SUGGESTED READING
For further reading on the subject I recommend The Crimean War by Blake, published in 1972. While it is brief, it is accurate and provides good information on the secondary theatres of the war. A.). Barker, The War Against Russia, 1970, is comparable, but contains more detail. Other recommended books include Selby, Balaclava: Gentlemen's Battle, 1970; Gooch, The New Bonapartist Generals in the Crimea, 1958, and Hibbert, The Destruction of Lord Raglan, 1961. Many of these books contain a bibliography which would lead to other sources.
In addition the reader might wish to consult period pieces which could possibly be located in better libraries. The first and most detailed is that of Kinglake, Invasion of the Crimea, 1874, published in eight volumes. Despite the discounting of many later authors, this remains the primary history of the war. The hero-worship of Lord Raglan is explained by the fact that the family commissioned Kinglake to write the work, and thus it naturally ignores other theatres and ends with the death of Lord Raglan. Several Americans were observers during the war and published reports to Congress. Among these are Delafield and, a separate work, by Mordecai. In addition, one George McClellan also provided a report of his own. This officer later turned up in the American Civil War, and one can now understand where he picked up his bad habits.
Lately, I highly recommend the work by George Fraser, Flashman at the Charge, 1973. This is a work of comic fiction, but it is extremely accurate with regard to all of the actual participants who fought in most of the early battles. indeed, one can hardly resist having his own Colonel Flashman among the British army.
BOARDGAMES FOR CAMPAIGNS
There are several boardgames which cover all of the major campaigns in the Crimea. Unfortunately, many if not all are out of print, but they frequently show up in the ad pages. Perhaps the best game is Crimea, published by Game Designers Workshop. This is a campaign game designed by Frank Chadwick. It is a brigade level piece. Frank also designed the Battle of Alma as part of the Series 120 games. The old Simulations Publications Incorporated published Sevastopol as part of its siege series games. Further, the same company also published four games as part of the Crimean War quadrigame. These cover Balaclava, Alma, Inkermann and Chernaya. Obviously, one could use any of these games for operational purposes and figures for the tactical resolution of combat.
UNIFORM INFORMATION
There are several recent works which provide excellent uniform information. Unfortunately, many of these are also out of print, but could possibly be located at conventions. The best is Wilkinson-Latham, Uniforms and Weapons of the Crimean War, 1977. In addition there is a paperback book by Embleton, The Crimean War, 1975. Osprey published separate works on the British army as well as the Russian army.
Good uniform information can also be found in Mollo, Uniforms of the Imperial Russian Army, 1979. Funcken has authored a book in French which covers all of the European armies from 1850 through 1900. Obviously, it is most detailed on the French troops and gives but minor treatment to the Russian forces. Nevertheless, it is excellent and contains hundreds of color plates.
MINIATURES RULES
There are several sets of miniatures rules which one can use to game this era. Newbury has a set called Sebastapol, Sadowa and Sedan and a simple set called Fast Play NapoleoniclCrimea Rules. They both use the same system and are similar to other Newbury rules. Newbury also puts out an army list for 19th Century combat. The Newbury material can be ordered from Wargames which is now located in West Virginia.
From Modelers Mart in Florida there is a set called Fall of Eagles for $7.95. This covers 19th Century wars and includes the Crimea as well. The Complete Brigadierisa miniatures game from 1680 through 1880; there is a section for Crimean combat. Also, one should not forget Paul Koch's Crimean Variant for his "On to Richmond" rules in a recent copy of The Courier.
AVAILABLE FIGURES
There are quite a few figures available for one to use. in larger scales, Tradition has 30mm figures which can be obtained from the Model Shoppe in California. They offer a lot of Russian infantry and artillery as well as a few English infantry and lots of mounted men for the light brigade. However, a foot figure is about $3.00 each and mounted troops are over $5.00. These figures are very nice but are much too expensive for most wargamers.
In 25mm, Frontier Miniatures in Texas provides quite a nice line of Crimean figures. I reviewed these figures in a recent issue of The Courier. Since then, I have received additional figures and have discovered that their English infantry soldier is wearing the wrong shako in that it should have two bills rather than one. other than this relatively minor defect the range is certainly excellent. Wargames Foundry in England puts out a fantastic line of Franco-Prussian War figures and the French will certainly be suitable for the Crimean War.
Many years ago Tradition once had 25mm Crimea figures but have just recently begun production again. These are available from Tradition Scandinavia as well as from Mr. Salvatore in New York. These figures are a little "thinner" than those available from Frontier, but are less expensive.
In the "smaller scales" Munro Miniatures offers "25mm" Crimean figures which are about the size of Airfix troops. The Munro figures were designed by Jack Scruby, but should not be confused with the "one inch" figures which Jack produced some ten years ago. This latter range was excellent and much of my collection is made up of these latter figures. Unfortunately, the "one inch" line is no longer available. I called Mr. Munro about this some time ago, and he said he was "thinking" about redoing the line, but I have heard nothing from him since, which is unfortunate since the figures were absolutely exquisite.
ESCI offers two sets of plastic figures which are about the size of Airfix. These include a set of Russian artillery and infantry as well as British Hussars. Perhaps one could use the ESCI Russians and the Munro lead English and French since the size is about the same. Thus, one could buy lots of Russians inexpensively.
In 15mm, Peter Laing has long had Crimean figures. Additional 15mm figures can be had from Minifig. I'm not sure if the U.S.A. Minifigs has them or not. in even smaller scales, an English firm, Knight Designs, offers a Crimean line in 6mm.
Only a few ranges have their own artillery. in 25mm or larger the best bet is the Hinchliffe Napoleonic pieces. The British 6,9 and 18 lb. guns will do just fine as well as the Russian light and heavy split-trail pieces. Indeed, the British were also using rockets and Hinchliffe has these as well.
Obtaining standards for "off" periods is always a problem. Fortunately, the flags utilized in the Crimean era were virtually indistinguishable from those used in 1815. Consequently, the pre-printed flags on the market for French, Russian and English armies can be used with only minor modification.
Lastly, I highly recommend that anyone with an interest in the Crimean War belong to the Crimean War Research Society. It only costs $14.00 a year, and they put out a fantastic journal which keeps one apprised of "current events" about the conflict. As of late, the journal includes much wargame information. Your check should be payable to the "Crimean War Research Society" and sent to David Cliff, 33 East Street, Triangle, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 3PA, United Kingdom. Back issues are available.
In a future issue of The Courier I will provide uniform information as well as an outline of the organization of the various armies involved in the Crimean War. In the meantime, do not "reason why", but get some figures and rules, and be ready to ride with Colonel Flashman and the "death or glory boys". You will soon find yourself 'twixt cossack and cannon.
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