The Second Portable Wargame Compendium: A short progress report

I’m continuing to put the Second Portable Wargame Compendium together, and so far I’ve had contributions (or the promise of contributions) from Arthur Harman, Nick Huband, Paul Leeson, Ryan Recker, and Stephen Smith. I will also be contributing quite a bit of the contents myself.

Hopefully, the topics covered will include:

• Making your own 10cm square terrain tiles
• A simple campaign system
• Fast Play 3 x 3 Portable Napoleonic Wargame Rules
• Fast Play 3 x 3 Portable English Civil War Wargame Siege Rules
• Fast Play 3 x 3 Portable Western Front/Trench Wargame Rules
• A generic set of Portable Skirmish Wargame Rules
• A set of Portable Napoleonic Skirmish Wargame Rules
• A Generalship game
• Using figures from other games to create Portable Wargame armies
• 3D printing Portable Wargame armies and terrain

So far, the articles shown in bold have already been typeset and proof read, and with a bit of luck at least three of the others will have reached that stage in the publication process by this time next week.

Kato N-gauge model railway track

On the advice of several more experienced railway modellers, I have bought a Kato M1 Starter Set with controller via eBay.

It was delivered a few days ago, and having seen the track, I can see why it was recommended to a novice like me. The track clips together very easily, and the rails and sleepers come already fitted to the track bed. I hope to build an oval of track in the near future and to give some of my locos a test run. Once I’m happy that I have a better understanding of how to put together a small layout, I hope to begin planning a small, military-related one.

As I live close to the site of the former Woolwich Arsenal, an arms factory might be suitable option for me to model. Because my locomotives are based on German originals, a factory inspired by the ones operated by Krupps makes sense, but rather than use that name, I am tempted to ‘steal’ a similar name from Hergé and to call my arms company the Korrupt Arms GmbH or - with a little tweaking of the locomotives and rolling stock - the Vikings Arms Company Limited.

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The Kato M1 Starter Set includes:

• 1 x Kato 22-014 Mains Controller
• 4 x #20-000 248mm Straight Track
• 1 x #20-020 124mm Straight Track
• 1 x #20-021 124mm Road Crossing Track
• 1 x #20-040 62mm Straight Track
• 1 x #20-041 62mm Feeder Track
• 8 x #20-120 315mm Radius 45º Curve Track

The Elswick cruisers

If one thinks of the flatiron gunboat concept as a small, slow ship armed with a very big gun, the Elswick cruisers – which were the brainchild of the same designer, George Wightwick Rendel – must be regarded as fast ships armed with larger-than-normal guns. These were a very attractive idea, especially to some of the smaller navies who were looking for ships with a bit of punch but that were not as expensive to buy and operate as a small battleships.

The first of many; the Arturo Prat in Japanese service as the Tsukushi.

The shipbuilder built cruisers for quite a few foreign navies, and some of them passed through several hands during their careers. These so-called Elswick cruisers included:

• Arturo Prat (Chile), later Tsukushi (Japan)
• Chao Yung (Chinese)
• Yang Wei (Chinese)
• Esmeralda (Chile), later Izumi (Japanese)
• Giovanni Bausan (Italy)
• Naniwa (Japan)
• Takachiho (Japan)
• Salaminia (Greece), later Angelo Emo (Italy), later Dogali (Italy), later Montevideo (Uruguay)
• Chih Yuan (Chinese)
• Ching Yuan (Chinese)
• Isla de Luzon (Spain), later Isla de Luzon (USA)
• Isla de Cuba (Spain), later Isla de Cuba (USA)
• Piemonte (Italy)
• Elisabeta (Romania)
• Necochea (Argentina), later Vienticinco de Mayo (Argentina)
• Nueva de Julio (Argentina)
• Republica (Brazil), later Quinze de Novembro (Brazil), later Republica (Brazil)
• Yoshino (Japan)
• Blanco Encalada (Chile)
• Buenos Aires (Argentina)
• Ministro Zento (Chile)
• Barroso (Brazil)
• Amazonas (Brazil), later New Orleans (USA)
• Almirante Abreu (Brazil), later Albany (USA)
• Takasago (Japan)
• Chacabuco (Brazil)
• Hai Chi (China)
• Hai Tien (China)
• Dom Carlos Primeiro (Portugal)
• Hamidieh (Turkey)

Not quite the journey from hell ... but it didn't feel far from it at the time!

Yesterday I drove to Cheshunt in Hertfordshire to deliver a talk about Sir Charles Warren to the Square Conduct Lodge No. 6816. The shortest route from my house to Cheshunt is about twenty-five miles and normally takes around an hour or so.

Yesterday, it took me over two hours.

