Some 15mm Modern and Command Colors Napoleonics Work in Progress

All,

Despite my very busy playing schedule with the Cuba Libre campaign, I've also had some other stuff going on.  First, I bought the "Command and Colors: Napoleonics" boardgame, as well as the Austrian expansion.  I intend on playing the game with miniatures, and what I'm using are "10mm," which in this case is actually little plastic Risk game pieces.  Several years ago I bought quite a bit painted from Gunner of "La Petite Armee," but I need quite a bit more.  I'd bought a bunch of the Risk pieces off of E-bay a year or so ago, and now I finally have something to do with them.  The other issue is that, for the third time in my short wargaming career, I've gone big into 15mm.  The first two times I bought a slew of 15mm WWII stuff for company/battalion-level games, painted it up (or mostly so), then gave it away.  Now I'm looking at 15mm modern skirmish gaming, and so I've ordered up quite a bit and been working on it.  With more on the way, and more in the purchase queue.

Let's get to it.

First up, Brian (AKA, "Irishserb," a purveyor of fine 15mm gear), sent me two AAVs for my modern Marines, and they are fantastic!  Both have the dual turret (M2 .50 caliber HMG and Mk19 automatic grenade launcher) and the add-on side armor.  The vehicles are crisp, no flash, four pieces (hull, turret, and both tracks), and they went together like a champ.

They look great, I can't wait to get them on the table.  Guess I need to prime and paint'em.  So much work to do...

On to the men.  I ordered some Peter Pig troops from their Vietnam range.  On the left are the US LRRPS, which I'll use as LRRPs, Rangers, Green Berets, and SEALs for the Vietnam era, and I was also thinking about using them as modern-ish SEALs for some "Tears of the Sun" action in Africa.

On the right are Peter Pig Vietcong.

 The reverse, VC on left and US on right.  The VC are just in black pajamas with different colored bush hats, while the Americans are wearing cammies.

A close up of said cammies.  The Peter Pig figures are great; for all the talk about "Jay Leno" chins/faces, it's crap.  At 15mm it's irrelevant, and they look great.  The only thing I don't like about them, and it's purely personal preference, is the fact the boots come up so damn high.  If you look at the legs closely, you can see where the trousers are bloused and the boots begin, just below the knees.  I wanted the boots un-bloused, or a least lower; I painted them as un-bloused.

Then I got a bunch of figures from Rebel Minis.  These are Americans and insurgents for the desert; they are painted, washed, based, and sanded, but I still need to paint and wash the bases, so not quite finished...

I also bought Rebel Minis' "Bongolesia Battle Pack," so I still have African regulars and militia that have only been primed, as well as a VIP and a hostage (black primer, far left).

Oh, and then I bought some Rebel Minis modern Chinese (not sure why, khaki primer), as well as some Peter Pig casualty figures (top) and modern Warsaw Pact (bottom, green primer), which I'm going to paint up and use as modern Middle Eastern regulars.

I bought the Rebel Minis' SWAT team, and I love them.  Of course, I have no desire to do police stuff, I bought them purely for modern military Special Operations "Direct Action" types.  I painted them up as MARSOC guys, but I'll use them for whatever Special Forces guys I need.  This is the 'green' team.

Another look.  I painted them up like they're wearing flight suits, light gear with flak vests (coyote brown), and MICH helmets that were spray-painted camo by the operator.  They have a mix of MP5s and M-4s; the M-4s have big flashlights, but I painted them like their 203s.  My only aggravation is that a couple of the figs aren't wearing packs, but it's okay.

Another look.  The poses are absolutely fantastic, and the detail is amazing.  These are far and away my favorite guys so far.

A close up.

Here is the desert version (please forgive the unfinished bases) of the Direct Action team.  Same poses, same gear, done up the same way except wearing khaki flightsuits and helmet colors are reversed.  Oh, and the weapons are painted desert camo.

