Lt Phillips and Assistant surgeon Ffont-Bittocks lead a party of a Chief Petty Officer (Pertwee) and 9 ratings armed with Martini-Henry rifles and boarding cutlasses. As my first company - and reflecting the traditional conservative approach taken by the RN in all things - this company has no 'new' weapons.
These landing parties were quite common in the 1890's as the Royal Navy worked tirelessly to stamp out the East African slave trade. Ships like HMS Sparrow provided detachments for land raids, as well as long patrols in the ships boats.
In the world of IHMN they also skirmish with illegal treasure seekers, hostile natives and of course the Imperial German Army.
Sometimes several ships would combine their on board Marines an armed ratings to form a Naval Brigade, and these took part in some large actions including the great battle of Omdurman.
As a gamer of a certain age, I take my gaming lightly and love taking inspiration from other genres, and this Company is no different from others. No prizes for spotting the source.
They fight for the first time tomorrow night ....
Great looking figures!
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