RFCM

Well, it's been what? Five years?

I remembered posting this battle report years ago after finding the shirt I had won from this competition! Good memories and plenty of nostalgia. I decided to come back and fix the pictures for current viewers getting interested in AK-47. The audio files should still work.

I hope this still brings enjoyment to piggies new and old!

The price raise isn't too bad for folks across the pond. It went from $3.75 to $4.00.

Still not bad at roughly .50 cents a figure. Plus, supporting Peter Pig is always a great thing to do. Keep the miniatures coming!

Chapter 4: A New Front

Coming soon!

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The Nurumbian-Zumisian War drags on with no end in sight. Presidents Angali and Mikeobulu, still at each other's throats, send their loyal (and at times not-so-loyal) soldiers into the fray. Many brave souls have been sent to meet their maker, and the body-count continues to stack up higher and higher. Meanwhile, at the United Nations, negotiations are weighed down by fruitless bureaucracy. Continued inaction by the international community is now being criticized, as the great powers of the world demand an end to the death and destruction in West Africa.

Something or someone is bound to give. For now, though, the grinder cranks on.

---

Chapter 3: The Bloody Stalemate


The lines have been drawn in the sand -- neither side is yielding ground. The Zumisian counter-offensive in the north seems to have stalled, while the Nurumbians hold unto their ground in Kumagu defiantly. Yet, that hasn't prevented either side from trying to push harder. The Nurumbian Defense Forces have been rallying as many men as they can to prepare a counter-attack against the northern Zumisian offensive. Meanwhile, the Zumisians have been shelling Nurumbian positions in the south in an effort to dislodge them. Still, nothing has worked. The war grinds on. Hopes were high on both sides that the new year would bring good fortune to their efforts, with decisive fighting occurring early in January 1963. However, what awaited both the Nurumbians and the Zumisians would be some of the bloodiest days in the whole of the war. Yet, what's more, treachery was afoot. Traitors willing to sell their services to the opposing side, spies ready to exploit state secrets, and others just simply trying to keep their head in the midst of political purges.


And there were many purges indeed. Although the Zumisians had little to fear, President Mikeobulu carefully selected his command staff. He wanted to make sure he could take the Nurumbian capital quickly and without delay. The last thing he needed were traitors in his midst. Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi, President Angali was not so fortunate. His agents were sloppy. Secret police raided the homes of innocent government officials and commanders, exiling or killing valuable leaders in the process. Those who were conspiring against Angali, however, safely got away for the most part. In retribution for Angali's warmongering, these traitors conspired to ruin his plans to dislodge the Zumisian invaders in the northern borderlands. Working with already established rebel cells hiding in the Nurumbian bush, the traitorous commanders and bureaucrats persuade other army leaders to defect or outright ignore Angali's orders to attack the Zumisian forces in Ikejah. The result is devastating.


The rebels, tired of Angali's war, manage to convince large swathes of Angali's army commanders and warlords to back out of the counter-offensive. With no army, the few troops that do arrive at Ikejah are trapped. The Zumisian forces already there capture and hold key positions throughout the town, pushing back the Nurumbian attackers with ease. By day's end, the planned Nurumbian counter-offensive to push back the Zumisian invaders had failed. However, the Zumisians could not follow up. A large portion of their forces were still held back in reserve, awaiting a much harder push by the Nurumbians. What's more, although Nurumbian resistance was paltry in the north, flanking actions and a strong garrison in Nurumbian-occupied Zumisian land weakened the northern armies. In short, both sides were feeling the strain of ever-complicating logistics.


Although rebels and traitors had managed to avoid Angali's purges in the north, thus ruining his chances at a successful counter-offensive, the southern front wasn't so fortunate to see such a bloodless victory. Instead, Zumisian forces desperately attempting to push the Nurumbians out of the town of Kumagu met stiff resistance at the hand of hardened defenders. For months now, since the start of the war, Nurumbian Defense Forces in the south had staunchly held on to their occupied ground. The Zumisian town of Kumagu, which saw the first major fighting of the war, still remained in Nurumbian hands. Now, with preparations made and troops at the ready, President Mikeobulu ordered an all out attack along the front. Receiving word of this, President Angali encouraged his men once more to hold on to their ground. And hold on they did.


