CAMPAIGNS IN GERMANIA

Three Pike & Shot ECW Photographs

2012-01-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

On the 28th of January we had a game using my "antiques" as Rob rightly said. Most of my English Civil War miniatures are three decades old. Game photos won't mean much to viewers I'm thinking but three below might prove appealing or at least diversionary for you.

Parliamentarian Right Flank. The Earl of Essex's Lifeguard is farthest right wearing 3/4 armour. Such accoutered combatants were called Lobsters because of all the armour from head to thigh. These are 25mm Hinchliffes. Within the enclosure is The Tower Hamlet Regiment of Foot of 25mm Miniature Figurines

2nd London Trained Band in the center rear of Parliament's position. Castings are 25mm Miniature Figurines with GMB flags. They are preparing for trouble because....

On Parliament's Extreme Left Flank we see Prince Rupert's Royalist Brigade of Horse. The Cavaliers are reorganizing and reloading pistols after having swept a weaker Parliamentary Brigade of Horse off the field. The nearest unit is Rupert's Regiment of Horse led by Rupert himself with his faithful dog, Boye.

This is a newer unit from about seven years ago made up mostly of 28mm Redoubt Miniatures. Others are Hinchliffe.

----------
CLOSING REMARKS

1. Pike divisions typically deployed six ranks deep. So....almost eight years under the spell of Warhammer ECW's photos, I changed from 1:20 to 1:10. Most every regiment of foot was increased so it could have a minimum of twenty-four matchlocks and twenty-four pikes. Usually this meant adding eighteen miniatures. This was easy and fast to do although rebasing was needed. This allowed pike miniatures to be in four ranks instead of two. I did not want to do six. Moreover, I could have more than one flag using GMB's lovely products. I thought Warhammer ECW's photos showing this kind of depth appealing and more correct for the era.

2. Colorful period isn't it? Lovely flags and every unit is a different color.

3. Different too because of such tactical nuances as fire by introduction or extroduction, the caracole, Rings (think a round square), matchlocks, pikes and firing pistols in cavalry charges. There is more too....

4. The collection has been sleeping for decades. I hope to get it on the tabletop several more times in 2012.

Thank you for looking in.

Are you for King or Parliament?
----------

Light Brigade Show And Tell

2012-01-11T19:48:00.000-08:00

In an idle moment last June I mentioned my very dormant interest in the Napoleonic "Peninsular" to Der Alte Fritz; Jim P. In a few more moments both of us rocketed into plans to build a small 1:10 force. We might even be on the same side for this one.

Don Featherstone's writings about this era were initially responsible - never forgotten - but laying dormant for decades. My initial contribution to raise a British Light Cavalry Brigade now completed -- follows.
------------------

Two squadrons of 15th. Hussars ride on the left whilst two squadrons of 16th Light Dragoons move forward on the right. Centered is one troop of 7th Hussars riding with Brigade Commander Lord Paget.

7th. Hussars: 28mm Front Rank Miniatures with GMB standard.

15th. Hussars: 28mm Elite Miniatures with a GMB flag.

Elites are a little taller and longer than Front Rank chaps.

16th. Light Dragoons: 28mm Elite Miniatures with a GMB flag.

Lord Henry Paget confers with the regimental commander of the 16th Light Dragoons. Paget [Front Rank Miniatures] was commander of the 7th. Hussars.

He later became the Lord Uxbridge who lost a leg at Waterloo. He survived.

----------

AFTERWORDS

1. My next contribution is the 9th Foot. It was chosen solely because it was probably involved in more actions than any other infantry line unit. The plan is to finish the unit before May 1st.

2. Jim is busily and happily involved with his Fife & Drum line of Revolutionary War miniatures and painting same for a debut at the annual Seven Years' War Assn. Weekend in late March. He hopes to get back to Spain soon.

3. Back to the Seven Years' War later this month or next!

-------------------

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

May the reason for Christmas fill your homes.
Blessings to all.
Respectfully,
Bill

Let Loose The Hornets!

2011-12-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

Date: 5-9 December 1761/2011
Location: A Rasthaus Near Fulda, Germania
Situation: Column of March And Pursuit!
----------

DECEMBER 5, 1761

A Gallian column of march waits for the order to march
at the Fulda Rasthaus; site of the battle two days earlier. For background see:
http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2011/12/lady-de-winter-attacks-lady-diana.html

Staff Officer: "Oui Monsieur. This road will take you out of The Fulda Gap."
Aide Major d'Infanterie Orbs: "Do I have the order to march?"
Staff Officer. "Oui. Let loose your hornets."
Orbs: "To sting the foe!"

One battalion of the Fischer Legion will cover the column of march. 2/Grenadiers de France will follow. Off to the the right Battalion Albanie has formed in camp preparatory to joining the column.

2/Grenadiers de France's long ribbon of color.

Encamped Battalion Albanie awaits its turn to march.
We must assume many more brigades follow out of sight.

While two squadrons of Fischer Chasseurs a Cheval canter forward to take the lead as the most forward screen.

Watching the column form is Lady Diana Pettygree on Express, her grey.

Lady Pettygree: "I wish you success in your march Monsieur."
Lieutenant General Chevert: "Merci."

Pettygree: "I remind you Monsieur l'General, if I may, to look out for a black coach and four accented in red seen in the monstrous attack of two days ago? One year ago...."

Pettygree: "I saw the same coach when our activities were interrupted then. It's owner was protected in both years by ruffians wearing black with red facings and...."

Pettygree: "Now that I think of it again, I dimly recall a woman with flaxen hair present last year somehow associated with that dreadful day. I am told someone similar also appeared here two days ago in the battle."

DECEMBER 9, 1761

Four Days Later

Captain Eugene: "My Lady Pettygree!"
Lady Diana Pettygree: "News Captain?"
Eugene: "Oui. This morning...."

Eugene: "Three of our Chasseurs a Cheval encountered an angry peasant and...."

Chasseur Philippe: "Have you seen a black coach and four trimmed in scarlet?"

Peasant: "Ja, the swein. {Spitting} They took all my livestock and two horses with a promise to pay for them after the war. A beautiful woman mit flaxen hair sat inside the coach."

Peasant: "They rode away laughing.
Philippe: "Which way did they go?"
Peasant: "On this road here - toward - Hesse-Seewald."

Peasant: "I hope you find and drive them to ground - even if you are Gallian!"
Philippe: "This is our intention. Take some marks for your trouble courtesy of King Louis XV."

Eugene: "And so My Lady, the villains were en-route to Hesse-Seewald today."

Pettygree: "A pattern develops Captain and the fog begins to lift. Find that blackguard coach and deliver the owner to me Monsieur. Your reward will be beyond your dreams!
----------

CLOSING REMARKS

1. The above furthers our storyline in anticipation of the 4th Annual Winter Terrain Game set in the first quarter of the new year in Hesse-Seewald {Lake Forest at Der Alte Fritz's}.

2. Remarks welcome.

----------

Lady de Winter Attacks Lady Diana Pettygree

2011-12-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

Date: 3 December 1761/2011
Situation: 4th Annual Light Troop Game Day

Game #3: Fulda Roadhouse, Germania
This third game was our annual skirmish between the vendetta driven Lady de Winter and Lady Diana Pettygree.

Participants:
French: Randy and Bill. De Winter's Force: Jim and Keith.
----------
For the other two games see: http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-three-light-troop-games.html
----------

Réflexions et mémoires sur la Diana Pettygree à la Bataille de Fulda

That day, December 3, 1761, commenced with happy expectations was shockingly ruined by a human storm of such suddenness that it defies credulity. As my ladies Masquerade and Silhouette accompanied me from the Fulda Roadhouse to a nearby wooded meadow, a continuous thunder of muskets and hooves arose from the South.

Our party guests immediately fled impeding our de Saxe Lanciers trying to ascertain what was the trouble. Lady Silhouette ordered her dismounted hussarettes to move within the tall trees toward the sound of the guns.

A mysterious foe clad mostly in black pressed toward the meadow as Silhouette's carbines were loaded. Too few. Oh too few carbines. Our Lanciers continued to be blocked, vexing them terribly. You can understand that I am sure.

When their path cleared, the charge was sounded. At the gallop they charged into the dark foe hurling them back. Bravo mes amis! Bravo!

Would you countenance the thought that delaying the charge was an advantage for us? Hardly but, it allowed time for a squadron of Bercheney Hussars to mount up and charge in support. The melee continued desperately for the longest time. {Three turns} Exhaustion found both sides falling back to reorganize. The threat here, for now was over but....

As Masquerade and I wearing my blue Royal Carabinier ensemble rode into the trees to check on our scattered guests I learned....

That the blackguard foe had brazenly cut down the petite four pounder cannon crew to the right of the wooded area. To their surprise though, Monsieur Bercheney personally led a second squadron of his hussars after them, charging, pursuing and scattering the ruffians from whence they came.

On the other side of the roadhouse, the intemperate foes at first advanced shockingly toward the camp of one of Brigadier Fischer's sleepy battalions. {Not shown.} Others galloped down the road where I with Lady Masquerade happened to be. {Not shown.} Fortunately their horses or ardour were no match for ours. We easily cantered {Evade rules.} around the building to that meadow I've mentioned. Later more of the enemy came on but withdrew as our infantry formed and advanced upon them.

Meanwhile, another of Monsieur Fischer's battalions countered a body of enemy foot. The latter had even entered the walled roadhouse enclosure with firebrands terrifying the few staff left there.

The ruffians charged our fusiliers. We held allowing time for both of the Fischer battalions to fight the foe front and to the rear with the bayonet. The foe succumbed.
{Note the second Fischer battalion coming on in the upper left of the image.}

Toward the end there was the greatest confusion and happiness. Infantry and horsemen of both sides engaged each other in final embraces. In the end we prevailed and....

Elsewhere some of Monsieur Fischer's horsemen countered and advanced upon unseen enemies in their view.

As the battle ended, I espied a familiar black coach and four protected by a Rear Guard in the distance. {On a Back Table.} I had seen it before - one year ago under similar circumstances.

Coincidence or?

--------------------

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Horsemen: French 89 and Mysterious foe: 96. Late in the game the French were reinforced by a 12 man squadron of Saxon von Brühl Dragoons riding from a screen some miles to the rear; too late to matter. Rather than specify an arrival turn, they arrived when it was 1:00pm in the afternoon real time; a nuance to get them in the game and speed turns along before their arrival.

2. Infantry: French 154 versus the foe at 156.

3. Artillery: French with a four pounder and the enemy with a three pounder.

4. One third of the French force was on duty near the roadhouse or in a screen to the south and east of the roadhouse. Another third were encamped unavailable until Turn 3. The last third was off table to the north unavailable until Turn 3.

5. Lady de Winter's force was allowed a move, fire and move on Turn 1 simulating a surprise attack. After this the French could move and fire or fire and move concluding Turn 1. Afterwards we reverted to card draw for move and fire.

6. This deWinter/Pettygree game was a little different in that forces were numerically reduced a lot to allow for more maneuver and to remove the sense that large armies were involved.

7. This was a see-saw engagement without formed battle lines as such. Kind of fun and different; the purpose of Light Troop Game Day #4 actually.

8. A follow-up story is ready to post in a few days. See you then.

9. Rules: See Rules by Bill at the upper left of the blog. We used Batailles de l'Ancien Régime (1740-1763).

10. Comments welcome as usual below, if you please.

----------

Our Three Light Troop Games

2011-12-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

Date: 3 December 1761/2011
Location #1: Magua's Village and Ft. William, New York
Location #2: En-Route To A Varm Vater Port, Persia
Location #3: Fulda Roadhouse, Germania (Report delayed)
Situation: 4th Annual Light Troop Game Day
----------

FOREWARD

Fourteen companionable friends from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin

convened for Light Troop Game Day #4.

Seated left to right: Randy, Brent, Keith, Derrick, Chris, Earl and Curt.

Standing left to right: Bill, Michael, Todd, John, Chuck, Jim and Andrew.

The evolving purpose of Light Troop Game Day #4 was to use light troops and light troop tactics a lot more than we usually do. What did this mean on the 3rd. instant?

1. Cavalry: Cossacks, mounted jagers, light dragoons, lancers, irregular horsemen and hussars stiffened by occasional dragoons and horse grenadiers. Fielding dismounted horsemen was an option - if available.

2. Artillery: 3-4 pounders with ammunition carts.

3. Infantry: Irregulars, pandours, cossacks, light infantry of various types, legion infantry with intrinsic grenadiers. An occasional line battalion is allowed in smaller games.

4. Tactics: Use skirmish order a lot but not to the exclusion of close order drill.

------------------------------

MAGUA'S VILLAGE AND FORT WILLIAM

Woodland Indians: Chuck. French: Brent.
Hawkeye: Todd. Col Munro: Derrick.

Very early morning at Magua's mountaintop longhouse. No trouble is suspected. Alice and Cora Munro are captives inside the longhouse. Another captive, Major Heywood, is also sequestered.

Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingatchgook surprised the village, set fire to the longhouse, recovered all captives and begin to race away to the lower left. Photo: Michael M.

Aroused, Woodland Indians in nearby longhouses with Compagnies franches de la Marine pursue the colonials felling most of them. Time spent setting fire to the longhouse was the reason for not getting the captives safely away. Photo: Michael M.

Back home friends rally to the sound of gunfire in the distance. Photo: Michael M.

They stand guard near Fort William awaiting the return of Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingatchgook and the captives.

As Colonel Munro arrives behind them at Fort William to force the issue with Magua and assist in the recovery of his daughters. Fort William is a blockhouse.

There were roughly 30 redcoats, a light cannon and Colonial militia moving inland. However, when news arrived that the captives had been lost and Magua's longhouse was in flames, all retreated to a perimeter around Fort William awaiting attack. It came but was beaten off with the loss of the Trading Post; not shown. Photo: Michael M.

Unfortunately I did not take many photos of this game. Another participant did. When practicable for him, we may have some very exciting photos to show.

----------------------------------------

EN-ROUTE TO A VARM VATER PORT, SOMEWHERE IN PERSIA
Persians: Curt, Earl and Andrew.
Russians: Michael, John and Chris.

Also see Michael's blog report: http://campaignsinminiature.blogspot.com/2011/12/sand-gets-in-everything.html

The Russian Army formed an Advance Guard, Main Body and Rear Guard with baggage. Mission: Destroy a Persian magazine. Cognizant of this threat, a Persian Army indolently formed to stop the Russians.

First and only Persians to arrive were sixty Red Sash Muskets in skirmish order.

They saw the Advance Guard screened by Cossacks.

A few of the latter were taken out by Red Sash fire.

Red Sash Muskets and Cossacks at the top of the image. Meanwhile, a formidable body of Red Sash horsemen, forty-eight strong, arrived to flank the Russians!

Close up of the Advance Guard marching through the village.

No more skirmishing. Russian cavalry contends with Persian horsemen as the Russian Main Body enters the field.

The Russians advance versus little opposition even to the edge of The Main Table.

More cavalry action, this time versus the Persian Household.

Russian baggage protected by The Rear Guard marches onto The Main Table.

Russian left flank.

The Russian center has advanced onto The Persian Back Table.

The tower magazine is their objective.

Dice atop the tower indicate damage from artillery bombardment. The tower would collapse burying Persian ammunition stores.

At this point the Persians assumed defeat was at hand. This was particularly true due to indolent arrival of units. See item #1 below.

RUSSIA vs. PERSIA REMARKS:

1. Have you debated the merits of command control or fog of war dynamics built into a set of rules? Participants in the Russia versus Persia game didn't need anything of the kind. The three Persian players did not deploy 72 swordsmen and 60 musket armed combatants. Given the entire force potentially could have numbered 500 to 600 miniatures, that's a lot. No command control dice were needed. Players did this on their own and good naturedly thought it was funny. All of us smiled companionably at their misfortune.

2. Persian units were identified by sash color. Suspicions arose when the Green Sash Leader was deployed and there were no green sash troops. This happened about one hour before we ended our game day; too late to matter.

3. Some adept readers will notice a similarity between our fanciful Persians and the Thugees opposing General Pettygree on his blog.

4. The Russian Army numbered approximately 500 miniatures.

--------------------

The third report about the mysterious skirmish near the Fulda Gap Rasthaus will appear in a few days. Meanwhile, enjoy the above and be sure to visit Michael's blog report.

