Pauly Wauly's Wargames Blog

Multibases for "Charge!".

2012-01-10T14:09:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Prince Lupus at the Wars of Wine and Cheese blog and frustrated at the length of time required to play "Charge!" due to the singly based soldiers I've decided to base the close order troops into eights and threes for infantry and cavalry respectively.

Prince Lupus has some rule amendments to allow for this, especially for cavalry melees.

I thought I would mark casualties with dice until there is enough to remove a whole stand.

I'm on holiday for most of this week so I must get cracking!.

Vorwarts.

Lobositz using Black Powder

2011-11-27T14:17:00.000-08:00

The Austrian centre.

For this battle I used my Altstein and Eisenburg-Essling soldiers in place of Prussians and Austrians. I used The Wargame Companion by C.S.Grant, a wonderful book, for inspiration and information. Units were broken down into 14-16 figure infantry battalions and 8 figure cavalry regiments. I used Black Powder rules substituting centimetres for inches throughout, effectively making my 6x4 table into a 15x10.

"Croats" occupy the Lobosch.

Austrian infantry between Lobositz and Welhotta.

The Prussian advance guard.

The Prussians advance against the Croats on the Lobosch.

The rest of the Prussians arrive.

They advance rapidly.Leadership was set at 9, Austrian leadership at 8.

The cavalry clash in the centre of the field.

The rest of the Prussians bypass the Lobosch.

Austrian dragoons defeated, the die scores tell the tale.

Prussian dragoons defeated.

Prussian Hussars defeated.

The result of the cavalry battle, not good for the Prussians.

Close combat!.

The Austrians cross the Morellenbach.

And threaten the Prussian right flank.

The Prussian infantry are under a lot of pressure.

The Austrian infantry having crossed the Morellenbach in force outnumber the Prussian right flank.

Charging home!.

Rolling up the flank.

Enfilading fire is very effective.

The Austrian dragoons are broken.

And the Prussian Grenadiers break too.

The doughty Croats are in a spot of bother.

As is this unfortunate unit.

The Prussian dragoons race to protect the right flank.

The Croats are done for.

Close fighting in the centre.

The units are somewhat battered by now.

The Austrian C-in-C. (Looks like Prince Johann).

Look out!. The Prussians launch a desperate charge.

The Uhlans are routed.

As are the last of the Prussian dragoons.

In this game I chose to pose broken units as routing before removing them from the table.

The Prussians on their far left are too far away to help their comrades.

The Prussian infantry are enfiladed and defeated.

Game over!, a narrow Austrian victory, this battle took most of the day and I was quite exhausted from all that marching and counter-marching.

Heads up for HaT !.

2011-07-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hat SYW Prussians, soon to be released.

I'm very tempted to try some of these to make some new units for Altstein and Eisenburg-Essling. I hope the plastic isn't too soft as I find the Zvezda/Italeri plasic much better at retaining paint than the softer Revell.
Having said that I have'nt lost much paint at all due to the initial coat of PVA and two or even three coats of Klear/Future covering the paint job.

I can't even find the Italeri French AWI soldiers nowadays, it is lucky that I jumped in when I did as I had noticed that some retailers stopped listing them around July 2009 so I bought them from Modelhobbies.
Not long after I noticed they disappeared from Modelhobbies site and they've never reappeared.

Well P....d off !.

2011-06-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Bloody Blogger !, I can't comment on anyones blog, each time I try I have to sign in over and over again.

Does anyone one else have this problem ?.

Toy Soldier Wargame Rules - Playtest

2011-05-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

1/32nd scale soldiers in action.

These are a couple of shots from my other blog (top of the Links section ).

Toy Soldiers - on my other blog!.

2011-05-08T05:23:00.000-07:00

Just a "heads up" for my 54mm Toy Soldier "Little Wars" style project on my other blog (link over on the right).

These are Armies In Plastic WW1 Germans painted as 1900 uniforms.

The Battle of Korbrucke - I love wargaming!.

2011-04-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Battle of Korbrucke, fought yesterday, was one of the most enjoyable wargames I've played.

I suppose that not having played a game of "Charge" for about five months is a part of it, a timely reminder of what a fine set of rules Charge really are.

But also the campaign setting really worked well in this instance, the geography for my campaign is based on the area where I was born and have lived and worked all my life.

Korbrucke is based on Corbridge in North-East England and as I drove past today I could see where my toy soldier battle took place. I could see where the armies would have deployed and advanced and where the Jager company bravely charged and captured the guns and where they crossed the Teiner (Tyne). The Tyne is shallow there in summer and you can see anglers with waders on right in the middle of the river so when the opportunity to cross came up I allowed the Jager company to do so.

By this time the gun battery was set up and preparing to enfilade the Altstein Grenadiers which may have had a crucial effect on the battle.

As the Jagers advanced they came under canister fire, I rolled double six, halved to six and the Jager company was down to half strength, being light infantry they could lose up to two thirds before routing.

On they pressed and took more fire from the guns... double one came up!, only one casualty and the Jagers could carry on to take the guns.

This was a crucial moment which had a far reaching effect on the battle and the whole campaign.

There were other moments of drama ( the cavalry battle was decisive ) and the whole battle was very entertaining.

It isn't like me to write so much (I'm a man of few words ) but I enjoyed the game so much I thought I would expand upon yesterdays post.

The Battle of Korbrucke 1755

2011-04-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

With the feint at Kirkhalle drawing von Bruckenheim away from the Teiner valley.Prince Johan advances rapidly up the valley meeting resistance at Korbrucke. Colonel Fandango of the Altstein Grenadiers is commanding.

The Eisenburg-Essling forces advance.

Cavalry to the fore.

The guns are still on the west bank unable to cross south of Korbrucke.

The Altstein cavalry advance to meet the enemy.

And Fandango forms up his infantry.

And advances toward Korbrucke.

The Zvezda Grenadiers.

The cavalry battle begins.

Into Korbrucke.

The Jager cross the Teiner.

Fandango closes the trap.

The Eisenburg guns are deployed.

What a bottleneck!.

Fritz von Essling back from exile leads the Ostburgers through Korbrucke.

The Jager advance upon the guns.

Into the lions mouth!.

The cavalry fight is furious.

The heads of the columns are knocked off by artillery and musket fire.

The Blues win the cavalry melees.

Through canister fire the brave Jager Company reach the guns and the crews surrender.

A desperate melee between the Altstein Grenadiers and the Eisenburg-Essling infantry ends in defeat for the whitecoats.

The Altstein (Meissen Dragoons) take casualties from the Essling Grenadiers.

A fierce firefight begins : casualties shown by the dice.

The Jager Company enter Korbrucke.

The Eisenburg Dragoons are routed by the Meissen Dragoons.

Who rally back behind the line.

The firefight continues.

After casualties are removed there ain't many left!.

Captain Weingartners men shoot the battalion gun crew.

Colonel Fandango prepares his remaining cavalry for the killing blow.

The Altstein Grenadiers advance.

Prince John George forms his firing line.

The Jagers withdraw into cover.

Eight more casualties is more then the Grenadiers can take.

And eighteen casualties on the Eisenburg Musketeers routs them,they only managed four in response.

Fandango ruthlessly unleashes his cavalry upon the routed enemy.

The dashing Prince is defeated and his army destroyed. The rebellion will be stamped out by the Altsteiners and order restored.

The Battle of Kirkhalle 1755

2010-10-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Eisenburg-Essling forces have retaken the village of Kirkhalle to the east of the region.Captain Kranze and his company of Jager above are part of the force commanded by Von Bruckenheim to crush the rebellion.

The Essling Militia hold the village.

Von Bruckenheim has a squadron of Blue Hussars.

The rebels are commanded by Colonel Voss with half of his Ostburg Regiment, he is supported by a squadron of Uhlans.

And a squadron of dragoons.

Von Bruckenheim has two full infantry regiments, Hecksheim and Heydn Brucke.

The Altsteiners surge forward in column.

The light horse clash with indecisive results and both fall back.

The Hecksheim regiment attacks the defended village.

The Ostburgers give an effective volley at long range.

The Uhlans rally.

Undeterred the Heydn Brucke regiment closes with the enemy.

Kranzes Jager are gaining the upper hand on the eastern flank.

Round two for the light horse.

The Heydn Brucke regiment fare better in the firefight.

And the Hussars defeat the Uhlans.

The Ostburg regiment (in white) has taken a lot of casualties.

The Hecksheim regiment forces its way into Kirkhalle despite being attacked by the Eisenburg Dragoons.

At this point the rebels fled the field, a somewhat inauspicious beginning for the rebellion.

The Essling Militia drill.

2010-10-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

The Essling Militia, some of whom were involved in ambushing the Altstein Jager at the Battle of Eisenburg-Essling five years previously, form up.

A bit of a rabble but they're keen.

The battalion is forming up in defiance of the ruling Altsteiners but are emboldened by the death of Ludwig and the calls of Prince Johan to rise up and regain independence.

These chaps were painted many years ago.

Rebellion !.

2010-10-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

The young and handsome Prince Johan Jorge arrives to lead the Eisenburg-Esslingers in their bid for independence from the County of Altstein since the death of Graf Ludwig in March 1755.

The old Regimental colours are brought forth in a hasty ceremony of allegiance to their cause.

The Colonels are unanimous in their support for Johan and are eager to throw off the Altstein yoke.

What a dashing young man the Prince is.

After 5 long years under the heel of Ludwig there is much bitterness toward the Altsteiners and with the tyrant dead they must seize the chance to rebel.

The War of 1750 ends.

2010-09-02T07:23:00.001-07:00

Fritz von Essling (in the green coat) surrenders to Graf Ludwig von Altstein (in the dark blue coat) and General August von Bruckenheim after the battle.

With the surrender by Fritz von Essling at the battle of Eisenburg-Essling, the war of 1750 ended as a complete victory for the army of Ludwig von Altstein.

Erherzog Katherine ceded her lands to Ludwig and fled into exile in Normagnia rather than be wed to the vile Ludwig.

Ludwig, however had achieved his aim and set about assimilating his new territory oblivious to the resentment and bitterness of his newly acquired citizens.

The Battle of Eisenburg-Essling.

2010-08-14T10:44:00.000-07:00

The Altstein army has advanced to the outskirts of Eisenburg and Essling and is met by Von Esslings army.

Von Esslings left wing. He deploys along the Eisen Fluss which is very shallow in high summer.

Von Esslings centre and right.

The Altsteiners advance.

They advance with a weighted right flank.

Along Von Bruckenheims line.

Von Essling advances to meet the enemy.He awaits reinforcement from the Essling Fusiliers who are marching from the south.

A birdseye view of move two.

The Dragoons clash but the combat is indecisive and both sides fall back.

The Heydn Brucke regiment advances in the centre.

Weingartners Jager company take the centre hill.

The light horse clash and the Blau Husaren retire defeated by the Uhlans.

The artillery deploy on the hill while Weingartner rather recklessly skirmishes with the Ostburg Regiment. They are almost destroyed by the volleys though Weingartner escapes unharmed.

The Alstein Musketeers are smashed by musketry as they emerged from the defile on Von Esslings right.

A fierce firefight is underway between the Heydn Brucke and Ostburg Regiments.

The Meissen Dragoons charge Von Esslings guns.

Colonel Fandango's Grenadiers defeat the Eisenburg Grenadiers.

The Eisenburg Grenadiers salute Col. Fandango as they retire.

There aren't many left as they retreat towards the Eisen Fluss.

Kranze and his jager company meet resistance from the militia as they advance through Essling.

And eventually prevail by use of the bayonet.However Captain Kranze falls to a musket shot.

The gunners are sabred by the Meissen Dragoons and the Ostburg Regiment is almost annihilated.

The Altsteiners advance in force.In the foreground is the Hecksheim Regiment.

The Essling Fusiliers did not arrive in time to take part in the battle. Von Esslings army is falling apart now, to continue fighting would achieve nothing.

Feldgeneral Freiderich von Essling surrenders to Graf Ludwig von Altstein and General August von Bruckenheim.

The surrender is accepted and the sound of battle dies down on the field.

A delaying action...at last!.

2010-08-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

To the north of Klosewitz a small force attempts to delay the invading Altsteiners.

