The Commander Series Forum

I quite like the idea of a "white" winter force - I have liked the look of the colour combination on several recent models which have had lots of white undercoat showing as well as some brown or green.

So which is a good period to go for:
Russia 1941/2 - German attack stalls outside Moscow
Russia 1942/3 - Russian encirclement of 6th Army at Stalingrad
Russia 43/44 - ?????
Russia 44/45 - Russian assaults into Eastern Germany - not sure how many of these battles were snowy.

NW Europe 44/45 - not sure if units used much white cammo. There are some cool photos of British troops in snow suits in this winter. But not sure if they did much fighting.

Others?

I think East Front 42/3 appeals most at the minute - major Russian attacks, mixed German equipment. And I don't have any Russians yet. Also forces from this period can probably be used for the next year as well.

It just so happens there’s an article on painting winter camouflage in the latest Wargames Illustrated (issue 262, pages 58-61). You may find it useful.

Which one? Do them all. Well...maybe start with one, that's what I did.

I started with Leningrad front late 1941. The German vehicles are not uniformly painted white and the German infantry are not fully camouflaged. I like the variety of camouflage and the early war tanks.

http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z18/Schlesie...
http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z18/Schlesie...

Next was Kosun Pocket, January 1944. Even though I like the early war tanks, the mix of heavier tanks in this period make things interesting.

http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z18/Schlesie...

My next focus will either be German relief attempt of Stalingrad and/or Russian destruction of the Italian 8th Army, both in late 1942.

I think it would also be interesting to do the drive on Moscow. Also, I haven't explored much on the Eastern front in the winter of 44/45.

I had considered Canadians in NW Europe for winter battles, but there wasn't much going on like on the Eastern front.

There is also the "Winter War."

I've just starrted winter russians in 28mm, and today dicovered that neither GW or the model shop in town stock white flock anymore!!!

Dave - expensive for a few figures, but Artex works. Or use sand and paint it with a cheap white acrillic.

IanS

Thanks chaps.

Do them all -- well probably eventually, but I need to start some where.

Winter War -- this is Finns vs Russians? Not sure that there are any 10mm figures yet. Though I think both Pithead and Pendraken have some in the works.

Russian kit is probably the most versatile - might look to doing support weapons in a way that can be used for non-winter battles as well...

German kit has the problem of changing from Panzer Grey to Dunkel Gelb, under the white. And they kept using different models of tanks.

I get some off ebay for £2.75

Don't some use baking soda ???

Guys
Woodland Scenics do white flock . Has good texture /crystalline appearance too. Bought a big
bottle for less than a tenner yesterday.BTW- Pithead do winter war Finns and Russians. Pendrakon Russians in greatcoats are also good.

I'm all for baking soda (bicarbonate soda). Mix it with water and PVA glue until you have something smooth but not yet runny, apply and then sprinkle some more soda on top. Sort of creates the flow of snow but also fluffy.

I've always had a hankering to do the Winter War - or, even better, the Norwegians v Germans - now that's a tidy little conflict if you ask me - and your Norvege could have cavalry & skis. Plus of course the added attraction of an army with no SMG, no grenades, no ATWs, few mortars, no AA other than MG, old & cranky artillery, poor comms [not many radios], no AP ammo either. They did have some bikes though.

Have I sold you on this lot yet? Gotta love the underdog...

Oh - and the Woodland Scenics snow is nice - I got a big bottle [like Hoghead's I reckon] about 5 years ago for £7 - used it on my WFB Chaos army + my Epic stuff, hardly put a dent in it; the stuff'll last for years

Just found this trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbK4WTQFf9U

Looks worth a watch...

Guys
Read 'A Frozen Hell' by William Trotter or 'White Death' by Robert Edwards , about the Winter War. It'll give you some inspiration . Open to suggestions for books about the conflict in Norway !

Some one was reading on over at WD3, I will get back to you.

Hitler's Pre-emptive War (The Battle for Norway 1940) by Henrik o. Lunde

Dave
Thanks !
H

I play in 15mm and 6mm, not 10mm, but for Finns you can generally use Germans, as the uniform cuts were pretty similar, the Finns used a LOT of German helmets (amongst the numerous varieties they had), and the differences in color of course can be handled with paint.

I keep coming back to this - but for Norway plays Germany [Germany 1, Norway 0]...I think it'd be coolio...hmmm...