In Times of Need Call Up the Militia

Call them the Militia, Local Levy, Fyrd or all available men stand to arms, the name matters not when danger threatens. For throughout time in the most desperate times the roll of the local militia is to defend their homes and families
 

Their training and weapons could range from top quality to "oh gods hope for the best and try not to run away to quickly!" These men from the Persian Empire, circa 5th century BCE, fall somewhere in the middle, with shields, spears and some swords, with enough training to rarely stab themselves with their own weapons. How they will do in battle is an unknown, perhaps they will bravely defeat the enemy or just run away at the first sight of blood...for such is the role and life o those in the local militia.

These are old metal Minifigs I painted back in the 1970's, for my Greek vs Persian campaigns.

Never Leave A Battlefield Empty Handed

When the battle is over, the collection of usable weapons and armor commences.

Here we have a warhorse loaded down with military hardware from one of the mirid of battles of the Greek city-states. Shields, helmets, swords and spears are all valuable war booty for the victors.

They will see battles again and some may even become spoils of battle again, for such is the reality of war-no side is guaranteed victory in battle.

This is a scratch build of metal pies from 1970's Minifig castings.
 

Pegleg Pytor the Pirate

The life of a pirate is full of dangers as Pytor can testify after a swivel gun took his leg off at the knee.

But this hasn't slowed down Pytors pirated adventures, as he says "challenge is the spice of life."

Pytor is an old metal piece I originally painted back in the '70's.

 

Boxers 1900

Two Boxers-members of the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, ready themselves to free China from foreign influence during the Boxer Rebellion. This rebellion will fail, China will continue to be a hot bed of war until mid-20th Century.

These are old 1970's Minifigs castings that I recently found in one of my bits boxes and decided to paint up this week.
 

No Lance, Use Your Sword

After the use of the lance, it's time for the sword as demonstrated by these troopers of the 1st Madras Cavalry Regiment
 

Raised to defend the Raj in India, the 1st Madras Regiment was one of the light cavalry units of the British Madras Presidency Army of India.

Originally formed as the 5th Madras Native Cavalry in 1787, in a short time the unit went through the first of many name changes in its long history for in 1788 it became the 1st Madras Native Cavalry. In 1818 the 1st Madras Light Cavalry, in 1888 the 1st Madras Lancers, in 1903 it became the 26th Light Cavalry, in 1906 the Prince of Wales Own Light Cavalry, 1910 it became the 26th King George's own Light Cavalry Regiment. In 1922 it was combined with the 30th Lancers (the Old Gordons Horse) and renamed the 8th King George's Own Light Cavalry, in 1940 the horses were gone, and the regiment became mechanized. In 1948 the 8th became part of the Indian Army and is still active.

These troopers are Mini Fig metal pieces that I painted in the early 1980's.

US Cavalry, Spanish War Ready

Three troopers of the 3rd US Cavalry Regiment practice for the upcoming campaign vs Spain in Cuba.
 

These are metal 25mm Mini Figs that I painted in the 1980's.

25mm or 15mm Warriors.

 

25mm soldiers on the left, 15mm soldiers on the right give fire.  Such would be the command if I was the general in command of these metal warriors on the game board. These troops are typical of mid 17th century warriors the 28mm are English Civil War Puritans while the 15mm are painted as mercenary forces.

                             

Colonials' vs Native Inhabitants Ready for Battle

 Terrain, Zulus, British, North Africans & Central Africans marshaling for the next colonial battle. They are plastic and metal 25 to 28mm pieces from foundry and Warlord that I painted in 2017. The cavalry pieces are from Minifig that I painted in the 1980's.  To the far left are some Ork old metal warships 

Old Style Great War French Toy Soldier

He we have a French Infantry Line Officer at the start of the Great War.

I decided to paint him like a worn and well used toy soldier from the era of the Great War. 

I have a small collection of 1920's metal toy soldiers that I modeled the look for this 1970s Minifig casting.

 

Power of Egypt-1880's

Egyptian troops loyal to Ahmed "Urabi (Ali Pasha to the British) stand ready to fight for Egyptian independence in the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882.

