1500 Posts 🥳💥🥳🎉🍾🎊

This is my 1,500th post, which in a little over 16 years is okay I guess although things have been very quiet of late. Fingers crossed things will improve….

Hooray for me and thanks to everyone for reading my stuff.

Armies of the Khmer Empire - 10/10

 I am still unable to actually do much painting and gaming at the moment as my stupid back is still giving me extreme grief. Hopefully my recent MRI scan will reveal what I know already, that it is f****d!

Moving on. This is a crackingly good book.

Armies, Allies and Enemies of the Khmer Empire (Volume 1: The Khmer Empire and its Army 802–1430 CE) by Mark G. Fry is one of the latest titles in Helion’s ‘A Time of Knights 400CE–1453CE’ series. As the title suggests, this volume turns the spotlight firmly on the Khmer Empire and, in particular, the army that helped sustain it.

For many readers, the Khmer Empire may immediately bring to mind the great towers and carvings of Angkor Wat. This book makes it clear that there was far more to the empire than monumental architecture. Fry presents the Khmer as a military power with a sophisticated, varied, and highly adaptable fighting force, and he does so in a way that is lively and easy to follow.

The book focuses on the empire’s great period of expansion and influence, from 802 to 1430 CE. Rather than simply moving through a list of rulers, battles, and dates, Fry explains how the Khmer army actually worked. One of the strongest parts of the book is the way it breaks down the different elements of the force, from elite palace guards to the peasant levies who formed such an important part of the army. The discussion of weapons is equally engaging, covering everything from composite bows to early black-powder weapons and elephant-mounted ballistae. Elephants receive plenty of attention too, with two chapters looking at Khmer war elephants and their practical uses, including their carrying capacity. Fry also gives a clear sense of the difficulties commanders faced when campaigning through the demanding, monsoon-shaped landscape of mainland Southeast Asia.

For me, the visual material is one of the book’s biggest strengths. The cover gives a good indication of what to expect inside, but the specially commissioned colour plates are even better: vivid, carefully researched, and full of character. They draw heavily on the bas-reliefs of Angkorian temples, which gives them a strong sense of authenticity. These are supported by a generous selection of black-and-white images, many showing temple details that help ground the reconstructions in real evidence.

Anyone interested in historical wargaming, miniature painting, or military reconstruction will find a great deal to enjoy here. The book includes useful detail on armour, clothing, weapons, and organisation, making it easy to imagine how these forces might look on the tabletop or in a modelling project. I can actually remember when a newly-available range of Khmer miniatures appeared perhaps in the 80's? For a time they were a super army, but I have no idea who made the figures.

Overall, Armies, Allies and Enemies of the Khmer Empire is an accessible and rewarding read. It manages to be informative without becoming heavy or overly academic, so it should appeal to casual history readers as well as dedicated wargamers and enthusiasts. If you are looking to move beyond the familiar world of medieval Europe and explore a very different military tradition, this is an excellent place to begin.

And yes, there are elephants — which certainly does not hurt. 

ISBN:978-1-804519-95-0                243 pages          Soft covers

Regiment La Tour d’Auvergne - UPDATED PHOTOS

The regiment in action with some jazzing up from AI

I picked up two small battalions of this unit off fleabay, and after a bit of tidying up, reorganisation and rebasing, I now have one battalion of 36, my normal size for a French unit, with a few figures spare to do some skirmisher bases. With a few exceptions these are all Victrix plastic figures. 

The Régiment de La Tour d'Auvergne was a light infantry regiment created by Napoleon Bonaparte in September 1805. Its first colonel was Godefroy Maurice Marie Joseph de La Tour d'Auvergne (1805–1808 I think). He was a Royalist who had reconciled with the Empire. Composed primarily of Austrian prisoners of war and men of various nationalities, it served under the French in Italy and Spain before being renamed the 1er Régiment Étranger (1st Foreign Regiment) in 1811. 

It doesn't fit in with the rest of my French, who are primarily organised for 1806–1808 in Northern Europe, but I was attracted to the regiment. 

Another review, this time of something a bit different but no less interesting...