Even in the face of hardened Zumisian veterans, filled with fervor and lust for battle, the weary Nurumbian garrison held on to the last. Reinforcements came right in the nick of time, helping stall the Zumisian advance and for them on the retreat. Still, the price was high on both sides. Zumisian forces were slaughtered near the outskirts of town, while Nurumbian positions were overrun and entire units killed to the last man. It was a bloodbath. Regardless, President Angali was pleased. Although he had been betrayed in the north, his loyal troopers still held on to their southern positions valiantly. The same, vice versa, was the same for President Mikeobulu. He had managed to solidify his position in Ikejah, but was furious to find out that his massive push did not succeed in Kumagu. Both dictators now looked on, wondering how they could break the dead-lock. While President Mikeobulu rallied more troops to his cause from local warlords, President Angali quickly went about exiling or killing any conspirator or suspected traitor in his midst. What's more, Angali planned on investing his resources into more reliable assets. Ones that would not be swayed by money or power. If his men were failing him, then perhaps new tools of war could even the odds for Nurumbi.

---

Thank you for reading! I know there's a lack of additional media in this post, but I've been rather busy as of late. The next one should have more of the usual audio media!

---

For this report, we'll be covering the first battle of war between the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi and the nation of Zumisia. These two countries, led by tin-pot dictators craving for power and wealth, have begun a full-scale war along their shared border. After a few minor skirmishes, the first proper engagement of the war takes place in a small town along the Zumisian border known as Kumagu. What side took the day? Read on and you'll find out!

NOTE: I've included additional media in the order that they should be read or listened to for maximum enjoyment. Also, take care with the SoundCloud files, as the next track will play automatically once the one you're listening to has finished. Be warned of any loud audio, since these clips will include battlefield ambiance!

---

Chapter 2: The Nurumbian-Zumisian War


The winds from the coast blew deep inland, providing a calming breeze that cut through the hillsides and forests of the border region. Who could've guessed that this quiet corner of West Africa would soon become a war-zone? Sure, everyone in the villages knew that tensions were running high between Nurumbiland and Zumisia, but no one figured it'd lead to full-scale conflict. The first signs that the situation was beginning to deteriorate came when reports that the ambassadors in the capital cities of Kalumbo and Obuluville were leaving after a heated dispute had occurred during a diplomatic summit. Apparently, a few too many crass jokes were made, and the already thin line was crossed. Now, both countries observed each other's movements, trying to see who would strike first.

Audio Report: International Media Reports on Rising Tensions in West African Region of Republia
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/the-world-watches

President Angali of the DRN struck first, and he struck hard. He took center stage, announcing to the nation and the rest of the world that he and the rest of his nation would not tolerate such insults. On that fateful November day, Angali openly declared war on the nation of Zumisia, calling them to the fight. As news of Angali's broadcast made headlines throughout the globe, President Mikeobulu pondered his next move. His advisers suggested a variety of choices, but the intrepid Zumisian dictator decided to play it smart. He sent formal pleas of help to the international community, making it seem as if he was the defenseless lamb being hunted by a bloodthirsty wolf. For the most part, the United Nations and the remainder of the international community ignored Mikeobulu's pleas. After all, they vividly remembered his transgressions against the nation of Zumne that bordered Zumisia to the south. Still, word had spread fast. War was coming. It was just a matter of when.


By mid-November, both countries had mobilized large portions of their populace in preparation for hostilities to erupt. Nurumbian and Zumisian border troops eyed each other warily, waiting for the go-ahead to begin the invasion. President Angali had every intention to strike first, but he had to wait for the all-clear from his generals first. Most were still gathering their troops and readying their vehicles for battle, with only a fraction of the Nurumbian Defense Forces prepared to move out to the border. Mikeobulu knew that the Nurumbians were biding for time, and he had to force their hand if he wanted any chance of gaining the advantage in the conflict to come. So, on the night of 18 November, Mikeobulu dispatched a group of his famed Golden Lions, his elite infantry, on a mission.

