Opening Gambit In Iberia

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....
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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!

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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.

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Painting Challenge Ends

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.
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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.
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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.
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29 October NEWS!

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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.
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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.
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16th Light Dragoons Reinforced

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

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.
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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!
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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
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16 July 1761/2011 Battle Of Waldeck

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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.
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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.
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Two Battles For Colburg

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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Saxon Leibkürassiers Reformed 1761/2011

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. 

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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.

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