Napoleonic progress

In between he gaming nights at Dave's I have manged to find some time to paint up more of my own Napoleonic collection. Still rather modest compared to most, but seems to be coming along nicely. First up is  the allied cavalry, the Brunswick Hussars, these even managed to make it into the game and caused some devastation to my French infantry.

Brunswick hussars

Brunswick Hussars

The unit still requires a flag, but so far my efforts have been in vain. The figures are all from CGM and the bases are from Warbase. To support my Austrian troops I have also completed a unit of Dragoons, Baron Franz Levenher. These figures are all from Warmodelling / Fantassin. I like the pose of these figures but the metal is very tough and makes cleaning up the figures prior to painting a bit of a chore.

Baron Franz Levenher

Baron Franz Levenher

Allied cavalry

So far the Warmodelling and CGM figures are a decent match size wise, though I may not mix them in the same units, though that's just a personal choice. After concentrating on these it was time i did some of their opponents, namely some Westphalians. Why Westphalians, well because the fought in both the Danube theatre and in the Peninsular, nobody else was doing them and I quite like the fact that they weren't the best troops that Napoleon had.

I've used a list from Nazfiger which details X corps of which the Westphalian division was a part. It will give me 2 brigades of infantry, includes the Grenadiers and Jaeger Carabiniers. There are also a couple of attached cavalry units including some Cuirassiers.

The first units are 2 battalions of the 5th infantry regiment. these figures are a mix from Warrior miniatures for the line, the elite companies are from AB I think? the other unit is from the 1st infantry regiment. these figures are from Old Glory. The flags for all the units are from Warflag.

1st and 2nd battalions, 5th infantry

1st battalion, 1st infantry

Westphalian attack columns

Next up is a few extra additions to the Austrians. Another infantry battalion, this time the figures are from Warmodelling. These were not my favourite to paint and there were some significant differences in the size and bulk of the figures, but I suppose all shapes and sizes would have enlisted. Like the cavalry the metal was brittle, I even snapped one of the muskets after painting much to my annoyance. Also I completed an artillery battery, these figures are from Warrior. I have left the artillery piece loose from the base so that it can be attached to limbers when I finally get around to painting some.

Austrian infantry

Austrian infantry

Austrian artillery battery

I have also just finished painting up a couple of brigadiers for the Westphalians as well as the Grenadiers. After this I have one more Westphalian infantry battalion, some Austrian Jaegers and a French Chasseur regiment to paint.

1809 Somewhere in Germany part 5, the Finale and defeat

Well on Wednesday we got to finish the last few moves of the game. To say my position was precarious after last week was an understatement as from the first roll the Austrians won the initiative and continued to drive in my right flank

collapsing flank

This caused yet another of my battalion s to break, only the church was acting as a bulwark. As fast as I could the troops on my left flank were trying to cross over to hold the line. However they had their own problem as the Brunswick Hussars continued to cause havoc before blown horses forced them to retire.

Brunswick Hussars continue their carnage

The remnant flee for it

Back in the centre things were getting worse, the decision was made to save the artillery and they were limbered up to begin moving off the battlefield. However due to routing units in my lines I had a large number of morale tests to take. Those battalions that had been going toe to toe with the Austrians saw their courage finally spent and fled from the foe. Suddenly the whole brigade need to test and promptly failed. In one move 4 battalions out of the 5 dispersed and were removed from the field.

The panic setting in (red dice)

C-in-C left rather isolated

The Guard has broken!! (well not actually guards)

Victorious Austrians

At this point we called the game, quick order changes were given to my left flank brigades to fall back while I would try and hold the Church to give everything else a chance to flee. Despite the defeat I have really enjoyed this game. I am growing to like the General de Brigade rules, a lot more complicated than say Black Powder which are fine for a club night, but give a good feel for the period. I need to work on the order system as I often got caught out not realising certain actions were unavailable depending on brigade orders. At one stage the Westphalians ended up advancing into a position where they had to test for morale due to a routing unit and promptly faltered.

Hopefully over the weekend I'll get some pictures put up of the last few Napoleonic units I've painted up.

1809 Somewhere in Germany part 4, collapsing flanks and dodgy orders!

On Tuesday night I popped over to Dave's for a continuation of our Napoleonic battle. The title of this post will soon become very clear. First the dodgy orders, to those who have followed the earlier battle reports will know that my Cavalry brigade had done some sterling work on my right flank, routing the Austrian cavalry from the field. They had since retired back to my lines to prepare a counter attack against any breakthrough on my front line.

Retiring French cavalry after a job well done

Now a new order had come through from Corps command. My victorious cavalry were required to the south of the battlefield and promptly continued their march straight from the field of battle. My one advantage in the game suddenly taken away. With the loss of cavalry support those pesky Brunswick Hussars became a real threat as will be seen later.

Over on my right flank, once more Neal drove his Austrian infantry against my lines and this time he smashed a rather larger hole. Suddenly the whole brigade required panic tests and a couple of units began to falter against the sustained pressure.

The hole appears

Neal then followed up his advantage by trying to roll up my lines. The first succeeded in launching its attack but this time my faltering troops held their nerve. His other attack was quickly repulsed as a supporting unit poured deadly fire (double 6) into the attackers to protect the flanks of their comrades.

It was now over on my left flank that I had to get my troops moving with all speed, first to check the Austrian reinforcements and to shore up my centre. It was at this time that the Brunswick Hussars began their move. charging towards my advancing lines. Deciding to receive the charge and pour in fire from 2 battalions I though I would be able to stop them. Neal passed their morale and they crashed home, what carnage they caused ripping Frenchmen apart.

Austrian reinforcements

Black hussars charge

7-1 kill ratio

So as the night ended things were not looking good. My right flank is collapsing and the reinforcements have been checked by the Hussars (and I bloody painted them). Next week all being well i.e. it's not too cold, I think will be the concluding instalment. It will take some timing to extricate my troops, especially saving the artillery .

Collapsing right flank

 It doesn't make a pretty picture does it!

1809 Somewhere in Germany part 3 the re-inforcements

Well on Thursday Neal and I made the short trip to Dave's for the third instalment of our battle. We were both instructed to bring some extra troops for the other to use. Obviously we were both gentlemanly about it and no under hand tactics were involved. I supplied Neal with my Austrians and Brunswick troops and he supplied me with some French line units.

The Austrians continued to press their advantage against the woods on my right flank which was recently vacated by my Hessian brigade. First the Austrian Jaegers then artillery were brought up to begin the contest for the church. My light Infantry brigade deployed their skirmishers to face off against the jaegers and provide some cover from the artillery that began to pound my position.

Austrian massed battery commences firing

The broken Hessian's flee through my lines

On my left Flank the first of my reinforcements began to arrive. Four battalions of French infantry were soon followed by a small brigade of two Westphalian battalions. Both brigades with orders to reinforce the position occupied by my cavalry brigade to allow them to retire to cover any other emerging threats. Meanwhile on the opposite side of the table Neal was reinforced by and Austrian infantry brigade and a Brunswick brigade led by the Black Duke himself. They also brought up an extra battery of artillery and a small regiment of Brunswick Hussars.

French Infantry reinforcements

Austrian Infantry brigade and Hussars

Brunswick Infantry brigade and artillery

In the centre the Austrians once again launched an assault on my lines and once again accurate musketry from my line battalions repulsed their attacks. This was to be repeated for a number of turns until Neal changed tack and got involved in a protract musketry duel in which t he Austrian were gaining the upper hand. With pressure now on the centre and my right flank casualties were beginning to mount. Neal's poor dice from a week ago were gone replaced with lots of 5 and 6's.

Austrian pressure on my centre/right flank

My centre under pressure

Now it would be a race to see whose reinforcements would get into position quicker. The Brunswick brigade was already bearing down on my centre obviously urged on by the Black Duke, while the Austrian were more slowly advancing. My French  brigade had taken up position allowing my cavalry to reform while the Westphalian's were on a quick march to my centre to help shore it up.

Battlefield view from my left wing

Battlefield view from the Austrian left wing

Well I'm now looking forward to next weeks instalment. I'm really enjoying this game as it hangs in the balance. It also has a good Napoleonic feel to it. Just enough troops to keep feeding into the line. Fantastic

1809 somewhere in Germany part 2

On Wednesday Neal and myself got over to Dave's for the continuation of our battle. This time I managed to take more photos. Most of the action concentrated on my left flank with the cavalry duel. On my right flank Neal continued to probe against the Hessian's while waiting for his centre to bring more pressure on to my lines.

From the first move of the day I committed my cavalry brigade, Lancers, Dragoons and Hussars straight into the thick of it. Somehow my Elite unit of mounted Grenadiers turned their nose up at the thought of hitting some Austrian Hussars in the flank.

