While precise dispositions of Hesse-Engleburg troops are in some places difficult to pin down, especially with new units forming, the following concentrations are known or believed to be in specific (or un-specific) locations.
1) Vergoldeten - 6 battalions of infantry under Generalmajor Count Manfred von Waffenschmidt are still believed to be wintering here, along with a few detachments of Hussars.
2) On the road from Tipplebruder - A mixed formation of musketeers, jager, and hussars are believed to be on the road back home from Tipplebruder now that the situation seems stable there.
3) Somewhere at sea - The Hesse-Engelburg squadron and troops under Ambassador Colonel Freidrick von Heiner are believed to be somewhere at sea still, on their way to....somewhere. Troops include over 500 men in uniforms resembling the Gallian marines, and a detachment of Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude hussars.
4) Stollen - A small part of Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude hussars under one Major Rudel have been camping on the lawn of the Grand Duke's palace through the winter, waiting for an audience.
5) Hesse-Engelburg - elements of at least 8 infantry regiments and at least 3 cavalry regiments are either active or forming, plus jagers and artillery.
Showing posts with label organization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organization. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Reoriganization and other stuff
Yeah, I know, I keep reorganizing my unit structure in spite of not getting much of anything painted. But I've done it yet again, after looking for too long at Der Alte Fritz' battalions on his blog.
The short way of explaining the new organization would be to say that it's the same as the large generic battalion in BAR, but with one file cut off of every company. This means a total of 9 men per company, plus a six-man headquarters (officer, drummer, 2 standard bearers, 2 regulars). All in three ranks of course. This gives me a strength of 42 without the grenadier company, 51 with.
Which means, instead of being able to field 1.5 battalions of RSM figures, I can field 1 full battalion IF I acquire two more RSM Prussian Grenadiers. And have all of 8 extra figures left, most of them officers.
To go with this, I've decided to also use a 12 figure squadron formation, matching the one illustrated in BAR. This means a 3 squadron regiment would be only slightly less strong than a 4 company battalion.
To go with these new organizations, I finally got around to sorting through the Revell figures I received from a good wargaming friend. I may have to obtain some spares to fill out a handful of figures I'm short on, but I've now set aside 4 Prussian Musketeer Battalions (2 with grenadier companies, 2 without), 1 Prussian standing grenadier battalion, 1 Austrian composite grenadier battalion, and 1 Austrian Musketeer Battalion (with grenadier company). Also, 1 slightly over-strength Austrian pioneer company.
At a minimum, I need to add 3 Austrian officers, 2 Austrian drummers, 5 Prussian officers, and 5 Prussian drummers. Ideal would be to have an additional 2 Austrian charging grenadier, 18 Prussian charging grenadier, and 48 Prussian standing firing pose. It would sweeten the pot a little further if I had another 12 Austrian standing firing pose.
At present, my Prussian Musketeer battalion companies use 2 ranks of 3 kneeling, 1 rank of 3 reloading. My Austrian Musketeer battalion uses 1 rank of 3 kneeling, one rank of 3 biting cartridge, and one rank of 2 reloading and 1 grenadier NCO.
The short way of explaining the new organization would be to say that it's the same as the large generic battalion in BAR, but with one file cut off of every company. This means a total of 9 men per company, plus a six-man headquarters (officer, drummer, 2 standard bearers, 2 regulars). All in three ranks of course. This gives me a strength of 42 without the grenadier company, 51 with.
Which means, instead of being able to field 1.5 battalions of RSM figures, I can field 1 full battalion IF I acquire two more RSM Prussian Grenadiers. And have all of 8 extra figures left, most of them officers.
To go with this, I've decided to also use a 12 figure squadron formation, matching the one illustrated in BAR. This means a 3 squadron regiment would be only slightly less strong than a 4 company battalion.
To go with these new organizations, I finally got around to sorting through the Revell figures I received from a good wargaming friend. I may have to obtain some spares to fill out a handful of figures I'm short on, but I've now set aside 4 Prussian Musketeer Battalions (2 with grenadier companies, 2 without), 1 Prussian standing grenadier battalion, 1 Austrian composite grenadier battalion, and 1 Austrian Musketeer Battalion (with grenadier company). Also, 1 slightly over-strength Austrian pioneer company.
At a minimum, I need to add 3 Austrian officers, 2 Austrian drummers, 5 Prussian officers, and 5 Prussian drummers. Ideal would be to have an additional 2 Austrian charging grenadier, 18 Prussian charging grenadier, and 48 Prussian standing firing pose. It would sweeten the pot a little further if I had another 12 Austrian standing firing pose.
At present, my Prussian Musketeer battalion companies use 2 ranks of 3 kneeling, 1 rank of 3 reloading. My Austrian Musketeer battalion uses 1 rank of 3 kneeling, one rank of 3 biting cartridge, and one rank of 2 reloading and 1 grenadier NCO.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
RSM95 Reinforcements
After much dithering, pondering, and scraping together of funds, and repeated alterations of plan to maximize the purchase, there's a body of new figures en route from RSM.
Rich of RSM worked with me to make some substitutions on one of their Prussian Artillery Battery bags, allowing me to replace 5 designated crew figures with the Prussian Officer with Spontoon figure. This will give me a small 2-gun battery of mixed weight, with each gun crewed by 3 gunners under 1 officer with Spontoon. A Prussian Officer with Cane will command the battery.
The remaining 3 Officers with Spontoon will be allocated to command the companies of the Lintzer Musketeers. This will give me a battalion organization of:
4 Musketeer companies, each of 6 Musketeer Marching under the command of 1 Officer w/Spontoon.
1 Grenadier company, of 6 Grenadier Marching under the command of 1 Officer w/Spontoon.
Battalion staff of: 1 Mounted Officer, 1 Officer w/Cane, 1 Drummer, 1 Standard Bearer.
Accompanying the artillery batter is one cavalry bag of Austrian Hussars in Busby. These should form 2 squadrons of the Fuchshöhle Hussars. Later, when I can afford it, I'll add a second bag to bring the unit up to 4 squadrons.
Also accompanying these two bags are an additional 8 Musketeer Marching and 2 Officer with Spontoon. By combining these with the 4 Musketeer Marching left from the original Musketeer Marching bag, I can form two full Musketeer companies of the Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude, with a command group of my remaining Prussian Officer with Cane, Drummer, and Standard Bearer.
End result, once painted up should be:
1 battalion Musketeers
1 half-battalion Musketeers
1 half-regiment Hussars
Perhaps down the line a bit, I can eek out the funds to fill out the remainder of the half-units.
Rich of RSM worked with me to make some substitutions on one of their Prussian Artillery Battery bags, allowing me to replace 5 designated crew figures with the Prussian Officer with Spontoon figure. This will give me a small 2-gun battery of mixed weight, with each gun crewed by 3 gunners under 1 officer with Spontoon. A Prussian Officer with Cane will command the battery.
The remaining 3 Officers with Spontoon will be allocated to command the companies of the Lintzer Musketeers. This will give me a battalion organization of:
4 Musketeer companies, each of 6 Musketeer Marching under the command of 1 Officer w/Spontoon.
1 Grenadier company, of 6 Grenadier Marching under the command of 1 Officer w/Spontoon.
Battalion staff of: 1 Mounted Officer, 1 Officer w/Cane, 1 Drummer, 1 Standard Bearer.
Accompanying the artillery batter is one cavalry bag of Austrian Hussars in Busby. These should form 2 squadrons of the Fuchshöhle Hussars. Later, when I can afford it, I'll add a second bag to bring the unit up to 4 squadrons.
Also accompanying these two bags are an additional 8 Musketeer Marching and 2 Officer with Spontoon. By combining these with the 4 Musketeer Marching left from the original Musketeer Marching bag, I can form two full Musketeer companies of the Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude, with a command group of my remaining Prussian Officer with Cane, Drummer, and Standard Bearer.
End result, once painted up should be:
1 battalion Musketeers
1 half-battalion Musketeers
1 half-regiment Hussars
Perhaps down the line a bit, I can eek out the funds to fill out the remainder of the half-units.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
The Army of Hesse-Engelburg
Army Headquarters
--------------------
Generalfeldmarshal Baron Ernst von Krimm
Husband of Baroness Verena von Krimm, the Chief Attendant to the Fürstin, Generalfeldmarshall Baron Ernst von Krimm is an officer of moderate experience gained mostly in mercenary service in the squabbles of one or two of the larger states. Not of noble birth himself, the Generalfeldmarshall is nevertheless well-respected, being regarded as a gentleman of excellent qualities. He is a keen rider, and a frequent participant in the fox hunts through the Fuchswald where he often leads the pack upon his favorite stallion, Sturm. He gained his title through his marriage to Verena, the sole heir of the former Baron, in a pairing undeniably that noble rarity of a love match. Even those with traditional dislike of a middle class gentleman entering the bloodline dare not speak against it openly due to the high favor in which the Fürst holds the Baron and the deep friendship between the Baroness and the Fürstin.
Major Reinhold Feldkamp
Though he is officially the commander of the small headquarters guard detachment, most of those "in the know" believe that Major Reinhold Feldkamp is destined for a bigger role in any actual wartime service. With experience in mercenary service on the Austrian frontier, it is believed that the Major would operate not only as a significant advisor to the Generalfeldmarshall, but also might be called upon for detached service to command a "fire brigade" of troops collected for key actions under the director orders of the Generalfeldmarshall. The Major is also known to maintain steady friendships with old comrades in various parts of the world, and no one seems to be certain exactly how many contacts he may have at his disposal. He is rumored to have amassed a small fortune during his service to Austria, a rumor primarily fueled by the lavish parties he occasionally throws for foreign visitors. While by no means on a level of the great crowns of Europe, his parties are still in excess of what a Major's pay or his small estate near Bieberheim would seem to justify.
Guards Brigade
------------------
Generalmajor Paul von Scheider - Brigade Commander
A man of limited combat experience, Generalmajor von Scheider is in his fourth decade of life and known to be devotedly faithful to his wife, Roswitha. Before the formation of the army, he led a body of the volunteer militia in the district near the capital, and is credited with the elimination of a band of robbers operating in the region during a hunt of six months duration. He and his wife will soon celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude
Inhaber: Prinzessin (Princess) Gertrude Blauerwolf
Commander: Oberstleutnant (Lt. Colonel) Milheiser
When the decision to raise an army for Hesse-Engelburg was made, the very first to put personal finances behind the raising of a regiment was none other than Princess Getrude herself, eldest daughter of the Fürst and Fürstin. As is typical of royally maintained regiments, the Princess is herself the Inhaber of the regiment, but it is commanded in the field by Oberstleutnant Milheiser, formerly the second in command of the garrison of Schloß Blauerwolf itself. An unusual formation, its composition dictated by the Princess herself, the Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude will field a mixed legion of infantry and cavalry of as yet uncertain size. Its depot is at Engelburg and its recruits mostly hail from Engelburg, Karlsdorf, and other towns and villages along the Schlafwasser river valley.
Wolfgreifer Fusiliers
Inhaber/Commander: Graf (Count) Rudolf von Heffernick
The second guards regiment added to the establishment, most recruits hail from Conradstadt and surrounding towns, and the regiment's depot is located there.
"Eisen und Flamme" Artillery Battery
Inhaber/Commander: Captain Steiger
Funded by the Steiger family, famed iron merchants of the city of Eisenbrückenstadt, this battery was the first artillery unit to form in Hesse-Engelburg. Most recruits for the battery are drawn from the mining families of Eisenhügel, rather than from Eisenbrückenstadt itself. The base for the unit is, however, Eisenbrückenstadt, and when not needed for field services its cannons are often mounted in the redoubt that guards the city gates.
Regular Infantry
-------------------------
Lintzer Musketeers
Inhaber/Commander: Colonel Lintzer
The first unit entered upon the regular establishment, the Lintzer Musketeers are owned by Colonel Lintzer, and have their depot in Lintzhausen, the town founded by one of Colonel Lintzer's ancestors several centuries ago. The Lintzer family has made its fortune off of timber sales, and many of the recruits come from the town of Lintzhausen and the logging villages scattered through the surrounding forests.
Grauerhimmel Fusiliers
Inhaber/Commander: Colonel von Schlichter
The second unit to enter the regular establishment, depot in Grauerhimmel. Recruits primarily from Grauerhimmel and surrounding towns. Its grenadier company is rumored to be formed entirely of second sons of goatherding families.
Grenadier Regiment von Platzen (Schwarze Grenadiere)
Inhaber/Commander: Colonel Rupert von Platzen
Already obtaining a reputation for their eye-catching black uniforms with red facings, the Von Platzen Grenadiers recruit mostly in the hereditary lands of the Landgraf von Platzen around the town of Platzenheim. The regimental Inhaber is the third son of the current Landgraf. While his older brothers were born to the Landgraf's first wife who died giving birth to the second, Rupert is the eldest son of the Landgraf's second wife, and much of the regiment is reportedly financed from elements of his mother's own family fortune.
Jager Regiment von Behler
Inhaber: Markgraf von Behler
Commander: Colonel Gebhard von Behler
Headquartered at Waldschloß, the hereditary home of the Markgraf von Behler, the Jager Regiment von Behler is formed of hunstmen from the forest region roughly bounded by the Waldschloß and the towns of Hirschtal and Fünfleben. Its Inhaber is the Markgraf von Behler himself, and its commander is his eldest son and heir, Gebhard. Companies of the regiment are on active service patrolling the border areas around the castle, and are responsible for keeping the road between the Waldschloß and the trading center of Südmarkt clear of bandits for the trade caravans that pass through.
