This is one of the many Arab armies for MWWBk’s. The list has a little bit of everythink, but nothing of any quality.

Tribal Cavalry 1

Tribal Cavalry 2

Fierce Tribal Infantry 1

Fierce tribal Infantry 2

Irregular Infantry 1 that are poor shots

Irregular Infantry 2 that are poor shots

Poorly drilled Crewed weapon

More armies still coming.

Playing Santa’s Elf today and not much done, as I find myself caught up in the festive spirit, surrounded by shimmering decorations and the delightful sounds of holiday music, which have made it difficult to concentrate on the tasks at hand, but the joy and laughter of children eagerly sharing their Christmas wishes bring a warmth to my heart that makes every distraction worthwhile……………………………BS!

Just shopping and fighting with the crowds can be an overwhelming experience this time of year. The aisles are packed, and the constant hustle and bustle can leave anyone feeling drained. Bah Humbug! It’s hard to appreciate the holiday spirit when all you can think about is the chaos surrounding you, from the endless lines to the impatient shoppers all around. The joy of finding the perfect gift often feels overshadowed by the stress of navigating through throngs of people, making the whole adventure seem more like a chore than a joyous occasion.

In fact today almost nutta completed. I did however get started on some modern Afghan mule train pieces and a few armed guard.

Who is Santa’s favourite singer? Elf-is Presley

What did Santa do to the naughty elf? He gave him the sack!

What’s Santa’s tax status? Elf employed!

With any luck I might even get these finished.

What do elves say when they make mistakes? “I elfed up”.

I know they are Guru jokes, but if you don’t like em then you can bloody well “elf of”

The serpopard is a mythical animal that appears in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian art, captivating the imagination of those who encounter it. The word “serpopard” is a modern term that combines the words “serpent” and “leopard”, reflecting the creature’s unique and fascinating anatomy.

This enigmatic being is often depicted as having the robust body of a leopard, symbolizing strength and agility, while possessing the elongated head and long neck of a serpent, which can evoke a sense of mystery and danger.

Some interpretations suggest that it could also be seen as a “serpent-necked lion”, further illustrating the blending of various animal characteristics that make the serpopard such an intriguing figure in mythology.

In ancient symbology, the serpopard has been interpreted in many ways, serving as a representation of duality and the intertwining of different realms, making it a significant motif in the cultural narratives of these ancient civilizations.

There is no known ancient text that names the creature; however, it appears prominently on a beautifully crafted cylinder seal from Uruk dating back to 3000 BC, a period rich in cultural and artistic development.

Serpopards are used in Silver Bayonet’s “Egypt the Shadow of the Sphinx”, where they are often encountered in chambers beneath the earth, diligently guarding ancient knowledge that has been hidden away for centuries.

These elusive creatures are never found near treasure, which is probably due to their notable weakness to precious metals like gold and silver, rendering such locations less appealing to them.

As vicious predators, they exhibit a chilling intelligence, often toying with their victims by delivering swift doses of poison, allowing them a brief yet deceptive sense of freedom before they ultimately pounce with deadly precision.

This strategic approach to hunting enhances their reputation as formidable foes, striking fear into the hearts of those who venture too close to their lairs, where shadows dance in the flicker of torchlight and the weight of history lingers in the air.

I still have three more to finish off. Another Historia “Royal” Serpopard and two other smaller ones from North Star. These will be completed when I get a “Round Tuit”.

I am sorry for the delay in writing up this battle report, but at least I finally did get there and only six months late!

The oil refineries at Balikpapan

Two were destroyed by the Japanese and stay US bombing (really), limiting the VP’s the Australians could achieve.

Part of the US naval support.

The jungle at the immediate outskirts of Balikpapan.

The jungle was made of of sheets of artificial plants and was scattered across the table.

Japanese artillery on Coke Hill.

The “F – shaped) table. At the top Balikpapan, centre Coke Hill and under the sheet the airport which only those of us who were familiar with the battle guessed. I was to busy pushing the Australians along Milford Highway to get in pics of the Battle at the airfield, which again the Japanese defied history to win.

The swamp beyond Balikpapan

More views of the table.

The Australians hit the beaches at Balikpapan.

Unloading with Matilda support.

Japanese bunkers open fire on the advancing Aussies.

The Matilda destroys one of the bunkers.

The Buffaloes 50 cal machine guns provide withering fire.

More landing craft approach on the far right.

The second wave landing

Japanese counter attack

A unit of Japanese destroyed in a bulding

Advancing along Milford Highway, Matilda tanks with US air support.

Two hours later in game time. The Australians advance along Milford Highway to their objective of Coke Hill.

Japanese try to slow down the advance of the Matildas. This was the largest deployment of Australian armour in the Pacific.

A traffic jam on the road( track) provides a juicy target for Japanese air support. Historically the allies had total air superiority and allowing this was one of the design flaws of the scenario as their strafing caused extensive damage to the Australian advance.

Note the Australian support bulldozer. Two were historically deployed.

The US quickly down the Betty (I think) just south west of the Lipton’s tea plantation.

Australians still advancing at the close of the game far short of their objective of Coke Hill.

The game worked really well and there are only just a few things we will change for the future.

The Japanese air support was one, and allowing the Japanese to deploy wherever the wished meant instead of being strung out along Milford Highway they were able to concentrate at the first bottleneck.

A great game which allowed me to finally see all of my Australians on the table together.