Another Argentine Battalion

Another unit rolled off the painting desk today. Here we have the ‘Legion Militar’ from the Argentinian army. This is one of the uniforms attributed to this regiment. A former Papal Zouave who served with them reports wearing a green jacket and red trousers. He was there I suppose and I’ve already done a unit like that ‘just in case’ any button counters find a soapbox to stand on. 

I’m afraid I couldn’t be arsed to give them havelocks on the back of their kepis but apart from that they were one of I believe only two units in the army who wore Zouave-style uniforms. The minis are Perry from their ACW range except one of the officers who started life as a Carlist. I do think they look rather striking; whether that helps much in battle we shall see when they get their baptism of fire tomorrow.

The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence against Turkey 1876–1878

This is dangerous reading for wargaming butterflies like me, but only if I decide to start collecting in smaller scales such as 10mm. Phew! 

For those interested in nineteenth-century military conflicts or the history of modern Serbia, Dušan Babac’s ‘The Serbian Army in the Wars for Independence against Turkey 1876–1878’ (from Helion’s from Musket to Maxim series) provides a detailed and visually informative account worth reading. I knew next to nothing about this conflict so was excited to be able to learn something new. I believe this is an updated version of the original 2015 publication. 

I found thus book was not your typical dry military history. Babac weaves together strategy, politics, and national identity to tell the story of Serbia’s hard-fought emergence from Ottoman rule. The 1876–1878 wars (there were two) were more than just a regional conflict;
they were a turning point in the Balkans that helped redraw the map of Southeast Europe.

The book is broken down into six main sections; The First Serbo-Turkish War 1876, the Roleof Volunteers (which  was significant), The Second Serbo-Turkish War 1877–1878, Weaponry and Equipment, Uniforms and Standards, Orders and Decorations. There are two appendices covering European opinion on the wars and Prince. Milan’s Order on the Occasion of the Independence of Serbia. This book excels in its detailed research and presentation, featuring dozens of rare photos, uniform illustrations, maps, and pictures of surviving artefacts. The quality and sheer number of photographs gives a lasting impression of not just reading about the soldiers and commanders, but also seeing them.

The author also provides context for the development of the Serbian army, describing its attempt to modernise amidst influences from old Ottoman tactics and new European strategies. The writing highlights how Serbia's military efforts were closely linked to its pursuit of independence and how the war influenced the country's future.

A notable aspect of this book is its nuanced portrayal of the conflict. Babac offers an impartial treatment of the Ottoman forces, avoiding the tendency to depict them merely as adversaries. This balanced perspective enhances the narrative's depth and credibility.

Nevertheless, the book primarily focuses on the military aspects. It does not offer a thorough examination of the civilian experience during the war, nor does it delve into the wider social ramifications of the conflict. That is not the intention of the author. However, in its aim to investigate the role of the Serbian army in a pivotal struggle for national survival, it succeeds admirably.

If you are into military history, this book is a gem. It is informative, engaging, and beautifully produced with much emphasis placed on the visual. Whether you are already interested in Balkan history or just starting to explore the region’s past, Dušan Babac delivers a compelling and accessible read. For me this was a wonderful introduction to a previously unknown conflict and has whetted my appetite for more.

Brazilian Cacadores

Another battalion fell off the far end of the painting queue this afternoon in the form of a battalion of Brazilian Cacadores. They’re mostly in the tropical uniform and I think they look ok. No flag as am assuming that as supposedly light infantry they wouldn’t carry one. 

Additions to the Triple Alliance Project

I finished a few more troops for the Triple Alliance project today in the shape of some cavalry and artillery.

This is them.

Brazilian mountain gun battery. I have some mules somewhere I can co-opt into service.

Uruguayan National Guard cavalry. They were nowhere near as good as the Uruguayan infantry.

Brazilian National Guard Cavalry of Rio Grande de Sol, aka Gauchos.

The Gauchos are Parkfield Miniatures, everything else being Perry.

And another review......

 

Nic Fields' Leûktra 371 BCE: Sparta’s Twilight presents a compelling and meticulously researched analysis of one of antiquity's most significant battles. Published by Helion & Company as part of their new From Alexander to Adrianopleseries, this work examines the events leading up to, during, and following the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE, where Theban forces under Epaminondas delivered a decisive defeat to Spartan supremacy.

