This could have been a Catastrophe!

My 1799 Russians underwent an unexpected inspection by my cat Esmerelda today. No damage to either my figures or the cat remarkably, and thankfully. Note to self: keep cabinet door closed. 

 

 

Late Romans on Parade.

 Well, the Late Romans I started just before Christmas last year have multiplied somewhat. Some 25-30 per cent were painted by my friend Barry, and I did the rest and based them all. Now, I decided I’d put each unit on a single base, to allow for my imagination to run riot on the scenics. Looking at them I think my imagination just ran off! I do like the single base approach; easier to move and store, and aesthetically quite pleasing. The bases are from The Big Red Bat shop, and I’m tempted to try out ‘To the Strongest’ at some point soon.

I’d originally planned on doing two Late Roman armies, which is still a possibility as this lot could be happily split into two. I’ve worked out the names of most of these units thanks to some really useful stuff on t’interwebby and plan to put little labels on each so I can keep track. My Roman commander Marcus Tulius Maximus Parmo is looking forward to taking the field soon.

I’ve still got a few bits to finish, such as a couple more pieces of artillery, a few more generals and two more units of legionaries. Anything else  depends on what useful bits I have left on the zillions of Gripping Beast sprues.

I have also completed the first of my Ostrogoths (they could be Visigoths instead). So far half a dozen units of close order infantry and the same of archers and javelin men. Photos soon.

Hungary. The Winter Campaign 1848-49

I was really quite thrilled to have the opportunity to review this new book, the latest in Helion’s “Musket to Maxim” series, as I’d been waiting patiently for it’s publication for a while.

The book is a translation of the Austrian semi-official history by Johann Nobili of the invasion of a rebellious Hungary during their fight for independence, through the winter of 1848/49. There is always a danger that translations of nineteenth century (or any century for that matter) work ends up being as dry as dust and sometimes incomprehensible. This is certainly not the case here and Dr. Chris Pringle has done an exceptional job. The translation is sympathetic to modern day readers, not in the least bit heavy going, and is well written and laid out. It is an easy and enjoyable read, to the point that I found myself half way through it in no time.

One of the things that really ‘makes’ the book for me are the numerous and very detailed footnotes. These have been included liberally by Chris to expand in detail upon points that might have otherwise remained unclear from the translation, or people mentioned in the main text. So for example, many thumbnail biographies of those involved on both sides of the revolt appear throughout, so the reader can immerse themselves in the personalities of the campaign. Given how important the commanders were to the way the campaign panned out this is very useful and interesting. I certainly found these footnotes very helpful as it was possible to get to grips with what might otherwise have been a bewildering multitude of perhaps unfamiliar Hapsburg and Hungarian names.

I won’t go into any particular detail on any aspects of the war, and you will have to read the book if you want to learn more. Suffice to say the campaign was marked by a high level of ineptitude and downright disobedience on the part of the Austrians and they made hard work of regaining control of Hungary; their invading force was unceremoniously bundled back to the borders. The situation became so bad that the Emperor had to ask the Russians to help put down the revolt! Not much has been written in English about the Hungarian revolt and every aspect of this phase of the war is covered in great detail, with plenty of excellent and specially drawn maps to help the reader understand the geography and the strategic situation, as well as the battles. Orders of battle can be found throughout, both for the Austrians and the Hungarian army. Remember too that pretty much the entire Hungarian establishment within the pre war Austro-Hungarian army had gone over to the rebels so they inherited a large and effective force at the commencement of the campaign.

So, for anyone with an interest in this war, or indeed of European conflicts during the mid-nineteenth century this book is is the answer. The translation and presentation are very good indeed, so top marks to everyone concerned in getting it to the market, and I look forward to the next volume. In the meantime I shall comfortably (?) resist the temptation to start another project, as if I add anything else substantial to the lead mountain I am dead!

