FPW, the dilema

While I have been painting up additional troops for the Franco Prussian war, with more to come, especially for the Prussians. I need more French, even with Thom starting on I Corps. So dear readers I painted up another French regiment and this is where my dilema begins. I have so far come up with 2 relevant options and a 3rd.

Option 1, is to use them as the start of the 4th Division of III Corps, which would actually complete the Corps. However I'm not sure if a single division would be enough, especially when I'm about to add a division of Hessians. I could look at adding either 1 or both Divisions of the Guards.

Option 2, is to start another French Corps, probably IV Corps. It does have 3 infantry divisions, but just 2 would probably suffice and also add in the cavalry division.

Option 3, this is in addition to either option 1 or 2. Paint up the cavalry reserve for the Army of the Rhine. Gotta love cavalry for this period, even if they weren't very good.

Got a couple of weeks to make a decision and then start to make the purchases that I need. Meanwhile here is the painted regiment.

The figures, as always from Outpost/Reiver castings. I'm now awaiting a small order for the Chasseurs and a second line regiment.

Barricades completed

Following on from yesterday's post, I completed the batch of barricades I was working on. After glueing some sand to the slopes, they were given a spray coat of Chocolate brown. Once dried it was a simple drybrush with cream and some small areas of static grass added. For the artillery redoubts I just had to pick out the gabion.

Quick, simple and very easy to do. As they are generic enough I can use them across a variety of conflicts.
 

FPW extras and some terrain prep

So in the middle of our second large battle at the club, my mind is already working out the details of game 3 and what I'll need. Thankfully Thom has committed to painting up the French I Corps, this has 4 infantry divisions and a cavalry division. It would be a welcome boon to my french troops. However Thom is a notoriously slow painter, though his armies look superb, putting my efforts to shame. He should have 1 division completed for next week and made a start on a second. I have said I will proxy in 2 Zouave regiments from my Union ACW (They are close enough) to make up a second division. Will certainly help in the current game.

Going forward I have another French regiment on the painting table and have ordered enough figures to complete a second regiment and a unit of Chasseurs. I may increase these to complete a division or even look to complete a small French corps.

Back to a game 3, the French, even with increased numbers will probably need some additional help, so I've set to work on making a few more barricades. They are still a work in progress. Made using modelling sticks, match sticks, some cheap air drying modelling clay. These will eventually have some sand added for texture before being painted up. I also had a few left over gambions which I've used to make 3 gun emplacements.

Gun emplacements

Barricades

Please ignore the bright coloured clay. Once painted over you will never know. Now the French aren't the only ones getting reinforcements. I did manage to complete the dragoons I need to complete the Baden Division. 6 stands from Outpost Miniatures.

I have also decided to add the Hessian division, basically because I like the look of the flags and because it is actually quite small. The 4 regiments are only made up of 2 battalions, which would make the 6 stand units instead of 10. They also have a small unit of cavalry and a couple of Jager regiments. So the Divisional commander and the 2 Jager regiments are done. I like the Jagers as the headgear is slightly different from the Prussians and their coat is blue instead of green.

So both units are done, 1 advancing and the other as a firing line. Now I need to start prepping the 4 line regiments while I wait for the cavalry to arrive.

FPW - Battle of Drouvile Part I

So Thursday night and we had a full complement of players to kick off the game. No need for any last minute re-shuffling of the commands, which was a bit of a relief. Both Commanders, Thom and Mitch were given five minutes to brief their Corps commanders and then the game to start.

It was a very cagey opening 4 moves. The French were showing a reluctance to move off their ridge, looking to protect the road to Nancy and obviously a source of any reinforcements. The Prussians advanced in 3 columns. The Bavarian I Corps on their left decided to skirt their way around the woods, allowing a French cavalry division the opportunity to retreat back to Drouvile. They did though quickly get their artillery deployed, learning from the last game and began targeting the French batteries on the ridge. In the centre the Prussian VI Corps, advanced cautiously, slowly pushing into the woods to their front, they began coming under fire from some chasseurs and Franc-tirreurs. Their own guns deployed and quickly got the better of their french counterparts, knocking out a number of batteries. On the right, XIV corps quickly identified that their flank was exposed to two french cavalry divisions which moved off the ridge at Valhey. New orders were received to re-direct their own cavalry division to intercept. However they weren't quick enough as french batteries around Valhey opened fire, destroying a regiment of hussars. The Wurtemburg Reiters were quickly sent to reinforce the flank. Meanwhile the infantry pushed on towards the french lines.