The Eisenburg-Essling force consists of the Eisenburg Musketeers,a company of the Ostburg Regiment and a squadron of Kazinskys Uhlans.

The Altsteiners have two full regiments of infantry with a company of grenadiers and a squadron of hussars.They intend to sweep aside the defenders.
The Eisenburg Regiment is arrayed on the high ground facing the approaching enemy.

However there is not enough time to dig in.

The Hecksheim Regiment arrives.

The Hecksheimers take casualties from long range musketry and the battalion gun.

An Eisenburg company withdraws before they are overwhelmed.

The centre company take serious casualties before falling back.

The Altstein Grenadier company advance against the hamlet.

And overwhelm the defenders with firepower.

A squadron of Kazinskys Uhlans cover the retreat.

The Altsteiners have now pushed well forward.

The Eisenburg Regiment regroups to hold off the invaders.

But against such odds they quit the field and the Altsteiners cheer their victory.

The attempt to delay the Altstein army failed although casualties were quite light on both sides.

The town of Klosewitz was taken the next day while von Esslings forces are still not concentrated.

Getting better.

2010-07-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks very much for all your kind responses to Johnos post.

I was pleased that he left a message for you.The campaign has had a false start because of this bloomin' back.When I did it my first thought was that the battle I had planned would have to be cancelled.

I can't sit here very long yet so I won't linger but it is much improved from last week.

Vorwarts.

Message of mild importance

2010-07-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Hi, it's Paul's son, John. For the past few days Paul's been complaining of a bad back, taking days off and using us as room service (to the point of asking me to switch on a fan just out of reach).

Since the computer's downstairs and he's not you probably won't hear anything for a while.

He doesn't know I wrote this.

Death on the bridge.

2010-07-04T05:57:00.000-07:00

After crossing the bridge the hussars scout ahead to the valley side.

The Jagers occupy Offenheim and the bridge.

Captain Kranze's company in Offenheim.

The Hussars push forward.

Captain Weingartner has the honour of holding the bridge.

"Mein Gott", the hussars make contact!.

Kazinsky's Uhlans have been encamped on the valley slopes watching the incursion and attack the outnumbered hussars with vigour.

The Blau Husaren flee for their lives.

Kazinsky's men surge forward recklessly.

And envelope Offenheim.

They are hot on the heels of the hussars.

But the Uhlans are repulsed by the Jager defending Offenheim.

Weingartner's company are attacked.

The Blau Husaren turn to fight.

All hell breaks loose around the bridge.

Caught between the village and the bridge the Uhlans take heavy casualties.

Weingartner regroups his survivors and repulses the enemy.

By now the Uhlans have had enough and fall back to the high ground to lick their wounds leaving Offenheim and the bridge in Altsteiner hands.

Kazinsky has had the sense however to send a messenger southwards with news of the invasion.

The War of 1750.

2010-07-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

Graf Ludwig von Altstein is an ambitious man, ruthless too and determined to expand his territories by taking control over his neighbour Eisenburg-Essling.

In 1749 he tried militarily but was defeated, since then he has repeated his attempts to marry the Erherzog Katherine. Rejected once more and with rumours of a possible marriage between Katherine and a Normagnian noble, Ludwig has decided to use his recently expanded army to achieve his aims.

Marching down the Teiner Valley the Altstein army is led by August von Bruckenheim recently mentored by the Pfalzstadt general staff.

Von Bruckenheim sends his Jagers and a squadron of the Blau Husaren to capture the bridge at Offenheim ahead of the main body.

The Campaign Map is ready.

2010-06-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

I took some shots of my map from Altstein in the north to Eisenburg-Essling in the south.

The area is dominated by the Teiner Valley which runs from north to south. The whole area is loosely based on the Tyne valley in the north of England where I was born and bred. The orientation is altered from west to east and the topography altered to suit the campaign.

Place names are a mix of made up names and Germanised real names eg. Altstein = Alston (where my wife is from) , Heydn Brucke = Haydon Bridge ( where I went to school) and Hecksheim = Hexham (where I grew up and where I work).

Doing this gives me a feel for the lie of the land and should be useful in setting up the terrain and in visualising the troop movements on the map.

Has anyone else tried this ?.

Building work commences

2010-06-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more shots from von Esslings parade.

I started to tidy up my buildings tonight making repairs, basing some and detaching some multiple based buildings. I failed to repair the one that was damaged by a low flying extending tape measure a while back and it ended up in the bin.

I persuaded my better half to give me some cork based place mats and these will define a built up area with buildings and the odd tree placed loosely upon them. When troops enter the built up area the models can be moved to allow occupation as is commonly done with woods.

A lick of paint and they'll be ready. I've also been working on the map and hope to have it finished next week.

Vorwarts.

Von Esslings Army

2010-06-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Von Essling commands.

The Eisenburg Dragoons - 28 Officers and troopers.

The Ostburg Regiment is the largest with 7 officers , 64 other ranks and 3 battalion gunners.

The Eisenburg Musketeers - 57 in total.

Kazinskys Kozaks - 30 strong.

The field guns - 12 gunners and the Captain.

Friedrich von Essling.

The Eisenburg (zvezda) Grenadiers - 61 strong.

The Essling Fusileers - 45 strong.

That is 309 in total compared to a total of 331 for the Altstein army.

Vorwarts.

All done.

2010-06-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the second coat of Klear is drying on the last of my battalion guns and that means that I've achieved my goal for the 1750 campaign.

It is about one year since this project began and I have now amassed 640 shiny little soldiers plus all the cannons and horses to go with them.

I now need to tart up my buildings, draw up a map (the war of 1749 didn't have one) and the war can begin.

The Uhlans arrive - lock up your daughters!.

2010-06-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Kazinsky's Uhlans have arrived from the Eastern frontier to serve in the army of Eisenburg-Essling. Resplendent in their new uniform they exercise for Feld General Fritz von Essling and set many a maidens heart a flutter with their swagger.

They open out at full gallop and show off their Kozak horsemanship.

Kazinsky at full gallop on his fine white steed.

Well, I finally got them finished. I've just got some battalion guns to paint now and we'll be ready for war.

Vorwarts.

Von Esslings Kozak Lancers - work in progress.

