1938: A Very British Civil War

[DeletedUser13682]

Connor was waiting for the Anglicans to leave the area and fight the Fascists, when out of the blue, came gunfire. The communists fired too early! Connor opened fire on the Anglicans, yelling death to the Anglican scum in his native Irish. He wasn't hitting anything, of course, he hadn't been prepared properly, but he kept firing. He would have stayed there and kept wasting his ammunition and his life, if Tanya hadn't yelled at him to get out of there. He obeyed, and followed her out of the trainyard. They arrived with the rest of the communists that survived. Connor counted four there, including one wounded. If he remembered correctly, there had been twice as many before the attack. He couldn't recall any Anglicans or Fascists falling, so that had been a waste. He decided to stick with the commuinists for now, having lost where his fellow Irishmen had ended up.

Shamus gave the attack to open fire, releasing the hail of deadly .303 and .455 onto the Anglicans and Fascists. He didn't see how many of them fell, but he didn't want to stay there too long. Before the enemy figured out that there were more men fighting against them, they moved their location to a nearby building, formerly a small hotel before the war. "I saw Connor go with the communists," Andrew said. "I think we should meet up with him." The others agreed. "Alright, we'll go with them. But be careful. We have to go around the station, and I don't want to meet up with any more Fascists. They could be our ally in the future. Anglicans, I don't care. Kill them on sight." And so, the other Irishmen headed to the same farmhouse that the remaining communists temporarily called home.

 

[DeletedUser28032]

The farmhouse sat about three miles out of the village and consisted of three stone buildings in a "U" shape, it was in the farmhouse at the bottom of the "U" that the communists took refuge, laying their wounded man onto the kitchen table where Tanya and the Irishman Connor could examine his leg.
The others meanwhile kept watch for either the arrival of their allies from Liverpool or enemy pursuers. They were vunerable at the minute with so few people and only a handfull of rounds between them, Bill had seena couple of the Fascists and Anglicans fall but even so they had wasted alot of ammunition in the defence of the station.
From teh back room Bill could hear the sound of hammering as his brother Jack began barricading the windows at the rear of the building as he kept watch on the dirt track leading to the farm, his rifle perched on the window ledge.
Glancing back into the kitchen behind him Bill smiled as Tanya, doe eyed in the Irishmans presence brushed aside a lock of her mousy hair as she passed the needle and thread so that he could begin sewing her brothers leg.
There was a clanging of tin cans, spinning around Bill trained his rifle on the wooden gate at the end of the lane just as the group of men set off his makeshift alarm "We have company!" Bill shouted over his shoulder, chambering a round into his rifle and taking aim at the nearest man. The five of them lined the kitchen windows their weapons trained on the approaching squad "Hold your fire they're Irish" Connor spoke lowering his weapon, Bill watched them a few minutes longer in order to confirm the identification before lowering his own weapon "Looks like you friends have found us then...Best you go show them in" Bill spoke to Connor placing his rifle back onto the window ledge "Tanya once you've finished with Garry's leg see if you can't find us something to eat I am starving" The young girl nodded once before returning her attention back to stitching up the wound on Garry's leg.
It was around midday now and with the sun shining in the sky it promised to be a nice day.

 

[DeletedUser]

Richard nervously peered out of the station window, John's corpse lay on the platform. they had all but taken the station when somebody had opened fire on them from behind.
Richard didn't know who had fired, or where they were.
he turned around and looked at Herbert's body lying on the floor, he wasn't dead, but he had been shot in his left leg and the chest.
Michael was kneeling next to Herbert, he had tied some sections of fabric around the wounds, but Herbert needed medical attention, and fast.
and to top it all of, their sacrifice had been made pointless by the Communists, who appeared to have destroyed the phone lines just before they left. The Bloody Fools.
Simon, who was by the back window, suddenly called out; "Sir! The Irish are moving away!"
"What?" Richard walked over. he could see the Irish moving away, they seemed to be going in the direction of Farmhouse U (as Richard's Commanding Officer had called it).
"What do we do sir?" asked Michael.
Richard thought for a few seconds before replying; "we follow them, try and arrange a temporary ceasefire, so that if they have a medic we can get him to give some aid to Herbert. Michael, you carry Herbert, Simon, find some white cloth, that way they won't shoot us on sight." Richard ordered. and within a few minutes, they were moving after the now distant forms of the Irishmen towards Farmhouse U.
Simon was carrying a folded white tablecloth that he had found in the Station bar, whilst Michael was helping Herbert along.
as they neared the Farmhouse, Richard saw the Irishmen go inside.
"Simon, hold up the white cloth. sling your rifle onto your shoulder as well." Richard ordered.
Simon did as he was told, and as they moved into the 'U' of the Farm complex, Richard put both of his hands high in the air, holding his rifle by the barrel in his right hand.
as they neared the Farmhouse, Richard hoped that this would work, if it didn't then he and his men would be slaughtered.


