Almost the final lap: a few more S Americans

 

A selection of Generals. I used a bit of big roll on the central figure to make a poncho. Looks ok. The chap on the right is definitely a Brazilian whereas the others could be put in command of any Alliance troops. The hombre on the left will more than likely join the Argentine army which is getting quite big.

The Argentinian 4th Regiment of Cavalry. They’re a little different as the castings are wearing the traditional Gaucho chiripa. 

Death and the Landsknecht - a review

 

The Italian Wars are currently undergoing a bit of a renaissance (sorry!) with the recent publication of the excellent war games guide All is Lost Save Honour from Helion, and now from Warlord Games we have a Pike and Shot Italian Wars supplement Death and the Landsknecht, by Charles Singleton.

Setting aside any Warlord prejudices I might harbour, and bolstered by me giving the text (not the maps) a ruthless edit before it went to Warlord I have to say that this supplement is perhaps one of, if not the best, they have published, ever. Ok, it could have been a bland unimaginative supplement like (imho) many of the others, but it isn’t; Charles knows his subject, presents it really well and we are given a well researched, written and presented supplement. Full marks for that.

The book follows the usual format for these supplements; intro to the wars, a host of dramatis personae, the tactics and armies, several scenarios, lots of new special rules to give the supplement an Italian Wars flavour, army lists and an abundance of colour photos (lots of landsknechts), full colour illustrations (mostly of landsknechts), maps and diagrams, the latter for example explaining how best to represent Swiss or Landsknecht mega pike blocks and the Spanish colunella. Also included is a neat set of siege rules and ideas for running an Italian Wars campaign. (A brief note to say that I suspect Charles had little editorial control over the images of miniatures depicted in the book). I was surprised that there was no mention of the book Conrad amd I have just had published in the further reading section. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Warlord editorial grand council had it expunged from the list. 😂

I think, having studied it carefully, that this supplement could easily be seen as a ‘one stop shop’ for gamers new to the Italian Wars. I am no big fan of army lists as such, but the book does of course include some useful lists for those who do like such things, with troop types and attributes for just about everyone involved in the Italian Wars no matter how peripheral their input. 

Those established in the period should also gain something from the supplement, in particular the many period-specific special rules and attributes that Charles has included. I have tried most of them in a couple of games and they certainly add to the flavour of the period. Of course taken with the scenarios contained in the aforementioned Helion Wargames guide the budding and already blooming Italian Wars gamer has everything they need! 

Highly recommended. I even bought my own copy!

The Russian History of the War of 1813, volume 1

 

I have made no secret of my admiration for Modest Ivanovich Bogdanovich’s epic multi-volume account of Russia’s campaigns against Napoleon (see elsewhere on this blog for my thoughts), and this latest weighty instalment, The Russian History of the War of 1813: The War to Liberate Germany, Volume 1, only reinforces that respect. Translated once again with care and clarity by Peter G.A. Phillips, this volume picks up the Russian narrative precisely where the previous series left off with Napoleon's shattered Grande Armée dragging itself out of the snows of 1812 and the Russians in hot pursuit across the Niemen.

Bogdanovich is, as in the 1812 series, not interested in mere broad strokes. Instead, he dives deep into the movements, motivations, and missteps of the armies and their commanders. He offers a wealth of material that is ideal for historians and wargamers alike; numerous and very detailed orders of battle, precise campaign timelines, and his commentary on personalities and politics. I cannot help but be struck by the tension he draws between the Czar’s political caution and the boldness of his generals as they chased a weakened Napoleon into Central Europe.

The subtitle, ‘The War to Liberate Germany’ is most apt. Much of the volume deals with the delicate diplomatic and military ballet performed by the Allies – Russia, Prussia, and the various German states – during the spring and summer of 1813. I found plenty here for fans of the complexities of coalition warfare, as the shifting allegiances and fragile coordination between the powers come vividly to life. I gained a clear picture of how the Allies gradually unified their efforts, despite significant internal bickering and the always present fear of a resurgent Napoleon.

One aspect of the book I found particularly good is Bogdanovich’s analysis of the spring armistice and the battles that bookend it – Lützen and Bautzen on one end, and the preparations for the great autumn campaign on the other. He pulls no punches in his critique of Allied shortcomings, nor does he shy from praising Napoleon where it is due. But unlike many western histories, there is nothing resembling hero worship where Bonapart is concerned. Bogdanovich is resolutely Russian in his perspective, and frank in his admiration for Kutuzov, Wittgenstein, and even the often-maligned Barclay de Tolly.

For wargamers, the maps can easily be supplemented from online sources or other reference material. They are also available to download and print out from the Helion website. The detail Bogdanovich provides on unit compositions and movements makes this a treasure trove for scenario builders. His vivid accounts of the fighting around Dresden and the manoeuvrings before Leipzig, which I suspect will dominate Volume 2, provide plenty of inspiration for scenario designers.

Peter G.A. Phillips once again deserves immense credit for his work on the translation. The narrative is readable without sacrificing the more formal tone of the original, and the footnotes are invaluable in clarifying obscure references. His notes provide context for both the Russian and western reader, and I never feel lost in the blizzard of regiments and generals.

In summary, if you enjoyed the previous volumes in this monumental series, you’ll find The War of 1813: Volume 1 an essential continuation. If you are new to Bogdanovich, do not be daunted; start with 1812, but know that this volume marks a real turning point in the narrative, as the war shifts from defence to liberation and, ultimately, to vengeance. The Russian bear is on the move westward, and Bogdanovich is its most eloquent chronicler.

