Jersey. Some military bits and pieces.

Napoleonic artillery tower.

Jersey is one of the Channel Islands which are situated closer to France than England. Guarding the western approaches to the English channel they have always been of military importance. They have been occupied by, on occasion, the French (Napoleonic) and Germans (WWII).

Elizabeth Castle at St. Helier. Built in the late 16C. At low tide you can walk to it, at high tide you have to swim or take the amphibious bus (Puddle Duck). There is, daily, a recounting of the Napoleonic 'Battle of Jersey' by a suitably dressed presenter (this was a skirmish in the main square of St. Helier). Very much an audience participation event, including 'drill', which also includes a demonstration on bayonet practices, musket shooting and the firing of a cannon at 1p.m. (?) - to tell the French the island is still ready for them. It has a small military museum with exhibits from the Napoleonic Wars to WWII.

Mont Orgueil Castle (more often called Gorey Castle) was the main castle on the island until Elizabeth Castle was built during the reign of (you guessed it) Elizabeth I. It is sited on top of a high mound (it looks like it is perched on top of a volcano). I'm afraid my distance shots did not come out, but it looks very imposing in a medieval kind of way; it is a very steep climb to the top. For a medieval castle it is in excellent condition. It includes the later addition of a 16C gun tower (built to defend against opposing artillery which could be sited on an overlooking hill), a very nice shooting gallery (North East Passage) as well as some truly awful German WWII additions. They also provide free (to wear on site) helmets, shields and swords for kids (see my son demonstrating the 'double parry' defence).

The Channel Islands Military Museum at St. Ouen's Bay is a small one. It is situated inside a WWII German coastal defence bunker. It is worth a short visit; and is a great place to pick up a holiday souvenir (I got my vintage 20mm Flak 38 shell cases here - £14 the pair).

The maritime museum also has a few exhibits. A U-Boat gun and various other odds and sods, including the mast (or what is left of it) of a US torpedo boat that bit off more than it could chew.

I failed to get to the 'Jersey War Tunnels'; the main WWII museum on the Island. I had to make choices in what was only a five day family holiday! Next time.

Thanks for looking

Hi guys,

I've made no bones about my blog being a window into what the Ilkley Lads and I have been up to at my place. It appears that many of you have taken time to look through that window. Thank you for doing so; in the last 30 days there have been more of you than ever before – 2,979 of you in fact, making 5,145 visits.

Again, thank you, and Best Regards,

James

The fighting Franks. Painting finished. Roll Call!

My Frankish fighting units for the Crusades are finished. I still have three units of baggage to do - but these are last on my to do list. So the 'fighting' army is made up of 97 mounted and 298 foot figures - here they are.

Six command stands (18 mounted and 3 foot figures) including the King of Jerusalem, the True Cross, Hospitaller command and three other command stands.

The Cavalry. My knights usually deploy as small two stand units; as such there are six including one of Hospitallers (54 mounted figures). They are deployed below as two full and two small units. There are also two units of Turcopoles (24 mounted figures)

The Infantry. The bulk of the fighting men is made up of five units of foot sergeants (150 foot figures). Two are 'mixed' spear and simple bow units; three are 'mixed' spear and crossbow units.

There are two units of sailors (41 foot figures). One represents 'Italians' with crossbows; the other Norse and English with plenty of two handed axes! Both of these units can represent foot sergeants in loose order for 'special missions'.

Finally we come to the dross (104 foot and 1 mounted figures). Two units of levy - one with missile weapons (simple bows and slings) and one with spears. Both of these units can be broken up and mixed with the three units of pilgrims. When I do my baggage elements I now intend to base them on 60mm x 120mm bases. As I only allow my pilgrims to form up in mass or march column this will allow me to mix them in with the pilgrim stands and double my pilgrim units for the first Crusade or whenever the need arises.

I now only have five fighting units to do to complete my Saracen army and Armenian contingent. Then five units of baggage. Deadline 4th April 09 - Triples Sheffield. See you there.

World War II comes to town

Last night the Ilkley Lads started to sort out their game for Vapnartak 09 in York on Sunday 2nd February.

The game will be loosely based on the Mancheti scenario in Benghazi Handicap; but it will be shifted to East Africa and called Femmecheti. Next week I'll outline the scenario with deployment map and force composition for Piquet's Field of Battle WWII rules. Until then, here are some shot of Mark D's 28mm figures and armour. I'm unsure of manufacturer for any of these troops; but most of the lorries are various die cast baker's vans ('collectors' toys) painted up for the desert - they are Mark's favourites; because he only paid about £1 each for them.