By Fire and Sword: Kircholm 1605.

Sometimes, we come up with ideas that seem fundamentally impossible to achieve. However, with a bit of perseverance and some outside help, these ideas can become a reality. That's exactly what happened with this game. Initially, I announced that I would organise a game of By Fire and Sword, originally intended to be a Task Force-level game. Over time, the concept evolved into an attempt to recreate a historical battle. Given that we recently celebrated the anniversary of one of our greatest military victories—a significant milestone—it was only fitting to focus on the Battle of Kircholm (17.09.1605)!

SCENARIO: Bartek Żynda
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda

SCENERY: Michael Schneider, Bartek Żynda, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Neil Danskin, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces.

KINGDOM OF SWEDEN

(Bartek)

King Charles IX (###)

First Line, Infantry

Lennartsson (##)

2 x Swedish National Infantry (M, Regimental Cannons)

2 x Swedish National Infantry (M)

2 x Mercenary Infantry (M)

Second Line, Cavalry

Right Flank

Mansfield (##)

2 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)

1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

Left Flank

Brandt (##)

2 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)

1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

Third Line, Infantry

Prince of Luneburg (##)

2 x Swedish National Infantry (M)

2 x Muskeeter Squadron (S, Regimental Cannon)

2 x Muskeeter Squadron (S)

Fourth Line, Cavalry

1 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)

4 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH, DUCHY OF COURLAND

(David, Neil, Michael)

Left Flank

Tomasz Dąbrowa (##)

2 x Husaria (S)

1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)

1 x Cossack Style Cavalry

Centre

Prince Friderick

1 x Husaria (M)

1 x Husaria (S)

1 x Armoured Mercenary Reiters (S)

1 x Haiduks (M, Regimental Cannon)

2 x Haiduks (S)

Right Flank

Jan Sapieha (##)

1 x Husaria (M)

1 x Petyhorcy with Lances (S)

1 x Cossack Style Cavalry (S)

Second Line

Jan Karol Chodkiewicz (####)

1 x Volunteers (S)

1 x Tatar Cavalry (S)

Camp

2. The Game.

The game started with a preliminary round. First, the Swedish player tested his frontline infantry's reaction to Chodkiewicz's feigned retreat. Each unit was required to take a skill test. If a unit failed the test, the soldiers were ordered to manoeuvre and move towards the camp in a double movement. Commanders had the option to intervene and override this order. Ultimately, I only failed one order, so the entire line moved forward together with the second line cavalry. Ouch!

Now the Polish-Lithuanian-Curland forces could issue orders to their troops. David commanded the right wing, Michael led the left, and Neil held the centre, also taking on the role of Hetman Chodkiewicz. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth forces charged at the unprepared Swedish troops.

The Husaria initiated the charge, inflicting significant damage that resulted in the loss of four Swedish infantry units within the first two turns. Soon after, the Lithuanians engaged with the Swedish cavalry. Although the cavalry attempted to counter the charge, they were ultimately forced to retreat under the relentless assault. The charge persisted without interruption.

During the heat of battle, remnants of the Swedish infantry attempted to assassinate Jan Sapieha but were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Lithuanians began to ascend the hill occupied by the third and fourth lines of Swedish positions. The Swedish infantry's cannons and muskets made their presence known, decimating two large units of Husaria. However, as the battle progressed, additional lines of Lithuanians managed to reach the Swedish positions. In the chaos, the Earl of Mansfield was killed, causing Swedish morale to collapse. This marked the beginning of the retreat for the Swedish forces.

The Lithuanians required five turns to secure victory in the battle, mirroring the timeline of the historical event. However, their losses were significantly higher than those recorded in reality, with a substantial number of Husaria being defeated. During the game, the Polish-Lithuanian side had the option to utilise their camp. By issuing a Rally order, if their units were within a double march of the camp and no enemy units stood between them and the camp, these units could replenish their lances, particularly for the Husaria and Petyhorcy. Nonetheless, they didn't need to do so.

I created the game unit setup based on the work of Mariusz Balcerek: "Armie walczące pod Kircholmem w 1605 roku", published on Academia.edu, sent to me by Michał Paradowski. Thank you very much!

3. Links.

ORIGINAL BATTLE ON WIKIPEDIA:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kircholm

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/1102295478594449

FLICKR: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720330306248

Sniper on the tree. Snajper na drzewie.

English Civil War with Pikeman's Lament in 28mm. 

Angielska wojna domowa z zasadami Pikeman's Lament w skali 28mm.

