Napoleonic limbers

Games without the use of artillery limbers are often felt to be missing something. Hence the introduction of limbers in the near future. However, painting numerous horses takes patience. It will also help to represent the depth of the average battery once deployed.

Below are the Prussian limbers, each with its own movement tray. The rope (malleable wire) provided by Art Miniaturen looks much more realistic than the more brittle and fixed length pieces provided by Franznap for the French artillery. These ropes pictured, each had to be cut into the correct length and glued into position after the limber and horses were finished and based. Very fiddly but overall I am pleased with the outcome.

I appreciate that Prussian batteries had eight guns and each limber had six horses but I am keen to make it easier for war gamers to distinguish between their foot and horse batteries, so four horses seems enough for the horse teams. Bearing in mind the horse artillery is represented by 2 model guns, these smaller limbers sit nicely just behind, occupying the same width.

Russian and Austrian limbers are in the process of being painted but will take a while. I may well end up using the Prussian riders (painted green) to fill in for the Russian riders as Art M do not at present provide any Russian limber riders. Just not too sure about the covered shako for the Russians.

20mm Napoleonic game

This time the sides were more or less even. French vs Prussians. Three infantry Divisions each (of 2 brigades each) and two Cavalry Divisions each (2 brigades each) So approx 36 battalions and 8 regiments of cavalry. 4 foot batteries and 2 HA batteries.

22 x 6 foot table. The Prussian Guard would deploy from this
 end and take too long to make contact with the enemy. 

French forces. The four cavalry brigades, with HA support, can
clearly be seen in the foreground. 

Ditto for the Prussian forces.

lost of space in the old barn.

The objective was simply to defeat the enemy. Both commanders could deploy 1 infantry Div and 1 cavalry Div where ever they liked. The remainder of each army would deploy by dice. The umpire was vital.

To cut a long story short, both commanders decided to deploy their initial troops bang opposite each other. With 22 feet of side table to choose from, they ended up choosing the same area of the table. The French lacked close cavalry support, which meant the superior French Guard would have a torrid time advancing and never succeeded in taking the village they were supposed to take. The Prussian Guard meanwhile would deploy on the western flank and would take too long to get to where the action was really happening.

This French cavalry division might have been of more use on the right flank
instead of being placed in the centre.

French infantry ready to launch an attack in the centre. These two brigades
 failed to advance when it was most needed and vital time was lost.

French right flank. Once the French dragoons had been routed
the French Guard infantry were effectively pinned down by Prussian
cavalry and HA. Too risky to come out of square and move forward. 

Prussian infantry can be seen in the distance defending the central hill.

Note the right hand French Guard regiment of two battalions.
Both painted by my brothers over 40 years ago. Plastic!

This French Div split in two. The right hand brigade moved east and
 took an effective part in the ensuing battle, while the other brigade,
 without any artillery or cavalry support, in the distance held
 up the Prussian Guard but ultimately were routed.

Prussian cavalry waiting to move forward. 

The French should have done better. Without the Prussian Guard to contend with the French troops had the advantage but despite taking the central hill, their right flank was persistently pinned down by superior Prussian cavalry.

It was a draw in the end, but The French commander (me) should have done better!

Napoleonic 20mm game due this weekend

French vs Prussians. Even sides. 3 Infantry Divisions (2 brigades in each) plus 4 foot batteries. (1 heavy battery) with 2 Cavalry Divisions. (2 brigades of 2 regiments per brigade)

So….less troops but a large table (22 x 6) to allow plenty of manoeuvre.

Map set out by the umpire. Figures will be predominantly Art Miniaturen and Newline.

Photos to come...