STALINGRAD Bolt Action Mega Battle!

I have been aware that the Wehrmacht recruited and used foreign “volunteers” under various methods of recruitment (more of that in a later article), as auxiliaries and combat troops. I had read about the use of Hilfswillige (Hiwis) in many of the books that I have read on the subject. I thus  in felt that they were a missing part of my Stalingrad Mega Project. I wished to get some on the table top but, was unsure to how they were equipped, what uniform, Civi clothes, or random mixture of both they would have worn.

I rely heavily on Osprey books for my go to reference material for uniform and equipment colours to inform my miniature painting. I also enjoy the back ground information to add to my knowledge, so that I can add period details and flavour to my games of Bolt Action. I found by accident an image of an armed Hiwi in Ospreys’ The German Army 1939-45 (3), Eastern Front‘ from their Men at Arms Series  (Image by Stephen Andrew from The German Army 1939 –45 (3): The Eastern Front 1941-43 by Nigel Thomas © 1999 Osprey Publishing). This provided the answer to my question and the inspiration to start kit bashing a few units of Hiwis for my games of Bolt Action.

I have used the Osttruppen rules (Armies of Germany, page 29) which are suitable for untrained and seriously undermotivated troops, like Hiwis.

I decided to try assembling a single miniature as a test piece for a detachment of Hiwis for Bolt Action. I used a plastic Winter Soviet body, with plastic German rifle arms and webbing form Warlord’s Plastic Blitzkrieg infantry set. I then sculpted an arm band and patch for the Hiwis ushanka. I like the heavily mixed and improvised look that this creates, and can’t wait to get more assemled, painted and on the gaming table!

I watched an episode of TIK History some time ago (I will post a link when I can find it!), where he discussed documents showing how Hiwis were armed, and it mentioned troops with rifles supported by MMG and Mortar Teams. This has given me serious food for though and I will not feel that my Stalingrad Axis forces will be complete without them.

God willing, this single miniature will be the first of many, which I intend to add to bulk out my somewhat under strength and under powered platoon built around 2 Feldgendarmerei squads. This would make sense that the Foreign “Volunteers” were paired with the Military Field Police to keep an eye on them. Usefully there are rules for Military Police in the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ campaign book (page 43), which I will be using for the German Feldgendarmerei, which will allow Hiwi units to re-roll rally tests, and keep them in the fight.

Watch this space for further developments.

Miniatures by Warlord Games:

Armies of Germany 2nd Edition

Soviet Winter Infantry plastic box set

Blitzkrieg German Infantry plastic boxed set

Bolt Action Campaign: Battle of the Bulge

Research Material Osprey Books:

https://ospreypublishing.com/uk/german-army-193945-3-9781782002192/

Scenery by Tymeagain:

https://www.tymeagain.co.uk/store/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins