30 Years War Swedes (Jim Atwood) versus Later Polish-Lithuanian Republic (George Chandler) For the Later Polish-Lithuanian Republic, George used the new army list Mr. Steve Phenow developed for his siege of Vienna article (see HMGS Mid South Dispatch, 8/97.) Vienna 1683 is somewhat later than the period in which this tussle would probably have taken place (16291 and Mr. Phenow's list could be tweaked to reflect this -- for example, adding an Imperial tercio or two. Having said that, the list is fun to use within the somewhat limited Armati 30YW context. Our compliments to Mr. Phenow. The Opposing Armies: Hetman Chandlerowski's Poles looked something like: a Core Army of 1 Winged Hussar HC, 1 Pancerni HC, 1Kozak LC, 1 Lithuanian LC, 1 SI, 1 light arty, 1 German FT, 1 Haiduk FT; plus, 30-point Bonus units of 2 Winged Hussar, 2 Pancerni and 2 Rajtar, all HC, for an army BP or 6. Initiative is 5. Heavy Divisions were' (1) 2x Wi tieed H ussars HC: (2) 3x Pancerni HC; (3) 1x Winged Hussars HQ (4) 2x Rajtar HC; (5) 1x German FT and 1 x Haidirk FT. Light Divisions were: (1) Ix S1 with muskets; (2) Ix Kozak LC; (3) 1x Lithuanian LC ` According to information scribbled down after the battle by Lithuanian cavalrymen drunk on aquavit, General Atwoodus's Swedish army consisted of a Core Army of I Lifeguard HC, 1 HC, 1 DR, 2 Swedish FT, 1 Allied FT, 2 SI, and 1 Light Arty; plus, 30 point horrus units of 1 Lifeguard HC, 2 HC, 1 Finnish LC, 1 Heavy Arty, 1 Medium Arty, and I Light Arty, fOr so arm%' SP of 5. Initiative is 6. Heavy Divisions were: (1) 2x Swedish FT and 1x Allied FT, (2) 1x Lifeguard HC , (3) 1 HC; (4) 1x HC and 1x Lifeguard HQ (5) 2x MC. Light Divisions were: (1) 1x SI; (2) 1 Finnish LC. You will note that some of the light units in the list do not appear on the battlefield - fog of war-, or fog of aquavit: you be the judge. Terrain was not a factor, as is unfortunately all too common in Armati battles. However, it was rumored amongst certain Lithuanian horse-boyq that there were large quantities of aquavit hidden in the Swedish baggage train behind the hill ...... Dispositions were: The Swedes The LC, HC and Lifeguards in the front line were all deployed in depth. The reserve Lifeguard unit deployed in line. Med=medium arty; Hev=heavy arty; Lt=light arty; Ally=Allied FT; Swed=Swedish FT. The Poles The Pancerni and Rajtars were all deployed in depth. All pistol armed cavalry were assumed to Fire upon contact and then fight melee per the Reiter Rule. Both Generals agreed that the Winged Hussars should not be allowed to deploy in depth (and since Pancerni and Winged Hussars tended to be mixed units, this was an issue for the Pancerni ns well . so was the pistol shot of the Pancerni and Winged Hussars prior to melee. The Head Shed concluded thnt the Winged Hussars were using them new-rangled, fancy breech-loading lances. Koz= Kozak LC. Lith= Lithuanian LC, Ger=German FT (pike/musket), and Hai=Haiduk FT (musket only.) Note that most of the left side of the field was hardly used. We did not use mirsiie penetration dropoff or the fatigue rule - although the latter rule is highly recommended because it greatly enhances the potential effect of reserves. The Battle 1. General Atwood correctly surmised the major Polish effort would come on the Swedish left flank - but he did not count on the comparatively large numbers of armoured, winged Poles bearing down on him.... much less the dense second line or same. True to historical form, the masses of heavy cavalry charged each other, with the Poles getting in faster due to winning or being given initiative by the Swedes. The SI simultaneously destroyed each other on the first shot (a slight rules violation) and the Swedish arty pounded the Polish foot into blood pudding -- but it was a firm pudding, and he Poles held on. The Finnish LC tried to get into position to attack the Polish arty and infuntry line. The Hackapells eventually charged the guns but were still fighting it out when the battle ended. 2. Pancerni division (3 HC) and Swedish HCLifeHC (3 HC) and reserve Lifeguard (1 HC) divisions had an epic Fight, which the Pancerni lost. For the moment at least, the Blondes were having more fun. The main factor in the Poles' messy demise was the rightmost Pancerni unit of the div ision being taken in flank by the reserve Lifeguard division. Not too far away from where the I'ancerni were being chopped into chutney, the front line Winged Hussar (2 HC) and Kozak (1 LC) divisions enthusiastically destroyed the Swedish HC division (2 HO on the extreme Polish light. The Hussars gleefully lanced and sabered the fleeing Swedes until they realized the plight of the Pincerni A as getting pretty desperate. 