2010-05-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I decided I could paint the whole unit this time but it's hard going and I'll probably complete these in three squadron/sotnia batches from now onwards.

They are Zvezda Napoloeonic Guard Cossacks and quite nice models. There is still a lot of work to do on these and I'll get stuck in and attempt to finish a squadron this week.

Zvezda Grenadiers finished.

2010-05-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

Well I got them finished last Bank Holiday Monday and since then have prepared the battalion guns and the lancers for painting.

I might get a start with von Esslings lancers tomorrow night with a bit of luck.

More Zvezda Grenadiers

2010-04-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

I managed to get the next batch painted despite a 36 hour sinus headache supplemented by a migraine attack just to make me feel even worse. I used to get migraines as a teenager but they have returned as a result of heart surgery last year.

I actually had migraine attacks during both procedures (they have you awake while the ablation is done ) and many more since, sometimes twice a day.

I treated myself to a game of Warmaster today for a change, there is a bit about it on my other blog.

I hope to start the last batch of this regiment tomorrow.

Zvezda Grenadiers progress/send in the clowns.

2010-04-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

The first company completed. I painted twenty soldiers this time so the next two batches will be of nineteen each.

After I put the yellow and red on my wife commented that they looked like clowns and do you know they did look like clowns to me also.

But intrepidly I pressed on till they were completed with that dreadful song "Send in the Clowns" running through my head.

The flag is one of two colours that this regiment will carry and I chose the star as I believe the zvezda is Russian for star, so although the official title of the unit will be the Eisenburg-Essling Grenadiers they'll be known as the Zvezda Grenadiers for some convoluted reason I haven't thought of yet.

Hands,faces and bases for the next batch tonight.

Vorwarts...

Grenadiers prepared and ready for painting.

2010-04-25T01:49:00.000-07:00

Zvezda Prussian Grenadiers ready for painting. I'm on holiday this week so I should able to get on with these chaps.

There are 58 of them in this unit and I'm planning yellow coats with red facings to make the Eisenburg-Essling Grenadiers.

The models themselves are quite imposing for 1/72nd scale and stand at 26mm foot to eye and 32mm foot to top of the mitre.

Just the job for the premier regiment of the army.

Comparison of Italeri AWI French and Revell SYW Prussian Soldiers.

2010-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick comparison ...Italeri on the left and Revell on the right.

And again from the back.

The Italeri figures are made of a harder plastic which takes and retains paint much better than the softer Revell plastic.

Graf Ludwig von Altsteins Grand Parade.

2010-04-21T10:58:00.001-07:00

The troops line up.

A view of the parade.

Visiting dignitaries watch Ludwigs display.

The parade takes place in front of the Altsteinburg.

The Heydnbruck Regiment lined up in front of the Altstein Musketeers.

The Blue Hussars.

The Artillery deployed.

The Altstein Grenadier Guards.

Graf Ludwig casts an appreciative eye over his troops.

The Hecksheim Regiment.

The Blue Hussar Regiment.

The Artillery are put through their paces.

Graf Ludwig and von Bruckenheim survey their military strength.

The Altstein Musketeers with their battalion gun.

Ludwig von Heck's Regiment.

The Meissen Dragoons.

The Jagers.

Weingartner's company up close.

The Army of Altstein 1750

Infantry Regiments:

Altstein Musketeers = 54

Heydnbruck Regiment = 54

Hecksheim Regiment = 54

Altstein Grenadier Guards = 54

Jagers = 27

Battalion guns = 6 crew, 2 guns

Cavalry Regiments:

Von Meissen Dragoons = 28

Blau Husaren = 34

Artillery Company = 11 crew, 2 guns

Total 322

I've still got some more battalion guns to add and no doubt there will be engineers required as the war gets underway.

Modelhobbies delivered my battalion guns yesterday (Imex AWI guns) and also some lancers for the Eisenburg-Essling army, must get on with von Esslings troops next.

Vorwarts...

The Hecksheim Regiment Completed

2010-04-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

This unit probably looks best in column.

The charging pose is quite aggressive and the "en garde" pose fits in behind them fairly well.

Line looks OK too.

Ludwig von Heck is in the centre on the line with the colours and the insufferable Captain Lidl.

A closer view.

Well, I'm glad to get this unit finished as it is completes the Altstein army(with the exception of some battalion guns on their way from Modelhobbies).

I'm planning a parade of the whole army later this week so I'll post some photos soon.

Vorwarts!.

Another company of Hecksheimers completed.

2010-04-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Here are the first two companies of the Hecksheim Regiment of the army of Altstein.

This side view shows the Saint Andrews Cross regimental colours, the main church in Hecksheim is St. Andrews.

Two of the Captains of the regiment. The big guy on the left is the senior captain of the regiment the most obnoxious Captain Paulus Lidl. Pompous and self righteous he is universally despised within the regiment.

This chap may cause trouble in the future, time will tell.

New Blog Started Today.

2010-04-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is just an intro to a new blog I've started featuring games other than my Old School wargames project.
The first post is a WW2 28mm game I set up this afternoon. If you're interested please have a look.
The link to it is top of the Links list.
Thanks Paul.

Work begins on the Hecksheim Regiment

2010-04-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

The last infantry regiment for the Altstein army will be the Hecksheim Regiment commanded by Ludwig von Heck.

Italeri AWI French again with a Revell AWI British officer.

Two more companies to paint and the Altstein army will be complete (at least for now).

I,m hoping to begin campaigning in the summer and should be ready in a couple of months. There are only three units to finish after this one to complete the Eisenburg-Essling army.

"Charge" at last!.

2010-03-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

At last I have managed to get a game of "Charge", although I have to admit to playing "Black Powder" English Civil War a couple of times, some "C21" modern jet combat and some "Battlefield Evolution" modern skirmish in the last fortnight, bad lad!.

The Altsteiners surge forward.

The Eisenburgers advance to meet them.

The guns are deployed on both sides but the Altstein gunners are rather exposed to the enemy infantry as they deploy and are decimated by a volley of muskets!.

In the meantime, while the camera batteries were recharging, the cavalry clash was indecisive and the Altstein Grenadiers were destroyed in a reckless column attack upon the Eisenburg Musketeers .

