Greg Liska’s American War of Independence Artillery Project

Greg Liska American War of Independence Artillery Project we have the result from Greg of his figure quest. If you remember Greg in a recent post asked for 54mm Marx redcoat marching. Well Greg is ready to reveal.

Greg Liska’s American War of Independence Artillery Project  Introduction

My simple conversions to make artillery crews for the Hessian and British Grenadiers is done!  Special thanks to David Slavin for volunteering 21 Brit marchers. It wasn’t hard to do, it’s just the idea that I’m proud of. I took the rifles away from the marchers and gave half of them ram rods made of drink mixers with electrical tape wound on one end, coated with glue and textured by pressing fabric against it so it’ll look fuzzy. Seems when it dried most of that ended up disappearing anyhow, but maybe someone else can perfect the process. The ‘officer’ pose became the man with the touch stick. He’s got a riding crop or swagger stick, but as pointed out in previous topics, officers rarely wore the heavy, hot helmets their soldiers did when in the field. I use only 3 men per gun, 4 if a heavy (like the Marx AWI cannon). I consider this to be just what I needed. Hope someone here can find utility in the idea, as well.

Greg Liska’s American War of Independence Artillery Project Scenario

 As I set this up, this scenario came to me:

One volley and the Americans dashed into the woods. A Hessian Lieutenant became caught up on the moment and yelled, “Mir Nach!” and dashed into the woods after them. The soldiers responded without thinking and dashed in behind him. The Captain frowned and looked back briefly at the battery commander who looked equally unimpressed. Suddenly, the sound of another concentrated volley rang out and just as suddenly soldiers emerged from the wood at a run, the Lieutenant just barely leading the way. A few lone shots rang out and he fell. This did not stop the Grenadiers who were near panic. The Captain raised his sword and pointed in front of the guns. His commanding presence and abundant calm possessed the soldiers to obey. “Hier halten! Einstellen!” The Hessian Grenadiers dutifully and swiftly made order and formed lines with the cannons adding a prominent and ominous presence. Even before this was accomplished, the battery commander had already given instructions, “Traubenschuss beladen!” There was a small pause, only long enough for the Captain to ponder, “These Americans seem unusually aggressive, this isn’t like them”.

Greg Liska’s American War of Independence Artillery Project the Battle Continues

Just as that thought flashed through his head, the Americans emerged from the wood looking like wild, angry beasts. They yelled and rushed forward. Clearly one of their number bayonetted the young fallen Lieutenant as he tried to get up. “This is not how soldiers behave, ” He thought and he was not alone in his indignation. One young Grenadier fired without order and to his credit, dropped a Yankee. “Nicht schiessen!” Snapped a Sergeant and slapped his helmet. They were close enough now. He commanded, “Achtung…fertig….Feuer!” The roar of the muskets drown out by the firing of all four guns nearly simultaneously, the grape shot tearing the air which was quickly filled in with a heavy swirl of grey smoke. One could choke on the acrid smell of the powder as ears rang and sight was obscured…..