WWI East Africa 28mm Empress Jaz Imperial troops used to create 25th Royal Fusiliers (Frontiers Men) early part of WWI.
I just cut off the entrenching tool pouch and painted them up.
I also added two figures from Woodbine Gripping Beast Miniatures ANZACs which had long trousers. On these figures I cut off the heads and added Wolsey helmets, with greenstuff.
WWI East Africa Woodbine Gripping Beast 28mm ANZAC figures in shorts and shirts changed to 2nd Rhodesia Regiment, late 25th Royal Fusiliers (Frontiers’ Men), South African Infantry, or even West Indian Regiment, by changing heads and adding Wolsey helmet heads from Woodbine Gripping Beast.
I usually cut the heads off, drill out a hole to put Wolsey Helmet head into with Greenstuff.
WWI East Africa 28mm Redoubt Miniatures Mounted Infantry. These figures are for the Boer War but will do for WWI as the same kit was being used.
I remembered that these figures have the rifles sling over shoulder with rifle butts in a leather bucket, equipment used by many of these units at this time. Perfect for what I want. I can add these into my Perry Miniatures Yeomanry with Wolsey helmet change. Thus I can add them into my mounted BSAP, EAMR, SA MI and Cavalry in East Africa.
The BSAP Mounted were used on the Southern Rhodesia boarder but later dismounted and two companies were sent to the Northern Rhodesia boarder to defend that area.
A change of heads to the Wolsey helmet would give me extra BSAP mounted, EAMR (late East Africa Mounted Rifles), South African Mounted Infantry and cavalry.
Redoubt Miniatures also do horse handlers, and dismounted figures (Kneeling firing, running and lying firing) and I also found Pack Mules which could be used by various units and 2 RR.
I think I will order more of these.
Recently received my 3rd order from David Michael Freemantle in Australia.
Recently received my book on the 2nd Battalion Rhodesia Regiment in East Africa WWI. Interesting reading.
3RD ORDER 3D MODELS DFM
Reo speed wagon without tilt
Reo speed wagon with cab tilt.
Reo car
BL 5.4 INCH HOWITZER
LIMBER FOR BL 5.4 HOWITZER X2
MORRIS 6X6 WITHOU TILT X2
NAPIER 3 TON LORRY WITHOUT TILT X2
Contact is freemantledavid@yahoo.com.au
David Freemantle models produce high quality 3D Printed models of the Rhodesian Bush War and Arab Israeli War 1948, 1956 and 1967 in 1/72 and 28mm scales and of late WWI EAST AFRICA VEHICLES.
David is now doing a series of vehicles and artillery for WWI.
Prices are good too.
For all those interested in AIW some time ago I ordered another batch of IDF tanks and vehicles from the different wars. Here we see the Makmat 160mm mortar carrier. David Michael Freemantle does a whole range from 1948, 1956, 1965, 1973 and onwards.
Looking forward to receiving my next WW1 order.
Contact is freemantledavid@yahoo.com.au
David Freemantle models produce high quality 3D Printed models of the Rhodesian Bush War and Arab Israeli War 1948, 1956 and 1967 in 1/72 and 28mm scales.. Prices are good too.
Facebook site – Rhodesian Bush War Models
BSAP, EAMR, SA cavalry MI, German East Africa WWI.
Southern Rhodesia WWI 1914. Completed my BSAP (British South Africa Police) Shesheke Column mounted ready to advance from Victoria Falls towards Shuckmansberg on the Kaprivi Strip, to drive out the Germans.
Perry Miniatures WW11 Yeomanry with new Wolsey helmet heads from Woodbine and buckets for the butts of rifles, rolled blankets and great coats and forage bags added to the horses with greenstuff.
What I have realized is that I can make the East African Mounted Rifles from these troops by adding some individuals in less regular military gear and slouch hats, and putting them into the mix. I can feel another Perry order coming on.
