Well, I haven’t played this in years and when Jason suggested a game I jumped at it.
I had two squads of Space marine terminators, Squad Caristo and Squad Ticino , each consisting of a sergeant, one Space Marine armed with a flamer and three Space Marines armed with storm bolters. I am amazed at how quickly the “jargon” returns.
The floor of the Space Hulk
To win I needed to cleanse two rooms being used as “Gene Banks” in order to protect the Chapters gene-seed. Failing to cleanse the rooms was a win the the Genestealers.
As soon as the Terminators board they are set upon by Genestealers.
A slow and steady advance has seen a couple of Terminators and loads of “stealers meet their maker.
Gradually whittling the “stealers down, and at last some of the captured Marines “purged” (top center)
All captured Marines purged with own two terminators left. A near run thing for the Emperor’s finest!
Antony Beevor’s D-Day: The Battle for Normandy is a highly regarded historical book that has faced some criticism, especially from academic military historians who often prioritize tactical analyses over narrative style. Its main strength lies in its engaging storytelling, which captivates a wide audience beyond just scholars. Beevor skillfully combines the overarching strategies of the campaign—from the decisive and often contentious decisions made by leaders like Eisenhower and Montgomery to Hitler’s increasingly frantic commands as the situation deteriorated—with detailed and poignant stories of soldiers and civilians caught in the turmoil. By using various archival sources, including both German and French perspectives, he reveals the often-ignored human cost of the conflict. This includes, in particular, the devastating impact on French civilians due to extensive Allied bombings, which destroyed homes and lives. His narrative style, rich in personal accounts and vivid imagery, transforms the complex Battle for Normandy into an impactful human story that reminds readers of the countless individual sacrifices made amidst the great historical events. In doing so, Beevor provides not just a chronicle of military actions but a profound exploration of shared human experiences during one of the most critical moments in history.
However, Beevor’s focus on storytelling and “human drama” detracts from the factual accuracy of historical events. For instance, his military analysis and views on key commanders, can be at times oversimplified or biased. His controversial opinions on British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, where he suggests that the British command was “sluggish,” and contributed to the Germans escaping from the Falaise Pocket are suggested by some to be a negative bias. While his detailed look at inter-Allied tensions is certainly helpful for understanding the dynamics of the war, I believe that Beevor, has overlooked a deeper analysis of the complex military and logistical issues inherent in the campaign. This lack of depth means that certain critical factors, such as supply chain difficulties and battlefield communication failures, which other, more scholarly works address with greater thoroughness, may not receive the attention they deserve. Consequently, while Beevor’s work is widely read and lauded for its readability, it prompts an essential conversation about the balance between storytelling and rigorous historical scholarship in the field of military history.
Furthermore, a common critique I have of Beevor’s work, including this one, is that while he effectively summarizes a significant amount of material and makes the story engaging for general readers, he doesn’t always provide new insights into existing knowledge. His narrative style may captivate readers and draws them into the historical events, the depth of analysis at times lacking. This is in stark contrast to his earlier work, Stalingrad, which was innovative in its use of new Soviet sources that offered fresh perspectives on the battle, but the D-Day book, despite its broad coverage and detailed accounts, does not significantly alter our understanding of the battle’s strategic outcomes or its ramifications in the larger context of World War II.
As I said this raises an interesting point about the balance between storytelling and scholarly rigor in historical writing. Despite these scholarly discussions and debates within the academic community, the book’s enduring popularity is strongly supported by its unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities of the longest and fiercest battle in the Western European campaign, which resonates with readers seeking to understand not just the events, but the human experience behind them. This connection to the reader is, in many ways, what solidifies Beevor’s place in the realm of accessible military history.
It is a good read but if you are looking at a detailed history then you might want to look elsewhere such as:
Overlord: D Day and the Battle of Normandyby Max Hastings: A comprehensive look at the battle, available in several editions.
Normandy ’44: D-Day and the Battle for Franceby James Holland: Combines the grand strategy with the personal experiences of those involved.
Cross-Channel Attackby Gordon A. Harrison: An official history from the U.S. Army’s series on World War II, providing an authoritative military account.
D-Day minute by minuteby Jonathan Mayo: A detailed timeline of the events of June 6, 1944.
Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spiesby Ben MacIntyre: Focuses on the crucial intelligence and deception operations that preceded the invasion.
Bletchley Park and D-Day: the untold story of how the battle for Normandy was wonby David Kenyon: Explores the critical role of codebreaking.
Forgotten: the untold story of D-Day’s Black heroesby Linda Hervieux: Highlights the contributions of African American soldiers.
A breath of freedom: the civil rights struggle, African American GIs, and Germanyby Maria Höhn and Martin Klimke: Examines the experiences of African American soldiers in the aftermath of D-Day.
The cruel victory: the French Resistance, D-Day and the battle for the Vercors 1944by Paddy Ashdown: Focuses on the French Resistance during the invasion.
D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War IIby Stephen E. Ambrose: An influential book that draws heavily on interviews with veterans.
Crusade in Europeby Dwight D. Eisenhower: A memoir from the Supreme Allied Commander that offers a firsthand perspective.
I am glad to have finally read, or rather skimmed through this, and what I read it was a good read but one I probably will not pick up again. I was looking forward to more than I received, which I know says more about my expectations rather than Beevor’s broader readership and appeal.
These have been around for so long that I am glad to have them of the painting table.
Australian forces had a key role in the North African Campaign during World War II, mainly fighting against Italian and German forces from 1940 to 1942. They were involved in three important stages: the first attack on the Italians, the famous siege of Tobruk, and the crucial battle at El Alamein.
The 6th Australian Division of the 2nd AIF engaged in combat during Operation Compass (December 1940 – February 1941), achieving a significant victory at Bardia, Libya, where they captured over 40,000 prisoners. This success highlighted the capability of Australian soldiers, who also captured Tobruk and advanced to Benghazi, defeating the Italian Tenth Army in Cyrenaica.
During the Siege of Tobruk (April–December 1941), the Australian forces, specifically the 9th Australian Division and a brigade from the 7th Division, successfully defended the port against the German Afrika Korps led by General Erwin Rommel for 242 days. They disrupted Rommel’s supply lines and earned the nickname “Rats of Tobruk,” which they proudly adopted. This defense was a significant early psychological victory for the Allies.
The key Australian contribution occurred during the crucial battles at El Alamein in Egypt in 1942. The 9th Australian Division played a vital role in stopping the Axis advance during the First Battle of El Alamein (July 1942) by attacking the northern flank at Tel el Eisa, preventing a German breakthrough toward the Suez Canal. In the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein (October–November 1942), the 9th Division was tasked with continuous assaults in the northern sector. This intense fighting diverted most of the German armored reserves from the main Allied attack in the south, strategically creating a gap for a key British breakthrough. Although costly, this maneuver helped secure Allied victory and led to the removal of all Axis forces from North Africa.
They are a mixture of Airfix Australians, British, and Gurkhas, but all seem to fit in well.
Robert O’Neill’s memoir, The Operator: Firing the Shots that Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior, is a high-octane, unvarnished look into the demanding, high-stakes world of elite U.S. Navy SEALs. While the book is inevitably framed by the 2011 raid on Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden—an event O’Neill claims culminated in his three famous shots—it is truly the story of a two-decade evolution from a Montana kid to one of the world’s most decorated and lethal special warfare operators.
The story starts in Butte, Montana, where O’Neill grows up and makes the spontaneous choice to join the Navy. This part helps the reader see the “ordinary guy” behind his famous reputation. He then describes the tough training he went through. Instead of just talking about the physical pain, O’Neill emphasizes the mental strength and the “black humor” needed to succeed in the SEAL community.
The book focuses on O’Neill’s time with SEAL Team Six, officially known as the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). He shares his experiences from over 400 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, including significant operations like Operation Anaconda. O’Neill recounts noteworthy missions that have become famous in modern military history, such as the rescue attempt of Marcus Luttrell (the story behind Lone Survivor) and the successful rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates in 2009.
O’Neill’s writing style is direct, clear, and fast-paced, mirroring the operational tempo of a Tier One unit. He excels at placing the reader inside the immediate, chaotic environments of close-quarters combat (CQC). He vividly describes the lethal efficiency and evolving tactics his team employed, emphasizing the extraordinary trust and brotherhood forged between men who routinely face death together.
