Review of 2018

With 2018 coming to a close it is time to review my wargaming over this past year. 

I will away from 20th December so all wargaming will cease for a couple of weeks with normal service resuming on my return on 6th January.

In looking back at my 2018 plans, it is best described as indiscipline on my part! It started well then went completely astray when I painted a 1/1200 scale warship purely as a break from painting figures, only to find myself being sucked into naval wargaming! It did provide an excuse for restarting Operation Nostalgia which included air wargaming. A first for me!

In looking back over the past year I will refer back to my original plans and examine what has been achieved and what has not. Under each of the three headings, 'Battles', 'Campaigns' and 'Painting', I will add what I have completed but not planned for originally.

This is the first full year of my blog and I have to say it is useful in keeping your mind focused on the various projects. Normally I meander through all manner of stuff including part starting projects that often barely get off the ground. A bad idea if you want to avoid amassing unused lead piles!

On to the review. The text in Italics is taken directly from my original 'Plans 2018' posting -

On the Workbench: 10mm AWI British Artillery & Hessian Jagers

The final units have been painted for 2018 consisting of Pendraken 10mm AWI British Artillery and Hessian Jagers:

British artillery consisting of a battery of 3 x 6pdr battalion guns and a battery of 3 x 6pdr guns. In the White Plains scenario one of these batteries will have to masquerade as 12pdrs.

Continued-

ACW 6mm: The Battle of Kernstown

This was a battle I fought solo a couple of years ago and is just about the last one to add that is relevant to current projects that was played prior to the creation of the blog. It will not be as detailed as my current games as I am having to recall what happened based on brief notes and photos.

This scenario is taken from the 'Guns at Gettysburg Scenarios 4. Stonewall. The Battles of General T.J. Jackson, CSA'. Scenario 2:

BACKGROUND

In the spring of 1862, General Banks commanding the Union troops in the Shenandoah Valley wished to remove the threat of Confederate troops in the lower valley before General McClellan began the Union advance on Richmond. To this end he sent General Shields against Jackson's Confederates near Winchester.

After holding his first (and avowed last) council of war, Jackson withdrew his forces from Winchester. Shields followed and reported that the Rebels had retreated to Strasburg. Banks then began to divert his command to confront Johnston.

Ashby, who commanded Jackson's cavalry, then advanced towards Winchester and encountered the Federal outposts near Kernstown where General Shields was wounded and retired to his HQ at Winchester. Ashby reported that no more than 4 regiments defended Winchester, and Jackson moved to attack. Shields was convinced that the Confederates were no nearer than Strasburg and suggested that Kimball, who now commanded Shields' division move to attack. Kimball was not convinced. Ashby along with 4 companies of infantry skirmishers and Chew's horse artillery had put up a bold front during the morning. He deployed his own brigade with 3 batteries on Pritchard's Hill and then sent for reinforcements as Jackson's main force came up. 

Continued -

On the Workbench: 10mm AWI British Light Dragoons and Generals

The latest unit to be completed for the AWI White Plains game is the British 16th Light Dragoons. 10mm figures by Pendraken:

Only 8 of the 12 painted will be required for the battle.

Continued-

Nap Campaign: Map Moves 23rd March - nightfall 24th March 1808

Nightfall 23rd March

Nightfall 24th March

Continued -

On the Workbench: 10mm George Washington and American Artillery

A few more to add to the collection of Pendraken 10mm AWI:

George Washington and staff. In reality he will double up as a divisional commander in other scenarios. Having acquired the figure from Pendraken I just had to include him.

Continued:

Nap Campaign: Casualty Recovery

One of the questions on the comments section of the Battle of Erfurt posting involved how I calculated casualty recovery.  I attach details below. The chart is taken from Sam Mustafa's Grande Armee rules and I have added factors to cover the campaign. 

Casualties represent injured, detached or deserters returning to their units.

To clarify:

Decisive victory is where the loser routs from the field.

Where the losing side withdraws from the field in good order leaving the ground to the victor, this is classed as a minor victory. Therefore -1 for the loser but no modification for the victor.

Troop grading is taken from the General de Brigade rules.

If anybody wishes to use this themselves please feel free to do so.

Nap Campaign: The Battle of Erfurt (Prussia)

As it has been a while since I played my Nap campaign, a reminder of the events that lead up to this battle can be found in the preceding post - Map Moves 21st to 22nd March.

The situation in this sector of the campaign. Blucher with the main Prussian Army is green 1 and 3. Napoleon is blue 1 and 3. This battle however takes place to the north east. The Prussian 14th Brigade (green 7) is en-route to reinforce Blucher when it is intercepted by Vandamme's 3rd French Corps (blue 9).

The Prussian Brigade commander, Ryssel, orders his men roused at first light ready to march to the Prussian capital. As dawn breaks French troops appear en-masse to the east and south east intent on intercepting them. Ryssel realises that Blucher risks being surrounded in the capital and sends a messenger to alert him on events unfolding on his north eastern flank. He intends to hold the French for as long as possible to allow Blucher to fall back (if that is what he decides to do!).

Vandamme at the head of the French 3rd Corps observes the Prussian troops deploying across his line of advance. To ensure Blucher remains trapped inside his capital he is determined to deal with this lesser Prussian force and quick order.

Continued -

On The Workbench: AWI 10mm Hessian Knyphausen Fusiliers

Another Hessian unit was completed today for the forthcoming 'White Plains' battle to be played in 10mm:

The Knyphausen Fusilier Regiment. Figures by Pendraken.