The Black Hussars – HR5 von Ruesch

The Black Hussars in a wild charge.

The Minden miniatures are full of details and animation.

As my 15mm WW2 collection is reaching a playable size; I look ahead to new projects for the fall and winter. One project that has been earmarked for expansion in 2015 is my WAS/SYW collection. Having been a long standing fan of Minden Miniatures and the sculpting style of Richard Ansell, I found it hard to resist their excellent Prussian hussars, which come in the variation of both mounted and dismounted/skirmishing.

Inspiration.

Having decided to start out with the mounted unit, the choice of what regiment to actually paint was really not that hard. As a kid, when reading about Frederick the Great for the first time, and studying the uniform plates of Preben Kannik, I was fascinated by the Black Hussars and their scull-marked mirliton.

Knötel's take on the HR5.

The Black Hussars was first raised in 1741 as part of the Prussian cavalry reformation, by taking a squadron of trained cavalrymen from the HR1 as a core supplement to the fresh recruits. They would become the 5th hussars regiment to be added to the ranks of Frederick’s growing army. The HR5 prefix is interesting, as it was the unglamorous and numbering system devised by the Prussian army’s Grand Old Man – Fürst von Anholt-Dessau a.k.a “Der alte Dessauer”, revealing the very pragmatic DNA of Prussian military values.

Another view of the unit.

I'm basing cavalry on 60x60mm bases from Warbases
with those nicely rounded corners.

During the War of Austrian Succession (Branching First & Second Silesian War) the unit served with distinction in the second part, particularly during the Battle of Hohenfriedberg and Hennersdorf. The nickname “Black Hussars” or even “Totenköpfe” was earned, and stuck all the way up to the elimination of the state/name Prussia after WW2. 

One of Preben Kannik's fantastic uniform plates.

Later during the Seven Years War, with Frederick hard pressed in a two-front war, the HR5 would be divided and serve simultaneously in both the eastern and western theatre, playing an active part in battles such as Zorndorf, Kunersdorf and of course the battle of Minden.

The Black Hussars as they looked later during the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1808 the regiment had become somewhat of a Prussian legend, and thus was elevated to official Leib-Hussaren (Royal Guard Hussars), a prominence they would keep through the Franco-Prussian War, on to the First World War while ending as a relic of the old Empire under the Nazi rules during the Second World War.

Here are some of the regiments most famous people

Prince Friedrich-Charles of Prussia.
(Franco-Prussian War)

Kaiser Wilhelm II (WW1)

Kaiser Wilhelm's son, Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm (WW1)

General von Mackensen.
Famous WW1 General and author of two books on the Black Hussars.

Thank you very much for reading!

The History of elite unit Großdeutschland - part 3; Waking up the bear

The MG42 at work on the Eastern Front.

Having now completed my intended 4 Zugs of summer uniformed infantry, I thought it was time for a little update on the journey of Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland eastward towards Moscow. We last left them enjoying the laurels of victory, after the triumph of Blitzkrieg and the fall of France. Now things move toward a darker horizon.

One of the four Zugs now finished.

The build-up towards Barbarossa

With their famous foe of the Great War soundly defeated, Großdeutschland went into winter camp at Belfort focussing on replenishing the ranks after suffered casualties and additionally to train up on new weaponry. Meanwhile in Berlin the Führer, now drunk on the success of Blitzkrieg and the fall of France, had become more and more obsessed with the prospect of an attack on his ally – the Soviet Union. 

Russian troops fought a desperate but futile battle against
the onslaught of Blitzkrieg in the summer of 1941.
(Picture from: Bashny.net)

The notion that a pre-emptive attack would rob Britain of a potential ally, by forcing a quick campaign to get a German dictated peace settlement, and the general ideology of lebensraum found on the “Slavic wastelands” to the east, drove the Führer’s mind towards this fateful operation. But before he could direct his finely tune war machine east, he would have to secure his southern flank.

The conquest of Greece and Yugoslavia was the last piece of the puzzle,
now Hitler had a unison front to the East.

 This meant that Greece and Yugoslavia, in both cases refusing to fall into the German alliance system, were targeted for armed invasion. The operation was even sanctioned by Moscow (still an ally of Germany at this point), and forces moved into action. Großdeutschland were designated to take part in the invasion of Yugoslavia, supporting an armoured Corps in a drive towards the nations capital, Belgrade. 

HQ base with an officer consulting the roadmap to Moscow.

