Neerwinden tomorrow. The Austrians are ready.

The troops are all sorted out and the Austrians have been deployed on the tabletop.

North is directly behind the camera in this first shot, showing the Austrian line. Neerwinden is the town in the centre of the table with the pink and yellow houses. 

The Austrian right under the Archduke Charles. 

Neerwinden, held by Grenzers.

The other end of the Austrian line, taken this time from the North.

The French are almost all off table on turn 1, apart from Valence' command which is just out of shot to the left, or will be by the morning.

Neerwinden table set up

Well, I've just about finished laying out the table for the game on Saturday. I might tinker with it or tart it up slightly as it seems a little bare, but I doubt anyone other than me would notice, and I believe the battle field was fairly open ground. Once it’s full of figures it’ll look splendid I’m sure. I’ve had to twist, contract and expand the battlefield to create a 14 x 6 rectangle for the table. The town of Laer is just out of shot  to the left of the yellow 'B'. The yellow letters denote where the French will start. The Austrians are deployed from Oberlanden in the south, up through Neerwinden and north to Dormael. Not all the villages have been included, for space more than any other reason, but a couple have been merged into one BUA. There are one or two fairly good maps on line if you look hard, and I have the Via Victis board game which came in one of their magazines a while ago. (The same edition of the magazine had a chapter on wargaming Jemappes and Neerwinden which were very helpful).

I plan to deploy the troops on later this morning and finish off this evening.

Next game, Neerwinden, 18 March 1793

Saturday will see us (me and the chaps) attempt to refight the Battle of Neerwinden. Click here to get the full lowdown on the battle.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Neerwinden_(1793) 

Planning the game hasn’t been easy as I’ve had to take some liberties with the terrain in order for it all to fit even on my big table. The Austrians under FM Graf Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld were deployed along a ridge in a line even longer than his name running roughly North-South close to the main Brussels road, planning to attack the French in a few days in an attempt to drive them out of the Austrian Netherlands. The more numerous French under General Dumouriez took the initiative and attacked, hitting both ends of the Austrian line. The plan was to attack the Austrian left in the hope that troops would be drawn down from the other flank. The French would then attack the hopefully depleted Austrian right and roll up the line. Great plan! In order to carry out their assault the French have crossed the Klein-Geete by a number of bridges and now have a near impassable obstacle to their rear. The French may have outnumbered the Austrians overall, especially in infantry, but were seriously outnumbered in cavalry. The terrain is fairly open apart from numerous built up areas, most of which are garrisoned by Austrian troops. 

The Austrian commander, FM Friedrich Josias Graf Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld

General Charles Francois Doumouriez, the French CinC

I could actually do this game fielding the armies battalion for battalion, squadron for squadron and battery for battery, but I reckon having over 50 battalions on the table, plus cavalry and artillery would be a bit crowded (and getting for 2000 figures). Being a sensible sort of person I have decided to ‘bathtub’ the armies down to a more manageable two thirds (‘ish). Even so they are still pretty large. See below: (Key: G = Grenadiers, R = Regulars, V = Volunteers, Grz= Grenzer, FK = Freikorps)

FRENCH ARMY

General Charles Francois Doumouriez (9)

Right Wing: 

General of Division Jean-Baptiste Cyrus de Timbrune de Thiembronne, Comte de Valence

(8)

5 btns (1G/1R/5V)

Hussars x 1

Dragoons x 1

Foot Artillery x 1

Horse Artillery x 1

General of Division Egalite-fils (Louis Phillipe, Duc de Chartres) (8)

5 btns (1G/2R/2V)

Chasseurs a Cheval x 1

Heavy Cavalry x 1

Foot Artillery x 1

Left Wing: 

General of Division Fransisco de Miranda (9)

Bde Miaczinsky (9)

5 btns (2 R/3V)

Foot Artillery x 1

Bde Champmorin (7)

4 btns (2R/2V)

Heavy Cavalry x 1

Dragoons x 1

Horse Artillery x 1

AUSTRIAN ARMY

FM Friedrich Josias Graf Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (9)

 Right Wing

Advance Guard - FML Archduke Charles (9)

4 btns (1G/1R/1Grz/1FK)

Uhlans x 2

‘Horse’ artillery x 1(light)

Division of FML the Duke of Wurtemburg (8)

3 btns (5R)

Cuirassiers x 2

Foot artillery x 1(Heavy)

Left Wing : 

Division FML Graf von Colloredo (8)

4 btns (R)

Cuirassiers x 2

Foot artillery x 1(Medium)

Reserve Division FML Clerfeyt (8)

4 btns (1G/3R)

Hussars x 2

Foot artillery x 2 (heavy)

Roll on Saturday!

2019 New Year Wargaming Resolutions. A box too far?

I wonder how far I will get with these? Its a bit (very) late coming but here goes....

