLlXYBXKmuVhSUjKz18FPqsp8ZYVX0y3dbYoQBUCOPg6RFX7kHsIhgLw8dtLMJyxHM/w640-h480/P1070369a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the car to Smithfields, a suburb of Cairns and beyond to Machans Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCIb4ZXUdo5xYdTzqcVo73HZOaTFRGFhPhyphenhyphen3Pv8ILHYqdi5_9HirRszKdFZFWWaSEku8GMZyjFZWAZNvBBbV1XtR_HRKe1nX2KgvAS2uyEHStoG_DY7oNvYPRk9LtR2WXedUUPsfuKZ2aeyHCRwdga4xGLoJ5pxVI1TTLlqzXrY06QytW4zDbwKIRMjo/s4896/P1070368a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCIb4ZXUdo5xYdTzqcVo73HZOaTFRGFhPhyphenhyphen3Pv8ILHYqdi5_9HirRszKdFZFWWaSEku8GMZyjFZWAZNvBBbV1XtR_HRKe1nX2KgvAS2uyEHStoG_DY7oNvYPRk9LtR2WXedUUPsfuKZ2aeyHCRwdga4xGLoJ5pxVI1TTLlqzXrY06QytW4zDbwKIRMjo/w640-h480/P1070368a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-mQp10EFfXIoJGAiMUwwfVMDZUkfjAiXqo06xUtxSL7Vl7zfW1NnISD7JifzvBDj3awkQ9JaBB1WVW2JxYYbz8QFf1nSwNtUPkfwV2bU_-1KaKEqr1LvNn08BS4Fn_K-EhdJucQDrB_gX7CkugscGId_FGrlHSwzNfJObMTLulc9o0BWy_HJxbJ5Ub0/s4896/P1070366a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-mQp10EFfXIoJGAiMUwwfVMDZUkfjAiXqo06xUtxSL7Vl7zfW1NnISD7JifzvBDj3awkQ9JaBB1WVW2JxYYbz8QFf1nSwNtUPkfwV2bU_-1KaKEqr1LvNn08BS4Fn_K-EhdJucQDrB_gX7CkugscGId_FGrlHSwzNfJObMTLulc9o0BWy_HJxbJ5Ub0/w640-h480/P1070366a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigal3kw7doBUPhIfVGUP-d-r0dSx_uKcXE692EwlPxtSwNEnvLHK9-N-l47lZPOtjvwzz-MVfnJkjlehsA5g0E8aMGCSHi2DM7eJhwMp1xaQYyzLjjqAv6a-Fwj2fp2mFVO6CzyJ_3_BfsFUeOyLMxxJoxsbO9IcaK5gAdHevsxSys9ugcwttd9qxMBNU/s4896/P1070373a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigal3kw7doBUPhIfVGUP-d-r0dSx_uKcXE692EwlPxtSwNEnvLHK9-N-l47lZPOtjvwzz-MVfnJkjlehsA5g0E8aMGCSHi2DM7eJhwMp1xaQYyzLjjqAv6a-Fwj2fp2mFVO6CzyJ_3_BfsFUeOyLMxxJoxsbO9IcaK5gAdHevsxSys9ugcwttd9qxMBNU/w640-h480/P1070373a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As mentioned the Skyrail offers the visitor the opportunity to see the forest not only from above, but by stepping off at about the halfway point of the climb, at the Rainforest Interpretation Centre, you also get the opportunity to follow a boarded walkway through the forest with lots of information boards strategically placed to give you more of an idea about the extraordinary plants and animals that inhabit this place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Much of the National Park in the local area has restricted access due to the need to protect the shy and often elusive Cassowary, a large flightless bird that inhabits the deep parts of the rainforest and with its predilection of feeding on the fruits of several hundred species of rainforest plants and trees, plays a vital role in the ecosystem by its ability to spread the seeds of those plants over a very wide area in their dense scats, with the rare Ryparosa tree found to have a much higher germination rate after its seeds have passed through the gut of the Cassowary.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswjM2RqqinKkLVCbwFqw99nmkIe3FFcnQF3qZXb_5bkJFwUXJknEPjfJ7QdmMLxex3l9xucykrshyM5vhcrNaMdAC4kDUi3nu1fH3Nah4CmKU2LsM7Db-wQP8ErU0TanGzcsnCY1Z72cQMwhEroJpemEXoVKyraxvxTh98lBn8WXGFU5nRvMgofnKQos/s4896/P1070423a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswjM2RqqinKkLVCbwFqw99nmkIe3FFcnQF3qZXb_5bkJFwUXJknEPjfJ7QdmMLxex3l9xucykrshyM5vhcrNaMdAC4kDUi3nu1fH3Nah4CmKU2LsM7Db-wQP8ErU0TanGzcsnCY1Z72cQMwhEroJpemEXoVKyraxvxTh98lBn8WXGFU5nRvMgofnKQos/w640-h480/P1070423a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ-B2Wg0afZqwK5aplcMgXj697Mo4c5D9qpnQJI7Sb4TLmfteX_DKlS8O0RCL1c8LYPTR5zAVJuw8bc6bI3ZkpO-Mh4pkzgrGgiJ-grXCeyHXjWr94joeU1rWV4OxZndLNbgtyBA4V_clQm5ooX7lm6nA4oXU27dOusa_HO1c5J043kmRJly5bOXepyc/s7200/P1070403a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="7200" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ-B2Wg0afZqwK5aplcMgXj697Mo4c5D9qpnQJI7Sb4TLmfteX_DKlS8O0RCL1c8LYPTR5zAVJuw8bc6bI3ZkpO-Mh4pkzgrGgiJ-grXCeyHXjWr94joeU1rWV4OxZndLNbgtyBA4V_clQm5ooX7lm6nA4oXU27dOusa_HO1c5J043kmRJly5bOXepyc/w640-h170/P1070403a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjEpI8zJthyphenhyphenwMFtikzJem779-VvmjA-2BVEUYZHFS_tqOAyV7bUc8OjNvj1DcDLpfrwFN3uD_XLnGG3QPhmCtTf1cpuaJ2PxLCpzMKvViHUYbTPJNspIpKLIkyd36AeCoAvSfoqSVyj_sZXKlsFX6bzpeSUzLwmORqt7eScNks0J9h-xmcX_TwcBaGjU/s4896/P1070401a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjEpI8zJthyphenhyphenwMFtikzJem779-VvmjA-2BVEUYZHFS_tqOAyV7bUc8OjNvj1DcDLpfrwFN3uD_XLnGG3QPhmCtTf1cpuaJ2PxLCpzMKvViHUYbTPJNspIpKLIkyd36AeCoAvSfoqSVyj_sZXKlsFX6bzpeSUzLwmORqt7eScNks0J9h-xmcX_TwcBaGjU/w640-h480/P1070401a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As with all dense rainforest this whole ecosystem is about a race for the light, and the trees that make up the great variety to be seen are designed to grow quickly and take advantage of any gaps in the canopy caused by the demise of a former resident.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8sJxbvywGoZk91fy_Y7nV0zbRt9Mm7GDDs5oTMpXD0jDxg4WznWieNr6Vj2gle0uE9IjhebE6wwMew0RceM9MUYkQxVLCsy1GfEYciRiGnilZv90KkPzrqDDr1k4AdrQGRm5EbOodqZVZfEIpG1vOsEkSVyzoPgi55mDs3mdRnKbSJef48StHCwzR4c/s3648/20230126_120220a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8sJxbvywGoZk91fy_Y7nV0zbRt9Mm7GDDs5oTMpXD0jDxg4WznWieNr6Vj2gle0uE9IjhebE6wwMew0RceM9MUYkQxVLCsy1GfEYciRiGnilZv90KkPzrqDDr1k4AdrQGRm5EbOodqZVZfEIpG1vOsEkSVyzoPgi55mDs3mdRnKbSJef48StHCwzR4c/w640-h480/20230126_120220a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The dense clusters of 'Oskars', small saplings with large leaves, are known to be very patient for their opportunity to make a bid for any gap that occurs, with many of them as old as twenty years and ready at a moment to put on a spurt of growth under the trigger of increased light.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst other species, such as the 'Pioneer' find it impossible to survive in the gloom of the forest and so their seeds lie dormant until similarly triggered into growth.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRyq8LjVihDJmv7v6rYxCsEzvjv-3Fh3cOa7dloLSf53r45DUMkGF9OIW5ZHeTIAtMAXa0pOQ3IS1Yky9EETzP9oKepmI_2rSmO_4OBgg_4laeaRpDaDx5Ar1EKD-hkuLijCLbw3dHrVT9FnbQBVb3-e5FHj_Nl0ZU9Ef3-IyF1nU_McjgyHvCK5QQB8/s4896/P1070394a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRyq8LjVihDJmv7v6rYxCsEzvjv-3Fh3cOa7dloLSf53r45DUMkGF9OIW5ZHeTIAtMAXa0pOQ3IS1Yky9EETzP9oKepmI_2rSmO_4OBgg_4laeaRpDaDx5Ar1EKD-hkuLijCLbw3dHrVT9FnbQBVb3-e5FHj_Nl0ZU9Ef3-IyF1nU_McjgyHvCK5QQB8/w640-h480/P1070394a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With trees like the mighty Queensland Kauri, the example seen above, likely more than 400 years old, patience is important as well as fast growth, as this species is remarkable for the speed in which it grows straight and tall, punching through the canopy before spreading out like a giant umbrella to block out the sun to all those below.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Ps03h1EqXubCWXjEHYavftPEejAry6YfRLfFhV7VMyfMMq0Zh1QziGX-woEn_75CHBUyLx3lJ0I_p91HfovK11WpOJTMDTAE3rfCyKE37iQiDuvqVn0xU3wvSdgsaKTpjrAuOs0rn91gf-KBE0Ny3WV4ibGrBqXZZZWz9fucJOKlunJYr5TYOHjMO4/s4896/P1070398a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Ps03h1EqXubCWXjEHYavftPEejAry6YfRLfFhV7VMyfMMq0Zh1QziGX-woEn_75CHBUyLx3lJ0I_p91HfovK11WpOJTMDTAE3rfCyKE37iQiDuvqVn0xU3wvSdgsaKTpjrAuOs0rn91gf-KBE0Ny3WV4ibGrBqXZZZWz9fucJOKlunJYr5TYOHjMO4/w640-h480/P1070398a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Kauri has been around for about 200 million years and, having no low branches, has developed a smooth self-shedding bark that helps it prevent its demise at the expense of strangling vines and other plants that would use it to climb ever higher and compete with it for the light.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZuqWGQx_ErZE1DObbytQigTq-_oap8WW2hG3wWX3Yw4j707QIOkwRDsdBlvDRAe4wMbDlETpzAoljNeVislRG1S1Iy9HhTXwKuoSmqGXb06ywVZDL_iGic8M-GtWC6n21E-oOGyhzHvGDadPj_Iy7MTIimkEGGOUVoWCRhulxrnjTbNfGQb9dxCh8uw/s4896/P1070399a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZuqWGQx_ErZE1DObbytQigTq-_oap8WW2hG3wWX3Yw4j707QIOkwRDsdBlvDRAe4wMbDlETpzAoljNeVislRG1S1Iy9HhTXwKuoSmqGXb06ywVZDL_iGic8M-GtWC6n21E-oOGyhzHvGDadPj_Iy7MTIimkEGGOUVoWCRhulxrnjTbNfGQb9dxCh8uw/w640-h480/P1070399a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pOiZebhGX5WOpf-LBQOgIIUEt-yht2Nj2kfw31amJrnchcZ8fMtbcAdp3vhbM6gpo_knu-G7NjxNEZPpli9hPM2NDaXp_GzQD2Q4Ej7IIS7XNVvzeZye6GGjwBZ97-8aa8QuOjU5rfPMu71QPUEVNQuZupbSTeaZUOTJ32Q9Gg3S4wGZn-NWtV3pqlk/s5040/P1070410a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="5040" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pOiZebhGX5WOpf-LBQOgIIUEt-yht2Nj2kfw31amJrnchcZ8fMtbcAdp3vhbM6gpo_knu-G7NjxNEZPpli9hPM2NDaXp_GzQD2Q4Ej7IIS7XNVvzeZye6GGjwBZ97-8aa8QuOjU5rfPMu71QPUEVNQuZupbSTeaZUOTJ32Q9Gg3S4wGZn-NWtV3pqlk/w640-h244/P1070410a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In the Rainforest Interpretation Centre you will find lots of information about this very ancient eco-system, together with some excellent recreations of the local wildlife that you may not see at the time of your visit, or if you do see them prove to be very difficult to photograph!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5K0paE0tCnxRf7uE6lDkSC8Re16K6XZRD4GDzZeJgu55mJqJrF5HoCBbAEQ1p-NEdRG4M7PZvJqx_p1Grh_kTbLzcRhXK32pd2-z0K2cuNBUFDBoMmQPwapOZkIFprggGxnDzHObeN3fZh7nQSgkWUyFNIeyU6PU4YN-Ra2sC0rOhGAPcTHsqor9new/s3343/P1070449a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="3343" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5K0paE0tCnxRf7uE6lDkSC8Re16K6XZRD4GDzZeJgu55mJqJrF5HoCBbAEQ1p-NEdRG4M7PZvJqx_p1Grh_kTbLzcRhXK32pd2-z0K2cuNBUFDBoMmQPwapOZkIFprggGxnDzHObeN3fZh7nQSgkWUyFNIeyU6PU4YN-Ra2sC0rOhGAPcTHsqor9new/w640-h522/P1070449a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly not the real thing, but a model in the nearby Skyrail information display, of a mighty Ulysses Butterfly, <i>Papilio ulysses</i>, with a wingspan getting up to 10.5cms, that are massive, looking like bright blue tea plates flying through the forest, but never stopping long enough to let me get their picture, so I had to content with showing you this instead.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERvp4hT9IL9HWYZUwGQWergwCmehBadDXEdX00QrJuA64EUK_YogtswyASA1OnI29Rkd1iub_vZj2k_3W8m8MsiCGRk_BD_dMDa3mNbeCsfs8e475AHQ0vkT45UKHovHd_b91rQ6BSnyvbkWGxDo3hyq90fUk9GFaFYgh0hvA7nocYD0B8fPxFcoNks4/s4896/P1070413a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERvp4hT9IL9HWYZUwGQWergwCmehBadDXEdX00QrJuA64EUK_YogtswyASA1OnI29Rkd1iub_vZj2k_3W8m8MsiCGRk_BD_dMDa3mNbeCsfs8e475AHQ0vkT45UKHovHd_b91rQ6BSnyvbkWGxDo3hyq90fUk9GFaFYgh0hvA7nocYD0B8fPxFcoNks4/w640-h480/P1070413a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again not the real bird and its young, but we would get to see the astonishing Southern Cassowary when we arrived at the top stop of our cable-car trip at Kuranda.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Climbing aboard the next cable car we carried on with our ascent, totally absorbed with the extraordinary views of the surrounding country as we passed over Barron River and its Falls and the railway that would complete the second part of our adventure as we descended back down to the coast.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_njHriR8Tzt3S35qHwzcEBa1voEQ9CoFOxq9IxlV5CZSaOJSiKfLvi8MI0KqyA82FqR-trhA03whwrddYR0LlaNeIP38ITNi0R2LIotsPPImHa86VB-d8cXUMf8toLL0kqwU0ZF7FdvzsdhZWZHoAG9yJd3Nro_HL0Gbf3LA178B1Z4dL_-JP-D2fdjQ/s4896/P1070453a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_njHriR8Tzt3S35qHwzcEBa1voEQ9CoFOxq9IxlV5CZSaOJSiKfLvi8MI0KqyA82FqR-trhA03whwrddYR0LlaNeIP38ITNi0R2LIotsPPImHa86VB-d8cXUMf8toLL0kqwU0ZF7FdvzsdhZWZHoAG9yJd3Nro_HL0Gbf3LA178B1Z4dL_-JP-D2fdjQ/w640-h480/P1070453a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mighty Barron River dominates this part of the country</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKmY2NJZaAoo7oJgefDGEp-osNL2ytmSywZPFrhbXV07CJRrSN1JCFt0d1ZNV3o7ujfWnTtnhEXnQP3a3MvkXZLQ-q4JCJSvOto9LZ8YHa4pjFdsT6B_1cQITt784k4ec-rCFKjqOvvyqn-XgN4fzqp0VE_GN8N6OwRXQBPveCO4eIMrJW0-UzSKiPVo/s4896/P1070433a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKmY2NJZaAoo7oJgefDGEp-osNL2ytmSywZPFrhbXV07CJRrSN1JCFt0d1ZNV3o7ujfWnTtnhEXnQP3a3MvkXZLQ-q4JCJSvOto9LZ8YHa4pjFdsT6B_1cQITt784k4ec-rCFKjqOvvyqn-XgN4fzqp0VE_GN8N6OwRXQBPveCO4eIMrJW0-UzSKiPVo/w640-h480/P1070433a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time we caught sight of the Barron Falls it was not that impressive in terms of flow as the rain had been slight in the preceding days but we would return by car a few days later, after the weather had changed, and it was very impressive to see how quickly a couple of days of rain could turn these falls into a mighty torrent. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORLmuLY-C2btkK2ecMKjT5K5bEW-kTWvuoMxOUTrj2sRYQOQouQPG30BGqfnrhSZKBFN-x9vG1pjgUf0jJxxDGp0DB8rATQcO3sPg1w2Zbjyf9iinbS1eg3H2mArSowMecCfkqqMxB4485nV9kHYu0H0PIsXIH1wPeF2tz_xWTg4ILJRHV1_GHrYvlLQ/s4896/P1070456a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORLmuLY-C2btkK2ecMKjT5K5bEW-kTWvuoMxOUTrj2sRYQOQouQPG30BGqfnrhSZKBFN-x9vG1pjgUf0jJxxDGp0DB8rATQcO3sPg1w2Zbjyf9iinbS1eg3H2mArSowMecCfkqqMxB4485nV9kHYu0H0PIsXIH1wPeF2tz_xWTg4ILJRHV1_GHrYvlLQ/w640-h480/P1070456a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of the next part of our journey following lunch in Kuranda.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Stepping off the cable car in Kuranda, we had time to kill in the town while we waited for the train to take us down to the coast, and so after a spot of lunch and a wonder around the stalls in the market, we whiled away the time enjoying the birds in the Kuranda Bird World, home to some sixty native and exotic species from other rainforests around the world.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWznKZ7MMPZnXFuM4Fy55BpvzwuQzkKS-5OLwNX5XDlnlEQl7qrekv6aslIcE7X8fOMpP-AHmNSyvhAv9kbAmVU50COvLvgLkKhgH__DHKAZh-cxq3AerS7TnBbFjC5Sa0fzZ6b6O7wxEzrDMR6VyILEIw8zkTE1m3B3AShSzmVnoY6fSNt6BOuf5Q2g4/s4896/P1070600a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWznKZ7MMPZnXFuM4Fy55BpvzwuQzkKS-5OLwNX5XDlnlEQl7qrekv6aslIcE7X8fOMpP-AHmNSyvhAv9kbAmVU50COvLvgLkKhgH__DHKAZh-cxq3AerS7TnBbFjC5Sa0fzZ6b6O7wxEzrDMR6VyILEIw8zkTE1m3B3AShSzmVnoY6fSNt6BOuf5Q2g4/w640-h480/P1070600a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXcBo6aAQrm3chxiAmjP_VkzIyNYUuJFf_0jiJfo172dGEQgi9rv-nYMbeSbmckD7zok9GjRYTdDt46iFUHuZjq3Xc4ryRpkUZsqgFIvIf2fiHoL1CmLXFjabWWMQlThz9aVXcmPXgd1ksA6XzROxBEJdvHD7HwECtseIvAtMTZIiE-T9fGaqbYUCZ2E/s4896/P1070601a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXcBo6aAQrm3chxiAmjP_VkzIyNYUuJFf_0jiJfo172dGEQgi9rv-nYMbeSbmckD7zok9GjRYTdDt46iFUHuZjq3Xc4ryRpkUZsqgFIvIf2fiHoL1CmLXFjabWWMQlThz9aVXcmPXgd1ksA6XzROxBEJdvHD7HwECtseIvAtMTZIiE-T9fGaqbYUCZ2E/w640-h480/P1070601a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolyn making friends with a local Galah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIzhtDIm9jrGF7iHgA0YNXiOR95kJNMo6U9Qht8WOKGixzLGlIE4D3uK1ECWXhVnqKqjYivwLiO866_EDzW6QzF5rgor-6iOWemCfSNvqnP6OkNGL3uMkfOfoDpCLGjclOaNWkYqiJ4YM91oXeEWhlaQdWYRtCj2p6mjRXYptbCso93K1X_8muBBu6Fg/s4000/20230126_142015a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIzhtDIm9jrGF7iHgA0YNXiOR95kJNMo6U9Qht8WOKGixzLGlIE4D3uK1ECWXhVnqKqjYivwLiO866_EDzW6QzF5rgor-6iOWemCfSNvqnP6OkNGL3uMkfOfoDpCLGjclOaNWkYqiJ4YM91oXeEWhlaQdWYRtCj2p6mjRXYptbCso93K1X_8muBBu6Fg/w480-h640/20230126_142015a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sandals getting a close inspection from an Electus Parrot, <i>Electus roratus</i>, a native species in Australia and New Guinea.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij_fR5ohoxuErUjkDfPa59xsbIcrkzll5DzHeP7jkAp3-iacAD3vm3NRvJ26iVRov2qj7Wcm3i2UubOAg9qEO_kHkYmGNoIgc7g0JZYs7v-VWq8tSHZtyHnpwuQyOAdYOn2OMtetjW8boPgCy-kdJkf2QxRqdPkQPsKP73HT1VeuuYs8dolrIkRwiWp4/s4896/P1070464a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij_fR5ohoxuErUjkDfPa59xsbIcrkzll5DzHeP7jkAp3-iacAD3vm3NRvJ26iVRov2qj7Wcm3i2UubOAg9qEO_kHkYmGNoIgc7g0JZYs7v-VWq8tSHZtyHnpwuQyOAdYOn2OMtetjW8boPgCy-kdJkf2QxRqdPkQPsKP73HT1VeuuYs8dolrIkRwiWp4/w640-h480/P1070464a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Alexandrine Parakeet, Psittacula eupatria, native to south and south-east Asia </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbcSGynrbcF6CayLC1NzBq-tswl8Ssg9wZlaV8Sg55t-Dy6-svSKoGApXD8_WQcd3-WgL46GbdMHnp2ji334yb6We-HisAQjq6fyde7mMcRsetcMWa_e3qGp23QQO8_eYq6-hZc9EZUlGjZPSk3kmOJTbDGbhNsdkDEzpr1p8SLpLG6_PGiAiBPEHdJk/s4896/P1070472a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbcSGynrbcF6CayLC1NzBq-tswl8Ssg9wZlaV8Sg55t-Dy6-svSKoGApXD8_WQcd3-WgL46GbdMHnp2ji334yb6We-HisAQjq6fyde7mMcRsetcMWa_e3qGp23QQO8_eYq6-hZc9EZUlGjZPSk3kmOJTbDGbhNsdkDEzpr1p8SLpLG6_PGiAiBPEHdJk/w640-h480/P1070472a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shy Indian Ringed-neck Parakeet, <i>Psittacula krameri</i>, this one being a yellow flavour, others can be a blueish grey and the more familiar green, native to Africa and Asia.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzki4RdisMKnzNAatlStXX76pMKh1DIT0r7oOEyVprTuhlgkC-hicZarwz1i_vQHj3iACaexpm-6m3hQTjWSYjE3VP-zCO17WiQ2yO31ySWmd5fOhXpf3dJoorJCagckGZ8Vymg6O1o-R0ccaNdISX1OOAQZSisXg1DXiFE9FUDzgXLHGZKN8wkstEK1w/s4896/P1070530a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzki4RdisMKnzNAatlStXX76pMKh1DIT0r7oOEyVprTuhlgkC-hicZarwz1i_vQHj3iACaexpm-6m3hQTjWSYjE3VP-zCO17WiQ2yO31ySWmd5fOhXpf3dJoorJCagckGZ8Vymg6O1o-R0ccaNdISX1OOAQZSisXg1DXiFE9FUDzgXLHGZKN8wkstEK1w/w640-h480/P1070530a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two wonderful Major Mitchell's Cockatoo or Pink Cockatoo, <i>Lophachroa leadbeateri</i>, more often to be seen in the more arid and semi-arid inland areas of Australia and also South-East Queensland's sub-tropical region.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64vPfr1ZxFvEhYg9JDDYus5mT8o29KV9rT-DX1IBg8BbwK0b97s8Kr9hXcpzJJwOaYi8uKpFa68bmqe9x5e20gNuM88UHHriGtlZHshHfwa9IBVLjAX0_456rE0ZH3wPxNZ9CmW06nJRzAdiiEJzKRdlPEgXpsaNHXQpyhqY9BpbcLwzk34o0B6JpGBE/s4896/P1070485a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64vPfr1ZxFvEhYg9JDDYus5mT8o29KV9rT-DX1IBg8BbwK0b97s8Kr9hXcpzJJwOaYi8uKpFa68bmqe9x5e20gNuM88UHHriGtlZHshHfwa9IBVLjAX0_456rE0ZH3wPxNZ9CmW06nJRzAdiiEJzKRdlPEgXpsaNHXQpyhqY9BpbcLwzk34o0B6JpGBE/w640-h480/P1070485a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pied Heron, <i>Ardea picata</i>, also known as the Pied Egret and found frequenting the coastal and sub-coastal areas of Northern Australia as well as parts of New Guinea</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDcuxpXlVzf4YbhjmgQPRawyopwNFzNhRG0dI3i_mH7T6-oGEFMMf2jUiPNuywf6WwxKFmiQxMPvzWRwN3QwLOD55CkcdNQ0I94wpjC0wgk-d3Okrob1HT_Ezz7A7mZMgyWcyec_0rDz3qKDW5y6K0fzpVbJY7eWiEnGaULVNqNyjVu3OJZMSW_bsqew/s3054/P1070579a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2689" data-original-width="3054" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDcuxpXlVzf4YbhjmgQPRawyopwNFzNhRG0dI3i_mH7T6-oGEFMMf2jUiPNuywf6WwxKFmiQxMPvzWRwN3QwLOD55CkcdNQ0I94wpjC0wgk-d3Okrob1HT_Ezz7A7mZMgyWcyec_0rDz3qKDW5y6K0fzpVbJY7eWiEnGaULVNqNyjVu3OJZMSW_bsqew/w640-h564/P1070579a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eastern Cattle Egret, <i>Bubulcus coromandus</i>, a species of heron, native to south, south eastern Asia and Australia.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pqu7k30Sn1eU_WftwUd0LCU_vHNIOQ7LCmDOHl2flAlypJK3iY5xyTCXu985B8bHZcvaX4ceVKGbui-UaoeW872X2QkLOyJt1qdfQg-OUb1XcEm7l1BtOxhg7srz3Y2xpbGCl8N6TJLEj3i5tw82dTDx4hMuyLmTJKFsXfzhNYUMcWeTG_ynpP16V2c/s3907/P1070538a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3188" data-original-width="3907" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pqu7k30Sn1eU_WftwUd0LCU_vHNIOQ7LCmDOHl2flAlypJK3iY5xyTCXu985B8bHZcvaX4ceVKGbui-UaoeW872X2QkLOyJt1qdfQg-OUb1XcEm7l1BtOxhg7srz3Y2xpbGCl8N6TJLEj3i5tw82dTDx4hMuyLmTJKFsXfzhNYUMcWeTG_ynpP16V2c/w640-h522/P1070538a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An impressive White Faced Heron, <i>Egretta novaehollandiae</i>, common in all but the driest parts of Australia, this bird is also found in Indonesia and parts of New Zealand.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvR1Ss1W4z7pA77iD2CMcCV1xEsIwoIqmr0RvNEwRvSpKDt3cGyMMA_U6XCyZt_8r-FKGjluTkHLK71fXCKhosyAUTNoS6g9zR_yhlLaysmyKqIWeSJg48GTGbxdZuCaR6ToGFj58fYlkbUYfqBDSnJHE0vbPD0UjMWvt03Lq6oqOIk81iR6hRDKs-9k/s4896/P1070520.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvR1Ss1W4z7pA77iD2CMcCV1xEsIwoIqmr0RvNEwRvSpKDt3cGyMMA_U6XCyZt_8r-FKGjluTkHLK71fXCKhosyAUTNoS6g9zR_yhlLaysmyKqIWeSJg48GTGbxdZuCaR6ToGFj58fYlkbUYfqBDSnJHE0vbPD0UjMWvt03Lq6oqOIk81iR6hRDKs-9k/w640-h480/P1070520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two affectionate Java Sparrows, or Java Finch, <i>Lonchura oryzivora</i>, native to Indonesia and a popular cage bird, but because of the illegal pet trade and persecution by farmers because of its feeding on rice, all this together with loss of natural habitat has seen this bird put on the endangered list.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIpNyxt4EzpX_iz_8QiW-6ha_XrR06pTnfRAH8960RW2hjRMJtX2noT7qHyM2NB7dbHD6No8UwH6IYzi0-ZXkxdjVzmsaOb8hpf01ThTZ7OntXBwtSs_xdHoo__vSn5CXjov-ysrhTSyJXxRZ3lRXup3AXxz_vM5uYDe7qmDnVOQXJ3nV_PnMpVUAKLk/s4896/P1070534a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIpNyxt4EzpX_iz_8QiW-6ha_XrR06pTnfRAH8960RW2hjRMJtX2noT7qHyM2NB7dbHD6No8UwH6IYzi0-ZXkxdjVzmsaOb8hpf01ThTZ7OntXBwtSs_xdHoo__vSn5CXjov-ysrhTSyJXxRZ3lRXup3AXxz_vM5uYDe7qmDnVOQXJ3nV_PnMpVUAKLk/w640-h480/P1070534a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bird that I was so pleased to see given its importance to the local area and one that can be difficult to see in the wild, due to its rather shy habits and limited access to its breeding areas, was this Southern Cassowary, <i>Casaurius casaurius</i>, now listed as endangered under Australian Federal legislation and vulnerable under Queensland listings with an estimated 5,000 birds remaining in Australia from a count made in June 2023.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTo1Rk3u-H08zQCK2z1CVT6kVg1ZkRono1foj6XsoP0LFpjSxPxEDTdZpbnIBncsesBDobRBJUqTtmcTAo1YQDnK-9rij1fpwZqDcWUs7T-moU6lLwjmB8VcIPTFsuVNEO8sjIhcInS1egZzFD4kedwqZgbbwLK9jQSvHiIQP-BQMqcie-ImadWUrxO7g/s4896/P1070540a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTo1Rk3u-H08zQCK2z1CVT6kVg1ZkRono1foj6XsoP0LFpjSxPxEDTdZpbnIBncsesBDobRBJUqTtmcTAo1YQDnK-9rij1fpwZqDcWUs7T-moU6lLwjmB8VcIPTFsuVNEO8sjIhcInS1egZzFD4kedwqZgbbwLK9jQSvHiIQP-BQMqcie-ImadWUrxO7g/w640-h480/P1070540a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bird has to be treated with respect as like many flightless birds when they feel threatened, can rely on powerful clawed toes as well as an ability to jump high to deliver slashing blows against people and animals, with the innermost claw on each foot elongated and very sharp. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSZA3-UqXvmTNdeem6Lm9WaQx92p5aI0Z8V1UmU71I81YAR_8fN3a-IpWtfcu16D5QkUkHa3gpyA3ywtKmyviUq6AdVJWZ0Gn-XKF-Nguz5tn-LXiInMC-A1TSw3_-Eb-eNaxFw2yDz34n4xoC1dRdX3v1CV9YiCDxAEDT8Iium9uz2hIZcLLgOM1fK4/s4896/P1070543a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSZA3-UqXvmTNdeem6Lm9WaQx92p5aI0Z8V1UmU71I81YAR_8fN3a-IpWtfcu16D5QkUkHa3gpyA3ywtKmyviUq6AdVJWZ0Gn-XKF-Nguz5tn-LXiInMC-A1TSw3_-Eb-eNaxFw2yDz34n4xoC1dRdX3v1CV9YiCDxAEDT8Iium9uz2hIZcLLgOM1fK4/w640-h480/P1070543a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cassowary is closely related to the Kiwi, another remarkable Antipodean bird we saw on our travels, with males similar in appearance to but smaller than females who are the dominant sex, with males avoiding the latter if meeting inadvertently outside of the breeding season. The presence of the noticeable helmet or casque, a bony core surmounted by a leathery keratinous sheath, this one seen here missing a large chunk on top, remains a subject of much speculation, with one theory suspecting its use for heat control in the bird, allowing it to dissipate heat and keep cool in hot weather.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2VFD60Hic_hkon39Co5m70PYQ7RdwJjrFH1ozATqJkdu5FOYn2lfaJ2CTaMKpJz5BnuAL6iMGra8UiIEi_-7ZGbF-rOGJpf-aJ9NQyqYnKxEWPwVMrYi3Jj0VAUW2_PeyXb9iUaruBQcw7D7eQQeZ9YlSHd62BmzKmR2lynnOSCSIGAhpdm0yj3UqhM/s3378/P1070564a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="3378" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2VFD60Hic_hkon39Co5m70PYQ7RdwJjrFH1ozATqJkdu5FOYn2lfaJ2CTaMKpJz5BnuAL6iMGra8UiIEi_-7ZGbF-rOGJpf-aJ9NQyqYnKxEWPwVMrYi3Jj0VAUW2_PeyXb9iUaruBQcw7D7eQQeZ9YlSHd62BmzKmR2lynnOSCSIGAhpdm0yj3UqhM/w640-h480/P1070564a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My quick snap of a Helmeted Friarbird, <i>Philemon buceroids</i>, in action and helping to reduce the number of large bugs Australia has in abundance. Most prominent in the Northern coastal territories of Australia and found in Indonesia, mainly to be found in sub-tropical and tropical forests, the Friarbird population is stable at present but forecast to decline by about ten percent in the next ten years putting the species in the vulnerable category.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A walk around the Kuranda Bird World is well recommended if you have time to spare waiting for a train, and we found the time flew by, quite literally, and we were soon needing to make our way to the station but on the way out took the time to take a look at another kind of bird, this one not in such a particularly healthy state.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpHAPFTLBw7ATmN5P-DMrj7yhH6iYUvOKx_dJgRccksUgFObmu6AjfQm9b3duDi9K3BpXhkGlZ6eeLc8qnlclMincX0icEdIMX8xvwJ2s6Vl89BBDojHmG-BznXM6GWiS3SPToKdztXXkxwnpf0DCURk8jS8t8WD1P4ygeCv8G78j9zzmgY-31yy2-Ak/s4896/P1070603a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpHAPFTLBw7ATmN5P-DMrj7yhH6iYUvOKx_dJgRccksUgFObmu6AjfQm9b3duDi9K3BpXhkGlZ6eeLc8qnlclMincX0icEdIMX8xvwJ2s6Vl89BBDojHmG-BznXM6GWiS3SPToKdztXXkxwnpf0DCURk8jS8t8WD1P4ygeCv8G78j9zzmgY-31yy2-Ak/w640-h480/P1070603a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Built in late 1942 in Long Beach, California, this US 5th Airforce C-47, serial no. 41-38668 arrived in Brisbane in January 1943, and given the name 'Geronimo', serving in a wartime roll, until her handing over to the Australian authorities to be registered for civilian use in 1944 and pictured below serving with Trans-Australia Airline in 1962.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FBZKoA3jMN6Kz905n0TYs9H372M2KuQ329MfVRCAIbXYNu1N-qFZsMF_SDO6HUFI0YuZ-ASnuB9Q0nIWpuivjW4rg8lr75k2AZ4owH-oqxMWq9wPc32_i2AYg_dhvnWmAv946p1LZy-XBEwZyqsw5y760i_M2IlrvGGtO8xbjza4gRsuLoBU5oDZIwM/s4896/P1070605a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FBZKoA3jMN6Kz905n0TYs9H372M2KuQ329MfVRCAIbXYNu1N-qFZsMF_SDO6HUFI0YuZ-ASnuB9Q0nIWpuivjW4rg8lr75k2AZ4owH-oqxMWq9wPc32_i2AYg_dhvnWmAv946p1LZy-XBEwZyqsw5y760i_M2IlrvGGtO8xbjza4gRsuLoBU5oDZIwM/w640-h480/P1070605a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>By the early eighties Geronimo was retired and awaiting the wreckers yard, to be recued for her final role as a film star in 1983, during which the damage she sustained saw her back at the wreckers yard after filming had concluded, before her shattered remains were purchased and she found her final resting place here in Kuranda.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP52GvYslkOdtkUIqRN15VUj8z3FywQizuPRhlnnHTrOg2pXy-tSQKN6USHfWQIdAmn1PWevH45diok7jBXymyfV6dLhxZRCMl8yPFhBL1O10t_xZg3eszFG-lmAENU6m2LLGD3rciN2GdYF8ZQtMx9EG6bo_RH0Esh4YDicv5wx1hhBrCEkDK_EyeDzs/s1000/0000062812.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1000" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP52GvYslkOdtkUIqRN15VUj8z3FywQizuPRhlnnHTrOg2pXy-tSQKN6USHfWQIdAmn1PWevH45diok7jBXymyfV6dLhxZRCMl8yPFhBL1O10t_xZg3eszFG-lmAENU6m2LLGD3rciN2GdYF8ZQtMx9EG6bo_RH0Esh4YDicv5wx1hhBrCEkDK_EyeDzs/w400-h243/0000062812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=62077">https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=62077</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A rather sad end for a grand old lady, but fortunately we are blessed with a fair few C47's around the world, many in flying condition, to remember this fine transport aircraft that helped the Allies to victory in WWII.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSc1Zd0UUVgUZrjNst_V-4HN39HOKWsHcioqkk-DmtY6vOf7JzmmRiBKzGHDykl3uv3G_KTQ3nNGrFMc3lST8Hpx0hxpc_hy2aQ0hYs_di8uqqfeGdV7L7N87TNcaXJF4CbW_pijhkudA8ztDH2Eg3yX0tyBJ9d2zKVQDhO6di_vGJTAoWLqamJJMbr4/s4896/P1070602a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSc1Zd0UUVgUZrjNst_V-4HN39HOKWsHcioqkk-DmtY6vOf7JzmmRiBKzGHDykl3uv3G_KTQ3nNGrFMc3lST8Hpx0hxpc_hy2aQ0hYs_di8uqqfeGdV7L7N87TNcaXJF4CbW_pijhkudA8ztDH2Eg3yX0tyBJ9d2zKVQDhO6di_vGJTAoWLqamJJMbr4/w640-h480/P1070602a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoROf2odUoE4hjfy5321lOz5zCgvzQYGpY0kZSKIsy2gbr4gV9biQV2T2x-eBK7UoR9w332ZhJjyES0oj1zguKZS6BJzyL2fOnYtmiKTdk5iD7YF6Qsyt3Y6Bphp4n9CNXCSDPFiWP-AE34OqSoj3sdFYFOvzqswqUH4GrXqEt3LjK70ZjMHb62A-v2Ko/s4896/P1070607a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoROf2odUoE4hjfy5321lOz5zCgvzQYGpY0kZSKIsy2gbr4gV9biQV2T2x-eBK7UoR9w332ZhJjyES0oj1zguKZS6BJzyL2fOnYtmiKTdk5iD7YF6Qsyt3Y6Bphp4n9CNXCSDPFiWP-AE34OqSoj3sdFYFOvzqswqUH4GrXqEt3LjK70ZjMHb62A-v2Ko/w640-h480/P1070607a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have been to many railway stations in my life, with fond memories as a five year old insisting that my Mum stop the car outside Backwell station in Somerset, so that I could watch the London express, steam engines back then, pass through, and I love the opportunity when it presents to simply let the train take the strain, to quote an old British Rail advert, rather than drive.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsWUhxkDmUn3Zz_IPe6qMxbG9m47EwZGUZ4UPLxgN7av7OJIafCjU-ol-qefiY0HfRrkQDogMYanmvU0R1kD-d-mW5byIOAWYTQ9qGcG1Jgi4VRxp2Oc1jkU4RNJt5tFlPfPV4siOg63Ie_JmQvpHg2HMS4s7Kdx_GbvAFAV-2LJQu1NFV9Cy6quZsJU/s4896/P1040778a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsWUhxkDmUn3Zz_IPe6qMxbG9m47EwZGUZ4UPLxgN7av7OJIafCjU-ol-qefiY0HfRrkQDogMYanmvU0R1kD-d-mW5byIOAWYTQ9qGcG1Jgi4VRxp2Oc1jkU4RNJt5tFlPfPV4siOg63Ie_JmQvpHg2HMS4s7Kdx_GbvAFAV-2LJQu1NFV9Cy6quZsJU/w400-h300/P1040778a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/01/jjs-wargames-on-tour-south-island-new_19.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ’s Wargames on Tour - South Island New Zealand, Part Two </span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>That said the Kuranda railway and its stunningly picturesque station amid its rainforest setting has to be up there, along with our amazing trip over the mountains in South Island, New Zealand, from Greymouth to Christchurch on Christmas Eve, link above.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2CLf4OsAjARqzRg6wwl9nuh4UWXYX9oxJkY0Tza3magQ91KyGQzbZFnoKtnec2jxaTscODpLF2sO-nCxTBZ4Z0kSw22LaTkbfg-gvtHOwDO3VpSgFfd0PbgjQRDqxGc_B92-m7qSS-Pe4aFk0qvT7E0Yfmt0l4seqJ0YYwpVVZ0s0eyuhaq2-aOy2A/s4000/20230126_144656a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa2CLf4OsAjARqzRg6wwl9nuh4UWXYX9oxJkY0Tza3magQ91KyGQzbZFnoKtnec2jxaTscODpLF2sO-nCxTBZ4Z0kSw22LaTkbfg-gvtHOwDO3VpSgFfd0PbgjQRDqxGc_B92-m7qSS-Pe4aFk0qvT7E0Yfmt0l4seqJ0YYwpVVZ0s0eyuhaq2-aOy2A/w480-h640/20230126_144656a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADJARr4uYwTsAZ8rT3oxHhebOYDv9oXJd81MpVZMNRzUdg6eagVST9b_cL6uph8NHp9oszUowqtdN_ZvAlmZjKVRCKcSi-OxJifqmN_DJzncv8vW3ckd9r3Ygg0hb29cRlEqy0e90npDABhyulb54W8JqU8ZT1vLhnrFt9iGlIPofdis90Z-tpdjriX8/s4000/20230126_144719a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADJARr4uYwTsAZ8rT3oxHhebOYDv9oXJd81MpVZMNRzUdg6eagVST9b_cL6uph8NHp9oszUowqtdN_ZvAlmZjKVRCKcSi-OxJifqmN_DJzncv8vW3ckd9r3Ygg0hb29cRlEqy0e90npDABhyulb54W8JqU8ZT1vLhnrFt9iGlIPofdis90Z-tpdjriX8/w480-h640/20230126_144719a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The sign on the sides of the carriages tells you all you need to know about what this railway journey is all about, and not just the function of taking us back down to the coast so that we could make the drive back up to Port Douglas.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzU-KsCnkVz6Mi74yLCs7DyYAW4BDRczyqkb4NkyEWrocOAnc0HMO0RqfF1plx6UowEODGnFFc8P-WYZQNlSUQv0Chb0I8iuh01OQtv75lD4plzxf5tq0tioe1m0J0fiOS1S5rUmaw_pKq_ElFNoIzu1fcBQ2pQWpRM_CkBK9YhdvpBUjZF0OUWH8TL4/s4000/20230126_150030a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzU-KsCnkVz6Mi74yLCs7DyYAW4BDRczyqkb4NkyEWrocOAnc0HMO0RqfF1plx6UowEODGnFFc8P-WYZQNlSUQv0Chb0I8iuh01OQtv75lD4plzxf5tq0tioe1m0J0fiOS1S5rUmaw_pKq_ElFNoIzu1fcBQ2pQWpRM_CkBK9YhdvpBUjZF0OUWH8TL4/w640-h480/20230126_150030a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The feeling I got of pleasurable train journeys back home was only enhanced by the cream and brown livery of the carriages, mimicking the look of the old trains that used to ply their way down to my home in Blighty, namely the old Great Western Railway, GWR, affectionately known as God’s Wonderful Railway with stretches between Exeter and Penzance running along the coast and still following the route designed and built by the great British engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOWi_ecf_dr0l_wFX6JR0BfyftkJ9xEsUxAWTYvlXr2jARXAhETsYrXbtVW27UX0yajGfZN2-_BcRooWeW8ae9vjX3oAcojmMbM3IovvPJJbrcMCSHPx_Y2NBStvsMA-337cXV22BZdM6mNztj2dhYyOdt6CwQliE-LowEXD3mv2lxHtnNpUpqDJjVHk/s4000/20230126_150019a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOWi_ecf_dr0l_wFX6JR0BfyftkJ9xEsUxAWTYvlXr2jARXAhETsYrXbtVW27UX0yajGfZN2-_BcRooWeW8ae9vjX3oAcojmMbM3IovvPJJbrcMCSHPx_Y2NBStvsMA-337cXV22BZdM6mNztj2dhYyOdt6CwQliE-LowEXD3mv2lxHtnNpUpqDJjVHk/w640-h480/20230126_150019a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe_cn-di-1xDvW0pCLneaQ2HTY8G9gCtaeI20PQk4yzzWtFlXDDtMOVsQVq_FTdVt7Ob8quT61qs2B2ZmwNY82_b6tA2f7gAfp3iqUqROo3XmrzRiikV-zj35aKg9AcOhXFx7RlHHqyYj_ZX3YesiBNq2gFxo0Akll2WieFqg5k78g2c45lJ-w5Lc1Gk/s4000/20230126_151303a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe_cn-di-1xDvW0pCLneaQ2HTY8G9gCtaeI20PQk4yzzWtFlXDDtMOVsQVq_FTdVt7Ob8quT61qs2B2ZmwNY82_b6tA2f7gAfp3iqUqROo3XmrzRiikV-zj35aKg9AcOhXFx7RlHHqyYj_ZX3YesiBNq2gFxo0Akll2WieFqg5k78g2c45lJ-w5Lc1Gk/w480-h640/20230126_151303a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQ6E2TlEJ7pOFxwNKEMMRr_igNwNlxw16ikPl8ZmZO3kZQ8EtoIcrWiyOGSpeFbHk2I3eiwy0ee1Q3JkhFdrZz5DfnSyb7aPvJqY0O4K1ojsL3JWbcHwV6tGbS_tcnOJLDk6964wCpe5yeWFDhpteSYVok_KEPE18wkZEKOh51z_Dwpw1mleywa7bsKs/s4000/20230126_150115a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQ6E2TlEJ7pOFxwNKEMMRr_igNwNlxw16ikPl8ZmZO3kZQ8EtoIcrWiyOGSpeFbHk2I3eiwy0ee1Q3JkhFdrZz5DfnSyb7aPvJqY0O4K1ojsL3JWbcHwV6tGbS_tcnOJLDk6964wCpe5yeWFDhpteSYVok_KEPE18wkZEKOh51z_Dwpw1mleywa7bsKs/w640-h480/20230126_150115a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>However the scenery on this railway journey is in the Premier League, as we soon discovered, as our train made a gentle passage along a curving rail that meandered through rainforest clad rocky slopes draped in waterfalls, combined with intermittent stops to allow the passengers to descend onto a platform lookout and take time to absorb the view in pleasant contemplation.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rMECXo28Kk8l5T4k2ZLPoEb0JtXxZkw5B8k0Q6t4xBhDneGWetqqhfIVAflAMa6UsW4TRD1LoejMjLYofqJTKENZ63Q3RkPCmbD59C4BvgfK66DjvDq38g59AzY1axOLvdVgHcRcXDPMafYzGggk7ZMh0-xbOT-c7-pqgiFTXa282p0Z1vLKhHwN0PE/s4000/20230126_161934a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rMECXo28Kk8l5T4k2ZLPoEb0JtXxZkw5B8k0Q6t4xBhDneGWetqqhfIVAflAMa6UsW4TRD1LoejMjLYofqJTKENZ63Q3RkPCmbD59C4BvgfK66DjvDq38g59AzY1axOLvdVgHcRcXDPMafYzGggk7ZMh0-xbOT-c7-pqgiFTXa282p0Z1vLKhHwN0PE/w640-h480/20230126_161934a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGwuaGs1ntOuiW2f-I8Yrbb60T4kAjGqw_xGINo5dOhXLftohqKu2eUvSEvEpzO-wz4OHVRggel_eTxMqjcWyetPs50VH-c-WldWhFfA0zZhqVngxrlGU7T-Y7R3DK0i4RLb-ZmBlr4ceEwo3HjgjianYdn8cTfrAo-vaph0Ka_ebdfD6BdldOH_jBy4/s4000/20230126_155531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGwuaGs1ntOuiW2f-I8Yrbb60T4kAjGqw_xGINo5dOhXLftohqKu2eUvSEvEpzO-wz4OHVRggel_eTxMqjcWyetPs50VH-c-WldWhFfA0zZhqVngxrlGU7T-Y7R3DK0i4RLb-ZmBlr4ceEwo3HjgjianYdn8cTfrAo-vaph0Ka_ebdfD6BdldOH_jBy4/w640-h480/20230126_155531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYyJ-kG9JcENqdebS66xF2ndIJvPWmpWtT7C3ru0BeEorNaQhZulb9M5ot0fopEqztMN2DgFUqofINXn3BqOTX4-GrNJfQ_KDeKNceDJeaYu8BYjwdjPNmsR32oh1g98jgGl5kMAHhAycDdjBYzgActnQ_TGi6k1ekiKs67Npp4XJYDBAT_ojCNnlEl0/s4032/20230126_154059a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYyJ-kG9JcENqdebS66xF2ndIJvPWmpWtT7C3ru0BeEorNaQhZulb9M5ot0fopEqztMN2DgFUqofINXn3BqOTX4-GrNJfQ_KDeKNceDJeaYu8BYjwdjPNmsR32oh1g98jgGl5kMAHhAycDdjBYzgActnQ_TGi6k1ekiKs67Npp4XJYDBAT_ojCNnlEl0/w640-h480/20230126_154059a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hvt4kR-kn6dken0y0jfU2DS6U-TwAG2BOWqvLI-hL8I6-Q-SNIijzL1gO5RTQb2WIAN8U2_isLumxs7I4QR5hXK6We4-mEFt7RTcUITuYIS-M6hh7QYgg5rQJfi0dHlqOsi9HTqb3TfymAe2bvuDPoM-d98eNlkS-QUmihev7FF_9LF9oWPkNySBK9c/s4000/20230126_123930a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hvt4kR-kn6dken0y0jfU2DS6U-TwAG2BOWqvLI-hL8I6-Q-SNIijzL1gO5RTQb2WIAN8U2_isLumxs7I4QR5hXK6We4-mEFt7RTcUITuYIS-M6hh7QYgg5rQJfi0dHlqOsi9HTqb3TfymAe2bvuDPoM-d98eNlkS-QUmihev7FF_9LF9oWPkNySBK9c/w480-h640/20230126_123930a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWELHWuAF0vnlYa3u5ICoWzRHxgHrjfn1xrituwE3RxiRhPRoVd4zs13RC2TurVYszwh7YKOmSGGjXdN4lSQHcENZN91xadA5pE_5tOoW9vUksiqmYQlufyiqGdArDBB928W_gzDmJ80qTzabZtVhQuVO9lROY2P7d7bQ_emb62DCMe92FNVfAgEiVVY/s4000/20230126_135944a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWELHWuAF0vnlYa3u5ICoWzRHxgHrjfn1xrituwE3RxiRhPRoVd4zs13RC2TurVYszwh7YKOmSGGjXdN4lSQHcENZN91xadA5pE_5tOoW9vUksiqmYQlufyiqGdArDBB928W_gzDmJ80qTzabZtVhQuVO9lROY2P7d7bQ_emb62DCMe92FNVfAgEiVVY/w480-h640/20230126_135944a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Since returning home, we have recommended this railway trip to friends and family who were heading to this part of the world and they have reported back how grateful they were that we did, as they to were simply blown away by this wonderful train journey, and it’s certainly an experience that will live long in the memory for both Carolyn and myself.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrDVEPf3vsviUNf1dqIWcxx1zORFU60-v_AIM1hw928FaG8BHHTBxgxsYWMMP8ZT9oyV7xYSNYDxKxHKRT_Njq0tygyLGWkMuQTx60IBL9MCtMqRfAcMJqlF8SHpl39mEu9zP7EwL4LFe4z8ud7_Apy_OUy77KM-SF98vs176pSPsZddr4iCMC2bW0Aw/s4000/20230126_165022a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrDVEPf3vsviUNf1dqIWcxx1zORFU60-v_AIM1hw928FaG8BHHTBxgxsYWMMP8ZT9oyV7xYSNYDxKxHKRT_Njq0tygyLGWkMuQTx60IBL9MCtMqRfAcMJqlF8SHpl39mEu9zP7EwL4LFe4z8ud7_Apy_OUy77KM-SF98vs176pSPsZddr4iCMC2bW0Aw/w640-h480/20230126_165022a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our return to Port Douglas coincided with a marked change in the weather and we counted ourselves so fortunate to have had the weather we did on the first day of our stay for our trip out to Low Isles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However no matter how overcast our last few days in the town were it was still lovely and warm outside even in a strong coastal breeze and we made the most of our stay by walking the nearby cliffs to get another view of the local sights that included Four Mile Beach and the mouth of the harbour and marina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0bQEdvYHMRnm6oUBJy9535Ml-kMO94iITehmwphcQeKZX33-T_b9FhoNxqKGMRMFhX1bjADJwxuaWXDkKt8AnD9m7gPABgnIdHE75XgcFdk8Yy-NnJYJv_Ea6qdKkzqG2xVWgr7T_F02nIN6KA9AidmeCGYZmkIBCn7A22CdtS51BH6uUCPa9QCnJIQ/s4896/P1070612a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0bQEdvYHMRnm6oUBJy9535Ml-kMO94iITehmwphcQeKZX33-T_b9FhoNxqKGMRMFhX1bjADJwxuaWXDkKt8AnD9m7gPABgnIdHE75XgcFdk8Yy-NnJYJv_Ea6qdKkzqG2xVWgr7T_F02nIN6KA9AidmeCGYZmkIBCn7A22CdtS51BH6uUCPa9QCnJIQ/w640-h480/P1070612a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the cliffs at Port Douglas looking back along Four Mile Beech. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU46YmENO3_80AqOlYFHbu7JhxQF06-XmryI7L-v7xQO9Xz6hwcEJL3YrkdwJPbmk2RGCAFNIdOAZbSsRCAnP44bZ05r09BGRAFnwN6JmKMJ3GRfQRjXcHQdLoxMI0xFKsaMZ5fnItUwFH2txfi7yo_UpoiTXBeH_GDKumyONI_eOt_b8IpxkvKFK8Ozs/s4000/20230127_131950a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU46YmENO3_80AqOlYFHbu7JhxQF06-XmryI7L-v7xQO9Xz6hwcEJL3YrkdwJPbmk2RGCAFNIdOAZbSsRCAnP44bZ05r09BGRAFnwN6JmKMJ3GRfQRjXcHQdLoxMI0xFKsaMZ5fnItUwFH2txfi7yo_UpoiTXBeH_GDKumyONI_eOt_b8IpxkvKFK8Ozs/w480-h640/20230127_131950a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx8b5qaT3FQHq85NdSWsWX0NaZQVs5vu_DmrjO_xj168veYyrhbQeLw4NKdFKGbaEyUwTAvn8jgA51gU2c4yXCY2B4e59qq9E_vIo9mfb7Wf4qSBLg52tlUUx_Et3sQdPdqd1UvImS0ICKridOMCHdVIs28EEzXIRh9dDJZemkor1qoR5yLcXiBx8-Kc/s3248/P1070616a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="3248" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx8b5qaT3FQHq85NdSWsWX0NaZQVs5vu_DmrjO_xj168veYyrhbQeLw4NKdFKGbaEyUwTAvn8jgA51gU2c4yXCY2B4e59qq9E_vIo9mfb7Wf4qSBLg52tlUUx_Et3sQdPdqd1UvImS0ICKridOMCHdVIs28EEzXIRh9dDJZemkor1qoR5yLcXiBx8-Kc/w640-h472/P1070616a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Varied Triller <i>Lalage leucomela </i>perched<i> </i>in the cliff top trees during our walk on the coast near Port Douglas. A small member of the Cuckoo Shrike family it can be seen along much of the tropical and sub-tropical hinterland of the east-coast of Australia, ranging from Sydney to the Cape York Peninsula, feasting on insects and fruit in the rainforests and woodland.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fuq20Vv7QGGM6oWgRjhLrlk74EwFoxJedNhJImfDH3ygHdIQUb9EXzpWNgPd2xVd2JI5jd2cYQSI49tYETO4i2xeEdWt2MJrpsbxhyxM-9hlS-GJdrYnYUuuCXuyrtAhohftQJA_Diiy3t9FjxnC2_nJ2CNVl-KIcatNj7u5-BAgvRLYZ-e8hVDzRXY/s4000/20230127_123640a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fuq20Vv7QGGM6oWgRjhLrlk74EwFoxJedNhJImfDH3ygHdIQUb9EXzpWNgPd2xVd2JI5jd2cYQSI49tYETO4i2xeEdWt2MJrpsbxhyxM-9hlS-GJdrYnYUuuCXuyrtAhohftQJA_Diiy3t9FjxnC2_nJ2CNVl-KIcatNj7u5-BAgvRLYZ-e8hVDzRXY/w640-h480/20230127_123640a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc8G_P8CLTRJQM6u3g77wFuc2iO-R9bfjjkyO3w27DOGLA5jJ4SX3aICC78nidfeIqrVniTgiGgWjFWI-9oHBKnYpjVZ7Z4mxjCWYmGJzmllyKL3vjdHW_G6FSm6KR8nHw_DyUxYsBzX_t_Y8ZkE7FAVodIk1XcQ-CqNg1XCUXmzR0TnmoI_ZuEaxefU/s4896/P1070336a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkc8G_P8CLTRJQM6u3g77wFuc2iO-R9bfjjkyO3w27DOGLA5jJ4SX3aICC78nidfeIqrVniTgiGgWjFWI-9oHBKnYpjVZ7Z4mxjCWYmGJzmllyKL3vjdHW_G6FSm6KR8nHw_DyUxYsBzX_t_Y8ZkE7FAVodIk1XcQ-CqNg1XCUXmzR0TnmoI_ZuEaxefU/w640-h480/P1070336a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-Breasted Woodswallow fledglings, Artamus leucorynchus, were everywhere about the town as were their parents, delighting in the ready meals of flying insects that inhabit the river mangroves ready to be caught on the wing by these very agile flyers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On out last day in Port Douglas before our relocating to the Daintree Rainforest Ecolodge, we decided to enjoy ourselves with a trip along the mouth of Packers Creek that forms the marina and harbour of the town, on the paddleboat, Lady Douglas, offering another opportunity to seeing the town from another view point as well as more of the local wildlife.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMRfgZ0ktrBP9hAmyoSvtSImU2ynPI7j2agJBNfqrXU-SXBZpTngS7_6CwIJtxyU1X-ciPxN40WTkj0rpMpIv5lrnaN6ltd4rtySbqHkyxHALR3ohpjBzHP7PvASeogC_dujrIyhrddHC4GbcWkf-JxD-q78ripQIJzfjWyBJqHVSug01O06oEd4k9Sc/s1720/IMG_4670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1720" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMRfgZ0ktrBP9hAmyoSvtSImU2ynPI7j2agJBNfqrXU-SXBZpTngS7_6CwIJtxyU1X-ciPxN40WTkj0rpMpIv5lrnaN6ltd4rtySbqHkyxHALR3ohpjBzHP7PvASeogC_dujrIyhrddHC4GbcWkf-JxD-q78ripQIJzfjWyBJqHVSug01O06oEd4k9Sc/w640-h498/IMG_4670.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN75gUd480XiU2doIBHY6Mj3eYMXxf11KErHcULI9CiYLdfdgiMIgwkDR-1DMl6_7W3mG_ahdp0VQaDGxLVLJ8mPu2SbrlgAeb_fViSxhyqI-QMpgr4-YipIQIHrusclIi4AKxm09GuCy5L002EhweZZA4KYE70PO2jnDSHHmq0jKIj3cvZzT9wuyzqw/s4000/20230127_180157a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN75gUd480XiU2doIBHY6Mj3eYMXxf11KErHcULI9CiYLdfdgiMIgwkDR-1DMl6_7W3mG_ahdp0VQaDGxLVLJ8mPu2SbrlgAeb_fViSxhyqI-QMpgr4-YipIQIHrusclIi4AKxm09GuCy5L002EhweZZA4KYE70PO2jnDSHHmq0jKIj3cvZzT9wuyzqw/w640-h480/20230127_180157a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn74xmnM9TyLv9wNk5kpYTjrE1nXu9z_WIiPAvmjxTnLddIpGpanhRdx-F_8amn7jWdgmtQO_LgWG3vr41Jt4rlS2d3XAdzPK2czK5SpMmGq7P0P8v_4okXZqr9rLA4UlcXyJLGmumsghTFW7duwJisTiXn-l-weLCJeIbSHBqpK5_XIAMRhNLNrUYLxI/s4000/20230127_180151a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn74xmnM9TyLv9wNk5kpYTjrE1nXu9z_WIiPAvmjxTnLddIpGpanhRdx-F_8amn7jWdgmtQO_LgWG3vr41Jt4rlS2d3XAdzPK2czK5SpMmGq7P0P8v_4okXZqr9rLA4UlcXyJLGmumsghTFW7duwJisTiXn-l-weLCJeIbSHBqpK5_XIAMRhNLNrUYLxI/w480-h640/20230127_180151a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYadoC_xCdNCxzIotf82U3EaD5f-ljb9vQpOOZvdIYGcHWSv-ObsY-hponkraROtd88Sx7CYmkd4IuBcby2meyGk2zAl8tGEDN81W8U1Ywt165f_9TSMHGEsxXGx5YDxj0lYbgjAPVYHLFmXyynVWpEQ3or0JpLYzs6zT8l0Z_CuSMDEcbw6RzhHVTt4E/s4896/P1070628a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYadoC_xCdNCxzIotf82U3EaD5f-ljb9vQpOOZvdIYGcHWSv-ObsY-hponkraROtd88Sx7CYmkd4IuBcby2meyGk2zAl8tGEDN81W8U1Ywt165f_9TSMHGEsxXGx5YDxj0lYbgjAPVYHLFmXyynVWpEQ3or0JpLYzs6zT8l0Z_CuSMDEcbw6RzhHVTt4E/w640-h480/P1070628a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the way along the creek there were the usual pleasure boats moored up, with the odd one such as that below, that immediately caught my eye, another Pearl Lugger of the type seen in Brisbane, this one beautifully restored and certainly not rigged for any diving excursions.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_vEP2ZqyErT2-pet41sgwM1_xBntsZDE0VMhwXQ0dBXmAclRkTGjsqL0GSAF7IK9Gv4-bIckIakYOpZhLp_ZPNhahrLFO2sIVgOLPzSw1K5a4qLKDWp3Epp0y0f9k8w7YUHcAFJT5JotY6WI0D6NtoaF69FTcKWXZ2sluyxG4iZ7XnL_T17e1C_uGWg/s4896/P1070630a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_vEP2ZqyErT2-pet41sgwM1_xBntsZDE0VMhwXQ0dBXmAclRkTGjsqL0GSAF7IK9Gv4-bIckIakYOpZhLp_ZPNhahrLFO2sIVgOLPzSw1K5a4qLKDWp3Epp0y0f9k8w7YUHcAFJT5JotY6WI0D6NtoaF69FTcKWXZ2sluyxG4iZ7XnL_T17e1C_uGWg/w640-h480/P1070630a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The trip also gave a great view of the mangroves, that form such an important part of the local ecosystem providing as they do important breeding habitat for many fish, waterborne insects and other marine life, further supporting the local bird life such as the Woodswallows seen previously, and the Magpie Geese that flew overhead and were to become a familiar sight on our journey through Northern Australia.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY082XJKr0UfpkQ820IFnHt382sXlb29Vm0E17MFNhfCpHs382zYl4c0w94OW5gb7mLpT3LZ1VyaVg0nZu04YUto6SgKMVVtCk57iM_d186RbEbU8-k4gEbao9XvzrrZkZUAU2cCYTwUTjGz2nH2bJUyLp9lP9WWZS8bIEOFuLzi6vtmAH-9TcXoS5uM/s4896/P1070631a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglY082XJKr0UfpkQ820IFnHt382sXlb29Vm0E17MFNhfCpHs382zYl4c0w94OW5gb7mLpT3LZ1VyaVg0nZu04YUto6SgKMVVtCk57iM_d186RbEbU8-k4gEbao9XvzrrZkZUAU2cCYTwUTjGz2nH2bJUyLp9lP9WWZS8bIEOFuLzi6vtmAH-9TcXoS5uM/w640-h480/P1070631a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The banks of Packers Creek are festooned with mangrove trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_Elzh5An9hw6s5Qg7lmFSWxe3uFFbnd7F2zpDRo15vUosNXm2gmBFtPPiLBNuwdAQPPM3kaPj-a8P8TEWKSkk0J8k1AvbLGixpzIti9xYH2Jb9iKNgxAQxZGXnloNnHCJmvxhvINnVMFAc_wxyODM9TP3f9e8boysW1Ikr945pxmaV3bH8eR4ZK-O6o/s4896/P1070641a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_Elzh5An9hw6s5Qg7lmFSWxe3uFFbnd7F2zpDRo15vUosNXm2gmBFtPPiLBNuwdAQPPM3kaPj-a8P8TEWKSkk0J8k1AvbLGixpzIti9xYH2Jb9iKNgxAQxZGXnloNnHCJmvxhvINnVMFAc_wxyODM9TP3f9e8boysW1Ikr945pxmaV3bH8eR4ZK-O6o/w640-h480/P1070641a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flight of Magpie Geese, <i>Anseranas semipalmata</i>, with there very pronounced foreheads, passed overhead as we made our way up Packers Creek.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eG_fTCI-0LsQxAb5jxEQKxjG99kveISVIFBdug1hy8SoUjPaf-oOL5tudRLaDOpLr99z1h9dZ4vSP48R8cTlsXewAUXOnR5Rs4k8I_jHDhfKfjn1yz0fBM64tU0aulkvCU78_zyxgCHsHDH3pheE0Y2S7Q9JNxfbAzrf3utHyQUGNKleB6xNaZUxmvU/s3632/P1070644a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="3632" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eG_fTCI-0LsQxAb5jxEQKxjG99kveISVIFBdug1hy8SoUjPaf-oOL5tudRLaDOpLr99z1h9dZ4vSP48R8cTlsXewAUXOnR5Rs4k8I_jHDhfKfjn1yz0fBM64tU0aulkvCU78_zyxgCHsHDH3pheE0Y2S7Q9JNxfbAzrf3utHyQUGNKleB6xNaZUxmvU/w640-h338/P1070644a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTcblQKVkVVBHTNfGDnq-Ia7QEfBycIiXMy0PNUBjJovfLPEK2iTiMw4cjnudH8SAwtlHwSnU_ST7Gsde6Ox2ZQJoHMJP4hvijU_SbpYjX35HDwM6gNseOo3fYsqnHvASkc1a-ht2ffiKafCPHObhY_Uidy5fYYkreusaBngXnq_SQul0t6e7_qqVLQc/s4896/P1070648a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTcblQKVkVVBHTNfGDnq-Ia7QEfBycIiXMy0PNUBjJovfLPEK2iTiMw4cjnudH8SAwtlHwSnU_ST7Gsde6Ox2ZQJoHMJP4hvijU_SbpYjX35HDwM6gNseOo3fYsqnHvASkc1a-ht2ffiKafCPHObhY_Uidy5fYYkreusaBngXnq_SQul0t6e7_qqVLQc/w640-h480/P1070648a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As you can see from the pictures, the sky remained decidedly changeable and moody, but our boat trip made for a very pleasant diversion and with most of the flying invertebrates grounded by the blustery conditions, the Woodswallows were similarly confined and were to be found awaiting our return to the dock, festooning the rigging of the other tied up boats, taking a break from the fledgling feeding.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3zV3h2O6Llw3O747s_AIJcFUIJYluQGDqFDX3o7uRBREuzeBbd6lWXTm-AgxM6o9aQtj24tWtz2YFa2jh-pn-nebAwxcg6WBhurVQLTAZ3N2ELRFpy6u96_Z6VtsDGyA34ZlHBECuzK6_S6kCsHif1YZaYscGeJg7GPQlrQcucbzb0bFEeywGuxbf8I/s4896/P1070650a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3zV3h2O6Llw3O747s_AIJcFUIJYluQGDqFDX3o7uRBREuzeBbd6lWXTm-AgxM6o9aQtj24tWtz2YFa2jh-pn-nebAwxcg6WBhurVQLTAZ3N2ELRFpy6u96_Z6VtsDGyA34ZlHBECuzK6_S6kCsHif1YZaYscGeJg7GPQlrQcucbzb0bFEeywGuxbf8I/w640-h480/P1070650a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVauXLMhTQlKkL751OYSqHN6XZk5EphWaZrXY-sobUCM2Xgypu-XgCFL1pHNSLgXtqldB46EGwgZmJTCWypZwnsfN-SD7X9okTGPqgKknqOHYeyoOft5PP24FTZt_b3ajySueMPJebND1sj0G0soIoRmLCihm3SQ9SjNzunyFFyL8cAbR7lMvxuoZmIQ/s4896/P1070652a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVauXLMhTQlKkL751OYSqHN6XZk5EphWaZrXY-sobUCM2Xgypu-XgCFL1pHNSLgXtqldB46EGwgZmJTCWypZwnsfN-SD7X9okTGPqgKknqOHYeyoOft5PP24FTZt_b3ajySueMPJebND1sj0G0soIoRmLCihm3SQ9SjNzunyFFyL8cAbR7lMvxuoZmIQ/w640-h480/P1070652a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNT7by-ANKQzPzsr4VQd12-WDdnQw0OcQ4mA4OZnJa9EShJfwTP9YnQNFB4rTLJYUiZMMHByZoj3d_q-iWe83kU6Xz_FZdQPRpYzJ222fa6Gaar1VFOtIdRVX4Jhv8xy9kx8rwbSI1OqknsBJ4LKJyz5nepVViACPcyFtMW1RpAQHPFNhXVVG3HBtK1Y/s4896/P1070659a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNT7by-ANKQzPzsr4VQd12-WDdnQw0OcQ4mA4OZnJa9EShJfwTP9YnQNFB4rTLJYUiZMMHByZoj3d_q-iWe83kU6Xz_FZdQPRpYzJ222fa6Gaar1VFOtIdRVX4Jhv8xy9kx8rwbSI1OqknsBJ4LKJyz5nepVViACPcyFtMW1RpAQHPFNhXVVG3HBtK1Y/w640-h480/P1070659a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj2nrGEVaQweaRtlC6mF2JzS6kXQzRImXVx_ytLHwSVwXshzTPVfJZ4MNGJDq3siPUH9E_8Gss6680sLuG4VIj7oR6_dhxuo7KBQURHsLp9qM05Dmj_2_HlMIJukFRWdbb5aQTVdw2V6nPPDQaohNGfD_Y8nBxRr7dDYIoPc6mq4EBHfMRIUeBTTjj1Q/s4896/P1070667.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj2nrGEVaQweaRtlC6mF2JzS6kXQzRImXVx_ytLHwSVwXshzTPVfJZ4MNGJDq3siPUH9E_8Gss6680sLuG4VIj7oR6_dhxuo7KBQURHsLp9qM05Dmj_2_HlMIJukFRWdbb5aQTVdw2V6nPPDQaohNGfD_Y8nBxRr7dDYIoPc6mq4EBHfMRIUeBTTjj1Q/w640-h480/P1070667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day we were leaving Port Douglas, bound for Cape Tribulation, before retracing our route for a short stay in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest and our Ecolodge accommodation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up: The Camperdown project continues with the completion of the British Leeward Division and a look at the history of the three new ships that have just finished completion in JJ's rigging yards, more anon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-26253878491671780452023-11-25T00:56:00.000-08:002023-11-25T00:56:35.314-08:00The Frontier Sea, The Napoleonic Wars in the Adriatic - Dave Watson<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdLVkJ_9HPQITuwVkCa4V68QLtCIXd2oVyBeJKXvOr4WLydWgxWQonIPVJGF3BlaDSF_Rx0409esbLQGaxUTOXPO5BCNoem2WgeV8g6KG7sWQYjTcH6blZ5zMMn8VWXB0xwAPvIWPrgxsXhRhE4yQcU53rVtuNoIlJg7LEOLYAupTYtNo7AwJCxUmtR0/s1000/61eVS8PrmIL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdLVkJ_9HPQITuwVkCa4V68QLtCIXd2oVyBeJKXvOr4WLydWgxWQonIPVJGF3BlaDSF_Rx0409esbLQGaxUTOXPO5BCNoem2WgeV8g6KG7sWQYjTcH6blZ5zMMn8VWXB0xwAPvIWPrgxsXhRhE4yQcU53rVtuNoIlJg7LEOLYAupTYtNo7AwJCxUmtR0/w426-h640/61eVS8PrmIL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="426" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My recent reading has included this interesting title, 'The Frontier Sea' written by Dave Watson (DW) looking at the warfare in and around the Adriatic Sea that formed a very specific theatre in the wider conflict in the Mediterranean during the Napoleonic Wars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't say as a Napoleonic scholar that I am as well read enough on this very interesting but seemingly little covered theatre of the wider French Revolutionary and Napoleonic War, having, like many I guess, focussed more attention on the wider land war in mainland Europe, the Iberian Peninsular and the Western Mediterranean and the campaigns in Egypt and the Levant, thus leaving a poorer understanding of the role of the great powers bordering on the central and eastern Mediterranean such as Austria, the Ottomans and of course the Russians projecting power through the use of their Black Sea Fleet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These key players were inevitably drawn into the back drop of the struggle between Great Britain and the French Empire in what developed into a sort of Mediterranean Great Game of power politics as the wider future of Europe was determined during the First Great War.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn9nDNxIPpStVBG4EcmIf_55-r7cTjtJVsWUaaQD7rxhTX1siy6L4NMNkc5KUTOJmvDfECUi3Iw6ueFXGXC174oYQ931XrTNOrgAyS-0DIdTjsIxMG8kpaFqSh7wzhEVevq4Gp2r-2Y4MwtKUbufZgmb0EESyZzZAEjemA3Iny6b7Jr_KHnWa7En8AKo/s5000/1863_Johnson_Map_of_Austria,_Hungary,_Turkey,_Italy_and_Greece_-_Geographicus_-_AustriaTurkey-johnson-1862%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="5000" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn9nDNxIPpStVBG4EcmIf_55-r7cTjtJVsWUaaQD7rxhTX1siy6L4NMNkc5KUTOJmvDfECUi3Iw6ueFXGXC174oYQ931XrTNOrgAyS-0DIdTjsIxMG8kpaFqSh7wzhEVevq4Gp2r-2Y4MwtKUbufZgmb0EESyZzZAEjemA3Iny6b7Jr_KHnWa7En8AKo/w640-h460/1863_Johnson_Map_of_Austria,_Hungary,_Turkey,_Italy_and_Greece_-_Geographicus_-_AustriaTurkey-johnson-1862%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small copy of the Johnson Map of the Austrian and Turkish Empire is used to illustrate the book and is available on Wikipedia to download which might be a good recommendation when following the text, to have a larger copy of it to hand as it will definitely help to provide a good sense of the territory in what can at times seem a complicated part of the world to understand with all the name changes that have occurred over the centuries.<br /><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/1863#/media/Datei:1863_Johnson_Map_of_Austria,_Hungary,_Turkey,_Italy_and_Greece_-_Geographicus_-_AustriaTurkey-johnson-1862.jpg"><b>Johnson Map of Austrian Empire</b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With my current focus on the naval conflicts that characterised this period, I am well aware of some of the naval actions that were a feature of the war that developed in the Adriatic, the Battle of Lissa fought in 1811 being perhaps the most famous, particularly in the latter part of the Napoleonic conflict and I was fortunate to listen to Gareth Glover wax lyrically about the theatre when he presented on his new book at the time 'The Forgotten War against Napoleon - Conflict in the Mediterranean 1793-1815', back in 2020, link below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5YJtXLU_a3CjmWHbApX2rTcTAjBoDb9oRibhO8LgEVut6-nojQqr1YdFlyjdJuEo1xptXpp6hXORVQW6jUMNu7SQo2UxibD6cBSoZCPf3hA_NiK0dtP1KMeZbjbhdBBeltyKgTrodgnuyd5VX3eMYcKWfr8UG6S_57go6hPvz2OdqqHgVuDBxAKliog/s640/A1UkmArgZ-L.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5YJtXLU_a3CjmWHbApX2rTcTAjBoDb9oRibhO8LgEVut6-nojQqr1YdFlyjdJuEo1xptXpp6hXORVQW6jUMNu7SQo2UxibD6cBSoZCPf3hA_NiK0dtP1KMeZbjbhdBBeltyKgTrodgnuyd5VX3eMYcKWfr8UG6S_57go6hPvz2OdqqHgVuDBxAKliog/w269-h400/A1UkmArgZ-L.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-forgotten-war-against-napoleon.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - The Forgotten War against Napoleon</span></b></a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However books focussed specifically on the conflict fought in the Adriatic Sea and its coastal area are few and far between and with Glover's book acting as a prompt to know more, and having spent pleasant summer holidays in the area in places such as Pula, now in Croatia but was part of the former Yugoslavia when I visited, just after the death of Tito, the Greek Islands of Paxos and Corfu and of course Venice, several times, I was keen to develop my understanding, always with a wargaming interest underpinning the historical one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other interesting aspect to this particular book is that as well as being somewhat of a specialist in this specific theatre of the Napoleonic Wars, as the links to DW's blog and Balkan history platform will show, he is also a wargamer and takes an appendix to his detailed history to look specifically at wargaming the Adriatic conflicts, including details on rules, figures and scenarios that I found very useful, quoting as he does a hero of mine, the late Dr David Chandler;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>'I have never underestimated the value of wargaming as an aid to serious study as well as a means of relaxation.'</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A sentiment by the great man that I wholeheartedly concur with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Interestingly my reading of this book coincided with my current diet of Audible listening whilst working on my current Camperdown project which is focussed on working my way through the Aubrey-Maturin series of books by Patrick O'Brian, and happened to be listening to one of the titles referenced, namely The Ionian Mission, which concludes with the dramatic action between Aubrey's 28-gun frigate <i>Surprise </i>and the Turkish frigate <i>Torgud </i>32-guns, mounting 24-pounders and two mighty 42-pounders amidships supported by a corvette <i>Kitabi </i>20-guns off the southern tip of Corfu.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course O'Brian was referencing an historical engagement for his fictional account covered in Watson's account, namely that between HMS <i>Seahorse </i>38-guns and the Turkish 52-gun frigate <i>Badere Zaffer</i> and an accompanying corvette Alis Fezzan, on the 5th-6th July 1808, with the Turkish frigate similarly armed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was reading DW's history I found myself thinking, hang on where have I heard of this action before, until I came to the next line explaining O'Brian's adaptation. Needless to say, another two scenarios have been added to the list, both the historical and fictional ones and if you are similarly interested you might find the links below useful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB_vsKO5K6y3gOLRsGMPEect_fUCz3Y2AjYwzmOjWHUomsefW6553bu6h2kUyWWk_b5X4U198N3Ahj6VgvtVRHjx4ng6T5uvFcF8Bff_SeImc6Mj-IHfoRr7G7LSJP3ydJaNfxvYSrNZJLlM382wqtR1b0LQI3hGX4LLsRnlCcmrgTxw9sLpDZW-2d0g/s1280/bhc0586%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1280" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB_vsKO5K6y3gOLRsGMPEect_fUCz3Y2AjYwzmOjWHUomsefW6553bu6h2kUyWWk_b5X4U198N3Ahj6VgvtVRHjx4ng6T5uvFcF8Bff_SeImc6Mj-IHfoRr7G7LSJP3ydJaNfxvYSrNZJLlM382wqtR1b0LQI3hGX4LLsRnlCcmrgTxw9sLpDZW-2d0g/w640-h438/bhc0586%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Seahorse capturing the Badiri-i-Zaffer 6th July 1808 - Thomas Butterworth (RMG)<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Seahorse_(1794)"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Seahorse_(1794)</span></b></a><br /><a href="https://web.mit.edu/hwebb/www/ionian.html#intro"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ship Manoeuvres in Patrick O'Brian's Ionian Mission</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As well as wargaming and fictional references, DW's account is very much about the actual history, looking at the theatre in the French Revolutionary War period prior to 1797 and from then up to the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, with specific sections looking at the Russian, Ottoman, Venician and Austrian interests that impacted on British and French involvement.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f8jB65z3uTWe1gUzJZ7H8ETgXvLeSER160IuE8caElYveK570Z8sCsQNI7-oUZbkyLW6I7owMnjGPZZ9Pn0Uo_tFbTpM6JQfunvS4Woaqp-FzwDnP4gDZmS863Yuvhr34vxvgvWiVoXZGgjnU8mVT05TwpTCdc4ix3bZrBik4IZt9nK6f7UiEFuoHHo/s770/67704668_2423514331226850_6857489452177031168_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="555" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f8jB65z3uTWe1gUzJZ7H8ETgXvLeSER160IuE8caElYveK570Z8sCsQNI7-oUZbkyLW6I7owMnjGPZZ9Pn0Uo_tFbTpM6JQfunvS4Woaqp-FzwDnP4gDZmS863Yuvhr34vxvgvWiVoXZGgjnU8mVT05TwpTCdc4ix3bZrBik4IZt9nK6f7UiEFuoHHo/w462-h640/67704668_2423514331226850_6857489452177031168_n.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albanian Soldier (New York Public Library) Turkey 1810-17<br />One of the illustrations in the book covering Ottoman uniforms</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div>This involves looking at the forces involved, land and sea together with the key commanders such as Ali Pasha, Sultan Selim III, Admiral Fyodor Ushakov and Osman Pasvanoglu, to name a few, together with principal fortresses on the mainland and the islands that were main bases for the armies and fleets.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Balkan region was a hotbed of small wars between the competing empires of Austria, Russia and the Ottomans where the light raiding forces of both sides were key to fighting in the rugged and broken terrain that characterises the region.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7aLxpxqebm5R4FYtgsIEYUfszLPBucfGjSjfpaKX-fM43-1gWqRF2QT6ZVlVMeZnUKl6fo5p5Dt30g8Tw75ckaq0t1E-TSF1JzTEpE9Q_eMpXKOFu85zZaEjohve3Mm4Q7kpyE5541C-RyuhalTV14WDBMMf5q8AbqoTX9vr_zXgQCRw0GTCOweo_AQ/s1536/Battle_of_Lissa_1811.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1536" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7aLxpxqebm5R4FYtgsIEYUfszLPBucfGjSjfpaKX-fM43-1gWqRF2QT6ZVlVMeZnUKl6fo5p5Dt30g8Tw75ckaq0t1E-TSF1JzTEpE9Q_eMpXKOFu85zZaEjohve3Mm4Q7kpyE5541C-RyuhalTV14WDBMMf5q8AbqoTX9vr_zXgQCRw0GTCOweo_AQ/w640-h430/Battle_of_Lissa_1811.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of Lissa 13th March 1811 - Nicholas Pocock<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lissa_%281811%29">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lissa_%281811%29</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>This, alongside the wider Napoleonic conflict that sees French expansion in the area between 1802-09, also includes an account of the Russo-Turkish War of 1806-09, and the 1st Serbian Revolt, before moving to the period of French declining fortunes from 1810-15 and a greater British presence in the Adriatic against a background of another Russo-Turkish War 1809-12 and another Serbian revolt, well illustrating the hotbed of activity and diplomatic minefields that the theatre was for the competing British and French commanders, seeking to extend alliances and sow discontent among those of the enemy.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FX0F-4k1q6yU77cT9ecZK4Y3n_jUgGcx_i5hyphenhypheneqdtcHIAcgPFj-Sus64mDgDj_WN3107ogY08kqc_bgY8gJefnVy1u0aIbe3bOXIbAjGJluTDrGlWu-ZSElgObkEx1oLVtrQAGvKRkQdd0_CBkmDNvGTDShgzs_eXQNxzVWo9nsSUG3ai6uDmIrRu-Y/s1999/La_Pomone_contre_les_fregates_Alceste_et_Active.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1999" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FX0F-4k1q6yU77cT9ecZK4Y3n_jUgGcx_i5hyphenhypheneqdtcHIAcgPFj-Sus64mDgDj_WN3107ogY08kqc_bgY8gJefnVy1u0aIbe3bOXIbAjGJluTDrGlWu-ZSElgObkEx1oLVtrQAGvKRkQdd0_CBkmDNvGTDShgzs_eXQNxzVWo9nsSUG3ai6uDmIrRu-Y/w640-h402/La_Pomone_contre_les_fregates_Alceste_et_Active.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combat de la Pomone, 1811 - Pierre Julien Gilbert</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Frontier Sea - The Napoleonic Wars in the Adriatic, is in paperback and is published by Amazon with a cover design by Henry Hyde, featuring the battle between the French frigate Pomone 40-guns and the British frigates Alceste and Active each of 38-guns fought close to the island of Augusta (modern day Lastovo) in the Adriatic on 29th November 1811.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book is consists of 175 pages that includes the following:</div><div><br /></div><div>Prologue</div><div>Introduction</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 1 - The Adriatic before 1797</div><div>Russia</div><div>Ottoman Empire</div><div>Austria</div><div>Naval Warfare</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 2 - War comes to the Adriatic -1797 to 1802</div><div>Ionian Islands</div><div>The Russians enter the Mediterranean</div><div>Ali Pasha and the French</div><div>The War of the Second Coalition 1799-1801</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 3 - Small War in the Balkans</div><div>The Military Border</div><div>The Ottoman Frontier</div><div>Border Conflicts</div><div>Ali Pasha</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 4 - French Expansion 1802-09</div><div>Italy</div><div>Dalmatian Campaign of 1806</div><div>Naval Attack on Istanbul</div><div>Russo-Turkish War 1806-09</div><div>1st Serbian Revolt</div><div>Adriatic Manoeuvres</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 5 - France on the Defensive 1810-15</div><div>Russo-Turkish War 1809-12</div><div>British Adriatic Offensive</div><div>Kingdom of Naples</div><div>Serbian Revolt Reignites</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 6 - Armed Forces in the Adriatic</div><div>France</div><div>Russia</div><div>Britain</div><div>Ottoman Empire</div><div>Montenegro</div><div>Austria</div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter 7 - Conclusion</div><div><br /></div><div>Appendix 1 - Chronology</div><div>Appendix 2 - Wargaming the Adriatic Conflicts</div><div><br /></div><div>Notes</div><div>Bibliography</div><div>Acknowledgements</div><div>End Notes</div><div>About the Author</div><div><br /></div><div>At the time of writing, the book is available through Amazon for £8.99 and on Kindle for £8.90</div><div><br /></div><div>I very much enjoyed this read about what for me was very much a superficial understanding of the events of this period in history for this very particular region and I now feel I have a much better understanding of them, so much so that it has informed my continued listening of Patrick O'Brian's 'Treason's Harbour' and has fired the imagination for the creation of some more single-ship and small squadron engagements that I have been compiling for my 1:700th collection of ships using the accounts from William James.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are interested in the theatre, I think this book would be a good one to have in the library and I'm sure I will be referencing from it in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I were to include two smallish criticisms it would include the age old one of more maps and bigger ones that are easy to consult for those of us unfamiliar with the places being referenced, and an index to aid search specific reference subjects more readily. The End Notes giving the sources is excellent but for most purposes I find a reference list at the back of my books often the most useful resource once I've read a book and discovered its worth.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f-0YM-b30jGOTaxWzT3USA_9H86TzS9m8o6yI3Eued5I-1TqpSfY7HYo3ewxN_HWLhKl9hjDWBPq5vuW5v_Qan_53io0sWLKyecZWY7ZnrZQp1Hi-2ajrgUuM3SjjYOFQzB8Lhb-zChbe6d5mpBQnEGIP_378HZ3nE31ClZYTTEeFlJeBGgQcKG6CHc/s679/BW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="679" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f-0YM-b30jGOTaxWzT3USA_9H86TzS9m8o6yI3Eued5I-1TqpSfY7HYo3ewxN_HWLhKl9hjDWBPq5vuW5v_Qan_53io0sWLKyecZWY7ZnrZQp1Hi-2ajrgUuM3SjjYOFQzB8Lhb-zChbe6d5mpBQnEGIP_378HZ3nE31ClZYTTEeFlJeBGgQcKG6CHc/w400-h185/BW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://balkandave.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>https://balkandave.blogspot.com/</b></span></a><br /></span><a href="https://balkandave.blogspot.com/p/napoleonic-adriatic.html" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://balkandave.blogspot.com/p/napoleonic-adriatic.html</span></b></a><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Dave Watson includes his personal profile that mentions his role as Secretary of the Glasgow and District Wargames Society, amongst other things and as well as authoring several other books including 'Turkey and the Second World War' by Helion, is editor of the Balkan Military History Web Site and has his own blog, Balkan Wargamer (links above and below).</div><div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxijQdAS40aF24UvPERgU5N9TTcMOTGoRHhgnaWWc2IOWpWROL4rg3rKHHoc8j_7q9HdPvkk8LC0N8G9_25jgNxrDmuFW2Nkx7xXJ2AywZnbktArx2_KYK8vwUq_rEAVa83cRGVT6TWlTiQaV8ooNmPcYuyQb6rh3b2jyFR-2Sgu_aG8wpHMOTJj9mxOg/s363/BMH.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="363" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxijQdAS40aF24UvPERgU5N9TTcMOTGoRHhgnaWWc2IOWpWROL4rg3rKHHoc8j_7q9HdPvkk8LC0N8G9_25jgNxrDmuFW2Nkx7xXJ2AywZnbktArx2_KYK8vwUq_rEAVa83cRGVT6TWlTiQaV8ooNmPcYuyQb6rh3b2jyFR-2Sgu_aG8wpHMOTJj9mxOg/s320/BMH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.balkanhistory.org/about.html" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.balkanhistory.org/about.html</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div>Next up on JJ's: Progress continues with the Camperdown collection as Powerful 74-guns, Agincourt 64-guns and Adamant 50-guns complete this weekend before transferring to the riggers yard next week to complete the line up of the ships in the British Leeward Division, and I have a post coming together continuing Carolyn's and my adventures on the north Queensland coast of Australia around Cairns, exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the amazing tropical rainforests in the area - more anon.</div><div><br /></div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-76647956386410245712023-11-17T22:59:00.000-08:002023-11-17T22:59:40.588-08:00Warfare 2023 - Wargames Association of Reading<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdVNmCWXevtN7M1cfa_kas6-MS8shpmVg9nu2PABJhjLlnB99aGgHZL-zE_5FkR2UCW-3ctYKx2W3Du0trjnLbUetT13gHsNaiXDW3mpzu9yRQNnfzywvusjSK75DbK5XLyDLxSAw0Ei7opb9fdtq8t6ORQkx_fDaZOApHVOSQFTtBJ84V2nW-vGqzi8/s1892/Warfare%20Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1892" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdVNmCWXevtN7M1cfa_kas6-MS8shpmVg9nu2PABJhjLlnB99aGgHZL-zE_5FkR2UCW-3ctYKx2W3Du0trjnLbUetT13gHsNaiXDW3mpzu9yRQNnfzywvusjSK75DbK5XLyDLxSAw0Ei7opb9fdtq8t6ORQkx_fDaZOApHVOSQFTtBJ84V2nW-vGqzi8/w640-h356/Warfare%20Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend Steve M and myself made the drive up the A303 to attend Warfare 2023 hosted by the Wargames Association of Reading, and a show Steve and I have gone to over several years previous back in the days of desperate parking around the Reading Sports Centre, to our most recent trip which saw us at draughty Ascot in 2021 when the show relocated post Covid and all the doors were open to provide supposedly necessary fresh air for all concerned but leaving a lot of very cold traders next to the opened doors. I've attached a link below to my show report from that visit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi3mKV_jdpRcCqkRP-5il7sxHpOJEPy94utFCECegD6qWDNFWSfwQ0K0UFyF3dBMnVKIYFrn7qEolNQBTNUQ1ky5hV72m3Y7qIwwpbV2yahBsFbu0jjSMqtKJtEXMlOHDiy3sVzJByusdARmdEMI8Jhv7A2l1accKpM8ZD2Z2ST08dUfKMURRosHg4PA/s640/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi3mKV_jdpRcCqkRP-5il7sxHpOJEPy94utFCECegD6qWDNFWSfwQ0K0UFyF3dBMnVKIYFrn7qEolNQBTNUQ1ky5hV72m3Y7qIwwpbV2yahBsFbu0jjSMqtKJtEXMlOHDiy3sVzJByusdARmdEMI8Jhv7A2l1accKpM8ZD2Z2ST08dUfKMURRosHg4PA/w400-h266/Header.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2021/11/warfare-2021-wargames-association-of.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Warfare 2021</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At the time of the Ascot show, it was common knowledge that this was not to be a permanent new home for the show, and already Farnborough, famous for its air shows for the civil and military aviation industries, was the likely venue change, and I would have travelled up last year had it not been that I was off on my travels down under and so pencilled the date for 2023.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had a very pleasant drive up on Saturday morning with very light traffic coming up from the south-west, some thing that can't always be guaranteed in summer months and arrived at the venue just after 11am and were immediately impressed with the ample parking arrangements, coupled, when we completed our walk from the car, with an equally impressive show space as seen below.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDM4H60itlaj4MKjxbsL6j3useDG4ieTSlcmcvdLlw-lWEzDLwapBqyqJZW3C275reBlw9WWInViLuhVCGD_Z7o0pSc1-DnNsRsBYzu3XEr0AJaFzRDAmZk65xskx2xGMUNbZrxS3QlYF6kWK8Af3oX_lJqfoSEXYQzq6YUS86a3dAgQ3yUSOJjbVjbk/s4896/P1110459a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDM4H60itlaj4MKjxbsL6j3useDG4ieTSlcmcvdLlw-lWEzDLwapBqyqJZW3C275reBlw9WWInViLuhVCGD_Z7o0pSc1-DnNsRsBYzu3XEr0AJaFzRDAmZk65xskx2xGMUNbZrxS3QlYF6kWK8Af3oX_lJqfoSEXYQzq6YUS86a3dAgQ3yUSOJjbVjbk/w640-h480/P1110459a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A busy show hall at this year's Warfare 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Reading chaps have done a good job on the organising of the event from what I could see, with the opportunity to pre-purchase e-tickets online, which I availed myself of, Steve preferring the old fashioned cash in hand mode of entry, and our arrival and entry was very smooth, us banking on the disappearance, within the hour of doors opening at 10am, of a large number of the usual crowd that seem to arrive at shows, pick their pre-ordered stuff up from traders and then leave before midday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you know, I like to get a full show experience that not only means picking up stuff from traders and supporting the hobby industry, but also checking out the games and talking rubbish with fellow enthusiasts of our great hobby, and this year I figured the latter aspect would be prominent as there wasn't any pressing items to be bought on this visit, so I went around the traders with that pleasant serendipitous approach of <i>'if I see anything I need I'll get it, and if not I wont' .</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whilst taking time out for a lunch break, Steve and I also got time to meet up with pals from Penarth who were also at this year's show, with chat naturally turning to thoughts of some joint games to play next year and Simon S. from the NWS with thoughts about future naval games at Yeovilton.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the afternoon, I set off, camera in hand, to take some extra time to look at games that appealed to me and chat with the chaps involved, and so in no particular order, I present this year's games that caught my attention for various reasons to cause my camera to linger and with all the games displaying a passion for the subject that is obvious to see.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: large;">Battle of Ulundi 4th July 1879, 28mm Anglo-Zulu War - Jeremy R Fowler</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the Anglo-Zulu War as a period to play and the spectacle of the games it produces with the filmic drama that was captured in the films Zulu and Zulu Dawn brought to the table, just lacking the thunder of guns, and the chanting of Zulu warriors accompanied by the thumping drumming of assegais on leather shields.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When you see a large square of British redcoats surrounded by Zulu impis you immediately think of Ulundi and Mr Jeremy Fowler really captured the feel of this dramatic battle with this collection of figures, beautifully arranged with an attention to detail that had me captivated with each British unit in the square represented and arranged as they were on the day; to the scratch built field oven at its centre that has an amazing back story of its own, to the modelling of the Zulu shield store, on stilts to protect the leather shields from rats, complete with a young Zulu handing out new shields from its interior.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was great to chat with Jeremy about this collection and enjoy hearing about the research that went into its creation, a man after my own heart.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd8nEyNBGGR7c0ZqLwqZe_wAH-XlLc_OWUFOKl4fS8R_J9G1f0zntbL-r0rC_zquWvH8n_OPZ6bSk-L6CHmd1SzHdUYto3to0OMWKxCzE5V3ApNn9vo3pPv8y2lK3mu01HmS0lU-j8EIx9hBsArXbUhraaMOCEiGtysVVlpHdaeviyHdElTA9RdqwJ2I/s4655/P1110461a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="4655" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd8nEyNBGGR7c0ZqLwqZe_wAH-XlLc_OWUFOKl4fS8R_J9G1f0zntbL-r0rC_zquWvH8n_OPZ6bSk-L6CHmd1SzHdUYto3to0OMWKxCzE5V3ApNn9vo3pPv8y2lK3mu01HmS0lU-j8EIx9hBsArXbUhraaMOCEiGtysVVlpHdaeviyHdElTA9RdqwJ2I/w640-h404/P1110461a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-vwaxVwc-YmDt3Dxst_iy4hk0xUlajSfC6-OQnnbi_CiH-_gAqyrOi6ytYH3ArJVP-d6Py4FQR5bbtTGXrK4Sm1ju_FDhBm5kjA3XXDzqFu5mVH8_s8bENpKj2p4C92jijFF4j5kmIS486-QU7_JFKCHAO5ebC-je6jhoWJ7QhXQ8Qx58X2za24rw9o/s3406/P1110462a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="3406" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-vwaxVwc-YmDt3Dxst_iy4hk0xUlajSfC6-OQnnbi_CiH-_gAqyrOi6ytYH3ArJVP-d6Py4FQR5bbtTGXrK4Sm1ju_FDhBm5kjA3XXDzqFu5mVH8_s8bENpKj2p4C92jijFF4j5kmIS486-QU7_JFKCHAO5ebC-je6jhoWJ7QhXQ8Qx58X2za24rw9o/w640-h468/P1110462a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQSAGM4XISIcee01R07kuWe7vMzNftfLsSdZOGtecyF3rtKTg3sZkqNR5CyBcMRGGG2qbsNCxiV3t8NPS0WNLj6eiBGjY-CDhz1po8CeXnUzQesRnAjEc049DgrmVJcVU59cymgYgF1k398bdXUkBOK_2EctEFuNS6hnzh5CdKOljCFXQevFbjbl8ets/s4896/P1110463a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2716" data-original-width="4896" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQSAGM4XISIcee01R07kuWe7vMzNftfLsSdZOGtecyF3rtKTg3sZkqNR5CyBcMRGGG2qbsNCxiV3t8NPS0WNLj6eiBGjY-CDhz1po8CeXnUzQesRnAjEc049DgrmVJcVU59cymgYgF1k398bdXUkBOK_2EctEFuNS6hnzh5CdKOljCFXQevFbjbl8ets/w640-h356/P1110463a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each unit indicated on the plan of the square below is modelled accordingly.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn2RkQEyE5j8h-9H7NdLWILPHNhuY50GSlE6lVIhLEsBOr9H6xCyUukSOS2B7q-Hu3eLckF2ehVo16Y96BlVoeU1yPdkHMDH17tgF6YOrDhVgWLG_QdzRpJU3KMzsqK63vHxeNXKc-8XqFD40Vl4lfk9vo1kLw0VAMUYMIpjNPY199sI0x0Oze0qUTQc/s4432/P1110464a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="4432" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn2RkQEyE5j8h-9H7NdLWILPHNhuY50GSlE6lVIhLEsBOr9H6xCyUukSOS2B7q-Hu3eLckF2ehVo16Y96BlVoeU1yPdkHMDH17tgF6YOrDhVgWLG_QdzRpJU3KMzsqK63vHxeNXKc-8XqFD40Vl4lfk9vo1kLw0VAMUYMIpjNPY199sI0x0Oze0qUTQc/w640-h446/P1110464a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-Z1jfoGhvizpiTZzy_sByJXFjJl2wMD9VBmnkdbbq8bMsKvTnKyOZYOcT1Aad2CN-PNwA808T7USQgNBuHXrI0QFCz1NlLTVSR_H8P1kWauSf8TUMxtRbg7DP8cvBB8UFt3RIjknLSngY0rwNpe8zb0XzSxgeUoxv_q98pzxf58RE0sVV5D0QGBdQUw/s4896/P1110465a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2857" data-original-width="4896" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-Z1jfoGhvizpiTZzy_sByJXFjJl2wMD9VBmnkdbbq8bMsKvTnKyOZYOcT1Aad2CN-PNwA808T7USQgNBuHXrI0QFCz1NlLTVSR_H8P1kWauSf8TUMxtRbg7DP8cvBB8UFt3RIjknLSngY0rwNpe8zb0XzSxgeUoxv_q98pzxf58RE0sVV5D0QGBdQUw/w640-h374/P1110465a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_sQLw13JpYotb1NTfgfYCPSnlgfJiFmW8-KKDMeLKp77slBwFTFcMLlWCZxNm62hCKHrZnpbsb2wANEiYjQC9fZ4eFtNnrgvVcKh_8lTNWOCdZCS0MqpkZJn3CIMAUhN1ay8La5tW-diUyyaF9Yhvkyni57VfVe7RFkJuUXwHuprbobXBR7BtCXSkhs/s4896/P1110466a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_sQLw13JpYotb1NTfgfYCPSnlgfJiFmW8-KKDMeLKp77slBwFTFcMLlWCZxNm62hCKHrZnpbsb2wANEiYjQC9fZ4eFtNnrgvVcKh_8lTNWOCdZCS0MqpkZJn3CIMAUhN1ay8La5tW-diUyyaF9Yhvkyni57VfVe7RFkJuUXwHuprbobXBR7BtCXSkhs/w640-h480/P1110466a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zulu shield store complete with Zulu quartermaster.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS8rXQgGnnMRboRH-ZNhF6gnrOR-a9S1pMLgmWzLs_rEf9-gcNhgRTc_kBHfNVorMOWry2fNH__Fh3RNJL37qAX8N_y-tx_Rc5QWNgspNX-tJRD-I2cU9Y4BVFLrwOZr4xoqYG0keYvukSUEUjeEQLJnjNDy74RfMuTJKM2SGI7tW0mmtHGWBo3hlQNg/s4896/P1110468a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS8rXQgGnnMRboRH-ZNhF6gnrOR-a9S1pMLgmWzLs_rEf9-gcNhgRTc_kBHfNVorMOWry2fNH__Fh3RNJL37qAX8N_y-tx_Rc5QWNgspNX-tJRD-I2cU9Y4BVFLrwOZr4xoqYG0keYvukSUEUjeEQLJnjNDy74RfMuTJKM2SGI7tW0mmtHGWBo3hlQNg/w640-h480/P1110468a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plan for the Imperial square that informed the position of the units represented on the table - you've got to love this attention to detail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EaI5PgQQqWXgDKizKbFn_SWI39yTg0U2DQemJAzAR6gP-JUumY7CHB_C1R5O1KQA-S-6Xkbhpd7y9ASTRvmfaN0LBTEv1PjYmkVpmV4C15UTMwpjbJNOkZxfetNi9jpn3youVxYXlmTxXZCGugRKkGpcYhFUs44UTb4GcxNXNi_WQp9C6L_HYUrul2E/s4896/P1110469a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="4896" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EaI5PgQQqWXgDKizKbFn_SWI39yTg0U2DQemJAzAR6gP-JUumY7CHB_C1R5O1KQA-S-6Xkbhpd7y9ASTRvmfaN0LBTEv1PjYmkVpmV4C15UTMwpjbJNOkZxfetNi9jpn3youVxYXlmTxXZCGugRKkGpcYhFUs44UTb4GcxNXNi_WQp9C6L_HYUrul2E/w640-h376/P1110469a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByIMmfWxRYUOiMImLh4LerfU2rR66PkBZpXsvxFpBylIXf6MmORIFjztxA718JOabxcjcpEMtZdPxelAn7vOdHg4OVXLbP54n5ewcB0ohEsAaf407Jf8mbbYnvxnL9R0bwigIYxuSkzkZZVbTqIR6lHdmD3ER4mUwdR-ytc0-4qKpt5YLYnUcGVVojoQ/s4896/P1110470a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByIMmfWxRYUOiMImLh4LerfU2rR66PkBZpXsvxFpBylIXf6MmORIFjztxA718JOabxcjcpEMtZdPxelAn7vOdHg4OVXLbP54n5ewcB0ohEsAaf407Jf8mbbYnvxnL9R0bwigIYxuSkzkZZVbTqIR6lHdmD3ER4mUwdR-ytc0-4qKpt5YLYnUcGVVojoQ/w640-h480/P1110470a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The field kitchen present at the battle and wonderfully rendered here in the game</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Isandlwana 22nd Jan 1879, 28mm Anglo-Zulu War - Combined Oppo's Wargames Group</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Anglo-Zulu war theme was well represented this year with the chaps from the Combined Oppo's Wargames Group up from my home town and regular participants at Warfare, I having regularly featured their games previously, which are always a feast for the eye, and this year's Isandlwana game was equally impressive, with plenty of cameo groups on the table to feast the eye upon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nicely done chaps.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMvRuCb9EUBPc3kT8c85O4Q-KQTUEsjAkoiGBRk965wcWXuhWfKR1PITSegfnrMXSQToPMwYlDrdKXPqaulNrYCP1u6XAivT_hGcfTTPvYNL7VKA4PRNMc6bOxNQOJ4wvNJ73GbLvjH_fid2ZFusPAeQdg0zfL0_1zG-uFAGiD_PYfqK7GZV8pMDJoDU/s4896/P1110471a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMvRuCb9EUBPc3kT8c85O4Q-KQTUEsjAkoiGBRk965wcWXuhWfKR1PITSegfnrMXSQToPMwYlDrdKXPqaulNrYCP1u6XAivT_hGcfTTPvYNL7VKA4PRNMc6bOxNQOJ4wvNJ73GbLvjH_fid2ZFusPAeQdg0zfL0_1zG-uFAGiD_PYfqK7GZV8pMDJoDU/w640-h480/P1110471a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMNIOhitfJDBynsfhJfNKsRSAJGJvCPgwgPyy8wUolodSYMRXW-ltkiMglqNmF19jQ-bxO1uQoTD6DIDDu1_F3ijoXdakp6nEWcdqLg4rDR6exYE12ttYnpU-DC6GPhAASVV4ift3QjIYnVXNtXvJXbeDB011zyjY-N-E32o_yTfu3afUNSzaLSKk0Wk/s4896/P1110472a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2846" data-original-width="4896" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMNIOhitfJDBynsfhJfNKsRSAJGJvCPgwgPyy8wUolodSYMRXW-ltkiMglqNmF19jQ-bxO1uQoTD6DIDDu1_F3ijoXdakp6nEWcdqLg4rDR6exYE12ttYnpU-DC6GPhAASVV4ift3QjIYnVXNtXvJXbeDB011zyjY-N-E32o_yTfu3afUNSzaLSKk0Wk/w640-h372/P1110472a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_kCEkZI7XHrf7jvzSpyhBJRH_vo-skk7YKIUoz2MHdPSektwxijPKnCQdElWj_1XpvCSxBs_62z4sRkY96g1XTvo8uK4FycM6xxrEvL6GuHAUJavyUYPNHW_z20g3H-nbeK5TneSq3w2aTqFaRm4fGut0FU19-TFdUAjM8418SZXkxJLnYThLDjRWgs/s4896/P1110473a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="4896" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_kCEkZI7XHrf7jvzSpyhBJRH_vo-skk7YKIUoz2MHdPSektwxijPKnCQdElWj_1XpvCSxBs_62z4sRkY96g1XTvo8uK4FycM6xxrEvL6GuHAUJavyUYPNHW_z20g3H-nbeK5TneSq3w2aTqFaRm4fGut0FU19-TFdUAjM8418SZXkxJLnYThLDjRWgs/w640-h370/P1110473a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFV8AufdPbNc50biYBj8zEht3lz2YkiriXvFb8upmiEENvW9J_mUT5ach3pWP6Vd0bUQEobgYwpCLZLPci1u0IMbuODR3ihn7gJNFWz_4gBgQCme0x5aCTMjNl4F8cJ93xHGaaqBdN6lAW68yWesi9MLsoBV33pUbIMDtz7nAo3B3Wc1Xr_UIt_TUMUE/s4896/P1110475a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3395" data-original-width="4896" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFV8AufdPbNc50biYBj8zEht3lz2YkiriXvFb8upmiEENvW9J_mUT5ach3pWP6Vd0bUQEobgYwpCLZLPci1u0IMbuODR3ihn7gJNFWz_4gBgQCme0x5aCTMjNl4F8cJ93xHGaaqBdN6lAW68yWesi9MLsoBV33pUbIMDtz7nAo3B3Wc1Xr_UIt_TUMUE/w640-h444/P1110475a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE8kuafQrdC2qatQQI33bTVYv7dysVCQf6w_21je3i_dFBwIZfK87XPbfWRWJPzceiEMsTnwRafLQz-onHCLn-93kqXSstend-V_PQjW4xH-YGA1_WqmSaq6SAPB-0hG23CkXDoC9zTZpHc3ZuxjnZ4Ts449B8OmQGK8F9FKdXbeXwiStiSYIwaerJ3g/s4896/P1110474a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE8kuafQrdC2qatQQI33bTVYv7dysVCQf6w_21je3i_dFBwIZfK87XPbfWRWJPzceiEMsTnwRafLQz-onHCLn-93kqXSstend-V_PQjW4xH-YGA1_WqmSaq6SAPB-0hG23CkXDoC9zTZpHc3ZuxjnZ4Ts449B8OmQGK8F9FKdXbeXwiStiSYIwaerJ3g/w640-h480/P1110474a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dornier Down, Chain of Command - Shepway Wargamers</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before delving into the dark arts of historical wargaming, I stumbled my way into the hobby from the world of model making, which probably goes a long way to explain my love of detail that visually captures the theme portrayed; and the sight of a large model Hurricane wheeling away from a crash landed Dornier Do17Z bomber recreating a very well known picture of a well documented incident during the Battle of Britain that saw the interception of these low level specialist German bombers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I really enjoyed seeing, was this very famous cameo moment from the Battle of Britain linked into a game of Chain of Command, recreating a 'what if' Operation Sealion invasion game, with shades of 'Dad's Army - don't tell him Pike', combined with some lovely terrain creation and figure modelling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26g_L107pdOyDjFbBXQtzYyEMw62MMq2UWmk01eJRiPrIxXOQ7fJkS1cOQS7EQv490NXbtHReJDrfOmYfxGbsFXAsfhkENwnANpean9U4jPwziyGFIFW39SlPla0yYlIMZE-i6SQtgl_V0h-rRPBvUlbBOuYg6O5reRsTxIdDDCJunkcFUWo29YdHlzc/s4603/P1110476a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3312" data-original-width="4603" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26g_L107pdOyDjFbBXQtzYyEMw62MMq2UWmk01eJRiPrIxXOQ7fJkS1cOQS7EQv490NXbtHReJDrfOmYfxGbsFXAsfhkENwnANpean9U4jPwziyGFIFW39SlPla0yYlIMZE-i6SQtgl_V0h-rRPBvUlbBOuYg6O5reRsTxIdDDCJunkcFUWo29YdHlzc/w640-h460/P1110476a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As well as showing the overall table space for 'Dornier Down' by the Shepway Wargamers you get a really good impression of the overall show space at Warfare, with the competition games towards the back of the hall.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The briefing for the game explains;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">September 1940, somewhere in South Kent between Lydd, Ashford and Hythe.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Operation Sealion has begun, the German invasion of Britain. Our game portrays an attempt by a small unit of German paratroopers, dropped near Lydd airport to liberate a high-ranking German intelligence office, who has been captured and is currently in the hands of the local Home Guard, following the crash of the Dornier Do17Z he was flying in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lead units of the German 17th Infantry Division are also on their way from the invasion beaches, on route to their inland objectives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYUmrG7dIzbO7wxxaLhPUHjdQhE1EmRHbOC8GfojFX1jfXUEBnx-Mm6rbTq8KjMR6jPhOI0Ot6bG3LIGz0oe6XTYaIDFabFSqWlwE6eBuVzV5aK5NINgzrgQEsZYuNUanmuuVQP-1n_QzTQtmdG4roKsHRVKrjhHDpdchPkhmiEPRumq03HSONNAHn5o/s4896/P1110477a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2958" data-original-width="4896" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYUmrG7dIzbO7wxxaLhPUHjdQhE1EmRHbOC8GfojFX1jfXUEBnx-Mm6rbTq8KjMR6jPhOI0Ot6bG3LIGz0oe6XTYaIDFabFSqWlwE6eBuVzV5aK5NINgzrgQEsZYuNUanmuuVQP-1n_QzTQtmdG4roKsHRVKrjhHDpdchPkhmiEPRumq03HSONNAHn5o/w640-h386/P1110477a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBbIllRfTfx1XnkOyzQNCBaXy6GNpgdHbB-8HAKY1dCZYdVU2O98HlntLG4bYB1ESvKMhTCJ2wSJ8X8F-hLGy0yln1uKq4c7ia48JiQwpuUfaEfOOIJcUOVDb4Doh3PHIfaKvRMw5Ggo6nVHJ3fipdutTe5l9lSfERirrG7d_3Gzx49DmrfQNF4xozcQ/s4896/P1110478a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3212" data-original-width="4896" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBbIllRfTfx1XnkOyzQNCBaXy6GNpgdHbB-8HAKY1dCZYdVU2O98HlntLG4bYB1ESvKMhTCJ2wSJ8X8F-hLGy0yln1uKq4c7ia48JiQwpuUfaEfOOIJcUOVDb4Doh3PHIfaKvRMw5Ggo6nVHJ3fipdutTe5l9lSfERirrG7d_3Gzx49DmrfQNF4xozcQ/w640-h420/P1110478a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy_A9Qa9I9EU1TT3jl85VZUkWoyIYKQmG8_c267tkWpiswTfTOnKq3THs2uMsLT1pA6ri5K2EH4fQO757OWZLS-PVZYfqK_fy1wLxN-j9lYyWflfeJG-2HDZBZKBoIv9ROwqnZxmM-tKk9Ko8Nl8JHH51aoWnFjRuIvjTHwSSEm3CYzuzGy_iZotVDhE/s4896/P1110479a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwy_A9Qa9I9EU1TT3jl85VZUkWoyIYKQmG8_c267tkWpiswTfTOnKq3THs2uMsLT1pA6ri5K2EH4fQO757OWZLS-PVZYfqK_fy1wLxN-j9lYyWflfeJG-2HDZBZKBoIv9ROwqnZxmM-tKk9Ko8Nl8JHH51aoWnFjRuIvjTHwSSEm3CYzuzGy_iZotVDhE/w640-h480/P1110479a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZqJlqxvKhImLfJnYbTH0RKa0rBtUVloZeDTHGZ61P-_yIrwJmYOJT4_yTqD0jzt2Et8g4g9EF3NzUHmCy0NUACQaUOeCa16Yt9Rmltooy-jr9xGjZJgg7UOmGwWM1uu1WsKkXFmcMUGdTuXYqz_lfB9xpyAxDGaJSw_Lbl-fOM6ENUGOuVNjqYRPdCM/s4896/P1110480a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="4896" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZqJlqxvKhImLfJnYbTH0RKa0rBtUVloZeDTHGZ61P-_yIrwJmYOJT4_yTqD0jzt2Et8g4g9EF3NzUHmCy0NUACQaUOeCa16Yt9Rmltooy-jr9xGjZJgg7UOmGwWM1uu1WsKkXFmcMUGdTuXYqz_lfB9xpyAxDGaJSw_Lbl-fOM6ENUGOuVNjqYRPdCM/w640-h328/P1110480a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1B1OrrTagiS09XAT6g6vnUShI0oLp77eCNJYzoN51BqiuRhXI2t73XrKxsk7kvUxpbIYJ41gh4StdL3Ovn7skllDSYLYGWzTiDEqXQeBsq7NzTE49TxSk3QP63RCn-gOPnofTPn5RRBaVHth7fTSd9qWTXRHFxQ4kenkQjax0-Y02hOe_o4ELsprTdQ/s4896/P1110481a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1B1OrrTagiS09XAT6g6vnUShI0oLp77eCNJYzoN51BqiuRhXI2t73XrKxsk7kvUxpbIYJ41gh4StdL3Ovn7skllDSYLYGWzTiDEqXQeBsq7NzTE49TxSk3QP63RCn-gOPnofTPn5RRBaVHth7fTSd9qWTXRHFxQ4kenkQjax0-Y02hOe_o4ELsprTdQ/w640-h480/P1110481a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Palestine 1938 (The Green Howards in Beit Faruk, October 1938) - Deal Wargames Society</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An area of the world that is very much in the headlines was a feature of this particular game, capturing as it did Britain's previous role of world policing that thankfully is something the nation is less involved in these days, but capturing the endless nature of the asymmetric warfare that has become a common feature of most modern conflicts prior to the war in Ukraine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The theme of the game from the Deal chaps was the Arab revolt in Palestine in 1936 against the British Mandate, with Arab insurgents attacking British garrisons in the countryside and then slipping away, enjoying widespread support from the locals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The game displayed was based on the Official History of the Green Howards during which they launched an attack on Arab positions supported by light mechanised forces, artillery and air power, wonderfully represented by an assortment of figures and vehicles and Gloster Gladiator fighters and a Vickers Wellesley light bomber.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a three hour battle with rebels, one Green Howard was slightly wounded, twelve rebels killed and the pilot of a shot down Gladiator rescued (note the crashed Gladiator), but later dying of his wounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbQD7BDBz5dk4jtaNi4IUDVmWSY3sejjmoufkY-xrmU2rwlGU3dbXLFqhnbSgOdPfV52nrRGWu5d8uNh3iEuoDwx0DVWOeoelTtj_PmmGvYrjkNo924M8rK3x5byVXUz48Ruaw1Kwv2Z66-PNpDNzIeF9ME9bhyphenhyphenPaLSrEx5KrGYQn7EW6RKWRQe-bkkI/s4896/P1110482a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="4896" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbQD7BDBz5dk4jtaNi4IUDVmWSY3sejjmoufkY-xrmU2rwlGU3dbXLFqhnbSgOdPfV52nrRGWu5d8uNh3iEuoDwx0DVWOeoelTtj_PmmGvYrjkNo924M8rK3x5byVXUz48Ruaw1Kwv2Z66-PNpDNzIeF9ME9bhyphenhyphenPaLSrEx5KrGYQn7EW6RKWRQe-bkkI/w640-h372/P1110482a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wFVkv3ruoSC26nQpBW54FG1YWylSXmdgDPvtjmJJpstYJFIRBZDAkw2z-ctDJFjaZflHGnVaT5MIu54MOZJiTE9d1xoxnthHX1S4uQ0EEEfoy1BzOWPrY04N7c2FZyMdonxnlwMKk75GWHk4TmmBeemtiW-7S_148qe24p04_6_01D1KuCEWslozfYI/s4896/P1110483a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wFVkv3ruoSC26nQpBW54FG1YWylSXmdgDPvtjmJJpstYJFIRBZDAkw2z-ctDJFjaZflHGnVaT5MIu54MOZJiTE9d1xoxnthHX1S4uQ0EEEfoy1BzOWPrY04N7c2FZyMdonxnlwMKk75GWHk4TmmBeemtiW-7S_148qe24p04_6_01D1KuCEWslozfYI/w640-h480/P1110483a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marvellous Matchbox rendition of the Vickers Wellesley, forerunner to the Wellington medium bomber of WWII, this kit displaying the geodetic wing and tail plane structure, if you look closely. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikox9VdQCIFvnPf6g_OMVSMS5vAH4Clx2YwlMZ2fsSlsxWPv-5jdAGH2jyqtKpAV2CxVZ78HDgfUptPsK2aJLA9MR3-Xya1jfd8eL9e-IbEX3FGQR2XwcQXnR2q-ZHXtayYnp0_BWjfubephPBrhFa-ZeEZHx5rHF43wAWZYzXd5xUsqH_MUadkIQlktg/s4896/P1110484a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="4896" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikox9VdQCIFvnPf6g_OMVSMS5vAH4Clx2YwlMZ2fsSlsxWPv-5jdAGH2jyqtKpAV2CxVZ78HDgfUptPsK2aJLA9MR3-Xya1jfd8eL9e-IbEX3FGQR2XwcQXnR2q-ZHXtayYnp0_BWjfubephPBrhFa-ZeEZHx5rHF43wAWZYzXd5xUsqH_MUadkIQlktg/w640-h378/P1110484a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Airfix Gladiator wheels over the battle below</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TmNvqy7JaoKIMyrRM-LHaBm97CkecQVi7uy9sLxAvX5Fpj697a-cILOitO2mnkh6zRLhZO9ozORT9_bOnalCKJAkaFIp_Wev7J26ODQVLv75cMr1cep2CRXYAPvzFN984BO5XDSEg-Sy0_y3syryTtOL-vVSZbwaZq7YKCIqmTASZVbisk0dW2RhYOU/s4228/P1110485a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2987" data-original-width="4228" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TmNvqy7JaoKIMyrRM-LHaBm97CkecQVi7uy9sLxAvX5Fpj697a-cILOitO2mnkh6zRLhZO9ozORT9_bOnalCKJAkaFIp_Wev7J26ODQVLv75cMr1cep2CRXYAPvzFN984BO5XDSEg-Sy0_y3syryTtOL-vVSZbwaZq7YKCIqmTASZVbisk0dW2RhYOU/w640-h452/P1110485a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Arab miniatures were a mixture of Airfix, Early War Miniatures, Strelets and Nikolai figures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDByy0N94NmHLPPSTXZgk1LfXXL23Iw47lEZnVXXjhF7b8RNuw269qSQGDFvgmrMDi3U70W_6WPRlj4jsO-K7BLeSg8RXZ_QLk0463Pc0W7-DMRFhmVd62qDHeZNKr5aqy-t4c85xapBt6ohzKJZjJuBg8S_PkO-V0Go_oL9u0_iIKeTzr768S4Jhe7js/s4896/P1110486a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDByy0N94NmHLPPSTXZgk1LfXXL23Iw47lEZnVXXjhF7b8RNuw269qSQGDFvgmrMDi3U70W_6WPRlj4jsO-K7BLeSg8RXZ_QLk0463Pc0W7-DMRFhmVd62qDHeZNKr5aqy-t4c85xapBt6ohzKJZjJuBg8S_PkO-V0Go_oL9u0_iIKeTzr768S4Jhe7js/w640-h480/P1110486a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eSXyf-iphNhgKu4D_ER0ulDx_rAbYq1X25-CQB4GQQwgrPUZOwy8WqI9X92e2dKxCgc6ox9IvjPy31C_attMyjMhDBrYbza1M8bSwa6itR7Aq-mOsFBcYZTM1v61e-ice-reTjtITmoBjbLVIe-L9n8Xudu9Oge9Hf4Af8zySR34CIt2E-g6cYVKB7c/s4896/P1110487a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eSXyf-iphNhgKu4D_ER0ulDx_rAbYq1X25-CQB4GQQwgrPUZOwy8WqI9X92e2dKxCgc6ox9IvjPy31C_attMyjMhDBrYbza1M8bSwa6itR7Aq-mOsFBcYZTM1v61e-ice-reTjtITmoBjbLVIe-L9n8Xudu9Oge9Hf4Af8zySR34CIt2E-g6cYVKB7c/w640-h480/P1110487a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E6jYo7g6imPCjrBDoZevgV6v0s-KijgjRlUp2aaMa3R7t8jZ9T-URz6LOzw_8qQ-cvp5Cgenvvn0c2CfEbEAZV73SDkUoHGPqC15RlqqKvOVtWYXHXGpXN0vuqYZc10dOtZ7gh0gRD_IRpMBVBIQ_OR-8CZZSVMugb949LjKbrVZ9_j6RFDFSVvGCv8/s4896/P1110488a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E6jYo7g6imPCjrBDoZevgV6v0s-KijgjRlUp2aaMa3R7t8jZ9T-URz6LOzw_8qQ-cvp5Cgenvvn0c2CfEbEAZV73SDkUoHGPqC15RlqqKvOVtWYXHXGpXN0vuqYZc10dOtZ7gh0gRD_IRpMBVBIQ_OR-8CZZSVMugb949LjKbrVZ9_j6RFDFSVvGCv8/w640-h480/P1110488a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBIhK02_7vzWlWeFjc6Hazl9Wmu9tS03DIhf6trelP6op2VpgglgCN4sp3lEYQRXD7KN7llpbbpLPvPy5-F5_zTng_nAQEVwQyKv4Cqmrx9H2MOFaNtqumtxGJ5DvkB0ieGn7ceDGgene7MJljZhKNPptr8R-xsgM0iBj4FrJvldZJnJE5U1efgZOlMg/s4896/P1110489a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBIhK02_7vzWlWeFjc6Hazl9Wmu9tS03DIhf6trelP6op2VpgglgCN4sp3lEYQRXD7KN7llpbbpLPvPy5-F5_zTng_nAQEVwQyKv4Cqmrx9H2MOFaNtqumtxGJ5DvkB0ieGn7ceDGgene7MJljZhKNPptr8R-xsgM0iBj4FrJvldZJnJE5U1efgZOlMg/w640-h480/P1110489a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Battle of Delhi, 11th September 1803 - Crawley Wargames Club</b></span></div>Together with a recipe from the Crawley Curry Club, the Crawley Wargames Club served up a 15mm recreation of the Battle of Delhi pitting General Gerard Lake's Bombay Army of some 5,000 men against French General Louis Bourquin leading a large Mahratta army of some 15,000 men;<div><br /></div><div><b><i>'Delhi Dal Mahani - A rich mixture of kidney beans, black lentils, tomato and buttered cream. Served with a refreshment of red porter ale from Limerick. Originally served on 11th September 1803.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Lake would deploy his cavalry ahead of his infantry before the Mahratta guns, withdrawing them as his infantry closed up out of sight in very tall grass, before withdrawing his cavalry and feigning an army withdrawal seeking to draw the Mahratta's out from their strong position on a ridge with swamps on either side.</div><div><br /></div><div>The plan succeeded and when the Bombay and British infantry attacked, the surprise was complete breaking the enemy who quit the field leaving behind 3,000 casualties and 60 guns, with the British suffering some 500 casualties mainly among the European infantry.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgsin0758QF5r1sKCP3RZ8PgSyCNmQp-Fggt_EgEoDB-HSgOG-FCxmm3Ni9KwCGXLPsc_3WOnPJ_hpcdNVMN2cFQjcXxswhTOyEGbHnaC9kwGp89Jmp_WboAAvKJLpV2asHy-wEIrfQMA_SazwEmsSS7gtkiCmzNZj3SQrD8-lCFkRvzXMnfceA2chbg/s4896/P1110490a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgsin0758QF5r1sKCP3RZ8PgSyCNmQp-Fggt_EgEoDB-HSgOG-FCxmm3Ni9KwCGXLPsc_3WOnPJ_hpcdNVMN2cFQjcXxswhTOyEGbHnaC9kwGp89Jmp_WboAAvKJLpV2asHy-wEIrfQMA_SazwEmsSS7gtkiCmzNZj3SQrD8-lCFkRvzXMnfceA2chbg/w640-h480/P1110490a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The rules in use were Age of Eagles 19th Century, since renamed by the club, Age of Tigers and the figures on show were like a trip down memory lane for yours truly with figures from Fighting 15's, Lancashire, Irregular, Two Dragons, Minifigs and QRF/Freikorps.</div><div><br /></div><div>I must admit to painful memories of using the old brittle Freikorps figures back in the day and losing a large collection of AWI troops to broken ankles that somewhat hastened my move to 18mm and AB, but that is another story, and I did enjoy getting a close look at this lovely presentation.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JUbNOe924RA9oYCWcuBpvQUpAbKtwRUVYlpzoCzmJ9MHnf-g1Moz0IBKVcy_bUXDi2-eEadYA-zb2yaPTKdJffT4_9nxcO120oTW1RAaALJTzVF9fkQLCSCxaexHRYjhcHDCEavwKplsv2WfPG_3FNR7t9nvJxkvo49W1qYvNZslbGz3lJ99gjuGwcs/s4896/P1110491a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JUbNOe924RA9oYCWcuBpvQUpAbKtwRUVYlpzoCzmJ9MHnf-g1Moz0IBKVcy_bUXDi2-eEadYA-zb2yaPTKdJffT4_9nxcO120oTW1RAaALJTzVF9fkQLCSCxaexHRYjhcHDCEavwKplsv2WfPG_3FNR7t9nvJxkvo49W1qYvNZslbGz3lJ99gjuGwcs/w640-h480/P1110491a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoHKtgN8TG8FcDe4SK8QgJq9Gljf01e22n1ngxraKVyHVygJ4kWAjq4R2M1Vq1OojvRYqn8LMpqm3HXkrgpNCqsN4uo8VE3XiIS-864WvLR7H9mMox0PPlvK7KiSkGcqAHVl5PaOKckxBJmrINxp6130pX5ssJnWOLRlgeqFs6FjFmCn-mcKF96EuH4s/s4896/P1110492a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoHKtgN8TG8FcDe4SK8QgJq9Gljf01e22n1ngxraKVyHVygJ4kWAjq4R2M1Vq1OojvRYqn8LMpqm3HXkrgpNCqsN4uo8VE3XiIS-864WvLR7H9mMox0PPlvK7KiSkGcqAHVl5PaOKckxBJmrINxp6130pX5ssJnWOLRlgeqFs6FjFmCn-mcKF96EuH4s/w640-h480/P1110492a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A splendid rendition of part of the city walls of Delhi</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVrTD9ltlA63aFTJl20A-CbL1Fa-XqREcWvLMYzGlUmjuHk4J9wjdgUwdDAWYH1xEhIqbqKtgsv2atpMs5T53T4QpwTfi9IMiqrD8c4HaSLrIfoIr4hiZ3yEZkXAPljfl7lkGyebuP4kXJ3INzJHb0emXWBfV2hXlI6WxMdWwPhOJuF1V2v_LOXlkfRA/s4896/P1110493a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3058" data-original-width="4896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVrTD9ltlA63aFTJl20A-CbL1Fa-XqREcWvLMYzGlUmjuHk4J9wjdgUwdDAWYH1xEhIqbqKtgsv2atpMs5T53T4QpwTfi9IMiqrD8c4HaSLrIfoIr4hiZ3yEZkXAPljfl7lkGyebuP4kXJ3INzJHb0emXWBfV2hXlI6WxMdWwPhOJuF1V2v_LOXlkfRA/w640-h400/P1110493a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UnvH24wF4giCmE3sUTHVZCpxcEzwW7vCnH_Yq3RhTFOLD-a5RmEWENF_gXmZz1PlvbLXyRyH_ivjN5YMOnGjdj_lWyBm_W5VsYWI_1c-FKbV23tWS3TWTxi5NN-TgRmY5S2uasKch8KUuoNolw8ONfiGP5qDlbvqiyYxf7CpofOnWbVS8QxP9pDwcAY/s4896/P1110494a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2871" data-original-width="4896" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UnvH24wF4giCmE3sUTHVZCpxcEzwW7vCnH_Yq3RhTFOLD-a5RmEWENF_gXmZz1PlvbLXyRyH_ivjN5YMOnGjdj_lWyBm_W5VsYWI_1c-FKbV23tWS3TWTxi5NN-TgRmY5S2uasKch8KUuoNolw8ONfiGP5qDlbvqiyYxf7CpofOnWbVS8QxP9pDwcAY/w640-h376/P1110494a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zLy80ip3ulFFlMLoCJIjtxCJ1clXkaaEFigoq-G8MX9q4EuNBzP5PLpExTlVfrGqRKEx7QQru6NMg367QadeF6kZpA_guTLJwZFkAC4zPgbFEsXkNeFv065Zbe3pIt1KS1cbR7DcKH6_i-MzgoJjwoTEKZDbahbd39habRoUZzae5WfZAvc-UgQOAeM/s4270/P1110495a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="4270" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zLy80ip3ulFFlMLoCJIjtxCJ1clXkaaEFigoq-G8MX9q4EuNBzP5PLpExTlVfrGqRKEx7QQru6NMg367QadeF6kZpA_guTLJwZFkAC4zPgbFEsXkNeFv065Zbe3pIt1KS1cbR7DcKH6_i-MzgoJjwoTEKZDbahbd39habRoUZzae5WfZAvc-UgQOAeM/w640-h314/P1110495a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA2fmRf9jz0IUkBcZpex4SXCGJnKzbi3h9NLfW3Yo4d6HGIgRUtjwSbePQX0P0qMv9ap7upkT2n3faTOTtF2aBazAJb5SzJZsuzH60lNHXw5dChz9AXVeBRKmHRSH6edbmtB1KrqzeS3XcSyGQYo7Oiuo8ebyN0x91GZPuNEwvgKqE8WRcGZ1QHtwKFo/s4896/P1110497a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA2fmRf9jz0IUkBcZpex4SXCGJnKzbi3h9NLfW3Yo4d6HGIgRUtjwSbePQX0P0qMv9ap7upkT2n3faTOTtF2aBazAJb5SzJZsuzH60lNHXw5dChz9AXVeBRKmHRSH6edbmtB1KrqzeS3XcSyGQYo7Oiuo8ebyN0x91GZPuNEwvgKqE8WRcGZ1QHtwKFo/w640-h480/P1110497a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMjZt8IJLfhvTgRrAw4D_yl0lAm6rjXEpv0eRXfjxBisupmYgRxNDmG2QRpUCgEwJXUWTxIZtNQmWUIqxSw1_p4E1GGGSGeBgsEs8MpHIMM9qn5juxo8j4KmUL3ab7ZYc26WcIf8boS13Nhpf53906lVZByFtOzYLHplWI9tNczQsk2j_P6defvXW2-Q/s4896/P1110498a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMjZt8IJLfhvTgRrAw4D_yl0lAm6rjXEpv0eRXfjxBisupmYgRxNDmG2QRpUCgEwJXUWTxIZtNQmWUIqxSw1_p4E1GGGSGeBgsEs8MpHIMM9qn5juxo8j4KmUL3ab7ZYc26WcIf8boS13Nhpf53906lVZByFtOzYLHplWI9tNczQsk2j_P6defvXW2-Q/w640-h480/P1110498a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div>So another Warfare and another year of wargame shows fast approaching a conclusion, and a rather sparse one compared with my usual calendar, with just Partizan in May and now Warfare, mainly explained by my extended time away on my travels and the need to catch up on my own wargaming projects in the remaining time once I was home that has seen a reduced calendar of other events.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I can get back to a more normal year as we go into 2024, and it was nice to see the Reading chaps seem to have sorted themselves a much more serviceable venue for their show and thanks to them for organising it and to Steve, Glyn, Andy, Andy T and Simon for their company on the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>More anon </div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-86074989541274164532023-11-10T13:13:00.006-08:002023-11-10T13:54:51.554-08:00All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Three, British 74's of the Leeward Division<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6UwPy8NBhKRYe74RXD6gKnsUrL0On8nb2Q2JlUuQrTk4LenDp4QseUhMajdbUIxM2AtWML5DP9X5YVCFnNd6yyCRpfxjcRIq0r_W1tZ-Ch9vm_j2kTdhP7ZkM94iVjxH4wBkSCq4GW6sftVpmTz4tga01fG6s606AkcRDqWZ1yVMJoIofQoAnWM1DOc/s1195/Camperdown%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1195" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6UwPy8NBhKRYe74RXD6gKnsUrL0On8nb2Q2JlUuQrTk4LenDp4QseUhMajdbUIxM2AtWML5DP9X5YVCFnNd6yyCRpfxjcRIq0r_W1tZ-Ch9vm_j2kTdhP7ZkM94iVjxH4wBkSCq4GW6sftVpmTz4tga01fG6s606AkcRDqWZ1yVMJoIofQoAnWM1DOc/w640-h398/Camperdown%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown - Derek Gardner<br />The Leeward Division carried the red ensign of Vice Admiral Richard Onslow led into action by his flagship HMS <i>Monarch </i>74-guns.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Work has progressed with the Camperdown project and the current phase to complete Vice Admiral Richard Onslow's Leeward Division of the British fleet under the overall command of Admiral of the Blue, Adam Duncan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDrh4sD2QZtQtmGrZbFQ-jsl0f8f-O36CUoSQP-W_Xs3ctS7WLhbkUVWr7LnHbL9GNnlj7CVQZ0XPxvWXxDkrY2YTC_ysB9ke3SosC0cStzZtbbvDzvg_0W1wZV0V6yEo254rzw4BEv-QH7XJnH4-IEopN0BCyzPACIVJ5ZvKrknm09tKvvWuIFaz5Fs/s1044/The%20Leeward%20Division.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1044" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDrh4sD2QZtQtmGrZbFQ-jsl0f8f-O36CUoSQP-W_Xs3ctS7WLhbkUVWr7LnHbL9GNnlj7CVQZ0XPxvWXxDkrY2YTC_ysB9ke3SosC0cStzZtbbvDzvg_0W1wZV0V6yEo254rzw4BEv-QH7XJnH4-IEopN0BCyzPACIVJ5ZvKrknm09tKvvWuIFaz5Fs/w640-h318/The%20Leeward%20Division.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eight ships of the line that would form the Leeward Division at Camperdown, to this would be added the fourth rate <i>Adamant </i>50-guns with, as shown here, the attached fifth-rate frigate HMS <i>Beaulieu </i>40-guns.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The previous two posts can be followed in the links below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5sFji3drQvRDV_s88Iq22PdChyphenhyphenSt4DDyFl9B0T694sVeV8WmeMW1GEdNi4i10B0H2mY5gVEr5UaoAdo2JRCFrAS5rHcPRyWGlpiGSK6huNgAoNNBio4ZWHAu1crR6_QplVGfZDKEWrKr7FRdZMBNuibXyD6giMb8eYAqM-ZOL2OLf0Z_v22ood4W4A0/s640/Thomas-Whitcombe-Battle-of-Camperdown%20Vrijheid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="640" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5sFji3drQvRDV_s88Iq22PdChyphenhyphenSt4DDyFl9B0T694sVeV8WmeMW1GEdNi4i10B0H2mY5gVEr5UaoAdo2JRCFrAS5rHcPRyWGlpiGSK6huNgAoNNBio4ZWHAu1crR6_QplVGfZDKEWrKr7FRdZMBNuibXyD6giMb8eYAqM-ZOL2OLf0Z_v22ood4W4A0/s320/Thomas-Whitcombe-Battle-of-Camperdown%20Vrijheid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/09/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown Project Build, Part One</b></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/10/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown Project Build, Part Two</b></span></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As per my last post I've included my battle layout below with the models built to date and added to the collection, which now includes three of the four 74-gun ships of the line that were part of Admiral Onslow's division, HMS <i>Montagu</i>, Onslow's flagship HMS <i>Monarch </i>and HMS <i>Russell</i>, that together with the three 64's featured in Post Two formed the spearhead of the Leeward Division's assault on the Dutch Rear</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilIWkSKATfJqarBiZfSzyDThAR4fu1_WVQ2cziqZwF_9s4wc0oMgP8lIdbZf1Asj3cN6OEtURMKOQXRjeXBUlHcR5DlBdoVD8oAHfPVscLekwIRpGF8_r6COcDkY7SghsHvZWSmnUNTJYGWseIjad23x6qa0YgL3W-xdC74Fv3ofbYvECA-5tmhLpOhQ/s1912/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1912" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilIWkSKATfJqarBiZfSzyDThAR4fu1_WVQ2cziqZwF_9s4wc0oMgP8lIdbZf1Asj3cN6OEtURMKOQXRjeXBUlHcR5DlBdoVD8oAHfPVscLekwIRpGF8_r6COcDkY7SghsHvZWSmnUNTJYGWseIjad23x6qa0YgL3W-xdC74Fv3ofbYvECA-5tmhLpOhQ/w640-h410/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In the next post I will complete the Division with a look at the other three ships to come under Onslow's command, the 64-gun <i>Agincourt</i>, <i>Powerful </i>74-guns and the fourth-rate, <i>Adamant </i>50-guns, that ended up joining the rear of the division in the haste to press the attack.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik62xOYrvsZb7kVa_8RRfbBSMryYWnyu2dhZivlfhchSAvfB-EwFqudafGtpvlAxBGCno1Wzv9V5RAlRr99SEHwbvayYv6GgIv_VSnn2JQ6YF8IfbhRzGsSA1Pmw4-TO94raAVNzuyqdsrlNCg9NtswOtYOZGJ3OzgzviWluBoQTm08KAz1lbZQvY4hic/s1200/V%20Adm%20Sir%20Richard%20Onslow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik62xOYrvsZb7kVa_8RRfbBSMryYWnyu2dhZivlfhchSAvfB-EwFqudafGtpvlAxBGCno1Wzv9V5RAlRr99SEHwbvayYv6GgIv_VSnn2JQ6YF8IfbhRzGsSA1Pmw4-TO94raAVNzuyqdsrlNCg9NtswOtYOZGJ3OzgzviWluBoQTm08KAz1lbZQvY4hic/s320/V%20Adm%20Sir%20Richard%20Onslow.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Vice Admiral of the Red, Sir Richard Onslow - Thomas Philips (National Maritime Museum)<br />Born 23rd June 1741 - Died 27th December 1817 aged 76</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The command of the Leeward Division and Admiral Duncan's second in command was Richard Onslow, who joined the navy circa 1758, and with his father being a Lieutenant General with considerable interest, saw his rapid rise from fourth lieutenant on the <i>Sunderland </i>60-guns in 1758 to Commander of the 14-gun ship-sloop <i>Martin, </i>at the tender age of 19<i>, </i>on the 11th February 1761, four days after her launch at Rotherhithe in London.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf45NgwFLvkjU7IwyK6WfjmPyJRo_OD9cVtv1nXLD1CXQewjDB3A_CRaKnPsfGcmQfVbVZZ1DHH96Unc_CWmx9dd1xy951zdtxcDbAILGxYLrEIQSanWmruOpBN6Gf4kxz1YJwTRegT_ex84tD3TEEM7dYvDUowSFP1bGs-PxiE5cwxVgrXBK4pqQ6aqE/s800/onslow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="631" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf45NgwFLvkjU7IwyK6WfjmPyJRo_OD9cVtv1nXLD1CXQewjDB3A_CRaKnPsfGcmQfVbVZZ1DHH96Unc_CWmx9dd1xy951zdtxcDbAILGxYLrEIQSanWmruOpBN6Gf4kxz1YJwTRegT_ex84tD3TEEM7dYvDUowSFP1bGs-PxiE5cwxVgrXBK4pqQ6aqE/s320/onslow.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Richard Onslow, seen here as a young man, perhaps about <br />the time when he took command of HMS Humber 44-guns . </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In April 1762 he took command of the fifth rate HMS <i>Humber </i>44-guns, operating in the Baltic, but he was court-martialled following her floundering and wrecking off Flamborough Head on the 16th September 1762, and, acquitted for her loss, with the blame placed on the local pilot, he took command of the fifth-rate <i>Phoenix </i>44-guns in November 1762, until May the following year when he would find himself ashore on half pay.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLHXKMRM2MMRwyQAD6dvauTZhHEnjq_sXkWQSj65fnbSa4L4wFjgZxo4CBmg7ht85DSL57jKi-26uLyUCipM0_BmOpsyQeHVf4MLTwvqELfb4bp4TFmgfQ9h7eS3TynXKB-lSUY_S_CSyvBAfuGxKVj3gpPCjx4CaHxkc7OfBBC_1FjMTFUXufCbKYXU/s1024/1940.0823.000001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1024" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLHXKMRM2MMRwyQAD6dvauTZhHEnjq_sXkWQSj65fnbSa4L4wFjgZxo4CBmg7ht85DSL57jKi-26uLyUCipM0_BmOpsyQeHVf4MLTwvqELfb4bp4TFmgfQ9h7eS3TynXKB-lSUY_S_CSyvBAfuGxKVj3gpPCjx4CaHxkc7OfBBC_1FjMTFUXufCbKYXU/w640-h392/1940.0823.000001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord Howe's Fleet sailing for Sandy Hook, July 1777 - Irwin John Bevan.<br />Onslow at HMS <i>St Albans</i> would join Howe's Squadron in time for the action at Sandy Hook</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Captain Oslow, would take command of the 64-gun <i>St Albans</i>, on 31st October 1776, as part of the naval build up for the American War of Independence, escorting a convoy to New York in April 1777, and joining Lord Howe's fleet on the American Station that would see him in action with D'Estang's French squadron at Sandy Hook 22nd July 1777, before sailing to the West Indies in November of that year with Commodore Hotham, seeing action at the capture of St Lucia in December 1778 before returning home in 1779 escorting a convoy from St Kitts.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRXn1O13FcA3i3y0DiREVfJQhNoETnpyPvm7soOZqe9ML_wuRvAOIdD3qgrzisTP6TgOkZa8jdGAauoAFqea6KUTcR3ai1nA3h7V5yj1c7LE1VQhL0Xeoxw7MzRUpZfHftMIwphH8eDiLxav7Bf5dUwbWZF1uN1jcCfnMB_aGSzWwgjGZIcXDGGX4l3I/s800/bellonaandcourageuxarrivingatspitheadbygeoffhunt11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="800" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRXn1O13FcA3i3y0DiREVfJQhNoETnpyPvm7soOZqe9ML_wuRvAOIdD3qgrzisTP6TgOkZa8jdGAauoAFqea6KUTcR3ai1nA3h7V5yj1c7LE1VQhL0Xeoxw7MzRUpZfHftMIwphH8eDiLxav7Bf5dUwbWZF1uN1jcCfnMB_aGSzWwgjGZIcXDGGX4l3I/w640-h568/bellonaandcourageuxarrivingatspitheadbygeoffhunt11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bellona </i>and <i>Courageux </i>off Spithead - Geoff Hunt<br />Onslow would command this famous British 74 from 21st February 1780 to 7th June 1783</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div>The return home saw him appointed to command the <i>Bellona </i>74-guns on 21st February 1780 as part of the Channel Fleet, seeing him capture the Dutch <i>Prinses Carolina</i> 52-guns in the Channel on the 30th December 1780, later taking part in the two relief convoys for Gibraltar in April 1781 and October 1782, but by June 1783 was ashore and back on half-pay with the end of the American War.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>On the 31st March 1789, Onslow was back in command with his appointment to HMS <i>Magnificent </i>74-guns on the 31st March 1789 but was back ashore by the 5th September 1791, later receiving his promotion to flag rank as Rear-Admiral of the White on the 1st February 1793, with the commencement of war with Revolutionary France.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the 4th July 1794 he was promoted to Vice-Admiral, later taking command at Portsmouth as Port-Admiral in 1796 before joining the North Sea Fleet under Admiral Duncan in November of that year aboard his then flagship HMS <i>Nassau </i>64-guns.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqrid6D2huOzOQC2QY0KfTl-uvZrz-UNX9is0vgtD8qXpGi-rwkk-GV7f30A8abWkwnAVgI5ZSd4RATwsZMlaZVXoN-I99KkyXngcJbIkowH33EXbWBtuANyfqEsGJREV1U6hhv4Pqci9BQ7Dxgn4vDdWRVfpoGaAk45RVVGniINNNgm65wxRjkgaTk8/s787/hms-leopard-1790-731-dv-1-p.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="787" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqrid6D2huOzOQC2QY0KfTl-uvZrz-UNX9is0vgtD8qXpGi-rwkk-GV7f30A8abWkwnAVgI5ZSd4RATwsZMlaZVXoN-I99KkyXngcJbIkowH33EXbWBtuANyfqEsGJREV1U6hhv4Pqci9BQ7Dxgn4vDdWRVfpoGaAk45RVVGniINNNgm65wxRjkgaTk8/w640-h452/hms-leopard-1790-731-dv-1-p.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Leopard</i>, depicted here was a Portland Class 50-gun fourth-rate, sister ship to the <i>Adamant </i>that Onslow transferred his flag to during the Nore Mutiny</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Onslow was to play a key role in the Nore Mutiny, suppressing a rising aboard the <i>Nassau </i>and quelling similar efforts aboard the <i>Adamant</i>, transferring his flag to her when the <i>Nassau </i>refused orders to sail, and together with Admiral Duncan, maintaining the appearance of a blockade off the Texel, with false signals to a non-existent fleet.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the 13th of June 1797 the mutiny was over and all the ships involved had surrendered and on the 25th July Onslow had transferred his flag again to the <i>Monarch</i>, with his flag-captain Edward O'Bryen in time for the Battle of Camperdown.</div><div><br /></div><div>Onslow would be honoured with a baronetcy and the Freedom of the City of London for his role in the mutiny and the victory at Camperdown retiring in December 1798 as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth, and being promoted Admiral of the Red on the 9th November 1805 and awarded the Order of the Bath in 1815, dying at the age of 76 on the 27th December 1817.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cUFVAKlpbk3A-Db3Yu1g9JI8R-0nmp7Mpx6ionDjlkbA3kY-bJtX3FpyOgDTqJas3xr_mKlhWcSk0HK16AolgiDrHhyphenhyphenPYwnL0uTkAy2Ij2QT7mAzMFlAnzRINkXtpqSMjT312BltRtuFuIb_j-RWMNrKHzH2LoajPf3LRYCdMl2fLLlzYhBZKdKkruw/s4730/P1110437a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2645" data-original-width="4730" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cUFVAKlpbk3A-Db3Yu1g9JI8R-0nmp7Mpx6ionDjlkbA3kY-bJtX3FpyOgDTqJas3xr_mKlhWcSk0HK16AolgiDrHhyphenhyphenPYwnL0uTkAy2Ij2QT7mAzMFlAnzRINkXtpqSMjT312BltRtuFuIb_j-RWMNrKHzH2LoajPf3LRYCdMl2fLLlzYhBZKdKkruw/w640-h358/P1110437a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right, my new additions, Russell, Monarch and Montagu</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>So with an overview of Vice-Admiral Onslow's career, I can turn my focus on the models I have put together to represent these first three 74-gun ships under his command, starting with his flagship HMS <i>Monarch</i>, and as with the preceding post I thought it would be interesting to look at the ship's logs from the battle together with a brief history and look at the individual ship statistics.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Monarch</span></b></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fv-4NOJLYFKUChhbMQLcYy0YhL5ywdd7aawE_tKhSPKbYKa961lGSX0YfFmMGU1Rujh8Hy177gxWtF7ccosi4HywDf7Ka8gFDqnoPf6a5uR9g1GZjf3_sAj7ck8WApclgFqgWhB9nbrhGn-l6PNwF65YcAh3LKbjCYtc_BslBzOS01Etp_IKQQSdGgA/s1280/Nelson_Forcing_the_Passage_of_the_Sound,_30_March_1801,_prior_to_the_Battle_of_Copenhagen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1280" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fv-4NOJLYFKUChhbMQLcYy0YhL5ywdd7aawE_tKhSPKbYKa961lGSX0YfFmMGU1Rujh8Hy177gxWtF7ccosi4HywDf7Ka8gFDqnoPf6a5uR9g1GZjf3_sAj7ck8WApclgFqgWhB9nbrhGn-l6PNwF65YcAh3LKbjCYtc_BslBzOS01Etp_IKQQSdGgA/w640-h424/Nelson_Forcing_the_Passage_of_the_Sound,_30_March_1801,_prior_to_the_Battle_of_Copenhagen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Nelson Forcing the Passage of the Sound, 30th March 1801, Prior to the Battle of Copenhagen - Robert Dodd (RMG)<br />HMS <i>Monarch </i>74-guns seen here leading the <i>Elephant </i>74-guns with Nelson's flag flying as a Vice-Admiral of the Blue.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span>HMS <i>Monarch </i>was a Ramilles Class 74-gun ship of the line built and launched in 1765 in Deptford, London, the class being a Thomas Slade design.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Her general characteristics were:</span></div><div><span><div>Tons burthen 1612 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 168 feet, 6 inches </div><div>Beam 46 feet, 9 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 9 inches</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhoSj_VHuw5EU7fD1pNO2k26bnO6QmYoMcS9WydCXAwRNm2TJAvzfM0rvinwlgy4TxWycQxvxCfRndzsqXpHrS0AFq1X2dszRTvnckXNa8tkoLQarhdhdta9s3mViHLMrXkZLaBBONrT58D2dx2A8zrkewvIYMJawoM-5BtqqFVijdfzhoRFHloiUODU/s4565/P1110439a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4565" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhoSj_VHuw5EU7fD1pNO2k26bnO6QmYoMcS9WydCXAwRNm2TJAvzfM0rvinwlgy4TxWycQxvxCfRndzsqXpHrS0AFq1X2dszRTvnckXNa8tkoLQarhdhdta9s3mViHLMrXkZLaBBONrT58D2dx2A8zrkewvIYMJawoM-5BtqqFVijdfzhoRFHloiUODU/w640-h514/P1110439a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My interpretation of HMS <i>Monarch </i>74-guns, flagship of Vice-Admiral of the Red Sir Richard Onslow, carrying his red flag on the foremast and flying Signal 41- 'Engage enemy's rear', at the mainmast made to HMS Montagu at 13.46 at the Battle of Camperdown. My efforts to capture the look of her figurehead, seen above is a conversion job on one of those supplied in the Warlord model.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 28 x 32-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 28 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 14 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 4 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div><br /></div><div>Commissioned in October 1776 at Portsmouth, initially as a guardship, <i>Monarch </i>would join the Channel Fleet, taking her place in the line at the Battle of Ushant on 27th July 1778 under Admiral Kepple, suffering 3 killed and 26 wounded.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAtirgopM5FipBey-o6VwZ_-9dc6PuMDLrESV9YLkXY9wZ6k_1cijlgKh2dfX7GQ15vya5PhDDB81wJiQV5XuleGmO6edPxcTHxtndX5bDpPSKULvG2WoDnCGtZfF3yyjqfx0fFC3JW9n1QlBMKzfqPTa91xbZnQ4c_fMNfmcuY40UKmTLsQpkTmu-M0/s4963/BattleOfVirginiaCapes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3115" data-original-width="4963" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAtirgopM5FipBey-o6VwZ_-9dc6PuMDLrESV9YLkXY9wZ6k_1cijlgKh2dfX7GQ15vya5PhDDB81wJiQV5XuleGmO6edPxcTHxtndX5bDpPSKULvG2WoDnCGtZfF3yyjqfx0fFC3JW9n1QlBMKzfqPTa91xbZnQ4c_fMNfmcuY40UKmTLsQpkTmu-M0/w640-h402/BattleOfVirginiaCapes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Battle of the Virginia Capes - V. Zveg (Hampton Roads Naval Museum)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In 1780, newly coppered in May she was with Admiral Graves' fleet in action in the van at the Battle of Chesapeake, 5th September 1781.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the following year she would be heavily involved in Admiral Rodney's Caribbean campaign seeing action at the capture of the Dutch island of St. Eustatius in February 1781, and managing to catch a Dutch convoy of thirty ships carrying contraband on the 4th of that month escorted by a 32-gun Dutch frigate, <i>Mars</i>, which resulted in their capture after a short engagement with the <i>Mars </i>resulting in the death of Dutch Rear-Admiral Willem Krull.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMKdJlZlKo_n6CLoU0lCiRzxe5zqqT-eM2vndWoqmVrNALPREfDyDjYrG31nK8myid89ub0VnD5cjw790-UaD_g102nUaWpdKpLH78H5MEhyphenhyphen7c4dUsnGkZG9AqkyA9gLBoYS16RkHr8tf6tSzKqbSHzNTq9TTdp0V_KwvwLbIr1AQ9SJpJ7QmLRSMQIw/s1280/Bataille_de_Saint_Kitts_janvier_1782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1280" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMKdJlZlKo_n6CLoU0lCiRzxe5zqqT-eM2vndWoqmVrNALPREfDyDjYrG31nK8myid89ub0VnD5cjw790-UaD_g102nUaWpdKpLH78H5MEhyphenhyphen7c4dUsnGkZG9AqkyA9gLBoYS16RkHr8tf6tSzKqbSHzNTq9TTdp0V_KwvwLbIr1AQ9SJpJ7QmLRSMQIw/w640-h318/Bataille_de_Saint_Kitts_janvier_1782.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Battle of Frigate Bay 25th - 26th January 1782 - Thomas Maynard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><i>Monarch </i>would go on to see action at the Battle of St Kitts or Battle of Frigate Bay 25th - 26th January 1782 only losing 2 killed and 2 wounded and Rodney's crowning victory at the Battle of the Saintes, 12th April 1782, suffering 16 killed and 33 wounded.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpjxNXjEmpoHnDf0UjtsGFIBoL-3N_LpISKhQufObVcLiN9l6S2Zx6skgQCiwDLBLeKOqCRNwZVyBWmq6U9gMY_6J7ccM2Be8OFWl9G88MhZ4Ixk-wFw45tIoTh51_WytQnOYcia99A1LuedK2f214TthnVwc1-iB3qifVNhNpXgUrmUoxpThkluSIW4/s3200/The_battle_of_the_Saints_12_avril_1782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="3200" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpjxNXjEmpoHnDf0UjtsGFIBoL-3N_LpISKhQufObVcLiN9l6S2Zx6skgQCiwDLBLeKOqCRNwZVyBWmq6U9gMY_6J7ccM2Be8OFWl9G88MhZ4Ixk-wFw45tIoTh51_WytQnOYcia99A1LuedK2f214TthnVwc1-iB3qifVNhNpXgUrmUoxpThkluSIW4/w640-h382/The_battle_of_the_Saints_12_avril_1782.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Battle of the Saintes, 12th April 1782 - Thomas Whitcombe</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The <i>Monarch </i>would finish the American War with another battle honour and victory to her name with the Battle of the Mona Passage, 19th April 1782, when a British squadron of ten ships overtook a small French squadron of two 64s, two frigates and a corvette capturing four of them including the two third-rates.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PgXb3V5hkKzxtKB6_8VXHls_JzhhF99hM_l-lTN3KahXCYUKVqYvms384-YgQ6foe3GQqY459wo7yK-NL_t2klmITMTcbK1RWMNfm4p2QJXj8pJnGjNM1x73Gl9P79diAv4x5qdnz7sKGMaB7jLJc414f7z9jafkYA6XB6XV-6-OxRWZ3WQU4OmViP0/s2708/Mona_Passage_19_april_1782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="2708" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PgXb3V5hkKzxtKB6_8VXHls_JzhhF99hM_l-lTN3KahXCYUKVqYvms384-YgQ6foe3GQqY459wo7yK-NL_t2klmITMTcbK1RWMNfm4p2QJXj8pJnGjNM1x73Gl9P79diAv4x5qdnz7sKGMaB7jLJc414f7z9jafkYA6XB6XV-6-OxRWZ3WQU4OmViP0/w640-h294/Mona_Passage_19_april_1782.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Capture of the French 64-gun <i>Caton </i>and <i>Jason </i>by the <i>Valiant </i>74-guns at the Battle of the Mona Passage 9th April 1782 - Dominic Serres</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In 1787 Monarch was in the repair yard at Chatham undergoing a three year overhaul until January 1790, joining the Channel squadron in July 1790 but being paid off in September 1791, only to be recommissioned in December 1792, later fitted out again as a guardship in January 1793, before sailing to the Leeward Islands where from the 5th of February to the 24th March 1794 she was involved in the attack on Martinique.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdhu4Z28JCk6qyITuUnlqjB-E-SDcJY9sNjvzNuyskZjYekKjg5CfEL5J7kKNzwbeqK5o8fVAn4BEtLqf3YR9LNaUcqIp0IUKbg8gZzh7wTYngNm7wQ4eFltKkrgeLv_pOm1L6jZ9X4SCwoYcydbGno1El7v9j-VPQDiZF-Vz0CqM6Zw3uyofwsB1WTY/s4294/P1110440a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3554" data-original-width="4294" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdhu4Z28JCk6qyITuUnlqjB-E-SDcJY9sNjvzNuyskZjYekKjg5CfEL5J7kKNzwbeqK5o8fVAn4BEtLqf3YR9LNaUcqIp0IUKbg8gZzh7wTYngNm7wQ4eFltKkrgeLv_pOm1L6jZ9X4SCwoYcydbGno1El7v9j-VPQDiZF-Vz0CqM6Zw3uyofwsB1WTY/w640-h530/P1110440a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In April 1795 she became the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir George Elphinstone deployed with a small fleet to capture the Dutch colony of the Cape of Good Hope, with the Dutch finally forced to capitulate on the 15th September, this following the capture of a small Dutch squadron in Saldanha Bay consisting of 3 ships of the line, 4 frigates, 1 sloop and 6 merchant ships.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5wXSJPZG36gQsplT7dMFPM5ITYKmooYrydWmNC1r6AY7e43A4fQOKKJfRAuhzzgZcdiY7JfngB1qwBmJ8sCk70bjD8OSFaKG4NA8nVH9wIWfRJo9aDtqRrdCgmQYQ-vDK-XMyyimHp5is_Q_iFhi4tg3QaB-jDByepX2UDAaJYiB7KR1FbjKRiOZjz8/s413/imageedit_2_5457979579.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5wXSJPZG36gQsplT7dMFPM5ITYKmooYrydWmNC1r6AY7e43A4fQOKKJfRAuhzzgZcdiY7JfngB1qwBmJ8sCk70bjD8OSFaKG4NA8nVH9wIWfRJo9aDtqRrdCgmQYQ-vDK-XMyyimHp5is_Q_iFhi4tg3QaB-jDByepX2UDAaJYiB7KR1FbjKRiOZjz8/s320/imageedit_2_5457979579.png" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Captain Edward O'Bryen</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Sailing for home, <i>Monarch </i>was refitted at Portsmouth in August 1797, coming under the command of Captain Edward O'Bryen and as mentioned in the look at Admiral Onslow's career record would become his flagship just prior to the Battle of Camperdown.</div><div><br /></div><div>As HMS <i>Monarch </i>was a flagship at Camperdown, and as with previous battle fleet projects, I like to add the odd signal flag alongside my admirals flags to indicate these important command ships.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvtnhtSelG4QCh60Rv9VmqPNUofjfflN37jIFDZtXmPwy3QmCB1ZXDLk51mnoJMb3lCoQ10hRGUAFsxdPUFn8CaiS1Ery3S1F1guGHeWVKZzPjuI3b7uIt0sjXCrOZqJwXftnvBnIbLX9UZofobU7Da-FZ6dBVXIxAGMyTTa0lSefInok9UcAhFayB6Q/s475/1963184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvtnhtSelG4QCh60Rv9VmqPNUofjfflN37jIFDZtXmPwy3QmCB1ZXDLk51mnoJMb3lCoQ10hRGUAFsxdPUFn8CaiS1Ery3S1F1guGHeWVKZzPjuI3b7uIt0sjXCrOZqJwXftnvBnIbLX9UZofobU7Da-FZ6dBVXIxAGMyTTa0lSefInok9UcAhFayB6Q/s320/1963184.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With the British this is somewhat easier with the copious works looking at British naval signals and with the ultimate tome available and certainly in my own library, Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail, The Evolution of Fighting Tactics 1650 to 1815 by Brian Tunstall, a must have in any Age of Sail enthusiasts collection of books.</div><div><br /></div><div>In it Tunstall states;</div><div><b><i>'Tactically, Camperdown (11 October 1797) was a Howe battle in the sense that on the British side it was fought with Howe's signal book and accompanying instructions. On the Dutch side it was fought with a numerical signal book containing 795 signals and of unrivalled simplicity in arrangement - unrivalled even by Howe's.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>It was based on ten flags, numbered 1-10, with pendants for the hundreds, but the book was thumb-indexed so that the relevant pendant, together with the ten flags, could be seen on each page, with the signal opposite the flags, the flags for the tens being shown along the top.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Tunstall then gives some examples of these very specific signal instructions;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Dutch Battle Signals of 1797</i></b></div><div><b><i>No. 715 Attack the enemy's van to windward with a superior force of the heaviest ships in the line of battle; light ships to support the attack in lozenge formation on perpendicular of the wind.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XoHls7rT-Hhyphenhyphen_xg_0d7VYsHMPKpRF_qa62YEmm3m7ugovgXT6LUJKgdLptSg8pp5uRoTdcULMVqpRuYWy0g8iYQdqchOxvdLuUvO_5fdK9R8D0CbVbtrjjpnCEeFQKUXBtunVcz38cG-pVgF9uhDoseptWzICRDtZYb6QcaoKyQFwvSSPLX8BdeF5xo/s3672/P1110441a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2479" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XoHls7rT-Hhyphenhyphen_xg_0d7VYsHMPKpRF_qa62YEmm3m7ugovgXT6LUJKgdLptSg8pp5uRoTdcULMVqpRuYWy0g8iYQdqchOxvdLuUvO_5fdK9R8D0CbVbtrjjpnCEeFQKUXBtunVcz38cG-pVgF9uhDoseptWzICRDtZYb6QcaoKyQFwvSSPLX8BdeF5xo/w432-h640/P1110441a.JPG" width="432" /></a></div></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly I don't as yet have examples of these Dutch signal flags, but please point me in the direction of where I can find them if you know, as I would love to add them to my Dutch flagships.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately Howe's Signal book is readily available, together with the signals made by the two British flagships in the battle, and I decided to select one specific example that will fly from my HMS <i>Monarch</i>, namely signal 41, made to HMS <i>Montagu </i>at 1.46pm to 'Engage enemy's rear'.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjccwmFHzzU_aXstx3hOdr4GE4vv4hoH4vNw8dXNoP7e2Dngydi4NqFFhofJBn8b0_gimR1T0cmyXz4XVgg82oU-f_tELhxlunvopFBJYl-FBwBYLnF4PzvqaAiOvyDr5WHBiZGMRbE9KsfHQfJpuMRL4WsoFFidQPP36LmSDTAT03YM4xJ5pUvS_H2rg/s1914/Signal%20No.%2041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1914" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjccwmFHzzU_aXstx3hOdr4GE4vv4hoH4vNw8dXNoP7e2Dngydi4NqFFhofJBn8b0_gimR1T0cmyXz4XVgg82oU-f_tELhxlunvopFBJYl-FBwBYLnF4PzvqaAiOvyDr5WHBiZGMRbE9KsfHQfJpuMRL4WsoFFidQPP36LmSDTAT03YM4xJ5pUvS_H2rg/w640-h358/Signal%20No.%2041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instructions for the use of Lord Howe's Signal Book, used for the Battle of Camperdown.<br /><i>Monarch </i>to <i>Montagu </i>at 1.46, Signal 41 - Engage enemy's rear</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>As in the previous post I decided to use the logs of the ships portrayed to look more closely at their involvement in the battle.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following note appears in the account from HMS <i>Monarch</i>.</div><div><div><b>[The log of the Monarch, though greatly superior to that of the Commander-in-Chiefs flag-ship, does not give a good account of the action. More details are to be gathered from the very complete signal log which follows.]</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWG5nnzLCPsYF77AalyOCLgKLr8DOTEDg__8-yYW3w2J6N8FaVeyTKW-aYk1InkogBf0INh1eJO9HwV8PuTDZg56ZlcHxEsc51HJX7q_916qRZ8rZEIccVX0hIqab4TIbFo22_LuCj9RtnONgV3T4_GerZ4hxq7RY5kmSzqxo4rL_cG4qMK63dA5BMZk/s4243/P1110442a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4243" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWG5nnzLCPsYF77AalyOCLgKLr8DOTEDg__8-yYW3w2J6N8FaVeyTKW-aYk1InkogBf0INh1eJO9HwV8PuTDZg56ZlcHxEsc51HJX7q_916qRZ8rZEIccVX0hIqab4TIbFo22_LuCj9RtnONgV3T4_GerZ4hxq7RY5kmSzqxo4rL_cG4qMK63dA5BMZk/w640-h554/P1110442a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Extracts from the log of HMS Monarch at the Battle of Camperdown</b></div><div><b>Log. THOMAS WHIDDON, Master. Official No. 2799.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="font-weight: bold;">October 11th. </div><div style="font-weight: bold;">A.M. - Fresh breezes. Admiral N by W. 1/2 past one, tacked ship per signal. Fleet in company. Squally with rain. 1/2 past 6, tacked per signal. At 1/2 past 7, discovered the Russell, Adamant and Beaulieu to leeward with the signal for the enemy on the SSW. Answered it and bore up. </div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">At 9, discovered the enemy's fleet bearing as above. Do. prepared ship for battle and made all sail for them, they being formed in a line of battle. 16 ships of two-decks, 4 frigates and 5 brigs. At noon, passed the enemy's line and began to engage the Vice-Admiral's ship to leeward.</div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfStFnesb-tPnzyiLo-xnQw2_L_TbFBeYYsjxciTWx3uNjiLa11cc67l3yf6CuRrTz4zrK-kMEOPsJsfOm9cyDKqBk6roCSrMaRNiE0Bt-zGHT5vDMNOHl0EsLxf65i3zmA_rkyMoUwEgnjJ3Dq0EBn-gYRgTmJ5LbWNfXfr0NuVKgFHww9jvNAi-m5j0/s1529/Monarch13.00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1035" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfStFnesb-tPnzyiLo-xnQw2_L_TbFBeYYsjxciTWx3uNjiLa11cc67l3yf6CuRrTz4zrK-kMEOPsJsfOm9cyDKqBk6roCSrMaRNiE0Bt-zGHT5vDMNOHl0EsLxf65i3zmA_rkyMoUwEgnjJ3Dq0EBn-gYRgTmJ5LbWNfXfr0NuVKgFHww9jvNAi-m5j0/w434-h640/Monarch13.00.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>'At noon, passed the enemy's line and began to engage the Vice-Admiral's ship to leeward.'</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-weight: bold;">P.M. Moderate breezes and cloudy weather. In close action with the Vice-Admiral. Returned the fire of a Dutch brig, who sunk. At 1/2 past 1 , the Dutch Vice-Admiral struck. At 3/4 past 1, sent Lieut. Rider on board to take possession of the prize. The boat returned with the Dutch Admiral. She proves to be the Jupiter of 76 guns. </div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJujaGxGrs69eSJKYdNwggheI-hFS6iwOd3-fI81Pr-ZUV-O3n8Cn_6VLMFdf9uj3DxtZanTqDUJCjAeHoLZi2rM5kI7wiYzDNpaUSeGQvpdYGT8-r0KywmVGXMmp4oG8QXwVgbBrHKCVNl9U1hKtKB0BFKGhAw7zLEGIUJimAa9zusjqSM6gljLUo06o/s1509/Monarch14.00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJujaGxGrs69eSJKYdNwggheI-hFS6iwOd3-fI81Pr-ZUV-O3n8Cn_6VLMFdf9uj3DxtZanTqDUJCjAeHoLZi2rM5kI7wiYzDNpaUSeGQvpdYGT8-r0KywmVGXMmp4oG8QXwVgbBrHKCVNl9U1hKtKB0BFKGhAw7zLEGIUJimAa9zusjqSM6gljLUo06o/w442-h640/Monarch14.00.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>'The boat returned with the Dutch Admiral. She proves to be the Jupiter of 76 guns.' </i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">All the Dutch ships in our rear had struck their colours. Employed in sending men on board the prize and receiving prisoners. At 1/4 past 2, observed a Dutch line-of-battle ship to windward on fire. </div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ElvVc5lCMfG7_p1ovKC1ONC2mc3P5fSZPj2fEcxtbTaROvT_TSRiDUII3HAxv_YE1-G5p6tMPOyXXQSRUWDYvUaTqRt5YIR_Ft0cDLfuXTVYCneM2ScczjfZyQvIJQIUZNFepoXi1k-aizPXsUBFfUo39YguwzXJJ4IjYk2MDF6Arigjty1aCpGT2TE/s4376/P1110443a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4376" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ElvVc5lCMfG7_p1ovKC1ONC2mc3P5fSZPj2fEcxtbTaROvT_TSRiDUII3HAxv_YE1-G5p6tMPOyXXQSRUWDYvUaTqRt5YIR_Ft0cDLfuXTVYCneM2ScczjfZyQvIJQIUZNFepoXi1k-aizPXsUBFfUo39YguwzXJJ4IjYk2MDF6Arigjty1aCpGT2TE/w640-h538/P1110443a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">At 1/2 past 2, the Dutch Commander-in-Chief dismasted, but still firing. At 3/4 past 2, the Montagu lying to to windward. At 3, the Dutch Admiral struck to the Venerable, when all firing ceased. Observed that 9 or 10 of the enemy's ships had struck their colours, the rest of their fleet made sail for the </div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3JhwYgcVeG4yQP4_TK7Frpg29QPSXvsZ2RoiQ_jxQ0HJx-suX6wuequSk9Zmom2QlW0KKKmbk3hNibM87qGDAv-lu4CyFWPJNpA97UvpeM0PuKWszcodg_i1sto4r4XtE0pGa3hXAze1bRpnz0EfdSnk3t4nsaUB9waRxBTxMNTytRvo2Gt05xwdaXY/s1531/Monarch15.00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3JhwYgcVeG4yQP4_TK7Frpg29QPSXvsZ2RoiQ_jxQ0HJx-suX6wuequSk9Zmom2QlW0KKKmbk3hNibM87qGDAv-lu4CyFWPJNpA97UvpeM0PuKWszcodg_i1sto4r4XtE0pGa3hXAze1bRpnz0EfdSnk3t4nsaUB9waRxBTxMNTytRvo2Gt05xwdaXY/w438-h640/Monarch15.00.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>'Carpenters employed stopping of shot holes and other necessary jobs.'</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;">Do. Wore ship. The Dutch land in sight all the action, distance 3 leagues. Employed knotting and splicing. Bent a new main topsail, the old one shot to pieces. Carpenters employed stopping of shot holes and other necessary jobs.</div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOW_bew0exdTyatZWUxVzUtkKrPFYioGXDKOAOx1AR-f5RE2Rwe7sHK_uUSqZVKKaGtGuAvUlO6CWopoYTaQHnwHapDc4UrvYoWvEiHOGqrb1QBMKAnbS7hd3ywET3M-GBH0ECzo0uU-mjD34GTE_ER_HxC0LNfbNaqt-lsIuYnvJp5_msJDzBbYZSyM/s573/74's%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="573" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOW_bew0exdTyatZWUxVzUtkKrPFYioGXDKOAOx1AR-f5RE2Rwe7sHK_uUSqZVKKaGtGuAvUlO6CWopoYTaQHnwHapDc4UrvYoWvEiHOGqrb1QBMKAnbS7hd3ywET3M-GBH0ECzo0uU-mjD34GTE_ER_HxC0LNfbNaqt-lsIuYnvJp5_msJDzBbYZSyM/w640-h556/74's%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>'The Dutch land in sight all the action, distance 3 leagues.' - </i>HMS <i>Monarch </i>closes to engage the Dutch flagship <i>Jupiter</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div><div style="font-weight: bold;">October 12th.</div><div style="font-weight: bold;">A.M. At 6, wore and stood towards the Admiral. At 1/4 past 8, wore under the Admiral's stern and cheered him. Do. hove to in company with the fleet and prizes. Variously employed in securing the mast, rigging, &c. &c. Mustered ship's company. Found 35 to be killed and 95 wounded.</div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Russell</span></b></div><div><b style="font-weight: bold;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliS3LE2LUj3Gzup2OdCEJbu-RlGCzvm7QzFDz7FtjcPFzyFQMcO5gYao_j0h0A59pTLvFxQdVwt7U0FlmCpV-MdbDeIf1paXh_1uW_N9iyuN7FN3RWbgl00QlZgIEJneo8O1a9tT_aUeSJe6gp14Ob5t1yhHOkW1MMuwbn6pqrOsrwGVkuUTOODqdW1w/s1448/Russell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1448" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliS3LE2LUj3Gzup2OdCEJbu-RlGCzvm7QzFDz7FtjcPFzyFQMcO5gYao_j0h0A59pTLvFxQdVwt7U0FlmCpV-MdbDeIf1paXh_1uW_N9iyuN7FN3RWbgl00QlZgIEJneo8O1a9tT_aUeSJe6gp14Ob5t1yhHOkW1MMuwbn6pqrOsrwGVkuUTOODqdW1w/w640-h464/Russell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naval Battle of Copenhagen 1801 - Peltro William Tomkins, after John Thomas Serres (Rijksmuseum)<br />HMS Russell 74 guns is depicted, right of picture stern galleries in view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span>HMS <i>Russell </i>was a Ramilles Class 74-gun ship of the line built and launched in 1764 at Deptford, London, the class being a Thomas Slade design.</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Her general characteristics were:</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><div>Tons burthen 1642 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 168 feet, 6 inches </div><div>Beam 46 feet, 11 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 9 inches</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbDm7n_06FF38_EUBQUKEooLGVZThfeqrOHzBqrxSyA8yCG8TskaC3czhi-Hvg-Sp0cC_bTlhO4SDvdjL0kn189-oao-fY2pT_t1OihzYNDOixWbi0tfhTiqFFT6sPM-24ZfGhoBgKhY-tfYpZJLEwqda71_tycMoCMnmjQIxpbn2BkOHvo3w3BO_oTE/s4612/P1110452a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4612" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbDm7n_06FF38_EUBQUKEooLGVZThfeqrOHzBqrxSyA8yCG8TskaC3czhi-Hvg-Sp0cC_bTlhO4SDvdjL0kn189-oao-fY2pT_t1OihzYNDOixWbi0tfhTiqFFT6sPM-24ZfGhoBgKhY-tfYpZJLEwqda71_tycMoCMnmjQIxpbn2BkOHvo3w3BO_oTE/w640-h510/P1110452a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 28 x 32-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 28 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 14 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 4 x 9-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Completed on the 6th January 1765, the <i>Russell's </i>progress into front line service with the fleet was somewhat retarded with a year taken out from 1772-73 for a 'small repair' at Chatham prior to her eventual commissioning in September 1777 with the build up of the fleet to fight the American War of Independence with her being coppered and fitted out at Portsmouth from January to April 1779.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjVnbFLJsWiYyIin662SBpIJKG0GFcutHkyTc_MzRi1F9xigqnp7SdUClzzqFdnGIrqsB31bOzVwYgrDBGajfT4OO5u7YZRcjYlR2b_Zg9YxEzbKo5BpKvOn4Xp0Sn6dVcul761SuFiAMq2ax5PIzstyuizcH_jZN2J0cPZV8Y3Bir00JNoED73SZJTo/s4512/P1110453a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3578" data-original-width="4512" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjVnbFLJsWiYyIin662SBpIJKG0GFcutHkyTc_MzRi1F9xigqnp7SdUClzzqFdnGIrqsB31bOzVwYgrDBGajfT4OO5u7YZRcjYlR2b_Zg9YxEzbKo5BpKvOn4Xp0Sn6dVcul761SuFiAMq2ax5PIzstyuizcH_jZN2J0cPZV8Y3Bir00JNoED73SZJTo/w640-h508/P1110453a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Her brief contribution to the war with the American colonies saw her sail under the command of Captain James Saumarez at the Battle of the Saintes, 9th April 1782 in the eleven ships of the Rear Squadron, suffering 10 killed and 29 wounded, and being paid off in the following month returning home for repairs at Chatham from November 1782 to the end of 1783.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSMO0-PbPxPdcV-VUbQBFvpQFGQ8ZAWWl8yNa8dtjdB4UlO7c6384kilSuAp2gklaZ7QaHT7YBAhD7_hwTUSx1P2TLk0BOkVTNmhNsjis5uhMXEOMJEUzTe_0Ux6r7TyPoIdaTWYSIJ7tfxxtHYXxg9VlOVxcwc6UuQx7xmkpY93Crz8_iHnrPFor_Hg/s1024/DSC_8842.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSMO0-PbPxPdcV-VUbQBFvpQFGQ8ZAWWl8yNa8dtjdB4UlO7c6384kilSuAp2gklaZ7QaHT7YBAhD7_hwTUSx1P2TLk0BOkVTNmhNsjis5uhMXEOMJEUzTe_0Ux6r7TyPoIdaTWYSIJ7tfxxtHYXxg9VlOVxcwc6UuQx7xmkpY93Crz8_iHnrPFor_Hg/s320/DSC_8842.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sailors silver token, dated 1793 with <i>Russell </i>74<br /><a href="https://petercameronantiquesilver.com/product/a-sailors-silver-token/">https://petercameronantiquesilver.com/product/a-sailors-silver-token/</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Following yet another round of repairs in 1791, <i>Russell</i>, was eventually recommissioned in March 1793 with the commencement of war with Revolutionary France.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5XqIHlGukyMTso6sG3L_fbXa0ZdkD5-nVAVhs2en0qqOVLuYMdnThcd42UxVXRbVKpeWxvCaESulcpg1FLA4QBpM0j3coyaMSPkJoKlZgGSujJqeHJP7fiGvPkuab7jNtv2D9O7KW1M4N0FFw9d7RTMlJsguNwpIaYR2PM1yRkFFJC1-DLofUopOL1E/s1920/June_1_1794_Order_of_Battle_Map_EN.svg.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1920" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5XqIHlGukyMTso6sG3L_fbXa0ZdkD5-nVAVhs2en0qqOVLuYMdnThcd42UxVXRbVKpeWxvCaESulcpg1FLA4QBpM0j3coyaMSPkJoKlZgGSujJqeHJP7fiGvPkuab7jNtv2D9O7KW1M4N0FFw9d7RTMlJsguNwpIaYR2PM1yRkFFJC1-DLofUopOL1E/w640-h330/June_1_1794_Order_of_Battle_Map_EN.svg.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle plan of the British and French fleets at the Glorious First of June 1794</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On the 1st June 1794 <i>Russell </i>was in the van of Howe's fleet at the Battle of the Glorious First of June under the command of Captain John Willett Payne where she escaped with no casualties.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmlWOHjyl8SsDtzRkpunrPnBop7glwg-nf1gUG0AT8d8rPPkeTn03uxPCCGkOA0unNvxVRehpRf7HjcYFuGBbGdnoQpH74iXxMbwgvW1dgX7Ic0u2klKmyaGGk7ifAqin0e5cqvXyOW3vqYaTrlHqWil-WPD2sRi3u7c1rGZp73YJO5xgNuRRC5Q0BZs/s2589/Bridports_Action_Groix.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1629" data-original-width="2589" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmlWOHjyl8SsDtzRkpunrPnBop7glwg-nf1gUG0AT8d8rPPkeTn03uxPCCGkOA0unNvxVRehpRf7HjcYFuGBbGdnoQpH74iXxMbwgvW1dgX7Ic0u2klKmyaGGk7ifAqin0e5cqvXyOW3vqYaTrlHqWil-WPD2sRi3u7c1rGZp73YJO5xgNuRRC5Q0BZs/w640-h402/Bridports_Action_Groix.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Russell </i>was heavily engaged in the fight with the French centre at the Battle of Groix (Bridport's Action) 23rd June 1795</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The following year she fought at the Battle of Groix on the 23rd June during which Admiral Lord Bridport's fourteen ships of the line chased the twelve ships of the French fleet under Vice-Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse into Lorient, capturing three of them in a running battle that saw <i>Russell </i>join with <i>Colossus </i>74-guns, <i>London </i>98-guns<i> </i>and <i>Queen </i>98-guns<i>, </i>in attacking Admiral Villaret and the French centre suffering losses of 3 killed and 10 wounded.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYreNbKfySGfQSy9oV4h2bdOBN-DNa_WnlMrPg9A663eG-TTH9sFioNq3OuK-6tvelKSXS9UvGNA7CoXw3lullCWhNaHYnoGy-bMb3FBjNFGzJIygL2Tm4pZCges4kzTPbZfF0GSeqnrsiJdjEFs1hf-2KZuiMytc-YP2Fyr8XZPQCm2hQAHQqmQDpPgg/s623/imageedit_4_5250133815.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYreNbKfySGfQSy9oV4h2bdOBN-DNa_WnlMrPg9A663eG-TTH9sFioNq3OuK-6tvelKSXS9UvGNA7CoXw3lullCWhNaHYnoGy-bMb3FBjNFGzJIygL2Tm4pZCges4kzTPbZfF0GSeqnrsiJdjEFs1hf-2KZuiMytc-YP2Fyr8XZPQCm2hQAHQqmQDpPgg/s320/imageedit_4_5250133815.png" width="277" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Sir Henry Trollope, circa 1800's</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Her next battle honour would see <i>Russell </i>as part of the Leeward Division of the British fleet at Camperdown under the command of the doughty Captain Sir Henry Trollope, who during the Nore Mutiny was in command of the fourth-rate HMS <i>Glatton</i>, a former 56-gun East Indiaman that he under his own initiative rearmed entirely with carronades, with a total of 28 x 68-pounder carronades on her main gundeck and 28 x 32-pounder carronades on her upper deck, demonstrating his handiness with them by attacking a French squadron of one 50-gun razee, five frigates, a brig and a cutter, so badly damaging the enemy that they were forced to run for the port of Flushing to escape his audacious attack.</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD5eWEi8Hzs9LWxe5z5E1AEd_uzmGR4wKcd9gUq1YZ9Czd-C72GZKmqMtLCE4fg5DXvRIP4bnDFzUZxxLgT_b8BpMBe0n8Fcoub6bKAfIjlkhab-FjyztzW2drqeNYTwLKw3FB_87ozO7KvyGUp3p2cSNUXb8aJVuCVP6wfQDxwcmtxh0Z0xSqzJdiKs/s3672/P1110455a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="3320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD5eWEi8Hzs9LWxe5z5E1AEd_uzmGR4wKcd9gUq1YZ9Czd-C72GZKmqMtLCE4fg5DXvRIP4bnDFzUZxxLgT_b8BpMBe0n8Fcoub6bKAfIjlkhab-FjyztzW2drqeNYTwLKw3FB_87ozO7KvyGUp3p2cSNUXb8aJVuCVP6wfQDxwcmtxh0Z0xSqzJdiKs/w578-h640/P1110455a.JPG" width="578" /></a></div></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span>He kept the crew of the <i>Glatton </i>from mutinying and, by threatening to turn his guns on the 40-gun <i>Beaulieu</i>, convinced them to return to duty, and with the collapse of the mutiny in June was appointed captain of the <i>Russell</i>.</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span>At Camperdown the following appears in the log of HMS <i>Russell</i>;</span></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><span><br /></span></div><div><span><b><div>RUSSELL</div><div>Log. THOMAS TROUGHTON, Master. Official No. 2896.</div></b></span></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span>. . . </span>At 12, Admiral Duncan hailed us and ordered us to </b><b>engage the sternmost of the enemy.</b></div><div><div>(If this is correct it shows how completely Duncan's signals were misunderstood. The Russell's station in the line should have placed her about a mile and a half from the flagship. But it is probable that the name Duncan is a mistake. The Russell was undoubtedly hailed from the Monarch to this effect.)</div></div><div> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkOk3OoWvMKGbFony_KCAupBI3-ma_9V-ROiQWEJQkr72vy_x-NjmSLYkY3XsvW3U4yQe1urwcNPbvLNvecjnkjRPZc1X-PncmYARoI8iHEuW_QrPXI62U9CpWrasODJxR3O3ffrYhHEkl8ORQHNsmIIq8dZohZXUzlbRoFD57ufEQd-K0io0YUXRGh4/s1526/Russell%2013.00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkOk3OoWvMKGbFony_KCAupBI3-ma_9V-ROiQWEJQkr72vy_x-NjmSLYkY3XsvW3U4yQe1urwcNPbvLNvecjnkjRPZc1X-PncmYARoI8iHEuW_QrPXI62U9CpWrasODJxR3O3ffrYhHEkl8ORQHNsmIIq8dZohZXUzlbRoFD57ufEQd-K0io0YUXRGh4/w430-h640/Russell%2013.00.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">'37 minutes past 12, began the action </span><span style="text-align: left;">and engaged the enemy's ship Delft . . .'</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>P.M. - 23 minutes past 12, the Admiral made the </b><b>Belliqueux's signal to alter to port. Do. the </b><b>Adamant. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF-Vw1_tU4UQ_0KXKLIS9z9sovalytZaBK9GO1kbxrageIHZDL7rA14_gcj-g0O_F8bH2OwmEsQHeV_z9jN2tRNA4CeOYW91HvkTKhOPgorUYVEUH2OA9UasKk5SbpseRFWFbF6HvA0xmcGhYpnQrDMz7VFD6sH3O3KAr6v0TsXD9AaR-hhhEQiyCTAA/s4323/P1110456a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3619" data-original-width="4323" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF-Vw1_tU4UQ_0KXKLIS9z9sovalytZaBK9GO1kbxrageIHZDL7rA14_gcj-g0O_F8bH2OwmEsQHeV_z9jN2tRNA4CeOYW91HvkTKhOPgorUYVEUH2OA9UasKk5SbpseRFWFbF6HvA0xmcGhYpnQrDMz7VFD6sH3O3KAr6v0TsXD9AaR-hhhEQiyCTAA/w640-h536/P1110456a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>37 minutes past 12, began the action </b><b>and engaged the enemy's ship Delft, but seeing </b><b>the Monmouth coming up astern left her, and came </b><b>up alongside another ship and engaged her till she </b><b>struck. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIv9lQ6H_Ubx2-vgHdtowpYmwmExZbPTLPT8zxu5fsZV7IBXM6NDLEJFnTzE-mMJUyD7egFARW3i2BIRohYAJZSnVHoi_PlRTd7k5o7TGRuXpJuLfQMPMLYvBItFrW58mEI7V_Di6ZWpEdVJz3NtIVP4jIdFy_YRJoovuN1METEe-VeQgYmaCkOTk9VI/s1495/Russell%2014.00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1031" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIv9lQ6H_Ubx2-vgHdtowpYmwmExZbPTLPT8zxu5fsZV7IBXM6NDLEJFnTzE-mMJUyD7egFARW3i2BIRohYAJZSnVHoi_PlRTd7k5o7TGRuXpJuLfQMPMLYvBItFrW58mEI7V_Di6ZWpEdVJz3NtIVP4jIdFy_YRJoovuN1METEe-VeQgYmaCkOTk9VI/w442-h640/Russell%2014.00.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">' . . . <span style="text-align: left;">she said, </span><span style="text-align: left;">'</span><span style="text-align: left;">Sir, you </span><span style="text-align: left;">have the honour,' and hauled down his flag from </span><span style="text-align: left;">the fore topgallant masthead and hauled down his </span><span style="text-align: left;">colours.'</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Made sail. The Admiral made the signal </b><b>for the whole fleet to engage closer, which we </b><b>repeated. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqX9KRzWFEdb1swrz3Jndws-dBxtHLZNcSta47Rh9Xtsq2tsrqIO7EgTGtVnhnBcYYV_VLjAUjjly4-Q9EbDHX4kYj-rqbidz44VH-Pz7oaNDvnrBK3i0TCcH3O6Re8gwPuM19Yo4Vzt7Y9ToAQ3ar_fYXmj_oDEmEn2eoJHr6HEVRxlaN25tCY0YImY/s4217/P1110457a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3572" data-original-width="4217" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqX9KRzWFEdb1swrz3Jndws-dBxtHLZNcSta47Rh9Xtsq2tsrqIO7EgTGtVnhnBcYYV_VLjAUjjly4-Q9EbDHX4kYj-rqbidz44VH-Pz7oaNDvnrBK3i0TCcH3O6Re8gwPuM19Yo4Vzt7Y9ToAQ3ar_fYXmj_oDEmEn2eoJHr6HEVRxlaN25tCY0YImY/w640-h542/P1110457a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>At 1, came up alongside the Dutch Vice-</b><b>Admiral's ship Jupiter and engaged her until 1/4 past 1, </b><b>when we were hailed by her, and she said, </b><b>'</b><b>Sir, you </b><b>have the honour,' and hauled down his flag from </b><b>the fore topgallant masthead and hauled down his </b><b>colours. Hove to and boarded an enemy's ship. </b><b>Received prisoners. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-Sc_Z6FgpSjajQ2uuzWyB83nJXvJZ1COyt8Mu9MwC5GRKXvM8BA3LlvDmejv9M8tnNLpfi0tl2jh3iXC3XpfAj-I8JiuYHe-kQEhezKstIHFhsWcApDF_Kflp0HTyFDX8MTnQjpwEJl8-YCPRw4MK34E16GgaYLqycIlE2-820T_KinJ0q_1T9o8CYc/s1529/Russell%2015.00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-Sc_Z6FgpSjajQ2uuzWyB83nJXvJZ1COyt8Mu9MwC5GRKXvM8BA3LlvDmejv9M8tnNLpfi0tl2jh3iXC3XpfAj-I8JiuYHe-kQEhezKstIHFhsWcApDF_Kflp0HTyFDX8MTnQjpwEJl8-YCPRw4MK34E16GgaYLqycIlE2-820T_KinJ0q_1T9o8CYc/w436-h640/Russell%2015.00.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">'At 3, discontinued the engagement. Employed repairing the running rigging,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which was much shattered by the enemy's shot.'</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><b>At 3, discontinued the engagement. </b><b>Employed repairing the running rigging, </b><b>which was much shattered by the enemy's shot. </b><b>Took the Delft, a prize, in tow.</b></div><div><span><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Montagu</span></b></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6zAoaXC2C7n8HvqEFJJ_8O_1kDK8_N9sxQRZgyFSjTL3Cm2l5nF5NodaLa2n-MSlYBHfFDnZfGlB0dsc2xGiJwLdlftPLNyKkVMN7Qx__zhnY9pj5H1Z8WNQyE2400jxoKhoypPRDUgLYSk-BY8fLM4UB-dPKRnebZ2edDH6scFniw1O_ZNqAQe23gA/s880/Montagu.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="880" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6zAoaXC2C7n8HvqEFJJ_8O_1kDK8_N9sxQRZgyFSjTL3Cm2l5nF5NodaLa2n-MSlYBHfFDnZfGlB0dsc2xGiJwLdlftPLNyKkVMN7Qx__zhnY9pj5H1Z8WNQyE2400jxoKhoypPRDUgLYSk-BY8fLM4UB-dPKRnebZ2edDH6scFniw1O_ZNqAQe23gA/w640-h312/Montagu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Montagu forcing the Enemy to move from Betheaume Bay, 22nd August 1800 - John Jeffrey Raigersfeld</td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><div><span>HMS <i>Montagu </i>was an Alfred Class 74-gun ship of the line built and launched on the 28th August 1779 at Chatham, the class being designed by Sir John Williams.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaakiqUve8Cw294_FkyOZAN6VkCk4omwEc5iH2EKTG2yQapevNbBvX3UfoR2XXefZPMkRuTGTDGxmTYV3d2iloEaQKaNzfrC3Bhy9mQeqCLmzOPG9lEuURF6piK5sXpjz0dqS-HSuCkmrz_2In549iWDdCU6_KF52zv8x99DnOfHp-6owFM8wHrpzDzQ/s1600/DSCF2436a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaakiqUve8Cw294_FkyOZAN6VkCk4omwEc5iH2EKTG2yQapevNbBvX3UfoR2XXefZPMkRuTGTDGxmTYV3d2iloEaQKaNzfrC3Bhy9mQeqCLmzOPG9lEuURF6piK5sXpjz0dqS-HSuCkmrz_2In549iWDdCU6_KF52zv8x99DnOfHp-6owFM8wHrpzDzQ/w640-h360/DSCF2436a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My picture of a model by Clive Knight, the Royal Navy Museum, Portsmouth showing the launch of HMS Warrior 18th November 1781 in Portsmouth. Warrior was sister ship to Montagu, the second built of the four Alfred Class 74's<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2016/04/portsmouth-historic-dockyard.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard 2016</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Her general characteristics were:</span></div><div><span><div>Tons burthen 1631 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 169 feet</div><div>Beam 47 feet, 1 inch</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 11 inches</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ8AKujHjedczsm4RLaEOfuVOD-_UXQHMnt7-2Guel7uIveoAP2PX2rw-XtrZRyXvnMJAJlHcR9ZfD4Nex1t2rTqTCSREKHaMGCROWkjGrag9yzuAtxb_rc4onFg-Sx7TvdieH8-ZKBUDty5pOOJYwVs30HLXiEj3p1LzzkceBV3LTvH34rwvF9bQjVM/s4518/P1110446a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3548" data-original-width="4518" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ8AKujHjedczsm4RLaEOfuVOD-_UXQHMnt7-2Guel7uIveoAP2PX2rw-XtrZRyXvnMJAJlHcR9ZfD4Nex1t2rTqTCSREKHaMGCROWkjGrag9yzuAtxb_rc4onFg-Sx7TvdieH8-ZKBUDty5pOOJYwVs30HLXiEj3p1LzzkceBV3LTvH34rwvF9bQjVM/w640-h502/P1110446a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 28 x 32-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 28 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 14 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 4 x 9-pounder long guns</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyugcbcbnFxyXShgzZzUMnSGnbYl1kF5N8uKRNYpOIbCGBaU10C77jraP7NCTwuCT9pUXUd2WFysRKs2-s22kQOYkxvjrVP2ztSsFKjR1tYz3b3cFDafoFZ2sf1ARw50kcZR06YJZtTF0Yy-l2JQ6D8fD6_6yhos0YxxZVWxn0fgQBdT5EcMysFLHricI/s1280/Holman,_Cape_St_Vincent.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1280" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyugcbcbnFxyXShgzZzUMnSGnbYl1kF5N8uKRNYpOIbCGBaU10C77jraP7NCTwuCT9pUXUd2WFysRKs2-s22kQOYkxvjrVP2ztSsFKjR1tYz3b3cFDafoFZ2sf1ARw50kcZR06YJZtTF0Yy-l2JQ6D8fD6_6yhos0YxxZVWxn0fgQBdT5EcMysFLHricI/w640-h404/Holman,_Cape_St_Vincent.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Battle of Cape St Vincent, 16th January 1780 - Francis Holman</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Commissioned in August 1779, she would see action the following year at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 16th January 1780, otherwise known as 'The Moonlight Battle of Cape St Vincent, under the command of Captain John Houlton in a battle demonstrating the worth of the new British invention of copper sheathing their warships, enabling them to easily catch their slower opponents in a night time running battle.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the battle she, together with HMS <i>Prince George</i> 90-guns delivered a passing broadside to the <i>Real Fenix</i> 80-guns, flagship of the Spanish admiral, Don Juan de Langara, that would see Langara wounded in the battle and his ship striking to <i>Bienfaisant </i>64-guns after she had brought down the Fenix's mainmast.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVta0KzbcTro3LU2WDybpFOkkX2DLNijMPacSBZ1s6gPNdhBVFznPqSbdsIVZ3aOv5JBPMMfWlHmVEmFaB_2hxMuV-sjof4leDQ5tUiyPxmny8EmstHMM_DUTNO4ZrAKgSfnmN7hwg0VJK0E5Nkg8-dI6b9JmIDo5fA_wP1ysgTybG_Yv9WJf5rWC4UHY/s4240/P1110447a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3540" data-original-width="4240" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVta0KzbcTro3LU2WDybpFOkkX2DLNijMPacSBZ1s6gPNdhBVFznPqSbdsIVZ3aOv5JBPMMfWlHmVEmFaB_2hxMuV-sjof4leDQ5tUiyPxmny8EmstHMM_DUTNO4ZrAKgSfnmN7hwg0VJK0E5Nkg8-dI6b9JmIDo5fA_wP1ysgTybG_Yv9WJf5rWC4UHY/w640-h534/P1110447a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>She would then engage the <i>Diligente </i>68-guns at 21.15, the Spaniard striking after her main topmast was shot away.</div><div><br /></div><div>The British under Admiral Rodney would complete their victory taking six of the eleven Spanish ships of the line and causing another the Santo Domingo to blow up, as illustrated in Holman's picture above, and rather amazingly, the Montagu escaped the battle with no loss.</div></span></div></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZixDlKtiuCjWYKmcarOPxjXPjmVDKRsXnJp56-_K5-1eD9zzKVbcQRF-m-PMsA3I-Uyt2YmldG9WDqVHDlxzkliPNvSs9c30_jKmq0_3Rl-7TcRSDjZEcHIkJWvw9Eq6XE4Q-o8M7eiFippF1BlsPAWkN6M34o7tYvkfsBs4zLPoKp7DMVv1dP2G6VuI/s4800/To_Sir_Peter_Parker_-_Egmont_Robt_Fanshawe_Esqr,_Commander,_when_dismasted_in_the_Great_Hurricane_October_11th_1780_near_the_Isl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3387" data-original-width="4800" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZixDlKtiuCjWYKmcarOPxjXPjmVDKRsXnJp56-_K5-1eD9zzKVbcQRF-m-PMsA3I-Uyt2YmldG9WDqVHDlxzkliPNvSs9c30_jKmq0_3Rl-7TcRSDjZEcHIkJWvw9Eq6XE4Q-o8M7eiFippF1BlsPAWkN6M34o7tYvkfsBs4zLPoKp7DMVv1dP2G6VuI/w640-h452/To_Sir_Peter_Parker_-_Egmont_Robt_Fanshawe_Esqr,_Commander,_when_dismasted_in_the_Great_Hurricane_October_11th_1780_near_the_Isl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Egmont 74-guns, dismasted and caught in the same hurricane as Montagu, on the 11th October 1780 similarly off St Lucia. The Great Hurricane of 1780 was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record, killing an estimated 22,000 people as it passed through the Leeward Islands between October 10th to the 16th.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">Returning to the Caribbean with Rodney's fleet, Montagu narrowly avoided destruction when she was driven ashore and damaged at St Lucia during the Great Hurricane of 1780, but was successfully recovered.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">In 1782, with the American War drawing to a close, the Montagu was paid off, undergoing repairs at Portsmouth between November 1782 to June 1783 and not being recommissioned until the start of the French Revolutionary War in February 1793, under Captain James Montagu and joining Admiral Howe's Channel Fleet.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93RGV-W-m3N1tgV7B5dt_HhBtxV2uqDyOuYeY4ln-RDT4VAowvn_6aUDvun7jLqfMm12KHEfEjDmm1g0DY4lxULdVfgDsCqTe003V4DGhdXj2anbtKidLPra7yPCqFg5pgnGPF4EoF6HjfpzemJeQMWft7weSSFHUNECycc3nhLZOG-STn3jagqghugs/s1280/Pocock_Glorious_First_of_June1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1280" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93RGV-W-m3N1tgV7B5dt_HhBtxV2uqDyOuYeY4ln-RDT4VAowvn_6aUDvun7jLqfMm12KHEfEjDmm1g0DY4lxULdVfgDsCqTe003V4DGhdXj2anbtKidLPra7yPCqFg5pgnGPF4EoF6HjfpzemJeQMWft7weSSFHUNECycc3nhLZOG-STn3jagqghugs/w640-h442/Pocock_Glorious_First_of_June1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Defence at the Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794 - Nicholas Pocock (NMM)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">She took part in the Battle of the Glorious First of June the following year in the Rear of Admiral Howe's fleet engaging in a long range gunnery dual with the Neptune 74-guns, with neither ship causing much damage to the other but that would see the Montagu suffer, 4 killed, including her captain, and 13 wounded.