1758. The Campaign for control of Saxony

 The year is 1758. Fighting continues on all fronts. Saxony is now under the control of Prussia, who are fighting to hold back Austrian raids on the territory. The capital Dresden, Pirna and Konigstein castle are all occupied by Prussian soldiers.. Forces are under the command of Prince Frederick Henry Louis of Prussia, brother of Frederick the Great. He has based his army around the town of Pirna, strategically placed on the banks of the river Elbe.

Pirna 1758  (Canaletto)

Prince Henry has received reports from a detachments of the von Zieten Hussars who had interrogated Saxon farmers and received reports that an Austrian force had arrived at Krietzschwitz, some miles south of Pirna.

                                                                   Map of Pirna area

Prince Henry decides to send out a small force from Pirna to investigate the area, and to possibly drive out the Austrians,if the rumours were found to be true.

The task is given to Major General Peter von Meinicke (3rd Dragoons). His second in command is Major General von Lindstedt (IR27). Despite it still being summer, and it still being the main campaigning season, the weather in early August has been unseasonably bad, with heavy rain turning roads into bog lands. Von Meinicke decided to split his force and use both of the roads which lead south to Krietzschwitz. He would lead his cavalry, taking the longer northern route which ran parallel with the Elbe. This would be lead by two squadrons of von Zieten's hussars scouting ahead, followed by a full regiment of the von Meinicke (3rd) dragoons.

Von Lindstedt with the infantry would take the shorter southern route by way of Postmaster's Vinyard. This consisted of a battalion of experienced IR10 von Knobloch in the vanguard, followed by IR35 Fusiliers (Prinz Heinrich) and a battalion of garrison regiment von Sydow, bringing up the rear. 

The regiments depart Pirna:

                                                        

                                                 

                                                        1st Battalion IR10 von Knobloch

                                                    IR35 Fusilier Regiment Prince Heinrich

                                                1st Battalion Garrison Regiment von Sydow

                                                          3rd Dragoons (von Meinicke)

                                      

                                                Two squadrons 2nd Zieten Hussars

Claymore 2024

 On Saturday we attended the annual Claymore show in Edinburgh. There seemed to be fewer retailers than last year, possibly the timing of the show, which clashes with the start of the Edinburgh festival, makes accommodation very expensive. We had a most enjoyable day, with lots of interest and questions about our display. I had previously shown it at Partizan, but I wanted the chance for it to be seen in Scotland. If we had a pound for every photograph taken, we would have gone home with very heavy pockets !

My plan is to offer my 40mm French, British, Prussian and Austrian armies for sale in the near future. (Over 3000 figures !). This will allow me to focus on building the new 30mm armies.

Next up is Kulmbach on Friday, which I am really looking forward to. I am not really a flats collector, but I do admire the quality of work on display, and as the show only happens every two years, it is just too good to miss.

A few photos of Saturdays game, which won best of show, and a very embarrassed me accepting the award !

Claymore - Edinburgh

 

On Saturday we head to Claymore to remember our friend Stuart Insch :

Stuart Insch 1973 – 2024

Almost exactly a year ago five wargamers met on a sunny afternoon for an outdoor wargame. It was

the host’s 50 th birthday and while our wives chatted and drank wine at one end of the garden, the

five of us refought the Battle of the Alma at the other end, using some excellent figures and terrain.

It was beautiful afternoon, the game was good, played in a gentlemanly manner and was rounded

off with a barbecue. Later, when the wives had adjourned indoors (for more chatting and wine!), we

five sat in the garden until late and talked of wargaming, films, books and favourite bands until it

was dark (OK we were also enjoying some beverages!).

The birthday boy, who was our host that day was Stuart Insch. Many people in the wargaming circles

will have known Stuart. He was a member of the Aberdeen and Old Meldrum Clubs, the Wild Geese,

an author of several books, a blogger, (on wargames, malt whisky and Alfa Romeos), the painter of

multitudinous figures and a planner of many games and campaigns. Sadly, Stuart was taken from us

by cancer earlier this year, leaving many plans and ideas unfinished and a big gap in all our lives. The

four of us, who were his guests that idyllic afternoon felt that we needed to do something to

commemorate Stuart and his contribution to our hobby.

“Descent on the French Coast” is a Seven Years War display game, largely built by Graham Hilditch,

figures and terrain, as a lock-down project. Graham, with Stuart’s assistance (aka “The Friends of a

Military Gentleman”), presented the game at Partizan in October 2021, where it won the award for

Best of Show. The game has never been displayed in Scotland, so it is with pride that we display the

game today at Claymore.

We would like to thank Stuart’s wife, Pauline and son, Lewis for permission to dedicate this game to

our dear departed friend.

Graham Hilditch - Eric Duncanson - Bill Smith - John Allen

Friends of Stuart

“Remember the Alma!”

Deutschmeister Regiment Command stand completed.

 I finished painting the two converted Austrian figures today.

Now based and completed.

Command stand for Deutschmeister Regiment

 These two fellows will make up the command stand for my Austrian Deutschmeister regiment, the mounted officer being the colonel of the regiment. The two figures are converted from my basic Austrian foot officer, (in the middle). The horse is from my spares box, I am unsure of the make. Tomorrow I will paint up these figures.

Prussia Infantry Regiment IR10 von Knobloch

Below are images of Prussian IR10 von Knobloch in the field and ready for action.

The pictures show two full battalions, each of 30 men, and 12 grenadiers ready to be converged with the grenadiers of IR9. The regiment also has a battalion gun, manned by two regimental figures and two mounted officers, with the colonel to the front.

Prussian IR10 von Knobloch command figures

 Today I have been basing my second Prussian Regiment, IR10 von Knobloch. Hopefully tomorrow I can share photos of the completed regiment. Below are two conversions I have made, the colonel of the regiment, and another officer with riding crop in hand. The second figure was very much influenced by the famous artwork of von Seydlitz. The horses are spares that I found in my "lead mountain". Not sure of the maker, but I was keen to use horses that were not too big, as many mounted figures can look as though they are on prize race horses. I have read in the past, that Prussian horses were not up to the quality of British or Irish bred  animals, and I am sure as the war progressed, the quality of mounts would have reduced. I think that the two horses chosen fit quite well. IR10 has a very attractive uniform with the yellow facings and the lace on the jacket, although quite demanding to paint.

Next up on the paint desk will be Austrian regiment IR4 Deutschmeister with its blue facings.