Luckily, the heavy traffic that delayed me also delayed most of the other attendees, so the meeting - which was scheduled to start ta 4.30pm - didn't start until 5.00pm. As a result, the meeting did not end unit after 715pm, and had the knock-on effect of making the after-meeting meal late starting. That did not finish until 9.30pm ... but at least my journey home was quicker that my journey there had been, and I was indoors by 10.30pm.

What is interesting was that there appeared to be no cause for all the delays on the roads I had to use. The traffic was no heavier than usual, there were not unexpected roadworks, and there were no accidents. The weather was not to blame, either. There must have been a cause or causes, but I've no idea what they were.

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Yesterday's lecture gave me the opportunity to try out my latest acquisition ... a projector that connects to my laptop computer.

As a result, I will no longer bore people by making them look at me when I give a talk; now they will have pictures to look at to distract them as I drone on!

My collection of narrow-gauge railway locomotives and rolling stock

As I was already going to do some tidying up in my wargame/toy room, I decided to get all my narrow-gauge railway locomotives and rolling stock together so that I can put it in one storage box ... and to photograph them at the same time.

Locomotives

Two ROCO 0-6-0 Tank Locomotives.

Three Liliput 0-6-2 Tank Locomotives ...

... one of which is a non-runner.

A Jouef/Egger-Bahn 0-4-0 Tank Locomotive.

Passenger rolling stock

A Liliput green twin-bogie passenger carriage.

A Liliput red and cream twin-bogie passenger carriage.

A Liliput blue and cream twin-bogie passenger carriage.

Five Liliput four-wheeled passenger carriages (three brown and two yellow) and a Liliput four-wheeled goods van.

Three Jouef/Egger-Bahn four-wheeled passenger carriages,

Other rolling stock

A ROCO twin-bogie hopper wagon.

Four ROCO four-wheeled hopper wagons

Over the years I seem to have collected far more 009 railway locomotives and rolling stock than I realised! Certainly enough for a sizeable Continental model railway …and my plans were for a simple layout.

It seems that I might have to rethink my plans.

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During my sort out, I found some Siku TT-gauge locomotives and rolling stock.

Locomotives

I have four steam 0-6-0 Tank Locomotives and two diesel 0-6-0 Locomotives.

Rolling stock

The rolling stock comprises six four-wheeled passenger carriages and two four-wheeled open truck wagons.

These were cheap to buy, and (with the exception of the diesel locomotives which are definitely of a post-World War II design) would be excellent props for any wargame using 15mm figures that was set during the early to mid-twentieth century. If the diesel locomotives were used, the timeframe for the wargame could be extended up to the end of the twentieth century.

A very short health update

I spent most of yesterday at two separate hospitals and was not able to do much at all in the way of wargaming or writing.

I started my day at The Dimbleby Macmillan Support Cancer, Guy's Cancer at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, having a series of ultrasound tests on my bladder as well as a blood test. This forms part of the assessment of my suitability for treatment with radiotherapy. This lasted from 9.30am until 11.30am, and just as I was leaving, the nurse who had been administering the ultrasound test mentioned in passing that I would have to hurry if I was going to reach the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich for my afternoon appointment.

As this was the first I had heard about this appointment, I asked for more information. It appeared that I was supposed to be at the Oncology Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at 12.30pm so I rushed home, dropped Sue off (She has come with me to Sidcup), and took the 244 bus to the hospital.

I arrived at the door of the Oncology Department at exactly 12.30pm, booked myself in with the receptionist, and was told to wait in the waiting room and my medication would be brought to me. (I had expected that it would be delivered to my home as it had been the last time, but apparently, I had to collect this next batch in person.)

I waited for over an hour before going back to ask the receptionist what was happening ... and it turned out that the pharmacy had not yet delivered my medication to the department. I asked if I could collect it myself from the pharmacy, but I was told that this was not possible. I was to discover why later.

Another hour went past, and I became aware that I was not the only patient waiting for their medication to arrive. In fact, the waiting area was beginning to fill up with more and more impatient outpatients! At 2.45pm a prisoner from the nearby Belmarsh prison arrived in the department, escorted by two prison officers, one of whom he was handcuffed to. There was a bit of shuffling around of patients so that the three of them could sit together, and it was whilst this was happening that the first batch of medication arrived from the pharmacy ... and was given to a patient who had been waiting since 11.00am!

My medication arrived soon afterwards and I asked the nurse who gave it to me what the problem was. It turned out that the pharmacy had been waiting for the medication to be delivered and was sending it up as soon as the pharmacist had checked each patient's prescription and printed off the relevant labels!

What a shambles!

I caught the bus home and unfortunately it was the first one to reach the bus stop used by the pupils from the local secondary school. I managed to get a seat, but I had to share my journey home with over sixty youngsters, none of whom had any idea about how to be quiet. It took a great deal of control not to switch into teacher mode and tell them to quieten down, but by the time I got home at 3.30pm I was feeling rather frazzled. This was not helped by the fact that I had eaten nothing since 8.00am, and I fell upon the lunch Sue had prepared like a ravening wolf.