CASUALTY REPORT:
Richard (Lee-Enfield)
Tom (Lee-Enfield)- MIA
Stuart (Lee-Enfield) - KIA
Oscar (Lewis Gun) - MIA
Howard (Lee-Enfield) - KIA
John (3x Firebombs, Webley Revolver) - KIA
Alan (Lee-Enfield) - KIA
Michael (Shotgun)
Simon (Lee-Enfield)
Herbert (Lee-Enfield) - SHOT IN LEFT LEG AND CHEST

 

[DeletedUser]

"Ceasfire!" Fulton noticed that there was a lack of return fire coming from the station. The snipers also had not fired in a while indicating they had seen no one. The flankers came out at their side street and Fulton signaled for them to advance. They stormed the station and after ten minutes were out again.

Hoten issued their report, "Sah, the enemy has abandoned the station and the surrounding perimeter. It appeahs that they have withdrawn towards the rural outskirts of town. We did note a farm out there in the distance and what appeared to be figures advancing towards it. The phone lines have been cut." "Oi! So the enemy has escaped our grasp and we have no phone line. Our church has been destroyed, our orders are so vague..." The Major wondered what they were to do now? Attack across a long open stretch, nay a poor idea. They would simply stay put in the station, for now...

Casualty Report
Major Dennis Fulton
Dennis Beetmaur
Alistair Kingston
Brody Miller
John Haley
Robert Hoten
Phillip Doley (Badly Bleeding Leg Wound [Bandaged])
Douglas Hotmayer
Mel Davis
Jim Relis
Ron Davis

 

[DeletedUser28032]

Bill sat perched on the window ledge in the bedroom, his rifle sat on his lap and a small plate of food by his knee as he kept watch. It was a simple meal of bread, cheese and a slice of ham but to the starving Soviets it was like a feast.
Taking a mouthful of the cider they'd found in the back of the farmhouse pantry Bill casually watched as the small group of blackshirts approached, he'd spotted them walking up the narrow track half an hour ago but had decided to let them be, he was hungry and tired and the prospect of fighting off the small band hadn't sat right with him.
Below him he could hear a sudden roar of laughter, no doubt one of Irishmen had made a joke he had to admit they good company and they fought well although he was somewhat unsure as to how the men arrivnig from Liverpool would take to them.

Placing the glass of cider down onto the bedroom floor with a sigh, Bill brought his rifle to bear on teh lead blackshirt as he approached with his hands raised above his head. "Thats close enough fascist..." called out of the window amiably enough, he was in a good mood despite the casualties he'd received this morning "...this farm is property of the peoples Soviet of Liverpool, you may retreat or surrender the choice is entirely yours" Below him he could hear the mad scramble as people grabbed weapons "Jack! tell them to hold they're fire I've got this under control" Bill bellowed out of the bedroom door, a muffled reply came in return which Bill guessed was agreement seen as nobody had started firing.
"So whats it to be fascist? are you going to leave or join me in a nice refreshing glass of cider as my prisoner" raising the glass to his lips once he took a sip his drink, his other hand tensed on the trigger of his rifle jsut in case the fascists were foolish enough to try anything stupid.

 

[DeletedUser]

Richard listened to the Communist demanding that they either retreat or surrender.
"We wish neither to retreat nor to surrender! we only wish for a temporary armistice, and some medical help for one of my men." Richard gestured towards Herbert. "if you do not wish for an armistice, then we shall back off, so now the choice is up to you."

 

[DeletedUser13682]

"Here we are," Andrew commented, when they finally arrived at the farmhouse. "But now what do we do? Do we knock or just go in?" Shamus answered that question by knocking on the door, and yelling out, "It's us, the IRA. Please let us in." Inside, Connor was asked to let his comrades in, and he complied. He opened the door, allowing them in. "Welcome, comrades," he said to them as they filed in and sat down where they were offered. "Good day, Connor," Shamus replied. "Seems like you're starting to pick up on our friends' words." Connor shrugged, and went back to work on Garry.

