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Blockhouse 451background This is an alternate history setting that I've created, often described as Border reivers but in the eighties. It basically goes on the idea that England and Scotland were never united so the border wars continued into modern times, thus creating lots of factions and reasons for skirmish gaming. A lot of the world is undocumented So I don't have to worry about who took part in what wars and wether they won or not, all that is assumed is that the military tech of the eighties from the real world is available and has somehow made it to the Anglo-Scots border. Most of the factions have been created so I can justify painting various vehicles and figures the rest are just excuses for bad puns. History is assumed to be the same up to the point of the glorious revolution in 1688, the divergance is that Scotland doesn't accept William as king and therefore James travels there after defeat in Ireland hoping to eventually retake the rest of Britain. A number of attempted invasions by both sides eventually results in the 1745 campaign which though a bloody stalemate results in a treaty that while providing a peaceful settlement removes any chance of union between the two kingdoms. Since then the Border marches have become calmer but are still dangerous places too live and most people in the area have several weapons around, just in case the 'neighbours' come around unexpectadly.  The English Border regiment Consisting of two regular battalions (1st & 2nd) and one territorial battalion (4th). The territorials are responsible for most of the border defence duties such as observation and patrolling while the regulars have one battalion deployed as needed by the army and the other deployed in Cumberland and westmorland to provide back up to the territorials if needed. Cumberland and Westmorland Yeomanry This is a mixed terriotorial unit that consists of two armour squadrons (one a recce unit equipped with the scorpion CVR(T) family and the other a heavy squadron equipped with Chieftain MBT's) and a light gun battery (equipped with L118 105mm gun). The yeomanry provide a heavy element for the Borderers if needed to counter incursions without having to wait for units to be deployed from Catterick garrison. Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary Not only do they have to Police the locals but they're responsible for controlling the movements of people and goods over the border and must also provide officers to accompany army patrols and operate small detachments at military establishments as the soldiers have limited powers to detain/arrest suspects. Royal navy The third in-shore squadron despite it's name patrols the whole of the Irish sea using small patrol craft and minesweepers, they also have a number of landing craft to put ashore marines and armed sailors as the situation requires it. To help them when operating on land out of range of support they have a monitor class craft to provide a bombardment capability. The Scottish Kings own Scottish borderers The local Scottish regiment on the border, they have been kept occupied with the uprising in Jedburgh and so many locals are taking the oppourtunity to indulge in a bit of feuding and borrowing of livestock, as is traditional in the borders. The Scots military uses a lot of French equipment due to the auld alliance and so forth, plus it makes them look distinctive from the English. Peoples Front of Jedburgh The only reason Jedburgh was chosen for the uprising was it sounds similar to Judea and Life of Brian was on tv. The uprising is communist in nature, but only so there's an excuse to use warsaw pact gear aswell as bad puns. As far as I know Jedburgh does not currently want to leave the United Kingdom or Scotland. Berwick security force Berwick has reverted to it's traditional status on the border of not being either of Scotland nor England, it's run similar to how city states were on the european mainland in the past. Being stuck in such an akward place between two countries and an uprising, whom it's providing with supplies and access to Foreign aid (for a hefty fee of course) the police force has developed into a quasi-military force along the lines of the French Gendarmie. |