Napoleon's German Division at Talavera

I have to admit that the completion of the German Division, although fun and something I have always wanted to do, was a major indulgence on my part and a slight variation on my Talavera project plan. That variation being, that I intended to complete units for scenarios that would build up to the full battle and the German Division don't feature until scenario three, and there are other units required for scenario one that remain un-painted.

That being said I am hoping to have scenario one up and running around Xmas this year so please bear with me and as recompense, I thought I would share some pictures of the German Division as a whole. I should add that for Talavera the two battalions of the 4th Polish  Infantry Regiment were under the command of Laval, but as they were an attachment and will be present in scenario three I will add them later.

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,
Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 1st Battalion
Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr.4: OB Heinrich. Freiherr von Porbeck, 2nd Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 1st Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse. 2nd Battalion
Baden Foot Battery: 2 - 7pdr howitzers. MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steimnetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave,1/2nd Infantry Regiment
Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2/4th Infantry Regiment
Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr.3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion
Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr.3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch
Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 - 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

Front Row- left to right, Baden artillery, Baden Infantry (2 battalions), Dutch Infantry (2 battalions), Dutch Horse Artillery. Middle row, Nassau Infantry (2 battalions), Hesse Darmstadt Infantry (2 battalions), Hesse Darmstadt Artillery, Back Row Frankfurt battalion.

Von Porbeck's brigade

Chasse's brigade of Dutch

 

Grandjean's brigade

For close ups of the individual units just click on the links in the order of battle above.

Miniature Wargames Issue 379 - Let's Fight Oporto 1809

If you were following the Oporto project earlier this year, you will have seen some of the steps along the way about bringing the game together, and will, from all the feedback I received, have been very much part of the whole thing.

The game had three play-tests incorporating, along the way, feedback from the players involved. That feedback led on to the final design. At the completion of which, I staged a last game and put together the final draft and a series of three articles which will feature in Miniature Wargames starting this month in issue 379.

One thing that followers on the blog will not have seen is the the superb model of the Bishops Seminary, built by Mr James Sharpe, the talent behind Oshiro Model Terrain, which ended up gracing the table and formed the centre piece of the battle. The first time the model will be seen in action, so to speak, will be in the covers of Military Modelling, together with the battle report to accompany the pictures of the game.

The articles are an homage to the series of articles written by Peter Gilder in the 70's, whose work has greatly influenced my own approach to the hobby and looks at the history of the campaign, the design of the tabletop battle, the choice of rules and how the game played.

Issue 379 was published last Friday 24th Oct, so if you would like to read the conclusion of  the Second battle of Oporto, then make sure you grab a copy.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the journey and I hope you will enjoy the read.

Jonathan

Baden Foot Battery

The final unit to complete the German Division at Talavera is the Baden Foot Artillery under the command of Major Franz Friedrich Christian von Steinmetz.

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,
Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 1st Battalion
Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr.4: OB Heinrich. Freiherr von Porbeck, 2nd Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 1st Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse. 2nd Battalion
Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers, MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave,1/2nd Infantry Regiment
Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2/4th Infantry Regiment
Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr.3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion
Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr.3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch
Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 - 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

The artillery wore the same coats as the infantry, but with black collars, lapels, plain round cuffs and turnbacks. The helmet was topped just with a black caterpillar crest, with brass fittings as were the buttons and shoulder scales.

The soldiers of the train had dark blue uniforms with light blue facings and brass buttons.

Digby Smith states in "Napoleon's German Division in Spain" 

Until recently, it has been unclear as to what calibre or model of guns this battery used, but a participant recorded that early on the 13th October (1808 in Bayonne) the drummer beat the general march. We were soon all busy receiving bread, meat, camping equipment, cooking utensils, cartridges  and exchanging our artillery guns for French cannon.

He then goes on to state that the battery was probably issued with six French 4 lbr cannon and two 6 inch howitzers as replacement for their original Hanoverian 6 lbr cannon and 7 lbr howitzers.

As you will see I have modelled all the artillery in the division along these lines, as I think this makes most sense in terms of handling the logistics of supply and to my mind it would seem unlikely that only one unit was issued French equipment and the others were not.

The figures I have used were AB Wurttemberg foot gunners, Blue Moon French 4lbr guns and the train are a French limber and team from Warmodelling. 

With my preference to using Carnage & Glory rules I am now setting my artillery units up to one gun base representing 3-4 guns and with a train that needs to be positioned behind the battery in base to base contact to represent the foot print of the unit when deployed. 

As I had originally built my units around the "Napoleon at War" system it now means their 4 model French batteries give me two two model batteries and I am adding a British foot crew to bring my British artillery component up to five foot batteries, although I still need to add three limbers to complete them.

Next the German Division on parade.

Fury

My son Tom and I went to the movies last night to see the brand new WWII film doing the rounds, "Fury" starring Brad Pitt.

We've been anticipating the launch of this movie since the announcement of its making and we were both looking forward to seeing it on the big screen, though with some reservations. The reservations being that as someone interested in the period and knowing more about it than the average film goer, you are never quite sure what you are going to be served up by the money makers of Hollywood.