 

I’ll health means the best I can manage at the moment are more book reviews. The Military Organisation of Moldavia & Wallachia in the Phanariot Era, 1709–1821 is a tightly focused study that shines a light on a part of early modern military history that is often overlooked. Rather than dealing in grand campaigns, Claudiu-Ion Neagoe focuses on how these two principalities actually raised, structured, and maintained their forces under Ottoman influence. I should say from the outset that this was a topic completely new to me, and I found the book a real eye opener as well as a genuinely enjoyable read.

One of the book’s main strengths is the way it handles the hybrid nature of military organisation. The armies described are neither fully traditional nor fully modern, instead drawing on local levies, mercenary elements, and Ottoman-inspired structures. The result is a layered system that feels both practical and unstable, especially in times of crisis. This comes across clearly in the wide variety of troop types shown in the eight splendid full colour plates. The book also includes a good number of contemporary black and white illustrations, along with numerous charts and tables detailing army composition. Together, these make it much easier to grasp how the forces were organised.

Another important theme is the financial burden of warfare. The author shows how military obligations were closely tied to taxation and administration, with the Phanariot rulers often struggling to balance defence needs against economic realities. That gives the reader, or at least it gave me, a much clearer sense of why military effectiveness could be so inconsistent.

The discussion of irregular troops and militia forces is also especially engaging. These units, while not always reliable, were vital to regional defence and internal control, showing how warfare in this setting was as much about policing and authority as it was about success on the battlefield.

Overall, this is a concise but well-researched and well-presented work. The translation, too, is very well done indeed. This book may not overwhelm the reader with narrative drama, but it will reward anyone interested in the mechanics of military systems and the realities behind lesser-known European forces of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

ISBN:978-1-804518-19-9 220 pages Softcover

The Kingdom Torn Apart review.

 

The Kingdom Torn Apart: The Finnish War of 1808–1809 by Erik Hornborg, translated by Erik Faithfull, is number 161 in Helion’s From Reason to Revolution 1721–1815 series. I have a real soft spot for neglected history, and conflicts do not come much more overlooked than the Finnish War of 1808–1809. This new English translation is a genuine treat for readers who like their Napoleonic history far from the familiar theatres of Spain or Central Europe. Hornborg takes us into the frozen north and shows that this is far more than a minor sideshow: it is the story of how the Swedish Empire stumbled badly and lost its eastern buffer, Finland, to Russia.

It is gritty, compelling material. After a strong introduction setting out the road to war, Hornborg leads the reader through retreats in waist-deep snow, desperate rearguard actions, and the stubborn resilience of Finnish soldiers who were badly let down by decision-makers in Stockholm. He also examines the organisation, training, troop quality, and tactical doctrines of both armies in useful detail. Then there is the surrender of Sveaborg: the strongest fortress in the North simply capitulating. Hornborg explores the how and why of that collapse with real analytical force and a strong sense of tragedy.

Why give it shelf space? Helion has produced the book to a very high standard. The translation reads smoothly, without the stiffness that can sometimes blunt the impact of older military histories. The maps are especially helpful, making it much easier to track regiments through what can be a confusing and fragmented campaign. The volume is also generously illustrated, with colour and black-and-white images of key figures, Finnish uniforms, reconstructed galleys, and present-day battlefield photographs with troop movements overlaid. Several appendices add real value, particularly the material on Finnish troop strength at the outbreak of war and the Sveaborg garrison. Above all, the book offers a forensic account of how a 600-year-old kingdom unravelled in just eighteen months.

This is an excellent read for anyone who wants to step outside the usual Waterloo-centric bubble. As a wargamer I can see a massive amount of potential for this campaign; indeed readers of this blog will be aware of my collection of miniatures for this war and the games played. The overall storey is a bleak one, albeit fascinating, and highly informative, while also explaining why the map of Scandinavia looks the way it does today.

ISBN: 978-1-804519-86-8 267 pages Paperback

Sassanid Commanders

This week I finally managed to get some additional command bases done for the new Sassanid host. I only had a couple plus a king on his hefalump so these four will balance things out appropriately.

Mainly Aventine Miniatures apart from one Perry plastic armoured horse. There might be an odd A&A guy in there as well.

I am now looking forward to giving their baptism of fire some time soon....

