Well there I was...taking a break from working on the downstairs "Man-Cave", when I noticed a update from that most excellent of bookstores - On Military Matters. Among the selections offered was a soon-to-be-published book from that prolific duo Brigadier Grant and Mr. Olley, Wargaming In History: The Seven Years War, Vol. IV.
"OUTSTANDING!", says I. "Put me down for one copy for Christmas!" Later on, I was going through my wargaming library. I have Volumes One and Two of their series...did I somehow miss Volume Three?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
What Does Fred Think?
I was reading Jay Luvaas' book, "Frederick The Great on the Art of War", and on pages 38 and 39 the following paragraphs caught my attention:
"Machiavelli speaks...of the principini, those diminutive sovereigns who, having only small dominions, cannot send an army into the field. He advises them chiefly to fortify their capitals in order to secure themselves and their troops in time of war. Those Italian princes discussed by Machiavelli are really a breed of mongrels, half sovereign and half subjects. They only appear as sovereigns by the number of their domestics. The best advice that one can give them would be...to lessen a little the opinion they entertain of their own grandeur, the extreme veneration they have for their ancient and illustrious pedigree, and their inviolable zeal for the scutcheons. Men of sense claim that they had better assume no rank in the world other than what is due noblemen of easy fortunes; that they ought to climb down from the scaffold of their pride and maintain at most no more troops than would be necessary to guard their palaces against robbers, if indeed any robbers could be reduced to the starving condition of seeking a subsistence in those palaces; that they ought to raze and demolish their ramparts and walls and everything that gives their place of residence the appearance of strength. The reasons are these: most of these petty princes, especially in Germany, ruin themselves by spending excessive sums to maintain that grandeur with which they are intoxicated, and to support the honor of their family they reduce themselves to beggary and want. There is hardly a second son of a younger brother who does not believe himself to be something like Louis XIV. He builds his Versailles, keeps his mistresses, and maintains his armies....
The reason these little monarchs do not need to fortify their capitals is very plain: they can hardly be besieged at any time by their equals for their larger neighbors would presently intervene and offer to mediate, an offer they are not at liberty to refuse. Thus instead of bloodshed, two or three dashes of a pen are enough to terminate their quarrels.
What can be the use of their fortified towns? If they were strong enough to endure a siege as long as that of Troy against their equals, they would not be able to hold out as long as Jericho against a powerful prince. Besides, if they lie between two mighty neighbors who are at war, they have no choice but to observe neutrality unless they would be totally ruined. And if they join with either belligerent, their capitals become the frontier town of that Prince's dominions...
In short, to make war, give battle, and attack and defend fortified places is the business of powerful sovereigns, and those who effect to imitate them are no wiser than the man who counterfeited the noise of thunder and believed himself to be Jupiter."
Now Frederick's opinion must be weighed carefully. After all, he lived through and helped shape the course of his tumultuous times. But I can't help but wonder if his opinion was easier to reach because he was at the head of one of the most effective armies ever to march. His "business" of being a powerful Prince would have been much easier to carry out if the petty princes had voluntarily disarmed and demilitarized themselves.
Food for thought. The Markgraaf is now going to break out his soldiers and make some thunder!
"Machiavelli speaks...of the principini, those diminutive sovereigns who, having only small dominions, cannot send an army into the field. He advises them chiefly to fortify their capitals in order to secure themselves and their troops in time of war. Those Italian princes discussed by Machiavelli are really a breed of mongrels, half sovereign and half subjects. They only appear as sovereigns by the number of their domestics. The best advice that one can give them would be...to lessen a little the opinion they entertain of their own grandeur, the extreme veneration they have for their ancient and illustrious pedigree, and their inviolable zeal for the scutcheons. Men of sense claim that they had better assume no rank in the world other than what is due noblemen of easy fortunes; that they ought to climb down from the scaffold of their pride and maintain at most no more troops than would be necessary to guard their palaces against robbers, if indeed any robbers could be reduced to the starving condition of seeking a subsistence in those palaces; that they ought to raze and demolish their ramparts and walls and everything that gives their place of residence the appearance of strength. The reasons are these: most of these petty princes, especially in Germany, ruin themselves by spending excessive sums to maintain that grandeur with which they are intoxicated, and to support the honor of their family they reduce themselves to beggary and want. There is hardly a second son of a younger brother who does not believe himself to be something like Louis XIV. He builds his Versailles, keeps his mistresses, and maintains his armies....
The reason these little monarchs do not need to fortify their capitals is very plain: they can hardly be besieged at any time by their equals for their larger neighbors would presently intervene and offer to mediate, an offer they are not at liberty to refuse. Thus instead of bloodshed, two or three dashes of a pen are enough to terminate their quarrels.
