"Please recommend a starting point." Topic

I am thinking of "doing" some part of the European part of the Seven Years War in 10mm. I would probably end up doing both sides.

What two armies do you think would give me the most mileage in terms of interesting historical re-fights and campaigns with a good opportunity for what-ifs?

Please also recommend books (preferably in price) that cover your recommended campaign and armies well both in for military history and uniform guides (not necessarily the same book, of course).

Thanks!

Prussians and Austrians

Bit of a no-brainer that :)

These are just battles of the SYW

link

Prussians are probably the one army everyone should have as they fought the Austrians, Russians and French, After that I'd probably choose the Austirans as the classic SYW match up. Gives you the option of throwing the Russians in against the Prussians later if you wish.

Alternately you could go for the Western theatre and do the French against the allies; the allies give you lots of options for incorporating the various smaller nations, if you like lots of variety.

There is a degree of overlap between the Eastern and Western theatres of the war, I chose the East as it involves Frederick's campaigns, which are a bit easier to research in my view.

Lentulus…I have Prussians, Austrian, French and British with Hessians. The Prussians and Austrians fought consistantly throughout the war, however, the French and British fought each other around the globe; Africa, India, and America. Each region offered an interesting selection of allies.

What-ifs, could certainly include South America or China.

Book recommendation – Savory of course. Plenty of scope for large battles, but also describes the daring raids conducted by both sides in Germany, with light troops.

Cheers,
Robert
18thcenturysojourn.blogspot.com

If starting out, this site is an absolute goldmine;

link

EDIT; Actually Connard Sage already linked to the part of the site

Duffy's books on the Army of Frederick the Great and the Austrian Army of the SYW are essential reading.

The Osprey's for both armies are pretty good too. Plus Osprey has a couple of Campaign titles that are worth picking up.

i'd do Austria and Prussia. I like both armies. Classic match up. Lots of great battles that are fun to refight. Plus there's the small war with pandours and freikorps skirmishing around supply depots for added colour.

austria and prussia if you are seriously committing to it.

Britain/Hannover and France if you want a smaller set of armies.

the Americas are really just a siege and skirmish game by comparison, if that takes you fancy

Build Austrian and Prussian armies. This is the main theatre of the war and the cause of it all. Buy anything written by Christopher Duffy for background material.

The Osprey Campaign books on Rossbach/Leuthen, Kolin and Zorndorf are very inspirational.

And finally, check out my blog, ground zero of the SYW.

altefritz.blogspot.com