Next up is some more Rebel Minis modern Americans.  I have a few of the SWAT guys thrown in, but the vast majority are from the US Special Forces range.  I thought they looked perfect for it, so I painted them up as Somalia-era, "Blackhawk Down," Delta Force guys with hockey helmets and black vests and gear.  I did up an expressionistic 'tri-color' desert cammie (only used two colors and a wash)...

I think they turned out alright.  I also painted the helmets a dark green to have a little color, as well as contrast with the goggles strap.

Ewww, next up are some bad guys.  These are Rebel Minis' "Fedayeen," which I will use as Saddam Fedayeen in early Iraq, ISIS/ISIL for later stuff, and maybe even Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.  They are magically uniform, but so much the easier to mass produce.  Black uniforms with yellow boots and webbing.

The whole mess of them.

Yay, back to some good guys.  These are Rebel Minis' modern US infantry.  I painted them all in desert tri-colors, actually used three colors this time.  It turned out okay, not great, but good enough for me.  The M-16s all have ACOGs, so really only appropriate for 2003 and later, but I'm not afraid to tell you that I'll happily use them for Somalia as well.  They have Interceptor vests on; sticking with the 'early' theme, I painted the vests woodland camo, and gave the desert goggles black straps.

A close up of a couple SAW gunners.  I like'em.

Back to bad guys: these are Rebel Minis insurgents.  They are also great, and I'll probably get the most use out of these bad guys.  They are suitably suitable (yes, suitably suitable) for pretty much anywhere with desert basing.  I will be using these for Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, whatever, they're good to go.

A close up.  I did spend more time on these making them look less uniform.  I worked in different colors for trousers, shirts, and keffiyehs.

Then I fell upon Crescent Studios 15mm pre-painted Middle Eastern buildings with hungry eyes and open pocket book...

This is one set; most of them have lift-off roofs.

This is the second set.

And this is the third set, as well as some separate fruit stands I purchased.

I've got to tell you, these are the lazy man's dream: you pays your money, then all you do is lift them out of their precious little boxes.

Another look at set number 3.

Being pre-constructed and pre-painted is not to take anything away from Gamecraft Miniatures, whom I also paid a visit to.

First up is the watchtower, which I  bought on special, and it came assembled.

Then I bought a load of the outside stairwells so popular in the Middle East.  At top center you can see one in use with a building.

I purchased a couple metal dumpsters, as well as some plastic fruit stands.  They've been primed khaki.

And then I bought a gas station from them!  I must admit, when I opened the box and shook out all the pieces, I almost passed out.  Then I went nuts when I didn't find any instructions!

Then I calmed down and actually took a look at it; I grabbed some Elmer's Glue (PVA, to you Brits) and slapped it together in five minutes, no sweat.  It was actually super easy, I just need to get around to painting it!

And now to the Napoleonics.  Here's a look at a bunch of the little Risk pieces I had bought, still glued to popsicle sticks.

Here is a look at a professionally done stand.  This is a unit of British Line Infantry I purchased painted.

And then, along the bottom, are all the little British infantrymen I recently finished.

Starting with two units of Rifles.

I think about five units of regular Line Infantry.

Then a couple units of Guard Infantry and one of Lights.  Obviously they all need to be based, and then I need to come up with flags for them, but then I will be completely finished with all the British infantry (when combined with the stuff I already had) I need for Command and Colors.

I needed another set of Heavy Cav for the Brits, so I took some Russian Cuirassiers and painted them as "The Blues."

 Reverse.  Not too bad, I'm getting better at this painting stuff.'

Top: all the Dutch infantry I still need to finish (they've been primed, then painted trousers and coats only so far), and (bottom left) some Brit artillery I need to finish.

Well, that's what I've been working on the past month or so, when not gaming.  There will be additional pictures and separate posts once the various elements are finished.

V/R,
Jack

Cuba Libre D+1 SITREP

All,

In the late hours of D+1, 2 February 1990, Generalissimo Waraldonez received his battle staff's SITREP.

Friendly Situation:

1: 1st Airborne Infantry Battalion: Pulled into reserve on D+1, no action, all three companies combat effective.

