My 100th Post - Cheriton March

Greetings Gentle Readers,

It appears I have reached in significant milestone in my blogging - My 100th post. What to do to commemorate such an event? Sadly I no longer have anything to give away, so a Giveaway is out of the question for now. Instead I think I shall just do what I enjoy most - a simple post with a couple of nice pictures and then a small glass of whiskey to celebrate!

Recently I heard that there was to be the usual march to the memorial at Cheriton by members of the English Civil War Society in order to commemorate the anniversary of the battle that took place in 1644. Others far more erudite than I have written of the battle so I can do a lot worse than to point you at Steve the Wargamer's Site for his first visit there, and again for his second. Steve has a stunning amount of info in these two posts, and if you visit the battlefield you would do well to heed his advice on visiting The Flowerpots Inn!

The march was to leave the above named inn at 10:30 on Easter Sunday morning - this was the weather we all set out in, and it really brought home how terrible campaigning must have been in poor weather conditions:

But very soon, passing through hail, sleet, torrential rain, plus thunder and lightning for good measure, the sun came out! The marchers, all in full uniform, and a ragged tail of ramblers and well-wishers that followed behind, made their way through the battlefield's hedged lanes towards the memorial. The loud drumming helped us keep a good pace, and showed how instrumental these instruments were (sorry!) in keeping a marching column up to speed.

At the memorial, a brief but respectful service was held and we were able to lay a small hand-made wreath in honour of the fallen (it's the circular one in the middle):

Talking to the re-enactors was a real pleasure, they are always happy to share their knowledge of this fascinating period, and show off their outfits and weapons. After another forced march back to The Flowerpots Inn, we were happy to sit amongst them and people-watch whilst enjoying some lovely food and a pint of excellent real ale. It was an interesting, if not moving, experience, and made a lasting impression. Shall I enlist, and follow the drum? Tempting.......

Until next time.......

Merry Christmas......and Boobs!

 

 

Firstly let me wish the beloved readers of this Blog a wonderful Christmas. I hope you made it onto Santa's list and that he brings you all those shiny toys you have been coveting all year!

 

 

 

I have received my Secret Santa and Santa Clause gifts, and I am most excited by both and looking forward to opening them tomorrow. I also know that the Current Wife has purchased me a few goodies that I may have hinted heavily about........

 

 

 

Speaking of the Current Wife, you may have heard in the media of a number of high-profile individuals who have had naked photo's of themselves hacked from their private accounts and displayed on the web for all to see. Unfortunately this has also happened to Mrs Pendragon - If you spot any salacious pictures of her on the Internet please let me know immediately...... Just so you're able to recognise her, here's a recent picture:

 

 

 



And if you believe that's the Current Wife, you probably believe in Father Christmas too.........

 

 

 

 

Until next time..................

 

 



Naval Gazing 2 or When is a threat not a threat?

In 1939 HMS Sandwich, a British Bridgewater class sloop, was sailing the Tsushima strait between Korea and Japan, preying on German commerce ships in the region who were contributing goods from the far east to the Nazi war machine.

On board was my paternal Grandfather, Bill - Gunner, accordion-player, crack-shot and cross-country champion (albeit with the aid of a rickshaw, but that's another story for another time)!

On the ship's return to port (Tangku, now known as Tianjin, in North China, which was then under Japanese control), a mysterious letter was handed in on board, and copies were promptly made and pinned up in the respective ship's messes:


"27th July 1939

You Kindest Sailor of Britain,

Perhaps you don't know why you came here. And the reason why your coming here shall prevent the Tokyo Conference entirely is out of your question. Mr Chamberlain (do you know, the Prime Minister of Britain Cabinet) never order such a Navy action. In Swatow a captain and a counsellor have been changed by the reason of his neglecting his (Chamberlain) order and desire. If you have some capacity to think you must think in this living news. If you are only brutal barbarian no need of words to you Sir. We declare we derive you Anglo-Saxon from Asia. We are very sorry you belong to this category. We have warned your friend here to go back to his native village of Britain. The Same Warning Message shall be also to you. That comes from our kindness to Anglo-Saxon as a human existence (is Anglo-Saxon a human existence or a brutal Shylock or Vampire? This will be other question).

