GNW Swedes IX

So after painting some Russians and Ottomans it's back to the Swedes.  These guys have sat on the painting table for a few months now. I always seemed to find something else to paint. Now that the lead pile is much reduced it was time to get them completed.

I chose to paint them up as the Livonian Adelsfan. I like their early war uniform of grey coats and yellow facings. I did make an error on the figure count. I could have gotten away with just 12 but painted up all 18. Unfortunately the standard bearer had a miscast leg and has been replaced by a spare dragoon figure. The figures are all from the excellent Dixon's range.

The benefits of the extra figures will allow me to field them as any other Tremmaning regiment in grey coats.

I'm now just awaiting an order from Roundway to get some crew for a light artillery battery and some extra Russian Dragoons.

GNW relief column

On Thursday night I put on a small club game for the GNW. It was time the Swedes got an outing. The game pitted a Swedish relief column trying to fight its way through encircling Russian forces to link up with Charles XII.

The Swedish force commanded by John was made up of  9 battalions of infantry in 3 brigades. They were supported by 6 squadrons of dragoons and  8 squadrons of horse.

The Russians commanded by Tom were hidden from view. There place on the table marked by a mounted brigadiers. 2 were dummy markers. The Russians had 16 battalions of infantry in 4 brigades. 1 was veteran, the rest were raw. They were supported by 6 squadrons of Horse Grenadiers and 15 squadrons of Dragoons of rather dubious quality.

The field of battle

The Swedes advance

The game began with the Swedish horse advancing along the road where they became threatened by a brigade of Russian infantry. They cautiously awaited their own infantry before advancing further.

It took the Swedes some time to get themselves in order. John pushed one infantry brigade out to his right flank where they were blocked by another Russian infantry battalion. On the Swedish left flank the Russian infantry began to fall back as Swedish Dragoons threatened their flanks.

As the Swedes advanced the crashed into the Russian infantry, throwing them back in disorder. They pushed on towards the village and crashed into the Russian veterans. They promptly routed 1 battalion before Russian Dragoons forced them back

Tom then committed his Horse grenadiers against the Swedish Dragoons. After a few turns of melee they were beaten back. On the Swedish right flank the two infantry lines engaged. After a brief struggle the Russian brigade collapsed.

In the Centre the Swedish infantry renewed the assault. After some early success they began to hold off as Russian Dragoons once again threatened their flanks.

Unfortunately we ran out of time. The Russians still held the village and had more troops on their way. However the Swedes were still a threat with plenty of fresh infantry.

GNW Swedes VIII

After adding an infantry battalion I decided to add another cavalry regiment to my Swedes. These guys have sat part painted for too long and needed finishing.

I chose the Norra Skane regiment as it fought in most of the major engagements during the Poland campaign. Seeing action at Pultusk 1703, Posen 1704, Fraustadt and Kalisz 1706 before meeting its fare with the rest of the army at Poltava in 1709.

The figures are all from the Dixon range and make up 6 squadrons. I still need to finish the pennant. Trying to pluck up the courage to paint it free hand.

GNW Swedes VII

It's been a long time since I added to my Swedish forces for the Great Northern War. What with concentrating lately on the Russians and before that the Poles, the army was feeling slightly neglected. I still have 12 squadrons of partially painted Swedish horse that stare back at me on the painting table and have done for over a year. So what did I add, yep another infantry battalion. The aforesaid cavalry will have to wait.

I decided to add a 4th Baltic states infantry battalion. This time Liewen's regiment. Once again I went for plain grey coats. Figures are all from Roundway miniatures.

IR Liewen

IR Liewen

Now this left me with a slight problem when it came to storage. I hadn't realised the box for the Swedes was already full.

Will become more of an issue when I eventually paint up those cavalry.

Great Northern War AAR (2)

On Saturday I made the trip up to Micks to fight the second battle of our campaign. Mick had picked the field of Fraustadt for the battle and to defend the Southern edge of the table.

Field of battle

Now I was nervous for this battle as I was using my Russian and Polish troops. Though much of the open ground would favour cavalry, the quality of my Swedish opponents would more than match this.

