Juno Beach - Rommel Battle

So this Tuesday I played a game of Rommel using the Juno Beach scenario. Few points on this; I know it is a beginner scenario, but why is it 21st Panzer counterattacking - should it not be 12th SS? Also why are the 716th's artillery deployed so far forward - seems unnecessary.

Assault Brigades Advance

The game played well albeit we forgot plenty of rules. The counterattacking forces in the form of the Panzers were very effective in their assaults although the were all fairly spent through attrition by the time we called it. I also feel that I didn't assault very well once past the frontlines and allowed myself to be caught tipped a few times.

Panzer Reinforcements

The order sheets worked nicely, with the interdiction taking out 2 of Alex's artillery batteries which hindered massively his defence.

Allied Command Board

I think this will require a few more games just to get the hang of it but all in all enjoying it.

I have got a lot more Fallschirmjager painted and will get them all posted together.

Flamethrower and Panzerschreck

So been working through my Fallschirmjager - a little each night. As such I've got a couple more teams finished up.

 So I completed 4 more figures - I'm going for a bit of a mix of equipment with sand, luftwaffe blue and camouflaged helmets. I've also found that the metal figures are still a lot nicer to paint as well as feeling more solid in hand.

As with my previous models I've gone for a dusty outcrop type look to resemble these troops as they fought in southern Italy and Sicily. However despite previous posts to the contrary I've decided I will do some models with Panzerfausts to give me some more flexibility.

Panzerschreck team which for a veteran force is a whopping 104 points! Is this worthwhile in a low points game - hopefully find out soon.

On the other hand, including a flamethrower within a Fallschimpionier squad as part of an assault squad seems very cost effective. I really like how the bases have come out on these - the dust really helps to give depth.

Hopefully I will get a few more done this weekend as well as a few reinforcements to come. Handan are coming round tonight so should have a game report as well.

WIP Flamethrower

So just a short one but wanted to share my recent Fallschirmjager advances. I'm still moving towards completing this (as a primarily if not solely infantry force) and hope to play a game shortly. I need to buy a couple more squads of infantry to flesh it out especially as I'm looking at incorporating an engineer squad in support as initially at least I'm going to avoid Panzerfausts as most reports I've read suggest they didn't have them in Italy in 1943.

As such here is the first member of that squad - he's not quite finished (still needs a dry dust).

Sorry about the awful picture quality - I'll try and get some better pictures soon as well as hopefully a battle report.

Sniper!

Been a while since posted; away at the weekend and still trying to recover stuff from flooded shed. Ordered a new carry case for my Fallschirmjager from Feldherr which should be with me Monday (should give me motivation to at least get 750 points worth painted).

Speaking of Fallschirmjager I've got a couple of squads half done and I finished off my Sniper team. Pictures are crap - couldn't get camera on phone to focus properly sorry.

Jeez, they look even worse on here - in reality the bases have come out really well with variations of colour - have to get my actual camera out at some point.

3 More Regiments

Last night I also did a bit more work on my Austrians once the kids had gone to sleep; my plan is to split each session I get now in half - some on my Lobositz forces and the other on either my Fallschirmjagers, Frostgrave or Vietnam stuff just to keep me going.

I've also ordered a couple more bags of bits from Baccus before their price rise towards end of April, get your orders in fast!

Tale of Three Armies

So I've currently got 3 Forces that I'm working on at the moment although I'm also going to go through my 10mm stuff and see what I've got there too, due to the shed flood issues.

Got a few bits done last night but I'll show some more pictures of these once I've got a decent amount finished. Closest to finished is my Prussian Army - just short commanders and some Kuirassiers and Dragoons.

Prussian Army

I have also started on my Austrians to oppose these, and I've already got all of the Artillery done - ALL OF IT (2 stands).

2 Regiments of Austrian Infantry and the 2 Units of Artillery I need.

Finally I have my Bolt Action force. Everything to the left of the armour is done so I reckon I'm about a quarter of the way through.

Although its not a priority, I had a bit of a go at my StuG last night (getting nowhere near a 750 point list), heavily washed in brown and I'm going to give a light green too I think. Decals go on and then its going to be sand glued to tracks and road wheels before a lot of drybrushing.

I then need to get myself a decent carry case.

Next up - the return of Sch'yyrk.

From the Tallest to the Smallest

Last night I got on with a few bits, and I'm quite pleased with the results albeit I need to start production lining and getting stuff done for both armies.

Scale Variations

So as previously shown, I was working on my Fallschirmjager 8cm Mortar and I got this done. Meant to represent Southern Italy hence the dusty ground.

The stages of the basing went: 

1. Polyfilla to give weight and texture
2. Grassy patches attached (sticky bases)
3. Sand mix glued on
4. Models and base washed
5. Dry brushed base and boots

Whilst the stages of this were drying I got in with more Lobositz bits. I already have 2 Grenadier units for the Prussians but the first one I did weren't there. As I have 4 units worth of models I figured I may as well dot he right ones and so here they are.

5/20 Grenadiers

I also completed one of the 2 bases of Austrian Artillery required.

Playing DnD on Saturday so doubt I'll get much painted although I may try and get a few bits done tonight if I've got everything sorted.

WIP Fallschirmjager 8cm Mortar

Not much more to show you but I did do a quick half hour session starting on my Austrian Artillery as well as continuing with my Fallschirmjager.

Still needs wash and drybrush applying as well as the base doing (should get done tonight if dry) but looks good. Also a really hefty weight with the metal figures and polyfilla base.

Looks like this weekends DnD is off unless someone else can join in (be warned that is a beginner level game).

Fallschirmjager Platoon Orbat Take 2 + Rookie Day 2017

So been playing with my orbat (both with regards to points, capability and expense) for 750 point list. As such here we go (again going for historical list and none cheese). All Veteran unless noted.

Defence of Italy Reinforced Platoon Total 748, 8 Dice

Platoon HQ Oberleutnant (SMG) and Rifleman (AR) 103
Rifle Squad 1 NCO + 6 Riflemen (3 SMG, 1 LMG) 127
Rifle Squad 2 NCO + 6 Riflemen (2 SMG, 1 LMG) 124
Rifle Squad 3 NCO + 5 Riflemen (6 AR) 114
Support Squad 1 MMG 65
Support Squad 2 Medium Mortar 65
Support Squad 3 Sniper Team 65
Support Squad 4 Kettenkrad (Regular) and Panzerbusche 41 85

Image from Warlord Games Website

So this is the force I'm going with - although I am painting the extra Riflemen needed to flesh out my squads if needed.

At the same time, I need to get fitter as rookie day was last Sunday and was really good. Had a few new guys down and saw some good talent (hopefully reinforcements for our Secondary).

Also got the news that we have been accepted into the league!!!

We have a new logo, there's another rookie day this Saturday and we have a Super Bowl Party coming on the 5th February - GO PACKERS!!!

Bolt Action Force Orbat Take 1

I have stated previously that I paint more when I have a specific targeted plan in place. So at the moment I have my 1501 point boxset (as well as an extra MMG I've ordered) which I've assembled and undercoated. However I wanted to break it up a little and as such have come with an initial 750 point army (needed anyway for practicing for tourney play). I've already painted the "normal squad" and am now moving onto the assault rifle squad and support.

