Allied and Axis nations alike pressed cargo liners and other ships into service as auxiliary warships. In particular, the British organised regular patrols by armed merchant cruisers and Q-ships (merchants with concealed weapons) aimed at intercepting and capturing blockade runners....

The role of the destroyer in a fleet is to keep pace with other long-ranged warships and provide them with an effective screen against small, short-ranged attackers, such as aircraft, submarines and torpedo boats, though other small warships would also...

Until replaced by the Helldiver, the Dauntless was the main dive-bomber of the US Navy. Its crowning glory was during the Battle of Midway, where it was responsible for sinking four Japanese carriers and damaging two cruisers. Circumstance played a...

A world leader when it was introduced into service in 1937, the Devastator quickly fell behind in terms of performance to the point where the aircraft was obsolete only four years later. The inadequacies of the design were made painfully...

The first examples of the Benson-class were ordered in 1938 as a derivative of the Sims-class with a modified torpedo armament arranged in two banks of five. A new machinery layout was implemented, using four smaller boilers rather than the...

This paint bundle contains the following paints ideal to get your Belgian Black Powder Army battle-ready. In each case, we’ve suggested where you might deploy each colour on your miniatures. Army Painter: Deep Blue – jackets Army Painter: Uniform Grey...

The Dutch and Belgian contingents of the Waterloo campaign formed a third of the allied army, making the regiments vital to Wellington's success. The Iron Duke was uncertain of their fighting qualities at first as many of the soldiers in...

The Breda 61 was a German SdKfz 7 half-tracked artillery tractor manufactured in Italy under licence. The main difference between the Breda 61 and its German counterpart was the Italian version had right-hand drive. Contains one resin & metal vehicle...

Built on the chassis developed for the L6/40, the Semovente 47/32 was an easy-to-produce tank hunter built as a stopgap measure to combat enemy armour. Mounting the excellent Elefantino anti-tank gun in an open-topped chassis gave the Italian forces some...

A reliable workhorse, the FIAT 626 became the standard Italian medium truck and operated on all fronts. 700 were delivered to the French and 100 to the Bulgarian Army, whilst Italy's Axis allies, Germany, operated the 626 after the Italian...

A Gentleman's War focuses on the action fought across the parched, dusty campaign in the Western Desert during World War II. This Bolt Action starter set pits the forces of the British 8th Army (more commonly known as The Desert...

The horse artillery was not just the elite of Napoleon's Guard Artillery but the creme de la Creme of European artillery in the period. Guard horse artillery can quickly counter enemy threats, able as they are to reposition at the...

Formed in 1801 the elite Gendarmes of the Imperial Guard was formed from a combination of men from heavy cavalry regiments and existing gendarmes. Recruits would have to be at least 5' 9" tall, between 25-40 years old, literate and...

Proud horsemen primarily recruited from the Dutch and Polish territories the Lancers of the Imperial Guard are both swift and powerful in the charge, equipped as they are with their wicked lances. Superb shock troops with excellent morale they either...

Utterly devoted to their emperor the Guard Horse Grenadiers were, along with the Polish Lancers of the Imperial Guard the only two regiments of Bonaparte's Guard undefeated by enemy cavalry in combat. Entry requirements were strict - a successful candidate...

Named after Napoleon's first wife, Josàphine de Beauharnais, the Empress Dragoons were alert, vigilant and mounted atop fine horses. All officers were personally appointed by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the troopers were required to be literate and have at least 10...

Remaining loyal to him even in his exile these men followed Napoleon Bonaparte from Arcola to Waterloo. The Guard Chasseurs à Cheval are fine light cavalrymen, skilled in melee combat and harassing the enemy. Napoleon’s respect for the regiment was...