3. After breaking a Paricerni unit with their flank attack 02 above), the reserve Swedish Lifeguard division (1 HC) punched through the Polish cavalry line and broke the reserve Winged Hussars (HC). The Hetman was irritated at the loss to the extent of having the Hussars stuffed and mounted as a shield decoration (which will be illustrated by Angus McBride in the next Osprey Men-at-Arms release on the Polish army.) To prevent a Swedish joyride in the Polish rear (a practice still frowned upon in many states) the Lidiuanian LC division (LC) of the Polish reserve harassed the victorious Swedish Lifeguard division, taunting them mercilessly with complex "dumb blond" jokes and the occasional arrow. Lifeguards did not have time either to about-face and attack the remaining Winged Hussars, or to wheel right and attack the Polish foot before the Winged Hussar and Kozak divisions on the Polish light had won the battle (see #4.) Nor could they catch the pestiferous, insult-spewing, aquavit-lusting Lithuanian LC. 3(a) The Polish reserve Rajtar division (2 HC) charged the Swedish HCLifeHC (3 HC) divisions while they were still breaking up [lie Pancerni division (3 HC.) The RajLars, retaining the Impetus Bonus against the stationary (but deadly) Swedes, caused great havoc, killing many Svens while the latter were trying to pronounce 'rajtar." 4. On the Polish extreme fight flank, the victorious Winged Hussars and Kozaks eventually wheeled left and fell upon the flank of the embattled Swedish HC LifeHC divisions, who were still trying to pronounce "rajtar." The Lifeguard unit containing General Atwoodus broke, along with a lesser cavalry unit, giving victory laurels to the Poles, along with all the aquavit they could pour dow n their gullets. 5. The Swedish infantry line, for reasons known only to the aquavit guards, limited themselves to the pace of the light guns (3" per turn) and were never a factor in the battle as they were neither close enough to fire on, melee, or insult the inferior Polish foot -- nor were they in a position to support the valiant but outnumbered and outclassed Swedish cavalry persons now being mauled by the Winged Hussars. 6. Swedish arty inflicted several hits on the Polish infantry throughout the battle, but this was never decisive. The Polish rout - under no pressure at all from the Swedish infantry - sat where it was and played dice games (i.e., they rolled to recover unit BP's at the end of ouch turn) and successfully performed their function as a 'foil' to the Swedish foot throughout the battle. 7. Both Generals used reserve to great effect. The Polish reserve Rujtars and Winged Hussars were able to prevent the Swedish Life HC divisions from breaking through to the weak Polish infantry; plus, they gave the front line Winged Hussars and Kozaks time enough to destroy tile Swedish left wing cavalry and fall upon the center. The Swedish reserve Lifeguard division defeated twice its number of Polish HC by first taking advantage of a Polish front line unit when they were engaged with the Swedish first line, then engaging a key Polish reserve formation. Most importantly, these elite guardians of Swedesin knew how to pronounce "rajtar," and thus were not distracted by the insidious Polish ploy. As Arty Conliffe says, "Reserves DO matter." It was said (probably by well lubricated Lithuanian cavalrymen) that the Swedish commander only escaped capture, rape, and ingestion by disguising himself as an aquavit distributor after tile battle, and leading the Hussars in a chorus of Aly, Piervvsza Brygada (We of the First Brigade.) It was also said (definitely by enraged but sober Huckapells) that General Atwoodus was later decoratively enhanced by Finnish sabers for losing the aquavit to the "polaks." Respectfully Submitted to the Membership, Hetman G. Chandlerowski (who, by the way, really loves the history of pre-Partition Poland, and has immense respect for Sweden and Gustavus Adolphus in particular). Back to Dispatch Dec. 98 Table of Contents Back to Dispatch List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1998 by HMGS Mid-South This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com