On the Workbench – Signals/Command Truck

This conversion is another “Truck from Trash” that may have plumbed new depths in trashiness. The original toy could be seen gracing BOX 024, as one of three massively oversized models pretending to be heavy trucks. It once had a G.I. Joe missile on the back or some other such nonsense, but has done years of service as a slightly-better-than-card 3D marker.

The captured Granit command van next to it gives an idea of scale, which from the side is not too bad. What lets 20mm scale trucks down is always the width and height, so out came the X-Acto razor saw to remove a 5mm fillet from the centreline. Thin card covered the gap, and boxwood carved to shape provided the cabin on the back. I went for the look of a truck that had been pressed into service with a civilian railway hut put onto the flatbed on the back. I should have reduced the height of the cab to complete the illusion; it looked good enough without doing this though. Sometimes one just has to know when to stop. The picture below shows the width difference between the original shocker and its filleted cousin..

Storm from the Northwest – Days 6 to 9

Six months of real time have elapsed since day five of this battle and its resumption on day six. To recreate a long narrow thrust along a railway line in hilly, forested country, the operation is now being prosecuted along the length of my pasting table, again with the lateral scale massively compressed. YesthatPhil took most of the photos for this battle as his camera skills exceed mine by a considerable margin.

Link to the map

Day six of the offensive began with 4th Tank Corps continuing the attack west along the line of the railway to VELIKIE LUKIE. The  Soviet infantry in the line regrouped and paused as 1st Guards Rifle Division passed through the forward positions and assembled for an assault. Heavy artillery support began to pound VYSHNY VOLOCHYOK.

http://city.samondeo.com/vyshny-volochyok-russia.php

From the contemporary aerial photographs, note the relatively open nature of the suburbs and railway sidings even today, apart from the town centre.

4th Tank Corps continued to press west, with 16th Motor Rifle Corps following on, poised to support either 1GR or 4Tk.

The regrouped Silesians of 8th Infantry Division in VYSHNY VOLOCHYOK braced themselves for a renewed infantry assault as 1st Guards Rifle Division shook out into attack formation, supported by Katyushas, Stormoviks and KV-1s. Apparently the latter were more plentiful in the north.

Historically, 8th Infantry Division were a good unit with a distinguished reputation. They suffered heavy casualties in the initial campaign and were returned to France to convert to a Jäger division; their model counterparts fared no less well. Despite spirited counterattacks that caused delays of a day, they were pushed out of the city with heavy losses by 1GR, reinforced by 16MR when the first assault showed signs of losing momentum.

Ideally, you would really like something heavier than 3.7cm anti-tank against KV-1s. Yes, those are Soviets behind the dug-in anti-tank position. No, those are not party balloons, they are pin markers*.

Meanwhile, 4Tk were stopping for nothing and no-one. They met the advanced positions of a defended belt and attacked it straight from the line of march … with not unexpected results. Plenty more light armour was available if it was needed. 4Tk‘s T-70s discovered the defending minefields in the traditional way. This is why the Desantny prefer to ride on the T-34s if anyone gives them a choice.

Some distance into difficult country astride the railway, 269 Infantry Division‘s main defensive line provided the defence in depth for the front.

Katyushas and infantry deployed as the armour fought on down the railway. More Stormoviks appeared overhead; “… wo ist die Luftwaffe?” The heavy and medium dice below are all falling on the German infantry!

When all seemed lost, 8th Panzer Division appeared in a counter attack. The bulk of the division was strung across the frozen countryside, but enough appeared to persuade the Soviets that there would be no more progress on this axis of advance before further reinforcements arrived.

*Thanks to Jaap Boender for pointing out on Facebook that the pins look like party balloons.

On the Workbench – 3.7cm Pak 36s

These two Pak 36s surfaced from one of the bits boxes last night. They came with a Command Decision Sdkfz 251 pack, if I remember correctly. That just left me with wheels and a trail to find. A Soviet 85mm AA gun from Flames of War provided the wheels, and aluminium tube with scrap balsa did the rest.

As I need Soviet 45mm guns more than German 36s at the moment, I painted them green prior to sticking Soviet crews on the bases. They will probably join the Tank Corps as captured 3.7cm Pak 36s, as they are a little undersized for 1937 (53-K) “sorokopyatka” (forty fivers). The PSC offerings, of which there are 5 in a pack, are noticeably larger but come with the cut-down vehicle shield.

PSC Fallschirmjägers Announced

I had been looking forward to the release of the Plastic Soldier Company Fallschirmjägers, and particularly their heavy weapons, so it is  disappointing to see that they have continued the 15mm trend set by Flames of War to produce stumpy figures with no abdomens. These figures have been “Warhammered” to scale a 20mm figure down to 15mm size.

*Sigh* Folk will love them; sales will boom and it is the sensible commercial choice, but my choice of true-scale figure packs is limited to the original two that PSC brought out. On the bright side, if I paint the faces green, they will be perfect for Orkschirmjäger ’45K™. Moving swiftly on …

It goes without saying that every time I get pompous about unrealistic, pumped-up sculpting, the net proves me wrong!

Above: Realistic sculpt.

… The life model class that it was taken from.

The mystery of why the Luftwaffe felt obliged to develop the Me-323 Gigant transporter is solved at last; it was nothing to do with airlifting tanks at all.

8th Army Order of Battle at Alamein (CSO)

This humungous post is still a work in progress for a battle on 27 Oct 2018. It now forms part of the Campaign Orders of Battle page for NQM. This post has been modified several times to form a reduced orbat to fit onto an  11 x 5 foot squared table at Trebian’s Shedquarters, or in my Den.

8th Army

Lieutenant General Bernard Montgomery Comd car (C3), FAC HQ (C3)

Under direct Army Command

• 1st Army Tank Brigade Brigadier Price (equipped with minesweeping Matilda tanks, allotted to XXX Corps for minefield clearance[1]) – HQ groups with HQ XXX Corps
  

  • 42nd Royal Tank Regiment (With 1st Armd Div)

    • Matilda Scorpion (E1)

  • 44th Royal Tank Regiment (With 10th Armd Div)

    • Matilda Scorpion (E1)

• 1st Armoured Brigade Brigadier G.N. Todd (reforming – not modelled)

  • 4th Hussars  (1 M3 Stuart?)

  • 8th (King’s Royal Irish) Hussars  (1 Grant?)

  • 2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (1 Crusader III?)

• 12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade

  • 14th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

    • Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

  • 16th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

    • Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

  • 27th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

    • Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

  • 88th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

    • Matador Limber + 3.7″  AA (s3)

  • 94th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

    • Matador Limber + 3.7″  AA (s3)

  • 27th (London Electrical Engineers) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery (two troops) Searchlight (C1)
    

• 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade (for HQ and railway protection[1]) HQ with 8th Army HQ
  

  • 2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3)

  • 69th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (199th and 261st batteries) Matador Limber + 3.7″  AA (s3)

• 21st Indian Infantry Brigade Brigadier J.J. Purves (reforming; used for HQ protection, camouflage and guard duties[1]) HQ with 8th Army HQ
  

  • 1st Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles Infantry stand (F3)

  • 3rd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment Infantry stand (F3)

  • 2nd Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles Infantry stand (F3) 

  • 9th Indian Field Company, Indian Engineers Sapper base (E1)

Army Troops

• 6th South African Armoured Car Regiment (One troop – not modelled)

  • Marmon-Herrington III

• B Squadron, 6th Royal Tank Regiment

  • Crusader II Tank (could be Grant or Stuart M3) (S1)

• 566th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

•  568th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 25th Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 27th Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 31st Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 1st? Tank Delivery Regiment Scammel Tank Transporter (L1)

• 8th Army Signals “Monty’s Caravan” Signals Truck (C3)

X Corps

Lieutenant-General Herbert Lumsden Comd staff car (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 571st Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 572nd Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 573rd Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 570th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers Low Loader or Truck (L3)

• X Corps Signals Signals Truck (C3)

1st Armoured Division

Major-General Raymond Briggs Comd Grant Tank (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 12th Royal Lancers Humber Armoured Car (R3) + 2 Recce markers
  

• 2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery  Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 4th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 11th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (Honourable Artillery Company) [ex 8th Armoured Division]  M7 Priest  + Priest Limber (S3)
  

• 76th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Deacon 6pdr Portee (S3)

• 42nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (S3) (or portee)

• 1st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper Base (E1)

• 9th Field Park Squadron, Royal Engineers (from 8th Armd Div) Truck (L3)

• 1st Armoured Division Signals Signals Dorchester (C3)

2nd Armoured Brigade

Brigadier Arthur Fisher Crusader II (C3)