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOKpom3zSWomDFSRsfGIGp1GOcDEDB7oU80BFHq2DG717B0mGGo5LhvIrjJwgkHwRWeZviHgbwMjzgLZyAsulLLehldKh9USaTAhX3xH6Q1FAd5GmUwjuvqyKKvHmEdei62fcoL5ZDkjOUR5QIAnf4sB_HGjroSjhHlTyLHTiiL4ub2yBkW2ecOl_i3k/s3672/P1110448a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOKpom3zSWomDFSRsfGIGp1GOcDEDB7oU80BFHq2DG717B0mGGo5LhvIrjJwgkHwRWeZviHgbwMjzgLZyAsulLLehldKh9USaTAhX3xH6Q1FAd5GmUwjuvqyKKvHmEdei62fcoL5ZDkjOUR5QIAnf4sB_HGjroSjhHlTyLHTiiL4ub2yBkW2ecOl_i3k/w376-h640/P1110448a.JPG" width="376" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">Later in 1794 she sailed for the Leeward Islands on the 25th October and on the 30th, ninety miles west of Cape Finisterre would, in company with HMS Ganges 74-guns, capture the French corvette La Jacobine 24-guns, nine days out of Brest, with the French ship commissioned into the Royal Navy in July 1795 as HMS Matilda, sixth rate ship-sloop.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc8DT49XKW071EkPUYn1W-ULxLzzYh5fQcR85mH7bTdwTrvOxymCvAoPiJpUDx4WQ-AXpUO9uaN_7plnIaOxR5q0Qcg2xNB3LkPG5xCBhgUNSau0nzSkKJVN3CdwlAEt3LJFehJNdNmq4wnmtVKTp4InUrAGvFHNC9eFA7ywuMcBIGhYG8sLOOmg-sPk/s584/imageedit_6_8274484022.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc8DT49XKW071EkPUYn1W-ULxLzzYh5fQcR85mH7bTdwTrvOxymCvAoPiJpUDx4WQ-AXpUO9uaN_7plnIaOxR5q0Qcg2xNB3LkPG5xCBhgUNSau0nzSkKJVN3CdwlAEt3LJFehJNdNmq4wnmtVKTp4InUrAGvFHNC9eFA7ywuMcBIGhYG8sLOOmg-sPk/w318-h400/imageedit_6_8274484022.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Captain John Knight</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">In November 1795 Montagu was paid off whilst having minor repair work completed to be recommissioned in August 1796, under Captain John Knight under whose command she would fight at the Battle of Camperdown.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">At Camperdown the following appears in the log of HMS <i>Russell</i>;</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div><div><b>MONTAGU</b></div><div style="font-weight: 400;">[The following log is nearly illegible, but the matter is better than the writing and spelling.]</div><div><b>Log. JAMES BLACK, Acting Master. Official No. 2805.</b></div></div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div><div><b>October 11th.</b></div><div><b>A.M. - Between Camperdown and Egmond 4-5 </b><b>miles from the shore. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>At 9, the signal was made for </b><b>seeing the Dutch fleet. The Admiral made the </b><b>signal in general to make sail. At 10, our signal </b><b>to steer for the second ship in the van. At 1/2 past </b><b>do., our signal to engage the rear. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4o4sRjNmJnr1e4MNnF7cbSXOpAEU-gGMnRJAnpALg7-rSeoh_xzZ6S9N4YQSNm34gh4i19lMTywr5q7f1burABm8dkfu6Dqu9olrO6y8YfkcEjRJvJlnHPVZecPGbnhcofa2xeRFxcrKUgnZ2r_R1j6SLY7OQFIY4zvbNW9FKLSjYnBl_OC7i6TPEPY/s4376/P1110450a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3566" data-original-width="4376" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4o4sRjNmJnr1e4MNnF7cbSXOpAEU-gGMnRJAnpALg7-rSeoh_xzZ6S9N4YQSNm34gh4i19lMTywr5q7f1burABm8dkfu6Dqu9olrO6y8YfkcEjRJvJlnHPVZecPGbnhcofa2xeRFxcrKUgnZ2r_R1j6SLY7OQFIY4zvbNW9FKLSjYnBl_OC7i6TPEPY/w640-h522/P1110450a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>At 11, Captain </b><b>Bright spoke Captain Trollope, of his Majesty's </b><b>ship Russell, and told him his station in the line </b><b>of battle. The Admiral made the general signal to </b><b>shorten sail and prepare for battle. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>At noon, the </b><b>nearest ship in the rear to us SW distant 1 1/2 mile. </b><b>At noon, Gravesend steeple S by E per compass 6 </b><b>or 7 leagues.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>P.M. - The first part squally with rain. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4DTrhYJ03h6QwLHfnKrUzMQs0XLj1j_kGGsHj6Eyr28FItCf0_Jl4VnwspAhp5TNFmBlEKVKSZittWaHU7dDOiWrGgjrdOJWl0oYeT8Ol-n_dQVqzJ2yxJ7B217nWr5ixVbPAClmc3DZfS8La9iGNz2ceu0N0D-XVZfPWjMOZqtTbp-X8X1E6x6L8gc/s1531/Montagu%2013.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1041" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4DTrhYJ03h6QwLHfnKrUzMQs0XLj1j_kGGsHj6Eyr28FItCf0_Jl4VnwspAhp5TNFmBlEKVKSZittWaHU7dDOiWrGgjrdOJWl0oYeT8Ol-n_dQVqzJ2yxJ7B217nWr5ixVbPAClmc3DZfS8La9iGNz2ceu0N0D-XVZfPWjMOZqtTbp-X8X1E6x6L8gc/w436-h640/Montagu%2013.00.jpg" width="436" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>At 1, </b><b>an enemy's ship hove all in the wind close by us. </b><b>Bore up upon her larboard bow and just cleared </b><b>him, when near her she fired into us. When </b><b>close alongside gave her a broadside from the </b><b>lower gun deck. She fell out of the line. Seeing </b><b>she had not struck, tacked and stood towards her, </b><b>but seeing us do so, she struck to us; one of our </b><b>frigates being near us, tacked and stood in to the </b><b>action and left her to the frigate to take possession </b><b>of her. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3wt-fm9jM0HIRasJBIZ4WtGCwAJbmOoVigdGRZ3JM76R6q_s7QjTAnuca4wROqaql-xg3-j-4iXIyW4k1_TSyFK-d-wqDJNuA5BAUGQuVbNWAbslLPzH73zTenA0FCdKWk3ug4YFnNbAa8U2C-UWhKOAIX3d0_YykCdNa6VtlwRulxvHwdEALUyP-C8/s1505/Montagu%2014.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3wt-fm9jM0HIRasJBIZ4WtGCwAJbmOoVigdGRZ3JM76R6q_s7QjTAnuca4wROqaql-xg3-j-4iXIyW4k1_TSyFK-d-wqDJNuA5BAUGQuVbNWAbslLPzH73zTenA0FCdKWk3ug4YFnNbAa8U2C-UWhKOAIX3d0_YykCdNa6VtlwRulxvHwdEALUyP-C8/w442-h640/Montagu%2014.00.jpg" width="442" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stood along the enemy's line and gave </b><b>them our fire. Passed two ships that had struck. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK8UYTTk-OhJDJh-rq6vmSqYJbfaRknr7JAlZC5Lv-bs3QG1w6Igq_VMpejUB-7r125x0U6vNW49wguCm9vpGuDubHItB177VX-xdtZfsaH1atcso7Iuvk_k0FRk-lEKKetXDj-QKRF6-dj1BYTFKKjrbZnG1VqnvhGlt7mc-n0KtfLPI9qTIVRlEnXo/s4011/P1110451a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3531" data-original-width="4011" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtK8UYTTk-OhJDJh-rq6vmSqYJbfaRknr7JAlZC5Lv-bs3QG1w6Igq_VMpejUB-7r125x0U6vNW49wguCm9vpGuDubHItB177VX-xdtZfsaH1atcso7Iuvk_k0FRk-lEKKetXDj-QKRF6-dj1BYTFKKjrbZnG1VqnvhGlt7mc-n0KtfLPI9qTIVRlEnXo/w640-h564/P1110451a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Spoke the Admiral-in-Chief. Orders us to go to </b><b>the Admiral de Winter's ship, as there was </b><b>several of the enemy ships moving to cut him </b><b>off although she struck. Sent a lieutenant on </b><b>board another ship that had struck close by to take </b><b>possession of her. A frigate in tow the Admiral's </b><b>ship. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkK2cVBSGRNis8a76XhyphenhyphenNcr9EgB0CO4sVO3t43llhNsYnd_0vA5-5P9vfFaHU1IAflM8a0DY33o0rjre0azoF7guDbRuNIU4NepneCOkTEecDZv2EZ5JeULYlMRb8zF2wSRy06WwHJKH7HcOJ_ikXSHtwxg9H30rYoiVzrXMx3alsWkTC4xbvM2f7Z5Ds/s1538/Montagu%2015.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkK2cVBSGRNis8a76XhyphenhyphenNcr9EgB0CO4sVO3t43llhNsYnd_0vA5-5P9vfFaHU1IAflM8a0DY33o0rjre0azoF7guDbRuNIU4NepneCOkTEecDZv2EZ5JeULYlMRb8zF2wSRy06WwHJKH7HcOJ_ikXSHtwxg9H30rYoiVzrXMx3alsWkTC4xbvM2f7Z5Ds/w438-h640/Montagu%2015.00.jpg" width="438" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>At 9, got the frigate in tow with the </b><b>prize. The fleet and our Admiral out of sight. Five </b><b>sail of the enemy's ships close by.</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacKJ2e6jfKl7IL_842llthEPl76z8-eQmzqAVGquTI-aBBHr6lhyphenhyphenIM7-qcUBtqVwKkvYy0_XK67gYgEqBjshhVJj5j2Zx3gg9JS_1QDmtzpCZuqCXNIzH-iQeLT2coteWysd_chWWyCMOBDpd_v670cOeQmjrGNISEIescuZQ1hLv-rFEkCYJD26KlyU/s4654/P1110438a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="4654" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacKJ2e6jfKl7IL_842llthEPl76z8-eQmzqAVGquTI-aBBHr6lhyphenhyphenIM7-qcUBtqVwKkvYy0_XK67gYgEqBjshhVJj5j2Zx3gg9JS_1QDmtzpCZuqCXNIzH-iQeLT2coteWysd_chWWyCMOBDpd_v670cOeQmjrGNISEIescuZQ1hLv-rFEkCYJD26KlyU/w640-h350/P1110438a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>So work now progresses to the next three ships in the Leeward Division, before moving on to complete the rear squadron of the Dutch fleet under the command of Rear-Admiral Reijntjes aboard the Dutch 74-gun Jupiter showcased in Post One of this series.</div><div><br /></div><div>This post is going up slightly earlier than usual this weekend as I have an early start Saturday morning to head up to Warfare 2023 at Farnborough, a show I would have been at last year had it not for me being on the other side of the globe.</div><div><br /></div><div>So as well as putting together a post covering that visit, I aim to get to work on a book review, before looking at another leg on the trip to Australia, by which time I will no doubt have the next phase of the Camperdown project to showcase.</div><div><br /></div><div>More anon</div><div><br /></div><div>JJ</div></span></div></div></div></div></div></span></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-44759588732624913862023-11-05T05:31:00.003-08:002023-11-06T01:29:34.484-08:00Mr Steve's and JJ's 'Three Counties Beano', Battlefield and History Tour<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji3velQ6bGI6Ql_1yDhHzlM6vfOdrkE9ApqyY3glKgUID5X2EvRsj-RD6BPEfLTjtWPzNeqB792w0T6bZd3aIO9lWJnOzvP9aOwOtao8t2bd2E2uTTxeA82zyWdcBdHG2yVPxDBsGMaOV1TXFI33DdIcc5MyrdpMDR9yGJBs7lXi4EhcSUYbko26L9uk/s1920/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji3velQ6bGI6Ql_1yDhHzlM6vfOdrkE9ApqyY3glKgUID5X2EvRsj-RD6BPEfLTjtWPzNeqB792w0T6bZd3aIO9lWJnOzvP9aOwOtao8t2bd2E2uTTxeA82zyWdcBdHG2yVPxDBsGMaOV1TXFI33DdIcc5MyrdpMDR9yGJBs7lXi4EhcSUYbko26L9uk/w640-h360/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As regular readers of this blog will know, me and my old pal Mr Steve are very prone to taking a day or two, jumping in the cars and trekking off into the Great British Outdoors to explore the history and culture that our homeland is famous for, and as well as sharing the experience together it is also fun sharing it with the like minds that tend to read the blog.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This year we decided to head off to the historical cockpit of England, situated in and north of the Thames Valley straddling the counties of Oxfordshire, my home county of Royal Warwickshire and Northamptonshire where armies coming from and going to London and all parts north and west have traditionally made their way and very often encountered their opposition coming in the opposite direction.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4c0ZFk-AQN952cY7hyQjnO4i3IyeiK3HuuaH6JP0AbJ_yevWBPklXMNbr8waP4xuX-cyuomX8AKDhAxSLd71zj_xdKmFIa7QTREJNzaai13W98XoyInvJZ2RPqek7s2GaTuKLMdwrfou3Y5Jxshb_fpf9TOOyzt_gllE0SDJ0yjpNMHJEpzhO7w-jeM/s640/20220713_170727b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="640" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4c0ZFk-AQN952cY7hyQjnO4i3IyeiK3HuuaH6JP0AbJ_yevWBPklXMNbr8waP4xuX-cyuomX8AKDhAxSLd71zj_xdKmFIa7QTREJNzaai13W98XoyInvJZ2RPqek7s2GaTuKLMdwrfou3Y5Jxshb_fpf9TOOyzt_gllE0SDJ0yjpNMHJEpzhO7w-jeM/w640-h450/20220713_170727b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time last year Steve and I were enjoying exploring the Wars of the Roses and the battlefields of Blore Heath and Ludford Bridge.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2022/09/the-battle-of-blore-heath-23rd.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - The Battles of Blore Heath & Ludford Bridge</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In addition we have a great literary and cultural heritage in these parts ranging from the great bard himself, William Shakespeare, to the greatest author of the twentieth century much to the chagrin of the 'Great and Good' of the arts and literature world, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien who through his poetry and writings invented the modern day genre of Fantasy in his early attempts to create a mythology for England that has since become the greatest film trilogy ever made and likely to remain so for some time to come, Lord of the Rings, fast coming up to being a 25 year old masterpiece.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course anyone who has done any exploring of the Great British Outdoors will know that the activity is very much governed by the Great British Weather and our two day odyssey ended up becoming the Tale of Two Days and an exercise in flexible planning which as wargamers we are very used to, being very familiar with the maxim of 'the plan changes on first contact with the enemy' and a look at the sky in the following pictures of our two days will well illustrate the complete contrast we experienced in the space of twenty-four hours.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Day One</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>As you will often see with any exploring north of Bristol, one of the favourite places to meet up for a natural break and a hearty Gloucestershire breakfast has to be the Gloucestershire Services on the M5 otherwise known as the Hobbit Hole, referring to its unique and notable rounded grass covered roof, and our day started here at Point 1 on the map illustrating our route plan for the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywhFqTEyXlYTG4iFkBqkVeS6rr6I-etWTud7dZSR8ZrxVqJ4zOkNHJF2Jn9HJWUaSd8Dx53x8P6w4SeFM46yXxqrTqtslBlnceqtjrJrK8lkCJbJn0QNypGPAArOaWZtZeqGp2SYwNdY6BIhT0a2zPBlHi9GysqA80oEA-LttNa39BEaEnfLfbi11twI/s1733/Day%20One.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1733" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywhFqTEyXlYTG4iFkBqkVeS6rr6I-etWTud7dZSR8ZrxVqJ4zOkNHJF2Jn9HJWUaSd8Dx53x8P6w4SeFM46yXxqrTqtslBlnceqtjrJrK8lkCJbJn0QNypGPAArOaWZtZeqGp2SYwNdY6BIhT0a2zPBlHi9GysqA80oEA-LttNa39BEaEnfLfbi11twI/w640-h364/Day%20One.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Rollright Stones</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Rollright Stones were our first port-of-call, a Neolithic and Bronze Age complex of three monuments near the village of Long Crompton on the border of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and thought to have influenced J. R. R. Tolkien with his imagining of the Barrow-downs in his Lord of the Rings story.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAmljg1FJ2dC1yNJfI7lqX-F2vBU7shffZdQg2kAqxV_ArxaIB-LTaCfd46CV6YB0jIWsyH8zlJ5Vjpo9izDJFg2o8zOMXVyE0X5upWSMA9R1HQyjxuxYMkSOVAarVrJiz7-Ox5giJk-tlb375ujLSADYrioyr1AJreqSVQ5htPHwNk8FpscT3LuB2S4/s1920/Barrow-downs_-_LOTRO.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAmljg1FJ2dC1yNJfI7lqX-F2vBU7shffZdQg2kAqxV_ArxaIB-LTaCfd46CV6YB0jIWsyH8zlJ5Vjpo9izDJFg2o8zOMXVyE0X5upWSMA9R1HQyjxuxYMkSOVAarVrJiz7-Ox5giJk-tlb375ujLSADYrioyr1AJreqSVQ5htPHwNk8FpscT3LuB2S4/w640-h360/Barrow-downs_-_LOTRO.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The three separate monuments are a dolman, named 'Whispering Knights', a neolithic/bronze age burial place or cairn, the second named The King's Men', a similarly dated stone circle and the 'King's Stone' a single monolith.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEqDhz3FeFbJGM1HMwYhd348acADKwc9q-otOe9AXbO-FM_fd4kV1381wmyMLhbGmvfmWnClhqiI94mqDEGFCs2c7gGuB_E7N0aLq4jdc87d-_OEWHP0sPjauBY6g7jx9eWiO-taZS5HbB1eVK682Vva34outGZ0xeYVlDMGqn-TiNBpHGwVomwDVfeY/s768/Rollright_Stones_-_Kings_Men_Blaeu_1645-1662_GMG1128-117_.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="768" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEqDhz3FeFbJGM1HMwYhd348acADKwc9q-otOe9AXbO-FM_fd4kV1381wmyMLhbGmvfmWnClhqiI94mqDEGFCs2c7gGuB_E7N0aLq4jdc87d-_OEWHP0sPjauBY6g7jx9eWiO-taZS5HbB1eVK682Vva34outGZ0xeYVlDMGqn-TiNBpHGwVomwDVfeY/w640-h454/Rollright_Stones_-_Kings_Men_Blaeu_1645-1662_GMG1128-117_.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rollright-stones/" style="text-align: left;">https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rollright-stones/</a><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>As regular followers of the blog will know, Devon and Dartmoor in particular is blessed with many similarly aged stone circles, cairns and stone rows, and it was fun seeing these variations on the theme and imagining the significance they still seem to carry for locals and visitors alike if the various tributes of jewellery and coins left on them were any indication.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfozWwsKO25vC7FMSvKwPN8rMF9nKot4MgAWxEbK_QwbHHHSUBvEMOhKuhp-k1fZBMaajKXl7aY0EcF1opsINacfm_53J8syG5s2hRm0hNx5qJQHgQiYI7yLtFODNGyqgnKuMdZXMH-8MAXiIr46am64YMCb2-kY2v2jc5liPwRYir6fW2YhCOAXkbgMg/s4896/P1110204a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfozWwsKO25vC7FMSvKwPN8rMF9nKot4MgAWxEbK_QwbHHHSUBvEMOhKuhp-k1fZBMaajKXl7aY0EcF1opsINacfm_53J8syG5s2hRm0hNx5qJQHgQiYI7yLtFODNGyqgnKuMdZXMH-8MAXiIr46am64YMCb2-kY2v2jc5liPwRYir6fW2YhCOAXkbgMg/w640-h480/P1110204a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpJ6XSyacyZPkSro3cb1OaHPKGSiZdRaNWMtszYtN6v0k48P3x0LQw6Rye9Kunoqwg65IBLx-9Z2rHgCBlSc2058-yuqLtVyM8WNbnKG7UNXteGEhyFQ-qcgH5rGo13qawFaQtFyf1Eqo7f_ggAtzAuYRrkN-vgmsMXiNxAMzZCF6S4dR2WEyfvJMxHI/s4896/P1110205a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpJ6XSyacyZPkSro3cb1OaHPKGSiZdRaNWMtszYtN6v0k48P3x0LQw6Rye9Kunoqwg65IBLx-9Z2rHgCBlSc2058-yuqLtVyM8WNbnKG7UNXteGEhyFQ-qcgH5rGo13qawFaQtFyf1Eqo7f_ggAtzAuYRrkN-vgmsMXiNxAMzZCF6S4dR2WEyfvJMxHI/w640-h480/P1110205a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King's Men Stone Circle - see what I mean about the weather and this was the best half of the day!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5UTaHxaMz_qHD6SbdbFRMsmkUo0xvWTMYobVSpMO1dr3-1ZkDYq4IuMdnMSLD4-wTkYyq83yUoCOK0dplPKy0BWFUcO6JhtVUsUVHuPhY51JLXZkCKFRaqr9eoJ-t0wYO6g1DOPkkaxJ3Natkvs0rVdDUNBcEZAfHgc4HrFzF5C7XtcdjniD0swlB8/s4896/P1110206a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5UTaHxaMz_qHD6SbdbFRMsmkUo0xvWTMYobVSpMO1dr3-1ZkDYq4IuMdnMSLD4-wTkYyq83yUoCOK0dplPKy0BWFUcO6JhtVUsUVHuPhY51JLXZkCKFRaqr9eoJ-t0wYO6g1DOPkkaxJ3Natkvs0rVdDUNBcEZAfHgc4HrFzF5C7XtcdjniD0swlB8/w640-h480/P1110206a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7vfSwHnonKtB98XK5jiHmi5NUnxpWLwsIU2lYgd5CzHYITsBz1bFiPB2mPTUJj34rAPS2CTbX5XCj_4VWteK-ZksFuCdeXJLyCXtr0xV6AhF1KthA8hQTQvSrKiUL-pCJSNtqxJqFIj5qwuvVgv6Lu4Cnm8mxMgW1oYRxzuHv5yPZ5hu0KbaicOXiL0/s4896/P1110207a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7vfSwHnonKtB98XK5jiHmi5NUnxpWLwsIU2lYgd5CzHYITsBz1bFiPB2mPTUJj34rAPS2CTbX5XCj_4VWteK-ZksFuCdeXJLyCXtr0xV6AhF1KthA8hQTQvSrKiUL-pCJSNtqxJqFIj5qwuvVgv6Lu4Cnm8mxMgW1oYRxzuHv5yPZ5hu0KbaicOXiL0/w640-h480/P1110207a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr__ko2TeYHTtJ3F6UOXDLvQUgyHhElC0eS_Es0yQGc0fl5McJwvrzYnTdx8k2H8MzTzSyfmb_N1kqURIWXKrq211H053wLwWLcIQGfF6CFggKpjmF5AgWymZr9YMTXn2vLAiGkMOReKgvNOswx-RtawE2s5ckAMw6rghwjkQllqUAfOSmIOp4qexauU8/s4896/P1110210a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr__ko2TeYHTtJ3F6UOXDLvQUgyHhElC0eS_Es0yQGc0fl5McJwvrzYnTdx8k2H8MzTzSyfmb_N1kqURIWXKrq211H053wLwWLcIQGfF6CFggKpjmF5AgWymZr9YMTXn2vLAiGkMOReKgvNOswx-RtawE2s5ckAMw6rghwjkQllqUAfOSmIOp4qexauU8/w640-h480/P1110210a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n16pP9679BLA8FD8T-AVgbo0ETIMP4G2tOrl0UsZVDyzQp_YrNsBYw5wDNZwzP5j2ZeE_SyABTFYksh0MsSaiJzkmb1Gy_GFqhSnb-ULUGnMa9A3v3ambQcv88Ghz4G4-c1ggyo1XzUo2eCRIBmehYpeE_HiZk0IkrpkJHHqRc1dixjskyRafWheMgU/s4462/P1110211a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3123" data-original-width="4462" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n16pP9679BLA8FD8T-AVgbo0ETIMP4G2tOrl0UsZVDyzQp_YrNsBYw5wDNZwzP5j2ZeE_SyABTFYksh0MsSaiJzkmb1Gy_GFqhSnb-ULUGnMa9A3v3ambQcv88Ghz4G4-c1ggyo1XzUo2eCRIBmehYpeE_HiZk0IkrpkJHHqRc1dixjskyRafWheMgU/w640-h448/P1110211a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QjjCcj8QRIaEytFZeDWYgTEUwgwGFlSv2Og6aRQpSROZlBljakcsYmT2W_4RNrYigOY8-U1175Cz2pNKiUlal9GAmW6woEzWErnta5ggDC3N9o6ZtIolT81GSqsZJgQKoeGL67OSaClgIlWjKzk3_5A8iG6TeUiohInQzYrqgcJBFBdiEYokggNIAok/s4209/P1110214a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2743" data-original-width="4209" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QjjCcj8QRIaEytFZeDWYgTEUwgwGFlSv2Og6aRQpSROZlBljakcsYmT2W_4RNrYigOY8-U1175Cz2pNKiUlal9GAmW6woEzWErnta5ggDC3N9o6ZtIolT81GSqsZJgQKoeGL67OSaClgIlWjKzk3_5A8iG6TeUiohInQzYrqgcJBFBdiEYokggNIAok/w640-h418/P1110214a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Whispering Knights burial chamber is a marvel when you consider the technology to move and build with giant stones like this and we are looking at a construction dated to around 3,800 to 3,500 BC. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuVoeJAx_3chQVrAAh-3GvaBLDtGY0BAXQaEdthoBBjxIoL9NFGp0H_0fq4OU_mT_hvOBThi3VdHj1H2T7P5GPZepfbLlRYpKlfLuDUXYVQS2Nn_9CGlBMp_gXqc8RrrvGdTuGNaj_6umA6Z6KtH6sCRDRi5Yhh7XA6WCq1w3NHE-8roB4rEPZyKe-zM/s4896/P1110216a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuVoeJAx_3chQVrAAh-3GvaBLDtGY0BAXQaEdthoBBjxIoL9NFGp0H_0fq4OU_mT_hvOBThi3VdHj1H2T7P5GPZepfbLlRYpKlfLuDUXYVQS2Nn_9CGlBMp_gXqc8RrrvGdTuGNaj_6umA6Z6KtH6sCRDRi5Yhh7XA6WCq1w3NHE-8roB4rEPZyKe-zM/w640-h480/P1110216a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MkSAy4VoS8np8vRzPpF2OBKQ5fCMftzuw3I4GLuxVKqTQPK0-XG_ZL0a0Nm_sX7Ex3o8I3aIcFcxPuBliO3Qguy68vW_wilPQ6nhG-GpESJiwugQzIFdQ7v_eTRDgwZiqo_KGOJtx2y0xIDXU1sX7be2wxDsS765HiHhDDMuHHhTZ0rKxubeM8Hn8no/s4896/P1110217a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MkSAy4VoS8np8vRzPpF2OBKQ5fCMftzuw3I4GLuxVKqTQPK0-XG_ZL0a0Nm_sX7Ex3o8I3aIcFcxPuBliO3Qguy68vW_wilPQ6nhG-GpESJiwugQzIFdQ7v_eTRDgwZiqo_KGOJtx2y0xIDXU1sX7be2wxDsS765HiHhDDMuHHhTZ0rKxubeM8Hn8no/w640-h480/P1110217a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXksfAy4I-8JuRzIFezMqpXI_dqyPZHy9_Y4Xat5yxJBZXQ-_2a2pjkzd3L8Spof2JXkmMQ2UeSJCJ9SmoasX1i-eNh_jm64LZ3_F4zA9wYzMqbmfeYybaJ0hy8Tmq_x9Ulv_BpKYCTbjxgTNsNAsVGpC5pRZ3yVFkGCMawkXqu3JnN11wSo9WcS879lI/s4896/P1110218a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXksfAy4I-8JuRzIFezMqpXI_dqyPZHy9_Y4Xat5yxJBZXQ-_2a2pjkzd3L8Spof2JXkmMQ2UeSJCJ9SmoasX1i-eNh_jm64LZ3_F4zA9wYzMqbmfeYybaJ0hy8Tmq_x9Ulv_BpKYCTbjxgTNsNAsVGpC5pRZ3yVFkGCMawkXqu3JnN11wSo9WcS879lI/w640-h480/P1110218a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk1Pwup75PV3276IgGY90PRzRD3nqyj7JjTIXIIZjXQ_437DgN6fggkxSuNdGFzyIYUNdQJP_xhzaBae7KxypA7uK_Zm_Bj7rPvyj61iV4IK-qheNygXtEEF5MWMH4TePhr7RL-CC81S4FUd8gWRfBRBCl861pxBFqxLP5nVdAWljX2e8WI0HCosrGIw/s4896/P1110219a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk1Pwup75PV3276IgGY90PRzRD3nqyj7JjTIXIIZjXQ_437DgN6fggkxSuNdGFzyIYUNdQJP_xhzaBae7KxypA7uK_Zm_Bj7rPvyj61iV4IK-qheNygXtEEF5MWMH4TePhr7RL-CC81S4FUd8gWRfBRBCl861pxBFqxLP5nVdAWljX2e8WI0HCosrGIw/w640-h480/P1110219a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The stones are natural boulders of Jurassic oolitic limestone which forms the bedrock of the surrounding Cotswolds hills and used extensively locally for the building of dry stone walls to churches, with these examples likely collected within 500 yards of the site.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBi9Sb_d-uHOeuhfH0izd2qGNceO0e_VwqqY9CZKNuMEOYJ9IvSnNNus2gmAhEQ4jhDg6DAEbTvTjtwCaIcHe3S2hQmcodsadZyWuKpDfnnkkpHAgul8Xe3FqD4M69wPX-NCvy4BqQ-G7RYruo-O-NYWBmr50lBZxwj4gaA7EC65PQdfTLmWGcPvXNhQ/s4546/P1110221a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3036" data-original-width="4546" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBi9Sb_d-uHOeuhfH0izd2qGNceO0e_VwqqY9CZKNuMEOYJ9IvSnNNus2gmAhEQ4jhDg6DAEbTvTjtwCaIcHe3S2hQmcodsadZyWuKpDfnnkkpHAgul8Xe3FqD4M69wPX-NCvy4BqQ-G7RYruo-O-NYWBmr50lBZxwj4gaA7EC65PQdfTLmWGcPvXNhQ/w640-h428/P1110221a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPofkfm6PAqY4pHSzaFM9scCYbaUEXxc4xg5aGVASGaL1V5yqZCZsrpugNw-w1Z65KjpHfp-4OFG-Iup78p02rmZIJUWoZ7_nOyiGOtP8XNCq4MFqQ0Jt_eUipm3WLBV653dRRo7MvEYHgjX0VA0U9BVJCfiDdExXDmAkdH6B1X4Q02qZqNLexGazpMI/s4896/P1110220a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPofkfm6PAqY4pHSzaFM9scCYbaUEXxc4xg5aGVASGaL1V5yqZCZsrpugNw-w1Z65KjpHfp-4OFG-Iup78p02rmZIJUWoZ7_nOyiGOtP8XNCq4MFqQ0Jt_eUipm3WLBV653dRRo7MvEYHgjX0VA0U9BVJCfiDdExXDmAkdH6B1X4Q02qZqNLexGazpMI/w640-h480/P1110220a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiaXDphQNGJqJSVzfUbfZpA_pERjOc7cwNuBVwUalZe7omI4u0MoiDln5re4dEr-mJc1SONCIuKk5UvZmvm9To9_IRYgN9Ue0XfwbPW9uwqTYo_7Imrt1XaBdHql1491zaxVSdJjJ8mEaz2aBiAxGJ4HEboJitq1F74zEtOIhh6TgiQ2TUyIezQe_y98/s3624/P1110222a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3418" data-original-width="3624" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiaXDphQNGJqJSVzfUbfZpA_pERjOc7cwNuBVwUalZe7omI4u0MoiDln5re4dEr-mJc1SONCIuKk5UvZmvm9To9_IRYgN9Ue0XfwbPW9uwqTYo_7Imrt1XaBdHql1491zaxVSdJjJ8mEaz2aBiAxGJ4HEboJitq1F74zEtOIhh6TgiQ2TUyIezQe_y98/w640-h604/P1110222a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQP2rNx1UAzKxNzHCma4pRG2A33iv_Bh4qH6lOkK8y6ytewKZ-IqQRJ1NmQGvp25043kwm7toAUuoYeLY1xYR0ZcZUQkzxYgpgn_sBRLwgY7g6D0CCnP_sL2ntti0sWuZGLTka_R-N4vjeAkTqktn1GUggBiaXbjr0BobfgvnfOaMIJeDDY0ZBZREMsw4/s4896/P1110223a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQP2rNx1UAzKxNzHCma4pRG2A33iv_Bh4qH6lOkK8y6ytewKZ-IqQRJ1NmQGvp25043kwm7toAUuoYeLY1xYR0ZcZUQkzxYgpgn_sBRLwgY7g6D0CCnP_sL2ntti0sWuZGLTka_R-N4vjeAkTqktn1GUggBiaXbjr0BobfgvnfOaMIJeDDY0ZBZREMsw4/w640-h480/P1110223a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tolkien's Barrow-downs come easily to mind with a view like this, particularly amid the rainy haze on the day we visited.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Battlefield of Edgehill and Radway Village Church</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>So if you have read this far you will recall my remark about 'the plan changes on first contact with the enemy' and this is the part of the day where it started to take a major detour as the weather started to close in and the expected views out over the English Civil War battlefield that Carolyn and I enjoyed back in 2017 were non existent and so I have included a link to the post I wrote back then to show you what we were hoping to see on a battlefield that is not that easy to explore at the best of times with an MOD depot site slapped across it.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoUjVkvpQ2inYnnABJTqLOZWdY-Ni0xnesyN3lf3ozgN1XECVLJbbkEXoSxKr3gRrxHb4Z8q_83nv0EfPlGgW_cxjsX1Kadsi4b9Uuw-dc7JoLtXcJNQDdnwuRYk4LkfeDVVysYd4SLJ3k3SYX6yGp-ZszA0aTcPOjmyAsur44F2kPxQaaczBvHaCeyg/s640/96d01a8301c01feab414dcd6db238dd0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="640" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoUjVkvpQ2inYnnABJTqLOZWdY-Ni0xnesyN3lf3ozgN1XECVLJbbkEXoSxKr3gRrxHb4Z8q_83nv0EfPlGgW_cxjsX1Kadsi4b9Uuw-dc7JoLtXcJNQDdnwuRYk4LkfeDVVysYd4SLJ3k3SYX6yGp-ZszA0aTcPOjmyAsur44F2kPxQaaczBvHaCeyg/w640-h414/96d01a8301c01feab414dcd6db238dd0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2017/03/battle-of-edgehill-1642.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Edgehill 1642</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>So we contented ourselves initially to checking out the battlefield display in Radway Church, which is always worth a look together with some monuments I saw on my first visit and recorded in my post from then and one I didn't spot at the time but equally interesting recording the exploits of Charles Chambers esquire, Surgeon in the Royal Navy.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiafuKj5rPsdFjYRyIB54WIxrthJmvbjrnucUPnGmVgST9TYt5_HB6zwIJ1WE-2tBikfn-P0kUxGVhBnxs-veKqd99YjDIreAcB_k11KZMRW-u3VD41gNzkOiDAoBfFzjNIhspaPOSwdm4NVVesDtX3hpl7xFd5FJZ9oAJhEtY5C1wvjnRReUPrFwyEs/s640/DSCF5173b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="640" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiafuKj5rPsdFjYRyIB54WIxrthJmvbjrnucUPnGmVgST9TYt5_HB6zwIJ1WE-2tBikfn-P0kUxGVhBnxs-veKqd99YjDIreAcB_k11KZMRW-u3VD41gNzkOiDAoBfFzjNIhspaPOSwdm4NVVesDtX3hpl7xFd5FJZ9oAJhEtY5C1wvjnRReUPrFwyEs/w400-h339/DSCF5173b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Radway Village, as seen on the map above, is a pivotal landmark when it comes to orientating oneself around the battle site and has a some very interesting parts to the village which were in existence at the time of it, but first we went and had a look at the battlefield display in Radway Church.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9VCfRY8gbpv_ayjGT7_qNKQ8lv75D8lridnwS8bX747WPQyPx6mTh2NEdZAkXU26eSMTEkyCjgg5rEDzyyYf0fK39OuhulQCF6I9lkGv144LHvVvDYn_4wAvT829PntVz6o4V9uygbWxJS9jJOiNucElibWIgjUDM9Z6FKgFOSBXAKlaZZ-08QlhPkM/s3400/P1110224a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3400" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9VCfRY8gbpv_ayjGT7_qNKQ8lv75D8lridnwS8bX747WPQyPx6mTh2NEdZAkXU26eSMTEkyCjgg5rEDzyyYf0fK39OuhulQCF6I9lkGv144LHvVvDYn_4wAvT829PntVz6o4V9uygbWxJS9jJOiNucElibWIgjUDM9Z6FKgFOSBXAKlaZZ-08QlhPkM/w470-h640/P1110224a.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrK-dZK_LOT7EV8gEKyuEJbb_01IImV0HZ2oySMeAzbE05Rob8sltlN8op9nsODSjbw48SaB-92T4Wtcr_tkrWFLKhPPksVCQ1reEfOe3K-78L-oUL1A5t4UXFNNqxtwhZATV_VgTeXurPqkHgCTTJK7aJEi3gr-wzhEC7zufwzeiWzT3fvVDW4wnAV0/s4054/P1110225a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4054" data-original-width="2442" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrK-dZK_LOT7EV8gEKyuEJbb_01IImV0HZ2oySMeAzbE05Rob8sltlN8op9nsODSjbw48SaB-92T4Wtcr_tkrWFLKhPPksVCQ1reEfOe3K-78L-oUL1A5t4UXFNNqxtwhZATV_VgTeXurPqkHgCTTJK7aJEi3gr-wzhEC7zufwzeiWzT3fvVDW4wnAV0/w386-h640/P1110225a.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR0qD2FU3J6DlBWnhOOdcutODwGnP2LR15JO0aQGgc_Ipf2ExvdHTUFYi6h0REup6pTGw_Gd3br9UrIl58YZhZ9DQ8Uvf7NSNOfyd2p5EXbbsqxv65s-d233IJYrN9N7xdzVHmDeTQqVaGSZqaMfV-1vsGiDxiX02JFFGOwlrrz7UNQM9NFSTGPmEkCA/s4896/P1110226a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR0qD2FU3J6DlBWnhOOdcutODwGnP2LR15JO0aQGgc_Ipf2ExvdHTUFYi6h0REup6pTGw_Gd3br9UrIl58YZhZ9DQ8Uvf7NSNOfyd2p5EXbbsqxv65s-d233IJYrN9N7xdzVHmDeTQqVaGSZqaMfV-1vsGiDxiX02JFFGOwlrrz7UNQM9NFSTGPmEkCA/w640-h480/P1110226a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tomb of Captain Henry Kingsmill killed at Edgehill who is buried at the Old Radway Church </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I always like to check out individual memorials in English churches, that often have historical stories linked to the individuals concerned, and so it was when I spotted the memorial to Charles Chambers Esquire.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a surgeon in the Royal Navy in 1809, Charles Chambers participated in the Anglo-Russian War of 1808-1812, a mainly naval war fought in the Baltic between Britain and Russia after the latter signed the Treaty of Tilsit with Napoleon on the 7th July 1807 that ended the war with France.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjhkXdDAxQMsFYcVpUimXGuKUVncgzKXkYMMZzX4CPjnmZ6XrWFrC1yzLhUzNh-q9lrr9IjtRMSGRgsd_3T3BJ9oZfmjubMcxVYtAm9_5_-lw07swRXT3degrlX2_W5FQnrrLxOMrESCFD3xAj5VvFKYwSbs1IBpGexbGMRc_NhXB7NlP9jNZxlOvQbA/s2048/Opyt_and_Salsette.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="2048" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjhkXdDAxQMsFYcVpUimXGuKUVncgzKXkYMMZzX4CPjnmZ6XrWFrC1yzLhUzNh-q9lrr9IjtRMSGRgsd_3T3BJ9oZfmjubMcxVYtAm9_5_-lw07swRXT3degrlX2_W5FQnrrLxOMrESCFD3xAj5VvFKYwSbs1IBpGexbGMRc_NhXB7NlP9jNZxlOvQbA/w640-h440/Opyt_and_Salsette.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Salsette a 36-gun teak built frigate constructed for the Royal Navy by the East India Company seen here in action with the Russian cutter Opyt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The threat posed by Russia to Britain's trade with Finland for vital naval stores of Baltic timber were of critical importance to the Royal Navy, this threat only raised by the Russian occupation of the Swedish possession, Finland, following the refusal of the latter to join in with Napoleon's Continental blockade on British trade.</div><div><br /></div><div>Britain's response was to send a fleet into the Baltic under the command of <span style="text-align: center;">Sir James Saumarez in 1808 to operate along side the Swedish navy.</span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf6jI-Ol3gj46SM6d8dIE17HeOpIZYyZtL5zwlAI9jwL-tyA-hgr7eRjA_RxE52ZBNkm9gc8z2yYxN36np3E2FskQ5WzGmHQMW9tr73_EBdC6nTOScUtkRZrTjlvjSMbIuKlDKoAPvoXWB9Mx6Qh3ToIHRe4zaersm7chHwau0z5xElp3UtzjDu-tbMk/s3552/P1110227a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3442" data-original-width="3552" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf6jI-Ol3gj46SM6d8dIE17HeOpIZYyZtL5zwlAI9jwL-tyA-hgr7eRjA_RxE52ZBNkm9gc8z2yYxN36np3E2FskQ5WzGmHQMW9tr73_EBdC6nTOScUtkRZrTjlvjSMbIuKlDKoAPvoXWB9Mx6Qh3ToIHRe4zaersm7chHwau0z5xElp3UtzjDu-tbMk/w640-h620/P1110227a.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial to Charles Chambers who as a surgeon in the Royal Navy, took part in an expedition in 1809 under the command of Sir James Saumarez against a brig and several Russian gunboats at Fredericksham in the Gulf of Finland </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div>The action in which Chambers participated was recorded by William James in his Naval History of Great Britain Volume V;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'On the 25th of July Captain Charles Dudley Paten commanding a British squadron, composed of his own ship the Princess-Caroline 74, the Minotaur, of the same force, Captain John Barrett, 18-pounder 32-gun frigate Cerberus, Captain Henry Whitby, and 18-gun ship-sloop Prometheus, Captain Thomas Forrest, permitted the latter to lead the boats of the squadron, 17 in number, to the attack of four Russian gun-boats and an armed brig, lying at Fredericksham, near Apso roads, in the gulf of Finland.</i></b></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH478HCpgC-X2znurxrHd3qd3JUThwjSuY7AHWREGEVg4ebXk3neS6X7y0XODZlMLijp-mECI0ygN3tZ9MC1wnTC6Usxgvn49FFJgYxuOFx4Vi9VvboF1JfRN9L5mW84jeah3hfe6tKFU1HnandTWBqlt5flVy7QSyUrs2SyogBKcgVwGkUYVlt8Gteg/s500/Internet%20Image%201_w500h500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH478HCpgC-X2znurxrHd3qd3JUThwjSuY7AHWREGEVg4ebXk3neS6X7y0XODZlMLijp-mECI0ygN3tZ9MC1wnTC6Usxgvn49FFJgYxuOFx4Vi9VvboF1JfRN9L5mW84jeah3hfe6tKFU1HnandTWBqlt5flVy7QSyUrs2SyogBKcgVwGkUYVlt8Gteg/w384-h400/Internet%20Image%201_w500h500.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Naval General Service Medal with 'Boat Service 1809' clasp awarded to able-seamen David Hume of HMS Princess Caroline 74-guns, a Danish prize captured in 1808.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/special-collections/944/370208/">https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/special-collections/944/370208/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>After dark the boats, commanded by Captain Forrest, who was assisted by, among other officers, Lieutenants James Bashford of the Princess-Caroline, John James Callenan, and Lieutenants of marines William Wilkin, of the Minotaur, Lieutenants Robert Pettet and John Simpson, of the Cerberus, and Gawen Forster and Thomas Finnimore, of the Prometheus, pushed off from the squadron, and at 10 h. 30 m. p.m. commenced the attack. After a most desperate and sanguinary conflict, three of the gun-boats, mounting two long 38-pounders each, and having on board between them 137 men, besides an armed transport brig, with 23 men, were captured and brought off.</i></b></div></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX2yi7pa1uBGllLyKgt7R4rhgTlHeQS69QhUXW4vd_D9K_VjLqWN-NvBg0FBt8Y0UfRRd6KXZmL4_pBeLf8ngpODH75fNcsITB2J9I-GtL9hmRIwlMHTjY98S6eUjI8WxBxoObItJsPpl-MeIBefn9nZbqhCQ4M9-4ghbWpGGNLWvVGaj1mcEeohs6TA/s4896/P1110228a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX2yi7pa1uBGllLyKgt7R4rhgTlHeQS69QhUXW4vd_D9K_VjLqWN-NvBg0FBt8Y0UfRRd6KXZmL4_pBeLf8ngpODH75fNcsITB2J9I-GtL9hmRIwlMHTjY98S6eUjI8WxBxoObItJsPpl-MeIBefn9nZbqhCQ4M9-4ghbWpGGNLWvVGaj1mcEeohs6TA/w640-h480/P1110228a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Costly, indeed, were the prizes. The British loss
amounted to one lieutenant (John James Callenan), one second lieutenant of
marines (William Wilkin), one midshipman (Gordon Carrington), and six seamen
and marines killed; Captain Forrest himself, one lieutenant (Gawen Forster),
three midshipmen (George Elvey, Thomas Milne, and John Chalmers), and 46 seamen
and marines wounded. </i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig29DxWzsKB_UE-fU0eIVEVbKLuZnmtJXWPV47jPliIY-F1nNACuLCSId-vOCPEk0k9mWh7jcBW6du1AAS2cLVKZywrtP8lu4Lh8uGtW7AUnmUZ650xL0WoKCKrtDRZsYfGOwDQLsM4HjaL5nCZDUG_V7d_demdEPqMGXMYNPhG46saOWP1TLqAAgU8uc/s1920/Gulf%20of%20Finland.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1920" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig29DxWzsKB_UE-fU0eIVEVbKLuZnmtJXWPV47jPliIY-F1nNACuLCSId-vOCPEk0k9mWh7jcBW6du1AAS2cLVKZywrtP8lu4Lh8uGtW7AUnmUZ650xL0WoKCKrtDRZsYfGOwDQLsM4HjaL5nCZDUG_V7d_demdEPqMGXMYNPhG46saOWP1TLqAAgU8uc/w640-h300/Gulf%20of%20Finland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 1794 map illustrating the position of the Aspo Roads, Fredericksham in the Gulf of Finland </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><i>The Russians, on their side, acknowledged a loss of 28 killed and 59 wounded; making a total of 47 men killed and 110 wounded, in obtaining possession of three gun-boats. One of these gun-boats, No. 62, was so obstinately defended, that every man of her crew, 44 in number, was either killed or wounded. before she surrendered: the killed alone amounted to 24. The result of this enterprise was a defeat to the Russians certainly, but under circumstances that reflected the brightest honour upon the character of their navy. For the gallantry, he had shown on the occasion, Captain Forrest was promoted to post-rank.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div>It was while we were looking at the tomb to Captain Kingsmill that we saw reference to the original Old Radway Church that would have been present during the Battle of Edgehill and where he was buried after the battle and so we decided to walk to the location and see what remained of the site.</div><div><br /></div><div>On our way through the village to the suspected location for the old church we passed Radway Grange, the stately pile once owned by John Washington at the time of the battle and the paternal great grandfather of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat2uJAK2zQq5a06jieVuefEtIWH9737QDvVfZHGOatIEKOb5UEjowHRpDS6l9WJSI0aXiZ3pfMOjm4LEqT_yU7ULTrNdhyG-aYrhZDwiCwkCSijuH77itX7_unA2M7K-xzLa07yN1RnD4d6AOoq07ccPPuHUtjOopBBiQtGW0bBGr9nsIY6jv1Ut9K2g/s2848/20230912_140230a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2848" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat2uJAK2zQq5a06jieVuefEtIWH9737QDvVfZHGOatIEKOb5UEjowHRpDS6l9WJSI0aXiZ3pfMOjm4LEqT_yU7ULTrNdhyG-aYrhZDwiCwkCSijuH77itX7_unA2M7K-xzLa07yN1RnD4d6AOoq07ccPPuHUtjOopBBiQtGW0bBGr9nsIY6jv1Ut9K2g/w640-h454/20230912_140230a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Radway Grange owned by the John Washington at the time of the Battle of Edgehill. He was a Royalist and a merchant and would emigrate to Virginia in 1656. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Walking up the slight hill past the Grange and with a little help from a passing local we found the narrow path that took us to the site of the old Radway Church as seen in the illustration below</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEEzqEO64TFZxBO1crhohCAjnx-L8CPBhG10ocvYDU3oxTe9nTA_st61xq23kvTBQcDXZU0ty4DtUAr_ca6q9GjB73EIWIjT-71rDyKp5qfkkb_m4ZeSVDoQndKpn5t5tlKAPE40Z5L8UwXUIbooYg94zAXJBChwVYd-CxS8WuAo4-XdQGFTMo9nLbIM/s3091/20230912_141346a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3091" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEEzqEO64TFZxBO1crhohCAjnx-L8CPBhG10ocvYDU3oxTe9nTA_st61xq23kvTBQcDXZU0ty4DtUAr_ca6q9GjB73EIWIjT-71rDyKp5qfkkb_m4ZeSVDoQndKpn5t5tlKAPE40Z5L8UwXUIbooYg94zAXJBChwVYd-CxS8WuAo4-XdQGFTMo9nLbIM/w640-h412/20230912_141346a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonel Frederick Miller's portrayal of Radway Village Church seen here in 1857</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The old church may be gone but it is certainly not forgotten by the village or its important historical significance.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LCEB_17vKXNFOe9ZfnB1NSI6WagS4Zk-lBOzv-_rN6ZFRESDdIR_Bxc8AulGWsGPa0-ssvuawZ_VptgEdHEEJ3WI_CdOSYWvoPsi9gIuACeQ7aRBrFJ39iWtwDG_1Bhl6olVMOavf6PoRQPJUUfVzBSt_1w1Hlj1hqLxbmyauwpBy0kxccRTB2ApUuE/s4032/20230912_141330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LCEB_17vKXNFOe9ZfnB1NSI6WagS4Zk-lBOzv-_rN6ZFRESDdIR_Bxc8AulGWsGPa0-ssvuawZ_VptgEdHEEJ3WI_CdOSYWvoPsi9gIuACeQ7aRBrFJ39iWtwDG_1Bhl6olVMOavf6PoRQPJUUfVzBSt_1w1Hlj1hqLxbmyauwpBy0kxccRTB2ApUuE/w640-h480/20230912_141330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The small church of St Peter's, Radway was appropriated by the Abbey of Stoneleigh in 1291 and many of the headstones and chest tombs of those buried here are still to be seen, with the oldest example, that of Elspeth Eritage who died 4th January 1646.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0sRj-5tBswBupBH0kg3ga4fDnERJcOdbDazZhZlL_phVioKio8nSfWmcKkl-fxlY-fc3DikbE4q62HsqpeftD5cKwt8JnuuD2hiNmdVk3t6NClf_Kpkh-3cIpWXwfIZoIrjEWJLH2unYGB2kvoKzAgK1p2Rb6oerENuHHNVqeVPuqFIX79M_UCsCULc/s4000/20230912_141433a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0sRj-5tBswBupBH0kg3ga4fDnERJcOdbDazZhZlL_phVioKio8nSfWmcKkl-fxlY-fc3DikbE4q62HsqpeftD5cKwt8JnuuD2hiNmdVk3t6NClf_Kpkh-3cIpWXwfIZoIrjEWJLH2unYGB2kvoKzAgK1p2Rb6oerENuHHNVqeVPuqFIX79M_UCsCULc/w640-h480/20230912_141433a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The church was demolished in 1865 when the present day church was built, with all that remains of the old St Peter's is a fragment of original wall and the Miller vault between which stood the chancel arch.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaVMymr54w4uv8FmNmGlVxrnvWkQuWVFg3GRJ0PBjZwMy_m6dClyfWZHuEIkUVMqUoTjzXMlMHyD3jqNNFLznMU4kzEyBzC19pAXcPbJsFcyd6K_8Ne-fY3f6wFyvTgTjP_YKKvVn614V0hAWcTum19u-tmTACVnpuPcf_syStNpZ0jRgn4cJTJH6RTU/s1231/20230912_141330%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1231" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaVMymr54w4uv8FmNmGlVxrnvWkQuWVFg3GRJ0PBjZwMy_m6dClyfWZHuEIkUVMqUoTjzXMlMHyD3jqNNFLznMU4kzEyBzC19pAXcPbJsFcyd6K_8Ne-fY3f6wFyvTgTjP_YKKvVn614V0hAWcTum19u-tmTACVnpuPcf_syStNpZ0jRgn4cJTJH6RTU/w640-h542/20230912_141330%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miller vault can be seen in the plan of the old church marked in blue hash lines, and the grave sites of certain individuals such as Charles Chambers and Elspeth Eritage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The principle feature to be seen is the Miller vault, the family who first established Radway Grange as seen above and whose family vault was constructed with the extension to the church in 1739.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk-HZ_M9A4KC-lPnpv7HqQLqNa1AzTe3gwuPreY7XqfMvwyLndmpTZBtmqQb0D9ofDgGzOpSrIkM1clfwMFWYC0HwkDx6Fc8ljVOfHyMQVFtmwESpLHcDy5v6ppVsgaUqw4DiNB27wZibbE2EBCUIhiUx-ogZTn6UpUWekYsYoAmVh_T3E5DI5IOHPho/s4000/20230912_141448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk-HZ_M9A4KC-lPnpv7HqQLqNa1AzTe3gwuPreY7XqfMvwyLndmpTZBtmqQb0D9ofDgGzOpSrIkM1clfwMFWYC0HwkDx6Fc8ljVOfHyMQVFtmwESpLHcDy5v6ppVsgaUqw4DiNB27wZibbE2EBCUIhiUx-ogZTn6UpUWekYsYoAmVh_T3E5DI5IOHPho/w640-h480/20230912_141448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The vault contains the remains of Lieutenant Colonel Fiennes Sanderson Miller CBV, JP, DL (1738 - 1862) of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, and his wife Georgiana Sibella Miller.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmvnHiqgXeAq6ErsJp1pzIDWqu_Uro2bkDb7VS4JMGgEl0a2-Nh30awJlvMlTTXq3GEWurcn5jqkhNeHGFhAh5H_6N-MCdNOg-aih2jo6Awu_y88oVpRaqroGwlMgbw71GrSe3HKF67hRmbDolvKE-Ma8DzKrtoBuH8hUwVhcSGLQ0_y_bcT6MffjTpU/s2740/20230912_141410a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2740" data-original-width="2024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmvnHiqgXeAq6ErsJp1pzIDWqu_Uro2bkDb7VS4JMGgEl0a2-Nh30awJlvMlTTXq3GEWurcn5jqkhNeHGFhAh5H_6N-MCdNOg-aih2jo6Awu_y88oVpRaqroGwlMgbw71GrSe3HKF67hRmbDolvKE-Ma8DzKrtoBuH8hUwVhcSGLQ0_y_bcT6MffjTpU/w472-h640/20230912_141410a.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Colonel Miller took part in the charge of the Union Cavalry Brigade on the 18th of June 1815 at Waterloo, the three regiments in it being the 1st Royal Regiment of Dragoons, 2nd Regiment (Scots Greys) of Dragoons and the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, representing regiments from England, Scotland and Ireland, and the charge resulting in the capture of two French eagles and the halting of the attack by D'Erlons 1st French Corps.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjVTInlFj_ahS0tvBDY4danN97SnOV5xLxzspR4dqYrFE81JXkCSnXbiHKyrB8TfeidQX4UMM17alEnSjtd8ChmH2EnqKQuE5Wyx0aSsrko_nkw6J3QIzJtSPHMkLhnEgIqlcNifcm1SJhowdN2skGyLbzKtzH_ezog3xvooIF6E_nQKCUcPwuv1pbs4/s700/89b3a42698c97e4cecb6692317917c4f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjVTInlFj_ahS0tvBDY4danN97SnOV5xLxzspR4dqYrFE81JXkCSnXbiHKyrB8TfeidQX4UMM17alEnSjtd8ChmH2EnqKQuE5Wyx0aSsrko_nkw6J3QIzJtSPHMkLhnEgIqlcNifcm1SJhowdN2skGyLbzKtzH_ezog3xvooIF6E_nQKCUcPwuv1pbs4/w568-h640/89b3a42698c97e4cecb6692317917c4f.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The charge of the Inniskilling's at Waterloo - Jason Askew<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2eqnsiWIu5NjbNlev8-WgXSLUB2BpJY6mVAvymrhQgCNavtxzPVdF2e6KrD_4_bLuLpUA5GD1D_XqxiMWwg-DE3S-zhC2upAicxA5I5DufCA2Ww2wtfJhPGgB9wID0rIUcWyjQnVJEVJW54ZAm4EdgJxQmjx6Ty0-vvXzcVU4Vo8zc8ADG7XRKQJeWI/s4032/20230912_141535a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2eqnsiWIu5NjbNlev8-WgXSLUB2BpJY6mVAvymrhQgCNavtxzPVdF2e6KrD_4_bLuLpUA5GD1D_XqxiMWwg-DE3S-zhC2upAicxA5I5DufCA2Ww2wtfJhPGgB9wID0rIUcWyjQnVJEVJW54ZAm4EdgJxQmjx6Ty0-vvXzcVU4Vo8zc8ADG7XRKQJeWI/w640-h480/20230912_141535a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miller vault</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Miller VC, seen below is named on the vault but he would die in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1874 aged 42 from an unknown illness and where he was buried.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J0Wk61Z1lC0QyuA2VafCBMX2HVOXE67otoiS3foVI4e80LrNyXd9vkf3LODMZtuRlt6TQscEQzhiYqoNF_eJOqQ7tjA-qguak1ERO_iXnJFdtiK5-uN5ibdgM_tcV8Bas00YsVxRBcBPTv5xdhoD4YQIVC-M1g2dAKRY_-KI4r1PnRw0WwiqxpUkqZE/s831/imageedit_1_9359972024.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="663" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J0Wk61Z1lC0QyuA2VafCBMX2HVOXE67otoiS3foVI4e80LrNyXd9vkf3LODMZtuRlt6TQscEQzhiYqoNF_eJOqQ7tjA-qguak1ERO_iXnJFdtiK5-uN5ibdgM_tcV8Bas00YsVxRBcBPTv5xdhoD4YQIVC-M1g2dAKRY_-KI4r1PnRw0WwiqxpUkqZE/w510-h640/imageedit_1_9359972024.png" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Miller VC, seen here wearing his Crimean War Medal, Knight of the Legion d'Honneur and the Order of the Medjidie, likely photographed before his award of the Victoria Cross</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Miller was a 22 year old lieutenant in the Royal Artillery during the Crimean War and was awarded the VC for valour during the Battle of Inkerman, 5th November 1854, known as 'The Soldiers Battle'.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S8zSE_ebyNJsSBiUREF1eOC7Do21aZn8e3VCbnANWuOU-HHg35WM69xziC3ipL70B1fEi6IBn6JKoCzgDatdbYEsKjQ3Q3EcWgOUTXjCM_tRJ1CYTk7hhYEn2JAAdzGSnQX6XjQrV3KT-36g-4shFDrrPcOtWZX9GRx1Y9qehk3G7BEB9oDQjaWIjPI/s1499/aa3109c078febad612c37ccf1c9620c3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1499" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S8zSE_ebyNJsSBiUREF1eOC7Do21aZn8e3VCbnANWuOU-HHg35WM69xziC3ipL70B1fEi6IBn6JKoCzgDatdbYEsKjQ3Q3EcWgOUTXjCM_tRJ1CYTk7hhYEn2JAAdzGSnQX6XjQrV3KT-36g-4shFDrrPcOtWZX9GRx1Y9qehk3G7BEB9oDQjaWIjPI/w640-h444/aa3109c078febad612c37ccf1c9620c3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grenadier and Coldstream Guards in confused close combat against men from the Russian Taroutine Regiment at the Battle of Inkerman - Graham Turner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOEWBP27rIkEbhQziCqPdRcr5abrY3zbdOpgrcI-z_Qt1f7-kvPi8tzEh46tzLpMAg7yQ421NOOf8JGxNIZVEpapeYzo6RxGAL6o9yOjYlEqWG4_BS4sTi9r46KSl6mHe7okyjLDBu8yP61zUI_9AbgxFOjL_fZFjiHJjMdCJtDi-DCL7IRYO0GLzvHE/s4032/20230912_141555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOEWBP27rIkEbhQziCqPdRcr5abrY3zbdOpgrcI-z_Qt1f7-kvPi8tzEh46tzLpMAg7yQ421NOOf8JGxNIZVEpapeYzo6RxGAL6o9yOjYlEqWG4_BS4sTi9r46KSl6mHe7okyjLDBu8yP61zUI_9AbgxFOjL_fZFjiHJjMdCJtDi-DCL7IRYO0GLzvHE/w640-h480/20230912_141555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His citation read;<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>'For having, at the Battle of Inkermann, personally attacked three Russians, and with the gunners of his Division of the Battery, prevented the Russians from doing mischief to the guns which they had surrounded. Part of a Regiment of English infantry had previously retired through the Battery in front of this body of Russians.'</i></div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bR8zmoZ5cX7tecz4q2EtLCWivyJqz93iJ2ny47hB0j_X3HUaUPo9A90h12bHtGEu2TiQpoE93lTpA3rnTKyPmzq5dh_sJPElW8n3uTsqYZzIigtHPdhaygxiKzDQdi0QHwGnAMol5qt51KdBPIf-zrfuofSayrggXtTO8PA0MlrruUA8nBKF6SKBWj4/s2220/20230912_141359a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="2220" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bR8zmoZ5cX7tecz4q2EtLCWivyJqz93iJ2ny47hB0j_X3HUaUPo9A90h12bHtGEu2TiQpoE93lTpA3rnTKyPmzq5dh_sJPElW8n3uTsqYZzIigtHPdhaygxiKzDQdi0QHwGnAMol5qt51KdBPIf-zrfuofSayrggXtTO8PA0MlrruUA8nBKF6SKBWj4/w640-h542/20230912_141359a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lt Col. Millers surviving medals, part of the Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection are now housed in the Imperial War Museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikic2C_W6wnwAiJ7JI9q0HY03-5lQAfur2gWQf5V93g0BGLzV-sPUM2M9SPzYYOhAWz3WgXycznDw-R26IJCGuFzbQarPxb_o8tBMK1_sbyNjs8Elf3ZU4RtzjHzW-XTkK8HrQ2R1jUAXsEWaGiL2xcJV4lyeAjgcX4iCFlrA77Xc5hOjxbMjoPoLQ4j0/s4032/20230912_141719a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikic2C_W6wnwAiJ7JI9q0HY03-5lQAfur2gWQf5V93g0BGLzV-sPUM2M9SPzYYOhAWz3WgXycznDw-R26IJCGuFzbQarPxb_o8tBMK1_sbyNjs8Elf3ZU4RtzjHzW-XTkK8HrQ2R1jUAXsEWaGiL2xcJV4lyeAjgcX4iCFlrA77Xc5hOjxbMjoPoLQ4j0/w640-h480/20230912_141719a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oldest surviving headstone from the church graveyard of St Peter's, Radway, Elspeth Eritage who died 4th January 1646.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With our inadvertent change of plan to explore the old Radway Churchyard, we decided to take a chance on the weather holding off despite the ever darkening skies and head over to the Wars of the Roses battlefield of Edgcote, or at least its suspected location, this little trip taking us via the English Civil War battlefield of Cropredy Bridge.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneWT07a5XDG-now2eXDbYGR6ueYXnyWBO63TGrVfTnuxfJ56FQDp4h4H8KoO7mB1ciDPVmNeHJurjvU0fW57gzkndfhItUI9oQg2I_18pnhVkkTyelEEjMgc3EN9cKHq8FDyxYVt3wcgNDTAUwWK82lvNRe5gV-kFfckii6V8CILTsg-MWPwlGnBzVo4/s1366/Cropredy%20Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneWT07a5XDG-now2eXDbYGR6ueYXnyWBO63TGrVfTnuxfJ56FQDp4h4H8KoO7mB1ciDPVmNeHJurjvU0fW57gzkndfhItUI9oQg2I_18pnhVkkTyelEEjMgc3EN9cKHq8FDyxYVt3wcgNDTAUwWK82lvNRe5gV-kFfckii6V8CILTsg-MWPwlGnBzVo4/w640-h360/Cropredy%20Bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2017/03/battle-of-cropredy-bridge-1644.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Cropredy Bridge 1644 </span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>We didn't include Cropredy Bridge in this trip so if you want to check it out you can follow the link above to Carolyn's and my visit back in 2017.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscU_j0VxMYQHHfsw8pjo5awpkHZcBVA-3hsnRUmjQYbAh4AR0yYPGP0nC_TNfcLMM99vfk13vL_t4YlW7U2Yr4K3XqfOPGraAnQBOX2VUZkc4vCPrfNk4YUlOwV-OLY3XjSqRsjdg_zAXtk5un8aQW8xBw9Cr0ATwzqz0czWcnKnBoS7Z6kAa_tIbSUg/s4032/20230912_152023a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscU_j0VxMYQHHfsw8pjo5awpkHZcBVA-3hsnRUmjQYbAh4AR0yYPGP0nC_TNfcLMM99vfk13vL_t4YlW7U2Yr4K3XqfOPGraAnQBOX2VUZkc4vCPrfNk4YUlOwV-OLY3XjSqRsjdg_zAXtk5un8aQW8xBw9Cr0ATwzqz0czWcnKnBoS7Z6kAa_tIbSUg/w640-h480/20230912_152023a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk towards Edgcote Hill beyond, with the skies warning of what was to come!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Parking the car in the little village of Upper Wardington, Steve and I donned the walking boots and waterproofs and headed off across the fields seen in the picture above following the footpath that leads across the field and up Edgcote hill beyond, in between the gap in the trees on the horizon at the top of the hill.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pressing on despite the ever glowering skies above, we reached the gap in the trees only for the heavens to open, forcing us to take shelter under the trees and see if it was to be just a passing shower. Sadly it wasn't and as the intensity of the rain increased we decided to call it a day and trudge back through the torrent to the cars and off to our accommodation for the night in the village of Kings Sutton and a well earned beverage in one of its local hostelries.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZytk7PgSFnaiRSZ5OeMqJv8UN0GYAhsVwGCyLG3eRjicbCEQ3-xeJl89n5qhgIBeYhe_g4w5Fb3Jlkav4iaoLXXBSw_r2zIaOoaDQ6tsOkKohSfFqSg33HDg0H1PqOWz3U4rB4YRBuWZN_RIhTsC2MaUFYqgvgyLQRzK89tX_j0JA3tXgW9omPrZQ4I/s4032/20230912_175458a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZytk7PgSFnaiRSZ5OeMqJv8UN0GYAhsVwGCyLG3eRjicbCEQ3-xeJl89n5qhgIBeYhe_g4w5Fb3Jlkav4iaoLXXBSw_r2zIaOoaDQ6tsOkKohSfFqSg33HDg0H1PqOWz3U4rB4YRBuWZN_RIhTsC2MaUFYqgvgyLQRzK89tX_j0JA3tXgW9omPrZQ4I/w640-h480/20230912_175458a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy little King's Sutton, here and below, proved a very pretty place to stay after our drenching on Edgcote Hill.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>As you can see King's Sutton is a very pretty village to stay the night and have dinner and being just on the outskirts of Banbury decided us to get an early start to the next day and, weather permitting, head back up Edgcote Hill in the footsteps of Lord Herbert and his Royalist troops.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvY0m3MbC3HDmONj8jxSEZq61R4uywZKf2S7hjxRVsqyGiofktj_WlZsjIYJJbtnyGC7KqTsWW6gfJr2N7YppA6b2h16DDux83FJIY5seCtNeZXxqTdv51XqpamCaX1YH-yxSL-8q3WUGNNT84EgO6aojmhEGn9DbO-RwDF3ZVPXBxZGM13Z_VrPbvbY/s3434/20230912_175520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="3434" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvY0m3MbC3HDmONj8jxSEZq61R4uywZKf2S7hjxRVsqyGiofktj_WlZsjIYJJbtnyGC7KqTsWW6gfJr2N7YppA6b2h16DDux83FJIY5seCtNeZXxqTdv51XqpamCaX1YH-yxSL-8q3WUGNNT84EgO6aojmhEGn9DbO-RwDF3ZVPXBxZGM13Z_VrPbvbY/w640-h428/20230912_175520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJqd8POluSAmViIPU3anwh1eEIVJigu9pH-tw6Wf71XBqumUSp2qNAGW-ULL2J7wB3jgZZ1UBJpO7yPDVw-mKYjTG46FsECRzF9r9Bh2ud1JdGAlW9HywH15uFI7AmLdrdhbyECuJTv7eBcqm0b9NYls7YDQqioQnN0smWD4bPahDaLmiNntDZTfmSJI/s1732/Day%20Two.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1732" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJqd8POluSAmViIPU3anwh1eEIVJigu9pH-tw6Wf71XBqumUSp2qNAGW-ULL2J7wB3jgZZ1UBJpO7yPDVw-mKYjTG46FsECRzF9r9Bh2ud1JdGAlW9HywH15uFI7AmLdrdhbyECuJTv7eBcqm0b9NYls7YDQqioQnN0smWD4bPahDaLmiNntDZTfmSJI/w640-h362/Day%20Two.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Day Two</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Battle of Edgcote</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our second day couldn't have been more different, weather wise, than the day before with bright sunshine heralding the start of it and barely a cloud in the sky, encouraging a drive back to Upper Wardington and a trek across the top of Edgcote Hill to see where Lord Herbert, Earl of Pembroke and his men might have seen the approach of Ogle's Northern Rebels on the opposite heights above Danes Moor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA91HYP3sgLO47oQGnnMjKafiUX-MwdQbRDYMCVxBhrsGo_aVT9WEdJzdbCs77dOAT7WEZwxbP2WT5BFo_fwZjImh4g969Kl0hFk73pEuZVTe_KVAvUQFhFqWHwVWrqp2hNmb-dzGMHaLDxPL8faiIk3W1xeyHoT42IyzPUN0n4U0TKfQiC7SvvAO88BE/s763/IMG_4625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="763" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA91HYP3sgLO47oQGnnMjKafiUX-MwdQbRDYMCVxBhrsGo_aVT9WEdJzdbCs77dOAT7WEZwxbP2WT5BFo_fwZjImh4g969Kl0hFk73pEuZVTe_KVAvUQFhFqWHwVWrqp2hNmb-dzGMHaLDxPL8faiIk3W1xeyHoT42IyzPUN0n4U0TKfQiC7SvvAO88BE/w640-h420/IMG_4625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The map below is taken from 'Blood Royal' by Hugh Bicheno as he states in his chapter in the lead up to the battle;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NDODslPhAYvFdEpnl3N9ewol6NVH4yBP9j14twMR2Hz_iAGGIRjZVuOYrOwdCiZHvX_24OuRhwLWQJuV3dS9ZnafwlLRTkOHc34fP6CshYo6yZkDehfTY_VAqFGREkURB57bfIWYsXeDFLm4WCiVYtDtDUhVRgEyEr3G56fc4BeRPgCAHEe5vNkmUF0/s1000/81zcz1TVOIL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NDODslPhAYvFdEpnl3N9ewol6NVH4yBP9j14twMR2Hz_iAGGIRjZVuOYrOwdCiZHvX_24OuRhwLWQJuV3dS9ZnafwlLRTkOHc34fP6CshYo6yZkDehfTY_VAqFGREkURB57bfIWYsXeDFLm4WCiVYtDtDUhVRgEyEr3G56fc4BeRPgCAHEe5vNkmUF0/w261-h400/81zcz1TVOIL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'The stage was set for one of the most fiercely fought battles of the Wars of the Roses after Towton, which it uncannily resembled in terms of battlefield evolution. It may well have been even bloodier as a proportion of the men engaged, and its impact on English history may have been greater.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEjfC149TUXMcqAVOC2M_zM4vqx3kFm4X5NNUWdFVKl_SMsemYAPMkxMXmD-Tu4G_Atj174ievVm56QXfiizgC7LMjarNSEATBCX0i46fvOrOP41Ls2xIv7stY5vuQr5xdseFIipYLEe4aMYWJ6Jq7Ds9fEhmPPqnHPRvSWATw53mUF8x5tjX0gIxCY0/s1780/Doc%20-%2030%20Oct%202023%20-%2011-54.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1780" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEjfC149TUXMcqAVOC2M_zM4vqx3kFm4X5NNUWdFVKl_SMsemYAPMkxMXmD-Tu4G_Atj174ievVm56QXfiizgC7LMjarNSEATBCX0i46fvOrOP41Ls2xIv7stY5vuQr5xdseFIipYLEe4aMYWJ6Jq7Ds9fEhmPPqnHPRvSWATw53mUF8x5tjX0gIxCY0/w640-h508/Doc%20-%2030%20Oct%202023%20-%2011-54.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For our view of Bicheno's layout of the battle we followed in the footsteps of Lord Herbert, Earl of Pembroke's army on its march from Banbury over the summit of Edgcote Hill. Note Bicheno points out in his narrative that the command of the Northern Rebels is often associated with a common Northumberland bandit name Robin of Redesdale, but given the inspiration for this coup was inspired by the Neville clan, he rather supposes, and makes a compelling case for this force being most likely led by a competent Neville retainer, Lord Ogle, operating under the alias Redesdale.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The battle is perhaps one of the more enigmatic actions of the Wars of the Roses, with poor sources and documentation often giving conflicting accounts, with uncertainty as to where the fighting actually took place, to who was actually present, and in what numbers, so take this account with usual pinch of salt when looking at battle sites that have not had a thorough archaeological assessment to validate the several theories of what occurred on a date that even that is up for discussion, with two favourite options being the 24th or 26th of July 1649.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50HqNENUlzfgOT4AF3wU5imup1hJGL3oID4ZPNx01jr7KT_kRMRdGw8kYTipghyphenhyphennfWtyNdn9IGq581r_Askm5jKx0XMBcBSt9Pn54YyVaur5TXfUAAhN-WDuj1dsLF5SohXiZ37FNvYUGUBroPtX9LD39RmgM-wL2knBc6TAMB9dUmtzhjIfbQYU3gLg/s8992/20230913_080903a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="8992" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50HqNENUlzfgOT4AF3wU5imup1hJGL3oID4ZPNx01jr7KT_kRMRdGw8kYTipghyphenhyphennfWtyNdn9IGq581r_Askm5jKx0XMBcBSt9Pn54YyVaur5TXfUAAhN-WDuj1dsLF5SohXiZ37FNvYUGUBroPtX9LD39RmgM-wL2knBc6TAMB9dUmtzhjIfbQYU3gLg/w640-h196/20230913_080903a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in what would have been the Royalist positions of Herbert's line looking south-west as per the map above</td></tr></tbody></table><br />An early version (Edward Hall's, published in 1550) of this battle sees the Royalist forces of Herbert (Earl of Pembroke) and Stafford (Earl of Devon) on the march to join forces and reinforce King Edward IV, keen to put a quick stop to a minor rebellion that started in the north and with those of Ogle's to join with Warwick's Northern Rebels, hoping to force an action with the king somewhere north of London as part of a coup to overthrow Edward by Warwick and the king's brother, George Plantagenet, the Duke of Clarence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bicheno suggests Ogle changed his southern march towards Banbury when he discovered that Herbert and Stafford had separated, with the latter Stafford continuing their previous joint march along the old Fosse Way, with much speculation as to why this happened, but with Bicheno discounting the earlier suggestion that Stafford took the bulk of the experienced archers away from Herbert's force, compellingly arguing that Herbert, the victor of Mortimer's Cross using arrow storm tactics, would have been very unlikely to have been marching without a full contingent of highly competent Welsh longbowmen accompanying his corps of Welsh retained nobles.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnt1leYawyIRFBi8W-TLBVV0m7dqfYpj3mxksnlsyPogyZ7eslI0UorGf0ZFebL8y7m1OKK_kXVtBJ3bqBzcXA2eF4pyWd2l1dl3d3tUlar_NQz401qv6ynIek1fVox9neURLFXA8EB8jcEBCk7lBbWbstXQqVPa5zhnfg_QnBwyUd74m4QVl0UqZD2U/s4032/20230913_084329a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="4032" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnt1leYawyIRFBi8W-TLBVV0m7dqfYpj3mxksnlsyPogyZ7eslI0UorGf0ZFebL8y7m1OKK_kXVtBJ3bqBzcXA2eF4pyWd2l1dl3d3tUlar_NQz401qv6ynIek1fVox9neURLFXA8EB8jcEBCk7lBbWbstXQqVPa5zhnfg_QnBwyUd74m4QVl0UqZD2U/w640-h306/20230913_084329a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As my copy of Bicheno's book and map above from 2016 suggested, the new HS2 railway was planned to be built right through the suspected area of the fighting between Ogle and Herbert and here in 2023 the construction work can be seen in progress. This view from Herbert's approach looking north-west on the map above, towards Ogle's lines beyond the constructions.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to Bicheno, the two opposing armies closed on each other on the 25th July with Ogle marching south from Daventry and camping on the Byfield Plain (see map above) next to a ford over the River Cherwell and formed up on a hill between two rivulets, about a mile away overlooking Danes Moor, or just beyond the HS2 constructions seen in the picture above, with and estimated strength of between 3-6,000 men.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Similarly after camping over night in and around Banbury, Herbert marched the next morning on the 26th July to crest the summit of Edgcote Hill, to overlook Danes Moor and the rebel army of Lord Ogle beyond, having a similar number of men with Bicheno opting for the higher number of 6,000 men for both sides.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWBCgebnE7pZAeqpuOYRo4D3-YjZiXbkeKWLK9uqx-aE0mi8tCZ4pkJh9cJkR31LzAl8xDUReF7Q8iYRHkMLNEbKHyFJWVb7Y7G5Gw1Tvx6e7OimFEZUZFpw_mCHbSPs6YFP4xe5h1txAS7Je0QjIsTSDdTPyBDJ8Y_GpA5JIJCvbdhJ9rf6Byy78E1M/s9584/20230913_084839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2784" data-original-width="9584" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWBCgebnE7pZAeqpuOYRo4D3-YjZiXbkeKWLK9uqx-aE0mi8tCZ4pkJh9cJkR31LzAl8xDUReF7Q8iYRHkMLNEbKHyFJWVb7Y7G5Gw1Tvx6e7OimFEZUZFpw_mCHbSPs6YFP4xe5h1txAS7Je0QjIsTSDdTPyBDJ8Y_GpA5JIJCvbdhJ9rf6Byy78E1M/w640-h186/20230913_084839.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Likewise standing in what would have been the Royalist, Yorkist positions of Herbert's line looking north-east as per the map above</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bicheno dismisses the beloved version of Ogle's superior archery forcing Herbert to descend from his lofty position, rather suggesting that if anything Herbert may have had the superior archery component and emboldened, sought to come down the hill with a short charge and close to combat, likely met by Ogle's men making a short charge from their slight hill to meet them, about where the railway workings can be seen in the picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1KNIdUC2FKclaZLBoZsLuL7JEs8EZaSLVHWQe2o5kHipOpxHqLROpqFYoTjkdhHtBAR5ZW4h9wLC4BdbDXaFGnV-iDQdrck2kWT5nUXJSTWiqlOgk77vPcbxo3Vx8-i9rXsfGtV24WVCJs0Y1WN-JPJlS_xyyOyjeAPdR1a-qOn50tvAfEZivtLIOLQ/s4043/DSCF3288b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="4043" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1KNIdUC2FKclaZLBoZsLuL7JEs8EZaSLVHWQe2o5kHipOpxHqLROpqFYoTjkdhHtBAR5ZW4h9wLC4BdbDXaFGnV-iDQdrck2kWT5nUXJSTWiqlOgk77vPcbxo3Vx8-i9rXsfGtV24WVCJs0Y1WN-JPJlS_xyyOyjeAPdR1a-qOn50tvAfEZivtLIOLQ/w640-h290/DSCF3288b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the clash that followed, Ogle's men gave way and were driven back up their hill where they had first formed up, suffering terrible losses, with Ogle mortally wounded, and the sons of John Conyers and Lord Greystoke killed, quoting Hall's account of the fight;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'The Earl of Pembroke behaved himself like a hardy knight and expert captain, but his brother , Sir Richard Herbert so valiantly acquitted himself that with his poleaxe in hand (as his enemies did afterwards report) he was by fine force passed through the battle of his adversaries and without any mortal wound returned. If every one of his followers and companions in arms had done but half the acts which he that day by his noble prowess achieved, the Northmen had obtained neither valour nor victory.'</i></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However with victory in the grasp of Herbert's men, the reference to Towton relates to the Northmen being saved at the point of annihilation by the last minute arrival of reinforcements, to quote Hall;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>'When the Welshmen were at the very point to have obtained the victory (the Northmen being in manner discomforted) John Clapham Esquire, servant of the Earl of Warwick, mounted up the side of east hill accompanied only with 500 men gathered of all the rascals of the town of Northampton and other villages about, having borne before them the standard of the earl with the white bear, crying 'a Warwick, a Warwick'. The Welshmen thinking that the Earl of Warwick had come on them with all his puissance, so that the men amazed fled: the Northmen then pursued and slew without mercy for the cruelty they had shown Lord Latimer's son. So that of the Welshmen there was slain about 5,000 besides them that were fled and taken.'</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UVSEGG9DMEXU31s2ZaNJxPkCCsXZX5_ZZDM8C1dA8YxjF0Qu5XUYp2Igwf9iDU5Q3Te_YDzvS2G_-Oo-xWpkhvaYtUvPV0AAl56lKKyU1Qu1Q-T-efBJGehAPN3iInzDLjc7lVdSM3vFBUZtOPzSHcby8ZuEH1xAOT27pjcdc7knjEoVOE0tJ-NQoLQ/s640/DSCF8603a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="640" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UVSEGG9DMEXU31s2ZaNJxPkCCsXZX5_ZZDM8C1dA8YxjF0Qu5XUYp2Igwf9iDU5Q3Te_YDzvS2G_-Oo-xWpkhvaYtUvPV0AAl56lKKyU1Qu1Q-T-efBJGehAPN3iInzDLjc7lVdSM3vFBUZtOPzSHcby8ZuEH1xAOT27pjcdc7knjEoVOE0tJ-NQoLQ/w640-h582/DSCF8603a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><i>'. . . having borne before them the standard of the earl with the white bear, crying 'a Warwick, a Warwick'. The Welshmen thinking that the Earl of Warwick had come on them with all his puissance, so that the men amazed fled . . .'</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Hall's suggestion of 5,000 casualties among Herbert's men seems a likely gross exaggeration, with more credible reassessments suggesting in the order of a still heavy loss of some 2,000 men and the more likely of Hall's figures of 500 men lost to Ogle and Clapham.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both William and Richard Herbert were captured in the rout and brought before Warwick in Northampton and, despite William's pleas for the sparing of his brother, saw both men beheaded without the pretence of a trial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fate of the rebellion against King Edward by Warwick and the Duke of Clarence, Edward's younger brother, would fail to gather popular support and despite a short term of custody in Middleham Castle in August, Edward was released and back on the throne by September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The decision to make an early start to our second day had been rewarded with an excellent walk over Edgcote Hill to enjoy perfect sunny condition for looking at battlefields, in stark contrast to the day before, and so we retraced our tracks towards Oxford and with the focus shifted towards one of the greatest authors of the twentieth century, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, a Warwickshire man forever associated with Oxford and it's University, and most notably some of its pubs.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8t8bzC3KzIUaFYKbnBdgZLbVCwjD0Nd4RzXFG_xI4BwCKjPjhfI1KGLnBeteGBOG-AD3ZIyPmxlsyTSbl0lfyvP2VEtw0Ul445gVGs44S6ynpxwrunjt92aDJf1Oy4fW48eUFrbs9HouX_18qF0IMpVN4o2fqcU_vSTHxiwItefAPGjiO-q3QqtRu24/s1200/j-r-r-tolkien-wife-edith.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1200" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8t8bzC3KzIUaFYKbnBdgZLbVCwjD0Nd4RzXFG_xI4BwCKjPjhfI1KGLnBeteGBOG-AD3ZIyPmxlsyTSbl0lfyvP2VEtw0Ul445gVGs44S6ynpxwrunjt92aDJf1Oy4fW48eUFrbs9HouX_18qF0IMpVN4o2fqcU_vSTHxiwItefAPGjiO-q3QqtRu24/w640-h522/j-r-r-tolkien-wife-edith.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and his wife Edith in later years following the publication of his great works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Both Steve and I are admirers of Tolkien's works and, if the signs in Wolvercote Cemetery are anything to go by, directing visitors to the grave site of him and his beloved wife Edith, we are not alone in wanting to make the pilgrimage to Oxford to pay our respects to the great man and his legacy.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKK095qdWIihK1zAqhDQkfsZN71MKevbo9dY9vkrR48IulHGpp9dx9IIkpeEOL3yjkPZWwN3JVHLcqDQqs6rzpGX45ZrFb7obAx7_2P3zTRi1jU8qLyWLMtW9gwiGionOxXSDrLXSWqBv8k-UkQhCZ2icdDlMPsC_OFleCpdOC7641kQtVxaukTl0QWQ/s4032/20230913_110005a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKK095qdWIihK1zAqhDQkfsZN71MKevbo9dY9vkrR48IulHGpp9dx9IIkpeEOL3yjkPZWwN3JVHLcqDQqs6rzpGX45ZrFb7obAx7_2P3zTRi1jU8qLyWLMtW9gwiGionOxXSDrLXSWqBv8k-UkQhCZ2icdDlMPsC_OFleCpdOC7641kQtVxaukTl0QWQ/w480-h640/20230913_110005a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Indeed on the day we were not alone, helping guide some tourists all the way from Los Angeles to the grave site, and exchanging thoughts about other related locations they might have wanted to check out which was great fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having read the books several times, including the Silmarillion, which unlike many, I started with and enjoyed, the reference to Luthien and Beren on the grave stone was immediately understood and appreciated and my mind was cast back a year ago with memories of Carolyn's and my trip to New Zealand and the places visited that related to Sir Peter Jackson's great realisations of Tolkien's books to film, with a link below to my post covering our trip.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCq0WuZg-ybtVl5MHnBKYNgyz84mz-90RpQ0EjXWUJ9gZ1gFsTVTm7i20K0P7kvhuQYTf5ZlMv-cX1KRYZDn8dnG_tl77P_GYLWXzr3jzF9uKgValnYNjBUTE3JJL6XP-75M5MHrYze6PFIJv9M1HZYNwntZws00jDDmRvdhPPKtktGnu2m3t8ZlRHcI/s640/20221123_101440a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCq0WuZg-ybtVl5MHnBKYNgyz84mz-90RpQ0EjXWUJ9gZ1gFsTVTm7i20K0P7kvhuQYTf5ZlMv-cX1KRYZDn8dnG_tl77P_GYLWXzr3jzF9uKgValnYNjBUTE3JJL6XP-75M5MHrYze6PFIJv9M1HZYNwntZws00jDDmRvdhPPKtktGnu2m3t8ZlRHcI/w534-h640/20221123_101440a.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-wizard-in-my-suitcase-saruman-white.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - A Wizard in my Suitcase</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Oxford was of course the creative home of Tolkien for many years, shared with his friends in the literary discussion group, The Inklings, in the decades of the early thirties and up to late 1949, keen on fictional writing and fantasy in particular and including among its ranks other notable members such as C.S. Lewis and Tolkien's son Christopher.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Th-Q4OKKpzXfthBdBA0PpUnlSoBRNC786SrfHBcDsigTABP1IvnH3eV7R4AGtMhny4x0FBknSC9uhqAAqY-3JCmaFnqn5hOMIsUkl5wDmJkCNlpdIwEZG2jQ2owrxnSxkFmioXHYGKbRfBql5QzafY1ewnMl8LkA-r4X_bfmUxE4G3jsf1jGWJMFfG4/s2330/20230913_115531a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2330" data-original-width="1714" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Th-Q4OKKpzXfthBdBA0PpUnlSoBRNC786SrfHBcDsigTABP1IvnH3eV7R4AGtMhny4x0FBknSC9uhqAAqY-3JCmaFnqn5hOMIsUkl5wDmJkCNlpdIwEZG2jQ2owrxnSxkFmioXHYGKbRfBql5QzafY1ewnMl8LkA-r4X_bfmUxE4G3jsf1jGWJMFfG4/w470-h640/20230913_115531a.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two of the pubs most famously associated with their regular meetings and discussions of each others works are still to be visited in the city today, but sadly with one of them, The Eagle and Child, closed for business, a sadly common site among British pubs these days that has seen a marked contraction in this area of British social life.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoIiSqyJREwK0XTzDyJv_eugbluhLQsL1BRxZ_KULXYWO7JP_hlPlGOMbh19DVs4taZx_qgmfC88uJgNwHMbNMD5EYavzlFbgkluat3zGyPnWIzRcoO5jZ7ULq3YVi40AUCXt42ilZJEiQvJIKuVD-FXKvvJ7vZ5jTwWG0cKrIFTctBX5U5e1eEurIxg/s640/P1020844a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoIiSqyJREwK0XTzDyJv_eugbluhLQsL1BRxZ_KULXYWO7JP_hlPlGOMbh19DVs4taZx_qgmfC88uJgNwHMbNMD5EYavzlFbgkluat3zGyPnWIzRcoO5jZ7ULq3YVi40AUCXt42ilZJEiQvJIKuVD-FXKvvJ7vZ5jTwWG0cKrIFTctBX5U5e1eEurIxg/w420-h640/P1020844a.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Happily the other establishment still open to the public, the Lamb and Flag pub is still a going concern and so we decided to refresh ourselves there after our morning exertions.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrakEA0RL-2xuRf3eGJppLSQ3SsYv2dj3zRAZnEkTpUg2wJrrOGJQLJ3ZJvHd6ZTZe8Pmyjp-cNIjDK-AVJCNL3ueIv1w2tC6uf-QVuPusoFZaBc2oj46pu-FF5aWKfYlemPh3IOxWOlOJFQCx2AAHUCLLpGI_2ILpnHdCatk_cmwnT3bJJxF2b0yttcg/s4032/20230913_115438a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrakEA0RL-2xuRf3eGJppLSQ3SsYv2dj3zRAZnEkTpUg2wJrrOGJQLJ3ZJvHd6ZTZe8Pmyjp-cNIjDK-AVJCNL3ueIv1w2tC6uf-QVuPusoFZaBc2oj46pu-FF5aWKfYlemPh3IOxWOlOJFQCx2AAHUCLLpGI_2ILpnHdCatk_cmwnT3bJJxF2b0yttcg/w640-h480/20230913_115438a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuU90xI9-eJilGmxWIIrr-qRQno61Q89Jf2U14iURpoO8f5QOcxn3rlo1yJNtQfMeIk4t3_KV8kmizQax2vYhquTQE7qA-y9eos0x-L2TM7dPxSIbSa8vWgglhVwjEZdqc3Hf98v2tLCjxfjDkSqBSg52r_7ss5l-m4kxJOtSkd5MEUFQRtqqzQZ-oCA/s640/P1100312a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="366" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuU90xI9-eJilGmxWIIrr-qRQno61Q89Jf2U14iURpoO8f5QOcxn3rlo1yJNtQfMeIk4t3_KV8kmizQax2vYhquTQE7qA-y9eos0x-L2TM7dPxSIbSa8vWgglhVwjEZdqc3Hf98v2tLCjxfjDkSqBSg52r_7ss5l-m4kxJOtSkd5MEUFQRtqqzQZ-oCA/w366-h640/P1100312a.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saruman the White, my holiday treat from my visit to Weta Studios in Wellington</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Steve mused with me what the elvish writing over the door could possibly be, to which I absently replied, probably one of his most famous pieces of Elvish <i>'speak friend and enter'</i> as seen on the entrance to the Mines of Moria.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGo_ykpV_L6Zi8WKnQtv56eAgG5innSd8M6plqLJ8rAvlI3Y4YEBUFG7Qa8nl-l2Z7ymuN-fq7TUFrEAX5SYn5ZlF6Fil4ARVkMHSAnrudP_L1OQsFVDBb2OsjbWF-ogLd7Y-k9jSK6PEccVzDNvCccPvGJpyHIDIRkIlKpCH_SP3SqT-MUu1eFmTh1x8/s4032/20230913_115410a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGo_ykpV_L6Zi8WKnQtv56eAgG5innSd8M6plqLJ8rAvlI3Y4YEBUFG7Qa8nl-l2Z7ymuN-fq7TUFrEAX5SYn5ZlF6Fil4ARVkMHSAnrudP_L1OQsFVDBb2OsjbWF-ogLd7Y-k9jSK6PEccVzDNvCccPvGJpyHIDIRkIlKpCH_SP3SqT-MUu1eFmTh1x8/w640-h480/20230913_115410a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Lamb and Flag is a lovely city centre pub and a must visit place for any Tolkien fans to include in a visiting itinerary to Oxford - cheers!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWdpwRb46eteqFFVAhmTvkU8Gvc9178EthdGOjynBq-FzMpBdVHjD1ALWt088WMVWuZfPUhrETR_IGhbRKtmSNLVXZl3-EKXn-pccgwgNw4x82avhYD1Ph-JA8se0c-6hocuJ9MRupbBAACsP1a2NKTcYfyPXbYvxpDDDIxXB6PNNSmN33k4u88Hnf2Y/s3648/20230913_114556a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="3648" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWdpwRb46eteqFFVAhmTvkU8Gvc9178EthdGOjynBq-FzMpBdVHjD1ALWt088WMVWuZfPUhrETR_IGhbRKtmSNLVXZl3-EKXn-pccgwgNw4x82avhYD1Ph-JA8se0c-6hocuJ9MRupbBAACsP1a2NKTcYfyPXbYvxpDDDIxXB6PNNSmN33k4u88Hnf2Y/w640-h470/20230913_114556a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and I enjoying soaking up the atmosphere and the odd beverage in the Lamb and Flag, Oxford.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Whilst in Oxford we decided to pop along to another great institution in the city, The Ashmolean Museum, that I last visited back in 2014, with stuff in their that I still need to go back to have a proper look at.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCjZLz7R_ySFRMExvJH7DuqQO3_vRFFAv2K_jn1YnCn4zGeg0vKQcytX1P3OKivfadHMA682BE2a-yOtUiRIaiuUp3IPRJapTEIIuQh-ZEjrlYBhUxNpYUdq1_u1DAPba6J6T-E5AYgQ2D-DD5Z5tD9oIY3qbGkuEcoAlq-sIDz3c6-QJ9Mh93GKHQ8I/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCjZLz7R_ySFRMExvJH7DuqQO3_vRFFAv2K_jn1YnCn4zGeg0vKQcytX1P3OKivfadHMA682BE2a-yOtUiRIaiuUp3IPRJapTEIIuQh-ZEjrlYBhUxNpYUdq1_u1DAPba6J6T-E5AYgQ2D-DD5Z5tD9oIY3qbGkuEcoAlq-sIDz3c6-QJ9Mh93GKHQ8I/w480-h640/IMG_0508.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Roman Emperor Augustus pictured on my visit to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, back in 2014<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2014/07/oxford-ashmolean-museum.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Ashmolean Museum 2014</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Time was short and as we still had lots to fit in for the rest of the day, I headed back to the Roman exhibits and grabbed some pictures of friezes from the Arch of Trajan on the Via Traiana, Beneventum, erected in 114 AD on a road designed to shorten the route from Rome to Brundisium.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYd2f8GjeeEsNJbjsYm2tej5vvcmEhukx2svnK8Hj72AdjVjPn6dLPNLwh-ICzzko-VVFToTaboeRBPgZ_AkoZQ8f1uWWaDVchJ9y1NjcIZlTb1ixMGjpC0APX-SmF_DeErto69whjX-QSnXZ-GRlAr-SdHeq4FZ5alGmNlryOw8-KNpN0Gm2hOx1x8Y/s4032/20230913_130603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYd2f8GjeeEsNJbjsYm2tej5vvcmEhukx2svnK8Hj72AdjVjPn6dLPNLwh-ICzzko-VVFToTaboeRBPgZ_AkoZQ8f1uWWaDVchJ9y1NjcIZlTb1ixMGjpC0APX-SmF_DeErto69whjX-QSnXZ-GRlAr-SdHeq4FZ5alGmNlryOw8-KNpN0Gm2hOx1x8Y/w640-h480/20230913_130603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My favourite Roman period is the first century from the Year of the Four Emperors and the rise of Vespasian to Hadrian with a great interest in Trajan and his war with the Dacians and so I was immediately drawn to this depiction of the Emperor shown recruiting troops for the campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn1BmyVvZeuhoElYBZvaFrhRIC-4nG3Ew719tQ1wQL8SowTwCvxAkp-GIAkOpnuI0A3WjvDLXf_M25XXNZWrxkgjvOmB190KEHniH3t98JY4wo0uAS3Mwe87WoIqA_Bm6HYtd89trizcLYGaulgqr1r04JafMbEbizjw01EW0D2gaWDivoOwchzPaq6c/s4000/20230913_130537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn1BmyVvZeuhoElYBZvaFrhRIC-4nG3Ew719tQ1wQL8SowTwCvxAkp-GIAkOpnuI0A3WjvDLXf_M25XXNZWrxkgjvOmB190KEHniH3t98JY4wo0uAS3Mwe87WoIqA_Bm6HYtd89trizcLYGaulgqr1r04JafMbEbizjw01EW0D2gaWDivoOwchzPaq6c/w640-h480/20230913_130537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These casts were made in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, between 1870 and 1930 and capture the originals before modern pollution had gone to work, and seeing historical items like these will feed my inspiration to complete my collection seen below from a game in 2019.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T89CyiYJSofVuRCAAgarVoZYQKwJxuiwHkwLwxEefLMMkeGAktIp-rcsyj3eb3HtCBLalEGQAj1pl_LhdI52hvNfDYpOTz9CGBq9cfxWdQHM4DuW4_0XrI4P8iMbUJOVXGH-EJAi7868_kQPtJXb1oeumW3Ra0cR0DlI5KR5C5eL97lD03pdN-hATPs/s4000/20230913_130520a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T89CyiYJSofVuRCAAgarVoZYQKwJxuiwHkwLwxEefLMMkeGAktIp-rcsyj3eb3HtCBLalEGQAj1pl_LhdI52hvNfDYpOTz9CGBq9cfxWdQHM4DuW4_0XrI4P8iMbUJOVXGH-EJAi7868_kQPtJXb1oeumW3Ra0cR0DlI5KR5C5eL97lD03pdN-hATPs/w640-h480/20230913_130520a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI9wC5RNxuSHCAO9bLHb9Eo54n-s8wAnigUGpwJ4Lz0LgxXPnKR5MvtZbjGCzCALlYf3MwC9_giQRr5Akl7wO7idSb0pqq7KSVzNycTR4DQ00ihvcB68TbPvfC9rYp_x3XWvv_ojnh3K71YDH87G7pffymojw4RHURWkqM3WKUypYyWozoNb0wQ_Q0dY/s1600/DSCF9553a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI9wC5RNxuSHCAO9bLHb9Eo54n-s8wAnigUGpwJ4Lz0LgxXPnKR5MvtZbjGCzCALlYf3MwC9_giQRr5Akl7wO7idSb0pqq7KSVzNycTR4DQ00ihvcB68TbPvfC9rYp_x3XWvv_ojnh3K71YDH87G7pffymojw4RHURWkqM3WKUypYyWozoNb0wQ_Q0dY/w640-h480/DSCF9553a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another passion, the Romano-Dacian collection in action with only half of the units completed, and another project to come back to when the inspiration grabs me, which it will.