A very happy Christmas to all our friends in toy soldier land

 

Baltic whispers of Mr HG Wells

 The summer months were busy with some welcome travel, on the trail of Henry Williamson and TE Lawrence in Norfolk, Devon and Dorset.  The countryside was glorious indeed in the late summer sunshine.

Activities in toys soldier land were dominated by play testing an Interwar set of rules for FLW - they included a siege game (the Alhambra, 1936)  based on the siege of the Alaczar.  

 Bob's blog carries a report, 

http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-siege-of-alhambra-not-quite-spanish.html

and I will be writing one up for a new FL (Inter) War  blog.

So, 'winter quarters' is now here and I can return to the Gustavian Baltic shoreline.  I continued to research various aspects of the conflict, and found a couple of quite useful books in Hay on Wye - including a little gem called 'Through Finland to St Petersburg', printed in 1908.

I was delighted indeed to read the opening lines, which have confirmed that I am on the right path with this project:

"In a wonderful passage in one of his most imaginative novels, Mr. HG Wells describes the coming of day on the moon."

The book has some occasional whispers about the Russo Swedish War, as Mr Scott travels across the disputed territory of 1788.  More to follow.

And in other news, Galley building continues, and some welcome reinforcements arrived from Alan in the Duchy.  They have bolstered the Russian forces and there is a lot of painting to do.

I hope that you enjoyed the summer, and that you have many happy hours to contemplate in toy soldier land...

The ships, continued

One of the defining images of the Gustavian war of 1788 is the galley.  Both sides used these Mediterranean  style warships in the treacherous waters of the Skerries.  Here among those the shoals and islands the galleys were perfectly suited to navigate where the larger ships of the lines and frigates could not go.  The great naval architect FH Af Chapman constructed an entire Skerry fleet for the Swedish King, using many novel designs.

The first galley to join the Swedish fleet here is this resin model from Old Glory.  Others will now be scratch built.  

The naval battle of Svensksund was fought mainly by the coastal fleets.  It was the largest naval battle to be fought in the Baltic.  These short videos give a flavour of the campaign - from the lovely Finnish maritime museum.

The next task is looking at castles ...

The ships of the Cabinet Wars of Gustav 3rd

     Readers of this diary will be aware that there is a strict adherence to the 'one true scale' as revealed in Little Wars.  A doctrinal deviation, however, is permissible in nautical matters, as 25/28mm models are deployed - and the 1/1200 scale is deployed for the campaign moves.  This has been a feature of the series of FLW games called the 'Herrring Wars' which is an imaginary series of Baltic battles in the Oscarian period (pre-dreadnought) which runs and runs and runs...

The Gustavian campaign follows this pattern.  The Skerries, coast and rivers are the backdrop to the Cabinet War, and therefore small squadrons are required.  They will reappear in a 'War of 1812' game with a change of flags.  

I was fortunate to find a couple of beautiful kits on the usual auction source, from the excellent Laser Dream Works.  The completed models are here, which will be the Swedish and Russian flagships.  The model has a foam hull and laser cut wooden parts.  It was a real joy to build.   It will be crewed by the Britannia range figures - which have a suitably robust feel about them.  The Russian archipelago frigate St Nikolai is pictured below - an inspiration for the Russian ship. Note that the model and original can be powered by oars as well as sail.  

Image from the Finland Maritime museum Svensksund exhibition

For the 1/1200 ships there is the supremely lovely Langton range - and all the actual Gustavian Baltic ships are available.  It is always a pleasure to receive these models - exquisite.

Each squadron will have a sailing ship and galleys - which form the coastal or Skerry fleet - under the command of the Swedish Army and the Russian Navy respectively.  The Galleys will be the next task.

Of course, the really great international figure of this period is F.H. Af Chapman, the naval architect of Gustav III.  This book has been a real inspiration.  

There is a lot of model making and painting in the coming months to complete...  

To the North

We can be surprised sometimes by connections in life, and sometimes echoes from the past connect us with far away and long forgotten people and events.  I have been very fortunate to escape into the highways and byways of military history and wander around many historic battlefields over the years.  The landscape tells us so many things and gives us a unique perspective on the events and personalities who we encounter in the pages of the history books.  Sometimes the past connects with our own lives in a very special way, and we find a physical connection.   

