Spanish Infantry 1898
During these uncertain times, off the painting desk advances an element for a project that faces uncertainty, itself. My Spanish-American War project is one of those undertakings launched in anticipation of great gaming but has rarely seen the table. Begun in 1999 (just over 20 years ago!), the SAW collection last saw any paint work back in 2018. Still, I hold out hope that the project will see action on the gaming table in the not too distant future.
Originally planned to be gamed with Fields of Honor (FoH), I am undecided if those will be the rules I return to when the collection next sees action on the table. Twenty years ago, FoH seemed to capture much of what I wanted in a Cuban adventure. Having not read the rules of late, I wonder if my perception still holds. Good question.
Within the last year, I picked up a copy of S&T's The Santiago Campaign. My goal was to investigate whether this magazine game might make a useful battle generator for tabletop scenarios.
Having played through the campaign. solo, over the Christmas Break, I think it would make a very useful battle generator for the 25mm troops. I played the boardgame as the USA player and utilized AI to govern the Spanish forces. A low complexity game, the mechanisms would not get in the way of generating a number of battles.
The boardgame heavily favors the attacker. However, bringing the might of the US Army to bear in the jungles of Cuba poses several challenges. The initial landing sites are fraught with peril too. Still, the campaign I waged across the map did not seem to give the Spanish much hope. The Spanish can be spoilers, for sure, and forcing the Americans to take too many casualties can cost the Americans the war. Fighting through the entire campaign would offer a number of interesting battles within the overall context of the war.
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Today's fifteen Spanish figures are Old Glory 25s.
An interesting campaign that I've not really heard of. By the look of it the map would work well to generate games within a map based campaign. Re-reading rules from 20 years ago does make you realise how your gaming tastes have changed over time.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting campaign and one suited to solo play on an operational level, I think.
DeletePreferences change over time, no doubt, but Fields of Honor was a good design.
I was part of the Edinburgh Uni wargames club who put on a display with 15mm figures of the battle of El Caney years ago in the late 1980s I recall. It is a fascinating period. I still have many of the figures. Have you considered the forthcoming Portable Colonial Wargame rules to use with your figures. I have used the figures and the precursor of the rules in the book for some enjoyable gaming in this period.
ReplyDeleteI have not considered PWC but perhaps I should? My SAW collection is large, figures are large, and my table is large. My BMUs are 15 figures strong. I prefer rules with a little more meat and suited to a large gaming area. Of course, I won't rule out PWC.
DeletePWC is a good idea. I have Cordery's orignial PW.
A very unusual unit for me, handsome work...and promising campaign!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil! SAW is a sideshow for mainstream gaming but some of us on this side of the pond had ancestors caught up in this Splendid Little War.
DeleteVery nice work on this OG Spaniards Jonathon ...I expect this is a war much better known to Americans than most other wargames...but I have heard if it ...I have even heard of Teddy Roosevelt and his Roughriders...that was thus war, right?!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith! I am sure it is much better know to Americans. Teddy and the Roughriders, yes you have the right war! My knowledge is more limited on the Maori Wars.
DeleteA good looking unit with lots of movement in the figures. I hope your campaign come to fruition.
ReplyDeleteOne characteristic of old Glory figures that one can never fault them for is their lack of animation! FAcial expressions and body parts flailing in every direction. Good, solids figures, though and the SAW range is a good one.
DeleteI hope you get this campaign off the ground, looks really interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe will see about the campaign! So much else going on at present. Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment!
DeleteA series of linked battles in a campaign would suit this war well. Would you consider The Men Who Would Be Kings to fight it out on the tabletop?
ReplyDeleteA series of linked battles would work well with this low-intensity conflict. I have not considered TMWWBK since I don't have a copy of the rules. Do you think it fitting for SAW?
DeleteI've seen it used for Boer War, so period wise not too far out. And they are quite adaptable.
DeleteNice work as always, not a theatre I know at all....I wonder if you considered a more skirmish approach, small villages raid etc with a squad or two per side brining the conflict down to Mano o Mano eliminates the inherent overwhelming nature of the onesided conflict ?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt! Yes, SAW tends toward the lower scale actions. With the dense jungle and need to avoid being packed into small places, actions at the battalion level and lower seem appropriate.
DeleteGaming at the squad level? That is an interesting idea and might fit with Nathan's suggestion of using TMWWBK.
Nice Spanish Jonathan, an interesting project!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike. A slow and low burning project for me...
DeleteAn interesting looking project Jonathan. The political context is fascinating, some interesting tactical challenges and, lets face it, really cool looking uniforms.
ReplyDeleteI agree on all points, Sir! The American uniform is simple and elegant to my eye.
DeleteAre those sculpts over 20 years old? If so they have held up well and have some characterful faces, making those figures a good consideration for Matt’s skirmish idea (re-basing Nooooooo!) :-)
ReplyDeleteI of course like the idea of tabletop battles falling out of a boardgame campaign - that map has also stood the test of time, very nice and very functional.
These particular sculpts I bought new from Old Glory a couple of years ago. Old Glory are well-known for animated poses and these Spanish are no different.
DeleteThe map in this S&T game is really good and a perfect conduit for conducting an operational campaign. As mentioned, I played through the campaign during Christmas Break and found it enjoyable. The Spanish on several occasions gave the Americans a very bloody nose but, ultimately, Santiago fell.
Yes, the SAW is a very interesting Period- the Movie" 'The Rough Riders' gives a good feel for it. I like your Old Glory 25s - I'd encourage you to pursue getting it all done - it is certainly one of my favorite American conflicts and it'd be great to see your version of it. Best Wishes. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kev! What better conflict for displaying jingoistic Nationalism as the US finds its footing on the global stage.
