Rather than try to load them all into a post, I've put the uniforms and flags into an online gallery viewable at this link: http://www.musterthetroops.com/BattleofUnter-Schweingau/view.html.
Missing: Unter-Schweingau militia
Extra: Van Ackeren Cuirassiers, Asgar's army
The Van Ackeren unit will not be present at the battle, but I threw them into the gallery since I had an image for them.
The two forces combined at this point total 10 brigades, with 17 battalions of infantry, 25 squadrons of cavalry, and 8 guns on the field. Here's the order of battle for the troops, including commander initiative/command radius as rolled by Jeff:
Arnold’s Forces
=======================
C-in-C: Generalmajor Wlodzimierz Borowczyk (Polish immigrant) – Steady, Initiative 2, Command 11”
Jagers: Schlöndorff Jagers – 420 men, Trained
Black Brigade - Brigadier Max Färberböck – Steady, Initiative 1, Command 9”/6”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schwarze Eber Fusiliers – 510 men (90 gren), Veteran
Emmerich Musketeers – 510 men (90 gren), Trained
Potente Musketeers – 510 men (90 gren), Trained
Kinski Brigade - Brigadier Werner Kinski – Political, Initiative 1, Command 8”/5”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riefenstahl Musketeers – 510 men (90 gren), Veteran
Tykwer Musketeers – 510 men (90 gren), Trained
Belgischer Musketeers – 510 men (90 gren), Raw (Belgian raw recruits, ex-POWs)
French Brigade - Brigadier Jean-Louis d'Civeyrac – Aggressive, Initiative 1, Command 11”/7”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grenadiers d’Civeyrac – 480 men, Veteran
Leterrier Musketeers – 600 men, Veteran
Muldowney Heavy Cavalry Brigade - Brigadier Sean Muldowney – Aggressive, Initiative 2, Command 8”/5” (Irish immigrant)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Von Praunheim Cuirassiers – 3 sqdns, 360 men, Elite
Lubitsch Dragoons – 2 sqdns, 240 men, Trained
Lamarr Dragoons – 3 sqdns, 360 men, Raw
Light Cavalry Brigade - Brigadier Hans Andress – Political, Initiative 1, Command 15”/10”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bandauer Hussars – 3 sqdns, 360 men, Veteran
Puchalski Lancers – 2 sqdns, 240 men, Trained (Polish immigrants)
Artillery
-------------
1 x 12pdr
3 x 3pdr
Asgar’s Forces
==================
C-in-C: Generalmajor Peter Schweiger – Aggressive, Initiative 2, Command 10”
Town Garrison/Council Escort – Brigadier Wolfgang Storch – Cautious, Initiative 1, Command 10”/5”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unter-Schweingau Militia – 360 men, Raw
Dieterlestadt Grenadiers – 420 men, Veteran
3rd Infantry Brigade - Brigadier Wim Gronenborn – Veteran, Initiative 1, Command 12”/7”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shannon’s Irish Guard – 660 men, Elite (Guards unit, Irishmen)
7th Line – 600 men (60 gren), Trained
8th Line – 600 men (60 gren), Raw
2nd Infantry Brigade – Brigadier Roland Kruger – Political, Initiative 2, Command 11”/7”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Line – 600 men (60 gren), Veteran
5th Line – 600 men (60 gren), Trained
6th Line – 600 men (60 gren), Trained
Murnau Heavy Cavalry Brigade - Brigadier Klaus Murnau – Aggressive, Initiative 1, Command 11”/7”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Von Trotta Horse Grenadiers – 3 sqdns, 360 men, Elite (Guards unit)
Margarethe Dragoons – 2 sqdns, 240 men, Veteran
Franka Dragoons – 2 sqdns, 240 men, Veteran
Light Cavalry Brigade - Brigadier Sebastian Boll – Aggressive, Initiative 1, Command 10”/7”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kinski Hussars – 2 sqdns, 240 men, Trained
Hippler Hussars – 3 sqdns, 360 men, Trained
Artillery
----------------
1 x 6pdr
3 x 3pdr
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Some more thoughts on Unter-Schweingau
Those not in the habit of reading comments should read the ones on the sketch map post beneath this one. Lots of exchange of information going on there.