I am currently researching the battle of Svensksund in 1790, during the war between Sweden and Russia. The maritime museum in Finland made a remarkable discovery in the wreck of one the Russian warships, the Saint Nikolai.  It was the binding of a copy of my favourite book, ‘The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy’ by the Reverend Laurence Sterne. It had been on the seabed for nearly 200 years.  This lovely little three minute video tells the story;  

The video has English subtitles and describes the finding of the book; probably owned by an English officer in the Russian fleet.  He was reading about Uncle Toby and Corporal Trim in the faraway Baltic in 1790 – as I read about them in faraway Iraq in 2003.  A little research revealed that this officer was probably Captain Marshall; of whom an unfinished miniature painting exists with this poignant inscription:

S E Marshall.  Aged 24

Captain in the Russian Navy
who in the Engagement with
the Swedes on the 10 July 1790
having with unparalleled valour
fought for 17 Hours & received
many wounds wrapt himself
up in the Colours of his
Ship when sinking &
perished with her
in the Waves

The scene now moves to a longer term project that has been in the background for  a number of years; 

the Cabinet wars of the Theatre King; 

or 

Gustavus III Rex.  

The project has now started, so the Vauban and Shandy blog says a temporary farewell to Trumptonshire and moves to the Skerries of Sveaborg and Svenskskund... and it was a remarkable joy to find Tristram Shnady and Uncle Toby in these cold northern waters, a long time ago.

A walk around Trumpton...continued

The town of Trumpton as seen from a distant prospect on Windy Hill.

The view from the Fosse Gate

The strong German influence of the architects Elastolin & Hausser was mentioned in a number of accounts of the town in this period.

As did Raggy Dan prophesy:

'There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it'

A walk around early modern Trumpton

Travelers noted a remarkable resemblance to Leipzig

 The Town walls

The walls of Trumpton are in a state of lamentable decrepitude.  They may appear imposing from afar, but they have been left to crumble in many places.  As the war and investment appear inevitable, the townsfolk are working to restore what they can.

 

The Gates

The finely appointed Camberwick gate is the finest of the four late medieval entrances to the town.  It has a continental style, the rich golden stone stands in contrast to the rather grimy and mostly collapsing town walls.  The arms and motto of the town are emblazoned here;

 nugas non tantum omnia sunt Deo

all are mere toys without God

The Inns and Hostelries

The Cripple and Bastard – by the Guild Church of St Brian Canto.  The headquarters during the early stages of the war, and during the sieges of the town

The great fat Big Bear – by the London gate.  The secret meeting place of the Trumpton divines during the reign of Bloody Mary

The Withered Spoon – by the Water Gate.  A dirty, dingy hole with the foulest ale in the whole county - for the meaner sort in the Borough

The Turk’s Arse – not to be confused with the Turk’s Head in Camberwick Green – by the Mill Gate.  A most peculiar place

 

Forlorn Hopes

 Turn 1

Trumpton  There was an uncomfortable night both inside and outside Trumpton.  The townsfolk were elated at their deliverance from the assault, but they remained under siege.  How could the siege be broken, without throwing away the Trained Band?  After much deliberation, it was decided that the 'fresh' members of the Trumpton Horse must mount a 'Forlorn Hope' against the Cannon; formerly the 'not so loud Brenda.'  

At dawn, the attack would be launched.

Chigley   His Lordship slept badly, and was deeply troubled by the loss of Clutterbuck and Sneed.  Should the siege continue?  The walls were being battered, but could the town be taken?  Could that fox, Snort, be trusted after the misfire yesterday?  He was woken by the sound of alarm, alarm...

Turn 1

Chigley - Roaring Doris fird and scored a hit near the artillery, killing a crew member.  The cannon scored  another hit on the now crumbling Camberwick gate.

Trumpton - the Trumpton Horse 'Forlorn Hope' stormed forward - taking fire and surviving on their second bound - and rolling on the second D6 enough to enter the Chigley redoubt.  The Chigley gunners sensibly fled, being true sons of Pippin Fortress and seeking the safest outcome...

However, the Petard failed to explode???

Turn 2

Chigley - the Camberwick Green Coats gave fire, having decided not to budge from their trench.  A misfire on the party popper!

Trumpton - a roll of 5 and the Petard exploded - demolishing the rediubt and 'Not so loud Brenda'.  In the noise and confusion of the dawn raid, the Forlorn Hope retired to the walls of Trumpton.