92 Sherman, 68 Crusader, one Grant = 161 tanks[2] (3 Shermans, 2 Crusaders)

• 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays)  Sherman (S3)

• 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers Sherman (F3)

• 10th Royal Hussars Sherman (F3)

• Yorkshire Dragoons (Motor battalion) Infantry with Carrier + 6pdr Atk (F3)

• X Coy, 1st Bn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (MMG) MMG (S3)
  

7th Motor Brigade

Brigadier Thomas J. Bosville Dingo  Armd Car (C3)

• 2nd Battablion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps Infantry  in Carrier + 6pdr Atk (F3)

• 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (detached less support company to Hammerforce)

• 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade Infantry stand in Carrier + 6pdr Atk (F3)

Hammerforce (attached from 8th Armoured Division)

• 4th/6th South African A/C Regt Marmon-Herrington III (R3)
  + 2 Recce Markers
  

• 146th (Pembroke & Cardiganshire) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 73rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Universal Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 56th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

• Z Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (machine gun) Infantry MMG stand (S3)
  

• 7th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 9th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

10th Armoured Division

Major-General Alexander Gatehouse Comd Dingo (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• Royal Dragoons Daimler A/C or Humber A/C (R3) + 2 Recce Markers
  

• 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 5th Regiment, RHA (att from 8 Armd Div) Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Regt, RHA (att fm 8 Armd Div) Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 98th (Surrey & Sussex Yeomanry Queen Mary’s) Field Regiment, RA Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 84th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal ArtilleryUniversal Carrier +

• 53rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

• 2nd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 3rd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 6th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (attached from 8th Armoured Division) Sapper base (E1)

• 141st Field Park Squadron, Royal Engineers Low Loader or Truck (L3)

• 10th Armoured Division Signals Signals Dorchester (C3)

8th Armoured Brigade

Brigadier Edward C.N. Custance  Crusader II (C3)

45 Crusaders, 57 Grants, 31 Sherman = 133 tanks (1 Crusader, 2 Grants , 1 Sherman)

• 3rd Royal Tank Regiment Grant Tank (S3)

• Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Grant Tank (S3)

• Staffordshire Yeomanry Sherman Tank (S3)

• 1st Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) Motor Infantry stand (F3)

 24th Armoured Brigade (attached from 8th Armoured Division) 

Brigadier Arthur G. Kenchington Crusader II (C3)

2 Grants, 93 Shermans, 45 Crusaders = 140 tanks (1 Crusader, 3 Shermans)

• 41st Royal Tank Regiment Sherman Tank (F3)

• 45th Royal Tank Regiment Sherman Tank (F3)

• 47th Royal Tank Regiment Sherman Tank (F3)

• 11th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps Infantry stand (F3)

133rd Infantry Brigade (attached from 44th Infantry Division)

Brigadier Alec W. Lee Dingo  Armd Car or Signals Truck (C3)

• 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Infantry stand (F3)

• 4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Infantry stand (F3)

• 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Infantry stand (F3)

• W Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (machine gun) (attached from 8th Armoured Division) Infantry MMG stand (S3)
  

8th Armoured Division

Major-General Charles Gairdner Comd staff car (C3), Ammo Truck (L3), POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3) (This divisional HQ does not need to be modelled)

(all brigades stripped away from the division prior to the Second Battle of El Alamein)

23rd Armoured Brigade

• 40th Royal Tank Regiment
• 46th Royal Tank Regiment
• 50th Royal Tank Regiment
• 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)

24th Armoured Brigade

• 41st Royal Tank Regiment
• 45th Royal Tank Regiment
• 47th Royal Tank Regiment
• 11th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps

133rd Infantry Brigade

• 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment
• 4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment
• 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Support Units

8th Support Group

• 14th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters
• 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry
• 5th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
• 11th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (Honourable Artillery Company)
• 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
• 146th (Pembroke and Cardiganshire) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

• 6th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (detached to 10th Armoured Division)

• 9th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (detached to 1st Armoured Division)

• 145th Field Park Squadron, Royal Engineers

• 8th Armoured Division Signals Signals truck (C3)

XIII Corps

Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks Comd staff car (C3)

• 4th/6th South African Armoured Car Regiment (one troop) Marmon Herrington armoured car (R1)

• 578th Army Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 576th Corps Field Park Company, Royal Engineers Low Loader or Truck (E3)

• XIII Corps Signals Signals truck (C3)

