SWORD 80: D – 150

This weekend marks a milestone; we’re now 150 days – 5 months – from the 80th anniversary of D-Day. So it seems sensible to do a check on what I’ve completed and what still needs to be finished for the big Sword 80 game. In 150 days.

D-day and the Normandy Landings are often judged in terms of numbers, so I thought it fitting to share some numbers on Sword 80 “Cod and Chits”.

The British forces will be assaulting Sword on 6th and 7th June this year with almost 30 landing craft, over 70 vehicles, and nearly 400 troops.

I’ll be providing the boards, British forces, tea and biscuits. Ian, my erstwhile opponent for the game, will be doing the travelling and bringing his German forces. He will also likely endure my dry sense of humour and natural ability to roll a 1 at the most inopportune moments of a game.

I mention travelling as we have a rather neat arrangement where whichever one of us is hosting provides the terrain and boards. For our last day of games I travelled to Entoyment in Poole and we had a brilliant run of several fairly short games, I should really write them up. Now back to Sword beach.

‘Game Ready’

While I’d like to get everything completely finished, for now I’m aiming to achieve a ‘game ready’ standard. Essentially all the kit will be painted, decals on and washes done – but not weathered. Hopefully I’ll have time in May to spend a *few* evenings weathering, let’s see!

We’re using Rapid Fire Reloaded with 20mm figures for this game, and I’ve adapted the Sword Beach scenario from the Rapid Fire D-day campaign book.

LANDING CRAFT AND SUPPORT VESSELS OF NAVAL FORCE S

Landing craft: 28

Naval Force S is looking in good shape with 18 craft game ready. Most of the rest are primed, but I still need to build my LCS(L) conversion from a Britannia LCI(S) which will operate as inshore support and HQ. Also an LCA(OC) for my LCOCU but more on LCOCU in a later post!

I had planned to scratch build a Rhino ferry to land one of the final waves, but I’ll make a final decision on that once I’m comfortable the core force is game ready.

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Aircraft: 2

A small representation of the RAF, a PRU Spitfire and a Typhoon to represent 106 (Photo Reconnaissance) Squadron and 247 Squadron.

Spitfire ready for sorties, Typhoon is still in the box. I do quite fancy painting more invasion stripes.

BRITISH 3RD DIVISION AND ATTACHED UNITS

Vehicles & guns: 72

I’ve made some good progress here with 41 game ready. Of the 31 WIP, about a third are unbuilt, a third are built, and a third are primed and/basecoated. I’m aiming to complete the majority of vehicles and guns this month, so some busy evenings ahead.

In total almost a third of these vehicles needed conversion, including a literal boat load of trunking for deep wading.

Figures: 386

A lot of work to do here. 153 are game ready and the majority of the rest are based and primed. I’m using a variety of figures including AB, Fizzer Johnson, SHQ, Milicast, S&S Models, Adler, and some plastics.

I’m working on British infantry, British and French commandos, vehicle crews, landing craft crews, engineers, plus representation of the Beach Group (including RN Beach Commando) and LCOCU complete with divers.

You might even see a few recognisable characters, some historically accurate others purely to indulge my love of the classic – but not always accurate – The Longest Day.

BEACH DEFENCES & OBJECTIVES

It’s all very well building the assault forces but of course they need something to assault! Here I am going for an ‘inspired by’ thematic approach. You’ll see recognisable elements of what made Sword beach, some will be historically recognisable whereas one in particular will be from The Longest Day. Yes, it’s the Casino de Ouistreham!

Key objectives will include strongpoints at Riva Bella, Cod, Morris, Hillman, Daimler. Hermanville, Periers Ridge, and the outskirts of Ouistreham will also feature.

To get within reach of objectives the British forces will need to get off the beach, and there will be a few obstacles to impede them.

Beach obstacles: 150

Most of these are finished with only a couple dozen Czech hedgehogs to go. Beach obstacles include Rommel’s Asparagus, Belgian Gates (Element C), Czech Hedgehogs, minefields, and Hemmbalken (log ramps).

Bunkers: 20

All are game ready, however they have been finished in a greyish concrete. When I more recently built the Fire Control Tower I used AK Terrain Concrete and weathered it with washes and drybrushing. Time permitting I’d much rather go back over the bunkers with the same technique as I think it looks better. These cosmetic improvements might have to wait for Sword 81, I don’t have the resources of Rommel or the Organisation Todt!

Barbed wire: 60”

I’ve scratch built 60” of triple depth barbed wire obstacles to cover almost the entire length of the beach, punctuated with bunkers.

Buildings: 14

Only 4 completed, but the rest are all built and primed. Hermanville and Ouistreham will take most of the buildings.

Gaming table: 6 boards

I’ve built five of six boards, the final one will be home to Daimler and road to the Orne bridges. Once the last board is done I’ll share a step by step guide on how they were built. I can perhaps dream of one day expanding from an 8×6 to a 12×8 table.

Dimensions are broadly 12” sea, 12” beach, 48” for dunes and beyond. You get a good idea of layout from the next photo which shows four of the boards. For orientation Cod will be located at the top edge of the photo, Riva Bella bottom left.

While built specifically for Sword, I’ll also be using all of these boards for Walcheren later this year. The two beach boards will be used for the Falklands next year, more on that once Sword 80 has been done.

150 days and counting…

It’s going to be close, but I should get these all game ready in time, though the bunkers will probably remain grey rather than get the concrete treatment. If I can maintain an hour or two hobby time most evenings I’ll get there.

In the meantime I’d love to hear about your D-day themed games!