Still More Prussians

Work continues at the painting desk on FPW Germans.  Following closely on the heels of IR31 seen last time, today sees four guns and crew emerge from the depot.  Still, even more FPW figures are seeing activity at the workbench with more Prussians, some Bavarians, and even a battalion each of Badeners and Wurttembergers in work.  Some new and possibly unexpected is working through the production line as well.

Anyway, the four Freikorps 15s' guns and 16 Lancashire artillerymen are ready for service when duty calls.  While I have yet to set a game in the FPW, the flurry of Prussian activity of late is providing motivation to begin looking toward possible scenarios.  The collection still could use some cavalry but not many needed for a suitable scenario.

The lack of games last week offered more opportunities at the painting desk. I should surpass 100 painted figures in September.  Have not seen that in a while.  Gaming returns to the table on Thursday with another look at the Quistello battle.  This time, I get a rare opportunity to step into the role of player as I lead the Franco-Piedmontese in battle against the Wily White Menace. 

More FPW Prussians

Following up on the handfuls of German commanders (see FPW Prussian Commanders), more Germans emerge from the painting desk.  In fact, painting efforts at present seem to be almost solely centered on fielding German units for the project expansion.  Since a large French army has already mustered out long ago for the Franco-Austrian War project, does adding Germans and expanding to include the 1866 and 1870 conflicts represent a supplement or a new project?  How would you classify it?

Out from the photo box today marches the 31st IR.  These 48 figures in three 16-figure battalions are all from Lancashire Games.  As mentioned before, I think the advancing Prussians are excellent.  More Prussians are in the painting queue along with more Bavarians as well.  Allan, from Lancashire Games, sent out a sample pack containing enough figures to field one battalion each of Baden and Wurttemberg infantry.  These figures are equally nice and presently receiving a slap of paint.  My early August order, long held up in Irish Customs appears to be finally(!) on the move.  Royal Mail reported this week that the package has hit the USA and is currently languishing in the port of Los Angeles.  Getting closer but not here yet!

On the previous post on blog anniversary and battle reporting, reader response was outstanding.  Thanks to all that took the time to contribute.  One reader sent his response via email (shy fellow that he is) and brought up the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and the Observer Effect.  Interesting topic to ponder and explore another time.  Thoughts on the paradox of modern wargaming are rumbling around in my head as well.  For now, back to the painting desk.

The Blogging Effect on Battle Reports

Yes, the Palouse Wargaming Journal reaches "Lucky" 13 years on the blogging front.  For stats, PWJ is up to 335 Followers (a number that rarely changes), 1,809 Posts, and 56,964 Comments.  For me, these anniversaries often bring up a time of reflection on what has passed before.  

The blogging landscape has seen change over these past thirteen years, no doubt.  When PWJ began in late 2012, the wargame blogging community was already in full bloom and quite active.  I likely arrived late to the party and, perhaps, unfashionably so.  Still, I pressed on even as trends began to show a shift from blogging to other forms of social media.  Over these thirteen years, wargaming blogs came and went with the balance tipping in favor of those leaving the platform.  After thirteen years, I continue to press on.  How much longer?  Well, that is a good question to occasionally ask myself.

These reflections often bring up a number of lingering questions that regularly circulate through my mind.  One rumination (of many) on this anniversary brought me back to the post I wrote more than two years ago on how battle reports are read (see Reporting from the Front: How are Battle Reports Read). 

Blogging our individual, wargaming journeys can enrich the hobby by documenting research, painting progress, and battle reports, allowing community feedback and camaraderie.  Battle reporting, while only one facet of wargame blogs, has become a significant weapon in the blogging arsenal.  For the PWJ, battle reporting focus can be quantified by the number (and frequency) of battle reports chronicled here.  Yet, as I remarked in my post in the link above, "Almost always, the chronicling of the battle report takes longer than actually playing the game".  This raises potentially troubling questions about priorities: are we playing games and chronicling them for enjoyment or to create content?  Prioritization takes on added importance when many self-confessing readers simply skim or entirely skip a featured battle report.

When the creation of content becomes more time-consuming than the activity itself, we must question whether the tail is wagging the dog.  For some bloggers, playing may feel more like a chore or performance rather than a rich narrative journey.  On one hand, sharing battle reports and game narratives online expands the hobby’s community and can provide motivation for getting figures to the table.  On the other hand, some might argue this sharing encourages a "sound bite" culture, where quick posts, highlights, and visual snapshots overshadow deep engagement and storytelling.  

Does the desire to chronicle our games diminish the lived experience of playing by encouraging players to focus more on photo-ready moments and quick, digestible content rather than deep, immersive play?  Does the pressure to document and share experiences fundamentally alter how we approach gaming?  Are we optimizing battle reports for easily digestible sound bites and visual moments geared toward online consumption rather than personal enjoyment and narrative development? 

