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!