The Great Interplanetary War, Part One ² All Quiet on the Martian Front
A Guide to the British Expeditionary Force in the North American Theater
Background

After the first Martian Invasion, the United Kingdom lay in ruins. Its population, its industry, its army
and its infrastructure were shattered. Amongst the ruins lay the Martian machines and the bodies of the
slain. On the cessation of hostilities and when it was clear the Martians were finished, many countries
sent aid immediately to Great Britain in the form of food, medicine and doctors. The government of
Great Britain quickly rallied and the army was reorganized and put to work building shelter for the
inhabitants, policing the towns and country and quickly restored a sense of order.

Several months passed and one thing started becoming very clear. The European Powers, as they were
called, as well as Russia were slow to extend greater aid to the UK. Their public position was full of
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governments looked with envious eyes towards the remainder of the British Empire and considered their
options. The British Navy, relatively undamaged by the Martians, still stood in their way and gave them
pause, but the wheels were turning.

Across the Atlantic, things were quite different. In America and Canada, a popularist movement began to
DLG´RXUFRXVLQVµDFURVVWKHVHD7KHJUHDWLQGXVWULDOLVWVRIWKHDJH- Carnegie, Rockefeller, JP Morgan -
saw opportunity. They lent their support, which was considerable. With their control over much of the
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of political pressure. American resources, through many and varied arrangements, began pouring into
Great Britain. As Allies, America and the UK became stronger and much more closely entangled.

Before the European Powers could rise to the occasion, Great Britain was not only coming back to her feet
again, but something new was emerging.

The Martian Machines that had been left behind were the subject of close and unprecedented scrutiny.
This effort was led, in no small part, by the British Army. The Martian Invasion had been the worst defeat
of British arms in history. The sting of it was felt through the highest echelons of the service. The Press
was playing their part by laying blame as well. Something had to be done and it galvanized the higher
command into rather unprecedented cooperation with each other.

With the help of American resources for a civilian recovery, the scientists and industrialists of the UK
worked under the full support of the military. In a remarkably short period of time, the UK rose from the
ashes of the first Invasion with new reverse engineered Martian technology fifty years or more ahead of
their nearest rivals.

 
  
When the Second Invasion occurred, there was no question that the UK, untouched by any new cylinders,
must protect its colonies AND support the US. The question was how. A Force had to be sent to
America - the British Expeditionary Force.

From the earliest days of negotiation, the United Kingdom was hesitant to send the BEF to America
because of the drain on its own resources. While Britain had become the technological wonder of the
world, their advanced military vehicles caused three challenges.

9 The first was construction time. It took additional months to build a British tank as opposed to the
flat-sided, riveted steam vehicles of the US. Also, the processing of ore and its smelting into some
of the alloys had stretched the foundries of England to their limit.
9 The second issue was one of logistics. The armies of Great Britain required more sophisticated
supplies and far more mechanics and technicians to keep their high technology equipment repaired
and good operating order. This meant lots of support vehicles. Horse drawn transport was out of
the question for most needs if it was to keep pace with the newly mechanized forces.
9 The third issue was a concern of the Treasury. :LWKVRPHRI*UHDW%ULWDLQ·VFRORQLHVDOUHDG\LQ
the tentacles of the Martians and India very hard pressed, the UK was extremely concerned that
the war effort would bankrupt the country. That would leave the country much more vulnerable to
the continental powers.

It was the President of the Board of Trade in the UK, Winston Churchill, who proposed the answer.

If the US would agree to lease the BEF and lend it support in the form of additional vehicles, logistical
support and, in particular, supply train vehicles and certain types of artillery, then Great Britain could
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Proposal went down in history as the concept that brought British troops to American soil, not quite, but
nearly 100 years after they last departed for the ports of England.

British Technology

To understand the British Force in All Quiet on the Martian Front, there are a few key advances in
technology that set them apart from everyone else on the planet. This has all been gleaned from applying
reverse engineering to the Martian wreckage of the first Invasion.