French cavalry charge

The results didn't all go my own way. My lancers got severely mauled by some Austrian Dragoons, but elsewhere the French began to get the upper hand, slowly driving the Austrians back before eventually breaking the brigade.

Austrian hussars flee

Austrian cavalry begin to fall back

Eventually even the mounted Grenadiers got in on the act, smashing into the Austrian dragoons and shattering them. I must admit at this point that Neal's dice wally when it came to morale rolls.

Grenadiers in on the action

Austrian cavalry have fled

Across in the centre the Austrian infantry began there advance towards the road junction. The 2 fields began to hamper advance. As they got closer 2 batteries of Hessian artillery began to pour heavy fire into the columns. Casualties were slowly mounting when the Austrians made their first assault driving back the voltiguers. They were then stopped by French musketry, allowing the voltiguers to get back into a position to protect the lines.

Austrian view of the French lines

Austrian columns slowed by the fields

Austrians drive off the voltiguers

French musketry halts the Austrian advance

On my right flanks things remain pretty much as they had throughout the game. Austrian Jaeger's and artillery exchanging fire with the Hessian brigade. It was becoming quite worrying as casualties began to mount among the Hessian infantry and artillery. Then disaster struck. one of the Hessian batteries was destroyed causing panic in the lines. Then one of the infantry battalions fell back under pressure causing the whole brigade to retire. At this point time was up until next week. I'll need to use my Elite infantry brigade to plug the gap on the right after the Hessian's had faltered.

Dave has also mentioned that next week both sides will be reinforced, possibly an infantry brigade per side. I'll need to bring along my Austrian brigade for Neal to use and he'll bring some French for me. Also my 2 new Westphalian battalions may get a run out. Until next week. 

1809 Somewhere in Germany

On Wednesday night I managed to get over to Dave's who was putting on an 1809 game in has garage. After much deliberation I decided to take the French for a change. The rules we were using were General De Brigade, a very good set but I'm still trying to get used to the different nuances in the rules.

The game revolved around the French (me) holding the road junction against an Austrian attack (Neal). I decided to deploy the Hessians into the wood on my right and my main infantry brigade would advance onto the junction. A smaller brigade including the grenadiers were held back to attack as a reserve. My cavalry were out on the open flank to my left facing off against an Austrian cavalry brigade.

 

 

Initial deployment with Austrians threatening the flank

French cavalry deployment

Hessians occupy the wood

SO far the initial moves have seen the Austrians begin to exert some pressure on the Hessians. The French reserves have finally arrived to occupy the grounds of the church. Another 2 Austrian brigades of infantry have finally deployed on the table and began their advance towards the junction. The cavalry brigades on both sides are facing off, just waiting to see who commits to the charge first.

Cavalry face off

French infantry in position

Austrian reinforcements

Looking forward to next week for the follow up moves. Think we will start to get stuck into each other. There s also the prospect of additional reserves for both sides. Better get those Westphalians finished on time.

Napoleonics Update part I

Following up on my last post I seem to have my painting mojo back and have been cracking on with some more figures for my Napoleonic project. For the Brunswickers I have painted up some more infantry and the command stand of the Duke of Brunswick with his Aide-de-camp.

First up the 2nd Line Battalion. Once again these figures like the rest of my Brunswickers are all from QRF. Very nice figures these, so much so that I have order some Hussars and a more infantry for them.

2nd Line Battalion

2nd Line Battalion

Next up the Sharpshooters followed by the Duke of Brunswick. I enjoyed painting these Sharpshooters in their green jackets, adds a bit of colour to a Brunswick force.

Sharpshooters

Sharpshooters

Duke of Brunswick

In addition to the Brunswickers I have also did some work on the Austrians, another unit of Landwehr and a couple of mounted Brigadiers. Like the last unit of Landwehr these are also from AB miniatures. This time I went for the Duchy of Mahren and Schlesien Landwehr in their Brown coats.

Mahren and Schlesien Landwehr

Mahren and Schlesien Landwehr

Lastly the 2 Brigadiers I painted are from the Fantassin range. I have also just completed another unit of infantry from this range that are in need of their bases finished before I post pictures of them. I'm not too keen on the horses but they seem to have painted up okay.

Austrian Brigadiers

To increase the strength of my Austrians I have ordered some Dragoons and Jaegers from Fantassin. Also I've put in an order with Warrior miniatures for some artillery as well as the first 2 units to be used as Westphalians (using their French infantry).