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 Colonel’s Recovery Repeats: Painting White on Figures

Originally posted on July 20th, 2010 before we had the fancy paints we have now and I learned a new painting technique!

Painting white uniforms or clothing has been a challenge for me in the past as I did not want the uniforms to be white! Hunh? In other words, I wanted my figure's fabric to look textured and realistic with shadows and highlights. I have achieved that effect easily with other colors by starting with a base of black, and then wet brushing with the base color to get the desired effect. Then I would highlight with a lighter color. Unfortunately, starting with black did not get the results I wanted until I stumbled on a painting guide for "Gandalf the White" on the Games Workshop website. As I primarily use Games Workshop paints, it was perfect for me and I like the result. You can see the completed Gandalf above.

Since I am painting the British Foot Guards (sorta, I really need to finish them before the French Dragoons come), I took some quick pictures to show how I am painting the coveralls white.

After priming in black, I paint the pants with a base of GW's Bestial Brown.

Wet brush with Bone White being careful not to cover up the folds of the figure which leaves a nice shadowing effect.

Highlight with Skull white - Tah Dah! You may notice that I have not done the straps of the figure with this painting technique. I wanted the straps and lace to be "whiter" and stand out more. For this, I just use Skull white in several layers until I get the desired look.

Remember the first rule of painting - if you make a mistake, just paint over it!

Below are some French Napoleonic Troops from Wargames Foundry that I painted that illustrate the technique: