Crete Games

[Stewart 46A]

Hi Miles
As per warning order 3
RAF detachment. 1x PC rifle + 5 rifle bases


Stewart

[Smiley Miley 66]

Ok I will get them done. That is the only forces I remember agreeing to do originally.

Miles

[Big Mike]

Simon,
For the Imvros sector, your WO #3 table confirms that Stewart, Milea and and I are providing the details of the troops and vehicles we are providing. I have a a couple of guns to source and then all the Germans are done. Stewart is down to provide the Aussies and Miles as mentioned above.
It's good to be planning future projects and I have been in the shed today painting scenery with Iraqi Sand!
Michael

[Colonel Kilgore]

Well done Mike - a worthy endeavour!

Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

I am now Providing the Australian forces for the Ravine table now a copy that I have now read. As we are now under a delay order. I will make time to do an 8th/14th Army with Head swops etc, mixed force for the game, then hopefully I can expand It for a normal PBI game.
So also required are 2 Vickers Lt Tanks with HMG and a 25pdr (with Tractor I assume ?)
Also then the 6 bases for the RAF detachment.
Miles

[martin goddard]

Those could fight my Japanese Miles.


martin

[martin goddard]

Simon
I do have some painted german paras if there is ever a shortage.


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Thanks Martin. Are these the new sculpts?

Simon

[martin goddard]

I have a text file all about canister colours by Dave F.
I promised to run it by him before publishing.
I cannot get his e mail to work. He is on "btopenworld" which might be the problem?
I might just put it out anyway as Crete is approaching


martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

I sort of forgot that the "khaki Drill" uniform was for the Far East as well as the Middle East, at that part of the war.
Now Simon has directed me to the correct lists as well, I ve just got to get some money together, then I can send off an order to Piggy HQ.
So I am still trying to find the Correct the colour scheme for the Vickers tanks ?
Simon says they might still be green?
But that would be very unlike the British Army, not to paint it the "correct colour" first...
The 25pdr tractor, would that be a Morris or a CMP ? As it is an Australian Artillery unit ?
The other question to ask is when we roughly need to get this done by ?
Miles

[Panzer21]

British armour in Caunter is a subject all of its own! Official consensus is that it was two shades of a green - grey colour over sand, earlier pictures of blues and browns being discounted but still come up with occasional inconclusive references.
Tanks sent to Greece were either in Caunter or repainted (The Gods were neutral Robert Crisp).
Tanks sent to Crete probably came from stocks in ME so would be Caunter but there's evidence they too were resprayed OR that some may have come from UK and may or may not have had a respray.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/roy-farran-s-vickers-vib-in-crete-1941-t322604.html

Short answer, paint them how you want as no-one knows for sure but the above is the best guess.
Neil

[Wardy64]

I agree with Panzer21, having researched this for my Matilda's, it was the Caunter pattern. In a book showing Commonwealth tanks, and Greek Armour for the Balkans, it clearly shows the tanks on Crete (Maleme) displaying the colours as; Silver Grey, Slate and Portland Stone. They were from old stock, suffered major mechanical problems due to wear and tear. From what I have read the paint work would not have been straight from the workshop, but rather tatty.

Dave & Ben

[Wardy64]

Miles
I used the Morris tractor for my 25 pdrs, do not know if these are correct but I had the models so they are good enough for me!

Dave & Ben

[Smiley Miley 66]

Thanks for that. I was hoping to paint them in Caunter scheme. I was thinking about using the Plastic Soldier CMP quad and 25pdr set.
Next question:
British Uniforms.
Yes Middle Eastern/Far Eastern clothes. But any suggestions on What Colours to use ?please?
Miles

[Colonel Kilgore]

Most photos of the Commonwealth forces I have seen are actually in long trousers. Looks like Early War dress would suit. Not sure about colours. Probably faded / dusty?
That said, I have bought a bunch of 8th Army figures that I would use for Crete, once I have them painted. Probably mid-2022?
Simon