Aspern (Part 1)
Dated: August 25, 2009
Our annual diorama for this year is the battle of Aspern on the 21st/22nd May 1809.
This is the plan of the Aspern-diorama we are working on. It will be on display the first time at the DUZI figure-fair in Wesel on the 10th of October as usual. There will be a plate of 12x6 meters. We have already painted 13.700 figures for it. At the plan you can see where we have the different units. The diorama shows the battle of Aspern on the first day at around 5.30 pm. At this moment the Austrians are in possession of the village and the French start to attack it again. While a column of infantry is charging the mainstreet, the Voltigeurs and light infantry are working themselves over the hedges through the gardens.
While the fighting in the village and on both sides of the village is going on, the French light cavalry brigade is charging the advancing Austrians from the 2nd and 3rd columns. The Austrians are building the "Bataillonsmasse", a formation reminding something of a 30YW Tercio. For such a block we needed up to 800 figures to paint. While the French Chasseurs, supported by the Hessian Chevaulegers and the Baden Dragoons they were taken in the flank by several squadrons of Austrian Chevaulegers. We show the moment when the Austrians hit the flank of the French brigade.
We hope to complete the units in the six weeks which are left. It could be difficult as we are short on 800 French Chasseur a Cheval. So if anybody wants to join us with the project, don't hesitate to contact me.
Many thanks for all the friends which have done this so far.
For 2010 the planning is the battle of Fredericksburg and in 2011 it will be a true Phyrric victory with Phyrrus fighting the Romans.
Cheers
Uwe Wild
Germany
Pictures:
The plan of the diorama 12 meters x 6 meters.
The next company to start
The Baden Dragoons, much work to do to complete the 200.
Schmitty gluing the formations
Micha organising the Baden Dragoons.
One cannonball running through.
Cannonball from the back - company pompoms to change.
Austrian battery, the new ammunition wagons to follow.
Many thanks to Mr. Wild.