The Boxer Rebellion Project, Part 3: Lt. Col. Shiba Gorō

 

A great figure of a Japanese officer and NCO from Crusader Miniatures.

Shiba Gorō (柴 五郎, June 21, 1860 – December 13, 1945) was a samurai of Aizu Domain and later a career officer and general in the Meiji period Imperial Japanese Army. Shiba Gorō witnessed the events of the Boshin War as a child when Aizu was attacked by the imperial forces in 1868. With the abolition of the Han system, he moved to Tokyo and enlisted in the fledgling Imperial Japanese Army in 1873. He was in the 1877 class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the artillery in 1879.

I’m not going to cover this remarkable warrior's entire career but focus on the Boxer Rebellion and the Russian Japanese War. In March 1900, Shiba returned to Beijing as a military attaché, and was thus present at the Japanese legation during the Boxer Rebellion. There his small force fought tenaciously and suffered almost 100% casualties over a 60 day period. He served with distinction during that campaign, aided by his prior knowledge of Beijing and by a large network of local spies. He protected the citizens and diplomats alongside several Western powers during the siege, and was subsequently awarded decorations by many of the western nations in the Eight-Nation Alliance. Shiba's role in the Boxer Rebellion is often highlighted in Western accounts of the conflict. In the 1963 film 55 Days at Peking about the siege of international legations he is a supporting character, played by future director Juzo Itami.

In March 1901, he was returned to Japan and attached to the General Staff. In June 1901 Shiba was appointed commander of the IJA 15th Field Artillery Regiment, which he continued to command after the start of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, where he was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite (2nd class), for bravery in battle.

Here is my painting guide for Lieutenant Colonel Shiba Gorō which, with minor changes, will be used for my other Japanese Infantry.

For 28mm figures I like to glue them to soda caps with all purpose white glue for easy handling. Wait for the glue to dry! I first painted the flesh CC Darkoath Flesh and I was quite pleased with the results.

When I’m trying to work out which paint colors to use on a new unit/army I rarely use an officer figure; but this Crusader Miniature looked so cool I had to give it a try. My gut feel for the uniform was to use a base of Vallejo Prussian Blue and then to highlight with Vallejo Dark Blue. And then I said to myself, “Self, let’s try a heavy coat of Citadel Contrast (CC) Ultramarine Blue. When using contrast/speed paints it’s important to use a quality primer (trust me on this one!). I used Citadel Wraithbone.

He wears the dark blue Atilla blouse and the black braid (it’s hard to see in this picture), boots and cap brim are CC Black Templar. I initially used CC Blood Angels Red but I realized I would need to use Vallejo Flat Red with a detail brush to simulate the finer, well, details. Oh by the way, there was no way I was going to try painting the Austrian loops on the sleeve. The red (technically scarlet) indicates a member of the Imperial Guard.

After doing more research, I realized that I made the trouser stripe too narrow. As a field grade office it should be about twice as wide. I’ll fix that later.

It was also at this time (nothing like carefully checking before you paint!) that he should also have 2 rings on his cap as a Lieutenant Colonel and two stars on the front of the cap. All leather is also CC Templar Black.

As mentioned earlier, I used Vallejo Flat Red to clean up the cap and Vallejo Shiny Gold for the stars. He carries the M1888 officers sword and I used Vallejo Shiny Gold for the details and Vallejo Silver for the scabbard.

I used Vallejo Flat White to make the trouser stripe wider and used CC Blood Angels Red for the stripe. The figure is glued to a 25mm Litko wood base and I used my normal sand mixture and static grass to finish the base. Don’t forget to protect the figure with a clear matte spray.

Almost forgot to add the mustache!

Next: Imperial Japanese infantry.

The Boxer Rebellion Project, Part Two: The SMS Zenta

The SMS Zenta in 1901 at the Pola Shipyard after returning from China in 1901.

Truth in advertising time: I'm an Infantry, maneuver warrior kind of guy. But I love old ships. My real world experience with the United States Navy was interesting. At one time (this sounds more impressive than what it really is) I was the Lead Joint Planner, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, United States Army Europe. I got to work in a vault in Heidelberg, Germany. On the gripping hand, I got to work with the Navy and Air Force and could chose which operations I would be involved with - as long as the 2 Star was okay with it! As the Lead Planner, I was also the Army Liaison to the US Sixth Fleet. I actually had a billet, when activated, on the now decommissioned USS LaSalle.

The Navy loved me when I was on board when I was on that great boat, umm, ship the USS Lasalle:

"Excuse me Chief, what floor is Commander Smith on?'

"It's a deck sir."

"Do I go through this door Chief?'

"It's a bulkhead sir."

"Excuse me Chief, is the latrine through that door, er, bulkhead?
"You mean the head sir?'

"Now where did I put my hat?"

"Here's your cover, sir."

"During General Quarters, should I be on the left side of the ship, or the right side of the ship?"

"I don't care what the admiral said, I'm putting you in the brig sir."

They loved me! Gaming with ships can be fun too! Just don't have me in command of your flotilla. Let's see, how many times did I get my gunboats stuck on sandbars going up the Nile River in the 1890's? My greatest success was storming a British gunboat that got stuck during a fictional Boxer Rebellion game as an Imperial Chinese commander during a great game of The Sword and the Flame, Those were the days.

Anyway, while recovering from foot surgery, I discovered the Georg von Trapp of Sound of Music fame was a decorated hero during the Boxer Rebellion which is my next project. Here are some details on his ship, the armored cruiser SMS Zenta just for fun.

The SMS Zenta was launched in 1897 and represented one of the new iron ships in the Austro Hungarian fleet, a transition away from wooden vessels. Her overall length was 96.88 meters (317 ft 10 in) and a beam of 11.73 meters (38 ft 6 in). Her two four-cylinder vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each drove a single propeller shaft with eight Yarrow boilers for an average total of 8,160 indicated horsepower (6,080 kW),  achieving a maximum speed of 21.87 knots (40.50 km/h; 25.17 mph).

She also had the extra protection of an armor deck, two layers of 12.5 millimeter (0.49 in) plates and 50 millimeters (2.0 in) over the engine and boiler rooms. Further, she was armed with two 45 centimeter (17.7 in) torpedo tubes, eight 40-caliber Škoda 12 centimeter (4.7 in) quick-firing guns, eight 44-caliber 4.7 centimeter (1.9 in) Škoda guns, and two 33-caliber 4.7 centimeter Hotchkiss guns.

The start of my Austro-Hungarian landing party; figures are Russian Navy from Copplestone Castings Back of Beyond range.

Next: Lt. Col. Shiba Gorō of the Japanese Imperial Guard.

The Boxer Rebellion Project, Part One: Midshipman Second Class Georg von Trapp

Yes. That von Trapp. As we all know from The Sound of Music, etc., Georg Ludwig Ritter von Trapp was an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Navy who became the patriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. Captain von Trapp Trapp was the most successful Austro-Hungarian submarine commander of World War I, sinking 11 Allied merchant ships totaling 47,653 GRT and two Allied warships displacing 12,641 tons. 

Hmmm . . . I think I gave him Groucho Marx eyebrows. that will be an easy fix.

But how many of us knew that he participated, and was awarded for bravery during the Boxer Rebellion? Ladies and Gentlemen, the SMS Zenta:

In 1894, aged fourteen, Trapp followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Austro-Hungarian Navy, entering the Imperial and Royal Naval Academy at Fiume (today Rijeka, Croatia). In 1900, as a midshipman, he was assigned to the protected cruiser SMS Zenta and was decorated for his performance during the Boxer Rebellion in China, in which he participated in the assault on the Taku Forts. He personally led the Austro-Hungarian sailors that helped assault and capture Fort Pei Tang. For his bravery he was awarded the Silver Bravery Medal, 2nd Class and the War Medal.

Silver Bravery Medal, 2nd Class 

War Medal

In doing my research I noticed that many European Navies had similar uniforms and that the differences in 28mm are not noticeable. Now if you want to do the French, you can buy the figures with the pom pom on the top or even use British navy figures with Sennet hats as photographic evidence from the Boxer rebellion has them wearing (outside of Legation forces). Back back to the Austrians. I thought the Copplestone Castings Russian Sailors from their Back of Beyond range would be perfect for the Austrian Sailors from the SMS Zenta (reinforced later by the SMS Kaiserin und Königin Maria Theresia, SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth, SMS Aspern and an additional 160 Austrian marines).

"The Capture of the Forts at Taku", by Fritz Neumann in the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University.

I accidentally painted the figure as a Koverttenleutnant thinking that he already passed his Lieutenant examination and had been commissioned at this time - and by golly, the figure is going to stay that way!

The Colonel's Recovery Repeats: Late German World War II Forces in 15mm

I'm officially a cranky old man with a cane with 6 weeks to go until full recovery. The good news is that I have started painting again per the PLAN! BWAH HAH HAH HAH HAH Agghh *cough, cough*. Okay, enough of that. 

I have always been amazed at the versatility of Battlefronts' 15mm line of WWII vehicles and figures. The detail is amazing and the parts and figures add to the possibility of endless conversions. None of the vehicles were painted with an air brush and about 95% of the paints used are Vallejo with some Citadel colors. All of the figures and vehicles below are based on actual photographs (some rare color pictures) from the war. Original published on April 16, 2024. 

The Panzerkampfwagen VI please don't ask me which version); the infamous Tiger Tank.

While I am finishing up some projects that I am not quite ready to post yet, I thought I would share some of my favorite photos from my Late War German World War II force.

Panzergrenadier Executive Officer.

10.5 cm Artillery Battery

Fire Direction Center with Communications truck.

Gun Teams.