By the time I had calmed down and begun to relax, I was in no mood to do much except sit in my chair and vegetate ... hence my day was rather unproductive.

Flatiron Gunboats: The rest of the world's vessels

Several countries outside Europe also acquired flatiron gunboats. China acquired most of hers from the Mitchell yard (which was part of Armstrongs) ... and Japan acquired hers from China as spoils of war!

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ARGENTINA

Pilcomayo-class

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 420 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 105ft
• Beam: 30ft
• Draught: 7ft 9in
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 9.7 knots
• Complement: 60
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 3.1-inch BL guns, 2 x 7-pounder QF guns

These vessels were built in two batches of two. The first pair were constructed by J & G Rennie and Company of Greenwich and the second pair by Laird Brothers of Birkenhead. As a result they are sometimes referred to as the separate Pilcomayo (first pair of vessels) and Constitución (second pair of vessels) classes. There is some confusion about their eventual fates.

• Pilcomayo: She was converted into a salvage vessel in 1896 and broken up in 1930. It is also recorded that she decommissioned in 1935.
• Burnejo: She was converted into a transport in 1896 and broken up in 1920. It is also recorded that she was decommissioned in 1932.
• Republica: She was converted into a transport vessel in 1911 and broken up in 1915. It is also recorded that she was decommissioned in 1955.
• Constitución: She was converted into a transport vessel in 1915 broken up later that year. It is also recorded that she was decommissioned in 1955.

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CHINA

Chien Sheng-class

Fu Sheng with her awnings deployed.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 256 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 87ft
• Beam: 26ft
• Draught: 6ft 5in
• Propulsion: 2 reciprocating steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 8 knots
• Complement: 30
• Armament: 1 x 10-inch RML gun

Built by Lairds for the Fukien fleet (Foochow region).

• Chien Sheng: She was sunk by the French Navy at the Battle of Foochow on 23rd August 1884.
• Fu Sheng: She was sunk by the French Navy at the Battle of Foochow on 23rd August 1884.

Alpha-class

Alpha (later Lung Hsiang) soon after she was completed.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 320 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 118ft 6in
• Beam: 27ft
• Draught: 7ft 6in
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 10 knots
• Complement: 30
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder BL guns; 1 x Gatling machine gun

Built by Mitchell for the Nanyang fleet (Shanghai and Lower Yangtse region).

• Alpha: She was renamed Lung Hsiang on entering Chinese service. She was discarded in 1895.
• Beta: She was renamed Hu Wei on entering Chinese service. She was discarded in 1895 but is recorded as having taken part in the civil war that followed the 1911 revolution.

Gamma-class

Delta (later Fei Ting) soon after she was completed.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 420 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 120ft
• Beam: 30ft
• Draught: 8ft
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 9.5 knots
• Complement: 30
• Armament: 1 x 12.5-inch RML gun; 2 x 9-pounder BL guns; 1 x Gatling machine gun

Built by Mitchell for the Nanyang fleet (Shanghai and Lower Yangtse region).

• Gamma: She was renamed Fei Ting on entering Chinese service. She was discarded in 1905.
• Delta: She was renamed Tse Tien on entering Chinese service. She was discarded in 1905 after catching fire.

Epsilon-class

Epsilon (later Chen Tung).

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 440 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 125ft
• Beam: 29ft
• Draught: 9ft 6in
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 10 knots
• Complement: 28
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder BL guns; 2 x Gatling machine guns

Built by Mitchell for the Peiyang fleet (Shantung and Yellow Sea region).

• Epsilon: She was renamed Chen Tung on entering Chinese service. She was captured by the Japanese at Wei-Hai-Wei in 1895 and became the Chinto.
• Zeta: She was renamed Chen Hsi on entering Chinese service. She was captured by the Japanese at Wei-Hai-Wei in 1895 and became the Chin Sei.
• Eta: She was renamed Chen Nan on entering Chinese service. She was captured by the Japanese at Wei-Hai-Wei in 1895 and became the Chin Nan.
• Theta: She was renamed Chen Pei on entering Chinese service. She was captured by the Japanese at Wei-Hai-Wei in 1895 and became the Chin Hoku.

Iota-class

Lamda (later Chen Hai).

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 440 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 125ft
• Beam: 29ft
• Draught: 9ft 10in
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 10 knots
• Complement: 28
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder BL guns; 1 x Gatling machine gun

Near repeats of the Epsilon-class. Built by Mitchell for the Peiyang fleet (Shantung and Yellow Sea region).

• Iota: She was renamed Chen Chung on entering Chinese service. She was captured by the Japanese in 1895 and became the Chin Chu.
• Kappa: She was renamed Chen Pien on entering Chinese service. She was captured by the Japanese in 1895 and became the Chim Pien.
• Lamda: She was renamed Chen Hai on entering Chinese service.

