Belgian Chasseur Ardennais support battalion

 

Belgian Chasseur Ardennais support Battalion 

Each Regiment of the Belgian Army has four regiments, 3 rifle and one support battalion. It consisted of MG, mortar, infantry gun and antitank companies. Interesting the T13 and T15 light tanks were regarded as self propelled Anti tank vehicles. 

The Belgians had a wide mix of light and medium machine guns. The light squad weapons were the BAR 30 model, Lewis, and the Hotchiss M1909, Chauchat M1915. 

Bar machine gun

BAR lmg

Light Mortars were the  and the DBT 50mm, one in each company, in rapid fire one in the HQ company 

The medium machine gun included the Vickers, Maxim 08, Maxim 1911,  Colt 1914, FM 1914 and the Hotchiss 1914. 

Anti tank was the superb Fonderie Royale de Canons Modèle 1931 47mm

A interesting development of this gun, it used the same carriage and trail as the 76 FRC canon. The Chassuer Ardennais carried two barrels on their vehicle the 47mm anti tank and the 76mm IG on the Vickers carrier or Alvis Straussler Hefty so they could be swapped out as required. 

Bofors mountain gun, cannon 76mm model 34 infantry support gun.

Cheers

Matt

Chasseur Ardennais- Alvis Hefty Artillery Tractor

 

 Chasseur Ardennais- Alvis Hefty Artillery Tractor 

Finally completed my Belgian Alvis Hefty artillery tractor, I started scratchbuilding almost three years ago is now finally painted! I have added two crew from Early War Minatures. Markings are hand painted. Really happy with my results 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Pantserwagen M38

 Pantserwagen M38 Landsverk 180

Off the desk this week as I hit the painting desk again after returning from Australia. This last 5 days I have been building kits and airbrushing kits. I finally painted a large amount of vehicles that have been in the queue for some time. 

First up is Dutch M38 armoured card for my 1940 Dutch. I cannot recall the resin manufacturer as they been awaiting paint for at least four years as the kit was missing it’s doors, so I sat down and crafted some from plastic card, quite happy with my result. I also painted the markings as I could not find my Black Lion decals I purchased a long time ago. 

 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Vickers 152mm Howitzer

 

 Vickers 152mm Howitzers

The next piece off the table is my heavy battery for my Dutch. 32 guns were purchased from the British government in 1920. One regiment was formed of three battalions was with the Vickers 152cm Lang Howitzer and were parceled out as Corps reserve artillery. Towed by farm tractors in tandem in the majority and resupply was by trucks. 

Gun and figures are from Early War Miniatures. 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch 75mm Krupp Siderius field gun

 

 75mm Krupp Siderius 02/04 field gun

Off the desk today is two 75mm field guns, a limber with cassion and a observer element. The Dutch named the 75mm Krupp Siderius as the 7 veld gun, the guns served in both the Netherlands and in the Dutch East Indies. The 7 veld served the infantry divisions with 12 guns per battalion, and three battalions per division normally, two 7 veld and one 120mm or 150mm battalion per Infantry Division. 

Sixteen 7 velds were modified for the light division with rubber tyres and were towed by heavy cars, the remainder had wooden wheels. Only 2000 rounds in total were available for the 7 veld on the eve of the war so many division only carried one resupply for the guns. The 7 veld battalions where in the majority horse drawn for the war, along with horse drawn supply and associated services. 

The gun and miniatures are from Early War Miniatures, the cassion is from moonlight model works and Hat driver and horses. 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch TL-1 Oerlikon 20mm AA gun

 

 Dutch TL-1 Oerlikon 20mm

TL 1 was the Dutch name for the Oerlikon 20mm light anti-aircraft canon. The single barrel Oerlikon was a fine anti-aircraft gun and was excellent in providing cover from low flying aircraft up to 1800m. The Dutch army place an order for these weapons in 1939 and 170 were delivered before the war started, these were issued to light anti-aircraft companies located in infantry divisions and reserve formations.

The gun and miniatures are from Early War Miniatures.


Cheers
Matt