Cannon Fodder Miniatures latest additions are two packs of US Marines, 1919-1939. The first pack

USMC1: includes six figures four with rifles and two with shotguns $15AUSD. The two with shotguns positions are one loading and one with gun on hip above pistol. Those with riles are in a strange charging pose.

USMC2 three figures one each with Lewis Gun, Tommy gun and a BAR $7.50 AUSD. The Lewis gunner is advancing, carrying extra ammo and a pistol, the tommy gunner is in a crouching advancing position with a pistol and chomping on a cigar, and the BAR figure carries a pistol and is advancing.

Further, an officer comes free with an order of $30 or more or can be ordered separately for $2.50 AUSD. He holds a 1911 colt automatic with his arm extended up

All the figures are in campaign hats, some with gaiters and some without, web belts with ammo pouches, bayonet and canteen. Some have extra cross belts of ammunition.

A little research shows me that these Marines with campaign hats were more likely to be found in Central America, while those in helmets would be found in China. The Marines in Central America vastly outnumbered those in China. China based Marines numbered less than 300 except in times of trouble when they would come off the Pacific fleet ships in the area, rarely numbering 75 at a time. The Cruiser Huron carried 75 marines and they carried nothing heavier than machineguns and could only operate ashore for 2-3 days.

There were a couple of Marine outposts; the one located at Tsingtao had 47 Marines. Apparently, Sailors handled most shore disturbances, a typical shore party, if you can use ‘typical’ consisted of two officers and 20 to 24 men, but this would leave their gunboat undermanned. Particularly since the two gunboats that could run the whole Yangtze (Palos and Monocacy) each only had a crew of four officers, 46 crewmen and six Chinese boys. The gunboats carried 2 3” guns and several machineguns.

Back to the Marines, I don’t really like the charging poses from Cannon Fodder, so I would rather see more advancing figs, which Greg assures me are in the design phase. I’d also like to see a figure firing the shotgun from either the hip or shoulder. I’d also like to see more figs in gaiters and some in helmets. So now this new release opens up Central America for colonial games, now all we need are some enemy figs. Yes I will use these Marines to fight Chinese gangs. These two sets with the officer would be perfect to fight in China using a modified TSATF for ten figure units. Some more packs and we’ll be fighting in Central America where either ten or 20 man TSATF units could apply.

Overall I really like these figures and importantly they are very well sculpted and they open up a new area.

Highly Recommended.