Readers will be aware that I’ve been busy painting over the last couple of weeks, trying to finish off all the units I have in the 1672-1678 'box of doom', and have churned out more than half a dozen assorted Savoyard, Papal, Saxon and Venetian units so I now have a respectable force of ten battalions and a cavalry regiment. I have one more foot unit, some dismounted dragoon’s and three or maybe four mounted units remaining, plus some odd cannon and crews, etc and they're top of the list for completion (the last foot unit and a regiment of horse were undercoated this evening). I’ve been rattling through these units at the rate of about three or four a fortnight, and to be honest the uniforms are pretty simple, so it’s possible. It would be quicker if I wanted units in white or grey, but I don't, not all anyway. It’s the basing that will take the time.

I also have two huge complete (90%) armies for the Sikh Wars. They’re all painted but they’re not based up, excepting a few units that have been stuck to their mdf bases. All that’s left to do before they can take the field is to do the bases for about 60 units, excluding artillery, finish off a few command bases and other tabletop ephemera and then they’ll be good to hit the table top. They’ve been painted and unbiased for probably four or five years which is criminal, especially as its one of my favourite conflicts! They're mainly Studio Miniatures with some Foundry and Old Glory throw into the mix.

While rooting around under the table to find stuff to sell on eBay I came across another box of painted yet unbased figures, this time five big battalions of 18th Century figures painted up as Spanish of all things! I think I did them for the War of the Austrian Succession in Italy but they too need basing and awarded their colours. As do the two regiments of Spanish horse I also discovered! If I choose to ignore the red cockade and make the flags removable they would all do as French, which indeed is what the castings were made as. Sounds like a good plan.

I also 'found' a big box of TAG Renaissance Poles and Cossacks. My 17thC Poles do need beefing up a bit,  not with Winged Hussars, but with others like Pancerni and Cossacks. There’s no rush for these though so they might well take a back seat for a while.

Rumour has it that Warlord will be bringing out plastic Crimean War Russians this year. That is both good and bad, as (a) I need more Russians, and (b) I hate sticking plastic figures together even though they are great value for money.....and (c) do I REALLY need more Russians?  I really probably  do need another eight battalions AT LEAST!

Finally, I want to get my 18thC French army started and finished, primarily for the Wars of Polish and Austrian Successions. (The Spanish will come in handy here when it comes to putting a force on the table), but also for the Seven Years War. My target date for these is November 2019 so I can reflight Rossbach again amongst others.

So, not much (hahahaha!) on the list really and I've not included finishing the odd FRW unit, especially Vendean rebels, and some of terrain items, but lots to keep me busy without going into self destruct mode. Of course the whole point of all this is to organise lots of games, frustrate my friends with a few difficult scenarios, shake some dice and play a few games myself, visit a few (fewer than last years probably) shows, and enjoy myself.

Next big game is on Saturday 19 Jan 2019.

The British Army in Egypt 1801 review.

I actually bought this excellent book myself rather than get a review copy sent and I’m glad I did as it’s a little gem. It does more than just cover the tip of the iceberg and offers a well researched and presented account of the campaign, from inception through to completion. Lessons learnt carrying out opposed amphibious landings at Calantsoog against Batavian troops in 1799 were put to good use when the army stormed ashore in Egypt. In other areas too the campaign helped shape the  poorly-regarded British Army into the fighting machine we like to think of during the Napoleonic Wars. The book contains many super colour plates to complement some really handy (sadly not always the case these days) maps  and orders of battle. The pen pictures of the main commanders and each regiment or corps involved are really useful. Highly recommended.

The Battle of Jemappes refought

As I mentioned earlier, today's game was the Battle of Jemappes, originally fought on 6 November 1792.  Go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jemappes for a good account of the background to the battle and the battle itself. I used the orders of battle from one of my excellent Via Victis magazines for the game which as it turned out worked rather well.

John the Red and Steve took command of the French, John being Doumouriez and Steve was General Egalité (The Duc de Chartres, the King's cousin). Conrad was the Austrian commander, FML Albert von Saxen-Tecshen supported by Paul as FML Beaulieu). The Austrians were strung out thinly along the whole length of the table not knowing exactly when and where the larger French army would strike. I think Conrad and Paul thought they'd been suckered into playing an unwinnable battle (judging by their faces anyway) but manfully stuck to it and did an amazing job in the end, but more of that later.

As usual, the photos and their captions will hopefully take readers through the course of the battle. We used BP2, and again changed the sequence of play by swapping moving and shooting around, i.e. troops could shoot then move.

The Austrians strung out from west in the foreground to the east and the city of Mons (roughly just in the garden). The French have yet to appear. When they do the Austrians will be in for a surprise.

Austrian defenders of one of the earthworks on the hill in the centre of the table.

A redoubt outside Jemappes garrisoned by a battalion of infantry.

