The full mounted complement
The command element
Officer
Standard Bearer
Bugler (ok, I realise the titles are a bit redundant!)
I will not bother "describing " the rest of them, I am sure its pretty obvious what they are!
Alongside the cavalry, I also made a start on the Requete Militia
The Requetés (from the French requêté, “hunting call) were the Carlist militia during the Spanish Civil War. Wearing red berets, they mostly came from Navarre and were highly religious with many regarding the war as a Crusade. They were often accompanied by priests as field chaplains, who were known for risking their lives to perform the Last Sacrament on the battlefield, and who also urged the men on. A Spanish encyclopedia of 1965 defines the Requetés as a “group of traditionalists whose object is to encourage amongst themselves the goals of the political party, valorous sentiments, physical prowess, initiative, spirit of resistance, and the acceptance of responsibility, and who during the civil wars of Spain, fought in corps (tercios) in defense of the religious and monarchical traditions. The earliest use of the term was applied to the Third Battalion of Navarre (Tercer Batallón de Navarra), in 1835, during the First Carlist War, and was later applied generally to all Carlist combatants. The Carlist Requetés had been receiving military training during the Second Spansih republic. During the early and medium periods of the Spanish Civil War the Requeté units were well known as highly motivated and (comparatively) well trained assault troops for the nationalists. Carlist units were instrumental in several nationalist victories, notably during the tough fighting in the and around the two northern provinces of the basque territories, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, during the Northern Campaign in 1937.
The negotiations with the conspiring generals were tough. By July 1936, however, Carlism unanimously supported the nationalist side on the Spanish Civil War. From the start there were serious troubles, between the Carlists, especially their then political head Manuel Fal Conde, and the military government. On 8 December 1936, Manuel Fal had to leave temporarily for Portugal, after a major clash with Franco.
On 19 April 1937 their political branch was "unified" with the Falange party. Both the Falange and the regent Javier de Borbón protested this move, and, after a meeting with Franciso Franco, Javier de Borbón was expelled from Spain. Due to the necessities of the war, actions against the Unification did not go much further, but meant the loss of all material wealth of the party (buildings, newspapers, etc.).
As you have noted from the box, there are a total of 18 Requetes, with the command figures incorporated into this number
Here are the first six of the figures, all sporting the distinctive red beret
Bearded officer
The box comes complete with a choice of three possible flags
They were, after all, religious zealots.....! The icon is nicely sculpted and cast though....
On the painting desk currently are the rest of the HaT plastic artillery, more Requetes militiamen, a second HaT supply wagon and one of the Minairons artillery crews - so hopefully a new post will be forthcoming in a few days. I need to get my finger out as I am aiming for a minimum of 10 per month and so far, this is only the second in July.. :(
I've done the same, starting with the cavalry in a major project--slow going but it's like going downhill rather than up and having the harder task waiting for you. The Minairons certainly does it right by including painting instructions as well as colors--I wish that kind of guidance had been available when I was getting started in the hobby! Nicely rendered, figs, too (by the way).
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed, it did not help that the horses are cast in three parts, two body halves and the base, so assembling them was an bit of a chore too! I agree about the way Minairons have packaged their product. I don't think anyone else does it this way, barring hard plastics like the Perry's. It's a nice way of providing a bit of added value!
DeleteVery nice! Hmm? Could be another use for my Spanish buildings????
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I have been thinking when looking at your recent posts Ray....although I would need them in 20mm scale.
DeleteExcellent looking minis sir!
ReplyDeleteBest regards
Thanks Michal. They are nicely sculpted little figures.
DeleteGreat painting on these classic looking figures, Keith. I missed the earlier posts that these are in 20mm. Nice range.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean, yes, I went for 20mm mainly because I have liked the look of the Minairins range for several years!
DeleteMore great looking figures for this fascinating period.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark.
DeleteExcellent additions to your fast growing project. Interesting bio on the Requetes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon. The internet is full of useful info😄
DeleteNicely done. The Carlists are one of my favourite factions for the SCW
ReplyDeleteThank you Scotty. They certainly have one of the more colourful uniforms, the red berets really make them pop!
DeleteThey look great Keith. I quite enjoy painting cavalry but know that many people don't. What has made the difference for me is the Foundry horse colours which I always look forward to using.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence. My aversion to cavalry is illogical, even to myself! I dont mind painting the actual horses - in fact, I find doing the various layers of dry brushing brown shades a very easy way to get a nice result....its just the combination of rider and mount that seems daunting, for some reason....weird craziness, even by wargaming standards!
DeleteAren’t they stylish in their red berets?! Yes they are. 10 posts a month? Seems like a high goal but you have my support. 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks Stew - yes, very chic in "les berets rouge", aren't they! Or should that be a Raspberry Beret?! I doubt there is much chance of reaching the posting target in July!
DeleteYour SCW forces are shaping up nicely. I like this latest batch. And thanks for the overview of the Requetes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, glad you like the Requetes! Background info courtesy of Google 😀
DeleteGreat work on the new scw units!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe!
DeleteVery nice Keith…
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the Requetes…. The berets add a nice bit of colour…
All the best. Aly
Cheers Aly, I agree, although I would certainly not support their politics!
DeleteNice work and interesting information.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard, I am pleased you found the little bio on the Requetes militia informative!
Delete