Some might say I have an addiction to collecting secondhand military books, but I prefer to think of it as “loving the smell of musty books in the morning”!
This one should be interesting as it is fiction written in the form of a teenagers diary as an educational tool for mid secondary school students.
I have a lot on the WW2 Australian Commandos, but not much on the British despite having a Bolt Action British Commando army.
Yes despite a large military library I didn’t have Beevor’s D-Day!
A story I am not familiar with
This one could be a bit hit or miss
Ditto
This is the pick of the litter for me and one I am looking forward to reading.
This is the heavy infantry component of the Africa Corpse
Platoon Commander, with “Rift Mastery”, 2 Veteran Guard, all stubborn and fanatics. Total=141pts.
The Dessicated Fox (counts as Heinrich Goss), with medic, 2 bodyguard with assault rifles. Total=274 pts.
Schwertruppen Squad 1, with two LMGs, panzerfaust, all fanatics and stubborn. Total=158 pts. Note: I have costed for six as that is now the minimum unit size. I have ordered one extra LMG for each of these units.
Schwertruppen Squad 2, with two LMGs, panzerfaust, all fanatics and stubborn. Total=158 pts. Note: I have costed for six as that is now the minimum unit size. I have ordered one extra LMG for each of these units.
Schwertruppen Squad 3, with two LMGs, panzerfaust, all fanatics and stubborn. Total=158 pts. Note: I have costed for six as that is now the minimum unit size. I have ordered one extra LMG for each of these units.
Schwertruppen Squad 4, with two LMGs, panzerfaust, all fanatics and stubborn. Total=158 pts. Note: I have costed for six as that is now the minimum unit size. I have ordered one extra LMG for each of these units.
A Heavy Panzerschreck team (top centre) for 112 pts.
PzIV AusfX with Schwere Feldprojektor. Total=306pts
Spinne Light Panzermech front left. Total=162pts
The total points comes in at 1637 which allows me some flexibility.
There are more “funnies” to add depending on how the new lists come out. Currently the download lists allows you to mix anything and everything which I hope is more restricted when/if the list books come out.
I will now need to paint up my desert Sci-Fi buildings!
I picked this one up via a pre-order so that it arrived on the first day of release in Oz (29/8/20250) to play with the Grandkids and the more intelligent wargamer………………oops!
The Battle of Hoth is one of the most iconic and thrilling sequences in the entire Star Wars saga, serving as the dramatic opening to The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It is a pivotal moment that effectively showcases the dire situation of the Rebel Alliance against the overwhelming might of the Galactic Empire.
The battle itself is a ground assault on the Rebel’s secret Echo Base on the frozen planet of Hoth, forced after an Imperial probe droid discovers their location.
Although I haven’t played the game yet I will this Friday with some of those more intelligent wargamers (a bit like the weird Al Yankovic song “A genius in France” isn’t it). I have had a few solo run throughs and it looks great.
Counters and hex terrain
The Core System uses the Command and Colors system, designed by Richard Borg and distributed by “Days of Wonder”. This system is simple to learn but has a surprising amount of tactical depth, driven by playing Command Cards to activate units in specific sections of the board.
The standard Memoir ’44 thick card fold out mat
The game does a great job of recreating the “feel” of the movie, featuring excellent, detailed miniatures for AT-ATs, Snowspeeders, Snowtroopers, and Rebel forces. Production value is a high quality. as you would expecty from a Richard Borg game.
Cards, dice and curved card holders – an upgrade on Memoir ’44,
It is more than just a re-skin of Memoir ’44, where different units on both sides have unique rules, such as the Rebels’ Snowspeeders (fast, but with their special attack against the AT-ATs) and the Imperial AT-ATs (powerful but slow). Iconic characters like Luke, Han, Leia, and Darth Vader can be added, each shuffling unique, powerful cards into a player’s hand, adding variety and some cinematic moments, desired variance, and thematic moments.The campaign mode includes two multi-scenario campaigns where the outcome of one battle affects the starting conditions (like gaining unit upgrades) of the next, providing a richer narrative experience.
Lots of cool figures
It’s a fantastic introductory wargame for younger players or non-gamers, being easy to set up and quick to play (around 30 minutes per scenario), yet still offering enough strategy to engage seasoned gamers.
Scenario 2 in action (1)
It is a lighter version of the Memoir ’44 system with less unit variety and no in-built reasons for units to work together which means it is not a game for those looking for strategic complexity. Which is why I was interested in the first place. After all I need a game where I have a chance of beating the Grandkids!
Scenario 2 in action (2)
Scenario 2 in action (3)
A great introductory game and a must for those families besotted by the Star Wars franchise!
