The full parade

Flufftastically, what you are looking at here is the command detachment of 902 Div (XVII Korps) including an armoured squadron and mechanised company of DKK 19 Armd Regt, a company from 262 Line Regt, An armoured squadron from 22 ASL, a company from the Valhallan (Kado) 540th Regt and a lot of smaller detachments drawn from other 902 Div units to provide local security for the Div HQ. 

Additionally, there is, for as yet unexplored reasons, a detachment from 901 Div, armoured and mechanised subunits and company from 2/24 Cadian and 1/2 Corbanian.

So here it all is in it's glory.  The darker table had gravel mixed in to the paint when it was painted.  For years I have been chipping and plucking the 'effin' gravel off.  It's a job that needs some serious attention so that I can repaint it to better match the other two tables.  Homogeneity will be achieved one day.

And with hindsight, the Valhallan mobbed up blob should have been arrayed across the table between the Cadians and the DKK - it would have given a visual continuity across the deployment.  Also the actual command team(s) are bunched up next to the Crassus.  We should have split these up and displayed them in their actual teams and with the additional vehicles - most of which are still in their boxes, unbuilt.  But what we did do took us hours, we were tired and it was the first time we'd done this.  Lessons for next time !

I get by with a little help from my friends

So by prior arrangement Karitas and Admiral Drax came over to give me a hand.  The idea was "just" to line up my iggies.  That is all.  The gettin' em out and puttin' em away again took the best part of seven hours. 

So these photos are just a tease.  Karitas brought his camera and his photography is soooo much better than mine.  But there are reasons for his super competence; I tried a 'fly by' with my DSLR, there's someone cutting their grass somewhere nearby and the background noise makes it seem like drone footage.  However, watching it back, you can clearly discern my footfalls from side to side.  So that's not being posted.

Whilst we were doing this, Admiral Drax was posting on a closed group on fb.  Which was almost instantly getting comments.  Mostly about my mental state, judging by his cackling.  Like it says in the title - three of us working for between six and seven hours could be twenty one hours - I'd not manage such a task in a on my own (and quite frankly, it would sap one's mojo in the end).

So here's some 'high level' airplane and titan level views from the back of the parade.   And the main purpose of this is of course to publicly thank Karitas and Admiral Drax for all their help; this would literally not have happened without them.  And the chances are, if you're reading this, that your continued support of this blog is one of the things that keeps it chuggin' along.  So thank you as well.

I hope this has wetted your appetite - more parade picts soon !

Warp Runners & Allied Knight Houses.

And defending the Brick of Scrutiny today are some of the Knights of houses allied to the Warp Runners.  These models are the old Eisnekarn (Dream Forge) Resin ones from the years before the Dream Forge Kick Starter.  Painted by the Pirate Viking.  

Both with one Vuclan Mega Bolter and one Knight close combat weapon.  You can see the Heavy Stubber peaking out there from out of the pultron.

These two are colloquially known as Chas and Dave.

These guys might look smaller but if they needed a base they'd be the same height as the next two Knights.

These guys are known as Killi and Filli.  One might think of the heroes of legend who were amongst the foremost warriors of their tribe who were loyal and valiant etc.  But they are actually named after hamsters.  

The four of them together are intended to keep titan killing weapons from the titans of the Warp Runners.

So here they are:

Phyladi Alpha and Phyladi Beta.  There were also built and painted by the Pirate Viking Fabrication Yards.

Gotta love a Scouting titan group.  Gonna get a group photo with Siph's maniple at some point.

They have a fairly small carbon footprint.  Although this is largely due to circumstances, rather than an increased level of environmental awareness.

Jeff also painted the inside of one of them.

And just in case you were wondering how they sized up against both the Storm Lord AT AT and the ol' Iron Chick toy...

Now as I write and publish this, Admiral Drax is getting some attention on fb so there's more excitement coming soon.

3rd party goodies

So there are two of these in the boxes in the garage.  I've seen some conversions done by other bloggers, where the legs have been articulated to break up the "line dancing knights" phenomena.

\And I saw some nice little things advertised on the web:

A padded envelope from Russia, with a little capsule which looks suspiciously like a soap dish. 

And there on the brick of scrutiny is a pair of fully articulated legs.  I was going to buy a pair for each knight but then it occurred to me that I could buy one set and put one articulated leg on each knight.

So happy days there.  And a job for the new year, perhaps.

Not a free Imperial knight, but could be yours for £1........

