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…..

Paraguayan army is finished.

Well, here we have my entire Paraguayan army for the war of the Triple Alliance. The only unit I have to add is one of dismounted cavalry and some extra gunners for the fortress and gunboat I have in the pipeline. In total there are 12 battalions of infantry, seven squadrons of cavalry and an assortment of six guns. 

More Paraguayans…..

The Paraguayan cavalry was particularly effective in the war against the Brazilians, Argentinians and Uruguay. My understanding is that certainly in the early years of the war they were also quite numerous. I get the impression that they certainly punched above their weight and were as fanatical/mad as their infantry colleagues. Of course the Alliance cavalry were not exactly wonderful in comparison and did eventually gain the numerical upper hand, but the bottom line is that the Paraguayan cavalry was better. 

I have nine regiments of Paraguayan cavalry (one is not in the photos ans the bases anre not done)  and will no doubt get another one as 10 is a much better number. With the 12 infantry regiments I now have together with three batteries of artillery this has quickly become a formidable force. A game is on the cards just as soon as I get some more Alliance forces based up, although they will be sorely outnumbered in cavalry. Hey ho. 

More photos:

The Paraguayan artillery. Probably too many but …..

A few skirmishers.

This project has breathed new life into my wargaming mojo, especially the painting and research bits. My friend Barry did all the Paraguayan troops which as I hate painting red was a great help.