Subsequently I have produced a set of EAMR (East African Mounted Rifles) in irregular civilian clothes and by adding in the later figures with Wolsey helmet in British kit you have two versions of the EAMR early and later war. The South African Cavalry or Mounted Infantry would be in similar kit as the BSAP or mounted infantry. You can create dismounted figures by using the Perry Miniatures dismounted WWII Yeomanry figures.
Some infantry units in East Africa, such as the 2nd Battalion Rhodesian Regiment would have their own mounted Infantry unit to scout for the unit. It may well have been up to company strength.
1 KAR had a Mounted Infantry company and 3 KAR had a mounted camel company.
Slouch hat heads from Woodbine Gripping Beast or Eureka Australian slouch hats and of course Wolsey helmets from Woodbine Gripping Beast.
The British Yeomanry WWII figures are from Perry Miniatures, with head swopping. Also a bit of greenstuff can turn figures into coated figures with head changes.
Dismounted BSAP, late EAMR, SA Mounted or mounted RR Company.
BSAP (British South Africa Police) Shesheke Column
Southern Rhodesia WWI 1914. Completed my BSAP (British South Africa Police) Shesheke Column mounted ready to advance from Victoria Falls towards Shuckmansberg on the Kaprivi Strip, to drive out the Germans. Perry Miniatures WW11 Yeomanry with new heads from Woodbine and bits added to the horses with greenstuff. What I have realized is that I can make the East African Mounted Rifles from these troops by adding some individuals in less regular military gear and slouch hats, and putting them into the mix. I can feel another Perry order coming on.
Extract from Andrew Young’s (former BSAP) Chapter on the history of BSAP Support Unit in Barry Woan’s book ‘Black Boots’
The Occupation of Schuckmannsburg
Of great concern to Major General Edwards was the Caprivi-Zipfel, that finger of territory which pointed straight into the heart of Bechuanaland and the Northern and Southern Rhodesia’s. In particular Edwards was concerned about the German post at Schuckmannsburg, which if reinforced by the Germans, would give them the ability to strike into any of the adjacent British territories.
On the 10th August 1914, six days after war was declared, No.1 Mobile Troop under the command of Lieutenant Francis Stephens entrained overnight from Salisbury to Bulawayo. There No.4 Mobile Troop joined the train which steamed onwards to Palm Grove Siding at Victoria Falls arriving on the 12th August. The train was met by Major Capell who took command. Two days later No.4 Mobile Troop was sent back to Bulawayo as it was deemed that No.1 Troop was in sufficient strength to deal with any developments in the area.
The first task performed by members of No.1 Mobile Troop was to construct a fort at Kazungula on the Rhodesian border with the Caprivi Zipfel. On completion the fort was garrisoned by two NCO’s, eight troopers and eight Askari from the Reserve Company. The remainder of the Troop returned to Victoria Falls. At this time the High Commissioner in Cape Town was very reluctant to authorise the entry of the BSAP into German territory, fearing that the forces available might not be sufficient if the Germans reacted strongly.
On the 13th September 1914 the High Commissioner finally acquiesced to Colonel Edwards’ repeated requests to be authorised to move on Schuckmannsburg. The Mobile Troop set off for Shesheke in Northern Rhodesia which was some three miles from Shuckmannsburg on the other side of the Zambezi River, arriving on 21st of September. What followed is best described by Lieutenant Stephens, commander of No.1 Mobile Troop, in an article published in the Rhodesia Defence Force Journal, Vol. 1, No. 3, January 1915:
…. Major Capell informed us that he intended to take Schucksmannsburg without delay. With this idea he sent a parlementaire to ask the Germans to surrender to avoid bloodshed, and it was decided that the officers should draw lots to see who should act as parlementaire. I drew the lucky ticket, and at 9am proceeded with Cpl. Vaughan as flag-bearer and Native Corporal-Bugler Kapambue, BSANP, by boat across the river to the German side.