<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2019/12/augustus-to-aurelian-river-crossing.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Augustus to Aurelian, River Crossing</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8de3nMQPVk9Wsaj_mFOzfZ-lmYCsqt0ySl8u-SlhCWZqpTljOj3qIXzqJFYr-SY1mlCkc2evmNyHQPGucTvAtKqdrnHPwv4oh4lc5QjQzVMMEodKmQdYLQ07qSguy18Mmoy1I18Ycu1-1DDwfvMplDbo69zMMK69XJEq9N6wtwN7UUML9gbDOK66BErI/s3000/20230913_130528a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2567" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8de3nMQPVk9Wsaj_mFOzfZ-lmYCsqt0ySl8u-SlhCWZqpTljOj3qIXzqJFYr-SY1mlCkc2evmNyHQPGucTvAtKqdrnHPwv4oh4lc5QjQzVMMEodKmQdYLQ07qSguy18Mmoy1I18Ycu1-1DDwfvMplDbo69zMMK69XJEq9N6wtwN7UUML9gbDOK66BErI/w548-h640/20230913_130528a.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we came out of the Ashmolean, a lunch time stop was on the schedule, and another literature, TV inspired one at that, for those who were followers of the British TV police detective series, Morse and his colleague detective-sergeant Lewis, known to enjoy a liquid refreshment or two around Oxford following a particularly harrowing or difficult case to solve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcyYXhdDfo4t44oziF9Bn6Ac7V3uhgKdmND6VKzJyNBjFXqmJfFKE0wvo9RcJYVQ2o9z2pA57GEwBbCt0ZCVF2qGz_bOH7xN245JvfVE0i_e9Lx-1O99FlpKfc21AKElh0H5Md6zLE03tGn6jh3mkqRMKAv9PRPY53LFapvTLw3pcNhjhLloGB2mZIQk/s1080/Morse%20Pubs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1080" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcyYXhdDfo4t44oziF9Bn6Ac7V3uhgKdmND6VKzJyNBjFXqmJfFKE0wvo9RcJYVQ2o9z2pA57GEwBbCt0ZCVF2qGz_bOH7xN245JvfVE0i_e9Lx-1O99FlpKfc21AKElh0H5Md6zLE03tGn6jh3mkqRMKAv9PRPY53LFapvTLw3pcNhjhLloGB2mZIQk/w640-h462/Morse%20Pubs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morse and Lewis indulging in a 'post case, wash up meeting' rather similar to a Devon Wargames Group 'post game analysis session', but slightly less intense.<br /><a href="https://morseandlewisandendeavour.com/2017/06/30/inspector-morse-pub-crawl-including-downloadable-pdfs-of-pub-locations/">https://morseandlewisandendeavour.com/2017/06/30/inspector-morse-pub-crawl-including-downloadable-pdfs-of-pub-locations/</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our chosen pub for lunch was the delightfully situated Trout Inn that featured in the episode 'Second Time Around'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93Q7dtB20pddR8JafaQu0oJdahZtz3VR6TdRPqq89d98Q8w9VWaObTNor-l136WpT774UEcofSndJQ2xa6KkGiqOEZTLorsTN6axrHcMMS6T8zVjeSltWxyWfXSHHPXouUeTwwAc-fsqGUuN_gZgxJ48FsF57-5zu28SY6UyAzikMO7L2QHyDoSqLkYo/s4032/20230913_141116a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93Q7dtB20pddR8JafaQu0oJdahZtz3VR6TdRPqq89d98Q8w9VWaObTNor-l136WpT774UEcofSndJQ2xa6KkGiqOEZTLorsTN6axrHcMMS6T8zVjeSltWxyWfXSHHPXouUeTwwAc-fsqGUuN_gZgxJ48FsF57-5zu28SY6UyAzikMO7L2QHyDoSqLkYo/w640-h480/20230913_141116a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqx-iHrwYexrZhyphenhyphenpvYUJVzcNzYU1O87ndIol00qyyvQVOWrb1RiUIMzFM41FaWQK_C7Ulfg4LsMDJE07_yldO0k-JZgdI2AphnSjVRK1VFecEEy3O1fj14rHEtRDmvNPZzth4evau34wWq1pGCG5UcglJ1x4oQ8MZgTtFJg-OCdSUhHDEqqKmnDpxfits/s4032/20230913_141128a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqx-iHrwYexrZhyphenhyphenpvYUJVzcNzYU1O87ndIol00qyyvQVOWrb1RiUIMzFM41FaWQK_C7Ulfg4LsMDJE07_yldO0k-JZgdI2AphnSjVRK1VFecEEy3O1fj14rHEtRDmvNPZzth4evau34wWq1pGCG5UcglJ1x4oQ8MZgTtFJg-OCdSUhHDEqqKmnDpxfits/w640-h480/20230913_141128a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On our way to the Trout Inn we noticed the memorial close to a bridge crossing, known locally as 'Airman's Bridge', and decided to take a closer look.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M6J4w15KGQktdkHAi4EyMTobjtAh8hx24rOZDMKebrNhNjR2yK0iXSHmFkJkDGdsAOFlEiNClYZFlFYrtVdvkiWNcJg2yTl_gvnR2eR8SEYrmOyvMu-3H_ZHu0qL5LvdVaze999B5GSDbUBdB9WNzL_3ybnWJN5ZOUbhWzqXhIwgutcv_WDliFzBn4Q/s4032/20230913_152535a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M6J4w15KGQktdkHAi4EyMTobjtAh8hx24rOZDMKebrNhNjR2yK0iXSHmFkJkDGdsAOFlEiNClYZFlFYrtVdvkiWNcJg2yTl_gvnR2eR8SEYrmOyvMu-3H_ZHu0qL5LvdVaze999B5GSDbUBdB9WNzL_3ybnWJN5ZOUbhWzqXhIwgutcv_WDliFzBn4Q/w640-h480/20230913_152535a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The memorial was set up in the wake of a fatal crash involving two airman of the newly created Royal Flying Corps, formed in May 1912, in the very early pioneering years of aviation.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>The aircraft involved was a Bristol Coanda Monoplane 263 of 3 Squadron, RFC, that took off from the nearby Larkhill airfield at 07.00, September 10th 1912, as part of the RFC's first involvement in that autumns army manoeuvres, testing out theories of army cooperation flights.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tLzudYiRJYPeidJHcSih0jipCkk6brrvtqei1Ih_0oPm4I_fXKojZ6Ge6FWYwoveEgsjNQepVQs5F72NysZzUoBDJ5xLV-CweBQSHs6qKgvPQmeFJR1__ifhUPZzQ3zyl3FuLvwBneqBGa8XSOjU_FUHoL3JpmSP6e7uaTPiJoDLu1wGbAczsV0cMTw/s512/Bristol-Coanda_Monoplane_3-view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="512" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tLzudYiRJYPeidJHcSih0jipCkk6brrvtqei1Ih_0oPm4I_fXKojZ6Ge6FWYwoveEgsjNQepVQs5F72NysZzUoBDJ5xLV-CweBQSHs6qKgvPQmeFJR1__ifhUPZzQ3zyl3FuLvwBneqBGa8XSOjU_FUHoL3JpmSP6e7uaTPiJoDLu1wGbAczsV0cMTw/w640-h456/Bristol-Coanda_Monoplane_3-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristol Coanda Monoplane 263</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>At the controls was Lieutenant Edward Hotchkiss, aged 28, chief test pilot for the Bristol Aeroplane Company and with him a South African, Lieutenant Claude Bettington, recently of the Royal Artillery, but, with a fascination for the possibilities of using aircraft in an observation and reconnaissance role, who had recently qualified to fly and immediately transferred to the newly formed RFC.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF54Lkz66uHzv6_b41UvbRqFRie_eiB7RhDO8zrXimhLYQq8ru4gM70vArefLFNQ-e_wYqMhrATmDXgoW7M5Hmtcypl-ea8QG8hsQXiezj_Uc5Ml7sMHBfoExod8L_AyDn5tZl_yJZyt1_2tItsy3syD7Y9ZaQowXQbDhMfCishGaTh53zXeZTwvqSDKM/s1000/mangplane2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1000" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF54Lkz66uHzv6_b41UvbRqFRie_eiB7RhDO8zrXimhLYQq8ru4gM70vArefLFNQ-e_wYqMhrATmDXgoW7M5Hmtcypl-ea8QG8hsQXiezj_Uc5Ml7sMHBfoExod8L_AyDn5tZl_yJZyt1_2tItsy3syD7Y9ZaQowXQbDhMfCishGaTh53zXeZTwvqSDKM/w640-h492/mangplane2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On preparing to land it appears a quick release strap catch opened and cut a flying wire which whipping about tore a hole in the starboard wing, stripping fabric from it that caused the aircraft to become uncontrollable, plunging into the nearby Port Meadow, just a hundred yards from the memorial, killing both crew.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4u3OuZll56kr0b8D-qGRFLwJ8KDV1iqAHreZLKZO_Vt_8s35EqidITnlzje_PovYVDqOxy1T_dayCqE6Hm6zTBLCz34Q4uKkopWuQpxkAEVVgFab2o9t-1X3_ghyq97sBrFWH9RgV8koZVxpXbV8Tzt8oTEhbnS0VG-qjtGJjQyHFSbeG-qWy4I17aU/s4032/20230913_152542a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4u3OuZll56kr0b8D-qGRFLwJ8KDV1iqAHreZLKZO_Vt_8s35EqidITnlzje_PovYVDqOxy1T_dayCqE6Hm6zTBLCz34Q4uKkopWuQpxkAEVVgFab2o9t-1X3_ghyq97sBrFWH9RgV8koZVxpXbV8Tzt8oTEhbnS0VG-qjtGJjQyHFSbeG-qWy4I17aU/w640-h480/20230913_152542a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was great to see that the people of Oxford had come together to mark the centenary of this accident which in 1913 saw 2,000 people contribute to the fund to establish the memorial, after the two men were laid to rest the previous year atop artillery gun carriages, accompanied by soldiers of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on a parade through the city of Oxford with streets lined by thousands of people wanting to pay their respects.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their contribution to British military flying was remembered on the centenary of their deaths in 2012, with a ceremony organised by the Wolvercote Local History Society and Oxford City Council, with a bugler sounding the last post.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsLWU3Xw7ItBIdsnM19z2ZV_o4e_orq-m8JjIZgBVVFTFZ4AlOusoNufrEE3X0IO5cVDE3Y3NfdW3-YPaPBRmtMhy9Zz7yj0tci-PrcZO55HsrKPkHzFPqpWvjc4I0jE8PNwVx2GqerC2GCtIGFN-rBHWek6odvMg1g7J6uMh85u0_53ACNFo3w7qL-s/s620/thisairmenoneCapture.jpg.article-620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="620" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsLWU3Xw7ItBIdsnM19z2ZV_o4e_orq-m8JjIZgBVVFTFZ4AlOusoNufrEE3X0IO5cVDE3Y3NfdW3-YPaPBRmtMhy9Zz7yj0tci-PrcZO55HsrKPkHzFPqpWvjc4I0jE8PNwVx2GqerC2GCtIGFN-rBHWek6odvMg1g7J6uMh85u0_53ACNFo3w7qL-s/w640-h530/thisairmenoneCapture.jpg.article-620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gone but not forgotten. Left - Lieutenant Hotchkiss, was a commercial flying instructor who had qualified in 1911. Right - Lieutenant Bettington, a veteran of the Boer War and a newly qualified pilot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Suitably refreshed at the Trout Inn it was time for Steve and I to head off to our final destination on our two day history beano, and this time on our way home calling in at the oldest bridge on the River Thames at the militarily important crossing point of Radcot.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBpQqomxYtGVBZwpOOiu78Bki2b3uFCj9PV4elx1noMsb2zdfW6oPan_IDsMOKeWYajW-hI_VETqjr_m1ANQphvUrph4eVY8Kn0znDHG145qjL4_HPO6-yOCWJE1QOz4cRqP7guGLr6ZhY2wo4MDQTpKYLa33CAXC-xrTvbP1hC-7Do2ngBQQA7YMAjE/s400/radcot_bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="400" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBpQqomxYtGVBZwpOOiu78Bki2b3uFCj9PV4elx1noMsb2zdfW6oPan_IDsMOKeWYajW-hI_VETqjr_m1ANQphvUrph4eVY8Kn0znDHG145qjL4_HPO6-yOCWJE1QOz4cRqP7guGLr6ZhY2wo4MDQTpKYLa33CAXC-xrTvbP1hC-7Do2ngBQQA7YMAjE/w640-h620/radcot_bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The importance of the crossing point at Radcot is illustrated throughout the long history of the area with battles to control it fought in the medieval period and the English Civil War as armies have contested the approaches to London along the Thames Valley with marks left on the landscape that includes a Norman castle from the time of Empress Matilda and the most recent anticipated threat leaving its historical imprint with a WWII bunker in situ in the pub carpark.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0eRGZY2Z8v9t9b0BLnL9fbt3xe89CdAisEZhLnLuy4PxfNhQX1-jljdK85NCR5MP0rh5EJPjYvn7b8gt_jxTVCXRdFQpYL3DCkq6dzhyphenhyphenVezEvc1G8ecsFJlEnOx0qbMjiUQe-ICy8yzIHDTDNNmCtbAc1W2CJxREVf23SaDV0uVd8q3wLr9hvvwi8Oo/s4896/P1110239a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0eRGZY2Z8v9t9b0BLnL9fbt3xe89CdAisEZhLnLuy4PxfNhQX1-jljdK85NCR5MP0rh5EJPjYvn7b8gt_jxTVCXRdFQpYL3DCkq6dzhyphenhyphenVezEvc1G8ecsFJlEnOx0qbMjiUQe-ICy8yzIHDTDNNmCtbAc1W2CJxREVf23SaDV0uVd8q3wLr9hvvwi8Oo/w640-h480/P1110239a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Parking our cars at the nearby Swan Inn we planned our walk from the banks of the river in the beer garden, making the best of the second day's weather, the pub notable for as well as offering a fine selection of refreshments has a great display commemorating the local history.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS01VBAm8z4HsTK42lxNuk8bwGUiP9mTUU63qfTNmh6vmFGLxQ6QWO34whUjRSi9yiedlzggM63VLcYNNqEzZUf5Fft4O2DHHRx2-1y6cNBm6QTc7ER6UfR2MO_xl8FfV-EhSya1e88iitF76ntEUplTcQ4gljuthySUE28xEmV0UxgCkxrHII9zY5FaE/s2858/P1110260a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2858" data-original-width="2418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS01VBAm8z4HsTK42lxNuk8bwGUiP9mTUU63qfTNmh6vmFGLxQ6QWO34whUjRSi9yiedlzggM63VLcYNNqEzZUf5Fft4O2DHHRx2-1y6cNBm6QTc7ER6UfR2MO_xl8FfV-EhSya1e88iitF76ntEUplTcQ4gljuthySUE28xEmV0UxgCkxrHII9zY5FaE/w542-h640/P1110260a.JPG" width="542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This map from the nearby notice board proved to be a useful route guide with us following the red dotted lines and arrows to get our appreciation of the site and I've indicated where various pictures were taken with reference to the numbered points shown here.</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div>As with most of our little adventures Steve and I like to do a bit of pre-trip prep work, gathering our sources of information and of course maps, with in this case, one I grabbed prior to the trip seen below and one we actually used on the day, seen above.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bAWtFTE7RkPa7jztCzamz2oclWMGdFeGfbkZ-rVs5YJUmE14Ax0yN7CeQwm9Z8UKrapTNZ_XQ9x0XCvigbrTfOx9CKW0Q62QFNWPs4r6uxvJXZz5KSgWHuiiHBMYiw5UiBY56BcavamHnbgVtvqDQ30aLcFshEew3ZsFfqftu1nUYoItJXjRgJraQXM/s588/IMG_4626.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="588" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bAWtFTE7RkPa7jztCzamz2oclWMGdFeGfbkZ-rVs5YJUmE14Ax0yN7CeQwm9Z8UKrapTNZ_XQ9x0XCvigbrTfOx9CKW0Q62QFNWPs4r6uxvJXZz5KSgWHuiiHBMYiw5UiBY56BcavamHnbgVtvqDQ30aLcFshEew3ZsFfqftu1nUYoItJXjRgJraQXM/w640-h502/IMG_4626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E47wpwQkbXfJAVrWw20omn8Lkv9b1ca6IqvRldWk-_K0hE9-OwCXHBqJShyphenhyphenM_GBwKTqmpO0GY4qa3Cgi6Eh2ztuxu8g3rAkRDhjYOAdtdWonvYI8lQJbAAZ4k1H59f07V0437b6dq7HKKp0a5dW8wufBE0OlB1XEOei-BR0Q62FZPfyZmgBUkgLRmUo/s4896/P1110240a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E47wpwQkbXfJAVrWw20omn8Lkv9b1ca6IqvRldWk-_K0hE9-OwCXHBqJShyphenhyphenM_GBwKTqmpO0GY4qa3Cgi6Eh2ztuxu8g3rAkRDhjYOAdtdWonvYI8lQJbAAZ4k1H59f07V0437b6dq7HKKp0a5dW8wufBE0OlB1XEOei-BR0Q62FZPfyZmgBUkgLRmUo/w640-h480/P1110240a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The displays to be seen in the Swan Inn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfb_vCD3N9AOAnjLbdIpRFKsOE1W18tkVSXL4i4GO2SsHpDItY1jBB0v2NiR9h7xN0HbGqXGpbawRm5l6wJrHs122n7UIBoZq6916j-xXxPKsh45RxsbsDJWSKCCLCQHx7WmBxQvYoNiLl51hptWhdzK4k5Cpi6rNAd-2FhD0YP_2ruG5FRQXqCzJVk8/s4896/P1110242a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfb_vCD3N9AOAnjLbdIpRFKsOE1W18tkVSXL4i4GO2SsHpDItY1jBB0v2NiR9h7xN0HbGqXGpbawRm5l6wJrHs122n7UIBoZq6916j-xXxPKsh45RxsbsDJWSKCCLCQHx7WmBxQvYoNiLl51hptWhdzK4k5Cpi6rNAd-2FhD0YP_2ruG5FRQXqCzJVk8/w640-h480/P1110242a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The two pictures below show the canal cut and its bridge that passes close to the pub.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-UB3uz4Rin0ngIHO7O-v4oMGwDFZXbqWBx5Il7DuypoTj-9NfHd6bVZTFfP5XY8Abg2HdVSuVtYBpl4AXy3TopFOdhYpWHiG8m3XlKhrGPs6dwL7f2rPZumJEpVzhp8XVEFFFi-IHxn0HGMoIBe5LabNaClMrYmhNAVRCool1gdvxhQcpeoZGFcNJVI/s4896/P1110238a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-UB3uz4Rin0ngIHO7O-v4oMGwDFZXbqWBx5Il7DuypoTj-9NfHd6bVZTFfP5XY8Abg2HdVSuVtYBpl4AXy3TopFOdhYpWHiG8m3XlKhrGPs6dwL7f2rPZumJEpVzhp8XVEFFFi-IHxn0HGMoIBe5LabNaClMrYmhNAVRCool1gdvxhQcpeoZGFcNJVI/w640-h480/P1110238a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrPMbWHIdR_bk7YrQLovoS4n6rvcW99CkcoORWAFnUBbcDsF6dfoGEwbR8VkrAzI8gRj3BrtTahrmcnoNsON4C4T9W9Br3loFdv3WCCFJrPHAAYStZ0fYNBmNZvCOP7z93SPGp34M98BmBrKL4XRwVdZGR5AMMiwgA-h9Jakzw00_YI9NnZN7d5-D6xw/s4896/P1110237a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrPMbWHIdR_bk7YrQLovoS4n6rvcW99CkcoORWAFnUBbcDsF6dfoGEwbR8VkrAzI8gRj3BrtTahrmcnoNsON4C4T9W9Br3loFdv3WCCFJrPHAAYStZ0fYNBmNZvCOP7z93SPGp34M98BmBrKL4XRwVdZGR5AMMiwgA-h9Jakzw00_YI9NnZN7d5-D6xw/w640-h480/P1110237a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On the day we visited we were treated to some military flying past and present with the passing thrum of the Chinook seen below, later followed by a low flying Avro Lancaster from the Battle of Britain flight that went over as we set off for home.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6h7MIbvs-qNiBzRKM4YCWnnKHKicsnbXDEO4-mg44nfYnQrqcpGvSXMtfjccMpeDsrdEAztIjk1vReaZWzCyEmbnoK6LedpmA49q5fTBne0E_cPN_vkIFYg74ERW9OQ2PtJXsF7GlQ50wt3yCYBxn5n21TkLYf8jFBH7jx-_DFCd0nrA4QVUqjm71U/s4005/P1110249a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="4005" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6h7MIbvs-qNiBzRKM4YCWnnKHKicsnbXDEO4-mg44nfYnQrqcpGvSXMtfjccMpeDsrdEAztIjk1vReaZWzCyEmbnoK6LedpmA49q5fTBne0E_cPN_vkIFYg74ERW9OQ2PtJXsF7GlQ50wt3yCYBxn5n21TkLYf8jFBH7jx-_DFCd0nrA4QVUqjm71U/w640-h440/P1110249a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuO99fS873STYz6SyuoN4qqDniT2lZ3jAAp4H6xo1XIMSQ2jtbZofZ8IehO1pzSOtcf2TlgeRX7K0YruaRt3z6oSAdko2kOFO18Q2WzMnZBUE4gqWdVWZJJGFTJkDga1g9tt52XRM6yGCrMkE2E-lVE2PJiwQS4eQp09WKYUzjuz72jknKDtIBl-JnhI/s1795/Radcot%201645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1795" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuO99fS873STYz6SyuoN4qqDniT2lZ3jAAp4H6xo1XIMSQ2jtbZofZ8IehO1pzSOtcf2TlgeRX7K0YruaRt3z6oSAdko2kOFO18Q2WzMnZBUE4gqWdVWZJJGFTJkDga1g9tt52XRM6yGCrMkE2E-lVE2PJiwQS4eQp09WKYUzjuz72jknKDtIBl-JnhI/w640-h382/Radcot%201645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The so-called Battle of Radcot bridge on the 3rd of May 1645 was in fact no more than a cavalry skirmish between the opposing forces led by Lord George Goring and Lieutenant General of Horse Cromwell and was the culminating action of the latter's raid around Royalist Oxford in the spring of that year, that saw a lightning strike at Royalist garrisons around the city that included the rounding-up of as many draught horses as he could in order to hinder the movements of the king's artillery chain, with plans afoot to relieve the siege of Chester and prosecute the Royalist siege of Taunton in the west.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IZCwdtEkWphRzNlMLnqB60rwb6WtnZwZ7ARWcQEfTfmK1kSLYbGSDyc40zwJU7iQgNEzWoRYni4VRH2SiB8GYYk0gpvicwfVxemc0zYHBj1kbDL0KRBjj11ol9k-92UNuY_w8lJ6UD4VaVwmu90j7ShicIhFvgBZPeKrqsPmpMkQZB6MJYxrhi7Slpw/s966/Cromwell's%20Campaign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="966" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IZCwdtEkWphRzNlMLnqB60rwb6WtnZwZ7ARWcQEfTfmK1kSLYbGSDyc40zwJU7iQgNEzWoRYni4VRH2SiB8GYYk0gpvicwfVxemc0zYHBj1kbDL0KRBjj11ol9k-92UNuY_w8lJ6UD4VaVwmu90j7ShicIhFvgBZPeKrqsPmpMkQZB6MJYxrhi7Slpw/w640-h480/Cromwell's%20Campaign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cromwell's raid around Oxford disrupted the King's plans for the upcoming year despite his eventual defeat at Radcot Bridge, and laid the foundations for Royalist defeat at Naseby in June 1645.<br />Map - Gregg Archer</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>In addition Cromwell's audacious handling of his force of horse saw him bluff the Royalist garrison at Bletchingdon House to surrender, despite him having no artillery, this after routing a brigade or Royalist horse at Islip Bridge, compelled Sir Henry Vaughan's regiment to surrender at Bampton Castle, catching them by surprise, then crossing the Thames and occupying Farringdon but being rebuffed by the garrison of Farringdon House after summoning them to surrender, forcing a lull in the raid as Cromwell rode to Newbury to consult with the new commander of the New Model Army, Sir Thomas Fairfax.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHpeBdB6piG0bIPEi-StTswK03XjZ19TaMmhm0t4JPsMokUJMnkdBoAoOCZtH_LdiiEF4nnTfdGTvYLo4w_qcnc8yWf_HX1FuBDUi29C51VpZJDePx2SYTTyF8RhBNnjP8bdNuAl6d5l8f1D_LxXN4hk7ckdlZU1rtcbSL1HPRYw9Xmumhw_FsFWVNdU/s640/File%2028-12-2016,%2009%2001%2018.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="463" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHpeBdB6piG0bIPEi-StTswK03XjZ19TaMmhm0t4JPsMokUJMnkdBoAoOCZtH_LdiiEF4nnTfdGTvYLo4w_qcnc8yWf_HX1FuBDUi29C51VpZJDePx2SYTTyF8RhBNnjP8bdNuAl6d5l8f1D_LxXN4hk7ckdlZU1rtcbSL1HPRYw9Xmumhw_FsFWVNdU/w464-h640/File%2028-12-2016,%2009%2001%2018.jpeg" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2016/12/battle-of-langport-10th-july-1645.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Langport, 10th July, 1645 </span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It was while he was at Newbury that Cromwell learnt of a Royalist force approaching his at Farringdon, an opposing Royalist force of horse led by Lord George Goring, a very competent and able commander, thus setting the scene for a night time skirmish around Radcot Bridge, that would see Cromwell's men driven back over the Thames and Goring's reputation so enhanced by his success that it would lead to disastrous results for the Royalist cause later that year with Goring's final defeat at Langport sealed by the very man captured at Radcot Bridge, Major Christopher Bethel, the story of which I covered in my post from 2016 looking at the Battle of Langport, link above.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi47ylq72Qhqnl5rFqijixJ1k8JnZrNsJmJ7C87yLPNJLHgk_Ki9b_Y1yVZytZk774EW5V9Yz1QMVa9ghK_PIbPrsU1jJtHDFAmWUZtfABDwALg3-9xcuU2jAveRAgavJ4mNgg2T0LJqBKOJChpHni6JiIBk70UlHdqW0n1di_U9-fMCJvD5CM7hEHf0/s966/Battle%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="966" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi47ylq72Qhqnl5rFqijixJ1k8JnZrNsJmJ7C87yLPNJLHgk_Ki9b_Y1yVZytZk774EW5V9Yz1QMVa9ghK_PIbPrsU1jJtHDFAmWUZtfABDwALg3-9xcuU2jAveRAgavJ4mNgg2T0LJqBKOJChpHni6JiIBk70UlHdqW0n1di_U9-fMCJvD5CM7hEHf0/w640-h480/Battle%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map - Gregg Archer</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The excellent maps looking at Cromwell's movements around Oxford in April-May 1645 and those of the forces at Radcot Bridge are taken from Gregg Archer's comprehensive look at this mini campaign and its wider implications on the outcome of the war, published by the Battlefield Trust in the E-Publication 'Battalia', link below.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW4AzQ7jLwuMTieTWyGJqxlUa7etcN4IZeeFlNFmUcZakoMFXe1iRi_3V-wbsOLvQ30r_nZje1R5kCFDIXaOfPk0O_Oaq618JlIlEWnA7q5JvsGQi59zS4DQAG-ZqMlegKnHnzOTg_9vF-93MKY9J_wT69nh8WCrGv7h3qn9IxxMUFR0XdJ4YPHkY9s8/s966/Battle%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="966" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW4AzQ7jLwuMTieTWyGJqxlUa7etcN4IZeeFlNFmUcZakoMFXe1iRi_3V-wbsOLvQ30r_nZje1R5kCFDIXaOfPk0O_Oaq618JlIlEWnA7q5JvsGQi59zS4DQAG-ZqMlegKnHnzOTg_9vF-93MKY9J_wT69nh8WCrGv7h3qn9IxxMUFR0XdJ4YPHkY9s8/w640-h480/Battle%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map - Gregg Archer</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The picture below was taken a Point 2 shown on the walking route map above as the English Civil battle site, with perfect flat cavalry country to be seen in the meadows beyond the road and opposite to Radcot House, a likely site for where Major Christopher Bethel's Parliamentary Horse was countered in its attempted flank march by the Prince of Wales', Neville's and Goring's Regiments of Horse.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuvvsTuav_g_xJBZWd-5BCIA71sHMTWeJk3by4lOLBctnr1wFZe4FRWVY28dXF7n6rAxqPWGG6VuBjXncUDE83ZpWS8-M5Equc42wHymm5bNVy0QC-ci7UNu0gxDdc4XCynlSn_jBiGE6W8XbzAplTVkKQ4nRZjZAWi0vU5eim1tUZ8fWWDygoX1h_6c/s4896/P1110254a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="4896" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuvvsTuav_g_xJBZWd-5BCIA71sHMTWeJk3by4lOLBctnr1wFZe4FRWVY28dXF7n6rAxqPWGG6VuBjXncUDE83ZpWS8-M5Equc42wHymm5bNVy0QC-ci7UNu0gxDdc4XCynlSn_jBiGE6W8XbzAplTVkKQ4nRZjZAWi0vU5eim1tUZ8fWWDygoX1h_6c/w640-h382/P1110254a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point 2</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPzT70q6fl16yjxrR9QRW16fJqtJfbJTJaGa4_RXDhB5WJOn5Aj3KlNkcIYWJsp82Cw0w1ifkAZqn-OYoMaPOT2Btl_eWlwqW_aajV8QMt7NfwsvRuyEHDlmpjr3bHbJsCXU7NDTAm34wdvUdqiFXSLUhZGxYCS1QO9HxHYZrhPr10DVAhhU2dPqVzdk/s1600/ECW-Royalist-Cavalry-wallpaper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPzT70q6fl16yjxrR9QRW16fJqtJfbJTJaGa4_RXDhB5WJOn5Aj3KlNkcIYWJsp82Cw0w1ifkAZqn-OYoMaPOT2Btl_eWlwqW_aajV8QMt7NfwsvRuyEHDlmpjr3bHbJsCXU7NDTAm34wdvUdqiFXSLUhZGxYCS1QO9HxHYZrhPr10DVAhhU2dPqVzdk/w640-h416/ECW-Royalist-Cavalry-wallpaper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pdf link to the Battlefield Trust E-Journal Publication 'Battalia, Vol I , 2017'<br />The Battle of Radcot Bridge, 2-3 May, 1645<br /><a href="https://www.battlefieldstrust.com/cms/viewdoc.asp?a=128&b=477&c=407&d=547151098"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.battlefieldstrust.com/cms/viewdoc.asp?a=128&b=477&c=407&d=547151098</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div>The four pictures below were taken between Points 3, 5 and 6 as we made our way around the area of Matilda's Castle, otherwise known as The Garrison. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Time Team tv show, Series 16, Episode 4, did an exploration of this site a few years ago in 2009, which can be followed up here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x628dey">https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x628dey</a></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUiWuIP2ArXJtGR83W3HlpiTppTKowpNlnIdR8XHzNFjUM3ccj3_eg4uxiu55_D_P5V8POdkGAvIAO3oUHv4XJFYQClNHO9muSqc8ZEsApxuNNfCO2P39UaLc_DaNH5U-ZINkFb1f_bOhHL3MLchX5OAL9WeZYbTX2bFY78p6m3ib5mkH7c6VyBsHXUA/s4896/P1110255a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUiWuIP2ArXJtGR83W3HlpiTppTKowpNlnIdR8XHzNFjUM3ccj3_eg4uxiu55_D_P5V8POdkGAvIAO3oUHv4XJFYQClNHO9muSqc8ZEsApxuNNfCO2P39UaLc_DaNH5U-ZINkFb1f_bOhHL3MLchX5OAL9WeZYbTX2bFY78p6m3ib5mkH7c6VyBsHXUA/w640-h480/P1110255a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garrison or Matilda's Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The excavations carried out seem to show a Norman keep in the centre dating from the Anarchy in the 12th century following the struggle between Empress Matilda and Stephen of Blois for the crown between 1138 to 1153, with the tower likely pulled down within a century of its construction.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition there is evidence of earlier Roman remains on the site, together with later English Civil War ramparts likely built by Parliamentary troops to house artillery pieces used by them to bombard the Royalist garrison in Radcot House.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsREEtnr8N8BNnTw6yct7CZZkRmNTFAjADQbhuF_6O6KgwyIGu_rx3ip9kyIUjzpb_aeuatSOLLBQmPcMdUVKOkTOWn1GThcsweSuejgRfKRRokNwNR_dzAam6crPO_aJeyoprznNQmMTL2899CziTtx7TBS8IsdZRrKyoWI_rPdmGm-UcrngmOm1Usgo/s3155/P1110256a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3155" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsREEtnr8N8BNnTw6yct7CZZkRmNTFAjADQbhuF_6O6KgwyIGu_rx3ip9kyIUjzpb_aeuatSOLLBQmPcMdUVKOkTOWn1GThcsweSuejgRfKRRokNwNR_dzAam6crPO_aJeyoprznNQmMTL2899CziTtx7TBS8IsdZRrKyoWI_rPdmGm-UcrngmOm1Usgo/w640-h398/P1110256a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmEwvAh8hPTiDTxtRfQVqj3JTC2C01HJUsotWAJoQ36bcrE7Oq0RQ0IyUgvBekMFU6QFiS9a6FwPBrC2aRnI2xpLwvWjP5TOVpq7BQYEaEH5vFuwwqpl3dkW1IYawppar-K5fZGzaKkdpM6sGzxGTMMBBW0h0Q5ZACrrfhMR68XYZch-uTGzz-lzCWGY/s4896/P1110259a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmEwvAh8hPTiDTxtRfQVqj3JTC2C01HJUsotWAJoQ36bcrE7Oq0RQ0IyUgvBekMFU6QFiS9a6FwPBrC2aRnI2xpLwvWjP5TOVpq7BQYEaEH5vFuwwqpl3dkW1IYawppar-K5fZGzaKkdpM6sGzxGTMMBBW0h0Q5ZACrrfhMR68XYZch-uTGzz-lzCWGY/w640-h480/P1110259a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At point 6 by turning to look south you get a view of the meadow indicated as the likely area for the encounter between Robert de Vere leading the troops of King Richard II and the rebel army of Henry Bolingbroke, Earl of Derby and later King Henry IV.</div><div><br /></div><div>A description of the action recounts;</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>'De Vere's army arrived at the twin Thames bridges, only to find the first sabotaged and the second guarded by Derby's troops. Gloucester's men were still closing in from the north. The Royalists turned and deserted at the first shock of Bolingbroke's pikes. They could only surrender or else make desperate rushes over or through the river in an attempt to escape. Mounting a fresh horse, De Vere pushed forward but, with Pidnell Bridge demolished, the terrified Earl was forced to have his mount leap into the river and face up stream. Hugging the bank, he lightened his load by dropping his gauntlets, sword and casque. At Radcot Bridge, stood a company of archers. Dodging their deadly arrows through the stream again, he sought a ford but none was to be found. As night came on, he slipped from his horse, put off his cuirass, plunged into the stream, and swimming across, escaped with the loss of everything but life and limb.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhoGWMn7HJFmsJIU31s7eHUsBZ23E_pdfQM3Bc8uM4QclPRKB2gJDyfr22w4D4BeosOtHL3SLGPrswiXo75dEfTM671dS4ymCKxFu_pXlMWjYdK4QVxf-V1TdiTZh0cIaNxy_zDV67qm_qLEDSogtLD3Llf70NlX2sj1iE29fLtCQfo27SQ8i3gKEfZk/s923/Robert_de_Vere_fleeing_Radcot_Bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="923" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhoGWMn7HJFmsJIU31s7eHUsBZ23E_pdfQM3Bc8uM4QclPRKB2gJDyfr22w4D4BeosOtHL3SLGPrswiXo75dEfTM671dS4ymCKxFu_pXlMWjYdK4QVxf-V1TdiTZh0cIaNxy_zDV67qm_qLEDSogtLD3Llf70NlX2sj1iE29fLtCQfo27SQ8i3gKEfZk/w640-h478/Robert_de_Vere_fleeing_Radcot_Bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather stylised 15th century depiction of De Vere's crossing of the River Thames if the written account is to be believed.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div><b><i>Hiding in the woods by day, De Vere stole away into the western shires where, for a while, he was safe. His enemies believed him dead. Horse, casque, sword and cuirass being found next morning by the riverbank, his pursuers fancied that he had been drowned. However, he eventually managed to flee to France, where he died in exile. With their victory at Radcot Bridge, the 'Lords Appellant' were able to gain a short-lived control over the country. This culminated in the Merciless Parliament in which King Richard's main allies were condemned.'</i></b></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN83aS00mv2Bc9N-utmKSiKgPH7BwxpxVNOfrbsyLPDjR09LCZp08z5yfWFleEE3UKJ7z4AdaO4IIh5UhgbfhRfvRPiXwpj_BdKkJOF6mGxHIgrdGqRMJ22CGvn64xZlsH_f0W7d5A7SQyGGO40tYEHtoABwZJnqq08-3-UxadqORKwJsCNrAAB9kgBcQ/s4896/P1110257a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN83aS00mv2Bc9N-utmKSiKgPH7BwxpxVNOfrbsyLPDjR09LCZp08z5yfWFleEE3UKJ7z4AdaO4IIh5UhgbfhRfvRPiXwpj_BdKkJOF6mGxHIgrdGqRMJ22CGvn64xZlsH_f0W7d5A7SQyGGO40tYEHtoABwZJnqq08-3-UxadqORKwJsCNrAAB9kgBcQ/w640-h480/P1110257a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point 6. Suitable ground perhaps for De Vere's men to try their pikes with Bolingbroke's rebels</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ix7QPwwIFdmq9mHXDWgR9TcnJTGW3wz-N9Ushi_rBDg3XpzjghBKDcjgFF9JFrv1vJANPRTpd-2ZJQ1e59cejXjDQ9lCbux9pVUEhAK8dU2aMcH-tN883H5fs93K3DXsS0NnapSV-uXMrXaqUeCC5uPzjn2J8MafSOp46hyphenhyphen8wMJR8wHLVzWFyksC62Y/s4896/P1110261a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ix7QPwwIFdmq9mHXDWgR9TcnJTGW3wz-N9Ushi_rBDg3XpzjghBKDcjgFF9JFrv1vJANPRTpd-2ZJQ1e59cejXjDQ9lCbux9pVUEhAK8dU2aMcH-tN883H5fs93K3DXsS0NnapSV-uXMrXaqUeCC5uPzjn2J8MafSOp46hyphenhyphen8wMJR8wHLVzWFyksC62Y/w640-h480/P1110261a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point 7 and on our way back to the bridges and perhaps the place where De Vere took a dip dodging rebel arrows.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaNzyrLdPNPKBH4fub-hcRa0rDvQAueBt-O9pUZ-j_z8yszmnsGv4JA5Ai1AzdzPYCWDISV_N5m0XsqKb_yig1vASF7DbOg1mYg3RX6Ho2PRvpShlzvrt1wDWRfYjQ270AeZ4YtIpjnyayeXEEX22pTRB_mePXMTmLaQDIz8exTnLb7VdSlp2DkEsN9c/s4896/P1110262a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaNzyrLdPNPKBH4fub-hcRa0rDvQAueBt-O9pUZ-j_z8yszmnsGv4JA5Ai1AzdzPYCWDISV_N5m0XsqKb_yig1vASF7DbOg1mYg3RX6Ho2PRvpShlzvrt1wDWRfYjQ270AeZ4YtIpjnyayeXEEX22pTRB_mePXMTmLaQDIz8exTnLb7VdSlp2DkEsN9c/w640-h480/P1110262a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The bunker seen below at Point 8 in the carpark now serves as a cafe and glamping/camping booking reception for the Swan Pub, but was once part of a series of defences of vital transport nodes constructed in the dark days of 1940 when the threat of Nazi invasion loomed.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hWJ90aFL5YorPw3xvISBaTRk8Gu0gzJXsNx3Od_awZlQwjc1hSK9ZohviTDPJQdr-4PSpzFn_GjTR0PktEKaEvnNqg_FgKnTg_FL1eTkJJN1XXjQFJR3z33q-hmZ6IJXGcxI2EMirNXlSxwqQzxl9k14kPfmRqy2tA4R7-YvtjH-WRyr92q2bbmhjfg/s4896/P1110263a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hWJ90aFL5YorPw3xvISBaTRk8Gu0gzJXsNx3Od_awZlQwjc1hSK9ZohviTDPJQdr-4PSpzFn_GjTR0PktEKaEvnNqg_FgKnTg_FL1eTkJJN1XXjQFJR3z33q-hmZ6IJXGcxI2EMirNXlSxwqQzxl9k14kPfmRqy2tA4R7-YvtjH-WRyr92q2bbmhjfg/w640-h480/P1110263a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point 8, the converted WWII bunker under new management.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxbBv6mTH1zXaJzkkFncChZ_T76nr6I4JWs6eSVaWh3_c5gxU9Uc2dlPPHweQqBDZ3A7O6KVjwE4P0m_F5zLSsqOq_-1dwGH4VoauFYRaz7MtMDGUDu3y8QYtvt9f3DZUuluc3ev6xc8qq4G8VupkIHCqVaAmEmiJ6zrQBlu5EhUTcrOw0JrMI8RVvII/s4896/P1110265a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxbBv6mTH1zXaJzkkFncChZ_T76nr6I4JWs6eSVaWh3_c5gxU9Uc2dlPPHweQqBDZ3A7O6KVjwE4P0m_F5zLSsqOq_-1dwGH4VoauFYRaz7MtMDGUDu3y8QYtvt9f3DZUuluc3ev6xc8qq4G8VupkIHCqVaAmEmiJ6zrQBlu5EhUTcrOw0JrMI8RVvII/w640-h480/P1110265a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point 8. Radcot Bridge, the oldest bridge on the River Thames.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With our walk around the multiple historic sites at Radcot Bridge complete it was time to make our way home having successfully adapted the initial plan following contact with 'General Weather' and, I think, illustrating the amazing variety of historical places to see, no matter what the conditions, with a little bit of flexibility added to the mix.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Great fun and here's to our next adventure</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up, British 74's for Camperdown are in the rigging yard next week and fast approaching completion, I have a book review to do and the Antipodean adventure continues, more anon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-13208824553317021512023-10-27T02:50:00.002-07:002023-10-27T02:50:48.145-07:00The History of Britain in Blue Plaques<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzhbeCShymdHQJzsABu1btjMlSLE0qYwvc_emrJ-BBUp5rv_dZKimK8OLP8YSHDdVU_7CD4YZ-BSaYRXXxG4lMw5DJzqKUXwLzl0IdXepd5Ft96Tugjf8aMWzVoBGsK-zBebU1MSkksDwEL97rpdfaxJ0C1c23_eklNT0VM2ageGBaTab90I5pDQF6jI/s1919/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzhbeCShymdHQJzsABu1btjMlSLE0qYwvc_emrJ-BBUp5rv_dZKimK8OLP8YSHDdVU_7CD4YZ-BSaYRXXxG4lMw5DJzqKUXwLzl0IdXepd5Ft96Tugjf8aMWzVoBGsK-zBebU1MSkksDwEL97rpdfaxJ0C1c23_eklNT0VM2ageGBaTab90I5pDQF6jI/w640-h360/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend Carolyn and I'm off up to London to stay with friends for a long weekend and to take in a West End musical 'Moulin Rouge' followed by a bit of supper in town, so this weekend's post is coming out on the Friday instead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My glorious 1798 map of Great Britain and Ireland below illustrates where exactly this particular post is focussed in relation to blue plaques, as I know there are lots of folks who read the blog who might not be quite so familiar with the layout of the territory as compared to those of us blessed with living here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0wKoaYoDQKuBtWWo-yrdYR1Si4JeysJQ6Yo2Pa4RwAVtNdqG9mdZlnQExJjRm7oXu3mCNtBl2iAqP1nbT9ShbDAG3SwRaQ7ZUqtYRJ8pOu1kdHXuMosi4HvYni5MlyZKeIzxKLzA5duptpR5qzmlDx3MM_iQOTSdHGoq3-ZvJSn_Tg3lW461TPEAwI4/s1070/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0wKoaYoDQKuBtWWo-yrdYR1Si4JeysJQ6Yo2Pa4RwAVtNdqG9mdZlnQExJjRm7oXu3mCNtBl2iAqP1nbT9ShbDAG3SwRaQ7ZUqtYRJ8pOu1kdHXuMosi4HvYni5MlyZKeIzxKLzA5duptpR5qzmlDx3MM_iQOTSdHGoq3-ZvJSn_Tg3lW461TPEAwI4/w534-h640/Map.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenby in Pembrokeshire, and my home of Exmouth and nearby Budleigh in East Devon, the focus of this particular post.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In a post looking at my most recent project to build my fleets for the Battle of Camperdown, I mentioned that much of British history is commemorated in the names of its streets, but it occurred to me that in addition to that we also have the delightful custom of putting up blue plaques on historically interesting buildings, that can reveal another layer of that history and the local characters associated with the building that helped to make it, and then I thought it would be fun to illustrate some blue plaques that caught my attention in recent weeks, and the stories of the folks involved.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgXk00jdi64OfUvoX1Na6cx53-G_bA8BJ4kOXunU8xvgH3j24-BwK48pSQyYrGasV8M9mzEEhqjQSbFrqIdKgqzN06sxjh0fgQ5lyXEoAmkJG5RUWeleYUdcNiEXMlEAjui5hV1kuhjZQPIJ77ExZrCWNh7etLV_03dTYbWSg5lkBzypeo4Usq5LRDVg/s4032/20231005_110425.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgXk00jdi64OfUvoX1Na6cx53-G_bA8BJ4kOXunU8xvgH3j24-BwK48pSQyYrGasV8M9mzEEhqjQSbFrqIdKgqzN06sxjh0fgQ5lyXEoAmkJG5RUWeleYUdcNiEXMlEAjui5hV1kuhjZQPIJ77ExZrCWNh7etLV_03dTYbWSg5lkBzypeo4Usq5LRDVg/w640-h480/20231005_110425.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've passed Simcoe House many times, walking through Budleigh, and sometimes it's good to stop and acknowledge the amazing history on your own doorstep.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br style="text-align: left;" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Following the death of his father, Captain John Simcoe RN, from pneumonia, commanding His Majesty's 60-gun ship HMS Pembroke in the mouth of the St Lawrence River on the 15th May 1759, just prior to the siege of Quebec, the seven year-old John Graves Simcoe and his mother Katherine Simcoe moved back to her parental home in Exeter; where he would be educated at Exeter Grammar School, then Eton College, before attending Merton College, Oxford, and then Lincoln's Inn, before deciding to follow a military career rather than a legal one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eJ8v-nxtoeLEXrJ22OIG94CAZQzQOgRkYt0g1GaHEEcSGdkON3Y1oD-mMZ0f29GoZWqCb5Xwg9SP9nS-oFzS9wsgGFIvlbamOo4arNI4CJIg79wzg2HzigsGthTv86nES6uApT2kmNaCcM7LsgKZ8yTATfN3-jTsx6pUXOo_GGwlfDUu1C1IYpzngCI/s957/Simcoe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="797" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eJ8v-nxtoeLEXrJ22OIG94CAZQzQOgRkYt0g1GaHEEcSGdkON3Y1oD-mMZ0f29GoZWqCb5Xwg9SP9nS-oFzS9wsgGFIvlbamOo4arNI4CJIg79wzg2HzigsGthTv86nES6uApT2kmNaCcM7LsgKZ8yTATfN3-jTsx6pUXOo_GGwlfDUu1C1IYpzngCI/w532-h640/Simcoe.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Graves Simcoe in the green uniform of the Queen's Rangers</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The young Simcoe would begin his military career as an ensign with the 35th Foot, serving with them in the American War of Independence and seeing action at the siege of Boston, later being promoted to captain in the 40th Foot, serving with and later commanding the grenadier company through the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia campaigns and at the Battle of Brandywine, where he was wounded, and reportedly prevented his men from firing at fleeing rebels, that included George Washington.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqi7BRbx-sl8AU-UtEUHEAEq8xEMNtjTJZ0w7nQW3kcWGFGbImMBEx7DUbbCDu9fsKuQPNwz0EZ_WsOYM1AsPCbxWTIvqkzxn9xMo-VTPrFZxxxEAFuRNtY5F_gMKj1KWMHlLTFO9FFatUzPHt0slVzU9pdqENaUUVb7NzUfhoOrvmCaiB-ykK6rq8wo/s1357/A_Light_Infantry_Man_and_Huzzar_of_the_Queen's_Rangers,_ca_1780.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqi7BRbx-sl8AU-UtEUHEAEq8xEMNtjTJZ0w7nQW3kcWGFGbImMBEx7DUbbCDu9fsKuQPNwz0EZ_WsOYM1AsPCbxWTIvqkzxn9xMo-VTPrFZxxxEAFuRNtY5F_gMKj1KWMHlLTFO9FFatUzPHt0slVzU9pdqENaUUVb7NzUfhoOrvmCaiB-ykK6rq8wo/w566-h640/A_Light_Infantry_Man_and_Huzzar_of_the_Queen's_Rangers,_ca_1780.jpg" width="566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Ranger and Hussar of the Queen's Rangers</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In 1777 he would take command of the Queen's Rangers formed on Staten Island, famously leading this elite Loyalist Regiment, seeing action right through to the Siege of Yorktown before being invalided back home and gaining promotion to lieutenant-colonel, and recording his experiences in his 'A Journal of the Operations of the Queen's Rangers' published in Exeter in 1787.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0yaHMlFrtKsMIK93WVqKghHp2_dNl0hKHKk5qsRZxzP4cHlcXk-gKdjNZVCU664CUVevkW5VUOTdC11NZpEBO01wDcCbFj8hZArGgmQtowMNRqKP2hGzw6sx3xU9Vsbyx8XlAbi3z8TzooR56JOypGdLmVKQzRkh_VxgUMxzLohafdL56hDCowaOuV4/s1322/ColonelSimcoe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="999" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0yaHMlFrtKsMIK93WVqKghHp2_dNl0hKHKk5qsRZxzP4cHlcXk-gKdjNZVCU664CUVevkW5VUOTdC11NZpEBO01wDcCbFj8hZArGgmQtowMNRqKP2hGzw6sx3xU9Vsbyx8XlAbi3z8TzooR56JOypGdLmVKQzRkh_VxgUMxzLohafdL56hDCowaOuV4/w484-h640/ColonelSimcoe.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonel John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada 1791-96 - George Theodore Berthon</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div>Following convalescence at his home in Devon, Simcoe entered Parliament in 1790 as MP for St. Mawes in Cornwall, before taking up the role of Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada a year later, serving until 1796, and being appointed to the rank of Major-General before ill-health forced a return home, resigning his office in 1798. </div><div><br /></div><div>He would briefly serve as commander of the British expeditionary force to the captured French colony of Saint-Domingue itself dealing with a slave rebellion, and seeing action against the Haitian commander Toussant Louverture, then cooperating with the French, before being replaced in March 1797.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoYgnXu0FOjj4s6TUSOPTnzx39dqGVVr8vMOLAurTmUPUhA5FHAqUOrqm4kAm54tDPipGbWLy8jmWXMbLTZE-K4Rfs-SSToqDH9ikpKJgDyYydZIhZgWbV4TvNYkd22MpQRxy0Sz-dH6nHfQLQ2XZ8I1VNfM-FTkGWCMwdB34IAkK2jTkBb_H5LvY_ZU/s4032/20231005_110508.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoYgnXu0FOjj4s6TUSOPTnzx39dqGVVr8vMOLAurTmUPUhA5FHAqUOrqm4kAm54tDPipGbWLy8jmWXMbLTZE-K4Rfs-SSToqDH9ikpKJgDyYydZIhZgWbV4TvNYkd22MpQRxy0Sz-dH6nHfQLQ2XZ8I1VNfM-FTkGWCMwdB34IAkK2jTkBb_H5LvY_ZU/w640-h480/20231005_110508.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simcoe House was acquired by General Simcoe as a seaside villa in 1797, here in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, as a welcome respite from his duties as the Military Commander for the Army in the West of England </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On return home he was appointed Colonel of the 81st Foot in 1798, exchanging to the 22nd Foot six months later and promoted lieutenant-general and commander of the Western District of Great Britain.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1806 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, India in anticipation of his succeeding Lord Cornwallis, but died in Exeter on the 26th of October 1806 aged 54, before taking up his new role.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZntyH-3Qgvi2HkWx1bQ6U-euK5aObiDuyvzbD58Szc0U8CyW4ZXhIRpSNtWgX5BEKZ5-TUYnK7bO6giAYMDAZUTs1TL7JnjeGHxKtNjeArKve-8gmIxywG9d4W_4M_5P2441sfHpkAEYEc4kXnSBhXIbHejgqV4eAV3HSWT64KGWdYqrFQUprUfzqKg/s4032/20231022_153242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZntyH-3Qgvi2HkWx1bQ6U-euK5aObiDuyvzbD58Szc0U8CyW4ZXhIRpSNtWgX5BEKZ5-TUYnK7bO6giAYMDAZUTs1TL7JnjeGHxKtNjeArKve-8gmIxywG9d4W_4M_5P2441sfHpkAEYEc4kXnSBhXIbHejgqV4eAV3HSWT64KGWdYqrFQUprUfzqKg/w480-h640/20231022_153242.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy Perriam, one of only three British women to see service at sea during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As well as Exmouth's association with Lady Frances 'Fanny' Nelson, Viscountess Nelson and Duchess of Bronte who lived in the town in her later years and is buried at St Margaret and St Andrew's Church in Littleham, we have an association from another lady from the complete other end of the social strata of Georgian England, also laid to rest in Littleham Church, Nancy Perriam, Royal Navy powder monkey, seamstress and surgeons mate.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO9ujyLDmUsdTJkn4bIhnjyvo_1R_EZ9HIFFL_g0Nso6sembozVKAg3Aq5hkNhCpGWSUb1yxNtapStt6NfsMqnXIIOCdEBI9na0X6IJJ4OMJWtxKXviYzdkU8o32VyCjqG1yWP3hsBoXhG1CiZi9_OC3EUX2e3MYHYJDFL45VDZPfrXS8uJcv1ThcjR8/s640/20200404_145623%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO9ujyLDmUsdTJkn4bIhnjyvo_1R_EZ9HIFFL_g0Nso6sembozVKAg3Aq5hkNhCpGWSUb1yxNtapStt6NfsMqnXIIOCdEBI9na0X6IJJ4OMJWtxKXviYzdkU8o32VyCjqG1yWP3hsBoXhG1CiZi9_OC3EUX2e3MYHYJDFL45VDZPfrXS8uJcv1ThcjR8/w640-h480/20200404_145623%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My picture of Lady Nelson's grave back in 2020.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Nancy Ann Letton was born in April 1769 in Exmouth, marrying a Royal Navy seamen, Edward Hopping in 1788, he later serving aboard the 36-gun frigate HMS <i>Crescent</i>, commanded by Captain James Saumarez, then cruising the coast of France, with the <i>Crescent </i>returning to Plymouth, for repairs in 1795.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlH9W_vJ5nMcXfl4qsLUwkHgLzLNBKcCKiDB3ku7rSLeJjxkmDlp5ZqIcwq-Upz_ceEC2Nd5QYKYn3qKA6CQ_3eec8aESdvPT_llBKGzL67tUTFpyCdBvM-sywTChPZJqW4b84AW2a40B3iqn89a4yAeL3OWdimbd14C-5bzKm5DB3OAXNNWm42ECsq4/s2161/Thomas_Whitcombe_-_HMS_Crescent,_under_the_command_of_Captain_James_Saumarez,_capturing_the_French_frigate_R%C3%A9union_off_Cherbourg,_20_October_1793_CSK_2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="2161" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlH9W_vJ5nMcXfl4qsLUwkHgLzLNBKcCKiDB3ku7rSLeJjxkmDlp5ZqIcwq-Upz_ceEC2Nd5QYKYn3qKA6CQ_3eec8aESdvPT_llBKGzL67tUTFpyCdBvM-sywTChPZJqW4b84AW2a40B3iqn89a4yAeL3OWdimbd14C-5bzKm5DB3OAXNNWm42ECsq4/w640-h448/Thomas_Whitcombe_-_HMS_Crescent,_under_the_command_of_Captain_James_Saumarez,_capturing_the_French_frigate_R%C3%A9union_off_Cherbourg,_20_October_1793_CSK_2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Crescent </i>under the command of Captain James Saumarez, capturing the French frigate <i>Réunion </i>off Cherbourg, 20th October 1793 - Thomas Whitcombe</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Nancy went to Plymouth to meet her husband and being deemed of good character and a wife of one of the crew was allowed to come on board and sail with him, later following him to HMS <i>Orion </i>74-guns when Saumarez was given command of her and selected Hopping to come with him to his new ship.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXRsPKdaqyK4kB0NiK4dkKqDBRKhVnvHcl5-YuO5RoinnU5qoKl1E4RQFNaapMpzsA1XoshGHoCHFiK1eX_3lf785ANt0NzgH7cEw1xQ6j_ng6FlVMbzsBOXDOO3WJzKVY-va4U47-QpRkHyuMUdNQdIFc0qv6f25MQlRUFLzk6WO84V_olRmh3WC3-c/s2000/588234-1454339007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="2000" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXRsPKdaqyK4kB0NiK4dkKqDBRKhVnvHcl5-YuO5RoinnU5qoKl1E4RQFNaapMpzsA1XoshGHoCHFiK1eX_3lf785ANt0NzgH7cEw1xQ6j_ng6FlVMbzsBOXDOO3WJzKVY-va4U47-QpRkHyuMUdNQdIFc0qv6f25MQlRUFLzk6WO84V_olRmh3WC3-c/w640-h536/588234-1454339007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Orion 74-guns - Nicholas Pocock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Hopping would serve on <i>Orion </i>as second gunner and Nancy would help him serving as a 'powder-monkey' preparing gun cartridges, seeing action at the Battle of Groix 23rd June 1795, in the Bay of Biscay during which <i>Orion </i>lost six killed and eighteen wounded.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMAKMhJ0BACL19h04S8gj4GyBp0jSs2N3Lpg8NTAQ9ZhoOH7OcF1V2K5AIdWoO5CcMYyQHZJZu5wPl-dBNyVx5R4rG1xFISD4cjd0tf3Gfexdh_45QdNrgm05VuCWpFwZUoSvdgu39BLizSGLJloj50W5SgSKhH3FDn3MraqVQwQanUPYyrmosdhNMs4/s1316/Groix.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1316" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMAKMhJ0BACL19h04S8gj4GyBp0jSs2N3Lpg8NTAQ9ZhoOH7OcF1V2K5AIdWoO5CcMYyQHZJZu5wPl-dBNyVx5R4rG1xFISD4cjd0tf3Gfexdh_45QdNrgm05VuCWpFwZUoSvdgu39BLizSGLJloj50W5SgSKhH3FDn3MraqVQwQanUPYyrmosdhNMs4/w640-h410/Groix.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Battle of Groix 23rd June 1795 - Nicholas Pocock</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On the 14th February 1797 she was in action at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, with <i>Orion </i>suffering nine wounded in the chase of the Spanish fleet and with Nancy tasked with mending one of Samaurez's shirts as they went into battle, and later tending to the wounded.</div><div><br /></div><div>She would recall her role vividly, recounting later about assisting the surgeon operating on a young midshipman;</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"the boy bore the operation without a murmur, and when
it was over turned to me and said: 'Have I not borne it like a man?' Having
said this he immediately expired."</i></b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzqB0ximToGaTof2opSDcJXlOhF2PVjzf1SogShwOm9jTzuxpduI-3lfr7Bb62f6Itcsj318NiWeebbBDsakMXu4OAsED5lHjjCCIG4BOHsvpx2fsyuV7piQd-oVgyT1K8ORMGqS8Zqy2mlOl7sUoBfWIO5v2_TbJXhhUnxft7FepDq-vsdMx2kFeJL0/s1280/The_Battle_of_Cape_St_Vincent,_14_February_1797_RMG_BHC0486.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1280" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzqB0ximToGaTof2opSDcJXlOhF2PVjzf1SogShwOm9jTzuxpduI-3lfr7Bb62f6Itcsj318NiWeebbBDsakMXu4OAsED5lHjjCCIG4BOHsvpx2fsyuV7piQd-oVgyT1K8ORMGqS8Zqy2mlOl7sUoBfWIO5v2_TbJXhhUnxft7FepDq-vsdMx2kFeJL0/w640-h428/The_Battle_of_Cape_St_Vincent,_14_February_1797_RMG_BHC0486.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of Cape St Vincent 14th February 1797 - Robert Cleveley</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Her final battle was to be one of the greatest in British naval history, the Battle of the Nile fought on the 1st of August 1798, that would see one of the most decisive victories achieved in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars and the French losing thirteen of the seventeen vessels that started the battle together with estimated casualties of between 3-5,000 men whilst the British squadron under Nelson escaped with 218 killed and 678 wounded and with the <i>Orion </i>suffering 13 killed and 29 wounded.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuOzm7nxFZ_5CQpETecVNuur7OllToQ8s0I-WBYV7fE5_RHkf19W4S3prkC07kYD_WFqhp9cdbbpjsQQHt5-EGsSDMb1_x6zDAT66ScHLzjaWYBVM8dLb7ICz_VqhEEOwkVXrz0_Gy4vZnjSPe21J_trjmGcO6L47kkAWdbXN3_9E10CPlHmdionVF5g/s1280/Pocock's_Battle_of_the_Nile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1280" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuOzm7nxFZ_5CQpETecVNuur7OllToQ8s0I-WBYV7fE5_RHkf19W4S3prkC07kYD_WFqhp9cdbbpjsQQHt5-EGsSDMb1_x6zDAT66ScHLzjaWYBVM8dLb7ICz_VqhEEOwkVXrz0_Gy4vZnjSPe21J_trjmGcO6L47kkAWdbXN3_9E10CPlHmdionVF5g/w640-h442/Pocock's_Battle_of_the_Nile.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Battle of the Nile, </span>1st of August 1798 - Nicholas Pocock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nancy gave birth to two daughters while serving on the <i>Orion </i>and her brother together with another twelve men from Exmouth also served aboard the ship, one later achieving flag rank and dying an admiral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Edward Hopping was drowned in 1802 and Nancy would go on to marry John Perriam in 1805, surviving him after his death in 1812 and living out her life in Exmouth working as a street fish seller until the age of 80 when ill-health forced her to retire and, after locals campaigned for her to receive a government pension for her service, was given a pension of £10 a year.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfplp7m3uhG8cK-UgShsSisCkZl8bQtd450v9af8A3FBIDAHsXE5gkMd8Smlnn7tzSpqxqRQtQQMKTRk42lcmcrd8IBN3F7XDoohreL_r-JKMXyCabgJGdcH4aGIO5I-Upy0HtdtSByG2kCeWurcniasEyxTdUt2vEKPCjpI1t0D6uvP2nXf0vv5YWBA/s4032/20231022_153234.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfplp7m3uhG8cK-UgShsSisCkZl8bQtd450v9af8A3FBIDAHsXE5gkMd8Smlnn7tzSpqxqRQtQQMKTRk42lcmcrd8IBN3F7XDoohreL_r-JKMXyCabgJGdcH4aGIO5I-Upy0HtdtSByG2kCeWurcniasEyxTdUt2vEKPCjpI1t0D6uvP2nXf0vv5YWBA/w640-h480/20231022_153234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pretty little cottage in Tower Street, Exmouth was Nancy's home until her death in 1865</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>In 1847 she was one of only three women recommended to be awarded the Naval General Service Medal in 1847, alongside another Nile veteran, Mary Anne Ridley and Trafalgar veteran Jane Townshend, but all three were refused on the likely recommendation of Queen Victoria who was a known opponent of women's rights.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Rr0WouW4DFrgRzK0xDKom5lYDSvfWL5KWMJrwTlYmdNJOEqQ4eFaI2Y_uLjELZYU3rolF98k7-EEofifhaDLgmyT6dsUk6sOCoCwnuqDs0yIDWAQzSofQDOwGW2NH_hwCeNJDMJERidqMILHxBorXyjES4hX_GOn4ekZVZIowPcr9SvS51Ez59slTo/s1280/pu4287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1280" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9Rr0WouW4DFrgRzK0xDKom5lYDSvfWL5KWMJrwTlYmdNJOEqQ4eFaI2Y_uLjELZYU3rolF98k7-EEofifhaDLgmyT6dsUk6sOCoCwnuqDs0yIDWAQzSofQDOwGW2NH_hwCeNJDMJERidqMILHxBorXyjES4hX_GOn4ekZVZIowPcr9SvS51Ez59slTo/w640-h574/pu4287.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nancy lived in Tower Street, Exmouth, in the little cottage seen above, until 1865 when she died in her 98th year, outliving her children and leaving a will worth £100.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The chain of Wetherspoon pubs are famous for reflecting the local history in the names of their establishments and thus we have the Powder Monkey pub in Exmouth recording the exploits of this remarkable Exmouth woman, Nancy Ann Perriam, former powder monkey of His Majesty's Ship Orion.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgnJcDqywMTvVp5QmYaD4T66VdZ4ooxfIQxrlF5hHmWAyW9EadbTtCBysgXVj1d7XwajIi_v3IQgfggy2c3AHBuqDCZcBZafa_1L8GLM5G-00zMz5Nlw5Cu2w1Juywz6utLXGPAV4hSlv7qVjsTGTguDoglat2MDI4At7bNq_N4mFX3VzVtW5c4P5T4U/s1200/Powder%20Monkey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1200" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgnJcDqywMTvVp5QmYaD4T66VdZ4ooxfIQxrlF5hHmWAyW9EadbTtCBysgXVj1d7XwajIi_v3IQgfggy2c3AHBuqDCZcBZafa_1L8GLM5G-00zMz5Nlw5Cu2w1Juywz6utLXGPAV4hSlv7qVjsTGTguDoglat2MDI4At7bNq_N4mFX3VzVtW5c4P5T4U/w640-h478/Powder%20Monkey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A few weeks ago I got to spend a very pleasant long-weekend in Tenby, in the beautiful Welsh county of Pembrokeshire, and as is my want to do, enjoyed soaking up the architecture of this wonderful coastal resort and its three miles of golden sandy beaches and its Norman stone wall complete with its five arches gate.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAQUGlvGLCRrSpuTrCxurG2f_FRSv7bLMQdQ2Gejd8YUDmleteVMtTUo9TAljM1MYbMdbew0y8aiIGfTaEGxduTYv9d_vpJ0PWjoJ4dZXytWTQWAn2OBOY75uG5ndPwqVQvfk9DesMBGn0KF1yasITCXEMHV08fBmYm-BVtsVe6jXzMyCzC_dzkWJxMo/s4032/20231009_114357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAQUGlvGLCRrSpuTrCxurG2f_FRSv7bLMQdQ2Gejd8YUDmleteVMtTUo9TAljM1MYbMdbew0y8aiIGfTaEGxduTYv9d_vpJ0PWjoJ4dZXytWTQWAn2OBOY75uG5ndPwqVQvfk9DesMBGn0KF1yasITCXEMHV08fBmYm-BVtsVe6jXzMyCzC_dzkWJxMo/w480-h640/20231009_114357.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst walking up from the harbour I noticed the blue plaque seen above relating to a famous King of England, Henry VII the first Tudor monarch who came out on top at the end of the so called Wars of the Roses or 'Cousins War' with his seizure of the crown on the 22nd August 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field.</div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1m_dKz_I8oE0iSCojDAKBdgHlzMj0_qkmjmiQZ_pVfDTxX83wwySAwiai-k68QVsybBa4GX6AHK_pQnbt1j8v0iz2IRdGcKyt5p-X1GEX_VZhiAcTw1Ox6d2f_ieAZPVZKZirRSUZIH124lhZXl2JG9wgYdB7kwfKdaM6KZEKkgiCgaZqTur4xRCIU4/s600/Younghenry7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="388" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1m_dKz_I8oE0iSCojDAKBdgHlzMj0_qkmjmiQZ_pVfDTxX83wwySAwiai-k68QVsybBa4GX6AHK_pQnbt1j8v0iz2IRdGcKyt5p-X1GEX_VZhiAcTw1Ox6d2f_ieAZPVZKZirRSUZIH124lhZXl2JG9wgYdB7kwfKdaM6KZEKkgiCgaZqTur4xRCIU4/w414-h640/Younghenry7.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young Henry Tudor, dated between 1470 to 1480 looking as he might have when he made his desperate escape from Tenby</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Henry was the nephew of Henry the VI, the Lancastrian king whose rather inept reign virtually ensured a civil war between the houses of Lancaster and York in the wake of the lost territories in France, with his tenuous grip on power seemingly restored in 1469 when Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, 'The Kingmaker' changed allegiances and went over to the House of Lancaster restoring Henry VI to the throne in 1470.</div><div><div><br /></div>The deposed Yorkists and Edward IV were forced to flee the country and seek sanctuary abroad in Burgundy and in Ireland as they regrouped and plotted their return the following year that saw the Lancastrian cause routed at the Battle of Barnet on the 14th April 1471 and the death of Warwick. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpGPrhyphenhyphenTBgY7l6Uqhqrw-1ZRqY4OJW61mkhb_EFMUKoCXeE2R7m93V9w3eu51pl3odY8ncUmcNWD8tkmJDlBlwTI_h0tzd3J9Kp_0CVq8SuYFLPHDs5F2RPc1PmhjJ83Q7qGe-pGmhUgnfQnMFvzcN7bFObFlZE2H7WLgyCBy7vAJkEUlWMLg8ahTg9k/s1400/Barnet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1400" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpGPrhyphenhyphenTBgY7l6Uqhqrw-1ZRqY4OJW61mkhb_EFMUKoCXeE2R7m93V9w3eu51pl3odY8ncUmcNWD8tkmJDlBlwTI_h0tzd3J9Kp_0CVq8SuYFLPHDs5F2RPc1PmhjJ83Q7qGe-pGmhUgnfQnMFvzcN7bFObFlZE2H7WLgyCBy7vAJkEUlWMLg8ahTg9k/w640-h384/Barnet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Barnet - Graham Turner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Then the final coup de grâce took place on the 4th of May 1471 at the Battle of Tewkesbury when Edward completely defeated the Lancastrian army led by Edward Beaufort the Duke of Somerset and nominally the young Prince Edward and his mother Queen Margaret of Anjou, that would see both Somerset and the young prince dead at the end of it and his father Henry VI likely murdered in the Tower soon afterwards, thus seemingly ending any hope of a Lancastrian return to power.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VPelikuEnLI5v1_8Adx-0uLeo-4prjxiL-P-MDW_hKcpPhtrkVNzurDoMaSEF3K-aHzuTr3hd1-BTNzLC-euiqfGhKdO9BYhfYYPaUW79onQEvYAj0-1PwrXAvIeygfZHcieAA5o3cvdCzrg96p7wtrI8CULZo_Xj1hgGtyIQQzzry7LY_AeE5riSxM/s1366/Tewkesbury%20Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="1366" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VPelikuEnLI5v1_8Adx-0uLeo-4prjxiL-P-MDW_hKcpPhtrkVNzurDoMaSEF3K-aHzuTr3hd1-BTNzLC-euiqfGhKdO9BYhfYYPaUW79onQEvYAj0-1PwrXAvIeygfZHcieAA5o3cvdCzrg96p7wtrI8CULZo_Xj1hgGtyIQQzzry7LY_AeE5riSxM/w640-h242/Tewkesbury%20Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Steve and I visited the battlefield of Tewkesbury back in October 2020<br /><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-battlefields-of-tewkesbury-1471.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - The Battlefield of Tewkesbury,1471</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In the wake of Tewkesbury many surviving Lancastrians chose to flee abroad once again, including the young Henry Tudor where he would spend the next fourteen years under the protection of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, at one time managing to avoid being handed over to Yorkist envoys from King Edward when Francis fell ill, managing to claim sanctuary in a local monastery until the envoys were forced to depart.</div><div> </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64i7PpFKadqqtJgEBIWSAtZgghVydExoWg5vRihMGkbEiMGMsxHpt5-KxclJC0X_p0L66mrSR6vqqdRNg_2BuHT2Dmc6tZuIT8TMXrnFIxnAxdnSdoOfm5AdmJVS0sG8A4aSXtcsrgfCcVgX41SfndkvSCUOSs8eLJG_bVuB2qSFWA8Gt2FJc7tAUUW0/s4000/20231009_114406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64i7PpFKadqqtJgEBIWSAtZgghVydExoWg5vRihMGkbEiMGMsxHpt5-KxclJC0X_p0L66mrSR6vqqdRNg_2BuHT2Dmc6tZuIT8TMXrnFIxnAxdnSdoOfm5AdmJVS0sG8A4aSXtcsrgfCcVgX41SfndkvSCUOSs8eLJG_bVuB2qSFWA8Gt2FJc7tAUUW0/w480-h640/20231009_114406.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The property in Tenby occupying the suspected site of where Henry Tudor made his escape to Brittany in the wake of the Lancastrian defeat at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>By 1483 he was being promoted by his mother, Margaret Beaufort, as an alternative to the new Yorkist monarch, King Richard III, and on Christmas Day 1483, Henry pledged to marry Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of Edward IV, and Edward's heir since the presumed death of her brothers in the Tower, likely with the connivance of Richard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Richard did his best to extradite Henry from Brittany, but Henry escaped to France, where he was welcomed and supplied with troops and equipment for a second invasion, landing at Mill Bay, Pembrokeshire on the 7th August 1485, making the most of his Welsh birth and ancestry by amassing an army of some 5-6,000 men on his march to Bosworth and his destiny to establish the new Tudor monarchy.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWDiGevMW2lYydl_lMe-EoAX-IPwsNepBBQnfr-ksnJq4hIBR7b0-R0lfAywkgrYPxnXi4clrtAyYV1UA0cLzSHc2dXVIN5n7wyqwD9xJgm6vN27Z9rVhyphenhyphen5DiIVBoTneiZpLUgTelfM7Zx0LaviCrtX64SP4zJ75Q_LHwKNzpxZwEVsLUD73ruVWYqVI/s1288/Enrique_VII_de_Inglaterra,_por_un_artista_an%C3%B3nimo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="935" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWDiGevMW2lYydl_lMe-EoAX-IPwsNepBBQnfr-ksnJq4hIBR7b0-R0lfAywkgrYPxnXi4clrtAyYV1UA0cLzSHc2dXVIN5n7wyqwD9xJgm6vN27Z9rVhyphenhyphen5DiIVBoTneiZpLUgTelfM7Zx0LaviCrtX64SP4zJ75Q_LHwKNzpxZwEVsLUD73ruVWYqVI/w464-h640/Enrique_VII_de_Inglaterra,_por_un_artista_an%C3%B3nimo.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Henry VII circa 1505</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my continued exploration of the streets of Tenby I came across my final example of another classic blue plaque and another great story from British history to end on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The relationship that developed between Lord Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton scandalised Georgian society, particularly as her then much older husband Sir William Hamilton was still very much on the scene, and the liaison by the time Nelson had returned home, in the wake of his victory at the Battle of the Nile, would result in the birth of Horatia, Nelson's daughter, on the 1st of February 1801. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ31g2F8luUASZLE1TOERf-HMOrbas8IplGn7ABxJJ5XoEcpyqXkOgMmqCfiDJQfFdBaOqrrYEoJUL_XDILrnU_g8cu0oRYkImvPaDDbow5V8r8D4p_sSslcvXgutbAiixN5K5H-U_1rww-n38OMC29yCcslPtcyZ40dwBCVfmWfPIIZncFQ1RIPf9UyY/s4032/20231008_134300.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ31g2F8luUASZLE1TOERf-HMOrbas8IplGn7ABxJJ5XoEcpyqXkOgMmqCfiDJQfFdBaOqrrYEoJUL_XDILrnU_g8cu0oRYkImvPaDDbow5V8r8D4p_sSslcvXgutbAiixN5K5H-U_1rww-n38OMC29yCcslPtcyZ40dwBCVfmWfPIIZncFQ1RIPf9UyY/w480-h640/20231008_134300.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pembrokeshire Gin Co. had an interesting blue plaque over one of its doors</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arriving at Great Yarmouth on the 6th November 1800, it seemed to many that Nelson had lost all sense of proper behaviour, sporting unauthorised foreign decorations on his uniform causing him to be shunned by King George III at his formal presentation to the king at St James' Palace on the 11th November 1800, and with his treatment of his wife Fanny, according to Lady Spencer, wife of the First Sea Lord,<b><i> </i></b>treating her <b><i>'with every mark of dislike and contempt'</i></b> at the evening dinner in his honour held at the Admiralty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even his former commander, Lord St Vincent commented;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>'That foolish little fellow Nelson has sat to every painter in London. His head is turned by Lady Hamilton.'</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06bCUe4zzJOFdRu4IfWDa2yZV2COnARIK7hg95Lc6WJGkXnpZvTmkF2Goe4riD8tviECslPa6D91uDWvf1todoPQ8Wy2twH0EHDCRF1B8CWhjxqblhJBnaPTig_0agOmXhelOkHdtXywO_hJTevb0ZtQVBLj7dDyQv5-inPdjpBzBMNmUVjCc0lQI6Ow/s1919/Menage%20a%20trois.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1919" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06bCUe4zzJOFdRu4IfWDa2yZV2COnARIK7hg95Lc6WJGkXnpZvTmkF2Goe4riD8tviECslPa6D91uDWvf1todoPQ8Wy2twH0EHDCRF1B8CWhjxqblhJBnaPTig_0agOmXhelOkHdtXywO_hJTevb0ZtQVBLj7dDyQv5-inPdjpBzBMNmUVjCc0lQI6Ow/w640-h360/Menage%20a%20trois.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Georgian ménage à trois, Nelson, Emma and William Hamilton<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Nelson's relationship with St Vincent was tense on his return home, and a dispute over prize money probably didn't help, but his abilities ensured he was made second in command of the British fleet sent to tackle the Danes at Copenhagen, and his significant contribution to the outcome of the campaign added further laurels to his reputation on his return home for nineteen months of leave during the subsequent peace that followed the Treaty of Amiens between France and Great Britain on the 25th March 1802.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By then Nelson and the Hamilton's had a new home in Merton, Surrey, and in the summer of 1802, Nelson accompanied them on a tour of Sir William's West of England and Welsh estates and were in Pembrokeshire overseeing progress on a scheme to develop the town of Milford Haven by promoting it as a naval dockyard, with Nelson instrumental in influencing the Navy Board to sign a fourteen year lease on land at Milford Haven in 1800.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqvqJDtO07A9lvMLgLTCPeIo9KxjGmNxhP1MEo_CAby4D6KAtwLs03Ll_uSOGoBGUahEHNx7-098LiZfRNt5cnWk_A983_ynurqP65CNkwZqq_nN_n2MtA6ud6G_5kSp0L8zNVuu74PInn7yUxrIm2zu79ozjgVZYd8m-RNIlGsjPWKiwkgqcfaZctkM/s755/20231008_134246b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="755" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqvqJDtO07A9lvMLgLTCPeIo9KxjGmNxhP1MEo_CAby4D6KAtwLs03Ll_uSOGoBGUahEHNx7-098LiZfRNt5cnWk_A983_ynurqP65CNkwZqq_nN_n2MtA6ud6G_5kSp0L8zNVuu74PInn7yUxrIm2zu79ozjgVZYd8m-RNIlGsjPWKiwkgqcfaZctkM/w640-h626/20231008_134246b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The importance of the deal with the navy was only emphasised by the fact that Emma was a prodigious spender and the £8000 produced by Sir William's Pembrokeshire estates was not enough to keep up with her needs, that, following her surviving the other two, Hamilton dying in 1803 at the age of 72 and Nelson in 1805 at Trafalgar, and the subsequent falling through of the arrangements with the navy, would see her unable to service her debts and her dying in poverty in Calais in 1815.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up, work progresses on my British 74's for Camperdown, Mr Steve and my adventures in and around Oxford and I have a book review to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More anon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-48600878804996967052023-10-20T22:25:00.001-07:002023-10-20T22:25:47.500-07:00All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part Two, British 64's of the Leeward Division<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVns_s-w_9dGy4sIGZLd7lOxxm6natT9QpSZ3dtDs1-Xwa1spLfBOTw36CaGJE_ts1qJgbPm9RWryxHpdBr5IoJJvtbYNwc-BprsgQyxop60o4T-9ieADCaZ6jkHrTqEjobXROC4jJo4pnCe831W3iY0XtVlfA-PZ0XlqPMQ0no5_ZuabcLBn1gOegFA/s1726/Art%20Marine.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1726" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVns_s-w_9dGy4sIGZLd7lOxxm6natT9QpSZ3dtDs1-Xwa1spLfBOTw36CaGJE_ts1qJgbPm9RWryxHpdBr5IoJJvtbYNwc-BprsgQyxop60o4T-9ieADCaZ6jkHrTqEjobXROC4jJo4pnCe831W3iY0XtVlfA-PZ0XlqPMQ0no5_ZuabcLBn1gOegFA/w640-h460/Art%20Marine.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Captain Bligh goes to War', HMS <i>Director </i>leads the attack of the Leeward Division at Camperdown - Geoff Hunt</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Following on from Part One, see link below, of this 'Project Build' series of posts looking at my progress in building the British and Batavian-Dutch Fleets for the Battle of Camperdown, I have turned my attention to the British fleet, and in particular the nine ships that made up the Leeward Division, under the command of Vice Admiral Richard Onslow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW_Q8VdHIvq9Kv-PRCzBLc5SlnZzyTgBdHoWBkT3amx-xz9DOGswSPs2Apruv7zGWFTB9RNxY9zQzz9FV77wMDctaq5I_upPINMZ8xVShXBsY1iRf6Vlwh7eOmJGA-z41NdE7aVv__4TwoSLGw1AKvT9CpW0s6E7J5SOPPbJtPmRi8Yfx59rzSVy7Fec/s640/Thomas-Whitcombe-Battle-of-Camperdown%20Vrijheid.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="640" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW_Q8VdHIvq9Kv-PRCzBLc5SlnZzyTgBdHoWBkT3amx-xz9DOGswSPs2Apruv7zGWFTB9RNxY9zQzz9FV77wMDctaq5I_upPINMZ8xVShXBsY1iRf6Vlwh7eOmJGA-z41NdE7aVv__4TwoSLGw1AKvT9CpW0s6E7J5SOPPbJtPmRi8Yfx59rzSVy7Fec/w400-h259/Thomas-Whitcombe-Battle-of-Camperdown%20Vrijheid.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/09/all-at-sea-battle-of-camperdown-project.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown, Project Build Part One</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you will see from the Order of Battle below, the fighting force of the Leeward Division consisted of its eight third rates, 74-gunners and 64-gunners, four of each, and initially I have started with the latter, carrying the red ensign of Sir Richard's colour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiKaugM5oT5rhG-_Ymdep_ezOMgYOfAk-5VoobONNTQyDbobKSb4zb5k8kIG_iSfMc0kaIpqy4wHHiJOBlOaJtiYv9o4kwNorAKj12cVmxRxcnFoq1EGqbJxUTBuqOTNoIXS9fvSp7a5hQ7fSCZGbfz5iMtWUWwjVhHOQK41wgLxnq-XXrBU0hrBF1NM/s1200/V%20Adm%20Sir%20Richard%20Onslow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiKaugM5oT5rhG-_Ymdep_ezOMgYOfAk-5VoobONNTQyDbobKSb4zb5k8kIG_iSfMc0kaIpqy4wHHiJOBlOaJtiYv9o4kwNorAKj12cVmxRxcnFoq1EGqbJxUTBuqOTNoIXS9fvSp7a5hQ7fSCZGbfz5iMtWUWwjVhHOQK41wgLxnq-XXrBU0hrBF1NM/w262-h320/V%20Adm%20Sir%20Richard%20Onslow.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Vice Admiral of the Red, Sir Richard Onslow - Thomas Philips (National Maritime Museum)<br />In the next post I will look at Sir Richard Onslow and his part in the Battle of Camperdown when I showcase his flagship, HMS <i>Monarch </i>and two other of the Leeward Division's 74's, HMS <i>Montagu </i>and <i>Russell</i>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As could be the case with naval battles from the age of sail, sailing order would give way to where a captain found himself when the gunfire started and Camperdown is no different, with the British focussed on making best speed to close with the enemy when Duncan realised the Dutch were attempting to close with the shore, and directing his fleet to close quickly, and break through their line to engage on the leeward side, regardless of sailing order and the Dutch squadron arrangements not quite working to plan as the three columns shook out into line of battle just before midday and the flagship <i>Brutus </i>ending up away from the rest of the blue-squadron in the line that met the British attack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc0aKb6pdkNefyO1gNP6cFBmTa7qX3GFvTR3UyAfw7q9hntxe66_ech1ogq8gY-_MbZ7uSe6S4QNl76noaxi7ZKbynlj07YPaAHDOUbw-TXNLrIE0J5LI4TcTbMZHCewQ2XP-1vwPK_C6CrI1Mbuj4q0AdIrwUegWkKjg3hkQnlaGNNPfkiVnjcWwLD4/s1914/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1914" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc0aKb6pdkNefyO1gNP6cFBmTa7qX3GFvTR3UyAfw7q9hntxe66_ech1ogq8gY-_MbZ7uSe6S4QNl76noaxi7ZKbynlj07YPaAHDOUbw-TXNLrIE0J5LI4TcTbMZHCewQ2XP-1vwPK_C6CrI1Mbuj4q0AdIrwUegWkKjg3hkQnlaGNNPfkiVnjcWwLD4/w640-h412/Camperdown%20Map%20-%20JJ%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the addition of the four Dutch flagships, I've made a good start on the Batavian fleet and it was time to start getting stuck into the British so that I can bring these two fighting forces together as a joint project</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The illustration I have created above is based on the map from the book 'de Delft' as shown in Part One of this series of posts, and I created it to try to make sense of the various maps and accounts of the two fleets organisation and sailing orders as the battle commenced, with the Batavian Dutch arranged in squadron groups of red, white and blue, similar to the British system, although it is uncertain whether they had adopted this organisation prior to the battle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition I intend to use it as a way of tracking progress in the build, hence those models highlighted that have already been built and are part of the collection, including these new British 64's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This illustration may well be subject to change as I discover new facts about this rather enigmatic battle, and I should add that much of the light ship arrangements shown are rather speculative and based on educated guesswork as to where they may have likely positioned themselves before the battle, mixed with those I have evidence from various sources that they actually were in and around the area shown</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C6neD3PNlSkKkFa59IyGTRf_Av69wQY24Hbj1DaU8UXQr7OZBF-gBjR9ulorEJuo7399e7MXeNi4NEtu3jx-5gtU_BvQ6p7ZQKbRKVHlKZm7J3jj8GMcYleg6ChJo2cRD3GhCUifqi0s_qv4VXi9BWLOMK43ruquQ1Ei_Yqf3cl34bE_PFPcJcxPFzA/s1044/The%20Leeward%20Division.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1044" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C6neD3PNlSkKkFa59IyGTRf_Av69wQY24Hbj1DaU8UXQr7OZBF-gBjR9ulorEJuo7399e7MXeNi4NEtu3jx-5gtU_BvQ6p7ZQKbRKVHlKZm7J3jj8GMcYleg6ChJo2cRD3GhCUifqi0s_qv4VXi9BWLOMK43ruquQ1Ei_Yqf3cl34bE_PFPcJcxPFzA/w640-h318/The%20Leeward%20Division.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The actual Leeward Command as detailed in Clowes Vol. IV Page 326, with it seems the frigate <i>Beaulieu </i>in attendance to repeat signals and to tow out damage friendly ships or prizes, and as mentioned, Admiral Duncan's signal to make best sail towards the enemy sees the fourth-rate HMS <i>Adamant </i>end up as part of Onslow's command, as shown in the plan above.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For this part of the project build, I decided to use the first of the Warlord small third rate models that they launched with, that originally came with metal mast components, that have since been replaced with the plastic third rate set that comes with the 74-gun sprue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the British had upgraded their 64's to have the more modern gaff and boom spanker sails, and the metal is a lot less easier to modify than the plastic, it made sense to use these for my British, reserving the plastic options for my Dutch where I will need to create the lateen rigged mizzens.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCt9WvP-n_XZ8qJkXongd2cuDRZkcncOoTf__M-cnp390AS0ypDYy5d4M4n9JJwQ-DXwi_CvMd7FEfrku9LBlBVtdRZK_VKjTI1f0srXexloSJ9mbrJM75Nh6l5-OKOc1PizJwfSrmjnmCBM3_32makWpUIMSrLueo-mqiBzp1B7urRWPtUJOldu6jNc/s1390/Cross%20of%20St%20Patrick.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1390" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCt9WvP-n_XZ8qJkXongd2cuDRZkcncOoTf__M-cnp390AS0ypDYy5d4M4n9JJwQ-DXwi_CvMd7FEfrku9LBlBVtdRZK_VKjTI1f0srXexloSJ9mbrJM75Nh6l5-OKOc1PizJwfSrmjnmCBM3_32makWpUIMSrLueo-mqiBzp1B7urRWPtUJOldu6jNc/w200-h121/Cross%20of%20St%20Patrick.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross of St Patrick, added to the Union flag in 1801 after Camperdown</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As mentioned in the preamble to my first post, I have decided to flag my Camperdown British in the colours they carried on the day, namely red and blue ensigns, and so I have produced my own set of colours with the Union canton excluding the Cross of St Patrick that was not added until 1801 with the Act of Union which saw the addition of the Irish symbol to the existing flag and creating the modern Union Flag, more commonly referred to as the Union Jack.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Warlord small third-rate was designed to incorporate plastic components from the 74-gun third rate, which also includes the use of the figureheads, one of which I incorporated into these models, with the first one illustrated using one of the plastic options, which adds to the variety you can create with these models</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Director</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">HMS <i>Director </i>was a St Albans class 64-gun third-rate ship of the line designed by the great British naval architect Sir Thomas Slade famous for his other designs that included, HMS <i>Victory</i>, <i>Agamemnon </i>and <i>Bellerophon</i>, to name but a few, and she was built at Gravesend, Kent, launched on 9th March 1784.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Her general characteristics were:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tons burthen 1388 (bm)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Length of gundeck 159 feet </div><div style="text-align: left;">Beam 44 feet, 4 inches</div><div style="text-align: left;">Depth of hold 18 feet, 10 inches</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSIh2SN9-Jo4iwTdUYyd7xyTICR3Qljc7pu65SUK0rRxqlfwQtjJzDnY2zkMfCEtLa43TyQJbPzR0Wc9LvsZqvDmhngOSskzTEVE896_MSv6XMUwUwy4iR46GALBoHhp2J768ayjYU2bOUh64y3xWu3wMrDpzAhAnxBkQxF24EHpY2gpWjxxDyZ_01iU/s4677/P1110416a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4677" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSIh2SN9-Jo4iwTdUYyd7xyTICR3Qljc7pu65SUK0rRxqlfwQtjJzDnY2zkMfCEtLa43TyQJbPzR0Wc9LvsZqvDmhngOSskzTEVE896_MSv6XMUwUwy4iR46GALBoHhp2J768ayjYU2bOUh64y3xWu3wMrDpzAhAnxBkQxF24EHpY2gpWjxxDyZ_01iU/w640-h502/P1110416a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 10 x 9-pounder long guns, 6 x 18-pounder carronades</div><div>Forecastle: 2 x 9-pounder long guns, 2 x 24-pounder carronades</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The service record of the <i>Director </i>prior to the Battle of Camperdown shows the ship being fitted out as a Medway guardship in 1789 before fitting out as a ship of the line the following year in response to the Spanish Armament crisis after the Nootka Sound incident.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdOQ20QYLvYoRjguVlP7JjxnAZ6wG5sR50MwThhxKrfgaUY0rsl13L1WRz1tU-cBuQC1JzaOqOgXaYhMcMvq2SsNHXrYMFN6lALYcFXLN7qsuewknO3qmWO5PaJFkuROFHpfIT2XPeKNw7O_0KA2P5DBu64le4IDBkH-9EyKyQ-DISxY1Obb5e-wt4BI/s1600/William_Bligh_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_15411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdOQ20QYLvYoRjguVlP7JjxnAZ6wG5sR50MwThhxKrfgaUY0rsl13L1WRz1tU-cBuQC1JzaOqOgXaYhMcMvq2SsNHXrYMFN6lALYcFXLN7qsuewknO3qmWO5PaJFkuROFHpfIT2XPeKNw7O_0KA2P5DBu64le4IDBkH-9EyKyQ-DISxY1Obb5e-wt4BI/s320/William_Bligh_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_15411.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain William Bligh illustrated here in 1792.<br />Most famous for his role in the mutiny of HMAV <i>Bounty </i>in 1789 </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Returned to Ordinary in June 1790, the <i>Director </i>would be fitted out for war service in 1796 at Chatham and recommissioned under Captain William Bligh who would remain with her until 1800.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlMC5QgaRO9c0s5F91Zt0yLnKy-GWgslrMd2z_LpZuuJ-vXERSWHQO7Q-nmXJ20G094yAKG10mCCXwAggF61QZXwWUjrZkhm97vB69phfHPxN_CoG3ZZzbFwL0oa-ewP4ASJDcs8aAnNGAzzLxkPXlnUVt_uDM0Cr5IDlCLWry-YWSi8NEyQ__I1A6-0/s1353/Delegates_in_council_or_beggars_on_horseback.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1353" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlMC5QgaRO9c0s5F91Zt0yLnKy-GWgslrMd2z_LpZuuJ-vXERSWHQO7Q-nmXJ20G094yAKG10mCCXwAggF61QZXwWUjrZkhm97vB69phfHPxN_CoG3ZZzbFwL0oa-ewP4ASJDcs8aAnNGAzzLxkPXlnUVt_uDM0Cr5IDlCLWry-YWSi8NEyQ__I1A6-0/w640-h458/Delegates_in_council_or_beggars_on_horseback.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mutinies among the ships of the Channel (Spithead) and Nore Squadrons was a principle cause of the French plans to bring together the Dutch and French fleets at Brest possibly in support of another invasion attempt. However the Dutch fleet did not sally forth until after the mutinies had been resolved. This caricature of the meeting held on the 20th May 1797, at which the 'Delegates of the Fleet' presented their list of eight demands, shows Admiral Charles Buckner (extreme left), Commander in Chief, The Nore, and President of the Delegates, Richard Parker ( extreme right) who was later hanged for treason and piracy from the yardarm of HMS <i>Sandwich </i>90-guns, the vessel where the mutiny started </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The <i>Director </i>was one of the ships that mutinied in the Nore Squadron during the Spithead and Nore Mutinies that occurred on the 12th of May 1797, with the <i>Director </i>being the last ship to raise her colours in submission to the authorities, it later being learned that Bligh's nickname among men in the fleet was '<b><i>that Bounty bastard</i></b>'.