Dreimal Blau und dreimal des Teufels !

Triple blue, and three times damned to the devil ! That is what contemporaries said about the Frei-Infanterie regiments. "Triple blue" refers to the typical Frei-Infanterie uniform, dark blue coat, light blue facings, light blue waistcoat, as for the one shown here, Le Noble (click picture to enlarge):

On this picture they defend a small farm or village against a bunch of Croats (click picture to enlarge):

The image looks good in my oppinion. The interesting thing here is, the buildings are from the 15mm Flames of War range.
I shamelessly stole this idea from Keith Flint, author of the newly publishd "Honours of War" ruleset. See for example his blogpost "Villages and Towns in the SYW".

His ruleset is played with infantry bataillions of 20 figures and a 20 cm felt square can represent one village, as shown in the picture above.

I still have to paint a few more figures before being able to play a small scenario and able to show a complete table layout with troops. Watch this space.

Song of Drums and Shakos Solo - Part 4

Part 4 is here at last! After suffering for nearly 3 weeks from some kind of diabolic flu, I finally managed to write the fourth and last part of this solo gaming report (click on the pics to enlarge them).

The Austrians activate a group of three Musketeers to run past the Prussians and toward the ruin. Two more Musketeers move forward to attack the Prussians. One of them is knocked down.

Prussian counterattcks are ineffective and the Austrians reach the ruin. The Prussian guard keeps his eyes on his high-ranking prisoner and fails to react to the movements behind his back.

The Prussians fight with desperation and knock down two more Austrians.

The knocked down Austrians both manage to stand up again! The Grenzer attacks the Prussian guard in the ruin who, so far, successfully blocks the entrance.

Now I checked if the Austrian Officer who is held prisoner in the ruin takes advantage of the situation by attacking the guard from behind. I rolled 3 dice for activation. 2 failures! No activation. The Austrian Officer seems to be a man of honour!

More Austrians join the fight and one Prussian gets knocked down and another one is wounded and out of the game.

The Grenzer at the ruin attacks the Prussian guard, is beaten back and falls to the ground. But what is this?! The Austrian Officer attacks the guard from behind and wounds him with his spontoon! Dirty deeds done dirt cheap! Meanwhile the Austrian Musketeers move in on the Prussian Officer who vailiantly manages to knock down one of his enemies.

Game over! Surrounded by more enemies than he and his remaining comrade can handle, von Beeskow surrenders to the Austrians.

A fast and fun game! I hope to post my "First Impressions" of this SDS Solo game sometime soon.

Song of Drums and Shakos Solo - Part 3

Two Prussian Fusiliers fire their muskets with little effect, two others move to hinder the Austrians from rushing towards the ruin. One of the Prussians in close combat stands up again and fights, the other conducts a powerfull hand-to-hand-attack but gets knocked down himself

The Austrians wound the fallen Prussian thereby taking him out of the game and knock the other one down. The two Austrians on the right side of the photo team up in their attack on another one: The first Austrian knocks the Prussian of his feet, the second finishes him of with a well placed bayonet stab! Nasty, but effective ...

The seventh Prussian Fusilier is out of the game. Morale Check for the Prussians! They are now under half stregth so each model has to check.

The Prussians lose their nerve and flee towards the ruin! Only the valiant Fusilier Friedrich Karl Hartnacken stands his ground

The Austrians had three models left to activate and could have chased the Prussian but failed and play passed to the Prussians.

The Prussian successfully regroup! But Hartnacken who desperately tried to hold his ground despite all of his comrades fleeing is now overwhelmed by the Austrians and wounded

Was it a good idea to regroup towards the enemy, Hauptman Beskow? Wouldn't it have been more effective to regroup towards the ruin for added protection?

Things look bleak for the Prussians but maybe one spirited counterattack can turn the tables ...

Song of Drums and Shakos Solo - Part 2

Feldwebel Kunkel is attacked again. At least the other Prussian Fusilier got out of the firing line. Aus dem Weg, Kunkel! Aus dem Weg!

Kunkel wounds another Croat. The Austrians press on with all their men!

The Feldwebel finally realises that he blocks the firing line and successfully disengages off to the side. The Volley from six Fusiliers kills the Austrian Sergeant who leads (lead!) the attack

Austrians rush forward to engage in close combat. The Prussian Fusilier on the bridge is wounded and out of the fight. Brave lad!

The prussian first rank stops the attack, one Austrian falls to the ground. The second rank reloads immediately

The Austrian player realises that the situation looks desperate. He decides to use three dice for the activation of the forward group of six men. A risky undertaking. If he gets two failures (i.e. not rolling 3+), play immediately passes to the Prussians again. But he gains three actions! Maximum success!

The Croat on the bridge jumps on his feet again and knocks out Feldwebel Kunkel with a well aimed shot! The Musketeer on the bridge also fires and instantly kills the Prussian near the tree. The Austrians go into the close assault again with powerfull attacks. One of the Prussians falls down and another is instantly killed!

Wow! An all-out-effort by the Austrians. Three Prussians out of the game at once, one of them a Sergeant! Hauptmann Kreisky obviously picked the right men for this mission.

Will the Prussians still hold their ground? Let's see ...

Song of Drums and Shakos Solo - Part 1

Annotation: What follows is just a short description of what has happened as far as the "story" is concerned. I do not decribe game mechanics in detail now, but will summarize my impressions of the rules in a seperate blogpost.

The Setup - viewed from the Prussian side of the table

The Austrians move out of the woods, fire a volley and one of the bridge guards falls to the ground

The Prussian miserably fail their first activation attempt and play immediately passes to the Austrians again!

The Grenzers rush towards the bridge, muskets still loaded

One Grenzer finishes off the fallen Prussian with his bayonet. The Prussian standing next to the rock still hasn't got his pants up again ...

One Grenzer knocks another Prussian of his feet. The Croat NCO (partly behind the tree) rushes towards the Prussian Feldwebel Kunkel ...

... and BANG! Aimed shot - Instant kill. The Croat NCO is dead! A serious loss for the Austrian side. The Prussians Officer finally gets his act together and leads his men towards the bridge. One of them finally has his pants up again

Hand-to-hand fighting on the Bridge. Prussians begin to form a firing line

The Prussian NCO wounds another Grenzer with his Kurzgewehr. The second rank of the firing line and Hauptman Beskow are in position

Himmel! What is this?! Feldwebel Kunkel blocks the firing line! Does he think he is a reincarnation of Horatius Cocles*

* = In 508 B.C., when Rome was under attack from the Etruscan King Porsena and about to be conquered, one man, Horatius Cocles ("the one eyed") stood on a small bridge leading into the city centre, all alone. He defended it against the whole army of the enemy until his comrades cut off the bridge behind him. He fell into the Tiber in full armour, but managed to reach the roman river bank (according to Titu Livius; according to Polybios he drowned!).

To be continued ...

Song of Drums and Shakos Solo - The Setup

The Austrian Officer (Major Waldheim), captured while spying during the King's birthday parade of IR 41 von Wied, is held captive in a ruined cottage. The Austrians immediately launch a rescue operation. Six picked men from Regiment Nr. 14 Salm-Salm are joined by group of five Carlstädter Likaner. The Croats are to act as guides to enable the force to secretly infiltrate the Prussian lines which they had carefully reconnoitred during the last two days. The detachment is commanded by Hauptmann Kreisky of Salm-Salm.

Rules: Song of Drums and Shakos [SDS]from Ganesha Games
Scenario: Number 3 from the rulebook ("Assault at the farm")

Defenders (Prussians of IR 41, 402 points):
1 x Officer (Hauptman Beskow)
1 x NCO (Feldwebel Kunkel)
11 x Füsiliere ("Line Musketeer" in SDS)
1 x Captive (Austrian Major Waldheim)

Attackers (Austrians, 518 points)
1 x Officer (Hauptman Kreisky)
1 x NCO (Feldwebel Hölzel)
6 x Line Infantryman
1 x Grenzer NCO (Unteroffizier Laducic)
4 x Grenzer/Carlstädter Likaner

Special Rules: SDS assigns two special rules to the Grenzers/Carlstädter Likaner. "Light" - they move quicker through difficult terrain (woods). "Marksman" - their shooting is deadlier up to medium range (120mm).

Here's the Setup (click on pictures to enlarge):

The Austrians approach, Salm-Salm on the right, Carlstädter Likaner on the left. Five Prussian, including the NCO and four men guard the bridge. Wait! There are only four of them on the bridge ... Where's number five? Ah, over on the left, between the rocks. A human want has caused his absence ...

The captive held in the cottage. He still has his Sponton. Men of honour, obvoiusly.

Hauptman Kreisky's tactical approach:

He divides his force in two groups: Group 1 ,Salm-Salm, with the seven soldiers and himself move out of the wood and fire a volley at the bridge guards. At the same time, Group 2, the five Carlstädter Likaner run towards the bridge to engage in close range musket fire and hand-to-hand combat. Group 1 follows immediately.

Let's see, how this turns out ...

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.

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"

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".

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.