Top 4 Napoleonic battle formations of 2017

When we (Thomas, Ciaran and I),  started wargaming in 2017 we tried and tested our own Napoleonic formations. These, paired with our old rules were surprisingly effective.
However, with the creation of our new rules 3 of these formations became obsolete and dangerous to use in battle.
If you wish to try some of these yourself, I recommend playing our old rules, for this is where these formations truly shine.

1. THE FORWARD-FACING V

Prussian infantry displaying the Forward-Facing V

Extensively used by my Prussian army in early and small-scale battles in 2017. Had no benefits over a line but it did look cooler. This formation was also used by Ciaran's Russians but on a smaller scale.

2. THE REAR-FACING V

French infantry displaying the Rear-Facing V

Designed and used by Thomas in the later months of 2017, The Rear-Facing V could counter the Vs employed by my Prussian and occasionally Ciaran's Russian army. It was designed to withstand an attack in it's center while it's flanks, or horns, pounded the enemy from the side. I remember them as being quite tough to crack. I remember a large 20-man one once the Ciaran and I could barely deal with.
However, when we introduced the new rules, this powerful formation became obsolete. Mainly because it's shape makes it easier to outflank and it not immune to cavalry with the new rules.
I have not seen one of these in combat since December 2017.

3. THE FORWARD-FACING V WITH SCOUTS

The Prussian army demonstrating the V with scouts.

The most common defensive formation of my Prussian army in 2017. I think I was the only person out of us who made use of this. I designed it to deal with the frequent problem of flanking attacks quite early on in 2017. In fact, I remember using this for the first time in my second wargame ever.
Sadly, it was made outdated with our new rules, particularly against cavalry and was last used mid 2018.

4. THE SEMI-SQUARE

Still a valid formation today, here we see the French deployed in a Semi-Square

The semi square was an evolution of the V formation. First introduced by Thomas' French, the Semi-Square appeared later in 2017 as a result of trying to form a square but not having enough troops! Though not immune to cavalry, it was fairly effective against infantry.
With our new rules, it isn't as potent as it used to be but it's definitely not obsolete yet!

Please feel free to try these yourself, but use our old rules for the best results! Thanks for your patience!

-Jakob Morris
Co-Founder of Miniature wars

BATTLE OF HAMERTEN

Once again, I find myself typing up another apology, so here I go...
Hamerten was fought little over a month ago, but we've been busy with schoolwork and so haven't had time to make a post.
However, I do promise you that when I have the time I will put Hamerten on the blog.

My most sincere apologies,
Jakob Morris

(P.S. Currently planning a Battle of Kadesh - Stay tuned!)

Photo mentioned earlier

Several of my Prussians and my prototypical AFV - The PAIV*
*Prussian Anti-Infantry Vehicle

The Field Marshal's Day of Victories

Recently I found two old pictures of my Prussians, they were from 2017. I can remember taking these photos too, as on that day I defeated the French and British armies in two seperate battles.
I'll start with the English: The British army under Ciaran fielded 25(ish) men and 1 commander. My Prussian army was of equal strength. Now for the battle.
The British forces split into two main groups - 15 men to attack my force and 10 to protect the commander. I used my tactic of forming my front ranks into a "V formation" and sending out pairs of "Scouts" to guard my flanks (This won me many battles back then but with our new rules these are obsolete and outdated now).
I then allowed the Brits to attack me and wear themselves out. I swiftly counterattacked and the British were all destroyed.
An hour(ish) later, my army of 30 was facing a French force of equal strength. The battle was a bloody one, as we both continued to pull up reinforcements and hurl them into battle, fighting over a small broken structure in the middle of the battlefield.
It went on like this for a while before I repulsed the last French infantry and Thomas retreated his commander - I had won.
I consider this to be one of my best days in my wargaming career and marks the time were I finally surpassed Ciaran and matched Thomas in a lage (At that time anyway) Napoleonic battle.
I will put the photos mentioned earlier on the blog when I have time!
A heads-up about upcoming posts:
- Our latest battle - Vauchamps
- Artillery rules
- Our battle of Hamerten
- And more recollections from 2017!

One of my most Brilliant Generals

This post will be somewhat different from the other posts on this blog. As in this one, I am focussing on the exploits and successes of one man.
It started in early 2018, while I was having a wargame against my younger brother and his British army. The general I was using was my last non-veteran commander.
After about 20-30 minutes, the table was scattered with plastic soldiers and a victorious Prussian army.
6 battles later, using the same general I had won all but one of them.
After this, the commander was packed away, not to be used for anoter six months.
Until one day last year, tired of countless defeats, I brought out my "Lucky General" and sent my Prussians to battle.
25 minutes later, the battle was won and the French commander captured.
The next day, he went to battle against Thomas' second-in-command - Lieutenant-Colonel Timothy. Half an hour later, the Lieutenant-Colonel and three soldiers were prisoners of the Prussian army.
But things weren't over yet, and things were looking desperate for Thomas as two out of his three commanders had been captured.
His last commander was brought to the front - General Timas, a man who seemed to have just as much if not more battlefield success.
The French force of 15 infantry and 8 cavalry attacked my force of 20.
The Prussians formed square and were surrounded. Seeing no alternative, my general relingquished his captured commanders and was granted a safe retreat.
This General has not seen combat since then and it is uncertain if his luck will improve by the next time he battles.
Despite his defeat, I hold him high regard and am saving him untill he is needed for a truly important battle.

