Russian CG Bn: Murmanski/Apsheron

With four games already in the books for March and a fifth slated for the 31st, work at the painting desk has been subdued as I struggle to set aside any time at the paint table.  The switch from time spent at the painting desk to the gaming table is a welcome change of pace but it carries a price.  Fixed hobby time means there is always a corresponding trade-off.  My time maintains a zero sum budget.  For the record, I do not recall a month in which I ever made time for five miniatures' games.  Gaming frequency seen in March was, indeed, a rare event.  Likely a pace too brisk to sustain.  More likely is a return to the painting desk.  

Anyway, a second Russian combined grenadier battalion makes its way off the painting desk in March.  As mentioned in an earlier post, Suvorov brought a number of combined grenadier battalions to Switzerland and Italy in the 1799-1800 campaigns.  One such battalion consisted of the amalgamation of the grenadiers from the Murmanski and Apsheron Musketeer Regiments.  With many of the grenadiers in greatcoats, the grenadiers look prepared to cross the Alps if need be.  Figures are from AB Miniatures.

One more combined grenadier battalion is making its way through the painting queue to be followed by Austrian hussars for the 1799 project.  After that, attention turns back to fielding one more Celt/Gallic stand of warriors in 28mm.

On the Italian Wars front, an order from Pete's Flags arrived early in the week and the remainder of my Italian Wars collection has been outfitted with many handsome banners.  The variety of colors and designs in the flags make this collection pop when on the table.  Before I clean up the table from recent battles, perhaps these newly flagged troops deserve a parade?  One constant in the vicious cycle between gaming and painting is that a game provides incentive to paint more units for the recently gamed period while painting builds a desire to see these new units out on the gaming table.  The recent battles of Maisnon are no exception.  I have my eye on fielding another Swiss/Italian pike block.  The point of actually beginning work on this pike block has not been reached but figures are pulled from The Lead Pile and I am making ready to drill out the hands to accept pikes.  

Maisnon - An Italian Wars BatRep

To the Strongest! was put through the paces in a Renaissance game set during the Italian Wars.  This battle was the first outing for my Italian Wars collection and my troops found themselves pitted against an army of Charles V.  I, as Francois I, would take on the command of a French and Allied force to push the foreigners out.

The scenario was developed by Jake (see: Battle of Maisnon for scenario details).  The battle sees two comparable forces face off across open, farm land.  The French left is flanked by a river and lightly wooded hill while the right is hemmed in by heavy woods on a hill.  On the French right, Francois deploys his veteran Gendarmes.  Powerful units that have the potential for great destruction if given a free rein to engage the Spanish horse.  The army of Charles V has an advantage, though.  Two guns are situated on the hills overlooking the battlefield with none for the French.  To close with the enemy, Francois must cross the battlefield in the face of these deadly guns.  Would this imbalance affect the outcome of battle?   We will see.  

Battle deployments as both sides advance

The battle begins with a general advance by both Charles V and Francois I in an attempt to decide the outcome on their enemy's ground.  The French plan to destroy Charles' Army while taking control of the vital ford over the river.  To win, Charles needs to preserve his army while denying the ford to Francois.  

General advance

While the two main armies in the center plod towards one another, the cavalry on the wings strike.  Charles' light cavalry on his right flank advance along the west bank of the river and scatter the mounted crossbowmen with little effort.  One hit and the crossbowmen vanish.

The French advance on the right

On the right, Francois advances his cavalry both heavy and light.  While the light cavalry work its way along the edge of the wooded hills, the Gendarmes and Ordonannce Archers trot straight ahead to threaten the Spanish left.  Without warning, the lead French Gendarme troop charges into an attack on the gun situated on the hill.  The Spanish gun fires to no effect.  With no protection to aid the guns' defense, the French overrun the guns and scatter the crew causing panic among the Spanish troops.  Charles is horrified at the sight of his guns taken out with such seeming ease.    

Gendarmes take out a battery

With the destruction of the Spanish guns, the lead Gendarmes find themselves in a precarious situation.  Now, German Men-At-Arms are to their front while their flank is threatened by Doppelsoldners and handgunners.

French Gendarmes into the frying pan

Charles sets to avenging the loss of his prized gun.  With an exposed flank offered up, the Doppelsoldners turn to allow the Spanish to attack the Gendarmes from two fronts.  Having its commander attached, the Gendarmes, while suffering casualties, heed his commands and fall back to preserve their formation.  

Gendarmes under pressure from two fronts

Back on the French left, light troops from both armies clash near the ford.  As the pike blocks advance, Spanish missile fire begins to take a toll on the advancing French.  Long range artillery fire begins causing casualties against the left-most pike block while the unhindered Spanish cavalry works its way around the French left. 

Action picks up on the left

Having found the range, the Spanish guns on Charles' right continue sending projectiles down range into the deep ranks of the pikemen.  The French pike scatter.  With most of the French light troops cleared out of the way and one Gendarme troop eliminated, Charles' pike blocks advance.  On the French left, the second French pike block is destroyed by a combination of Jinnete flanking attacks and frontal push of pike.  With the Ordonannce Archers maneuvering onto the German MAA's flank, the German cavalry turn to face this new threat.  In the clash of lance and sword, neither can gain the upper hand. 

The French left shows signs of collapse as
Spanish right advances

In little time, the French left has completely collapsed.  Mustering strength for one last attack, the Swiss clash in push of pike with the Spanish pikemen.  Even though the Swiss win their individual battle, Francois realizes the battle lost.  With Charles on his flank and front, Francois orders a general withdrawal to save what remains of his army.  Having lost two of his three heavy infantry blocks, Francois seeks cover among his Swiss as the army retires.  Charles V holds the field and the ford.  To take back their country, the French must gather a new army and make preparations to strike again. 

Charles maneuvers to turn the French left

While the battle looked close, Charles' missile fire, early on, was instrumental in delivering victory.  Time after time, the Spanish guns scored hits with almost every round.  The hapless French, some in deep formation, failed to stand up to these bombardments when save after save came up short.  The French lost many of their light units to either artillery or arquebus fire.  Those French light troops were one hit wonders.  For Charles, losing the gun at the outset of the battle shook his nerve but he regained composure and launched combined arms attacks against the French left with devastating results.

Many a punch or counter-punch was stopped dead in its tracks due to a frequent turning of an Ace.  These herky-jerky activations seemed much too common in this battle.  These starts and stops led to a number of uncoordinated moves/countermoves as brigades moved then stalled repeatedly or did nothing at all, for no reason at all.  While we, as players, may not be privy to the machinations carried out by our generals down on the field, the view from above ought to at least provide a plausible narrative.  This discontinuity due to frequent, Ace-drawing shocks to the system made seizing and sustaining momentum a difficult task.  Being lucky is better than being good.

Fortunately, time remained for a rematch.  Troops were reset for battle and a second game undertaken.  Will the result be any different in Game 2?  Well, that battle account is for another time. 

Peschiera del Garda

With thoughts of fighting French Revolutionary battles in Northern Italy, my mind wandered to my visits to Lombardia.  This time, specifically, I recall a visit to one of the anchors in the Quadrilateral.  That anchor? Peschiera del Garda.

Peschiera del Garda

My first glimpse of Peschiera del Garda was from a train window on my first visit to Italy as we sped from Desenzano to Venice.  The sight of the massive fortress was only that; a brief glimpse.  On a return visit to Northern Italy several years later, we spent time exploring three of the four fortified towns in the Quadrilateral.

Peschiera del Garda is built upon an island at the southern end of Lake Garda where the Mincio River exits the lake.  Its strategic importance is reaffirmed by the presence of its massive fortress.  Enjoy my brief walk around Peschiera and the fortress walls.

Southeast bastion

Verona Gate

Northwest bastion

Although cloudy, the day was perfectly cool for a leisurely stroll around the old town and fortress before catching a train back to Verona.

Cycling the Palouse - 1st Day of Spring?

View from driveway

March 20, first day of Spring on the Palouse and the sun has returned!

Still witnessing the lingering effects of a late winter snowfall, this week the mercury began to creep up and the two feet of snow began to melt.  While cycling indoors at the gym, the regulars were commenting that it would not be long before cycling could return to the outdoors.  With temperatures in the mid-50s Monday and Tuesday and a high expected near 60 on Wednesday, I marked the first day of Spring as the day to test both bike and body outdoors for the first time since late fall.  I figured I would take it easy on this first rite of Spring.  Perhaps, 10-12 miles in a quick loop around the bluff where I figured the roads would be well maintained.  If roads looked serviceable and body and bike felt good then the route could be lengthened to include a rural ride.

Snow on the left, grit on the right

Situated on a bluff 600 feet above the city, proper, about six inches of snow still lingered on the ground.  Local roadways were clear of snow and ice but debris left over from the winter sanding regime was brushed off onto the sides of the road.  Often these debris fields were covering the bike lanes and shoulders.  

As I dropped down into the valley, the snow all but disappeared.  Debris on the shoulder was tolerable and potholes, which often appear in great number after a long winter, were minimal.

Climbing up and out of the valley and onto the rolling hills of the Palouse, snow was present but not to the depth as found at the house.  Oh, how pleasant to once again be out on the bike under the warmth of the sun.  Invigorating.

Dropping down into Hangman Valley, snow was visible on the ground and on the heights in the distance but as I reached the valley floor, the snow was all but gone.

With little or no snow in the valley, I decided to extend the ride to include one of my regular routes.  At 25 miles that might provide a sense of how both man and machine endured the long, winter months.  Having elevation change of about 2,200 feet across the route would be a good test too.

Having to ride a little more tentatively due to road debris and water on the road, I completed the route in one and a half hours.  That is about five minutes slower than usual but acceptable given the conditions and the first time out.  Covered in a bit of mud and grit, I returned safely to the house.

Spring looks to have finally arrived on the Palouse and cycling can switch from the monotony of the indoor trainer to the pleasure of the outdoors.  Let's hope the weather continues to cooperate.

Russian Combined Grenadiers in 1799

Of late, painting has taken a very distant back seat to a number of other time consumers including travel for leisure, travel for work, illness, and more gaming than usual.  While the increase in gaming and vacation travel were most welcome, the time spent embraced by a seasonal illness was not so much appreciated.  At least I either picked the bug up on my last day of vacation or on the long international flights back home.  Being sick is ok as long as one is not too sick to paint.  Unfortunately, I was too sick to paint.  

Anyway, off the painting desk today is the first of likely three, thirteen-figure Russian Combined Grenadier Battalions for the 1799 project.  The Russians brought a number of these combined grenadier battalions on campaign to Switzerland and Northern Italy.  Since they featured in the campaigning, I needed to add a few more.  

This battalion musters out as the Moscow/Yekaterinoslav Combined Grenadiers.  Figures are AB Miniatures.   

Maybe April's painting production will see some improvements?

Battle of Maisnon - Italian Wars

It has been a little more than four years since Jake's Italian Wars collection made it out onto the battlefield at the Battle of Maisnon.  The battle was a culmination of his effort to build two forces for the Great Italian Wars.  Four years seems like a long time ago but I remember his game like it was yesterday.  The Imperialists were fortunate on this day.  Will they maintain their luck on a commemorative, anniversary battle?  For details on the original Battle of Maisnon, please visit,

Jakes' Battle Report for Maisnon
and my recounting of the battle at,
Jon's Battle Report for Maisnon

In the intervening years, I amassed a sizable Italian Wars collection as well.  Until now, my collection sat patiently awaiting an opportunity for battle.  Time for waiting is over.  On the morrow, my collection will take to the field in a match against Jake's army.  In this iteration, Jake with be commanding the Imperial forces while I command the French.