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division

Major-General John Nichols Comd staff car (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (machine gun battalion) Infantry MMG stand (F3)
  

• 74th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 111th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 124th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 154th (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Universal Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 34th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

• 233rd Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 505th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 235th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers Low Loader or Truck (E3)

• 50th Northumbrian Division Signals Signals Truck (C3)

1st Greek Infantry Brigade

Colonel Pausanias Katsotas Comd in Jeep (C3)

• 1st Infantry Battalion Infantry stand (F3)

• 2nd Infantry Battalion Infantry stand (F3)

• 3rd Infantry Battalion Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Greek Field Artillery Regiment Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 1st Greek Machine Gun Company Infantry MMG stand (S1)

• 1st Greek Field Company, Greek Engineers Sapper base (E1)

151st Infantry Brigade (attached to 2nd New Zealand Division 29 October to 3 November)

Brigadier Joscelyn E.S. Percy  Comd in staff car (C3)

• 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

69th Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Edward C. Cooke-Collis Comd in staff car (C3)

• 5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment Infantry stand (F3)

• 6th Battalion, Green Howards Infantry stand (F3)

• 7th Battalion, Green Howards Infantry stand (F3)

2nd Free French Brigade Group (under command)

• 5th Battalion de Marche Infantry stand (F3)

• 11th Battalion de Marche Infantry stand (F3)

• 21st and 23rd North African Anti-Tank Companies Fordson WOt2 25mm CLA portee (S2)

• 2nd Company, Free French Pioneer base (E1)

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division

Major-General Ivor T.P.Hughes Comd staff car (C3), LOG/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 44th Reconnaissance Battalion (detached to 7th Armoured Division)

• 6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (machine gun battalion)

• 53rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 57th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 58th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 65th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 57th Atk Regiment, Royal Artillery Universal Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 30th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber (S3), 40mm Bofors AA (S3) (or portee)

• 11th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 209th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 210th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 211th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers  Low Loader or Truck (E3)

• 577th Army Field Company, Royal Engineers (attached)  Sapper base (E1)

• 44th Home Counties Division Signals Signals Truck (C3)

131st Infantry Brigade

Brigadier William Donovan Stamer Comd staff car (C3)

• 1/5th Battalion, Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Infantry (F3)

• 1/6th Battalion, Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Infantry (F3)

• 1/7th Battalion, Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Infantry (F3)

132nd (Kent) Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Lashmer Whistler Comd staff car (C3)

• 4th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Infantry (F3)

• 5th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Infantry (F3)

• 2nd Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) Infantry (F3)

133rd (Lorried) Infantry Brigade

Detached to 10th Armoured Division

7th Armoured Division

Major-General John Harding Comd staff car (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 1st Household Cavalry Regiment Daimler armoured car (R3)
  + 2 Recce Markers
  

• 11th Hussars [under command from 4th Armoured Brigade, in reserve] Morris CS9 armoured car (R3) + 2 Recce Markers

• 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry [under command from 8th Armoured Div] Humber A/C or Bren Carrier (R3) + 2 Recce Markers
  

• 44th Reconnaissance Regiment (under comd from 44th Inf Div)Universal Carrier or Dingo lt recce car (R3) + 2 Recce Markers
  

• 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery Universal Carrier + 37mm Bofors Atk Gun (S3) (or 2pdr/6pdr)

• 4th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 65th (Suffolk & Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Universal Carrier + 2pdr (S3)

• 15th (Isle of Man) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (S3) (or portee)

• 4th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 21st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 143rd Field Park Squadron, Royal Engineers Low Loader or Truck (E3)

• 7th Armoured Division Signals Dorchester Signals (C3)

4th Light Armoured Brigade

Brigadier Marcus G. Roddick M3 Stuart Tank (C3)

57 (2) Stuart, 14 (1) Grant = 71 tanks and 9 armoured cars

• Royal Scots Greys M3 Stuart Tank (F3)

• 4th/8th Hussars M3 Grant Tank (F3)

• 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps Infantry in 15cwt truck + 2pdr Atk (F3)

22nd Armoured Brigade

Brigadier George “Pip” Roberts M3 Stuart Tank (C3)

57 (2) Grant, 50 (2) Crusader, 19 (1) Stuart = 126 tanks

• 1st Royal Tank Regiment M3 Grant Tank (F3)

• 5th Royal Tank Regiment M3 Grant Tank (F3)

• 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) Crusader MkII Tank (F3)

• 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade Infantry in 15cwt + 2pdr Atk (F3)

1st Free French Brigade Group (under command)

Brigadier Marie Pierre Koenig Comd Jeep (C3)

• 1st Battalion, Foreign Legion Infantry stand (F3)

• 2nd Battalion, Foreign Legion Infantry stand (F3)

• 3rd Battalion, Pacific Marine Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (attached) Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 1st Free French Artillery Regiment Renault limber + 75mm gun (S3)

• 2nd Anti-Aircraft Company, 1st Marine Fusiliers

• 2nd Free French Anti-Tank Company
  

• 22nd North African Anti-Tank Company Fordson WOt2 25mm CLA portee (S2)

• 1st Field Company, Free French Engineers Sapper base (E1)

with (under command)

• 1st Free French Flying Column Automitrailleuse Dodge ‘Tanake'(F2),

• Armoured Car Squadron and Portee troop, 1st Marocco Spahis Portee 75mm M1897 or ‘Conus gun’ SPG (S3)

• 1st Free French Tank Company Crusader III Tank (S1)

• Anti-Aircraft troop, 1st Battalion, Foreign Legion ?25 mm CA mle 39 towed/portee (S3)

XXX Corps

Lieutenant General Oliver Leese Comd in staff car (C3)

• XXX Corps Defence Squadron Infantry MMG (S1)

• C Squadron, 4th/6th South African Armoured Car Regiment Marmon Herrington (R1)

• 7th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery Matador Limber + 5.5″  gun (S3)

• 64th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery Matador Limber + 5.5″  gun (S3)

• 69th (Caernarvon & Denbigh Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, RA

• 66th Mortar Company, Royal Engineers (two sections detached to 9th Australian Division. Fired only HE during the campaign but trained for chemical warfare) 4.2″ Mortar (S1)

• 11th Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper (E1)

• 13th Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper (E1)

• 22nd Field Park Company, South African Engineers Low Loader + D7 bulldozer (L3)

• XXX Corps Signals Signals truck (C3)

9th Australian Division

Major General Leslie Morshead Comd staff car (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 9th Division Cavalry Regiment Crusader III or M3 Stuart Tank (F3)

• 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion Infantry MMG stand (F3)
  

• 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion 3 (E1) Pioneers
  

• 2/7th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Arty Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 2/8th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Arty Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 2/12th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Arty Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Australian Arty Univ. Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 4th LAA Regiment, RAA Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors/portee AA (S3)

• 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 2/7th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 2/13th Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 2/4th Field Park Company, Royal Aust Engineers Low Loader or Truck (E3)

• 9th Australian Division Signals Signals truck (C3)

24th Australian Brigade

Brigadier Arthur H.L. Godfrey  Commander with Mortar (C3)

• 2/28th Australian Inf Battalion, Western Australia (WA) Infantry (F3)

• 2/32nd Australian Inf Battalion, Victoria (Vic.) Infantry (F3)

• 2/43rd Australian Inf Battalion, South Australia (SA) Infantry (F3)

26th Australian Brigade

Brigadier David A. Whitehead  Commander with Mortar (C3)

• 2/23rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Vic.  Infantry stand (F3)

• 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion, Vic. Infantry stand (F3)

• 2/48th Australian Infantry Battalion, SA Infantry stand (F3)

20th Australian Brigade

Brigadier H. Wrigley  Commander with Mortar (C3)

• 2/13th Australian Inf Battalion, New South Wales (NSW) Inf (F3)

• 2/15th Australian Infantry Battalion, Queensland (Qld)  Inf (F3)

• 2/17th Australian Infantry Battalion, NSW Infantry stand (F3)

51st Highland Infantry Division

Major General Douglas Wimberley Comd staff car (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 51st Battalion, Reconnaissance Regiment Dingo A/C (R3) + 2 mark’s

• 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (MG battalion) Inf MMG (S3)
  

• 50th Royal Tank Regiment (attached from 23rd Armoured Brigade) Valentine II Tank (F3)

• 126th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 127th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 128th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Univ. Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 40th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)

• 274th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 275th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 276th Field Company, Royal Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 239th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers Low Loader or Truck (L3)

• 51st Highland Division Signals Signals Truck (C3)

152nd Infantry Brigade

Brigadier George Murray Commander with Mortar (C3)