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSugbKE30lgpA_qzRByQH_4RSU35KuypbEM-RMdG9uUJdLagX-sW1jmta8bHUFIxx_Q_6huogTGEuU0PFQ7mF_vVFT7dK-U_rqYVeTqoyr2miiynY1R7O3IhFxwLHiX7XQOuIf8thpBKJsXC5T_W7NzlHvZ0HlD_XFjYsx2VYA3rzAySP2z7SBdXLjxio/s4082/P1110417a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="4082" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSugbKE30lgpA_qzRByQH_4RSU35KuypbEM-RMdG9uUJdLagX-sW1jmta8bHUFIxx_Q_6huogTGEuU0PFQ7mF_vVFT7dK-U_rqYVeTqoyr2miiynY1R7O3IhFxwLHiX7XQOuIf8thpBKJsXC5T_W7NzlHvZ0HlD_XFjYsx2VYA3rzAySP2z7SBdXLjxio/w640-h554/P1110417a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As captain of the <i>Director</i>, Bligh would engage three Dutch vessels, the <i>Haarlem </i>68-guns, <i>Aalkmar </i>56-guns and later the <i>Vrijheid </i>74-guns, flagship of Vice-Admiral de Winter forcing the latter to strike his colours.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoarNZ8-9c6gaNdgmSAtuw5wp0j0_gHrqPYeS5X0DaqeTZWs1ykj-8-Lvu2P671mEy_gx-9Z5LJhHVV2ihxQRYuIrAJGYOEUxdhzUGOFv8O-xaJP2r5KVqnN6jOM6jYwJMwOVKFKFe1LeKLIXNVxgX1wW1bwKkBLYxJU2ZaRqOT_n8P_KVMVwB5CHk4g/s3672/P1110418a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2215" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoarNZ8-9c6gaNdgmSAtuw5wp0j0_gHrqPYeS5X0DaqeTZWs1ykj-8-Lvu2P671mEy_gx-9Z5LJhHVV2ihxQRYuIrAJGYOEUxdhzUGOFv8O-xaJP2r5KVqnN6jOM6jYwJMwOVKFKFe1LeKLIXNVxgX1wW1bwKkBLYxJU2ZaRqOT_n8P_KVMVwB5CHk4g/w386-h640/P1110418a.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Despite being in the thick of the action, the <i>Director </i>would suffer only seven seamen wounded, and Bligh would be recognised for his actions during the battle with the award of the Naval Gold Medal.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gEHa3HbZWQo7qdo8PFWvdcPjAMPlW9qxTeqKA8hY7VWjMY64odedOFtAQVOLjTe1r0Xs_Y3rm9VUiCz3f1z54WL78airRp_OToNnACB6vb14LYhUXepg8tgX1-bDtP3e9PM-3LecqtWPjAOvGJdAZWI18N3Hk_1UpmrSr_JUzu-Cod1JeAyJ1dydmTk/s3276/P1110421a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="3190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gEHa3HbZWQo7qdo8PFWvdcPjAMPlW9qxTeqKA8hY7VWjMY64odedOFtAQVOLjTe1r0Xs_Y3rm9VUiCz3f1z54WL78airRp_OToNnACB6vb14LYhUXepg8tgX1-bDtP3e9PM-3LecqtWPjAOvGJdAZWI18N3Hk_1UpmrSr_JUzu-Cod1JeAyJ1dydmTk/w624-h640/P1110421a.JPG" width="624" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As part of my 'deep-dive' into the Battle of Camperdown, I have been digging into copies of Howe's signal book from 1790 which was being used by Admiral Duncan for this battle to better understand the signalling that he used to manage matters, alongside consulting the ship log books that have survived as a record of the action.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my next post covering HMS <i>Monarch </i>and Sir Richard Onslow, I will take a look at the 1790 Signal Book and the signalling made during the battle in a bit more detail.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the previous post looking at the Dutch flagships I mentioned how poor in general the British ships logs are for Camperdown, except for perhaps one, the notable exception being <span style="text-align: center;">Captain William Bligh's <i>Director</i>, which might not have done him any harm in seeing him awarded his Naval Gold Medal and is worth recounting here, whilst looking at my interpretation of the ship.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b>Extracts from the log of HMS <i>Director </i>at the Battle of Camperdown.</b></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b>William Bligh, Captain, - Admirals' Journals, Vol. IV. </b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>'October 11th. P.M. - At 12.40, the Monarch (Vice-Admiral Onslow) began to engage the Dutch Vice-Admiral in a most spirited manner. At 12.45 we began with a second ship in the rear, the Russell having just begun before us with the sternmost ship, the rest of our division came on and on all sides there was a general firing.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm0HedNPuPFLK9mJznwtbeO0KJl9r7TqirXXBS3JkKVny44e5ijX0ZnSzZXnVrK1sZ68hB9QjwvCLhktioqhNia3No-CXbFzyuREL-6FcypvjvQWlEsEkspqDCCHS9K0LgslOhjBtXmZwgWYZ1JuvSbkIot09JDX0xZY4zMbzI1LXMYi6xetqbxMkp8c/s1568/Director%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1059" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm0HedNPuPFLK9mJznwtbeO0KJl9r7TqirXXBS3JkKVny44e5ijX0ZnSzZXnVrK1sZ68hB9QjwvCLhktioqhNia3No-CXbFzyuREL-6FcypvjvQWlEsEkspqDCCHS9K0LgslOhjBtXmZwgWYZ1JuvSbkIot09JDX0xZY4zMbzI1LXMYi6xetqbxMkp8c/w432-h640/Director%201.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle is joined, shown here at 13.00, with the <i>Director</i> shown having crossed the bows of the <i>Alkmaar </i>firing as she bore</td></tr></tbody></table></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>The Dutch gave way, and the ships became mixed, </b></i><b><i>so that it required sometimes great </i></b><b><i>caution to prevent firing into one another. The </i></b><b><i>Dutch began to strike, and particularly one to us, </i></b><b><i>but we engaged different ships, indeed I believe </i></b><b><i>most all the enemy's rear received shot from </i></b><b><i>different ships of ours. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgTqgz7AW1iYyJxI68ntTIJCgkf6MN6q5WZyrodVpcY4XSLrD1rIH4r5HFLR-Tlgj_1dr6w-RnWVZXIpK46slmh7uiwPfv7IrIZfcX-YJNnScXMluNXVu6BhUT4Boa8RRxFSc34_aQfGkfIkQVJtza4Cn89a0_FUfz6CSyxgbTEQr731vbmduoSkFbLY/s1513/Director%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgTqgz7AW1iYyJxI68ntTIJCgkf6MN6q5WZyrodVpcY4XSLrD1rIH4r5HFLR-Tlgj_1dr6w-RnWVZXIpK46slmh7uiwPfv7IrIZfcX-YJNnScXMluNXVu6BhUT4Boa8RRxFSc34_aQfGkfIkQVJtza4Cn89a0_FUfz6CSyxgbTEQr731vbmduoSkFbLY/w444-h640/Director%202.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its 14.00 and the battle has been raging for an hour and a half and the Dutch rear has all but been overwhelmed, leaving HMS <i>Director </i>to head for the <i>Vrijheid</i>, as described in Captain William Bligh's log.</td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>The Director was now </i></b><b><i>advancing towards Vice-Admiral Onslow' s ship, </i></b><b><i>when we found the ship he was engaging had struck, </i></b><b><i>and the rear of the enemy done up. It appeared </i></b><b><i>to me now that some force was wanted in the </i></b><b><i>van, as we saw five ships unengaged and apparently </i></b><b><i>not hurt, and also the Dutch Commander-in-</i></b><b><i>Chief without any ship of ours engaged with </i></b><b><i>him. There was no time to be lost, as night </i></b><b><i>was approaching, and as there were enough ships </i></b><b><i>in our lee division about the rear of the enemy to </i></b><b><i>take possession of them, I made sail (and passed </i></b><b><i>the Monarch) engaging some of the centre ships, </i></b><b><i>for I considered now the capture of the Dutch Commander-</i></b><b><i>in-Chiefs ship as likely to produce the </i></b><b><i>capture of those ahead of him, and I desired my </i></b><b><i>first lieutenant to inform the officers and men I was </i></b><b><i>determined to be alongside the Dutch Admiral.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYG8G6Zt5YbyryhPPqPeFBRbx7NH95e4pGZ19GJL6ODB0imbDXePkgYASzzC09AbiKwr_CpWnNfIILb7KBnzbAaMDOKuBn8Un-Qyx2rwc5qQZ5xF4XjexMbQOlda9zD8a12g-AqdIHnPQQXEVX7kFoyfNaZUr508GRrTvjRBx4zP58BA_XdngaXrdy2k/s512/Samuel_Owen_-_H.M.S._Director,_raking_the_Dutch_flagship_Vrijheid,_during_the_Battle_of_Camperdown,_11th_October_1797_CSK_2000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="512" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYG8G6Zt5YbyryhPPqPeFBRbx7NH95e4pGZ19GJL6ODB0imbDXePkgYASzzC09AbiKwr_CpWnNfIILb7KBnzbAaMDOKuBn8Un-Qyx2rwc5qQZ5xF4XjexMbQOlda9zD8a12g-AqdIHnPQQXEVX7kFoyfNaZUr508GRrTvjRBx4zP58BA_XdngaXrdy2k/w640-h440/Samuel_Owen_-_H.M.S._Director,_raking_the_Dutch_flagship_Vrijheid,_during_the_Battle_of_Camperdown,_11th_October_1797_CSK_2000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Director </i>raking the Dutch flagship <i>Vrijheid </i>- Samuel Owen</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div><b><i>At 3.5, we began the action with him, lying on </i></b><b><i>his larboard quarter within 20 yards, by degrees we </i></b><b><i>advanced alongside, firing tremendously at him, and </i></b><b><i>then across his bows almost touching, when we </i></b><b><i>carried away his fore mast, topmast, topgallant mast, </i></b><b><i>and soon after his main mast, topmast and topgallant mast, together with his mizen mast, and left him </i></b><b><i>nothing standing. The wreck lying all over his </i></b><b><i>starboard side, most of his guns were of no use, I </i></b><b><i>therefore hauled up along his starboard side and </i></b><b><i>there we finished him, for at 3.55 he struck and the </i></b><b><i>action ended. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1)</span> </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmu4JHLa1DIvUfJ23aIJ8bXbNmdLhnAVOaOHFhcX1KIcncKi7zI9CMAD5BrUI4dR_kQFX8ke2BwYAlbyio6tvqk8HTXED22W2wilodJcJrySLRH8RHTow3k0E5SG-6RbR9VJKcSQyb4pZbF1EtNN6QxJX0jVC0Wn1EgErjA2m-KH9QS8wRzUn_R6YyUI/s1563/Director%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1091" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmu4JHLa1DIvUfJ23aIJ8bXbNmdLhnAVOaOHFhcX1KIcncKi7zI9CMAD5BrUI4dR_kQFX8ke2BwYAlbyio6tvqk8HTXED22W2wilodJcJrySLRH8RHTow3k0E5SG-6RbR9VJKcSQyb4pZbF1EtNN6QxJX0jVC0Wn1EgErjA2m-KH9QS8wRzUn_R6YyUI/w446-h640/Director%203.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 15.00 the <i>Director </i>moves in to finish the fight with <i>Vrijheid.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Admiral Duncan, who we knew had </i></b><b><i>been severely engaged with the van of the enemy, </i></b><b><i>had wore, and was now on the starboard tack standing </i></b><b><i>from the shore about a half a mile to leeward of </i></b><b><i>the Dutch Admiral. I therefore bore up to speak </i></b><b><i>to him, when he hailed me to take possession of the </i></b><b><i>Vrijheid, the ship we had just beaten, and I sent my </i></b><b><i>first lieutenant on board in consequence. The </i></b><b><i>Dutch Admiral, Mr. De Winter, was taken on board </i></b><b><i>of Admiral Duncan, and as the captain could not </i></b><b><i>be removed owing to a death wound, my first </i></b><b><i>lieutenant sent to me the captain-lieutenant, who </i></b><b><i>was next in command. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HZw2ciPT_-iSTTK4TVDimXt0DfBQjXvEKgZkiRkgLTtQUEgE_kRAxjE7BTg1-ZAxYhxnHfrQOEh9a8oIvuxj7QY4mSe51qkafS6rUc7tyn-DhYxEN2SqhzAGidMj8nXcO3cQUd81nysBhSoby6CTriGMSPMQbLPqhgn24yOW_SnWAg8YJx0czysFN0k/s4211/P1110422a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3451" data-original-width="4211" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HZw2ciPT_-iSTTK4TVDimXt0DfBQjXvEKgZkiRkgLTtQUEgE_kRAxjE7BTg1-ZAxYhxnHfrQOEh9a8oIvuxj7QY4mSe51qkafS6rUc7tyn-DhYxEN2SqhzAGidMj8nXcO3cQUd81nysBhSoby6CTriGMSPMQbLPqhgn24yOW_SnWAg8YJx0czysFN0k/w640-h524/P1110422a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>As soon as the action </i></b><b><i>ceased, my officers came to congratulate me, and to </i></b><b><i>say there was not a man killed who they knew </i></b><b><i>of, and of such good fortune I had no idea, for it </i></b><b><i>passed belief. Before we got up with the Dutch </i></b><b><i>Admiral, we had a share with the Veteran in </i></b><b><i>making a Dutch ship strike, and we passed close to </i></b><b><i>leeward of a Dutch ship of the line on fire. Our </i></b><b><i>defects are, our fore yard shot away, topsail yard </i></b><b><i>badly wounded, bowsprit shot through, the fore topmast shot through the head, booms and boats </i></b><b><i>shot through, stays, running rigging, and sails much </i></b><b><i>cut.'</i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><span>(1)</span><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>According to the Dutch accounts of the battle the <i>Vrijheid </i>never struck her colours. When the masts fell the ensign was shown on a spar; this was shot away, but was replaced with a blue Admiral's flag. This again was shot away, and there was nothing left to strike. An officer hailed from the <i>Montagu </i>and asked in good Dutch if she had surrendered, and an officer of the <i>Vrijheid </i>replied, ' What do you think about it ? ' The ship was then taken possession of, apparently by the <i>Director</i>, though the <i>Circe's </i>boat took Admiral de Winter to the <i>Venerable </i>(D' Vrijheid, p. 201).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM2Mq6lobsv8ep_5fq1fC_P3VMwwh9gku7rp6T9Zv0ANLzgARvyzCWC6ZUgzZP-QCxgY4rMx6J1StQ_UAtv-fXKhq_gGI3XZaN3YGR6Ncrz4MxRzOWKrgomQv4Pyv-FF8S3eWQLAMRzf9DsykEBaOIW5NZb29VNLqceurxewxJhy-CR-bGzr1JsPE4Cs/s4141/P1110423a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="4141" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM2Mq6lobsv8ep_5fq1fC_P3VMwwh9gku7rp6T9Zv0ANLzgARvyzCWC6ZUgzZP-QCxgY4rMx6J1StQ_UAtv-fXKhq_gGI3XZaN3YGR6Ncrz4MxRzOWKrgomQv4Pyv-FF8S3eWQLAMRzf9DsykEBaOIW5NZb29VNLqceurxewxJhy-CR-bGzr1JsPE4Cs/w640-h556/P1110423a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Monmouth</span></b></div><div>The 64-gun ship of the line <i>Monmouth </i>had originally been built for the East India Company and given the name Belmont, but was instead purchased by the Royal Navy, one of five ships then being built in commercial dockyards along the River Thames at the start of the French Revolutionary War, herself being launched on the 23rd April 1796 and commissioned in September.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three of the other purchases, later named HMS <i>Ardent</i>, <i>Agincourt </i>and <i>Lancaster </i>would serve alongside her at the Battle of Camperdown.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div>Tons burthen 1440 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 173 feet 1 inch</div><div>Beam 43 feet, 4 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 8 inches</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOjgPn49JFbwlVbfGb0UEqHc-wfYL70SLPaeifQDdbCv-QVPBzjEjeFhttMN7nJ-0bhFOHwlzqU4S7kSbux8-32HyEcKkTaoJkS4jPtKXe5LLYjezy2nUoAWbNGvSjfmpAqmZJYGW9bMMipNzKPaJslsfE1DLc-L3PuNbiKEZgUe2T-uAhlrACcirUPs/s4424/P1110424a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3572" data-original-width="4424" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOjgPn49JFbwlVbfGb0UEqHc-wfYL70SLPaeifQDdbCv-QVPBzjEjeFhttMN7nJ-0bhFOHwlzqU4S7kSbux8-32HyEcKkTaoJkS4jPtKXe5LLYjezy2nUoAWbNGvSjfmpAqmZJYGW9bMMipNzKPaJslsfE1DLc-L3PuNbiKEZgUe2T-uAhlrACcirUPs/w640-h516/P1110424a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 10 x 9-pounder long guns</div><div>Forecastle: 2 x 9-pounder long guns.</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0C3wr7C0KQF9cLUcUr1a7Ru06dny6VmIohdnk3fRYfpIhv67LCIkMObTnTrDcVkF_XFwAlGzJneoU13gYrrQG7VpveaoHgLUt14Oc7Jnq5yK_ctXe4_bEUUn90ONu08vtZSKNfIbI2Ezs1HryGokgiU1meYHUlDooEBVZ7izoLP0J1K1HfAOGSP19xk/s1280/The_Windham_East_India_Man_with_the_Fleet_sailing_from_St_Helena,_under_convoy_of_His_Majesty's_ship_Monmouth_RMG_PY8454.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1280" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0C3wr7C0KQF9cLUcUr1a7Ru06dny6VmIohdnk3fRYfpIhv67LCIkMObTnTrDcVkF_XFwAlGzJneoU13gYrrQG7VpveaoHgLUt14Oc7Jnq5yK_ctXe4_bEUUn90ONu08vtZSKNfIbI2Ezs1HryGokgiU1meYHUlDooEBVZ7izoLP0J1K1HfAOGSP19xk/w640-h456/The_Windham_East_India_Man_with_the_Fleet_sailing_from_St_Helena,_under_convoy_of_His_Majesty's_ship_Monmouth_RMG_PY8454.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Monmouth </i>in company with East Indiamen in 1808</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The <i>Monmouth </i>was also involved in the Nore mutiny, with the crew taking her first lieutenant, Charles Bullen, prisoner and threatening to execute him.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3ZRo58MJ3SZXvPbN6mpZSkpe1dD407BduNbXXF7ZIdZuNO4tDh2oQtHLLybroIk4rkzYM6JtDcTr-YdNezlDklg0EdTzf9x5fe40NXqyUQGKLwx3ed5ZXdjINnLcH5Nb1rcxoLg7lWHKZyLvwEld7GQjmvvZT4uscdFZlNFr4pGS9HkOBV3xU_JftOc/s528/360px-William_Carnegie_7th_Earl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3ZRo58MJ3SZXvPbN6mpZSkpe1dD407BduNbXXF7ZIdZuNO4tDh2oQtHLLybroIk4rkzYM6JtDcTr-YdNezlDklg0EdTzf9x5fe40NXqyUQGKLwx3ed5ZXdjINnLcH5Nb1rcxoLg7lWHKZyLvwEld7GQjmvvZT4uscdFZlNFr4pGS9HkOBV3xU_JftOc/w273-h400/360px-William_Carnegie_7th_Earl.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain William Carnegie, Earl of Northesk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Her then captain, William Carnegie, Earl of Northesk, who would serve as third in command in 1805 with Nelson and Collingwood at Trafalgar, was confined to his cabin by the mutineers, but managed to intervene and he was then selected by the mutineers committee to carry their terms to the king, he having a reputation as a friend to seamen</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamyvOSnnQHlm6OltAxRs-2KG7R6BOhNLc2Es5quFqQmfHn2iHe_gAJfi8uPlb9MyR6DL6UMbzWvZ7wVtyt-awBQvmFjO8bWj_2Dco_rGwqKfjqGyC66_hQzp5PoulfbFzp79RtH-b-taJdQhpcMJG9FVl6DKmX2APYxTesqvkP9HEpQL8gLVTYGNN46s/s4198/P1110425a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3513" data-original-width="4198" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamyvOSnnQHlm6OltAxRs-2KG7R6BOhNLc2Es5quFqQmfHn2iHe_gAJfi8uPlb9MyR6DL6UMbzWvZ7wVtyt-awBQvmFjO8bWj_2Dco_rGwqKfjqGyC66_hQzp5PoulfbFzp79RtH-b-taJdQhpcMJG9FVl6DKmX2APYxTesqvkP9HEpQL8gLVTYGNN46s/w640-h536/P1110425a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The crew of the <i>Monmouth </i>are said to have helped end the mutiny, after which Northesk resigned his commission and the ship was placed under the command of Commander James Walker as acting captain, who had originally been tasked to attack mutinous ships at anchor with a squadron of gunboats before the situation was ended.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRWJEOp-GEYBR7DS5Py7tmuqL5hWMsrdE7M3wCiD2Od7EMJZtdJLkm0bcKPj9M5ehGaFBlz-GtJwjU9PaBOEP1XYYWFPm3dqg89ll0F3MMpnNbt0Sgm4RWAVquWa2Xl7yXq_0Fp8iTj-pYRnl6IW06uSbfU0B81IfM_m3IR_j7DG1v0DVH2LMF-Aj_Hw/s3672/P1110426a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="1951" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRWJEOp-GEYBR7DS5Py7tmuqL5hWMsrdE7M3wCiD2Od7EMJZtdJLkm0bcKPj9M5ehGaFBlz-GtJwjU9PaBOEP1XYYWFPm3dqg89ll0F3MMpnNbt0Sgm4RWAVquWa2Xl7yXq_0Fp8iTj-pYRnl6IW06uSbfU0B81IfM_m3IR_j7DG1v0DVH2LMF-Aj_Hw/w340-h640/P1110426a.JPG" width="340" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Walker commanded <i>Monmouth </i>at the Battle of Camperdown and addressed his crew before the battle;</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><i>"Now, my lads, you see your enemy before you. I shall lay you close on board, and thus give you an opportunity of washing the stain off your characters with the blood of your foes. Go to your quarters, and do your duty."</i></b></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><i>Monmouth </i>would engage both the <i>Delft </i>and the <i>Alkmaar </i>during the action, capturing both, that would leave the <i>Delft </i>very badly damaged, likely causing her to sink on passage back to England, and leave the Monmouth with five killed and twenty-two men wounded.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ht0q4zQpLrijZ7eHdewmHKSm0w0nm0cC0VEQVDelCg8EVvh8CXH5Q3q8I2M0oS163moMp7T26_-ewk2Dti3JU7Bq029xXXQ0g0_hQSgjfQRBn7HC34qpdpkEX7hAJNEmkAIj5V63rvuzIsq6xKeqWxE6ALt_OLAwsER_kzxKgK5HSx5gwo1Y7-EktHk/s4282/P1110427a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3631" data-original-width="4282" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ht0q4zQpLrijZ7eHdewmHKSm0w0nm0cC0VEQVDelCg8EVvh8CXH5Q3q8I2M0oS163moMp7T26_-ewk2Dti3JU7Bq029xXXQ0g0_hQSgjfQRBn7HC34qpdpkEX7hAJNEmkAIj5V63rvuzIsq6xKeqWxE6ALt_OLAwsER_kzxKgK5HSx5gwo1Y7-EktHk/w640-h542/P1110427a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As with HMS <i>Director</i>, the log of the <i>Monmouth </i>has an interesting account of the action.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b>Extracts from the log of HMS <i>Monmouth </i>at the Battle of Camperdown.</b></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b>James Murray, Master, - Official No. 2807. </b></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'</i></b><i><b>October 11th. </b></i><b><i>P.M. At 15 minutes past 12, the Vice-Admiral </i></b><b><i>began to engage, and broke the enemy's line, </i></b><b><i>passing under a Dutch admiral's stern. At 20 </i></b><b><i>minutes past, the second ship in the enemy's rear </i></b><b><i>began to fire on us, which we returned, and passed </i></b><b><i>through their line astern of our opponent engaging </i></b><b><i>on both sides. The action now became general. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAZxTyz_sTKBeZlsfgu-4GDxmrWuI9CDeu9Y3YmktapD3-Jkq5HHxo-JUurnmUkmBxmMCKXYxWz6mvvjkAioS5alc2KLso_DA0IXU3iz-R2xqOV0HbD-Ahyphenhyphens9DC_hKnp2HVIZXCFVVka8ralg8QDbcZr-pc2Jxa6_5Ep-qFw9h_OJcqwJcd0V_L9PLrk/s1538/Monmouth%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1039" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAZxTyz_sTKBeZlsfgu-4GDxmrWuI9CDeu9Y3YmktapD3-Jkq5HHxo-JUurnmUkmBxmMCKXYxWz6mvvjkAioS5alc2KLso_DA0IXU3iz-R2xqOV0HbD-Ahyphenhyphens9DC_hKnp2HVIZXCFVVka8ralg8QDbcZr-pc2Jxa6_5Ep-qFw9h_OJcqwJcd0V_L9PLrk/w432-h640/Monmouth%201.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">At 13.00 Monmouth passed through the enemy line recording<br /><b>'. . . the second ship in the enemy's rear </b></span><b><span style="text-align: left;">began to fire on us, which we returned, and passed </span><span style="text-align: left;">through their line astern of our opponent engaging </span><span style="text-align: left;">on both sides.'</span></b></i></td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 50 minutes past 12, the Russell shot up alongside the weather ship we were engaging and </i></b><b><i>began to engage also, several of whose shot having </i></b><b><i>struck us, we desisted firing for a time upon the </i></b><b><i>enemy lest our shot might injure the Russell. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WIU_DgrKTE5KkrTf2TPMmMs5YGoKkA9volCKt1gfhp7Z-QQD-dOHVnNZEPUKbDGC0__uTPWbEy1Mlu9VwsZLSAPR8-uk_eXAsGllTofjISrsSNxxYrSAVIvfz9a5Dyzc6oHOWu0-gh2HEQR_OKgfVH1IROsyeB-kPZq52m5oJzwy_w7mannbNJXkuQM/s795/d6544333b13a350d4f04438c4b64f411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="795" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WIU_DgrKTE5KkrTf2TPMmMs5YGoKkA9volCKt1gfhp7Z-QQD-dOHVnNZEPUKbDGC0__uTPWbEy1Mlu9VwsZLSAPR8-uk_eXAsGllTofjISrsSNxxYrSAVIvfz9a5Dyzc6oHOWu0-gh2HEQR_OKgfVH1IROsyeB-kPZq52m5oJzwy_w7mannbNJXkuQM/w640-h464/d6544333b13a350d4f04438c4b64f411.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS <i>Monmouth </i>in action with <i>Delft, </i>with the<i> Alkmaar </i>close by demolished by the British third rate earlier in the battle.<i> </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div><b><i>The ship on our larboard bow, which we had been </i></b><b><i>engaging for 50 minutes, having lost her main topmast </i></b><b><i>and mizen mast, we hove all aback to engage </i></b><b><i>the ship astern of her, and after having exchanged </i></b><b><i>three broadsides with him, observing he kept away, </i></b><b><i>bore round up, ran athwart his hawse, raked him, </i></b><b><i>and backing alongside him to leeward engaged </i></b><b><i>him very close for 40 minutes, when he struck to </i></b><b><i>us and proved to be the Delft, of 66 guns and 375 </i></b><b><i>men. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9ca3-4MAZJ7BKysIdqL41q3y6gHqge5z7Q6ye87Pb7VgEHZ_Z_4FN4uxudQRxRTXUvuwaYYhko18jUphhGdI1fSY7H_A6y-3NNN_Bjyiw2UEDH6cwidUNgtgAvkW6dAIPbjz9l81F_1OUQJSWVT4hgtwHPrJIybADKUOWMeKZxtxi2q8zYxvBTmL1Jw/s1496/Monmouth%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9ca3-4MAZJ7BKysIdqL41q3y6gHqge5z7Q6ye87Pb7VgEHZ_Z_4FN4uxudQRxRTXUvuwaYYhko18jUphhGdI1fSY7H_A6y-3NNN_Bjyiw2UEDH6cwidUNgtgAvkW6dAIPbjz9l81F_1OUQJSWVT4hgtwHPrJIybADKUOWMeKZxtxi2q8zYxvBTmL1Jw/w446-h640/Monmouth%202.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 14.00 the Monmouth has been engaged with the Alkmaar for 50 minutes and has now <b><i>'hove all aback'</i> </b>to engage the Delft. </td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Lowered down the cutter and sent the 1st </i></b><b><i>lieutenant and men to take possession of her. </i></b><b><i>Filled and shot to the before-mentioned ship, which </i></b><b><i>had lost her main topmast and mizen mast, which </i></b><b><i>after firing a few shot at, she bore up towards us </i></b><b><i>and said she had struck. </i></b><b><i>Soon after the Agincourt </i></b><b><i>running athwart our hawse fired 2 shot into us.</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_1rNmpzGfOJWeCt7miMHpbr6FjQZ1hHJIm2JC5Oqf6QntpsVwL4tdidgGsLzEFkVoK43Fkq5WGW7O9GiZ0bUMZrXQ9m8ZPHUvUu00QmvibwPn5zaufzZv1ZpwosXKuJlXZl_7Kg5z3e6YxM-WmQTPLqnw101xy3uGlB36G4-kA1qeFISN6aiaY55YY4/s4005/P1110428a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3461" data-original-width="4005" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_1rNmpzGfOJWeCt7miMHpbr6FjQZ1hHJIm2JC5Oqf6QntpsVwL4tdidgGsLzEFkVoK43Fkq5WGW7O9GiZ0bUMZrXQ9m8ZPHUvUu00QmvibwPn5zaufzZv1ZpwosXKuJlXZl_7Kg5z3e6YxM-WmQTPLqnw101xy3uGlB36G4-kA1qeFISN6aiaY55YY4/w640-h554/P1110428a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Hoisted out another boat and sent an officer and </i></b><b><i>men to take possession of her. Found her to be </i></b><b><i>the Alkmaar, of 56 guns and 350 men. People </i></b><b><i>employed repairing the damages received in the </i></b><b><i>action. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41NJNUT4HCqO15HE6Ow-fXZeLiEYWaNwdiNBfbPEwoftHOBzxU00LKyiVAwhizLq4wU30D2khlHkraipFCiH3rcdeDIkAp4Pn-Qm-XMHQxCBg4EJmCwbEIR6MO5XRhnRJchtrGHk6_54S_HBPyzrlyl_qLICyQ7OLjRnJgbO5TCB3SgE7zA5HBfEigvo/s1545/Monmouth%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41NJNUT4HCqO15HE6Ow-fXZeLiEYWaNwdiNBfbPEwoftHOBzxU00LKyiVAwhizLq4wU30D2khlHkraipFCiH3rcdeDIkAp4Pn-Qm-XMHQxCBg4EJmCwbEIR6MO5XRhnRJchtrGHk6_54S_HBPyzrlyl_qLICyQ7OLjRnJgbO5TCB3SgE7zA5HBfEigvo/w442-h640/Monmouth%203.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's 15.00 and the Delft has struck, the fight recorded in the Monmouth's log;<br /><b style="text-align: left;"><i>'having exchanged </i></b><b style="text-align: left;"><i>three broadsides with him, observing he kept away, </i></b><b style="text-align: left;"><i>bore round up, ran athwart his hawse, raked him, </i></b><b style="text-align: left;"><i>and backing alongside him to leeward engaged </i></b><b style="text-align: left;"><i>him very close for 40 minutes, when he struck to </i></b><b style="text-align: left;"><i>us and proved to be the Delft, of 66 guns and 375 </i></b><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-style: italic;">men.' <br /></b>The<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b><span style="font-style: italic;">Delft </span>was no 66-gunner but she certainly fought like one!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b><i>At 7, made sail, the most disabled prize in </i></b><b><i>tow. At the close of the battle, perceived that 8 </i></b><b><i>sail of the line and a frigate had struck, among </i></b><b><i>which was their Commander-in-Chief and their </i></b><b><i>Vice-Admiral. During the action, perceived a </i></b><b><i>Dutch line-of-battle ship on fire abaft. At 12, </i></b><b><i>moderate breezes and cloudy; prize in tow.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">HMS Veteran</span></b><div>HMS <i>Veteran </i>was a Crown Class 64-gun ship of the line designed by another great British naval architect, Sir Edward Hunt, and launched at East Cowes on the 14th August 1787, one of his last ships, following his death earlier that year, that saw the new 74-gun ship go into the Ordinary having cost the exchequer £38,954 to complete after fitting out and coppering, just over £7.5 million in today's money.</div><div><br /></div><div>Commissioned in March of 1793, <i>Veteran </i>was made ready to join Admiral Howe's Channel Fleet, before being ordered to join the Leeward Islands Squadron in November of that year sailing under the command of Captain Lewis Robinson, who would be killed in operations against the French island of Martinique.</div><div><br /></div><div>She would complete her service in the Caribbean in 1796, returning to England to be paid off in the October of that year.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Her general characteristics were:</div><div>Tons burthen 1397 (bm)</div><div>Length of gundeck 160 feet 6 inches</div><div>Beam 44 feet, 6 inches</div><div>Depth of hold 19 feet, 5 inches</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2bLAxei5P2_K-Iy-0Abj77CKdREffD1RO3r4U0LisXCrpOWPYZR62WqXZwsJbtxNgDBr32VYKppqGkZVFb0woyUJ9_kqAH1z-fN7o_qSFlT2rS64KtXorUN27-fFBoh4l3A1f2Oa1OtrOLBPW61aBR3zBd2jCF2nTr15x6eWW-uSUhpmtZOm8j6jEkg/s4347/P1110429a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3519" data-original-width="4347" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2bLAxei5P2_K-Iy-0Abj77CKdREffD1RO3r4U0LisXCrpOWPYZR62WqXZwsJbtxNgDBr32VYKppqGkZVFb0woyUJ9_kqAH1z-fN7o_qSFlT2rS64KtXorUN27-fFBoh4l3A1f2Oa1OtrOLBPW61aBR3zBd2jCF2nTr15x6eWW-uSUhpmtZOm8j6jEkg/w640-h518/P1110429a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div>Her armament consisted of:</div><div>Gundeck: 26 x 24-pounder long guns</div><div>Upper gundeck: 26 x 18-pounders long guns</div><div>Quarterdeck: 10 x 9-pounder long guns, 6 x 18-pounder carronades</div><div>Forecastle: 2 x 9-pounder long guns, 2 x 24-pounder carronades</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Jxne0Vz8bqSNXpqrjTGFE9kBebB2iUQXZJ0Mt5tJzfMqbSm_PB4YRfQwzibxq2-K7pl5RqhbOvMbTiYG-uNdf-rQ8YKfzR916W7wGsBXiFHHeKlxTNr0W0wzjE2QdO6cIckRyDCaE3DFHEHoWndGoKJM9mwVCNc9xKP2ipJhlZ9AVIjIJZtJxb4UMg/s1200/Ardent_(1782).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1200" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Jxne0Vz8bqSNXpqrjTGFE9kBebB2iUQXZJ0Mt5tJzfMqbSm_PB4YRfQwzibxq2-K7pl5RqhbOvMbTiYG-uNdf-rQ8YKfzR916W7wGsBXiFHHeKlxTNr0W0wzjE2QdO6cIckRyDCaE3DFHEHoWndGoKJM9mwVCNc9xKP2ipJhlZ9AVIjIJZtJxb4UMg/w640-h216/Ardent_(1782).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Veteran </i>was returned to service in May of 1797 under the command of Captain Abraham Guyot, who would command the ship until the arrival of the man who would take her into action at the Battle of Camperdown, Captain George Gregory, where she would suffer 4 killed and 21 wounded.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HbaSgiZG9XyXZoM-lx1g1LtGmDQRQqlr8bcsuFVk04g64-Nm3yNZNF8vN5wO8JrfSUB0Y3kqYdRck-hJjMlNR-KXKlvDgJ4pbHqefb6eGVZcBB-o-fc6yO7EFitvGTth7n49s3HGk25UGvZoTGqoVT-0Y6yv3fpCuEX37fuvjBZXdr36M-9zCOLZRBE/s4073/P1110431a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3554" data-original-width="4073" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HbaSgiZG9XyXZoM-lx1g1LtGmDQRQqlr8bcsuFVk04g64-Nm3yNZNF8vN5wO8JrfSUB0Y3kqYdRck-hJjMlNR-KXKlvDgJ4pbHqefb6eGVZcBB-o-fc6yO7EFitvGTth7n49s3HGk25UGvZoTGqoVT-0Y6yv3fpCuEX37fuvjBZXdr36M-9zCOLZRBE/w640-h558/P1110431a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Her role in the battle saw her cut across the Jupiter before turning in pursuit of the Dutch centre and following the Dutch defeat played an important role in the struggle to save the battered Delft, sending across a tow line to the stricken Dutch fourth-rate in rising seas, and later sending across the first rescue boat to bring off the Dutch wounded.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So finally to round up this post, the log of HMS <i>Veteran </i>and her record of the Battle of Camperdown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-align: center;">Extracts from the log of HMS <i>Veteran </i>at the Battle of Camperdown.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>EDWARD GROUNDWATER, Master. Official No. 3094.</b></div><div><br /></div><b><i>'</i></b><i><b>October 11th. </b></i><b><i>P.M Standing along the enemy's line and engaging them as we came up. Moderate with drizzling </i></b><b><i>rain. 45 minutes past noon, the Vice-Admiral and </i></b><b><i>his division commenced the action with the rear of </i></b><b><i>the enemy. Admiral made the following signals: </i></b></div><div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>at 12, to engage, the Belliqueux and Russell to </i></b><b><i>port in succession; </i></b></div><div><b><i>at 12.20, the Belliqueux to </i></b><b><i>keep her station; </i></b></div><div><b><i>at 1.10, Adamant to engage; </i></b></div><div><b><i>10 </i></b><b><i>minutes past 3, we made No. 68; Admiral Nos. </i></b><b><i>101, 10, 100, 171 and 7; at 4, Admiral Nos. 109,</i></b></div><div><b><i>64, and 171. </i></b></div><div><b><i>10 minutes past 1, one of the enemy's </i></b><b><i>ships of the line and a frigate struck. </i></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFlCPuLWa8mnJGeECQDEFhZIzu5OCdn4tAZAMH5QyvBbAf_ZLmGRFyfocZGdJL3qImp6OV0D8IWn5g94_ci1WquD90OmnuxFzoCPNBIYbG3RoZTrGO4LkGcYA_u93Q_KhUEAwM7yib3tPLni5jKhIMKzlbvEiuoyVsjy_-Oywvz0IgWNfae94wY-bYjY/s3672/P1110432a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2209" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFlCPuLWa8mnJGeECQDEFhZIzu5OCdn4tAZAMH5QyvBbAf_ZLmGRFyfocZGdJL3qImp6OV0D8IWn5g94_ci1WquD90OmnuxFzoCPNBIYbG3RoZTrGO4LkGcYA_u93Q_KhUEAwM7yib3tPLni5jKhIMKzlbvEiuoyVsjy_-Oywvz0IgWNfae94wY-bYjY/w386-h640/P1110432a.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>About 1 we </i></b><b><i>stood into the enemy's line, firing our broadsides at </i></b><b><i>such ships of the enemy as we could bring them to </i></b><b><i>bear on. </i></b><b><i>At 20 minutes past 1, perceived one of </i></b><b><i>the enemy's ships on fire. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cA313zqe4H9CowsoWelMHHg1H5mqQu2PbB2xfLTZH05hmKL8fEI0Hlm3H06dEH772mqk-Pg5LOnyXViBQ5u-tc0R_Pv9WATnLOhcLYldHMFM-QsoMPC0QoqkFupUXZf4iK1lfZv5wkNze755Tg1Te544622HA6jcVaayoKZaoEP-e6X-u4NQhlaIJfA/s1543/Veteran%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1043" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cA313zqe4H9CowsoWelMHHg1H5mqQu2PbB2xfLTZH05hmKL8fEI0Hlm3H06dEH772mqk-Pg5LOnyXViBQ5u-tc0R_Pv9WATnLOhcLYldHMFM-QsoMPC0QoqkFupUXZf4iK1lfZv5wkNze755Tg1Te544622HA6jcVaayoKZaoEP-e6X-u4NQhlaIJfA/w432-h640/Veteran%201.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The log report above records the movement of the Veteran seen here as she passed the Jupiter, flagship of Vice-Admiral Reyntjes</td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>The action appeared </i></b><b><i>now to be general. 24 minutes past, supposed the </i></b><b><i>enemy's Vice-Admiral from his flag being down to </i></b><b><i>have struck.</i></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1lStAcCS9XJvJwczZeFZqN3BnK7HD5mw_r6eXfnugsC77mJCSn7clC_6FWUR5QYhWHz_kV5_52okJ2IBaS8DKc23OvbWMqhXSqu3MASk_KyPwrMx657x1zfXOTubqMheuJwLWq41t7UqsbDEG0hg64kksKGWGORBr7rk7k0mTJ9vPfh_vKR65tdb3_I/s4229/P1110433a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3625" data-original-width="4229" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1lStAcCS9XJvJwczZeFZqN3BnK7HD5mw_r6eXfnugsC77mJCSn7clC_6FWUR5QYhWHz_kV5_52okJ2IBaS8DKc23OvbWMqhXSqu3MASk_KyPwrMx657x1zfXOTubqMheuJwLWq41t7UqsbDEG0hg64kksKGWGORBr7rk7k0mTJ9vPfh_vKR65tdb3_I/w640-h548/P1110433a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>About 2, we was in close action with </i></b><b><i>a ship of the line and a frigate. The former bore up, </i></b><b><i>when we raked her till she struck and [she] proved to </i></b><b><i>be the Gelijkheid. Stood on firing at such ships as </i></b><b><i>had not struck. Observed shortly after such ships </i></b><b><i>as had not struck endeavouring to escape. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSfFeFuTHOWOkce08lVOKxRLkBXbKNC1nitlxHXIXCwSdn-4JKgFpNIRwf2fY2VDwIERIa6ZORK06-zLjw8L2s6sIW8gQLyFreg2irZt5sLrkr0fuH0smBQHe2zS25VoqvtfhJWxqE-0z2HV8lzhHnYbUN159eP4fD3Fc7mL3VppeUbzClsvQnoG27GE/s1510/Veteran%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1052" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSfFeFuTHOWOkce08lVOKxRLkBXbKNC1nitlxHXIXCwSdn-4JKgFpNIRwf2fY2VDwIERIa6ZORK06-zLjw8L2s6sIW8gQLyFreg2irZt5sLrkr0fuH0smBQHe2zS25VoqvtfhJWxqE-0z2HV8lzhHnYbUN159eP4fD3Fc7mL3VppeUbzClsvQnoG27GE/w446-h640/Veteran%202.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By 14.00 the Veteran had moved to support the battle with the Dutch van, engaging the 68-gun Gelijkheid. Note the position of the Dutch 64-gun Hercules observed to have been on fire by the Veteran at 13.20</td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kgSq20qUwzryd36i40OH1P4V1ULImEWd1_5XbXWKbqvEacT1hUl9h57rW6kOVMgxrQ4DYxuqpR1gge0wWR3kF2x75EhQXYOHuVxKR12JpEWFXfKo7WdPng8A3X1KKejylr9T4WgyO3yprK8dN_-MGJyCCYsjM2zCr4w5ZGMfudkTYYGlCXSNPpV_2yA/s747/imageedit_1_3056854608.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="747" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kgSq20qUwzryd36i40OH1P4V1ULImEWd1_5XbXWKbqvEacT1hUl9h57rW6kOVMgxrQ4DYxuqpR1gge0wWR3kF2x75EhQXYOHuVxKR12JpEWFXfKo7WdPng8A3X1KKejylr9T4WgyO3yprK8dN_-MGJyCCYsjM2zCr4w5ZGMfudkTYYGlCXSNPpV_2yA/w640-h532/imageedit_1_3056854608.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of a painting of the battle by Thomas Luny, showing the Dutch <i>Hercules </i>64-guns on fire, an incident recorded in the log of HMS <i>Veteran </i>as she moved to support the fighting with the Dutch van<i>.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mIe2fm-IWTxP2eeWzoldPqF_8iAWWIuO9oHJH3T4HVdCk7YZqJdLsLc6dC925eQFt6eNRbQDsANh9Hzn0lXFDa0JyMFDt89c1AcsC1UPAxu3P2heRvT9kybRuQLAW5dDueaIHO6e8q4N09pWZ9hyphenhyphenb2JYWTbWLuaBS-2iwxnY9pUjszWfUevX8bZkMjU/s4042/P1110434a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3449" data-original-width="4042" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mIe2fm-IWTxP2eeWzoldPqF_8iAWWIuO9oHJH3T4HVdCk7YZqJdLsLc6dC925eQFt6eNRbQDsANh9Hzn0lXFDa0JyMFDt89c1AcsC1UPAxu3P2heRvT9kybRuQLAW5dDueaIHO6e8q4N09pWZ9hyphenhyphenb2JYWTbWLuaBS-2iwxnY9pUjszWfUevX8bZkMjU/w640-h546/P1110434a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 45 </i></b><b><i>minutes past 2, the action ceased. </i></b><b><i>Sounded occasionally </i></b><b><i>in 10 and 9 fathoms. Egmond-aan-zee, SE </i></b><b><i>by S, 4 leagues. Answered our signal to stay by </i></b><b><i>prizes in the NE. Lost in the action 3 men killed </i></b><b><i>and 25 wounded, 3 guns disabled and our sails and </i></b><b><i>rigging much cut. Carpenters employed in stopping </i></b><b><i>shot holes, ship's company in knotting and </i></b><b><i>splicing the rigging. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxkbrikccnlOD7IsSP2CHMLRhmT4rgopOgt1LMU2Qjg5UhjGLJG8lkTdF0XzXrPSVJlOeIqoWGwe2HuFP8i_rL0yadJ3tl_K-zYldGb9Ch48D43GpF9uLGGQZrp0VD32buzIDLQo_I3grS1NVHGEY-uC63csFpbiLz8485_EtZxNstmL9x2qb9h-J2hc/s1561/Veteran%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1053" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxkbrikccnlOD7IsSP2CHMLRhmT4rgopOgt1LMU2Qjg5UhjGLJG8lkTdF0XzXrPSVJlOeIqoWGwe2HuFP8i_rL0yadJ3tl_K-zYldGb9Ch48D43GpF9uLGGQZrp0VD32buzIDLQo_I3grS1NVHGEY-uC63csFpbiLz8485_EtZxNstmL9x2qb9h-J2hc/w432-h640/Veteran%203.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 15.00 Veteran and Belliqueux are shown alongside the now struck Gelijkheid with, as the log of the Veteran records, a boarding party sent over at 19.00 to secure the prize, together with other men sent across to the Vrijheid.</td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>At 7, sent an officer with a </i></b><b><i>party of men on board the Gelijkheid, and a petty </i></b><b><i>officer and 10 men on board the Vrijheid, the </i></b><b><i>Admiral de Winter's ship. The Circe took the </i></b><b><i>latter in tow. Made and shortened sail occasionally. </i></b><b><i>Standing to join the fleet. </i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFhrchKot3HV5-XIF6P8ItOHgdvM8frOOd0Ckpw1VsI4NrsHv4pWK_HAeoSWkDUjvbimwv1kW5hhb1lF7opXFXG1AbsVzrpmxOaRGaSauF9Jwkl9-qjv8InyGg5z4XbuXkfMFOuSJrbOiA0gByHv49jp0Hqz7pHBIwP34E5ImswLGNspP2tWkIbkY654/s4093/P1110436a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2810" data-original-width="4093" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFhrchKot3HV5-XIF6P8ItOHgdvM8frOOd0Ckpw1VsI4NrsHv4pWK_HAeoSWkDUjvbimwv1kW5hhb1lF7opXFXG1AbsVzrpmxOaRGaSauF9Jwkl9-qjv8InyGg5z4XbuXkfMFOuSJrbOiA0gByHv49jp0Hqz7pHBIwP34E5ImswLGNspP2tWkIbkY654/w640-h440/P1110436a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>At 8, Egmond E by S. </i></b><b><i>The Admiral WNW 4 miles, Montagu, Circe, and two prizes in company. At n, saw 9 sail of the </i></b><b><i>enemy's ships bearing SW by S 3 or 4 miles. </i></b><b><i>Spoke the Montagu and Circe.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I intend to finish building the strictly eight, but including the fourth-rate <i>Adamant </i>50-guns, nine ships of the British Leeward Division with three of the 74-gunners next to feature, <i>Montagu</i>, <i>Russell </i>and Sir Richard Onslow's flagship, <i>Monarch</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, Mr Steve and I enjoyed a couple of days last month exploring some famous English Civil War and Medieval battle sites, together with a few Tolkienian landmarks in Oxford, and the Odyssey to the Antipodes continues as Carolyn and I headed further north into Queensland, Australia.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>More anon</div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-48601355144002788162023-10-13T22:46:00.001-07:002023-10-15T02:31:51.248-07:00Naval Wargames Society Weekend 2023 - Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton. <p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6mop4exd76ThiUpGHyfOqzchs6G3iZkoImP1TrrSqHGfAES4uda-JPqn_NTLNNv7VGn70NI1tBzrduitRSLnML9FcuhEtolKHM1iqKw5iI62Kfb9KvKlaS0sNJyKJRthH76Jq23iEk6cU8QAeWCFs1-tvHNu2vTtGEf77qkFVPn76pF3sFby_btB_C0/s1918/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1918" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6mop4exd76ThiUpGHyfOqzchs6G3iZkoImP1TrrSqHGfAES4uda-JPqn_NTLNNv7VGn70NI1tBzrduitRSLnML9FcuhEtolKHM1iqKw5iI62Kfb9KvKlaS0sNJyKJRthH76Jq23iEk6cU8QAeWCFs1-tvHNu2vTtGEf77qkFVPn76pF3sFby_btB_C0/w640-h358/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">A few weeks ago I took the 'All at Sea' collection of ships up to the Naval Wargames Society Weekend Meeting at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton in Somerset to play the Bantry Bay-1796 Scenario that I've been working on with Kiss Me Hardy (KMH) in recent months, and was joined by Captain Steve, Mr Steve, Jack and Glyn on the Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLV_CU8NpQ9ZD9TUlJNjNO6lcC4-LtaNVvB__vt-wXW9uDFLBRz-H6ihqdZF4O1cXDnmP9ziHSnJlzyc_-GogDdaupkq_EE_z73d3YhmM3zZrUL5r_C5bxw3gEAT5uQsLuzGadER_alaYx1DLJ7WgpKAZ6QcnoK-pj_AXBZxTi1orhIGltrSCrGVq3kI/s640/Post%20Header%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="640" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLV_CU8NpQ9ZD9TUlJNjNO6lcC4-LtaNVvB__vt-wXW9uDFLBRz-H6ihqdZF4O1cXDnmP9ziHSnJlzyc_-GogDdaupkq_EE_z73d3YhmM3zZrUL5r_C5bxw3gEAT5uQsLuzGadER_alaYx1DLJ7WgpKAZ6QcnoK-pj_AXBZxTi1orhIGltrSCrGVq3kI/w400-h224/Post%20Header%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2022/10/naval-wargames-society-weekend-fleet.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Naval Wargames Society Weekend</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I first attended the show last year where Captain Steve, Glyn and the Penarth boys joined me to play the Leeward Line Scenario, link above, and we really enjoyed our day and so I put a note in the calendar to come along again this year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyoyHtzGqJ6f1oea0kxx0sqnJLDgaQrW_0HXMO33TijpcPAx3W7gP7zwUVXhwf2hSd2TQ_Ln21-XafuZL0aeF58YIzXL0CZT7TvwA-VihQThpY3yPZy39xvVi-4nlrB_PeVboxxnCEFA3x8z3MNEMYWKGlRm57-NvNWax2iY0ym95JJLTEEny0qqgiEA/s4896/P1110320a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyoyHtzGqJ6f1oea0kxx0sqnJLDgaQrW_0HXMO33TijpcPAx3W7gP7zwUVXhwf2hSd2TQ_Ln21-XafuZL0aeF58YIzXL0CZT7TvwA-VihQThpY3yPZy39xvVi-4nlrB_PeVboxxnCEFA3x8z3MNEMYWKGlRm57-NvNWax2iY0ym95JJLTEEny0qqgiEA/w640-h480/P1110320a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As well as just relaxing and enjoying our game of Kiss Me Hardy it was fun to chat with other game organisers and grab some pictures from the day of a few of the games as I always like to garner ideas from other folks whilst perhaps sharing a few of my own and chatting over the games is a great way to do just that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is by no means a complete look at all the games, but some that grabbed my attention, and illustrates well the NWS coverage of naval warfare throughout the ages of oars, sails and steam turbines.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Pola Incident - Cranwell Wargames Club 'the old dirigibles'</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Late Victorian 1/2400,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Regional tension bubbles over in this hypothetical engagement between the Italian and Austrian navies. Set in 1908 using using an adaption of David Manley's Broadside and Salvo Rules.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjbuKLDTyyM2pM1xR1MAc2GXNYnORoPNlPEbe4eC0ifSi45afb9fJeGa52RyEwkDl1raUdAU4oindHKtkMg2XI6b4q7JugidDnuesvbeoAqTW2kCovckDOJmDD4eMV45dddHycZ_JdNehi-ChTT_nPIY_pFxuuGNHsI0KFTCcoKAN56kzp-ZfAUoWb_A/s4896/P1110355a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3045" data-original-width="4896" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjbuKLDTyyM2pM1xR1MAc2GXNYnORoPNlPEbe4eC0ifSi45afb9fJeGa52RyEwkDl1raUdAU4oindHKtkMg2XI6b4q7JugidDnuesvbeoAqTW2kCovckDOJmDD4eMV45dddHycZ_JdNehi-ChTT_nPIY_pFxuuGNHsI0KFTCcoKAN56kzp-ZfAUoWb_A/w640-h398/P1110355a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv7A3YVCfWMxujS77JZlosH_ptql2Y9BK4-OLcvEoOQTedS9PdXXfYY961EZ08XOtFAqoX-4gZtxOn0c2oD2T9U_hOPB_nYK-F9-2qz2zS_g6s7gSGRfY4QOZ-Ze5bGHqZxnVB3uT8KO1HmtlidUP1cWWQ33a4zRPI9o1FpOikYXENcnRxK6MPawINqw/s4350/P1110356a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4350" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv7A3YVCfWMxujS77JZlosH_ptql2Y9BK4-OLcvEoOQTedS9PdXXfYY961EZ08XOtFAqoX-4gZtxOn0c2oD2T9U_hOPB_nYK-F9-2qz2zS_g6s7gSGRfY4QOZ-Ze5bGHqZxnVB3uT8KO1HmtlidUP1cWWQ33a4zRPI9o1FpOikYXENcnRxK6MPawINqw/w640-h480/P1110356a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvhLFQyu7QOVAiHjR2UDtQ5IeMmq5XZmNMtls314NF9DDp3mGEgHe3caQumfB468oEiFrNDgZKQ4wRCBXID4PIB20lsqqTptn4DMvkmgJTLLPBpu4O1hPuXVEqVaq4DO_kAf4A14rC5sZFKEnDM8tr1aDfPtHnku6qRvjjttJ37P9OdnN73Roh8mMhXM/s3851/P1110357a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="3851" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvhLFQyu7QOVAiHjR2UDtQ5IeMmq5XZmNMtls314NF9DDp3mGEgHe3caQumfB468oEiFrNDgZKQ4wRCBXID4PIB20lsqqTptn4DMvkmgJTLLPBpu4O1hPuXVEqVaq4DO_kAf4A14rC5sZFKEnDM8tr1aDfPtHnku6qRvjjttJ37P9OdnN73Roh8mMhXM/w640-h314/P1110357a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8C0ZF-fCcwAiJR8VuPGQ5loBZAhmSc_FZFq2k54VnwhDv3eJ2Dbrsr_T494yOZRa1_RTQJFeh1HGvRNBeVOjFEBivRBegwCg9LyHEZl7DcVZKzwfHan6jGt4VEFQoyCiVVCjd4dWjdAKSaExQ-htPMDNLZ1QlScIeKnZTuogmIArwI0Ez4kjgJB8MQk/s3734/P1110358a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2846" data-original-width="3734" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8C0ZF-fCcwAiJR8VuPGQ5loBZAhmSc_FZFq2k54VnwhDv3eJ2Dbrsr_T494yOZRa1_RTQJFeh1HGvRNBeVOjFEBivRBegwCg9LyHEZl7DcVZKzwfHan6jGt4VEFQoyCiVVCjd4dWjdAKSaExQ-htPMDNLZ1QlScIeKnZTuogmIArwI0Ez4kjgJB8MQk/w640-h488/P1110358a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Battle of Brest - Ian Armstrong</span></b></div><div>Tudor Hose and Feathery hat action</div><div>1513 saw Henry VIII's admiral sent out with the Royal Navy to find and take the French fleet to task. Will the cutting edge of Tudor naval technology and valorous commanders be able to defeat France's impressed fleet, supported by a squadron of 'Le Roi's' galleys? </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xcWXRwGt6kyXCLEnKahk99DarMy0gi8s-5fpoL0hI966YRCJqHn-Xj1CfZk3Vq3Wn-u2VzhyphenhyphenVKwB57VzmdlO6jaG9KBgUKd-ow1sWQr7YljlDE-4fgqM5A8MIN7c3PHkdA-Sg8bnu-GunqilrQ6oIkUFrNAYIcpHP0pjF3YAXs_OSGzheckqFSWGeWw/s4896/P1110321a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xcWXRwGt6kyXCLEnKahk99DarMy0gi8s-5fpoL0hI966YRCJqHn-Xj1CfZk3Vq3Wn-u2VzhyphenhyphenVKwB57VzmdlO6jaG9KBgUKd-ow1sWQr7YljlDE-4fgqM5A8MIN7c3PHkdA-Sg8bnu-GunqilrQ6oIkUFrNAYIcpHP0pjF3YAXs_OSGzheckqFSWGeWw/w640-h480/P1110321a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw5HCXPfuj21HT75dK_ztjzOixEeDKZCvcFQZ_KoOT6-vHDq3-rxhqpO1mA7HdG9L3ko2FwVTVPQ916Ele1AgQQr2Tx65S2tRmIy7u0q5kYE6uK4biVwm2hVCW9ulmki2eVzlmGDxTu_JjNzoERRf7-Z0tL40DYhZaePzQm3EGyg43ZS2OvEu_-Mch_c/w640-h480/P1110323a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIrgZ872Docy_RgJpiC5Nzgf8lIgvvB7dcOX4t_rRKQBvE88SNvG4BeI_dGPvB3WtgaywE7F7dMMIqBw7R9gwKCNJ3zJ1hzT3ZUSq4fYlN8gHhmMwH7EmrW0hP3Le-8MTq2_aiVqPycHjbN_zp_jA4kvsuWOz_pE1KhugI7q-USHXF1X4_fFQcAzFK5o/s4896/P1110324a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIrgZ872Docy_RgJpiC5Nzgf8lIgvvB7dcOX4t_rRKQBvE88SNvG4BeI_dGPvB3WtgaywE7F7dMMIqBw7R9gwKCNJ3zJ1hzT3ZUSq4fYlN8gHhmMwH7EmrW0hP3Le-8MTq2_aiVqPycHjbN_zp_jA4kvsuWOz_pE1KhugI7q-USHXF1X4_fFQcAzFK5o/w640-h480/P1110324a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRSj2y0kpbXwUwPSegU2olRkMDEa4AhZqzwSSAmULjj_2ejzS1HYKyzl2oWt8z6MKw8baQa0dV6KPbPKTdirbZsq_TAAXovMQdiUOA50aBHsd0eSra0z7AJIkyxX5h0TTYEFVmvSvMolmtaJjLZqkDPdk0nYiBx5fNrxPGVGHdlmRVeSdHQHxy3NWKlc/w640-h480/P1110326a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4afizPsfoNd9sE_jXZkShbJGio1sxo1lef1lmwqMY4q3fVfn8P6OuUwQuNgGESCfZ-NN6xmh4lZKzDLAYfj0AjTfXIIg2jreMFUEGwvjNNgroadEwWVTgcWzEQrF9TZeVwRVDghCvHL8l8OjrmRZQyx8o9fJyJgoqmdzj4p1ibHWdU4D9oW7X8XdWkJI/s4896/P1110327a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4afizPsfoNd9sE_jXZkShbJGio1sxo1lef1lmwqMY4q3fVfn8P6OuUwQuNgGESCfZ-NN6xmh4lZKzDLAYfj0AjTfXIIg2jreMFUEGwvjNNgroadEwWVTgcWzEQrF9TZeVwRVDghCvHL8l8OjrmRZQyx8o9fJyJgoqmdzj4p1ibHWdU4D9oW7X8XdWkJI/w640-h480/P1110327a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">ACW Ironclads - David Manley</span></b></div><div>David had his lovely ACW printed model collection on show for this game and the models together with the level of detail he has achieved was quite remarkable and shows how this aspect of the hobby is only likely to become more important as time goes on.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObqeLSSVcigh32pwWeiChK_fUZDrz5_VBpXHLYRtFEtD0ahoiTUOicRbUW8FhlTswLOMWrmdkKLfhMp1yEiGRgqiMBx3PekvxT7fTRDjdYe32Y2u2tFXEp_F7laEZaNjU0gk1FrU0IT8HXsdyqwlv-aJGGtWvj0H9BjgYNjZ5Z1iWMsKOdWA5grRvDDA/s4139/P1110347a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3141" data-original-width="4139" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObqeLSSVcigh32pwWeiChK_fUZDrz5_VBpXHLYRtFEtD0ahoiTUOicRbUW8FhlTswLOMWrmdkKLfhMp1yEiGRgqiMBx3PekvxT7fTRDjdYe32Y2u2tFXEp_F7laEZaNjU0gk1FrU0IT8HXsdyqwlv-aJGGtWvj0H9BjgYNjZ5Z1iWMsKOdWA5grRvDDA/w640-h486/P1110347a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWaqXYgBq0iJp7gZLRYasDWYjhb3wefXxgp1ZvZrHPZMkIoHY5zPsrsAvzMdhUZyhP_PYTbcu9E43jdUQG95S8cT0ar98PoKabPtGcMXDyb51LIyyh-qymLzXevrHa2gHOs35MFlZn8fZENYZgo1ESr2ekZ1-mVOVXIpd7URoSWHPFI8dleAbSCpypCI/s4270/P1110348a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2568" data-original-width="4270" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWaqXYgBq0iJp7gZLRYasDWYjhb3wefXxgp1ZvZrHPZMkIoHY5zPsrsAvzMdhUZyhP_PYTbcu9E43jdUQG95S8cT0ar98PoKabPtGcMXDyb51LIyyh-qymLzXevrHa2gHOs35MFlZn8fZENYZgo1ESr2ekZ1-mVOVXIpd7URoSWHPFI8dleAbSCpypCI/w640-h384/P1110348a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4zlwzeTz7t0fNK433orT6i0IlpONc8VzBcfcwb6Dwe_WY7Olh7SXyxLb3Dca0j-Wvtanczusl6Or4u5Zzmv-DZc1mvsz73XpcMg-ghO_8HSj_SJTAyUj-Ve6CnKtUTou__fNEsSln-HK5A1Vnm8XIIX_FkLtxDDCY1jB0BPNSJxsb1BEPUvr4m_BkaI/s3966/P1110349a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="3966" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4zlwzeTz7t0fNK433orT6i0IlpONc8VzBcfcwb6Dwe_WY7Olh7SXyxLb3Dca0j-Wvtanczusl6Or4u5Zzmv-DZc1mvsz73XpcMg-ghO_8HSj_SJTAyUj-Ve6CnKtUTou__fNEsSln-HK5A1Vnm8XIIX_FkLtxDDCY1jB0BPNSJxsb1BEPUvr4m_BkaI/w640-h474/P1110349a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiocTd8s995LmSbnmpAmS60vPRxwDXinb0T3cB9qf_24YAWz7DZR3KDF2CdLKg2WeUFzN0azwvTv98SQy-vuH5CngE9eQcr8OtpGyXZ2VmmqrVCO3nqTm4IFx7GvW8IHqxWmrdM9SmRNLaPGJlOSfjmkqxz9bQdva1Vc6Rr1ALhbjz5bi7WjQ75CyFK8/s4896/P1110350a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiocTd8s995LmSbnmpAmS60vPRxwDXinb0T3cB9qf_24YAWz7DZR3KDF2CdLKg2WeUFzN0azwvTv98SQy-vuH5CngE9eQcr8OtpGyXZ2VmmqrVCO3nqTm4IFx7GvW8IHqxWmrdM9SmRNLaPGJlOSfjmkqxz9bQdva1Vc6Rr1ALhbjz5bi7WjQ75CyFK8/w640-h480/P1110350a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH2f956WssDjpUdNPJkAmeD8wELARe2exwk3srXsF9ATbs4sgqeP9PtXu4Kj94wUDvy_UhYuWlGA1inzf2jpN6UkV47AUI6UAbKi4InHT52keBjanES88ZB64B2hoWQ5A-wnBhDLKspF6L_sOgR3gzQY8Y4auy4SPcQAHe6kZ39Bn6J_5K5CrvyWSSo4/s4280/P1110351a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="4280" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH2f956WssDjpUdNPJkAmeD8wELARe2exwk3srXsF9ATbs4sgqeP9PtXu4Kj94wUDvy_UhYuWlGA1inzf2jpN6UkV47AUI6UAbKi4InHT52keBjanES88ZB64B2hoWQ5A-wnBhDLKspF6L_sOgR3gzQY8Y4auy4SPcQAHe6kZ39Bn6J_5K5CrvyWSSo4/w640-h514/P1110351a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSacvFDbUL-IFtokULNeVz55Tpt9sHySUFulEgJauO_GtwtSjEUTut408mUYwDsiAj_ebOfc4Nid6ekwPkF4Ogck26kg_xYw8Al4xPUUpJK4kXtIFJGk4W1k80_Z_vfr1eS-0S4ttTDQ1VdHF2TU5wgqrYY-umEiM16g6-WWg5xqX4UL7diDzJddwbxM/s3693/P1110352a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="3693" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSacvFDbUL-IFtokULNeVz55Tpt9sHySUFulEgJauO_GtwtSjEUTut408mUYwDsiAj_ebOfc4Nid6ekwPkF4Ogck26kg_xYw8Al4xPUUpJK4kXtIFJGk4W1k80_Z_vfr1eS-0S4ttTDQ1VdHF2TU5wgqrYY-umEiM16g6-WWg5xqX4UL7diDzJddwbxM/w640-h334/P1110352a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Battle of Djerba 1560 - Simon Stokes</span></b><div>Renaissance fleet action off the North African coast, 1:2400 scale.</div><div>Ottoman galley fleet versus Christian Alliance galley fleet fighting for control of the fortified island of Djerba.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUam_4Csf_MbeEPCksDChY0XgvDZRgY1JfH23d50hskVeI1D4gz7T_5hhf033GaaOaXURWGXPrDNb8K4pLnEopQ3GRlK7fWcwYPAKt5MC1TRkfyRWw0tMOJqpjmrOIasLl9hGCXujOY0kVBHHiwTcmJuvWBqfggDMMlPjrS_53gY2y6Udw3323_f4iJY/s2048/380426724_703607955138767_2494932358227909958_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUam_4Csf_MbeEPCksDChY0XgvDZRgY1JfH23d50hskVeI1D4gz7T_5hhf033GaaOaXURWGXPrDNb8K4pLnEopQ3GRlK7fWcwYPAKt5MC1TRkfyRWw0tMOJqpjmrOIasLl9hGCXujOY0kVBHHiwTcmJuvWBqfggDMMlPjrS_53gY2y6Udw3323_f4iJY/w640-h448/380426724_703607955138767_2494932358227909958_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqhtGb2iARtfT8RJAeSiTxT9YpgKW4qHcZ0sqduZgI7ZctdAozxpwCXRG5hrosrOCToKOUXMoOyUTLb9e6TNZuZ9_QYfaHmWQRw1Gr91w7WuHBOAI3z9Du3oGmpcUPHG5t1ythQaQp2TivppoiofWbaihP_xyHt12fd-CoR6UD9qGI1LCXSdnXVUdJMo/s4447/P1110337a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2463" data-original-width="4447" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqhtGb2iARtfT8RJAeSiTxT9YpgKW4qHcZ0sqduZgI7ZctdAozxpwCXRG5hrosrOCToKOUXMoOyUTLb9e6TNZuZ9_QYfaHmWQRw1Gr91w7WuHBOAI3z9Du3oGmpcUPHG5t1ythQaQp2TivppoiofWbaihP_xyHt12fd-CoR6UD9qGI1LCXSdnXVUdJMo/w640-h354/P1110337a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNu7N0knn0yyrDTdau7dqw_KcFpFWXpcPFnVuM2Jqm7mtnsRWfYlfLKcGvRP_T6W-bEV7dXzlCZvJktQDKaSPswYSIRqSjnW55Hav4joWmUcY3ZDeNBuFJxwX01GqfvcYehCfrjvZmeY_NP9NfVC23t5kdX0G2dW110Dh8wlyKQFFZFRQFSw5MAQvcdu8/s4896/P1110339a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="4896" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNu7N0knn0yyrDTdau7dqw_KcFpFWXpcPFnVuM2Jqm7mtnsRWfYlfLKcGvRP_T6W-bEV7dXzlCZvJktQDKaSPswYSIRqSjnW55Hav4joWmUcY3ZDeNBuFJxwX01GqfvcYehCfrjvZmeY_NP9NfVC23t5kdX0G2dW110Dh8wlyKQFFZFRQFSw5MAQvcdu8/w640-h432/P1110339a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8LoQE4W_s1lHMh7L6xbb4PZxU2M1DWPmLzkzlbYLfoYdDdNBedL2_3Qmr-pJAEae2h4Y0F8wUanNO2YHYIDGlum5ZGTRdJ8teGvIK6EW_bBr5XQCG0W4WsiEkZijZ18pInaAP-awpED_LmcntndUGO0kaVsRE0EYSh-amDv1bfP7mg6Yy50v-i3nFLg/s4896/P1110338a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3176" data-original-width="4896" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8LoQE4W_s1lHMh7L6xbb4PZxU2M1DWPmLzkzlbYLfoYdDdNBedL2_3Qmr-pJAEae2h4Y0F8wUanNO2YHYIDGlum5ZGTRdJ8teGvIK6EW_bBr5XQCG0W4WsiEkZijZ18pInaAP-awpED_LmcntndUGO0kaVsRE0EYSh-amDv1bfP7mg6Yy50v-i3nFLg/w640-h416/P1110338a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2y-_-v0HnLHafMr03OXSEv0FhUfvEf9F_0Pd7zHFXlmMUZXXlOezzEKAe2wp_5C49klijeVylaVFVyQySNMRX-UcH6ZKg4y_rPChNUI3uWTE7bUDrUvMOlLOVNDp8abQ56DsGGTNl4K0Oj_tNXQnhRmA_rg9aohq6FTxaGvsIXTsSd8bphhwmLSNj_6E/s3347/P1110341a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="3284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2y-_-v0HnLHafMr03OXSEv0FhUfvEf9F_0Pd7zHFXlmMUZXXlOezzEKAe2wp_5C49klijeVylaVFVyQySNMRX-UcH6ZKg4y_rPChNUI3uWTE7bUDrUvMOlLOVNDp8abQ56DsGGTNl4K0Oj_tNXQnhRmA_rg9aohq6FTxaGvsIXTsSd8bphhwmLSNj_6E/w628-h640/P1110341a.JPG" width="628" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDoYoyAKjJ5s0ZMEJ731zS5tt4jPX9HhQ1LON-MOFs9DIWlWP8-4qOQdrsZmFHZAf24FnbhHpVmC7SjQsRBmEVZdAAFCILOEpJtbOoL2lT-l4ZLODNTPxtjnpTH1JqnVcfHeu-xB6_riO9OsoUlt6GuuPIrdk0hK_kl1h1Te7KPeWAyNKXp-t7wYbm8g/s3898/P1110342a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2914" data-original-width="3898" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDoYoyAKjJ5s0ZMEJ731zS5tt4jPX9HhQ1LON-MOFs9DIWlWP8-4qOQdrsZmFHZAf24FnbhHpVmC7SjQsRBmEVZdAAFCILOEpJtbOoL2lT-l4ZLODNTPxtjnpTH1JqnVcfHeu-xB6_riO9OsoUlt6GuuPIrdk0hK_kl1h1Te7KPeWAyNKXp-t7wYbm8g/w640-h478/P1110342a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Bantry Bay-1796</span></b><div>A 'What-if Scenario' that sees a French squadron under Commodore Bedout, with eight warships attempting to escort four troop transports into the anchorage in Bantry Bay opposed by Sir Edward Pellew's Inshore Squadron and supported by Sir James Samaurez and the Fast Division from the Channel Fleet, fought in 1:700 scale using Kiss Me, Hardy.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_yky9OSUaEG_n10gJKoWC5x24Ss15r-ny5z5-0U3mYOEvOvzWSS-giXGCcsKwUoFbxlvo78bk22x6s0gxagI8Yj5O3TWSVX8-r7cxa8v_TRUHeKguRy0-swbOXaaEfA-fqPQp_705XjACHPmzJeZ93UDh2P26Bqok1cGyw1obrw3PbEm0n5IeHrAu3s/s635/Bantry%20Bay%20Map%20v3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="635" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_yky9OSUaEG_n10gJKoWC5x24Ss15r-ny5z5-0U3mYOEvOvzWSS-giXGCcsKwUoFbxlvo78bk22x6s0gxagI8Yj5O3TWSVX8-r7cxa8v_TRUHeKguRy0-swbOXaaEfA-fqPQp_705XjACHPmzJeZ93UDh2P26Bqok1cGyw1obrw3PbEm0n5IeHrAu3s/w640-h468/Bantry%20Bay%20Map%20v3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The set up for the game using a 6 x 4 foot layout, which we increased on the day to give us a bit more sea room for setting up, but the planned table will work just as well as both sides are likely to have to contend with a bow wind from the north to contend with at some stage in the game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The table seen below, interprets the map above, with us making good use of a larger table to give us more sea-room to set up the opposing forces.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM7q_rFxNmUinVljdPajxSIRNxCXccuk82lxM5dfyzBzDGFrga5aBGeYtuag4bRyZ5BvEA1VQ0UIfzl15IuCWKgiyiYFC7zpW11P9JIzCB3b45OrmUTBsgi-bhSowtBeECy68Y1CddvbhDIrE-fYeydbllJOyIZQDLsFoEutX43i0nRBLKN_lW0DlN-o/s4896/P1110359a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM7q_rFxNmUinVljdPajxSIRNxCXccuk82lxM5dfyzBzDGFrga5aBGeYtuag4bRyZ5BvEA1VQ0UIfzl15IuCWKgiyiYFC7zpW11P9JIzCB3b45OrmUTBsgi-bhSowtBeECy68Y1CddvbhDIrE-fYeydbllJOyIZQDLsFoEutX43i0nRBLKN_lW0DlN-o/w640-h480/P1110359a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This would be the fourth play-through of this scenario, and would produce a different game yet again to those that preceded it.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxTwo-iWAWfCzDvNrDRkB1HOcqSF74-i-4o7qq0p2c9_dwNXjMuXKWycb0IVyuzb9Qlh-Y9Ho4sG9M66YO0wa2v856vvOclvZqODobJCMdFHJh2lKZspkbTApKEIODBufo-9xDc1HjsaIkpgbtDMd7XQf4Ku8N12y0vKEMpYLH1IXkwepmvUkBz_vHVQ/s311/Bantry%20Bay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="311" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxTwo-iWAWfCzDvNrDRkB1HOcqSF74-i-4o7qq0p2c9_dwNXjMuXKWycb0IVyuzb9Qlh-Y9Ho4sG9M66YO0wa2v856vvOclvZqODobJCMdFHJh2lKZspkbTApKEIODBufo-9xDc1HjsaIkpgbtDMd7XQf4Ku8N12y0vKEMpYLH1IXkwepmvUkBz_vHVQ/s1600/Bantry%20Bay.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-7BpNVaEAEg5H35UdXG4YwTtsXb7PcLC/view"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Bantry Bay 1796 - Kiss Me Hardy Scenario & Ship Record Sheets</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>That may have something to do with me continuing to try out different ideas in each game, and so the final scenario briefing I have composed, together with the attached ship sheets, reflects the benefit of that experience and I have put a link in 'My Scenarios' and also above where you can request a pdf copy, should you fancy having a go with this game.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BPe5H2M37181fdoGfDZtzVl2AihHt5HcrtZ3HONTUEDNfpUR7OcSMy4z1YtdgfRsBDGSYwfdgFP2zLqlUtQWNrjZ_ngV9wbIOqQXukpJgxN9C7_6_4bvBBTvzIzLaU-Lvd4nrdtKIui77EzWZGy1WAvOsUJ_gW-wfN9PzsGRswjZ1FIpMVUrw70epD8/s958/Ship%20Record%20Cards.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BPe5H2M37181fdoGfDZtzVl2AihHt5HcrtZ3HONTUEDNfpUR7OcSMy4z1YtdgfRsBDGSYwfdgFP2zLqlUtQWNrjZ_ngV9wbIOqQXukpJgxN9C7_6_4bvBBTvzIzLaU-Lvd4nrdtKIui77EzWZGy1WAvOsUJ_gW-wfN9PzsGRswjZ1FIpMVUrw70epD8/w452-h640/Ship%20Record%20Cards.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ship record cards include everything you need to know about an individual ship, together with some stats at the bottom illustrating the historical vessel it represents. Additionally each vessel has a pennant number next to the ensign and its name so you can easily number the model on the table should you wish for easier identification.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Above and below are examples of how the ship record sheets look in the scenario brief, and I thought I should include a brief description of how I produce and use them.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE2nEvLpxhmHuOlc2Pu0mjEvE-IxP2u8bT0OUf98C9Gq0wjdyyCqD-QhkS2HOP4j-AhCw90s_dT5qJRBbRqAzv_0mSRn6WWIq3DrKBIVLs9gPpih_8IKiQ-DoPaMHvx314jEmHUpIE3NovYk1FjVPqzIzRO7an0wy4SZjwrmNcJI45uYKpxLIoKHy0s0/s2666/Photo%2013-08-2022,%2013%2007%2015a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="2666" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE2nEvLpxhmHuOlc2Pu0mjEvE-IxP2u8bT0OUf98C9Gq0wjdyyCqD-QhkS2HOP4j-AhCw90s_dT5qJRBbRqAzv_0mSRn6WWIq3DrKBIVLs9gPpih_8IKiQ-DoPaMHvx314jEmHUpIE3NovYk1FjVPqzIzRO7an0wy4SZjwrmNcJI45uYKpxLIoKHy0s0/w640-h476/Photo%2013-08-2022,%2013%2007%2015a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here seen in a previous games are the record cards in their laminate pouches</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>So once printed out on heavy stock paper, I simply take a steel ruler, cutting mat and sharp modelling knife and remove the long edges to each page by cutting slightly inside of the line. I then gently run my knife along the centre line separating the record sheet at the bottom from the seemingly upside-down card back, with the name and rating of the ship on it. Don't press so hard that you cause a cut, this is simply to allow you to fold the record sheet back on itself to have the two sides of the record, so you can keep the information of damage etc discreet, should you choose.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwYgAFa_9k59UoVcdWhG0EgHZbHsa1dgSZqm7SAPNi-HENfwac2tikNDfrAFqGbh3lJthJ-W2sNmLnHOlk-l10wbJGfTNtHtTjKtE9uivodc42YsbGQbXZRaELoMZY34vyQWEfrpPgBly2IdJww_YQon8sR6v2vAhyphenhyphenvcF2DjEvQgw5kgn-Fv2wWWOan0/s2050/Photo%2013-08-2022,%2011%2021%2020a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="2050" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwYgAFa_9k59UoVcdWhG0EgHZbHsa1dgSZqm7SAPNi-HENfwac2tikNDfrAFqGbh3lJthJ-W2sNmLnHOlk-l10wbJGfTNtHtTjKtE9uivodc42YsbGQbXZRaELoMZY34vyQWEfrpPgBly2IdJww_YQon8sR6v2vAhyphenhyphenvcF2DjEvQgw5kgn-Fv2wWWOan0/w640-h424/Photo%2013-08-2022,%2011%2021%2020a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Likewise here you can see the cards being used face down to preserve some 'fog-of-war' by not having the damage status easily seen by the opposition</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I then cut down the centre line to separate the two record cards and trim the bottom edge of the card, once it is folded back on itself, just for neatness, before laminating it, with examples of the cards being used by the chaps in the close-ups seen above. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KQEqOhvQPyjl_4jE36VBXOXN1BsmAFQjIkITvHQPGCktSZghrKRhD76RPltILE211Lx8IFsxPbDyJfUT9_oabyqEMIHcUJMNucTkYK_yKTYIKHHzeiLiR-qNxAzprkWDJ5Ugdcxt0kkl9ypkjuv3LV5BjoEXpKVHzS3AX98GLflrR1FRz9tFEL004vI/s1267/Layout%20Plan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1267" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KQEqOhvQPyjl_4jE36VBXOXN1BsmAFQjIkITvHQPGCktSZghrKRhD76RPltILE211Lx8IFsxPbDyJfUT9_oabyqEMIHcUJMNucTkYK_yKTYIKHHzeiLiR-qNxAzprkWDJ5Ugdcxt0kkl9ypkjuv3LV5BjoEXpKVHzS3AX98GLflrR1FRz9tFEL004vI/w640-h372/Layout%20Plan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The illustration above, shows how we use the cards to record damage status, provide a quick reference for abilities that add dice to gunnery or inform on morale checks</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAliRZH0NqcnHjeWPnm5ywd165VcIDNOGUv0q82AiHuop9m_y0yqP3rdHqymE0Ar93YLD0aqRmo5HeEhg6Y-vX62nWLvqz8ztmVm4P6YAAi_RRRACqzmF3D_OO-xa9uALQraL2z-b8otpR4xuBuH3U53eIoRifaTAmKZsblGMnaa9LT1U4J8x7gy7BCE/s4896/P1110360a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="4896" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAliRZH0NqcnHjeWPnm5ywd165VcIDNOGUv0q82AiHuop9m_y0yqP3rdHqymE0Ar93YLD0aqRmo5HeEhg6Y-vX62nWLvqz8ztmVm4P6YAAi_RRRACqzmF3D_OO-xa9uALQraL2z-b8otpR4xuBuH3U53eIoRifaTAmKZsblGMnaa9LT1U4J8x7gy7BCE/w640-h372/P1110360a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div> </div>So this game produced a really tense climax with the French getting a transport over the line into Bear Haven and seeing the British dismissing getting a result from the game within the first six turns, as the French barrelled along in the prevailing head wind and looked well set to force an entry into the anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WFWx8Yu8cZS0y32E_ssPmUZ4SfWpWxNeiBWAib1qN-oRMePTkLP3Lez3Ef3zeLlV3EVmfkTpEE7eobZjD1kdg1WYSYiGywBwUekF3ZagE1cG2dGyo_uCvQWM-rqYXZlpO_ftO3gKfUeTPgNAMhXkB1EKYGPZVBHpPw6KoJv_2eBBYIEfUnL_eQgpAZ8/s755/bantry-bay-exp-dition-d-irlande-1796-7-french-revolutionary-wars-1818-map-272309-p1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="755" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WFWx8Yu8cZS0y32E_ssPmUZ4SfWpWxNeiBWAib1qN-oRMePTkLP3Lez3Ef3zeLlV3EVmfkTpEE7eobZjD1kdg1WYSYiGywBwUekF3ZagE1cG2dGyo_uCvQWM-rqYXZlpO_ftO3gKfUeTPgNAMhXkB1EKYGPZVBHpPw6KoJv_2eBBYIEfUnL_eQgpAZ8/w640-h448/bantry-bay-exp-dition-d-irlande-1796-7-french-revolutionary-wars-1818-map-272309-p1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This French map of the Bantry Bay anchorage at Bear Haven illustrates the imagined area for our battle, somewhere in the approaches to the bay between Black Bull Point and Sheep's Head.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Unlike any of the previous games, the wind stayed persistently from the north and the sea refused to 'Get Choppy', thus ensuring the fighting up close became quite brutal as the third-rates unleased their full firing potential.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbY9GYHItwnaCw7tn_4fME6TPNokpIj-hG6_5k6-AEns4gPgYppS6tXoPznei3f9PCU_9SpJwq91NECpb5Jsg8SY42XZnQRYRsy2DqyXz9AwqNm6m74ONTO1V9qiVmlJTQZFYV6rBEft5SGwTbV8Kb0Dn9478RdgSlnbcrheLxfEjTUpucQ8iHCKVuKg/s4562/P1110361a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="4562" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbY9GYHItwnaCw7tn_4fME6TPNokpIj-hG6_5k6-AEns4gPgYppS6tXoPznei3f9PCU_9SpJwq91NECpb5Jsg8SY42XZnQRYRsy2DqyXz9AwqNm6m74ONTO1V9qiVmlJTQZFYV6rBEft5SGwTbV8Kb0Dn9478RdgSlnbcrheLxfEjTUpucQ8iHCKVuKg/w640-h320/P1110361a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The game also illustrated the learning I was able to outline to the respective players, gleaned from the previous games, which is the importance for both sides to deploy in a way that will enable them to progress towards their objective in the quickest, shortest way, not easy with the prevailing wind, probably requiring tacking and wearing to get into a good position.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thus the French need to deploy as close to the wind as possible and to head obliquely for the entrance to Bear Haven, focussed entirely on getting their transports over the line and not with too much concern over their escort ships, which just need to do the job of protecting the transports from the British long enough, that is before any likely loss of morale caused to the squadron by losses in ships.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EamrJlWbDZkaVEBlJWUzltw-HSSlGjPk6MZVW48wf34_xLjlbLe9k2pmvpY-Y0DSs4fE9R2KlhMPilkgUXEhyZ5e4YZOBEF5X6cv8XhZETyJm5seM264a2EOACSoUxUBL8DToiNVKV2yd5MZm2BCna6FBKvPI3-jbqNCWqTrv8ATlDSUnV7isvoqv4Y/s4474/P1110362a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2987" data-original-width="4474" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EamrJlWbDZkaVEBlJWUzltw-HSSlGjPk6MZVW48wf34_xLjlbLe9k2pmvpY-Y0DSs4fE9R2KlhMPilkgUXEhyZ5e4YZOBEF5X6cv8XhZETyJm5seM264a2EOACSoUxUBL8DToiNVKV2yd5MZm2BCna6FBKvPI3-jbqNCWqTrv8ATlDSUnV7isvoqv4Y/w640-h428/P1110362a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Likewise the British need to get across the table using a quartering wind to stop the French progress and to either get at the transports by skilful manoeuvre, likely forcing them onto a bow wind at times, or to get stuck into the escorts and hope to cause a break off that causes the whole French force to run for it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C-1C8cVD2DQ02g7tS82DoVenypGhBEIXULOWa264EeKzgfIUpIk2c2SSVE4MP6GY34Ti1fTDR4rcWQdI3ajZMlnLH-Dkh_sr47T1iPbwzz5FErJtL94Ui5IYUDbRX1MUAlnfpfvpNhRAUfZZZs7lMZyoQ-1KmwY9cV6UQcSOhV92ryXJJvBe4dp8Orc/s4133/P1110363a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2292" data-original-width="4133" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C-1C8cVD2DQ02g7tS82DoVenypGhBEIXULOWa264EeKzgfIUpIk2c2SSVE4MP6GY34Ti1fTDR4rcWQdI3ajZMlnLH-Dkh_sr47T1iPbwzz5FErJtL94Ui5IYUDbRX1MUAlnfpfvpNhRAUfZZZs7lMZyoQ-1KmwY9cV6UQcSOhV92ryXJJvBe4dp8Orc/w640-h354/P1110363a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In this game I allowed the British to set up anywhere along the table edge other than on the same entry point and the subsequent deployment by Samaurez left the frigates under Pellew unsupported for much of the game and forced to fight the lead French third-rates, with the Indefatigable able to soak up a lot of French fire before withdrawing under the cover of Samaurez finally coming up in support.</div><div><br /></div><div>The stout fight put up by Pellew's razee allowed the other two British frigates to slip through the French cordon and get at the transports, causing three of them to strike, joined by a French third rate battered in the fight with Pellew, that caused the French to break off after their lead transport made it into the anchorage.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wTLQr3N6hgPyOIlu7OQ9C8hdfG-v_v_X_jV0yF7ct8K7aDXWgp8XaPrnmyox61Xs84gRj4RVRUu9sINYYYVYv6kcbc4ml2tWqC6qG9pxP0-yDVJ2-Q4aWtTdt27E7ygygm8UOixALNdMB-f6KuVmTwP35IrkURVsj5yjJEVG0dQiyNKTycvjK0Cv82c/s4896/P1110364a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="4896" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wTLQr3N6hgPyOIlu7OQ9C8hdfG-v_v_X_jV0yF7ct8K7aDXWgp8XaPrnmyox61Xs84gRj4RVRUu9sINYYYVYv6kcbc4ml2tWqC6qG9pxP0-yDVJ2-Q4aWtTdt27E7ygygm8UOixALNdMB-f6KuVmTwP35IrkURVsj5yjJEVG0dQiyNKTycvjK0Cv82c/w640-h378/P1110364a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTsIkhCmTpzwIdh-nyf9Zw_H4HCe20p0icbOIGNp49ivFpDgPfjfWslL3g1e_-MlI8wcDEB9qIfSrUAd9Yg-WF_2iyKFIIxBErnBk5I8g0Hta4ntvz77tSfkHE8TA2Ut8AHZjd_jDaA3MeF-vdJ_ZZ4lef6yW2amFpgu7J_5Gq8U01PFo7NSw0BzMfH4/s4896/P1110365a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="4896" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTsIkhCmTpzwIdh-nyf9Zw_H4HCe20p0icbOIGNp49ivFpDgPfjfWslL3g1e_-MlI8wcDEB9qIfSrUAd9Yg-WF_2iyKFIIxBErnBk5I8g0Hta4ntvz77tSfkHE8TA2Ut8AHZjd_jDaA3MeF-vdJ_ZZ4lef6yW2amFpgu7J_5Gq8U01PFo7NSw0BzMfH4/w640-h380/P1110365a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XewU6sSSQCAmdj2SsWXl7NLrW3DE8C8x3EkfFos8505kclGoQskvzfj7qAqF0ou_1l-3ckuYjtdw_kp-JTsErj3NoCQievlF1J2coKY5U7EcQuu5oAYZdUVa71xVLdnk6pPoqG_A1TsaRAFy493XC_nRDpsaopXfIZRYo12gOaTWmUZO4boEDG9hb1U/s4896/P1110366a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="4896" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XewU6sSSQCAmdj2SsWXl7NLrW3DE8C8x3EkfFos8505kclGoQskvzfj7qAqF0ou_1l-3ckuYjtdw_kp-JTsErj3NoCQievlF1J2coKY5U7EcQuu5oAYZdUVa71xVLdnk6pPoqG_A1TsaRAFy493XC_nRDpsaopXfIZRYo12gOaTWmUZO4boEDG9hb1U/w640-h312/P1110366a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The consistent outcome of the setup is to see the scrum of a ship battle right in the mouth of the entrance to the Bear Haven anchorage, with French commanders trying to hold off the British assault as they shepherd in the transports, not at all easy but great fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only aspect I haven't tried with the game is to have French shore batteries set up on both or one of the headlands to give the British something else to think about, and these could be set up in ambush, so not revealed until they open fire, which would add to the uncertainty caused by possible wind changes and sea conditions.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sXbf2mXA4YEI_-UfCP5KP1rP5Ml8NJpM3U_bqOvHxHIF3R9f92p6mQbdNXp-ZuN3P8_SA2BMhv9h3FQKG-HZeqQ_SOO7ZbS5O5w4G-HSofFl1xyzcLaIXKr-9hpeAiBU3ZUpKUgUUPjgACTnL5w8UgD3HyNSyqYoen9BdLD95vbkDX9PapBCCB_tEx8/s4896/P1110367a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sXbf2mXA4YEI_-UfCP5KP1rP5Ml8NJpM3U_bqOvHxHIF3R9f92p6mQbdNXp-ZuN3P8_SA2BMhv9h3FQKG-HZeqQ_SOO7ZbS5O5w4G-HSofFl1xyzcLaIXKr-9hpeAiBU3ZUpKUgUUPjgACTnL5w8UgD3HyNSyqYoen9BdLD95vbkDX9PapBCCB_tEx8/w640-h480/P1110367a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpd-MBuqMy8BmUS1PQ9k0iWYHQBMvIsitxNdH6sQ09hwk2Z6vhoBgveaThlMSNRoRCndSI1669j9y4ikpKAjZIs7hOVOQShexGTiFCpbLTqOUGPWEow1azvfB19LB9srHkxX0DH0G6Nkvd04-tgOoW2ogQhwA4pQUjkJFfRIgHAtLDotkIwIoCyH0tZU/s4896/P1110368a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2310" data-original-width="4896" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpd-MBuqMy8BmUS1PQ9k0iWYHQBMvIsitxNdH6sQ09hwk2Z6vhoBgveaThlMSNRoRCndSI1669j9y4ikpKAjZIs7hOVOQShexGTiFCpbLTqOUGPWEow1azvfB19LB9srHkxX0DH0G6Nkvd04-tgOoW2ogQhwA4pQUjkJFfRIgHAtLDotkIwIoCyH0tZU/w640-h302/P1110368a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuAHdAxp2bv6wQP181Azn7rrz9Nfc1oi0c3CHfVMCMBTNz4So_PEhSJZgkcdw6OFbBrduDuUmC0J8CReYJ0ZkE9-PoyUNQjA7PgedlFAJRAd4jQLhbWXiytjgCBq2vakDthMa9B9oPs1b91CtBgkR9TH4j4brpx79E7kSH68m4G0RRlLkYzKVtx2aZCc/s4896/P1110369a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="4896" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuAHdAxp2bv6wQP181Azn7rrz9Nfc1oi0c3CHfVMCMBTNz4So_PEhSJZgkcdw6OFbBrduDuUmC0J8CReYJ0ZkE9-PoyUNQjA7PgedlFAJRAd4jQLhbWXiytjgCBq2vakDthMa9B9oPs1b91CtBgkR9TH4j4brpx79E7kSH68m4G0RRlLkYzKVtx2aZCc/w640-h318/P1110369a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once again we had a very enjoyable day with the NWS and the Fleet Air Arm Museum and were able to chat to some visitors to the museum who took the opportunity to find out what wargaming is all about.</div><div><br /></div><div>The size of the hall and the tables available would seem to be an excellent venue for staging something a bit bigger, over the two days of the show - now that's something to think about!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to Jack, Capt. Steve, Mr Steve and Glyn for providing all the fun of our game, and to all the NWS team and the folks at the Fleet Air Arm Museum for enabling a very enjoyable day. I look forward to next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up: I have some British 64-gun third rates for Camperdown to showcase, and some battlefield walking adventures and Tolkien related stuff with Mr Steve to report, plus another future project has fired the imagination.</div><div><br /></div><div>More anon </div><div>JJ<br /></div></div></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-34857746633412698102023-10-07T02:25:00.003-07:002023-10-12T00:55:03.781-07:00The Black Ship & Mutiny on the Spanish Main - Dudley Pope & Angus Konstam<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkaqyS6da6QvqFQGbZr3P6MI1n0dwWZVneKNR5USmQ6IIuA1JntQ4jIApW42smPzwwvX6aJMenF0aoK8G4ijj-UZHetOGe-rWts-QCrY_-7GBqxDuSL2DXWhND5g7tL-NAM37EhBni4mbD8YYDoQcBuvML2mS_gxirQI5gKrYTIOx1rhWjqS4swuEUlg/s1500/71RXY0LvhDL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkaqyS6da6QvqFQGbZr3P6MI1n0dwWZVneKNR5USmQ6IIuA1JntQ4jIApW42smPzwwvX6aJMenF0aoK8G4ijj-UZHetOGe-rWts-QCrY_-7GBqxDuSL2DXWhND5g7tL-NAM37EhBni4mbD8YYDoQcBuvML2mS_gxirQI5gKrYTIOx1rhWjqS4swuEUlg/w275-h400/71RXY0LvhDL._SL1500_.jpg" width="275" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW-Zs3jZSWE_01XxeEapfyN_Bb3jsbJlo74vc4SneNmpYFhaxI0xAE8Z5ybVAOGOQ5WrR06uapihzUsHlw3DDgGBs2vhqbtWnKkIIbCRAykjlPEY9dgPaf57O5W149BRO4x2kLXcPwEnCyBiSoxhC_yRMWoHjovIAHttK3GdQP4Jh8AlOuwhk72-2jvM/s1500/91LJSYSDivL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="999" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW-Zs3jZSWE_01XxeEapfyN_Bb3jsbJlo74vc4SneNmpYFhaxI0xAE8Z5ybVAOGOQ5WrR06uapihzUsHlw3DDgGBs2vhqbtWnKkIIbCRAykjlPEY9dgPaf57O5W149BRO4x2kLXcPwEnCyBiSoxhC_yRMWoHjovIAHttK3GdQP4Jh8AlOuwhk72-2jvM/w266-h400/91LJSYSDivL._SL1500_.jpg" width="266" /></a> </p><div style="text-align: left;">This is a bit of a first here on JJ's as I thought I would attempt to present a double-bill for a book review, the first being 'The Black Ship' by Dudley Pope which I have just finished reading, and the other account, 'Mutiny on the Spanish Main' by Angus Konstam, which I listened to on Audible whilst reading the former; both titles dealing with the mutiny aboard HMS <i>Hermione </i>in 1797 and its subsequent cutting out from the port of La Guaira in modern day Venezuela after the mutineers who had bloodily murdered the captain and almost all of their officers, handed the ship to the Spanish in return for protection from retribution by the British Royal Navy, thus adding treason to their charge list.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to say that I didn't know quite what to expect with The Black Ship as my familiarity with Dudley Pope is most obviously through his novel writing and his most famous creation in naval fiction, <strike>Captain Horatio Hornblower, a character I first came to know through one of my English teachers who chose to read the books to our class as part of some of my very first English literature classes, and of course I fell in love with the daring-do recounted in those stories, read by my teacher who was quite obviously a fan of the genre.</strike></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strike><br /></strike></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Editors Note</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>As Ion, quite rightly points out below in the comments, Dudley Pope was not responsible for any Hornblower novel, despite my affection for them from a past life and as he quite rightly points out, Nicholas </i></b><b><i>Lord </i></b><i><b>Ramage was indeed his creation, a series I have read and enjoyed, but despite that, my mind said one thing and my fingers typed something completely different, 'mea culpa', and I intend to leave my amended faux pas here to prove that it is not unknown for me to write and speak absolute nonsense, just ask my wife, and that the last man who was perfect died over 2,000 years ago, a thought that I desperately cling to each and every day.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>That said, I know my original comment about not knowing what to have expected with 'The Black Ship' still stands for the very same reason if for an entirely different cause and that my admiration for the creation of Patrick O'Brian remains unchanged.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1K6hq7MTFtTB0N11Df0udpcDnhV2721VhWfFtMe7rvz9yiIXjWaw4T_VoQXPC80Wrn193bY1-C3u1ovDmWGFpiBQV1O5bRPYVYAhaEbxAjd05pjEs0K8k03NGE8rTsU8b5RBZXF-YxIxZz4FERN-cZ5qpIz5tLnDjSLBlzStzf2P9tR8FOfu-63NCbs4/s996/Hermione.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="996" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1K6hq7MTFtTB0N11Df0udpcDnhV2721VhWfFtMe7rvz9yiIXjWaw4T_VoQXPC80Wrn193bY1-C3u1ovDmWGFpiBQV1O5bRPYVYAhaEbxAjd05pjEs0K8k03NGE8rTsU8b5RBZXF-YxIxZz4FERN-cZ5qpIz5tLnDjSLBlzStzf2P9tR8FOfu-63NCbs4/w640-h232/Hermione.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drawings of His Majesty's 32-gun frigate <i>Hermione</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However as I matured in my reading tastes via Alexander Kent and the Bolitho stories to eventually end up with Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin series of books, I came to view Pope as a bit formulaic, lacking the depth portrayed in O'Brian's works which in mine and many others opinions stand head and shoulders above the rest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This view together with my appreciation of when The Black Ship was first written, with the first edition hitting the bookshelves back in 1963, made me wonder how relevant it would be to today's audience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The other part of my thinking focussed on the fact that the book had seen two subsequent republishing's in 2003 and 2009, mine being the latter, a paperback edition from Pen & Sword, which would suggest a relevance that was soon revealed to me on my starting to read how the book came about and Pope and his wife's work to see it published.