Retreating / Routed Figures (1 Viewer)

[Spitfrnd]

One of the things that has occurred to me after reading some of the Napoleonic battle accounts lately is that a very large number of the battles have entailed one or in some cases, many instances of a break in the lines of defenders and/or attackers and the subsequent orderly or disorderly retreat or outright flight of the affected soldiers. Interestingly, it seems there are few, if any, figures representing this very common occurrence. In light of First Legion's innovative style and commitment to accuracy, would it be possible to have some of these for most units? In this sense, they are like casualty figures, every battle has them but few are available.

 

[King's Man]

That would make for an interesting addition to any battle diorama. W. Britains did make several Union infantry sets in their Valley series showing shocked or retreating troops.

The question now is which troops to show French, British or Russian?

What do you think Matt? You have so many figures in the pipeline now, anything new would be two year away from being released.

King's Man

 

[damian]

That would make for an interesting addition to any battle diorama. W. Britains did make several Union infantry sets in their Valley series showing shocked or retreating troops.

The question now is which troops to show French, British or Russian?

What do you think Matt? You have so many figures in the pipeline now, anything new would be two year away from being released.

King's Man

French obviously.
Now Maitland Now is Your Time
Up Guards etc

 

[aujj65]

French obviously.
Now Maitland Now is Your Time
Up Guards etc

Absolutely! "Le Guard recule!" and all that!

Jeff

 

[UKReb]

Interesting topic and the lack of casualty/retreating/running for their lives and dare I say "dead" figures have been rare from most manufacturers. I have read on the forum posts from other froggers that they would not want to collect such figures which I suppose if you are just collecting massed troops assembled on a shelf is fine but for those who like to display authentic looking battle scenes in dio form it's (excuse the pun) a real killer!

Currently I am having this problem with an Alamo dio K&C have produced just one single prone Mexican in their splendid series and not a single Texan which has surprised me as I thought 600 Mexicans and 190 Texans perished in the final onslaught.

Conte produced some great casualty figures as complete sets for most of the eras they issued-but just try and get any of them now-impossible! Which tells me there is definitely a very high demand for such figures.

I do believe other collectors would agree with this thread-just take a look at all the excellent action dios posted on the dio threads but some of them are just screaming for a casualty/retreating figure to be strategically placed amongst all the standing/marching/firing/kneeling/advancing/mounted we are inundated with. I know what gets my vote!

Reb

 

[Spitfrnd]

It is nice to know I am not alone in wanting some retreating/routed figures, as well as the casualty figures we discussed earlier. As to which troops to show, the simple answer is all of them. From what I have read so far, just about every battle had some moments of broken lines and fleeing soldiers for nearly every nationality involved. For Waterloo, for example, not only did "Le Guard recule!" but among others, the Brunswickers, Dutch, KGL, British Guards and 95th Rifles, as well as several other French line units and voltigeurs all had moments of flight. Of course nearly all the skirmishers would routinely run for the safety of their formed companion units when threatened with opposing cavalry. I would say there is a real need for some of these, perhaps as much as the marching troops.

 

[Ragnar]

have to agree on the French the old gaurd did break.. .
I would like to se some British Gunners running to the squares for cover

 

[FirstLegion]

Great topic guys, but not one so easily addressed. I think any basic running figure will work well as a figure in flight, simply turn his back to the enemy! You could combine them with some loose standing firing figures facing the enemy as soldiers less panicked in a fighting withdrawl. Dead and wounded would be up at the front.

R. . . R. . . R. .R
. . . .O
. . . F. . . L

D D W D D W

EEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEE

So imagine something like the above where R=Running (backs to enemy), O=Officer trying to stop the rought, F=Firing, L=Loading, D=Dead, W=Wounded (the original position of the unit before flight) and E is of course the enemy advancing in good order.

The problem with doing a truly "routed" figure (a guy hauling *** if you will, perhaps having even dropped his weapon, lost his hat etc...) is that there really wouldn't be too much demand for them. It's a risk anyway as though many people might say they want them, they'd probably gravitate with their wallets to figures that aren't routing. That's just my take on it, but who knows really. I think using running/charging figures facing the other way could get the impression that you're after. With so many figures just doing "normal" things for us to release, I'd say it will be quite some time before we consider releasing the "Old Guard Grenadier running for his life" figure.

As for the dead and dying, those are coming in our next major unnannounced Napoleonic release. It's a biggie gentlemen (22 figures that I'm confident will pretty well knock your socks off) and the dead and dying are well represented and may I add VERY appropriate to the release, which is really a large vignette of sorts in and of itself (sleep on that!). We'll announce it in March and hopefully deliver them towards the end of April...

Regards,

Matt
First Legion Ltd

 

[Spitfrnd]

Great topic guys, but not one so easily addressed. I think any basic running figure will work well as a figure in flight, simply turn his back to the enemy! You could combine them with some loose standing firing figures facing the enemy as soldiers less panicked in a fighting withdrawl. Dead and wounded would be up at the front.
... I think using running/charging figures facing the other way could get the impression that you're after. With so many figures just doing "normal" things for us to release, I'd say it will be quite some time before we consider releasing the "Old Guard Grenadier running for his life" figure.

As for the dead and dying, those are coming in our next major unnannounced Napoleonic release. It's a biggie gentlemen (22 figures that I'm confident will pretty well knock your socks off) and the dead and dying are well represented and may I add VERY appropriate to the release, which is really a large vignette of sorts in and of itself (sleep on that!). We'll announce it in March and hopefully deliver them towards the end of April...
...First Legion Ltd

Great to hear about that April release, it sounds like it will fill some needed voids. I think you are probably right about the running figures but we don't have any running British or even French (other than maybe NAP0045 who looks much more like charging) yet so there is still a gap. Interestingly the running figures fit well into the skirmish role as well. Just hope to see all the basics covered eventually and the running figures fit two of those roles.

 

[FirstLegion]

Just hope to see all the basics covered eventually and the running figures fit two of those roles.

Agreed. However, for us, we're not even close to getting the "basics" out, including our various cavalry units! You wouldn't want us to delay any cavalry so we could do some running figures would you?

So many figures to do, so little time...

 

[Spitfrnd]

Agreed. However, for us, we're not even close to getting the "basics" out, including our various cavalry units! You wouldn't want us to delay any cavalry so we could do some running figures would you?

Not on your Nellie Mate!

So many figures to do, so little time...

Yes I hate it when that happens.
Anyway, just some thoughts on things that would be nice to have.

 

[King's Man]

Matt,

The previously unannounced 22 figure vignette sounds super COOL!! It will be a diorama in a box so to speak. Buy all 22 figures and you have a diorama.

I know you can’t tell us much about future releases, but can you tell us what nationality these future troops will be?

King’s Man

 

[FirstLegion]

Matt,

The previously unannounced 22 figure vignette sounds super COOL!! It will be a diorama in a box so to speak. Buy all 22 figures and you have a diorama.

I know you can’t tell us much about future releases, but can you tell us what nationality these future troops will be?

King’s Man

Yes, something like that I guess. If you buy all 22, you'll have a wonderful display. But you could buy more than that and really go crazy with it. It's one of those moment in time vignette type releases, though the figures individually are generic enough to be used for a lot of other things of course. Interestingly enough, we purposesly designed the set to have a second vignette use as well that will be made clear later this year. So the unit type and poses work equally well for the two vignettes we are thinking of, but it's all in the composition you make up in terms of how you set the figures up and what you put around them and who you put against them!

As for the Nationality, I'll give you a hint...they're european.

Regards,

Matt
First Legion Ltd

 

[Spitfrnd]

....
As for the Nationality, I'll give you a hint...they're european.
...First Legion Ltd

Ah so that means they are not Russian at least.

 

[FirstLegion]

Ah so that means they are not Russian at least.

Well, technically speaking, all of Russia up to Moscow is in Europe is it not.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Well, technically speaking, all of Russia up to Moscow is in Europe is it not.

Yes I know, it was intended as an ironic remark; however one can hope.

 

[King's Man]

Matt,

I have to admit your answer:

"As for the Nationality, I'll give you a hint...they're european."

gave me a laugh. Matt you would make a good politician.

I am sure I will like them whatever they turn out to be. I have liked, no loved, everything First Legion has released so far. I plan to pre-order the mounted French officer today.

King's Man