Reviewing the Great Northern War armies Part 1 the Allies

 We havent played with the Great Northern War for some time and recently Dave sold many of his Russian collection to chum Chris. Chris had lots of questions around what I had so it prompted me to get them out and I though why not take some photos at the same time!

First to review are the Allies, Poland/Saxony and Russia.

My plan was to be able to game the earlier period of the war in the Baltic and Poland, the main antagonist being Saxony supported by some poor Russian troops and sometimes by the Polish forces.

A period where the Swedes barely lost a fight so you need to be careful that things are still playable.

The Saxons. These are the troops that are simplest for me to expand at some point, I have lost of generic Warfare figures perfect for Saxons 

Two light/Medium guns and a couple of generals to start with. Ebor miniatures with an Ebor and a Dixon gun and one Foundry commander in the background.

Two units (Double squadrons) of Beusts horse, the Saxon horse typically had the currais and used pistols for preference.

Saxon dragoons, these are the regiment mounted.....

And their dismounted version, again these are Ebor and really very nice.

An Eor large/Medium gun and crew, like the colour schemes especially the black and yellow gun.

Four more Commanders, two Ebor and two Warfare.

The Saxon guard two battalions a mix of Warlord plastics set off with Metal command from Foundry and Ebor. Flags are Warfare.

The Polish Guard, as above mainly Warlord plastics.

Two battalions of regiment Pistorius, slightly more metals in these again though Warlord plastic alongside Foundry and Ebor command figures and Warfare flags.

Lastly the first battalion of Kurprinz, lots of spare figures to finish this unit off. These are all Warfare except a couple of Foundry drummers and standard bearer.

And the same unit with Jacobite flags and pike for Ireland and the Boyne campaign. I have quite a few Warfare figures where I can potentially do both Saxon and Jacobites with a command base swap/

And all together again, nice wee force but a few more to complete.

The Russians were always designed as a small supporting force. The Saxons didnt rate them and neither did the Swedes, the Saxons even made them turn their coats inside out to try disguise them as Saxons, it didnt work.

Cavalry first two regiments of horse, Ingermanlandski dragoons and horse grenadiers. The Russians didnt have true horse. These are all by Ebor.

I will have two battalions of foot eventually, for now just one finished, Siburski. Figures again Ebor.

The main force for Russia is Cossacks, in this case 4 battalions of foot Cossacks, later in the war these can be used alongside the Swedes. Bit of a mix these, Foundry, The Assault Group Old Glory mainly.

And four units of mounted Cossacks, a mix like the foot of Foundry and The Assault Group.

Nice little irregular force when all together.

Not to forget the leader Taras Bubas and the medium gun. TAG and Foundry.

Last are the Poles and definately my favourites. These troops retain much of the Renaissance feel with lots of armour mixed in.

First unit are the Valachs. Light cavalry who fought for the Swedes I have chosen to make them pretty uniform although we have no evidence either way for uniforms. Warlord and Foundry for the most part.

The rest of the light cavalry, these are a mix with plenty of The Assault group complimented by Redoubt and Foundry figures.

The Pancerni are my favourite, 5 units which is probably about right for a mix, maybe another couple of units would be ideal, they were typically 2 thirds of a force at this time. With their chainmail, bows and shield they look like something from the early medieval period. Redoubt feature strongly here, very nice figures, supported by The Assault group and a few Foundry figures.

I like these a lot so heres a few close ups.

Poles would not be complete without Winged Hussars, two units here, they were dying out by this time, the right are Warlord and the left Redoubt.

I have started dragoons but only completed the dismounted unit, the nearest the Polish army will come to any infantry, these are Warfare miniatures

Lastly the Polish Hetmen to lead our force forward. Old Glory, The Assault Group and Foundry.

And here they are together, not particularly useful, but proper lovely.

Swedes to follow when I get chance, thanks for stopping by.

The Mad Baron and the Chinese, RCW AAR

 We are planning a game for Partizan 2 with Triumph of the Will so organised a game as a rules refresh, just as well really.

Our game would involve a small Chinese army marching to rescue the besieged forces in Mongolias capital Urga. These would be ambushed by the Mad Baron's Asiatic Cossack division (All this is entirely historical by the way)

The Barons White Russians had a weak regiment of infantry with three rifle companies, a gun and MG holding trenches in front of a ruin. Flanking the Chinese would be two regiments of Cossacks each with three sotnias, a regiment of tribal Mongolians also with three Sotnias, the only troops listed as militia but also being aggressive, plus a regiment of Chahar Mongols with 2 Sotnias and a Tchanka MG Cart.

The Chinese had 3 regiments of foot supported by a regiment of horse, 2 guns and 2 light armoured vehicles. The Chinese were also drilled except one regiment of militia foot at the back. All the Chinese are from Chris Charltons lovely collection.

Chris has his assault troops and light armour advancing on the trenches and the rest of his force strung out in march order along the road.

Move 2 and Steves Cossacks and Mongolians pour onto the table edge. This is the majority of my Cossack forces. Lots of them.

A mix of  Copplestone and STP Miniatures, some lovely castings.

As the Chinese close on the trenches the front unit takes a hammering and is already at nearly 50|/ casualties.

Unfortunately for Chris I have inadvertantly hamstrung him. I forgot that we give units orders and the commanders have to roll to change them, Chris is on advance orders so re-forming his troops to defend against the Cossacks is not one of his options really. Sorry Chris.

Steve's cavalry start to hit the Chinese all along the line and Chris is not bale to do too much about if with his order unchanged for most formations having to advance on the trenches.

On the upside, whilst infantry caught in the open by Cossacks dont get many dice, when you throw this many sixes maybe you dont need them! Well done Chris.

First to hit home are the Sotnias of Siberian Cossacks.

At the Same time the other regiment of Cossacks hits Chris's assault troops and despite his great dice, they are quickly legging it.

The Cossacks follow up, bypassing the armoured vehilces and destroy the SMG armoured company.

At the other end of the table to Tribal Mongol horde hit another regiment of stationery infantry with predictable results.

Last to strike home the Chahar Mongols blow straight through a company of Chinese militia.

At this stage Chris has been able to change some orders and re-align his Chines Cavalry regiment, unfortunately yhe best part of two regiments of foot are destroyed with the survivors in flight and the third regiment is barely holding its own.

A resounding victory for the Barons Asiatic Cossack division and a timely reminder of the game mechanics.

Much fun had, sorry Chris, and a good rules refresh ahead of a much larger game planed at Chris Flowers Barn in August. We also plan  a game for Partizan in October, currently we are just decided on whether this will be set in Poland or Mongolia, based on which might look and play best but also what Poles I can finish in time.

Thanks for stopping by.