DeleteFascinating period. One I should put more consideration into forming a viable campaign.
Nicely painted unit Jonathan. Don’t know much of the SAW and looking forward to discover more from your future posts.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Mike! With this project very much on a backburner, not sure you will learn much from me! Being in lockdown, however, I may clear the table and embark upon a solo SAW campaign.
DeleteA fine looking unit Jonathan to an not often seen period!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you, Christopher!
DeleteSAW: a very interesting era, particularly if you toss in some "what ifs" (like the friction between the Great Powers, particularly in the Pacific). You mention using AI with the SPI game: I'd be interested to hear more about that since I assume that the game was of the paper and cardboard variety).
ReplyDeleteLots of possibilities with fielding the US troops of this period. Monroe Doctrine interference with the Great Powers, Banana Wars in Central America and Caribbean, intervention in South American Wars, Boxer Rebellion, North Africa, etc.. These troops could see much action throughout the world.
DeleteAs for AI, it is limited. For the boardgame, I deployed the Spanish forces and the Cuban rebels randomly with their combat values and strength unknown to the American player. That keeps the American guessing until contact what he may be facing. Once known, I play the Spanish to the best of my ability to thwart American progress and disrupt his timetable.
Is the Mexican Revolution too late? Had the uniform colour switched to olive drab by then?
DeleteUS Army was switching to khaki during the SAW. US marines still wore the blue jacket at Veracruz.
DeleteLovely toys Jonathan...
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting period...with some interesting actions...and some good opportunities for ‘what if’ scenarios...
All the best. Aly
Glad you like them, Aly! Another 15 Spanish up soon.
DeleteSAW is an interesting period with a number of singular characters on the American side.
Nice idea. I use those very sculpts for my Mexican Revolution collection - they are stand ins for government militia. I agree with you about Old Glory 25s, I like 'em.
ReplyDeleteGood luck if you decide to do the campaign, I will follow it with interest.
Old Glory's SAW range is one of their better ones, I think. The Italian Wars range is really good too.
DeleteI am not ready to dive into a SAW campaign just yet. So many other projects on my plate at the moment.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
The troops look good, and an eventual campaign could certainly get them out onto the table a number of times...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter! Campaigning is certainly a good way to get the troops into action on a regular basis.
DeleteBeautiful work and great looking project!!
ReplyDeletethanks!
DeleteGreat work on these figures Jonathan. I too only have a passing acquaintance, but had heard of it. That SPI map is in the same vein of many of those they produced. Some of the games were very enjoyable, but I found many of the rules a bit of a slog to get through.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence! At least you have heard to the Spanish-American War!
DeleteYou are quite right about the variability in S&T games. It was really hit and miss. Some games were excellent and some were dogs. The rules writing style was famous (or infamous depending upon your perspective) such as "Rule 13.3.2.1.1."
Did the Spanish wear gray uniforms? They look grey in the pics. Because the US army is all like ‘didn’t we just finish a war against grey bad guys? So unoriginal.’
ReplyDeleteGreat job painting these guys for this little games conflict. Didn’t it only last a few months? Probably worth a google. But SAW is a cool acronym. 😀
Stew, the Spanish had at least two uniforms. The unit, here, is shown in the campaign uniform of Rayadillo. I painted it as a light blue-grey.
DeleteRayadillo is a blue and white cotton fabric. If you want an idea of what it looks like, turn your blue jeans inside-out to show the blue/white stripes. That is a good approximation to Rayadillo to my eye. From a distance, it looks blue-grey but could fade quickly in the field.
Thanks for your questions!
An interesting point about the SAW that I hadn't considered until reading the book on Arlington National Cemetery that a friend of my family gave me on the occasion of the internment of his ashes there - it played an important role in cementing the reunification of the US after the civil war, with veterans of both sides being involved for a common cause. Not a good reason for a war at all, but a beneficial side effect in this case.
ReplyDeleteThe American Civil War was still fresh in mind even after 30+ years. One of the memorable quotes to highlight this still-present connection to the past was from Joseph Wheeler during the battle of Las Guasimas.
DeleteDuring the heat of battle, Wheeler is said to exclaim,"Let's go, boys! We've got the damn Yankees on the run again!" An ADC reminded him that those troops were actually Spanish...
Nice looking Spanish! I've got a reasonable knowledge of the SAW mainly because one of my first books as a child was a naval history of the US and the Maine etc figured prominently!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! The naval side of this war is of interest to me as well. I have fleets in 1/1100 that have not been on maneuvers in more than a decade.
DeleteWhat a great looking unit Jonathan. Glad to see you've got some painted for a forgotten project.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them, Ray! So many forgotten projects, so little time...
DeleteSounds like my SYW project although mine is only from last year. I think I will continue once my WWII itch has been scratched enough.
ReplyDeleteSeeing your SYW project out on the table was terrific. Using HoW to resolve the action was doubly enjoyable!
DeleteThat is a grand looking unit Jonathan and I look forward to see what you do with that “battle generator”.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! I have another just like it in work.
DeleteThey look smashing from here. Interesting period
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteInteresting Ideas. I was working on the last of my US Infantry for this period as well last week thinking about the overall status of the project. I currently have a selection of US Infantry, Roughriders and Naval Landing parties backed up by Parker's Gatling Guns and an array of other artillery from the time.
ReplyDeleteThis game could work as a campaign battle generator, I think. It will be fun to see your project in all of its glory one day.
DeleteI have been slowly building some US forces too. Still have a few bags of Spanish infantry to paint.