 

Dr. Fields expertly places the battle within the wider geopolitical context of the era. He explains how Sparta, having triumphed in the Peloponnesian War, had established a seemingly unassailable dominance over Greece. However, internal challenges and external pressures paved the way for Thebes to emerge as a significant power.

 

A particularly important feature of the book is Fields' examination of Epaminondas' innovative tactics. The arrangement of the Theban phalanx, which was notably organised fifty shields deep and led by the elite Sacred Band, exemplified a groundbreaking approach to hoplite warfare. Fields explains how this formation, combined with the oblique order of attack, not only secured victory at Leuctra but also significantly influenced subsequent military strategies, particularly those of Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great.

 

The narrative is clear, making military manoeuvres easy to understand. Fields' writing is both engaging and informative, highlighting the battle's importance.

 

The book contains a good number of black and white photographs, several maps (the one depicting the deployment of all the various elements of both armies is especially interesting) and four stunning full page colour illustrations by Renato Delmaso, commissioned especially for this book.  There are five appendices, covering subjects such as the Greek Language, literary evidence for the Spartan army, and my two favourites, Spartan hairstyles and the influence of wine on society and the battlefield. 

 

In my view Leûktra 371 BCE: Sparta’s Twilight is a major addition to ancient military history. Nic Fields has presented a comprehensive look at a battle that reshaped the Greek world, emphasising the fleeting nature of power and the lasting impact of tactical innovation.

 

ISBN: 978-1-804517-69-7     Paperback, 164 pages

Time for another review.

Richard Taylor’s The Army of Alexander the Great offers an in-depth and easy to understand analysis of the organisation, strategy, and development of Alexander the Great’s military forces. It is the first volume in Helion’s new and exciting from Alexander to Adrianople series. The author meticulously examines how the Macedonian army's tactical sophistication and flexibility were pivotal to Alexander’s successful campaigns across a wide geographical area, diverse terrain and against a multitude of adversaries.

The book dedicates considerable attention to the structure of the army, detailing elements such as the renowned Macedonian phalanx equipped with long pikes (sarissas) and the elite Companion cavalry. Taylor emphasizes Alexander’s strategic acumen in coordinating diverse units — infantry, cavalry, and allied or local troops — to triumph over numerically superior forces.

 

A noteworthy aspect of this work is its focus on the incorporation of non-Macedonian troops as Alexander’s empire expanded, underscoring his innovative command and control strategies. Additionally, Taylor delves into logistical and operational considerations, highlighting how the army maintained prolonged campaigns far from their homeland.

 

The book is beautifully illustrated with a tremendous 20 gorgeous full colour plates executed by Renato Delmaso, depicting a wide range of troops, not just of Alexander’s army but the armies of his enemies. There are also a large number of black and white images, both of surviving pieces to photographs of the battlefields and terrain as they are today. There are also a range diagrams and maps (strategic and tactical), all of which add to the richness of this book.

 

The illustrations and maps enhance the text, but the book’s primary strength lies in its simple description of military systems, accommodating both enthusiasts and novices in the field of ancient military history. This is a hugely interesting narrative and an informative read.

 

ISBN: 978-1-804517-70-3     Paperback       223 pages

 

 

The Battle of Tuyuti, 24 May 1866

The Burrow reopened for business today after a long hiatus. What better way to kick things off than with an inaugural game with my newly finished (?) War of the Triple Alliance collection. 

Neil kindly prepared the scenario, provided all the paraphernalia and also umpired as we were using Bloody Big Battles, four out of the five players never having used them before. Shaun, Dave and John were the Uruguayans, Brazilians and Argentinians respectively. I took the Paraguayans ably assisted by Jon. An account of the real battle can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tuyut%C3%AD

Our plan was simple and pretty much mirrored the original plans. The difference was that in our version the Paraguayans managed to coordinate their attacks. The cavalry on the left and two small commands in the centre would throw themselves against the enemy to pin them in place while the vast majority of our forces launched a right hook through the scrub and wood to roll up the enemy left. Our reserves would come on in the centre and keep the enemy artillery occupied. I don’t think the Allies had a plan, and thanks to a fortunately low die roll the Allies were also caught hopping and graded as passive. The terrain was covered in wooded/scrub area, marshes and even a lagoon, which would hinder the Paraguayan advance but there was a secret track through the woods on our right enabling our men to move at full speed through the otherwise difficult ground.

So here are some pictures of the action.

The Argentinian corps facing our cavalry.

Masses of Paraguayan cavalry.

The Allied centre defended by lots of dug in artillery.

