One of the expectations tourists to Australian in Kangaroos in the burbs. Myth or reality.
Looking from our blacony to the park across the street. These arer two fully grown bucks that have been thrown out of the pack by the dominant buck. Lone bucks can be very dangerous during mating season and tourists should look only from a distance.
Arthur Roden Cutler, a distinguished Victoria Cross winner and later Governor of New South Wales, was born in the picturesque town of Manly on 24 May 1916. Growing up in a vibrant coastal community, he developed a passion for various sports, including swimming, sailing, cycling, and cricket, which fostered both his physical fitness and his competitive spirit. Cutler embarked on his educational journey at the local Manly public school, quickly proving himself academically gifted.
At the age of 15, he gained admission to the prestigious Sydney Boys High School, where he excelled in his studies and further honed his athletic skills. After completing his schooling, he took on a role at the Texas Company Australasia, an experience that provided him with valuable insights into the business world. During this time, Cutler pursued his academic interests by studying economics at Sydney University during the evenings, balancing work and education with dedication.
In March 1936, seeking to supplement his income, he enrolled in the Sydney University Regiment, which would play a significant role in shaping his future military career. His commitment and leadership abilities were recognized, and he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the militia on 10 November 1939, marking the beginning of his remarkable journey in service to his country.
Cutler joined the AIF on 1 May 1940 and was assigned to the 2/5th Field Regiment of the 7th Divisional Artillery. His unit departed Australia on 20 October 1940 for the Middle East. Cutler’s first combat experience was against the Vichy French in Syria in June 1941.
At Merdjayoun, he demonstrated bravery during 18 days of fighting, which led to his injury and the amputation of his leg, earning him the Victoria Cross. He returned home and received the Victoria Cross from the Governor General of Australia, Lord Gowrie, while on crutches, on 11 June 1942.
Lieutenant Arthur Roden Cutler, 2/5th Field Regiment AIF being carried towards Yerate by French prisoners of war. The regimental medical officer, Captain AM Johnson is on the right and Sergeant J Robinson, 2/5th Field Regiment is on the left. Lebanon, 7 July 1941. At 6’5″ he would have barely fitted on the stretcher. AWM 128440
His citation records that he displayed ‘most conspicuous and consistent gallantry and outstanding fighting’. One of his men later recalled, “he was cool, he was calm, his orders were clear and concise; there was not one element of panic and that did a lot to inspire those serving under him”.
Cutler was regarded with affection by many Australians and in 2000 he was honoured as one of three Australian living Victoria Cross winners to be commemorated on a stamp and coin issue. He died in February 2002.
This figure depicting Roden Cutler was given to me by good friend Drew. It was a “give-away” to attendees at this years Cancon wargaming conference in January.
During World War II, the Australian Army used around 16,500 jeeps. These jeeps were primarily US-made Ford GPW and Willys MB models.
Truck 1/4 ton 4×4 general service Jeep, known as the ‘Borneo jeep,’ is green and carries the Australian Army registration number 161881 on the bonnet sides. Its serial number is 222713. The vehicle is equipped with flanged railway wheels to depict Australian light railway operations in North Borneo in 1945.
Jeeps were real work horses in World War II and they turned up in the most unusual places.
Because building roads through the delta flats of Borneo was nearly impossible, someone suggested using old railway lines that ran from Weston to Beaufort before the war, by putting railway wheels on Jeeps.
The Borneo Jeep project is one I eagerly anticipate for the future. Instead I have put together the 1/35 scale Tamiya Willys Jeep, a classic military vehicle.
I want to use this model for gaming so some of the more fragile pieces like hand holds and rails have not been assembled.
At 1/35th scale the Jeep is slightly under scale for the Expedition Force’s Australians but is still usable.
A second unit of skeletons is now completed. This time armed with swords.
“The Silver Bayonet” treats skeletons as generic “monsters” and so what they are armed with is irrelevent, but is does enable me to sort out the individual units.
These were as difficult to put togeher as the previous lot as their are no significant joining points which makes assembly easier.
Despite thisI was able to achieve a fair bit of animation, or should I say re-animation!
