Friday, November 30, 2012

Hanomag arrives

I got my Hanomag 251/1 the other day and got it together. Overall, is a nice resin kit and of course just right after I buy the damm thing they release the plastic kit to replace it and looks 10x better! Oh well!

Overall, it went together well, the worst part was the LMG on the back with the brace, oh I can see that being something that can snap off very easy.

I am going to glue the gunner in after I paint the tank and the gunner seperate to make my job easier. I also have some bits I plan to add to it to add to the looks.


Front

Back

Side finished.

Right side finished.

Front

Rear

Bolt Action Review Part 5: Close Combat, HQs and Special Rules



Close Quarters

This is the term for hand to hand combat in Bolt Action. Here is how Close Quarters works:

Declare Target
Target Reacts
Measure Distance and Move
Fight First Round of Combat. Attackers First, Defenders next.
At this point either one unit surrenders/is destroyed or you have a draw.
In the event of a draw continue fighting.
The Winner regroups

What is a kicker is that pin markers are removed when you are assaulted as you are clearly fighting for your life there is no option to hide or run.

Close combat is deadly, quick and brutal. Be warned.


Headquarters

Here are the rundown of perks from various units:

Officers: Officers based upon rank can add a morale bonus of +1 to +4. Starting officers in your army only give a +1 or +2, you have to purchase an extra officer to get +3 or +4.

Medics: Can save a model in a unit that is killed by small arms within range on a roll of a 6. Plus the guy is cheap and gives you an extra order dice for the lowest price.

Forward Artillery Observer: Able to call down an artillery strike or smoke once per game. Shots could be delayed, off target (your opponent can relocate the marker) or land with nasty results.

Forward Air Observer: Again, able to summon one air strike per game. What you get is pure random results again. You have to roll when he appears, then again you could get a guy that shoots the wrong target or swoops down bombing the crap out of the target. What is nasty here is units around the target can get pin markers due to the terror of air power despite the fact only one unit is singled out in shooting unlike Artillery that can strike an area.

Flak: Is the ability to shoot at these airplanes, then again you have to roll as your own side could shoot down your own plane. Not likely, but could happen and it did.


Unit Special Rules:

Tough: Extra attack

Fanatics: Harder to kill in close combat.

Shirkers: cheaper to buy but more likely to be pinned and run

Green: Brave but raw troops, they could jump in experience when they take losses or serious penalties to nothing happens if they get shot at.

Tank Hunters: Beware tanks! More likely to kill a tank.

Snipers: Able to single out a target and more accurate at range.

Calvary: Faster foot infantry, has some other advantages. Very rare in WW2.

Motorbikes: Like infantry again, fast to move around and reacts slightly different to s hooting.

Another Liebster! Sweet!




A few days ago I was told I was tapped for another award and I just want to say thanks to Tenz at http://basementmotive.blogspot.ca/ check out his site!

For those that don’t know how a Liebster works!


The rules are very easy:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog linking it to the blogger who has given it you.

2. Pass the award to your top 5 favorite blogs with less than 200 followers by leaving a comment on one of there posts to notify them that they have won the award and listing them on your own blog.

3. Sit back and bask in the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing you have made someone's day!

4. There is no obligation to pass this onto someone else but its nice if you take the time to do so.



The rules are very easy:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog linking it to the blogger who has given it you.

2. Pass the award to your top 5 favorite blogs with less than 200 followers by leaving a comment on one of there posts to notify them that they have won the award and listing them on your own blog.

3. Sit back and bask in the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing you have made someone's day!

4. There is no obligation to pass this onto someone else but its nice if you take the time to do so.

And here are the Lucky 5!

28mm Brain: A fantastic site full of all kinds of great articles including scenery and how-to’s, well worth a gander!



Sweet Mercy Minis: This site always has great historical reference points and articles as well as friendly pointers to related miniatures in the articles.


Pirates of the Caro bean Sea: A roving band of pirate gamers that are the scourge of several conventions. This blog is simply a beast with all the cool scenery, scenario work for events along with the painting.


The Red Nekkz Mek Shop: A little known local guy about 2 hours away from me and I swear this guy could make something from nothing! Great painting and a great conversion guy, check out his green stuff work!


Lost in Carcosa: Let’s talk about painting, this guy tends to paint mostly 1920’s Horror (think Lovecraft style) and wow does he do it well! The detail is breathtaking and his photos are very sharp and crisp giving you lots of detail to appreciate!

Bolt Action News: Plastic German 251 Halftracks and French Rules

First off, Warlord just announced that the German 251/1 Halftrack is soon to be out in a single plastic kit for only $24 US and 14 (British Pounds) making it one of the least expensive 251 kits and is all plastic to boot!

They have it up on pre-order on their site and I no longer see the resin one online! Arg! I just bought a resin one and the plastic one has so much more detail!

http://www.warlordgames.com/29591/pre-order-single-plastic-half-track/?utm_source=Warlord%20Games%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=f5f05aced2-Warlord_Games_Newsletter_30_November_2012&utm_medium=email




In other news, Warlord Games has released a get-you-by French list (the first of many) so people can start playing other minor armies in the game while we all wait for the minor nations book to be released.

http://www.warlordgames.com/29261/bolt-action-french-army-list/

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bolt Action Rules Review 4: Weapons



 
So, today I figure I would chat about weapons of Bolt Action. If you are a detailed person for history and differences in firearms you may want to consider finding another game. Bolt Action lumps weapons into generic groups like pistols, SMGs, Assault Rifles and such for Small Arms and for Heavy Weapons things like Bazooka, Light, Medium, Heavy and Super Heavy AT Guns…in other words they assign weapons to a class type of weapons to the chart so one type of weapon could cover several weapons.

Is this realistic? Well, maybe not 100%, a FG42 could shoot further than the STU44 but both hammer out an amazing rate of firepower and are classed in the game group. Was there a difference in the rate of fire for the real weapons? Yes, but not enough to merit a difference on the chart.

Most small arms dish out between 1-4 shots, the Germans can squeeze out a bonus shot from Light and Medium Machine Guns as a special perk. Most Heavy Weapons are single shots for the most part, but also are more likely to destroy a vehicle, add more pin tokens and have a variety of other special abilities in the game.

Some small arms can be used in close combat like pistols and SMGs making them very deadly up close but useless in ranged fights. Assault rifles ignore penalties of shooting on the move.

Flamethrowers are very nasty in the game as they ignore terrain when it comes to cover and inspires fear with pin markers. A flamethrower could even break a unit in the right conditions by the fear of being burned alive. It also can be used on vehicles in an attempt to burn the men out of it or cook them alive inside. In any case, the flamethrower when used has to roll and may well run out of fuel and be removed from the game. It is all down to the dice; personally I will try them out.

Overall I like the concept; it makes things simpler for the game to flow instead of spending time trying to work out guns 101 of World War 2. Less book time, more dice time on the table! 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Hobby Lobby Challenge

Well, I went to Hobby Lobby tonight just to get out of the house and use that lovely 40% coupon I found online. Now that I know I can print them, fear me Hobby Lobby! Just kidding!

My first item was one of the Easy Models 1:72 German Planes to go with my German Army as an airplane marker. Figure Warlord is selling them for $16, Hobby Lobby down the road has them for $14.99 and wit a 40% off coupon puts it close to $10 with tax and lets me pick up a few other goodies.


Plane with figure to scale.

This is the Fw190A-8 for the Focke-Wulf Fw190 was a single-seat, single-engine fighter of the Luftwaffe, and one of the best fighters of its generation. Over 20,000 were built including 6,000 fighter-bomber models. Production started in 1941 to the end of the war and was always being updated. This model version was the last of the planes built in 1944 that resulted in 1334 A-8 series planes built.


Closer shot of detail.

Front shot.

I liked this one out of my three choices they had at the store, perhaps the only downfall. One was a DAK fighter with Africa colors (tanish), the other was a green first generation German  jet fighter, while cool, was very late into the war. The Focke-Wulf was the winner here simply by appearance and the history to it.

Up next I found this lovely house in the wood/cardboard craft area. At a glance it is almost perfect.  The door is a bit large, but nothing that can't be trimmed up with some decoration, add window trim and a door with some inside floor plans and wow! Instant house! Sure a bit of work but for $3.99 what can you complain about? Even if I spent a total of $10 on this project and time it would be way cheaper than anything else that could be done. What is the bonus is the framework has been done, just add detail.


Front

Side

Back

Top comes off.

Figures at the door, I had to use a base to make it level with the cut.

Back shot, looks a bit large, but not bad.

Soldier and Granny looking out the window. Perfect height.


I also found on clearance some camouflage grey spray paint that Model Master makes, I wish there was more but oh well. This should work for now to help primer the few vehicles I have. I may have to go back and loot the other colors as $2 and some change isn't a bad price!

Bolt Action Rules Review Part 3: Pinning and Shooting

 
Pin Markers are a key element to the game because as units get shot at and if injured can gain Pin Markers that are kept next to the unit in the game.
Pin Markers do the following:
Pin Markers can restrict a unit from being able to follow orders given as each Pin Marker reduces their Morale value. For each marker you get a -1 to your Morale. Thus you could end up with a unit worried about ducking bullets more than shooting back.
Pinning also affects shooting as well, thus making it harder to hit your target if bullets are hitting all around you.
A successful RALLY Order will reduce d6 Pin Markers from your unit. Granted they can do nothing else. A sly opponent could build up a series of pin markers on targets making them useless for a few turns in the game.
There is a rule also for FUBAR! When you roll box cars (two sixes) for your attempt to give an order to a unit with Pin Markers with results from shooting a friendly unit to running away in fear.
Also, if a unit has the same amount of markers as their original morale value (not modified) they are removed from play. Thus inexperienced troops will be more prone to fleeing a battle than a Veteran unit.
Shooting
Just to let everyone know, there is no pre-measuring allowed for Bolt Action, you declare and if you are out of range, you are out of luck. Choose wisely your shots!
Shooting works like this:
  1. Declare Target
  2. Target reacts (can opt to go DOWN, if they do they are harder to hit)
  3. Measure
  4. Roll to Hit (based on range, pin markers, cover and unit skill)
  5. Roll to Damage (based on unit type, veterans are tougher than inexperienced units.
  6. Target Takes Casualties (owner removes, unless you roll a 6 and another 6, then you pick)
  7. Target Checks Morale (If they fail, they are removed from the game). In any case you will get at least 1 Pin Marker and perhaps more depending on weapons.
 
By now you should see that Pin Markers are BAD and a huge element to the strategy of the game.

Bolt Action Review 2: Order Dice


Order Dice are a key feature to Bolt Action and I feel worthy of a single post dedicated to this aspect of the rules.

Unlike other games where you roll and then you play the game “I go/You go” or roll each turn to see who takes the lead taking all their actions at once, while some games have other random mechanics on who goes first but Bolt Action has a great mechanic called Order Dice.

Simply put, you get one die per unit. So, if you have 10 American units vs. 8 German Units, there would be 18 dice in play roughly. 10 indicate the American Units and 8 for the Germans. You draw each dice from a bag/cup/box to determine who gets to select a unit to activate and give orders to. This creates a situation where it could be anyone’s game as to who would go next on the next dice draw.

As units are removed from play you also must remove one die from the dice pool to show the loss of that unit and having less tactical input.

There are several options for Order Dice and Tokens:

Warlord makes their own dice specific to the game but are very costly as you will more than likely need two packs if you go beyond 10 dice for your army. Thus costing you between $20-25 bucks for two sets of dice depending on the discount you can get from some sites.

Bolt Action Order Dice (more colors are on the way)

You could just simply use two sets of dice of different colors that are the same size. They have to of course be the same size otherwise it would be easy to know which dice is yours and ruins the random element of the game. By placing the die face up on the # that associates to your order you wish to give your unit in the game.
Examples of same sized dice you could use.

1          Fire (no move, shoot only with fewer penalties)
2          Advance (move and fire, has penalties for moving while shooting)
3          Run (no shooting, double move)
4          Ambush (Hold your action, saving it for later use)
5          Rally (no move or shoot, you remove pin markers)
6          Down (no move or shoot, you are hugging dirt to avoid injury)

If you opt to use your own dice there is several ways to mark units orders or in game markers like Pinning using poker chips for example or ordering your own custom markers from companies like Litko for example.

