PolishGI’s Working Thread (WWII & Vietnam)

[PolishGI]

Awesome set up, thanks for all the pics. Looks like a good game as well. If you don't mind me asking, what colors do you use for your American infantry? I was painting them fairly monotone, mostly because painting infantry is my least favorite thing, but yours looked pretty good.

So what's gonna be the next Terrain board you build - snowy Russia??

Thanks Burt! Never, ask away. Always glad to help if I can…

I currently have my US Infantry cracked into two types: a) US Paratroopers and b) US Infantry. I am happy with the way the paratroopers look but my old US infantry need to be refreshed. As you said, painting infantry is fantastic! I will need to update my US infantry at some time. As luck would have it, Santa brought me a boat load of British paratroopers to paint along with German Fallschirmjagers. yay

I have a cheat sheet log that I maintain so I try to be more consistent in my approach. These are subject to change as everyone does once they find a better setup.

WWII US Infantry (M1943)

US Infantry Helmet => Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab
US Infantry Jacket => XF-57 Buff
US Infantry Pants => XF-49 Khaki
US Infantry Webbing => Model Master Armor Sand (1704) or Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow
US Infantry Boots => XF-10 Flat Brown or a Flat Leather color
US Infantry Shoepacs => Model Master Panzer Schwarzgrau (2094) or Tamiya XF-63 German Grey

I stumbled across this link that gives you a push in the right direction.
https://www.flamesofwar.com/default.asp ... art_id=444

For the US Paratroopers, I made it more difficult on myself. So I hope I am done with painting paratroopers… hehe

US Paratrooper Helmets => Tamiya XF-13 J.A. Green or XF-62 Olive Drab
US Paratrooper Uniform => (5 parts) Testors Flat Olive 1165, (2 parts) Testors Flat White 1168
US Paratrooper Webbing/Equipment => Tamiya XF-13 J.A. Green
US Paratrooper Boots => Model Master Leather 1736
Weapon => Model Master Italian Dark Brown 2111 or Tamiya XF-56 Metallic Grey

https://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.asp ... art_id=737

I hope this helps out for a starting point.

[PolishGI]

A few more cell phone pictures…

[BurtWolf]

Thanks for the details! It takes me so long to finish a pack just because I avoid it. I just have to figure out how to get better at it and then I'd enjoy it I guess...

[PolishGI]

Second part of the battle. The battle was really slowed down due to the hedgerows, which was cool. A definite learning experience for the first time. Errors were made on when and where to use infantry. Having vehicles kind of forces you to utilize the main roads which can cause congestion.

Since the scenario was 80%+ infantry, that forces the battle to slow down as well.

All in all, we had a good time and learned some new ways to fight in the bocage. You read about it in the books… but its another thing to plan out a course of attack for digging out the enemy forces. Engagement distances are much shorter. Fun match for sure.

3.5 hrs into the battle



2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment on the south edge of the table.


Above, the Sturm Battalion support assets are being pushed back to give the men time to set up and wait for the American armor to attack.

American Paratroopers (505PIR) holding the northern edge of town prior to the German battalion attacking.




On the eastern road to Bondienville, Paratroopers are taking small arms fire along with an occasional German artillery round.


B Coy, 70th Tank Battalion coming up on the eastern road in support, fired a few HE rounds at German defenders but missed. This is where you see the destruction of personal property in the form of the farm barn going up in flames.


Melee combat, hand to hand between the Sturm Battalion and American Paratroopers.




746th Tank Battalion looking on trying to help out without firing HE rounds into the mix.




Germany infantry company from the II/1058 swinging around the eastern side of the farm complex to try and catch the Paratroopers off guard.


Not much left on the main road after the large short range combat session. The Paratroopers took casualties along with the German company. The two main groups each failed their morale phase and were forced back and/or pinned. The only German company left on the main road even became pinned. Probably a bad spot to stick around.




2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment moving as fast as they can to engage the battle and push the Germans back.


505 PIR Commander (center) seen here directing orders to his remaining elements. There are some elements of the 505PIR just above him that were forced back and pinned. There are a few elements on the far side of the road (below) that were forced back and pinned. Meanwhile, the attached 82mm Mortar continues to fire away at anything called in.


This is the interesting stretch of land inbetween hedgerow walls. The Germans held on and fought for it fiercely. The hope was that if the Germans can stop the American infantry advance here, it would force the American armor to continue its attack up the main road without infantry support.


Larger picture showing the surrounding area. Germans should not have tried to slow down the American armor on the main road. Unless you are close assaulting, asking infantry to take on tanks never works out well. Well, unless you are trying to use up all of the armored unit’s ammo (HE). German infantry took some hits and needed to get off the main road and fight in the fields with the US infantry.

[PolishGI]

German units setting up on the western road. Marder IIIs pulled back so that they have a better chance against the Shermans from a distance. The German Commander wanted to engage the Shermans at a longer range to see if the Marder 75L48s can outgun the Sherman 75L38s.


Back on the eastern road and farm complex, the Shermans are in a holding pattern. There is a concern with taking on a farm complex without infantry support. Assuming the German infantry have panzerfausts, it might pay to wait. If the Sherman company is lost, that may push the Germans to go on the offensive and start back up with the attack on St Mere Eglise to the south.


Another pic…


505PIR moving through the hedgerow and towards the farm complex to open up a second attack front.




German weapons team (MMG) opening up on the Paratroopers from the second story house.


4.5 hours from the start


Germans are calling in IDF fire on the Paratroopers in the hope of suppressing them. This is that stretch of ground the Germans do not want to give up.


The IDF is accurate, pinning the company down and forcing back one platoon


More German IDF being called in


This is on the eastern road where the Paratroopers are moving towards the farm complex in open terrain.


2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment moving through St Mere Eglise. 2 companies forward to the west road to Neuville Au Plain, 1 company breaks off to hit the eastern road going north to Bondienville and the HQ group and support assets continue to head north as well.


Two companies of German Grenadiers that were pushed back. One group is pinned and hiding behind the hedgerow. The other company is receiving orders to leave the western road and head to the farm complex on the east side to help out.


German Sturm Battalion company and Paratroopers are still battling it out. Paratroopers are pinned down while the German company is starting to have issues. They are pinned down and shaken which starts to create problems for morale. Failing a morale check, they may flee.


Shermans on a hold order waiting for infantry support… Sherman commander growing impatient.


Marder III company positioned and ready for the American armor


View from the German side of things. Two infantry companies on the left behind the hedgerow. The Shermans that seem to be waiting for something. And the two German infantry companies on the right side.


5.5 hours into the battle


Two German infantry companies having issues caused by the American armor and infantry. One company is pinned and shaken having morale issues. The other company is pinned and now demoralized. So they basically cannot do anything until the Commander rallies them to build morale. Then you have to build these guys up more so that they can engage the battle. If they are attacked now, they are in trouble.

[PolishGI]

German infantry holding the line!


Shermans on the move! Marders engage!


Two German companies in the middle of everything decide to move over from the western road to the eastern side and support the defense of the farm complex. Moving into position, they need to engage the Paratroopers moving towards the farm complex in the open.


Paratroopers report that they are receiving a lot of gunfire from the second story of one of the buildings and need assistance. The attached Sherman company is more than happy and takes out the German MGs and the building. Shermans can still not march into the farm complex with that German infantry company sitting on the right side.


German company moving into position through a hedgerow.


The German Commander is feeling like his grip is slipping on the eastern farm complex so infantry companies are moving in to reinforcements things.


One of the Marder IIIs score a hit on a Sherman!


The Shermans return fire but score no hits.


6 hrs in now…


Two German companies working on getting rallied by the German commander. Pinned and staying in place until they are ready to move out.


Sherman Commander startled by the hit backs up to remain out of sight.


The German infantry company holding the line on the western side of the road is becoming a thorn in the side of the American commander. A 505PIR company along with a company of infantry from the 8th IR mount an attack on the German infantry.


Status pic showing the arrival of the 8th Infantry Regiment.


On the western road, the Shermans are shooting anything that comes there way but no advancing yet. Americans need to eliminate or push back the Germans on the left side of the road. American infantry/paratroopers are looking to move up the right side of the western road to exploit an opening.


A company from the 8IR moving up the eastern road as fast as they can to help the fight on the farm complex.


8IR and 505PIR attacking the dug in German company.


Status pic of the western road




Dropping in mortars and lots of small arms fire, the German infantry company first lots its commander and then the remaining units in the group. This clears the way for the Americans to advance.




The German Commander watching the battle unfold

[PolishGI]

The American infantry and Paratroopers advancing to the next hedgerow. 8IR units were pinned down in the process. This is where you noticed the quality of infantry between the 8IR and the 505PIR.


Moving up the center portion of the map is a combined unit from 505PIR and 8IR attacking a German company.


On the eastern road, the US Paratroopers move through the next hedgerow to attack a German Grenadier company that just lost its commander. So they are stationary and kind of lost at the moment.


II/1058 Battalion Commander is moving up to try and regain control of the remnants of his battalion. Some units are in retreat and panicking… The battalion commander looks to rally the units, take command of them and turn them around. Germans were experiencing a lot of company commanders dying in battle. Leaving the remainder of the unit without a commander.


Aftermath of the short range attack between the Paratroopers and the Grenadiers. Paratrooper took some casualties and the German company is no longer a combat unit.




On the western road, the US 8IR looks to engage the German companies and push them back.






On the western road, the infantry are attacking and its time for the Shermans to advance. Marders miss their shots and one of the Shermans scores a hit. Marder in flames…


The other Marder flees the scene. The remaining German Pak38 (50L60) opens up on the Shermans but also misses.




