You can take the title for what it's worth (and I figure at least a few tacky jokes would be in order :p )
THE Goblin (who has proved himself kind, courteous, and a glutton for punishment) has offered himself to me as a PBEM opponent. I thank you sir, this should be a hoot.
August 17, 1943
Col Colonna, commander of the Italian Yahoo brigade,
(I have absolutely no knowledge of Italian formation designations, or much of anything else Italian, either. So bear with me if I gaff),
has been ordered to take his brigade to a point on the frontline, somewhere in Europe. pretty vague, eh?
The Colonel is mightily concerned. This area they're heading towards is known to contain large amounts of Soviet Goblins. And, from what we've heard, this is definitely goblin country.
Why does it seem theat EVERY country is Goblin country?
There are wide open spaces with a few rows of trees parallel to our approach from the West. I would have much preferred more cover, but we'll do with what we've got.
Once we bolt through that slaughterground, we'll likely meet up with goblins infesting the rather heavily forested Eastern zone of our sector. Prime goblin ground. Darn!!:mad:
A quick crackle over the radio, and 1Lt Gallina has his orders to call all batteries to fire in preparation for the advance.
81mm smoke rounds, fired from a half dozen locations in the Italian zone, drop in to obscure sighting from the heights on the Goblin side of the sector against our lanes of approach. The Camion con 105 pepper HE near each of the two East-West roads, one or two kilometers in front of the advance.
A half dozen goblin scouts (?) near the Soviet front line perish in the Italian hellfire at the front lines. So sad. Hope there's enough left for shish-kabob.
The mortars load up on their Guzzi trialice and zoom off to parts unknown. At least to where there's no obvious mortar smoke trail.
The Camion section drop barrels, close the back gates and trundle off to new firing positions to further confuse Goblin gunners. Ahh, we are so sneaky , yes we are. :rolleyes:
Italian motorcycle squads gun their engines, pop their kickstands and bounce off across the countryside. (ala Steve McQueen in "The Great Escape").
Sgt Buongiorno and his MC squad bolt out in front of the brigade and recon a short bend in the northern road. (taking the center five VHs in the process.) Realizing that his squad is being sighted from some nearby forest, he orders smoke grenades dropped and retreats back into the forest.
Other than a prickly sensation at the back of my neck (darned barber), I haven't had the pleasure of drawing a goblin into my sights, yet!
But the time will come. Yes. Very soon, it will come.
The Yahoo Brigade players
Col Colonna - I don't know Italian, as I mentioned earlier, but this strikes me as an Italian version of Major Major in Catch-22. (Colonel Colonel?) Probably not, but close enough for a chuckle.
1Lt Gallina - "female chicken" - am I right? If so, it's a fitting name for a forward observer.
Sgt Buongiorno - I kid you not! These are the names given on the unit info pages. This is better than most names I could think up.
We'll meet more unit leaders as the game progresses.
So, there you have it! The Italians meet the Russians. (Both experience 70) You've heard of a Battle Royale - this is a "Battle Bagatelle"
Have at you!!
