Napoleonics update

In order to make a dent in the lead pile and to make progress on the battle of Marengo project, I decided to get a couple of battalions professionally painted.  2 battalions of AB French and one of Austrians weer duly bagged up and dispatched to Battle Brush Studios here in Austria.  The figures were painted most excellently, and I'm very happy with them. As I have bought a good chunk of the Austrian forces for the scenario, maybe I will send some more over to get painted.

Anyway, here are the figures painted and initially based.  First is the 1st Battalion 47th Infantry Regiment from Austria with steel green facings.

Next is a battalion of French.  I had this one painted in generic colours so it can be used for any regiment really.   

I'll finish  the bases off later.  but many thanks to Battle Brush Studios for doing the hard work with the painting.  If you need a couple of battalions done I would certainly recommend getting him to do a few.  his website is here:  https://www.battlebrushstudios.com/

It was a great help getting someone else to paint a couple of battalions.  But I like painting myself so here is my latest work - a battalion of French for the 100 Days campaign.  This is the 2nd Battalion of the 93rd Regiment.  28mm figures this time and Perry plastics and metals rather than AB.

I just need a flag and then I am calling this unit done.  I have the 1st battalion of this regiment and the 3rd battalion of the 4th Light infantry on the painting table next.

Quatre Bras refight

General De Brigade Quatre Bras refight

Saturday saw the local club play General De Brigade.  every 3 months or so the club puts on a large Corps Size game and has a whole day of Napoleonic fun.  The last game was the Battle of Ligny, and this time, sticking with the 100 Days campaign, we put on Quatre Bras.

The Map....

...translated onto the table.  Gemioncourt Farm and Bossau Wood

On the left flank, French Forces start their advance to clear out the Dutch-Belgians holding Bossau Wood.

On the right, more french advance!

 Dutch-Belgian cavalry in the outskirts of Quatre Bras, with Picton's British division beginning to appear behind.

Dutch-Belgian infantry and guns try to hold off the advancing French on the outskirts of Bossau Wood.  

A Dutch Battery is over-run by Lancers.  Despite Valiant efforts the dutch were slowly pushed back into Bossau Wood by the French.

Dutch reinforcements hurry into Bossau Wood....

While Picton's Division marches through Quatre Bras.

To give the British time to form up, the Dutch-Belgian cavalry try to delay the French advance. 

The British deploy and a general engagement occurs all along the line.

On the Allied right flank, the Dutch-Belgians are slowly falling back.  Meanwhile the Brunswick Corps enters the woods in support.

At this point sadly I had to leave.  but here's a few more shots of the game:

Although I didn't get to finish the game, everyone else carried on and a near historical result was achieved, with the French being halted outside Quatre Bras.

All in all a great game, and what Napoleonics should be all about - lots for figures, good terrain, and great company!

can't wait for the next game.

Miniatures were mostly Perry Miniatures with some Front Rank and Warlord.

General De Brigade - Ligny Refight

On Saturday I got the chance to take part in my first large scale General De Brigade refight - the Battle of Ligny.  I took command of a brigade of French Light Cavalry (Lancers and Chasseurs), and spent most of the battle charging Prussian squares to little effect.  I broke one Landwehr Square, but lost the bulk of my brigade against line infantry squares - including losing my Brigadier in the first charge (he fled at the sound of the guns and was executed the next day!)

regardless it was a great game and with over 1000 figures on the table, it was an impressive sight to see.

                                         the starting positions

                                          French on the march

                                          Cavalry Melee

                                          French - thousands of them!

                                          Prussian Infantry

                                          Skirmishers to the fore!

                                          More French

                                          Prussians - thousands of ém

                                          light cavalry charging squares....never a good idea!

back to Marengo

well its been a while - work and a long hot summer have kept me away from the paints. The weather here has been so warm the paint would dry on my brushes before reaching the figures!

Anyway it looks like autumn is around the corner so back to the painting it is - and back to the Marengo project which has been lacking some love recently.

so, a couple of Work in progress pics. This time a Battalion of French Guard

just command, basing and a stray figure in one company to do.

The Consular Guard fought at Marengo and the Scenario calls for 1 battalion. I think the Consular Guard were a mix of Grenadiers and Chasseurs but my battalion are just Grenadiers.

more pics when they are finished!

Back to the Naps

Well its been a while since I did any Napoleonics trying to get some quick wins by finishing most of my Chain of Command and BloodBowl projects. Before i get cracking on more of the AB Early French for Marengo, here are a couple of WIP shots of the 28mm Front Rank french reinforcement packs - painted as the Joseph Napoleon Regiment:

These figures were a joy to paint. I only ordered 1 pack as a sample but I think I will definately order more to complete the battalion. The figures are great....I'm almost considering calling time on the 18mm and going all out on the 28mm.... I just have some tidying up and basing to do.  Then back to Marengo!

