French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: July 2018

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.

Thursday, 26 July 2018

Regiment Castries is inspected by King George the Third c.1794

With the large number of French royalist refugees enlisting in emigre battalions, the Regiment Castries is now ready for service. Here we see this regiment, in their distinctive apple-green facings, being inspected by His Majesty, prior to joining the Allied army mustering to oppose the Revolutionary French. The figures are mainly home-castings with a few head-swaps.
MGB

Wednesday, 18 July 2018

Damas Legion Fusiliers, ready for service (1793)

Plans to protect the Low Countries from a French Revolutionary invasion has seen the Damas Legion successfully recruiting a battalion of fusiliers. The officers are mainly French emigres, while the recruits are from several nationalities. This battalion will now move south to the border area, the British government having agreed to finance its formation.
MGB