Tuesday, March 23, 2010

LEAD DEPLEATED

The lead pile is gone and I can begin painting. The following units are available for the upcomming season once paint is applied.

SCHWABIAN FIELD FORCE.
BRIGADE
BRIGADE

FLATSBURG REGIMENT 24

MUHLEHAUS REGIMENT 24

CONVERGED GRENADIERS 24

BATTERY 2 GUN 10

JAEGER COMPANY 12

ZWILLING-EICHEN MILITIA 12

BRIGADE
DRAGOON SQUADRON 12
LIGHT HORSE SQUADRON 12

Thursday, March 11, 2010

HAUPTMAN FUCHS REPORT

To General Leopold Tiberius Flatsburg
Schwabian League defense forces
Fom Hauptman Fuchs
Schwabian Jaeger company A stationed at Zwilling-Eichen

Yesterday my company moved out to make a quick survey of activity at the fords in our area. I divided my 2 platoons to search the river six miles to the north and south of Smugglers Ford. They were to converge at the central ford where I awaited with a detachment of 2 squads from each of the platoons. Upon arrival an over watch of the ford was established by rotating the squads. The rest of the Jaegers camped behind the woods with strict silence enforced.

Late in the afternoon, Harzburg mounted Jaegers arrived and began to survey the ford. When the ford was found to be to deep foe wagons or artileery they withdrew and made camp. I sent runners to bring my patroling platoons to my position with quiet haste. A plan was formulated and around midnight my companies officers and I finalized the plan.

Scouts were sent across then with the all clear the company crossed the river. Once across My senior officers and I went foreward with the scouts and surveyed the enemy camp. Final dispositions were made then we returned to the company and began to carry out the plan. Since the enemy was only a troop of calvary we had both surprise and numbers on our side.

Oberleutenant Bogenschutze’s platoon was sent to flank the enemy camp while I would lead the other platoon in an assault on the camp from the river side. Once in position Oberleutenant Bogenschutze signaled and rushed the sentries by the horses and the camp while I led the assault on their camp. The Harzburgers were completely supprised and the camp was secured without serious injury to either side.

The camp and all enemy personel were thoroughly searched and all papers were seized. I ordered all the horses and arms gathered for transport back with us. All saddles, blankets, supplies and the Jaegers boots were thrown onto fires to render them unusable. Once all the task were accomplished the company recrossed the river with each platoon providing cover for the other.

Back on our side of the river I ordered a night march in the bright moonlight. My company arrived back in camp at dawn. After seing to the disposition of my company I retired to my quarters to read the papers. The papers break down as follows.

Letters to family describing the daily conditions of the Mounted Jaegers.

Letters from family describing the conditions of various parts of Hasrzburg and news from their region.

Leters to and from lovers lamenting their time apart.

3 leters from ladies telling the recipients that their attentions were no longer wanted or appreciated.

Daily rolls and reports on the troop and their mounts.

Merchants bills for the troop and personel

Reports of the fords from Smugglers Ford to 15 miles north

3 sealed letters from an agent in Schwabia covering different areas of interst ( letters resealed with the company seal and attached)

My messenger is ordered to await any reply

Hauptman Fuchs
Schwabian Jaeger company A

Monday, March 8, 2010

Midnight raid

Hauptman Fuchs quietly began to go over the plan for the raid with the officers and nco's of his company. He looked them each in the eye and impressed upon the need to watch over their men and not leave anyone behind when the order came to withdraw. With the moon high overhead Hauptman Fuchs decided that the time was right and nodded to Sergeant Felson to send the scouts over the river.

Fuchs silently brought the company to an over watch position and observed the scouts ford the river with their muskets and powder over their heads. The tension mounted as the company watched their comrades cross over to the other side and slowly enter the woods on the other side.
In just a couple of minutes that seemed like hours a scout emerged and gave the all clear signal.

Sergeant Felson crossed the river with Unterleutenant Reinhardt's squad and Jaeger Khol did his best to emulate his actions. He glanced over at his partner Gefreiter Gruber and was encouraged when he received a nod and a wink. He silently thanked God for these experienced men to lead and teach him. Once across the river the squad slowly advanced to where the scouts had taken up observation.

Having observed the scene Sergeant Felson returned to the river to confer with Hauptman Fuchs. Hauptman Fuchs directed one platoon to flank the Harzburers near their horses and the other platoon he would direct from the over watch position. Oberleutenant Bogenschutze would signal when he had reached his position.

All was in readiness as Fuchs awaited the signal. He watched the troop of Mounted Jaegers slept and two sentries patrolled near the horses. The darkness and quiet of the night was disturbed by the discharge of 2 muskets from the woods behind the Jaegers. "Up and at them!" yelled Fuchs as he rose and ran toward the sleeping camp. As one the Jaegers rose and charged into the camp knocking the arms stands down and pushing and standing Harzburger to the ground.

With the company completely in control Fuchs began to take a quick inventory. All the prisoners were searched and all papers seized. Fuchs ordered the men not to take the time to read just seize everything. He directed the horses and the Jaegers weapons be moved across the river now while a platoon would provide cover.

The saddles and blankets were ordered thrown onto the fire. With the fire blazing away he directed the Mounted Jaegers boots to join the fire. The protest from the Harzburgers was quickly overcome by pointing bayonets at them.

Feeling he had done all he could with the time he had Fuchs told the Harzburgers,"Keep away from the fords and we will not have to return. Tell your superiors that the League is vigilant in it's observation."

With that the platoon was ordered to return to the river. Once at the rivers edge Fuchs asked if everyone was accounted for and since each man was he ordered them into the river while their comrades kept watch from the other side.

Gathering his officers to him on the bank Hauptman Fuchs gave orders for a march directly back to Zwilling-Eichen. With the bright moonlight the company marched with the arms and horses of the Mounted Jaegers.
As dawn arrived the Jaeger company arrived at Zwilling-Eichen and Hauptman Fuchs directed that the men get a good breakfast, after changing into some clean and dry cloths.

He directed Sergeant Felson to get some sleep after stopping by the canteen and to order a couple of pots of coffee for the officers. Fuchs arrived at his quarters and sat at his table to begin reading the papers.
Slowly he read and organized the papers that had been seized. He steadily worked through them and finaly finished by the time he had drank his second pot.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Company patrol part I I I

The quiet of the river is disturbed by the arrival of mounted troops wearing green uniforms. Gefreiter Gruber softly muttered, " Harzburg mounted Jaegers. Slip back quietly and slowly and inform the Hauptman." Khol carefully slipped back to the gathering point and told Hauptman Fuchs of the arrival of Harzburg Mounted Jaegers at the ford.
Hauptman Fuchs eased foreword with Khol and joined Gefreiter Gruber at the observation position.

The Jaegers split up and began checking out the ford. Two of the Jaegers slowly entered the ford and began checking out its depth and firmness.
The Jaegers continued toward the center of the ford with the water rising to their knees and the horses about to need to swim. From the bank their officer called them back, "That's far enough men, the ford is still to deep. Get out and we will make camp for the night and let you dry your boots."

Having heard all he needed Fuchs motioned for the Jaegers to slowly rendezvous with the rest of the patrol. As they cleared the wood line Fuchs held up his hand and motioned for the officers and nco's to quietly gather around him. Speaking quietly, "The Harzburg mounted Jaegers are making camp on the opposite side of the ford. I want to send a message to those bastards they will remember. Sergeant Felson quietly send runners to the other platoons and have them double time here. Around midnight I plan to cross the ford and steal the horses from the mounted Jaegers. Sergeant Felson send your best scouts to keep an eye on the ford. Go back to your men and let them get some rest and keep quiet. Tonight gentlemen we pay back the Harzburgers."

Friday, March 5, 2010

Fuchs Jaeger Company

I have now completed the Field Force with the addition of Fuchs Jaeger Company. I shall begin to paint them to start gaming them.


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Schwabian Field Force

The Schwabian Field Force now consist of one regiment of infantry and two guns with limbers.














Monday, March 1, 2010

Dreary wet and cold S. E. ARK

The weather is dreary, wet, and cold here in S. E. ARK today continuing the casting delays. Tomorrow the weather is suppose to be warmer and dry so I can sit on the porch and cast my figures. I hope to pour enough figures for a quick painting and skirmish game. Kholes adventures are to lead to Jaeger skirmishes that will take place until the major forces can be poured and painted. This year is to be a period of increasing border clashes and multi battalion battles depending on the casting / painting pace. If the castings and painting catches up to my hopes a battle could take place this fall or earlier.