Viva Mexico Sharp Practice Game

I needed a quick game to drop on table last minute so we opted for a Sharp Practice tonight using my Mexican Adventure figures.

Making a particular effort to give the French clear superiority in quality and the Mexicans in numbers.

A unit of Bandit skirmishers have stolen a wagon of rifles intending to sell them to the Republicans. Unfortunately for them the axle has broken slap in the middle of the table and as the Republicans send a column to recover the rifles, the French send their own column to stop them.

The race is on.

As well as the Bandido's armed with smoothbore carbines the Mexicans have:

A formation of 2 x 8 groups of regulars with rifles and a level 2 leader

A group of 6 Irregular cavalry with a level 1 leader

A group of 6 dismounted rurales with rifled carbines with a level 1 leader

2 groups of 10 National Guard with smoothbore muskets and 2 level 1 leaders

The national guard a particularly poor having both poor shots and no first fire bonus and amongst the only troops on table without the rifles. They will have to get close and that will be costly.

The Bandido's were not supposed to be part of the Republican force morale, but as we shall see I managed to forget that to my cost.

The French meanwhile have a smaller more professional force:

A formation of 2 groups of 8 Zouaves with a level 2 leader

A formation of 2 groups of 8 Turco's with a level 2 leader

A group of 6 Foreign Legion Skirmishers with good old Sgt Knocker a level 1 leader

A group of 6 Belgian Skirmishers with a level 1 leader.

For many of these it was the first time on table and it showed!

I decide to push the Bandits forward to get to the cover of the wall, unfortunately I roll a two and two ones and move not very far at all.

The Zouaves loose an effective range volley inflicting three casualties and 3 shock and the Bandits are in real trouble.

A bad things happen followed by a further volley that inflicts more shock and a loss of force morale.

Steve has however not used his controlled volley so will now have to keep firing at the Bandits even after they have gone until he gets his troops back under control.

The Mexican infantry is slow to get forward but the French and Belgians are closing in so I push the cavalry forward with a lucky run of cards to try and distract and slow down the Zouaves in particular.

The Cavalry wont make a dent in a frontal charge so I decide a volley from the saddle out of the Zouaves arc of fire is my best choice. Two dead and two shock is helpful but the Zouaves cant respond as they dont pass the control test and continue to fire at the Bandits.

The Irregular cavalry really be a 8 figures unit but I only have 6 finished! A mounted volley inflicts one dead on the Zouaves but forces Steve to respond distracting him a little from the infantry advancing on the cart in the centre and slowing him down a little. A further volley inflicts the second dead and 2 shock. The cavalry are very exposed though.

Steve responds by wheeling the Turco's and volleying the cavalry, albeit with only 8 of his 16 having line of site.

The volley inflicts a bunch of shock but no casualties and forces the cavalry back and a "bad things happen " roll which this time I pass.

 After their compulsory retreat I decide to get the cavalry out of harms way and try recover their shock to make them useful again.

In the ruins the French and particularly the Belgian skirmishers are taking a pasting from the Mexican regulars and Regulare skirmishers.

I have my formation of Regulars in place and a series of effective range volleys sees the Belgians take 4 casualties and enough shock to force them back twice, whilst the Legion Skirmishers are also forced back with excess shock, although with no casualties. Steve's Force morale starts to suffer.

The Regulares prove decent skirmishers although my movement rolls have them reluctant to advance, like much of the Mexican force.

The Legion are forced back again and then a third time whilst the Belgians take a volley inflicting 5 casualties killing both remaining troopers and their officer and wiping them out. The subsequent tests take 3 more force morale from Steve taking him to 5 out of 10. Meanwhile I have 6 out of ten having forgotten the Bandits are not an integral part of my force and shouldn't count, Doh! Three more than I should have.

My National Guard finally make it to the wagon only to be blasted by the Zouaves who are finally under control, two volleys see them down to half strength and forced back by shock. The second unit is nearly in range but at long range with no bonuses they cant stand up to volleys from the French so it will be a very uneven competition.

At this point we need to call it.

A surprisingly enjoyable game, I had been told that this period with the predominance of rifles didn't work quite so well for Sharp Practice but that has not proved the case, although the Militia are at a massive disadvantage with smoothbores, as they should be.

Interesting to see what the addition of Machete armed town Militia does to the game next time!

Its all still to play for with the French skirmishers on their left virtually destroyed but their two formations in good order.

In contrast the Mexican National Guard are not doing too well, but the Republican Regulars can now join the battle against the Zouaves and Turcos and are both almost untouched and already in touching distance of the wagon.

Another hit on the Legion Skirmishers will likely see Steve start to loose command cards and shift the balance of power a little, another 40 minutes might of seen a conclusion but its late so we pack up after a very enjoyable game. Cheers Steve.

