Battle of Quatre Bras 16 June 1815

Hello there! I have forced myself to ne sociable recently and attended a game at the New Buckenham Historical wargames Club. 

They gamed the Battle of Quatre Bras, after recently gaming Waterloo earlier in the year.

I was unable to attend the start of the game on the Friday evening but was at the Saturday part up until 7pm on the evening of the battle. ere is an overall view of the battle field viewing from over the Bossu wood in the foreground and the crossroads in the distance on the left.

Here is a view of the cross roads from the Allied side of the field.

The buildings representing the farm building on the cross roads was a 3d print supplied by a club member.

Here are some of the Nassau troops defending the buildings.

French columns had a hard fought battle against, originally the Highlanders and then the Dutch Belgians, but the French finally took the out lying buildings and the cross roads. 

French chasseurs had some luck taking out an Allied artillery battery during the game.

Here are some wider photos to show the number of figures on display.

And some of the smaller vignettes present as well.

As mentioned earlier the farm building were a 3D print. While it looked impressive from a distance  on closed inspection the engrained lines typical of some printed items were very clear. Although I am no expert on 3D print, I know some are better than others. On saying that I am currently refurbishing some 3D print to try and 'lose' this grainy finish from them. 

After a very to and fro game the French started to overwhelm the Allied forces.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable game and was well worth attending. There was a very inspiring visual spectacle to be seen by all.

With further photos on the New Buckenham Facebook page here.

Completed Something!!!

Hello there! I have just received news that the latest stock market figures had collapsed as news of me actually completing some painting.

This is the last of the Waterloo buildings that I am painting for a friend. This is a Total Battle Scenics model from their Waterloo range.

I have added some flock and to the open lawn in the garden complex and in parts of the courtyards to 'hide the join' in the two castings.

I have been advised that the surrounding walls are not high enough, as during the battle a person was unable to see over the top with out a fire step.

Unlike some other models, some of the building did appear to have thatched roofs.

Some evidence suggests that the main building in Hougoumont were faced white with red roofs but my friends preference was for the above.

I started to use weathering powders on the embossed blockwork on the side of the farm complex.

Some of the casting was very difficult to paint due to the lack of access for 'brush room'!

On this aspect of the building I again used weathering powders to represent the dirty lower part of te wall.

Here are also some photos of older painting work I completed for my wargaming colleague.

Battle of Waterloo

Hello There! The New Buckenham Historical Wargamers put on a refight of Waterloo earlier this month. Using 28mm figures the wargaming board included the full spread of the battlefield with the Prussians entering the far right of the board, from the French perspective.

Here is the length of the battlefield, with La Haie Sainte and Hougoumont 

The Prussians are here on the left of the previous photograph

The figures came from a number of club members collection and here are some British, (KGL?), hussars, assembled, modified and painted by John Parke

And the full unit approaching the French right wing. Having visited this part of the battlefield, for real, this area has very steep banks to the roads and is impossible terrain for cavalry.

The representation of La Haie Sainte with the sand pit to the right

Here some of the 95th defend the garden of La Haie Sainte

The Gendarmerie of the Guard were inadvertently included in the advance of the French guard cavalry as they skirted La Haie Sainte 

Here are some of the defenders of the farm complex.

And a wider view of the enclosed court yard.

Over on the far French left flank these Allied troops were awaiting the French advance and attack. 

Again two more views of those KGL Hussars.

Some of the many French artillery pieces on the table.

These models composed of some of the French Grand Battery.

Here are some of the French attacks on the Allied defensive line to the French right. Smohain is to the  right and the Prussians are entering the tble to the far right. 

This a closer look at the main ridge being defended by the Allies and British.

Some of the British artillery and the rocket corps to the left.

The Prussians are getting closer and they are starting to threaten the French flank and start fighting for Plancenoit.

Here the commander of the French cuirassier looks on. 

The British view of La Haie Sainte and the French attack.

Here the French Guard Cavalry approach the Allied ridge. Also the French young guard advance on both sides of the farm complex.

Next various views of the British and Allied defenders.

There were various British divisional and brigade commanders and this is a closer view of one of the command bases. 

Here is some of the British Royal Horse Artillery which also defended the ridge.

Lastly some views of Hougoumont. The main buildings are supplied by Hovels and the gardens were made by me from a number of contemporary painting and pictures.

There are further photos of the game here, here, here,,, and here. These links are to the New Buckenham Historical Wargamers Facebook Page.

This was a great weekend with visits from many club members over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.