A Traders View SELWG, Sunday 21st October 2018

Here is my report on my experiences and games viewed at SELWG this year. This is the fifth SELWG I have attended as a trader and this has always been an enjoyable experience.

I originally chose to attend this show as a trader because I already attended Vapnartak, in York, in co operation with Shellhole Scenics and I wanted to attend a show in a different part of the Country.

SELWG offered a manageble distance to travel and was close to my in laws so they could look after my young daughter while my wife assisted at the stand.

This year, as usual, I was on the upper floor opposite the Bring and Buy. I felt the footfall peaked about 1pm and gradually fell after that, although I did get more customers revisit my stand for purchases after this time.

I also experienced more customers specifically visiting my stand actually seeking my stand out at the start of the show.

The SELWG staff were efficient in helping with he set up and were visible to approach. Also there was plenty of guidance to the off loading area by staff in the car park.

During the morning the wi-fi was intermittent, or even unobtainable, for card transactions. However this is not the fault of the SELWG show but is provided for feedback so the shows committee can pass this back to the venue providers.

The table were already set up for us. The table behind the stand was a help to store items while we traded but the gap between the front and back tables was rather narrow but while I did move the table forward I did not want to move too far forward into the public aisle as you never know how may people will be attending your stand or what Health & Safety rules you are impinging!

Usually the clearing up is centred on getting the traders out in an order based on distance to travel home, ie the farthest to travel go first, and you normally get advised where you are on the list and prompted to start packing. This year this did not seem to be present and priority appeared to be on packing the table and chairs away instead. We were not advised where we were on the list and there appeared to be fewer staff available to transport traders goods to the unloading bays.

However when I approached a member of the SELWG staff I found there was a list and he came over to my stand as all my goods were packed and ready to go. I had to go and fetch my vehicle as my wife did not know where it was parked but as I departed the staff member left my wife to load the trolley on her own, many items were very heavy. Unfortunately the chap concerned had biceps bigger than my thighs but only returned when all the smaller, lighter items where left to lift.

I can guess that the SELWG staff are under a lot of pressure to move traders and return the venue back to its previous tidy state it a very prompt manner. Also the climate in the venue can be hot and humid, which is not comfortable when you are doing a lot of lifting and carrying, so having the usual prompt help is most welcome. This year there seemed to be less staff available to help.

None of this is meant as a complaint and in no way detracts from the welcome and help you get or the massive organisation that must go into any such event. I just want to provide some feedback, not only to the organisers but also to people who attend the show as I for one was totally oblivious of all the background organisation when I innocently attended such shows as a customer.

I also welcome any comments about this post and will contact SELWG show organisers direct and am happy to amend this blog post if they so wish.


POST SCRIPT

As a result of this post I have recieved  a message from the SELWG organisers. I show it here in full to show the difficulties that organisers have when taking on the commitment of a show and that they are very proactive in answering comments, Well Done!

Thank you so much for attending the SELWG show this weekend.

As ever, we try our hardest to make the show as easy as we can for you, but obviously sometimes things don't always go to plan.  This year for example we were a few tables short and had issues with staff from Crystal Palace opening the doors.  We were also let down by the supplier of our trolleys, with only 12 being delivered not the 15 we asked for.  We are also actively trying to find an alternative venue, as we know that Crystal Palace isn't the best for anyone, and if the redevelopment plans are put in place then visitors will have a half mile walk from the car park to the venue.  Pressure to sort a new venue is possibly higher than it ever has been.

All that being said, the committee does feel that the show was a success this year overall.  However, its not what we think that counts - it is what you felt and in that vein, any feedback you can give us on the show would be appreciated.

If you could please complete the attached survey, I would really appreciate it.  Rest assured, the results are discussed by the SELWG committee and we do try and make changes based on them where possible.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J3LYH7Q

Thanks,
Tim

Regards,
Tim | tim****************

Another Bir Hacheim Refight

I visited my war games club, The New Buckenham Historical Wargamers Club, last Friday with the intention of putting on a game to begin getting the club members accustomed to the rules that will be used for the larger all day refight.

We will be using the popular Rapid Fire rules but I have made some amendments to make them a little easier to play and reduce individuals 'waiting time'

I am happy to go into details of these changes on a later post but here I would like to stick to the game.

The table consisted of a trench line, covered by a minefield and lined with barb wire.

Here is a close up of the sections of the French position, as yet unmanned.

The trench scenery is all scratch built. It is built in a modular form so that it can be arranged in a multitude of configurations. In the case of the second picture the sangar is a resin item, (I believe from Mainly Military), and then the trench is built around it.