While I didn't start out that way, I've found some story growing as I've been making up the forces for these. The majority of the best cavalry seem to have followed Asgar, while the majority of the better infantry seem to have gone with Arnold. This theory is based on the concentration of high-grade heavy cavalry in Asgar's army, and the possibility that the numbering of some of the line regiments represents hasty recruiting to fil in gaps as much of the senior infantry units went to Arnold.
Eventually, these theories will probably spawn more storyline.
While I didn't start out that way, I've found some story growing as I've been making up the forces for these. The majority of the best cavalry seem to have followed Asgar, while the majority of the better infantry seem to have gone with Arnold. This theory is based on the concentration of high-grade heavy cavalry in Asgar's army, and the possibility that the numbering of some of the line regiments represents hasty recruiting to fil in gaps as much of the senior infantry units went to Arnold.
Eventually, these theories will probably spawn more storyline.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A sketch map for Unter-Schweingau
The result of about an hour's fiddling with GameMapr. Actual terrain is free to vary as those setting it up see fit, but this should give a general idea of the battlefield. A pass amongst hills, with a central road leading through the town and off to the river crossing. Murdock/Jeff, feel free to add another river crossing if you think it needs it, for easier troop movement or scenario challenge. Adjust the road if need be, too. Such scouting sketches are, of course, notoriously unreliable. ;)
Click on the image for larger view.
Click on the image for larger view.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Landgraviate Council to Meet...Trouble Expected
Rumors spreading from the Landgrave of Ober-Schweinsberg speak of the impending meeting of the council loyal to Prince Asgar, one of the competing brothers engaged in civil war over their deceased father's throne. The Landgraviate continues to be divided over the issue of succession, with each Prince having been crowned Landgrave by different bishops and supported by their own government structures.
Speculation runs high that this gathering of Asgar's Council will draw the attention of Prince Arnold, and that an expedition may be mounted despite the winter season to arrest the Council members. Already, some residents are reported to be leaving the small town of Unter-Schweingau in anticipation of bloodshed, while others stay, the mayor having called the town's militia to arms. As of yet, there is no word of the Council's arrival in the town, and rumors differ as to the exact date planned for the meeting.
It is thought that any move by Arnold's wintering forces will result in a battle of some size, as one of Asgar's divisions lies in winter quarters across the river from the town, and would likely be called upon to defend the town.
(and yes, this is a background post for the proxy battle I'm working up to be played out by Murdock's group)
Speculation runs high that this gathering of Asgar's Council will draw the attention of Prince Arnold, and that an expedition may be mounted despite the winter season to arrest the Council members. Already, some residents are reported to be leaving the small town of Unter-Schweingau in anticipation of bloodshed, while others stay, the mayor having called the town's militia to arms. As of yet, there is no word of the Council's arrival in the town, and rumors differ as to the exact date planned for the meeting.
It is thought that any move by Arnold's wintering forces will result in a battle of some size, as one of Asgar's divisions lies in winter quarters across the river from the town, and would likely be called upon to defend the town.
(and yes, this is a background post for the proxy battle I'm working up to be played out by Murdock's group)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Monday, December 3, 2007
Vergoldeten Convergence, part 2
To the North of Vergoldeten....
The troops of Generalmajor Klaus Vilsmaier snaked their way towards the city of Vergoldeten in long lines along the winding road, led by the 2nd Brigade under Brigadier Arnold Wenders. Rank after rank of the Fassbinder Musketeers led the way, well trained troops supplied by one of the better merchant families and clad in blue with black facings. Behind them marched the Gebühren Eber Grenadiers, resplendent in uniforms of golden yellow with their tall grenadier hats of the Austrian pattern. The Generalmajor was happy with their well formed lines and well kept appearance, but not quite so happy with the man commanding the brigade. Wenders was a fat textiles merchant whose products clothed the Grenadiers under his command, but Vilsmaier felt him better suited to counting coins than marshalling troops on a battlefield. Still, in an army funded by merchants, he was stuck with him.
