From SylvainR: Tray 04 - 6mm Early WW2 German Cavalry (134 points)

 

After completing the BEF last week, my efforts were geared towards finishing my early ww2 German army. Last year, I completed a battalion of Schutzen infantry as well as lots of panzers. But because of the size of the army I decided to break it in two parts and work later on the Fallschirmjagers, the cavalry, the motorcycles and a few engineering stuff. I completed the German paratroopers before the Challenge, since they were already painted and just needed to be re-based. This week I am presenting 2 companies from the First Cavalry Division. This unit fought in all the early campaigns and was converted at the end of 1941 to become the 24th Panzer Division, only to be later annihilated in Stalingrad. Below is a company of 10 elements. I'm just showing in detail the blue company since the red company is identical. Sorry about the half blurred image.

Below is a 4 side view of the cavalry elements. Even if the base is quite large, I used only 7 mounted figurines instead of my usual 9 figurines when I build foot infantry on smaller bases, otherwise I find the mini cavalry dioramas look too crowded.

Here is a close-up on one of the cavalry sections. You can appreciate the difference between the skinnier GHQ cavalrymen, like the one in the foreground, and the chunkier Heroics & Ros horses, like the white steed. But they do mix well together. You can also see that the pants of the riders are a different color than the top of the uniform. Why do I bother painting these kind of details too small for anyone to see?

Lastly, a close-up on one of the company HQs. Since there are only four tiny minis on this large surface, I try to add visual diversity to the terrain, but sometimes it looks too much.

Points claimed:

134 mounted figurines at 1 points each = 134 points

Total = 134 points

Thanks for reading!

***

Bravo Sylvain on another excellent serving of 6mm goodness. All of the usual positives apply - not only is the brushwork well done, but you have a basing approach that really makes these little figures sing. Great stuff.

Seeing WW2 cavalry is also a reminder of just how much of a role horses played in that conflict. While of course the war is remembered for its emergence of mechanized, mobile combined-arms warfare (and we gamers enjoy very much gaming in that fashion too!) the fact is that there were never, ever enough vehicles - combat or support - to go around, and the humble horses had a role to play throughout the war. 6mm is an ideal size for gaming to represent such units in the conflict, as it offers the sort of scope wherein a player will appreciate the cavalry's attributes (while recognizing its weaknesses too). 

134 points well-earned!

GregB