• 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders   Infantry stand (F3)

• 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders Infantry stand (F3)

• 5th Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders Infantry (F3)

153rd Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Douglas Graham Commander with Mortar (C3)

• 5th Battalion, Black Watch Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders Infantry stand (F3)

• 5th/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders Infantry stand (F3)

154th Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Henry W. Houldsworth Commander with Mortar (C3)

• 1st Battalion, Black Watch Infantry stand (F3)

• 7th Battalion, Black Watch Infantry stand (F3)

• 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders  Infantry stand (F3)

2nd New Zealand Division

Lieutenant-General Bernard Freyberg Comd in Dingo (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 2nd New Zealand Division Cavalry Regiment Carrier (R3) +2 Mkr
  

• 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion Infantry MMG stand (F3)
  

• 4th Field Regiment, RNZA Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 5th Field Regiment, RNZA Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 6th Field Regiment, RNZA Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 7th Anti-Tank Regiment, RNZA Universal Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 14th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (s3) 

• 6th Field Company, Royal New Zealand Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 7th Field Company, Royal New Zealand Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 8th Field Company, Royal New Zealand Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 5th Field Park Company, Royal NZ Engineers Low Loader (L3)

• 2nd New Zealand Division Signals Signals truck (C3)

5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Howard Kippenberger Comd with Mortar (C3)

• 21st Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 22nd Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 23rd Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 28th (Māori) Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

6th New Zealand Infantry Brigade

Brigadier William Gentry Comd with Mortar (C3)

• 24th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 25th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

• 26th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry Infantry stand (F3)

9th Armoured Brigade

Brigadier John Currie   Crusader III Tank (C3)

35 (1) Sherman, 37 (1) Grant, 46 (2) Crusader =118

• 3rd (The King’s Own) Hussars  Crusader II Tank (C3)

• Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry  Grant Tank (C3)
  

• Warwickshire Yeomanry  Sherman Tank (C3)
  

• 14th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters  Infantry in 15cwt + 2pdr (F3)

1st South African Infantry Division

Major-General Dan Pienaar  Comd Dingo (C3),  Signals van (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• 8th Royal Tank Regiment (attached from 23rd Armoured Brigade, in reserve until 31 Oct)[nb 1]  Valentine II Tank (F3)

• 3rd South African Armoured Car Reconnaissance Regiment Marmon Herrington A/C (R3) + 2 recce markers

• Regiment President Steyn (machine gun battalion) Inf MMG (F3)
  

• 2nd Regiment Botha (in reserve until 31 October) Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Field Regiment, Cape Field Artillery, South African Artillery Marmon Herrington FAT+ 25pdr (S3)

• 4th Field Regiment, SAA Marmon Herrington FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 7th Field Regiment, SAA Marmon Herrington FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 1st LAA Regiment, SAA M-H FAT + 40mm Bofors (S3)

• 1st Anti-Tank Regiment, SAA Universal Carrier (S3), 6pdr (S3)

• 1st Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 2nd Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 3rd Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 5th Field Company, South African Engineers Sapper base (E1)

• 19th Field Park Coy, SAE Low Loader or Truck (L3)

• 1st South African Division Signals Signals truck (C3)

1st South African Infantry Brigade

Brigadier E.P. Hartshorn  Comander with Mortar (C3)

• 1st Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles  Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Royal Natal Carabineers   Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Transvaal Scottish   Infantry stand (F3)

2nd South African Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Evered Poole  Comander with Mortar (C3)

• 1st Cape Town Highlanders  Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Natal Mounted Rifles  Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st/2nd Field Force Battalion  Infantry stand (F3)

3rd South African Infantry Brigade

Brigadier R.J. Palmer  Comander with Mortar (C3)

• 1st Imperial Light Horse  Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Rand Light Infantry  Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Royal Durban Light Infantry  Infantry stand (F3)

4th Indian Infantry Division

Major-General Francis Tuker  Comd India Patt Carrier (C3), Log/POL Truck (L3), Ambulance (L3), Workshop Truck (L3)

• Central India Horse (Reconnaissance) Vickers MkVI (R3) + 2 Mk
  

• 5th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles (MG Bn) Inf MMG (F3)
  

• 1st Field Regiment Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 11th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 32nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 149th Atk Regt RA Ind Patt Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 57th LAA Regt RA Morris FAT + 40mm Bofors (s3) (or portee)

• 2nd Field Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners Sapper base (E1)

