Battle of Guise (Again)

This week at the Central London Wargames Club we got an opportunity to have another go at the fighting the French counter attack on the left flank  of the battle of Guise. 

The French advancing, note in the background a unit of Uhlans charging down the road towards the French rear.

It transpired to be a most successful scenario which seemed to represent the historic action well.  Though the French came out slightly better at the end of the day. This was principally because the Germans ran out of steam by the closing stages of the engagement. 

The Germans, under Martin's command showed his Ulan's agility by galloping  the entire length of the  board to take up positions  in the undefended town in the French rear. 

Two regiments of the French centre traverse the high ground . 

In doing so  they successfully avoided my French cavalry who were scouting against him  they had just barrelled up the main road in an effort to take the crossroads. They got a nasty shock has they met a regiment of Artillery sitting on the crossroads. Unperturbed they charged! The follow action perturbed them somewhat but not before destroying a battery of  German 77's. This forced the Germans to show their hand and allowed the French to zero in on the crossroads.

The main French advance was on three fronts, sending the main force of 2 regiments over the central hilly region. They were supported by a the third Regiment and a Regiment of 75mm Artillery  to their right who where principally positioned to to defend the road and cover the flank of the main thrust.  

The French right flank in position  to engage the advancing Jaeger regiment.

On the left of the main attack the French attempted to flank the German advance with a regiment of Tirailleurs Senegalais light infantry. 

The centre commanded  by Alan, held  the advancing Germans and they fought  each other to a stalemate with a regiment from each side  forced in to retreat due to excessive casualties. On the left the Tirailleurs failed to cross the canal and were met from strong German defensive fire from the village.

However on the right flank the French 75's fired effectively causing casualties to the remaining German Regiment allowing the third  French regiment to advance  and flank the German positions which would force them into a withdrawal. 

We have played a  good few historical refights of First World War battles over the centenary period using the Great War Spearhead rules and it seems to work well and produce generally  historical results as far as we can tell. Though personally I find elements of the rule set quite complex when it comes to artillery fire. Despite this the rules seem to produce entertaining evening of gaming.  

Tirailleurs Sénégalais

 

I am happy to report more progress has been made on additional units for my early First World War armies. The latest unit to arrive are French colonial light infantry. 

So far I have enough stands for around a regiment and a half. So I reckon they can make up a handy reserve force. I'd suggest that they would fit into a division or corps organisational table for the period.

These figures turned out very nicely I am pleased with the way they have painted up.  There is a colour picture in Hew Strachen’s tome The First World War which depicts Tirailleurs Sénégalais in white putties. It was dated 1913. So I opted to add the putties using light grey.   They'll make an interesting addition to the French side that originally peaked my interest in the early war period because of their colourful uniforms. 

The next on my painting table is German jägers which offer a little variation to the skirmish lines of field grey and pickelhaubes.

First World War Artillery

Now here's the artillery! Recently I picked up an assortment of figures to complete my early First World War German and French Armies. Naturally before I could start up on them I set myself the goal to finish off the last few elements of Corps Artillery. 

So here we have them more or less done, Some flocking and touching up is still required.  Above we  have three bases of German 210mm mortars. Below  battery of French 155mm canons to offer Corps level support  to there respective armies.

They have all had a lick of grey in various shades, followed by a black wash and then a dry brush highlight to finish them off. Now on to the next batch of new figures!

Uhlan Cavalry

Spurred on by Salute I purchased more goodies from Pendraken Miniatures to add some interesting bits to my early First World War armies.  Of course, this has forced my hand to finish up the dribs and drabs from the last batches.

So here are the German Uhlan cavalry corps complete with command stand. I noticed after the pictures were taken they were not quite finished; still needing the tips of their lances metalled. That has been subsequently resolved.

 

My ability to paint cavalry has improved somewhat since I had a crack at my French Cuirassier bases at the beginning of the project. Bearing in mind I painted a 15mm Hunnic army in between it should hardly be surprising!

 

Next up I'll be having a go at finishing the regimental supporting heavy artillery.