This is a call to all the sculptors out there...is there any chance someone can push to the front some French High command and Company commadn plus some Artillery FOO figures as these are needed for a large Demo game next year i have 8 months left and the only things i need to finish off (missing are these).
Would be nice to see some sort of command set like the German/British with them around a table. Radio operators (ER17/40) etc etc.
I don't know what you get in it, but have you looked at the WW1 High Command pack, I think it's F16.
Hello
The F16 pack is a bit 'static', but I got it and will use it soon. ( one as a medic officer )
I agree with The_Shootist, we need more French 1940. :'(
One could be cruel and say the French were by and large static when not retreating, so the officers would fit rather nicely :D ;). On a serious note I have used the WWI French for my 1940 force and they seem ok to me. The only major omission is a mortar, but that can be cobbled together from artillery crew and an American WWII mortar, just ask Leon.
I already have that pack along with the WW1 pigeon baskets etc, i just wanted some more interesting figures.
Quote from: Steve J on 30 July 2013, 07:32:23 PM
One could be cruel and say the French were by and large static when not retreating, so the officers would fit rather nicely :D ;). (...)
:-<
retreating ? no, they surrendered ;)
retreating was for the BEF :P
more seriously, I'm the first one to laugh at that, but when I read some other fora, I'm sad. some players always think about this myth of the french army didn't fighting. :(
german casualties in 1940 : > 150,000 men, and > 1200 aircraft destroyed. That mean they had to fight, no ? :-\ ( meanwhile the allied loose 360,000 dead and wounded )
( during barbarossa the german suffered > 160,000 dead )
I'm sure you all knew that, but i wanted to write it for some 'new' gamers ;)
Quote from: Steve J on 30 July 2013, 07:32:23 PM
The only major omission is a mortar, but that can be cobbled together from artillery crew and an American WWII mortar, just ask Leon.
Yes, Leon kindly did that for me :)
Frieser's "The Blitzkreig Legend" (an excellent book and a 'must read' for those interested in the 1940 campaign) shows that the French and British did put up a good fight in places. As you say Ronan it would be good if more people realised this.
It is only because the country fell so fast that people assume they did not fight. It's the same with Belgium. I've heard a few times already that it was because belgium surrendered that the germans could reach dunkirk so fast.
However if you read up on it, it appears that the belgian army were (reluctantly) forced uit of their defensive lines by an order of the french commander Maurice Gamelin. Later on our king requested logistic aid from the allies in fom of munitions and supplies to continue the war, but never received it and had no other choice but to capitulate.
So never believe what they say. :)
Quote from: petercooman on 31 July 2013, 03:28:22 PM
It is only because the country fell so fast that people assume they did not fight. It's the same with Belgium. I've heard a few times already that it was because belgium surrendered that the germans could reach dunkirk so fast.
However if you read up on it, it appears that the belgian army were (reluctantly) forced uit of their defensive lines by an order of the french commander Maurice Gamelin. Later on our king requested logistic aid from the allies in fom of munitions and supplies to continue the war, but never received it and had no other choice but to capitulate.
So never believe what they say. :)
You're right Peter.
Gamelin.. the wrong man in the wrong place...
There also was some propaganda from the government of Vichy, and it's always believed, even here in France.
( I read a book some weeks ago (which came from a website, I think it was from 'france fights on' ), and that's a very interesting and possible "what if" )
It's also interesting to see where the french fought during the war. It's not because they didn't fight in france itself, that they didn't fight at all ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_French_Forces
Hello Shootist
You might be finding it very hard to get what you want in 8 months.
Other options are the WW1 officer in kepi
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4815294073_b15cbb459d.jpg)
The WW1 Italian officer
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2510361692_1f81f4e7b1.jpg)
I think the WW1 Italian artillery officer has an Adrian.
You should be able to scratchbuild the radio fairly easily
(http://earlywarminiatures.com/images/freinf72.JPG)
You're only other option really is to add other bits and pieces from other manufacturers for things like staff cars/command vehicles etc.
Have a look at the periscope binoculars and range finders from other ranges and you may be able to change these to something useful for FOO.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Leon,
What have you got in other ranges that might work?
SCW 147 Officer, pistol raised, Adrian helmet - not sure if this code would be useful?
Several of the SCW International Brigade figures are in Adrian helmet
Quote from: Ithoriel on 01 August 2013, 02:25:09 PM
SCW 147 Officer, pistol raised, Adrian helmet - not sure if this code would be useful?
Several of the SCW International Brigade figures are in Adrian helmet
I have a few of these going spare, plus some SCW115 NCO in Adrian helmet. I think there are 3 or 4 of each, free to a good home ;)
It's a bit past the deadline now, but I've added these votes to the request lists anyway.
8)
Surely any generic figures with a big white flag would cover the essentials?
As I understand it when the French had good leadership on the ground they performed well against the Germans. I know that in one instance at least French armour gave German armour a rough time. I also think, given the tricky times that we now live in, that constantly denigrating our near neighbours is pretty pointless. Then again, I'm of the opinion that UKIP are a bunch of tossers and attempts by certain northern Britons to turn a small country into two even smaller countries is also senseless in the modern world.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 27 June 2014, 07:54:06 AM
As I understand it when the French had good leadership on the ground they performed well against the Germans. I know that in one instance at least French armour gave German armour a rough time.
Mmm, the battle of Pavia, 1525, wasn't it? Anyway, I'm in a country which on any planetary scale certainly doesn't rate France as a "near neighbour", to my sorrow, since I've just been trying to buy some decent croissants for the morrow's breakfast.
Stonne (1940) comes to mind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonne