The British Are Coming

No, not those British! 

The British marching forth in today's parade are for the SYW/WAS/Jacobite Rebellion.  These fellas come on in hot pursuit of the Highlanders that have recently mustered out from the painting desk.

Figures are Blue Moon infantry led by a Eureka mounted colonel.  These lads muster out as the 6th Regiment of Foot and are the last of Blue Moon British lingering in The Lead Pile.  No worries.  There remain bags and bags of British infantry to paint and field but the next batch will be Old Glory figures.

Nice figures but harder to see the detail to paint than Old Glory.  Gosh, my eyes seem to be going even more downhill.

On the gaming front, Monday saw a third playing of the Montebello battle.  This time Ray and Lee faced off across the remote gaming table.  Ray commanded the French Army while Lee took charge of the Austrian Army.  The photo above shows Chamberlhac attacking the defenders of Casteggio, one of the objectives for the French.  Did they succeed in taking the town from the enemy to win the day?  And, did Lannes manage to survive this battle having fallen in the previous two?  This is a tale for another day.

Yet Another Highland Regiment

This week has been a busy one but not on the wargaming front.  With temperatures warming up, I made it out on the bike four days.  Bike and body are still functioning up to expectations after the long winter.  Even with little snow this past winter, recent rains and snowmelt have filled the Spokane River Gorge that splits the city.  Lots of water cascading over the falls.  One reader asked about the falls in a recent post.  I snapped the following photo on one of the rides this week.  As seen, the river is running high and parts of the river both above and below the falls are overflowing their banks.

If you look closely, pedestrians can be seen on the footbridges spanning the Upper Falls.  Spring cleaning and yardwork are also in full swing this week.  Much more work to accomplish before I can relax at the painting desk.

In the meantime, I did manage to push one more Highland regiment out from the painting desk.  Figures are again from Old Glory and the flag is from David of Not By appointment.

On the Great Wargaming Survey front, data exploratory is underway for the next piece of analysis.  Coming up is a look at opponent availability and a few of the attributes that may influence whether a gamer has enough or not enough adversaries to face across the gaming table.  Some of the attributes under consideration are population density, travel distance, and group size.  Hopefully, something of interest falls out from this effort.

More Highlanders

A second body of Highlanders charges out from the painting desk today.  A third such Highland regiment is currently in work.  The figures are Old Glory and present a motley and somewhat untidy appearance.  Flag is by David at Not by Appointment.  Hopefully they will intimidate any opponent who dares to stand in their way!

The bag of Highlanders contains a mix of figures in a variety of dress and pose.  With 23 figures per unit, I ought to be able to field two such regiments from one bag of figures, but I have managed to only field three units from two bags.  Each bag contained a few broken or damaged figures that I chose not to use.  A few command figures were siphoned off to command lowland units.  Clearly, more Highlanders will be needed if I am prepared to get serious with a Jacobite expansion to the SYW/WAS project.

When I am in command of these fellows, the above view will be the one seen.  When I face these hairy lads, this is the view I hope to see!

1st Dragoon Guards

Following closely upon the heels of the Highlanders, a body of British cavalry trot out from the painting table.  These troopers muster out as the 1st Dragoon Guard Regiment.  Figures are Eureka Miniatures and came as part of a rare bulk buy of unpainted lead from eBay.  The lot had more British cavalry in mitres than I can likely field, but a bargain is a bargain, right?  Well, a bargain only if I paint and field them!  I need to do some research on all of the units that sported the mitre whether in battle or on parade.

As well-known by now, Eureka cavalry are my favorite for this period and almost all of my cavalry across all nations are comprised of Eureka figures.  At last count, (just tallied this morning) there are over 1,000 painted Eureka cavalrymen in the SYW collection.  Who knew and how did this happen?

Besides more Highlanders for the period, a regiment of British foot is working through the production line.  The British foot figures are the last of the Blue Moon British sculpts in The Lead Pile.  After these are finished, then it is on to bags and bags of Old Glory British.  Yes, bags and bags...

On the gaming front, games have been non-existent this week as I recover from injury.  Monday sees me take command of the Prussian Army in Reject Richard's next remote Koenig Krieg SYW battle on hexes.  With Russian dispositions unknown, I have little idea what to expect.  I am sure that the Russian commanders will complain that Frederick got the better ground!  Should be fun.  

This morning, it is back to the painting desk and then putting the finishing touches on the scenario for the upcoming Montebello game.

Highlanders!

While there has been a mention or two of expanding the current WAS/SYW project to include the Jacobite Rebellion, few actual Scots have worked through the painting queue.  Well, the exception was two regiments of Lowland infantry seen recently at Scope Creep?.  

Using an impressionistic approach to painting the tartan in 15mm was not as horrible as I first imagined.  Not that I enjoyed the experience so much, but it was not as bad as anticipated.  Given that experience, two more regiments of Highlanders are working through the production line before I have second thoughts.

Anyway, out from the painting desk today is a body of 23 Highlanders from Old Glory.  Serviceable figures and a step in the right direction to building up a Jacobite Army.

With recent games slowing to about one per week means that time at the painting desk has seen a slight pickup in meaningful painting sessions.  Finished units are beginning to congregate on top of the photo box from a variety of projects.  I have some catching up to do.

For my hosting duties, the next game on the horizon will take a look at the 1800 Battle of Montebello.  With an eye toward finally bringing the 1799 Russian Army out for maneuvers, the French and Austrians will get a warm-up at Montebello.  It has been a long time since my early Napoleonics have been out onto the table.  More details on that game as I work through preparations.  With Montebello only four days before Marengo, perhaps, Marengo will see a refight afterwards?

Scope Creep?

With the 18mm SYW project expanding to include armies present in the War of Austrian Succession, War of Polish Succession, and a British Army in the early stages of development, expanding the theatre to include the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion seems only natural, right?  Scope creep or simply a reasonable expansion?  Well, this expansion seemed a natural byproduct to me.  

Having said that, the first Jacobite units muster out from the painting desk.  First to muster out are Lord Ogilvy's Regiment (blue flag) and Gordon of Glennbuchat's Regiment (white flag).  Both of these 23-figure regiments represent Lowland regiments.  Highlanders are up next.  Figures are Old Glory foot led by a Eureka mounted colonel.  Yes, painting Highlanders in tartan is up next.  After the Jacobites receive a half-dozen units or so, it will be time to crank up the production line to push some Government troops through.

Lots of other projects are seeing activity at the workbench so British will be in waiting until I return to painting 15mm figures.  

Tuesday saw a recommencement of hostilities on the plain at Pharsalus.   After seeing my four-game Caesarian sweep of Pompey at Pharsalus two weeks ago, Kevin dropped in for a rematch and lunch.  This time, we swapped sides.  I commanded Pompey and Kevin guided Caesar.  As in the previous outing, games were fought using Commands & Colors with 6mm armies.  In yesterday's four-game series, Caesar came away 7-1, 7-3, 5-7, 7-3.   In Caesar's 5-7 loss, Caesar was killed in combat.  Over the eight-game series, Caesar came away 7 and 1.  Pharsalus seems a tough task for Pompey.

With the New Year barely out of the gates, games are already on the docket for Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.  Starting the gaming year off with a bang!  Monday's game will feature a return to the WotR as a refight of Wakefield is in the offing.  Plenty of work to do to design and develop a scenario before then.  Which theory of the battle will be presented?  Stay tuned.

Next time, perhaps my annual painting review.

A Mixed Bag

Today's offering is a bit of a mixed bag.

To start off, Matt (Wargames in the Dungeon) joined me in a remote game on Friday.  We fought the Battle of Zallaqah with Matt taking command of the Muslim army.  For those taking count, this is Game #4 in the Zallaqah refights.  Not unlike Alfonso VI, I learned an important lesson in this battle.  Hope I can commit this lesson to memory for next time!  Details for another day.

Spanish cavalry's inglorious retreat!

On the painting front, December painting productivity has really picked up.  Not unexpected given my seasonal painting tendencies over the years.  Completed units are stacking up at the light box like cordwood before winter.  Some units from projects not seen in a long, long time are moving out.  Well, a few, never!  I may be winding up the year on a high note on the painting front. 

First out from the workbench is a bit of a clean-up.  That is, a few miscellaneous figures were pulled out and sent into the painting queue for a quick win or three.  What emerges are three units from three different projects.  Mustering out are a three-figure command stand for the Reconquista (BTD and Crusader), a two-figure command stand for the SYW (Eureka), and a Norwegian two-figure machine gun stand (Peter Pig) for WWII.  Whew!  Glad to have these out of the way in order to tackle some bigger units.    

On Tuesday, I expect to see Pharsalus return to the kitchen table in 6mm using Commands & Colors for a series of games before Christmas.  Have not had Caesar v Pompey out in a long time.  Should be fun.

Pharsalus

On the big table, downstairs, Zallaqah will be cleared away and a new battle contemplated.  Current thoughts point to the anniversary of Wakefield on 30 December.  I need to design a scenario and get busy.  Wakefield poses some challenges for a scenario design and requires careful thought.  Wakefield may be the first game to see action in the New Year.  We will see.  My mind and motivations wander.

Next time, either more painted figures, the last Zallaqah battle report, or something completely different!

Goin' Down for the Last Time

Yes, today's report is likely the last replay of Quistello before I move along to another new period and another new battle.  In this replay, I take on Peter (Grid-based wargaming) in a one-on-one match.  Peter has already provided an excellent account of our contest with a series of marvelously hand-drawn maps.  If only I had Peter's artistic talent!  Be sure to visit Peter's blog and read his battle account.

