Envelopment: The Siegfried Line; December 1944 Canadians vs Germans

 The Third Canadian Division decides to strike the German defences in response to the German attack on the Second Canadian Division earlier in the week. The objective is to get as many Canadian units on the German second of the table by turn 6.

It was a close game all day. The Germans attempted to push back each Canadian advance, and did quite well in holding them back.

It was just after this shot was taken that the 3rd Anti-Tank, RCA took out the Tobruk bunker and a further artillery strike followed by an RCAF airstrike cleared the woods of German infantry and recce support. By the end of Turn 6, the Germans were reduced to a single infantry battalion, and one Panzer Regiment, which choose to withdrawl rather than be destroyed. The Canadians cracked the line and will now consolidate their positions to break through to drive into the heart of Germany. Unless I get a game in tomorrow, this might be the last one for 2014. An interesting year for sure on this front.

I had no idea that I would be getting back into this gamming period. It was rather sad how I came about it, as I had to visit Calgary, Alberta for my mother's funeral back in April. Since I was there, and I had the chance, I was able to pick up the beginnings of a Bolt Action force. My son and I started off with two boxes of infantry each. Then over several months, I have been able to add armor, jeeps, artillery. In the coming year, I will no doubt slow down my force build up as I have almost all the I need for a German and Canadian force.

I may build up my Pacific force, as I don't need much for them. I have a British brigade, a Canadian brigade and an Australian Militia Brigade. 

Happy New Year to those who visit this blog.

Demolition: Germans vs Canadian Second Division

 The British and Canadian armor in lager. The Germans have decided to push through the area with their offensive in the Ardennes.

The British 51st Highland and Canadian 2nd Division hold just before a cross roads in Holland.

The Canadian infantry mount up and led by a Recce unit, prepare to push back the Germans to their front.

The Germans emerge from the forests. The Luftwaffen Feld battalion act as a recce screen supported by a Whirlwind and a 75mm Infantry gun and a Hertzer.

On the second turn, the Canadian Armor advances against the German onslaught. The SS lead a mounted charge. A lucky shot from the commander's 37mm gun hits a Sherman gun mantle blasting the tank apart. The other tanks are then swarmed by SS Panzergrenadiers and anti-tank fire, and grenades.

The combined headquarters are well defended. On the far left, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment begin their advance to contact.
The Germans were a bit hesitant all game. Ian took a look at all the kit I had and felt he couldn't win. I then showed him what I would do, and proceeded to make a massed tank charge directly at the HQ. In one move, the Germans won.

21st Panzer Division Panzergrenadiers

 This is now the 21st Panzer Division with its Panzergrenadiers, Engineer battalion, 75mm infantry support gun, Nebelwerfer, Kettlekrad, Kubelwagen and mortar support. The Panzer III are in the previous posts. I might need a truck to pull the gun.

Hold until relieved; Holland, December, 1944

I fought a solo Bolt Action game with some of my new kit. The pictures I took will follow.
I had the Canadian 2nd Division attack a Dutch town held by a German Army regular division with some Luftwaffen support battalion.

I was late in getting shots of the game. The windmill was the objective of the game. Whoever held it by the end of turn six, would be the winner.

 The game began with the Canadian Recce units coming onto the table. The left flank was attacked by Shermans on turn 2 while the 7th Armor Brigade sent in a Churchill. The single British motor battalion advanced up to the windmill in an assault only to have their members cut down by crossfire from the defending Germans. Early in the game, the Germans lost their MG 34 team, and their Engineers. Their anti-tank companies held out but were then enveloped by angry Canadians.

The Panzer IV did away with the Shermans, as did the Hertzer. The Panzer IV was taken out by a 6pdr Anti-tank gun. One of the 6pdrs had been taken out by the German mortar. In this game, the Canadian mortars had been taken out early and the remaining mortar team 

 A German regiment holds these houses. It took the Canadian 3 turns to capture two of the houses, but still, one company held the centre house.

The windmill was assaulted right up until turn 7. Despite the attacks by the Black Watch, the Hertzer was still in play, and a single company still held a flanking fire. With more allied armor falling to grenades, the British and Canadians withdrew.

 A single universal carrier attempts to find surviving Canadians to take back to friendlier lines.

Battlefield S5/E6 - The Battle for Caen

 The campaign my Grandpie was a part of.

21st Panzers get Panzer III

I finished my Christmas shopping by getting my son an Italeri Easy kit of Panzer III. He can build these with my help.

 courtsey of tank encylopedia.

 Box shot came out sideways

Ian begins to build his first tank

Adds some glue

Puts on some more parts

 I built it, and the glue gave me this face, while Leena got super cool.

More Recce elements

I picked up a set of Dingo Scout cars and a set of jeeps by a Chinese company. I built one Humber as I was recovering from more tummy troubles. I will post shot later.

 Dingo Armor Car, armed with a Bren gun

Side view

Front view

second Dingo being built

 Dingos painted and decaled. 

 Built jeeps armed and ready

 Marked as Recce units of 4th Canadian Armored Division

 Jeep being built

Same jeep finished with a .50 cal machine-gun, and some 15th Scottish Division troops. These are dressed in winter kit, actually a Ceaser Minatures British Commandos kit, but I'm painting them up as British and Canadians, winter 1944-45.

Sick day conversions

I've been having stomach problems recently so took the day off to see a doctor. Afterwards, I worked on some German figures.
After building the Plastic Soldier Company Hanamog 251 kits, I have several figures leftover. I was going to build the loader again but dropped his arms! They have now gone to the land of where socks also go.  However, I had extras and he's now a panzerfaust gunner.

Panzerfaust gunner fell over. The other gun crews are with the 75mm Infantry gun. They will be joining the 272 Panzergrenadier division I built for Ian. I'll have to invest in some new paint later.