The long absence in this blog becomes evident by showing you this pictures of our annual summer battle last weekend; the last weeks were full of hasty preparations. First, we extended the tabletop format to 4m x 2,50m which means also to build a solid static foundation for the table, shearing and painting the fur, checking all the bases of the miniatures, if suitable for the convocation of the General for his next warfare...
The scenario is located in Western Pomerania, late summer, and a battle between the Russian invaders and the Prussian defenders protecting the Eastern flank of Brandenburg. The village is kept by the Prussian Corps, consisting of 7 infantry regiments, 4 artillery pieces and 3 heavy, 3 light cavalry squadrons and a Jaeger Corps - in total 700 men. The Russians had 6 infantry regiments, 1 heavy, 6 light cavalry squadrons and marauding Cossaks.
We used the "Black Powder" rulebook, but modified it a little bit.
The Russians opened the fire and moved attacks on both wings: on the left, the cavalry circumvent the forest attacking the open right flank of the Prussians; on the right, the Cossaks advanced through high grass to the village, accompanied by the Leibdragoons cavalry.
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The opening |
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The Prussian Generals: Anselm and Matthias - very seriously discussing the situation... |
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The Russian Generals: Peter and Levent - so extremely confident... |
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The Charkow Hussars on the right wing in gallop.. |
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... and stopping in secure distance to the Prussian Gardes du Corps Cuirassiers.... |
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The Gardes du Corps (good old Prince August moulds..) expecting the Russian attack.... |
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The Prussian center going into charge formation |
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and the Russian battery, flanked by the Tver Dragoons , expecting the Prussian cavalry attack in the center... |
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same scene, from above |
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What an amazing look, this Prussian yellow hussars, the "Canaries"! It was the first wave... |
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..and this is the second wave: the green hussars "Von Kleist"... In the background: the third wave, 8th and 12th Cuirassiers... |
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and the melee with the Novgorod infantry regiment.... |
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Prussian General encouraging his troops... |
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"An die Geschütze, Jungs!!!" |
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Bloody fights in the center with heavy losses on both sides |
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Prussian reserve advancing |
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The center fights, seen from the Prussian side.. |
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Russian artillery |
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Tver Dragoons did not retire against Prussian 12th Cuirassiers "von Kyau" |
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On the right side, the Russian regiments Piterbourg and Perm begun their attack of the village.. |
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same scene, panoramic view (and modified background) |
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The Prussian defenders awaiting this attack, well prepared... |
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The Russians advance and advance.... |
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... and got heavy casualties - they are "shaken" |
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This is the moment of the Russian Leibdragoons for a counterattack!! |
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The left wing is defended by a Prussian Grenadier regiment |
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Cossacks and Leibdragoons charge! |
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The following minutes will be terrible..... |
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Cossack detail |
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Leibdragoons detail |
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The howling Cossacks in charge |
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But the Prussians sent their Jaegers in the field, followed by the brown hussars |
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Charge in gallop |
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The Prussians will eliminate the Cossacks with 3 dices.... |
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Who was able to flee, did it... |
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I took so long time for painting them - and they died in 10 minutes.... |
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But the left wing remains in Prussian hands.... |
Finally, we got a heavy storm and had to leave the garden, packaging all miniatures in their boxes - and the end of this battle day, both sides complained a lot of casualties, but no winner....
Next campaign will be more successful!°
Magnificent!
ReplyDeleteThere must have been a player with very long arms to reach the middle!
I am sorry to hear how it ended but there are also battles in history that were ended by a storm. Next time!
Thanks, Ross! Indeed, the central area was quite difficult to operate, but we needed more depth for maneuvers on the tabletop. The following rainstorm opened long discussions, who had won if.... haha!
Delete_Peter
Wow! That is an epic layout and battle. Stunning figures and terrain. Playing outdoors in the sun? I have never tried that but it looks great and your photos are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSo appreciated, Jonathan! Playing in afternoon sunshine gives a more realistic touch to the game - that was the reason for moving all terrain and figures into the garden..
Delete_Peter
Beautiful, wargame at its best. I especially appreciated the long hairs of one of the Prussian generals..:) And never forget, even Solferino (1859) ended because a rainstorm..
ReplyDeleteHaha, Fabrizio, this is my nephew from US! He could also pass as a Marlburian General, just giving him a white skirt and a large hat with feather...
DeleteThank you for your words, I am so glad about that!
_Peter
What a magnificent wargames table and beautiful painted figures !
ReplyDeleteSo glad to get your comment, thank you so much!
DeleteI'm very envious of your lovely terrain and troops, sir. A visual treat indeed. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete-- Jeff
Oh Jeff, you are one of the most experienced wargamers I follow - to hear such from your side is a great honor!
Delete_Peter
What a delight - super layout and game, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you, Allan, I highly appreciate your words!
Delete_Peter
Awesome photos and a truly amazing wargame table. Regards from the far south. Carlos www.juegosdehistoria.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSo nice to get this greetings from the far south - great blog you have, I put it on my to-follow-list!
ReplyDelete_Peter
Comme d'habitude, des images splendides et un sens du détail toujours étonnant...bravo pour ce moment de rêve!
ReplyDeleteLa bataille n´était pas si stratégique comme chez vous, mais l´échelle ne le permit pas ainsi. Merci à toi!
DeletePeter
Absolutely wondeful Peter. Your best yet. Thanks so much for showing us, it was worth the wait! Yes indeed photos of miniatures outside do have a brilliance that is hard to match indoors. Sorry you didn't get the proper conclusion every game deserves.
ReplyDeleteChris
http://notjustoldschool.blogspot.co.uk/
That does´t matter - the evening with beer and wine gave a dense end to the battle! Thank you for your kind words!
DeletePeter
Beautiful set up and figures; some of the photographs look as if they are taken from real life! Most impressive. It reminds me of a superb diorama of the battle of Leipzig that a friend showed me photographs of a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
David.
I heard from that diorama - its a must to see next time! Thank you, David, so nice to read your comment!
DeletePeter
Very impressive and wonderful pictures. - wow !!!!
ReplyDeleteNice citation of this post to be found here, thanks to Tango01:
ReplyDeletehttp://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=352615