Prinz Ferdinand's Allied Army defeated at Minden on 1 August 1759/2009 withdrew northward pursued slowly by Marshalls de Contades and de Broglie. Far to the south-southeast Prinz Ferdinand's Hesse-Seewald allies left The Fulda Gap to guard Ferdinand's eastern flank. Gallian forces near The Fulda Gap followed as you see below. We are preparing for the Fourth Annual BIG BATTALION SYW GAME hosted by the celebrated Der Alte Fritz on 10 October, 1759/2009. Photographs below will agreeably fill your computer screen by clicking on them. And now....
Brigadier J. C. Fischer (left) and Lt. Général Armentieres (center) atop a ridge in The Fulda Gap.
Observing the Advance Guard approaching The Fulda River below.
The Legion de Fischer leads the way with a screen of mounted dragoons looking across the river, backed by Chasseurs in mirlitons, a "Swedish" 4 Pd. cannon and Grenadiers. Behind them are close order fusiliers ready for mischief.
Four divisions of fusiliers and a second squadron of dragoons are in reserve.
Aide Major de Infanterie Orbs gives orders to the two fusilier divisions on the left. No one yet knows what Legion de Fischer flags looked like. Flag Dude was given made-up specifications and colors as shown.
While behind marches Régiment de Auvergne wearing distinctive violet collars and cuffs.
It appears the Advance Guard will either encamp here or cross The Fulda in the center distance. A compagnie of dragoons has already crossed.
Let's take a closer look.
Auvergne's flank is protected by Bercheney Hussars.
Turning around and looking from the other way we see the Gallian/French Advance Guard marching toward us.
What are the plans of Armentieres and Fischer? Where are they going? We can only guess they are leading the Army through The Fulda Gap into Hesse-Kassel. A courier arrives with some news. What will the message say?
The Gallian commanding General Chevert is not far behind with the Main Body.
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Manufacturers:
Front Rank: Almost the entire Legion de Fischer and most of Bercheney.
Elite Miniatures: Almost all of Auvergne, the cannon and the officer on a round base leading the dragoon squadron posted in reserve.
Old Mini-Figs: The smaller Bercheneys, Courier, Chasseurs and Fischer himself.
Redoubt: Officer with map and cannon crew wearing green.
Garrison: Armentieres. He rides a Mini-Fig horse.
Foundry: Aide Major Orbs.
RSM: The Royal artillery crewman with the 4 Pdr.
Dixon: The officer with raised sword near Orbs.
Flag Dude: All fictional flags for Fischer and historical ones for Bercheney.
Terrain Guy: River and table covering.
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The different manufacturer styles with all their nuances appear not to matter if one observes the ensemble as a whole and if one considers we are not all six feet tall weighing precisely 165 pounds. A fun thing is to place officers from different manufacturers in various units solely for variety; tall, short, in between, thin, overweight, handsome or plain. This way they aren't all doing the exact same thing. The green-clad infantry of Fischer's Legion have all kinds of officers. For example, one can go to Front Rank and obtain French officer varieties from the European range and also the French and Indian War range of miniatures. Why not also add Crusader, Dixon, Elite, Foundry and Mini-Fig French officers too? Variety makes things interesting.
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YOU can do the above too. Your remarks are welcome next.
Inspirational as ever Bill- many thanks for continuing to provide such excellent work.
ReplyDeleteAlan
Brilliant - trouble fomenting in Germania, that means more pictures and a little action... and may be even a little (metal) blood being spilt on the field of battle...
ReplyDeleteWonderful stuff, Bill. I like the mixture of figures, the scene setting and the whole scale of the exercise which is an example to the rest of us. Look forward to the next instalment.
ReplyDeleteAnd while all this was going on, further to the southeast, another small affair adds its ingredients to the already boiling pot of Germania. Please see http://colcampbellbarracks.blogspot.com/2009/09/affair-at-alt-kirchendorf-part-1.html for the first part of the battle report.
ReplyDeleteJim
Bill,
ReplyDeleteWonderful images (as usual), sir. I look forward to learning what the outcome of this troop movement will be.
-- Jeff
Der Alte Fritz is designing the 4th Annual BIG BATTALION game on the 10th of October at a friend's home. There we will have access to an enormous quantity of real estate; three tables each 6'x28' - the most ever for us. That's two back tables for deployment and the central main table acting as The Champs de Mars. Forces will be able to move on all tables. Woe to the side whose enemy is able to get onto your back table. Getting onto a back table is a lot of fun.
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Gentlemen, please DO attend Col. Campbell's blog to enjoy his BAR game.
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Thank you ALL for your remarks and kind interest. We apprecaite all you say.
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Respectfully,
Bill
Love the tabletop presentation and your backdrop is excellent!
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