Battle of the Boyne - Part 2

 Yesterday, Bob Black came over with the aim of completing our unfinished Battle of the Boyne game.  We left the game a couple of weeks ago with the Williamite forces struggling to gain a foothold on the Jacobite side of the river.  Several attempts had been thwarted with the loss of two foot regiments.  

Jacobite cavalry charges had also succeeded in pushing back William's advance, destroying a Dutch unit, but the Jacobite cavalry had suffered with two horse regiments having to leave the field.

We catch up with the action once again over on the Williamite left, as Schomberg's cavalry crash into Dillon's Irish Piquets.  Kirke's regiment crosses the river in support. The Irish infantry are pushed back as William gains a toe hold on the left.

In the centre, James orders more infantry to advance down to the river bank, facing Danish and English troops.

In a counter move, William advances into the river once more in the centre and the Dutch advance on the right.  The Lord High Admiral Regiment, in yellow, moves up in support.

A major action ensues as William's army begins to gain ground on the Jacobite side of the river.

Meanwhile on the opposite flank, alarmed by the advancing Williamite cavalry, King James orders the Jacobite cavalry to charge into Schomberg's dragoons.  A large cavalry melee takes place.

The battle in the centre swings back and forth and despite heavy casualties the Williamite troops continue to edge into the Jacobite lines.

In an attempt to restore the situation Bob's Jacobites make a determined counter attack.  It does not go well and despite damaging the Danes they fail to destroy them and William's force clings onto their gained ground.

The Jacobites are forced back, losing more troops in the process.

Then King Jame's army collapses.  A cavalry charge by Schomberg's horse, supported by Oxford 's blue regiment destroys the Jacobite cavalry.  Their rout causes the Jame's men to break and head for the rear.  the battle is over and William wins 6 - 4, although most of his units are severely damaged.

This was an excellent game which we both enjoyed.  Plans are being hatched for a rematch, possibly an early Jacobite Rebellion action set in Scotland.

Battle Report - 1690 Battle of the Boyne Part 1

 After a fair bit of painting and preparation of the table the scene was set for a wargame refight of the Battle of the Boyne.  Bob Black came over and decided to take on the role of the Jacobite forces commander King James II.  I was to play as William of Orange.  

Advancing from the north the Williamite forces would have to cross the Boyne river to destroy the Jacobite army.

William's troops were better equipped and trained, consisting of a mix of English, Dutch, Danish and Irish, but had the task of defeating a defending army on the other side of a river. For the battle we used Command & Colors Jacobite Rising rules with 54mm metal figures. Here are the opening positions:

The Jacobite right wing on the south bank of the Boyne. James can be seen on the hill top left.

The Williamite right wing, with the Dutch guards, supported by artillery preparing to make the initial advance across the river at the Oldbridge ford.

The Williamite left flank with cavalry and infantry covering the ford opposite Rathmullen:

Williamite troops begin to wade across the river to open up the action over on the Jacobite left;

The Williamite probe over the river gains momentum, however the Jacobite infantry begin to close in on the river bank:

The battle for the river bank intensifies.  The Williamite troops are unable to use their muskets in the river and despite causing some casualties amongst the Jacobites they are forced to give ground.

As the action in the river takes place, James (Bob) launches his right wing cavalry across the Oldbridge ford, forcing Williamit gunners to abandon their guns and forcing a Dutch guards regiment to break.

The battle around the Oldbridge ford grows in ferocity and a counter attack by William's right wing cavalry destroys the Jacobite cavalry, although for the time being Williams move on the right has been checked.

William now turns his attention to his left flank where the Jacobites are a little weaker.  Williamite cavalry storm over the ford and set about some Irish militia.  A Jacobite cavalry counter-attack is destroyed as Williams infantry moves across the river in support.

On the Williamite right the Dutch and supporting cavalry regroup.

Unfortunately Wlliam and James had spent rather too long at lunch and there was insufficint time to complete the battle, which still hangs in the balance.  

In part 2 it is hoped to conclude this fascinating action

Battle of the Boyne

 The final troops arrive, just in time for today's battle.  Both sides are now taking up positions on either side of the River Boyne.

More converted Del Prado cavalry, representing Oxford's Horse:

Michelburne's Regiment of Foot:

And a heavy cavalry regiment wearing the rather outdated lobster pot helmets:

Let battle begin!

King James and his cavalry

 Last night I finished off the cavalry loyal to King James, consisting of three units.  

Here is the King at the head of his horse, with his army beginning to deploy to the rear:

A close up of King James II.  I was not responsible for painting this lovely figure.  he comes from the collection of Bob Black.  All I did was repaint the base to match the other figures.  Over his right shoulder are the kings Life guards, later to become the Household Cavalry, supported by some Scottish Horse:

Apart from one infantry regiment that brings me to the end of this painting project.  Now to fight the battle.

More 1690 Infantry

 Today I finished basing some Dutch and Irish infantry.  Two Dutch battlions are added to the Williamite army:

These troops join a third unit, forming the Dutch brigade:

I also finished off another of two Irish infantry units on the Jacobite side as seen here:

I am now getting close to completing the painting part of this project, ready for action on the river Boyne.

King Billy's cavalry

 It's been a while since my last post.  That is because I have had around the 10 54mm units on the painting table that I have gradually been working through.  First off the production line is King William of Orange and his cavalry, three, three figure units. All are Del Prado conversions, apart from King Billy.  I am not sure where he came from and was a unpainted donation from Bob Black.

Here is King Billy and his troops heading down into the Boyne valley in 1690:

Next will be some Dutch guards that are almost completed.

From Cavalier to Dragoon

 A quick paint conversion of the Del Prado King Gustavus Adolphus figure into a 1690 dragoon. This was a paint conversion with very little surgery being done:

My next figure will have the lace on the collar filed back as it shows up on the finished model.

Del Prado conversion

 From French Marshal to Hamilton's Horse.

The Del Prado figure of Marshal Turenne, Battle of the Dunes 1658 is a good size to match my 54mm collection and wears a uniform suitable for the 1690 campaign in Ireland.  Unfortunately he is waving a baton rather than a sword.  However, I was able to buy some sword arms and other bits from Tradition of London and quickly replaced his right arm.

The Turenne figure is quite common and can be found cheaply on eBay.  I now have five.  My plan is to create two four figure mounted regiments.

Otherwise the figure was pretty much good to go.  I decided to paint the figure as Williamite Hamilton's Horse, with grey tunic, faced in red.  The horse was repainted too:

Hamilton's Horse is on the left, with Turenne in black on the right:

Just to show the scale of these figures he is set alongside one of my foot units - Dutch Foot Guards:

British Infantry 1690

 Last weekend I painted some more 54mm Williamite period troops.  This time it was some British infantry from Irregular Miniatures.  In fact they are from the Marlburian range but Ian Kay very kindly changed the heads to incorporate the broad brimmed hat that preceded the tricorne.

These troops are from Kirke's Irish Regiment that fought with King Billy in 1690.  They were a delight to paint, only taking a few hours using speed paints: