Throwing Thunderbolts

‘Peoples do not judge in the same way as courts of law… they throw thunderbolts!’ — Maximilien Robespierre.

Throwing Thunderbolts is a unique guide to wargaming the wars of the French Revolution that both the beginner and experienced wargamer, new to the period, will enjoy and find useful. This is a book for wargamers based on history rather than a history book. It will explain how the battles of the revolution can be recreated by some of the different wargame systems available at an appropriate scale. The focus of this volume is the War of the First Coalition, 1792–7, which involved more than one hundred and fifty battles and actions, all of which offer potential scenarios for different wargames. The armies of France, Britain, Spain, Austria, Prussia, United Provinces (the Netherlands), Sardinia Piedmont, Hannover, Hesse-Kassel, Hesse Darmstadt and the Two Sicilies (Naples) are all involved in this great conflict, involving action on all the borders of France as well as the internal counter-revolution. The navies of Britain and France also fought in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and in the West and East Indies, where their armies also fought bloody campaigns. To capture the full benefits of this focus the Second Partition of Poland (1792–3), the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) and the Third Anglo Mysore War (1790-1792) are excluded from the scope of this work. This is an exciting period for wargamers as the art of war was undergoing continual transformation which was reflected in the way the different armies fought, and this guide will bring this to the fore. A comprehensive review of the military history of the war provides the background complete with clear maps. Throwing Thunderbolts covers the full gamut of wargaming this period, selecting scales and rules and painting miniatures. Throwing Thunderbolts includes nine ready-made scenarios, using popular, commercially available rulesets, covering the full range of the combatants and at different scales of game. Included in the scenarios are the first major battles of both Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington, at Toulon, 1793, and Boxtel, 1794 respectively. The Battle of Castiglione is fought in full at two different scales, and the armies of Prussia and Sardinia Piedmont feature strongly in two more scenarios. Two further scenarios are naval scenarios including a part of the Glorious First of June and a frigate action in the East Indies. Throwing Thunderbolts is essential reading for anyone interested in recreating the War of the First Coalition with miniatures on the tabletop. Throwing Thunderbolts is a unique book, no other publication deals with wargaming the War of the First Coalition so comprehensively.

"...From my point of view there is nothing not to like about this book and within the parameters put down by the author he has achieved an impressive feat, and this is not only the best in the Helion Wargames series but also a very good one-stop-shop for gamers, whether already deeply involved in the period or considering it as a new project. I can absolutely recommend this excellent piece of work, especially if it draws more people into wargaming the French Revolution." Colin Ashton, CarryingsOnUpTheDale.com

"Wow….This guide to the 1792-1797 War of the First Coalition must surely be the ‘piece de resistance’ in this very fine Helion series – an excellent blend of history, scenarios, advice on collecting and painting your armies, and with detailed orders of battle where available. The footnotes demonstrate some very thorough research by the author: this is no casual view of the period....The maps are superb, with detailed terrain and troop dispositions. Supporting tables give battalion or regimental strengths in many cases plus advice on the pros and cons of various rulesets. It is impeccably produced....This is highly recommended for those of us in, or contemplating, this interesting period of warfare. Magnifique!" Chris Jarvis, Miniature Wargames, Issue 486 Oct 2023

"The Revolutionary War of 1792-97 is sadly neglected in wargames terms, but this veritable encyclopedia is enough to enthuse even those most jaded with ‘conventional’ Napoleonics. A third of the 300 pages explains the history, then come the armies, scenarios, figures available…AND it covers the naval side for would-be young Hornblowers. The idea of a Royalist Vendean force nearly got me buying figures whilst reading!" Steve Stanley

“…there's plenty here to start you off on a new subset of the Napoleonic wars. Black Powder fans will especially rejoice.” Historical Miniatures Gaming Society