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AdeptusAstartes?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socsponmobile&utm_content=AdeptusAstartes&utm_campaign=post-sponsorship-donation-mobile

The Battle of Chobi (Part 1)

Thick Smoke had begun to obscure the battlefield.  Visibility was down to 10s of meters in places.  Burning tanks made a phenomenal amount of choking black smoke.  Aside from the small arms, tank weapons and artillery actually being fired at real or perceived targets, ammunition cooked off in the burning vehicles as well.  Charred crewmen hung off of vehicles, either failing to make it out in time or being shot by infantry who prowled the field of glory shooting tank crews and picking off stricken tanks with their hand held missile launchers, whether one shot wonders or more sophisticated ATGWs.  Occasionally rival groups of infanteers would find and engage each other, a nasty series of separate swirling battles were fought in between brawling tank units.  Additionally, there was a group of four baneblades who manoeuvred through the battle like a quartet of battleships, using each other as bait, cover and killing blow as they worked together to defeat the highly individualistic Paladin and Warden class knights sent against them.

Having been slogging it out with the PDF for three days, the remaining elements of 905 Division were being withdrawn.  Pitifully few vehicles in the distinctive dark colour scheme of the Mordian 7^th could be seen amongst the mid-green of the Palladian vehicles.  The men coming back off of the field were collected at impromptu nexus which formed where commissars re-brigaded men to either send them back to the fight or to carry the more severely wounded to established casualty clearing stations.   Now, with the change of lead formation, all of the Iron Guard, Palladian and Mordian, were being rouled back out of the fight. 

Three days earlier, the lead elements of the Mordian 6^th Independent Motor Cycle Battalion, 905 Division’s dedicated recce, had begun to encounter the anti-personnel minefields laid by the PDF to protect their defensive positions in front of what the Imperial Guard knew as The Chobi Bunker, having largely passed over the antitank minefields and been allowed to penetrate the outer layer of the PDF’s temporary positions.

Having lost a proportion of men and steeds to the mines the Mordians were fired on by the PDF from their bunkers.  The remainder scattered and the fast moving lightweight recce troops extracted themselves from the killing zones, leaving scattered pockets in situ, unable to move for whatever reason.  Brevet Colonel Sonaff launched the 3^rd and 6^th Mechanised Infantry Battalions of the 7th into a deliberate attack, supported by the Palladian 880^th SPaG Bn, part of the 55^th Aux Regt. 

The PDF’s pre ranged artillery struck at likely forming up areas[1].  The unexpected blizzard of artillery fire caused two hours of delay and assured everyone on both sides of what was about to happen.  905 Div HQ, which was a Leviathan that the Mordians had brought to Devos IV, was withdrawn to the back edge of the impact zone.

The Mordians and Palladians fought their way through the first layer of minefields and emplacements only to run out of moving vehicles once they had punched their hole in the first layer of defences.  Infantry passing over open ground were subjected to continual mortar bombardment and sustained small arms fire from dug in PDF soldiers. Attempts to use dead ground or chaparral for cover resulted in casualties from liberally sown anti-personnel mines.  Losses mounted steeply as the first Imperial Guardsmen reached the PDF positions to find them so well dug in that artillery and direct fire support had little effect, bitter hand to hand fighting ensued as trenches, dug outs and machine gun nests were cleared. 

Other parts of the Palladian 4^th Legionary Regt passed through and took over the assault, with the 11^th Legionary Regt deploying in support.  Despite dogged resistance from the PDF[2], the Palladians, with the dismounted Mordians holding the flanks, made steady headway into the defensive positions.

The PDF also challenged the Imperial Navy for local air superiority over the battlefield[3].  As Lightening’s rose to engage the Imperial Thunderbolts in the ‘cab rank’ and hunted down any Vendettas they could find, T-65 strike fighters made low passes, launching ‘snakehound’ HK missiles and laser cannon strafes at Palladian armoured units.

It now appears likely that one of the field bunkers three kloms in was a trigger for a counter attack, thirty eight LRMBT attacked the Palladians from the North, causing large numbers of casualties amongst the Mordians covering the northern flank.  Such was the shock and speed of the counter attack that the forward elements of the Palladian force were in danger of being cut off.   It was only the steadfast actions of 55^th Aux Regt’s two light AT battalions[4] and fearsome defensive fire from the 11^th Legionary Regt’s Artillery that prevented the Iron Guard from being overrun. 

To the South, 901 Div were ordered to begin their advance into the battle in order to relive the pressure on 905 Div.  The Cadian 127^th moved on with close to two hundred LRMBT and three superheavies.  Almost immediately they ran into the anti-tank minefields and many vehicles were immobilised.  Others also became mine casualties trying to extricate those already struck.  Thirty six LRMBT lay paralysed in front of the defences.  The PDF brought down a heavy artillery barrage on the stricken tanks and the engineers attempting recovery.  In the meantime, like the Iron Guard to the north, the Cadian Shock Troopers made slow headway against the prepared defences.

