The Battle of Downham Station; Norfolk; England February 5th 1871. [ Fictional ].

 This article is a work of historical fiction and is my personal interpretation of this era. Any mistakes are my own.

In the early hours of February 5th 1871,  a thick fog had formed covering the coastal waters of the east coast of middle England.  Steaming slowly through this gloom, on patrol, was the Armoured Corvette " PALLAS".

As the  Corvette steamed slowly through the calm waters, a Duty Lookout on the bridge spotted lights in the gloom. The Captain ordered a course change to intercept  those lights that were not expected. As the Pallas drew near, French Tricolours were spotted.

On being hailed a French voice replied in broken English that "echapper ....impoundment"!! .. The Captain and his Officers decided that the ships must have escaped impoundment by the Prussians. The Fleet sailed on. A signal was sent to the Coastguard station at Great Yarmouth.

The Harbourmaster at Kings Lynn watched the ships drop anchor as the sun rose and the fog lifted. Dockworkers and civilians watched in puzzlement as boats were launched into the water and troops were seen scaling down the sides of the ships.

As the boats came to the docks people thought they were French. The troops formed up on the dockside and gutteral voices issued commands. As people turned away, shots rang out  and these same soldiers held civilians. This broke the spell, people started shouting, screaming and running from the docks.

.

The Harbourmaster immediately ran for the Telegraph Office, hundreds of civilians were streaming away from Kings Lynn.

Meanwhile, senior Prussian officers were sending engineers and men to the railway yards to commandeer a train. Companies were sent forward to find horses. At the same time, troops of the Seebattalione were being sent toward the royal estate of Sandringham.

Within the hour,  Units of the Prussian 10th Armeekorp were on the train steaming toward Cambridge. Meanwhile there was shock and consternation at London and Windsor. At first, there was disbelief.! An Invasion! By Prussians!. As realization set in orders were swiftly transmitted. All available Militia and Military personnel were to head toward Kings Lynn by any means possible and engage the enemy.!!

Soon, the troops of the Windsor Garrison were packed into trains and Goods Waggons heading North. Meanwhile, The County Militia of Norfolk were scrambling in the same direction.

Eventually word spread along the Telegraph that the enemy were heading south toward Cambridge. It was decided that the enemy should be met at Downham Station…

BRITISH HOME DIVISION [ A scratch force ].

Acting C-in-C ; General Henry Abadie  @ 1 point.

General Evelyn Barker  @ 1 point.

General Edmond Wavery  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Grenadier Guards @ 4 points.

3 stands of Regular Line Infantry @ 3 points = 9 points.

1 stand of Regular Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

1 stand of Cavalry [ 6th Dragoons ] @ 2 points.

2 stands of Militia Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

8 stands of Militia Infantry  @ 2 points  = 16 points.

[ personal weapons include the Beaumont-Adams revolver and the Snyder-Enfield Rifle.]

PRUSSIAN 10TH ARMEEKORPS.

Commanding: General Der Infantrie, Konstantin Bernhardt Von Voights-Rhetz @ 2 points.

19th INFANTRY  DIVISION;

Generaleutnant Emil Von Schwatzkoppen. @ 1 point.

4 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points = 12 points.

1 stand of Dragoon Cavalry @ 2 points.

1 stand of Light Foot Artillery  @1 point.

20th INFANTRY DIVISION:

Generalmajor Alexander Von Kraatz-Koschau @ 1 point.

4 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points  = 12 points.

1 stand of Hanovarian Jaegers  @ 2 points.

1 stand of Dragoon Cavalry  @  2 points.

1 stand of Light Foot Artillery.  @  1 point.

CORPS ARTILLERY; Oberst Moritz Van Der Goltz.@ 1 point.

1 stand of infantry Artillery Guard  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Heavy Foot Artillery  @ 2 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery  @ 1 point.

[ Catchment area for the 9th and 10th Armeekorps;  Province of Hanover, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, and Dutchy of Brunswick.]

SCENARIO RULES:

* The Prussians move first on the first Game-Turn and have the Initiative Point.

* From Game-Turns 2 to 8, each side throws a 12 sided die to see who Moves first and has the Initiative Point.

* Both sides are using Rifled Muskets and Artillery.

