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Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) (Direct Only)

Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)

Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) (Direct Only)
Includes 15 metal figures - four HMG teams and one Command Rifle team, four plastic medium bases, one small base and one plastic base insert sprue.

Half of the defenders of Berlin were members of the Volkssturm, or ‘People’s Militia.’ Poorly equipped, with little to no training, the Volkssturm was made up of older men and young boys who had previously been considered unfit or unready for normal military service.

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Berlin: German
In January 1945 the German Ardennes offensive in the west failed to force the Allies to the negotiating table. The British and Americans are ready to cross into Germany. The newly-raised Panzerdivision ‘Clauswitz’ and troops from the schools and training battalions are thrown into the fight. Every fighting man is utilised in the defence of the Reich. In the east, the Germans traded ground for time, falling back into western Poland and east Prussia and establishing Festerplatz, or fortress cities. An eerie calm settled in for the first few weeks of the new year as both sides prepare.
Berlin: German
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
The 3/115 Siemensstadt Battalion was better organised and equipped than most Volkssturm formations. It comprised 770 men, mainly First World War veterans in their 50s who were reasonably fit factory workers, with experienced officers. It had three rifle companies and a support company with heavy machine guns, mortars and infantry guns.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Aaron Mathie
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
The Contents of the Volkssturm HMG Platoon Blister Pack
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Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)

The Command Team
Description of Components
a. Pointing NCO.
b. Standing figure aiming Panzerfaust.
c. Kneeling figure with Panzerfaust.


Assembling the Command Team
To assemble this team the same as Aaron's painted example, simply arrange these three figures on one of the small three-hole bases provided. Feel free to swap one or more figures with any of the figures below (other than the MG gunners or loaders) if you prefer.

Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
Description of Components
a. 2x Kneeling NCO with SMG.
b. 1x Kneeling rifleman.
c. 1x Kneeling firing rifleman.
d. 4x Gunner figures.

e. 4x Loader figures.
f. 4x HMG sprues
g. 4x HMG tripods.
i. 2x Ammo belt sprue.

The Bases
Description of Components
a. 1x Small three-hole base.
b. 4x Medium four-hole bases.

Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
Assembling the HMG Team
Step 1. Begin with the HMG tripod. Step 2. Add the HMG to the top of the tripod. Step 3. Next, add a gunner figure behind the HMG. Step 4. Finally, add a loader figure ensuring the loader is feeding from the gunner's left-hand side.
Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824) Volkssturm HMG Platoon (GE824)
The HMG platoon is made up of the Command Panzerfaust Rifle team and two Machine-gun sections, each with two teams made of three members: besides a gunner and a loader, one team from each section should have an NCO figure, while the other has a rifleman to make up the numbers.

Painting Volkssturm

The better-supplied Volkssturm units, particularly those in the first Levy, were issued as many military uniforms as possible, from whatever sources were available. These were mostly Grenadier Green but included some camouflage gear, and even Luftwaffe items (Luftwaffe Blue). All had markings such as collar patches and shoulder straps removed.

NSDAP Uniforms

Many Volkssturm recruits would have owned paramilitary uniforms from Nazi Party organisations such as the Hitlerjugend, Reichsarbeitsdienst (Reich Labour Service) and Sturmabteilung.

Painting Volkssturm Painting Volkssturm
The official instructions were for Party uniform items to be dyed Grenadier Green, but often this was not possible, so you may choose to paint some uniform items, such as greatcoats, the distinctive light brown colour iconic of the Nazi ‘brownshirt’. (Comrade Khaki, highlighted with Sickly Yellow).
Many Volkssturm men received no uniforms at all, other than their armband and had to provide their own suitable hard-wearing clothing. Civilian clothes seem like an opportunity to depart from the drab military palette of typical army uniforms. But you should try to stick to fairly dark, muted colours, which predominated in typical 1940s clothing, particularly the sort of practical outdoor garb favoured by the Volkssturm.
Black

Some people find it difficult to highlight black. One useful tip is that even a very dark grey like Worn Rubber looks bright compared to pure black.
Try mixing it with a little black for more subtle highlights.

Painting Volkssturm

Grey

Almost any shade of medium to dark grey is appropriate. Suggestions: Worn Rubber, Panzer Grey, Bunker Grey, Luftwaffe Blue.

Painting Volkssturm
Brown

As with grey, almost any shade of brown will do. Suggestions: Battlefield Brown, Wool Brown, Battledress Brown, Motherland Earth.

Painting Volkssturm

Blue

Pure blue shades like Infantry Blue will look too bright and garish on their own. Mix them with grey or black to produce a suitably muted colour.

Painting Volkssturm

Painting the Volkssturm Armband

The only official uniform of the Volkssturm consisted of an armband. Painting the armband is easier than it looks.

Painting Volkssturm
Painting Volkssturm

Painting Volkssturm

Paint the whole armband Artillery Red

Painting Volkssturm

Paint a band of White across the middle of the armband;

Painting Volkssturm

Paint a narrower band of Black, leaving a thin line of white showing at the top and bottom.


Aaron based the Volksturm HMG Platoon to match the theme of street fighting in Berlin.

The Plastic Bases: Urban Rubble set (XX106) gives you plenty of easy options for basing your Berlin force.

Plastic Bases: Urban Rubble (XX106)


Last Updated On Friday, April 28, 2023