2: 2nd Airborne Infantry Battalion: one company saw action, suffered light casualties, all three companies combat effective.
3: 3rd Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.

4: 4th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
5. 5th Armored Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
6. 6th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
7: 7th Infantry Battalion: One company saw action, suffered light casualties.  2nd Air Assault Company understrength, other two companies combat effective.
8: 8th Popular Force Battalion: One company saw action, suffered light casualties, all three companies combat effective.
9: 9th Popular Force Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
10: 10th Popular Force Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, all three companies combat effective.
A: SOF A Squadron: saw action in one fight, suffered light casualties.  No longer effective, but no longer cut off after being reinforced.  Absorbed by B Squadron.
B: SOF B Squadron: Saw action, suffered light casualties, combat effective.
C: SOF C Squadron: Did not see action, combat effective.
U: CLA Unconventional Warfare Group: One company saw action, suffered heavy casualties.  The UCW Group is now down to a third of its initial strength, representing a single reinforced company.

The G-3 got up and briefed, hitting the highlights of the day's OpOrd:
1.  A Squadron SOF was reinforced by B Squadron and 8th Popular Force Battalion, beat off another attack by the enemy's 1st Airborne Battalion.  The situation there is looking well in hand now.
2.  F Company, 2nd Airborne Battalion eliminated the enemy's 4th Infantry Battalion, while  E Company, 7th Infantry Battalion eliminated the enemy's 5th Territorial Infantry Battalion.  These actions eliminated enemy forces in the center of the island, completing our operations to isolate the western end of the island from the eastern.  Of course, the enemy forces in the east have been pretty helpful, what with their not moving on account of worrying about the Yankees at Guantanamo.
3.  A Company, Unconventional Warfare Group fought another desperate delaying action in the Escambray Mountains against the enemy's 10th Territorial Battalion.  The UCW Group has been whittled down to a nub though, and as the General has pointed out, we need to get them help before they cease to exist.

The G-1 and G-2 briefed casualties next: The CLA suffered 50 casualties on D+1, while the enemy suffered 85 casualties, 1 BMP-2 destroyed, and 25 men captured.

Totals:
CLA Casualties: 365
POW: 5
Equipment: 1 HMG Jeep, 1 AAV

Regime Casualties: 585
EPW: 215
Equipment: 5 tanks (2 T-72, 3 T-34), 4 armored cars (3 Panhard, 1 M-8), 4 BMP, 4 BTR, 1 SU-76, 1 HMG truck

The G-2 briefed enemy dispositions:

1: 1st Airborne Battalion: One company suffered heavy casualties, battalion now down to company strength..
2: 2nd Armored Battalion: Did not see action, moved out of Havana very slowly, both companies combat effective.
3rd Infantry Battalion (Not shown): Pinar del Rio garrison was eliminated on D-Day.
4th Infantry Battalion (Not shown): Eliminated by 2nd Airborne Battalion on D+1.

5th Territorial Infantry Battalion (Not shown): Eliminated by 7th Infantry Battalion on D+1.
6: 6th Armored Battalion: Did not see action, spent D+1 refitting in Cienfuegos.
7: 7th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
8: 8th Tank Battalion: Didn't see action action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
9: 9th Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
10: 10th Territorial Infantry Battalion: Eliminated by the Unconventional Warfare Group on D+1.
11: 11th Territorial Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, two companies combat effective.
12: 12th Mechanized Battalion (not shown): Task Force A (Holguin) eliminated on D-Day.  Task Force B, at Camaguey, did not see action, one company combat effective.
13: 13th Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, three companies combat effective.
14: 14th Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, two companies combat effective.
15: 15th Territorial Battalion: Didn't see action on D+1, two companies combat effective.

The General spoke up:

The enemy has been extraordinarily slow to react with his powerful forces in the east, and I intend on taking advantage of it.  First things first though.
1.  I expect A Squadron SOF to hold the Radio Station downtown, now that they've been reinforced by B Squadron and 8th Popular Force Battalion, and the enemy's 1st Airborne Battalion has been reduced and isolated.
2.  I need C Squadron SOF to make all speed to link up with Colonel Huistrella's Unconventional Warfare Group in the Escambray Mountains, and I mean now!  And I want 7th Infantry Battalion there by tomorrow night!

