My days in the CDU

The CDU (Clinical Decision Unit … or as I prefer to think of it, the Casualty Dump Unit) is part of the hospital’s Accident & Emergency Department. I was ‘parked’ there just before lunch on 11th April, having been admitted to A&E at about 2.00am (after a wait of about an hour) with what I later discovered was a fractured lower right leg. (The two breaks - one in each bone - were clean and aligned so that they should not require pinning.)

The CDU is NOT somewhere to stay for more than a couple of days. It isn’t equipped to deal with patients for more than that long. The food menu in the CDU is restricted and there is often little or no choice and it is very repetitive. There is also nothing to stimulate the patients, not even a TV or radio.

The section that I was in had five beds, and during my time there I saw a regular turnover of patients. Many were from care homes or were living at home with carers, either family members or professionals. Some had dementia, confusion, and/or underlying mental health issues.

During my first three nights I got very little sleep as one of the other patients slept all day and then shouted ‘Social Carer’ or swear words all night. Another persistently tried to get out of bed, only to fall over after taking a few steps and pulling his IV lines out.

The day - and night - was regularly punctuated by tannoy announcements related to emergencies that were on their way to the A&E Department and asking patients and doctors to contact the main desk. This was not inducive to a calm atmosphere, rest, and a good night’s sleep.

By the end of the fifth day a care plan was being written so that I could go home, but implementing this was going to take a lot of time and planning. As I was immobile, a room in our house had to be cleared so that a hospital bed and hoist could be installed and visiting hoist-trained carers could be allocated. This process was going to take several days, and I fully expected to stay in the CDU until I was sent home..

I was preparing to spend another night in the CDU when I was transferred at very short notice to a normal medical ward. As a result, I had the best night’s sleep I’d had for days, and I was now in a side room with one other patient. My days in the CDU were now over … I hoped!

An unfortunate break

My most recent blog post was written on Wednesday morning and scheduled for publication on Saturday. Unfortunately, just before midnight on Wednesday evening I fell over when my weak left leg gave way … and I broke both bones in my lower right leg, just above the ankle.

Sue was unable to help me get up and phoned for an ambulance. It arrived less than fifteen minutes later, and by 1.00am we were in the Accident & Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

Both my legs and ankles were X-Rayed, and it was at that point that the fractures were identified. By 10.00am I was moved to the CDU (Clinical Decisions Unit) within the A&E Department … and I’ve been there ever since.

On my way to Salute ...

By the time my regular blog readers are reading this blog post, I should be well on my way to SALUTE!

I have to drive through the Blackwall Tunnel to get to ExCel, find somewhere to park, collect my mobility scooter (again, many thanks to Martin Gane and the South London Warlords for arranging this for me!), and make my way to the show's entrance.

I am hoping to spend some time just looking around the various games that are on show as well as the trader's stands and, if possible, to listen to some of the speakers that have booked. I also want to meet up with as many of my fellow wargaming bloggers as I can. Last year we had a picture taken ...

... and it would be nice if we could repeat this again this year.

Assuming that my camera or phone work alright, I hope to be able to write a photo-heavy blog post about SALUTE early next week.

Bob Cordery, you shall go to Salute … thanks to Martin Gane and the other South London Warlords

Yesterday I received a comment from Martin Gane in reply to my recent blog post about going to SALUTE. He had read my blog post and on behalf of the South London Warlords he has booked me a mobility scooter from ExCel, thus enabling me to go.

I have now booked my ticket and I am really looking forward to going. It will only be my second time ‘driving’ a mobility scooter (I had to drive and park my father-in-law’s some years ago … and it was a terrifying experience as he had jammed the throttle wide open!) so watch out for me as I zip around the show!

A gift to raise one’s spirits!

An unexpected gift is always something to gladded one’s heart … and one such gift arrived in the post on Friday. It was WARGAMING WORLD SOLO: ANCIENT TO MODERN SOLO WARGAMING by Gregory Ward, ...

... and it was sent to me by my old friend Tony Hawkins (AKA The Amazing Antony – Mind Reader).

The book contains a large number of colour photographs and is split into the following parts and chapters:

• Preface
• What is Wargaming World Solo?
• Author's Notes
• Common Links
• Wargaming World Solo Ruleset Design & Purpose
• The Golden Rules
• Wargaming Solo – Overview & Step by Step Set Up
• Part 1 – Preparing the game
• The Focal Point & Strategic Objectives
• Unit Quality – Troops, Leaders & Impact
• Game Characters – Leaders, Skills & Casualties
• Battle Plans & Taking Sides
• Part 2 – Playing the game
• Force Deployment
• Game Turn Sequence
• Solo Player Unit Activation & Commands
• Random Events
• Flank & Reserve Units
• Movement – Marker Phase & Deployment
• Movement – Both Forces
• The "Virtual You" – Reactions & Decision" Making
• Shooting
• Hand to hand Fighting
• Morale
• Part 3 – Tools for the game
• Appendices

Considering the number of wargamers who either choose to fight their wargames solo or who are forced to do so as a result of their circumstances, the number of books dedicated to solo wargaming are few in number.

This latest one is a very welcome addition to the genre and certainly provides lots of ideas for those of us who are already solo wargamers and it is an excellent starting point for someone who is contemplating solo wargaming.

The rules seem eminently playable, and I particularly liked the way the writer has presented the game sequence as a flowchart. This is something that I have tried to do myself in the past and the author's version is certainly easier to understand than mine was!

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WARGAMING WORLD SOLO: ANCIENT TO MODERN SOLO WARGAMING was written by Gregory Ward and published in 2024 by Caliver Books (ISBN 978 1 85818 847 8).

My battle with the Black Dog ... and going to Salute

Back in January when I wrote in detail about my health, I finished by writing the following:

'The last three years have drained me emotionally and physically, and I seem to have very little physical stamina these days. I am – however – slowly beginning to recover, and I try to walk at least a mile each day. My ability to concentrate has begun to improve, and over recent weeks I have begun to feel far more positive.'

Unfortunately, my recovery has not progressed as well or as fast as I hoped it would, and in some ways my health has got worse. Not long after writing that January blog post I had a rather heavy fall whilst bending over to pick something up. As a result, an old injury to my left knee flared up and seems to have triggered a problem that may be linked to an after effect of my radiotherapy, lymphoedema.

Over the past few months, my left leg has become weaker and weaker and has now triggered problems with my right leg. I have spoken to my oncologist, and they have referred me to a vascular surgeon … but the earliest appointment available is at the end of November. My GP and the practice physiotherapist are also now involved, and I have an MRI scan, CT scan, and whole-body bone scan booked to take place towards the end of next month. Hopefully this will identify what is wrong and I’ll be placed on an appropriate course of treatment.

My mobility has been severely restricted by my knee and leg problems, and things have become so bad that climbing the stairs in our house unaided is almost impossible. I am frequently having to use a walking stick, and even the act of walking a hundred metres leaves me tired and with pain in my ankle and knee joints as well as my leg muscles. My feet also swell so much that I either cannot get my shoes on or if I do, the swelling starts being uncomfortable after a short time and eventually becomes very painful. In addition, I also have to be careful about what chairs I sit on as many are too low for me to get out of unaided and getting in and out of a car is sometimes very difficult.

As you can imagine, this situation tends to sap one’s ability to be positive and on several occasions I have been very conscious that my black dog is sniffing around. Luckily, Sue has been a tower of strength and has listened to my complaining, given me words of encouragement, and helped me deal with difficult situations as they arise. Without her, I would be in a slough of despond ... and firmly in the grips of the black dog's jaws.

I had hoped that I would be well enough to go to SALUTE this year, but unless I regain some of the strength in my lower limbs, I suspect that might be just too much. There is a lot of standing about, very few places to sit, and the floor surface at ExCel is somewhat unyielding and tiring to walk or stand on even if you are physically fit. That said, there are still a few weeks before it takes place and I remain hopeful that I will improve enough to go.

Salute 51 will be taking place at ExCel London on 13th of April 2024.

I'm sorry to bore my regular blog readers with my problems, but I hope that the above explains why I am not blogging as frequently as normal. Hopefully, 'Normal Service Will Be Resumed As Soon As Possible' ...

... as they used to say in the days of black and white TV!

My last talk?

Back in 2017 I became the Provincial Grand Orator (ProvGOrat) for the Masonic Province of Hertfordshire. Since then I’ve delivered numerous talks to Masonic lodges in Hertfordshire, London, Berkshire, Essex, and on cruise ships.

Normally Freemasons who hold an active rank do so for seven years and I am due to be replaced at the next Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in September. The role I’ve performed is due to change and will become the Provincial Grand Learning & Development Officer (ProvGLDO), so it makes sense that I step down.

Later today I will be delivering a talk about Freemasonry in the British Army to the Lodge of the Legion (No.9827), which meets in Cheshunt. This Lodge was consecrated in March 2007 with the express purpose of supporting the British Legion and laying poppy wreaths at all war memorials within Hertfordshire on the annual Day of Remembrance. They also regularly organise trips to Europe, visiting various memorial sites and battlefields.

The way things are, this is likely to be the last talk that I do as ProvGOrat … and I can’t think of a better Lodge in which to perform my final talk.

Happy Easter!

May I wish all my regular blog readers a Happy Easter, regardless of whether or not they are Christian. Most belief systems celebrate or recognise the coming of spring and my best wishes are extended to all of you in a spirit of welcoming what we hope will be better times ahead.

The last few years have been trying ones for many people on many levels. In my own case, my health problems continue to plague me and prevent me from being as active as I was even just a few years ago. That said, I have much to be grateful for. Sue gives me huge support all the time and has been far more tolerant of me when I am feeling down than I have any right to expect. I have a number of hobbies (Freemasonry, wargaming, and railway modelling) that bring me into regular contact with a great bunch of people, and sharing – and basking in – their enthusiasm always helps to raise my spirits when I am beginning to flag, stimulates my tired old brain, and encourages me to break out from my ennui and get things done.

