Duke of York's Army and a River Crossing Wargame

Just fought another action at the Honiton club. In this battle a British-Dutch-Emigre force, under Dan's command, took up positions using a river crossing for additional defences. Here they awaited the French horde under Olley's generalship. Dan wisely decided to hold his position, while Olley rushed headlong aware each move could see the morale of his levee troops break with every casualty. Unfortunately for the Allies, their artillery was largely battalion guns and this allowed the French to reach the riverbank. Only at this point did grapeshot and musketry cause some levee formations to break, but not sufficiently to stem the French assault. Regretably the three hour game could have used another 30 minutes to conclude the action. I would have liked to see how long the Dutch light infantry in the watermill continued to melee with the French. But all enjoyed the occasion.

Here is a few photos of the game. MGB 

Another action in the Low Countries 1793

Members of SKG3 engaged those of Honiton Wargames Club for another action set in the Low Countries in 1793. A new method for devising the game conditions proved very successful, while maintaining the features of the FRW. In this siege game the British garrison commander had to dice to determine what forces he had at his disposal, and dice again to discover the state of his defenses, such as redoubts, pickets, fortified houses etc. He was further obliged to distribute his garrison and keep them there until enemy activity would give him reason to redeploy his troops.
         The French commander was also given problems. Although he possessed a large army of demi-brigaded infantry he had to dice to discover how well provided he was with field and siege guns, and cavalry. He too had to plan his deployment and stick to it, including any barges for use on the river, and when the latter was to assault the town by water.
         Neither side was allowed to see each others deployment until some 18" away, the one exception being any redoubts (but not what they contained). The British successfully held the town (150 figs) against the French (270 figs) in what was an enjoyable but stressful game lasting nearly four hours! Well worth fighting again as there is a 95% chance of different forces mustering for the action.

Recreating the British Marine Corps of the 1790s

I thought it might prove of interest to show our full size, and miniatures recreating British Marines during the French Revolution. MGB

French Revolutionary Recruits

Several new units were completed for the wargame table during January and February. Looking forward to using them soon in a game.

The French have two more levee battalions, the Rochellois and the brown-coated Santerre. There is a company of National Guard chasseurs too. And an all important wine transporter which is a converted and repainted Ledo model, even the bowler-hat figure was given a bicorne and miliput hair and now looks period correct.

For the Allies is a small unit of Baron de Luninck's Light Infantry. Raised in 1794 originally for the Dutch and then briefly for the British, it will provide some useful skirmishers.
MGB

World Crisis in Miniature

Came across this site by chance, run by John Chadderton in Australia. He is raising French revolutionary units using those dashing Eureka Miniatures. His paintwork is pretty fine to match. Looking forward to future  articles and also his first few games. See links
MGB