WSS/GNW Danish Army

I finally completed the last few command figures I required. Brought about by the additional cavalry I've added this year.

So that's an additional Line Commander and two brigadiers. The figures are a mix of Rounway and Dixons.

So time to get the army out for a full review.

That brings the army to 10 Horse regiments, 3 Dragoon regiments, 25 battalions of infantry and 3 batteries of medium guns. I've used a mix of manufactures, Dixon, Essex, Warrior, Roundway, Bluemoon and Minifigs.

More GNW /WSS Danish horse

For some reason the painting mojo returns when I'm painting Tricorns. Though I can't see me starting any new armies, there is still a bit of unpainted lead to add to existing forces.

This time I've added 2 more cuirassiers regiments to the Danish army. This brings the Danes up to 39 squadrons. Another 6 of Dragoons and they should be finished.

First up is 3 squadrons of 1st Fynske. Figures are all from Dixon miniatures. The flag is pure conjecture using the cuff colours colours as the field colour.

The next regiment is Ahlefelds cuirassiers. These are also all Dixon miniatures. Again I've used pure conjecture for the flag. I've also went for a slightly lighter blue on the cuffs, reasoning that the colour would have faded on campaign.

Now I just need to paint up a couple of extra brigadiers to command the additional regiments.

WSS / GNW Danish horse

Despite twice claiming that my Danish army was complete, I find myself once again adding to it. These are the first of potentially 3 more cuirassier regiments.

The regiment is the 2nd Fynske made up of 3 squadrons. I chose these as I liked the contrast between grey coats and the orange cuffs. The figures are all from Dixon miniatures.

I couldn't find a source for the flag for this regiment so went with a simple white field with the Danish cross in the top left corner.

Great Northern War AAR

This was the first battle of a campaign against Mick using our Great Northern War collections. We have both built 3 armies, all of Mick's are Swedish while I have a mix of Danes, Saxons, Russians and Poles. To fight these games Mick has produced a whole bible full of hex maps based upon real battles from the WSS, SYW, GNW and later. I had first choice and chose Fontenoy. I would also be using my Danish army with a handful of Saxon allied horse.

I based my plan around capturing and defending the towns and villages between the River Scheldt and the Rossior stream.

The game began with a general advance. My Saxon Dragoons won the race to enter the town of Antoing before the Swedes. They were followed up by a Infantry brigade and my Saxon cuirassiers. On the right I advanced forward across the stream to take Cens de is Pree. Though my Guard infantry decided to take their time. This became a boon later in the day.

Danish troops sweep through Vezon

The Swedes made an advance between Fontenoy and Antoing. Using the slope to shield their movements.

Danish infantry

The Swedes advance

It was at the village of Vezon where the first clash occurred. A brigade of Swedish Dragoons, supported by Cossacks had emerged from the woods. My Danish cuirassiers waited no time before crashing into them. It took a few turns of heavy fighting before superior numbers of Danish horse drove the Swedes back.

The first cavalry clash

The Danish infantry eventually managed to struggle over the Rossoir stream and captured Bourgon before the Swedes. Now the Swedish advance was covered on three sides. One brigade of Swedish infantry tried to move East past Fontenoy but were driven back by the advancing Danish horse and Guard infantry who had decided to move.

Danes capture Bourgon

View of the field

Advancing Danish horse

In the Centre the Swedes made an attempt to breakthrough the encirclement. As they advanced with pikes lowered the Danish infantry stepped forward to give them a volley. This checked the initial assault but the Swedes came on again, slowly driving the Danish infantry back.

Battered Danish center

It was now the timely arrival of the Danish Guards pushing into Fontenoy which eased the pressure on the center. It forced the Swedes back to protect their flanks. Meanwhile the Danish horse crossed the Rossior stream to support the center. On the Danish left the Saxon horse also moved into position to threaten to the Swedish right flank.

The battered Danish center

Danish horse cross the Rossior stream

With the Swedish infantry being threatened on both flanks, they slowly began to fall back. It was at this point we called it a day. Mick was in the tricky position of wanting one more crack at the Danish centre, but worried about the fresh Danish troops on both flanks. He decided on discretion to keep his army intact. A very enjoyable game to start our campaign. Next game is on the field of Fraustadt.

WSS / GNW Danes XIII

I know that back in May I stated that my GNW Danish army was complete, well it seems it's not. As I was organising my armies for a GNW campaign against Mick next year I realised I needed a couple of extra Dragoon regiments.

