What's Happened; What's Coming Up

Since my last post Pete and I had another "painting day". I didn't finish anything . . . but I pretty much came close with a pair of Heavy Horse units. When they are finished, I will have ten mounted regiments of my "substitute troops".

These will be four Heavy Horse (two each "Trotters" and "Gallopers") and six Other Horse (four Dragoons and two "Hussars"). True, not all of the Dragoons are "full-size" and the "Hussars" are really Cossacks masquerading as Hussars . . . but still, this will serve until I can get my RSMs primed and painted.

As for what lies in the future, it appears that we will be playing out another "proxy battle". There is a civil war raging in the Imagi-Nation of Jonathan, on of our fellow bloggers.

It seems that a pair of brothers (twins, if I recall correctly) claim the throne of the Landgraviate of Ober-Schweinsberg. One, Prince Asgar; the other, Prince Arnold. They have both been crowned Landgrave (by different bishops) and each is supported by many followers.

Anyway, it looks as if a battle may well be joined sometime in February. Jonathan has posted a map of the area around a town (Unter-Schweingau) where (presumably) the armies will meet. He has also sent us a list of officers for each army.

We don't yet have a list of forces involved, nor have we set a date for the battle . . . but we will when more becomes known. I do know that I'd like to get in another painting session in order to finish some of my troops (since they may be required to fill in for one of the brother's forces) . . . and, of course, I will be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.

Meanwhile, healthwise while I'm feeling a bit better . . . although still a bit "fragile", my dear wife is suffering. Today her doctor requested x-rays and a CAT scan to see if she'll require surgery (she's been suffering severe nerve pain in her neck since the holidays).

If surgery is required, that would definitely change things . . . still, for now we will continue to work toward a tabletop battle


-- Jeff

First Painting Day --

Well, today was the first time I've really had a chance to do any painting in my new hobby room. Pete of the Duchy of the North came over this afternoon (Sunday) and we put in about 3 1/2 hours of painting.

Now since it is too cold here to do any priming outside (I use a black spray primer), I wasn't able to start on my RSMs since they are still in a bare metal state.

Instead I began re-painting some more of my Great Northern War figures to 'stand in' for my Saxe-Bearstein troops.

While not finished, the figures shown in the photo are the major result of the session. Obviously the flag is not correct for Saxe-Bearstein . . . it is however correct for the ten or so figures that started out as the Danish unit that formed the core of this project. A new Saxe-Bearstein flag will soon appear.

I also managed to get a fair portion of a cavalry unit 'prepped' for the next painting session. Meanwhile Pete worked primarily on his artillery and on getting some cavalry ready to prime.

I've always found that getting together to paint is a great way to get a lot done . . . you sort of 'feed' off of each other, getting ideas and learning different techniques. Also, if interrupted, you get right back to painting (which isn't always the case if you're painting solo).

We'll probably do this again next Sunday, health permitting.


-- Jeff

WSS . . . a Future Project --

While I've been "laid up" I've been thinking about my next project.

Well, okay, it won't be my next project, but it is something that I plan on doing at some point. The "War of Spanish Succession" in 15mm.

"Why 15mm?" you ask.

Well I not only have a lot of nice 15mm Mediterranean-style buildings, but I've got close to 800 figures for the period already. I posted a photo of my painted units . . . (ah, stop looking for it) . . . that's right, there's no photo . . . guess that that means none are painted yet.

Anyway, while lying in bed I've been thinking of how I would alter my "Tricorne Wars" rules to handle the WSS . . . and I've had some thoughts. The scale would be roughly 1:30, which will work well with my rules . . . although there will be a number of changes that will be necessitated -- typical squadrons would be 4-6 figures, for example.

When will I get to this? Not soon . . . but it is still fun to begin thinking about it.


-- Jeff

Status Report --

Please allow me to apologize for not posting much of late. Both my wife and I have been suffering through some minor health problems -- not really very serious, but sufficient to keep us from doing things we like to do.

I have been doing some work on the new version of my "Tricorne Wars" rules . . . but that is about all that I've been up to recently. Family visiting over the holidays have left us with a flu bug (first my wife got it; now I seem to have it).

Anyway, never fear. While I might not be feeling well right now, news of Saxe-Bearstein will return soon.


