20mm WW2 British infantry

I've been trying to find figures suitable for the British Commandos for the Vaagso raid in late 1941.  The contemporary photos show then in battle bowlers and looking like pretty standard infantry of the time, but noticeably without the gas mask case "at the ready".  This means that BEF figures aren't suitable and neither are any of the 8th Army/Mediterranean infantry types, as shirt sleeves and shorts were definitely not worn on the raid, more like gloves, scarves and balaclavas.  Looking at the SHQ 1943 and later British infantry, these seem to be just about perfect.  The only bit of kit the Commandos carried that isn't represented is a length of coiled toggle rope, but these are close enough for me to feel happy using them.

First up a 10 man section of three man bren team and seven man rifle team, plus one sten gun, including NCO on round base.  A Thompson SMG would have been better for Vaagso, but the Sten is good too.

Part of another section with NCO, bren and three riflemen advancing.

Platoon HQ with officer and 2 man 2" mortar team.

2" mortar team in more detail.

Running officer.

Company commander, consulting wrist watch, with NCO pointing and rifleman runner.

Engineers clearing mines with mine detector, lifting an identified mine with a bayonet and carrying up a box at the back.

Engineers (l-r) satchel charge, roll or fuse wire and clippers and a man pack flamethrower.

So, I've ordered enough of these figures to complete 2 troops/platoons for now, plus some Vickers MMG supports and 3" mortar teams.  They will also double up as true late war British infantry.  More on these as they are finished.

Thanks for looking.

20mm WW2 Gebirgsjaeger

Continuing the build up of forces for Vaagso, here is the core of a platoon of Gebirgsjaeger.  At the front is the CO with three 8 man sections of 4 riflemen, a three man LMG team and an SMG armed NCO.  I need to add another three riflemen per squad to bring them up to full strength and a light mortar and 2 crew for the HQ.

The CO, armed with an SMG.

Riflemen - I've painted these in a mix of white and pale green smocks and white or grey trousers.

More riflemen.

Riflemen and LMG team.

More riflemen and LMG teams.

A SFMG and 3 crew.

Another view of the SFMG.

8cm Granatwerfer mortar and 3 crew.

Not for Vaagso, a 2 man crew for a Panzerschrek.

Supply mule and handler.

Again, not for Vaagso, three panzerfaust tank hunters.

These are great figures from Britannia Miniatures, they paint up really easily.  I'm in two minds whether to leave them based as they are or to add snow effects.  The extra riflemen and light mortar arrived in the post yesterday, so they will be on the painting table soon.

Thanks for looking.

20mm WW2 Kriegsmarine

Having been working on WW1/RCW figures for what seems like forever and with Crisis Point only a week away, it seemed like a good time to switch periods, just for a bit of variety.  With our big Vaagso game coming up in July at the Gauntlet show, it seemed like a good time to start building up the forces.  So, here is a platoon plus some spares, of the Kriegsmarine.  These are all from the Kelly's Heroes range from Britannia Miniatures.

The full platoon, CO at the front, plus three 10 man sections or squads, each with an NCO with SMG, 6 riflemen and three man LMG team.  At the back is a small section of  spare infantry, 4 riflemen an NCO and 2 man LMG team and, rear right, an AA mount LMG.

The CO and first section.

Second and third sections plus spares and AA LMG mount.

Riflemen and LMG team mainly in sailors hats.

Riflemen and NCOs in a mix of hats and helmets.

More riflemen in helmets.

LMG team in helmets,

NCO and riflemen.

LMG on AA mount with 2 crew.

CO with pistol.

Artillery crew in sailors hats.

Artillery crew in sailors hats.

I have just received four artillery pieces for the crew to man, plus a few extra crew, so these will be on the painting table shortly to round out the shore batteries.

Thanks for looking.