Back to Black

After a six month absence, I'm finally back in the UK.  I look forward to getting my hands on my paintbrushes once again!

A Little 1809 Affair - Empire V

I was fortunate enough to find the time to have quick game of Empire V before I depart.  Unfortunately none of the miniatures are based, and I had to use some that were only undercoated or even bare metal, but it was still a good time.  In a relatively restricted space, we played out two hours of fighting, which was enough to reach a reasonable conclusion after the French cleared the orchard and captured the farm.  Casualties were relatively even until the closing stages when a desperate Austrian cavalry attack overran multiple French guns and a line infantry battalion only to be crushed by the countercharges. 

56e Ligne captures the farm and tries to drive the 2nd Bn/Nr. 13 Wallachich Illyrian Grenz back in a firefight that went on for over an hour. 

The Young Guard stands ready in reserve in the centre.  They did nothing, but they did form squares when the distant Nr.3 Erzherzog Ferdinand Hussars grew tired of being bombarded and overran 4th Division's artillery despite heavy casualties. 

General de Division Boudet directs the movement of his infantry as the supporting brigades move up towards the orchard/wood.  The blurry 3e Legere on the right suffered heavily in multiple attacks on a determined Nr. 1 Jaeger Battalion lining the edge of the trees.  The supporting 2e Ligne outflanked the position, its 1er Bn covering itself in glory, routing Jaegers, Landwehr and then clearing the wood by driving out some Grenz in a firefight.  General de Brigade Fririon certainly earned some laurels at the head of the battalion, and suffered a minor wound in the closing stages.  

18mm Napoleonic Update - 1809 Project

So it's been some time etc etc. But seriously, 2014 has just been flying by, and real life has conspired to rob me of time for my wargaming/painting pursuits.  The worst is that I'm about to go away for six months, and will have no access to my many miniatures staunchly awaiting their uniforms and grassy pedestals.  I'll have to re-learn how to paint all over again! Still, I did manage a little burst early in the year, so here's a little evidence of that, which I hope you enjoy.  All figures by AB miniatures.

Austrians en masse.  

 Franco-Allied contingent. 

Two of what will be eight Grenadier Battalions.  They are specific, I just can't remember which! Let's say Scovaud and Puteani from Merville's Brigade, why not.  Nr .3 Erzherzog Ferrdinand Hussars to the rear. 

 Nr. 13 Wallach-Illyrian Grenz, Nr. 2 Mahr Freiwilliger Battalion (in a Vienna Woods scheme, because I preferred a bit of brown and red to more white and grey), Nr. 4 Vincent Chevaulegers, Nr. 1 Kaiser and Nr. 6 Liechtenstein Kurassiers. 

 One of the MANY Austrian artillery batteries, in this case a 6pdr Brigade Battery. 

 IR Nr. 22 'Koburg', screened by Jaegers.  

 The same Regiment, with IR Nr. 44 'Bellegarde' to the rear.

Infantry in greatcoats. They could be any unit, but I think I had it in mind for them to represent  26e Legere.  18e Ligne to the rear, with some sappers.  

 One 12pdr and one 6pdr Foot Artillery Battery. 

 26e Legere again. 

The Young Guard Tirailleur-Grenadiers and Tirailleur-Voltigeurs with skirmishers to the fore, commanders swirling around, and the IV Corps Cavalry to the rear.  

I've got many, many more that are waiting to be based or are undercoated and waiting for attention.  Real life has a way of getting involved all too often sadly.  I also recently bought a load of miniatures to represent one of the Saxon divisions with attached cavalry, but who wants to see a load of bare metal affixed to bases? I hope to get one more post in before I go away, so until then.