Hoi Tung Hung

Her characteristics were:

• Displacement: 430 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 125ft
• Beam: 30ft
• Draught: 7ft 11in
• Propulsion: 2 reciprocating steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 7.5 knots
• Complement: -
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 9-pounder BL guns

Built in China for the Kwangtung fleet (Canton region). Her hull was composite (i.e., a wooden hull with iron frame) and she was regarded as being too lightly built. She may also have been named Hai Chang Ching or Hai Ting Ching.

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JAPAN

All her flatiron gunboats were captured Chinese vessels.

Chinto-class

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 440 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 125ft
• Beam: 29ft
• Draught: 9ft 6in
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 10 knots
• Complement: 28
• Armament:
• At time of capture: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder BL guns; 1 x machine gun
• 1898: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder QF guns; 1 x machine gun

Captured from the Chinese at Wei-Hai-Wei in 1895.

• Chinto: Broken up in 1906.
• Chin Sei: Broken up in 1906.
• Chin Nan: Broken up in 1906.
• Chin Hoku: Broken up in 1906.

Chinchu-class

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 440 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 125ft
• Beam: 29ft
• Draught: 9ft 10in
• Propulsion: 2 horizontal compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 10 knots
• Complement: 28
• Armament:
• At time of capture: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder BL guns; 1 x machine gun
• 1898: 1 x 11-inch RML gun; 2 x 12-pounder QF guns; 1 x machine gun

Captured from the Chinese in 1895.

• Chin Chu: Broken up in 1906.
• Chim Pien: Broken up in 1906.

Wargames Illustrated No.422, February 2023

I recently did something that I have not done for a long time ... I bought a copy of the latest issue of WARGAMES ILLUSTRATED.

My reason for doing so was to read a copy of a specific article about 3D printing that had been written by  the magazine's Office Manager, but much to my surprise I discovered several other articles that were of interest to me, including one by Mike Blake and Chris Swan about their forthcoming book about the Boxer Rebellion (RIGHTEOUS HARMONIOUS FISTS; BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES IN CHINA 1898 - 1901) and another by Dan Mersey about THE FOURTH PUNIC WAR. The latter is set in an alternative version of the 1930s, when Carthage still existed and was fighting against the still-extant Roman Empire for control of the Mediterranean.

He has created his armies from a variety of figures drawn from Mark Copplestone's 'neo retro' 1930s-style 30mm range and has fought his tabletop battles using the XENOS RAMPANT rules that he co-wrote with Richard Cowen. Reading this article made me realise that had I not already started out on my Belle Époque project, I might well have followed a somewhat similar path.

Why narrow-gauge 'Diddly Dums'?

Mark, Man of TIN's comment in reply to yesterday's blog post included a link to an article that featured a narrow-gauge model railway layout set on the Western front during the First World War that reminded me of two articles I read years ago that first kindled my interest in narrow-gauge model railways.

The first was written by in the Alex Bowie and appeared in the March 1964 issue of AIRFIX MAGAZINE. (I was just fourteen at the time, and at a very impressionable age!)

To read the article, click on it.

To read the article, click on it.

The second was by Michael Andress and was in the February 1979 issue of the same magazine.

To read the article, click on it.

To read the article, click on it.

To my way of thinking, there is hardly a war from 1850 onwards where railways have not featured in some way or another, even if it was just as a major logistic supply route ... and yet how often are they seen depicted on a tabletop battlefield other than as scenery or as a means of using that armoured train you bought some time ago and never got round to using until now.

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Another source of my inspiration was this photograph of a narrow-gauge railway being used during the Chaco War.

My new ‘Diddly Dum’

My wife always refers to railway trains as ‘Diddly Dums’ because back in her childhood, that was the sound trains made as they passed over joints in the rails.

I have always hankered to own a model railway. As a child I had a Hornby clockwork train, and it and my Meccano construction set ranked along with my toy fort and soldiers as my favourite toys. In fact, some of the best memories from my childhood are of playing games that involved all three.

Over the years I have bought several narrow-gauge (i.e., H09 and 009-scale) locomotives and rolling stock as well as N-gauge track … but I’ve never got around to building a layout. That might be about to change.

Last week I bid for and won an eBay auction for a boxed Egger-Bahn/Jouef H09 model train set.

The box appears to have never been opened and contains a tiny 0-4-0 tank locomotive, three passenger carriages, and enough track to build a small oval. I now need to find a cheap model railway transformer/train controller and then I can set up my new train set and run my new locomotive and rolling stock.

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There are several other sets of similar Egger-Bahn/Jouef trains out there, including:

• A Decauville Steam Locomotive and Summer Cars (these are sometimes referred to as 'toast racks')
• A Goods Train
• A Western Train
• A Ruhr Lippe Steam Rail Car

I would love to have a model of the Decauville Steam Locomotive ...

