Blasthof Bridge: Electoral Infantry painted

Looking at my SYW collection, there is too much work-in-progress lying around and too few finished units. I decided on using the Blasthof Bridge scenario from the Charge! rules to provide me with a short term goal and a guideline to tie together the loose ends.

The electoral Infantry - 40 men and three officers - were the first in line. With an additional thirteen figures done it is now completely painted (click picture to enlarge):

Uniforms are those of IR 41 Wied. The pale yellow flag is one of the regiments nine Kompaniefahnen.

On to the next unit ...

Charge! + Stuart Asquith modifications + One Hour Wargames = Fun

Time, space and the number of miniatures – three things I struggled with recently.

One solution: Use the classic Charge! rules, add some neat rules modifications Stuart Asquith used in his games with Keith Flint (Old School Napoleonics, The Action At Annie's Farm) on a 6' x 3' foot dining table and combine them with one of the scenarios from Neil Thomas' book „One Hour Wargames“ which uses a 3' x 3' board and six units per side.

The resulting layout for Scenario 4: Take the High Ground, One Hour Wargames, p. 72, (click pictures to enlarge):

Austrians have set up two units on the hill.
Prussians entered along the southern board edge.

Austrians (Defender)

CiC (1 Figure)

4 x Infantry (10 Figures each)

1 x Light Infantry (8 Figures)

1x Artillery (4 Figures)

Prussians (Attacker)

CiC (1 Figure)

3 x Infantry (10 Figures each)

1 x Light Infantry (8 Figures)

1 x Cavalry (5 Figures)

1x Artillery (4 Figures)

Total number of miniatures: 101

The mission for both sides is two be in possession of the hill at games end (after 15 turns).

Austrian reinforcements arrive

First blood – Frei-Infanterie engages from a distance

Close range artillery fire - More casualties for the Austrians

The Prussian cavalry charges ...

… and is repulsed !

The Prussian infantry storms the hill – The Light Infantry
of both sides fight it out in the woods

The big melee on the hill – Prussian Frei-Infanterie has been
dispersed and the croats assault the Prussian gun

The Austrians concede and retreat
(in fact, I used the kitchen table and dinner had to be served)

Conclusion: An entertaining little solo game. I was pleased with „the look of the thing“. The Charge! rules with Stuart Asquith' modifications worked well. I still have to take a deeper look at them and create my own play-sheet.

Gaming with small-sized units, i.e. 10 figures for infantry, 5 for cavalry allows for quicker progress along my work-up schedule to larger battles/units. I´m thinking about playing Honours of War scenarios with 10-figure infantry battalions and 4-trooper cavalry now that I´m comfortable with the look.