A few minutes later, there was ruckus outside. The Irishmen listened, and could hear that there was somebody outside, looking for aid. They heard the enemy were the fascists. When they didn't surrender, Shamus ordered his men to go outside. Outside they did go, and saw four men, one badly injured. They walked behind the band, and got their rifles into a firing position. "Now, here's the deal," Shamus announced to the fascists. "You surrender, or you die. You're surrounded, have only three fighting men, and one injured. You need medical help for him, and the only way that will happen is if you surrender to us. It's in your best interest."

 

[DeletedUser28032]

Bill watched as the IRA troops burst out of the farmhouse to form a firing line before the beleagurd blackshirts "Well I did warn them" Bill spoke quietly to himself. Setting the rifle to one side he preceded to finish his meal, the IRA seemed to have everything under control and so wouldn't be requiring his help at this point in time.
"Bill! we've got movement coming from behind us" Jack shouted up the stairs suddenly causing Bill to jump. Grabbing his rifle he ran to the opposite side of the building, the only window facing that was in a store room.
"How many?" Bill asked mindfull of the fact that with the IRA out front dealing with the blackshirts that there was only four of them here to defend this side of the building. "I don't know but from the sounds of things alot" straining his hearing Bill could hear the tramping of booted feet, it sounded like an entire company "Ok comrades we'll give a volley then we'll disappear out the front got it?" the three remainig members of his team nodded training their weapons on the hedge at the back of the farmhouse, behind which stood a small orchard.
The room was filled with a tense silence as every nerve stood poised ready to shoot, the marching feet got louder and louder as they got nearer to the hedge "Ok comrades any second now" The foot steps stopped.
"Comrade William Gerrard are you there?" a voice with a strong Liverpudlian accent called "I am here who wants to know?" Bill replied somewhat confused by this sudden turn of events. " The company B of the Liverpool SovietComrade....May we come in?"
"Yes welcome comrades where the hell have you been?"

 

[DeletedUser]

"It is quiet out here isn't it?" "Yah Davis watching that farmhouse is mighty boring. I tell ya, they ain't do'in nuthin out there." "Well Jim, orders n' ord- Ayy? You see that, it looks like another body of men is com'in in." "Ya don't say, are they gonna start shoot'in ya think?" "Nah! They'd be firing already, or fired upon. I think they're friends of our foes." "You notice what happened to them black shirted men?" "Looks like somebody's prim'in to shoot'em up." "Ohh?" "Eh, less for us to shoot at least." "Ayy, is that Phil dragg'in his carcass and that cannon of his?" They looked down from their perch on the station's eaves. Sure enough Phillip was limping along out into the countryside. "Phil whaddya do'in?" "Ehh? I'm getting bored sitting here, those Georgians haven't shown up yet. I was going to set up in that field and do some long range shooting." "Really?" "I can hit a target at a thousand meters with this, maybe more. I've taken some long shots in my life. Why don't you boys come along? I couldn't get the others interested and I'd like the escort." "Sure, you coming Dave." "Well, the commander wanted me to-" Phillip interjected, "Don't worry you can still scout you'll just be doing it on the ground instead of sitting you arse on a building." "Alright..." "Come along then." The pair shambled their way off the building and followed Phillip as he advanced into the field.

"See the nice thing about a scope is I extend the range I can operate the rifle. I can understand this scope, but if I changed the rifle barrel I'd be at a lost seeing as how I'm no gunsmith." They were set up at what Phillip estimated to be a thousand meters in thick brush facing the farm. Jim and Dave were monitoring the area like Hawks for anyone trying to approach them. "Let's see I have... Looks like ten rounds that I can use here." He stretched himself out and postured to fire the rifle from a prostrate position he searched through the scope. "Better put your heads down boys I might start shooting any minute" Jim and Dave ducked down.

There it was, his first target he decided would be a one of the Irishman menacing the Blackshirts, maybe he'd even start a gunfight as a nice bonus. He zeroed in between the eyes of the big red-head. What an ugly face, only a mother could love it. He pulled the trigger, now a mother would be the only one to recognize it. He brought the bolt back and the casing flew back to about his waist. He applied another round which he promptly chambered when he pushed the bolt forward. He looked through the scope again what would the Irish and the Blackshirts do?

 

[DeletedUser31931]

(OOC: I've Just read everything. I'm in a house near the barn and the station.)

Ben stood up feeling stiff. They had been holed up in the building for the best part of an hour. "Lets get moving" he said "It's obvious they aren't coming after us or we would have been attacked by now. Lets head to the station where we can observe the barn and the fascists." they went back to where the fascists had been and discovered it empty. He moved up to where they had been. He could see the barn and a field near the station. Something caught the edge of his vision as he saw movement. There was a sniper in the field watching the barn. It wasn't that far to where they were. Ben couldn't tell what they were doing but he intended to ambush them. He raised his hand and pointed. They all saw the men, he motioned again and they began moving as one around the block. They moved again crouching and had them in rifle sights after half a minute or so. It wasn't just the sniper but several other men. Ben loaded his gun as did the others. He took aim and pulled the trigger. The shot was loud in the open space. and the other men fired just seconds after him. They ducked behind cover and reloaded stood up a fired. He hit the sniper through the neck and ducked again. They ran again. This time they headed back to where the fascists had been and sat down. "We got'em lads! We got'em" he exclaimed with joy "Now lets prepare ourselves. They will come back after us for that blow." He pulled out cloth and scrubbed his rifle again. They were coming and he was ready.

 

[DeletedUser]

Phillip fired again, another foe appeared to fall, but failed to notice the flanking enemy contingent.

A shot rang out and Phillip dropped. More shots, Jim and Ron dived down trying to hide in the tall grass.

"Phillip?" Jim whispered. "Get out of here, *Hack* they pinned us. C'mon- you boys *Urgh* move it!" "What abou-" "Forget me, -I'm -as good as dead." "No." "*Hack!* Go!" Jim and Ron retreated as more shots were fired at them.

Phillip's vision started to cloud, he's survived the Great War only for this to happen. But, it was better than a muddy trench or no-mans land. It was a beautiful field with tall grass overlooked by blue skies, yes it was a fine day...

"Major Fulton I see that Jim and Ron are coming back. But I don't see Phillip." "No Phillip?" "I'll inquire when they arrive."

The run across the field was exhausting as Jim and Ron stumbled back into the station Haley approached them.

"Where's Phillip?" "Dead- He's dead." "What happened?" We were firing on the enemy at long range see, thens we failed to notice the enemy flanking us and they opened fire. Dropped poor Phil right there..." "He was still alive he told us to get out of there." "Dead now though bullet straight through the neck..." "Blimey, well I'll tell the major. You two return to your posts." "Yessir..."

"What happened Haley?" "Phillip is dead." "That's bloody awful, I was hoping we could have kept our entire command. Could we recover the body at least, give it a proper burial?" "They're probably watching the spot, they'd open fire at any movement." "Well, let's hope they're gentleman, maybe they'll let us recover the body. Here, I found a white shirt and have attached it to a pole. It will be our flag of truce."

Fulton took a deep breath, he and Haley had both left their weapons in the station. He approached the farmhouse where the enemy was taking shelter.

"I am a Representative of the Anglican forces I ask that a truce be called to allow the collection of the dead and wounded."

Casualty Report
Major Dennis Fulton
Dennis Beetmaur
Alistair Kingston
Brody Miller
John Haley
Robert Hoten
Phillip Doley (Deceased)
Douglas Hotmayer
Mel Davis
Jim Relis
Ron Davis

 

[DeletedUser31931]

Ben watched as the Anglicans approached the farmhouse with a flag of truce. "Stand down men. They want a ceasefire. I can't guess why but probably to collect the dead sniper. Let's see what happens but if the fascists open fire on them we will intervene. I believe in honour on the battlefield and to allow the enemy to collect their wounded and dead. Let's go closer to the farmhouse so we can hear what they are saying." With that they all crouched and ran behind a building close behind just as the Anglican reached the farmhouse. They heard him speak and knew as soon as they heard gunshots (if they did) they would be up and shoot the fascists and anyone who was dishonourable.

 

[DeletedUser]

Richard looked around, the bloody Irish had surrounded them and were ready to shoot at any second.
"Fine, We surrender, as long as we are given proper treatment, and my men get medical assistance." he said. very slowly he laid his rifle down on the ground, his men did the same.
but before anything could happen, a group of Anglicans walked towards them, carrying a white shirt stuck on a pole. "I am a Representative of the Anglican forces I ask that a truce be called to allow the collection of the dead and wounded." said their leader.
Richard looked on nervously, anything could happen. everything now rested in the hands of the Irish and the Commies, if they opened fire, then all hell would break loose, but if they tried to take the Anglicans prisoner... anything could happen.

