Avanti Italia - to Venus!

The Italian Army on Venus? Who saw that coming? Not me either. 

But someone has to fight my Russians if I deploy them to Venus, so a good opportunity to branch out. Hmmm...maybe some of the Afrikan German colonial troops also...

Here follows some a notes for a potential project as the mood strikes me, given there isn't much out there for the Italians on Venus. Indeed, in the Space 1889 niche, Venus is seemingly rare for tabletop gaming. On the topic, GDW's Soldier's Companion (1990) states only that:

Separately, the later Ubiquity edition of the Venus Sourcebook (2014) states:

Rather than seeing that as a restriction, I see it as opportunity to mix and match! After all, the Bersaglieri and their flank guard/recon roles would be right at home in the jungle protecting vulnerable convoys and working with native (lizardmen) guides.

An Italian Infantry regiment of the period typically consisted of 3 battalions, although some formations had 4 (specifically Bersaglieri). Each battalion comprised 4 companies. A regiment was around 1,500 men at peace footing, expanding to roughly 3,000 men on a war footing.

Thats probably what the 7th Infantry Regiment "Cuneo" / 7º Reggimento fanteria "Cuneo" looks like, though I'm sure a few Bersalgieri and other small units from the Italian military are there also, if not in force.

While it was established in 1891, if there are troops of Venus it makes sense to establish the "Regio corpo truppe coloniali de Venere" and sweep all the troop on Venus into it under the Italian Governor's authority.

Uniforms

Researching late 19th Century Italian Colonial forces, the Italian colonial army (primarily operating in Eritrea) wore a mix of white or khaki tropical uniforms, commonly featuring a white cork helmet with an azure-blue band, or the traditional red tarbush(fez) with a turban for native ascaro troops. Native soldiers often wore white linen tunics and sash combinations, armed with Vetterli-Vitali rifles.

Key Aspects of the 1890s Italian Colonial Uniforms:

• Colonial Units (Askaris/Native Units): Native Eritrean troops commonly wore a red tarbush (fez) with a blue feather/turban, a white or linen-colored tunic with insignia, white trousers, and sandals.
• Italian Officers: Wore white tropical tunics and trousers, often with a white cork helmet ("salacot") decorated with a blue band.
• Note Officers in Italy wore white pants with a Dark Blue jacket with black piping around the collars, cuffs and red edges, and white leather equipment, which might add variety
• Fatigue Uniforms: In barracks, troops wore "dirty brown" canvas fatigues, which were more durable than their white parade dress.
• Distinctions: Light blue distinctions were often used on helmets and uniforms for colonial troops.
• Arms: Soldiers were often armed with the M1870/87 Vetterli carbine, M1874 cavalry sabers, and traditional local knives in their sashes. 

These uniforms were specifically adapted for the climate in East Africa, shifting away from the heavy wool uniforms used in the Italian mainland at the time, which featured dark blue coats and grey-blue trousers. So these would naturally appeal for the steamy jungles of Venus!

Infantry Captain, Truppe d'Africa, 1896 service dress

Bersaglieri were a high mobility light infantry and skirmishing force, originating in Sardinia before being incorporated into the Italian army when th Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861. In the 1895 period, in tropical climates such as Abyssinia and Eritrea, they tended toward the newer khaki style uniforms with sun helmets and their distinctive plumage of black feathers.

Bersaglieri Lieutenant, marching order

In the 1860 period, Bersaglieri wore a Summer Campaign Dress of white trousers and dark blue jackets (see first picture in this post) with wide brimmed hats.

In Somaliland (and others) the Italian colonial forces made good use of Tribal irregulars, many of which were equipped with their tradition spears and shields, and a limited amount trained to use firearms. I think that tradition would continue with local tribes of lizardmen

Wargames Atlantic plastic Lizardmen from "Gisby's Gaming Blog"
(https://gisby.wordpress.com/2022/02/17/space-1889-lizard-men-of-venus/)

So yes, a new Army and a new planet to contrast to our adventures on Mars.

Would love to hear people's thought on the subject, or Space 1889 on Venus in general.

And while we talking about Venus do remember that on this planet, Germany is the strongest Colonial force...

Schutztruppe militia in the outback of the German protectorate

In the shade of the Ishtar Trees

...A Tale of the First Venus War

A fan of this humble blog, J.P. emailed me a week or two ago and asked if I would be interested in reading some VSF fiction he wrote this year.  Does a stout chap shout hurrah and dash toward the enemy with sword drawn and a cry for Queen and Country on his Lips?  Good show indeed!  And so here are my thoughts on his short (30 pages or so) VSF novella, In the Shade of the Ishtar Trees.

I enjoyed this short tale of VSF derring-do, which is set in the rarely trodden jungles of Venus.  It is a fast paced "column against the horde" scenario which reminded me of the Zulu war, but with a US Colonial slant to it.  The "young officer loyally supported by the veteran NCO" formula works nicely in the short format where there isn't the room for very detailed character development.  I quite liked the opening scenes as the column moves into a foreboding position and you don't know what's coming next, but guess it wont be good...

An action packed and fun tale filled with pluck, adventure and cold steel which I recommend to any VSF fan.  I'm looking forward to reading more of J.P.'s work.

PS J.P. tells me this book will be free on Amazon from December 25 through the 29th

http://www.jpmedved.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18245767-in-the-shade-of-the-ishtar-trees 

Native Venusians sighted!

A Wine Wine Sauce exclusive - direct by aethergram from Venus!

Field researchers from the London Natural History Society have made contact with a native intelligent life form on the planet Venus. In the spirit of international cooperation, the famed naturalist of the Institut de Paris de Biologie, Professor Pierre Aronnax, has been dispatched with all haste to work with the team studying the Venusians.


The Venusians are very large, average 10 feet in height and have 4 arms - each with a hand and opposable digit. They have a rudimentary language and appear to have a rigid family and clan heriachy. They typically operate in groups of 3, though strong individuals may lead multiple groups of 3 warriors. They favour melee weapons though have also developed a primitive type of projectile weapon, of which little is known. One thing we can be certain of though, they would make fearsome opponents!

More pics here:

http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d170/pauljamesog/15mmVSF/

Modelling notes:
Well these guys are the first models Ive painted this year since I moved house., and the start f my 15mm VSF project - Huzzah!

The models are from Peter Pig's "War in the Age of Magic" range as "Large Green Martians" (and they ARE large compared to a 15mm figure. They were painted using GW Goblin Green as the base colour and then 'dipped' using Wattle Satin Woodstain (Walnut).

This is the first time I have used a dip method, which was kindly detailed here last year by Patrick. While I sponged off much of the excess, I think these are a little too heavily stained and next time I will thin down the dip a little as the surface tension kept too much in the crevasses I think. A great effect for the time investment though and certainly they got to table top standard in minimum time. I'll also need to touch up a few highlights again (like the eyes).

Bases are 1/4inch washers with Mulliput. I'll finish off the bases with flock and grass shortly.

Sorry about the dark shadows, I'll take some proper pics once I've done the bases.