21st Panzerdivision in Normandy

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21st Panzerdivision in Normandy; Flames of War for BoB
Topic Started: 7 Feb 2011, 11:34 AM (3,104 Views)
Brush Your Teeth	7 Feb 2011, 11:34 AM Post #1
Warrant Officer First Class Posts: 456 Group: Comrade Member #51 Joined: September 22, 2007	Right, hello and welcome to my blog. First of all, to get peoples expectations on the right level - I am being very optimistic in starting this, and after about a month my efforts may go by the wayside depending on what my Uni workload is like this term. The plan is to complete a Panzerkompanie from the 21st Panzerdividsion that fought around the city of Caen during the Normandy invasions against the Allies. One of the few armoured units in action on D-Day they were involved in the counter attack on the 6th Airborne at the River Orne and Caen Canal (Horsa and Pegasus Bridge). Following D-Day the 6th Airborne went into a static holding position around Hérouvillette where they faced continued counter attacks from the 21st Panzer. Having recently finished painting up my Airlanding force of the Ox and Bucks (who performed the coup de main attack on the Pegasus and Horsa bridge) the 21st Panzer seemed like a good choice for an opposing force. Digging into some research I came across the following in the Ox and Bucks war diaries and it thought it would make a nice starting point for some historical battles. War Diary of the 2nd Batallion Ox and Bucks. 6th Airlanding Brigade http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war_2ndOxBucks.htm 9th June 1944 HEROUVILLETTE. Owing to the fact that recce patrols reported ESCOVILLE to be clear of the enemy the Comd Offr decided to send 'C' Coy fwd to occupy the village. The Coy moved out at about 1245 hrs and reached the area of the CHATEAU at approx 1330 hrs without opposition. At 1345 hrs 'C' Coy came under fire from enemy armoured cars which came forward from the South of ESCOVILLE as soon as 'C' Coy started to move into the village. 'C' Coy fought back in a spirited manner until about 1630 hrs when the enemy appeared to be being reinforced and 'C' Coy therefore withdrew to their defensive posns on the South side of HEROUVILLETTE. At about 1730 hrs it was observed that the enemy were moving up to ESCOVILLE in some strength and tanks had been reported. At 1900 hrs heavy fire was opened on the area of the village by SP guns, artillery and mortars. The enemy attacked with tanks armoured cars and a certain number of infantry. M.E. 109's appeared overhead and carried out a short straffing attack. Early in the attack one 6-pdr crew were knocked out by Mortar fire which left a gap in the A/Tk defence. The Comdg Offr quickly organised a PIAT party and this gap was soon covered. D.F. artillery fire was called for and came down very quickly and accurately. The enemy then withdrew leaving 2 Mk IV tanks burning about 100 yds from our leading Coys and at least 3 more tanks retired on fire. We later recovered an armoured car from the area of ESCOVILLE and found another one which we were unfortunately unable to bring back. During this very sharp engagement the Regt suffered a total of about 40 casualties. Recce Patrols were sent forward to ESCOVILLE during the night but nothing was reported. From that I came up with the following list, although I took some liberties with the support options as I was trying to use up models I own (in an attempt to force myself to get them painted). I may eventually replace the AA with suitable SP guns, artillery and mortars. HQ, 2 Panzer IV Zug 1, 4 Panzer IV Zug 2, 4 Panzer IV Light Panzerspah, 1 patrol (1 Sd Kfz 223 (radio) and 2 Sd Kfz 222 (2cm)) Panzergrenadier platoon, 3 squads plus panzerfaust AA gun platoon, 2 Sd Kfz 7/2 (3.7cm) with armoured upgrade Luftwaffe AA Assault Platoon, 2 8.8s with extra crew 1475pts All the models are bought and primed eagle eyes among you may note some are slightly painted, the current plan is to go over that with a fresh base of middlestone and try and do some soft edged camo instead. For month one I'll be trying to get the Panzergrenadiers painted up, they're onlt 180pts worth, but infantry take the longest to paint for me and I wan't to get a start on them while I've a reasonable amount of free time. Not a very interesting picture, but here they are ready to paint: Very best, Ok, I'm going to run the important stuff here ============================================ Month 1, February Previous month's leftover: 0 This month's amount: 250 Total budget: 250 Item 1: Panzergrenadiers, 3 squads plus Panzerfaust 180 Total spend: 180 Remaining amount to be carried into next month: 70 ============================================ ============================================ Month 2, March Previous month's leftover: 70 This month's amount: 250 Total budget: 320 Item 1: 2 Panzer IV for the company HQ Total spend: 190 Remaining amount to be carried into next month: 130 ============================================ ============================================ Month 3, April Previous month's leftover: 130 This month's amount: 250 Total budget: 380 Item 1: 4 Panzer IV Total spend: 380 Remaining amount to be carried into next month: 0 ============================================ ============================================ Month 4, May Previous month's leftover: 0 This month's amount: 250 Total budget: 250 Item 1: Light Panzerspah platoon, 1 command Sd Kfz 223 (radio) and 2 Sd Kfz 222 (2cm) Total spend: 110 Remaining amount to be carried into next month: 140 ============================================ ============================================ Month 5, June Previous month's leftover: 140 This month's amount: 250 Total budget: 390 Item 1: AA gun platoon, 2 Sd Kfz 7/2 (3.7cm) with armoured upgrade, 120pts Item 2: Luftwaffe AA Assault Platoon, 2 8.8s with extra crew, 115pts Total Spend: 235pts Remaining amount to be carried into next month: 155 ============================================ ============================================ Month 6, July Previous month's leftover: 155 This month's amount: 250 Total budget: 405 Item 1: 4 Panzer IV Total Spend: 380 Remaining amount to be carried into next month: 25 ============================================ Full Army Shot Edited by Brush Your Teeth, 1 Aug 2011, 09:43 PM.



