STRELETS-R (174)

The Vikings may usually be pictured today swooping down on an unsuspecting settlement, raping and pillaging as they went, but when they found themselves faced with a full battle their favourite tactic was the skjaldborg, or shield wall. It seems this would normally entail several ranks of men closely packed with shields overlapping, at least initially, to show an unbroken wooden wall to the enemy in the hope that they could overwhelm them. This and the similar swine array formation are what the designer had in mind when this set of figures was produced. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

At its peak the Roman Empire was larger than any that had gone before, with vast borders facing usually hostile neighbours that needed guarding. When trouble flared or a new campaign was planned there was only one way to get the troops to the right place – they had to walk. Rome was famous for its long straight roads, so the legions were better able to cover long distances than most, and the average legionnaire could expect to spend far more time marching than in battle. This set from Strelets, the latest in their Mini series, focuses on this aspect of Roman warfare which has hitherto been ignored by the hobby. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Rome had used auxiliary troops ever since it began conquering neighbouring territories, but these were often clothed and equipped in their own native style and fought in their familiar way. From around the reign of Augustus the auxilia seem to have been placed on a more regular footing and became a professional force that much more closely resembled the legions they supported. However there continued to be important distinctions so as almost all Roman armies included them this set is an important part of the Strelets Roman range. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Perhaps the most commonly used adjective to describe the soldiers of Imperial Rome is disciplined. While tactics could vary as necessary the basic concept was to move together in formation with shields to the fore and swords between the shields, ready to stab at anyone who got in the way. Behind the front rank came men with light spears that were thrown as the enemy came very close so as to cause casualties and some confusion just before the ranks met. Against less well organised and less well equipped foes this steamroller tactic usually prevailed, on which foundations a mighty empire was built. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

The enduring image of Napoleon’s 1812 campaign in Russia is of the increasingly desperate French Grande Armée being destroyed by weather and lack of supplies during their long retreat, but in truth the Russian army also had much to do with that disaster. Yet the freezing temperatures and deep snow also took their toll on the Russian forces, and many died as a result. It goes without saying that those troops would have worn their greatcoats during those cold winter months, yet this is the first set depicting them in this much more realistic way. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

While this set mentions no date it is clear these figures are intended for the medieval period – a very turbulent one for the Muslim world. Warfare with neighbours such as the Byzantines was a fairly common occurrence but there were also three major incursions to be dealt with. First the Sejjuk Turks conquered during the 11th century, then European Christians came in a series of crusades and temporarily established kingdoms in the Middle East, and finally the Mongols appeared in devastating force during the 13th century. However throughout this period a Muslim soldier was just as likely to find himself fighting fellow Muslims in a local power struggle, and could very easily find himself serving alongside Turks, Europeans or Mongols at various times. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

While Muslim armies of the medieval period are largely famed for their horse archers those that drew the bow on foot were also important, particularly when attacking or defending a castle or town. Such archers could provide covering fire while other elements of their armies moved forward, although at longer ranges reports of crusaders having many arrows sticking in their armour yet being unhurt suggest the Frank’s heavier armour made the arrows much less effective. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

While Muslim armies of the medieval period are largely famed for their horse archers those that drew the bow on foot were also important, particularly when attacking or defending a castle or town. Such archers could provide covering fire while other elements of their armies moved forward, although at longer ranges reports of crusaders having many arrows sticking in their armour yet being unhurt suggest the Frank’s heavier armour made the arrows much less effective. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Russia's humiliating defeat at the hands of Japan in 1905 proved to be the spur to many much-needed reforms of the military, and by 1914 the Tsar's army was in surprisingly good condition, with many intelligent reforms underway. Difficulties of supply for the enormous mobilised army were to prove a considerable challenge in the early months, but compared to many other armies that of Russia found relatively little need for change during the war. 'Summer uniform' was basically the standard uniform worn in all but the colder conditions. The distinctive gymnastiorka shirt/tunic is worn by all, as are the breeches held tight at the knee. Some wear boots, but supply difficulties meant short boots and puttees were later authorised, and the majority of these figures are dressed this way. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

It is easy to imagine historical soldiers in battle or on the march, but in reality any soldier could have told you that a lot of his time seemed to be spent waiting. Most battles required careful preparation by both sides when time allowed, and this was no different for Rome. Forming up large bodies of men took time, and sometimes lots were drawn to decide on the exact location of some units, so Roman legionaries could usually expect a long wait before entering any battle, and if they were in a reserve or rear line they might wait all day and see no action at all. For those that did fight wearing their full armour was exhausting, and there are many accounts of armies parting several times during battles to allow troops on both sides to rest, so such lulls would also see many men simply waiting for the action to begin again. For the first time we have here a set dedicated to this single activity, which could be boring, tense or absolutely terrifying, particularly for novices. Specifications Contents: 56 figures Poses: 14 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

