2013 show game ponderings

At the club on Sunday Tim (IT miniatures http://www.frontlinewargaming.co.uk/ ) should have a few samples for me to paint up for next years show game. As the ball has started rolling now, very slowly and with no real momentum yet. As WW1 East Africa was a subject I know nothing about I grabbed this book from Amazon a few weeks ago and managed to finish it 2 days back. This book would not even have popped up on my reading list if it was not for this hobby of ours. I found the book quite dry with lots of talk about different units with which regiment carried which type of rifle etc, and not concentrating on the campaign in much real detail. But given the title of the book I can't count that as a criticism. For me the joy of the book was that it has opened my eyes to a whole theatre of war that I knew absolutely NOTHING about. My ignorance was astounding! Given that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing I am now incredibly dangerous! I now have ideas for show games by the bucket load! My first decision will be the forces involved. Cavalry I thought before reading this might be interesting, but further reading has revealed to me that horses suffered from diseases and many if not most of them died within months of arrival. So Scratch the WW1 Cavalry battle idea! (I'll have elsewhere for that). What I am heartened by is the variety of troops involved. Germans would need to be one side so that decision is striped from my control. But opposing them I can pit Belgium, Portuguese or British. Although the French were not involved they did offer to send troops from Madagascar these were declined by the British for fear, I am told, of France getting a colonial foothold in Africa. Even when talking about the British as an opponent for the Germans, that might not actually mean British, but South African and other African colonies, Indian, or Caribbean. You could use English troops as well, either from the 2nd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, or Royal Marines in the form of a British landing party. I shall try to broach the subject at the club on Sunday. Realistically I suspect the guys will be happy with whatever I decide. I don't want that to sound like they trust my judgement, that would be sheer folly! It would perhaps be more based on the fact that I will paint and build everything and they won't want to get in my way or muddy the water too much.

That's it for today. At the club on Sunday we shall be having a SAGA day. Assuming I don't forget my camera again (don't hold your breathe) I'll do a photo report on Monday. I have been given 48 Hours of overtime in the next 2 weeks so it is possible that I might not get too much painting done in the next couple of weeks, but needs must when the Devil drives! Anyway I hope to see you on Monday. Have a good weekend and keep your pets indoors with all the fireworks about. All the best Clint.