From KenR : 28mm WW1 Ox Bucks Lt Infantry (190 points)

School Photo "Stop messing about at the back Perkins"

The latest entry from me is this full battalion of British Infantry for my WW1 Mesopotamia collection, my apologies for the random appearance of other figures in the back ground there is a game on going in the background and the game table doubles as the photo studio.

HQ and MG Section

I have based the unit on the 1st Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, one of the key British units in the conflict.  The Mesopotamia Campaign can be divided into three sections, the initial advance through Basra towards Bagdad which fell short at the Battle of Ctesphion. Then the second phase, the British retreat to Kut Al Amara and the subsequent siege and attempts at relief before the final stage where the British and Empire troops reinforced, trained and drove North again this time capturing Bagdad.

A Company with some random Turkish Infantry in the background

The Ox Bucks were one of the few British Battalions in the initial drive, British units were brigaded with 3 other battalions, made up of Indian or Gurkha troops. They ended up trapped in Kut during the siege and were either killed or taken prisoner. The unit was reformed in theatre in 1917 around a cadre of around 250 reinforcements who had been en route to the area when the battalion was destroyed.

B Company

The figures themselves are from the 28mm Woodbine Design Company which is an off shoot of Gripping Beast. With this unit I have deliberately gone for a non uniform look reflecting a unit that has been on campaign for a long time. So you will see all range of headgear, service shirts, shorts, trousers etc in the unit to reflect that.

I plan to use the unit as an under strength battalion with 6 Fig companies early in the war, and add the 2 Fig Lewis Gun Teams in for later period games.

C Company

D Company

So points wise there are 2 HQ Figs and four companies of 8 Figures plus 3 MG figures for a total of 37 Figures @5pts plus 10 for the MG crew served weapon for 195 points.

I was hoping for two entries this week but have got side tracked with my BFG bonus round entry, however next up in the main challenge will be some more WW2 Desert vehicles.

 

 

What an absolutely smashing set of figures!  I do like the little history lesson and have to feel sorry for the poor chaps trapped in Kut.

 

I do like the non-uniform look that you mention, it certainly looks realistic and I'm sure is representative of what would have happened.  The basing is also very well done and really puts the chaps in the right theatre.

 

I'm going to be a little pedantic and reduce the score for the MG - it is crew served but as it's only as large as a 28mm figure I'll score it as such to be consistent with how I've scored mortars and the like previously.  Nonetheless a very creditable 190 points to keep you hurtling towards your total!