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Friday, August 29, 2008

Craters, Not Just for the Moon





















Some of the new Caesar Miniatures 1/72nd scale World War One German soldiers are advancing in a field of craters. The First World War was dominated by the machine gun and the artillery. Craters were everywhere. Are they on your battlefields? They are on mine.























Craters limit mobility and provide cover if they are large enough. Here two of those Caesar Miniatures Germans fight from a 155mm size crater. My craters are made from resin and plastic and are quite durable. They are grouped by size class, with the largest ones being for those massive 16 inch naval guns. They prevent any movement and can really mess up a battlefield.























The big brown crater in the background is for a 155mm howitzer, the tan medium size crater is for a 105mm howitzer and the small crater is for a 75mm gun or 81mm mortar. The large crater is big enough to slow tracked vehicles to a crawl, provide limited cover to a few infantrymen and prevent wheeled vehicles from moving in the area. The 105mm size craters can provide cover for one man and prohibit passage of wheeled vehicles. The 75mm gun size craters provide no cover and prevent the passage of wheeled vehicles that are not four wheel drive; and they are slowed to a crawl.






















Only prone troops get protection in these medium size craters. Craters make the battlefield look more realistic, provide obstacles to movement, protect troops in them and should be included in your next wargame.

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