We politely teach you for first great. Do you know sacrifice Armada (fleet)? This is the name given to you Far East Fleet of Britain by your Admiral not by Foreign Authority.

Your Admiral wisely and justly named fleet you belong thus. Do you challenge us? Perhaps you can kill us as free as you want. Because we have no arms. But do you do it glory to kill unarmed people in your unjust reason as your same deed in Arabia? God never be a word.

We Advise you that you had better not forget this territory belongs to the Order of Japanese Military Orders. Do you challenge the furious 'Invincible Armada of World' of Japanese Navy Force?

Perhaps you never be such a Dung like foolish boy from any kind of view. If you challenge we will be glad to throw back your grave and we elect the Glorious way of death but you shall be known the meaning of the Sacrifice Fleet.

You had best know the fish of China Sea is thirsty to blood.

Hello."


So, even before Pearl Harbour, Japan (having invaded China two years previously) was flexing her muscles in our direction. Whilst the letter above is amusing to read, in 1941 the Japanese took out Force Z: The Battleships  HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, so perhaps the threat wasn't an empty one.

Sinking of Force Z as seen from a Japanese aircraft

(Roy - does this post qualify for Naval November?!)

Until next time........

Lest We Forget

It's just a hobby, but let's remember the reality of war.

In memory of Guardsman David Lyons

3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards

Died Belgium 13/10/1940

 

 

 

 

Help!

Dear Bloggers,
I am planning a birthday trip to Salute 2015. I am also planning on taking the current wife as she says I never take her out.....

So I need help - I haven't been often or recently (ie once to Kensington and once to Excel) so I would greatly appreciate any advice you could provide: Queuing; do I pre-buy tickets or not? Convenient hotels? Parking? Nearby retail therapy outlets in case Mrs Pendragon gets bored? Suitable footwear? Is there anywhere I can squeeze in a mid-show nap? Can I be arrested for punching a stormtrooper?

I know it's six months away, but I am looking forward to it already!

I appreciate a good trawl of the web may help with some of these questions, if not all, but I believe your experiences would be a much better guide, so thanking you all in anticipation:  HELP!

Until next time..........

Poles Destroyed by Lightning Attack

Mea Culpa. I am contrite. I have brought you here under false pretences. Perhaps you arrived at this blog expecting a fascinating account of the Battle of Konitz (1454) when the Polish army almost literally had its back doors smashed in by the Teutonic Knights? Mayhap you were expecting a riveting tale of Germany's Blitzkrieg on its valiant but outnumbered neighbour in 1939?

I fear I must disappoint. My story concerns poles, but those of the mundane telegraph variety:

 

 

 



But it also concerns the astonishing power of lightning:

 

 

 

 

So - Nothing of a military or wargaming nature here, but hopefully you will find this tale interesting enough nonetheless....

 

A very good friend of mine, who works for a telecom company, was recently called to investigate the loss of telephone signal to a fairly isolated farm in West Sussex, here in England. The farmhouse's signal came via a strung telephone cable supported by a series of (what we in the UK archaically refer to as) telegraph poles, in this fashion:

 

 

 

 

 

The farmer explained that from a clear evening sky a single bolt of lightning had struck one of the poles leading to his property, travelled across three others, and reduced the telecom box on the side of his house to a black smudge. Apparently lightning will occasionally take out a telegraph pole, but the loss of three or four is extremely rare.

 

 

The strung cable that the poles normally support consists of a copper core sheathed in plastic. After the strike, those bits of cable that could be found were burnt and jagged, resembling a 'plastic barbed wire' and the copper core had completely vaporised.

 

 

The metal rungs that engineers use to climb the poles (see the topmost photo) were also missing completely - either destroyed or blown to the four winds. And what about the poles themselves I hear you cry? Well, thank you for your patience - here are the remains of the poles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Apparently the moisture in the wooden poles turned instantly to steam, bursting the poles apart and showering the immediate area in deadly splinters. One would not want to be in the vicinity of such an event, I'm thinking.

I hope you found that interesting, I did, when I first heard the story, and so this is me just passing it on!

Until next time (when normal service will be resumed)...............