The Cadians only began to make progress again when very close air support was provided by a constant stream of Avenger Strike aircraft, the Imperial Navy’s closest thing to a T-65, allowed 901 Div to intimately support its engineer units with its superheavies.  This unprecedented amount of combat power eventually allowed a beach and the Cadians took the forward command posts of both 1/92 Volunteer Bn and 1/93 Volunteer Bn of the 1^st Civil Defence Bde by nightfall.

The early evening of the first day saw the combined Palladian and Mordian tank forces, with the remaining uncommitted infantry battalions, committed to a deliberate attack to dislodge the PDF tanks now interposed between the main body of the Division and its forward elements.  With no cover available, it is certain that the PDF commanders could see the black and solid green tanks assemble into a characteristic arrowhead formation for an advance, making use of the LRMBTs heavy armour and multiplying its effectiveness with closely overlapping fields of supporting fire. Audible even above the cacophony of artillery fire now sweeping the battlefield was the distinctive thud of the Palladian quad launchers whose launch was accompanied by gouts of flame and huge smoke plumes which described inky black arcs high over the battlefield before plunging onto PDF positions.  Salvo after salvo thudded out as the PDF defences were comprehensively swept ahead of the advancing tanks.

The PDF reply was to launch an equally massive barrage of rockets from its pit-hidden manticores at the infantry formed up behind the tanks.  Still the Iron Guard came on.  It was now that the design of the PDF’s defences would be properly tested.   Penned into specific zones by minefields, topography and dragons teeth, Imperial armour fell prey to dug in overlapping laser cannon positions, ATGW sites, AT armed tarantulas and infantry with RPGs and krak grenades who emerged from their hiding places once the tanks had passed in order to assault them from behind. 

The following infantry were mown down by machine gun nests and heavy bolters as well as small arms fire.  Mortars took their toll as well.  Whole units just melted away in the inferno.  By dwn of day two, 905 Division’s reports to Korps HQ have resulted in a detachment of six knights from one of the houses allied to the Legio Astorum being sent forward in support.  From their elevated position above the battlefield, they would have a better view of the PDF defences and be able to direct allied fire as well as adding their own destructive power to the assault.

The PDF did not appear to have a specific plan for the knights, defended as they were by their shields.  However, laser cannon and missile hits on legs and AT mine damage to their feet meant that four of them were experiencing reduced mobility by dusk.  3 Div’s evening counter attack included two Grenadier Battalions, two Volunteer Battalions, three battalions of auto cannon armed ‘Ridgeback’ armoured cars,  three more LRMBT Battalions and the Division’s four Baneblades.

The Baneblades systematically hunted down the knights, using their longer range and superior firepower to prevent them from linking up and rendering them hors de combat all within three hours.  The counter attack tore through the centre of 905 Division and, to quote one Palladian Officer, ‘shot the crap out of the Leviathan.’  Its shields over whelmed, the Divisional HQ was caught in a deluge of effective AT fire, immobilised and finally assaulted by 1/67 SF Regt, one of the PDF Grenadier battalions. 

At this point, rather than over extend, the PDF counter attack withdrew back to its hide positions.  It had certainly taken casualties, especially when passing close to earthshakers[5] deployed in the direct fire role as they withdrew.  But significantly, the ten formations which conducted the counter attack all withdrew in good order according to their rehearsed plan and would still be there to oppose 72AG the next day. 

---

[1] PDF 3 Div included three Fd Arty Battalions of Griffons, Wyverns and Manticores.  Additionally deployed were another two Fd Arty Battalions of remnants from other Divisions.  The PDF Corps Artillery and other assets also included five Bombardment Battalions of Basiliks.  There were also six Air Defence Regiments armed with Hyrdae, Manticore and static (wheeled) earthshakers. 

[2] The outer layers of the defensive grid were manned by the PDF 3 Div 1^st Bde Combat Team: 1/10 and 2/10 Militia Regt, 8 (res) Fd Arty, 1/11 Cbt Cadre Regt and 1/23 Bde Support Bn were also thrown into the line.  The tanks which attacked from the north were 1/77 (res) Cav Regt.  Whilst it would appear from their unit designations that these are second and third line units, they have been at war for four years and are fighting battles which they have rehearsed for many times in the preceding centauries.

[3] The skies above the battlefield saw the biggest air battle of the war.  Above the levels observable from the ground, the skies churned and darkened as flights of Hell Talons appeared to engage the Imperial Navy, giving literal top cover for the PDF air assets waging their own fight closer to the ground.  Purple rain fell for the first time.  Across all strata, at its peak over eight days of continuous combat, there were nearly five hundred airframes involved in the melee.

[4] The Palladian formations within 905 Div were not symmetrical; 4^th Legionary Regt included 55^th Aux Regt plus a number of SPaG, Lt AT, AAA and other battalions.  11^th Legionary Regt included 72^nd Aux Regt as well as massed Artillery Battalions and a Penal Battalion.