• 4th Field Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners Sapper base (E1)

• 12th Field Company, Madras Sappers and Miners  Sapper base (E1)

• 11th Field Park Company, Madras Sappers and Miners Low Loader or Truck (L3)

• 4th Indian Division Signals Signals truck (C3)

5th Indian Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Dudley Russell  Comander with Mortar (C3)

• 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment  Infantry stand (F3)

• 4th (Outram’s) Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles  Infantry stand (F3)

• 3rd (Queen Mary’s Own) Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment  Inf  (F3)

7th Indian Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Arthur Holworthy  Comander with Mortar (C3)

• 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment  Infantry stand (F3)

• 4th Battalion, 16th Punjab Regiment  Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Battalion, 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles  Inf (F3)

61st Indian Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Francis E.C. Hughes Comander with Mortar (C3)

• 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Infantry stand (F3)

• 1st Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment Infantry stand (F3)

• 4th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment  Infantry stand (F3)

Corps Reserve

23rd Armoured Brigade

Brigadier George W. Richards

186 (6) Valentine tanks

• 8th Royal Tank Regiment (detached to 1 SA Division)

• 40th Royal Tank Regiment (detached to 9 Australian Division)

• 46th Royal Tank Regiment  Valentine II Tank (C3)

• 50th Royal Tank Regiment (detached to 51st Highland Division)

• 121st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (Used as close support for the Valentine Regts)  Bishop self-propelled 25pdr (S3)

• 168th Bty, 56th LAA Regt RA Morris FAT + 40mm Bofors (s1)

• 295th Army Fd Coy RE (three tps det to 50th RTR with 51 HD
  

Notes:

 *Started in 2015. D- Day 27 Oct 2018.

I haven’t shown the dozens of corps and army level RASC companies used for ferrying infantry battalions and supplies from railhead to front lines.

Use of 4.2″ mortar HE ammunition is mentioned mainly in 66 Smoke Squadron RE.

Note also links within the text referring to regimental histories, mainly to determine which equipment was in use at the time of the battle. Where no evidence could be found, I have gone with the most likely TO&E, simplified for NQM, so for example, an armoured brigade that would have had a mix of tanks in each regiment has been shown with one tank type in each.

There is considerable lattitude in representing command stands. Use whatever command vehicles you have. I’m not attempting to model this orbat in it’s entirety.

Sources

This monster post was originally cut and pasted from Wickipedia at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_El_Alamein_order_of_battle [Accessed 3/8/2015]

Then modified for formatting and NQM orbat strengths, modified several times until everything fits onto the 11 x 5ft  table.

The following sources were referred to:

Alamein by C.E.Lucas Phillips (1965). Pan Books, London.

British Forces Battle of El Alamein 23 October 1942. Available from: http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/942BJOC.pdf [Accessed 3 Aug 2015]

War Diaries for 2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. Available at:  http://www.warlinks.com/armour/2nd_rgh/index.php [Accessed 3/8/2015]

British Formation Badges 1939-1945 by  Peter Ghiringhelli (2007).

Available from: http://www.petergh.f2s.com/flashes.html  [Accessed 31/10/2016]

On the Workbench – Stuart M5 Tanks

The Plastic Soldier Company M5 Stuart box is excellent value, as it comes with not just 5 tanks, but also 5 free hulls and sets of tracks to make artillery tractors, and recce Stuarts with the turrets removed. The card to fabricate the hulls is even provided by the box. I won’t need the tractors until the Italian campaign starts, but they can stand in for T-70 limbers until then.

Left-handed scissor work is getting easier after 3 days practice, even if it is half speed.

On the Workbench – Austin K6 Crash Tender

Some time ago, I bought an Austin K6 crash tender from MMModels.co.uk ; remember the Airfix one? Also on the bench are some early war Germans, who are going to end up as ground crew and security detachments.

I have a couple of weeks of unplanned sick leave – nothing serious; a junior rafting colleague mixed up his ambition and his ability, so I am nursing a broken metacarpal from fending off one of his rafters who boarded my raft without warning at the end of the session. It’s a bit like ‘Chindit‘ Wingate slipping on the soap getting out of his bath.

It turns out that two of the things that I can’t do is drive to work or safely hold a scalpel. On the plus side, I can type and eat left-handed with chopsticks. The time freed up should be put to good use on the blog.

The cataloguing of my NQM boxes is coming along nicely too – even if  only at five finger speed.