RHNS Averof: Thunder in the Aegean

Years ago, I built my own version of Fred Janes’ NAVAL WAR GAME, and I scratch-built two small 1:3000th-scale fleets. I chose to build the Turkish and Greek fleets of 1914, and amongst the latter was the RHNS Averof.

The Averof was a large armoured cruiser, and was the third of a three-ship class built and designed by the Italian shipbuilder Cantiere Navale Fratelli Orlando, Livorno. The other two were the Pisa and Amalfi, which both entered service with the Italian Navy. Unlike her sisters, Averof was armed with guns manufactured by Vickers. The ship had a reasonably active life, and took part in both World Wars. She is now preserved as a museum ship at Phaleron near Athens.

When I realised that John Carr had written a book about the Averof, I had to buy a copy. It was delivered a few days ago, and I am currently reading it.

The ship's characteristics are:

• Displacement: 9,956 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 459.7ft
• Beam: 69ft
• Draught: 23.6ft
• Propulsion: 22 x Belleville coal-fired boilers providing steam to 2 x compound-expansion steam engines, each of which drove a separate shaft
• Speed: 23. Knots (maximum); 20 knots (normal operations)
• Range: 2,480 nautical miles at 17.5 knots
• Armament:
• 2 x 2 9.2-inch guns; 4 x 2 7.5-inch guns; 16 x 1 3-inch guns; 4 x 1 47mm quick-firing guns; 3 x 17.7-inch torpedo tubes (Original armament)
• 2 x 2 9.2-inch guns; 4 x 2 7.5-inch guns; 8 x 1 3-inch guns; 4 x 1 3-inch anti-aircraft guns; 6 x 1 2-pounder anti-aircraft guns (later replaced by 6 x 37mm anti-aircraft guns) (After refit)
• Armor: Belt: 7.9-inch to 3.15-inch; Deck: 1.6-inch; Main turrets: 7.9-inch; Secondary turrets: 6.9-inch; Barbettes: 7.1-inch; Conning tower: 7.1-inch
• Complement: 670

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RHNS AVEROF: THUNDER IN THE AEGEAN was written by John Carr, and published in 2014 by Pen & Sword Publications (ISBN 978 1 78303 021 7).

Getting used to using the 'new' Blogger

It has taken me over a week, but I am gradually getting used to using the newest version of Blogger. I still prefer the so-called legacy version ... but I am slowly getting there.

Part of the problem that I have is that I like to format my blog posts as I type them, adding any images as I go. With the 'new' version of Blogger, I am currently finding it easier to type first, then format and add images.

What I do not like is the way it is no longer easy for me to scroll back through my previous blog posts. As I scroll down, I keep getting a message that it is 'Loading more posts ...', and then there is a time lag whilst it does. As I have written nearly 4,500 blog posts since I started back in 2008, you can imagine how tedious this can be.

As I expected, once you get used to its 'new and improved' features (whatever they are!), the 'new' Blogger is all right to use. It does mean that I can no longer use HTML as much as I did (something that I actually enjoyed!) but things change, and so must I.

Indian Mutine-era

Hot on the heels of his recently-published TAIPING ERA: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN MID-19TH CENTURY CHINA, Graham Evans (AKA Trebian) has published INDIAN MUTINE-ERA: A SUPPLEMENT FOR "TAIPING ERA" COVERING THE USE OF THE RULES FOR FIGHTING BATTLES IN THE INDAIN MUTINY.

The book does contain some period-specific changes and clarification to the TAIPING ERA rules, as well as relevant Commander Cards. Also included are a number of linked scenarios for battles fought by General Havelock during his first campaign in Oudh. These include:

• Fatehpur: 12th July 1857
• Aong: 14th July 1857
• Pandu Nadi: 14th July 1857
• Maharajpur: 16th July 1857

The back page of the book has a very useful QRS on it, and this should prove of assistance to anyone using these rules.

This supplement contains some colour illustrations and maps, and is very reasonably priced, and only costs £5.00 from Amazon.

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INDIAN MUTINE-ERA: A SUPPLEMENT FOR "TAIPING ERA" COVERING THE USE OF THE RULES FOR FIGHTING BATTLES IN THE INDAIN MUTINY was written by Graham Evans and published in 2020 by Wargaming for Grown Ups Publications (ISBN 979 8 6827 1876 4)

New Madasahatta Map: The basic work has been completed

I managed to spend a bit of time over the past couple of days to get the basic work on the new, colour version of the Madasahatta map completed ... and it looks like this:

I now need to finish off the key and add the location names to the map, and it will then be complete. However, David Crook and I want to add some more detail to the as yet empty northern part of the map. On the original map this is described as being 'unexplored bush country inhabited by the Dodgilot Tribe', but we would like to at least add some geographical features such as native settlements, rivers, and watering holes.

We don't want to rush this, as we want to make sure that what we do add is in line with the sort of thing that we think that Eric Knowles would have included.

Nugget 329

Yesterday, I collected the latest issue of THE NUGGET from the printer, and I posted it out on Friday afternoon. With luck, it should be with members of Wargame Developments in a few day's time.

I have uploaded the PDF version to the Wargame Developments website, and it can be downloaded and read online using the password that was sent to all members when they resubscribed.

As a bonus to this issue, a PDF copy of D Wayne Thomas’s rules OVER THE HILLS (AND FAR AWAY!) can also be downloaded from the Wargame Developments website.

IMPORTANT: Please note that this is the second issue of THE NUGGET to be published for the 2020-2021 subscription year. If you have not yet re-subscribed, a reminder was sent to you recently. If you wish to re-subscribe using the PayPal option on the relevant page of the website, you can use the existing buttons as the subscription cost has not changed.

New Madasahatta Map: Another progress report

Work on the map continues apace, with more and more of the details being redrawn/overdrawn in colour.

Now that the main features have been added to the map (e.g. the locations of the towns and settlements, the rivers, the main roads, the hills and mountains etc.), further refinements will need to be made. This may require some changes to the original colours used, and the addition of slightly more detail so that it is easier to identify the differences between jungle, marsh/swamp, oasis, and bush.

This will be more time-consuming that might be expected, but I feel that I am now 'over the hump' with regard to completing this project.

New edition of Table Top Battles

Back in November 2008, I bought a copy of TABLE TOP BATTLES - TABLE TOP WARGAMING WITH MINIATURES (by Mike and Joyce Smith) at Warfare ... and it proved to be one of the influences that set me on the road that led to the development of my own PORTABLE WARGAME books.

In the most recent issue of MINIATURE WARGAMES, Michael Smith wrote a two-page article about wargames that are fought on a gridded tabletop. In it he mentioned that he had published a new edition of his book, which was now entitled TABLE TOP BATTLES: GRID WARGAMING WITH MINIATURES 2nd EDITION, and that they were available in both PDF and printed format from his website.

I visited his website, and after contacting him to find out if he had any printed copies available, I ordered one. It was delivered on Saturday, and I have been dipping into it ever since.

Although it is similar to the original book, the newer edition includes a number of colour photographs and better-quality illustrations. and it production values are better. For its price (£16.00 in printed format and £14.00 in PDF format in the UK) it seems good value, and for anyone who enjoyed fighting their wargames on a gridded tabletop, it has much to offer, especially as it covers historical periods that my own PORTABLE WARGAME books do not.

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TABLE TOP BATTLES: GRID WARGAMING WITH MINIATURES 2nd EDITION was written by Michael & Joyce Smith, and published by Gridmaster Publications (ISBN 978 1 5272 3437 60).

New Madasahatta map: A progress report

Over the past few days, I’ve been working on redrawing Eric Knowles’s Madasahatta map using MS Paint. I started by superimposing a new square grid over a digital image of a scanned copy of a photocopy of the original map.

I then filled in all the 'empty' sea grid squares.

Once this had been completed, I used the original map as a guide as I began to draw in the northern coastline of the map ...

... and some of the inland features, such as the borders between different areas, rivers and streams, roads, hills, and oasis/marshland/jungle.

I then continued this process, mainly working down the right-hand side of the map.

Over the next few days, I hope to continue doing this until I have overdrawn the original map, and have the basis of a new, digital, colour version to work with.

Nugget 329

The editor of THE NUGGET sent the next issue (N329) to me yesterday, and I hope to take it to the printer tomorrow. With luck, I should be able to collect it by next weekend, and post it out to members as soon afterwards as I can.

IMPORTANT: Please note that this will be the second issue of THE NUGGET to be published for the 2020-2021 subscription year. If you have not yet re-subscribed, a reminder was recently sent to you. If you wish to re-subscribe using the PayPal option on the relevant page of the website, you can use the existing buttons as the subscription cost has not changed.

Two new books

When I bought my first car, I was keen to do my own basic maintenance ... so on the advice of a friend, I bought a copy of the relevant Haynes Owner's Workshop Manual. As I bought newer cars, I bought more of these very helpful manuals, and this continued until electronic ignition systems et al came along. No longer could I fix my car using a few simple tools; it now needed a computer!

Until recently, I've never had to buy another of Haynes's publications ... but in recent years they have begun to branch out and produce a range of Owner's Workshop Manuals about a range to non-car topics, and I have begun to buy them again. To date, I have bought:

• German Infantryman: The German soldier 1939-45 (all models)
• T-34 Tank: 1940 to date (all models)
• Panzer III: Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf A to N (Sdkfz 141)
• Panther Tank: Panzerkanpfwagen V Panther (Sdkfz 171)

I can now add a further volume to my collection, FLAK 88: 8.8cm FLUGZEUGABWEHRKANONE (MODELS 18/36/37/41).

This follows the same pattern as the earlier books, and is split into eight chapters, endnotes, and appendices:

• Introduction
• Development
• Design and basic operation
• Ammunition
• Crew roles and gun operation
• At war - anti-aircraft operations
• At war - anti-tank operations
• Transportation and maintenance
• Endnotes
• Appendices

It contains a wealth of information and illustrations, and was well worth the £5.00 I paid for it in the Tiverton branch of THE WORKS.

The other book I recently acquired was THE NAVAL WAR OF THE PACIFIC 1879-1884: SALTPETER WAR.

This is the second book by this author that I have bought (the first was RUSSO-TURKISH NAVAL WAR 1877-1878), and it is an excellent history of the naval side of the war.

The book is very well illustrated, and is split into eighteen chapters and a number of appendices.

• The origin of the conflict
• Opponents
• Invasion of the Bolivian costa and the outbreak of the war
• Blockade of the southern coast of Peru and the battle of Chipana
• Battle of Iquique
• Naval operations in the period between the battle of Iquique and the battle of Angamos (May-October 1879)
• Battle of Angamos
• Landing at Pisagua and the Chilean capture of the province of Tarapaca
• Capture of the gunboat Pilcomayo
• Change of leadership in Peru and Bolivia
• Landing operations at Pacocha Bay and the battle of Tacna
• The blockade and fall of Arica
• Blockade of Callao
• Lynch expedition
• Battles of Chorillos and Miraflores and the fall of Lima
• Military operations following the fall of Lima and the end of the war
• Naval operations on Lake Titcaca
• Outcome of the war
• Appendices

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FLAK 88: 8.8cm FLUGZEUGABWEHRKANONE (MODELS 18/36/37/41) was written by Chris McNa and published in 2018 by Haynes Publishing (ISBN 978 1 7521 133 1).

THE NAVAL WAR OF THE PACIFIC 1879-1884: SALTPETER WAR was written by Piotr Olender and published in 2020 by Stratus (ISBN 978 83 65958 77 8)

Return to Madasahatta?

