Afghanistan 2006-2007 : 3 Commando's First Tour of Duty

Following on from 3 Para's deployment in the 16th Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan, 3 Brigade Royal Marine Commandos took their tour of duty in Afghanistan (2006-2007). They had the benefit of digesting hard "lessons learned" from the previous six months tour by the Paras and a lull ("phoney peace") of a Taliban cease-fire as they came "in country". To the commanding officers and staff can be credited as adopting a new strategy, as they had seen the punishment that static defences brought on garrison troops (Forward Operating Bases and District Centres) and planned for a more "manoeuvre orientated" approach, "going too the Taliban", in their backyard and "kicking the hornet's nest". The political pressures from teh Afghanistan government seem to be more controlled and knee-jerk reaction (that plagued the Para deployment), for teh most part seemed to be avoided. The advantage of the offensive mind-set being you do not sandwich yourself between the civilian population and the Taliban, Identification of teh enemy is easier because you are attacking identified strongholds - giving them no rest and unhinging their confidence. The initiative rests with teh attacker. MOGs (Mobile Operation Groups) were the order of the day to support bastion garrison points and the concept of "advance to ambush". This approach did pay dividends. as it was backed with overwhelming air power in an uncontested air space, tremendous firepower could be deployed "away" from danger close (although when "needs must" it can come in, without civilians to think about) to friendly and civilian population centres (see below, the Royal Marines were continually mixing it but importantly" on their terms"): 

Again a fascinating read. The destruction wrought on the province of Helmand cannot be escaped and one pities the local inhabitants trying to just live their lives. More "country building projects" were initiated, more active OMLTs (Operational Mentoring Liasson Teams) see Doug Beattie's book [as there was an overlap in deployment], the security or secure region around the hydroelectric dam was extended. The work seemed endless, as at the end of 3 Commando's deployment they dutifully handed over to the 12th Mechanised Brigade (see Patrick Hennessy's book) with the COIN war continuing. The distinction 3 Commando seemed to make was in ensuring they killed the more "serious" Taliban, the better trained Pakistani teams (for example, leaders, mortar and weapons teams) rather than the second tier enforced locals. The Taliban losses were painful, but here religious zeal seems to overtake military professionalism.

Read:

• 3 Para by Patrick Bishop (Paratroopers - Afghanistan 2006 - 16th Air Assault Brigade)
• An ordinary Soldier by Doug Beattie (Irish Guards - Afghanistan 2006-2007 - OLMT) 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand by Ewen Southby-Tailyour (Royal Marine Commandos -  Afghanistan 2006-2007 - 3 Commando Brigade) 
• The Junior Officer's Reading Club, by Patrick Hennessey (Grenadier Guards - Afghanistan 2007 - 12th Mech)

To go: 

• Joint Force Harrier by Commander Ade Orchard RN
• Apache by Ed Macey
• Apache Dawn by Damien Lewis
• Task Force Helmand by Doug Beattie
• 3 Para, Ground Truth by Patrick Bishop 
• 3 Commando Brigade Helmand Assault by Ewen Southby-Tailyour
• Dead Men Risen by Toby Harnden (Welsh Guards)
• Sweating The Metal by Flt Lt Alex 'Frenchie' Duncan (Chinook)

Still to get: 

• Khandak Fighting with Afghans: Patrick Hennessey

Gems from the Attic ... "little beauts" ... 1/76 (or 1/72) Airfix Series 2 WW2 British Commandos (or should I say childhood survivors!)

Did I hear you say "Series 2"? (YES, see below):

I have seen the Internet pictures, so I know they did exist. I vaguely remembered them as a kid but later in life I wondered if they were in fact a false memory, implanted with wishful thinking. The big ones in 1/32 scale still exist (exact copies of what previously had been available in 1/76 or 1/72 scale) but sadly (as in tragically spelt with an "arghhh!") the small ones of Series 2 moulds were lost to us through misfortune or accident I believe.

Of course I am referring to the fabled Airfix HO/OO 1/76 scale Series 2 British World War II Commando Set. Other blogs have referred to them in hushed tones of reverence:

http://www.miniaturezone.co.uk/?p=789
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=386

Imagine my surprise when my older brother called by with a sweetie jar crammed full of old toy soldiers and I poured out an assortment well travelled PBI. To find a small detachment of surviving British Commandos (see below, remember these are NOT 1/32 scale).

May I introduce my "survivors":

The radioman, remember this is 1/76 or 1/72 depending on your measuring ruler (see below):

Classic crawling commando, you know he mean business (see below):

My favourite pose, the grenade thrower (see below):

Even the guy throwing a rope is cool (see below):

The Bren gunner is another cool pose (see below):

The only dubious figure to my mind is the Bazooka man (surely we would have used a PIAT?) but heck he's still cool (see below):

Er, OK I don't think I can start planning the Cockleshell Heroes raid as I only have a partial canoe, but I guess you cannot have everything (see below):

Last, but not quite least, I think this guy was climbing up a ladder, but he could be hiding or a casualty (see below):

True, I am missing some of the classic figures: The officer with a Webley and Scott pistol, the cool standing Thompson "tommy gunner", the cool sauntering/walking commando, the runner with rifle and I am not a "full canoe", but I thought I would never even get my hands on the above! So I am a happy man ... full of childhood memories!

