Cannon Cockers

 The Jeep is a great all terrain vehicle, but it's load carrying ability is low.

Still they are inexpensive and so units can have several.

It can carry a gun team of four.

Artillerymen are soldiers, and have a full supply of weapons and equipment.

So in close or in ambush, the cannoneer can defend himself.

Ammo

Artillery works best when there is a full crew of men to operate the gun.

Small guns like this take four men at least.

With Jeeps as their prime movers it is impractical to carry more then four men in the vehicle.

The Jeep only carries a small amount of ammo.

So while the guns can go into action quickly, they can't fire many rounds before they run out of ammo.

More Jeeps are needed or large trucks to carry ammo in an extended conflict.

Motorcycles and Jeeps

Inclusion of the motorcycle has given mobility and speed to the reconnaissance forces of the Army.

It gives a single man the speed of a car, but the ability to go across country and in narrow pathways.

Individual mobility is an important aspect to modern warfare. 

The Jeep gives men the ability to move supplies and small artillery easily.

With the windshield folded down the Jeep is easy to conceal from the enemy.

It can carry heavy infantry weapons like this 100 pound flamethrower.

Recon Tank

A new armored recon vehicle is unveiled for the first time.

It uses the turret from the Tim Mee armored car.

It uses the body from the MPC light tank.

The Timpc Armored Recon Vehicle!

Epilogue

Just a few steps and a few sweeps of the tail, and 25 good men were dead.

26 men were wounded, and evacuated soon after attack was driven off.

The commander visits the troops.  Lending a word of praise or encouragement. 


The Monster was played by a vinyl Godzilla that I have had for about ten years.  The troops were mostly from first series WWII era Tim Mee 60mm American troops.  Others, like the flamethrower men were last series Tim Mee troops with Cold War era weapons, including M14's.  Other troops included figures from Lido, and a few from Marx, in 60mm and 54mm too.  The battle took place in my backyard.  With the drought in California, I have let most of the lawn burn off.  The resulting terrain is sandy with a few scrub plants.

Flamethrower Men

Dozens injured or killed.

Yes, but there were still many who were saved.

All of them still alive owe their lives to the flamethrower men.

Stalwart flamethrower men who were still alive and ready to defend against the monster again, if necessary.

A Hope Kindled

Flamethrower men to the rescue!

Strong enough to carry the 100 pound tanks on their backs.

Brave enough to deploy the flammable chemicals up close and personal.

The flamethrower men pay dearly for their bravery.

But the giant beast turns away with a final swipe at his tormentors!

Hope Dims

That massive tail just sweeps across the men like a broom!

The men are falling like ten pins!

The snipers aimed for the eyes.  The bazooka men hoped they could penetrate to the soft underbelly.

What weapon can we employ to destroy or drive off this menace?

The Tail of Death

The monster attacks and the troops fight back with every weapon at their disposal.

His flaming red eyes beaming down his evil on the men.

Not a man fled in terror, standing their ground to the last.

His massive tail sweeping all who oppose him!

Men crushed beneath is feet.

The Attack Continues

The men are ready, ready to face a terror unknown to modern man!

The commander does not want to open fire until the creature is close enough that no one can miss.

Only the full impact of all the weapons hitting at once could possibly save them.

The monster sees them as tiny, puny prey to attack!

The men look up to see a mighty creature from Earth's past!

The Attack!

Steady men, prepare to fire!

Load those bazookas! Charge the machine guns!

The ancient terror from the depths moves closer and closer!

The men are ready to fire.

The monster prepares to attack!