Happy New Year

 

 Happy New Year 2025

Happy new year chaps, I gave quite a list this year. Planning on focusing on Napoleonic and ww2, with gusts of coldwar, medieval and ancients, an odd ww1 piece and a bit of Star Wars. 

All the best to everyone 

Cheers

Matt

100 ersatz panzer Abteilung Normandy 1944

100. Panzer Ausbildungs und Ersatz Abteilung

The unit had been raised in April 1941 in Germany posted to Versailles France in April 1942. The unit was renamed in April 43 100. Panzer Ausbildungs und Ersatz Abteilung. The unit moved to the Cotentin peninsula in May 1944, the HQ element was in first in Apperville 7klm northwest of Carentan. On May 13th the unit was placed under 91st LLD and the HQ moved to Francquetot chateau. 

The first combat the unit fought in was La Fiere bridge counterattack on the 6th with the 1057 grenadier regiment where two R35, one H39 and one panzer III were destroyed according to latest research. On 13 June 1944, the detachment was attacked by reinforced American armoured units on the Etienville - Baupte line near the town of Beuzeville and pushed back. The battalion was deployed to secure the front line.of the Wehrmacht 77th Infantry Division. In the daily report of AOK 7 from June 15, 1944, the deployment of the division is described as follows: "Pz.Ers.Ausb.Abt.100 suffered severe losses and failed due to unfavorable training and equipment. The division can no longer be described as a combat unit. In 1944, the division was disbanded by the Commander in Chief West. However, it is proven that the training personnel remained with the 91st LLD and were used purely as infantry

Organisation 

The original 'Zustandsbericht' of the Abteilung dated 20.5.1944 from the 'Bundesarchiv' gives the actual organisation down to platoon level:

La Fiere bridge counterattack

Stab

Stabskp. with
- Nachr.Zug
- Werkst.Zug
- le.Pz.Zug (5 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)

1.Kp. with
- I.(Pz.) Zug (5 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)
- II. SchZug [Schtz. = Schützen = infantry]
- III.(Schtz.) Zug

2.Kp. with
- Grp.Fhr. (2 Pz.Kpfw. III 5 cm)
- I.(Pz.) Zug (1 Pz.Kpfw. Somua, 4 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)
- II.(Pz.) Zug (1 Pz.Kpfw. Renault B 2, 4 Pz.Kpfw. Hotchkiss 39)
- III.(Pz.) Zug (1 Pz.Kpfw. III 5 cm, 4 Pz.Kpfw. Hotchkiss H39)

3.Kp. with
- I.(Pz.) Zug (5 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)
- II.(Schtz.) Zug
- III.(Schtz.) Zug

Weapons listing:
1 Kwk 7,5 cm (f) (1 Pz.Kpfw. Renault B2)
3 Kwk 5 cm (d) (3 Pz.Kpfw. III)
2 Kwk 4,7 cm (f) (1 Pz.Kpfw. Somua, 1 Pz.Kpfw. Renault B2)
8 Kwk 3,7 cm lang (f) (8 Pz.Kpfw. Hotchkiss 39)
19 Kwk 3,7 cm kurz (f) (19 Pz.Kpfw. Renault R35)

The 4 infantry platoons were armed with just 3 light machine guns each.

The manpower strength of the unit was 664 men.

Vehicles in the Baupte yard

RF Organisation 

Stab Coy 1 R35

1st coy 5 figs, 1 R35

2nd coy panzer III d 50mm, two H39

3rd Coy  5 figs, 1 x R35


Cheers

Matt

Terrain Tuesday - WW2 bits

 

 Terrain Tuesday

A bit of terrain completed before Christmas. A few roadside shrines, the cross is metal and possibly Ral Partha the Madonna is plastic. The plinths are bases glued together. 

Roadside Madonna 

Roadside cross

Cheers

Matt

Merry Christmas to you all for 2024

  A big Merry Christmas to everyone, we are home in France this year for a cool winter, I do hope Santa is good to you! I will be painting g for the analogue painting challenge as usual! 

Cheers

Matt

90th Infantry Division in Normandy part 1

 90th Infantry Division in Normandy and Pays de Loire

One of the American projects I am planning to build winter is the 90th infantry division (Tough Hombres) for the analogue painting challenge. The 90th landed on Dday at Utah beach, fought their way through the Bocage west of St Lo, suffering horrendous casualties along the way. They captured the important river bridge at Mayenne allowing Pattons army to break out east the swing and close the gate on Falaise. 

My plan is to build the 357th Regiment, the reconnaissance troop, and a battery of artillery to start with. 

Historical Organisation 

Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division

357th Infantry Regiment Col Barth

358th Infantry Regiment 

359th Infantry Regiment

 

Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 90th Infantry Division Artillery343rd Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)

344th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
345th Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm)
915th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)

315th Engineer Combat Battalion

315th Medical Battalion 

90th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)

Headquarters, Special Troops, 90th Infantry DivisionHeadquarters Company, 90th Infantry Division

790th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company

90th Quartermaster Company

90th Signal Company

Military Police Platoon

Band 

 

 

Fallschirm Aufklärungs Abteilung 12

This parachute reconnaissance battalion was created at the begining of January 1944. An independant unit attached to II. Fallschirmjager - Korps, it was led by Hauptmann Gotsche. I have quite a few spare fallschirmjager, so it will be an easy build. A lot of accounts mention no or not many Armoured cars were available, I plan to at least have 1 Italian Armoured car (1 destroyed at St Lo). And possibly one other in the 1st company, the remainder of the battalion in VW kubelwagens. The support coy, will have heavy cars. Flak 20mm and a pak 40. 