* The game is played for 8 Game-Turns, the Winner being the player who looses the lower number of stands.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE GAME:

In 2023 The Wargames Association of Reading ran their annual “ Warfare”event at Farnborough. Their theme was the 110th Anniversary of H.G. Wells. They requested games with a Victorian theme ( like “ The battle of Dorking”)

I worked out a Participation game with the Prussians and British, along with a  basic back story. I did some historical checking, to bind into the scenario.

However, at the last minute, my buddy got a call from the hospital for some long overdue surgery. Forward to 2024 and I received an invitation from The Newbury and Reading Wargames Association to put on Participation game at “ Colours”, their event at Newbury Racecourse.

This we did and it was a brilliant day, with lots of interest and people playing. We also managed to stage the same game at Warfare 2024, thanks to the club finding us a space.

I must admit, I really enjoyed setting up this scenario. In Medieval times The Hanseatic League had traded goods at Kings Lynn therefore I assumed the Prussian High Command would have information on the harbour area. Similarly the 10th Armeekorp had their Cantonment around Bremerhaven. That’s how I chose Kings Lynn for The Prussian raid-in-force.

THE TRAIN;

This was for the most part scratchbuilt, the “ Dajeeling ” engine body came from MPRO on Etsy, a Narrow Guage engine. I filled in the gaps in the body with plastic straws and cardboard.

I then filled in the bottom with picture framing cardboard. I then glued on a set of wheels from Peter Pig. The company does sets of wheels either Half round ( for armoured trains ) or full round for railway carriages.

 

I put some American Civil War railway figures ( Peter Pig 15mm) in the Engine before I put the roof on. 

The carriages were scratch built. I used the Peter Pig Flatcar and built the body using plasticard.

The railway line was purchased from Ironclad Miniatures. The station was a 15mm model kit from Kestrel and purchased online from Amazon.

Most of the buildings that make up Downham were from Total Battles Miniatures 15mm Black Powder range. Most were purchased as painted but two were painted by myself. Three of the larger houses were purchased from a Bring and Buy and repainted. The barn next to the station is from Peter Pig.

The scenery sections including the roads were made from picture-framing cardboard and Bluetack.  The hedgerow came from Pendraken Miniatures. The fences were scratchbuilt from matchsticks. The tents are scratchbuilt from cardboard.

All the figures came from Irregular Miniatures. The flags are from Pendraken Miniatures.

THE HISTORY;

During the 19th century, authors wrote novels by way of a warning to the Government of the day. Their concern centred around the paucity of Regular Troops within Great Britain. There were only 7,000 Regulars available. The vast majority of the troops were serving in British Dominions overseas. The Government relied on the Home Fleet to protect Britain.

Because of this situation every County was issued a License to raise Militia Battalions. There appears to be some standardization of uniform, the majority being either gray with red turnbacks, cuffs and trouser seams, or, Rifle green with red or black turnbacks cuffs and seams. They carried the standard rifle.

The Yoeman cavalry came from more well off Landowners and they paid for their own horses and equipment. Obviously there were very few of this group.

The Militia Artillery were well trained. Their uniform was based on the Royal Artillery uniform with County variations.

The Regular troops which were available wore the standard British Infantry uniform with shako. However the Home Service uniform was gradually being introduced. This was still a red jacket with grey trousers, however the Prussian helmet came in, dark blue with a brass spike and trousers tucked into boots.

The Grenadier Guards still wore the bearskin.

At that time, just after the Franco-Prussian War, the Kaiser was asked by a British journalist if he would invade Britain. The Kaiser replied he would not. However British Diplomacy depended on maintaining the Balance of Power in Europe. Supporting side A against B, then supporting side B when A got too strong.

 Prior to the Franco- Prussian War, Germany had been a patchwork quilt of small states which had been manipulated by either France or Britain according to political necessity. 

Under the Kaiser and, after a brief Civil War, Germany had become a unified  country in the heart of Europe. The Prussians had previously defeated Austria in seven weeks settling the issue as to who would be the dominant force within the old Holy Roman Empire. Germany had arrived on the world stage.

This situation turned the previous Political order, which had lasted some two hundred years, upside down. With the shock defeat of France, Britain now had a new powerful political adversary to deal with…..

( note: the picture above shows the 9th and 10th Armeekorp. The 9th has quite a few Essex Miniatures figures in it. I originally did the 10th then decided to add another” corps”….as you do!..).

Roman Britain: Part 4 ( contin. )Battle of Segontium.