riseofthemagi	7 Feb 2011, 12:15 PM Post #2
Lieutenant Posts: 1,517 Group: Comrade Member #1,471 Joined: February 11, 2010	Welcome aboard, always great to see more FoW on here, and I think you've gone for the right approach in painting your infantry first, can't take very long to paint your PIVs by comparison. Are your Ox and Bucks on here somewhere? would be nice to check them out too.



# KayvaanShrike	7 Feb 2011, 01:24 PM Post #3
Marine Biologist Posts: 10,211 Group: Super Admin Member #3 Joined: September 18, 2007	Woo more FoW! Looks like a nice solid list there, easy to add more support too should it be needed. Looking forward to seeing some progress. Are you going to attempt any camo on the grenadiers?



☺highmarshaldave	7 Feb 2011, 02:09 PM Post #4
Urban Leg-End Posts: 8,249 Group: Honour Guard Member #210 Joined: October 26, 2007	Sweet, more FoW! Would I be right in thinking you're doing plain ol' Heer? If so, then well done to you sir! Not enough European theatre Heer armies in the hobby, most German players seem to opt for FJ or SS when doing western Europe. Looking forward to seeing how this goes. Dave out.



☺Maelstrom	7 Feb 2011, 06:51 PM Post #5
Sek Incarnate Posts: 2,796 Group: Honour Guard Member #266 Joined: December 8, 2007	Welcome aboard dude, and excellent more FoW its good to see it getting more popular on here Nice list there, like Gav says will be easy to add some other units too looking forward to seeing them get painted up You should post up your Ox and Bucks in the group FoW thread to, as I for one would like to see them