Now back to taking advantage of the enemy's delay; we will use their lead feet to our advantage by looking to squeeze out three more enemy units, much earlier than anticipated.

3.  5th Armored Battalion, supported by 3rd and 4th Infantry Battalions, and 1st Airborne Battalion in reserve, will seek out and destroy the enemy's 2nd Armored Battalion in vicinity of Artemisa, and be quick about it.
4.  I want 9th and 10th Popular Force Battalions to begin reducing the Matanzas garrison.  They won't get help until after Havana has fallen, so I don't need anyone getting in there and going all "Colonel Bustamante," but they have enough combat power to begin attriting the enemy there.
5.  I want 6th Infantry Battalion to lead the attack on Cienfuegos, with 2nd Airborne Battalion in support.  I want 7th Infantry Battalion covering their right flank, but making all speed towards linking up with the UCW Group in the mountains.  Again, this link-up will happen tonight, whether Cienfuegos has fallen or not!

Cuba Libre D-Day SITREP

In the late hours of 1 February 1990, D-Day in the Cuban War of Liberation, Generalissimo Waraldonez sat in this Command Post(near Playa Colorada, on the western end of the island), ruminating on the day's activities, and what the morrow would bring, when he felt the presence of another.  "Excuse me, Sir, it is time for your brief."  The General motioned them in, and so the CLA's G-1 (Administration), G-2 (Intelligence), G-3 (Operations), and G-4 (Logistics) entered the General's berthing area and provided him their official briefing.

First up, friendly dispositions were provided by the G-3, and the G-1 chimed in with their status:

1: 1st Airborne Infantry Battalion: two companies saw action, suffered light casualties, but the Battalion Commander was severely wounded and evacuated.

2: 2nd Airborne Infantry Battalion: two companies saw action, suffered light casualties.
3: 3rd Infantry Battalion: one company saw action, suffered light casualties.

4: 4th Infantry Battalion: one company saw action, suffered light casualties.
5. 5th Armored Battalion: didn't see action as they spent the bulk of the day getting their armored vehicles ashore and in fighting shape.  One tank platoon came ashore at the Bay of Pigs landing site.
6. 6th Infantry Battalion: two companies saw action, suffered light casualties.
7: 7th Infantry Battalion: one company (2nd Air Assault) saw action, suffered heavy casualties.
8: 8th Popular Force Battalion: one company saw action, suffered light casualties.
9: 9th Popular Force Battalion: one company (G Co) saw action, suffered moderate casualties, the Battalion Commander was WIA and captured.
10: 10th Popular Force Battalion: one company (I Co) saw action, suffered moderate casualties, and the Company CO was KIA.
A: SOF A Squadron: saw action in two battles, suffered heavy casualties and its CO was WIA and evacuated.  The Squadron is cut off and surrounded at the Radio Station in downtown Havana.
B: SOF B Squadron: saw action, suffered heavy casualties.
C: SOF C Squadron: saw action, suffered light casualties.
U: CLA Unconventional Warfare Group: two companies saw action, one (C Co) suffered heavy casualties and its CO was KIA.

The G-3 got up and briefed, hitting the highlights of the OpOrd:
In the west (Playa Colorada landing site), A Sqdn SOF took out an early warning radar, then 1st Airborne dropped in and sealed off the beaches from the Pinar del Rio garrison.  3rd Inf Bn fought its way ashore, which allowed 4th Inf Bn and 5th Armored Bn to come ashore.  1st Airborne fought off enemy armored counterattacks attempting to reach the beachhead, and one Company from 4th Inf Bn was committed to this fight.  As of 2300, 1st Airborne and 3rd and 4th Inf Bns are on line, with 5th Armored Bn behind them.