However, the book’s central theme shifts in the final section, focusing on Operation Neptune Spear. O’Neill’s description of the raid is intimate and harrowing, providing a moment-by-moment account of breaching the compound and locating bin Laden. This section addresses the massive controversy surrounding O’Neill’s decision to publicly identify himself as the shooter, a clear break from the “quiet professional” ethos of the special operations community. In addressing this fallout, the book becomes not just a combat memoir, but a reflection on the personal toll of service, the quest for meaning, and the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life after experiencing history-altering events.
The Operator is a must-read for anyone interested in modern special operations warfare – I am not. While some may think the intense combat descriptions are too much or question the author’s choices after service, the book provides a unique view on Middle Eastern conflicts.
On the posiive side it powerfully highlights the dedication, sacrifice, and complex humanity of the elite warriors who take on the most dangerous missions.
The book is not without its controversy with many of the team disputing the facts and if indeed he was the one who fired the fatal shot. Most team members say the operation was a team effort and individuals should not be singled out.
The Second Grenadier Division (Steyrer) was a part of the Austrian Imperial-Royal Army’s elite Grenadier Corps during the 1809 campaign against Napoleon’s Grande Armée. It was led by Colonel Franz Steyrer.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the Austrian army, in a practice similar to that of other European armies, would detach the grenadier companies from its regular line infantry regiments to form provisional, elite battalions. These battalions were then grouped into brigades and divisions, creating a powerful reserve force known as the Grenadier Corps. In 1809, this corps was organized into two divisions, with the Second Division being led by Lieutenant-General Prochaszka. The Second Grenadier Brigade, commanded by Colonel Steyrer, was a key component of this division. The brigade’s strength and composition would fluctuate, but sources indicate it included several battalions, such as the Demontant, Hahn, Legrand, and Hohenlohe Grenadier Battalions.
The purpose of these units was to serve as the army’s shock troops, used to lead critical assaults or plug gaps in the line during a crisis. Their role was especially prominent during the major battles of the 1809 campaign.
Colonel Franz Steyrer, the brigade’s commander, was a seasoned and respected officer. While detailed information about his early career is scarce, his command of the Second Grenadier Brigade places him in a critical leadership role during the 1809 war, a major conflict that saw the Austrians fight Napoleon’s forces to a near-stalemate. The brigade’s actions were particularly notable at the Battle of Aspern-Essling on May 21–22, 1809.
Colonel Franz Steyrer
During this battle, the Grenadier Corps, including Steyrer’s brigade, was a pivotal element of the Austrian reserve. Their disciplined attacks and tenacious defense of the key villages, particularly Essling, were crucial to the Austrian victory. The battle was a strategic masterpiece for the Austrian commander, Archduke Charles, as it inflicted Napoleon’s first major battlefield defeat in over a decade. The bravery and effectiveness of the grenadier units, like those under Steyrer, were widely acknowledged by both sides.
Following Aspern-Essling, the Grenadier Corps again saw heavy fighting at the Battle of Wagram in July 1809, where they continued to demonstrate their elite status. These campaigns cemented Colonel Steyrer’s reputation as a capable commander of elite infantry in one of the most significant conflicts of the Napoleonic Wars.
Legrand Grenadier Battalion
This unit was not commanded by a man named Legrand, but rather Major Peccaduc (or Picot de Peccaduc). The battalion was comprised of grenadier companies from three different Austrian infantry regiments:
Regiment No. 9 (Czartoryski)
Regiment No. 55 (Reuss-Greiz)
Regiment No. 56 (Wenzel Colloredo)
Hahn/Habinay Grenadier Unit
The battalion was named after its commanders, Major Hahn and later Major Habinay .Component Regiments: The Hahn/Habinay Grenadier Battalion was composed of grenadier companies from three specific Hungarian regiments:
Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 2 (IR Nr. 2) “Hiller”
Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 33 (IR Nr. 33) “Sztarray”
Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 39 (IR Nr. 39) “Duka”
“Hungarian” Battalion: Because all its constituent regiments were Hungarian, the battalion was considered a “Hungarian” grenadier battalion. This meant the troops wore distinct sky-blue trousers instead of the white ones worn by “German” grenadiers.
