'Retten Rommel!'

Here we have the Desert Fox himself, Generalleutnant Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel. Oberstleutnant Hanna Reitsch, having safely landed the Fieseler Storch carrying Rommel to the front, after engine failure, is nervously saying to Rommel, "Ich denke, wir sind hier, meine General".

Kübelwagen

Now a Kübelsitzwagen, which apparently means 'bucket-seat car', and shortened to Kübelwagen. Built by Volkswagen and based on the Volkswagen Käfer (Beetle).  Ferdinand Porsche designed both vehicles.

Kradschützen Truppen

I have a vague plan for the upcoming game entitled 'Retten Rommel!' which I hope means 'Rescue Rommel!' in German.

Rommel is being flown up to the DAK front lines to consult with Fritz Bayerlein on his latest offensive. The Storch containing Rommel has to land in the middle of the desert after engine trouble. The pilot, Hanna Reitsch, manages to put out an SOS call giving their approximate position on the radio, before landing. Rommel’s HQ picks up the signal and dispatches a strong patrol to pick up their chief. Unbeknownst to the Jerries, the signal has also been picked up by an LRDG patrol who are currently escorting an SAS jeep column through the same area that Rommel has landed in. The race is on! Can the DAK rescue Rommel, or will the LRDG/SAS chaps capture the ‘Desert Fox’?

An addition for the DAK is a Kradschützen BMW 75.

LRDG CMP Truck

Joining the patrol is a CMP (Canadian Military Pattern) truck, adapted for use by the LRDG.

The patrol so far...

Seen here in the CMP is Captain Dougie ‘Stodger’ D’Emfore (son of Sir Douglas D’Emfore, MP for Mid-Devon). Although Stodger is now with L Detachment, SAS in North Africa, he started his military service before the war. As part of the ‘county set’ he joined the Much-Piddling Imperial Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry. This particular Yeomanry was formed in the late 18th century amid fears of invasion and insurrection during the French Revolutionary Wars. The 7th Earl of Snapcase formed the Yeomanry and drilled it in the grounds of Snapcase Hall. The tenants of the Snapcase estates formed part of the rank and file as a condition of their tenancy agreement. The D’Emfores have a history of serving as officers in the M-PIGYC and Doug Jnr. here is no exception.

Jeep and Chevy

 

... and a Krupp Protze with Oberst Joachim von Vagabund, 'The Desert Gerbil':

The Desert Fox

This first post of the new year should of course, be the concluding chapter of the doings in Jhamjarhistan. But, it ain't!

Some time ago I started a small project on what was to be some SAS/LRDG and DAK in North Africa. Recently, I dug it out again to continue. Herewith, some of the progress. I am eagerly awaiting the publication of the 02 Hundred Hours rule set.

https://greyfornow.com/pages/02-hundred-hours

This looks set to be right up my street.

02 Hundred Hours is a skirmish wargame focusing on night-time raids in World War II. Inspired by classic war movies as well as historical events, battles are fast paced with roughly 10-20 models on either side.

Field an elite force of Commandos, SAS, Paratroopers or Rangers to infiltrate the enemy lines under cover of darkness. Recruit SOE spies and local resistance fighters to bolster your chances.

Launch attacks on radar stations, munition factories, airfields, bridges and rail lines. Sneak past sentries, take them out with silent attacks, or open fire with a devastating ambush. Plant charges to destroy your objective, assassinate a target or grab vital intel, then fight your way to safety before reinforcements arrive.

Or play as the defenders, carefully setting patrol routes so your sentries can spot raiders in the shadows, utilise guard dogs, officers or even the dreaded Gestapo and make use of informants and intercepted transmissions to thwart the attackers’ plans.

A few SAS types:

Some DAK boys:

The game board:

A dramatic sunset as the SAS set up their patrol base.

An Sd.Kfz. 2, better known as a Kettenkrad:

Tactics are discussed over a 'brew':