Despite taking a pounding, the french batteries did gain some successes, apart from the hussars, they inflicted casualties on a number of advancing enemy infantry regiments. They were not helped by a number of '10s' rolled, which reduced 90% of their artillery to low on ammo, hampering their effectiveness.

Baden Division of XIV Corps advancing

Bavarian I Corps swinging around the woods

XIV Corps and french XII corps exchanging fire

Bavarian I Corps, slowly getting into position

French III Corps defending Drouvile

French cavalry from XII corps rumble forward

Prussian and Wurtemburg cavalry move to intercept the french

Prussian VI Corps engaging skirmishers in the woods

French III Corps awaiting the Prussian assault

French cavalry re-deploying in Drouvile

So as the Prussians maintained their relentless advance, disaster began to befall the french. From the constant pounding from Prussian artillery both III and XII Corps had lost a number of batteries. Already outgunned at the begining of the battle, their defence of the ridge was about to become more difficult.

So we are poised for next week, with rumours of elements of the French I Corps moving to support the position between Drouvile and Valhey we should be in for an entertaining battle. The Prussians also have a small cavalry division about to arrive, supporting the Bavarians on the left flank.

FPW Battle of Drouvile - The set up

So down to the club today to get the table set up and troops deployed in readiness for the game starting on Thursday night. After the last battle, the French have fallen back to protect the roads to Nancy. They have taken up position along a low ridge between Drouvile and Valhey. XII Corps has been strengthened by the arrival of the 1st Division as well as a cavalry division from VI Corps. There are also reports that elements of the French I Corps are marching to support the position.

The Prussians meanwhile have advanced on a broad front and have entered the table between the towns of Crevic and Einville-au-Jard. The Bavarian I Corps is positioned eastwards from Crevic towards Maixe. Next is the 2 divisions from Prussian VI Corps. To the east of them is the Wurtemburg Division and the newly arrived Baden division of XIV Corps. A Prussian cavalry takes up position at the end of the line. There is a second Prussian cavalry division positioned off table behind the Bavarians.

The table 12ft x 4ft

Bavarian I Corps

Prussian VI Corps

XIV Corps, Wurtemburg Division

XIV Corps, Baden Division and Prussian Cavalry Division

French III Corps

French III Corps

French XII Corps

French XII Corps cavalry

Looking forward to the game now.

FPW - Baden Infantry regiment #4 and the Division

With not being at the club tonight due to illness, I soldiered on and completed the 4th and last infantry regiment for  the Baden Division. These will now all be ready to take part in next week's game.

So the Division currently has the 4 infantry regiments, a regiment of jagers, 4 artillery batteries and a mounted commander. I'll need to eventually add a brigade of cavalry of 6 stands. Not bad for a few weeks of work.

The figures are all from  Outpost / Reiver castings. Going forward I am thinking of adding another Division to my Prussian army, looking at the 25th division which is made up of Hessian infantry. The regiments are smaller at only a strength of 2 battalions.

FPW - Baden infantry regiment #3

With the weather taking a bit of a turn for the worse, I decided to spend some time getting a 3rd infantry regiment completed for the Baden Division. Once again all of the figures are from Outpost miniatures / Reiver Castings.

With these done, I have made a start on the 4th and last regiment required. I may even get them finished in time for the game coming up. I have also been thinking of expanding the collection. For the Prussians I may add either a Landwehr or a Hessian Division and the French I had been thinking of part of I Corps, just for the Zouaves and Turcos, however Thom at the club has already committed to painting them up, so I may switch the the Guards, only 2 infantry divisions. I do get 1 regiment of Zouaves as well as the Grenadiers and Voltiguers. Plenty of time to think it over.