November 11th

 

  My grandfather, Edward McNamara from Lexington Massachusetts served with the 101st Regiment (Medical company), 26th Yankee Division in the first world war.  He seldom talked about it, and when he did it was a terrible memory which haunted him.  It was only later that I found out  he was mentioned in the division's orders and was highly decorated for heroism under fire.  He never mentioned this to me, I found out later through my own research.  But  I will always remember his smile when he told me how at 11:00 A.M. on 11th November the guns stopped and he and his friends knew they would live, knew they had survived.  He went on to raise a family and contribute to society.  During the next war he built ships for the Navy at the Charlestown Navy yard.

Edward McNamara helmet.

   And as this date is now called Veterans Day I say thank you to my father in law, Aldrich Stevens  who served in the  3rd Ranger Battalion (Darby's Rangers) in the Second World War.  He saw service with them at North Africa, Sicily and Italy.  Seriously wounded he did not make the Anzio landing and thus missed the action at Cisterna (although he may have listened to the last radio calls while at headquarters).   Like my grandfather he too was haunted by the memories of what he saw, experienced and especialy those he lost.  But again he went on with life.  Due to the GI bill he got a education, raised a family and contributed to society.  

I remember their sacrifices and hope both men  have found peace.

Game at Mark's house

 

  Yesterday, I hosted a small game at my house.  John, Paul, George and Warren all took the time to drive a good distance down to my house. Janine made a big pot if chilli with corn bread for us.   We played a American Rev War game.  But that was less important then for the first time in a very long time I had friends together and over my house.   It felt great to have friends back and wonderful to move toy soldiers about the table, roll dice and tell tale tails and stories and just laugh.  As John said it was time to get me back into gaming with my friends.  

  What happen in the game was far less important then being back together.  By the end of the day I was very tired but extremely happy.  Its nice to have friends who care.  Thank you guys.  I appreciate it much more then you all may ever realize.  

Lauzun's Legion Hussars

 

  Finished up the 1st Squadron of the Legion cavalry.  These are the Hussars dressed in yellow trousers and trim.  A most handsome unit and now ready to take the field.

Lauzun's Legion Infantry

 

 I  have long wanted to add Lauzun's Legion to my armies. The fight between Tarleton and Lauzun would make an excellent, very colorful game.  Staring with the infantry element I have finally gotten on my way.

  The infantry of the Legion was supposed to contain a grenadier company of 100 men, a chasseur company of 170 men, and two line infantry (fusilier) companies of 170 men each.  When Rocheambeau’s force left France  there was a shortage of transport ships so the Fusilier companies were left behind. The Grenadier Company sailed with 116 men and wore a bearskin hat without a front plate. The Chasseur Company  sailed with 99 men and wore a black cocked hat with white tape (and not a helmet).  I decided to combine the two infantry elements into a single unit if 24 fugures.  Rather then the Grenadier uniform I went with the Chassaur uniform as I wanted to have some skirmishes type troops for thus legion.  Also I believe the chassaurs were involved n the battle with Tarleton.    Perhaps later on I might add Grenadiers but we will see.

It felt good to be back in the saddle so to speak painting wise.  I know they are not my best effort but I am still pleased with them.  

Next up the Hussars of the 1st Squadron then the Hussars/Lancers of the 2nd Squadron.

The Charge: The Real Reason Why the Light Brigade was Lost. By Mark Adkin

 The Charge: The Real Reason Why the Light Brigade was Lost. By Mark Adkin

" An officer named Captain Nolan, who writes books, and was a great man in his own estimation..."

Colonel Lord George Paget

  With the anniversary of the battle coming up I thought I would post this book review.  A fascinating read no matter if you are interested in the Crimean War or not.  Highly recommend as Hal used to say.

  This is the kind of book that shows how military history should be written. It is a careful analysis of the Battle of Balaclava and especially the Light Brigade's charge with the emphasis on untangling the hows and whys that resulted in the charge. The book is extremely well researched, with well thought out explanations, good illustrations and especially outstanding maps. Many, many maps.  I do wish more military history books followed his example.

  Complimenting the maps (and tied into them) are a series of battle and topographical drawings which are very effective in understanding the battle. These drawings are based on a series of photographs done by the photographer Fenton which show the actual battlefield from where Lord Raglan watched and sent his infamous order from. The photographs were taken slightly after the battle so they provide a you are there view. To actually see the battlefield as the participants did is priceless.

  The usual villain responsible for the disaster in most books was Lord Lucan the Cavalry Division commander. I am glad to say he is given a fair shake here and is partly exonerated; but with some very serious serious criticism. I do wish the author discussed more about Lucan's decision to pull back The Heavy Brigade during the Light Brigades charge. A fascinating what if.

  The primary culprits in Adkin's view are Lord Raglan and his ADC Captain Nolan. Raglan was clearly over his head as army commander. I find little positive about him and blame him for the disaster that the army suffered that terrible winter. Cardigan by the way comes out as a very brave man who had not the foggest idea of what was what. If you saw the 1968 movie of the Charge of the Light Brigade these three main actors really captured and look the part of their historical characters. In my opinion of course.

  Adkin believes Captain Nolan (who carried the order down from Raglan to Lucan)  may have deliberately indicated the incorrect objective. In my opinion the author makes an excellent case that Nolan deliberately misrepresented Lord Raglan's order when he delivered It to Lord Lucan. Nolan, a self educated authority on cavalry had never served on campaign and had never been in battle. But he was certain that British cavalry were being misused and was very vocally critical of all commanders throughout the army but especialy Lucan And Cardigan. He was certain Light Cavalry could overthrow anything in its way and that neither infantry nor artillery could stop them. He had once demonstrated in a classroom how light cavalry alone could charge and take out a battery from the front. Nolan possibly did not have second thoughts about the liberty he took as aide-de-camp in misinterpreting Lord Raglan's written order. His death, the first casualty of The Charge prevented his being questioned after. The author suggests and I agree Nolan wasn't trying to stop the charge when he was killed. The canard about his trying to stop the charge when killed was invented by Kinglake in his multiple volume history of the war; "The Invasion of the Crimea, Its Origin, and an Account of Its Progress Down to the Death of Lord Raglan."   Most Of the officers who took part in the action certainly though King lake was non sense and Noland was taking them right where he wanted. 

  Also interesting is the account of the actual charge. Details such as such as how many rounds were fired at the brigade, how a artillery battery operated, how cavalry horses were so trained they remained in formation after their riders were killed, and how the casualties were not as spectacular as is often claimed. The Light Brigade was no longer combat efficient due to the horrendous number of horses killed which could not be replaced.  His account if the stand of the 93rd Highlanders is also outstanding and he points out details most authors don't.  Having a battery handy didn't hurt their stand.

  I especially enjoyed the epilogue - A Balaclava Banquet about the 1875 dinner for the survivors, which sounds like a rockous good time. The appendix section entitled The Last Survivors was very moving to read. Those who were impoverished were provided for by a wealthy Fleet Street publisher who established the Roberts Relief Fund to provide them with a pension. The last survivor passed away in 1927.