From RayR - Retreat from Moscow - Mixed Infantry & Cavalry (60 Points)

My penultimate post in this years Challenge, and guess what?

More figures my and Lee's Retreat from Moscow project!

All the figures bar 2 are from Perry Miniatures.

The Commander, second left is a Front Rank figure and is my last figure in the Challenge that has had some conversion work, I've added a small cloak and a scarf which is holding his bicorne on. The Sapper 2nd row far right is the second non Perry mini, but I'm not sure who made this figure and if he is indeed a French figures??

Any ideas???

The rest of the figures are from pack FN169 Dismounted  Cavalry Skirmishing, my favourite is the chap in the middle, painted up as a Trumpeter of  the Dutch Lancers of the Guard. This is what I love about this project, you get the chance to paint up figures and uniforms that you wouldn't normally do.

Then you have the red crested French Carabinier, firing 2 pistols, what a great figure to paint up!

Lastly the usual rear shot!! I wasn't going to paint up the figure sitting firing behind a fallen friend, as I'm not sure how to fit him into a unit, because of the base size?? So he might end up as a piece of scenery or perhaps an objective marker?

So to the points, 9 figures for 45pts, then 2 figures on one base, one kneeling and one laying, so I'll give in to tonight's minion to decide the final score, your never know I might even get some bonus points for the conversion work? Cough!

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Terrific work Ray - such a colourful and varied project - a real treat for the eyes. Let's add 7 for the two figures and another 8 for the conversion work, so 60 points total.

- Curt

From LeeH: Russian 1812 Line Jӓgers and Officer (85 Points)

Today I have two units that, once again, were not on my original shopping list for this project. What can I say, I have got more than a little carried away with this ‘small’ project and by the end, I’ll have around 20 units for a game that usually only requires five or six to play. Once again, I’m firmly blaming Ray for this!! I messaged him the other day and said I'd bought the last models for my army and he immediately replied "You always need more" like some mischievous imp sitting on my shoulder saying "Go on, buy them, you know you want to..." and the sad thing is, he's probably right. 

So this week I have two units of Line Jӓgers and an officer. The models are from Front Rank, sold by Gripping Beast here in the UK. As with the other Front Rank figures I have bought they needed very little cleaning up aside from a bit of filing of the bases. 

These Jagers carry the standard 1808 pattern musket and socket bayonet. They wore the new 1812 shako and even on campaign, many troops retained the white shako cords. All the leatherwork and straps are black for Jagers over the standard grey greatcoat. As with other infantry, they wear black boots but with knee-high back gaiters with brass buttons. I opted for yellow shoulder straps which would normally have the division number in red on them…but my hands are nowhere near steady enough for that level of detail so I left that off. Equally, the brass regimental number on the black cartridge box has been left off. I always think if you can’t do these details perfectly you are better not adding them at all. 

Next on my workbench are more Opolchiene, including a rather nice Gun and Limber from Perry Miniatures. Oh, and the next order is already formulating in my mind...

(Scoring: 17x28mm Foot = 85 Points)

"You always need more", Hmm, I think I have heard that one before. However, considering the steady and firm pace at which this project is moving along, I guess your "problem" may remain somewhat manageable, Lee. And it is nice to have a choice of units for your game, no? These Jäger once again look the part, and I think we can forgive you for not painting the numbers on the shoulder straps. Great work, and 85 points well-earned!

Martijn

From RayR: Retreat from Moscow - L'escadron sacré (101 points)

 

The Sacred Squadron (French L'escadron sacré) was an ad hoc cavalry unit which served briefly in the French Grande Armée during the final stage of the Emperor Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812. It was remarkable in that it consisted - out of military necessity - entirely of officers, with those below the rank of colonel serving as troopers.

The Sacred Squadron was formed on 23 November 1812, by the Bobr River (perhaps at Borisoff, in modern Belarus) to serve as Napoleon's bodyguard. It was disbanded on 10 December 1812, in Kowno (modern Kaunas, Lithuania). It therefore served during the crossing of the Berezina (26-29 November), and continued to exist for a few days after Napoleon's departure for Paris on 5 December.

Its existence is recorded in the 29th Bulletin of the Grande Armée, by which Napoleon hinted to the French people for the first time the scale of the disaster which had befallen the Grande Armée:

"Our cavalry was dismounted to such a degree, that it was necessary to collect the officers who had still a horse remaining, in order to form four companies of 150 men each. The Generals there performed the functions of captains, and the colonels of subalterns. This sacred squadron, commanded by General Grouchy, and under the orders of the King of Naples (Murat), did not lose sight of the Emperor in all these movements."

No written order establishing the unit has been found; it is possible that it was set up orally. No official record of those who served in it has survived; considering the circumstances, it is possible that none was ever made, or that the records of Marshal Berthier (Napoleon's Chief of Staff) were lost during the retreat. Other sources give lower numbers than Napoleon's 600: Chandler says 500.

In addition to its commander Général de division Grouchy, the following are said to have served with the Sacred Squadron:

Général de division de La Tour-Maubourg
Général de brigade de La Grange 
Colonel Rambourgt 
Colonel de Fernig 
Lieutenant-colonel de Castellane
Lieutenant-colonel de Lascours 
Chef d'escadron  de Gramont 
Chef d'escadron  de Potier 
Capitaine Aimé Benoît Delamalle
Lieutenant Le Bon Desmottes 
Lieutenant Claude-Xavier-Louis-François Martin
Lieutenant Saint-Geniès 
Sous-lieutenant Korte 

My 2 Commanders, both are from Front Rank miniatures. On my brand new Warbases sabot bases.

These 4 are all Casting Room Miniatures and all have had green stuff cloaks and a scarf to hold his bicorne on.

Four more figures from Front Rank, there was no need to add anything on these, I could have added a cape for the Guard figure, but didn't want to spoil his uniform.

So there we have it, Napoleon's Sacred Squadron, or 10 Mounted Commanders, if you don't want the Sacred Squadron in a game..

Points are easy, 10 figures at 10 points each, 100 pts, maybe Teemu would like to add some extra for the the cloaked commanders.

TeemuL: It would have been wrong to expect nothing less than a weekly Retreat from Moscow entry from Ray in addition to bonus points grab! Good to see some mounted additions to your force, at least some have enough food to feed the horses and make their travel a bit more comfortable. As the bestest of Minions, I'll give you a bonus point for the cloaked commanders.

From RayR: My Journey to Paradise via the Retreat from Moscow (160 points)

Continuing my journey through Dante's Divine Comedy, I having completed The Abyss, find myself on my way to Paradise, so here are my 5 Sphere's.

First up we have the First Sphere The Inconstant, I had to look the word up.....just to make sure, of course...

First Sphere: The Inconstant
No Ray, not the Incontinent... :) Instead, think of something which may try its best but often falls a bit short.

Its nice how I still get the odd mention in the rules and regs of the Challenge, its usually something to do with Sandbags, Badgers or Budgie Smugglers, never usually about crappin' yourself!

Anyhoo, something that falls short.

It was the look on the first Mules face, he's not gonna budge, even if your'e waving some carrots in his face! But is it the Mule or the cloaked Vivandière who falls a bit short???

I was a little stuck on this one, then remembered these models. I bought them from Col Bill's sometime ago, again for my Haitian Revolution project. But decided, to use them for the Retreat instead.  

The figures are from Warlord Games, Napoleonic range, I added a cloak to the poor lady, I don't expect she's gonna get far though, with all those provisions on the 3 Mules.

These should earn me 20 points for the figures and another 20 for the bonus round.

Next up we have the Second Sphere - The Ambitious

Second Sphere: The Ambitious
A figure that is as keen as mustard, an overachiever (yes, so annoying, I know).

The first ever Napoleonic figure I ever painted was a figure from the Neuchatel Battalion, who unusually wore a yellow or mustard coloured coat, not a red coat like other Swiss regts or blue like every other French unit

So I thought I'd paint up a mustard coated, keen as mustard Officer, I may have to paint up some infantry as well, trouble is they'll probably be wearing a overcoat, so you won't see their mustard/yellow coat??

The Neuchatel Battalion had a bit of a rough time during the retreat, having joined the Grand Armee in March 1812, the regiment included, Infantry, Engineers, Artillery and the Artillery train, from an original 1,027 men, only 13 Officers and 7 men returned to camp at Besancon!!!

Points.... 5pts for the figure, plus another 20 for the Ambitious bonus

Next in line is the Third Sphere - The Lovers.

Third Sphere: The Lovers
This could be platonic love, romantic love, but not love based on lust - that's for the 'other place'.

This pair of lovebirds are once again from pack FN 193 Camp Followers

A wounded Cuirassier and his lady friend, struggle through the snow.

Hoping to make their way home???

The Lovers will give me 10 pts plus 20 pts for the bonus round.

Next we move onto the next Sphere, the 4th - The Wise

Fourth Sphere: The Wise
Something contemplative and sage. Essentially no figure having any kind of resemblance to me. :) Think that's me as well as Curt??

This fine looking chap's from Eureka and comes along with the Napoleon figure I painted up for the Greed bonus round.

This is Jean Baptiste Eblé, a French General, Engineer and Artilleryman. He is credited with saving Napoleon's Grand Armee from complete destruction in 1812.

In 1811, Eblé was put in command of the Dutch Pontoon bridge builders (pontonniers) for the Grande Armee which Napoleon was assembling for the invasion of Russia. Eblé discovered he had inherited a rag-tag collection of boatmen, yet in less than a year he had turned them into a disciplined, highly trained and skilled force who would soon prove indispensable. Besides training, Eblé also issued his pontonniers specialized tools and equipment, the most notable of which were the mobile wagon-mounted forges, that could quickly make any needed but unavailable metal parts or items.

