Dawn Raid at Railway Cuttings

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EAST WHITTINGTON EVENING STANDARD

SHOOTING IN SIDESTREET
 

Residents awoke to doors breaking and shots being fired in a dawn raid that left two, including a policeman, fatally wounded. "Railway Cuttings is a quiet street" said Mr T Hitchcock, who runs a B&B, "many of my guests are artistes and just aren't used to this sort of thing. I knew the lads in number 15, they often borrowed sugar or fertiliser for their garden and once gave Miss Jacks some spare peroxide they had. They'd wave at me as I went to donate blood. But I saw this coming, Oh yes, the signs were there if you know what I mean."
 

As the Police scoured the area for forensic evidence, DCI Jack Hacker read out a statement, "This was a textbook raid, shockingly marred by the murder of DC Towle at the hands of workshy criminal scum who have now got what they deserve. We have more than eneough evidence to achieve a conviction of the surving toe-rag."
 

A Source Close to the Flying Squad revealed todays grim events to our reporter, "Well, boyo, it was like this see, the Guv he was at the front door with a fireaxe and Terry, while me and Bammo were in the alley by the back gate. The Chief had sent two marksmen along and we'd got them where they could cover the back. The Guv blew the whistle and took out the front door, Bammo opened the gate and we tore in and I took my axe to the back door. This boyo was in the kitchen and made a dash for it but I tackled him and down we went - there we were in a bit of a ruck on the floor when the Guv tanks in and kicks im in the head. That's when we heard the shots upstairs. Bammo cuffed him to the fridge and we ran like stink upstairs - thats when we heard two more shots. Turns out Terry bach had looked in the bog just as the shooter came out of the front bedroom and just shot him - then ran along the landing and opened the back window to do a runner, he was waving his .38 he was and the marksmen both got him, fair play to them. "

POSTSCRIPT

DC Roy Towle was shot in the course of duty

Stevie Watson was shot by policemarksmen, he was holding a .38 webley revolver which was proved to be the weapon used to murder DC Towle

Douglas Dawson was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, armed robbery and the murder of DC Towle. In his summing up, Justice Forsyth told the Jury that "Dawson was not holding the gun but you may wish to decide that he was as responsible as his appalling fellow thug, the unlamented Watson." Dawson was found guilty by unanimous verdict and sentenced to life imprisonment. At his trial he had a pronounced limp.
 

Chief Constable Rodney Boye of East Whittington was quoted as saying "This case has broken the legs of the wave of armed crime in the Borough".
 

Two days later two masked men armed with sten guns held up a Securicor van on Whittington High Road. The Police are appealing for witnesses and investigations are "ongoing".

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Brainstorming: Trained Manpower

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What was the pool of manpower with military training in the United Kingdom in 1979/80?

Here are my first thoughts.....

 NATIONAL SERVICE

National Service always rears it's head in this type of debate. Just like every squaddie in 1914 being regarded as a veteran of the Boer War. National Service ended on 31 December 1960, with the last National Serviceman being demobbed in 1963. Under National Service healthy males 17 to 21 years old were conscripted to serve in the Armed Forces for 18 month, and remain on the reserve list for four years. They could be recalled to their units for up to 20 days during these four years. Men were exempt from National Service if they worked in  coal mining, farming or the merchant navy.

National Servicemen served in Korea, Malaya, Cyprus, Borneo, Suez building up a good deal of miliutray experience but by 1979, we are looking at even the youngest National Servicemen being 39 years old. Essentially men between 40 and 50 years old of whom only a relatively small proportion would have more than basic training with the small arms of their day.

EX-REGULARS and RESERVISTS

The British Armed Forces were continually downsized in the 60's and 70's. So even if we put a round figure of 10% turnover in personnel it's difficult to come up with any realistic estimate at the number of trained ex-military personnel in the general population. The Regular Army Reserve in 1979 was 121,500, then 3,000 Royal Air Force Reserve and a similar number in the Royal Navy Reserve.  There were 58,900 serving Territorial Army soldiers as of 1st January 1979. Maybe 200,000 or more ex-Territorials/RAFVR/RNVR of varying ages and degrees of training and experience.

40% of the TA were infantry. We must also include ex-Territorial Army personnel. Though it's worth adding that Territorial Army units at this time had 60-80% of full complement and of these only around 50% undertook the minimum training to qualify for the annual bounty.

COMBINED CADET FORCE

In the late '70s some 28,000 public schoolboys served in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at any one time, in 288 schools across the UK ("Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles....."). In many of these schools it was compulsory to serve. For an exaggerated but interesting idea of what the CCF was like- see Lindsay Anderson's IF (1968).

ARMY CADET FORCE

Boys from all walks of life, between 12 and 18 years, 9 months old could join the Army Cadet Force (ACF). Girls were allowed to join in the early 80's. By 1979 it was estimated that 1 in 6 of the male population of the UK had been an Army Cadet.

OFFICER TRAINING CORPS

There were also 2-3,000 Officer Cadets serving in university Officer Training Corps (OTC) . These were organised in companies. Around 1,000 joined each year of whom maybe 50 went on to become officers in the regular army and 200 in the Territorials per annum.

Some mullings over...... The numbers rack up don't they! It would be wrong to write off the importance of any of the groups above in a popular insurrection or civil war scenario. Some military training is better than none and we are talking about potentially important groups of men (and women, but this is the seventies) who could bring military skills and experience to union militias, local defence forces and the like. We must not forget that many were Ncos and officers who had experience leading troops or as military specialists.

Found some House of Commons figures....... As of June 1978, the Regular Army forms 0.28 per cent of the total UK population. The Army reserves combined form 0.33 per cent.

Cheers

Mark

Background: United Kingdom Land Forces in the late 70's

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This is a rough and ready overview of the British Army in the late '70's. Sources disagree about manpower figures and the constant minor organisation changes are a headache to keep up with, especially as paper and practice were often quite divergent.

In 1972 all troops within the UK came under the Commander in Chief United Kingdom Land Forces (C-in-C UKLF), with lieutenat-general as deputy. C-in-C headquarters being based at Erskine Barracks, Wiltshire (Salisbury Plain). His command extended to British forces in Belize and at the Suffield exercise area in Canada but NOT Northern Ireland.

Within UKLF there were nine semi-autonomous military districts. South-East and Scotland Districts are commanded by a lieutenat-general, the rest major-generals. As of June 1976 these were:

South-East:         17,500 Regulars,  8,000 Territorial Army
South-West:       19,500 Regulars,  3,000 Territorial Army
London:              12,000 Regulars,  7,000 Territorial Army
North-East:           9,000 Regulars, 10,000 Territorial Army
Eastern:                 8,500 Regulars,  7,000 Territorial Army
West Midlands:     5,000 Regulars,  4,500 Territorial Army
Scotland:               4,000 Regulars,  8,000 Territorial Army
North-West:          2,000 Regulars,  7,000 Territorial Army
Wales:                   1,500 Regulars,  3,500 Territorial Army

Following the 1974 Defence Review which imposed swingeing economies on the Armed Services, regular divisions and brigades in the UK disappeared and were replaced by 1977 with 6th Field Force (formed from HQ 16th Parachute Brigade), 7th Field Force (formed from 19th Infantry Brigade), and 8th Field Force (formed from HQ 5th Infantry Brigade). The Field Forces were superimposed onto existing district commands and as a rough rule of thumb contained 3 regular and two territorial infantry battalions plus assets.

6th Field Force became the strategic reserve for SACEUR. Taking over from 3rd Division as UK Mobile Force it boasted a parachute element from the re-organised 16th Parachute Brigade, with HQ at Aldershot, South-East District. The air element assigned to 6th Field Force was 2 squadrons of jaguars and 22 Puma Helicopters.

7th Field Force, mapped to Eastern District at Colchester was destined to be the BAOR reserve, whilst 8th Field Force, mapped to South-West Dsitrict at Bulford was the C-in-C UKLF reserve for home defence.

The United Kingdom's contribution to Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) or ACE Mobile Force(L) in 1979 was one squadron of Harriers, four Puma776W helicopters, an infantry battalion group, a logistic support battalion and other support troops 1,500 men stationed at Dover. ACE Mobile Force (L) was destined to be part of an international NATO brigade sized unit to be deployed in Norway or Turkey as required.

Outwith the tactical units there are of course many tens of thousand of soldiers in all the service corps, (RAMC, RAOC, REME, Royal Signals, Military Police etc), training and administrative functions of the army in the UK. Add to this Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel. The vast majority of whom are capable of standing to and taking up arms as required - though readiness and resolve may be questionable (within the context of gaming an internal crisis).

In addition to the 89,000 Regulars and 58,000 Territorial Army in the UK, 61,000 British troops were based in Europe, of which 55,000 were in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). Further troops, including the Brigade of Gurkhas were stationed in protectorates and the few remaining colonies - such as Hong Kong. One battalion of Gurkhas was based in the UK.

