Garbledrum Garrison

Fopswich Flanquer Regiment

Yupster Yeomanry

Splintered Light Miniatures

I mentioned my foray into fantasy miniatures in my last post. I have bought figures from Splintered Light Miniatures for use with the Song of Blades and Heroes skirmish rules.

The rules are fantastic and they have several modules for playing various genres, including modern combat.
These are great rules for teaching a child how to wargame...simple, but with good depth. The "traits" that can be added to the base figure stats give lots of character.

I bought one of each of the Druid's Children and the Flowering...these are anthropomorphic animals with weapons.
The figures are in various sizes based on the animals represented...12mm for a rat, to 25mm or so for a badger. They fit nice with 25mm figures.

Below are some links to the relevent web pages:
http://splinteredlightminis.blogspot.com/

http://www.ganeshagames.net/fantasy/

http://www.splinteredlightminis.com/index.html

Project Plans

Besides my Imagi-Nation, I have several other projects started or planned. I am sticking to 15mm exclusively to maximize my terrain use, and because there are great figures for all my periods of interest.

1) Imagi-Nation: 27 infantry regiments, 8 cavalry regiments, 5 batteries (plus 2 dozen extra guns), 25 odd generals and personalities. Still have another 10 infantry and 8 cavalry units to paint. This is my ever-lasting project, but I will cut the painting pace as I work some of the other projects below.

2) Fantasy Skirmish: I have bought all of the Druid's Children and Rebels for the Splintered Light range of figures. I bought one of each pose for the range. I have primed my Otters (my favorite animal), along with Hares (for my son), and the rats. I plan to start painting these in June and will make these a continuous side project. I am using the Song of Blades and Heroes rules from Ganesha Games.

3) Generic Modern Skirmish: I have about 30 more AK47 figures from Peter Pig to finish plus a pack each of Modern US Infantry and Insurgents to paint. I expect to finish all these by end of June. I will pick up the occasional item for this project, but I will consider it "mature" when I finish these last on-hand figures. I am using the "Flying Lead" rules based on the Song of Blades and Heroes rules from Ganesha Games.

4) Pirates: I have about 150 pirates, each an individual pose on hand. The new figures from Blue Moon are fantastic. This is a long range project that I think I will start next year (2011). I have a bag of 135 15mm pirates to sell...the left-overs after keeping 1 of each pose from the packs I have purchased.

5) Space Ships: I have a large batch of ships from Brigade and from GZG on hand. I have primed and based about 60 ships so far. I also have about 100 ships I purchased on e-bay already painted. This is a diversion project to work on when I hit painters-block on other figures. I also have two nice Hotz mats. I will use the Starmada rules. These will be good for some quick games and can be worked nicely into a campaign.
6) Ancients: Just bought the WAB2 book. This will become my 2nd imagi-nation project as I build an ancient army along the lines of the Tony Bath Hyborian campaign...any period and figures go!

7) Terrain: So far, all my terrain has been purchased. I will start looking at what I can build myself now that I have a full range to meet almost all my needs. I can do some nice projects with my son to produce some items for scenario games. I am always on the look-out on e-bay for items as well.
Other interests:

1) Wild West: intrigued, but I think I have enough skirmish projects to keep me busy.

2) WW II: Same as above, although I did get two packs of FOW infantry (US and German) for my son to play with. I just primed them green and grey so he can handle them roughly. The whole FOW range is very nice.

3) A Very British Civil War: intrigues me because of the "alternate" history, and the use of factions. I use my modern skirmish figures in the same manner, so I may not paint up any figures, but I think I will buy the source books.


Future Purchases: I have been in free spend mode for the year, but I plan on starting to budget myself after attending Historicon in July. $100 a month is not very restrictive, but It will make me think twice before making impulse buys on e-bay.

1) Imagi-Nation: I need 2 cavalry figures to make a regiment (I miss ordered before). Other than that, no needed purchases, so I will only pick up something that really strikes me.

2) Fantasy Skirmish: plenty on hand, but I intend to eventually buy 1 pose of each figure from Splintered Light. They have several other ranges of fantasy figures that will all work with what I have. They also have some nice historical figures.

3) Generic Modern Skirmish: nothing needed, but maybe I will expand my vehicle range. This will be as opportunities arise. My son would like a squad of "scuba divers", so I will buy some SEALs if I find them in 15mm.

4) Pirates: nothing planned, although I will look for some ships in the future. Might also make these myself as a hobby project.

5) Space Ships: nothing to buy. I do want to get some styrafoam to make planets and maybe a space station.

6) Ancients: I am researching figures, and will make my first purchases at Historicon. Have to cut into the lead mountain on some of these other projects.

