At long last I have finally finished my re-basing project for both my Seven Years War and American Revolutionary war collections. My miniatures class begins next week, so I have had to get this done to be ready. I am very pleased with the results, and added some figures to both collections to make the units a little bit larger. I particularly like the command stands, based on 1/2" and 3/4" washers. It's easier to distinguish between the line units and the commanders now.
I'll clean up my mess and set up some shots of both collections to post tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Pictures of the last wargame
The picture below is of the Russian left at the start of the battle. The artillery on the hills proved to be a problem for the Prussians the entire battle. The buildings on the left were a primary objective. The Russians had the advantage of being closer to them at the onset of the game.
The Prussians placed the majority of their units on the right, hoping to neutralize the Russian cavalry with their own horsemen and then storm the town with their six line battalions.
This is a shot of the village on the Russian right, held by a brigade and a battery. The Prussian grenadiers can be seen in the woods, trying to shield themselves from the Russian guns. This only delayed the inevitable. By the time they launched their attack, they had been pretty well decimated by musketry and cannister.
The primary Prussian success came on their extreme right where their cavalry, though outnumbered, was able to keep the Russian troopers at bey.
The focus of most of the action was this town. The Russians were able to occupy the two sections first. Initially, the Prussians were able to drive them out, but at the end of the game, Russian reserves counter-attacked successfully.
The Prussians placed the majority of their units on the right, hoping to neutralize the Russian cavalry with their own horsemen and then storm the town with their six line battalions. 
This is a shot of the village on the Russian right, held by a brigade and a battery. The Prussian grenadiers can be seen in the woods, trying to shield themselves from the Russian guns. This only delayed the inevitable. By the time they launched their attack, they had been pretty well decimated by musketry and cannister.
The primary Prussian success came on their extreme right where their cavalry, though outnumbered, was able to keep the Russian troopers at bey.
The focus of most of the action was this town. The Russians were able to occupy the two sections first. Initially, the Prussians were able to drive them out, but at the end of the game, Russian reserves counter-attacked successfully.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Seven Year's War Battle
A friend and I were able to get together and have a go at a battle. I have done some solo actions, but haven't had the chance to face a life opponent. I brought my Prussians to face my friend's Russians. We used the point system and each had about 1650 points. For the Russians, that included 11 battalions, five cavarly regiments and three batteries. On my side, I opted for some good quality troops, so I had four grenadier battalions rated at veterans, six line battalions rated as line, two batteries, two line dragoon regiments and an elite cuirassier regiment. My force was divided up into three brigades, my friend's into five. We used the random terrain system and rolled a lot of fives and sixes! On our six by four table we ended up with four villages, two farms, two light woods, a heavy wood and some hills. Three of the four villages became the objectives we were fighting over. The initial deployment of forces favored the Russians as they were closer to two of the three towns as well as having some high ground to place their batteries on. My strategy was to try to use my grenadiers to secure the town closest to my starting point and then move on to take the second town on the left flank. My cavalry was placed on the right flank which was more open. My line battalions and a heavy battery were in the middle, poised to try to take the third, and what I thought would be the decisive town. The Russians were able to start with all three batteries deployed. 1 line brigade held the town on his right, the cavarly was off to the left, facing my horsemen, and then a grenadier brigade and a line brigade were posted in the center to take the pivotal middle village. Right from the start I took casualties from his artillery which was posted on the hills on his left flank. Our cavalry locked horns first, and I had a couple of good rolls that allowed me to drive back his two brigades of cavalry. This secured my right flank so that the line infantry could advance unmolested on the village. The Russians arrived at this critical point first and occupied both sections of the town with two line battalions. On my left, my grenadiers used the woods to try to shield themselves from the Russian battery positioned to protect this side of the table. This slowed my advance, and allowed him to solidify his defense. In the middle, my initial attack on the center village was partially successful. One section was taken outright, but the second proved more difficult and dragged out for three full turns. On the third turn, my adversary threw in a battalion of grenadiers. This tipped the scale in his favor. He also counter-attacked the section I had captured, and on the last turn drove out my fusiliers.