Hohenloe/Hromada Grenadier Battalion (1809)
In 1809, the unit was active in the campaign during the Austrian army’s retreat through Bavaria and distinguished itself at the Battle of Aspern-Essling, where they contributed to Napoleon’s first major defeat in over a decade. After the battle, their leader was promoted, and the unit was renamed the Hromada Grenadier Battalion. They also fought well at the Battle of Wagram and the Battle of Znaim, earning respect for their bravery.
Major-Oberstleutnant Gustav Prinz von Hohenlohe-Langenburg, born in 1777, was a commander in the Austrian army after starting his career in the Dutch army. He fought in key battles like Hohenlinden and Ulm and gained recognition as a grenadier commander in 1809. He was promoted after the victory at Aspern-Essling but then was promoted and lost direct command. He served in the 1813 campaign, was wounded at Dresden, and marched into Paris after Napoleon’s defeat. He received many honors and wrote military treatises and memoirs.
Demontant Grenadier Battalion
The Demontant Grenadier Battalion
The Demontant Grenadier Battalion was named after its commanding officer, Oberstleutnant Ludwig Demontant. It was formed from grenadier companies from three specific “German” line infantry regiments:
Infantry Regiment No. 7 “Carl Schroder”
Infantry Regiment No. 18 “Stuart”
Infantry Regiment No. 21 “Rohan”
The battalion also saw significant action throughout the 1809 campaign. It was heavily engaged at the Battle of Aspern-Essling (May 21-22, 1809), where the Austrian army inflicted a major defeat on Napoleon. The grenadier battalions, including the Demontant battalion, played a crucial role in holding the key villages and preventing the French from crossing the Danube River in force.
While detailed biographical information on Ludwig Demontant is limited, his command of an elite grenadier battalion in 1809 speaks to his experience and competence as an officer.The fact that the battalion bore his name throughout the crucial 1809 campaign, and particularly during the pivotal victory at Aspern-Essling, highlights his leadership in one of the most important engagements of the war.
Commandos: The Inside Story of Britain’s Most Elite Fighting Force by John Parker offers a compelling and comprehensive historical deep dive into one of Britain’s most legendary military institutions. As a key installment in Parker’s acclaimed series on British military units, the book chronicles the Commandos from their audacious inception in 1940. Formed from volunteers across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Commandos were, in essence, Britain’s original special forces—a direct and daring response to the early German successes in World War II.
Parker’s narrative strength lies in his use of primary sources, vividly bringing the history to life through the raw, unfiltered words of the men who were there. This commitment to firsthand accounts transforms the book from a standard military chronicle into a series of intimate, often shocking, testimonies. The author meticulously details the extreme psychological and physical demands of their training, emphasizing the unique, unrelenting ethos required to earn and wear the coveted Green Beret. This intense focus on the individual soldier’s experience grounds the broader military history in human reality, resulting in what the book describes as “bloody, fearful, and controversial accounts.”
The book meticulously charts the Commandos’ role in global conflicts across six decades. It begins with the pivotal, small-scale raids of World War II—operations so successful and disruptive that they prompted Adolf Hitler’s infamous “Commando Order” for the summary execution of captured Commando personnel. Following the war, Parker covers their transition into the Royal Marines Commandos, detailing their evolution into a highly versatile, “ready-to-go” brigade deployed at a moment’s notice to virtually every major crisis involving British troops globally. This extensive scope makes the book an invaluable resource for military history enthusiasts, providing not just a chronology, but a visceral and dramatic appreciation for the courage and impact of these elite fighting men.
I have to admit that I treated this book as a history reference and only picked out the bits that I was interested in. Easy to read and well referenced this is ideal as a history read or a reference book. Glad I have it in the collection
The Bow Street Runners are known as London’s first professional police force, representing a shift from the old system of parish constables and private “thief-takers.” Established around 1749 by novelist and magistrate Henry Fielding at the Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in Westminster, their goal was to create a small, honest group of constables—originally six men—who would serve warrants, catch criminals, and investigate crimes fairly, unlike the self-serving thief-takers. This initial group, called “Mr. Fielding’s People,” later became known as the “Runners” due to their swift pursuit of criminals throughout London and beyond.
