Desert Forces for 15mm Chain of Command

Following up on the last post showing my LRDG force, here are some images of DAK and 8th Army troops that I completed around the same time. Most of the figures are Battlefront though a few Peter Pig and Skytrex models have sneaked in as well. Vehicles are all Battlefront except for the Panzers which are all from Plastic Soldier Comany and the Matilda II which is a Zvezda kit.

DAK Aufklarungs platoon

More than enough motorbikes here to provide vehicles for a DAK recon platoon using the provisional army list available from the TooFatLardies blog. These are Battlefront models individually based and painted in a variety of colours to reflect the availability and provision of machines for the desert war.

Two SdKfz 232 (8-Rad) armoured cars

No Aufklarungs platoon would be complete without some heavy support. I have two models because they were originally bought for Flames of War, but you never know, they may well both come in handy.

Kubelwagens

The universal small vehicle of German forces in WW2.

Heavy weapons support

Heavy support for the DAK comes in the form of one PAK38 and a tripod mounted MG42.

Lighter support weapons and observer teams

Two light mortar teams (mortars are scratch-built from plastic card), two anti-tank rifle teams (which can be used instead of sniper models if required) and two observer teams (with scratch-built radios) provide lighter support for the DAK platoon.

Four DAK infantry sections with officers

While the army list requires three sections within the platoon, I've added models for a fourth section as this is a possible cupprot option that can be purchased. All figures are Battlefront.

Panzer platoon

Playing Big Chain of Command allows for the possibility of fielding an armoured platoon, so these lovely Plastic Soldier Company tanks provide for a variety of options within that. Models represent four early model Panzer IIIs, one of which is the command tank, one short-barreled Panzer III, and a short-barelled Panzer IV (back left). Beautiful models.

British transport

These models were originally purchased with the intent of wither providing vehicle transport for foot for Flames of War, or for use as objectives in raiding scenarios. Both sides made much use of captured vehicles, so while these are British trucks they can be used by either side. The car is a die cast model that fit for style and size and can be used as a command vehicle or a scenario objective, for example in a "capture the General" type scenario. Lots of possibilities here!

Matilda II

I just love the look of Matilda IIs in desert colours so had to have one of these. Mine is a Zvezda plastic kit.

British suppport weapons

Mortars, tripod mounted machine guns and two 6-pdr guns make up possible 8th Army support.

8th Army infantry platoon, with additional section and various options

As with the DAK platoon, the fourth section is an additional support option. Sections allow for officers to be equipped with rifles or stens in accordance with the options in the army list.