This shift toward brevity may reflect broader changes in human attention patterns.  Blogging and social media have played a role in this evolution.  The desire to frequently post crisp and brief highlights may overshadow the contemplation in immersive play and narrative building.  In effect, the attention span of even committed and engaged readers may be shortened unintentionally.  Nonetheless, a number of blogs I regularly visit emphasize detailed battle reports and nuanced storytelling, suggesting that the value placed on the journey is still alive, at least among certain circles.  Personally, this journey value is especially true for those hosting a game wherein players have the flexibility to concentrate on strategy and tactics while the umpire handles the mechanisms of game play, adjudication, and the writing of an unbiased battle account.  To answer an early question, are we playing games and writing about them for enjoyment or to create content?  Perhaps both factors play a role, but I find chronicling battles as a prose narrative an enjoyable pursuit and a way to preserve history.  Hopefully, players and readers agree.  

FPW Prussian Commanders

With no games on last week's schedule, I actually found time to put in a few meaningful painting sessions between numerous competing distractions.  After mustering out WotR mounted knights, painting focus shifted gears decisively toward 15mm FPW work.  

First out from the painting desk are two handfuls of German commanders.  These 16 mounted officers are in a mix of uniform and come from one bag of Old Glory figures.  One bag of officers ought to be enough to get me started.  The figures represent brigade commanders (based singly) and division/corps commanders (based in pairs).  Serviceable figures all.  Commanders making it into the painting queue and out the other side suggests that a gameable force nears.

Lots more on the painting desk and a few completed units awaiting the camera.  Expect additions to Prussian and Bavarian infantry and several batteries coming up.  There are even a couple of sample units of Baden and Wurttemberg infantry in the painting queue that Allan from Lancashire Games sent that managed to pass through the tariff blockade.

On the topic of tariffs and the Royal Mail's stoppage of shipping to the US, I placed an order with Lancashire Games on 04 August to take advantage of their summer sale.  This order was placed several weeks before the 29 August tariff launch.  I figured that this package should slip through unscathed before the deadline.  Since 13 August, the package has been stopped in Irish Customs.  After more than a month of "Pending" status in tracking, on 12 September I received an email from Royal Mail stating that the package has left the UK.  We will see if the package makes it stateside and whether I owe any extra duties once it lands on my doorstep. 

Quistello for Four

Given the close ending to the Quistello game with the Rejects (see Quistello with Rejects Part II), I was curious to see how a different group of players would approach the challenges that the battle (and scenario) offered.  While the Rejects' game ended in an historical outcome with the Allies forced to retire from the field, the battle outcome was much more even than the historical accounts suggest.

For today's game, four players were present to take up arms.  The Two Daves (DB and DC) were relegated to commanding the Franco-Piedmontese (Allied) armies after both Doug and Chris raised their hands first to command the Austrians.  Army and troop dispositions are shown in the table photos below: 

Battlefield with Austrian attack plan.

Army dispositions.

As in the previous battle, the Allies begin the battle encamped with a possibility of being surprised when the Austrians attack in the early morning.

Poised for battle!

Let's see how this quartet handles the battle.

Konigsegg and Wurttemberg's columns (Chris) step off toward the Secchia River without much hesitation.  Those two columns splash across the river above Quistello.  With the two Austrian columns in motion, von Waldeck (Doug) attacks Quistello.  De Contades' (DB) French regiment and artillery deployed in Quistello, itself, is caught by surprise when Austrian grenadiers storm into the village.  Isolated and found in a state of unpreparedness, the French capitulate quickly against overwhelming odds.  The guns are lost in the confusion.  Not a good start for the Allies!   

Austrian grenadiers attack...

clearing Quistello of French!

As Konigsegg works his way across the Secchia above Gaidellina and forms up into line, Neipperg leads two grenadier battalions in against Gaidellina.  De Broglie is surprised but manages to slip away before the weight of the Austrian attack falls upon the defenders.  In a matter of minutes, the Frenchmen are scattered and the grenadiers have taken the farm.  The Austrian grenadiers do not pause to loot.  On they advance into another unsuspecting French regiment encamped to the north.  These poor fellows suffer a similar fate and are scattered to the wind!  Having three French regiments break in quick succession, de Contades' Brigade is wrecked before he can offer much resistance.  Austrian progress is slowed as de Bonas (DC) brings up his cavalry and de Broglie brings up one of de Contades' regiments to plug a gap.        

Austrian grenadiers clear out Gaidellina...

Konigsegg crosses the Secchia.

de Contades' Brigade is wrecked!

Konigsegg pushes on...

giving the French cavalry a crippling volley.

In the center, one of de Contade's regiments falls back along the road with an artillery battery joining up.  De Contades, himself, rides over to his left to encourage his troops guarding the river where the enemy prepares to cross.  Von Waldeck brings infantry both across the bridge at Quistello and prepares a frontal assault downstream into de Contades' waiting men.

French fall back from the river in the center...

while von Waldeck's Austrians press on.

von Waldeck readies his assault.

Battle overview.

