Kēnō Bārō

Kēnō Bārō arrives in Ōku Hainyou province with a mysterious past. He’s from Taikanshiki Tōri Province. He grew up in the Rōbā Modoru Yado.

em4 Pre-Painted Miniatures

I have taken delivery today of some pre-painted Samurai from em4. They are rather spiffing and I intend to use them in a game this coming weekend. I wonder how they will fare up against the Ninja of the Minami Miru Ryu, the Asashin Girudo?

Panjī-Ryu Ninjas

Hidden high up in the mountains in Ōku Hainyou province is a secret school of ninjutsu. They practice a style called Panjī-Ryu. The Grand-Master is Master Daun Hiza and his head Sensei is Misutā Ocha no Jikan. Their clandestine assassination services are available but at a very high cost. They currently have a spy working in the Pinku Perikan Ochaya, collecting information and gossip about the activities of Lord Sunappu Baai and his samurai.

Bored of Commandos?

I didn't fancy painting Commandos this morning. I started repainting my Ninja, got bored with 'Paint It Black' and decided to do a Samurai. This is a Samurai who owes his allegiance to Lord Sunappu Baai, the Daimyō of Ōku Hainyou province.

The territory or han of Ōku Hainyou is assessed at 10,300 koku of rice and is therefore a very important han in the Shogunate. It has been suggested that Lord Sunappu Baai is somewhat insane but it is advisable not to mention this in his hearing!

'Meat Pot'

Pete Mott, Chairman of the Glenbogle Rangers Supporters Club idolises Nick Smith and the other players at Rangers. Hence, he has followed them into joining the Commandos. On arrival at Snapforce, they gave him the PIAT to carry and nicknamed him 'Meat Pot'.

More Recruits for Snapforce

Four more figures painted for Snapforce. A mixture of truth and fiction here! Doug em4 put me on to Druce. One of those cases where real life is stranger than fiction.

L to R: Jean Joseph Marie Gabriel de Lattre de Tassigny, Captain Henry Carey Druce, Ronnie Biggs, ‘Buster’ Edwards.

Jean de Lattre de Tassigny is on attachment to Snapforce to learn about Combined Operations. Captain Druce is famous for heading into battle wearing a black silk top hat. He specialises in sneaking through enemy lines dressed as a French peasant. On one occasion at Deelen, the troop was in a café awaiting the arrival of the Canadians before liberating the airport when a German motorcyclist arrived. In his saddle-bags was a ham that he had stolen from Arnhem. Druce, still in his top hat, ordered the man to get off his bike and, when he did not respond, seized the ham and knocked him off the machine with it. Biggs was born in Stockwell, Lambeth, London. Facing a dishonourable discharge for desertion he volunteered for the Commandos. His old school friend ‘Buster’ Edwards was born in Lambeth, the son of a barman. After leaving school, he worked in a sausage factory, before joining the Commandos.

'Wild' Bill Coleman

Bill Coleman is an Austro-Hungarian Australian from Sydney. He ran away to sea and joined the Royal Australian Navy. By the time war broke out, Bill was a Petty Officer and was seconded to the Royal Navy for special duties. He volunteered for 30 Assault Unit created by Commander Ian Fleming. He was snaffled from 30 AU by Ian Fleming’s older brother Peter who is already a commando in Snapforce. ‘Wild’ Bill is now a member of the hard-bitten rogues who form Snapforce. After the war, he will go to Russia as part of a propaganda mission and meet Stalin who will try to drink him under the table with Kremlin vodka! Returning home, he becomes a policeman and will then play international Rugby Union for his country before becoming a selector. A real-life hero.

Commando Signaller

My signaller joins Snapforce. Wackford Squeers, despite his unfortunate name is a first class signaller. He can get a bleep out of a tin can and some string. Seen here with Matt Braddock calling in air support.

Hector McSnapcase, the Laird of Glencairn

Originally, I had planned to use this figure as the Laird. I think he will now become Captain Peter Fleming, the man who blew up Montgomery's flower beds!

However, when I saw this Warlord figure I had to have him as the Laird. The epitome of eccentricity!

Cockleshell Heroes

So, the canoeist version of these figures are now complete. Two of the foot versions are complete (Smith and Tabbs). Herewith, Nick Smith, Arnold Tabbs, Wally Brand and 'Limp Along' Leslie Tomson. At one time, all four of these brave lads played for Glenbogle Rangers together. Once again we have Doug to thank for the football legends who have joined Snapforce.

Commando WIP

A group shot of the completed figures so far.

Back Row, L to R: McAuslan, Talaiasi Labalaba, Jon Pertwee, Nick Smith, Alf Tupper, Stavros the Greek

Front Row, L to R: Karamjeet Singh Judge, Seth Starkadder, Hector McSnapcase, Shughie McFee, Matt Braddock, Arnold Tabbs, 'Tickle' McScrotum

A Recruit from the Punjab

The Laird of Glencairn spent some time on the North West frontier between the wars and quickly came to recognise the fighting qualities of the warriors who inhabit that area. Wishing to take the war to the enemy, Karamjeet Singh Judge, a Sikh obtained a Lieutenant's commission and volunteered for service in the commandos.