9 Metallurgy - The UK now leads the world in many branches of the metallurgy. Many new alloys are
being introduced such as Rustless Steel (despite the claims of Leon Gillet and the French
Government), aluminum compounds and more. While the secret to the ultra hard and light weight
Martian Metal is still unknown, it is only a matter of time. This has manifested itself in the creation
of large complex casting, composite materials in the armor mix, and lighter more efficient vehicle
construction.
9 Electricals - The Martians were very advanced in the use of electricity and electrical devices. Study
of their machines gave insight into new applications of the principles of electricity. This has given
rise to an entirely new school of engineering and industry called Electricals. This can be seen in

 
  
improved radios making most British vehicles accessible to the chain of command and support for
such weapons as the Coil Gun.
9 Construction - The construction of Martian machines and their complete lack of known
methodologies such as rivets, screws, and other mechanical fasteners has manifested itself in the
wide spread use of electric welding of various metals. It did not require many rivets on the UK
equipment as a result.
9 Magnetism - The Martians understood Magnetic Principle far better than humans, but through
careful study and application, methods were learned to make magnetism a far more harness able
force. These improvements were seen in the rapid advancement of small electric motors and the
wonder weapon, the Coil Gun.
9 Radium - Much has been written about the wondrous application of Radium and the exploitation of
its properties. One of the biggest advances on the horizon is harnessing its power for trains, ships
and even automobiles. Recent experiments have shown that concentrated radium, tightly packed,
can generate enough heat to turn water into steam and thus power the newest electric generators.
9 Diesel ² Electric Engines- With improved machining, casting and welding, new diesel motors that
were smaller and more efficient were being produced. In many cases they were used to power
generators which in turn powered electric motors in many vehicles such as the Imperial Main
Service Tank chassis and its variants.

British Military Doctrine

The British Army embraced the new technology with a new tactical doctrine - The All Mobile Force.
With better vehicles, the old role of stationary infantry came into question. Increasingly, tanks and other
weapons platforms capable of rapid redeployment and aggressive rather than static defensive tactics
changed attitudes. The infantry needed to be able to adapt to this new form of warfare and many trials
were taking place of new equipment, known as Infantry Carriers, to allow the Infantry support to keep
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movement of forces rapidly fell by the wayside. What follows is a brief description of some of the troop
types and vehicles of the British Expeditionary Force:

 
  

Infantry and Light Forces

The British infantryman has seen vast improvement to his kit and personal weapons. Now, equipped with
relatively light weight personal armour, the British soldier is also equipped with the new Brodie helmet.
This helmet incorporates a new pattern gas mask of high efficiency and fuller protection of the head and
back of the neck. The common soldier carries the Lee Enfield Rifle but with armour-piercing
ammunition. Each British squad is also equipped with one man carrying a portable coil gun, battery
operated, for anti-vehicle capability. The main support weapon of the infantry is the Improved Vickers
Machine Gun. Lighter and with a faster rate of fire than its predecessor, it can also fire armour-piercing
ammunition.

 
  

INFANTRY SQUAD

Unit: 2 elements

Points per unit: 35

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Infantry Squad Infantry µ 5/5 Rifle, 1 Coil Stealth

Weapon Range Power Special

Rifles µ - -

Coil Gun µ +2 Experimental, Coil

HMG TEAMS

Unit: 3 elements

Points per unit: 50

Element   Type   Speed   Defense/Armor Weaponry   Special  

Machine  Gun   Infantry   ϲ͟   5/5   Improved   Stealth  

Vickers  MG  

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Machine  Gun   ϮϬ͟   -­‐   Rate  of  Fire  3  

 
  

CAVALRY UNIT

Unit: 3 elements

Points per unit: 55

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Cavalry Mtd µ 5/5 Rifles, Mounted

Grenades

Weapon Range Power Special

Rifle µ -

Grenades 3 - Assault

ASSAULT TROOPS

Unit: 1 element

Points per unit: 60

Element   Type   Speed   Defense/Armor Weaponry   Special  

Assault  Troops   Infantry   ϲ͟   5/5   Experimental    

Rifle  

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Experimental  Rifles   ϭϱ͟   +1   Experimental  

Explosives   Assault   +2   -­‐  

 
  

Armoured Vehicles
Armoured Cars

As part of the new All Mobile Force Doctrine, armoured cars play a significant role in British service. The
Light Armour Car, based on the famous civilian Rolls Royce Specter, is lightly armoured and features a
cast turret and Improved Vickers Machine Gun. All these vehicles are radio equipped and perform
DGPLUDEO\DVWKH´H\HVDQGHDUV·RIWKHDUP\ They are used for scouting in large numbers as well as
courier roles.

