Boxer Rebellion Game report

Earlier this month we played a skirmish game using Ian’s superb Boxer Rebellion figures and a set of rules he’d created called “Days of Empire.”

The terrain was setup with a central temple occuppied by the Boxer rebels which were controlled by Ian this was two forces of around 7 figures each.

The rest of us were randomly given a team of figures and a mission. Teams can consist of between 1 and 8 figures, where applicable teams have a leader and a subordinate officer. Each figure is then allocated a expertise rating and addition abilities. Our teams are as follows along with further details of the terrain.

The Germans with a mission to search the temple. This team consisted of 4 firgures a Captain, a NCO and two trained troops. Their deployment zone was to the west of the temple behind some rocky ground. To the north of them were some marshes and to their south was a hill and beyond that was a fenced field in the south wes corner.

To the south of the temple was a avenued approach road to the temple with fenced field to the south west at the far south west of this field the British Marines were deployed.

They had a captain and Sergent with three troopers. Their mission was to save Professor Saunders. Who at this stage of the game no one knew where he was.

To the east of the road was another field with hedges for its boundary. In it' south east corner was where the Tiger Men entered the afray.
Thay had a mission to capture Professor Saunders, and consisted of a five figure team

Moving round to the east was open ground and some more trees. in the north east corner was another building with a field on its western side.

The US Marines entered on the north side of the table. Their mission was to capture the German captain. This team was made up of five figures.

Initiative is determined by using a deck of cards which are issued to teams, leaders, elites, and figures with an alert characteristic. The highest card goes first, this provides a great means of mixing up which character or unit that is in play. The card can also be held and used to gain initiative at a later stage if desired. Imitative can also be seized if a figure passes within 4” of an unengaged figure.

I commenced by moving towards the temple. The Imperial Chinese attacked the temple also The British not knowing where the Professor was decided to attack the Germans. The Americans moved round towards the rear of the Germans, whilst the Boxers erupted from the temple killing a German and attack the British and Chinese forces. However the Boxers were driven back by the British, Chinese Imperial and German forces. The Boxers made their escape with the Professor, hotly pursued by the Chinese who with some good shooting slowed them down sufficiently to capture the Professor. The British mean while continued to attack the Germans, when the Americans came in intent on capturing the German leader shoot one of the Germans and a British Marine.
Soon after the US Marines subdued the German leader and attempted to make there escape but were hindered by the remaining German NCO and the advancing British.

This was an excellent game and we look forward to another game sometime.

Ian's Boxer Rebellion Blog - Part 5

Here are the last two photos of figures for my skirmish game that will accompnany an RPG using the Savage Worlds system.

The second group of Boxers (might put a rifleman in each set of 7)....



and Professor Sanders, the kidnap victim...



I shall post a report of the game at some point in January. I expect the game to be held on the 7th Jan 2009, but things might change...

Cheers
Ian

Ian's Boxer Rebellion Blog - Part 4

Here are the five US Marines who will be taking part in the game...

So next are another 7 Boxers, then I should be ready for the scenario which is getting quite imminent.


Cheers
Ian

Ian's Boxer Rebellion Blog: Part 3.

Got the first group of Boxers completed - a leader and 6 men.
Here they are...
















I have also purchased another 50+ figures off eBay (30+ Boxers and about 17 other nationalities), so it looks like there may well be scope for a larger scale game at some point. Oh yes, I also got some "armed" civilians too.!

Next on the painting table are the 5 US marines. I had a closer look at them as I undercoated them and they are all in "shirtsleeve order" so no blue jackets, which is good - no chance of confusing them with the Tigermen and/or British Marines.

I have considered painting up the US machine-gun team too (which will probably be prudent if a larger game with around 50 Boxers is in the offing), but that will wait until the second batch of Boxers is complete.

You may have noticed that I also tried a new basing technique using cat litter and sand. Didn't quite work out right - over did it with the cat litter. Next time, I'll not use as much (sprinkle bits on rather than dip the pva-loaded base in the stuff). Still, it's always fun to experiment.!

Cheers
Ian

Ian's Blog -5-

Completed the two 'falling down' casualties for the AWI game; One in hunting shirt and the other in regular uniform. They don't look too bad. The bases might need a bit more work than the 'prone' chaps.

Also did a little more work on the first batch of 7 Boxers too; a mix of coloured jackets and trousers to show their irregularity.! Should have them finished this week easy =)

Then it's back on the 15mm Austrians and / or Frenchies.

Oh yes, and I want to do a "How To..." for my pan-scrubber trees.

Cheers
Ian

Ian's Boxer Rebellion Blog: Part 2

Here are the next few figures.
It's the Germans.!
Only 4 of these - including the leader (the bloke holding his arm up and, I assume, shouting "Halt!" or some such command.
Anyway, here they are...















Still to come: the US Marines (5 nr.) and the Boxers themselves (15 nr.).
That would give us enough for a six-player game.
Then if needs be, I can paint up the Welch Fusiliers and the US Marine MG team at short notice (1 week should be enough) if there are more players in the game.
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Ian’s Boxer Rebellion Blog

This year I am running a Victorian era role-playing game for the Huddersfield University Games Society (HUGS), which at some point will involve itself with the early stages of the Boxer Rebellion. I will be using the “Savage Worlds” system for the wargame aspect as well as the role-playing as it allows specific characteristics and special abilities.

Although not strictly KC Group related, it could well be – as a future project using the “A Good Day To Die” rules. Regardless, it has proved to rekindle my painting interest and will also help to break up any monotony of my many other painting projects.

This Blog will mostly deal with the painting aspects of the project.

I bought about 50 odd figures of various nationalities and am painting them up as follows:

• British Royal Marine Light Infantry (4 + leader)
• Optional British Royal Welch Fusiliers (3 + leader)
• German Seabataillon (3 + leader)
• US Marine Corps (4 + leader)
• Optional US Marine Corps Machinegun + 2 crew.
• Manchu ten nai (Tiger Men) (4 + leader)
• Chinese Boxers (6 + leader)
• More Chinese Boxers (6 + leader)
• Chinese Boxer Hero (1)

The sourcebook I used is the Osprey Men-At-Arms Series No.95: THE BOXER REBELLION.

I have already painted and partially based the Royal Marines and the Manchu troops, and started on the Seabataillon. Photos will follow when each batch is completed.

Cheers... Ian.

Here are a couple of photos - not the best presentation, but it gives an idea.

The Manchu Tigermen...













The British Marines...










As you can see, there were a lot of blue jackets around at the time; in addition to the above, The Americans, Italians and Japanese all wore blue.
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