Another Gem from Bruno

 

Bruno Mugnai’s Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV, Volume 9: The Swedish Army, 1655–1700 is a hefty tome but less a heavy academic slog and more a sharply focused visual guide to one of early modern Europe’s most effective armies. The writing gets to the point quickly, explaining how the Swedish military worked in practice without drowning the reader in theory or debate. You come away with a clear sense of how the allotment system functioned, why those famous blue coats mattered, and how Sweden’s growing preference for hard hitting shock tactics shaped its battlefield reputation. The sections on weapons and equipment are especially useful, covering the shift to flintlock muskets, the continued presence of pikes, and artillery designed for speed rather than brute force.

What really makes the book stand out, though, is the artwork. The colour plates are crisp and full of practical detail, showing soldiers as they actually appeared on campaign rather than as parade ground figures. Infantry look worn but functional, officers are marked by subtle signs of rank rather than flashy excess, and the cavalry clearly lean toward swords and close combat instead of pistol fire. The captions do a lot of quiet work here, drawing attention to small but telling details like hats, cartridge boxes, and differences between units.

That said, the book doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. If you’re after deep campaign narratives or detailed operational analysis, you may feel it ends just as it gets interesting. But that limitation feels deliberate. As an accessible, visually driven introduction to the Carolean army, it does exactly what it sets out to do—and does it very well.

I have absolutely no intention of launching myself down the rabbit hole of a late seventeenth century Swedish army. Where would it end.....? 

ISBN: 978-1-806720-84-2 315 Pages Softback

Sassanids (99%) Finished!

A few more flags (as many as I can muster) and finish replacing all the spears  and lances and these are (almost) ready to go. Two more elephants, half a dozen command bases and some large shields for the infantry or archers to hide behind and its ready to rumble. I have a funny feeling I have some foor archers somewhere, but I wont look TOO hard!

Most of these minis are Aventine, with some A&A and even Gripping Beast IIRC. For the record I HATE shield transfers, It is a job best conducted by workhouse inmates as an alternative to picking Oakham! So, here is the Sassanid army eagerly awaiting the chance to take on my Late Romans.

 Elite cavalry (lances need adding)

Slingers, heavy infantry and behind them levy infantry.

Close up of the Neyze-Daran heavy infantry. Shields still to add, planted in a row to their front.

More heavy cavalry.

 

Elephants. To maintain the same frontage as all the other units two elephants make a unit. I have one command elephant and another normal one to do.

Three units of Clibinarii.

A few more armoured cavalry.

Horse archers

The entire host arrayed for battle.

So there you have it. Very colourful, plentiful and hopefully in the future successful. I am very pleased with the way they’ve turned out, especially the basing which I think I have got right. Now I just need to relearn ‘Sword and Spear’ in preparation for a game.

I must say a big thanks to Barry for kick starting the painting on this project.

Nowruz Mubarek and some Associated Little Men (work in progress)

Well, on the off chance that I have any Parsi readers (or Iranian too I suppose) I thought I’d wish happy new year to them. Most of the people I know in Bangalore are Parsi, followed by Christian, Muslim and Hindu with one Jain thrown in to the mix. We’ve been over there a couple times when we enjoyed this celebration, as being Parsi there are no constraints where booze and food are concerned. (I did draw the line at sheep’s 🧠 until I had a taste, and they’re actually rather tasty 🤤). 

Anyway, spurred on by the theme, in the darkness that is the space under my games table I brought out a long-forgotten project - my almost  finished, but not really, Sassanid army in 28mm. 

Having laid them all out there’s not that much to do apart from zillions of shield transfers to cut out 😱and stick on, lots of banners and flags/pennants to add, and the basing to tart up. The figures need the odd bit of touching up and some lances replaced but I shall get these finished in the coming week I hope. Then I can arrange for them to meet my Late Romans for a game.

Japanese Military Uniforms 1841–1929

This volume in the Asia@War Series offers a fascinating look at the development of Japanese military uniforms during one of the most transformative periods in Japan’s history. Covering the years from the late Tokugawa era through to the early twentieth century, the book traces how Japan’s armed forces evolved visually and structurally as the country modernised and emerged as a major military power.

One of the most interesting sections focuses on the final decades of the Shogunate. Here the author explores the mix of traditional Japanese dress and early Western military influence that began appearing in the 1840s and 1850s. These uniforms reflect a military establishment in transition, experimenting with foreign styles while still rooted in older traditions.

