"Rules and Figs -- 15mm Gurkhas in Burma" Topic

I recently discovered that my Grandfather was an officer with the Gurkha's in Burma.

I would like to do something with Gurkhas and Japanese in 15mm. I already have Japanese figs. My questions are:

- Where can I get 15mm figs suitable for Gurkha's in Burma.
- What rules do people recommend for this period / theater? I'm mainly after skirmish rules, as my grandfather was involved in some secret small unit actions.

Best I have seen
link

Too Fat Lardies, "I Aint Been Shot Mum" have "In The Shadow of the Rising Sun" which is general Pacific and also "Fall of the Lion Gate" up to Singapore and "Bloody Burma" on the Burma Campaign. The first is 5 and the other two 7 British pounds. You can buy them and the basic rules as PDF and have them in a couple hours. They are just above skirmish level.
link

link is the only place I know has Gurkhas. They also have Dutch and Australians.

Quickest way to force a morale check in any rules: yell "Ayo Gurkhali!" when you launch an assault.

Same figures under licence

link

The Eureka ones are good, the Kerr and King have the kukris backwards…

You can see more about "Fall of the Lion Gate" and "Bloody Burma", including sample spreads, at vislardica.com.

Look under IABSM, and "Buy Scenario Packs".

R

Nick – the "Fall of the Lion Gate" supplement is good, but it only covers the early part of the fighting up to 1942 (from memory). If you interested in something focusing on the CW resurgence and eventual triumph, you may have to ask Vis Bellica to extend his coverage to the end of the war!

You can use a wide variety of British figures for later-war Gurkhas, from the specifically 'Gurkha' figures mentioned above, to Peter Pig's XIVth Army figures, to FoW's 'Italy British'. Remember that unless the Gurkha was actually wielding his Kukri, it is very difficult to spot the scabbarded kukri amongst his webbing kit (they often kept it in their smallpack, with the hilt poking out, so they could grab it over the shoulder – the scabbard was awkward when attached to the waistbelt). See these pics of Gurkhas in Burma and you'll see what I mean:

If you haven't already, read John Masters "Bugles and a Tiger" and "The Road Past Mandalay" about his time with the Ghurhas

The East Riding are not Eureka. We do not have a licensing agreement with East Riding

Nic Eureka Miniatures

Attended the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower one time. Gurkhas were the duty battalion. That knife, which was carried along the spine was almost as big as them, or so it seemed in the dark.

Thanks for all of the replies.

As to the secret mission(s) my grandfather was on -- I have no idea what they were. All I have is the story told to me by my aunt:

The unit set off on a secret mission. After a few hours marching through the jungle, they heard a noise, which may have been the clink of a rifle bolt. Quickly the gurkhas scattered and set up an ambush around a clearing, waiting for the Japanese to walk into the trap. Instead, two indian tea carriers walked into the clearing -- they had heard about the 'secret' mission and set out to sell tea to the soldiers. My grandfather was livid that the secret had been leaked -- but the soldiers all enjoyed some tea before continuing on.

So -- anyone have any ideas on indian tea carriers?

Another vote for Eureka. Add some Peter Pig for variety.

Along a similar thread to the poster really, my Grandfather was an officer in the Gurkha's and im interested in whether or not anyone produces any 1:72 scale Gurkha models.

AIrfix did them in plastic, some of their best figures. Not sure if they're currently in production though.