Regular Cavalry
------------------
Fuchshöhle Hussars
Inhaber: Colonel Stieffer
Widely expected to be one of the most effective cavalry regiments in Hesse-Engelburg, the Fuchshöhle Hussars are formed from the town of Fuchshöhle, the center of the Fuchswald fox hunting world. Mounted on their own personal horses bred locally rather than on government-provided mounts, the men of the regiment have life-long experience riding through the local forests and hills and are likely to be used extensively for reconaissance and as guides in the event of war breaking out. Their commander, Colonel Stieffer, is a forest guide from one of the best respected hunting families in the region, which has provided the personal guides of the hunting parties of the Blauerwolf family for generations.
--------------------
Generalfeldmarshal Baron Ernst von Krimm
Husband of Baroness Verena von Krimm, the Chief Attendant to the Fürstin, Generalfeldmarshall Baron Ernst von Krimm is an officer of moderate experience gained mostly in mercenary service in the squabbles of one or two of the larger states. Not of noble birth himself, the Generalfeldmarshall is nevertheless well-respected, being regarded as a gentleman of excellent qualities. He is a keen rider, and a frequent participant in the fox hunts through the Fuchswald where he often leads the pack upon his favorite stallion, Sturm. He gained his title through his marriage to Verena, the sole heir of the former Baron, in a pairing undeniably that noble rarity of a love match. Even those with traditional dislike of a middle class gentleman entering the bloodline dare not speak against it openly due to the high favor in which the Fürst holds the Baron and the deep friendship between the Baroness and the Fürstin.
Major Reinhold Feldkamp
Though he is officially the commander of the small headquarters guard detachment, most of those "in the know" believe that Major Reinhold Feldkamp is destined for a bigger role in any actual wartime service. With experience in mercenary service on the Austrian frontier, it is believed that the Major would operate not only as a significant advisor to the Generalfeldmarshall, but also might be called upon for detached service to command a "fire brigade" of troops collected for key actions under the director orders of the Generalfeldmarshall. The Major is also known to maintain steady friendships with old comrades in various parts of the world, and no one seems to be certain exactly how many contacts he may have at his disposal. He is rumored to have amassed a small fortune during his service to Austria, a rumor primarily fueled by the lavish parties he occasionally throws for foreign visitors. While by no means on a level of the great crowns of Europe, his parties are still in excess of what a Major's pay or his small estate near Bieberheim would seem to justify.
Guards Brigade
------------------
Generalmajor Paul von Scheider - Brigade Commander
A man of limited combat experience, Generalmajor von Scheider is in his fourth decade of life and known to be devotedly faithful to his wife, Roswitha. Before the formation of the army, he led a body of the volunteer militia in the district near the capital, and is credited with the elimination of a band of robbers operating in the region during a hunt of six months duration. He and his wife will soon celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude
Inhaber: Prinzessin (Princess) Gertrude Blauerwolf
Commander: Oberstleutnant (Lt. Colonel) Milheiser
When the decision to raise an army for Hesse-Engelburg was made, the very first to put personal finances behind the raising of a regiment was none other than Princess Getrude herself, eldest daughter of the Fürst and Fürstin. As is typical of royally maintained regiments, the Princess is herself the Inhaber of the regiment, but it is commanded in the field by Oberstleutnant Milheiser, formerly the second in command of the garrison of Schloß Blauerwolf itself. An unusual formation, its composition dictated by the Princess herself, the Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude will field a mixed legion of infantry and cavalry of as yet uncertain size. Its depot is at Engelburg and its recruits mostly hail from Engelburg, Karlsdorf, and other towns and villages along the Schlafwasser river valley.
Wolfgreifer Fusiliers
Inhaber/Commander: Graf (Count) Rudolf von Heffernick
The second guards regiment added to the establishment, most recruits hail from Conradstadt and surrounding towns, and the regiment's depot is located there.
"Eisen und Flamme" Artillery Battery
Inhaber/Commander: Captain Steiger
Funded by the Steiger family, famed iron merchants of the city of Eisenbrückenstadt, this battery was the first artillery unit to form in Hesse-Engelburg. Most recruits for the battery are drawn from the mining families of Eisenhügel, rather than from Eisenbrückenstadt itself. The base for the unit is, however, Eisenbrückenstadt, and when not needed for field services its cannons are often mounted in the redoubt that guards the city gates.