-- Come Back In A Few Days For Report #3 --

Comments welcome below.

4th Annnual BAR Light Troop Game Day

2011-12-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Date: 2 December 1761/2011
Location: A Rasthaus Near Fulda, Germania
Situation: Lady Diana Pettygree Arrives
----------

PRELUDE

December 3, 2011 is our 4th Annual Light Troop Game Day. Our emphasis is to use so-called light units a lot more than we usually do. There will be three tabletop actions with fourteen companionable players from MN, WI and IL.

The largest and most avant garde game is a fanciful Russian invasion of Persia because as we all know, the Czar vants a varm vater port. The smallest is a French and Indian War rescue operation adapted from Hawkeye's pursuit of Magua and his captives, Alice and Cora Munro.

The third engagement is a revival of the enigmatic troubles surrounding the cheerful and striking Lady Diana Pettygree. At Light Game Day #3, her maid Katherine was captured. See The Party Is Ruined: http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2010/12/party-is-ruined.html

Below we see....

Lady Pettygree in blue arrive at Fulda's Rasthaus with Lady Cherish Masquerade. Nearby - Colonel Enigma is apparently suspicious of something; his usual condition.

Lady Diana always travels in Germania with an escort. The de Saxe Lanciers and Bercheney Hussars may be seen off to the right whilst a half battalion of Arquebusiers de Grassin are deploying in a two-deep rank line.

The party rides toward the roadhouse gate as an ADC pays his respects.What does Colonel Enigma see?

Meanwhile a third friend, Lady Belle Silhouette, with her section of hussars dismounted leads roadhouse staff to a picnic ground. Their carbines are at the ready. Danger?

Close up of roadhouse staff and the aforementioned hussars. All will enjoy a late luncheon and ponder the party planned for the morrow.

Later that night, Diana has lit candles to prepare for bed. Tomorrow's party will be superb. Trés magnifique.

As moonlight casts a blueish tint on the outside wall, we might ask, "I wonder what the Lady is thinking tonight, what merriment is she considering for the morrow tonight....And now in this idyllic setting let me wish you a very good night.

----------

CLOSING REMARKS:

1. The Inn is being rereleased by Miniature Building Authoriity soon. See: http://www.miniaturebuildingauthority.com/proddetail.asp?prod=10505&cat=32

2. Kindly return in a few days to find out what happened - everywhere.

3. Hinterland makes the lovely dismounted female hussars. See: http://hinterlandminiatures.weebly.com/ Just recently, mounted versions were made available. Well done Jason! Take a look everyone for lots of very interesting miniatures to buy.

4. Your remarks below help make the blog more interesting for everyone.

----------

Battle of Lago Bosque

2011-11-20T21:50:00.000-08:00

Date: 19 Noviembre 1810/2011
Location: Campo Lago Bosque {Field of Lake Forest}
Situation: The Battle And Aftermath
See Previous Dispatch: http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2011/11/iberian-opening-gambit.html

----------

FOREWARD

The dispatch to Major General Pettygree of the 17th. instant stated the French were breaching the defile at Lago Bosque with an Advance Guard estimated at four battalions, eight squadrons and a battery of eight pounders. Though outnumbered, the Britannian Observation Corps hurried to block the defile where was fought....

THE BATTLE OF LAGO BOSQUE

{Lake Forest}

The first to arrive was a three section Royal Horse Artillery Battery of 6 Pounders. The battle opened with their first salvo into French light cavalry causing the latter to break into open order. {Elite Miniatures from the collection of Der Alte Fritz}

The RHA Battery is just off screen to the right in the above image. A Shore Party of Royal Marines occupied a walled hacienda whilst the Light Company of the 83rd Foot was posted between the guns and the walled enclosure.

The Grenadier Company of the 83rd Foot protects the right flank of the RHA. In the distance the remnant of Britannian Hussars flee from the oncoming wall of French after having scattered all the French light cavalry. Their charge caused the French advance to pause and bunch up.

The French response? Bring forward the 8 Pounders and settle the affair. As a result the RHA Battery prolonged to the rear past a covering rise of ground to their limbers before being shot at.

Soon the roar of cannon fire shook the area as round shot battered down the front wall of the hacienda. Debris flew amongst the Royal Marines who luckily lost not a man. Covered in dust the Marines withdrew over the back wall.

Britannian units were allowed hidden deployment. A surprise might pop up anywhere. Indeed the hill at the top left of the image bristled at first with a company of riflemen and later with half of the 83rd Foot. A French battalion has just given fire at the riflemen above the top of the image.

Britannian riflemen did not survive the French volley and while the French climbed the hill, the 83rd Foot departed believing it would be better to fight another day. They had done as much as could have been expected to divert French forces from exiting the defile quickly. Indeed the French advance had been slowed though not stopped.

At this point there was nothing left to trouble the French. Cries of "En avant, vite, vite, mes Amis!" were heard. {Advance, quickly, quickly my friends!}

French cavalry pour out of the defile supported by a battalion which had struggled mightily to ascend and descend the steep slope at the upper right the image over the wreckage of another Britannian rifle company.

Where is the rest of the Britannian Observation Corps? If we back up a moment in time....

Here is Lord Paget's Light Cavalry Brigade calmly waiting for orders. Unseen behind the light cavalry is the rest of the 83rd Foot. Also unseen is a significant body of French cavalry and another battalion of infantry just exiting dense woodland to the oblique right of the upper right-hand Britannian Squadron.

{Note French battalion previously mentioned atop the steep hill before its descent.}

There was no way to properly engage the foe coming from the flank and soon also from the front. With the approval of Major General Pettygree, Lord Paget bellowed, "BRIGADE! BY SQUADRON. BY THE LEFT WHEEL. MARRRCHHH!" You see the brigade after the wheel; fun to do at 1:10. Observe proper intervals to do this!

The whole force was taken off the battlefield.

Here we see the 2/16th Light Dragoons in retreat.

Both squadrons are now in view. 1/16th is leading.

The regimental commanding officer observes the procession. Later....

Major Bollinger: "Colonel! May I have a word?"

Colonel Shackleton: "What news Major?"

Major Bollinger: "Lord Paget's compliments Sir and he would be obliged if you would hasten back to our base at Pueblo Marrón Ciervos. {Village of Brown Deer}

He desires you to take charge of evacuation of all possible supplies and lingering personnel. Destroy what can not be gotten off. The rest of The Observation Corps will be your rear guard."

Colonel Shackleton: "It's that bad Major?"

Major Bollinger: "I'm afraid so, Sir. Boney's marching hard with a small Corps d'Armée. No way to stop 'em just now."

------------------------------

CLOSING REMARKS

1.See Der Alte Frit'z blog for more images and information. http://altefritz.blogspot.com/

2.Pettygree's Orders: "Slow the French and cause them to disperse by clever use of concealed units suddenly arising to trouble the foe."

3. LOSSES:

Britannian:
12 Cavalry {Bill P.} + 25 Infantry {Earl K.} = 37.

French:
9 Infantry {Keith L.} + 22 cavalry {Jim P.} = 31.

4. Comments welcome below.
----------

Opening Gambit In Iberia

2011-11-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

Date: 17 Noviembre 1810/2011
Location: Near Pueblo Lago Bosque (Lake Forest)
Situation: ALARM!

Foreward

Der Alte Fritz (Jim P.) and I experimentally modified Batailles les de l'Ancien Régime {BAR} for our 1:10 Napoleonics three years ago. In June 2011 we somehow spontaneously decided to move from central Europe to Iberia. In my case I never forgot the intriguing articles about the campaigns in Spain written by Donald Featherstone. As it turns out, Jim has been interested similarly. Permit us the honour therefore, to present our....
----------

OPENING GAMBIT

Courier Lieutenant Bell: "Take this to Marrón Ciervos Sir? I mean Brown Deer?"

Major Hyde: "Yes ... take that dispatch to divisional headquarters there ... but ... wait for this next one I'm writing as well. The general has got to know."

Indeed, the general does have to know. The enemy is breaching the defile below.

In earnest it seems.

Later that morning an officer wearing an undress coat quietly walks his horse from a stall of the Posada de Marrón Ciervos. (Brown Deer Inn)

Major General William Justinian Pettygree.

Moments later Lieutenant Bell arrived with dispatches followed by....

Major General Lord Henry Paget

Pettygree: "The French are a foot. Time to assemble your Light Brigade, Sir."

Paget: "Very good General. Confusion and defeat to 'em and all of Boney's blighters."

An hour later the brigade assembled. The 15th Hussars are formed in the lower right whilst the 16th Light Dragoons are posted near the top of the image. A shore party of Royal Marines is also preparing to march.

Pettygree: "Lieutenant Bell. Ride fast with that dispatch to Colonel Eddrington. Get his 83rd Foot and the Rifle contingent on the road to Lago Bosque. They must march at once."

Pettygree: "Lord Paget, Sir! ... If you please, ride your brigade to Lago Bosque picking up the RHA battery along the way."

Paget: "Aye General. There's not a moment to lose!

----------

Closing Remarks:

1. You Sirs are invited to ride vicariously with us, if you please.

2. Will Pettygree, Paget and Eddrington stop, slow or be repulsed by the forces of Bones-Apart at Lago Bosque?

3. The tabletop game scheduled on 19 Noviembre at Jim's hacienda will answer that interrogative.

4. Your comments are welcome below.

Tally-Ho!
Bill P.

----------

Painting Challenge Ends

2011-11-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

TALLY-HO!

The sixty day self-imposed painting challenge ended at midnight on 5 November 2011. The first two images show what was planned and completed for the challenge by me. Two hours before the deadline....

Major General William Justinian Pettygree (center) conducts an inspection near Corunna, Iberia {Spain}. Leftmost is Chief of Staff Colonel Hyde, the courier is ADC Captain Siggins whilst the hussar officer is Major General Lord Henry Paget. Paget commands the Light Cavalry Brigade.

Miniatures on the left are Elite Miniatures. Front Rank castings are on the right.

The new unit is the 15th Hussars of two squadrons; 25 Elite Miniatures.

The 15th Hussars appear at the lower right of the image. The 16th Light Dragoons are assembled at the top center. The latter are Elite Miniatures too. A shore party of Foundry Royal Marines are on parade at a hacienda owned by Der Alte Fritz. Major General Pettygree and staff observe all from a rise of ground on the left.
----------

Closing Remarks:
Have you ever experienced a so-called "painting funk?" It is the inability to start and/or complete a painting project. Is a unit needed for a game? Has a particular something languished for years? Is the paint brush hiding?
Our rules were:

1. Sixty days to finish....

2. Whatever one wanted to complete by type and number and....

3. Changes in Rule #2 were okay at any time during the sixty days.

It worked for several challengers in Australia, Canada, the UK and USA.

What reward? A completed unit and personal satisfaction.
-----

The above units will be in their first game at Der Alte Fritz's hacienda on 19 November. Perhaps I will be able to add one troop of 7th Hussars as Paget's personal guard and brigade reserve. Time will tell.
----------

29 October NEWS!

2011-10-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

.
5 NOV. PAINTING CHALLENGE NEARS!

For fun several pards from Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA voluntarily decided to paint and finish something in approximately sixty days. My choice included the 15th Hussars (25) and an indeterminate number of general staff officers for service in The Peninsular. The 15th was completed a few days ago. Huzzah and Tally-Ho!

The general staff is underway with less than a week to go. Return before the 5th proximo to see photographic evidence if I make the deadline or not. I am determined to succeed.

The 15th will join the 16th Light Dragoons (25) completed two months ago shown in recent posts below to form General Paget's Light Cavalry Brigade to discombobulate Bones-apart's invaders in a tabletop game at Der Alte's Fritz's on 19 November.
------------------------------

WINTER 1761 (2011) CAMPAIGN IN GERMANIA?

Apparently there is enigmatic evidence to believe the Gallian Army will launch a winter offensive versus Der Alte Fritz of Hesse-Seewald. Gallian General Chevert is said to be stirring at the magazine at Frankfurt Am Main. Der Alte seems to be sleeping. Chevert could steal a march on him. Personally I think Chevert will finally get through The Fulda Gap. Return in mid-November to learn more.

A new photo story is percolating.
------------------------------

16th Light Dragoons Reinforced

2011-09-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

The establishment for The 16th Light Dragoon Regiment now consists of two squadrons of twelve miniatures each plus a regimental commanding officer. Total: 25.

All castings are 28mm British Napoleonics from Elite Miniatures in the UK. The commanding officer is a Royal Horse Artillery officer; nice because he wears a tarleton hat like everyone else. It works.

What's Next? The 15th Hussars on the same establishment. These wear busbies and have a pelisse flying off the shoulder.

Elite Miniatures: http://www.eliteminiatures.co.uk/CAVALRY,%20ARTILLERY%20AND%20GENERALS.htm

Flags: http://www.gmbdesigns.com/

See previous post for some other photographs, if you please.

The first game will be in early November at Hause Der Alte Fritz. Thus, I need to get cracking on the 15th Hussars!

Tally-HO!

Bill

Iberian Interlude #1

2011-08-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

Royal Marines and one squadron of the 16th Light Dragoons recently disembarked at Corunna, Iberia/Spain are moving inland. {Images expand when double-clicked}

The Royal Marines are from Foundry whilst the light dragoons were made by Elite Miniatures; all are 28mms. Patrick L. artfully painted the RMs. I painted the LDs.

2/16th Light Dragoons exercise in a two rank line; twelve miniatures per squadron. The flag is from GMB.
----------
COMMENTARY

Jim (Der Alte Fritz) and I have occasionally diverted ourselves with 1:10 Napoleonics in the past three years. We've had several good games happily reworking BAR fighting bicornered French versus Prussians. Two months ago, I idly said Napoleonics in Spain interested me. I think this goes waaaay back to reading Don Featherstone's writings about it. Jim has been interested too.

You've seen Jim's British contribution on his Der Alte Fritz Journal Blog. The above photos reveal my finished lads.

My next contribution is to add another squadron for the 16LD and afterwards raise two squadrons for the 15th Hussars. Tally HO!
----------
To see some of our French, mine appear here:
http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2009/12/game-cancelled-so-instead.html
and here
http://campaignsingermania.blogspot.com/2009/12/open-column-of-companies-forms-to-right.html
----------

16 July 1761/2011 Battle Of Waldeck

2011-07-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

----------
Date: 16 July 1761/2011
Situation: Britannia vs Gallia
Location: Waldeck, Westphalia
Rules: BAR Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763
Double click images to see a lot more, if you please.
----------
Eight companionable pards from MN, IL and WI gathered for BAR Game #60. We commenced at 10:30am concluding at 4:30pm with a decisive result.

The scenario was played lengthwise on the Main and two Side tables. The French were deployed in screened columns of march heading eastward on each table. After viewing the French columns, the British positioned themselves father to the eastward crossing the T of the French. An unknown brigade of French horse deployed afterwards.

THE MAIN TABLE

A few turns into play, four squadrons of Gallian/French Royal des Carabiniers await orders to deploy. They will eventually pass to the right of the Gardes Fraincaise in the center of the photo. Far in the distance de Saxe Lanciers and Saxon Leibkürassiers are deploying to slow the foe. The latter are off the top of the photograph.

Soon the British marched up a rise appearing in ribbons of colour. One troop of de Saxe Lanciers engaged enemy cavalry to slow them down. Eventually the second troop and the Leibkürassiers would be drawn in too in an entertaining see-saw battle lasting several turns. These cavalry forces exhausted themselves and were unable to take further action in the battle.

The Britannian 60th Foot advances resolutely toward the forming Gallian battle line.

2/Grenadiers de France await the approach of the foe and the outcome of the cavalry battle. The grenadiers are Front Rank Miniatures from the UK.

Two thirds of the way into the battle, the Britannians successfully forced back all Gallian forces on The Main Table. Almost all of the artillery of both sides was lost here.

Not pictured: Three 12 Pounders (large blue guns) were taken out by a squadron of Royal des Carabiniers who sneaked into position for a successful charge behind a French battalion. Another squadron took the 60th Foot in the flank routing it. A third squadron was severely mauled by musket fire. The fourth was unengaged.

The Gardes Francaise remained atop a ridge acting as a last reserve or rallying point in the rear.

Gallian forces retreat to the Gardes to form a second battle line.