On my left, my three grenadier battalions launched a desperate attack on the village there, but before they could come to grips with the green-clad infantry, were decimated by canister and close-ranged volleys. This valient brigade lost over 50% casualties in a losing effort. As the sun set on this hard fought battle, the Russians held two of the three objectives, and were therefore declared the winners. On my side, a large part of my failure was in the way I misused my artillery. My medium battery never fired a shot! My heavy battery wasn't able to unlimber until the end of the game. In the three turns it fired, it did some significant damage to the Russian cavarly, but had absolutely no effect on the more important theater of the village. I was surprised at how little of an advantage I was able to gain with my "veteran" grenadiers. I would have been better off by having three elite regiments than four veteran ones. It took us awhile to get it all set up, but once that was done, I think we got through close to eight turns in less than four hours. We both agreed that the rules gave us a good sense of a Seven Year's War battle and we are looking forward to our next game.On my left, my three grenadier battalions launched a desperate attack on the village there, but before they could come to grips with the green-clad infantry, were decimated by canister and close-ranged volleys. This valient brigade lost over 50% casualties in a losing effort. As the sun set on this hard fought battle, the Russians held two of the three objectives, and were therefore declared the winners. On my side, a large part of my failure was in the way I misused my artillery. My medium battery never fired a shot! My heavy battery wasn't able to unlimber until the end of the game. In the three turns it fired, it did some significant damage to the Russian cavarly, but had absolutely no effect on the more important theater of the village. I was surprised at how little of an advantage I was able to gain with my "veteran" grenadiers. I would have been better off by having three elite regiments than four veteran ones. It took us awhile to get it all set up, but once that was done, I think we got through close to eight turns in less than four hours. We both agreed that the rules gave us a good sense of a Seven Year's War battle and we are looking forward to our next game.
On my left, my three grenadier battalions launched a desperate attack on the village there, but before they could come to grips with the green-clad infantry, were decimated by canister and close-ranged volleys. This valient brigade lost over 50% casualties in a losing effort. As the sun set on this hard fought battle, the Russians held two of the three objectives, and were therefore declared the winners. On my side, a large part of my failure was in the way I misused my artillery. My medium battery never fired a shot! My heavy battery wasn't able to unlimber until the end of the game. In the three turns it fired, it did some significant damage to the Russian cavarly, but had absolutely no effect on the more important theater of the village. I was surprised at how little of an advantage I was able to gain with my "veteran" grenadiers. I would have been better off by having three elite regiments than four veteran ones. It took us awhile to get it all set up, but once that was done, I think we got through close to eight turns in less than four hours. We both agreed that the rules gave us a good sense of a Seven Year's War battle and we are looking forward to our next game.On my left, my three grenadier battalions launched a desperate attack on the village there, but before they could come to grips with the green-clad infantry, were decimated by canister and close-ranged volleys. This valient brigade lost over 50% casualties in a losing effort. As the sun set on this hard fought battle, the Russians held two of the three objectives, and were therefore declared the winners. On my side, a large part of my failure was in the way I misused my artillery. My medium battery never fired a shot! My heavy battery wasn't able to unlimber until the end of the game. In the three turns it fired, it did some significant damage to the Russian cavarly, but had absolutely no effect on the more important theater of the village. I was surprised at how little of an advantage I was able to gain with my "veteran" grenadiers. I would have been better off by having three elite regiments than four veteran ones. It took us awhile to get it all set up, but once that was done, I think we got through close to eight turns in less than four hours. We both agreed that the rules gave us a good sense of a Seven Year's War battle and we are looking forward to our next game.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hessian militia
Here are a couple of shots of the three Hessian militia battalions I just completed. I like the white gaiters; a nice change from the black of the Prussian units. These are 20 man battalions. I am just about finished with two regular battalions and then will start working on some cavalry squadrons.
Here are the same battalions from straight on.
Here are the same battalions from straight on.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Hessian Militia
I just finished three battalions of Hessian militia. The SYW page was very helpful in coming up with the uniform details. I used an assortment of odds and ends figures to make up the 20 man units. I'll finish up the bases tonight and post some pictures. Next on the agenda are a couple of regular units, some assorted cavalry squadrons and a battery of artillery.