Behind the 2nd Brigade marched the men of the 4th Brigade, and here at least Vilsmaier could not question the choice of Brigadier. His own son, Jacob Vilsmaier, led a brigade composed of two mercenary battalions. Marching first and directly under the Brigadier's watchful eye were the blue-clad men of Freikorps Schütte, a unit which both Vilsmaier men viewed with some degree of distaste, as it was only recently formed and primarily from former prisoners of war, drunkards impressed while under the influence, and various vagabonds hoping for good pay and perhaps some baggage to spoil. Behind this unit, the smart green-faced red coats of Freikorps O'Toole made a much nicer picture. To a man, the troops over-strength battalion were Irish expatriates, and they had already proved their worth and their desire to fight on several occasions. It should be noted, as well, that it was not pure parental pride which drove Klaus Vilsmaier's estimation of the commander of the 4th Brigade. Like his father, Jacob Vislmaier had real combat experience from time spent in mercenary service, and was therefore well suited to command the brigade.
It was a sizable force, on the scale of Ober-Schweinsberg battles. But then, it had to be, with both Princes believed to have sent forces towards the town. It was because of these forces that Klaus Vilsmaier had chosen to detour and approach from the northwest of the town to ensure that the Princes met first, and his own troops might have a clear path to the town while the forces of the two would-be Landgraves fought it out.
There was just one thing which an inadequate intelligence network had failed to report to the Generalmajor, and that was the presence of a fourth force. Hesse-Engelburg, it seemed, had abandoned their previous contentment to simply control the borders and river traffic north and confine the troubles to Ober-Schweinsberg and had dispatched a force to enter into the struggle for the town, considering its location on the southern trade route important to their interests.
And thus it came about that to the northeast of the town, Generalmajor Count Manfred von Waffenschmidt of Hesse-Engelburg pushed along a force of six battalions, divided into three temporary brigades of two battalions each. Leading the march were the men of the only unit to hold a battle honor, the Lintzer Musketeers, newly arrayed in facings of rich violet to replace their prior yellow. Behind them, in similar gray coats but green facings were the newly formed first battalion of the Sumpflöwen Musketeers, the Marsh Lions. Brigadier Werner Heintzen moved up and down the line, a man of promising steadiness but little real combat experience.
Behind them marched the second brigade under Brigadier Rudolf Richter, composed of the Niederwiesen Musketeers and the Grauerhimmel Fusiliers, both well regarded regiments. These units, too, marched in gray coats and trousers, the Niederwiesen faced with red and the Fusiliers with blue. It was a matter of one's personal tastes whether the eye was attracted first to the brighter facings of the Musketeers or to the sun's glint off the distinictive Fusilier caps.
Bringing up the rear but by no means lower in status, the third brigade under Brigadier Franz Linkmeyer was slated to act as a reserve for the two leading brigades, prepared to lend its weight of fresh numbers and veteran fighters should it be needed. In this brigade the most distinctive uniforms were to be found. It was led by the famed Von Platzen Grenadiers in their black coats and red facings and trousers, their brass mitres shining in the sun's rays. At the rear but by no means less respected, the kilt-clad battalion of MacArthur's Schottische Windhunde Musketeers marched in proud ranks, led by the songs of their piper.
As it happened, the forces of Bad Nachtschwein and Hesse-Engelburg would become aware of each other at almost the same moment. Brigadier Heintzen was to be glad of the veterans of the Lintzer Musketeers this day, as the head of his brigade made a smooth turn to reorient itself towards the newly discovered threat. It seemed as though the raw recruits of the Sumpflöwen Musketeers were eager not to be shown up by the veterans, for they too executed their change of facing quite smoothly, and advanced alongside the Lintzer battalion in good order. As the first Hesse-Engelburg brigade advanced in good order, the 2nd Bad Nachtschwein brigade managed to shake out of their own line of march and reorient, if somewhat less smoothly. Still, Brigadier Arnold Wenders' foghorn of a voice could be heard bellowing out attack orders above the drum rolls and other voices. Undetered by the bold Bad Nachtschwein advance, the first brigade of Hesse-Engelburg troops advanced into firing range and halted to deliver a withering volley into their advancing opponents, the Lintzer battalion facing off against the boldly colored uniforms of the Gebühren Eber Grenadiers while the Sumpflöwen Musketeers traded shot with the Fassbinder Musketeers. Though many Bad Nachtschweiners fell, both their battalions continued their advance, closing ranks as they stepped over the bodies of the fallen.