... as well as the locomotive that comes with the Western Train ...

... especially as the latter includes some great-looking passenger carriages.

One day, perhaps ...

Work on the Second Portable Wargame Compendium is underway!

Over the past fortnight I have been gathering various articles together for the next PORTABLE WARGAME COMPENDIUM. To date, I have about fifty pages of text and illustrations already laid out, and hope to have added more by the weekend.

I’ll blog more about the contents then … but if anyone would like to contribute, please let me know. Some of you have already done this, but I’m sure that others might have something interesting to share.

I’m not in a position to pay for contributions, but all contributors will get a free copy of the COMPENDIUM and will also have their names included on the list of authors.

Flatiron Gunboats: The other European nations' vessels

Besides the Scandinavian countries, several other European nations acquired flatiron gunboats.

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GERMANY

Wespe-class

A Wespe-class flatiron gunboat.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 1139 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 152ft 4 in
• Beam: 34ft 10in
• Draught: 10ft 10in
• Propulsion: 2 compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 11 knots
• Complement: 76
• Armament: 1 x 12-inch BL gun; 2 x 3.5-inch BL guns, 2 x 1-pounder QF guns: 2 x 14-inch torpedo tubes

Amongst the largest flatiron gunboats built by any nation. They were reputed to be very poor seaboats and spent little time in commission.

• Wespe: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Viper: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911. She was still in use as a barge in 1960.
• Biene: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Mucke: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Scorpion: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Basilisk: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Camaleon: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Crocodil: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Salamander: She was lost in 1910.
• Natter: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.
• Hummel: She was stricken between 1909 and 1911.

Brummer-class

A Brummer-class flatiron gunboat.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 1914 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 212ft 9 in
• Beam: 27ft 11in
• Draught: 15ft 8in
• Propulsion: 1 compound steam engines driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 14 knots
• Complement: 78
• Armament: 1 x 8.2-inch BL gun; 2 x 3-pounder QF guns: 1 x 14-inch torpedo tubes

Technically these were not flatiron gunboats, although there shared many similar characteristics. They were longer, lighter, and faster and much better seaboats that the Wespe-class vessels. As a result, they saw much more service.

• Brummer: She served as flagship of the torpedo forces before becoming a fishery protection vessel. She was then used as a weapons and machinery training vessel before being hulked in 1907. She was not broken up until 1922.
• Bremse: She was hulked in 1903 and then converted into an oil barge. She was sold into commercial service in 1910.

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GREECE

Spetses-class

A Spetses-class flatiron gunboat.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 433 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 127ft 11in
• Beam: 25ft 11in
• Draught: 7ft 3in
• Propulsion: 2 vertical compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 12 knots
• Complement: 64
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch gun; 1 x 6-inch gun; 2 x 2-pounder QF guns; 1 x 14-inch bow torpedo tube

These vessels were built by Thames Ironworks.

• Spetses: Renamed Aketon in 1889. She saw action during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and both Balkan Wars. She served as guardship of the Piraeus and Keratsini net barrages during World War I. She was seized by France in 1917 and returned to Greece in 1918. She was stricken in 1920.
• Hydra: She was renamed Amvrakia in 1889. She saw action during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and both Balkan Wars. She served as guardship of the Piraeus and Keratsini net barrages during World War I and was scrapped in 1931.

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ITALY

Castore-class

A Castore-class flatiron gunboat.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 667 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 115ft
• Beam: 37ft
• Draught: 9ft 2in
• Propulsion: 2 vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 8 knots
• Complement: 42
• Armament: 1 x 16-inch (117 ton) BL gun

These were the most heavily armed flatiron gunboats built. There were built as trials vessels for the Italian Ministry of War and not handed over to the Italian Navy until 1891.

• Castore: Her 16-inch gun was removed after her transfer to the Italian Navy and replaced by 1 x 4.7-inch QF gun and 1 x machine gun. She was disarmed in 1899 and used as a barge until 1904 when she became a minelayer. From 1915 until she was discarded in 1925, she served as a torpedo testing vessel.
• Polluce: Her 16-inch gun was removed after her transfer to the Italian Navy and replaced by 1 x 4.7-inch QF gun and 1 x machine gun. She was disarmed in 1899 and discarded in 1911.

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NETHERLANDS

Hydra-class

A Hydra-class flatiron gunboat.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement:218 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 84ft 11in
• Beam: 25ft
• Draught: 6ft
• Propulsion: 2 compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 7.5 knots
• Complement: 34
• Armament:
• When built: 1 x 9-inch (RML) gun
• When rearmed: 1 x 8.2-inch gun; 3 x 1-pounder QF guns

The Hydra and the Ever were built by Armstrongs whilst the rest of the class were built in the Netherlands. The design was unusual in that it had twin side-by-side funnels. The Hydra's 9-inch gun was initially fitted with a Moncrieff disappearing carriage, but this proved to be unsatisfactory and was removed and replaced by a deck mounting in 1875-1876.

