Monday 30 September 2013

Thunder on the Danube - 1809.


A view from the Austrian lines - will those
Bavarians decide to form square?

Thanks to all those who have paid some lovely;y comments to the genesis of this blog so far - greatly appreciated and always delightfully read!

Thought I would put up some older photographs from an Austrian v Franco-Bavarian battle fought quite some time ago back at my place.


Austrian March Columns arrive to teh east of Absberg.

Another view across the Austrian flank.

All those who answered c) No - they will not form square go to recess early!

Lovely Elite Miniatures Austrian Uhlans -a favourite unit.

French start to arrive to stem the "White Menace" crossing the field of battle.

Quite a few of them actually...

Overview of the Battlefield on my 12 x 6 table.

Bavarians from Wredes Division feel
reasonably safe in Absberg...for the time being.

Bavarians advance across to fend off the
initial Austrian formations from Kollowrats Corps.

Bavarian Cavalry awaiting orders...if memory
serves correctly quite recalcitrant!!

More photographs to follow next time.  Great game played with some good friends over a few different days...the wonderful advantage of having a dedicated table that can be left set-up. 

Thursday 19 September 2013

Command Vignettes - part one!!




Prince of Orange and assorted hangers on.
Lovely Perry figures witha few Foundry thrown in as well.
 I am sure that like most wargamers of a certain vintage the recollections of buying the very latest Wargames Illustrated or Miniature Wargames in the very early days of both publications was like manner from heaven!  Full of wonderful pictures of the collections of Peter Gilder, Phil Robinson etc. with masses of wonderfully painted figures and the most superb command bases I had ever seen.  Most of these were heavily converted with the use of soldering irons and wire for reigns etc and far from a young boys abilities.

However they resonated with me till this day.

So I have always endeavoured to try and make the command stands in my armies a little bit more animated than normal bases with a wider selection of figures whenever possible.  There is no doubt that figures of today, though beautiful and well designed still do not have that massed animated style of the Connoisseur or Elite figures when viewed "en masse".  So the Command bases give a little scope for imagination.


Another view of the Prince of Orange - great figure.

A few of us decided a few years ago to start a concerted effort into preparing a large collection of 1815 Napoleonics for the 200th anniversary in 2015.  The efforts have borne a good deal of fruit so far.


General Perporcher on foot with map,General Baron de Constant Rebecque
Another view showing the arrival of dispatches and staff.

The command stands are progressing well also.

Old favourite - Saxe-Weimar. This command base was fortunate enough to find
its way into General De Brigade De Luxe
The Duke of Brunswick - as I recall in this picture
wondering where his Leib Hussars had gotten themselves to!!
Brunswick Brigadier and Leib Hussar messenger

Friday 13 September 2013

Front Rank Old Guard Grenadiers

Ist Battalion Grenadiers a Pied - circa 1805

Thought this was the perfect opportunity to get a few older shots out of some of my favourite units acquired over many years of wargaming and collecting.  These figures are all Front Rank and were originally painted up to compliment a large passion for the Glory Years of the Napoleonic Wars, at least in my mind, of 1805 - 1809.

Having a reasonably sized 1805-1807 Elite Miniatures Russian Army and Austrians it was always my intent to fight the battles of Austerlitz, Eylau, Friedland etc. and do so required figures of a similar size.  A bit anal I know however they all looked right on the table at the same time with no Elite Austrian Cuirassiers towering over their French Foundry counterparts.


I think the variation in figure looks quite smart.

These boys actually grace the cover of our club members presentation folder that we give to all the new gamers who join the mighty Napoleonic Wargaming Society.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

This blog thing is kind of contagious!

Highlanders prepare to defend the farmhouse.

Well after swearing black and blue I wouldn't ever have a blog this is now my second in a matter of months!  The first was my own small effort to pay homage to the wonderful Sudan Rules of Peter Gilder, made famous in Wargames Illustrated those many years ago.

However this blog is an attempt to capture the rest of my wargaming projects, adventures..dare I say misadventures at times!...with my friends and colleagues at the NWS as well as gaming upstairs at home.  There will be all manner of posts here - my first love Napoleonics will certainly feature prominently however Ancients, Renaissance, Modern, fantasy will also appear on a regular basis.  I have always been a huge fan of the larger "In the Grand Manner" style of games however as I grow older the appeal of skirmish games which require a minimum of preparation and a multitude of fun are becoming increasingly attractive so be prepared for some Saga, Muskets and Tomahawks as well as the fantastic Sword and the Flame.

French advance over the hills -lovely figures from Cookies collection.
Most figures featured will be from my own collection however I am very fortunate to have some extremely keen and...well..."experienced" gamers whom I play with who have some sensational figures as well which with their permission may make their way to these pages.

Dutch Belgian Dragoons
Hopefully the blog will also help me stay focused on the many projects on the go as well as to find an excuse to get the figures out and play a game.

Scots Greys cross the stream.
Brunswicker Leib Battalion - one day they will stand!
Hopefully the updates will be a regular weekly occurrence so please feel free to visit often, pass comment and engage with a middle-aged gamer with a passion for toy soldiers...sorry I mean "Miniature Figurines"!
Nassau Battalions advance in column.

These boys always put up a fight.  Brunswick Advante Garde.
Colonel McNamara.

Great shot of Cookies 1815 French

British Artillery prepare to defend the ridge