Back to the Great Northern War

 

My Great Northern War armies have long languished in the ranks of the uncompleted.  No more.  This is my Swedish Army for With Talon and Claw.

There’s a recorded remark by one of the Swedish cavalry commanders. He said he had thought his charging regiment was going to pass under the bellies of the horses of the Saxon cavalry they had targeted.  It was an exaggeration, though not by much.  Saxon horses were big and Swedish horses were ponies.  Sometimes even quite small ponies.  It is one of those things that makes you think.  The Swedes won the engagement should you have wondered.

My Swedes are mainly from Dixon.  The horses are appropriately small, certainly compared to other 15mm offerings.  A happy chance, just luck.  I didn’t know when I bought them. Another thing I didn’t know was just how large Swedish cavalry units were. Three or four squadrons was fairly standard even under campaign conditions.   

 

As a result, my Swedish cavalry units are a bit too small.  I only have one and two squadron units.  On the plus side it really doesn’t matter in game terms.  Also there is slightly more visual variety.  I say slightly because it's mainly blue for the Swedes.

The balance of Swedish forces is also noteworthy. A Swedish Amy might well be half Horse and half Foot.  Or even more Horse than Foot.  Their artillery, although perfectly competent, was often left behind.  Swedish commanders favoured swift moving attacks, artillery couldn't keep up.

Putting four infantry battalions into good order was easily accomplished. The Swedish infantry were very good soldiers in every respect.  In other armies an elite or veteran regiment might stand out.  For the Swedes it is those who are merely well trained that are the exceptions. All are pike and shot formations and use Flintlocks.

The Dal Regiment.

Narka - Varmlands Regiment.

Above, and the Vasterbotten Regiment. Below, the Vastermanland Regiment.  The figures are from Dixon and Roundway Miniatures.

  I also have two battalions of Swedish Guards.

Veritable terrors on the table top.

 

Subsequently the Swedes will get at least one field gun.  They did use them now and then.

What you can see here is a perfectly viable Swedish Army for With Talon and Claw.  I have more, of course, but they can wait for their moment.  

As an aside, I've just received an delivery of 15mm Gabions from Irregular Miniatures.  They are very well done indeed.

Next week the Russians also completed!

Scots Regulars- League of Augsburg

 

Dumbarton's regiment above.  You will notice a few bonnets have crept in among the hats.  This is not attested in the historical record-but, when on campaign, perhaps permissible. 

Scots Dragoons in the early 1685 grey uniform.  Why? You might ask.  A post  Killiecrankie 'what if' with a second squadron rigged out in the old uniform. In the 'what if' McKay died and Dundee survived to head south,  Here they are on foot.  Horse holders and standing cuddies will follow.

The Scots Royal Regiment of Horse.  

 

The trumpeter's coat is the clue.  Royal at King James's express command no less.  He picked up the bill too, lots of gold lace. Note my attempt at painting blackened armour.  Drilled armoured Bullet Horse in BLB speak.  A bit of a novelty in my Williamite War Armies although I'm beginning to think it shouldn't be.  Maybe there were more armoured cavalry about then than we normally credit.

Anyhow, a full squadron is 'What if' territory for the Williamite War but half a squadron did turn out for Dundee.

The toys are from Essex and Irregular.

That's it so far.  A handy little force.

Coming next a revival of an old project with both Armies complete.

Jacobite Cavalry and Dragoons 15mm - League of Augsburg

 

The Horse Grenadiers above who could equally turn up in a Williamite Army.

King James’s Life Guard.  These ones are from Stronghold Miniatures and I don’t think we will see many of that outfit's products again.  A pity, I really like them.  Stronghold also did a lovely General figure of which I have one.  Ah well, should have bought more.

A Squadron of Sarsfield’s Horse.

Tyrconnell’s Horse, probably got first dabs on the red uniforms.  Tyrconnell was James's chief administrator.  Although he never became one of the darlings of the Irish Army, they thought him over cautious, his work kept the cause afloat. He had been a very active soldier in his younger days fighting in England, Ireland and Flanders.

Lord Galmoy’s two squadron's of Horse, you have seen them before.

Abercorne’s Horse also seen previously. 

All in all I have 7 squadron's of Jacobite Horse so far. Above Clare's Dragoons.

I'm currently working on the Dragoons.  O'Neill's and Clare's both two squadrons strong.  

 

I have them mounted and dismounted with separate horse holders.  I think I'll find this more satisfying on the table top.  Here is a squadron of O'Neill's dismounted.

I have more to horses and horse holders to do.  Two squadron's of O'Neill's dismounted. 

Next up the Scots Regulars or maybe Grand Alliance Cavalry.  The great League of Augsburg re-basing is nearly done.  Apart from the French that is.

Dutch Horse and Foot - League of Augsburg

 

I’m about half way through my Dutch Army rebasing.  I’ve also taken the opportunity to increase some formations.  Above, you can see the Blue Guards, at the time perhaps the best infantry in Europe. I wonder where their pike men have got too.

 Here above and below are Von Eppinger’s Dragoons.

Von Eppingers got a new second squadron. Eventually, they will get horse holders and dismounted soldiers too.  They were a Guard formation and highly rated.

Next, the Guard cavalry.  I think they will get a second squadron too, not least because I have Ray’s flags for them.  You can find them if you click the side bar for Don’t Throw a 1.  Then look for NYW flags.

Here we have Steinbeck’s cavalry nicely rigged out in blue on white.

The Brandenburg infantry also a blue on white unit. 

A couple of cannons here.

Shortly, they will be joined with another squadron of cavalry and three infantry battalions.

More Irish Foot- League of Augsburg

This is the remainder of my Jacobite Irish Foot.  Above, Gordon O'Neill's.  You will see their pike men at the foot of the page.  

Clanrickard's regiment, their pike ditto.

Lord Bellew's with pike integral.

Lord Eustace's likewise.  Betimes, the Jacobites combined their pike men for shock action. Like so below. 

 

I've been busy on this.  I should have the Scots Regulars finished soon.  The Grand Alliance is now mostly done.  Certainly I have enough for a game.  

I haven't even started on the French yet.

Next up, some Grand Alliance Horse and Foot or maybe the Irish Jacobite Horse and Dragoons.  Then we will see what else has been bubbling away.