GNW Russians XI

Well 2 more battalions added to the Russians. I feel that these have sat on the paint table for quite a while. Probably a lack of enthusiasm on my part after a planned campaign game against Mick had to be cancelled due to snow. But here they Are, 2 battalions from the Schlusselburgski regiment. These are the first I have painted in the karpus. The figures are primarily Dixon's with a couple of Roundway figures in the command.

Next up I have 2 more battalions of Grenadiers and 6 squadrons of Horse Grenadiers to get through.  Have though tried to diversify my painting which I'll cover in my next post.

Sharpe Practice Austrians VI

I've made another small addition to my core Austrian force. This time in the shape of 2 extra officers, which I'll probably use as either level 1 or 2 to lead my infantry groups. Both figures are from Front rank and mix well with the Victrix plastics.

As I am being out gunned by my opponents  decided to add a 6lb artillery piece from Perry miniatures. Unfortunately you only get 4 crew so I added an extra from Front rank as well as an officer.

I feel that now this force is only lacking in some mounted troops. I have my eye on the Perry's Hussars in campaign uniforms. So here's a few photos of the force so far.

Not a bad little force. The figures from Victrix, Perry and Front rank have mixed well.

GNW Russians X

This week I've concentrated on getting some more mounted troops to fill out my Russians. First up is 3 squadrons of the Ingermanlandski dragoon regiment. The figures for this unit are all from Dixon's. Still my favourite figures for this period.

Ingermanlandski Dragoons 

Ingermanlandski Dragoons 

I haven't as yet found a flag reference for this unit so plumbed for green as I like it.

The next unit is another single squadron unit. General Sheremetev's life guard. The only reference I had was for red coats, so I decided on green waistcoat and cuffs. I have since seen a reference showing white cuffs from 1711. Not sure if I will change them.

Sheremetev's life guard

Sheremetev's life guard

I've now got a couple of musketeer battalions prepped for painting as well as 6 squadrons of Horse Grenadiers.

GNW Russians IX

With all the snow around over the last few days I took the opportunity to get some more paint on figures.  I decided to add a couple more cavalry units to my Russian force. First up is 3 squadrons of the Vologodski Dragoon regiment. They are a mix on Dixon, Essex and Minifigs. They were primarily put together from spare figures to test another shade of green; which I'm more than happy with.

Vologodski dragoons

Vologodski dragoons

The next unit is a single squadron of Horse. There were only 2 such squadrons in the Russian army. They were life guards for the generals. This squadron belong to Menshikov. Figures are all Dixon's.

Menshikovs life guard

I've also got Sheremetevs squadron awaiting basing before I start on another Dragoons regiment.

GNW Russians VIII

A few more additions to my Russian army. I still haven't decided when I'll have enough, just see where the project takes me. Well here they are. First up is 3 squadrons of the Permski dragoon regiment. The figures are all from Warrior miniatures.

Permski dragoons

Permski dragoons

Next we have 2 battalions of Bush's Grenadiers. I tried a slightly lighter shade of green for the coats, but not totally happy. My search for a suitable green for the Russian coats continues. Think I have another 4 shades to try. The figures for these are Dixon's with one command base from Essex.

Busch Grenadiers

Busch Grenadiers

Next on the painting table is 2 more infantry battalions and 2 more Dragoon regiments.

Sharp Practice Austrians V

With the club enjoying these rules and a couple of players in the middle of an arms race. I decided it was time to add some extras to my core Austrian force. I've decided on an artillery piece and some Jaegers. While the artillery is in the process of being prepped I made a start on the Jaegers. First up is their officer Lt. Wilhelm Schnauser . I picked him up from Front rank. I plan on  him leading my Jaegers and the 2 units of 3rd rank skirmishes I have.

Next up is his group of Jaegers from Perry miniatures. Bases were picked up from Warbases. These guys have already seen their first action and promptly set fire to the building they were defending.

As well as the artillery I also have a couple of extra officers to help lead my units that need painting up. I just wish someone would produce some plastic Austrian cavalry as i would like to add a couple of groups of Dragoons to the force. Prices of metal 28mm cavalry out of my range at the moment with other projects on the go.

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.