The French and their vassals have arrayed for battle south of the village of Maisnon to wrest control of the region from the usurping Imperialists.  As the morning mist lifts, the French forces are ready to take on the Imperialist army of Charles V.  What will face us when the skies clear?

French deployment

With an imminent battle and my army without proper standards, time to break out the scissors, knives, paint, and glue and get to work.  Having a stack of Pete's Flags at hand, I struck to work flagging three pike blocks and three units of gendarmes.

French arrayed in battle lines

My army is ready for battle and we are prepared to give To the Strongest! a go.  What will tomorrow hold?

Serendipity - An Assortment of FRW ABs

For me, finding AB Miniatures on the secondary market is a rare occurrence. Finding French Revolutionary War AB figures on the secondary market defies the odds.  The latter was the situation a few weeks' ago.  I found a fellow offering an assortment of AB French Revolutionary Wars figures on Bartertown.  I have never seen anyone selling secondhand FRW AB before.  I was in luck!   

Recognizing a bargain when I see one, I wasted little time in discovering this collection's availability.  The lot was still available.  The deal was quickly struck and the figures were on their way to a new home.  

At a rate of forty cents on the dollar, what did I receive?  The lot contained an equal mix of Austrian and French figures in roughly the same proportions of artillery, infantry, and cavalry.  In total, the lot contained 4 guns, 14 artillerymen, 19 cavalry, and 162 infantry.  Granted, the mix of figures necessitates the purchase of a few additional figures to field BMUs in my standard configuration but I will be able to field many useful units from this core lot of figures.  

A fortunate stroke of serendipity!

Action at Fox's Gap - Another Attempt

Following the Federal defeat at Fox Gap in my most recent game (see: Action at Fox's Gap) and a rules' clarification from Norm regarding Line of Sight to and from elevated terrain, a new Federal plan of attack surfaced.  With both artillery sections capable of bringing their tubes to bear from the beginning of the battle, the Federals may finally have the punch necessary to properly soften up the Rebel positions on the heights.  

As I formulated the Federal response, Norm, the author of Two Flags-One Nation, gave the Fox Gap scenario a try (see: Fox Gap 1862 On A Smaller Grid).  Norm's battle result was the same seen in previous outcomes.  That is, the Federals were unable to take and hold the high ground long enough to claim victory.  Undaunted by another Federal loss, I stuck to the revised Federal plan of attack.

The Federal plan was to compromise Bondurrant's gun position early on and then maintain a steady bombardment on the heights until an opportunity arose to breach the Confederate defensive line.  Key to the plan was to use the Division Commander, Cox, aggressively to bolster Federal chances of success.  Recall, the scenario does not provide a Divisional Commander to the Rebels so this is an advantage to be used to further Federal goals.

The battle opened up with both Federal batteries firing.  The Ohio Light Artillery (OHLA) targeted the small, raw 12 NC in the center of the Confederate line causing one Heavy Casualty (HC).  The 12th NC passed its Capability Test (CT).  Gibson's guns opened up against Bondurrant's guns but did no damage.  For the success of the Federal plan, this is a bad omen!  The WV Cavalry across the field from the Rebel guns manages to cause light casualties.  Bondurrant stands firm.

Federal opening attacks

With Cox leading the 30 OHa on the Federal right with 30 OHb following in support, the Ohioans use the cover of the woods to mask their approach and then pop out of the woods on Bondurrant's flank.  As Cox emerges from the woods, Bondurrant turns a gun to face his attackers and gets off a few rounds.  Bondurrant's impulsive fire misses the mark.  Cox and his Ohioans crash into the guns causing two HCs on the guns while taking one HC.  Bondurrant limbers and retires through the Confederate lines.

Bondurrant's guns are driven off

Garland's boys return fire from their solid defensive position lining the stonewall.  With no artillery to bring to bear, the Rebels must rely on small arms.  The 12 OH takes one HC while the 30 OHb suffers two HCs and falls back in disorder.

Rebels return fire

Having driven off Bondurrant's guns in the center, Cox leaves the 30 OH and rides over to join the 12 OH.  The Federal guns maintain their bombardments of the Rebel positions in anticipation of Federal attacks.  OHLA puts two HCs upon the 12 NC while Gibson's guns gift the 5 NCb with three HCs.  Three hits on three dice.  Fine shooting! 

Gibson finds the range!

Not only are the 5 NCb and 12 NC drawing fire from the guns but a hail of lead is also aimed in their direction.  The 30 OHa hits the 12 NC with one more HC.  Its nerve fails and the 12th retreats back into the woods.  The 5 NCb takes a fourth HC but stands its ground.  With the 5 NCb weakening, Cox leads the 12 OH up the ridge.  The 12 OH gives better than it takes and the Tarheels are pushed off the ridge having sustained a total of six HCs.

12 OH (foreground attacks the 5 NC

Notice in the photo above that the center victory hex is unoccupied.  Due to the stickiness of Enemy Zones of Control (EZOC), a Federal regiment could not move into the empty hex.  No movement from EZOC to EZOC is allowed.

The 12 OH regiment's success is short lived.  At canister range, Pelham's guns open up on the Ohioans as they clear the stonewall.  The 12th suffers heavy casualties (four more HCs) but remains undaunted.  Off to the 12th's left, Rebel dismounted cavalry open up causing a further HC.

Rebels pound the attackers

The Ohioans can take no more!  They recoil back down the slope looking for any cover they can find.  Rebel musketry does not end there.  The 23 OHa suffers two more HCs while the 30 OHa absorbs four HCs.   

30 OH takes four for four!

Having sustained devastating casualties in the center, the Federal attack peters out.  Union guns continue causing casualties to the defenders but only the 20 NC is pushed back from cavalry carbine fire on the right.  

Heavy casualties in the Union center

The destruction in the center is too much.  The 12 OH scatters while the 30 OHa retreats.  The Federal center is gone.  Bondurrant unlimbers his guns along the wall in the center.  With the Federal center gone, only the guns are keeping up a hot fire.  OHLA hits Bondurrant's guns again but the gunners maintain their position.  Gibson hits the 23 NC and it has seen enough.  It falls back from the ridge.

With Cox still leading the 23 OHa, the regiment goes in against the end of the Confederate line.  The raw, 5 NCa manages to repulse the Ohioans and Cox goes down in the clash.  In coordination with the 23 OHa, the 23 OHb charges Bondurrant's wavering guns.  The remainder of the Rebel guns are destroyed.  On the Federal right, the WV Cavalry causes the 13 NC to retire back toward Wise's Farm.

Federals hold two of the three objectives

With two of the three objectives in Yankee hands and a number of Rebel units scattered, the Rebels take an (optional rule) Brigade Cohesion check.  All along the Rebel line, regiment after regiment fails its test and retreats in disorder.  Although battered, the Ohioans have succeeded on this day.

As in the previous contests, this proved to be a bloody affair.  Casualties were high with more than one combat result hitting on all dice.  In the end, the Federal plan worked.  Bondurrant's guns were taken out early and the ridgeline defenses softened up sufficiently so that a concerted attack had a chance of success.  Scammon's Brigade was able to give the Rebel defenders a one, two, three punch on more than one occasion.  First artillery, then small arms, and then finally Close Combat was utilized in sequence to first soften up and then push the Rebels from their defensive position.  Combined arms at its finest. 

For future games, the victory conditions will be modified.  I found the Rebels could take up a "Reverse Slope" tactic and simply attempt to blow away any Federal regiment making it onto the ridge.  Pelham's battery did just such execution against the 12 OH when it took the Ridge Road.  Even though this tactic ultimately failed, a better victory objective criterion is warranted.  To prompt the Rebels to defend these crucial hexes, if at the end of a turn all three of the objective hexes are either occupied by Federal units or unoccupied, the Union wins the battle.  With sticky EZOCs, this is still a difficult task for both in controlling these crucial hexes.

As in the other iterations of this scenario, a lot of action in a little space!