THE DILLINGER SUPER GANG

scenario for 'The Bootleggers' Rules

by STEVE BARBER

This scenario is for use with the Bootleggers, 1920’s / 30’s rule system. It is intended for 2 players, though it would be an advantage to have a Game Judge to control non-player-characters and to mediate between players. Although this is a fictional scenario, all of the gang are genuine historical criminals and this scenario is representative of many of the robberies that the gang executed during 1933 and 1934. There are 14 player characters involved, of whom 5 are bank robbers and 9 are lawmen. The gang should have a getaway vehicle, and it would be more entertaining to have a few innocent civilians inside and outside the bank. Also parked vehicles, trash cans and crates at various points along the street would provide good cover for a gunfight!

MASTER BANKROBBERS

When John Dillenger was only 21 years old he was caught during a botched robery of a grocery store in his home town of Mooresville, Indiana and was sentenced on 2 counts: 2-14 years for conspiracy to commit a felony and 10-20 years for assault. Whilst in jail, he met the men who would shape the remainder of his life, Harry Pierpont, Homer Van Meter, Russell Lee Clark, and “Fat Charlie” Makley who became the backbone of the ‘Super Gang’.

After serving 9 years in jail Dillenger was given parole on 22nd May 1933, subsequently he began a series of robberies but was recaptured on 22nd September 1933. Within days of Dillenger’s capture the remainder of the ‘Super Gang’ broke out of jail. Once freed the gang organised and suceeded in aiding Dillenger’s own escape, but in the process they killed a local sheriff.

As the months pass and the robberies mounted, some of the gang members changed - mainly due to death or capture! Other notables like “Baby Face” Nelson also worked for Dillinger (who quickly became public enemy No1 and one of the most successful bank robbers of all time.) Indeed one quote said the Dillenger made more money in one year than Jesse James did in his entire career. One particular bank robbery on 23rd October 1933 at the Central National Bank of Greencastle, Indiana scooped $75,000.

During this period Dillenger began to draw attention to himself, by wearing a fashionable straw hat, and a knack for athletic leaps over the teller’s barrier into the cashiers cage. But this dangerous and extravagent lifestyle could not last for ever. Dillenger’s fate became sealed once he violated the Dyer Act ( a federal offense) by driving a stolen police vehicle across state lines on 7th March 1934. At this point Melvin Purvis of the FBI entered the chase. This didn’t deter Dillenger as he continued his criminal activities, even though he had several close escapes from the FBI and local police forces.

On 22nd July 1934 Dillenger was in Chigcago and visited a local movie theatre with Anna Sage, a local Madam. Unknown to Dillenger, Anna Sage had collaberated with the FBI and informed them of their visit to the movie theatre. Upon leaving the theatre 20 FBI agents including Purvis opened fire hitting Dillenger 4 times killing him almost instantly. His body was later buried at the Crown Hill Cemetry, Indianapolis, he was only 31 years old. Though the majority of his adult life was spent in jail, it only served to make him a more resourceful criminal.

THE CHARACTERS

THE DILLINGER SUPERGANG

John Dillenger MO=8 SU=7 AV=6 DV=6 SH=6 DR=6 1st Rating

Homer Van Meter MO=6 SU=6 AV=6 DV=5 SH=5 DR=6 2nd Rating

Harry Pierpont MO=7 SU=6 AV=6 DV=5 SH=5 DR=4 2nd Rating

George “Baby Face” Nelson MO=6 SU=7 AV=7 DV=6 SH=5 DR=4 2nd Rating

“Fat Charlie” Makley MO=6 SU=6 AV=8 DV=7 SH=5 DR=4 2nd Rating

THE LAWMEN

Oscar Peabody (Local Sheriff) MO=7 SU=6 AV=6 DV=5 SH=5 DR=4 1st Rating

Tony Van Holson (Police Officer)MO=5 SU=4 AV=5 DV=5 SH=7 DR=4 2nd Rating

James Spencer (Police Officer) MO=5 SU=5 AV=5 DV=4 SH=5 DR=5 3rd Rating

Albert Marburg (Police Officer) MO=5 SU=4 AV=6 DV=6 SH=4 DR=4 3rd Rating

Alf Bernstein (Police Officer) MO=5 SU=4 AV=4 DV=5 SH=5 DR=6 3rd Rating

Savi Carlotti (Deputised Civilian) MO=4 SU=5 AV=4 DV=4 SH=4 DR=5 3rd Rating

Charlie Reynot (Deputised Civilian) MO=4 SU=4 AV=6 DV=4 SH=4 DR=4 3rd Rating

Eddie Scholl (Deputised Civilian) MO=5 SU=4 AV=4 DV=4 SH=7 DR=4 3rd Rating

Vinnie Marriot (Deputised Civilian) MO=4 SU=5 AV=4 DV=4 SH=4 DR=5 3rd Rating

Characters can use whatever weapons you choose, but the Dillenger Gang should be well armed, as they renewed weapons by raiding police arsenals, so they may have B.A.R’s, Thompson machine guns, grenades, explosives etc. The deputised civilians are most likely to be armed with shotguns, with the local police forces armed with revolvers. As Oscar Peabody is a sherrif, he would be the best armed of his force, he may even have a Thompson machine gun.

LAW CHARACTERS BACKGROUND

Masonville, a small peaceful town somewhere in mid-western America on 4th November 1933. Oscar Peabody, the town sheriff recieves a tip off from an anonymous source that John Dillenger is in town. Quickly he marshals what forces he has at his disposal but feels compelled into deputising a few local people with reasonable firearm skills to help with apprehending the infamous ‘Dillenger Gang’. Shortly before noon they take up position on roof tops and doorways around the town’s only bank, and then wait for what they know must surely happen!

GANG CHARACTERS BACKGROUND

The gang’s last robbery was now a month ago and funds are running low. Aftter recruiting ‘Baby Face’ Nelson the ‘Dillenger gang’ head for Masonville, a small peaceful town to relieve the towns bank of some cash! The gang arrive in Masonville on 3rd November and begin surveying the area around the bank. In the evening they formulate a plan for the robbery. Once finished with business they head for a bar Shortly before noon the next day the gang set out from their hotel armed and ready....

OBJECTIVES

The objectives are simple. The player who controls the ‘Dillenger Super Gang’ has to sucessfully rob the bank of as much money as they can and escape the ambush with as few casualties as possible. The earlier members of the gang, such as Charlie Makley, weren’t quite as violent as the later members such as Nelson. Indeed Nelson’s lunatic tantrums were too much for Dillenger and he was eventually thrown out of the gang. As Nelson liked to fight, even when the odds were against him, this should be reflected in the game, he should therefore take a roll of 1d10 to see if he stands in the street and blasts away as the others beckon him to the vehicle - 1 to 4 he does. Another possibility for Nelson, is that he was very much a loner and if the other gang members are in a bad way, he will drive off and escape capture with out them. The other player, controling the lawmen has two objectives, to kill as many of the gang as they can and to avoid civilian casualties if possible! As local police they have no intent on arresting any of the gang and are only interested in killing every last one of them. If there are wounded gang members left behind No Mercy should be shown! The deputised civilians are keen to do their bit up to a point, but then self preservation will kick in.

Note: The Lawmen should stay in hiding until the crime is in progress as there is a better chance of a sucessful ambush.

FURTHER READING

websitehttp:/www.geocities.com/athens/olympus/4172/index.html

BOOKS

DILLINGER: A SHORT VIOLENT LIFEby Robert Cromie & Joe Pinkston / Chicago Historical Bookworks

THE DILLINGER DAYSby John Toland / Da Capo Press