There is also this great site; they made paper markers for use with Bolt Action. Print them out and make your own tokens if you are the do-it-yourselfer type.

http://thehobbystudios.com/index.php?p=11_2



Aircraft Markers for Bolt Action

Just discovered this the other day...

Warlord sells these for 16 bucks each on their website. Below is the company that makes these models (the same company that Warlord sells) and I found them at Hobby Lobby for $14.99, a buck less. Still, Hobby Lobby has a 40% off coupon (you can get one online) (good for the store or online purchase) until Dec.1st making this an even better deal.  May have to swing by and grab one for my plane marker! 

FW190A-8 Model Kit

Monday, November 26, 2012

Bolt Action Rules Review: Part 1 Overview


The cover.

After having some time to read the Bolt Action core rules I figured this would be a good time to share my thoughts and give you an honest review of the rules. Many people look at a new game and are hesitant about investing in a game not knowing what you are getting for your money. In this economy this becomes more important as we want every buck to go to where it counts!

Overview:

First off I must say the book is well done; with Osprey Publishing helping to print this book deserves a major nod to Warlord for going this route to produce a quality book. First impressions are always important. The book is of course hardback, stitch binding and full color with amazing artwork from Osprey inside along with detailed game examples to help illustrate game rules and examples.

Detail examples of the diagrams and info within.

Pinning rules...a huge part of the game and a post for a later time!


28-29005
Terrain is important to a game that only plays for 6 turns!

The book opens with the standard introduction, basic supplies and the basic rules as well as unit types, movement and such. Then the book moves into the turn sequence, giving orders then breaking down into the concepts of Movement, Shooting, Weapons and Close Quarters. This moves into explaining the meat and potatoes of the units starting with Headquarters, Unit Special Rules, Artillery, Vehicles and buildings. The end of the book details Playing a Game, Force Selection and Basic Army lists with a timeline at the end for the historical reference. The end of the book closes out with some Appendix stuff discussing history and wargaming as well as playing multiplayer games. The Rules Summary at the end of the book is well done and places what appears to be every in game chart at your disposal.

138008
A peek at army lists in the book.

My only complaint about the book design is there is no INDEX. Yes, there is no index with page reference numbers. A shocker to me as Osprey is a publisher that always does quality work. Was this an oversight? In any case, this is a must for a gamer to have an index to reference rules quickly. Yes, the table of contents is fairly well done, but an index speeds matters up more so.

I feel that also the history timeline is perhaps a waste of pages as we can very easy go to the library, bookstore or the Internet for any historical information we need. Personally, a good resource of “how to paint” WW2 uniforms would have been very useful. Sadly, this would more than likely undermine Osprey Publishing sales of their cool books that could be used as reference. I am still waiting for my Germany book that perhaps details the painting tips there.

I plan to go step by step to key parts of the book to discuss in detail my impressions and I hope give you the reader more information to determine if Bolt Action is your rules set for WWII gaming!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Product Review: Litko Character Mount Marker

I got home from the Thanksgiving holidays and had a package waiting for me that included two Litko Character Mount Markers.


As you can see I put one together and left one in the package to see how you would get the product if you want to order your own.

Assembly was fairly simple, but does require a touch of glue to hold them into place. Unlike other plastic markers like Gale Force 9  markers that lock together, you need something to keep them stable. Is the glue required, no, but it helps.

The horse comes in two parts, the front and back with a central plastic clear disk that has two forks that connects to the two horse half's with a central slot that also holds a stem from both parts to a central part of the disk for more support. Overall  it is a well done design and a smart concept.

Here is one of the Litko Horses with a Foundry Old West Figure. The Horse I got is mounted on a 40mm round base.

Another shot with a Black Cat Bases Adventurer

What is nice about these markers is that you can use them for any game system from Fantasy, Old West to really anything else that could involve a figure needing to be mounted and helps avoid the work of having to make a mounted version of a figure to use in games. On the flip side, they are just that a marker, not as pretty as a figure would be and you have to make the call one what you would be willing to accept for your games. Personally, I like the markers....the only other downside I can see with these markers is needing several for a game as that can rack up in price.