Northern Ireland was garrisoned by 12,000-15,000 British servicemen divided into 3 Brigade commands. There were 5 'garrison' battalions which were supplemented as the situation required by other formations on short, roulement or emergency tours. A 6th 'garrison' battalion was added in 1978 and a 7th in 1979/80. The Ulster Defence Regiment, created for duty within the province in 1970, had 8,000 full and part-time soldiers by 1978.

Finally but not least, 3 Commando Brigade consisted of  40,41, 42 and 45 Royal Marine Commandos. Two Commandos were based at Plymouth and Deal(?), 45 Commando was based at Arbroath. The Royal Marines maintained a worldwide force projection role so deployment in the UK varied continuously.

Rounding up, 29 regular infantry battalions were stationed in the UK. It was envisaged that 2 battalions at least would be available to each District command in a war. Of the Territorials 25 per cent of the total BAOR wartime strength would have been Territorial Army and of the 88 infantry battalions in BAOR during a war 38 (43%) would have been Territorials.
 

Cheers

Mark

Miniatures: Cold War British Infantry from Britannia

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I have to admit that Winter of '79 left the ground as a project largely due to Britannia Miniatures range of 20mm British Infantry for the1960's-80's. 

 Britannia 20mm Cold War Platoon Command

Photo courtesy of Britannia Miniatures website

These Britannia minis are simply bursting with 1970's/80's squaddie character! I purchased a platoon worth plus some extras and was instantly delighted when I took the figures out of the package. As a result they will provide the basis of most Regular or 1st line Territorial Army (TA) Crown formations I put on the table.

Britannia 20mm Cold War 'Charlie G' team

Photo courtesy of Britannia Miniatures website

What makes them so special? The Britannia Cold War Brits are distinguishable from more modern British troops by their vintage kit. MkIV helmets hidden by loads o' scrim, '58 pattern webbing plus weapons such as the L1A1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR), Stirling SMG, and recoilless "Charlie G" 84mm. Plus you can't get away from the fact that Britannia's sculpting style is perfect at recreating that typical squaddie 'shabby' chic.

BAOR 1 Nco advancing with SLR
BAOR 2 Private standing firing SLR
BAOR 3 Private running with SLR
BAOR 4 Radio Operator advancing with SLR
BAOR 5 Private advancing with SLR
BAOR 6 2 man GPMG team advancing
BAOR 7 Private kneeling firing light mortar
BAOR 8 2 man Carl Gustav team, kneeling firing
BAOR 9 3 man Platoon HQ

With the sad passing of Dave Howitt of Britannia, as of 5th October 2011, this line appears to be on hiatus. Britannia were purchased by Andrew Grubb of Grubby Tanks but as he can't be arsed answering my query about future availability of the BAOR figures, my pounds are being spent elsewhere.

If you fancy getting some 70's/80's Cold War/Falklands era Brits, then the single most useful source on the internet is Forces 80, a living history group dedicated in representing the British Armed Forces From 1978 to 1989.

I highly recommend their 3 part series on Combat Uniforms of the 80's. It's a surprisingly  authoritative overview of British Army combat dress - better than many published works, and a good starting point for anyone interested in the period.

Cheers

Mark

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Emergency Stop at City Cars

EAST WHITTINGTON EVENING POST

FLYING SQUAD SWOOP ON MASKED RAIDERS

Shots were fired and two arrests made when the newly formed Flying Squad intervened in an armed robbery in the Borough. Bystander Fred Barnes said "these three blokes hopped out of this Ford motor by Honest George's City Car Sales and walked up to his office and kicked in the door. One of them comes running out and gets into the motor - he had this crate of scotch in his arms but his mate was holding a chuffing great bank bag - stuffed it was. Anyway, there's this screaming of engines - like a Spitfire with overdrive, I was in the RAF in the War see, Malta an that - and up tears this Jag with blokes leaning out of the windows. The driver must have touched 50 in the last stretch down Station Road but he slammed the anchors on hard like - so he lost it and spun the Jag. Shame it hit the bollard, ruined the paintwork. One bloke leans out of the window and shouts "dont move - you're all effing nicked!" and from there it all got a bit tasty. Bullets all over the shop like Tobruk all over again - I was in the War you know."
 

Traffic Warden Eric Potts, 41, takes up the dramatic tale "Well, the villains, they opened fire on the Police Officers - the one in the car shot out of the window while his mate fired a shotgun at the driver of the Jaguar. The driver was hit but credit to the Flying Squad, they must have been shaken by the emergency stop but they all piled out. The lad holding the cash bag just legged it as far as The Winchester Club and tore off down the alley - I'd have chased him but I got this dodgy knee. Korea you know. So this copper with this awful loud, that punk music is nothing I tell you tie, he leans over the bonnet of the Jag and shouts "armed police, give up you tarts" and a second later he shoots the guy in the car. Then this huge ginger copper - he was the driver and his arm is bleeding, he drops the geezer with the sawed off. One shot. Right messy it was."