For the Vilsmaiers, father and son, on what would become the left of the Bad Nachtschwein line, the view was not a promising one. As Heintzen's bold march drew ahead of the mercenary brigade as it worked to shake out into line, the second and third brigades of Hesse-Engelburg could be seen putting their training to work in smooth, crisp formation changes as they worked to catch up to their own advanced brigade, advancing in an unbroken line. A gap opened briefly before the Vilsmaiers between those two brigades, but closed well before any hope of exploiting it as the kilted MacArthurs and the Schwarze Grenadiers wheeled into position. The Freikorps Schütte began to justify their superiors' doubts at this point, proving sluggish despite the pushing of Jacob Vilsmaier to get them into position. This left the staunch Irish lines exposed to the fire of the entire right brigade of Hesse-Engelburg, blistering volleys littering the field with Irish bodies. Yet, the Irish were to show their mettle, standing firm beneath the withering fire. Meanwhile, on the Bad Nachtschwein right, the fire of the Lintzer and Sumpflöwen battalions finally became too much, and the bold advance was checked.....the Fassbinder regiment wavering and finally crumbling towards the rear. Though the Gebühren Eber Grenadiers maintained order, it was clear the Bad Nachtschwein forces were hopelessly outmatched, and the Vilsmaiers good enough officers to acknowledge this. A general retreat was sounded, a retreat which the Hesse-Engelburg forces were apparently quite content to allow unmolested as their columns began to reform and move towards the town proper.
The troops of Generalmajor Klaus Vilsmaier snaked their way towards the city of Vergoldeten in long lines along the winding road, led by the 2nd Brigade under Brigadier Arnold Wenders. Rank after rank of the Fassbinder Musketeers led the way, well trained troops supplied by one of the better merchant families and clad in blue with black facings. Behind them marched the Gebühren Eber Grenadiers, resplendent in uniforms of golden yellow with their tall grenadier hats of the Austrian pattern. The Generalmajor was happy with their well formed lines and well kept appearance, but not quite so happy with the man commanding the brigade. Wenders was a fat textiles merchant whose products clothed the Grenadiers under his command, but Vilsmaier felt him better suited to counting coins than marshalling troops on a battlefield. Still, in an army funded by merchants, he was stuck with him.
Behind the 2nd Brigade marched the men of the 4th Brigade, and here at least Vilsmaier could not question the choice of Brigadier. His own son, Jacob Vilsmaier, led a brigade composed of two mercenary battalions. Marching first and directly under the Brigadier's watchful eye were the blue-clad men of Freikorps Schütte, a unit which both Vilsmaier men viewed with some degree of distaste, as it was only recently formed and primarily from former prisoners of war, drunkards impressed while under the influence, and various vagabonds hoping for good pay and perhaps some baggage to spoil. Behind this unit, the smart green-faced red coats of Freikorps O'Toole made a much nicer picture. To a man, the troops over-strength battalion were Irish expatriates, and they had already proved their worth and their desire to fight on several occasions. It should be noted, as well, that it was not pure parental pride which drove Klaus Vilsmaier's estimation of the commander of the 4th Brigade. Like his father, Jacob Vislmaier had real combat experience from time spent in mercenary service, and was therefore well suited to command the brigade.
It was a sizable force, on the scale of Ober-Schweinsberg battles. But then, it had to be, with both Princes believed to have sent forces towards the town. It was because of these forces that Klaus Vilsmaier had chosen to detour and approach from the northwest of the town to ensure that the Princes met first, and his own troops might have a clear path to the town while the forces of the two would-be Landgraves fought it out.
There was just one thing which an inadequate intelligence network had failed to report to the Generalmajor, and that was the presence of a fourth force. Hesse-Engelburg, it seemed, had abandoned their previous contentment to simply control the borders and river traffic north and confine the troubles to Ober-Schweinsberg and had dispatched a force to enter into the struggle for the town, considering its location on the southern trade route important to their interests.
And thus it came about that to the northeast of the town, Generalmajor Count Manfred von Waffenschmidt of Hesse-Engelburg pushed along a force of six battalions, divided into three temporary brigades of two battalions each. Leading the march were the men of the only unit to hold a battle honor, the Lintzer Musketeers, newly arrayed in facings of rich violet to replace their prior yellow. Behind them, in similar gray coats but green facings were the newly formed first battalion of the Sumpflöwen Musketeers, the Marsh Lions. Brigadier Werner Heintzen moved up and down the line, a man of promising steadiness but little real combat experience.
