Royal Artillery on Exercise!

BELOW: "Make Ready"! Gunner's from Bree's Battery prepare to fire.

DATE: 8 June 1746:
LOCATION: Royal Training Grounds, Puckapunyal.
From the top of Mount Pukapunyal, as the early morning fog slowly lifts, the King and General Zillmann observe a hive of activity on the Gun Line.
A fine mist formed around the Generals mouth as he spoke:
"The Lads of Bree's battery seem to have a real spring in their step this morning your Highness. They must have had a hearty breakfast. I hear the Battery Captain bagged a huge Boomer* yesterday,..".
The King Lowered his telescope:
"Probably more to do with the Troop of gunners from ADMA than anything else. Nothing like some competitivness between Gun Lines to bring out the best in the Artillerymen".
BOOM! The First shots of the day rang out across the valley.
"First honours to the lads from Bree's Battery" observerd the General.
"Indeed, but shooting is not even half of the evaluation. The real test is how well they can manouver their guns"
The King had been conducting "Head Of Regiment Evaluations, (or HRE's) for some time. He was a 'true believer' in the Artillery arm.
"How well they can work in support of the Infantry and cavalry is the real test however,.."

After five rounds from each gun, Infantry from the Yarra Militia suddenly apeared from the tree line behind the guns and advanced on about 100 'dummys' two hundred yards in front of the Guns. Within a few minutes the skirmishers opened up a brisk fire upon them.

"Well Sire, it appears the Battery Captain and Captain Penmann from the militia have a good working relationship"
The King walked to his horse.

"Yes General, it would appear so,.."

Before the King could mount his horse however, a messenger arrived:

"Your Highness, I come bearing bad news, Your Brother the Grand Duke has been shot,..."!

BELOW: Skirmishers from the Yarra Militia dash down the road and begin a brisk fire of their own. In the foregrond, Gunners from the Adfaburg Duntroon Military Academy

To Be Continued,..

* Note: Boomer = A large male Kangaroo

Bree's Battery Gunners, and the ADMA Staff Cadets

ABOVE: "So Gunner, how goes the war"?
Hi All
I've finished basing my BREE's BATTERY Gunners and ADMA Staff Cadets.
I'll have the actual Guns completed by tomorrow. The miniatures are from EUREKA MINIATURES "Age Of Reason" range.
All painted by FERNANDO ENTERPRISE. and based by me.
Enjoy.

ABOVE: Bree Battery Gunners. More photos of these gunners to follow shortly, with their Guns.

BELOW: Adfaburg Duntroon Military Acadamy Staff Cadets based and ready for action.

Feel free to leave a comment.

Cheers

A Long Overdue Update: WIP

ABOVE: One of the Figures painted by FE. The Hornist of the Cadets of ADFABURG Academy

Hi All

It's been a long time since I've added to my blog.

What can I say but "sorry".

I've decided I'll be using "Sharp Practice" (SP) to play my battles, once they start.

I think SP will be well suited to the kind of "character heavy" battles I intend on playing.

The troops are coming along, but not quick enough. Concequently I've commissioned FERNANDO ENTERPRISE to paint some of the troops.

My experiance with them in the past has been good. They do a good job, and in a reasonable time and at a reasonable price.

The first two units I've tasked them to do are the Gunners for Bree's Battery and the Cadets of Adfaburg Academy.

I've added some photos that FE sent me of the Work In Progress (WIP).

BELOW: Some of FE's work. ADFABURG Cadets as seen from both front and behind.

BELOW: Bree's Battery Gunners painted by FE

You can find more details on the two units by clicking on the "Labels" below.

Once they arrive back in my hands I'll base them and start gaming.

Feel free to leave a comment or two.

Cheers

Bree's Battery

Unit Name: Bree's Battery, Royal Regiment Of New Wales Artillery

Date Raised: 10 Aug 1705

Motto: "Saint Barbara Is With Us"!

Unofficial Motto: "Saint Barbara's Vengeance Is Delivered By Us"! and "Beware the 7th"

Nicknames: "Barbara's Boys"

Battle Honours: Ubique (Everywhere)

Brief History: Initially raised as a Militia Artillery Unit in 1701 by a Elder (Clergyman) of the Mormoan Church, named Elder Thomas Rassmussen.