FRP Games has them at $4.79 each. The downside with them is the shipping can get pricey unless you are getting a bunch of stuff which is nice if you are picking up a variety of gaming stuff for various games.

Litko has it for sale on their site also for $5.99 plus shipping.

Here is how you can get them in colors and base sizes:

Warhorse colors:
Opaque Brown
Opaque Black
Opaque White

Base Sizes and Shapes:
50x25mm, GW style rectangular base
2 inch square, perfect for fantasy grid gaming
40mm round, for skirmish battle games
50mm round, for use with the larger scale skirmish games.

Litko is having a 20% off sale until Cyber Monday. They have a variety of cool stuff, I keep eyeing the Cthulu Dice Tower!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving and a holiday challenge!


Well, I want to take a moment and wish a Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate it today. Take a moment to be thankful about everything in life from your loved ones, family, friends as well as those that serve country. Count the blessings of health we have and the food we have been provided as we are more fortunate than many others in the world. Even those that perhaps live next door to us or those that may be in our life we don't know are suffering in some way.

My challenge is this, I had a moment at a store today. I started to buy something for scenery and I put it back, instead at the register I bought some Matchbox Cars for Toys for Tots. Instead of getting something for myself, I chose to give to others less fortunate. It wasn't much and my wife and I will do more in the future as we always do, but when your out and about, take that moment and do the same.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Lock and Load...Bolt Action on the way!


Well, I just ordered my core rules of Bolt Action and the German sourcebook along with a few figures to round out my list. I have to admit that the copy of Bolt Action I looked at seemed to be a solid game and most game reports are giving very favorable feedback about the game. I hope to do my own battle reports soon enough with also some reviews of both books as well as looking at Iron Ivan's Disposable Heroes and Point Blank and how they measure up to one another.

Here are a few sample pages Warlord has out....





After a quick inventory of my stuff:

FJ Paratroopers:
21 Rifles
8 FG42s
4 Panzerfausts
4 Snipers
1 Flamethrower
2 Panzerschreck Teams
6 Light Machine Gun Teams 32s
2 Fixed Heavy MG teams, 42s
8 MP40s
1 Mortar Team (light or medium)
4 STG44s
4 Radio/Spotters
2 Officers with  MP40s
1 Medic

German Army (Heer):
2 Officers (side arms)
3 LMG Teams 32s
3 Spotter/Radio Operators
2 Panzerschreck Teams
1 Panzerfaust with MP40
1 Mortar Team (light or medium)
4 STG44s
9 MP40s
19 Rifles

Support:
2 Pak40's (1 with no crew)
1 Panzer G
1 Panzer M
2 Kubelwagons
1 Truck
1 Puma

The only things I am really overstocked with is snipers and radio/spotter figures. I  hope later on I can perhaps trade them for other figures that I could use to bolster up my army somewhere else.

Fallschirmjager 10.5 recoilless gun.
FJ Looted weapons squad.
2.8 FJ squeezebore gun
a few extra FJ MP40s

Borgward Wanze ausf C (a small light rocket tank)
Flammpanzer B2(f) (flamethrower tank)
Stug III of some type (decent tank killer)
Tiger I or II (tough tank)
maybe a few other random tanks
a few transport related halftracks (I need some armored rides)

German Army Medic
German Army Snipers
German Army Engineers

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Deep Thought: Disabilities and Wargaming


This thought came to me over the weekend as the hotel I was staying at with my wife for a fun overnight stay at the beach had a wedding going on that we both later noticed had many attendees that spoke only sign language. This prompted me to think about wargaming in a new light....Disabilities and Wargaming.

We don't see many people with disabilities playing wargames, well at least major ones. Sure we have people that participate in the hobby that may be color blind or have other illnesses but what about wheelchair, those with hard of hearing issues or even blind? Do they or we exclude them from our society because of the expectations of the gaming world?

One of the best disabilities and wargaming figures is Michael Perry (better known as the Perry brothers) whom lost his right arm during a historical recreation when a cannon misfired. He continued to sculpt and paint enjoy the hobby despite the setback life had given him.