-- Jeff

Index of 2007 Posts --

As has become my custom for the first post of the new year, below you will find an index of my 2007 posts for this blog. The general format is the date (moving backward), the title of the post and (in parentheses) the number of comments:

December 2007

23rd -- History of "WAG" Battles -- (9)
13th -- A Prince is Slain -- (9)
9th -- A note re: Blood Axe Miniatures -- (3)

November 2007

29th -- Temporary Infantry in S-B Service -- (13)
27th -- Battle of Ubergang -- (9)
26th -- Battle of Ubergang About to Start -- (6)
20th -- Another HOTT Battle Fought -- (1)
18th -- Breaking-in My Game Room -- (4)
8th -- Units at Tippelbruder -- (2)
4th -- Some RSM "Other Horse" -- (7)
4th -- RSM Heavy Horse -- (3)

October 2007

19th -- RSM95 Marching Musketeers -- (8)
13th -- Display Case Arrives -- (7)
6th -- Thoughts on a Game Table -- (6)

September 2007

27th -- [off topic] Game Room Cleared -- (12)
24th -- [off topic] New Display Case -- (7)
16th -- Niggling Computer Woes -- (2)
3rd -- The Furst is Furious -- (4)
1st -- Back "On-line" with PCLinusOS -- (2)

August 2007

30th -- Computer Problems in Transition -- (1)
28th -- Battle of Polkfurt -- (6)
27th -- Victory at Polkfurt -- (4)
26th -- Polkfurt Playtest Today -- (1)
17th -- Another Playtest Scheduled -- (9)
9th -- Ouch! Cortisone and Kidney Stones -- (11)
6th -- Tippelbruder Defenders Get Ready -- (2)
1st -- My Saxe-Bearstein Infantry -- (5)
1st -- My Saxe-Bearstein Cavalry -- (1)

July 2007

31st -- Saxe-Bearstein's "Heavy Horse" -- (6)
26th -- Stagonia Gets it's Own Blog -- (4)
26th -- Morale of Small Units in "Tricorne Wars" -- (1)
24th -- Making Do -- (5)
19th -- Dragoon and Cavalry Flag Templates -- (2)
16th -- Playtest Revelations -- (10)
12th -- Another Playtest Battle Looms -- (7)
3rd -- Dragoon Uniforms for Saxe-Bearstein -- (6)
2nd -- Battle Highlights Various Rules -- (8)

June 2007

30th -- "Tricorne Wars" Playtest Tomorrow -- (5)
27th -- (off-topic) Vardo Talk (i.e., Gypsy Wagons) -- (3)
24th -- New Playtest Upcoming -- (4)
18th -- Uniforms Using New Template -- (16)
17th -- More Uniforms Templates -- (2)
16th -- Basic Infantry Flag Templates -- (1)
12th -- The Hussars -- (11)
9th -- Uniforms of Mounted Troops -- (4)
8th -- Uniform Template -- ()
8th -- Line Infantry Uniforms (4)
3rd -- Variable Dice Woes (2)

May 2007

25th -- NEWSFLASH -- Major Map Correction -- ()
19th -- New Recruits Arrive -- (5)
14th -- A Morning at Murdock's -- (10)
8th -- I'm Semi-Back (sort of) -- (7)
4th -- Move Update & Quiz -- (6)

April 2007

28th -- Moving Week / Off-line for a While -- (10)
22nd -- Names for Saxe-Bearstein Units -- (3)
20th -- More on Saxe-Bearstein Units -- (1)
15th -- The "Big Picture" -- (5)
13th -- Saxe-Bearstein History -- (4)
13th -- Duffer's Drift Link -- (2)
10th -- Side-tracked While Waiting -- (3)
5th -- Tensions Ease in Saxe-Bearstein -- (1)
3rd -- Tensions Rise in Saxe-Bearstein -- (4)
2nd -- My Use of Flags -- ()
1st -- Game Table Quandary -- (6)

March 2007

27th -- Another Order Placed -- (3)
24th -- A Wonderful Resource -- ()
23rd -- Command Odds & Ends -- ()
20th -- First Thoughts on "Orders" -- (6)
15th -- [off topic] Roman Galleys -- ()
11th -- Two More New Links -- ()
9th -- "Steve" Begins to Blog -- (1)
9th -- (OT) More House Pictures -- ()
4th -- National Symbols -- (3)
1st -- Some Very Great News -- (7)

February 2007

27th -- Another Country Discovered -- (4)
26th -- Going to a Convention -- (2)
18th -- WAG Starting Forces -- (5)
17th -- Thoughts on Frei Korps -- (2)
14th -- 2nd Blank Uniform Template -- (1)
10th -- Blank Uniform Template -- (3)
9th -- Some New Links -- ()
6th -- How Many Units ??? -- (6)
2nd -- Some Very Good News -- (4)

