I resisted the temptation to drive down to Herne Bay today to try to solve 'The Case of the Disappearing Underpants'. (The truth is that it was not difficult to resist the temptation, but ...) Instead my wife and I visited the nearby shopping centre, and this gave me the opportunity to buy a copy of ARMIES OF THE ADOWA CAMPAIGN 1896: THE ITALIAN DISASTER IN ETHIOPIA (written by Sean McLachlan, illustrated by Raffaele Ruggeri, and published by Osprey as part of their 'Men-at-Arms series' No. 471 [2011] ISBN 978 1 84908 457 4).
The Battle of Adowa was the greatest defeat suffered by any European Colonial power during latter part of the nineteenth century, and I hope that I will know more than I currently do about this disaster once I have read this book. The illustrations are excellent, and I have already been giving thought to creating a couple of small Italian and Ethiopian wargames armies that I could use with my PORTABLE WARGAME rules.
The Battle of Adowa was the greatest defeat suffered by any European Colonial power during latter part of the nineteenth century, and I hope that I will know more than I currently do about this disaster once I have read this book. The illustrations are excellent, and I have already been giving thought to creating a couple of small Italian and Ethiopian wargames armies that I could use with my PORTABLE WARGAME rules.
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a good acquisition and certainly makes a change from the usual Anglo-centric colonial campaigns.
I am keen to see what PW will make of the armies!
All the best,
DC
I think an Italian Army is a must! BTW, 'the case of the disappearing underpants' sounds like a title for a Tin Tin book...
ReplyDeleteDavid Crook,
ReplyDeleteI have already begun to read this book, and it certainly is giving me lots of ideas for possible non-British Empire PW2 armies.
All the best,
Bob
Tim Gow,
ReplyDeleteThe joy of creating an Italian Colonial army is that it has all sorts of possible uses. They fought the Turks just before the First World War and sent a contingent to China to fight the Boxers.
Thanks to you, I now have a vision of Tintin saying to Snowy, 'The Case of the Disappearing Underpants, eh? We could sniff out a solution to that, couldn't we boy?' and Snowy replying (in a thought balloon) 'You can sniff them out if you like, but leave me out of it!'
All the best,
Bob
That's a must have book for me, thanks for the heads up, I already have some Italian colonial troops and could always use more background material.
ReplyDeleteDon M,
ReplyDeleteGlad to have been of help.
All the best,
Bob
A three pipe problem obviously.
ReplyDeleteConrad Kinch,
ReplyDeleteVery definitely … although nowadays, shouldn't that be a three nicotine patch problem?
All the best,
Bob
And that young Cordery is the sort of vile cant I expect from fellows of a different stripe entirely.
ReplyDeleteConrad Kinch,
ReplyDeleteI was merely quoting from the latest TV incarnation of the Great Detective.
All the best
(Young) Bob
PS. The last time I was called 'young' was by a Chelsea Pensioner. When I said to him that I had not been called that for a long time, he replied that when you reached his age, everyone you met was young!
Great unusual project !
ReplyDeleteAny idea of good relevant manufacturers for 15mm ?
Benoit
Benoit,
ReplyDeleteI assume that most manufacturers with a range of Colonial figures include some that are suitable for this conflict.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteTin Soldier -(http://tinsoldieruk.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=186&zenid=i9j8o4u21c2lm43u7ak4stb1o6)
make Italian colonials and Abyssinians in 15mm.
Eureka do some earlier Abyssinians, (http://www.fighting15sshop.co.uk/abyssinians-171-c.asp).
These could also give your Mahdist forces some alternative opposition.
Nigel Drury,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this information.
I thought that one or manufacturers was bound to make suitable figures, but did not know who.
All the best,
Bob
Irregular do a Bersaglieri figure with the feathers attached to the sun helmet.
ReplyDeleteNigel Drury,
ReplyDeleteI must have missed that when I last looked at their catalogue. Many thanks for bringing it to my notice.
All the best,
Bob