The Uruguayans.

I followed the plan and threw my cavalry towards the Argentinians. The sole reason was to pin what was a large portion of the Allied army and keep them out of the battle for as long as possible.

Our flanking movement emerges from the woods and drives off some Brazilian cavalry.

The Paraguayan cavalry made a second charge against the Argentinian line. Like the first one it failed.

The Brazilians trying to respond to the flank attack.

More Paraguayans leave the shelter of the woods and bear down on the Brazilians.

The Paraguayan rocket. It even worked…..once.

Jon’s troops just kept on coming, sweeping the Brazilians before them. The Allied left was turned and in danger of completing disintegrating.

Paraguayans assaulting the Brazilian line.

The mighty punch that was our attack on the enemy left had driven everything away. The artillery in the earthwork was hit and one battery destroyed. Unfortunately on the very last turn the Allies ejected them from the redoubt, this retaining this important feature.

Allied troops from the centre saved the redoubt and also halted the Paraguayan attack.

On our left the Paraguayan cavalry had been spent or destroyed but their sacrifice had kept the bulk of the Argentinians tied down. The infantry in the centre valiantly threw themselves against the redoubt and also d the Uruguayans in the centre and were eventually shot down, but not before destroying a Uruguayan infantry brigade. Our reserves were thankfully available so they too assaulted the Allied centre and almost reached the redoubt. 

So that was the end of that. We had played 10 full turns and had a result; it was an Allied victory but at much greater cost than in the real battle. The Paraguayans technically did better than their real forebears so there was something to hold on to. The army was pretty much crushed however, which was also true to life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game and the rules worked really well. Everyone agreed. Thanks to Neil for organising it.

The only thing about the rules is trivial really, and easily overcome. I’m not a fan of removing bases but apart from that it ran smoothly and we all soon picked up the rules. Another game beckons, and perhaps the Paraguayans might win this time?  It might also be interesting to try the same scenario using Pickets Charge or Black Powder.

1st Schleswig Holstein War and other 1848 conflicts.

I popped into Pendraken today and was chatting with Dave who has been working on a range of 28mm miniatures for the 1st Schleswig Holstein War, the Baden uprising in 1848 and other stuff. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite and stuff.

The range includes infantry, cavalry, artillery and even some gunboats. As well as Danes, there are Holsteiners, Prussians, Badeners, Mecklenberg, Hanover and more. I am sorely tempted so once my Paraguayan project is complete I might have a think about getting some of these. They are very nice and the photos do not do them justice.

More Brazilians.

Great progress has been made this week with the completion of four more Brazilian infantry and two cavalry regiments. They just need a (very) few tufts to finish them off. 

Bahia Zouaves. Raised largely from freed slaves.

Two battalions of regulars 

Volunteers of the Fatherland battalion. You can tell they are who they are due to the yellow badge on the left upper arm.

Two regular cavalry regiments. Apparently the jury is out as to lance pennons were carried. 

As ever the miniatures are all from the Perry Triple Alliance range.  I think they look suitably impressive but can they fight? We shall see on Saturday. 

Even more Argentinians

I had a massive painting mojo spurt over the long weekend. As well as the National Guard of Buenos Aires regiment in the post last night I also completed a battery of Argentine artillery and a regiment of regular cavalry. 

The gunners are repurposed Franco Prussian French. 

A regiment of Argentine lancers.

Now I have some Gauchos and a regiment of Brazilian cavalry to finish.

National Guard Cavalry of Buenos Aires

This unit of National Guard cavalry had a very striking Carlist-inspired uniform so I had to add them to the army. Carlist-themed uniforms was quite common, certainly among Argentinian and Uruguayan armies. I only started these on Friday so am happy the way they’ve turned out, rush job or no. Oh, apparently pennons on lances were not the norm, or at least there are mixed reports as to yes or no, which makes these chaps even easier to get on the table. 

And some more Argentines and Brazilians

 Things are moving on a pace with getting this lot table ready. Shown here is where I am with the Brazilians and Argentinians. The latter just need another cavalry regiment and some artillery. I have another four or five Brazilian infantry battalions and two regiments of cavalry on the go at the moment. I definitely need more Alliance cavalry. 

At present their is just one battalion of Cacadores, one of regulars and two of volunteers of the fatherland, plus artillery (gun models required)

The Argentine forces.

I have already put photos up of the Uruguay contingent as they were completed a week or so ago.

Right, back to more Brazilians…..