The War of the Worlds

[Garfunkel]

Don't let this die! NPR Sol action is so rare!

[Louella (OP)]

Don't let this die! NPR Sol action is so rare!

I've been a bit busy lately. Bought a house and all that. Will get back into things as soon as I can !

[Louella (OP)]

"This is the British Aether Broadcasting Corporation. There now follows a short address from the Prime Minister."

"Good evening. Earlier today, British forces and our allies began landing troops on the northern hemisphere of Mars, beginning the final campaign to end the Martian menace. Six divisions under the command of General Stevens, supported by strong naval forces under the command of Admiral Barton, have landed around the Martian capital city, in order to compel them to surrender. The first official reports back indicate that heavy fighting is ongoing, though our forces are making good progress. Their task is not an easy one. The Martian forces are well equipped and will fight savagely. I have full confidence in our forces courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We shall accept nothing less than total victory."

"That was an address from the Prime Minister. His Majesty the King will broadcast to his people at home and in space at 9 o'clock this evening."

"In other news, heavy rain stops play in the fourth Test match in Sydney, with the series currently tied at one all."

Operation Olympus

"This marks the location of the Martian capital city, you can see these orbital photographs showing the launch sites for the cylinders they used in their invasion. The landing sites are here, here, and here, at the junctions of their industrial canal network. Seizing these will cut off the flow of materiel to their capital, and thus their ability to produce war machines."
"Landing point Alpha, is allocated to the 1st Infantry Division, and the 7th (Armoured) Division. Landing point Beta, to the 2nd Infantry Division and 8th (Cavalry) division. and Landing point Gamma to 3rd Infantry Division and 9th (Cavalry) Division."
"Each landing point will be cleared of enemy forces by orbital bombardment by the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Cruiser squadrons, which will then support the landing forces as needed. The orbital gun batteries on Phobos and Deimos will provide suppressive fire across the northern hemisphere, to prevent the Martians bringing up any reinforcements."
"Once the landing zones are secured, our forces shall advance upon the capital city."
"As you know our sensors can only provide limited information. We expect a great number of their Fighting Machines and their rocket artillery, so remind your troops to follow biological warfare procedures at all times."
"This will be the toughest battle in human history, but I have every confidence in our troops ability."
"Any questions ?"



Orders, 5th Transport Squadron
Proceed to LONDON orbital port, berths 25-36.
Embark 1st Infantry Division, consisting: 1st Infantry Division HQ, 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade HQ, 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards, 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, 2nd Armoured Infantry Brigade HQ, 3rd Battalion Scots Guards, 5th Battalion Irish Guards, 3rd Armoured Infantry Brigade HQ, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards
Proceed to MARS, Landing point Alpha, for disembarking

Orders, 9th Transport Squadron
Proceed to PORTSMOUTH orbital port, berths 1-12
Embark 7th (Armoured) Division, consisting: 7th (Armoured) Division HQ, 1st Army Tank Brigade HQ, North Irish Horse, Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars, Lanarkshire Yeomanry, 2nd Army Tank Brigade HQ, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Scots Greys, Glamorganshire Yeomanry, 3rd Army Tank Brigade HQ, 15th (The King's) Hussars, 12th (Prince of Wales's) Royal Lancers, 6th Royal Tank Regiment
Proceed to MARS, Landing point Alpha, for disembarking

Phobos Battery
"Target coming over the horizon sir"
"Very good, commence shooting as soon as we're overhead"

"Lots of dust sir"
"Hmm, quite. Did we hit anything ?"
"Not sure, sir."
"Oh well. Carry on."

[nuclearslurpee]

This is a rather frightening report, given that each ton detected is probably several tons of actual forces. I worry that six divisions may not be nearly enough...

Phobos Battery
"Target coming over the horizon sir"
"Very good, commence shooting as soon as we're overhead"

"Lots of dust sir"
"Hmm, quite. Did we hit anything ?"
"Not sure, sir."
"Oh well. Carry on."

0 shots - 1 hit - hilarious! 

[Louella (OP)]

This is a rather frightening report, given that each ton detected is probably several tons of actual forces.

"Sentries report Martians to the southwest. Thousands of 'em."
"Alright Colour Sergeant. Stand to."

[Louella (OP)]

Today is of course an important anniversary

At midnight, on the 12th of August, a huge mass of luminous gas erupted from Mars and sped towards Earth. Across two hundred million miles of void, invisibly hurtling towards us, came the first of the missiles that were to bring so much calamity to Earth

Landing Zone Beta

2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

"Ground's still hot from the preliminary bombardment."
"So I see. Hmm, some of the rocks have turned to glass. Better tell the men to watch their step when we advance."
"Heat haze makes it difficult to get accurate distances."
"We'll manage... what's that ? See it ? To the south"
In the distance, a plume of dust appeared, then another, and another.
"Martians ! All right. To your positions everyone ! Get ready !"
The Highlanders took up their fighting positions, the power-armoured infantrymen dispersing into foxholes and trenches, the support weapons in fire pits and sangars, ready for action against the incoming Martians.

"Three columns of Tripods, sir. Plus some smaller... machines ? Martian infantry ?"
"How soon till they're in range ?"
"Coming into range shortly... They've spotted us. Incoming rockets."
"I guess we'll find out now how good these suits are against the Black Smoke"

Martian rockets bearing the Black Smoke streaked through the air, crashing around the Highlanders positions, the acrid black clouds billowing from every crater.
"Filters working sir. Visibility is poor. Thermal vision isn't much help due to the hot rocks."
"Hmm. Are they in range yet ?"
"Looks like it sir."

