Russia Against Napoleon: The Battle for Europe, 1807 to 1814

Taken from the book jacket
"This book tells the story of one of the most astonishing dramas in Europe's history. In the summer of 1812 after years of uneasy peace, Napoleon, the master of almost the whole continent, marched into Russia with the largest army ever assembled, confident that he would sweep everything before him. Less than two years later the Russian army was itself marching into Paris and Napoleon's empire lay in ruins.
Using an array of new, rare and surprising sources, Dominic Lieven writes with great panache and insight to describe from the Russians' viewpoint how they went from retreat, defeat and the burning of Moscow to becoming the new liberators of Europe.../...Much more than just battlefield history, Russia Against Napoleon is also the story of how Russia's home front was mobilised against Napoleon and how much the Russian people suffered in pursuit of victory. It is too the story of one of the most successful espionage operations in history. Ultimately this book shows, memorably and brilliantly, Russia embarking on its strange, central role in Europe's existence, as both threat and protector - a role that continues, in all its complexity, into our own lifetimes"

I am reading this surprising book. It offers a completely new and fresh vision of the history of the Napoleonic era narrated from the Russian side. The Tsar, the Russian army and its generals, the rank and file... , all of them appear now under a very different light than usual.
After reading the book, you will have to review your old and obsolete opinions about the performance of the Russian army in the Napoleonic era!

Tittle: Russia Against Napoleon
Author: Dominic Lieven
Publisher: Allen Lane, 2009

Read also the review of Professor Charles Esdaile

More size comparisons

Now is the turn of British Newline as compared vs. HäT 8096 Netherlands Militia (disguised as British Line infantry). The command bases are composed from Newline British figures: officer, two ensigns and drummer, and a 2 mm 'sabot' has been added under the base.

The pictures were taken during a re-fight of Salamanca (1812). The British in column are from the Packenham's 3rd Division, whereas line are assaulting (succesfully in this occasion) the Great Arapil


You can see the different in size, but I can assure you that it was negligible during the game!

French infantry in greatcoat (a size comparison)

The Newline figures are true 20 mm, i.e. they measure 20 mm from the soil to the eye's height (Edited: really around 18-19mm after measuring with a rule tape!) . Therefore, they are somewhat smaller than typical 1/72 plastic figures, and they will look like dwarves when standing at the side of figures such the the last Italeri products.
The solution lies on (1) Don't mix the Newline figures with the other figures and (2)Add a 2 mm carboard 'sabot' under the base.
You can see the comparison of Newline figures vs. several HäT figures (HäT 8042 Bavarian Line Infantry, HäT 8095 1808-1812 French Line Infantry and HäT 8042 Napoleonic French Light Infantry) as well as vs. AIRFIX Waterloo Line Infantry (home-made metal clones)


However, the problem is not visible in the wargaming table when seeing from above!
Remember that all information is in the main web site

French infantry in greatcoat (VI)

These are the first results of my last painting job: Newline 20mm French Infantry in greatcoat. I have painted one half of the Newline bargain pack, 50 figures, comprising the elites, the command figurees and some fusiliers. The other half, 50 fusiliers, is now in the pipeline.
See some of the results and take into account that my painting system follow the 'three feet rule'




More information at the web main web site

I hope these fantassins win battles in the Leipizg campaign!

ALKAID issue No. 5

The issue No. 5 of ALKAID REVISTA MULTITEMÁTICA is coming out today, September 5. The magazine is devoted to the interaction amongst science, literature, poetry, history, so you can always find an article devoted to one of your interests!

In this number, the Napoleonic era is present in several ways:

Arthur Colley Wellesley y la batalla de Talavera (Arthur Colley Wellesley and the battle of Talavera). Written by Sergio de la Llave Muñoz, Commisioner of the Bicentennial Ceremonies of the battle of Talavera, and Jose M. Rodríguez Gomez, a known Spanish specialist of the Peninsular War and author of several books. The article is a historical summary of that battle, the first great tactical victory of the Allied Army.

The Bicentennial is also present in a report, also written by Sergio de la Llave, about the ceremonies of the Bicentennial, programmed and carried out in the town of Talavera the past summer, and culminating in a re-enactement of the battle and the inauguration of a new monument.

Last, but not least, there is also a critial review of the book '1812 Wellington en Valladolid' written by the ALKAID's contributing author, Miguel A. García.

The magazine is in Spanish and is available by subscription. Go to ALKAID EDICIONES web site, http://www.alkaidediciones.com/, and download the Subscription Form or contact me throught the e-mail address: rpardoalmudi@gmail.com

French infantry in greatcoat (V)

This saturday, I found some free time to advance the painting of the Newline French Infantry in greatcoats. I add the red and green for the epaulettes and tufted pompoms of grenadier and voltigeurs, as well as the metallic look of the musket barrels and the white highlighting of the crossbelts.

The end of the job is near!

Polish and Hungarian uhlans by Armand d'Arc

No, the above title is not an error. Armand d'Arc, our Argentinian friend, has painted a big squadron of Polish and Hungarian uhlans. These last are a poetic license, but in the Armand's ficticious African campaign there are many 'what if' units and personalities... See the Austrian general in the third picture: he is Colloredo during his colonial adventure! The general in the fourth figure is Milos Sztabay, a ficticious Hungarian nobleman and the owner of the Hungarian uhlans.




You can enjoy all the Armand's works in this blog by searching the 'Armand d'Arc' tag

I don't like Cossacks

Well, that's not exactly true... I don't like my Cossacks. They have participated in many battles being sometimes the key for the Allied or Russianvictory. I remember the Danzig Scenario, where a Cossack pulk destroyed part of the French wagon train, when the ammunition and victuals were almost behind the walls of the Danzig citadel.

However, I don't like their look. Being painted some years ago in colourful and variegated uniforms, my poor HäT 8006 Cossacks always seemed to me the 'Santa Claus' brigade, without any visible trace of uniformity. I did delayed for years the obvious solution, until I did seen the marvelous and martial Cossacks depicted by Blucher in his Jons Mini Blog (See below).

Therefore, that's will be hopefully the next-next painting (well, re-painting) when I finish the French infantry in greatcoat!

Wargames. Soldiers and Strategy

Wargames. Soldiers and Strategy is the english translation (with some additions) of the spanish magazine Wargames. Soldados y estrategia. The following review is taken from About.com

"The magazine is devoted strictly to historical gaming. Each edition features a dossier on a battle or period, which is thorough and well detailed. The range of the magazine is wide, covering information on ancients, medieval, 17th century, Napoleonic, American Civil War, World War I & World War II, even Vietnam. You will not however, find any information on fantasy or science fiction campaigns.

The magazine's photography is some of the clearest I have seen for mainly 15 and 28mm scales, and the magazine is full of interesting uses for old figures and techniques for better terrain as well as good coverage of the UK historical gaming scene. Miniaturists who don't model gaming figures, but who work in small scales, will find lots to examine for scenery, scenic techniques, figure modelling and modification, and detail painting. This is a magazine produced for practising gamers, not collectors of military figures, although that aspect is somewhat covered as well in the reviews of new introductions by various companies.

The magazine is distributed in the US by On Military Matters, in the UK by Caliver Books and in Australia through Essex Miniatures and Mainly Medieval "

Ths magazine has changed its graphical design in the number of September 2009, that contains a dossier about the Battle of Quatre-Bras and, at least in its Spanish version, a small boardgame about that combat of the Waterloo Campaign.