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

More Germans for France 1940

 Next up for France 1940 is a squadron of German cavalry and a unit of bicycle infantry. Both would form part of a reconnaissance unit for a non-motorised infantry division, I think. I have a spare company of motorcycle troops and a Kfz 13 to bring the battalion up to strength. 

The cyclists are plastic Hat miniatures while the cavalry are metal, from Early War Miniatures.

 I like them. I have some infantry who will play the role of the dismounted version of the above. 

I am now trying to finish several (5) horse-drawn limbers for a second battery of 105mm guns (Hat and EWM) and a couple of infantry guns (to give them an alternative means of getting about). 

I need to tidy up my Sdkfz251 as alternative transport in case I need to represent 1st Pz Div.  I also just found my French cavalry. Will it never end. …………?

Wehrmacht Odds and ends for 1940 (1/72)

I’ve been laid up for over a fortnight with a horribly painful bad back so not got much done and cert I’m not fighting fit so far as a game is concerned. I have however continued to be seen doing anything other than paint my Kingdom of Holland Grenadiers of the Guard and start my new Piano Miniatures Baden battalion. So, instead of all that Napoleonic nonsense I thought I’d post some photos of a few Fall of France 1940 models, in the shape of a variety of German items. Most of what is shown here, with the exception of the weathering and so forth were painted with acrylic paint pens. The models got a dunkelgrau undercoat and the rest (not much I agree) is pen. Ok the undercoat does most of the work but I finished all these in half a hour, plus basing. Not much to most of these items but it was an interesting experiment.

New additions to the Wehrmacht Fall of France collection.

This is a die cast Del Prato or similar set I picked up a charity shop. (I managed to bag eight in total, either with the 20mm Flak or 37mm AT gun). 

Three boring trucks. 

Staff car although I can’t think to what formation it will belong.

A resin printed Kfz 13.

105mm Infantry Gun and Kfz 69 Horsch tow. 

The deployed versions of the IG105 and the 20mm Flak.

I’m finding the completion of this collection quite an enjoyable experience, certainly more so than painting 30 Kingdom of Holland Guard Grenadiers and some more Paraguayans. 

Some More Excellent Reading.

At the risk of flooding my blog with more reviews, while I've been out of action in terms of actual games the past few weeks  I have had plenty of opportunity to tackle the large pile of books I have accumulated on the past month or so.

Fall of the Merchant-Farmer Republic, the Battle of Visby 1361 and the Danish Conquest of Gotland by prolific Helion contributor Mchael Fredholm von Essen is the first in a new series from Helion, ‘a Time of Knights 400CE to 1453CE.’ It is one of those books that sounds quite worthy on the cover and then promptly turns out to be a very enjoyable read indeed. It is the story about which I had absolutely no knowledge, of a state that tried to juggle trade, agriculture, and politics all at once — and slowly discovered that keeping all those balls in the air is a recipe for disaster and rarely ends well.

Von Essen writes with an easy confidence that makes complicated ideas feel pleasantly straightforward. You drift from markets and land reforms into factional squabbles, military panics, and political overreach almost without noticing. It all feels very human: lots of good intentions, plenty of sharp elbows, and the occasional moment where you can practically hear the wheels coming off.

The real fun lies in the contradictions. Merchant elites preaching civic virtue, farmers footing the bill, and armies that never quite arrive in the right place at the right time. Von Essen has a dry eye for these things, and he lets the absurdities peak for themselves which makes for a much more enjoyable read. 

The maps and illustrations are well judged and actually useful (always a plus), and the book has that familiar Helion neatness about it — clean layout, no fuss, easy on the eye.

In short, this is a lively, readable account of a republic that overreached itself with impressive energy. The colour plates are as ever very striking and characterful, and the black and white illustrations and photographs of surviving fortresses and equipment are helpful. 

Informative without being heavy, thoughtful without being dull, and very easy to recommend. Just the sort of book you start ‘for a chapter or two’ and end up finishing in one sitting. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys history with a bit of character and a lot of heart. 

ISBN: 978-1-804518-29-8                          195 pages                   Paperback

Moving half way round the world and 500 or so years into the future, Sunstruck Giant, Vol. 1: The Sino-Japanese War 1894–95 by John Dong is one of the latest additions to Helion’s ‘from Musket to Maxim 1815–1914’ series. It is book that got me thinking why this war does not get written about more. It is usually boiled down to ‘Japan modernised, China did not’ and left at that. What I find useful is that this volume actually rolls its sleeves up and shows what was really going on.

