Sunday 25 March 2018

Russian Kursk Regiment starting to take shape


 
Getting some final touches on the board


A very quick post to show that despite my recent work commitments the 1805-07 project continues....albeit at a slightly reduced pace.


The final musketeer regiment to complete for Langerons Column will be the Kursk Regiment, consisting of two Musketeer and one Grenadier battalion.  These will once again be Elite Miniatures figures acquired from Nathan at Elite Miniature Australia in Townsville and as always, his service, communication and quality of merchandise is second to none!


A few other Elite Staff and Colonels are on the board as well awaiting their mounts


The Grenadiers will be in the shako as you can see in the picture above and though their is a lack of variation in the poses themselves of the actual advancing/charging figure (other than one in greatcoat as well), I do find that with some small and subtle tweaks here and there, the animation in the sculpts allows quite a dynamic final effect.


The Musketeer battalions will be in a mix of shako and bicorne to represent the haphazard and delayed shipping of new uniform supplies to these units rapidly on the move from their depots.


I would expect to have this regiment complete by the Easter long weekend.

Sunday 18 March 2018

Langerons II Column is starting to come along

A quick photo of the lads on the shelf - starting to look like a brigade


Well the re-basing, adjusting of collar and cuff colours as well as the correct shoulder straps continues with the Russians of Lieutenant General Langerons II Column at Austerlitz.  The 2nd Brigade under Major-General Kamensky I can be seen represented by the three battalions of the Fanagoria Grenadier Regiment on the right and the Ryazan Musketeer Regiment in the centre.  Next to them on the left is the Perm Musketeer Regiment from the 1st Brigade of Major-General Olsuvev.


The Viborg Musketeer Regiment is already completed and simply awaiting some varnishing as are the 8th Jaeger Regiment leaving just the Kursk Musketeer Regiment to be completed to represent all the infantry components of this important force.  Of the latter I need to base the second battalion and then paint the Grenadier battalion ( in shako and plume not mitre cap this time). 


I also have used GMB Flags with the majority of units and still have some Mark Allen specials awaiting the correct regiments.  In time.


The column also has two squadrons of the Saint Petersburg Dragoons, a single squadron of the Isayev Cossacks, of which I need to research a bit more about to see if they did have a distinct "look" in terms of uniformed dress, and then two large batteries of guns and one six gun battery.  A few Pioneers thrown in will complete them.


Not long now.

Wednesday 14 March 2018

Murat at the charge - 1805 -07





A cavalryman with a good deal of dash and elan!
A while back I put up some wonderfully informative images of the great work Doug Mason, icon of the wargaming industry amongst we Napoleonic aficionados, had put into a wonderful charging Marshall Murat command stand. Well I thought it was time to show the wonderful commission at the head of some French heavies keen on some Sabre action!




The great man himself leading a division of heavies

I am sure Murat would resent this being a quick staged shot "Where is the enemy you vagabond?"

All Elite Miniatures figures other than the vignette from Doug Mason

I wonder what bonus melee dice he should be able to wield in battle?  Surely an extra casualty dice
when playing General D'Armee.  Maybe not...though it may be worth a shot!








How good does that look?  Sensational.








Monday 12 March 2018

Russian Pavlograd Hussars for 1805-07



Elite Miniatures Russian Pavlograd Hussars


Though it may appear that I have suddenly become a full-time painter with almost whirling dervish abilities with a brush and paint, nothing could be further from the truth.


My collection of wargaming figures is one which has evolved and incrementally grown on a slow simmer for many, many years.  The 1805-07 project in fact had its genesis in attending a MOAB Convention in Sylvania in Sydney many, many years ago.  It was a wonderful experience and it gave me the opportunity to meet Nathan and Scott who were running Elite Miniatures Australia out of Townsville for the very first time.  The lads had arranged to organise a big refight of Austerlitz, specifically the attack on the heights but a few other highlights thrown in for good measure, as a mode of promoting the range.


Nathan and Scott had organised a very quick painting up about 800 figures and with the help of great chaps such as Greg B, Dean , Matty "Bluewillow" W and pothers it was a great experience.


I ended up purchasing both armies and should post some photos in a few weeks of the actual game at the time.  We were much younger then that's for sure.


