Most Viewed Post of 2025 and New All Time Champion: The Boxer Rebellion Project, Part 12: First Imperial Chinese Infantry Unit

 With an incredible 11,840 views, this post was the most viewed post of 2025 - and the all time viewed post on my Blog!

Figures from Wargames Foundry.

HUZZAH! I have finished my first Infantry Unit for The Men Who Would be Kings (TMWWBK). As previously mentioned I'm basing my Imperial Chinese Field Force on the Imperial forces that faced the Second Relief Expedition led by General Sir Alfred Gaselee, GCB, GCIE.

Imperial Army lieuntenant with the Qing Dynasty Banner. Banner can be purchased from North Star Military Figures.

The recommend size for Regular and Irregular Infantry units in TMWWBK is 12 figures. I decided that the first unit would look more "traditional" with primarily the classic Manchu hat and uniforms.

Another banner bearer, the commanding officer and a drummer (duh!).

Uniforms are a bit more fancier than what I am used to painting and take more time - but it is well worth the effort.

They are ready to repel enemies internal and external.

Favorite Units I painted in 2025

 

Wow. Where to begin?

1. Ogre: Infantry in Power Suits. These were not a challenge to paint but I think they look so cool!

2. Austro-Hungarian Naval Brigade from the SMS Zenta. Who would have thought that the Patriarch of the von Trapp Singers (The Sound of Music) was decorated for bravery during the Boxer Rebellion. Copplestone Miniatures Back of Beyond Russian Naval converted to Austro-Hungarians.

3. Imperial Japanese Infantry, Boxer Rebellion. Imperial Japan had the largest contribution of forces to the 8 Nations Alliance and I am really liking Crusader Miniatures new Boxer Rebellion range. Naval ensign hand painted by me.

4. Imperial Chinese Unit, Boxer Rebellion. You can never go wrong with figures from Wargames Foundry. Banners are from Crusader Miniatures. Flag hand painted by me.

5. Kansu Braves, Boxer Rebellion. Another winner from Crusader Miniatures and banners from Crusader Miniatures.

6. Imperial Chinese Krupp Mountain Gun. I think I'm seeing a pattern here. Figures by Wargames Foundry and gun by Askari Miniatures.

7. Musketeer Regiment Von Bose. I'm returning to an old favorite, personally and professionally (it's hard to take the history out of the military historian after numerous thesis', articles, dissertation, ect.) the American War for Independence. Proving to myself that I could still paint small figures in gaming detail, I'm going to use the Warlord Games Epic Revolution range in 13.5 mm. First up is the Musketeer Regiment Von Bose which famously fought back to back at the Battle of Guildford Courthouse.

Now it's time to get ready for the 2026 plan.

Merry Christmas

 

Luke 2  English Standard Version (ESV)

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Favorite Figures I painted in 2025

 It's that time of year again for lazy writing . . . I mean showcasing what I have done this year.

Mike Mason aka as Special Agent Roger “Race” T. Bannon: A special agent from Intelligence One assigned to safeguard Jonny 24/7. He is also Jonny and Hadji’s tutor, companion and all around watchdog. He is an expert in judo (are we seeing a pattern?), having a third degree black belt and the ability to defeat notorious experts in various sporting techniques including sumo wrestlers. An expert with weapons he is also an excellent pilot. Rumor has it that there is a mysterious woman in his past . . .

This great figure comes from Pulp Figures and is part of the "Team Chase" pack. At first it looks like a simple figure to paint; but, if you want to replicate one of your childhood heroes, you better get it right!

"As a Space Marine officer, I prefer not to wear my helmet into combat. Heads up displays, thermal imagery, communication nets, real time location and the status of my Marines - plus the protection it provides are for sissies. Plus I can see my chain sword better without it."

I love Space Marines. This is my new commander of my heavy strike force for the game Xenos Rampant.

Naval Ensign of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

My big project this year is the Boxer Rebellion. When I found out the von Trapp of the Trapp Family singers had participated and was decorated for bravery during the Boxer Rebellion, I knew I had to have the Austro-Hungarian Navy. And I needed a flag. I am particularly proud of this flag as it is entirely hand painted by yours truly. The figure is a converted Russian Navy guy from Copplestone Casting's Back of Beyond range.

Did I mention I was doing the Boxer Rebellion? For the Chinese forces, I decided to concentrate on the Chinese Imperial Army and this is one of the infantry officers. Figure from Wargames Foundry.

Standard bearer from the same unit and also Wargames Foundry. The banner is from Crusader Miniatures.

