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

New Blood?

 My grandson, Ben, came to stay for the weekend and he wanted me to show him an example of a wargame.  I set up a small game based in WW2 using adapted Memoir '44 rules.  The game was based on a German attack to secure a river crossing and an iron works being held by Soviet forces.  

The objective. German tanks have already crossed the river further upstream in a picture taken towards the end of the game:

I played the Germans and began my attack in true blitzkrieg style, with a massive armoured assault, supported by Stuka dive bombers and artillery:

Massed German armour pushing up the left flank is visited by a pair of Soviet Sturmoviks, causing some damage:

At the same time I push some tanks across the river using a ford up on the right flank:

On the left, a well defended hill, with tanks and anti-tank artillery proves to be a hard nut to crack:

In a counter stroke, Soviet armour advances up the right flank, supported by a well sited anti-tank gun:

The Germans take out many of the Soviet tanks but casualties are mounting and the headlong charge is proving to be very costly, with damaged tanks being pushed back or destroyed:

German artillery helps take out the Soviet guns, but are soon out of range of the deeper targets:

As in real war, the rapid advance of the tanks soon outstrips the slower infantry; the tanks attack slows down as casualties mount.  With well over half of the German tanks out of action and only a few infantry units available the germans call off the attack.  The battered Soviets retain control of the road bridge and the Ironworks.

Importantly Ben really enjoyed the game and is considering getting some tanks and figures for himself.  A new recruit perhaps!

More 54mm Japanese..........

 Last night I finished the remaining Japanese infantry, mainly heavy weapons.  There is a light mortar and light machine gun, both by Airfix; also a heavy machine gun.  Two more Airfix charging infantry finish off this batch.

I am not too sure where the heavy machine gun came from, possibly BMC, but I may be wrong.

I have now emptied my toy box of Airfix Japanese and Australians.  I would like to do a few more, so keeping my eye open for some bargains on line.

Punic War Italians

 Last night I finished off the other half of the box of HaT Italian infantry.  

I also managed to acquire two boxes of Italeri Republican Roman infantry, which when painted will complete my Roman army.  They are in the process of being cleaned up and primed for painting.

Australian Infantry 54mm

 Continuing my experiments with WW2 figures and Speed Paints, I have just completed some Airfix Australian infantry.  Getting the green shade was a challenge but I finished up with a 2:1 ratio mix of 'Holy White' and 'Camo Green'.  The white is actually a light grey.  The webbing is 'Pallid Bone'.

The figures were quite clean with good definition and nice detail.

These were the only Australians that I have, so I am missing a couple of poses, including a Bren gunner figure.

Experimenting with Speed Paints

 Most of my painting using Speed paints has been on figures of a more colourful nature.  I thought it might be fun to try the techniques on some WW2 figures.

Choosing the right colours was an interesting exercise, as the paints seem to be tailored towards the fantasy world, with 'Goblin Skin', 'Slaughter Red' and 'Palid Bone' being examples.  However, it is possible to mix the paints and to thin them down to make lighter tones.

As an experiment, I primed and based some 54mm Airfix Japanese and a single Britains 8th Army figure. Here are the results:

I am going to paint some more Japanese and some Airfix Australians.  I have in mind a Jungle based skirmish game.

The Story So Far............

 I thought that I would set out on the table my collection of Roman/Carthaginian figures as they would be for a Command and Colors game.  Just about enough for a number of the scenarios:

With just a few more figures to go I am almost ready for the first game.

Punic Wars Italian Cavalry

 Coming to the end of the production line now.  This latest batch are HaT 1/32 scale aliied Italian cavalry.  

They were a joy to paint using a mix of Speed and Acrylic paints:

I shall soon be in a position to display the two complete armies with a Command Colors Ancient wargame.

54mm Punic Wars Velites and Elephant

 Another batch of figures are completed.  A set of HaT Republican Roman Velites (light infantry) as well as a Carthaginian war elephant and crew.

The Velites wear the classic wolf skins and carry javelins and swords:

The Carthaginian War Elephant has a crew of three, a driver, a soldier with a long pike and a standard bearer.  The set makes up into a nice model; however, it is quite small, probably closer to 1/35 scale, maybe even 1/48.  That said it looks OK and I am sure that it will blend in on the wargames table:

I am currently working on some Italian allied cavalry.  After that, I have some imperial roman infantry to paint.

Battle of the Boyne - Part 2

 Yesterday, Bob Black came over with the aim of completing our unfinished Battle of the Boyne game.  We left the game a couple of weeks ago with the Williamite forces struggling to gain a foothold on the Jacobite side of the river.  Several attempts had been thwarted with the loss of two foot regiments.  

Jacobite cavalry charges had also succeeded in pushing back William's advance, destroying a Dutch unit, but the Jacobite cavalry had suffered with two horse regiments having to leave the field.

We catch up with the action once again over on the Williamite left, as Schomberg's cavalry crash into Dillon's Irish Piquets.  Kirke's regiment crosses the river in support. The Irish infantry are pushed back as William gains a toe hold on the left.

In the centre, James orders more infantry to advance down to the river bank, facing Danish and English troops.

In a counter move, William advances into the river once more in the centre and the Dutch advance on the right.  The Lord High Admiral Regiment, in yellow, moves up in support.

A major action ensues as William's army begins to gain ground on the Jacobite side of the river.

Meanwhile on the opposite flank, alarmed by the advancing Williamite cavalry, King James orders the Jacobite cavalry to charge into Schomberg's dragoons.  A large cavalry melee takes place.

The battle in the centre swings back and forth and despite heavy casualties the Williamite troops continue to edge into the Jacobite lines.

In an attempt to restore the situation Bob's Jacobites make a determined counter attack.  It does not go well and despite damaging the Danes they fail to destroy them and William's force clings onto their gained ground.

The Jacobites are forced back, losing more troops in the process.

Then King Jame's army collapses.  A cavalry charge by Schomberg's horse, supported by Oxford 's blue regiment destroys the Jacobite cavalry.  Their rout causes the Jame's men to break and head for the rear.  the battle is over and William wins 6 - 4, although most of his units are severely damaged.

This was an excellent game which we both enjoyed.  Plans are being hatched for a rematch, possibly an early Jacobite Rebellion action set in Scotland.