Lastly an overview of the battlefield. The defences are unoccupied because defenders figures are not placed on the table until they have been successfully spotted by the opposition. This stops their presence on the table influencing the opening dispositions of the attackers. Some intelligence can be passed to the opposition by the umpire before the start of the game but it shall be historically based and not 'all seeing'.

I also added a few 'photo opportunities' Here the French forces had many bunkers or further sangars to protect their soft skins against the continual Axis air attacks that the defenders suffered over many of the 17 days they held the position.

This is an SHQ Chevrolet model with an SHQ driver and various boxes and 'flimsies' from various suppliers.

The Axis forces advanced in two discreet columns. The Italians on the left and the Germans on the right. Here the Germans with artillery support but no tanks debuss early and advance towards the barb wire.

The figures are from my own collection. They are a mix of suppliers including Kellys Heroes, from Grubby Tanks, SHQ, IT, (now supplied from S & A Scenics), and some Wargames Foundry.

Here the artillery support for the DAK consisted of a newly owned British 25lbr watched on by a despatch rider from Millicast with his SHQ motorcycle combination.

Here he is looking on.

And the front view of the German acquisition. Figures are AB and the model is from ESCI/Italieri.

As mentioned the Germans debussed early and left their transport at the extreme range of the French artillery, obviously aware of the difficulty of getting replacements across the Mediterranean!

  

Here is the view of the German advance coming under artillery fire as they advance.

From a distance the Italian advance can be seen at the bottom of this picture.

meanwhile on the other flank the Italians used their transport to take them up to the barb wire. They allowed their tank support to lead the way, (using a rule amendment where the dust raised by the tanks stops the defenders from being able to spot anything behind them). the tanks, (M13/40s), breech the wire and start to cross the minefield. The infantry support debuss and follow tanks through the now mangled barb wire. Fortunately the Italians suffered only minimal damage to the minefield but the flanking fire from one of the French 75mm field guns made its presence felt!

Meanwhile back to the Germans, after receiving some bombardment from a French gun position, was silenced when a smoke screen was laid in front of the position. This artillery fire slowed down the DAK advance as they went to ground but continued to crawl forward. unfortunately this also interfered with their ability to spot their enemy.

By now the Germans had reached the barb wire line and were breeching it. Mo longer hindered by the French artillery fire they were now being greeted by IDF from the French mortars and the French 25lbr.

This model is also an ESCI/Italieri  but this time I have used most of the original crew with a resin figure pointing wearing a colonial helmet, from Resicast or Solfig?

Italian tank support was transitory as hits on the advancing squadron and morale dice throws did not compel them to remain with the infantry!

However the infantry launched an attack on the trench line while being assailed by fire from the French bren carriers.

From the other side of the table the Italian assault was shrouded in smoke.

The Italian tanks fell back, leaving the divisions Semovente to continue providing support but the M13/40 soon returned. However they continued to suffer losses. The Italian infantry assault failed and after another attempt they withdrew. The Germans on the other side of the battlefield reached the French lines but failed to spot much until too late to soften the opposition beforehand.

The morale of the French Legion defenders helped them well but in the actual battle some of their defence was almost fanatical, so was felt to be realistic.

Lastly I include two photographs of one of the many smaller vehicles I have. This is an SHQ kublewagen with crew from the same supplier. The aerial is a cat whisker.

Further pictures are on the clubs facebook page,  here

Free French Quadruple 13.2mm Anti Aircraft Gun Truck Mounted

Hello Again! I have been lucky enough to discover a Facebook page concerning the Free French Forces during the early part of the Second World War, Here

The moderator has very kindly posted a number of photographs of various vehicles used by these forces. One of which is a quadruple 13.2mm anti aircraft gun mounted on a, I believe a chevrolet truck.

This vehicle was crewed by the Fusilier Marins, probably due to their familiarity with the weapon which was also used in the French Navy.

Here is my rendition of this vehicle one of which was present at Bir Hacheim.

I prefer to base all my vehicles. Not only does it make the model easier to store, (there is magnabase on the base), but you can make a small vignette as well. It provides an alternative way to pick up and move the item so protecting it.

The lorry was supplied by Moonlight Models, which has now ceased trading, The figures are a combination of Airfix Bofors crew, with head swaps, and Solfig/Retrokit resin figures. The gun barrels came from EWM models and the remaining parts were scratch built.

SELWG Sunday 21st October 2018

Here is a reminder that I shall be attending the SELWG 2018 show as a trader. Here is their website here and their facebook page here

This is the fourth time I have attended this show and it has been very enjoyable with very helpful and easily obtainable club members to help with loading and unloading.

With the possibility of a bargain at the bring and buy and a busy atmosphere it is always a  nice experience to attend this show.