So here is the first of the new additions, three squadrons of the Jydske National dragoon regiment. This regiment was later converted to a Cuirassier regiment in 1710 before being disbanded in 1721.

The figures are all from the Roundway range. As I couldn't source a flag for this regiment I went for a simple white field with gold trim and a Danish cross in the top left. Now on to the Sjaellandske National Dragoons and then the army is finished.

WSS /GNW Danes XII

They are finally finished. Managed to complete the last 3 battalions from the Jydske infantry regiment. It's probably taken about 8 months to complete this army. Now I can try and finish the Swedes. The figures are mainly Roundway with some command from Warrior and Dixon. Pleased they are done and quite like their red and white hat trim.

With the addition of these 3 battalions, this rounds the army out at 25 battalions and 24 squadrons with supporting Artillery and officers. The figures used are from Roundway, Dixon, Warrior, Bluemoon, Minifigs and Essex.

While sorting these out I decided to add a few photos of the whole army.

Now I just need to concentrate on finishing the last few regiments for the Swedes and Russians and my GNW collection will be complete.

WSS / GNW Danes XI

Finally finished the last of the earmarked Danish cavalry. These are the second elite regiment of Cuirassiers, 3 squadrons of the Livregiment til hest. The figures are a mix of Essex and Roundway with the flag from Maverick Models.

This brings my total strength of Danish cavalry up to 24 squadrons, could possibly do with a few more but enough for now. I'll be able to field them as 2 good sized brigades. Here they are with their compatriots making up the 2nd brigade. Livgarden and Livregiment til hest with 2nd Sjaellandske and 4th Jydske.

I now need to push on with the last 3 infantry battalions and I can mark this army completed. In the meantime I'm also working on a handful of Bavarians to fill out my French army.

GNW Danes and Swedes

Finally drawing to a close on the Danes. I've only got 1 more regiment of horse and 3 battalions of foot to complete after these. These are the Livgarden til Hest. The first of my guard cavalry regiments. There is some descrepancy on the coat colours. Grant states yellow coats with red lining, however Torstein Snorrason its red coats with yellow lining. I've gone with the yellow coats as I aim to also complete the Livregiment til hest who are in red coats.

The figures are a mix of Roundway for the troopers and Essex for the command. They seem to mix well. The flag is from Maverick Models.

Next up is 2 addational Swedish battalions to bring them up to a strength of 16. These are both from the Upplands regiment. The figures are a mix of Dixons and Warrior.

I also managed to get in another practice of the rules after a few ammendments were made. Dave also popped into the club and took on the role of the Swedes. The game seemed to go well with the Danish horse being routed and their infantry stubbornly holding on.

GNW Danes and Cossacks

Quickly following on from my last post are 2 further additions to my collection. First up is the Danish 2nd Sjaellandske Cuirassiers. The figures for these are Roundway with the exception of 2 command figures which are Dixon, mounted on Roundway horses. The flag is from Maverick Models.

This brings the strength of my Danish horse up to 18 squadrons. I do have enough figures to put together another 6 squadrons, more than likely these will be the Livgarden and Livregiment Cuirassiers.

The next unit is my second regiment of foot cossacks to serve in the Russian Auxiliary Corps or act as allies for the Swedes. The figures for these are all from Essex miniatures. The flag was sourced from browsing images on the internet.

I've also completed a little stocktake of figures than I need to complete for this period. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Danes - 3 infantry battalions and 6 squadrons of horse
The Swedes - 5 infantry battalions and 12 squadrons of horse
The Russians - 9 squadrons of horse and 3 medium guns
The Poles - 9 squadrons of horse

Enough to keep me busy for a while.

GNW mixed bag

Over the last couple of weeks I've been jumping between the different armies to help maintain my focus. This post reflects that with a mix of Danes, Poles and Cossacks. First up is the Danes with the 4th Jydske Cuirassier regiment. The figures are all from Roundway with the exception of 2 command figures from Essex and Dixon's. The flag is from Maverick Models.

Next up is the Poles with a regiment of Pancerni. The figures for these are from Donnington miniatures. I made a small purchase to try the figures out. Not too keen on the riders which seem slightly large in comparison to the Essex Pancerni already in my collection.

Lastly is the first of 2 foot Cossack regiments I aim to complete. I can use these as part of the initial Russian Auxiliary Corps as well as allies of the Swedes. This makes the rather versatile. The figures are all from Essex miniatures, I have deliberately gone for a uniformed look. The second regiment is already undercoated.

I've now got a week off work and hope to make progress on some more Danish and Polish cavalry and some Swedish infantry.