I thought I would do a battle based on the Campaign map and rules in the previous chapter. Although fictional, the Scots-Irish did raid this area quite often and, for a while actually settled there.

I diced for the scenario and the result was:  "West Coast Raid".

I diced for the number of stands for the Scots-Irish, which was 16.
1 Command stand at @ 2 points.
13 stands of warriors armed with spears and javelins @ 2 points each.
2 stands of archers @ 1 point each.

Being at Segontium, ships were required. I had the Warbands already formed up from the boats. I put the boats in but as it turned out the game finished without them being required.

I used the scenery set up mechanism in Table Top Battles. Two hills, a wood and a river were required. I then had a quick look on Google for the terrain in the area and adapted the four items in a rough approximation.

There were only the civilians at the town but the 20th were at Deva,  so, I had them hard marching in light order to get there!

The Legion is represented by 16 stands.
11 stands are Auxillia style infantry @ 2points each.
4 stands are light archers @ point each.
1 infantry Command stand @ 1 point.

I put 4 small items inside the town plus some stands of civilians. I also put 2 stands of civil guard to represent the town decurione and his personal retinue. As it turned out, they didn't do much at all!!

In the rules I use,  Infantry stands can move onto a wall from the outside if there is space. During the course of the battle, three stands of warriors made it over to open the gate! from the inside.

I interpreted this action as a result of a lack of garrison and the dilapidated state of the walls!

The Romans formed up to the East in line. The Roman Prefect had his men form up not knowing what he was up against. The Scots-Irish formed up to the West and South on the shoreline ready to attack the town, not knowing the Romans had arrived.

I used my own Table Top Battle Solo rules with the 2 player mechanics of Fire and Combat.

I fought this battle over 8 turns. For most of the battle the Scots-Irish had the upper hand and the Romans were being beaten. Three stands of Scots-Irish made it into town and rounding up townspeople and loot.

It looked like the Scots-Irish were going to get away. Right on the eighth turn disaster struck!. The Scots-Irish Chieftain was struck down!

The Casualties were about even but losing the Chieftain lost the battle for the Scots-Irish.

The battle finished with the remainder of the Warband heading for the boats. Some of the Warband were caught exiting the town, therefore the prisoners and loot were recovered. There was one relieved Prefect at the end of it all!.

As always the table is 3 feet x 2 feet ( 90cm x 60cm). The squares are 2" ( 50mm ). The boats and fort are scratchbuilt from cardboard and foamboard. 

The figures are Hat Industries Roman Auxilliaries and Goths. The Roman archers are Newline Design 1/72 scale metal figures.

The Civilians are from Ceaser Miniatures and come from their boxes of Roman Supply Train.

The spears are from North Star Miniatures ( 28mm javelins). The buildings are from either Peter Pig or Hovels.

The square stands are picture framing cardboard 40mm x 40mm. The round stands are 40mm, from Minibits. The wood area bases are from S and A Scenics and the trees are various manufacturers.

2nd Bull Run ( Battle of Manassas) 29th & 30th August 1862.

Well, this battle was more involved than I thought. Not having an in- depth knowledge of the war, there were a couple of points I found confusing.

One item is that there were two formations designated as 3rd Corp. Anyway, I digress.

This battle came about because, Robert E. Lee managed to out-manoeuvre Pope. Lee also managed this because of the mental stamina of the men under his command.

The battle of Brawners Farm took place South of Stoney Ridge a few days before Manassas. Although a small action it was no less sanguine, with both sides standing toe-to-toe in close range fire. Even the Officers suffered.

Amongst the Confederates, Taliaferro was wounded three times and General Ewell had his leg shattered by a minie ball which led to amputation.

This was a foretaste of events to come. Jackson had found an excellent position on the wooded
hillside of Stony Ridge from which to fight a defensive battle.

Jackson was also aided in his defense by an unfinished railway embankment. Knowing that Longstreet was on his way in support Jackson  settled his men in position for the coming battle.

The Union General Pope finally found out where Jackson was, having found out about the battle of Brawners Farm. However, Popes army as well as his battle plan was in total chaos thanks to the speed and hard marching of the Confederate forces.

The Union Army gradually assembled from all points of the  compass in front of Jackson's position as Pope sent forward any formations
within marching distance.

The battle was fought over two days. On the first day (the 29th ), Jackson was against the Union Generals; Siegel, Heinztelman and Reno
plus a Division led by John F. Reynolds.

