J Hugh L Beattie, Artist

Hello There. During the visit to Tiger Day at Bovington Tank Museum I found a number of stalls set up in the Normandy Room.

Among them was a Military artist, J Hugh L Beattie. His stall caught my eye because while there were the original oil painting for sale there were also a range of military prints available as well. He also paints civilian and portrait commissions.

Some of the painting of battle scenes from the Wars of the Roses reminded me of work by the late Rick Scollins.

He has extensive experience of painting military subjects and was very approachable and easy to talk too.

I purchased the print 'Crusader Advance' because I am studying the Battle of Gazala. I liked the  the background in this print and would like to try to recreate this for a back drop on my wargaming table.

He also supplies a number of commercial items including coasters, tea towels, mugs and shields.

His website is extensive and is here.

I would certainly recommend his work and have already saved his website for Christmas presents!

Battle of Caldiero 1796

Hello There! Recently the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers put on an early Napoleonic wargame along the lines of the Battle of Caldiero, 1795.

Here is an overall view of the battlefield. It was fought using 28mm figures and used figures from a few collections from various club members. The rules used were Shako 2 with some club modifications. Prussian figures stood in for the Austrians.

As you can see the quality of figure painting was high.

The French came on to take the settlements in front of the ridge which the Russian forces occupied.

Here is one of the attacks on a village.

And another view of the same attack.

The Russian figures used reflected the later 1812 uniforms as we do not have figures available for the earlier period. 

Here French chasseurs  try to clear enemy cavalry from the hill so their infantry can take the hill. The changeable weather stopped many charges from taking place as it stopped infantry firing, if they were not in a village and cavalry could not charge.

A highly enjoyable game and very good company.

Further photos of the game are here.