The Battle of Neustadt-in-Hesse*** 26 June 1760 – once more a ‘near’ historical scenario – or the true story of his lordship Granby's Day of Glory.

Saturday, 3 January we fought the battle that links to my last years scenario of Schweinsberg. It is settled on the French 1760 summer invasion of Lower Hesse. For the historical background story, please see: http://crogges7ywarmies.blogspot.de/search/label/My%20SYW%20Battles 

It is essentially the same. But this time, it was the French army that was to attack prince Ferdinand's Allied Army in its positions around Neustadt/Hesse.

The two army's orders of battle remained unaltered, just the selected battlefield area changed as a result of the French master plan to attack the Allies left wing, seize the walled town of Neustadt and cut the Allies communications to Kassel.

Once more the orbats of the two forces. All my newly painted units have now been included, such as the Saxons, the Welch Fuseliers and Hannoverian grenadiers, as well as a number of new French units. 

The above sketch illustrate the initial positions as well as the French plan of attack. The army executed a march  to the right and was to debouch in front of the Erbprince's position, while the Saxons and the Grenadier Reserve under St. Pern were to turn the Allies left wing. The theatre of this bellicose drama now became the Erbprince's position on the heights of Gleimenheim and the extensive wooded area's to either of his flanks separating the two armies. Really, the hottest of the fighting took place within these woods. 

The above image illustrates much of the character of the combats seen here.

I call it the battle in ‘Jager land’ – or ‘Mohawk land’, as French major Mr. le chevalier de R*** choosed to put it. Within the French army, he was known as "L'Américain". Mr. le chevalier took part in the operations of the capture of Fort William-Henry in America and was taken prisoner at the Combat of Quebec in 1759. He returned to Europe on one of the prisoners ships and was freed on parole not to serve against the king of Britain in New England or New France again. May 1760 he arrived at Broglie's headquarters in Frankfurt and applied for a job to serve with My most Christian Majesty's Army in Germany, instead.
Below see a shot of the 1759-1760 French headquarters in Frankfurt.

Its the only recently rebuilt original Palais Thurn & Taxis near the Hauptwache (Place d'Armes in French). Its located only about 200 meters from were I live and this game took place. 

Above, we see the French Reserve of the Right Wing under Lusace turning the Allies left wing, well screened by French light troops deployed in the woods in front.

In the foreground you see a number of marvelous painted ‘flat’ metal trees that had been brought along by my gaming opponent M*** that day. Of course, they all had to add to my terrain layout. With other images below they are missing, as I made much of the images only after the game during the next morning with much better light for photographing, but unfortunately, without all those pretty extra trees.

Lusace's corps seen from the Neustadt direction.

The Allied Army's crack troops commanded by the Erbprinz deployed on the heights around Gleimenhain – determined to defend its positions. ‘Achillis’ – the Erbprinz – is seen at the head of his force along with his entourage, which include 2 men of the famous as picturesque Buckebourg Black Carabiniers.

Hannoverian Jagers under Luckner's command securing the right wing of Maxwell's converged English grenadiers.

The Allied army deployed seen from the direction of general Imhoff's Langenstein position. In front we see the English divisions of Granby and Waldgrave delpoyed around Erxdorf.

Closer view on the Allies initial positions centre with general Wangenheim's Hannoverians deployed to the left of the English infanterie.

The initial deployment of the mass of the French army. Only general Guerchy's 4th division along with prince Camille's cavalerie of the left wing was left behind aound Niederklein camp, acting as the army's Arriergarde. General Rooth's 2nd division was tasked to assault the Gleimenheim defile from front and crush the Erbprince's line supported by massed atrillery support as well as flanking attacks by the French grenadiers under Condé and St. Pern. 

The French attack in progress. The first casualties became the French roughnecks of de Vair's volontaires, led into the woods by the chevalier l'Americain. They ran straight into the Allies grenadiers. Also Rooth's division was shot to pieces within short with its initial onslaught. Just my newly painted brigade of Dauphin following in second line survived. The fighting for Gleimenheim and the woods to either side now turned into an obstinate and bloody affair.

Wangenheim's Hannoverians deployed in the rear of the Erbprince's force for close support, while Waldgrave's English infanterie gradually extended the line to the Erbprince's right.

Detail of the fighting in the woods between Niederklein and Allendorf.
My newly painted regiment of Dauphin is advancing in support of Condé's grenadiers. It has seen off an attack by Allied grenadiers and now turns the flank of the Hannoverian regiment of vieux Zastrow to pour in its fire. Dauphin performed great this day.

Finally, the Allies were fought down. The remnants withdrew behind a stream running past Neustadt with the French found in close pursuit and now preparing for the final assault on the Neustadt position. This town was a tough nut to crack, as it was found walled and surrounded by a stream. Meanwhile the Allies started to build up an increasingly threatening force on the French left, led by Waldgrave's English infanterie and supported by Imhoff's command as well as Granby's English cavalerie of the right. Granby was once again found at the very rear of the echelon, causing French staff officers to laugh and scoff at Granby being just fine enough a force to guard the army's suttlers and other baggage. Before this battle was over, Granby's cavalry's sabers would give them a lesson to learn.
But before telling the story of Granby's glory, lets turn to the events on the French right. Lusace's Saxons as well as the French cavalry of the right could finally manage to close in on Neustadt.

Above see the crisis of the battle on the French right. The French cavalry engages in a reckless charge to crush general Wutginau's Hessians and Brunswickers defending the stream to the East of Neustadt. The Cuirassiers du Roi actually broke the Brunswick Zastrow regiment thanks to the fire support of the Saxon grenadiers, while in a most gallant action, the Saxon Kurprinzessin regiment knocked out the Hessian heavy battery of colonel Huth. On the West side of Neustadt, all Allied artillery was either silenced by well aimed French artillery fire, or captured by a brave charge of the Grenadiers Royaux. Now, Neustadt was ready to be captured by the French - but - there weren't any troops left to assault Neustadt. The French army was found completely exhausted with no troops left, that could deliver the final blow.
All the while the action of this day was decided on the other end of the French line. General Imhoff's troops along with Waldgrave's English fought down the French left wing's divisions of Gouchery and prince Camille, and Granby launched the battle decisive blow against the single remaining intact French division of general Rougé. It was totally crushed in a single charge by the English cavalry. Not even Mr. L'Americain could have foreseen such disaster.

Above see the English cavalry with Granby in the rear. In the foreground you see the poor French brigade of Le Roi on blown horses. They could do nothing to avoid French defeat.
Cheering Victoria and a Feu De Joie to the arms of My Royal Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany, that has won the day in a most dramatic game.

Je suis Charlie

My SYW Personality Commanding Generals

My latest paint job is 2 command stands that are once more going to represent historical generals and their escort. It is my latest work-in-progress. You'll have a first look at them while I'm busy doing the shading business of the horses. I'm getting quite excited about my new personality generals command stands, and that is the reason why I'll post images before they are all done. Will do that, of course, once the paint job is completed.
One will be John Manners, the marquis of Granby. Well, guess who it is. 

He is seen in company of colonel Richard Peirson of the 1st Foot Guards and lieutenant-general Granby's personal orderly.

I took the above oil painting as my template for general Granby. What a giant horse he is mounting. My figure is really a Prussian staff-officer, but he will be just fine. He is posing in such a great "com'on up Guards and at 'em" gesture.

Mr. Peirson will be dressed in the officers dress of the 1st Foot Guards. In May 1760, the man assumed the unloved post as general commissioner of the army. He was responsible to release the funds for "His Royal Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany" from the British Treasure. He did dis job quite well, is seems. Never before Ferdinand‘s war chest had been filled better. Unfortunately, with the arrival of his own battalion during August this year, Peirson found so much more pleasure spending most of the day at the head of his lads exercising all sorts of martial arts that he now couldn‘t find enough time anymore to deal with those wretched Warrants. Again now, Ferdinand‘s finances sank into disorder.
Being effectively the paymaster of it all, I think this man to be a highly important individual worth being represented with this command stand. I wonder who‘s loss Fredinand would regret more – Granby or Mr. Peirson? Well, for the moment all is fine. The first shot directed at Granby‘s command post missed the both but instead hit Granby‘s poor orderly. From my German uniform source Friedrich Schirmer, I learned the man was a Hessian and dressed in hussar style. Schirmer gives some essentials regarding his dress: blue pelisse (missing here with his ‘summers dress’), white dolman (seen), blue breeches, red Hungarian boots, and a fur hat. That‘s all. The remaining details I had to make up myself by employing naked guesswork.
The other will be the French general of cavalry Mr. le duc de Fitz-James. 

He will be in company of a trooper of his own regiment (Fitz-James Cavalerie) representing his garde d'honneur, and a trumpeter. To my personal taste, I came to believe trumpets always look smart in company of cavalry generals. This one of the Bercheny hussars will join another cavalry general to replace a trumpeter of the heavy cavalry in royal livery (see below image). The letter will then be commandeered to the staff of Fitz-James. Fitz-James will wear a blackened cuirasse ontop his blue generals coat. That's why I fetched the two men of the Gendarmerie as template for this paint job. 

