The Newspaper: A SHGGFTAWSGDSSFDF Delivery
The Newspaper: A SHGGFTAWSGDSSFDF Delivery

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2022-02-01

Total Pages: 21

ISBN-13: 1912680807

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During the Second World War, information was one of the most precious currencies there was. And in this light-hearted and humorous one-shot adventure, delivering a simple newspaper could be the one thing which stops an entire village being erased from the history books and forgotten forever. In The Newspaper, the player characters will have to overcome a number of wartime challenges to ensure their delivery makes it into the hands of Dr Barnett Stross, a doctor and local politician in Stoke-on-Trent. If the mission succeeds, their newspaper will alert Dr Stross to the plight of Lidice, a Czechoslovakian village razed to the ground by the Nazis, and inspire him to start the Lidice Shall Live campaign. While the stakes may be high in this adventure, the action is far from serious. Players will have to keep their heads down and avoid the police, keep their valuables from being stolen by pickpockets, survive an air raid, and stay on the right side of the Home Guard. Will you complete the mission with your dignity intact? Or will your newspaper merely end up being the next day’s fish and chip paper?

The Epiphany Club and the Great Library of Alexandria
The Epiphany Club and the Great Library of Alexandria

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2023-01-30

Total Pages: 85

ISBN-13: 1912680920

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Welcome to the Epiphany Club, where the pursuit of knowledge and adventure is the name of the game. A Victorian gentlemen’s club with a difference, its distinguished members are determined to solve some of the world’s greatest mysteries. For centuries, the wonders of the Great Library of Alexandria have been considered lost forever. So when the club discovers a clue to its whereabouts, the race is on to discover this forgotten treasure first. In this exciting steampunk campaign, you will play a member of the Epiphany Club, travelling across Europe and Africa to find the Great Library of Alexandria. But with so many people desperate to get their hands on the knowledge contained within the library’s hidden walls, your mission will be far from smooth sailing. Will you gather all the clues and solve them in time? Or will they merely lead you on a risky wild goose chase? Your quest will take you on a high stakes adventure where danger and betrayal lurk round every corner. You’ll encounter an array of interesting characters, but not everyone is who they say they are. There’s a network of spies, criminals and even ninjas to contend with, so you’ll need to stay calm and keep your head if you want to reach your goal. Will you be the one to uncover one of the most famous wonders of the ancient world? Or will you be beaten to the discovery by someone hoping to get hold of the priceless historical artefacts for their own motives?

A Strange Campaign
A Strange Campaign

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2021-05-05

Total Pages: 149

ISBN-13: 1912680254

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Madagascar provided the stunning backdrop for one of the strangest conflicts of the Second World War — when Britain went head to head against one of its closest allies. When British forces landed on the island in 1942, the enemy they faced wasn’t German, Japanese or even Italian, this time the opposing forces were French. Concerned that Japan might use Madagascar as a strategic base to disrupt the supply line to India, Britain was keen to take control of the island. However, the Vichy forces were keen to defend the French colony and prevent it becoming part of the British Empire. A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar gives a detailed account of this fascinating but little-known period of military history. Even at the time, the conflict was a controversial one, pitting two colonial empires against each other. However, it was also ground-breaking as it was the first time Allied forces had staged a major amphibious invasion. The lessons learned on the shores of Madagascar would prove to be invaluable two years later during the D-day landings in Normandy. Military historian Russell Phillips examines the tactics used in the battle for Madagascar which included secret agents, dummy paratroopers and attempted bribery. But just how did the British finally break down months of resistance by the French? And how did a tug-of-war over an island in the middle of the Indian ocean influence the rest of the Second World War? Russell Phillips gives us a well-researched, enlightening, and skillfully detailed account of a little-known but clearly pivotal WWII operation that’s suited for both curious laypersons and serious researchers. — Steve Anderson, author of the Kaspar Brothers series and other WWII-era novels Though it was a world war it is easy to overlook some corners of the conflict. Madagascar was strategically important and controlled by Vichy France. Phillips has done an excellent job drawing out the story of the British-led invasion of the island. — Angus Wallace, host of the WW2 Podcast

A Ray of Light
A Ray of Light

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2016-07-18

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13:

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This is the inspiring true story of what happens when ordinary people unite to make a stand against evil. Lidice was a peaceful and vibrant community in Czechoslovakia with a rich mining heritage. But an act of Nazi revenge saw this village wiped from existence in a horrifying chapter of European history. Disaster struck for Lidice in 1942 when the prominent Nazi official Reinhard Heydrich was assassinated. Described by Hitler as "the man with an iron heart", Heydrich was one of the key architects of the Holocaust. His death, after an attack by members of the Czech resistance, left Hitler furious and desperate for vengeance. Looking for a scapegoat to blame for Heydrich's death, he settled on the village of Lidice, which had been falsely linked to the assassination. In a brutal act which shocked the world, Lidice was completely destroyed. The men were shot while the women and children were rounded up and sent to their deaths in Nazi concentration camps. Hitler was determined that by the time he had finished, no one would even remember Lidice, let alone live there. What he hadn't reckoned on was the efforts of a group of campaigners in Britain, who resolved to make sure Lidice would never be forgotten. A Ray of Light tells the tale of Lidice's downfall and what happened next. Would the village simply be allowed to become a footnote in history, or would it rise from the ashes and forge a new future? This book is a compelling testament to the power of friendship and solidarity, and how empathy and compassion can help rebuild the world.

