Sunday 8 October 2017

28mm Papuan Infantry Battalion troops

In addition to sculpting the Australian troops featured in my last post, it was always my intention to sculpt some Papua New Guinean soldiers for Eureka Miniatures' 28mm World War Two range.

I had come across a short but excellent article in Wartime magazine and also found a few useful photos in books and magazines that I had on my shelves. A few quick image searches online and I had plenty of info and perhaps more importantly, inspiration to make a set of figures a reality.

During World War Two Papua New Guineans became famous for the invaluable role they played supporting Australian troops in the fight against Japanese forces. No fighting force can function without supplies, so the muscle power that Papuans used as bearers, to transport supplies through, up and over the brutal terrain of New Guinea was all-important.
It is, however, as stretcher bearers who assisted and transported wounded Australians that these men are better remembered. They were affectionately known as the 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels' by Australian soldiers who they carried from the battlefield back to first aid posts and transported to field hospitals.

Less well-known are the troops of the Papuan Infantry Battalions, six battalions of which had been raised and trained by war's end. They scouted Japanese positions and set up ambushes, but also guarded rear-areas and landing strips. 

Find below images of ten figures I have constructed using a set of dollies that I'd made. For the uninitiated, dollies are a sort of blank or basic figure figure that is used to create a number of poses, so that the sculptor is not starting from scratch for every figure. 

Also below are some photos from 'Khaki and Green' which was an Australian government publication from the period, plus another neat photo of some Papuan men wearing helmets. Note the photo of the Papuans receiving instruction in the use of a Bren gun; the men are wearing Australian Army style identity disks, something I'd not seen in other photos of Papuan infantry. The figures I've sculpted do not have identity disks, but I will add a Bren team to the set before release. The white metal areas of the figures have not photographed so well, but hopefully you'll get a good idea of what the finished figures will look like. No release date on these yet!




12 comments:

  1. very nice work indeed. cheers jOhn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Outstanding Kosta. Bravo. These will look fantastic next to your other minis I have. Any intention of a PIAT team. Saves me having to by that other mobs one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Spyros! Do you mean an Aussie PIAT team? I actually didn't know we used the PIAT in WW2. I can have a chat to Nic and see what he reckons.

      Delete
  3. Kosta are you considering sculpting Japanese figures?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes certainly considering a range of Japanese and have plenty of reference.
      It may be a project for next year.

      Delete
  4. Once again, you do amazing work. Just love the pieces you do. I have not been too interested in collecting the Pacific war for WW2, but these certainly make me want too. :-) I look forward to seeing you latest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much for your comment and encouragement!

      Delete
  5. Hi Kosta, I got a set of these from Nic recently and they are excellent, congratulations on such nice pieces. I also got the other company's Papuans and they pale into insignifance.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi. Excellent figures. I'm about to order some myself. Could I ask what colour paint you used for the uniforms? I use the Vallejo range and am still trying to decide.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there. I think it was these colours:
      Kilt: 819 Iraqi Sand mixed with white 50/50
      Webbing and pouches: 924 Russian Uniform WWII
      Helmet: 894 Russian Green
      Owen Gun Camouflage: 894 Russian Green/954 Yellow Green

      Hope this helps!

      Delete