Renowned for its heavy armour, the Matilda II stormed across battlefields in France and the Western Desert. These infantry tanks played a key role in the Commonwealth’s early victories! Designed and commissioned in 1936, the Matilda infantry tank was designed to be a lumbering behemoth, impervious to anti-tank guns and field artillery, able to engage…
We’re always excited to see your miniatures – this week, we’re heading to the Philippines with Robin Dao’s Battling Bastards of Bataan! The War in the Philippines In the Philippines, two Japanese divisions – the 16th and the 48th under General Homma Masaharu –landed on the island of Luzon on 22 December. US General Douglas…
This week, we’re returning to the North African deserts, climbing into the high passes of the Atlas Mountains to witness the US Army’s baptism of fire at Kasserine. Following the success of the American, British and Free French landings in Morocco and Algeria as part of Operation Torch, the Allied armies concentrated their forces and…
This week, we’re heading back in time to take a look at one of the early medieval period’s forgotten battles – one that spelt the end of Saxon paganism. To the Winwaed! The Heptarchy From the Greek “Hept” – seven and “arch” – reign/rule, Heptarchy refers to the period of history where England was divided…
We’ve arrived at the climax of the Napoleonic Wars. Returning from exile, Napoleon rallied his forces and began the campaign that would end at Waterloo. Following his defeat at the Battle of Leipzig and eventual loss of the War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. Kept under guard, he…
The Battle of France has begun. The German Blitzkrieg is scything across the French countryside. This week, we’re taking a look at the very tip of the spear – General Erwin Rommel’s 7th Panzer Division, the Ghost Division! When the German Blitzkrieg smashed through France and the Low Countries, its vanguard was composed of the…
As the weather gets wintery, we’re continuing our series of articles on Black Powder 2 with a long march into Russia. This week we’re looking at Napoleon’s Russian campaign. Despite being the undisputed master of Europe, Napoleon was plagued by an unceasing guerilla war on the Iberian peninsular and growing discontent within his empire. Trade…
To celebrate the upcoming release of the Battle of France book, we’re trundling into battle alongside the doughty French infantry this week with a spotlight on the formidable Char B1 bis. Background “It has been said critically that there is a tendency in many armies to spend the peacetime studying how to fight the last…
Our pals at Sarissa Precision have created yet another superb centrepiece for your early war Bolt Action battlefields! Presenting Maison Forte MF10! Sarissa has created this outstanding MDF building, based on the design of a real Maginot line blockhouse. The Montmedy sector of the Maginot line covered the 60km frontage between Sedan and Longuyon. As it…
On this day 1,949 years ago, 10 Roman legions clashed in the epic climax to a year of brutal civil war and mindless bloodshed. This week, we’re taking a look at the second battle of Bedriacum and the Year of the Four Emperors. Galba and Otho In 68AD, Emperor Nero found himself very short of…
Tom Mecredy