Highly recommended for students of the Napoleonic Wars, Russian military history enthusiasts, and anyone with a love of well-told campaign history. I look forward to the next volume.

ISBN: 978-1-804516-78-2 452 pages. Soft back

More South Americans

I am trying really really hard to get every last remaining Paraguayan, Uruguayan, Argentinian and Brazilian finished. There’s probably no more than half a dozen units, mainly Alliance cavalry, plus four more fortress guns and crews.  I am so glad I went with, for me at least, small units. It means I can muster my mojo and complete at least one unit from start to finish in less than a week. 

This and the two following are plastic Brazilian infantry, ie Perry plastic ACW with a suitable paint job. There’s a couple of metal minis in each as well. I really hated sticking these together and it took me several weeks to get the first unit done as it didn’t and probably still doesn’t do much for me. Nevertheless they represent two battalions of National Guard so I won’t expect much of them.

This is I believe a set from Warlord Games. It was originally what I took to be a Union stretcher party so a couple of head swaps to get rid of hardee hats and they now do service in the army of the Empire of Brazil as a bit of table clutter.

I’m getting distracted by wanting to paint a few more 1672 units that are lurking in a box half finished (or is it half started?). AND I have both sides for the naval battle of Riauchelo to assemble and paint in 1/600 scale

Oh and on a subject for later, has anyone used these new paint pens? I have and have mixed views. A future post I think…..

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1812 Invasion of Russia in 54mm

Conrad offered to run a 54mm Napoleonic game here at the Burrow so on Saturday he arrived with his car stuffed to the gunwales with boxes of La Grande Armee and the army of the Czar. What appears on the table is but a small fraction of his collection; he has some 40-50 ‘French’ infantry battalions alone, each of 24 figures. Where he puts them I do not know, and I’ve been to his house!

As well as Conrad we had Richard, Neil and John the Red. Richard and I were the good guys, er the Russians, tasked with holding a series of low hills and delaying the French attack as long  as possible. We were outnumbered in infantry but we had the edge in numbers and quality so far as the cavalry and artillery were concerned. We used Black Powder without any of my normal house rules, to keep it simple.

What followed was a tremendously enjoyable game, especially as we (the Russians) held the French and sent them packing. Indeed we were all done by lunchtime, so this holds the record as the quickest game played here. We still went through six or more turns in the two and half hours of play. 

Essentially, Neil led his German cavalry forward against our right wing but despite catching the Guard Cuirassiers in the flank were broken. The same fate fell on the Badem Hissars when they were charged by the  cuirassier, destroying one brigade on the Deench side.In the centre Richard our CinC advanced rapidly against the Poles and Wurtemburgers advancing slowly towards us. In a prolonged fight the Wurtemburgers were broken but so was Richard’s brigade. On our left Co rad moved his mixed foreign brigade forward and formed square facing my light cavalry. My grenadiers charged the Croats and then the Portuguese, eventually routing them - goodbye the third French brigade and the battle was over in time for soup.

Here are a random selection of photos culled from those I took as well as contributions from Richard and John. 

Neuchatel, Croats and Portuguese.

Bavarians

Russian uhlans and hussars on our left 

The centre advances 

The Russian centre 

The Poles 

Russian Guard Hussars

Btn Neuchatel

My Grenadiers were held by the Croats but overran the Portuguese Legion easy enough.

The collapse of the French right.

Our centre in action 

 Broken Wurtemburgers 

Broken Baden Hussars

The end is nigh, and the cat of war declares a Russian victory!

There was some talk about all of us moving into this scale but fabulous as it is it ain’t going to happen here.

And now a Brazilian gunboat.

 

Here is the latest and perhaps final addition to the Brazilian fleet, in this scale at any rate. This is the same sidewheel gunboat I used for the Paraguayans but I’ve added a mast and removed the stern deck house. It has a 32pdr carbonate on the bow and a 24pdr SB mounted on a swivel at the stern. The crew are Britannia Miniatures ACW Union sailors. No real difference in uniforms.

I’m quite pleased with this fine vessel. Now I can get back to finishing the actual land forces and a Paraguayan secret weapon.

The War of the Triple Alliance - A Brazilian Monitor

I found an old Sarissa MDF kit of the USS Monitor so I decided to ‘disguise’ it or jazz it up a bit to serve as a Brazilian monitor. Now it looks nothing like the one pictured as it has a turret whereas the one in the picture has a fixed casemate by the looks of it. Most of the Brazilian monitors I have seen photos of seem to be sort of hybrid, with a turret or central casemate but built up stuff fore and aft and in the middle. Anyway it has been a sunny few days so I’ve been sitting in the garden where I added an extra gun port in the turret, gave it a new pilot house and ships boat, and the deck at the stern is covered with an awning, new funnels and a couple of masts. Yes they did have masts - presumably they’d unship them before action? 

This project has really given my mojo a massive boost. Building balloons, making or converting several ships, and getting lots of miniatures on the table. I only have maybe eight units to finish, a couple of Paraguayans but mainly Brazilians. They should take me about a fortnight to get finished. 

What I really need are some nondescript miniatures rowing canoes (but without having to buy the canoes as I have several already) who can be converted into Paraguayans.  They made at least one attempt to board Brazilian ships - great idea but never going to work. 

Anyway, here it is.

I’m happy with the monitor, even if its construction is almost wholly out of my imagination. I would say not my best work but as I’ve never done anything like this before then this IS my best work! 🤣  

I have also almost completed a Brazilian side-wheel gunboat to add to the fleet. Then the madness will I hope stop. I ought to get it done this week.

Apparently Paraguay had a small functioning (?) railway network of sorts so there is a definite idea in the embryonic stage…….