Franco-Prussian War

[Leman]

St Privat on its own works as a scenario where each battalion can be represented. Prussian IX corps in the centre is also a viable scenario, whereas just doing Gravelotte as a scenario is going to be a very hard day for the Prussians.

[Hertsblue]

Well, it was, wasn't it. Especially with Steinmetz in command. 

[cameronian]

No place for the guns, that was the problem.

[Hertsblue]

Not to mention rank insubordination.

[Chris Pringle]

Javier,

Why not fight the whole of Gravelotte?

Chris

[mollinary]

Javier,

Why not fight the whole of Gravelotte?

Chris

I am sure Chris is too modest to propose you have a look at the Gravelotte scenario in his new BBB rules.  Holdfast and I played G-St.P over four years ago with about 6,500 figures and 10 players on a 5m by 2 m table using Real Time Wargames "To the Last Gaiter Button Rules" I think, looking at your OOBs and photos, that your current basing and unit size would fit these pretty well. As they are designed for Corps on Corps battles they would also work for any part of it you are proposing. If you go searching on the forum you should come across a 2010 thread, covering our game, entitled something along the lines of FPW Gravelotte-St.Privat.  I found it again just using the advanced search option and looking for Gravelotte. 

Mollinary

[Javier Gomez]

I am sure Chris is too modest to propose you have a look at the Gravelotte scenario in his new BBB rules.  Holdfast and I played G-St.P over four years ago with about 6,500 figures and 10 players on a 5m by 2 m table using Real Time Wargames "To the Last Gaiter Button Rules" I think, looking at your OOBs and photos, that your current basing and unit size would fit these pretty well. As they are designed for Corps on Corps battles they would also work for any part of it you are proposing. If you go searching on the forum you should come across a 2010 thread, covering our game, entitled something along the lines of FPW Gravelotte-St.Privat.  I found it again just using the advanced search option and looking for Gravelotte. 

Mollinary

Impressive display! Simply amazing, I'm so jealous! How are these "To the last hater button" rules? Great name btw!

Chris, I hope I would be able to do it one day... but at regimental level still have a long way to go (none of my wargame pals are painting this, I'm by my own!)

[Chris Pringle]

Hi Javier,

My own approach was to do it at divisional level rather than regimental. My 1/300 scale layout is nowhere near as impressive as yours, nor as Mollinary's splendid game from 2010 - I can only dream of such beautiful games! But it did enable 4 players to fight the whole battle in under 4 hours on a 1200x1800mm table. Here's a view of the southern part of the table, looking north:
10 Gravelotte by bbbchrisp, on Flickr

Chris

[Javier Gomez]

Hi Javier,

My own approach was to do it at divisional level rather than regimental. My 1/300 scale layout is nowhere near as impressive as yours, nor as Mollinary's splendid game from 2010 - I can only dream of such beautiful games! But it did enable 4 players to fight the whole battle in under 4 hours on a 1200x1800mm table. Here's a view of the southern part of the table, looking north:
10 Gravelotte by bbbchrisp, on Flickr

Chris

Nice! Which rules did you used?

[mollinary]

Hi Javier,

I think Chris used his newly published BBB rules!    . You can find stuff about "To the Last Gaitor Button" at
realtime wargames.webplus.net             Bernie Ganley, who posts periodically on this forum, is one of the authors, and can probably give you more detail. There is also a realtime wargames yahoo group (as indeed there is for Chris' BBB rules).   We haven't played TTLG for a while, having focussed more recently on our own variant of Regimental Fire and Fury for the 1866 battles in Wargaming in History Vol 8, but we had great fun, and they did allow a huge game to be played out in a reasonable time.  They also have a campaign system, which you might find useful. Certainly excellent value for money.   They have a variant for 1866, and another one for the Republican phase of the FPW, as well as covering other periods. I should point out that I have no financial interest in, or connection to, the company, but the rules did bring me back to the late 19th century, something I have never regretted since. 

Mollinary

[mollinary]

By the way, Javier, I trust we will see some of your figures in the Painting Competition?   

Mollinary

[Javier Gomez]

By the way, Javier, I trust we will see some of your figures in the Painting Competition?   

Mollinary

Well, to be honest I didn't enter many painting contests in the past. As a professional painter I thought it was unfair to other painters. Painting figures is 10% talent and 90% technique and practice, and when you practice 8-10 hours a day obviously you have an advantage. In any case as long as I'm not a pro anymore...who knows? It would be fun! 

[Javier Gomez]

Hi Javier,

I think Chris used his newly published BBB rules!    . You can find stuff about "To the Last Gaitor Button" at
realtime wargames.webplus.net             Bernie Ganley, who posts periodically on this forum, is one of the authors, and can probably give you more detail. There is also a realtime wargames yahoo group (as indeed there is for Chris' BBB rules).   We haven't played TTLG for a while, having focussed more recently on our own variant of Regimental Fire and Fury for the 1866 battles in Wargaming in History Vol 8, but we had great fun, and they did allow a huge game to be played out in a reasonable time.  They also have a campaign system, which you might find useful. Certainly excellent value for money.   They have a variant for 1866, and another one for the Republican phase of the FPW, as well as covering other periods. I should point out that I have no financial interest in, or connection to, the company, but the rules did bring me back to the late 19th century, something I have never regretted since. 

Mollinary

Thanks, I will definitely look for it. btw, I'm finishing my first Saxon command bases. Any clue on Saxon drums band? I know the drums were brass, but no idea of the bands color. I'll post a pic as soon as I managed to finish the flags –not an easy task!

[mollinary]

Thanks, I will definitely look for it. btw, I'm finishing my first Saxon command bases. Any clue on Saxon drums band? I know the drums were brass, but no idea of the bands color. I'll post a pic as soon as I managed to finish the flags –not an easy task!

Well there are some sites which usually yield treasure!  In this case it is grossergeneralstab.de. If you go to Knotels Uniformkunde  Band III, no 49. You will see a Saxon Drummer of this period.  The band appears to be green (no surprises there!) with white ovals containing a golden crown.  Good luck with that in 10mm!   On the Painting Competition there has been considerable debate in the past as to whether "professional" painters should enter. The consensus was "yes" as it spurs everyone on to greater heights. So I hope you will consider contributing something.

Mollinary

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Try this:
http://www.vonsteinmetz.supanet.com/subpages/vnb/reduced-gsp2.html

Or the original Volley & Bayonet has just Saint Privat.