Longstreet, with Lee, turned up later on the first day. As much as Lee wanted Longstreet to attack to take the pressure off Jackson, Longstreet demurred wanting to know what was in front of him.

Jackson's men held on, at one point throwing rocks at the advancing Union forces due to a shortage of ammunition.

On the 2nd day, ( the 30th ) Longstreet attacked!!;

Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Left Wing ( 29th August)
24,000 = 24 points.

Major General Stonewall Jackson @ 2 points.
General Ambrose P. Hill @ 2 points.

3 stands of 1st class Line Infantry @ 3 points = 9 points.
3 stands of 2nd class Line infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.

1 stand (A ) James E.B Stuart,s cavalry;
dismounted @ 1 point = 1 point.

1 stand ( B ) Fitzhugh,s cavalry;
dismounted @ 1 point = 1 point

3 stands of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 3 points.

Union Army of Virginia;
Formations present on the 29th  August
48,000 = 48 points.

1st Corp ;

Franz Siegel ; @ 1 point.
6 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 12 points.
2 stands of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

3rd Corp ( from the Army of Potomac )

Samuel Heinztelman @ 1 point.
4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2points = 8 points.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery' @ 2 points = 4 points.

9th Corp;

Jesse L. Reno @ 1 point.
4 stands of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.

John F. Reynolds @ 1 point. Reserve Division;
1 stand of 1st class Line Infantry @ 3 points = 3 points.
1 stand of 2nd class Line Infantry @ 2 points = 2 points.
1 stand of  Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 1 point.

Notes;

● This 1st battle will last for 8 turns.

●The Confederate Army get the Initiative Point on every turn even when they move 2nd.

● The Confederate Army moves 1st on the
first game turn. All other Game-Turns are
diced for as usual.

● The line of trees count as a wooded area.

● The railway embankment counts as a Trench
or low earthworks.

The Battlemap;

The Battle. The first day;

The second day, 30th August 1862;

Confederate Army of Northern Virginia

Right Wing; 26,000 = 26 points.

Major General James Longstreet @ 2 points.

Nathan " Shanks" Evans @ 2 points.

4 stands of 1st class Infantry @ 3 points = 12 points.

4 stands of 2nd class Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.

2 stands of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

Union Army of Virginia = 22,000.

5th Corps;

Fitz-John Porter @ 1 point.

5 stands of 2nd class infantry @ 2 points = 10 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 1 point.

3rd Corp;

Irvin McDowell @ 1 point.

4 stands of 2nd class Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 1 point.

As you can see on the map, those Stands that are positioned on the table for the 2nd  battle are marked in red.

This second picture shows the stands that show up on the 2nd day.

Robert E. Lee turned up late on the first day with Longstreet.
The Union General John Pope finally arrived on the second day.
Although both Generals were present, they did not directly influence the battle so they have no points.

The Confederate Cavalry are worth 1point.  When dismounted, the cavalrymen  have zero points and a basic die is rolled for their firing and close combat.

The two Confederate stands positioned on the
flank of Chinn ridge can be bought on during
the 2nd battle. The Confederate  player throws
a die 6 at the start of their chosen Game Turn.
A six must be thrown for these two stands to
be moved onto the table.

The first and second day of the battle are played as two games each of 8 Game Turns. At the end of the first game, the Confederate player may reorganise any Stands still positioned on or around Stoney Ridge.

Bull Run can only be crossed at the bridges.

Well, this is my interpretation of the battle.
All done on a 3 foot x 2 foot table with 15mm
figures.

The figures shown in the pictures are Peter Pig and Miniature Figurines with a few Essex Miniatures.
The flags are by Peter Pig. The square bases are cardboard and the round bases are 40mm MDF From Minibits ( Pendraken ).

The Battle of Luzzera; Italy 1702.

This battle was one of a number of battles between France and Imperial Austria to take control of Italy. The battle took place in Lombardy on the 15th of August. This battle was a tough one with heavy casualties on both sides. At the end of the day, the French were fought to a standstill, with the Austrians to tired to push home their attack. Both sides dug in on the battlefield. A few months later the French Army retired.

The Armies are as follows;

France.
24,500 Infantry. = 24 1/2 points x2 = 49 points.
10,000 Cavalry. = 10 points x2 = 20 points.
Total = 69 points.


