Sunday, April 29, 2007

Dramatis Reginae (Drama Queens) :D

Commisioned Rank (which is really rank) among Frankfurters:
Fahnenjunker / '' '' ... Unteroffizer / Fahnrich (basically all youngsters still in training)
Lieutenant ; Oberlieutenant
Hauptman
Major (not to be confused with Major de Camp ... a post usually filled by a general).
Oberstleutnant
Oberst / Inhaber
Brigadier / Major General; / Lieutenant General; / General (I know, at this period, these titles are a tad anachronistic, but the functions existed already ... so it’s simpler to keep track this way)
Field Marshal
Captain General
Given an average of three to four years to save up for the purchase of a promotion, the occasional promotion for merit (or for knowing too much about your superior) will still engender a long career for somebody who wants to get to the top but who does not have Ducal patronage!

A: Frankszonian Generals, the top Brass (and do they have brass!):
* Lt. Gen. Oscar Meyer (2) (conservative, excellent in logistics and linear war);
* The Sultan of Swat (1)(Balkan mercenary, very important for the trade in Sesame Seeds) ;
* Lt. Gen. Pepperoni (an immigrant Italian family, very fussy ... Not from Salamis, which I think
is a Grecian town, but has family connections with Bologna ... ); Just promoted to command the
Wiener Front.
* The Baron von Ballpark (0) (a beefy fellow whom rumor has linked with the infamous Pigg
in a Blanket scandal);
* M. Gen. General Schwann (2+) ( a driving and romantic personality, very concerned with
mobility .... his units would get the Prussian double action bonus);
* General Braunsweiger (1) (a Deli-ight of the Brand Name Burgers Alliance, considered an
expert in combined arms operations, but often is kept in fixed fortifications where - tho highly
successful - his units often get sliced quite thinly).
* Brig. Nathan (0) (a brigadier who is often placed in charge of local militia and fortresses).
* General Bob Evans (1) (a Fried Corpse leader).
* Hzg Stanken Fhartz (1) (ruler of Frankszonia, superficially brassy, in maneuvers tends to be
silent but deadly).
* Granny Loomis the Queen Mother (2) ... she has a great interest in artillery and has seen to a
reform and an improvement in that branch of service.
* Stuftliana (0) ... the newly wed Duchess of Frankszonia, an exotic and hopefully fertile little
dish.
* Lady Rosenschnauz; (1) officially lady in waiting for Stuftliana, but is used for discrete
messages and rendevous. Remarkably devoted to her husband's fortune ....
* The Migraine ... uh ... Margravine Rhabbidiers (that's rabid ears, not rabbit ears!): (1) nasal
voiced gossip who travels a lot (she gives Granny Loomis headaches) ... but can be remarkably
silent when she wishes to employ her expensive ... ah ... expressive and vivacious beauty ....
* M. Gen. Ziegfeldt von Phaulie: (0) Wears a monocle on a silk cord.
Has solid tactical skills, but very "by the book." When pressed, however, will try something
unconventional "for the sport of it." He has a solid infantry record.
Fond of schnapps (2 hip flasks ... after all, one has two hips, Ja?).
At 45/50 years, just starting to grey and is quite a ladies man. Favorite arms: his right.
He is an inept engineer, but has a passion for attempting engineering projects.
(N.B.) Gen. Phaulie will take a morale check if ordered to withdraw ... if fails morale, roll D 6
1-3 = fall back one inch; 4-5 = dither for a turn, 6 = will attempt to lead troops in a charge.
Phaulie will also attempt to join any unit which does charge. If Phaulie is killed, his
half-brother takes charge immediately from the middle of the brigade instead of waiting four
turns.
* Francios l'Marquise de Hottatrot: (0) Lewd, plain looking but not fat; a gourmet but
flatulent. Maintains a couple of ballerinas and is very keen on dance. Devil may care, reckless,
audacious, etc cavalry man. Secretly fond of Rhine Wines.
Another tragic family secret is connected to some rumors:
a: he was born before his parents were married;
b: perhaps his real parents never did marry;
c: but his legal mom and dad dote on each other and are quite sensitive so he can't openly
research the problem ...
d: rumor also has it that his dandified legal father is more fond of young boys than girls ...
Brilliant at intrigue, he tends to be a major factor in Frankszonia undercover organs.
* Guiles, Count l'Beauphaup: (0) VERY LACE, ornate costume with high heels and makeup,
he was a protégé of the former Marquise de Hottatrot. Of course, he and the current Marquise
were childhood friends, and thus entered Frankszonia service together. Has some very well
appointed page boys, and is a noted ball room dancer. Known for his quick, mincing side step
maneuvers . Is a genius at supply and with siege guns. Usually, however, he is utilized on
diplomatic affairs.
* L'Haugen Bienz: (0) A scion of the Bienz family (Braun Bienz is also a noted member).
Considered a coarse and uneducated general, he is noted for his persistence, and has a reputation
for causing foes to run.
* Brig. Shlidelisht: (1) An erratic cavalry genius.
* Brigadier Feurstein: (0) hobby is fireworks.
* Oberst Pfallendaun: (0) financed by family brewery.
* Oberst Pfennighalter: (0)a man of great, compounded interests, usually organizes improved
militia units into reserve units.
* Oberst Rosenschnauz: (0) On the staff of Baron v. Ballpark, heavy (as in 300 lb) drinker.
* Brig. Hilligekine Brattmann: (0) a young athlete, got command via family connections.
(Note: for those with little Deutschspraken ... Hilligekine is a lousy way to spell, Holy Cow).