SCENARIO / SCENARIUSZ:  Peter Mearns
UMPIRING / PROWADZENIE GRY: Peter Mearns

SCENERY / SCENERIA: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS / FIGURKI I MODELE: Donald Adamson, Peter Mearns, Ian Carter, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces. Siły.

My 24 points looked like this: 2 x Shotte, 1 x Forlon Hope, 1 x Gallopers, 1 x Sniper. I was in the team together with Donald, Peter and Tim. Against us were Campbell, Fred, Michael, Mike and Ian. God knows which side I was on, Parliament or the King... It doesn't matter I was a mercenary troops anyway. The game was about 3 buildings: The church was 10 points, farms were 5 points each and eliminated units were all 1 point.

Moje 24 punkty to: 2 x Shotte, 1 x Forlon Hope, 1 x Gallopers, 1 x Snajper. Byłem w zespole razem z Donaldem, Peterem i Timem. Przeciw nam byli Campbell, Fred, Michael, Mike i Ian. Bóg raczy wiedzieć, po czyjej stronie byłem, Parlamentu czy też króla.... Czy to jednak ważne, wszak byłem tylko najemnikiem. Walka toczyła się o 3 budynki: kościół był warty 10 punktów, farmy, każda po 5 punktów oraz wyeliminowane oddziały, po punkcie.

2. The game. Gra.

Our enemies moved forward, yet, my sniper from the beginning of the game showed its strength. You will not find it in the main book, but it was created by one of the authors and can be found on the forum or Facebook page. You pay 6 points for this and it has the strength and range of a field gun! I know power gaming 100%. He cleared the field in front of my troops and Campbell and Fred had to look for cover. I won the game on my side, however...

Nasi przeciwnicy ruszyli do przodu, jednak mój snajper od początku pokazał swoją siłę. Nie znajdziecie go w podręczniku, jednak został on stworzony przez jednego z autorów gry i jego statystyki można znaleźć albo na forum, albo na Facebooku zasad. Kosztuje on 6 punktów i ma on siłę i zasięg działa polowego! Tak, zgadza się powergaming na 100%. Szybko wyczyścił przedpole przed moimi oddziałami a Campbell i Fred musieli szukać kryjówki dla swoich oddziałów. Po mojej stronie wygrałem grę, jednakże... 

My teammates didn't work as well as I did. They have all been pushed back and terribly beaten. Finally when we went to the points they got 15 and we only 13...

Mój zespół nie osiągnął takich rezultatów jak ja. Zostali oni zmuszeni do wycofania się i przy tym dotkliwie pobici. W końcu kiedy doszło do podliczenia punktów, on mieli 15 a my tylko 13...

3. Links. Linki.

SESWC (Campbell):

to be updated soon...

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720310530939

Everything on the table! Wszystko na stół!

The game was played last Thursday. Initially, it should be something different, however, some participants had to postpone the game and make some money. Therefore some others had to find something else. After some ideas, I suggested, my Commonwealth army in 28mm was never on the table and I prepared a list for them for the For King and Parliament rules. So we did my whole collection against Campbell's English Civil War. It was Epic! After we deployed figures on the table, we noticed, that Campbell outnumbered me almost 3 to 1, so we decided to give all Poles a veteran status. That made forces more or less equal.

Gra rozegrana w poprzedni czwartek. Początkowo miało to być coś innego, ale niektórzy jej uczestnicy musieli przełożyć grę i zająć się zarabianiem pieniędzy. Dlatego inny musieli wymyślić coś innego. Po kilku pomysłach, zasugerowałem, że moja armia Rzeczpospolitej w skali 28mm nigdy w całości nie była na stole. Do tej armii przygotowałem listę do zasad For King and Parliament. W ten sposób cała moja kolekcja stanęła naprzeciw całej Campbellowej kolekcji do Angielskiej Wojny Domowej. Widok epicki! Po ustawieniu figurek, okazało się, że Campbell ma nade mną przewagę prawie 3 do 1, więc wszystkie moje jednostki otrzymały status weterana. To sprawiło, że siły były prawie wyrównane. 