January 2007

27th -- Real Life Stuff to Cause Delays -- (3)
21st -- What's in a Name -- (6)
20th -- Three Hours on the Phone -- (2)
17th -- Initiative in "Tricorne Wars" -- (1)
14th -- Update and Two New Blogs -- (3)
4th -- How to Paint an Army -- (5)
1st -- Index of 2006 Posts -- (2)

Summary of 2007

We, all-in-all I had 90 posts with 392 comments this past year. On average that's a post about every four days, with about 4 1/3 comments per post . . . not bad, I'd say.

Have a great New Year!


-- Jeff

History of "WAG" Battles --

Before I started this blog, we had some early playtests of my "Tricorne Wars" rules. The photo at left is from one of these with me overlooking some of my GNW Swedes.

Nevertheless, the main reason for my writing these rules is for our local gaming in what we are calling the "Wars for Arcadian Glory" (or WAG for short).

WAG is named for the local gaming club here on our area of Vancouver Island (off of the coast of western Canada).

In the ensuing months, our blogs have recorded some nine battles as we've been building up our forces for an ongoing campaign. So far these have been "one-off" battles . . . most of them using some of Charles Grant's "Table Top Teasers" so thoughtfully provided by Steve-the-Wargamer.

Listed here (starting with the most recent) are the various playtests which Murdock and I have recorded in our blogs:

Battle of Grozhof

Fought on December 12, 2007 (at my Game Room) between the forces of Mieczyslaw and Burtzenia, it was another Table Top Teaser #3 fight. Murdock played Mieczyslaw (of course) and Deryck handled the Burtzenians. The primary account of this battle can be seen here.

Grozhof ended in a victory for Mieczyslaw.

Battle of Fraudorf

Fought on December 11, 2007 between the forces of the Duchy of the North and Principality of Saxe-Bearstein, again it was Table Top Teaser #3 (which we were playing for the second time -- Pete having his choice of sides). This too was fought at my Game Room.

Pete commanded his Norden troops and I played my Saxe-Bearsteiners. An accounts of the battle can be seen here.

This battle ended in a cease-fire and draw when Brigadier Prniz Gunther von Ursa, second in line to the throne, received a mortal wound leading his troops in battle.

Battle of Ubergang

Fought on November 27, 2007 this battle marked the opening of my Game Room. Combatants were the Duchy of the North and that of Mieczyslaw. As usual, Pete handled his Norden troops while Murdock directed his Mieczyslaw boys.

This was our first attempt at Table Top Teaser #3 (the Advance Guard Action). Pete's forces came from the North (appropriate, what?) near the town; while Murdock's troops entered near the bridge.

Ubergang was marked by a significant amount of "fog of war" with one of Pete's brigadiers consistently re-interpreting his orders to the consternation of Pete's C-in-C.

Eventually the battle ended up as a draw . . . but it was a close thing at times. For accounts of this game, go to here and here.

Battle of Offenbach

Fought at Murdock's on October 21, 2007 this one was a bit different. It was a "proxy battle" involving the troops of Frankzonia, the Soweiter League and my own Stagonia. Murdock (and friends) ran the battle for players in other areas.

Again one of the main features of the day was problems with "command and control". Stagonian forces had three "Political" commanders . . . and their left flank pretty much never moved as my "Tricorne Wars" rules "fog of war" aspects kept resulting in misinterpretations of orders stalling troops in their tracks.

Nevertheless, the vile Stagonians carried the day (and sneeringly gloated about it).

It also featured some interesting "battlefield diplomacy" that resulted in a significant re-alignment during the battle. Murdock's account of the battle is here, with his pre-battle commentary here.

Battle of Barva

Fought at Murdock's on September 4, 2007 between the Duchy of the North and the Duchy of Mieczyslaw. This was our third playing of Charles Grant's Table Top Teaser #2 (The Wagon Train) -- obviously we liked this one.

As usual, Pete ran his Norden troops and Murdock had his Mieczyslaw men.

For an account of this battle, go to here.

Battle of Stinz

Fought on September 2, 2007 at Murdock's Shed. My Principality of Saxe-Bearstein boys faced Pete' Duchy of the North forces.

For the second time we were playing the Charles Grant "Wagon Train" scenario from his Table Top Teasers (as provided by Steve-the-Wargamer).