This is the final piece of Konflict 47 German Heavy Infantry Platoon completed “just in time”.
The Panzer IV X operates within a fictional, alternate-history setting where the integration of advanced, esoteric technology—termed “Rift-tech”—with late-World War II military hardware has become a reality.
The tank utilizes the robust and combat-proven Panzer IV H chassis as its foundation, integrating an array of advanced technologies to enhance its battlefield performance. This choice provides immediate context, grounding the fictional design in historical reality, allowing for a seamless blend of past and future.
The Panzer IV H was a workhorse of the German Wehrmacht, known for its reliability and its defensive package, which included Schürzen (spaced armor skirts) designed to prematurely detonate incoming anti-tank rounds, thereby increasing its survivability against a myriad of threats.
The “X” designation signifies an experimental variant, one where the conventional turret has been entirely replaced by a novel mounting system to accommodate the futuristic weapon, offering unprecedented firepower and tactical versatility.
This integration of old and new—the familiar, reliable chassis paired with an alien technology—highlights a critical evolution in armored warfare, with the tank emerging as not just a vehicle but a symbol of innovation amid chaos.
The primary weapon system is the Schwerefeld Projektor, a German term that translates roughly to “heavy field projector.” This is a gravity pulse cannon, and its function is unique in tank warfare. Unlike a traditional high-velocity cannon that relies on kinetic energy or chemical explosives, the Projektor manipulates local physics. It emits a powerful, focused gravity pulse that is designed to generate an immediate, forceful repulsion field.
This system is not engineered for simple destructive capability or piercing thick armor. Instead, its function is purely tactical: to create distance, disrupt enemy formation, and prevent combat engagements at close range. The effect on enemy units is to stagger, repel, or temporarily immobilize them, forcing troops and vehicles out of optimal combat positions and breaking up offensive momentum.
The Panzer IV X is therefore categorized not as a mainline battle tank, but as a dedicated support and area-denial platform. Its in-game application is centered on preventing enemy charges and securing vital objectives.
Defensive Shield: The Panzer IV X excels when positioned to guard a key objective or a weak flank. By leveraging the Schwerefeld Projektor, the tank can maintain an inviolable perimeter, using the gravity pulse to throw back any unit attempting to engage friendly forces in close combat.
Tactical Disruption: It serves as a psychological and physical barrier, forcing opponents to dedicate resources to neutralizing the threat before they can safely advance. The tank’s presence on the battlefield dictates the enemy’s movement, compelling them to bypass its controlled zone or risk having their formation scattered.
In essence, the Panzer IV X is a testament to the versatility of the Panzer IV design, transformed by Rift-tech from a direct combat vehicle into a highly specialized, sophisticated weapon of battlefield management and control.
The trip over was a bit wild and woolly, but it cleared up quickly
Coming in to the pier
The First Nations art gallery was superb
First Nations prisoners and guards. The Governor was terminated because of harsh treatment. A photo outside the Wadjemup prison which was being restored while we were there.
The term “Wadjemup tribe” refers to the Whadjuk Noongar people, the Traditional Owners of Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), who have deep cultural and spiritual connections to the area. “Wadjemup” itself means “the place across the water where the spirits are”. While a spiritual place for the Whadjuk Noongar, Wadjemup also has a sorrowful history as a site of incarceration for many Aboriginal men and boys from across Western Australia between 1838 and 193 (Google Gemini).
The prison chapel which was first used as a school for the boys.
The beaches and the sea colours were amazing.
The island is also well known for its collection of dinosaur fossils (?)
The island has twenty two bars most with excellent beaches, some for swimming and some for surfing.
I picked this one up whilst on holidays at a Freemantle Secondhand bookshop, of which there are three, in the main shopping/restaurant precinct of Market Street.
“Kalumburu War Diary” by Fr. Eugene Perez is a book that presents an edited version (Rosemary Pratt and John Millington) of the daily diary kept by the Benedictine monks of the Kalumburu Mission in Western Australia during World War 2. The book’s real value is as a primary source and the unique perspective it offers on a remote part of Australia during a global conflict.
The book provides a rare, firsthand account of life on the Australian home front, particularly in a remote and isolated location. It chronicles the mission’s experience during the war, including the establishment of an airbase nearby and the tragic Japanese air raid in September 1943 that killed the mission superior and several Indigenous people. The diary offers a meticulous record of the community’s daily life under the difficult conditions of war. It documents everything from air force activities to the mundane details of mission life, such as food supplies, health, and even the hatching of chickens. This shows the resilience and dedication of the monks and the local Indigenous community. The book also provides insights into the relationships between the monks and the local Aboriginal people, touching on the complexities of these interactions as well as the shared experience of surviving the war years.
