Today’s release sees the Germans receive some much needed anti-armour support in the form of assorted tank destroyers. As well as lighter tanks such as the Jagdpanzer IV L/48 and L/70 variants and the Hetzer, there is also the powerful Jagdpanther – capable of defeating any deploy Allied armour.
These are all available in 20mm and 28mm, but other scales can also be produced – just ask!
More information for each vehicle can be found on their pages, linked above.
This release is the start of a line of Eastern Front German designed by the amazing Just Some Miniatures, and to say they’re something awesome is not an exaggeration! It’s been incredibly difficult prying these excellent models from Martin’s hands long enough to photograph them all
Starting with the German invasion of the Soviet Union on 22nd June 1941 (Operation Barbarossa), the Eastern Front lasted for the remainder of the war until 8th May 1945. Encompassing the invasion of the Caucasus (Case Blue), the Battle of Kursk, Siege of Stalingrad many more famous incidents of the war, it ended with the Soviet push into Berlin and subsequent surrender of the German forces. It is estimated that 75-80% of all combat during WWII took place on the Eastern Front.
The sheer amount length of time it lasted, the terrain involved and the range of forces arrayed against each other, means that sooner or later almost any vehicle, artillery or infantry fielded by either the Soviets or Germans saw action. We covered some of these last year with our focus of Soviet and German vehicles that fought at Kursk, and now we expand with a range of cavalry and infantry suitable for your Eastern Front battles.
First up are some fast moving cavalry, with both an officer team and two troops available – a rifle armed squad with a supporting MG42, and an assault squad armed with STG44s and an MP40. These are then followed by three separate infantry options – a 10 man rifle squad with a pair of MG42s, a 5 man assault squad with SMGs and an STG44, and a deadly 5 man support squad with two MG42 machine guns. Finally, some anti-armour capability is offered with a two man Panzerschreck team.
However, this is just the start of rolling out new German models, in the coming weeks look out for vehicles, heavy guns, more cavalry and more infantry alongside and assortment of support teams……
In this release we are rounding out our selection of halftracks for US forces. In this bundle of 8 vehicles, half are new releases and half are updates to older models.
As well as the standard transport variants with the M2 and M3, we also have howitzer support from the T12, T19 and T30, anti-aircraft capabilities with the M15 and M16 and a mobile mortar carrier with the M4.
Stay tuned for German advances on the Eastern Front in a couple of weeks…..
In this release we are rounding out the armoured cars for the French, German and US forces. The French gain another personnel carrier in the form of the Panhard 179, alongside the 1930s Panhard 165 / 175 armoured car.
For the Germans, they can now field the famous SdKfz 234/2 Puma as well as it’s less famous sibling – the 234/1. The Austrian Steyr ADGZ (as used by the Waffen SS) is also available as is the SdKfz 247B command car.
Finally, as we start to increase the variety of our US range, we have introduced the M8 Greyhound and M20 armoured cars to aid the Americans.
Stay tuned for more incoming US vehicles in a couple of weeks…..
In this release we are rounding our Italian armoured support with the introduction of three new Semovente variants as well as updated models for some existing Semovente options. The new introductions are the 47/32 with a light AT gun, the 75/32 armed with a howitzer, and the 75/46 equipped with a powerful 75mm AA gun used as a AT gun!
New models have also replaced the Semovente 75/18 and 75/34.
All of these variants can now be found together on one handy product page.
This release sees the the Italians getting a few extra vehicle choices, as well as a large addition to our terrain range.
As always, here’s a little background on the various new units…..
The Fiat 665NM scudato (“shielded”) was a dedicated wheeled APC developed by Italy during WWII and in use with the Italian and German armies from 1942-1945.
While only lightly armoured, it was proof against small arms fire and as it was based on the Fiat 666 heavy lorry, it could carry 20 passengers. In addition to firing ports for the passengers, it was also equipped with a Breda light machine gun.
110 were produced in total.
The Viberti AS43 was an armoured car used by the Italian RSI during WWII. A simple design, based on a TL 37 truck, it was basically an armoured body fitted to truck chassis and then with a L6 tank turret mounted on top.
There is no specific data regarding numbers produced – figures range from over 100 to 3, though given the short life of the RSI, it is likely fewer were made.
The M15/42 AA or “Semovente da 20/70 quadruplo” was a prototype vehicle created by the Italian Army in 1943. It consisted of a modified M15/42 chassis mounting a re-designed lightweight turret. The turret held four 20mm autocannon and would have functioned in a similar manner to the German Wirbelwind.
