WECW Changes

I haven't posted for awhile, I have loads of stuff waiting to be photgraphed but haven't had the time, will get there in the next few weeks. I am in the process of reformating the lists and the rules and I have made a few changes to enable them to play smoothly, so I hope to have these posted in a few months. Some of the rule changes includes dropping the -1 for fighting against light lance and my gaming partner Russel has come up with some great ideas to help sort out some of the grey areas in the pike and shot formations. The two photos above are of some really nice models from Redoubt miniatures that I use in my cavalry regiments as characters, especially religous leaders (I love the Bishop in cuirrassier armour). The Deluge period would not be complete without religon, Islamic Ottomans, Orthodox Cossacks and Muscovites, Protestant Swedes and Prussians and Catholic Poles. I have used the rules from the El Cid WAB supplement and adapted them to give a period feel. Until next time, Cheers Scott

Swedish cavalry and attached Musketeers

Two Swedish cavalry regiments and attached musketeers. By the time of the Polish invasion of 1655 Swedish forces seem to have started to phase this out, or had its use already disappeared by the end of TYW? Many of the battles of Karl X in Poland and Denmark saw the use of cavalry outnumbering infantry 3-1, probably due the distance covered and the quick movement of the Swedish King.

Swedish cavalry Brigade

Swedish Cavalry brigade deployed for action, I have 1 more identical brigade to paint and another Brigade which includes 2 Finnish cavalry regiments (Renegade Miniatures).

More shots of the 1st unit of Cuirassiers

Once again I have used a flag from the TYW which will be changed hopefully in the new year after the trip to Stockholm. I love the Swedish Armeemusuem in Stockholm becuase it really concentrates on my favourite military characters, Karl Gustav, Karl X and XII (will finally visit their burial places this time). The museum actually has a huge diorama of several thousand 30mm Tradition figures from the TYW, would be great as a wargaming army.

Mercenary Cuirassiers

A unit of 15 mercenary Cuirassiers that I use with my Swedish army, of course I feel that they would be more at home in a Austrian or Brandenburg force. I am not that sure if Sweden employed units that were so heavily armoured during 1655-60 but as a huge fan of the books of Henryk Sienkiewicz and especialy 'The Deluge', I feel they belong in my Swedish army (have yet to play a game with this army). There are 9 Redoubt Miniatures and 6 Essex Miniatures figures in this unit and they mix really well (mounted on Elite Miniature horses of course). I really like Redoubt Miniatures because of the many varients (seperate legs and body) and heads. Redoubt heads are great but about 25% of them I do not like and seem too small but the excellent husband and wife team from Eastbourne always send twice as many heads that I need (I do recommend looking at their extensive site). The dismounted figure is an armoured bishop from the Redoubt 3 Musketeers range and can be replaced with others depending on the figures bought in your army (photos later).

More Redoubt Swedish Cavalry

More Swedish cavalry from Redoubt.

Redoubt Miniatures Swedish Heavy cavalry

These are Redoubt Miniatures riders on Elite Miniatures horses. I have used green stuff to make the saddlecloth and saddle whilst the pistol holsters are sold in packs of 10 by Redoubt. The Swedish cavalry regiments of Karl X's army left most of their body armour and helmets in depots before entering Poland in 1655. Once again I have used flags from the TYW period and I will update these early in 2007 when I return from my trip to Norway and Sweden with better information (loads of Swedish books to buy).

Redoubt ECW/Three Musketeers Coach

Finally took some photos of the Redoubt coach today. I have yet to add the reins to the horses and driver. I have cut these and will paint them in the next few days, I have used foil from an old toothpaste tube I bought in Morocco in 2000 (amazing how long it actually lasts). It was the first holiday with my girlfriend and she thought I was a bit strange then (she is sure of that now but she is still here). I have always stuck to the great advice given in the Military Modelling magazine which stated that if you saw something you could use the make something special grab it.

WECW Campaign

Had my first game of the new campaign on Saturday, there should have been 4 of use but one gamer did not turn up so we only had 2 games for the day. Robert and Russel played first, the game was played on a 10x6 foot table and saw 4000 points of Ottomans facing a similar sized force of Swedes. The game was quickly over when Robert's right flank gave way to a violent attack by a unit of Finnish cavalry and Robert failed his important panic tests. Robert had forgotten that his unit of Spahi were immune to panic tests and threw in the towel (should know the capability of your own army better I suppose). 3 points to Russ for a crushing victory and both players then rolled on the campaign table, Russ got free spiritual support in the form of a Swedish minister and free carbines for a large cavalry unit. I then played Russ' Swedes with my Cossacks and after a very close game managed my first win against the Swedish army (photos did not really turn out at all which is a pity). The game however was a tricky one in regards to rule interpretations, the use of pike against cavalry in WECW is still a very complex subject and needs rewritng I feel. The other point was on the subject of feigned flight and what happened when interpenetration of the units resulted from this? I think that some fine tuning of the rules and especially those that I have tacked onto WECW from WAB still needs to be done. The games do still give me the feel of what I believe the period should be like though, so if you have any further ideas guys please drop me a line. Robert was very kind and gave me the new Osprey book on the Polish Hussars for my birthday, I read it this morning in bed (Sunday morning lay in before going to the beach). I enjoyed it thoroughly and even though the artist is not up the standard of Angus McBride buy it if you have even a passing interest in Polish Hussars. Will post some photos of the newly painted coach Monday when I can get a better result. Cheers Scott

WECW Eastern Campaign

My first two games of the new 4000 point a side campaign are this Saturday, so far we have 6 players committed but we need more. Mark your ECW Parlimentarians would be great as the Army of Brandenburg, I can lend you 90 foot and 40 cavalry to round it out (drop me a line, then we could have 7 factions). It is suprising how the prospect of a simple campaign can get you inspired to paint again. I haven't painted a single figure in the last 6 weeks (apart from horses for a friend), after finishing 5 weeks in a High School doing prac. to become a teacher, I was just worn out. However in the last week I have finished 8 more mounted Cossacks (can never have enough) and I should have the excellent Reboubt Miniatures ECW coach finished for the rescue scenario by Friday. The coach is a lot of work but looks fanastic already, I love to have lots of clutter on my gaming table as I feel it looks good and forces some kind of realism on the player. Just think about using a medium gun on the table (WECW of course), where is the horse and limber, the barrels of powder and the many other implements associated with artillery pieces? I think these should be on the table then there would not be any more arguements about whether or not that unit of infantry/cavalry could move or charge through this area (any ideas or thoughts). I would describe myself as more of a collector/thinker than a dedicated gamer, I like the look of a game and a good and well natured opponent is a must. Anyway I will report on the two games by early next week (photos of course). The army list and rules seem to have been popular as nearly 100 copies have been downloaded in the last 2 weeks, however I have still recieved very few replies, so come on guys I have done lots of work but I would like your comments/ideas and feedback to make it a better model that we as gamers can all use. Lets get more people interested in a fantastic and colourful period. P.S Anyone got the new Hussars book from Osprey yet?