In Havana, B Sqdn SOF got beat up and was unable to knock out a key SAM battery, and A Sqdn SOF got beat up taking the Radio Station.  They're still there, and broadcasting, but they're hanging on by a thread.  8th PF Bn was successful in turning back an enemy armored column heading west, but that can't last, they're too lightly equipped.

In the center (Bay of Pigs landing site), 2nd Abn Bn jumped in and sealed the beach from the Cienfuegos garrison, then 6th Inf Bn fought its way ashore.  6th and 7th Inf Bns got ashore, but 2nd Abn was hard-pressed by an enemy armored column from Cienfuegos, so one company each from 6th and 7th Inf Bns was committed.  As a matter of fact, Colonel Barnejesus is not at all pleased with your decision to helo insert 2nd Air Assault Company into the enemy's 6th Armored Battalion's path of retreat; 2nd Air Assault got beat up pretty damn bad...

In the north center, 10th PF Bn captured a key bridge in the Pedroso area, key to cutting off the strong forces in the east at Camaguey, Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba.  But the Bn Cmdr for 9th PF Bn got a little too froggy in his mission to tie down the Matanzas garrison, got G Company beat up pretty bad and got himself captured.

In the near east, Colonel Huistrella and his boys of the Unconventional Warfare Group have been doing some hellacious fighting up in the mountains to keep the enemy from reinforcing Cienfuegos to push on the Bay of Pigs.  They're fighting like savages in the Escambray, but they're pretty badly beat up, and I don't know how much longer they can hold on.  Those SF troopers are lightly armed, not designed to go up against tanks.

In the far east, Captain Bosanova's C Sqdn SOF did a fantastic job.  They infiltrated that huge base out there at Santiago de Cuba, then put the comm center out of action and walked off the base like it was cool.  They are now just due south of Camaguey, working their way west to link up and help out Colonel Huistrella.

All in all, we're doing good.  Both beachheads are secure.  The western force is ready to start its march on Havana, but the pressing issue there is A Sqdn SOF cut off in the city.  With your permission, I'd like to have 8th PF Bn drop its blocking mission, let the western force deal with the enemy armor; hell, it works out better for us if they move their armor out of Havana.  In any case, have 8th PF Bn link up with B Sqdn SOF and infiltrate into Havana to link up and reinforce A Sqdn SOF at the Radio Station.

The General perked up: "Is the Radio Station that important, they've been broadcasting all day.  The way I see it, they did their job, why don't we let them egress on foot out of the city and link up with B Sqdn SOF and 8th PF Bn?"

The G-4 spoke up: "Sir, if it's at all combat feasible," looking at the G-3, who shook his head 'yes,' "we'd like to keep the Radio Station broadcasting.  First, it's letting the whole country know what's going on is real; the G-2 says word is getting out, and we're already seeing large number of Castro's soldiers deserting, and we're seeing large numbers of locals wanting to join in and fight.  Second, it's letting the world know what's happening here is real, and I can assure you it's helping to solve a lot of our expected supply problems, and the G-1 reports HUGE numbers of exiles from the States and all over Central America are volunteering to join the fight.  In short, Sir, this is a huge morale issue for us."

The G-3 chimed in: "Sir, if you bless off on my plan, 8th PF Bn will be able to bolster the two SOF Squadrons at the Radio Station, and they'll be able to hold long enough for the Western Force to get into Havana.  And we're looking good in the center as well, no reason to believe the enemy forces in the east could threaten Havana, right?" The G-2 shook his head in the affirmative.

"Alright, make it happen, send the orders to 8th PF and B Squadron to get into the capital as quick as possible.  Colonel Quilveras (CO of the SOF) is gonna need it."

The G-1 and G-2 briefed casualties next:
The CLA suffered 315 casualties, had five men captured, lost one HMG Jeep, and one AAV.  The casualties included two Battalion Commanders and three Company Commanders ('walking wounded' were not included in this tally).

