HMS Protector sailors played possibly the world's most southerly game of Warhammer
Sailors from HMS Protector played possibly the world's most southerly game of Warhammer.
Lieutenant Jonny Talbot, one of the officers on HMS Protector, and shipmate Lieutenant Max Friswell spread out their game pieces and battled it out outside on the snow and ice of Rothera Base on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Warhammer 40K is one of the most popular miniature war games, which Lt Talbot has been playing since 2015.
As a competitive player, and even co-forming one of the UK's top-ten teams, the 'Savvy Submariners', Lt Talbot was keen to get the game going even on the ice.
Lt Talbot is a specialist hydrographic and meteorological officer, whose job sometimes involves eight-hour-long spells of watchkeeping hence the desire to play whenever there is a spare moment.
"The wind and snow can make games difficult, blowing models over and making charges more and more challenging," said Lt Talbot.
"But, in general, with a little bit of additional effort, the reward of playing in such a scenic environment is definitely worth it," he added.
Connectivity may not be ideal while serving in Antarctica, so being able to enjoy a game that does not require the internet is a real advantage, according to Lt Talbot.
Opponent Lt Friswell has been playing for 20 years, although is relatively new to battling it out on the ice.
HMS Protector is the Royal Navy's only Ice Breaking Patrol Ship, affectionately referred to as a 'Swiss army knife' due to her bright red colour and array of capabilities.
She is currently deployed in the Antarctic region promoting British interests in the area and enforcing the Antarctic Treaty.
Signed in 1959 by twelve countries, the Antarctic Treaty set out to demilitarise the region, essentially banning nuclear tests and war – but we guess an exception can be made for Warhammer.
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