Any suggestions for the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78? I am thinking the ACW Union could stand in for Russians and the ACW Zouaves for the Turks, but I would like to hear any other ideas anyone might have. The cavalry and the artillery seem to be more problematic. Any suggestions for reading, websites or other resources also gratefully received!

An article in an early issue of Wargames Illustrated looked at this.  Richard Brooks recommended:

Russian Line Infantry - ACW Federals

Russian Guard Infantry - WW1 Russian Infantry, or Napoleonic Prussian Landwehr, ideally in greatcoat

Russian Dragoons - ACW Federal Cavalry

Cossacks - Napoleonic Prussian Landwehr Cavalry in flat caps

Turkish Infantry - ACW Zouave in Fez with no pack (alternatives: Crimean War Zouave, or early WW1 French Colonial infantry)

Turkish Cavalry - Indian mutiny sowars, Arab irregular horse

Rumanian Infantry - ACW Zouave in Kepi (or early WW1 French infantry in overcoats)

Rumanian Jager - ACW Iron Brigade

Rumanian Rosiori Cavalry - Cossack in fur hat

Rumanian Dorobanz - no idea! (hat shape inimitable apparently)

Thanks Whirlwind that is very useful - any ideas for artillery?

I am guessing something French-ish for the Russian uniform (basically the same as the Line Infantry), whilst the article recommends (for both sides) a Prussian FPW Field Gun for the 4lb gun, with a British 15lb breech-loader for heavier stuff.  I am beaten about Turkish artillerymen though, since I can't think of anything which resembles an artillerymen in a fez in any of the ranges.

For Turkish artillery, just use ACW Union or FPW French and trim the peak of the kepi.

Likewise for regular Turkish cavalry.

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!

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Whirlwind, Chris, - thank you both for your response it is much appreciated. After looking at the catalogue I am thinking of using the following codes;                                                                                                                                               ACW01 - Russian line Infantry
ACW09 - Turkish Line Infantry
CEG01 - Egyptian/Sudanese Infantry
GWR06 - Russian Cavalry
GWR08 - Turkish Cavalry
RSI06 - Piedmontese Field Artillery (as they come for the Russians, converted for the Turks).                                                  Anymore input gratefully received!

You're welcome, Eric. RTW was one of my first loves ... Since you ask for other resources, let me point you toward the BBB group on groups.io. In the 1877 folder in the files, you'll find a couple of historical scenarios. I particularly recommend Katseljevo-Ablava. Not only is it a fun battle to fight, it is also your only (historical) chance to field a battery of Gorloff guns (Russian Gatlings). Nikopol is interesting too, but more just a straight attack-defence. Also there are scenario maps for four of the biggest battles (Plevna II & III, Aladja Dagh and Metchka-Tristenik).

Hi Chris, I have been a member (not very active!) of the group for a couple of years; it is a great resource for anyone interested in the 19th century. I have still not picked up the BBB rules but this may be the time to dive in!

I can recommend BBB, they're good, simple rules with a lot of flavour, and even one sided battles are made interesting through the victory conditions that are imposed.

Cheers, Nick, thanks for the endorsement!

Eric: don't know whether right now is or isn't the time to dive into a new ruleset ... but anyway, we have been having a lot of fun with a BBB PBEM for the last week and a half, fighting the Austro-Prussian battle of Nachod (1866). Blow-by-blow photo-AAR on Colin the Wargamer's blog; we've finished 8 of the 10 turns and it is tense and bloody stuff.

https://colinthewargamer.blogspot.com/2020/04/wargaming-in-lockdown-nachodz-turn-8.html