The book then moves into the dramatic changes that followed the Meiji Restoration. During this period Japan rapidly restructured its military along European lines, and the uniforms documented here show clear influences from French and later German designs. Nakanishi does a good job highlighting how these imported styles were adapted to Japanese needs, producing distinctive uniforms that blended Western military fashion with local practicality.

Another key section covers the period around the Russo-Japanese War. By this point Japan had developed a professional modern army, and the uniforms illustrated in the book reflect a force that had come into its own. Field uniforms, parade dress, and specialist equipment are all examined, showing the increasing sophistication of the Japanese military establishment.

Visually, the book is one of the strongest entries in the series. The numerous and detailed colour illustrations provide clear views of different ranks, branches, and uniform variations. For readers interested in military history, wargaming, or historical modelling, these plates are particularly useful for understanding how uniforms changed over time.

Overall, this is a concise but informative study that successfully captures the evolution of Japanese military dress from the twilight of the samurai age to the modern army of the early twentieth century. Accessible and lavishly illustrated, it’s an enjoyable and useful reference for anyone interested in the military history of Japan. 

Of course, this volume will be invaluable for anyone motivated by my recent reviews of Sunstruck Giant, covering the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 to dig deep into the uniforms of the Japanese armed forces. I include myself in that category......

ISBN: 978-1-804517-73-4                        88 Pages                          Paperback

The Russian History of the War of 1813, Vol 2

 

This large second volume of Modest Ivanovich Bogdanovich’s The Russian History of the War of 1813 carries on the job of telling the story of the campaign from a point of view we don’t get nearly often enough. A lot of the credit has to go to Peter G. A. Phillips’ translation, which manages to keep the nineteenth century feel of the original without making it heavy or hard work to read.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is how clearly Bogdanovich explains events that are often rushed through or told mainly from French or German perspectives. Here, the Russian side of the story really comes to the fore. He walks the reader through movements, decisions, and mistakes in a calm, straightforward way, which makes the whole account feel measured and trustworthy. There is no chest beating or drama for its own sake—just a solid attempt to explain what happened and why.

The detail on operations is where the book really shines. Bogdanovich gets into the nuts and bolts of coalition warfare, showing how awkward and fragile alliances could be, and how much effort went into keeping them together. He is also very good on logistics, making it clear just how much supply problems, coordination, and sheer exhaustion shaped the campaign. Along the way, you get brief but useful glimpses of the people involved too—commanders juggling competing interests, officers adapting on the fly, and armies trying to recover after years of hard fighting.

The translation makes all of this easy to follow without sanding off the book’s original character. It still feels very much like a Russian military history written in the nineteenth century, but never in a way that feels dated or awkward. Notes and explanations are kept to a sensible minimum and tend to help rather than distract.

As one has come to expect from Helion’s Reason to Revolution series, the book itself is well put together. The maps are clear, the illustrations are relevant, and the overall presentation supports the text without turning it into something overly academic or intimidating.

If like me you are interested in the later Napoleonic Wars, coalition warfare, or Russian military history more generally, this volume is well worth your time. It fills in a lot of gaps, offers a perspective that is often pushed into the background, and does so in a way that is detailed, balanced, and genuinely engaging.

From Reason to Revolution 1722–1815 No. 156

ISBN: 978-1-804518-21-2 550 Pages Paperback

Sino-Japanese War 1894–1895

 

John Dong’s hefty second volume of Sunstruck Giant, The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 is a confident, clear-eyed continuation that picks up exactly where the first left off—immersing the reader in the closing stages of the First Sino-Japanese War with the same calm authority, sharp detail, and unshowy narrative control that made volume 1 such a pleasant surprise.

Where the first volume established the foundations such as structures, doctrines, and the contrasting cultures of two late-nineteenth-century militaries, the second moves decisively into the meat of the campaign. Dong analyses the war’s later operations with an admirable balance: he neither romanticises nor ridicules either side, and instead opts for a measured assessment grounded firmly in contemporary sources. It feels refreshingly even-handed.

The real strength of this volume is how Dong explains both success and failure without resorting to simple caricatures. Japanese efficiency is not portrayed as an inevitability, nor is Qing collapse treated as pre-ordained. Instead, Dong takes the reader through the unravelling of systems—logistics under strain, command structures buckling, political interference compounding battlefield weaknesses. His analysis of decision-making at the operational level is one of the book’s real highlights.