The attack commenced on April 11th 1941, and meet next to no resistance. In the early hours of the following day Belgrade was taken, with I battalion of Großdeutschland directed to keep the public quiet and by show of force. Hitler now had a unison front east, stretching from the Baltic coast to the Black Sea. It was time to move the pieces into their position for the big attack. Operation Barbarossa was shaping up.

The initial German strength of Operation Barbarossa

At the outset of Barbarossa, the combined forces of Hitler’s Blitzkrieg machine comprised 3 million troops, with an additional force 750.000 from allies like Finland and Romania. These were accompanied eastward by some 3.350 tanks, ca. 7.000 artillery pieces and some 600.000 motorized vehicles. 

The German army had massed an incredible 3.350 tanks
for Operation Barbarossa.

Looking to the skies, they could depend upon the Luftwaffe to support them with about 3.000 aircraft, buzzing ahead with Stuka sirens signalling the impending storm. Though intelligence had fed Moscow with proof of German troop build-up leading up to the invasion, Barbarossa caught the bear daydreaming, of not sleeping. Stalin’s many initiatives in reforming his army had not bore any fruit, on the contrary, the big political purge of capable officers had left the Soviet army with what best can be described as unproven enthusiasts in many commanding positions. This would prove costly in the months to come.

German radio operator.

Like in the Franco-Prussian War and WW1,
German communications and com-equipment
were often superior to that of the enemy. 

Crossing the historic river Berezina

On June 22nd the vast German army rolled over the border and into Russia. What would be the most decisive chapter of WW2 had begun. In May Großdeutschland had been moved up from Yugoslavia and put in support of Second Panzer Group, forming part of von Bock’s Army Group Centre tasked with taking Moscow.

The fight for river crossings and bridgeheads was intense.

Operations began with promising advances and thousands of Russian prisoners taken. Time and again, Großdeutschland would fight encircling actions, mopping up surrendering Soviet troops as the Panzers jumped forward in pincer manoeuvres. On one occasion, fighting outside Minsk, over 150.000 prisoners were taken in a single operation. Another major engagement was fought at Borisov, close to the historic river Berezina. Here Napoleon had crossed with the remnants of his Grand Armée in 1812, some 130 years earlier. Now it was the Russians making a hasty retreat. 

German artillery/air support spotter.

Großdeutschland pushed forward, with many missions consisting of establishing and holding bridgeheads in conjuncture with the Panzers advance. They advanced deeper into the core of Russia, fighting their way towards Yelnya in July. As summer peaked and temperatures grew scorching hot, Großdeutschland fought a series of intense engagements, against defiant Russian units at the well defended railroad junction at Yelnya. Having bumped into a rock on the road, and after more than a month of intense fighting, Großdeutschland was now awarded a few days rest, from which they would be returned into a defensive position West of Yelnya, offering further time to revamp their energy. 

During the summer of 41 the German army was still bathed in success,

but dark clouds were gathering on the horizon.

On the 7th August Smolensk fell with a devastating 850.000 Russian prisoners taken. This opened the remaining 300km of road towards Moscow. The goal seemed within reach. In part IV we will follow the Großdeutschland to the gates of Moscow, where the Bear finally counter-attacks.

Thank you very much for reading!

The Danish Warship Churprindsen

The Churprindsen.

Model from Langton's Anglo-Dutch range.

About a year ago fellow club member Mark and I decided to build a collection of Danish and Swedish warships for the Scanian War, using the excellent pewter cast 1:1200 models from Langton. The Scanian War is interesting not only on in terms of the large and bloody land battles, but also at sea where the large Danish and Swedish navies had four mayor sea battles, with plenty of drama and fierce fighting to base good scenarios on.

The Danish and Swedish navies slugging it out 

at the battle of Køge Bugt, 1677.

We recently tried out some new rules that Mark had found for us – see the AAR here, and decided it was time to pick up the project again by painting up more of the beautiful Langton ships. Having already done the Christianus Quintus, the flagship of Nils Juel (my favorite Danish Admiral) at the Battle of Køge Bugt, I decided to paint up his earlier flagship, Churprindsen, from which he commanded during the two sea battles the year before in 1676.

Churprindsen

For anyone who has been to Copenhagen, the harbor channels of Christianshavn and the area around the impressive new Opera will be familiar. In the 1600s this area was a bustling naval yard, with an impressive turn out rate of large warships to ensure Danish naval security in Øresund strait. 