Following Henry Fielding’s death in 1754, his blind half-brother, Sir John Fielding, took charge as Chief Magistrate until 1780 and led the development of the force. He helped professionalize and expand the Runners, obtaining early government funding, making it the first publicly funded law enforcement in Britain.
Sir John set up London’s first basic criminal intelligence system, employing clerks to record witness statements and information about suspects and stolen property, which he shared with the public through publications like The Quarterly Pursuit. He introduced uniformed Foot Patrols and later Horse Patrols to tackle highway robbery outside the city, promoting the important idea of crime prevention through visible patrols.
The innovative methods and structures introduced by the Bow Street Runners laid the indispensable foundation for modern British policing and have since been recognized as revolutionary in the context of law enforcement. They established the principles of official training, state-backed pay, and the importance of dedicated criminal investigation alongside the systematic collection of criminal data, which was a novel approach at the time.
Though they never grew into a large-scale force—peaking at around 68 personnel—they were remarkably effective, and their successful operations, including the dramatic foiling of the 1820 Cato Street Conspiracy, demonstrated the profound impact of organized law enforcement on public safety and order. The Runners not only worked tirelessly to bring criminals to justice but also earned the respect of the communities they served, establishing a trust that is crucial for any effective police force.
They continued their vital work, adapting to the challenges of their time, until they were ultimately superseded by the much larger, centralized, and uniformed Metropolitan Police Force (the “Bobbies” or “Peelers”), which was established by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 as a response to the growing needs of an urbanized society.
The Bow Street Runners were officially disbanded and their personnel absorbed into the Metropolitan Police in 1839, marking the end of an era; however, their legacy as the pioneers of the professional police detective endures, serving as a reminder of the importance of integrity, professionalism, and community engagement in policing practices that still resonate in modern law enforcement today.
Whilst not wonderful Silver bayonet characters their back story makes at least one a must inclusion.
From the suffocating embrace of Corrupt, a town that exhales toxic fumes and bleeds industrial waste, emerges Scrubs, a medic whose very existence is a testament to survival, and now, a covert operative.
Her skin, an unnerving yet captivating shade of iridescent blue-green, isn’t a fashion statement; it’s a permanent, vibrant tattoo of the pollutants that infused her cellular structure from birth. It’s a constant, visible reminder of the environmental blight she combats daily, a grim badge of honor in a world that has forgotten what clean air feels like.
Scrubs is a study in muted intensity, yet beneath her hardened exterior, she is surprisingly emotional. Her frame is lean and wiry, honed by necessity and the constant strain of her work, moving with a practiced, economical grace that belies the brutal efficiency she brings to her new role. Her close-cropped, pink hair frames a face that rarely relaxes, her eyes, often shadowed, holding a determined and resilient gaze that misses nothing.
However, a flicker of raw frustration, or a flash of deep empathy, can easily cross her features, betraying the fierce currents beneath her composure. She wears practical, often patched-up utilitarian gear – durable fabrics, reinforced seams, and pockets stuffed with sterile implements and salvaged tech, now augmented with concealed comms and quick-access combat medical supplies.
Her attire is designed not for style, but for function and survival in Corrupt’s harsh, unforgiving landscape, and the dangerous operations she undertakes. Lines of chronic fatigue are etched around her mouth, but they’re overshadowed by an unyielding willpower that fuels her every action.
Born into the decay, Scrubs understood the rhythm of sickness before she understood the rhythm of health. Her medical knowledge isn’t from sterile academies; it’s a brutal education in the field, learned from trial and error, desperation, and an innate drive to alleviate suffering.
She’s seen every kind of mutation, every degenerative disease, every wound inflicted by a world actively trying to kill its inhabitants. Her hands, though tinged with the same unnatural hue as her skin, are surprisingly gentle and deft, capable of precise surgical work or the rapid application of a tourniquet under duress.
Initially a lone wolf, preferring the quiet focus of her makeshift clinic – often a dimly lit, repurposed shipping container – to the chaotic company of others, Scrubs has been drawn into something larger. She is now an invaluable part of a direct action unit designed to bring down evil cartels. Her unique medical skills, her intimate knowledge of Corrupt’s underbelly, and her sheer resilience make her indispensable.
