Viva Maximilian! More Mexican’s

So the title just for balance after the last one. Lots of progress to report.

First figures are in fact Liberal. Dismounted Rurales

The Rurales were a Police force, mainly used to supressing banditry and Indian activity, however they did fight in companies during the Intervention. An all grey uniform often with brown leggings, I will of course have a mounted unit at some point.

For now a perfect use for my dismounted irregular cavalry figures, I am short of Liberal skirmishers so these will fit the bill for our first game which is forthcoming. Two spares here which will be the initial base of another unit of dismounted cavalry, this time non-uniformed irregulars. The taller Black Scorpion figure will be their Sargento. 

A few more Republicans, 

These dismounted cavalry will form another skirmish unit. I have a lot of these so undecided if its lots of skirmishers or a battalion of dismounted Vaquero's

I have a stack of Gringo 40's to do, nice figures, a few more on the painting table just now.

And the first of the 3d printed Wargames Atlantic Mexicans, think they are OK the Poncho isn't uniform these will mix into different units and future ponchos will be different designs.

A finished unit of Rurale Skirmishers below with their leader. Pretty happy with these.

Followed by a unit of dismounted Irregular Cavalry Skirmishers again with their leader for Sharp Practice games. Lovely characterful figures.

Also working through some Militia with the sand coloured base coat/primer, happy with the result and it certainly speeds things up.

Three Machete armed militia, they really did have units armed with no more than a Machete. Foundry Camerone range.

This was from a set of part painted figures, Old Glory I think, not the best but will fit in as a rear ranker.

These two are both Wargames Atlantic 3d prints, small heads but other than that fit really well, although they do test my modelling skills getting the arms to fit under the poncho.

Next unit of Finished French, this time a Metropolitan battalion. Foundry Camerone Legionnaires with the more obviously Legion uniforms missed out and a Perrys standard bearer.

A junior leader for Sharpe Practice. Foundry again, nice figure with a very large revolver.

These Turco's are all Perry, 6 from the Triple alliance metal range with two addition ACW plastics. Lovely figures.

Added here to the rest of the unit to give me 4 battalions of French. 

Taken as a whole that gives me 7 battalions based and ready to game with, a further one just needs basing plus the skirmishers and Cavalry I reckon I am nearly one  third of the way there, certainly over 25% complete.

And a few more to share.

Foundry Mexican Milicia, not far off having enough for three battalions of these now.

Three Imperial Mexicans, the first from left is a 3d print Wargames Atlantic Legionnaire printed by Paul at Sabotag 3d. Fits in very nicely.

Three Mexicans I picked up second hand, I think the outer two are Old Glory, no idea on the inner figure but all 3 will be ok as rear rankers I think.

Two more Mexican Milicia from Wargames Atlantic, again 3d printed by Paul at Sabotag3d, will mix in nicely with the metals. One per base I reckon is fine.

I tried this one with a white background, I have gone straight back to black!

Lastly another 5 Imperial Mexicans and Foundry Milicia Peon. All of the Imperials are Peryr Metals the two in Kepis are Argentinians from the Triple Alliance range but could equally be ACW, the Officer is from the same range and the two outer figures are Bombay Infantry from the Victoria's Little Wars ranges with Turbans swapped for Havelocks.

Not a great picture the light was getting poor but happy with these.

Overall great progress, thanks for stopping by.

WW2 Late War Eastern Front Test Game

Steve has been trialling some rules which have been fun, with card activation . We discussed the possibility to use them in a new scenario book he plans. 

So to facilitate this we needed something slightly cut down from the rules we have been playing but still with enough for players to get their teeth into and less card focused so these didnt need to be printed to allow gamers to play. Todays game left me feeling we are well on the way.

I was defending a built up area with two weak German battalions supported by off table artillery, an 88M fun, a Hetzer heavy tank and a PAK40 anti tank gun.

Meanwhile the Russians had 3 Guards infantry battalions supported by heavy mortars 2 ISU 152 heavy tanks and 3 lighter SU 76's with one battalion of the Guards initially off table.

My Pak40 is dug in on the edge of the village, a good spot but also vulnerable to return fire once its opened up.