A new battle line is stabilized awaiting the arrival of the foe. Looks strong but....

Observing the victorious Britannian battle line advance at game end seated from left to right: Brent, Jim/Der Alte Fritz and Jon. Standing left to right: Bill (yours truly), Curt, Derrick, Andrew and Todd.

We sensed the Britannians had the upper hand. Add the fact that Gallians had lost a lot of combatants. The Britannians had lost their heavy battery needed to assault the ridge line, but had really only lost one battalion; the 60th.

I have little idea of the condition of forces friendly or foe on the Side Tables other than to say the Gallian North Table would probably succumb whilst the South Table was in good shape. The latter would provide the proverbial cavalry force to cover our withdrawal.

We had a lot of fun, laughs, good chow/snacks and a scenario said to have been very different and entertaining. Thanks a million to our companionable pards. Without you, this game experience would have been vastly different. You made it a terrific game and people experience.

Der Alte Fritz hopes to post his photos here: http://altefritz.blogspot.com/

Your comments are welcome below.
----------

Two Battles For Colburg

2011-05-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

Date: 7 May 1761/2011
Location: Port of Colburg, East Prussia
Situation: Port Under Attack - Relief Force Coming
Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR}
For best vicarious viewing, double click photos, if you please.
----------
For the past few years I've hosted a "Belated Birthday Game Day" with a minimum of two games for a larger than usual cast of friends. On this occasion the table had two sections separated by a wooded ridge transition zone. Though the ridge was only about 12" wide, it separated the two sections by a half day's march. This is a convenient model railroad technique to change scenes even though visually adjacent. So when you view the two scenes, imagineer they are actually faaaaar apart.

Seated left to right: George R., Morgan E., Randy F. and Brent O. Standing left to right: Bill P., Jim H., Jim P. Der Alte Fritz, Todd P., Keith L. and Dan E.

Hours previous to this we uncorked a bottle of wine toasting ourselves as "We happy few." We are blessed to have such a companionable gamer's group. Thank you Gentlemen for being part of my belated birthday! Let's gather again in 2012.

----------

AT THE EAST PRUSSIAN PORT OF COLBURG

Prussians defend works on a Back Table. Off screen to the left is the Baltic Sea. To the right is more of Colburg and....

Two artistic bread ovens from the collection of Randy F. made by Ed Phillips.

Colburg was protected by fieldworks. The port is off screen upper right. The Baltic Sea is off screen at the top. A hint of the transition zone mentioned previously appears at the bottom.

Viewed from the opposite direction.... "The Russians are coming. The Russians are coming. Everybody to get from street." Anyone remember these movie lines?

Drums beating. Flags flying. Steady. Resolute. Ever forward.

Get off the beaches quickly and --- CHARGE!

Russian forces advance toward Prussian and British defenders elsewhere.

Rightmost Russians formed a column of attack. This was the preferred means to assault works in the 18th Century. This battalion on loan from John B. was my personal command today. Sometimes it worked....

Like this! Brave Russians.

And like -- THIS! You believe me don't you?

Routed! Well. It will make a great painting in St. Petersburg - in a basement. "But Czar Peter my battalion preoccupied many enemy units and....

More Russian success breaching the field works would also eventually fail.

While near the beach, Russians there were also repulsed. Fate.

A well-deserved victory went to the Prussians with their British allies defending Colburg field works. Congratulations to George, Keith and Dan who were very gentlemanly to the defeated Todd, Morgan and yours truly, Bill. We had a great time!

Prodigious thank yous to Michael M. who regrettably could not attend the game and allowed his Russian Army to participate in his stead.

------------------------------

A HALF DAY'S MARCH AWAY

A Prussian force enters a defile blocked by French allies of the Russians besieging Colburg. More of the transition zone appears at the photo bottom.

Viewed from the opposite direction, more Prussians enter the defile.

Viewing from the transition zone again, the Prussians flood the defile.

Der Alte Fritz (left) leans over the table.

Opposite him Randy (center) and Brent (right) respectively take care of French military activities.

The Prussian extreme right flank.

Right center of the Prussian Army.

Left center of the Prussian Army.

Left flank of the Prussian Army.

The Prussian mission to shove the French off The Main Table onto The Back Table with sufficient blue coats gaining The Back Table did not occur. During the last turn the massive Prussian cavalry attack in the center was repulsed, routed, and cut down by pursuing French horse.

Jim P. and Jim H. professionally commanded the Prussians whilst Randy and Brent capably officered the victorious French.

--------------------

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Buildings by Miniature Building Authority.

2. Field words by JR Miniatures. 15mm by the way.

3. Terrain Guy in Texas made the table covering in a custom length for us.

4. BAR rules available from oldregimerules.com

5. Remarks welcome below by anyone - especially - by our participants.

--------------------

Saxon Leibkürassiers Reformed 1761/2011

2011-04-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Readers may think I have always had French SYW forces. Almost true. My first units were Saxons. In the past few years I've been in a slow rebuilding program perhaps distantly similar to the actual rebuilding of the army after it capitulated to Frederick in 1756 at Pirna. You've seen the Rutowski Chevauleger and von Brühl Dragoon Regiments appear in the past three years here. May I now introduce you to the reformed Leib Squadron of the Leibküassiers? Double click images please.

Eureka's new 28mm Saxon kürassiers wearing straw waistcoats (jackets) rather than the larger white outer coat. (German spelling of kürassiers - please - bitte!)

Otto Max Grosse's 1907 inaugural dissertation entitled, Prinz Xaver von Sachsen und das sächsische Korps bei der französischen Armee 1758-1763 has been in my library since 1968ish. An amazing ninety-one page publication which ought to be translated and made available for our hobby use.

After Pirna, Prinz Karl, von Brühl's and Prinz Albrecht plus three regiments (pulks) of Polish lancers were all that remained of the Saxon Cavalry Corps. Grosse tells us on pages 46-48 that a kürassier regiment of four squadrons was reformed in 1761.

David Morfitt in the UK generously assisted me about the mysteries and enigmatic prose of the Pengel and Hurt pamphlets to unravel a standard for my Leibkürassiers. All errors above are mine - not Davids. Saxon experts will perhaps observe the above Leibkürassier standard is from umm - the Napoleonic Wars. Ach du lieber! I surrendered to convenience and impatience only today. The square border was not there in 1755. Thank you David!

The officers are taking a keen interest in you staring at their squadron. Have a care!

Back to Grosse. A kürassier regiment of four squadrons was available in May 1761. It consisted of two companies of Garde du Korps and two companies of unnamed kürassiers. Were the former never captured at Pirna? Grosse says on p. 13 that the Garde du Korps was present in 1758.Were the latter other escapees or what? What else made up the regiment?

The new regiment had four squadrons each of two Kompagnien. Each company was supposed to have 80 men including officers. That's 640 cavalrymen without the regimental staff of fourteen more men. It was raised from the Kreisen of Saxony, Bavaria and Salzburg.

Things may get serious in a moment.

My reformed regiment will have one squadron of Leibkürassiers above, another squadron of Garde du Korps and I don't know what else. I have enough Eurekas to almost have four squadrons of twelve miniatures each.

----------

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Having a regiment of varied uniforms is appealing. I have no idea if this was the case, but if I was a Garde du Korps reiter, I think I would like to retain my status and original uniform. Creative thinking (guessing at its best).

2. As for the Leibkürassiers, well, I just like the uniform. I previously thought the new regiment was the Leibkürassiers. I guess not. So much for a memory going back over four decades!

3. What will the other two squadrons be? I don't know.

4. Does anyone know the 1761 name of the regiment? My poor translation of page 48 suggests the regiment was named after Prinz Xaver but I am not confident of this.

5. According to the English translation of Richard Knötel's Uniforms of the World, "During the imprisonment of the Saxon Army inthe Seven Years' War, after its surrender at Pirna in 1756, the cuirassiers formed themselves into grenadier companies, in French pay." Did they return to the cavalry in 1761? That's what I always thought.

6. In Christopher Duffy's, Instrument of War, the following Saxon cavalry regiments maintained by Austria were named, Prinz Albert (Albrecht), Bielack, Brühl, Hertzog Carl (Karl), Garde Carabiniers and Schiebel. There is a Knötel uniform plate showing the only squadron of the Saxon von Schill Hussars too.

7. Your remarks are welcome as always below at the word comments.

----------

Fun At Seven Years' War Assn. Weekend

2011-03-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

28th Annual SYWA Weekend
Date: March 25-26, 2011
Location: South Bend, Indiana USA
News: My Three Fun Games and Professor Duffy
Double Clicking Images Super-sizes Them
-------------------
GAME #1 THE YEAR 1757: BUNGERPORE, INDIA

Judge Jürgen Olk officiated Ken Bunger's Tricorne III Rules adding many fun event cards; storms, dust, bad weapons, good news, bad news, wranglings and more.

Judge Jürgen Olk on the right.

Forces of His Britannic Majesty supported by units of the East India Company and Indian allies fought....

Forces of His Most Christian Majesty Louis XV at Bungerpore, India. In the foreground a native host was affected by a fun game event card. Its reluctant leader was suddenly assassinated and replaced by a fire-eating Prince who....

Unhesitatingly launched the entire host toward the British right flank to collapse the foe. Onward they rushed at a magnificent speed! Musketry erupted and....

Sitting within his howdah, the Prince was mortified to see the entire host beaten and thrown into confusion flying....

To the rear and off the table. The French extreme left flank had evaporated in moments.

Meanwhile, the French grand battery supported an attack on the right flank by....

A brigade of four battalions and a squadron of cavalry. The leading infantry units advanced with levelled bayonets, got in close and were routed. Only the cavalry succeeded in throwing back a body of seamen firing at them.

The thoughts of the French commander (me) were akin to something like ignominious and utter defeat. Both flanks lost. Sensing their moment had come for a coup de grace....

Two British battalions from their right flank enlivened by their easy defeat of the native host advanced with colours flying and drums beating straight at the French. The French battery shifted its fire into them. On they came. The leading French battalions opened at medium range doing terrible execution. Unflinching on they came with shouldered muskets. The French hurriedly reloaded finishing as the foe halted at point blank range. They delivered a withering blow to the French as the French simultaneously replied with less effect.

Casualties are doubled for first fire. The French lost theirs at medium range. The British held theirs till arriving at point blank range; 1". The level of casualties forced morale checks on all battalions and....

The British broke -- streaming back into their Sepoy allied units. Judge Jürgen raised my utter defeat to a draw. Whew!

The next day Jürgen set up The Battle of Bungerpore again using survivors from the earlier battle described above. It is part of an on-going SYW campaign waged across the map. I believe they have reached the year 1757. Ken Bunger is shown at left whilst Professor Christopher Duffy looks on.

Jürgen's event cards were drawn each turn. They provided unpredictable, clever, amusing and logical changes in the life of the game. The uncertainty, colorful units and different types of combatants makes this a very interesting game experience. We certainly have British and French units for our Campaigns in Germania and North America in our WI, IL, IN and MN gamer's group. These could be sent to India. Some of the native forces from The Campaigns of General Pettygree might find service south of the NW Frontier too. Perhaps not much extra would be needed to fill the menu.
--------------------

GAME #2 THE YEAR 1758: SANDERSHAUSEN, HESSE-KASSEL

Judge Dean West presides over his 15mm Battle of Sandershausen. We used Dean's The Final Argument of Kings rules. I enjoyed myself again. French forces on the right are attacking Hessian forces on the left.

My command consisted of the two battalions on the extreme right flank of the Hessian battle line plus jager and grenadiers in the woods; left center foreground. We were outnumbered. A small contribution might be made if I could dislodge the French in the woods and afterwards turn my grenadiers and jagers ninety degrees left to fire from the edge of the woods at the French marching by. They might turn a battalion or two to face me.

Good luck for my Hessians in the woods. The French were forced backwards.

Over several turns. Four to five as I recall.

I was too late. The French bypassed me and began to assault the hill in the upper left.

French forces marched up the hill at my Hessians and off-screen to the left winning the day.

--------------------
GAME #3 THE YEAR 1760: KORBACH, HESSE-KASSEL
Solely from my perspective as the commander of the French cavalry.

Tricorne author, Ken Bunger, marched his Allied Army onto the field of Korbach to oppose a French Army commanded by yours truly. My command was all cavalry; my Royals and Gendarmes. Rules = Tricorne III.

My Royals in blue charged straight at the Allied Army. Behind the Prussian cavalry facing mine, as yet unseen Allied infantry were marching onto the battlefield. Some hoped to turn to their right (your left) onto hills off screen to the left. Some did.

The cavalry units used by me are from my Batailles de l'Ancien Régime collection of BAR units. They play Tricorne and BAR easily.

Three lines of my Gendarmes waited in column of squadrons/regiments awaiting developments. The Royals would be defeated, routed and pursued deep into French territory to the right. However, they did not fare well there and were driven off by Jürgen Olks French and one of my Gendarme units.

The leading Gendarmes Anglais assisted on the left side of the Royals and beat the Prussians there. Note Prussian blue-coated dragoons in the rear of the Prussian force.

Those same Prussian dragoons later fled to the rear and swirled around Prussian infantry who could not fire at pursuing French red coats. The above Prussian infantry were defeated and routed after the French crashed into them. Meanwhile, the

Queens Gendarmes dispatched the Prussian hussars in this photo. These fled across the Prussian battle line stopping the advance of their infantry.

Keep going mes amis! More French pursuits into Prussian infantry. These Prussians had incredible bad luck with morale throws and routed.

More pursuits and discombobulation. The enemy advance onto the field was disrupted.

We turn around to see the previous photograph from the Prussian baseline; the last act before the game was called. Two Gendarme units will receive Battle Honours on their standards reading Korbach March 26 1760/2011. A lucky game for me.

-------------------
PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER DUFFY

SYWA #28 Director Randy introduces the celebrated Professor Christopher Duffy, author of numerous military history titles, many related to the SYW.

The members and guests clap in anticipation and sincere appreciation as he steps forward.

Professor Duffy spoke for nearly an hour about The Jacobite Rebellion. Topics with numerous illustrative stories and insight: Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Duke of Cumberland, other personalities, troop qualities, plan of campaign, the "rubbish" of the Cumberland bayonet drill (not used), arms, tactics, maps, garments, politics, public opinion in England when it was all over and very much more.

Professor Christopher Duffy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Great Redoubt

2011-01-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

Date: 29 January 2011/1761
Situation: Allies Defend The Great Redoubt
Location: Near Breslau, Silesia
Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR}
--------------------
Double Clicked Images Enlarge Amazingly
--------------------

The Gang Of Ten Left To Right Prussians: Chuck, Derrick, Bill, Curt and Jim Der Alte Fritz. Austrians/Russians: Brent, Michael, Matt, John and Todd.

We very much regret the absence of pards Randy, George and Don who needed to cancel in the past few days.

After everyone departed I went upstairs to sit with Dorothy. We discussed the day. Paraphrasing one of her remarks, she said, "You all must have had a very good time." Why I asked? "Because everyone laughed so much throughout the day." True.

This is a very companionable and polite group of gamers. We good-naturedly laughed at game misfortunes, card draws, always entertaining saving throws, heroic stands, some amazing volleys and dashing pursuits. We shared snacks and beverages brought by all and lunched on Sloppy Joes during our version of half time.
--------------------

The Great Redoubt is in the top third of the photo shaped as a giant letter V; Russians within. The snow-covered glacis (slope) is discernible if you look carefully. Per the fictional back story, the redoubt dates from The Thirty Years' War. In the century since, it was worn down by weathering, the palisades long-gone and the ditch has filled.

In the distance is Monument Hill where players position their Victory Columns. Upon each are affixed plaques commemorating their victories back to 2005. Brigadier Peter Young in CHARGE Or How To Play Wargames advises, "Never fail to celebrate your victories ... by erecting monuments and triumphal arches in your own honour."

Right Flank Prussians feinted here. The line battalion withdrew to a Back Table leaving the Bosnian Lancers to observe Romanov forces to their front.

Michael's Russians advanced steadily here later withdrawing to reinforce the Center.

The reason why developed quickly as Derrick's Prussians flooded the nearby open plain to attack one flank of The Great Redoubt while farther away at the top left of this image...

Prussians advanced to engage the other side of The Great Redoubt. Several blue coated battalions are closing in on Todd (left), John (right) and the glacis.