B: Wieners:

* Empress Teaser Hopsbier (flirtatious and tends to throw expensive parties, but really
cherishes her folks ... and her soldiers, especially the tall, young, athletic ones) ...
* Her protégé: Marsha, the Countess Dawn, considered by most to be an harmless coquette (who actually is a brilliant military tactician) who masquerades as a man in order to be:
* Maj. General Done: (2) Seems reserved and standoffish to his staff. He is extremely private
in his personal life and upholds very high standards of behavior. However, he often is
mysteriously gone when not on active campaign, and at these times nobody knows where he is.
He is known to be a confidante of the Empress and very influential in her program of military
reform.
* Feld Marshal Brownale (2) Boisterous and enthusiastic when in contact with the enemy. His
enthusiasm is shared with the troops with whom he likes to unofficially socialize. Has a
reputation for being able to rally units and to encourage dangerous assaults. He is a friend of Gen
Woad, the Baron Sipcup, or is that Hiccup?
* Prinz Joesipper: (0) hangs out with the cafe crowd. \
* Oberst Hasenpfeffer: (0) Impatient and peppery.
* Oberst Katzenhaus has also risen in the Wiener ranks due to exceptional services rendered.
* M. Gen. Schnitzelen: (0) classic case of prospering by being kicked upstairs.
* Oberst Spam is raising a jaeger regiment which he intends to flood into hostile areas.
* Waddle: (0)
* Schlogger: (0)
* Snorzen: (a Baltic SoF)
* Wilhelm von Shlickt (1) : A freikorps leader, he avoids open combat.
His dubious reputation in small wars leaves a stain on the honor of the army ... Likes cigars.
A real Wiener ....
** Unfortunately, I did not get the citation for these, but I was reading something on the net and
ran across Graf Otto von Botelauden and Henrich Wallpot von Passenheim. So ...
* Graf Blotto von Bottleladen: (0) Middle aged, subject to wild mood swings, uses a prince nez
as it reminds him of the view through the bottom of the bottle or stein. While flagrantly
promiscuous on campaign, when at home or on any non-combat mission is notoriously
passionate about family and Frau. Actually, his income is derived more from a successful
tavern and inn chain / franchise than from the minuscule hereditary lands.
und ....
* Ernst Hallpot von Pissenhelm.: (1) soldier of fortune. Works on time limited capitularies
only. While rigorously loyal during period of contract, he has been known to refuse renewals at
the last moment. Otherwise, a good jack of all trades militarily. He has excelled at organizing
supply trains, depots, and hospitals. Details of his lineage seem curiously malleable.
* Riergard v. Rottenbrat: (0) Irritable, duelist, pettifogging administrator.
* Picklemany (2): Competent. Good leader, but tends to be conservative in approach to
campaigns
* Blumentwit (0)
* Grimsnifter (0)
* Sauerputz (0)
* Picklemany (2)
The Hungry forces include:
* Gen. Naggy (1)
* Eaterhasty: (1)

