The Commander Series Forum

I am using GHQ figures & models for my Commonwealth Desert Force, the composition is (very loosely) based on Operation Battleaxe in June 1941. I took some (ok, lots of) liberties with scale to get the most varied composition I could on to the painting table, and this is what I came up with totalling 3000 points. (Purists may look away).

I also took the liberty of assuming losses had meant that 4th Armoured Brigade, which in real life was attached to the escarpment force, was reassigned to 7th Armoured Brigade group. (So I could use the Matildas). The total number of tanks assigned was up to around 190, so my scaled down version would be approximately 1:15 - approximately 1 model per squadron. (ToE was 18 tanks per squadrn, but you could assume non-runners would be at least 1 in 6 given the mechanical reliability (or not..) of tanks in the desert. The other compromise was using A9 models (because I like them) for 2RTR, which in reality was a mix. For administrative purposes during a game this would mean checking whether the model firing was A9, A10 or A13. A pain.

The challenge on table may well be coordination of the large support group mainly infantry with the separate armour groups. BKCII seems to favour the mixed battlegroup. Another notable thing for the period is that I can find no details of anti-tank capability.

If anyone has any information on AT capability attached, it would be much appreciated.

British Western Desert - Operation Battleaxe, June 1941
Description No
7th Arm'd Div - Maj Gen Michael O'Moore Creagh - CO (CV8) 1
Divisional Troops
11th Hussars (Recce) - Vickers VI Light tank 1
11th Hussars (Recce) - Rolls Royce A/C 1
4th & 143 Sdn Royal Engineers (Pioneers) 2
Carriers (Pioneers) 2
Forward Artillery Observer (CV7) 2
Trucks (FAO) 2
7th Support Group - Brig John Campbell - HQ (CV8) 1
1st, 3rd, 4th & 106 Rgt RHA (25Lb - 4 gun battery) 4
Trucks (Art Towing vehicles) 4
1st Batt. Kings Royal Rifle Corps (Veteran) 6
Support Unit Vickers 1
Support Unit 3" Mortar 1
Trucks (1st Batt) 8
2nd Batt Rifle Brigade (Veteran) 6
Support Unit Vickers 1
Support Unit 3" Mortar 1
Trucks (2nd Batt) 8
4th Arm'd Brigade - Brig Alexander Gatehouse - HQ (CV8) 1
4th RTR - detached to Indian 4th Div.
4th RTR Vickers VI Light Tank 3
7th RTR - Lt. Col Basil Groves - Matilda II 3
7th Arm'd Brigade - Brig Hugh Russell - HQ (CV8) 1
2nd RTR (MkI, II, III/IV Cruisers) - count as A13 4
6th RTR (Crusader) 4

This looks good.

Yep, looking good.

I read somewhere the Australians used 18lbrs in the AT role - don't know if that was during Battleaxe though.

Cheers

Andy

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW THIS????? This what everyone at school thinks wargamers are like, an no matter how hard I try to destroy this urban Legend, this happens? (Sorry, had that in me since this morning)

Er...what?
The AP performance of the 18pdr?
Or is it the detailed theoretical performance of things that didn't get used in a particular role that bugs you?
Or general 'rivet counting'?
Cos lets face, it if you go on wargames forums a lot it would suggest this isn't an urban myth about gamers - see it happens here and this is a very atypical group I think.
So gird your loins and face it - its only a cliché because its true (whisper it gently and it won't seem so bad)
Or was there something else bothering you?

Personally I like this sort of information, as it adds to my knowledge of the period. But then I just love facts and trivia.

well, in retrospect , the usage of 18 pounders for Anti is pretty neat.

And thanks guys, I had better go look out my 2lb Portee models and add them to the paint queue. - probably use 2 bases, and trade out something else to keep the points at 3000.

And here's a quick look at the first results of the Caunter in 6mm - http://aleadodyssey.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/ope...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhj9-NG5ums/UjD882zzI...

Those look lovely Doug.

Caunter looking good!

The reuse of 18pdrs certainly interested me as it is a classic example of the "make do and mend" attitude prevalent at the time. 25pdrs replaced the 18pdrs as field artillery pieces through late 40 to 41 but there was still loads of ammo for the older guns. A shortage of specialist AT guns in the desert, so what better than to hand them out in a new role. I've used the stats from the lists for France 1940 which makes them slightly superior to the dedicated AT guns (such as 2pdrs) and can, in some circumstance, give the Aussies the edge.

To me it adds to the period flavour and means I'd add some 18pdr models to my next order and paint some of them green for France and sand for N Africa. I don't see that as rivet counting and don't hold much truck with urban legends.

Cheers

Andy

PS The caunter does look good. Nice models!

Yes, the more info the better!!

Sultanbev.. if I may?

quick question, you reckon 2lb portees were in use for Battleaxe.. (June 41) but the BKCII lists don't permit 2lb portees before September 1941... so who's right? Even then they are support weapons only, so don't gel with the RHA using them?(although they are listed as being part of 7th support group. So I wonder what the doctrine was?

DougMe - Whats the vehicle at the rear of the command base? Is that GHQ? Can't seem to find it on the website.

Cheers

Richard P

Must admit I thought it was a Universal Carrier and a Dorchester, but I'm usually wrong.

Cheers

Andy

Cheers Andy, found it now must have scrolled past it about 5 times looking for the Dorchester!

Should have gone to Specsavers

Cheers

Richard P

Added a few more shots as they are getting there..

http://aleadodyssey.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/ope...