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)!
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda
1. Forces.
Lennartsson (##)2 x Swedish National Infantry (M, Regimental Cannons)2 x Swedish National Infantry (M)2 x Mercenary Infantry (M)
Mansfield (##)2 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)
Brandt (##)2 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)
Prince of Luneburg (##)2 x Swedish National Infantry (M)2 x Muskeeter Squadron (S, Regimental Cannon)2 x Muskeeter Squadron (S)
1 x Swedish National Cavalry (M)4 x Mercenary Reiters (S)
Tomasz Dąbrowa (##)2 x Husaria (S)1 x Mercenary Reiters (S)1 x Cossack Style Cavalry
Prince Friderick1 x Husaria (M)1 x Husaria (S)1 x Armoured Mercenary Reiters (S)1 x Haiduks (M, Regimental Cannon)2 x Haiduks (S)
Jan Sapieha (##)1 x Husaria (M)1 x Petyhorcy with Lances (S)1 x Cossack Style Cavalry (S)
Jan Karol Chodkiewicz (####)1 x Volunteers (S)1 x Tatar Cavalry (S)
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:
FLICKR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720330306248
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