Taking an August Break Re-Post: My Afrika Korps miniatures featured in A Wargamers Guide to The Desert War 1940 - 1943

 I'm honored to have some of my Afrika Korps miniatures featured in Daniel Mersey's latest book A Wargamers's Guide to The Desert War 1940-1943 available on Amazon and at other fine retailers.

It's humbling to see miniatures you have painted in the same company with Michael Perry of Perry Miniatures, Wargames Illustrated and Big Lee himself!  (If you have not seen Big Lee's Miniature Adventures, you are in for a treat!)

Afrika Korps 88mm Gun featured in the book

If you want to see the other photos, you have to buy Dan's book!  Here is the summary: Continuing this exciting new series of guides for wargamers, Dan Mersey gives a wargamer's perspective on the North African campaign of World War II. Dan gives an overview of events from the opening British successes against the Italians, to the famous duels between Monty and the Rommel (the Desert Fox), right up to the US-led invasion of Operation Torch and the eventual defeat of the Afrika Korps, and offers advice on how to recreate these on the gaming table. Daniel 

Mersey discusses factors to consider when choosing an appropriate set of commercially available rules, or devising your own, to best suit the scale and style of battle you want and to capture the flavor of the period. The relevant ranges of figures and vehicle models are also reviewed. Analysis of the forces involved, organization, tactics and strategies will help with building your armies and there are interesting scenarios included. Whether this is a new period for you, or you are looking to refresh your existing interest in the period, this handy guide is sure to hold much if interest for you.

August Break: 28mm Afrika Korps Unit Complete

 

Platoon Headquarters Section. Miniatures by Warlord Games.

As you can tell from the title I finished the Afrika Korps platoon I was working on. The HQ Section is by Warlord Games and the Infantry Squads are by Artizan Designs.

1st Squad:

2nd Squad:

3rd Squad:

Heavy Machine Gun Support (from Warlord Games):

8 cm Mortar Section:

 Artizan Designs.

 Warlord Games.

Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader. 

It's Auction time Again: 28mm World War II North Africa

There comes the time in the life in every gamer (shudder) that he or she realizes that they have too many projects going on and none of them are getting finished. Having said that I bid a far adieu. Just click on the description on the picture and it will take you to the auction on eBay.

 1st Squad Afrika Korps

2nd Squad Afrika Korps

3rd Squad Afrika Korps

HQ Section Afrika Korps

Afrika Mortar Section

 Afrika Korps MMG

Fallschirmjagers in Tropical Uniform 

Bolt Action Second Edition

Interlude: Ramcke Parachute Brigade in North Africa 1942

 Warlord Games Fallschirmjager Squad (Tropical Uniform)

The brigade was formed in 1942 and sent to join the Afrika Korps in North Africa. Ramcke's unit fought during the Afrika Korps's assault towards the Suez Canal, fighting alongside the Italian 25 Infantry Division Bologna before British opposition solidified near the town of El Alamein. The British action resulted in the separation of the Brigade from German forces, and, lacking motorized transport, they were unable to move as fast as the battle lines.

Taking heavy losses (about 450) fighting surrounded on all sides, they captured a British supply convoy carrying food and fuel, about which Ramcke later remarked the most welcome surprise was the tobacco and luxury goods. Using those trucks, about 600 survivors returned to German lines.

The brigade was then engaged in the Second Battle of El Alamein, later retreating into Tunisia. Ramcke was transferred back to Germany where he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, and command passed to Major Hans Kroh. The remaining brigade was part of the capitulation of German Panzer Army Afrika in May 1943.

I was able to pick up the Warlord Games Fallschirmjager Squad (Tropical Uniform) box which comes with 10 Fallschirmjager dressed in the Mediterranean theater uniform (North Africa, Tunisia, Italy). These are some of the finest metal miniatures I have seen Warlord Games produce and I highly recommend them if you want to do something different for World War II. Beautifully sculpted which makes them a pleasure to paint - even down to two of the figures having NCO insignia on their shirts. Looking at the other range of Warlord Games metal range of Fallshirmjager, there are other figures that can be converted to the tropical uniform.

Here is the Table of Organization for the unit in October of 1942:

• Headquarters under Generalmajor Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke:
  • 1st Battalion, 2nd Parachute Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, 3rd Parachute Regiment
  • 2nd Battalion, 5th Parachute Regiment
  • 4th Parachute Training Battalion
  • 2nd Battalion, 7th Parachute Artillery Regiment
  • A Company, 7th Tank Destroyer Battalion
  • 2nd Company, Parachute Pioneer Battalion
  • A Parachute Signal Platoon
  • A Medical Company

So if you are looking for something different for your Mid-War Campaigns (many Fallshchirmjagers were transferred to the European theater with tropical uniforms) I highly recommend this unit and the figures from Warlord Games.

Afrika Korps Unit Complete

Platoon Headquarters Section. Miniatures by Warlord Games.

As you can tell from the title I finished the Afrika Korps platoon I was working on. The HQ Section is by Warlord Games and the Infantry Squads are by Artizan Designs.

1st Squad:

2nd Squad:

3rd Squad:

Heavy Machine Gun Support (from Warlord Games):

8 cm Mortar Section:

 Artizan Designs.

 Warlord Games.

Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader.