The German Division in the Peninsular War, Part 3: The First Step for The Grand Duchy of Baden

Okay. I'm making some progress on the contingent from the Grand Duchy of Baden. I haven't quite decided which table of organization I'm going to use for the German Division as the it depends on the "point" in time. I'm probably going to go with a standard organization that will be the generic organization. Either way, there will be 4 units of Baden infantry. Above is the first unit that is complete. The basing, though relatively simple, is being delayed by (GASP!!!) another miniature project, water colors and of course my pride and joy grandchildren.

Uniform plate from Knotel.

Bonus look at troops from Nassau.

Two more units that need their bases finished.

 

The German Division in the Peninsular War, Part 2: Général de division Jean-François Leval

My interpretation of Général de division Jean-François Leval using figures from WoFun miniatures. For my division commanders I use 2 figures for identification on a round base.

Jean François Leval (18 April 1762 – 7 August 1834) was promoted to general officer during the French Revolutionary Wars and led a division in a number of battles during the Napoleonic Wars. He rapidly rose in rank during the French Revolution. Appointed to command a demi-brigade beginning early in 1793, by the end of the year he was a general of brigade. He led a brigade at Fleurus in 1794 and in the campaign of 1795. In 1799 he became a general of division. He commanded a division in Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Army at the battles of Jena and Eylau. 

Later he transferred to Spain where he commanded the German division and fought in numerous actions including Talavera, Ocaña, Barossa, Vitoria, and the Nive. The only action in which he commanded an army was the Siege of Tarifa, which was a failure. In 1814, he led his division in eastern France. His surname is one of the names inscribed under the Arc de Triomphe, on Column 7.

Speaking of leaders, here are the brigade commanders for the division which are one figure on a round base.

The figures are from the French Mounted officers pack in 18mm. 

Here is how I made the bases look "pretty" (a good base can cover up a multitude of sins):

I first insert the mounted figure into the 30mm x 30mm circular base.

I use regular masking tape to cover the open parts of the slot.

Put some "glops" of white glue around the base.

Water down the white glue with an old paint brush.

Stick the base in the handy, dandy, magical box of hobby sand. Shake off the excess.

Once the sand dries, I put another coating of water downed white glue over the sand as an extra sealant to protect the base.

I then do smaller "glops" of white glue, water down the glue and spread it a little, and then dip the base in the handy, dandy, magic box of static grass. Shake off the excess into the box or whatever container you use. Ta Dah! All done.

The rear of the base. After looking back at the picture, I used an old, dry brush to wipe the excess static grass that was on the horse.

Okay. Now it's time to do some infantry.

The German Division in the Peninsular War, Part 1: Returning to an Old Favorite

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt), converted Dutch Infantry from WoFun Miniatures. This unit was part of General Leval's Geman Division

First of all, if you’re going to game on the Iberian Peninsula, you have to know how to spell “Peninsular” to avoid embarrassment!  

My first foray into miniature gaming as a teenager with my brothers were the lovely 1/72 plastic Airfix Napoleonic’s. As an Anglophile I was first drawn to the Waterloo Campaign, which, as I got older I found too limiting in the variety of forces. So it was little wonder that I was drawn to the Peninsular War with the variety of British, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Polish, Dutch, and German states forces that can be fielded. 

The first rules we played were Bruce Quarrie's wonderful rules Napoleon’s Campaigns in Miniatures. 

I graduated from Airfix to 15mm metal figures that were Minifigs, Essex and then Old Glory. I discovered the rules Volley and Bayonet and the Second Edition Volley and Bayonet: Road to Glory which eventually became my big battle rules were we could actually play a big battle in one day. With an adult paycheck I moved up to 28mm figures from Wargames Foundry (by the Perry’s), Front Rank and Perry Plastics.

For Volley and Bayonet I used 8 figures painted as the 71st Highland Light Infantry on a 3" x 3" base represent a brigade of the British Light Division.  Figures from Front Rank Miniatures.

The South Essex.  British Line from Wargames Foundry and the 2 Riflemen from Front Rank.  If you don't know who the South Essex are, shame on you!

Volley and Bayonet felt right to me for big battles - and even though I was using 28mm figures, the cost was right. A brigade was on a 3" x 3" base which I would put 8 figures for infantry and usually 3 for cavalry. I would by more command figures (one of the great things about Front Rank is the ability to buy individual figures) and I mounted them on thicker bases to put labels on the back for easy identification. 

Brunswick Oel Jagers.  Miniatures are from Perry Miniatures and the mounted British officer, a Division Commander, is from Front Rank Miniatures.

Labels for easy identification and a great boon for new players.

French Army Commander

Wellington.

Huzzah!

Okay. I'm showing off.

Then I got an offer I couldn't refuse and I sold my Peninsular armies.

Years later, I really missed playing Napoleonic games. How to get back into the game without spending a gazillion dollars and taking years (and I mean years) to paint. And then I discovered Wofun Miniatures - the affordable flats illustrated by Peter Denis and made of plexigas. They are very affordable, look great in mass and I decided to go with the 18mm scale.

