Most people don’t realise that although officially neutral Spain had an active part in WW2 in the form of the Blue Division, otherwise known as the Spanish Volunteer Division, Division Azul, or by its official German title of the 250th Infantry Division of the Wehrmacht. Individual Spaniards were also involved on both sides during WWII, often in quite large numbers. In a few cases these individuals were collected into units.
Industrial Warfare
Nation states backed by industry. The era featured mass-conscripted armies, rapid transportation (first on railroads, then by sea and air), telegraph and wireless communications, and the concept of total war. In terms of technology, this era saw the rise of rifled breech-loading infantry weapons capable of massive amounts of fire, high-velocity breech-loading artillery, chemical weapons, armoured warfare, metal warships, submarines, and aircraft. I have chosen to start the period with the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) and end with end of World War II (1945). Sub-categories: Spanish Moroccan War, Scramble for Africa, Spanish American War, Rif Wars, World War I, Spanish Civil War, World War II.
Timeline of the Blue Division
This is a rough outline of the life and times of the Spanish fighting on the Eastern Front during WW2 – the Blue Division. I’ve included some detail about higher level operations to provide context and ditto for nearby operations. The 250th (Blue) Division’s finale was at Krasny Bor. If you’re looking for maps then try here.
Revised Random Tank Table for Crossfire
Standard Crossfire uses a random roll to determine the type of tank that you get for your 9 points. The tables given in the rules seem a bit naff, so I’ve built my own based on production information I could find on the net (see What Weapons When). I feel these gives more representative results than the tables in the standard rules.
Ian Galley’s WW2 Gallery
Thanks to my mate Ian Galley who sent me some photos to liven up my pages. Ian likes Russians so you’ll see a lot of Human Wave shots. By the way, Ian’s figures are based for Flames of War – the dominant WWII rule set in NZ at the moment.
Vehicles of the Spanish Civil War
A variety of vehicles were used in the Spanish Civil War. They ranged from the WWI vintage FT17 through to the relatively modern BT5 used at the start of WWII. Both sides also improvised armoured fighting vehicles from converted trucks and tractors. The Basques even built their own tankette.
Order of Battle for the French Expeditionary Corps
This is what I know of the order of battle for the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC).
Sources for the French Expeditionary Corps
Annotated bibliography for the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC).
French Expeditionary Corps (FEC)
Some bits and bobs about the Corps Expéditionnaire Français en Italie (CEF or CEFI) or to their English speaking allies the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC). These are the chaps that breached the Cassino line in 1944. From my perspective they were the best of the French in WW2.
Fielding the French Expeditionary Corps under Crossfire
This is how I’d field the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC) with Arty Conliffe’s Crossfire. Use the French organisation in Crossfire except …
15mm Wargaming Figures for the French Expeditionary Corps
Peter Pig, Essex and Battle Front can all contribute figures for the French Expeditionary Corps (FEC). The packs of heads from Peter Pig will be particularly useful.
Direct Fire Mortars in Crossfire
Some musing on Direct Fire Mortars in Crossfire. Special Rule 6 in Hit the Dirt (HTD) is Direct Fire Mortars. I queried Bill Rutherford – the author of HTD – on some aspects of this rule. See also my own house rule for Direct Fire Mortars – similar to the HTD version, but some key differences.