Another view at the model.

Rigging these small models is a work of patience, 

but very rewarding to the look of the finished model.

In the 1660s the building master, Mathias Hermandsen, was charges with constructing 5 new and quite sizable warships, one of them was Churprindsen.  Construction was finished 1664, and the 146 ft long ship was launched with 72 guns, most of them 18 pounders. She carried a crew of around 380 men, most of them recruited through the many capable sailor at the naval docks in Copenhagen.

The Royal Danish shipyards at Holmen, Copenhagen.

The model can be viewed at the Naval Museum in Copenhagen.

Churprindsen would see action in all the four mayor sea battles of the Scanian War:

Battle of Bornholm 25-26th May 1676 (The flagship of Nils Juel)

Battle of Öland 1st June 1676 (The flagship of Nils Juel)

Battle of Møn 31st May – 1st June 1677

Battle of Bøge Bugt 1- 2 July 1677

Close quarter firefights were devastating to hull and crew.

At the Battle of Öland Christianus Quintus and Churprindsen would surround the Swedish warship “Svärdet”, flagship of admiral Uggla, and force him to strike flag and surrender after an intense fire duel. Unfortunately the price ship never made at back to Copenhagen, since a Dutch (allies of the Danes) fireship drifted up and set the Svärdet ablaze, causing it to blow up with Uggla and most of its 650-man crew.

A view of the colorful and decorative stern.

Churprindsen went on to serve the Royal Danish navy until 1710, where she was laid out as target practice for the artillery at the harbor forts in Copenhagen.

Thank you very much for reading!

The History of elite unit Großdeutschland - part 2

Opel Blitz Rote Kreuz Ambulance.

15mm model from Skytrex.

As my 15mm Operation Barbarossa collection expands, I found it necessary to add some more peripheral non-combat units – like this Opel Blitz Ambulance. As the German “Landsers” pushed eastward in 41 and 42, a virtual exodus of wagons and supply transports followed them. 

The lifesaving heroes right behind the frontline.

These hardened women would witness much suffering and death during their service.

The most iconic of these were perhaps the Opel Blitz. So this was a natural choice when I wanted to add an ambulance unit. The ambulance model will probably serve as an objective marker or supply wagon with replenishment effect for infantry units on the table, all depending on rules and scenario.

The aerial view of the Opel Blitz, 

with clear markings to prevent any accidental bombings.

The History of the Großdeutschland part 2 – Blitzkrieg and the Fall of France

We last left the newly formed Großdeutschland in the training camp, preparing for what was nearing on the horizon, a World War. In September 1939 the Führer’s ambition for “Lebensraum” finally pushed Germany over the edge, and lead the great nation into a deep black hole. 37 German divisions swamped Polish defenses, and despite brave resistance, Poland was all but overrun. Großdetschland was stationed near the border, and preparing to launch an operation in Eastern Poland, when the Soviet Union moved in and claimed that part of the now doomed nation. A baptism of fire would have to wait for Großdeutschland.

Guderian directing the advance.

He is seen here using the Enigma encoding machine.

After the completion of the Polish invasion, many units including Großdetschland was moved to the west, in anticipation of an attack by Polish allies, France and Great Britain. Großdetschland was now strengthened with an Assault Engineer battalion and expanded from two battalions to include four. Meanwhile the regiment was attached to a part of the western defensive line in conjuncture with Guderian’s XIX Motorized Army Corps, which would be the start of a long lasting relation.

Invasion begins - Crossing the border.

In the spring of 1940, Denmark and Norway fell, but there was still no move made by the British or French. Großdetschland was reinforced with new StuG III assult guns, and move into a position in the middle of the Mosel region, across from the old battlefields from 1914 and 1870. Fall Gelb, the main assault on Holland, Belgium and France began on the 10th May 1940, and would see Großdetschland move in through Luxembourg, consolidating positions taken by the fast moving panzers in front. 

German troops advancing through Belgium and Luxembourg.

The German push went forward like a steamroller, down towards Sedan and the Meuse river. Großdetschland fought actively during these days, mostly involved in smaller encounters with fragments of Belgian troops, who had come into disorganization with their front overrun by fast motorized German units. The Meuse was crossed on the 13th, with the honor of establishing the bridgehead given to Rommel’s 7th Panzer Div. Meanwhile on the 14th, Holland surrendered. The situation was becoming increasingly desperate for the Allies.

