15mm Numidians and Italians

With agreeing to help Mitch out with the Zama game for Border Reiver next year, I needed 6 units of Numidian light cavalry as part of the Roman contingent. These are all from Peter Pig, lovely models and I much prefer them to the 3d printed ones I have for the Carthaginians.

I've also received a nice bundle of figures which should provide about 90% of the additional figures I need for the Romans. A starter box from Forged in Battle for the Republican Romans, Some Oscan heavy cavalry for my 'Italiotes', Numidian and Gallic skirmishers. I'm awaiting another order which will cover the rest of the Numidians that I will need.

I also completed a second unit of Carthaginian cavalry. These are also from Forged in Battle and are the last of the cavalry from the starter set I had. Just 1 unit of spearmen and some Libyan skirmishers and they are all done.

The other unit I completed was the last of my Italiote heavy infantry. These are all from Essex miniatures with the exception of the command figures which are from Old Glory. I also took the opportunity to get the Italiotes out for a photo. I just need to get the 2 units of Oscan heavy cavalry done and the contingent will be finished.

With these done it has me thinking about a Punic War campaign where these, Mitch's Iberian and the Gauls can be used as allies and enemies for both sides. I've even got some Hellenistic Greeks to finish that can be used for Epirus. Something to ponder.

15mm Carthaginians and allies

After a family trip away it was time to get some more painting, certainly helps not being back to work until Tuesday. The focus at the moment is on the Punic Wars as Mitch wants to do the Battle of Zama at the Border Reiver show next year. I'll be needing to add 2 more Roman legions and some Numidians to my existing 4 legions while Mitch concentrates on getting the Carthaginians done. 

So orders have gone in to get some of the additional figures that I need, meanwhile I had a load of my own Carthaginians to finish off, so decided to get them done in the meantime. First up is another pair of elephants. These are 3d prints from Mitch, he has the Cromarty forge 10mm STLs and just up scales them.

War elephants

Next up was some African spearmen from Forged in Battle, I have 1 more unit of these to paint up from the starter set I bought. This time I went for plain red shields, very uniformed.

African spearmen

Now I also painted up a unit of Bruttian/Italiote infantry. These can be used as allies for both the Carthaginians and the Romans. These were part of an EBay bundle I picked. Mainly Old Glory figures with a couple from Essex miniatures.

Bruttian/Italiote infantry

The last bit of painting I did was some extra commanders that I would need. Two for the Gauls, which are 3d prints and three Old Glory figures for the Italiotes.

Various commanders

So with these done I took the opportunity to review my Carthaginian forces (excluding the Italiotes). I still have a number of units to complete, some Carthaginian heavy cavalry, 2 x Spanish cavalry, African Spearmen, Gallic infantry and 2 x Libyan skirmishers.

So based for Midgard I can currently field the following units:

1 Carthaginian heavy cavalry

2 Gallic heavy cavalry

1 Spanish light cavalry

3 Numidian light cavalry

4 War Elephants

1 Gallic slinger

2 Balearic slingers

2 Libyan javelinmen

5 Gallic warbands

3 African Spearmen

2 Liby-Phonecian spearmen

So 26 units done and a further 7 to complete. I could do with some Spanish infantry as it is the one component missing. To these I can add the Italiote for battles in Italy, consisting of 4 heavy and 2 medium infantry, 2 light cavalry and some skirmishers.

A few more figures painted up

Over the last few days I've been painting up various figures to keep things ticking along. The first batch of figures are for my Carthaginians, some spearmen and elephants. These are 3d printed figures provided by Mitch. These elephants are slightly smaller than the last batch and don't have the howdah. I've two more of these to paint up. I also spent some time prepping another batch of figures, mainly cavalry, more spearmen and some Oscans.

The other figures I completed were some Elves for Warhost. These are a mix of the plastic Oathmark figures and some of the metal Warhost Elves with two handed swords. I painted these in various colours, but trying to keep them in theme with the plastic figures.

I just have another 4 archers to finish, then I'll need to point up the force to see what else I need. I've still plenty of un-built figures to work on.

Battle of Marcellin part 2

So the concluding part of our opening battle in the return to the Franco Prussian War. After last week, the Prussian 11th Division was slowly fighting its way into the village of Marcellin which had been bravely defended by French Chasseurs, supported by the 2nd Division on the heights above. On the other flank, the village of Saint-Symphorien was threatened by the approaching 12th division.

Eventually the Prussian columns drove off the Chasseurs in Marcellin and charged straight up into the redoubts above. The french infantry gave what can only be described as desultery fire (rolled a 1) and found themselves evicted. The Prussians quickly brought up a second column of infantry as they prepared for a french counter attack.

12th division approach Saint-Symphorien

The defence of Marcellin

The Prussian column advances through Marcellin

The attack goes in

The defence of Marcellin was not going well for the French. Forced from their redoubts, Montadoun, commander of the 2nd division personally led the counter attack. Despite 3 regiments, artillery and mitrilliause pouring in fire, the Prussians didn't budge, receiving the charge. In some brutal combat, ta french regiment was destroyed and Montadoun himself was captured. A big hole was starting to open in the defence. North of Marcellin, the french had some success as they drove off the Prussian 6th cavalry division. They respectfully retired out of range, giving up on their flanking maneuver.

Prussians securing Marcellin

Montadoun leads his counter attack from the heights above Marcellin

Disaster as the french are destroyed

Prussian cavalry begin to retire

On the southern flank, the remnants of Clerambaults cavalry were trying to extricate themselves from the woods, but with little success. They were slowly being worn down by the advancing Mecklenburgers. Eventually the division collapsed, exposing Saint-symphorien to even more pressure from the 20th Division. Meanwhile the Prussian 12th division launched their attack. At first the Chasseurs held them off, however witht the support of a second column, they smashed through the Chasseurs into the village and even evicted the French line regiment. Both villages were now in Prussian hands and the heights were now exposed to attacks on 2 fronts.

20th division driving off Clerambaults cavalry

The attack on Saint-symphorien

Prussian infantry driving through the village

The exposed french position on the heights

It was at this point that the French called off their defence and began to make a tactical withdrawal. Though they had prevented Prussian cavalry getting behind them to cut the railway line, they had lost both villages and the heights were under serious pressure.

So game one over. It could have gone better for the French, but Robbo's luck with the dice seriously deserted him. On multiple occasions he could have devastated Prussian columns and rolled a 1. In 2 or 3 weeks time we will move on to the second battle which will be between the Bavarian I Corps with a supporting cavalry division, up against the French I Corps and 6th cavalry division.  Just need to get the scenario designed.

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.