Theraphy Wargaming .

 

Whilst getting over my operation wargaming was not a priority , however as a sign I'm getting better I have set up a Franco-Prussian game using AGM rules using the Grant Sawmill Village scenario. French nearest the camera .

The French High Command have based themselves at a rather nice establishment that has an very amusing wine list.

The Prussian Generals set up their command post at the Sawmill , not quite as commodious .

The French forces advance .

The Prussians have a good hand of cards and swiftly capture the village. To be continued ....

French High Command (and a clue why they didn't do well in the war)

 

The French High Command 'Willie' figures from their Franco-Prussian 30mm collection . The chap on the right is in fact Napoleon III himself ! and seems to be somewhat distracted from his command duties by the Vivandiere !?

'Oh La La !' no wonder they lost the war !!! . For my money 'Willie' did the best female models out there and they must be over 50 years old now . Back to the more mundane painting next.

PS This is one I painted earlier as I can't sit comfortably at the moment due to my op.

Prussian High Command .

 

Before I start on the next Cavalry units I thought I would treat myself painting the Command bases for the two armies . Here we see the Prussian High Command , these are Tradition figures from their 1871-1919  Imperial German range 

They are beautiful crisp figures , not expensive although the postage from Sweden is a bit eyewatering , but very quick . Next up the French .

Same figures, different rules - end game .

 

Under heavy artillery and rifle fire one of the Prussian Infantry Regiments failed it's morale test and fled back a move .

The French capitalised on this and swung round one of their units  and the two Regiments poured fire onto the remaining leading Prussian unit.

On the other flank there was a seriesa of Cavalry clashes , the French retired under the protection of their guns as the Prussians where whittled away by their fire.(the Red heart signifise that the unit has passed it's first morale test - if it passed it's next it would automaticaly pass all other tests)

At this point The Prussian General decided to call off the attack as his Cavalry was weakened and the Infantry had suffered substancial casualties . It was interesting playing with historical forces rather than my Balkans Imaginations and I think I will use these rules again with some of the special rules/personalites added . The double size units looked good and although dishing out double casualties, they have of course twice the figues to kill before unit morale kick in .  

Same figures , different rules.

 

I normally play the classic Featherstone rules with my Irregular 28mm Franco-Prussian war figures but I wondered if I could use them as well with my beloved 'Gentleman's War' . 

Having cleared up the figures from our last game I thought I would set it up again using the Irregular FPW figures . The only difference I have had to do is add two figures to each Infantry unit (hence the painted figures in the last post) to make moral checks easier to work out (my 40mm/54mm are in 12 figure units) so these will be in 24 figures . 

As in the last game the forces are the same as is the scenario , with the Prussians having to capture the bridge . The Prussian General has been dealt an impressive hand of cards to start the game ! 

And he uses them - swiftly deploying his infantry Regiments ready to attack. I will report back how the game plays out .

First fruits of the year .

 

After all the Christmas / New Year shenanigans I've finally got around to painting again . I've got these FPW figures that were started in December done and they are now ready for varnishing . Have not got any plans for new gaming projects but we will see what happens as the year turns.

A modest Christmas haul.

 

Not much wargame pressy wise for Christmas , this rather nice War of the Roses book from Helion which on a brief scrutiny could prove controversial with established thinking and 4 character figures from the 'Willie' range from Tradition , not badly priced but the postage from Sweden although efficient is a bit eye watering.

There are 2 mounted Cavalry Officers for the French and Prussians and these rather nice French Cavalry Vivandieres - I wasn't aware of the French Cavalry having these but they will paint up nicely in there bright uniform . All the 'Willie' figures are a bit bigger than the Irregular I use for the rank and file but once on the tabletop I don't think it will be too noticeable

In between all the 'Christmassy' things I have managed to glue up. base and undercoat my last two Franco Prussian Cavalry Regiments , both Dragoons - one per side , so lots of painting to do in the New Year .

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Franco-Prussian Artillery .

 

Due to the rather wet weather I've got my remaining Artillery painted up , here is the final French gun and crew , again Irregular Miniatures.

