German Plan 13-25/28

  Somewhere in the depths of the Imperial German General Staff Headquarters, a stocky Prussian Junker of a Feldmarschall orders a lowly staff officer to work:

  "Der Kaiser has ordered that we prepare for him an outline of our forces presently available and planned for the future. This will be done immediately!

 "Zum befehl, Herr Feldmarschall!"

  The results are thus:

VENUSSTAADT / EARTH

High Command
  Duke Heinrich von Reichwald, Viceroy of Venusstaadt

IR.32

    Leutnant

    Feldwebel

    Gewehre (x9)
    Gewehre (x9) (Additional req'd to complete platoon. Parroom Station Prussians)

KFG Schutzenkompanie

Members of 1. Aetherbattalion's Special Weapons Company, armed with the latest in experimental German military hardware.

    Leutnant

    Feldwebel

    Gewehre (x8)
    Flammenwerfer
    Granatenwerfer
    Rakatengewehr

    Mortar (and Crew) (x2)

Feldbatterie

    C90 (+4 crew)
    Elektrokanone (+ Crew) (Kickstarter from Curious Constructs)

Fliegerjagerren
  Jaegers mounted with clockwork helicopter backpacks, from Eureka Miniatures. Armed with recirocating carbines (SMGs).

    Leutnant
    Feldwebel
    Jaegerren (x3)
    Jaegerren (x5)

1.Aetherbattalion

    Leutnant
    Feldwebel
    Gewehre (x8)
    Gewehre (x10)

Pappegaivolk Askaris (Parrotmen)

    German Officer
    Parrotfolk Chieftain
    Askaris (x18)

Society of Thule
    Count Friedrich von Ströheim, Grand Master, Society of Thule
    Feldwebel Krieg
    Herr Doktor Kobalt
    Jagerren (x4)
    Tod-truppen (x4)

Kaiserlich Luftkreigsmarine

    KLS Kolberg

Kaiserlich Panzerkampfwagon Regiment

    PzKw II #9 (Ironclad Miniatures Steam 13)

MARS

IR.41

    Leutnant
    Feldwebel
    Gewehre (x8)

Feldbatterie

  Elektrokanone (+ Crew) (Kickstarter from Curious Constructs)

2. Aetherbattalion

    Leutnant
    Feldwebel
    Gewehre (x8)

Martian Allied Contingent (Parroom Station Martians)
    Martian War Leader
    Martian Askaris (x19)

Kaiserlich Luftkreigsmarine

    KLS Kolberg

Kaiserlich Panzerkampfwagon Regiment

    PzKw II #9 (Ironclad Miniatures Steam 13)

[Editor's Note: More dastardly plans, this time Germans in 25/28mm. Germany is more focused on control of Venus than Mars, as you can tell. Again, forces based for Venus are pretty much interchangeable with Earth bases.]

Reginald's Regiments of Renown, Issue #6

Ätherbattalion Regiments

History

The Ätherbattalion regiments (AR.1 and AR.2) were raised in 1870 to provide colonial troops for the German Empire on other planets. Troops were transferred from Seebattalion and jager units, and the ranks filled with new conscripts. Training included Ätherschiffe boarding, zepellin assault, and the use of advanced weapons designed by the KFG. Both regiments were sent to African colonies to acclimatize them prior to being sent off-planet.

AR.1 was despatched to Neu Berlin in the Venusstadt Kolonie in 1872 after six months in German East Africa. AR.2 spent eight months in the Arabian desert as guests of the Ottoman Turks in preparation for their embarkation to Mars. Both regiments were carried to their respective off-planet destinations aboard the immense KAS Thor, an etherbattleship.

Combat History

AR.1 has been involved in numerous small actions in protection of the Venusstadt Kolonie. Their primary function is the protection of the Governor's Palace and the aetherport just west of Neu Berlin. Most of these actions have been against the native lizardfolk of Venus, who seem very hostile to human colonization. There have been a few incidents involving conflict against the parrotmen natives as well, though generally the German relations with these strange creatures have been amicable. Finally, some rumors of attacks against Neu Berlin by strange, plantlike creatures have been made, but are dismissed by British Intelligence as koo-fruit brandy-fueled hallucinations.

Officially, AR.2 has not seen combat action. In truth, it is believed that the regiment participated in the recent rioting in Galfor. Indeed, the uniform of the regiment is supposed to have been the cause of those riots! It is known that AR.2 is training Galforrian troops in modern military techniques, and Her Majesty's Government is afraid that German influence in the Empire may lead to additional troubles from that quarter.

Corporal Bauer demonstrates the powerful Granatwerfer, designed by the KFG

Herr Colonel Otto von Sickle, directing his troops of AR.1 during maneuvers on Venus

Feldwebel Hans Glick waving his squad of Soldaten forward in the Venusian jungles

Uniform

Soldaten

   The uniform for regular soldaten (privates) and corporals (Gefreiter) of both AR.1 and AR.2 is generally identical. It consists of a white high-collared cotton jacket over a white cotton shirt, with black collar, cuffs, epaulettes and piping. Trousers are feldgrau with a black seam along the outside leg. Boots and leather carrying equipment are brown. Peaked hats, with white crowns, black edges and brown leather brim are worn, and a brass regimental device is attached to the front. Regimental distinction is displayed on the epaulettes: red trim for AR.1, and white for AR.2.

Feldwebels (sergeants)

The uniform distinctions for sergeants in the Ätherbattalions includes silver trim on collar, cuff, trouser seam and epaulettes. Additionally, all buttons, buckles and cap badges are silver in place of the regular soldier's brass.


Officers

   Officers wear uniforms similar to the regular troops, with various distincitons based on rank. All officers have gold trim on epaulettes, collars, cuffs and trouser seams. Buttons, buckles and cap badges are gold rather than silver or brass as for lower ranks. Field grade officers have additional braid on their cuffs and jackets. Officers also wear aguilettes on the left shoulder. The aguilette color code is as follows:

• Both cords red - Leutnant
• One red, one red and black - Oberleutnant
• Both red and black - Hauptmann
• One red and black, one silver - Major
• One red and black, one gold - Colonel

Weapons

   The Ätherbattalion regiments are supplied with advanced weapons by the KFG (Imperial Secret Weapons Institute). Privates and NCOs are typically armed with an Elektrogewehr, which spits bolts of intense galvanic energy. Some may be armed instead with a variety of heavier weapons such as Granatwerfer, Flammewerfer, Heibestrahlgewehr or Raketenwerfer. Officers are armed with Voltaischepistollen and Kraftschwert (powered swords). Some (usually senior) officers opt for traditional weapons like pistols and cavalry sabers.

Preliminary Fliegerjaeger Stats (GASLIGHT)

Die fliegerjaeger need to have statistics and some rules worked up for them. I have some preliminary ideas as to how they will operate, but the rules will need testing.

Advantages:

The flieger gear allows a model so equipped to move at Soar 24 for one action. The model automatically comes back to ground at the end of the action. It requires re-winding as well, which is handled the same as a Reload action. Models can charge directly into combat with the flieger gear. Also, the gear is attached to a breastplate. This armor gives an Extra a Save of 5 from long range smallarms fire and Scuffle attacks.

Disadvantages:

Flieger packs (die fliegertornister) are heavy. Any model wearing one has a 2" reduction in their movement on land, and can not swim at all. Landing in water automatically kills the model. The packs are also rather awkward in close combat. When in melee, any model wearing a fliegertornister has a -2 modifier to their Scuffle attribute. There is no effect on Shooting. Finally, no model wearing a flieger pack can enter a normal building entrance. Barn doors, okay, but a standard door or window? Forget about it. Flieger packs may be removed by using one action. Putting them on again would require another action.

Other Thoughts:

I am considering giving fliegerjaeger a bonus to Scuffle on the turn they charge, if they charge in flight. This is to represent the large whirling blades which could be used as a weapon. On the other hand, you could argue that the difficulty of controlling such awesome weapons of whirling death would offset the massive damage they would do. Perhaps a SRM modifier insted of a Scuffle modifier? Or even a modifier on the charged unit's Morale test (+1 to the roll?) to stand their ground in the face of the charge? It would be pretty scary, I think.

Weapons

Regarding the weapons of the fliegerjaeger, officers are armed with pistols. NCOs and jaegers are armed with reciprocating carbines (Karabineautomatische) designed by the KFG for their use. Use the regular GASLIGHT stats for a submachine gun (Range: 6/12, SRM-10, ROF 2).

Fliegerjaeger Photos

Hauptmann Captured On Static Plate!

From Neu Berlin, we have received static plates of the leader of die Fliegerjaeger. He is equipped with a fantastic invention for personal mobility designed by the Kaiserlich Forschungsanstalt fur Geheimewaffen (KFG). The long blades above the captain's head are sent whirling in a circle at astonishing speed, which forces air downward, lifting the soldier straight up into the air! Powered by an ingenious spring arrangement, the device does not last long, but can allow troops to cross thick or difficult terrain in long jumps rather than slowly crossing by foot.

The captain is also armed with a repeating pistol attached to a stock for use as a carbine. His eyes are protected with goggles from the debris flung about by the downdraft of air from his flieger gear.

One can only hope that the scientists of Britain will find some way to counter this astonishing device.

Painting... actual painting!

Okay, so I finally took up a brush for an hour or so this evening. First time in ages.

I worked on several projects:

• The first three vessels of the Papal aeronef fleet are just about ready to go. They still need flags. [Brigade Models]
• Professor Vardu, a biologist working on Venus. [Reaper]
• Frau Frobisher, assistant to Professor Vardu. [Copplestone]
• Two members of the Kaiser's Fliegenjagers, an officer and a trooper. [Eureka]
• A start on the prototype of my 28mm Aetherbattalion regulars. [Copplestone]
• A little work on some of the Aetherbattalion KFG. [GW Mordians]
• A little re-base work on Herr Professor Maton and a Mysterious Egyptian Gentleman.

Nothing finished, quite, but some actual progress on several projects. Feels nice. I took photos, but the camera is just about out of a charge, so pictures later. Plus, it's late and I am knackered. Still, progress marches on!

The Kaiser's Secret Weapons!

More German Troops Arriving on Mars!

Word has reached the Journal that additional troops bearing secret weapons from the Kaiserlich Forshcungsanstalt fur Geheimewaffen (KFG), or Imperial Research Institute for Secret Weapons, have arrived on the Red Planet!

Reliable sources from Neu Berlin have informed me that almost two platoons worth of these troops arrived very recently. Fortunately, they are not yet ready for deployment in the field, and word is that it may be weeks before they are prepared.

Rest assured, good readers, this Journal shall keep you informed of any change in the condition of these troops and their diabolical devices of dastardly devastation.

[Editor's note: I just got in the mail 17 Mordian Iron Guardsmen, from Games Workshop. Well, not directly from GW. I got them from someone on TMP. Fast shipping too - thanks! Anyway, I have to get bases for them, and then get to painting, and so on, so it will be a bit before they are ready to go. I did get an officer and a sergeant, plus... well, you'll ahve to check back later to see what else!]