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Sunday, August 25, 2024

28th Chasseurs a Cheval

 

This regiment was formed in 1808 from the Tuscan Dragoons, which themselves were raised earlier  that year in January. 

The regimental facing color is Amaranth, a color beloved of Marechal Murat. I used Delta Ceramcoat "Dusty Mauve" for the hue. 

These are the first of the cavalry from the Great Horse Project.

oThe figures themselves are by Lucas Luber and Piano Wargames. 

The regiment fought in Spain at Figuieres in 1810, Fuentes d' Onoro in 1811, and Los Arapiles in 1812.

The regiment then saw service in Russia at Smolensk, Moskowa, Wiasma, Krasnoe, Beresina, Wilna, and Kowno. In 1813 it was in action at Koenigsberg, Ebling, Goerde, and the defense of Hamburg. Finally, in 1814, it saw action at Willemsbourg.

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Battle of Golymin, December 26, 1806

 Catching up with a report this battle fought way back the end of April this year; Battle Command rules by Brent Oman. The scenario was covered in an earlier post back in April; here's the Wikipedia article on the combat. 

I had the attacking French; Kevin couldn't make it due to a sudden work issue. Barry and Thomas had the Russian defenders. They were out numbered but had a good defensive position, and the French would have little or no artillery, most of it being mired in mud on the abysmal Polish roads

The French infantry advance at the Northern end of the Battlefield got off to a good start, with the French Light Infantry threatening the flank of the village position. 

French Legere maneuvering through the swamp, and bayonet charges along the roadways! 

The initial French attacks were very successful, and the Russians were hemorrhaging Morale points! 

The second French Division attacks the other woods. 

"The bayonet is a good fellow, but the musket is a fickle freind!", said Suravov. The Russian Jager skirmishers are outshot by the French Legere despite their advantaged position. 

Murat arrives with a pack of French cavalry. The problem is that the terrain just isn't very suitable for its maneuvering and deployment, with the Russians well supplied with artillery as well! 

Czar Barry is hoping to bring on the Russian reserves; say, that doesn't look much like Vodka in that bottle! You expect us to hustle for some dubious brown liquid?  Nyet!

The Russians commit their Grenadiers and Heavy guns to the defense of the village position!

A cavalcade of Cavalry for the French.... but without artillery and infantry support, the options for the French horsemen are limited. 

Overview of the battle in mid game. 

Davout has arrived with his infantry, but the masses of cavalry have cramped his deployment! 

French attacks keep up the pressure to the North. 

The French light cavalry make a gamble trying to slip around the edge of yet another woods position. It ends... badly! 

Overview of the Southern end of the Field. 

Russian Cuirassier launch a fierce charge, trying to buy time and constrict the maneuver of the crowed French. Nightfall comes early in Poland in late December! 

Situation to the North. 

Russian cavalry threatens to attack!

Un croque chasseur!  And croak they certainly did! 

Russian light cavalry charge; severe congestion hampers the advance of Davout's much needed infantry

Situation at the end of the game. There was probably another hour to play before nightfall, but Czar Barry had to drive all the way back to Maine. Morale points were about even at this point, and there was little chance the French could achieve anything decisive in the short time remaining. This means the result was very similar to the historical one; despite the early French successes, the Russians fought well, using the advantages of their position, and the ability to use all three arms, to hold off the French long enough to make good their escape after nightfall. 



Sunday, August 18, 2024

Set up for the battle of Poitiers, September 19, 1356 -with ToR - HYW

 

My freind and Test of Resolves rules co-author, Tim Couper asked me if I'd like to playtest their scenario for Poitier, which will be in their second scenario book for the Hundred Years War, and I agreed. 

Close up of the English defensive position 

Potential English flanking force under the Gascon, Captal de Burch 

The French 1st wave. 

All the forces on the field... except

The French 2nd wave!

Monday, August 12, 2024

I was feeling a little Horse...

When I had COVID last month, it started by my feeling hoarse. Once I started to feel better, I set to work on  project HORSE. 

I had already done the priming and organization for roughly 80 horses before Historicon.


I realized I needed horses for 2 regiments of Chasseurs a Cheval (Piano), 2 of Dragoons (Piano), 3 regiments of Gardes d'Honneur (Perry), 1 Austrian Hussar (Piano), 1 Austrian Dragoon (Piano), and a number of Austrian command figures (Piano). 

Black, Dark Chestnut, Light Chestnut, Dark Bay, Light Bay, Dun, Roan, Palomino, Dapple Grey, Steel Grey, and White horses are all represented!  I used the method set out by "Mr. Tin" well over 20 years ago. Now I need to tackle the riders and the rest of the horse furniture in smaller groups!

Saturday, August 10, 2024

2nd Quarter Statistics - Finally meeting my Waterloo!

 



The painting stats don't include those 5 x 10 mm buildings!


Expenses:

April 2024
HAVOC  Room $150, gas $25, Food $20 Purchases $24
Total Battle Miniatures (Waterloo Buildings) $205

May 2024
Perry (troops for Waterloo, and some others) $183.42, Litko (mostly dials for Waterloo) $178.50

June 2024
Blick Arts (matt board and brushes) $81.49


2nd Quarter Total:   $862.41

$ 600 plus directly attributable to Project Waterloo, something that wasn't part of the 2024 plan at all back in January! The plan for this game to be doable at multiple  future locations looks pretty viable. 




Painting:

April 2024
British Rockets and crew 135 pts,  Austrian IR #43  90 pts

May 2024
Cataphracts 120 pts,  Late Medieval Knights 210 pts, Scots Mounted Commanders 40

June 2024
Netherlands Command 30 pts, Belgian Militia 90 pts Dutch Line Infantry 90 pts, 2nd Nassau-Usingen Regiment 90 pts


2nd Quarter Total:  895 points



Games:

April 2024
"From the Rhine (Confederation) to the Danube 1809, Galley Ho!, Battle of Tewkesbury, Battle of Golymin, December 26, 1806

May 2024
Nil  

June 2024
Nil 


2nd Quarter Totals:  4 games




Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Historicon 2024: Friday Tables

Just realized I skipped over this Historicon post...

With my "Two Hour Waterloo" games running at 10 AM, 1 PM, and $PM Friday, there was less time to check out tables of interest. Here's what I did capture... 

15 mm AWI, historically plausible alternate action between Washington and the British in New Jersey, GM Kelly McManus

Star Wars on Tatooine: "Welcome to Mos Vegas.. now GET OUT!"

Edward III awaits the first of three French attack waves at Crecy; GM and rules author Tim Couper chats with Hugh as John Mumby from Colorado looks on. 

View from behind the English lines. 

The English position. 

French attackers.




The appearance of a Longship of your shores is seldom a welcome sight!

"Elementary, my dear Watson"
The meerschaum pipe, cape and deerstalker cap were trademarks of Connecticut actor, William Gilllete, and not actually found in the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Indeed, the phrase above was Gillete's as well, and not found in the published stories. Gillette, with the author's permission, wrote, produced, and acted in a number of plays based upon the stories of Sherlock Holmes, becoming quite wealthy in the process.

Rebellion on the Northwest Frontier!

Awesome table by my freind and 20 sided gamified podcast  host (check it out - especially great for painting and long drives to conventions!), Jared Fishman.  

The game won a well deserved PELA award. 

Rules used - The Sword and The Flame

The computer tells this is Napoleonics with Carnage and Glory!

American Civil War action. 





Desert Rats!


Check your Six!


A different bridge, with Chain of Command.