French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: August 2017

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.

Tuesday, 29 August 2017

French Cavalry c.1792 FIELD DAY

My original collection comprised six squadrons of cavalry, with a modest total of 36 troopers. With my adoption of a 1:25 ratio, and linked to typical field returns, the corps of cavalry has been increased and also revamped. Here are photos of some of the units now ready for active service, with guidons having been issued. Those in green/yellow are the 4th Chasseurs, the green/pink belong to the 7th Chasseurs. Next is the 5th Dragoon Regiment. Those in grey/red belong to the 3rd Hussars, those in blue/red belong to the 4th Hussars. The unit with mirliton hats and green/pink coats are the Moselle Legion Hussars (aka Kellermann's). Most of the above are Dixon Miniatures, but the Moselle hussars are my own on Hinchcliffe horses.
MGB

Sunday, 6 August 2017

News from the French Camp, cavalry guidons and standards have arrived

Decided to paint up a batch of French cavalry guidons for the 1792-6 period. Eight are now pretty well complete, and a flag was also issued to a light battalion. Surviving examples indicate a basic design for the various cavalry arms but these were then ornamented in a regimental or idiosyncratic manner.
MGB