Guadalcanal 1942 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! rules - (Part 5) Third Japanese infantry battalion and the anti-tank guns

 

This third battalion has the company of 3d resin prints from Asymmetric Wargames in the form of 37mm and 47mm anti-tank guns and a Kurogane car. 

The infantry is more of the same with the usual conversions: a small radio, a rifle both on the cornet and grenade thrower and some foliage on the helmet of the grenade thrower. 

The Kurogane car is a small beauty and a few more will go to the command of each regiment. 

The guns were printed a bit on the big side something that Asymmetric Wargames is already solving. For that I used the biggest 1/72 Japanese figures I have, the Airfix cheap copies. These two are the 47mm type 1 guns. 

There are two of these figures that can be used as artillerymen, the 50mm mortar figure (cut of its mortar) and the charging figure. 

The charging figure can be turned to a kneeling guy by an anti-tank gun as seen here. Just be careful with the blade and the flame on your fingers. 

The type 94 37mm anti-tank guns got the same type of crew. 

Next: more japanese as more artillery is arriving and more infantry is being repainted and  based. 

A Wargaming trip to Piazzale Loreto

The "Wargaming" part is totally BS as Piazzale Loreto (Milano, but far to the northeast from Duomo and Vittor Emanuele galleries) became famous due to two WW2 events that are hardly passed into the tabletop. So the title only has the intention to call your attention (he,he). 

This was the place were Mussolini´s dead body was displaced, head down, together with his mistress, Clara Petacci, and three other fascists on the 29 April 1945. Mussolini has been killed by partizans the day before near Lake Como. 

This scene always caused horror to some and indifference to others. Horror because this is not the way to display a dead body but indifference due to the fact that Mussolini in the end, not being the monster that Hitler was, was ultimately the responsible for WW2 and its 85 millions of dead, as it headed fascism, which lead to nazism, not forgetting Japan´s imperialism. We can always say that if it was not Mussolini leading the process someone else would, but try to say that to the people of the 20s, 30s and 40s that suffered with the process. Mussolini and the other corpses were displayed from the blue parking plate to the left in the place were a McDonalds restaurant stands. 

The "head down" show has another revengeful meaning: this was the place and way in which 15 Italian partizans were shown to the population after being shot by a joint effort of the fascist Oberdan group and the SS of Theo Saevecke. In fact Piazzale Loreto was called the Piazza Quindici Martiri (Square of the 15 Martyrs) for some years after the war before returning to its previous name. 

This period picture was taken from the aproximate place of my previous picture (in fact a bit to the right due to traffic). Mussolini and four others were displayed hanging from the roof of the local Esso petrol station, now the place of the McDonalds restaurant of the first picture.  

This nice period picture shows the Esso station in the centre left. 

From under the roof of McDonalds you can be under the place were the corpses were hanging. 

In this "then and now" picture available on the web you can have a better idea. 

This last composition from the web is great as it shows with the A and B point the exact places were you can live the situation. 

With this post and this visit I want to stress the nowadays forgiveness about fascist and nazi crimes from the 20s up to mid 40s. There is no plate, no nothing signalling this event that has been showned hundred of times in history books. And this is true all over Europe, both East and West were these crimes seemed to have been placed in the same category of Feudalism or Industrial Revolution, just a normal part of history from were we should move on, forgetting that dark clouds being blown everywere from people missing the 20´s in Italy and the 30´s in Germany, Portugal and Spain not missing the tendency. 

Next: more WW2 Japanese

Guadalcanal 1942 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! rules - (Part 4) Second Japanese infantry battalion (and this one is being observed)

 

The first battalion was calmly marching while this one is in action, something I like do with my units, that is dividing the figures by situations. Sometimes this get awkward as sometimes a marching battalion is called to charge, or vice-versa, but c´est la vie.

 The MMGs are Atlantic this time. The figures had to have their legs heated and bent in order to fit the 4cm base. 

