RULE-BOOK ON THE WAY

The cover of the rule-book currently being worked on. It most likely will be ready by the end of 2020

THE BATTLE OF HAMERTEN

Hello everyone!
So sorry about the recent absence of posts - We have been rather busy with schoolwork!

Here is a quick summary on the Battle of Hamerten:
Each army had 10 cavalry, 2 cannons and 50 infantrymen.

The Prussians assemble to attack the French square.

The French army started on the northern side of the field, with the infantry and cavalry in the town and the artillery on the far side of the river, with no infantry guarding the guns.
I was set up on the southern side, with the fields and bridge. My troops were dispersed fairly evenly.
The battle started with the thunder of a French cavalry charge - All 10 lancers charged the Prussians. Fortunately,  volleys from the Landwehr and a counter-charge saw off the threat, killing 9/10 lancers for minimal losses. As a result, the French infantry formed a square.
On the far bank of the river however, the Prussians were the attacking force. The French artillery, lacking the protection of infantry, and with no way to be reinforced were overwhelmed and swiftly killed or captured.
The 12-pounders were also captured, and opened fire on their former users on the far bank, killing several.

The captured guns decimate the French army.

After a few cautious shots, the Prussian infantry slowly moved the artillery upriver to the main bulk of the army.
Suddenly the French began their attack, hoping to crush the Prussians before reinforcements arrived. The Frenchies marched at the Prussians, firing and being fired at. It quickly became clear that the French troops were superior to those used by the Prussians as Prussian casualties mounted.
Soon the Prussian heavy cavalry, reinforcing the line with their carbines were all dead. The only thing preventing defeat was the brilliant gunnery of the Prussian artillery, French officers were targeted with lethal effect, denting French morale and creating confusion.
But even it wasn't enough.
With a massive push, the Prussian centre broke, and the army split into 2 pockets of resistance, each surrounding a cannon. The larger of these with Mr. M and maybe a dozen infantry fighting by the bridge, and the smaller one with fewer infantry separated from the rest by the French.
The small pocket held it's ground, it was effectively as small fortress fighting the waves of French. But it couldn't hold forever. The cannon fired it's last shot, beheading the French commander, the infantry almost routed.
Then, in the confusion, the few remaining Prussians abandoned the gun and rejoined the main body of the army. Things still looked dire, and the French were killing Prussians rapidly.
At that moment, the report of a second gun was heard. The captured guns had reached the bridge and were ready to fire apon the French army.
This was too much for the French, they fell back out of range and waited for an attack. But the Prussians were in no state to attack, and also waited for an attack that never came.
The battle finished in a bloody stalemate.

I hope you enjoyed this first post of 2020! Stay tuned! Thomas and I are in the midst of planning our largest battle yet, even larger than Waterloo...

-Jakob Xavier Morris

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.