From JamesM: 15mm WW2 British battalion CP, commanders and signals vehicle (61 points)(Vulcan)

Hi folks,

It appears that with every challenge, I come up with some elaborate 15mm diorama idea at the last minute - regardless of what else I had prepped! 

This year has been no exception, with a last minute concept taking up far too much time and brain power. This entry features a battalion command team (medium base with four men), battalion 2ic team (small base with three men), a Bedford MWR Radio Truck and an battalion command post. All at 15mm and for my WW2 Normandy collection. 

Behind this entry is a convoluted story about searching my collection for a model to replace one with weak ankles, and a distant idea about a 'command post' diorama for my British infantry battalion. I set about digging though loose models and bits boxes, and came up with something suitable. 

The bunker model is a Battlefront one, which is long out of production. Possibly from 1st or 2nd edition. I had one given to me by a friend and it just was not busy enough for my tastes - so I added figures and 'stuff'. The aim is to tell a story, with radio operators, a runner receiving directions from an officer and a bored Jock guarding the post.  

The boxes, sign post, barrels and other kit all came from my bits box and supply of 15mm stowage. I believe the table with maps, etc, came from Peter Pig. The radio on the table is a Battlefront bit from somewhere, while the aerials are all fishing line. The infantry figures are all 15mm Battlefront models, from various eras and sets. 

The decals on the signpost came from Doms Decals and Modeldads. My idea is that this will be placed on the table near my battalion aid post model, hence the 'CCP' (Casualty Clearing Post) sign. 

Alongside this, I had a specialise radio truck from Battlefield3d so decided to do a signals vehicle supporting the infantry battalion command post. This vehicle is decaled up as one from the 51st HD's divisional signals unit. 

And since I have a full infantry battalion for Flames of War at 15mm scale, I thought I had better have a battalion commander and 2nd in charge, just in case. No rules for any such thing in FoW, but we are suitably megalomaniacal in our games that I'm sure we can make some up. I've used a medium command base for the big boss just to make him stand out a bit as a commander. I may add some markings to the rear of the base just to mark these out as special as well. 

Scoring wise, I have counted the CP base as a 15mm vehicle - I know it's technically terrain, but it's around the size of a large 15mm vehicle and involved some brush work and decals. The CP model also has a figure 'half out' of the resin using a radio, so I have counted that as a half model. 

15mm infantry x 12.5 = 25 points

15mm vehicles x 2 = 16 points

Finally, this entry is for the planet Vulcan. While there are no pointy ears in sight, I consider that if anything on a WW2 battlefield full of MG42s can be considered logical, it's going to battle with nothing but a swagger stick or walking cane...

More seriously, my thinking was that a command post and communications network are logical things and so should qualify.  

Vulcan landing = 20 points. 

Total = 61 points

Love the story on the diorama that grew out of looking for a figure without weak ankles!  Great work on this little gem and all the supporting stuff.  Your logic is sketchy but so is my brain today so I'll buy it.  It is great to see the support stuff painted up so nicely, it's add's skids of colour to the table top and makes for great scenario ideas.