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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Lusitania Dragoons

The last post displayed two recently raised Spanish cavalry units trotting out from the painting desk.  In the commentary, Neil asked when will Spanish cavalry in yellow appear.  Well, the answer is today!
Out from the painting desk are a dozen Spanish cavalry from the Lusitania Dragoon Regiment.  While a number of Spanish cavalry regiments donned yellow uniforms, I chose Lusitania since this regiment was present at the Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo in 1744.
Batalla de Madonna del Olmo o de Cuneo (30 septiembre 1744).
Carga de los dragones de Lusitania. Autor Jordi Bru fotógrafo
During researching this battle, I found a painting depicting the Lusitanian Dragoons charging into a body of hapless defenders.  The painting is a magnificent sight.  This battle is on my To Do List once I return to bringing another SYW/WAS battle to the table.  Figures are Eureka Miniatures.  
On the gaming front, Tuesday's table action saw the Americans take on the Spanish in a Spanish-American War clash.  The game featured hidden movement, unspotted units, and dummy markers.  These mechanisms worked OK, I thought.  A few more games and the process will become much more natural.  I had five players in Tuesday's remote contest and the game was quite enjoyable for me as umpire and host.  Player response was positive (of course, they are all model gentlemen) and I received more ideas for expanding the bank of scenarios from which to draw inspiration.

I can say no more about this fight beyond stating that the Americans won on the last official turn of the game by breaking the Spanish Army.  Why must I remain silent on the details?  I have the same scenario scheduled for Wednesday in a one-to-one match-up and I do not want to provide any additional intel to my opponent.
Spanish spring the trap!
Looking through the photos from Tuesday's game, I am reminded of a number of decisive moments in the battle.  Hopefully a brief battle report will follow after the fighting dies down on Wednesday.

41 comments:

  1. Jonathan, yes was looking forward to see which unit you would pick. Ever since Funcken I've found the appeal of Spanish in yellow an unfulfilled goal (of course I now have a whole Imagi-Nation army in yellow......).
    I detect a certain Hispanic feel to your wargaming at present....☺
    Neil

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    1. There is a Spanish feel of late with a couple of Spanish infantry coming up. Once these foot regiments muster out, likely to see a return to more Hanoverians.

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  2. Yellow Spanish dragoons are quite a distinctive feature of their cavalry arm. I enjoyed doing their Napoleonic descendants, although yellow can be a frustrating colour to use. Beautiful work Jonathan.

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    1. Spanish cavalry in yellow are quite distinctive and a welcome change from white, red, and blue coated horsemen that we most often see in this period. Thank you.

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  3. You are cranking out some fine looking stuff at the moment. I shall look forward to reading of your American - Spanish War exploits in due course.

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    1. Thanks, Phil! Tuesday's game was very enjoyable from a spectator's view with a few twists, turns, and surprises.

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  4. Excellent job on the figures. Being stingy with Intel before a game? Works for me all the time.

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    1. Thanks, Joe! If I showed the table before today's contest, the American player would have more information at hand than did the Americans in Tuesday's game.

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  5. Always good to see yellow clad Spanish cavalry, on my to do list for their Napoleonic version at some point, game sounds good I look forward to the AAR!
    Best Iain

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    1. I await the arrival of your Spanish cavalry, Iain. Perhaps I can get to a BatRep by Friday?

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  6. More inspiration, great stuff. Yellow is indeed a bit tricky, but there's something about it that really emphasises the colourful 'chocolate-box soldier' aspect of this period. It would be great to see these in action. Good luck with the SAW game - it was a great scenario and tremendous fun!

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    1. Thanks, David!

      From Tuesday's game, I take away quite a lot. You fellas are great sports in taking on something new and unusual. We will return to the SAW again soon.

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  7. A fine looking regiment of Dragoons Jonathan!

    Christopher

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  8. A fine looking regiment. I always find yellow coats to be a bit if a challenge. These are great

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    1. Much appreciated, Neil! The yellow-coated Spanish will be easy to identify on the gaming table.

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  9. More horses the merrier.

    Looking forward to the Span-Am details.

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    1. I agree!

      If you ever want to pull up a seat at the remote table, let know.

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    2. I will consider that generous offer, thank you!

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  10. Yes, indeed: the Spanish and the Saxons, the two armies of the black powder era that had these "canaries" in the line of battle. Gotta love the lace wars and these stand out units in particular.

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  11. More fine work there Jon and yellow clad cavalry certainly makes for a welcome change on the colour palette front. The SAW game sounded a close run thing and look forward to the post games wash up when you can reveal all so to speak.

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    1. Thanks, Steve! Tuesday game ended on the last turn and it was very close.

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  12. A brilliant "stand out" unit of cavalry. Putting my sunglasses on as I speak.

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  13. Spanish yellows look very nice and will pop on the tabletop.

    Looking forward to reading how the 1 on 1 game goes. The fog-of-war aspects you've included sound intriguing.

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    1. Thanks, Dai! Well, my Spanish did not hold up so well in Game #2...

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  14. Lovely Spanish cavalry in yellow, Jonathan!

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  15. Great work on the Dragoons Jon and looking forward to seeing what happened in both SAW games!

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    1. Thanks! One game will be easier to describe than the other.

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  16. Great looking unit Jonathan. I feel sorry for the artillery men in that picture, unless they are about to fire, then I feel sorry for the cavalry!

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    1. Thanks, Ben! The dragoons in the painting look like will not be denied satisfaction.

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  17. Yellow uniformed cavalry… What’s not to like 😁
    A splendid looking unit Jonathan…

    Looking forward to the Spanish American write up…

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks, Aly!

      One of the SAW battles makes for a good narrative. The other is better left untold...

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  18. Great looking unit, Jon. Although Spanish uniforms seemed to change as often as the seasons, the Lusitania Dragoons were still wearing yellow faced black circa 1808.

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  19. One of the best looking dragoon units of the period. Great that you have chosen the regiment.

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