Lieutenant Stephens was met on the German side of the river and escorted by two armed German Askari to a meeting with the German Resident, Lieutenant Von Frankenberg, who agreed to surrender the post! Stephens returned to Shesheke and at 3pm the same day the Mobile Troop crossed the river and marched on Schuckmannsburg. Stephens continues, in the Rhodesia Defence Force Journal:
The troops formed up in the square on arrival and Major Capell immediately called upon the German Resident to surrender. The European sergeant (Fisher) was arrested while the 28 native police met with similar treatment. After everyone had been disarmed Von Frankenberg and Sergeant Fisher were released on parole and the native police were placed under guards. As it was too late to hoist the Union Jack that evening it was decided to do so at 8am the following morning.
Following the flag raising the next day the captured German Askari were put to work constructing earthworks and trenches for the defence of Schuckmannsburg and Von Frankenberg and Sergeant Fisher were sent under escort to Bulawayo and were later interned in South Africa for the remainder of the war. The German Askari were released a few weeks later and allowed to return to their homes.
Recently received a set of photographs of my second order of 28mm Kings African Rifles by Richard Kemp. Stunning figures and looking forward to receiving them. These are of 3 KAR during WWI in German East Africa but could be used for the earlier period in Kenya.
Underfire Miniatures are going to manufacture this range. The first figures of 1 KAR, 2 KAR and 4 KAR are out as they were all dressed and equipped in the bandolier leather equipment.
3 KAR ASKARI NCO With long Lee Enfield rifle. Hoping that these will have Martini Henry rifles as well.
The latest release by Underfire Miniatures is a detailed set or stick of RAR (Rhodesian African Rifles) figures in 28mm.
I have painted up my set of sticks to represent a later part of the war Independent Company RAR of European and African troops or they could be used as RR after 1978 when RAR badged African troops were integrated into the RR to make up numbers. Excuse my painting but my hand and eyes are not as steady as they were.
These figures could actually be used for African and European troops during the Rhodesian Bush War as this combat kit was used fully by many units from 1969 onwards as it got issued to the various branches of the defence forces. So in that case you could have RAR who always wore full combat kit in most cases throughout the war, and other units such as the RR (Rhodesia Regiment), Support Unit, PATU, RDR, etc etc.
The RLI and RR who in the early years wore shorts, T shirts and trainers and some persisted until late on but the unit tended to wear full combat kit in the late years of the bush war, on external operations and also Fire Force operations. Other units were the same as many European units wore shorts T shirts and trainers through the early years of the war until the closing years of the war.
The RhSAS who wore shorts in the very early phase of the war soon went over to full combat kit.
I have painted up my set of sticks to represent a later part of the war Independent Company RAR of European and African troops or they could be used as RR after 1978 when RAR badged African troops were integrated into the RR to make up numbers.
Painting Rhodesian Army Figures.
After much trial and error I came down to this set of colours to get the combat uniform as accurate as possible.
Camouflage shirt, trousers, combat jacket and combat cap.
Base colour:- Humbrol 83 plus a touch of Humbrol 103.
Green:- Humbrol 86. (cap on water bottle and telehand)
Brown:- Humbrol 29. (with a touch of 70 red brown)
Rolled sleeves Humbrol 83 and 103.
Webbing:- Humbrol 84.
Sleeping Bag:- olive drab. (late in the war camouflage material was put on the sleeping bags)
Masodja Skin colour:-Humbrol 29.
European skin colour:- Humbrol 61
Rifle.
Rifle:- Base colour Humbrol 76 plus HM5 authentic humbrol, stripe pattern 83.
Rifle strap:- Humbrol 83 and Humbrol 103.
MAG ammo belt black with dry brushed brass.
Cloth Badge.
The RAR cloth badge which was sewn on the front of the combat cap or floppy hat was green over black with a silver RAR shield badge in the centre. in later years when 2 RAR was formed 1RAR or 2RAR was sewn in silver beneath the RAR badge.
Cap cloth badge:- Humbrol 2 bottle green and humbrol 33 black.
Radio and telehand,
A thin piece of fuse wire could be drilled into the back pack of each stick leader and the telehand painted dark green.
A wash of brown acrylic paint wiped off would enhance the detail.
Figure Base.
Figure Base:- Humbrol 93 and Humbrol 103 high lights. (these days I just glue sand and grass to the base).
Rhodesian War Games 