The Wargaming Erratic

The Battle of Oeversee 1864

Post author By lorenzoseventh
Post date 28th Apr 2023
4 Comments on The Battle of Oeversee 1864

Neil Thomas offered this battle as an example of a small action using his mini battle setting. His rules assumed a 2’x 2′ or 600mm square. So thats board game sized.

His rules say you do not need to rebase. Always a positive these days.

I have a mixture of units – a result of my lock down era painting activity tending to paint what I fancied than worrying about actual armies!

The action is straightforward – the Danes are retreating and use a bottleneck on the key route north towards Jutland. The Danish rearguard are buying time for their main forces to retreat to their last defence line in Schlieswig – the Duppel fortifications.

Their opponent was the geographic “Empire” effectively still the Holy Roman Empire but now really the German Confederation post Waterloo with Austrian and Prussian interference/support.

In this case the Austrians were attacking the rearguard.

The Danish Rearguard

Infantry Unit A
Infantry Unit B
Infantry Unit C
Infantry Unit D
Artillery Battery E

The Artillery was Bronze Rifled while the Infantry were all Levy in loose order armed with rifled muskets.

The Danish troops are all deployed in the bottleneck.

The Austrians Attack starting at the river line comprise

9th Hussars – Average
Artillery – 2 batteries both with bronze rifled cannon

Their main forces arrive from move 1 on the main road

Jaeger Infantry unit – elite, rifled musket, loose order
Skirmishers – elite, rifled musket

On moves 2 & 3 the following units arrive via the same southern road access

Infantry Unit 6 – move 2 – average, rifled musket, loose order
Infantry Unit 7 – move 3 – average, rifled musket, loose order
Infantry Unit 8 – move 3 – average, rifled musket, loose order

Battle Narrative

With the objective to clear all danish forces from the road (at least 12cm from the road) essentially the Austrians simply went through the Front Door.

They had 10 moves to do it in with a win lose outcome and no draw.

Special Rules as suggested by Neil Thomas were used

Colonel Muller personal leadership of the Danes means any one unit at the start of any turn can be elite.
The Danish Artillery were quite ineffectual so get half the nortmal values in defence and attack
The Austrians fresh from rough handling by the French in 1859 adopt bayonet charges in preference to distance firefights. They stay in column the whole game and can charge without restriction (no unit base quantity advantage required)

Some shots of the action

The stream has no effect on movement except Artillery must use the bridge. The town can be accessed only by Infantry. The lake is impassable to all troops while infantry can move through the wood.

The Danish front line are in line and not moving, supported by more mobile Column units behind. If infantry want to move in Neil Thomas’ rules they must be in column.

Note in this game I chose not to field the woeful Danish Artillery ( i.e. I forgot to place them on the board!)

An Austrian victory seemed to confirm Neil Thomas’ view that history repeats itself with his suggested set up. In his notes he offers several options to up the defence capability of the Danes.

In this case a very narrow Danish Victory suggests a well thought out scenario by Neil Thomas. Generally I have found Neil Thomas scenarios are fun to play because they tend to lead to a lot of action and no quick outcomes. So although asymmetrical in set up they seem to be well balanced games.

Footnote:

The Figures are Irregular Miniatures and Hat for the Danish

Elsewhere in the photographs the regular Austrian Infantry on show are Waterloo1815 1859 Austrians in their white coats – in 1864 it was bitter winter weather so soldiers actually fought in their greatcoats.

Neil Thomas offers the mini game as a quick affair and it certainly was. Lots of enjoyment from a two foot square, scenery, dice and some figures.

Mid 19th Century Wargaming Military History Vienna Treaty Wars wargaming

A bit jittery

This month I picked up Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy magazine mainly because it contained an article on the Battle of Dorking. This late 19th century event has passed many a historian by. Of course it happened in someones imagination and they wrote about it.

At the the time people were concerned about the neglect of the army. Nothing new but despite the Crimean War the British probably still marched to war on the back of their Waterloo success. Perhaps they preferred sailing to the echoes of Trafalgar though.