Overall, “Kalumburu War Diary” is a valuable historical document. It sheds light on the role of remote Australian communities during the war and the impact of the conflict on both military personnel and the local population. For historians, researchers, and anyone interested in Australian wartime history or the history of Indigenous communities, it is a vital and important resource. Its value lies in its authenticity and the detailed picture it paints of a remote community thrust into the front line of a global conflict. It is a work of history, not a narrative, making it a crucial source for understanding a significant but often overlooked chapter of Australian history.
Although an easy read it is literally a diary strung together to provide a readable storyline. Worth it if you can pick it up cheaply.
Unfortunately we only had the best part of a day on Rottnest Island. I would recommend that others at least spend two nights/three days on the island as there is a lot to see. This post is for wargamers and covers the importance of Rottnest Island as part of “Fortress Fremantle” during WW2. It is not well known that the Port of Fremantle was the second largest submarine base in the Pacific during WW2 only to Pearl harbour itself.
During World War II, Rottnest Island changed from a popular holiday spot to an important military base, serving as part of the Fremantle Fortress. From 1940 to 1945, the island was off-limits and staffed by thousands of Australian Army, Navy, and Air Force members. Its role was to protect the important Fremantle port, a key submarine base for Allied forces, from sea attacks.
The gun coverage from Garden Island (still a major Australian Naval Base) on the left, and Rottnest Island on the right was extensive with multiple overlapping arcs of fire.
The island was strategically important due to its strong coastal artillery. The main defense, the Oliver Hill Battery, had two powerful 9.2-inch naval guns, which are the only intact ones of their type in Australia. These guns could hit enemy warships from up to 28 kilometers away, keeping threats far from the mainland. A smaller Bickley Battery with two 6-inch guns protected the channel between Rottnest and Carnac Islands. Supporting this firepower was a network of infrastructure that included a railway for ammunition transport, several searchlight emplacements, and a four-story Battery Observation Post at Signal Ridge, which coordinated gunfire for all batteries in the Fremantle Fortress. All of these facilities were built by the Australian Army Engineers.
Signal point is dominated by the Wadjemup Lighthouse which served its primary function as a lighthouse, while the Signal Station focused on military communication with incoming vessels, but the whole location became a crucial defense point during WWII.
The WRANS House
While island defense was largely a male role, women had an important but often ignored part. The Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) were vital for defense, freeing men to focus on combat, and operated the Port War Signal Station at Signal Ridge, communicating with ships for quick threat responses. Their living quarters, WRANS House, was also located at Signal Ridge and is still in existence today.
The Signal Station operated by the WRANS
The four story Command Centre operated by AWAS
The Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) members tracked enemy ships at the War Signal Station operations tower and also supplied data for the guns from underground rooms at Oliver Hill. This command center coordinated gunfire for all batteries across the Fremantle Fortress.
In the final years of the war, the island transitioned from a military site to a Prisoner of War (POW) hostel, housing Italian POWs who worked on dismantling defenses and restoring tourist facilities, reflecting a shift towards post-war recovery.
Unfortunately I was only able to visit signal hill but there are other important WW2 installations restored and some repurposed.
Kingston Barracks
The Oliver Hill Battery with its two 9.2-inch naval guns
The railway today (above) and during WW2 (below)
Rottnest Island had a railway during World War II for transporting supplies to the Oliver Hill gun battery, which defended Fremantle; it is now the Captain Hussey train offering tours of the preserved military site.
The six inch guns at Bickley battery were decommissioned, but one can bbe seen outside Kingston Barracks, and the other can be found on the mainland at the Leighton Battery on Buckland Hill, Mosman Park, almost directly opposite Bickley Point.
Throughout the Island there are many walking trails where you can uncover many other military defence installations.
As you can see there is much more “important stuff” to see on the island.
Peter FitzSimons’s biography, Nancy Wake: A Biography of Our Greatest War Heroine, is an engaging account of an extraordinary Australian-born agent in the French Resistance during World War II, whose life story continues to inspire generations. Based mainly on FitzSimons’s extensive interviews with Wake, it depicts her as a brave and clever individual, whose quick thinking and resourcefulness allowed her to navigate perilous situations. The book highlights her remarkable courage, detailing her daring missions, and is well-regarded for making a historical topic into an entertaining narrative that has reached a wide audience, demonstrating not only her heroism but also the larger struggle of countless individuals during the war. FitzSimons expertly weaves personal anecdotes with historical context, allowing readers to feel a deep connection to Wake’s character while shedding light on the pivotal role played by female operatives in the resistance movement. This blend of storytelling and factual recounting makes the biography not just an informative read, but also a tribute to a woman whose legacy bravely challenges the norms of her time.
A major strength of the book is FitzSimons’s clear writing style. He uses a simple, journalistic approach that makes the complex history of the French Resistance easy for anyone to understand. The narrative features exciting stories of Wake’s actions, from her role as an intelligence agent and saboteur to her command of many Maquis fighters. FitzSimons effectively shows the significant risks of her work, especially her famous knack for escaping capture by the Gestapo, who called her “The White Mouse.” Readers often mention this engaging storytelling style as what drew them to her story.
However, the book is not without its criticisms. Some reviewers point to FitzSimons’s overly celebratory and at times uncritical tone. This I agree with. His profound admiration for Wake is clear throughout the text, leading some, me included, to feel that the biography lacks a balanced or analytical perspective. The informal, almost “larrikin” style of writing, which is a hallmark of FitzSimons’s work, can also be a point of contention for readers who prefer a more formal or scholarly historical account. I find this unfounded as it is a Biography and like most modern biographies is the authors personal account and not an historical treatise. The focuses more on the heroic legend of Nancy Wake rather than delving into the deeper complexities of her personality and the full context of her post-war life.
Despite these points, Nancy Wake, a number one bestseller, has cemented Nancy Wake’s place as a national hero in Australia and beyond. I liked it.
Rottnest Island, a charming little speck off the coast of Perth in Western Australia, is basically the quokka’s version of a five-star resort. These adorable, cat-sized macropods have turned the island into their personal playground, boasting the largest quokka population on the planet. With an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 quokkas chilling out, this place is like a VIP club for the species. While their mainland relatives are busy dodging habitat loss and uninvited feral cats, Rottnest quokkas are living the dream in a predator-free paradise—just a bunch of happy little folks basking in the sun, with only the occasional snake spoiling the party.
Seeing the quokkas was at the top of our bucket list, right next to “learn to juggle flaming torches” and “become a professional cat whisperer” (because who doesn’t want to talk to cats about their feelings?). We were absolutely buzzing to tick this one off our list before we got sidetracked by our next absurd adventure! Seriously, those adorable little creatures have a talent for making even the grumpiest of curmudgeons crack a smile with their cheeky expressions and seemingly endless enthusiasm for life.
As we approached their habitat, we felt like kids in a candy store, each quokka sighting prompting fits of giggles and spontaneous, awkward photo sessions. With our cameras clicking away and our silly selfies looking like we were auditioning for the lead in “Quokka Gone Wild,” we knew this would be a memory we’d cherish forever, right alongside our dreams of fire-juggling and chatting with felines about their deep existential crises!
The undisputed kings of looking perpetually happy. They live on Rottnest Island, a place that’s essentially a five-star resort for tiny marsupials who’ve figured out the secret to life is just… smiling. Seriously, a quokka’s face is a masterclass in blissful contentment. They look like they just heard a hilarious joke and are trying not to laugh, which is probably about a human trying to get a selfie with them.
These little legends have perfected the “I’m with stupid” shirt, but instead of a shirt, it’s just them standing next to a human trying to get the perfect photo. They don’t have to work out, they don’t have to pay rent, and their biggest daily challenge is probably choosing which blade of grass to chew on. Their entire existence is one long, beautiful vacation, and frankly, we’re all a little jealous.
They’re so chill, they’ve convinced everyone they’re harmless, fluffy potatoes. But don’t be fooled. They’ve got a bite force strong enough to chew through tough plant matter, so they’re basically a fluffy, smiling ninja. Still, they’d probably prefer to use their powers for good—like holding a tiny press conference to announce their new health insurance endorsement deal.
So, when you see a quokka, remember who’s really in charge. They’re the ones with the perfect lighting, the charming good looks, and the easy-going attitude. You, on the other hand, are the awkward tourist who just stumbled upon a natural-born supermodel. Just accept your role, snap the picture, and bow to your new, fuzzy overlord.
The tourist village hangout is not just a pit stop for travelers; it’s like the grand stage of a quirky production starring local culture and community tales. Quokkas aren’t merely hanging out—they’re channeling their inner wilderness warriors in the “bush,” where Wi-Fi is as rare as a unicorn sighting, giving you a taste of their offbeat lifestyle. With nature throwing shade and wildlife critiquing their every move, these little guys hold onto their traditions like they’re auditioning for a reality show titled “Survival of the Cutest!”
