Bobs Fictional Countries

As briefly mentioned in part 2 I recently watched the two lets play videos that John and Justin did for Leopard week for Team Yankee and thought that the German equipment look nice, but how was I going to shoehorn into my little Fictional Universe….. I’ve already moved half the far east into the med so would it be much more of a stretch to add mercenary tank regiments?

At that point I suddenly remembered ‘Hammers Slammers’ and some of the ideas I had for developing Mercenary units for that and decided to reach forward in time and introduce my own version of the Hammer’s , Mallots Mangler’s ( at the time a press nickname for a unit they saw as very similar to the famous Hammer’s) so now Mallot’s Marauders have been born.

I know have an excuse to add German kit to the mix so:

With the German Leopards standing in for the Blowers in the Hammers books, I can revert to M113 ACAV’s which the books Combat cars were based on. Israeli jeeps from Oil wars can take on the role of the Hover jeeps in the book.

For those not in the know David Drakes ‘Hammers Slammers’ were a series of mainly short stories that he set in a sci fi universe, but in many ways were a way of writing about his experiences in Vietnam as a Intelligence officer in the Black Horse Cavalry  (11th armoured Cavalry Regiment)one of the few totally regular army units deployed in Vietnam 1966 to 1972

Mallot’s Maruader’s

This unit began as a national unit for Malayana  a large island peninsula in the far east part of the Malaysian island chains, Although it gained independence it still was dominated by the ex-Dutch colonists from Hollands old island empire. It had escaped the various communist uprising problems of its neighbours until the fall of Saigon in 1975 , aided by Vietnam its various communist group began to plot to seize control of the country.

The national army although reasonably well equipped was ill prepared to fight the insurgency ,it officer corps being riddled with political appointees , based on family influence more that military skill. For 12 months it failed to gain any headway against the rebels and had suffered heavy Casualties and moral was suffering.

The decision was made to hire outside mercenaries into the army with sufficient experience to deal with problem, equipping them with some of the older armies equipment.  Put under command of one of the few officers in the army who had reached his rank on merit rather than family connections.

Adam Mallet a major was the son of an English Plantation manager brought in to improve productivity in the late 50’s.

His lack of family influence was considered a bonus for running the unit, plus he didn’t see it as a step down , which was the opinion of most of the officer class.

Left pretty much to his own devices Mallet recruited German/Dutch/American etc ex soldiers plus many unemployed Europeans looking for excitement in a foreign land. Under the influence of the former the unit  made up of armoured combat teams began to develop into a well trained and led force that was able to take the battle to the rebels, thought not always with what were considered ethical means by the world press.

Within 12 months the ‘Marauders ‘ as they had been nicknamed had pretty much destroyed the insurgents much to the annoyance of most of the regular Malyana officer corps. Not only that the  Government would soon have to honour many of the promises given to the units recruits on enlistment, offers it didn’t intend to honour.

Using the many accusations of atrocities that had been levelled by the world press at the unit, it was intended to disband the unit arresting most of it and Mallot for war crimes. Unfortunately for them Mallot had developed a very good intelligence unit who got wind of the plan and a month before the impending action he secretly hired foreign freighters and under the cover of combat casualties, moved much of the unit to a secret location known only to himself and his new foreign employer. The loses were not questioned as the Government and army just saw it as one less problem and the losses could be added to Mallot’s charges.

A parade had been organised by the Government to honour its ‘heroes’  the unit was then to go  into’ furlow’ (or large burial pits ) for ‘rest and recuperation ‘ (as in your at rest), in order to draw as much of the unit from its equipment before the arrests began. Mallot was able to infiltrate some of his ‘casualties into the troops arranging the parade route, and a route was cordoned off too the docks to allow his remaining men to quickly move to the awaiting freighters . The island had very little naval forces that could prevent their departure a what there was had been secretly sabotaged in the proceeding week ,plus hidden wpns had been places on the decks of the freighters  in question prior to departure.

On the day of the parade, Mallot with a cable of his best officers met at the official receiving podium , as his own security detachment drove past  a prearranged signal was given and the president and most of the Islands army officer were rounded up under armed guard and securely locked up , preventing any organised resistance.

By the time the leaderless local army units realised what had happened and managed to unlock their hapless leaders Mallot and his remaining troops had embarked and were leaving the harbour under the escort of a two Frigates of the Navy of their new employer who had just ‘happened’ to be on a good will visit.

This new employer just happened to be Mercia for Who Mallot was to work for covertly on many occasions .

Over the next 15 years small company size units of the Mallots have fought in numerous bush wars all over the world and have gained a reputation as an elite unit for dealing as a fire brigade in many of the world trouble spots if not always acting in what the press would consider ethical ways!

The Marauders had been re-hired by the Mercians some 6 months before the Volgan incursion on Dunheep, and had undertaken intense training to prepare for a more conventional war ,  their recent experience had beong  in low level counter insurgency, which had included playing the Volgan’s in Wargames with the Mercian Regiments and visa versa.

Equipment

Initially the unit was equipped with M48 Pattons and M113 ACAV’s as the main army re-equipped with Leopard 1’s though still retain the M113’s (though they were considering purchasing  British Warriors) their success in anti-insurgency campaigns meant they jumped up the food chain and gained around 36 by the time of their departure.

