Good evening everyone,
I visited Crete last summer, and since that I have wanted to make a diorama depicting Untermehnen Merkur. Now lately there has been proposal for Blitzkrieg 2: Africa, which will include Crete, I got my ideas running wildly again. I have couple of questions about this:

1. Since DML's Fallschirmjäger (Crete 1941) is OOP, which kit to use as base for fallschirmjäger in Crete? Would DML's "Fallschirmjäger Division Holland 1940" kit do the job?

2. What kind of were their camouflage? Simple one colored as in Invasion of Low countries or later camouflaged jump suits?

Thanks in advance,
TuomasH

from what I've seen in the book "Fallschirmjaeger in Crete" by Histoire & collections of France

they wore a mix of the Type 2 smocks with the splinter pattern and the type 1 smocks with the plain pale/faded green color with the type 1's being the most common- the book even has a really good color picture of 3 fallschirmjager in the type 1 smocks.
the only thing that I didn't see was the type 3 which was camo like the type 2 but didn't have enclosed legs.

the dragon monte cassino premium edition kit will probably work italy and crete are very close to each other , so same uniforms right???

Geographically, they are close, but they invaded Crete in 1941, and Monte Cassino was in 1944, which is much later in the war. I think the best bet for Crete is the DML gen 2 set, even though it's made for Holland.
JM2C

Thank you all for quick answers,

You mean with type 2 splinter pattern this? :

Does DML Holland 1940 set require any modifications to work as type used in crete? Were those jump suits same looking with just other pattern? Would it be possible that everyone in squad of 4 has that same pattern, since you said it was rarer or should I paint few with type 1 pattern? (They might not be from same unit, as I can guess how chaos it was when everyone landed somewhere else than they should had)

Cheers,
Tuomas

From the Book FJ in Crète, by H&C, you could see that Fallschirmjägers in Crete are wearing both the camo pattern and the olive green one.
I think the DML gen2 box from dragon suit well for your project, more than other, because what is important in the field gear of FJ during Merkur, is the "side laced" jump boots.
The other box depicted FJ by DML supplies the late war jump boots.

But there are also 2 set depicting FJ in Crete by DML. One with a donkey (ref 6077) and the other with ammo tractables containers. I can't manage to check out the reference.

Hope I could help you.
And be sure that I've been looking forward for pics of your work.

Cheers.
Alexandre.

A great idea, I've been to Crete twice and also have plans to build a diorama about the invasion.

1. The Holland 1940 set is fine for Crete, most importantly because of the early equipment and the side lace jump boots mentioned. Don't get any late war sets, the uniforms and kit changed dramatically.

2. The type 1 smock was by far the most popular, the type 2 having only recently being introduced, which would be the splinter camouflage shown. I had a hard time finding a photo of troops wearing the Type 2, but they did albeit in much smaller numbers it would seem from photos.

Other things to consider:

- Helmet covers were used although these were not camouflaged and were just a simple field grey. The design differed during the war so make sure you use an early style if doing this.
-Mud was commonly applied to helmets for camouflage
-Don't copy the markings on the supply containers for the Holland 1940 campaign, containers in Crete were painted differently. White with coloured bands commonly, although I have seen all kinds of designs that are based on the contents, whoose unit they belong to etc. etc.

There is some great reference online so check that out.

Good luck,

James

Thank you all for good answers, you really helped me out.

James, you mentioned about online reference, can you point me which one you mean?

I made a rough sketch with paint, this is very likely what my diorama will be:

Small squad of Fallschirmjägers from different units have gathered together after chaos of landing, and then spotted weapon container near abandoned bofors AA-gun. They first check the area to be sure its not a trap...
I decided to make 2 of them with type 2 jump smock (1st guy with MP40 and 4th guy with MG34) and two of them with plain green type 1 jump smock (2nd guy with P38 and 3rd with Kar98K). Is this too many of type 2 jump smocks in one place??

What Vallejo model color serie paints you recommend for type 1 & type 2 smocks, paint names & numbers??

Crap, Blitzkrieg 2: Africa starts at June 01, thats over 6 months ahead and I have already plans and eager for it!

Cheers,
TuomasH

Try These:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete

http://www.crete1941.com/gallery.htm

http://www.crete-1941.org.uk/

HTH,

James

Crete is my village and my father borned there

I'll help you

look:




Nick

Thank you James and Nick for your help. Those pictures will help me when I begin my build.

What Vallejo model color series -paints I should use for painting type 1 and type 2 jump smocks?

TuomasH

Take a look link please.Some photos are from Kreta
http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-Photo-Album-German-Paratrooper-13-pictures-Topnice_W0QQitemZ370130701552QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item370130701552&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50