Encouraged by the rout of the gunners the Osterburg Musketeers advance to outflank the Heydnbruckers!.

After seeing off the Essling Fusileers, the Altstein Musketeers find themselves a little outgunned.

With a terrific volley the Heydnbruckers blow a huge hole in the Osterburg line forcing them to quit the field.

Not many left and the Blue Hussars ready to pounce, the Osterburgers have had it!.

A very shaky volley from the Altsteiners is no match for the Eisenburger reply and they fall back from the confrontatation.

Von Bruckenheim catches Von Essling's eye and with mutual respect they gesture to each other. Both forces then leave the field, honours even.

Good game. The battalion gun rules worked well and the game was an apt reminder as to what an excellent ruleset "Charge"really is.

Paul.

Heydnbruckers ready for action!.

2010-03-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

Colonel Johan Martin commands his regiment.

Well that's another unit ready, I might get a game on Sunday with a bit of luck. I'll try the battalion guns out too. New units often get mauled first time out, but that's wargaming.
We'll see how it goes.

Paul.

The Heydnbruck Infantry Regiment Painting Progresses.

2010-02-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

Two thirds of the Heydnbruck regiment are now complete, hopefully the last company plus the Colonel and two officers will be finished this week.

Italeri AWI French painted in the colours of Altstein.

I really like these figures the detail is good and most poses are usable.

Painting is basic toy style as usual with a minimum of highlighting, I find that with the details in scale and not exaggerated as with 28mm models, belts are very hard to follow so there is some guesswork involved with them. It's best not to fuss too much and it's quite liberating to paint in this style.

Two full regiments after this, a light cavalry regiment, some light infantry and maybe more battalion guns to go and I'll be ready for the 1750 campaign. Can't wait!.

Paul.

The Meissen Dragoons training for war.

2010-02-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

The blue clad Dragoon Regiment of Altstein is now up to full strength in anticipation of the conflict to come. Renamed to honour their new commander, Colonel Andreas von Meissen.
The regiment is reviewed by Ludwig himself and the now back in favour August von Bruckenheim. A big snag with using plastic sets is the lack of personalities to use as commanders.

Taking stock

2010-02-07T02:52:00.000-08:00

Well, painting is going at a snail's pace just now, I've been busy at work with stocktaking and been a bit lazy with my painting. But as my wife says it is supposed to be a hobby and not a chore. I have however managed to get some priming done and started on the last squadron of Altstein Dragoons (soon to be renamed the Meissen Dragoons, Andy), I reckon they'll be finished this week.

Before I get too despondant with my lack of progress I think it's time to take stock of my progress so far. I started last June while recovering from my second heart procedure in three months and up to now have completed the following:-

5 regiments of foot 53 strong = 265

1 battalion of jagers = 27

Hussars = 34

Dragoons = 47

Gunners = 34

Generals = 2

Total 409... not bad eh!.

Battalion Guns Finished.

2010-01-18T12:55:00.000-08:00

I set up a couple of battalions a side to take some shots with the battalion guns.

August von Bruckenheim appraises one of his new guns.

More new units prepared.

2010-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

A shot from the last game.

Zvezda Prussian Grenadiers. The models are very nice but the separate arms are quite fiddly to put on and don't fit so well. I found that it is best to put the left arms on first and that it's not good to enlarge the holes on the torso to fit the tighter arms as they won't stay in place without glue. It is best to persevere pushing them into the holes as they will eventually fit in.

This will be a unit of Eisenburg-Essling Grenadiers. I know that the Grenadier units did not have colours and that the colours supplied in the Zvezda box are the incorrect shape and design but I thought I'd still use them as this is fantasy after all. I've got two ensigns so I'm going to use them both in this unit.

As for the uniform for this prestigious regiment I'm thinking of yellow coats, waistcoats and breeches with red facings and white gaiters.

The last squadron of Altstein Dragoons to the front with the spare Colonel used to command the Grenadiers.

Prep. commences on some new units.

2010-01-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Italeri AWI French infantry will become Altstein troops in blue pseudo Prussian uniforms.

A firing line unit.

Note the battalion guns on the extreme right, these are Imex AWI artillery which have undersized cannons that I thought might do for battalion guns. Three crew or two crew
what do you guys reckon would be best?.

Tomorrow I'll cover this lot in PVA glue and if the weather ever warms up a bit I'll get them sprayed with black primer.

Order cards in action.

2010-01-04T11:38:00.000-08:00

I'm on a week's holiday so set up a version of a Table Top Teaser to try out the order card idea.

The Eisenburg-Essling forces arrive in marching columns.

The Altsteiners arrive to contend the pass.

The order cards are placed.

Von Essling advances boldly.

The cavalry clash.

The Jagers enter the town.

The Eisenburg Dragoons are routed by the Hussars! and the Jagers make an outflanking move.

The Grenadiers clash.

Von Essling is becoming cornered.

The Essling Grenadiers triumph but are still in danger.

The noose tightens.

Charge!, the guns are taken and the Essling Grenadiers defeated. Fritz von Essling is forced to surrender.

I reckon the order cards worked OK, on the downside they clutter the table till the moves are taken, but on the upside the planning of the moves seems more realistic with the limited options than just moving each unit where I wish.

I need some more for Fall Back Facing The Enemy, Fall Back In Haste , Rally Back and Rally In Place.

I'll try them again soon.
It may be better just to write an order roster after all .

Using initiative for moves in "Charge".

2010-01-03T01:28:00.000-08:00

I find that dicing for which side moves first during the movement phase works quite well for solo games, I've never been a fan of written orders anyway but as an almost exclusively solo player written orders would be pointless.

However, I am attempting to refine the system to gain some of the feel of the written orders used in "Charge" and "The War Game".

I have made up some order chits which will be chosen in initiative order and placed by the units before carrying out the instructions on the chits as a simultaneous move.

The chits are as follows:-CHARGE, ADVANCE WITH HASTE, ADVANCE WITH CAUTION,WHEEL TO THE LEFT, WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, FORM LINE, FORM COLUMN, FORM MARCHING COLUMN, LIMBER UP THE GUNS, DEPLOY THE GUNS, MANHANDLE THE GUNS, DEPLOY INTO OPEN ORDER and EXTRAORDINARY ORDERS.