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Additionally O'Brian's novels have an historical underpinning that creates much of the depth alluded to, part of which is his main character, Captain Jack Aubrey's association with actual historical characters and ships, with the frigate HMS <i>Surprise </i>playing a starring role, along with characters he meets who took part in the cutting out operation that made the culmination of the <i>Hermione </i>story so compelling to age of sail enthusiasts over the centuries since that black night of the 21st September 1797.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLagYoiKIMvU_ed_HRKx9nufVjLi1uI_XXHSkPKUE7RQnblqLSpZlMxOk6-I4VvyDZ7hNc9WL8opf_ZwIPhhqdT_xL0ODcKWN0Pc2-CaJ4F41bnjXZXxeLu-6T0gkIHHxvECr5cuy1E4tmp77kzJOKRcbAhYBfNHPYYz1RClGIgU_Rt7TBqOgHKWerGF4/s649/Bowles's_new_pocket_map_of_the_Atlantic_or_Western_Ocean_(NYPL_b13907491-484237)%20Caribbean%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="649" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLagYoiKIMvU_ed_HRKx9nufVjLi1uI_XXHSkPKUE7RQnblqLSpZlMxOk6-I4VvyDZ7hNc9WL8opf_ZwIPhhqdT_xL0ODcKWN0Pc2-CaJ4F41bnjXZXxeLu-6T0gkIHHxvECr5cuy1E4tmp77kzJOKRcbAhYBfNHPYYz1RClGIgU_Rt7TBqOgHKWerGF4/w640-h300/Bowles's_new_pocket_map_of_the_Atlantic_or_Western_Ocean_(NYPL_b13907491-484237)%20Caribbean%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hermione's </i>initial area of operations in 1794, Prince's Port and Cape St Nicholas are shown on the western side of Hispaniola/San Domingo. The Mona Passage, where Hermione would conduct her last patrol before the mutiny, is between San Domingo and Puerto Rico.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alongside my reading of Pope's work, it happened that I was deep into an 'All at Sea' painting project, and like many wargamers I like to listen to something while I paint, and Audible plays a big part in my listening, and so I thought I would really immerse myself into the Hermione story by getting a copy of Angus Konstam's look at this famous nautical yarn, with Angus' name very familiar to anyone in the hobby and certainly in the realm of naval history writing with lots of titles written by him in the catalogue of the Osprey publishers and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of listening, reading and modelling as an experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For those unfamiliar with what was the most bloody mutiny in Royal Navy history, the <i>Hermione </i>was the lead ship of her class of six frigates, herself launched in Bristol in 1782 in response to the needs of the Royal Navy busy fending off the navies of France, Spain and the Dutch in the American War of Independence, but joining the force as that war was reaching its conclusion and a cessation of hostilities, which would see <i>Hermione </i>paid off in 1785 and effectively put in 'mothballs' until late 1792 when the ship was prepared for another war brewing, namely that against Revolutionary France the following year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMgG2MRpxiNkno3QHuECjm4YeeC_wnOGYBqKOJJH4yTUxUAnwSQgoMscLckdFpFxFQ65jLSo6J9qEytVwIm0V85IoVMox4kvfDwN_SLATlGtu01xPsDHubuWsTdwGnAA3-Bi2It2L_1wDENkUt1HNboLKI88kfvi-UdOniWD-jZ0vkN9_W00nw9aM51c/s1050/captain-later-admiral-sir-hyde-parker-1739-1807-george-romney-1760-9ddacb6c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMgG2MRpxiNkno3QHuECjm4YeeC_wnOGYBqKOJJH4yTUxUAnwSQgoMscLckdFpFxFQ65jLSo6J9qEytVwIm0V85IoVMox4kvfDwN_SLATlGtu01xPsDHubuWsTdwGnAA3-Bi2It2L_1wDENkUt1HNboLKI88kfvi-UdOniWD-jZ0vkN9_W00nw9aM51c/w416-h640/captain-later-admiral-sir-hyde-parker-1739-1807-george-romney-1760-9ddacb6c.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain, later Admiral Sir Hyde Parker - George Romney circa 1760<br />To quote Pope 'faced with mutiny he advocated 'imposing discipline' by the terror of punishment in this momentary crisis . . . '</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the 10th March 1793, <i>Hermione </i>sailed to Port Royal, Jamaica under the command of Captain John Hills to begin her service in the Caribbean under the overall command of Vice-Admiral of the Red, Sir Hyde Parker, which would see <i>Hermione </i>participating in the attack on Port-au-Prince in June 1794, protecting troop transports for a British attack on the French territory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpp6ApEO0Txr80FRHI8BEcuVs7xycsHLKLfz-r3UzRwWRIig9rGznVsbPKMtjIArFm6XL60WUxe7X1p9bwLmywS82Zdn5paHSFyoZXg7dSYenNo8xiE5pXZIGKN2yOcMrQuOmmqikfjpj5UwR2hF_UWQN7xmQBlGpca_pIl8d2-1tqoBNlQMksLBDFlY/s1487/Cape%20Nicolas%20Mole.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1487" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpp6ApEO0Txr80FRHI8BEcuVs7xycsHLKLfz-r3UzRwWRIig9rGznVsbPKMtjIArFm6XL60WUxe7X1p9bwLmywS82Zdn5paHSFyoZXg7dSYenNo8xiE5pXZIGKN2yOcMrQuOmmqikfjpj5UwR2hF_UWQN7xmQBlGpca_pIl8d2-1tqoBNlQMksLBDFlY/w640-h274/Cape%20Nicolas%20Mole.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Cape Nicolas Mole - Colonel Coote Manningham</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Port-au-Prince was captured by the British along with a large number of merchant ships, before being forced to evacuate the port and retire to Cape Nicolas Mole at the western end of Santo Domingo, now modern day Haiti, eventually becoming Parker's main base of operations as he relocated his command there from Jamaica.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RwIuxdFrP9-mawwgHJdvJb88ai6noZ4RwCu17znSahQz0Ez5rdYNH1KwD63lgeKrfS4197gAEg0e26R10Xl1Ju1L7eSnurBZegzStIFakaD9qDQ0bAXr4D1XJd35hnptMyyjEz62LY0O-q9X7U1sp0U9lLG5FxVwLAzCMwUgx6KXdXOJH5CsOtiHkFM/s1259/26823%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1259" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RwIuxdFrP9-mawwgHJdvJb88ai6noZ4RwCu17znSahQz0Ez5rdYNH1KwD63lgeKrfS4197gAEg0e26R10Xl1Ju1L7eSnurBZegzStIFakaD9qDQ0bAXr4D1XJd35hnptMyyjEz62LY0O-q9X7U1sp0U9lLG5FxVwLAzCMwUgx6KXdXOJH5CsOtiHkFM/w640-h508/26823%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plan of Cape Nicolas Mole circa 1794</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Cape Nicolas was a mosquito infested anchorage and 'Yellow Jack', better known today as Yellow Fever, took its toll, and by September 1794 Captain Hills along with many of the Hermione's had died of it, Hills replaced by Captain Philip Wilkinson, himself replaced by Captain Hugh Pigot in February 1797, the year of the Spithead and Nore mutinies.<div><br /></div><div>Pigot was the second son Admiral Hugh Pigot, starting his naval career as an admiral's servant in 1782, a midshipman by 1784, commissioned lieutenant by 1790 and achieved post-captain rank by 1794, taking command of the 14-gun sloop <i>Swan.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Whilst in command of the <i>Swan </i>he managed to ram a merchant ship, <i>Canada</i>, in the English Channel in May 1794, evading censure by placing the blame on the master of the merchant.</div><div><br /></div><div>By September 1794 he was in command of the 32-gun frigate HMS <i>Success </i>during which, over a period of nine months he ordered 85 floggings from which two men died.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55qPqughdI9BdNWPp8a4uVFHxE3tSe6kYk80OXQJjwTtAzdMJ9XSOiifxccXuRhoeYX7kT70kTMBYmQ16BP3BLgjMYrJmQYOdo-P1owlRxIfJXm2bXdHBuIGAE_wUpTU4Phlk4bVmQfcqdDZ9xrA0p_YrgVgN-9nhZqHiWYW9cCwMFIdGf1H18q9i7I8/s1021/HMS_Success_vs_Santa_Catalina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="1021" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55qPqughdI9BdNWPp8a4uVFHxE3tSe6kYk80OXQJjwTtAzdMJ9XSOiifxccXuRhoeYX7kT70kTMBYmQ16BP3BLgjMYrJmQYOdo-P1owlRxIfJXm2bXdHBuIGAE_wUpTU4Phlk4bVmQfcqdDZ9xrA0p_YrgVgN-9nhZqHiWYW9cCwMFIdGf1H18q9i7I8/w640-h330/HMS_Success_vs_Santa_Catalina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMS Success 32-guns, seen here depicting her attack and destruction of the Spanish 34-gun frigate Santa Catalina of Cape Spartel, 16th March 1782, later to be commanded by Captain Hugh Pigot from 1st September 1794.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In 1795 he was involved in another collision, this time with the <i>Mercury</i>, an American merchant ship that was part of the convoy he was tasked to escort. He again blamed the master of the merchantman, later claiming that he thought the American had deliberately collided with his ship to leave the rest of the convoy unescorted as they passed the privateer infested coast of French Santo Domingo.</div><div><br /></div><div>The incident caused a major diplomatic confrontation with the Americans, when it came to their attention that, in his rage, Pigot had the American master seized and flogged, but was effectively protected by Admiral Hyde Parker, who sought to deal with the issue locally and with his court-martial allowing Pigot to get away with an apology; and with Parker arranging for him to exchange command of the Success to the Hermione, as his former command was due to return home for a much needed refit, but Pigot's return with it, likely to land him in even 'hotter water' with the Admiralty, still dealing with the repercussions for his causing the diplomatic rupture with the Americans, themselves seething at the perceived snub to one of their citizens by a haughty British Royal Navy captain.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawL1HzgW6kXT614vbZd3hycD3LETWfVv8Fk41K3dxie0VKkUoN3OJIJLAOvbAc8gGCTLoXd6rLH1eQKbHcwm9gfP5BKzv1aBRqdpsFIAuSak2h_YPD2aPlDdomaMk3w5G4xQ1p6OcaIsv9_HcPihL4phmRcOq4LOBRn1poUPCf1cD4ae0UToc7hCf0II/s678/2032_176ce11d-9821-48b3-b128-4a85e3612be7_1024x1024-678x381.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="678" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawL1HzgW6kXT614vbZd3hycD3LETWfVv8Fk41K3dxie0VKkUoN3OJIJLAOvbAc8gGCTLoXd6rLH1eQKbHcwm9gfP5BKzv1aBRqdpsFIAuSak2h_YPD2aPlDdomaMk3w5G4xQ1p6OcaIsv9_HcPihL4phmRcOq4LOBRn1poUPCf1cD4ae0UToc7hCf0II/w640-h360/2032_176ce11d-9821-48b3-b128-4a85e3612be7_1024x1024-678x381.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flogging with the cat-o'-nine-tails. <br />The experience of being flogged differed from one man to another with one commenting, <i><b>'Nothing but an O, a few O my Gods, and then you can put your shirt on.'</b></i> While another man, a soldier, flogged with a lighter cat than used by the navy commented, after the first two or three strokes, <b><i>'The pain in my lungs was more severe, I thought, than on my back, I felt as if I would burst in the internal parts of my body . . . I put my tongue between my teeth, held it there, and bit in almost two pieces. What with blood from my tongue, and my lips, which I had also bitten, and the blood from my lung, or some other internal part , ruptured by the writhing agony, I was almost choked, and became black in the face.'</i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Hermione was at the time of Pigot's arrival an effective command but one not entirely content with their former captain, Philip Wilkinson, who had an unenviable discipline record himself, seeing him flog thirteen of his crew over ten months to October 1795, with 408 lashes administered between them and with two men receiving 72 lashes in one punishment, this at a time when captains were not supposed to issue an order for more than 24 lashes without seeking permission from a commander, a rule frequently ignored by commanders of flag rank and below.</div><div><br /></div><div>However if the 'Hermiones' were discontent with their former captain's style of man-management they were soon to be accustomed to a much worse one with the arrival of Pigot, bringing with him his unsettling practice of marking out 'favourites' with his selection of former 'Successes' to accompany him to his new command, as was the custom, seeing many of those he had selected compelled to continue under his service because of the prize money they were due and reliant on him to pursue a quicker payout to them than if they had returned to the UK under Wilkinson.</div><div><br /></div><div>The two distinct groups of crew established on the Hermione under Pigot would lead to further discontent and mistrust between those favoured by the captain and those not, but eventually both groups would unite behind their joint mistrust and mutual terror of the tyranny he established with his brutal enforcement of the naval code of discipline enshrined in the Articles of War read out to the crew when a new captain took command of his ship and before every punishment muster.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Pope's account the picture of Pigot and the Hermione before and after his arrival is carefully and forensically constructed, shining a light on the factors that would begin to entwine and that would eventually create the circumstances for his crew to decide that they had no other option that to rid themselves of the tyranny that seemed to know no bounds and could arbitrarily be directed at any of them, officers or men at any time</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwApA3NAzyHXKw12_RBvX3cQuX_f9e-pQsNIGBhebMUg7AduyEbmMcz9NDYDKNO25FaePf0FRihhSWbQSEhkx7StFeQuFgK-faOCpqjLqEeKi1rto9P7EphsllR4KVel55PTxiK_JTjKbXdexFfENSViwZYaVvzMoW2EIcgne_aMzfx98YYhnbaXU1Gqc/s1000/Ceres.WEBP" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1000" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwApA3NAzyHXKw12_RBvX3cQuX_f9e-pQsNIGBhebMUg7AduyEbmMcz9NDYDKNO25FaePf0FRihhSWbQSEhkx7StFeQuFgK-faOCpqjLqEeKi1rto9P7EphsllR4KVel55PTxiK_JTjKbXdexFfENSViwZYaVvzMoW2EIcgne_aMzfx98YYhnbaXU1Gqc/w640-h252/Ceres.WEBP" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line and profile drawing of another class, the Active Class 1778, of 12-pounder 32-gun frigates that included HMS <i>Ceres </i>under the command of Robert Otway in May 1797 when she narrowly escaped being wrecked whilst sailing in company with HMS <i>Hermione</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Pigot is portrayed as a man who was completely and utterly out of his depth when it came to leading and inspiring men to willingly follow his commands, but relied instead on a harsh unrelenting regimen of brutality that brooked no opposition from any man under his command, and when challenged by one of his junior officers, would see him double-down on a situation where he was exposed in his unfairness and inability to concede his error and make amends without his losing face, as he saw it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only officer able to bring any restraint to the man was his able first lieutenant John Harris, not one of Pigot's favourites, and a capable officer who had served under Wilkinson and would fall foul of his new commander one night in May when acting as the officer of the watch on <i>Hermione</i>, in company with HMS <i>Ceres</i>, Pigot commanding the two frigates and sailing north of the Gulf of Triste in search of Spanish prizes</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2ul6vCem82z7K19Mq7OTMY2GqXj9rCXd3e6OZGIln31Ew-ETGLhY-s9MFf8DyXNfhYbzevcKj0_xtqdSEvXEZNubjNbxG2kYewbKn7CrlbhfWlCyMPuu5LtPQl8kguZVWA3AakHC70vmhau__CtBJWFN1URfJNYu9EsNW0KbcIen9rtjtS_e-UlrdQ8/s1424/Bowles's_new_pocket_map_of_the_Atlantic_or_Western_Ocean_(NYPL_b13907491-484237)%20Caribbean.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1424" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2ul6vCem82z7K19Mq7OTMY2GqXj9rCXd3e6OZGIln31Ew-ETGLhY-s9MFf8DyXNfhYbzevcKj0_xtqdSEvXEZNubjNbxG2kYewbKn7CrlbhfWlCyMPuu5LtPQl8kguZVWA3AakHC70vmhau__CtBJWFN1URfJNYu9EsNW0KbcIen9rtjtS_e-UlrdQ8/w640-h492/Bowles's_new_pocket_map_of_the_Atlantic_or_Western_Ocean_(NYPL_b13907491-484237)%20Caribbean.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gulf of Triste is centre bottom of the coastline south-west of Curacao off which <i>Hermione </i>and <i>Ceres </i>were cruising in May in search of Spanish prizes, when the latter went aground.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Pigot went below leaving Harris with orders for the course to follow to enable the two British frigates to pass that night some twelve to fifteen miles north of Point Tucacas avoiding coastal mangrove cays, little islands that could ground the two vessels.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pigot remembered to allow for five degrees of compass variation in his course orders, but failed to allow for the well known coastal drift caused by the circular prevailing current in the bay that he had been warned about by his ship's master Edward Southcott, and failed to alert Harris of the need to keep a watch for any sign of land.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a result, it was Harris that spotted what he thought was land in the dark, and alerted the watch to make an abrupt change of course, with the master, on arriving from below claiming he saw land about a mile off and with Harris calling the captain and firing a signal gun to <i>Ceres</i>, sailing closer to the shore, to alert her to the danger, too late to prevent the latter running aground.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ceres </i>would be refloated and returned to service in due course but in the ensuing court martial, Pigot offered up Harris as the scape-goat, the man who had salvaged a situation created by him and that should have seen him standing before a court martial, instead of his proposing that his first lieutenant had been negligible in his command of the watch that caused the grounding of the <i>Ceres</i>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BNUdaO2MrEAfceO-AHy8ql-V17pjrUR6W-Zo5UfYB7YvMDuzQpilM1GSho3zZTrJGvzJW1LmLlwlSYwHO_eVlQkbafLB3L30gjcVvuUWQXttxbi_xRin70pXpqwdAquYlb0neNN0EvmaBOP171YitW671GV1bj73Zo3-IebRZ1nDy7ww1_wKF6q_zHY/s286/Richard_Rodney_Bligh.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BNUdaO2MrEAfceO-AHy8ql-V17pjrUR6W-Zo5UfYB7YvMDuzQpilM1GSho3zZTrJGvzJW1LmLlwlSYwHO_eVlQkbafLB3L30gjcVvuUWQXttxbi_xRin70pXpqwdAquYlb0neNN0EvmaBOP171YitW671GV1bj73Zo3-IebRZ1nDy7ww1_wKF6q_zHY/w314-h400/Richard_Rodney_Bligh.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately for Harris, the court martial was overseen by Hyde-Parker's deputy, as was customary, namely Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh, Pigot being a protégé of Hyde-Parker whilst Harris was a protégé of Bligh, and a tense relationship existing between the senior British commander and his deputy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bligh was well aware of Harris' competency and also the character of Pigot, not fooled by the latter's attempt to place blame firmly on his subordinate, he questioned Pigot closely over his orders given to Harris and enabled Harris to make it clear that he was the only person on watch that had seen land and had acted in a timely fashion that had saved the situation from one that could have easily ended up with the loss of both ships.</div><div><br /></div><div>To Pigot's undoubted embarrassment, Harris was cleared of the charge of negligence, and even more embarrassingly, emphasised in an underlined written verdict stating that under Harris, every necessary arrangement was made and such a '<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">good lookout kept.</u><i style="font-weight: bold;">', </i>unsurprisingly seeing John Harris immediately quit the <i>Hermione </i>and transfer to Admiral Bligh's ship the 74-gun <i>Brunswick</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Harris gone, the crew of the Hermione now had no one to temper their mercurial commander's whim, and life became <i><b>'a precarious existence at the mercy of a wilful and capricious captain whose smiles quickly became intemperate outbursts of uncontrollable rage.' </b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8o7XKPJvc-FMmCm0s2g5QpiYNWLO8Mv1keedyIF18AIK7uyrKV6tFkHvsbqRjyr-SYxVuGfuwPsX1-K1QEVg3BDOnHGPXjv60hiCmDNShoJU7rpweCGRVtCq4EfPif97ooOhfRQgjDSEB-oTCrBC7te7VBw4fCrznbFen14ZfebBGg8XYBKL3WKq0HQ/s1877/Diligence.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1877" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8o7XKPJvc-FMmCm0s2g5QpiYNWLO8Mv1keedyIF18AIK7uyrKV6tFkHvsbqRjyr-SYxVuGfuwPsX1-K1QEVg3BDOnHGPXjv60hiCmDNShoJU7rpweCGRVtCq4EfPif97ooOhfRQgjDSEB-oTCrBC7te7VBw4fCrznbFen14ZfebBGg8XYBKL3WKq0HQ/w640-h224/Diligence.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Brig-Sloop Diligence 16-guns<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Diligence_%281795%29">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Diligence_%281795%29</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div>At 16.30 on Wednesday August 16th under the orders of Sir Hyde-Parker, Pigot led a small squadron consisting of the <i>Hermione</i>, <i>Renommée </i>32-guns and brig <i>Diligence </i>16-guns, to patrol the Mona Passage for seven weeks and then return to the Mole, a frigate commanders dream come true it seemed with land on both sides of the passage in Spanish hands, and the main highway from the Spanish Main to the Atlantic, potentially rich with prizes.</div><div><br /></div><div>The squadron arrived off the southern end of the passage on the 1st September, sweeping down it in squally weather, taking a Spanish schooner from Puerto Rico and sending her off with a prize crew aboard, then taking a 6-gun Spanish packet ship in a 'spirited action' a few days later on the 6th, and impressing some British seamen found aboard a French cartel ship bound for the Mole a week later, thus replacing some of those men sent off as prize crews, and with those coming aboard Hermione being the last names to be entered on her muster role before the mutiny.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the 19th September a sudden squall caught the <i>Renommée</i>, damaging her masts and spars so badly that she was ordered by Pigot to return to the Mole for repairs, leaving <i>Hermione </i>and <i>Diligence </i>to complete the patrol alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the evening of the 20th, both ships were sailing with topsails only and the order came to reef down for the night, with Pigot conducting affairs alongside his new first lieutenant, from his quarterdeck in his usual fashion, speaking trumpet in hand, ready to issue forth terrifying threats to any man not performing with the required smartness and speed, and with his topmen expected to handle their work as if under the gaze of the Commander-in-Chief himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>What followed were a series of events described by Pope as recounted by members of the crew who witnessed them and gave their accounts at their own court martials that would see a reefpoint on the mainmast improperly tied, with the midshipman in charge David Casey ordering a man back to tie it off properly, only to be met with '<i><b>the most abusive and un-officer like language</b></i>' from his enraged captain, and calling the unfortunate young midshipman '<b><i>a damn'd lubber, a worthless good for nothing</i></b>.'</div><div><br /></div><div>The young Casey would bravely attempt to respectfully reply to his captain in defence of his men that would see him put under arrest and be brought for punishment the next morning, if he did not go down on his knees before Pigot and beg his pardon for his contemptuous and disrespectful conduct the previous evening, to which he respectfully refused and was immediately tied to a bar on the capstan and flogged with twelve lashes of the cat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Following this he stood to attention, blood running down his back to be told by his captain that he was to leave the midshipman's mess and do no more duty, and to be prepared to leave the ship at the first opportunity.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtGPDt9r6EZL6gpAc0YzmsDYgVwPE0LV8Qjnrh4uP8cZnV9x88XdT7R9ZVuA2z93GvJ4iC3Mucy6FjsiTaq4OovNNIhARZF63W18XP9dpgG5XVlJ_WISwkFCfmy8grR3Sn6LbJgzqDZo5RBMweM1iyTJ2-gG7oyhNW84vJOZNkVgIIuByt9T_0maZ8JQ/s513/e3c8d929dc020f9069b582330ec1309c--new-york-public-library-public-libraries.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="273" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtGPDt9r6EZL6gpAc0YzmsDYgVwPE0LV8Qjnrh4uP8cZnV9x88XdT7R9ZVuA2z93GvJ4iC3Mucy6FjsiTaq4OovNNIhARZF63W18XP9dpgG5XVlJ_WISwkFCfmy8grR3Sn6LbJgzqDZo5RBMweM1iyTJ2-gG7oyhNW84vJOZNkVgIIuByt9T_0maZ8JQ/w213-h400/e3c8d929dc020f9069b582330ec1309c--new-york-public-library-public-libraries.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As this tale of misrule was unfolds, the account by Pope is delivered with all the skill of the artful novelist he undoubtedly was, with the tension aboard the Hermione almost palpable among each page as he develops the narrative, and with this outrageous behaviour to one of his own officers and a clear breech of fairness witnessed by the crew, the bubble was set to burst.</div><div><br /></div><div>Five days later they would come across an American schooner and after a brief chase and inspection the <i>Hermione </i>and <i>Diligence </i>were caught in an evening squall, that would see topmen rapidly scrambling aloft to reef topsails, with Pigot issuing threats in the normal way and with his rage turned towards the men on the mizzen mast for not working quickly enough, bellowing to them, <b><i>'I'll flog the last man down.'</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The threat had disastrous consequences for his topmen, as three of them in their haste plunged screaming downwards to the deck below, with one of the bodies catching the back of and injuring the Master, Edward Southcott, and seeing Pigot contemptuously observe the three bodies sprawled grotesquely on the deck only a few feet away before issuing the order to, <b><i>'Throw the lubbers overboard.'</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div>This contemptuous behaviour from their captain brought forward murmurs of protest from men on the mainyard that pierced the shocked silence from the rest of the ship's company, causing Pigot to glance up screaming aloud, <b style="font-style: italic;">'Bosun's mates! Bosun's Mates! Start all those men!' </b>this issuing an immediate response from said bosun's mates scrabbling aloft and smashing the rope starters down on the heads and elbows of the offending men as they were forced to endure the beating whilst desperately maintaining their grip of the yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>September the 20th 1797 appears to have been the straw that finally broke the camels back as far as the Hermiones were concerned about allowing their lives to be ruled by Captain Hugh Pigot any more, and the next evening with the <i>Hermione </i>and <i>Diligence </i>in pursuit of a schooner privateer, and sailing apart in the darkness, endeavouring to head off their prey from different directions the next morning, an orgy of murder and mayhem started at about 23.00, when maintopman David Forester climbed into the maintop to inform the two men on watch to come down as they were about to take the ship.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ironically in their desire to rid themselves of tyranny the ringleaders of the mutiny would unleash a tyranny all of their own making when in the following twenty-four hours, republican cries of liberty would accompany the most brutal murders of their officers and shipmates, many of whom offered no resistance and left the captain, eight officers, the captain's clerk, and two midshipmen, dead and the bodies thrown overboard, some still alive when they hit the water.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDahryqDw9KoReS-Uc2EcmQWVxbbbgqoq3nFb4tOXhilXKWmk_TGPWAo_U6bPiem_aSke8cGRtJ2fuIDTpPJb9R8WW7X087lwz04D4FedsTQELfeNGMRueAQZ6BQiL_lTfeO9zICzkDcMiykQzKZKVMrDxWzjiNLMXO1EBHHofMfRMlV8YwFDmwHwkGo/s2849/MHQP-200700-MUTINY-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="2849" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDahryqDw9KoReS-Uc2EcmQWVxbbbgqoq3nFb4tOXhilXKWmk_TGPWAo_U6bPiem_aSke8cGRtJ2fuIDTpPJb9R8WW7X087lwz04D4FedsTQELfeNGMRueAQZ6BQiL_lTfeO9zICzkDcMiykQzKZKVMrDxWzjiNLMXO1EBHHofMfRMlV8YwFDmwHwkGo/w640-h416/MHQP-200700-MUTINY-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mutineers on arrival in the Spanish harbour of La Guaira convinced the governor to offer them safe passage with a story about how they had released Captain Pigot in a boat with his officers just as the Bounty mutineers had released Captain Bligh. A simple check of Hermione's boats would have revealed a full compliment and undermined this story that soon fell about as common gossip picked up the true account.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The story that follows the mutiny shifts to the 'Now What?' situation a hastily, rum fuelled explosion of violence had left the crew in, with ringleaders, joined by crew now seeing themselves caught up in the revolt despite not actively supporting it and those determined to stand apart as loyal to the crown, and they arrived at plan to take the ship south to La Guaira on the Spanish Main, to hand the ship over to Spain in return for immunity from being handed over to the British authorities, forcing all members of the crew to swear under duress an oath of silence as to the true account of what had occurred, whilst telling the Spanish that they had put all the officers alive in a boat after they had taken the ship, HMB Bounty style.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW6pAEhnzJd7MqNoVhFI9cIxVwdL7UaYYT8NsG2xB8PoOE1HMK80cS0utPaoYanSs46L4y4gt3abiYSk90pfb-E_zhSUrnviiaWsaQ7TtAfQkiavKHRzu1vVyj566mD5uR_tajp_CbqrjfK5Q_BqdM9YCDIblshL2fZ_rkDdL11STR6cTnGymkoc4Gk8/s1920/Spanish%20Main%20update.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW6pAEhnzJd7MqNoVhFI9cIxVwdL7UaYYT8NsG2xB8PoOE1HMK80cS0utPaoYanSs46L4y4gt3abiYSk90pfb-E_zhSUrnviiaWsaQ7TtAfQkiavKHRzu1vVyj566mD5uR_tajp_CbqrjfK5Q_BqdM9YCDIblshL2fZ_rkDdL11STR6cTnGymkoc4Gk8/w640-h360/Spanish%20Main%20update.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say the British Admiralty and indeed public were outraged at the mutiny, even more so when the details of exactly how bloody it had been became common knowledge and immediately all Royal Navy bases and commanders were put on alert to identify and apprehend mutineers likely trying to ply their trade at sea as privateers or merchantmen, relying on the testimony of those first crewmen caught who were supporters rather than active participants and were willing to turn King's Evidence as well as those crew who were prisoners of the Spanish and later returned under exchange terms.</div><div><br /></div><div>The resultant pursuit of Hermione mutineers lasted ten years and led to political repercussions for the American government, keen to secure the rapid growth in their mercantile trade with Britain since the War of Independence by cooperating in extraditing British sailors apprehended in the states, but conscious of public indignation at handing over these former British seamen now claiming US citizenship, to a Royal Navy still held in contempt by a lot of Americans following the war with Britain, not to mention the infringements at sea, with RN captains impressing American sailors into their navy with scant regard to claims of being US citizens. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the end the Royal Navy managed to apprehend thirty-three mutineers and executed twenty-four of them and transported one to Australia, but this still left six of the most bloody ringleaders never found and brought to justice, with the last execution taking place in 1806 of James Hayes, fourteen year old at the time of the mutiny and the doctor's servant who took an active part in his murder of his master and was executed on October 17th from the yard of the former Spanish first rate, <i>Salvador del Mundo,</i> in the Hamoaze, Plymouth.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeVXKYcMzKJ-Z-BI64g2MhMlp12xUYthDBwWelYRWhlVg3G8x4dhoUg55GSgkzIHFekZ854mO_6HccLwcjfphsNrLFru-7DRA1arggO76VOWwY6nugBEKgvx0Ne4NbPqTYDy8Qfl_r_J9VTyL_JmyvSnffO_7HmYj0-JUEmacm2c0-M87SBoD3EWlgZk/s1280/Hermionecuttingout.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1280" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeVXKYcMzKJ-Z-BI64g2MhMlp12xUYthDBwWelYRWhlVg3G8x4dhoUg55GSgkzIHFekZ854mO_6HccLwcjfphsNrLFru-7DRA1arggO76VOWwY6nugBEKgvx0Ne4NbPqTYDy8Qfl_r_J9VTyL_JmyvSnffO_7HmYj0-JUEmacm2c0-M87SBoD3EWlgZk/w640-h482/Hermionecuttingout.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cutting Out of HMS Hermione, 25th October 1799 - Nicholas Pocock (RMG).<br />I think this is my favourite rendition of the cutting out of the Hermione (Santa Cecilia), by Pocock, wonderfully capturing the drama of the fight to secure the ship under the Spanish fortress guns as the HMS Surprise lies off shore in the darkness beyond.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The finale to this story is retaking of the former <i>Hermione</i>, now renamed by the Spanish as the <i>Santa Cecilia</i> and allowed, through astonishing Spanish bureaucracy, to languish in La Guaira for two years until heads were finally banged together to get the ship repaired, rearmed with Spanish ordnance, and made ready to serve the King of Spain against Britain's Royal Navy.<div><br /></div><div>News of the readiness to activate the new frigate reached Admiral Sir Hyde Parker who for obvious reasons was keen to remove this blot on his service record in the Caribbean and thus made plans for one of his most effective and successful frigates, the HMS <i>Surprise </i>28-guns, formerly the French corvette Unité of 32-guns, under the command of Captain Edward Hamilton to cruise the likely passage routes the <i>Santa Cecilia</i> was expected to take when she left La Guaira and take her at sea.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP6T7b3FPgPutAfffqSqhmJwySgOkIp7XDb1NavQcfHZOyJkI45Is_GUhq2HYF0fCnNVou87C9DErHfEk6GA3vF_datfbdOzW3XL7eUQbFtaXVL-E8XC2jCXiSu8MWXME3lWnwDapx_uB3-eGB1An3ghnbXi_9pGoYUQbjGl3ldU2IWANAEA4g8hOaM8/s555/Sir_Edward_Hamilton%20adapted.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP6T7b3FPgPutAfffqSqhmJwySgOkIp7XDb1NavQcfHZOyJkI45Is_GUhq2HYF0fCnNVou87C9DErHfEk6GA3vF_datfbdOzW3XL7eUQbFtaXVL-E8XC2jCXiSu8MWXME3lWnwDapx_uB3-eGB1An3ghnbXi_9pGoYUQbjGl3ldU2IWANAEA4g8hOaM8/w330-h400/Sir_Edward_Hamilton%20adapted.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Sir Edward Hamilton</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Hamilton and his crew had proved themselves very adept at cutting out operations in their activities under Parker's command since joining his squadron in July 1797 and was keen to repeat this method of attack on the <i>Santa Cecilia</i>, but Parker insisted that he should intercept her at sea instead.</div><div><br /></div><div>As it transpired, despite waiting several days on patrol in October 1799, carefully avoiding being seen by other ships, the <i>Santa Cecilia </i>had still not appeared and so Hamilton decided to close on the harbour and make sure his prey was still there and had not managed to slip away. Unfortunately for him he was spotted by a Danish merchantman who he was forced to divert from its intended passage in to La Guaira with some well aimed shotts across the bow, forcing him to revert to his previous plan to cut the Spanish frigate out before the return of the merchant and his likely warning of a British frigate sat outside the port.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWV8WAWamV7R0eD1fEz1BgNHBEjlyZmyGu75mGvYNfiUV4LSd7rYRM4O0-NiFMFfhh9dy5Eba-eJXuKo4y_6iihpRXacq4iX-j4f4zSlVbbnz2pIPuCg6TwFih3nAqpQK9pJcGQlnCuGadme510BlJn24Tq7pZ9_M2hMxzWV0I84JqLP9KM7IajHsDHDQ/s560/Capture_of_Hermione.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="560" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWV8WAWamV7R0eD1fEz1BgNHBEjlyZmyGu75mGvYNfiUV4LSd7rYRM4O0-NiFMFfhh9dy5Eba-eJXuKo4y_6iihpRXacq4iX-j4f4zSlVbbnz2pIPuCg6TwFih3nAqpQK9pJcGQlnCuGadme510BlJn24Tq7pZ9_M2hMxzWV0I84JqLP9KM7IajHsDHDQ/w640-h488/Capture_of_Hermione.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The taking of the <i style="text-align: left;">Santa Cecilia, </i><span style="text-align: left;">25th October 1799</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The action to send in boats and cut the <i>Santa Cecilia </i>out from under the guns of the Spanish forts guarding the frigate is a classic boat action that, at one stage saw the British boarders up against three times their number of Spanish sailors, as they arrived to clamber up the sides of the enemy frigate, take the top deck and captain's cabin, before descending below onto the main gundeck to take the fight to the bulk of the Spanish crew, this whilst others cut her cables and lowered furled topsails to enable her to be manoeuvred out of the harbour towards an awaiting <i>Surprise </i>as the Spanish fortress gunners hit her with several shot, one below the water line and another hitting her mainmast.</div><div><br /></div><div>The surprise and ferocity of the audacious British attack lived up to the name of their ship and the bulk of the Spanish crew at first focussed on firing their broadsides at some imaginary warship that had slipped into the harbour until, realising there were enemy above them on their own quarterdeck, they attempted to come up and restore the situation, only to be met by fusillades from the Royal Marines accompanied by grenades tossed down the hatches followed up by an assault below that accompanied by the movement of their ship out from under the protection of their fortress guns convinced the Spanish crew to surrender the ship.</div><div><br /></div><div>The success of the recovery of the Hermione restored and made reputations and reminded Admiral Hyde Parker that the taking in of captured ships into the Royal Navy was an Admiralty prerogative and not his, but overlooking his presumption, soon put him back in his place by altering his decision to rename the <i>Santa Cecilia</i>, <i>Retaliation</i>, his response to his indignation at the Spanish for not apprehending the mutineers in the first place, but with the Admiralty preferring to name their returned ship, the <i>Retribution </i>to remind anyone else thinking of committing bloody mutiny and treason aboard one of His Majesty's Ships that the long arm of the Royal Navy would reach out to hunt them down.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story of the mutiny on HMS Hermione is a truly ripping yarn in the annals of the long history of the Royal Navy and has everything that makes for a dramatic story, and one that no doubt caught the eye of the great story teller Dudley Pope, who did a magnificent job in pulling together the testimony's of those involved and the official records of the event from both the British, Spanish and American sources as well as forensically digging into the discipline records of the captains involved, namely Philip Wilkinson and Hugh Pigot to compare and contrast their approaches neither exemplary, but the latter totally inadequate to lead men, with an almost childish attitude to those under his command that rewarded favourites and broke good men who had already demonstrated their worth under better commanders.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pigot was a tyrant and probably deserved the end that was meted out to him, but his subordinates didn't, and the bloody murders that followed his demise were outrageous and wantonly cold blooded and the response by the Admiralty in the wake of the threat to national security in time of war by the fleet mutinies at Spithead and the Nore in the same year explains the ferocity and doggedness of the pursuit of those involved.</div><div><br /></div><div>Admiral Sir Hyde Parker is notable for the tone he set in his command, which allowed and supported men like Pigot to perpetrate the tyranny that they did, knowing they had his backing, and his lack of ability, alongside his obvious faults in setting the right tone for command, would be fully exposed when he would be appointed to command the expedition to Copenhagen with a certain Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson as his subordinate, a man who demonstrated the complete opposite way of commanding and leading men that inspired devotion and love rather than fear and an unmatched faith in his ability to lead them to success. Parker would be exposed in this campaign and would never command again in the wake of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The account by Angus Konstam certainly captured all the drama of Pope's incarnation and the Audible edition moved along at a fine pace to accompany my time at the painting desk and compared very well with my book read, so I would be happy to commend both to those interested in these kind of accounts, with the slight caveat that the Audible account read by Sid Sagar had reference to a heteronym, or word that is spelt the same but is pronounced differently according to the context it is used in, thus referring to the bow of the Hermione pronounced bow as in 'bow-tie' rather than bow as to 'bow-down', which was mildly irritating, once I worked out what was being referred to.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the Black Ship published by Pen & Sword, by Dudley Pope and now in its third edition 363 reading pages from the Contents to Index and consists of the following:</div><div><br /></div><div>Contents</div><div>List of Illustrations (eleven in black and white)</div><div>Map of the Caribbean, Santo Domingo and Bay of Gonaves arounf Port au Prince and Cape Nicolas Mole.</div><div>Authors Note</div><div>Chapters</div><div>1. <span> </span>Mr Jessup's Petition</div><div>2. <span> </span>Islands of Death</div><div>3. <span> </span>Taking the Strain</div><div>4. <span> </span>In Father's Lee</div><div>5. <span> </span>The Red Baize Bag</div><div>6. <span> </span>The Favourites</div><div>7. <span> </span>'At Your Peril . . .'</div><div>8. <span> </span>A Pride of Prizes</div><div>9. <span> </span>The Shipwreck</div><div>10.<span> A Snub for Pigot</span></div><div>11. The Last Farewell</div><div>12.<span> </span>Mr Casey's Crisis</div><div>13. <span> The Inevitable Hour</span></div><div>14.<span> Time for Murder</span></div><div><span>15.<span> The Dead and the Drunk</span></span></div><div><span><span>16. <span> 'Kill them All'</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span>17.<span> The Oath of Secrecy</span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span>18. <span> The White Flag</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span>19. <span> Bad News for Sir Hyde</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span>20.<span> The Cost of Freedom</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>21.<span> On Board a Corsair</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>22.<span> Southcott's Revenge</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>23.<span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Bureaucrats at Bay</div><div>24.<span> 'Sack Bligh or . . .'</span></div><div><span>25. <span> </span>The US President Helps</span></div><div><span>26. <span> Through the Gates</span></span></div><div><span><span>27.<span> The Surprise</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span>28. <span> </span>The Retribution</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div>Appendices<span><span><span> a, b, c, d, e.</span></span></span></div><div>Notes and Bibliography</div><div>Unpublished Material</div><div>Published Works</div><div>Index</div><div><br /></div><div>My Audible edition of Mutiny on the Spanish Main by Angus Konstam and read by Sid Sagar is published by Osprey in book format and Bloomsbury on Audible and in the latter format is slightly over eight hours of listening, consisting of the following;</div><div><br /></div><div>Opening Credits</div><div>Preface</div><div><div>Chapters</div><div>1. <span> </span>The Hermione</div></div><div>2. <span> </span>Crisis in the Caribbean</div><div>3. <span> </span>The Seeds of Mutiny</div><div>4. <span> </span>The Fortunate Son</div><div>5. <span> </span>The Caribbean Honeymoon</div><div>6. <span> </span>The Floating Powder Keg</div><div>7. <span> </span>Murder in the Night</div><div>8. <span> </span>The Evil that Men Do</div><div>9. <span> </span>The Spanish Main</div><div>10. <span> </span>The Man Hunt</div><div>11. <span> </span>An International Incident</div><div>12.<span> </span>The Surprise</div><div>13.<span> </span>The Cutting Out</div><div>14.<span> </span> Retribution</div><div><br /></div><div>End Credits</div><div><br /></div><div>The Black Ship published back in 2009 is readily available in paperback for under ten pounds and likewise Mutiny on the Spanish Main for under £15 from Amazon and £16.99 on Audible although I got my copy on one of my monthly credits.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, I have another adventure with Mr Steve, exploring historical sites, to write about, plus I've been having fun at the Naval Wargames Society Show at Yeovilton, and work proceeds on the Camperdown project.</div><div><br /></div><div>More anon </div><div>JJ</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-15641896722274563652023-09-30T04:39:00.003-07:002023-09-30T22:30:20.886-07:00RAF Harrowbeer 1940's Weekend - Yelverton<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLV8cY6OFo_kryKiQLaVVQEr08xaoZa3w64pgTmwjd5gIP0j1rMzhBBaW3eJ1i-gSKFOrTVtLJuLnqfZdzVJuRWdJAzrbmvTFi4FW-JkHVTDbP_2YawiaA10_w4P0tOnxZNGd2FSEJQv7OiAYfGODrm0qOzTGzePYHIsZqZcaqg_MA-TBMjrcL9lU8gM/s4896/P1110096a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLV8cY6OFo_kryKiQLaVVQEr08xaoZa3w64pgTmwjd5gIP0j1rMzhBBaW3eJ1i-gSKFOrTVtLJuLnqfZdzVJuRWdJAzrbmvTFi4FW-JkHVTDbP_2YawiaA10_w4P0tOnxZNGd2FSEJQv7OiAYfGODrm0qOzTGzePYHIsZqZcaqg_MA-TBMjrcL9lU8gM/w640-h480/P1110096a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few weeks ago Carolyn happened to spot a notice on the web advertising a local 1940’s gathering at the former WWII RAF airfield of Harrowbeer on the 19th -20th August and so we decided, in the company of my eldest son Tom and friend Steve M., to take a trip out to Yelverton on the southern edge of Dartmoor and just north of Plymouth, to see what this was all about.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrxSSGd1hAgftypCDrhBx_W1DgBMW2_58OjaMNz2pecY9uy835l94E-q3ZQlCrjwchHrS_jffHwuu4BnSnsQh8VamVYK6ado9_Qw4AOYDEzKep3dWjRBj_M3aUG-ZDVVghCmwq_ppEEtMTANpMUgKTeTQjBjhkkI8PZ52NDMEWv3sgN-M9BzizM7wWYg/s1240/359461351_666608008839996_8859750706242891171_n%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1240" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrxSSGd1hAgftypCDrhBx_W1DgBMW2_58OjaMNz2pecY9uy835l94E-q3ZQlCrjwchHrS_jffHwuu4BnSnsQh8VamVYK6ado9_Qw4AOYDEzKep3dWjRBj_M3aUG-ZDVVghCmwq_ppEEtMTANpMUgKTeTQjBjhkkI8PZ52NDMEWv3sgN-M9BzizM7wWYg/w640-h384/359461351_666608008839996_8859750706242891171_n%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rafharrowbeer1940s.com/2023-event/"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.rafharrowbeer1940s.com/2023-event/</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the beginning of the Second World War it was thought that the city of Plymouth and its important naval base was too far away from Germany to likely need defending from German bombers, but in May 1940 and the subsequent attacks during the Battle of Britain and then the following year with the German night blitz bombing offensive the need for local air defence had changed dramatically and this situation would only be challenged in 1942-43 with the Germans switching to low-level tip and run attacks by FW-190 fighter bombers along the length of the British south coast.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oQ8BYEJhimoC77SoM44MIpOgNCCUVLyLdTe2zqpKykbTs9OHyjV31P6NkNtKo5ESc0JesCNkZItIfjnbsHeZBff9UpSaqu16DsUHkcIlxXIuIe1dQaxu5g7_o4oh4skLnOmj4qyweuC5DW4qwTYYIfwNFw9LBffkT3xiErThpxt5HiPC852R7h-zfDs/s808/IMG_4631.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="808" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oQ8BYEJhimoC77SoM44MIpOgNCCUVLyLdTe2zqpKykbTs9OHyjV31P6NkNtKo5ESc0JesCNkZItIfjnbsHeZBff9UpSaqu16DsUHkcIlxXIuIe1dQaxu5g7_o4oh4skLnOmj4qyweuC5DW4qwTYYIfwNFw9LBffkT3xiErThpxt5HiPC852R7h-zfDs/w640-h352/IMG_4631.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 247 Squadron Gladiator based at Roborough, Plymouth, the squadron credited with damaging a Heinkel III on August 13th 1940, and reequipping with Hurricanes in 1940 prior to Harrowbeer being built the following year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At the start of the war Plymouth relied on Roborough airfield situated on a hill overlooking the city, but its short runways, because of the limited circumference of the plateau on which the airfield was constructed, meant that the only fighter cover that could operate from there were the three obsolete Gloster Gladiator biplanes of 247 Squadron from August to December 1940.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Harrowbeer, is nine miles north-north east of Plymouth and like Roborough was not without its own issues subject as it was to the changeable weather conditions that affect the high ground of Dartmoor, particularly fog, which is not good for flying; but the airfield was ready for operations in August 1941 and the first aircraft to land there was a Blenheim 1F nightfighter of 500 Squadron.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VnRdgbsytslDuB-gBxcx3Kdu7kD3Spq7xMJ-Py1Q6Pa9jcpgxYF4sd5Xqi1w6cOfKCqvZc55u2fJpSV7D_FApc_Hz9PA_iemCKK-ZsoURWmZVDyopVHY9cIxseEwzqoZdg5WFPuYhoMOmx6xh5VM1g4iIJdY7aZ-4qsu2XF-AwrORXWwImWhNwcBU4c/s741/IMG_4632.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="741" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VnRdgbsytslDuB-gBxcx3Kdu7kD3Spq7xMJ-Py1Q6Pa9jcpgxYF4sd5Xqi1w6cOfKCqvZc55u2fJpSV7D_FApc_Hz9PA_iemCKK-ZsoURWmZVDyopVHY9cIxseEwzqoZdg5WFPuYhoMOmx6xh5VM1g4iIJdY7aZ-4qsu2XF-AwrORXWwImWhNwcBU4c/w640-h462/IMG_4632.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westland Whirlwind twin-engine fighter with 263 Squadron</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During its operational period through WWII Harrowbeer would be home to the Spitfire II’s of 130 Squadron, Spitfire V’s with Polish 302 Squadron followed by those of Czech 312 Squadron in 1942 and Typhoons of 193 Squadron followed by Whirlwind’s of 263 Squadron.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP5PrntWHg46V5yIV-HV6DW-YWCLH32BnAOMAaHXeY6bQq6joNzIryKn1cGjVZxpZlVKyG5FN_3j4LBgKlQ6j3unEaaFovLZ2eiEsWr3mZ_iXyzQAQxNgl2M5UDAAc17ipzhI6bm0L1tbB1qOUWaXPwjuk2I_jKaDVLI41XLHnoDs1tnXQvIMxtZfG_A/s1040/IMG_4634.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="595" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP5PrntWHg46V5yIV-HV6DW-YWCLH32BnAOMAaHXeY6bQq6joNzIryKn1cGjVZxpZlVKyG5FN_3j4LBgKlQ6j3unEaaFovLZ2eiEsWr3mZ_iXyzQAQxNgl2M5UDAAc17ipzhI6bm0L1tbB1qOUWaXPwjuk2I_jKaDVLI41XLHnoDs1tnXQvIMxtZfG_A/w229-h400/IMG_4634.jpeg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2015/03/mums-war-and-tip-run-raiders.html"><b>https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2015/03/mums-war-and-tip-run-raiders.html</b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My own oblique relationship to Harrowbeer is linked to it when it became home to 193 Squadron flying Typhoons in December 1942, becoming a vital asset to No.10 Group tasked with defending this part of the South West from German tip and run raiders, with my Mum a WAAF plotter at RAF Exminster likely instrumental in directing their efforts in defence of the area and covered in my post from 2015, Mum’s War.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJ6C4_ULSABmO3x0IwO7XOky5CCSznNjK-1jBmLbt5ft9LN1wyeC3HR1PFRFjVEO7Qs1-wFz0XxBYRLB6yaj1VHh5ISHcYims_W_6Qx9xSIK-hJpbz3DT7wj8lC3pO3SufzvjxhDv0WnYUe3eFJhnpAMRorkAM43FLdFxgxUXY50mPls2Rb5mdVA6BpM/s500/IMG_4633.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="500" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJ6C4_ULSABmO3x0IwO7XOky5CCSznNjK-1jBmLbt5ft9LN1wyeC3HR1PFRFjVEO7Qs1-wFz0XxBYRLB6yaj1VHh5ISHcYims_W_6Qx9xSIK-hJpbz3DT7wj8lC3pO3SufzvjxhDv0WnYUe3eFJhnpAMRorkAM43FLdFxgxUXY50mPls2Rb5mdVA6BpM/w640-h392/IMG_4633.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typhoons of <span style="text-align: left;">193 Squadron at Harrowbeer</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Additionally, with my working career seeing me doing a lot of driving in the area, I had been past the Harrowbeer site many many times and realised it had some wartime remains on it but had never previously taken the time to explore further and so our visit was an opportunity to get a better idea of this interesting former forward fighter base.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course on the day of our visit to the show large areas of the former base were just that, a show with plenty of traders and exhibitions surrounded by the public, enjoying the friendly atmosphere and soaking up the nostalgia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZjvnIJvMuc7ReAK6a0HMPLcKzRmZnV7KHt5akBL6tSKI1zHSsFvnQkC39iD1_M6O8LkS28JjiayXbaNZzhkBW94UB_TKmPT4SwMdSZhTGKGBwvgab_9XQAInTy_00lgvKijly2-jt8WVDof4xV6KLfCGYTPpTq9XwugoQqEpXUBtpKM15-6yBfvuLmo/s4896/P1110106a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZjvnIJvMuc7ReAK6a0HMPLcKzRmZnV7KHt5akBL6tSKI1zHSsFvnQkC39iD1_M6O8LkS28JjiayXbaNZzhkBW94UB_TKmPT4SwMdSZhTGKGBwvgab_9XQAInTy_00lgvKijly2-jt8WVDof4xV6KLfCGYTPpTq9XwugoQqEpXUBtpKM15-6yBfvuLmo/w640-h480/P1110106a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFQwhiW-X250fsi-mEmAJcLLagjAqw938oZ8RZUIrObri4LCPQUde6cUuNapyvfV-0bCmuQX7jFDxpuVS5n_Prt9kUW1IdRojG7oKMXxVzgHuzaKCGdy4Hr1vFyHk6ZmfI6NGoyH0CMWO2N5pZYZJA07XuSXDZ3UE6RUcySMtF2GYm8tkHpEy7Hg49FA/s4895/P1110107a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2278" data-original-width="4895" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFQwhiW-X250fsi-mEmAJcLLagjAqw938oZ8RZUIrObri4LCPQUde6cUuNapyvfV-0bCmuQX7jFDxpuVS5n_Prt9kUW1IdRojG7oKMXxVzgHuzaKCGdy4Hr1vFyHk6ZmfI6NGoyH0CMWO2N5pZYZJA07XuSXDZ3UE6RUcySMtF2GYm8tkHpEy7Hg49FA/w640-h298/P1110107a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But when we arrived, there was still lots of places to park and so I took the opportunity to check out the former blast pens whilst leaving the car in one of them.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuQwqWh0OX620fK7VMfnbiumvnuTYG85yoOwQX0J2sJAU3A7AoO_Pk8z3Ivk7hQgOHIYccwhpBstC26u3YcwHhL1Ki7FBJPhpOQqvsxtp5DOR_QPgFXX0peVZq0Wt87ddEuqtDu_ZQywzmIS8rqylinoLxSLW10YR3mGbJh1ODyEGm6HabUkJlvKZxXo/s4896/P1110078a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuQwqWh0OX620fK7VMfnbiumvnuTYG85yoOwQX0J2sJAU3A7AoO_Pk8z3Ivk7hQgOHIYccwhpBstC26u3YcwHhL1Ki7FBJPhpOQqvsxtp5DOR_QPgFXX0peVZq0Wt87ddEuqtDu_ZQywzmIS8rqylinoLxSLW10YR3mGbJh1ODyEGm6HabUkJlvKZxXo/w640-h480/P1110078a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I always enjoy seeing and chatting to military reenactors, seeing it as an important part of the historical understanding that includes the other aspects of history reading, exploring military sites and of course our own hobby of historical wargaming, and there is something enjoyable sharing the passion for a subject with folks who obviously have a deep understanding of the subject matter they are portraying.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4HK2u40b3fu96W1N9DTBuX9ICAskhp4FrU902u6435xV-wmDlHXQrjRiJr2ZRJyUqSHqjejhlEND3_IknwwXttdtywGQoiZMVDe6-sREj2LBVBEDw_FjFP6v3XWNpgZc0-_ZWZtkN-Bn8Fbf1_ci9cPRq_uMw_MQ4URWLx6OELfgbG8MWZ2wU0I84K0/s4686/P1110084a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="4686" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4HK2u40b3fu96W1N9DTBuX9ICAskhp4FrU902u6435xV-wmDlHXQrjRiJr2ZRJyUqSHqjejhlEND3_IknwwXttdtywGQoiZMVDe6-sREj2LBVBEDw_FjFP6v3XWNpgZc0-_ZWZtkN-Bn8Fbf1_ci9cPRq_uMw_MQ4URWLx6OELfgbG8MWZ2wU0I84K0/w640-h344/P1110084a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The US Engineer, seen below, was doing an excellent job explaining about the different types of German mines that Allied troops in WWII might expect to come across, from the Riegel RMI 43 bar mine seen at the back, that I had seen the results of on a Churchill tank wreck at the Overloon War Museum in 2017, link below, to the box and glass mine booby-traps, designed to defeat mine detectors and with the wooden box able to be placed under things or wired up to doors to maim or kill the unwary.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSahZ9j-HA0Us_ELGDxK_EDiVXZjjkdY0ARUSUwGAVLZ2CgbN6PSBCqGk5slUmRbtiFvBUGZqiiVUs1umET74rrlUKDu2-rTE_kPZOuRFQV7OnbV9aYhA2wPAIqiolknwp3JXWc-K_t49h6VsynFPfqPRocpeA80woHm_IcRb0lLDvQvK5a-pc-e1eaU/s4896/P1110079a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSahZ9j-HA0Us_ELGDxK_EDiVXZjjkdY0ARUSUwGAVLZ2CgbN6PSBCqGk5slUmRbtiFvBUGZqiiVUs1umET74rrlUKDu2-rTE_kPZOuRFQV7OnbV9aYhA2wPAIqiolknwp3JXWc-K_t49h6VsynFPfqPRocpeA80woHm_IcRb0lLDvQvK5a-pc-e1eaU/w640-h480/P1110079a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A marvellous display of German mines used in WWII presented by a reenactor from the US 4th Division engineers</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>The unit represented at the show were US engineers supporting the US 4th (Ivy) Division that landed at Utah Beach on D-Day and whose engineers were encamped prior to the landings in Phear Park in Exmouth, which added a nice link to home.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL5f8FnWYH9onnvINJ1IsynkCnjwwW413Zdf5lBZdErnoHjoIRuMkCDMuSWpdV9vn3mpQOHtUw1gwbtt_5Zh09Py3T95z36E23iO0ZvraytKsOLDacPGl-9LlgeQW0JlmavJwnrBnmsgNJ89aqgDbH4W4-EOU-SeY2hn6HMoGuLFDCPkVCu6BtENJSxQ/s640/DSCF7417a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNL5f8FnWYH9onnvINJ1IsynkCnjwwW413Zdf5lBZdErnoHjoIRuMkCDMuSWpdV9vn3mpQOHtUw1gwbtt_5Zh09Py3T95z36E23iO0ZvraytKsOLDacPGl-9LlgeQW0JlmavJwnrBnmsgNJ89aqgDbH4W4-EOU-SeY2hn6HMoGuLFDCPkVCu6BtENJSxQ/w400-h226/DSCF7417a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The results of driving over a Riegel RMI 43 bar mine could be seen on the Churchill tank 'Jackal' that I photographed back in 2017 at the excellent Overloon War Museum<br /><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2017/08/overloon-war-museum-holland-2017.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Overloon War Museum, Holland 2017</span></b></a><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Likewise, this part of Devon and Dartmoor would have been very familiar to the men of the 4th and 29th (Blue and Grey) Divisions who trained regularly on Dartmoor, and practiced beach landings close by at Slapton Sands and further to the north of the county at Woolacombe and Saunton Sands.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, noteworthy, the box and glass mine booby-traps, seen above the yellow 'Achtung! Minen! warning sign, designed to defeat mine detectors and with the wooden box able to be placed under things or wired up to doors to maim or kill the unwary and the dastardly glass mine, designed to break when trodden on with a sickening crunch, as the foot of the unfortunate victim pressed down on the detonator and explosive charge, with the glass fragments likely propelled into the body, much harder to detect and remove than the more conventional shards of metal.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ls2FXjD7PNqVt4AElAAheG6kb867zgLKUxQU1y62fESSeG94SPgbaUXpjkb6Kal1qqVA1ZS5xWpfogd0oJUUIQMf31E1g4F4_IkzOevboPsrTm6ottQEY86Ve6IkextIXPEPeKBGRH7wOmxfOB2dk64pE7KaVJqJ9ReewEDoTirrcMmCA63SKXVQcA/s4896/P1110082a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ls2FXjD7PNqVt4AElAAheG6kb867zgLKUxQU1y62fESSeG94SPgbaUXpjkb6Kal1qqVA1ZS5xWpfogd0oJUUIQMf31E1g4F4_IkzOevboPsrTm6ottQEY86Ve6IkextIXPEPeKBGRH7wOmxfOB2dk64pE7KaVJqJ9ReewEDoTirrcMmCA63SKXVQcA/w640-h480/P1110082a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Close by was a very interesting display of French post war small arms from the French colonial struggles that typified their attempts to hold on to pre-war territories, with a light machinegun I had never come across before that looked like a mash up of an MG42 and a Bren.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BmHlgwiKIkHy8Len1nvcuWH04YPCA6NmqGz2XImygp9XD_39tUyokKCe3lSNmMBbF--yVe0tD01IzRueKtjcqkjrABIEIBkaoLxmpuIPxwmJYVk81CdmwdZ9bv6AX-BTIFmppuKJyhWfPizWRZ1VMOS2ftvtwNSlTmFn-JHfSslZyq7VgUE4IUBKGpg/s4896/P1110080a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BmHlgwiKIkHy8Len1nvcuWH04YPCA6NmqGz2XImygp9XD_39tUyokKCe3lSNmMBbF--yVe0tD01IzRueKtjcqkjrABIEIBkaoLxmpuIPxwmJYVk81CdmwdZ9bv6AX-BTIFmppuKJyhWfPizWRZ1VMOS2ftvtwNSlTmFn-JHfSslZyq7VgUE4IUBKGpg/w640-h480/P1110080a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A French AA52 Light machine gun on its tripod, sustained fire mount<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA-52_machine_gun">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA-52_machine_gun</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72uY4wDF4bm6hQ__PCYYuL0hDPqPkvTHULBTHAncd-bFA_xxUNtEyjoqwyio1OluJ4mtmsjpkiPjOA5Q997f3eDmTn-b1QoxhIrOPKVxFjON8DJMiK7IonbHDR0Z8v6RzYNbluQ22FwnRhZ0xDovdCpKqo-aAP8ZYan0JjJ0NpMXmbkMYdITrjzzKb5c/s4896/P1110081a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72uY4wDF4bm6hQ__PCYYuL0hDPqPkvTHULBTHAncd-bFA_xxUNtEyjoqwyio1OluJ4mtmsjpkiPjOA5Q997f3eDmTn-b1QoxhIrOPKVxFjON8DJMiK7IonbHDR0Z8v6RzYNbluQ22FwnRhZ0xDovdCpKqo-aAP8ZYan0JjJ0NpMXmbkMYdITrjzzKb5c/w640-h480/P1110081a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>From the WWII land war, my attention was drawn to the air war with an interesting display depicting the exploits of 617 Squadron, better known as 'The Dambusters' and I had fun getting to try out the replica bomb-aimer's wooden hand held triangulation sight that was used to line up on the towers of the dams to confirm a dropping point for the bomb in conjunction with the twin spot lights pointing on to the surface of the lake water, which, when the beams conjoined indicated the best release point.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunP61WMLdfSsK5VYeeRnfwuMUVyCmMQ1TUawT9PRzG5mxUQmG8nVlW24JBfk_HByMkBb9cmM8Ms3Da7NWBPcBZN2xk5h0IbCIhKg638mOK7tihfIawKdRYFyzsGdwnF6BrUb26ht2_AXsFdxwQEB4H8kFkap0fSYadPDJmOt1STHj4QDDpNgLG0R6W0c/s4896/P1110086a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunP61WMLdfSsK5VYeeRnfwuMUVyCmMQ1TUawT9PRzG5mxUQmG8nVlW24JBfk_HByMkBb9cmM8Ms3Da7NWBPcBZN2xk5h0IbCIhKg638mOK7tihfIawKdRYFyzsGdwnF6BrUb26ht2_AXsFdxwQEB4H8kFkap0fSYadPDJmOt1STHj4QDDpNgLG0R6W0c/w640-h480/P1110086a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The replica ops-board, seen below, was a moving tribute to the crews who took part in the attack on the dams and attracted plenty of folks who really appreciated the freedoms we enjoy today are due in no small part to the tremendous courage and bravery of the young lads that flew that night in 1943.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQojlviA-wJ2SI13AJTws3iBYcglU2QEkYxHIDvtrIN63kI0FYNtEO_XmP4gXutzBLXN0kPRcHuep86egDZKqvlgf4N94Vk22GBdQLgH2OWmSnaqtIvcrnmAz-7vqU5CXonFEZg3NgW3XEaHlHpCmCj8848fwgEkbyfJC5Fp3OWHk3mnunPsC5blI0WY/s4896/P1110085a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQojlviA-wJ2SI13AJTws3iBYcglU2QEkYxHIDvtrIN63kI0FYNtEO_XmP4gXutzBLXN0kPRcHuep86egDZKqvlgf4N94Vk22GBdQLgH2OWmSnaqtIvcrnmAz-7vqU5CXonFEZg3NgW3XEaHlHpCmCj8848fwgEkbyfJC5Fp3OWHk3mnunPsC5blI0WY/w640-h480/P1110085a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The history of the airfield itself was also well represented with a covered display of maps and photographs capturing the layout of Harrowbeer in the war and the squadrons that operated from it, including 193 Squadron and their Typhoon fighter-bombers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVifizwei564Rsz5iBS71IcWmWHKGa21kMgphmPoFYzlk5LxThGIy627G1ovuYoQL5TnoeBK87fk7k_83qW0ywT_ze14JqJnzz9WItCxbbZc_JRBcVzxGkl3uTLAxWRLQsgrhJymsYDpmu5gJu434tCGsxL10Au80ok5X35RbejTfcCp8flczObqSA4s/s4896/P1110089a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVifizwei564Rsz5iBS71IcWmWHKGa21kMgphmPoFYzlk5LxThGIy627G1ovuYoQL5TnoeBK87fk7k_83qW0ywT_ze14JqJnzz9WItCxbbZc_JRBcVzxGkl3uTLAxWRLQsgrhJymsYDpmu5gJu434tCGsxL10Au80ok5X35RbejTfcCp8flczObqSA4s/w640-h480/P1110089a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtT-6yC4Xvxad6w4o-WxnN9uNd0EnMxeUKLc27Tfir8FuwKsdiZ-dX2boeg654f6AwPZ9h7FGkLLF7U2FQVKQ-NmIQA2rjvLatdbJn-CC46VH4ah73Y18eCqEyIjKrXrvYP_wSp-VKYHro54VhP0qlihdgJkk9S2oIH5F9leBgry34ftPlz5qwj9zly4/s4896/P1110090a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtT-6yC4Xvxad6w4o-WxnN9uNd0EnMxeUKLc27Tfir8FuwKsdiZ-dX2boeg654f6AwPZ9h7FGkLLF7U2FQVKQ-NmIQA2rjvLatdbJn-CC46VH4ah73Y18eCqEyIjKrXrvYP_wSp-VKYHro54VhP0qlihdgJkk9S2oIH5F9leBgry34ftPlz5qwj9zly4/w640-h480/P1110090a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In one of the dispersal areas a former air raid shelter was open to public display and whilst we were there we were entertained with the running up of an Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah radial engine used to power the Avro Ansons of 276 Squadron.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpoD5g3kBWWiyF6_W1y8FfxPNh6cvFFpmbPpsVW_djZVk2M64KBL4K_xL9i8bFQ94EnFBX21ihLSMXYacL78juAqCsqGABsu5VmUNn4OSqfuvJoKZiRz9Ng3OJegUptyvmJNHK6I5fwcR7yrN6xL_sYGPkkkRkjeBM9Nn1E3t4-qgK4m7bDI06o70QaY/s4896/P1110087a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpoD5g3kBWWiyF6_W1y8FfxPNh6cvFFpmbPpsVW_djZVk2M64KBL4K_xL9i8bFQ94EnFBX21ihLSMXYacL78juAqCsqGABsu5VmUNn4OSqfuvJoKZiRz9Ng3OJegUptyvmJNHK6I5fwcR7yrN6xL_sYGPkkkRkjeBM9Nn1E3t4-qgK4m7bDI06o70QaY/w640-h480/P1110087a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojSGiax3vLDlxVRLseOHQC2PIrm9jsJ6OFv6ldQYz59Fo4uJWElAkj4f6BFnVTN3YQ3jdsKfbryuuYlUj1XULEfJtG2x6Yed5WBrD_tU2UOAKvdUwXuvjDaXqZpZSiVfwx0l0B8wMw6dOjVkTlyPASTB2pSWyQxioHoSXrrOjplmluGwROwykQ0JRrWI/s2480/Royal_Air_Force_Fighter_Command,_1939-1945._CH9017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2480" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojSGiax3vLDlxVRLseOHQC2PIrm9jsJ6OFv6ldQYz59Fo4uJWElAkj4f6BFnVTN3YQ3jdsKfbryuuYlUj1XULEfJtG2x6Yed5WBrD_tU2UOAKvdUwXuvjDaXqZpZSiVfwx0l0B8wMw6dOjVkTlyPASTB2pSWyQxioHoSXrrOjplmluGwROwykQ0JRrWI/w640-h452/Royal_Air_Force_Fighter_Command,_1939-1945._CH9017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Air Force Fighter Command - Personnel and aircraft of No. 276 Squadron RAF assembled at Harrowbeer, with aircraft operated by them with an Avro Anson centre-front, Supermarine Spitfire right-rear and a Supermarine Walrus floatplane left-rear.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9C_AJ9q-yU08Lvsa941va3mga7Swg1MOoQnbXEbWjmjZAwD2W5jqGGeWJAqRBtc-X0KFtDAytagp6Kk--tyeYsfz87PxOUj-ykyGCWKvqbr6IAyj6QSLIfdEm0dOeCL9IgS-kXVvlMbTwdmXV2QOPjvQpVXci2jrxbT-OFV4Hl6d3YmB-IewHpumnCc/s4896/P1110088a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9C_AJ9q-yU08Lvsa941va3mga7Swg1MOoQnbXEbWjmjZAwD2W5jqGGeWJAqRBtc-X0KFtDAytagp6Kk--tyeYsfz87PxOUj-ykyGCWKvqbr6IAyj6QSLIfdEm0dOeCL9IgS-kXVvlMbTwdmXV2QOPjvQpVXci2jrxbT-OFV4Hl6d3YmB-IewHpumnCc/w640-h480/P1110088a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah radial engine used to power the Avro Ansons of 276 Squadron</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The home front was well represented by the ladies at the top of the post who very kindly slipped off their 'comfey' modern shoes to don their more functional wartime footwear to pose for my picture, whilst pointing out the groceries of the time together with a reminder of the trauma for little ones, as children were forced to leave their homes in the city and relocate to stay with strangers in the safer parts of the country like rural Devon, complete with small suitcase, teddy-bear, toothpaste and a picture of mum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mMz4Q_rq_OyAhRugVIKoiN4hb9a_1_JjbIgtclYGPdVMNhLbkUGmja0_GNQ0Ges_Py_TUm_fwhi7Y8_nmwzB-S3zLimiwL9mGCXKmqJkzV2eE1m58A8mxVnQQIAs47RSfeTeFu0CyA1xBi5gIJ1hNNYtmyfQBfQ1ziMYEEd9oa5zDT6TjI7Ttj_zj8Q/s4896/P1110094a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mMz4Q_rq_OyAhRugVIKoiN4hb9a_1_JjbIgtclYGPdVMNhLbkUGmja0_GNQ0Ges_Py_TUm_fwhi7Y8_nmwzB-S3zLimiwL9mGCXKmqJkzV2eE1m58A8mxVnQQIAs47RSfeTeFu0CyA1xBi5gIJ1hNNYtmyfQBfQ1ziMYEEd9oa5zDT6TjI7Ttj_zj8Q/w640-h480/P1110094a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I had to smile when I saw the groceries on display as I immediately remembered the family photograph of Dad taken during the war, sat with pals among boxes of Kellogg's Wheat Flakes, OXO stock cubes and other assorted goodies in some NAFFI store room.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmF0uUvFQ0H8lJM3JpqgAnaFFxsfW89pqSO6Qv1m2PhY49yBY0_knUQ1KzdMpBrnR8Wy7ZeIQfYf2DdlCI4w2SttYVGB0Ld-1ygQm9iqbUERuWo3vItfMaafboZ6H3QTbST3rvkkt7u9g-5RjE4vzs51qy2QC0e4EPbkpJPGO-WMuseIn9vhe2OawbLA/s1807/Doc%20-%2024%20Sep%202023%20-%2013-52.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1807" data-original-width="1278" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmF0uUvFQ0H8lJM3JpqgAnaFFxsfW89pqSO6Qv1m2PhY49yBY0_knUQ1KzdMpBrnR8Wy7ZeIQfYf2DdlCI4w2SttYVGB0Ld-1ygQm9iqbUERuWo3vItfMaafboZ6H3QTbST3rvkkt7u9g-5RjE4vzs51qy2QC0e4EPbkpJPGO-WMuseIn9vhe2OawbLA/w452-h640/Doc%20-%2024%20Sep%202023%20-%2013-52.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sergeant H.F. Jones R.A. , centre, with pals amid the stores, preparing for his post war career in grocery sales</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtCEZWyyqvYCWcKuUfbrpOiL139wY9s5QFi8lKBvmTh7hcje8xla8pjM53HXC6ztfmJrLhJjs7HSNDS9yfB46htkJDB5tvwmGQcysKO8Eaaiu2_7VhBHvVYIUHbCI8CdPrWtBWYf9tGmUWJhNyhdWhUC1nIQmVmclOU2AyNZ0e_UOy9yFOV3ks771Qh8/s4896/P1110097a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtCEZWyyqvYCWcKuUfbrpOiL139wY9s5QFi8lKBvmTh7hcje8xla8pjM53HXC6ztfmJrLhJjs7HSNDS9yfB46htkJDB5tvwmGQcysKO8Eaaiu2_7VhBHvVYIUHbCI8CdPrWtBWYf9tGmUWJhNyhdWhUC1nIQmVmclOU2AyNZ0e_UOy9yFOV3ks771Qh8/w640-h480/P1110097a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVyhORTNBZlmn7HAx_E9aZxG7MuTDZlvpea1G_mMzf3It12Awjr2KENroLBUEoouPCSlKbhS4DmP3o9fCeEdFOHRdPe-d5OSSsMm5qo-jH2H4Efvyi3u72_2ioR25Ch7XUY1lRzELwj_ou6FIrfBErDP0R8vujume63R9867TnS-uuBPIeVzRzGOqyl0/s4896/P1110098a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVyhORTNBZlmn7HAx_E9aZxG7MuTDZlvpea1G_mMzf3It12Awjr2KENroLBUEoouPCSlKbhS4DmP3o9fCeEdFOHRdPe-d5OSSsMm5qo-jH2H4Efvyi3u72_2ioR25Ch7XUY1lRzELwj_ou6FIrfBErDP0R8vujume63R9867TnS-uuBPIeVzRzGOqyl0/w640-h480/P1110098a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Making our way past other displays, we were treated to presentations of the weapons and equipment of the regular British Army in WWII and the not so regular members of the Home Guard and Auxiliary and Special Duty Units, the latter a shadowy formation created under the threat of imminent German invasion, and a force whose very existence and purpose only came to light at the end of the nineties with the lifting of official secret restrictions in 1998.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6XMml1iEzo0vKP2UxPsHyTIWyx-Bjk5FuuLQVhN5036UqPKi111Cu3ZSF3MdQcHQZ7M1OViwUJ9R7YGqcBSMXrr2VoK87FRSIEytp1YJ39rYoqF4H6DLiGrenjXrO4pMLEksA1q_-m3RiqfbKIxO27gw9DFJKfnB_kUYPZOEaaGESWEXiJkh51bzoRA/s4896/P1110091a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6XMml1iEzo0vKP2UxPsHyTIWyx-Bjk5FuuLQVhN5036UqPKi111Cu3ZSF3MdQcHQZ7M1OViwUJ9R7YGqcBSMXrr2VoK87FRSIEytp1YJ39rYoqF4H6DLiGrenjXrO4pMLEksA1q_-m3RiqfbKIxO27gw9DFJKfnB_kUYPZOEaaGESWEXiJkh51bzoRA/w640-h480/P1110091a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The late war British Regular Army was well illustrated with these displays of the troops in Italy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ09ushswgbZDkV9gDlTkOxGAFZ-Eb-2BOse1X2sy_EO8as4AObnzmPP4MOeuyVibJK6_F3cNiyebg1tYCiu0qlQjPAnJ0z-42HPFh4Ti1sCy35465V6PnIwlcCzktBLS-VIncf4N_CAFqLa3IgHWLiLH6Xw6ql91PXt50B0tSMgRPth3kXP2MsZ44uvc/s4896/P1110092a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ09ushswgbZDkV9gDlTkOxGAFZ-Eb-2BOse1X2sy_EO8as4AObnzmPP4MOeuyVibJK6_F3cNiyebg1tYCiu0qlQjPAnJ0z-42HPFh4Ti1sCy35465V6PnIwlcCzktBLS-VIncf4N_CAFqLa3IgHWLiLH6Xw6ql91PXt50B0tSMgRPth3kXP2MsZ44uvc/w640-h480/P1110092a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEEg68w3UAi-bCf98YEuChMXFqoYP-65NEp1GHceg9OD4QDkeNHESrO2iyQ36r66sQzXHQbHR4tMzLMuen56B_9br1mijlbtmCfXCUTOne_mE3dL-ag7CKMvb31ZocQGWfQg11s5AY7gMs5mQNVokSei-XSG4L9N5OduXKl15wprBXjDu9CucVpOg7f8/s4896/P1110093a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEEg68w3UAi-bCf98YEuChMXFqoYP-65NEp1GHceg9OD4QDkeNHESrO2iyQ36r66sQzXHQbHR4tMzLMuen56B_9br1mijlbtmCfXCUTOne_mE3dL-ag7CKMvb31ZocQGWfQg11s5AY7gMs5mQNVokSei-XSG4L9N5OduXKl15wprBXjDu9CucVpOg7f8/w640-h480/P1110093a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qkwaud8S7hoHcRw_pQ1FNl3NkiLa5OLDOHhuE8gUbSFnSK0DOwA55Iia-6_9BOR3WvFpHQu1JIfVgcmFyUvVutVOXQYfeiUbQgtDyxCM2VC80KpKzzS0JXmU7tvTIN-ye2DEN4Yv4t9mm_jKxahWb881pF9yAmILlgmo-H20c62SZKO0eE3Bff9R9B8/s4896/P1110099a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qkwaud8S7hoHcRw_pQ1FNl3NkiLa5OLDOHhuE8gUbSFnSK0DOwA55Iia-6_9BOR3WvFpHQu1JIfVgcmFyUvVutVOXQYfeiUbQgtDyxCM2VC80KpKzzS0JXmU7tvTIN-ye2DEN4Yv4t9mm_jKxahWb881pF9yAmILlgmo-H20c62SZKO0eE3Bff9R9B8/w640-h480/P1110099a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similarly we were treated to a nice portrayal of WWII British Airborne forces.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnjxiwhqMHVa4n252OR_tX47MDOcsTAPzeOs4KVKAvZULSQUhA8KC5PFj6rQGRUslPQPIzHgXBW8AQzHU7Bt0Tz5ltsoB1MGl8o3HX4acZntlWNUMEzJCYWCGjS4HTGdWWIcAPTUsQRJmTMYG8jdYQdUHmuQnmZD3UHvYYiRQpS_WwNr7rE1c0H7CcGA/s4425/P1110100a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3057" data-original-width="4425" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnjxiwhqMHVa4n252OR_tX47MDOcsTAPzeOs4KVKAvZULSQUhA8KC5PFj6rQGRUslPQPIzHgXBW8AQzHU7Bt0Tz5ltsoB1MGl8o3HX4acZntlWNUMEzJCYWCGjS4HTGdWWIcAPTUsQRJmTMYG8jdYQdUHmuQnmZD3UHvYYiRQpS_WwNr7rE1c0H7CcGA/w640-h442/P1110100a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was great to see this presentation covering the role of Britain's secret forces in the shape of the Auxiliary Units, a subject matter that I covered here on JJ's in 2018 with my post covering the activities of the East Devon Units, link below.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ows3ReDfZrmmmbDtFtRsro60Vkq9I-sLkFJWpmyYZLgRvPOrr4d7tB6MZged6X9co6ONUHDIBUksOGW7oAKyLU33NbCx2Z9ypRGCMoYmTJvd7KVMhGT-cFFZehAYWrBXdf4_snNvEQ8U6eHFEy0JU2RZi8-fH6pDSCv3Qk7PBgiWInk6i0nXXUMpKyM/s640/Auxiliary%20Units%20Slideshow4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="640" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ows3ReDfZrmmmbDtFtRsro60Vkq9I-sLkFJWpmyYZLgRvPOrr4d7tB6MZged6X9co6ONUHDIBUksOGW7oAKyLU33NbCx2Z9ypRGCMoYmTJvd7KVMhGT-cFFZehAYWrBXdf4_snNvEQ8U6eHFEy0JU2RZi8-fH6pDSCv3Qk7PBgiWInk6i0nXXUMpKyM/w640-h288/Auxiliary%20Units%20Slideshow4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2018/12/churchills-secret-army-auxiliary-and.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Churchill's Secret Army, Auxiliary and Special Duty Units</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>With the threat of invasion over and the need for specialist troops for service in Europe, many of these chaps from the Auxiliary Units would end up using their undoubted skills for service with the SAS, operating behind German lines in support of resistance units.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_TuNIwCwCI3ew0HFqmv4rwBUIAN-G1uqC00jZNnaYfxD7wLFk17Hvrl5mvd0PdCqu7seRU20_hadZbOhRCd-AjDnCoY-62Pm6mhi9HK-rU82tmie7LAfpTyOtVMO7pl1qb1-FCst19Gu3vSP_3JZfIOhLSpnrT1b5lOXThUH9BuTPrZehfH4q_t703Y/s4896/P1110101.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_TuNIwCwCI3ew0HFqmv4rwBUIAN-G1uqC00jZNnaYfxD7wLFk17Hvrl5mvd0PdCqu7seRU20_hadZbOhRCd-AjDnCoY-62Pm6mhi9HK-rU82tmie7LAfpTyOtVMO7pl1qb1-FCst19Gu3vSP_3JZfIOhLSpnrT1b5lOXThUH9BuTPrZehfH4q_t703Y/w640-h480/P1110101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPWrurHPvq2Pi6yO65_nSxhCRTE5t24MAmPVGev-99TKyG8wIVbJx_oR4x6jk5GMv65H8PlPuCfTR5N0yt8li_wQftb8rUvJJpFs3vX40vdL9cS8pTCIjfLOJaPQvG64sF7Szxoc7uW5ZRD_RD2OaSxRJGBHpcscdwSYUvSB_zf0v7zbFdenap0zc5LM/s4896/P1110102a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPWrurHPvq2Pi6yO65_nSxhCRTE5t24MAmPVGev-99TKyG8wIVbJx_oR4x6jk5GMv65H8PlPuCfTR5N0yt8li_wQftb8rUvJJpFs3vX40vdL9cS8pTCIjfLOJaPQvG64sF7Szxoc7uW5ZRD_RD2OaSxRJGBHpcscdwSYUvSB_zf0v7zbFdenap0zc5LM/w640-h480/P1110102a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT10vXcPILDPF9KGivDDgQI8yr9z0D3r2Z9ZmVckTL22GGHic-bBG2FxIo9fnCGCoTgXphqvDm6kTc8TQnhAJHKxHfmM8ng4obVDF5tduM2-cDKoH3rXstP1Rxqx5WlFUD7ruLB_Os6JGcRal95O0zGVPVOVMKGa6dfOdLZcD0TXaB6ySbZ-Ta-MXY9E/s4896/P1110103a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBT10vXcPILDPF9KGivDDgQI8yr9z0D3r2Z9ZmVckTL22GGHic-bBG2FxIo9fnCGCoTgXphqvDm6kTc8TQnhAJHKxHfmM8ng4obVDF5tduM2-cDKoH3rXstP1Rxqx5WlFUD7ruLB_Os6JGcRal95O0zGVPVOVMKGa6dfOdLZcD0TXaB6ySbZ-Ta-MXY9E/w640-h480/P1110103a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Likewise the important role of the Home Guard, treated with a comical slant in the 1970's television series, 'Dad's Army', but playing an serious important complimentary role to the regular forces, particularly in the dark days following the fall of France in May 1940 when the threat of invasion was at its height, with these men freeing up regular forces from guard and patrol duties in forward areas and able to round up German aircrew shot down during the Battle of Britain.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIcXcB9e30q2sQWqbnJl8nAnddaMbh9i4-XjeVn9lbLJqJp1bIfW8Ogoft4u6xOe4OofnhYUIbGi5SFL1LRIv8Ze0HSiU5MffZHTzhgWYtdPiPulJqedvOmJ_taZB0NuSzmETw-n3fqsGXvticc3ko2RBxZJnkdGNyy8X52rmW44iBtwpM_QDI7te9mY/s4896/P1110104a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIcXcB9e30q2sQWqbnJl8nAnddaMbh9i4-XjeVn9lbLJqJp1bIfW8Ogoft4u6xOe4OofnhYUIbGi5SFL1LRIv8Ze0HSiU5MffZHTzhgWYtdPiPulJqedvOmJ_taZB0NuSzmETw-n3fqsGXvticc3ko2RBxZJnkdGNyy8X52rmW44iBtwpM_QDI7te9mY/w640-h480/P1110104a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The improvised weaponry forced on these part-time soldiers saw a level of innovation and ingenuity that was quite impressive at times and down right scary for the operators of such equipment at others and I was very impressed to hear about the production of the homemade mortar seen below and designed as per the Home-Guard descriptions from the period.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU42WwNAe4dT1IBhnUsh-tSN4qg71ssVth3ila2l3cYHhD4UtT40fbAlVfPoxUqcN7VXtayosBeTUyR4GJVvSrLGg1lk_fcJ-LUIlnXsbMFUW01QoFPoynqVg4r_9aD86fSZJbZWqPqxohVg6hZ4_1xmanIcEXs8wOSGfD-WvcQ3Gc6P49jEbsz40Ty8/s4894/P1110105a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3295" data-original-width="4894" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU42WwNAe4dT1IBhnUsh-tSN4qg71ssVth3ila2l3cYHhD4UtT40fbAlVfPoxUqcN7VXtayosBeTUyR4GJVvSrLGg1lk_fcJ-LUIlnXsbMFUW01QoFPoynqVg4r_9aD86fSZJbZWqPqxohVg6hZ4_1xmanIcEXs8wOSGfD-WvcQ3Gc6P49jEbsz40Ty8/w640-h430/P1110105a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Before moving across the airfield to the vehicle displays, we all partook of the amazing bacon rolls that were on offer at one of the the food stalls of which there were plenty to choose from, before checking out the vintage car and bike displays, with some vehicles beautifully restored and cared for but slightly disturbing as some were vehicles from my youth, which must say something about me!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglN51qB21Kb7wi0Ey81p9N0xIacHzAKucV2kENI6_JybZNw6LKPd_kJ-wUJ-jWzDP3c1bRuz0EB9oJ5MizUuxJ7zVDnhgIEaQNWnm450V28cKpBxjuBgmUtn28xG0NJ-eOpY8nqXQAnoqFuYYHDBGQiDNIt96pwDTB5jyJcCnd2mMaM2INCUuC5QYq-jQ/s4896/P1110108a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglN51qB21Kb7wi0Ey81p9N0xIacHzAKucV2kENI6_JybZNw6LKPd_kJ-wUJ-jWzDP3c1bRuz0EB9oJ5MizUuxJ7zVDnhgIEaQNWnm450V28cKpBxjuBgmUtn28xG0NJ-eOpY8nqXQAnoqFuYYHDBGQiDNIt96pwDTB5jyJcCnd2mMaM2INCUuC5QYq-jQ/w640-h480/P1110108a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolyn and I travelled up to the Norfolk Broads, before we were married, in one of these, a red 850cc Mini that I couldn't do anything to stop being overtaken by lorries on the motorway! That said we both have very fond memories of courting in a vehicle just like this.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UWYQKFBscbeb3fCZPQ5oHEfWEEcajK-yAJDR7ATaZrsE8R1_vMgOlauxinjXXmY4qIgf1lOm5ZLj8af2iiULEP-yIvPrLxGod43PNjpKkX6pLiKcWlUxqaFiDdUf36GWNPZoSw2in_TVnpRqrxltZ18rwmF6VTby6X3yLvsBNMI3lU-us0xc25Kly0/s4896/P1110109a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UWYQKFBscbeb3fCZPQ5oHEfWEEcajK-yAJDR7ATaZrsE8R1_vMgOlauxinjXXmY4qIgf1lOm5ZLj8af2iiULEP-yIvPrLxGod43PNjpKkX6pLiKcWlUxqaFiDdUf36GWNPZoSw2in_TVnpRqrxltZ18rwmF6VTby6X3yLvsBNMI3lU-us0xc25Kly0/w640-h480/P1110109a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mum used to take me to school in one of these back in the early sixties, before she went out and got a much more modern Ford Anglia - Happy Days!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So with my trip down memory-lane complete, I was keen to see the wonderful WWII vehicles and equipment on display on the other side of the food tents and started off the late morning with a good look at the ubiquitous M2A1 US 105mm howitzer complete with ammunition display, with these weapons forming the backbone of artillery support for US divisions landing in Normandy, akin to the 25-pounder batteries that supported British divisions.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j-n0YwZLaJ_dSNC366vYhrutLDStCqj5ZntqCw8FwtsJ-duDbyH55C7deVqMEKsdvTgPg3Mezot10OFs87rUl-OvJpzyvWqnCpKdloM_qln_JO8H-Yb9G_VrbtqEOEsPpteOmdiAO-sTKUHsCRWXblhwxrJY7Ycl_gZfmHr06nPq7R_CHS3qSruIRGs/s4896/P1110113a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j-n0YwZLaJ_dSNC366vYhrutLDStCqj5ZntqCw8FwtsJ-duDbyH55C7deVqMEKsdvTgPg3Mezot10OFs87rUl-OvJpzyvWqnCpKdloM_qln_JO8H-Yb9G_VrbtqEOEsPpteOmdiAO-sTKUHsCRWXblhwxrJY7Ycl_gZfmHr06nPq7R_CHS3qSruIRGs/w640-h480/P1110113a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURJlzi9x6U_Uj6qJO88sl_yePXiCBMg8qQr_0m4U9i5eL8dl-ScamBpsIAUg4iE4ne0C7isSk-MIglvXhBDsskMTC7nzMzfRNwTMo_tfTb0f2mnRlWVWL3WZ_Kqbr3HxoAEWMbHfNVF_sU79581NB4tRkHs6XynGMe5v5ivkRFzM5Qi8cTSJ5Ug3kheU/s1024/france_1944.