Quote of the Week

"Achtung! An attack!" some nameless Tiger tank occupant who is about to be turned into toast in War Picture Library 131 Line of Fire

Published on this day 16 August 1965

Air Ace Picture Library 254 Dog-Fight!
Air Ace Picture Library 255 Spot-On Attack
Air Ace Picture Library 256 Torpedo Away!
Air Ace Picture Library 257 Bombers' Lair

Published on this day 15 August 1966

Battle Picture Library 261 Roll of Traitors
Battle Picture Library 262 Mission for Fools
Battle Picture Library 263 Desert Prize
Battle Picture Library 264 Spirit of Defiance

 

War Picture Library 111 The Red Duster

Even though most of the ships in the The Red Duster manage to stay on top of the water it still remains a good story. The scrap metal tally is only two vessels for each side, the Germans lose a submarine and a battleship and allies lose only two merchantmen. However it is the mistrust between the services, exemplified by a couple of briny old sea dogs and their young proteges arising from the natural tension between the independence of the merchant marine and the spit, polish and discipline of the Royal Navy. The Germans and their relentless need to take over the world are only a convenient excuse to the keep the story moving along.

There are of course an anomaly or two that I have trouble getting to grips with.

The cover doesn't match the contents. I was expecting a bofors, at every turn of the page, slapping away at Stukas as the convoy runs the gauntlet. But there are no Stukas. In fact there are no aircraft to be seen – either flying or crashing into the sea. War Picture Library 111 The Red Duster is concerned with surface actions and proves (yet again) that the Germans lost World War 2 because their skill at arms was second rate. For example a fast moving British Cruiser can target and hit a U-boat with relevant ease – yet the equivalent German vessel, with all the time in the world, couldn't hit and destroy a lumbering freighter.

Yet again the bad guys prove to be hopeless and it makes you wonder why they started something they had no hope of finishing.

This is really a good story if you can get over the German Navy being as effective as the Imperial Navy in Star Wars at being able to hit a target.

In case you are wondering, like I was, the “Red Duster” is the name given to the red merchant marine flag.

 Nice tattoo

 Good detail to the harbour

Two old guys! You don't often see that.

 Face to face.

They are sailors after all...

I have one of these maps with arrows on my wall at home.

 A woman!

 I really like this panel.

Another great drawing.

 Listen to him. Don't say those things!

 It's great being a bloke!

Take that you brute.

Giggle. Snort.

AAGH! of the Week. War Picture Library 299 Long Odds

Quote of the Week

"No, you don't Fritz!" Private 'Curly' Briggs in War Picture Library 221 H-Hour.

War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point

Take one ancient blade. Find it, lose it and then find it again somewhere in the desert. Throw in a bit of greed, a bit of ambition and a little bit of misunderstanding. Bring it all together in a world wide event happening locally and you have the essence of War Picture Library 270 At Bayonet Point.

It's good to see a bit of sword on shield action with the story opening occurring during the crusades. It is here where we meet the blade that when in the hands of Englishmen drives them insane with blood lust. It doesn't have the same effect on Arabs but they are happy to be rid of it when it turns up in their possession.

Just to make things interesting there's also a war on and when the blade ends up, as a bayonet, in Private Ritchie's possession he becomes a cold blooded reckless killer. Ritchie becomes a virtual one man army intent on winning the war with cold steel. However when he learns that a potential promotion might be blocked his thoughts turn from killing the enemy to killing anyone who stands in his way.

Also to spice things up from time to time the ghost of the Crusader who fell under the spell of the blade when it was a sword at the begining of the story pops up from time to time. The ghost crusader feels bad about his legacy and he does what he can to try and protect Ritchie from being gunned down by the Germans. 

I don't know why I have a soft spot for supernatural artifacts in pocket war comics when they turn up.

Yes I know it's all very stupid but I really like this story.

The old baleful influence that spans centuries! That would explain a lot of things.

If you think about how long it takes to swing your aggressive manner, as if you were holding a sword, would really have the time to say all of that?

I really like the worried look on the horses face.

You're just making that up to make me feel bad!

A change of style from crusading times.

Don't worry ugly dude. If it makes you feel better I think you and your friends are the most honest bunch of cutthroats I have ever met.

Shouldn't that be "Vorwaerts! Vipe out ze Englanders". Honestly! They speak perfect English one moment and the next moment you can't understand a word they're saying.

Nice tank.

He's talking about your teeth sand man.

Beefy, muscular Germans shooting off their big guns.

It's only a war. You'll get over it. I know you'd do the same for me...











Ya Otto you are right! We don't stand a chance. Here are the three of us, well hidden and with the element of surprise against only ein Englander. Should we surrender now or just get it over and done with and get ourselves killed?







It appears that tenacity is not enough against a pair of English knees.

AAGH! of the Week. Air Ace Picture Library 76 Blast Bomb

Cover of the Week War Picture Library 131 Line of Fire

The enemy bullets plough the field. It's very clear what's going on here! Do or die! on War Picture Library 131 Line of Fire. The Brits are making their way up that hill, they are being shelled, they are taking loses, their Captain is down but on they come!
There's a lot of good foreground detail going on. There are those blades of grass, the tear in the netting of the downed officer's helmet cover and have a look at that Sergeant's hand. But then there's just a touch too much detail for my liking, the smoking Sten and the bullets (spandau no doubt) stitching up the turf. Also the placement of that lovingly drawn Sergeant's hand looks like it's about to swat the Fire off the cover. However despite my prejudices this cover is a 8/10.

Quote of the Week

"To heck with discipline, Brig. That's not the way we fight in this outfit. I relax with my men, and I fight right alongside 'em too!" Major Rudge, Fourth Battalion 216th Queensland Militia in War Picture Library 163 Hell's Heroes.