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.

The Battle of Klissow 1702

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be involved in a second re-fight of the Battle of Klissow. This time We would be including the Poles. I was looking forward to this as it is one of my 'bucket list' battles. I've been collecting armies for the Great Northern war since 1990. It was also a great excuse to dig out my Saxon and Polish armies, Mick would be supplying the Swedes and the terrain.

Background to the battle. Kliszów (Klissow) (Klezow) took place on July 8 1702, in Poland-Lithuania, during the Great Northern War. The numerically superior Polish-Saxon army of August II the Strong, operating from an advantageous defensive position, was defeated by a Swedish army half its size under the command of King Charles XII. The Swedish and Saxon-Polish-Lithuanian armies encamped some 5 miles (8.0 km) apart. The camps were separated by a large wood and a swamp, with the Swedes north of the woods, the Saxon camp was naturally secured by a narrow stretch of swamp to the north and the swampy valley of the Nida river to the west. At 9:00 am, Charles XII moved his army through the woods on the morning of 19 July and at 11:00 am arrived north of the swampy stretch. The Swedish army consisted of 8,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry and four guns — the bulk of the artillery was stuck in the forest. The Saxon army consisted of 7,500 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, 660 Polish infantry, 6,640 Polish cavalry and 46 guns.

Initial dispositions

Charles XII's strategy was to rout the Saxe-Polish forces in an 'envelope' manoeuvre and re-position his forces to strengthen his flanks. The Swedes took the initiative at two o'clock in the afternoon and launched an assault on Lubomirski's Polish flank, however, the commander of the assault, Frederick IV, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp was killed early on and the advance halted. The Polish army then launched two subsequent counter-attacks but were beaten back by the Swedish infantry, as were a Saxon assault over the marsh under Jacob Heinrich von Flemming. Lubomirski and Flemming then withdrew and thus left the Saxon middle-right flank unprotected, which was caught in a Swedish pincer and were slowly crushed. Lubomirski was pursued by Swedish cavalry all the way to the village of Kije.

During this time, Swedish right flank under Carl Gustav Rehnskiöld was attacked by Saxon general Adam Heinrich von Steinau who tried to cut-off Rehnskiöld's connections with the Swedish bulk. A fierce fighting took place between '21 Swedish squadrons of cavalry with about 2,100 men', against '34 Saxon squadrons with no less than 4,250 men'. The Swedes, in their usual manner, attacked with cold steel and managed to repel the Saxon attack. Charles XII advanced into the Saxon camp by half past four and managed to evict them into the surrounding swamps. He then took control over the Saxon artillery and used it for his own benefit.

The Outcome

The Swedes now attempted to encircle the Saxons by taking the crossing of the Nida. General Schulenburg, whose infantry in the centre had scarcely been attacked, now committed himself to a fierce defence of the crossing, allowing the majority of Saxon units to withdraw, and at five o'clock the battle was over.

So to the game. Dave took command of the Saxons, I had the Polish and Neal took on the role of the Swedes. The Saxons and Poles both set up pretty much as they were on the day. Neal who didn't know anything of the battle was allowed to set up the Swedes as he saw fit.

The Polish

The Saxons in position

The game began with the Swedish right wing horse and infantry pressing forwards towards the village of Rebow. The Swedish left wing pushed further to the left into the woods to prepare for the oncoming Polish horse. The Saxons spent the first couple of turns sitting in position awaiting the Polish horse to arrive onto the field.

Polish horse advance

Gotta love the banners

Swedish horse sweep past the village of Rebow

The Saxon left wing advanced towards the oncoming Swedish horse to contest the crossing of the stream and swamp. This was to be the scene of some brutal fighting and heavy casualties. Over on the Swedish left the horse advance to the edge of the tree line where they were eventually spotted by some Cossack horse who promptly rode off. The Swedish infantry brigade was still trying to get itself into position.

Clash of men and horse

Swedish left wing horse spotted by Cossacks 

Heavy fighting continues on the Swedish right

With the Swedish left now spotted, the Poles finally geared themselves up for the charge. I was not totally hopeful (we had downgraded them before the game to represent their historical performance). Lowering my lances my first brigade of Pancerni hit home and actually drove the Swedish horse back. Could history be about to be reversed? No. The Swedish second line galvanised themselves and routed my Pancerni brigade. There were now two large cavalry melees on each wing wing, all the time the Swedish infantry slowly tried to get themselves into position. The Saxon left wing was slowly being driven back so Dave detached part of his right wing horse to support him. At this time Polish Hussars were hurling themselves into the fray.

Polish horse prepare to charge

View across the battle lines

Polish and Swedish horse clash

Saxons re-enforcing their left wing

Not going well for the Poles

At this point the Swedish infantry were struggling across the stream and into the awaiting Saxon infantry. Their initial successes were quickly driven back. They were unable to secure a crossing which would allow them to co-ordinate their attack better. The Swedish right wing horse had managed to drive the Saxon horse back from the first stream, this allowed the Swedish infantry to secure the village of Rebow and begin to cross onto more favourable ground.

As the Saxon left wing girded themselves for a last assault to try and drive the Swedish horse back into the swamp, they promptly failed their command roll and held position. This was a pivotal moment as the Swedish horse were able to re-order themselves and prepare for the eventual Saxon assault, which when it came saw 5 of it's 6 regiments heavily beaten and driven from the field.

Saxon horse prepare to counter attack.

The Swedish infantry now began their assault. Where before their attacks were isolated, now they began to drive back the Saxon infantry. Over on our Right wing Lubomirski himself led the last of his fresh horse onto the seemingly tiring Swedish horse only to be promptly driven back. The fight had definitely gone from the Polish horse now. They slowly reformed and held their position. More of the Saxon right wing was being detached to try and save the beleaguered left wing but to no avail.  

Lubomirski flees

Polish horse begins to reform

Here come the Swedish infantry

Swedish infantry assault the Saxon centre

It was at this point we called it a day. The Saxon left wing and left centre had been badly mauled, though there still remained fresh infantry in the right centre they would be need to fend of the Swedish Guards who were yet to enter the fray. The Polish horse had mostly fled the field with only a handful of regiments remaining. The Swedish, though winning were approaching exhaustion. It had been a hard fight particularly against the Saxon horse, where only their superior quality prevailed. the Liv Dragoon regiment had been involved in nine separate melee's throughout the day and still took their position in the front line.

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 / 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.