Think about it, you are at the hobby store, you are approached by someone that is deaf but has other means to communicate with you (reading lips, using type and talk on a phone, writing down something on paper or perhaps you understand sign language) and they were interested in the hobby would you offer to show them how to play and run a game for them? A serious question to think about.

I would personally do everything I could to accommodate the other person and introduce them to the hobby to the best of my ability. How about you? Do you know someone with an exceptional story? Share it!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (A Movie Review)


Let me just start off saying, you have to watch this movie with a sense of humor, a love of super heroes and you can deal with musicals....yes, because this move is all of the above. Wikipedia refers to it as a  tragicomedy (I was unaware there was such a word until I saw this) and well it is a good summary of this movie.

I don't want to say much of the plot as I don't want to ruin it and would rather those interested to have the experience....

The most amazing part of this movie is the cast...

Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible, a rising super villain that wants to join the Evil League of Evil and hosts his own blog telling his story to his audience.

Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer, better known as the Captain from Serenity among other things. He plays the shallow, ego driven super hero that is the nemesis of Dr. Horrible.

Felicia Day as Penny the girl between the hero and villain...she is better known to me as being on the Guild among other things including Eureka, she is one of those actresses that when you see her you know her but she does not appear in things that are the common movie.

What is most interesting is this movie is done in three acts of about 14 minutes each, so it is not a long movie and from a film point of view was very well done. It took a moment to get used to the concept but once I got into it I was rooting for the villain to win out!

Oddly, I watched this on Netflix, but Youtube has it free!



Friday, November 16, 2012


If you have not been watching this and you are a super hero fan, SHAME ON YOU! This has been a rather interesting twist on the Green Arrow comic book character adapted for television. Hulu still has most episodes for free and well worth a watch if you have not been keeping up.

So far my only disappointment is the death (or maybe not) of one of the villains in the series. Still, it is cool to see some old faces from the the comics pop up as villains like Deadshot, Deathstroke and the Royal Flush Gang! 

I keep fighting the urge to paint my archer figure green! 

Super Cereals!


Well, it is that time again to bring back Superheroes for commercials! That’s right Crunchy Nut has a true Cereal Comic Book character selling their wares…they are amusing to say the least….better than some of the other boring commercials out there.






Sunday, November 11, 2012

Honor those that serve and have served....

I think the title says it all. Today, we need to stop and think about those that gave their lives for their country and to those other countries we have fought to protect. While the United States is not a perfect country, we are usually in for a fight to protect not only our country but others as well from the dangers of the world. Please salute those that have died in service and give them a quiet thanks.

Also, if you see someone that has served, take a moment and say "Thank you" if they are in uniform or proudly wear something that indicates they are a veteran or are in the military currently. I do this whenever I can and I have seen he smile upon the men that proudly wear their hats showing their service. Just a week ago one gent seemed stunned that someone as young as I understood what Vietnam was about and I took the time (a total stranger) to say thank you for serving.

Remember! Never forget, never dishonor their memory! I found all this great info online and there is much more...

 Arlington National Cemetery
“Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God”


And to those that fought and died overseas.....

AISNE-MARNE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Aisne-Marne, France. "The 42.5-acre Aisne-Marne Cemetery and Memorial in France, its headstones lying in a sweeping curve, sits at the foot of the hill where stands Belleau Wood. The cemetery contains the graves of 2,289 war dead, most of whom fought in the vicinity and in the Marne valley in the summer of 1918."

ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL



Ardennes, Belgium. "The 90-acre cemetery contains the graves of 5,329 of our military dead, many of whom died in the 1944 Ardennes winter offensive (Battle of the Bulge). The headstones are aligned in straight rows that form a Greek cross on the lawns and are framed by tree masses."

BRITTANY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL


4,410
Brittany, France. "The Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in France covers 28 acres of rolling farm country near the eastern edge of Brittany and contains the remains of 4,410 of our war dead, most of whom lost their lives in the Normandy and Brittany campaigns of 1944.

BROOKWOOD AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

   

Brookwood, England American Cemetery. 468 American dead. "Close by are military cemeteries and monuments of the British Commonwealth and other allied nations."
  

