The Campaign of 1626

There remained for the defence of German liberties and the Protestant cause three 'knights errants'. First, Christian the IV of Denmark, hoping to increase his property and prestige at the expense of the Empire. Second, Christain of Brunswick, who loved campaigning and was Elizabeth of Bohemias' 'true ' knight errant. Third, Ernst von Mansfield, professional soldier of fortune. They planned seperate advances, because they would only bicker and fight between themselves.

Mansfield was tricked into attacking Wallenstein at Dessau Bridge, although Wallenstein was a beginner in the arts of war, well cared for troops dug in with the best artillery seen in the war to date did in Mansfields' 'hey diddle diddle up the middle ' attack.

Tilly skillfully used interior lines to defeat the Brunswickers' weak army, and. reinforced by Wallenstein, began pursuitof Christains ' Danes. Christain swung around and raced for his base at Wolfenbuttel. For three days, the Danish rearguard held off pursuit. On August 27 the king saw that he could not cover the remaining 20 miles without disaster. Christain deployed his army and faced Tilly at Lutter.

The Danes had 16,000 and 20 cannon, 4000 are english mercenaries. Tilly had 10,000 and 20 cannon, plus 8000 from Wallensteins army. The Danes did have slightly more cavalry.

Referee notes: Merode does not want to take heavier losses than Tilly. The English have a 50% chance of routing if asked to advance and a 50% chance of routing if in melee, (they go on strike.)

Wallhof: Jan. 16, 1626

Leo Sapieda, the Palantine of Vilna, is leading the Polish and Lithuanian troops to recover cities lost in Courland. Gustavus crosses the Dwina behind him to divert Leo away. Leo doubles back and has 'trapped ' the Swedes on the wrong side of river. (T. A. Dodge asserts that this was Gustavus ' plan to bring Leo to battle.) This battle broke the back of Polish efforts in this area, and next year the scene of conflict became Ducal Prussia.

The terrain and troops are correct, the deployments are typical doctrine for Poland and Sweden for the time. The Swedes are in the arrowhead formation , to maximize firepower and reduce the chance of a critical failure due to cavalry. (Note that they have yet to change to tactical battalions.) The Polish formation plays to the traditional cavalry strenght. Unless it snows, and makes firepower useless, the Swedes should win...

LITHUANIA

Leo Sapieda, Palantine of Vilna, commanding.

WINGED HUSSARS 8 HEAVY ELITE
WINGED HUSSARS 8 HEAVY VETERAN
WINGED HUSSARS 8 HEAVY VETERAN
PANCERNI 8 MEDIUM VETERAN
PANCERNI 8 MEDIUM REGULAR
PANCERNI 8 MEDIUM REGULAR
UHLANS 8 LIGHT PEASANT
UHLANS 8 LIGHT PEASANT
RAJTAR (CUIRASSIER) 8 CUIRASS REGULAR
'GERMAN ' FOOT 12 MUSKET 12 PIKE REGULAR
HEYDUKS 12 AXE/MUSKET VETERAN
'POLISH ' FOOT 24 AXE/MUSKET MILITA
'POLISH ' FOOT 24 AXE/MUSKET PEASANT
1 HEAVY GUN

SWEDISH ARMY

Gustavus commanding, Thurn and Teuffel cavalry and foot officers.
BREAKPOINT = 5

DUKE COURLAND 8 CUIRASS VETERAN
LIVONIAN CUIRASSIER 8 CUIRASS REGULAR
FINNISH HORSE 8 MEDIUM ELITE
SWEDISH HORSE 8 MEDIUM REGULAR
SWEISH HORSE 8 MEDIUM MILITA
SCOTS MERCENARY 8 MEDIUM MILITA
THURN REGIMENT 12 MUSKET 12 PIKE MILITA
SCOTS REGIMENT 12 MUSKET 12 PIKE REGULAR
PLATO REGIMENT (SWEDISH) 12 MUSKET 12 PIKE REGULAR
YELLOW REGIMENT (TEUFFEL) 12 MUSKET 12 PIKE ELITE
1 MEDIUM GUN (MANEVOURS LIGHT MEDIUM, FIRES LIKE A HEAVY.)

COMMANDED SHOT; IN 5 GROUPS OF 6 FIGURES.
BREAKPOINT = 5