I printed these chits in a flowery old fashioned font for appearances. There are no move distances specified as these will depend on formation but the Advance with caution will be at a rate that allows shooting and the Advance with haste chit is at maximum possible speed with no shooting.

I have no chit for a unit standing still, I will use a blank side or maybe make some.
Shooting is also not specfied and is dependant on targets being available after moving and is left to the unit commanders rather than orders from the CinC.
The Extraordinary Orders chit will be used for blowing bridges and the like!.

I will try these out soon and report on their effect.

Happy New Year - A Table Top Teaser

2010-01-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

Well we had a bit of snow today which meant we had to stay at home instead of visiting my mother in law. Mmm... what else could I do?.

How about that non-campaign game ?. We went for a modified capture the bridge scenario from CS Grants Table Top Teasers book published by Battlegames.

The Eisenburg-Essling forces advance to take the bridge at Kronstadt.

But the bridge is being prepared for demolition.

The Altstein infantry prepare to defend.

A pensive looking Little Ted ponders his next move.

Little Ted has been quite upset lately since he heard that some wargamers make thatched roofs from a mixture of teddy bear fur and plaster.

After a brief cavalry battle the Altstein Dragoons flee over the bridge.

The pressure is building on the defenders.

Roll up the flank!.

Getting close.

The guns are saved.

The Altstein Grenadiers bear the brunt of the attacks.

BOOM!.

So near, yet, so far.

Oh dear Little Ted counts his casualties as he tastes bitter defeat.

(photography by my 13 year old son John Liddle).

Blue Dragoon 2nd Squadron finished.

2009-12-29T05:22:00.000-08:00

Thankfully my back is much better now ( three days off at Christmas helped a lot ) and I got the second squadron with the Colonel and Cornet in addition finished , at last.

This makes the unit viable on the wargames table and they will be taking part in some non-campaign encounters , CS Grant's Table Top Teasers probably.

This will keep my hand in ( as simple as the rules may be the game itself is hard to master ) and keep my interest going.

New terrain arrives for Christmas.

2009-12-26T11:02:00.000-08:00

Ho,ho,ho...

Santa brought me a couple of rather large boxes yesterday full of TSS terrain tiles.

I'm very pleased with them, I think they have quite an "Old School" look about them, especially the hills and are better than I could have made myself as I originally intended.

I had them in use this afternoon for a Napoleonic Table Top Teaser from the Battlegames book by CS Grant.

However they were really bought for the inevitable war between Altstein and Eisenburg-Essling to begin in the New Year.

Back Injury Halts Painting.

2009-12-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

The title says it all really. Very frustrating , I injured my back at work last Saturday and even with a couple of days off sick it is still very painful . I can't sit at the painting table to paint as I can't support my back while painting , so no progress at all unfortunately.

Altstein Blue Dragoons 2nd Squadron started.

2009-12-03T11:13:00.000-08:00

Made a start (should be painting not blogging!) the Colonel and Cornet are included also.

A finished model from the first squadron is on the exteme left of shot as a reference for me to paint by.

Osterburg Musketeers finished

2009-12-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

Consisting of 64 rank and file with 7 staff the Osterburg Musketeer Regiment is my largest unit. Made up of Italeri AWI French the poses in this unit are slightly awkward but beggars can't be choosers and I reckon they'll fight as well as the rest of them. However they may be hard to manouvre in line.

The flag needs re-doing though at some point.

The Altstein Jager command.

2009-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Captain Weingartner.

left to right : Weingartner , Bruckner and Kranze.

Some photos of the Altstein Jager triumvirate of Colonel Bruckner , Captain Weingartner and Captain Kranze. Franz Kranze is waving his sword around as usual (he's a bit of a show off and doubles his melee dice roll because he's a good fighter).

Weingartner is second in command and is renowned for being lucky.

A special rule simulates this in that in the event of Weingartner being hit by a musket ball he gets a dice throw to save him .

On a score of 2,3,4,5 or 6 his lucky pocket watch deflects the bullet but on a score of 1 the bullet ricochets straight up his nose!.

This rule only applies to musket shots the pocket watch cannot deflect cannon balls .

(After all this is not "Warhammer Fantasy Battles").

Weingartner is actually the distant ancestor of one of my work colleagues. But I don't think he has a pocket watch.

Charge playsheet

2009-12-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

I have photographed my "Charge" playsheet. This incorparates my own ammendments to the rules as written by Brig. Young and Lt.Col. Lawford.

Buildings

2009-11-22T09:58:00.000-08:00

Buildings

The buildings seen above may be of some interest to readers , they are veterans of many a battle but haven't seen the light of day for several years.

I bought them roughly 20 years ago from Duncan Macfarlane's Stratagem Publications , they were made by a German company named Schreiber and are paper . My wife made many of these for me , I used them for a fictional 18th century set up in 15mm and almost forgot about them until recently.

They are various scales between 1:120 and 1:160 if I remember correctly and I have a couple of dozen , some need some work on them though and I had a nasty accident when my tape measure shot from my fingers when I stumbled and smashed the roof in of one of them during a recent game.

I like the underscale effect of these buildings on the table and am very pleased to have resurrected them .

In terms of games use I prefer not to demolish and occupy built up areas a la Grant but use them more as obstacles to movement and line of sight. I do much the same with woods and count both features as impassable to any but loose/open order troops.

The Rules etc.

2009-11-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

The rules used in this campaign are "Charge" by Young and Lawford and what a revelation they have been for me.
I have however amended them to suit my own ideas and I made up a playsheet with these amendments incorporated.

CHARGE! PLAYSHEET
　
TURN SEQUENCE:
ROLL FOR INIATIVE
DECLARE CHARGES
MOVE IN INIATIVE ORDER
ARTILLERY FIRE SIMULTANEOUSLY
MUSKETS FIRE SIMULTANEOUSLY
FIGHT MELEES
RALLY FROM MELEE IF REQUIRED

CHARGES:
MAY PIN ENEMY WITHIN ½ MOVE
DEFENDER REACTION : DISTANCE TRAVELLED 0-3” NO SHOOTING, 3-6” SHOOT AT LONG RANGE IF CAVALRY, SHORT IF INFANTRY CHARGING, OVER 6” DICE FOR LONG OR SHORT RANGE FIRE.
ADD CASUALTIES TO MELEE RESULT.

MOVEMENT:
HEAVY CAVALRY: 24”
LIGHT CAVALRY: 30”
ARTILLERY: 15” LIMBERED
12” TO POSITION , NO FIRING
6” MANHANDLED , ROLL EVEN TO FIRE
LIGHT INFANTRY 12” MOVE AND FIRE
18” MOVE/CHANGE FORMATION
LINE INFANTRY 6” MOVE AND FIRE
9” IN LINE , NO FIRING
12” 1 COY. IN LINE , NO FIRING , FORMATION CHANGE
15” COLUMN 4 WIDE
BATTALION GUNS: MOVE AS INFANTRY , 6” ROLL EVEN TO FIRE

ARTILLERY FIRE:
45 DEGREE ARC
CREW MINIMUM 3
NOT INTO MELEE OR 1” OF FRIENDS.

FIELD GUNS
RANGE SCORE TO HIT SCORE FOR EFFECT
0-12” 1 1D6 = STANDARD CASUALTIES
12”-24” 2 1D6 = STANDARD CASUALTIES
24”-36” 3 HALF 1D6 = STANDARD CASUALTIES
36”-48” 4 “ “ “ “
48”-60” 5 " “ “ “
60”-72” 6 “ “ “ “
　
MUSKET FIRE:
CLOSE ORDER TROOPS ROLL 1D6 PER 8 MUSKETS, 10 MUSKETS IF MILITIA.

RANGES : SHORT 0-6”, LONG 6-12”

OPEN ORDER TROOPS ROLL 1D6 PER MUSKET TO HIT AT RANGES:0-6” SCORE 4.5.6 ,
6-12” SCORE 5,6 , 12-18” SCORE 6 TO HIT.

HALF CASUALTIES FOR LONG RANGE, COVER, CAVALRY, GUNNERS AND OPEN ORDER.
(COVER AND OPEN ORDER ARE NOT CUMULATIVE).
　
MELEE:
OPPOSED ROLLS FOR CAVALRY ,OPEN ORDER ,CAVALRY VS. INFANTRY.

LEVEL COMBAT: CAV.VS. CAV. , INF.VS. INF OR 2INF. VS. 1 CAV.
HIGHEST SCORE BY MORE THAN I PIP WINS.

UNEQUAL COMBAT i : CAV. VS. INF. , 2 CAV.VS. 1CAV. OR 2 INF VS. 1 INF.
THE PLAYER WITH THE ADVANTAGE DOUBLES HIS DIE SCORE

UNEQUAL COMBAT ii : CAV.+ INF. VS. CAV. , HEAVY CAV. VS. LIGHT CAV.
THE PLAYER WITH THE ADVANTAGE ADDS A QUARTER TO HIS SCORE.
CLOSE ORDER INFANTRY IN MELEE:

ROLL 1D6 PER 10 LINE OR 12 MILITIA IN CONTACT UP TO 4 RANKS DEEP MAY FIGHT, THE RESULT IS THE CASUALTIES AT THE STANDARD RATE.

MELEE RESULTS:
UNITS MUST RALLY FOR 1 TURN FOR EACH TURN OF MELEE , THE LOSER MUST RALLY 1 EXTRA TURN.
THE WINNER MUST HAVE A 3/2 ADVANTAGE IN CASUALTIES TO WIN AND MAY TAKE PRISONERS AT A RATE OF 1 FOR EVERY 5 CASUALTIES INFLICTED.
WINNERS RALLY ON THE SPOT IF WISHED , LOSERS FALL BACK 2 FULL MOVES.
RALLYING TROOPS FIGHT AT -1 , INFANTRY CANNOT SHOOT.
　
　
MORALE:
LINE INFANTRY REDUCED TO UNDER 1/2 STRENGTH , CAVALRY , GRENADIERS AND LIGHT INFANTRY REDUCED TO UNDER 1/3 STRENGTH MUST ROUT 2 FULL MOVES.

I hope this lot makes sense , I have some pictures on the playsheet too but they would not upload so the layout is rather different here than the original .

I also have a special rule regarding the "redoubtable Captain Kranze" who doubles his dice roll in melee making him a bit of a toughguy. It just adds to the fun doing things like this and I'll no doubt use a few more special characters to spice things up a bit , as long as I don't get carried away and spoil the rules.

Grenadiers don't shoot any more effectively than line infantry but can take losses better.

I use iniative for movement rather than writing orders as I play solo , up to now it has worked really well. My biggest problem is that my table is only 6 feet by 4 feet and the defeated cavalry units always disappear off the board completely!.

Oh well , It's probably more realistic that way.

The War of 1749 ends.

2009-11-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

The battle of Bergwald was a disaster for the Altstein army which was thoroughly demoralised and fell back in utter disarray.

This defeat persuaded Ludwig to ask the Duchess Katarina for peace and the suitable diplomatic moves were made on his behalf.
The Duchess was much relieved by this and accepted Ludwig’s offer unconditionally ( perhaps somewhat naively).
Fritz von Essling was recalled from Altstein territory and honoured in a victory parade by the Iron Fortress itself.

Thus the war of 1749 ended. What might the new year bring?.

The armies so far:- Altstein

2009-11-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

The army of Altstein.

Brigadier August von Bruckenheim.

Revell SYW Dragoon.

The Blue Dragoons.

Zvezda Swedes.

The Jager Battalion.

Revell AWI British, Italeri AWI French Colonel.

The Blue Hussars.

Revell SYW Hussars.

Colonel Fandango's Grenadier regiment.

Revell and Zvezda SYW Prussians.

Von Tripp's Musketeer regiment.

Revell SYW Prussians.

Captain Mueller's gun battery.

Revell AWI British Infantry, AWI Americans converted and Revell TYW cannons and teams with an Airfix Captain Mueller.

Other units not yet painted are:

Two full musketeer regiments(Italeri AWI French).

The other two squadrons of dragoons plus command.

Some Battalion guns (Imex AWI artillery).

The armies so far:- Eisenburg-Essling

2009-11-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

The army of Eisenburg-Essling.