It is unknown exactly how many were produced, and whether or not any saw action. However, at least one was captured by the Germans and supposedly was used in combat against teh Red Army.
The Semovente 105/25 (“Bassotto”) was a self propelled gun developed in 1943 by the Italian Army. After the introduction of the Semovente 75/18 it was found that while it was suitable for general infantry support, the 75/18 cannon lacked any real punch against the more modern Allied armour. This led to the marrying of a heavy 105/25 cannon with the M42 chassis.
The resulting Bassotto was an effective SPG that could easily destroy any Allied tank it faced. It was also regarded as an excellent vehicle by the Germans, who continued production after the Italian surrender.
Over 120 were made in total.
In any warzone or bombed area during World War II, certain features always stand out. Whether fighting in the ruins of Stalingrad or pushing into Berlin, massive ruined factories often dominate the landscape.
This model is a massive 670mm long and offers plenty of cover for advancing (or retreating) forces.
It comprises 6 sections (2 ends and 4 mid pieces).
This release sees the French army entering into the fray, with the introduction of our first new nation since February. The initial platoon includes an officer team, medic team, two different rifle armed infantry squads, a sniper team and an mmg team. As well as the foot sloggers, heavier support is provided by the 75mm M1897 howitzer and teh Panhard 178 armoured car.
In addition, we also offer a French infantry platoon bundle of all of the above models. This is available at a very reasonable discounted price and free UK shipping. This is the ninth of our platoon bundles, in addition to the Japanese, Italian, British, 8th Army, German, Winter War Soviet, Finnish and Soviet platoons already released.
As always, here’s a little background on the various new units…..
The French high command of 1940 may have been ponderous at times and still fighting the static war of 20 years earlier, but at the sharp end, French officers were just as good as those of any army. When given the opportunity many stepped up and at least gave the invaders a good run if not a sound beating.
As with all armies, the French made good use of medics to ensure the survival of their men. As well as trained surgeons behind the lines, front line medics and stretcher bearers saved the livs of many French soldiers.
Armed with a variety of bolt action rifles, some dating to the 19th century, but also supported by the Chatellerault M24/29 light machine gun and often a dedicated rifle grenadier, a French infantry squad was a flexible unit in assault and defence. However, the sheer size of the French army, combined with its rapid expansion meant that the level of skill and experience between units could vary considerably, with some running almost at the first shot and others holding out to the last bullet.
Equipped with the Luentte Modele 1921 bolt action rifle, French snipers were excellent at thinning out the ranks of enemy officers and gun crews.
As with the British and the Vickers machine gun, the French Army was still using its WWI era Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun at the outbreak of WWII. In addition to the unusual 24 round strip magazine, it was also capable of using a belt feed and could reach 450 rounds a minute.
The “Canon de 75 modèle 1897” (variously also called the “French 75”, “Soixante-Quinze” or simply 275”) was a French field gun originally designed in the late 19th century. At the time of introduction, it was one of the most advanced pieces of artillery in the world, and is widely thought to be the first modern artillery piece. This is due to a hydro-pneumatic recoil system, which allowed for sustained and accurate fire of between 12-15 rounds a minute at a time when other artillery had to be realigned after each shot and could fire 1-2 rounds a minute accurately.
Conceived as an anti-personnel weapon, it saw action in WWI as one of the primary guns for use with gas shells, as well as being the main armament of the Saint-Chamond. The US also purchased and used it during WWI.
It was already venerable by WWII, yet was still in use and was deployed against advancing Panzers during the Battle of France. A number had been sold to Poland and it was the most numerous artillery piece in the Polish Army. After the fall of France a number were also used by Germany, and the British purchased some from the US after Dunkirk and the loss of so much equipment.
Developed during the mid 1930s, the Panhard 178 was a 4×4 armoured car used by the French during WWII. The 178 was comparable to its contemporaries, with around 20mm of armour and a 25mm light anti-tank gun in a turret. It had a good road speed of 45mph, but relatively poor cross country capability with a top speed of 26mph and limited obstacle crossing ability.
After the Fall of France, many Panhards were captured by Germany and used throughout the war, particularly on the Eastern Front.
Around 1150 were built in total and were still in use during the Vietnam War.
We hope that you found this little bit of background history and that soon our models will be reinforcing your French armies!