Phil Sabin’s Counter-Air wargame

Phil Sabin has recently uploaded a YouTube video about his new two-player air combat board game, COUNTER-AIR.

Now, I’ve never really got the hang of air combat wargames, so I looked forward to watching and listening to Phil's explanation of how his game worked … and I was not disappointed!

Phil's video explains the rules of his simple Counter-Air simulation game about attacks on modern airbases. It is a chess-like game of skill and was designed to be used air force personnel as well as wargamers. It is published by the military wargaming group Fight Club International, and can be downloaded for free from their website.

The game sees a superior Blue force attack Red's defended airbase.

The gameboard.

During the game, Blue can mount five sorties with the intention of destroying Red's airbase and its defences whilst minimising its own losses. Red's objective to to prevent this and to cripple Blue's offensive capability.

The game counters. These are double-sided. The reverse side has an S in place of the A to show when the unit is 'spent'.

During the first turn of the demonstration Blue places its forces in the various sections of the playing board according to the task each flight of aircraft is to undertake during the sortie.

Blue's initial positions.

Red counters by placing those assets it intends to use to counter this attack.

Red's initial positions.

Action begins with a flight of Blue's escorting fighters engaging the Red interceptors with AAMs ...

One of Blue's escort flights fires AAMs at a flight of Red interceptors/.

... and Red counters with their own AAMs, causing two flights of Blue's escort fighters to turn for home.

One of Red's interceptor flights returned fire with its AAMs.

The remaining flight of Blue escort fighters then engage a flight of Red interceptors with their AAMs ...

The battle between the Blue escort flights and the Red interceptors continues.

... and a flight of Red interceptors withdraw. One of the remaining flights of Red interceptors now engage a flight of Blue aircraft that are undertaking the high strike role, causing the latter to jettison their bombs.

The red interceptors change target and engage one of Blue's high strike flights.

The remaining flight of Red interceptors follow suit, causing another flight of Blue high strike aircraft to abort their mission.

Red's interceptors continue to engage Blue's high strike aircraft.

As both side's escorts and interceptors are 'spent' (i.e. they are no longer able to take part in further combat until they have returned to their respective basses and rearmed), the game moves into the air defence phase.

The fighting moves on to the next phase. Blue will now try to suppress Red's SAM defences..

Blue begins by trying to suppress Red's SAMs.

One of Red's SAM units is destroyed by weapons fired by a flight of Blue's SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) aircraft. The destroyed SAM unit is moved into the Graveyard area on the gameboard.

They manage to destroy one of Red's SAM batteries, but the remaining once Red SAM battery engages one of the Blue high strike flights, destroying it.

The remaining Red SAM unit engages one of Blue's 'spent' high strike flights. The flight is destroyed and placed in the gameboard's Graveyard area. 

The combat then continues ... but rather than describe it in detail, I recommend that you watch the video. (I don't want to spoil your enjoyment by telling my regular blog readers what happens next!)

The game is intended to last two hours, with each player having the opportunity to command Blue and Red. The game can be played many times so that players can discover for themselves the best offensive and defensive tactics to employ.

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Please note that all the screenshots from Phil Sabin's video are © Professor Philip Sabin.

Nicholas Monsarrat’s ‘The Cruel Sea’

I recently read Nicholas Monsarrat’s famous book about the Battle of the Atlantic, THE CRUEL SEA.

I have watched the film based on the book many times, but this was the first time I had read the book … and realised that the film only covers about fifty percent of the story.

The film ends pretty well after the corvette HMS Compass Rose is torpedoed and sunk and the two main characters in the book – Lieutenant Commander (later Commander) Ericson and Sub-Lieutenant (later Lieutenant and finally Lieutenant Commander) Lockhart – take over the newer frigate, HMS Saltash in 1944. The book continues the story up until the end of the war and includes the surrender of the German U-boat fleet.

Sir Donald Sinden (left) as Lieutenant Commander Lockhart RNVR and Jack Hawkins (right) as Commander Ericson RNR in the film 'The Cruel Sea'.

In my opinion, the film is excellent … but the book is even better. It is an example of storytelling at its finest and drew heavily upon the writer’s own experience of the Battle of the Atlantic.

Highly recommended!

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Lieutenant Commander Nicholas John Turney Monsarrat FRSL RNVR joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve early during the Second World War and served in the following ships:

• August 1940 – December 1941: 1st Lieutenant, HMS Campanula (Flower-class corvette) (Sub-Lieutenant until October 1940 and then Lieutenant)
• February 1942 – February 1943: 1st Lieutenant, HMS Guillemot (Kingfisher-class corvette)
• March 1943 – October 1943: Commanding Officer, HMS Shearwater (Kingfisher-class corvette)
• December 1943 – March 1944: Commanding Officer, HMS Ettrick (River-class frigate) (Promoted Lieutenant Commander)
• April 1944 – December 1944: Commanding Officer, HMS Perim (Colony-class frigate: a US-built version of the River-class)