American Civil War Battle - Battle of Cake Hill

Hello Everyone. I have just returned from a very enjoyable wargame with two long time friends. Here is the after action report on the days events!

The scenario consisted of both sides fighting for control of a road junction which had to be held by the end of the game. The objective was slightly closer to the Confederate side, reflecting their smaller forces.

As you may see from the pictures I neglected to bring the roads for the game but the snake rail fencing indicated their boundaries.

The Union forces entered the table along two parallel roads at the opposite end of the table. One road crossing a ford and the other a bridge across a river.The terrain was interspersed by rough ground and woods and crossed by  a road.

Here is a close up of the ford. The terrain belongs to Adrian and is 1980's hex terrain refurbished by myself. The river is a big improvement on the one inch wide blue stripe which it originally had. I routed out a channel, sealed it with a layer of tile adhesive, painted the river bed then added a layer of resin and, once set, a layer artist matte medium, stippled to represent waves. The 'rapids' were white paint mixed with the matte medium.

A more detailed description of this method and materials I used can be found in my feature in issue 82 of Wargames Soldier Strategy magazine.

This view looks over the Union end of the table up the road towards the Confederate entrance point.

Here is an overview of the battlefield.

Confederate cavalry rushed along the road and deployed to their left in the woods in the centre of the board ready to defend the approach to the road junction. I have started to add to my Confederate cavalry. These are a mixture of Perry Miniatures and Wargames Foundry. The flag is from GMB Flags.

They made full use of the snake rail fencing surrounding the woods. Again these are Perry miniatures.

Here is the head of one of the Union columns heading for the road junction.

Here the Hampton's Legion is advancing along the Confederate left flank towards the rocky high ground.

While the Union forces were trying to deploy across the rocky ground to engage Hampton's Legion.

On the Confederate right flank the infantry arrived soon after the cavalry and spread across the road and started to dismantle some of the snake rail fencing which hampered their deployment. The rest of the defending force spread across further to their right placing their artillery on soon to be dubbed 'Cake Hill' and to the woods on the far right. The union forces soon showed their earnest will by throwing four hits in their first throw of firing, Adrian's previous occupation as a croupier obviously paying dividends!

Here is a close up of the fighting on the extreme right flank. This was a real too and fro battle where the Confederates occupied the woods on that flank then charged out to drive away the Union regiment opposing them in open order. This left the Confederates out on a limb and they were quickly attacked on their flank. They held out well but retreated back to the woods and then the Union forces engaged repeatedly in melee slowly forcing the rebels back. The rebel artillery support on cake hill repeatedly played on Union forces on both flanks.

It was now that the Generals retired for lunch and the supplies of chocolate cake were broken out and the location of the Confederate artillery became 'Cake Hill' hence the name of the battle!

The 5th New York, Duryee's Zouaves support the Union troops attacking the daring Confederates breaking from the woods. I painted these Old Glory figures before Perry miniatures released their version. The flags are GMB again.

Here is the view of the hunkered down Confederate cavalry, supported by Hampton's Legion, on their left, as the Union forces close in on them. in the background the Union forces are trying to deal with the enemy infantry who are slowly being pushed back to the woods from which they burst.

On the other flank the advancing Union forces drove off Hampton's Legion and the Confederate cavalry but more formed units held further Union advances in check. At the last gasp of the game the rebels were pushed back, only to regroup behind another regiment.

The Sessionists held the road junction at the end of the game, however the losses suffered by them during the game may well have meant they would have to quit the field if they did not receive further reinforcements soon.

This was a highly enjoyable game with a scenario supplied by Adrian, our host. Also it was great to see Chris able to make the game.

Further pictures can be found on this game at the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers facebook page, Here

Bir Hacheim Refight Today

Hello everyone. I have just returned from another play test of some amendments to the Rapid Fire war gaming rules for a refight of the above battle.

This game was set on an 8' x 6' board where a mixture of Italian and German armoured forces attacked a French trench line protected by a minefield.

Here is an overview of the Free French trench line. The barb wire on the left denotes the far edge of the minefield. I once read that there was not usually a method of denoting the farthest edge as you did not want to tell the enemy where that was. A barb wire line was only used to stop your own troops from straying into the minefield. I cannot vouch for the authenticity of this comment but it does seem to make sense.

In the far top right is the start of a second trench line and a lorry hide.

Here is a closer view of the barb wire line. I supply  range of barb wire from my business, 'Tunnies Terrain'.

 A close up picture of one of the trenches. This particular one has a sub floor which can accommodate a kneeling figure. The camouflage netting over the top is made surgical netting soaked in water and PVA then a scattering of dried, used tea leaves is added and when dry painted and varnished. The width of the trenches allows figures based on a two pence piece to easily fit in them.

