COMMAND STANDS DONE!

Danish Commanders: from the NYPL Vinkhuijzen Collecton.

After several extended delays, I have finally completed the last stage of "Phase 1" of my Chocolate Box Wars project: the command stands. With these complete, I'll be able to start playtesting! First, a disclaimer. The substance of this post may cause the purist to cringe at points--and it is a bit of a departure from my own normal tendencies. However, I'm finding myself loosening up a bit in my dotage in the interest of recreation. As always, Clix Pix for BIG PIX.

Flags with magnetic bases to put on command stands to represent different armies.Prussian flag is from GMB. All others are from the Warflag site.

These command stands are intended to be generic to some extent, and able to be used with multiple armies if need be. The reason for this is, in part, due to the gaps in figure lines for the 19th century continental armies as well as the challenge of figure matching (I wanted the command figures to fit in with the rest). Having said that, my first two armies are Danes and Prussians, so I based the look of these commanders on these two forces (with some license).

I used the image of Moltke and Bismarck (above left) as the inspiration for my Germanic command stand. For the Danes, I went with a look that was inspired by the image of the Danish general in 1848 (upper right). This look, however, is one that persisted throughout the century and could be found in multiple armies--a rather plain peaked cap topped by a tuft of feathers (in various colors) and a long jacket, often in blue. Thus, the Danish-inspired stand would serve particularly well across the era.

For figures, I went with the Great War Crimean War set of Baron Osten Sacken and Staff for my Germanics (below left). The visored cap is a bit too big for a feldmutze, and the uniform coats aren't quite right, but they render a reasonable look. Although Foundry do make Prussian command figures, they are just a bit too small for my likes compared to the rest of my figs, so I went with this alternative.  For the Danes, I went with the Perry Carlist War range Isabelino Foreign Commanders (lower right).

I modified the Perry Carlist War figures by shaving down the ornaments on the hats and adding a feather tuft out of green stuff to the two figures that were wearing them:

Perry Carlist War Commanders with green stuff feather tufts added.

                                                               The Results

THE GERMANICS (PRUSSIANS) 

The Command Stand: A courier stands by after delivering a dispatch. The adjutant informs the general of the news, holding the dispatch in his right hand. These Great War command figures were just too excellent to not use. I included two 10mm dice frames to the command stands to facilitate information tracking (depending on the game system). The magnetic flags sit on a 1/2" metal square, painted green (visible on the opposite side from the dice frame).  I made these using metal wargame bases (snipped to size).

Command stands are 3" octagons.  These stand out nicely from unit stands and nest in storage, as opposed to circles, which take up extra space.

The courier is in the uniform of the Prussian Guard Uhlans. I shaved down the ornaments on his czapka to clean up the lines and make it more generic.

10mm dice and flag added. 

 

The Chief of Staff (below): In the Chocolate Box Wars system, each side will have the option of adding a chief of staff figure. The below is from the Helion 1864 Prussian range (now unavailable).  I acquired this and a few others from the remainders of the Helion line that were on hand at Caliver Books:

Chiefs of Staff are on 2" octagons. The exact shape isn't important--I like to use forms that are distinct from the rectangular unit stands.

 Mitt Dice

THE DANE(ISH):

The Dane-inspired Command Stand: A staff officer arrives to make his report.

The full treatment: dice and flag.

 The Chief of Staff:

I'm happy with how the feather tufts came out on these figures. 

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for following along!

MID WEEK EYE CANDY: BLUCHER (5TH) HUSSARS, CIRCA !860-70

These are from the Foundry 28mm Franco Prussian War line, FP44 and FP45, Prussian Hussar Command and Hussar.   Although the Foundry figures are on the small side compared to other more recent lines, I found that these particular figures painted "big"--meaning that once done, they come across larger than their actual dimensions (if that makes sense).

When painting figures with complex uniforms, I often look for examples on the internet of how others have painted them to inform my approach.  In this case, I found very few examples of these figures.  Thus, I thought I'd offer a study of my own production to add to the collective consciousness.  

Having a Prussian Napoleonic army, I was partial to the idea of doing the Blucher Hussars for the FPW, their namesake providing a nice bridge between the eras.  Another thing that caused me to do this particular unit was that their uniforms weren't just "red" but described as "crab red"--a distinctive color that has been variously represented as bordering on brown.  To get a unique dark red, I used Testor's Model Master British Crimson as a base (yes, I still paint with enamels--Humbrol being a mainstay along with Testor's Model Master line).   

