Something new to look forward to!

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

Some Franco-Prussian War Book Reviews

I haven’t done any book reviews for a little while so here are three all at once. Each is a new or revised edition of volumes published by Helion a dozen or so years ago focussing on the opening moves of the France-Prussian War. They are of course wonderful.

The Campaign in Alsace August 1870 by Brigadier-General J.P. Du Cane CB is a new edition of the book originally published by Helion in 2010. It is number 56 in their excellent ‘from Musket to Maxim’ series. It provides an account of the early phases of the Franco-Prussian War, specifically examining French and German military actions in the Alsace region and the battles of Weissenburg and Wörth. First published in the late nineteenth century, it combines historical analysis with military commentary and reflects the author's experience as a British officer observing European warfare during this period.

 

The focus is primarily on high-level operations and command decisions, with less attention paid to the experiences of rank-and-file soldiers or broader socio-political context. Du Cane examines troop movements, command decisions, and battlefield outcomes using a methodical approach. The analysis is presented in a factual, restrained manner without emotional or nationalistic language. This approach provides credibility when comparing French and German military operations. The author reviews the structure of the French command, noting challenges with cohesion and preparedness, and describes the strategic discipline and operational efficiency exhibited by the Prussian forces.

 

A notable strength of the book is its inclusion of seven clearly drawn maps and tactical sketches, which I found helpful in visualising complex manoeuvres, particularly those related to the battles of Weissenburg and Wörth. These features contributed to my understanding of the ways in which terrain and timing affected the outcomes. There are four appendices which give detailed orders of battle for Weissenburg and Wörth.

 

 

Overall, The Campaign in Alsace August 1870 remains a valuable resource for students of military history, especially those like me who are interested in the Franco-German War, nineteenth century warfare, and the evolution of operational doctrines. While not a narrative history in the modern sense, it offers a disciplined, insider’s look at a pivotal campaign through the eyes of a contemporary military observer.

 

ISBN: 978-1-804518-82-3        101 pages, paperback

 

The Battle of Spichern is a new edition of the original book Helion published in 2009. It is more than a retelling of a nineteenth century clash but more of a tactical masterclass. Written by G.F.R. Henderson in 1891, who was a British Army officer and respected military thinker, this book breaks down the August 1870 battle between French and Prussian forces with great precision and dramatic clarity.

 

Through detailed maps, tactical sketches of the battlefields drawn from ground level, eyewitness reports, and detailed analysis of each stage of the battle, Henderson explains how leadership, terrain, weaponry, and sheer human will, contributed towards the ultimate the outcome. What unfolds is a timeless study in battlefield decision making, command under pressure, and the real consequences of tactical error. Despite its age and writing style I found the narrative completely enthralling and despite knowing the ending it was a difficult book to put down.

 

In addition to aforementioned maps and so forth there are a large number of contemporary black and white illustrations and a complete order of battle for both the French and Prussian armes and a breakdown average strengths and of losses suffered. One fact I found especially interesting was that in terms of number actually engaged, the figures are pretty much even.

Whether you're a military history enthusiast, student of leadership, or just love a gripping true story, The Battle of Spicheren remains essential reading. I found it clear, compelling, and surprisingly relevant more than 130 years after it was written.

 

ISBN: 978-1-804518-50-2      273 pages, paperback

 

Originally published in 1891, The Battle of Wörth by George F.R. Henderson represents a significant contribution to classic military history literature. The work provides a concise yet comprehensive analysis of one of the earliest major engagements of the Franco-Prussian War, detailing the conflict between Marshal MacMahon’s French troops and the German forces led by Crown Prince Frederick. This revised edition, first issued by Helion in 2013, incorporates a curated collection of pertinent images and an extensive bibliography related to the Battle of Worth. Additionally, it features a new foreword by Helion owner Duncan Rodgers.

 

Henderson, a British Army officer and one of the most respected military historians of his day, wrote this primarily for fellow professionals — and it shows. If you enjoy studying how nineteenth century armies were armed, organised, moved, fought, and failed, you’ll find it deeply rewarding. Certainly the depth of research and the detailed analysis of every moment of the battle makes for a gripping read as we get a blow-by-blow account of the battle. 

