Interesting WW2 sites

The following are WW2 related sites which I have visited from time to time, thought I would bring to general attention. The first is Fallschirmjager.net.

Principally a re-enactor site but with some useful articles for wargamers/painters/modellers. This section on uniform; fallschirmjager equipment, provides some very nice photos of uniform and associated equipment. Very useful for comparison for painting purposes.

The section titled Enemy Air-Borne Forces, is a US Army intelligence document concentrating on the tactics/organization of not only German, but also Italian and Japanese paratroopers/glider troops.

Also included on the site is more sobering take on the conflict, concerning the Kondomari massarce. This unfortunate event took place on Crete following the German invasion and resulted in the murder of some 100 civilians. In reprisal for the alleged killing of fallschirmjager, who were wounded or trapped in their harnesses immediately following the landings, by Cretans.  

The second is a site have I have dipped in and out of quite regularly and is full of use/interesting information. It is Lone Sentry.

Primarily dedicated to the US Army in WW2, which includes Unit histories and articles from wartime publications and intelligence documents concerning enemy vehicles/tactics etc.. These cover a wide range of subjects from Normandy Lessons-fighting in the bocage to the camouflage manual- dispersion and camouflage of vehicles from the enemy. Though one of personal favourites as got to be trousers.

There is just too much on this site to cover, so if you like WW2 history give this site ago and I'm sure you will find something of interest.  

 

US Airborne...Revisited

Spent the last few days, reworking my collection of 28mm WW2 US Airborne. This mainly consisted of re-painting the bases in what is becoming my standard base colour. The original bases were much darker but now I'm using as standard, Calthan Brown, Snakebite Leather, Bubonic Brown and finally Bleached Bone all dry-brushed one after another. This process gave me the opportunity to assess exactly what I have got completed, since its been a while that I have used this figures.

Ist Squad

2nd Squad

3rd Squad minus LMG team

 

60mm Mortar team & Bazooka team

Command Group

BAR (controversial)

I have also re-worked the O.D. patches, to make them look more worn and re-painted some of the webbing, particularly any which was 'green'. Green webbing was not used by the US Army until after the war.

As can be seen I'm missing one LMG team, for the 3rd Squad, and currently have no sniper team, medic, forward observer or radio operator. I also need to add in a few more support weapons, in particular a couple of .30cal LMG teams for fire support. Otherwise there is enough figures completed for a game.

The BAR gunners are controversial since sources I have refered to state that the BAR was not used by paratroopers but was used by the glider infantry. I have not seen any photographic evidence to refute this. The paratrooper squad has the Browning .30 calibre M1919A4 LMG (latter some use of the M1919A6) as it's support weapon, whilst the gilder infantry had the Browning M1918A2 automatic rifle has it's squad support weapon, much like the standard US Army infantry squad.

 

M1919A4

                                                                     M1919A6

M1918A2  (B.A.R)

I don't plan on adding any more BAR gunners, but still plenty more to do. Particularly if I want to field an entire company in 28mm!!!

The figures are Artizan Designs except one in the command group which is Bolt Action (Warlord) (can you spot which one?).

One thing leads to another....

Whilst recently browsing my list of 'blogs' which I follow unofficially, I came across this post on The Gamers Table which led me to this blog Crac des Chevaliers (great looking M5A1's) and from there to this......

The Military Art of Dymtro Zgonnik. Fantastic full colour and black & white drawings/paintings of WW2 (plus a few other periods WW1 for example) subjects, though mainly German. Is this artist used by Osprey, if not why not? Looks like I will have to purchase some of the Concord publications if the standard of detail is this good. 

I have also taken the opportunity to up date my blog list. There have been quite a few blogs out there which I have been 'following' without actually 'following'. I decided this was a little bit rude if people are taking the time to update their blogs and put effort in and I for one am not acknowledging that commitment. So have a look there might be something of interest, 'Adventures in Lead' for example covers amongst other things the SYW in India. Some obviously cover periods I'm interested in, others have just caught my eye and are just interesting.

Calamity at the Circle K Ranch

Winter had become spring, spring had turned to summer. Victorio's warparty had hidden low for several months, but with their supplies consumed, and the younger warriors baying for blood, Victorio had realised it was time to take the fight back to the 'white eyes'.

The scalp hunters from whom they had escaped from last time had been pursuing the Apache throughout the last days of winter and the following spring but without success. Now Victorio had learned that they were residing at the Circle K Ranch.

The time for action was now. Here was an opportunity to strike fear into his enemies and gain plunder to feed his men. Victorio led his men in a rush across the corn, growing to the south of the ranch.

Before them a civilian wagon lumbered towards the ranch - an easy prize?

But the occupiers of the ranch were alerted, and the scalp hunters called to arms, hurried to defensive positions.

These six grim men, gripped their weapons with nervous excitement. Soon Apache would be falling to their guns, and money would be filling their coffers in grateful gratitude from the citizens of Lex County, Texas. For two of them, Moses McNeil and Cherokee Bill, dispensed with discretion and moved forward to meet the on coming Apache.

The wagon and attendants hurriedly moved towards the safety of the stucco walls of the ranch. Then from behind the Apache, came the sound of horse hooves and Dewitt Puckett himself, leader of this murderous gang, accompanied by John Garrett; rode towards the warparty.

The Chiricahua ignored this new threat and turned there guns upon the two fools to their front who now occupied the nearest paddock. Moses', buffalo gun snarled, at the warriors in the corn. But the lethal projectile merely shredded the heads off a few tall yellow stalks.

The Winchesters of Kuruk and Ulzana spat death at their foe.

The two hunters fell. The Apache rushed forward.

Other members of the scalphunters unnerved by the events, abandoned their position whilst Puckett, rode around and away from the Apache seeking the security of the stonewalls.

Victorio's men reached the hog pen and began to trade fire with Joe McMurty and Frenchie Delaware.  The squeals of the swine drowned out by the retort of the rifles. 

The two hunters stood on the roof of the main compound. Arrogant and foolhardy, the cheap Mexican wine filling their bellies, clouding their judgement.

Their action may have saved the wagon, and it's terrified companions. But it would not save these two cutthroats. Their shots were wild and erratic. Not so, the aim of Kuruk and Uday.

The remaining members of Puckett's band sought refuge behind the walls, and cowered in fear. There was nought they could do. 

Victorio's men seized the hogs and horses of the Circle K.

Whooping and a hollering the Chiricahua braves were free to plunder as they will. Tonight they would dine on succulent pork belly.

Epilogue  

Dewitt Puckett stung with the shame of defeat. He would have his revenge. Armed with the bible in one hand and a six gun in the other he would drive the heathen from Texas.


So ended the third game in our ongoing Wild West campaign. The Scalphunters were played by 'The Secret Wargamer' on this occasion with 'The Secret Wargamers Friend'  umpiring. For a different interpretation of the game go here the secret wargamer.

An Apache a Day-Day Four

And finally.

So that's four Apache's in four days. Not a great out put compared to some, but kept me interested for the few days.  I did use a lot of the Foundry Paint Palettes on these models and they certainly helped. I also found that working to a deadline meant I had to stick to a colour scheme I chose for each figure rather than 'experimenting' as I like to do, once I've started painting.

Anyway here is the four of them together.

Now back to the 15mm Afrikakorp after that short interlude.