These I have done many years ago, but they remain my single best painted suits of armour. I hope to get at least close to this again. I should note, neither figure comes with engraved or sculptured armour. I simply painted it over their dress. You can do that with flats pretty well.
Finally – 6 weeks later! – they are all done now. I suffered from a serious restraint of touching my brushes. 
Here they are now: That's mylord Granby and staff.

And here we have Mr. le duc de Fitz-James & staff. 

His suit of armour looks nice. I'm very pleased with the result. The morale of my French cavalerie will be at its best, now that it is commanded by such a smart looking general. I can hear the the troopers cheering and singing:
lalala...
"Buvons un coup, buvons en deux
"A la santé des amoureux
"A la santé du Roi de France,
"Et merde pour le Roi d'Angleterre,
"Qui nous a déclaré la guerre.

lalala...

My SYW Workbench – British, Hannoverians, & Saxons

This initially 1 June published article has been updated 1 October.
I have added 3 more Saxon units newly painted below.

This years paintwork is becoming rather productive. After having done the French Aquitaine infantry, I did a composite battalion of Hannoverian Grenadiers. They are a set of really great looking figures. The miniatures are by Friedrich Schirmer, I believe, and nowadays available at Zinnfiguren aus Königswusterhausen foundry – link: www.zinnfiguren-kw.de

The units I've chosen to represent this composite battalion are the grenadiers from the regiments of Spörcken (2-A) and jeunne Zastrow (9-B).

A Hannoverian Grenadier battalion was made up of average 7 or 8 regimental grenadier corps all through 1761, but limiting it to two different painted uniform at my units strength of 16 figures has proven to be just fine, to my taste. Did that with Prussian and Austrian units before.
Along with them, I also did 3 command figures. His Royal Highness – or in French abbreviations: S.A.R. monseigneur le comte de Lusace et son entourage. I entitle him Prince Xavier or simply Lusace. All 3 miniatures are from Kieler Zinnfiguren – link: www.kieler-zinnfiguren.de

Voilà. Lusace (centre) is seen dressed as a French lieutenant-général, as per his French generals patent dating to 12 August 1758. The uniform is based on a pastels portrait by the French court painter Quentin de-la-Tour which should be dated at around 1758.

Lusace is seen with the badge and blue cordon of the Polish order of the White Eagle. His entourage are a staff officer of the Leibgrenadiergarde and a hussar officer of Lusace's raised Hussar Corps that seems to have served for staff duty's, only, rather then having been a regular combat force. Lusace was the vanguard of my first Saxon infantry units that were to follow.

Its the Saxon regiments Kurprinzessin – or French: Princesse Electeur Royale, as I chosed to lable all my units in French. I should note that I aimed to arrive at a neat looking band à la figurines of the famous Meissen porcelain series, giving the lads those neat rosé tan cheeks. It didn't work out really. My Princesse Electeur Royale lads look like alcoholics recruted from the Dresden butchers lane. Fine enough. It might give them an additional punch during game. Next is the regiment Frédéric-Auguste. 

Princesse Electeur Royale I have done in their 1756 uniform when it was a grenadier battalion. My figures are seen with their distinctive grenadier mitres, which they didn't have when serving with the French from 1758 on. The heck. This way they look so much better. Also mitres with white metal instead of my yellow are documented. My yellow is based on a contemporary manuscript that is now part of the Berlin Deutsches Historisches Museum Collection – The former Zeughaus / Arsenal.

My latest paint job are the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (IR 23) of which WIP images are to follow within short.

Voilà, my selected group of miniatures that will become the 23rd Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Started painting them. In the background, you see my Hannoverian Foot Guards, that serve as my colour sample, just to get the red and blue shades adjusted to some degree. The colours should have been about the same, to my understanding. After all, its all king George's II. regts. 

Here see the progress, despite following the Football World Championships. I opted for a different flag bearer. The Welsh Fusiliers being honored with having a very rare Prussian grenadier flag bearer miniature from a mould that is no more. A very old design dating from the 1930's, I believe. A great figure, with its fluttering silk so much better suited then this dead calm wind situation flag of my initial choice. Once he is painted, You won't be able to tell he isn't real English or Welsh at all. 

 Nearly done now 19 June. Just a few bits here and there yet to do. They look great while at the same time England vs Uruguay isn't doing all that well.

Here they are all painted and based – ready for battle, so to say.

I'm not entirely sure whether I've got the uniform the right way. My Welch Fusiliers come with red breeches - they could have been blue, though. Also I did them with white gaiters besides black would have been right, for no white set was used by the British in Germany. But I do all my regular line units in white, throughout, except for my white coated Austrians and now also the Saxons. I think it looks better this way. Just grenadiers, Lights, and artillery I moreoften paint with black gaiters.

