Tuesday, March 2, 2010

It's been a while...

Greetings my fellow "Imagination" sovereigns and everyone else as well. I appologize for my and Ludwig's extended absence from this blog. It has been a while since I have been able to post here. They say that 'life' is what happens while you're making other plans and life has happened in abundance. What with the economic downturn, my job here in California has been very much an on again, off again affair. I spent last summer working on the Alaska Railroad.

Many of the TMP'ers here might be familiar with Alxbates of "Tales from work" fame. I was able to drop in on him at his bar in Fairbanks while I was up North. After getting back in September and chasing my seniority with Union Pacific Railroad from one end of the State of California to the other, there were all manner of family medical issues to deal with, so my hobby has of neccessity taken a back seat.

Anyways enough about all of that...

I am back and have much painting to do. I have been slowly acquiring Foundry 28mm Prussians for the Ost-Pommern Army. I have about 2/3 of the infantry and the Guard du Corps at 20:1 sitting in boxes under my desk and was ready to dive into painting. Then like most gamers I know, I was distracted by the next big thing, literally.

Trident Miniatures, the brainchild of Doug Carroccio of the Miniatures Service Center and sculptor Sean Judd have trotted out the Hessians for their 40mm American War of Independence range. http://www.miniatureservicecenter.com/ I had been keeping in touch with Doug for some time and making a few purchases here and there from his expanding range. I had pestered him often enough about the Hessians and then one day they arrived. Nigel Billington of 18th Century Press fame had often inspired me with his 40mm S&S Prussians and I sent him a sample of the range. His brush is far better than mine and it is his work in the picture above. http://nigbilpainter.blogspot.com/2009/11/40mm-from-trident.html

Anyways, I had been sitting on my Christmas money from the wife until now... I am staring at a mountain of 40mm Hessian/Prussian musketeers and I'm wondering what to do with them. Should I go with 1:10 individually based for BAR or 1:20 multiple based on 60mm*60mm stands? Should I go Hessian and Brunswicker for the AWI or Prussian for the SYW? I even had a thought to game in 1:5 with a homebrew ruleset of mine I call der Kleine Krieg. The idea of a 120 figure battalion in 40mm with all five flags (1 leibfahne and 4 regimentsfahne) flying is almost too much to resist. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

More Musicians

There is no hard and fast rule amongst the Ost-Pommern Infantry Regiments regarding uniform distinctions for musicians. It is left up to the individual Inhabers to 'tart them up a bit' as he sees fit. Some use varying amounts of lace, others reverse colors.


IR.2 'Markgraf Ludwig' makes use of much lace.


IR.3 'Schlammersdorf'


IR.4 'Steiner' Grenadier drummer


The Scots Battalion utilizes reversed colors on the coat.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Ludwig's FeldArtillerie and Pioniere Corps

Ost-Pommern's Feldartillerie Corps is commanded by Major Manfred Schilling. The Army of Ost-Pommern has always been short of field pieces. It has made a virtue of the shortage and has become known for the rapidity of its maneuver. Ludwig IV eschewed battalion guns and Ludwig V does not seem interested in changing that policy.

Possessed of only a dozen 12 pounder field guns, the state has been able to ensure that sufficient draught horses, limbers, ammunition carts and wagoners are provided to keep the artillery from lagging behind the infantry on the march. The small size of the corps also has enabled Major Schilling to be very selective in recruiting only literate recruits and officers well versed in mathematics. Major Schilling was also charged by Ludwig's father with bringing some semblance of organization to the bewildering array of guns in the fortresses.

The gun carriages and wagons are painted a greyish green color.


Foot Artilleryman

Ludwig V is carrying on his father's reorganization of the supporting services. The various pioneer, pontonier, sapper and miner corps are being consolidated into a single battalion regiment of 6 companies. Although the pontoniers distinguished themselves in the last war, the pioneers, sappers and miners' conduct left something to be desired. Major Erich Löenhaupt has been given command of the consolidated Pioniere Corps. He is imposing more rigorous discipline and infantry drill and tactics in the hope that the men will not scatter to the four winds at the first sight of a dozen hussars. The reforms appear to be going well and this summer the corps will take part in the summer maneuvers for the first time.


Pioniere


Pioniere Drummer


Pioniere Corps Regimentsfahne

More Uniforms for Ost-Pommern

Since I pestered David to publish uniform templates for officers and musicians, it would be bad form not to show what I've done with them.


Musician IR.1


Officer IR.3

More to follow...