What I liked straight away is that it does not treat either side as cardboard cut-out stereotypes. The Qing forces come across as uneven, sometimes frustrating, but far from useless, while the Japanese army and navy are clearly effective without being magically perfect. Training, kit, leadership, and sheer luck all play their part, and the author is good at showing how quickly plans start to unravel once shooting begins.

The battle sections are clear and nicely paced. You can follow what is happening without needing to stop after every page and re-read a paragraph, which is always a good sign. There is a real sense of confusion and pressure, especially as modern weapons meet old systems and neither side fully controls the results.

The excellent maps and illustrations do their job properly—clear, sensible, and actually useful, which cannot always be taken for granted. The colour plates are particularly impressive and vivid. The book also contains a large number of contemporary black and white images. The appendices are also useful in explaining the Chinese and Japanese military ranks and Japanese uniform colour, and liberally spread throughout the book are various useful charts and tables to support the narrative. 

Overall, this is a very readable and surprisingly gripping account of a short, sharp war that changed a lot more than people tend to realise. Informative without being heavy, and interesting without trying too hard. If this conflict has ever felt like a blind spot, Sunstruck Giant is a very good place to start.

ISBN: 978-1-804518-15-1 233 pages        Paperback

The Gaelic World at War: Soldiers & Soldiering in Ireland 1366–1547 by Fergus Cannan-Braniff is one of those books that quietly fills a significant and unrealised gap until one begins turning the pages. The Gaelic World at War takes us into late medieval Ireland at ground level, away from the familiar Anglo-Norman castles and Tudor policy papers, and instead plants us firmly among the kerns, gallowglasses, horse boys and war leaders who actually did the fighting. This is No. 5 in Helion’s new and exciting series ‘a Time of Knights 400CE –1453CE.

The author’s great strength is that he treats Gaelic warfare as a coherent military system rather than a chaotic prelude to real early modern armies. Recruitment, pay, equipment, tactics, logistics – it is all here, and handled with an admirable lack of romance. The kern is not some mist-shrouded skirmisher out of Victorian myth, but a professional soldier with a defined role, expectations, and limitations. Likewise the gallowglass emerges as more than a two-handed axe with legs. It was a social and military institution that evolved over time and adapted to changing conditions.

What I really like about this book, though, is its balance. This is not just a catalogue of weapons or a parade of battles. There is real attention paid to how war fitted into Gaelic society: lordship, kinship, cattle raiding, seasonal campaigning, and the blurred line between warfare and politics. English forces in Ireland are sensibly integrated into the story rather than treated as an external intrusion, which makes the whole period feel far more dynamic and contested than the usual ‘decline and conquest’ narrative.

The illustrations deserve a mention too. They are well presented, clear, purposeful, and actually useful – showing equipment, dress, and organisation in a way that complements the text rather than padding it out. Wargamers and reenactors will get plenty of inspiration here, but it never feels like the book is pandering to them.

If there is one takeaway, it is that Gaelic Ireland was not militarily backward, merely different – and that difference persisted, stubbornly and effectively, well into the sixteenth century. For anyone interested in medieval warfare beyond the usual French and English circuits, this is an absorbing, corrective, and very readable study.

In short this a serious book that does not take itself too seriously, and all the better for it. One I will be reaching for again as the whole subject matter is a fascinating dive into soldiering in Ireland between 1366 and 1547.

ISBN: 978-1-804518                  126 pages        Paperback

Some interesting books.

 This is No.155 in Helion’s from Reason to Revolution 1721–1815 series.

In Fuentes De Oñoro, Massena’s Last Battle and the Campaign of 1811 Kenton White has produced a clear, steady and authoritative account of one of the more awkward, fascinating battles of the Peninsular War, relying on a well-paced and absorbing narrative that guides the reader through the messy realities of 1811 with calmness and precision. 

The author brings out the personalities—Massena fraying at the edges, Wellington juggling risks—with just enough colour to keep things human without drifting into melodrama. The campaign context is handled particularly well and as a result I never felt lost, nor did I feel lectured. It is simply explained, neatly structured, and surprisingly easy to follow. The Peninsular War is not an area I am as familiar with as say, 1805 to 1808, so this approach certainly helped me through the detail admirably. 

The battlefield analysis is sensible rather than showy, and the maps and illustrations support the text without overwhelming it. For wargamers, there is more than enough in here to spark scenario ideas, but it never feels like that is the book’s aim. For me I was content to let the facts carry the story. The two appendices make interesting reading and comparisons, as they present the orders of battle and strength returns for both Wellington’s and Massena’s armies as of 1 May 1811.

All in all, it’s a measured, engaging and quietly impressive study—one that rewards a relaxed afternoon’s reading and leaves you with a solid appreciation of a complicated little corner of the Peninsular War. 

ISBN:978-1-804518-24-3                        269 pages              Paperback

Moving on to a very popular subject, the Great Italian Wars. The Battle of Pavia 1525 by Massimo Predonzani is a reminder of just how chaotic early-modern warfare could be, even when some of Europe’s biggest names were on the field. You go in expecting pikes, shot, and grand manoeuvre — and you come out with mud, confusion, desperate firefights in the dark, and a king having a very bad day indeed, no doubt wishing he had stayed in bed!

The Italian Wars seem to be a very well-represented conflict at the moment, with numerous wargamers’ guides, rule sets and supplements in abundance. This book complements the author’s five-book series on the Italian Wars, also published by Helion. Predonzani tells the story with a nice, steady hand. The build-up is clear without being ponderous, and when the fighting kicks off it is brisk, sharp, and refreshingly uncluttered. The clash between French gendarmes, Swiss pikes, and Imperial shot is explained in a way that actually makes sense, which is no small achievement given how often Pavia gets buried under layers of myth and hindsight.

What really works is the sense of things going wrong very quickly. Command decisions unravel, formations lose cohesion, and suddenly this carefully planned campaign turns into a brutal scramble in woods, parks, and broken ground. Predonzani is particularly good at showing how firearms and terrain teamed up to ruin traditional assumptions about cavalry and shock tactics.

The maps and illustrations carry the book and are genuinely helpful rather than decorative. You can follow the action without constantly flipping back and muttering under your breath, which is always a good sign. The colour plates are amazing, especially the eight pages of the Pavia tapestries. The colour drawings, particularly that of Francis I and the one depicting the fight between the Imperial Landsknechts and the French Black Band, together with the banners, are also detailed and beautifully executed.

All told, this is a cracking account of one of the Renaissance period’s truly decisive battles. Clear, engaging, and very readable, it strips away the legend and leaves you with a fight that feels messy, dangerous, and very real. If you have ever wanted a book on the battle of Pavia that actually makes sense, this one is well worth your time. This is No. 33 in Helion’s superb and eclectic ‘from Retinue to Regiment 1453–1618’ series.

ISBN: 978-1-804518-34-2 161 pages Paperback

1940 France. This time it is the turn of the French, part un.

This was a very simple scenario when an opportunity arose for a small 1940 game with John the Red. This time it was the turn of the French. John was the French and I took the Germans.

The French had a battalion of Moroccan tirailleurs, a single battery of 75mm guns and as reinforcements the divisional recce group comprising four Panhard armoured cars, a company of motorcyclists, another of  motorised ‘dragons portee’ and a 25mm AT gun mounted on the back of a chenillette carrier. 

The Germans had a recce ‘battalion’ of two armoured cars and a company of motorcyclists, a full motorcycle battalion, a battalion of motorised infantry and a battery of 105mm howitzers. They could also call in up to two Stuka strikes.

German recce troops negotiate their way through a long column of refugees.

Armoured cars lead the way.

I suspected that the hotel was occupied so the best way to find out was to drive past at high speed.
Lo and behold there was a company of Moroccan tirailleurs lurking ready to ambush the Germans, which they did, knocking out one motorcycle combination. The Germans dismounted and stormed the hotel, driving the Moroccans out and across the cornfields.

More refugees on the other road.

The main German infantry force arrived in the shape of a motor rifle battalion.

My motorcycle battalion then arrived (finally, having been delayed for two turns!) down the other road. 

One company chased after the refugees while the rest moved to occupy the garage, which to my surprise (not) was full of Moroccans, with mg support from the railway station just out of shot. We, the Germans, got a bit bogged down here and couldn’t shift the French from the garage.

A battery of French 75s engaged the German armoured cars without any success.

French reinforcements- their divisional reconnaissance group, of armoured cars and dragons porte.

I managed to call up air support to knock out the French artillery. A Stuka duly arrived, located the target, avoided desultory anti aircraft fire then blew one of the guns to pieces. The resulting morale check forced the remaining gun to limber up and retreat, pursued by one of my armoured cars.

Panhard of the 12th Cuirassiers.

The refugees are still trying to make good their escape from the fighting.

 

We had to stop at this point when it was just about to get interesting as my back was once again playing up.  However, we shall hopefully be able to finish the game this coming Friday.