Fall of Singapore

February 15, 2022February 3, 2022 ~ anthony ~ 2 Comments

*from National Heritage Board of Singapore.*

Today is the 80th anniversary of the “Fall of Singapore”.

On the 15 February 1942 at 17:15 General Percival signed the surrender documents at the Ford Motor Factory along Upper Bukit Timah Rd. Hostilities were to cease at 20:30 where along with the unconditional surrender of all defending forces the Fall of Singapore to the Japanese was complete..

So it’s probably appropriate that the official magazine of the National Heritage Board of Singapore devoted its current issue to this historic occasion. (see Vol 15, Issue 1 #44, The Fall of Singapore) I will confess to not being a reader of said magazine, it was really just a fortuitous Facebook suggestion that led me too it. Also it’s a free PDF for anyone who wants to add the read to their device for perusal at their own leisure. (or for reading on the throne, if that’s your thing)

The War in the Far East is a period that has sat on my back-burner for a while, as I gathered ideas, reference texts, and even the odd rule set compendium (or two) so this was a welcome kick in the pants and a good reminder that I am not really good at staying on focus with a single project…so this might just be the distraction that I need for the next month or so while I continue with my 3D model a month project.

As for the magazine…a lot of it reads like an advertorial for the reopened and revamped Changi Prison Museum and the Reflections at Bukit Chandu Museum. In itself this not a bad thing, just an observation, though I will say the article about the Sembawang Naval Yard was a good trip through the Yard and surrounding areas many post war phases, probably made more interesting by my familiarity with the area.

Battle of Seven Pines I

February 7, 2022July 3, 2023 ~ anthony ~ 4 Comments

*Close up of the redoubt (original: John Banks Civil War Blog)*

So looking at making some terrain features for ACW battles, I found myself drawn to the twin houses and redoubt that formed such a focus of the Battle of Seven Pines. While a few detailed photos taken in June 1862 show the twin houses clearly and from differing angles the redoubt that formed a contested focal point of the battle is difficult to make out in most of them.

The close up at right comes from the fantastic blog of John Banks, which I think of as essential reading for Civil War gamers and buffs alike. The photo shows a basically dirt rampart construction, it is difficult to make out if any internal bracing existed, though I suspect it in all likelihood did, and apart from the records that and maps that show the redoubt was occupied by artillery, (1 NY Coy A) other details of the redoubt are hazy. For the twin houses, I am going to try and replicate them in 3D-modelling software as close as I can before I print them for battlefield use. Given that the twin houses really are just a mirror of each other, I will design one, and just let the software flip the whole model for me.

Casey’s* Redoubt

Luckily I had already made a redoubt earlier and while it has less earth ramparts than the photo above and below suggest it will suffice for my needs. (see redoubt post)

*Close up of a twin house*
*(original: John Banks Civil War Blog)*

Twin Houses

2 story square clapboard, brick chimney on east side, door on west (offset to the south), 2 windows upper and lower floors on north and south sides. 12 pane sash windows open (so only 6 panes visible). half circle detailed fascia, chimney detailing at top. hip roof, almost pyramidal. (Design note: 3 part print for FDM printers: roof, fascia detailing, main building.)

Other

The Battle of Seven Pines is also a notable battle for the use of observation balloons by the Union forces, and while McClellan ignored much of the intel that came from the use of the balloon, I do think it would be a fun vignette to model for the table top. (So this is possibly something to add to the list for the future)

* Brig. General Silas Casey was the divisional commander when the redoubt fell to the confederate forces under D.H. Hill. Wrongfully blamed by a sick McClellan for turning certain victory into an inconclusive draw, Casey was to spend the rest of the war in largely administrative posts.

Reading (still): Welker, David A., The Cornfield, Antietam’s bloody turning point. (2020) ISBN: 978-1-61200-832-5

Char Grill Bar

February 3, 2022February 3, 2022 ~ anthony ~ 4 Comments

Char Grill Bar is a chain of western styled Hawker stalls located in various locations all over Singapore. This test was conducted in one of the two outlets in Sembawang, at a place that has become an almost regular haunt for I and a few friends, as it is not far off the path home, though we usually partake of the SGD $15.00 ribeye steak, this review is all about the Cheeseburger.

At SGD $6.50 this is the cheapest burger I have tasted in Singapore, add SGD $7.00 for a Tiger, and this makes SGD $13.50 all in for the burger and 2 beers. At that price you could have a second 750ml Tiger (so four beers) and only be 0.50c over the single dollar sign cost rating.

The burger follows the established accepted build of, bun, lettuce, tomato, raw onion, patty, cheese, and bun. This is the first burger I have tested thus far to include onion, albeit of a raw variety, it was surprising to find an extra ingredient on an offering so cheap. The patty was well cooked, and yet still slightly juicy, though it had no discernible seasoning that I could taste. The ingredients were fresh, and it was a good size to eat with your hands. The bun was un-toasted, so it is important to start eating it almost immediately, but it did hold together without making too much mess. The burger comes with seasoned fries, and coleslaw as two of the side options. As a side; the slaw is some of the best I have had in Singapore, with just the right amount of Mayonnaise and the right consistency, fresh veggies and a nice balance. Not like the watery limp stuff often found elsewhere.

Slightly less messy than the offering at Butcher – The Burger Bar, the burger here includes onion and being cheaper by half a beer, it’e worth the drop in, or even a look if you are this far North or near any of their other outlets on the island.

Rating 7/10 for flavour, and $ for price.