I've recently been exchanging emails with my fellow blogger David Crook about Eric Knowles' famous MADASAHATTA campaign. As a result, I've agreed to try to update Eric's original map so that we can use it for Colonial campaigning.

I will be using MS Paint as I want to produce the map in colour, and I will be adopting a style that is similar to the one I produced for my ongoing Operation Barbarossa mini-campaign.

I hope to keep my regular blog readers up to date with my progress ... and if the end result is any good, I may even make it available online.

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As a matter of interest, I wrote this blog post using html on my iPad ... and actually found that it was not too difficult.

Perhaps the new Blogger isn't too bad, once you get used to it.

Some simple html commands

Just to give you an idea how to use some simple html commands, I have drafted this short blog post using Blogger rather than html.

I've then repeated the process typing in html commands in the HTML view to show the difference.

You will note how Blogger adds in lots of extra bits to do the same job. I find this both irritating and unnecessary ... but that is just me being a silly old f*art!

Just to give you an idea how to use some simple html commands, I have drafted this short blog post using Blogger rather than html.

I've then repeated the process typing in html commands in the HTML view to show the difference.

You will note how Blogger adds in lots of extra bits to do the same job. I find this both irritating and unnecessary ... but that is just me being a silly old f*art!

Getting used to the 'new' Blogger

So, Blogger has decided that they need to change the way we can write our blogs ... and are removing the option to be able to revert to the legacy method that I have been using for the last few years. This is all being done to 'help' users ... even those who don't need help.

I actually write my blog using html, which I had to learn how to use when I used to teach Information Technology. I find that it keeps my brain ticking over, and it means that I end up with a blog post that looks like I want it to look, and not like what some bright spark at Blogger 'thinks' that I want it to look like.

I managed to write this entire blog post using html, and without the 'help' of the preset commands that Blogger have kindly provided for my use. I am already feeling decrepit ... and thnks to Blogger, I feel even more 'over the hill' than I did.

Thank you Blogger for making an old man feel even more past it than he actually is! I'm now going off to have a sulk ... if that's all right with you, of course.

I been to … Tiverton, Devon

Sue and I have not been away for a break since the national lockdown in March. Since then, we should have been on four cruises, but each of them has been cancelled, and as the UK seems to be at the early stages of the second wave of COVID-19 infections – with predictions that it might last until Christmas – we decided to book a self-catering break somewhere in the UK. After looking at what was available in Norfolk, we found that it was proving very popular with other people seeking the same sort of break, and that prices has gone up and availability was very limited.

At this point Sue remembered that back in the late 1990s we had stayed in a self-catering apartment in Tiverton Castle for a week. She checked online … and discovered that it was available. She booked us a four-day stay there, and that is where we have been since Friday 11th September.

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Friday 11th September: Tiverton
We had packed the car and left home by midday, and the car’s satnav informed us that we should be at our destination – Tiverton Castle – by 4.30pm. As we were not supposed to arrive until 5.00pm, this suited us as it would mean that we could stop en route for a break.

The A2 and M25 were busy, and it was no great surprise that we experienced several stop/start holdups as we travelled towards the junction with the M4. It took us ninety minutes to get there, only to discover that our speed along the first twenty or so miles of the M4 was limited to 50mph due to ongoing roadworks. (These are going to turn this section of the M4 into a so-called ‘smart motorway’ … whatever that means!)

By 3.00pm we were well on our way towards the West Country, and decided to stop at Leigh Delamere services for some refreshments and to restore our personal comforts. We were only there for about thirty-five minutes, but during that time, the recommended route had changed drastically. Rather than travelling along the M4 until we reached the junction with the M5, the satnav took us further towards Wales, and then along the M47 towards Avonmouth. This was to avoid a major traffic jam in the Bristol area, and it worked … to a certain extent.