The Hetzer shoots and scoots, unfortunately its long range and its  amiss.

The PAK 40 opens fire on the second ISU152 , a hit!

And the tanks is taken out.

My MG now opens fire on the advancing Russian infantry, they are however  a bit exposed to return mortar fire.

The 88mm opens fire on the IUS152.

A hit but the tank is not taken out, Steve decides discretion is the better part of valour and pulls the tanks back.

The Hetzer moves position to cover any advance from the the other tank.

On my left the Russian advance is hampered by mortar and MG fire but they press on.

The second ISU rounds the end building and straight into a cross fire with the newly redeployed Hetzer and PAK40, the second ISU is destroyed in turn.

The Russian infantry push on without support and are hammered by a cross fire from 2 MG's, mortar and off table artillery support. They continue to push through the heavy casualties as the German troops in the wood start to take casualties themselves from the Russian mortars.

On my left the Russian push forward and clear the wood with a company taking the village on my extreme left.

They now occupy the wood and are in a good position to assault the village next to it. Steve opens fire on the first module and clears it of German defenders then moves in. Steve then charges forward with his 3 SU76's.

Fortunately for me the 88 has reserve fire, it hits with its first shot and rolls high enough to enable a second shot which also hits, the first two are knocked out before they can fire. The return shot misses the Hetzer!

In my own turn I drop the 88 on the buildings Steve has just occupied, coupled with infantry fire the company holding this are wiped.

Steve then close Assaults my remaining house, two rounds of close assault and some poor dice and he is driven off with casualties for both sides.

The remaining SU76 has closed to short range to try take the Hetzer but my infantry fire their hand held anti tanks weapons and add two damage points.

The Hetzer fires, I dont need much but I definately need to hit.

A hit and the last armoured vehicle for the Russians is knocked out.

Great fun and played really well.

The Russian Armour being wiped out and the infantry taking a bit of a pasting meant they would not be able to take the objectives, so a hard fought German victory, A great run out for the rules which handled the forces really well and gave a good game.

Thanks for stopping by.

Viva Juarez! Some More Mexicans and French

I seem to have the bit between my teeth at present so getting a fair bit done.

These 8 Turco's are mainly Perrys, from both the Triple Alliance range along with 2 plastic ACW figures. Once based that will finish a battalion.

This is the third Mexican Lancer, a conversion of a Perry's British Intervention force lancer. 3 more to finish a squadron. Steady progress.

These 4 will slot straight into a Mexican Militia battalion. All Foundry Camerone range.

To help progress the Imperial Mexicans, where figures are not currently available, I have picked up some Wargames Atlantic STL files of Mexicans and Foreign Legion. 

Fabulous service by Paul at Sabotag3d as usual. Once the epoulettes are trimmed these will be perfect for the Imperial Mexicans in either Havelock or Sombrero, I also got Paul to print me extra Sombrero's which will come in handy.

This second image in Sombrero next to a WIP Foundry Mexican shows up well.

A first look at these figures with heads glued on after epoulettes trimmed.

And a few more Mexicans mainly Foundry.

I have a couple of troops in white with Kepis that these will join, both Wargames Foundry.

These Legionnaires from the Camerone range paint up nicely as Imperial Mexicans, this unit will be a real mix of manufacturers.

And a Perry Egyptian Standard bearer with Havelock makes a great Imperial Mexican. Flag from Battle Flag.

Lastly some based and finished figures. these guys are the first squadron of Chasseurs D'Afrique.

First Imperial Mexican battalion in the early uniform.

First Liberal Mexican Battalion completed, most of the rest wont be this uniform but mainly in white cotton.

French and Imperial Mexican leaders.

Six man unit of French Foreign Legion skirmisher unit.

This lot our now going for the first stage of basing compliments of Mr Shann.  So more finished figures to follow soon.

The Box of painted figures also has a whole bunch more Mexicans waiting for enough to make up bases/unts.

Meanwhile the box of completed units is filling up.

First unit of French Foreign Legion completed and ready for the table.

Also the second battalion of Legionnaires.

Another angle below.

So its taking shape and wont be long before we can see units on table.

Thanks for stopping by.