What can be the use of their fortified towns? If they were strong enough to endure a siege as long as that of Troy against their equals, they would not be able to hold out as long as Jericho against a powerful prince. Besides, if they lie between two mighty neighbors who are at war, they have no choice but to observe neutrality unless they would be totally ruined. And if they join with either belligerent, their capitals become the frontier town of that Prince's dominions...
In short, to make war, give battle, and attack and defend fortified places is the business of powerful sovereigns, and those who effect to imitate them are no wiser than the man who counterfeited the noise of thunder and believed himself to be Jupiter."
Now Frederick's opinion must be weighed carefully. After all, he lived through and helped shape the course of his tumultuous times. But I can't help but wonder if his opinion was easier to reach because he was at the head of one of the most effective armies ever to march. His "business" of being a powerful Prince would have been much easier to carry out if the petty princes had voluntarily disarmed and demilitarized themselves.
Food for thought. The Markgraaf is now going to break out his soldiers and make some thunder!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Meanwhile...Back At The Ranch...
TWO MONTHS SINCE MY LAST POST? Where does the time get off to? Right after the Holidays hit, I had to help relocate Number 2 Son from here in Indiana to Mankato Minnesota during the worst snowstorm in a decade. What an experience! It was thankfully concluded without any fatalities, fenderbenders, or property damage. Sleeping on the floor of the Bus Terminal in Minneapolis for two nights due to the snow emergency in Chicago did not improve my outlook. But enough of the excuses of reality. What's been going on in Raubenstadt?!
Well...the short answer is, "Not much. I've been busy.", but some progress has been made in gutting and re-doing the basement, i.e. "Man Cave". Sometime in the Spring, I'll get a large dumpster and finish off ripping out the paneling and wooden battens. The idea is to get the walls back to bare concrete block and go from there. In my mind's eye, I already see the permanent wargame table, the shelves for the troops and reference books, and finally, the painting area. All with adjustable lighting. It's going to be everything I've imagined I've needed ever since I discovered wargaming back when Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth; and Raubenstadt will rise like a Phoenix from the soggy mess that was the last time the basement flooded. The Markgraaf has pinned his hopes on the battery powered back-up sump pump to keep things dry down there.
I promise not to let so much time elapse before my next post. I've been going through my wargaming library to get the creative juices flowing again, and I've got a few ideas...heh, heh, heh!
Well...the short answer is, "Not much. I've been busy.", but some progress has been made in gutting and re-doing the basement, i.e. "Man Cave". Sometime in the Spring, I'll get a large dumpster and finish off ripping out the paneling and wooden battens. The idea is to get the walls back to bare concrete block and go from there. In my mind's eye, I already see the permanent wargame table, the shelves for the troops and reference books, and finally, the painting area. All with adjustable lighting. It's going to be everything I've imagined I've needed ever since I discovered wargaming back when Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth; and Raubenstadt will rise like a Phoenix from the soggy mess that was the last time the basement flooded. The Markgraaf has pinned his hopes on the battery powered back-up sump pump to keep things dry down there.
I promise not to let so much time elapse before my next post. I've been going through my wargaming library to get the creative juices flowing again, and I've got a few ideas...heh, heh, heh!
Monday, December 13, 2010
More Honored In The Breach Than In The Observence
"Well...that didn't go as well as I had hoped.", Col. Schrieber commented to the Markgraaf as they rode their horses back to their escort on their way out of the gypsy camp.
Negotiations had been making some small progress, when the name Baron Von Kerns came up in the conversation. The gypsy chief made it very clear that what ever relationship there had been (if any could be proved) it was business only and no sense of obligation to any of his relatives could be implied. It would also be best if they left immediately.
"Hope springs eternal, Colonel.", the Markgraaf replied. "Tell your men when we get back to camp that they may light their campfires. Tell the sentries to be particularly alert, for I am confident that we will have some visitors later tonight. You see, my dear Colonel, these were only the formal, opening gambits of the delicate dance of negotiating. The second stage will begin when we have multiple people come through our lines willing to talk if we cross their palms with silver. The difficulty will be deciding which of their tales will we believe and pay for, and which ones are creative attempts just to gain our coin."
"I shall see to it, milord", Col. Schreiber nodded, "I hope you're right."
Negotiations had been making some small progress, when the name Baron Von Kerns came up in the conversation. The gypsy chief made it very clear that what ever relationship there had been (if any could be proved) it was business only and no sense of obligation to any of his relatives could be implied. It would also be best if they left immediately.
"Hope springs eternal, Colonel.", the Markgraaf replied. "Tell your men when we get back to camp that they may light their campfires. Tell the sentries to be particularly alert, for I am confident that we will have some visitors later tonight. You see, my dear Colonel, these were only the formal, opening gambits of the delicate dance of negotiating. The second stage will begin when we have multiple people come through our lines willing to talk if we cross their palms with silver. The difficulty will be deciding which of their tales will we believe and pay for, and which ones are creative attempts just to gain our coin."
"I shall see to it, milord", Col. Schreiber nodded, "I hope you're right."
Monday, November 22, 2010
Frankzonia Is Full Of Woods...
When the Pilfering Frei-Hussars showed the Markgraaf the abandoned sentry boxes at the Northern Frankzonian border, the Markgraaf was dismayed. It was obvious that it had been some time since they had last served their intended purpose, and they were in danger of disappearing altogether.
As Schreiber's Frei-Korps marched past the crossing post, the Colonel took in the situation at a glance. "Double the advance and flank parties. Everybody keep a sharp lookout and your wits about you. We must be ready for whatever we run into."
The Markgraaf mounted his horse and joined Schreiber at the head of the column. "I knew thing were bad here, but I never suspected they were so bad that Stanken would voluntarily abandon the fees he collected here. Colonel?"
"We need a local source of intelligence; with recent information; that is willing to talk with us, Milord.", the Colonel frowned. "We have no contract with any of the locals, nor do we have a base of operations for further supplies. The powers that be, might object to our marching though, and if their force is bigger than ours, they can make their objection most uncomfortable for us."
It was at that moment that a messenger from the advance cavalry patrol galloped up, and saluted. "Compliments of Captain Dorfmann Sir. We have located a good campground for tonight, Sir. The only draw back is further patrolling revealed a gypsy encampment over the next ridge. The Captain didn't want any of our horses going missing Sir."
The Markgraaf leaned over to the Colonel and said, "My wife always said that Frankzonia was full of woods, and the woods are full of gypsies, and the gypsies are full of shenanigans and...information. If we can approach them without scaring them off, we could learn much."
The Colonel nodded, and said, "Have our patrols been seen?"
The trooper replied, "I don't think so, Sir; but it's hard to say for certain."
"Alright. Tell Dorfmann that we'll make a cold camp tonight. Keep his scouts out. Don't approach the gypsy camp, but keep an eye or two on them."
The messenger saluted again, and spurred his horse.
"Have you had much experience with gypsies Milord?", the Colonel asked.
"No.", the Markgraaf replied, "but I'm hoping that my dear departed Father-in-Law's reputation is still influential with them."
Noticing the Colonels puzzled look, the Markgraaf explained, "Ernst, the Old Baron Von Kerns was a man that very few people disappointed more than once and lived to tell the tale."
As Schreiber's Frei-Korps marched past the crossing post, the Colonel took in the situation at a glance. "Double the advance and flank parties. Everybody keep a sharp lookout and your wits about you. We must be ready for whatever we run into."
The Markgraaf mounted his horse and joined Schreiber at the head of the column. "I knew thing were bad here, but I never suspected they were so bad that Stanken would voluntarily abandon the fees he collected here. Colonel?"
"We need a local source of intelligence; with recent information; that is willing to talk with us, Milord.", the Colonel frowned. "We have no contract with any of the locals, nor do we have a base of operations for further supplies. The powers that be, might object to our marching though, and if their force is bigger than ours, they can make their objection most uncomfortable for us."
It was at that moment that a messenger from the advance cavalry patrol galloped up, and saluted. "Compliments of Captain Dorfmann Sir. We have located a good campground for tonight, Sir. The only draw back is further patrolling revealed a gypsy encampment over the next ridge. The Captain didn't want any of our horses going missing Sir."
The Markgraaf leaned over to the Colonel and said, "My wife always said that Frankzonia was full of woods, and the woods are full of gypsies, and the gypsies are full of shenanigans and...information. If we can approach them without scaring them off, we could learn much."
The Colonel nodded, and said, "Have our patrols been seen?"
The trooper replied, "I don't think so, Sir; but it's hard to say for certain."
"Alright. Tell Dorfmann that we'll make a cold camp tonight. Keep his scouts out. Don't approach the gypsy camp, but keep an eye or two on them."
The messenger saluted again, and spurred his horse.
"Have you had much experience with gypsies Milord?", the Colonel asked.
"No.", the Markgraaf replied, "but I'm hoping that my dear departed Father-in-Law's reputation is still influential with them."
Noticing the Colonels puzzled look, the Markgraaf explained, "Ernst, the Old Baron Von Kerns was a man that very few people disappointed more than once and lived to tell the tale."
Monday, October 25, 2010
He's Over The Border And Away...
