THE AMERICANS HAVE ARRIVED (Painted and Ready)

Have launched into a painting campaign to clear the 104 figures that recently arrived. Can confirm 79 painted and based in twelve days, US uniforms are rather quick to paint. Here we go!

3RD MARINE REGIMENT

These Monogram figures have been painted wearing Frog Skin camouflage uniforms. This was an early attempt to provide something more suitable for active service. It wasn't successful. In Europe the P42 camouflage jackets caused friendly fire due to the similarity to German camouflages, and was abandoned. In the Pacific the later P44 jackets were found to be too bright for the terrain and was replaced by the plain somber green uniforms, although the helmet cover did prove useful and popular. Still, no problems identifying the 3rd MR, that used it in the Pacific. It also explains the bold green used on Deetail toy soldiers, it was their compromise for the two late war uniforms used by the Americans.

SCOUT-SNIPERS

This is a copy from the previous post, but it is part of the painting campaign, so will include it here. Scout-Snipers (that was their title) were formed in the Pacific, being the best marksmen. Later on, they were often selected to initiate island landings, or even attached to intelligence gathering expeditions. For game purposes I will add a dice point for shooting, and deduct another on those firing at them. And a perfect reason to use those prone figures!

6TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION

Seabees were formed in 1942 as a method to recognise the military status of those employed making pontoons, harbours, and airfields. Attached to the Navy but often serving with the US Marines, they were trained to also use small arms, and found themselves occasionally assisting the infantry. Interestingly, in a largely segregated army, blacks and whites could be recruited. (Would have recognised this, but the toy figures looked very Caucasoid!)

There were 151 Seabee battalions, and a further 39 Special battalions in WW2. US military designations are very, very confusing, it appears those described as 'Special' or 'Stevedore' were able dock workers.

Here is my tabletop unit representing Seabees. Using some open-handed figures in shirts, I have given them a mixed naval/army uniform to provide easy distinction. The pale blue band round the helmet is correct. I have seen others that are wearing standard green marine uniforms in the Pacific.

This unit comprises my restored Bulldozer and a small Lone Star jeep, both having gained drivers, and four figures on foot.

US MARINE CORPS FIRST ENGINEER BATTALION (Previously called Pioneers)

Using more Monogram figures to form this unit, it comprises flame throwers, mine detectors, and a bazooka team. This unit served in the Pacific.

MAKING SUPPORT WEAPONS

The large box of figures were missing most of their support weapons, went to work constructing some of my own.

1ST MARINE REGIMENT

Here is the 1st MR wearing their late war uniform in the Pacific. My American battalions are typically eight figures with small arms, two more operating a HMG, two operating a bazooka, and two operating a mortar. It seems to look ok.

Not all are new, three old lead figures were drafted, including the officer.

Late war M43 uniform

By the way, the American armed forces are a very complex subject. Almost every commander took it upon himself to form new units, that used several titles, or even changed them, and were subsequently used in a different manner to what was intended. And titles did not infer a numerical strength. I found it very confusing! 

Concerning the USMC. There were three battalions of 'Para Marines', but never served as parachutists, they became elite landing troops (confused?) There were also 'Marine Defense Battalions' for coastal and airfield defence service but subsequently used in landings. There were four 'Marine Raider Battalions' that were reclassified as elite light infantry units, such as Edson's and Carlsons. I suspect Merrill's Marauders might also be linked to this 'Raider' designation, but they operated like real partisans...... think of Roger's Rangers! And a load more of specialist units or semi-independent sub-units.

M3 HALF-TRACK

I finally got around to raising a crew for this nice model. I also found a report that some vehicles without anti-tank weaponry were given a bazooka, which makes sense! It will be attached to a jeep and listed as the 10th Armoured Infantry Battalion, which served in Europe.

MGB

REPLIES TO COMMENTS

Thanks Donnie, with so many house projects it would have been all too easy to leave the figures in their box. I had to be resolute and use any spare moments to clear this project. Presently, there is only two jeeps to  restore, a battalion of fourteen, and a handful of odd figures. Nearly there! Yes, the model deserved to have some designated crew.... finally!

Thank you, Brad. My fear was the unpainted horde would just hang about due to other commitments, but I have cleared the bulk of them now. And to think I was only looking for a few cheap figures to drive some jeeps.etc. Today, have done the shopping, some fruit bush planting, and have started preparing the evening meal...... but I intend to complete the Naval Beach Battalion too, seven figures strong! 

Cheers MJT. Making the support weapons is a bit fiddly but buying a box of 1/35 weapons could be another £10. Also, the 1/35 scale HMG are too easy to break if you handle them in wargames, so prefer my steel rod barrels. Yes, when I saw the old broken bulldozer in the collectables shop I thought it would be a useful item for the US collection..... I am quite pleased with the Seabee battalion, it adds interest to any pacific scenarios.

Thank you, Quinn, I guess this has furnished me with an American army to operate in the Pacific..... but it was never planned. Just couldn't resist that bargain auction, all I wanted were some suitable figures to drive a few vehicles, lol.