I have been interested in following the discussions on various wargaming forums about the frustration of seeing historical themed films distorted in the name of artistic licence and the drive to make money on the project. I, personally do not buy into the theory that you can't have historical integrity and entertainment (I use that word in its widest meaning) that will draw in the audience.

With this preamble in mind I thought I would share our impressions of the film

Pictures like the one above were surely in the mind of the writer and director David Ayer when putting this film together. As the introduction to the film announces;

"April 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany".     

Well that sort of captures the theme of the film, but doesn't really do it justice. I came away from it with the feeling that at last we have a war movie that doesn't make it easy for you to take sides about who the heroes are and who are the villains. 

We see a crew that have become desensitised to the war and seem to have only a few objectives in mind, achieving the mission, killing the enemy and protecting each other and those around them. Their focus seems to make them oblivious to all other considerations and the war crime committed by murdering a prisoner, is simply a way of recommitting to that focus. It makes the point that "total war" the war that WWII was, is not a simple case of right vs wrong, good vs evil; as with most conflicts, the boundaries between the opposing sides can become blurred, and at times I found myself questioning the morality of the crew and what they were doing and the drivers and emotions involved in their decisions. I thought the challenge that war presents to morality was very well portrayed, with the character "Wardaddy" explaining that peaceful morality is achieved at the expense of extreme violence.

The moral challenges presented by the crew were counterbalanced by the extreme horror of the latter days of WWII with the Nazi regime on its final path to complete destruction, committing the final atrocities on their own people, with men women and children seen hanging from lampposts with signs around their necks explaining their treachery to the state and the punishment that awaited others like them. The Hitler Youth, boys and girls, enrolled into the Nazi tank hunting teams that lurked in the fields and villages of every German neighbourhood, and the utter waste of life and futile nature of the resistance was well portrayed.

This film is a hard watch in terms of the brutality and the senseless destruction that is the nature of modern war, and we both came away with that message reinforced, but this film is also an adrenalin rush when the shooting kicks off. We move from one scenario to the next with that tense expectation of death and destruction awaiting the soldiers around each and every twist in the road. The military kit on display was excellent as were the costumes and the combat scenes which were everything you would expect from a modern war film with the sound and visuals of the tracer and antitank rounds flying over the open muddy fields truly exhilarating. 

The combat with the Tiger tank was the crescendo in the tank fighting and I found myself mentally driving that Sherman as the duel reached its conclusion. I remembered the comments from my Dad about the manoeuvrability of the Sherman and how he felt they could move more quickly than their German counterparts. I also remembered his comments that are echoed by all "tankies", that the tank and the crew were their home, and that in many respects that was what they were fighting to protect.

I can't say a little bit of artistic licence didn't creep into this movie. The inability of the German anti tank gunners to get a second round hit on tanks moving towards them head on seemed a little bit suspect. In one scene a Sherman is hit on the side at respectable range by a panzerfaust that somehow avoids an ammunition explosion (must have had FOW wet stowage) and the crew don't bail out. However this is just small critiquing on my part.

We both felt that Fury is the next step on from "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers" where the action is matched with a gritty reality that there really isn't much "Spielberg schmaltz" in war and that sometimes the good guys do bad things. I thought Brad Pitt's performance, as the other actors, was well done and I felt they captured the cynicism of a battle hardened tank crew that just wanted to get the war over as soon as possible. 

2nd Battalion, 4th Baden Infantry Regiment

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,
Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 1st Battalion

Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 2nd battalion
Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 1st Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse. 2nd Battalion
Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers, MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave,1/2nd Infantry Regiment
Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2/4th Infantry Regiment
Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr.3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion
Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr.3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch
Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 - 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

The completion of the German Division, took one step nearer with the addition of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Baden Regiment. For a potted history and links I referred to in the construction of the regiment just click on the link in the orbat above for the 1st Battalion.

As previously the unit is composed of Warmodelling figures except the skirmish elements which are adapted AB Bavarians.

The Baden colour (Regimenterfahnen) is for the 4th Regiment, white with the yellow cross and reversed to that carried by the 1st Battalion. As before this was supplied by Maverick Models, a link for which is in the side bar.

I thought it would be complete to show the Regiment together with their brigade commander, OB Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck, who was modelled using a Warmodelling Austrian commander.  

Next up the final unit in the division, the Baden artillery and then it's on to some Germans serving in Wellesley's army.

1st Battalion, 4th Baden Infantry Regiment

With the completion of the 1st Battalion of the the 4th Regiment of Baden Infantry, I am on the last infantry component of the "German Division" at Talavera and the last three units to be done. The Order of battle below illustrates progress too date and will allow you to view previous units completed so far.