There are 22 contemporary black and white illustrations and photographic portraits of some of the key players on both sides. The images of troops in action are excellent, being full of movement. There are five excellent maps and two detailed panoramic sketches of the battlefield, one each from the French and German perspectives. 

 

The book also boasts seven appendices. As well as the extensive orders of battle, there are others covering the losses incurred by both armies; some French regiments suffered between 77 and 93 percent losses and were effectively annihilated. Indeed a staggering 50 percent of the infantry and 32 percent of the cavalry were casualties on the day, which totalled around 8,000 killed and wounded and 6,000 unwounded prisoners. German losses were numerically slightly higher but as a percentage just 11 percent of those engaged. German artillery expenditure (nearly 10,000) is also included, together with a breakdown by target type of the effective range of German artillery. We then have extracts from regimental histories which give an insight into infantry fighting at regimental and lower levels. Finally, Duncan has compiled a comprehensive guide for further reading which is an extensive, massively diverse, list of reference material. Some of it is general ‘stuff’ (official or general histories of the war) but also included are a significant number of French and German regimental histories, usefully grouped together by corps or division.

 

There is very little on the politics, civilian experience, or larger context of the war; rather the focus is wholly on what it should be – the battle. This is a soldier writing for soldiers, and the style could be considered dry and dated by today’s standards, it being written in 1899. I cannot say I found this to be the case. Henderson’s clarity of thought and respect for both French and German command make it a most worthwhile read for any serious student of military history. I am fascinated with the Franco-Prussian War and have no problem in recommending this book to like-minded souls. If you missed Helion’s first release then it is well worth buying now.

 

 

ISBN: 978-1-804517-90-1                 119 pages, paperback

Holiday reading - The Northern Coalition Against Napoleon 1810-1815 and The Campaign on the Loire 1870-1871

A break away from home has given me the opportunity to carry out some light holiday reading; ok ‘light’ is all relative I guess, but as I my nature allows me to absorb books I find it very relaxing and satisfying. 

Patrik Björk's The Northern Coalition Against Napoleon: The Campaigns of Bernadotte, Britain and the Swedes 1810-1815 os No 143 in Helion’s ever-expanding from Reason to Revolution series. It is a fascinating insight into the intricate balancing act of diplomacy and warfare that ultimately led to Napoleon's downfall. This hefty book (almost 500 pages) focuses on the often-overlooked Northern Coalition, created by the former French Marshal Bernadotte, who, with British support as was the norm in those days, sought to overthrow his previous master Napoleon.

The author has consulted a staggering number of sources - over 500 - including letters, diaries, and official reports from French, British, Swedish, and even Finnish archives. I found the narrative to be far from partisan, and pretty well balanced and neutral that brings a whole new series of campaigns to the readers, offering new perspectives on the Napoleonic Wars.

This account digs deep into the personal and military conflicts between Napoleon and Bernadotte. The latter was clearly his own man. One couldn’t really make up the series of events that led to his election as Crown Prince of Sweden.

The formation of the Northern Coalition is examined with detailed descriptions of the campaigns and battles on land and at sea. Bernadotte and the Swedish forces’ contribution are certainly showcased. Of course these wars are fought pretty much exclusively by the common soldiers, and the author touches upon these human elements well.

The author takes us through the run up to the final years of the reign of of the Swedish King Gustav IV Adolf, his removal, the election of Crown Prince Carl August, his untimely death when he fell from his horse and cracked his skull, and ultimately the election of Bernadotte in his place. The political machinations running throughout this series of events is fascinating, especially the influence of Denmark-Norway in trying to unify the three kingdoms under one ruler which came to naught of course.

Once we have Bernadotte at the helm, there are detailed examinations of the 1810-1812 Anglo-Swedish War, the campaign of 1812 and the many battles during the spring and summer campaigns of 1813 in Germany, concluding with the Leipzig campaign.

The book contains a staggering 110 contemporary black and white images and 40 useful maps to help navigate the reader through the narrative. The appendices are particularly useful as they include a variety of detailed orders of battle, from operations in Swedish Pomerania in 1812 and the various stages of the campaign of 1813. The orders of battle covering operations against Denmark and the campaign in Norway are something I have never seen before and opens up all sorts of wargaming possibilities, even more so when one factors in the often overlooked contribution of the British on land and sea between 1810 and 1814.

I have to say that The Northern Coalition Against Napoleon is a must-read for enthusiasts of North European military history and the Napoleonic Wars. As someone with a significant interest in the Swedish army during the Napoleonic Wars the focus on Sweden is most welcome, with, to me at least, much new information. The writing style and thorough research make this book not just informative but enjoyable, offering as it does a fresh perspective on a key period in history.

ISBN 978-1-804517-09-3 487 pages. Paperback


Next up is the latest Quintin Barry book covering the Republican phase of the Franco-Prussian War.

The Campaign on the Loire’ by Quintin Barry is No. 49 in Helion’s ‘from Reason to Revolution 1721-1815’ series. After the author’s earlier and excellent four volumes on the Imperial stage of the war I was really looking forward to reading it. The book is a meticulously researched account of the military operations along the Loire River during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Barry's expertise in military history is again apparent as he delves into the intricacies of this lesser-known campaign, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the strategies, battles, and key figures involved.

For me, perhaps the standout feature of this book (one of many) is Barry's ability to present the complexities of military maneouvers in an easy-to-follow manner, and he is adept in balancing detailed battle descriptions with broader strategic analyses, allowing readers, me included , to grasp both the immediate actions on the ground and their larger implications within the overarching context of the war. By doing so he ensures that both military enthusiasts and general readers can appreciate the narrative without feeling overwhelmed.

As ever I am always drawn to the human side of conflict and he excels in bringing to life the personalities of the commanders and soldiers on both sides of the conflict. He introduces vivid anecdotes and well-chosen quotations, in doing so humanising the historical figures, and providing insight into their motivations, challenges, and decisions. I like this approach as it adds depth to the military history, making it not just a study of tactics and outcomes but also a reflection on leadership and the human aspects of the conflict.

The book contains 15 detailed colour maps and 71 black and white illustrations that complement the text, and allow readers to follow the movements discussed and appreciate the terrain being fought over.

In summary, ‘The Campaign on the Loire’ is a tremendous piece of work that sheds much needed light on a key yet often overlooked aspect of the Franco-Prussian War. Quintin Barry's thorough research, engaging narrative style, and insightful analysis make this book a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in military history or the complexities of nineteenth century European conflicts. I for one am looking forward in hope the Mr Barry will continue his examination of the Franco-Prussian War and the ‘Republican’ phase.

ISBN 978-1-804517-82-6 Hardback 268 pages

Perry Bavarians 1866-71

 

A box of the new Bavarians arrived yesterday. I shall be assembling them with the peaked forage cap as they are intended for use in the 1866 campaign; I already have a division of 1870 Bavarians in helmets plus supports.

Of course I still haven’t stuck together the plastic Prussians from a couple of years ago, or the plastic French! 

The Bavarians do look rather nice but they are at the back of the queue at the moment.

Franco-Prussian War. The Destruction of the Imperial Army Vol 4 - Catastrophe: Sedan, Strasbourg and Metz 1870

It is almost with a touch of sadness that I am writing about the final installment in Grenville Bird’s tremendous accomplishment in bringing to life these few weeks in the summer of 1870 that saw the end of the Imperial France  of Napoleon III. I am also very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to review and comment on the entire four-volume series. So, ‘The Destruction of the Imperial Army Volume 4: Catastrophe: Sedan, Strasbourg and Metz 1870’ is another epic, and an absolute whopper of a book (546 pages!), drawing on yet more contemporary documents and correspondence; again, much of which has never been published in English. 

This volume follows the same tried and tested format as the previous three volumes, and is profusely illustrated with 58 images, many of the battlefields, both then, and as they can be seen today, some of the latter annotated with key points of interest from the actual battle. There are also a number of more somber photographs of graves and monuments to the fallen. This tremendous range of illustrations are accompanied by strategic and tactical maps which together with the narrative combine to present a free flowing and detailed account of events.

The book begins at the end so to speak, with an account of the surrender of Sedan, much of which are the letters and reminiscences of those present in the proceedings. The following chapters each focus on one significant event, that is the fall of Strasbourg, Metz and the battle of Servigney, and the siege and fall of Metz.  We then delve into the immediate aftermath of 'La Debacle' , the questions asked of how could this have happened, the recriminations and the bold decision by the new republic to continue the war. Every chapter contains a vast a mount of first-hand experience and contemporary documentation; as always I find the private correspondence especially interesting as a direct window into the thoughts of those caught up in the war.

The final two chapters provide some excellent reading for those wishing to wargame the conflict, as each covers, in some depth, the tactics of both the French and the Germans. I think these will attract a great deal of attention.

As ever, there are numerous appendices (31 in all), providing a vast array of detailed information on subjects such as orders of battle, casualty returns and after action losses. The bulk of the appendices include capitulation treaties and correspondence and reports on  subjects as diverse as the destruction of the French eagles to German siege operations. The best appendices for me are the last four as they examine the effectiveness of French artillery, the Mitrailleuse and a comparison between the French and German weapons.

This is a fitting final volume in what has been for me an absolutely wonderful series. I am now hoping that the author will not rest on his laurels but will now examine the Republican phase of the war in as much detail. Please.....

ISBN 978-1-804514-59-7  softback, 546 pages

The Destruction of the Imperial Army, Volume 3: The Sedan Campaign

I’m still away so here for your enjoyment or otherwise is another review of one of my holiday reading choices.

Following on from the first two volumes, the next in the series in Helion’s ‘from Musket to Maxim’ series, ‘The Destruction of the Imperial Army, Volume 3: The Sedan Campaign 1870 by Grenville Bird is unsurprisingly yet another masterpiece, and the superb quality of the previous volumes is maintained throughout.

Volume 3 advances the woes of Napoleon III’s army, this time the spotlight being on the fighting leading up to the debacle that was the short (barely a fortnight from the formation of the Army of Chalons to its surrender) and decisive Sedan campaign, culminating in the surrender of the city, the 100,000 plus strong French Army of Chalons, and the French Emperor, on 2 September.

We begin with the various and somewhat ill-thought deliberations among the French high command which led them (and leads the reader) on the road to Sedan. This is followed by a breakdown of the Army of Chalons. Many of its component corps and divisions were in poor shape after the earlier battles, and lacked equipment, horses, clothing, weapons (including artillery). One contemporary writer present with the army pulls no punches when describing the quality of newly-arrived officers (it seems the bottom of the barrel was being well and truly scraped to furnish sufficient officers for the new formations and as replacements for casualties. The same writer considered the majority of the NCOs he saw to be ‘more or less inept’ and newly promoted, and the replacements young and inadequately trained or old soldiers recalled to the colours. I leave it to the reader to enjoy his descriptions of the army. One anecdote probably sums it all up, when troops came under fire while encamped, loosing seven killed and eight wounded. Chasseurs were sent into the woods to determine to source of the firing, only to find it was their own men on a poaching expedition for their cooking pots!

The remainder of the book, over 400 pages, gets us straight into the action, where the combat at Nouart, the battle of Beaumont and finally the battle of Sedan are described eloquently and in forensic detail. This is always a boon to wargamers in any period.

Eight appendices give us orders of battle for each of the battles covered in this volume as well as detailed casualty returns. I do not mind that the extremely comprehensive orders of battle are perhaps (I have heard said) not the easiest to read, but the information they present is widely available elsewhere should anyone really struggling wish to look. I managed perfectly well to understand them.

There are 58 colour and black and white images, and following the pattern seen in the earlier volumes, some are contemporary and others are photos of features of each battlefield as they are to be found today. As in the earlier volumes many of the battlefield photos compare the ground as it was in 1870 and in the present day.

Volume 3 contains 17 highly detailed colour maps showing the topography and the movements and deployment of the formations involved, which are helpful to refer to when following the strategic and tactical movements of the armies. It is worth a reminder that if one makes a visit to the Helion website you can gain access to .pdf copies of all the maps in order to avoid too much flicking back and forth.

Grenville has done it again! Like volumes 1 and 2, The Destruction of the Imperial Army, volume 3: The Sedan Campaign is a masterpiece equally valuable to Franco-German War novices or the more informed (I would not class myself as an expert, more of an enthusiastic amateur). As with the two predecessor volumes I could easily go into overload in the number of adjectives I might use to describe this book. Suffice to say in terms of the depth of research and quality of writing it is simply an absolute cracker and both a fascinating tale of the demise of Imperial France and a highly informative one to boot. This has to be a must for anyone with an interest in the Imperial phase of the war. Volume 4 is already available (and as yet untouched on my bookshelves) and I am looking forward to reading it next.


ISBN 978-1-804513-32-3 soft back, 477 pages

The Destruction of the Imperial Army, vol 2 The Battles Around Metz.

I have been waiting impatiently and with great anticipation for this book to arrive. Like volume 1 it is a hefty tome, at 539 pages.

After the tremendous volume 1, (Click here) this new book in Helion’s ‘from Musket to Maxim’ series‘, The Destruction of the Imperial Army, Volume 2: The Battles around Metz by Grenville Bird is another absolute gem.

Volume 2 focusses on the the three major battles around Metz in mid-August 1870. A new book covering any one of these would be great but to include all three, Borny/Colomby, Vionville/Mars la Tour and the iconic battle of Gravelotte/St. Privat, all fought between 14 and 18 August, is a very welcome treat. The author has again used a vast amount of previously unpublished and translated French language sources and this materiel continues to offer a balance against the usual Prussian-focussed studies of the war. The author picks up where he left off in volume 1 and takes the reader on a deep dive into the detail of these three major engagements. The level of detail in insane (in a good way) and an almost forensic analysis of each battle down to minor tactical details in astounding.

There are 64 colour and black and white images, some contemporary and others are photos of features of each battlefield as they are to be found today. As in the earlier volume many of the battlefield photos show both the ground as it was in August 1870 and in the present day. Volume 2 contains 17 highly detailed colour maps showing the topography and the troops involved, which are helpful to refer to when following the strategic and tactical movements of the armies. Incidentally a visit to the Helion website will give you access to .pdf copies of all the maps in order to avoid too much flicking back and forth. An important factor for me is as usual the use of first hand accounts or contemporary correspondence which in my view always add an interesting insight into how the participants thought and felt at the time.

Fifteen appendices give us orders of battle for each of the battles covered in this volume as well as detailed casualty returns which reinforce what we already know about the shear scale of these battles, in terms of the numbers involved, the casualties  and the size of the battlefields, in particular Gravelotte/St. Privat.

My thoughts on this book are simply that it is jaw-droppingly awesome. It is a fascinating and engaging read, as I’ve said full of detail without being academically dry, and surely is a must for anyone with an interest in the Imperial phase of the war. I fail to see how I am going to resist painting up yet more figures for my already enormous Franco-German War armies. 

I understand volume 3 will be with us soon. By the time the final fourth volume of the series is with us I might have to get a bigger bookcase.

ISBN 978-1-804511-85-5 soft back, 539 pages.

I Just Could Not Resist - Franco-Prussian War French Musical Support.

I’ve always been amused by this picture. It took a bit of time and a then quick scour of Etsy to find a suitable tuba to form the basis of this silly vignette which I’ve just completed. I also drafted in a dismounted French dragoon to blow the thing.

Friday Roundup and some 1866 bits ‘n’ bobs.

I’m continuing to make progress through the half finished stuff on my desk as well as working on more Russian and Swedish units for my Russian invasion of Finland in 1808. But first here’s another battalion of Austrians for my 1866 army, followed by some Prussian jäger on skirmish bases for both 1866 and 1870/71. Both are a bit of a rushed job just to get them off to barracks.

I’ve had these on the desk for maybe a year or more. I now have three and a half brigades of Austrians; 21 battalions of line and four of jager, together with their artillery, making a full corps, or they will when I finish the last three infantry battalions sitting in the lead mountain. 

My Prussian jäger battalion is based in close order so when I saw these then unpainted figures going for pennies (it’s relative to their price new) on eBay I needed no encouragement to buy them. 

I’ve started having a serious (?) clear out and a few things are trickling onto eBay to replenish the funds. It’s amazing what gets unearthed from the box of doom in the Burrow or down the garden in the greenhouse of forgetfulness. I found those other three battalions of 1866 Austrian infantry referred to above for heaven’s sake! Well at least I will now be able to field a complete Austrian corps of four brigades, each of a battalion of jäger and six of line infantry (two regiments), plus all the necessary artillery and cavalry. On artillery, I’ve just about completed the doubling up of the Austrian batteries, giving them each two models (some actually have a limber, others an abandoned gun) and a wider more accurate frontage. I just need to do the same with the Prussians now, then the French. 
 

The Destruction of the Imperial Army vol 1 - A superb addition to the collection.

This is one of those books that makes a very loud thump as it hits the doormat. At just short of 540 pages it is big. I am prone to devour anything and everything that hits my radar relating to Bismarck’s wars, in particular the Franco-German War, so I was very keen to get my head into this new publication from Helion in their ‘from Musket to Maxim’ series. ‘The Destruction of the Imperial Army, Volume 1: The Opening Engagements of the Franco-German War 1870-1871’by Grenville Bird is an absolute gem.

This volume covers the first two weeks of the war, up to 12 August 1870, in an amazing level of detail. In addition to the normal German sources which have been referenced many times before, the author has used a vast amount of previously unused material written from the French perspective, La Guerre de 1870-1871, published by the French General Staff’s Section historique around the turn of the 20th Century, together with many other official and semi-official Staff studies. Much of the detail in this book derives from these aforementioned sources, and more, many of which had previously never been translated into English.

As I mentioned earlier this volume covers a little under the first two weeks of the war, but begins with chapters on the causes of the war, on the Imperial French and German armies, and the French and German plans and mobilisation. I am familiar with the clockwork-like nature of the German mobilisation and equally with the less than effective French mobilisation, but found there was still a great deal more written in these pages that was new to me.

What then follows are absorbing chapters covering the battles of Saarbrucken, Wissembourg, Froschweiller and Forbach, followed by the French retreat and German advance on the Moselle.

There are a 16 very detailed colour maps showing the topography and the troops involved, which are very handy when following the strategic and tactical movements of the armies. There also lots of colour and black and white illustrations. In quite a few cases we are presented with an image of an aspect of a particular battle as it was in 1870 alongside a present day photograph of the same location which I always find interesting and very useful. I’d not come across quite a number of these illustrations before so this was an added bonus. The book is also well provided for in extracts from the memoirs of many participants, which always fascinate me, as not only do these passages contextualise much of the narrative but also humanise it.

The appendices, all 17 of them, provide detailed orders of battle for both the French and German armies at the start of the campaign and then for each of the battles covered in this volume. There are also casualty returns which illustrate the ferocity of the fighting and the disparity in losses received.

So, a fantastic book, one that has been painstakingly researched; and don’t forget this is the first of FOUR volumes on the subject! To say I am looking forward to the next one is an understatement.

Now I really must get some more FPW figures from the boxes of doom into production. 

More for Bismarck’s Wars

 A couple of random items were finished today. I seem to have quite a few odd and ends for the War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War littering the painting desk so more may well emerge over the next few weeks.

First up is a little FPW scene with a French officer politely asking two Prussian officers the way to the POW camp. The Prussians are Perrys and the Frenchman is actually from Tiger miniatures’ Balkan Wars range.

Another unit to add to my Prussian 2nd Reserve Corps for the Campaign on the River Main in 1866. These are the Hamburg Dragoons. Of course they never saw any action to my knowledge but are quite resplendent in their green uniforms. These are old Foundry figures painted for me by mate Barry. I just based them and found a suitable flag.

Like my other odd 1866 units these will perhaps be best used in a sort of fictional Schleswig-Holstein or Ruritanian-type campaign I have buzzing around in my head. 

A small addition to the Franco-Prussian War

Tuesday’s output is just these two stands for the FPW, both Eagles of Empire miniatures. I quite like them, and as displacement activity to avoid the Russians not bad. It will be Russians tomorrow though……

Here they are.

This is Commandant Berbegier based on the painting by Eduard Detaille depicting said Commandant’s demise at the battle Gravelotte in 1870. I might redo the horse as it’s a grey in the painting, but probably not.  

Bavarian General von Der Tann. Equally useful for either 1870/71 or earlier in the Austro-Prussian War 1866.

 

The original.

Odds and Ends

The sun total of this week’s output are these additional command figures for my Bismark’s Wars collection. Not my finest but at least they done and passable.

Von Bredow of his ‘Death Charge’ fame (Eagles to Empire figures)

Prussian dragoon officer (North Star) with a young lady in the dress of the Guard Hussars (Can’t remember the name of the company but they were I. The US and I believe are no longer trading).

Blurred French General for the FPW

Austrian chap more appropriate for 1859 but he will do fine for 1866.

Perry Prussian Napoleonic general I think with the epaulettes shaved off, extorting his man to finish the Frenchman off as they do t like it up ‘em. (Eagles to Empire).

