GNW / WSS Danes III

Despite progress slowing due to the festive period I finally managed to complete another 2 battalions of Danish infantry. These represent the Grenaderkorps. A rather striking regiment in their red coats compared to the various greys of most of the regiments. The figures are all from the Dixon range, flags from Maverick Models.

This brings the strength of my Danish infantry up to 8 battalions. I've got enough figures to complete a further 6 battalions and then I can start to add some horse regiments.

The Battle of Klissow part 2.

With the Swedish infantry advancing on both flanks,  the Saxon Artillery began to find its mark, especially against the Swedish left.

Eventually the Swedish guards crossed the stream and hit the Saxon line, sending one of the guard battalions back in disorder. There then ensued a protracted fight between the Swedish and Saxon infantry. The Swedes had the better of the early exchanges but the Saxons led by their guards managed to steady the line.

With the Saxon right wing also under severe pressure and their cavalry scattered saw the Saxon left wing detach 6 squadrons to try and support it.

At this point the Saxons had managed to shore up both of their threatened wings. The Swedish infantry were also looking very worn due to their exertions. At this point we called it a day. Neither side was in any position to force a result without a risk to losing their army.

I was happy with how the rules held up for their first major engagement. Mick in particular found they had reflected the fighting style of the Swedes. I need to make some minor adjustments to cavalry against pike armed infantry as this was one area which just didn't feel quite right.

The Battle of Klissow part 1.

On Tuesday I had the good fortune to pop up to Micks to re fight the battle of Klissow, fought in 1702 during the Great Northern War. It pitted the Swedes under Charles XII against Augustus Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.

It was a chance for Mick to try out the rule modifications that I had made to the basic rules. We agreed not to field the Poles as I am still working on these and they made little impact on the day. For army lists we use those as described in the Nafziger lists.

The game began with the Swedes advancing against the Saxon line. The 2 wings of Saxon cavalry responded and moved to counter the Swedish attack.

The Saxon first line of cavalry on the left wing crossed  the stream and engaged the Swedish Horse. The extra quality of the Swedish Horse drove back the first line. A stale mate ensued with the Saxon 2nd line unwilling to cross the stream and the Swedes waiting their infantry as they had insufficient strength to engage the Saxon cavalry.

Over on the Saxon right wing, the cavalry advanced against the Swedish Horse.  The first line got very badly mauled and fled before the enemy. The second line tried to stem the tide but we're also overwhelmed.

Now the Swedish infantry began to arrive on the flanks of the Saxon infantry line. Taking advantage of the success of their cavalry.

WSS /GNW Danes II

I finally managed to get these 2 battalions finished for my Danes. They are to represent the Sjaellandske regiment. The figures are a mix of Warrior and Dixon. The flags are from Maverick Models. I also added a mounted Brigadier from Bluemoon.

I've now got 2 battalions for the Grenaderkorps on the painting table, however I seem to be struggling to find the energy to complete them. Might need to paint something in a different scale and period.

WSS /GNW Danes

With thoughts drifting towards fighting a GNW campaign against Mick, I knew I would need atleast 1 new army. I've plummed for the Danes, as like the Saxons their troops also served with the Empire and Maritime powers against the French. This makes them very versatile. Looking at the figures I had available I decided to make a start on some infantry. I have sent off orders to Dixon and Roundway for a few extras.

First up is 2 battalions of The Fynske regiment. These guys are a mix of Dixon, Warrior and Roundway figures. The flags are all from Maverick Models. I'm not sure I got the grey right for the coats but I'm happy as didn't want them looking too white.

Now no force is complete without atleast a few guard regiments. I've gone for the Livgarden til fods. I just love the straw coloured coats and I think they came out OK. The figures are all from Dixons.

I've now got 2 more battalions for the Sjaellandske regiment and a Brigadier awaiting basing. This will complete my first infantry brigade and I can now make a start on a regiment of dragoons.

GNW Swedes II

Just to prove that I haven't been neglecting my Swedish troops I put together 6 squadrons of the Livregiment till hast. Just like the last couple of regiments the figures are all from Roundway's Great Northern War range.

With the completion of these, it brings the strength of my Swedish horse up to 33 squadrons. I've also picked up some extra figures of EBay from the Dixon range so that I can add another 12 squadrons. I think I still need to add a couple more infantry battalions to round the force off. So here is the full collection with figures from Dixon, Roundway, Bluemoon and Warrior.

Total strength:
10 infantry battalions
3 medium artillery pieces
21 squadrons of horse
12 squadrons of dragoons

Next up I will post on the progress I am making on some Danish troops for this period

GNW Russians

I've finally managed to complete the last 4 battalions so that I can field the Russian Auxiliary Corps for Fraustadt. The first 2 battalions are Bilits and the 3rd battalion of Patkuls regiment. I kept both of these in the more traditional green coats.

The next 2 battalions are Gulitz and Arnstedt. I've depicted Gulitz in the white coats issued by the Saxons. For Arnstedt I decided on the reversed coat. Sources for Fraustadt claim the Russians were informed to turn their coats inside out to look like Saxons.

The figures for these battalions are from Roundway.  I really enjoyed painting these. However I doubt I'll paint up any more Russians apart from some mounted Grenadiers.

Now no Russian would be seen without a redoubt in this period. I've made 2 so far to fit onto my hexes. They were quite quick to make with matchsticks and modelling clay.

My future plans for the Great Northern war revolve around adding a few more units to my Swedish force and to make a start on the Danes.

GNW Swedish Command

As part of play testing our GNW rules, the lack of command figures was apparent. This was resolved for the Saxons when I retrieved the main army from Micks. However the Swedes were still lacking. So using some figures from Bluemoon I put together the extra command figures I needed.

I should now have enough commanders for my Swedish troops, I can always add a few more brigadiers if I decide to increase the strength of the infantry. I have used a number of manufacturers for the command from Bluemoon, Roundway and Warrior. I think the Bluemoon figures are my favourite.

GNW /WSS Saxons VIII and some Swedes

After much deliberation I finally decided to tackle the Artillery which needed repainting. I went for removing the crew and guns from their original bases and then repainted the artillery black and gold. I also got to try out a new bronze paint from vallejo on the barrels.  Despite their age all 9 guns came off their bases with damage only to 1, a bit of superglue solved that issue. The guns are a mix of Warrior and Dixon,  though the crew all from Dixon's.

I also then decided to add a battery of heavy guns which had lain unloved for a number of years. I rustled up some crew from Bluemoon and after a quick paint up, all done.

After adding these to the existing collection I now have 3 heavy guns and 12 medium guns for 5 batteries. I do have some mortars that I can also add.

Now just to prove I haven't just been adding to the Saxons, I painted up some more horse for my Swedes. This time 4 squadrons from the Abo & Bjorneborg regiment. This brings the strength of my Swedish horse up to 27 squadrons. I still have another 6 squadrons to complete. The figures for these like the last regiment are from Roundway.

My orders from Old Glory and Roundway also arrived on Saturday. This will allow me complete the Swedish General staff that I need as well as enough infantry to complete the Russian Auxiliary Corps.

GNW Swedes and Russians

As I'm off work due to the school holidays I seem to be getting through a fair bit of painting. Yesterday alone I completed 2 regiments of Swedish dragoons. The figures are all from Dixon. I completed 3 squadrons each for the Liv Dragoon and Bhouslan dragoons.

This brings the mounted strength of my Swedes up to 23 squadrons. I've got another 10 squadrons to complete.

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to complete the Russian Auxiliary Corps in Saxon service. By 1706 these had been reorganised into 10 battalions. Using a mix of Dixons, Essex, Donnington, Roundway and CP models, I've put together 6 of the battalions. This includes the single Grenadier and Streltsy battalions. The regiments completed so far. 2 battalions from Patkul, Schopping, Holstien, Billing and Cadeus.

I've decided to complete some the regiments in the white coats that were issued by the Saxons. I have also changed the basing for the pikes from the Swedes, using a deeper Base to include the pikes instead of a separate pike element.

Now better get back to painting more Swedish horse. I've also got an order in with Roundway to complete the Russians.