Long story short, I have slowly been re-basing the Russians, adding to the army whenever possible in order to finally have the figures, regiments, painting etc. that I can fight a fair few games in this period with the correctly attired units.  Many figures painted for me over the years have lain waiting to be based in boxes in cupboards for far too long.


Along with the Elizabethgrad Hussars these will give me a brigade of light troops not counting Cossacks


This particular regiment is a perfect case in point.  Commissioned over twelve years ago it has only been rebased in recent times.  It represents the Pavlograd Hussars in their 1805 attire.  There are, like so many Russian uniform details, many various sources.  I have read several accounts of different coloured toothing to the saddle cloths etc. however I am happy, as is the Funckens, that this will suit my lads.


I still remember looking at this plate as a boy and thinking how colourful these troops were
in a time where the Two Funcken volumes were nearly our only source of uniform details


I do very much enjoy the character in the Elite sculpts, though a bit more variety in the trooper poses would be
 welcomed with open arms especially for those of us without the skills of a Doug Mason!




Beautiful plate of an Officer of the regiment.


I have always had a soft spot for this particular period of the Napoleonic Wars.  The French at their height in terms of victories and Élan.  The Russians, Prussians and Austrians fighting against a modern foe with archaic tactics but courage and bravery abounding.  Let down by Commanders woefully ill prepared for fighting Napoleon and his Marshalls.


This particular regiment will take on the French alongside these fellows.


Should be quite a colourful brigade



Thursday 8 March 2018

Russian Fangoria Regiment 1805 - Nearly finished

Elite Miniatures Early Russian Infantry


Just a very quick post today to mark the completion of the second Fusilier battalion and the only Grenadier battalion in the Fangoria infantry Regiment.  I was chatting via text with friend Nathan of Elite Miniatures Australia earlier in the week and told him how much I had enjoyed painting the Fusilier battalions.  Lovely figure expertly sculpted by Peter Moreby.


This regiment has been depicted in the early style mitre caps for the Grenadiers as you can see as well as the shorter fusilier version.  The wonderful flags are from Mark Allen.


Just a few small details to finish off and then I will have all three battalions ready for action with the II Column under General Langeron at Austerlitz.  I am very much looking forward to being able to fight the linked Austerlitz scenarios across the Pratzen from the earlier General De Brigade "Glory Years" volume however using General D'Armee rules.

Wednesday 7 March 2018

Young Guard skirmishers at work

The lads make themselves comfortable in a field as the British approach
Just a very quick to show the Young Guard skirmishers from Wargames Foundry that I was working on last month actually on the table top.  I am very happy with the poses and think they look the part in these after the battle had ended staged shots.  The Young Guard were not needed by Phil on this particular occasion and I thought that it was a good idea to place them out and capture what could have been.

 Well lets face it, I needed something to lift the spirits after that 1815 pants pulling down experience!


Though slightly smaller than Perry Miniatures, they still blend in well, especially on bases on their own such as these

A view with the field turned...no they didn't bolt away from the action.


Next in terms of skirmisher bases will be some Dutch Line and Militia bases for Byljandts Brigade at Waterloo.  Figures are in hand and need to be prepped and undercoated in the next few days.

Monday 5 March 2018

"While you see a chance, take it!"

I'm not sure what the collective noun is for a group of French Aide De Camps but I am sure its not "a patch", vegetable
patch specifically.  This colourful group certainly earned their pay carrying out D'Erlons orders in this battle. 


In the words of that great Napoleonic General Stevie Winwood, you need to take your chances!


That is certainly what the British commander was stating as the battle started to unravel before me...I mean him.  As reported in the last blog entry on this battle, the French were reeling on the hill and in the centre and a series of poor command roles prevented the knock-out punch from being delivered.


The central French brigade rally first time...of course!


Now the French had recovered and to continue in the boxing parlance, had caught their breath in the corner and were counter punching like it was the fifteenth round in a title bout!


The Rifles turn to face as the central British brigade retires through an adverse result.


"Rifles will reform to the left!"




Without the Brunswick Hussars and the Horse artillery on the allied left, only squares and a few Uhlans
remain to try and stem the flow of French.

Cavalry battles on the Allied right flank go reasonably well for the Dutch- Belgians without and major
routs of the enemy.  Breaking even will not save the battle for the Anglo-Dutch.