As in the first volume, the battles are described cleanly and without clutter. There is enough tactical detail to give the wargamer or military historian something to chew on, but never so much that the wider picture becomes obscured. The final chapters, dealing with the campaign’s aftermath and the broader consequences for East Asia, are particularly effective—crisp, confident, and never slipping into textbook detachment.

Production-wise, Helion continue to play to their strengths. The maps are clear, the colour plates are as one would expect, being vividly colourful and full of action. The black and white illustrations are numerous and well chosen, and the overall presentation supports rather than overwhelms the narrative.

In short, this volume is a worthy continuation of what the first started: a thoughtful, well-constructed, and highly readable account of a war that deserves far more attention than it has traditionally received. Dong closes out his study with assurance and insight, making this pair of volumes an easy recommendation for anyone interested in late-Qing military history, Meiji Japan, or the shifting balance of power that shaped modern East Asia.

ISBN:978-1-806721-53-5 430 Pages Paperback

Blitzkreig’s Got Talent🎹🎹🎵🎶🎼

Another little bit of fun – 3D resin prints. The guy singing is actually a spare gunner I found on my desk. 

I really MUST make a start on my French cavalry (11th Cuirassiers). With dismounts for everything they look a little daunting but to be honest there wont be much to them as and when I slap some paint on. 

Then, hopefully. by the end of the month I might have lost the urge to paint up zillions of my remaining 1940 French, British and Germans and start on my 'secret' project (it'll be a choice of three).

The Spanish Passion

 

The Spanish Passion: A Wargamer’s Guide to the Spanish Civil War 1936–1939 is the latest entry in the Helion Wargames series. Authors Rob Anderson and Javier G. de Gabiola tackle a complex and ideologically charged conflict with clarity and focus, producing a guide that is both accessible and practical.

The text is well structured and written with the wargamer firmly in mind. Historical and political context is succinct, providing necessary background without overwhelming the reader. Coverage of equipment (very comprehensive) and unit organisation is clear and precise, offering the level of detailed useful for informed gaming decisions.

The book is visually impressive, featuring ten original colour plates supported by contemporary photographs that effectively reinforce the text and convey the wide variation in uniforms and appearance typical of the conflict.

A selection of engaging scenarios, largely drawn from larger battles, adds practical value. The painting section includes a detailed and illustrated step-by-step guide for Nationalist Moorish regulars and International Brigade troops, alongside a broader overview covering other forces such as Carlists, Falangists, the Foreign Legion, and regular units on both sides. The volume concludes with a list of figure manufacturers and a comprehensive bibliography.

Overall, I think the authors have done a pretty good job, and my thoughts are that this is a colourful, clear, well-presented introduction and a highly usable gaming resource. It succeeds in explaining a complex war with discipline and balance, making it a strong addition to the Helion Wargames series. 

ISBN: 978-1-804510-11-7                158 Pages               Paperback

Birth of the Byzangine Army Volume 2

Philippe Richardot’s second volume on the Birth of the Byzantine Army 476CE to 641CE, features as the fourth instalment in Helion’s new yet already distinguished series ‘A Time of Knights 400CE – 1453CE’, and offers a compelling and meticulously researched exploration of the early Byzantine Army. The work distinguishes itself by its ability to captivate the reader – it did me! What begins as a casual perusal swiftly evolves into an immersive experience, drawing the reader deep into the intricacies of Byzantine military practice.

A central focus of this volume is the operational methodology of the Byzantine forces. Richardot explains the army’s battlefield strategies, their responses to formidable adversaries, and the underlying factors that contributed to the army’s resilience during a period when much of the Roman world was in decline. The author’s approach to explaining tactics and troop types is notably accessible and forms a dynamic narrative. The depiction of cavalry manoeuvres, infantry formations, and the challenges faced by generals conveys a vivid sense of movement and urgency, rendering the Byzantine Army as a living entity rather than a static historical subject. The book delves into the specific manoeuvres employed by Byzantine cavalry and infantry, highlighting the adaptability and discipline that allowed the army to confront diverse threats. There are also detailed descriptions of various troop categories, including cataphracts and infantry, which are provided with attention to their equipment, roles, and effectiveness in combat.