While cavalry face off across the Secchia in the north, von Waldeck attacks!  In a supported assault across the river, de Contades' infantry lining the banks are driven off.  More than driven off, that is, they are cut down where they stand. 

Cavalry standoff

von Waldeck's assault.

With much of the Austrian army across the Secchia and losses mounting as the King's Piedmontese begin to engage in an attempt to stem the tide, de Broglie realizes that discretion may be the better part of valor.  Orders quickly go out for the army to retire to the north behind the canal.  From there, a defensive line can be formed.  A sensible plan but the Austrians are applying too much pressure and the Allies continue suffering losses in retreat even before the canal can be crossed.  Orders are changed once again from defend the canal to general retreat.  This battle is over as the Allies attempt to disengage and live to fight another day.

de Broglie orders the army to fall back to the canal... 

turning into general retreat as losses mount.

The Austrian army presses forward...

with the enemy before in full retreat!

Piedmontese King and his cavalry look on.

Congratulations to Chris and Doug for a finely executed attack!  The Austrians managed to drive the Allies from the field.  To the Two Daves, you fought hard but fate did not smile on you this day.  The Butcher's Bill illustrates the lopsided casualty counts.

Austrian front line when the Allies disengage.

Butcher's Bill

While the result ended in an Allied defeat as in the Rejects' game, the battle developed and unfolded differently.  Much differently!  The Allies seemed unable to get their legs under them after the first attacks during the surprise turns.  From the historical accounts, this game probably reflected actual events more closely than the earlier game.  Still, I believe that the Allies hold a fighting chance as we saw in the Rejects' game.  Today, it was not to be.  How will this battle play out next time?  Well, we will see!  I have a few ideas on strategies to test out when I take up command.

Thanks for an entertaining and enjoyable contest, fellas!

Knights on Brown Horses

After fighting a number of WotR battles, all with foot sloggers, a mounted arm appears for a possible call up.  Some may say that it is about time.  I suppose it is.  Now, the challenge is getting a WotR battle back into the gaming queue.  That may still be a way off.  Still plenty of time to, perhaps, field another horse unit before action on that front resumes. 

Out from the painting desk is a nine-figure body of mounted knights.  Figures are plastic Perry Miniatures.  Sticking the figures together was not too arduous a task.  I might even push another unit into the assembly queue before too long.  Since I have yet to fight with any mounted troops, seeing how the rules handle cavalry will be an interesting exercise.

One item of note is that I assembled the horses and then primed them before affixing the armor.  That may have been a mistake.  In some places (and with some pieces) the fit did not manage the close tolerance I wanted.  Next time, I will try a different assembly and priming process to see of that improves the results.  Live, learn, and make mistakes along the way.

A Marathon Marathon!

Tuesday saw an interstate trip over to Scott's in Coeur d'Alene for some Commands & Colors: Ancients and lunch. Kevin and I joined Scott a session in refighting the Battle of Marathon.  Games were played using Scott's fine 28mm figures played on a five-inch hex grid.  Scott mentioned that he was glad he finally decided to build this Persian Army to add to his already large Ancients collections.  I am too!

Using CCA scenario as his guide,

CCA Marathon scenario deployment

Marathon greeted us on Scott's table when we arrived. 

Marathon in 28mm

After the customary pleasantries, Kevin and I dived into the first game.  Kevin took command of the Greeks while I commanded the Persians.  I did not fare well as the Persians in this game.  Kevin played two back-to back Double Time cards to bring the Greek heavy infantry on the left smashing into the Persian Right that was hemmed in between the woods and the river.  To add insult to injury, Kevin also slapped down a First Strike card on one of my attacks!  I lost that first game 6-2.  Ouch!  

After seeing the destruction wrought by the Greeks in Game #1, we wondered if the Persians would have a chance.  CCA website shows this scenario as favoring the Greeks 70%/30% across 205 games recoded.  I will add our games into the mix.

We would soon find out if the Greeks were unstoppable.

In Game #2, Scott's Persians defeated Kevin's Greeks 6-4.  Then in Game #3 my Persians defeated Scott's Greeks 6-2.  In the final game of the session, my Greeks defeated Kevin's Persians 6-2.

Scott, the Happy Host..

at least until my Persians stormed across
 the table to destroy his Greeks! 

We managed these four games in about three-and-a half hours including a trip to a local Thai restaurant for lunch.  Greeks came away with two victories (6-2, 6-2) and the Persians came away with two victories (6-4, 6-2).  All four of the games played out differently with the last game of the day seeing the Persians driven back to the river.  From there, any momentum the Greeks maintained in the advance was lost once fighting occurred along the banks of the river.  Still, the Greeks managed to take out the Persians to see victory.  Hmm.  A handy tactic to keep in mind next time Marathon comes out on the table.

Now, there was discussion about the location of battle and the army alignments but we went with the published scenario. Surprisingly, Marathon turned out to be an interesting and even contest.

Good games, good company, and good food.  Who could ask for anything more?