PTs SS GB SB

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Purplethistle
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PTs SS GB SB

Post by Purplethistle »

Hello and welcome to this Shared Build with the loose 'umbrella' subtitle of 'Jerries on British soil'. Initially I had proposed a Group Build based on the 1974 theoretical Wargame that Operation Seelowen, the invasion of Britain had actually been launched but failed. (See bottom of this post) but with BBC1s SS GB now being shown, there may be some inspiration from that for builds based around the details of that series, namely that Hitler DID establish control of Southern England. Either way you choose to go, I reckon there are some powerful images to be conjured up by the participants and food for thought for those just looking in.
Good luck chaps!

Invasion[edit]

The German attack was launched at dawn on 22 September 1940 and consisted of 8,000 airborne troops and 80,000 infantry landed in amphibious operations. The invasion fleet suffered only minor losses to Motor Torpedo Boats, however the Germans lost about 25% of their unseaworthy barges. During this 24-hour period the Royal Air Force lost 237 aircraft (about 23% of its fighting strength); the Luftwaffe losses amounted to 333, also about 23% of its aircraft. Naval engagements were indecisive at this stage as the Royal Navy was still assembling its main destroyer fleet to attack. The larger ships of the Home Fleet (including battleships, heavy cruisers and aircraft carriers) were not to be committed due to their vulnerability to air attack and U-boats.

The Germans managed to advance a dozen or so miles inland and even captured the ports of Folkestone and Newhaven but the docks at Folkestone had been thoroughly demolished by the British rendering them more or less unusable. British and Commonwealth forces were moved to fully engage in the battle with the first counterattack on 23 September, halting the advance of the Germans towards Hastings and recapturing Newhaven. German paratroops were also pinned down by long-range artillery and harassment by stay-behind forces. At this stage the Germans had few tanks and only light artillery ashore. An increasing shortage of ammunition was slowly forcing them back towards the sea. The Germans asked "Hitler" if the bombing of London could stop and the aircraft used to support the invasion. The request was denied. By dusk on 23 September the Germans had 10 divisions ashore, but most were halted by counterattacks or awaiting supplies and reinforcements.

The second wave of the German invasion was launched on the morning of 24 September, but only the short crossing from Calais and Dunkirk to Kent. At dawn on 24 September the second German landing, which was to include tanks and heavy artillery as well as supplies and men, was intercepted by a Royal Navy fleet of 17 cruisers and 57 destroyers plus Motor Torpedo Boats. 65% of the German barges, three German destroyers and seven E-boats were sunk for the loss of only two British destroyers (sunk by U-boats) plus two cruisers and four destroyers damaged. Some of the faster German ships broke away and headed for Folkestone, but the port was so badly damaged they could not unload. With the Royal Navy suffering only minor losses, the Home Fleet was ordered to stand by to sail for the English Channel. The German divisions ashore only had enough ammunition for 2 to 7 more days of fighting. Fast steamers and ferries were pressed into service to start an evacuation of German troops from Folkestone and Rye. "Hitler" ordered the remaining reserves to stand down and prepare for redeployment to Poland. Further British air and sea attacks disrupted the German evacuation over the subsequent four days. The remaining German troops in England finally surrendered on 28 September.
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iggie
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by iggie »

Looking forward to this; I'm going to do a small diorama, featuring some classically English scenery and German vehicles. I've not decided on any of the constituent parts in detail yet :shock:
It is likely that a foray onto eBay will be required :-D
Best wishes

Jim
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SouthEast Aviation99
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by SouthEast Aviation99 »

Also looking forward to this, although what the scene is to be has yet to be decided!
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

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Here's a slightly more detailed version of the Sandhurst wargame. I know it gave me about half a dozen ideas :-D

Operation Sealion - summary of an exercise held at the
Staff College, Sandhurst in 1974.

The full text is in 'Sealion' by Richard Cox. The scenario
is based on the known plans of each side, plus previously
unpublished Admiralty weather records for September 1940.
Each side (played by British and German officers respectively)
was based in a command room, and the actual moves plotted
on a scale model of SE England constructed at the School
of Infantry. The panel of umpires included Adolf Galland,
Admiral Friedrich Ruge, Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher
Foxley-Norris, Rear Admiral Edward Gueritz, General Heinz
Trettner and Major General Glyn Gilbert.

The main problem the Germans face is that are a) the
Luftwaffe has not yet won air supremacy; b) the possible
invasion dates are constrained by the weather and tides
(for a high water attack) and c) it has taken until
late September to assemble the necessary shipping.

Glossary
FJ = Fallschirmjaeger (German paratroops)
MTB = Motor Torpedo Boat (German equivalent, E-Boat)
DD = Destroyer
CA = Heavy Cruiser
BB = Battleship
CV = Aircraft Carrier

22nd September - morning
The first wave of a planned 330,000 men hit the beaches
at dawn. Elements of 9 divisions landed between
Folkestone and Rottingdean (near Brighton).
In addition 7th FJ Div landed at Lympne to take the airfield.

