A new Project begins....

....or could that be revisiting something I started nearly 30 years ago in my youth. The Ottoman Turks, why? Because they were involved in the Great Northern War. Even if it was on the periphery. They give great potential for 'what if' battles against the Russians or as allies of the Swedes.

Now I do already have a small number of figures that were passed on to me in my teenage years. They got a lick of paint (pretty basic) then sat in a box. Then about 10 years ago I added a couple of infantry units then put them back in the box.

But not this time. Now I fully intend to get these guys up to fighting strength and get them onto the table for a game. I quickly sorted out the unpainted figures and added a couple of extra purchases from Roundway to get me started.

The original collection is primarily infantry and so is the unpainted lead. I should have enough figures for an extra 4 units of Janissary's, 3 units of Azabs and 2 units of irregular foot. I have managed to pick up a win on a well known auction site which will provide another 60 mounted figures.

The originals

The unpainted.

Well i did make a start on 2 units of Sipahi from Roundway. The troopers are nice looking figures, but I did not enjoy painting them. Not sure what it was about them. As a result not my best work and just pleased to finish them. Hope I have better luck with the Janissary's.

So not the best start but onwards and upwards.

GNW Russians XV

As mentioned in my last post I had another Russian Dragoon regiment still needing their bases done. Finally got around to it in between rebasing my Darkest Africa collection to sell on.

These represent the Roslavlski Dragoons. They are a mix of figures from Essex, Roundway and Dixon's. Basically left over figures from various units.

Next I need to decide if I paint up another dragoon regiment or a Siphahi regiment.

GNW Russian reinforcements

I thought it was about time I started to expand the mounted arm of my Russian forces. First up was expanding Kropotov's horse Grenadiers. I already had 3 squadrons completed using Roundway miniatures. This time I would be using Dixon figures. Should be ok as I will be fielding the full 6 squadrons in 2 separate units.

The Full regiment

Next up was 3 squadrons of The Archangel-Gorodski Dragoons. I chose these for the combination of yellow coats and the green neckerchief. Figures are all from Roundway.

I already have a 3rd regiment awaiting their bases to be finished. I will then increase the strength of the Permski and Moscovoski Dragoons up to 6 squadrons.

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 Russians and review

Over the last couple of nights I finally finished the basing on 2 more infantry battalions from the Novogorodski regiment. The figures are all Roundway with the exception of 2 Dixon officers.

After completing these I am now contemplating how many more Russians do I need. Mick already has enough Russians to re-fight Poltava so that isn't the goal. Now for campaign games I need between 10-15 horse regiments and 20-30 infantry battalions with a couple of artillery batteries to support. So it was time to get them all out the box too see where I am at.

First up is the 10 battalions that make up the Auxiliary corps that fought alongside the Saxons at Fraustadt.

Next is the main core of my infantry. 4 Guard battalions, 6 Grenadier battalions and 8 musketeer battalions. These are supported by 2 medium artillery batteries.

The mounted arm currently consists of 12 squadrons of Horse Grenadiers fielded as 4 regiments and 5 regiments of Dragoons.

The Russian army

Going through my lead pile I can put together 2 more Dragoons regiments. 2 Grenadiers battalions, 4 musketeer battalions and a light artillery battery. Do I need anymore? probably not as I can add 3 regiments of Cossacks and 2 Cossacks infantry battalions. Then i can turn my attention to another protagonist of the Great Northern War, The Ottoman Turks.

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 Russians XIV

Managed to get around to completing this last unit of Russian Dragoons. They represent the Koporski regiment. The figures are all from Roundway. Excuse the flag as it came out all wrong and I'm in the process of correcting it.

I also completed a few more brigadiers and a Line commander. Again the figures are all Roundway.

I'm now awaiting an order from Roundway so that I can complete 2 more Dragoon regiments. I also have enough figures to bring 2 of my mounted Grenadiers up to full strength.  Including cossacks, that will be 50 squadrons. More than enough for club games.

I will also be able to add another 6 infantry battalions and a light gun battery.  I will then need to source a few suitable figure the represent Peter the Great.