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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Prussia's Glory

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Prussia's Glory

By Christopher Duffy (Original Publication: 2003)

Rossbach and Leuthen: The Annus Mirabilis of 1757

Introduction: Prussia's Glory is a focused and exhilarating narrative that examines the two most famous victories of Frederick the Great’s career: Rossbach and Leuthen. Occurring within just one month of each other in late 1757, these battles saved the Prussian state from total collapse. Duffy provides a masterclass in military history, blending high-level strategy with the gritty tactical reality of the 18th-century battlefield to explain how Frederick overcame staggering odds against both the French-Imperial and Austrian armies.

The 6mm Connection: This book is the ultimate tactical primer for any wargamer using Baccus 6mm figures. The scale of the manoeuvres described—particularly the grand flanking march at Leuthen—is exactly the kind of "sweep" that 6mm handles better than any other scale. Duffy’s detailed maps (crucial for our map key usage) show the precise positioning of the 24-figure infantry battalions and the 12-figure cavalry regiments as they transitioned from column to line. It provides the perfect historical justification for the movement rates and command friction we experience in our Black Powder games.

Historical Insight: The most significant "lightbulb moment" is the tactical breakdown of the Prussian cavalry at Rossbach under Seydlitz. Duffy demonstrates that it wasn't just "bravery," but the disciplined timing of the charge and the ability to rally and strike again that shattered the French. This insight reinforces why our Brigade Commanders and Overall Commander (the three-mounted-figure stand) must be positioned aggressively to capitalise on these narrow windows of opportunity before the enemy can reform their lines.

Conclusion: Prussia's Glory is an essential volume because it captures the Prussian military machine at its absolute zenith. It rounds out the project by providing the "how-to" for Frederick’s most brilliant tactical successes. For anyone looking to recreate the sheer drama of the Seven Years' War on the tabletop, this book serves as both a roadmap and an inspiration for what a well-drilled army can achieve when led by a master of the art.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Muskets.

What do you think?

Have you read this volume? Let me know in the comments if you’ve used this research to inform your painting or game strategy!

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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