The Martian machines advanced slowly, then with a roar, the Highlanders anti-vehicle guns fired in unison. Several of the tripods staggered, a few crashing to the ground. Others raised their Heat Rays and fired, the beams sweeping across the ground in front of, through, and behind the Highlander's lines.

The smaller Martian vehicles advanced rapidly, then came to a sudden halt, and to the surprise of the human observers, dozens of Martian figures poured out, each protected by armour and wielding a miniature Heat Ray. They surged forward, letting out the terrible ululating cry that was once heard on Earth during the Invasion. "Uuu-Llllaaaa!"

"Seems you were right, it is Martian infantry."
"Highlanders ! Up and at them ! Pipers !"

The Highlander's bagpipers began to play, as the battalion engaged in this horrendous close-range firefight, Heat Rays vs Pattern 1904 Enfield Laser Rifles. The low hum of the heat rays contrasting with the high-pitched whine of the rifles, and the terrifying continuous rattle of the Machine Gun, Vendarite, Mk1, Vickers.

[Louella (OP)]

Landing Zone Gamma

17th Lancers, Hill G17

"Stop short of the ridge, so we're not skylined."
"Squadron, hold position"
"Alright, let's get out and take a look"
The Lancers dismounted from their armoured cars, and crept forward to peer over the ridge.
"Martian machines, sir. Not ones we've seen before though."
"Hmm. Not their tripods. No obvious weapons either."
"What do you suggest, sir ?"
"Take B squadron, go down the hill that way, then swing around, come out the valley there and engage. C squadron will go downhill on the other side, attack them from the opposite direction. A squadron, we'll wait here till the attack, then we'll cross the ridge and engage them head-on."
"Very good, sir."
The Lancers returned to their vehicles, and the squadrons began their attack, the cars throwing up dust as they roared across the sandy Martian terrain. Soon, only burning wreckage remained of the Martian column, as the heavy machine guns and light cannon of the armoured cars ripped through the thinly-armoured Martian machines.

The officers gathered to examine the wreckage of the unknown Martian machines.
"Any survivors ?"
"None found so far, sir"
"Hardly any resistance, only smallarms sir."
"Damage ?"
"A few holes in some of the cars, nothing we can't patch up."
One of the Lancers stopped picking through the wreckage, and brought some items over.
"Hmm. What do you make of this, sir ? These Martian machines were full of them."
"Little blocks of something ? Wonder what ?"
"I've had a thought. Let's see one of the Martian smallarms."
A Martian infantry weapon was located and brought up.
"Right, let's take a look. Stand clear. Alright, that one's the trigger, this one... must do something but I can't tell what, this one... well, would you look at that."
An object detached from the Martian weapon when the third control was manipulated.
"That's the same kind of block as those ones. Spare ammunition ?"
"Could be. Try putting one in."
"Fits right in."
"See if it fires."
"Nothing."
"Try that second control"
"There we go. Simple enough. Trigger, safety catch, and magazine ejector."
"Well, we've figured out the Martian smallarms at least. So this must have been a supply column ?"
"Looks like it. There were some larger blocks in one of their other machines. And some barrels of some liquid too, though they're all punctured."
"Ammunition for their larger machines perhaps. Anyone's guess about the liquid."
"Take some pictures, we'll transmit them to Division, see what they make of them."
"Very good sir."
"Alright, gather up all those boxes, and dump them in a pile. We'll destroy them, then press on to our next objective."

Destroyed apparent Martian supply column at G17, advancing to G18.

The Lancers have broken through the Martian lines and are attacking rear area supply and communications units

[Louella (OP)]

Landing Zone Gamma

'C' Battery, 4th Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery, supporting 3rd Infantry Division

"I say, what's that you're painting on that shell, Sergeant ?"
"Horsell's Revenge, sah"
"Oh, of course. Carry on."

"what was that about, Sergeant ?"
"I were at Horsell Common, the first Martian cylinder landed right there, it did."
"How come you never said before ?"
"Never thought I'd be ere to give them what for. Ten bloody years, and ere we are. Let's get this gun in action"

"Tripods, Left sector, Left Section Engage!"

The gunnery tables and calibrations for Mars have proven to be quite accurate, with fall of shot within 100 yards of the nominal distances. The thinner atmosphere and lower gravity also allows exceptional long range shooting to be undertaken, to the limit of our ability to distinguish targets with the available optical sights.

Landing Zone Beta

2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

"Can't raise Division or Brigade on the radio, sir"
"Problems with the equipment ?"
"Not on our end, sir."
"Alright, see who we can raise"

"I think the Martians must have hit the HQ, the other battalion we've managed to contact reports the same situation"
"Hmm. Well we're not going to get any replacements any time soon. Knox over at 5th Brigade is senior, she'll have to take over Division. Everett at the Ox and Bucks is senior so he should take Brigade. Did you get him on the radio ?"
"No sir, we couldn't make contact with them."
"Damn. We'll have to send someone out."

"Sergeant, take 5 men, and head to the Ox and Bucks position, see who's still in command there"
"Very good, sir"

"Nothing but craters and dead Martians far as the eye can see, Sergeant."
"Must be someone still alive, wait, I've got an idea. McCullough! play a tune on your pipes. If any of our lads are still alive, they'll let us know"

As the bagpipes played, the surviving Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry came out of their foxholes and trenches, waving and cheering.

Having repelled the Martian attack, albeit with significant casualties, 2nd Division have restored our chain of command by borrowing some command cars from 8th Cavalry Div, who have consolidated their own formations. We're still in the fight.

[Warer]

It returns! Holy heck wasn't expecting that!