"Advice: Crimean War for Skirmish Gaming? Doable?" Topic

Gents.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with gaming Crimean War as "large skirmish" -- about 100 figures per side. Not interested in re-fighting any battles. Just trench raids maybe or things of that nature. Would love advice as to scenarios, AARs or if anyone's tried it. Not sure if it would be interesting gaming or not.

Thoughts appreciated.

Bryan Perret(sp?) book "Gunboat" starts in the Crimean War and details a large number of raids on the Russian lines of supply by landing parties. Lots of scenarios with small numbers engaged on both sides. Antoine Vanner's first novel in the "Dawlish Chronicles" is set during the Crimean War with plenty of scenarios taking place on land.

Not sure if it would be interesting gaming or not.

As interesting as any other large skirmish set in the 19th century I should think. It's all in the scenario design anyway.

At the skirmish level, the differences between armies kinda disappear in this era. So really it's about the uniforms and the scenario design.

I have a friend who games Crimea all the time at a variety of levels from skirmish to Grand Tactical.

I think it could be done--maybe Turkish irregulars supported by British cavalry vs. Cossacks

At the skirmish level, the differences between armies kinda disappear in this era.

I'm not so sure of this. Men armed with percussion Minie rifles and trained in their use v. men armed with smoothbores whose musketry training was minimal – there should be noticeable differences.

The Sharp Practice supplement for the ACW 'Terrible Sharp Sword' should fit the Crimea.
There may also be some specific modifications for the Crimea in one of Too Fat Lardies' Specials.

Short of the usual cavalry stuff for which the usual lack of dismounted chaps will be a no go ( and space?) :
Brits raids as said up there, can even have on on a fortified monastry in a somptuous island of Solovetsy. Attack ports land marines.
Plus petite guerre in Caucasus and Balkans with Turks.
Second Shap Practice with a few mods for percussion/ Minié.

I'm not so sure of this. Men armed with percussion Minie rifles and trained in their use v. men armed with smoothbores whose musketry training was minimal – there should be noticeable differences.

So aside from ROF and range what would the differences be – in a game? Regardless of those things, gamers will use the troops influenced by modern tactics – fire and maneuver, etc. At this level doctrine for formation (column vs line and so on) and tactics disappears.

Formation would be just what the Russian were best at – from what Little Mac says, their training leaned heavily on close order drill. I would think that the French, British, and maybe the Sardinians would be better shots, and they would certainly be more comfortable in skirmish order than the Russians.

Just to note that if you are doing Crimean War at the Skirmish level your Russian are going to jaegers. Some with rifled weapons and with plenty of training.

I agree with 'Extra Crispy' when it comes to Scenario Design. This is very importent not only for the Crimea but any (small units) skirmish action.
When I start to design any skirmish level game I do my best to bring in a story line. I think of TV shows or movies/books (that we've all seen) historic or fiction and start creating the game on the table.
Think about and construct 'objectives, starting positions, reinforcements, characters and force size/balance. Above all, game length & size of scenario that can be played with the set of rules you are using with the type of gamer you will be gaming with.
'KTravlos' is correct as well with the "Jaegers" being trained in 'Skirmish Tactics' as well as being armed with rifles. If they had a decent officer the Russians could be very effective. They certainly were brave enough.

Don't forget to note however that the vast majority of French infantry, except the zouaves and the chas-a-pied were still using percussion smoothbores, an almost identical musket that the field battalions of the Russian regiments were using (btns one-four) the depot btns 5-8 if there were that many had flints from the napoleonic period and the wars with Turkey in the 1820s (?).