The regime forces suffered:
-approximately 500 killed and wounded

-approximately 190 captured
-lost 5 tanks (two T-72s, three T-34s)
-lost 4 armored cars (three Panhards, one M-8)

-lost 3 BMP-2s

-lost 4 BTR-60s

-lost 1 SU-76
-lost 1 HMG truck

The G-2 briefed enemy dispositions:

1: 1st Airborne Battalion: Both companies saw action, one suffered heavy casualties, the other light.
2: 2nd Armored Battalion: Both companies saw action, roughly handled, but still a threat, especially with their T-72s and BMPs.
3rd Infantry Battalion (Not shown): The enemy garrison at Pinar del Rio was eliminated.
4: 4th Infantry Battalion: One company (of two) saw action and was eliminated.

5: 5th Territorial Infantry Battalion: Both companies saw action and were roughly handled, approximately 50 per cent losses.
6: 6th Armored Battalion: Saw action in two fights, suffered heavy casualties but was able to fight its way through 2nd Air Assault Company to get out of our encirclement.  They probably suffered about 40 per cent casualties.
7: 7th Infantry Battalion: One Company (of three) saw action, suffered light casualties while pushing back 9th PF Bn's attack on their base...
8: 8th Tank Battalion: Didn't see action, paralyzed by C Sqdn SOF's attack on their base.
9: 9th Infantry Battalion: One Company (of two) was roughly handled when C Sqdn SOF attacked their base and caught them napping in their barracks.
10: 10th Territorial Infantry Battalion: One Company (of two) saw action in the mountains and was badly mauled.
11: 11th Territorial Infantry Battalion: Didn't see action, paralyzed by C Sqdn SOF's attack on their base.
12: 12th Mechanized Battalion (not shown): Task Force A, at Holguin, sallied out and suffered very heavy casualties, eliminating it as a combat force.  Task Force B, at Camaguey, did not see action.
13: 13th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action.
14: 14th Infantry Battalion: Did not see action.
15: 15th Territorial Battalion: Did not see action.

The G-2 concluded: "On a side note, we received some source reporting that confirmed some sketchy reports by A Sqdn SOF: apparently there are Iranians on the ground here, in Havana, and they actively engaged our men.  I'm not sure what to make of this General; I don't think it means much in our campaign, I don't believe there are that many of them, but why fight us?"

"One more thing, General: we are receiving an unexpected boost from the Americans.  Sources report that part of the lack of movement by the regime garrisons at Holguin, Camaguey, and Santiago de Cuba is due to the fact the Castros believe the Americans are in league with us, and will be launching an attack from their Guantanamo facility at any moment."  This drew smiles all around the table.  "We'll take every advantage we can, gentlemen."

The General spoke up:
1.  As we discussed, I want 8th PF Bn and B Sqdn SOF to link up and reinforce A Sqdn SOF at the Radio Station.
2.  I want the Western Force (Playa Colorada landing site) to push forward, and I want 5th Armored in the lead, ready to deal with those T-72s when they come out.
3.  I want the Center Force (Bay of Pigs landing site) to hold fast, and clean out the remnants of the enemy's 4th and 5th Battalion's in the center.  Wipe'em out, but don't move on Cienfuegos, just hold the line until we're ready.
4.  In the north center, tell 9th and 10th PF Battalions to try to box Matanzas in.  But don't attack their damn base again!
5.  In the east, tell Captain Bosanova that his boys need to hurry up and get to the UWG, Colonel Huistrella's boys need help fast, but it can't be today, we've got to take care of Havana, and not let Cienfuegos mess that up for us.  So tell Colonel Huistrella to hold tight, they're doing a great job.  If tomorrow goes well, let's see if we can't get someone to them, and it's gonna have to be creative as the Cienfuegos problem might take awhile to figure out.  So maybe we pull 2nd Marines out, and they make another amphibious landing, or maybe we pull a company from 2nd Airborne out, and they drop in.  I dunno, figure it out!  However we do it, we've got to get Huistrella's boys some help, and soon.  I want fresh troops in the mountains with them by D +2.

Those are my orders...