Irish 28mm Wargames

My plan is to host two games this year (depending on the pandemic) at the Huzzah Convention in Portland, Maine.  I have not completely decided on what two. I have three games in mind using 28mm figures. Two of the games are "What if" scenarios.   The first game is Operation Grun, the German airborne invasion of Eire in 1940 where Baldonnel Aerodrome (outside Dublin) is attacked by glider borne Fallschimijager. I'm leaning towards trying Bolt Action rules.   The second "What if" scenario is a "Cold War Gone Hot" using Force on Force rules.  The Republic of Ireland is invaded by Soviet airborne forces in 1980, and the Irish Defense Forces are attempting to defend the Belfast-Dublin main road and railroad line.   The third game is set in the Belgian Congo at Jadotville where Irish forces are under siege from European mercenaries and Kataganese (rules TBD).  So I am hoping to put on two of these three games this May.   

 Some pictures of Jadotville, that I would like made as 3D printed buildings.                                                   The Purfina Bus Depot that the Irish used as their HQ.                                                       A map outlying the Irish defenses at Jadotville.                                                                                                     ...

One platoon of  A Company of the 35th Infantry Brigade ready to wargame.  Three rifle sections, a heavy weapons section, and a HQ section.   Four Rifle Sections and HQ.  In the background is a heavy weapons platoon. A heavy weapons section. (L to R) Officer, Sergeant armed with 9mm Carl Gustav, Private with SLR, Private with Bren Gun and Radio operator. (L to R) Radio Op, SLR kneeling, next three figures with SLRs and Private with a Carl Gustav ATG. Section 1 Commandant, Radio Op and CSM. Three Vickers Machine Guns Three 60mm Mortars Bren Gun Team and prone figure with SLR.                                                                                                   ...

 As I continue to read about the Irish Army's organization in the early 1960s, I thought I would make some notes in preparing to organize my figures for the Jadotville game.  Most of this information comes from Declan Power's book " Siege at Jadotville The Irish Army's Forgotten War ." Section.  10 soldiers led by a Corporal or a Sergeant (NCO).  Soldiers were armed with the WWII Lee Enfield 303 before receiving the FN (Fabrique Nationale) rifle that fired a 7.62mm round from the UN.  NCOs carried the Carl Gustav SMG firing 9mm rounds.  Each section had a WWII Bren gun (LMG) as the main support weapon, that was later replaced by the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). Platoon.  Three sections made a platoon (32 soldiers) that would be lead by a second Lieutenant  or Lieutenant, and assisted by a Platoon Sergeant (the senior ranking NCO in the platoon).  A weapons platoon (commanded by a Captain) provided support with heavier weapons that incl...

  Irish Armoured Car Combat in the Congo A very educational video about the Irish Ford Armored Cars in the Congo.  Commandant  Art Magennis (Distinguished Service Medal, DSM with honors) was a commander of the 35th Infantry battalion's Armored Cars group in Elizabethville in 1960-1961.  His interview in 2012 gives excellent insight into the operations of the Ford, and how they modified the turret allowing the gunner to fire and rotate the turret simultaneously.  Magennis also explains why four of the Fords had their turrets removed and fitted with the Browning .30 caliber MG, and also the game of cat and mouse played between the Fords and the Katangese M8 Greyhounds.

The Jadotville project continues with some additional vehicles.  The Bedford Mk. IVs are from Butler Printed Models, and the Ford Armored Car was a 3 D print by a friend.   The Land Rover Mk II is a 3D print by CG morph.  The UN and mercenary figures were sculpted by John Murphy.                                                                                                                                                                                ...

Bofors 40mm Anti Aircraft gun with Irish crew.  The two seated crew are not wearing theit tunics to give the impression that they have manned the weapon in haste.  John Murphy sculpted the two figures when I told him my idea, and that then lead to John sculpting additional figures to represent the Irish Army in 1940.  Army and Marine Service officer and ratings. The figure in the back is carrying a Thompson smg, and the other two are firing 303 rifles. Bren Gun Carrier and two cavalry troopers (one armed with a Lewis gun). Officer and two privates (one armed with a Lewis gun, as there were a shortage of Bren guns initially during the Emergency).