Great Northern War Breaking the Siege AAR

One of three Bank Holidays in May and Dave had invited me around to his for a Great Northern War game with him and Si.

I wasnt sure what Dave had in mind so was surprised by this lovely set up, the siege works I have not seen before.

Our game would have an allied army besieging a mixed force of Swedes and rebel Cossacks, the church and yard being an out work of the Swedish held town and held by a battalion of Cossack foot.

The Swedish field army is marching to break the siege, meanwhile the Saxons have sent two brigades of foot and another of horse to re-enforce the Russian besiegers. Initially Si was planned to lead a sortie by the garrison when he arrived late in the day, as it happened he arrived before I did and Dave took the garrison himself.

The Swedes have 3 brigades of foot, one of three and two of four battalions plus 3 brigades of 4 regiments of horse. They only have 3 light guns.

Inside the besieged town are a brigade of Swedes and another of Cossacks each of four battalions but with one Cossack a battalion in the forward fortification around the church.

The Allies have three decent brigades of Russians and one poor brigade with two brigades of Saxons and two large six units brigades of horse. They have plenty of artillery with 4 siege guns and a further 5 field guns with the infantry brigades.

Dave rolls to see when he can sortie out of the town and gets a 6 on a D6, looks like he will have a quite first half of the game with just the Cossack battalion to play with.

As the game starts I march my Swedish foot from the end of the table towards the siege works with my horse hoping to cover my flank where the allies immediatly appear. I charge the Saxon horse who counter charge and we are into the first action of the game. The Saxons are forced back.

In the Russian move Si launches his Grenadier battalion at the Cossacks in the church, whilst its only the one battalion the Cossacks are already shaky from numerous artillery hits.

Whilst the horse are able to cover my flank fairly effectively it doesnt stop the artillery inflicting the first casualties on the Swedes.

The Swedish foot steadily tramp up table covered by the cavalry.

A volley from the Cossacks and the Grenadiers are unable to close, the return volley decimates the Cossacks but they hold on.

The Russians turn part of the brigade in the trenches along with one of their siege guns to take on the advancing Swedes.

The first two brigades of Swedish cavalry are now in position to cover the foot and start attempting to punch holes in the Allied lines.

With a whirling cavalry Melee in the centre the rear brigade decides to have a go at the Saxon infantry brigade. Suffice to say things dont go well for the unsupported cavalry and once the Saxons move a battllion to refuse the brigades flank the Swedish horse are not going to be able to break them.

The Swedish infantry are almost there and the Russians have deployed to give them a warm welcome, the climax is not far off.

The Saxon cavalry is practically destroyed in the centre and all the Russian horse has been forced back with nearly all of them shaken. The Swedes are worn out themselves but still have a bit of fight as they advance into the gap in the allied line.

The Guards foot brigade and horse brigade continue to meander behind everyone else, presumably planning to deliver the final hammer blow to the Allies whilst everyone else softens them up first. Variable movement being one of the things I both love and loath about Black Powder in equal measure.

Move six and the Swedish foot are finally in position to attack the Russians in the trenches, The town defenders now are able to sallie out at the perfect time. Finally Dave will get a game.

As soon as he gets going though Dave's Cossacks are hit by artillery and dis-ordered.

The Swedes are not quite so quick off the mark, but they are on and Dave is getting a game.

Three battalions of Russians remain in the trenches along with three siege guns to defend against the two brigades of of the garrison.

Dave's Swedish brigade has its first two battalions halted dis-ordered by Russian fire as he tries to storm the trenches.

My first Swedish foot finally hit the Russians defending the other side of the earthworks. Despite being dis-ordered by closing fire their GAPA sees the first Russian battalion destroyed.

The Swedish Guards now wheel in to close with the last two brigades of Russians.

With the Saxons halted and the Swedes closing on both sides of the earthworks things start to look desperate for the Allies. 

With the Swedes having a full Guards brigade of horse in reserve in the centre of the table ready to exploit the first gaps the Russians are forced to retire and the Swedes take a very hard fought victory.

The Saxons have successfully held off the Swedish horse, however the horse have done their job pinning the Saxons well out of the way so they cant support the main effort.

At this point we run out of time, its been hard fought but the Swedes look set to break through and the Allied army is looking much the worse for wear.

After not really feeling that Black Powder was giving enjoyable games recently I thoroughly enjoyed this, although I think Si may have felt a bit picked on, sorry Si!