To execute an elaborate ruse: to make it seem like the Nurumbians fired the first shot.


The plan was simple. The Golden Lions were to take an old crop duster from a nearby farm, place it near the border, blow it up, and make it look like a crash. Then, the Zumisian media would cover the story in the morning, claiming that a civilian aircraft had been shot down by the Nurumbian Defense Forces. The Lions did just that, driving the plane near some woods and planting some dynamite before high-tailing out of there. A loud explosion filled the air, with fire and smoke billowing up into the night sky. By dawn, Zumisian national radio was covering the news. It made headlines within a matter of hours, as foreign news outlets began reporting about the transgressions committed by the DRN. It worked!


With no other choice, President Angali formally declared an invasion of Zumisia. Even though most of his army wasn't prepared, he took the risk. By 20 November, NDF troops were marching across the Zumisian border, making their way to the town of Kumagu. Hastily, the Zumisian Army mobilized a few hundred men to defend the town until further reinforcements could arrive to relieve them. Most Zumisian troops were jubilant and optimistic, thinking the Nurumbians would be no match for them. After all, Zumisia had survived countless conflicts with other nearby countries and warlords. This, surely, would be no different. However, neither side could predict just how bloody this war was going to be.


Audio Report: BBC Reporter John Thompson on the Front near Kumagu!
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/bbc-report-2

Just a few miles outside of Kumagu, a young British reporter working for BBC Africa gathered his gear and made his way towards the front. John Thompson, followed by his American technician Willy Jenkins, had survived their harrowing coverage of the Zumisian war against the nation of Zumne some months back. Now, with another big conflict flaring up in the region, Thompson and his trusty Yank sidekick were on the scene to get the big scoop. It wouldn't be long before they spotted a column of Zumisian troops heading east towards the border with Nurumbiland. Surely, they'd stumble across the enemy at some point.


As the Zumisians patrolled the dirt highway, a contingent of Nurumbian Republican Guard made their way quietly across the border, approaching a nearby hill and radioing in their position. They were swiftly given orders to advance, and they did just that. The Guardsmen approached the crest of the hill before them, peering down towards the valley below. Within moments, the Guardsmen opened fire with their automatic rifles, filling the air with lead. The Zumisian border troops were caught unawares for a moment, returning fire shortly thereafter. Eager to make contact, the Guardsmen then stormed off the top of the hill, guns blazing and feet sprinting as they made their way down. Right behind them were a contingent of NDF troops, mostly militia and army reserves. They brought mortars along with them, and they quickly began to bomb the living daylights out of anything they saw within range.


The Zumisian troops, now facing overwhelming resistance, called for support. No response on the wireless. It seemed as if they were on their own. The situation was only getting worse, as Nurumbian troops continued to pour in. This time, a flanking force supported by a T-55 tank made their way down the central highway and right towards the Zumisians. The Zumisians themselves had a few jeeps and a single M4 Sherman which they put to good use, as the two tanks began to exchange rounds the moment they were within range. By now, the gunfight had intensified to the point that the intrepid reporter, John Thompson and his fellow Jenkins, fled the scene towards a nearby hut.


Yet, the Zumisians would not be without support for long. After a devastating and bloody charge by the Nurumbian Republican Guard, which resulted in the whole squad being slaughtered in a flurry of gunfire, the Zumisian border troops signaled for a contingent of local park rangers to take up arms and join them in the fray. They obliged, grabbing a few spare mortars from the armory in Kumagu proper. Arriving on the scene, the Zumisian park rangers and Nurumbian militia began to exchange mortar fire with one another to little effect. In the meantime, the Nurumbians continued to coordinate further reinforcements, with another flanking force arriving on the scene. However, these troops, supported by HMG-armed technicals, seemed to be running low on fuel. They made a slow crawl towards the front, firing a few shots to try and scare off the Zumisians.