Hope you enjoyed it too, thanks for stopping by.

Belgians for Mexico

 One of the Key units I wanted to do for the Imperial Mexican army was the Belgian Legion.

A very pretty unit that saw lots of action although they probably shouldnt have.

When Maximillian of Austria, the Emperors younger brother, was offered the Imperial Crown of Mexico his father in law, King of Belgians, gave him permission to recruit a Belgian Legion to support him.

All volunteers the troops were green but enthusiastic. Two battalions were raised, one of Grenadiers and one of Voltiguers. Initially as Palace guards their commander lobbied for action, sick of insults from French officers, and was granted his wish. 

These first figures are for the Grenadier battalion with red lace, the Voltiguers having green lace and will follow in due course.

All Gringo 40's figures and lovely, a slightly limited range I am expanding by some simple head swaps with Officers for Tonkin whose uniform is a good fit.

Then there are these 7, I picked them up from ebay, not cheap but a good fit and a decent headstart, not keen on the painted eyes so the faces may need a little work to be closer to my style and I will add leather gaiter toppers at the calf but other than that and some minor scratches these are pretty much done once I remove their bases. 

I particularly like the officer.

So those two take me to 13 out of a 20 man unit, the standard bearer is probably going to be the most challenging as Gringo 40's dont really do them and even the Tonkin range would need hand swaps to facilitate this.

I glued the last lot of Belgians to bases before realising I hadnt taken pictures, apologies so here are some of the extras on their bases.

French Officer of Contra Guerillas with head swap on the right.

Advancing Legionnaire on left.

Separate command figure for Sharp Practice.

Republican Mounted Commander is cloak.

French Indo China officer with head swap and hand swap for open hand to facilitate the flag, carefully put together by chum Chris Charlton, cheers Chris.

Hopefully have these based up to share in next week or two.

Until then thanks for stopping by.

Finished Units for Mexico

With a bunch of bases back from Steve having the grout added to bases and sealed with a layer of paint I have been able to get a bunch more finished for the Mexican project.

First finished unit are Irregular Mexicans, bandits, Guerrillas as you like. Useful for either side but will mainly be republican irregulars. 2nd and 3rd from left are Boot Hill, the other 4 are Knuckle Duster. 

First of the French Zouaves, the French had a I believe 8 battalions in Mexico so 2 seems a good number for me. Perrys with a Flags of War flag.

The finished box for the French and Imperials is starting to overflow, 5 battalions of French and 2 of Mexican supported by 2 squadrons of Chasseurs D'Afrique and one of Mexican Lancers. 

Geoff (Ellies Dad online) said he wondered how I fitted everything in, last year I invested in some new boxes and a load of Jenga, they are all full now so I need to consider re-visiting that. 

Mexican Militia/National Guard, real mix of manufacturers with this lot. And mixing in with existing figures to finish units off.

These command bases finish off 4 battalions, mix of Foundry, Perry, Wargames Atlantic, 1898 miniatures.

Mainly Foundry Peons with a couple of Wargames Atlantic prints.

These two bases of Machete armed Peons, mainly 1898 Philippino Guerrillas

The finished units are below, again the box is full and Jenga is required. 5 battalions of Militia, one of Regulars and the cavalry squadron. Add to this 3 or so battalions, 2 gun batteries and a squadron from Chris pretty much gives is enough for a game.

That's probably it for a month or two as I prep for Partizan but as I am not quite halfway with the project certainly more to come.

Thanks for stopping by.

Zouaves and Mexican Militia

Almost there now with the Zouaves and Mexican Militia.

All Perrys but the Officer is Argentinian from the Triple Alliance range. Pretty pleased with these.

Last three painted, all Perry's the Standard bearer is from the Bombay Infantry in Victoria's little wars range. Can start thinking about basing these up now. Flag is from Flags of War.

Also this week the first of the 1898 miniatures via Empress.

These are Phillipine Militia figures, whilst the style is quite different and I dont think I quite got the best from them they should mix in quite well as part of a Militia command group.

Six more to complete command bases for Mexican Republicans.

The Officer is a Perry Egyptian with head swap and I particularly like him, 3d printed Wargames Atlantic trooper and Perry Triple Alliance Standard bearer.

Again here a 3d printed Wargames Atlantic musketeer supported by officer and standard bearer from Perry Triple Alliance range.

Last of the Militia with Firearms, a mix of 3d prints and metal Foundry Peons and a Sikh swordsman that was sat around waiting to be finished, just because.......

6 more with machete and all the irregular figures I have will be complete. Oddly that gives me 5 battalions and a base over with two battalions having no command bases so I may decide to add those command bases and a small number more peons to get to 6 battalions.

