2nd Battalion Regiment de Dauphin

It's been a while since my last posting due to life getting in the way...and it's been a while since I splashed some paint on any figures, but I thought it time to introduce my latest recruited Front Rank battalion for my SYW French force, the 2nd Battalion of the Dauphin's Regiment (finished way back in March). I love the design of the GMB flags for this unit, which will accompany the 1st battalion of the regiment into battle. I now have a sizable force of 13 infantry battalions, with another 3 unpainted units waiting to be 'recruited.' I'm currently a bit light on cavalry, so I now have a regiment of horse under the brush.

Thanks for taking a look!

The Wheatfield at Gettysburg in 28mm

A couple of weeks back while some of the Southern Strategists were still on summer holiday in the Southern Hemisphere, I hosted an ACW game in 28mm here at the Mess. Rodger Wood organised the scenario based on the Union attack on the Wheatfield at Gettysburg using the Regimental Fire and Fury scenario book and rules. I supplied the Confederate force of Dixon figures, with a sprinkling of Perry Miniatures, while Rodger supplied most of the Union troops, apart from my 14th Brooklyn boys on red trousers and kepis. I had the misfortune of commanding the Union brigades tasked with capturing the Wheatfield which the rebels were defending behind a stone fence. This proved an extremely bloody encounter and it was only after charging in four times that the Federals could secure a foothold in the rebel defences. Ultimately, the engagement was a draw, with both sides near exhaustion and both holding secure positions. I can confirm from expereience that the bayonet is no substitute for artillery when charging across open ground.

Until next time.

SYW Hessian Leib Cavalry Regiment in 28mm

This is my first painted unit of 2023...the SYW Hessian Leib Regiment of cavalry, which is the second unit of my first cavalry brigade. The figures are Front Rank Prussian dragoons which were the closest I could get to the Hessian uniforms. The flag is a squadron guidon from Maverick Models who do all sorts of flags for obscure regiments of smaller kingdons and principalities. Historically the uniform did not include turnbacks on the front of the coat, but I think an extra splash of red on these figures looks ok.

Until next time.

SYW Hessian Prinz Wilhem Cavalry Regiment in 28mm

This unit, which is my version of the SYW Hessian Prinz Wilhem Cavalry Regiment, was the last unit that I managed to paint up for 2022. That said, I can't take credit for all of the painting, as I was doing my little bit for the planet by re-cycling these 28mm Wargames Foundry Prussian cuirassier figures which I purchased third-hand (although I had to recruit 3 new figures from Foundry to bring the unit up to strength). When I acquired them from another of the Southern Strategists they had dark blue coats, yellow facings, and silver breast plates, which I suspect was supposed to represent an Imagination regiment. They now have white coats and blue facings as the first of my Hessian cavalry regiments. Not quite historically correct, as the Hessians had dispensed wearing the cuirass by the 1750s...but I can live with that.

. Until next time.

Completed Scratch-built Fortified Tower House in 28mm

Earlier this year I posted some images of the beginning of a 28mm fortified tower house project...which I've now finally finshed. It became a 'labour of love' and took up much of my gaming table throughout the Southern Hemisphere winter months. Made out of artist foam board, insulation foam board, cereal box cardboard, and Christmas Shop vinyl paving sheets, it's a bit rustic but I'm happy enough with it for my first attempt at something on this scale. I've used 6mm mdf board for the base, but I intend carving up a rocky plateau from insulation foam board to go underneath it. The layout was very loosely based on Dunguaire Castle in Galway and Smailholm Castle on the Scottish border. It should serve as a nice table piece for my planned Irish and Scottish Jacobite campaigns, as well as some Border Reiver skirmishes.

Until next time!

Hessian Regiment von Bose

After buying these 28mm Front Rank AWI Hessian musketeers way back in 2002 I finally got them painted during November. I've painted them as von Bose's regiment as this unit served almost everywhere during the American Revolution, including the southern campaigns which I hope to replicate on the gaming table sometime. The superb standards are by GMB Flags. I'll also be using this unit as part of my growing Hessian force to fight the French during the Seven Years War. I've also included a couple of images of a new Hessian command stand I put together using a couple of recycled second-hand Wargames Foundry Prussians depicting Fredrerick the Great and one of his generals, along with a Front Rank Prussian artillery officer. In my army the stand will represent either Ferdinand of Brunswick or a Hessian general.

Until next time!