Battle of Froschwiller, a re-fight

I was lucky enough at the weekend to run a game for the re-fight of Froschwiller from the Franco Prussian War. Taking a suggestion from the 1870 rules we tried out one of the alternative scenarios, whereby the battle is fought the following day, allowing both sides to be strengthened. We also took some liberties with the troops as we were using the figures that we had available i.e. Micks Saxon corps replaced the Bavarian II Corps.

So onto the game. Neal and Mick were to command the Prussians. At the start of the game they had the Saxon Corps and 2 Prussian Corps available to them. The Bavarian I Corps, the Wurtemburg Division and elements of the Bavaria II Corps were marching to the sound of the guns and would arrive during the battle. They set up with the 2 Prussian Corps across the river opposite the town of Worth. The Saxons were to the north and on the flank of the French position.

Dave and Chris were given command of the French. Chris took command of I Corps which held the left flank of their line and was to bear the brunt of the Prussian assaults. Dave took command of the II Corps, holding one division behind the ridge hidden from Prussian observers. The French also had the III Corps in reserve marching to the battlefield, expected at 9.30am. Also the imperial Guard Divisions were also available but would not reach the battlefield until at least 2pm.

The game began with the Prussians slowly crossing the river and discovering that their artillery was unable to ford it. The Saxons to the north began their advance towards I Corps and struggling to get their artillery into position to support their attack. Meanwhile the French were happy to stay in position and fire artillery at range at the advancing hordes.

Once the Saxons got their artillery in position they began to pound the northern edge of I corps position, even at range some excellent dice throwing from  Mick was softening up the French infantry. Meanwhile the 2 Prussian Corps continued their advance and I Corps waited. Just then a messenger arrived informing the French that III Corps would not be arriving until 11.00, late!!!!

As the Saxons approached they began their assaults on the French redoubts, As pressure began to tell Chris committed the French cavalry reserve to throw back the Saxon infantry. This would turn out to be a temporary respite. Meanwhile the Prussian infantry was also gearing up its assault on I Corps. Dave quickly dispatched a messenger to his hidden division to advise it to march through the woods to support I Corps.

Eventually the lead elements of III Corps began to arrive. Led by Clerambault's cavalry Division which Chris sent to the centre of his line to act as a reserve, they were soon to see some heavy action. As the Saxons renewed their assault they threw back the French defenders only to be checked again this time by the infantry of III Corps which now arrived to shore up the line. On the French right they became a little concerned. With all the heavy fighting in the Centre and left flank it was now that another column was approaching, this time the Wurtemburgers.

In the Centre the Prussian assault went in, after a couple of hours heavy fighting it seemed that the French I Corps was to be swept away. Then Clerambaults cavalry were committed. First the Chasseurs hit a Prussian column, routing it before following up and being shot to pieces by supporting Prussian infantry units. Next up the French Dragoons charged, destroying a Prussian column and temporarily re-capturing the redoubts before being forced to retire in disorder as they came within range of the Prussian artillery.

Back on the northern flank, the Saxons came again and were rewarded with their persistence as they stormed the redoubts and captured them, throwing back the remainder of I and II Corps towards the town of Froschwiller

To make matters worse for the French it was now that the Bavarian I Corps made its entrance and began its march towards their already battered centre. With the Wurtemburgers also advancing steadily from the South, their position was looking precarious. It was then that Dave's division finally made its appearance, to support the French Centre. However it came under immediate fire from the Prussian artillery who inflicted significant losses and caused disorder amongst them.

With these fresh arrivals the Prussians began to reorganise for their next assault, pulling back out of range they awaited the Bavarians. The Saxons also consolidated their position in readiness for an assault on the Froschwiller. With the French greeted by the news that the Imperial Guard were still over 2 hours away, it was time to call it a day.

Overall a very enjoyable game played in the right spirit with a good bunch of blokes. By victory conditions this was a French victory as they still commanded the 2 roads, keeping open their lines of retreat and the Prussians had not taken Froschwiller. However we all agreed that the French I Corps as a fighting formation was finished and the French would be unable to hold onto their positions and be forced to retreat.

Frostgrave Warband

When I attended the Border Reiver show at Gateshead/Newcastle, I picked up the Frostgrave rules and a couple of blisters as part of my show loot. I've seen some reviews across the blogosphere and thought they would prove useful as a quick pick up and play game at the club.

For my blisters I chose the Thaumaturge and apprentice and the tracker with the hound for no other reason in that I liked the models. I did think of purchasing a box of the soldiers but after a few moments thought i was sure I would have enough proxy models in my lead pile that could be drafted in. So here they are, I'm still reading the rules and my warband so far is made up of available figures that i located straight away.

Wizard and Apprentice

Tracker and hound

For a Knight and a Templar I have used 2 men at arms figures from Black tree design. These were left over from my Lion Rampant armies

Templar and knight

Next up is a barbarian, a Gripping Beast special figure from their Age of Arthur release. The other 3 are 2 Musketeer miniatures early Saxons and a foundry early German warrior. They looked particularly suitable as thugs/warriors for the frosty setting.

Barbarian and thugs

The whole Warband together

I've already mad a start on a second warband for some solo games at home. Next up I'll need some scenerypieces as this game needs plenty of it.

Battle at the farm

After painting up my Space Orks a couple of months a go, I had a hankering to get the on the tabletop. So on Thursday night with nothing else arranged we decided to re fight the battle of the Farm from the original Rogue Trader rules. However we decided that a couple of amendments were needed.

Firstly their were 5 of us and 21 orks and 16 marines do not go far. Also in previous attempts at this scenario many years ago, it's a bit of a hard slog for the orks, out in the open with the marines hidden. So it was agreed to increase the forces. We gave the marines an extra five troopers, this allowed Tom to command 2 units and Neil to have the other two squads with the Captain. For the orks we also went with 2 squads per player, but increased their size to 7 figures. This meant we had 21 marines against 43 orks, more than fair I thought.

So the game began with the 3 ork players slowly advancing across the open ground towards the farm before the sound of bolter fire was heard. George saw one of his orks bite the dust, his return fire was rather pathetic.

Orks advance

As my two squads advance we also came under fire losing one ork, however my return fire killed two of the marines forcing them to retire. At this point Tom revealed a second squad of marines armed with a missile launcher. It fired and missed, though his bolter fire did kill another 2 orks. Once more my return fire was effective killing another 2 marines. Over on the right John advanced with his two squads and came under fire from the farm house killing 2 orks and forcing the squad to retire.

Marines open fire

Pressure on the marines

Orks under fire from the farm house

At this point the casualties were beginning to mount on two of the marine squads and eventually one routed from the walls. Taking advantage my 2 squads reach the wall and my Warboss crossed over to kill the 2 marines. At this point the Marine captain charged out of cover and with a blow of his powerfist slew my War boss. It a fit of revenge my 2 squads opened fire and slew the Marine captain before crossing the barrier looking for easier foe. Unfortunately the marines has other ideas as a 4Th squad emerged and destroyed one of my squads and routed the other.

Orks at the walls

Clash of titans

Last stand

With both sides trading fire the remaining marines fell back to the farm house, where despite the best efforts of the orks they grimly held on. At nights end 3 marines still remained holed up. Overall a very enjoyable game and stayed in the balance right until the end.

Franco Prussian War progress part 2

With the big game edging ever closer and utilising some time off work I have continued to paint up my forces, concentrating on finishing the Bavarian I Corps. First up is 1 of the 2 units of Jagers that I require for the second division, the other is just awaiting to be based up. As usual the figures are all from Outpost.

Next is 3 more batteries of guns for the Corps. This brings me up to 7 batteries for the Bavarians (think my French might need more guns). Also the Divisional Commander can be seen hiding behind them.

I have also painted up enough figures to represent 2 battalions of the 13th infantry regiment as well as some prone markers, enough for 1 to each regiment. Thankfully Dave has passed on some spare figures that will allow me to bring these and the 10th up to 3 battalion strength.

As mentioned in an earlier post Mick provided me with a rather large bundle of cavalry figures, enough for me to put together enough regiments for a Prussian Cavalry brigade. I have increased the strength of the 2 cuirassier regiments and have now added a regiment of hussars.

With some left over figures I have added an artillery battery and used a spare Cuirassier officer painted up to look like a Prussian Divisional commander. He will suffice for now. The flags for the Cuirassiers are purely conjectural as not much information is available for them.

For a project that has stalled for the last couple of years I am rather proud that I have finally finished this Corps. So much so I am already thinking of adding a Prussian or Baden infantry Division and a second French Corps, possibly the 12th as it contains a division of marines.

Franco Prussian War progress

I have been preparing the map for the Battle of Froschwiller to fit hexes. We will be doing the re-fight as a what if scenario. MacMahon had originally planned for the battle to take place on the 8th August 1870 but kicked off a day early when the Bavarian II Corps brought on a full engagement after skirmishing with the French I Corps. What this will allow though is much ,ore troops on the board.

The French will be able to field 3 full Corps,  historically I, V and VII. We will have to use I,II and III as that is the figures we have. this gives us 10 infantry divisions and 3 cavalry divisions. We will also have the use of the Imperial Guard in reserve, another 2 infantry and a cavalry division.

For the Prussians we will be able to field the Bavarian I and II corps, Prussian V and XI Corps and XIV made up of Wurtemburg and Baden troops. However we will be substituting one of the Prussian Corps for a Saxon Corps as Mick has painted them up ready for their first action. Also the Baden division for XIV will have to be replaced with a Prussian infantry and cavalry division. That will give us 10 infantry divisions and 3 cavalry divisions.

So onto my progress, 2 more infantry regiments and some Chasseurs for the 2nd division of Bavarian I Corps. Both of these regiments are at full strength of 3 battalions. With the Chasseurs their are 2 regiments which I have brigaded together to a 4 stand unit.

I have sent off another order to Outpost for the additional infantry I require for the last regiment and the 2 Jager regiments that I need. I will also need to add 3 artillery pieces for the Corps as well as a Prussian piece for my cavalry division. Now just need to paint up those pesky Prussian hussars.

I have also updated the pictures on my FPW page for the French III Corps

Rogue Trader Orks

When I was a youngster me and my friends really got into Rogue Trader, or 40k as it is now known. We didn't collect to force lists, just whatever took I fancy. I picked up a mix of marines (long since gone), space pirates and Orks. Most of our games used to old judge Dredd city block floor tiles and much fun was had, Now it was time for my Orks to see the light of day. The bulk of these were painted in the 80's and not very well. I was still experimenting with colours and learning how to paint. I decided I would give them all a fresh lick of paint, no re painting, just touch up the chips then added some washes and highlights. The bases also need re doing. The handful unpainted figures were also given a lick of paint to match them in with the rest of the figures.

First up is the 17 figures from the Space Ork Raiders boxed set, already got me thinking of re-fighting the Battle of the Farm scenario in the back of the rulebook.

Space Ork Raiders

Space Ork Raiders

Next up is some of the support weapons as well as the troopers that I picked up from blister packs (the days they were affordable). There is also a dreadnought. Please excuse some of the colour schemes like the Ork troopers with Pink trousers.

Weapon teams

Ork troopers

Ork Dredd

The whole force

I've really enjoyed working on these as they brought back fond memories. I still have another 5 troopers to finish as well as an Ork buggy. I find these figures are much more characterful than the current plastics that are produced these days for Orks. Well better get back to my Bavarians

Gearing up for War, The Franco Prussian War

I didn't realise that it has been over a month since my last post. Must admit work has been hectic but I have still managed to get some painting done, namely for the Franco Prussian War. These will all be required for the big game in the Autumn. So first up is the 71st line regiment and a Mitrilluese that will finish Mettman's division as part of French III Corps.

The figures are all from Outpost Wargames, also have to thank them as they posted out a Mitrilliauese barrel after I lost the original. Next up is the start of My Bavarian infantry to finish off the Bavarian I Corps.

These guys like the French are also from Outpost. I've already got a second regiment nearly finished as well as the other two undercoated. However i made a miscalculation in my order and was an infantry pack short for the last Jager regiment I will need.