        

Almost an antique! (and I’m not referring to myself here)

 

This relic of the past has been in my possession since the early/mid 1970s, so I’m surprised it’s not fallen to bits even more than it has, given it was jammed under my table, long forgotten. This matchbox campaign chest has seen much use, and growth, over the decades, especially in the days before we had technology that could help with the running of a campaign.

As anyone who is familiar with one of these will remember, the match boxes each represent a square on the campaign map. Players take it in turns to secretly move the units of their army, represented by a chip or token that is moved from one box to another as it marches around the map. If an enemy token is found when opening a box to move your own token then contact has been made. Simple and an effective way of allowing for hidden movement in a campaign without the need for an umpire.

More goodies from Helion. ‘In the Midst of the Kingdom’ by Martyn Bennett.

 

‘In the Midst of the Kingdom’ is the one of the most recent books from prolific publishers Helion & Co. Part of the ‘Century of the Soldier’ series the book follows the previous pattern adopted by Helion with most of their publications  on the British Civil,Wars, and again focuses on a narrow geographical area, but digging deep, and in so doing providing a rich narrative and analysis of the Royalist war efforts in the North Midlands during the British Civil Wars between 1642 and 1646. I must admit I like this approach as the world has probably seen enough generic broad-brush histories of these wars (ok, if not the world perhaps, then just me). It has certainly raised my interest levels in this sad war to a level witnessed by my expanding library on the subject.

This is the perhaps surprisingly the first time the subject has been covered from the Royalist perspective, and what we have is an almost forensic investigation of the campaigns and the officers and regiments forming the Royalist army of the North Midlands. The book is a positive gazetteer of those who took part, something I always find of great interest as the information on so many individuals helps in understanding the conduct of the war. Helpful too for any budding genealogists perhaps? Indeed the level of detail is commendable. We are presented with an exceptional and interesting account of the war effort, the army, its regiments, organisation and administration and its ultimate demise, making the book a fascinating and informative read. Well written, exhaustively researched it is presented in a way that lifts it from being just a long list of soulless facts. The maps are helpful, especially for anyone not familiar with the geography of the region. 

I enjoyed the book and have no hesitation in recommending it to all those with an interest in the English Civil War. The cover artwork by Patrice Corneille is as ever superb and has an almost Mona Lisa quality about it. Reminds me of someone too.

Note to self. I have absolutely no desire to wargame this period. 

Fornovo, 6 July 1495

War clouds gathered over the Burrow last Saturday when I put on an early Italian Wars game, based loosely on the Battle of Fornovo where the army of the  League of Venice lay in wait to intercept the French of Charles VIII on their march back to France having conquered Naples and filled their pockets with lots of plunder and stuff not nailed down from the length of the Italian peninsular. Click here to see what Wiki says about the battle. It has its challenges, such as the torrential rain, swollen river, and washed out fords to name but a few. It’s also a battle of quantity (the League) versus quality (the French). We used Pike and Shot with my Italian Wars house rules. When we get back to face-to-face gaming I want to try out Furioso, but they don’t (imho) lend themselves to a game being played remotely as unit activation is by throwing a dice to see which order each unit moves. Anyway, here’s a picture of the battlefield at the start of the game.

It’s very bare. Just the river running the length of the board. It isn’t easily crossable thanks to the weather. The width of the river incorporates the bad going that ran along each bank of the river. French on the left, League on the right.

As was the case last time I was ably assisted by Conrad and Richard who came to help move the figures as well as play. Richard, with John as the King and Paul were the French while Conrad, Nigel and Mark led by Neil were the Venetians and their chums. In the narrative that follows all the League men at arms will be described as gendarmes for ease as in the game there were a mix of Casa Famiglia, Lanze Spezzia, Condottieri and German mercenaries. It rained heavily in the real battle so each turn I threw 1D6, with a 1 meaning the rain had turned into a downpour. A further 1 would make the downpour permanent for the remainder of the game. Any units crossing the river had to beat a 1 to cross (at half speed). Units following immediately behind had to beat a 3. They would become disordered on leaving the river on throw of a 6. A permanent downpour halted all gunpowder weapon shooting and deducted 1 from scores when testing to cross. 

