I've noticed that our VSF posts, particularly Mars related, shoot up the list.
Tony and your humble author are attending a Wyverntales Larp of the same name in sunny Exeter soon and I prepared this document as part of my back story. I was trying to think of the post Dunkirk period in the UK when many maverick ideas were proposed and some even implemented to repel the expected invasion. Odd vehicles were developed, and can be seen, at Bovington. One proposal was large multi nozzle flame throwers to deny beach landings.
I welcome input, and please, if you play a scenario let's share it!
Draft Statement prepared by Professor Grey under instrucion of M for:
Home Secretary the
Right Honorable----
Royal Commision
Horse Guards Room 3
Sirs. Please refer to
attached schedule.
Group Two was initiated
immediately after the arrival of the first cylinder, prior to the
evacuation of the Royal family, Parliament, services military and
civil. The core personnel was gathered from the military
intelligence services, Royal Society and the Adventurers Club.
Our immediate action was to
send a team to investigate the first landing. The prominent members
were killed in the first assault. Fortunatelly their assistants had
the presence of mind to interview survivors and set up an observation
post.
First action. A group,
incling myself and staff, was located to the Bovington
army research camp in Dorset. This was due to excellent rail and sea
communication, plus availability of naval, marine and army support.
From the analysis of
after action reports made available from the first encounters a rapid
response force was proposed. This would be carried by special
train to the site of any further incursion:
Train with passanger
and cargo carriages capable of carrying all such personnel and
materiel.
A force of 200 drawn
from Pioneer battalions, Royal Engineers and civilian navvies and
shipbuilders.
Bovinton was tasked to
produce a fast tractor that would be capable of impeding the screw
cap of a cylinder.
Once the force was
emplaced, they would strive to impede and encase the cylinder in fast
setting concrete, an earthen bank or engulf in a large confragation
in order to kill the inhabitants dependent on local resources. The latter option was seen as
hazardous as the flames may attract unwelcome attention of other
invaders.
Unfortunatelly, due to
the burden placed on the railroad system by evacuations and loss of
railway personnel and materiel this solution was unable to proceed,
but the force was used to rapidly produce fortifications at key
positions.
A Birmingham jeweller,
Mr Issac Hayes, suggested that a collar of silver solder could be
made, to use the ambient heat to impede the screws progress. This
simpler solution was developed by deployment of a smaller crew of
tractor born engineers. This proved invaluable and the northernmost
cylinder was succesfully sealed. Although the Martians were able to
regain the cylinder, the crew were lost and progress slowed,
suggesting that valuable equipment was damaged in the process.
As information came in,
we were able to tailor our response. Our aim was to show the invader
that we would resist by any means possible and to force them to
expend resources in defence.
Big game hunters, game
keepers and snipers were gathered with serving and retired members
of 95th rifles, Indian army and Ghurkha rifle regiments.
Country houses and gunsmiths had rifles of quality requisitioned.
These were dispatched to points that allowed the ambushing of the
invaders. The survival of the hunter was aided in every way possible
by use of water bombs, tin baths and any other means that could be
contrived.
When the red weed was
seen to be choking canals and rivers this was percieved as an
opportunity. Barges were loaded with coal tar, turpentine, methylated spirits and coal
dust. These were hastened south with the aim of turning the canals
and rivers into burning obstacles. Trials proved that the weed
provided an excellent whick and burnt with a thick, oily smoke. This
method was succesfully used in the defence of Birmingham and Oxford.
New false fortifications were
erected with use of quicklime and magnesium bombs intending to blind
the pilot of a war machine. Eathen banks were constructed with
layers of bottled water in order to provide resistance to the heat
ray. Artillery emplacements were equipped with stationary engines
capable of putting up a spray of water or steam in order to protect
from the heat ray and black smoke.
Volunteer crews from
all the services, retired personnel and termanilly ill were deployed
with fast firing guns and machine guns. These were located in
hidden positions with the aim of sniping at any passing machine.
Once the presence of
the collecting machines was known, volunteer runners were recruited.
These were armed with nitro glycerine sticky bombs with the aim of
stalking and damaging the machines to facilitate the capture of the machine and pilot.
The first deployment was proceeding well, until one volunteer tripped
and fell. The machine was driven off at great speed by the explosion
and afterwards has not seen without at least one guard tripod.
A similar force was
recruited from condemned criminals for use against tripods in an
urban environment. On first use a confusing battle ensued with
reports of several explosions and at least one Tripod was carried
away damaged. Unfortunatelly, none of the criminals were returned
for debriefing. Afterwards the Tripods showed a marked reluctance to
enter urban areas without extensive use of the heat ray and black
smoke.
Second phase.
With the invader
effectively contained and a team of mathematicians proving able to
predict the approximate position of each cylinder prior to landing
and the resources of Empire beginning to be felt it was
proposed to move on to a more aggressive phase.
Bovington had been
experimenting with land trains after the Russian Imperial Navy had
succsesfully tested a working prototype. The new Mark 3 was put into
construction with a layered wooden shell that was soaked as
protection against the heat ray and a pipe network that used the heat
produced for added power or a steam blanket that protected the crew
from the black smoke. Armourment comprised two fast shooting, accurate 3
pounders equipped with solid shot and grapeshot for close quarters.
A similar tractor was
constructed with a high signal tower in order to facilitate accurate
naval and artillery fire.
Smaller tractors fitted
with an explosive ram torpedo device are under testing.
Use of mirrors as heat
ray defence is in development, awaiting the capture of a working
device.
Third phase.
With aid
being received from all over the world, it has been noted that
foreighn agents have been infiltrating into
the invasion area. We can only presume that these are assessing our
response and will attempt to capture enemy personnel and materiels
for their own study. This cannot be allowed to happen and steps have
been taken to illiminate this threat.
Sir, I beg to remain
your most humble servant.
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