Eventually, Zumisian reinforcements arrived too late. By the time they got to the battlefield, the Nurumbians had slain most of the border troops, and the remaining park rangers beat a hasty retreat. Not wishing to jeopardize more valuable armor and troops, the Zumisian Army declared a full-scale retreat from Kumagu, evacuating the town best they could. By dawn, on 21 November, Nurumbian troops were marching into town. Kumagu had fallen.


As for John Thompson and Mr. Jenkins? After the fall of Kumagu, Nurumbian troops captured the BBC reporter and his technician, "escorting" them to the Nurumbian capital of Kalumbo for a "special" assignment.

---

Yet, this would not be the end of the fighting! The Nurumbians dug in over the course of the week, preparing for the inevitable counter-attack. President Angali was pleased when he heard the news, going out in public to give an address to the nation from the balcony of his presidential palace in Kalumbo. The message was broadcast to every radio that could pick up the frequency, and the Nurumbian public expressed mixed reactions. The conservatives in the audience were ecstatic to hear that the army had gained the first major victory of the war, as it promised good tidings to come. However, others were skeptical. Why were they fighting this war in the first place? Still, detractors knew that open dissent was prohibited in Nurumbiland. Most kept their mouths shut and went along with the victory parades.

Audio Report: President Angali of the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi Addresses the Nation
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/president-angalis-victory-speech

Meanwhile, in Zumisia, President Mikeobulu was enraged. He immediately sacked the incompetent commander of his border forces, replacing him with a much more capable leader instead. This new commander made his way immediately towards Kumagu with a fresh supply of troops, including an attack helicopter! With such a force under his command, how could they possibly lose? Yet, the Nurumbians were dug in deep. It wasn't going to be an easy fight for either side.


On the morning of 25 November, the sound of roaring engines and chanting was heard along the western front. NDF troops ran to their positions, with a new host of Republican Guard prepared to reinforce the defense. Ammo was distributed, prayers were made, and guns were sighted in. It was time for the counter-attack to begin. Zumisian forces stormed across the hills to the east of Kumagu, with troops sprinting across open fields with jeeps for support. The oddest sight of all, however, was the presence of naked militia among the Zumisian contingent. These nude warriors hollered and cheered, firing wildly in every direction. The Zumisians had hoped this would scare the Nurumbians, but alas, they merely held their positions and returned fire to devastating effect.


Within moments, the Zumisian warriors were cut down in a hail of gunfire and explosions. Those that remained swiftly fell back, unable to penetrate the first line of Nurumbian defenses. The Golden Lions, however, had better luck. They had pushed back the Republican Guard, chasing after them as they fell back. However, the Golden Lions managed to get themselves encircled. As the Guard retreated, two wings of the NDF swung in to close the trap shut. Nurumbian troops surrounded the brave Lions, as they stood to the last man. Yet, they weren't going to go down without a fight. The platoon commander in charge of the Lions radioed in for helicopter support, albeit a bit late. By the time the Zumisian chopper arrived on the scene, it merely hovered over a grizzly sight. Carnage, utter carnage. The Lions were slain to the last, and the remaining Nurumbian troops were thirsty for blood.


Bullets whizzed past the helicopter, as the Zumisian pilot managed to get a few good attack runs here and there. The helicopter then positioned itself over a nearby hotel, proudly featuring the face of President Mikeobulu on the side of the building. Defending this icon valiantly, the helicopter managed to drive back a portion of the NDF troops, blowing up a technical in the process. As the fires raged, the Nurumbians stormed the hotel in the hopes of closing the distance. Yet, by the time they arrived, the helicopter had fled. It had done its job. It stalled the Nurumbians long enough for the remainder of the Zumisian Army to fall back and regroup. Again, however, the battle was lost. The DRN had won. The honor of Zumisia was tarnished, but by no means in tatters.


The Battle for Kumagu was won by the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi, but the war was far from over. Zumisia made ready to defend its homeland, while the Nurumbian army set its sights on its next target: the copper mines of Fassas.

