Back to the Maximilian War

Above, the 1st Regiment of the Mexican Republic. Below, the 2nd Regiment of the Mexican Republic.

The second Battalion of the Belgian Legion. Fashion note, the Belgians wore grey kepis. The drummer lacks a Haverlock and you can see his grey kepi.

While researching this project I came across a set of rules for the Maximilian Adventure. I had a read and they look good. Certainly worth a try. Here is a link if you are so inclined.

web.archive.org/web/20040814060448/http://www.geocities.com/fenerator/maxrules.htm

More irregular Mexican lancers. 

This means I have completed 3 squadrons (6 bases) of these tough and handy lads.

Zouaves, first class troops. I should manage another battalion. I don't think turbans were worn in Mexico. But, we go with what we have got. Actually if there was a chance of being sabred I would want a turban.

Unless, a real risk, the remaining figures get redesignated as Brazilian Zuavos da Bahia for the Great Paraguayan War. They were free men of colour making a point in the Brazilian Army.  The Great Paraguayan War/Triple Alliances continues to intrigue me.

The Foreign Legion, did they really join to forget?  Very good troops. I think I'll do another two units. I intend to differentiate them by trouser colour. They should all wear white ones. But, field conditions and all mine will be a mixture.

Last, but certainly not least, the Algerians. You could not beat them for colour or much else.

 

I'd estimate I'm about half way through what I bought.  Cheers Scott. All very pleasing and I hope to buy more from GeoffQRF via Little Corporal. I am optimistic. To paraphrase Neil Young the listings have begun. 

I might add another base to each infantry unit for Field of Battle considerations. It is not essential I hasten to say. Against this I want to do the War of the Triple Alliance. Some of my Maximilian figures would make first rate Paraguayans. GeoffQRF/Little Corporal will re list their Triple Alliance range but I don't know when.   A dilemma.

Anyhow, by my calculation I now have the following completed.

French- 1 squadron of cavalry and 3 Battalions of infantry.

Mexican Imperials 2 squadrons of cavalry and 4 Battalion of infantry.

Mexican Republic 4 Squadrons of cavalry and 4 Battalions of infantry. 

It is all coming along nicely. Once everything is done we will have a parade for each Army.

Maximilian-Down Mexico Way

 

If you want to do the French Intervention AKA the Maximilian Adventure in 15mm you really need QRF. A venerable but comprehensive range of figures. Substitutes are possible but will only take you so far.

Back in January I got the Maximilian bug. I had some figures but nowhere near enough. QRF under new ownership was just about to hit the rocks which didn't help. I placed an advert on LAF and got a good result.

Last month I commenced unpacking what I got. Below you can see my painting progress so far.

The Austrian Legion. I need a second Battalion of these.

The Belgian Legion Battalion. Apparently these lads were all young with no real military experience. Their Commander was keen for glory. There was a second battalion and I have the figures for them. QRF make some excellent mule mounted Belgians. I want some.

Death in a sky blue coat - the Chasseurs de Afrique. Feared and famous. They are getting a second squadron.

Mexican National Guard. This unit in a distinctive red coat. Uniforms varied from place to place. White is always good if you are stuck.

Mexican Battalion Supreme Powers. I should have painted 3 yellow sardinas (vertical stripes) on each sleeve. It would hardly be noticeable in this scale so I didn't. This battalion was very well armed with Henry repeating rifles. They were described as very confidant soldiers.

The Egyptian Battalion. Mostly Sudanese slaves who were collected in lieu of back taxes by the soon to be Khedive of Egypt. Once in Maximilian's Service they were freed. Everyone had only good things to say about these fellows. Their flag is not the Egyptian one as I substituted a Company Flag. The survivors ended up in Paris.

The Empress Lancers named for Carlotta, Empress of Mexico. Mrs Max' in other words. Her daddy was King of the Belgians. Hence the Belgian Legion.

Two squadrons of Mexican Irregular cavalry. Handy with the lance. 

Lances were used to herd cattle in Spain and Spanish America. Great training for spearing people apparently.

Mexican regular cavalry. Depending on when these lads could be Imperialists or Republicans. 

That is it so far. 

Now, good news. Geoff is shortly to launch GeoffQRF and will sell the Maximilian range along with half of the old Frei Korps range.  I will be adding to my collection. 

Also I'm keen to do a Great Paraguayan War/ Triple Alliance Project. GeoffQRF can provide the figures. Here I think of Eliza Lynch, what a story.

The Maximillian Adventure in 15mm

 

Should you look at page 61 of Michael Leck and Dan Mersey’s Rebels and Patriots you will find suggested forces (Companies in R&P speak) for the Maximillian Adventure. These being the French Intervention Force, the Mexican Imperialists and those of the Mexican Republic.

This has always appealed to me as a potential gaming period. It also looks quite doable with R&P in terms of outlay.

The French need 36 figures equating to 3 units of Foreign Legionaries at 24 points.

The Mexican Imperialists require 12 cavalry, 36 infantry and 6 skirmishers.

The Mexican Republic has 48 infantry, 6 mounted Skirmishers and and 12 lancers.

These are merely suggestions but you get an idea of the size of forces required.  Now, it happens that I already have some suitable figures.  They are 15mm from QRF.  Let’s have a look.

