New Project: Chain of Command Platoons

Why not add to the lead pile

Having recently acquired a copy of the Too Fat Lardies rules Chain of Command, and having had a couple of test games with stand in models (the sight of Roman legionaries advancing into the MG42s of the Gauls is not one I will soon forget), I have decided to bite the bullet and add to my not inconsiderable painting pile with two platoons. After a bit of consideration, I picked late war western front (Italy or France/Germany) and the Americans and Germans for the forces I'd use.

First up, the Americans. I chose to go with an Armored Rifle Platoon, which consists of the Lieutenant and Platoon Sergeant, two large infantry squads, a smaller HQ squad, a machine gun squad with two medium machine guns and a mortar team as standard. In addition I got some support options, a 57mm Anti-tank gun, a flamethrower team, a mine clearance team, an observer team for a mortar battery, an M8 armored car, an M10 tank destroyer, an M24 Chaffee and an M4A3E8 Sherman.

To face down the green machine, I picked the German Panzergrenadiers, with a leutnant, panzerschreck team and three squads of two teams, each with an MG42 and a small clutch of riflemen. To back up the core platoon there is a sniper team, an extra senior leader (probably some form of senior NCO), an MG42 team, a mortar battery observer, a mine clearance team, a motorbike with sidecar, a Pak 40 Anti-tank gun, a Sdkfz 234/3 armoured car, a Stug III, a Panzer IV and a Tiger 1.

The rationale for choosing these forces was, as usual with me, they offer a variety of play styles. The Germans are fairly simple to play conceptually, each fire team has a lot of firepower, plus panzerfausts to keep tanks on their toes. This also means that a section or team can perform fire support or maneuver roles, giving tactical flexibility. Their weakness comes from a lack of senior leaders (one to the American two) which hampers activity on the field or deployment, and a general fragility due to limited numbers.

The Americans play very differently. With their large squads of riflemen and separated out firepower in the medium machine guns and mortar units, the Americans have great resilience, but need to coordinate their firepower and movement more carefully than the Germans. The presence of two senior leaders also allows the Americans much more flexibility in battle in terms of patching up unit morale, directing the action and deploying troops. The Americans can also bring serious anti-tank firepower by adding bazookas to the infantry squads.

So with the forces assembled (although I won't deny it is entirely possible more supports will be acquired at Salute later in the month), the painting shall soon begin. Assuming my other unpainted projects don't get in the way. Like the 100 or so 28mm Gauls currently occupying the painting table. Bah.