[5] Batteries from the 295^th and 296^th Heavy Artillery Battalions, attached to the Palladian 11^th Legionary Regiments. 

More Picts of Iggies

Summer is here and it's been hot and sunny all week (mid June), so I was looking forward to getting all three tables out and seeing just how much IG there is lurking in the corners of the garage.

But it's Saturday, so it's raining (sad face).  But it's not the end of the world (any world), as I can still fit two tables up in the garage and see how far I get.  I'm starting out with the DKK, cos they don't get out much.

As it is, they do fill me with a sense of joy and fulfilment as I get them out and line them all up.

The odd coloured tank is the commissar's ride.  A small bit of 19 Armoured Regt massing there.

Behind a small bit of 262 Line Regt.

They stretch off into the distance...

King Russ (still without tracks).  The banner behind belongs to the Valhallans.  He's the only Valhallan on the table. The ASL Sentinels are behind him.  Sentinels are bonkers, IMHO, but if you play guard, you gotta have 'em.

Phyladi Alpha and Phyladi Beta, flanked by Chas and Dave, whose job it is to prevent pesky undesirables from reaching the Warhounds.  This pict shows the 'hedgehog' hydrae and the Ad Mech AA Whirlwind as well the DKK & Dneipr Engr Assets.

902 Div HQ with Gen Commandant Welbahn standing on a mule for a better view.  Note the Mordian 7th Iron Guard mechanised platoon in front and the Death Riders to the bottom of the pict.

This shows the bulk of the ASL in front of 36 Tactical Lift Wing with Elysians squadded up ready to embark.

2nd Corbanian Regt behind the Cadian Recce assets.  Inquisitor Dredd is there with three of his most suitable henchmen and a Rhino from the Ordos motor pool.

Another view of the Corbanians.  Elysians and ASL also in this pict. I need to put the numbers on the Valks.

And a slightly longer shot.  I'm disappointed that:

1. It wasn't sunny and so these picts are all a little dark
2. The picts were shot in doors so there's no angle wide enough to get a decent view of the whole lot
3. There's only two tables out so there are lots of iggies not on the table; Valhallans, Moss Troopers, Necromundans, penal squad, Liaison teams, etc

So my aim of getting them all out didn't happen.  We'll see what the weather's doing tomorrow.

Update: So I put all of the infantry away again (sigh).  But did get done:

1. Based the three armoured sentinels
2. Assembled (Based) twelve flight stands
3. Made a random crusader and an arco-eviscerator for a future =I= warband.
4. Trawled the boxes and have half done seven IG ML teams. 
5. Found the tracks for the King Russ/Panthers. 

2014 reinforcements - 17 Korps Command "AT - Chimera - AT"

Just in case you thought it was an illusion:

Quite a clear indication of scale next to a Land Raider, a Knight Paladin and an office block.  I still intend to base it.

This shows where there's still work to do; black plastic covers on the smoke launchers, work on the lights and lenses and a bit of appropriate paint splashed on the auto cannons.

I've just previewed this and realised that it's actually no-where near finished really.  But I know that some of you out there like it, so I'll leave it up.

Saturday Knight Fever

Just in case you were wondering.  Here is the Dreamforge 15mm Titan Chas (the pair of them are Chas and Dave) next to the GW Knight Killi, to give you a comparison.  Killi's counterpart is of course, Filli.  They are named after hampsters, but that's another story.

The rear view; you can see that Chas, the Dreamforge 15mm titan (this one is a resin one from before the kickstarter) does not have (does not need) a base.  So the models are roughly the same size and of a similar bulk.  Which is nice, when it comes to fielding them. 

Face to face in front of Belligera Rex.  Their weapon systems are on a similar scale and the Dreamforge ones also have Heavy Stubbers more or less in their armpit.

It is obvious that in conjunction with a warhound, a pair of knights would be a multiplier.  And that in opposition, the warhound will eat the knights, possibly in the same 'round.  Indeed, looking at titans and superheavies, the only reason I can see for the Rapid Fire battle cannon to be a D weapon would be something like DU ammunition.  Those Volcano cannons are a clear centimeter longer than a GW knight is tall. Whereas that battle cannon, Rapid Fire not withstanding, is not significantly larger than the Leman Russ one.

And from the looks of it, it could hold no more than a few rounds.  For a rapid fire weapon, it doesn't have an adequate magazine.  Unless they meant that it is loaded by an auto loader, which is a possibility.  But if you look at the size of a Leman Russ turret, then that is obviously either equipped with an auto loader or is muzzle loaded.  ahem.   I love this game, but shit engineering and bollocks instead of concise background do vex me so...