15mm Napoleonic Game Setup

 I haven't played a game in 15mm for a looooong time. On Tuesday a good friend is coming over for a battle. It is a fictional scenario pitting three divisions of Russians defending a strategic village against a mixed force of French and allies. The French on the table are the Old Guard. I will let my friend take command of them. Some Bavarians and Poles support them on the flanks. A small river bisects the table and will prove to be a formidable obstacle to the allies, that and the large artillery batteries the Russians have deployed.

Duchy of Warsaw on the allied right

Russian jagers defend the river

Russian infantry and artillery await the onslaught

the village and its defenders

Russian cavalry division

two Russian artillery batteries supported by infantry

the Russian right flank

jagers take up defensive positions in a ruined farm

Bavarians on the allied left

Bavarian artillery reserve

cavalry of the Old Guard

Old Guard infantry

two batteries of Old Guard artillery

a third Old Guard battery and the French corp commander

We will be using General de Brigade rules. I will post a report after the game.

Victrix Highlanders

 The first Victrix figures I painted were a battalion of highlanders. That began a project that is still ongoing and includes over a thousand figures now. If I had only known! It is amazing, however, what you can do if you do a little bit every day over a long period of time.

79th Cameron Highlanders

92nd Gordon Highlanders

Light Company of the 42nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)

79th

42nd

Command stand

Supporting artillery battery

92nd

79th

79th from behind

92nd from behind

42nd

Building Modification for Built Up Areas

 The rules I use, General de Brigade and General d'Armee, call for built up areas. In the past, I have just lined troops around free-standing buildings. I have never really liked this effect, so I decided to do something about it. I have made some bases for my buildings that include walls. Figures can fit into the open space to represent the garrison.

Hannibal versus Rome

 I challenged my larger Roman legions with the task of holding back Hannibal and his assorted allies. I played five turns. The legions seemed hesitant to engage the enemy (very poor command rolls!) However, when the Punic hoards charged in, the legions were able to withstand the onslaught.

On the Roman right, Legio IV faced off against a division of Spaniards that had both infantry and cavalry.

Hastati

Legio IV on the high ground

The Spanish attacks are driven back

The center of the Carthaginian line was held by a division of Spaniards backed by Hannibal's veterans. In reserve was the Carthaginian cavalry and elephants.

The Carthaginian cavalry and Hannibal himself

Some Libyan spearmen and the elephants

The lead Spanish division was shattered in its attack on Legio I. This set the stage for Hannibal's veterans to cross spears with the elite Legio I.

Hannibal's veterans

Hastati of Legio I

To the left of Legio I, Legio II was very hesitant to advance (high command rolls early on each turn) A lone unit of hastati charged unsupported. Miraculously, it held its ground against two units of Libyan spearmen.

Against all odds

On the Roman right, two divisions of Celts, one of warbands and the other of cavalry, faced off against the raw Legio III. The legion's cavalry contingent was routed early on, but its infantry held fast against the Celtic horsemen and chariots.

The line holds!

It was a fun game. The units looked spectacular arrayed on the table. My new mounted generals were particularly handsome in their debut.