Did I mention that Cookie had the Young Guard come on from reserve?

Falling back in order to help preserve the centre these regiments look somewhat isolated.

The Brunswick lights line the edge of the churchyard to see if they can bring some firepower to bear
on what the consider to be the imminent arrival of a brigade of French Heavy Cavalry




This brigade unfortunately did nor cover themselves in glory on this particular day.  Hesitant for 80% of the time
and subsequently unable to advance upon the French brigade to their front they allowed the enemy
to dictate terms on this flank.  Very un-Saxe-Weimar!

This battery of Royal Artillery fires a parting salvo before needing to withdraw in order to secure a
point of entry for the Brunswick reserve that would never come.

The casualty mount

On the French left several battalions quite wisely form square however they were not to be threatened today.



All that lies between D'Erlons Corps and Brussels.


At this point the Anglo-Dutch force was down to four ADC's and the reserve of Brunswick Lieb Guard and Line were still unable to be summoned.  It was decided that the allies would look to extricate what they could off the field before a loss became a debacle in the morning papers in London!


The Brunswick light infantry brigade were in serious trouble and would struggle to be retire at all.  Too much enemy cavalry and infantry in close proximity would mean a long stay in prison camps for the boys in black.


Everything else it was decided should be able to retire with most discipline in tact albeit with a little pride dented!


Phil and I had a fantastic time and the rule system seriously is one that I could not recommend highly enough.  So much fun, the flexibility to manoeuvre and fight in the particular Napoleonic doctrine and style of the time and a superb command and control mechanism which makes every turn a vital combination of forward planning, tactics and a hint of lady luck. 


Just like the real thing.




We did do a few things incorrectly, the most pressing being the use of individual squadrons of cavalry in manoeuvre and combat when the rules clearly state that the minimum cavalry unit size is in fact TWO squadrons.  It made much more sense to us when we discovered that and we do need to keep that in mind for future games.


Can't wait for the next battle.

Thursday 1 March 2018

Chain of Command with "The Man who would be King"

Some lovely Warlord Games Germans make their way along the hedge row.
How's that for a strange blog entry heading?


No, the title does not mean that we have suddenly merged a great set of WW2 rules with a fine Colonial volume to create a mish-mash of periods etc.


My oldest son Ben and I have been very much enjoying revisiting some old YouTube videos of Richard Clarke and others playing through some scenarios of Chain of Command and it has very much reinvigorated our desire to play a few more games.


Now that Ben is at University and its no longer technically a school day on the Thursday, we decided to dust off the figures and have a crack at the club in North Perth.  The game was set as an encounter battle with the US force on the attack and the Germans looking at fighting a delaying action to allow for hypothetical reinforcements to arrive.


The patrol phase was, by both of our opinions, poorly handled by us.  Not great jump off points and really
amateur efforts as the rustiness showed.

Another angle down the table before any troops have deployed.

The first US section of infantry arrive

On the other flank the grisly old Platoon Sergeant looks to scout the area.

Second US section arrives.  All lovely Blacktree Designs figures painted by Paul Darnell of
Touching History fame.  In fact these lads played a starring role in his WW2 publication.

I deploy the .30 calibre mounted MMG as the Germans appear.

The section looks to make its way around the woods to take the Germans in the flank.

Overwatch is a great order to give troops when you are a bit unsure of what may await on the other side.

Whilst I used my "Support Points" on the MMG, Ben decided to grab an unarmed Half-track to mount a section in.

The section that has been receiving fire from the MMG is assaulted through the opening to the field.

It gets very ugly for the Germans very quickly.

On the other flank a fire-fight is taking place which the US troops are losing badly.  In the far reaches of the frame a
BAR team is under fire from a German section and the US troops on this side of the hedge are being eaten alive by
 their opposition LMG team.

Another view of the assault just to annoy Ben!

The MMG comes under heavy fire however the Sergeant manages to keep them sound enough
by rallying shock points off them sufficiently to still operate effectively.


It was a fun game that we both enjoyed and admittedly, played pretty averagely from a tactical perspective.  However it was great to play the game with the, as Von Peter would call the first born, "Son and Heir" at the club on a weeknight and share a beer with him at the same time.