I got a new book the other day. It was one that I had on a wish list for a while now. It was a history of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 – The Austro-Prussian War – Austria’s War with Prussia and Italy in 1866 written by Geoffrey Wawro. Being the kind of wargamer I am, the first reason I liked the idea of wargaming that war was that it really was misnamed. The war actually involved Austria, Prussia and Italy, with the Prussians and the Italians taking on the Austrians with varying degrees of success.
I then got to thinking, Doug has been nagging at me to do some Franco-Prussian War figures so that we can play that with Polemos but i have been manfully resisting. Now, Italians and Austrians, there is an interesting pair, and he can use his Prussians.
I know he also bought some French for the FPW which made me think, “French v Italians? No. Ah, French and Italians v Austrians!”
I recalled that in 1859 there was a little war between those three protagonists and as I plan on gaming this in 6mm, the uniform detail should work for both 1859 and 1866 Italians and Austrians. I need to research the French Uniforms a little to decide whether the 6mm Franco-Prussian War French will work or whether I need to look at collecting some Crimean War French.
Voila, my next project to add to the growing pile of half and incomplete projects. Ah, wargames heaven.
So many miniatures.. such a short life. Actually, I think the Polemos French can be painted very quickly and very effectively. In 6mm, the most attractive armies are those with very distinctive headgear and contrasts in the uniform, 99% of the time you look down on the figures, so for example, white-trimmed tricornes. On that score, the French red kepi and the Prussian pickelhaube both score highly. They will both look excellent en masse in 6mm.
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And Baccus should release the 1866 Austrians by the end of October – leastwise that was their plan. Really just leaves the Italians and the Danes (yep … bloody Danes again!)
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Wait! I have actually read this one and the other Wawro volume some years ago. A most excellent volume if I recall.
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