Showing posts with label Borodino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Borodino. Show all posts

Saturday, 7 April 2012

BRB's Away Day: La Garde!

Below you can see French reinforcements arriving, to support the faltering attack on the Fleches.  The front Brigade is of Swiss and Italians (returning from the table after a blunder), and beyond them are no less than seven battalion of Garde in their blue greatcoats, and a unit of lancers.



The above shot is of part of La Garde.   These are mostly my figures (4 bn. of Chasseurs, and one of Grenadiers a Pied), and I'll take a few shots of them later this weekend.  They came on behind the centre, but were somewhat delayed by the press of troops to their front...


And finally for today, above is a shot of my three regiments of Dragoons cantering onto the table, late in the game.  I still need to detail and base the fourth regiment and the horse artillery to finish off this Division... but they do have a certain impact...

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

BRB's Away Day: Brave Poles

Here are some shots of the attacks on my wing, led by Roger's new Poles.


Above is 75% of the mixed brigade of Roger's Poles and my Line, hurtling towards the right hand fleche.  And becoming disordered.


I discovered that in Black Powder, infantry can almost automatically form square at the drop of a hat; so my heavy cavalry were reduced to a "supporting role".  


Here the French and Poles have pushed on into the fleche...  the Polish unit at right rear, achieved wonders;  routing a Russian unit it became shaken, and was then charged simultaneously in front and flank by two fresh Russian units.  It routed, one, turned and then routed the other!   The heroes can be seen, below.  Eventually they had to reluctantly retire after their brigade was broken.


Roger (RTB) designed this range of Poles, which were sculpted by Paul Hicks.  I can testify that they are lovely minis, very compatible with Perry/Victrix.  There are some closeups on Roger's blog.  If you want to buy some, then you can reach Roger at roger.murrow@mmc2100.co.uk.

Monday, 2 April 2012

BRB's Away Day: Part Deux

In yesterday's post I showed the starting positions of the Russians, and here are the French!  Everything is clickable.


Above is a view along the French front line.  L'Empereur had 20 battalions of 36 infantry on the table (with another dozen off table!), and half a dozen cavalry regiments (with 4 in reserve) and a grande battery (14 total guns).  Indeed the force was so numerous that it was extremely challenging to fit it on the table!


A head-on shot of the French centre, shows some of the 14 battalions le Petit Caporal committed to the frontal assault on the fleches.


... and here you can see RTB's 2 battalions of Poles that later distinguished themselves (on which, more in due course!).  


Our light cavalry brigade was commanded by Lasalle, himself (gesturing with pipe).

And finally, below, le Petit Tondu himself, with General Staff; lovely painting by Roger, particularly worth a click.  That is Ney with his back to us, at the table.


Most of the French shown are Rogers, but some are Ken's (and a very few of the line, my own).  Tomorrow will follow some shots of the action!

Sunday, 1 April 2012

BigRedBat's away day

I've been away to Nottingham to play a game chez RTB, with Roger himself and Ken and Will from WD3 forum.  We played a very large Napoleonic game, very loosely based on Borodino, using Roger and Ken's extensive armies and a small contingent of my forces.  I'll post a few shots over the next few days, here are some to get started with from the initial Russian deployment.


Above is a view from behind the Russian great redoubt, which Will had made for the game, looking towards the French lines.  I think RTB painted the guns.


Here are some troops on the Russian right; the cossacks, in particular, turned out to be a real PITA.


Above is a view of the Russian left, including a battery of 12pdrs.  The Russian guns were terribly powerful, and later took a terrible toll of the attackers.


A view of the Russian left, from behind the French lines.  This was a relatively quiet wing; not much action aside from some long range firing.  I think all the Generals were too worried that they might need to read up the bizarre Black Powder rules on attacking buildings.


...and finally Kutusov, himself (seated) with the Russian General Staff.  The Russian Staff drank a good deal of imported French Pinot Noir, during the game, but sadly this isn't depicted.  It didn't seem to unduly impair their performance.  These beautiful figures were painted by Roger, over just a few days.

Tomorrow, the French!