As a refresher for the situation, the Allies (Franco-Piedmontese) begin the battle encamped with a possibility of being caught off guard when the Austrians launch their surprise attack in the early morning.  Army and troop dispositions are shown in the table photos below: 

Battlefield with original Austrian attack plan.

Army dispositions.

While Peter's account is a tough act to follow, I provide my recollections from battle in a series of captioned battle photos.

View of battlefield looking SE from San Benedetto.

In the early morning hours, the Austrian Army successfully approaches the Secchia River without sounding an alarm in the camps of the sleeping Frenchmen.  The battle is about to begin!

Austrians poised along the eastern bank of the Secchia.

All three Austrian columns begin crossing the Secchia.
Quistello is completely bypassed! 
The French are surprised about this development!

After running off de Broglie,
 Suchow's brigade attacks the defenders of Gaidellina.
Despite being surprised,
 the defenders throw back Suchow's attack.

Crossing the river, Neipperg attacks a second body of French.
Similarly caught by surprise,
 the Frenchmen fall back as the Austrian grenadiers come on.

In minutes, the center of de Contades' line is pierced.

Rather than clearing out Quistello,
 Sachsen-Hildburghausen right faces and marches to the Secchia.
Another surprise by the Austrians!

Lantieri swings his Austrian dragoons around
 to cover the right flank of the army.

A second attack from the east into Gaidellina.
Austrian grenadiers scatter the defenders!
Gaidellina is theirs!

With Gaidellina secure, Konigsegg pushes his columns forward

along the main road to San Benedetto,

Neipperg urges his men forward on the attack.

After suffering artillery fire from Quistello,
Sachsen-Gotha attacks the town with his cavalry. 

The French defenders of Quistello are expelled
and French guns are overrun.

Prince Wurttemberg leads an attack
 into the French positioned astride the main road.
Not surprised, the French get a chance to fire
 as the Austrians bear down.
In close combat, the French are sent reeling back,
and a second battery is overrun! 
De Contades' Brigade breaks!

In the center, the Prince presses on
as Konigsegg advances from Gaidellina.

Lantieri crosses the Secchia and engages a body of
French cavalry forming up in front of Mirasole.
The French are driven back!
Austrian infantry reach the canal.

With Quistello cleared out, Austrian heavy cavalry move
through the town and along the road toward San Benedetto.
The Allies begin to respond.
De Bonas' cavalry moves forward to pin the enemy at Gaidellina
 while shifting two regiments to the center.
One isolated Austrian infantry unit is scattered
 when one of de Bonas' French cavalry attacks.

The center is quite thin on troops!

As more of Waldeck's infantry reach the canal,
the Piedmontese attack with grenadiers leading the charge!
The Austrian brigade breaks!

Piedmontese grenadiers move up to defend the canal.
The Austrians attack across the canal with grenadiers
 leading the way and Sachsen-Hild at the head.
Sachsen-Hild. goes down but the Piedmontese are destroyed.
Savoya's Piedmontese brigade breaks.

Austrians are across the canal and Austrian cavalry
 are working around the French left at Mirasole.

Needing only to destroy one of de Coigny's French
cavalry regiments to break the Allied Army,
 Lantieri brings up his dragoons.  
This may be a high-risk venture.
If successful, the Allied Army breaks.
If not, Lantieri will likely be broken in his efforts.

Lantieri succeeds and the Allied Army retires.
This battle is over!

Butcher's Bill

Congratulations to Peter on a fine victory!

Well, the Allied Army took another beating but fared better than they saw in their last outing.  The Allies almost held out for long enough but not quite.  Game ended on Turn 7 of 8.  The Dead Pile may be a little deceiving since several Austrian units were hanging onto life by the skin of their teeth. 

As in the historical battle, the French were caught by the early surprise attacks and de Contades was barely able to put together any sort of defensive line at all.  Like in the other games, de Contades was overrun and broken before he really got his footing.

We witnessed an historical result with the Allies battered and retiring from the field.  For the Austrians, von Waldeck's large infantry brigade was broken and his cavalry nearly so.  Each army saw two of its generals go down in the fighting.  Losing the fight at the canal and allowing the Austrians to turn the French left was really my undoing.  De Coigny's cavalry should have reacted much sooner and more aggressively.

Still, this battle iteration's result reinforces that the historical outcome can be replicated and probable.  Game #2 saw a similar historical result but on a grander scale.  In Game #1, without the sudden collapse of two Austrian brigades at the start of battle, we may have a seen similar outcome to the second two games.  In the final accounting, the Allies came up short in all three games.  For now, the Franco-Piedmontese Army at Quistello has gone down for the last time. 

Nice job, Peter!  Maybe I will get you next time? 

As for next time, I pack away the War of Polish Succession armies, clear the table, and plan for the next series of games.  I have a hankering for seeing my Reconquista armies back out on table so that may be next.

Thanks for looking!