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.

GNW Swedes

After completing my Saxon figures, I thought it was time to try and finish off some more of my Swedish troops. I've added 3 more battalions of infantry and an extra regiment of Horse. I do have enough figures left over to put together another 10 squadrons of horse, 6 squadrons of dragoons and a combined Grenadier battalion.

First up is the 3 infantry battalions. They are the 2nd battalion for the Halsinge regiment and 2 battalions from the Sodermanlands battalion, chosen because of their white stockings. The figures are all from Dixon Miniatures.

The cavalry regiment I chose was the Nyland regiment. I've completed 3 squadrons. I decided on these as I liked the grey coats. The figures for these are all from Roundway, slightly chunkier than the Dixon's but still nice figures..

I've also been having a look through the battles of the Great Northern War in which the Saxons participated as I want to be able to have enough troops to fight these battles. I have noticed that I need a few extra Dragoons for Fraustadt. One other thing that is definitely missing is some Russians from the Auxiliary Corps that was sent to support the Saxons between 1702 and 1706. So with some figures kindly donated from Mick I have made a start. I only need 10 battalions of which 8 are line, 1 Grenadier and 1 Streltsy battalion. Pictures will be posted in a couple of days.

GNW / WSS Saxon army

After what feels like a lifetime I finally have finished my Saxon army. I started collecting these over 20 years ago and just kept adding a couple of units over the years. This year the idea of re-fighting Klissow spurned me on to add a whole load of extra cavalry that I'd need.

The majority of the figures are from the excellent Dixon range. There are also a few extras from Warrior,  Bluemoon, Essex and Blackhat.

I now have a decision to make on the Artillery.  I currently have 12 batteries, but all need repainting. The majority of these are atleast 20 years old and rather fragile for removing from their bases. I may just remove the crew and purchase some new Artillery from Warrior.

GNW test game 3

So on Thursday night I gave these rules their 3rd play test. Some of the niggles from the last game seem to have been ironed out. I am hope full that they should stand up to re fighting larger games such as Klissow that Mick and I intend to re fight early next year.

This game saw Polish cavalry on both sides as well as a couple of French cavalry regiments masquerading as Swedes. Liam took command of the Swedish infantry in 2 brigades supported by a cavalry brigade on hi left flank. I took the other Swedish cavalry brigade and the Poles and Cossacks on the right.

Jon took command of 3 large Saxon cavalry brigades and a brigade of Polish cavalry, while Tom took command of 2 Saxon infantry brigades and a Polish infantry brigade, The game began with Liam advancing his infantry and cavalry, while my guys all failed command and stayed put. The Saxo-Polish forces advanced to meet us.

On our left flank the Swedish cavalry swung past the village into the awaiting Saxons. After a brief and brutal affair the Swedish horse was forced back by weight of numbers. In the Centre the Swedish first line charged into the Saxons and forced back the first line. their impetus took them into a second line as Saxon infantry who repelled them in disorder with a murderous fire.

The second Swedish brigade was then committed and they suffered the same fate (Not help by some rather bad dice rolls). With things looking bleak on the left and Centre the right wing cavalry finally got into action and scattered the opposing Polish cavalry. They pursued after them and when finally brought under control began to threaten the Saxon Centre rear.

Liam now galvanised his remaining infantry for one last assault. With the Swedish horse returning to support the Centre and the Poles and Cossacks threatening the rear, the infantry lowered pike and charged home. The attack was devastating. The already worn Saxon infantry centre broke. With only their right wing cavalry intact the Saxons retired from the field.

Overall a very close game with plenty of ebb and flow. I was pretty pleased how the Swedish infantry showed their resilience to finally break the Saxon line.

GNW Test game 2

For the second week running I tested out the rule adaptations for the GNW. This time John took the Swedes and Dave the Saxons. I won't give a blow by blow account. The Swedish cavalry attacked on both wings but left their infantry behind. The superior number of Saxon squadrons more than matched them. John was cautious with his infantry, only getting them into the action late in the day. The rules definitely favour the Swedes being aggressive.

The battle also saw some action between the Polish cavalry and some cossacks. Things were evenly matched at first before the bether equipped Poles saw off the cossacks.

So far the rules seem to be holding up well. Still think they'll need some more playtesting before we can refight Klissow.