"Why I enjoy learning & gaming the Franco Prussian War 1870" Topic

1) It is one third Napoleonic Tactics: First Empire type Cavalry Charges still used, some Napoleonic formations still used.

2)It is one third AMerican Civil War with similar French Uniforms, almost same French Artillery, late war Civil War formations used and some Civil War era type entrenchments or earthworks.

3) One third World War I: French had almost the same uniforms until changed a year or 2 after the war started, French still had Cuirassiers, both wars had an automatic weapon (WWI machine guns, 1870 the French mitrailleuse (Volley Gun).

For me it's the differences between the armies. Chassepot > Dresye; Krupp > Napoleon (the artillery, not the man); Long service volunteers vs. universal conscription; incredibly bad generals vs. good generals, etc. Even though the French lost every battle but one I always feel that with slightly better leadership they would have given the Prussians (and allies) a very tough time of it.

Good points! I agree 100%.

Ditto. Some nice tactical problems.

All good points. When we game the period it works out to about 50-50 wins.
The uniforms are great.

I am also a fan of 1870 and 1866. Personally, I find 1866 more compelling as the Austrians have a chance to win as Prussia's artillery doctrine and effect wasn't what is would be in 1866. The French command was terrible in 1877. The Prussian strategy was also much improved in 1870

Thanks.

John

All good reasons, and I can add a few more:

• It's a good starting point for branching into adjacent wars (Austro-Prussian War 1866, Italy 1859, Crimea 1853, Russo-Turkish War, many of Bismarck's smaller wars, etc.), and even a few colonial conflicts.
  
• Lots of potential "what if" wars in the era that make fascinating strategic studies.
  
• French and Union (ACW) troops can also stand in for the forces in various South American wars.
  
• The period is largely terra incognita for wargamers, which makes discovery of the maps and accounts of whole unknown wars like finding a missed Christmas present in a dusty corner of the attic.
  
• If you ever need to rekindle your interest, just go looking for pictures of Bruce Weigle's amazing games.
  
• I also agree with Lascaris that the period weapons technologies (and disparities between them) are part of the fascination…
  
• …which for me also means naval technology. This was one of the most interesting periods of naval technological development in the historical record, and featured some of the most carefully studied naval battles in history (Monitor v. Virginia, Mobile Bay, Lissa 1866). The naval "what if" and "almost happened" encounters is a teeming horde of potential wargames.

All that said: I've found the twin facts of HUGE BATTLES and looooooong firing ranges make the games no fun to play with miniatures. This creates too much scale distortion in 15mm, and I have no interest in starting over in 6mm or 10mm. I'm still hoping for an epiphany or a novel approach that peaks my interest again.

- Ix

1859, 1866 & 1870 have really grown on me. Mostly due to the Big Bloody Battles rules with 10mm figs that enable you to actually fight out these massive engagements.

One great "what if" of the war is the what if the French had some of their better commanders back for the actual beginning of the war? What if Chanzy had some real quality forces to fight with? Marshal Bazaine has got to be one of the worst army commanders of all time.

Stecal I agree on BBB! I recently realized that my basing would work using them and I own a load of 1/72 20mm figs to use for 1859, 1866 and 1870!

The 19th C wars do indeed have a lot to offer.