Saturday 7 March 2020

The Inner Magpie Strikes

Late last year I read that the Perrys were planning a major new release. Being self focused I immediate got excited and thought  “wouldn’t this be great if it was for the Franco-Austrian War of 1859” even though the release of such a range would be seriously injurious to my bank balance. But alas my illusions (or is it delusions) were shattered when in early January they announced the first releases in their War of the Triple Alliance range. My immediate thought was “no this is not for me”. Then the inner magpie began to stir.


In truth this conflict has always piqued my interest because it sits slap bang in the middle of my preferred era of play – mid 19th Century. The forces are relatively small and the terrain is different. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is that I have never gamed a South American conflict (discounting the armies we used in a Falkland’s game we played way back in the early ’90s on the basis that it wasn’t a continental conflict).

So I “umm’ed” and “ah’ed” for a while – well for no more than a couple of hours really - before I started looking at a few web articles and some back issues of Wargames Illustrated. However, when I saw that much of the war was fought in and around the swamps among the Paraguayan and Parana Rivers I became a little less interested and the magpie folded its wings. Then on 17 January the Perry’s Facebook page showed painted samples and the magpie saw shiny objects and became very restless. Still uncommitted I purchased the Osprey Campaign book on the subject and it seemed on a quick glance that apart from all the swamp fighting much of the conflict was about the storming of fixed positions which could make for a difficult wargame and the magpie settled down again. But then as my next order to the Perrys was being prepared the magpie swept in, tossed out the nine packs of French AWI infantry and inserted six of Argentinian and three Paraguayan infantry packs. Seven days later and the first of two boxes arrived, and the second box three days later.

Since the Paraguayans arrived in the first box they were the first to get the brush. Their incredibly simple uniforms came up superbly. This is not a full unit, but rather two thirds of one and one third of another because the magpie got so excited about the shiny objects that it failed to get the figure mix right. These chaps will have to wait to be based until more figures arrive.



The two Argentine units below are presented in the regulation uniform of  blue jacket and red trousers,  with havelocks. The smaller establishment of the Argentine infantry battalions sees them with their field strength set at 12 figures (the Paraguayan and Uruguayan units will have 18 figures and the Brazilians 24 to take account of the variable establishments). I actually have another 12 Argentine figures, without command (again thanks to the magpie’s impetuosity) and they will be given a mix of uniforms.







This force will expand over the course of the year to include:

Paraguayan
  • 10 infantry battalions
  • 5 cavalry units
  • 3 gun sets 
Brazilian
  • 6 infantry battalions 
  • 2 cavalry units
  • 2 gun sets
Argentinian
  • 6 line infantry battalions
  • 4 militia infantry battalions
  • 2 cavalry units
  • 1 gun set
Uruguayan
  • 4 infantry battalions
  • 1 cavalry unit
No doubt the Perrys will dangle some other temptations in front of the magpie will be impossible to resist.


22 comments:

  1. These are very nice figures , I'm tempted I must admit ! .

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  2. Oh dearie dearie me...this is what a double income does Mark...you just have far too much disposable income for your own good! I guess you are already planning how to build S American style building, churches and fortifications for these troops to fight over. They are very nice by the way!

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    1. Yes there is much research being done on buildings, jungle, swamps, fortifications and gunboats...a wonderful distraction that beats the Hell out of all that noise about Covid-19 or the never-ending saga of Harry and Meagan.

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  3. Outstanding, Mark! Nothing gets the hobby motivation in high gear like the start of a new project. I have been similarly tempted by another, slightly later South American conflict, The War of the Pacific. If temptation wins out, mine would be in 15mm.

    As for COVID-19, the entire western part of my state (Washington State) is essentially shutdown. The large companies are encouraging everyone who can telecommute to do so.

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    1. It certainly wasn’t a project that was anticipated, but there is something intriguing about it. You must be pleased that you live in Spokane!

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    2. Thus far, the disease has not found its way east but likely only a matter of time. Spokane has one of the ten Special Pathogen Units in the USA. We received four of the patients evacuated from the cruise ship in Japan.

      Those Argentinian infantry would make excellent FFL soldiers.

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    3. Yes we have five cases here and will no doubt increase.

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  4. Wow... when you make start on something... you really make a start...
    It’s a very interesting war with lovely uniforms...
    I must admit that I am tempted myself...

    All the best. Aly

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    1. It will be a slow project...the lead/plastic mountain is quite tall at the moment and I there won’t be any further figures purchases until May. I do have the Foundry book on the way though so that should keep enthusiasm high.

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  5. The magpie should be thanked, you have another nice little project. And we get to see some nicely painted units.

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    1. Yes the magpie can be equally considered heroic and evil. It has been the cause of many projects over the years.

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  6. I am fascinated by this war, Mark. To me it isn't a magpie thing, but shining a spotlight somewhere that has deserved it for a long time. have you got the Foundry book on the war? Send me an email if you haven't.

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    1. Thanks Nathan, the Foundry book is enroute and expected this week. This will be a fairly long term project...well long term for me anyway...because there are certain financial constraints in play at present.

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  7. Well that was certainly unexpected. I knew about the new Perry range but had not yet seen anyone take it on as a project. They look great and those Argentinians are particularly colourful. I would suppose the OOBs don’t call for too much cavalry.

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    1. I remember looking at this way back in the 1980s when Frei Korps 15 came out with a full range, but I could never summon the enthusiasm for 15s. Oddly there was quite a bit of cavalry...all that gaucho heritage. Apparently the cavalry is under way.

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  8. I recently got the WI articles out and seeing your plan above my magpie has become restless.... I have already started the 1879 Pacific war in 10mm.

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  9. Thanks for sharing your pics Mark. I fancy these but as an earlier poster suggested as French!

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    1. Stuart, I think they could be used as FFL in the 1850’s and 1860’s, but the musket might limit their usage later than that.

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  10. They look great! I did this war some years ago with OG 10mm, using mostly ACW figs painted like the various combatants. You will love that Foundry book, it has a great history of the war and loads of uniform info.

    In looking over your plans though, I must point out you got too many Argentinians IMHO. The Brazilian army by far provided the bulk of the Alliance forces, as in over 80% according to one source I read.

    Looking forward to seeing what you do with this magpie find. I'm sure it will be great! Enjoy your blog immensely.

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    1. Thanks. The unit mix is more reflective of how I can organise games with a mix of Alliance forces rather that a true balance. It also means that in multiplayer games each player can be allocated a unique command. That said I suspect that the Brazilians will expand in time.

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