Moments later Chuck's assault column charged into contact with Russians defending the apex of the redoubt. Three twelve pounders advanced with orders to unlimber atop the works. And...

Orders arrived for the Prussian Reserve (all cavalry assigned to Bill) to advance to attack the redoubt. Given the worn down condition of the great work, cavalry were allowed to trot up the gentle glacis. Trouble, trouble, trouble for the Russians!

Four turns later however, the Prussians are not much farther ahead. They hoped to sweep all before them in a flash but for John's heroic defense. Indeed, Russian reserve infantry and cavalry poured into the Center to hopefully stabilize the situation.

As shown by the Saxon von Brühl Dragoons charging a Prussian battalion in the flank. The Prussians somehow held due to intervention of Jim's hussars just coming into view above and by amazing morale throws.

Farther out Prussian reserve cavalry arrives to drive through to the Back Table. We did not continue beyond this point given arrival of Russian reserves and because of events on the Prussian left flank...to which we attend next....

Curt's Prussians (foreground) advance on Matt's numerically weaker Russians.

An Austrian battery has been nearly wiped out though a 12 Pdr. crew remains whilst Saxon von Brühl Horse Grenadiers charge desperately through the gun line disorganizing themselves to crash into von Bungle's infantry. The latter were so startled they barely hurt the horsemen. In the distance a Russian dragoon regiment also charged to stop the flood of Prussians. In this case their target was the elite Prussian Jager battalion. These routed to the rear....

Allowing the dragoons to throw a pursuit die. They pursued and crashed into the Protzdam Garde Grenadiers disorganized by the jagers running through them! Would the Russians turn the tide?

No. However, before the Prussians resumed their advance they no doubt remarked amongst themselves about the very tough Russian defense that had caused them considerable consternation all the way. The Prussians above would later cross to the Back Table to their front, turn to their right and cause the Russian Commander In Chief to withdraw from the field fearing for his line of communication.

In his favor though the loss of his Center was uncertain. Note Brent's Austrian battalion's shocking advance in the upper right of the image.

Also at the end rallied Prussian jagers crossed the frozen stream to engage foes in the Center. Emptiness at the image top was formerly filled with infantry forces of both sides. Here Austrians pushed the Prussians to the right of the image. The redoubt is off the top of the photo.

--------------------

CLOSING REMARKS

1. Prussian Right - Russian Left: Stable for both sides.

2. The Center: Undecided. Prussian slight advantage but Allies pouring in reserves.

3. Prussian Left - Russian Right: Prussians victorious, crossing to The Back Table and would eventually arrive in the rear of the Allied Center - the reason for the Allied withdrawal.

4. All Winter terrain kindly on loan from Der Alte Fritz. We really appreciate and enjoy this annual opportunity to use it. Buildings and other scenics by Herb Gundt. Terrain cloths by Terrain Guy.

5. The field was divided into two flank and one central sector. Each advanced turns at it's own speed. Thus, one flank might be on Turn 3 whilst the Center was on Turn 2. The space-time continuum did not suffer a rip.

6. Your remarks are always welcome below at the word comments.
--------------------

Battle on the Protzfeld

2011-01-28T16:43:00.000-08:00

A squadron of Bosniaks escort King Friedrich II through the town of Protzdorf, as he attempts to define the flank of the Russian and Austrian army in Silesia.

On a cold Winter's day, somewhere in Silesia, circa 1761, advance elements of the King of Germania's army is on a reconnaissance to locate the whereabouts of the allied army of Austrians, Russians and Saxons that are on the move. They are making a bold attempt to seize Breslau, the jewel of Frederick's Silesian province.

However, Major General von Zieten's hussar screen has located the Russian contingent near the town of Protzdorf . So Zieten duly leads His Highness on a scouting trip, early in the morning, to locate the enemy flank.

"There they are!" exclaims the King from his forward position atop the Galgenberg hill. With that, he snaps his telescope closed and issues orders to get the Royal Army in motion and gain a march, and hopefully surprise, the enemy forces.

Duke of Bevern's Brigade
IR5 Alt Brauschweig
IR18 Prinz von Preussen
IR19 Margraf Karl
IR20 von Bornstedt
2 x 6lb artillery pieces

Leopold von Anhalt Dessau's Brigade
IR24 von Schwerin
IR34 Prinz Ferdinand
IR42 Margraf Friedrich fusiliers
IR12 Alt Darmstadt
2 x 6lb artillery pieces

King Friedrich's Reserve
IR6 Grenadier Garde
IR15/III Lieb Garde
(5/20) Jung Billerbeck Grenadier Btn
Jager Btn (48)
Escort Squadron - Bosniaken (1 sqd)
3 x 12 lb Brummers

Von Seydlitz's Cavalry Brigade
CR8 von Seydlitz Cuirassiers (5 sqds)
CR10 Gensdarmes Cuirassiers 5 sqds)
CR13 Garde du Corps Cuirassiers (3 sqds)
DR2 Jung Krakow Dragoons (5 sqds)
HR2 von Zieten Hussars (2 sqds)

It is a highly experienced army that King Friedrich commands today. He has chosen his best regiments to create a "flying column" to head off the allies and keep them off the road to Breslau. The action should commence early tomorrow morning. What will happen? Come back tomorrow for the answer.

The Party Is Ruined

2010-12-04T20:39:00.000-08:00

Date: 2-4 December 1760 (2010)
Location: Frankfurt Am Main, Frankzonia, Germania
Situation: Lady Pettygree's Entourage Enters The City
Lt. Col. Enigma: "Don't double click photos to see better. If YOU do, your next vacation will be in The Bastille!"
----------

On 2 December 1760 (2010) an expectant and cheerful Gallian entourage approaches the Water Gate of Frankfurt Am Main. Our familiar characters are:

Lady Diana Pettygree (blue) Lady Cherish Masquerade (pink), Maid Katherine (holding tricornered hat) and Lady Belle Silhouette (busby) passing through the gate.

They enter the superb town square stylishly laid out by host Randy F. The ever-resolute Lt. Colonel Enigma leads the way brandishing a loaded flintlock pistol. He always suspects trouble. Lady Pettygree is unseen.

Oh. There she is on the grey. Lady Belle Silhouette rises in the saddle to see better, Katherine again attempts to maintain her tricornered hat while Lady Cherish Masquerade eyes citizens in her way. Enigma, well, Enigma....

The next day, 3 December 1760 (2010) Lady Belle Silhouette arrives to inspect her hussars. At the moment they are practicing loading drill. Later today they will guard party goers at a ball.

That evening, the entourage rides to l'Maison Fryegoumont for a party. It will span the last hours of the day passing into the morning hours of the 4th instant. Lt. Col. Enigma is suspicious of several unusual guards. Naturally.

South of the city a piquet line of Fischer Chasseurs a Cheval stand guard. Flanking them off screen left and right are bodies of Fischer fusiliers. All have been aroused by the appearance of numerous enemy forces boiling over onto the fields before them. There is no way to stop them. The three piquets fall back taking heavy losses.

See for yourselves why! Audacity and speed are apparently orders for the foe.

They are unstoppable. Some cross the stone wall of l'Maison Freyegoumont. The Lanciers de Saxe saddle up and receive fire. They will soon charge into oblivion to save the revelers mounting up in front of the main door of the chateau. Time and right decisions are critical for everyone! Will anyone get away? Doubtful.

Lady Belle Silhouette's guards form up and load their carbines on the chateau balcony. They will give covering fire in a moment.

While the entourage makes an escape. Success! But....NO!

They are suddenly charged by impertinent foes bent on their capture. A series of individual melees are fought. Enigma and a Gallian white coat down three of their assailants. The near white coat fells one before he is knocked to the road. Other foes attempt to grab the reins of the ladies. In some cases the horses kick assailants away. Ouch! Only Maid Katherine's reins are successfully grabbed.

You see the result of the melee. Most escape the clutches of the foe. However,....

Katherine is captured and led away. Why?

Perhaps this unfamiliar woman and her masked desperado associate know why as....

Pandemonium reigns in the town square. Chassuers and partiers reorganize themselves.

As the enemy retires taking prisoners and cattle found scattered about the fields.
----------

CLOSING REMARKS
1. Our annual Light Troop Game hosted by Randy and Sheryl in DeKalb, IL.
2. Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 (BAR).
3. We were often fighting with units of 12 miniatures or less. You can too.
4. Hesse-Seewald Mission: Capture cattle.
5. Desperado Mission: Capture VIPs; especially Lady Pettygree.
6. Gallians: Bruce, Tom, Randy (Player/Judge) and yours truly, Bill.
7. Hesse-Seewalders and Desperadoes: Jim (Der Alte Fritz) and Keith.
8. Silhouette's female hussar guards are from Hinterland Miniatures. See: http://hinterlandminiatures.weebly.com/storecart.html
9. We were very happy Randy was able to field most of his Miniature Building Authority structures. Lovely stuff. Have you gone to the MBA website?
10. Randy designed a fun, stimulating, visually appealing and tense game; tense for some of us with personalities to lose! Bravo and applause Randy! Thank you Sheryl for the terrific chow and cheerful hospitality.

11. Postscript Photos For Fun!

(The Grey) Express: "That Germanian ruffian flew through the air when I kicked him!"
(The Bay) Siren: Oui! And the one I kicked down crashed into another!"
Both: Whinny happily with satisfaction.

Siren: I think our mistresses are proud of us, don't you?
Express: Certainment mon ami.

Siren: Do you see what I see?

Express: Oui! Keep cantering my dear. She'll disappear in a moment.

12. Comments welcome below!
----------

Bridging The Main River

2010-11-29T22:08:00.000-08:00

Date: 29 November 1760 (2010)
Location: Main River
Situation: En-route To Frankfurt Am Main And Elsewhere
Click images two times to enlarge them - a lot.
----------
Gallian forces and personalities are preparing for our annual light troop game. Randy and I raised the entire Legion de Fischer in 2009-2010. My half appears below.

Dismounted Chasseurs A Cheval and a Light 4 Pounder Gun lead The Legion across one of Germania's many streams, in this case The Main River.

Horses are being held near the stream while 1st Battalion sends its chasseurs a pied and grenadiers across. Mounted dragoons wait in the rear.

1/Fischer Dragoons and four divisions of the battalion pause awaiting orders.

Overhead view of the crossing

As the crossing continued two troops of Lanciers de Saxe arrived escorting an entourage from the court of Gallian King Louis XV. They are bound for a party at Frankfut Am Main.

From left to right: Lady Cherish Masquerade, Lady Diana Pettygree, Lady Belle Silhouette and Maid Katherine. Wait! The party slows turning toward the building.

Silhouette: "Diana. Who is that in a mist?"
Masquerade: "Oh no. It is...."
Katherine: "That Old Woman, my ladies. She always warns of trouble and...."
Diana: "Yes. Have a care my dears not to look away lest she disappear before giving us her warning. I...."
That Old Woman: "Bound for Germany thee are. Heed my words. Turn back lest a winter storm overtakes you. The winter, the winter the winter is coming."
Silhouette: "Nonsense! The region is as green as Springtime."

Narrator: A moment later the ladies barely looked away and in that blink of an eye the apparition or whatever they saw vanished - as usual. A search of the house revealed no one home. Silhouette not having experienced this before was the most confounded. The others knew to be on the watch from now on. But for what?
----------
CLOSING REMARKS
1. Chasseurs A Cheval are Eureka Saxons.
2. Most of 1/Battalion and the Dragoons are Front Rank.
3. Minden Miniatures supplied the workmen I've made into Pontoniers.
4. The 4 Pounder is from Elite Miniatures.
5. Ammo Wagon is probably Hinchliffe.
6. Fischer Chasseurs A Pied are Scrubys.
7. Artillery Crew is from Redoubt.
8. Terrain Guy supplied the terrain covering and custom river. Custom because I asked for sections 3' long to minimize seams.
9. Pontoons and their wagons are probably Miniature Figurines from the 1980s. The pontoons are painted copper color because a source now long forgotten said Saxon or ? were made of copper. The wagons were originally painted for my Saxon Army.
10. Flag Dude flags are fictional. There are no records so I made them up.
11. Your remarks are very welcome below.
----------

Audacity At Lobositz

2010-11-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Date: November 26, 2010
Scenario: 1756 Lobositz
Rules: BLACKPOWDER (pub. 2009)
Venue: Home of Rob O.
Prussians: Rob O. and Joe G.
Austrians: Kurt D. and Bill P. (yours truly)
----------
For a brief account of the battle, you may find this useful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lobositz
----------
Images below were taken from the Austrian left where I was posted. Achtung! Double click za images quick!
----------
From the Austrian perspective, the right flank was held by Croat light infantry, the center by infantry and cavalry (shown below) and the left behind the Morellenbach stream by more infantry and cavalry.

The Austrian center was stoutly controlled by two infantry brigades seen here. Note cavalry on the right of the image. We'll come back to them (Saxons) in a moment.

Meanwhile, have a closer look at the infantry.

Austrian Left Flank: Behind the Morellenbach Stream was one kürassier regiment, two six pounder sections, three line and one grenadier battalions. Across the stream are two more regiments of cavalry posted with the Army Center.

Upper Right of Image: Lobosch Hill. Austrian Right Flank defended by Croats.

Top of Image: Joe G. watches Saxon cavalry charge straight into the Prussians. The purpose was to stop, delay or impossibly push the Prussians off the table before they could deploy their weight of numbers.

Bottom of Image: Austrian Grenadiers on the extreme left flank have crossed the Morellenbach Stream to anchor the line at Sullowitz Village.

NEXT: THE CAVALRY BATTLE!

The first clash of sabers! I was kindly permitted to bring along some of my Saxon cavalry though none were at the historical battle; Rutowski Chevaulegers in red and von Brühl Dragoons in grey, both properly rated as heavy cavalry. The chit behind the Rutowskis represents one casualty taken from an earlier artillery long shot. Kurt commanded the Saxons and won. The Prussians fell back and the Saxons pursued.

The pursuit melee cut deeper into Prussian territory. The purpose was to cause as much mischief, turbulence and wreckage as possible. The Saxons won AGAIN! Back went the Prussians - some off the table and away forever. Others were broken.

However, the Saxons were now spent and overextended. Von Brühl was hit in front and flank and was cut down. The Rutowskis fell back and they too were carried of the table - forever. However....

All the cavalry activity allowed the Austrian Center to advance upon the Prussian Center where battle was joined mid-game. This was the high water mark for the Austrians. After initial contacts the Austrians fell back and time was called.
----------

Closing Remarks:
1. I've had no exposure to Blackpowder before. Kurt thankfully took command while I listened and learned relying on linear game experiences and crossing the Morellenbach Stream.

2. After the first Saxon cavalry clash the question became should we stay put, retire or pursue. Each offered a viable choice. I suggested pursuit so we could penetrate deeper into Prussian territory to disrupt their deployment, weaken other Prussian cavalry and impossibly hope to throw the foe off the table. "Audacity, audacity, always audacity." In the next moment thinking the same as I, Kurt shoved the Saxons forward - happily to their second victory.

3. "In any specific action we always have the choice between the most audacious and the most careful solution. Some people think that the theory of war always advises the latter. That assumption is false. If the theory does advise anything, it is the nature of war to advise the most decisive, that is, the most audacious. Theory leaves it to the military leader; however, to act according to his own courage, according to the spirit of the enterprise and his self-confidence. Make your choice therefore, according to this inner force; but never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity." Carl von Clausewitz, Principles of War 1812 as quoted in Patton, Montgomery, Rommel, Masters of War by Terry Brighton.

4. What of Austrian Left Flank Forces Bill? Well, BP is a command control game. The officer needed to throw 8 or less using 2D6. He failed on most attempts to get the three line battalions across the Morellenbach. The guns and grenadiers did get across.
5. The Prussians also had some command control failures but the audacity of the Saxon cavalry charge was key in keeping them close to their table edge.

6. Who would have won? The Austrian attack was stopped. Survivors were retiring to the rear to take up posts in Lobositz Village and a palisade wall. My Left Flank chaps were finally getting over the Morellenbach in the last two turns - a not inconsiderable force. They would have bunkered down in Sullowitz Village. The Prussians would have been able to attack these positions. Who might have won there? Hard to say.