The great thing about Chinese armies is that you can never have enough flags! The officer with revolver has an open hand so I added a banner which is also available from Crusader Miniatures. The flags for the Kansu Braves are described as primarily yellow and red.

Shiba Gorō (柴 五郎, June 21, 1860 – December 13, 1945) was the military attaché assigned to the Japanese Legation in Peking. A warrior of exceptional ability. Figure from Crusader Miniatures.

"Growth", February 13, 2025.

I took up Watercolors 3 1/2 years ago (good retired stuff) and each year I participate in several shows; some are judged and others are not. My favorite show is sponsored by the Veterans Administration (United States) and for the second year in a row I was awared 1st Place in Watercolors at the regional Veterans Creative Arts Competition. The added bonus was also receiving "Best in Show". On to Nationals!

Figures of Christmas Past: Wargames Foundry Viking Santa

 

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Since my wife is Norwegian, what better way to acknowledge them and my wife with the Wargames Foundry Viking Santa Clause. 

 I painted a festive wreath for his shield.

Don't get on this jolly ole' elf's naughty list!

Guarding the entrance to the Toy Shop.

 

Okay, time for hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Figures of Christmas Past: Reaper Miniatures Santa Clause

 One of Reaper Miniatures' ranges is Chronoscope; a collection of "generic" miniatures for many Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Wild West, Steampunk and other genres.  There is nothing generic about them.  They are clean sculpts that have nice animation.  One of them is Santa Claus and this is my favorite Santa figure I painted for my mom.

Santa comes with a slotta base and was a joy to paint.  Ho, Ho, Ho.

Figures of Christmas Past: Father Christmas from Wargames Foundry

As a Christmas gift each year I would paint an ornament or a figure for my mom. This was my mom's favorite: A Victorian Father Christmas from Wargames Foundry.

Breaktime Blast from the Past: Dux Bellorum Battle - The Conclusion

When we last left events were not going well for the Late Romans as their cavalry had been hurt badly to include the Mounted Companions (spoiler alert - it's not good if your general dies!).  The Roman Infantry (Ordinary Shieldwall) were slowly being pushed back by the Saxon Sea dogs.  One bright note was that the Roman skirmishers who pulled one of the Warrior bands from the attack and destroyed them with javelins and arrows.

 Late Roman infantry desperately trying to hold the hill. For almost the rest of the game I allocated numerous LP's to cancel hits and keep them alive!

The Roman commander and his Mounted Companions - bust unit in the army but it has taken some casualties. To the left are the Noble Riders.

The Roman leader leads another charge with the other cavalry in an attempt to relieve the pressure on the Roman Shieldwall. The Saxon leader is the element with the dragon banner.

The Roman cavalry forces the enemy line back allowing the Roman Cataphracts (upper right hand corner) shoot the gap and hit the Saxons that are attacking the hill in the flank.  The Cataphracts hit hard.

Roman skirmishers with bows moving up. They have better range than javelins but cannot shoot and move at the same time.

A furious, swirling melee all along the battle line. Roman skirmishers trying to out flank the Saxons.

The Mounted Companions take another hit but press home the attack allowing the skirmishers time to get on the flank.

 A Warrior element is destroyed by the Cataphracts and now Roman infantry starts to outflank the barbarian line. Note the 3 LP's added to the Noble Warrior stand that is outflanked in an attempt to cancel out hits.

Amazingly (and with some great die rolls!) the javelins weaken another Warrior unit and they get polished off by a cavalry charge. The Saxon general loses another LP to use as a result.

Saxon flanks start to collapse as a fight to the death starts.

The Loyal Noble Warriors go down fighting true to their oaths.

As the Saxon Warlord holds his ground, his army collapses around him and flees the field of battle.  Note the hits on the Roman cavalry and Mounted Companions.  It was close.

Dux Bellorum is a great game - fast, fun, furious and to me gives the flavor of Dark Age battles in Great Britain. It is published by Osprey games and on Amazon right now a new copy can be purchased for $12.96.  The game was played from start to finish in about 2 1/2 hours. The Saxons will bring some skirmishers next time as the heroes of the fight were the javelin armed Roman skirmishes.  When the initial attacked failed, they drew off one of the Warrior elements and then with the archer armed skirmishers, destroyed.  Later, they helped finish off a weakened Warrior element on their flank which enabled the left of the Saxon line to be outflanked. Fortunately for the Romans, the shield wall held with the use of LP's to cancel hits.

Heroes of the Empire.

Some other pictures from the battle: