Afrika Korps platoon

I recently painted an old set of Battlefront 15mm Afrika figures.  They are individually based for use with Chain of Command and DAK Attack.

First, some WIP shots.

You may be wondering why they are wearing green.  Apparently, when the Afrika Korps first deployed to Africa, they were issued a light Olive Drab uniform designed by the Tropical Institute of Hamburg.  Wargames books speculate the experts at the Institute were misinformed about the lack of vegetation in North Africa. I can’t help but wonder if the Institute was left in the dark about what part of Africa the uniform would be used in.  Who knows.  Either way, it was too green and too dark!  

Fortunately it started fading in the sun.  I’ve tried to depict that here by dry brushing a lighter shade of green over the base coat.

Apparently, the soldiers quickly added bits of Italian and British uniforms when they could get them, and also later issues of clothing were in a sand color.  

So the next step with these is to paint some guys with khaki coats and/trousers.  Should give them a pretty motley look!  Also, their helmets will be a very light brown/tan.

And here they are finished:

Here is the whole platoon.  They have 5 MG34s (four on bipods with the rifle squads, one on a tripod), a 50mm mortar, and even a PzB39 anti-tank rifle…which probably was effective against the old Cruiser tanks the British were still using in 1940-41.

Next up, these guys need some trucks so they can keep up with the panzers: