James and I were joined in the studio by our old friend and hobby guru Don Perrin. We had an enjoyable and wide-ranging chat on hobby wargaming finds itself in the flux (James prefers the word "churn" of political, economic and technological change that we find ourselves in.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
The Singapore Sling, Vols 10-11: News From Our PBEM Campaign
Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune" offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after eleven turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).
PIRATES CAPTURED!!
Brilliant news from the Marshall Islands, where the Russian squadron under Vice Admiral Ivanov has captured the German raider Prinz Eitel Friedrich.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
The Singapore Sling, Vol 9: News From Our PBEM Campaign
Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after nine turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).
SCHARNHORST SUNK!
News has reached us that there has been a battle in the Dutch East Indies, resulting in the destruction of the flagship of the German East Asia Squadron, the Scharnhorst.
Royal Navy sources tell the Sling that the German raider was encounter by ships of Admiral Jerram's China Squadron in a night battle in the Macassar Strait. There was significant damage to the Admiral's flagship, HMS Triumph, as well as to the cruiser HMS Yarmouth, testifying to the severity of the battle. Both ships suffered losses to their crews, including Triumph's Flag Captain, and Admiral Jerram himself was wounded, though he is expected to recover. After a hit on the bridge, killing or wounding most of the men there, the Triumph's First Officer, Commander Peter Ashby, regained control of the situation and cooly directed the remainder of the action. Scharnhorst was finished off by the cruiser HMS Newcastle, and some of her crew were rescued. It is not known yet if Admiral Von Spee himself survived the action, and even should he have escaped somehow, his squadron is surely eliminated as a threat.
It is also reported that Scharnhorst had a prize in tow, the SS Clan MacGregor, which was boarded, her crew rescued, and the German prize crew captured.
PASSAGE INTERRUPTED
Reports have arrived from Manila where the newly arrived passenger vessel SS City of Adelaide has had a harrowing encounter in the Philippine Sea. The ship was stopped and boarded by a German warship, which identified themselves as the dreaded pirate Emden. While the Germans apparently behaved with restraint, the ship was closely examined, and a supply of spirits, tobacco, and newspapers were confiscated, and the ship's wireless was thoroughly wrecked. Only after these indignities was the Adelaide was allowed to proceed to Manila, the nearest safe harbour.
AN EXPEDITION PLANNED?
Our man in Calcutta reports that several regiments of British and Indian Army soldiers, along with their artillery and provisions, have detrained there and marched through the town to the docks. If this is true, then what is the purpose of this troop movement other than an expedition? While the Army is close lipped, the Sling believes that the German colony and port of Dar Es Salaam are ripe fruit waiting to be harvested.
INTRIGUE AND RUMOUR
Your faithful correspondent has maintained a cordial (and highly correct!) relationship with the young lady typist introduced to him by his friend, Kapitan Orlov. Thanks to his friend's employment in diplomatic circles, the Sling now believes that, because of outrages committed by the Boche fleet, it is almost certain that Holland will enter the war on the Allied side. If this is true, then we can expect the assistance of the Dutch fleet in Jakarta to help in capturing the last German pirates in the Pacific.
Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer. He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour. Ask Fernando to point him out to you.
Saturday, September 13, 2025
The Singapore Sling, Vol 7-8: News From Our PBEM Campaign
Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after eight turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).
FALL OF TSINGTAO
Souvenir postcards are already circulating showing the capture of the German port of Tsingtao by land and sea forces of the Empire of Japan. This victory deprives the German navy in the Pacific of an important port and supply source. It is expected that Japanese warships will now be freed up to patrol much of the northern Pacific, allowing our own forces to concentrate on finding and destroying the Kaiser's pirates.ANOTHER ESCAPE FOR THE EMDEN
Royal Navy sources report that that piratical scourge of the seas, the Emden, has has another encounter with HMAS Sydney, this time in the Gulf of Thailand. Captain Glossop, commander of the Sydney, has chased the jackal from its prey. While the Emden escaped, our Australian friends rescued the SS Sophie and her crew, which was in the process of being plundered of her coal by the German pirates, as well as passengers and crew of the passenger vessel SS St Osmund.
In a particularly exciting moment, as the Emden got under way, a single brave figure was seen diving from her deck and swimming to shore. This was Mr Timothy Jukes, a Royal Navy midshipman who was one of four RN officers aboard the St Osmund when it was captured.
Monday, August 25, 2025
The Singapore Sling, Vol 6: News From Our PBEM Campaign
Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after five turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).
BATTLE OF RABAUL: A PYRRHIC VICTORY?
The Royal Navy has now confirmed that an engagement occurred several weeks ago, approximately fifty nautical miles north of the German held portion of New Guinea. The naval community here is stunned by the Admiralty's admission that a prized battlecruiser, HMAS Australia, was lost in the battle, while many of its crew were rescued.
While details remain scarce, it is reported Australia, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Patey, accompanied by the light cruiser HMAS Melbourne, encountered the squadron of the Arch-Pirate, Von Spee. In the battle that followed, the Admiralty claims that the German heavy cruiser Gneisnau was sunk and her sister ship, Scharnhorst, was badly damaged. It is not known if Von Spee himself survived the battle. After delivering the coup de grace to Gneisnau, Melbourne went to the assistance of the flagship, and after a long struggle to contain flooding below decks, the order to abandon ship was given.
My Dearest Freya
I am taking advantage of a letter to the Singapore Sling to give you an update from your wayward Odysseus. We are very much enjoying our travels in Eastern Seas, meeting many ships along the way – Dutch, Japanese, Brazilian, American and Swedes but mostly British. We have some British officers on board as guests currently. Unfortunately, they may be delayed from their scheduled travel plans.
I have acquired some interesting items in my travels, including some fine whisky, a grandfather clock that would go well in our parlour and some silk dresses for you and the girls.
Yours
Siegfried
Friday, August 22, 2025
Canadian Wargamer Podcast Episode 31 w Mike Hoyt
Finally caught up and am posting the second of two CWP podcasts that James and I did this summer. In Ep 31 we caught up with Mike Hoyt, owner of Battlespace Publishing. Mike is a military officer with an interest in the realistic modelling of conflict and with several rules sets to his name.
Canadian Wargamer Podcast Episode 30 With Andrew Dobson
Catching up here with recent activity from the highly intermittent Canadian Wargamer Podcast. Andrew Dobson is a promising young hobby entrepeneur and has a keen interest in naval history. He's a good illustration of how 3D printing is changing the supply chain for wargamers.