Borodino 1812 - Poniatowski's 5th Corps attacks Toutckov III Corps

Our battle is was based on Poniatowki's attack on the Russian III Corps in and around the small village of Utitsa. Poniatowkis with his Corps of 24 Battalions and light cavalry attachments were tasked with attacking the southern flank of the Russian positions at Borodino. Opposing him was the Russian III Corps under the command of Lt-Gen Tuchkov. Tuchkov's troops consisted of the 1st Grenadier Division, including the Pavlov Grenadier Regiment and the 3rd Infantry Division. He also had a large number of cossacks protecting his left flank and the Moscow Opolchenie. I also added two divisions from the 1st Cavalry Corps as re-enforcements for the Poles and the 2nd Cuirassier Division as re-enforcements for the Russians. The Russians were also supported by guns from the Bagration Fleches.

18th Polish Division (12 Battalions)

Poniatowski's 5th Corps the village of Utitsa

The game focused on both sides contesting the village of Utitsa. The majority of the Polish Corps was pulled into this fight, with just the light cavalry brigades holding the right flank against small Russian advances. The Russians however were able to hold the village from repeated attacks with just one Division - the 1st Grenadier Division - with the Pavlov Grenadiers doing the majority of fighting.

3rd Infantry Division finds cover, in the dense brushwood, from Polish artillery fire.

Moscow Opolchenie

Karpov's Cossacks

Toutckov awaits the out come of his attack on Utitsa, behind the protection of two artillery batteries.

However by the third turn the Polish were able to call on the two heavy cavalry divisions from the 1st Cavalry Corps for re-enforcements and to hopefully bolster their attacks on the village. But these fine horsemen suffered badly, when attacking the Russian right flank, from the batteries on the Bagration Fleches. Then to seal their fate five fresh Russian Cuirassier Regiments, from the 2nd Cuirassier Division charged into battle and saved Toutckov's flank giving way. In the end the Poles ceded the village to the Russians and withdrew from the battlefield. Victory to the Russians.

Two Heavy Cavalry Divisions move in to support the attacks on the Russian right flank.

But suffer badly from the Russian batteries in the Bagration Fleches.

Then after getting in behind the Russian left flank they are hit hard by five fresh Russian Cuirassier Regiments from the 2nd Cuirassier Division.

Utitsa stays in the hands of the Russians.

WAB - Pyrrhus' Army clash with the Rebulican Romans

This period has always been a favourite of mine for some time. There are lots of different and interesting characters and many great and colourful armies to choose from. All of course with their own pros and cons. However one I always like to use is the Epirote Army which can be fielded with Pyrrhus as general, Elephants, Macedonian phalanx, Guards, great cavalry and some of the best light infantry of the time. Plus when using this army, from Jeff Jonas's Successor Lists, they can steal a night march on the enemy and thus bring up to two units on to the enemy flank - nice.

The Epirote Successor Army deploys for battle.

Our little game was played last Friday evening, after the FOW game, and went into the late evening/early morning - lots of talking, not much gaming for some of the time. However we did manage to complete the game, but with the Romans holding the field at the end of the night. All it came down to was that final damn dice roll and I had a 50% change of holding the field, but thanks to my excellent dice rolling - I lost.

Republican Romans adjust their battle line.

The Pyrrhic Army did however play well. The pike held well against the Romans as did the cavalry. Elephants let me down a little, but I think that comes down to placement. I should of used them more on the flanks in order to stop his cavalry. Instead I placed them just behind the lines and intended to use them as a last ditch attempt on the Roman lines if my troops began to waver. Anyway there will be a next time. All the Republicans are from John's collection, which in turn were once owned by Andrew Parr and were all painted by Leroy Simpson. The other army was from part of my own collection.

The battle begins in earnest.

Two smaller Roman units take on one Phalanx at a time slowly pushing them back.

Times is running out for the Epirote Army so the Elephants are committed to battle.

Chaeonian Guards help protect the crumbing Epirote flank.

Flames of War - June 08 1944

Last Friday afternoon myself, John, Brett and Gavin bashed out a 3000 pts (per side) game. It covered no real scenario however was roughly based on the Germans attacking the junction between the two Allied Armies during the D-Day battles. Just so that we could play with both British and American units. Germans fielded by John and Gavin were elements of the Panzer Lehr and Fallschirmjager companies. The terrain was a good mix of forests, hedges, towns. open fields and a large river system which allowed for good covered movement and forced players to move around for the better shot. Flames is a good little set of rules and in the near future we are intending to use them for 28mm. However dropping the scale to platoon level, not companies and keeping the ranges the same to allow for movement around the battlefield. But will keep you posted on that idea. All figures are from John's fine collection.

Panzer Lehr Grenadiers wait in ambush for the advancing Allied troops.

Objective marker for the Germans.

The Panther commander scans the hedgerows for Allied tanks

Fallschirmjager and Panzer Grenadiers platoons move forward to attack the American lines.

British 25pdr Battery opens fire on the advancing Germans.

Allied armour slowly moves through a Normandy village.

More Painted Elite Miniatures

I have just included a few more images of Elite Miniatures painted by a couple of people who are keen to show off their painting. The first units are painted by Leroy Simpson , who I think is the best painter of Elite Miniatures I have ever seen and the other images are from Keith Williamson. Keith has only just got in to Napoleonic's again after a long time away and has done a great job on these guys. If I recall I think he is from down ACT way ..... so Matty keep and eye out for him.

Austrian Chevauleger charging painted by Leroy Simpson



Duchy of Warsaw painted by Leroy Simpson

French Line Battalion 1807-1812 uniforms painted by Keith Williamson

Foundry Hypaspists - painted by Dragon Painting Studio

This little group of Hypaspists now almost finishes my Alexander/Successor Army, only one more unit of Companion cavalry and another unit of Pantodapoi. I ordered the figures, painted through Carlo in Perth, who in turn imports and distributes the figures Australia wide for Dragon Painting Studios in Hong Kong. All I was required to give Carlo was the figure codes and a ruff idea on how I would like the figures painted then two months later they arrived in the mail. I was happy with the painting, however I could not help myself and had to touched them up here and there, adding a little more colour and character to the figures. In the end I was very happy with the result. The base was purchased from Kevin Jowlett (Battleline Scenics) who imports all kinds of great stuff in to Australia for us wargamers, it is designed for the light infantry of WAB and holds twenty figures, two to a base. The bases can be removed when you put your troops in to skirmish formation or you can leave them in the movement tray and have them fight as a formed body.

Enjoy