Gommecourt Wood Cemetery

In April I spent some time in northern France, on the Somme battlefields.  We were staying in the village of Foncquevillers (known to British troops as ‘Funky Villas’) through which ran the British trench lines in 1916.  

As you might expect, the area is dotted with war cemeteries, so as a ‘taster’ here is the first of several.  Just down the road (close enough to easily walk) is the village of Gommecourt - through which ran the German trenches.  Between the two villages is this neat little Commonwealth War Graves cemetery.  Like all CWGCs it’s beautifully kept and being in rural France it’s almost silent.  Makes you think.  

French Fusiliers Marins

These chaps were part of the swag from Eurofigurines in March. There were in dire need of a full repaint and look all the better for it.  As always I’ve gone with the ‘traditional toy soldier’ (or sailor?) look with a gloss finish. 

Para Carrier

Following the successful refurbishment of a pair of Lone Star diecast Carriers for Soviet service (Link) I dug out more.  This one was acquired complete with the (so I’m told) very rare metal Para crew.  The carrier needed a full repaint but for the crew I confined myself to repairing the existing paint - though I decided I couldn’t live with the grey helmets.  I also added length the the MG barrel with a piece of wooden cocktail stick. Going by the ammo belt this is intended to represent a Vickers gun. Decals and serial numbers finished it off. 

Origins of World War 2

 

This week’s game was Jim Dunnigan’s Origins of WW2 as published by Avalon Hill. As with the earlier Origins of World War One, Russell had adapted it to play over Zoom.  It has similarities with the earlier game but there is a lot more going on. And it moves far more quickly!  Tonight’s game with a full five players took only 75 minutes - impressive especially considering that none of us had played it previously!  

As you can probably tell from the photo, I played the Soviet Union and managed third place behind the perfidious British and the decadent Americans. We’re playing it again tomorrow when I’ll be recast as that great enthusiast for liberal democracy, Ribbentrop.  Anyone want to buy some champagne?