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1024" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURJlzi9x6U_Uj6qJO88sl_yePXiCBMg8qQr_0m4U9i5eL8dl-ScamBpsIAUg4iE4ne0C7isSk-MIglvXhBDsskMTC7nzMzfRNwTMo_tfTb0f2mnRlWVWL3WZ_Kqbr3HxoAEWMbHfNVF_sU79581NB4tRkHs6XynGMe5v5ivkRFzM5Qi8cTSJ5Ug3kheU/w640-h418/france_1944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M2A1 Howitzer in action in France 1944</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjAgaQkKviRbo52w398jeop_lJlta-0-y7w39Htd-FosYXXSpiTnheFzTVopz48c9fbpmBdAJqq7BXILMFk60wqzwEvOUexPPyNlOAFq5iXjqGYTZTeK1nykvooAXzu631I3yX8SJdQAXJIDRIaNitmbjm7x0_AAsTZXVvQNdW9pUvfGKjNtfM45vBpI/s4896/P1110114a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjAgaQkKviRbo52w398jeop_lJlta-0-y7w39Htd-FosYXXSpiTnheFzTVopz48c9fbpmBdAJqq7BXILMFk60wqzwEvOUexPPyNlOAFq5iXjqGYTZTeK1nykvooAXzu631I3yX8SJdQAXJIDRIaNitmbjm7x0_AAsTZXVvQNdW9pUvfGKjNtfM45vBpI/w640-h480/P1110114a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYyP1amP97WmoCogf3xwJceIL-_s712MNgehxKIgl8qd-gXo961N3_psfwYHet7XZHswZsIW_qtT8GIFZ1mTC6hfnhefkVrnH0A0EcGrZeqAr-CPV8ut1dXZp94IkdQJuqJqkpP4KvBjCtzW9tpu4yTDPzv4QKQEZLxJ5Gow5DH_246TQacM0d8ZCkcg/s4896/P1110115a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYyP1amP97WmoCogf3xwJceIL-_s712MNgehxKIgl8qd-gXo961N3_psfwYHet7XZHswZsIW_qtT8GIFZ1mTC6hfnhefkVrnH0A0EcGrZeqAr-CPV8ut1dXZp94IkdQJuqJqkpP4KvBjCtzW9tpu4yTDPzv4QKQEZLxJ5Gow5DH_246TQacM0d8ZCkcg/w640-h480/P1110115a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3PjJ5GqU8L4UHyTSwRpeXnBvRcorulBlWL38TdFSsxFF6_jK-xHQulNKDoDBdxzyJoN6kZIPPerkbKgHPnC2sMkl6hZvPUWnrA25O6W32lOEwFL3Nf72an3sYDjgXRLSFHvY1NiwNS_m-rN7CBXOm1jctlYF-ovXyVZFyRrOeVUCo82OTyvZbwYh2dM/s4896/P1110116a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3PjJ5GqU8L4UHyTSwRpeXnBvRcorulBlWL38TdFSsxFF6_jK-xHQulNKDoDBdxzyJoN6kZIPPerkbKgHPnC2sMkl6hZvPUWnrA25O6W32lOEwFL3Nf72an3sYDjgXRLSFHvY1NiwNS_m-rN7CBXOm1jctlYF-ovXyVZFyRrOeVUCo82OTyvZbwYh2dM/w640-h480/P1110116a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>American soft-skins were well represented starting with this US Two and a half ton six wheel M35 Cargo truck decked out in this case in the markings of the US Navy Seabeas Construction Engineers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiKvatxSu_SmU4KGUSHMCDgk4LgScp40kfZJkAuumLmquQ2cvYzsZQZzn4jofI72AJXIoMrqVgWIxDg7ST85ThMenZUAYS5WmUbwczQ7ftwWVdHrpl34WQbSAK5N-PAVOiuKNxPwnjWOfBUqD5y8IdKH0SNytTJYhczFgkcQy_NBS5d11g_0MaYKtEAg/s4896/P1110117a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiKvatxSu_SmU4KGUSHMCDgk4LgScp40kfZJkAuumLmquQ2cvYzsZQZzn4jofI72AJXIoMrqVgWIxDg7ST85ThMenZUAYS5WmUbwczQ7ftwWVdHrpl34WQbSAK5N-PAVOiuKNxPwnjWOfBUqD5y8IdKH0SNytTJYhczFgkcQy_NBS5d11g_0MaYKtEAg/w640-h480/P1110117a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Many of these heavy-lift trucks were used to create the Red Ball Express, tasked from August 25th 1944 with delivery of supplies to Allied troops in Europe from the beaches of Normandy, until the Allies were able to shorten their supply lines with the opening of the port of Antwerp in Belgium.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNOX7ajRSktq2cHu8LECBXgq_KkQUcdZXS4H9GwhAUY0pWFpOnAWmu3MfL5zU4WLWdtSI67DmkPMR5PZgr6QCAvpEg1p5OH8lYppz1K1B-9s08bcSmaifUn-1rvzUrmIE_0ecInsAW_ogGTb4ii3gO-rBdUF6iDMRn9wwbCOH4_jy_6yAe2KjNQuOIUs/s2500/Red_Ball_Express_-_Truck_in_the_mud.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="2500" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNOX7ajRSktq2cHu8LECBXgq_KkQUcdZXS4H9GwhAUY0pWFpOnAWmu3MfL5zU4WLWdtSI67DmkPMR5PZgr6QCAvpEg1p5OH8lYppz1K1B-9s08bcSmaifUn-1rvzUrmIE_0ecInsAW_ogGTb4ii3gO-rBdUF6iDMRn9wwbCOH4_jy_6yAe2KjNQuOIUs/w400-h319/Red_Ball_Express_-_Truck_in_the_mud.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An M35 truck of the Red Ball Express stuck in deep mud in 1944</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>At one stage during the peak of operations The Red Ball Express staffed mainly by African-American soldiers operated 5958 similar vehicles that carried 12,500 tons of supplies each day often having to brave the fire from German troops bypassed by rapidly advancing forward elements of the Allied armies.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIF8TEIjlvjrFASrw9O1_QdT2sh50QI-vrimvDOFUJNdkhEI2izX-SpVx-msQiLI-2V5AD-0Xc5BufhBhUd1NgyiWP-5F0T2oHnuQiVQxrFiYYMnlteKi3H_gmiGuya1z8mfOu5iOQw96kj5SKGHQHiKpX-2sx2mG66OwD2bFo-G-MRw3DxYyQzt3_Qg/s4896/P1110118a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIF8TEIjlvjrFASrw9O1_QdT2sh50QI-vrimvDOFUJNdkhEI2izX-SpVx-msQiLI-2V5AD-0Xc5BufhBhUd1NgyiWP-5F0T2oHnuQiVQxrFiYYMnlteKi3H_gmiGuya1z8mfOu5iOQw96kj5SKGHQHiKpX-2sx2mG66OwD2bFo-G-MRw3DxYyQzt3_Qg/w640-h480/P1110118a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqWNIq-P17kvwnDGQ172gqKmOcXgQAYOyr-09rahKthNKG_aPmRjIdYq9W01a805hCF5OyDVjFsuAAmAI1dvUBDtNBtuxXqHjb5pk8Ju_GdV4tGn5NuEdxSxlLE1JEUmLJeQdkMS7TAx1GLLywE1A6jtupgSIhu90KtC6TqY9NCPqSKLsIoqy8qEKweU/s4896/P1110119a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqWNIq-P17kvwnDGQ172gqKmOcXgQAYOyr-09rahKthNKG_aPmRjIdYq9W01a805hCF5OyDVjFsuAAmAI1dvUBDtNBtuxXqHjb5pk8Ju_GdV4tGn5NuEdxSxlLE1JEUmLJeQdkMS7TAx1GLLywE1A6jtupgSIhu90KtC6TqY9NCPqSKLsIoqy8qEKweU/w640-h480/P1110119a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqMikB3Q30XLA2kW-wmoscVO_0tJ4uSRuHzdr7Y_R_7udIFt9vOxNGHFyg4WZAD923iaX2KBtK4v2oqmA9WBgKKxU1J88jP2_VvihafQQ8IZxUghgMJGUAkf5W8mr1KsMHkqNRH82uSEA0CGtkXUEi3ie02Bof3Y2UTlaJSMrQVO6w0GjXCecZ59Zqq8/s4399/P1110120a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4399" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqMikB3Q30XLA2kW-wmoscVO_0tJ4uSRuHzdr7Y_R_7udIFt9vOxNGHFyg4WZAD923iaX2KBtK4v2oqmA9WBgKKxU1J88jP2_VvihafQQ8IZxUghgMJGUAkf5W8mr1KsMHkqNRH82uSEA0CGtkXUEi3ie02Bof3Y2UTlaJSMrQVO6w0GjXCecZ59Zqq8/w640-h424/P1110120a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another US two and half tonner, possibly an International design M-5H-6 variant</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Alongside the large six wheelers, The US Army Quartermaster Corps developed a full and largely standardised line of tactical trucks ranging from the Willys/Ford quarter ton Jeep to the one and a half ton Chevrolet G506 Cargo truck with the intermediary half to three-quarter ton Dodge WC (Weapons Carrier) series, nicknamed 'Beeps' seen below.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDa1ibhrD5W6wLDOYS8GBkb1ui_hsuK1ZHfmdoozp_xS2gyCLCJWlp6xlaCRMxqWVZTlbAnWx15P6Em21JRYi2OLLzKi9tdSLcxk1e_myZj7H8VkxdzWpO0CQ2mVYYO05rTBjVqGfR2leHrom4W8dbsyXNi_H7C8wrBie36AKtZhCo0DY6SfW7RtGDaaA/s3716/P1110121a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="3716" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDa1ibhrD5W6wLDOYS8GBkb1ui_hsuK1ZHfmdoozp_xS2gyCLCJWlp6xlaCRMxqWVZTlbAnWx15P6Em21JRYi2OLLzKi9tdSLcxk1e_myZj7H8VkxdzWpO0CQ2mVYYO05rTBjVqGfR2leHrom4W8dbsyXNi_H7C8wrBie36AKtZhCo0DY6SfW7RtGDaaA/w640-h434/P1110121a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Alongside their use as a transport and cargo vehicle these versatile little trucks were also used in the command, reconnaissance, radio, gun portee and ambulance role.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqS4n6g3iHn2dbAf-5s350qMYomZY200ipjmXzZBQ8_gVYKcfpYU-bbv45tinJOiTO2U5MuAEVGj5C-S2cwtIrHJqoP5Fcfj9qM_vq8uyjAo7i23IU7hV4OnqEVbTSzZJovyxzy77cFHjBvJKkVzlDxO6W2GFj-a_tMvnq_5lvkf4RW1HOvVibJIJxwI/s4896/P1110122a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqS4n6g3iHn2dbAf-5s350qMYomZY200ipjmXzZBQ8_gVYKcfpYU-bbv45tinJOiTO2U5MuAEVGj5C-S2cwtIrHJqoP5Fcfj9qM_vq8uyjAo7i23IU7hV4OnqEVbTSzZJovyxzy77cFHjBvJKkVzlDxO6W2GFj-a_tMvnq_5lvkf4RW1HOvVibJIJxwI/w640-h480/P1110122a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoQtSVYXKxD3I-ObdMPQGIi7MPANUZvwpRsVglRXBhF8z4zbp4gU-VTxxRH4egQsyb-82zYT9WYh7Hqk-k82gd7RschGH8PZlnbGPlKdm5rb4DP1bgBjrXX3axQU_FZAT5KfdkjIF5KUYWDcDAAcbmRvZaIz9w5veX4isUHoTheRObuFq_21A15convY/s4896/P1110123a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoQtSVYXKxD3I-ObdMPQGIi7MPANUZvwpRsVglRXBhF8z4zbp4gU-VTxxRH4egQsyb-82zYT9WYh7Hqk-k82gd7RschGH8PZlnbGPlKdm5rb4DP1bgBjrXX3axQU_FZAT5KfdkjIF5KUYWDcDAAcbmRvZaIz9w5veX4isUHoTheRObuFq_21A15convY/w640-h480/P1110123a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When it came to reconnaissance the M3 Scout Car, seen below, known as the White Scout Car in British and Commonwealth forces was a very handy, lightly armoured, reasonably fast and mobile four wheel drive vehicle used by all the Allied forces including the Russians, with just under 21,000 produced during WWII and just under 7,000 supplied to British and Commonwealth troops under lend-lease.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCJbL2HDqm-I0aO-8g2ZMc4vzTU9Kx9Xnc8RuRKc-jEB-H8LwwmvNFxjDrgmXXGDhKVdCFlvpRIuvcVM1W9q5kBjQSblLohfOkd-NkcVxOI68VbQXuOtDTzO0P2neIzwwzw5Qv4z19KJizDSRSn2tQ9jjwccRpm1tmLbguabrDQU0-i9zNfb3kRHuR5Q/s4896/P1110124a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCJbL2HDqm-I0aO-8g2ZMc4vzTU9Kx9Xnc8RuRKc-jEB-H8LwwmvNFxjDrgmXXGDhKVdCFlvpRIuvcVM1W9q5kBjQSblLohfOkd-NkcVxOI68VbQXuOtDTzO0P2neIzwwzw5Qv4z19KJizDSRSn2tQ9jjwccRpm1tmLbguabrDQU0-i9zNfb3kRHuR5Q/w640-h480/P1110124a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cC2u3os0Ur91XrEiBQGfxX9zLN0kyMzIgeZlShhqkN1fTh6QWfdzAKOevehsBm0HKZ8BcqBb50bU2GvlJGpYwKXMz9Pxk_d9GXkVrWrsKknfAMdhDsaGcDO5IIvsgKrpk7MX4mn9Ba0yjBcr6Wp_wb0d_UyZDRzqUWab3BX64ohNXt64RsQzstpie6g/s4896/P1110125a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cC2u3os0Ur91XrEiBQGfxX9zLN0kyMzIgeZlShhqkN1fTh6QWfdzAKOevehsBm0HKZ8BcqBb50bU2GvlJGpYwKXMz9Pxk_d9GXkVrWrsKknfAMdhDsaGcDO5IIvsgKrpk7MX4mn9Ba0yjBcr6Wp_wb0d_UyZDRzqUWab3BX64ohNXt64RsQzstpie6g/w640-h480/P1110125a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J-hFC_CoSrYbk9WB_D5qu4YgILyjyjgf3LeoZv22v9bFYna86uXo_BUoWOOeRbLAMc0subBUm0ggDxcNRo5xqdCxEgXJ-nxU4RtU9GQ11Ny68_Kr_6d5w2zaLxxnsPxfqUDPbAMqryJAdCu44PgmpCS8CglwjzJNi459bKHzKIJZSCUYDMr5IHMbbig/s4896/P1110127a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J-hFC_CoSrYbk9WB_D5qu4YgILyjyjgf3LeoZv22v9bFYna86uXo_BUoWOOeRbLAMc0subBUm0ggDxcNRo5xqdCxEgXJ-nxU4RtU9GQ11Ny68_Kr_6d5w2zaLxxnsPxfqUDPbAMqryJAdCu44PgmpCS8CglwjzJNi459bKHzKIJZSCUYDMr5IHMbbig/w640-h480/P1110127a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMOO0eD80KfRpaBTKhyezAEBkuGlmvPIKElieFsG0B3N91Nb7uLfhIbJxWRlMNOfuwcDEUAEK0aSAAtzekmwrwXI8VAj_BEEj2trQ6-8Wn4LsJtmmp5xtPKYFyqTZB0IqdtDkBKyoJRhExsE5rwuI2v6VD-641CtSm26kZc-RUeQ4EgddXZEPM8-SWEc/s4896/P1110128a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMOO0eD80KfRpaBTKhyezAEBkuGlmvPIKElieFsG0B3N91Nb7uLfhIbJxWRlMNOfuwcDEUAEK0aSAAtzekmwrwXI8VAj_BEEj2trQ6-8Wn4LsJtmmp5xtPKYFyqTZB0IqdtDkBKyoJRhExsE5rwuI2v6VD-641CtSm26kZc-RUeQ4EgddXZEPM8-SWEc/w640-h480/P1110128a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIhdnNUKgFWUg_-9KLSKwCWcRkGWD5iSrnQKqjLNT1feGd-OVdjK6VAu-fyTXTFJytNjfU0z8l-JaBzN8fTf7HnJTlLHIqdGbzDR913zsQKm1LlGQYJXjXbGv4B2TynDcRs-dkdTuAx0D1xxZk-1usCkB_6eYs_w5VrDtjb5mDH44AiVMuLUgzd_OWs4/s4896/P1110132a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIhdnNUKgFWUg_-9KLSKwCWcRkGWD5iSrnQKqjLNT1feGd-OVdjK6VAu-fyTXTFJytNjfU0z8l-JaBzN8fTf7HnJTlLHIqdGbzDR913zsQKm1LlGQYJXjXbGv4B2TynDcRs-dkdTuAx0D1xxZk-1usCkB_6eYs_w5VrDtjb5mDH44AiVMuLUgzd_OWs4/w640-h480/P1110132a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Harley-Davidson WLA Motorcycle, 740cc, nicknamed the Liberator, was used by US forces during WWII with some 70,000 being produced by the company, used mainly for police, escort, courier and scouting duties.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW-OfRiKWMURxESugIZkpvG8rHZNqWjsXObWNtxzQbmiWV8JQmwSSkCKYB8UgbxFev4U8indlHGsNRYITexPzHYSmUiFe-gC9be3-nZKDHDDGZLA_fn095-4dAMolx3jZLfWkKzLqZY8HO86NUMFAQCNO8VTjKSylykCFpKCDqF5UhDq46YgTiDgyyiY/s4445/P1110129a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3136" data-original-width="4445" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW-OfRiKWMURxESugIZkpvG8rHZNqWjsXObWNtxzQbmiWV8JQmwSSkCKYB8UgbxFev4U8indlHGsNRYITexPzHYSmUiFe-gC9be3-nZKDHDDGZLA_fn095-4dAMolx3jZLfWkKzLqZY8HO86NUMFAQCNO8VTjKSylykCFpKCDqF5UhDq46YgTiDgyyiY/w640-h452/P1110129a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Ben Hur Trailer was the nickname for the US Army one-ton two-wheeled cargo trailer, seen below, that could also come in a 250-gallon water tank version as well as an electric generator carrier and was designed to be towed by the one and a half ton Chevrolet G506 Cargo truck and the Dodge Weapon Carrier.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEom-huok5iHF26-Sdvmg4g5SlbY9d0rRQEVq_O0M3DUOURrHPcBzuCwkpnFOrcLi7oNTGWvvA4fnt5uogeaYvMpN4TBrM5rfIe5qw47qnw4z_j73WHJyqnLsDR78NGTKbvPoyDJ12PAJzyt9LbYl0syZl09fGnLu0ef4NY4gCI5n1gOtwSXeQgijLnWc/s4896/P1110130a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEom-huok5iHF26-Sdvmg4g5SlbY9d0rRQEVq_O0M3DUOURrHPcBzuCwkpnFOrcLi7oNTGWvvA4fnt5uogeaYvMpN4TBrM5rfIe5qw47qnw4z_j73WHJyqnLsDR78NGTKbvPoyDJ12PAJzyt9LbYl0syZl09fGnLu0ef4NY4gCI5n1gOtwSXeQgijLnWc/w640-h480/P1110130a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The BSA British Folding Paratroopers Bike seen below were designed to be dropped with Paratroops to be unfolded on the ground to provide them with increased mobility, seeing 60,000 produced between 1942-45 but now incredibly rare; these bikes were used by troops including Commandoes landing at Sword Beach on D-Day to rapidly move inland to support the airborne troops around Pegasus Bridge as well as being used by 1st Airborne Division during the Arnhem operation.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJimvI9Ah0pcOgJtBZ3ujfPR951k4FpKC-t8vFrBRkt1Km6MDU6t2NWkWvhEF31uL6375oXoJ-BiqAfCSXrnlEHN2ax3AyrsrNHAfTMSBpRrorKV-u51wM-ZYvIT1diGSQxQOITSlqLN3vEPLbhF1qR2oGwytnVj2HIxstzmWCLt3KeUaAzdRKm6G6ps4/s3500/P1110133a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="3500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJimvI9Ah0pcOgJtBZ3ujfPR951k4FpKC-t8vFrBRkt1Km6MDU6t2NWkWvhEF31uL6375oXoJ-BiqAfCSXrnlEHN2ax3AyrsrNHAfTMSBpRrorKV-u51wM-ZYvIT1diGSQxQOITSlqLN3vEPLbhF1qR2oGwytnVj2HIxstzmWCLt3KeUaAzdRKm6G6ps4/w640-h480/P1110133a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8lbAQwjGOwmm3_qmtsNcOlehLivCto3kCYYrSlbIe4PwqtdYaijMhzQZIYEt79fo7hxs1SWSVZWuTYAPhxfbPRO1418YoVDpqL7ugrfgIKcYmpOdcYz4t5xcaZ-0syykOGlu_BhuHZBIFIey1nLMlNsUcuJZiYbol3kmrnYwiOta2KfPTRizy1PEul8/s1920/sword-7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1920" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8lbAQwjGOwmm3_qmtsNcOlehLivCto3kCYYrSlbIe4PwqtdYaijMhzQZIYEt79fo7hxs1SWSVZWuTYAPhxfbPRO1418YoVDpqL7ugrfgIKcYmpOdcYz4t5xcaZ-0syykOGlu_BhuHZBIFIey1nLMlNsUcuJZiYbol3kmrnYwiOta2KfPTRizy1PEul8/w640-h220/sword-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British troops moving inland from Sword Beach with their folding bikes</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Finally the M29 Studebaker Weasel was showing what it could do by offering rides to the public. I've included a short video clip below illustrating what a 'nippy' little tracked carrier this was.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xUR1wzA34JY" width="320" youtube-src-id="xUR1wzA34JY"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>The idea for the Weasel was the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke who came up with the idea of a fast light tracked vehicle for use in snow to support the commandoes of the 1st Special Service Force and a proposed operation in Norway, codename 'Project Plough', to attack Axis forces and industrial sites supporting the German nuclear weapons programme.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvURCWtR-ydBzKOeDJWtE2X3BZ_7iNpfdrmhLVESu5CnHw7F9tygCSW7XqgXYfD_mPLmj_IbMQ-IakiJBUTzg8dMeDB0TCZ0R-6Otn3O8IuCfMaEBOD3Nc93Ur4JwKJMvHJmVpL-l_0_jRFnt14lkR87U339FJ2rxQmrRCkbCTlX7Df61EGruKPznGwY/s4896/P1110111a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvURCWtR-ydBzKOeDJWtE2X3BZ_7iNpfdrmhLVESu5CnHw7F9tygCSW7XqgXYfD_mPLmj_IbMQ-IakiJBUTzg8dMeDB0TCZ0R-6Otn3O8IuCfMaEBOD3Nc93Ur4JwKJMvHJmVpL-l_0_jRFnt14lkR87U339FJ2rxQmrRCkbCTlX7Df61EGruKPznGwY/w640-h480/P1110111a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Nothing came of Project Plough but the Weasel continued in development and the M29 would see service with US forces in the Pacific and Europe principally as an all terrain cargo carrier with buoyancy floats added to the M29C in the Pacific to make the vehicle amphibious.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5USMDsRcBsn-az7R3VDRz_Cmk34Nm1xrQ4WwCNBXoqL72EZGekBvdumRhonVVUbEZ1YNoMEPFIDJaIHrl0YrpP89ifcp-aE9WL7p1xrdtDXqI6NRr1JMELw_jItwn2LZTwC08jMYR7ydCyXKbwXfVa_9LQd30o5ygj0h9mrayd1yHavxDekgUyKWPMCw/s932/M-29___Weasel__St_Lo_special.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5USMDsRcBsn-az7R3VDRz_Cmk34Nm1xrQ4WwCNBXoqL72EZGekBvdumRhonVVUbEZ1YNoMEPFIDJaIHrl0YrpP89ifcp-aE9WL7p1xrdtDXqI6NRr1JMELw_jItwn2LZTwC08jMYR7ydCyXKbwXfVa_9LQd30o5ygj0h9mrayd1yHavxDekgUyKWPMCw/w550-h640/M-29___Weasel__St_Lo_special.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M29 Weasel in Normandy - 'St Lo Special'</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In Europe the M29 would go ashore in Normandy with US troops and would be active during the breakout from St Lo through to the Battle of the Bulge and the mud of the operations to cross the Ruhr and Rhine rivers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLW9G3kijWsEpeGybaa95beKfhCRxvCgtjV-A1_ZY119msjpiN1VQFa02DLgyBHdYZJd1s8S69_tgvkZX0FSREGcID6BObTTt8bubyYpZN8yA_GPGhWVVU_lHzl85i7aI1hCV3TD82cxwXqfH45hWUPTcsMjSa2fbJtRAw6pMZe9gZqXzXN-XtXCpkNw/s4896/P1110112a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLW9G3kijWsEpeGybaa95beKfhCRxvCgtjV-A1_ZY119msjpiN1VQFa02DLgyBHdYZJd1s8S69_tgvkZX0FSREGcID6BObTTt8bubyYpZN8yA_GPGhWVVU_lHzl85i7aI1hCV3TD82cxwXqfH45hWUPTcsMjSa2fbJtRAw6pMZe9gZqXzXN-XtXCpkNw/w640-h480/P1110112a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I must congratulate the organising team for the RAF Harrowbeer Weekend for putting on a marvellous show and would recommend checking it out on future occasions should the opportunity present.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2255aFQdKhPFANtfAq9RzZQceW9dI_QgX1phaeYRgRYWux9a1aBE-6nhzLfalGIw0enVhAr7uYAxPjfN2AQl-DTTSrW3EATewzF6NJ2dAC3b3IahAJiRoY1o9uAaU_9-O-0Gt9LRUSdYhD5xzdYr43gG0p64xLKECrLdG9k3QBRGzoEpGiCe-9pyNAHM/s2000/Frontage-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2255aFQdKhPFANtfAq9RzZQceW9dI_QgX1phaeYRgRYWux9a1aBE-6nhzLfalGIw0enVhAr7uYAxPjfN2AQl-DTTSrW3EATewzF6NJ2dAC3b3IahAJiRoY1o9uAaU_9-O-0Gt9LRUSdYhD5xzdYr43gG0p64xLKECrLdG9k3QBRGzoEpGiCe-9pyNAHM/w640-h426/Frontage-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.theoldinnwidecombe.com/"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.theoldinnwidecombe.com/</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our visit gave Carolyn, Steve, Tom and myself a perfect excuse for driving out to the Old Inn at Widecombe in the Moor for a very pleasant lunch and associated refreshments before enjoying a leisurely drive back over the moor to Exmouth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up, I'm off to the Naval Wargames Society gathering at Yeovilton to run the Bantry Bay Scenario with friends on the Sunday, so will aim to put together an AAR of our day, plus I have a book review to do and Mr Steve and I have been out exploring battlefields from the English Civil War, Wars of the Roses and before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More anon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">JJ</div><div><br /></div>P.S. Continuing the WWII theme, whilst preparing this post this week we have been treated to the annual appearance of our 'Summer Spitfire' that flies from the old Fighter Command base of Exeter Airport, and bases itself in our part of the world at this time each year.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFYfAZ5pFq-A5wzNy0asCCdawoBz1hTr9EsBUghByK8uy5WqcuGc_-xL6dKA_HXOb4xb8XhTFcODXnc3Q7WUX6mz4yGi8E-p-wo9O5T_cJgpsoPWZc8PIo8bjuevL8qvZmzzD1MWgHATiBJDID5F255RHbTEjLwiZl3jcwQQajlg86LQ7sl-CsVcNRN8/s4032/20230923_171454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFYfAZ5pFq-A5wzNy0asCCdawoBz1hTr9EsBUghByK8uy5WqcuGc_-xL6dKA_HXOb4xb8XhTFcODXnc3Q7WUX6mz4yGi8E-p-wo9O5T_cJgpsoPWZc8PIo8bjuevL8qvZmzzD1MWgHATiBJDID5F255RHbTEjLwiZl3jcwQQajlg86LQ7sl-CsVcNRN8/w640-h480/20230923_171454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The deep sound of the Merlin engine is unmistakeable and always causes me to stop and look up, whilst out on the daily walk, and I finally managed a picture, if not exactly a close up, but the elliptical wings of, in my opinion, the most beautiful of aircraft are, like the Merlin, unmistakeable.<br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQyrJmydjx1KNy2c8v6c2BN27h23BgZGa7ub0V5qt6nK1GzP0aANGD15MrIBSyXjey3OzVrV6aoL5epxRngB928SIvktK8-43E4jg7z9iPbXS-0zi-fQADhHBnGYQ1VIgKMm-fcVKUmG_Pvy4J2NChiDp8-rTUuO1qFsGSifa-SGOsfYb68_efidwrgs/s788/20230923_171454a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="788" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQyrJmydjx1KNy2c8v6c2BN27h23BgZGa7ub0V5qt6nK1GzP0aANGD15MrIBSyXjey3OzVrV6aoL5epxRngB928SIvktK8-43E4jg7z9iPbXS-0zi-fQADhHBnGYQ1VIgKMm-fcVKUmG_Pvy4J2NChiDp8-rTUuO1qFsGSifa-SGOsfYb68_efidwrgs/w640-h626/20230923_171454a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Such a very special sight!</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-38512010072299368092023-09-22T23:55:00.001-07:002023-09-23T14:58:12.407-07:00All at Sea, Battle of Camperdown - Project Build, Part One, The Dutch 74's<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRULacf1aOplKRNGKniNsNKfzA4Ew-XyYnORblGxRVLjOguK0dFun6L9mkXQHqaXlOqEFgP-q2uHGd9pLL10Gd9b1wEGea6jBD3Z2-A7AIHIhCEFRVecb9p6sUy6vK7VHe1tbquptiZ37ieAZWbAitXyYkqzbNrBGKkhvzi0Vsr8DS4Uhj6w7zT_9qEz4/s2500/Thomas-Whitcombe-Battle-of-Camperdown%20Vrijheid.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="2500" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRULacf1aOplKRNGKniNsNKfzA4Ew-XyYnORblGxRVLjOguK0dFun6L9mkXQHqaXlOqEFgP-q2uHGd9pLL10Gd9b1wEGea6jBD3Z2-A7AIHIhCEFRVecb9p6sUy6vK7VHe1tbquptiZ37ieAZWbAitXyYkqzbNrBGKkhvzi0Vsr8DS4Uhj6w7zT_9qEz4/w640-h414/Thomas-Whitcombe-Battle-of-Camperdown%20Vrijheid.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown 11th October 1797 - Thomas Whitcombe (1798).<br />The <i>Vrijheid </i>74-guns (left) in action with HMS <i>Venerable </i>74-guns (centre) and the Dutch 64-gun <i>Hercules </i>on fire (extreme right). The other Dutch 74-gun <i>Jupiter </i>is portrayed directly ahead on the bow of <i>Venerable</i>, beyond the unidentified British two-decker (possibly Belliqueux or Triumph). Further right is the 10-gun hired armed-cutter HMC <i>Rose </i>and behind her and the <i>Hercules </i>can be seen HMS <i>Monarch </i>74-guns and flagship of Vice-Admiral Onslow.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div>With recent project work completed last month, I have finally been able to give my full attention to a project that has been on the top of my to-do list but, for various factors, including other work, has necessarily had to take a back-seat until now, when all the ducks had been got into their proverbial row, and I could make a start.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrfYFoOWRiVgRgFS0HiN0RB024_fC35iI9wOaaFT-uQcaWUPvOaWrjPrfQSlYP_X5qXJ1qg4CtAe9ZBjp6l__tQEn8m_OzybjsfSbWWyWpcJCaJh3HVv36tCWamg7sf6Su2itZfgyk8UAkwKCVHdL2mPyYj61hhEdmLnnWgRIriUOgRik3uUJnxWNK5c/s640/Cape%20St%20Vincent%20Header.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrfYFoOWRiVgRgFS0HiN0RB024_fC35iI9wOaaFT-uQcaWUPvOaWrjPrfQSlYP_X5qXJ1qg4CtAe9ZBjp6l__tQEn8m_OzybjsfSbWWyWpcJCaJh3HVv36tCWamg7sf6Su2itZfgyk8UAkwKCVHdL2mPyYj61hhEdmLnnWgRIriUOgRik3uUJnxWNK5c/w400-h225/Cape%20St%20Vincent%20Header.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2022/02/battle-of-cape-st-vincent-14th-february.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Battle of Cape St Vincent 14th February 1797</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div>It seems to be a propitious time to get back into my fleet building work as I have just completed another smaller project that relates directly with this one, namely my Bantry Bay 1796 scenario, the planned French invasion of Ireland, that, as part of French plans to mass its available naval resources of its own and neighbouring allies, led to the Battle of Cape St Vincent on 14th February 1797, which I produced a game for last year in time for the 225th anniversary, (link above) and then in the October of that year a clash with another French naval ally, the Batavian Dutch Republic when it's fleet was met off the North Holland Coast at the Battle of Camperdown.</div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDT-HSkprRxB-tAgIFE1RqhaEshn7mOXeS2jNxwzONN4URwzZNrM75hi9fbMi5C5167Bcx9UCozhBZvEXsfm0Q2skR4QeyJa3R0Ke2fRlzp6YNiP5PCsgqY6aiRTPlV1_vf73EBRZ_0Yj94h94D298QV0RwZ1-W5NF0VqKJfqF-bSiXxeaapkEzgF4OE/s2048/DSCF1148a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDT-HSkprRxB-tAgIFE1RqhaEshn7mOXeS2jNxwzONN4URwzZNrM75hi9fbMi5C5167Bcx9UCozhBZvEXsfm0Q2skR4QeyJa3R0Ke2fRlzp6YNiP5PCsgqY6aiRTPlV1_vf73EBRZ_0Yj94h94D298QV0RwZ1-W5NF0VqKJfqF-bSiXxeaapkEzgF4OE/w640-h400/DSCF1148a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The preliminary builds for my Dutch Camperdown collection started with these frigates and a brig to compliment my 'Small Squadron and Single Ship Scenarios'.<br /><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2021/07/all-at-sea-revolutionary-war-batavian.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames All at Sea, Revolutionary War Batavian Dutch Frigates & Brig</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are a lot of renditions by artists over the centuries since the Battle of Camperdown was fought and I was spoilt for choice to select an eye catching option to head up this post and to herald the focus of my work over the forthcoming months, but this picture by the great contemporary artist Thomas Whitcomb seemed the most appropriate, capturing the Dutch fleet flagship <i>Vrijheid </i>under the command of Vice Admiral Jan Wilhelm de Winter in broadside-to-broadside action with Admiral Adam Duncan's <i>Venerable</i> at the Battle of Camperdown fought off the North Holland coast near the little fishing village of Camperduin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykH8RFZ9MA7a6BHgXzIQ61DJjP7mH1mWhaYnGFBAESIzrMKiWXhM8sEThZIA2oRWdCXIw4H3UZFZLRQJpE1ni0C-W_VxuUMQ2SHvwAS2Jgsw6UpSk6QycNBO7ZJr6SkvScsScYbJFGNejxbcdkLX36wpnFK34Obm5PNcVYcPKEaKD-4YUWsn21OAuJqU/s2035/Plan%20of%20Battle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="1416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykH8RFZ9MA7a6BHgXzIQ61DJjP7mH1mWhaYnGFBAESIzrMKiWXhM8sEThZIA2oRWdCXIw4H3UZFZLRQJpE1ni0C-W_VxuUMQ2SHvwAS2Jgsw6UpSk6QycNBO7ZJr6SkvScsScYbJFGNejxbcdkLX36wpnFK34Obm5PNcVYcPKEaKD-4YUWsn21OAuJqU/w446-h640/Plan%20of%20Battle.jpg" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four part battle plan as illustrated in de Delft, J.F. Fischer FZN.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The picture is somewhat confusing as it purports to show HMS <i>Monarch</i>, Admiral Onslow's flagship ahead of the <i>Venerable</i>, Duncan's flagship in the far background, which is confusing, given that <i>Monarch </i>was to the rear and other ships present such as the Dutch ship <i>Hercules</i> which was ahead of <i>Vrijheid </i>is shown in the right place. Perhaps Whitcombe was keen to keep Admiral Onslow happy by his inclusion of his ship in this picture of the battle!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-38cnNxH6h-_acvRmH8dxpDflLGD_8fbDZWCiU_r2uUAbYq4JeI04liw3TSDrikFMOxlQMsJ0gcw-QH2wrRNzJMnvZEIAEn6k8BpNusy8Bax64XDpSP1T_iv46ZW0yFvFYqeC8bTKMMYZoU5WNzYRfEFBC6TKjZVuzqr0L8I4m-tDhpqRBS3L1p2ejcI/s992/Plan%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="686" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-38cnNxH6h-_acvRmH8dxpDflLGD_8fbDZWCiU_r2uUAbYq4JeI04liw3TSDrikFMOxlQMsJ0gcw-QH2wrRNzJMnvZEIAEn6k8BpNusy8Bax64XDpSP1T_iv46ZW0yFvFYqeC8bTKMMYZoU5WNzYRfEFBC6TKjZVuzqr0L8I4m-tDhpqRBS3L1p2ejcI/w442-h640/Plan%201.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan One showing the approach to battle at 12.30 and order of sailing at the start of the British attack as seen in the illustration above. Note the position of the Dutch flagship <i>Brutus </i>as highlighted below - de Delft, J.F. Fischer FZN.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">This point helps to illustrate the problems encountered when researching naval battles from this era in that much of the information is passed down from artwork and reminiscences from veterans who obviously couldn't see everything, and then the historical record has to rely on the ships logs, which in the case of the British were supposed to be kept by the captain and master of each ship, recording events as they occurred in a timed manner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2rLRjnNzQnW4qERWpsUQ83lbtS8F_tFB6m8T_pFrB7SVLJQg641oGnn1226APTMJqDiearPiCcVqjZVWkFJIsv42zAmwLztxqH4dkQ5QFHlXxZbxrR3HLyL4KkuPrIik9152LYiXt5fKKo-gBmaWhKUsOHZ8fGwpEuim7pApSKcAiutKiupLmxmWmS0/s999/Plan%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="681" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2rLRjnNzQnW4qERWpsUQ83lbtS8F_tFB6m8T_pFrB7SVLJQg641oGnn1226APTMJqDiearPiCcVqjZVWkFJIsv42zAmwLztxqH4dkQ5QFHlXxZbxrR3HLyL4KkuPrIik9152LYiXt5fKKo-gBmaWhKUsOHZ8fGwpEuim7pApSKcAiutKiupLmxmWmS0/w436-h640/Plan%202.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown at 13.00 and the British have started to break the Dutch line, led by Onslow's HMS <i>Monarch </i>- de Delft, J.F. Fischer FZN.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The British logs from Camperdown are not as many would wish them to be, as quoted from 'Great Sea Fights 1794-1805 Volume 1', published in 1899 by the Navy Records Society, quote;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>' The logs of the ships in Admiral Duncan's squadron at the Battle of Camperdown are the worst written and worst spelt of any that have been copied in this volume. . . Several of the logs are almost illegible.'</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58jnJgaukUaWq6IaPHdhcgB55tffBVojo4SG7CrM5koRYeu62luOyMRuu1DYMWOewWARCbku5OeVy_qWHoFwXkR1ay8UXcCfHFD8JjFIhHew9lliEbIMjIG6A5Tiu1GYqnYNmx-78ZDkWDBLDEadI0v1cbmWRg_2YsyrRG3ferD8QKXOj-0Egg55nO2A/s987/Plan%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="674" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58jnJgaukUaWq6IaPHdhcgB55tffBVojo4SG7CrM5koRYeu62luOyMRuu1DYMWOewWARCbku5OeVy_qWHoFwXkR1ay8UXcCfHFD8JjFIhHew9lliEbIMjIG6A5Tiu1GYqnYNmx-78ZDkWDBLDEadI0v1cbmWRg_2YsyrRG3ferD8QKXOj-0Egg55nO2A/w438-h640/Plan%203.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown at 14.00 and the pell-mell battle brought on by the British tactics has<br />practically overwhelmed the Dutch rear - de Delft, J.F. Fischer FZN.</td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The introduction does go on to point out that the logs from the two British flagships <b><i>'give on the whole a fair account of the method of attack'</i></b>, with a noticeable exception in the log of general signals issued by Duncan during the approach to battle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgblHLyM5r5HY113KMEVKEIad3I9Efbes1h4DBhfREaIfSSmvGXilq8Ds4aaZv48i1Yq6X468Pb3f0ytIEZ6L6Vd0rzckZo5Yq_nkC_wD6dUfmTCG34LQ6g4CKfIRCL9LX8buUaHO14uBmL-Y1KDpZiQoaI1LGqPuV1PVeYPCJYVWSbtAjckbk1EB3FQ4/s985/Plan%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgblHLyM5r5HY113KMEVKEIad3I9Efbes1h4DBhfREaIfSSmvGXilq8Ds4aaZv48i1Yq6X468Pb3f0ytIEZ6L6Vd0rzckZo5Yq_nkC_wD6dUfmTCG34LQ6g4CKfIRCL9LX8buUaHO14uBmL-Y1KDpZiQoaI1LGqPuV1PVeYPCJYVWSbtAjckbk1EB3FQ4/w442-h640/Plan%204.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown at 15.00 an with the striking of the <i>Vrijheid</i>, the battle is over as the surviving Dutch ships break off, headed for the Texel - de Delft, J.F. Fischer FZN.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This might explain the paucity of detailed plans of battle showing the tracks of vessels involved and where they ended up at the end of it, with the best example I have discovered coming from the Dutch book 'de Delft' by J.F. Fischer which is the plan I propose to work to for my end game, but even here we have a discrepancy, showing as it does the 74-gun <i>Brutus</i>, showcased in this post, to the rear of <i>Vrijheid </i>and <i>Stat Generaal</i>, instead of forward of these two ships in the van as pictured by the British artist that captured the Dutch battle array five minutes before action commenced, illustrated below, which is my main source for the look of my Dutch fleet.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW-DtWCTgeIZkVibqkJtGNl3F6ildw3Kt-HwHS09Vpj0oAI4vxH1AY96V5Pirg7dM9Q5330vxuGpZySPZyybcg9FA1xPyLlgyse3oVbUnFdBP9jKUalPYtdbpZ2bQ_H6Lc-ssa9L4iA2LOQzRwIjWe1YYGACrfhKql0bWcPKIkTsvKsRwGltaWHRj-JQ/s639/DSCF1942a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="639" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW-DtWCTgeIZkVibqkJtGNl3F6ildw3Kt-HwHS09Vpj0oAI4vxH1AY96V5Pirg7dM9Q5330vxuGpZySPZyybcg9FA1xPyLlgyse3oVbUnFdBP9jKUalPYtdbpZ2bQ_H6Lc-ssa9L4iA2LOQzRwIjWe1YYGACrfhKql0bWcPKIkTsvKsRwGltaWHRj-JQ/w640-h460/DSCF1942a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The release of the small third-rate or 64-gunner propelled the idea for this collection forward and I felt compelled to test the look of the fleet with this Dutch 64, inaccurately rigged as it subsequently turned out with a gaff rigged mizzen.<br /><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2022/03/new-small-third-rate-64-gun-warlord.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - New small third-rate 64-gun</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This project has been long in the gestation period which I often go through when thinking about how to proceed with a collection build, which has seen the normal research into the look of the forces involved, the models required and few proof of concept builds fitted in with other work, leading up to the moment when, with other projects finished and a clearer idea of how to proceed, I now feel emboldened to get stuck in, with these first major elements of the Dutch fleet.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2tyOxa92Ubru9ROhcJ5XF_V-GUY6z7BLzNgvCT3_pZOsWlWfM33dSgElpGTSUXXh1HsKfuy8ohAts3_Sd-jaYLgAg2pWpdOvTftlJAszBQszLEvyXJ0nNeXYPZD1CGDW2yKCOWSNwC4c2pypDXhX2HQ5VK0lpW9KCxcEQYRNNKJ9by3ThFRTxXyr0c4/s639/P1100760a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="639" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2tyOxa92Ubru9ROhcJ5XF_V-GUY6z7BLzNgvCT3_pZOsWlWfM33dSgElpGTSUXXh1HsKfuy8ohAts3_Sd-jaYLgAg2pWpdOvTftlJAszBQszLEvyXJ0nNeXYPZD1CGDW2yKCOWSNwC4c2pypDXhX2HQ5VK0lpW9KCxcEQYRNNKJ9by3ThFRTxXyr0c4/w640-h566/P1100760a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similarly the fourth-rate release by Warlord has now meant that the models are available to start working on and the lateen mizzen rig has also been solved, prompting plans to be developed for a collection from an earlier period.<br /><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/08/all-at-sea-fourth-rate-ships-of-line.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - All at sea, Fourth-Rate Ships of the Line</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The preparation work was a very necessary period as, during the time taken Warlord gradually released models such as the small third-rates and fourth-rates that are key component of both these British and Dutch 'Cinderella Fleets', but also further research revealed my error in presenting my Dutch 64-gunner with a gaff and boom mizzen which, on contemplating the best effective way of modelling the look of the lateen rigged mizzens carried on Dutch ships-of-the-line, led to me testing the idea on the fourth-rate seen above, and satisfied with that test build was ready to move on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNRU19Ik92-lweMIh1RlADj9dR-QVs5pqcR_IB94S72uvSdhqqyFWK0MkxVpyxOMQhIhmjWHsJmYN2KHC0cL82xhEEKvTc-6ums-xOJL-9XTJ-GulGBWhNl2Ko6Sa5a5vewuXIpBIcIhYUF80pHPbVLzXShKa7qga5PK0vGsz3c0ytEIs6xrU8V1fHr4/s1896/Doc%20-%2030%20Aug%202023%20-%2010-50.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="1383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNRU19Ik92-lweMIh1RlADj9dR-QVs5pqcR_IB94S72uvSdhqqyFWK0MkxVpyxOMQhIhmjWHsJmYN2KHC0cL82xhEEKvTc-6ums-xOJL-9XTJ-GulGBWhNl2Ko6Sa5a5vewuXIpBIcIhYUF80pHPbVLzXShKa7qga5PK0vGsz3c0ytEIs6xrU8V1fHr4/w466-h640/Doc%20-%2030%20Aug%202023%20-%2010-50.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Published by Dundee City Council in 1997 for the bicentenary of the battle, the book 'Glorious Victory' has been an important resource in my planning for this project.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another aspect that I have mulled over in my mind was the look of my British fleet, having at first settled on the idea of using elements from my Trafalgar and Cape St. Vincent collections with the idea of keeping my British line ships flagged under the white ensign regardless of the action I intended to use them in. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vyG9qF1-NaYazhrwpYsXlS-3VvdsVs7D3aXn3TvQiGSeD8S1QAHJBZUo2CazPHOVZQ_zBNMUKhP-gdvL_GseKd7vQDLJLd__LrvE9GN_LzuXP8ii3evJsxL9qf75CCAZruVOKG6n1XbampQ6lyPUiNEfun6qN2fWqbHoHvGLZd0pIGx7dIhQI2cMnPQ/s4032/20230919_153254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vyG9qF1-NaYazhrwpYsXlS-3VvdsVs7D3aXn3TvQiGSeD8S1QAHJBZUo2CazPHOVZQ_zBNMUKhP-gdvL_GseKd7vQDLJLd__LrvE9GN_LzuXP8ii3evJsxL9qf75CCAZruVOKG6n1XbampQ6lyPUiNEfun6qN2fWqbHoHvGLZd0pIGx7dIhQI2cMnPQ/w640-h480/20230919_153254.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British history is recorded in the names of its streets, and with associations with Lady Nelson and Sir Edward Pellew, Lord Exmouth, it is not surprising to see the Battle of Camperdown commemorated on an Exmouth street sign.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However on further reflection and despite the added work to complete the project I have decided to build Duncan's Nore Fleet in their red and blue divisional colours to better reflect the aesthetics and look of this rather unique battle, but I will come back to the British in a later post. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily1fo2tA0-Cl11nG5v5zNffVu_ZVumEm7RgMZuLNl12hz2le_OfVCIfg6Y6uPrKdc-gJBEbfzKPN8ScH7VtElQnUTsRMv28PC-osyIUe4EJOiPRN1kXdTMezV_m1oAUz_OF4dDvMiLMYNz_-CR_yQePw4QcEIz6uKeQ2BIlJJ9oTI9XX2eLHEtmIvKUw/s1264/Doc%20-%2026%20Aug%202023%20-%2012-53%20a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1264" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily1fo2tA0-Cl11nG5v5zNffVu_ZVumEm7RgMZuLNl12hz2le_OfVCIfg6Y6uPrKdc-gJBEbfzKPN8ScH7VtElQnUTsRMv28PC-osyIUe4EJOiPRN1kXdTMezV_m1oAUz_OF4dDvMiLMYNz_-CR_yQePw4QcEIz6uKeQ2BIlJJ9oTI9XX2eLHEtmIvKUw/w640-h476/Doc%20-%2026%20Aug%202023%20-%2012-53%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fantastically important primary source is this illustration of the opening five minutes of the Battle of Camperdown, by an unknown artist, held by the National Museum of Scotland</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of the key resources that has influenced the ideas about the look of my Dutch fleet has been the book '<span style="text-align: center;">Glorious Victory' published by Dundee City Council during the bicentenary year of the battle and in which is contained the amazing contemporary illustration seen above, showing the distinctive look of the Dutch ships as revealed in the close ups of this document used to emblazon the inside of the front and back cover.</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmoSK4SWlT6A1D81M9M5xAj19K7czTE-1_ol1iC24U1N1Mx_lbvCaJztLZPigTW5AwjPZg-0CMUSvc93X2ihQZKIqyB9zxKrIB-ymlCD-VJDXVt0VxF4t0W2JyZGED2D0gzf0QvLyzVeh_yUg1aEwnZWNrCPvnmdaGnZifzrD_UeJS0IczKqzEfkJQwI/s960/Camperdown%20-%20Gardner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="960" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmoSK4SWlT6A1D81M9M5xAj19K7czTE-1_ol1iC24U1N1Mx_lbvCaJztLZPigTW5AwjPZg-0CMUSvc93X2ihQZKIqyB9zxKrIB-ymlCD-VJDXVt0VxF4t0W2JyZGED2D0gzf0QvLyzVeh_yUg1aEwnZWNrCPvnmdaGnZifzrD_UeJS0IczKqzEfkJQwI/w640-h306/Camperdown%20-%20Gardner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle of Camperdown - Derek Gardner<br />Left to Right - <b>Circe</b> 28-guns, <b>Powerful</b> 74-guns, <b>Bedford</b> 74-guns, Hercules 64-guns, <b>Triumph</b> 74-guns, <b>Belliqueux</b> 64-guns, <b>Ardent</b> 64-guns, De Vries 68-guns, Vrijheid 74-guns, <b>Venerable </b>74-guns, Staten Generaal 74-guns. <b>British ships</b> highlighted.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">So having read up on the battle and trawled through various depictions of it I thought I would make a start by working my way through the various rates in the Dutch fleet starting with their most powerful units, the third-rate 74s of which there were four, and all of them flagships, as seen in the order of battle.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIvV1-AaCwiITL70sVyrUQiOZ_FAUjzpzqLWkJGN_HnmrEzuQEQUaWtfc-my3fyRsPKWm6ABo0DhZrS43WjZq5KRrSw1KRSCvqyJ6tsAuYd5u5G7PC0RqOE_N9zXMDgBeLuENbtj2krL46__eTwVTYJJvyDhOG46GaxwIQFpvEMzFJkwLLrt7bVXh9s4/s795/Dutch%20Order%20of%20Battle%20line%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="777" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIvV1-AaCwiITL70sVyrUQiOZ_FAUjzpzqLWkJGN_HnmrEzuQEQUaWtfc-my3fyRsPKWm6ABo0DhZrS43WjZq5KRrSw1KRSCvqyJ6tsAuYd5u5G7PC0RqOE_N9zXMDgBeLuENbtj2krL46__eTwVTYJJvyDhOG46GaxwIQFpvEMzFJkwLLrt7bVXh9s4/w626-h640/Dutch%20Order%20of%20Battle%20line%201.jpg" width="626" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dutch Fleet of Vice Admiral de Winter consisting of sixteen ships-of-the-line, four frigates and eight smaller vessels. See below for a list of the other eight ships that composed his line at Camperdown. Note those ships marked with an asterisk were captured in the battle and captains killed or who subsequently died from wounds received are likewise indicated with a cross next to the name.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As can be seen, the Dutch ships are shown in the familiar black and puke-yellow broad strakes typical of the French-Revolutionary War look of warships from this period, but also some are showing a more unique look of black with a broad grubby white strake instead, with white lion figureheads predominating on all, bar the fleet flagship <i>Vrijheid, </i>which has a red one, the impression completed with the flag officer pennants shown flying from the respective masts of all these four 74-gun fleet flagships.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rSs7ewxXUNjc61ACb7Bsv0gugI4a6-ZSFc9wZ4qJhSn0CrvCwX1oJGFmqmOVJHaqRbYM0ndl7Vm6zYXw5RB46LZLpfVsZRCV5ZTpo5M_MJv085AkZVejJhokxXR7D5dNOQpvDCn2aJZzAZEVRRw0JOHCxvxim3kEOq2vMUHN2AJyPuwyLHEWuZcuRuk/s870/74's%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="870" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rSs7ewxXUNjc61ACb7Bsv0gugI4a6-ZSFc9wZ4qJhSn0CrvCwX1oJGFmqmOVJHaqRbYM0ndl7Vm6zYXw5RB46LZLpfVsZRCV5ZTpo5M_MJv085AkZVejJhokxXR7D5dNOQpvDCn2aJZzAZEVRRw0JOHCxvxim3kEOq2vMUHN2AJyPuwyLHEWuZcuRuk/w640-h564/74's%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the van and centre of the Dutch fleet, Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter aboard his flagship <i>Vrijheid </i>had three of his 74's with the <i>Brutus</i>, flagship of Rear-Admiral Johan Bloys van Treslong up front, and in close support, the <i>Staten Generaal</i>, flagship of Rear-Admiral Samuel Story.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By October 1797 it was more than four years since Revolutionary France had declared war on Great Britain, years characterised by disaster and defeat, mitigated by the occasional naval victory, that saw the despised armies of the French Revolution soon turn the tables after the battles of Valmy in 1792 and Tourcoing in 1794 and the defeat of Britain's continental allies one after another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiFPlbj2gSnqTPyzq5pVMGt771HDB4T2ytg2z_JSwnCvRFU8PAKT9FCGAUrZA-P42EHcT12yMhq0AF6hMU9ubNxJTaVnMzdbRFFprHCIHobxVsDLgyPeKMaAkfiGX4VW3fHd_N_XAspUqXvC1n425be-bDBJRoeBU2JbVNpDvrlgkNJjdDpXTwzDlZmE/s813/Dutch%20Order%20of%20Battle%20line%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="777" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiFPlbj2gSnqTPyzq5pVMGt771HDB4T2ytg2z_JSwnCvRFU8PAKT9FCGAUrZA-P42EHcT12yMhq0AF6hMU9ubNxJTaVnMzdbRFFprHCIHobxVsDLgyPeKMaAkfiGX4VW3fHd_N_XAspUqXvC1n425be-bDBJRoeBU2JbVNpDvrlgkNJjdDpXTwzDlZmE/w612-h640/Dutch%20Order%20of%20Battle%20line%202.jpg" width="612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this initial phase of the Dutch fleet build, I intend to focus on the ships-of-the-line, before turning to complete the lighter ships in the fleet.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /></div><div>The Netherlands and Spain were transformed from British allies into enemies while Austria withdrew from the war, and by 1796 Britain was ringed by hostile forces on land and had withdrawn from the Mediterranean partly to focus its support on its last European ally, Portugal.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtaOL6gjwzi4JjeFzmeiNrLbgxEfVAKVzhwgO24etRxotx_tiZTTHGn003Q8EmdG3jcj6j3b7Jp3iSl4mBIUTyyOFgWCNKYOhO4Rt-UEDGcbbLovuMlf0-hwFG-9vRBEK-o7Dh1j7lJFRRqwllPCsBYl6e8KYgZgw9J-AUMF_jrbHK-M3c70OU5dGHVU/s573/74's%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="573" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtaOL6gjwzi4JjeFzmeiNrLbgxEfVAKVzhwgO24etRxotx_tiZTTHGn003Q8EmdG3jcj6j3b7Jp3iSl4mBIUTyyOFgWCNKYOhO4Rt-UEDGcbbLovuMlf0-hwFG-9vRBEK-o7Dh1j7lJFRRqwllPCsBYl6e8KYgZgw9J-AUMF_jrbHK-M3c70OU5dGHVU/w640-h556/74's%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the rear was the other 74, the <i>Jupiter</i>, flagship of Rear-Admiral Hermanus Reijntjes.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Early in 1797 there was a serious financial crisis, with the Bank of England's bullion reserve falling to a very low point causing the government to extend the use of paper money and impose new taxes, but the naval victory against the Spanish off Cape St. Vincent on February 14th, St Valentine's Day, offered new hope.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvjVJmf-kPgXaxENqHdjOJttiqYL81FkQmuxuo63sgqvohtws9RmMxDSeaiLtTCmZz1TcMNJm-dL7UqzYg_6s2SrBzUO4hnV4thntatIxe8Od7W75xzCPq7Aj9ez13N-UMBPBFYSgguG3OXavJGTGUUpEJxI3JdG4W2bIYs42qimw0Q6MCXRW2EbhS04/s922/Admirals%20flag.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="922" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvjVJmf-kPgXaxENqHdjOJttiqYL81FkQmuxuo63sgqvohtws9RmMxDSeaiLtTCmZz1TcMNJm-dL7UqzYg_6s2SrBzUO4hnV4thntatIxe8Od7W75xzCPq7Aj9ez13N-UMBPBFYSgguG3OXavJGTGUUpEJxI3JdG4W2bIYs42qimw0Q6MCXRW2EbhS04/s320/Admirals%20flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch Flag Officer's Pennant as used at Camperdown</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The Dutch navy was an ancient enemy of the British and had contested naval supremacy in a series of hard-fought battles between 1652 and 1674, and though in decline, again later in 1780 to 1783 during the American War of Independence.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Dutch were natural seamen, and always fought well in battle, but their country was too small to support a large navy and her waters too shallow to operate large ships; and by 1797 it had declined to a force of twenty-eight ships-of-the-line and thirty smaller vessels, compared to the seven-hundred operated by the Royal Navy.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a paucity of data available on Dutch ships, with English sources such as James quoting gun layouts on those captured by the British and noting that the Dutch 74's were similarly arranged as per the British small 74-gun types, which has formed the basis of my assumptions for the statistics I have illustrated for Kiss Me, Hardy (KMH).</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Vrijheid 74-guns</span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtilJGf7YN_o8L_T-dg3JC7PGID6TPXYigkw-bvEjNSCjvdJMtpA4jtyablZxOnq4u4_a4KeZVm_4XOZ-YOGB1wC5DaT_o4Y8YQdMABKB8ta7_kqNU2PCKneqnaDx77z_BvJC4Ux79Fn69uL_1wuREPZbMb01JnPkLCs-3eVXWmPhrua6iLD0vZ2cW4kA/s1280/Vreijheid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1280" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtilJGf7YN_o8L_T-dg3JC7PGID6TPXYigkw-bvEjNSCjvdJMtpA4jtyablZxOnq4u4_a4KeZVm_4XOZ-YOGB1wC5DaT_o4Y8YQdMABKB8ta7_kqNU2PCKneqnaDx77z_BvJC4Ux79Fn69uL_1wuREPZbMb01JnPkLCs-3eVXWmPhrua6iLD0vZ2cW4kA/w640-h448/Vreijheid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Launched and commissioned in 1782 in the Amsterdam Shipyard, the <i>Vrijheid </i>served as the fleet flagship of Admiral Jan Willem de Winter.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsMmglUr_jDp4VvN23mkXu9S_nOdi7m_2kD_CPVoa5WeSvTBG_9ID2gphjx1rSb6fgU0eZsgJtVYMQKWFf9nEmZlZFWpj3LNarmMsRhxYoFF1vgUjK_7y3FHZJXALg-_Q7_a3mB3-yKbds7pYV2H-tuSOc8QAE8vb0OWIwYPVzuwtVw6kw-XhwEopFIM/s563/Jan_Willem_De_Winter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="386" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsMmglUr_jDp4VvN23mkXu9S_nOdi7m_2kD_CPVoa5WeSvTBG_9ID2gphjx1rSb6fgU0eZsgJtVYMQKWFf9nEmZlZFWpj3LNarmMsRhxYoFF1vgUjK_7y3FHZJXALg-_Q7_a3mB3-yKbds7pYV2H-tuSOc8QAE8vb0OWIwYPVzuwtVw6kw-XhwEopFIM/s320/Jan_Willem_De_Winter.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Admiral Jan Willem de Winter</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The <i>Vrijheid </i>is shown to have the following dimensions; Gundeck length 166 feet' 2 inches, breadth 44 feet, eight inches, Hold depth of 20 feet, 5 inches and a displacement of 1,526 tons BM and had a listed crew compliment of 550 men.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcr67XZrvlT2cVJjl4D7GHROa9YWwaQyZ26hfPFmR-tKdVdRDUJACCHktkLKWVTgBaqQtB7bc_ThahC1CWUq_3A9MPkaFZkR-AlkVm_1bkmQImNalQ3vuageZJIbHeIIlpTPeCGqq9DtUwE8QtyTd2wvbwpkVFewM4zGlVLnbfhpj7wIZRyVZWboPMnU/s1400/linieschip-Vrijheid-74-stukken.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="1400" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcr67XZrvlT2cVJjl4D7GHROa9YWwaQyZ26hfPFmR-tKdVdRDUJACCHktkLKWVTgBaqQtB7bc_ThahC1CWUq_3A9MPkaFZkR-AlkVm_1bkmQImNalQ3vuageZJIbHeIIlpTPeCGqq9DtUwE8QtyTd2wvbwpkVFewM4zGlVLnbfhpj7wIZRyVZWboPMnU/w640-h208/linieschip-Vrijheid-74-stukken.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dutch 74-gun Vrijheid - Rijksmuseum.nl</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Her armament is shown as 28 x 32-pounder long guns on her lower deck, 28 x 18-pdrs on her upper deck and 18 x 12-pdrs on her quarterdeck and forecastle.</span></span></b></div><div><br /></div>I present my best estimate based on my various sources for the look of the <i>Vrijheid </i>in KMH and my rendition from the first hand depiction in 'Glorious Victory'.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9AVzgdZg2_kVeRzB6vWYqs7f6QvCJGVDgHusaudmgSvwuErCJr7HqUrzZyxNRRafNunSlle5_gepF5TscZ9a0AVDQMQmXeS1A8aINFR1r_v847XfCIkQscEVWdKvq3a_T7SzS-sY6cY5rQFjykI8nznzZqNBC2gcskkQk34QjJ1dtNWVXf0bKBOIs-k/s574/Vrijheid%2074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="558" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9AVzgdZg2_kVeRzB6vWYqs7f6QvCJGVDgHusaudmgSvwuErCJr7HqUrzZyxNRRafNunSlle5_gepF5TscZ9a0AVDQMQmXeS1A8aINFR1r_v847XfCIkQscEVWdKvq3a_T7SzS-sY6cY5rQFjykI8nznzZqNBC2gcskkQk34QjJ1dtNWVXf0bKBOIs-k/w389-h400/Vrijheid%2074.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thus the <i>Vrijheid </i>is depicted<i> </i>complete with Admiral de Winter’s fleet flagship pennant at her mainmast, white strakes, lateen mizzen and red Dutch lion figurehead.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f4l5qkhWWqoPTcN8EPnekzKZBQbgPs3vAt1EM6_eboLVoo6Jdc7rb_dOPLNLUMsht4rsLQONMvY1wN5jvCqxM9GvjAoQk6-JklXJ80zkYCQc8GSD4n4DbubcCw5WUsKLpm2mhcOsINkxRgKFqVkJ2oMmA4O73uW7WiMw7Wo023BN6inhmI9hMqDjhlE/s4896/P1110300a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f4l5qkhWWqoPTcN8EPnekzKZBQbgPs3vAt1EM6_eboLVoo6Jdc7rb_dOPLNLUMsht4rsLQONMvY1wN5jvCqxM9GvjAoQk6-JklXJ80zkYCQc8GSD4n4DbubcCw5WUsKLpm2mhcOsINkxRgKFqVkJ2oMmA4O73uW7WiMw7Wo023BN6inhmI9hMqDjhlE/w640-h480/P1110300a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp9r-f8SYRJC9wZR5kKte2dQK4XMb6x7xVTCTlHurw4bASA50LbU5QpcTJxuPOVlrOGI5E7N4tmEPPCo1tndpCNJX5-_L67A-V1KJC4Jpkjrl3KlPMrTyn3jLNZarwz6EY_FZnUo8Afteebwa0rRScwgQsvu3l3Yr5C9rPBMc86Rqe0MJHj1BnJe6Wwc/s4077/P1110301a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4077" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp9r-f8SYRJC9wZR5kKte2dQK4XMb6x7xVTCTlHurw4bASA50LbU5QpcTJxuPOVlrOGI5E7N4tmEPPCo1tndpCNJX5-_L67A-V1KJC4Jpkjrl3KlPMrTyn3jLNZarwz6EY_FZnUo8Afteebwa0rRScwgQsvu3l3Yr5C9rPBMc86Rqe0MJHj1BnJe6Wwc/w640-h576/P1110301a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_-_hYECKbqtk6Kidb0gk3ByzFOiyIha-beG0AlWQIsanjlu_QLUgx22vyD1SkeKHxtA-HgYeNWfEzbINlqBpJa3r52_xJbjCvTEIG95jU77fTVE_BYFp7S9P41MF2d6yuCgntbBSt_CxGgTseyV7r6qtI6m6PyVy7PbXcOjC3cqvQYyPAABzx0lucGc/s3672/P1110302a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_-_hYECKbqtk6Kidb0gk3ByzFOiyIha-beG0AlWQIsanjlu_QLUgx22vyD1SkeKHxtA-HgYeNWfEzbINlqBpJa3r52_xJbjCvTEIG95jU77fTVE_BYFp7S9P41MF2d6yuCgntbBSt_CxGgTseyV7r6qtI6m6PyVy7PbXcOjC3cqvQYyPAABzx0lucGc/w422-h640/P1110302a.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8XVQYCJtzsRykTegYP9dsvB3zyoE8ozScwJdUSMhR1tPtnb9oBs5x2_sibXt9p3-UbkcZ80biGJwx0tx7kD1jQs5H6WYefxgT1siNoU3i-EfxuEevGtOjbygBkBqIU8y8OHnIYMzXlraVlEGISAuzqLJO_p9Ilsn2BL4qoDJpnjOgvIy0WsNLUQpAxU/s4038/P1110303a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4038" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8XVQYCJtzsRykTegYP9dsvB3zyoE8ozScwJdUSMhR1tPtnb9oBs5x2_sibXt9p3-UbkcZ80biGJwx0tx7kD1jQs5H6WYefxgT1siNoU3i-EfxuEevGtOjbygBkBqIU8y8OHnIYMzXlraVlEGISAuzqLJO_p9Ilsn2BL4qoDJpnjOgvIy0WsNLUQpAxU/w640-h582/P1110303a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpQy6_2pNb_hukWDYxixFQiIgEyNeDS3QJoed4LDpVdH10z9NfQdvC72aBTi6NoxbYiI6fKXNOJzWQhMCDHq05Q-uplhFfCbG_USIIJqKLaz3Ah3e5R9uGouBZGVmjw7w9rRpCzVfwmsJXknT0K33pslEp_jmLe7ReK8b3GIzHvnoEt2Nb63iaNRRcnk/s3803/P1110304a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3532" data-original-width="3803" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpQy6_2pNb_hukWDYxixFQiIgEyNeDS3QJoed4LDpVdH10z9NfQdvC72aBTi6NoxbYiI6fKXNOJzWQhMCDHq05Q-uplhFfCbG_USIIJqKLaz3Ah3e5R9uGouBZGVmjw7w9rRpCzVfwmsJXknT0K33pslEp_jmLe7ReK8b3GIzHvnoEt2Nb63iaNRRcnk/w640-h594/P1110304a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Staten Generaal (nominally of 76-guns) 74-guns</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6l8plNwWTYF6f0lq3GGGwQ8D5uXCI0td4-OSlGBY36JYLyFse-bxCaBE4yreL2XNTqfb05yI2Uu4I3s5-893ihXt1KoTsMyu6JZTjVr7RzSJ5GhKvk-Ek8k8ZxorJRUaq6mCmYdyYvGGuMVkoUer8j1JCzL71XZZ7KTeogzwNww4tUHHr_xdz97Y9iM/s800/StatenGeneraal.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6l8plNwWTYF6f0lq3GGGwQ8D5uXCI0td4-OSlGBY36JYLyFse-bxCaBE4yreL2XNTqfb05yI2Uu4I3s5-893ihXt1KoTsMyu6JZTjVr7RzSJ5GhKvk-Ek8k8ZxorJRUaq6mCmYdyYvGGuMVkoUer8j1JCzL71XZZ7KTeogzwNww4tUHHr_xdz97Y9iM/w640-h420/StatenGeneraal.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Dutch 74-gun ship <i>Staten Generaal</i> under Vice-Admiral
Pieter Melvill. circa 1793-95<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The <span style="text-align: center;">74-gun ship </span><i style="text-align: center;">Staten Generaal </i><span style="text-align: center;">was launched on the 8th April 1788 in Rotterdam and had the following dimensions; </span>Gundeck length 167 feet' 1 inch, breadth 44 feet, seven inches, Hold depth of 20 feet, 5 inches and had a listed crew compliment of 550 men.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_kpjo9OfpTt3wHTw1zH8izuPHlGf-zr3vDyV1SRXGZNllHN4h4AFUZvoaQdOqdIOByiYiOKd42voehYGuG7HN6JF4BwcK8V1SW_aZxfUGVQv_MklVYsc1HhcmhSLEYQuWK_wFq6_FlOCySKm-z3Jj6CHgWvzhGvVkd8U2qenGjB_LA4gI_ZJ67KWeQs/s1030/Samuel_Story_1811.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_kpjo9OfpTt3wHTw1zH8izuPHlGf-zr3vDyV1SRXGZNllHN4h4AFUZvoaQdOqdIOByiYiOKd42voehYGuG7HN6JF4BwcK8V1SW_aZxfUGVQv_MklVYsc1HhcmhSLEYQuWK_wFq6_FlOCySKm-z3Jj6CHgWvzhGvVkd8U2qenGjB_LA4gI_ZJ67KWeQs/s320/Samuel_Story_1811.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Rear-Admiral Samuel Story</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Her armament is shown as 28 x 32-pounder long guns on her lower deck, 28 x 18-pdrs on her upper deck and 20 x 8-pdrs on her quarterdeck and forecastle.</span></span></b></div><div><br /></div></div>At Camperdown she served as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Samuel Story and her KMH record card is illustrated below<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS5AakN3Sj1cn7aDTF_dhdq82wRKXD-Mb4n5NpKnbs7sJ_PSQ9-mviQs5Vg1ajHUpCl8v9mdYQLuj8Sc-Ue7f6KXmlHh8SQ01ykoHq7fCAqW8HQms0DIE6hFW3VAxtVoMIG0jsZLAHCCfRhS4h-8CsSl58auxWiUANKkMMgBycSPOrlzrvAXlpUGWulM/s575/Staten%20Generaal%2074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS5AakN3Sj1cn7aDTF_dhdq82wRKXD-Mb4n5NpKnbs7sJ_PSQ9-mviQs5Vg1ajHUpCl8v9mdYQLuj8Sc-Ue7f6KXmlHh8SQ01ykoHq7fCAqW8HQms0DIE6hFW3VAxtVoMIG0jsZLAHCCfRhS4h-8CsSl58auxWiUANKkMMgBycSPOrlzrvAXlpUGWulM/w383-h400/Staten%20Generaal%2074.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Similarly I have depicted Staten Generaal with Rear-Admiral Story’s pennant flying from her mizzen, complete with puke-yellow strakes and white Dutch lion at her bow.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGb_OtRVerIrNk23ZKA6UjLYTEhOuykgD09V1Dc684N6kWPL0YQd-dE9wR3hfgpS99gDP8bNx7JioAQ2ipf-QGm4JElrd8_V_aXY-jYTdriW2nIDkdyNjnVQ77OBhLXUA6eq_1KsPtgrC0MLIUHMOFNjkehP0BLrkRfcq1dz9gshgNKVR0ruwOKOkfi4/s3925/P1110305a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3232" data-original-width="3925" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGb_OtRVerIrNk23ZKA6UjLYTEhOuykgD09V1Dc684N6kWPL0YQd-dE9wR3hfgpS99gDP8bNx7JioAQ2ipf-QGm4JElrd8_V_aXY-jYTdriW2nIDkdyNjnVQ77OBhLXUA6eq_1KsPtgrC0MLIUHMOFNjkehP0BLrkRfcq1dz9gshgNKVR0ruwOKOkfi4/w640-h528/P1110305a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE8MSHfWE9mp5pRDyGo52Qt_68tBoax0oYXFWWHwlIpf-nt8HmhwLYOcEDOUXYGGMLUWyWr-m684zA-jyTzar4_CQgy3g_DJoEkRuwGTqhBLd6G1jU8aktEW7iQ9RUB5G_ds69310mg_a8i3uH-F1a38_5VHlVgWpMc6q-PgVbHG96gLPXHcw9H5PDtg/s3740/P1110306a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3263" data-original-width="3740" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGE8MSHfWE9mp5pRDyGo52Qt_68tBoax0oYXFWWHwlIpf-nt8HmhwLYOcEDOUXYGGMLUWyWr-m684zA-jyTzar4_CQgy3g_DJoEkRuwGTqhBLd6G1jU8aktEW7iQ9RUB5G_ds69310mg_a8i3uH-F1a38_5VHlVgWpMc6q-PgVbHG96gLPXHcw9H5PDtg/w640-h558/P1110306a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3425NTHVKnVhgZAHE4UYpIfJFHBiWhD_URLBng4TgkVgmRttksmK4nBN37Bn3JXJvVjVPBroDaAsFKOVzA9SrDwA7Y4PUEWqna7yYZEymwEWKAX74GXQKB9qNq4U6fbsu5gaCTNPL9qezWVaTbqcL9qA9TgZ4edMEM7FaUEXw5AJC5DtcvPMMnR6t1rs/s3308/P1110307a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3308" data-original-width="2347" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3425NTHVKnVhgZAHE4UYpIfJFHBiWhD_URLBng4TgkVgmRttksmK4nBN37Bn3JXJvVjVPBroDaAsFKOVzA9SrDwA7Y4PUEWqna7yYZEymwEWKAX74GXQKB9qNq4U6fbsu5gaCTNPL9qezWVaTbqcL9qA9TgZ4edMEM7FaUEXw5AJC5DtcvPMMnR6t1rs/w454-h640/P1110307a.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8FSKWiLuTuKQRApEjsdfUAJZd10xttZBsdFCPNC8henLf6b1OgBosakrkupqRiHdJKI297yRdiauazO9KWnjLrKNVWLn1tdkndf4HsRzcgJIk81xn8mNwmZf8_n2EgrxFGRoNmtoZjjNwRs5_fxYSLHjPI864O-h3hBDk0dvhoPCJlYKU3gs-TwotMk/s3863/P1110308a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="3863" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8FSKWiLuTuKQRApEjsdfUAJZd10xttZBsdFCPNC8henLf6b1OgBosakrkupqRiHdJKI297yRdiauazO9KWnjLrKNVWLn1tdkndf4HsRzcgJIk81xn8mNwmZf8_n2EgrxFGRoNmtoZjjNwRs5_fxYSLHjPI864O-h3hBDk0dvhoPCJlYKU3gs-TwotMk/w640-h542/P1110308a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0zOcviw6DwYNan8RCdLoBKKkmPcFsXvN5ggQtfCgUSnDbLXCc-gjmxEuHODsXtSfKFWOk4febs2dJZcIYN-rmIqR_SazVeHvXvidXmFA2nXeapdGKN00Y9Xn25pCDKo6bgXe5S5KuihFyT5kV91NDcEz6-EejWvVYbKAwxCaWvHidGOXpo-R5T3b4Uw/s3722/P1110309a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3184" data-original-width="3722" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0zOcviw6DwYNan8RCdLoBKKkmPcFsXvN5ggQtfCgUSnDbLXCc-gjmxEuHODsXtSfKFWOk4febs2dJZcIYN-rmIqR_SazVeHvXvidXmFA2nXeapdGKN00Y9Xn25pCDKo6bgXe5S5KuihFyT5kV91NDcEz6-EejWvVYbKAwxCaWvHidGOXpo-R5T3b4Uw/w640-h548/P1110309a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Brutus 74-guns</span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTJ-bf-urPODNf8-mUvyL69x3MfC9vyO8Zuda1xdOXlmfF2IsdBroO-g6xsmG7_Smj-DbN92c4KKExmLI0lJjiFtHtuY50jmwj2XuSBIeIQbbCP_gZB_TbDd69nBC145zQLBd83_vlv4M0Dz0b_4F0M11vGsoSfOohZEMMxVokvLJlcJ_rtfB_xfULrY/s800/SchipBrutus.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="800" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTJ-bf-urPODNf8-mUvyL69x3MfC9vyO8Zuda1xdOXlmfF2IsdBroO-g6xsmG7_Smj-DbN92c4KKExmLI0lJjiFtHtuY50jmwj2XuSBIeIQbbCP_gZB_TbDd69nBC145zQLBd83_vlv4M0Dz0b_4F0M11vGsoSfOohZEMMxVokvLJlcJ_rtfB_xfULrY/w640-h476/SchipBrutus.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">The </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">74-gun ship </span><i style="font-weight: 400;">Brutus </i><span style="font-weight: 400;">was launched in July 1785 in Rotterdam and had the following dimensions; </span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Gundeck length 167 feet' 1 inch, breadth 44 feet, seven inches, Hold depth of 20 feet, 5 inches and had a listed crew compliment of 550 men.</span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Her armament is shown as 28 x 32-pounder long guns on her lower deck, 28 x 18-pdrs on her upper deck and 18 x 12-pdrs on her quarterdeck and forecastle.</span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoG4Dtq4whBaH_a3cAM5sw9XRlmsj5-UucHJn5wdeRLXJuv0o0xzZoYC0q3CaG-VjOtCLKOjluJbHDdXMGOANxeWq7DY3aCxElf4TPi81j1ZfBRdYtq7P6p0zvQxCOdBjTHauqVzYcOXXgtvd-5z5TQrmS9OowclL9OzTe0VyEfuBC14kU7BvBW6VjaM/s3064/Schout-bij-nacht_Bloys_van_Treslong_1807.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3064" data-original-width="2312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoG4Dtq4whBaH_a3cAM5sw9XRlmsj5-UucHJn5wdeRLXJuv0o0xzZoYC0q3CaG-VjOtCLKOjluJbHDdXMGOANxeWq7DY3aCxElf4TPi81j1ZfBRdYtq7P6p0zvQxCOdBjTHauqVzYcOXXgtvd-5z5TQrmS9OowclL9OzTe0VyEfuBC14kU7BvBW6VjaM/s320/Schout-bij-nacht_Bloys_van_Treslong_1807.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Rear-Admiral Johan Bloys van Treslong</span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Serving as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Johan Bloys van Treslong, her action during the battle in the Dutch van saw Admiral Treslong struck by a cannonball that led to the loss of his right arm, as seen in his post battle portrait above.</span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuAw4m7optnitvG9GlLBV0q7r8m43TJu7XI8rm6ORgGVnH-ys2zqmdqZU-0fxtVn-cVg_gbxUdDqoqT6q0a_QqkcBmgBEoiY6Kx0xMqnO27be5cqDKSIHTfy9-DTn_1SLw2G3yD4jHfOUkYZAD883KBoEF81HHpv6YivMDu1VqGblbT0mfzVtZEIxmMA/s575/Brutus%2074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuAw4m7optnitvG9GlLBV0q7r8m43TJu7XI8rm6ORgGVnH-ys2zqmdqZU-0fxtVn-cVg_gbxUdDqoqT6q0a_QqkcBmgBEoiY6Kx0xMqnO27be5cqDKSIHTfy9-DTn_1SLw2G3yD4jHfOUkYZAD883KBoEF81HHpv6YivMDu1VqGblbT0mfzVtZEIxmMA/w383-h400/Brutus%2074.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My interpretation of the <i>Brutus </i>for KMH</td></tr></tbody></table></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">The <i>Brutus</i> with </span></span></b><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Rear-Admiral van Treslong’s pennant at her mizzen and in similar trim to the <i>Staten Generaal.</i></span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFwy6fqOz47SE4kyqXBoYNIN3FpY9yNaKHxhb36n8btaRTKsshFvO6ABtuTi_s-aq4W-p_e8iLMu2-zP9lUbHIJAFSLw28QgyD5owd6WVmcK_DhrVU1FcxQ77KO9of-meyjaGR3C5KJD60WjIQK0Ql7UwX_oRtBuDc64DWkaxVmB74dbPMZKSN-rd4w4/s4140/P1110315a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3276" data-original-width="4140" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFwy6fqOz47SE4kyqXBoYNIN3FpY9yNaKHxhb36n8btaRTKsshFvO6ABtuTi_s-aq4W-p_e8iLMu2-zP9lUbHIJAFSLw28QgyD5owd6WVmcK_DhrVU1FcxQ77KO9of-meyjaGR3C5KJD60WjIQK0Ql7UwX_oRtBuDc64DWkaxVmB74dbPMZKSN-rd4w4/w640-h506/P1110315a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ2TbwzE_hT6jjbSFyA2T5gsMuPAfnmCnpASJf0QcoPZypOdgh3plLm14BMeEgEvIJul-t3Yzq67vpqI1aFbhPzJUHKKhyElrgNMG99CPc8M9-wyrJWmqvXrRQ0PqJw7pZ17PGb_TZ6we0r8pd-JaFrApG0lVUtQ9QAYljfWBhHEKR7lEymg3OPQV01Y/s3635/P1110316a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3269" data-original-width="3635" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZ2TbwzE_hT6jjbSFyA2T5gsMuPAfnmCnpASJf0QcoPZypOdgh3plLm14BMeEgEvIJul-t3Yzq67vpqI1aFbhPzJUHKKhyElrgNMG99CPc8M9-wyrJWmqvXrRQ0PqJw7pZ17PGb_TZ6we0r8pd-JaFrApG0lVUtQ9QAYljfWBhHEKR7lEymg3OPQV01Y/w640-h576/P1110316a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscpfOmoLK2b8cIlAim1OPWJaMcRavRqsc6AGXnpxLXU8t2HDnkhtaVsye-i65obqTcOhUBKjDJe2oUpF_BShzOhxRcnrEm4HeUP2CmE-kDXy-7aQENfPZany4QKs_60xwxc7JUY4TfEGLOSJp4KLCbgxnWCtm1HzPGhqlZNYwQtgKsA0yIgz4MEICFNs/s3282/P1110317a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3282" data-original-width="2290" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscpfOmoLK2b8cIlAim1OPWJaMcRavRqsc6AGXnpxLXU8t2HDnkhtaVsye-i65obqTcOhUBKjDJe2oUpF_BShzOhxRcnrEm4HeUP2CmE-kDXy-7aQENfPZany4QKs_60xwxc7JUY4TfEGLOSJp4KLCbgxnWCtm1HzPGhqlZNYwQtgKsA0yIgz4MEICFNs/w446-h640/P1110317a.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSH7jdVwHYS1MN1E9eGHx9f9CHVA5pPXdqWvoxBk7-gOe6NXcSSzS0dnOK8qMfpz60vNBLTaghx_EaZUzyQEPLwI-kbj_VVl-XxhpvU_Pe0B_DrvDL1i-Yb1eUOLTcUSPNgPTYW6k3j0zouibOTHHumHwo0vQaX0oyjYKfppzQR2AnlxdoKiNaApYV64/s3644/P1110318a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3263" data-original-width="3644" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSH7jdVwHYS1MN1E9eGHx9f9CHVA5pPXdqWvoxBk7-gOe6NXcSSzS0dnOK8qMfpz60vNBLTaghx_EaZUzyQEPLwI-kbj_VVl-XxhpvU_Pe0B_DrvDL1i-Yb1eUOLTcUSPNgPTYW6k3j0zouibOTHHumHwo0vQaX0oyjYKfppzQR2AnlxdoKiNaApYV64/w640-h574/P1110318a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_JFKUbkVh_WI13aRxXmqKzSl9WyqTkpJs5GAQEAPHFwi8lJh7drM33Vk3x9q8WCfEdBHE7885t7yomLrSvw6ZvfJAAFcDmC7ED6arta1gGBPAvq--uHNdvFiDAq_eg91l0s81SYDmOYSSfFSw7lx696MAj694xjlMokb4hHfwSmgcHBMEt6hB5ump0E/s3645/P1110319a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3295" data-original-width="3645" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_JFKUbkVh_WI13aRxXmqKzSl9WyqTkpJs5GAQEAPHFwi8lJh7drM33Vk3x9q8WCfEdBHE7885t7yomLrSvw6ZvfJAAFcDmC7ED6arta1gGBPAvq--uHNdvFiDAq_eg91l0s81SYDmOYSSfFSw7lx696MAj694xjlMokb4hHfwSmgcHBMEt6hB5ump0E/w640-h578/P1110319a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Unable to make her way back to support <i>Vrijheid</i>, in the centre, with her course likely blocked by the burning <i>Hercules</i>, she was forced to drop out of the battle, and on the 13th October was attacked and chased by the large 40-gun frigate HMS <i>Endymion</i>, but managed to get under cover of shore batteries that forced the British frigate to break off.</span></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jupiter 74-guns</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq62_9QpOXQbFk2T_S3g1rUC-Vy2Nga5ezAhbObPWQ58RkY6UNLCV5_E9HKqLMS-DSn7nyTnMqUUgYuI_UkmrkZlwXOXb6XvItTHJEWtnp_Jn2QLAGnuEk8MKYIVDapOH4vzlZ99E5fKDEucNsOikJAtvpQfvTWEneI767i4-pJEB1A59T4BNh8ZnXTSM/s6408/Oorlogsschip_De_Jupiter,_1797_De_Iupieter_Anno_1797_ViesAdm.l_Reynties,_SBN_Meurer_(titel_op.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5506" data-original-width="6408" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq62_9QpOXQbFk2T_S3g1rUC-Vy2Nga5ezAhbObPWQ58RkY6UNLCV5_E9HKqLMS-DSn7nyTnMqUUgYuI_UkmrkZlwXOXb6XvItTHJEWtnp_Jn2QLAGnuEk8MKYIVDapOH4vzlZ99E5fKDEucNsOikJAtvpQfvTWEneI767i4-pJEB1A59T4BNh8ZnXTSM/w640-h550/Oorlogsschip_De_Jupiter,_1797_De_Iupieter_Anno_1797_ViesAdm.l_Reynties,_SBN_Meurer_(titel_op.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">The </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">74-gun ship </span><i style="font-weight: 400;">Jupiter </i><span style="font-weight: 400;">was launched in April 1782 in Amsterdam and had the following dimensions; </span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Gundeck length 167 feet' 4 inches, breadth 46 feet, five inches, Hold depth of 18 feet, 2</span></span></b><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">½ </span><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">inches and a displacement of just under 1,559 tons BM.</span></span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1ENusBPaXYk2ueAClDD9BPPW7JsroMBH4RhI97mLQIxLU4PcK_VdN1UHEH7zhaacjpzaXXsGjOGDlJmjQo2CwDn1SJVI4n2vWRIuB5Xtb0cM2ePtfALr-6mu-5Zmg2wavDKF5SsfX6YTyTcGwqNu0vsEUG3XHZSo7hXIrQZEAG5cHQi6IzB_-Mer6TI/s574/Jupiter74.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="558" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1ENusBPaXYk2ueAClDD9BPPW7JsroMBH4RhI97mLQIxLU4PcK_VdN1UHEH7zhaacjpzaXXsGjOGDlJmjQo2CwDn1SJVI4n2vWRIuB5Xtb0cM2ePtfALr-6mu-5Zmg2wavDKF5SsfX6YTyTcGwqNu0vsEUG3XHZSo7hXIrQZEAG5cHQi6IzB_-Mer6TI/w389-h400/Jupiter74.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span><b><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Her armament is shown as 28 x 32-pounder long guns on her lower deck, 28 x 18-pdrs on her upper deck and 12 x 12-pdrs and 6 x 8-pdrs on her quarterdeck and forecastle.</span></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span><b><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally, to complete my four Dutch 74-gun flagships, I present <i>Jupiter</i> with white strakes and lion figurehead finished off with <span style="text-align: center;">Rear-Admiral Reijntjes’ pennant at her foremast.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span><b><span><span style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span><b><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQiVjukwpmiRMcfVpeKdnBMKeUaPeLgCkQ7_k-lCYxfIAN9emkvWIHjeTENmRwX4Edu7DE3KxI2Q6K7niZnjnZ84mzmGB-VXUIPxls8bK616t4QCTG4T0XAnF1n6my45wICKWfxQl4Cvd695FmkmYi2lu3Ld8caIx5lk0oXUOmwElRxumnPl8t3IWGh8/s3992/P1110310a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3282" data-original-width="3992" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQiVjukwpmiRMcfVpeKdnBMKeUaPeLgCkQ7_k-lCYxfIAN9emkvWIHjeTENmRwX4Edu7DE3KxI2Q6K7niZnjnZ84mzmGB-VXUIPxls8bK616t4QCTG4T0XAnF1n6my45wICKWfxQl4Cvd695FmkmYi2lu3Ld8caIx5lk0oXUOmwElRxumnPl8t3IWGh8/w640-h526/P1110310a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu3uazrzPw7QoOn8ifu1ZNWiFYsccPmwHN9qAOc2KYq8I2CjMxFPXw-MRjhEpeoo4UG3XvNGrA3NAsG2kvnEbGGWYIy7jBpKN0t8PwwVIGRODWFC9LR6f2V3jNA7qyXQAEhBzJBPyWWsFMhtRsbjbiENRyPIm6PLAXXfMmnr758Q80_isxJEWNsPlc8w/s3579/P1110311a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3269" data-original-width="3579" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmu3uazrzPw7QoOn8ifu1ZNWiFYsccPmwHN9qAOc2KYq8I2CjMxFPXw-MRjhEpeoo4UG3XvNGrA3NAsG2kvnEbGGWYIy7jBpKN0t8PwwVIGRODWFC9LR6f2V3jNA7qyXQAEhBzJBPyWWsFMhtRsbjbiENRyPIm6PLAXXfMmnr758Q80_isxJEWNsPlc8w/w640-h584/P1110311a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwPvvGrI9uLXef7GCPVOlIGzw7r0Bj2m6SQa1vqA8OaQBicd30CmeHb9BIRZrpJtzn6euQ9YHV8Rt4MjKmY5H40xSUUrSov5Y2wCPUpbTa_qFkFeUaJXvDPc5xZROHzxAMcSIXrQagcUQRFoaz2LkCfr3BCUWoRj_L2IPbh37tP9enu4mJJNyicmT1XM/s3256/P1110312a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3256" data-original-width="2387" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwPvvGrI9uLXef7GCPVOlIGzw7r0Bj2m6SQa1vqA8OaQBicd30CmeHb9BIRZrpJtzn6euQ9YHV8Rt4MjKmY5H40xSUUrSov5Y2wCPUpbTa_qFkFeUaJXvDPc5xZROHzxAMcSIXrQagcUQRFoaz2LkCfr3BCUWoRj_L2IPbh37tP9enu4mJJNyicmT1XM/w470-h640/P1110312a.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwjHKuunKeghHY-xaauIHkrUpd0q0oSZDrhrTZ5i5vTOjW_NgZTg4_XTXSPSOSoTT7VuhuXf-1Ld8s1rsbZRXq9U8mP3m0PnCdvwUJo40ZHURW4dUwZdXyLXct2SRf481TnPC2E0q9nalxpAgTPVr81S1kVDflUxtFVtCZ5zlhMGEMnlIl2YKxj19KG4/s3719/P1110313a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3238" data-original-width="3719" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwjHKuunKeghHY-xaauIHkrUpd0q0oSZDrhrTZ5i5vTOjW_NgZTg4_XTXSPSOSoTT7VuhuXf-1Ld8s1rsbZRXq9U8mP3m0PnCdvwUJo40ZHURW4dUwZdXyLXct2SRf481TnPC2E0q9nalxpAgTPVr81S1kVDflUxtFVtCZ5zlhMGEMnlIl2YKxj19KG4/w640-h558/P1110313a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></b></span></span></div>The <i>Jupiter </i>was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Hermanus Reijntjes and was soon brought to action by Vice-Admiral Richard Onslow's HMS <i>Monarch </i>after she had be raked by her only to have the British 74-gunner luff up alongside as recounted by William James:</span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><b><i>'At about half past noon Vice-admiral Onslow, whose ship,
the Monarch, was leading the larboard division of the British fleet, cut
through the Dutch line, formed thus : Beschermer, Gelykheid, Hercules, Devries,
Vryheid, States-General, Wassenaer, Batavier, Brutus, Leyden, Mars, Cerberus,
Jupiter, Haerlem, Alkmaar, and Delft (with the nine frigates and corvettes
stationed as an inner line, for the most part facing the intervals in the outer
one), between the Jupiter and Haerlem, pouring into each of those ships, in
passing, a well-directed broadside.</i></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrht8lbYHff97NGXlAwjB3qwyuqheDRqt93umkSlVHKDRJJpaEXY2q9mhGX4rOh9_lhgszb3gOwWOtS0nqe-b1r5MLpJA5iOWV5Xcy-9z1KnhPapJCZB4fwaLJFqujACB__NoP_60Tg8FrLWW_rDu0KU6AHx6KaphTDoojIGibAY7XBdz_JQwfvDodUI/s3758/P1110314a.jpg" style="font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3179" data-original-width="3758" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrht8lbYHff97NGXlAwjB3qwyuqheDRqt93umkSlVHKDRJJpaEXY2q9mhGX4rOh9_lhgszb3gOwWOtS0nqe-b1r5MLpJA5iOWV5Xcy-9z1KnhPapJCZB4fwaLJFqujACB__NoP_60Tg8FrLWW_rDu0KU6AHx6KaphTDoojIGibAY7XBdz_JQwfvDodUI/w640-h542/P1110314a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><b><i>Then, leaving the Haerlem to the Powerful, the Monarch
luffed up close alongside of the Jupiter ; and the two latter of these ships
became warmly engaged. The rounding to of the Monarch afforded to the
Monnikendam frigate and Atalanta brig, in the rear, the opportunity of pouring
some raking broadsides into the former; and the Atalanta, in particular, did
not retire until considerably damaged by the Monarch's shot. The remaining
ships of the larboard division, more especially the Monmouth and Russel, were
soon in action with the Dutch rear-ships ; among the last of which to surrender
