Crimean War Russian Artillery in 15mm

 

Russian armies liked lots of artillery.  Big guns and big batteries.  The Russian artillery had a good Crimean War.  Including, you may wish to know, sounding the death knell of wooden warships. 

My Russian batteries will have 3 cannon and most of them will be 12pdr's.   The gunners will be "Trained" and I'm flirting with the addition of the "Elite" suffix.  That won't make them better but will keep them firing.  That is important what with the Minié and all.

For Crimean War games I will be using Republic to Empire and Field of Battle and Battle Command. A battery in the last two comprises 2 guns. In Republic to Empire it is 3 for the Russians.  I'm showing both today.  They are, of course, the same guns.

 

Field of Battle/Battle Command above.  Below Republic to Empire.

Republic to Empire requires a larger deployment space for artillery and also that guns are withdrawn  to refit after a certain amount of firing.  That sort of granuality is what I want for Crimean War games. It may not suit all.

I intend achieving the demarcation by positioning the limbers to indicate the extent of the artillery position.

Of course this means buying limbers or cassions or what have you.  In short, more expense.  Once again it will not suit everyone.  I decided to do it, having reached the age of "if not now, when?  I may have to buy more limbers.  That said I'm limiting it to one per Battery. 

On the current count I have 3 batteries Republic to Empire style and two limbers.

 

Happily, I have a Minifigs Napoleonic Cassion somewhere that can be pressed into service.  All good, except I have enough guns for another Russian Battery.  It may have to do without for the time being. 

More Crimean War 15mm

 

The last of the British Heavy Brigade above.  Minfigs all.

More Minifigs.  The early stage of a Russian attack.  

 

These began with massed artillery fire and the actions of skirmishers and snipers. Then came an initial attack column screened by skirmishers.  

 

Next came a larger column with fixed bayonets. Another Maverick flag there. 

 

HM 46th from Minifigs.  I got a load of these figures cheap a few years ago. Minifigs then being very much out of fashion.  I'm glad I did.  They are now not cheap to buy new.  They are though, very nice.  

 

HM 68th, if you don't look too closely. Minifigs again.  Flags from Maverick Models.

 

The first of the British Guards, Scots this time. More Minifigs. Below, British Horse Artillery.  They will be getting limbers. Irregular figures and guns.

 

That's it so far. Next, I will attempt to finish off the Russian Cavalry.

More 15mm for the Crimean War

 

I’ve made some progress with the Russian infantry.  The first thing to note is that Russian infantry regiments were big, up to four battalions.  That is the equivalent of a British brigade. 

Add a Sotnia of Cossacks and supporting artillery as the Russians often did. Well, could we say a small Division?  Whatever we should call it, that is what I am seeking to replicate.

This is nearly my first Russian musketeer regiment.  I say nearly because they are missing their grenadiers.  The figures are painted but the flags are in the post. Above, we have some skirmishers from Minifigs.

A battalion in caps from Irregular.

 

A battalion in helmets also from Irregular.

A Sotnia of Cossacks from Minifigs.

Some Caucasian Rifles skirmishing.

 

I intend to add a Jager regiment and a Grenadier regiment.  Probably 4 battalions for the Jagers and two for the Grenadiers.  I’m also minded to do a unit of sailors in their navy blue greatcoats and caps and perhaps another musketeer regiment.

Here we have a unit of Russian Lancers from Irregular. I have a fair few Russian cavalry units to do.  I have read that some such units had the leading squadron lance armed and the rest with sabres. 

For the British, the Guards are waiting for some new figures but are mainly done.  We will see them shortly.  The heavy lifting will be Cathcart’s 4^th Division.  British uniforms were elaborate and unlike the Russians the soldiers are modelled in their tunics rather than greatcoats. Below HM 57th from Irregular.  I confess painting the lace on the front of their tunics was beyond my ability.  Strangely, I was able to do so with the Minfigs British. Fiddly cuff detail and trouser stripes were duly applied to both.

I expect to do two brigades of the 4^th Division.  Which regiments depends on the availability of flags in 15mm. The brigades then, may not exactly match their historical progenitors. 

I’m using Maverick Miniatures flags here so far and I commend them to you.  A good product and price.  Customer care is all you could ask. 

For the Russian cavalry I shall look to Adolfo Ramos who seems to be the sole provider of such.  I’ve used his flags before and I’m happy to do so again.  Another quality product.

We will see some Russian artillery soon.  I feared I had too many guns but I do not.  The Russians used lots of them.  Firepower for them seems to have rested mainly with artillery and skirmishers.

You may have noticed I'm basing skirmishers in 4s.  There is a reason for that.  We will get to it as this project rolls on.

A Crimean War Miscellany in 15mm

 

Today, we are mainly presenting Russians and mostly cavalry.

Caucasian Lancers from Minifigs.

Cossacks from the same outfit

Hussars from Irregular.

Russian regimental commanders liked to deploy skirmishers.  Despite being smoothbore armed they seem to have been effective.  I've seen it noted that some British units began not to carry their Colours in the field as they attracted concentrated Russian skirmisher fire.  Thus increasing officer casulaties.  These ones are Minifig.

 

Caucasian Rifles from Irregular.  The officer is a Minifig.

 

The last of the Highland Brigade here.  

Minifigs again.

The last unit of my Light Brigade too.  Irregular figures.

Soon, I'll tackle the infantry both British and Russian. The Russians need only their flags. Then it is on to the French and Turks.  

Republic to Empire continues to repay study.  So far I think only minor ammendments are needed to suit it for the Crimean War.  Most obviously the addition of the Minie Rifle, the dash of the British cavalry and the tenacity of the Russian infantry.

 

 

 

 

A Crimean War Project in 15mm

 

The more I read Brent Oman’s Battle Command the more I think it will be great for Crimean War games. 

Talking of rules. I recall Barry Hilton’s intention to produce a Crimean War supplement for his Republic to Empire rules.  So far, he hasn’t yet progressed it-at least in public. 

He has given us War of Three Kings, With Talon and Claw, Donnybrook and more.  Naval rules too.  In due course I suspect he will return to the Crimean War.  I hope he does.

Sometimes projects have their own internal clock.  I can only paint what I want to paint. I have three figures outstanding to complete a GNW Russian cavaly unit.  At the moment I don't feel like painting them.

Likewise with writing rules.  My SCW rules are complete, Gonzalo near enough, as are Flodden and Santiago!  My Crusades rules need only the game tokens. I ordered the mdf rounds for them today.  The designs have been printed.

I will get to all of my projects when my internal clock tells me to press on.  That being the essential distinction between work and hobby.  In a hobby you do what you feel like doing.

I like Barry’s gaming approach and have a copy of Republic to Empire.  Almost inevitably I am inspired by them to produce a Crimean game.  If I get anywhere, I will report back.   

All this cogitation had me reaching for my Crimean War Collection.  It was in poor order and needed refurbishment.  How is that going?  Not bad.  You can see my progress below.

 

 Here we have units of the Light Brigade.

 

Irregular Miniatures all.   

 

I like their Crimean War cavalry a great deal.  They have a campaign look to my eye.

 

And, here some of the Heavy Brigade.

 

Also both from Irregular.

 

Two from the Highland Brigade, shortly to be joined by a third.   

 

Both Minifigs figures and very nice they are too.

 

I will have more to show on this one soon. 

Above British Rifles.  I'll be doing Cathcart's 4th Division too, because I'm sporting like that.  Smoothbore muskets for the 4th.