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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The Austrian Army 1740–80

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Written by Philip Haythornthwaite (Osprey Publishing: Men-at-Arms 176, 181, & 223)

The Austrian Army 1740–80: Maria Theresa’s Defenders

Introduction: The Austrian Army of the mid-18th century was a massive, multinational force that underwent significant reform to meet the Prussian threat. This three-volume series from Osprey provides a meticulous breakdown of the troops who fought to preserve the Habsburg Empire. From the white-coated German infantry to the exotic Grenz units, these books are essential for capturing the grandeur of the Austrian military machine on the tabletop.

The Austrian Army 1740–80 1: Cavalry

The Austrian Army 1740–80 1: Cavalry

This first volume examines the organisation, uniforms, and equipment of the cavalry, including cuirassiers, dragoons, hussars, and chevauxlegers. It provides a detailed account of individual regiments and their tactics during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.

The Austrian Army 1740–80 2: Infantry

The Austrian Army 1740–80 2: Infantry

The second volume focuses on the infantry, detailing the organisation, uniforms, and equipment of the various German and Hungarian regiments that comprised the bulk of the army.

The Austrian Army 1740–80 3: Specialist Troops

The Austrian Army 1740–80 3: Specialist Troops

This final volume examines the composition and uniforms of the specialist troops and technical services, including the artillery, engineers, Grenz (border) troops, Jägers, and medical staff. The artillery was acknowledged to be second to none in Europe during this period.

Historical Accuracy: Haythornthwaite is a master of the period, and his research into the evolution of Austrian equipment and drill is top-tier. These volumes offer great inspiration for detailing our brigade commanders (two mounted Baccus figures) and overall commander bases (three mounted Baccus figures), helping to represent the aristocratic and professional nature of the Habsburg high command.

Conclusion: These three books are the foundational blocks for any Austrian project. They balance the tactical history with the visual splendour of the era, making them indispensable references for any wargamer looking to recreate the battles of the 18th century.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Muskets.

What do you think?

Have you read these volumes? Did they 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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