2nd [German] Infantry Division 
GdD Jean-Francois, Baron Leval,

Brigade
OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck,

Baden Infantry Regiment Gross-Herzog Nr. 4: OB Heinrich, Freiherr von Porbeck, 2 battalions
Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse, 1st Battalion

Nassau Infantry Regiment Nr. 2: OB August von Kruse. 2nd Battalion
Baden Foot Battery: 2 – 7pdr howitzers, MAJ Franz-Friedrich-Christian von Steinmetz

Brigade
GM David-Hendrik Chasse,

Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave,1/2nd Infantry Regiment
Composite Dutch Infantry Regiment: OB Baron de Grave, 2/4th Infantry Regiment
Dutch Horse Artillery Battery Nr.3: 6 guns, HPT Hendrik-Rudolph Trip

Brigade
GdB Balthazard Grandjean,
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 1st Battalion
Hessen-Darmstadt Infantry Regiment Gross- und Erbprinz Nr. 4: GM Georg-Johann Schaffer von Bernstein, 2nd Battalion
Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Nr.3 (Frankfurt) OBL von Welsch
Hessen-Darmstadt Foot Batterie: 4 - 6pdrs, LT Ludwig Venator

The Baden Infantry Regiment was, like the Kingdom of Holland Regiment, a composite unit composed of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment Rastatt (Red Facings) and the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment Freiburg (White Facings). The two battalions and a battery of artillery under the command of Oberst Heinrich von Porbeck , who was killed at Talavera, formed the Baden contribution coerced out of Grand Duke Carl Friedrich of Baden by Napoleon.

Grand Duke Carl Friedrich of Baden

 
The regiment and the battery marched out of Baden on 24th August 1808, reaching Bayonne on the 12th October, covering 1000km in 48 days. The infantry were issued with French model muskets and the artillery with French 4 lbr guns, simplifying the logistics of ammunition resupply. On the 16th October 1808 they entered Spain.*

 
The Baden infantry was organised on the French system with four fusilier companies, a voltigeur and grenadier company in each battalion. When they marched into Spain, most sources agree they were still wearing the Bavarian style black leather helmet, the kasket, probably changing to French style shakos in 1810. So for Talavera I was keen to have my Badeners in their distinctive looking uniforms.

After much thought I decided to keep to the theme of using "Warmodelling" figures for the bulk of this division, with AB Bavarians with slightly modified kaskets to represent the skirmish elements.

The mounted officer is speculative on my part, being a "Warmodelling" Austrian ADC that came with an Austrian General who will be my brigade commander "von Porbeck". He should probably be wearing the side to side bicorne, as with the foot officer, but I couldn't resist having him with a kasket.

The flag (Leibfahne) is from Maverick Models. The staff is described by Digby Smith as being black, topped by a gilt finial, with chords or red, white and gold

Other sources consulted were:
http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/c_baden.html
http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/MILT/article/viewFile/MILT9595110359A/3446

* Source: Napoleon's German Division in Spain Vol 1, Digby Smith

Battle of Providien - Devon Wargames Group

Battle of Providien fought at the DWG yesterday

I got to scratch an itch I get every now and again, namely getting the sailing ships out on the table and loosing off a bit of round-shot and chain, I have had a long standing interest in the campaign in the Indian Ocean between Admirals Hughes and Suffren which sees the pitting of two very evenly matched forces at the end of very extended supply lines having to make the best of what they had.

This period for me is more interesting that the later Republican/Napoleonic era where British dominance at sea was really only challenged by the small American navy but never in the realms of fleet actions and strategic dominance. In the late 18th century, the Royal Navy, though formidable, was not the overpowering force it would later become and thus the possibilities it throws up are that more interesting.

The campaign in the Indian Ocean encapsulates all those possibilities in two very manageable fleets of ships. The French commanded by possibly their greatest Admiral, Suffren, struggling to overcome poor junior commanders and get the best from average crews manning good ships; against a mediocre British Admiral Hughes with poor ships, in the main, but with excellent crews desperately trying to support ground operations against French land forces supporting Indian armies attempting to get the British out of India. Both commanders had to manage the risk to their forces bearing in mind that they were far from home waters and repair and resupply facilities were very limited.

One day I will do this as a campaign. In the meantime I can take pleasure in getting a few ships on the table and imagine the struggle that was the Hughes vs Suffren fight for dominance in the Indian Ocean.

If you would like to see how yesterdays game turned out then just follow the link to the DWG for an AAR of the game.
Devon Wargames Group - Battle of Providien 1782

You might also be interested in our Sadras game, run last year
Devon Wargames Group - Battle of Sadras 1782

Wargames, Bikes, Deer and Badeners

Today is Wargames day at the DWG and the weather was lovely this morning so I decided to get my daily bike ride in before breakfast. My usual route follows the line of an old railway built in 1911 and now turned into a cycle/foot path. Along the route you pass some of the most beautiful Devon countryside and the fields nearest to the tree line are the favourite haunt of the local Red Deer in the early morning and late evening.

I have been trying to get a few pictures to show on the blog and finally got lucky this morning

This last shot shows the animal becoming aware of a ladies jogging group oblivious to my photography and the wildlife in the field beyond the trees they were jogging through. Needless to say they were talking quite loudly, as they ran, and that proved too much for the deer, and she was gone.

So I am rushing to have breakfast and get off to club as today we have our Annual General Meeting and I will be running a Hughes vs Suffren, Battle of Providien game, pictures to follow, and then the Badeners will be finished tomorrow with pictures of them to come. So until then, enjoy the deer.