Regular Infantry
-------------------------
Lintzer Musketeers
Inhaber/Commander: Colonel Lintzer
The first unit entered upon the regular establishment, the Lintzer Musketeers are owned by Colonel Lintzer, and have their depot in Lintzhausen, the town founded by one of Colonel Lintzer's ancestors several centuries ago. The Lintzer family has made its fortune off of timber sales, and many of the recruits come from the town of Lintzhausen and the logging villages scattered through the surrounding forests.
Grauerhimmel Fusiliers
Inhaber/Commander: Colonel von Schlichter
The second unit to enter the regular establishment, depot in Grauerhimmel. Recruits primarily from Grauerhimmel and surrounding towns. Its grenadier company is rumored to be formed entirely of second sons of goatherding families.
Grenadier Regiment von Platzen (Schwarze Grenadiere)
Inhaber/Commander: Colonel Rupert von Platzen
Already obtaining a reputation for their eye-catching black uniforms with red facings, the Von Platzen Grenadiers recruit mostly in the hereditary lands of the Landgraf von Platzen around the town of Platzenheim. The regimental Inhaber is the third son of the current Landgraf. While his older brothers were born to the Landgraf's first wife who died giving birth to the second, Rupert is the eldest son of the Landgraf's second wife, and much of the regiment is reportedly financed from elements of his mother's own family fortune.
Jager Regiment von Behler
Inhaber: Markgraf von Behler
Commander: Colonel Gebhard von Behler
Headquartered at Waldschloß, the hereditary home of the Markgraf von Behler, the Jager Regiment von Behler is formed of hunstmen from the forest region roughly bounded by the Waldschloß and the towns of Hirschtal and Fünfleben. Its Inhaber is the Markgraf von Behler himself, and its commander is his eldest son and heir, Gebhard. Companies of the regiment are on active service patrolling the border areas around the castle, and are responsible for keeping the road between the Waldschloß and the trading center of Südmarkt clear of bandits for the trade caravans that pass through.
Regular Cavalry
------------------
Fuchshöhle Hussars
Inhaber: Colonel Stieffer
Widely expected to be one of the most effective cavalry regiments in Hesse-Engelburg, the Fuchshöhle Hussars are formed from the town of Fuchshöhle, the center of the Fuchswald fox hunting world. Mounted on their own personal horses bred locally rather than on government-provided mounts, the men of the regiment have life-long experience riding through the local forests and hills and are likely to be used extensively for reconaissance and as guides in the event of war breaking out. Their commander, Colonel Stieffer, is a forest guide from one of the best respected hunting families in the region, which has provided the personal guides of the hunting parties of the Blauerwolf family for generations.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Hesse-Engelburg Statistics
Having taken the income and population systems from Henry Hyde's Wars of the Faltenian Succession articles, with a little modification on my part, I've come out with the following figures:
GNP - 1,158,800 wolfzahn per annum
Population - 1,298,150
Men eligible for service - ~65,000
GNP - 1,158,800 wolfzahn per annum
Population - 1,298,150
Men eligible for service - ~65,000
Thursday, April 12, 2007
More Unit Size Pondering
Here's what I'm considering currently. Thoughts?
Each battalion to consist of:
24 Musketeers in 4 companies of 6, and 6 grenadiers in 1 company. Each company to be commanded by a Lieutenant (officer with spontoon figure), who will stand to the left of the first row. The 4 companies to be divided into 2 grand divisions, each commanded by a Captain (officer with sword figure). The whole to be commanded by a Major (mounted officer figure).
I'm dithering, however, over where and how many to deploy of the standard bearer and drummer figures. For the standard bearers, it's either deploy one per battalion, or have the first battalion deploy both a unit standard and a Hesse-Engelburg standard. Drummers though....I dunno. I don't really want to have to do 5 drummers to get one per company. One option would be to stick with the two that come in a standard bag, and just assign one to each division commander. Another would be to assign both drummers to accompany the standard bearer and the battalion commander.
Each battalion to consist of:
24 Musketeers in 4 companies of 6, and 6 grenadiers in 1 company. Each company to be commanded by a Lieutenant (officer with spontoon figure), who will stand to the left of the first row. The 4 companies to be divided into 2 grand divisions, each commanded by a Captain (officer with sword figure). The whole to be commanded by a Major (mounted officer figure).
I'm dithering, however, over where and how many to deploy of the standard bearer and drummer figures. For the standard bearers, it's either deploy one per battalion, or have the first battalion deploy both a unit standard and a Hesse-Engelburg standard. Drummers though....I dunno. I don't really want to have to do 5 drummers to get one per company. One option would be to stick with the two that come in a standard bag, and just assign one to each division commander. Another would be to assign both drummers to accompany the standard bearer and the battalion commander.
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