Sherman 105mm responds and eliminates the Pak 38




505PIR and 8IR units are attacking what is left of the German units




On the eastern road, armor and infantry units are mopping up the farm complex now that the German units failed their morale tests and pulled out.






Status pic of the western road:


Status pic of the map from the German Commander:




From the American Commander’s PoV

[PolishGI]

After this turn, we decided to call it. Technically, a draw since none of the objectives were achieved within the timeframe. But it was clear that the Americans were on the march to seize Neuville Au Plain at the end of the western road and Bondienville at the end of the eastern road. It was just a matter of time.

Fighting in the bocage was a different that fighting in the open, obviously. It really slows things down. You attack from one hedgerow to the next. You hope your attack is successful, by either eliminating your enemy or forcing them back and hoping they fail their morale check.

The US Paratroopers did ok in the beginning and missed a few shots we expected them to make. Once the 8IR arrived and allowed the US to attack, the Paratroopers did well attacking and pushing the German infantry back.

The US 8th Infantry Regiment gave the Americans a numerical advantage. They were not necessarily a better force, they just helped add to the attack of the armor and paratroopers. It is surprising there was not more casualties with this group. They were forced back a bit, various morale checks but apparently little to no eliminations.

The I Battalion of the 1058 Grenadier Battalion was instructed to take St Mere Eglise. This is a tough order to do given the force and amount of time. As they start their attack, American reinforcements are already showing up so that puts this unit in a bad spot.

The II Battalion of the 1058 Grenadier Battalion is in a tighter spot watching over the eastern road. There just are not as many units or much of a safety net if the Americans get through. The hope was to somehow find a way to eliminate the Sherman company and see what they could do to contain the paratroopers and any reinforcements before starting the attack on St. Mere Eglise. That never happened.

The 7th Army Sturm Battalion is a nice addition to the German units on the western road. It helps support (prop up) the I Battalion of the 1058th Grenadier Battalion to stop the US attack north to Neuville Au Plain. While challenging, there is a small chance the Germans could succeed at this scenario. While engaging the American forces, there was always the concern that the II/1058 on the east side of things would fail allowing the American forces to advance north, take Bondienville and then swing around to sack Neuville Au Plain. Thus, trapping I/1058 and the 7th Army Sturm Battalion.

A fun scenario in hedgerow country for sure.

Battle Casualties:

Americans
505th Parachute Infantry
17 x platoons eliminated (~850 men)

US Army
1 x platoon of M4 Shermans (~5 vehicles)
1 x platoon of infantry (~50 men)


Germans
22 x platoons eliminated (~1100 men)
2 x Panzerschreck teams (~50 men)
1 x platoon of Marder III (~5 vehicles)
1 x platoon of Pak 38 ATGs (~5 guns)
1 x platoon of 7.5cm leIG 18 (~5 guns)

[pmskaar]

Hi Polish GI

What was your source for the black and white outlined tactical markings on your Tiger IIs and Jagdtigers?

Thanks.

Pete

[PolishGI]

Hi Polish GI

What was your source for the black and white outlined tactical markings on your Tiger IIs and Jagdtigers?

Thanks.

Pete

Hi Pete,

I PMd you back on 12/29. Let me know if you received it.

Jeff

[7.62]

Thanks for the photos Jeff.
Just wonderful to see.

[PolishGI]

Thanks for the photos Jeff.
Just wonderful to see.

Thanks! I like pictures so sometimes it goes overboard. But I hope to capture the battle along with sharing some modelling pics.

[PolishGI]

Couple of updates… Mostly complete, just adding details on each model to bring items out… (e.g. hatches (bare steel), shovels etc)

US Paratroopers may need they pack howitzer so these are almost ready to go.


British 17pdr ATGs




Not sure why, but always thought the 250s were cool tracks.




SdKfz 251/1s and 250/3


SdKfz 250/10 and 250/3




British Churchills


[url=https://flic.kr/p/FhLfob]



British Cromwells






Russian T-34/85s

[PolishGI]

Minor update… another batch almost done…

Studebaker Trucks (need to dull the tarps more)


SdKfz 251/9s


SdKfz 251/2s


PzKw II Fs


PzKw IV F1s




PzKw II A/B/Cs






PzKw Is




Bren Carriers (need to shoot them again to dull things out, too shiny)




Willy’s Jeeps with drivers in their M1943 kit

[PolishGI]

Minor update. Slowing down a bit to tend the vehicles lately. Getting them ready for the spring and summer.

PzKw IVGs




SdKfz 7




SdKfz 234/4




Humber Mk IV




** CENSORED ** 25-pdrs






The last battle I uploaded, I need some short barreled 75mm infantry guns along with sIG 33 15cm guns. I did not have any unfortunately. That is now fixed.






37mm ATGs… (Fallschirmjagers will be happy)