German War machine

As the German war machine rolls unstoppable across the top shelf of my cabinet I thought I'd better start on my British forces to slow them up. With my German Platoon done and in the bag, I have been basing up my Platoon of good old Tommys. Painting them in their ten man sections they should be quite quick to do. With Platoons being about thirty odd men, you can really go to town on single figures and their bases. It's the research aspect of war gaming and painting I enjoy the most and it's been great finally getting to grips with all the arm markings of the British forces.
The Panzer with a little more foliage on the turret and side. I later put a light wash on the glue, taking away the shine.

Rolling thunder!

My StuG III carries additional armour plating called Schurzen. It was designed to catch and detonate armour piercing shells before they could hit the main body of the tank.

My first ever Panzer

I've found there's a real gap in the market for 28mm Panzer IV's with Schurtzen plating. Mine must have been out in the field the day they were handing it out.

German Armour

This week I have finally got round to finishing off my German Platoon for 'Rules of Engagement'. The Platoon was finished before really but I couldn't help add another machine gun nest and some heavy support. Basing my collection around the events of D-Day 1944, I have covered my vehicles in foliage to help keep them from Allied eyes.

I had trouble finding a Panzer IV with the added side armour so have gone for the Panzer III, as soon as I find a more suitable model I will paint it up, I hear Bolt-action Miniatures are currently making one. I decided to hand paint the decals as I had trouble buying them on line, I will keep trying though as I have four half-tracks to paint!


The Panzer leads the way followed by the StuG III, the infantry mans' best friend.
This machine gun nest is equipped with the dreaded MG 42 or Hitler's saw, due to the noise it made.
A few twigs from the garden were gathered to make this nest.

Plastic Celts

Crude but effective when painted these cloaks should help to break up the unit.

I have finally finished my skirmishing band of Celts from Warlord Games. I found these figures great fun to put together and paint. To personalize them further I added a few cloaks to hide any sign of joining. I also wanted to have a go at painting some Celtic style tartan on them. I find by adding little extras like this to units, It makes me want to see them through to the end and not get side tracked in to something else, with so much to choose from on the painting table I have developed little ways to help me stay on target. Other painters out there will know where I'm coming from on this one.
I kept the cloaks big, flat and wide, so I could paint a nice checkered pattern on them without too much trouble and eye strain.
To give them the look of skirmishers I replaced their large shields with small round Skirmishing bucklers, a small touch but it helps them to look a little more nimble on their feet.

Syrian Archers

The Syrian army of Alanicus recruits hordes of local archers to help them push back the Spanish armies of Tullus. Alan wanted a very eastern look for these guys and I had to really shop around before I finally found it, they are from Essex Miniatures (Persian range).
To help give the unit a bit of character and add some variety to the multiple figures, I added some small bucklers here and there.

The Battle of Narona

The battle was over and pickings were great for the cohorts of the XV. They had thought they were marching to their deaths when ordered into Dalmatia, but they had emerged conquerors against all the odds.
For the German Warbands of the Marcomanni, they had never had it so good. The day would be remembered in song for years to come.

The Battle of Narona

With his entire Legionary force crumbling away to his right, Terentius ordered a general retreat. The Marines and Gallic Auxiliaries withdrew in good order across the river and headed back for Macedonia. A quick thinking Primus Pilius ordered the Eagle of the V to be given to a Decurion and sped back to Thrace, It was one of the only remnants of the Legion to return to the province. Terentius, lost in the confusion, ended up back at the fortified camp a few miles south of the battlefield. Once there he started to plan and scheme for the future, coming up with a plan of giving himself to Flaccus, knowing that Alanicus would never forgive his failure. Secundus would certainly welcome such a general as he into his ranks without a second thought, Terentius mused.
Secundus never got the chance. Terentius was found dead; murdered and buried under tents within the camp by his own 'Little Bodyguard'. However, Flaccus knew his fate would of been no better at the hands of Secundus.

The Battle of Narona

As the V Macedonica shattered into desperate groups of fleeing men, Flaccus eager for glory, raced back across the field and entered the fray. Near the river, the last of the Macedonica had formed a tight knot of fighting men. This group continued to withdrawn unhindered, for the greedy Marcomanni passed them by for easier pickings. That is until Flaccus came upon them with his Pannonian Horse.
Riding straight for the formation, Flaccus smashed his way through their shield wall and started to beat down on them. Much to his surprise, the entire force throw down their arms and pleaded for mercy at the hands of these fellow Romans, rather than face the wrath of the Marcomanni. So it was that the last of the V Macedonica ceased to be a fighting force and became a long straggling line of weary men, destine for the slave markets of Germany.