C: Cheesy Generals
* Roquefort (2): a devious, haughty and ruthless French soldier of fortune. Comparatively
immune to the wiles of women (not completely, just comparatively). Acts abruptly and often
violently to forward his mysterious goals or to demonstrate his sense of superiority.
* Von Ignatz (1) a practical leader. Concerned over the welfare of his troops and civilians.
Usually unfazed by tactical surprises and reverses. Has engineer's attitude: "whatever works."
* Gonzales St. Expedite (1) a brilliant cavalry leader. Often used to direct irregulars. Known
for surprising, sudden, and slashing raids. Will often taunt the hostile general either before or
after his raids.
* Magnus Musculus (0) a proponent of the offensive / defense in which the foe is enticed to
attack and then ambushed with superior forces or fire power. Known for great persistence
and furious assaults. While considered quite a ladies man, there are only a few dubious
scandals attached to his record. Likes to make broad, sweeping maneuvers against a foe's
flank or wing. Also is quite theatric in temperament. Usually wears a cloak. Can often be
distracted or decoyed out of position by quixotic quest imagination ....
* Michael O'Mauss (0) very popular with his troops and clients. Known for a cheery
disposition which refuses to submit to reverses. Also considered incredibly lucky by his foes.
He is an incurable romantic, but this leads him to permit his girl friend to often be endangered
by hostile action. Unfortunately, he frequently drives his officers to distraction by focusing on
petty and / or inconsequential details.
* Thomas Katt (0) and
* Jerome v. Trippen (2) a famous team, Katt usually handles the slower, larger regular units
while V. Trippen directs the light troops and irregulars. Generally popular with their troops,
they seem to have a habit of playing practical jokes at very awkward moments which has
frequently gotten them into trouble.
* Kirkenmaus (Promoted strictly on merit, considered quite impoverished by other Obersts)
* Gruyre,
* Appenzeller, (0)
* and Emmenthaler. (0)
You can't get cheesier than they are. (says the The Duke of Plaza Toro <1>)

D: Hungovers:
* Major General Bryant (1) (flamboyant and always hot dogging it, I think he should come from the Britischerwurst crowd ... and get the British aiming bonus for his units);
* Brig. Hormel v. Kitchenhof (0): aggressive .... "hey Diddle, Diddle; Straight up the Middle!"
* Roderick Woad, Earl of Hiccup: (1) : Dictatorial commander, very loyal to friends and
chivalric to ladies (has one great love he keeps secret). Thirsts for violence, highly aggressive
and is a duelist. Will always dash towards the sound of firing. Surrounded by sycophants and
misfits, which he keeps trying to train to elite status to be forlorn hopes.. .. in his
pseudo-Highlander regiment, the Black Skirts.
He loves to give bombastic speeches in which he denounces his foes as weaklings, milksops,
and namby-pambies. Secretly, he writes poetry ... very bad poetry. But he also writes satiric
limericks about his foes which he gets some loud sergeant to shout out over the field during
deployment ...
* Gen Fartingales: (1): A Britischerwurst cavalry brigadier ...
Fond of Pigg in beans, hot sauce, and flashy costume.
Known for his trick riding ... the most tricky being his ability to survive unsmudged some
otherwise catastrophic defeats ....
Good administrator and well rounded in military skills. \
* Colonel Bhull Pyle? Cuirassier- regt von Bhull/Phull ( SYW name )
* Colonel Gory Bowwowinhouse? Hussar- regt von Gorey ( SYW name ) (von Gorcy) von Bouwinghausen in 1763!