Some scratchbuilding had to be done namely on the small radio on the advancing Airfix figure and on the Esci figure using its rifle as a club who became an ammunition carrier. 

This Hasegawa Curtiss Seagull was bought on a 2nd hand fair and its a useful and colorful thing for Guadalcanal as it continued to serve as observation aircarft even after the introduction of the Kingfisher. 

Next: some days off and then Japanese artillery, probably. 

Gettysburg in 1/72nd scale (part 2), the Army of Northern Virginia

The second part of this Gettysburg big units video is about Lee´s army. Same brands, and same techniques as in the Union army, so nothing new here. Even if the ANV didn´t have any Zouave units the Confederate army is always colorful with all that butternutt, Cadet gray and civilian items. I forgot to show you Jeb Stuart´s cavalry but you can see it here in this blog´s post: http://jpwargamingplace.blogspot.com/2018/12/fire-acw-rules-set-gettysburg-in-20mm_19.html

Guadalcanal 1942 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! rules - (Part 3) First Japanese infantry battalion

 

The Japanese infantry was inside boxes, still to be based properly and without breathing for many years. Only the stamina of the emperor´s soldiers could do that! This humble battalion is made of Airfix (some are downsized copies from the 1/32nd box) and Matchbox. Most of the figures are with the coat but others are in shirt order for variety. The radio is the small 94-6 hanging from the chest of the Matchbox figure waving the rifle. The LMGs are the same as others Airfix marching figures, one with the LMG and another with the ammo box. 

The Matchbox poor renderings of the model 92 7,7mm gun were slighly improved with an elevanting wheel and an ammunition strip. 

Next: more Japanese infantry and maybe some more artillery. 

Guadalcanal 1942 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! rules - (Part 2) The Japanese tanks

 

This group was initially planned for the whatever tank encounter of the Pacific from Khalkin Gol to  Saipan or even the last few Battles with the Soviets in 1945. In fact the tank duels in the Pacific, or even a large armored assault by the Japanese, was not a very common sight, specially compared with the Western theaters. In the meantime, Guadalcanal entered as a solid project, and upon reading on the issue, the two main Japanese tank assaults of this campaign (Tenaru and in one of the several actions on the Matanikau) only had between 6 to 10 tanks (Ha-Go and Chi-Ha models) each as the Japanese on the Island(s) were an infantry force with just a few tanks. 

So, besides Guadalcanal, this force allows for pretty much everything you need in terms of Japanese tank actions. 

This Type 89 Chi-Ro is a 3d PLA print from MiniGeneral. This is the type of early tanks used in relatively large numbers which makes a few more necessary.

This one is my most recent Japanese tank with all others made already years ago. As this Chi-Ro is an early version I changed it into a later version with a turret that can be opened and a metal crewman (CP models , I think). 

 

This Type 93 Kokusan by Skytrex was also an early reconnaissance vehicle and, up to now its the only one I have. Maybe Wargaming China can send me few of his Japanese unique and fabulous armored cars? After all that would strenghten the commercial relation between the two neighbors, Portugal and Australia. 

The early mediums Type 97 Chi-Ha with the smaller turret with short 37mm gun. The two to the left are Fujimi and the ones to the right are Airfix. The command version is the Type 97 Shi-Ki with a coaxial long 37mm from Frontline Wargaming.

The Type 97 Chi-Ha with the new turret housing a 47mm gun. The ones closer are Fujimi and the two on the left are Skytrex. On the back are two Altaya die-cast models. 

Again from Fujimi you have here two Type 1 Ho-Ni with 75mm gun and a Type 4 Ho-Ro with  15cm gun from Frontline Wargaming with Fujimi crew. 

The Type 95 Ha-Go is an essential both for Guadalcanal and Tarawa, the two Pacific settings I´m nowadays around. The Ha-go with crewman is Skytrex and the others are Frontline Wargaming. 