Opel Blitz Ambulance adding backbone
 to the crucial frontline medical logistics.

The bridgehead at Sedan put all Allied forces still fighting in Belgium into serious risk. Therefor a series of determined counterattacks were made at Sedan, which Großdetschland would participate in successfully fighting off, securing this important strategic gain. Sedan proved important, not only puncturing the Allied defenses, but also their morale. 

German wounded trooper getting the first treatment.

With Allied will to fight all but zapped by the defeat at Sedan, a race towards the Channel started. Kleist’s Armored forces conquered St. Quentin on the 18th May, and on the 20th Abbeville fell, cutting off the BEF’s direct line of communication, leading to their evacuation. The Allied faced defeat, and they knew it. Frantic dispatches went out from London and Paris to all remaining European powers. France was about to fall, and the UK didn’t know for how long they would be able to keep on fighting. 

The brave defenders of Sedan.

France fell after 6 desperate weeks of fighting.

In June Guderian and Großdetschland continued their push south from Sedan, reaching the Swiss border on the 17th, effectively cutting off some 500.000 French troops in the Maginot Line. France sued for peace. The nation had fallen in less than two months, and negotiations for a complete surrender commenced. The Allies had suffered about 360.000 casualties, while Germany noted some 160.000 dead and wounded. 

German officers during the victory parade on Champs-Élysées, Paris.

While the last sporadic fighting took place, Großdetschland kept advancing, and on the 19th they occupied the big southern city of Lyon. In this capital of French cuisine, the Großdetschland enjoyed some much-needed days of rest. Meanwhile new plans were being made at HQ under the name “Seelöwe” or Sealion. 

To be continued - Next up Part 3: Barbarossa

Thank you very much for reading!

The History of elite unit Großdeutschland - part 1

Two Zundapp MC's blazing eastward during Barbarossa.

Minis are 15's from Skytrex.

As summer is reaching an untelling apex here in Stockholm with temperatures refusing to go beyond 20 Celsius, I find my way back to the painting table and the blogger-sphere. The much needed break was used primarily to follow the surprising drama in the early stages of this year’s Tour de France (cycling being another big passion of mine).

MC recon unit taking a well-deserved smoking break.

 

Also, I've been developing plans for what will be a 1.5 x 3 meters gaming table, specifically decorated in a French countryside style, aimed at offering a frame for wargaming battles in the period of 1870-1914 - more about that later. On with the Barbarossa project and the most recent addition. This week I’m adding a Zundapp Aufklärung (MC Recon) unit to my collection, setting a visual backdrop to part 1 of 6 of my blog post series on the German elite unit, Großdeutschland.

Another view at the Zundapps.

They are based on standard FoW small bases.

*

The History of elite unit Großdeutschland part 1: The unit’s origins

When the dust settles after a great struggle, and time applies conciliation and perspective, some of the names from the fight still live on. Whether in fame or infamy, they become linked with a specific battle, a certain glorious charge or perhaps stained with the disgrace of defeat or war crimes. The unit’s name echoes up through history, with a promise of relevance and immediacy for a particular moment in human history. 

The Wachtruppe Berlin (Berlin Guard) on one of it's frequent 

parades through central Berlin.

Reading up on Operation Barbarossa and the German units participating in the horrific fighting on the Eastern Front 1941-45, one name emerged more clearly than the others, Großdeutschland. This unit, consisting of the very best troops drafted from all over Germany, had the very DNA of Blitzkrieg in their bones, as they were formed partly by the drill-unit from the Infantry School at Döberitz, used to develop the innovative German tactics before the war. Their merits fast made them the favourite of Guderian, and they saw almost constant action until they were all but annihilated in 45, as the German army disintegrated under the overwhelming pressure of the Allies.

Heinz Guderian - the father of Blitzkrieg.

In order to trace the unit’s roots, we travel back to the days just after the First World War, during the turbulent Weimar Republic. In Berlin, rioting and public disorder was not uncommon, and it was thought prudent to form an official Guard Troop for the city. This Guard Troop, named the “Wachtregiment Berlin”, mainly consisted of ex-Freikorps soldiers, many of whom were war veterans, looking for a brawl with communists or, ironically perhaps, believing in an imminent Polish invasion of Germany. The Wachtregiment formed a simple but important duty, namely of twice a week marching with colors flying and band playing, through the Brandenburg Tor and down to the war memorial, in a deifying manner, significant for what was brewing in a post-war defeated Germany.

