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James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot)

@james560492.bsky.social

260 followers 420 following 510 posts

Writer for RPGs and wargames. Currently working on WW2 Arnhem rules. MA in Military History, BA (Hons) in Librarianship and Information Science. YouTuber on gaming and military history (https://youtube.com/@jameslangham9854?si=3hWepvVPBdgP1I2Y)

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James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · 9d

It's just suddenly struck me how much the Imperial officer uniform looks like the Imperial Japanese officer uniform of WW2.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · 10d

Really looking forward to presenting my session for Wargames Development's virtual autumnal gathering today about how the USMC has used Memoir '44 as a training aid.
If it goes well I might turn it into a YouTube video.
#wargaming #presentation

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · 12d

Add in Simon Scrarow's Macro and Cato and elephants, what more could you want!

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James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · 12d

A good way to look at it is to compare it to the Iraqi Republican Guard. There could be given the cream of recruits and equipment but it does not automatically make them better soldiers. Paying attention to the quality of the commanders gives a good insight into the quality to expect militarily.

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James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · 13d

Well I am officially now enrolled as a PhD research student at the University of Wolverhampton studying how the military wargamed the Cold War.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Oct 5

Using AK Play Markers to test paint a speedpaint RAD trooper for 1 Para to fight working into Arnhem scenario for my British Officers Don't Duck rules.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Oct 5

At least they asked....

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Oct 4

Interesting 30 min experiment, Mars 20mm British paras, AK Playmarkers and wood filler.
Quite pleased how well the markers worked for a speedpaint. Not ideal for detail but as a speedpaint for a massed force they work well.
Wood filler also worked better than expected.
Video to follow on YouTube.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 29

Test paint of a 20mm US Desert Storm grenadier. Only I could choose as a test model with 2 different camo schemes!

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 23

Recently Krydrufi asked if I wanted to run a competition with paint stations as prizes. Thought there may be some speed painters here who fancied a go.
youtu.be/89YmcQ3imR0

Win a Painting Station: Speed painting competition

YouTube video by James Langham

youtu.be

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 22

More on location shooting...

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 15

On location and VERY wet...

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 11

Not bad for a 20 min speed paint. As I'm about to run a competition I thought I ought to check I can do it myself!

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 11

Trying something new is often a bit scary but great fun (sometimes). Just been filming a video of my first attempt with AK Playmarkers and a wash.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 11

My thoughts on the drone incursion into Poland.
youtu.be/HK3Rn0vMWuQ

Salami Tactics,or Accident? Russian drones enter Poland

YouTube video by James Langham

youtu.be

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 9

For me there is a fascinating interplay of design choices that incorporate evolution of existing ideas, reaction to enemy designs, anticipation of future needs and the current doctrine.
Plus they are the most popular videos on my YouTube channel!

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 7

Waterloo Megagame
6-7 Sept 2025
Join us on YouTube for live updates:
youtube.com/@jameslangha...

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James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 7

Like a Stone Wall's 2 day Waterloo wargame yesterday. The day ended with the allies counter attacking on their right, the centre buckling under combined arms attacks and the Prussians slowly advancing. Live updates on YouTube throughout the day.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 6

I think that was the coffee! Lol

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 6

Dont be hard on yourself. The best way to get a good photo is to take lots and hope one works!

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James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Sep 5

Kitchen table here too

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Aug 31

On the tactical battlefield excellent, as a strategist (particularly in logistics on the desert) a disaster.

Otohiko @otohiko.bsky.social · Aug 31

It's shocking how much Rommel was flying by the seat of his pants, and how quickly things fell apart for him in the face of even moderately organized opposition. He's really an anomaly in the German officer corps, coming totally from outside general staff qualifications, and that's not a compliment.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Aug 31

Partially depends on context, at strategic level it is undoubtedly Grant, at a tactical level possibly Lee. Very much like Napoleon who was a strategic genius but a poor tactician.

Micah @rincewind.run · Aug 29

“was Lee or Grant a better general” is a question with an obviously correct answer that a whole lot of people get wrong

Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · Aug 29

People are often surprised to learn that Lee was an officer who never made it past colonel. The purported promotion to general was awarded by a treasonous cabal calling itself the "confederate states of america" which was put down by force by the Union army, which also had superior generals.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Aug 31

Although it is worth mentioning Lincoln offered him command of the northern armies. The US Army pre war was so small promotion was at a crawl.

James Langham (British Officers Don't Duck/Cold War Goes Hot) @james560492.bsky.social · Aug 31

Quite pleased with some of the close up footage from the Victory Show yesterday. More to follow on my YouTube channel .