The wide expanse of barren desert, dotted with scrub, palm trees and a few sand dunes the hot sun beating with an intensity that parches throats, and the columns of thick dust from the tracks of the panzers the rattle of machine guns the crump of shells passing overhead, blend into a very exciting period of history for the wargamer.

I realize that most WWII buffs, like to use plenty of tanks armored cars and artillery on the table top. Over the next few issues of THE ARMCHAIR GENERAL the intention is to cover the components of a Panzer Division, color schemes of uniforms and vehicles TO's of the basic units, markings, and the correct numbering system of tile vehicles.

STEEL HELMET

The steel helmet was generally not worn on campaign, because of the heat, but if it was worn, the helmet was painted a sand color. To obtain the sand color, mix IR's buff, yellow, white and khaki in equal parts. To save time the Platt Paints khaki can be used. The national shield was not worn, but some of the veterns of the earlier campaigns painted the Palm Tree insignia as a badge of honor.

FIELD CAP

This cap was particular to Rommel's troops. It ranged in color from khaki to white depending on the length of time exposed to the desert sun. I would suggest taking the basic sand color and mixing more white into the cap to show fading.

UNIFORM

The field jacket was either field grey, or during most of the campaign, khaki. The jacket, shirt, shorts or long trousers should have a faded look. The actual uniform (tropical dress) was the color of a brown kraft paper bag. Add one part dark brown to the mixture (sand color)

BUTTONS AND BUCKLES Mix equal parts of silver and dark grey to show the effects of wear.

WEAPONS AND SHOVELS Wooden Darts are red brown with blackish metal parts (gunmetal)

MESS KITS Black, highlight with a dark grey.

BOOTS Red brown with a sand wash for dust.

BREAD BAG Red brown, glazed to look like leather, (mix three parts turpentine with one part glaze)

WAIST BELT, AMMUNITION BOXES, AND SHOULDER SUSPENSIONS Mix equal parts of light green and khaki for -- web material

ARM BADGES This badge was worn on the right forearm of the tunic, was later replaced with the word 'AFRIKA' between two palms. Color scheme from top to bottom: gold-yellow, white, light green with white lettering, white, and gold yellow.

The only figures on the market today of the Afrika Korps in the 20-25mm wargame scale are the ones manufactured by Airfix. This particular set is quite varied in its poses and is easily adaptable to many conversions or fill ins for various crews. It is missing a mortar crew, but the loader from the anti-tank crew and the infantryman surrending with his arms repositioned fill in beautifully. Jack Scruby sells mortars and the earlier types of heavy machine guns for this scale. By converting heads to the kneeling British machine gunner and the loader feeding the gun, a passable HMG team can be made.

In order to have a realistic scale and vehicles on the board, my organization is based as follows: infantry (1-10), tanks, flak vehicles, and armored car (1-.5), heavy gun batteries (1-6), and the heavy infantry weapons (on a 1-3 or 5 scale). Even though the ratios are a bit different, it works out quite well on the game board.

ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE BATTALIONS OF THE AFRIKA KORPS

The 3rd, 33rd, and the 580th Recee Units were the eyes and the ears of Rommel's Afrika Korps. As fighting units, each of these battalions was worth its weight in gold.

As of 1942 a full Armored Reconnaissance Battalion consisted of the following:

Btn HQ 20 men
Comm Plt 60 men
Armored Car Co. 135 men, 24 LMG, 18 armored cars with a HMG and a 2cm rapid firing AA/AT gun, 6 armored cars with a 7.5 cm (short barrel) tank gun
Three Recon Cos each of 225 men, 18 LMG 4 HMG, 3 7.92 A/T rifles and 2 8.1 cm mortars
Hvy Weapon Co 150 men, 7LMG 3 28/20 A/T guns 3 3.7cm or 3cm Paks anti-tank guns and 2 7.5cm infantry howitzers

TABLE TOP ORGANIZATION

Btn HQ 1 officer and 1 EM in a VW jeep
Comm Plt 6 infantry, 2 radios and 2 VW jeeps
Armd. Car Co

Co HQ - 1 A/C with HMG and radio equipment
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Plts - each of 1 A/C with HMG and 2cm rapid firing AA/AT gun 1 A/C with HMG and4th Hvy Wpn Plt - 1 A/C with a 7.5 cm gun

There were many types of armored cars used in the desert but the two most popular were the Leichter Panzerspahwagen (Sd.Kfz..222), which was made in several versions, and the Schwere Panzerspahwagen (Sd. Kfz. 234/1 and 234/3). It's hoped that either Airfix or Minitanks will make the former. The 234/1 and 3 are manufactured by Minitanks in the 1/87 scale and Airfix makes the version with the Pak 40 (L46). With a little bit of converting, the 2cm or short 7.5 cm gun can be installed in the turret.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Recee Cos: Each company has the following: 2 LMG and 1 HMG with 2 man crews, 3 bases of rifles of men each, 4 bases of SMG of 2 men each, a various assortment of vehicles which can be APC's 2 1/2 ton trucks 3/4 ton trucks, and the new Sd. Kfz. 7 made by Airfix and minitanks Viking Models makes the German version of the 3/4 ton truck and the 2-1 ton truck, but I think these are of the post war era. Since there are not any models of the German APC I suggest taking Minitanks Z-135 and cut out the top and mount the appropriate machine guns and anti-tank guns.

4th Heavy Wpn Co: This company is set up a little differently, and incorporates all of the left over weapons of the battallion. It includes the following: 2 HMG with 2 man crews, 2 5cm Paks with 3 man crews, 2 8.1cm mortars with 2 or 3 man crews, or if you are handy with converting, a 7.5cm. infantry howitzer with a 3 man crew.

TOTALS NEEDED FOR A RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION

LMG - 6 teams, HMG -5 teams, Mortars - 2 teams, Anti-tank, guns - 2 teams, Riflemen - 9 bases or 27 men, SMG -16 bases or 32 men, 5 armored cars, 3 VW jeeps and the various personel carriers.

PAINTING AND DETAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Wash the vehicle in soap and water and let dry.
Spray with a basic coat of white and 1et dry for 24 hours.
After drying, paint the vehicle the basic German sand color.
With a red brown or black paint, outline all details with a thin pointed brush, or if your hand is not steady, use pen and ink.
Paint the wheels black and wash with either sand or Floquil's dust.
Guns are painted a steel black color.
Decals

a. Take the decals from Minitanks American sheet and place the number plates to the lower front and rear hulls.
b. From the Roskopf set # 200, apply the small German crosses centrally to the hull sides back of the turret, and to the left front and rear mudguards.
c. The palm tree insignia may be substituted for the crosses.
d. Vehicle identification numbers can be applied to either the turret or to the right front and rear mudguards. These numbers come from the Roshopf set # 200 and are the best I have seen for they are just the right size, and double numbered. If you have a steady hand, red can be painted on the numbers with a white outline.
e. The palm tree insignia can be painted either centrally or to the left center of the front and rear hulls.

The Airfix Afrika Korps set includes: several figures suitable to mount in the turrets to give the vehicle more life.
Both MiniTanks and Roskopf include a spare parts kit of which jerrycans, tool boxes, and shell canisters are included. These can be placed along the mudguards and an antenna (wire) can be placed on the right rear mud guard. The command (radio) car has a staff flag on the left front mudguard

Photos

More Panzer Armee Afrika

Panzer Armee Afrika Part I
Panzer Armee Afrika Part II
Panzer Armee Afrika Part III

Reply to Panzer Armee Afrika
Panzer Armee Afrika: References and Regiments