Old Snaps

Being in a state of shame from not posting for so long (despite constant gaming but being too lazy to take pictures) I have decided to post images from the days of yore. Most of these projects have seen a significant upgrade since this time but the images are not without merit.

Maurice 15mm Wargame

Maurice ... Prussia vs France ... Proto's vs Catholics ... Hohenzollern vs Bourbon ... What a match up!
The game began when the Prussians sacrificed to the gods of victory. (Shot a Spanish notable in French service in a duel.)








Prussia elected to attack. The French held their cavalry and elite units as a reserve. The Prussians organised 11 units of infantry in a massive right hook.





Their initial plan was to pin the enemy infantry then ride cavalry through the forest (using their notable's ability) flanking the French. This plan never came about.

The main battle occurred on the centre right for the Prussians where 5 infantry units of Prussians (initially tasked with just pinning the French infantry) pressed their musketry advantage. The French were only able to funnel 3 units at a time to meet this threat and although their shooting was initially fearsome the Prussian Deadly Volleys and numbers eventually won out. Over the course of the battle the French would lose 6 units here to the Prussian 1.









The flanking force of 5/6 other Prussian infantry units were held back by ... you guessed it ... That's not of the Map. I'm beginning to hate that card and it saw disruptions inflicted upon the Prussians that would have seen them at a significant disadvantage against the French elite. This French reserve had been committed to stop the flank attack. In reality no firing or combat occurred here and the French elites were not able to aid their increasingly pressured centre.







Cavalry played little role until late in the battle. The French committed their force behind their wavering infantry line with the desire of charging through their front line utilising their notables's special ability. The Prussians cavalry were brought up from the rear to counter this move.





But by now the loss of the main infantry line left 6 French units facing 14 Prussian. Flanks would soon be turned and the game was called. The French morale rolls were low throughout but both Mick and I agreed a clear advantage had been established by the Prussians that could not be overcome.





In reality it was stolid work from the Prussian infantry in the centre that won the day by doggedly firing volley after volley at every opportunity. The tactic involved my rallying more than I would have liked. This was not a flashy battle but it was enjoyable. I didn't execute my plan but rather reacted to local advantages as each arose. The unseen terrain on the flank had a huge impact on tactics. There were many small events that effected the battle but this gives a basic overview.

Maurice wargame 15mm SYW

Text to follow ... late at night now ... For now you are looking at our first real attempt at multi player Maurice. Two generals a side but just one deck of cards. Went well although the more we play the more we want to modify the morale rules.

A Gratuitous Post

I just felt the urge to pick up the camera ... fiddle about with my Frenchmen thus far and ... this is the result. I am pretty pleased but am increasingly imagining what the finished product will look like.

Forward! Your Emperor commands you!

CGM Napoleonic Miniatures

This weeks offering is my 6 pdr (or lbs) Horse Artillery Battery. 

At the moment it is without varnish. I can't get to my varnish today as my courtyard is being tiled (at last) and my garage is in constant use by the tiler. No problem ... I'm very happy tiles are going down. 

But all that aside the main point of this post - apart from marking another small increment in my French Napoleonic force - is to say how much I like CGM miniatures. These French Horse artillery miniatures were a real pleasure to paint and have been superbly crafted. No flash and excellent detail. Scale is right too. Easy to paint such miniatures. Well done to Dermot and his team over in sunny Spain. 

One last snap of my cavalry core. It only awaits the arrival of my next CGM order. This contains my last heavy cavalry unit - another cuirassier. I agonised over this final choice as I want my late french army to be representative of the troops that were being used in 1813 and 1814. I know dragoons were far outnumbering cuirassiers (they always did) and cavalry horses were getting scarce. But after much searching I found that the Heavy Cavalry division of Étienne Tardif de Pommeroux de Bordesoulle (what a name!) was still fighting in 1814 - eg: at Champaubert - so I can justify the choice in my mind. But it did cause some angst.