Sunday, October 23, 2016

Battle of Wallhof 1626

A little while ago the club members got together to play another game using the upcoming Pikeman's Lament rules. This is part of our ongoing campaign set in the Swedish-Polish War of the 1620s, just before Swedish entry into the Thirty Year´s War.
This time we modelled the battle after the historical Battle of Wallhof on January 7, 1626.
More information can be found here: Battle of Wallhof
The Swedish Army under King Gustav II Adolf has decided on an assault on the Polish army camp. This takes the Poles by surprise, but they nevertheless manage to form line of battle behind a gently sloping ridge.
The Swedes approach the camp in battle formation and the battle became a fight for the ridge line. In the historical battle both sides´ forces consisted largely of cavalry, and we tried to portray this in our refight, although we probably used too much infantry on the Swedish side.
 In the historical battle the Swedes scored a major victory and for the first time the reformed Swedish cavalry managed to beat the formidable Polish cavalry with the support of detached bodies of musketeers integrated into the cavalry formations.
For our refight Dalauppror, who also designed the scenario, had built a really nice looking ridge line using our winter terrain pieces and a winter mat.
The victory conditions of the scenario were simple: force the enemy to withdraw.
The Västgöta Company deployed on the Swedish right wing.

Swedish Forces

Left Flank - Flemish Mercenaries, Captain van Kökkenpanne
2 units Elite Trotters (Cuirassiers)
1 unit Pikes
2 units Shot

 Centre - Scots Mercenaries, Captain Darrcounter
2 units Aggressive Gallopers
1 unit Pikes
2 units Shot

Right Flank - Swedes, Captain Henrik the Hammer
1 unit Elite Galloper
1 unit Trotters
1 unit Dragoons
1 unit Forlorn Hope
2 units Commanded Shot

The Scots Company in the centre with pikes supported by musketeers and cavalry in reserve.

Polish Forces

Left flank - Lihuanian Tatars, Rotmistrz Shere Khan
3 units of Trotters
3 units of Dragoons

Centre - Poles, Rotmistrz Janosz Kowalski
1 unit of Agressive Elite Gallopers (Hussar)
2 units of Elite Gallopers (Panczerny)
1 unit of Veteran Shot (Krakow)

Right Flank – German Mercenaries, Rittmeister Werner von Vögeli
4 units of Elite Trotters (Cuirassiers)
The Poles had enlisted a Tatar horde facing my Västgöta Swedes on the Swedish right wing.

Opening Moves

The Swedes moved first and basically moved forward in a line onto the slop of the ridge. On the right flank my Västgöta contingents sent the Forlorn Hope and skirmishing musketeers into the woods to prevent the Tatars from dominating the only extensive terrain providing cover.
The Polish host rolled forward on their side of the ridge and sent some units up onto the top of the ridge to engage the Swedish units on the other side.

The Flemish Company in Swedish service, facing the German mercenaries in Polish service. the Scots and Swedes are visible in the background.
The initial part of the battle was very discouraging for the Swedes with the Flemish mercenaries suffering badly against the German mercenary Cuirassiers on the left flank. Van Kökkenpanne quickly lost the cavalry fight, but the Flemish infantry managed to remain in the fight.
At the same time on the right flank my own Västgöta contingent quickly lost the Dragoons to efficient Tatar light cavalry, and repeated fire from the Musketeers and Forlorn Hope only caused minor casualties to the Tatars.
The only success in the early game was the brave Pike infantry of the Scots contingent in the centre that quickly advanced up the ridge to push back the Polish musketeers and heavy cavalry.
Swedes and Tatar advance onto the Ridg

Mid Game

Both sides hammered away at each other along the crest of the ridge.
In the centre, the Scots pike were particularly prominent and destroyed the polish musketeers and beat back several cavalry charges. They were supported by the Scots cavalry counterattacked the Polish and German cavalry that were giving the remaining Flemish and the Scots musketeers a very rough time.
Swedes and Tatars skirmishing on the ridge

On the Swedish right, Henrik still had problems activating his units, but finally some of the shooting was having an effect on the Tatars.

Swedes and Scots on the ridgeline.

End Game

Gradually the Polish forces were ground down by continued fire from the Swedish ranks,  by the unrelenting assault by the lone Scots Pike unit and the Scots cavalry.
Finally the Polish losses had mounted to such a degree that the entire army gave way and headed for home.
The Scots pikemen have routed the Polish musketeers and are about to give the Polish cavalry a lesson.

Unfortunately, I got so caught up in the game, that I managed to forget to take photos about half-way through the game. Sorry about that.
The Flemish cavalry are routed by the German cuirassiers, but the Flemish infantry just refuses to give in....

So while our game the battle was a Swedish victory, it was a much more even contest than in the historical battle.

The Tatars and Swedes continue their firefight on the ridge just before the Swedes finally gain the upper hand.
Henrik “the Hammer” did not really make much of an impression, having failed any number of activation rolls. The fire of the Swedish units also had only limited effect.
But somehow Henrik managed to be promoted yet again, and can now proudly call himself Major. As part of the promotion he also gained the ability “Fencing Master” giving him increased chance of winning duels.


10 comments:

  1. What a fantastic looking game:)

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  2. Thanks, guys.
    It was a really fun game and visually stunning with the winter terrain and bucket loads of figs. :-)

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  3. Exellent AAR and Greate game even if i was on the loosing side...

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  4. Very well written AAR. Seems like a fun scenario! Games based on real historical events always adds an extra flavor to the experience.

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    1. Thanks,
      Yes it was a very good and enjoyable scenario that Dalauppror designed. And I very much agree that a historical situation adds something special to the game.

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  5. One of the best AAR this year.Love the scenery and the plot and great minis!Jag kommer att följa dina rapporter nu och framöver kompis.Riktigt trevlig blogg.

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  6. Thanks!
    Kul att du gillar bloggen. :-)

    ReplyDelete