Vercors 1944 - first 28mm WW2 project

[Mark]

Back in 2017, I visited the Vercors plateau and the Resistance museum in Vassieux whilst visiting my wife's family. A great bit of local history as the family farm is only a few miles away. At the time I thought it would be an interesting project to put together, but that was as far as it went... until now!

I had previously read Paddy Ashdown's "The Cruel Victory" but for Christmas my good lady wife bought me the Osprey "Vercors 1944" and a box of Wargames Atlantic French Resistance. So now it is on! I have a friend who is in possession of a Fallschirmjager force, so the initial plan is to focus on getting a representative force for the FFI and starting with the German glider borne assaults on Vassieux and it's surrounding hamlets, and the FFI counter attacks. Should be enough to start!

Initial project photos follow...

[BillK]

Looking forward to following your thread.
Vercours is a very interesting set of actions.
What is your personal review of "The Cruel Victory?"

[Mark]

I thought it was a really good read - I have a ex-library hardback which makes it look like a bit of a slog, but I found it to be very easy reading. It is very comprehensive and doesn't get into the fighting until a long way in, as it covers the development of Plan Montagnards etc as well as the battles of July. Ashdown's perspective as a former soldier and politician also makes it interesting as he has an understanding from both these sides and the fate of the Vercors was sealed politically rather than militarily. It also influences his conclusion and title of the book!

[CapnJim]

So far so good.  Looking forward to seeing them painted!

[Mark]

Whilst awaiting bases and a bunch of rifles from the good members of this parish, I have started on the first of many buildings to create Vassieux...

[Grumpy Gnome]

A very interesting project! I am looking forward to seeing it progress.

[BillK]

Peeled and hand-embossed foamcore board walls?

[jon_1066]

Looks great - what rules will you use?  Chain of Command sounds like it would suit the level of action.

[Mark]

Thanks for the comments all.

BillK - yes, got it in one. I have looked around but can't see any reasonably priced buildings available commercially with the irregular stone look, so the classic foamboard and pencil it is! Good for the wallet, but not the fastest of processes!

jon_1066 - as yet undecided, but probably either Chain of Command or Bolt Action. As you mention, it is the right size for the forces involved. The patrol phase in CoC might also work nicely for determining glider landing locations...

[Digits]

Hmmm…I may have to have a read.   Interesting topic, looking forward to seeing what you do….

[Mark]

Got the first building mostly finished this weekend - chimney needs finishing, floor needs a stain and some general tidying up, but I am pretty happy with the result.

Also started painting the first FFI section, but had to stop when I discovered my khaki paint had dried out. New pot now purchased, so can carry on this week.

[Tommy20]

That building looks great!  I wish I had the time (and patience) to do stone buildings with texture like that.

[Mark]

Thanks Tommy.

A bit more progess this week, with the first section painted up, awaiting basing and varnishing and work started on the second building, the mairie and post office.

Thanks to Harry Faversham and leadboy of this parish, I now also have enough rifle arms to finish the box of maquis.

I also found an aerial photo of vassieux online which I have marked up and used to produce a plan for terrain building for some scenarios, probably using Chain of Command.

[CapnJim]

Again - so far, so good.  The figs look great! 

[Mark]

Thanks again CapnJim.

A bit more progess this week, with work on the building that will be the mairie and post office, and a second section and MMG painted up though awaiting basing.

Although my painting is nowhere near the standard of many others here, I am pretty happy with it as a tabletop standard. However, I am not particularly happy with the MMG crew, so may have to return to them at some point.