:)

I am so excited I posted twice today!

What Airfix didn't give me for Xmas or 2015

This may sound a a little ungrateful perhaps, but I would like to have seen the following kits re-released in 2015:

• 1/600 HMS Ajax
• 1/600 KM Graf Spee
• 1/76 Crusader I/II/III

On a more positive note the 1/76 re-release of the original Tiger I comes as a "plus" (though it is not the best kit on the market the mold is probably the oldest) but I would have liked it more if it came with the correct stowage bin at the back and mud-flaps (seventh heaven if you put zimmerat on the hull). The mud-flaps and exhaust covers are some things I should do to my Airfix "pair" given that I added the stowage bins at the back (see links below): 

http://exiledfog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/more-airfix-tiger-i-completed.html
http://exiledfog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/airfix-tiger-i-refurbishment-part-four.html
http://exiledfog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/airfix-tiger-i-refurbishment-part-iii.html
http://exiledfog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/airfix-tiger-i-refurbishment-part-two.html
http://exiledfog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/airfix-tiger-i-refurbishment-part-one.html

In my fantasy world (because I think the molds are long gone) I would love to see the re-releases of:

• 1/76 Airfix Commandos Series 2 not the characterless Series 1 we have gone back to :(
• 1/76 Airfix British Infantry (original sculpts)
• 1/76 SAM 2 Missile Launcher

Maybe in 2016?

Playing Around With Bigger Stuff

While I had my 20mm Russian toys out on the painting tray, my children started circling and paying far too much interest in proceedings. Subtle hints like "What's on TV?" and "Do you want to play in the garden?" were to no avail. As a way of  'the last line of defense or rather sacrifice' I threw down my youngest son's Airfix 1/32nd infantry sets (and the Pound Store equivalents) onto the table as a "soak off" offering for them to paint. Not satisfied by just playing with the figures alone they started first PVA'ing them (copyiing me) and then going for the "full-on" painting them. So I surrendered my last few remaining Games Workshop 'wet/damp but getting gelled-up' paint pots over to them and likewise gave the kids a few of my 'larger' brushes to work with (see below, farewell GW paints at least they will be used this way):

The results were quite interesting (see below, Games Workshop Tanned Flesh undercoat, then with a PVA mixed together with a generous "Anita's Acrylic Brown of some description' splodge):

My daughter took particular interest in the classic DAK "grenade thrower" (good choice of figure) and I have to say I quite like the results in a purely "artistic sense" (see below):

At least this allowed my Russian Esci/Italeri 20mm figure to "escape" unscathed ;)

Lego Castle

During the Easter break I was left alone as my wife took the children to meet the grand parents. I was given many domestic chores but also the freedom of the house once again. Perhaps the first time in eight years. This meant "things" put down in one place did not wander away. Which included the kids Lego. Mysteriously I was drawn to my youngest son's collection that had been handed down to him. Inevitably, in my time "between chores" I casually experimented and "built a castle" I was quite ''proud of". Naturally my son's 1/32d scale Airfix figures were the first choice for the defenders (see below):

Quatro large blocks iced with a top battlement layer of Duplo, giving excellent firing positions. The "gates" were heavy duty Quatro and remained firmly closed. However the orange inner gates could be raised from inside in a 'marvelous feat of engineering' which defines the everlasting appeal of Lego across the ages (see below):

What became of my Maginot Line fortress guarded by Airfix warriors? (see below):

On their return only my children saw the the finished product (and briefly at that) as my youngest son (aged three at the time) did what all three year old's who have seen the "Hulk" in "The Avengers", would do! 

Yes, It lasted but seconds however it apparently took my wife over twenty minutes to clean up afterwards! She was not too impressed at my feat of engineering!

More 1/76 British Commandos (Matchbox re-issued by Revell)

My recent interest in the fate of the Airfix commandos was kindled by the acquisition of the old Matchbox (now Revell) 1/76 kit (see below):

These were figures I "never had" as a child". They notably come with a "surprised German sentry", something I previously thought was pure folklore.

The "collector" in me now naturally wants the Caesar and Italeri/Esci British Commando figures too!

Footnote: My eyes are also glued for the other Revell/Matchbox packs from WW2:

• British Infantry
• German Infantry
• American Infantry
• Anzac Infantry
• Japanese Infantry
• 8th Army

Not sure they did a DAK too? (Although for "balance" you thought they would!)

The REAL Airfix 1/76 Commando set!

Well I will be d****d .... another mystery of "why" from Airfix. It's a bit like reading too much of the storyline behind the Dr Who episodes it just 'churns' the mind too much.

They DID take the big figures down to the 1/72 .. 1/76 .. HO/OO scale (see link below)
http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/Airfix_HO_00_Commandos_about15808.html

The glorious second edition figures!
But they are so "hard" to get and why use the inferior first edition figures?
What happened to them?
It does not make any sense to me at all!

Please can someone tell me the story?
Added notes:  http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=386

PS: Honour the Miniature Zone for this masterclass in painting:
http://www.miniaturezone.co.uk/?p=789