 CAMBRIDGE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Cambridge, England. "The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial site in England, 30.5 acres in total, was donated by the University of Cambridge. It lies on a slope with the west and south sides framed by woodland. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,812 of our military dead; 5,127 names are recorded on the Tablets of the Missing. Most died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe."

EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Epinal, France. "The Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in France, 48.6 acres in extent, is sited on a plateau 100 feet above the Moselle River in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. It contains the graves of 5,255 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the campaigns across northeastern France to the Rhine and beyond into Germany.
  

FLANDERS FIELD AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Flanders Field, Belgium. "The Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium occupies a 6.2-acre site. Masses of graceful trees and shrubbery frame the burial area and screen it from passing traffic. At the ends of the paths leading to three of the corners of the cemetery are circular retreats, with benches and urns. At this peaceful site rest 368 of our military dead, most of whom gave their lives in liberating the soil of Belgium in World War I."
  

FLORENCE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL



Florence, Italy. "The Florence American Cemetery and Memorial site in Italy covers 70 acres, chiefly on the west side of the Greve "torrente." The wooded hills that frame its west limit rise several hundred feet. Between the two entrance buildings, a bridge leads to the burial area where the headstones of 4,402 of our military dead are arrayed in symmetrical curved rows upon the hillside.
  

HENRI-CHAPELLE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. "At the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium, covering 57 acres, rest 7,992 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives during the advance of the U.S. armed forces into Germany. Their headstones are arranged in gentle arcs sweeping across a broad green lawn that slopes gently downhill. A highway passes through the reservation. West of the highway an overlook affords an excellent view of the rolling Belgian countryside, once a battlefield.
  

LORRAINE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Lorraine, France. "The Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France covers 113.5 acres and contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II in Europe, a total of 10,489.
  

LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Luxembourg, Luxembourg. "The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, 50.5 acres in extent, is situated in a beautiful wooded area. The cemetery was established on December 29, 1944 by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy's desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of the critical battles of World War II. The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for General George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army. General Patton is buried here.
  

MEUSE-ARGONNE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Meuse-Argonne. "Within the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial in France, which covers 130.5 acres, rest the largest number of our military dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. The immense array of headstones rises in long regular rows upward beyond a wide central pool to the chapel that crowns the ridge."
  

NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Netherlands, Netherlands. "The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is the only American military cemetery in the Netherlands. The cemetery site has a rich historical background, lying near the famous Cologne-Boulogne highway built by the Romans and used by Caesar during his campaign in that area. The highway was also used by Charlemagne, Charles V, Napoleon, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. In May 1940, Hitler's legions advanced over the route of the old Roman highway, overwhelming the Low Countries. In September 1944, German troops once more used the highway for their withdrawal from the countries occupied for four years.
  

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Normandy, France. "The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its ½ mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations."
  

OISE-AISNE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Oise-Aisne, France. "The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in France contains the remains of 6,012 American war dead, most of whom lost their lives while fighting in this vicinity in 1918 during the First World War."
  

RHONE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Rhone, France. "The site of the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in France was selected because of its historic location along the route of the U.S. Seventh Army's drive up the Rhone Valley. It was established on August 19, 1944 after the Seventh Army's surprise landing in southern France.
  

SICILY-ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

  

Sicily, Italy. "The World War II Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial site in Italy covers 77 acres, rising in a gentle slope from a broad pool with an island and cenotaph flanked by groups of Italian cypress trees. Beyond the pool is the immense field of headstones of 7,861 of American military war dead, arranged in gentle arcs on broad green lawns beneath rows of Roman pines.

SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL



Somme, France. "The World War I Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in France is sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardy countryside. The 14.3-acre cemetery contains the graves of 1,844 of our military dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British armies, or in operations near Cantigny."
  

ST. MIHIEL AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL



St. Mihiel, France. "The World War I St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial in France, 40.5 acres in extent, contains the graves of 4,153 of our military dead. The majority of these died in the offensive that resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris."

SURESNES AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL



Suresnes, France. "Originally a World War I cemetery, the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial just outside Paris, France now shelters the remains of U.S. dead of both wars. The 7.5-acre cemetery contains the remains of 1,541 Americans who died in World War I and 24 Unknown dead of World War II. Bronze tablets on the walls of the chapel record the names of 974 World War I missing."