Risus
Risus

Author: S. John Ross

Publisher: Cumberland Games & Diversions

Published: 2013-12-25

Total Pages: 4

ISBN-13:

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Welcome to Risus: The Anything RPG, a complete (very compact) pen-and-paper roleplaying game! For some, Risus is a handy “emergency” RPG for spur-of-the-moment one-shots and rapid character creation. For others, it’s a reliable campaign system supporting years of play. For others still, it’s a strange little pamphlet with stick figures. No matter what you think it is, there's no wrong way to play, and if you're new to tabletop gaming, Risus has a friendly global community waiting to welcome you to this rewarding social hobby.

Artillery of the Warsaw Pact
Artillery of the Warsaw Pact

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2018-08-22

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 0995513392

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Considered to be “the god of modern war” by the Soviet army, artillery played a vital role in the Cold War period. The armies of the Warsaw Pact made artillery a cornerstone of their military strategies. And the importance they placed on this type of weaponry saw them use their technology and expertise to develop a wide range of munitions including mortars, rocket launchers, missiles and large-calibre guns. Artillery of the Warsaw Pact provides a compelling and detailed account of the artillery used by Warsaw Pact countries and the important role it played during this period of suspicion, tension and unease. The powerful weapons created at this time had the potential to destroy significant enemy resources, posing a very real threat to NATO forces. This book will allow you to gain an insight into the way in which artillery was used by the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact nations. Read about mortars ranging from light 50mm weapons to enormous 240mm breech-loaded versions capable of destroying fortified buildings from a distance. Artillery of the Warsaw Pact also looks at the widespread use of towed guns as well as the growth in popularity of self-propelled guns. The book also details how Second World War weapons like multiple rocket launchers continued to play a key part in the Cold War hostilities, alongside newly-developed artillery, including tactical ballistic missiles which Khrushchev viewed as a critical part of his response to the threat posed by the United States.

Operation Nimrod
Operation Nimrod

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2015-10-05

Total Pages: 111

ISBN-13:

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Drawing on extensive research, Operation Nimrod dispels the myths and reveals the truth of those six long days, and the dramatic rescue that thrust the SAS into the public eye. On 29th April 1980, British police assured Iran that their embassy was secure. The very next day, terrorists stormed the embassy and took twenty-six hostages. With the Iranian government willing to let the hostages become martyrs, and the British government only willing to talk if the terrorists surrendered, twenty-six lives hung in the balance. What followed was six days of tension and terror. It was finally ended when the SAS launched a daring rescue mission, broadcast live on television. Millions held their breath, waiting to see the outcome of Operation Nimrod. Buy this book to learn the truth about one of the most dramatic rescue missions ever undertaken by the SAS.

A Damn Close-Run Thing
A Damn Close-Run Thing

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2011-09-13

Total Pages: 21

ISBN-13: 146610547X

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“It was a damn close-run thing” — Major-General Moore, commander of the British land forces in the South Atlantic In 1982, the average Briton didn’t know the Falkland Islands existed, let alone their status as a disputed British territory just off the coast of Argentina. That changed when the Argentinians invaded the islands and overwhelmed the small defending force. Both nations claimed the islands were theirs, but now Argentina thought the British would give them up without a fight. They were wrong. Britain sent a task force into the South Atlantic to re-take the islands, and the short, intense war that followed was–in the words of Major-General Sir John Jeremy Moore–”a damn close-run thing.” This short history sums up the events leading up to the war and its major military actions including details of an Argentinian plan to sink a Royal Navy ship in Gibraltar harbour (foiled at the last minute by Spanish police) and an audacious British plan to land SAS soldiers in Argentina to destroy Exocet-carrying aircraft while they were still on the ground.

Combat Engineering Equipment of the Warsaw Pact
Combat Engineering Equipment of the Warsaw Pact

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher: Shilka Publishing

Published: 2017-11-07

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 099551335X

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The ability to advance rapidly over sometimes difficult terrain was a key part of the Warsaw Pact's strategy. The Eastern European nations which formed this historic alliance wanted to be able to move quickly and effectively so they didn't give their enemies an advantage. The vital tools which helped the Warsaw Pact overcome the challenges it faced included a whole range of combat engineering equipment. This book is a factual reference of the equipment which was used throughout the Cold War period and the important roles each piece played. With obstacles including rivers and minefields to negotiate, combat units could have faced costly delays if it hadn't been for the diligent work of the Warsaw Pact's engineers. Refusing to allow troops to be slowed down by the landscape, these combat engineers worked in sometimes challenging conditions to find safe routes to their destination. From building bridges and clearing safe lanes through minefields to repairing and recovering broken down vehicles and creating field fortifications, the work of these engineers played an essential part in the Warsaw Pact's military strategy. But the work of this effective force would have been impossible without the specialist engineering equipment they used. Rugged, simplistic compared to their Western equivalents, these items would play a crucial part in both peacetime military exercises and combat operations in Afghanistan.

The Bear Marches West
The Bear Marches West

Author: Russell Phillips

Publisher:

Published: 2013-12

Total Pages: 64

ISBN-13: 9780992764821

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NATO kept the Warsaw Pact behind the Berlin Wall until its dissolution - but what if it hadn't? "The Bear Marches West" contains 12 wargame scenarios set during a fictional Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany in the 1980s. All the scenarios are based on battles depicted in well-known novels, and are designed to be used with whatever rules the players wish. Each scenario includes the battle's context, weather conditions, deployments, force lists and a colour map. The scenarios range in scale from small skirmishes, with a company on each side, to large engagements, with Soviet regiments bearing down on smaller but better-equipped NATO units. With Shilka Publishing's "Digital Reinforcements," buy the print edition, and get the ebook FREE. Details at www.shilka.co.uk/dr