Project Camicia Nere, Avanti!

Project Camicia Nere (Blackshirt) begins today. Every post you see with this header image will relate to my ongoing project to recreate key elements of the Italian offensive at Guadalajara during the Spanish Civil War in 15mm.

My main source for the battle is LA PARTECIPAZIONE ITALIANA ALLA GUERRA CIVILE SPAGNOLA (1936-1939). There are newer texts and research has moved forward but as it is based upon the C.T.V.s own war diaries and is frequently referred to by later books, I think I can safely compromise given the other research that has come my way. Not forgetting that at the end of the day, I am wargaming, which in itself requires a whole bag of other compromises.

If you are interested in learning more about the battle yourself, there are several resources online. There is a good Wiki, and I can't recommend the La Batalla de Guadalajara and superb Brihuega 1937 websites highly enough.

There are also some videos pertaining to the battle on YouTube. See the separate links below. A word of caution though before you view them. The programme makers have not only used some video footage out of context or from other parts of the war, there are also scenes which have incorporated WW2 filmstock (Panzer II and German MG34's).

Guadalajara Video 1
Guadalajara Video 2
Guadalajara Video 3
Guadalajara Video 4

Not bad though for getting the creative juices flowing and allowing you to build a mental picture of the battle, troops and terrain.

Further videos and documentray shorts on the SCW can be found on YouTube by conducting a search with the term 'Guerra Civil Espanola' or the name of a SCW battle. I've found that it's best to add the year that the battle took place to cut out extraneous results, eg 'Guadalajara 1937'. The difference in the results for a search of 'Brunete' rather than 'Brunete 1937' on YouTube will not be work safe.

Even if you have little or no understanding of Spanish, the images are universal.

Skytrex 10% Sale

I've just stumbled across the fact that Skytrex are having a 10% Off Everything Easter Sale running until the 31st March. Only 24 hours left, so get in there quick to purchase some hardware from their Command Decision range for your SCW armies.

I'm going for guns. At around £4.95 (normally £5.50) for a pack of 2 medium/heavy guns or 3 37mm/45mm anti-tank guns, I think this is a good deal.

I have to admit, whilst I do try very hard, I find identifying the differences between most Schneider, Krupp and Skoda field pieces over 75mm in calibre very difficult. The fact that many were produced under licence in countries other than those they originated in, only confuses the matter. However, I'm saved by the simple fact that the majority of guns manufactured in Europe ended up being used in the Spanish Civil War and often served on both sides.

Therefore I have taken the bold step of deciding to choose guns purely on the basis that they have the correct '1930's mid-European arms race' feel to them. Such as the Skytrex 155mm Howitzer below.

CD549 French 155mm Howitzer

Of course, if you game WW1, WW2, Russian Civil War or similar in 15mm as well, you may already be able to use models that are in your collection. Conversely, careful choice of guns now, may allow you to create new armies in these periods later without having to shell out (geddit!), for additional artillery models.

What else can you get from Skytrex just now to maximise this offer?

FRENCH

75mm Field Guns (x3) CD546
105mm Guns (x2) CD548
155mm Howitzers (x2) CD549

ITALIAN

L3/33 Light Tank - inc Optional Flame-thrower & Trailer (x2) CD550
47mm Antitank guns (x3) CD580
75mm Field guns (x2) CD581
75mm Field Howitzers (x2) CD582
Skoda 100mm Field Guns (x2) CD583
Schneider 105mm Field guns (x2) CD584

GERMAN

Flak 36 88mm AA/AT gun CD310
Opel Blitz 3 ton Truck CD316
Opel Blitz (Radio / Office) CD316A
Pz I A CD319
Pz I B CD319A
PzI Command A CD319D
Pz Command B CD319E
20mm Flak 38 (Towed) (x2) CD337
PAK 36 A/T guns (x2 Firing, x1 Limbered) CD347
Kfz 16 Light Field Car CD348
Opel Blitz 1.5 ton CD349
37mm Flak 36 (Towed) CD355

SOVIET

45mm A/T Guns (x2 Firing, x1 Limbered) CD409
GAZ 4 x 4 Truck CD410
BA6 A/C CD418

I also strongly recommend the Skytrex Soviet BA6 armoured car (CD418), which saw a lot of action in the SCW. It's a cracking model!

Italian CTV from The Late Queen

The order I placed with The Late Queen on the 17th for 15mm Italian C.T.V. figures arrived today. Not bad at all given Easter holidays an a'hin. They are finely detailed minis, sculpted in very human proportions and natural poses. Just as they look on the website.


The figures themselves require a very small amount of cleaning up with the end of a sharp modelling knife to remove a tiny remnant of the moulding vents from the ends of rifles, but otherwise they are ready to be prepped for painting.

The CTV figures match both my existing Peter Pig and 1st generation Battlefront (FOW) 15mm WW2 Italians, though are a little slighter in build than most of Martin Goddard's SCW range. Perhaps noticeable when held six inches from your nose but not on the tabletop.

The Late Queen figures in Adrian helmet are purely to represent Blackshirt elements of the C.T.V. whilst my WW2 figs will represent the regular Italian formations. But more about that over the next fortnight.