Fritz von Essling.

A Revell Dragoon Officer.

The Eisenburg Dragoons and the Essling Fusileers.

All Revell SYW Austrians.

The Osterburg Musketeers (left) and the Eisenburg Musketeers.

Italeri AWI French and Revell SYW.

Captain Fiesler's gun battery.

Imex AWI crew, Revell TYW cannons and teams and a much cobbled together Captain Fiesler.

Other units yet to be painted are:

Another company of the Osterburg Musketeers to bring the rank and file up to 64 men.

A full regiment (48+) of grenadiers (Zvezda Prussian SYW).

An irregular light infantry battalion (from AWI Militia plastic sets).

Some battalion guns (Imex AWI).

A light horse regiment of some sort , I'm still undecided as to which models to

purchase yet!.

Thanks

2009-11-05T11:17:00.000-08:00

Well , this is the first time I've done anything like this and I'm delighted with the responses that I've had.

The campaign is in a lull at the moment while I get some painting done.The forces I have are still quite small so I need to get on.

I've been asked to post some parade shots of my armies so I'll do this at the weekend hopefully.

I have been a wargamer since the mid '70s and followed many of the trends throughout and maybe I was a bit jaded. So to try something new I got into modern air combat with 1/600th scale planes and C21 rules.This was pretty enjoyable but my interest waned . Then I found the playsheets for "The Wargame" and "Charge" on the Battlegames site, I dug out some very old AWI Airfix soldiers that hadn't seen daylight for years and had a tryout,WOW!, this was a "road to Damascus " moment for me.

Moving the individually based soldiers about into various formations was actually very enjoyable and the simple ,elegant rules mechanisms were a real revelation. So out of the shed came the Revell SYW boxes that had been stored away when my son was born over 12 years before. I discovered the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog and decided to copy this very inspirational project as far as I could. Now as I am on a low wage with a family to keep, I decided to go all plastic toy soldiers for my armies. As the Revell Prussians in particular didn't have the sharpest detail (but some lovely poses IMO), I chose to paint them very basically and smother them in Future/Klear floor polish- Stokes style. I really like the shiny feel of the figures with this treatment and it brings out the colours well too.

Well,I've rattled on enough for now, bye.

The battle of Bergwald

2009-10-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

TheAltsteiners deploy : the right wing.

The Altstein left wing.

Von Esslings left wing.

Von Essling was marginally outnumbered but massed his dragoons on his left flank destroying Captain Kranze’s jagers and routing the Altstein Hussars. Von Essling himself crossed swords with the hussars during this engagement. His centre held firm and Brigadier von Kurstein withdrew with substantial losses.

Von Bruckenheims folly.

2009-10-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Von Bruckenheim was berated most heatedly by Ludwig , Graf von Altstein in front of the General Staff.
However, Ludwig knew that von Bruckenheim was still one of his most able officers and refrained from sacking him once he had vented his anger.
Ludwig decided to give von Bruckenheim a chance to redeem himself by sending him to probe the Eisenburg forces with a reconnaissance in force.

The forces at his disposal were:-
The Blau Altstein Hussars
2 Infantry regiments
1 Squadron of Dragoons
A company of Jagers zu Fuss led by the redoubtable Captain Kranz.

Von Bruckenheim found Fritz von Essling on the march and immediately launched an attack upon the Eisenbuger column.
Von Esslings troops deployed from the march with great speed and repulsed the Altsteiners after a series of fierce firefights and melees.

Von Bruckenheim fell back in disarray after his impetuous attack and returned to Ludwig with his tail firmly between his legs. He was received by Graf Ludwig at camp, downgraded to Colonel and sent at once to the northern frontier to take command of a garrison battalion.

Fritz von Essling was resting while encamped close to the border when an exhausted messenger was brought to him by his guards. The messenger had grave news for the general, the elderly and infirm septuagenarian Herzog Eugen had passed away in his sleep.

The Duke had no male heir to the Dukedom and his daughter Katarina was now the Duchess of Eisenburg-Essling.
This news would encourage the Count of Altstein in his attempt to become the next Duke of Eisenburg-Essling by defeating von Essling and forcing Katarina to marry him.

Within days Fritz von Essling received orders from the Duchess to advance into Altstein and defeat Graf Ludwig in battle.
On his advance north von Essling came upon an Altstein force commanded by Brigadier Albrecht von Kurstein in the vicinity of the Bergwald forest.

The battle of Klosewitz

2009-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Eisenburg Dragoons chased off the Blau Hussars and took the Altstein gun crews from the flank , while the Eisenburg infantry got the better of the Altsteiners in the central firefight.

August von Bruckenheim and his battered force retreated in some haste while Fritz von Essling’s men licked their wounds holding the field of battle.
Von Bruckenheim reached the main body of the Altsteiners some 20 miles north of Klosewitz having abandoned his guns and leaving his wounded and dead behind.

The War of 1749

2009-10-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

In the Year of our Lord 1749 war broke out between the County of Altstein and the Duchy of Eisenburg - Essling

Count Ludwig, Graf von Altstein, a harsh and somewhat cruel ruler, insulted by the rejection of his advances by the daughter of the Duke of Eisenburg - Essling , declared war upon the elderly Duke Eugen Herzog von Eisenburg - Essling.

The Altstein army was mobilised and marched for the border, banners aloft. Panic however was the order of the day in the Dukedom’s principal town Eisenburg.

Feldgeneral Friedrich ( Fritz ) von Essling mustered his troops in the town square and headed for the border with some haste to meet the Altsteiners head on.

The Eisenburger’s army small consisted of the following:
The Essling Grenadiers
The Eisenburg Infantry Regiment
The Eisenburg Dragoons
A battery of Artillery
Fritz von Essling ran into the Altstein advance guard close to the border town of Klosewitz. The Altsteiners were commanded by Brigadier August von Bruckenheim and consisted of the following units:-
Infantry Regiment No.1
Infantry Regiment No.2
The Blau Altstein Hussars
A battery of Artillery

As a squadron of the Altstein Blau Hussars approached Klosewitz they spotted a squadron of Eisenburg Dragoons approaching from the south-east.
Both forces deployed from the march and battle was joined.