The French and Indian Wars

 

A long term interest of mine. With a deep and rewarding reading list. Fascination lies therein. Not just the tribes but also the colonists. The French method concentrating on the Fur Trade.  The English one on land acquisition. It all played out with Global consequences. A painters paradise too.

The first decision of a F&IW Project is just what are you trying to model? There were big battles (relatively speaking)  formal lines and all.  They were important too. All the same the most common combats were not like that at all. No, they were like  Monongahela (where a British Army died)writ small. European methods didn’t do well in the woods. Innovation was required. The French excelled in this and the English steadily improved with Ranger companies and Light infantry. Most engagements were small scale affairs that defined the Wars. Most gamers opt for that.

Delightfully very few figures are needed to play This Very Ground or the famous Muskets and Tomahawks. In both cases a unit can be 6 figures plus a Leader with 8 being normal and 16 the dizzy heights. Rebels and Patriots might run a few more but it needn’t. This is a project that can be done with great economy. Except you probably won’t do that.

The reason being the sheer diversity of troops involved. Thus the figure count begins to grow. Which French Militia? The Montreal or the Quebec? Do they look different? Sort of. Different skills? Arguably. Better have both.

It is no better with the English. Take Ranger Companies. Roger’s, Gorham’s. Others too? Oh yes. Do they look different. Of course they do. Different skill levels? Naturally.

There are some core troop types. Indians obviously. Also American Frontier Militia. These are raiding games. The Militia are the defenders mostly. Supporting the Militia were the Provincials, trained as European Regulars-sort of. It varied a lot. Civilians are required too. They can be captured or rescued or simply protected. Sometimes actual British Redcoats were available. A Regiment or a Company.

For the French the Colonial Marines are an essential. Formidable. Also Regulars were available now and then. For counter raids you might get some Indian civilians. And so it goes. Cabins or Longhouses? Both, I’d say. The cabins you see here are from Red Vectors WW2 Russian Village.

Is it worth it? Very much. It is a wonderful gaming experience. Of course you need not wait to begin gaming. The figures you see on this page will do for a game of Muskets and Tomahawks or This Very Ground.

You might guess a significant number of Blue Moon F&IW figures have just come my way. I anticipate about four posts on this topic.