Send in the Gurkhas!

The Gurkha regiments of the Indian Army were some of the most famous (and feared) Commonwealth troops of the Second World War. Recruited from mountainous Nepal, and wielding the lethal Kukri knives, Gurkhas proved to be tough, determined, and incredibly deadly soldiers – particularly when combat devolved into close-quarters fighting. In the jungles of the Far East, they put their skills to good use, earning a reputation that has persisted to the present day.

In Bolt Action, rules for a Gurkha force can be found in the Indian Army section of Armies of the British Commonwealth. The Ayo Gorkhali! special rule (named for their battle-cry) allows you to create an entire army of Gurkhas, who (naturally) specialise in getting up close and personal with the enemy, and this starter army gives you everything you need to field a well-rounded force on the tabletop, themed around Gurkha forces fighting against Japanese troops in the Far East.

At the core of this starter army is the Rifle Platoon – with 42 plastic Gurkhas in the box, you’ve got everything you need to create a huge variety of infantry squads and weapons teams, allowing for enormous flexibility in how you assemble your force. Supporting the infantry are self-contained Artillery and Heavy Weapons Platoons, which pair plastic weapons with characterful Warlord Resin crew – a 6-pounder anti-tank gun provides anti-armour punch, while Medium Machine Gun and Mortar teams keep up the pressure on enemy infantry. Tanks aren’t forgotten, either! Although this is a jungle-fighting force, the Indian Army made great use of M3 Medium and M5 Light tanks against the lighter Japanese armour they encountered – and both are included in the starter army!