Theoretical establishment  
Stabs Kp 

1Italian armoured car AB 41/43.

222A/C

1 Kp- (Lt Von Konitz)

2 x Kubel wagon 8 figs 

2 Kp- (Lt Runge): 

2 Kubelwagen 8 figs

3 Kp- (Lt Tereux)

2 Kubelwagen 8 figs

4 Kp- (Haupt. Raabe): Heavy coy

Flak 20 4 figs light car 

81mm mortar 3 crew

2 x MG42 6 crew

5 Kp- (Lt LLig): 

1x 120mm mortar 4 crew heavy car

 1x 7,5 cm pak 4 crew 40 heavy car 

Sources

Mourir Pour St Lo, Didier Lodieu

Armes Militaria”, nº263, Juin 2007, www.militaria-mag.com

341 StuG Brigade

341. Sturmgeschütz Brigade 

This unit was formed as 341. StuG.Abt. in December 1943. It was reorganized as 341. StuG.Brig. in February 1944.In May 1944 the unit was located near Narbonne in southern France and it was still forming. On 1 June it had 19 StuG and 9 StuH which can be compared to an authorized strength of 45 assault guns. It remained in southern France during June and recieved further assault guns. On 1 July it was at full strength, having 33 StuG and 12 StuH.

Commanders 

Hauptmann Dr Karl Ernst Bumm February 14 1944 - 6th August 1944 wounded

Hauptmann Gunter Dreyer August 1944 - September 1944

Hauptmann Dr Eric Barkley September 1944- 8th December 1944 KIA

Movements 

24.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1615/44 geh.

Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341 leaves the Toulouse region in 5 convoys towards Pz.Gr.West.
1st convoy leaves on 25.7.44.

28.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1643/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
1st convoy to Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc (northwest of Nantes, movement at 22:00.) 

2nd convoy to Couëron (northwest of Nantes, movement at 22:00.)
3rd and 4th convoy on 26.7 at the entrance to Nantes.

29.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1648/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
1st and 2nd convoy to Rennes, movement planned at nightfall.
3rd convoy to Redon, movement in the evening.
4th convoy to Beslé* (north-east of Redon), movement in the evening.

* Beslé station is a railway station on the Rennes to Redon line, located in the municipality of Guémené-Penfao.

30.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1655/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
1st convoy and 2nd convoy unloaded early on 30.7 at La Boussac and Pleine-Fougères (east of Dol).
3rd and 4th convoy stopped at Rennes; continuation planned for 30.7 after dark.
5th convoy at the entrance to Nantes.

31.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1662/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
3rd convoy unloaded early on 30.7 at Combourg (south of Dol).
4th convoy unloaded on 30.7 in the evening at Rennes.
5th convoy on 31.7 at Redon, continuation planned at nightfall towards Combourg.

Commitment to stem the American breakout 

The unit was first comitted to combat in the Brécey - Avranches area on 31 July in Kampfgruppe Bacherer along with the iii 897 regiment, 77th infantry division and two battalions II Fallschirmjäger-Ersatz-und-Ausbildung Regiment 2 FJD to retake Avaranches. Heavy fighting occurred whilst trying to retake Pontaubault bridge. It seems that 1st Batterie was the first unit to see action. During its first days of combat, this battery lost twelve of its fourteen assault guns.

StuG III destroyed by AT fire, note the modified Shurzen and debris guard on top of the Mantlet. 

1.8.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1672/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
5th convoy unloaded on 1.8 at Combourg.
It was reported on 1 August that the two committed batteries were almost all destroyed, while the third battery was still close to Rennes. It was reported that five railway cars with elements of the brigade were still in Redon on 2 August.


2.8.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1681/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
(StuG of the 5th road convoy) 2.8 to Redon, movement at nightfall towards Rennes

According to Tornau/Kurowski the brigade quickly received new assault guns from Paris and Tours. How many the brigade received is not clear, but it was reported that on 3 August four assault guns were in the area of Nantes and it is possible that these were intended for the 341. StuG.Brig.

Fighting Pontorson - Dinan - St. Malo area.

Again the fighting was costly and the ii battery of the brigade eventually was surrounded.

1944 at the corner of rue de Dinan and de Langrolay/Rance in Pleurtuit

The StuH was destroyed by a 57mm from the 121st Infantry Division on the 9th August, an artillery round subsequently hit the vehicle blowing it apart. 

Destroyed by company L by bazooka 121st Infantry Division on the 8th August, St Malo,

St Malo destroyed by C Company 644th tank destroyer battalion 12th August

Withdrawal north east. 

The brigade had 20 assault guns on 27 August 14 and five days later it reported twelve assault guns.