In trials, it became apparent that the Rolls Royce armed cars needed increased firepower. Eventually, it
was determined that the answer had to be an all new vehicle. Very large, the Defiant armoured cars have
more armour, a slightly larger crew, and most importantly, a canon capable of significant anti-vehicle
work. ,QWKHEHJLQQLQJWKHUHZDVVRPHUHVLVWDQFHWRWKHLUVL]HDQGWKHIDFWWKH\ZHUHQ·WTXLWHDVIast as
the original Rolls Royce cars, but service in India has indicated they have a much higher survival rate and,
in numbers, can even cause significant annoyance to the Martian Machines in their combination of
firepower and speed.

 
  

DEFIANT ARMOURED CAR

Unit: 1 element

Points per unit: 55

Element   Type   Speed   Defense/Armor Weaponry   Special  

Defiant   Vehicle   ϴ͟   7/7    Gun   Scout  

Armoured  Car  

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Swivel   ϮϬ͟   +2/-­‐   Anti-­‐Vehicle  

ARMOURED ROLLS ROYCE

Unit: 1 element

Points per unit:

Element   Type   Speed   Defense/Armor Weaponry   Special  

Armoured   Vehicle   ϲ͟   6/6   Improved   Scout  

Rolls  Royce   Vickers  

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Improved  Vickers  MG   ϮϬ͟   -­‐   Rate  of  Fire  3  

       

 
  

Imperial Main Service Tank

The Imperial Main Service Tank entered service in February of 1909 after two years of design and experimentation.
In the fall of 1909, new Imperial Tanks entering service were re-equipped from Kerosene motors to a Petrol engine
driving a generator. The Generator in turn powered large electric motors for the tracks. This combination was less
powerful than at first hoped. The Imperial Tanks switched from service in India and then transported to the USA
with the British Expeditionary Force were re-equipped, in transit, with the Diesel Electric Drive. This combination
is a vast improvement over previous power plants and is well liked by the crews and field engineers. All future
Imperial Main Service tanks will be equipped with this drive as standard.

The Imperial Tank has an all cast turret and upper hall. These two components are cast with a proprietary mixture
of steel and a classified material. They are then heated in the vast new ovens outside of Warrington until they are
red hot. This process bonds the materials together and creates a very hard and heat resistant casting. Casting
objects of this size and complexity still remains proprietary to Great Britain but experiments are being conducted in
Germany and the United States.

The Imperial is armed with one of the new 17 pound high velocity guns. A machine gun is mounted in an auxiliary
turret on the forward deck.

 
  
The suspension and caterpillar tracks are of a new design that was conceived as suitable for both cross country and
road performance. Access in the field has been the primary complaint so far as working on the suspension and
tracks is very difficult with the heavy side skirts in place.

Some Imperial Tank Squadrons are equipped with Coil Guns. While relatively rare and prone to maintenance
problems in the field, their penetrating power is deemed worth the aggravation.

IMPERIAL TANK

Unit: 3 Tanks

Points per unit: 270 points (add 25 per coil gun)

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Imperial Tank Vehicle µ 6/8 HV

Cannon

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

HV  Cannon   ϰϬ͟   +2   -­‐  

½  lb  Coil  Gun   ϰϬ͟   +3   Coil  

 
SPECIAL RULE: Coil Guns in Imperial Tanks are subject to failure and breakage. Any Imperial tank
that rolls a 1 when trying to hit has had a coil gun failure. It may not fire again unless repaired on a roll of
7 or better at the beginning of each fire phase.

 
  

The Imperial Main Service tank Chassis was intended to be the platform for new weapon systems. The
Kitchener is the first and most common of these. An ungainly looking machine with a huge box like
super- structure to house the main gunLW·VWKHILUVWDWWHPSWDWDUDSLGILULQJJXQRIODUJHHQRXJKFDOLEHUWR
do significant damage to vehicle targets and be self mobile. In India, it has been effective against the
tripods, but its high profile makes it a vulnerable target.

 
  
Essentially, it is equipped with three 17 pound guns rotated by an electric motor. These three barrels can
be fired in rapid succession and then are reloaded with the aid of a machine system.

KITCHENER

Unit: 1 Element or

Unit: 3 Tanks for a Kitchener Squadron

Points per unit: 115 or 345

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Kitchener Vehicle µ 6/8 Tri-Barrel

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Tri-­‐Barrel   ϯϬ͟   +1   Experimental,  Rate  of  Fire  3  

  63(,&$/58/(.LWFKHQHUWDQNVFDQ·W$0%86+GXHWRWKHLUKLJKSURILOHDQGXQJDLQOLQHVV

 
  
Mono Tanks

The Fairley²Johnson Uni-Tread tank was not well accepted by the military until the field trials of early
1910. ,WZDVRQHRIVHYHUDOLQYHQWLRQVEHLQJSLWWHGDJDLQVWHDFKRWKHUIRUWKH2UGLQDQFH'HSDUWPHQW·V
Advanced X-Craft Ministry. The trials took place on an excessively rainy day and the field was absolutely
thick with mud. The Barlton Multi-PediWheel Carrier got stuck and broke down almost immediately.
The so-called Grayson Electric Flivver never started. The Uni-Tread, however, dashed around the field
and overcame every obstacle in its path, flipping over and righting itself several times. It did, indeed, look
unstoppable. Production approval was granted immediately and Fairley, along with Johnson, wisely
silenced the shaken driver of the machine when he proclaimed that the throttle had become stuck and
WKDW·VZK\KHUDQWKH course at full speed.

The Uni-Tread became officially known as the FJ Mono Tank 1 by the army. By the men who drove it
and serviced it, it became a Wheeler. Wheeler was the name that stuck with the press and the public.

Wheelers are very fast but ungainly at top speed. They carry two cannons that are clip fed but the machine
must be stopped and the ammo reloaded externally when depleted. They have a crew of two and the
armour is rather light, certainly in comparison to an Imperial tank. Still, their speed and maneuverability
gives them an important role on the battlefield. They are one of the new fast-attack weapons designed for
the All Mobile Force. Their crews are volunteers and Wheeler Men or just Wheelers for short are well
known for their spirited morale and cavalier attitude.

Rules Note: Mono tanks may move up to 8 inches per turn through any kind of terrain except that labeled
impassable including unwadable water. When they travel more that 6 inches in a turn, they must take a
stability test. On a roll of 6 or more, they have flipped over. Using their movable side arms, they can right
themselves but, it takes the next TWO movement phases to do so.

MONO TANK

Unit: 3 Mono Tanks

Points per unit: 160

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

MonoTank Vehicle µ 7/6 Gun X2 Stabilizers

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

 Gun   ϮϬ͟   +2  /  -­‐   Anti-­‐Tank  

 
  

2 Pounder Coil Gun

This towed weapon is the largest of the current Coil Gun designs and fires a 2 lb projectile of repurposed
Marian Metal at high velocity.

&RLO*XQVDUHHVVHQWLDOO\DVHULHVRIPDJQHWLFULQJVWKDW´SXOOµDIHUURXVSURMHFWLOHGRZQLWVEDUUHO
propelling it at high velocity. An improvement was made in their penetrating power when it was
discovered that iron rings attached to crushed Martian metal salvage created a high velocity round without
comparison.

Coil Guns require a high voltage power source. A portable version using new technology has been created
for an infantry man to carry, but the weapon is of very low caliber. The battery pack is heavy and
awkward and once spent, the battery cannot be easily recharged.

 
  
The 1/2 lb Coil Gun is the most common vehicle mounted version. It is most commonly seen as a main
gun modification on the Imperial Tank.

In general, the larger the Coil Gun, the less reliable they are. In the largest size, the 2 lb gun, the amount
of electricity generated to power them is quite high and a danger in and of itself.

While the magnets and mechanics of the gun are actually fairly simple, problems with the transformers
and electrical systems can be a nuisance. The crew of the two pound version actually wears special
insulated boots, gloves and an apron to reduce accidental fatalities caused by arcing and unintentional
electric discharges.

2 POUND COIL GUN

Unit: 1 Element

Points per unit: 90

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Towed Coil Gun Vehicle µ 4/5 Coil Gun Heavy Gear,

Coil

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Heavy  Coil  Gun   ϲϬ͟   +4   Coil  

 
SPECIAL RULE: A 2 Lb Coil Gun that rolls a one when attempting to hit has mechanically failed. Roll
immediately on the following table:

2 lb Coil Gun Failure Table

9 1-3 - The Coil Gun simply fails to operate this turn. Proceed normally next turn.
9 4-6 - A major electrical connection is shorted out. It will take two full turns to be operational
again.
9 7-9 - Overcharge. The weapon fires but with TWICE the normal power (+6). Unfortunately, it has
burned out its major circuits and will not fire again for 1 D10 turns.
9 10 - Catastrophic failure. The Coil Gun circuits violently discharge all over the place electrocuting
the unfortunate crew. The gun and crew are destroyed.