One of the rare Mounted Panzer Grenadier Companies on the Western Front, 1944.

The Colonel's Recovery Repeats: Seize the Bridge (The Conclusion), A Battle of the Anglo-Russian War

 In the finest traditions of Hollywood, the heroic conclusion! Originally posted on July 14, 2021:

 

 Recap: A British Indian Army force has been tasked (using the rules The Men Who Would be Kings) with capturing a railroad bridge in order to disrupt Imperial Russian supplies from reaching the Princely State of Chaimbellistan. Though superior in numbers, the British Indian force has sustained heavy casualties primarily due to a Russian Maxim machine gun and the marksmanship of the 21st Frontier Guard Company. Two British officers have been killed but the much reduced 19th Punjabis have chased the Russian Naval Brigade off the bridge. Three turns to go to decide victory and defeat.

The Indian Army Maxim finally resumes it movement. Machine guns are slow at 4 inches for their maximum move making them difficult to use in an attack that takes lots of movement instead of having them in a convenient firing position.

With a LV of 6+, Colour Sergeant Smith fails to successfully move the Royal Fusiliers toward the bridge to support . . .

. . . the 19th Punjabis who have occupied the key objective. But can they hold?

Subedar Major Ajeet Deol organizes the defense. The positioning of the figures is purely for show since units can see 360 degrees (large skirmish game) and most can shoot 360 degrees in The Men Who Would be Kings. The exceptions are infantry in Close Order and crew served weapons that can shoot 180 degrees to their front based on their facing.

The 14th Sikhs, now under half strength, rally.

Again? The officer commanding the 21st Frontier Guard Company Leadership Trait is "Idiot". He was going to order an advance on the 19th Punjab but has to roll a die first due to his Leadership Trait. Sure enough, he rolled a "1" and the British Indian player gets to decide what order they obey if the activation is successful.

"Advance to the rear!"

The Naval Brigade Officer has the Leadership Trait "Coward" and the Punjabis are within a move distance so the Naval Brigade has to move away from the 19th. Events are rapidly collapsing for the Russians.

And then the Maxim fired eliminating half of the defenders on the bridge.

Fortunately for the Punjabis, they are not pinned.

The 14th Sikhs make it to the tree line.

The machine gun finally gets into a position where it is in range of the Russians.

Colour Sergeant Smith leads the Royal Fusiliers forward to reinforce the 19th Punjabis.

"Private McGillicuddy. Fix your helmet in the face of the enemy! How many times do I have to tell you about regulations?"

Yep it's the Russians turn and that Maxim is taking the 19th Punjabis apart at close range.

The Subedar Major is the lone survivor but he is not pinned. (I must have hit his face accidentally with some brown paint. It's funny what you don't notice until you see it in a photograph. After the battle he is going to the medical tent so I can fix his face!)

The tide may be turning as the fierce 21st Frontier Company returns to the fray. By the way the Naval Brigade made it to the cover of the woodline.

Destiny awaits. The final turn.

"Fire at the enemy machine gun!"

The British Maxim is successful in hitting two crewmen. The officer is not hit even though he is laying down; just showing that there are two casualties.

Uh oh. The Fusiliers fail to activate and move to the bridge.

The 14th Sikhs use their free action of Fire and hit the Russian machine gun.

There is one casualty - the officer in charge!

The black die designates the machine gun as pinned and the white die is showing that there is only one crew left.

"Sigh". That Leadership Trait is killing me.

"Okay boys, back the way we just came."

The "Cowardly officer" fails in his order to move the Naval Brigade away from the Subedar Major.

The Russian machine gun fails to rally . . .

. . . and must abandon its position.

Victory goes to the the British Indian Army - but at a price.

All in all a nail biter of a battle. Talk about grabbing defeat out of the jaws of victory. I really thought the Russians were going to pull it off with the Maxim and the Frontier Guard - until the "Idiot" Leadership trait kicked in. The 21st could have easily overwhelmed the depleted 19th Punjabis. What was it? Four or five "1's were rolled causing confusion and keeping the 21st out of the battle. That's the stuff legends are made of! Colonial gaming with a Hollywood flair.

The Leadership traits really add a fun dimension to The Men Who Would be Kings - it can really alter your plans. My plan as the Russians was to have the 21st and the Maxim create an engagement area to keep the enemy away from the bridge while the Naval Brigade would shoot for all it was worth until the enemy got close - and it almost worked.

The British plan was an attempt to fix the Russians to the front and then flank either side depending on who was having success. What they did not count on was the lack of firepower from their own machine gun because of it's slower speed. Gee, just like in real life. But once it got in position - Yikes! Both Machine guns were the killers on this battlefield.

Subedar Major Ajeet Deol is awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM), 3rd Class, for his conspicuous act of individual gallantry in the field against overwhelming odds in capturing the bridge and significantly contributing to the war effort.

Indian Order of Merit, 3rd Class