Kit Bash: British Infantry Artillery Forward Observer (Scale Histroy SLC Competition)

As part of the 'Captain Kitbash 2024 Contest' run by the youtube channel Scale History SLC (Channel here). The competition is a fun little one designed to encourage the creative use of kit bashing to make unique models. The ground rules are as follows:

1) Entries must be 1-3 28mm models from WW2/Korean war.

2) The conversion must be created after the announcement of the competition.

3) Entries must be painted (to at least 3 colours).

4) One entry per contestant.  

5) You must subscribe/follow ScaleHistroySLC on Youtube and Instagram.

I have decided to make a British Infantry Artillery observer as my entry into the comp. The model is meant to represent a late war (Maybe Operation Market Garden haha!) British Artillery Forward Observer. I wanted the conversion to be quite subtle and look like a model that could realistically exist in the Bolt Action range while still capturing the character of the unit it represents. I did an identical pose to my US army forward observer as I really liked how that model came out. In the spirit of the competition I also used a number of plastic kits to make this and put together the build below:

All the pieces I used to make the model.

I decided with the mustached head from the French Resistance kit from Wargames atlantic as it felt quite 'British' to me. The arms are mix of British Infantry and US Airborne and the radio hand piece is a German stick grenade with the head cut and re-positioned. The helmet comes from the British & Canadian infantry kit and the radio was made from a cut up US Airborne ammo box with some gun straps on the side. The antenna and radio wires are broom bristle brushes clipped and bent into position. Once happy with that I set to painting it using a simple Vallejo English Uniform for the uniform and Vallejo Green Gray for the webbing. The painted model is below:

Overall I'm very happy with how it's come together and this was my first time painting British Infantry uniform so I'm glad that I have a good recipe now to do the rest of my XXX corps army. The entries in last years competition were extremely good with many people sculpting their own pieces and uniforms and i'm not at that skill level (yet!) - but it was a fun exercise planning, making and painting the piece. Entries are due April 1st 2024 so I will keep you all posted on how I go.

Signing off,

Chewie.

Battle Report: Battle of the Wolfheze Woods

The nervous Germans hold the line.

The sun hung low in the autumn sky as the eerie quiet of the Wolfheze Woods was shattered by the distant drone of aircraft engines. It was September 17, 1944, the beginning of Operation Market Garden, a daring Allied plan to end the war by Christmas. The British 1st Airborne Division, landed some 12km away from their target of Arnhem bridge and now faced the daunting task of breaking through the German line to reach the Dutch city. A small section led by Lieutenant Dobbie, faced the monumental task of organising his men, securing the area for future airborne landings and then moving to Arnhem. Their path to victory led through the dense Wolfheze Woods, guarded by hastily assembled German defenders under Lieutenant Webber.

 

The British troops storm the trench.

Webber had quickly organised this Kampfgruppe from a mish mash of soldiers stationed in the surrounding area. The German defenders, a mix of young recruits and veterans who had seen too much, anxiously awaited the impending battle as they filled a defendible line in the Wolfheze woods. Private Schmidt, a fresh-faced German recruit, nervously clutched his rifle. "Do you think they know we're here?" he whispered to his comrade, Corporal Müller. Müller, an injured veteran with haunted eyes, replied, "Doesn't matter. We just hold the line and pray the war ends soon."  

The British troops arrived to the battlefield scattered and piecemeal. By chance they were separated from their Lieutenant by a trench line packed with German defenders, but they had their orders. The first echoes of thunder came not from the sky but from the boots of the British 1st Airborne troops storming into the trench line.  Sergeant McCleary's orders cut through the forest like a battle cry. "Fix bayonets! Wooooahhh Mohammad!" With a ferocity born of desperation, the British showed no mercy. In a brutal close-quarter combat, every German in that section of the trench met their end.  Amidst the chaos, Private Anderson shouted to his squad, "Show 'em no mercy, boys! For King and country!"

The British are overpowered by the German defenders

Like a raging river the British troops poured into the trenchline killing all who stood in their path. It looked grim for the German troops who were ignoring orders from Webber and chose instead to keep their heads down. One British squad, fueled by the adrenaline of their initial success, charged recklessly into a dugout occupied by the inexperienced Germans. Against all odds, the defenders fought with a newfound courage. Private Schmidt, bloodied but determined, shouted, "For the Fatherland!"  and in a surprising twist, the Germans overpowered their assailants and the British broke like a wave on a rock. The dugout remained firmly in German hands, a testament to the unpredictability of war.

 Lieutenant Webber, seeing the tide turning, barked orders to his beleaguered men. "Stand your ground! We can't let them break through!"". Amidst the chaos, Lieutenant Webber, recognizing the gravity of the situation, made a daring move. He emerged from the trench and attacked a section that had fallen to the British. The ferocity of his assault caught the British off guard, and in the ensuing melee, Webber's leadership proved deadly. The trench section was recaptured, but Webber paid the price in blood.

Webber's attempt to retake the trench.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As the echoes of gunfire subsided, the once tense forest now held the weight of history. The British emerged victorious, forcing the Germans to retreat hastily towards Arnhem to organize a more robust defense. The first day of Operation Market Garden in the Wolfheze Woods had seen brutality, heroism, and unexpected turns. The woods, once silent, now bore witness to the scars of war and the 'Wooahh Mohammads' of a determined British force.

A cracking first game to our Operation Market Garden campaign. It ended in a convincing British victory and the inexperienced German soldiers, though they  outnumbered the British on the field, were easily taken out by the brutal assault rules of bolt action. I think with a bit more luck on the German side they could have easily pulled out a tie or win but that's not the way the dice fell!

Looking forward to our next game,

Signing out,

Chewie

Scenario 1: Battle of the Wolfheze Woods

A new year and a new campaign! Our first scenario for another year of bolt action battles begins with the first engagements of Operation Market Garden!

The British 1st Airborne jump to their landing zone to start off operation Market Garden

Background: Sunday, 17 September 1944 in a daring daytime assault the 1st British Airborne are dropped on their landing zone some eight miles away from their objective of Arnhem Bridge. As the British Airborne and German defenders scramble to action in wake of the landings a hastily formed Kampfgruppe commanded by Hauptmann Willy Weber form a blocking line in the area surrounding Wolfheze to stop the Airborne advance to Arnhem city. 1st Parachute Battalion led by Lt-Col Dobie has no choice but to press forward, break through the blocking line and seize their objective!

Scenario: Key Positions.

Forces: 

British 1st Parachute Battalion

2nd Lt and Man (Veteran)

Parachute Section
4 rifles + NCO with SMG (Veteran)

Parachute Section
4 rifles + NCO with SMG (Veteran)

Parachute Section
2 rifles + Bren Gun + NCO with SMG (Veteran)

Medium Mortar Team (Veteran)

Kampfgruppe Weber

2nd Lt and Man (Veteran)

Luftwaffe Field Division Squad
4 rifles + NCO with SMG (Inexperienced)

Luftwaffe Field Division Squad
4 rifles + NCO with SMG (Inexperienced)

Luftwaffe Field Division Squad
4 rifles + NCO with SMG (Inexperienced)

Heer Infantry Squad
2 rifles + 2 SMG + NCO with SMG (Veteran)

Medium Machine Gun team (Inexperienced)

Medium Machine Gun team (Inexperienced)

Mission objectives: British must capture 3 key positions to break through blocking line on their way to Arnhem. Germans must stop this. 3 objectives held by Germans. Players receive 2 points each objective captured and 1 point for each unit destroyed. 

Special Rules:

Frantic surprise: Each German unit deployed on the field at the beginning of the game starts with a pin on it.

Deployment chaos: Reinforcements come on a random board edge as determined by a dice roll.

Extremely excited to start another campaign and can't wait to see what crazy scenarios the dice have in store for us!

Signing out,

Chewie.

Campaign: Operation Market Garden

With the start of 2024 comes a new year and a new Bolt Action campaign. After the great success of our Normandy Campaign we will now begin our play through of the infamous "Operation Market Garden". Much like our last campaign we will start with smaller 500pt battles gradually moving up to larger games as we settle into the campaign. The campaign will consist of 7 battles played out from the Airborne drops on 17th September 1944 up until the Airborne withdrawal from Arnhem on 25th September 1944. 

The battles will be played in the following order:

• Battle of the Wolfheze Woods
  
• Graber's Assault at Arnhem Bridge
  
• The Battle for Nijmegen
  
• River Crossing of the Wahl
  
• 107th Panzer Assault on the Son Bridge
  
• German attack on the Oosterbreek Perimeter
  
• Airborne Retreat
  

I will be playing with the same opponent over the course of the campaign with the idea to play one battle per month or two if our schedule allows for it.

 

The daring Operation Market-Garden would see British, Polish and US airborne forces capture key bridges throughout the Netherlands to allow XXX corps to roll through Arnhem and into Germany.

Very much looking forward to playing through this campaign with my opponent and, of course, documenting it all on this blog!

Signing off,

Chewie

Army Showcase: British Airborne

In preparation for next years "Market Garden" campaign I have been working on a British airborne force which is now finally finished (can an army every be finished?). The army is an infantry heavy British Airborne list with Operation Market Garden in mind but could easily be used for D-Day 6th Airborne in a pinch.

British 1st Airborne:

 Let's have a look at the units!

Lieutenant and man:

 

A simple two man squad with Sten guns and minor arm swap from the SS kit on the leutenant. I wanted to capture an 'Urquhart-esque' character so the mustache was a must.

Infantry Squad 1:

The three infantry squads are run as 8 man veteran squads with Bren LMG and loader. The sergeant is equip with SMG and there are many subtle conversions throughout such as arm swaps, head swaps and captured German weapons.

Infantry Squad 2:

 Squad 2 is set up identical to the above.

Infantry Squad 3:

 As is Squad 3!

Sniper Team:

One of my goals with this army was to replace all metal figures with plastic conversions and this sniper team is an example of that. The spotter is a simple conversion of plastic airborne bits pointing out his target while the Sniper is the prone body from the US airborne kit with a head-swap, gun-swap and British webbing. I think they really look the part of a deadly sniper team!

PIAT Team:

The PIAT team was put together using British Airborne sprue with no major conversions or changes. They do the job nicely!

Mortar Team:

 

This mortar team + spotter are completely converted from plastic bits with the Mortar being the only metal piece I kept from the original kit. I feel like they capture the frantic team very well and I have a detailed description of each model here.

Medium Machine gun Team:

Again this MMG team has been made from plastic conversion with the original metal gunner from the warlord starter army. I decided to go with a 'scenic' base showing the MMG positioned in some bombed out ruins with the two loaders bringing up ammo for the gunner. The gunners Lee Enfield rifle can be seen resting on the broken brick wall to the right. This was a fun build and each figure is removable from the base to depict casualties suffered by the team.

Medium Machine gun Team:

The infamous 'Free British Observer'! This was a simple kit bash using airborne parts and a radio made from paper-clips, a plastic ammo box and milliput. I like to imagine he's screaming co-ordinates to repel a German attack on the airborne pocket in Oosterbeek! 

6 pdr Gun:

 

This 6pdr gun will provide some much needed anti-tank support for the force! Once again all the metal crew replaced with plastic conversions. I also opted for a scenic base and all of the crew are removable. I have a detailed description on how this was made here.

Airborne Jeep:

The only vehicle in the entire list - the trusty Airborne Jeep! This is a rubicon 1/4 ton 4 x 4 utility truck kit and while Rubicon make absolutely stunning vehicles (the best 56mm kits by far in my opinion) I feel like the model is slightly too small for the bolt action scale and the crew definitely leave something to be desired. I tried a head-swap with airborne bolt action heads but the scale difference made it look ridiculous.  In any case when they are all out there on the table they look the part well enough!

That's it for the airborne army and I believe the whole thing comes out to ~1000pts with all the veteran infantry. It's been a treat to put this force together and the small conversions and making of the plastic crews was an excellent hobby experience. I really put a lot of effort into these guys and I hope that comes across. Things to add in the future would be a howitzer and maybe a Tetrarch tank!

Next up will be my SS army who will be fighting these guys in the 'Market Garden Campaign!'

Signing out,

Chewie. 



 

 

Kit Bash: Subtle Conversions for late war SS

Lately I've really enjoying bringing a touch of individuality to my models through subtle conversions. With a Market Garden Campaign on the horizon for next year, I felt inspired to add a personal touch to my SS troops who will play the part of the many kampfgruppen which were formed in response the allied landings.

These examples below are simple arm swaps with bits from the British Airborne plastic kit and the German Grenadiers plastic kit - both from warlord. 