Right from their early days they were formed into mixed squadron  fire teams, consisting  of  a scout troop or armoured cars or light tanks, a troop of tanks, a platoon infantry and a troop of supporting mortars principly M106 mortar carriers , able to act a semi autonomous unit, though any part could be attached with similar units into temporary battalions as the need arise.

5 Squadrons are currently on the roster, with remaining troops of armour rotated as a reserve or under maintenance at any one time .

The tank troops are made up predominately still of Leopard 1’s though 16 have been replaced with Leopard 2’s as lucrative contracts allowed for their purchase.

The infantry is still in M113 ACAV’s although uprated to the latest models.A couple of Australian FSV have recently been added to the inventory

Artillery is provided by M109’s,  AA by Rolands

Air support is mainly Gazelle Helicopters though a couple of Cobras have been added to inventory from Mercia

Unit colours

Still thinking about this but might keep the idea from Hammers Slammers and paint them a base grey with some sort of camo over to, may reverse the scheme used on Mercian equipment below,

For infantry will probably stick to the The Israeli idea

Know how do I put Merkavas into the mix?

#Answer With my own little war in early 1990’s I now see the idea developing into almost a modern wars version of ‘Hammers Slammers’, so following that another Unit from my Hammers Slammers ‘into the Mercian Sector’ may appear based on my invented ‘East Riding Constabulary ‘. though possibly with a more Israeli type influence.

I do have considerable kit for it in 28mm but always thought that maybe I should have gone 15mm , but really couldn’t justify even to myself having it in both scales, so………..

World War 2

On a whim I decided to look through boxes of Flames of war and PSC 15mm vehicles I had brought a couple of years ago, as I remembered building JS11’s and KV 85’s, as of yet I have not found them , but did find 2 boxes of unbuilt vehicles principally a Box of SU100’s and T34’s. ( Then on tidying up the mess the day after a box of Js2’s were found!!!!!)Now one of the advantages of your own little world setting is you can add these to the mix .

Tanks modern uses the same 4 basic stats as tanks but they are not cross compatible so I have had to amend the Tanks stats to fit :

Above are basic will do , so with the mechanics sorted how to fit them in.

So:

The Volgan Megalo Pavlo Tank School

Set up in haste in 1974 following the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus , the Soviet Union sent over a 10 world war 2 vintage model T34’s and SU100’s (and now JS2’s!!!!) that had been sitting in an old warehouse to provide training tanks to train Volgan crews, whilst all the more modern stock were readied for front line use.

It says a lot for Soviet wartime tank design and the Volgan maintenance that these tanks were still operational given the ill treatment meted out them by the various recruits when they were suddenly thrust into the war with Mercia.

The Battle of μαρμελάδα μαρμελάδας (Marmelada Marmeladas)

Mercian Intelligence had broken Volgan codes and had become vary aware of the plan to draw Mercian Forces on to the Island of Dunheep so that their force could cross the narrow strait between their two islands. Consulting with Mallot a bold plan was developed.

The Volgan War plan had always relied on the Marauders not being in the Peninsula and under Mercian Contract at the time of the war. They felt that any Diversionary attack on Dunheep would be met by the Marauders and would not draw Mercia’s own army from its Western border. They were delighted to hear through their spy network that Mallot had received a new contract and they watched his unit embark on freighters ostensibly for counter insurgency operations in South America.

In fact the Maruaders had merely moved to a location off the islands and waited for their opportunity. Waiting till most of the Volgans forces either involved in the Invasion of Dunheep or mustered for the Invasion of Mercian they moved towards Volga’s northern coast. Much to Volgans suprise the Mercian Guards launched an attack on the deploying Volgan units in  the south partly to break up Volgan preparations but also as a Diversion as the Marauders stormed ashore to the north.

Never planned as a full blooded invasion , The Marauders intended to move quickly through the northern areas of Volga, causing as much damage as possible to the countries infrastructure and any military forces left garrisoning these areas. In addition they were to probe towards the capitol and cause enough panic maybe enough to sue foe peace or at least  to force the Volgans to rush forces northward which could be destroyed in detail as they fell back to to their landing ships.

As they moved South one of the prime targets was the Megalo Pavlov Tanks School, and Two squadrons moved in a pincer move to destroy it facilities.

Xovtpo Youpovi  the latest commandant of the school,  facing the thought of being captured by the evil Mallot fed on the patriotic ferver of his trainees , extolling them to mount up in there trainee tanks , defend their school, and drive off the capitalist mercenary pigs , whilst he slunk away in his staff car. At fever pitch the various student rushed to their ageing trainee tanks(now includsing JS2’s!) and drove off to what is many is still considered one of the most out matched battles of the war.

The Marauders A squadron was approaching the old mine at  Marmelada Marmeladas when their scout Gazelle spotted the approaching column from Megalo Pavlov, many units would have been surprised by these ancient relics, but the Marauders had been engaged and hurt more than once by old weapons in their years in counterinsurgency an were not about to misjudge the threat they could be despite their, age, and they deployed immediately in the columns path whilst calling on the converging C Squadron with their older Leopard 1’s to come if from the columns rear whilst they held them from the front with the heavier Leopard 2’s.