7. Rob and Kurt have been experimenting with BP for The Nine Year's War and The Mexican American War. They may have tried with one other SYW game.

8. It was good to see many familiar old units from our "Tricorne" days and have an opportunity to have a very good time with Rob, Kurt and Joe. Always lots of laughs. Another good thing! Looking forward to next time.
----------

KORBACH: 30 OCTOBER 1760/2010

2010-10-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

TWO BAR GAMES TODAY

----------
Game #1
Charles Grant's Tabletop Teaser from Battlegames #23.
BOTH ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Cavalry only, fast-moving using 100 cavalry per side.
A 1.5 hour warm-up game before our main event.
No photos.

Almost four decades ago Don Featherstone suggested doing a cavalry only game. What if you don't have enough cavalry? If I remember correctly, Don suggested using cavalrymen from several different time periods. A very useful idea.
----------
Game #2 (Double click all images)
Der Alte (Jim P.) suggested Korbach (fought 10 July 1760) so we could have our British and French tangle in Western Germania. The table was based on the map on page 217 in my first edition of Sir Reginald Savory's, His Britannic Majesty's Army In Germany During The Seven Years War, published in 1966.

A Watch Tower anchored the southern end of the Allied line in 1760 and in 2010. 2/Auvergne advances with shouldered muskets in the upper left while 2/Languedoc and 2/Guyenne (farthest away) approach the tower area. Note Britannian infantry in the tower. Barely discernible far far away a massive cavalry battle rages.

Foreground: 2/Guyenne. Just beyond in red are resplendent Gendarmes. Some of the latter penetrated to the Allied Back Table pursuing and cutting down routing opponents.

Late in the battle, two battalions of Grenadiers de France were committed from The Reserve. The near battalion marched between two separate Gallian batteries. There was insufficient room. As was customary, portions of battalions would pause, turn inward and march behind those not bothered by blocking terrain. The grenadier (near) and picket (far) companies were the ones falling behind on this occasion.

--------------------

Closing Remarks

1. Rules Batailles de l' Ancien Régime 1740-1763 known as BAR.

2. Miniatures On Table: 1,700 approx.

3. Game Duration 11:30am to 4:30pm with a half hour lunch break. (4.5 hours)

4. Winner: Gallia

5. Tower made by H.G. Walls.

6. I did not take many photographs. Der Alte may post some he took on his blog.

7. To buy BAR and the recent edition of Savory go to the left of this blog finding the heading: Rules And Savory For Sale. To subscribe to Battlegames, click on the address at the upper left of the blog.

ALLIED KORPS

595 Infantry (Veteran)
223 Cavalry (Veteran)
52 Pds. Arty. (Veteran)
4x Ammo Wagons

Left (the cavalry flank): Todd

Center: Matt and Jim
Right: John
-----
JIM’S INFANTRY (351)
1st Foot Guards (60)
3rd Foot (60 + 9 grenadiers)
8th Foot (60)
11th Foot (60 +12 grenadiers)
23rd Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers (30)
42nd foot (60)

BILL’S INFANTRY (244)
44th Foot (66)
46th Foot (72)
60th Foot 54
Converged Grenadiers (52) [From above battalions]
-----
JIM’S CAVALRY (168)
British. Cav. Saving Throws of 3-4-5-6
Other Cav. Saving Throws of 4-5-6
12 Horse Grenadiers
36 regt of Horse
48 Hanoverian Horse
12 3rd Dragoon Guards (not guards).
60 2nd Dragoons Prussians

BILL’S CAVALRY (55)
Hanoverian Luckner's Hussars (7)
Hanoverian Guard du Corps and Horse Gren. (12)
Hanoverian von Breidenbach Dragoons (36)
-----
ARTILLERY (52 Pds.)
British: 2x6 Pdrs. (10 crew)
British: 2x6 Pdrs. and 1x12 Pdr.
Hanoverian: 1x 4 Pdr. and 1x 12 Pdr.

FRENCH CORPS D’AMREE
600 Infantry (Veteran)
234 Cavalry (Veteran)
56 Pds. Arty. (Veteran)
4x Ammo Wagons

Left: Brent
Center: Bill and George
Right (the cavalry flank): Michael
-----
BILL’S INFANTRY (360)
1/Gren. De France (60)
2/Gren. De France (60)
1/Auvergne (60)
2/Auvergne (60)
2/Guyenne (60
2/Languedoc (60)

BRENT’S INFANTRY (240)
Gardes Francais (60)
D’Eu (60)
Buckeley (60)
Grassins (60)

BILL’S CAVALRY (234)
Comm. Général (36) (armoured)
Royals (36) (armoured)
Gendarmes (48) (unarmoured today)
Von Brühl Dragoons (50)
Von Brühl Horse Grenadiers (12)
Grenadiers a Cheval de l’Garde (12)
Lanciers de Saxe (16)
Bercheney Hussars (24)
----------

Two Topics

2010-08-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

TOPIC #1: 28 AUGUST 2010 BAR GAME

One of the interesting features of 1762 was the change in alliance by Russia. After Czarina Elizabeth's death, Czar Peter III cancelled the alliance with Austria and joined Prussia. Interesting. The BAR game on the 28th was our first experiment with this.

I took no photos.

This game was a departure from our usual scenario design. Prussians holding rising ground on the Main Table were attacked by superior numbers. They did well holding off the French and Austrians until the Russian Corps arrived on Turn 4 to stabilize the situation. Some said the French and Austrian attackers had the edge at the game end for victory assessment. I'm not so sure.

Russian Michael M. threw two 1D6s before the game. One throw determined the turn of arrival. The second placed the Russians either on the right of left on the Back Table. They arrived on the Prussian left. A little "fog of War" there!

Points were calculated for all soldier types to be in the game. The Prussians and Russians with more than 1,300 pts. had 4.1 pts. less than their foes with a one pound advantage in artillery.

------------------------------------------------------

TOPIC #2: GARRISON SYW MINIATURES IN REVIEW
Photos enlarge when clicked upon.

Photos below show a small selection of Garrison 25mm Seven Years' War miniatures. Units are from my 1:20 collection. They may be re-based and expanded for BAR; extra miniatures ordered to do this two years ago.

Hessian Battalion Isenburg. Garrison's Prussians make nice Hessians.

Close-up of Isenburg.

The Hessian Guard Battalion.

The officer in the center I think is a Hinchliffe - not Garrison.

The officer in the front rank (upper left) is a Mini Fig.

Hanoverian Battalion von Hardenburg arrives to support the Hessians.

Close-up of von Hardenburg.

----------

Gendarme Brigade Finished

2010-07-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Eureka designed a range of attractive War of Austrian Succession Dutch cavalry two years ago. Mine though have been uniformed as Seven Years' War French Gendarmes. Click images to fill your screens with....

Left: Gendarmes Anglais; Miniature Figurines recovered and increased from an older disused collection.
Center: Eureka Gendarmes de la Reine. Right: Eureka Gendarmes Dauphin.

Foreground: Gendarmes Dauphin. Miniatures are individually based and magnetized to underlying trays. No casualty records are kept this way. Remove and set aside.

Monsieur l'Brigadier, Prussian cavalry appears in the distance. There Monsieur!

Bring the brigade into line then, en muiralle, if you please, mon ami.
----------
Closing Remarks:
1. The Eurekas are elegant, anatomically correct and -- take a look at the lovely horses.
2. Three squadrons of fifteen each plus three more to command the brigade. Total: 48.
3. Mini Figs were placed on thicker stands to bring their smaller size closer to the larger Eurekas.
4. The two large standards are from GMB.
5. Comments welcome -- below.
----------

Chapter 3 of 3: Schlacht Bei Tannesberg Ended

2010-06-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Date: 22 June 1760/2010

Location: A Tannes Mountain Pass/Defile

Where Exactly? North Of Frankfurt Am Main

Situation: Rebel Force Found And Engaged

Also See: June 9 and 23 entries for prior history

Sirs, if you please, click on photos 1-2 times to enlarge them

----------

Our last entry left us hanging with a just commenced cavalry versus infantry mélée.

Rebel foot give fire thinning Gallian Régiment Royale. They are part of a Gallian contingent assisting Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia quell a seditious assault on his prerogative.

And now we see the result of swordplay. The rebels pay for their sedition, lose heavily, check morale.....

and hold! The horsemen elect to rally back (off screen right). They could have remained to mélée again next turn but Lt. Colonel l'Comte de Lichey pulled back - perhaps because a rebel regiment of heavy horse began to appear not far away (off screen left).

Indeed, that regiment of horse did come forward and then withdrew to cover the withdrawal of the rebel force. See them in the upper middle in white coats. Der Hurtshog Artur is seen riding bravely forward in front of 1/Grenadiers de France. His Brigade de Guerre moves forward consolidating.

Artur may be seen on the left. His Garde Grenadier are on the right moving through light woods. To their left is 2/Grenadiers de France. In the foreground are l'Comte de Lichey and, -- I can't say.

Artur moves forward joining the commander of 1/Grenadiers de France to watch enemy horsemen ride away seemingly on a collision course with the blue coats atop the rise.

The enemy cavalry commander salutes his opponents with his tricornered hat.

Meanwhile the blue coat battalion opened an interval to allow the horsemen to pass through them. Two of the battalions central divisions previously about faced, marched to the rear, faced and marched outwards halting behind battalion flank divisions. All proper drill per the era. Well-done!

It's time to close the interval. The previously withdrawn divisions retrace their steps and....

Reform an ordered three rank line ready to meet Artur's advance. However....

Der Hurtshog has other ideas!

Artur: "Advance the guns!" They will deploy in the space just ahead while....

On the right the battalion gun assigned to the Garde Grenadiers also moves forward.

On the far left flank, 1/Grenadiers de France await orders from Artur. A moment later....

Artur sagt,: "FEUER!

Rebel jagers appear unconcerned. Nearby....

Two red coated senior officers look on. Are they Britannian advisers, paymasters, commanders or?

They are difficult to see. It matters little for the Aide de Camp clearly heard Artur say, "They did not pass!"

----------

Closing Remarks

1. This was a fun game. Hopefully it worked into Arthur's campaign. Certainly l'Comte de Bastille, the Gallian Intendant back in Frankfurt Am Main will be delighted. Super delighted if it were possible.

2. It also is the smallest BAR game, we've played, roughly 200 miniatures per side. No problem.

3. Losses were 2:1 in favor of Artur; roughly 92 for the rebels and about half that for Artur.

4. The game ended shortly after the infantry versus cavalry mélée. Photos after this were staged by yours truly to end the story and to show how it was possible to withdraw cavalry through an infantry line.

5. Thank you Arthur. Get well soon!

6. Thank you Chuck and John - the Tuesday night game crew. Well done!

7. Comments welcome next as usual -- below.

----------

Chapter 2 of 3: Der Hurtshog En Bataille

2010-06-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

Date: 22 June 1760/2010

Location: A Tannes Mountain Pass/Defile

Where Exactly? North Of Frankfurt Am Main

Situation: Rebel Force Found And Engaged
Also See: June 9 entry for prior history leading to this action
Sirs, if you please, click on photos 1-2 times to enlarge them

----------

Courier: "I beg to report Your Excellency, the Rebel Force is observed and upon its march not one hour behind me. Descending the pass Sire."

Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia: "Good. Goooood. My compliments to you Lt. Gen. Armentieres and if you please, clear for action!"

Armentieres doffing his tricornerd hat: "We shall make it so, Your Highness."

The Rebel Commander, John, descends the pass entering a narrowing of the defile.

Artur: Well, that's what I used to say when serving with the Rhine River Flotilla years ago. Old habits.

Armentieres: Oui. Your brigade is deploying now.

Chuck as Armentieres moves forward toward the rebels. The Gallian Régiment Royale leads the way and...

appear to desire to charge as the first motion. Good? Perhaps. Exciting? YES! The near rebel battalion is disordered by terrain. It's the right moment....

But no! A clever ruse de l'guerre to stall the rebel march. Moments before a left about by fives was ordered and the regiment retired.

First shots from 2/Grenadiers de France assisting Artur's battle-group. The opponents are rebel jagers. In the distance the Hurtshog's Garde Grenadier advance and will soon engage more jagers.

While more rebel forces march toward the sound of battle. The defile troubles their order.

As the firefight becomes general near to far, the Royals return to charge at the gallop and....

----------

Closing Remarks

1. A small fast game.

2. Three battalions and a regiment of breastplated horse per side.

3. Game Start: 7:25pm.

4. Game Conclusion: 8:45pm. The last photo is about 40 minutes into the game.

5. Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 known as BAR.

6. Return soon for the conclusion.

7. Comments welcome below. Let's talk.

----------

Chapter 1 of 3: Gallia Assists Frankzonia

2010-06-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

Date: 09 June 1760 (2010)

Location: Outskirts Of Frankfurt Am Main

Situation: Hurtshog Of Frankzonia Takes Command In The Field

Mission: Stop An Emboldened Seditious Frankzonian Rebel Force

Images Expand Amazingly When Clicked 1-2 Times

----------

Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia ist zu pferde. He precedes his guard battalion outside Frankfurt Am Main. Other units follow.

Artur, centered, is handsomely attired in a Marshall's uniform; a gift from Gallian l'Comte de Bastille l'Intendant de Frankfurt Am Main.

The Guard climbs the hill.

Two more battalions and two squadrons come into view. These are Gallian allies: Grenadiers de France and the Royal Cavalry Regiment. There appear to be three small cannon as well.

The Royal's second squadron on the left.

The Royal's first squadron observed by the regimental commander, l'Comte André Lichey on the far right. More clearly seen now are two battalions of Grenadiers de France and the Hurtshog's Guard.

Behind the scenes a Gallian officer watches the departure of the brigade. Who is he?

l'Comte de Bastille

A few hours later the Brigade marches within a forest south of Frankfurt Am Main.

The drapeau of 2/Grenadiers de France of Gallia.

Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia on the white horse confers with a Gallian Lt. General.

----------

Closing Remarks

1. Arthur asked for volunteers to do three "proxy" battles for him.

2. The force you've seen is upon its march for one of these to put down Frankzonian seditious elements believed to be en-route through passes and defiles to the south.

3. Return for more as time goes by for this brigade action.

4. Manufacturers: Stadden Prussian Guard, Foundry French Hurtshog and Officer on horse near him, Garrison Grenadiers de France On Guard, Front Rank Grenadiers de France marching and David Wilson's "Willie" French Horse. The Inn is from Miniature Building Authority. (Out of production)

5. BAR rules will be used; Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763. See: oldregimerules.com

6. The game will be undertaken in a couple of short sessions on weeknights after work.

----------

Guess Who?

2010-05-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

For Fun Guess: Unit Identity, Manufacturer and Product

Click images to make them larger, if you please. Try double clicking.

My newest unit. Top paper strength was 158. At 1:10 that's 15 or 16 miniatures. I'm adding more. There will eventually be three ranks of five miniatures each. If you want to guess, do so below clicking on the word "comments." Merci.

-----------------------

FRENCH SEVEN YEARS’ WAR HEAVY CAVALRY BREASTPLATES

2010-04-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

FRENCH SEVEN YEARS’ WAR HEAVY CAVALRY BREASTPLATES
Misconception or Reality?

Courtesy of Seven Years’ War Association Journal Volume XIV #4 - Winter 2008/2009
Bill Protz

There has been thinking that French heavy cavalry did not wear breastplates at times or at all during the SYW. In my case, this goes back through decades of dimly recalled memories reminding me of three things. First, officers refused to wear them out of a sense of misplaced bravery/honor. Second, the piece was thrown away because it was too heavy or uncomfortable. Third, many uniform illustrations don’t show them. Are these misconceptions or realities?
---

Lieutenant General Sir Reginald Savory, His Britannic Majesty’s Army In Germany During The Seven Years War

At the battle of Hastenbeck, “The gallant Chevert led his [infantry] men forward, wearing his ‘cordon-rouge’ and without his cuirasse. When pressed to don his cuirasse, he replied, pointing to his men, ‘Have these brave fellows got any?’ Page 32.
---

Lee Kennett, The French Armies In The Seven Years’ War. Duke University Press, 1971.

“…the Count of Gisors, received a mortal would leading a charge at Krefeldt; had he been wearing the cuirasse, it would probably have saved his life.” Page 70.

