"Gaming the Spanish-American War" Topic

Do you game this war on the miniature tabletop?

No, but the new figures from Empress are sure tempting me.

TMP link

Yep:

link

I haven't done any land games, but I've done a number of naval games.

Naval – Yes, Land – no.

I have quite a collection of Old Glory 28's, two units of Tiger miniatures, and a few odd and ends.

I just completed a 2mm project of all my units with a few extra thrown in for luck.

I ran a three battle campaign based on Escario's column from Manzanillo a few years ago. I've also done Las Guasmas and the USMC at Guantanamo.

I have purchased land and sea forces for both sides of the war and have just finished priming some of my first figures for the conflict, but I have not gamed the war yet.

Yes, naval

Been sporadically buying BEAUTIFUL sculpts from "1898" Figures but have yet to paint 'em and set up a game.

Naval

LT

I would game it if there were any fine 15mm figures for it.

Dan

Nope.

Naval.

Twice I started projects in 15mm but they never got off the ground. Then 40mm came under consideration I painted a unit it each of US and Spanish but that project morphed in a different direction.

Now with the 1898 line it's back under consideration.

Getting ready to – As Dan indicated the 1898 line is seriously tempting me

Yes, I game infantry battles. 15mm Frei Korp.

Just participated in a naval game this past Thursday.

Jim

Did 3-4 games about 10 years ago. Naught since

TR and the RR versus Spanish infantry

I've thought about land battles, but I've only done naval games.

At the risk of appearing to try a hijacking of this thread,
I'd like to address what may be the primary reason so few play the action in Cuba and the Philippines.

There is a widely held misconception that the war with Spain was a "walk over," that the Spanish had no chance of victory in the field, and that the Yanks were an irresistible force.

The truth is far more subtle than that myth, with nuances that make all the difference.

Which is to say, man for man the Spanish were better soldiers, with superior weapons, and experienced field officers. The Yanks had woefully inferior weapons (even their new Krag's were no match for Mausers), a Regular Army whoaw most recent experience was the late Plains Indians wars, hardly a serving soldier who'd heard a shot fired in anger, and lots of all but useless volunteers with hardly any training.

That they won was only because of the outstanding leadership of a handful of men who were able to motivate just enough of their huge, but pinned, forces at San Juan Heights and El Caney to take their objectives.

Where the Spanish were totally outclassed was at their highest levels of command, military and political. They believed they had no chance, and made hardly any effort to do more than fire enough shots to defend the honor of the flag.

Both of their signal naval defeats were suffered due to facing Dewey while anchored(!), and Cervera's disaster came not while trying to sortie for a stand up fight with Sampson's fleet, but simply to ESCAPE.

With some 22,000 troops, plus naval crews in support on call, waiting in their barracks, the Spanish defended Santiago with about 1,200 only. The Yankee force outnumbered them almost ten-to-one, but was immediately pinned for almost the entire battle. Spanish marksmen made a sport of shooting our Officers, further impeding their units from taking any initiative.

A clueless army, it succeeded, again, only because of a few born leaders and the innovative thinking of a handful of men. This, perhaps, is the essence of an "American Army," and the seeds of its victories.

Any rules that reflect these factors can demonstrate just how close run the battles in Cuba and beyond were. Modified sets of ACW rules can't cut it, nor systems for later conflicts. Your rules will have to be unique to the subject, as surely as each war is unique to its times and circumstances.

Find rules that can do that, and I think more would play out the remarkable events of that "Splendid Little War."

TVAG

Good analysis TVAG!

Thanks for that!

I had a 15mm collection of TVAG figures that never go beyond a few painted figures. Sold them off at Cold Wars. Wish there were some 10mm options. I have fleets in 1/3000 but may swap out for 1/2400 since alot of the ships were so small.

Bill must be running out of things to talk about, since this has already been a poll suggestion:

TMP link

At sea yes, on land, no…

I also have figs for 54mm. Thinking about large skirmish game for it. I have the BMC and AIP figs along with the San Juan Hill set.

There are some great figures for this period.

To paraphrase John Keegan, 'the Americans won so they were superior.'

A very interesting "little conflict" …

I have the figures (mostly freikorps), and have finished some Americans. I would like to do the Moro campaigns

Is there an inspirational book on this subject?