The visual component of the book is equally noteworthy. The inclusion of eight pages of colour plates, complemented by black and white illustrations, pencil drawings, and detailed maps, serves to enhance the reader’s understanding of the soldiers’ roles and actions. The cataphracts are portrayed with an appropriate sense of intimidation, while the infantry are depicted as resolute and purposeful. These illustrations are not only valuable to wargamers and painters, but also to those with a general interest in military history, offering both visual enjoyment and practical insight.

In summary, Richardot’s volume is characterised by its approachability and engaging style. It revitalises the study of early Byzantine warfare, presenting it in a manner that is neither overly academic nor burdensome. Instead, it provides a thoroughly enjoyable and informative journey through the complexities of a fascinating army during a pivotal era in history.

ISBN: 978-1-804518-48-9 311 Pages Paperback

More 1940 miscellany

 This week I managed to complete a few random and largely unexciting Fall of France items. In my present 'wounded' situation I find it easy to knock off a few 1/72 bits and bobs if I pace myself.

German horse-drawn limbers (Early War Miniatures)

Renault Chenillette UE Tractor and 25mm AT gun - these are destined for my Moroccan Tirailleurs. (EWM)

An assortment of carts. The MG cart at the back and one other will be attached to my horsed cavalry regiment (next in the queue, in theory at least). (EWM).

An AMR35 Command Tank. This is a plastic kit from 'Forced to Fight' (I think, as I threw the instructions and packaging out brefore putting it together). This will be added to my Dragoon Portée regiment.

French High Command. Im not sure who or what they will end up commanding but they look suitably grim-faced and miserable. These are resin 3D prints.

Feeling somewhat isolated as I am neither up to putting a game or taking part in one still. Some improvement over the past week thankfully.

Something new to look forward to!

 I am really excited about these. Dangerous as I might be tempted to do some more Republican French.....

A couple more reviews

I am afraid readers are stuck with more reviews today as reading remains the main pain free activity; its not as bad as it was thankfully but a long way to go...or so it feels.

This is an engaging look into a fascinating slice of medieval Iberian history. The Fall of Moorish Seville 1023–1091 focuses on the rise and collapse of the Abbasid dynasty during the taifa period, becoming the most powerful of the taifa kingdoms under the Abbasid dynasty. and it manages to bring political intrigue, cultural achievement, and military tension together in a way that feels vivid rather than academic. 

One of the author’s strengths is how he humanised the rulers of Seville—especially al-Mu‘tamid. Instead of presenting him as just another medieval king, the author shows him as a poet, a patron of the arts, and ultimately a tragic figure caught between ambition and survival. The political manoeuvring between Christian kingdoms and rival taifas is clearly explained, without drowning the reader in names and dates. Even if like me you are not deeply familiar with eleventh-century Iberia, you won’t feel lost.

The illustrations deserve special mention. They are vivid, bold, colourful, and clearly inspired by historical sources, nor are they stiff or overly stylised. The cover image, for example, shows a warrior in chainmail with a rich cloak and turban, standing in a commanding pose. The details—like the texture of the mail, the layering of fabrics, and the muted battlefield scene in the background—add depth and atmosphere. Inside, the colour plates and other artwork helps anchor the narrative in a tangible world: shields, weapons, clothing, and architectural elements are thoughtfully included. The illustrations do not just decorate the text; they reinforce the cultural blend of Andalusia and broader medieval Mediterranean influences.

The narrative can occasionally feel a bit brisk, but there is a great deal to get through. Some events—particularly the shifting alliances with Christian kingdoms—move quickly, and a reader who enjoys deep military analysis might wish for a bit more tactical detail. But the trade-off is a smooth reading experience that keeps the story moving.

Overall, this is a strong entry in the series and a solid introduction to the taifa period. It balances storytelling and history well, and the illustrations add real value rather than feeling like filler. If you’re interested in medieval Spain or the complex world of al-Andalus, this one is definitely worth your time.

ISBN: 978-1-804518-30-4                    193 pages                     Paperback

Moving on 500 years, this latest addition to Helion’s Century of the Soldier stable is another one of those books from Helion where yet again the British Civil Wars are cut into bite-sized chunks, which is an approach I wholeheartedly endorse and prefer. My initial skim through the book resulted in me being instantly drawn into the untold mysteries of seventeenth-century garrison life. Andrew Abram has produced a genuinely interesting study of a topic that is usually treated as the dull logistical backdrop to the main set-piece battles. Here, the garrisons finally step out from behind their crumbling parapets and take centre stage.

