Bosworth 1745

Charles Edward Stuart has invaded England. Rather than what actually happened,  the French have sent a stronger force consisting of more Elite troops and cavalry and infantry.

part of the French force

Languedoc Dragoons 

Bombardier du Marine

Volontaires de Hainaut

Regiment Karrer 

Next up will be the Jacobites 

French counter revolutionary actions 1790s

One of the articles in Wargames Illustrated lists this scenario as an interesting game idea. More to follow.
I have several civilian type figures which could become counter revolution French. It makes for an interesting side project along side my Irish Rebellion actions I am also working on.
I plan on modeling the French counter rebels in a mix of SYW French in blue coats and civilian French militia in the knit caps minus the snowshoes, and the Revolutionary French in the National coats of blue faced red (AWI Americans moonlighting as French)

And I have to find what issues this was in, ahhhhhh

As of 2022, I found the article and have a scenario on the table 

The Battle of Carrickfergus 21 February 1760

As mentioned in the previous posting Battle of Carrickfergus was a French invasion of Northern Ireland during the Seven Years War one of the most interesting aspects of this action was that three of the regiments involved had actually been involved in operations in British North America on the French side we had the Regiment going and going to be both of which had served in the Garrison of Louisbourg during the siege of 1758 and the 62nd regiments which is served in the siege of Quebec in 1759 furthermore this campaign is very easily adapted to the wargaming table due to its small size and also to the fact that I have most of the figures already in order to fight the battle within Wargames Illustrated magazine (July 2019) the figures used are from the author's collection however within my own collection I have better suited civilian type militia figures for the Seven Years War. Which at 1/72 scale it really doesn't matter the style of clothing however the Caps being worn or probably better than Irish Rebels have 1798 where the newer style clothing started to come in at the end of the 18th century as well there are several armed civilian types I have in my collection in metal from rafm miniatures.

The French force for the battle

Carrickfergus with castle and garrison

The Irish Loyalist Militia man the walls.

Defending their homes against a foreign invasion 

French begin  advance

They begin to try to breach the walls

My son Ian and I played out this game as we hadn't had a Black Powder game together in some time. In this game, he acted as the British-Irish commander while I took the French.

The French troops attempted to bombard the town. In the process, they were successful in taking out most of the Royal and Royal Irish Artillery. However, as the French Infantry advanced, the Irish militia held firm better than their historic counterparts. The British Grenadiers actually broke morale several times! Quite the scandal! 

However, in the end, despite the French breaking over the forward wall of the town, they could not overcome the defenders. They quickly departed the area before being defeated in detail.

French Hussars, 1808-1814

I got these two figures for free from Wargames illustrated.

Since I have gotten out of the Napoleonic Wars (except for War of 1812,) I will be using these in other locals in lieu of other troops

both are 28mm but will fit nicely into my project for fighting in South Africa as Dutch, and in South America as Spanish.

Updated 4/6/2019

My buddy who I have traded kits and troops with has asked for my French collection. I will be keeping these figures for a South American liberation wars of the 19th century which used surplus Napoleonic kit. I am also passing over a brigade of British troops.

In trade, I received about a dozen more kits and several other figures. I have increased my collection without spending any funds!

Battle of Rocoux October 11, 1746

Rocoux anyone? It sounds like a French dish, which begs the question is it better served hot or cold and with a Bordeaux or a crisp Chardonnay?
This was part of Marshall de Saxe's campaign. It pits the French against the British, Dutch, Hanoverian and Hessians.

The article I have from Minature  Wargames is only half, this was from issue 195, August 1999. I must have bought the issue before I left for Japan, gee 20 years already.......
Anyhow, I shall be working on an order of battle.

the French line

Looking towards the Hessian and British lines

The British left wing made up of a composite Grenadier Battalion with a strong Highlanders contingent 

The Allied horse waiting to smash into the French

the Royal Artillery on the Allied right.

the French Horse begin to advance

the French cavalry attempt to hit the Allied left

The last of the Brunswick and Hessian troops

French musketry is punishing the Allied line 

Royal Artillery desperately attempts to move the guns to support an assault. Eventually the Allied force suffered so many casualties. The French emerged victorious 

Fontenoy 1745

So my next mid 18th century battle will be Fontenoy.

The main reason for doing this battle is the fact that the Wild Geese had such a main role as did the Black Watch.
My French metropolitan army is gaining strength as is the British, Prussian and Hanoverian.
Mostly, it's filling out the Cavalry and the infantry.
So over my restaurant shutdown, I will see what I can do.

the main French line

the Allied centre made up of Hessian, British and Dutch troops

oday's battle

The Highland Brigade take the hill supported by the Royal Artillery

The main British force, two columns of Troops and horse

looking towards the French lines

the first battalion of Highlanders reaches the hill with gun support 

the French right begin to fire

a French heavy gun fires, neat effect with cotton wool

the Brunswickers line fire

both lines begin to exchange musketry enveloping the battlefield with gunsmoke

the French cavalry open fire with their carbines and pistols scattering the Brunskers

musketry continues to be exchanged

the French cavalry charge the Brunswickers, breaking their line

the Prussian horse counter charge

the French right wing eliminate their opponents (who were made up of the 43rd Black Watch). 

the 64th and 88th Highlanders attempt to hold the hill. The French eventually drive off the Highlanders but suffer horrendous casualties in the process.

The British Grenadiers break through the French line

but the move is negated by the Wild Geese flanking the entire Allied right wing. As French guns begin to decimate the Brunswickers and Prussians, the Allied Army withdrawls.

Once again a historical win for the French.

Louis XV army full Osprey publishing series

I finally have a full edition of the series. Thus I can check my collection as to what I have and can field.
The biggest part of the army is my increase of cavalry and hussars.
I should try to paint some of them up this year.