Danish Napoleonic Livgarden til Fods

This is the FINAL unit for my Napoleonic Danish army in the shape of the Livgarden til Fods.  I inadvertently bought more grenadiers than I needed so they were recruited into the guard. I don’t believe the unit ever took to the field, and technically would not be wearing greatcoats as their use was restricted.  I used a selection of paint pens to supplement the old fashioned paint applied with a brush. These are Perry Miniatures of course. 

Norwegian Ski Troops and early Bavarian Jäger.

Why not?  These ski troops have been laying around my painting desk for at least a year so I thought I’d get them finished. These are Steve Barber models and I’m unsure how to utilise them on the tabletop. Could be fun…..I have another half a dozen to do if I have a mind to.

I also managed to complete these Bavarian jäger for the early Napoleonic Wars or late Revolutionary War. The minis are I believe Bicorne Wurtemburg jäger, but the headgear is wrong as they ditched the Rumford’esque helmets for a sensible hat. No matter as I have a brigade of 1800 Bavarians for when I decide to refight Hohenlinden, so they now have some jäger with more or less the correct uniform.

Kingdom of Wurttemberg #2

Here we have some of the remaining troops of my Wurtemberg division. There is a battalion of light infantry and the guard battalion. The Guard never saw action as far as I know but the uniforms are simply stunning so cannot be overlooked. There’s also a regiment of light cavalry. They are all 3d prints from .stl files acquired from Piano Miniatures. The quality is stunning but beware knocking off bayonets and swords. They are easy to reattach so not such a big deal.

Now all I have to do are the bases of four line infantry battalions and two limbers, of which I have a surfeit.

Russian Imperial Guard, 1807

So here we have a bonus. I forgot I had these three battalions of the Semonyevski Guard Regiment for my early ((1805-1808) Russian Napoleonic army. Now, thanks to my current basing activity I have squeezed them in among the various Baden and Wurtemberg troops to get them finished. 

They are wonderful castings from Elite Miniatures, depicted as they are stoically standing to attention under enemy fire. They will of course be incredibly unwieldy on the table but one doesn’t expect clever manoeuvres from Russians; either stand and do not move, or at them with the bayonet! Hurrah! 

With 20+ battalions already I don’t really NEED this regiment but I’d regret it I’m sure as who had a Russian army WITHOUT the Imperial Guard. They will be brigaded with the Guard Jäger Battalion.

Grand Duchy of Baden Napoleonics #2

My basing frenzy has now resulted in  the completion of the Baden infantry contingent for my Napoleonic collection. I’ve included them solely because they were involved in the siege of Danzig in 1807 (my Napoleonic stuff being more or less focussed on 1805 to 1808). They are a mixture of metal and 3D printed figures. The metals are Murawski Miniatures. The 3D ones were from a guy on eBay who doesn’t appear to be doing it any longer.

IR No3. These are Murowski Miniatures 

IR No 1. Resin 3D prints.

All three battalions, from the left IRs 1, 2 and 3. 

These chaps can now join their artillery and cavalry buddies in barracks. I probably lay ought to get a battalion of IR No4 at some stage …… now where’s that latest Piano Wargames Kickstarter?

Piano Miniatures Hessen-Darmstadt Contingent

Back in 2023 I had these 3D printed while we were in Bangalore. Very good and efficient service but not significantly cheaper than if I’d had them done in the UK. 

Anyway as with all Piano miniatures these are excellent. There are two battalions of musketeers, a battery of cannon, a regiment of light cavalry and a command stand. There are also a couple of skirmisher bases if so required (eg if using GdA).

I am pleased with the way these have turned out. I am also amazed that they survived 15 hours in an aeroplane hold without any causalities.

A Room With a Review……

Being on so-called light duties has meant I have been able to catch up on my reviews, courtesy of Helion of course. Here are the first of several reviews I shall be completing over the next week or so. 

Another new addition from Helion’s excellent ‘from Reason to Revolution’ series (No. 148), edited by Zack White, is An Unavoidable Evil: Siege Warfare in the Age of Napoleon. It examines a part of Napoleonic warfare that usually gets brushed aside. I am of course, as if the clue was not in the book title, talking about the sieges. We know pretty much everything there is to know about the pitched battles, but as this book shows, generals often had little choice but to invest fortresses, blockade towns, and grind away at walls and stomachs alike. It is a collection of essays rather than a single narrative, and this approach works really well. The range is impressive, from Spain, India, to the Ottoman frontiers, and it makes clear that siege craft was not some outdated relic but very much part of the age. There are several useful maps and tables; my favourite was the chart showing how much transport was needed for only one 24pdr gun and two days of ammo. The chapters several stand out as both fresh and thought-provoking, namely those describing Russia’s wars against the Ottomans and the British in India.

Personally I would have liked more on the human side of sieges such as the suffering of civilians and the wider political impact. However, that minor and very personal observation does not detract from the overall quality of the book. Furthermore, for anyone with an interest in the period covered by the Napoleonic wars beyond the usual set-piece battles, and here I mean wargamers especially, this is a very worthwhile addition to one’s library. At just over 160 pages it is a slim volume, and it is very readable. Certainly a book I recommend if you want to see the subject in a fuller light.

From a wargaming point of view, some of the case studies here would make cracking scenarios with assaults, mining, starvation and blockades, all with the added tension of time and supplies. Food for thought.

ISBN: 978-1-804513-45-3 161 Pages Paperback

Moving on. If, like me, you delight in detailed books that straddle the line between reference work and inspiration for the gaming table, Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV, volume 8 – The Armies of Denmark-Norway, Courland and Danzig 1655–1690, is one you’ll want to add to your collection. Author Bruno Mugnai has excelled himself yet again with this book; every new offering in this series seems to offer something different, and this is no exception. For the serious or more casual enthusiasts of this period it has so much to offer.

Where to start? The book brings together the often contrasting threads of organisational history, equipment, uniforms, ensigns, and army structure for each of the armies covered in this volume, namely Denmark-Norway, Courland and Danzig. With the exception of the former these are not exactly mainstream subjects but as ever Bruno can be relied upon to come up with the goods regarding these armies. Who doesn’t want a contingent from Courland in their army?

The book features an extensive assortment of both colour and black-and-white images. Notably, it includes 16 wonderful and highly detailed full-colour plates depicting troops, uniforms, and ensigns. The uniform plates are especially striking original pieces of artwork and are the work of the author. The volume is further supplemented by numerous tables, orders of battle, appendices, maps, and additional illustrations, such as period artwork and photographs of surviving artefacts. Comprehensive information concerning uniforms, standards, and weaponry is seamlessly incorporated into the narrative sections. Organisational charts offer insight into force composition, while uniform plates and ensigns serve as valuable visual references.

The author has yet again undertaken extensive research utilising archival sources and primary materials, moving beyond the reliance on secondary accounts. Consequently, this work joins the previous and equally wonderful seven volumes in making a significant contribution to the historiography of the period, rather than re-hashing already ‘established’ narratives.

Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV, Volume 8 is a rewarding companion. It will not supplant a narrative history, but it will enhance every narrative history you own — especially when you take it to the wargaming table. It gives substance to the otherwise airy abstractions of seventeenth century warfare. If you’re already comfortable with the era, or if you have a project in mind. Do not expect it to hold your hand — dive in, drink deep, and let the indexes and appendices be your guides. I am glad to own it, and am certain I will return to it often as I do repeatedly with Bruno’s earlier works. Highly recommended for serious students of Louis XIV’s early wars (especially those among us who like to carry history onto the table).

This is No. 130 in Helion’s ever expanding ‘Century of the Soldier 1618–1721’ series.

ISBN:978-1-804515-50-1 279 pages Paperback

Lastly for now we have this recently-published volume, part of Helion’s ‘Century of the Soldier’ series, S.I. Shamenkov’s Ukrainian Cossacks from the Late Sixteenth Century to the Early Eighteenth Century delivers a comprehensive examination of its subject matter. Spanning 260 pages, the book provides an in-depth analysis of the organisation, attire, equipment, and weaponry of the Cossacks over approximately one and a half centuries, from the establishment of registered companies to the era of the Hetmanate and subsequent mercenary formations.

Shamenkov has conducted extensive research. The text compiles numerous sources—including contemporary accounts, period artwork, museum pieces, and excavated finds—into an accessible overview of Cossack attire, armament, and their historical development. Rather than listing items, it presents a visual exploration of Cossack military culture. The book contains approximately 180 images, such as photographs of original artefacts, contemporary prints, and 28 pages of colour plates and reconstructions by the author depicting various troop types and a range of banners and standards. These illustrations provide detailed references for painting figures or developing Cossack-related projects. The section on banners is comprehensive, and the details about equipment and clothing offer clarification on debates regarding Cossack appearances in wargaming contexts.

The coverage allocates equal attention to both the ordinary rank-and-file members and the starshyna and hetmans. The book includes information about various formations, such as the Sich Cossacks, the Hetman’s registered troops, and the later western-style serdiuky and kompaniitsi. Weapons and clothing are described in detail, and the text also addresses tactics and battlefield methods to provide context for the visual material.

Though I have a few minor reservations, such as wishing for more maps or details about artefact present-day locations, they are greatly outweighed by the book’s overall quality. The production standards, writing, and illustrations are all excellent.

Overall, this work is a valuable contribution to the English-language literature on the Cossacks, a subject frequently overlooked in studies of seventeenth-century military history. It serves as a comprehensive reference for amateur historians, researchers, wargamers, reenactors, figure painters, and enthusiasts alike. This publication is highly recommended for those seeking an authoritative resource on the topic.

This is No. 129 in Helion’s ‘Century of the Soldier 1618–1721 series.