Behind them marched the second brigade under Brigadier Rudolf Richter, composed of the Niederwiesen Musketeers and the Grauerhimmel Fusiliers, both well regarded regiments. These units, too, marched in gray coats and trousers, the Niederwiesen faced with red and the Fusiliers with blue. It was a matter of one's personal tastes whether the eye was attracted first to the brighter facings of the Musketeers or to the sun's glint off the distinictive Fusilier caps.
Bringing up the rear but by no means lower in status, the third brigade under Brigadier Franz Linkmeyer was slated to act as a reserve for the two leading brigades, prepared to lend its weight of fresh numbers and veteran fighters should it be needed. In this brigade the most distinctive uniforms were to be found. It was led by the famed Von Platzen Grenadiers in their black coats and red facings and trousers, their brass mitres shining in the sun's rays. At the rear but by no means less respected, the kilt-clad battalion of MacArthur's Schottische Windhunde Musketeers marched in proud ranks, led by the songs of their piper.
As it happened, the forces of Bad Nachtschwein and Hesse-Engelburg would become aware of each other at almost the same moment. Brigadier Heintzen was to be glad of the veterans of the Lintzer Musketeers this day, as the head of his brigade made a smooth turn to reorient itself towards the newly discovered threat. It seemed as though the raw recruits of the Sumpflöwen Musketeers were eager not to be shown up by the veterans, for they too executed their change of facing quite smoothly, and advanced alongside the Lintzer battalion in good order. As the first Hesse-Engelburg brigade advanced in good order, the 2nd Bad Nachtschwein brigade managed to shake out of their own line of march and reorient, if somewhat less smoothly. Still, Brigadier Arnold Wenders' foghorn of a voice could be heard bellowing out attack orders above the drum rolls and other voices. Undetered by the bold Bad Nachtschwein advance, the first brigade of Hesse-Engelburg troops advanced into firing range and halted to deliver a withering volley into their advancing opponents, the Lintzer battalion facing off against the boldly colored uniforms of the Gebühren Eber Grenadiers while the Sumpflöwen Musketeers traded shot with the Fassbinder Musketeers. Though many Bad Nachtschweiners fell, both their battalions continued their advance, closing ranks as they stepped over the bodies of the fallen.
For the Vilsmaiers, father and son, on what would become the left of the Bad Nachtschwein line, the view was not a promising one. As Heintzen's bold march drew ahead of the mercenary brigade as it worked to shake out into line, the second and third brigades of Hesse-Engelburg could be seen putting their training to work in smooth, crisp formation changes as they worked to catch up to their own advanced brigade, advancing in an unbroken line. A gap opened briefly before the Vilsmaiers between those two brigades, but closed well before any hope of exploiting it as the kilted MacArthurs and the Schwarze Grenadiers wheeled into position. The Freikorps Schütte began to justify their superiors' doubts at this point, proving sluggish despite the pushing of Jacob Vilsmaier to get them into position. This left the staunch Irish lines exposed to the fire of the entire right brigade of Hesse-Engelburg, blistering volleys littering the field with Irish bodies. Yet, the Irish were to show their mettle, standing firm beneath the withering fire. Meanwhile, on the Bad Nachtschwein right, the fire of the Lintzer and Sumpflöwen battalions finally became too much, and the bold advance was checked.....the Fassbinder regiment wavering and finally crumbling towards the rear. Though the Gebühren Eber Grenadiers maintained order, it was clear the Bad Nachtschwein forces were hopelessly outmatched, and the Vilsmaiers good enough officers to acknowledge this. A general retreat was sounded, a retreat which the Hesse-Engelburg forces were apparently quite content to allow unmolested as their columns began to reform and move towards the town proper.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Vergoldeten Troops: Hesse-Engelburg
It's taken me a while to get the time to finish putting together this image, of the six Hesse-Engelburg battalions in operation at Vergoldeten. This also represents my first use of David's Highlander template, and a nifty little feature of Gimp allowed me to fill the kilt with the actual MacArthur tartan.
Clicking on the image should bring up a larger copy.
Clicking on the image should bring up a larger copy.
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