Monday, April 20, 2009

Ludwig V comes into his own

It had been a long day of training. Ludwig V had been drilling with the men of his regiment. This would be the last season that he served as a Freikorporal carrying a musket amongst the common soldiers of the regiment that bore his name. The next year he would assume the commissioned rank of Leutnant, and Hauptman, the year after that. After the parole that Saturday afternoon Ludwig mounted his horse and rode to the hunting lodge his father had built in the woods near Alt-Schweinfeld. He was accompanied by his tutor and constant companion Leutnant Küster and a troop of the Garde du Corps, commanded by Leutnant Röbel.

That evening Ludwig dined together with his guardian General-Leutnant Krause and Leutnants Küster and Röbel upon venison and capers. Krause quizzed young Ludwig about his lessons and his progress with the regiment, alternately complimenting him and gently chiding him for any shortcomings. In truth, Ludwig was mastering his lessons much faster than Krause had anticipated and the General made a mental note to engage more tutors for the lad. In the distance, the chuch bells of Alt-Schweinfeld could be heard, tolling it was thought, for the passing of a burgher of some import.

Soon Ludwig and his companions realized that the bell must be for a fire or disturbance.

There was a knock at the door. No sooner had Leutnant Röbel risen from his chair than he was greeted at the door by one of his men, who informed him that indeed there was a great clamor in the town square.

“Milord,” he spoke, “a riot has erupted outside of the Green Dragon Inn in Alt-Schweinfeld. I am as yet unaware of the nature of the tumult.”

“Well then,” Ludwig began, “you should ride ahead to find out.”

Röbel blanched and Krause spat his claret across the room.

“Ahead Milord? Surely you don’t mean to go there yourself.”

“Of course. They are my people and I will not have the peace disturbed.”

“It could be quite dangerous,” Krause reminded him.

“Be that as it may, I am going to town,” Ludwig replied. “Have my horse saddled at once!”

Krause, Küster and Röbel, briefly exchanged looks and then rose to follow Ludwig out of the room and out to the courtyard. In the courtyard, all was a flurry of activity as the two dozen men of the Garde du Corps who were present checked their equipment and loaded their pistols and carbines. Ludwig’s massive black charger was led out of the stable by his servant Meyer while others scrambled to saddle General Krause’s mount. At Leutnant Röbel’s order, the trumpeter sounded ‘assembly’ and his men mounted their horses and formed in two ranks. No sooner than Ludwig was assisted into the saddle by Meyer, than he spurred his mount and dashed through the gate towards the sound of the bells still ringing in Alt-Schweinfeld, with General Krause, Röbel and his troopers riding hard to catch up.

In the fading light, General Krause grabbed the reins of Ludwig’s horse and pulled up to a stop.

“Milord, your father entrusted me with your safety and upbringing, just as he left the management of the state to Baroness Schroeder. It is my duty to stop you from pointlessly risking your life. These men,” Krause gestured to the men of the Guard du Corps surrounding them, “are sworn to protect you. I beseech you; let them do their job Milord.”

“You are right of course,” Ludwig nodded.

Leutnant Röbel asked, “Shall I continue ahead Milord?”

Krause nodded.

“Yes, ride ahead and determine the nature of the alarm,” Ludwig ordered.

Röbel pointed to two trusted NCO’s and shouted “With me!” The three of them galloped off. The remaining troopers formed up around Ludwig and General Krause and Leutnant Küster who had just caught up. Together they rode off at a canter towards the sound of the bells…

Leutnant Röbel and his men returned to the entourage just outside of the town.

“Milord,” he panted breathlessly, “as far as I may ascertain, the people of the town have some manner of criminal cornered in the Green Dragon. They seem agitated and I fear they might attempt something foolish.”

“General,” Ludwig spoke, “It would seem that the men are thirsty. I am told that the Green Dragon has some of the best beer in the land. Let us go there now. Leutnant Röbel, lead the way!”

The men gave a hearty cheer and the party set off through the narrow streets towards the town square and the Green Dragon Inn. As the little column rounded the last turn and came upon the square, the church on their left and city hall on their right, the crowd was gathered at the far end of the square around the inn with pitchforks and torches.

“Leutnant Röbel,” General Krause called out, “Perhaps you should announce our presence.”

Röbel unholstered one of his pistols and fired into the air. The shot echoed in the night and the crowd fell silent. The troopers formed a wedge and with Ludwig, Krause and Röbel at their head rode slowly forward across the square. The crowd gave way and they halted outside the inn.