Early postcard showing the Döbertiz Infantry School.

When Hitler came to power in 1934, the regiment was expanded to eight companies with an integrated unit HQ. Newly drafted troops now came mainly from the Wehrmacht’s ranks, recruiting only the tallest and most skilled soldiers from across Germany, which resulted in almost all troopers being over 6 feet tall. (Perhaps a historic hint to the King Fredrick William’s Tall Grenadier Guard). 

Hans Valentin Hube.

The author of the German Infantry drill book, "Der Infanterist"

Meanwhile at the Army Infantry School outside Döberitz, Oberst Hans Valentin Hube, was working on the innovative new Blitzkrieg tactics, a drill project that would result in the publication of his book; the standard German Army infantry tactical drill manual “Der Infanterist”. Paired with the innovations of Guderian on armoured tactics, the fruit of Hube’s work would become evident in the early campaigns of WW2, with Poland and France completely overwhelmed by the rapidity and mobility of this new style of warfare.

Blitzkrieg was all about mobility,
something the Zundapps offered in abundance.

At Döberitz Hube had worked in close accord with a particular well-drilled infantry unit, which now formed the nucleus of the Blitzkrieg tactical DNA. In 1939, the larger part of this unit was merged with the Wachtregiment Berlin, to form an all new elite infantry regiment of four battalions. In an official ceremony at Moabit barrack’s, the regiment was awarded it’s name – Infanterie Regiment Großdeutschland (IRGD).

The Führer-begleit-Battalion (Führer Escort).

Troops from IRGD was handpicked for this unit.

The clouds of war were gathering on the horizon, and the newly formed IRGD was sent to undergo rigorous training, preparing them for what was to come. As international relations deteriorated, the unit had caught the eye of the Führer, and a small contingent was extracted from IRGD to form an armed escort troop for Hitler, named the “Führer-Begleit-Kommando”. 

Next part – Blitzkrieg, the fall of Poland and France.

Thank you very much for reading!

Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland - Operation Barbarossa

The first  Zug is finished.

15mm "Blitzkrieg" minis from Skytrex.

As everyone is talking Waterloo these days, I thought I’d use this, my 100th by the way, blog post to highlight another, perhaps less known, anniversary in military history. At 3:15 am on Monday the 22nd June its exactly 74 years since the greatest land battle of all times started – the Nazi invasion of Communist Russia, codenamed “Operation Barbarossa”.

Operation Barbarossa, with its three main thrusts 

consisting of Army Groups North, Center and South)

It marked the end of the so-called “Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact” of Non-Aggression, signed in 1939, and would prove the beginning of the end for Nazi rule in Germany. It would have a fatal outcome for hundred thousands of soldiers and civilians, and it would be the stage on which some of histories most gruesome war crimes were committed. 

The six man rifle team - according to  the Chain of Command rules.

Casualties will be removed with markers, and full bases when possible.

With the aim of building a 15mm collection for the period of Barbarossa (41-42), I was first of all looking for suitable German Blitzkrieg infantry miniatures. While many producers out there offer good products for the Early War period, I decided to go with Skytrex for the infantry. They really are wonderful sculpts, and I like the weight compared to plastic, when I’m basing this small scale.

Cuff insignia for Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland.

Tried to add these on the 15mm minis, with varied success.

Next question was what unit to paint up. I wanted a unit that had participated in the initial stages of Barbarossa, but also one, which was later involved in Fall Blau and Wintergewitter. After some advice from co-club members Ulf and Jesper, I decided to go with the Großdeutschland regiment. It’s history really runs deep on the Eastern Front, and it offers versatility of deployment, as it later became upgrade to a panzer reg. 

MG34 and Obergefreiter with MP40.

As a further bonus for me, Großdeutschland was part of XLVI Panzer Corps,
 of Panzer Group 2 commanded by Heinz Guderian, somewhat a personal favorite among the many capable German army commanders. 

Großdeutschland MG gunner.

Großdeutschland have a fascinating history, including dark as well as bright chapters.

My plan is to touch on all aspects, and post for post follow the unit in a chronological way, from the kick off of Barbarossa on the 22nd June 41, until the last remains staggered up towards the Danish border to surrender to the much preferred Brits in 45. 

Großdeutschland trooper having a pensive moment at the Eastern Front.

It will be a dramatic journey, including war crimes, near annihilation and heroic counter charges. In other words; to be continued.

Thank you very much for reading!