While most figures are made with battle in mind, the reality was that a soldier spent far more time on the march than he ever did in battle. Roads were usually poor and, for the French in particular, basics such as food were often only what could be 'liberated' from the local inhabitants. A march was usually repetitions of one hour walking then five minutes of rest, but if the occasion demanded it the pace could be considerably more gruelling. Bad weather also helped to make the soldier miserable, and naturally the worst such example was the march back from Moscow in 1812, when the army was largely destroyed by the dreadful conditions and constant attacks. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Throughout the Napoleonic period there was a debate on the best method of advancing and attacking an enemy in the field. The most common French tactic was to advance in column, many ranks deep, and if that failed to make the enemy run then they would deploy into a line for firing. While advancing the men soldiered their arms on the left shoulder (or the right for sergeants and NCOs), so the title of this set would suggest figures in more or less that pose. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

In the medieval period Russia was a collection of principalities which periodically fought with each other but were unable to unite when faced with an external threat such as the devastating Mongols. These small internal wars were fought by the lords and their dvor – personal retinues of professional armed warriors – while the bulk of the population merely got on with daily life. Since calling out the peasant levy was not under the control of the princes such a call was only made when a genuine and obvious emergency arose, so the peasants were spared participation in their lord’s squabbles. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

In the lands of the Medieval Rus an armed force would come from any of three sources. The elite were the druzhina, the professional knights who formed the retinues of the lords and were equipped with the latest armour and weapons, as well as usually being mounted. Below these were the urban militia, drawn from able-bodied men living in the towns, and at the bottom of the social ladder were the peasant levy. This set depicts the urban militia, which was almost exclusively infantry and had not been a significant force until its rise during the 11th century, when it became second only to the druzhina. The militia was composed of freemen of the towns, and could only be mustered by their administrators, so were not at the beck and call of the local prince. The men took their equipment from a central arsenal, the quality of which would therefore depend on the wealth, and inclination, of the town itself rather than the individual’s means. On occasion surrounding areas were also used to recruit men, but this was rare and such men were poorly provided for. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

The Praetorian Guard, the emperor's personal guard and, on occasions, his most dangerous enemy, have rightly been remembered as a tool of tyranny and something to be feared. When it comes to representations of them in the modern mind, people naturally think of their depiction in films such as Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000). In that film they are in a very chic black, with blackened armour and black clothing, giving them an excellent appearance of menace, but of course this is far from the truth. In reality it was probably quite difficult to distinguish them from ordinary legions on the field of battle. Yes they carried oval shields, but perhaps not always, and anyway so did ordinary legionnaires on occasion. Equally crests were worn by the Praetorians, and also by ordinary troops. In fact the best ways of identifying them were the designs on their shields, the quality of their kit and of course the way they were used. Specifications Contents: 56 figures Poses: 14 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

The Crimean War (1853-1856), is often seen in Western Europe as a conflict between France and England versus Russia, but the fact is that the war started as war declaration from Turkey (Supported by France and England) against Russia, to counter part the Russian south-west expansion at the cost of the Ottoman Empire, and with a religious pretext for a truly modern geopolitical conflict affecting the Balkans, today’s Ukraine and the Middle East. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Romania provided the largest contingent of troops to aid Hitler’s war in the East, and suffered enormous casualties during those years of fighting. Strelets released a number of sets relating to the Battle of Stalingrad around the same time as this set, so it is pertinent to observe that the Romanians held long stretches of the German lines around that city, but were unable to stop the Red Army’s counter-attack which was to mark the start of the long road to Berlin. Specifications Contents: 48 figures Poses: 12 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

When Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941 he had not thought it necessary to inform his ally Italy of his plans. Despite this slight, Mussolini wasted no time in declaring war on the Soviets, and determined to send troops to the front, worrying only that the Germans would achieve victory before the Italians could get there. The huge distances involved caused many problems for what was to become the Italian Eighth Army, but in late 1942 they found themselves on the left flank of the German Sixth Army as it battled to capture Stalingrad. The Soviet Operation Uranus, launched on 19th November 1942, began the destruction of the invading armies, with both German and allied troops suffering terribly. The Italian contingent, something like 229,000 men, was virtually destroyed as a fighting unit, and the survivors returned to Italy. It had been a disaster, and, along with the loss of North Africa and the Allied invasions of Italy, it was to cost Mussolini the leadership of his country. Throughout the war Italy’s troops suffered from poor supply of what was often inadequate equipment, but once Italian troops were committed to the Russian Front they were given the best of what was available. As with the Germans in the winter of 1941/42, they had suffered greatly from inadequate clothing during the freezing Russian winter. Specifications Contents: 56 figures Poses: 14 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Hungary was one of the countries called upon to bolster the German war effort in the Soviet Union, particularly after the initial highly successful advance bogged down. Like the other allies, at the end of 1942 the Hungarians were charged with holding parts of the flanks of the German Sixth Army as it fought for Stalingrad, and it was here that it faced a vast and well–equipped Soviet counterattack, being forced to retreat after suffering enormous casualties and loss of much precious equipment. It was one of the worst defeats of the Hungarian Army. The standard Hungarian winter dress during World War II was the double-breasted greatcoat, which a few of the figures in this set are wearing. However faced with the severe Soviet winter all manner of warm clothing was called upon, as it was for all the allies facing the Soviets. Specifications Contents: 56 figures Poses: 14 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)

Strelets marching types, which means one basic pose is delivered in eight slightly different forms, introducing enough natural variation to build a believable group of men all more or less doing the same thing but without them seeming too perfect. Specifications Contents: 40 figures Poses: 8 poses Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)