Fitting out the 1st Hoegaarden Grenadier Rgt

 This is the first grenadier regiment. It is formed from the grenadier companies of rgts Blau and Gelb. Although grenadier regiments do not have banners, this unit has fashioned one from the streamers of one of its parent regiments.

The second grenadier regiment will not take part in the campaign. It is formed from the Rot and Roos regiments grenadiers, however rather than take the field it will form part of the garrison and as a depot unit. The 5th foot regiment of the army, regiment Grün, is newly formed and does not have a grenadier company.

I'm still struggling a bit with lots and lots of white. This time I think I am close to getting it spot on. The figs are now undercoated white, given a black ink wash and then almost dry brushed white with the cross belts picked out in ivory.

Disaster for Hoegaarden

Last nights battle was a disaster for Hoegaarden. The flower of her soldiers were cut down by the muskets and bayonets of Prussia. Her valiant soldiers tired to hold back the tide, unsupported by her allies, until barely the colour parties of her regiments remained! Grudgingly they lowered their standards and surrendered, cursing the Austrians and especially the Duke of Campari, whose soldiers tardy arrival and desultory actions had sealed the Hoegaarden men's fate.

Coalition warfare is always problematic. Contingents with different levels of training, experience, equipment and sometimes even languages. So it was that called on by her Austian allies Hoegaarden sent 3 regiments of horse, 2 foot and 1 half grenadier battalion.  Taking up position to the left of several Austrian regiments and their artillery and to the right of what should have been positions occupied by 

Campari. 

Facing them on a low hill were several regiments of prussians well supported by artillery and three regiments of horse. On Hoegaarden's right were ranged regiments of Hannoverians whilst on her left the remaining prussians sat watching the Campari contingent arrive in the distance.

The Austrians faced off gainst the Hannoverians - but were protected by a thick hedge. This screened them for the worst of the fire of their foes 

Eager to drive in their foes postions the Germans advanced. A stiff cavalry battle in the centre raged back and forth as the heavy Hoegaarden regiments held off swarms of Hussars. On the far flank, Campari's troops were entering the battle but would arrive to late to cover or reinforce the Hoegaarden men.

The battle raged and slowly the Hoegaarden casualties mounted. The cavalry almost succeeded in seeing off their foes but were flanked and wiped out.

The German allies had reached the hedge and began to fight their way through it. The crisis point of the battle had been reached and the Germans had the upper hand. At last a Campari regiment arrived, but was out manouvered by the allied cavalry and by now only 4 stands of Hoegaarden men were left. Surrounded and out numbered they had no choice but to surrender and save the further effusion of blood.

With that we halted the game. It's had been a good test of the rules for everyone and, next week, the real campaign starts!

Hoegaarden - Advance!

The Hoegaarden contingent moves off for battle against Prussia!

L to R 

Horse Grenadier Rgt, Gelb Hoegaarden, Blau Hoegaarden, Blau Grenadier Battalion, Chevaux-Léger Rgt.

General Julius van Leffe commanding.

Tonight's game will use an adaptation of the Neil Thomas Napoleonic set. AAR to follow.

Kicking off the Beer Wars....again!!

An introduction........

It is with great sadness of heart that I bring you the new of the death of the Margrave of Staropramen in what appears to have been a most misfortunate incident which polite standards of behaviour will prevent me from discussing in detail save to say that it involved a pair of bellows, a generous pat of butter and the type of hazelnut delicacy which one finds at ambassadors parties.

As you will be aware the Margrave is the last of his family, all of whom have passed in tragic circumstance, (who can forget the incident of the elephant, the tangerine and the trampoline which led to his poor wife's death). With no heir the territory is being administered by a Parliament headed by the Margrave's Chancellor, Arnold von Laine, from the palace in Pilsner.

Staropramen is a tiny state, but a wealthy one, for its fields grow the finest hops and its streams have the purest water in the region. All of its neighbours covet it's fair lands, fine folk and fat coffers! It has no army to protect it, (following alleged dalliances between the Grossegarten Corps and the Margrave's mother). Hills and rivers protect the Margraves seat and there are no other large towns.

To the north sits Prussia, a state whose elderly ruler ever seeks expansion and enlargement at the expense of those whose territory marches along the borders of his own. To the east is Austria, ready as always to interfere and manipulate the affairs of others to suit its ends. Westward is Hoegaarden, whose Archbishop covets his neighbours fields in a manner not becoming a clergyman. South is Campari - ruled by it's dissolute duke, Antoine Debauche, close friend and frequent visitor to the Margraves estates. Other states jostle with these for gain and influence and all seek to swallow up Staropramen and add it to their own. As Prussia and Austria bestir themselves and mobilise their forces to decide the succession in nearby Bavaria, it seems that they have forgotten this tiny pocket of Europe for the time being - which greedy ruler will move first to snap up the land?

******************************************************

This time there is a country to fight over - the Mark of Staropramen. A simple map of which is shown below. Its capitol, Pilsner and main town nestles behind its screen of hills and rivers. As you can also see, there are a number of routes into Staropramen and a number of roads to Pilsner. However no road goes direct and each road is intercepted by another so not only will any invader stand a good chance of being intercepted, they may swiftly find themselves cut off from their homeland.

Frozen....or Christening A Wargames Room!!

Another holiday game, this time to celebrate the opening of Andy's wargames room. Since it was cold and frosty outside I took the opportunity to run a game loosely based on Kollowrath's attack at Hohenlinden, a battle fought on a snowy December in 1800.

Using a modified version of Neil Thomas's Napoleonic rules to take into account my basing and a couple of other factors (ranges and movement and unit frontages all brought into line with one another) we took a wee while to warm up and get everyone used to the rules.

4 austrian infantry units, supported by some artillery advanced from the tree line to attack 3 french units and a battery of guns defending the approaches to the village of Hohenlinden.  The french, rather than sitting back, took the fight to the enemy and did quite well until they were flanked by fresh units of austrian grenadiers. 

The french themselves were then reinforced, by cavalry and infantry. These however failed to make an impression and before much longer, Grouchy's men were forced to acknowledge defeat in what was a close fought battle. 

We had enough time for a second game - a quick across table thrash!

This time the austrians advanced quickly but snow held them up on the right and the French guns managed a surprisingly effective barrage on the centre. 

As the austrian right began to collapse, the central attack lost momentum as it came under canister shot. On the left however they began to drive in the French. It was becoming a tight game again. 

However the snow flurries held up the austrians and prevented them from pressing any advantage and french musketry and cannon fire swept their ranks. This time the dice and the weather were with the French!

Two great games - thanks guys !