Hardly the most productive of weeks but there is loads almost finished. I have based up the first of the Russians but they need sanding and flocking etc. to finish them off.

Hopefully I will be able to engineer enough time this weekend to get cracking on clearing the ‘almost completed’ stuff off my rather cluttered painting desk so I can start on some more Russians.  I might also investigate buying a new camera and/or a new printer, but a bit strapped for cash after being away. 

All back to normal state of confusion and dithering. 

Some Austrian Generals for 1859 and especially 1866

 

Today we have a couple of Austrian 19thC commanders plus a trio of casualty markers. The miniatures in the pictures immediately above and below  are intended for the 1859 campaign but a bit of variation is always a good idea, hence these chaps will jump backwards and forwards as the games dictate. The chap in green is an adjutant and the gent next to him is a general wearing the undress uniform for general officers. The figure in the cuirass is going to lead my Austrian cavalry; his aide is a hussar. God help ‘em!

The photo above and the two below are cavalry casualty markers; one an old Perry Napoleonic French cuirassier and the others from the lovely Eagles to Empire range.

Having now had a break from Bismark’s Wars I shall consider finishing some Russians for my 1808-1809 project.

Game tomorrow to finish setting up.

The Republic Fights Back, the Franco-German War 1870-1871, volume 2

Another book review thanks to the kind gentlemen at Helion. 

Ralph Weaver’s ‘The Republic Fights Back, the Franco-German War 1870-1871, Volume 2’ picks up where his earlier book left off, and focuses again on the armies rather than the battles, something to my knowledge not previously put into print. Helion have therefore yet again excelled themselves in providing the ideal platform for this work in their excellent and eclectic’From Muskets to Maxim, 1815-1914’ series.

The author is a well known expert on nineteenth century warfare and he takes us through the period after the French surrender at Sedan and subsequent fall of the Empire of Napoleon III, summarising the events of the Autumn and Winter fighting and manoeuvring in the north and east and indeed at the gates of Paris.

One important part of the book for me at least are the chapters on the raising and organising of the new Republican armies, including as they did the remnants of the Imperial army, and large numbers of volunteers, Gardes Mobiles, and a sprinkling of foreign volunteers, notably the Papal Zouaves (not strictly foreign but…) and the multi-national troops of Garibaldi’s volunteers. The sections covering the treatment of prisoners, the war at sea and how the Republic turned the Britain and the United States as a source of new weapons and ammunition are especially interesting, as is that on codes and cyphers.

The Germans too faced problems after the defeat of the imperial armies, as they had to guard their increasingly long lines of communication against frequent attacks by francs-tireurs, which in a taste of what was become the norm for German troops occupying conquered areas of France in the two World Wars, were dealt with ruthlessly. These and other issues facing the Germans such as the use of railways are explained and put into context.

Leaving the best till near the end we have a superb chapter on the state and role and challenges of the medical services on both sides during the war, including the many foreign volunteer ambulance services which operated throughout this phase of the war. This is an all too brief but detailed and absorbing chapter full of useful information.

Overall, I must say that for a relatively small book it packs a punch and for me, fills an important gap in the previously available books on the war, most of which seem to focus on the Imperial phase. Overall it is well presented and thoroughly researched. There are several informative maps, lots of black and white illustrations and 20 super colour plates drawn by the author showing a wide range of (often quote exotic for the French) uniforms from both sides as worn during this phase of the war. The longer Republican phase is by far the most interesting part of the war and my appetite to find out more has been well and truly whetted. A great addition to the library of anybody with an interest in the war.


ISBN:978-1-915070-50-0 155 pages, soft back.

Baden and France: Some more 1866/1870 oddments

French cuirassier general

 I finished these oddment’s today. All for the Bismark’s Wars collection. The single figures are from the excellent but pricey Eagles to Empire range. They’re very fine and dynamic.

French Cuirassier coming a cropper!

Another French Cavalry General.

These last two photos are of the Baden Jäger btn for 1866. I understand they wore headgear very like that of the Austrian jäger, and as their army seems to have gone to war in their greatcoats this has given me the chance to do something with some surplus Austrian jäger. I like them.

Another unit for the Seven Week’s War.

