Friday 28 March 2014

Spanish Civil War Cavalry

It is important to remember that while cavalry was used in the Spanish Civil War lessons had been learnt from WW1. As such they were not used so much for cavalry charges but more for scouting and recon. Most often when cavalry were used in Battles they dismounted and fought on foot. So here are a group of 5 bases to be used as scouts and no doubt how we would use paratroops! By that I mean travel fast to the objective and dismount and wait for a relieving force. While that was not exactly how they were used in the SCW it is how I can see players using them in game terms. I want to make it clear I have no issue with this approach, I am sure I would do the same. It is after all how I use Cavalry in ACW games.

These Figures are Pendraken again in 10mm and Represent Andulz Mounted Militia. Pendraken also do Spanish Civil War Cavalry in Army Uniforms. Once I became aware  of mounted troops in sombreros I knew I would have to get some. I have got some dismounted chaps as well and they are now primed and ready to go, so expect to see them soonish! While I have a very limited interest in doing Wild West in 10mm I could see these being used for Mexican Bandits as well if I was to venture down that path (I am NOT ).

It would be tremendous IF these did become part of the Troops for Don Rousell as the picture below indicates. While he has the colours a little loud for many peoples tastes I think he has captured the flavour very well. He takes the part of a "Don" very well and does look like a wealthy land owner in Rural Spain.

Generalisimo Raymondo Rousell.


24 comments:

  1. "a little loud"? That's a screaming pink sombrero - it hurts to look at it!

    (Your cavalry do look good, though)

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    1. Thank you Hugh. It's the type of hat that would make a person a target on the battlefield.

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  2. Ouch! I need sunglasses to look at Ray! Someone turn the brightness down!

    As Hugh said, your cavalry do look good.

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    1. Maybe I should Put a warning up about the need to wear sunglasses!
      Thank you Bryan

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  3. Very smart looking minis! I got a chance to visit the artillery museum in Cartagena last year, and some of the gun batteries defending the town (with big vickers built guns). Very interesting period to play!

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    1. Thank you Tin Hatter. I agree about the conflict some very interesting aspects. I am very lucky to have lived with a Spanish Girl so while I have some insight it is bias to her family views.

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  4. Great mounted troops (see, not a cavalry :P)! :D

    The purpose of those units in general was to move faster than foot infantry, so using them to take objective fast and dismount sounds pretty historical to me :).

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    1. Thank you Mathyoo. I am sure that tactic will be employed by various players. Maybe with the broken down mountain guns I showed about a week ago.

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  5. These are one of the units that I remember from the only SCW game that I played in, I luckily was on the side with the armoured recon vehicles ! There should of course be a role for them as scouts in games and not just as dragoons. Great looking unit, pity about their Leader El Raymondo....

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    1. Thank you Jo. I am sure that Don Rousell will enjoy the infamy!

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  6. That Don Rousell looks pretty familiar??? He's certainly a handsome chap! Great looking figures Clint!!! I saw that film you lent me the other day. Surprised I'd never heard of it, was a great film full of action!, I'm in the Poum me thinks!!!

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    1. George Orwell (Author of Animal farm) was in the Poum militia. (Useless piece of trivia for the day!) So you would be in good company. I am glad you liked the film it does give you an insight into the conflict. I would Imagine Fran and Postie will also like it. You can usually pick it up cheap at boot fairs. Thank you Ray.

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  7. Those colours would certainly make Ray a Bullet Magnet!

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    1. Like that would be your only reason to target him! Thank you Lee.

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  8. Don Roussel... Hmm.. Brilliant, if somewhat scary.

    Nice stuff Clint.

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    1. Thank you Dave. The wonderful thing about Ray is that he can take a joke!

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  9. Good figures, well executed. I like them allot, super.

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    1. Thank you Irqan. I do have one left over and am tempted to do it with a pink sombrero!

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    2. You really should do one up in a pink sombrero! It'd be a great memento mini for the game! ;)
      Since your work on this project, I've been cursory studing the conflict. So far, it seems lots of adhoc irregulars on both sides! It'll be a grand sight to see the forces and table completed and ready for battle!

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    3. Well I should get some more in 2 weeks time and then I will do a complete picture.

      Maybe I will do one in a pink sombrero as a prize!
      Nice idea David, thank you.

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  10. My eyes, my eyes I cant see any more.

    Gosh thats a shocker but great cavalry.

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    1. Thank you Pete. That last picture is just not suitable for the gentlemen on the VBCW forum!

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  11. Very nice work on these. I am intrigued by the round bases and 2-per basing. I'm considering doing this for some of my stuff - in 28mm. Best, Dean

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    1. Thank you Dean. I am writing my own rules for the SCW. Because it is ranged weapons round bases seemed more appropriate than the need for square ones. As for 2 to a base 3 just looked too crowded, in an ideal world I would use 3 Cav to a base and larger bases, but I don't live in an ideal world.

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