Christmas Greetings from GHQ

 

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all my loyal followers, readers or visitors - even those who never leave any sort of comment! It is the season of Good Will to All after all!

Kilts! Don'tyajustluv'em?

With a nod of acknowledgement to Private Eye magazine there in the title I can leap straight in to the joys, or otherwise, of painting kilts, bonnets and hose! Having completed the fourth Roosian infantry battalion and with it the regiment of Great War Miniatures I turned to the next regiment in the Lead Pimple queue to go under the brush, namely the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders of 'The Thin Red Line' fame! 

Given the size of bases I have chosen for the British element of this project and the posing of the figures in question I have reduced each base to seven figures, including one casualty figure on the ground, giving 21 figures to be painted rather than the more usual 24. However, it seems to take me anywhere up to twice as long to complete each figure and so it's a slower process in real time. Anyway, here is the first completed base, hopefully it will meet with your approval ~ 

The kilt, bonnet and hose patterns are beyond the limits of my hand and eye really, so they are suggested rather than depicted. Thankfully on the kilts at least the large period sporans reduce the visible pattern to a minimum! The second base is well underway with four of the seven figures completed and varnished, so I still hope to complete the regiment before the Christmas holiday period kicks in!

"Parade, Wait For It......Attention!"

A little while back now I was asked to post a parade picture of the Guards Brigade. I filed it away under things to do and promptly forgot about it! With a little time on my hands while I waited for glue to set, fixing figures to MDF hexes ready to paint, it seemed like a good idea to pop into GHQ and take a couple of pictures of all I've finished painting so far for the Crimean War project. This does not include any of the returned Prodigal Foundry Collection, they will get their own parade when I've rebased the cavalry, later this month hopefully!

First, the British, lead by the Guards' Brigade. Also present are the 1st, Royal Scots, the 9th, East Norfolks and the Rifle Brigade. Together with the figures in the Lead Pimple awaiting their moment under the brush I will muster three Brigades and one battery of 12lb guns.

The Roosian regiment, headed by a screen of Rifle Regiment figures based as skirmishers and supported by a battery of 12lb guns and a naval 36lb gun & crew  there are two more infantry Battalions in the Lead Pimple queue, along with a unit of Dragoons and a further battery of 12lb guns & crew 

It doesn't look much on the tabletop battlefield does it? When the elements of the returned Prodigal Foundry Collection are added and the cavalry are rebased to harmonize the collection I believe it will look just fine and provide many games here in GHQ. I hope so anyway! Now back to the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, oh joy, oh rapture! 

Christmas come early in GHQ?

It seems Santa does not just visit children who have been good, but adults too perhaps. At the start of the week I answered the door to the postie, only to be presented with a large padded envelope. To say I was surprised would be an understatement as I've not ordered anything for myself recently over the internet. On examining the envelope I could see it was from Aly Morrison, a good friend for a number of years now. On opening the envelope and the box it contained this is what I discovered ~

Enough Great War Miniatures Crimean War British infantry to make up another regiment and the bulk of a second combined with other spare figures in stock! I was lost for words at such totally unexpected kindness. In addition there will also be a few figures to add to a secret vignette base I have on the go as a side project...

In my experience such unexpected generosity between wargamers is one of the defining characteristics of our wonderful hobby. I remain a firm believer in casting your bread on the waters, as what goes around comes around I have found to be true of life in general and our group in particular. 

More Roosian infantry

Finally I have managed to complete the last four figures for the fourth battalion of my Great War Miniatures Roosian infantry regiment! It has been a longer haul even than usual thanks to my back strain! Thankfully I seem at last to be on the mend, though I have to be careful not to sit for too long at the painting desk. No more waffle, here they are ~

As usual the bases are from Warbases, who else, while the flags are from the North Star range for the period. The molds are showing definite signs of aging badly in places, but on the table viewed at gaming distance I think they will do nicely. Closer up I'm not so sure some castings would pass muster though ~

Next across the painting desk are a unit of Highland infantry for the British contingent. I've had to reduce the number of figures on the chosen base size because of the pose, but the spare figures left have given me an idea for bases to represent the Light Company in skirmish order. I can extend this idea to cover all but the Guards regiments. Perhaps a pack of Guards in suitable skirmish poses might come along some day...?

An Early Christmas present or two.

I have treated myself to a couple of books as an early Christmas present, I felt I had to use my Winter Fuel payment wisely. After all, what warms the body and soul more than new toys and such for our wonderful hobby? Thank You, Dr Hunt ~ double checked my spolling there, just in case😉

Firstly, the Wargamers' Annual 2024 to keep my set at full strength. Usually a good read and full of interesting and useful pictures and illustrations. I'm confident this one will be much the same!

