Dolitz & Probstheyda, Leipzig - part 1

Something different, 18mm Napoleonics.  A scenario from the General de Brigade scenario book, volume 2.   This was featured in Wargames Illustrated, March 2001.  The scenario represents the fighting that took place in the southern sector on the third day of the Battle of Leipzig, October 18, 1813.  The French represent Augereau's IX Corp. Victor's II Corp, Oudinot's Guard Division and elements of Poniatowski's VIII Polish Corp.  The Allies, comprised of Austrian, Prussian and Russian divisions, are organized in two columns, the 1st Column under Hessen-Homberg and the 2nd Column under Barclay.  Here is the original map from the scenario booklet.    

This is a map I made to create the terrain, a similar area but showing the Pleisse River to the left of Dolitz and Lossnig.  Much fighting occurred around that river and I wanted it represented my scenario. 

Polish troops marching to take up positions in Dolitz. 

Dubreton’s division of Victor’s Corp advance to take defensive positions at Meusedorf Farm. 

Probstheyda, soon to be the scene of desperate fighting.

A view of Lossnig from across the Pleisse.  Dolitz in the background to the right.

Napoleon with entourage conferring with Marshall Victor.

The battle begins, two Austrian grenz battalions advance on Dolitz.

Bianchi’s Austrian’s begin advance on Dossen.

Silesian Uhlans attacking Semele’s division, supported by Austrian Uhlans.

Prussian fusiliers supported by landwehr advance on Muesdorf.

After the initial attack was repulsed, Austrian’s under Wimpfen attack Dolitz

Bordesoulle’s heavy cavalry division.  Saxon Cuirassiers and Garde du Corp in the lead followed by French Dragoons and Cuirassiers.

Russian Cuirassiers prepare to meet the threat.

Napoleon receives a report from Poniatowski near the tobacco mill.  

Augereau sends Lagarde’s division to reinforce Lossnig.

Austrian’s finally take Dolitz........

......and prepare to advance on Lossnig.

All figures are 18mm AB, some of the best miniatures in any scale.  Some units, all skirmishers and casualties we painted by me. Most of the rest were painted by Ron Redworth of Wargames Den in the UK.  Great painting and service.   More to come......

Somewhere in Italy

 Slowly building my French and Austrian armies for Napoleon’s campaigns in Italy.  I’m making slower progress than I hoped but decided to set out what was finished along with some terrain recently made and purchased.  The buildings are from Charlie Foxtrot Models.  These are great kits and the website instructions on how to finish them lead to good results.  The grass mat was purchased from Barrage Miniatures.  When I ordered the mat they contacted me immediately to get my instructions on the colors and finish.  Great service from Clara and team.  

The flags are from GMB.  They are actually for the Egyptian campaign but look nicer than anything I can download and print myself so I’m using them anyway.

The civilians are from Front Rank.  All other miniatures are 28mm figures from Eureka.  Here are the French.

..........and the Austrians.

More to come...........

New WFR units

Made some progress adding units to my 28mm Wars of the French Revolution armies.  This is my first time working with 28mm figures and while I’m enjoying painting figures with more detail, it is also more time consuming.  Again, I can’t say enough about how nice easy to paint these sculptures are, great stuf from Eureka Miniatures.  

French Dragoons

Austrian Hussars

French Artillery

French and Austrian Brigade Commanders

Wars of the French Revolution

Recently bought Field of Battle, 3rd Edition war game rules by Brent Oman.  I believe Field of Battle and Napoleonic Command, 2nd Edition by Jeff “War Artisan” Knudsen are two of the most interesting and elegant systems in existence today.  Each system abstracts combat in different ways and at different levels.  FoB is a tactical rule set while Napoleonic Command is grand tactical.  But each system forces players to make difficult command decisions, and FoB is especially good at creating uncertainty and friction.  But I digress.  Those familiar with Field of Battles know that the author has a large collection of 28mm figures for many different periods.  One thing I have always admired is his basing system, which give the soldiers the appearance of being on mini dioramas.  Despite having a large collection of 18mm (primarily AB miniatures) and a growing set of 1/72 plastic 18th century figures, I decided to finally take the plunge into 28mm.

Preferring Horse and Musket games and not wanting to duplicate existing armies, I decided on the Wars of the French Revolution.  This period, particularly the early campaigns in Italy, provide a number of large and small scenarios.  I decided on the Eureka Miniature figures for this period.  These are incredible sculpts with a wide variety of poses, great detail, and very little flash.  Also, Rob Walter of Eureka Miniatures USA provides excellent customer service with quick turnaround.

                                         Here are a few picks of my progress so far.

Latest Additions

Painted up a unit of Hat Austrians as The Hanoverian regiment Hardenberg.  The grenadier company is a conversion swapping the bearskin heads with Zvezda Prussian grenadiers.

 The finished unit.

Another conversion....horse grenadiers from the Hanoverian dragoon regiment Breidenbach.  Zvezda GNW Swedish Dragoons with heads from the Prussian Grenadier set.  The holster caps were added, made from poster board.

These will serve as an escort for the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick.  

 Allied infantry. Two Hessian battalions, two Hanoverians and one British.