On the Prussian side again, a battalion of Brunswickers. I have a thing about all the German minor states’ armed forces. These are the same miniatures I used for the Lubeck Fusilier Btn, from Steve Barber’s Saxons, part of his Franco-Prussian War range. They’re really versatile as they would also work as 1866 Saxons with a suitable head, also supplied by Steve, 1866 Nassau infantry and probably many others with the right headgear. 

Brunswick fielded two infantry battalions, a hussar regiment and a battery of guns, which formed part of the 2nd Reserve Corps deployed in the western theatre. I don’t believe they fired a shot in anger or even heard someone else’s, but the temptation may be too great. An added advantage is that these troops retained their old uniforms well into the Franco-Prussian War after their homeland had been ‘absorbed’ by Prussia at the end of the Austro-Prussian War, so how good is that?

Now for another obscure regiment.

Franco Prussian War encounter

This week we had a mid-week game and played a FPW game here at the Burrow with rules based on Pickets Charge but with the obvious ACW references removed and replaced as appropriate with language and rules to accommodate and hopefully replicate the weapons and tactics of what I lump together in what is widely known as Bismark’s Wars. Neil had done a lot of great work on this transformation, and the rules worked well. We had all played Gen D’Armee in the past so the game mechanics were not a mystery to us, once the dormant muscle memory had been dragged  once more towards the forefront of our brains.

The French under Neil and myself were holding a ridge line, a ‘position [not very] magnifique’ with two weak divisions of infantry and two of cavalry. The Prussians (Conrad and Nigel) had the best part of a corps (less one brigade) supported by a cavalry division. The Prussians had a significant superiority in artillery which was to be a distinct but not critical advantage as they didn’t deploy their guns to the best effect. 

The French centre

The Prussian General von Clawswitz observing the French light cavalry division.

Looking down the table past the cat.

In order to divert the attention of the Prussian artillery from my infantry my light cavalry bravely exposed themselves on the left wing, attempting to outflank the enemy on there hill to their front. They nearly made it!

The Prussian dragoons wisely keeping out of the way.

Two regular battalions about to occupy the field. The third battalion of this regiment can be seen to the left in skirmish order, just before they bore the brunt of three Prussian artillery batteries and fled. Due to a bizarre stroke of luck I managed a double six so got to throw on the 'serendipity table.'  This resulted in the Prussian commander panicking and he ran to the rear causing his brigade to falter! 

Neil's troops in the centre.

The village was quickly occupied by two battalions of Colonial infantry.

Conrad's infantry in the centre advancing through the vineyards towards the French centre,.

Shortly after the earlier photo was taken the Prussian assault is halted in its tracks and the brigade falters.

The French right, facing a major Prussian thrust.

On the French right the Prussians were pressing forward.

Two battalions of infantry secure in the crops, with support from two battalions of  Colonial infantry in the village.

Von Bredow's brigade of cavalry prepares to advance, thoughtfully masking the Prussian artillery.

Nigel ordered his cuirassiers to charge the French guns. Predictably they were  blown away and fled.

While the cuirassiers were being shot to bits their sister regiment attacked a battalion of Zouaves. Guess what? The hussars were annihilated.

Prussian artillery on their left. Six batteries should have made a big impression on the French lines but they were not well placed and had limited fields of fire.

The final attack mon the Prussian right was repulsed and the now faltering brigade had to withdraw.

By this time it was clear that the Prussians were not going to dislodge the French from their positions, even with their left pushing the French back as two off their brigades were faltering and a further one (the cavalry) had been destroyed. The Prussians were slightly outnumbered but I had assumed their artillery would play a more prominent part, which it did not do.  Never mind, as in the overall narrative, the 'missing' Prussian brigade and their corps reserve artillery would appear on the French right flank and roll the line up.....in theory, but that's another game.

The adaptions to Pickets Charge worked really well and to be honest apart from the weapons and troops types/classes there was little to change beyond some of the ACW-related language. I look forward to trying these again, either another Franco-Prussian game or perhaps Austro-Prussian. And as I wrote this I remembered my plans to adapt Gen d'Armée to the Crimean War............

Every time I get these figures out I end up buying a few more or I dig out whatever I have that are unpainted and get all enthused for a week or two. Now, do I need to reorganise the armies? 

Thanks to Conrad, Neil and Nigel for playing, and also to Conrad for the scones  contraband.