Saturday 26/06/09. Wargame Scenario Prusian left flank "Battle of Worth"

No 1. As the early morning sun ascents into the skies above, the Wurtembergers are about to step off to confront the French at the "Battle of Worth" or the "Battle of Froeschwiller". The battle took place on the 6th August 1870. The French were under the command of Marshal MacMahon, the Prussians under the command of H.R.H the Crown Prince of Prussia. The main protagonists on the day, were the Bavarians, Wurtembergers, Hesse, Nassu and Saxe-Weimers.
There was no actual plan for the battle, the Prussians just happened to collide with the French, while the French were taken by surprise. A some what typical type of battle in the early stages of the Franco-Prussian War.
For this game I featured the attack of the Wurtembergers and a brigade of Bavarians around the town of 'Worth'.
"Command Pique" were the rules used on the day of the game.
On conclusion of the game we discussed the strength and weakness of the rules. One main critisisum was the slow movment of the units, put down, that there were not enough monvement cards in the packs. The answer may lay in the fact, that we did not use these card effectively. Another comment by a player, was that the rules did not provide the player with a chance to manuvar. This I doubt, because the players who had the cavalry were able to move their units around the flanks. Another comment was, "The cards run the game" yes they do, but this is to give the "Fog Of War". For gamers who enjoy the sequence, "you move I move" then "Pique" is not for them.
These rules provide the author with the ablity to think and not be able to counter an opponants moves as in "you move I move". Remember, Generals today have a great deal of technology on hand to assist them in achieving their goal, where as in the periods that the majority of use play, generals did not have such technology and had to rely on their natural skills. I feel that to game these rules one must take time to understand them.



No2. This brigade of Dragoons were on the left supporting the Wurtmbergers. As the progressed this brigade came to blows with 2 French Cuirassier Regiments. They ended the day loosing the Melee and fleeing the battle field. The figures represented the 1st Lieb regiment, 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Baden Dragoons. In the actual battle it was the Wurtemberger Dragoons in this position.



No3. The Baden Lieb Dragoons coming to grips with a regiment of Cuirassier. Both were crack units. The Daroons ended up loosing the melee and fleeing the battle field.






No 4 Two photos showing the brigade of Bavarians in position, waiting for the order to move off. The brigade commander is Major General Dietl.



No5 The same Bavarian Brigade moving up onto the ridge. The Brigade came under heavy French fire from the famous "Chassepot" rifle. Along with the "Mitrailleuse" the was greatly respected by the Prussians. To the extend, that the Prussians would often target the "Mitrailleuse" batteries with their artillery.


No6 The same dragoon Regiments as featured above. The figures in the left hand corner of photo represent Major General von la Roche-Starkenfels, commander of the brigade, with two dragoons as escourt. Reading from left to right are the 1st Life Dragoon Regiment (Leib Dragoon Regiment) Red Facings, 2nd Dragoon Regiment (Margrave Maximillian) Yellow Facings and 3rd Dragoon Regiment (Prince Charles) Black Facings.
If Iam putting on a scenario, I always get a sense of satisfaction in researching the battle, regiments and Generals, plus the historical background of the actual battle itself.



No7 French line infantry, ready to receive a charge from the Bavarians. After a number of hard fought melees, the Bavarians were routed and the French testing their morale, falling back, lucky not to run off the battle field.


No8 View of the French on the ridge.




No9 Two Battalions of Wurtembergers moving up. This Brigade finished up the Neiderwald.







No10 Three photos, Looking along the main road of 'Worth'. Baden troops waiting for the drums to beat the advance.




No11 Scott placing his French units on the ridge. The top photo shows the final set up of the French.


No12 These French units faced off with the Bavarians.



No13 The town of 'Worth' before it experiances the noise of battle. Little did the town know that it would give it's name to a battle.

Preparation for Franco-Prussian war scenario "Battle of Worth"

Hi! everyone, it's been a long time since I have put fingers to the key board. My time as been spent painting Franco-Prussian War Foundry figures and preparing the terraine for the up and coming scenario, the Prussian left flank attack against the the French position on a ridge out side the town of Worth. I have not included the river that actually runs through Woth, as I have yet to see if I have enough river segments to run the full length of the table. If I dont, I shall not worry, as it did not seem to impead the Prussian attack.
The game will take place this coming Saturday, 27/06/09. I will give a brief outline of the actual battle on the weekend, so stay "tuned". The 2 photos represent the town of Worth, I have placed a factory on the outskirts of the Town, just to give an Industrial effect. The Model is a office and engine shed model kit, the chiminy stack is an off cut of PVC Piping (those off cuts, do come in handy). The Town itself was in the centre of the Prussian Line. Note the Prussian Gun Limber, passing though the Town. The model is from the Foundry Figures Franco-Prussian War Range. This company produce figures of a very high quality.

A little way down the road is a farm house with a smal wood along side. I bought the Farm House from BattleLine Scenic. The Rep is based at the Class House Mountains here in Queensland and Yes! He does have a "Web Sight".




Two shoots of Niederwald. this Forest was occupied by French Chasseurs at the sart of the battle, but they were pushed out by the Prussians. Niederwald was on the extreme left flank of the Prussian line and on the right flank of the French.

A view of the ridge looking from the road. The French actually took up postion on this ridge

Another view of the Town. "Command Pique" will be the Rule set that we will be using on the day. To save time, my friends have asked me to roll up each armies characteristics
I shall bring this brief narrative to a close so until the the next chapter, heres to Freindly Gaming.

