DOMINION WAR CAMPAIGN (UPDATE)

My Dominion War campaign has reached a genuine stalemate. The Americans have captured Ottawa and some border areas in Ontario, but are unable to proceed further. The Empire has secured the State of Maine coastline and Alaskan coast, but is unable to risk any attempts to liberate occupied Canada. 

While the Empire has maintained a successful blockade of American shipping, the American navy is growing, and the Royal Navy is not confident of maintaining their blockade for ever. If an American fleet escaped the blockade, they could seriously undermine the entire empire.

The Spanish have been successful in taking Florida, and appear to be satisfied. France has not done well out of the war but remains a formidable power in the Gulf of Mexico. They have also established a foothold in Texas. Their original plan to control Louisiana has failed.

MILITARY UNITS (Can be converted into infantry, cavalry, or artillery) It does not show armed locals.

NB. American manpower is restricted due to a need to protect its coastline population centres.

BATTLES (With points awarded)

 NB. Florida did not have a large population pre-1900, and Spanish controlled Cuba was close by.

OCCUPIED TERRITORIES (With defensive lines and naval blockades)

Footnote. Feel free to voice possible campaign moves, no guarantee I will adopt them but it might change the cause of the campaign, breaking the current stalemate.

MORE AMERICAN TROOPS

In my campaign to clear the spares box I was able to muster six damaged lead Highlanders. As I already have seven Highland battalions in my British army these figures were rather surplus to my needs. Well, not quite, what could be more novel than a Highland unit raised in the United States.

The 79th New York Regiment was organised in October 1858. It served during the American Civil War, and was eventually disbanded in January 1876. For much of their existence Highlander dress was not really fulfilled, but early on in the civil war one or two companies did complete their appearance. Although the officers were often of Scots ancestry, the rank and file were more all embracing in their background. 

Here are a group of American re-enactors.

Some conversion work was necessary on the lead castings, didn't want them shouldering arms on the left side (British and Germans), the Americans and French mainly shoulder on their right. Decided to use some spare trail-arms, and openhanded left-arms. Milliput was used to construct the epaulettes. I was able to cast some of my own heads and swords.

MGB

A NEW HIGHLANDER REGIMENT

Have occasionally acquired lead Highlander figures which seem somewhat larger in scale. Rather than just integrating them with the smaller castings, decided to increase a test-run three figure company to a full battalion. And this will be the home for any others that crop up.

White uniforms are recorded being used by Highland regiments on tropical service from 1850 to 1920. I think they make an interesting addition to the collection.

MGB

 

LONDON SCOTTISH REGIMENT (Alternatively, Toronto Scottish Regt.)

About a year ago I converted/repaired some lead highlanders and painted them up as the London Scottish Regiment or 14th County of London Battalion (nicknames, the Piccadilly Allsorts, Cockney Jocks, Duke of Bangkok's Rifles). Formed in 1859, it still exists to this day as a reservist company. They were classified as light infantry, and adopted a distinctive uniform colour of hodden-grey with blue facings. When Paul Watson kindly sent me some additional Highlanders, decided to increase this battalion to ten figures.

(Footnote. This uniform is shared with the Toronto Scottish Regiment, their brother battalion, raised in Canada in 1915.)

MGB

Admirals, Generals, Surgeons, Highlanders, U.S. National Guard

My 54mm collections are looking fairly complete but I can still use interesting extras, personality figures, and those formations vital to keeping armies in the field.

Rather pleased with these, the first is a Charbens plastic figure of a Royal Navy admiral. Some have suggested it is based on John Jellicoe, commanding the fleet at Jutland. The second is also plastic, of the French politician Charles Clemenceau, prominent in WW1. It is produced by Mokarex. This figure had a rather short walking stick but it was easy to replace with a longer steel rod. Total cost for the two figures was £4.54 delivered.

The next two figures were kindly gifted by Paul Watson. Both are lead figures. The first is a surgeon, the second was a Guards officer but a change of headdress has furnished a more useful officer for my collection.

In my spares box were several damaged lead highlanders which appeared to be slightly larger in scale, and armed with what looked like muskets. Decided to form a small firing unit. OK, the white tropical jackets aren't strictly correct in their cut but they do add something interesting to the collection.

These figures are some of my own home-casts. Have painted them up as the 7th New York (State Militia) National Guard Regiment.

MGB

More Canadian Troops & New Buildings,

My Canadian Empire troops have gained some new recruits. The Royal Scots of Canada were originally only five figures strong but can now furnish a full battalion of twelve. (Officer awaiting some spares from Replica.)

The Calgary Rifles have doubled to four. Quite a bit of work involved here. The figures requiring metal bases, repaired rifles, and two new heads made of squashed bearskins with steel rod and miliput.

I should mention, the Royal Grenadiers of Canada have also picked up another two figures, now with a strength of eight, and have recently been on active service in the last wargame.

As a footnote, have been experimenting with terrain features designed to sit on the edge of the wargames table, so saving space but still adding to the visual spectacle and the actual game. Here is a cardboard farmhouse and corrugated barn, figures can still be added to the inside of the former.

MGB

Cameron Highlanders

Recent recruits from Paul Watson have allowed me to practically complete the Cameron Highlanders. For a colour change, I decided to give this unit their Sudan 1898 uniforms. OK, the Piper should also be dressed as such, but its too good to paint strip. Just waiting to get some binocular arms for the officer and the battalion will be ready for action. At a later date I might repaint the bases a desert colour, but I do prefer green!

MGB