---

Thank you for reading! I hope you all found it enjoyable, and expect more in the future. The war has only just begun!

I don't like to base vehicles generally for roughly the same reason -- they don't seem to mesh well with the terrain on those overly large bases.

I will base vehicles, however, if they're part of a larger set of something (i.e. a vehicle acting as a tow for a gun.)

Here's an example I made for AK-47. I left my technicals unbased but I based the pickup helping haul around the AA gun.

Egads! Thank you so much! I had a lot of fun writing up the entry, that's for sure.

@toxicpixie: You gotta love AK-47. It's a game made for armies comprised out of odds-and-ends.

@Mike Tanner: Check out my entry for the Second Forum Competition -- it's the next chapter in the series!

---

Hello, fellow wargamers! For the Second Peter Pig Forum Competition, I've decided to continue with a new post for my AK-47 narrative campaign, known as Republics in Peril. As I've stated before in my previous post, the campaign takes place in West and Central Africa in the region of Republia. Multiple countries, ruled by would-be warlords and tin-pot dictators, struggle to survive. There's been a few changes since my last post, which I'll post here as a change log:

• #1: I've changed the date to 1962. Why? I wanted to keep the arsenal relatively old school. My army, for example, fields a large number of World War era vehicles and weapons, so I wanted to keep the look plausible for the period, if that makes any sense. That, and, the 1960s were a period of high Cold War tension as opposed to the 1970s. Furthermore, factions like the United Nations were still very young, so there'd be a likelier chance of armed intervention (see the Wikipedia page on the Congo Crisis for inspiration).
• #2: There are a few new nations which will be shown on later maps, but I've decided to focus on the conflict between my nation and my friend's nation for now.
• #3: There's an actual mini rule-set in the works for the campaign, but it's still very rough. I'll probably post this on the AK-47 forum later.

Now, just as before, my entry will take the form of a battle report with some additional media here and there (i.e. recordings, news reports, etc.). For this report, we'll be covering the first battle of war between the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi and the nation of Zumisia. These two countries, led by tin-pot dictators craving for power and wealth, have begun a full-scale war along their shared border. After a few minor skirmishes, the first proper engagement of the war takes place in a small town along the Zumisian border known as Kumagu. What side took the day? Read on and you'll find out!

NOTE: I've included additional media in the order that they should be read or listened to for maximum enjoyment. Also, take care with the SoundCloud files, as the next track will play automatically once the one you're listening to has finished. Be warned of any loud audio, since these clips will include battlefield ambiance!

I bring you the next chapter in the Republics in Peril narrative campaign: The Battle of Kumagu!

---

The winds from the coast blew deep inland, providing a calming breeze that cut through the hillsides and forests of the border region. Who could've guessed that this quiet corner of West Africa would soon become a war-zone? Sure, everyone in the villages knew that tensions were running high between Nurumbiland and Zumisia, but no one figured it'd lead to full-scale conflict. The first signs that the situation was beginning to deteriorate came when reports that the ambassadors in the capital cities of Kalumbo and Obuluville were leaving after a heated dispute had occurred during a diplomatic summit. Apparently, a few too many crass jokes were made, and the already thin line was crossed. Now, both countries observed each other's movements, trying to see who would strike first.

Audio Report: International Media Reports on Rising Tensions in West African Region of Republia
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/the-world-watches

President Angali of the DRN struck first, and he struck hard. He took center stage, announcing to the nation and the rest of the world that he and the rest of his nation would not tolerate such insults. On that fateful November day, Angali openly declared war on the nation of Zumisia, calling them to the fight. As news of Angali's broadcast made headlines throughout the globe, President Mikeobulu pondered his next move. His advisers suggested a variety of choices, but the intrepid Zumisian dictator decided to play it smart. He sent formal pleas of help to the international community, making it seem as if he was the defenseless lamb being hunted by a bloodthirsty wolf. For the most part, the United Nations and the remainder of the international community ignored Mikeobulu's pleas. After all, they vividly remembered his transgressions against the nation of Zumne that bordered Zumisia to the south. Still, word had spread fast. War was coming. It was just a matter of when.