It had taken three weeks for the Markgraaf to put the Freicorps into something resembling fighting trim. Replacing the unfit, re-equipping, resupplying, and repairing, had seemed to take forever, but to rush off without taking care of these, would have doomed the expedition before it started, but now the long awaited day had arrived, and the Markgraaf was eager to be off. The enforced delay had generated other benefits as well. His first instinct had been to march up the road with his entire army to Frankfort-Am-Main, confront the Grand Duke, with a drawn sword at his throat, and the growled greeting, "Hello Stanken. Where's my wife?", but such fantasies had cooled with the passage of time. As his father, John Henry, had said, "You catch more flies with honey, than you can with vinegar."
So the Markgraaf had decided on a two pronged approach. The diplomatic effort, spearheaded by Chancellor Weisenheimer, would continue to apply what pressure they could on the Frankfurter government, while Schreiber's Freicorps would go fishing in the murky waters and see what would rise to the bait.
The troop of Pilfering Frei-Hussars that had served with Von Mack during the "Affair Of The Runaway Duchess" were summoned. They would scout the countryside ahead of the Freicorps, discreetly seeking news of the missing Raubenstadt nobles and their escort. It was determined that to mislead any unfriendly observers, that it would be best to take an indirect approach. The Freicorps would cross the Rhine to the East, go North for a couple of days, recross the the Rhine, and enter Frankfurt from the North.
Long days in the saddle, plain camp food, and saber drills had started to melt away the years of easy living in the Palace from the Markgraaf. "The Old Man" might not be as quick with sword as some, but he had deep reserves of determination. He would let his opponent exhaust himself against his defense, then dispatch him with a workman like thrust.
The Markgraaf of Raubenstadt was on the march.
So the Markgraaf had decided on a two pronged approach. The diplomatic effort, spearheaded by Chancellor Weisenheimer, would continue to apply what pressure they could on the Frankfurter government, while Schreiber's Freicorps would go fishing in the murky waters and see what would rise to the bait.
The troop of Pilfering Frei-Hussars that had served with Von Mack during the "Affair Of The Runaway Duchess" were summoned. They would scout the countryside ahead of the Freicorps, discreetly seeking news of the missing Raubenstadt nobles and their escort. It was determined that to mislead any unfriendly observers, that it would be best to take an indirect approach. The Freicorps would cross the Rhine to the East, go North for a couple of days, recross the the Rhine, and enter Frankfurt from the North.
Long days in the saddle, plain camp food, and saber drills had started to melt away the years of easy living in the Palace from the Markgraaf. "The Old Man" might not be as quick with sword as some, but he had deep reserves of determination. He would let his opponent exhaust himself against his defense, then dispatch him with a workman like thrust.
The Markgraaf of Raubenstadt was on the march.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Zvezda's Glorious Hussars Arrive In Raubenstadt
Ya-hooo! Well... the Markgraaf may be heading off to parts unknown, but recruitment continues on the Home Front. Today, two boxes worth of Zvezda's "Black Hussars" arrived from The Michigan Toy Soldier and Figure Company. They are outstanding! No flash, excellent poses, and two boxes (38 figures) enables you to eventually field one Grant sized unit of snazzy looking Light Cavalry, with some left over for any Frei-Hussaren squadrons that you may have visions of dancing in your head.
Check out "The Wars of Louis Quatorze" entry for 22 May, 2010. Bill shows the front and back of the box. The Pilfering Hussars of Raubenstadt will soon take the field, and the other nine I'll paint up as per David's picture of the Von Schill Hussars on his "Not By Appointment" blog. Alte Fritz has a link to some very snappy looking Prussian Hussars as well.
Any 18th Century Imagi-nation Ruler can recruit these lads with confidence (And they're easy on the ol' warchest). So...if your mounted branch is looking a little jaded and dowdy, a couple of regiments of these dashing fellows will lend a higher tone to any brawls your army may find itself in.
Cuirassiers! The Markgraaf needs Cuirassiers!
Check out "The Wars of Louis Quatorze" entry for 22 May, 2010. Bill shows the front and back of the box. The Pilfering Hussars of Raubenstadt will soon take the field, and the other nine I'll paint up as per David's picture of the Von Schill Hussars on his "Not By Appointment" blog. Alte Fritz has a link to some very snappy looking Prussian Hussars as well.
Any 18th Century Imagi-nation Ruler can recruit these lads with confidence (And they're easy on the ol' warchest). So...if your mounted branch is looking a little jaded and dowdy, a couple of regiments of these dashing fellows will lend a higher tone to any brawls your army may find itself in.
Cuirassiers! The Markgraaf needs Cuirassiers!
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