This SS soldier with panzerfaust has his Kar98 slung over his shoulder. The arm and sling are from the British Airborne box with the Lee Enfield snipped off and replaced with a spare Kar98 from the German Grenadiers box. I think it really captures the feel of an exhausted soldier who's been marching for hours.

Likewise, this soldier running and swapping out his Stg44 magazine was a simple conversion made using a spare Stg44 from the SS kit and an empty arm from the British Airborne kit. I imagine him advancing under heavy fire while taking a fresh magazine from his bandolier. 

When placed together the figures look the part and capture the feeling of a small Kampfgruppen ready to push the Brits out of Arnhem!

As I continue to add to my 6th Airborne and SS armies I'm sure I will make many other conversions inspired by photos, other wargamers models and anything else I see. When complete I will be sure do post an army showcase for each army!

Signing off,

Chewie.

Battle Report: Armored clash

The half-track moments before its destruction

10th February 1945, The rumble of the Sherman's engine reverberated through the serene West German countryside as tank driver Greg Alexander, maneuvered down the narrow road. The rhythmic clatter of tank treads echoed the anticipation that hung in the air. As he rounded a bend, the peaceful landscape gave way to a scene of impending conflict. Before him stretched a column of German armor, ominous and unyielding. The tension inside the tank was palpable; each crew member understood the gravity of the moment. He gripped the controls with a mixture of determination and nerves, knowing that the fate of the impending clash rested on the steel shoulders of his Sherman. Little did he know, this quiet road would soon transform into the crucible of a fierce and decisive battle.

The immobilized Puma did not fire it's gun
for the whole game

The rolling fields echoed with the distant rumble of armor as the American half-track, a vital element of the Airborne's advance, moved cautiously forward. Suddenly, the tranquility shattered as a thunderous blast erupted from the treeline. A shell from a concealed German Stug III found its mark, sending the American half-track into a fiery explosion. Paratroopers inside were injured, and the shock of the blast rippled through the American ranks.

Undeterred, the German Panzer division pressed forward, but their advance was soon marred by a twist of fate. A well-aimed shot from an American Greyhound struck the German Puma, rending its wheels useless. The immobilized Puma became a focal point of the battlefield, as its crew desperately attempted repairs under the hail of bullets and shrapnel. However, the relentless pressure from the American Airborne kept the German mechanics at bay, leaving the Puma stranded throughout the entirety of the battle.

The Panzergrenadiers take cover behind the flaming
Stug III

In a strategic move, the American Sherman tank, advanced across the terrain and unleashed a devastating shell that struck the Stug III with precision. The German assault gun, once a formidable threat, now smoldered and billowed smoke. German infantry, having lost their mobile cover, sought refuge behind the burning wreckage and cried out for reinforcements.

As the battle raged on, the Luftwaffe attempted to turn the tide with a precision airstrike. However, misfortune struck when a rookie pilot mistakenly identified the German positions. In a tragic act of friendly fire, the airstrike targeted the wrong coordinates, claiming the life of the German lieutenant's attendant and further complicating the Panzer division's command structure.

Americans surge forward for the win

With the battlefield ablaze and the German forces in disarray, the American Airborne seized the initiative. Bolstered by their operational Sherman tank, the Americans surged forward, exploiting weaknesses in the fragmented German defenses. The immobilized Puma, the burning Stug, and the chaotic aftermath of the friendly fire incident left the Panzer division in disarray.

In the final moments, the American Airborne, with their Sherman leading the charge, overwhelmed the beleaguered Germans. The combination of firepower, strategic finesse, and a resolute will to win tipped the scales. The German Panzer division, now fragmented and demoralized, conceded defeat as the American forces pushed forward, securing victory in the fields of West Germany.

 

A convincing victory for the US forces with a final score of 10 victory points vs 4! Some unlucky rolls from my opponent sealed the deal with his Puma never passing an order after being immobilized in the first turn and his air strike rolling a 1 with me placing it onto his command unit. It was awesome to get all the vehicles out for this one and flat and open terrain of the board meant that maneuvering the tanks was important tactical factor that we both often forgot!

As usual can't wait for the next game of bolt action and perhaps time to start organising an operation Market Garden Campaign to play out in the next year!

Signing off, 

Chewie