The invasion fleet suffered minor losses from MTBs during
the night crossing, but the RN had already lost one
CA and three DDs sunk, with one CA and two DDs damaged,
whilst sinking three German DDs. Within hours of the landings
which overwhelmed the beach defenders, reserve formations
were despatched to Kent. Although there were 25 divisions
in the UK, only 17 were fully equipped, and only three
were based in Kent, however the defence plan relied on
the use of mobile reserves and armoured and mechanised
brigades were committed as soon as the main landings were
identified.

Meanwhile the air battle raged, the Luftwaffe flew 1200
fighter and 800 bomber sorties before 1200 hrs. The RAF
even threw in training planes hastily armed with bombs,
but the Luftwaffe were already having problems with their
short ranged Me 109s despite cramming as many as possible
into the Pas de Calais.

22nd - 23rd September
The Germans had still not captured a major port, although
they started driving for Folkestone. Shipping unloading
on the beaches suffered heavy losses from RAF bombing
raids and then further losses at their ports in France.

The U-Boats, Luftwaffe and few surface ships had lost
contact with the RN, but then a cruiser squadron with
supporting DDs entered the Channel narrows and had to
run the gauntlet of long range coastal guns, E-Boats
and 50 Stukas. Two CAs were sunk and one damaged. However
a diversionary German naval sortie from Norway was
completely destroyed and other sorties by MTBS and DDs
inflicted losses on the shipping milling about in the
Channel. German shipping losses on the first day
amounted to over 25% of their invasion fleet, especially
the barges, which proved desperately unseaworthy.

23rd Sept dawn - 1400 hrs.
The RAF had lost 237 planes out 1048 (167 fighters and
70 bombers), and the navy had suffered enough losses such
that it was keeping its BBs and CVs back, but large
forces of DDs and CAs were massing. Air recon showed a
German buildup in Cherbourg and forces were diverted to
the South West.

The German Navy were despondant about their losses,
especially as the loss of barges was seriously
dislocating domestic industry. The Army and Airforce
commanders were jubilant however, and preperations for
the transfer of the next echelon continued along with
the air transport of 22nd Div, despite Luftwaffe losses
of 165 fighters and 168 bombers. Out of only 732 fighters
and 724 bombers these were heavy losses. Both sides
overestimated losses inflicted by 50%.

The 22nd Div airlanded successfully at Lympne, although
long range artillery fire directed by a stay-behind
commando group interdicted the runways. The first British
counterattacks by 42nd Div supported by an armoured
brigade halted the German 34th Div in its drive on Hastings.
7th Panzer Div was having difficulty with extensive
anti-tank obstacles and assault teams armed with sticky
bombs etc. Meanwhile an Australian Div had retaken
Newhaven (the only German port), however the New Zealand
Div arrived at Folkestone only to be attacked in the
rear by 22nd Airlanding Div. The division fell back on
Dover having lost 35% casualties.

Sep 23rd 1400 - 1900 hrs
Throughout the day the Luftwaffe put up a maximum effort,
with 1500 fighter and 460 bomber sorties, but the RAF
persisted in attacks on shipping and airfields. Much of
this effort was directed for ground support and air
resupply, despite Adm Raeders request for more aircover
over the Channel. The Home Fleet had pulled out of air
range however, leaving the fight in the hands of 57 DDs
and 17 CAs plus MTBs. The Germans could put very little
surface strength against this. Waves of DDs and CAs
entered the Channel, and although two were sunk by U-Boats,
they sank one U-Boat in return and did not stop. The German
flotilla at Le Havre put to sea (3 DD, 14 E-Boats) and at
dusk intercepted the British, but were wiped out, losing
all their DDs and 7 E-Boats.

The Germans now had 10 divisions ashore, but in many
cases these were incomplete and waiting for their
second echelon to arrive that night. The weather
was unsuitable for the barges however, and the decision
to sail was referred up the chain of command.

23rd Sep 1900 - Sep 24th dawn
The Fuhrer Conference held at 1800 broke out into bitter
inter-service rivalry - the Army wanted their second
echelon sent, and the navy protesting that the
weather was unsuitable, and the latest naval defeat
rendered the Channel indefensible without air support.
Goring countered this by saying it could only be done
by stopped the terror bombing of London, which in turn
Hitler vetoed. The fleet was ordered to stand by.

The RAF meanwhile had lost 97 more fighters leaving only
440. The airfields of 11 Group were cratered ruins, and
once more the threat of collapse, which had receded in
early September, was looming. The Luftwaffe had lost
another 71 fighters and 142 bombers. Again both sides
overestimated losses inflicted, even after allowing for
inflated figures.

On the ground the Germans made good progress towards Dover
and towards Canterbury, however they suffered reverses
around Newhaven when the 45th Div and Australians
attacked. At 2150 Hitler decided to launch the second wave,
but only the short crossing from Calais and Dunkirk. By
the time the order reached the ports, the second wave
could not possibly arrive before dawn. The 6th and 8th
divisions at Newhaven, supplied from Le Havre, would not
be reinforced at all.

Sep 24th dawn - Sep 28th
The German fleet set sail, the weather calmed, and U-Boats,
E-Boats and fighters covered them. However at daylight 5th
destroyer flotilla found the barges still 10 miles off
the coast and tore them to shreds. The Luftwaffe in turn
committed all its remaining bombers, and the RAF responded
with 19 squadrons of fighters. The Germans disabled two
CAs and four DDs, but 65% of the barges were sunk. The
faster steamers broke away and headed for Folkestone,
but the port had been so badly damaged that they could
only unload two at a time.

The failure on the crossing meant that the German
situation became desperate. The divisions had sufficient
ammunition for 2 to 7 days more fighting, but without
extra men and equipment could not extend the bridgehead.
Hitler ordered the deployment on reserve units to Poland
and the Germans began preparations for an evacuation as
further British arracks hemmed them in tighter. Fast
steamers and car ferries were assembled for evacuation
via Rye and Folkestone. Of 90,000 troops who landed
on 22nd september, only 15,400 returned to France, the rest
were killed or captured.
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by Purplethistle »

Just been to LMS and ordered an ICM 1/48 Sd KfZ 222 and working on a backdrop. I've got a ton of ideas for this. In order to do even a fraction of them will require a fairly simple figures or vehicle arrangement and some cleverly photoshopped ( ArcSoft PhotoImpression, actually) backgrounds.

Another maximum impact/ minimal effort trick is the 'Limited Viewpoint' - Instead of having to build a large street section with vehicles and figures, just have a couple of figures and one vehicle seen through a damaged window frame as if you are seeing it from a defenders viewpoint. Hopefully I'll have an example of this soon to illustrate the method.
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MarkyM607
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by MarkyM607 »

Right I'm in. I'll see if I can expand on what I've built so far and work on my diorama/scene etc. I'm not sure German forces would have reached me in St Neots, and I don't think there's much they would come for anyway!!! :-D . Might change to a port or airfield.
Hoping to return to modelling sometime this year!! :lol:
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by Purplethistle »

I'm probably trying to teach my Granny to suck eggs here, but to give depth and a sense of time to dioramas a handy source of backdrop photos is stills from war movies or tv series', e.g. Hope and glory, The eagle has landed, Battle of Britain.
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MarkyM607
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by MarkyM607 »

Purplethistle wrote:I'm probably trying to teach my Granny to suck eggs here, but to give depth and a sense of time to dioramas a handy source of backdrop photos is stills from war movies or tv series', e.g. Hope and glory, The eagle has landed, Battle of Britain.
Good idea. I've just ordered four ship kits (two on each side), for the Naval aspect, British troops and a Anti Tank cannon/gun for the land side and to go with the German stuff I did last time. Also have to do something to go with the 109's I build before.
Hoping to return to modelling sometime this year!! :lol:
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

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Went to my LMS today and found out that there had been a mix up with the SdKfz 222 I ordered so that will be another week away. So meantime I've started a MicroDio (3 figures, Airfix Multipose Germans) called 'Rettung Schutze Reinhardt' representing the beach assault on Day 1.
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by Purplethistle »

The invasion can not wait for the armour to arrive at my LMS! The troops begin to gather for the assault on the beaches. 'Winston, wir kommen!'

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iggie
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by iggie »

Which is more than can be said for any part of my build!
I need to get my cargo haulers GB build out of the way first but should be able to get cracking then
Best wishes

Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
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MarkyM607
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by MarkyM607 »

Likewise!!. I have the forces assembled but there is the Haulers GB and the Nifty Fifties GB, both of which are a little way from finishing. Still, one or two other projects are closing on Done. This should let me start this project soon. :grin:
Hoping to return to modelling sometime this year!! :lol:
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SouthEast Aviation99
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by SouthEast Aviation99 »

I need to get some bits for this, scenic stuff mainly.
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by Purplethistle »

if you chaps need any 'atmosphere' added to your backgrounds just let me know. The builds that I'm planning are actually quite basic, but with 'Cinemascope' backgrounds to liven them up. Hopefully I'll get the 'Rettung Schutze Reinhardt' photos trimmed and scaled for posting tonight.
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Purplethistle
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Re: PTs SS GB SB

Post by Purplethistle »

Rettung Schutze Reinhardt (Saving Private Reinhardt) The first wave on 22 September come ashore and have to negotiate wire and mines.


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