In a raid, she’s the one who stabilizes a gunshot victim in a darkened alley, extracts poison from a hostage, or silences a tripping alarm with a precise, medically-inspired incision. Her medical expertise is her weapon, allowing the force to push further, knowing she can mitigate the consequences of their brutal fights. But not her only weapon. Combat has forced her to be able to defend herself, with her trusty assault rifle and a chainsaw her weapons of choice.
This transition hasn’t softened her. Her solitude isn’t just a preference; it’s a necessity, partly because her short temper often flares without warning. Faced with incompetence, gross negligence, or the chilling cruelty of the cartels, her carefully constructed patience can shatter, leading to sharp words and an intensity that can unnerve even hardened operatives.
She’s quick to snap when under extreme pressure, a coping mechanism born from endless crises, the constant grind of saving lives, and the brutal reality of actively fighting an entrenched enemy.
This volatile emotional core, combined with her deep-seated need for connection in a lonely world, makes her prone to poor love life decisions. The high stakes of her new life, the intense bonds forged in battle, often blur the lines between camaraderie and deeper, more complicated feelings. She might fall too hard, too fast, for a fellow operative, or someone she rescues, mistaking the adrenaline-fueled intimacy of shared danger for lasting affection.
Her relationships are often brief, intense, and inevitably combust, leaving her more jaded but no less yearning for that elusive bond, even as she dives headfirst into the next dangerous mission. Her commitment to the force is absolute, a way to channel her fury and her pain into a purposeful fight against the very corruption that poisoned her.
The complete “gang”
The five operatives left to right “Scrubs”, “Astra“, “Rift”, “Glitch” and “Blur“.
Now that I have the Jaeger finished it is time to complete the Grenadier Battalions. Fortunately I have the eight battalions of the Second Division completed as part of the first army I ever painted back in the hmmmmm……….70’s. They are only a basic paint job compared to what is expected today, but they were unique at the time because I had the audacity to paint them with a dirty brown dry brush rather than the pristine white everyone expected. They are still in gloss finish, and I will continue that tradition.
The trick is to try and match these as best I can when painting the new ones. I think if I just close my eyes and wave the brush around it should work a treat!
As they were my first army I still love them and will not repaint them. Anyway here is the First Grenadier Brigade (Murray) of the Second Grenadier Division:
Ignaz Graf von Murray was an Austrian officer known for his military service under notable field marshals. He was wounded at the siege of Belgrade during the Austro-Turkish War and received the Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa for his bravery.
After his military service, von Murray held significant staff and command roles, including aide-de-camp to the Emperor in 1789. He was Chief of the Quartermaster General Staff for various armies and was promoted to Generalmajor in 1794, though he faced challenges due to the complexity of his strategic plans.
Von Murray held key command roles in various conflicts, leading forces in battles like Cività Castellana and Günzburg. He also served as Director-General of River-Navigation from 1773 to 1801 and was promoted to Feldmarschalleutnant in 1801, remaining an important figure in the Austrian military during the Napoleonic Wars.
In 1809, the Austrian army’s grenadier battalions were an elite, semi-permanent force. They were organized into brigades and divisions, forming the “Grenadier Corps” or II Reserve Corps. Here’s a breakdown of the 1st Grenadier Brigade and its place within the 2nd Division:
The 1st Grenadier Brigade under Murray consisted of the following grenadier battalions, which were named after their commanders:
Leiningen Grenadier Battalion
Portner Grenadier Battalion
Georgy Grenadier Battalion
Wieniawsky Grenadier Battalion
Georgy Grenadier Battalion
The Georgy Grenadier Battalion was a temporary unit of the Austrian Imperial-Royal Army formed for the 1809 campaign against Napoleon. It consisted of elite grenadier companies from different regiments and was one of 21 such battalions created for the conflict, organized by the soldiers’ recruitment origins. Named after its commander, Major Georgy, it was likely a “German” battalion.