ISBN: 978-1-804514-46-7 230 pages Paperback


Plenty more to follow, and I might even get some little men finished this week as well!

General d’Armee 2 - First Game. Somewhere in Poland.

 Saturday saw us try out General d’Armee second edition here at the Burrow. It was a fictional encounter but with some tenuous similarities to Pultusk and even Freidland, insofar that the Russians were deployed with an impassable river and only two bridges at their backs. There were lots of them though. 

The Russian objective was to avoid being driven into the river of course, and to capture and hold the crossroads, church and central bridge. The French were tasked with taking the same objectives thus denying them to the Russians and also to drive the Russians into the river. This was only a divisional sized battle, with seven Russian and six French brigades. The Russian commander turned out to be a ‘commissariat’ level general, ie pretty rubbish, but it didn’t seem to have much impact on the game

Mike (CinC) Nigel and Dom led the Czar’s finest on this occasion while Shaun (CinC), John and Nick were the French. Neil offered to umpire so I kept an eye on things at the opposite end of the table to Neil and also ensured we all got fed at lunchtime.

The scenario dictated that the Russians deployed first, which they did,  but they kept three brigades off table in reserve, including all their regular cavalry and their grenadiers. The French also held back a brigade of cuirassiers and their light cavalry. As this game was set in 1807, the French were nearly all classed as veteran. The more numerous Russians (especially in cavalry and artillery) were a mix of grenadiers, line and recruits. Their artillery were all large and classed as veteran to give them a bit of an edge.

I always used to enjoy GdA1 so was looking forward to this game, and I was not alone in wanting to see what changes had been made in this revised version of the rules.

The Russians look on as the French begin their attack.

The French right wing at the start of the battle. The skirmish screen are all resin 3d prints.

The Russian centre and left wing, which were quite lightly held by two brigades, totalling eight battalions or so and two batteries of artillery. As noted earlier they were facing the bulk of the French army. Would they hold?

John’s brigade in the centre as it begins its advance.

Shaun’s French light cavalry brigade, two of its regiments at any rate. The other unit, the 4th Hussars, is out of shot to the left.

Dom’s Russian heavies. They crossed the pontoon bridge and moved on towards the French left. Behind can be seen some Cossacks and horse artillery.

The view from the ‘garden end’ showing how the Russians have turned the French left flank, although the elite jäger battalions on the left didn’t move beyond that point for the entire battle. Don’t know why.

An example of Nigel’s unfortunate dice rolling. This was a shot of canister with his large battery at a French column. Double 1 meant they ran low on ammo (again) and received a fatigue casualty, all again!

My new unit, the 3rd Hussars, under fire from Russian jäger, while in the background is a battalion of the Gardes de Paris.

The Russian cavalry are piling the pressure on the French left. Just visible top right is the French 3rd Hussars who are a very vulnerable and exposed position, with Russian dragoons to their rear. Fortunately for the French the hussars were able to escape the trap by adopting the cunning ruse of failing a discipline test and being forced to retreat.

Cavalry action developing on the French left.

The French 4th Hussars about to defy the odds and drive back the Russian dragoons, more than twice their strength.

The French on the right attack the Russians facing them.

On the Russian left their infantry were under great pressure, especially as there was a river to their rear! This battalion attempted to charge the Tirailleurs du Po. They were not successful.

The French attack in the centre.

….and their attack on the extreme right, which was successful in pushing the Russians back but at the cost of one battalion routed as it attempted to charge the Russian line.

In the centre elements of both armies were closing. Both sides were taking casualties from artillery fire, although the usually effective Russian guns were not performing well on this occasion.

The Russians held back a brigade of infantry and all their regular cavalry. With only a single bridge in the centre and a pontoon bridge on their right this was their only way across the river so it took a while for the reinforcements to arrive where they were needed..

The St Petersburg Grenadiers emerge onto the table as they cross the bridge.

The French light cavalry brigade attacked the Russians before they could cause any mischief in the centre.

Shaun’s outnumbered French light cavalry charged the Russian cuirassiers and held them. They also forced the Russian dragoons to retreat.

Russian grenadiers readying themselves to assault the churchyard.

The Russian’s last chance was to capture the churchyard so Mike launched the St Petersburg Grenadiers into the attack, all three battalions of them.

The St Petersburg Grenadiers managed to drive the French out of the churchyard.

By this time we had played about a dozen turns and the Russians were hanging on, technically winning, but we had to call it a day as night fell.  A minor Russian win was declared.  Of course if everyone had brought all their reserves on who knows what might have happened. If Nigel had thrown better dice, and he could not have thrown worse, the French attack on the Russian left would probably have been repulsed, but……

The game was great fun and I do like the changes that have been made to streamline and/or simplify the rules. They’re easy to grasp, and there were  several players who had never played GdA1 and most of the others had not used them for ages. The rules nicely presented and even the four-sided QRS seemed less troublesome to navigate through.

An excellent day of gaming in excellent company. We are having another smaller game this Friday, which I am looking forward to.