French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: Batavian troops

Wargame Rules, Ratios, etc

RAISING MINIATURE ARMIES FOR THE LATE 18TH CENTURY

I am very keen to keep my wargame rules as simple as possible, yet capture the character of the 1790s. Morale dominates the games as the opposing sides are very different. Most of the French troops are 'levee' battalions, which I have chosen to base in column as their ability to change formation on a battlefield must have been limited, nor do I believe their volley fire had any great value. Of better quality, able to change formation, will be white-coated regular and blue-coated volunteer battalions, aided by a fair number of skirmishers. The British, Austrian, Dutch and German armies are often outnumbered, but they maintain the discipline and order of typical 18th century armed forces. Interestingly, French revolutionary cavalry have little in common with their later Napoleonic counterparts, the former are few in number, often poorly mounted, and no match for those in the service of the Allies. All figures are 28mm in scale, using a 1=25 ratio.

Showing posts with label Batavian troops. Show all posts

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

The Old Royal Army have a field day c.1792

Having risked an entire battalion with paint remover, I'm pleased to report that the 8th Regiment has now received their new uniforms, colours and weaponry. Thought it was time to muster the five Line battalions, one grenadier battalion, and some depot companies of another regiment. In all, 140 whitecoats mustered for the inspection. Also attending were the infantry of the Batave Legion, and colours were duly presented.
MGB

Sunday, 26 February 2017

Clearing spare figures, waggons etc

This model is a combination of a British Napoleonic waggon with French limber horses, and a converted AWI figure. It has been painted up as a civilian owned waggon which could be used in either AWI games or for the Dutch transport secured by the British Army for service in the Low Countries during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Some spare AWI Grenadiers have been painted up belonging to the 40th Foot, with their distinctive white bearskins (assuming the skin was actually from a polar bear, I know the French crested their tarleton helmets with sheep's wool).

Here are a few Rebel Americans serving in George Washington's Commander in Chief's Guards. Might have to consider an officer's tent to go with these figures. Have also converted one casting into a clergyman.

And a few more of my own castings, this time belonging to the Batavian Legion or Corps d' Infantries legere de Bataves. Raised in 1792 and adopting a black uniform faced with sky blue. These are Dutch republicans fighting on the French side.

MGB

Sunday, 8 November 2015

Battle of Callantsoog, 1799 (Diorama)

Follower of this blog, Adrian-Lloyd Pickrell, an acknowledged cartoonist, very kindly forwarded some photos taken during a recent visit to a museum in North Holland. The photos show a diorama of the successful British landing at Callantsoog in 1799, which was initially opposed by Batavian troops, allies of the French republic. I think this amphibious action makes a very interesting wargame and it is my hope to refight it in the near future. Also included here is an attractive print showing Dutch troops in this action. Thank you CB for allowing us to view them. MGB