This elite battalion significantly contributed to the 1809 campaign, especially at the Battle of Abensberg and the Battle of Wagram, where they were recognized for their bravery and tactical discipline. While specific actions of the Georgy battalion are unclear, its involvement in these key battles highlights its importance to the Austrian war effort.
Leningen Grenadier Battalion
The Leiningen Grenadier Battalion was an elite, temporary unit in the Austrian army’s Grenadier Corps during the 1809 War of the Fifth Coalition, formed from grenadier companies of various infantry regiments and named after its commander, Oberstlieutenant Leiningen. It consisted of soldiers mostly from Bohemia, classified as a “German” unit, distinguished by their white trousers.
The Leiningen battalion, part of the Grenadier Corps under Prince Johann I Joseph of Liechtenstein, served as a strategic reserve for the Austrian army, engaging in critical battle moments. Their elite status led them to intense fighting, notably at the Battle of Aspern-Essling in May 1809, where their disciplined actions played a key role in delivering Napoleon his first major defeat.
The battalion participated in the Battle of Wagram in July 1809, where the Grenadier Corps was reserves but later tasked with covering the army’s retreat as the Austrian line collapsed. The Leiningen battalion conducted a disciplined withdrawal under French pressure, preventing a complete rout. After the campaign, the battalions were dissolved, and the grenadier companies returned to their original regiments, ending the Leiningen Grenadier Battalion’s short but notable history.
Portner Grenadier Battalion
The Portner Grenadier Battalion was a temporary elite unit of the Austrian army during the 1809 Napoleonic Wars, formed from grenadier companies of various infantry regiments and serving as shock troops, often reserved for critical moments in battle.
The Portner Battalion, named after Major Portner, was comprised of grenadier companies from Infantry Regiments No. 40, No. 44, and No. 46, each maintaining their original uniforms’ distinct facing colors, creating a colorful appearance. These battalions were part of larger brigades and, in 1809, contributed to the Reserve Corps led by the Prince of Liechtenstein, a key component of the Austrian army.
The Portner Grenadier Battalion was an elite unit that saw significant combat in the 1809 campaign, participating in key battles such as Aspern-Essling in May and the decisive Battle of Wagram in July, demonstrating its crucial role against Napoleon’s forces.
Weiniawsky Grenadier Battalion
The Wieniawsky Grenadier Battalion was a temporary unit of the Austrian Imperial-Royal Army formed during the 1809 War of the Fifth Coalition by merging grenadier companies from various infantry regiments. Named after its first commander, Major Wieniawsky, this battalion was part of the army’s Reserve Corps, serving as a shock force. After the Battle of Wagram, command transferred to Major Johann von Frisch, leading to its renaming as the “Frisch Grenadier Battalion.”
The battalion was formed from the grenadier companies of IR Nro. 10 Mittrowsky, IR Nro. 11 Erzherzog Rainer, and IR Nro. 47 Vogelsang, highlighting the strategic importance of cohesive grenadier formations that enabled the Austrian command to concentrate their best troops at critical battlefield points.
The Wieniawsky Grenadier Battalion, part of the Austrian Reserve Corps, played a vital role in the 1809 campaign, notably at the Battle of Aspern-Essling, where they contributed to Napoleon’s first major defeat, and at the Battle of Wagram, fighting bravely against French forces, ultimately establishing their reputation as elite soldiers in the Austrian army during the Napoleonic Wars.
Generalmajor Ignaz Graf von Murray
Second Grenadier Division supply train
Note the supply wagon. The rules we were using, lost in the mists of Guru’s brain, before WRG Napoleonics (remember them) required a supply wagon nearby in case your supply roll meant you ran out of ammunition.
The fictional book by JNP Goopy, The Battle for Brisbane: The Hidden US/Australian Conflict of WWII, is a new entry in historical crime fiction, based on a little-known yet dramatic real event. Released in late 2023, the novel does more than tell the story of the November 1942 riots between Australian and American servicemen. It turns the historical tension—caused by issues like pay differences, competition for women, and resentment towards US military police—into a gripping conspiracy thriller.