Lastly a bunch of 1898 miniatures, these are Phillipino insurgents but paint up nicely with the odd head swap as Peons.

That should get me finished with the first 5 units of Mexican Militia. I may stretch that to six lets see.

Thanks for stopping by.

Review of Mexican Plans and Progress

So I am still making really good progress with the Mexican Project despite a lay off due to gut injury.

I thought it perhaps worth sharing what the project plan looks like and how far I have progressed as well as some of the latest figures.

The French is the most progressed, I planned originally 6 battalions of foot, I have enough figures for 7.

Two Legion Battalions finished, One Metropolitan Battalion finished, One Turco Battalion finished, one Zouave battalion started, one Chasseurs a pied battalion not started, the spare figures would give me another battalion of Zouaves. 

Supported by one 12 pounder and crew.

I plan at least 4 squadrons of cavalry, two Chasseurs D'Afrique are finished, one of Chassuers and another third Chasseurs D'Afrique unpainted.

The Imperial Mexicans will be 4 battalions of foot (possibly 5) of which 2 are completed. 3-4 squadrons of cavalry of which one is completed. All very colourful, with two battalions for example in red coats and green trousers with white gaiters.

The least progressed is the European Imperial Troops, I plan 2 battalions of Belgians and one of Austrians with a light gun. Just 7 Belgians painted.

For the Republicans my plan is less fixed, although broadly there in my head, I want to have a similar number of troops but the mix of troops is still to be finalised.

 5 battalions of National Guard/ militia at least, of these 4 are pretty much complete. Peon clothes, straw sombreros, mix of old muskets and machette.

Then 5 of regulars or uniformed National Guard, only one of these is currently completed. I will have a specific unit that had a red shirt and havelock which will be nice, I will also have two units of Gringo 40's in white uniforms with mainly sombreros. At least one unit in white uniform and blue kepi. The Republicans will look suitably scruffy I think.

Most of these will be in white although the regular battalion completed is in Blue. So far I have enough for 11 battalions.

I also have a whole stack of dismounted irregular cavalry. These dont fit so well for me as formed regiments of foot. I think rather they can be used as skirmishers. Even a whole regiment in skirmish order perhaps. 24 figures gives me to small battalions or 4 very small skirmish units.

For the Cavalry I want 4 squadrons of irregulars, one of Regulare's and at least two regular units. these are barely started with just four cavalrymen painted.

In terms of support just the one field gun.

On the upside Chris has at least 4 battalions with a squadron of cavalry and 2 guns to bump this up for some games. All of that is finished and ready to go.

So in infantry alone thats 25-30 battalions of which 11 are finished.

The latest figures painted are below.

A Perry plastic recycled Zouave and a Foundry Mexican, these came out OK.

The Perry metal Zouaves are coming out much nicer and a very colourful unit.

And a few more.

These two Bandidos from Knuckleduster will finish my first irregular cavalry unit. 

I am not that keen on the guy clinging to his Sombrero but I can hide him at the back of a unit. Both Foundry Camerone Range Militia types.

Lastly three more Zouaves, the left figure is Perry plastic with a Steve Barber head swap (I only had turbaned Zouave heads) the other two are Perry plastics. That's the Zouaves half done now.

So plenty more to do but happy with my progress.

Thanks for stopping by.

Completed Mexicans

The Mexican Adventure projects continues apace.

Quite a bit of completed stuff to share. Firstly two mounted officers from Perry's Triple Alliance Range.

Left we have a Belgian Officer, who will command the Belgian and Austrian contingent, and right a Chasseurs D'Afrique officer who will be my French cavalry commander. 

I painted the first of these Imperial Mexican Lancers ages ago so nice to get them finished, these are all Perry's British intervention force Lancers with head swaps using Steve Barber havelock heads.

Quite a few Militia finished, essentially gives me 4 battalions done now. These are mainly Wargames Foundry Mexicans from the Camerone range with a couple of Wargames Atlantic 3d prints.

And again Wargames foundry with 2 x 3d prints. Just need a couple of command bases with flags.

And a base of Machette armed Militia, will have enough for at least a full battalion of these if I need them, or I can just mix the bases in. All Wargames Foundry.

This is the second battalion of Mexican Imperial foot, wearing the very colourful but equally unpopular Red coat and green trousers uniforms designed by Maximillian. Red was the colour of revolution so seen as a Republican colour hence the unpopularity.

2 Wargames Atlantic 3d printed Legionnaires. The rest are Perry's, 4 are Triple Alliance Argentinians and the rest are Perrys second Afghan War Bombay Infantry with head swaps, again Steve Barber havelocks. The standard bearer is Perry's Egyptian with Head Swap

I like the overall effect.

Good progress, almost half way with this collection.

Thanks for stopping by.