The tankette Type 97 Te-Ke and the Type 98 Ke-Ni (sucessor of the Ha-Go) are both Frontline Wargaming. 

The only Japanese artillery I have up to the moment are these two Emhar 75mm model 38 improved (in late war green and not  Artillery Brown as they were originally painted after seeing "Flags of Our Fathers" a late war episode) towed by two Frontline Wargaming Isuzu. The crews are conversions from Fujimi and Airfix. 

Next: Whether a video on the Confederates at Gettysburg or the Japanese infantry of WW2. 

Gettysburg in 1/72nd scale (part 1), the Army of the Potomac

This one is made from all available plastic figures from the venerable Airfix to the more recent Strelets R, including A Call to Arms, Revell, Italeri and also some metal Irregular Miniatures. I tried to characterize all famous individuals from regimental commanders up to Corps commanders since this is a period with abundant information. This army is complete for Fire&Fury brigade rules and it will be followed by the Confederate army. The houses are made of card and maybe one or two more will be added in the future. All other structures, roads, hills, stonewalls, trees, etc are not shown as most of them are generic and useful for a number of periods.

Guadalcanal 1942 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! rules - (Part 1) The aircraft for Henderson Field

 

One of the main hotspots of the Guadalcanal campaign was Henderson Field. In fact the entire campaign (August 42- February 43) is tied to this spot as it started with the construction of a Japanese airfield (Lunga point/Runga point or just "RXI"), so close to Australia and the allied lines of communication, that the US decided to take it over and rename it Henderson Field, honoring a fallen pilot at Midway. 

I´m still very short of Pacific models but the stuff I have (excluding the Tarawa island, SNLF and US LVT´s) fit reasonably to these scenarios as at the shelves there is a Japanese Betty bomber (to bomb the airfield), some Japanese landing craft and the Hoisho aircraft carrier with a number of different Japanese bombers and fighters like Vals and Zeroes used in the attacks. 

Most of the Japanese offensives at the island were destined to take back  Henderson field ( Tenaru, Edson´s Ridge,Matanikau and the October Henderson Field battles) and the airfield with some of its aircraft parked makes a visually nice corner in any of the above mentioned tabletop battles. In fact, small groups of japanese infantry managed to enter the airfield during the battle of Edson´s Ridge. 

The "airfield" was initially a simple strip but in the middle of the battles the americans managed to add a paralel smaller strip for fighter´s usage, before enlarging it at the end of the campaign and later on.

For the Cactus airforce up no now I could find the presence of SBD Dauntless, Avengers and Wildcats at the airfield but others like the P-39 and P-40 were also there at a certain time. 

I already have a Dauntless and an Avenger in parked mode but want a few more so the models at this post had to be made. 

The two Dauntless are (flight mode) Hasegawa and (parked) Testors. In fact they depict in the decals the same exact plane of John Leppla and John Liska, famous for its action at the battle of Coral Sea. Even if these two exact planes were not at Guadalcanal they are famous machines and very close in time, and so are ready for the larger strip of Henderson Field. 

This Devastator was also not at Guadalcanal, as it was put to bomber/torpedo training after the losses at Midway. Even so, one more aircraft on board of the Bogue aircraft carrier. 

Next: The Union army at Gettysburg on video. 

A wargaming trip to Bodrum castle

 

Slowly by slowly I´m on the track of the Knights of Saint John castles, after almost 30 years ago of visiting  Malta. Now I had to opportunity of visiting Bodrum castle in southern Turkey. 

Some information on the military activity of the site: 

During the years of 1402 up to 1452, the Knights Hospitaller built in two phases the Bodrum Castle. In fact the task belonged to the Knights of St. John who built it in order to guard that tip of Mediterranean and its northern access  from Turkish expansion, as the castle faced early threats from the Seljuk Turks. 

Between 1453 and 1480, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror launched naval attacks and bombarded the castle. In 1480 his fleet caused damage to the English Tower and seafront walls, but the fortress held strong and was later reinforced using stone from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. 