 
  
Lloyd Command Carrier

With the Infantry mounted in carriers, it certainly was necessary to make sure the command elements
could keep pace too. The Lloyd Command Carrier was a modified Cardigan with extensive radio gear,
and excellent tea service and proviso for a portable chart room.

LLOYD COMMAND CARRIER

Unit: 1 Element

Points per unit:

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Lloyd Command Vehicle µ 6/7 4 Improved Command

Carrier Vickers
MG

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Machine  Gun   ϮϬ͟   -­‐   Rate  of  Fire  3  

       

 
  

Cardigan Infantry Carrier

To keep pace with the fast moving Mono Tanks, Armoured Cars and Imperial Main Service Tanks, it was
determined that infantry support must accompany them in Assault. To keep up, infantry had to be carried
in a vehicle of their own and, thus, the Cardigan Infantry Carrier was born.

Essentially a large lightly armoured box, it can carry two full squads of infantry into combat. It is armed
with cannon and four Improved Vickers Machine Guns.

 
  

CARDIGAN INFANTRY CARRIER

Unit: 1 Element

Points per unit:

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Cardigan Infantry Vehicle µ 6/7 4 Improved Command

Carrier Vickers
MG

Gun

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Machine  Gun   ϮϬ͟   -­‐   Rate  of  Fire  3  

 Gun   ϮϬ͟   +2  /  -­‐   Anti-­‐Tank  

The Wicket
  Special Purpose Tank

Originally designed to lay down a current of sticky viscous burning liquid to incinerate dug in infantry and
attack fortifications, the Wicket suffered from a serious flaw. The compound it pumped at high pressure
was very difficult to ignite. However, it was capable of laying down giant puddles of impossibly sticky
liquid. Given that the inventor, Charles Wicket, was the Duke of Cunningham and quite influential, the
army adopted the Wicket as an anti-infantry vehicle. Surprisingly, it proved very effective in India in
´JXPPLQJXSWKHZRUNVµRI0DUWLDQWULSRGV

The Wicket tank sprays a puddle of sticky goop up to 12 inches away. It conveniently uses the same
template as Black Dust. Any vehicle or infantry unit sprayed or trying to travel through this puddle
becomes stuck on a roll of 3 +. BOUND TRIPOD RULES ETC>>>>Also has an Improved Vickers.

 
  
WICKET TANK

Unit: 1 Element

Points per unit:

Element Type Speed Defense/Armor Weaponry Special

Wicket Tank Vehicle µ 6/7 Glue Gun GLUE

Weapon   Range   Power   Special  

Glue  Gun   ϭϮ͞   Special   Template  

Other Equipment in BEF Service

7KH%()XVHVDFRQVLGHUDEOHDPRXQWRI´LQWKHDWHUµHTXLSPHQWWRVXSSRUWWKHLU frontline forces without

the expense of transporting them from England.

Months before the deployment, a British military contingent came to the US to make arrangements. The
idea was American equipment with British Commonwelath Crews.

The one vehicle the British military frowned upon a bit was the Baldwin Mark II and III. They are just
VR«SULPLWLYHWRWKHP They requested a new main gun and had British Cole Pattern mantlets installed.
Other changes were mostly internal, but they also wanted the auxiliary high cupola over the driving
compartment removed. This version became the British Pattern Mark II Baldwin Tank, more commonly
NQRZQWRWKH$PHULFDQIRUFHVDVWKH´7RPP\7DQNµ2QFHWKH&DQDGLDQVVDZLW, they demanded some
too. Despite their best effoUWV%DOGZLQFDQ·WSURGXFHHQRXJKRIWKH7RPP\%DOGZLQVWRPHHWGHPDQGVR
LW·VDFWXDOO\PRUHFRPPRQWRVHHWKHRULJLQDOYHUVLRQLQ%()DQG&DQDGLDQ6HUYLFH

 
  

Many other US equipment types are used by the BEF. 7KH\EURXJKWQR´FRPPRQµDUWLOOHU\ZLWKWKem

and are reliant on US Heavy Howitzers and Mobile Artillery. They do not use the Anti-tripod gun. All
other American origin equipment, with the exception of the Goliath, Land Ironclads and the Mark IV
chassis variants have seen use with the BEF. The Monitor is the only Mark IV chassis to be used by the
BEF in North American service. Whole fleets of American Flivvers and service vehicles put to work in
support roles.