7) Terrain: I plan to buy the rest of the MBA buildings when I go to Historicon, and I will pick up any targets of opportunity on other terrain there as well. I will always be looking for "battlefield effects and clutter" to make things interesting. Man-made objects, defenses, unique pieces are all most welcome.

The Battle of Krondstadt - Part 3

CHARGE!


Fire from across the bridge, from the hilltop battery, and from the reformed Guards , forced the two light cavalry regiments to pull back. They had done enough however to allow the Guard Cavalry Brigade to advance unopposed. The Guard De Korps and the Regiment de Pupiles charged into the Guards as they
attempted to cling to the bridge approach. Cutting down over half the defenders would not settle the affair as the remnants of the Guards rallied around the customs house as fire from the opposite bank again forced back the Katzian Cavalry.

Escorting prisoners to the rear.

Naval Brigade advances into the firestorm of cannister.

As the drama unfolded near the bridge, the Naval Brigade advanced on the opposite flank into the waiting line of infantry and guns. Ill served by the reformed Lancers and Hussars, the Didd line was no match for the three advancing regiments supported by guns and two regiments of cavalry. Forced into square by the threat of a cavalry charge, the 22nd Line Infantry were forced to surrender after a blast of canister from 200 paces. Meanwhile, the Marines held off a half-hearted charge by the Hussars and the Provisional Naval Battalion stormed the defending battery no longer supported by infantry or cavalry.

By this point in the battle, the Didd forces had suffered severe casualties, but had bought just enough time for the majority of the retreating troops to join the long line of baggage wagons and refugees in escaping across the bridge. MG Van Fleck's order to the field guns to not fire on the mass of humanity closing the bridge is a credit to his status as a gentleman, but reflects a lost opportunity for a total victory. Following the Guard Cavalry's charge, Van Fleck ordered a brigade to advance to bring the bridge under control. The Loyal Legion of Estranger's fired one volley into the stragglers crossing the bridge, and then all grew quiet. Lord Farqua, whohad stayed to organize the withdrawal to the bridge surrendered the remaining Didd forces south of the bridge...the only organized force being the Hussars.

After a small party was fired upon heading for the river bank, the hundred odd  survivors of the Guards, emerged from the smoldering customs house to surrender to the Legion. The prize of the day proved to be the twice wounded.

The Battle of Krondstadt and the liberation of the District of Doft had ended.

Mission Accomplished.

This was a fun battle that ended sooner than expected. I rolled dice to determain a few things up front...wether the Didd commander would bring over reinforcements but delay the escape of the trains, and if the Userper would try to escape early or fight honorably. He would, and the refugees had priority over reinforcements.

The battle at the chapel mount was VERY costly...1500 men from 5 regiments to throw out the single defending regiment. Combined with the rapid collapse of both flanks in which the defending militia were not supported by cavalry (die rolls again), made for a rapid advance.

The Katzian skirmishers were very effective against the enemy defending in line, and Van Fleck used his cavalry as a threat to keep the enemy infantry from moving forward to force the skirmishers into close combat. The sight of the retreating infantry was just too much for the Mamelukes so they surged forward and got carried away. I thought they would be roughly handled by the defending Guards, but the Guards could not get in a solid volley due to their own retreating troops. I was surprised at the Mamalukes second success as well, and the subsequent victory by the Cossacks over the Cuirassiers.

The Naval Brigade worked well with the Dragoons and Kurassier to put steady pressure on the East end of the Didd line. In hindsight, a rapid attack may have caught the tail of the baggage train, but casualties would have been much higher as the enemy had a Line battalion, two cavalry regiments, and a battery of guns protecting the road.

I thought the game was up for the Didd forces twice, when the Mamalukes almost reached the bridge and then when the Guard Cavalry Brigade defeated the last defenders. There was still about a third of the baggage train on the south side of the river. Both times, fire from the opposite bank (the two battalions that could not cross because the bridge was clogged, and the guns on the hill) caused enough casualties to force back the cavalry. It would take infantry to take the position.

The Battle of Krondstadt - Part 2

Pressing forward on the right, the light brigade put pressure on the flank of the enemy second line, while the flank guard brigade moved forward to bring the enemy under fire on the left. Disheartened by the rapid collapse of the first line, the enemy line infantry battalions began to waiver under accurate skirmish fire. Sensing that their escape route was rapidly clogging with the retreating baggage and refugees, not to mentions the fleeing remnants of the first line, several line battalions began to fall back.

The Feld-Jaeger stealthily move into the woods.

The Jannisaries occupy the hill on the right flank.

The Naval Brigade advances slowly in the center.

The action becomes general across the front.

The Didd line begins to break.

The 11th Line Regiment set fire to the farmstead on the flank, and began to fall back under the cover of the gun battery on the hill across the river. Sensing blood, the Loyal Mamalueks impetuously charged into the retreating  infantry. Fleeing for their lives before the frenzied horsemen, the infantry led the cavalry right into the lines of the userpers Guards. Disrupted by the cavalry charge, the Guards fell back a few hundred paces and reformed while the Mamalueks tried to rally among the village just South of the bridge.

In an effort to save the faltering flank, and to cut off the victorious Mamelukes, the Didd Montbatten Cuirassier surged forward only to be met by the Prax Prairie Cossacks in their majestic blue. Surprised by the boldness of the light cavalry, and taken at the walk by the Cossacks Lances, the Cuirassiers were overthrown and soon found themselves forced to surrender. The sight of the heavy cavalry falling to a band of disorganized Cossacks was too much for the last defending unit on the Didd right, and the 41st Line
surrendered to the Nantaket Wilds Regiment thinking the bridge had been taken.

The Battle of Krondstadt - Part 1

As the morning fog began to burn off, the defending Didd forces could see the mass of advancing Katzian troops. Skirmishers began to engage the DiddGrenadiers de Bose defending the chapel mount and adjacent walled cemetery.Meanwhile, The Katzian light troops began to clear the woods on both flanks, supported by light cavalry.

The Grenadier Brigade prepares to attack.

As the grenadiers were breaking the center of the enemy's first line of resistance, the light brigades on each flank quickly put the defending militia to flight. These ill-trained troops were no match for the Herk-Heimer Fusiliers on the left flank and the Pamplemoose Pass Pandours on the right. To add to the enemy discomfort, the Boober Bay Uhlans and the Wha Hoo Hussars put the enemy Lancers de Saxe to flight after a brief melee along the banks of the shallow stream.

The Cossacks and Mamalukes support the infantry to their front.

Unexpectedly, and before any kind of preliminary bombardment, four battalions of troops moved forward in a massive attack on the chapel mount. Three battalions of grenadiers and the Poozer Pioneer Regiment emerged from behind the skirmishers and assaulted the strong defenses. The defending Grenadiers de Bose poured heavy fire into the thickly packed attackers, forcing the Eiffelberg Grenadiers to halt and return fire. As the chapel caught fire, the Pioneers finally made a breach in the cemetery wall to allow the Gwark Isle and Gekko Grotto Grenadier Regiments to evict the de Bose.

The Didd Grenadiers de Bose retreat as the chapel burns.

The Grenadier Brigade reforms North of the hill.

Next: Part 2

The Battle of Krondstadt- Prelude

Major General Van Fleck laid out his plans for the morning attack to cut off
the retreating Didd forces at Krondstadt. His strategy of sticking to the
main river line to ensure the bank was clear had now paid off...several new
regiments were just now disembarking at a makeshift quay. Additionally, the
army's baggage train had finally caught up with the advance with two
regiments of light cavalry and the Poozer Pioneers, but no additional
artillery. These are all welcome reinforcements as some regiments have
fallen to almost half strength.

Reorganizing the army the night before the attack could prove risky, but the
commander wanted a strong brigade of grenadiers reinforced by the pioneers
to attack the chapel and walled cemetery in the center of the enemy line.
This brigade would be supported on the right by the newly created
provisional Naval Brigade of two marine battalions, and a provisional
battalion of sailors pulled from the riverboats. The Militia and Landwehr
brigades would form behind this first wave attack. Each flank would have a
brigade of light infantry and a brigade of light cavalry to turn the enemy
flanks and pinch them towards the single bridge over the River Iller. The
brigades of Guard infantry and cavalry are to be held in reserve. The plan
is for a rapid advance on the enemy positions with the intent of causing
panic in the enemy line. If the line can be penetrated, the opposing forces
must certainly surrender as escape over the refugee clogged bridge would
prove impossible.




The chapel mount.



As the dense morning fog begins to burn off, the enemy dispositions become
clear. The first line consists of a strong grenadier contingent in on the
chapel hill, with light infantry protecting the flanks in wooded thickets.
The second line consists of several battalions in line supported by cavalry
and a battery of guns; the Didd right flank anchored on a fortified
farmstead. The remnants of the Doftian forces loyal to Lord Kilmarnie hold
the center of the line. A mass of baggage wagons, camp followers, and
refuges loyal to Lord Kilmarnie are slowly trudging towards the bridge and
safety in the Kingdom of Didd. The far bank is also alive with more infantry
and a strong battery in a redoubt overlooking the fields just north of the
bridge.

The Didd right flank protected by militia and two regiments of light cavalry.

Lord Kilmarnie and his loyal Guards defending the customs house in front of the bridge.

The baggage train and refugees moving towards the bridge.

The hilltop battery.
The Katzian Army of the North, poised to attack.

The Army of Katzenstein

The whole army assembled on the table.