SCENARIO / SCENARIUSZ: Campbell Hardie, Bartek Żynda
UMPIRING / PROWADZENIE GRY: Campbell Hardie, Bartek Żynda

SCENERY / SCENERIA: Campbell Hardie, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS / FIGURKI I MODELE: Campbell Hardie, Bartek Żynda

1. Forces. Siły.

ENGLAND & SCOTLAND / ANGLIA i SZKOCJA

(Alasdair, Campbell)

1st Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

2nd Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

3rd Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

4th Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

5th Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

1 x Peasant Mob

5th Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

6th Infantry Battalia

3 x Pike and Shotte

7th Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

1st Detached Infantry

1 x Dragoons

1 x Forlon Hope

2nd Detached Infantry

1 x Dragoons

1 x Forlon Hope

1st Gun Battery

2 x Field Gun

2nd Gun Battery

2 x Field Gun

1st Cavalry Brigade

1 x Cuirassiers

2 x Cavalry (Swedish type)

2nd Cavalry Brigade (Scottish)

1 x Lancers

1 x Cavalry (Swedish type)

3rd Cavalry Brigade

2 x Cavalry (Swedish type)

4th Cavalry Brigade

2 x Cavalry (Swedish type)

5th Cavalry Brigade

2 x Cavalry (Swedish type)

POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH / RZECZPOSPOLITA OBOJGA NARODÓW

(Bartek, David, Tim)

Polish Division

1st Polish Cavalry Brigade

1 x Hussars

1 x Pancerni with Spears

1 x Pancerni

1 x Tatars

2nd Polish Cavalry Brigade

3 x Cossack Style Cavalry

Lithuanian Division

1 x Hussars

1 x Pancerni

1 x Cossack Style Cavalry with Spears

2 x Rajtars

2 x Cossack Style Cavalry

1 x Tatars

Infantry Division

2 x Dragoons

4 x Pike and Shotte

2. The game. Gra.

Commonwealth forces started in 3 divisions: Lithuanians under Dave, Poles under Tim and infantry under my command. British put their cavalries on flanks as well, so it all started with cavalry battles. Lithuanians put their Hussars on the front and charged. Soon there was no enemy cavalry on their flank, however, after so successful charge, Lithuanian hussars find themselves exposed to musket fire and get destroyed. After that Dave had to go home and I took full control of the Lithuanians. 

Siły Rzeczpospolitej zaczęły w trzech dywizjach: Litwini pod dowództwem Davea, Polacy pod komendą Tima i piechota, dowodzona przeze mnie. Brytyjczycy również ustawili swoją kawalerię na flankach, więc zaczęło się od starcia kawalerii. Litwini ustawili swoją husarię na przodzie i zaatakowali. Wkrótce na ich flance nie było już wrogiej kawalerii, jednak po udanej szarży znaleźli się nieosłonięci naprzeciw ognia muszkietów i zostali zniszczeni. Po tym Dave musiał opuścić grę i całkowitą kontrolę nad Litwinami przejąłem ja.

Poles were not as successful as their Lithuanian brothers. They managed to push back the British cavalry but did not destroy them completely. However, they managed to keep the status quo in that part of the table.

Polacy nie byli tak skuteczni, jak ich litewscy bracia. UDało im się odepchnąć brytyjską kawalerię, jednak nie zniszczyli jej kompletnie. Jednak udało im się zachować status quo w tej części stołu.

My biggest fears were about our centre. My infantry was exposed to artillery fire, however, those were very ineffective. The British infantry moved forward and attacked my units. I received the assault and managed to survive (to my very surprise). My dragoons managed to take control over the two hedges in the table centre and kept them till the end of the game. Till the end of the game, no one was able to gain the advantage here.

Moje największe obawy wzbudzało nasze centrum. Moje piechota była wystawiona na ostrzał artyleryjski, jednak ten okazał się bardzo nieskuteczny. Wtedy brytyjska piechota ruszyła do ataku na moje jednostki. Przyjąłem ich szturm i go wytrzymałem (ku mojemu wielkiemu zdziwieniu). Moi dragonom udało się zająć oba zagajniki z żywopłotami w centrum pola i utrzymali je do końca gry. Do końća gry nikt też nie zdobył tu wyraźnej przewagi.

The last word belonged to Lithuanians. After their magnificent charge, they stopped advantage and the fight moved on the hedges on their side of the table. British dragoons get into and managed to survive and find themselves on the back of the Lithuanians. However, their infantry gets exposed to my attack. First, their Forlon Hope gets destroyed and then one of the Pike and Shotte formations gets charged on their flank and gets destroyed. After that, both sides withdraw and were not able to move forward. Overall British suffered the biggest casualties, but Commonwealth was not able to break through enemy lines, so we decided that the draw is the best outcome of the game. 