This was the battle in which Brigadier Prinz Gunther von Ursa earned his father's ire for leading so many cavalry charges. (Note: this same Prinz Gunther was to fall mortally wounded in an infantry firefight during the Battle of Fraudorf.)

Accounts of the battle may be read here and here.

Battle of Polkfurt

Fought on August, 2007 at Murdock's, this was the first time my Saxe-Bearstein troops were to make it to the table top. I was to face Pete's Duchy of the North . . . and come away with a victory!

Murdock did his usual thing and had a wonderful setup prepared for us. We were playing "The Wagon Train" Table Top Teaser . . . and he had a great setup ready. He also umpired for us and ran the battle quite smoothly.

His account of the fight can be found here. In addition, he has a "preview" of the action here.

My account of the battle can be seen here.

Battle of Debnica

Fought on July 15, 2007 between the Duchy of the North and the Duchy of Mieczyslaw.

Pete (Norden) and Murdock (Mieczyslaw) ran their usual troops.

The two biggest lessons learned in this game were by me (to seriously reduce the light forces available) and Pete's discovery regarding the difficulties in planning deployment . . . linear warfare is seriously different from the Napoleonics he was used to.

Murdock's account can be read here; and my post-battle thoughts here.

Battle of St. Argard

Fought on July 1, 2007 this was the first time we had "Wars for Arcadian Glory" troops on the table top.

Pete ran his Duchy of the North troops for the first time (although he had to borrow a number of my Great Northern War boys to do so).

Murdock gave his Duchy of Mieczyslaw troops their baptism of fire as well.

This was a simple scenario. A meeting engagement with relatively similar terrain from both sides of the table. It was primarily a chance to see how my re-worked "Tricorne Wars" rules would work.

Murdock managed to end on top, but we all had a good time. His account of the battle can be found here; while my reactions can be read here.


-- Jeff

A Prince is Slain --

Well, Pete and I played another of Charles Grant's Table Top Teasers this past Tuesday night (#3 -- The Advance Guard Action). The action was fast and furious but ended in a negotiated draw when one of Saxe-Bearstein's princes was slain.


The action centered around the town of Fraudorf and the bridge over the Blauwasser river. Both the Duchy of the North and my own Principality of Saxe-Bearstein had dispatched forces to secure the town and bridge for the full field army.


The Norden forces entered nearest the bridge; while I entered near Fraudorf. In the early maneuvering, Pete nearly occupied the town but my Wildschwein Dragoons managed to overcome and destroy his two mounted units before its remnants fell to infantry fire.


Indeed this was a very fluid and bloody engagement. A battalion of my own Infantry Regiment von Urquell reached the bridge but was eventually had to withdraw. They were under the command of Brigadier Prinz Gunther von Ursa.



The prince had attached himself to an IR von Schlitz battalion when they were fired on from the rear by the late-arriving Norden Musk Oxen regiment who had just recently reached the battlefield. Unfortunately the prince (second in line for the throne) toppled from his mount having suffered a mortal wound.


Even though the Saxe-Bearstein forces seemed to have the upper hand, Major General Otto von Lager immediately suggested a cease-fire when he saw the prince fall (which Maj. Gen. Olle Fasjovik, the Norden commander was quick to accept).


Sadly the cease-fire came too late to aid Prinze Gunther, who had already passed away.


To the left are a series of battlefield sketches as seen from various points.


The first is early in the fight as the Wildschwein Dragoons (in red coats) close with some Norden Cossacks.


While that was happening, the second sketch shows Prinz Gunther leading his infantry brigade in a race to reach the bridge. Unfortunately the Norden skirmishing foot was able to delay them just a bit too much. Notice how eagerly the Prinz looks back at the cavalry action.


A natural cavalry commander, the Prinz had been forbidden by his father, Furst Bruno von Ursa, because of the many cavalry charges he had led during the Battle of Stinz. Perhaps if he, rather than Brigadier Karl von Blatz, had commanded the horse, he would not have fallen.


The third sketch shows a view from the bridge with the Prinz moving his von Schlitz troops around the copse of trees in a grand double envelopment of the Norden infantry forces.


The fourth sketch details the closing of this double envelopment with the Prinz in the upper right corner. Behind him the Norden Musk Oxen regiment may be seen arriving on the battlefield.


Our final sketch shows the fallen Prinz Gunther (at top of sketch) just moments before the cease-fire was arranged.



-- Jeff of Saxe-Bearstein