"2e DB M7 Priest, GMC and 57 mm AT guns" Topic

This will probably be the last of my 2e DB, as I have already some 40 vehicles and infantry. Trucks, jeeps and the 57 AT guns gunners are from Frontline, the ATGs are from PSC, the M7 from Italeri and their crews from Grubby

Allez, les petits derniers (mais la tentation, ça existe, je ne garantis pas qu'ils le resteront) ATG 57 et GMC, et 2 M7

Say it isnt so! Seriously though have really enjoyed your updates as you assemble this force. Perhaps at least one more wrap-up with an overall shot of the force?

Thank you for an enjoyable read.

Nice work! Love the figs

I had wondered how you were getting on.

You inspired me to buy a resin and photoetch M£ Scout Car that comes with 2eDB markings as an option. I really will get around to making it…I will….

Did you ever do the M10s?

Tnaks gentlemen
I've done the M10 with a few bachi (traditional name of the French Navy's cap) topped sailors to crew them. There's a topic on TMP, can't seem to retrieve it, so here is a link to my blog instead

link

Oh thanks so much for directing me to them.

I really must do some. I did have the beautiful Hobbycraft Le Malin in 1/72 but gave it away….I have no idea why I did. Cannot now replace it. There is just some magic about the Liberation of Paris, the variety of uniforms worn and the sheer romance of firing from Place d'Etoile down to the Place de la Republique (and actualy hitting something)

Really nice work. Thanks for sharing.

What colour are you using for your 2DB vehicles please.

Thanks

John

Thanks
I'm using Prince August Olive Drab for the base, and Citadel "Agrax Earthshade" for the wash.

Cheers Foxbat

I can see that you had struggles with some of the models to produce such a neat finish, well done.

I am thinking about creating some vehicles for French Indochine 1945-48, particularly Groupe Massau based on 2e DB.

I have a couple of questions I would like to ask, for example sources say the 501 RCC used M5A1 but in 1944 they had M3A3s. Had they been re-equipped from transfer to Saigon?

You can email me off profpate@gmail.com

Thanks John BRUCE
(ex-FAA)

PS I assume that most of the Prince August colours are made by Vallejo – the catalogue numbers match.

John

Hi John

Regarding Vallejo and PA,well, that may be possible since their bottles are pretty similar. PA however makes larger bottles, which are cheaper and less prone to drying.

Now, Leclerc was sent on as commander of the fRech Far East Expeditionary Force to fight Japan. But he did not reach Ceylon before August 22, so way to late ton take part in the war. Eventually, he was allowed to land in Indochina in late 1945, and led a victorious campaign to restore French dominance over the colony and bring Ho Chi Minh – who had sided with the French when Japan fully invaded in march 1945 – to the negotiation table. But while you'll find tons of documentation on the 2e DB's Liberation ride, sources are much rarer about his stitch in Indochina. As a matter of fact, the 2e DB wasn't sent per se, but volunteers were allowed to serve in the campaign, so they might have received a different hardware than what they had in Europe.
Regarding the M5A1, this page says it was used by France from 1944 and you'll find pics of some sporting 2e DB (Blesois fought at Dompaire, for instance) markings if you scroll down the page, so it's quite possible the Leclerc volunteers used them in Indochina, but I'm not certain.

link

I'll keep digging…
Cheers

Yeah Foxbat, i found a few french language forums offering a list of names fir most of the 17 Tanks and one M20 utility car that they arrived with and have strengths for the SPAA (DCA) as well as the Recce unit. But not sure about strength /organisation for the 4e bn RMT.

Did they have standard US Armored Infantry TOE?

Foxbat, I want to thank you again for getting me started on the 2e DB and the several times you gave helpful advice.

My collection does not quite yet match yours (Actually I only have a single M3A1 White Scout car, but it is a beautiful model with lots of PE brass and resin bits)

I have on order an M8 A/C and M8 HMC, M7 Priest and M10 TD. I ordered transfers from France as you suggested and a range from Peddinghaus. Indeed, from the latter I hit the Paypal button repeatedly as it locked me out each time and I spent £100.00 GBP instead of £25.00 GBP…all on transfers/decals! Bless them they immediately refunded, when I confessed my idiocy.

1/72 (20mm) AFVs are not as easy found as was once the case! Everything is 1/35 or 28mm, or else beautifully illustrated and then "Out of stock". M3A3 is a real challenge. Think I can find a decent M20. I only want one of each and want a showpiece model basically……..I will keep hunting!

Thanks again. your work was brilliant.

Well, I'm happy my work was of use to you, and thankful for your praise.
And as a matter of fact, I may not be quite as done with Leclerc's boys as I thought ; see the litthe treat S&S models have in store for me :

link

cheers

Yes!

I saw this in the new Osprey "Division Leclerc" and thought it would make a very unusual model indeed. Look forward to seeing it.

I think I would be better with a few Sherman M4A2s before that though!