By mid-November, both countries had mobilized large portions of their populace in preparation for hostilities to erupt. Nurumbian and Zumisian border troops eyed each other warily, waiting for the go-ahead to begin the invasion. President Angali had every intention to strike first, but he had to wait for the all-clear from his generals first. Most were still gathering their troops and readying their vehicles for battle, with only a fraction of the Nurumbian Defense Forces prepared to move out to the border. Mikeobulu knew that the Nurumbians were biding for time, and he had to force their hand if he wanted any chance of gaining the advantage in the conflict to come. So, on the night of 18 November, Mikeobulu dispatched a group of his famed Golden Lions, his elite infantry, on a mission.

To execute an elaborate ruse: to make it seem like the Nurumbians fired the first shot.


The plan was simple. The Golden Lions were to take an old crop duster from a nearby farm, place it near the border, blow it up, and make it look like a crash. Then, the Zumisian media would cover the story in the morning, claiming that a civilian aircraft had been shot down by the Nurumbian Defense Forces. The Lions did just that, driving the plane near some woods and planting some dynamite before high-tailing out of there. A loud explosion filled the air, with fire and smoke billowing up into the night sky. By dawn, Zumisian national radio was covering the news. It made headlines within a matter of hours, as foreign news outlets began reporting about the transgressions committed by the DRN. It worked!


With no other choice, President Angali formally declared an invasion of Zumisia. Even though most of his army wasn't prepared, he took the risk. By 20 November, NDF troops were marching across the Zumisian border, making their way to the town of Kumagu. Hastily, the Zumisian Army mobilized a few hundred men to defend the town until further reinforcements could arrive to relieve them. Most Zumisian troops were jubilant and optimistic, thinking the Nurumbians would be no match for them. After all, Zumisia had survived countless conflicts with other nearby countries and warlords. This, surely, would be no different. However, neither side could predict just how bloody this war was going to be.


Audio Report: BBC Reporter John Thompson on the Front near Kumagu!
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/bbc-report-2

Just a few miles outside of Kumagu, a young British reporter working for BBC Africa gathered his gear and made his way towards the front. John Thompson, followed by his American technician Willy Jenkins, had survived their harrowing coverage of the Zumisian war against the nation of Zumne some months back. Now, with another big conflict flaring up in the region, Thompson and his trusty Yank sidekick were on the scene to get the big scoop. It wouldn't be long before they spotted a column of Zumisian troops heading east towards the border with Nurumbiland. Surely, they'd stumble across the enemy at some point.


As the Zumisians patrolled the dirt highway, a contingent of Nurumbian Republican Guard made their way quietly across the border, approaching a nearby hill and radioing in their position. They were swiftly given orders to advance, and they did just that. The Guardsmen approached the crest of the hill before them, peering down towards the valley below. Within moments, the Guardsmen opened fire with their automatic rifles, filling the air with lead. The Zumisian border troops were caught unawares for a moment, returning fire shortly thereafter. Eager to make contact, the Guardsmen then stormed off the top of the hill, guns blazing and feet sprinting as they made their way down. Right behind them were a contingent of NDF troops, mostly militia and army reserves. They brought mortars along with them, and they quickly began to bomb the living daylights out of anything they saw within range.


The Zumisian troops, now facing overwhelming resistance, called for support. No response on the wireless. It seemed as if they were on their own. The situation was only getting worse, as Nurumbian troops continued to pour in. This time, a flanking force supported by a T-55 tank made their way down the central highway and right towards the Zumisians. The Zumisians themselves had a few jeeps and a single M4 Sherman which they put to good use, as the two tanks began to exchange rounds the moment they were within range. By now, the gunfight had intensified to the point that the intrepid reporter, John Thompson and his fellow Jenkins, fled the scene towards a nearby hut.


Yet, the Zumisians would not be without support for long. After a devastating and bloody charge by the Nurumbian Republican Guard, which resulted in the whole squad being slaughtered in a flurry of gunfire, the Zumisian border troops signaled for a contingent of local park rangers to take up arms and join them in the fray. They obliged, grabbing a few spare mortars from the armory in Kumagu proper. Arriving on the scene, the Zumisian park rangers and Nurumbian militia began to exchange mortar fire with one another to little effect. In the meantime, the Nurumbians continued to coordinate further reinforcements, with another flanking force arriving on the scene. However, these troops, supported by HMG-armed technicals, seemed to be running low on fuel. They made a slow crawl towards the front, firing a few shots to try and scare off the Zumisians.


Eventually, Zumisian reinforcements arrived too late. By the time they got to the battlefield, the Nurumbians had slain most of the border troops, and the remaining park rangers beat a hasty retreat. Not wishing to jeopardize more valuable armor and troops, the Zumisian Army declared a full-scale retreat from Kumagu, evacuating the town best they could. By dawn, on 21 November, Nurumbian troops were marching into town. Kumagu had fallen.


As for John Thompson and Mr. Jenkins? After the fall of Kumagu, Nurumbian troops captured the BBC reporter and his technician, "escorting" them to the Nurumbian capital of Kalumbo for a "special" assignment.

---

Yet, this would not be the end of the fighting! The Nurumbians dug in over the course of the week, preparing for the inevitable counter-attack. President Angali was pleased when he heard the news, going out in public to give an address to the nation from the balcony of his presidential palace in Kalumbo. The message was broadcast to every radio that could pick up the frequency, and the Nurumbian public expressed mixed reactions. The conservatives in the audience were ecstatic to hear that the army had gained the first major victory of the war, as it promised good tidings to come. However, others were skeptical. Why were they fighting this war in the first place? Still, detractors knew that open dissent was prohibited in Nurumbiland. Most kept their mouths shut and went along with the victory parades.

Audio Report: President Angali of the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi Addresses the Nation
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-88061258/president-angalis-victory-speech

Meanwhile, in Zumisia, President Mikeobulu was enraged. He immediately sacked the incompetent commander of his border forces, replacing him with a much more capable leader instead. This new commander made his way immediately towards Kumagu with a fresh supply of troops, including an attack helicopter! With such a force under his command, how could they possibly lose? Yet, the Nurumbians were dug in deep. It wasn't going to be an easy fight for either side.


On the morning of 25 November, the sound of roaring engines and chanting was heard along the western front. NDF troops ran to their positions, with a new host of Republican Guard prepared to reinforce the defense. Ammo was distributed, prayers were made, and guns were sighted in. It was time for the counter-attack to begin. Zumisian forces stormed across the hills to the east of Kumagu, with troops sprinting across open fields with jeeps for support. The oddest sight of all, however, was the presence of naked militia among the Zumisian contingent. These nude warriors hollered and cheered, firing wildly in every direction. The Zumisians had hoped this would scare the Nurumbians, but alas, they merely held their positions and returned fire to devastating effect.


Within moments, the Zumisian warriors were cut down in a hail of gunfire and explosions. Those that remained swiftly fell back, unable to penetrate the first line of Nurumbian defenses. The Golden Lions, however, had better luck. They had pushed back the Republican Guard, chasing after them as they fell back. However, the Golden Lions managed to get themselves encircled. As the Guard retreated, two wings of the NDF swung in to close the trap shut. Nurumbian troops surrounded the brave Lions, as they stood to the last man. Yet, they weren't going to go down without a fight. The platoon commander in charge of the Lions radioed in for helicopter support, albeit a bit late. By the time the Zumisian chopper arrived on the scene, it merely hovered over a grizzly sight. Carnage, utter carnage. The Lions were slain to the last, and the remaining Nurumbian troops were thirsty for blood.


