Tippelbruder commissions a medal for those who fought in the battle to protect Tippelbruder from the Stagonians

It's long overdue but at last the town council of Tippelbruder have commissioned a medal from David Linienblatt to be given to all those who fought in the battle for Tippelbruder. There will be 3 different but similar medals. A gold and silver star will be given to commanders; a silver medal will be given to those, officers and men, who distinguished themselves by notable acts of courage; and a copper/bronze medal will be given to all who fought in the battle, regardless of rank. No date has yet been set for giving out the new medal as it is still being designed but when it is completed there will be a ceremony in Tippelbruder, after which medals will be sent to all the allied countries that participated in the battle. Above is the basic design that is likely to be used for the medal.

Signor Bassi sits (or rather, stands) for his portrait

Signor Bassi, who has come from Cavenderia to learn under the aegis of David Linienblatt of Tippelbruder, has had the roughs of his portrait completed. As they were started when he was still suffering from the travails of his long journey here he is hoping that the final portrait will show him looking somewhat more rested and genial. Also coming soon - the exciting story of Signor Bassi's rather dangerous cross-cultural encounter with touchy Samurai in the streets of Tippelbruder!

Tippelbruder - the secret is out!

Recent sabre-rattling and veiled threats about Tippelbruder from the new tyrannical egomaniac in charge of Stagonia, Ludwig the Louse, means that it is now time for massive changes in Tippelbruder to become public knowledge, partly to show that any tyrant foolish enough to try another attack on Tippelbruder will have an even harder time than the last idiot. Contributions from a wide and admiring public throughout Europa as well as vastly increased revenues from tourism and trade have allowed the Tippelbruder Town Council to instigate a massive programme of improvements to the defences of Tippelbruder. The old mediaeval town walls have been swept away and new, up-to-date defences created. The attached picture shows the state of the walls of Tippelbruder itself - the outer defences, still being constructed, are more of a state secret but no doubt evidence of their nature will eventually leak out.

Come on, Ludwig! Come and get a bloody nose, just like your late unlamented predecessor!

Celebration in Tippelbruder

There has been dancing, singing and much imbibing in the streets of Tippelbruder today; it was David Linienblatt's 53rd birthday! Only a few weeks ago everyone in Tippelbruder was wondering if he or she would see another birthday with the Stagonian threat hanging over the town but now the birthday of the man who has come to symbolise the creativity and business nous of Tippelbruder made the perfect excuse for the inhabitants to "let their hair down".

The militia were still manning the walls and outworks, though, just in case those sneaky Stagonians turned up again... The troops who were wounded in the great battle and are still recuperating in Tippelbruder were also partaking of a few wee drams.

Tippelbruder Battle Report Now Available

A full description of the battle of Tippelbruder can be found here: http://frankzonia.blogspot.com/2008/02/tipplebruder-pictures.html

War artists were on the spot and there are many pictures showing the action as it developed.

New Tippelbruder Anthem Composed

In an upsurge of patriotic feeling caused by the defeat of the vile Stagonians, an anthem for the town has come by circuitous means into our hands and is being ascribed to native Tippelbruder composer Hans Bumsen, long an exile from the town.

[Were very grateful to our friend Herr Kerry Sullivan, long a friend to Tippelbruder, for bringing these to our notice.]

"From the heights of Ersatz Mountain to the Lakes of Pinkelmeer
From the leafy Liebnitz forest ‘neath our skies so blue, so clear,

[Chorus: Tippelbruder, Tippelbruder, may she long triumphant stand
Cursed be all Stagonian upstarts who would besmirch our ancient land.]

See our hallowed halls of commerce, see our inns so rich and fine,
Where we settle all our business, drinking Tippelbruder wine.

Celebrate our Men of Culture, Dummer, Eimer ,Dumplemann
Bumsen, Krankenhause and Hansen- they can’t do it - no-one can

Wide is famed our maidens’ beauty and their virtue, coy and chaste
We’ll repel voracious foemen bent on rapine, with all haste.

Rich our spires and tall our steeples. Let their bells resounding ring!
Praise to thee, Great Tipplebruder, free from emperor or king."

We have also received the words of the "Unofficial Marching Song of the Tippelbruder Militia [Fragment]"

"Oft we men of Tipplebruder, foul Stagonians soundly drub..

Find a pile of donkey’s doings, in it we’ll their noses rub!

Wide is famed our maidens' beauty and their virtue, coy and chaste

We’ll repel voracious foemen – least till we have had a taste!

Old Max Osten has a daughter and a butt of good brown beer

Let Max Osten do the fighting – I’m quite happy staying here!"

Anon.

Secret plan of defences released

The Tippelbruder Council has released a plan showing where the hastily created extra defences of the town were for the battle of Tippelbruder; the cognoscenti will no doubt wish to know so that the battle accounts now being released are as clear as possible.

An extract from a despatch from November 1757 to the generals in the field explains: "One small thing I have had time to do is show the hasty defences added to Tippelbruder (see attached plan). Earthwork lunettes have been added to the point south of the bridge. B shows barricades. There are also 3 lunettes north of the town with the roads barricaded. The barricades are old waggons packed with earth and stones and other solid debris. There are small gaps for the defenders to get in and out. The bridge is lined with and has underneath inflammable material and barrels of gunpowder, just in case! There are also chevaux de frise and other moveable devices which have been put together so they can be placed where they will most usefully block access points and roads all around the town - I leave you to decide where such obstacles can be placed to best effect."

War artists were there during the battle and their drawings are eagerly awaited.