First Franco-Prussian Clash

Prussian troops surge...the wrong way...furious Franco-Prussian action from three weeks ago!

As you will have seen here and there amid recent postings I have started collecting and painting figures for gaming the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 in 28mm.  While I do aspire to do larger "Black Powder" type games, getting all the necessary figures done will take a bit of time.  But skirmish games can come along a lot quicker! I have been painting some amazing figures from "Eagles of Empire" and basing them individually for skirmish gaming purposes.  They finally saw their first action a few weeks ago!

Curt was in Winnipeg for a brief visit, so I took the chance to drag into the maiden game for the figures.  The scenario was simple - a skirmish on the outskirts of Wissembourg in the opening phases of the war.   

Dallas trying to encourage his figures with proper direction...in the foreground to the left, my Jagers were a touch skittish...shouldn't the regular chaps be leading this thing?

For rules we used...well, Black Powder! And it worked very well for an all-skirmish engagement.  Curt and Bill took command of the French forces, trying to defend a ruined farm house from what they told themselves were small probing attacks from a Prussian screening force (in the actual battle, these in fact would be among the lead elements of a Corp-sized German formation that would roll over the French division in the area).  The French had four squad-sized infantry units, with one forward-deployed in the ruined farmhouse, offering excellent cover and firing positions. 

Prussians moving forward...a possible coordinated assault is looming...

Uh-oh! Command blunder!! That will not help the attack go in...

Dallas and I took command of the Prussian forces.  Dallas led four squad-sized elements of Prussian regulars, and I took command of two squads of Jagers. We would have six turns to drive the French away from the objective - and could even call up an extra squad of regulars should we deem one to be spent.  

The French reinforcements were slow to arrive, but why hurry - and interrupt such a gallant defence of the building to their front?

Both sides features many unfortunate command rolls.  For our part, we could not get the Prussians to make the most of their advantage in numbers, and while we held out under the Chassepot rifle fire, the squads attacked the target building piecemeal, and were driven back. 

The Prussians try to force the matter...

But with no success, the Chassepot rifles continue to pour out a cracking fire...

The French, for their part, seemed reluctant to move forward and support that one squad in the building, with order rolls often coming up short.  They compensated, however, with a gallant defence, clinging to their position even as losses increased.  In the end, a victory for the French! The Prussians would have been forced to bring up the artillery to deal with the pesky French troops...

Big thanks to Curt, Bill and Dallas for playing.  It was super-fun to get these figures out on the to table and play a first Franco-Prussian war game, I hope the first of many, as I am really, really loving the period. And special thanks to Curt for driving in to visit from Regina, AND for taking ALL of these photos! Was wonderful to see you dude.