World in Flames 32

March/April 1942 comes to a close.

 Caucasus Front is holding.

Missing from this image is the Baltic 

where the Soviet navy had a string of successes against Axis convoys.

 There is rain at the start of May.

This might give some relief.

China is a bit more problematic,

luckily the Japanese are getting a bit busy with the other Allies.

The Chinese had managed to scrape up enough build points to enable the production of some artillery for the Communists.  Very handy.

The Soviets had a build of six infantry, two fighters and associated pilots and one spare BP to repair a damaged ship.

France'40

On Friday Richard and I revisited France'40.  I was the Germans and everything was going well, too well perhaps, until...

 Day 1 and the Germans are across the Meuse in three places.

 Day 2 and a French counterattack at Sedan failed,

while Charleville has been surrounded and isolated.

 Day 3 and a breakout has occured to the south,

while the Belgians in Namur have come under attack.

 Day 4 saw a more successful French counterattack,

but just look at that concentration of panzer divisions in the centre.

 Day 5 and the French army is close to breaking.

Oh no!

We forgot that French divisions have three steps not two...

Day 6 and the Germans have broken out.

The Hitler Halt has been invoked,

but realising the French have been handicapped by missing out on remnants,

I was happy to call a halt to the game.

But we will play it again as it is a fun, quick game using the excellent system that GMT have developed for WW2 operations.

World in Flames 31

After the rain came fine weather everywhere.

Japan attacked, but just failed to take a hex in China.

They will get it next turn I expect and that will put them one step closer to Kunming.

 I think that PzJager Division has gone one hex too many.

Otherwise this front is holding, just...

Stalingrad has fallen.

In slightly better news, the Soviet Baltic and Black Sea fleets have sallied

and inflicted losses on Axis convoys.

Turcopoles

These were at the almost completed stage when I received the Carthaginians to rebase.

Not sure I actually need these "young turks", but they served during the period of the Crusades, as locally recruited mounted archers and light cavalry employed by the Byzantine Empire.  I have depicted them as provided with standard arms and equipment worn over individual dress.

 Boring, bog issue shields.

 I made three bases out of the single packet.  

Could have made more, could have made less.  

Hopefully three will be plenty.

 Those spears are very bendy.

One was broken and has been replaced.

I was tempted to do them all, 

but settled on straightening as best I could 

and reinforcing with PVA glue.

I went overboard with the variety tufts.

But wait, there are are still more Carthaginians

The penultimate batch.

 Gallic Warriors

 Gallic Cavalry

 Carthaginian Cavalry

 I've actually added in an extra four figures that I painted to make up this unit.

 Some Generals, needed for Impetus Second Edition.

Three leftover Spanish Cavalry that can be Iberian Light Cavalry.

Three figures on a base is a bit sparse,

but I didn't want them to go to waste

and didn't have any extra to paint up to join them.

I still have artillery and chariots to rebase.  These are for Early Carthaginians.  However I have run out of tufts and plasticard for the moment.  I have also obtained more Carthaginian foot and some cavalry that I will paint up some day.

Assorted Napoleonic Austrian Infantry Units

A random find on a Facebook for sale group.  Originally I thought no, not needed, but them I saw a scenario for Raab.  So I asked about the basing and found it was compatible with Napoleon's Battles.  Normally I get myself some wargaming things for Xmas, but hadn't done so this time.

These are the pics as advertised:

Decent, but I don't think they do them justice.  Here are the same units after their journey and some repair work (bayonets suffered badly, but most straightened out without any problems).

 Landwher with flash.

 And without.

 Freikorps.

 Hungarians.

Spot the man with the new bayonet.

It is made from foil, super glued on and then given many loving coats of PVA glue over a few days.

More Hungarians.

It looks fine in this photo, 

but the most bottom right hand corner man has a bayonet that is shaped like a banana.  

It had a bad break, but had not separated.  

Many coats of PVA glue later and it is serviceable.

The only other thing I have done to these guys is sharphen a few bayonets.  Old Glory figures have a tendency to have excess metal attached to the tip of the bayonets (I am sure there is a technical terms for this, it is not flash, but associated with the casting process - venting?).

The same painter, Mr A Fogg, had some more for sale. This post was be delayed until I knew the outcome of my negotiations.

One M10

I'd never thought much of US armour in WW2, but that was more from ignorance.  I do like this model, my first Wolverine.  Need about two more.

The really interesting thing is I bought this on Wednesday and had it finished on Sunday.  Go me!

 Took no chances with the transfer falling off.

Gave them a coat of varnish as soon as they were dry.

 Great set of tools.

Love the crew.