I was also very concerned about getting the lace on the attilas to stand out, a signature look of the post-napoleonic hussar rig. The white lace against the dark red jacket worked well in that regard.  Getting the officer's silver distinctions to stand out was more of a challenge, especially on the silver-red cross belt.  Rather than silver, I used steel for the officer's distinctions (on top of black for the jacket lace and shoulder loops), and then I brushed them over with silver to add shine.  I hope these images are of some use to some other painter.

WING SCALE NAPOLEONICS AT MARK'S

 

My friend Mark found himself with some time on his hands and the house to himself, so he put up a Peninsular battle in his man-cave and invited me over. This was a wing scale game of Napoleonics, with each stand representing a half battalion or squadron, with allowances for companies and other smaller level units. This system grew out of  the Volley and Bayonet wing scale variant. Mark came up with the brilliant idea of giving flank companies a special role for his V&B wing scale War of 1812 games. This set our group on fire, and we have been working on migrating the system to the Napoleonic Wars. Charlie created a higher level system, Napoleon's Rules of War, that the group uses for for large battles. I have been working at fleshing out the system at the original wing-level, where each player commands a brigade or maybe a division. Mark has been an important collaborator in all of this. This weekend, we took the latest version of the wing-level system out for a spin. Although General Dice did intervene (Mark had a terrible run of dice), the game system held up under every odd circumstance that came up. I think we've arrived at a workable set of rules--not a simplistic set, but not overly complicated. I encourage you to visit Mark's blog for an account of the day. Here is my own run down...Clix Pix for BIG PIX

 

Mark setting up the French Division

I took the part of the British, with a mixed division of British, Highlanders, Brunswickers, and a monster Swiss battalion. Mark assumed command of the French division, with a strong component of his beloved Poles in the mix. We set up the terrain and diced for table edges. There was a crossroads in the middle, with a small built up area that would be the pivot of much fighting, some scrub/rough ground near mid table on the British left/French right center, and a few hills.

Lords of the Scrub, the 90th Lights

The French went first and headed for the town, occupying it first with some advance skirmish companies. The Poles, on the French right, advanced boldly on the other side of the scrub, making for a strong turning force against the British left. On the French left, the Westphalians and a battery of artillery held at first and cannonaded against the British right, eventually advancing and overcoming the Brunswick rifle company that had been holding things up over there.The British quickly moved to the center and managed to expel the French detachments from the town on the first attempt (fortunate). The environs of the town would be the scene of much action, but it would remain in British hands.
 

French advancing in the center. 

On the British left, the 90th Light Infantry would control the scrub/rough ground, which cramped the operations of the Poles. The Brunswick hussars and horse artillery battery on the British left went in against the advancing Poles and were able to roll them back before running out of steam themselves and having to fall back and consolidate. On the right, the Westphalians overwhelmed the Brunswick rifle company and were on the move, but the British countered with the 42nd Highlanders, who deployed to secure the British right along with a squadron of light dragoons.  In the center, the Swiss, supported by the Brunswickers and a British battalion, launched an assault that took out a French foot battery and pushed a battalion back in the center, threatening to break through. Mark brought up his last reserve, a squadron of French dragoons, and launched a charge that turned back the threat.

View from behind the 100th Foot overlooking the fighting in the center.

At that point, both sides had been fighting for two solid hours, game time, and had reached the point where neither would be able to force the other off of their position. With both sides consolidating, night fell and both claimed victory.

The 42nd keeping an eye on the Westphalians.

Mark was gracious enough to concede a marginal victory to me in his blog, but I must say that when we parted, we were in agreement that it was a solid draw. Regardless, it was great fun. Here are some narratives of a few decisive actions during the game. Enjoy!

THE STORY OF THE BRITISH LEFT: BRUNSWICKERS V POLES

The Poles advance under the watchful eye of their General...

The 90th Lights trying to influence the action.

The Brunswick Hussars receive receive their orders

A telling maneuver...

The Poles in crisis! But one squadron of Brunswickers fails morale...

A miracle: the Brunswickers Turned back. Situation stabilized!

THE STORY OF THE CENTER: THE TOWN AND LAST STAND OF THE 89th

The French seize the town.

The British Counterattack and take the town.

High-intensity fighting in the center. The 89th charges to take pressure off of the town and break up one of the last assaults.

Last Stand of the 89th. 

THE STORY OF THE CENTER: THE SWISS AND THE BREAKTHROUGH THAT WASN'T

The Swiss attack begins, taking out a half battery and throwing back a French battalion counterattack. The Brunswickers get moving in support after recovering from cannon fire. 

The last of the French Artillery in the center is wiped out and the Swiss have broken through! The British Foot and Brunswickers move up to finish it off...

The Poles hold fast and the French Dragoons arrive to spoil the party...

The Swiss have had enough.  The British gunners are in place to support the town, and both sides start consolidating.