In a later statement Flying Squad DCI Jack Hacker said "On hearing of the raid on one of the Borough's most well known businessmen, we raced to the scene and intervened; the pond life I mean suspects opened fire and after a shouted warning we returned aimed fire at the armed scum, suspects, injuring two of them. The third ran off and evaded pursuit. DS Owens received a minor wound in the exchange of fire but was instrumental in nailing one of the lowlife gits, suspects. We expect early convictions. Job done. Mine's a pint."

Post Script

Douglas Dawson (24) was released without charge following what his solicitor termed "an intensive interogation by fascist goons".

William Brown (22) was convicted of armed robbery, wounding a police officer and damage to public property (viz a table and chair) and was sentenced to 15 years in custody.

The whereabouts of Stevie Watson and £500 taken from City Cars are unknown but the Police are following up leads and a raid is imminent.

Rick Spart, spokesman for Red Spike has been released on bail.

A crate of scotch has been donated to The East Whittington Police Benevolent Fund.

Gaming The Winter of '79

In the good old bad old days of gaming, a C20th British Civil War scenario would see gamers dividing the UK straight across the middle, then equally dividing the armed forces, arranging for dribs of reinforcements from BAOR and other overseas deployments before bashing each other across the arbitary border in some Cold War rematch of WW1.

I'm glad to say that things are different  these days. Wargame rules such as AMBUSH ALLEY make representing the very nature of asymmetric warfare not just possible in miniature but challenging and fun. So we will be approaching The Winter of '79 from two different angles and essentially different play styles within a single overriding theme.

Maff is leading the build up in tension in the fictional amywhere inner city borough of East Whittington. These games are going to be small and probably focus around a corner pub, a used car business on an old bomb site and a railway viaduct with a few shops in it. Using GEEZERS - "SHUT IT!" CI5 and local Special Branch will be attempting to foil bankrolling raids by revolutionaries, and prevent arms deals from going down.  MI5 drones or SAS will bust armed Trot cells, bomb factories and arms caches using FLYING LEAD.

My personal gaming focus is on riot, rebellion and revolution! Civil protest and disturbance leading to armed insurgency and open civil war. Riots and running gun battles on the streets of Borchester using AMBUSH ALLEY. Union militias, Mad Trots, Very Private Armies will square off against each other and a fractured British Army using FORCE ON FORCE. A squallied war of patrols, raids and snatches across the country at large will be played out with classic SCUDBUSTERS, RECON and others.

Larger engagements between forces loyal to the civil power against rebel British Army, revolutionary and militia units are n the cards, but we will build up to these. Initially a clutch of Land Rovers, a few Bedfords, the odd armoured vehicle and helicopter, plus a gaggle of civvie vehicles is enough to get the show on the road. You'll find Land Rovers and Bedfords far more ubiquitous and versatile than a troop of CVR (T) Scorpions.

Cheers

Mark

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New broom in East Whittington

“East Whittington cop out”

From Rotten Boroughs column in “Private Spy” magazine

Yet more red faces in the East Whittington Constabulary as the hapless CID fail, yet again, to achieve a conviction against the infamous “East Whittington Three”. Despite an alleged crime spree that has rampaged across the Borough, the Police have never produced a solid case and rumours of attempted fit ups now abound. The recent not guilty verdict relate to charges of armed robbery and wounding a police officer; added to previous cases, the tally of wounded coppers who have fallen victim to their own superiors bungling has risen to three, along with several on gardening leave pending investigation to alleged links to local underworld figures. This was one farce too far for the Borough Police Authority and DCI Albert Spencer (“Frank” or “Oooh Betty”) to his long suffering detectives has now been sacked as head of CID and a new man bought in.

DCI Jack “Jim” Hacker, formerly of the West Midshires Regional Crime Squad today announced he was setting up the East Whittington Flying Squad to tackle the wave of crime that has hit the Borough:

“I’m an old fashioned hard copper who believes in nicking scum and Man U supporters” said Hacker at a press conference last week “The Flying Squad is going to tackle crime head on and give it a good kicking.“ Other more interesting Hacker quotes include “you did it and that’s why you’re falling down the stairs”, “tell me who drove the motor and I’ll start hitting him not you” and “I’m nicking you because I want to”.

Local civil rights groups are already complaining at Hacker’s appointment but an EWC spokesman has pointed out his high conviction rate in Midshire “if you want them nicked, Hackers your man”.