It was a nervous time and if anything British politicians made the wrong calls.

Lord Palmerston is famed for framing the Schlieswig Holstein Question – the issue he should have dealt with in hindsight. British interests elsewhere meant they simply ignored the inexorable rise of their Waterloo allies, the Prussians.

Instead Palmerston oversaw millions of pounds of military budget squandered on his follies. The biggest coastal defence spending made to ensure we could see off the real enemy – France.

It was the 1860’s

Plymouth was of strategic importance to British Defence and its Global Naval reach.

Today you can still visit these Palmerston follies although only Maker Heights itself can really be inspected. There is an excellent cafe at the top of the heights.

Wargame Scenario Possibilities?

Possible scenarios could be the original 18th century concerns prior to any effective defences being in place – with a landing force fighting its way up the valley while defenders are rushed in piecemeal.

19th century options might be harder to conceive for a game: Although quite how the Prussians sidestepped the whole British Navy to reach Dorking is intriguing. One option then is that the cost of the defences and end of the French threat caused the defences to be semi abandoned by 1875 – making it easier for a Prussian assault this far west to be gamed with some more balanced possibilities.

One other possible scenario is around a WW2 imaginations/Sealion scenario of the “guns of navarone” style sabotage as a prelude to a naval landing? Parachute troops even – securing Maker heights as a prelude to taking Plymouth?

Tags scenario, wargame magazines, wargames soldiers and strategy

wargame shows wargaming

Artists & Makers

If you strip it down making a car or a piece of art is the same thing. I am stretching a point here regarding quantity.

It is a creative process that ends in something tangible which may also be useful. And “use” can result in different things.

The piece of art that is still in use 200 years later because its action is to be seen. Or that car which was mercilessly driven in all weathers every day with every component exercised till its early demise on a scrap heap a few years later.

Wargamers are often gamers but as opposed to say Board gamers they are often model makers and nearly always painters.

And some Wargamers are collectors as well.

Add to this that some wargamers are what one would call artists – their work is exemplary, out of the ordinary, admired and copied.

And you can visit thousands of sites on the net to learn how they did this or that.

In a world that has rapidly replaced the physical world with the online world (both are real but different), it is interesting to meet real humans, who are artists and be able to connect their creations with their working area, their tools and discuss their processes right there – one to one.

No rewind – you have to listen and concentrate. It is an experience.

So York Open Studios offers you a hundred artists and makers to chose from. A useful booklet shows you where each artist/maker is located and a thumbnail picture and a few words provide the introduction.

My experience is that I select on image – it is disconcerting. I force myself to read the useful words – collage, etching, printing, digital, sculpture, carving…..

This time we wanted to walk between sites within a specific time frame – we chose an area with many locations and it meant we visited some locations where the brochure image was not compelling and the words uncertain.

At least one artist whose work I like had used an unfamiliar image and I could never remember their name. it was a surprise to find them in my list of maybe/so so sites to visit in the area we had chosen.

And the lesson about “reinforcing what you like means you might miss out” continued as I found my less preferred visits yielded very interesting discussions on process – how, why, what, where, when etc.

What is overwhelming?

Individuality – they may use fairly common materials, and even processes yet what they add is crucial. That is the most important ingredient
Commitment – despite the throngs of people in kitchens, conservatories, the garden shed, part of a living room – these people must spend a lot of time on their own to achieve what they do.
Enjoyment – to open your “studio/space” to strangers and be cross examined (politely of course) on how you did that or why did you do this – is an act of bravery – most of all I think it reflects their enjoyment of their work and the pleasure it gives them.

In a way wargame shows are those open studios when artists and makers show their work on the wargames table – the difference tending to be that you don’t buy (except at the nearest trader), you just look and maybe discuss. You might go home and copy their work – inspired by their enthusiasm – which includes the game as well – rules, scenery and figures.

Then there are the traders – many of whom are still small businesses in effect our hobbies most obvious artists and makers.

There is also a place for all those useful internet sources*.

And there is the irreplaceable act of human contact discussing a shared interest.

So whether it is a local arts and crafts show or that wargames show – “go see” – I am betting that seeing what others do will inspire you to paint more, make more and be more creative.

*That includes the American Railroad Modeller preoccupied with homemade Italian Cypress Trees which I might need one day!

Tags art and wargames, wargame shows, wargames, wargaming

miniatures painting Vienna Treaty Wars wargaming

The Painting Pedestal 23d – Composite Cavalry

Post author By lorenzoseventh
Post date 21st Apr 2023
3 Comments on The Painting Pedestal 23d – Composite Cavalry

Ok Cavalry has not been my top list item for mid 19th century forces. They don’t figure much in the record and are derided for ineffective battle action as well as being the scout forces that seemed to be missing in action as armies stumbled into each other.

Having said all that they still had colourful uniforms! At the end is an item about the obvious error…….

These figures date to my try a “few of many” period so no vast regiments but squadrons and patrols.

And of course composite cavalry units did seem the order of the day at times.

In this case I have opposing forces on show as well!

Central Italian League 1860 – Cavalry Regiment “Guide”*
Piedmont Cavalry 1848 – Genova Cavalleria
Austrian Uhlans 1860 – Freiwilligen Uhlaren Regiment
Austrian Dragoons 1848 – Baron Boyneburg

*I have previously posted about the Warrior Napoleonic Hussars posing as Guides for the Central Italian League.

The Piedmont Cavalry are Waterloo1815 French Line Lancers.
The Uhlans are by Lucky Toys
The Austrian Dragoons are Hat Austrian Napoleonic Dragoons

I have used a range of grasses here over my standard 3 colour (burnt sienna base + ochre dry brush+ yellow/white highlights) painted budgie grit.

The Piedmont Cavalry are flocked with Woodland Scenics fine turf
The Austrian Dragoons are flocked with Woodland Scenics fine turf with Gamers Grass Dense Beige 6mm wild tufts
The Austrian Uhlans are flocked with Woodland Scenics fine turf with Gamers Grass Beige 2mm tufts
The Guides also sport Gamers Grass Dense Beige 6mm wild tufts

Which do you prefer?

A – Hussars in the brushwood?

B – Piedmontese on the thin turf?

C – The Uhlans in the small tufts?

D – The Dragoons in turf and brushwood?

Out of interest the painted base looks right when viewed on the games table but not in close up.

Flock references above and Grasses below

This ends a small flurry of completions for my mid 19th century armies.

The Error

My Piedmontese Cavalry have a helmet “comb” where there should not be one. “No comb” was the mid century fashion for Dragoons and Cuirassiers. Yet I could not bring myself to cut them off as they make this figure…………………..

Tags 1/72, 1/72 plastics, hat 1/72, hat miniatures, lucky toys, miniature figures, miniature figurines, painting figures, painting miniatures, the painting pedestal, Vienna Treaty Wars, wargames, wargaming, warrior miniatures, wars of the italian unification, waterloo 1815 1/72

metal miniatures miniatures painting wargaming

The Painting Pedestal 23c – Danish Infantry 1864

Post author By lorenzoseventh
Post date 20th Apr 2023
6 Comments on The Painting Pedestal 23c – Danish Infantry 1864

Another batch of World War 1 Austrian Infantry became this unit of Danish. Irregular Miniatures are the source of these nicely sculpted figures.

You can see previous posts here

Now the Danish are up against the Prussians yet their uniforms will not save them from defeat and the loss of Holstein and a great chunk of Schlieswig.

Had Britain taken more notice of the Schlieswig Holstein Question consequences, maybe 80 subsequent years of Teutonic misery across Europe might have been avoided.

Back to the figures – its a paint job with the caps being cut down at the front. To match my typically 24 mm 1/72 figures I based these with a washer beneath them as Irregular sell them as 20mm and use thin base metal. Some of the figures sport a black greatcoat.

Next up some cavalry.

Tags 1/72 metals, 20mm metals, danish infantry, Irregular miniatures, painting figures, painting miniatures, the painting pedestal, the schlieswig holstein question, Vienna Treaty Wars, wargames, wargaming

metal miniatures miniatures painting wargaming

The Painting Pedestal 23b – 1850 Danish Infantry

Post author By lorenzoseventh
Post date 19th Apr 2023
2 Comments on The Painting Pedestal 23b – 1850 Danish Infantry

I bought some Austrian WW1 infantry from Irregular Miniatures – I thought they might work for mid 19th century forces. The peaked cap was my interest. The lower leg bindings were not desired and the baggy trousers equally did not look promising. Also the front peaks were a bit obvious.

I put them aside way back in 2020.

And then just before Xmas 2022 I had another look and decided they might work as fill in for my mid 19th century Danish tests.

In this case I had a go at painting away the errors. The only mods were to slice off the hat top and add a sliver of tapered plastic. One original test with a tall “wood” mod cap can also be seen!

Here are some 1850 infantry fresh from defeating their German adversaries.

At the start of the war the Infantry sported Red tunics and Bell Shakoes. My previous post for such a unit is here.

Tags 1/72 metals, 20mm metals, danish infantry, Irregular miniatures, miniature figures, painting figures, painting miniatures, the painting pedestal, the schlieswig holstein question, Vienna Treaty Wars, wargames, wargaming

wargaming

What a mess!

2023 has proven to be one of thin pickings wargame wise when it comes to painting.

I managed a few games and I have started on some permanent grid boards – now half abandoned!

Yet Painting which has been a mainstay over the last few years has dried up.

Well until yesterday when ignoring the paint queue I started some new figures…..madness this way lies…….

In the queue are mid 19th century Dane’s, French, hannovarians, Austrians, Piedmontese, with some zorn painted ecw figures from 2021 plus 1970’s Vikings to add flavour!

So now I have added more – Prussians, Bavarians, Danes and wagons.

This latest madness stems from the battle of standard and me looking for a medieval cart – queue I find my half prepped danish and Prussian horse plus some newline Prussians earmarked as 1848 Bavarians.

No medieval cart but more painting log jams

Enter the wargaming painters gorge at your peril

Hey ho.

Tags miniature figures, miniatures painting, painting figures, painting miniatures, the painting pedestal, wargames, wargaming

life natural world

Intermission 23g – Stars

The other night, as we entered a concerted high pressure weather system, the moon rose through an interesting cloud fragmentation (which I missed capturing) only to reveal absolute clarity in the night sky. Stars in my eyes followed………..

The sky was very blue black and bright in the moonlight and the stars were very very bright and clear. So with a simple phone camera I caught some surprising images. Normally I struggle to replicate my naked eye views of the stars.

I think by the TV aerial just above is Aldebaran and Hyades? while centre is Orions belt and above is Betelgeuse and below Rigel? and just into the cloud at the top may be Castor and Pollux – Gemini?

Best I can offer for the above two is Hydra on the left edge?

It looks like Cassiopeia – the cluster towards top left by the cloud? and that bottom light is starlike but badly out of focus.

Orions belt centre and Aldebaran upper right?

is it possible these stars to centre and left are andromeda?

The sunset which made me look skywards to start with, had some isolated whispery shower clouds.

For the proper stargazers – All images taken in northern england at 19:25 in the evening on 7th March 2023 – you can tell I am no astronomer.

Tags nature, sunset

natural world

Intermission 23f – Snow

I spoke too soon regarding the end of winter. Of course it snows into June in the British Isles if it wants to.

A light covering still gives that idyllic feel that snow offers

The snow is melting as quickly as it snows

Late snow still offers both the memory of winter while the flowers wait the return of warmer temperatures ?

It will probably be 20 degrees in a couple of weeks such is our island weather.

And all this feeds our preoccupation with the sky. What next I wonder.

Tags nature, weather

life natural world

Intermission 23e

This Winter was wet and is now dry – it has been sometimes cold but the overwhelming feeling is it is another mild winter – famous last words, as Spring is not yet with us and it can still snow and freeze well into April………

Frost & Flowering