During the disastrous retreat from Moscow in 1812, Napoleon ordered Eblé to destroy the pontonniers' mobile forges, so that these valuable pieces of engineering technology would not fall into enemy hands. Eblé argued with his Emperor, that without the forges his men could not perform their duty and the greater danger to the Armée was to be caught between an uncrossable river and a vengeful, pursuing enemy. Napoleon insisted they be destroyed, but Eblé went against his orders and kept the vital equipment intact.

When the Armée arrived at the Berezina River it found itself trapped, with the Russians fast bearing down and no way to cross. Eblé's men worked feverishly in dangerously frigid water to complete the bridges in time for the Armée to escape. With the way across the Berezina opened, most of the surviving remnants successfully crossed. But the campaign had taken a heavy toll on General Eblé's men and his health. He died in Konigsberg shortly after returning from Russia.

This wise man will earn me 5pts and another 20 for the bonus round

Next I'll call on Sarah the Seraphim to take me along to my last Circle No 8

But instead of the usual female figure fee, I've overpaid and give you 3 female figures

Lula the dog, Cossette and Clementine

The pup is from Front Rank and Cossette and Clementine are from the same pack as the Lovers above.

These 3 will earn 15 points

So onto my final Circle.....

Eighth Sphere: The Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love

Submit a figure depicting any of these laudable themes.

Well I'm going for Hope.....

Poor Nadine, has given up all Hope and cannot move another muscle.

Will she ever rise again?

Probably not.....

Nadine is my last figure from pack FN 193 Camp Followers from Perry Miniatures, she will earn me another 25 points!

So all in all we have....

1st Sphere - The Inconstant 40 points

2nd Sphere - The Ambitious - 25 points

3rd Sphere - The Lovers 30 points

4th Sphere - The Wise 25 points

Sarah's Seraphim 15 points

8th Sphere - Hope 25 points

So a grand total of  160 points!!

TeemuL: Excellent work again Ray, painting lots of bonus points which all contribute to your great Retreat project. I admire you able to keep the focus on a single theme!

From Millsy: Silver Bayonet 28mm Napoleonics (255 points)

G'day All,

Having decided I needed a rest from painting a pile of individual character-type figures with my Star Wars: Legion stuff I moved on and painted... ummm... a pile of individual character-type figures for Silver Bayonet. The less said about my thought processes there the better I think.

These are a mix of branded Silver Bayonet miniatures from North Star topped up with some Front Rank stuff to bulk out the troop types and a few hangers on from elsewhere. The Silver Bayonet faction sets are great they lack enough basic line troops to get you to a full 8-man roster within a typical points limit. Front Rank stuff can be purchased individually and are a good match from a size and style perspective.

Spanish Faction

Others

Challenge Library - Some Goblins for the Fantasy section.

Deserters and bandits.

Challenge Library - Lady Sarah's Library Cart - Spanish Guerrilla

A rather disgruntled lady guerrilla who looks like my request to ride Lady Sarah's Library Cart across to the Blue Room might be the final straw!

Challenge Library - Famous Person - General Tadeusz Kościuszko

General Tadeusz Kościuszko is a Giant in Miniature from Wargames Illustrated and quite appropriate for "Australia" as a famous person given we named our only proper mountain after him. Not sure about the marble effect on the homemade plinth but I can always revisit in the future (yeah right).

Challenge Library - Romance - "Date Night"

No idea of the provenance of this miniature. It was gifted to me by a mate and had been lurking in the lead pile for years. Quite what happened to lead up to this moment isn't clear. At least she looks relaxed which has to be a good thing right?

Challenge Library - Local History - NSW Corps

The NSW Corps were the first organised military in "Australia", taking over from the marines of the First Fleet. Also known as the Rum Corps for their poor behaviour and trade in illegal rum. Here we see Private G. Burch, terrified half out of his mind at the thought that anything and everything might kill him (it can!). His trusty gazetteer describes his new workplace as terror australis and he's inclined to agree!

All up this is...

• 31 x infantry 28mm miniatures =155 points
• Library (Fantasy) = 20 points
• Library (Lady Sarah's Library Cart) = 20 points
• Library (Famous Person) = 20 points
• Library (Romance) = 20 points
• Library (Local History) = 20 points

Total 255 points.

Not sure what's next. I need a break from individual character-type figures ;-P

Album: Elsiane 

Artist: Elsiane

Album: With Orchestra Live

Artist: Hooverphonic

Album: The Great Unknown

Artist: Woodes

Cheers,

Millsy

 

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Bless you Millsy, for keeping things unusual - and for a top-of-the-line music selection! I love Elsiane, and I had no idea to even search for Hooverphonic with an orchestra. I'm all over that. 

 

So, your submission - awesome painting as always, and as usual, a cool "hook" in terms of a project. 

 

UPDATE - apologies to Millsy, I had not counted things here properly, and he was short some points - this lovely work rings in at 255 points! Well done Millsy, and thanks for your patience!

 

GregB