1st battalion 44th Demi-brigade WIP

Just a quick WIP update - 1st Battalion 44th Demi-brigade for Marengo.

I foolishly forgot to order some foot command for my two greatcoat wearing battalions! But the first is pretty much done now.

a full update once they're finished.

72nd Demi-brigade

Apologies for the delay in posting, work has kept me busy!

The 72nd Demi-Brigade for Marengo is now complete.

Here is the first Battalion advancing in column...

... and line

and the 2nd Battalion

The 72nd Demi-brigade was formed in 1796 from several volunteer battalions.  It fought at Zyper-Sluis and Bergen in 1799 and Turbigo, Montebello and Marengo in 1800. At Marengo the 72nd Demi Brigade was commanded by Chef-de-Brigade Mercier.

The 72nd Demi Brigade became the 72nd Infantry Regiment in 1803 and went on to fight in a number of major battles including; Friedland (1807), Eckmuhl, Essling and Wagram (1809), Smolensk and La Moskowa (1812), Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815)

Brigade Commander Carra St. Cyr

The son of an Equerry, Claude Carra St-Cyr joined the army as a sous-lieutenant in 1774, aged 13.  He traveled to America with the French army to take part in the Revolutionary War, where he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 1784 he returned to France and then in 1785 he received a promotion to capitain.  Carra St. Cyr became an aide-de-camp to General Aubert-Dubayet, before being promoted to Chef De Battalion in March 1795, Chef De Brigade in June and General De Brigade in October. Carra St Cyr alsospent time in Turkey from 1796-1798, where he was French Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.  In 1799 Carra St. Cyr joined the Army of Italy where he was wounded in fighting during that year. In 1800 he was given command of a brigade in Monnier's division in the Army of the Reserve, and took part in the Battle of Marengo.  

Following Marengo Carra St. Cyr stayed with the Army of Italy, fighting the Austrians at Arezzo and then at Pozzolo. In 1800 he was promoted to général de division and given command of the 2nd Division at the camp of Bayonne. In 1805 Carra St. Cyr took command of the coast of Gravelines and in 1806 he became governor of Magdebourg. In February of 1807 he took command of the 2nd Division of Marshal Soult's  IV Corps. He fought at Aspern-Essling in 1809 and on the Ems River in 1813.

After Napoleon's abdication in April of 1814, Carra St. Cyr became a count and Knight of St. Louis. Following Napoleon's escape from Elba, Carra St Cyr did not actively take part during the Hundred Days in 1815.

French Progress Chart for Marengo

Here is my proposed progress chart for the French forces for Desai's Counter attack

Still some way to go....

French Forces for Marengo Scenario
Commanders
General Desaix	Not Completed
Brigade General Marmont	Not Completed
Brigade General Musnier	Not Completed
Brigade General Kellerman	Not Completed
Brigade General Gardanne	Not Completed
Brigade General Carra st Cyr	Completed
Brigade General Guenand	Not Completed
Gardanne’s Brigade
1st bttn/44th DB	Not Completed
2ND bttn/44th DB	Not Completed
Battalion 101st DB	Not Completed
Carra st. Cyr’s Brigade	Completed
1st Bttn/72nd DB	Completed
2nd Bttn/72nd DB	Completed
Guenand’s Brigade
1st Bttn/30th DB	Not Completed
2nd Bttn/30th DB	Not Completed
1st Bttn/59th DB	Not Completed
2nd Bttn/59th DB	Not Completed
3rd Bttn/59th DB	Not Completed
Musnier’s Brigade
1st Bttn/9th Legere DB	Not Completed
2nd Bttn/9th legere DB	Not Completed
3rd Bttn/9th Legere	Not Completed
1st Hussars	Not Completed
Kellerman’s brigade
Dragoons	Not Completed
Heavy Cavalry	Not Completed
Marmont’s Brigade
4lb Battery	Not Completed
6lb Battery	Not Completed
8lb battery	Not Completed

French Reinforcements for Marengo

Well some reinforcements for the french forces at Marengo.

first some greatcoated french to form a third battalion. I'm pretty sure there were no troops wearing greatcoats at the battle....but it does provide a quick way to get troops painted up. A half battalion done with the other half just needed to be based

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Some greatcoated skirmishers.

And finally a General de Brigade

I think french horse leather was black...but as he's a brigade general I'm giving him some leeway.