The aim is to get to 24 points. The French first.  Six Chasseurs d Afrique here who enjoyed a fearsome reputation. 

That considered they will be a small unit of shock cavalry and cost 5 points.

Next La Legion 12  Shock Infantry at 6 points.

I had 12 Turco/Zouave figures. R&P allow for small units. I decided to do 6 Tirailieurs Algerian and 6 Zouaves.

The Tirailieurs are a small unit of 6 Light Infantry who are good shooters and cost 7 points.

The Zouaves are a small unit of 6 Shock Infantry who are aggressive and cost 6 points.

There is our 24 points for the French. It gives a fair range of tactical options.

Turning to the Mexican Republicans our first unit is of 6 green skirmishers who are sharp shooters and cost 5 points. 

The USA provided some repeating rifles to their fellow republicans. These are they. The idea being that they will keep their distance and blaze away.

A unit of 6 veteran light cavalry lancers who are poor shots cost 5 points.

That's it but it's not a bad start. I need 14 points more for the Mexican Republicans and the whole 24 for the Mexican Imperialists.  Part of the fun is selecting and rating the units.

You might notice that I have opted for multi figure bases. This is because I might expand this collection to 12 units a side or so.  That would provide for Field of Battle games. It also means I need more soldiers of the Mexican Republic because the Imperials and French can be combined.

Luckily for me a fellow gamer is going to sell me what I need.  For that reason what you see today has an unfinished look. They await reinforcements before units can be completed.

Let me draw your attention to how nice these 1980s designed figures are. Look at the detail.  Some of the ones your see here are that old. Most are from renewed moulds and use better metal.  Chas and Geoff at QRF ensured the survival of the range. Happy retirement boys.

Crimean War 15mm- A Few More

 

I have begun the mopping up, painting wise, for the Crimean War.  Above, all from Irregular, French gunners, guns and gabions.

The British Guards final battalion of three. This one from Irregular.

Poking about in the unpainted box I realised I could do another British Brigade.  So I did.

HM 88th, latterly the Connaught Rangers.  All Minifigs save the two Irregular standard bearers.

HM 68th Durham Light Infantry all from Irregular.

HM 97th The Earl of Ulster's all Irregular figures.

I had the opportunity to ask Barry Hilton about the release of his Crimean War rules.  He hopes to release them at some point in the future. 

Next for the Crimean War I will finish painting the British and French artillery.  The Russian artillery are done so we might see them next. 

A Crimean War French 15mm Contingent

 

I bought most of my Crimean War French at a happy discount. These are all Minifigs.  The selection reflects what was cheaply available.  

The French had a good Crimean War as such things go. Obviously, the reality as for all other combatants was horrific.

Let us start with the cavalry.

I have a sole squadron of Spahis.  Great soldiers, great rig out.

Here, we have the Chasseurs d Afrique.  Two full squadrons and a half squadron.  I might bring them up to three full squadrons. These were excellent troops.  Experienced, fierce and well led. 

I do wonder how well they, and the Spahis, coped with the Crimean Winter.  

I would like a squadron or two of Dragoons.  No one makes them in 15mm.  If I bought some Napoleonic Empress Dragoons and filed their boot tops down flush, I would be pretty close.  

The more I think about it the better I like it.  Minifigs of course to match the rest.  This below, is what I'm aiming for.  Different facing colours for the Crimean ones of course.

Now to the infantry.  Effectively I have two Brigades.  I might be able to push it to three.

Here we have the Chasseurs a Pied.  Solid lads and, this is important, equipped with Minié Rifle.  As you can see I have based them as skirmish troops.

Next we have the Imperial Guard, one battalion only.  Again armed with the Minié. 

These are intended to be brigaded with the Zouaves of the Guard.  Also Minié armed. My Zouaves are from Irregular. We will see them next time. This gives me a small but high quality brigade.  

They could get some Chasseurs allocated too. 

Or indeed, the next fellows.

The Algerians.  Tough as teak.  Minié armed too I believe.

Next we have two battalions of line infantry.  All armed with smoothbore muskets. 

Good soldiers.  I have enough figures for a third battalion.

You can see the permutations available to me when forming brigades.

Artillery support is on order.

Finally, here are my French General and Brigadiers. I need another two Brigadiers.

Soon, we will see the Turks, Horse, Foot and Guns.  

Then it is on to the two big collections of British and Russians.  Most of which are now done.

The second part of my analysis of Captain Godman's Balaclava letters will be next up.  I want to illustrate some key points using miniatures.  Said miniatures are still being painted.

French Command and Cavalry 1870

 

Cavalry had a very rough ride in the Franco-Prussian War.  Their time was nearly done.  Casualties were heavy.  Yet, there they were delivering charges from another era.  I'm limiting myself to one unit of each of the types I have.  Above the Lancers.

The Cuirassiers here.

The Dragoons, badly in need of a touch or two of paint.

The Spahis, can't beat them for colour.  Good troops too.  The Chasseurs de Afrique are on the to do list.

Here is the French General with his Brigadiers.  

 

Two more to come. Next the German Cavalry and then a bit of painting to bring the numbers up.