1914 Belgium - UD 18/12 - news re German infantry paint scheme

[Silent Invader]

<EDIT>

 Intro

This thread follows the WIP build of my Tommy And Fritz project, which will be a platoon level game set in Belgium in the summer and late summer of 1914.

The thread will bounce about a bit as various elements of the project are started, continued and then completed in what might not seem like - and sometimes isn't! - any particular order.

The project includes rules, terrain, minis, vehicles and special effects.

This thread covers the WIP as it happens while my website summarises what is nearing completion or has actually been completed.

http://www.silentinvader.uk/index_w_taf_index.html

Elements completed:

Hasty barricades, p.13
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.180

British Sopwith Biplane & Pilot, p.18
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.255

Special Effects, p.28
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.405

Belgian Minerva Armoured Car & 4 crew, p.34
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.495

Tree branch barricades, p.35
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.510

Terrain, p.38
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.555

Force (minis) organisation, p.40
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.585

Completed British & more hasty barricades, p.42
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.615

Link to painting scheme for the British, p.43
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.630

Link to visit to Mons, p.45 and p.46
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.660

Link to forces (minis and vehicles) completed for BLAM 15, p.47
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.msg1019799#msg1019799

Completed Germans, p.48
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=72573.705

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Is anyone familiar with either of the following photographic collections:

The Great War Illustrated 1914 (Hardback) by William Langford
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Great-War-Illustrated-1914-Hardback/p/4169

The Germans in Flanders 1914 (Paperback) by David Bilton
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Germans-in-Flanders-1914-Paperback/p/3278

I am contemplating buying them primarily for terrain building inspiration and guidance for the 1914 summer campaign, with particular regard to British & German forces in Belgium. Btw I have 1914 (and the rest of the series) by Lyn Macdonald though my knowledge of the German perspective is much more limited (The first episode of Our World War gave something of the impression of young men persistently and unquestioningly marching into the the British musketry fire).

My inclination is to get both books but if anyone is familiar with them and knows there to be extensive  repetition then I'd appreciate the advice.  

Any other views, comments, guidance etc is always appreciated (btw I have bought the Mutton Chops BEF minis with the Germans to follow).

Ta very much

[Silent Invader]

Thanks very much ...... That one's a definite then 

[Silent Invader]

This morning the postman delivered 6 packs (24 minis) of the Mutton Chop British - very nice indeed with very fast service from Empress Miniatures.  So pleased, in fact, I have now also ordered 9 packs (36 minis) of the Germans.

This will give me approx 1/2 an early war (1914) platoon for each side, both to be commanded by a Sergeant.  I didn't actually buy the command packs as I don't need the officers just yet but if the project expands then I could well do.

Regarding the Mutton Chop minis, there are two themes to each side

- the British are either in marching order or in light order with bayonet
- the Germans are either in Pickelhaube or Feldmutze

For my purposes, the types and numbers of each theme have worked out quite nicely as I am putting them into different infantry sections.

[Eric the Shed]

another project...

The Mutton Chop Figures are brilliant - I have 30 of them waiting to be painted.

[Silent Invader]

 

I tend to stock up at Xmas with stuff I need for present and future projects, which also saves my wife the angst of trying to work out what to buy me!

I've no idea how far or fast this project will proceed but I do have the terrain and rules sketched out.

[Malamute]

I tend to stock up at Xmas with stuff I need for present and future projects, which also saves my wife the angst of trying to work out what to buy me!

I've no idea how far or fast this project will proceed but I do have the terrain and rules sketched out.

Beats the hell out of receiving socks, ties and aftershave.

Looking forward to seeing this one come together, is there a spreadsheet yet?

[Silent Invader]

No spreadsheets yet but some nice tables and a few scenario grids/plans in the rules 

[Elk101]

I still can't believe you're not sculpting them yourself! The Mutton Chop figures do look very nice indeed.

[pocoloco]

Oh yet another Si thread worth following! 

When do we get to see first plans for terrain?

[Silent Invader]

When do we get to see first plans for terrain?

Oh alright then!  

I have 3 set-ups in mind and this is the middle one: edge of town overlooking a key crossroads with drainage ditch, British in defence to slow the German advance.  Other boards will be continuations to west and east as viewed: 4 more tiles to make up a town square and surrounding buildings to the left and 4 more tiles for a barn and fields with maybe a river to the right.



The table will be 3'x3'.

The rules will have the option for off-table artillery (and counter battery fire) so I'd quite like to make the houses removable so they can be in whole and wrecked forms (plus  have a ton of flickering LEDs for a fire effect).

[commissarmoody]

Eventually I will also get some of those Germans. Been reading Rommel's infantry attack for inspirations.

And that looks like it would be a tough nut to crake from the attackers point of view.

[Silent Invader]

And that looks like it would be a tough nut to crake from the attackers point of view.

Yep, though the attackers will have 50% more men plus off-table artillery.....though if it is too tough I'll have to mod it 

[commissarmoody]

Yep, though the attackers will have 50% more men plus off-table artillery.....though if it is too tough I'll have to mod it 

At at least in the U.S. Infantry we try a 3 to 1 advantage in numbers when assaulting a fixed position. Like to have enough guys left over after the assault to maybe carry on.
Of course what the planers would like and what is realty on the ground is some thing completely different. 
So you have a half platoon already. How big are you trying to make the forces?

[Silent Invader]

At at least in the U.S. Infantry we try a 3 to 1 advantage in numbers when assaulting a fixed position. Like to have enough guys left over after the assault to maybe carry on.
Of course what the planers would like and what is realty on the ground is some thing completely different. 
So you have a half platoon already. How big are you trying to make the forces?

Yeah there's a bit of a fix in there for gaming purposes but if it comes to it - especially if the Tsuba plastic EW Germans turn out as good as they look - I can always expand the Germans to make it roughly 75 to the 25 British. 

[commissarmoody]

I am very excited to see how the Tsuba plastics turn out.
Might lead me to start another never finished project of massed 28mm battalion actions. 

Looking forward to seeing your Figs painted up.