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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Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98

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Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98

Written by David Hollins (Osprey Publishing: Men-at-Arms 413)

Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98: The Grenz-Infanterie

Introduction: For many Seven Years War enthusiasts, the Austrian Grenz troops are the most evocative units on the battlefield. Hailing from the wild "Military Frontier" between the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires, these fierce Balkan soldiers brought a new style of "small war" (Kleiner Krieg) to the European theatre. David Hollins’ detailed study in MAA 413 provides an essential look at the evolution of these troops from irregular bands of fierce warriors into the disciplined, yet still uniquely flexible, light infantry that plagued the Prussian army.

Historical Accuracy: This volume is a goldmine for the 6mm painter. The Grenz wore some of the most complex and distinctive uniforms of the era—characterised by their dark brown tunics, red cloaks, and Hungarian-style tight trousers with knotwork. For our 24-figure Baccus infantry units, the colour plates are indispensable for getting the specific distinctions of the various Border Districts (such as the Licca or Warasdin regiments) exactly right. Furthermore, the descriptions of their skirmishing tactics provide excellent narrative context for how we deploy these units on the table, often working in tandem with the 12-figure Baccus cavalry stands of the Hussars.

Conclusion: Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98 is the perfect companion to the main Austrian infantry volumes. It highlights the diversity of the Habsburg military machine and provides the visual reference needed to make your light infantry screen truly stand out. Whether you are detailing a brigade commander base (two mounted Baccus figures) leading a vanguard, or setting up an overall commander base (three mounted Baccus figures) to oversee the defence of a wooded pass, this book ensures your Grenz look as formidable as their historical counterparts.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Muskets.

What do you think?

Have you read this volume? Did it inspire you to pick up the paintbrush, or were the technical 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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