O'Donnell Freikorps deployed on the extreme Austrian right. They were to prove annoying to the French under Steve. 

In turn 1 Doumouriez's troops swarmed onto the table in the south east corner and quickly advanced on the Austrian left flank.

The French were led by two battalions of white-coated regulars.

French cavalry advance menacingly (hahahah!)

Meanwhile Steve's troops arrived on the western table edge, a nasty surprise for the Austrians. The Austrian hussars tried a charge at the French but they formed square, forcing the hussars to recoil.

Then the main French division arrived in the centre, under General Égalité

The Austrians had two units of light infantry hidden in the woods, one of Grenzers, the other Freikorps.

The action seen from the French left/Austrian right.

The regulars begin a fire-fight with the Austrians to their front.

John's artillery deployed but didn't seem to have much effect.

Meanwhile Steve launched three battalions of eager volunteers towards the central redoubt, garrisoned by a battalion of combined grenadiers. Not surprisingly the central battalion of volunteers was repulsed shaken.

Steve's two artillery batteries advanced and were perhaps a little too exposed.

Yep! The artillery was too exposed but thankfully, being Artillerie Volante they were permitted to evade,  which they managed to do, even if one did end up three moves away! Either way a cunning move by Conrad as it put Steve's artillery out of action for most of the game.

A battalion of volunteers escorting the mobile guillotine onto the battlefield. Motivational techniques at their best!

Over on the French left, John had turned the Austrian flank, driving off one battalion and surrounding another!  

The French regulars taking the brunt of the fighting as they swung round behind Paul's troops.

This regular chasseur battalion's most dramatic move was a blunder off the table at the start of the game. 

As the French regulars approached the Austrian earthwork the hussars tried again. Their target was already disordered so even though it formed square it lost the melee and was ridden over. The hussars wisely withdrew as they too were shaken.

Steve's tactic of reconnaissance by cannon! His artillery deployed in front of the redoubt and let loose. Sadly  they weren't very effective and Conrad managed to push a battalion up onto the flank of the artillery. 

Steve's surviving regular battalion charged the earthworks outside Jemappes and after a fierce fight drove the Austrians off.

Meanwhile, the French under Steve had been trying to get rid of the O'Donnel Freikorps that were still being a nuisance in their rear. Eventually, after several turns of shooting at each other over the hedges, a charge by the French drove off the Austrians.

The centre of the battlefield was going to be where the game was won or lost. The Austrians were very unwilling to let loose their cavalry in the centre, allowing the French regulars to get up close to their troops behind the earthworks. The redoubt was also under intense pressure as one of Steve's batteries had unlimbered within canister range and was slowly wearing the defenders down.

Back on the French right the surrounded Austrian battalion was still holding on, as Paul kept throwing ridiculously high break tests.

The French were poised to take Jemappes by this time. The volunteer battalion charged the Austrian infantry to their front but could not break them.  They in turn were broken and the French left wing was forced to retreat, a shattered brigade.

Sadly their artillery battery previously seen in front of the redoubt was destroyed. Game changer!

In the centre still the Austrian cavalry remained immobile while Steve organised his men for an assault.

Finally the surrounded Austrians on the French right were forced to surrender. About blooming time if you ask me. 

John then allowed them to march off the field with the honours of war! Treason cried the Representative of the Committee for Public Safety!

The French right began to regroup having destroyed the Austrians to their front. The latter were broken and forced to retreat.

A wild charge by the French dragoons in the centre hit their Austrian counterparts and beat them! 

The French followed up but in the next round of melee were soundly beaten. The Austrians breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The fighting in the centre hots up.

Then the grenadiers charged the Grenzers holding the earthwork and drove them back. The grenadiers followed up but were hit by Austrian cuirassiers in the rear and with nowhere to run to were captured.

But not before the central Austrian redoubt was finally captured by the French.

The Austrian left and centre had been broken so with half of their brigades out of action the army was forced to withdraw.

A hard fought game but a French victory in the end. The Austrian left and French left had both been broken so the scrum had definitely been turned. French reinforcements had started to arrive so the best the Austrians could hope for was to hold Jemappes in order to withdraw their army. It was a historical result but closer than in the real battle.

My French regulars got their first outing onto the table and didn't do too badly. The volunteers did pretty well despite being launched in suicidal attacks against dug in Austrians, but it all worked. It was actually a very close game and I think the Austrians thought they were on to a no hoper at the start of the game.

We experienced some confusion over the changes between BP1 and BP2 but not to the detriment of the game. An enjoyable day and a great start to the year.

First game of 2019. The Battle of Jemappes, 6 November 1792

Today’s game is the Battle of Jemappes set during the early months of the War of the First Coalition. The French, a mix of old regular battalions and units of volunteers were victorious in 1792.  Of course, there’s no guarantee that their success will be repeated today. A full report and photos will follow  this evening. Or tomorrow .......