"Best Late 1800's European War for Wargaming?" Topic

They all seem to have been relatively short, sharp affairs. Which one has the best balance between the two sides? The prettiest uniforms? The most interesting weapons in use? I am king of leaning towards the FPW. Thanks for any opinions.
Clay

One of the things which makes the late nineteenth century interesting are the asymmetries. My favourite is the Austro Prussian War, which is about as unbalanced as you can get.

If you want balanced, then maybe the Russo Turkish War of 1877? A bit dull imho as everyone has rifles and has figured out how to dig holes in the ground to hide in.

1859 is quite a laugh, and I suppose the Piedmontese and Austrians might be considered equally awful, but the French are pretty hot.

Hmmm…I think the 1859 War between France/Sardinia vs Austria is more evenly balanced. Both sides leadership was, at best, mediocre, with the Austrians – naturally – tending towards abysmal. As that describes my tabletop generalship, I rather like this war! Uniforms are also quite colourful, more so than the Prussian dour blue of 1870. (Although, admittedly, the Bavarians are quite pretty).

If you are interested in smaller actions, don't forget about Garibaldi! The latest TooFatLardies Special has a campaign using the new Sharpe Practice 2 rules for Garibaldian fun in Sicily and Naples. Looks really, really interesting.

The Russo-Turkish War might have been technologically balanced, but there were serious and interesting asymmetries in the organization and leadership of the armies and the sociology of the nations involved.

Another interesting war in the period, though not European, is the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-5. Rather lop-sided, though.

I have enjoyed Russo-Turkish games, yep. Sadly I have only played one FPW game at a con but it was fun. I love the French so not their best performance.

Right now I'm doing a very underplayed war – Hungarian Revolution 1848-49. The Hungarians are extremely colorful uniform wise and the war has plenty of actions plus the Russians intervened. That ultimately cost Hungary the war.

First Italian War of Independence. 1848-49. Some nice balanced battles. Santa Lucia, Goito, Custoza. Pretty napoleonic in taste. Small armies, in the area of 30.000 for each army. Very interesting operational setting (for Goito and Custoza, at the top). My favorite.

Boer war, 1899.
Michael.

Last Carlist War (2nd or 3rd depending on who's counting) 1872-1876 is very intriguing for gaming.

Russo-Turkish War for getting to use the Novgorod Ironclad!

For half-European and most colourful: France in the Tonkin Campaign 1863-1866 vs. Vietnam, China, and The Black Flag bandits!

Russo Polish War 1830-1831 or Hungarian Uprising 1848-1849

Franco-Prussian War, if you want lots of large battles.

Greek War of Independence

Risorgimento Campaign in the South….as a lover of Colonial Wargame…with TSATF ..i have a tendency for asymetric warfare…Pontifical or Neapolitan Army pitched against Garibaldini is my cup of tea…Garibaldini are an awful bunch of bandits with no classical tactical skills, fluctuant morale, bad weapons and with a tenency to marauding tactical doctrines..plus they are laed by the most overvalued mercenaire rogue leader which is Garibaldi himself …so , from many point of views , something similar to a native/tribesmen army (of course not an élite one like zulus) against an Imperial one…with the Neapolitan one well equiped, well motivated but lead by poor leaders…and a Pontifical one formed by motivated professional soldiers…the period also call for small semi-skirmish games in rough terrain..so a quasi-colonal paradise…

Knight of St. John

Which rules?

I am considering this war in 15mm.

Regards

Pretty sure the Boer War, while interesting, is not a European continental conflict. :)

So, how does one use these?:

link

And are the various Freikorps or Raider booklets on the Risorgimento still available?

Otherwise, the Republican period of the FPW could be interesting. Lots of Bavarian involvement against the colorful Republican forces.

FPW for being two asymmetrical wars in one--Imperial with first-rate French firepower on the defensive and German wins by organization and superior artillery, and Republican with outnumbered Germans, improved French artillery performance, but French infantry worse trained and unable to make use of superior rifle range while attacking.

And if I do it in 5mm, no one asks any silly questions about minor uniform differences.

Franco Prussian War for me. Lots of colorful units, cavalry, and great scenarios. Superior French rifles and the mitrailleuse vs the Prussian numbers and superior artillery. Can you do better than the French high command? Most likely.

Sorry I did not read the title properly.
I'm doing it in 28mm and still painting them, not quite half way there. I'm planing on using Ospreys The men who would be king.
Michael.

Thanks Knight.

I'll have a look at those rules but 28mm is not my scale.

Regards

Always the toss up between the FPW and the Russo-Turkish War of 1879 for me.

An interesting one is the Italian front in 1866. The Austrians did much better against the Italians and there were some interesting actions against the Garibaldini.
link
There were Grenzer and Bersaglieri units involved for colour.

Apart from that I'd second the republican phase of the FPW.

Very late in period, but the Spanish American War could be interesting. The Spanish could have given the US a much tougher time if they hadn't decided the war was a forgone conclusion. You could also add in the Philippine war that followed on after it. Very Vietnam-like in some aspects, and has potential for engagements from patrol skirmishes to full size battles.