Generic Reinforced Platoon (Armies of Germany v13) (748pts)

Hitler's Buzzsaw, Initiative Training

• Headquarters (103pts)

  • Platoon Commander (103pts)

    • Oberleutnant (103pts)

      SMG, Veteran (90pts)

      • Veteran Soldier (13pts)

        Rifle

• Infantry (346pts)

  • Fallschirmjaeger Squad (Late War) (156pts)

    7x Veteran Soldier (91pts)

    • Veteran NCO (16pts)

      SMG (3pts)

    • Veteran Soldier with LMG (33pts)

      LMG (20pts)
      LMG Loader, Team Weapon

    • Veteran Soldier with SMG (16pts)

      SMG (3pts)

  • Fallschirmjaeger Squad (Late War) (190pts)

    Veteran Soldier (13pts)

    • Veteran NCO (18pts)

      Assault Rifle (5pts)

    • 7x Veteran Soldier With Assault Rifle (126pts)

      7x Assault Rifle (35pts)

    • Veteran Soldier with LMG (33pts)

      LMG (20pts)

• Infantry Support (234pts)

  • Anti-tank Team (104pts)

    • Panzerschreck Team (104pts)

      Veteran (104pts)

  • Medium Machine Gun Team (65pts)

    Veteran (65pts)

  • Mortar Team (65pts)

    • Medium Mortar Team (65pts)

      Veteran (65pts)

• Tanks, Tank Destroyers, Self-propelled Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Vehicles (65pts)

  • SdKfz 7/1 and 7/2 (65pts)

    Regular (65pts)

I can't recommend Battlescribe enough - has most if not all of the available units and gives all the important details (I've removed the stat lines here for space purposes). Most importantly it does all the maths without you constantly questioning yourself if you've done it right.

I get that these games are by there very nature "gamey" but I want to keep my force both historically accurate (or at least reasonably so) and so my whole infantry force is Veteran throughout rather than saving some points by making mortars regular etc. The Flakwagon is support from Corps level so I don't have a problem with this being regular. I'm also basing my force as a unit in Italy in 1943-1944 so no Panzerfausts for me as sources I've read state they weren't issued until late 1944 on that front. I'm not too bothered as at 750 I'm hoping there won't be too many vehicles too worry about as my Schreck team can't be everywhere at once.

Having said all this, I only decided on all this AFTER I put together the models so I have attached Panzerfausts as recommended on the box - A few spare sprues are going to be ordered to replace these.

Anyway we'll see how it works out.

Canucks vs Green Devils

Last night I got out and played a Spearkrieg Commander game at House Lancaster to introduce DW to the rules. He'd played Black Powder before so knew roughly the command system and we were playing a basic scenario without recce or artillery support.

View from the German lines

3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade were attacking with a Regiment of Churchill IVs in support. In defence were the 2nd Battalion of 1st Fallschirmjager Regiment (with promise of StuG support).

Canadians begin to advance

DW advanced slowly initially as he got to grasps with the rules. As indirect fire was called in and my PaK 40 screen was deployed, casualties were mounting on both sides.

PaK 40 deploys

With no artillery it was a bit of a tough ask to weedle out the dug in Germans until the Canadians whittled them away and managed to get into combat.

Canucks charge in

The 2 lead Canadian Battalions were approaching breaking whilst the German reinforcements were yet to be seen.

Hole smashed through German lines

With the removal of the forces from the hill and the eventual capture of the village sector in the centre (thank you snake eyes in combat), the Canadians pushed on and I was getting nervous. A pair of StuGs arrived but had little impact.

Canadians reach the last village.

Finally the Canadians hit morale - one routed back whilst the other held but it was enough to stop them for now.

A good game with good ebb and flow - I'm going to try and get some more games going. I also really enjoyed the feel of the club - saw some games of Warhammer 40k (and variants) with actual maneuvering going on which was  a major reason I didn't get into it at school. I have a definite reason to get my Bolt Action force finished for a potential tournament. (Anyone got a 750 point concept army for Fallschirmjagers which is historically appropriate?).

Fallschirmjager Squad 1

So I've mostly finished painting a squad of my Fallschirmjagers for Bolt Action (minus a touch of luftwaffe blue for helmets and hats as well as metallic grey for weapons. I still need to apply decals to panzerfausts as well as texturing bases but I thought I'd post them anyhoo.