“Cavalry officers were to wear the complete breastplate [front and back], though as has been seen, the custom was more honored in the breach than in the observation.” Page 117. Kennett is perhaps referring to the death of the Count of Gisors here. The regulation comes from the Ordonnance du Roi concernant l’armement des officers et des sergeans des companies de fusiliers du 31 octobre 1758.

“The practice may have been dictated as much by comfort as vanity. The physician Colombier said the cuirasse or breastplate was too heavy and troubled the respiration and constricted the shoulders and neck.” Page 117. From Code I, page 131.

”Regulations stipulated that cavalrymen …were to wear as defensive armor a half-breastplate or plastron, and an iron skull cap inside their hats.” Page 117. From Sautai and Desbrère’s on pp. 13-15 of Cavalerie.
---

Liliane and Fred Funcken, The Lace Wars Part 2. Ward Lock Limited, 1977.

“The breastplate alone was in theory worn by all cavalry regiments, but there was little enthusiasm for it, and it was often left off, contrary to regulations.” Page 22.

René Chartrand, Louis XV’s Army (I) Cavalry & Dragoons. Osprey Publishing, 1996.

“All troopers were also equipped with a steel breast-plate painted black, but this bulky item was unpopular and not often worn, even in wartime.” Page 13.
---

Lucien Mouillard, THE FRENCH ARMY OF LOUIS XV. G.F. Nafziger translated the 1882 work in 2004.

“The armament and equipment of the cavalry trooper was excellent in the time of Louis XIV, but did not change after that, and consisted of: The iron breastplate, fastened at the back with leather straps, that crossed on the back. Only the Cuirassier Regiment wore a double breastplate [front and back]. The officers carried … a double cuirass.” Pages 71-72.

Writing about the Gendarmes, “The plastron of the cuirass was of bronzed iron, lined with linen padding, trimmed with crimson silk, fixed at the shoulders with red leather suspenders with buckles and hooks of bronzed iron,” Page 101.

Mouillard’s original artwork depicting French heavy cavalry from 1737-1762 all wear the breastplate with the exception of the Cuirassiers du Roi wearing the front and back cuirass. The breastplate is not depicted on the Gendarmes or Guard cavalry perhaps to show details of the outer coat.

---
Lucien Rousselot Reference Sources cited in Part 10 of R. D. Pengel’s and G. R. Hurt’s FRENCH CAVALRY & DRAGOONS 1740-1762. 1981.

“When wearing [the buff vest for practice exercises but not in action] the officers wore cuirasses and the other ranks black plastrons. The plastron was often worn by officers and other ranks under the coat in action. The cuirass was bordered in red lace with yellow metal fittings. Unlike the Prussian style it had a back protection also.” This citation appears to the left of the plate RG1 about half way through this booklet. Several sketches appear of the breastplate.
---

Christopher Duffy, PRUSSIA’S GLORY. The Emperor’s Press, 2003.

In the aftermath of the Prussian victory at Rossbach Duffy remarks, “It took several days to clear the wreckage from the battlefield and the neighborhood…’The roads were littered with French cuirasses, great riding boots which had been thrown away…. and with lost hats. The sunken road by Markwerben was full of hacked-about Frenchmen.” Page 85.
---
Christian Rogge on the SYW yahoo egroup on October 17, 2007 wrote:

Having done a bit of closer research on 7YW French vs. Allies campaigns, I would forward (my personal) conclusion based on the below:

A) We/I know of accounts of French cav. wearing breastplates at [1757] Rossbach and 1758
Lutterberg. The first because of the recorded abandoned cuirasses during the rout (see
Duffy), the latter because existing records of Hanoverian infantry at Lutterberg deliberately aiming at the horses on the French cav. charges for the French were in armour. The charges of the 6 esc. Dauphin brigade identified here – not that of the Cuirassiers [du Roi] !!! (see French language, but Hanoverian origin relation publ. in Westphalen). To my knowledge, no such records exist for Minden or Krefeld, to name the two other most famous engagements. That doesn't say NO armour was worn on these occasions.

B) The wearing of cuirasses was 7YW regulation - especially in battle!

C) It wasn't popular - so, (I say) - avoided with the marches - i.e. usual everyday service.
Armour [was] conventionally kept with the regimental baggage - somewhere behind during
the march periods.

D) Idea of no armour for French cav. is based mainly on uniform illustrations of French cavalry without cuirasse/plastron. Most are based on 18th c. contemporary material most often illustrating uniforms without cuirasses, because you would not see much of the uniform distinctions with the cuirasse.

Conclusion: French did wear armour in deliberately planned or expected engagements, but
might have not done so at unexpected combats, such as Korbach or Warburg, or of the more operational then pitched encounters like Gruenberg or Nauheim, which really happened to make up for most of the engagements during this war in this part of the world.
---

Ingo Beringer on the Lace Wars yahoo egroup on July 26, 2006 wrote:

At the battle of Crefeld Hessian light troops on foot were interspersed in the first line of the attacking Allied wing. When the heavy cavalry of the French were attacking, the Hessians were ordered to aim at the horses instead of the riders as the cuirassiers wore breastplates, which would have made them invulnerable. The Hessians did as they were told, with cruel effect. Source: the report of a sergeant named George Bess who took part in the fight

More information from Ingo in an email: (George Beß). „Aus dem Tagebuch eines Veteranen des Siebenjährigen Krieges. Mitgetheilt durch den Obersten z.D. Wilhelm Beß." Zeitschrift des Vereins für hessische Geschichte und Landeskunde, N.F., Band 2, S. 193–241. - (My) translation: From the Diary of a Veteran of the Seven Years' War. Communicated by Colonel (in active service) Wilhelm Bess. Journal of the Society for Hessian History and Geography, new series, vol. 2, pp 193 to 241. (The name of George Bess is not given in the title of the paper). - It is a most interesting paper excerpting from the original papers of George Bess who was a subject of the Landgraf of Hessen-Kassel. He lived from 1734 to 1810. He was a hunter by occupation. Shortly after the start of his career he was (more or less forcefully) recruited for a Jäger company. I suppose you know that Jäger is the word for the civil trade of a hunter as well as the military troop type. George had such a positive record in his activities that he was promoted to Corporal in the first year of his service, then Sergeant in the following year, and Sergeant Major in the year after. He took part in three battles and was wounded five times. After the war he was granted a senior employment in the Landgraf's forestry service, in recognition of his merits. Colonel Wilhelm Bess was the author's grandson. (As a quite irrelevant note: GEORGE was at that time pronounced Schorsch (or English: shorsh), not Georg (English: gay-org) as today).
---

Ingo Beringer on the SYW yahoo egroup on October 18, 2007 wrote:

As for Minden I clearly remember having read about French breastplates in the context of battlefield findings in one of the commemorative books of the 1959 anniversary though I forgot the exact place.
----------
----------
CONCLUDING COMMENTS AND PROBLEMS:

1. Regulations ordered heavy cavalry troopers to wear frontal armor breastplates called plastrons.

2. The same regulations ordered officers to wear front and back armor.

3. Wearing armor was unpopular for some due to weight, breathing issues and encumbrance.

4. Some officers flouted the regulation due to vanity.

5. Every heavy regiment was issued with armor.

6. Armor was thrown away in the rout following the defeat at Rossbach. To get away easier?

7. Is the Rossbach anecdote the genesis of the idée-fixe that the French threw away their armor?

8. A lot of artwork does not show armor so uniforms are not obscured.

9. Thus miniatures designers have not crafted SYW French heavy cavalry in plastrons. Nor do we find officers with front and back armor except for the Cuirassier du Roi Regiment. This total absence is unjustifiable. My familiarity is with 25mm-30mms only.

10. Those unaccustomed to research, lacking resources, trusting rules writers as their sole source of information and also trusting manufacturers may think there was no armor worn.

11. There is a philosophy afoot these days that if a wargame miniature does not have something on the casting, it cannot have it in a wargame. In view of Items #s 8 and 9, this is wrong.

12. There is a difference between disliking armor and wearing it anyway, especially in battle.

13. What percentage of troopers and officers did not wear their armor?

14. What percentage wore armor?

15. Per Table 3 of Kennett, The Army of the Lower Rhine on 17 June 1758 shows:

83 squadrons of heavy horse presumably wearing breastplates. (70.9% of all cavalry)

10 squadrons of hussars without armor. (8.5% of all cavalry)

24 squadrons of dragoons without armor. (20.5% of all cavalry)

117 squadrons total

16. Are the percentages of Item #15 viable? Yes and no. Hussars and dragoons were normally not present on main battlefields. They were usually on the flanks but more usually miles away guarding lines of communications, scouting, screening, protecting supplies, blocking, foraging, marauding and so forth. Thus in a large main battle, the percentage of breastplated horse would be much higher than 70.9%. However, at smaller affairs the story would be very different. The heavies might be a small minority if not absent altogether.

SYNTHESIS

{a} The French Cuirassiers du Roi Regiment wore front and back armor on top of their coats.

{b} Other French heavy regiments were supposed to wear breastplates (plastrons) under outer coats but on top of waistcoats. They did this unless in a surprise engagement.

{c} Officers at the regimental level and above were supposed to wear front and back armor. Some did not.

(d) Ask wargame miniatures manufacturers to provide French heavy cavalry wearing plastrons under the outer coat and officers wearing front and back armor if they do not now do so.

Mollwitz Right Flank at SYWA Assn. 27th Weekend

2010-03-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

Situation: 27th Seven Years' War Assn. Annual Weekend
Date: March 26-27, 2010
Location: South Bend, Indiana USA, Ramada Inn Downtown
Topic: Right Flank of Jim/Der Alte Fritz's Leuthen Game
----------
Why the right flank? That's where yours truly was posted commanding his Saxon Rutowski Chevauleger Regiment under wing commander Brent Olson. I also judged this sector of the game. Jim (Der Alte Fritz) took more photos of the entire battle for his blog which will hopefully appear in due course. Consider this just a brief movie trailer, if you please until these appear. Kindly click on images to make them fill your screens. And now....

The snowy right flank at Leuthen. Austrian kürassiers approach Prussian dragoons.

That's Tom Miller patiently awaiting the Austrian onslaught.

The foes collide! Can your hear/imagine the collision?

Both sides won and lost several rounds of combat with the Prussians gaining advantages and pushing back the Austrians until the Rutowski Chevaulegers and more küassiers reinforce and in turn force the Prussians back. (Not shown.)

The Austrian and Saxon cavalry was forced to withdraw off screen to the left, onto a back table and afterwards through the wall of the room by these Prussian Infantry Battalions. There was no way to hold ground against these steady blue coats.

Here you see the town of Leuthen left of the Austrian and Saxon cavalry. In a few turns in spite of heroic defensive fire and the inability of the Prussian Garde to knock down the gate to Leuthen Church, yours truly ordered the withdrawal of all allied forces onto the back table. A clear Prussian victory. We don't get many draws using Batailles de l'Ancien Régime rules (BAR for short).

The next day I took one photo of our experienced game-master Der Alte Fritz on the left flank at Mollwitz. He presided over two excellent what if scenarios, (Leuthen and Mollwitz) featuring a lot of back and forth action, suspense, heroics, fun, laughter and gorgeous miniatures ensembled on captivating winter terrain from his collection. No glum faces in these two games and 5-6 people played in both games.

The scenario guru, Der Alte Fritz!

-------------------------------------------------------

Closing Remarks

1. I would appreciate all the players in the two BAR games making comments below. Let's talk to keep the fun and memories going!

2. Others too.

----------

Seven Years' War Assn. Fun Weekend Imminent!

2010-01-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

2010 Seven Years' War Association Convention Guest Speaker: Dennis Showalter

The SYWA is honored to announce Colorado College History Professor Dennis Showalter as your guest speaker for the 27th annual convention. He has written extensively about the wars of Frederick the Great and 19th through 20th Century German military and political history. He is a former President of the Society of Military History and a visiting professor at the Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy and he has taught at the Marine Corps University. On Saturday evening, he will speak about The Seven Years' War. Bring your copy of The Wars of Frederick the Great to be autographed.

The SYW Convention will be held March 26th and 27th., 2010 in South Bend Indiana at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (Formerly Holiday Inn Downtown, South Bend)

SCHLACHT BEI WINTERFELDT

2010-01-27T04:39:00.000-08:00

Date: 23 January 1760/2010

Location: Winterfeldt East Prussia

Situation: "Russians In The Snow Offensive"

Winter Terrain: From the collection of Der Alte Fritz
For larger images: Click on them

Sleepy Winterfeldt the night before the battle.

The road into Winterfeldt.

Russian Left flank. Peaceful winter wonderland. All images from here to the end of our photo story were kindly provided by Michael Mathews. Michael commanded the Russian left flank.

Russian Right Flank: The bridge over the stream.

Russian Left Flank. Prussians occupy Winterfeldt.

Russian Left Flank. More Prussians. Note Prussian guns shielded and well-sited by a portion of the village.

Russian Left Flank. Converged grenadiers assault Winterfeldt. Von Kleist's irregular infantry will yield their position after hand-to-hand combat. The Russians flow into the vacuum; "the high water mark," umm, snow line, of the Russians here.

Russian Left Flank. Russian cavalry assembles to attack to the right of Winterfeldt.

Russian Left Flank. Later the same cavalry has expectations of breaking through! However, they are diverted to their left because of trouble in the next two images.

Russian Left Flank. Within a few turns the same grenadiers charged the Prussian battery wiping out one crew and causing the other to evade. See center right. More Prussians appear, give fire and the grenadiers abandon the compound due to a morale failure. (Under 50% and disorganized)

Russian Left Flank. A Russian howitzer started fires which eventually spread into more than half of Winterfeldt. Za counterattacking Prussians march through the smoke and flames.

Russian Left Flank. Russian guns commence a withdrawal from bombardment positions. The left flank is no longer tenable.

Russian Left Center. From the Russian perspective we are to the right of Winterfeldt. Note snowy redoubt held by the Prussians. See left center of image.

Russian Left Center. Lots of guns Tovarich! The Russkis advance. The redoubt is in the upper right of the image. Winterfeldt is far to the left.

Russian Left Center. It looked like the Russians would punch through.

Russian Center: The redoubt is taken by the Russians in the upper left while the attack continues to the right of the fortification.

Russian Right Center back Table. Russian cavalry assembles here prior to Turn 1.

Russian Right Center. Prussians commence a massive attack against numerically weaker opposition.

Russian Right Center. Uh oh!

Russian Right Center. A huge cavalry melee erupted here. More Russians will add in from the right of the image to try to stem the Prussian tidal wave. They would not do so. It is only fate Vladimir. Do you want to live forever?

Russian Right Flank. Prussians to the right of the idyllic bridge image seen near the top of our story.

Russian Far Far Far Right Flank. Here too the Russians would be pushed back. More vodka, if you please.
----------
Closing Remarks:

See Der Alte Fritz's blog for more images, considerable commentary and for the rest of the story.
Every Russian unit shown was raised in the past two years, mostly in 2009.
Comments welcome below.

----------

Open Column Of Companies Forms To The Right

2009-12-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

A second vignette adapted from Paddy Griffiths, French Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815. (Osprey Elite Series Booklet #159) Paddy's remarks and diagrams were adapted from the 1791 Réglement concernant l'exercice et les manoeuvres de l'infanterie as follows: (Click on photos so each fills your screen.)
Date: 1792
Situation: Trouble approaching the right flank through a defile.

Two mounted squadrons of 1st Hussars (formerly Bercheney from my SYW l'Ancien Régime Army) while a third is dismounted firing carbines at a foe coming through the defile. An officer rides in earnest to the rear to report what is seen.

He reports to the Chef de Batallion.

They converse. The battalion is in open column of companies. (See remarks below)

The battalion will quarter wheel (ninety degrees) by company to the right and form line.

The Colonel and his drums post themselves at what will be the center rear of the new formation.

"BATALLION! --- PAR COMPAGNIE. CARTE CONVERSION A DROITE."

The drums immediately commence beating this order for all to hear while officers and NCOs in the rear make sure the command is understood and instantly obeyed.

Each company wheels simultaneously. We are mid-way through the wheel.

Finished and ready to face the threat.

En avant mes amis. Bon chance!