1) General Louis Joseph Duc De Vendome C-in-C =1point.
2) General Charles De Lorraine Prince De Commerci =1 point.
3) General Nicholas Catinat =1 point.

2 Stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 4 points =8 points.
11 Stands of Line Infantry @ 3 points = 33 points.
5 Stands of Line Cavalry @ 3 points = 15 points.
2 Stands of Light Dragoons @ 2 points = 4 points.
3 Stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 6 points.

Imperial Austria.
17,500 Infantry. = 17 1/2 points. x 2 = 35 points.
7,500 Cavalry. = 7 1/2 points. x 2 = 15 points.
Total 50 points.

A) General Prince Eugene of Savoy C-in-C = 2 points.
B) General Visconti = 1 point.
C) General Vaudemont = 1 point.

1 Stand of Grenadier Infantry @ 4 points. = 4 points.
7 Stands of Line Infantry @ 3 points. = 21 points.
3 Stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 6 points.
5 Stands of Line Cavalry @ 3 points = 15 points.

Notes.
● Stands can only be moved up onto the Dyke
via the slope at either end.

● Stands moving over the irrigation ditches must stop once the Stand is on them. The stand can be moved normally in the next movement phase.

● A Stand involved in combat whilst positioned in an irrigation ditch, deduct 2 points from their combat die roll.

● The fields do not impede movement or line-of-sight.

● The buildings represent large Farm complexes called "Casines". Stone farmhouses and buildings encompassed by a wall.

● The river Po can only be crossed via the pontoon bridge.

● The Dragoons can dismount.

The Prince De Commerci; This particularly brave Gentlemen was wounded seven times leading cavalry  charges! and expired at the end of the battle!. Therefore;
Each time the French Cavalry under his command move back or are removed,this figure suffers a wound. Should he gain 3 wounds within eight Game-Turns,the figure is removed.

●The battle is fought for 8 Game-Turns.The loser is the army with the most number
of stands lost. If the number of stands lost on both sides is equal, the side with the most
Points in stands looses the battle.

● I fought this battle three times. The first was solo. The second and third with my Wife Joyce and my Stepson Jason. The Austrians won twice and the French once.

This is a map of the battlefield with the positions of the respective armies.

This is the battlefield. I used 15mm 18th century figures. These are mostly Miniature Figurines with some Peter Pig additions.

The square bases are from picture framing card. The round 40mm mdf bases are supplied by Minibits.

The Dyke;
I made this from cardboard in sections. I then covered the sections with texturing
Paste and painting them once the paste had dried.

The fields are Mdf bases sectioned with Cold curing clay. I bought some " wheatfield"
Scenic scatter from War World Scenics. ( www.wwscenics.com).

The mdf bases came from S and A scenics, and Sarrisa Precision.

The mdf river sections came from a pack supplied by Sarrisa Precision. I added the river bank with Green Stuff putty. I then used emulsion paint and acrylic gloss varnish to finish them off.

The bridge " pontoons" were scratchbuilt as were the farmhouses using picture framing card and foamboard covered with texturing paste.

The Great Northern War Part 3 : Narva 20th November 1700

The forces I used were scaled down as follows;

Swedish Army : 11,000 = 11 points.

(11 points x 3= 33 points).

General Rehnskiold ( C-in-C )

2 stands of  line Cavalry @ 3points = 6 points.

 3 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points =6 points.

1 stand of Grenadier Inf @ 3 points.

 1 General=2 points.

General Vellingk:

2 stands of Line Cavalry @ 3 points= 6 points.

3 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.

1 stand of Grenadier Infantry @3 pts= 3 points.

1 General @ 1 point.

The Russian Army : 20,000 = 20 points.

( 20 points x 3= 60pts ).

General Duke Charles Eugene De Croy  C-in-C.

General Sjeremetiev.

 3  stands of Cavalry @ 3 points = 9 points ( dismounted ).

 3 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 3 points= 9 points.

                                        

14 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 28 points.

  6 stands of Militia Infantry Skirmishers @ 1 point = 6 points.

 3 stands of Cossack Light Cavalry @ 2 points = 6 points.

                 

 2 Generals @ 1pt= 2pts.

NOTE:  The Swedes get the initiative on every Game-turn.

●  The Swedish garrison did not play any part in the battle.

●  The artillery of both sides did not play any part in the actual battle.

●  The Russian army totalled 45,000 men, but only 20,000 faced the Swedish army.