The plan was to advance with my Polish infantry to occupy the ground between the villages of Rohrsdorf and Geyersdorf (the actual Saxon position in the historical battle). I would also send out my Cossacks and Polish irregulars to try and harass any Swedish advance on this position. The centre I stationed my better quality Russian infantry and Dragoons. My Hussars and Pancerni were held off table until the Swedes revealed themselves.

Army deployed

Once I realised the Swedes were just going to come straight at us I called up the Polish horse to help defend the centre and my right wing around the village of Ogrey.

With the Swedish advance in the centre being led by a brigade of Dragoons I brought forward my own Russian and Poles to engage them. Surprisingly we got the better of the early exchanges before eventually being driven back by supporting Swedish infantry. Over on the left the Cossacks continued to threaten the Swedish right wing and thankfully drew off a brigade of Swedish Dragoons to prevent me crossing the stream at Obrachice.

Polish reserves 

Russian infantry

Marauding Cossacks 

Swedish battle line

Eventually my right flank came under enormous pressure. My 2 brigades of Russian infantry were facing 3 brigades of Swedes. 10 battalions against 18. Despite a few early successes the Swedes began to drive the Russians back.

Isolated Russian infantry

Dragoons on both sides shattered from melee

The collapsing right flank

With my right flank collapsing I decided it was time to throw in the Polish horse to try and drive off the Swedish cavalry and allow me to threaten the Swedish infantry. Now unlike their Swedish for, The Polish horse are rather fragile and quickly lose heart if things go wrong. At first they smashed into the veteran Swedes, driving them back before their supporting lines returned the favour. Now my Polish horse were streaming from the field in disarray.

On the left my Cossacks were eventually caught and set fleeing to the rear. It was at this point I broke off the engagement. So far my only uncommitted troops were 11 raw battalions of Polish and Cossack infantry, far too fragile to hold veteran Swedes.

Polish Horse begin their advance

Hussars lead the charge

Cossacks infantry

Despite actual casualties on the field being pretty even. The loss of my Polish horse fleeing the field and ceding the villages handed Mick a resounding victory.

A few lessons from the game. The point system hampers poor quality armies, Despite having a predominantly raw and trained troops against veterans. I was out numbered in infantry and had only a couple more cavalry regiments. The main issue is around the commanders. More troops you have the more commanders you need and these eat up any points you gain from lower quality troops.

Secondly the irregular Polish horse are at a distinct disadvantage fighting regulars. They are very brittle and break when losing a melee. We may need possible adjustments to the rout move as they easily seem to leave the table.

Overall a very enjoyable game and looking forward to the next one.

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.

GNW Swedes VI

Yet another addition to my slowly expanding Swedish forces. Again this is another regiment raised in the Baltic states, Nieroth. Once again uniform details are very sketchy so I went with the grey coats again. This time I did the turn backs in blue for a little variety. The advantage of having the 3 regiments in grey coats with just simple Colonel colours means they can morph into any Tremanning regiment I might need for a scenario.

Nieroth infantry regiment

Nieroth infantry regiment in line

I've now started some work on the last 2 Swedish horse regiments and some Polish Dragoons.

GNW Swedes V

A quick return to one of my earlier GNW armies, the Swedes. I still have a few troops to finish off this army. So here are the latest additions. They are 2 further infantry battalions. This time I've picked 2 from the Baltic states, Mengden and Buddenbrock. Both regiments were raised in 1704 and disbanded in 1710, probably as a result of Charles' difficulties in the Ukraine.

Trying to source uniforms for these battalions is problematic. I could have gone for the traditional blue coats and buff facings but wanted something a little different. I've chosen to equip them in the grey coats that many Tremanning regiments wore. This way they stand out from the rest of my Swedish foot.

IR Buddenbrock 

IR Buddenbrock 

IR Mengden

IR Mengden 

The figures for both of these battalions are from Roundway. I do have another battalion to complete bit I'm short of bases. I'll then need to start on the remaining 2 regiments of horse.

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.