Sittangbad - Part 2

We played the 2nd session of our Sittangbad game to a conclusion on Wednesday. The battle was a close run thing right to the end.   

Electoral Infantry advancing in Company of Columns. Each regiment consisted of 4 companies of 12 figures each making 48 figures all told. A mighty impressive sight on the table.

A closer view of the Electoral Infantry as they moved towards Sittangbad.

The Pultava regiment included a Grenadier company in their fine Red coats -these plus 2 companies of Engineers were going to have to hold up the Electoral attack as the important war victuals were removed from the town. Some thought that the wagons were also loaded with Lentulus personal wine cellar and the local delicacy Hung par le ment which is best served with a good glass of brandy to drown the bitter flavour. 

Corporal Braun of the town guard was getting concerned as he saw more of the town folk fleeing the town taking their belongings. He was wondering whether discretion was the better part of valour and should he resign his post and join his family on the load road up north. 

Kornberg leads his battered command through the town and across the bridge to the kind applause of Lentulus who has clearly recognized a general with flair and courage.

Herzog Tennantsky, in command of the Electoral foot, brushed his well manicured coiffure, waving his hat to encourage his men revealed a full head of hair with out a grey hair in sight. Some believe he is an adonis whilst others think he owes it all a bottle of Grecian 1757 sold to him by a wandering peddler   

To slow down the advance the De Saxe dragoons charged the Electoral hussars and following a swift melee are able to retire to the safety of the town to reform. Their courage however does not delay the sweeping movement of the Electoral foot around the Sittangwald.

The massed ranks of Electoral foot of the Steinzeit included a company of Scottish mercenaries.

Grim faced the Electoral Infantry advance towards the Grunterhof encouraged by the cry

of "Are you poddles or dogs' bellowed by Herzog Tennantsky. (He was getting worried that time was running out as the game entered its 12th move)

A closer view of the Herzog a fine looking soldier but surprisingly he is much shorter than he looks on his horse.

The De Saxe Dragonss launch their final charge against elements of the Gentlemen Pensioners. This august body of troops, also known as the Grumpy Old Men, despite their age put up a solid performance before being forced back by mounting loses.

The attack develops with the Electoral Foot guards clashing with the grenadiers in the streets of Sittangbad, 

With volleys erupting across the small streets the town is soon bathed in thick acrid smoke.

The weight of numbers and the artillery fire from massed electoral artillery is too much for the brave grenadiers who beat a hasty retreat toward the bridge,

With dusk fast approaching the electoral hussars may a desperate charge against a depleted line company form the Pultava in the hope of breaking through and crossing the bridge. The infantry however put up a  good fight are are able to repulse the hussars before crossing the bridge to safety.

With the withdrawal of the last Imperial troops across the bridge Lentulus orders the engineer mayor to blow the bridge. With a loud bang the bridge erupts in flame and smoke. However when the dust clears Lentulus can see that that the bridge has not been totally destroyed and was still passable by infantry. But with the light fading the sound of music and laughter could he heard coming from the town. Clearly the Electoral troops had found the uninhabited town far more interesting than the thought of rushing the bridge in the dark. 

First reports from Sittingbad.

Here are some of the first shots of the game. Sorry about the quality by my Wargame room is in the basement and it difficult getting the lighting right.

Sittingbad nestles by a beautiful meandering river. In quieter times it is a key trading centre and specialises in the local delicacy - Leder Hosen and frites with mayonnaise. Trade in the town today is somewhat quieter. A few civilians are busy packing their belongings as Imperial army prepares for action. 

Imperial reinforcements under Lentulus arrive, The Pandour regiment in there lovely red coats see more than a few amorous glances from behind the shuttered windows

Now sooner had the Pandours marched through town the action was underway. The Herzog Johann has deployed his 3 cavalry regiments in the van of his army. The Gendarmerie support by the 1st Hussars clash with Kornbergs Cuirassiers. After two rounds of melee the Gendarmerie are reduced to below 50% and the Hussars take a beating. Kornberg loses just 5 troopers. On the Imperial left the Dragoons De Saxe, although facing the heavier Montmort Dragoons, give as good as they get with both sides retiring to reorder the ranks.

Imperial Infantry of the Isembourg and Kleist Frei coprs covering the rallying Cuirassier as Electoral artillery opens fire on them. As the losses  mount dense columns of Electoral Infantry make for the Imperial left flank 

Sittangbad Game On Tonite

The Lads, well some of them, are coming over tonight for what promises to be a good evenings entertainment as we refight the classic battle of Sittangbad.

I have changed the organisations to fit in with my 28mm collection. Each infantry Regiment will consist of 48 figures with 3 line and 1 grenadier company each of 12 men. Cavalry units will consist of 3 squadrons of 6 and Light infantry battalions will have 2 companies of 8. I have reduced the number of Light infantry to 1 battalion for the imperialists and 2 for the electoral forces I have also reduced the electoral artillery to 2 batteries rather than 3.

I will post some photos of the set up and action over the coming weekend

I have also picked up a copy of Messrs Grant and Olley Wargaming in History it is a jolly good read a has lots of nice photos which show just how good a SYW game can look. Only trouble is it makes me want to go for 36 man units as standard rather than the current 16 man units I have in my 28mm collection.

Progress Report

I had a productive week this last week.

Started paint the 1st company of my Erprinz regiment.

Based up 47 AWI 40mm figures on 20 by 30 mm bases. These are the same size as my Prince August figures so I can use both collections in the same game. Should look OK from the side.  
Set up my Wargame table, with a bit help from my 4 year old son Max,  for a Sittangbad refight using Charge and my 28mm collection. For this game I will be using 3 company line regiments without grenadiers and with more limited numbers of light troops. The game is scheduled for Wednesday 7th April.  i post o few pictures of the terrain and the initial dispositions.

I might also use the terain for a 40mm Prince August/AWI game - perhaps the Battle Standwell or the 1st Battle of Sittangbad.

Now we are on British summer time with lighter evenings I decided to get some Prince August casting done. As I now have 3 moulds for the basic infantry figure I found casting a lot quicker. In all I got 1 Nuremburger artillery piece, 20 advancing infantry, 8 marching infantry, 6 gunners, 8 officers, drummers etc and 5 mounted officers cast up in one and half hours.


On the gaming front the Ilkley Lads met to run through the playtest of our demo game for Sheffield triples which this year will be the Battle of the Grannicus. Instead of using Piquet we will be using Command and Colours by GMT adapted for the wargame table.