●  The Russian defenseworks were given as 2 metres ( 6 feet 6 inches ) in height.

●  The  Swedes managed to break through in two places, hence the gaps. Therefore stands of both sides cannot move over the defense works or engage in close combat.
   

●  Opposed stands cannot fire across the defenseworks at each other if positioned in squares either side of the defenseworks. However Russian stands can fire out at the Swedish stands if the Russian stands are positioned against the defenseworks on their side and the Swedes are two squares away on the outside.

●  Stands cannot add points for " support " if there is a defense work section between friendly stands.

●  If any Russian stands suffer a " move-back" as a result of Firing or Combat, those stands are  moved toward either the camp or the bridge depending on their position and facing. Any stands that cannot be " moved back" are removed as casualties.

●  At the end of any Ģame-turn should the Russians have two stands on the bridge, a 6 sided die is thrown.   If a " 1" is thrown, the bridge collapses and any stands on it are lost.

Map of the Battle of Narva based on a 2" ( 50mm ) grid.

The " Snowstorm" at Narva.

The Swedes attacked as the storm blew toward the Russian position. Thìs is a procedure devised in an attempt to simulate the event.

GAME-TURN 1:     The Snowstorm is moved forward to the next square as shown in the  photo below. The Swedish stands are moved first.

 
 If the Swedish stands are moved beyond the " Storm" they  can  be shot at by the Russians.
 
If any Russian stands are moved there are only two options.

     A:  Turned on the spot.
     B:  They are moved toward the bridge WITH BACKS TO THE ENEMY. 

GAME-TURN 2:    The Snowstorm is moved forward to the 2nd position. The Swedish stands are moved forward.

If any Swedish stands are moved beyond the storm they can be shot at by the Russians.

The Russian movement is either on the spot or toward the bridge.



AT THE END OF  THE 2ND GAME-TURN:

The Swedish player throws a 6 sided die. If a 1or 2 is  scored the storm lifts. The Swedes become visible to the Russians.
                                                         
GAME-TURN 3:  The Storm is moved forward to the 3rd position shown on the map. The Swedish player moves their stands. The Russian stands can be turned on the spot or toward the bridge.

AT THE END OF GAME-TURN 3:   The Storm is lifted!.

GAME-TURNS 4 TO 8 :  These are now played as normal, however even in Solo play the Swedish army moves first on every turn.

THE WINNER.

At the end of the 8th Game-Turn : This will be the player who has lost the lower number of stands.

This photo shows the starting position of the respective armies;

                       
                             
In the actual battle the Swedes charged into the Russian positions under cover of the storm even managing to move some cheveu-de-frise out of the way.

The Swedes needed to win. The small Swedish garrison in Narva was close to exhaustion. The Swedes in the attacking force had left their greatcoats and packs at their camp. The cannon were not used by the Swedes so as not to slow the attack.

The Russians didn't fire their cannon because they could not see the Swedes advancing.

The Russian high command did not expect the outnumbered Swedes to attack!.

Toward the end of the battle a large number of Russians ran for the bridge. There were so many Russian soldiers on the bridge, it collapsed and many drowned in the
icey waters. 

Well, this is my take on the battle. Because this is a 3 foot x 2 foot table ( 90cm x 60cm) I only put in stuff that actually affected the situation.

Credits:   As explained in the previous blog the figures are a mix of Peter Pig and Miniature Figurines. The scenery is from the following souces:

The defense works are homemade using cardboard and cold-cure clay.

I  painted them white then painted over with Tamiya snow-effect paste.

The trees, I got from Amazon. I glued them to to 40mm square cardboard. I mixed up some white acrylic paint and some PVA glue with water so it's nice and runny. I then brushed the mixture onto the tree.

While the mixture was wet my Wife Joyce helped me in sprinkling on the snow dust. I got a " snow kit " from: www.scenics.com.

The " snowstorm" is white card. The bases I got from: boardgameextras.co.uk

The tents of the Russian camp are resin and from the Peter Pig scenic range which I painted white and with snow scenic material added.

Finally, the field is overlapping  thin white card sheets with grey squares painted on.  The river is thin blue card. It doesn't look as picturesque as custom made river sections but it makes it easier forming sections for different battles.

I have played this game solo and with my Wife Joyce. In both instances the Swedes won. However if the storm of snow clears early, the Swedes could face a storm of lead instead!!.