June Hollywood Break: The Prelude of Thugees and Tigers and Sikhs! Oh My! (Episode 6.1.1)

 Originally published 1/9/2020.

"Subedar Bikram Singh", began Colonel Dugald Armstrong, VC, DSO, etc., "We have found the location of the Mad Guru and his murderous band of thugees and deserters. I want you and the 14th Sikh Special Action Company to eliminate this threat."
"Yes Colonel sahib."
"There is one problem Subedar. Those idiots . . . um, The Sergeants Three and the Regimental beastie, Gungee Din may be trapped there looking for gold, a mysterious map or who knows what."
"Sahib?"
"At all costs the Mad Guru must be destroyed!"

This is going to be a big game with 4 players: One commanding the 14th Sikh Special Action Company (SSAC), one The Mad Guru, one playing The Sergeants Three and Gunga Din and surprise: one player controlling the devious Fah Lo Suee, the daughter of Fu Manchu with elements of the Si-Fan Tong. Oh and did I mention there was a tiger and poisonous cobra too?

 Fah Lo Suee and the Si-Fan Tong. Who brought the Tiger?!!

The objectives are fairly straight forward: for the 14th SSAC and The Mad Guru they are operating under the scenario "The Last Man Standing"; in other words, wipe out your nemesis. For the Sergeants Three and Fah Lo Suee with the Si-Fan Tong the objective is to get the treasure token off the board.

 The 14th SSAC.

 The Mad Guru and his followers.

Gunga Din and The Sergeants Three! Note: The Sefgeant's Three special leader rule will not be in effect at the start of the game as a Subedar outranks a British NCO.

 The terrain and the initial set-up.

"Now you're all under arrest. Her Majesty's very touchy about having her subjects strangled. Let the game commence!"

Next:

1. The initial moves.

2. The Indian deserters are pretty tough!

3. Cobra? What Cobra?

4. Gotta love those sniper rifles . . . and arc rifles . . . and congreve rocket launchers.

5. Dang thugee swords!

June Hollywood Break: 14th Sikh's Special Action Company

Originally published August 15, 2019.

The 14th Sikh's Special Action Company

Following the Roopkund Lake Incident with Chinese Imperial Forces, in which the Gordan Highlanders and the 14th Sikh's under the overall command of Colonel Dugald Armstrong, VC, DSO, etc., fought off and defeated mysterious elements within the Chinese forces, it became apparent that more specialized units, like the Shanghai-La Fusiliers would be needed in India. The 14th Sikhs earned battle honors at Lucknow, 1878 Afghanistan, 1878 Ali Masjid, Defence of Chitral 1895, (Roopkund Lake has been neither confirmed or denied) and was an obvious candidate to train in more specialized tactics.

 The decision is made.

Colonel Armstrong took his concerns to "the government" and it was decided to experiment with some of the most prestigous units in the Indian Army and that they would receive the latest technology and experimental weapons. The first unit chosen, of course, was the 14th Sikh's.

The figures used for the 14th Sikh's Special Action Group come from Pulp Figures packs PBT 05 Sikh Rifles and PBT 06 Sikh Special Weapons.

 As the 14th SSAC will be a small, fast moving elite unit, it was decided to provide them several experimental weapons:

Beware the old man in a young man's profession.

The Lee-Enfield Mark III "Quartermain" Sniper Rifle. It was decided after numerous engagements (and casualties) that a new long range weapon would be needed to deliver aimed, accurate fire at Her Majesty's enemies. As an outgrowth of the Lee-Enfield rifle, the Lee-Enfield Mark III (LEM III) was developed and is currently being field tested by elite units. It did not take long for Her Majesty's  finest riflemen to nickname the LEM III "The Quartermain".

Lee-Enfield Mark III "Quartermain" Sniper Rifle:

SV Bonus: +5 (Built in Monocular Targeting Array)
Range: 36"
Hands Required: 2
Pluck Penalty: -2
Cost: 23
Notes: User must have the Hunter Talent (5 points), if not, it is only a Military rifle without a bayonet. As a experimental weapon, if you roll a fumble on a D10 (a natural "1") you must roll twice instead of the normal once. The soldier may also have the Marksman talent for 5 points.

The Brimble "Bumble Bee" Light Machine Gun

The Brimble "Bumble Bee" Light Machine Gun was an idea by Professor Brimble Nightengale for a portable, mobile machine gun capable of being operated by one or two men that could use its high rate of fire to pin down enemy troops and machine guns.

The Brimble "Bumble Bee" Light Machine Gun:

SV Bonus: +5 

Range: 24"

Hands Required: 2

Pluck Penalty: -2

Cost: 15

Notes: As a experimental weapon, if you roll a fumble on a D10 (a natural "1") you must roll twice instead of the normal once. Instead of a Military Rifle the soldier will carry a pistol instead for 3 points.

Subedar Bikram Singh, IOM, is a rising star in the Indian Army. As a young student, he considered becoming a doctor. He was an exceptional student of Zoology and Biology. But the wars of the late 19th Century motivated him to join the army. When asked whether he ever regrets the choice made, Bikram said, "If I were ever to be born again, I would only join the Indian Army." Colonel Armstrong remembers him for being a 'soldier's soldier' for spending time and working hard with his troops on the ground. Bikram Singh also carries the Khanda Sword of Justice given to him by his father, Subedar-major Ranjit Singh.

Name: Subedar Bikram Singh, IOM

Pluck: 3+

Leadership: +2

Speed: 0

Fighting Value: +4

Shooting Value: +2

Talents: Duelist (sword), Fearless, Inspirational, Iron Will, Tough, Skirmisher, Stealthy

Basic Equipment: Jack, pistol, The Khanda Sword of Justice (+3 Weapon bonus; -2 Pluck penalty)

Armor: 8

Cost: 67

Name: 14th Sikh Special Action Company

Pluck: 4+

Leadership: 0

Speed: 0

Fighting Value: +2

Shooting Value: +1

Talents: Bayonet Drill, Skirmisher, Stealthy

Basic Equipment: Jack, military rifle, sword, bayonet

Armor: 8

Cost: 31

One 14th Sikh SSAC may be upgraded to Halvidar (Sergeant) at 36 points. Shooting Value is increased to +2 and Leadership is +1. He may purchase the Tough Talent for 5 points. Any 14th Sikh SSAC NCO or Private may take Explosive Grenades at 6 points, have the Grenadier Talent for 3 points and may have the Marksman Talent for 5 points. Sikhs must always carry a sword.

14th Sikh SSAC with Congreve Rocket Gun.

One 14th Sikh SSAC can be upgraded to a Sapper by adding the Engineer Talent (5 points) and increasing Shooting Value to +2. The Sapper may have a Congreve Rocket Gun (7 points) and three rocket grenades costed by points.

 14th Sikh SSAC with Arc Rifle.

One 14th Sikh SSAC can carry an Arc Rifle and Arc Generator (20 points)

Arc Generators are heavy and carried on the back by this member of the 14th Sikh SSAC

Orders have been issued as rumors of the rise of the Thugs has reached the highest levels of the Raj and Colonel Armstrong is eager to show the value of the 14th Sikh SSAC

June Hollywood Break: The Sergeants Three (Gunga Din Hollywood 1938 Version)

 Originally published August 4, 2019.

 SGT Archibald Cutter (Cary Grant), SGT 'Mac' MacChesney (Victor McLaglen), and SGT Thomas 'Tommy' Ballantine (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) sculpted during the part of the movie when SGT MacChesney orders and leads the charge of his command across the rooftops of the fictional town of Tantrapur.

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, The movie Gunga Din is a 1939 RKO adventure film loosely based on the poem of the same name by Kipling combined with elements of his short story collection Soldiers Three. The film is about three British sergeants and Gunga Din, their native bhisti (water bearer), who fight the Thuggee, an Indian murder cult, in colonial British India. The movie continues with the central theme of the poem, the sacrifices the Indians made on behalf of British Imperialism.

Soldiers Three is a collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. The three soldiers of the title are Learoyd, Mulvaney and Ortheris, who had also appeared previously in the collection Plain Tales from the Hills. The current version, dating from 1899 and more fully titled Soldiers Three and other stories, consists of three sections which each had previously received separate publication in 1888; Learoyd, Mulvaney and Ortheris appear only in the first section, which is also titled Soldiers Three. The books reveal a side of the British Tommy in Afghanistan rarely seen in the Twilight of the British Empire. The soldiers comment on their betters, act the fool, but cut straight to the rawness of war in the mid-east as the British began to loosen their Imperial hold.

 British Army rank insignia prior to the 1902 Dress Regulations

In the movie Gunga Din, SGT's Cutter, MacChesney, and Ballantine are sergeants in the Royal Engineers as evidenced by the grenade above their chevrons and the R.E. on their epaulets. They are tasked with keeping the communications open between Trantrapur and the local British Imperial Garrison. In the grand tradition of "buddy" films, the characters are almost caricatures that we will come to love in latter movies: SGT Cutter is always scheming for riches: SGT MacChesney's devoted duty to Queen and Country and his low opinion of many Indians, and SGT Ballantine, tired of the Army and ready to hang up his sword, get married and go into the tea business. Though argumentive amongst the three, there is nothing but loyalty between the three friends and the ultimate realization of sacrifice of one character, Gunga Din, who only wants to be a soldier and in a larger sense he "saves the British Raj."
 

 Cary Grant as SGT Archibald Cutter, always on the look out for treasure.

For In Her Majesty's Name: 

Name: SGT Archibald Cutter, Royal Engineers

Pluck: 3+

Leadership: +1*

Speed: +1

Fighting Value: +3

Shooting Value: +3

Talents: Bayonet Drill, Engineer, Erudite Wit, Fearless, Grenadier, Tough

Basic Equipment: Brigadine, Pistol, and sword. May also purchase a Military Rifle (+9 points). May also purchase a Congreve Rocket Gun (+7 Points) and must purchase the rocket grenades separately. May also carry any kind of grenade but must pay the appropriate points.

Armor: 9

Cost: 58

*Special Leadership Rule: All of the Sergeants Three have a Leadership of +1. They can combine their leadership for Initiative and any pluck rolls that can benefit from Leadership if the figures are in range. This rule is negated if their are any British officers present; then it is just a +1.

"Now you're all under arrest. Her Majesty's very touchy about having her subjects strangled."

 Victor McLaglen as SGT 'Mac' MacChesney: A tough, get the job done with little respect for the local inhabitants.

Name: SGT "Mac" MacChesney, Royal Engineers

Pluck: 3+

Leadership: +1*

Speed: +0

Fighting Value: +4

Shooting Value: +3

Talents: Bayonet Drill, Beserker, Engineer, Fearless, Tough

Basic Equipment: Brigadine, Pistol, and sword. May also purchase a Military Rifle (+9 points). May also purchase a Congreve Rocket Gun (+7 Points) and must purchase the rocket grenades separately. May also carry any kind of grenade but must pay the appropriate points.

Armor: 9

Cost: 63

*Special Leadership Rule: All of the Sergeants Three have a Leadership of +1. They can combine their leadership for Initiative and any pluck rolls that can benefit from Leadership if the figures are in range. This rule is negated if their are any British officers present; then it is just a +1.

One of the most poignant moments of the movie is when Colonel Weed, the senior officer, reads lines from the "newly" written poem by the war correspondent Rudyard Kipling as they are burying Gunga Din: "Though I've belted you and flayed you / By the living God that made you / You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din." A tear runs down MacChesney's eye as Din is made a Corporal of the regiment and will be forever listed among the honored dead.

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, as SGT Thomas "Tommy" Ballantine: "You displease me greatly, and I ignore the both of you."

Name: SGT Thomas "Tommy" Ballantine, Royal Engineers

Pluck: 3+

Leadership: +1*

Speed: +1

Fighting Value: +3

Shooting Value: +3

Talents: Bayonet Drill, Duelist (Sword), Engineer, Fearless, Lightening Draw (Sword), Tough

Basic Equipment: Brigadine, Pistol, and sword. May also purchase a Military Rifle (+9 points). May also purchase a Congreve Rocket Gun (+7 Points) and must purchase the rocket grenades separately. May also carry any kind of grenade but must pay the appropriate points.

Armor: 9

Cost: 65

*Special Leadership Rule: All of the Sergeants Three have a Leadership of +1. They can combine their leadership for Initiative and any pluck rolls that can benefit from Leadership if the figures are in range. This rule is negated if their are any British officers present; then it is just a +1.

"The trouble is you don't want a man for a husband! You want a coward who will run out on his friends! Well, thats not me, never was, and never will be. I don't care how much I love you! And I do very much. I'm a soldi... I mean I'm a man first!"

Gunga Din and the Sergeants Three.

June Hollywood Break: Gunga Din (Hollywood 1938 Version)

 Originally published August 1, 2019.

