A wargames army where even the commanding officer has his doubts? An impulsive purchase relights an old love!
” The junior officers, n.c.o.’s and enlisted men were not so suitable. The n.c.o.’s and enlisted men were taken from static batteries on the coast and on the Atlantic Islands. They were too old and useless for an Armoured command.”
Generalmajor Feuchtinger, 21. Panzerdivision, Normandie 1944.
The central committee of the Cardiff Wargames Tercio had decided. We knew exactly what we were collecting next year. It was to be Napoleonics and there the problems started. Eddie had expressed a preference for 15mm British, Steve opted for three different scales in the Penninsular, John turned a strange pale hue at the thought of painting and I committed to finishing my Bonaparte in Italie collection. We were playing Blucher, Sam Mustafa’s innovative system but Bataille Empire, by the gentleman who created L’art de la Guerre, is the hot topic at the moment. So we were definately doing Napoleonics, but in three scales with two rules sets! And then my eyes fell on Battlefront’s recent add-on to their Late War in Normandy series.
The plastic card was duly handed over and World War Two was back on the agenda, not just 28mm but 15s. This was my favourite competition army from over ten years ago. Paul Cummins had lovingly painted most of it and I had smuggled it into the hobby room in monthly packages of three vehicles. I had even taken it to European Team Championships in Poland. What an army, all the glamour of the desert war veterans with the ingenuity of transplanting German guns onto a French chassis.
In the latest incarnation of Flames of War the Division gets HEAT rounds that do not suffer over range and, the “salvo” rule which gives batteries a ten inch bombardment. The Hotchkiss (7.5cm) packs the army standard anti-tank weapon. It may not withstand return fire but as a mobile defensive weapon , it is awesome.
I also collected six of the 10.5 cm variant, with its awesome range, the Allies will pay dearly. To add to their discomfort I have two Reihenwerfer. I should really change the base to match the others but maybe after Christmas.
The infantry is not forgotten either. Each platoon can have seven U304(f) to mounted attack in a swarm.
When four aren’t cutting it, try seven!
I go for a full battery of Lorraine Schleppers.These can usually proxy for either the 10.5 or the awesome 150 cm vehicle gun. These complete an impressive amount of firepower although the “armour” is indeed brittle. Basically if the kit is hit, it burns!
Just to annoy by-standers I have added air recognition flags to all leaders. At the time I was big into the computer game Blitzkrieg and those flags caught my imagination. Not realistic but hey……….As to the politics, just as bad as the Hammer and sickle!
The new codex has Sd Kfz 10s but my AAA has the U307 which I prefer.
So we were decided, Napoleonics. I went home to reorganise my Flames of War collection. Then, I went on Fleabay and bought a new AAA halftrack for my 28mm Bolt Action Americans, and then a dancing bear to lead my Medieval Swiss! You think I’m joking, you know me better than that!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Michael
Despertaferres 
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