Austrian Hussars 3rd Regiment 20mm/1/72 scale. The dark blue and ash grey shakos look more interesting than the usual red/green/light blue combinations. Courtesy of Francesco M from Holland. Nicely crafted figures though quite fragile. Less keen on the figure with raised sword as he looks at odds with the other more tranquil figures. I have never seen better painted figures than the ones he produces. My painting attempt (pictured here) looks very amateur when compared to his professional work.

Russian steppe 1812

The scenario here was that the Russians had to take the village and take control of the road by move 16. The French were already occupying the village with one brigade of infantry with a cavalry brigade in support. The problem for the Russians was that their best infantry (Guard) and heavy cavalry were the wrong side of the river. As it turned out the Russians launched their attack with Dragoons and Hussars/Cossacks in the centre and threw one brigade of infantry at the village....with no support from the Cuirassiers or Guard infantry. By the time they did arrive it was all too late.

French and Russian deployment:

Russian Guard and Dragoons:

French cavalry waiting for their moment.

Russian Loubny Hussars with Cossacks in support:

Russian foot battery.

French cavalry just prior to launching their attack against the Russian hussars seen in the distance who had already been severely weakened during their approach by artillery fire.

The battle for the village. French numbers were simply too strong.

An excellent game at the weekend. Better and simpler scenario. Prussian victory though the French did the best they could. The French cavalry flanking moves worked well, but without horse artillery support ended up being toothless.

Prussian advance.

 French move to cross the river:

 French Dragoons begin their flanking move...

Prussian cavalry support the attack in the centre...

 The 1st and 10th French Hussars supported by line lancers and eclaireurs begin their flanking move on the right...

 Poles move to cross the river....

 Prussian landwehr brigade...with horse artillery support.

 French light cavalry brigade...

 Prussians in the centre....

Starsfeld 1813

I ought to point out that had I thought properly about the scenario, then this fictional battle would have been better for those you took part. As it was the French cavalry were too strong and the Russians did not arrive in time. Enjoy the pictures.

The Prussian advance with Poles previously hidden behind the ridge.

The latest scenery for the Battle of Starsfeld 1813. To be played on a 12 x 12 table in Berkshire, UK.

Worth pointing out some notes on the terrain. The teddy bear fur was bought from a company in Birmingham, then spray painted with emulsion pale green/yellow/brown/white to create the right effect. 80% of the fur needs to be trimmed off before you start.

Roads, trees, river, bridges, hedges, graveyard are all from Keith Warren in Dover, UK. Farmhouse in the distance and the church are both Faller products.
The remaining buildings, including the windmill, are from those nice chaps in Germany who are responsible for arguably the best napoleonic display ever seen...Croebern 1813.

So it is possible to create decent terrain on which to place your figures. However you will be left with a very large hole in your wallet.

This weekend it is Prussians and Russians vs French, Poles and Saxons.
80% of the figures will be metal. Mainly Newline for the infantry and Art Miniaturen for the cavalry, artillery and command.

Watch this space....will be fun.

Russian Guard Hussars circa 1813. Art Miniaturen 20mm. The variation in poses are excellent. It is worth mentioning the terrain. No game is complete without decent, realistic terrain. Keith Warren at Realistic Modelling services in Dover in the UK does a range of products and his trees are some of the best available. One of his trees can just be seen in the top right hand corner of this photo. (as compared to the usual and rather uninspiring tree on the other side)

No battlefield would be complete without some Polish Lancers. These are from Art Miniaturen in 20mm with Rofur flags/pennants.