The English Civil War - Turn 16

Welcome back to this blog's following of the evolution of Cold War England's civil war.

Thus turn 15 orders were carried out and the game moved toward its first financial quarter move due in Turn 17. The way the game is played is each resource (Oil, Tech, Steel, Chemical) grants the player a number of "units" to play with (yet to be ascertained what constitutes a unit of TECH....but that's just the writer's own thought process...)

Moving a military unit on the board costs, incidentally, Oil. Also there are rules in place for disertion, ordinary depreciation, logistics and so forth so the game is experienced at a higher level than the older-school "rivet counting". Further to this, the tabletop wargame rules developed by Cpl. A offer a simplified yet extremely realistic depiction of cold war-modern day maneuver and combat effects (as may be expected from a seasoned British Army officer, after all!)

So this turn was still an "Orders" turn and the map above depicts the borders at the beginning of that turn. I can divulge no further information as to what has occurred as that is restricted by military secret....but let us say only there has been plenty of communication happening behind the lines and the roleplay element offered by that, too, has been most entertaining. Obsessive, I believe, is a word I would use to characterize the thought processes associated with this type of campaign as one becomes embroiled in balancing allied influence with short to long term goals and positioning forces appropriately to counter presumed enemy action.

News reports concerned, in particular

NORTHERN IRELAND - A whole new wave of "Troubles" washes blood over the region as the NME government continues to appeal to the factions for peace.

SCOTLAND - the Scottish government appeals to its citizens to become the "eyes and ears" of the government issuing military maps and basic intelligence reporting facilities to its post offices as it invites all to redouble their labour efforts to produce resources for the country. 

WALES - Rebel British Army generals approach the Prince of Wales with a view to him assuming the crown following the abdication of the Queen and becoming a figurehead for disparate anti-republican elements in Britain to rally against but are declined. At the same time Wales attempts to expand its dominions and securing territory allowing it use of the English infantry training facility in Hereford.

ENGLAND - The British Army, fearing terrorist activity aimed at disrupting civilian life and damaging the government's authority, grounds all flights over English airspace and intensifies airport and port presence as its lack of official responses forces the international community to question its ability to lead its armed forces forth.

So next turn is the game's first financial turn for all involved and sees Scotland receive its first batch of reinforcements as the other players issue their production orders. What else may have occurred in the ensuing month? Have allies landed? Who else has declared open war? Will the UK respond to Wales' attack? Will Belfast burn or will martial law be imposed? Tune in next week to find out (or watch paint dry, which is probably just as interesting!! I know which I'll be doing though...now where's that paintbrush?)

Comrade S.