Bullets whizzed past the helicopter, as the Zumisian pilot managed to get a few good attack runs here and there. The helicopter then positioned itself over a nearby hotel, proudly featuring the face of President Mikeobulu on the side of the building. Defending this icon valiantly, the helicopter managed to drive back a portion of the NDF troops, blowing up a technical in the process. As the fires raged, the Nurumbians stormed the hotel in the hopes of closing the distance. Yet, by the time they arrived, the helicopter had fled. It had done its job. It stalled the Nurumbians long enough for the remainder of the Zumisian Army to fall back and regroup. Again, however, the battle was lost. The DRN had won. The honor of Zumisia was tarnished, but by no means in tatters.


The Battle for Kumagu was won by the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi, but the war was far from over. Zumisia made ready to defend its homeland, while the Nurumbian army set its sights on its next target: the copper mines of Fassas.

---

Thank you for reading! I hope you all found it enjoyable, and expect more in the future. The war has only just begun!

Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on September 26, 2016, 09:11:02 PM
Very nice - I particularly like the windows on the trucks, which look very effective, and are something I find particularly hard to do.

Many thanks! I have a better picture somewhere that shows the effect done similarly, but with a different set of colors. I was over at a friend's house when I first painted them, so I just used different shades of blue.

What works is best is to take one single dark blue and slowly add white to it, so that you create a lighter tone every time. I started up with dark blue at the top of the window, and proceeded to paint thin, horizontal lines all the way to the bottom -- with each line getting consecutively lighter and lighter.

Quote from: Leman on September 26, 2016, 07:21:57 PM
Have you come across the Solo Wargamers'  Association?

Har, har. Very funny. 

Although, if your question is a genuine one, then I know of them. Mind you, I wouldn't enjoy the hobby if it weren't for the wonderful people I've met along the way. To be fair though, I've also met some less-than-agreeable folks too (hence my pet hates and grumbles).

Although I only have a few years of war-gaming under my belt, here goes:

• Players who indulge too much in historical realism. I can't stand it when someone is bent on changing a rule to make it more "appropriate" or "realistic" for the period in question. (i.e. that weapon shouldn't be that accurate, because in real life it wasn't!) Sometimes, folks need to remember it's a game, not a simulator.
• Folks who chime in to be rules-lawyers when they're not even playing! If you're not at the table, then let the players play the way they'd like to.
• The phrase "it's just a game" or "it's just a friendly game." For some reason, it sounds condescending when it's repeated over and over. I mean, we all get a little flustered when things don't go our way, but it doesn't help when someone is rubbing in their victory like that.
• Folks who walk up to start conversations and end up distracting players. Could you not bring up the entire literature of some historical period whilst we're playing? Save it for later, chum.
• The overly defensive or overly aggressive player. Now, I'll say this: I don't mind aggression as much as I do overly-defensive tactics. All out charges can be fun! What's not fun is your opponent staying on the other side of the field. During an open field battle. Wasting turns. Wasting time.

Here are some pictures of my first army for AK-47 Republic, the Nurumbian Defense Force (NDF). Overall, I went with a mixture of themes, mostly focusing on the armies of Uganda's Idi Amin during the 1970s. There's a mix-and-match of modern gear and weapons alongside some older gear from Korea and Vietnam-era stuff. All I'm missing are some Shermans!

For more background information on the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi, go to the African Nations Archive thread here: https://rulesforcommonman.uk/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=ti05811f0i5e9t6f45tamtd2q1&topic=262.msg1316

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Pic. 1: The "armored" contingent. Some technicals and a T-55 tank.


Pic. 2: The fearless bulwark of the Democratic Republic of Nurumbi -- the Republican Guard. Some are wearing the optional black combat helmet.


Pic. 3: The National Army forms the main body of Nurumbi's forces, both on the defense and on the offense. Typically wear older, American gear from around Korea and Vietnam.

A bump to the thread!

Come now -- don't tell me not a single fellow warlord is keen on sharing their nation with the rest of the community?

Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on September 13, 2016, 02:37:04 PM
Seems far too detailed to be made up...

This is what happens when you get an actual historian to write a fake history! Loved every minute of writing it up, though.

Quote from: Sean Clark on September 13, 2016, 02:06:03 PM
My word, that is  comprehensive background of your fictional nation!

I'll take that as a compliment! Cheers!