Plans for The Battle of Hamerten

Recently we decided that Miniature wars needed another major battle to liven things up a bit.

This is the planned battlefield, the village of Hamerten, Germany and the River Elbe.

I chose Hamerten for, well no particular reason except that it's compatible with my Prussian army and the terrain looked to make an interesting battlefield scenario.
However the overall purpose of this battle is to test our new points system. Each of us will start with one hundred points and will use these to construct an army using rules mentioned earlier on this blog.
This will mean that the old system of equal numbers on each side will not apply in this battle and the numbers and types of troops used will affect the army's fighting capability and style.

A quick run-through of our points system:
Infantry - 1 point
Cavalry - 3 points
Light/medium artillery - 10 points
Heavy artillery - 15 points
Howitzers/mortars - 12-18 points

A simplified map of Hamerten (Drawn by me)

Possible combinations for an army could be:

• 90 infantrymen and 1 gun
• 10 cavalry, 10 infantrymen and 6 guns
• 30 cavalry and 10 infantrymen

And many more...
The time for this battle is yet to be confirmed but I will get back to you when it's settled.
Keep reading! And if you have a question please leave a comment!

P.S. More posts on the way!

New Posts on the way!

I would like to apologise for our lack of new posts. Recently we have been quite busy. However, I am in the process of creating some new posts that focus on our points system along with more detailed rules for artillery.
Hopefully these should be posted by the end of this month.
Keep watching this blog for updates!
-Jakob

WATERLOO POSTPONED

Due to Thomas' broken printer, I regret to inform you that our miniature Waterloo must be postponed to later this year. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
-Jakob

American Civil War Naval Battles

Recently I have been experimenting with naval wargames of the American Civil War. Although I am still perfecting the rules they will be on this blog by April.
Here are some links to paper ironclads you can use with your own rules until mine are perfected:

• Confederate Ironclads
• Union Ironclads

Happy wargaming everyone!
-Jakob

Cavalry Units and their Rules

In the games I play the average cavalry unit consists of 4-8 cavalrymen.

MOVEMENT BY TYPE:
Knights - 20-25cm
Curassiers - 25cm
Carabiners - 25cm
Dragoons - 30cm
Lancers - 30-35cm
Hussars - 30-35cm
Chasseurs a Cheval - 30-35cm
Mounted officers/scouts/messengers - 35cm

MOVEMENT DISTANCES:
Trot - 10cm
Canter - 15-20cm
Gallop - 25cm
Charge - 30cm
Gallop(Messengers, mounted officers etc...) - 35cm
Movement up hills is halved. If a unit wishes swish to slow down or stop they must reduce their speed each turn by 5cm until they reach the desired speed. If cavalry are going at any speed higher than 10cm and wish to make an emergency stop they must first roll a dice for each horse. If a 1 or 2 is rolled the horse will either break its legs or buck the rider off, thus being removed from play.
Going into a melee reduces speed by 5cm for each turn that the cavalry are involved in combat. Cavalry may also increase their move distance 5cm per turn as long as they are not in combat or surpassing the maximum move speed for their type.
If mounted on camels camels may move a quick burst of 30cm before having to move at 20.
ATTACKING:
A unit has the ability to attack or be attack when it comes within attacking range of an enemy unit. Attacking ranges are listed below:
Sword - Bases or weapons must be touching
Lance - Will vary depending on length of lance
Carbine - 15cm
Pistol - 15cm
Spear - 5cm
Bow - 15cm
When attacking infantry in skirmishing order, cavalry get an extra 2 dice to roll with in attack.

An Introduction

Recently I realised, that despite the years that I have contributed to Miniature Wars, I have never properly introduced myself. In this post I hope to remedy that.
My name is Jakob Morris and I too am a modeller and wargamer based in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand. I made my first model in mid 2016 - A 1:72 Airfix Spitfire MK I and immediately became hooked. I have been good friends with Thomas since 2017 and halfway through that year he introduced me to miniature wargaming, and we've fought probably thousands of tiny battles since.
I hope this (late) introduction explains some matters!
-Jakob Morris

Things To Expect this year

In this post I will quickly list some events you can expect to see on this blog:

• Our Battle of Waterloo
• The Battles of Jena-Auerstedt
• A War Of The Worlds battle
• A Miniature Wars rulebook
• (Possibly) A refight of Austerlitz

In the meantime stay tuned and enjoy our third year of Miniature Wars!
-Jakob Morris