There is the Prussian one , I always assumed the Prussians only had cast iron/steel guns but came across pictures of bronze/brass barrels (?) . I have two more French and Prussian infantry units to collect and a unit of Cavalry per side and this will finish off my project . An order has gone of to Irregular for my next painting fix !

French Algerian Tirailleurs ..

 

Been a bit slow on the painting front this last week or so , but I've finally got the Algerian Tirailleurs done.

The figures are of course Irregular 28mm , except the Vivandiere which is an old 'Willie' figure . All my French regiment have one .

A cracking figure - which must be over 50 years old but still available from 'Tradition' who now trade from Sweden and do a surprisingly efficient mail order service.. I have only a couple of guns and crews to paint and so must think of another order to Irregular Miniatures. 

 

Fruits of the paintbrush .

 

Well after a week of painting I've finally got the Bavarians finished and varnished . The only problem was printing off a flag as my printer didn't want to print , however after fiddling with it (I didn't really know what I was doing) it suddenly started working (I think swearing at it works) .

And here they are in their shinny glory , they are of course 28mm Irregular Miniatures.. Next up for painting are French Turcos - more light blue uniforms. 

Early morning painting.

 

Having gotten out of bed at 6.00 am for work for over 40 years I still have the habit of waking up early . This morning I awoke at a quarter to six and wanted the loo . this woke the cat up who sleeps on the bed who then pestered to be fed , this woke the dog up (who sleeps downstairs) who started whining - so I got up ! Having done the morning crossword and had my breakfast it wasn't even 7 am , so I thought I'll have a look at the next batch of my Irregular FPW . One of the things I find is that playing a game always gets me wanting to paint more of them . These are two units one will be Bavarians and the other either Turcos or Zouaves .

I decided on a Bavarian Infantry unit , I like painting Bavarians ! any army that has sky blue uniforms gets my vote. In reality the uniform was probably a darker blue but seeing I've got a new bottle of sky blue paint I'm using it ! Here are the first figures ready for a coat of varnish which will cover up any mistakes in painting . All done before 8am ! a good start to the day - if only I was as motivated in other aspects of my life . .

 

The Battle of the Eglise sur la colline (Part3) , The Debacle .

 

The French Vivandiere manages to patch up a casualty , meanwhile on the left ......

The French Artillery open fire on the Prussian Jaegers .

The Uhlans charge into the flank of the French column ! , who fail their test and -

- are scattered and destroyed - Oh dear !

Things are not going well on the other flank as the French Infantry once again fail to rally .

The game is lost for the French with both flanks gone ! . A victory for the Prussians ! 

Think Emile Zola probably sums it up ! . A great game though, which I enjoyed and has got me wanting to paint up some more figures and let the French seek their revenge .

The Battle of the Eglise sur la colline (Part Two) , in which things do not go well for the French

 

The gallant Prussian Artillery Officer has to man the gun single-hand (the dice tell how long it is going to take him to load it)

The Franc tireurs move up to support the Line Infantry.

The Prussia Uhlans charge the French Hussars !

The Cavalry melee !

-does not go well for the French ! 

The surviving Hussars rout off the tabletop without even pausing to consult the rules .

On the other flank things do not go well either , having taken 5 casualties the French fail their moral check and retire one move (hence the dice) will they rally next move ? . To be continued .......

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The Battle of the Eglise sur la colline.( Part One )

 

The battlefield , the French are entering the table on the right and the Prussians on the left.

The game will last for 10 moves , this is the patient move tracker I've made.

The French gun unlimbers and open fire on the Prussian Uhlans .

The start of move 2 , the Frech Hussars deploy in the center as Prussian forces move up to the church and down the road in the distance.

Prussian Jaegers advance swiftly in skirmish order towards the church .

The Prussian Artillery deploy but are hit by counter battery fire from the French which causes heavy crew casualties . The French got lucky and the Prussians couldn't hit a barn door !.

The leading French Infantry deploy into line and come under fire from the opposing Prussian line.

The Prussians also take casualties - loosing an Officer as well . Too be continued ........