Freikorps WIP - Dixon Miniatures Size Comparison

I'm currently working on my Prussian Freikorps Le Noble again. The Dixon Miniatures figures I include in what will basicly be a skirmishing party, later to be upgraded to a Bataillon, are worth a look, I think. (Please click on the pictures to enlarge them).

Freikorps Le Noble WIP (Dixon P6, P21; Foundry SYWP25, SYWP22)

The figures on the picture above are, from left to right:

Dixon Miniatures P6 Infantry kneeling firing
Dixon Miniatures P21 Charging - fixed bayonet
Foundry Miniatures SYWP25 Freikorps Musketeers Advancing
Foundry Miniatures SYWP25 Freikorps Musketeers Firing - Lapels

Comparison of Firing Pose (Dixon P6, Front Rank SYP29, Foundry SYWP22)

As can be seen (I hope) on the photos above, the Dixon Miniatures figures for the SYW range are obviously slimmer and a bit shorter than Front Rank or Foundry figures. In my oppinion, they mix well, especially if seen from further away. They definetly add variety to a skirmish force.

The one-page flyer from Dixon Miniatures, shown below, presents only a part of the available figures of their SYW range, the British and French among them.

A part of Dixon Miniatures Prussian SYW range

Song of Drums and Shakos

Last weekend, the SDS skirmish rules were tested by six players in three linked one-on-one games. This napoleonic set was used for the SYW without any major modifications. As "Standards" under the SDS rules, the Carlstädter Likaner received a Tokajer drum and the Cossacks relied on the Priest they had with them!

The following skirmish parties saw action (click the pictures to enlarge them):

Württemberger, Garde zu Fuß and Gorcy Hussars

Austrians, Regiment Moltke and Carlstädter Likaner

Prussian Freibataillon von Wunsch


Prussian Feldjäger-Korps zu Fuß

(the Jäger firing from behind the tent couldn't save his kneeling
comrade from "horrible death" at the points of five (!) bayonets)

Cossacks were also present. Thanks to DonVoss for preparing these colourfull scenarios.

Schwerer Brummer

I just love this gun model (click the picture to enlarge). It depicts a 12-pdr.-Gun, manufactured in 1720. From the battle of Leuthen onwards it carried the nickname "Schwerer Brummer" or "Heavy Growler".
You can see that the wheels of the gun are at shoulder-height compared to the 28mm figures (Gunners and Officer Foundry) standing next to it. The gun really looks heavy.

I purchased the model here in Berlin from the well-known shop Berliner Zinnfiguren. Go to their website and search for "Brummer". It is actually a 30mm model, completely assembeled, and is available for € 28,- plus p&p. A lot of money! But as they say: He who can afford Foundry figures might as well buy expensive guns.

Many thanks to "Der Alte Fritz" for making me aware of this fine models. Have I mentioned that the shop also offers a pontoon wagon and even a field forge?! Excellent stuff.

Rules for Skirmish Games

Trooper Dragoner-Regiment von Normann [Nr. 1] (Front Rank)

The Berlin SYW 28mm Project is picking up speed. As of today, eleven gamers plan to built skirmish forces. Time to take a look at some rulesets that could be used:

Black Powder (Two Hour Wargames)
Song of Drums and Shakos (Ganesha Games)
Sharp Practice (Too Fat Lardies)
Triumph and Tragedy
Legends of the Old West
The Sword and the Flame variant "The Sword in the Forest"
This Very Ground
Legends of the High Seas [Thanks to Sir Godefroy]
Gloire/Among the Warparties [Thanks to Sir Godefroy]

Further suggestions and comments are very much appreciated.

Württemberger

Hussar, Regiment Gorcy, raised 1757 (Front Rank miniature)

Our friend Jan decided to add a Württemberg detachment to our skirmish forces. Here's what he has to say about it (click the pictures to enlarge them):

"In the first years of the SYW the German Reicharmee didn't have a clear and established light infantry/skirmishing doctrine (or even troops trained for this kind of warfare). Therefore skirmishing units were drawn together from several different regiments e.g. Line Infantry, Cavalry and even some German non-army Jäger were recruited.

The 1. Light Infantry unit of the Württemberg Army you see on the pictures constists of:

• Officer and Musketeer from the "Württemberg Garde zu Fuss" (raised 1757)
• Two supporting Gorcy Hussars (raised 1757)
• Two Grenadiers (in 1757 still part of the "Württemberger Garde")
• Two recruited Jäger from the Swabian population
  

I chose a Württemberg army because I was born in Swabia and therefore got interested in how they fared in the SYW. As I discovered the story behind the Württemberg army, it was very interesting and fascinating to read and the beautiful uniforms sealed the deal for me. Next one more Jäger, one more infantryman and hopefully some dragoons."

From left to right: Officer and Musketeer from the "Württemberg Garde zu Fuss", two Grenadiers (in 1757 still part of the "Württemberger Garde") and a Jäger (recruited from the Swabian population). All miniatures Front Rank.

