Battle of Marcellin Part 1

So the first battle of renewed hostilities in the Franco Prussian War campaign, The Battle of Marcellin. Robbo with The French III Corps, supported by the 6th Cavalry division were given the objective of holding the heights and both villages and ensuring the 3rd Division under Castigny was at least at 75% strength at the end of the game to cover any retreat. 

Mitch commanded the Prussian VI Corps, supported by the 1st Cavalry division and 20th Infantry division, and was tasked with capturing the village of Marcellin and securing the heights. His secondary objective was to get at least 1 cavalry regiment off the French table edge to cut the railway lines.

The French infantry position upon the heights, covering both villages

The Prussian VI Coprs begin there advance

Prussian cavalry wing round onto the left of the line

Jagers spot French cavalry under Clerambault lurking on their left flank

Both sides were concentrating on a long range artillery duel, with neither side gaining much of an advantage. Both repeatedly silenced batteries for a turn before they returned back into the firing line. It was then that the French decided to send Clerambault's cavalry into the woods to try and outflank the Prussian advance, instead they were met by the advancing 20th Division which had been using the woods to hide their approach. It was a shock to the horsemen, with many unhorsed before they retreated. The brigade was shattered.

French horse enter the woods

They are met by the Mecklenburgers of the 20th Division. After a couple of quick volleys they are sent into full retreat.

Casualties are quickly mounting.

In the centre the Prussian Jagers advance to draw the artillery fire and protect the Prussian columns They tenaciously hold on despite facing repeated fire from artillery and infantry. On the Prussian right they begin their assault on the village of Marcellin, currently held by some Chasseurs and covered by the 2nd division on the heights.

The Prussians begin their approach

French infantry man the redoubts, ready to pour fire into the advancing Prussians

Overview of the battlefield

The Prussians storm into Marcellin, but find their assault checked by stubborn resistance from the Chasseurs

2nd Division pour fire into the Prussian columns, slowing their advance

So the game is finally poised for next week. Neither side has gained a significant advantage as yet, though the loss of Clerambault's cavalry may prove costly as the Prussian 20th division will be able to get free of the woods and support the assault.

15mm Gauls

With ideas forming if a future Punic War campaign  I needed to add some extra figures for the Gauls. First is 2 units of heavy cavalry, these are 3d prints and will replace the Epic scale figures I had been using (they are too small).

I also added a fifth unit of warband warriors, these are from Cromarty forge. I've decided I hate painting Gallic shields, too much detail for small figures.

So this brings me up to 5 warband units, 2 heavy cavalry and a single unit of skirmishers. I'll need to add a few more units to make a playable stand alone force. Definitely more skirmishers and warband need adding along with a few heroes.

15mm Republican Romans

Picking up some inspiration from a couple of recent games of Midgard, I completed the two bases of Hastati for the 2nd allied legion. This brings me up to four legions, two Roman and two allied/Latin legions. Each Legion is made up of two bases each of Hastati, Princeps and Velites, a single base each of Triarii and Cavalry. The two allied/Latin legions each have an extra base of cavalry. 

Converting these to Midgard, generates three units of cavalry, two units of Triarii, four units each of Hastati, Princeps and Velites.

2nd allied/Latin legion

I can strengthen these with some Italiote troops if I want to fight larger battles against the Carthaginians,

Earthbound Sentinel

Decided to add a large monster to my Dwarven Warhost, This earthbound sentinel is a 3d print provided by Mitch. I went for a sandstone colour scheme.

The Franco Prussian game for this week was postponed to next Thursday. Just has so much going on at work following some flood damage causing the office to be closed all week. A headache I could have done without.

Another mixed bag

Another mixed bag of figures completed. I even had the opportunity to do some painting with the new glasses. They will take a little getting used to. So first up is some cavalry for the Warhost Elven force. Like the rest of the figures they are all from Oathmark. Nice and easy to put together and paint.

Sticking with Warhost, I also took the opportunity to re-furbish some of my Orcs. A quick and easy way to get a force ready.

After these it was back to the Punic wars and a unit of Princeps for the 4th legion. These are lovely figures from Museum miniatures. I just need to get the Hastati done to complete the legion. Once again sticking with a mix of shield colours.

This Thursday should see the first battle of our Franco Prussian campaign. It will see Robbo with the French III Corps defending some heights against Mitch and the Prussian VI Corps.

This is an AI generated map and scenario that I've tweaked

Bits and pieces part 3

These are the last of the figures I managed to get painted up over the extended weekend. For the Punic Wars I added a unit of Velites for the Romans and some Spanish light cavalry. The Velites are from Museum miniatures and the Spanish are 3d prints provided by Mitch.

I also added another 10 Elves from Oathmark, 1 is a minor conversion to act as a low level leader for now, 8 are spearmen and 1 was a test figure for a unit of archers.

It's been a very productive few days with 80 figures cleared off the painting table. I'm now working on some Oathmark Elven cavalry before starting on the last of my Romans.

Bits and pieces part 2

So this bank holiday weekend has definitely seen an increase in output as a number of figures were cleared off the painting desk. First off there was a return to the Franco Prussian war and my second regiment of Landwehr for the upcoming campaign. As usual these are all from Outpost/Reiver castings.

I think these will be the last Prussians for a while. I may return in the future and add a French infantry division to 4th Corps.

With the ongoing games of Midgard at the club, it was a chance to add some more Italian infantry. This time figures designated as Samnites from Museum miniatures. 

This brings me up to 3 units of Italian heavy infantry, I do have enough figures from Essex miniatures for a 4th unit. I can see myself adding more units in the future, namely some heavy cavalry, medium infantry and some skirmishers. Then I can field them as a stand alone force.

Now I also added a few figures to the Warhost collection. Namely three more Dwarf warriors and an Air elemental for the Elves. The Air elemental is a 3d print provided by Mitch. He is also busy printing me an earth construct for the Dwarves.

I've got a couple more things on the painting table that I should get completed before I go back to work on Tuesday. They are some Roman velites and Spanish light cavalry, then a couple of more Dwarves before starting on some Elves.