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

Little And Large

 I managed to squeeze a bit more in before the end of month to make my totals a tad more respectable. First up is an engineers version of the Sdkfz251 half track, the kit is from the Plastic Soldier Company in 1/72nd scale.

Allo, allo! Next in 1/56th scale is this Sdkfz222 from Rubicon Models.

Finally I finished off the remaining three British paratroopers from the pack from Empress Miniatures Arnhem Heroes range.

No game this week as Dave and myself are the opposite ends of the country, until next time…………

KBO