French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: April 2015

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.

Monday, 6 April 2015

Legion des Allobroges, 1792

My number of light troops continues to increase with sixteen green coated skirmishers belonging to the Allobroges Legion. This unit is known to have changed its uniform on several occasions, brown and also blue in later years. I have decided to stick with their original colour. Its establishment was set at fourteen companies of light infantry, formed into two battalions, three companies of light? dragoons, a company of artillery, and a section of foot gendarmes. Raised at Grenoble in August 1792 from Alpine folk, the recruits actually came from the Alpes, the South of France, Toulon, and possibly also the Pyrenees. The corps formed part of the Army of the Alpes. In later years the legion was broken up with the foot joining the 4th Light Demi-Brigade, the cavalry serving in the 15th Dragoons. I couldn't find anything on their flag, except a claim that they had raised the tricolour on Mont-Blanc, which I assume is propaganda. So I have used a flag which appears on a engraving of the battle of Montenesimo, 1797. With their almost entirely green uniform they may look a little drab, but the French player will no doubt find them useful. MGB

Thursday, 2 April 2015

The Kingdom of Wittenberg Blog (Fiction)

This is a departure from my usual entries but I would like to promote it here. The Kingdom of Wittenberg is a blog about a fictitious 18th century state. Inspired by the Grant and Asquith wargame books of the 1970s, the figures are 25-40mm miniatures engaging in diplomacy, warfare and cultural aspects of the Georgian age. If you too like the period, need to be inspired to paint up those lead figures, and want some entertaining reading, visit this blog. If I may, make a point to start with the very beginning and work your way to the latest entry. An occasional smile is guaranteed! MGB

tidders-kingdomofwittenberg.blogspot.co.uk