I think they've come out quite well - having said that I do feel the detail on the jacket fronts could be better. I also would have preferred a few more options for the panzerfausts (say a firing pose?).

Now I've done these - I'm going to work out a 500 point list and paint up the necessaries including the platoon commander.

The squad is made up of an NCO wielding an MP40, a second man armed with an MP40, a MG42 (with a second man as loader), 3 Riflemen and 3 Riflemen with Panzerfausts.

For my records (and if you want to know);

Part	Colour	Make
Skin	European Skin	Colours of War
Hat/Webbing	Mechanised Standard Grey	Citadel
Base Uniform	Worn Canvas	Colours of War
2nd Uniform Colour	Battlefield Brown	Colours of War
3rd Uniform Colour	G. I. Green	Colours of War
Uniform Lines	Army Green	Colours of War
Bag	Wool Brown	Colours of War
Rifle	Dryad Bark	Citadel
Leather	Dark Leather	Colours of War
Boots	Abaddon Black	Citadel
Trousers	Sicily Yellow	Colours of War
Uniform Wash	Athonian Camoshade	Citadel
Skin/Trouser Wash	Agrax Earthshade	Citadel

Rogue 1 (No Spoilers)

I am not going to spoil Rogue 1 (because most people haven't seen it) and this won't be a proper review because I haven't had chance to process it all or talk it out but I do have this to say - IT WAS AWESOME!

#####Before continuing I have not written any deliberate spoilers and my opinion is based upon being born after the original films but before the prequel films. I have also watched both animated series so some comments only apply there.#####

• First of all, it is not a long film (2h12m) but it packs a lot in without feeling rushed. Scenes flow - there are no unnecessary scenes and wide lens shots are long enough to appreciate without dragging on.
• The graphics are great, makes the most of modern technology without making it seem "wrong" next to A New Hope. Some of the things they do in this film are a true nod to the original films to truly tie it in. (NOTE: Watch "A New Hope" shortly before or after "Rogue 1". Alternatively just have watched "A New Hope" a lot .
• This film ties in the whole Star Wars Universe (with an exception to Force Awakens) together with references to the original trilogy, prequel trilogy (thankfully minimal) as well as the "Clone Wars" and "Rebels" animated series.
• The 3D is good, not quite as mindblowing as Dr Strange, but not eyebreaking like "Days of Future Past".
• The storyline is what it should be. The characters have flaws and life isn't a perfect happy story.
• The Rebels are not perfectly equipped at all, its motley with all sorts of bits and pieces thrown together - exactly how it should be.

In a couple of weeks I might revisit this (more likely to when released to Blu-Ray) and actually review it properly, but for now - WATCH IT.

On a side note, I got 6 FJagers base camouflage colour on - going for a beige base followed by brown and green before a green wash, whilst the trousers shall be desert yellow.

28mm Mass Painting

As I've previously stated, I have large quantities of 28mm models to be painted and I need to stay motivated and do them. I am currently spending an hour or so a night putting together my Fallschirmjager and these are nearly done (just the Pak40 and Mortar to put together) - this is working well and its quite nice doing it whilst the missus plays Sims.

As such I will shortly have my Frostgrave Barbarians, Fallschirmjager and my Vietnam forces already to go  - its enough to be daunted - so I need timetables. I want to get my FJs to be undercoated by Christmas so I can paint a couple of squads before Rookie Day for Morecambe Bay Storm after which time may be more limited and hopefully get some games in.

With planning in process I therefore need to calculate which paints I need to paint them up for Monte Cassino.

Image from Warlord Games

I've used various paints in the past including FoW own ranges as well as GW. What paints do people suggest and if possible colour codes?

Warlord Games StuG III

28mm has taken over my painting table. I have 10m and 6mm armies I want to paint but take a lot of effort to get everything out (paints, models, light, correct colour guide for my 7YW Prussians) and at the moment my paint times tend to be an hour here or an hour there at the end of the day.