Most of the Gunners came from German (Saxon and Hessian) colonists, and their uniform is distinctly Saxon in appearance. Initially the Battery was equipped with eight 6 Pdr Guns, and was named "Saint Barbara's Battery". Elder Rassmussen announced at the Battery's formation parade:

"With these 6 Pounder Guns we will deliver the vengeance of Saint Barbara, our Patron Saint, upon those who dare desecrate this most holy of lands. Remember always my brave Gunners, that God, and Saint Barbara will be watching over you always"!

At the relief of Fort Clairmont in 1735 the battery fought so well they were permitted to become part of the Royal Regiment Of New Wales Artillery.

Princess Ashlie inspected the Battery in 1744. So impressed was she that she ask her Grand-father, King Michael to have the Battery renamed after her infant daughter, Princess Breeanna. The Old King granted the wish of his Grand-daughter, and since that day the Battery has been known as "Bree's Battery".

Today the Battery is very large by normal standards, having four (4) rather than the usual two (2) Troops of most Artillery Batterys. "A" and "B" Troops are each equipped with four (4), 6 Pdr Guns, but "C" and "D" troops each have four (4) 12 Pdrs. Recently "A" and "B" troops have been sent to serve in Reich Duke Wilhelm Von Beerstein's Army. The Battery fought in the following battles and campaigns:

Beaver Ridge, Hostile Wars, Port Phillip 1728, Cadbury Hill 1733, Launceston 1734, Fort Clairmont 1735, Van Demon's Land, and Vinegar Hill 1738.

The uniform is dark blue, (so as limit the appearance of the inevitable stains Gunner's have on their uniform), with Red waistcoats an breeches (representing the "Fire" of the Guns), with Black facings and turnbacks, (representing the "Smoke" from the Guns). Officers have gold trim on their hats, (not red like the enlisted men), and Gold Trim on their Cuffs. The Guns themselves are painted Pale Blue.

Like all Mormoan Artillery Regiments and Battery's, their Battle Honour is "Ubique".

Regimental Anecdotes and Traditions: At the Battle of Cadbury Hill in 1733 the Battery mistakenly fired on the 7th Foot, "Von Manstien's" who they believed to be a French Battalion, (see the link to the 7th Foot). Hence the Unofficial Motto "Beware The 7th

Something's In The Air

King Phillip I, his uncle Grand Duke Colin and General Von Zillmann were bent over the desk, studying a diagram.
"So this thing will, erm; fly"? asked the young king.
The Grand Duke folded his arms and straightened up:
"Apparently so. All to do with "hot air rising" and such, so Dr Tross assures me".
King Phillip looked up:
"And Dr Tross will be able to construct this, what did he call it,..."
"A Balloon Phillip". The Grand Duke was quite informal with the King, his nephew.
"Ah yes; Balloon".
The King directed the next question to the General:
"So Colonel Ann will escort Dr Tross, and the engineers to Wodongatown, build a stockade, and then from within develop all the where-with-all to have this balloon launched so as to provide a "birds eye view" into Alburburg".
General Von Zillmann snapped his heels together:
"That is the plan Sire. We believe that is where the Raiders from the RNS concentrate and launch their raids from. We believe the Raiders are actualy the 4th Dragoons"
The King moved away from the desk and diagram and plans of the strange flying machine. The others followed.
They listened as he began again:
"These cross border raids must stop. I trust this contraption will give us the early warning we need to enable us to intercept any future raids before too much harm can be done. I'm confident the Yarra Militia and a troop from Bree's Battery should be a sufficient force to defend the works"
General Von Zillmann added:
"Ja Sire, and the 4th Foot and the Royal Dragoons can intercept any raids nearby".
The King stopped and turned to face his Uncle and the General.
"Well done Gentlemen! When did Colonel Ann's column depart"?
The Grand Duke answered:
"Last week. They should almost be at Wodongatown now".
King Phillip I smiled:
"And Lady Hugankiss should soon be arriving in the RNS Capital..."

TO BE CONTINUED!