I added a light wash of GW Plague Bearer Contrast to give them a bit of an old mouldy look.
Skeletons have been part of mythology for a long time, symbolizing death and the certainty of dying. In ancient Greek tales, skeletons are seen as animated warriors, like in Jason and the Argonauts, where they are raised by dark magic to fight.
Perhaps the oldest story of animated skeletons is found in the book of Ezekiel Chapter 37.
The Lord’s hand was on me, and He took me to a valley filled with dry bones. He showed me around, and I saw many dry bones on the ground. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I spoke what I was told. While I was speaking, I heard a noise, a rattling, and the bones joined together. I saw tendons and flesh appear on them, and then skin covered them, but they still had no breath.
Then he told me, “Prophesy to the wind; tell it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, wind, from the four corners and breathe into these slain, so they may live.’” So I prophesied as he instructed me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up—a vast army.
New International Version (my paraphrase) Ezekiel Chapter 37: v4 – 10.
Although it symbolizes the spiritual condition of the exiled Israelites, it is also the earliest instance of animated skeletons I can find. This highlights that animated skeletons, like all myths, convey a message – BUT NOT THESE CREATURES!
Well in the “book of Guru” there is one myth, and that is that Guru will smite all animated skeletons with mighty dice rolls! The real message is Guru should replace his dice!
These ten archers are from the Wargames Atlantic box set. A bit of a pain to put together as well as a bit fragile.
Some more finished in a little while. I am struggling with the four winds at the moment.
At the start of the war with China in 1937 Japan did not use snipers, however after fighting German-trained Chinese snipers, the Japanese Army decided to develop snipers for themselves. Training in camouflage, field craft and other such techniques was common to normal Japanese infantry, but snipers were specially trained only in shooting and given a Type 97 or Type 99 sniper rifle.
The Japanese Type 97 sniper rifle with scope made the ideal sniper rifles because its long barrel and small calibre bullet it emitted very little muzzle flash, smoke, or noise.
This enabled the sniper to remain hidden and to continue to harass ans pin the enemy
These 3D print STL files are also from Kyoushuneko Miniatures.
This is the last of the Australians i currently have, now all Ihave to do is paint them.
At least I have almost finished the Australian Command squad.
The sniper and spotter are in traditional poses.
The Australian Army entered World War II with a small number of old sniper rifles from the Great War, which were obtained from England in the 1930s. These were .303 British Pattern ’14 (P ’14) rifles made in the U.S. during World War I and later equipped with British telescopic sights.
During the last years of World War II, Australia made its own sniper rifles from the Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle in .303 British. Local creativity and skilled assembly made these rifles very effective.
The sculpts are again excellent with uniform and weapons detail correct.
It was great to play against Drew’s “55 Day’s in Peking” superbly painted Chinese army. Although my army’s uniform looked decidely like the Americans under Mr Heston the colour was wrong and there were no delegation buildings anywhere on the table.
The game was played on Drew’s new roll-up ruibber mat terrain that will be coming on the market soon. I will be reviewing them as soon as they come in to production.
My Northwest Mounted Police figures trying to stop the Chinese breaking through and escaping from my side of the table.
The Chinese had almost double the figures, but fortunately nowhere the quality.
I quickly formed close order allowing me to pour shot after shot into the Chinese as the marched into the guns “half a league, half a league, half a league onward”. My cavalry was lead by an inexperienced ditherer and needed an eleven on 2D6 to do anything.
With the Chinese advancincing in an adhoc fashion the troopers were able to pick them off one unit at a time
THe gatling gun started chewing up Chinese units as they started to falter.
A panoramic view of the 3D terrain mat and and the Chinese faltering advance.
The best Chinese unit kept failing its test, even with an inspirational General.
Only just at half way and one unit is below half strength and the second has lost 25% casualities.
The mounted “Mounties” finally gets into a blocking position.
With the Chines right flank fleeing the gatling gun is about to enfildaen thye Chinese centre.
A very humorous and fun game despite the uneven outcome. I think I might lend my Mounties to Taiwan to help defend the Formosa straight!