On the other hand with a lot of 28mm figures, once they are put together and sprayed, I can just work on a figure in front of the tv and get it done in a night (minus basing). As such at the moment on the go I have:

28mm

• Frostgrave Barbarians
• Vietnam (US, NVA and VC)
• Fallschirmjager Starter Army

10mm

• Fallschirmjager
• Canadians
• British Paras
• Russian Infantry

6mm

• Prussian Seven Years War

Last night I sat down and glued together the StuG III from the Fallschirmjager boxset. I've decided not to attach the side skirts as I want to use this for mid-war and I'm thinking of painting the force up as part of 1st Fallschirmjager in Italy. I also didn't want too many pieces which could be broken so didn't attach the top machine gun and shut the secondary hatch up.

The model went together fairly easily (although I don't personally like the two part tracks. The details seem decent enough for a wargaming model especially the grenade launchers.

I need to decide on the paint scheme now, obviously dunkelgelb underneath but then . . . ?

I think I'm going to get the whole force put together before I paint it, whilst I keep up painting habit on my other bits. Having said that if I get a decent spell to myself I might try and get 500 points done so I can play a game in January (fingers crossed). Any volunteers?

On the Football side of life - we find out in less than a week if we're accepted into the league. All fingers crossed. I've been unable to do much fitness myself with family commitments and surgery but give me a week and I'll be back on my bike and attempting to bulk up.

Operation Barbarossa Battle

So for the first time in a long time I went down to Lancaster Wargames Club and made the debut of my German Cavalry with AE. Had a good fun game - tested some hypotheses and met up with people I haven't seen in a while. It was also good to get the models out on tabletop.

Cavalry Regiment Deployed

Although I don't have a battle report I can advise of my findings:

• As expected, cavalry just can't stand up and force its way through formed infantry, but it does seem to have the mobility to exploit gaps (the scenario didn't really allow for this). They are also really susceptible to artillery.

Kradshutzen Arrive to outflank

• Early war Panzer Grenadiers mince their way through Soviet Infantry (only casualties were caused by friendly fire).

Panzer Breakthrough

• Early War Panzers are really glad they have good command - they also can't sit in front of anti-tank guns. They also don't have great guns on them and really rely on the infantry to support them. Having said that they are monstrous when overrunning infantry in the open.

KV-2

• KV-2's are scary when they fire (this one stand blew away 2 Panzer 3 platoons) but are still vulnerable to mass flank/rear fire when unsupported. If the Russians had enough command to get the infantry alongside it I don't know how I could have taken it out. On a side note Panzerjager 1B are actually quite good as tank hunters in early war (Anti-Tank 4)

If I was to play this sort of scenario I would play the cavalry as an exploitation force or mobile flank guard - asking them to break through isn't something they are going to be able to do.

I also would try to move more - my back is killing me this morning and has doubly confirmed to me that I'm not going to be able to play football against Burnley Tornadoes. Having said that I should probably let you know what happened on Sunday! 

1/23 Grenadier Battalion, German Engineers and Mess

So as previously mentioned, on here and on Facebook, I was undecided as to how I was going to base my Grenadiers. Well I've decided to go for the column formation and here are the results:

1st Grenadiers have the white stripes on the helmets and red lapels whilst 23rd Grenadiers have the red stripe and no lapels. Both units had Silver Helmet faces. The lapels etc are based of the parent regiments colours from which they are drawn. For whatever reason this was standard practice throughout the armies of the Seven Years War - although there were some standing grenadier regiments in the Prussian Army.

I also finally finished off the last stand of 2er Reiter Regiment for 1941 - my Pioneer Platoon all ready for a game tomorrow.

Flame and Horse

Last but not least I also flocked the anti-tank batteries for Soviet Infantry I showed previously:

47mm ATGs

I keep plodding on but I really need to tidy my shed and work board (which I use to bring my work inside so I can listen out for kids).