Musketeer and Grenadier of the "Württemberg Garde zu Fuss"

Blacksmiths' Shop

Inspired by the King's birthday parade, Don immediately set out to produce a building: The Blacksmith's shop. As a guideline, he used the following photograph (click the pictures to enlarge):



The final result:

The Blacksmith's Shop

Half past one in the village of Schurtenbach at harvest time. The King needs grain, his soldiers have to eat. The village people do not sense any danger, but cossacks sneak through the nearby wood ...

In the western part of the village, everything is peaceful ...

The idyll is over soon. Lead by their Hetmann, the Cossacks ready their weapons ...



Thanks to Don for his excellent work!

Cossacks !

Another nice little unit emerges from Don's basement: fearsome Cossacks!

Cossacks (Wargames Foundry)

La Couronne

The Blog post regarding the King's birthday generated some positive comments, especially on our local german forum (sweetwater-forum.de; see the Links section). Many thanks to all who took the time to post.

Our mate Don 'discovered' this beautifull Frech unit in his collection:

La Couronne Regiment (Crusader Miniatures; originally, the hat lace is silver and the cockade black)

Originally intended by him for the French and Indian War in the New World, it was quickly reassigned to the Western Front in Europe. The strong blue colour really makes the figures stand out.

As pointed out by the owner, the hat lace should be silver instead of white and the cockade black instead of blue. That really doesn't matter that much, as our gaming group does not contain any "button counters".

The King's Birthday

Today, the 24th of january, is the 48th birthday of King Friedrich II.. In his honour, IR 41 Graf Wied zu Neuwied performes a birthday parade (click the pictures to enlarge):

The outer perimeter is guarded by the Feldjäger-Korps zu Fuß:

Look into their watchful eyes !


IR 41 arriving on the parade ground in march column:


Turning to form line:


Line formed !


Inspection of the troops by the Inhaber, Franz Carl Ludwig Graf von Wied zu Neuwied:


Gun Salute ! Performed by a 12-pdr. "Brummer", manufactured 1720:


"Ein dreifach Hoch auf den König !" (Three cheers to the King!):


"Achtung!" Austrian spies!



Freikorps Musketeers are vigilant:


"Halt! You are under arrest!"


"Run, Herr General-Feldwachtmeister, run!"


"Who have we here?! .. Well done, soldiers!"


"Well done, Oberst von Schlappstein. An excellent parade and a captured austrian officer. I will mention you to the King."



Do the Graf von Neuwied and Oberst Schlappstein know, that there are Croat Grenzers in the area? The Austrian General-Feldwachtmeister will surely order a rescue operation!

Thanks to Jim Purky (Der Alte Fritz) and Bill Protz for inspiring me to use my miniatures for more then just gaming! Thanks to Chris for the photos of his beautiful Feldjäger miniatures.

Basing

Austrian Infanterie-Regiment Salm-Salm (Nr. 14). All miniatures Front Rank. Flag hand-made (and purposely oversized).

Each figure is mounted on a square steel base, 20x20mm. The larger 40x40mm wooden base (laser-cut, 3mm thick, manufactured by Litko) has self-adhesive magnetic sheeting attached to it and can act as a movement tray for four figures.

By using this system, I have the option to use the figures for skirmish games for which individualy based figures are the norm. I can also use larger movement trays then the 40x40mm ones I use now, if the need should arise.

Litko also offers movement trays for tightly packed figures on round bases by now. They are called 'Rank Trays' and are listed under the heading 'Jim's Product Lab' (they also offer 'Skirmish Trays', but on these trays, the figures are not grouped as closely together as on the rank trays). I haven't tried this system but it may well be that the transition between the edge of the tray and the base of the individual figure might be a problem, especially if you plan to use thin round bases (washers) for your figures. But as i said, I haven't tried it or seen them with my own eyes, so they might as well be a good alternative.

Skirmish Project

Freicorps Le Noble. One of four Freicorps units available to the King at the start of the SYW. Freijäger in the foreground, Freimusketiere in the background.


We decided to build these skirmish parties:

Chris: Prussian Feldjäger-Korps zu Fuß and Prussian Hussars
Tom: Austrian Grenzer and Hussars
Jan: Württemberger
Olaf: Prussian Freicorps Le Noble

Each party will probably consist of 8 to 10 miniatures. The first game is planned for April; more than three months time to paint the troops.

Welcome

In December 2009, members of our informal wargaming group here in Berlin gathered for a year-end pub-meeting. There I discovered, that three of them had plans for a Seven Years War Skirmish campaign using 28mm miniatures: Freikorps, Grenzers, Hussars and all that. I immediately joined in as I've been working on 28mm SYW Prussian and Austrian armies already.

One of us, Chris, pointed out that 2010 is the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Liegnitz (and of Torgau as well). So, why not focus on the year 1760 during the gaming year of 2010 ?!

We will start out with some skirmish games and maybe, just maybe, get to bigger battles by the end of the year.

Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 41 Graf von Wied zu Neuwied (28mm, Fusiliers all Wargames Foundry, Officer Front Rank). Click the picture to enlarge the view.