E: More names: all rated at (0)
Fruglich
Gaggunhewe (German "w")
Strongblut (Impulsive)
Eisenblau (a hard case)
Flutesluft
Kleinekirk
Kloggenspiel
Krautkopf (braggart, full of gas)
Pherdschizen

Units of note ("a" or "b" flat? Or, as Germans, "d flat"):

C: Frankfurters:
* The Porcelain Regt, dragoons (uniform lt blue coat, white cuffs, lapels and collar, lemon
yellow waistcoat an breeches or White coat, medium blue facings on cuff, label and Turnbacks.
Buff breeches and coat and a buff crossbelt. Red saddle with large white stripe with two blue
within the white.)
(currently painting white coat squadrons) (6) 15 figs, etc.
* Hillary's Hussies: Hussars (7) 16 figs, blue coat, red leggings and cuffs
* The Bombed Kennedy's (Bombardiers du Kennedy a siege artillery/engineer outfit).
* The Cellulose Scouts (a mounted rifles/light cavalry brigade).
* The Cellulite Cursers ... Cuirassiers; 14 figs (7) (a heavy cavalry brigade, white with blue
cuffs, etc., silver Cuirass).
* Vinny's Vincibles .... (in Pepperoni's division)
Cuirassiers, 14 figs (7)
* Evans' Fried Korps
* Nathan's Nationals
** Colonel Chickens Brigade (a leg infantry division).
* IR Chicken, Musket, 2 bats @ 12 figs rate (5) (Black coat, yellow small clothes, white lace)
* IR Relischer 2 bats @ 12 figs rate (5) (Black coat, yellow small clothes, green turnbacks)
* Hiese Hunde Hussies (a hot dog cav unit) @ 12 figs (7)
(Green coats, white fur, blue pants)
* IR Braunsbienz, (mustard, uh, musketeers) 2 bats @ 12 figs, Morale rating (5)
(Black with red turnbacks, white small clothes, lace)
* IR Foot Longs, 2 bats @ 12 , (5)
(Black with yellow turnbacks, ?small clothes, yellow lace)
** Der Zeizme Bundt Guard
* IR Summer Guard, 1 bat @ 12 figs, rate (7)
(Green, red turnbacks and tricorne (with white owl feather) , yellow small clothes)
* HC Reiters, Cuirassers, 14 figs, (8) : (Green coat, yellow short clothes, Red tricoren, white
owl's feather)
Grindediers, 2 bats @ 12 figs, rate (6)

Polish Reds ...

Also / shared with the Wieners, of course /
Frangipani Hussars (7)
According to Stephen Manley in “The War of the Austrian Succession: A Wargamer's Guide, Part II” on the Danish and German States armies the uniform of the Graf von Frangipani Hussar Regiment in Bavarian service was a "traditional uniform betraying their Hungarian origins" which I take to mean that the uniform was similar to the Austrian hussars'. That would include a
busby on the Hungarian pattern and color (brown I think, with a bag in the facing color).The details were yellow dolman, white frogging, dark blue cuff and pelisse with black fur trim on the latter,yellow breeches, dark blue schwrades, yellow boots. They had white leather equipment, black leather sabretasche, and a white, yellow, and "savoy blue" barrel sash. The saddle was covered with white sheepskin. The saddles and other horse furniture leather were black with brass metal fittings. The schabraque was dark blue, the border had a yellow dog's tooth pattern, and the blanket roll was dark blue. The shape of the schabraque had a rounded front corner and a drawn out pointed rear corner with a slight curve upward of the edge midway back, about where the circingle runs under the schabraque. The men were armed with carbine, pistols, and a curved saber.

The regiment was originally in Austrian service and taken over as a whole by Bavaria when the Austrian army demobilized in 1739 after the loss of the Turkish War. Note the clever timing of Austrian demobilization, just right to make them vulnerable to Fritz after the Emperor's death. Nominally the regiment had four squadrons of about 175 officers and men each. As with all
Horse and Musket period units, I suspect the actual official TO&E was "however many men answered roll call that morning". In June of 1745 the regiment was transferred to Dutch service. A second Bavarian Hussar regiment ended up at one squadron although it had a nominal four, before being incorporated into Frangipani.

