Above Imperial Guardsmen old style. From Old Glory 15mm. As is everything else you will see today.
Long ago I had a big box of Boxers. China don’t you know, and the Century of Shame. I
didn’t do much with them. Mainly because I didn’t know if I was big battles or
recreating 55 Days in Peking. I did a
fair bit of painting and that was it. An abandoned project.
TMWWBK has worked its magic. Behold the Kansu Braves.
Originally raised as a provincial unit the Kansu lads were formidable. That was
not unusual in China. Provincial troops often proved to have the edge over the centrally
raised professionals. Often this was because they were defending their home province. Better motivation at a guess. Less prone to the vices of the Big City too.
Anyhow, the Kansu, mainly Moslem, were used to supress a
Moslem Rebellion. Then they were called to the Capital to shore up the Dowager
Empress. Once there they were enlisted into the Rear Guard of the Imperial Army.
This meant pay, rations, training and Mauser rifles.
European sources often called
the Kansu Irregulars. Possibly because they didn’t know about their absorption
into the Regular Army or maybe because they were newly arrived to Beijing.
How to rate them for TMWWBK? I’m going for Irregulars with
modern rifles. if you have a better idea let me know.
Another Imperial unit here. Old style once more. I'm not sure how these fellows were armed. The actual figures have modern rifles but surely that is not the decider. If you happen to know do let me know.
Two of the new Imperial units here. These troops were Western trained and equipped, well motivated too. As you can see by the basing they are Regulars who can form close order and volley.
That's it for the moment. There will be more. Jingals and Tiger Men. Mongols too.
Nice looking units OB, not a period or region I know very much about so looking forward to seeing more and expanding my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie. It's one of those periods where I have read bits and bobs and commentary in volumes with a wider focus. I wonder if there is a definitive volume somewhere?
ReplyDeleteSome very unusual units there and interesting background. Although I have actually had a 10-day holiday in China, I know virtually nothing about its military history!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been something else as holidays go! The problem of Chinese Military history is that there is so much of it. I'm good on the Tai Ping and the Opium Wars but that's it.
ReplyDeleteNice looking troops. Unfortunately, apart from causes and consequences of the rebellion, I know pretty much nothing about this bit of history.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard. Yeah, me too pretty much. I keep reminding myself that the ruling dynasty was Manchu, not Han Chinese.
ReplyDeleteNice to be able to re use existing troops, Tai Pai and the opium wars, Chinese Gordon's ever victorious army is also about the limit of my Chinese military history from the 19th century I'm afraid!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
It is Iain. Yeah, me too. There has to be a reason for that.
ReplyDelete