Brush Your Teeth	7 Feb 2011, 07:37 PM Post #6
Warrant Officer First Class Posts: 456 Group: Comrade Member #51 Joined: September 22, 2007	Thanks for the comments guys. Dave, they are Heer indeed - and from what I've seen one of the few lists without tigers or panthers too! KayvaanShrike, I will indeed be attempting camo (attempting being the operative word) the models have forced my hand really as many of them are obviously wearing helmet covers and camo smocks. I'm not very happy with the way the camo came out on my Airborne so this will be a good unit to practice on and try and improve my technique. Riseofthemagi and Maelstrom, I've got a few pictures of my Airborne. There's not much to see with most of them, I started the force back in 2008 and they were my first 15mm figs so were given very basic paint jobs (block colours, bleached bone drybrush and devlan mud mostly) which I then, for purposes of keeping a uniformed look, felt bound to continue across the rest of the force. I spent a bit more time doing some 'proper painting' on the Commando's which I'm a bit more proud to show off. and a rather fuzzy looking group shot and more pictures in my photobucket: http://s1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/PrivateIron1/FOW%20Airborne/ I've got plans to add some 75mm arty and some Vickers MMGs - possibly some Cromwell's too - just as the models are nice. If someone can point me in the right direction of this group thread I'll be more than happy to share them there. Edited by Brush Your Teeth, 7 Feb 2011, 07:40 PM.



# KayvaanShrike	7 Feb 2011, 07:45 PM Post #7
Marine Biologist Posts: 10,211 Group: Super Admin Member #3 Joined: September 18, 2007	Its in the Project Logs section. And is titled something like Si, Dave, Greg, Stu, James and Duffy fan the flames of war lol. But yeah you can stick your FoW in there, that's where you will find most pics of mine, Daves and Maelstroms. Along with some from Silent Gallows and Gonzo.



☺Maelstrom	7 Feb 2011, 08:12 PM Post #8
Sek Incarnate Posts: 2,796 Group: Honour Guard Member #266 Joined: December 8, 2007	heres the link dude http://s3.zetaboards.com/The_Ammobunker/topic/7087132/ quite a big beast of a log though. I think thats a great looking force there dude, quite like how you have put the tanks on bases too ties them i with the infantry nicely Edited by Maelstrom, 7 Feb 2011, 08:13 PM.



# Marovian	7 Feb 2011, 09:14 PM Post #9
High Lord Admiral of the Imperial Fleet Posts: 10,732 Group: Super Admin Member #72 Joined: September 24, 2007	Pretty impressive force that, like the tanks.



Novogord	13 Feb 2011, 11:43 AM Post #10
Captain Posts: 3,501 Group: Comrade Member #142 Joined: October 7, 2007	That is a very nice force! I don't think I would have the courage to paint something like that.



Brush Your Teeth	13 Feb 2011, 04:57 PM Post #11
Warrant Officer First Class Posts: 456 Group: Comrade Member #51 Joined: September 22, 2007	Thanks guys, I've managed to get a good bit of painting done this weekend watching the rugby, there are a few bits that still need their final highlights and no doubt some touching up to do before I can get them based but I'm on track to meet my month one target.



# Marovian	13 Feb 2011, 09:15 PM Post #12
High Lord Admiral of the Imperial Fleet Posts: 10,732 Group: Super Admin Member #72 Joined: September 24, 2007	They look mighty impressive, you have more patience than I do.



☺Dave38x	13 Feb 2011, 09:20 PM Post #13
DubDubDubDubDub Posts: 13,949 Group: Honour Guard Member #252 Joined: November 28, 2007	they look absolutely stunning mate, a real credit. Now do some tanks!!!