Most of the Egyptian troops were brave men, poorly equipped, trained and led.

In battle they were no match for the well-organized, equipped, supplied and led Imperial British forces. In less than four months the Egyptian forces were defeated leaving Britian in firm control of the country until then end of World War Two.

These are old Mini Figs cast in the 1970's. Little on detail now but state of the art for the time. African Colonial were the first historic wargame miniatures I painted (I did dozens of plastic military model kits back in the 1960's), the first armies I had and the first miniatures I played, all at Scrubby's Toy Factory in Cambria Ca back in 1974.

For God and England

In God's name, Parliamentarian cavalry marches "towards the sound of the guns" during the English Civil War, 1642-51.

 

Two squadrons of battle tested troopers, armored and armed fought with the zeal of knowing God was on their side against the forces of King Charles I.

                  The cavalry was the elite arm of Cromwell's New Model Army. 

These are 1970's designs that I painted earlier this century. They do not have the quality of design of new pieces, but make up for this with their solid metal castings.

Pathans-Old School

A group of old Minifig Pathans that I painted in the late 70's. Old school 25mm metal style but

very serviceable in the many colonial battles I played in the last century.
 

Rescue is coming - We Hope Part One

An expedition into the interior of colonial Africa has run afoul of the locals after breaking several taboos (looting graves, stealing plants, desiccating religious sites...who knew). Expedition Leader Olaf Burkson, has guided this diverse groups of scientists/explorers: Capt. Hans Frierson, Col. Sir Rupert P. Barnsworthy, Professor Ivy Grunen-Daumen, Old Man Carstaires, and Dr. D.B. Livinstone.

A group of adventurers has tagged along for adventure: Hyde Michaels Masterjager, Blakly Hampton Quecumber-Sandwich III, Sir Albrect Fcyponts , Dodoje Roonveld,   Bamse Roonveld, and Ian Bakker Smutts.

The boat crew: Seaman 2nd Class I. Ben Shaghide, Fireman 1st class Sam Hootfot, Seaman 1st Class Hrad Earboxer, 1st Mate Ira Faceponder, Stoker 2nd class Cole Shovalar, Captain Wen Bin Lostt III.

The rescue force: Four South East and West Town and Country Constabulary Troopers Sam, Brown and Belts and Inspector Cameron Kanride.  Four Old Southern Canberra Mounted Guides Troopers Jones, Joanes and Joons-rifles with Sergeant Jonathan Jaoons. Six men of the Queens 233rd Loyal Colonial Rifles soldiers Redd, Bue, Okra, Oroange, Blanc-rifles and Lieutenant Rupert r. Rupertsuns Jr.

Sacred ruins, what better place to hold up and wait for help. The expedition sets up a defensive perimeter. As they have no idea where the attack will come from, they choose to protect all points but no section in force. Sailors  (the poorest trained) to the North, Adventurers (best shots) to the West Expedition members to the East and South.

Damage markers for the up coming battle, the number of items equals to the amount of hits taken.

The irate natives appear in the distance.

Closing fast except for one unit who failed their morale-seen in the back right.

Hiding in the rough terrain gives some protection from the Europeans shooting.

You first-no we insist your force goes first...

The former expedition bears, with a motley collection of hand weapons, shows up the rest of the tribesmen and charges-unsupported.

A ragged volley drops one of the angry bearer's who halt pinned-allowing the elite female warriors of Siba Lionspirit, to close into hand-to-hand combat. Expedition Leader Olaf Burkson, thinks back and realizes that better treatment of his bearers might have prevented this-too late now...

As the hand-to-hand fighting occurs to the north, tribal sharpshooters drop three Europeans Col. Sir Rupert P. Barnsworthy, Professor Ivy Grunen-Daumen and Dr. D.B. Livinstone.

Hand to hand with angry natives when you don't have bayonets is not a good thing for the expedition members.

Bravery vs bravery pistol and rifle butt's vs blades...

Leaves a lot of dead Europeans...half the expedition is out of the combat!

Here comes the cavalry, (actually mounted infantry but a horseman is a horseman so who cares), in a nick of time-we hope...