Partisans And Paras

 Still slow going on the painting front not helped by a four day break in Wales. First up another three paratroopers from the Empress Miniatures Heroes of Arnhem range.

Next up in 20mm some more Soviet partisans for my little side project, these are from Britannia Miniatures available from Grubby Tanks. Although they may not be the most anatomical correct figures and the weapons a tad over scale one cannot deny they have oodles of character and IMHO look the part.

Speaking of Wales here are some military related photos. First up Beaumaris Castle built by Edward I, although it was never completed it is still a formidable looking fortification.

Next up we made a return visit to Plad Newydd seat of the Marquis's of Anglesey to see red squirrels, but of course I would have to and view the exhibits relating to the 1st Marquess Henry Paget aka the Earl of Uxbridge.

Coincidentally they had another property just up the road from where we live, at Beaudesert. The estate was broken up by the 6th Marquess in the 1920s. The hall was never sold, demolition began in 1935 but was never completed and some ruins remain standing. The Green Pipe which used to supply water to the estate is still in situ and has become a bit of a landmark, it is also used to direct folks on Google maps!

Our accomodation was close by RAF Valley and under their training flight path.

Next week's game will be over at GHQ, stand by for some 19th century action in the Crimea.

I til next time..................KBO

Defending Maciejow 1944

This week's game was a return to the Eastern Front, I adapted the excellent scenario for Rapid Fire by Richard Marsh the latest issue of WSS for a game using Battlegroup rules for the Bagration operation. The one vehicle equals ten ratio provided by Richard was ideal to suit the vehicles I have in my collection. With one vehicle equaling ten I did not use the ammo load outs from Battlegroup with the exception of the IS2 which was limited to five shots as per the scenario. The resulting Battle Ratings worked out at 39 for the Soviets and 32 for the Germans. To win the game the Soviets have to reach the far end of the table within twelve turns with an AFV and an infantry squad of at least six figures, just an AFV and it would be a draw and of course they would win if the Germans exceeded their Battle Rating.

German Panthers, PAK40 and a squad of Panzer Grenadiers lie in weight. In reality they were heavily camouflaged and the Soviets were taken by surprise. To replicate this without making it a game killer I made it harder for them to be spotted if they hadn't fired.

A 251/9 lurks awaiting any Soviet advance on the left.

Taking cover in the village is a vehicle mounted quad 20mm on ambush orders awaiting any VVS intrusion.

The Soviets begin their advance, T34/85s, truck mounted infantry and a Zis2 57mm ATG mount a diversionary attack on the German right flank.

The tank platoon commander urges them on Ura! Ura!

The PAK40 aims to give them a warm welcome.

After several glancing hits the first T34 falls victim to it.

Soviet infantry move up in support, fire from the T34 is having no impact on the PK40.

The infantry come to rescue and add their fire

The Soviet main thrust reaches the road but the lead vehicle is quickly despatched by the awaiting Panthers.

It's not all one way traffic a Panther is taken down.

While the crew of another is rattled by the 85mm shells bouncing off it and abandon their vehicle.

The VVS arrive, a timed airstrike but it only manages to knock out an empty 250/1 transport. The resulting chit draw is a special 'Low Ammo' which is immediately played on an advancing Soviet infantry squad and it appears someone neglected to load the truck up with the ammunition boxes.

Meanwhile on the other flank the Panzer Grenadier squad is killed or surrenders.

A replacement squad is motored up and promptly despatches another T34 with its Panzerfaust.

The Zis2 in action.

The Soviet 82mm mortar battery proves a nuisance, but by turn 7 the Soviets call off the attack. With only one T34 in action and the IS2 advancing slowly and with two Panthers remaining the odds were against a Soviet win. Neither side were approaching near to exceeding their Battle Rating and finishing time looming we called it.

Also in turn seven the Germans had drawn an Air Attack chit so we diced to see if one appeared at the beginning of turn eight and low and behold a Stuka 87G with two 37mm auto cannons would come roaring in adding to Soviet woes. So history had repeated itself. A cracking scenario that needed more time to play really. Both parties enjoyed it and that's what matters.

Until next time.........................KBO

Horses

 I am not painting any mounted troops of my own at the moment but here are some Bicorne Miniatures English Civil War Royalist cavalry I have completed for a final commission.

The Queens Regiment of Horse.

No game this week as we are away on Yns Mon so until next time………KBO

People

 Following on from the vehicles posted last week I have completed the command pack from the latest release of Spanish Civil War figures from Empress Miniatures.

Splendid sculpts from Paul Hicks full of character, I have subsequently ordered the next three packs. Two of these are the same as the previous infantry but these sport Spanish helmets, the third pack comprises of an officer/NCO with SMG, a standard bearer, infantryman with a Madsen LMG and lastly a man with flamethrower. They are now primed ready to start when I have completed one of the two packs of British paratroopers that accidentally fell into my shopping cart when ordering the SCW packs.

Until next time…………KBO

Vehicles

 First up for the 1940 Germans in 20mm a 8.8cm Flak(sfl) auf Zugkraftwagen 12t (Sdkfz 8) aka Bunkerflak. It is a 3D print from Mardav Models and comes in two parts, the Sdkfz 8 and the 88mm gun to which you have to add the seat and hand wheels.

Next up a 28mm Panzer 1A supplied by Germany to the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War that has been converted to carry a Breda 20mm cannon. Only four were converted this way, the Panzer 1As were supplied in the pre-war three colour camouflage pattern which I have repeated on the modified turret. 

A metal kit from Empress Miniatures which also comes supplied with the original twin MG turret.

Until next time……………KBO

Chain Of Command II

 Dave kindly put his aversion of lard aside for our weekly game to participate in a World War II game using the revised Chain of Command rules.

The field of Mars, the British lines are at the top of the photo. We would be playing the Probe scenario from the rule book, the British have to capture a German jump off point and exit a section off the German table edge.

I can’t prove it from the photo but that is Dave. As you can see despite Dave getting the first move in the Patrol Phase my markers were placed 12” in from the table edge and I was able to press forward and this ended up with Dave’s Jump Off Points in his own table half.

Now not having played a game for over eighteen months I was so engrossed looking things up and explaining things to Dave I neglected to take any photos in the early phases. Here the British 2” mortar is advancing under cover to put down either smoke or HE to support the attack. I didn’t deploy any Germans in these early phases so nothing to photograph anyway😂

You chaps run across that open ground into that cover, you didn’t tell us the ground was so soft and boggy Corp’ 🎲🎲

Look at Tommy strolling across that open ground shall we send them some metal Herr Gefeiter?

For some reason I failed to take any photos leading to the demise of the German section on the right, then they were gone, eek! The senior leader shouldn’t be there forgot to move with those below, the stunned Gefreiter is left to be captured later☹️

The broken section.

On the British right another section is brought on to support the chaps mired in the open, luckily for them the German fire isn’t very effective, duff or sabotaged munitions (that’s my excuse anyway)

Having removed the threat the British advance on the German right somewhat leisurely, those dice eh.

 The British capture the jump off point and the stunned Gefreiter, this brought the Germans force morale down to one, completely forgot I could have used my Chain of Command dice to avoid one of the morale checks. However with the remaining two sections tied up on the left the writing was on the wall down to two Command Dice (thanks Rob) we felt it was inevitable that the British would get a section off the table.

Well played Dave, I may convert you yet (the Patrol Phase not withstanding🙂)

Until next time………….KBO

Progressing Slowly

 A couple of photos of toys I have painted so far this month. First up is another four British paratroopers from Empress Miniatures.

Next four figures are from the recently released Spanish Civil War Nationalist infantry figures from Empress Miniatures again.

Four more are currently under the brush.

Off to GHQ today for a large SYW bash.

Until next time ……………..KBO

Play Misty - Midgard IV

 I suggested a game of Midgard using my Arthurian Britons and Saxons at OHQ this week after returning from our respective holidays because it is a light hearted period to game and we needed a refresher on how the rules worked. I chose the scenario Battle in the Mist from the rule book as it sounded a fun and yet challenging game.

It is early morning and the land is covered in a thick mist. Despite this with visibility and the difficulties of command and control Aelle orders his Saxon horde onward to force the Britons into battle again.

Similarly Artor commanding the Britons counter to the reported Saxon incursion does the same.

Aelle sends his hearth guard forward on the left, given the nature of the terrain on his right he assumes that is where the Britons will deploy their much vaunted cavalry which is usually led by the renown warlord Artor. Aelle has mounted a band of his warriors in an attempt to blunt the Britons cavalry advantage.

After a confused start due to the mist Aelle’s centre contingent move forward.

Briton skirmishers make contact with the Saxon centre, to their left both sides cavalry can sense the nearby presence of cavalry but the Saxons are wary of advancing as they are yet to see combat on horseback. The Britons are being simultaneously cautious not being sure of who they face not expecting to hear the sound and smell of horses.

On the other flank both sides have deployed there less experienced troops supported by skirmishers.

The mist suddenly clears, caution is thrown to the wind and battle is soon joined.

Artor urges his centre and right forward.

Aelle does likewise.

Both sides cavalry make contact.

On the other flanks the young Saxon warriors and the Briton tribal levy also do battle. 

In the centre both sides make contact in a bold bid to break the Britons centre Aelle joins the combat to encourage his troops further.

Alas his troops are destroyed and fighting bravely on he is slain, despite this his troops on both flanks fight on.

Until over on the Saxon left his champion, Osric is also brought down, the Saxons lose heart (Reputation) and quit the field.

A most splendid game indeed, lots of to and throw with amusing moments for both sides. Considering this was only our sixth full game and we had not played a game for three months we did rather well remembering the basics, as is usual in the heat of battle I think we both failed to use our special traits to the full, c’est le guerre.

Until next time KBO