The Campbells are Coming: Hurrah, Hurrah

One of our army's advantages in the struggle against Old Boney is our brave Scots troops. Our enemies in medieval days, they became both ally and enemy during the English Civil War. Indeed, as late as 1745 they were invading close to London.

Now the fierce Scots, lowlander and highlander, are united in support of our cause. Formed in such great regiments of infantry (such as the Black Watch) and cavalry (such as the Scots Greys), they carry the military temperament which perfectly complements our own. Where the English are known for staunch, unbreakable defense, the Scots still carry the habit of the old "wild highland charge," and are ready to be unleashed in fury against the French. Scotland Forever!

Riflemen: From Colony to Continent

In the woodlands of America, our gallant Green Jackets like the 95th Rifles were born. The same Robert Rogers who raided the famous Rogers' Rangers in the "French and Indian" War raised the Queens' Rangers during the American Unpleasantness. Thery wore green and carried rifles; and so may be said to be the first of the Rifle Regiments (1779 on the regular establishment as the First American Regiment; today The Queen's York Rangers of Toronto).

British inventiveness in firearms was seen in the American War too, when Major Patrick Ferguson developed a breechloading rifle. Once one of our own "sharpshooters" once had the Fox himself, George Washington, in his sights, but decided it wasn't cricket to get him in this fashion. Quite a contrast to the rebels, who picked off our own officers whenever possible.

I have seen the record of the 95th Rifles on the heights above Nelson's Dockyard on Antigua Island, our base in the Caribbean. They do serve everywhere. On the Peninsula, our Green Jackets often gain the status of "Chosen Man," raiders well ready for any outrageous mission they may be called upon to carry out. I doubt our intrepid rifleman of today would hesitate to pull the trigger should he find The Corsican in his sights!

For its over the hills and far away
To Denmark, Portugal and Spain
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away..."

ARR ARR! WE ARE THE BRITISH NAVY

Peter Cole, who has been sculpting 54mm soft plastic figures of miscelllaneous period and subject, has just made his first set, they are Napoleonic British Navy in six poses including Captain (arms clasped behind his back holding telescope), Midshipman fighting with dagger, Petty Officer with sword and pistol, sailor with blunderbuss, sailor charging with sword, and marine firing musket above into rigging. Peter is the author of SUSPENDED ANIMATION: AN UNAUTHORIZED HISTORY OF HERALD AND BRITAINS PLASTIC FIGURES (Plastic Warrior, 1997), a magical volume tracing the history of the two companies, their plastic production, and such legendary sculptors as Roy Selwyn-Smith. Cole includes a sketch of every figures ever made by these companies as well. His main interest is the liveliness of figures, and condems the entire Deetail line, for example as lacking in soul.

His figures embody this quest for true animation, and are a welcome addition to any 54mm collection. They may serve aboard ship, as a landing party, fighting pirates, or many other types of adventures. Cole plans further sets in the future. They are available from leading 54mm dealers.

FORMER NAPOLEONIC BRITISH ALLIES PROVE A MIXED BAG!

On the Peninsula, Wellington watched as huge Spanish armies, which rarely cooperated with him properly, were defeated time and time again, or refused to fight altogether. On the other hand the Portugese, when British trained and officered, became reliable companions on the field of battle. At the end of the Peninsula campaing, after they had battled together from Portugal into Southern France itself, fond memories made their final separation an emotional affair.

A soldier of a Scots Brigade wrote "Acting always in concert with us, they were now little inferior to ourselves--a kind of friendship had thus arisen, and caused us to feel sorry at parting. On the morning this occurred, they were ranged upon the street, and saluted us as we passed, and their hearty "vivas"and exclaimations of regret evinced what they really felt."

LAND BASED FIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS?

The British fleets "Fighting Instructions" guided seperate ship captains in fighting their vessels during great naval engagements. The evolved signalling system supported it. Now you are gathering against the greatest Monster in History, who has magically, infernally, risen practically from the dead and threatens British civilization!

Might it be worth, do you suppose, a little thought about the interpersonal aspects of different commanders and their methods of fighting when working with each other? I say yes.