Battle of Hofenfreuden part 2

 As the battle commences, the Lorraine Grenadiers are ordered to assault the Hofenfreuden farm buildings. (I'm still yet to build some truly "old school" buildings for my 40mm stuff so these buildings are Conflix prepainted buildings...nice stuff if you don't want to do the painting.)

 Colonel Gerlach's jagers prepare to give fire...

 ...meanwhile the French make the first move with the Royal Rousillion Cavalerie seizing the high ground with their commander the Marquis de Montmirial in the lead.

 The British counter with the 4th horse Regiment (Col. Honeywood in command)

 the first shots in the battle...the jagers pot some grenadiers...it's just so easy out in the open like that...

 The first clash of cavalry sees both the commander of the 4th and the commander of the Royal Roussion unhorsed and wounded with the British getting the best of the melee.

 The Royal Rousillion is forced to retreat and regroup...

 meanwhile the Lorraine Regiment closes on Hofenfreuden farm causing several jager casualties including Colonel Gerlach (only a light wound...as the Col. is legendary for dodging the worst of the musketballs and has had his coat holed more than once!...alegedly his tailor is a wealthy man because of it...!)

 The French grenadiers make a stout charge on the farm but are sent off with heavy casualties...

 Both sides regroup their cavalry and form up to clash again.

 ...as the Lorraine regiment delivers the first regimental volley of the game...inflicting significant losses on the 12th.

 a squadron of the 4th Horse makes an abortive attempt on the French gun but suffers many casualties...and has to regroup with their second squadron.

 Col. Gerlach's jagers deliver an effective fire on the Lorraine Regiment as it passes the farm.

 Finally the British infantry advances and the Lorraine regiment delivers an effective volley...but still the red line comes on...

 both sides trade deadly volleys but the British are more accurate and the Lorraine Regiment is reduced to 50% and must withdraw.

 The cavalry clashes again in the final moments of daylight....

 ...as the Lorraine Regiment flees...

 a final clash of sabers...

...and it's all over for the French. The mighty 12th Regiment of foot rolls over the shattered battlefield...a victory for the British...3 colors captured and a serious bloody nose for the French.
Time for a debriefing and a martini!

The "Charge" rules are fantastic at this scale, with great "classic" flavor and perfect for introducing my new little gamer to the joys of battlegaming.

We have decided to finish a unit of uhlanen to bolster the French (of course they will be the Grand Duchess of Grolstein's bodyguard... so well known here on Lead Gardens of 25mm fame..)...so maybe we can manage a rematch over the weekend.

Battle of Hofenfreuden

 As summer approaches, and as my teaching duties wind down, I'm looking forward to some quality gaming time with my son who is now able to grasp basic gaming rules. Today we took a couple of sections of "the green mile" to make a 4x6 foot battlefield and I set up a small 40mm Homecast battle that my son and I could fight out over the upcoming weekend in our dining room (as long as the wife can handle it...) [all figures are Prince August 40mm homecast.]

 Regiment Lorraine

 The "Black Horse" (4th Regiment of Horse)

 British 12th Regiment of Foot

 Colonel Gerlach's Jagers...a unit of my 30mm Imaginations ( translated to 40mm)

 The mighty 12th...

The Black Horse advances

British Royal Train of Artillery

Grenadier Company of the 12th Foot

More on the battle as it progresses...

We are using the classic "Charge" Rules by Brigadier peter Young for this fight.

15mm Flames of War For Sale

 Hello everyone, long time no post and this time just a note to let my readers know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...summer is approaching and I hope to have more time for blogging and gaming in a new space!
Until then I've got a couple of units of Flames of War vehicles painted up nicely for North Africa FOR SALE on ebay.

 Link to the Honeys: HERE

 Link to the 2lbr Portees: HERE

 And Link to the DAK here: HERE

Good Gaming Everyone!

Cooler Heads Prevail

 As I was parading the troops yesterday in preparation for making a list of "for sale" units...I was brought up short by the many messages I got expressing dismay that I was contemplating the sale of my stuff....and as Der Alte Fritz stated most eloquently, "Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " 

 And as the lads from both of my mighty Imaginations marched in review, there was not a dry eye on the Königliches Paradefeld...both the Grand Duchess and King Wilhelm were visibly shaken...

 So for now I've decided to hold off selling the collection...call me sentimental but it's the real reason that these fictitious little armies are so fascinating...they have character and a history that gives them a life of their own! An amazing thing really that I have not experienced with any of my many figure collections over the years.

 ...so I just told myself to hang in there and find a way to make ends meet some other way than selling things that are dear to me...

 So I'll leave you with some shots of the Grand Duchess headed back to her estate in her coach and four...

...and many thanks to those of your who contacted me with both offers for the collection and words of encouragement! I'll be in touch with some alternate plans.

"I Told You These Blasted Games Were Realistic!"

I was amazed to find this ad that launched it all (for me...) was this one for Avalon Hill Games in a 1968 issue of "Boy's Life" magazine. The internet is pretty amazing sometimes...I can remember being obsessed with finding out about the games and the first title I bought was "Blitzkrieg." In a few short years it was on to miniatures via Don Featherstone, but this little ad was what started it all.

Plans and Schemes

After some long soul searching, (and the grinding pressures of the economy), I have come to the realization that I do really love 40mm as a scale of choice, and since my Prince August Homecast project is coming along well, I am seriously considering offering my entire  25mm RSM/Minden Imaginations collection for sale!? 

Those of you have enjoyed the exploits of the Konigreich der Bleiherzen and the Grand Duchy of Grolstein over the past years, fear not as a change in scale will not mean these two most bellicose of little nations will disappear from the Lead Gardens. But it might mean the troops gain in stature from 25/28mm to 40mm...That being said, anyone who is interested in a buying really nice, beautifully painted, collection of miniatures Imaginations/Old School style, please feel free to drop me a line at ddugas@vt.edu

The Real Deal-Classic style!

I am currently counting the lads up and am working on a complete list. I am also considering including all of the cool "classic wargaming" buildings I have scratchbuilt over the years as well...(I'm going to ignore my longstanding rule: never sell the terrain!...) so...if there is any interest let me know!

I'm having to write this under the influence of a stout martini, because it's a bit painful to contemplate the necessary end of an era...but upwards and onwards...! Huzza!

10mm Panzer Brigade 107 circa 1944

...and remember I still have a nice collection of 10mm WWII Pendrakens (Brits and Germans) up for sale as well...

...and finally I've got some 28mm civilians (unpainted Blue Moon and Eureka up for auction on ebay):
HERE