What they looked like out of the box.

What they look like on the tabletop. I added some sand and static grass to the bases.

Now that I have a about a division's worth of French infantry, a division of cavalry, artillery and command, it's time to do their allies in the Peninsular War. What better a subject than the German Division.

The 2025 Plan: 2nd Quarter Update

Each year I make a plan for my (primarily) miniature painting activities. The year 2023 was the year of "The Big Move" and my plan for 2024, well, fizzled. Not that I'm complaining. Hey, when 4 grandchildren arrive in less than 2 years it's time to celebrate! I'll pause on my hobby activities to spend time with those bundles of joy. I now consider myself a professional grandfather.

With an abbreviated plan I got off to a great start in the 1st Quarter:

1. Take some pictures of my newly painted 28mm Ghurkas for the Northwest Frontier from Perry Miniatures and post them. DONE! 

The 1st Battalion, 3rd Ghurka Rifles are ready to leave the depot. Figures by Perry Miniatures.

In addition, I need to take some pictures of "Team Chase" (okay, it's Jonny Quest) from Pulp Miniatures for an exciting, adventure filled post! DONE!

2. Finish painting the Ogre miniatures for Honorable Son #4 (The Flying Engineer). DONE!

3. Paint a Sikh unit and British mountain gun for the Northwest Frontier. If I have more time also a British Infantry unit and another group of Pashtun tribesmen. Not yet but still coming. I now have an incentive for painting a generic Sikh unit for the Northwest Frontier. Not only will it see duty on the Northwest Frontier but will do double duty as the 1st Sikh Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force in China (See Paragraph 6).

Test figure for my generic Sikh unit. If there's a piper, I'll paint it. The unit will also be from Perry Miniatures for the game The Men Who Would be Kings.

4. Finish my "German" Division for the French Army for the Peninsular War. I'm currently not on planning any artillery. Not yet but still coming. I currently now have all of the figures/units I want courtesy of WoFun Miniatures. All units have been put together and based - I just need to finish the bases. You can see below how the units will look and how I am doing the bases with the picture of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt). Net up will be the contingent from the Duchy of Baden with future posts with a little history attached.

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt), converted Dutch Infantry from WoFun Miniatures.

5. "The Search for Charlie". Okay, it's time to get this campaign started and find out what really happened to Charlie - and Sam is pissed. Coming soon! This has slid a bit to the back burner - though I did purchase some recent, secret terrain for the adventure!

Sam has the Nazi goons right were he wants them.

New Goals:

6. In addition I have decided to paint a new unit of an army I have never done before. Time to pick one out.

Ta Dah. I did exactly that. While recovery from foot surgery (technically I still in the recovery phase - 3 weeks to go!) I watched a historical drama about the Von Trapp Family singers. Yep, the basis for the Sound of Music. I knew that Georg Von Trapp was a naval war hero in the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I, but that was the extent of my knowledge. So with a little research . . . GREAT SCOTT!!! HE FOUGHT IN THE BOXER REBELLION AS A NAVAL CADET IN THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NAVY! New Period.

Cadet Second Class Georg Von Trapp which I accidentally painted as a Koverttenleutnant; but hey, it looks cool. Figure is from Copplestone Castings Russian Naval Command from the Back of Beyond Range.

What's great about doing the Boxer Rebellion is that I basically have all of the forces I need for the 8 Nations Alliance. By adding Austro-Hungarian Sailors and Japanese Infantry, I can give the 8 Nations Alliance the right look for a generic force using the rules The Men Who Would be Kings. Speaking of Japanese Infantry:

Japanese Infantry from Crusader Miniatures.

I'm almost done with my Austro-Hungarian Sailors; most of the British Forces of the Relief Expedition were Indian so the 1st Sikhs, Punjab Frontier Force will join and my already painted Bengal Lancers will be along for the ride. I already have Russian forces so for now the Relief Expedition is done (though I'm sure I'll add more forces for the Legation). The majority of the painting will shift to the Chinese forces, both Boxers and Imperial Chinese Army. I think I might purchase the new Kansu Braves for Crusader Miniatures.

 

7. I'm also going to work on my forces for Xenos Rampant. I have more figures - not sure when I'll get around to them.

I did however painted a Strike Force Commander and another figure for my Mobile Infantry that looks remarkably like a Space Marine.

"As a Space Marine officer, I prefer not to wear my helmet into combat. Heads up displays, thermal imagery, communication nets, real time location and the status of my Marines - plus the protection it provides are for sissies. Plus I can see my chain sword better without it.

I painted this guy too: 

8. Why not; time to do some more armies for One Hour Wargames.

We also got a game in against Mr. Babbage on the Northwest Frontier!

Now that I can sit and paint again, the production line should start speeding up.

That's the big (abbreviated) painting/hobby plan and so far so good! There will be games, more Warhammer 40K Fire Team (yes they sucked me in), some French and Indian War action, Pulp fun and of course a return to the Northwest Frontier.