“What troubles my people so,” Ludwig shouted to be heard among the assembled multitude.

Ludwig had until then not been noticed amongst the troopers of the Garde du Corps by the crowd, but upon the appearance of their sovereign, the crowd kneeled.

A fat burgher stepped forward with an elderly peasant, who looked vaguely familiar.

“Milord,” the burgher began “five men, strangers, in the tavern tried to abduct this man’s sons,” gesturing to the peasant. “A fight broke out. The people of the town stopped the men from taking them, but they barricaded themselves in the Green Dragon with the boys.”

The door of the tavern opened and two men stepped forth. They wore the uniform of Prussian officers. They were disheveled and had obviously been roughly handled by the crowd. Two sergeants and a drummer came out after them leading two ‘youths,’ bound and gagged behind them. The youths were easily 6’4”, lanky and ill clothed. Upon seeing them, Ludwig, Krause and everyone else recognized them as the Schmidt twins, Henrich and Karl Jr. They were renowned in this quarter of the Margraviate for their feats of strength at last year’s harvest festival. Their father Karl Sr, had been served valiantly in the regiment of Schlammersdorf some years before.

“What is the meaning of this,” Krause demanded.

“We have come to gather recruits for der Grosse Koenig, Freidrich II of Prussia,” replied the older of the officers replied.

“Cut them loose,” Ludwig commanded.

“On whose authority,” the younger of them demanded?

As one, the sound of 24 swords being unsheathed rang out and the Garde du Corps troopers glared menacingly at the interlopers.

“On my authority,” shouted Ludwig, “rightful lord of these lands and protector of these people!”

Several troopers quickly dismounted and shoved the Prussians aside and cut the boys loose.

Eyeing the two officers, Ludwig asked, “What are your names?”

“Hauptman Manstein and Leutnant Rohleder.”

Ludwig raised his voice to be heard across the square, “Hauptman, the soldiers of the great and illustrious Frederick may do as they please in his lands BUT may not do so in mine.”

A great cheer rose from the crowd.

“Hauptman, you and your men have my leave to return to your king, but keep in mind what I have said and in the future restrict your recruiting to your sovereign’s subjects, not mine.”

With that, Manstein and his men left town on foot (their horses having mysteriously gone missing in the riot) with as much dignity as they could muster, followed by the raucous laughter of the crowd.

The crowd shouted, “Long live the Margrave! Long live Ludwig!” Even the troopers joined in the cheers. “Long live the Margrave! Long live Ludwig!”

“Leutnant Röbel.”

“Yes Milord.”

“Perhaps the men would care for some refreshment before we return home.” He tossed him a purse full of coins.

The old peasant Karl Sr approached Ludwig and thanked him profusely. “Thank you for the return of my sons your Milord.”

“Loyal service should always be rewarded,” replied Ludwig and he handed the man a couple of gold thalers. “Don’t you agree General Krause?”

“Indeed Milord.”

Sunday, March 15, 2009

More Foreigners Arrive

In the last few days, several ships have arrived at the Margraviate's principal port, Ludwigshaven bearing soldiers. Taking advantage of post-war austerity measures imposed by the great powers of Europe since the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Baroness Schroeder has managed to hire many Scots and Irish veterans of Dutch, Spanish and French service. Messrs James Fraser and Thomas O'Kane, both confidants of the Baroness, have been scouring the Continent for likely recruits for some months now. Their labors are being handsomely rewarded by commissioning them both as Obersts of their respective regiments. Both the Scots and the Irish are being taken into the Ost-Pommern regular establishment as single battalion regiments of five musketeer companies each.

Scots Battalion Uniform

Scots Battalion Regimentsfahne

The arrival of the foreign battalions has caused considerable resentment among the rest of the Ost-Pommern anmy. The senior officers who have been paying out of their own pocket to maintain their units are incensed by the Regent, Baroness Schroeder, paying such exhorbitant sums to hire the foreigners. Even Albrect von Steiner, Inhaber of IR.4, normally very sympathetic to the Baroness, has been alienated by this due to the officers and men of his regiment losing a great many of their billets to the Scots Battalion. The soldiers themselves are envious of the lace encrusted uniforms of the newcomers.

Irish Battalion Uniform

Irish Battalion Regimentsfahne

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

A New Leibfahne for all of Ludwig V's Infantry

After much consideration and consultation with his guardian and mentor General-Leutnant Krause, young Ludwig V has decided to issue a new Liebfahne to all of his infantry regiments.