Unfortunately, every other satnav seemed to have given the same instructions, and the traffic jam seemed to have merely moved a bit further along the M5, so that when we joined the motorway, the traffic was barely moving. By this time, it was about 4.30pm, and it was obvious that we were going to be late. In fact, we did not arrive at our destination until 6.15pm.

We were greeted by Mrs Gordon, the wife of the Castle’s owner, and shown around the apartment.

This included a short tour of the areas of the castle that were open to us and a briefing about the changes that were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By 7.00pm we had unpacked, and after taking a short breather we took a walk into the centre of Tiverton. We found a small pizza restaurant that was open and had space to take us (the Branzino Restaurant), and so we ate there. Having done so – and feeling rather full as a result – we then walked back to the castle, where we rested and watched TV until it was time to go to bed.

Saturday 12th September: Tiverton and Bickleigh
We both slept very soundly, and did not wake up until 8.30am. We took our time to get ready and eat breakfast, and then set out to explore the castle’s grounds.

At 11.30am we walked into the centre of Tiverton for a walk around. Along the way we passed the local parish church, St Peter’s.

From the church, we made our way along Newport Street until we reached the access road leading to the Pannier Market.

Sue and I walked through the Pannier Market …

… and out into Fore Street.

There we indulged in a bit of retail therapy in the local branches of THE WORKS and BOOTS, before walking to the corner of Bampton Street …

… and Gold Street.

Sue and I then made our way down Gold Street as far as the junction with Barrington Street, before retracing our steeps and walking along Bampton Street.

When we reached Newport Street, we turned left and returned to the castle, which is located on Park Hill. Along our route, we passed the end of an interesting street – the aptly named Castle Street – that had an open drainage ditch running up its centre.

Whilst we were out, we had been looking for somewhere to eat lunch, but everywhere seem very crowded or had queues. In the end, we decided to go to the local Morrison’s Supermarket, which has an onsite café. There we were able to each have a toasted cheese and ham sandwich and a drink. The sandwiches were served with a very nice side salad, which turned our snack into a proper meal.

After our late lunch, we drove the five miles to Bickleigh Mill. This is an old watermill that has been converted into a small retail centre selling exclusive or local products as well as a bistro/bar.

We had a walk around the shopping area at the mill, …

… but there was nothing that took our fancy.

We did consider visiting the Devon Railway Centre, which was located next door to the mill, but discovered that due to the pandemic, one had to book in advance. Somewhat deflated, we returned to the castle for afternoon tea and a rest.

For dinner, we went into the centre of Tiverton to find a restaurant that was open and had space. Luckily, we came across the newly-opened Tiverton Steakhouse (formerly the Blue Velvet Bistro) in Bampton Street. They were able to accommodate us, and both we ate very substantial meals that were – by London standards – more than reasonable.

After we had eaten, we took a leisurely stroll back to the castle, where we sat and watched TV until it was time to go to bed.

Sunday 13th September: Topsham and Exmouth
As it was Sunday, Sue and I did not rush to get ready to go out for the day. We finally left the castle just before 11.00am, and drove to Topsham on the River Exe.

We had stayed in The Globe Hotel in Topsham for a week back in the 1990s, and we were interested to see how much it had changed since then. The satnav directed us from Tiverton to the M5, and then south to just outside Exeter. We turned off onto the A376 and used the local Clyst Road to reach Topsham. We parked in the car park behind the local fire station and then set of towards the riverside.

This took us along Fore Street, …

…past The Globe, …

… until we reached the Antique Centre on the quayside.

After looking around the variety of antiques on sale and then at the small boats moored on the River Exe, …

… we strolled up Monmouth Hill, …

… until we reached the Strand, where we sat for a while watching the river.

By this time it was well after midday, and Sue and I decided to go on to Exmouth so that we could see the sea, walk along the seafront, and possibly have lunch.

We drove out of Topsham, and along the A376 towards Exmouth, passing the Royal Marine training establishment at Lympstone along the way. Once we reached Exmouth, we discovered that the car parks nearest the seafront were all full, and in desperation we finally stopped in a parking bay in the centre of the town near The Strand.

