A young Napoleon - and his mates.

Received a package from CP Models of Leicester of a young Napoleon and various generals from around 1799 - 1800ish (Kleber, DeCustine, Kellerman, Desaix.), I found out about their release from Michael's blog here
As a break from 10mm Caesarian Romans, the bloody little buggers! I thought I'd get these lads done, though frankly I have plenty of French Rev generals these did look nice.

 The Grenadier in the picture is I think an old Front Rank figure which I dug out half painted from a box. Now this is where I think I may be going a little odd. I did need another suitable figure to fill the base, but when I saw him I was somewhat happy for the dude in that he was getting used after many years in the spares box. I've been painting these little chaps for so long they seem to be getting personalities of their own, boy I need a rest!

Anyway the castings look good and painted up pretty well.

Dave.

Sneeky buggers, a Chouan ambush 1795.

A day with the TWATS, Tantobie Warfare and Tactical Society. A small game (more drinking, less gaming, but now't wrong with that) took place at THE RIL at Tantobie (it isn't the end of the world but you can see it from there). The sign used to say THE COMERCIAL HOTEL but it has to be said the place has seen better days, beers good though and the grub is tremendous.
Anyhow I brought along French Rev, Chouan peasants with a few Brits thrown in for luck. The idea was that the one regular British battalion was to escort a plunder laiden wagon back to the waiting royalist command in order to provide much needed funds in order for the rebellion against the Republican scum to continue. The Republicans (who outnumbered the Royalists) were encouraged by the completely unbiased umpire (yours truly) to hurry down the road to cut off the apparently isolated British battalion attempting to move the wagon away from the oncoming hoards.

A view of the village occupied by the British battalion (the loot is in a wagon just behind the building) who are forming up in front, note the French Demi Brigade on the right of the photo.

The said Republican Demi Brigade before:

And again but with hundreds of Chouan peasants emerging from the woods on their flank, merde!

Plus a bloody great siege gun!

Needless to say the cowardly Republicans ran away pursued by the victorious Chouans.

Some Republicans did eventually rally and along with two battalions of light infantry counter attacked, driving the peasants back through the woods.

I did take photos of the rest of the game but they weren't of the best quality, I would like to say it was the beer but as I was driving I was on Coke!
To sum up Andy put up a good show with his British battalion holding off the second French Demi Brigade until reinforcements arrived. He may put some pictures up Here in the near future.

Good game though.
Dave.

1870, Imperial Guard, finito compleato!

Done, finished, that's the 1870 French Imperial Guard compleated, here's the pics:

French 1st Guard Division (Voltiguers):

2nd Division 1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiments plus Guard Zouarves:

Guard Cavalry Division:

Reserve Heavy Cavalry Division:

Imperial Guard Corps 1870:

Now for them to sit uselessly in reserve awaiting the moment when Bourbaki finally makes a decision.
Dave.

Southern France 1793

An smallish but enjoyable game at the Border Rievers club, Blagdon Hall, Northumberland, on Wednesday pitted two French Demi Brigades (six battalions), one battery of guns plus numerous skirmishers against four rather large Austrian battalions supported by a battery of 4pdrs.
The French attacked (naturally) after the Austrian commander positioned his troops behind cover as best he could though some units did advance further than intended due to crappy dice rolls, always the way. Rules, General De Brigade.

The large Austrian brigade advances towards it's designated defensive positions:

A view of the field of battle:

One of the French Demi Brigades advance rapidly towards a now exposed Austrian battalion preceded by a swarm of skirmishers:

While the second Demi Brigade elicits a volley from a humongous 48 figure Austrian battalion:

After suffering considerable casualties the first Austrian unit succeeds in driving off the French skirmishers:

With supporting fire from the regular battalion in the centre the two 'Les Blue' battalions charge in column towards the awaiting Austrians. Giving fire the Austrian battalion succeeds in halting the French on their left, however the second French unit crashes into the Austrians driving the unit back but not breaking them:

This was unfortunately the last photograph I had the time to take. Being umpire and given the fact that the rest of the guys weren't familiar with the rules meant that I had to concentrate on the game.
The French attack failed, they simply couldn't manage to get past the volley fire of the huge Austrian battalions. This was in the main due to the usual lack of time on a club night, but also the lads commanding the French should have worn the Austrians down with skirmish fire and manoeuvred their heavier gun battery into position to do some damage, following the tactics of the period.
An excellent game none the less.
Dave.

French Imperial Guard artillery, 1870.

Some pictures of the reciently compleated French Imperial Guard artillery. The photos are pretty crap but I can't seem to edit in Photobucket as I usually do. Frustrating.

On with the corps cavalry next.
Dave.