2nd group of photographs - captions to be edited

insert comment here



insert comment here



insert comment herer



insert comment here



insert comment ehre

Layout of Trench system and Japanese Figures (Russo-Japanese War)

Long time since I last published somethink on my Blog, I thought I would post up some photos of the trench system I construted ealier this year along with the "Old Glory, Boxer Range Figures" that I told you about a couple of months ago. The first photo is taken looking along the trench.



This is the back of the same trench, taken from behind the command post. The materials I used were, cardborad and clay for the banks. Sand and cat litter, giving the rough effect to the banks. Lollypop sticks were used for the roof of the command post and for the decking. The sacks are from "Green stuff" from "Wargames Workshop". I have yet to add more features, like barbed wire, boxes representing ammunition etc. In the third photo are "Old Glory Figures" painted to represent Japanese Infantry in the "Russo-Japanese War" of 1904>05. I have painted them in their blue summer uniform, in the back ground is a squadron of Japanese cavalry. I've yet to paint more figures, which are on my paint table, all undercoated and ready for the paintbrush. I rather like these figures for their animation. The flags I made myself.
This Conflict saw extensive use of deep trenchworks, artillery, barbed wire and machineguns. The observers from other Nations didn't seem to learn any lessons.
So, I'm slowly preparing for the time when I can field both sides in order to game this period.

Medieval Scenics

It has been some time since I have posted anythink, so I thought I will display a few photos of my Medieval figures. as I said at the very beginning this is one of the periods I enjoy gaming. The photos represent a small village at the edge of a Desert. I was going to use this village as a back drop to a future Crusade game, using the suppliment "El Cid" from War Hammer Historical but I have changed my mind and set up a small village, somewhere in Europe in its place. I will post the new layout before the actual game, which may be in 3 weeks time.
The figures are from Mirliton Miniatures which is an Italian company, who produce some very fine miniatures. As you can see, these figures are from their "Diaroma" sets, this group is the the "Black Smith" shop. The Building is from "Conflex".




A Knight taking the blessing from the Town's Priest, before setting off to seek his fortune. His travaling companions are watching the "Smithy" hard at work. Figures by "Crusade" miniatures.




The water fall near the Village. Scratched build by me.



Top view of the "Smithy". Top Left hand corner is a knight waiting for his horse to be shod. If you can use your imagination, you can almost picture him tapping his toes of one of his feet, inpatient to set off with travaling companions.




The actual village on the edge of the Desert. Note: the two European buildings, lending a stark contrast to the Eastern buildings.










Three photos of the same village. The two fields by the river, are that of an Orchard and Olive Grove. Remember there are some fertile ares in the East.
Along with the Historical aspects of this period, these miniatures lend a realistic feel to any Wargame table.
Coming soon! photos of the Suden game, that I and a group of friends played at Scot's house on Sunday 22/02/09 and what an enjoyable day it was, Thanks Scot! Until then "Happy Gaming".

British "Colonial" Cavalry, Painted by Mark Temple

Battle "Mill springs", Played Sunday 4th Jan 2009

Before I commence, I wish to applogise to kevin , I spelt his surname incorrectly, it should read Jowett and not Jewet, sorry Kevin.
Today Russ and I played the battle of "Mill Springs". We did not finish the game because Russ had car problems. However, like a good opponant, he still arrived. As I said, we did not finish but we still made enough moves to work out the finer details of the rules "Command Piquet" by Brent Oman. The more I play "Piquet" the more a like them. As I have said before, one plays the oppornant and not the Rules. Yes realise they will not be everone's "cup of tea".
One thing Russ and I have learned and that is "Don't get caught on roads", with these rules, as these rules don't give you extra road movement. That's if Russ and I played this movement correctly. If any one can enlighten us on this plaese let me know.
I have but together a slide show on the battle. The slide shows the Confederates marching down the road, Union forces moving into battle and slide 20 an actual melee, showing a Union regiment firing on and forcing back a Confederate regiment. Side no one shows a Union gun limber jumbing a "snake" fence, please allow for this as somehow the fence did not move or maybe the Union army forgot to wake up their Sappers. Slide 21 shows what I use for makers (Lone Figue on single base) to signify that a Unit as suffered the loss of Integrity Points. Before I close, somehow that shack had to get into the frame (14th slide).
Thanks Russ, I know we did not finish the game but as always I enjoyed the day, especial working out the finer details, thanks.

Completed Tarrain for Battle Mill Springs. An A.C.W. Senario

I have done very little gaming over the last 4 months but I have been busy preparing the terrain for the up and coming A.C.W. Game. Now all I have to do is fix the date and time with my co-gamers to play the scenario. The Rules on the day will be "Command Piquet" by Brent Oman. The army lists have been drawn up now all that remains is for the players to roll up there army characteristics.

Now that all the work is completed I thought it would be a good idea to explain a little about the terrain. The first two photos features one of the Farm houses, well a "shack" really, that I'm using as a building, the trees are hand made (By the way, the buildings featured are from Battleline Scenics, the Queensland Rep. is Kevin Jewit. You can access his sight on the Internet). The second is a shot of the second Farmhouse. Then comes the Stream that represents "Mill Springs". It is this stream ,that the Confederates crossed on the day of the Battle. The final photo is the overall view of the battle field (The Table is 12'x6'). The bottom right hand corner of the table are fields the the Union troops marh across. I hope you enjoy viewing the Photographs as much as I have enjoyed preparing the Terrain. I shall post more photos of the battle along with more scenery in the future. Happy and Safe New Year to you all.