We had a stroll around The Strand … and discovered a small car park behind the local council offices in Chapel Hill that had spaces. We were able to park there and walk through Manor Gardens …

… to the seafront.

We had a gentle stroll along the Esplanade, past the memorial to Queen Victoria’s visit to the town.

After several attempts to find somewhere to eat lunch, we ended up in Exmouth’s Pavilion Café, where Sue and I had an excellent meal of fish and chips for lunch. (The fish was fresh, not frozen, and served in a light batter. The chips were also locally-sourced, and were deep fried in fresh oil.)

As we left the café, we could see several large ships moored on the other side of the bay.

These turned out to be cruise liners, the Queen Mary 2, the Ventura, the Azura, and the Arcadia, who were all moored in the bay between Teignmouth and Torquay.

After spending a couple of hours in Exmouth, we returned home using the A376 and M5, and we back at the castle by a little before 5.00pm. We then spent the rest of the day reading, resting, eating, and watching TV.

Monday 14th September: Knightshayes
As long-term members of the National Trust, we decided to visit the property at Knightshayes. The house itself was not open, but the garden and grounds were. Luckily we had booked our entrance tickets on Sunday (the National Trust was insisting on at least twenty-four hour notice of visits in order to comply with the COVID-19 regulations and advice), and after eating a late breakfast, we set off at 11.00am in order to be there by 11.30am.

It took us less than fifteen minutes to drive from Tiverton to Knightshayes, and we were there well in advance of our booking in time. The car park was relatively empty, and we had no problem finding a place. Sue and I then walked downhill to the Reception Centre, which is located in the old stable block.

Although we were early, we were allowed into the property, and after orientating ourselves, we set off to walk around the large walled garden.

This had originally supplied the main house with fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as flowers, and had its own small vineyard area as well as tomato tunnels and banana plants.

From there we walked over to the main house, looking across the nearby valley as we did.

Though it was not open, we were able to walk along the house's terrace and look at the ornate arched doorway from the house onto the terrace.

Sue and I also walked around the formal garden that is situated just below the terrace, and which gave us an excellent view of the house's frontage, …

… before taking a stroll through some of the parkland around the house. We ended up back at the stable block, …

… which houses the property’s café and shop. After eating sandwiches in the café, we spent some time in the shop, where we bought a few small items to take home with us.

We were back in Tiverton by 2.00pm, and after parking the car at the castle, we went for a walk around the town. It was emptier than we had expected, and most of the stalls in the Pannier Market were closed or in the process of closing. Sue and I did go into several shops in Fore Street, but bought nothing, and we were back at the castle by 3.00pm.

We spent the rest of the afternoon reading and dozing, and at 7.00pm we set off back into town to find somewhere to eat dinner. The Tiverton Steakhouse – which we had eaten in on Sunday evening – was open, and Sue and I both enjoyed a steak dinner. As before, the steak was served on a very hot stone with an accompanying salad, a pile of chips, and a Hollandaise sauce.

Because the restaurant was empty, we ate our meal relatively quickly, and by 8.35pm we were back in our apartment in the castle. Sue and I spent the rest of the evening reading and watching TV, and were in bed by just after 11.00pm.

Tuesday 15th September: Going home
We were awake by 7.00am, and after a quick drink, we began the process of packing. We were ready to leave by 9.30pm, and after hnding back the keys of our apartment to Mrs Godon, Sue and I set off form home.

We paid a visit to the local branch of Morrison’s Supermarket to have breakfast in their café before to filling up the car’s petrol tank at their filling station.

We used a very different route home, going across country to join the A303, and then on to the M3 and M25. Along the way we drove past Stonehenge, sight that I always enjoy seeing. The journey homw took just over four hours, and by just after 3.00pm we had parked outside our house and were unloading our luggage.

Our first break since February was over … and we are already thinking about where to go next!