On 1 October the brigade had 544 men which was only four less than its establishment called for. During September casualties amounted to only 18 men, while 133 men arrived as replacements. Five men had left the brigade for other reasons than being casualties. Accordingly the brigade must have had 434 men on 1 September.

No deliveries of assault guns to the brigade has been found among the records of the Inspector-General of Panzer Troops, except 17 StuG III and 10 StuH III sent to OB West on 31 July for further distribution.These arrived 9 August and may have ended up with 341. StuG.Brig. The assault gun deliveries indicated by Tornau/Kurowski may also have been taken from various training facilities in France (there was e.g. an assault gun school at Tours). On 1 October the brigade had 10 combat ready assault guns and 13 in short term repair.

Aérospatiale Alouette III. Ia French Gendarmerie

 A very old kit from the stash is finally completed, I elected to actually paint this one as a French gendarme helicopter, with a Force on force scenario in mind.  I have another two Alouette’s  which will join my French airforce and a mercenary unit in the future. 

A simple build, but the instructions leave a little to be desired, I added Elhiem civilian crew models and added a weight in the mid section so I can add a flying stand if required. The decals were a little old so I clear varnished them, only a few splintered, but not terrible. Overall quite happy with my build results. 

Cheers 

Matt

NATO pilots and ground crew

 Another small project completed. A mix of Airfix and Esci Miniatures. The pilots are a mix of RAF, USAF and Luftwaffe. I could not resist painting some of the ground crews in aircraft carrier jackets. 

Cheers

Matt

Panzerspähwagen AMR-35 VMF701 (f) 8cm Schwerer Granatwefer 34 auf

 Completed two panzerkampfwagen AMR35 VMF701 (f) 81mm mortars for my 91st Luftlande division for Normandy. The either served in the 91st or the 11th Panzer, Wikipedia article 

A mix of Battlefeild/Blitz and AB crew. I did add numbers which the originals did not have according to the images in the salvage dump in Manche, Normandy. The location of the dump points towards the 91st Division.. 

Cheers

Matt

WIP Wednesday - Wehrmacht, Warpac kit, NATO Ground Crew

 As I continue on clearing out my project drawers I decided to paint a number of things this week. First up a 81mm mortar carrier on a H39 chassis, thought to be have used by 91st Luftlande Division in Normandy.  The crew are a mix of AB and battlefield, It has been gloss varnished so only decals, weathering and flock to go.

A IBM models BTR 60, an ACE BMP 150 and a resin BMP 150 for my Egyptians. The ICM kit is nice, but parts are very fine. The ACE is a SOB, the tracks particularly are painful. The resin kit is a Armo kit, not sure how long I have had this but it must be 20 years at least. 

ACE kit, the tracks are a absolute nightmare… metal handles added with wire 

ICM model a nice kit but lots of fine parts 

Finally Esci and Airfix NATO Ground crew. They will be perfect for airfield based scenarios. As they are soft plastic a little cleaning up with a sharp scalpel is in order. I elected to base them on coins then build up the base with plaster, I possibly should have just cut them off at the feet and pinned them. 

Cheers

Matt

Terrain Tuesday - ww2 bits

A fettlers railway shed, entrenchment, hay stack and some French fuel drums for a supply dump. 

Cheers

Matt

Russian tank and SP crew

 I have been completing pieces from my project drawers again, first up some ww2 Russian Tank and SP crew, a mix of Orion and Plastic Soldier Company. The Orion figures are soft plastic so the clean up is a little difficult, the psc are nice but oversize IMHO. 

PSC, Orion, PSC

Orion, PSC, PSC

PSC, PSC,PSC

PSC, PSC, PSC

Cheers 

Matt

Wip Wednesday

  On the build table are a few items first up a 1/72 Heller areospatiale Alouette III. I am undecided if it will join my French Armee or airforce elements.

Cheers

Matt

Winter Wargames Escape Plan 

It’s a dull time of year, my insightful wife has suggested we gather for all day wargaming! 

Escape winter with our all day wargaming escape plan 

225€ per day, Bed, Breakfast, Wargaming 

Add meals- transfers - touring, if you want to brave the elements 

This winter book a two to five night holiday at the warm and cozy L’Hotel de Hercé in the Loire. 

Come by yourself, with a mate or your partner (we will spoil her) in one of our 4 star guest rooms. 

Winter Wargame with convivial company 

Play with one of our thirty two 28mm and 20mm armies from Caesar to Cold War, plus our wide selection of board games. 

For full details contact us and book here 

Cheers 

Matt

Winter Wargames Holiday!

Winter 24-25 Wargames

November 2024 to March 2025

It’s a dull time of year, so my insightful wife has suggested we gather for

"All Day Wargaming" Holidays

This winter book a stay with us at warm L’Hotel de Hercé. Min 2 Nights, come by yourself, with a mate or bring your wife and we will spoil her. Enjoy your discounted room rate, 

Escape Winter with our Wargame Holiday from €225 per day; Bed, Breakfast, Wargaming,
add meals - transfers & Tours if you want to brave the elements winter wargame with convivial company. 

Sounds like a great idea Book Here!