I used the larger trench complex for a command centre. Here is an SHQ Ford 'Woodie' General Koenig, commander at Bir Hacheim, used one of these as his staff car. I cut the roof light out of the model as the pictures I have seen of Koenig in this vehicle show this present.  This was driven by Susan Travers, also his lover at the time, and the only woman to be accepted as a member of the French Foreign Legion at the time. She was also decorated by the Legion, after the war for bravery. The medal was presented by Koenig. 

I have read that she may not have been the only woman present at Bir Hacheim as there were some 'Anamite' nurses in the hospital as well. I believe for 'Anamite' read 'Vietnamese'? I am sure that any French viewers will elaborate on this.

I have also made a number of bunkers to house anti tank guns for the defence of the position. Here is the rear of a French 75mm M1897 field gun. The modular nature of the trenches means these can be fitted anywhere into the defences. Here further camouflage netting covers the position.

Here part of Panzer Regiment 8, 15 Panzer Division start the advance to the French lines. The vehicles behind are carrying the infantry component of the attack.

I made a conversion from an ESCI M13/40 into a Carro Commando. Later in the year I went to the MAFVA show at Duxford only to find a resin conversion kit in the MAFVA tent! Oh well!   

The Italian side of the attack was shelled by the 25pdr gun from the French side but narrowly missed...twice!

The semovente units approach the barb wire relatively unscathed, supported by a bersaglieri infantry unit.

here is a close up of one of the German figures taking part in the attack. This is an old IT figures DAK infantryman. Now available from S & A Scenics.

An old battered Panzer II joins in the attack. Sporting the red turret number typical of the 8 Panzer Regiment. This is an ESCI model which I bought already painted. I stripped it, repinned some of the wheels and refitted the tracks. Putting vehicles on a base also helps with this. The main gun was replaced with brass wire.

Here is one of our Panzer II's bigger brothers. A short barrel Panzer III. An MMS model showing the turret bin Zug identification stripe, (Tank Combat in North Africa, Thomas L Jentz, page 156).

The Panzer II approaches the bar wire and despite being shelled the Axis forces have suffered very little. The defending French infantry are still in cover and have slowly successfully spotted much of the attacking force.

One of the emplacements holds a French 47mm 47/32 anti tank gun and starts to open up on the enemy, concentrating on the tanks of the 8 Panzer Regt. This was the most successful gun on the day. The model is an SHQ gun with a mix of SHQ British gun crew with head swaps and a standing retrokit figure in a colonial pith helmet.

A company of Foreign Legion supported the anti tank gun but they found it difficult to successfully spot anything for most of the day!

Further along the line a covered bunker housed more defenders.

The Italians got through the barb wire and crossed the minefield, without loss, supported by more Bersaglieri. This Semovente 75/18 is an Italieri model.

The French anti tank guns were systematically screened from firing by successive smoke rounds masking their view. Here is a rear view of the crew.

Typical Nazi trick!

This was rather busy! I have read the American Field Service evacuated wounded from Bir Hacheim, most nights. They used Dodge ambulances, not Austin K2.

One of the more precious commodities at Bir Hacheim, a Milicast water bowser.

 

Eventually the defenders spotted the attackers and started to deal with the German Panzers. One squadron failed a morale test, after losing two Panzer IIIs and a second company started to suffer loses. A breakdown in communication left the 25 pdr firinf at the same point, which the enemy had passed! By the time communication had been re-established the Italian attack had breeched the trench line.

This model is an ESCI/Italieri model with crew from ESCI, one with a head swap and a retrokit resin figure.

Here the losses on the German attack starts to mount.

The Gallant defenders continued to pick off the enemy infantry advancing across the minefield.

The Italians reached the trench line, after killing all but one of the company defending their front. The minefield failed to stop the Semoventes and a continuous smoke screen held up the field gun in the area. The gun eventually backed out of its emplacement to make a new line behind the trenches.

The battalion mortar was bought back into action and caused some casualities to the advancing Italians but failed to stop them.

The German attack took further losses but they continued to get closer and reached the trenches by the end of the game. One Panzer III faced off against a French 75mm anti tank gun which ended in mutual destruction!

The Italian infantry cross the mine field under fire.

At the end of the game the Italian attack was the most successful, however a company of reinforcements were heading to stem the advance. The German infantry had also reached the trench line and the defenders had already been killed. The company on the far end of the trench line was in the process of being transferred but they were no where near the break in the defences.

We had no additions or problems with the amendments to the rules so we are ready for a larger game at the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers.

If any French viewers, who have access to French sources and can add or elaborate to the battle please feel free to contact me through this blog.