SYW Campaign Underway

Our SYW campaign is under way. The Prussian player rather rashly placed just about all of his counters on his western border, signaling hostile intentions towards neighboring Hanover. Seeing this, the Russian players posted their brigades along Prussia's eastern border.  The Austrians were by far the most judicious power, evenly distributing counters in strategic locations throughout their realm.

Diplomats have been working feverishly on the political front. France has joined with Prussia while Austria and Russia have formed an alliance; little Hanover is standing alone, at least for the moment.

We will be fighting our first battle this Friday after school. My guess is that the opening shots will be fired in eastern Prussia; Russia is bearing down on the Prussian capital hoping to deliver a decisive blow before Frederick can develop a defense. However, Austrian forces have crossed the frontier and will stretch the Prussian resources severely.

Prussians vs. Russians Part 2

I fought out two more turns this afternoon.  The Russian artillery is proving to be decisive.  However, two events have given the Prussian high command a glimmer of hope.  On the first turn, a Prussian medium battery rolled double sixes on its bombardment of a Russian battery.  The results table indicates that the stricken battery looses two additional figures, must immediately retreat 20 cm AND is low on ammo.  This has left a vulnerable section in the Czar's line, being defended by only an extended line of jagers.  On the second turn of the day, two Prussian hussar regiments of 24 figures each charged into two Russian cuirassier units of 18 figures each.  The Prussians have won both engagements, forcing one regiment to retreat and the other has been pushed back across the small stream.  Unfortunately, neither Prussian unit was able to pursue, so it will be up to two beat up landwehr regiments to try and follow up this victory.

On the negative side, losses are piling up before the Russian guns.  On the Prussian right flank, literally hundreds of men have fallen in an attempt to come to grips with these dealers of death.  On the left flank, a Prussian horse artillery battery was blistered with cannister as it tried to advance into position.  The next two or three turns will be very important.  Can the Prussians get some battalions into place to exploit their few gains?  Will the Russians be able to move their limited reserves into a position to shore up these holes?

Losses mount in attempting to come to grips with the Russian guns

My new casualty counters. I like them better than the rings I was using previously.

Prussian landwehr moving up in support.

The Prussian horse battery that has been severely pasted by the Russian horse battery opposite it.

Still another Prussian regiment trying to charge a battery.   These battalions are in line which is helping to keep casualties to a minimum.

Despite the hardships dealing with the Russian artillery, this has been a fun game thus far.  Depending what happens on the Russian right, things could turn dramatically.

Napoleonic Russian against Prussians and Poles

It's been awhile since my last post.  I was busy finishing up a large commission of Bavarians and then painting up another brigade of Napoleonic Prussians for myself.  I have finished both and I was eager to get my full Prussian corp out on the table.  I allied them with my Duchy of Warsaw division for an invasion of Russian territory.  I have played out the first four turns and the Prussians/Poles are having a very rough time of it.  Those darn Russian guns are more than formidable!  But a Prussian cavalry brigade has destroyed a brigade of Russian cossacks, threatening the Czar's right flank.  But this tactic is taking time to develop, costing the lives of scores of Prussian infantry.  Here are a few pictures:

The Prussians in the background are having a rough go against a Russian battery.

Here it is a regiment of dragoons that are getting a face-full of lead.

Duchy of Warsaw troops on the extreme right flank.

A regiment of Westphalian Landwehr supporting a battery in the middle of the line.

A wider angle of the Prussian center

A battery of Prussian horse artillery deployed on a hill

Prussian hussars attempting to turn the Russian right flank.

A large Prussian cavalry brigade at the beginning of the game.

I am off to dinner with my daughter, but hope to make more progress in the battle tomorrow.  Thanks for taking a look.  Comments are welcome and appreciated!