Ostatnie słowo należało do Litwinów. Po ich wspaniałej szarży, zatrzymali się i walka przeniosła się do krzaków po ich stronie stołu. Brytyjscy dragoni weszli tam, udało im się przeżyć i w końcu znaleźć się na tyłach Litwinów. Jednak wtedy ich piechota została wystawiona na atak. Wpierw padł ich Forlon Hope a potem wyszedł atak na flankę jednego z oddziałów Pike and Shotte, co doprowadziło do jego zniszczenia. Po tym obie strony wycofały się i nie były w stanie ruszyć do przodu. Ogólnie Brytyjczycy ponieśli większe straty, jednak siły Rzeczpospolitej nie były w stanie dokonać przełamania wrogich linii, dlatego ogłoszono zakończenie gry remisem. 

Here are the statistics for the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth used during the game:

Oto statystyki dla Rzeczpospolitej użyte w grze:

3. Links. Linki.

Campbell (SESWC):

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/609120987911903

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720307657119

Dungan's Hill 1647.

For King and Parliament. This time game was prepared by Campbell with his toys and terrains. It was loosely based on the real battle of Dungan's Hill in Ireland. This time, however, the Irish were replaced by the Scots, which proved to be the decisive factor in the battle.

For King and Parliament. Tym razem gra przygotowana przez Campbella, z jego zabawkami i terenami. Gra była luźno oparta na prawdziwej bitwie pod Dungan's Hill stoczonej w 1647 w Irlandii. Tym razem jednak Irlandczycy zostali zastąpieni przez Szkotów, co okazało się decydującym czynnikiem w bitwie. 

SCENARIO / SCENARIUSZ: Campbell Hardie
UMPIRING / PROWADZENIE GRY: Campbell Hardie

SCENERY / SCENERIA: Campbell Hardie, SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS / FIGURKI I MODELE: Campbell Hardie

1. Forces. Siły.

ROYALISTS & SCOTS / ROYALIŚCI i SZKOCI 

(Bartek, Tim)

1st Battalia (Royalists)

3 x Pike and Shotte

2nd Battalia (Scottish)

3 x Pike and Shotte

Gun Battery

1 x Field Gun

1st Cavalry (Royalists)

3 x Cavalry (Swedish)

2nd Cavalry (Scots)

1 x Lancers

1 x Cavalry (Swedish)

1 x Dragoons

PARLAMENTARIANS / PARLAMENTARZYŚCI

(Alasdair, Michael)

1st Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

2nd Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

3rd Infantry Battalia

2 x Pike and Shotte

Gun Battery

2 x Field Gun

Cavalry Brigade

4 x Cavalry (Swedish)

1 x Dragoons

2. The game. Gra.

It started with a massive cavalry attack by the Parliamentarians. They clashed with Royalist's flank and after a fierce battle they get broken, which allowed the soldiers of the King to break through thier lines and find themselves on their backs. On the other side, Scottish infantry stayed behind their fortified positions and awaited the enemy, who initially did not want to move. To force them to some actions I send the Scottish cavalry around the bogged ground and attack their flank. That worked and Michael moved forward. they attacked the Scottish positions but were repulsed. Then they get attacked by Scottish cavalry on their flank, which was rather failed (on 10 possibilities I got 1 hit, which was saved obviously). However, thanks to that engagements, the Scottish infantry was able to move forward. Finally, after a few tries, the Parliamentarian's morale collapsed and the game was won by the forces loyal to the king!

Zaczęło się od zmasowanego ataku kawalerii Parlamentu. Starła się ona z kawalerią Rojalistów i po zaciętej walce, została ona złamana, co pozwoliło żołnierzom króla na znalezienie się na tyłach wrogów. Po drugiej stronie, szkocka piechota za swoimi umocnionymi pozycjami oczekiwała na wroga, który nie kwapił się do tego by się ruszyć. By ich do tego zmusić, wysłałem szkocką kawalerię wokół podmokłego terenu by zaatakowała ich flankę. To zadziałało i Michael ruszył do przodu i zaatakował szkockie pozycje, ale został odparty. Wtedy też został zaatakowany z flanki przez kawalerię, i atak ten był raczej mało skuteczny (na 10 możliwości, miałem 1 trafienie, które zostało oczywiście zasejwowane). Jednak, dzięki temu zaangażowaniu, szkocka piechota mogła ruszyć do przodu. W końcu po kilku próbach udało się złamać morale Parlamentarzystów i gra została wygrana przez siły lojalne królowi! 

3. Links. Linki.

Campbell (SESWC):

https://www.facebook.com/Seswc.co.uk/posts/606158391541496

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720307467465