----------

Closing Remarks

1. Eight companies were common for 1791-1808 French line battalions. The Grenadiers are absent - again.

2. The eight companies were merged from two battalions in my collection for this vignette.

3. One of the special things we can all consider doing is moving each company as shown.

4. Never mind lifting and plopping them down. Instead, march them to their next position using your movement rates. It might take more or less than one turn. You might even need time to adjust left and right, etc. just like they really did. Are your movement rates sufficient?

5. Practice privately before game day to get intervals just right. Get your lads onto a quiet drill field to train them -- and you.

6. The battalion started in an open column of companies. The interval between each company front to back was measured so the quarter wheel occurs without bumping and creating an entangled muddle. The above does not seem to visually simulate the larger interval actually used. This is because the depth of miniatures is far greater than in history. I used a 1" interval.

7. At the start of the wheel (pivot) hold down the upper right-hand corner of each movement tray while wheeling the same tray in a clockwise manner with your other hand. It was not perfect but was close enough. At first my intervals were almost 3". Nope. After wheeling about five times and changing the interval, a 1" gap worked best. It will be different for you. This is why practice is needed.

8. Start at the top. It is best to wheel all companies half way first. When all are half way through their wheel, go back to the top and finish the last half of the march. A two-step process.

9. If the battalion was "closed", meaning in our case, with all trays touching front to back, this formation change is impossible.

10. A new kind of fun. Different and satisfying.

11. You CAN do this with your collection -- as is. Let us know how things turn out.

12. The nice thing about the French Bercheney Hussars of the Seven Years' War is that their 1791 uniform is similar to that worn in the SYW. All I did was switch out the SYW flags for GMB Napoleonic 1804 flags. Lucky me.

13. Comments welcome immediately below.

----------

Game Cancelled! So Instead....

2009-12-26T20:05:00.000-08:00

December 26th. was supposed to be a game day with our new 1806ish Napoleonics at the home of Der Alte Fritz. Several weather and health issues regrettably discombobulated all of us. Hopefully Der Alte will reschedule soon.

In preparation for the game I read portions of Paddy Griffiths, French Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815. (Osprey Elite Series Booklet #159) In order to do something Napoleonic tonight I returned to Paddy's remarks and diagrams from the 1791 Réglement concernant l'exercice et les manoeuvres de l'infanterie as follows: (Click on photos so each fills your screen.)

From 1791 to 1808, battalions consisted of nine companies. One was grenadier; usually absent. Above are eight center companies in a three rank line with centered battalion flag and NCO guards. Behind and also centered are all the drummers with the battalion commander. Two officers and two NCOs form a fourth rank to help keep the men in line and in order.

The battalion from a different angle. Four converged grenadier companies are in support on the left flank.

A closer look at the grenadiers. Each company was stripped away from its parent battalion for a special service needing higher quality soldats.

Back to the line battalion again. "En Avant mes amis!"

It's 1792, here anyway. A Prussian battalion tops the distant rise.

Qui sont-ils? Who are they?

----------

Closing Remarks:

1. Our French battalions are not sized as shown. I merged eight center companies from two battalions to form one battalion from the 1791 regulation.

2. The next installment will show a 1791 battalion column.

3. Miniatures are 25mm Dixons with some Old Glory command personnel too. I really like the design of the leaning mounted officer.

4. French painted by Reinforcements By Post.

----------

BATTLE OF BRITTLESTADT

2009-12-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

5 December 1759/2009 viewed from the French side.
Click on images to enjoy them in full color and wide screen.

Left Flank: The ultimate goal of the French flanking force was the Pegasus Bridge. A piquet of soldiers stealthily walked within the woods beside the Brittlebach and waited for their moment to rush the bridge. Only one third of the force arrived before Turn 1. The rest straggled behind in the woods arriving later.

Left Flank: In quieter moments days before the battle, The Pegasus Bridge guard is apparently asleep or unconcerned in nearby tents whilst a larger camp farther away also appears too quiet. Subsequent French reconnaissance revealed a sleepy and mostly inert von Kleist Freikorps posted there with the mission to guard this bridgehead east of the Brittlebach.

Left Flank: On 5 December the French Legion de Fischer supported by the celebrated Bercheney Hussars and by the Jacobite emigre battalion Albanie hurled themselves onto the bridgehead. They ignored a piquet of Doubleblues posted as a tripwire along a tributary of the Brittlebach (foreground). The bridge is to the right of the supply wagon in the upper right corner of the photograph. Unseen there in cover was a piquet of Albanie (24) that infiltrated secretly to the bridge, later attacked and captured it from the bridge guard.

Center Left Side: Beyond the Brittlebach (off screen left of the photo) and the Brittlebach Ridge, we view the main French Army arriving to assault the town of Brittlestadt. In the foreground a Russian battalion marches forward supported to its right by Swiss. A battalion of French Converged Grenadiers is to their rear. In the distance we go to the....

Center Right Side: There is mischief afoot. The Saxon von Brühl Dragoons (4 squadrons) are boiling into the defile to take the Prussians in the western zone in the flank. The redcoats are a second battalion of Swiss while blue coats are two battalions of Grenadiers de France. This will be a serious threat!

Center Right Side: Close up of The Defile!

Right Flank: The plain below the Protzen Heights. A stately affair here.

Right Flank Right Side: On the Protzen Heights the dreaded Black Hussars have somehow arrived at the top and are bent on mischief.

Left Flank: At a mid-point Battlegames Teaser #1 was being read.

Left Flank: The French have advanced as far as the woods and are going to turn right toward the bridge. This force was on a side table. See previous post for photos of the side table.

Left Flank: Meanwhile at Pegasus Bridge , our glider, err, I mean, Albanie Piquet (far side) is being counter attacked by enraged von Kleist light troops. The cart is full of explosives to blow the bridge but the Albanies dispatched a section of Prussian engineers that had been setting charges. Result? The Albanies were routed and the Prussians were able to retreat across the bridge. Where is Lovat when needed?

Center Left Side: Very late in the battle. Not much left for either force contesting the center.

Center Far Right Side: In The Defile the Prussians turned the tables on the French and beat them back.

Right Flank: Each side has now pulled back to rest. But the Prussians (upper left) would soon advance.

Far Right Flank: Atop The Protzen Heights, the French have pushed back the Black Hussars.

----------

Closing Remarks:

Rich "The Main Judge" decreed the French scored a minor victory on their left flank, the center was a major win for the Prussians and the right was a draw. Thus, a Prussian win.

L'affair Pegasus was adapted from the British glider and commando attack on The Pegasus Bridge of 6 June, 1944 as depicted in the motion picture, The Longest Day.

Each game sector played at its own speed. The Pegasus Zone moved faster than players in the Center and Right. This did not matter and it helped keep everyone busy. No waiting for others to catch up.

When soldiers entered a different zone, they entered time and turns of the entered zone.

Left (Pegasus) Zone participants were Prussians Earl and Curt versus French Mike and Chuck. A big free for all with lots of maneuver and surprises. This was mostly an affair of light troops.

Center Zone participants were Prussians Rich, George and Derrick opposed by John the Russian and Chris the Swiss, etc. etc. A classic linear battle between two brigades per side.

Western Zone participants were Prussians Jim and Keith battling French Randy and Don. A combination linear and light troop battle.

Game Start: 11:00am.

Lunch: 1:00pm

Game Finish: 5:15pm

Miniatures: Almost 2,000 and we reached a conclusion.

Everyone brought a small beverage or snack to share. Sloppy Joe's were provided by the host.

This was the first and hopefully not the last time we had a portion of snacks as healthy stuff; veggies and dip brought by John. Chris brought grapes in the form of two bottles of wine. Then there were "Donna cookies" scratch made by Keith's wife. And and and....

Rules: {BAR} Batailles de l'Ancien Régime (1740-1763) linked in the upper left of this blog.

Der Alte Fritz took photos of the Western Zone on and near the Protzen Heights. May I recommend you to his blog when he hopefully posts photos and remarks there?

Comments welcome next. Remarks from participants welcome for a different view and?

--------------------\

Brittlestadt Light Troop BAR Game Preparation

2009-12-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

Photos are for players in the above game to help them plan and for those few other vicariously interested viewers. A number of terrain items are absent because some participants are bringing unique pieces to this game. Game participants, find your names. All these photos will be removed after 5 December. No attempt was made to make them aesthetic. These will hopefully appear later. Clicked photos will fill your screens.

The table arrangement was an around the walls model R/R layout years ago.

WESTERN ZONE BELOW

Western Zone: Beyond the parallel forested and steep hills. French (Randy/Don) on the right. Prussians (Jim/Keith) on the left. Each force will have a back table off this main table.

Western Zone: Protzen Heights (a former model R/R scenic divider) from the French side. Ugly road will be replaced with the real deal.

Western Zone: Still viewing from the French side. The plain below the heights. The ugly road leads to Brittlestadt; the blue card on the distant back table. Several proper buildings will be positioned there. There will be a small farm and enclosure along the road in the Prussian area.

Western Zone: Viewed from the French left flank. Brittlestadt is on the distant Prussian back table.

Western Zone: The Protzen from the Prussian perspective. This is the Prussian left flank.

Western Zone: The plain below the heights from the Prussian perspective.

Western Zone: The Prussian right flank. It is possible to pass through the defile on the right into the Central Zone and vice verse.

Western Zone: Overall photo again.
----------

CENTRAL ZONE NEXT

Central Zone: The open area beyond the ridge in the middle of the photo. Undulations on the right. Hilly on the left. The Russians (Michael and John) are posted on the right while George the Prussian is on the left. Each side has a back table not shown. Russian Mike T. off screen to the right at Thornrumple's Inn and Rich the Prussian off screen to the left at Brittlestadt. Other photos did not add much. Note the distant defile available to all forces if they desire it.
----------

EASTERN ZONE

Eastern Zone: The unfordable Brittlebach from the French side.

Eastern Zone: Bill and Tyler will advance French forces from the foreground versus Earl's Prussians somewhere out yonder. The Brittlebach tributary is fordable.

Eastern Zone: Side area from the French perspective. What about those woods far away?

Eastern Zone: These woods?

Eastern Zone: Yes. Earl has Prussians behind it and elsewhere too.

Eastern Zone: Such as near the Brittlebach Bridge.

Eastern Zone: Side tables from the Prussian perspective.

Eastern Zone: Prussians will be in the foreground and the French will be in the background.
----------
Players! Commence your plans, if you please.
----------

Henri: "Nobody Here?" - Pierre: "Oui!"

2009-10-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Two squadrons of Legion de Fischer Chasseurs a Cheval arrive to scout for the foe.

A closer look.

They dismount and advance to find the foe. Each squadron has one horseholder vignette.

----------

We are now preparing for the annual light troop game on 5 December 1759/2009.
-----
Soon the entire Legion de Fischer will be on our tabletops. Completion of the four squadrons of the Legion de Fischer Chasseurs á Cheval is the final component. Since late last year, Randy and I completed two battalions, two battalion gun crews plus four dragoon squadrons; mounted and dismounted.
-----
Miniatures are 28mms from Eureka. Lovely designs and the horses are perfect. The actual casting is from the brand new Saxon SYW range. We're painting them as French as Fischer's light cavalry though. We will also have dismounted chasseurs in several action poses plus horse holder vignettes. These are shown below. Thank YOU Eureka! Images enlarge by clicking on them.
-----
Camp scene above kindly on loan from the collection of Der Alte Fritz.
-----

Elsewhere a section of chasseurs has dismounted.

Taking a look in several directions.

Personne à travers le stream non plus? Pas encore.
(Nobody across the stream either? Not yet.)

A last look.

Time to leave.
----------

"Cheer Boys Cheer," A Parade And Surprises

2009-10-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Location: Frank Am Main
Date: 07 October 1759/2009
Situation: Three Days Before The Battle of Schaumburg.
Images enlarge agreeably if you click on them. Please do so.

Inside the Old Guild Hall, food and beverages are being set out for important personages.

While outside a parade commences and finely-dressed people congregate to observe.

The central figure raises a sword and sings, Cheer BOYS Cheer and....

Frankzonians left to right: Count l'Beauchamp, none other than the Hurtzshog of Frankzonia and 'lMarquise de Hottatrot. The tall man rightmost is Gallia's l'Intendant l'Comte de Bastille directing the bar maid to bring drinks to his guests.

Flags come into view. It is Régiment de Albanie en-route to join the Army of Gallian Lieutenant Géneral de Chevert now just past (northeast) of The Fulda Gap. Albany/Albanie was one of three Scottish émigre battalions raised to support Bonnie Prince Charlie recover his throne. The gentleman in a purple coat is you.

Bastille: "Régiment Albanie, HALT!"

Another important person, Tradgardland's Prinzessin Alisona. Intendant Bastille has arranged for food and beverage to be brought to her apartment next door.

Moments later Bastille and the three Frankzonians appear in the street. To the right you also see our elegant ladies, Cherish Masquerade (pink ensemble )and Diana Pettygree (in carabinier blue) speaking with --- you. And behind them unseen is....

Bastille: "My dear and honoured friends. I offer you the opportunity to march to Lt. General Chevert's Army. The Albanies will guard you along the way. I've taken the liberty to assemble your baggage at the rear of the column. The soldiers will await your pleasure here."

Régiment Albanie halted as ordered.

Frankzonian baggage at the rear.

Hurtzhog, "Ja we must ... err... are honoured to attend the General.

Bastille: Trés bien mes amis. (Very good my friends.)

And dear reader there can now be no confusion in ol' Frankfurt Am Main to discombobualte our tormented Intendant and the vital Gallian magazine for which he is responsible.

----------

Closing Remarks:

1. Frankzonians generously on loan from Arthur. Thank you!

2. Buildings kindly on loan from Randy. Thank you!

3. Albanie is mostly new Seven Years' War Crusader 28mm French, with three Minden command personnel sprinkled within given to me by Der Alte Fritz while the Highland garbed fellows are RSMs. They all fit in nicely, don't you think?

4. It is remarked in Volume II of Lawson's, A History of the Uniforms of the British Army, that Scottish émigre grenadiers wore kilts. See page 83. Now that's fun!

5. Flags are Vaubanner Graphics.

6. Buildings, most furniture and bar employees are from Miniature Building Authority.

7. Régiment Albanie was completed this week - just in time for Der Alte Fritz's 4th Annual BIG BATTALION SYW BAR wargame scheduled for 10 October 1759/2009.

8. Der Alte, Randy, I and the rest of our BAR group paint historical uniforms. However, in the fashion of Brigadier Peter Young and Charles Grant, Sr. we place them in fictional settings without national characteristics for fun.

9. YOU can do any of this too!

----------

Comments welcome Gentlemen immediately below. Click on comments, if you please.

----------

FIN

The Erbprinz Draws A Line In The Sand

2009-10-05T22:40:00.001-07:00

The Erbprinz Friedrich of Hesse Seewald and his staff confer atop the Muhlenburg as they watch the Gallian army on the march. (click the pix to enlarge the view).

For the past two weeks, the army of the Erbprinz Friedrich has been retreating back towards the capital city of Gotha in the face of a large and powerful Gallian army commanded by Lt. General Chevert. The Erbprinz has crossed swords many a time with the wily Chevert, so he knows his opponent very well. And one thing that he knows very well is that Monsieur Chevert likes to attack. So with that in mind, the army of Hesse Seewald continued to retire from its strong hold in the Fulda Gap, back towards Gotha, and closer and closer to the territory of the King of Germania, called The Great.

Perhaps in his advance, Chevert will stretch out his supply lines and become vulnerable to a counter-attack. Or, there might be an opportunity to combine the forces of Hesse Seewald and Germania and overwhelm the Gallians before they can react.

Finally, the Erbprinz issues a bulletin to his army, announcing that they will retreat no further. He has found the perfect ground over which to wage a defensive battle. It is near the town of Schaumburg, only a few leagues away from Gotha. The news of the pending battle filters through the army and they are excited and ready to fight the Gallians at last.

Friedrich draws up his army behind a series of low ridges that provide a comfortable screen for his army. His left is anchored by a newly built redoubt - der Mummanschanz Redoubt, while his right is anchored upon Schaumburg Castle. The Erbprinz places an advance guard of freikorps and other light troops, commanded by Colonel von Kliest, forward of the key Schaumburg position to act as a trip wire to warn of any Gallian attempts to outflank his right and cut the army off from the capital city of Gotha.

