I was looking for some support for my new VolksGrenadier and I noticed they had the option if fighting on home soil of taking a Volkssturm squad. Very thematic, why not?
I searched for some miniatures and in the end found some 3d files that fit the bill (JustSomeMiniatures). These were printed and I've got them painted over the weekend.
To give me some inspiration I watched Jojo Rabbit. I love that film, its funny, poignant, shocking and all over brilliant. It even proves that Taika Waititi can actually direct a film without losing his thread, can do action scenes very well and his portrayal as Hitler is certainly different. The final battle scenes are superb and the historical look and feel is excellent - if seen through the eyes of a ten and a half year old boy.
AND that sort of hits the nail on the head. I've painted up my Volkssturm and they look great I think. Great that is if you think old men and children should be fighting a war. For the record the actual age of Volkssturm was supposed to be from 16-60 years of age, but in the end 10 and 12 year olds were involved.
I'm not the most cerebral man when it comes to my wargaming. I have no problem building, painting and playing Germans (or Japanese) in WW2 games because I think we need to recognise and acknowledge the historical bit in historical games, though I don't "do" SS. I also don't shy away from the symbols, the German Swastika appears where it historically would because I think we should not shy away from that sort of thing. Let's face it, every soldier who fought for it was either killed, captured or surrendered so it represents nothing but abject failure and defeat. If it stands for anything it should be reminder of a divided world uniting against tyranny, but at that point I'm rambling into some long and quite political grass. Context is for Kings. Having said all that this squad has had me thinking.
Anyway what do people think? Should we represent things like Volkssturm in our games or is it a bit too far, and if not, what is?
Also if you haven't already seen it, watch JoJo Rabbit!
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