Re-furbishing the palace figures ...

Today got started on cleaning, touching-in and re-basing the palace figures.

First job was to cut out some new bases from clear plastic (culled from the other half's discarded Barbie doll packaging). To do this I used a 16mm crafting circle punch, just robust enough for the job.

The first batch of figures done, the above stairs staff...

quite a lot more to do ( I think I have getting on for 70+ figures for the palace and about 35+ others, then I'll have the Ratnik figures to paint and base - plenty to do 😀 )

Some new display cases ...

Currently for my 18th century collections I am in the process of re-furbishing the 28mm singly based figures along with painting some Black Hussar miniatures civilians; following that I will be re-furbishing the figures for the palace and then I have the Ratnik civilians to paint.

Also in progress is a 'storage jiggle', some of the more larger robust items have been moved to the garage freeing up space indoors for expansion.  I have been looking for some time for suitable display cases to add storage in the gaming room; I have found at last something suitable - acrylic display cases (https://www.acrylicdisplaycases.co.uk/product-category/wall-display-cabinets/) . I bought three two shelf ones - spent some time yesterday installing them.

Hofler's Pandours - Raid into Begovian territory...

continued from the previous post ....

Hofler's pandours approach the ford over the river ....

as they start to cross the ford they see a unit of Begovian infantry formed up in the road to their front

Hofler's pandours step across the ford and open fire,  the Begovians not liking so much hot lead fall back into the wood  ...

The pandours move towards the village and encounter some more Begovian troops on the road...

A couple of volleys from the pandours and they melt away, a Begovian officer is captured...

The pandours now get on with clearing the wood ....

The Begovians run out of the wood followed by the pandours...

The Begovians rally as they are joined by some more men from their main outpost nearby....

The Begovians exchange volleys then charge, the pandours (who had followed them out of the wood) hold them ....

the rest of the pandours join in attacking the Begovians flank, while Hofler contacts the local partisan leader at a nearby farm....

The Begovians out-matched turn tail and run .....

Hofler reforms his pandours and as they set off towards the road a couple of supply carts with infantry escort rumble by...

The pandours move forward and fire on the supply convoy ...

The Begovian infantry escort falls back as more pandours reach the road ....

The remains of the convoy escort joined by a nearby patrol move back towards the road as the pandours take control of the wagons .....

The pandours accurate fire deals with the remaining Begovian convoy escort, as they reach the bridge they can see more Begovian infantry and some cavalry... the way back via the ford is blocked ....

The wagons are set afire and the pandours start to wade across the river ....

The pandours head back to safety, they have the captured Begovian officer and a representative of the local partisans with them as well.

[

Notes: 

1.  Game setup and schema derived from a napoleonic command decision article in January 20201 Miniature Wargames - Peninsular Winter. The gaming table is divided into a nominal grid with Begovians in the way or not depending on dice throw and look-up tables.

2. Objectives

• Capture a Begovian officer - done
• Capture/Destroy supplies - done, supply wagons destroyed and road blocked
• Contact the local partisan leader - done.
• Attack and destroy the main outpost - failed to reach the outpost (just too many Begovians around)

]

Hofler's pandours cross the border ...

 The border area between Wittenberg and Begovia had quietened recently; more information on Begovian deployment and readiness was needed. A number of cross-border patrols and raid were organised.

A Begovian outpost near the border...

Hofler's pandour have crossed the border ...

Their objectives: disrupt the oppositions supply routes, capture a Begovian officer, and meet with locals disaffected by the Begovian armies depradation of the land.

Added some new fencing to the scenics ...

 Having 'borrowed' and re-worked some fencing for another project, my stock of generic of fencing looked a bit low, I needed to add some post and rail fencing. 

 During a visit to the local model railway emporium I spotted some nice fencing from the Woodland Scenics O Gauge range - so got a couple of packs. They come in a grey plastic weathered wood look with brown gates - I gave the fence parts a light dry brush in brown and based them up - enough for a small paddock and a bit more - plenty for most of the game settings I can think of.

40mm Wittenberg Artillery 'upgrades' ....

Updates to the artillery park in advance of the next campaign with Begovia...

Limbers with horse and attendants for the battlion/light guns ....

Added to the field battery, a howitzer (Prince August cannon with plastic lego wheels)

The full battery deployed....

 To protect the battery two companies of fusiliers...

The Battle of Lagerheim

continued from the previous post....

The Duke of Fenwick commences hostilities by ordering the artillery to open fire; all guns began an accurate sustained counter-battery fire against the Monrovian artillery...

The Monrovian battery retuned fire but to little effect, they suffered heavily from the Fenwick artillery bombardment. Once General von Messing was satisfied with the reduction in firepower of the Monrovian artillery he rode over to direct the Fenwick heavy gun battery to be ready to fire on the Monrovian infantry and cavalry ....

Count Malpurgo Belladona, commander of the Monrovian army, issues the order to commence the advance ....

General Warfarin commanding the Monrovian cavalry studies the Fenwick cavalry deployment as he awaits the order to engage the enemy.....

The Monrovian infantry advance supported by desultory fire from their artillery...

the Monrovian cavalry start to trot forward .....

General Warfarin, commanding the cavalry receives his order to attack, he will move forwards once the fusilier battalion is in position to protect the flank of the advancing infantry

The Fenwick cavalry stand ready to counter the advance of the Monrovian cavalry ....

The Monrovian infantry advance into musket range ....

The Monrovian cavalry start their attack ...

Afflicted by withering vollies from the Fenwick infantry and cannister fire the first line of attacking Monrovian infantry break and rout ....

the routing troops burst through the second line who join the rout apart from one wavering regiment which halts its advance.  With the bulk of the Monrovian infantry routing, The Duke of Fenwick orders the advance and releases his reserves...

The Uhlans from the Fenwick reserve cavalry charge into disorganised Monrovian infantry....

The Fenwick reserve cavalry is now into the routing infantry .... 

The Monrovian infantry on the right was still in relatively good order and stood their ground...

Meanwhile the cavalry engagement had started and was in full swing .....

The Fenwick hussars beat the Monrovian hussars who routed ....

The Monrovian cavalry push back their opponents .....

the Fenwick cavalry counter attacks...

but they get bogged down and the Monrovians have the edge as both sides pull back to re-group...

The Fenwick hussars have rallied and returned to attack the routing and rallying Monrovian infantry ....

A aide arrives form the army commander ordering General Warfarin to retire and use the cavalry cover the retreat of the army....

a victory for the Duchy of Fenwick...