I picked up some additional AWI figures at the hobby store last week. For my class this summer I am going to re-base my collection and add a few figures to each regiment. That should keep me busy up through the end of the school year and into the summer.
I picked up some additional AWI figures at the hobby store last week. For my class this summer I am going to re-base my collection and add a few figures to each regiment. That should keep me busy up through the end of the school year and into the summer.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
another battle
Well, this is my third attempt at putting together this entry. I am having a hard time getting the pictures to go where I want them. When I try to move them they disappear and I have to start over. This is my last try!
I have finished my re-basing project, and so now it's time to try out the rules. Today's game had a Prussian force of three infantry and two cavalry brigades going against the same order of battle for the Austrians. The Prussians had slightly better infantry and a small numerical in cavalry.
The picture at left is taken from behind the Prussian lines just prior to the start of the battle. The Prussian plan was to attack vigorously with their infantry on the left and wait to see what happened before committing their cavalry on the right. The Austrians surprised the Prussians by sending forth their cuirassiers on an assault order at the very beginning of the game. The first two turns say the adversaries come to grips with one another. The Prussians' first try to activate their hussars to stop the cuirassiers failed, but on the second bound they came through.
Austrian fire took a toll on the advancing Prussians. The 1/40th Fusiliers lost 25% from canister, but still managed to hold their ground.
On turn three a few charges took place. Prussian jagers drove back some Austrian grenzers, while an Austrian battalion stopped a Prussian counterpart cold with a first volley that claimed 25% casualties. But the biggest setback for the Prussians came when their elite hussars were soundly defeated by Austrian cuirassiers. Even worse, the men in armour rolled an 11 for their pursuit test, which means they will remain formed for the next turn and can charge a supporting regiment of dragoons that have been unformed by the retreating hussars!
The picture at left captures the devestating volley of the Austrians into the men in blue.
Slowly but surely I think I am beginning to understand the flow of the game. It is much harder to attack than I thougt it would be. I was hesitant to use my first volley for the Prussians after moving a full turn, but in hindsight, this probably would have softened up the men in white a bit. We'll see how that works next time.
I have finished my re-basing project, and so now it's time to try out the rules. Today's game had a Prussian force of three infantry and two cavalry brigades going against the same order of battle for the Austrians. The Prussians had slightly better infantry and a small numerical in cavalry.
The picture at left is taken from behind the Prussian lines just prior to the start of the battle. The Prussian plan was to attack vigorously with their infantry on the left and wait to see what happened before committing their cavalry on the right. The Austrians surprised the Prussians by sending forth their cuirassiers on an assault order at the very beginning of the game. The first two turns say the adversaries come to grips with one another. The Prussians' first try to activate their hussars to stop the cuirassiers failed, but on the second bound they came through.
Austrian fire took a toll on the advancing Prussians. The 1/40th Fusiliers lost 25% from canister, but still managed to hold their ground.
On turn three a few charges took place. Prussian jagers drove back some Austrian grenzers, while an Austrian battalion stopped a Prussian counterpart cold with a first volley that claimed 25% casualties. But the biggest setback for the Prussians came when their elite hussars were soundly defeated by Austrian cuirassiers. Even worse, the men in armour rolled an 11 for their pursuit test, which means they will remain formed for the next turn and can charge a supporting regiment of dragoons that have been unformed by the retreating hussars!
The picture at left captures the devestating volley of the Austrians into the men in blue.Slowly but surely I think I am beginning to understand the flow of the game. It is much harder to attack than I thougt it would be. I was hesitant to use my first volley for the Prussians after moving a full turn, but in hindsight, this probably would have softened up the men in white a bit. We'll see how that works next time.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
It's a glorious day here in Southern California and it's Easter Sunday. It's a day to reflect on hope and things eternal. Today will be spent at church and with family. I have so much to be grateful for. I thought it appropriate to use this blog as an avenue to express my gratitude. I hope you have a great day as well!
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