• Hydra: She served as a guardship at Vlissingen until 1885 and was rearmed in 1888. In 1891 she was then attached to the Naval Engineering School until she was scrapped in 1906.
• Ever: She served as a cadet training vessel early in her career. Her 9-inch gun was removed in 1884, and she was rearmed in 1888-1890. In 1914 she became an accommodation vessel at Ijmuiden, and from 1921 until 1925 she was an instructional vessel for naval cadets. She was scrapped in 1926.
• Das: She was rearmed in 1888-1890. She was converted into a minelayer in 1914. Rearmed with 2 x 1-pounder QF gun sand 1 x machine gun in 1921 and sold in 1925.
• Dog: She was reamed in 1888-1890. Allocated to subsidiary duties in 1884, she was discarded in 1927.
• Fret: She was rearmed in 1888-1890 and became an accommodation vessel in 1896. She was stricken in 1924.
• Geep: She was reamed in 1888-1890. Allocated to subsidiary duties in 1892, she was sold in 1922.
• Gier: She was rearmed in 1888-1890. She became a training vessel in 1894 and sold in 1913.
• Havik: She was rearmed in 1888-1890. She was converted into a minelayer in 1914. Rearmed with 2 x 1-pounder QF gun sand 1 x machine gun in 1921 and broken up in 1936.
• Raaf: She was reamed in 1888-1890. Allocated to subsidiary duties in 1894, she was sold in 1936.
• Brak: She was rearmed in 1888-1890. She was hulked in 1902 and sold in 1961.
• Lynx: She was rearmed in 1888-1890. In 1912 she was renamed Los and sold in 1925.
• Vos: She was rearmed in 1888-1890.
• Bever: She was rearmed in 1888-1890 and became an accommodation vessel in 1896. She was sold in 1937.
• Sperwer: She was rearmed in 1888-1890 and became a training vessel in 1896. She was sold in 1960.

Wodan-class

The Hydra-class flatiron gunboat Freyr in 1938. Her shielded 2.9-inch QF gun can be seen in the position originally occupied by her 11-inch gun.

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement:2264 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 91ft 4in
• Beam: -
• Draught: -
• Propulsion: 2 compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 7 knots
• Complement: -
• Armament:
• When built: 1 x 11-inch/22 gun; 3 x 1-pounder QF guns
• When rearmed: 1 x 11-inch/30 gun; 3 x 1-pounder QF guns

The majority of the class were rearmed with a longer 11-inch gun during their service. Many had their 11-inch guns removed when they were converted to perform other roles.

• Wodan: She was rearmed for a second time later in her career with 1 x 4.7-inch QF gun. She was discarded in 1924.
• Balder: She was converted into a minelayer in 1910 and rearmed for a second time in 1921 with 2 x 4-pounder QF guns and 2 x machine guns. She was captured by the Germans in 1940 and broken up.
• Braga: She was converted into a minesweeper in 1913 and served as a river gunboat from 1914 to 1918. She was scuttled in 1940 to avoid being captured by the Germans.
• Freyr: She was rearmed for a second time later in her career with 1 x 2.9-inch QF gun. She was scuttled in 1940 to avoid being captured by the Germans. She was raised in 1944 and scuttled for a second time. She raised and her wreck was broken up in 1947/48.
• Heimdall: She was used for subsidiary duties from 1918 onwards.
• Njord: She was rearmed for a second time later in her career with 1 x 5.9-inch QF gun. She was stricken in 1925.
• Thor: She was converted into a minelayer in 1918 and rearmed in 1921 with 2 x 1-pounder QF guns and 2 x machine guns. She was sunk in 1940.
• Tyr: She was captured by the Germans in 1940 and returned and then sold in 1945.
• Hefring: She was never rearmed with the 11-inch/30 gun. She was used as a training vessel from 1907 and scuttled to avoid capture by the Germans in 1940. They raised her wreck and broke her up.
• Vali: She was used for subsidiary duties from 1909 onwards and broken up during the 1940s.
• Vidar: She was converted into a minelayer in 1915 and rearmed for a second time in 1921 with 2 x 1-pounder QF guns and 2 x machine guns. She was captured by the Germans in 1940 and broken up.
• Bulgia: She was never rearmed with the 11-inch/30 gun. She was converted into a minelayer in 1925 and sunk in 1940. The Germans raised her wreck and broke her up.
• Duffa: She was never rearmed with the 11-inch/30 gun. She was discarded in 1913.
• Hadda: She was never rearmed with the 11-inch/30 gun. She was converted into a minelayer in 1921 and rearmed in 1921 with 2 x 4-pounder QF guns and 2 x machine guns. She was scuttled to avoid capture by the Germans in 1940. They raised her wreck and broke her up.
• Udur: She was never rearmed with the 11-inch/30 gun. She was used as a training vessel from 1903 and was captured by the Germans in 1940 and broken up.
• Ulfr: She was used for subsidiary duties from 1903 onwards and sunk in 1940.

