VSF - Martian Assault - The Battle for Bedford

The Martians interrogated  their human captives to find out the best way to conquer Earth. The humans were stubborn and reluctant to respond but once they had seen a few of their fellows drained of blood they became much more forthcoming.

The head of Martian Intelligence reported to the Martian Leader. "Apparently, and this is really weird, but we have to go down to the main human slum on this island, London, and first declare you King and Emperor in Westminster Cathedral and then go to Westminster Palace and do it again. But the second time we need to vote for you. All very odd but these are the customs of a bunch of uncivilised lower sentients."

"Is London the slum on the river? It would be nice to relax in the water out of this hideous gravity." 

"I am not sure we want to go in the river, they use it for their sewage!"

"Uncivilised!" shouted the Martian leader as he took another mouthful of human blood.

So following on from their initial landing the Martians pushed south towards the town of Bedford which would lead them to London.

In Westminster Palace the PM consulted with his generals.  "What can we do to stop these Martians!" he demanded.

The Generals outlined their plan. To protect London they would turn the towns south of the Martian landing into fortresses with heavy artillery, plus infantry, cavalry and field artillery. They would also assign each town their latest invention - Battle Balls.

If the Martians pushed through the generals would create further lines of defence. 

The Battle for Bedford.

The Martians appear out of the early morning mist on the right. The British infantry is well entrenched and occupying the central railway station.. Cavalry on the wings, Battle Balls in reserve, Heavy artillery in the industrial area

The Martians advance and the British cavalry get ready for another famous charge.

The British heavy artillery fires at the large tripods and cause some damage. However return fire destroys one gun. The cavalry get ready to charge, dressing their lines. In the centre the smaller tripods are ambushed by the infantry in the railway station.

The last heavy artillery piece is knocked out as well as the cavalry on the right. On the left the cavalry charges home. In the centre one of the smaller tripods retreats as it is damaged. The Battle Balls move out to join the defence.

The Martians continue their advance. Except for the small tripod that retreats further. The last of the British artillery is destroyed.

On the right the Gatling gun is destroyed by the tentacles of a large tripod. two of the Battle Balls are destroyed by Large Tripod blasters. On the left the small tripod has finished off the cavalry but a Battle Ball is now attacking it.

The British infantry charge forward from their defences to get at the enemy.

A Martian force is deployed from a large tripod and takes cover in the central wooded area. On the left the British continue their attack on the small tripod. Can the infantry attack before they are shot at? In the centre the infantry march towards the Martians in what seems to be a hopeless attempt to rescue their brothers.

Only on the left does the British defence hold. Taking the battle to the Martians. Every where else they are in retreat. Hiding from the Martian guns. But they can see that two of the Martian smaller tripods have fled the field of battle.

The British Commander sounds the retreat. Only on the left has the British line held as a third small tripod flees the field of battle. The last Battle Ball charges forward to attack the Martians to cover the retreat.

Final Result

The Martians have captured Bedford. Is the way to London open? But the British can see that while they were beaten they handed out plenty of damage to the Martians. Damaging two of the larger tripods and making three of the smaller tripods flee the battlefield to escape destructions.

The Martians are going to find getting to London is easier said than done.

The next target is Luton.