Because of their excellent health of (14) Grenadiers are a useful additional to a Spanish contingent.

Three more is a bit excessive, but I have never been guilty of that!

More Spanish Silver Bayonet tomorrow.

A reworking of a WWI era armoured car. Even with the update it was still relegated to service in France’s colonies, though small numbers remained to defend metropolitan France. Armed with a small, ineffective, 37mm anti-tank gun and rear turret machine gun, it was limited to a reconnaissance role.

By 1929, many French armored cars and tanks were outdated, including the White, based on a modified US truck frame. The army developed a prototype by 1931, combining the Laffly LC2 chassis with S&L bodies, still using the “White” name.

Constructed from 7 mm thick rolled steel, it had a Laffly 50 hp gasoline engine and manual transmission. Cooling vents were triple-blind angled, with large access panels for repairs. The crew consisted of a driver and an assistant, armed with a turret featuring a 37 mm Puteaux SA18 gun and a 7.5 mm FM 24/29, with 164 and 5,500 rounds respectively.

Conversions began in 1931, with 60 reconnaissance vehicles ordered. By the late 1930s, many were outdated, with about half sent to colonies.

The first conversions happened in 1931, resulting in an order for 60 vehicles. A second order from 1932 to 1934 called them Laffly 50AM, with AMD standing for “Auto-Mitrailleuse de Découverte” for cavalry use.

By the late thirties, as I said above about half were sent to the colonies, with some supporting the French garrison in Shanghai and serving in Indochina.

By May 1940, 67 were still in service, including 28 to 32 in Algeria and Tunisia, and 13 in Metropolitan France. Not sure if they were used by either side in North Africa, but one can only speculate.

I think these models are from Mad Bob Miniatures, but I am not sure, as I have had them since Adam was a snake charmer.

4 More infantrymen (10) for the Spanish Silver Bayonet unit.

I think muskets are supreme in Silver Bayonet and four more for a total of six can never go astray for starting contingents.

The Fiat 15ter was designed by Carlo Cavalli, and entered service in 1912. It was a very sturdy and reliable vehicle, something that was proven when a convoy of 23 Fiat 15ter lorries made the first motor vehicle crossing of the Sahara, travelling three thousand kilometres without mechanical problems.

It was first used in the Libyan war of 1912 – hence its nickname: “Libia”. It had a four cylinder petrol engine of 4398 cc (40 hp at 1800 rpm) and twin rear wheels fitted with inflated tyres. It weighed some 1.4 tons, and could attain a maximum speed of some 40km/h.

The soundness of the design was proven by the fact that it was used not only by the Italian Army, but also by the British Army on both the Italian and Greek fronts.

Also, it was produced under license in Russia from 1916, by the firm of AMO: 750 light trucks and 750 light staff cars of Fiat 15ter type was ordered. In Italy it was produced between 1911 and 1920, and it was in service until 1940.

Not sure where this model is from but it is an early resin casting not 3D print.

Tomorrow more Silver Bayonet.

I have had some Afghan figures from Empress Miniatures Jazz Age Range to play Men Who Would Be Kings for a long time. Seeing that we were now playing this more regularly and the only figures that I had that were suitable were in 20mm. I needed to get these painted and quick. This is the first of six units.

In February 1919, Amanullah Khan became the new Amir of Afghanistan. He immediately repudiated the Treaty of Gandamak, which had given the British control of Afghan foreign policy at the end of the Second Afghan War (1878-80).

Within weeks of his succession, the Amir declared full independence and proclaimed ‘jihad’, or Holy War. By encouraging revolt on the neighbouring North-West Frontier of India, he hoped to seize Peshawar and the old Afghan provinces west of the River Indus that had been captured by the Sikhs many years before.

In the immediate aftermath of the First World War (1914-18), Amanullah believed that the British and Indian troops would be too war-weary to resist. He also hoped to take advantage of ongoing nationalist unrest in India, which he himself had done much to encourage. Detachments of Afghan troops entered British India on 3 May 1919. 

Unnerved by Amanullah’s alliance with the new Bolshevik regime in Russia – Britain’s traditional rival in the region – and angered by his support for nationalist agitators, the British mobilised their forces.

Sporadic fighting occurred in the tribal districts of Chitral in the far north, but this was successfully contained. Instead, the fighting on the ground focused on the main mountain passes between British India and Afghanistan

Although there was a shortage of men, artillery and machine guns, a division from Peshawar quickly defeated a larger Afghan force that had occupied Bagh and attacked Landi Kotal at the western end of the Khyber Pass. They forced the Afghans back across the border towards Jalalabad, occupying Dakka on 13 May 1919.

At Dakka, the British camp was poorly sited for defence and soon came under attack from Afghan artillery. The Afghans then launched an infantry assault, but this was defeated. The British launched a counter-attack the following day. But it was not until 17 May that the area was properly secured.

On 27 May 1919, the British successfully stormed the Afghan fortress of Spin Baldak in southern Baluchistan. The fort guarded the strategically vital road from Kandahar to Quetta. Its capture reduced the chance of an Afghan invasion by that route. 

Over 200 of its 500-strong garrison of Afghan regulars, many of whom were armed only with single shot Martini-Henry rifles, were killed in the action. The British lost 18 killed and 40 wounded

The largest Afghan attack took place in the Tochi-Kurram valley area. The situation there became critical when the militia in adjacent Waziristan, stirred up by the Afghan government, mutinied against their British employers.

The figures on their movement tray

Major Guy Hamilton Russell, commander of the South Waziristan Militia, made a fighting withdrawal with 300 loyal men from Wana to Fort Sandeman between 26 and 30 May 1919. During their retreat, they sustained 40 men killed and wounded. Of the eight British officers, five were killed and two (including Russell) were wounded.

Airpower played a key role during the war. Five Royal Air Force squadrons of BE2Cs, Bristol F2Bs, De Haviland DH9As and De Haviland DH-bombers were used in strafing and bombing attacks on the rebellious frontier tribes and on targets in Afghanistan itself, including Kabul and Jalalabad.

The attacks on Afghan towns, although small in scale, helped bring King Amanullah to the negotiating table.

Amanullah Khan ordered a ceasefire on 3 June 1919. His ambitious plans to reclaim Peshawar and throw the British out of India had failed.

But the Treaty of Rawalpindi (8 August 1919) that brought the war to an end did recognise full Afghan independence and finally gave the Afghans the right to conduct their own foreign affairs. This had probably been Amanullah’s real goal. So who really won the war?

The information in this post was obtained from the UK National Army Museum.

What is left to complete: 2X8 Cavalry; 3X12 Infantry, 2 Jezzail teams; a mortar team, and a leader.

The first Sherman’s to see action were used by the British at El Alamein (October 1942) and were Sherman II (M4A1) with their distinctive cast hulls. The tanks had been supplied in a hurry from the US, which had removed them from their own army units.

These two below are full of spare bits and pieces and green stuff to make their “wrecks” usable! You will note some of the track wheels are not the correct ones.

According to the Sherman Register 2093 Sherman M4A1’s were supplied to the Britishbut by the time of D Day the majority type in British use was the Sherman V.

The above three photos give a good idea of how the camouflage was applied.

The tanks that arrived in North Africa were not prepared for desert warfare. They were modernized in field workshops, where British technicians added dust shields, brackets for the Sunshield camouflage tarps, racks for canisters with water and fuel, stowage bins, and other equipment necessary for life in the desert.

Desert camouflage was applied over top of the olive drab paint. 252 Shermans were ready by the Second Battle of El Alamein: 92 in the 1st Armoured Division, 124 in the 10th Armoured Division, and 36 in the 9th Armoured Brigade.

The situation with the delivery was far from ideal. The tanks arrived only weeks before the planned offensive. The lack of time to train had an impact not only on the skills of the crews, but also on the cohesion with the forces fighting alongside the tanks. Since the Shermans were going to attack at night through minefields, cooperation with infantry and engineers was quite important.

I have heaps of Spanish 28mm figures so decided to paint up all of the characters, plus more of the ones I am most likely to use, like infantrymen.

Here is what I have finished so far.

The Veteran Hunter is a character I like to take, but I find they are a bit expensive. Maybe when my Officer has more recruitment capability I will swap one of the infantrymen over for him

Veteran Hunter: (30)

Junior Officer: (22) Can be useful when fighting monsters or you need an additional “rider” but otherwise are a bit expensive.

Supernatural Investigator: (22) Again I am not sure they give good value for recruitment points so I generally give them a miss.

Artillerist: (10) At the moment there skills are only used in one scenario so I prefer not to use them.

Sailor: (12) Good value if you want to climb buildings etc. I have surprised opponents by climbing a tree giving him cover and more line of sight!

Marine: (12) I think they are just a more expensive infantryman,

Swordsman: (22) A nice character with 14 Defence, Indefatigable, and a fencing weapon. A good choice if you have the points.

Doctor: (10) Not worth the points I prefer to give one of my leaders the medic skill, rather than pay the extra points for a character tat is otherwise of blittle value.

Woodsman: (15). This is a figure available in the Carpathian expansion book. Has a rifle, is nimble, and can light fires. Good for lighting torches, but unfortunately lighting wild fires is not covered by the rules! The same cost as a grenadier so you need to make a decision as to what skills you are more likely to use, I generally take the Grenadier.

I still have a lot more Spanish to paint, but only a few I am ever likely to use. Another Officer is good if another player requires a team, as are some more infantrymen and grenadiers. The highwayman/woman is a “nice” option because the Foundry figures look so cool.

I will keep these on the painting table and when I am using a colour they require will gradually get the rest of the Spanish finished, but no hurry!

Spanish left to paint.

Light Cavalry (left). and a Heavy Cavalryman

A highway man. I have several others that can be seen abiove.

4 Infantrymen

3 Grenadiers

Assorted Officers and a Blunderbus

Back to tanks tomorrow.

I have already completed a French and a Russian Unit for Silver Bayonet. The French has lots of extras, but the Russian is just what was from the box set. I have always wanted to do the Spanish unit as it is my favourite in terms of composition, so in between British tanks and Australian infantry I have completed the first group.

Spain has the Irregular, or Spanish guerilla that were such a part of the Peninsula Campaign. They also have a Champion of Faith, Priest Severus Surius, Papal Delegate of the Holy Office of the Inquisition – well it is Spain after-all! Another “nice” option is the “Swordsman” with an awesome Defense 14 and +2 Melee. The “Sailor” and “Native” are also great options that few nationalities have.

The first batch of Spanish

I have two options for the officer one with musket and the other with two pistols. I always prefer to fight at a distance unless absolutely necessary, and although the officer is good in close combat the musket is always my preference. Neither of these are from the box set as I find the static pose of that one rather blah!

Officer: (100), “Ramiro Duke of Aragon“, Accuracy +1, Speed +1, Courage +1. Medic, Hard to put down. Breastplate, Fencing weapon, Musket or two pistols depending on what figure is chosen, Holy symbol, Silver fencing weapon. The medic allows the officer to remove wounds on unit members if required, and the “breastplate” and “hard to put down” make him one tough hombre!

Champion of Faith: (20), “Severus Surius“, Papal Delegate of the Holy Office of the Holy Inquisition. Hand Weapon. Silver Weapon, Holy Symbol. The priests sole (soul?) purpose is to heal the rest of the party and if necessary get stuck into some werewolves with his silver weapon. This figure is from the box set.

Native Scout: (18), “Nubish” is a Pueblo American first people, who is armed with a musket and cartridge box and oil and torches to help deal with any trolls that happen to wander by. The figure is from Footsore Miniatures French Indian War range.

My next choice is the “Irregular or “Guerilla” figure. One should always have a figure of the fairer sex shouldn’t one. So I have utilised the one from the set. The Guerilla: (15), “Pepista Rascon” has a musket with a salt bag just in case the group encounter ghosts or demons.

Grenadier: (15), “Zacharias De La Garza“. The Grenadier has the double advantage of having a musket for long range firing and a “defence” of 14 to cope with close combat just as well. He has been given oil and torches to deal with nasty trolls.

Sapper: (12), “Felipe Gongora” has a Cold Iron Heavy Weapon, and Musket, and Cartridge Box. Like the Grenadier the Sapper is useful for both long range and close combat. His heavy weapon adds one to the combat die.

Infantryman: (10), Paco Giraldo (left) is armed with a Musket, Cartridge Box, and Cold Iron Shot

Infantryman: (10), “Mondo San Pedro” (right) is armed with a Musket, Cartridge Box, and Silver Shot

This then is my Spanish contingent. Seven out of the eight figures have a musket, two figures can heal the wounds of their comrades, and three, the Officer, Grenadier and Sapper can fight well in close combat.

Despite these alterations, a total of 175 A10 tanks were delivered between July and December 1939 by various companies, including the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, Metropolitan-Cammell, and Vickers.

These tanks ultimately entered service in early 1940, contributing to the military efforts of the time.

The A10, with its modified A9 plans, brought significant improvements to the design. While its speed was slightly reduced, the addition of a lighter armoured box armed with twin .303 (7.62 mm) machine guns marked a notable change.

Furthermore, the armor was upgraded, with the nose and mantlet reinforced to 30 mm (1.18 in) and other parts to 14 mm (0.55 in), providing enhanced protection.

However, this also resulted in an increased weight of 2.3 tons, impacting its top speed, which was reduced to 26 km/h (16.1 mph).

This is another 3D print available from Dark Castle Terrain. I can thoroughly recommend there range and service and Callum is always excellent to deal with.

In the Battle of France, were the first 21 delivered were committed with the 1st armoured Division, the Mark II seems to have performed poorly. This was due to its very slow speed off road and torsion problems with its tracks, which proved too fragile in operations.

Later on, much of the production was sent in North Africa, to defend Egypt against a belligerent Italy.

their first commitment came when repelling the Italian invasion of December 1940, and fought their way into Libya and Abyssinia during Operation Compass, where they performed well, due to a dry and flat terrain, against Italian tanks which were not well-armed nor better protected.

Later, in Greece, 60 Mark IIAs were sent with the 3rd RTR.

There, the QF 2-pounder (40 mm/1.57 in) was found deadly against German reconnaissance armoured cars columns, and light tanks like the Panzer I and II. But it was unable to sustain the fire of the German main AT gun, the Pak-36, nor from the early Panzer III’s 37 mm (1.46 in), and most were lost, disabled or abandoned in April 1941.

Reliability often proved an issue, as well as crew safety, due the narrowness of the escape hatches.

The CS9 was a British armored car used during the early stages of World War II. It was known for its reliability and durability, and it saw action in various theaters of the war. The vehicle had a crew of three. The CS9 was used for reconnaissance and patrol duties, and it played a significant role in the British army’s operations during the war.

The model above is a 3D print available from Dark Castle Terrain. I can thoroughly recommend their range and service and Callum is always excellent to deal with.

I have added a crew member from the “bits box”.

In 1936, Morris Commercial Cars, a subsidiary of Morris Motors, embarked on the ambitious task of developing a cutting-edge prototype built upon the sturdy foundation of the C9 4×2 15-cwt truck chassis. The resulting vehicle underwent rigorous testing that very same year, and its impressive performance paved the way for a series of modifications in 1937. These enhancements proved to be pivotal, as the prototype was subsequently approved for active service, marking a significant milestone for Morris Commercial Cars. Following its official acceptance, a substantial order for 99 units was promptly placed, with delivery scheduled for the ensuing year. The military classification bestowed upon this remarkable creation was LAC, denoting its role as a Light Armoured Car that stood ready to make a meaningful impact within the armed forces.

The vehicle was built on the large 15-inch Morris Commercial C9, a rear-wheel drive commercial vehicle chassis, which had a payload capacity up to 750 kg. This particular chassis was known for its durability and adaptability, making it a popular choice for military applications. The compartmentalization was straightforward, with a front driver cab and a rear fighting compartment topped by a fully traversing armored basket, rather than a fully enclosed turret. The design prioritized the mobility and protection of the crew, allowing for quick maneuvers and providing a secure platform for combat operations.

In this open top turret was installed a 0.55 in (13.97 mm) antitank gun Boys Anti-tank Rifle, a 0.3 in (7.62 mm) Bren light machine gun or a 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Vickers HMG (the scaled up version of the standard cal. 0.303), and a central smoke grenade launcher tube. The driver sat on the right, and had a forward three-faceted cabin, with lateral openings which could be occulted by a sliding steel cap.

In April 1939, the LAC entered service with the Royal Tank Corps. Thirty-eight of the CS9 were given in to the 12th Royal Lancers, replacing the model 1928 4×6 Lanchesters. These were part of the BEF, participating in the Battle of France and Flanders, where all were destroyed or abandoned near Dunkirk.

The other 30 served with the 11th Hussars, and were shipped to participate in the North African campaign, together with WW1-era Rolls-Royce LACs. It was found that, when fitted with desert tires, the vehicle had good performance on soft sand. However, its armor and armament were insufficient.

The vehicle, known for its reliability and versatility, played a crucial role in the North African campaign. Its commendable performance in the desert terrain contributed significantly to the efforts against the Italian 10th Army. However, due to evolving military requirements and advancements in technology, it was eventually retired midway through the campaign. Despite their retirement, these vehicles left a lasting impact, with some of them being captured and reutilized by German and Italian troops. The historical significance of these vehicles is evident in their enduring presence and the various roles they undertook during this critical period of World War II. For more detailed information on this topic, the reader can refer to the valuable resources available at Tank AFV.com.