French Chasseurs a Cheval in 1859

Work continues on the 15mm 1859 project.  Fresh off the painting desk is the French 4th Chasseurs a Cheval regiment of four squadrons.

Figures are Lancashire Games from the 19th Century ranges.  As seen before, the Lancashire cavalry are single pose without either command or variation.  To my eye, the cavalry look a little on the slim side when looked at from fore to aft (see photo below).  Still, solid sculpts with fine detailing that fit in well on the gaming table alongside regiments of either Old Glory or Mirliton cavalry.

One more regiment of twelve French cavalrymen are in work at the painting desk.  Next up will be more Lancashire French hussars.  

Austrian Line IR#31/Grn BN

With this, the fourth or grenadier battalion of Austrian Infantry Regiment #31 is complete.  As the third battalion completed a few days prior, these figures are from Lancashire Games' 15mm range of figures.  This battalion contains the same mix of poses as the 3rd battalion; all great figures.  

Units for the 1859 project continue to see steady treatment at the painting station.  Two French cavalry regiments are presently getting some attention with the brush.

Below are a couple of group shots of the recently mustered third and fourth battalions of IR#31.

With the 1859 project seeing frequent activity at the painting desk thus far in 2016, when will a game using this collection hit the gaming table?  Good question!  My plan is to offer a game up in late fall once summer activities wind down and schedules return to a more routine nature.

Until that time, work continues at the painting desk.

More French Artillery for 1859 Project

Having been pulled out of town for the work week, I return to the painting desk to pick up from where I left.  Finished before I left for the week, mustering off the painting desk is a second quartet of French guns and crew for the 1859 project.  Figures are Old Glory from 19th Century Miniatures. 

With these four guns, the French artillery contingent has caught up with the Sardinian and Austrian artillery parks.  Now, a few limbers need to work their way into the painting queue.  When?  Probably not anytime soon!  Even though limbers are not in the painting queue, more units for the 1859 are in work.  Expect to see a few more units make it across the painting desk soon.

Regimental Fire and Fury game is scheduled for Saturday for an anniversary refight of the action at Brawner's Farm.  It has been a long time since we gathered for a FtF game and I look forward to facing off against the guys on the field of battle. 

Close Combat Results - Forced Movement

After a long gaming hiatus and an ACW game looming on the horizon for the weekend, thoughts turn toward wargame mechanisms to pass the time while away from the paints.  Today's conundrum?  Forced Movement as a result of Close Combat and how to treat it in wargame design.

Force Movement is a term I use for mandatory (as opposed to voluntary) movement for either the attacker or defender as a result of Close Combat.  Close Combat I consider primarily as short range firefights with the possibility of sharp, yet quick crossing of bayonets while one side attempts to encourage the opponent to give up his position.  For this exercise consider the following:

The Red Force has one BMU (Basic Maneuver Unit) in primary contact with Blue Force's Primary  BMU.  Each Primary BMU has one Adjacent BMU and one Tandem BMU in supporting positions.  Both supports can participate in the Close Combat in a secondary role.  Diagram A illustrates the initial situation with Red Primary attacking Blue Primary.  Let's make this a horse and musket era game with each BMU representing a battalion.

Say Red wins the Close Combat.  Red Primary advances while Blue Primary falls back as shown in Diagram B.  What actions should the Adjacent and Tandem BMUs of each force be mandated?  Two options are considered.

One option is to regulate that only the Primary and Tandem BMUs conduct forced movement as shown in Diagram C.  Red Tandem could remain in place but a tandem, rear supporting BMU advancing to accompany the Primary seems reasonable.  In this situation, Adjacent support does not advance.  Similarly, Blue Tandem could be passed through by Blue Primary on its fallback to the rear but pushing Blue Tandem back as Blue Primary withdraws seems reasonable.  Blue Adjacent, while not falling back with the Primary, wheels to avoid exposing a flank.

The second option considered is Forced Movement having each Primary BMU and both Tandem and Adjacent supports conducting mandatory movements following the conclusion of Close Combat.  Diagram D illustrates the result of all of Red's BMUs advancing while all of Blue's BMUs fall back following a successful attack by Red upon Blue.

Of the two options presented, only the reaction of Adjacent BMUs differs.  Should a differentiation exist between how Tandem and Adjacent supporting BMUs are treated?  Should Adjacent supports actively engage in Forced Movement at the conclusion of Close Combat or should Adjacent supports remain passive?  Should Red Tandem remain passive as well and not tag along with Red Primary?  Should Blue Tandem be passed through by Blue Primary suffering perhaps disorder, morale check, or something else?  Should Forced Movement depend upon whether the BMU is in an Attacker or Defender role?

I have my own notions but would enjoy reader input and feedback.  My two options could be dismissed altogether and a third option (or more) might surface.       

Austrian Line IR31/3 for 1859

The third battalion of Austrian Infantry Regiment #31 moves off from the painting desk.  These eighteen figures are from Lancashire Games and are a mix of the advancing and skirmishing poses.  With 50:1 man to figure ratio, this battalion represents about 900 combatants on the gaming table.  

Of the three, non-command poses in this battalion, I am especially fond of the advancing and firing pose.  Sculpting is excellent in both of these figures and the poses are very natural.  Excellent stuff!

More 1859 work is on the way as focus continues on fielding a few more units.

Knightly Warrior - Based!

Given my earlier lamentation on the lack of a proper base for a recent two-figure command stand for the Reconquista project, the order from Litko arrived.  With The Wood Pile replenished, life is good again!  After I submitted this most recent order to Litko, an idea sprung up in which another order is required.  Next time!

Before the arrival of the box of bases, the plan had been to present a small parade of the latest works on the 1859 project.  For now, I interject this two-figure command stand comprised of BTD figures.  Work will return to these scheduled activities momentarily. 

Sometimes, plans are useless but planning is indispensable.  

French Artillery for 1859 Project

After a spate of 28mm works crossing the painting desk, focus returns to 15mm in general and the 1859 project in particular.

Beginning the calling up of new recruits for the project, are four French guns and crew seen  above (and below).  The guns and crew are from 19th Century Miniatures' old, Old Glory 15mm FPW/FAW range.  This group of four all have the same gun tube.  From photos, my guess is the tubes could be the French 4 lb rifle.  They could also be the 12 lb smoothbore but that determination cannot be made by me.  The next group off the painting desk will show four guns of this latter classification.  With a longer gun tube than these, you can make the call when those pieces are presented for review. 

Naturally, with guns popping off the painting desk, thoughts turn towards fielding limbers and teams.  With eight French guns hitting the OB soon, I am not too anxious to field eight accompanying limbers.  Perhaps, a French limber or two will be added gradually.  That, of course, requires an order from Freikorps 15s. 

As noted, four more French guns are working their way through the painting queue.  After those, two battalions of Austrian infantry, four squadrons of French Chasseurs a Cheval, and a regiment of French line infantry will find space at the workbench.  These should keep the brushes active and firmly stuck in the 1859 project.  Oh, a few 28mm odds and ends are on the painting desk too!