Now, as you must have noticed, we have been experimenting with Soldiers of Napoleon as a rule set. I have ideas for adapting it for both the Crimean War and for the Wars of the French Revolution games so I thought it might be an idea to acquire the Helion book on wargaming the latter period.

I've not bought any of the previous Helion publications, if I'm truthful I've been detered by the prices - it's up there with Partizan Press and the Grand Maner resin buildings for the 'make up a price and double it' award in my view! It's a weighty tome, very text heavy and illustration light, but I'm hoping it will prove a useful addition to my small selection of period publications. Time will tell I hope. In my defence I paid £22 for it post free from Amazon, nearly half of what it would have set me back from Helion. I suspect that it illustrated one aspect of the rip off which often infests the hobby, and other aspects of life too!

On other more positive hobby territory I am well on with the final four Roosian infantry figures to complete the 4th battalion of my Great War Miniatures regiment. It's been a slow  process as I've had to avoid lengthy periods of sitting at the painting desk here in GHQ, but they are nearly there now.

Back to Black

Things have been a bit slow on the hobby front here in GHQ since the last entry. Seasonal stuff, compounded by a back back strain, has left little enthusiasm for painting or gaming. Finally on Monday I felt I might manage the rigours of rolling dice and moving little chaps about in GHQ and Paul obliged by turning up for a rerun of our Peninsular War battle but using Black Powder as the rules. Moreover he took all the pictures which follow. I hope you enjoy our efforts ~

British Light Dragoons from my Foundry War of 1812-15 collection and Trent Miniatures from my FRW collection.

Paul's French Brigade of Front Rank, Victrix and Perry Miniatures screened by some Trent Miniatures FRW Light Infantry.

French Hussards and Dragoons from Trent Miniatures.

British Rifles from my War of 1812-15 screen the Line Infantry advancing to meet the Frenchies!

Trent Miniatures Napoleon and ADC acting as a Brigade Command stand.

French HQ & Baggage Train, various manufacturers but mostly Perry Miniatures.

Foundry British infantry brigade lead by Highlanders from my Pendawar collection.

Paul's French Chasseurs à Cheval clash with my Front Rank King's Dragoon Guards. Plastics v metal, no surprise then at the outcome...

Massed cavalry on the flank dominated much of the battle. The British Heavy Cavalry took the brunt of the early action leaving the Lights to rampage against the French centre.

And here it is, the French centre deploying into Line to bring firepower to bear in support of the Attack Columns out of shot.

The Chasseurs reform and clash with the Scots Greys. More metal v plaaastic...

While the second regiment of Chasseurs clash with the Dragoons!

In the centre the British infantry prepare to fire on the advancing French.

Undeterred by slight losses the French charge home against the British line!

The British break and flee for the rear pdq! 

The French triumph is halted as they form square in response to the threat from the British Light Cavalry. While the artillery in support teaters on the brink of breaking!

The French drive off the British Rifles and prepare to assault the Highlanders!

Masses of British infantry are so far uncommitted to action.

"Follow Me!" The Light Brigade Commander leads his men in a daring charge between the French squares to assault the French artillery on the high ground behind their centre. (We got the firing from the squares wrong with hindsight which might have altered the outcome of the melee!) The cavalry failed to charge home as a result of fire!

On the French right massed columns advanced on the British left. Was this too late to turn the battle for the French?

Back in the centre firefights between the opposing lines sees casualties and disorder mount steadily. Who will break first we wondered?

The British centre still looks secure despite the loss of two battalions. One more reverse though and it will be Broken...

And there it goes as another battalion breaks and flees past the C-in-C!

The Light Cavalry also breaks and it's commander pays the ultimate price, struck down by a French musket ball!

With three of it's five Brigades Broken the British army yields the field to it's French opponents. 

Brief Victory earlier in the conflict with the Scots Greys seeing of the French Chasseurs!

The Light Dragoons charged the Disordered French square! Appalling dice plus the +3 for the outcome of infantry in square v cavalry sees them driven off and broke the brigade!

General De Gornalé received the news of his victory!

The French advance to claim the field! Vivé L'Empereur!

All up for General Bykleigh in Turn 6! Early successes on the right fell away as the Dice Gods deserted to the French! I am inspired by these game to consider a small Spanish force next year, once the Crimean War figures are finished of course!