As the afternoon sun begins to sink lower on the horizon, the Erbprinz Friedrich assembles his officer corps on the Muhlenburg for a reconnaissance of the battlefield and the Gallian encampment across the way.

Through The Fulda Gap

2009-09-27T10:05:00.001-07:00

STRATEGIC SITUATION 27 SEPTEMBER 1759/2009:
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.

----------

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.

----------

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.

----------

YOU can do the above too. Your remarks are welcome next.

Part 3: Minden 250th. Final Photos + Interviews

2009-08-10T10:27:00.001-07:00

Interviews, player analysis and select photographs. Obtain larger images by clicking on them, if you please.

Andy: "In the morning session I commanded French infantry in the town of Hahlen anchoring the French left flank. I had three battalions of line infantry, and was facing four battalions of attacking Allied infantry supported by a howitzer. My opponent [Chuck] did a great job bringing all four to bear against me simultaneously. His infantry was supported by a howitzer firing from the far end of the town which did a lot of damage, and unfortunately I had no artillery to return the favor. I thought of closing the distance between our two lines to prevent the howitzer from firing, but the penalty for moving in the town (going into disorder) was so severe in our firefight that I declined. My dice rolling didn’t help much either. For the first three turns of fighting, I was able to shoot first each time, which is normally a decisive advantage, but I was rolling a lot of ones and twos, so I wasn’t able to get the casualties I needed early to offset his numerical advantage.

Der Alte Fritz [Jim]: "I commanded a battalion of Foot Guards during the cavalry phase of the game and a second battalion of Hanoverian Guards which I later passed off to one of the other players. I thought we were in for a hard pounding by the French cavalry before it charged in. We took our licks but managed to hold on through all three charges."

Randy: "I commanded French cavalry and infantry on the right side. Having commanded cavalry charging infantry before, I know that infantry usually wins in the end. Seeing special rules for the game, I knew the French cavalry charges would have a hard time breaking through."

Andy: "In the afternoon session I commanded about half the French cavalry in the center. I had two lines, the first line consisting of heavy horse and the second line consisting of all carabiniers. I was facing several lines of British infantry battalions. I had a lot of confidence [before my first charge]. My cavalry units were large and there was no artillery in their front, so the punishment they’d take coming in wasn’t going to be extreme. Additionally the British infantry was a little beaten up and a lot of my cavalry were wearing a breastplate, which can be effective in reducing losses to small arms fire. The ranges were almost ideal, I was able to go in at a trot (which I generally prefer as less risky to going in at the gallop) and charge home in the minimum amount of time."

The opposite side of the field before the second charge went in. Foreground: Royal des Carabiniers, "The Thundering Herd", 28mm Elite Miniatures from the UK.

Brent: "Based on my experience gaming [BAR] at my house, I believed that the infantry would repel the cavalry attacks. (As an aside, a friend back home, Michael, based on the same games, felt the cavalry would defeat the infantry -- I think I am at heart a cavalry commander and Michael is an infantry commander. We both felt our arm is at the disadvantage.) After seeing the infantry advance in the teeth of the grand batteries, I thought the infantry flanks would surely fall. That was a truly impressive amount of cavalry and artillery! I remained convinced the infantry line as a whole would hold."
----------

Did you expect your side to win?

Brent: No. Our strength seemed to be our cavalry and artillery grand batteries. Both were spent, or under severe stress. My "success" in the second wave led to the brave lads being shot out of the saddle after sabering a battalion that broke.

Andy: "I thought it was still undecided at mid-game. The British infantry was still thick on the ground in the center, and the French right seemed like it could go either way. The French left seemed to be going poorly, with the French artillery getting roughly handled by the British artillery, though there were infantry reserves on that flank for us which guaranteed that the flank would at worst be fought to a stalemate. Finally, there was the threat of Sackville's cavalry brigades activating."

Randy: "I thought the French where going to lose the game all the way around. [Der Alte] Jim made some good moves with the Brunswick infantry and Prussian cavalry in the beginning which pressed our side quite hard. I knew the British were going to win the large cavalry charges in the center of the battlefield for the first several turns. However, luck smiled on the French and we somehow pulled out a victory."

Jim K. [unpictured]: "I commanded the Allied artillery on the right flank. I thought we definitely were winning the scenario at midpoint. The infantry on my left had repulsed two French cavalry charges and had advanced well forward. In addition I was well along in dispatching the French grand battery. As you might recall, the three sectors were proceeding at their own pace. Suddenly the remnants of a French cavalry unit was at my rear. Had I been aware of what was occurring next to me, I may have been able to take countermeasures. Perhaps I would not, but with open terrain and the action occurring close to me, it's quite possible my troops would have seen a breakthrough. It was still quite a close and enjoyable game. I should have concentrated my fire on a different target on turn two, but other than that, the artillery did what it could."

Der Alte [Jim]: "After the cavalry phase, I thought we stood a good chance of winning if we could continue to press forward in the center and push the French out of Maulbeerkamp. The Brunswickers were holding the edge until the last turn or two when two of our units broke and ran. Then we didn't have enough infantry to hold back the French, and a withdrawal, covered by the cavalry seemed to be the wise thing to do."

----------

Anything more you want to say?

Randy: "I enjoyed the day and the game as well as the company."

Brent: "Thanks again. It is true joy to play at the scale you [Bill] and Der Alte do."

Andy: "It was a great game, I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the unbalanced nature of the game, both in terms of troop types and placement. I thought it made for some interesting tactical situations. I again enjoyed commanding cavalry. This was the first time I was in a game where I launched a mass charge against unbattered infantry (normally my charges are done against other cavalry or against the remains of infantry late in a fight), and I think it played smoothly and was easy to resolve."

"Charging infantry is different from charging cavalry of course. In cavalry fights the best tactic seems to be to charge in waves of increasing strength, starting with just enough strength to ensure the combat continues more than one round, but then holding back the best until 2 or 3 rounds into the fight where they can deliver a hammer shot. Against infantry you can’t feed additional cavalry into a fight, so it’s better to lead with your heavy armored horse who have the best chance of success, and naturally if you can work on to a flank, you can get a decisive advantage. The breastplate made a big difference in my fighting. Saving on 4 through 6 instead of 5 through 6 kept a lot of my cavalry in the saddle during the time it took us to close the distance, and also made a big impact on my saving throws during the melee."

"Thanks again to Bill and everyone else who made that game possible. It was a lot of fun!"

----------

Closing Remarks:

Doing a Minden 250th was Der Alte's suggestion a few months ago.

Thank you and prodigous compliments for Chuck, Jim K, John, Der Alte Jim P., Randy, Brent, Andy and Keith! You made the whole day a remarkable and striking success.

Viewers: YOU can do this too! Steady on with a group of friends in any scale you desire. YES, you can!
----------

Part 2: Minden 250th, 2nd. and 3rd. Cavalry Waves and Some Players

2009-08-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

Photos may be enlarged in a satisfying way, if you click on them. Oh, and please take your time, slow down your internet hunting and enjoy the spectacle with your favorite beverage.

Part of the French right flank Grand Battery is visible in the lower right of this photograph near Maulbeerkamp. Meanwhile, Spörcken's Brigade fought off the first wave of French cavalry. Ranks and files were steadied and closed before advancing farther as you see here. Farther?! The second wave approaches seen from the French right. "Brigade HALT!....Make Ready..... Aim...."

French infantry has come up south of Maulbeerkamp.

"FIRE!"

The French close in with the sword. Now it is up to each man to wield his sword or bayonet to decide the issue. Again the line holds.

When the wreckage clears, the third wave approaches. Maulbeerkamp is in the distance; the French right flank. Note French infantry moving in. These would soon be countered with the Brunswick Korps seen just entering the main table in the upper left where Chuck is sitting.

Closer.

Smoke from musketry rises over the combat. Distance between foes drops to nil.

The left-most British battalion is from Spörcken's second line.

Left to right: John and Der Alte Fritz.

Left to right: l'Comte d'Artois, Brent and Andy.

The soon to be silenced French Grand battery on the French left flank.

And way beyond that almost silenced French left flank Grand Battery, the idle Allied cavalry reserve.

This was what it was all about!
Our simulation of the three waves of French cavalry at Minden and...
The celebrated steadiness of the British and Hanoverian battalions of Spörcken's Brigade.
----------
Closing Remarks:

As Der Alte reported on his blog, at this point the simulation ended and....
We commenced playing a regular game - not a simulation with interference from the stage director.
The Brunswick Korps (six battalions) marched onto the field near Maulbeerkamp, engaged the French infantry opposite them and were forced back while....
On the other flank, the French Grand battery was silenced as it was historically, the Allies held Hahlen but French infantry coming forward from reserve took out the weakened Allied battery that had silenced it's French counterpart and....
L'Chevalier Andy in the center routed a British battalion with the French Royal Regiment of cavalry, pursued it to the Allied back table, took the routers out of the game, rallied and returned to the main table to sweep into the Allied artillery near Hahlen. The Royals will receive a battle honour for these achievements and Andy becomes it's Colonel.
Had Gen. Sackville rolled a 2D6=12, the Allied right flank would have been stabilized by his voluminous numbers of cavalrymen.
But, we could not allow that, could we? History would have been discombobulated!
The game was won by the French winning the wings of the battlefield after thinking all was lost until the two last turns of the game. Victory swung unexpectedly. It is said a game with swings back and forth like this is satisfying. I think so too.
And fun!

----------

Comments welcome. Click on comments below. You may need to identify yourself as anonymous if you do not have a blog name.

Part 1: Minden 250th, 1st. Cavalry Wave, Action At Hahlen and Allied Reserves

2009-08-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you for looking in. On the actual 250th anniversary, 1 August 1759/2009, our Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR} group simulated the celebrated battle of Minden. We have lots of photos. Part 1 as captioned follows. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

The first wave of 276 cavaliers viewed from the French left.
A portion of the left-hand French Grand Battery appears in the lower left. The village of Maulbeerkamp appears in the upper right. Large French artillery batteries at these two locations enfiladed Spörcken's Brigade to great effect historically and also in our simulation. Four participants contributed miniatures to compose the French cavalry.

The French viewed from the left flank of Spörcken's Brigade. Infantry losses were due to French artillery fire.

Spörcken's Brigade coolly waits to give fire, {"MAKE READY!"} as the French close in, {"AIM - FIRE!"}

Fire resolution is occurring in this photograph. We play our BAR games using just Quick Reference Charts 99% of the time.

Panoramic view from Village of Hahlen on the French left flank to Maulbeerkamp twenty-four feet away. Allied General Anhalt historically and in our game took the village. Note the units in this and the next photo. These are two-rank units from my old Tricorne Armies based on 1:20. Anhalt attacked with detachments so I thought why not use these old and veteran units in this role. BAR worked fine for them.

Anhalt pushed deeply into Hahlen causing French and Saxon reserves to come forward in addition to a portion of the nearby French Grand Battery shifting fire into the village.

On the Allied back table, Spörcken's Second Line starts forward. Huzzah lads!

While the cavalry commanded by General Sackville is idle nearby.
----------
Closing Remarks:
1. Photos of the second French cavalry wave will appear here soon.
2. Check in at Der Alte Fritz's celebrated blog for a lot more.
3. When I awakened Saturday morning I asked myself, "What bugs are there in the scenario?" I decided I could not be an automaton about player circumstances and bad dice if conditions did not closely resemble the real battle. Therefore, I told everyone I was more of a "stage director" than anything else. There were occasions when I shifted Allied units to where they needed to be and other occasions when units were allowed to recover stragglers and reorganize.
4. Simulation rules are next.
----------

SPECIAL BAR RULES FOR MINDEN 250th
----------
Our Minden commemoration was a scripted simulation. As kind of a "stage director"
I changed conditions as needed using Savory's text as my guide.

UNIT CLASSIFICATIONS
1. Elite = All Allied Units, French Gendarmes and Royal des Carabiniers in 3rd Line.
1(a) Mid way through the game all Allied officers were rated Elite.
2. Veteran = All Other Units In The French Army
3. French Artillery firing obliquely at Spörcken’s Brigade gets +3 for fire.

FIRE AT A CHARGER
4. Add +2 for units in Spörcken’s Brigade

ARTILLERY
5. Organize guns in 3-4 gun sections by poundage. No battalion guns.
Eg. 3x3Pdrs., 3x6Pdrs., 4x8Pdrs., 3x12 Pdrs.
6. Fire by section – not individual guns. Multiply result by # of guns in section
Eg. Throw 2D6/section, modify as usual for hits – then hits times # of guns
7. Do not fire individual guns unless that is all that is left.
8. Poundage:
British = 6 Pdrs., Light 12 Pdrs.
Brunswick = 3 Pdrs.
French = Heavy 4 Pdrs., 8 Pdrs. and 12 Pdrs.
Hanover = 6 Pdrs., 12 Pdr. = Brummer Class
Allied Howitzers = 7 Pdr. Howitzer Class
9. No ammunition limitations.
10. Only the Allies have limbers.

MAXIMUM MELEE ROUNDS
11. One round permissible only – not three - in cavalry versus infantry.

SEQUENCE
12. Spörcken’s Brigade must advance obliquely toward French Cavalry line.
13. French Cav. must charge Spörcken’s Brigade and never wander more than
18” wider than Spörcken’s flanks unless the latter is destroyed or enemy cavalry
come on. First mass charge may not wander at all.
14. 1st line may move to charge after Spörcken enters main table.
15. Other Fr. lines can't charge Spörcken until previous lines are out of the way.
16. Elsewhere:
Artillery may fire at will and move all game long.
Battle for Hahlen may start immediately.
French left flank infantry may advance when Spörcken enters main table.
All others may move:
AFTER three massed French cavalry charges are completed
Or turn after at least two Bns. of Spörcken’s Brigade rout or destroyed.
But Sackville brigades activate only the turn after throwing 2D6 = 12.

FRENCH CAVALRY LINES
17. 1st Line = 276, 2nd. Line = 264, 3rd Line = 216, 4th. Line = 36
18. Recycling = okay.

----------

French Cavalry Arrives On Minden Heath

2009-07-30T12:49:00.001-07:00

The battle of Minden occurred 1 August 1759. On 1 August 2009 our group will commemorate the 250th anniversary with a partial-simulation of the great cavalry battle. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

General Beaupreau's infantry guards the left flank of the first line of cavalry.

The French are in a column of squadrons as leading regiments wheel into line.

That's Commissaire Général in the center in near-white coats.

The second regiment is beginning to wheel right into line.

Looking the other way. We don't have enough French. This is the Saxon Dragoon Regiment von Brühl. It was not classified as chevauleger. See 25 May 2009 entry here.

The von Brühl Dragoons in four squadrons. The Horse Grenadier Troop is scheduled to be painted before September. Only dragoons had horse grenadiers.

Commanding officer halts the first squadron.

More Saxons: Rutowski Chevauleger Regiment. On Saturday they will stand in for the French Gendarmes given the red coats.

Régiment Royal officers confer. To the left of the regiment you see the French Royal des Carabiniers leading the second line onto Minden Heath. Our contemporary Der Alte Fritz gave them the nom de guerre, "The Thundering Herd" because they number sixty miniatures.

Cavalry exiting Minden.

Looking back the other way again. The unit in the near foreground is Colonel Général.

Getting ready!

The French artillery line protecting the deployment you just observed behind them.
----------

Closing Remarks:

Your thoughts/sentiments are welcome. Click on comments below. You may need to identify yourself as anonymous.
Der Alte is bringing 120 more French horse. Randy, Brent and Andy will add more. Next week Der Alte or I will advise how many.
"Forced perspective" was used for photos around Minden. The buildings are 15mm from Miniature Building Authority. Plus, the cavalry thereabouts are successively smaller, the last being Jack Scruby 25mms. This kind of dynamic causes the eye and mind to think distance is greater than it actually is.
The rest of the Army is 28-30mm.
I sense both commanders are nervous about this game. As the French CinC, I think my horsemen are going to get almost totally ruined. Jim, on the other hand is worried about his infantry doing enough damage to stop French charges.
It is my intention to kind of interview participants about their own thinking, tensions and feelings before, during and after the game. We might get some quotes for you.
See 13 March 2009 story here.
Come back here next week and no doubt check in with the blog of Der Alte Fritz to see more photos and commentary.