Later during summer I did 3 more Saxon units. I did a composite battalion of grenadiers. I've choosen the grenadier companies of Leibgrenadiergarde and Graf Brühl to represent them. The other regiments are the Gardes and Prince Antoine. All miniatures are old casts of Prussian Musketeers by Kieler Zinnfiguren. The mounted staff officer of the grenadiers is an Austrian character as well as the cheering officer of the Guard regiment. The Leibgrenadiergarde drummer is actually a French character, but serves well as a Saxon. I sart to become increasingly easy with bothering on cuff sizes and other fussy detail. God knows what tailors these men contracted. He should be just fine. He is from another foundry.

Below see my entire Saxon Corps completed.

My SYW French Gun Models

Earlier this year, I received a a load of most pretty French gun models from Fife and Drum Miniatures. Here is a first image while busy painting and assembling the guns. 

Interspersed, you see two Hannoverian guns (red) and a Buckebourg (black) piece. All skratch-build. The marvelous French F&D models should have long be completed, but honestly, my serious ‘cannon fever’ virus has given way to a much more serious 'football fever’. I can't work anymore. 7:1 ! It nearly killed me last night.

Voilà. My earlier entirely remastered Allied Army's artillery is seen performing a Feu de Joie to cheer the arrival of the French heavy artillery in My French Armies camp. A tribute to an ancient custom among the French Gens de Guerre. The Allied Army's guns are lined up strictly according to the Ordre de Bataille found on the day of Minden. We see capt. Macbean's English medium 12-pdrs of the right wing commencing with the first discharge of joy. My receiving of these fine French gun models deserve no less then utmost Pomp and Circumstance. No less will do justice to this truly extraordinary event. 

Now, with many being assembled and painted, I must say they are among the most pretty models I have ever seen. Even better, they are authentic looking. After wargaming with French 7YW armies for about 30 years now, it was high time. My old funny painted and funny scaled models seen in the upper left now having been removed from the field inventory. The credit goes to Jim Purky, who took the effort and risks to release an entire range with Fife & Drum Miniatures. Mr. le Maréchal de Broglie has only recently awarded him the royal privilege promoting him Chief Prime Contractor of Les Armées du Roi en Allemagne. Mr. le Maréchal can't await to receive more even heavier guns. Now, lets have a closer look at the material received.

Above see the long 4-pounder field gun. The track width of the original model is rather generous. For the AWI period it may be just fine, but I reduced it somewhat, in order to make it a better match with all my existing gun models. I also took the effort of adding a pair of hooks at the front face of the carriage. I've done this with all of my scratch build models, so that wasn't much of an effort. In the background you see the Austrian 6-pdr field gun with its barrel so much shorter then that of the Vallière long 4-pdr. It really was a much bigger gun despite having a smaller calibre. The dimensions are perfect. Next comes the French short 4-pdr à la Suédoise, the French battalion gun seen in the foreground.

It looks wonderful and has just the right authentic dimensions. The ammunition box of the French battalion gun is really the Gribeauval M1765 version. Again fine for the AWI, but should be also just fine for the 7YW period. I placed the gun next to a scratch built Hannoverian principal 3-pdr model (red) and the French long 4-pounder. These three models alone should have accounted for about 60% or upwards of all cannons fielded with the campaigns of the French vs Allied Armies of the 7YW.

Next comes the Vallière M1732 12-pounder model.

Again a most authentic looking piece. It is especially nice to see my suggestion of the extra rococo-style iron fittings being accounted for.

Unfortunately, this 12-pounder as well as the 8-pounder Vallière cannon models were done to a smaller scale then the two 4-pdr models.

Something went wrong here, but that isn't of no big issue. Effectively, the F&D 12-pdr model arrives at the dimensions of the 8-pdr, while the latter model is effectively another 4-pounder.

See the French piece arrayed between a Hesse-Cassel battery gun 12-pdr (front) and a Hannoverian 6-pdr heavy field gun (back).

The French 12-pdr should really be a tad longer then the Hessian piece. Both were of similar dimensions. It matches so much better with its equivalent Hannoverian 6-pdr, a heavy field gun not to be confused with the British or Prussian light 6-pdr battalion guns. It had a barrel length of approx 246 cm, while the French 8-pdr arrived at 264 cm, both excluding the cast on cascabel and button at the rear of the barrel. As a result, I added this F&D Miniatures 12-pdr as an 8-pdr into my park of French artillery – and awaiting heavier pieces yet to arrive in the camp of the French Army in Germany.