As Suleiman the Magnificent’s forces conquered Rhodes, the Knights surrendered Bodrum Castle in 1522 as part of the peace terms and its fortification process continued. 

In 1773 during the Russo‑Turkish War (1768–1774), a Russian naval detachment under Admiral Elmanov bombarded the castle and landed troops (~1,000+), but the local Ottoman garrison repelled them.

The castle was heavily garrisoned  and later was used as a prison (from 1895), with the chapel converted into a mosque and a minaret added.

In May 1915, the French warship Duplex bombed Bodrum Castle, causing significant damage, forcing the evacuation of prisoners, and damaging the minaret and southern ramparts. 

 From 1915, Italian forces briefly controlled Bodrum and used the castle as headquarters before yielding it back to Turkish control in 1921 (via agreement after the War of Independence).

 

Exhibition Areas

1. Haluk Elbe Art Gallery

2. Cannon Exhibition Area

3. Gateway Tower

4. Amphora Depot Exhibition Area

5. Southern Observation Terrace

6. Turkish Bath

7. Chapel (Castle Mosque)

8. Anchor Exhibition Area

9. Stone Artifacts Exhibition Area

10. History of Underwater Archaeology

10. Amphora Exhibition

10. Serce Limani Glass Shipwreck Exhibition

11. Yassiada Shipwrecks Hall

12. Spanish Tower: Tektas Shipwreck Exhibition

13. German Tower: Bozukkale Archaic Shipwreck Exhibition

14. History of Bodrum Peninsula and Halicarnassus

15. Italian Tower: Early Bronze Age Necropolises Exhibition

16. French Tower: Musgebi Necropolis

16. French Tower: Pedesa Ancient City Exhibition

17. Halicarnassus Eastern Necropolis Exhibition

18. Carian Princess Hall

19. Late Bronze Age Shipwrecks Exhibition

20. English Tower: Knights of Saint Jean Exhibition

The castle stood initially in a small island that had to be connected to the main land making it into an artificial peninsula. 

The 1st phase of the Knights of Saint John build created most of the visible structures that can be seen today. 

Best explained here, as the previous text can only be understood by the large numbers of my Turkish followers (which in fact speak a language that is not easy for most of the european language speakers). 

The 2nd phase of construction by Knights of Saint John saw a secondary line of walls and two more more small towers (Carretto and Gatineau). 

As usual with Ottomans a minaret and Turkish bath was added. 

And this is virtually the looks of the castle today, an impeccable work of art and a place of respect for History as the Turks are very good at preserving their history, even if part of it comes from Greek, Roman or Christian origin. 

A bit of text for the later events. 

 

A minaret of the Ottoman period was destroyed by a French ship during the preparation of the Gallipoli campaign and later rebuilt to the actual state. 

The most important parts of the castle - excluding its walls, obviously! - are the towers, each of the Langues of Knights contributed with one. So each of the main nations has its own tower: there is a  Spanish, an Italian, a French, an English and a German tower. The one above is the Spanish tower.

Another view of the Spanish tower.

The steps leading to the Italian and French towers.

The French tower.

Another view of the French tower. Its topped over the harbor and exhibits the Müsgebi Necropolis and the ancient city of Pedasa.

The Italian tower, the tallest of them all, hosts the Early Bronze‑Age Necropolis hall and the Carian Princess burial displays

The English tower has some nice heraldry and foot soldiers equipment. 

There is a moat between the two layers of walls. 

Here you can see the two layers distinctively. 

                 

The English tower with its Knights armor and equipment. 

As you're exiting, you may be passing through the main gate complex, and you’ll likely see the insignia of the Grand Master Philibert de Naillac (served 1396–1421), who initiated the construction of Bodrum Castle in 1402, together with the insignia of the Knights of Saint John. 

Next: Guadalcanal, part 1.