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RUSSIA

Ersh or Yorsh

Her characteristics were:

• Displacement: 321 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 91ft
• Beam: 28ft 6in
• Draught: 6ft 8in
• Propulsion: 2 compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 8 knots
• Complement: 44
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch gun; 2 x 4-pounder QF guns

Her name is rendered in either form. She was stricken in 1906.

Burun-class

Their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 400 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 119ft 4 in
• Beam: 29ft
• Draught: 8ft
• Propulsion: 2 compound steam engines, each driving a propeller shaft
• Speed: 8 knots
• Complement: 54
• Armament: 1 x 11-inch gun; 2 x 3.4-inch QF guns

Enlarged versions of the Ersh.

• Burun: She was stricken in 1908 and used for harbour duties.
• Tutcha: She was stricken in 1906.
• Burya: She was stricken in 1906. and used for harbour duties.
• Groza: She was stricken in 1907.
• Dojd: She was stricken in 1907 and converted into a light vessel.
• Snyeg: She was stricken in 1902.
• Grad: She was stricken in 1904.
• Vikhr: She was stricken in 1908, renamed Tral, and used for harbour duties.

The Franco-Prussian War of 1810: Some concluding comments

I set up this campaign with several goals in mind. These were:

1. To test the simple campaign rules that I had developed.
2. To test the Fast Play 3 x 3 Napoleonic Portable Wars rules (FP3x3NapPW) I had written.
3. To have an excuse to fight a series of online wargames with my good friend Professor Gary Sheffield.

Of these, the third was probably the most important, and I hope to be able to fight another campaign against him in the not-too-distant future.

So, how successful was I in achieving my goals?

Well, both the campaign rules and the FP3x3NapPW rules worked well, and they will be appearing in the next PORTABLE WARGAME COMPENDIUM, along with a turn-by-turn history of the Franco-Prussian War of 1810. In addition, Gary is certainly interested in fighting another campaign ... so he must have enjoyed the experience! I'm not sure when and where it will be set, but I think that the battles will be fought over a bigger grid, possibly a 5 x 5 one.

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A quick note on campaign losses and replacements.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1810, the French lost a total of 24 SPs (the equivalent of 1.33 divisions or 26.6% of their original field army) and the Prussians lost 39 SPs (the equivalent of 2.16 divisions or 43.4% of their original field army).

The French had 41 SPs remaining in their Replacement Pool and the Prussians had 33 SPs in their Replacement Pool ... so if the war had continued, the Prussians would have had to have inflicted a series of massive defeats of the French in the near future to stand any chance of winning.

The King of Prussia's decision to seek peace before his army was totally worn down was a sensible one. At least this way he still has an army to fight with another day.

Return to my Belle Époque project

The recent session at VCOW entitled 'Omdurman to Sarajevo – Wargaming the period 1898 to 1914' made me realise just how long it has been since I did any work on my Belle Époque project.

The following figures were part of a batch that I bought some time ago on eBay, and I originally intended them to be part of the Army of the Commonwealth of Avalon ... but then I decided to renovate and rebase them so that they could serve in the ranks of the Khakistani Army.

They have been sitting on my worktable for some time waiting to be finished, and now they are.

The Franco-Prussian War of 1810: The pursuit of the Prussian 3rd Division

Having been beaten at the Battle of the Leipzig Gap, the Prussian 3rd Division had fallen back to a position to the southeast of Leipzig.

A map showing the strategic situation before the battle.

It had been able to regain some of its strength by absorbing new recruits into its ranks, but it was still a lot weaker than it had been, and it was unable to outrun the French 4th Division.

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Situation

The Prussian 3rd Division retreated after their defeat at the Battle of the Leipzig Gap. They were pursued by the French 4th Division who caught up with them southeast of Leipzig.

The French force was the 4e Division d’Infanterie/4th Infantry Division. It was commanded by General Torrance and comprised:

• 13e Régiment d’Infanterie/13th Infantry Regiment (Average)
• 14e Régiment d’Infanterie/14th Infantry Regiment (Average)
• 15e Régiment d’Infanterie légère/15th Light Infantry Regiment (Average)
• 16e Régiment d’Infanterie légère/16th Light Infantry Regiment (Average)
• 4e Régiment d’Artillerie/4th Artillery Regiment (Average)
• 4e Regiment de Cuirassier/4th Cuirassier Regiment (Average)

The Prussian force was the under-strength 3. Infanterie-Division/3rd Infantry Division. It was commanded by General von Horn and comprised:

• 9. Infanterie-Regiment/9th Infantry Regiment (Poor; reduced to 2 SPs)
• 10. Infanterie-Regiment/10th Infantry Regiment (Poor; reduced to 2 SPs)
• 11. Infanterie-Regiment/11th Infantry Regiment (Poor; reduced to 2 SPs)
• 12. Infanterie-Regiment/12th Infantry Regiment (Poor; reduced to 2 SPs)
• 3. Artillerie-Regiment/3rd Artillery Regiment (Poor; reduced to 1 SP)

The Terrain

The French Reserve Area is on the left of the map and the Prussian Reserve Area is on the right.

The battlefield's terrain. The Prussian Reserve Area is nearest to the camera.

The pursuit of the Prussian 3rd Division

Initial positions

General Torrance positioned his artillery (4th Artillery Regiment) on the hill and took up a position alongside it. Behind the artillery he deployed 14th Infantry Regiment in line. In the centre he placed his two light infantry units (15th Light Infantry Regiment and 16th Light Infantry Regiment) in a contiguous column, and on his right he deployed the 13th Infantry Regiment in line with the 4th Cuirassier Regiment in line behind them.

General von Horn positioned his artillery (3rd Artillery Regiment) on his left, with the 12th Infantry Regiment in line behind them. He also chose to accompany these two units. He deployed the 19th and 11th Infantry Regiments in lone in the centre and the 9th Infantry Regiment in line on his right.

The initial positions of both sides. The Prussian 3rd Division is nearest the camera..

Turn 1

The French immediately attacked the Prussian force.

The French 4th Artillery fired at the Prussian 9th Infantry Regiment, causing them to lose 1 SP.

In the centre both the French 15th and 16th Light Infantry Regiments advanced in a single column. This gave room for the 4th Cuirassiers to change formation into column and move into the area formerly occupied by them.

On the right, the French 13th Infantry Regiment moved forward towards the Prussian 3rd Artillery and 12th Infantry Regiments.

In response, the Prussian 3rd Artillery Regiment fired at the advancing French 13th Infantry Regiment ... and missed! Likewise, in the centre the two Prussian infantry units fired at the oncoming French column and also missed!

The situation at the end of Turn 1.

Turn 2

As pressure on them increased, the Prussians responded.

The Prussian 12th Infantry Regiment advanced and fired at the French 13th Infantry Regiment, which lost 1 SP.

The Prussian 3rd Artillery Regiment also fired at the French 13th Infantry Regiment, which fell back to its original position.

In the centre, the two Prussian infantry units fired at the French column and inflicted the loss of 1 SP on both the French 15th and 16th Light Infantry Regiments.

At this point things were beginning to look good for the Prussians ... and then the French 4th Artillery Regiment fired at the already weakened Prussian 9th Infantry Regiment ... and destroyed it!

The French column continued its advance and engaged the Prussian 10th and 11th Infantry Regiments in Close Combat, inflicting the loss of 1 SP on each of the Prussian units.

The French 4th Cuirassiers moved forward onto the flank of the French column in the centre of the battlefield.

The situation at the end of Turn 2.

Turn 3

The fighting in the centre of the battlefield continued. The French 15th Light Infantry Regiment destroyed the Prussian 10th Infantry Regiment, losing 1 SP in the process. The French 16th Infantry Regiment was unable to match this achievement, but the 4th Cuirassiers charged the Prussian 11th Infantry in the flank and destroyed them!

The Prussian 3rd Artillery Regiment fired at the French 13th Infantry Regiment ... and missed.

The Prussian 12th Infantry Regiment, led by General von Horn, moved forward, and turned right, firing into the flank of the French 16th Light Infantry Regiment, which was forced to fall back.

The situation at the end of Turn 3.

Turn 4

The French 13th Infantry Regiment advance and engaged the Prussian 12th Infantry Regiment in Close Combat from the flank. The Prussians fought well and force the French 13th Infantry Regiment to fall back ... but the Prussian 12th Infantry Regiment was all but destroyed in the process.

Seeing the his remaining troops were unable to continue fighting much longer and wanting to avoid further bloodshed, General von Horn surrendered to General Torrance.

The situation at the end of Turn 4 and tat he end of the battle.

The French had lost 4 SPs and the Prussians had lost 7 SPs.

Aftermath

The destruction of the Prussian 3rd Division convinced the King of Prussia that his army could not win the war. He immediately requested an armistice whilst matters between the two nations were settled.

The Emperor of France was magnanimous in victory. In exchange for the exclusive right to buy Prussian's grain harvest for the next five years and the payment of 100,000 gold Thalers, he agreed to withdraw his troops from Prussia.

As to the original cause of the war (a Prussian leaflet that had been printed lampooning the Emperor of France), the author of the pamphlet and the printer who had printed and distributed it were encouraged by the Prussian police to emigrate as soon as possible!