Hammer's Africaners
First Sergeant
Impressive looking mortar crews, weapons and gear
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Pardon the dust while the boys rebuild the site.
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German Infantry Mortar Platoon - 1944
- Thread starter SteveKrieg
- Start date
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
FINALLY!!!...We'll I've been meaning to get on this for quite some time now and today was, for me, German Mortar Platoon Day. Given it's Winter down here in Oz, it's been difficult to find a day as normally when I'm working, the sun is out and when I've got a day to spend on the hobby - it's crap.
So, here it is. A 1944 composition German Heer mortar platoon. The section leads give the signal to the platoon commander indicating that their mortars are good to go for rounds down range.
In total - 36 figures, 2 infantry carts, 50 mortar containers, rounds too numerous to count and loads of accessories. Enjoy, Steve
So, here it is. A 1944 composition German Heer mortar platoon. The section leads give the signal to the platoon commander indicating that their mortars are good to go for rounds down range.
In total - 36 figures, 2 infantry carts, 50 mortar containers, rounds too numerous to count and loads of accessories. Enjoy, Steve
Attachments
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
Ostfront43
Tanker
Very awesome display! So much cool stuff and details all over to see! Great job on your project 
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
Thanks muchly for the kind comments all. Yes, it did take a couple of years of finding and putting away for that rainy day when it came to the ammo crates/rounds. I've recently bought four DID 12cm German mortars so I'll be doing a similar scene sometime in the future.
The narrative for the scene is that the Leutnant has given a change in co-ordinates to the crews - after having fired a few rounds (as denoted by the discarded crates thrown out of the pits) - and is awaiting all pits to give the nod that they've adjusted their tubes accordingly.
Meanwhile, his signallers maintain the 'vital link' (one a link to the regimental fires net via the Torn-D transceiver and the other a field telephone link to battalion HQ).
Whilst the late-war composition of the mortar platoon was larger on paper, manpower shortages meant that, more often than not, the five man crew would operate at three to four as mortarmen - as seen here - were often relegated to both protection and ammo resup tasks for the platoon as the mortar itself could be operated with a competent three-man crew. Section commanders (in-charge of two mortars) can be seen using range marking stakes to align their mortars.
Infantry carts are used to carry the ammo forward from the supply trucks which are located further back (not part of the diorama unfortunately). Digging tools can also be seen between the carts.
Here's several more pics. Enjoy, Steve
The narrative for the scene is that the Leutnant has given a change in co-ordinates to the crews - after having fired a few rounds (as denoted by the discarded crates thrown out of the pits) - and is awaiting all pits to give the nod that they've adjusted their tubes accordingly.
Meanwhile, his signallers maintain the 'vital link' (one a link to the regimental fires net via the Torn-D transceiver and the other a field telephone link to battalion HQ).
Whilst the late-war composition of the mortar platoon was larger on paper, manpower shortages meant that, more often than not, the five man crew would operate at three to four as mortarmen - as seen here - were often relegated to both protection and ammo resup tasks for the platoon as the mortar itself could be operated with a competent three-man crew. Section commanders (in-charge of two mortars) can be seen using range marking stakes to align their mortars.
Infantry carts are used to carry the ammo forward from the supply trucks which are located further back (not part of the diorama unfortunately). Digging tools can also be seen between the carts.
Here's several more pics. Enjoy, Steve
Attachments
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
The_Dutchman
Company Commander
Wonderful setup Steve! Nice terrain you've picked to display the troops.
Which part of Oz are you located?
Which part of Oz are you located?
Kapernakis
Platoon Leader
Simply outstanding. Always look forward to your work and you never disappoint, great setup and details.
SteveKrieg
Company Commander
Thankyou most kindly for the great comments all, really appreciated. For my next trick pertaining to a similar theme - either a 12cm mortar platoon (which will be a bit trickier) or a Nebelwerfer platoon. At the moment, my hobby has kind of stalled with regards to the Flak 38 Vierling scene, the Ruskie Aerosan plan and the Aussies in the later stages of New Guinea (1942) - all three on the ORBAT for this year's annual scale model show - because of unexpected family problems on my wife's side and mainly the fact that, which I just learned recently, I won't be in-country during the period of the model show. Whilst delayed, the show must go on and it just allows me more time to prep for next year's model show where I'll probably look at also putting in a revamped version of my first big diorama - 2013's 'High tide of the Afrika Korps'....which means it'll be bigger. The mortar platoon was packed-away today (amongst whatever space I still have left in the garage) having achieved its purpose. Cheers all, Steve