 

[DeletedUser31931]

Ben said to his men "God I can't bear this" He stood up and the men moved down the hill to the barn with their guns raised. He called out to the Irish "What happened to you? All hell broke loose and we lost you. We are supposed to be allies." Then turning to the Anglicans he said "Go and collect your dead sniper. We will not interfere."

 

[DeletedUser]

"The enemy acquiesced they could recover Phillip. Fulton and Haley started to look through the tall grass and finally found him.

"He was a good man, huh Haley." "Aye, it's too bad that we should lose him. And with the church destroyed..." "I can perform services in what's left of the cemetery." "I see."

Fulton cautiously looked up to see their enemies. A ragtag bunch with shoddy uniforms. A professional force would smash them. But they had strength in numbers and tactical superiority. They would have to wait to strike. They picked up Phillip and lay his rifle over his chest. Then they started the long slog back to the station.

 

[DeletedUser31931]

Ben waited for the Anglicans to move before he headed past the fascists and to the farmhouse. "Open up it's you allies the Welsh!" he said knocking on the barn door. They stood there and awaited a reply.

 

[DeletedUser13682]

Shamus was about to give the command to sieze the fascists by force, when a shot rang out, hitting Ronald right between the eyes. He didn't even have time to cry out before he collapsed on the grass, dropping his pistol. "Knock the fascists down! There's a sniper out there!" ordered Shamus. The remaining Irish complied, knocking down the fascists. "James, find the sniper." A minute later, James announced that he had found them. "But there's a firefight. Looks like the Welsh got him. They're gone now." Shamus allowed everybody to get up.

"Now then, fascists. Do you surrender?" Shamus asked. When they did surrender, and set their weapons down, Shamus ordered them to be escorted into the farmhouse, keeping Harry outside. "I know this is tough for you Harry, but we need to bury your brother. They got done burying him, after the proper ceremonies, and saw the Anglicans come down, bearing a flag of surrender. They weren't here to surrender though, just to collect the body of their sniper. Harry lashed out. "You killed my brother! I'll kill you!" Shamus, though he wanted to let Harry kill them, stopped him, for the Welsh had come, and allowed them to gather the sniper. "Get back here and fight me, you Anglican scum! I remember your Dúchrónaigh." But they were already out of earshot. "We should've killed them Shamus." Shamus nodded his head. "I agree, but our Welsh allies had already given them permission. We got seperated though. Sorry about that. Come on in." Shamus led the Welsh to the door and offered them use of the inside.

Irish Repbulican Army
Shamus O'Leary (Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Lee-Enfield, Enfield No. 2 Mk I revolver, bayonet) (Wounded)
Andrew O'Leary (RIC Lee-Enfield, Webley Mk. VI, bayonet)
Connor Patrick (MP 18, Webley Mk. IV, combat knife)
James Boyle (RIC Lee-Enfield with scope, Webley Mk IV, combat knife)
Harry Moran (Vickers machine gun, combat knife)
Ronald Moran (Vickers machine gun tripod, Webley Mk III) (Dead)
William Casey (dynamite, Enfield No. 2 Mk 1)
Sinead Brown (2x Webley Mk IV) (Dead)

 

[DeletedUser31931]

When they walked in Ben saw the commies there as well "Hello there." he said "Sorry about getting split up but we saw someone, I think it was the fascists running through the smoke and we charged after them."

 

[DeletedUser]

Richard listened to the Irish and the Welsh leaders talking to each other.
he looked around Herbert still hadn't been attended to.
Richard began to speak. "Excuse me, but it has come to my attention that my wounded man (he gestured at Herbert) has not been attended to, and if he is not attended to he will die." Richard waited for a reply, although he didn't say it, he was incredibly annoyed that whilst his men had asked for a temporary armistice, they had been taken prisoner at gunpoint, however when the Anglicans had asked for the same thing, they had been given what they wanted.

 

[DeletedUser31931]

Ben turned after hearing the fascists and said to Max "Patch him up and quickly." then turning to the fascist leader he said "Max will do what he can but we can't perform an operation here and now so your best bet is to hope he can get to a hospital soon."