The League of Venice army from the left wing.

The LoV had several units of Stradiots and mounted crossbowmen already on the other side of the river harassing the head of the French column.

The French on the march. The rear guard has turned to face the threat on the army's flank.

The League camp.

So, with the players mustered the game began. I suspect some of the photos are out of sequence but I doubt it will spoil the narrative. Thanks to Richard for some of the photos.

The busy League camp again.

The rear of the French army, including the precious baggage train.

League gendarmes crossing the river in the centre.

While more League gendarmes began to cross opposite the French rear guard.

The French army inexplicably seemed to ignore the threat to their right flank and continued marching along the road.  Some units did turn to face as the League troops got closer. This led to the column becoming strung out.

The League Stradiots try to outflank the French vanguard or at least slow it down.

The Stradiots still playing with the very annoyed French vanguard.

The main Swiss pike block still ignoring the threat across the river.  Mind you the block contained 144 figures so why should they be bothered?

The League employed a smaller block of just 96 Landsknechts to counter the

The French are now paying attention and are countering the League army as it crosses the river.

The cannon failed to halt the League gendarmes with closing fire.

League gendarmes then hit the French cannon and rode over them.

The League army is now crossing the river en masse.

Back at the French rearguard League gendarmes charged and defeated a large unit of French crossbows.

At the head of the French column, Stradiots were being slowly driven back by the advancing gendarmes. Oh, and that’s me in the background at Mission Control.

The annoying Stradiots  again.

Papal pikes crossing the river.

LoV gendarmes take their chance when the Swiss become disordered and charge them.

The League Gendarmes are taking their time crossing towards the enemy rear guard.

Paul was in command of the League left and his gendarmes splashed across the river and charged a company of French gendarmes. Richard threw some terrible dice and was pushed back but the League declined to follow up.

Another view of the fight in the previous photo.

Back at the vanguard the Stradiots were still being driven back but were causing some damage to the French gendarmes.

A unit of dodgy French pikemen face two large blocks of League pikemen as they cross the river.

League gendarmes crossing in the centre.

The League gendarmes on the left pulled back. One unit was shaken and disordered after pushing the French back.

Esmerelda di Catti looks on.

Another company of League gendarmes.

Landsknechts in the League army are across the river.

The League left was very slow in continuing to advance over the river.

When they did they supported an attack on a large unit of French crossbowmen by League gendarmes. The crossbowmen were crushed.

The Landsknechts bearing down on the French baggage train.

At that point we called it a day. It was clear that the League had won. I’m sure there was a photo of the disordered Swiss fighting a loosing battle against League gendarmes but it seems to have been ‘lost’. The French conceded and that was that. They (the French) had tried to escape without paying enough attention to the enemy, and ignored them for several turns as they tried to march off the table. It was part of their ‘master plan’ but back to the drawing board messieurs. The army became strung out and vulnerable to the League attack.

As always the rules, with my amendments and stats, worked ok. If I’d not forgotten the rule about large units being allowed to convert a disorder into a casualty the outcome would have been very difficult I reckon, but who will ever know? Overall, an excellent days gaming. I enjoyed it as did the others, although we lost Mark early due to a tech issue at his end in Adelaide. It was great to get this collection out on the table again, a year after its first appearance. Many thanks to all who took part, and especially to Conrad and Richard for helping with the figure moving; I couldn’t have done it on my own.

I’m bobbing around in boats on Wednesday courtesy of Richard then I’m preparing a game for 8 May.  

Yarkshire Gamer Podcast

My mate Ken Reilly asked me if I’d like to be interviewed for his new Yarkshire Gamer Podcast, and I said yes. I’ve never met Ken but we share many war game interests, and have communicated frequently on stuff; BIG games, The Italian Wars and so forth.

Anyway, here is a link to the podcast which is on YouTube.

Yarkshire Gamer

Enjoy, I hope, and thanks again Ken for inviting me. It was fun.