Wagons Roll

The Column trudged its way along the dirt road, (if you could call it a road), leaving a substantial dust cloud behind it.
Wagons, civilians on foot and horseback, natives trackers and a few Iracow Indian auxiliary, and the only elements that added a military appearance to it, three Company's of soldiers from the 4th Regiment of Foot's 1st Battalion and a Troop of 4Pdr Guns from Bree's Battery. Except for the lack of any children, the column had all the apperance of a settler's train.
Ahead of the column road two Troops from the 1st "Royal" Dragoons, and following up marched the two "Flank" Company's of the 4th with the Regiments Colours. Scattered along the line of march were the Yarra Militia in Platoon "lots"; their "march discipline" not as strong as the 4th's or the Gunners.
In the Militia ranks marched Gary White. He'd been with the "colours" for only about a year. This was his first time away from his home town on Craigieburn.
"Sarge, can ya explain to me's again what we're do'in ere"?
"Aw for Gawd's sake lad, I's is already told ya twice now", Sergeant Grubbs exasperation was not well hidden.
SGT Grubbs had been with the Yarra Militia for just over 10 years, he was a veteran of Vinegar Hill, and he had the scares to prove it.
"I'll tell's ya all I know for the last time. We's are going up to Wodongatow help the Ginger Beers build a bloody stockade to bloody look across a bloody river at them bloody Sudlanders".
Pte White pleaded with the old NCO;
"But I don't know how to build a stockade!"
The Sergeant snapped:
"You Bloody Twit, we won't build it, the Bloody Engineers will"!

"Oh"!

At the head of the Column rode Colonel Ann.
"You know Corporal Blunt, this "road" makes a rather poor track".
"Indeed Sir" agreed the Corporal.
Colonel Ann wasn't to happy about the mission he was given.
"So here I am, covered in dust and sweat from head to toe, just so the King has a fort built on the border and Doctor Alba Tross can buid a large furnace, for what reason I know not"
The Corporal took his que:
"Tough job Sir, tough job indeed"
The Colonel continued:
"And WHY did I get this Job? All because of a slight indiscretion with an officer of the Maiden Guard! Anyone would think I shagged the entire Regiment!"
"Tough Job Sir, tough job".
Colonel Ann agreed; and the column truged on through the dust and the heat,...

TO BE CONTINUED!

7th Regiment Of Foot "Von Manstien's"

The next Regiment we look at is the 7th Regiment Of Foot, "Von Manstien's"

NAME: 7th Regiment Of Foot "Von Manstien's"
Date Raised: 1 September 1701
MOTTO: "FORWARD "
Unofficial Motto: "Cold Steel Will Triumph"
Nicknames: "Drill Pigs", "The Sour Kruats", "Unlucky 7th"
Battle Honours: "Beaver Ridge", "The Hostile Wars" "Port Philip 1728", "Cadbury Hill 1733"
Brief History:When it was decided that the formation of a standing army was required, it fell to an ex-Prussian Major by the name of Franz Josef Von Manstien to organize, train and raise the the units. He started by raising one unit, and from that he would produce the cadre that would train all other units. He recruited as many ex military men as he could find in the colony. Most were Prussians, Saxons, Hessians and Hanovarians. Many had been Drill Sergeant's in the German armies. Once the Army was formed the cadre returned to their parent unit. Initially they were numbered the 1st Foot Regiment, but when the "Royal" army was formed in 1729, they were renumbered the 7th. Von Manstien became the King's Inspector General of the Royal Army on 6 Dec 1728. He adopted the Regiment (with the King's blessing and insistence) on the 7th of December that same year. The 7th is one of only a few regiments that have Grenadiers, Musketeers, and Fusiliers.
Regimental anecdotes and traditions:
At the Battle of Port Phillip in 1725, the Regiment arrived on the left flank of the Franco-Spanish as they threaten to break the Mormoan line. Firing one ineffective volley the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Robert Zillmann, grasped the Regimental Colour. Crying "Come lads, cold steal will triumph where hot lead failed"! he lead the Regiment in a charge that sent the French "Dillon" Regiment fleeing.
Ever since, in this Regiment the RSM, (not an Ensign) carries the Regimental Colour. This is unique to the 7th.
The Regiment earned the nickname "Unlucky 7th" when at the battle of Cadbury Hill in 1733, they suffered the heaviest casualties of all units engaged. They were accidentally fired upon by Bree's Battery whilst attempting to flank a mercenary Battalion from New Southland; their Grey uniforms looking not to dissimilar to those of the South Lander's.
Every year, on the anniversary of the Battle of Cadbury hill they have dinner with the Officers and Gunners of Bree's Battery in full battle dress, (including weapons).
This is the only time weapons are allowed in both units messes. The Gunner's leave their weapons in barracks.
Grenadiers Uniform, 7th Foot
Fusilier's Uniform, 7th Foot