Unit Size
It my previous post I raised the question what size units to use to fight my Seven Year War battles. I have my figures based on 40mmx30mm wide bases and my thought was is it better to use one base as a unit (Battalion) or whether it is better to use two bases?
One Base per Unit
With a singe base as a unit my armies are double in size to the two base per unit option and my battle field is twice as wide. Assuming a Battalion is about 150yards wide when deployed in line, with a 40mm wide base, this results in 48cm being roughly a mile. This means my wargaming table is three and a half miles wide and a mile and a half deep. This would give me space for most battles.One issue with the single base option is it's hard to show formation. I'd have to assume that units were in the best formation for them, line, column or even square.
Visually a single base with 24 figures looks OK.
Two Bases per Unit
Using the calculations above, double base units reduce my battlefield (table) to just under 2 miles wide and a mile and a bit deep. Still not a bat size, especially if I'm not fighting battle with 60,000 per side.Two bases allow me to show formation, line (side by side), column (one behind the other) and square (back to back).
Visually 48 figures looks better.
Trial Battles
One base per unit
It was a small encounter, 8 Prussian battalions in two brigades with 4 cavalry brigades v's Austrians in the same strength. Prussians are on the left of the pictures. The smaller unit scale let me field more units from my still growing figure collection. I liked to look of the larger number of units.
Although I was only using a single base for a unit, 24 figures seemed enough to give the feel of a battalion.
Two Bases per unit
It was a small encounter, 4 Prussian battalions with two cavalry brigades v's Austrians in the same strength. Prussians are on the left of the pictures. I liked the feeling of weight the double bases gave to the units.
This is wear I learnt there is a reason to advance infantry in line with support.
A victory to the Austrians. The units were too spread out but gave the battle a visual appeal.
Conclusion
Both options are viable. I'm leaning towards the double base units but I need more figures. The battles did raise an interesting question - is there something I can do with the basing to differentiate the cavalry better, such as open order for Hussars?