D: Cheezers:
* Magnus Musculus (0)
Blue Cheese Gren 1 bat @ 18 figs * (6)
Medium Artillery 1 battery na
* Michael O'Mauss (0)
Quatrie Brie 1 bat @ 16 figs (5)
1 bat @ 12 figs (5)
(Whites, red sashes, blue turnbacks)
Yellows 1 bat @ 16 fogs (4)
(Whites, yellow Sombreros)
* Thomas Katt (0)
1st Kazekopf 2 bat @ 16 (5)
(Sepoys, khaki and dun)
Alte Kaze 2 bat @ 12 (5)
(Sepoys, white turbans, )

C: Gouda Brigades:
* Gruyre (0)
Green Cheezers 2 bat @ 12 (5)
Blue Cheezers 2 bat @ 12 (5)
* and Emmenthaler. (0)
Yellow Cheezers 2 bat @ 12 (5)
(British / Hanoverian figures with turnbacks etc. of the color)
Cheddar Grenediers 1 bat @ 12 (6)
Brig. Appenzeller,
Colby Cuirassiers 1 bat @ 12 (7)
(Cuirassiers Von Seydlitz, I think, yellow small clothes, black cuirass)

D: Hungovers:
Brig. Hormel v. Kitchenhof: (0)
RI 1st Futiles 2 bat @ 12 figs (5)
RI 2nd Futiles 2 bat @ 12 Figs (5)
Brig. Fartingales
1/5 Dragoons 1 bat @ 4 figs mntd.
16 figs dismnt* (6)
(More British figures: The 1/5 Dragoons = 5th Light).
* Cuirassier- regt von Bhull/Phull ( SYW name ) Red coats turned up with black,
with yellow metal buttons and a yellow cord on the shoulder. White
undergarments, Cuirasses worn over the waistcoat. Fur cap with yellow metal front plate.
In 1761, it was converted into a Dragoon Rgmt. Yellow coats with red
turnbacks and a yellow and red lace edging. Waistcoats were red and the belts white.
Thereafter, only dragoons, chevau-legers, and mounted jaeger regiments were
represented in the army.
Source: "Uniforms of the World" Knotel, Knotel and Seig, page 248-9
* Hussar- regt von Gorey ( SYW name ) (von Gorcy) von Bouwinghausen in 1763!
Disbanded in 1798. 14 Figs. (7)
Dolman and pelisse green; breeches red and loopings yellow. Collar and cuffs
black. The fur cap had a red bag; the sash and sabretache were red and yellow.
Belts were of fawn leather. After 1798 no further hussar rgmts were formed in
Wurtemburg. Same ref: P 251

E: Wieners:
* Cuirassiers De PToumaine, 12 figs (7)
* "The Rotten-Braaten" Chevau-Legers, 12 figs (7)
* Von Schlitz .Bozniaks lt. cav.1 bat @ 18 figs* (4)
* Bottleladen Drag Queens, MC, 2 bat @ 15 figs (6)
** The Hungry:Line:
IB 1 - 6 Hungry, fusilleers, @ 12 figs (5)
IB 7 (a) 16 figs (5)
Frontier Regts. 1 & 2, @ 1 bat @ 12 figs, skr (4)
@ 1 bat @ 11 figs, skr (4)
Jagers @ 1 bat @ 16 figs, skr, R (4)
Special Unit:
The Kaiser Salud Guard (Includes Cuirassiers, Wiener and Hungry Guard infantry, and
Hussars)

F: The Yellow Strippers:

1st Battalion:
Hot pink coats, turnbacks, cuffs, hats: frosted blue. Hot pants and boots: Ruby
2nd Battalion:
Coats: Frosted Blue, Turnbacks, cuffs, hats: Hot Pink; Hot Pants and boots: Sapphire
3rd Battalion:
Coats and Hats: Glossy Black ; Turnbacks and cuffs: crimson ; Hot pants and boots: Ruby
4th Battalion:
Coats and Hats: Pearl White ; Turnbacks and cuffs: scarlet ; Hot Pants and boots: Gold lame'
5th Battalion:
Coats: gold Lame' ; Hats: Pearl White ; Turnbacks and cuffs: White ;
Hot Pants and boots: Emerald
Unit names?
The Atlantic Troupe for the mount ... er .... cavalry
Maids of New Orleans ....
Barbary Coast Babes
The Vegas Line
The Rockettes
how about that dance company that was part of the Jackie Gleason show? June Taylor Dancers?


:)
Arthur

1 comment:

tradgardmastare said...

Fascinating! We now have insight into your forces and command. May you all rest assured we shall not divulge your state secrets to anyone else!
yours fraternally

Col Gruber
Tradgardland Quartermaster-general