Project - 'Fallschirmjager'

[SteveKrieg]

Oh, Squidley, for the grass mats - JG Miniatures produce the range in several styles ranging from grasslands, desert, snow and such (some with tracks) and are designed for a smaller scale (1/32nd King & Country, Peter Jenkins etc) but when brushed with a scalp comb (thus raising the grass) is perfect for 1/6th. They come in elongated lengths and unfortunately cost a bit (AUD is normally $95 per sheet) but as alluded make a damn fine base for the stuff I do. Hope this helps?. Cheers, Steve

 

[Ostfront43]

I'm really liking how photos are visible now in this new software, without having to click each link. Very good update, Yea!!!!

 

[tankfan0720]

Some great stuff! Love the para's! Some great books too!
Bob

 

[SteveKrieg]

wow, this new layout and software looks great and no doubt will take some getting used-to but all kudos to the moderators. Given we've been offline for several months I've got a few updates (with imagery) to add over the coming days ref my FJR series of dioramas. Suffice to say I'm down to my last four (yes the number envisaged just increased the further I read into their exploits and so I couldn't help myself damn it). More to follow...

 

[SteveKrieg]

Okay, first little vignette to kick this thread back off (as a test also) is of German Army paratroopers with the aim of the supporting text going into the forming of the 7.Flieger Division and how it was 'cobbled' together from a disparate mix of Wehrmacht units which, under Goering's influence, were placed under the auspices of the Luftwaffe on 1 July 1938 with the Heer's Fallschirm-Infanterie-Battalion being fully integrated by early 1939.

I wanted to illustrate the initial pattern helmet and smock which, like the origins of any specialist clothing and equipment, were found wanting and, as we've seen from my early war scenes, corrected in-time for war. Cheers, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

G'day all,

I'll have to skip my Op "Weserubung" drop into Denmark scene (that of two paras exiting the door of Ju52) as they are currently elsewhere at this time (i'll slot that in at later date) and push straight onto another drop that commenced several hours later on the 9 April 1940 which also came under Op "Weserubung" and involved a three company drop into Norway capturing a vital airfield or two for ground unit airlanding follow-up. With the capture of Stavanger/Sola airfield and the capital Oslo it was hoped that the Norwegians would simply surrender - they did not and so another drop by a company of 1./FJR 1 was made in order to cut off Norwegian forces near Dombas on 14 May which demonstrated weakness in the still-evolving German airborne doctrine such as dispersion (which impacted on the forming of cohesive combat forces), jump altitude far too low due to pilot error and problems finding equipment containers; issues that would rear their ugly heads again over Crete a year later.

I mentioned in the previous thread of the initial pattern or 'Trial' 'M36' jump smock and, by 1940 the better though still somewhat restrictive 'M38' was in-service. Likewise the inaugural 'M36' trial helmet with its less than popular X-chinstrap was refined by the 'M38'. Like the previous vignette, not all my scenes will be expansive with some just consisting of one or two figures at best - just enough to at least provide the illustrative figure continuity in the supporting text narrative by way of uniform and equipment.

The figure here (like pretty much all of them an old DML release 'kit-bashed' for purpose), depicts an Oberjager (Corporal) equipped with an MP38 and utilising a set of captured skis in order to get out of the Dombas pocket alive (many of those not killed were eventually forced to surrender). His airborne attire far from sufficient in keeping out the cold and relying on only an issue 'Toque' and sweater. The early pattern knee protectors were worn under the trousers and are utilised here as gaiters over his jump boots. Enjoy, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

Some great stuff! Love the para's! Some great books too!
Bob

Cheers very muchly Bob, loads more paras to follow over the next couple of days as I catch-up. Yes one of the issues I have annually when I get into putting together massed diorama series is the equal amount of reference work I collate in order to ensure accuracy. Phew, my bookshelves get just as cluttered as my garage. Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

In the lead-up to a proposed airborne assault on Malta, stalwart FJR commander Bernhard Ramcke was in Italy instructing Italian paratroopers when he was ordered at short notice (subsequently after the Malta mission was scrapped) to command a brigade-sized unit of 5000 Fallschirmjager for dispatch to North Africa to assist in propping-up Rommel's Alamein line. Named after him, Ramcke's unit was spread predominantly at battalion-level amongst the Italian formations.

With Montgomery's offensive in late October 1942, the Axis line was soon shattered and all German/Italian units beat a hasty retreat. With inadequate transport (given the formation was flown-in) Ramcke's brigade was barely able to escape but many did so thanks to a daring capture of a British road supply column. By which time, after a series of rearguard actions, the force was down to 600 men.

The diorama makes use of a 21st Century German motorcycle and sidecar combo (one of its early releases and the first I seem to recall to release such a machine in the scale which is akin a Triumph more than the common BMW or Zundapp). Heavily weathered/detailed with the addition of DML's CHE Ramcke figure. Supporting the scene, a hastily-prepared machine gun emplacement sited back in order to provide sustained fire. It is also predominantly DML with a mix of DiD's latest MG34 kit accessory release.

The figures and all their wherewithal weathered accordingly and I guess that's been a highlight of mine as I've continued through this expansive series covering all fighting fronts the FJR had been placed. I've really enjoyed the boot wear process in-particular which is essentially dabbing the paint that best resembles the environment then dry-brushing 'flat black' in order to highlight areas of 'build-up' of dust/dirt/mud and such in the welts and crevices. Next stop...Tunesia. Enjoy, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

With the success of Monty's Alamein offensive and the Axis route that followed coupled with the landing of Western Allied troops in Morocco and Algeria in early November, the Duetsch-italienische Panzer-Armee found itself gradually hemmed into Tunesia and efforts were immediately by the the German High Command to reinforce there in order to maintain a presence in the region. The first units to arrive were elements of FJR5.

Initially stout in the defence, the paratroopers steadily ran low on supplies and manpower as the Allies drew nearer (complete with air superiority). Early success (including an encounter with the British 2nd Parachute Battalion - the first time German paratroopers had encountered Allied airborne forces) could not hide the fact that despite the Panzer-Armee's late arrival into Tunis (well, what remained of it) could do little to stem the inevitable as no more reinforcements were flown in the orders from Berlin were curt - "hold fast".

For the Germans in the shrinking Tunis pocket (which they were now referring to as "Tunisgrad" it was all over by mid may. Only a small number of FJR from both FJR 5 and the remnants of the Ramcke Brigade (incl. Ramcke himself) managed to get away before the trap closed. Here I've finally found a use for the DML CHE Donkey w/packsaddle accessory kit (something I've had on the shelf awaiting a use for several years) and was originally going to be used to cover the FJR's exploits in Italy; however, I've other plans for that theatre as you'll soon see. Bringing supplies to a forward position both the donkey handler and an MG42 gunner seeking water peer skywards - "Is it one of ours"?.

The panniers repainted and detailed (with the open pannier filled with supplies and the other just weighted to ensure balance). I've since replaced the helmet next to the MG42 with one painted with the regimental 'comet' emblem. Both DML 'Kit-bashed' figures wear the Luftwaffe Tropical uniform with Type 2 "bone sack" in both Luftwaffe splinter and plain. Enjoy, Steve

 

[Sixth Vanguard]

Good stuff