What made the book instantly appealing to me is its sheer breadth. I used to think of  the British Civil Wars as a parade of Marston Moors and Nasebys, forgetting that the entire conflict was stitched together by dozens upon dozens of small, half-starving, perpetually under-paid strongpoints. Abram digs into these places with impressive clarity: who served in them, how they lived, how they fought, and—of course—what happened when the locals decided they had had quite enough of maintaining somebody else’s war.

The human detail is where the book really shines, and readers will be perhaps reminded that this aspect of warfare is something I am very interested in. Muster rolls, petitions, and complaints from governors and townsfolk are woven in without ever bogging the narrative down. I got a vivid sense of the dreary daily grind punctuated by sudden bursts of proper danger. Even the inevitable ‘accounts and provisioning’ sections are surprisingly readable and Abram has a knack for showing how the mundane becomes strategically essential.

Visually, it fits right into the Century of the Soldier series—good maps, decent artwork, and enough illustration to keep the pages lively without it feeling like a picture book. It also contains some handy tables and  details of some individual regiments. It is also mercifully well-structured, and I have found it possible to dip into individual chapters without losing the thread, which is handy if you are mining it for wargaming inspiration or background flavour for a scenario.

Is it niche? Absolutely. Does it matter? No. It is niche done particularly well: authoritative without being plodding, detailed without drowning you in academic footnotes, and, most importantly, packed with the sort of insight that reminds you the Civil Wars were far more than set-piece field battles. If you have even a passing interest in the period, the series, or the hidden machinery of seventeenth-century warfare, this is a cracking addition to the shelf.

In short, a lively, quietly fascinating study of the real backbone of the wars—those battered, begrimed little garrisons that kept the whole show running. Helion have another winner.

ISBN: 978-1-804518-37-3 222 Pages Paperback.

Some New Napoleonic Cavalry

Pictured in the post are a selection of miniatures produced by Piano Wargames. Mainly 3d resin prints with one of metal castings. As is clear from the photos I still need to do the basing and give them some flags.

Wurtzberg Light Dragoons

Hesse-Darmstadt Garde du Corps. Ok, there shouldn’t be as many figures in the unit as it was quite small. However, in my reality we have a proper-sized unit. These are metal.

Wurtemberg Jäger Garde Squadron.

Wurtemberg Garde du Corps squadron

Two squadrons of Wurtemberg Grenadier-Garde.

In reality this is another unit I decided to field at full strength with four squadrons for no other reason than it looks good.

French Infantry During the Seven Years War , Volume 2, Part 1.

My health at present is such that the best I can do for anyone reading this to be entertained is another review. 

Jean-Louis Vial has produced another solid and quietly impressive volume, the sort that rewards anyone with even a passing interest in the French Army of the mid-eighteenth century. This second instalment, French Infantry During the Seven Years War 1756–1763 volume 2: Regimental Distinctions and Colours; Part 1: French Regiments No. 1 to No. 74, covering regimental distinctions and colours for these regiments, continues the meticulous approach of the first book but feels even more assured in its presentation.

Vial’s strength lies in clarity. He manages to make a potentially dry subject—buttons, lace patterns, flag variations—surprisingly digestible. The organisation is clean, the detail is steady rather than overwhelming, and everything is backed by careful research. It is simply reliable, well-evidenced, and easy to use.

The colour plates and uniform artwork are, as expected, one of the highlights: crisp, attractive, and immediately useful for painters and wargamers. In fact with 32 pages of colour illustrations of each of the regiments’ uniforms and ensigns, we have something of a jackpot of detail to feast upon. However, the accompanying text is where the book earns its keep, guiding the reader through a complicated maze of uniform evolution without ever tying knots in one’s brain, well almost in my case. The uniforms of each regiment are discussed in some detail which complement the splendid regimental illustrations. There is even a concise service history for each regiment.

All told, this is a thoughtful, well-constructed reference that delivers exactly what it promises—and does so with quiet confidence. A pleasing addition to the shelf for anyone drawn to the Seven Years War or the ever-fascinating tangle of French regimental history.

This is No.151 in Helion’s from Reason to Revolution 1721–1815 series.

ISBN: 978-1-804515-40-2                    114 Pages Paperback