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Not WW2 but we got to reproduce the First Battle of the Marne on the 100th Anniversary in the same region in France. This was the pivotal battle in September 1914 that broke the German advance into France.
The details of the project can be found here: link
This is the overhead photo of the final setup in the Dormans’ chapel, with the tables representing more than 50km of battlefield:
The terrain was accurately reproduced, based on original maps and supported by the use of Hexon terrain pieces for 20 metre contour levels.
There were more than 10,000 6mm figures deployed. This is a photo of Irregular Miniatures French (from left) and German cavalry about to face off near the town of Courgivaux:
The public response was amazing. Hundreds of people visited to view the spectacle, including the grandson of a British cavalry officer who took part in the battle. He was in his 80s and was thrilled to be shown where his grandfather had been.
Robert
Another photo taken with the new telephoto lens. This time it is the brick factory (a Leven Miniatures product) near Montauban, with a German regimental HQ in residence (6mm Baccus figures). A Litko marker denotes the use of non-persistent gas shelling on Bernafay Wood:
Robert
Here is Montauban under fire from the French heavy 22cm mortars, part of Group de Menthon attached to British XIII Corps:
The photo was taken with my new telephoto lens.
Robert
Here is the preparatory bombardment in the Montauban sector:
The explosion and gas markers are from Litko. The British did shell the German artillery with SK gas shells on 1st July 1916. The markers indicate Caterpillar Valley and Bernafay Wood.
Robert
Thanks.
WW1 Western Front battles are frequently associated with the perceptions you highlighted. Certainly the 1915 period is full of futile attacks with no gain, due in no small part to the lack of artillery ammunition supplies.
Later set-piece battles pose a range of tactical challenges that, once understood, offer up meaningful and interesting Wargames, which are not so one-sided. The operational effects of wide frontage attacks are poorly documented in the literature. A little-known effect of the build-up to July 1st 1916 was von Falkenhayn’s refusal to provide reserves to the threatened Somme sectors. The German Second Army was only able to transfer forces within its command. German infantry reserves and artillery were sent north to provide extra protection for Serre and Gommecourt sectors. This set the operational conditions for tactical success of southern British and French attacks, including the attack on Montauban.
The photo below shows the table set up for the Joy of Six show, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in 2016. The whole battlefield is 16 feet long:
Robert
Here is the battlefield, covering the equivalent of an area 4 km x 6 km.
The British front line is nearest the bottom of the photo. The advance covered the battlefield and reached the furthest German trench line just beyond Montauban with about 5,000 casualties total (out of the two infantry divisions that attacked).
Robert
Thank you very much. The other big benefit is that I can reproduce any historical battle without building specific terrain boards.
Here is British 89th Brigade forming up at the foot of Montauban ridge, operating on the right wing of the British attack on July 1st 1916:
Robert
Other view at table level, showing Caterpillar Valley below the Montauban ridge. The RE8 is still circling:
Robert
