HaT Carthaginian Afican Heavy Infantry

 The latest and the last  last contribution to my 54mm ancient armies for the time being, are these rather splendid African infantry from HaT.  

It took me a long time to find these figures as they are long out of production.  Eventually, I located some in Italy, which were a reasonable price, although the postage price was somewhat eye watering.

This latest batch completes my Carthaginian army, which will take to the field when Bob Black visits tomorrow:

Britains Herald Trojan

 I have been looking for a suitable figure to pose as a general for my Carthaginian army.  I didn't want to spend too much money on this figure and metal models turned out to be very expensive.  However, I spotted a plastic figure online that might do the trick and he was very cheap.  He is a mounted 'Trojan' and he sits on a cheap white plastic horse.  In his free arm he carries are rather odd, Roman style, banner.:

I thought I would try and adapt him for my needs.  The first thinkg I did was to cut off the banner and replace it with a sword.  Having mounted the figure on a wooden base I painted it with my Speed paints.  here is the result:

Not perfect, but I think he will do the job until a more suitable figure comes along.

Some more Ancients

 Last night, I finished off a group of Italeri Celts.  They were really nice to paint, with sharp definition and very clean lines.  

I also managed to find a small group of the elusive HaT African Infantry for my Carthaginian army.  This was really a test paint as I have now found a complete box of these figures which are already on the painting table.  I may repaint these as I think the armour should be bronze rather than leather and the shields look a bit bland:

Finally, four Romans came with the Carthaginians and they have received a splash of paint:

Italeri Romans

 Another unit is added to my 54mm Ancient armies.  This time it is a group of Romans by Italeri, painted with speed paints over a couple of evenings.

I am currently working on more HaT figures, including some Carthaginian African Heavy infantry.

More Jungle Fighters

 A few more Airfix 1/32 scale figures. At last I have acquired a Bren gunner figure, who is supported by two riflemen:

In addition I have a Japanese officer and another kneeling firing soldier:

All painted with speed paints in about four hours.

Reinforcements

 Having acquired some German half-tracks and painted them in early war colours I decided that they needed a crew.  having done that, using some old Airfix Germans, I then thought that some passengers were required.  This then took on the shape of an early war Panzer grenadier battalion:

I am now working on some additional elements, such as anti-tank, mortar and heavy machine gun sub-units.  The half-tracks are from a mix of manufacturers.  One came with a rather large and ugly anti-tank gun mount, which I replaced with and Airfx PAK anti-tank gun with the base removed - still inaccurate but better looking!

Massacre at Maltot

 Enthused by his initial wargame, Ben requested another game before he had to head off home.  We chose a Normandy scenario based upon the operation to secure the village of Maltot near to Hill 112.

Maltot village, held by elements of 272 Infantry Division and supported by 10th SS Panzer Division in reserve, was a key objective for the Allies, in order to secure the high ground over looking Caen, Hill 112.

Here is the centre of Maltot, with German defences extended forward into the hedgerows and buildings.

On the British right flank are the Churchill tanks of 9RTR, supported by 5 Wilts and a 25pdr battery in direct support.

The Germans have infantry, anti-tank guns and machine guns in defensive positions.

A feature on the German right flank is the Chateau, held by elements of 272 Infantry.

The British left flank consists of more tanks from 9RTR, 4 Wilts and another battery of 25pdrs.  There are also some Royal Artillery M10 tank destroyers and an air OP.

Ben kicks off with and armoured push straight into the village.

Unsupported, one of the M10s falls victim to a Panzerfaust fired from the buildings:

The same fate falls upon a Churchill that gets too close to the infantry in the hedgerows.

And a second M10 is taken out by a Panzer IV lurking behind a hedge.

Two Tigers from 10 SS rumble forward on the German left and make short work of another Churchill.

And further Churchill burns in the village.

Having rallied, more Churchills enter the village, having driven out the German infantry in the large building.

Attention shifts to the German right flank as 4 Wilts begin their advance:

German infantry destroy a Churchill at close range:

And the Tigers take out the last of the 9 RTR tanks on the left flank.

A third Tiger edges through the streets and scores a hit, destroying another British tank.

Just as things were going well for the Germans, Typhoons streak over the battlefield, however instead of attacking the German Tigers, they make an attack on the infantry in the Chateau, forcing them to retreat.

A second RAF attack takes out a Panzer IV by the Chateau.  It is clear that Ben is making a concerted effort to attack the German right flank.

In the centre, the 10 SS Tigers drive the British out of the village, destroying another Churchill in the process.

An artillery strike destroys the last defenders of the German right hedgerow:

And one of the Tigers is taken out, but it is too late, the British are forced back and Maltot remains in German hands.

The British commander draws out the mess Webley and goes off to do the decent thing....

A very interesting game, with some stark lessons learned.  Unsupported tanks do not fare well in close country, and the Allied airpower should have been directed at the Tigers.  The British artillery could have been better used to soften up the hedgerows.  As in real life, Maltot was a really tough nut to crack, but I am sure the same mistakes will not be made in the future.

The game was played using modified Memoir '44 rules, a mix of mostly Airfix figures and Roco tanks.

The Churchill tank memorial at Hill 112, Normandy