This is a theatre that I have been thinking about for a while. Partly prompted by a virtual game some months ago hosted by Jonathon of the Palouse Wargaming Journal . The battle in question was Bassignano between the Piedmontese and Franco-Spanish army. This was an enjoyable, hard-fought game which I lost and it piqued my interest further in the Italian campaigns. A further game is in the offing - this time Madonna Dell Olmo.
Reading material in English is thin on the ground for this theatre. There's a few chapters in the Wild Goose and the Eagle and a couple of books published by Helion. Including this one, which is on sale for 50% off. Naturally I ordered it. [there are other book in the same sale]
Assietta is an asymetrical battle, so, depending on your point of view, it either provides scope for a different type of challenge from the usual set-piece battle, or makes an unbalanced game. It should also provide something of a modelling challenge as it involves lots of defence works in a narrow mountain pass. Hopefully I'll have a better idea after reading the book.
Which leads me on to an internal discussion I've been having with myself. Should I go ahead and build Spanish and Piedmontese armies? Both will be mostly white-coated (though as with the French, foreign regiments add a splash more colour). French and Austrian armies could easily stand in, especially at 6mm scale, and half the Bourbon armies were French anyway. I 'want to' but am struggling to justify it to myself. Especially as I'm dithering over a couple of 10mm Ancients armies. Hmm.
The Italian theatre is not one we see often on wargaming tables. Bassagnana was great fun. I have considered pulling it out again for an encore now that I can field Spanish and Piedmontese. Madonna dell'Olmo will be an interesting contest too. Still working up the details on that one.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the Badone book in Gettysburg (of all places) last May. It is really a great reference to add into your WAS library. I have only given the Assietta battles a cursory study having been focused on other projects. I am not sure exactly how to replicate it on the table but more study will likely provide a solution.
As for your reader question, on painting Spanish and Piedmontese, well, you probably already know my answer. As a bonus, I have done some of the uniform research already.
Go on, you know you want to...
I have Piedmontese cavalry on the painting desk now.
Good to know that the Assietta book is a good resource. It might give me the nudge I need.
DeleteChris
Looks like a nice book Chris. To be honest, I can actually understand the dilemma - particularly in your diminutive scale - how about a compromise and work out what units each of your existing white coated troops could be in the new armies, then just buy the command and redo the flags with the appropriate Spanish and Piedmontese ones??
ReplyDeleteNice idea Keith, but you can’t buy separate command figures from H&R. At present though, most of my French unit flags are unpainted so they are up for grabs.
DeleteChris
Go on Chris, buy them! And the 10mm ancients. 😁
ReplyDeleteChristmas and birthday coming so, not such a bad idea……
DeleteChris
Certainly looks interesting, the topic is not in my wheelhouse. Adding to a collection? Go for it, you have the book already.
ReplyDeleteI’d need more books/reference material than just the Assietta book.
DeleteChris
An interesting period but not one I know much about 🤔
ReplyDeleteI know very little about the Italian campaigns. But that’s not stopped me before!
DeleteChris
I don't mind an assymetric battle, as it give a nice challenge, ideally played as part of a campaign of course. I've played plenty of these using Bloody Big Battles for the Franco-Prussian War etc, where generally the French will lose, but can they give the Prussians enough of a bloody nose to affect the next battle?
ReplyDeleteAs for your painting conundrum, being a shallow knave I would go down the counts as or Imagi-Nations route, as it allows you to get the games played etc, which for me is more important these days. Of course you can always go back and build proper armies in due course if the period really floats your boat!
Yes. I could easily do the Italian theatre now. I have the Habsburgs, and the French. Elements of those two could stand in for the Spanish and Piedmontese. I already use proxies for my western Germany and Low Countries games. That would be the sensible solution. But……😁
DeleteChris
Chris, as it's 6mm I'm not sure it's worth dedicated armies; perhaps as a compromise, some dedicated units such as yellow clad Spanish cavalry?
ReplyDeleteIn 6mm I'd be tempted to have generic units with interchangeable command stands with different flags.....
Neil
Neil, you are too practical.
DeleteThat’s a great idea Neil. I wish I’d thought if this before I based them. I will see if I have enough flag bearers to create command stands for both French and Spanish. If not it’d involve a purchase anyway. (You can’t buy command figures separately from H&R).
DeleteChris
Jonathan, you make that sound like a bad thing! ☺
DeleteNeil
I like Neil’s cunning plan and am trying to resist this book as battles between French mountain troops and Grenzers in the mountains has always sounded exciting…
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Well you missed Helion’s 50% off deal Alan, but it’s available on Paul Meekins site for £20 still.
DeleteChris
Actually I was wrong. The sale is still on!
DeleteChris
Just bought it a minute ago from Helion for £17:50
DeleteP.S that was me forget to say.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Hope you enjoy it. Still waiting for mine. Hope it’s here for the weekend.
DeleteChris
I like Neil's cunning plan. Go on dive in.
ReplyDeleteI do too Richard, but I have a plan so cunning it could have been devised by Dr Renard, Emeritus Professor of Cunning at the University of Foxford.
DeleteAnother vote gor Neil's cunning plan and what are the ancients that you're planning to do?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
I'm swithering* over the Punic Wars. Always quite fancied it, though the Persian Wars have been in my heart since I saw the 300 Spartans as a nipper.
Delete* word learned from Alan the Tradgardmastare in a comment.