Black Powder Epic Battles: Revolution!: Neue Preview

Warlord Games zeigen in einem Blogbeitrag die ersten Sprues der Neuheiten für Black Powder Epic Battles: Revolution!

Black Powder Epic Battles: Revolution! Sprue Focus – Hessians & Allies!

Continuing our look at the range of sprues making up the upcoming Black Powder Epic Battles: Revolution! range.

In our first two Epic Battles: Revolution! sprue focus articles, we looked at the ‘generic’ infantry frame, which gives both British and Continental forces their Regular and Militia infantry, and the British infantry frame – unsurprisingly this covers the British forces! The sprues for this range are designed to work in concert with each other, which allowed us to cram as many models onto each one as we could. In this article, we’re looking at some reinforcements for the British – the Hessians and other allied troops!

Black Powder Epic Battles: Revolution! Hessians & Allies Plastic Sprue

British forces in the American War of Independence were far less numerous than might be expected for such a crucial conflict. The distances involved made sending troops across the Atlantic an extremely significant undertaking, both in terms of time and money, and in addition the British Army was a rather small organisation of full-time professional soldiers – a stark contrast to the massed ranks arrayed for the Napoleonic Wars a few decades later. To solve this issue of manpower without having to introduce conscription, Britain turned to the Hessians. Of these, a little bit of explanation is required!

‘Hessian’ is an interesting generic term for professional soldiers from the German states (of which Hesse-Kassel was the most prolific), in service with other European nations. While often referred to as ‘mercenaries’, this is an inaccurate description in the traditional sense. Instead, in a curious arrangement, entire units would be ‘leased’ into foreign service, while technically remaining part of their native state’s military. The leasing state would usually have no ‘stake’ or political involvement in the conflict their troops were involved in, and indeed in many cases in the Eighteenth Century, Hessians could be found on both sides of a conflict!

Hessian Jägers form up!

Almost 30,000 Hessians would fight for Britain in North America – over a third of the total British forces – and this sprue has you covered! Gaining a reputation as tough, skilled combatants, but despised by the American patriots as ‘foreign mercenaries’ (even being mentioned in the Declaration of Independence), they went to war in their blue uniforms alongside the Redcoats, seeing extensive combat. Infantry, cavalry, and particularly the Jäger light infantry were fielded to good effect – and are an essential part of any British force in the period. On the sprue you’ll find Musketeers (the standard line infantry), Grenadiers in their mitred caps, and skirmishing Jägers, perfect for bolstering your ranks. As before, you’ll notice the ‘gaps’ in the Grenadier strip – these enable you to insert the command group for your front rank, or make the rank-and-file troops.

Hessian Musketeers (Line Infantry)

Hessian Grenadiers

Hessian Jägers

It’s not just Hessians on this sprue and in British service, either! Many Native Americans took a keen interest in the conflict (they were there first, after all!), for a variety of reasons. Some groups saw an opportunity to reassert their claims over their ancestral lands and prevent further American settlement, others sought to maintain and improve their existing trading relationships with Britain, and still others wished to use the war to strike against traditional enemies. This led to Native Americans fighting on both sides of the conflict, although the majority were aligned with Britain.

Indians face off against militia in a settlement aflame.

On the sprue, you’ll find five bold warriors, armed with a mixture of traditional weaponry and firelocks. Fighting in loose formation and wearing traditional dress, they’re an intimidating sight on the battlefield, even for well-trained troops!

Native American Skirmishers

We’ve covered the Hessians and Allies part of this sprue… and we’re still not done! We had some extra space to fill, and a couple of units which we knew we had to include – so we did. First up are a pair of Light Dragoons, differentiated by their headgear as the 16th and 17th Light Dragoons – the only two regular cavalry regiments the British would deploy to North America. These chaps are ideal for harrying enemy infantry and screening your advance, and lending a certain ‘cavalry dash’ to any force. While the American War of Independence wasn’t a particularly cavalry-heavy conflict, we are fighting battles in the age of horse and musket – it’d be a bit weird without any horses at all!

British 16th Light Dragoons

British 17th Light Dragoons

Finally, though, it’s time to introduce one of the most iconic units of the period, complete with their own theme song. Let’s meet the British Grenadiers! While no longer throwing their namesake grenades in combat, these big, tough men would be expected to lead the way in assaults and storming parties. Most infantry regiments would maintain a ‘Grenadier Company’ of such men, and it was commonplace for these companies to be detached from their parent regiments and grouped into ad-hoc ‘Grenadier Battalions’ for a particular campaign or engagement that required a particularly hard-hitting infantry force. Theoretically, Grenadiers were supposed to be the tallest and strongest men from their regiments, and certainly prided themselves on being an elite fighting force. If you absolutely need to bring the hammer down on the American rebels (or your patriots need some stiffer opposition), reach for the Grenadiers (with their optional command figures, of course) on this sprue!

British Grenadiers

Just a few units on this sprue, then! If it’s got you inspired to reinforce your British troops with all manner of allies, it’s available both in the Loyalist Army bundle, and as a standalone brigade box!

The Hessians & Allies Brigade boxed set contains three sprues, allowing you to build: five stands of Hessian Line Infantry (totalling 100 men), three stands of Hessian Grenadiers (60 men), three stands of British Grenadiers (60 men) three stands of skirmishing Hessian Jägers, (15 men), three stands of skirmishing Native Americans (15 men), and a total of six British Light Dragoon models (three 16th Light and three 17th Light).

Quelle: Warlord Games