Reinforcements Have Arrived: Soldier King Lands from Noble Knight Games!

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There is nothing quite like the feeling of an international parcel hitting the doorstep, especially when it contains a classic piece of campaign gaming history you’ve been eagerly anticipating! My boxed copy of GDW’s 1982 classic, Soldier King , officially arrived today—safely shipped over from Noble Knight Games. The components are in fantastic condition. Leafing through those vintage 1982 rulebook pages and unrolling the map sheets in person immediately brings back that great, nostalgic operational gaming aesthetic. The Inspiration Behind the Campaign I have to give a massive tip of the hat to Neil Patterson over at the Aufklarungsabteilung blog. It was reading through Neil’s fantastic posts and seeing how he integrated Soldier King into his own campaign gaming that originally hooked me on the concept. The clean map layout, simple area movement, and multi-faction dynamic make it an ideal engine for driving grand-scale strategic campaigns on the tabletop w...
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Cadets (1939)

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Cadets (1939)

Cadets: The Defence of Kolberg

Directed by Karl Ritter (Released: 1939)

Introduction: Set during the Seven Years War, Cadets (originally titled Kadetten) dramatises the legendary stand of Prussian military cadets during the siege of Kolberg in 1760. As the Russian army threatens to overwhelm the fortress, these young soldiers-in-training must prove their mettle and discipline under fire. It is a stirring, if stylised, portrayal of the Prussian military ethos and the desperate measures taken to defend the kingdom against the combined forces of its enemies.

Full Film: Kadetten (1939)

Historical Accuracy: For the 6mm wargamer, the film is a fascinating visual study of Frederickan military drill. The focus on the cadets provides an excellent look at the uniforms and training that formed the backbone of the Prussian army. Seeing these young troops in their neat blue coats provides fantastic inspiration for our 24-figure Baccus infantry units. The depiction of the siege works and the coordination between the garrison and the command staff offers great context for scenario design and the detailing of our overall commander bases for the European theatre.

Conclusion: Cadets captures the high-stakes drama of the Third Silesian War with a focus on duty and resilience. While a product of its time, its portrayal of the Prussian military machine remains highly evocative for anyone interested in the period. It provides a unique narrative perspective that enriches our understanding of the sacrifices made by the rank and file, making it a valuable addition to our list of cinematic inspirations.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Muskets.

What do you think?

Have you seen this film? Did it inspire you to pick up the paintbrush, or were the tactical errors too much to bear? Let me know in the comments!

Related project hubs for this period:
[The Silesian Wars 1740-1763 Project Hub]  |  [The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub]

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