Soor 1745.

The Second Silesian War, with Seven Years, rules written by Michael. The refight of the battle of Soor which was fought on 30th September 1745.

SCENARIO: Michael Schneider
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider

SCENERY: Bartek Żynda, Michael Schneider, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider

1. Forces.

AUSTRIA

(Alasdair, Bartek, Michael, Tim)

1st Infantry Brigade

2 x Musketeers

1 x Medium Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

2 x Grenadiers

1 x Light Gun

3rd Infantry Brigade

2 x Musketeers

1 x Medium Gun

1 x Light Gun

4th Infantry Brigade

2 x Musketeers

1 x Light Gun

5th Infantry Brigade

2 x Musketeers

1 x Light Gun

1st Cavalry Brigade

1 x Cuirassiers

1 x Hussars

1 x Skirmishers

2nd Cavalry Brigade

1 x Dragoons

1 x Hussars

1 x Skirmishers

PRUSSIA

(Fred, Gordon, John, Peter)

1st Grenadier Brigade

2 x Grenadiers

2 x Medium Gun

2nd Grenadier Brigade

2 x Grenadiers

2 x Medium Gun

1st Infantry Brigade

2 x Musketeers

2 x Light Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

3 x Musketeers

2 x Medium Gun

1st Cavalry Brigade

1 x Cuirassiers

1 x Hussars

1 x Skirmishers

2nd Cavalry Brigade

1 x Dragoons

1 x Hussars

1 x Skirmishers

2. The game.

At the beginning of the game, Prussian troops could deploy freely, whereas Austrian troops were already deployed. It should be noted that one of the cavalry brigades for Austrian players could only be activated in the third turn. The game had two main objectives: capturing the village of Burkersdorf and the hill of Graner-Koppe, both worth 3 victory points. Additionally, each destroyed unit was worth 1 point, and every cannon or skirmisher was worth 0.5 points.

At the start of the battle, the Prussian army lacked initiative and focused solely on guarding the village of Burkersdorf. As a result, the Austrian artillery was able to fire at the enemy without any hindrance. This was particularly evident on my flank, where my cannons, supported by skirmishers, inflicted heavy losses on the Prussian cavalry. As a result, I earned 2 victory points for our side. Alasdair also played a similar role, using his guns to wipe out two units of Prussian musketeers.

On the left flank of our army, the cavalry commanded by Tim advanced and successfully pushed back the Prussian cavalry led by Gordon. This allowed Tim to enter the Prussian flank and disrupt their formation. In response, the Prussian leaders Fred and Peter decided to launch an attack with their infantry. While the Prussian infantry initially showed strength by destroying one or two Austrian units, they suffered significant losses in the process, losing two of their own units. The game ultimately ended with an Austrian victory, as they were able to inflict greater losses on the enemy.

3. Links.

MICHAEL:

https://meneken.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-battle-at-klein-soor-1745-just.html

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/823436183147048

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720316150698

Cape Pasta 1940.

Campbell is famous for his ability to rapidly prepare large fleets for games. He worked on ships for operations in the Mediterranean, during the Second World War, in a quiet manner. Currently, he has both the Royal Navy and the Regia Marina. Last Thursday, a new collection was introduced in a fictional scenario, which was based on a real battle that took place near Cape Stilo. The game was played using the Nimitz rules.

SCENARIO: Campbell Hardie
UMPIRING: Campbell Hardie

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Campbell Hardie

1. Forces.

ROYAL NAVY

(Gordon, Mike, Peter)

FORCE A:

HMS Aurethusa

HMS Aurora

HMS Gloucester

HMS Manchester

FORCE B:

HMS Warspite

HMS Havock

HMS Ilex

HMS Vendetta

FORCE C:

HMS Malaya

HMS Royal Sovereign

HMS EAGLE

HMS Hardy

HMS Hasty

HMS Hero

HMS Hostile

HMS Intrepid

REGIA MARINA

(Alasdair, Bartek, Michael)

1st Fleet

Andrea Doria

Caio Duilio

Scipio Africano

Atillo Regolo 

Luigi Di Cadorna

Armando Diaz

Giuseppe Garibaldi

Circe

Francesco Crispi

Fulmine

Folgore

Qunitino Sella

2nd Fleet

Fiume

Zara

Gorizia

Pola

Trento

Trieste

Pompeo Magno

Duca D'Acosta

Attendolo

Monteccoli

Alvise Da Mosta

Ascari

Alpino

Coriazziere

2. The game.

Before the game started, we had two pre-game rounds. During these rounds, both sides launched air attacks. The first two waves of planes came from HMS Eagle, followed by Italian bombers targeting the Royal Navy. The British were much more successful in their attacks, managing to sink the Italian heavy cruiser Fiume, while the Italians only managed to lightly damage the Royal Sovereign. After the pre-games, we moved on to the actual game. The Italians had to engage the British until the end of the game while ensuring that none of their battleships was lost. On the other hand, the Royal Navy had to destroy the Italian battleships without losing any of their own.

Our strategy was straightforward - engage the Royal Navy with all our forces except for the battleships. We hoped that the British would not be able to penetrate our defences and sink our valuable large ships. Our plan worked exceptionally well. We first exchanged fire from our guns, and then both sides launched their torpedoes. The Italians were much more successful in this regard. Eventually, both Italian battleships were able to safely withdraw from the battlefield, and the British suffered more significant losses. The Italians lost Trento, Pompeo Magno, Alpino, Ascari, and Coriazzere, while the Royal Navy lost Arethusa, Gloucester, Aurora, Vendetta, Hardy, Ilex, and Hero.

3. Links.

CAMPBELL (SESWC):

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/815586460598687

FLICKR

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720316002760

Psiekiszki 1764.

The next game in our fictional 2nd Polish Succession War features a battle between the combined Saxon and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth forces against the Russians. We used the Seven Years rules, created by Michael.

SCENARIO: Bartek Żynda
UMPIRING: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

SAXONY & POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH

(Alasdair, Bartek, Gordon, Peter)

Saxon Division

1st Infantry Brigade

3 x Grenadiers (Elite)

1 x Light Gun

2nd Infantry Brigade

3 x Musketeers (Large)

1 x Light Gun

3rd Infantry Brigade

3 x Musketeers (Large)

1 x Light Gun

Cavalry Brigade

2 x Uhlans

Gun Battery

3 x Medium Guns

Polish-Lithuanian Division

1st Brigade

2 x Levy of Nobles Cavalry (Poor)

1 x Skirmishers

2nd Brigade

2 x Levy of Nobles Cavalry (Poor)

1 x Skirmishers

RUSSIA

(Michael, Mike, Tim)

1st Infantry Brigade

1 x Grenadiers (Elite)

3 x Musketeers

1 x Howitzer

2nd Infantry Brigade

3 x Musketeers 

1 x Howitzer

3rd Infantry Brigade

3 x Musketeers 

1 x Howitzer

1st Cavalry Brigade

1 x Cuirasiers

1 x Dragoons

1 x Skirmishers

2nd Cavalry Brigade

1 x Dragoons

1 x hussars

1 x Skirmishers

1st Gun Battery

2 x Medium Gun

2nd Gun Battery

2 x Medium Gun

2. Introduction.

In an alternative version of the events of 1764 in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Second War of the Polish Succession took place. In this reality, Frederick Augustus received support from Austria and France to fight for the Polish crown, while Russia wanted Stanisław August Poniatowski, who was dependent on it, on the throne. This led to a war between Saxony and Russia. Saxony was backed by Austria and Russia was supported by Prussia under a secret special article of the Russo-Prussian Convention of April 11, 1764, which stipulated that Prussia would provide military assistance to Russia if any European power supported Poniatowski's opponent militarily. The Republican party, also known as the Hetman's party, supported the Saxon candidate, who aimed to maintain existing rights and privileges. On the other hand, Poniatowski was supported by the Familia, who wanted to carry out reforms to strengthen the country. They believed that with the help of Catherine the Great, who was considered an enlightened person, they would be able to bring about the desired change in the country that was in line with the spirit of the era.

3. The game.

The Second War of the Polish Succession is in full swing. After defeating the Russians and Prussians at Szuwarkowoszczewice, the Saxons advance deeper into Lesser Poland towards Krakow. Near the village of Psiekiszki, they are to meet a delegation of Polish nobility and go together towards the former capital of Poland. They do not know that a strong Russian group, which was not defeated during the previous battle, is heading in the same direction. The Russians want to prevent the Saxon-Polish forces from joining together and marching on Kraków at all costs. To do this, the bridge over the nearby river must be burned.

The Russians were the first to arrive at the battlefield and spotted Polish nobles. The nobles sent their riflemen to capture the village of Psiekiszki and a nearby mountain, which stopped the movement of the Russian cavalry. The cavalry did not dare to charge the troops of the Polish nobility, who stood at a distance. Meanwhile, Saxon troops started to arrive. However, they were in marching columns when they faced the enemy, which proved to be a disadvantage. The Russian cavalry attacked them and destroyed one of the musketeer units.

During the battle, the Saxon Uhlans made a charge against the Russian cuirassiers. However, this turned out to be a grave mistake as the Uhlans were forced to retreat. This retreat created a convenient break for the Russian guns to fire upon the Saxon infantry, who were still in marching columns and vulnerable to attack. As a result, the Saxons suffered huge losses and another musketeer unit was destroyed.

Despite facing setbacks, the Saxons were able to join forces with the Polish nobles. They reorganized their troops and opened fire on the Russian infantry. The Saxon battery of medium guns inflicted significant damage on Catherine the Great's army. In fact, after just three salvos, the entire Russian brigade was destroyed! Alasdair was fortunate enough to roll three double sixes on the dice, thereby dealing a severe blow to the Russians. It was clear that the Saxons had gained the upper hand and the Russians were unable to stop them. Thus, the battle was lost by the Russians. The Saxons will now head to Krakow, where they will await the arrival of the Austrian contingent. This Austrian force will need to break through the blockade of the Prussian corps, but that is a story for another time.

4. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/812953810861952

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720315731127