The core premise of the novel centres on the immediate aftermath of the violent, two-night street battle in Brisbane, which left one Australian soldier dead and scores injured. Recognizing that the alliance with the United States is in immediate jeopardy—at a time when the Japanese threat looms large on the Australian frontier—the respective Australian and US commands form a small, diverse investigative team. This group is given a matter of days to address the unrest and prevent the full-blown collapse of the Allied partnership.
JNP Goopy’s story creates suspense and intrigue around historical events, showing that the riots were not just random outbursts but signs of a deeper issue. Investigators must quickly unravel a complex plot of deceit, drugs, and fanaticism threatening the Allied military. Early community reviews highlight the book’s fast pacing and its effective portrayal of an important part of Australian history. The authentic Australian language adds realism to the fictional military investigation. Readers interested in World War II, military thrillers, and Queensland history will be drawn to it.
Goopy includes Opus Dei, a Catholic organization founded in 1928 by St. Josemaría Escrivá. Known for its conservative views and primarily made up of married laypeople, Opus Dei emphasizes that everyday work can connect individuals to God. The organization has been criticized for its secrecy, recruitment methods targeting youth, strict spiritual practices, and physical mortification among its celibate members.
Opus Dei’s involvement in the US Military Police and the plot is completely unfounded. While some individual members of Opus Dei might have been in the US armed forces, there was no official presence of the organization in Australia until 1963.
The riot was censored, and while it was reported, there was no mention of allied forces involved.
Like all good fiction, there are elements of truth in the story. In 1942, illegal alcohol and cocaine were available in Australia, often through underworld figures like Kate Leigh, who ran illegal businesses in cities like Sydney. There is no specific record of a “mix” or “combo,” but both were sold by the same people. Leigh, known as the “Snow Queen,” supplied illegal alcohol and cocaine during the early twentieth century. The papers of the day highlight the “sly grog” problem, but there is no evidence of any involvement of it in the fight.
The “real” Battle of Brisbane was a two-night riot that occurred in the streets of Brisbane on November 26 and 27, 1942, between United States military personnel and their supposed allies, Australian servicemen and civilians. This event, while not a military battle against an enemy, was a violent clash that exposed deep-seated tensions in the relationship between the two nations during World War II. It remains one of the most serious examples of friction between Allied forces during the conflict.
Many factors contributed to the outbreak of violence. First, there was anger over the difference in living standards and pay; American soldiers earned much more than Australian soldiers and had better access to luxury items like nylon stockings and chocolates, which were hard to find in wartime Australia. The phrase “overpaid, overfed, oversexed, and over here“, attributed to British comedian Tommy Trinder, captured the perceived arrogance of American troops.
Secondly, this economic gap created strong social competition, especially among local women. American soldiers, with greater spending ability and seen as more appealing, attracted more Australian women, causing jealousy among local servicemen. The real cause of the riot, however, stemmed from anger toward the US Military Police (MPs). Australian servicemen viewed the American MPs as too aggressive and unfair in their authority, unlike the more subdued Australian military police. The impact of over 1 million US servicemen in a country with just over 7 million total population cannot be underestimated.
The “Battle of Brisbane” riot started on the night of November 26, 1942, when a scuffle broke out at an American canteen after Australian soldiers intervened in a US Military Police (MP) action against an American private. This quickly escalated into a mass brawl involving thousands of soldiers, centered on the American Post Exchange. The violence turned deadly when US MP Private Norbert Grant fired a riot gun, and a ricocheting bullet killed Australian Gunner Edward S. Webster and wounded several others. Clashes continued on November 27, with Australian soldiers aggressively hunting American GIs, before order was finally restored by Australian provosts taking an aggressive stance and US Military Police keeping a low profile.
By the time the violence subsided, one Australian soldier was dead, and hundreds of servicemen from both sides were injured. The true extent of the unrest was immediately suppressed by wartime censorship in Australia and effectively ignored in the United States, as neither government wanted to publicize a fight between Allies. Today, the Battle of Brisbane is a key incident in Australian wartime history. It serves as a potent symbol of the social, economic, and cultural stresses placed on the host nation by the overwhelming American presence, challenging the simplified historical narrative of a perfectly harmonious alliance against the threat of Japan.
I can see a wargame scenario here!
The book is a great “yarn” accurately portraying life in war time Australian. Whilst it will never when a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction it is worth picking up.