was the first that had been attacked, the Jupiter.'</i></b><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIQJj8yMtgZNmGl7MhzxKv2OSGXYz1PricGPZzCsX06W4oOCsfs1-TnnPFcRJ6nqnoAk568eHFG9923na1j_MD3jolmcGe-Zar22R3wxgrDPz07RGBt6jkLZ9DkfSQYocUgZ47tdifMhRiYCsBKKelvDt4xNQj2zSbj7A0f6xfWsA21Sce5qamUwAJx4/s1280/Photo%2013-02-2022,%2009%2013%2047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1280" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIQJj8yMtgZNmGl7MhzxKv2OSGXYz1PricGPZzCsX06W4oOCsfs1-TnnPFcRJ6nqnoAk568eHFG9923na1j_MD3jolmcGe-Zar22R3wxgrDPz07RGBt6jkLZ9DkfSQYocUgZ47tdifMhRiYCsBKKelvDt4xNQj2zSbj7A0f6xfWsA21Sce5qamUwAJx4/w640-h410/Photo%2013-02-2022,%2009%2013%2047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Battle of Camperdown - Oliver Hurst<br /><a href="https://www.oliverhurst.com/product-page/the-battle-of-camperdown">https://www.oliverhurst.com/product-page/the-battle-of-camperdown</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></span></div>This post concludes the first build in this Camperdown project of my Dutch 74’s and in the next posts in this series I will turn my attention to some of the third-rates in the British fleet, coupled with my ideas for staging this battle using Kiss Me, Hardy.</span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span>I would like to conclude this post by thanking my friend Mr Steve W (Capt. Steve) a fellow naval wargaming enthusiast and fellow DWG club member who very kindly provided me copies of his own research and the loan of his books, de Delft, </span></span>Great Sea Fights 1794-1805 Volume 1 <span style="text-align: center;">and Glorious Victory, which, the latter, I now have my own copy of, all this having greatly informed this project and I hope the end result will serve credit to his generosity - cheers Steve.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span>More anon</span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span>JJ</span></span></div></div></div></div></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-34137623311954236852023-09-15T23:02:00.003-07:002023-09-15T23:02:53.676-07:00JJ's on Tour - Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach, Australia<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVj4IoGO4knD0LCAFPPtFObE2TNuiRsI9GRjjCIBLgafe2rnxUC2-Z-mDw0fPCiGlT7OhmmfnZ936yNBr7kdS39r_jn18bzbQ2ScqByWknZa1jyCde0WyF6dRCyDqbKsgYQr2VNCR_-9DIWda6K-SnFvONq12NAvNwKLmHi-V_HpF_OxtQlRTzpmBVA/s1365/Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1365" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubVj4IoGO4knD0LCAFPPtFObE2TNuiRsI9GRjjCIBLgafe2rnxUC2-Z-mDw0fPCiGlT7OhmmfnZ936yNBr7kdS39r_jn18bzbQ2ScqByWknZa1jyCde0WyF6dRCyDqbKsgYQr2VNCR_-9DIWda6K-SnFvONq12NAvNwKLmHi-V_HpF_OxtQlRTzpmBVA/w640-h360/Header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After spending a glorious few days meeting up with friends and exploring the delights of Brisbane it was soon time to move on and catch a flight north to Hamilton Islands, the largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands and a favourite tourist spot for visits to the Great Barrier Reef and a former home of the late George Harrison and his wife Olivia who had a compound built there in 1987 called ‘Letsbeavenue’.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPzhrzMSi84MPOh7uQZNnxSEI6EkJ95nkgwDdlAibmIOlT8nOJSWpQr6EnI7Gifgcv5ye9947fEnroW4mbYDEXTE_2UGG3R8EyGh9CumImdNsfgrawyrz9XIKcKZ3runSOUp8FJ6GTCufqDkf93tF1cL5aSe3BxOvQL_bV5DWC8vehiGGQKKdQAiPjD0/s640/Header%20Brisbane.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPzhrzMSi84MPOh7uQZNnxSEI6EkJ95nkgwDdlAibmIOlT8nOJSWpQr6EnI7Gifgcv5ye9947fEnroW4mbYDEXTE_2UGG3R8EyGh9CumImdNsfgrawyrz9XIKcKZ3runSOUp8FJ6GTCufqDkf93tF1cL5aSe3BxOvQL_bV5DWC8vehiGGQKKdQAiPjD0/w400-h225/Header%20Brisbane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/08/jjs-on-tour-city-of-brisbane-and.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ’s on Tour - City of Brisbane and the Queensland Maritime Museum</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Whitsunday Islands are a group of 74 islands of various sizes 560 miles north of Brisbane off the Queensland coast and were so named after Captain Cook sailed the HMB Endeavour, through what he called the Whitsundays Passage on Sunday 3rd June 1770, providing an unimpeded passage to the north through a group of islands that formed a chain along the coast, named by Cook as the Cumberland Islands, in honour of the Duke of Cumberland, the brother of King George III.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtIHEAxLn-ZNgLHmEMNA2cSBH4R5ddWkKRM1HAK7qcbzfchUDRq77Oyl_TDFnb75lA3sS0iW8_L7bypqbRkf7YZfAZAozN_AhjDil1CoLj4S9_fHlgzo4LntYnnFzygupb-kYL3peAdSWLuMy54vMkfqYYf2GWPKfqOLgADv_HkrIzJKEKhPWUvyJiNg/s4095/P1070153a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3009" data-original-width="4095" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtIHEAxLn-ZNgLHmEMNA2cSBH4R5ddWkKRM1HAK7qcbzfchUDRq77Oyl_TDFnb75lA3sS0iW8_L7bypqbRkf7YZfAZAozN_AhjDil1CoLj4S9_fHlgzo4LntYnnFzygupb-kYL3peAdSWLuMy54vMkfqYYf2GWPKfqOLgADv_HkrIzJKEKhPWUvyJiNg/w640-h470/P1070153a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The modern day Hamilton Island serves as a gateway to the area with its airport receiving flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with large resorts, camping and sailing facilities catering for several hundred thousand visitors each year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvlBZhC-yNfFzy4PpgwcT2Vqbc5vOq_Efe73SiK_86zqdclxIbGY1cbFOmVYfKrJkHR2pAv7MndEgz5to38r76KFffUq2Z518_nxGTc6gtRmEIg4CvVrHmT5vpYf6cx21smozT8bsfeMJUU8t6UqZZt8lMZefDXo5kJPzdZiHvHu87PBHhbXRqV4DD0k/s1011/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1011" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvlBZhC-yNfFzy4PpgwcT2Vqbc5vOq_Efe73SiK_86zqdclxIbGY1cbFOmVYfKrJkHR2pAv7MndEgz5to38r76KFffUq2Z518_nxGTc6gtRmEIg4CvVrHmT5vpYf6cx21smozT8bsfeMJUU8t6UqZZt8lMZefDXo5kJPzdZiHvHu87PBHhbXRqV4DD0k/w640-h486/Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For our few days staying on the island we based ourselves in a hotel overlooking Catseye Beach (2) after a nearly two hour flight to the nearby airport (1), whilst enjoying the restaurant facilities and the odd boat trip from the nearby marina (3) and later exploring the northern heights overlooking Hamilton Island Reef (4).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDIzLeabLKFp6GXXQm-IXrKg4EJQ9dPct-CU6CMTDItluLStWQ6GQNhcF0N20K9-NYXCDc04gVRi6WkdWcF91xFxcBn1ncHunK6hL8kzDkvvyBNBVvbKUqw7obWhFSRyxCW8Aijt9gD08UsY_ZxQR-WurFO4Y7cifg8r0e3CF7D16aAE1oKcOLMKfvnY/s962/Hamilton%20Island%20Plan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="962" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDIzLeabLKFp6GXXQm-IXrKg4EJQ9dPct-CU6CMTDItluLStWQ6GQNhcF0N20K9-NYXCDc04gVRi6WkdWcF91xFxcBn1ncHunK6hL8kzDkvvyBNBVvbKUqw7obWhFSRyxCW8Aijt9gD08UsY_ZxQR-WurFO4Y7cifg8r0e3CF7D16aAE1oKcOLMKfvnY/w640-h510/Hamilton%20Island%20Plan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The ‘odd boat trip’ referred to saw us taking a boat to Whitehaven Beach, a very popular bathing area and exploring the Solway Circuit, a walking track that allows visitors to explore the local woodland and hills above the beach.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQTJHmvaSlUrmpFIvjgV9j_AvhXbn23lhaMkSeRGvV0su-ypYu8klooNMZAbQhH4YYibAfG3-vFE7Zh6abi9S7G12yZadHYy1JwVtKPiRnJndAw58aLIFBD9N6YUGZac1YeQLxrZVc9gy_blWPMVzJNo7AYmCA_nyRCLc8MLf8vs2ZQsnaCfXhxl89E0/s1365/Whitehaven%20Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1365" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQTJHmvaSlUrmpFIvjgV9j_AvhXbn23lhaMkSeRGvV0su-ypYu8klooNMZAbQhH4YYibAfG3-vFE7Zh6abi9S7G12yZadHYy1JwVtKPiRnJndAw58aLIFBD9N6YUGZac1YeQLxrZVc9gy_blWPMVzJNo7AYmCA_nyRCLc8MLf8vs2ZQsnaCfXhxl89E0/w640-h360/Whitehaven%20Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This few days was very much about enjoying this very beautiful part of the world, the cuisine and of course the wildlife, in and out of the water, as the change from a temperate to a more tropical climate became even more noticeable to that experienced in Brisbane.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XBGe8kFqCrfGYhKKKDRXBbWVYcnN2-hf-G5iyxb2f0-bLHpYzEqHifC3x0_YBvxK8ggwcKCudeRS7sdSqVgybdtBxlVnEp8qAvPGb4_PMpn5bfz4kymSVbCCMAW1jmh70l6LQuDLvBnKfA7FBNVCaqxpCfqpCxOIeL5rdonzROMRv8BA1mwtEl9GXu0/s4000/20230120_123352a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XBGe8kFqCrfGYhKKKDRXBbWVYcnN2-hf-G5iyxb2f0-bLHpYzEqHifC3x0_YBvxK8ggwcKCudeRS7sdSqVgybdtBxlVnEp8qAvPGb4_PMpn5bfz4kymSVbCCMAW1jmh70l6LQuDLvBnKfA7FBNVCaqxpCfqpCxOIeL5rdonzROMRv8BA1mwtEl9GXu0/w480-h640/20230120_123352a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This view of the airport at Hamilton Island from our plane gives a good idea of how compact the inhabited part of the island is with the marina close by and our hotel resort just beyond the hill slope to the rear-right of the runway.</td></tr></tbody></table></div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Our hotel was a perfect location in terms of setting the agenda for the next few days with the local ‘Roos’ illustrating the tempo of life to be adopted, whilst soaking up the stunning views of sun, sea and palm trees, as well as the wonderful examples of the bird life to be seen in this part of Australia.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1xnvv88LCo7mp7mzOniW8qblCM9wIevcZtHcOVb2aQ-YEyK9LgTMlnRM89zOvV2auugvDz3hOlM-lS7GNBysb9drFlMsGXt4LF0Y-l3_Jxmlbq0GqwqGwn0lPVs96ybCxA7cneD_nXhn9EyjKbB8btDnbCZle3sORNcvFU5lp3bocdUXAQgnqvXhAOk/s4896/P1070056a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1xnvv88LCo7mp7mzOniW8qblCM9wIevcZtHcOVb2aQ-YEyK9LgTMlnRM89zOvV2auugvDz3hOlM-lS7GNBysb9drFlMsGXt4LF0Y-l3_Jxmlbq0GqwqGwn0lPVs96ybCxA7cneD_nXhn9EyjKbB8btDnbCZle3sORNcvFU5lp3bocdUXAQgnqvXhAOk/w640-h480/P1070056a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGC_8p_E7_iUB12mGb0fazTTs6NvMzbUB9ykPodCnBshKtrFc1_AE9I-mmLVfIshf8pPyaybzioU85TCOI2E3rMdICel5LU9aISNUqhcH45BARAtMUKB4Xb-__gUyjGTwx3tyT6TiZCnrDJHa2THRZhIs315ytMUoqkHT4lfF-Q_zSbvZZXbsKnSJABI/s4896/P1070045a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGC_8p_E7_iUB12mGb0fazTTs6NvMzbUB9ykPodCnBshKtrFc1_AE9I-mmLVfIshf8pPyaybzioU85TCOI2E3rMdICel5LU9aISNUqhcH45BARAtMUKB4Xb-__gUyjGTwx3tyT6TiZCnrDJHa2THRZhIs315ytMUoqkHT4lfF-Q_zSbvZZXbsKnSJABI/w640-h480/P1070045a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--V9f5hkPM5F_otDEWYTiSWTAYs0RSv5rober1GFPCbN6Cgp4jbSs1c3yAt1Mugj93P9NKcfR4MroQmKDUmboM6WoYwFihqWAxwwnaSZy9z7bC0pyrAF2QpqxLxKFghtd6WwhzY0pLSetvZ3-BYlQnOtonMbulgrzG8LN23bOLNMOC-ZLo56KmpRuyN8/s4896/P1070046a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--V9f5hkPM5F_otDEWYTiSWTAYs0RSv5rober1GFPCbN6Cgp4jbSs1c3yAt1Mugj93P9NKcfR4MroQmKDUmboM6WoYwFihqWAxwwnaSZy9z7bC0pyrAF2QpqxLxKFghtd6WwhzY0pLSetvZ3-BYlQnOtonMbulgrzG8LN23bOLNMOC-ZLo56KmpRuyN8/w640-h480/P1070046a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘I’m gone man, solid gone!’</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADc0M8tk2793mPEcC_pyiujSLGHlNV37Xg-K5jjUonKU0Uq0Yt6J56omU72xlT97J8thaJcwpQg6yTMvv-tjb3-C8YXJcqsV-HQZqwGNivISDKsFpQ1E8vp3p-BTpyW-z7n-sz_ES1-C2DNzg7lvuas_sIvN4qZkZDN9ev7yixZvsgaTc7HDEu5xKnzI/s4896/P1070049a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADc0M8tk2793mPEcC_pyiujSLGHlNV37Xg-K5jjUonKU0Uq0Yt6J56omU72xlT97J8thaJcwpQg6yTMvv-tjb3-C8YXJcqsV-HQZqwGNivISDKsFpQ1E8vp3p-BTpyW-z7n-sz_ES1-C2DNzg7lvuas_sIvN4qZkZDN9ev7yixZvsgaTc7HDEu5xKnzI/w640-h480/P1070049a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know some of my Aussie friends would consider the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos as a bit of a pest and we saw for ourselves the damage they could do to wooden buildings during out stay at the Carrington Hotel in the Blue Mountains, but Carolyn and I loved seeing these wonderful birds, with the occasional visit to our balcony just adding to the magic of where we were staying.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBXCkoHNG9FP75bfrj0OGmIC4pmifNAgQsuRu24B5g32k--lnPhDDCSkfdnJZKTqZxEyaJ8s0UR4TMBDlA9gB4zabv7gk6Gup9a2EKu-5nmckCfxUwk6lFcY2I3eNb_243C18N_EuxR9R6Kb53aQBpRa4zb9N-aQ1lLnbDtAsESpq1HBeHf97RZ3ArtQ/s4000/20230122_182735a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBXCkoHNG9FP75bfrj0OGmIC4pmifNAgQsuRu24B5g32k--lnPhDDCSkfdnJZKTqZxEyaJ8s0UR4TMBDlA9gB4zabv7gk6Gup9a2EKu-5nmckCfxUwk6lFcY2I3eNb_243C18N_EuxR9R6Kb53aQBpRa4zb9N-aQ1lLnbDtAsESpq1HBeHf97RZ3ArtQ/w480-h640/20230122_182735a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinZV3_cJ3rLKiSaRaLWImm-icmdNiERIJE_dA03BXjG-A_m-jEx59AVATqfgsx3WzUBB6Pstdk2AL5nw4jMKPkPhYOCzv68zHPzLQb7TK71lUrDHtVN6MxF-Dg6959_RAVeLapIhXYIzJ7krWVAkDAX88Cr9gE3iOtBBFE4KQXDYNn7pxNMe2PL8ga0k/s5312/P1070117a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="5312" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinZV3_cJ3rLKiSaRaLWImm-icmdNiERIJE_dA03BXjG-A_m-jEx59AVATqfgsx3WzUBB6Pstdk2AL5nw4jMKPkPhYOCzv68zHPzLQb7TK71lUrDHtVN6MxF-Dg6959_RAVeLapIhXYIzJ7krWVAkDAX88Cr9gE3iOtBBFE4KQXDYNn7pxNMe2PL8ga0k/w640-h232/P1070117a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP_9rorhsFGjK7p3WYdNum6VCNDp_G4tJ2K1aUHQ8LcKHUNVafZOabIVYmVmzJGJsUXH26QTDZCDdM3nWdzGPY5IRYNS4DQbW-A9PSeGvIny8uq3zosgAhg2T5llpQBSJ0uE2Iq0BX26uTKsv7AJomuNg7TaYYxZdetUCE3krehFWKW82PZCNGrExjME/s4000/20230120_132350a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP_9rorhsFGjK7p3WYdNum6VCNDp_G4tJ2K1aUHQ8LcKHUNVafZOabIVYmVmzJGJsUXH26QTDZCDdM3nWdzGPY5IRYNS4DQbW-A9PSeGvIny8uq3zosgAhg2T5llpQBSJ0uE2Iq0BX26uTKsv7AJomuNg7TaYYxZdetUCE3krehFWKW82PZCNGrExjME/w640-h480/20230120_132350a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTGDgMiEI_bsU0MWzJLl3CdKenLXYyvUkjvDhH2DmwkNMa-Snb_D2DvPhqf60ytaFyAFr-hTQMJ4C2kdIeBU9odN6dY_ArKFS2rfJMJrMpeU37USmk2U3vG-5zUDO_2lKJaY1ymc7WiT8nZalzVVWRaUyqJaPj_x10ZkvtTA6S-Ar8VQMivnfUVMpvLI/s4000/20230120_132344a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTGDgMiEI_bsU0MWzJLl3CdKenLXYyvUkjvDhH2DmwkNMa-Snb_D2DvPhqf60ytaFyAFr-hTQMJ4C2kdIeBU9odN6dY_ArKFS2rfJMJrMpeU37USmk2U3vG-5zUDO_2lKJaY1ymc7WiT8nZalzVVWRaUyqJaPj_x10ZkvtTA6S-Ar8VQMivnfUVMpvLI/w640-h480/20230120_132344a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The views out from the hotel over the beach were a real treat, and I kept imagining Cook’s Endeavour gliding down the passage in front, with Whitsunday Island beyond.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5p7khauAsBUauztI9cND3choRjuSL2IV6vVExQ33CVebUciqe18T2HfAgsWM0ArMux6_Ba3PoZ15PeyWzGvp6SX3TWOVUqCriwXWheQRm4Vn-8RrSEEAyXJBoU_EfE1dP8A0u3Y-TTChhCMyW2FbDc91YH7zNm4oxzn2oARIB6j7xmhYJdUcuG95sC8/s4000/20230120_132347a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5p7khauAsBUauztI9cND3choRjuSL2IV6vVExQ33CVebUciqe18T2HfAgsWM0ArMux6_Ba3PoZ15PeyWzGvp6SX3TWOVUqCriwXWheQRm4Vn-8RrSEEAyXJBoU_EfE1dP8A0u3Y-TTChhCMyW2FbDc91YH7zNm4oxzn2oARIB6j7xmhYJdUcuG95sC8/w640-h480/20230120_132347a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was our first experience of really lush tropical plants and woodland since our visit to Hawaii and the hotel had signs around warning ‘newbies’ like us of the potential hazards of wondering too far off the beaten path with lurid descriptions of the horror of having a close encounter with a gympie gympie tree, <i>Dendrocnide moroides, </i>also referred to as the suicide plant, no doubt referring to the unfortunate folks who took the ultimate relief solution after having said close encounter.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I even read that the British researchers at the Biological Warfare facility at Porton Down arranged for deliveries of these nasty plants during the Cold War as part of their research into new biological weapons.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3Z8UFR856Rn0xsWzsGLako7AYIpU_FPYow8Gufj2MucSWTG9tYpzfGcd3roAEt4AJVohrBJYxrG4GsXj99susa8VuT_GJrs1L2kuLz02b7smsLSVSYOdh1TZb2JSqJGBmaPJXfo6oDS8XmvlS5scak9Tt4pSLLk5aZI0eeUy46o66m5tDlUEx2tzvgs/s4896/P1070054a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3Z8UFR856Rn0xsWzsGLako7AYIpU_FPYow8Gufj2MucSWTG9tYpzfGcd3roAEt4AJVohrBJYxrG4GsXj99susa8VuT_GJrs1L2kuLz02b7smsLSVSYOdh1TZb2JSqJGBmaPJXfo6oDS8XmvlS5scak9Tt4pSLLk5aZI0eeUy46o66m5tDlUEx2tzvgs/w640-h480/P1070054a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0SQxSAmzZ1Avpd0_UqsiTtE2SLAdiSZllk5QJnrViDTnLieHqRh8UlJGezLxJ3dxFfDYvocUu4KQRl1U7KW35SFf7SUJempBpuXqxfblEpfXwy1GerNWp-EDhx_nxxnpD3wXK2N607k7YRp2C-3ITojLx0qkXrnyESBl3bmoLFY6ANWYwbsOkDz_wts/s4896/P1070059a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0SQxSAmzZ1Avpd0_UqsiTtE2SLAdiSZllk5QJnrViDTnLieHqRh8UlJGezLxJ3dxFfDYvocUu4KQRl1U7KW35SFf7SUJempBpuXqxfblEpfXwy1GerNWp-EDhx_nxxnpD3wXK2N607k7YRp2C-3ITojLx0qkXrnyESBl3bmoLFY6ANWYwbsOkDz_wts/w640-h480/P1070059a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As well as the Cokatoo’s the nearby palms were festooned with these stunning Rainbow Lorikeets, <i>Trichoglossus moloccanus, </i>and the flash of colour moving above never failed to grab my eye.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGlNUmm5xrcp8wDCI6iC5lLNZk_Ey4jtQHRqqvdfTKQK4dZaQ9K0qbsDKvdKXQTb3_I_aHpmMU1H2pU7Gl42QSoI_2pdm8fA3IthkwJISHYaIySTa1GXbKVmGgBOatiMmSgj_JRYV_l8Q_ooIv40IatqCOGh-JT9MZ8un3R2irn49mL7h06bLlrjpnq4/s3948/P1070123a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3058" data-original-width="3948" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGlNUmm5xrcp8wDCI6iC5lLNZk_Ey4jtQHRqqvdfTKQK4dZaQ9K0qbsDKvdKXQTb3_I_aHpmMU1H2pU7Gl42QSoI_2pdm8fA3IthkwJISHYaIySTa1GXbKVmGgBOatiMmSgj_JRYV_l8Q_ooIv40IatqCOGh-JT9MZ8un3R2irn49mL7h06bLlrjpnq4/w640-h496/P1070123a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The marina area is the hub of the island with plenty of places to eat, a local supermarket and opportunities to organise boat trips, and we spent every evening during our stay enjoying the outdoor night life that characterises part of holidaying in Hamilton Island.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtNM46hi82fpxnumpDIsIqh6pLFeVhm_hENfjrbHIUoJTdEijhZl1w8PyMH4UF2q0F7RK1Jym5II__8sCROGav_957EQZ30rW6cDffPaAtq2XehZJALslwAVfvdaRCr4-Pc334BxYSSMu0XYiL8Ech9Tlf5rYTLsmBiG1JcG1B6pVl_ArERttxBS4il0/s4000/20230120_153057a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtNM46hi82fpxnumpDIsIqh6pLFeVhm_hENfjrbHIUoJTdEijhZl1w8PyMH4UF2q0F7RK1Jym5II__8sCROGav_957EQZ30rW6cDffPaAtq2XehZJALslwAVfvdaRCr4-Pc334BxYSSMu0XYiL8Ech9Tlf5rYTLsmBiG1JcG1B6pVl_ArERttxBS4il0/w640-h480/20230120_153057a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eanzFYdXkldKlFr9FMu-1SHzBBkZCeThdTuc6z2F8RprJEDW92CQW-9cthwDZDS9yJysrhymt3vWqagCPUwHbQcbWiYd4g2CljuM-8xHQA_q8jf3E_B7PJ8lNOSmL_gANYM4vS55Vg7uPIHboER3EHNj5w71pNTSzqbDk_-Zn8CSwPkY5JnMGzzcwyc/s4000/20230122_201354a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eanzFYdXkldKlFr9FMu-1SHzBBkZCeThdTuc6z2F8RprJEDW92CQW-9cthwDZDS9yJysrhymt3vWqagCPUwHbQcbWiYd4g2CljuM-8xHQA_q8jf3E_B7PJ8lNOSmL_gANYM4vS55Vg7uPIHboER3EHNj5w71pNTSzqbDk_-Zn8CSwPkY5JnMGzzcwyc/w640-h480/20230122_201354a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsFKLxEevfpA_iM5Wl1oeeFUrBf3ObK_jjzglzDGk9tX-_RbtRa9YDDQ1GdZtWbsyN_SqJDbZHJtZxRAh3k3OGpmelTkecCyty-G9VKSWEUzWXWcvh9lnZyAuRrUWO5IeJ28AVyz3fIiwuwFV3jzqj3AF9fctgrX38kNQYB02eGRvZROC6QZkkmfKFd8/s4000/20230122_191640a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsFKLxEevfpA_iM5Wl1oeeFUrBf3ObK_jjzglzDGk9tX-_RbtRa9YDDQ1GdZtWbsyN_SqJDbZHJtZxRAh3k3OGpmelTkecCyty-G9VKSWEUzWXWcvh9lnZyAuRrUWO5IeJ28AVyz3fIiwuwFV3jzqj3AF9fctgrX38kNQYB02eGRvZROC6QZkkmfKFd8/w640-h480/20230122_191640a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYabVao65Z5TnqM3o_AYupwW_ASf0KWZxlj7trBCF2YgyPmewm4-Gd-iAUa710ktACK3dIqhoIHSopL0mua06d309jqKDFXw9jYINn1JFOXVjbNk0FRvA5M1gM6durNwOBQTafSKTD-2dl4s9f3YqF06Dtnm4DaocipiIxFwTfz64KCenRbuHJG3sD8Xk/s4896/P1070158a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYabVao65Z5TnqM3o_AYupwW_ASf0KWZxlj7trBCF2YgyPmewm4-Gd-iAUa710ktACK3dIqhoIHSopL0mua06d309jqKDFXw9jYINn1JFOXVjbNk0FRvA5M1gM6durNwOBQTafSKTD-2dl4s9f3YqF06Dtnm4DaocipiIxFwTfz64KCenRbuHJG3sD8Xk/w640-h480/P1070158a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As mentioned, we were keen to explore the area by boat and arranged to catch a regular service that travels out to Whitehaven Beach to allow for a bit of swimming, picnicking and walking if the fancy takes you.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLU3jyG_55ZWDqgsgvK2wuoSkXWNJFl8qJLMqo2IO9iOJcC0r8AvW4FcY83y7fwcuqPo-J3T3XkUKI37Vaqn_7phZLiY4GjSVGVdxDGmKFCUjmGxBuLuv6lTQ3nAG_5Dny4VFM8P0beL1oWwAx8LlkeMBsICvDV1YNT3PxW5VCokXkZPO61CCziRwYMM/s4896/P1070164a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLU3jyG_55ZWDqgsgvK2wuoSkXWNJFl8qJLMqo2IO9iOJcC0r8AvW4FcY83y7fwcuqPo-J3T3XkUKI37Vaqn_7phZLiY4GjSVGVdxDGmKFCUjmGxBuLuv6lTQ3nAG_5Dny4VFM8P0beL1oWwAx8LlkeMBsICvDV1YNT3PxW5VCokXkZPO61CCziRwYMM/w640-h480/P1070164a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaynNPzpza-vW5C4SbasAOV64COseuBFfhlw5yfJlvkoBu0KYnWVPzspVXuQ26ZIwDTv8GVigbYed5IUXg2drkN1oRaM1uh5SwZGcNtRT3AQK1dgd7j-w8m424vGKhBF6mPpjulv02iSuy6RXFjwV6bErzftAi-V6o44-FHLZqCMNCtkd8-JcSADxBuo0/s3664/P1070173a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="3664" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaynNPzpza-vW5C4SbasAOV64COseuBFfhlw5yfJlvkoBu0KYnWVPzspVXuQ26ZIwDTv8GVigbYed5IUXg2drkN1oRaM1uh5SwZGcNtRT3AQK1dgd7j-w8m424vGKhBF6mPpjulv02iSuy6RXFjwV6bErzftAi-V6o44-FHLZqCMNCtkd8-JcSADxBuo0/w640-h336/P1070173a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaEUhdT70toprmP-yafiIH7tGvlVXUu-ePBHfL4H_Rpru70S8uNkaf6bSQiqp3YxqpZWbQ8gjNY6D3GBo12hEL_ASGr6S8ck2QkpvetGd8aafsoSUs5weYyD_SZUwTjjyDOKOGc9cgYskY6WATjVLA5JGn3U-JkI2kcl7qbeAWAfQb_DGp75o_lzyagU/s4896/P1070172a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaEUhdT70toprmP-yafiIH7tGvlVXUu-ePBHfL4H_Rpru70S8uNkaf6bSQiqp3YxqpZWbQ8gjNY6D3GBo12hEL_ASGr6S8ck2QkpvetGd8aafsoSUs5weYyD_SZUwTjjyDOKOGc9cgYskY6WATjVLA5JGn3U-JkI2kcl7qbeAWAfQb_DGp75o_lzyagU/w640-h480/P1070172a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML7WO2CuIrqQBIyNFP9tSXc6IV62SRWPrm_Ba-Sdp3CEri-FBnOohgpKs9pGOOvpx8JcGDG0I-o40MtNQITtEN7ju5pPS3Y7oHsvAZRbn7MCbLAADyjEfjGzbpKVSZ89ZAobyvuoHsT1kwJyRBw0LOfC8_PfnYIlNaSQ3gF7Mh8f3WJjY5sLLbeP4X0o/s4000/20230122_150221a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjML7WO2CuIrqQBIyNFP9tSXc6IV62SRWPrm_Ba-Sdp3CEri-FBnOohgpKs9pGOOvpx8JcGDG0I-o40MtNQITtEN7ju5pPS3Y7oHsvAZRbn7MCbLAADyjEfjGzbpKVSZ89ZAobyvuoHsT1kwJyRBw0LOfC8_PfnYIlNaSQ3gF7Mh8f3WJjY5sLLbeP4X0o/w480-h640/20230122_150221a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Carolyn and I weren’t that enthused about donning the obligatory ‘stinger suit’ in waters where Box Jellyfish and the more worrisome Irukandji Jellyfish abound, but those more inclined were quickly clad in their less than comely outfits and can be seen in the picture below next to those folks taking their chances with bare leg paddling.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3v_vsDyTTJeX20f5XDCcbCR43bFtvOR6UzQVJSWe4I0vcWs_HF5R6qoUKD7UxHsacvu5cboO4_h0HtPx0S1rz5bkfwBiYwj-tS_gOtYTdWNwLxwl7_2GQjBUk46fULw-3UXzDnsBWxmkfM4TIZqysovVdKxs99efxAylF2oF0zBHW_biS74ZaQYb2naw/s3014/20230122_154148a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3v_vsDyTTJeX20f5XDCcbCR43bFtvOR6UzQVJSWe4I0vcWs_HF5R6qoUKD7UxHsacvu5cboO4_h0HtPx0S1rz5bkfwBiYwj-tS_gOtYTdWNwLxwl7_2GQjBUk46fULw-3UXzDnsBWxmkfM4TIZqysovVdKxs99efxAylF2oF0zBHW_biS74ZaQYb2naw/w638-h640/20230122_154148a.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We instead decided to grab our hats and water bottles and head up and inland from the beach to explore the Solway Circuit and to imbibe more views of this beautiful area.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFeVtRQVipUgLS4N_t_qR01I2OYfQMTAPTeBC4LPSR-yiPwhUrCZeCrmEryQ_HfXJ2xFxAP_HpPHy6vQuzuLYzEaQgK8scWMU_WaOFDFValrbk2YxESHMFsC_mb5MGr0Ka84Mhn7uaWEz-Y1h4TeMmDGMzNOpb0QSYwDqQSp1Kq-MGYVPnj7h8NpZ5CU/s3903/20230122_140627a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2290" data-original-width="3903" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFeVtRQVipUgLS4N_t_qR01I2OYfQMTAPTeBC4LPSR-yiPwhUrCZeCrmEryQ_HfXJ2xFxAP_HpPHy6vQuzuLYzEaQgK8scWMU_WaOFDFValrbk2YxESHMFsC_mb5MGr0Ka84Mhn7uaWEz-Y1h4TeMmDGMzNOpb0QSYwDqQSp1Kq-MGYVPnj7h8NpZ5CU/w640-h376/20230122_140627a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN8TMiglX70oPJjIK_tYuVZqsnUY7SL85ASnlXMK68P0ZFULwM42yimXkPkj0otDt2OUzCyVw55lQD8TUF4OKvZhruRXomi2FFbio_WDPReff6RHD1gh6qBqjb-YcBbYYFe2ogo9QK70VMQw0SwEWaJMGy3c-FpFUsHTJAT6CigtVgDKIWGKWh-9PsiA/s4000/20230122_142148a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN8TMiglX70oPJjIK_tYuVZqsnUY7SL85ASnlXMK68P0ZFULwM42yimXkPkj0otDt2OUzCyVw55lQD8TUF4OKvZhruRXomi2FFbio_WDPReff6RHD1gh6qBqjb-YcBbYYFe2ogo9QK70VMQw0SwEWaJMGy3c-FpFUsHTJAT6CigtVgDKIWGKWh-9PsiA/w480-h640/20230122_142148a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first thing I noticed was that the spiders were getting bigger the further north we headed and following our adventures in the Lamington Park was already very aware to keep a wary eye on the nearby undergrowth that lined the path.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEv9iBk2BH7wzjLLR2-aUBw42--K1lMtDczC1kRbOD_RagwPFE18jSuwrPIeunRcKqoIjdjOSj5Dl1cjufGHBy4G-ZelngNqrVt4VFPflrxKV2EI-ACmxckpk08VvrNK_ykqFsd7LRqa9vPeyVY6uMtmggOXZl-wLVl_pydzTAkFydD_TqkdliMesqUk/s4896/P1070179a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEv9iBk2BH7wzjLLR2-aUBw42--K1lMtDczC1kRbOD_RagwPFE18jSuwrPIeunRcKqoIjdjOSj5Dl1cjufGHBy4G-ZelngNqrVt4VFPflrxKV2EI-ACmxckpk08VvrNK_ykqFsd7LRqa9vPeyVY6uMtmggOXZl-wLVl_pydzTAkFydD_TqkdliMesqUk/w480-h640/P1070179a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>However the rustling among the leaves turned out not to be caused by snakes but what looked to be another variety of skink of which there were a lot, and great fun to watch as they scurried about the path.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUUp-Yhco98wNrRifxCEG_xaCGlZtMt8tNrmftH-YMq0FsycG9q7xNtNXl22HJhrZxZ2M6e3J-Neh324hckQLEcNhUKZy4ZjGuochjmtAtPkibe5oQrFRm3Abl6UyElGZ5ReLBwVHW1HcEVszjqOKAW9EYEAKai56Y_wdz-LLhEjO3EIacJNK9yKafOM/s4896/P1070180a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUUp-Yhco98wNrRifxCEG_xaCGlZtMt8tNrmftH-YMq0FsycG9q7xNtNXl22HJhrZxZ2M6e3J-Neh324hckQLEcNhUKZy4ZjGuochjmtAtPkibe5oQrFRm3Abl6UyElGZ5ReLBwVHW1HcEVszjqOKAW9EYEAKai56Y_wdz-LLhEjO3EIacJNK9yKafOM/w640-h480/P1070180a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIesujOg8PK9bfI2Nj2XLXZRJqV8KWJrcRH1nPSzasHniUeOhwWT5yMyF-kxGdZ-82YbLLkmtgVViwNmE-UjVJbGKzfny81P5bfp6VKPkwSpRNGh-3uhoIBdKUfk2XKeebOaO3u5PllkfmavAbgHErImaqOsVpdvMjTnFAWDtzZwp_uMnU_NxvfnYwVVw/s4896/P1070185a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIesujOg8PK9bfI2Nj2XLXZRJqV8KWJrcRH1nPSzasHniUeOhwWT5yMyF-kxGdZ-82YbLLkmtgVViwNmE-UjVJbGKzfny81P5bfp6VKPkwSpRNGh-3uhoIBdKUfk2XKeebOaO3u5PllkfmavAbgHErImaqOsVpdvMjTnFAWDtzZwp_uMnU_NxvfnYwVVw/w640-h480/P1070185a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistPp2VtkSLjeCCmNFoByYm7Cs1MMu_oeqqLZbdhb6Ro3LRbNSmY136NWLoiHQlqQO0l6cKSsGbdC-Kf-XerIlPqJHmuqsPkPz-Vf0h4h36rBgFAGnR1fP6wQG17I-emJlD7YmklxiFUArsKLOnCwI-jCQwZJv5jDD8DXShhZRJ52uRzSFMUX5TbigYjs/s4896/P1070186a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistPp2VtkSLjeCCmNFoByYm7Cs1MMu_oeqqLZbdhb6Ro3LRbNSmY136NWLoiHQlqQO0l6cKSsGbdC-Kf-XerIlPqJHmuqsPkPz-Vf0h4h36rBgFAGnR1fP6wQG17I-emJlD7YmklxiFUArsKLOnCwI-jCQwZJv5jDD8DXShhZRJ52uRzSFMUX5TbigYjs/w640-h480/P1070186a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The views from the high ground were well worth the effort of our walk on a very hot day with a lush forest landscape bordered by azure blue skies and seas.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqCv5XQK3G6i-aIyPBAWtwnNYchDXBATG1mz_vB6VbkcEzrs9A0PrpzmrRyxeFGMgZle1Vo1zi4tEWA5q159MneDXdcq-5c4VOUsGsIRQj8OYAuSjv4nWBBaUqwQVR4OFi8PCfa62xowEmo2AcrQwWuYA3hE4jdekdG3dtbIopNexzaX72BGSL-OVx_k/s4288/P1070187a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="4288" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqCv5XQK3G6i-aIyPBAWtwnNYchDXBATG1mz_vB6VbkcEzrs9A0PrpzmrRyxeFGMgZle1Vo1zi4tEWA5q159MneDXdcq-5c4VOUsGsIRQj8OYAuSjv4nWBBaUqwQVR4OFi8PCfa62xowEmo2AcrQwWuYA3hE4jdekdG3dtbIopNexzaX72BGSL-OVx_k/w640-h286/P1070187a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w-NICHC5co5G8zxbbJm_P7S32cL2VTx124SEdAYcw3m5kBbsg0887stZ5RV-azzsTgueObg9TjFKNRq9yHLU8Wh6X6hmIoVntHNlT1LsQaY1Pr-DPjG5iYeMbx_v6v8CO7U0UMvryrjS3YAnLxlGURuIZfS82a5ZpWJhIP4YunwBLqAaAIyk0zK4x40/s5952/P1070191a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="5952" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w-NICHC5co5G8zxbbJm_P7S32cL2VTx124SEdAYcw3m5kBbsg0887stZ5RV-azzsTgueObg9TjFKNRq9yHLU8Wh6X6hmIoVntHNlT1LsQaY1Pr-DPjG5iYeMbx_v6v8CO7U0UMvryrjS3YAnLxlGURuIZfS82a5ZpWJhIP4YunwBLqAaAIyk0zK4x40/w640-h206/P1070191a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Along the path were interesting signs informing the less informed exactly what one was seeing and in addition signs from the original inhabitants who marked the route in their own inimitable way with this curiously shaped tree twisted into the unmissable shape caused by human interference to the young sapling to leave the natural sculpture to be seen today.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXHcTja1KGvof6yF4atJS8URjfrVyVB97yPzZMmvwFHHP964bONYtIYDRS5GmyYBcaRUtRR7IIjDgmPb3w0WGoVLfNUaGHq6nrKyme8uCryuYska4l48n3q_HGRqefbdVgnCKaxlfC0Nu7sM-o47KkqOExhSRch5NT7kPWgLw-NlGPN_xjp6hdxInWzI/s4896/P1070192a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXHcTja1KGvof6yF4atJS8URjfrVyVB97yPzZMmvwFHHP964bONYtIYDRS5GmyYBcaRUtRR7IIjDgmPb3w0WGoVLfNUaGHq6nrKyme8uCryuYska4l48n3q_HGRqefbdVgnCKaxlfC0Nu7sM-o47KkqOExhSRch5NT7kPWgLw-NlGPN_xjp6hdxInWzI/w640-h480/P1070192a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2Swn_2FR7SqjYtSFw_o2WLZb5Fa6y28uqTBASnHO8TO5ntcLJbtc3ZgkL8YLwQy9zIdEXbuvVZ6Ksr4fDNjaGJWxbZ5sWVwZYurhUODePaQpPKkhk8BY7Wq1RFO3lxprXJEsF1wQDZedsIj44vr5Tie0jwzuktVFp5wfMEcnz6yHodX7ZoOZsNOtfWI/s4896/P1070193a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2Swn_2FR7SqjYtSFw_o2WLZb5Fa6y28uqTBASnHO8TO5ntcLJbtc3ZgkL8YLwQy9zIdEXbuvVZ6Ksr4fDNjaGJWxbZ5sWVwZYurhUODePaQpPKkhk8BY7Wq1RFO3lxprXJEsF1wQDZedsIj44vr5Tie0jwzuktVFp5wfMEcnz6yHodX7ZoOZsNOtfWI/w640-h480/P1070193a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWtZm3v6kG6vW7ZNmZfYSNjJ2es3uGhQlUrcWFmQd7Ko1s-0CuByc1LELXiq6n1RSGqoflt-mQlvR8e1lmhSqH-_IgOxDmaOuWGj_3v5I72MWJt7d5wlRmO3lqPsvVN_iF0Mr_WFKyqU7WFE5q2lC1Y61LGvBKAFQH9bJa1ayXkpo4_2LB-yOthNOJLQ/s4896/P1070194a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWtZm3v6kG6vW7ZNmZfYSNjJ2es3uGhQlUrcWFmQd7Ko1s-0CuByc1LELXiq6n1RSGqoflt-mQlvR8e1lmhSqH-_IgOxDmaOuWGj_3v5I72MWJt7d5wlRmO3lqPsvVN_iF0Mr_WFKyqU7WFE5q2lC1Y61LGvBKAFQH9bJa1ayXkpo4_2LB-yOthNOJLQ/w640-h480/P1070194a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV9UV0UR8yfLr4WvDMRZWazkFcoT5ST1Yf07gilugDm-335JMJAHLIgbIkLGKsqGVU98pi4Xx622ZDHFMkaM3YYRywwP1YgRZyU5h06tZtsUmYgcroOxOMnptBlX5KKXoQJPkmeVEKE0isXNdgWuLuItFd8n7x3aK6WmGKzLKwltwvpsNoz1taw2LzYY/s4896/P1070196a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV9UV0UR8yfLr4WvDMRZWazkFcoT5ST1Yf07gilugDm-335JMJAHLIgbIkLGKsqGVU98pi4Xx622ZDHFMkaM3YYRywwP1YgRZyU5h06tZtsUmYgcroOxOMnptBlX5KKXoQJPkmeVEKE0isXNdgWuLuItFd8n7x3aK6WmGKzLKwltwvpsNoz1taw2LzYY/w640-h480/P1070196a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmtpd-vRFgUQRTzIJryr83wp5DdZftgqcGec_Q6ImENr5Slya0iptMKMFWz49iXxiAJnd66xm2jB_YyNLm-vpxdEvlZx3rM9V6I8CQYXOV7aNOtun8CNUC9Wd0V9KvsxXGnuiv7RUnUOLnbSWF2iuq_yhSbEGWXvVi1U3-s5W-qL3q71TXlkIQS8MyoI/s4896/P1070198a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmtpd-vRFgUQRTzIJryr83wp5DdZftgqcGec_Q6ImENr5Slya0iptMKMFWz49iXxiAJnd66xm2jB_YyNLm-vpxdEvlZx3rM9V6I8CQYXOV7aNOtun8CNUC9Wd0V9KvsxXGnuiv7RUnUOLnbSWF2iuq_yhSbEGWXvVi1U3-s5W-qL3q71TXlkIQS8MyoI/w640-h480/P1070198a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo-RXXbIi0zm_mHR2iGXnVt6pp28jfzRZfok166jjcrryP7-f32hzQILyXIWFLFY12uqLqMAyPe9rnrv2fcJhh3SX9A8SBaFUvWad0lm-ZIW-mjn9M2L9XjAoQdPZKvHUtzbc1FxNLjJgdLkSktOhvkz9xTgZRqTULBwvuqcn0KDmf0sRrv7xWgXngTE/s4896/P1070200a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo-RXXbIi0zm_mHR2iGXnVt6pp28jfzRZfok166jjcrryP7-f32hzQILyXIWFLFY12uqLqMAyPe9rnrv2fcJhh3SX9A8SBaFUvWad0lm-ZIW-mjn9M2L9XjAoQdPZKvHUtzbc1FxNLjJgdLkSktOhvkz9xTgZRqTULBwvuqcn0KDmf0sRrv7xWgXngTE/w640-h480/P1070200a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our walk around the island and our boat trip combined to make for a lovely day’s adventure and we were starving by the time we got back to our hotel and headed back out for dinner.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5gJDNxc1j5HGeFvKY2bWyPBP4Q0Rq9-R-AZV2XJ8dG4jPPrTVNuOMzXyCqIfDAZHfzf6uhiyYmXAKuXruIb66WKbM4VLe0sHIFP6pQFmYE_UU0AtbTOACFXaqDI33ZY_Vbe5B4CkhuCU_QxVi0VQD4MbdCFPKsdB8zXzsqCSSM3AMszifzcDdyu-miQ/s4896/P1070203a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5gJDNxc1j5HGeFvKY2bWyPBP4Q0Rq9-R-AZV2XJ8dG4jPPrTVNuOMzXyCqIfDAZHfzf6uhiyYmXAKuXruIb66WKbM4VLe0sHIFP6pQFmYE_UU0AtbTOACFXaqDI33ZY_Vbe5B4CkhuCU_QxVi0VQD4MbdCFPKsdB8zXzsqCSSM3AMszifzcDdyu-miQ/w640-h480/P1070203a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi4dwavcB4I_N93YHNCFF-6R4GatYpbV5cnAwVg5Etx0-WGaQFlAW_8Aq61mVCmzSD5V6d_oFInXqUdpfnzn-5AoA184jJz3WdlwPWvoICMIhY9bq0bcJKA2KeoHONuPa65zeHRHZFEL6pyLn3j9LFzdfp7SLDISlTW8yjk0iw1173LbmzjYr_aJnmYU/s4896/P1070209a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi4dwavcB4I_N93YHNCFF-6R4GatYpbV5cnAwVg5Etx0-WGaQFlAW_8Aq61mVCmzSD5V6d_oFInXqUdpfnzn-5AoA184jJz3WdlwPWvoICMIhY9bq0bcJKA2KeoHONuPa65zeHRHZFEL6pyLn3j9LFzdfp7SLDISlTW8yjk0iw1173LbmzjYr_aJnmYU/w640-h480/P1070209a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On our last day we finally managed to secure ourselves some wheels, not quite the four litre convertible I was driving in Hawaii, but none the less welcome, as getting about this very hilly island in very hot weather is not that comfortable, especially carrying groceries, and we found the local busses crowded and not ideal for getting about.</div><div><br /></div><div>So we managed to book one of the many hire golf carts that are the principle private transport in the island and given the queues of expectant and often disappointed visitors trying to get one at short notice are well worth booking ahead to avoid disappointment.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99zqtRygzTa_sMXlEDCblR0i8DCTUCquqRMDuUajKj8lFE4t6v7qed5PMiMXaouv-adppixGPJlFP-LxwNFONhIqYhzJ1hwyEUd7jPZt-_xjbIrJqet9u27FX2gj_A1w4dPcSwvq7uNztqUtoYNQf_vhXJWBKPvFGiZ9ksOW_0gj3v-OmwPLHhNpJmNk/s4896/P1070224a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99zqtRygzTa_sMXlEDCblR0i8DCTUCquqRMDuUajKj8lFE4t6v7qed5PMiMXaouv-adppixGPJlFP-LxwNFONhIqYhzJ1hwyEUd7jPZt-_xjbIrJqet9u27FX2gj_A1w4dPcSwvq7uNztqUtoYNQf_vhXJWBKPvFGiZ9ksOW_0gj3v-OmwPLHhNpJmNk/w640-h480/P1070224a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAyb8sEM9O_l5fjRWkTUIAduuGcElWVgBx5Skak6hKXC14pmp8mNKjjlOe0gIyVr1YBb8UX3lXaNh8ImQugdKa5DcBv9x1Msmvy9g98DGYhvbtXzAdS8H6dgrxJckZsmSYJjdx1V8xsITVK6RRP98X3Vk3Njq7GhsjIiS3Wn0IkGRzP49qPv-0Rmaw0U/s4000/20230123_123929a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAyb8sEM9O_l5fjRWkTUIAduuGcElWVgBx5Skak6hKXC14pmp8mNKjjlOe0gIyVr1YBb8UX3lXaNh8ImQugdKa5DcBv9x1Msmvy9g98DGYhvbtXzAdS8H6dgrxJckZsmSYJjdx1V8xsITVK6RRP98X3Vk3Njq7GhsjIiS3Wn0IkGRzP49qPv-0Rmaw0U/w640-h480/20230123_123929a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With our new set of wheels and the wide open road ahead we set off to explore the north of the island and the fun of just going somewhere different.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-bl2MxtloRAb9THvPCF434cJsXOGT5o-jVmRCN1_zEuQYheAokomhXP7B_SyN5bORyp0Njms48r31SvyA9hmUw-Pm2LzbLeGanLegK55AleYTNWKOmwoQSQ5qxE6xEqzn5yew3fNyXl8uwAOPCSJpA3py-0MVlAoyic_OjXbxwG9ecpEmHdj9okMnUk/s4000/20230123_123926a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-bl2MxtloRAb9THvPCF434cJsXOGT5o-jVmRCN1_zEuQYheAokomhXP7B_SyN5bORyp0Njms48r31SvyA9hmUw-Pm2LzbLeGanLegK55AleYTNWKOmwoQSQ5qxE6xEqzn5yew3fNyXl8uwAOPCSJpA3py-0MVlAoyic_OjXbxwG9ecpEmHdj9okMnUk/w640-h480/20230123_123926a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On our way we came across what I think must be one of the most beautiful churches in the world, All Saints Church, with heavenly views from its manicured grass and with a very moving tribute from parents to a son lost in war.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnzKOomz4wiOhapuO0JHgJbSaZtPGDvP2TR-MPiL9_eih11f1SdbZ_CIm6ngktUhHoTFeTJG-8F8iiDsMaLazyDi4-0VzV2cr4NOalohPKv7oIkINsh7Guz9qFiY1GyOjtgvSm7Noi0cSkaqznKv9q_RxzxzxRr8bFQ80RkfhYVRx618CetYr_q8zUrM/s4000/20230123_124506a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnzKOomz4wiOhapuO0JHgJbSaZtPGDvP2TR-MPiL9_eih11f1SdbZ_CIm6ngktUhHoTFeTJG-8F8iiDsMaLazyDi4-0VzV2cr4NOalohPKv7oIkINsh7Guz9qFiY1GyOjtgvSm7Noi0cSkaqznKv9q_RxzxzxRr8bFQ80RkfhYVRx618CetYr_q8zUrM/w480-h640/20230123_124506a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkfiFLQUoNT0Y9U6MxRAXmlGrR4_khmMV5aV_vn7MnYerO5V-GrTMi6in1alDQPC2ft0LJQr6TPKO_WowpgqDIA7I86xV8af8coojtQ9yInGOn3gq8zym7OUPjl55GOA4It5nrrhDQc-POP85IMo5B3yBGHHSfxBpb__uT6zwOFUPQu0AdBp14X3yCbs/s4000/20230123_124511a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkfiFLQUoNT0Y9U6MxRAXmlGrR4_khmMV5aV_vn7MnYerO5V-GrTMi6in1alDQPC2ft0LJQr6TPKO_WowpgqDIA7I86xV8af8coojtQ9yInGOn3gq8zym7OUPjl55GOA4It5nrrhDQc-POP85IMo5B3yBGHHSfxBpb__uT6zwOFUPQu0AdBp14X3yCbs/w480-h640/20230123_124511a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhJ7Sk3GBgriIraLbcid9qbyNO6GD7d7aPID9foda32KNcT7iw_7n4E4umlvTeM_mTOvOVHlh2nP_DaSkY6iUVlufSez3j989tWs42FQo8sZeNvRCaUJJb9K-YMqcIa8gd7QZ3e0pEHHGritnDHrqsJ1jfUeG9vbqjoWRr_vTpYUZnNp7OZlwtL7-WNg/s4000/20230123_125332a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhJ7Sk3GBgriIraLbcid9qbyNO6GD7d7aPID9foda32KNcT7iw_7n4E4umlvTeM_mTOvOVHlh2nP_DaSkY6iUVlufSez3j989tWs42FQo8sZeNvRCaUJJb9K-YMqcIa8gd7QZ3e0pEHHGritnDHrqsJ1jfUeG9vbqjoWRr_vTpYUZnNp7OZlwtL7-WNg/w480-h640/20230123_125332a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The tribute to Flying Officer Keith MacDonald refers to his taking part in the operation to bomb Berlin on the night of 2nd/3rd January 1944 as part of a force of 362 Lancasters in a total force of 383 aircraft that included 12 Mosquitoes and 9 Halifaxes.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLAlaJBD3IfhDPZBdLGZEUjyOLQa10fjpZpzKPMjT9XQYVrG1_931RrU2gyYhaLS7Ivdb0pLSsEZwNg-3wfA1_HCLjurJae1BT-aPzQFnWS1ro_YSfsDKbACB9mlWX5GzJvXqERo64LtkhKMpbsV3Mnk9EquVs9qd-J2V9XDrWQ87X3nQgQJGYo2SraU/s4000/20230123_130005a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLAlaJBD3IfhDPZBdLGZEUjyOLQa10fjpZpzKPMjT9XQYVrG1_931RrU2gyYhaLS7Ivdb0pLSsEZwNg-3wfA1_HCLjurJae1BT-aPzQFnWS1ro_YSfsDKbACB9mlWX5GzJvXqERo64LtkhKMpbsV3Mnk9EquVs9qd-J2V9XDrWQ87X3nQgQJGYo2SraU/w480-h640/20230123_130005a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>No. 619 Squadron was part of No.5 Group, Bomber Command, and were flying Lancaster BIII’s from Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhIpXTJ4DeTNi58X_vuAvI6WMhNF7AoIhvkF8A6PoIJJkGfaHCQ73_O5Q-Sldx45sKWGfXp2q6n5cgO-JqhcavMfNNilzLWzdmUpjnb_i0x-ScYluOaO8Cpr5zE9oSCjYJE_ssj-1O0-5HoPrQeJOOUaYlLx5O9y8scnmpKRSb761kwTCRn9w1K_YSgk/s720/98f7e292853d9af9f5a898f535e0bef0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="720" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhIpXTJ4DeTNi58X_vuAvI6WMhNF7AoIhvkF8A6PoIJJkGfaHCQ73_O5Q-Sldx45sKWGfXp2q6n5cgO-JqhcavMfNNilzLWzdmUpjnb_i0x-ScYluOaO8Cpr5zE9oSCjYJE_ssj-1O0-5HoPrQeJOOUaYlLx5O9y8scnmpKRSb761kwTCRn9w1K_YSgk/w640-h452/98f7e292853d9af9f5a898f535e0bef0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lancaster PG-D of 619 Squadron with her crew pictured. This might be another aircraft with the same squadron code and unfortunately the serial number is not visible</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On the night of the attack Pilot Officer, not Flying Officer as shown, MacDonald was flying Lancaster PG-D serial number JB123 and the aircraft was one of 27 other Lancasters lost that night, with aircrew losses of 168 killed and 31 made prisoner of war and with the Bomber Command War Diary recording the majority of losses in and around Berlin once the 150 to 200 nightfighters, originally directed towards Hannover and Bremen, caught up with the bomber stream.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoffY7VXP8RBx8qBy0ubdnFH6hkSWN8BQz6N5hCoa7vE_Av587Y12lCeG-jJra_qbX9YlJFEhhiGeIv3LtzGCyh8wQNfbMVpUY-wBHNx240XbEjtjImebJmXpx9i1DmUQcXofq6O5Qy_JTcFF52-9QyDF5M7Z3jkZv8yabTDVOKH9fym_FXuKaVH42mp0/s724/IMG_4628.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="724" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoffY7VXP8RBx8qBy0ubdnFH6hkSWN8BQz6N5hCoa7vE_Av587Y12lCeG-jJra_qbX9YlJFEhhiGeIv3LtzGCyh8wQNfbMVpUY-wBHNx240XbEjtjImebJmXpx9i1DmUQcXofq6O5Qy_JTcFF52-9QyDF5M7Z3jkZv8yabTDVOKH9fym_FXuKaVH42mp0/w640-h544/IMG_4628.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map from ‘The Berlin Raids’ - Martin Middlebrook</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Bomber crews that took part expressed their dismay at seeing the route planned above, with a straight in and straight out course, with a slight dog-leg after Berlin to allow the bombers to take advantage of a strong following wind from that direction, but a route that was being used for the eighth time in the previous ten raids, with no diversionary raids and despite the evidence that the bomber stream was being engaged more often using this route to Berlin.</div><div><br /></div><div>The grief of his parents can only be imagined and, as the father of two sons and spared the horrors of modern war, I spent a few moments in grateful meditation whilst appreciating this paradisiacal location.</div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAvo_Ko9hgCvSbKKYQgJHgScZm8CZwhY46AArRayDVieK14dMXX32_I6t0QKh0nsv5rKal1dpwHwDlooSUd7PLNoifd_qNwiJ2uJdCstBZWeqTDgz-E3qmJaTDYm4laqxJ5Lx8KVTUoQfh-7-2Z4UOvn8570eSJDP0QgVWSv6Jsi8J5BfWlQpCsQ7Nc8/s4896/P1070228a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAvo_Ko9hgCvSbKKYQgJHgScZm8CZwhY46AArRayDVieK14dMXX32_I6t0QKh0nsv5rKal1dpwHwDlooSUd7PLNoifd_qNwiJ2uJdCstBZWeqTDgz-E3qmJaTDYm4laqxJ5Lx8KVTUoQfh-7-2Z4UOvn8570eSJDP0QgVWSv6Jsi8J5BfWlQpCsQ7Nc8/w640-h480/P1070228a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As an island paradise, Hamilton Island ticks a lot of the boxes, and with my bird spotting predilection, that enjoyment was only enhanced.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV1L8f08pdrok0md7UkGtxdksXkmyZecj4d7pzI4aF0OLHkZe8uAMw2p8xPjhLBZ6uSTpKavvcmO9KEP2nx7TALqbI7GK5O4J9GPuzliLgRUDBbjk-wKRO77O6zM9Y6PfMS3EoWOb0F91Gr3EnGOVDGon8kiKRNy2KR8OWxE4RvKb3YI50rQyHkadIrQ/s4896/P1070225a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV1L8f08pdrok0md7UkGtxdksXkmyZecj4d7pzI4aF0OLHkZe8uAMw2p8xPjhLBZ6uSTpKavvcmO9KEP2nx7TALqbI7GK5O4J9GPuzliLgRUDBbjk-wKRO77O6zM9Y6PfMS3EoWOb0F91Gr3EnGOVDGon8kiKRNy2KR8OWxE4RvKb3YI50rQyHkadIrQ/w640-h480/P1070225a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinR32Fp3zTyr-ScsjM1ykAgQBoummZeTF60qBv3YQe7sje_JUuSHC6jO2Fxc72hr0aGlbogKeHY5s7lPYPjNd8NWtzEZ1MVnn0rCTo0pohZY1iVNvSfObGdEo8eWgokLTpFjgsMEXmWQopdEPnfn0GIuiF4l5_ANuN7r5bega29LbCbBDLGICumRyqvc/s4000/20230123_130153a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinR32Fp3zTyr-ScsjM1ykAgQBoummZeTF60qBv3YQe7sje_JUuSHC6jO2Fxc72hr0aGlbogKeHY5s7lPYPjNd8NWtzEZ1MVnn0rCTo0pohZY1iVNvSfObGdEo8eWgokLTpFjgsMEXmWQopdEPnfn0GIuiF4l5_ANuN7r5bega29LbCbBDLGICumRyqvc/w480-h640/20230123_130153a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWEPFA3uY7yZ9zNwtCFu4US3Ih8Jsg6otU93rNkq-WJ0oa2zk3FA9oNveM_2ypGN_okojc_LV0nMMWVJaJwsCrXj37PRaFsnPr4RcKlxgoSNhH8-XpUayRJh9HWg2pJMBG-sbg1cvXDu1l25fvuWbyFnoryoINLST6msktxH4BuSedkZtxG6uiVrw0qA/s4896/P1070231a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWEPFA3uY7yZ9zNwtCFu4US3Ih8Jsg6otU93rNkq-WJ0oa2zk3FA9oNveM_2ypGN_okojc_LV0nMMWVJaJwsCrXj37PRaFsnPr4RcKlxgoSNhH8-XpUayRJh9HWg2pJMBG-sbg1cvXDu1l25fvuWbyFnoryoINLST6msktxH4BuSedkZtxG6uiVrw0qA/w640-h480/P1070231a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We first caught sight of this quintessential Australian bird, the Kookaburra in Sydney, this being the laughing variety, <i>Dacelo novaeguineae.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQOTNvmGO8fqEuCVdU13VImOAYGlswercA-6qToPblIarreM78GXG6Sy1ivRvo2AuuM58p8GTsTM6WhVr6qANZF0LJ6kQMCuFYNifXn7k8d-Bf7A2x233afBbRRhtt5CU0Tfp78qnslEYPGHZ9lMiqgAwGW9O2G8mD3MVs3GbaMJYRO1HCN4OijdcImI/s4000/20230123_114132a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQOTNvmGO8fqEuCVdU13VImOAYGlswercA-6qToPblIarreM78GXG6Sy1ivRvo2AuuM58p8GTsTM6WhVr6qANZF0LJ6kQMCuFYNifXn7k8d-Bf7A2x233afBbRRhtt5CU0Tfp78qnslEYPGHZ9lMiqgAwGW9O2G8mD3MVs3GbaMJYRO1HCN4OijdcImI/w640-h480/20230123_114132a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>You can see why George Harrison was drawn to a place like this.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIeJ0IgDddaexEbbXItppsqO4kNvFLoKhKmtzToJLDNEbO_nBa_g8F9LFeK7QWfxJ6sbLNuV_WuS0X6NGEeTdeB9B_63queEEitKPMHwZZI40hcH0vKA2pIHAmS4aJUNLfNWWMJv2CPVd3PaSD4JmUJk5hpdYqigrGnh-0gDqBxeWJomDSji05WobV8g/s4896/P1070213a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIeJ0IgDddaexEbbXItppsqO4kNvFLoKhKmtzToJLDNEbO_nBa_g8F9LFeK7QWfxJ6sbLNuV_WuS0X6NGEeTdeB9B_63queEEitKPMHwZZI40hcH0vKA2pIHAmS4aJUNLfNWWMJv2CPVd3PaSD4JmUJk5hpdYqigrGnh-0gDqBxeWJomDSji05WobV8g/w640-h480/P1070213a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc_K-v1XInC9TVWqVfGmFhOEXPqf8o1sFM8wD9WLyFRJ_LRqoCt4rII3q7VbNvbgo5dKO0zRDxYPln5Xzl0KAO6gyaWYvB2WE4Sk9l95ss4D06H4XAKTj7XZd6hLy0DFBKnb_AgGtRk24AnG5pPw0CnHmxTuJlq4laIJ1_JFarU3kQLZZ__F3-ns-lDs/s4896/P1070212a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc_K-v1XInC9TVWqVfGmFhOEXPqf8o1sFM8wD9WLyFRJ_LRqoCt4rII3q7VbNvbgo5dKO0zRDxYPln5Xzl0KAO6gyaWYvB2WE4Sk9l95ss4D06H4XAKTj7XZd6hLy0DFBKnb_AgGtRk24AnG5pPw0CnHmxTuJlq4laIJ1_JFarU3kQLZZ__F3-ns-lDs/w640-h480/P1070212a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidJzz_knnCcHtN43Nai8ZGFJJSFbXIkUBwfqJm-_JUmcLAVJkes6Q_V5ZRpN0cKDTCcYP39gVcANroc_hzgv9d98XuqrxfA1UL3A4uaebiBnboS7jQsiKWmwEk5l-UIB8UG8whgdnj9sA-qnDCH4xvWj57R4wppP0dAVZ8WW9_TP-PyiYXMbvMPt9uzE/s3648/20230122_143457a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidJzz_knnCcHtN43Nai8ZGFJJSFbXIkUBwfqJm-_JUmcLAVJkes6Q_V5ZRpN0cKDTCcYP39gVcANroc_hzgv9d98XuqrxfA1UL3A4uaebiBnboS7jQsiKWmwEk5l-UIB8UG8whgdnj9sA-qnDCH4xvWj57R4wppP0dAVZ8WW9_TP-PyiYXMbvMPt9uzE/w640-h480/20230122_143457a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we explored the island roads and parked up now and again to enjoy the views I caught site of something moving in one of the nearby verges among the ground vegetation.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqyLMdyIYZaij4v5u9SK-WfrDElhvEqUFtnlGUJQ-efRrGMpi9DwqhhYawAEzgC94oo0uYgt9XTJZt2P2QTEqmcDVrHSAX0SyeKLU_fCUlpFu3Nn952Xx1702NlT48EiUFFhoFBMZoDmFvEyQkmJYkzXyOL0x81puUkOW1gmpOdzBVotjD8o9K3ygTaM/s4896/P1070133a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqyLMdyIYZaij4v5u9SK-WfrDElhvEqUFtnlGUJQ-efRrGMpi9DwqhhYawAEzgC94oo0uYgt9XTJZt2P2QTEqmcDVrHSAX0SyeKLU_fCUlpFu3Nn952Xx1702NlT48EiUFFhoFBMZoDmFvEyQkmJYkzXyOL0x81puUkOW1gmpOdzBVotjD8o9K3ygTaM/w640-h480/P1070133a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Pheasant Coucal, <i>Centropus phasianinus, </i>is the only Australian cuckoo that builds its own nest and raises its own young, this being the male of the species.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYF4lCeuw5ZgafY748e4tLHpwse43VEjITzfJj8zh0y9o5piswQT_ieBvt1Bi22UwdKan-EyQR2CccIez9J2K_GuSnNBPUmVhWUGF58aCpZAMLeKKxVjd04wy-MurpkBaQjYNQ54bq0Eh4whBA5VK8gCist9EScxXpYLV1KcgEonavoX6GExP2DT2WVA/s3932/P1070130a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="3932" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYF4lCeuw5ZgafY748e4tLHpwse43VEjITzfJj8zh0y9o5piswQT_ieBvt1Bi22UwdKan-EyQR2CccIez9J2K_GuSnNBPUmVhWUGF58aCpZAMLeKKxVjd04wy-MurpkBaQjYNQ54bq0Eh4whBA5VK8gCist9EScxXpYLV1KcgEonavoX6GExP2DT2WVA/w640-h468/P1070130a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKcyBq35zWx9vQTdI9q6U8ur7qvXxuRwdSNSP8PxB_9W81YiT44dcXlyYB9uLDpt3-O28zTkP86hRSXIvVnfluAEOhfQbMO3av2G6y-SXfrCmJiLFiZyt5uBg4Pag4hRtOqw7LtKT9dzrSTSaFfXYGq41qkLVG0-YzIL2UxZiGZBub2tqSe8cbHY-4d4/s3709/P1070139a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2390" data-original-width="3709" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKcyBq35zWx9vQTdI9q6U8ur7qvXxuRwdSNSP8PxB_9W81YiT44dcXlyYB9uLDpt3-O28zTkP86hRSXIvVnfluAEOhfQbMO3av2G6y-SXfrCmJiLFiZyt5uBg4Pag4hRtOqw7LtKT9dzrSTSaFfXYGq41qkLVG0-YzIL2UxZiGZBub2tqSe8cbHY-4d4/w640-h412/P1070139a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Pheasant Coucal, </span><i style="text-align: left;">Centropus phasianinus. </i><span style="text-align: left;">I’ve never seen anything quite like this crossing the road at home!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKwiL6FyeFOuwdOuQR5oX8b8lwX94DKQ2XAcGxv4GJ8KOFh7Ook4rkmHpbCTz-VpglffoX78jCTFLer9RD02slbjR_xsjCMpSqopvqdP8dM4rBABbrU0kZG_ELJ0zD5yoU84TaHOJJD9GSd3LdtUlIvu4_PoI0ELfdghOGquxVFwHrXWwyh1c509qhQQ/s4728/P1070243a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2966" data-original-width="4728" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKwiL6FyeFOuwdOuQR5oX8b8lwX94DKQ2XAcGxv4GJ8KOFh7Ook4rkmHpbCTz-VpglffoX78jCTFLer9RD02slbjR_xsjCMpSqopvqdP8dM4rBABbrU0kZG_ELJ0zD5yoU84TaHOJJD9GSd3LdtUlIvu4_PoI0ELfdghOGquxVFwHrXWwyh1c509qhQQ/w640-h402/P1070243a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvecZPFjMV0XTSovrPjCafCGqRadiGljtO1MSw5Eo3b1ysTJ2iyKAj1bdbBRRiOrnGxFSDKf_G_6jNmDkODa5NGZttuJUEmK6WXTxrpiOeMTBFRR6jsjqWIQODDTv04LKlv6Xm7on1mBUFf4J5xwuz6bpJFKonMroZIluURt0JDWLeEWXYwowd_KGtr5g/s4896/P1070066a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvecZPFjMV0XTSovrPjCafCGqRadiGljtO1MSw5Eo3b1ysTJ2iyKAj1bdbBRRiOrnGxFSDKf_G_6jNmDkODa5NGZttuJUEmK6WXTxrpiOeMTBFRR6jsjqWIQODDTv04LKlv6Xm7on1mBUFf4J5xwuz6bpJFKonMroZIluURt0JDWLeEWXYwowd_KGtr5g/w640-h480/P1070066a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Lorikeet, <i>Trichoglossus moloccanus</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIU0rYoP7gIo9myjway7YOSy61Ky0M37-rp4x0pCR7c3CIz22ATdnYjLHBDkr8CkUDsNFs34Q5l-msznvMlsCuD3aUr18sqI9vmjHT6Nr2iZRoLdnjelqNIegpL-tvCQMQ8ehxA0O3HE_rHQ6NNlB3biJwbhgWwXBmDmb5eNSJeUAibFpNG7FTOWfrrk/s4210/P1070080a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="4210" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIU0rYoP7gIo9myjway7YOSy61Ky0M37-rp4x0pCR7c3CIz22ATdnYjLHBDkr8CkUDsNFs34Q5l-msznvMlsCuD3aUr18sqI9vmjHT6Nr2iZRoLdnjelqNIegpL-tvCQMQ8ehxA0O3HE_rHQ6NNlB3biJwbhgWwXBmDmb5eNSJeUAibFpNG7FTOWfrrk/w640-h438/P1070080a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPS3wSXhXwwj5MjqgUnmMQDzXexYMgLlPIkZ1ayqy_wkapxAP06LSA3wmf9ikX3NJkdTVF_EDvY2iJ1jQnvd5MiCNDBUiY0kUJDWmFnD4WdW85cQ6ACGAOU4TNI_iVw6LmRlyA3vDNxBrm0f1Ei2NzUAc977oYo3PHUrkY90VhsFLDBhgZVoQU9zbFLQ/s3763/P1070128a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3161" data-original-width="3763" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPS3wSXhXwwj5MjqgUnmMQDzXexYMgLlPIkZ1ayqy_wkapxAP06LSA3wmf9ikX3NJkdTVF_EDvY2iJ1jQnvd5MiCNDBUiY0kUJDWmFnD4WdW85cQ6ACGAOU4TNI_iVw6LmRlyA3vDNxBrm0f1Ei2NzUAc977oYo3PHUrkY90VhsFLDBhgZVoQU9zbFLQ/w640-h538/P1070128a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torresian Crow, <i>Corvus orru </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Mh_pUZBBY-o25QszXItNnDS1cpw453n0aVeJTpF-NCydHml4q6XkTvNin3rgj2Z0PPnhpaMZeT9hwgcOWWnbjtRrijpyEfNGwH1eap0bjFzksmTiLgmNI22sBN9iWSPLbWdRzeOnMbXf9_gm4IuA0laiXsjTBnVY0z9aUw1g27iJ9YFp86xNtsa7VMI/s2515/P1070236a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="2515" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Mh_pUZBBY-o25QszXItNnDS1cpw453n0aVeJTpF-NCydHml4q6XkTvNin3rgj2Z0PPnhpaMZeT9hwgcOWWnbjtRrijpyEfNGwH1eap0bjFzksmTiLgmNI22sBN9iWSPLbWdRzeOnMbXf9_gm4IuA0laiXsjTBnVY0z9aUw1g27iJ9YFp86xNtsa7VMI/w640-h532/P1070236a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Currawong, <i>Strepera graculina, </i>so named for its distinctive rollicking call, ‘curra-wong curra-wong’</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffqt8iuMMar4DCgF8odC0TGNF2O_ulZHKqG58bePaq1D2Nui5cjBcVP5ThY6xvWRPwSDoXkYkODW1uGZNk0mqZBWYFTXWwRU6DFC1CWvUAUOQPmtEA6GmjivatPky_1z8PfO1FGAScGcRGEgFG69gdrA3UbtvgTtzpZaQNfu9_WiSzeaS1IRjGqgUqtY/s3521/P1070241a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2595" data-original-width="3521" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffqt8iuMMar4DCgF8odC0TGNF2O_ulZHKqG58bePaq1D2Nui5cjBcVP5ThY6xvWRPwSDoXkYkODW1uGZNk0mqZBWYFTXWwRU6DFC1CWvUAUOQPmtEA6GmjivatPky_1z8PfO1FGAScGcRGEgFG69gdrA3UbtvgTtzpZaQNfu9_WiSzeaS1IRjGqgUqtY/w640-h472/P1070241a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ31PA2omTXEcgxB_dRVrD3qrBk8JJfqqpiiCwBU_b7mfCgThHKg9IFp2gloaZMWE5UPcuibqlysgyvl-NZos2kjnsTHpoANuwr99V-yYwosScGq8CEhLCGg5vVa7KYmn2D0AXaS1KUPjbV6yPas0mTJocwLyQisKtUGC4jNcHIYSm7rxeyYyRw-sK7X8/s3668/P1070252a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="3668" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ31PA2omTXEcgxB_dRVrD3qrBk8JJfqqpiiCwBU_b7mfCgThHKg9IFp2gloaZMWE5UPcuibqlysgyvl-NZos2kjnsTHpoANuwr99V-yYwosScGq8CEhLCGg5vVa7KYmn2D0AXaS1KUPjbV6yPas0mTJocwLyQisKtUGC4jNcHIYSm7rxeyYyRw-sK7X8/w640-h442/P1070252a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvtLbXJulatLsNby4bzrBi1nvTjgJtQPoZ41lXU0lHPHrD2qRre4unvYTFKfKayhNwK3bOxVkfAz7y69jvFlrsQdRL-dLrCBHV_egpBgMbj6ejNBU78ZaAmogPMBprU_V5NLEKTUk_kUwIDqiP1EpJs7hipB2rLFWLYbF4Xe7jSmTZz2LHfnaG3UytNo/s2914/P1070249a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2378" data-original-width="2914" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvtLbXJulatLsNby4bzrBi1nvTjgJtQPoZ41lXU0lHPHrD2qRre4unvYTFKfKayhNwK3bOxVkfAz7y69jvFlrsQdRL-dLrCBHV_egpBgMbj6ejNBU78ZaAmogPMBprU_V5NLEKTUk_kUwIDqiP1EpJs7hipB2rLFWLYbF4Xe7jSmTZz2LHfnaG3UytNo/w640-h522/P1070249a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One abiding memory of our stay in Hamilton Island were the evening sunsets, and we both enjoyed just sitting and watching the horizon change colour as the sun slowly lowered in the evening sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYINxyeQrMN4NeQEO8GMAnDeD8CEM8OpyY5No3rW31fsVY1nscA_sGOBQlu2JEKa2aJZjB5Y7ueJPDWYSuN4jssEdiO0EiUR46_2I6vqT-vma0i7mpRBbW4Rg3TzYwtpQjOt40mY2qUwe8b4uxHGdUCS4QeObKxfG9EXGlJOud2PUWibTlAgeHZ7L1WM/s4896/P1070253a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYINxyeQrMN4NeQEO8GMAnDeD8CEM8OpyY5No3rW31fsVY1nscA_sGOBQlu2JEKa2aJZjB5Y7ueJPDWYSuN4jssEdiO0EiUR46_2I6vqT-vma0i7mpRBbW4Rg3TzYwtpQjOt40mY2qUwe8b4uxHGdUCS4QeObKxfG9EXGlJOud2PUWibTlAgeHZ7L1WM/w640-h480/P1070253a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxslEaNsKEsHDnbX9JYYYJwjBDbX4MxzwTxQWDJ--KCmXu6_WjDuBSdVlGEBQMTms_NEte3Y528ycTZ2stTS3WFQUig0b_M8h0UmTelM6W2fV592KsnQEOAuzkMluXORnbrgc3uoLDaL0xvhVx9HpYJJ-HtzxsNvyCq9D2LEJ8ITivivRwEQhzDYzp6g/s4000/20230123_191431a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxslEaNsKEsHDnbX9JYYYJwjBDbX4MxzwTxQWDJ--KCmXu6_WjDuBSdVlGEBQMTms_NEte3Y528ycTZ2stTS3WFQUig0b_M8h0UmTelM6W2fV592KsnQEOAuzkMluXORnbrgc3uoLDaL0xvhVx9HpYJJ-HtzxsNvyCq9D2LEJ8ITivivRwEQhzDYzp6g/w640-h480/20230123_191431a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDszUXZ2jFyGhbItMF8NC74XIqbLDg0o8wJw10GlcRGyzNCbeUd2qKAMKMESyxbld4HnCpnJDUsZixPJ_CmDTw6B9S3VjwAtABNEXjqbvLQjaH6lcLcVNXYhEHSjG8jucXlIbRw-TEqD-13DRss3pXxWeMpOvZ2OxyjkZ8Vl_t8XicJHGGqtZoZummx8w/s4896/P1070255a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDszUXZ2jFyGhbItMF8NC74XIqbLDg0o8wJw10GlcRGyzNCbeUd2qKAMKMESyxbld4HnCpnJDUsZixPJ_CmDTw6B9S3VjwAtABNEXjqbvLQjaH6lcLcVNXYhEHSjG8jucXlIbRw-TEqD-13DRss3pXxWeMpOvZ2OxyjkZ8Vl_t8XicJHGGqtZoZummx8w/w640-h480/P1070255a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B_koAzOckECQSYbPCqKqsHsn9n2ia3ryT2ZDiB3HwUWl80EM4fCz-yP849yy5_Ls0p_x1AzSMQ0PubWB0sDg2JHtylCKiuNomOo8dzul460CY4TvYF-xB0i3NEs98Nh8LGBPts7SqEJ_t3Ejacn00qso9hUZM3nr0MN5fQrI7FGWVHCj8LUdI1YaZQU/s4896/P1070257a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B_koAzOckECQSYbPCqKqsHsn9n2ia3ryT2ZDiB3HwUWl80EM4fCz-yP849yy5_Ls0p_x1AzSMQ0PubWB0sDg2JHtylCKiuNomOo8dzul460CY4TvYF-xB0i3NEs98Nh8LGBPts7SqEJ_t3Ejacn00qso9hUZM3nr0MN5fQrI7FGWVHCj8LUdI1YaZQU/w640-h480/P1070257a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In seemingly no time our stay in paradise was over and we were back on the plane back to Brisbane to catch another onward flight north to the next stage in our adventure, but I couldn’t help smiling at the sweets on offer on the flight and wondered if they’d seen the forgettable ‘Snakes on a Plane’.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgSxHF_l4INK8yTQtOO4QXn4A4Y9SFhDEQXkUr2mldXA0Oes0lRJfRNstir-0KdjBRO0GvMmV9Sihvd-6DjcGG-K-4KHPzyEd8a-y2wPG76YNl_avQE8EaDKh6hQymVGx5bnthQoV8-jruPQtjhAxs0Zf-OOi7c9Cs9pMoMhFnIxMjzDR5UPnHDEpdyM/s4000/20230124_150527a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgSxHF_l4INK8yTQtOO4QXn4A4Y9SFhDEQXkUr2mldXA0Oes0lRJfRNstir-0KdjBRO0GvMmV9Sihvd-6DjcGG-K-4KHPzyEd8a-y2wPG76YNl_avQE8EaDKh6hQymVGx5bnthQoV8-jruPQtjhAxs0Zf-OOi7c9Cs9pMoMhFnIxMjzDR5UPnHDEpdyM/w480-h640/20230124_150527a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Whilst parking up at Brisbane, I noticed this extraordinary plane parked up at arrivals, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first flight from home, way back in 1919.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMCWWQlzMqXxAAhMNO57ArVMPsylMFdBm4uGqvQFxyP2WE4vtJPYp1F5IH_fPbEfsIJJouO3xqqiWyQ1OiyB9GkjLAt60OCJ4Q81kiRBC6BQLrOeK6VWSbY3lTDXXqbws3V2N8ocakmeHSPkeUVhzbjCxuvE1J7ELSDkpZ_R9GtpH7KTHuwMjk-ACaNQ/s3189/20230124_173502a.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="3189" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMCWWQlzMqXxAAhMNO57ArVMPsylMFdBm4uGqvQFxyP2WE4vtJPYp1F5IH_fPbEfsIJJouO3xqqiWyQ1OiyB9GkjLAt60OCJ4Q81kiRBC6BQLrOeK6VWSbY3lTDXXqbws3V2N8ocakmeHSPkeUVhzbjCxuvE1J7ELSDkpZ_R9GtpH7KTHuwMjk-ACaNQ/w640-h318/20230124_173502a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>So the adventure continues in the next post as we fly further up the coast to Port Douglas and get to explore the Daintree Rainforest before moving on to Palm Cove, yet another beach side paradise in northern Queensland.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up: I’m off to Clotted Lard this weekend to play the Bantry Bay Scenario, plus I have an adventure on Dartmoor to report and a new fleet build project has started with the first models nearing completion.</div><div><br /></div><div>More anon</div><div>JJ</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-45841077002743982122023-09-07T22:37:00.000-07:002023-09-07T22:37:27.594-07:00Bantry Bay 1796 for Kiss Me Hardy - Preparations (French Troop Transports), Part Two<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGrUXWy9C9Izua78A301lc12l4qqqFlQ3x4fEcC6KIwp60j4eFxdhPixeQ2cCZStOoGRcCuBCwRHBI2ktXyQIWH545SokLdiut9MYQ8sH0J6kjAzufs3EZ7WjaZ8vqNGPJavZuz1mrb3sdmuROPG3ofOpBI8XZUQsgiIjJI8mDaGKNQZJx4nV9f7yxLs/s628/la-forte%20French%20armed-transport%20Frederick%20Roux.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="628" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGrUXWy9C9Izua78A301lc12l4qqqFlQ3x4fEcC6KIwp60j4eFxdhPixeQ2cCZStOoGRcCuBCwRHBI2ktXyQIWH545SokLdiut9MYQ8sH0J6kjAzufs3EZ7WjaZ8vqNGPJavZuz1mrb3sdmuROPG3ofOpBI8XZUQsgiIjJI8mDaGKNQZJx4nV9f7yxLs/w640-h418/la-forte%20French%20armed-transport%20Frederick%20Roux.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Forte, French Armed Transport - Frederick Roux</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This post follows on from Part One which, if you missed it, can be followed in the link below:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA3xGV4JtjSBMrKshXulRE14zQ_DekJ9Ldo5LTz9h2uX3vZu90a0kI1xktU4S5TR5tbLHCDFaJ2ce7Kn8AgSYIcZLxbZT_J9YxPwKuZvNaPurRKtZFqph4TeI5dfW2Qr9nx-Sqig68ivYcqgIS73tTd0TVFdxVD5kaqKs02Y0gm8IHGd8ITTn1vhVJa0/s1024/Geoff-Hunt-H.M.S.-Indefatigable-1-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1024" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA3xGV4JtjSBMrKshXulRE14zQ_DekJ9Ldo5LTz9h2uX3vZu90a0kI1xktU4S5TR5tbLHCDFaJ2ce7Kn8AgSYIcZLxbZT_J9YxPwKuZvNaPurRKtZFqph4TeI5dfW2Qr9nx-Sqig68ivYcqgIS73tTd0TVFdxVD5kaqKs02Y0gm8IHGd8ITTn1vhVJa0/w400-h297/Geoff-Hunt-H.M.S.-Indefatigable-1-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2023/08/bantry-bay-1796-for-kiss-me-hardy.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">JJ's Wargames - Bantry Bay 1796 for Kiss Me Hardy, Part One</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When looking at the development of naval power projection in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century and amphibious operations, the literature that predominates, I suppose unsurprisingly, seems to focus primarily on British operations, and even there the detail surrounding the actual transport ships involved as opposed to the men-of-war is a lot more sparse than you would wish if you were looking to model these fleets for the wargaming table.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you then turn your attention to the French then you really have to start a bit of investigative digging to come to a firm impression of how to represent these forces.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the French Invasion of Ireland in December 1796, originally James and then Clowes lists the following French transports that were part of the invasion fleet of seventeen ships of the line, thirteen frigates and six corvettes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNUBT6i2fTKthFT0kyA9LTCcSupl-V9SRFkaXGSk1jP9zuBdHtfhS9eXhmIHqCmeWl1-5lH9T6YURFV7SMvF7etixX2ujs0M4rd0-dqpOds_0kYNMv178keTPEXnm2GUjlPHl9NwpKgjhCDJQW0njI3eM6jkxc9Fg0BbXropqLsTEBaaz5XnX_2gJTpc/s939/Transports.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="939" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNUBT6i2fTKthFT0kyA9LTCcSupl-V9SRFkaXGSk1jP9zuBdHtfhS9eXhmIHqCmeWl1-5lH9T6YURFV7SMvF7etixX2ujs0M4rd0-dqpOds_0kYNMv178keTPEXnm2GUjlPHl9NwpKgjhCDJQW0njI3eM6jkxc9Fg0BbXropqLsTEBaaz5XnX_2gJTpc/w640-h388/Transports.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I decided to randomly choose four of these vessels for which I could possibly get enough detail to represent them as a KMH transport ship with a ship record card as seen below. For this kind of work I regularly turn to one of the Rif Winfield reference books, in this case French Warships of the Age of Sail 1786 -1861, which are an invaluable resource for better modelling the relevant ship statistics.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aUblzI8JM0gd4o8N-QWQkcFFYSvEBs6zv8IdPYE-ap2RG0d4-B7-lTVisTy0Cn1TI5UYsIoGaYBW4-CCeQGDxb0PqWE6mF0f6on-Z4Yejp0dqtzcO2TglAh_3ucolQcU-O-_KUUinP-tAvmTG_NZClIzrOXGLrypKDvzgUUxgpHiJ5h7fHBh20cCelE/s1000/91kvul-ehyL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="850" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aUblzI8JM0gd4o8N-QWQkcFFYSvEBs6zv8IdPYE-ap2RG0d4-B7-lTVisTy0Cn1TI5UYsIoGaYBW4-CCeQGDxb0PqWE6mF0f6on-Z4Yejp0dqtzcO2TglAh_3ucolQcU-O-_KUUinP-tAvmTG_NZClIzrOXGLrypKDvzgUUxgpHiJ5h7fHBh20cCelE/w340-h400/91kvul-ehyL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div>In addition I began scouring the various forums, museum and art gallery listings to find illustrations, models and paintings of as many of these French ships as possible to feed the inspiration for the look of my Irish expedition.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp_1ayQ5mHl8OKM5WyF6RV-SWRnfskFUm8WOPwoYV7aghFi2UVB1kU6bI5d7a-Z_iNthzPXyHQFoBlV0_USM-D4KpNVFgATI0q8yj8ptUgaKwwKo01IMh-Ke6vL3zlgZj7uuVS_K03A2_GQrG0gQhZ_ay0tHhPvQLhdXqOTzPRdpSAKTJXsLr7JN09is/s640/Ange-Joseph_Antoine_Roux.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="520" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp_1ayQ5mHl8OKM5WyF6RV-SWRnfskFUm8WOPwoYV7aghFi2UVB1kU6bI5d7a-Z_iNthzPXyHQFoBlV0_USM-D4KpNVFgATI0q8yj8ptUgaKwwKo01IMh-Ke6vL3zlgZj7uuVS_K03A2_GQrG0gQhZ_ay0tHhPvQLhdXqOTzPRdpSAKTJXsLr7JN09is/s320/Ange-Joseph_Antoine_Roux.png" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Antoine Roux</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps one of the best resources for period illustrations of French warships, transports, Mediterranean ship types and other allied merchants are the paintings and drawings of the brilliant Antoine Roux and many of his descendants who also acquired the artistic talents, with two seen here from the brush of one of his sons, François Joseph Frédéric Roux, who produced the two
illustrations of French armed-transports, to leave us a fantastic resource of the look of ships and boats from this era from a French perspective and with Roux the elder based in Marseille, a unique Mediterranean perspective.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpwRwCBM2eeknFB9LoLglMhsrpRwJb-_hrRqH0tyyNcWh20N3Trvz9d3n9WpnkQxPxWtXSKHbllc9rMEn7YgwfeCjEolRmb6uT4hM02HJkhe3OxvAfgCsFenCrJRbPa61wa2JXUI51PJnUPiLVjKH7EXTBlCFSFxI16Vh1S6RhOm1DT0592iZ3DzeEn4/s470/Spanish%20Merchantmen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="470" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpwRwCBM2eeknFB9LoLglMhsrpRwJb-_hrRqH0tyyNcWh20N3Trvz9d3n9WpnkQxPxWtXSKHbllc9rMEn7YgwfeCjEolRmb6uT4hM02HJkhe3OxvAfgCsFenCrJRbPa61wa2JXUI51PJnUPiLVjKH7EXTBlCFSFxI16Vh1S6RhOm1DT0592iZ3DzeEn4/w640-h462/Spanish%20Merchantmen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish merchantmen - Antoine Roux<br />These types of illustration help give a great picture of the likely look of typical merchantmen out on the high-seas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv2o4yxBVyATgTa-bs_OyQTnIK7T07Jr4A5F9a6wpz5p3zPEYf8pqXq8R5vfptD3VR37KuAkXFD-hVLsxkq3WWZ9GUR1BoHbAopbbUJVGeqpZCbzUZVjtQdA2yAxzdfS-m-pspflqv43l-GhMm7btgJt7vpO-B_WPFSallWXZQrtwLS2TBAMz1geBppI/s1735/2010_CSK_05482_0044_000(ange-joseph-antoine_roux_the_french_frigate_lheureuse_harmonie_with_a125336).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1735" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv2o4yxBVyATgTa-bs_OyQTnIK7T07Jr4A5F9a6wpz5p3zPEYf8pqXq8R5vfptD3VR37KuAkXFD-hVLsxkq3WWZ9GUR1BoHbAopbbUJVGeqpZCbzUZVjtQdA2yAxzdfS-m-pspflqv43l-GhMm7btgJt7vpO-B_WPFSallWXZQrtwLS2TBAMz1geBppI/w640-h426/2010_CSK_05482_0044_000(ange-joseph-antoine_roux_the_french_frigate_lheureuse_harmonie_with_a125336).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An 18 to 20-gun French Corvette - Antoine Roux.<br />Similar in size and look to the small French transports described, less the guns</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In addition I also looked at some of the models of French East Indiamen as presented here in a discussion link to Game Labs Forum looking at these types.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8JHt_2Noj2BqtnempdVmiJ416KWMdF_RpIbOe9cUIYujNMCDtGF7TnTk8b0iZAreNg_RGi-jnLtg9caybmWEIfi2GqqfpA3rDOW0WcxXdYJZawDrJs90vfyP3vQmhN1Pzuj5mFZyw92v92v1Fg79RK4vzLjlf0rDVCW448vBcObD2_v93nkLq2znVo8/s1600/gallery_4126_455_1555179.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8JHt_2Noj2BqtnempdVmiJ416KWMdF_RpIbOe9cUIYujNMCDtGF7TnTk8b0iZAreNg_RGi-jnLtg9caybmWEIfi2GqqfpA3rDOW0WcxXdYJZawDrJs90vfyP3vQmhN1Pzuj5mFZyw92v92v1Fg79RK4vzLjlf0rDVCW448vBcObD2_v93nkLq2znVo8/w640-h360/gallery_4126_455_1555179.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://forum.game-labs.net/topic/13962-xviii-cent-fluyts-of-the-french-east-india-company-with-plans/"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Game LabsForum - XVIII Cent Fluyts of the French East India Company</span></b></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwlQQrI0iHm32QT4PVNnnKchGVGs4teAWkdQeXucOotDay94CF3uMfczZux-BWTigyWG0f3OjEPLdf_4o5BLuHpFximD-WhY4xc1_YIucJPXmytSqeb899zAM8IoV8Gcxzse0NmrMqDhdT6g8oJo9B_HsycCieuBFMICCF_DGKWAmr8gqFbhj_x85p64/s1600/gallery_4126_455_3405339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwlQQrI0iHm32QT4PVNnnKchGVGs4teAWkdQeXucOotDay94CF3uMfczZux-BWTigyWG0f3OjEPLdf_4o5BLuHpFximD-WhY4xc1_YIucJPXmytSqeb899zAM8IoV8Gcxzse0NmrMqDhdT6g8oJo9B_HsycCieuBFMICCF_DGKWAmr8gqFbhj_x85p64/w640-h360/gallery_4126_455_3405339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6sLxzyZ_oXluHknmwKziygKLSkR0l_uZ_xIVI9BnHBUTcFeAPT-KSZ110sEG9U0x9dogp13v8e-U1rcCUgLk9t3aoLf07IfEzz7G0901y4HSxJ5kZ0AEd8tW2N37eMl5fiMAe7gLeW5VCl_g2iz1y0NwvS16iS0QyiLmuulMwZgVtWxgMKUGCko6k_g/s1600/gallery_4126_455_1536375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6sLxzyZ_oXluHknmwKziygKLSkR0l_uZ_xIVI9BnHBUTcFeAPT-KSZ110sEG9U0x9dogp13v8e-U1rcCUgLk9t3aoLf07IfEzz7G0901y4HSxJ5kZ0AEd8tW2N37eMl5fiMAe7gLeW5VCl_g2iz1y0NwvS16iS0QyiLmuulMwZgVtWxgMKUGCko6k_g/w640-h360/gallery_4126_455_1536375.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Armed with these illustrations in mind, I decided to create the look of some of these merchantmen with a view to the timing of the campaign to Ireland, being early in the French Revolutionary War and with likely many of these non-warship types still showing the look of the previous decade with the odd lateen rigged mizzen and white lead painted lower hulls instead of the coppering reserved for the warships of a bankrupt French state in the wake of the American War overspend.</div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned in my first post, I had already identified the battened-down sixth rates with their lashed quarterdeck guns as the most suitable models to use for the majority of my transports.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K0dW76pt6j7l-7Ksqf5pN_eMwRHz-Xf1y1bFZ7y0X4BouPcuQ2pGTBhukSiZtgmZJI7jIxrvqb2KBpqdIw5mb05Ug5SU0hUhEFHcuRYb4gauCvKaGAWhNCNGeTwmx6MWVgD8NF9fTm4ixj55tHWCEa9yFR9HTlBJoCXtQ4nPe1Gp3GwCZ3De7Oo_S18/s4032/20230814_154017a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K0dW76pt6j7l-7Ksqf5pN_eMwRHz-Xf1y1bFZ7y0X4BouPcuQ2pGTBhukSiZtgmZJI7jIxrvqb2KBpqdIw5mb05Ug5SU0hUhEFHcuRYb4gauCvKaGAWhNCNGeTwmx6MWVgD8NF9fTm4ixj55tHWCEa9yFR9HTlBJoCXtQ4nPe1Gp3GwCZ3De7Oo_S18/w640-h480/20230814_154017a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To add a little variety to the overall look of this little squadron, I decided to model the smaller of the four vessels as a merchant brig, with the guns removed to capture a better look for the plastic generic brig.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCtdakhYIuYVlY4MCS2rc28M4ydPfRntKBj7zhzlB-CIucGawVXxcUHmp7YlS0gsmBAf6CkqurK3Pt8i3RljAn03emDY96RbW12d_8NTpo_7u_TLPOtss_za3XwRAsUeV8luaCM0HS4J4aKaaFv9YE3X5rzQB2Kkc64kc4rnYcwc1w-KqB1gGfmHP4JM/s4032/20230814_154008a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCtdakhYIuYVlY4MCS2rc28M4ydPfRntKBj7zhzlB-CIucGawVXxcUHmp7YlS0gsmBAf6CkqurK3Pt8i3RljAn03emDY96RbW12d_8NTpo_7u_TLPOtss_za3XwRAsUeV8luaCM0HS4J4aKaaFv9YE3X5rzQB2Kkc64kc4rnYcwc1w-KqB1gGfmHP4JM/w640-h480/20230814_154008a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So the <i>Justine</i> is listed in French Warships of the Age of Sail 1786 -1861 as:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'(merchant ship commissioned 11.1796, possibly the 309 ton <u>Justine </u>that traded from Nantes between 1785 and 1790 or perhaps a larger ship, carried 1 x 8-pdr, 1 x 4-pdr, 1 x 10-inch an 2 x 8-inch mortars). Captured 30.12.1796 off Ireland by <u>HMS Polyphemus (64)</u>, while carrying 465 soldiers, then wrecked and lost with all hands.'</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJWpKd1apj6FkvGWZ7hSRpSqia-BYWw7Dk6AaMSRURMQEL5DnRB1N9nrw0KH0BVJUj8qJMIW9y8Jbys7O8Tmejfeo6oBqeSbZ8IZJCoQ7desZfbDF4HQbgYLNRDZasPUdI1pZ9vr-9jHKnaIHf3_EISs_rnVmPGHb-CHYAe70ZW8O4EdmIyes_NnR8Mw/s557/Justine%20Transport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="557" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJWpKd1apj6FkvGWZ7hSRpSqia-BYWw7Dk6AaMSRURMQEL5DnRB1N9nrw0KH0BVJUj8qJMIW9y8Jbys7O8Tmejfeo6oBqeSbZ8IZJCoQ7desZfbDF4HQbgYLNRDZasPUdI1pZ9vr-9jHKnaIHf3_EISs_rnVmPGHb-CHYAe70ZW8O4EdmIyes_NnR8Mw/w400-h399/Justine%20Transport.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So my translation of the KMH Justine is seen above, simply dividing her tonnage with the builders calculation of 23.1 gives me a vessel of fourteen hull boxes, there or there about, a typical look for a brig which prompted me to have Justine as you see her here, with a typical small ship's crew rated as Average Sans Culottes and with a basic speed of fourteen centimetres which is a bit quick for a two master but I wanted her to not hold the fleet back in the scenario and convinced myself that without the weight of a man-o-wars guns she might be a little quicker over the briny.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzEc7TV0V0a470EARFtdXeQbouG3bcGOsbbXX0Fb6FL2U69g7x6745SRUGZphtZHOWoB115PS0tiOcGI2uEjjhDjaxixg193Lu0jreO4I-P3ZfwKKVj6kFy5lD7ReSJb6K5VUoKZx44y4NXGplC3PbsP7Dy8pBizHuyKRdR2tDBXoUYxE-q_IlPViFXQ/s4220/P1110152a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="4220" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzEc7TV0V0a470EARFtdXeQbouG3bcGOsbbXX0Fb6FL2U69g7x6745SRUGZphtZHOWoB115PS0tiOcGI2uEjjhDjaxixg193Lu0jreO4I-P3ZfwKKVj6kFy5lD7ReSJb6K5VUoKZx44y4NXGplC3PbsP7Dy8pBizHuyKRdR2tDBXoUYxE-q_IlPViFXQ/w640-h488/P1110152a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PdOTbSuhQmI_V-lwgx0QyDTfHLS3yjhfVbZwA3dE7PrQjLD3djExA8UwOMDRuh9Ovsbw061i32D8NgKeYJLAEkgAOc3p2ruecIdYBCYt6uS_lj9FxTPTvNo8yP_8dnix7alB5lw_7Q58G__8mAZFyqMXQfXo9Womtx18M-tkbL0aoxVPlioCb5V-1sE/s4229/P1110153a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3212" data-original-width="4229" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PdOTbSuhQmI_V-lwgx0QyDTfHLS3yjhfVbZwA3dE7PrQjLD3djExA8UwOMDRuh9Ovsbw061i32D8NgKeYJLAEkgAOc3p2ruecIdYBCYt6uS_lj9FxTPTvNo8yP_8dnix7alB5lw_7Q58G__8mAZFyqMXQfXo9Womtx18M-tkbL0aoxVPlioCb5V-1sE/w640-h486/P1110153a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpQTvNPARCw0YOdmpoKVeU48jMbZd6tvH9_JJaItDHTxQp3quizKQucyFTumwoqsJemwFt7GrG3rH9EdTPptXVRuSpTdaGKpGz0f9PKpb6LRHZHrf5KNsLRyTd90knX6bT4mnruHGqNQKNjG1HqKcK5ki_rRG7_y11KUL4lL1_7cawkE4qqJhv2UJFtw/s3477/P1110154a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3477" data-original-width="2446" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpQTvNPARCw0YOdmpoKVeU48jMbZd6tvH9_JJaItDHTxQp3quizKQucyFTumwoqsJemwFt7GrG3rH9EdTPptXVRuSpTdaGKpGz0f9PKpb6LRHZHrf5KNsLRyTd90knX6bT4mnruHGqNQKNjG1HqKcK5ki_rRG7_y11KUL4lL1_7cawkE4qqJhv2UJFtw/w450-h640/P1110154a.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs6TdQFydi8P-EinUfXTM6-ZQ2RNdD4P-p2nrTYda8RB2J_bDfG26Zoc2mnSIRYnlGs4dBs8xKTxSTv0zoEPRP8MbMUzJ6zKcVFjY3MSwTxNranA86EerbScr6wQoCM17kHvDbC17pnGGMHvtUdZ0bY811605VSnRbhQKCt_ACaBwKZQc0ttThv3oJ0o/s4314/P1110155a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4314" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs6TdQFydi8P-EinUfXTM6-ZQ2RNdD4P-p2nrTYda8RB2J_bDfG26Zoc2mnSIRYnlGs4dBs8xKTxSTv0zoEPRP8MbMUzJ6zKcVFjY3MSwTxNranA86EerbScr6wQoCM17kHvDbC17pnGGMHvtUdZ0bY811605VSnRbhQKCt_ACaBwKZQc0ttThv3oJ0o/w640-h514/P1110155a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DFWy57NiYDCbzGJNJe9ABS90nRKfQRoavY3LVDryroNsbA5RXe0MnxJKgdlKjfcTO4wiPJBjEJfQGuYgPLgGJGAu_0J_AcozKv7zp5s3_31PN4J9W2Op_AQbvwGWt-8YUHV2FCOKXgHBwdpCmKlbVgJd4ib6UVc12pn4SmondlFlO_mf0nrnYfvD1bU/s4377/P1110156a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3391" data-original-width="4377" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DFWy57NiYDCbzGJNJe9ABS90nRKfQRoavY3LVDryroNsbA5RXe0MnxJKgdlKjfcTO4wiPJBjEJfQGuYgPLgGJGAu_0J_AcozKv7zp5s3_31PN4J9W2Op_AQbvwGWt-8YUHV2FCOKXgHBwdpCmKlbVgJd4ib6UVc12pn4SmondlFlO_mf0nrnYfvD1bU/w640-h496/P1110156a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up we have the <i>Fille Unique </i>listed as follows and converted as per <i>Justine </i>seen above but with her tonnage indicating a larger corvette sized vessel of three masts, similar to the La Lionne and La Forte as depicted by Frederick Roux:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J41sQ01nBxi3w7j_6gpLbUesyf6NIYf4papB9foVWF89liJzduJQSwD1sG9-NUbHEJHULbiDam1znHb77ywQDNy4_K0vGSi_mlny4iUFurm77FsTHLoBr4eEp7trVwWntKkxadRxjkYVnlyixqAdukp_SNma1HAH-fsfw-cFjfHgrQeIeVgWR1_Xx_Q/s568/la-lionne--armed-transport.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="568" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J41sQ01nBxi3w7j_6gpLbUesyf6NIYf4papB9foVWF89liJzduJQSwD1sG9-NUbHEJHULbiDam1znHb77ywQDNy4_K0vGSi_mlny4iUFurm77FsTHLoBr4eEp7trVwWntKkxadRxjkYVnlyixqAdukp_SNma1HAH-fsfw-cFjfHgrQeIeVgWR1_Xx_Q/w640-h470/la-lionne--armed-transport.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Lionne, French Armed Transport - Frederick Roux</td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div><i><b>'(Flûte* built at Bordeaux 1783-83 and purchased 1785, 700 tons, 135-150 men, carried 24 x 8-pdrs). Gunnery school at Brest 11.1794 with 26 x 12-pdrs. Renamed <u>Faveur </u>1.1795, reverted to</b> <b><u>Fille Unique</u></b> <b>1796. Expedition to Ireland 11.1796. Hulk at Brest 3.1797. On sale list 28.5.1797 but not sold, powder hulk 9.1800, BU 4.1804.'</b></i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div>*En Flûte, simply meaning with no guns on board to be used as a transport, mercantile or military.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOHOl8PlpsuzPH2RB4j9ueEZxBT5av7-5HkZwRJ0u-DoBFJDEon_W6UxgkqcXUiiPc3QUGCJxgj2wITsxv3JNpnJ_R7FY9jri8r7ocetpOBDdRv8TRinikl7-FxUExTaJObXZnv9l_X-Qrz5Vzh7CwlrqeBI98PAP2BnWWRyIodo90wXpkimV_0n8AOo/s556/Fille%20Unique%20Transport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOHOl8PlpsuzPH2RB4j9ueEZxBT5av7-5HkZwRJ0u-DoBFJDEon_W6UxgkqcXUiiPc3QUGCJxgj2wITsxv3JNpnJ_R7FY9jri8r7ocetpOBDdRv8TRinikl7-FxUExTaJObXZnv9l_X-Qrz5Vzh7CwlrqeBI98PAP2BnWWRyIodo90wXpkimV_0n8AOo/w395-h400/Fille%20Unique%20Transport.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjbh4qBtCCFcb1oOYvrCzOK2_jYblX9Kgy3ZhANgaRF2h2rJSSTvwY0wsPHxjRtUHwG7eVdHgpvWlg36Vbe7Q6qmmGeW7F2fu26IEuRRLWcHgu-FeLXFTs8zgeG95fHMUyVYJHvzf7JgjvpeTn9i2N-qPlxQfEM3GpnQeYbMMaliwsPIfz2fMlmUECUA/s4150/P1110142a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4150" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjbh4qBtCCFcb1oOYvrCzOK2_jYblX9Kgy3ZhANgaRF2h2rJSSTvwY0wsPHxjRtUHwG7eVdHgpvWlg36Vbe7Q6qmmGeW7F2fu26IEuRRLWcHgu-FeLXFTs8zgeG95fHMUyVYJHvzf7JgjvpeTn9i2N-qPlxQfEM3GpnQeYbMMaliwsPIfz2fMlmUECUA/w640-h566/P1110142a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40VhrpaFaCiC5TsBwLhKmcYtt7ddWbxnE2c-SM37I8KXlLEqrNdIrM0W2a7Jq6mzJo4g-EYH5T5xRllqspSPiSRCayTMRFWyTmZBqOg029IVbPl1HM9L_NBFqBIq7lMyk9v5mW1bvvB0LFhSsnSdzDO3YLeq9U53JY41evgsWeJCW94TSSlF1LrQDpk4/s4070/P1110143a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4070" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40VhrpaFaCiC5TsBwLhKmcYtt7ddWbxnE2c-SM37I8KXlLEqrNdIrM0W2a7Jq6mzJo4g-EYH5T5xRllqspSPiSRCayTMRFWyTmZBqOg029IVbPl1HM9L_NBFqBIq7lMyk9v5mW1bvvB0LFhSsnSdzDO3YLeq9U53JY41evgsWeJCW94TSSlF1LrQDpk4/w640-h578/P1110143a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydHokuW89_rs2MkkZdeiB1j27mZt1GRH50rYXdWE9IUwnKzCu9-unnllQKILuRQdibeBPtSyl0tX4-h7g3BjfBoZtBeCUvPmWPphugrjj0ztT9yDNqJ7Nk1ga54TCmPmiOAi0OeEjrLIcLjijjJSsV63tlX9LKCm1Qlt0CWNmZJqkJelVtR1CFhsXl_c/s3447/P1110144a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3447" data-original-width="2327" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydHokuW89_rs2MkkZdeiB1j27mZt1GRH50rYXdWE9IUwnKzCu9-unnllQKILuRQdibeBPtSyl0tX4-h7g3BjfBoZtBeCUvPmWPphugrjj0ztT9yDNqJ7Nk1ga54TCmPmiOAi0OeEjrLIcLjijjJSsV63tlX9LKCm1Qlt0CWNmZJqkJelVtR1CFhsXl_c/w432-h640/P1110144a.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fbEB3CBk0dCSrWxWNuqqJpHDIfKi-widm0ZcnTuh-C7U8jrjWXbE78fwhKOD941M-3yQvYcI-eckp1WAXX1Rdn7xZii1eF62__BRaCuEJe7AB2z2c0mGV48RqYMAoGaAAO3APbVbxbPIeYAdKzCa55V2vCZxYpcvJqEZ3DA0xk8A8_WVH5MUqPoOji4/s3800/P1110145a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="3800" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fbEB3CBk0dCSrWxWNuqqJpHDIfKi-widm0ZcnTuh-C7U8jrjWXbE78fwhKOD941M-3yQvYcI-eckp1WAXX1Rdn7xZii1eF62__BRaCuEJe7AB2z2c0mGV48RqYMAoGaAAO3APbVbxbPIeYAdKzCa55V2vCZxYpcvJqEZ3DA0xk8A8_WVH5MUqPoOji4/w640-h604/P1110145a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRmH2ibM2gJ_ld0bvgJIgAC0ThNIdnhglxGV-aaqFGO2bzvHjdTCzxP3COYAqyBuD4X2dxVrvngL8M-0fXcE8_ujxBjJgCwsel9ccsJaq3X4PG6NVi4G5hMcUP97g7t-ohSiuRKRQ1wFrSSgR0t8TqCydza2grIL0_X0kSgopuvLZASIUoagW1YhYIxM/s4176/P1110146a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3586" data-original-width="4176" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRmH2ibM2gJ_ld0bvgJIgAC0ThNIdnhglxGV-aaqFGO2bzvHjdTCzxP3COYAqyBuD4X2dxVrvngL8M-0fXcE8_ujxBjJgCwsel9ccsJaq3X4PG6NVi4G5hMcUP97g7t-ohSiuRKRQ1wFrSSgR0t8TqCydza2grIL0_X0kSgopuvLZASIUoagW1YhYIxM/w640-h550/P1110146a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Ville de Lorient is described thus:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><i>'(French East India Co. </i></b><b><i>flûte </i><u style="font-style: italic;">Bretagne </u><i>built at Lorient in 1787 and requisitioned at Philadelphia 12. 1793 by the French representative there. then bought by the navy, 525/1000 tons, 175 men, carried 2 x 12-pdrs 22 x 6-pdrs and 4 x 3-pdrs. Renamed </i><u style="font-style: italic;">Ville Commune de Lorient</u><i> 5.1794, </i><u style="font-style: italic;">Ville de Lorient No.1</u><i> 10.1794, <u>Voyageur </u>5.1795 but reverted to </i></b><i><b><u>Ville de Lorient</u>. Captured off Ireland with 431 soldiers by <u>HMS Doris (36),</u> <u>Unicorn (32)</u> and <u>Druid (22)</u>, then wrecked off Irish coast.'</b></i></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW67P4Qub4XXQwaaY3xxJYTMo35GEvLMmjfgacSXl3mx1SCbXkOsmgHQXu_B8tc6in3RBsV9SYsdBW3_7Tbi_2l_0gm7A8sqY0F0oITpFpwtE79O-6iJ77sGX--3bZmtuAnPLU2-fa3kN8oVlI6142ITZkAuDre2t-kBF7CQ9Eb_KhcabDM6w-38Iir6g/s556/Ville%20de%20Lorient%20Transport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW67P4Qub4XXQwaaY3xxJYTMo35GEvLMmjfgacSXl3mx1SCbXkOsmgHQXu_B8tc6in3RBsV9SYsdBW3_7Tbi_2l_0gm7A8sqY0F0oITpFpwtE79O-6iJ77sGX--3bZmtuAnPLU2-fa3kN8oVlI6142ITZkAuDre2t-kBF7CQ9Eb_KhcabDM6w-38Iir6g/w395-h400/Ville%20de%20Lorient%20Transport.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSG5xZ51I8zpSaGoJZ-bxFWb-joNGh37utZeeiNPeQ1NA3pdoW08Dsf1e1_6vpSZe9gyHj3Xc2JifbJYViAmZl4tlfy7QE_M7wIJgRSKOFLr1I8b1K58y21br2E6mRHPGrgl6m6c9FDrq-KqvHET8_cLFiS4jpOvke79NsNQ45NES7mYlLczDcDIRkKw/s4322/P1110148a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4322" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSG5xZ51I8zpSaGoJZ-bxFWb-joNGh37utZeeiNPeQ1NA3pdoW08Dsf1e1_6vpSZe9gyHj3Xc2JifbJYViAmZl4tlfy7QE_M7wIJgRSKOFLr1I8b1K58y21br2E6mRHPGrgl6m6c9FDrq-KqvHET8_cLFiS4jpOvke79NsNQ45NES7mYlLczDcDIRkKw/w640-h544/P1110148a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChJ7mBk8FHFK8Bgjo0vyA1UDzVxf4ld9RFvqPKRo_sLMRP-xYgxp-0CpFik4D7pFxwsSa29vQWf-NJiB45unxdOVTn0Gzw1c82kyVxjG2rbRPQFuA3TM-ot7IG3uK3__g-NYyzhNIt84B9qYBhEHl2-x6ls6cLgfClIuPmMJURmLUsTtv3X_hTcB2f1I/s4176/P1110147a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3592" data-original-width="4176" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChJ7mBk8FHFK8Bgjo0vyA1UDzVxf4ld9RFvqPKRo_sLMRP-xYgxp-0CpFik4D7pFxwsSa29vQWf-NJiB45unxdOVTn0Gzw1c82kyVxjG2rbRPQFuA3TM-ot7IG3uK3__g-NYyzhNIt84B9qYBhEHl2-x6ls6cLgfClIuPmMJURmLUsTtv3X_hTcB2f1I/w640-h550/P1110147a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqOugUO3DzAoKEQkLiJaDeVqFEfMqEoBsYD0QeIw2AfDejdRsK3GiNfvK6HrlA-b_pbkx8KOqIJb5gmlrTDu8SSCUr5eimBKkddxHlSmvzK4cwakt15EISieTLpNek8a1rCH2yU-dmCUZun4Ik-2eGTEbLA6tbI4GhBibthscUNxWJy4ixqtWips--Kw/s3566/P1110149a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3566" data-original-width="2638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqOugUO3DzAoKEQkLiJaDeVqFEfMqEoBsYD0QeIw2AfDejdRsK3GiNfvK6HrlA-b_pbkx8KOqIJb5gmlrTDu8SSCUr5eimBKkddxHlSmvzK4cwakt15EISieTLpNek8a1rCH2yU-dmCUZun4Ik-2eGTEbLA6tbI4GhBibthscUNxWJy4ixqtWips--Kw/w474-h640/P1110149a.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xMSVyClr6HsHfviNyaeczUyVQW65LzNJad6_nlYIKR-NDWoIJZui-2REj23e4siLmrAO0Kz-ocb3yT9qWcaN-jlDsFjNZosYQsFTAfvRq6jS0JFGSLljmFKFcQ99RcMr38lzKiKTVgQTKyPfbm80rSrHmFy0TOYsDdc2ieES2dzmZZWcvZe84LLh47k/s4025/P1110150a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3573" data-original-width="4025" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xMSVyClr6HsHfviNyaeczUyVQW65LzNJad6_nlYIKR-NDWoIJZui-2REj23e4siLmrAO0Kz-ocb3yT9qWcaN-jlDsFjNZosYQsFTAfvRq6jS0JFGSLljmFKFcQ99RcMr38lzKiKTVgQTKyPfbm80rSrHmFy0TOYsDdc2ieES2dzmZZWcvZe84LLh47k/w640-h568/P1110150a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh7qk_SVRXlVt8-wioO6Sh62p6IrDSBmctbFN1Hq9XrEvFnjRNYna2txSBtYvaJ-cwrrJqWMnNAtXtllIpnUowR79ylPqO3EN6SAYH067ko1KYb0HGu8gvgdReWEbg7YM66hgIXGKjjN2iNxNr4TLs4i_R53zgxgRbOT04rfKI57HbOoVUkfSp0fyTsI/s3978/P1110151a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="3978" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh7qk_SVRXlVt8-wioO6Sh62p6IrDSBmctbFN1Hq9XrEvFnjRNYna2txSBtYvaJ-cwrrJqWMnNAtXtllIpnUowR79ylPqO3EN6SAYH067ko1KYb0HGu8gvgdReWEbg7YM66hgIXGKjjN2iNxNr4TLs4i_R53zgxgRbOT04rfKI57HbOoVUkfSp0fyTsI/w640-h564/P1110151a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Finally the merchant ship <i>Suffren, </i>named in honour of perhaps one of the best and most famous French admirals. I decided that given her name and association with India I would have my <i>Suffren </i>looking the part to have sailed with the great man back in 1782:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>'(merchant ship <u>Suffren </u>requisitioned 12.2.1794 at Lorient, 600 tons, 194 men, carried 24 x 8-pdrs). Renamed Saisissante 5.1795 but reverted to Suffren. Captured 1.1797 with 202 soldiers on board by HMS Jason (38), then retaken by the French frigate Tartu (ex Uranie), then sunk of Ushant by HMS Majestic (74), Daedalus (32) and Incendiary (14).'</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TJd_X7sLKP-4NHJBOueAOEiyjVeqQ95L2wCM5pzEd4WQePgq8sMOUpiOHQbYkK6MPVGdl1eXn5sO6DePfvCQ4KIvRMz-qUzJ5WS2G7PeoYg9cl90sFZGh_Qal7jmIwFQQXGei0Q6DSzxMnWKyGWH6724VxKdE9wMTjIptheu2oNY_0AD5gDYv0gdgR4/s557/Suffren%20Transport.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="557" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TJd_X7sLKP-4NHJBOueAOEiyjVeqQ95L2wCM5pzEd4WQePgq8sMOUpiOHQbYkK6MPVGdl1eXn5sO6DePfvCQ4KIvRMz-qUzJ5WS2G7PeoYg9cl90sFZGh_Qal7jmIwFQQXGei0Q6DSzxMnWKyGWH6724VxKdE9wMTjIptheu2oNY_0AD5gDYv0gdgR4/w400-h399/Suffren%20Transport.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOlGjyx5DJCHy743VjBvxADI-UzsWlNr0Mown3xXtl_NdlYC0JxwNUGNds1NrpbEJLqVaMLXc1dqyHwkzsNKL3LvH7EaGqZ1ctVnYKp2dCQvH81T-QhedPGmiXmdR1JtXme28WmbRjZceyLbyEyKtEmRSImVsgcrZ8V28c9TAP7NUZFSgTpi-Ag7UCs8/s3938/P1110136a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3513" data-original-width="3938" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOlGjyx5DJCHy743VjBvxADI-UzsWlNr0Mown3xXtl_NdlYC0JxwNUGNds1NrpbEJLqVaMLXc1dqyHwkzsNKL3LvH7EaGqZ1ctVnYKp2dCQvH81T-QhedPGmiXmdR1JtXme28WmbRjZceyLbyEyKtEmRSImVsgcrZ8V28c9TAP7NUZFSgTpi-Ag7UCs8/w640-h570/P1110136a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdnYrdyHSfeEKlIndbXYoYAKXua6BTzpXxtECcBx4ZCTbyCpsvCI_87BtPNv1nnXPHRWIg7BHJ6p0s76Bz0iXMZVRl1Agiu-oKPtAUE-IwiqtoJ53EgAEZBQ0yolVzOMaw_CESATOwd43mcHRauhkuSkV7Bs3FKolukuWGZ-iBcoZlkVEa6QX2_efjuQ/s3882/P1110137a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3487" data-original-width="3882" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdnYrdyHSfeEKlIndbXYoYAKXua6BTzpXxtECcBx4ZCTbyCpsvCI_87BtPNv1nnXPHRWIg7BHJ6p0s76Bz0iXMZVRl1Agiu-oKPtAUE-IwiqtoJ53EgAEZBQ0yolVzOMaw_CESATOwd43mcHRauhkuSkV7Bs3FKolukuWGZ-iBcoZlkVEa6QX2_efjuQ/w640-h574/P1110137a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaYtBhuGwotTwS0pESckg1_QG_nG9vKNVMTQvhfCLVjhRG0U6WbJh0EE-lBK6Y60XfrXjuSvcVh4JqTW87PBaokhmxQ_soPTJOHwtfB8VYWh_hITjwta6oKJSZRCspcd5kAjAa7hXhgHnAGLWfIgSZF1wtJWSKKh7dMzyq6ZScqgX1USUBOmCRbVVwMk/s3672/P1110138a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2921" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaYtBhuGwotTwS0pESckg1_QG_nG9vKNVMTQvhfCLVjhRG0U6WbJh0EE-lBK6Y60XfrXjuSvcVh4JqTW87PBaokhmxQ_soPTJOHwtfB8VYWh_hITjwta6oKJSZRCspcd5kAjAa7hXhgHnAGLWfIgSZF1wtJWSKKh7dMzyq6ZScqgX1USUBOmCRbVVwMk/w510-h640/P1110138a.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWdmX8n0QIuwWvgMsZn30XnmXpQtOJSurl9o326F3ajKdNKtatYyANbgxXdWcegTpTH60UXvAmvWS3xZlCD3D6RfY3bSoTwwiLqB8lPzK4LFq6CqGGDId2X7IzloLI-gAua38EWoOXZlm-dm9M-GdqDWC5QI8Iq_cIWhSS5XWigsnknGqud3XaAaAhxs/s3958/P1110139a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="3958" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWdmX8n0QIuwWvgMsZn30XnmXpQtOJSurl9o326F3ajKdNKtatYyANbgxXdWcegTpTH60UXvAmvWS3xZlCD3D6RfY3bSoTwwiLqB8lPzK4LFq6CqGGDId2X7IzloLI-gAua38EWoOXZlm-dm9M-GdqDWC5QI8Iq_cIWhSS5XWigsnknGqud3XaAaAhxs/w640-h594/P1110139a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxpJfdRSrdzWzkboQJ5yhNaFr1Q0AowXtYcJIVDisUcYgJnpoQtPLTdRRAsYcxkqTCXgY8IssuconXJIFmlCAYRQc66lfR7HKkeflUCq_RhgGPkxqWVXAidXvY5E9CoR_gyaXMIEYvVQ7e77zla5JBDV7EmfR3kxt_Qn7BKEmG4MrDua46MQeOav-fsg/s4044/P1110140a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3579" data-original-width="4044" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxpJfdRSrdzWzkboQJ5yhNaFr1Q0AowXtYcJIVDisUcYgJnpoQtPLTdRRAsYcxkqTCXgY8IssuconXJIFmlCAYRQc66lfR7HKkeflUCq_RhgGPkxqWVXAidXvY5E9CoR_gyaXMIEYvVQ7e77zla5JBDV7EmfR3kxt_Qn7BKEmG4MrDua46MQeOav-fsg/w640-h566/P1110140a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>As in most naval wargames, transports and merchantmen used on the table often act primarily as targets, which they will be in this scenario with the added caveat that the French are aiming to get all four of them over the finish line for a decisive victory, but as with the warships, I think it’s worth the effort to go a bit further with these models and try to capture the likely look of these ‘Cinderella’ ships and compliment the aesthetics that age-of-sail naval wargames played in 1:700 scale offer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully those aesthetics will be obvious to the eye when you next see these models out on the table amid gun smoke and dice at Clotted Lard.</div><div><br /></div><div>More Anon</div><div>JJ<div><p></p></div></div><div>Lot’s to come here on JJ’s as I look forward to doing a full AAR on the Bantry Bay games at Clotted Lard and the Naval Wargames Society meetings later this month, plus more age of sail to come with the start of my next fleet build project with the first models to be showcased in the rigging yard as I write, together with WWII vehicles on Dartmoor, and the next post in Carolyn’s and my Antipodean adventure to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef.</div>carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.com2