Brother Vogt	13 Feb 2011, 09:29 PM Post #14
Captain Posts: 3,435 Group: Comrade Member #976 Joined: February 18, 2009	Great looking Brit force there. Nice work. And your new force is coming along very nicely



riseofthemagi	13 Feb 2011, 10:18 PM Post #15
Lieutenant Posts: 1,517 Group: Comrade Member #1,471 Joined: February 11, 2010	Top marks for your German infantry, they look like they'd stand up at 28mm scale too! The mounting on pins clearly pays dividends, it's a little late for me to try it on my PGs but I might consider it thoroughly for my command HQ, hmmm... Great unit selection for the first month, by the way ( ;-) ) are you planning to Bancroft or airbrush you halftracks? Rise



Brush Your Teeth	20 Feb 2011, 05:31 PM Post #16
Warrant Officer First Class Posts: 456 Group: Comrade Member #51 Joined: September 22, 2007	Thanks for the comments all. Rise, these sods aren't fortunate enough to have any halftracks, and their trucks have been lost in combat (or something..). I could fit some trucks in for them, but they're an optional upgrade in the 21PD list and quite pricey (£ wise) for about 15pts worth, so I figured I'd leave them out of the list for now and maybe add them in later. Also, I assume the "Bancroft or airbrush" is supposed to be handpaint or airbrush? I'm going to try doing a soft edged camo by hand, but that may change depending on how successful the first attempts are. Anyway, I have now finished the panzergrenadeirs: I'm happy with how they turned out, main thing that stands out for me is how effective the silfor tufts are, I might have to go back and add them to my British. Anyway, thats 180pts done, I may see if I can fit a Panzer IV in the remaining week as a tester model for the camo. Very best, EDIT: I'm going to try and play around with the camera and see if I can get a wider depth of field on the pictures, the bluring in the foreground irritates me Edited by Brush Your Teeth, 20 Feb 2011, 05:35 PM.



# KayvaanShrike	20 Feb 2011, 05:53 PM Post #17
Marine Biologist Posts: 10,211 Group: Super Admin Member #3 Joined: September 18, 2007	Looking good mate, really nice. The Silfor grass is nice, I got some for on my SAS bases. Good work mate.



Feengit	20 Feb 2011, 06:01 PM Post #18
Sergeant Posts: 72 Group: Comrade Member #1,524 Joined: April 2, 2010	Absolutely stunning 'teeth', the camo looks great and whatever the background is you've used to photograph them really sets the models off. The 21 Pz Div is a great choice, look forward to perhaps seeing some of the crazy vehicle conversions they used once you've finished your BoB force?



Brush Your Teeth	21 Feb 2011, 03:54 PM Post #19
Warrant Officer First Class Posts: 456 Group: Comrade Member #51 Joined: September 22, 2007	My plans to do a Panzer IV in the remaining days of February won't work as it will take me over budget so I've done some planning for the coming months to keep me on track and within the rules. I've edited my first post with my monthly plan as well as all the important BoB stuff (which I should have done at the start of the month - oops!). I've also taken a better(-ish) photo of the Panzergrenadiers which is also in the first post. Feengit, the backgrounds done with GIMP, photoediting software and is suprisingly easy to do, I think its well worth it as it means less distraction from the models. If anyone is interested GIMP is available free HERE and theres a guide to doing the background HERE - the guide shows you how to remove and smooth out the main image, you can then just add a gradient to the background. It's best done if the photo is taken against a plain background with a colour that contrasts with the miniature, I just use white paper. As for the crazy vehicle conversions - I've got plans (which may never come to light) to try and build up a force to represent the German forces that counter attacked at Pegasus Bridge which, as far as I can tell, included some Lorraine Schelpper Self Propelled Artillery, Vielfachwerfer and S307 Pak40's which were all based on 'borrowed' French vehicles converted by Major Becker, there're also a few converted assault guns that I may use instead of the Marder I's that were used just so I can keep to a valid list - although the Marder's may win out just as I think they look better as they have crew where the assault guns don't - we'll see! Edited by Brush Your Teeth, 21 Feb 2011, 03:57 PM.



# Marovian	21 Feb 2011, 05:58 PM Post #20
High Lord Admiral of the Imperial Fleet Posts: 10,732 Group: Super Admin Member #72 Joined: September 24, 2007	They really look good all based up, and I like the sound of the converted vehicles.



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