Making a start : a little piece of history

Welcome to my novice blog.  I've been reading and enjoying other gamer's efforts for a few years now, let's see if I can add anything worthwhile to the conversation - and perhaps give and get a little enjoyment along the way.

I have  been following others progress, but my own has been pretty slow; time and space have been in short supply.   But the efforts of  others out there have been nagging at me, and I hope to make some sort of effort to join in the fun.  So, here goes..

With many  thanks to David Crook, I have recently been fortunate enough to acquire a little share of wargaming history:  a small part of the collection of the late Eric Knowles.  Fond childhood memories of Charles Grant's 'The War Game'   drew me  to the Seven Years War items, and I have acquired a ( slightly random, admittedly ) selection of mainly Austrians and Prussians - some painted, some not.    Meanwhile, I've been intrigued by Bob Cordery's 'Portable Wargame' series,  and having read his 'Portable Napoleonic' volume, perhaps it will fit my 'time and space'  constraints?  Can an enjoyable and rewarding game be played within my limits? 

So I give you, my Portable Seven Years War  brigade-level forces.

The Austrians :  General Dachs' brigade

My Austrian  force,  for now,  are a makeshift lot: many not even Austrian, but lured into service no doubt by the promise of the bright lights of the Viennese society whirl.  Others hurriedly  re-trained from their original roles.   They are, borrowed from General Badger's  British force in the brigade-level scenario in Bob's book,  as follows :

General Dachs  - commander ( 6 Strengh Points )

Grenze Hussars  ( 3 SPs)

Artillery :  ( 2 SPs  )  - owing to David Crook's indisposition, recruitment of Austrian guns and gunners had been delayed.  A bizarre sort of Lend-Lease saw Prussian gunners step in..

Grenze Foot :  ( centre, in white :  4 SPs ) - in reality, dismounted comrades of the Hussars

'Rifles'  :  ( left rear, in white :  3 SPs  )   - more dismounted Hussars

1st and 2nd Jagers ( at rear, each 4 SPs )   - let's call them 'Wildgänse' ,   recently persuaded to fly from Prussian discipline to Austrian comforts.

I hope no-one minds this ad-hoc approach ; I think they are lovely 'old-school' figures , and  Eric's painting is very pleasing ( and well beyond my abilities ),  so let's get them into action, and not take things too seriously.  'Button-counting' doesn't suit us Ragged Soldiers.  I have various unpainted Austrian infantry in reserve, but they will need time  and potentially scary practise to mobilise.

Where possible I'd like to avoid paperwork and 'roster-keeping', so I have tried to have unit sizes reflect strength: hence the Infantry units consist of 8 figures ( 2 per Strength Point ) ,  Artillery  has 1 gunner per SP,   'Rifles' 1 figure per SP, and Cavalry  1 'base' per SP - albeit the bases being 'two twos and a one'  so as not to overcrowd their allotted space.  Thus good old-fashioned figure/base removal will allow us to track loss of SPs.



Enough for now - next, the Prussians.