In the poem Gunga Din, by Ruyard Kipling, the flawed character is the white, British soldier and the overall hero? An Indian water-bearer for the Imperial Army. The movie Gunga Din is a 1939 RKO adventure film loosely based on the poem of the same name by Kipling combined with elements of his short story collection Soldiers Three. The film is about three British sergeants and Gunga Din, their native bhisti (water bearer), who fight the Thuggee, an Indian murder cult, in colonial British India. The movie continues with the central theme of the poem, the sacrifices the Indians made on behalf of British Imperialism.

Sam Jaffee plays Gunga Din, the manliest man to ever wear a diaper in a film.

Though some of the movie's elements are products of its time, it is still a rollicking, entertaining film that has influenced other films and has become a "must watch" with the starring roles of Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Victor McLaglen and Sam Jaffe in the title role.

 “ This is only pleasure for poor bhisti”

Here are my stats for Gunga Din for In Her Majesty's Name:

Name: Gunga Din, Regimental bhisti

Pluck: 5+

Leadership: 0

Speed: 0

Fighting Value: +1 (Did you see him bayonet that Thuggee?)

Shooting Value: +0

Talents: Inspirational, Medic

Basic Equipment: Water bag (Medic), bugle (Inspirational - an exception since he is not a leader), knife, and any weapon he can pick up on the battle field.

Armor: 7

Cost: 21

For The Men Who Would be Kings attach Gunga Din to any British Imperial Infantry unit for 1 point and he and he is "Inspirational" which allows the unit to reroll every failed Rally roll once. When casualties are taken, you must roll to see if Gunga Din is one.

Gunga Din and The Sergeants Three.

Corporal Din.

Next: The Sergeants Three.

June Hollywood Break: The Mad Guru

 I'm taking a break from blogging in June - but not painting or gaming. I like Hollywood gaming so lets go! Originally published August 7, 2019.

The Guru has reestablished the Thuggee, a murder cult that had been suppressed 50 years previously.

Eduardo Ciannelli portrays the Guru in the film Gunga Din (1939) as a dignified, intelligent, though murderous defender of the Indian people. Ciannelli was an Italian baritone and character actor with a long career in American films, mostly playing gangsters and criminals. The contrasts between the characters of the Guru, Gunga Din, and the Sergeants Three are a whole dissertation on the state of the British Raj - but that is a discussion for another day.

Eduardo Ciannelli as the Guru: "You seem to think warfare an English invention. Have you never heard of Chandragupta Maurya? He slaughtered all the armies left in India by Alexander the Great. India was a mighty nation then while Englishmen still dwelt in caves and painted themselves blue."

The dignity that Ciannelli brings to the role and his monologues about India and the future are in stark contrast to the disciplinary headaches and shortsightedness of the Sergeants Three, and an extent Gunga Din. But every good buddy adventure film needs a villain, and the Guru fits the bill perfectly. For In Her Majesty's Name I am using the profile for Jera, High Priest of Kal that is found in the supplement Sleeping Dragon, Rising Sun.

 "Mad? Mad. Hannibal was mad, Caesar was mad, and Napoleon surely was the maddest of the lot. Ever since time began, they've called mad all the great soldiers in this world. Mad? We shall see what wisdom lies within my madness. For this is but the spring that precedes the flood. From here we roll on. From village to town. From town to mighty city. Ever mounting, ever widening, until at last my wave engulfs all India!"

Pulp Figures pack PBT 24 The Mad Guru perfectly reproduces the atmosphere of this classic character and associates. In addition to the guru there is also a idol of Kali, a body guard, a loyal adherent (sculpted to look like the Guru's son Chota played by Abner Biberman) and a cobra!!! in a basket.

The Kali idol. Unfortunately I managed to get static grass all over it before I sprayed it with a clear flat enamel. Oh well. Still looks great as an accessory to a game.

Chota and a great python in a basket! For Chota I will use the profile of a Thuggee leader (Naib Subedar) from Sleeping Dragon, Rising Sun.

  The menacing bodyguard; also can be used as an excellent leader figure. His profile will be that of the deadly warrior Sardi from Sleeping Dragon, Rising Sun.

I added an old GW Lizard man shield to his back. With his arms crossed, it conveniently covers any straps he uses to carry it on the back - plus it looks menacing!

KALI!!!