First and Third Vistula

[Bill Slavin]

In preparation for our refight of the Battle of Alcañiz, I ordered a box of Strelets' Polish Infantry to augment the Waterloo 1815 Poles I had previously painted. The scenario called for four smallish (five stands each) battalions of Poles, the 1 and2/1st Vistula and the 1 and 2/3rd Vistula. I currently had nine stands of the Waterloo 1815 Poles so was just able to squeeze out the 44 new figures I needed for this battle.
I did a bit of tweaking of the figures (both sets only have fusiliers) adding epaulettes to some to give each battalion a stand of voltigeurs and grenadiers. Some of the figures had cords on the shakos so those were the ones that mostly were drafted into the new elite companies.
So here are the results, along with a final photo of them in action storming the heights of Cerro del Pueyo and a link to our Alcañiz battle report, which can be found here: https://tinywarsplayedindoors.blogspot.com/2020/07/battle-of-alcaniz-may-23rd-1809.html

Breaking with common wisdom, the Poles performed amazingly well for newly painted troops, single-handedly smashing the Spanish centre. My Tiradores de Doyle and 4th Hussards, also newly painted for this scenario, did exceptionally well too!

[Kekso]

Like watching artistic painting.

[Konrad]

Simply perfect!
Figs and pics.

[Santi Pérez]

Another amazing unit to join your Peninsular War armies, Bill Slavin. As always, excellent and detailed paint job.

My best regards.

Santi.

[MABO]

Super figs and scenario! Very good again. I wish I can build a Polish army as well some day. I hope that Strelets will come up with the artillery in the next bunch.

[Bill Slavin]

Hi Mabo,

The Strelets figures painted up well but I found them a bit one dimensional and static compared to the Waterloo 1815. But then, even if not particularly Napoleonic in their battle lines, I always prefer more varied ranks over lines of tidy soldiers! As for artillery, as far as I know the Vistula didn't have their own guns in the Peninsula, so I don't have that worry.

Bill

[Bill Slavin]

Thank you very much, all, for the kind comments. My battle report (link above) is crazy long but it really was a good game and it photographed quite well.

[MABO]

My idea is to build the Polish Corps of the Army of 1812 in Russia. So therfore I need the Artillery. But since I have to paint the Prussian First Corps first there is a lot of work before. The Waterloo set is nice with more crisp details. But I like the Strelets sets as well if yiu need more massed formations. Therefore you have a greater variety of poses marching or attacking.

[C M Dodson]

Very nice indeed Bill.

As usual, an unusual unit splendidly attired in your lovely scenery.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Beano Boy]

Splendid troops,great looking table top photographs and very well presented Bill. Greetings and well done. BB

[Egbert]

Hey Bill,
well done…they look great
Wonderful painted little soldiers.

[Andrey]

Great battle landscape! Beautifully painted figures of both armies! I've seen photos of your game reports more than once. It is very interesting to watch your remote games. The terrain elements and the landscape itself are made by you?

[Bill Slavin]

Thank you , Andrey. Yes, I make all my own terrain and landscape - I’ve put together boxes of stuff over the years, and have posted some of the builds on my blog. For me building the battlefield is part of the joy of gaming.

[Peter]

Great work as always Bill!

[Marvin]

As always, your excellent figures are only matched by the great landscape. Masterful stuff, Bill.

[Captain Sibourne]

Wonderful, maybe it's Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo, but I always associate the Peninsular War with nighttime assaults, so I find the black background very evocative. Great painting and scenery!