Turn 3

Lord Belborough decides to retire back to Pippin Fortress and assess the situation after this rebuff.  The good burghers of Trumpton celebrate their success, and look to the crumbling Camberwick gate with some unease... and they await news from Treddles Wharf.

Summary

The siege of Trumpton

Battle Record Chart – Trumpton 

Name	Strength	P M  C	Efficiency Factor	Dead	Captured	Report
Trumpton Horse	5	/ /     5	1	0	0	Forlorn Hope
Trumpton Trained Band	9 + Chaplain	6  3  /	1	4		The Mayor killed with them
Guild of St Brian Canto	8	8	1
Cannon	3		1	1	Cannon

 Battle Report Card – Chigley

Name	Strength	P M  C	Efficiency Factor	Dead	Captured	Report
The Lobsters + Trumpton Horse	15	/ /     9 +	2			Not at the Camberwick Gate
Whitecoats	15	5  5  /	2	7		Sneed killed
Camberwick Green Coats Sappers and Miners	10   6	5 5	1	1		Clutterbuck killed
Roaring Doris  Culverin Firelocks	5   5 5			2		Destroyed

 P = Pike + Ensign/commander

M= Musket

C = Cavalry

Keep your Powder dry!  There were five party popper misfires, so keep your powder dry.

Late at night, the Reverend Munnings and Raggy Dan praise the Lord of Hosts.  The Lord is a God of battles, the Lord is His name.

But the multitude of your enemies will become like fine dust,

And the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away;

And it will happen instantly, suddenly.

From the Lord of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise,

With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire.

And the multitude of all the nations who wage war against Ariel,

Even all who wage war against her and her stronghold, and who distress her,

Will be like a dream, a vision of the night.

 

The siege continues

 Turn 1

Chigley

Dawn.  The White Coats have enjoyed an uncomfortable night on the hedge line - as the Cannonade lifts they charge towards the earthwork.  Captain Sneed is in the van.

The Green Coats continued to sap forward.

Turn 2

Chigley.  The White Coats assault the earthwork - and are repulsed with heavy loss.

Trumpton. The Trained band gave fire as the White Coats appear.  A catastrophic salvo from the party popper  kills three of the enemy outright, including Captain Sneed.  The White Coats pass a morale test.

Turn 3

Chigley - Roaring Doris drops short! Killing three more of the White Coats, who retreat in confusion.   The Green Coats are poised to assault. 

Trumpton - the Trained Band fire again inflicting more casualties.  The Trumpton cannon fires grape - and a solider and Captain Clutterbuck are killed.  Clutterbuck is struck by a passing shot, and does not pass the saving roll.

Turn 4

Chigley  Lord Belborough rushes to rally the remains of the White Coats, and the Green Coats retire to the original trench line.

Trumpton  The Trained Band sing a Psalm in astonishment at their deliverance.  

Turn 5

Chigley  Roaring Doris lands a direct hit in the earthwork killing the Mayor and two members of the Trained Band.  Lord Belborough has lost two key advisors, and is left with the rather dubious Captain Snort to discuss his options??

Trumpton - A blow for Trumpton late in the day - to lose the Mayor - the inspiration of the defence.   A hasty Council of War is held and the MP, Chippy Minton takes command, assisted by Captain Flack and Mr Bolt, the engineer.

Dusk begins to fall after a terrible day at Trumpton...

The siege of Trumpton

The arrival of his Lordship's army was met with consternation in Trumpton.  The Town was summoned, and terms offered, but the Mayor and MP were not in any mood for negotiating.  The Chigley horse was visible at the northern and eastern gates; effectively blockading Trumpton. 

At the Camberwick gate his Lordship decided to open the siege works - after a council of war with Mijnheer Clutterbuck and Captain Sneed.  Captain Snort was present to discuss the placing of 'Roaring Doris' and the Culverin.

The ground was broken for the siege lines, and a cannon shot from the new earthwork marked the opening of the battle.  The White Coats were on the right flank, the Camberwick Green/Blue coats on the left flank.  (Mr J taking on the role of Lord Belborough.)

The Chigley artillery return fire, as the Chigley forces begin to sap forward...

The left flank

The right flank

Turn 1

Chigley - Roaring Doris hit the earthwork!  A roll of 3 meant the mortar bomb exploded, but the Trained survived.  The Cannon hit the Camberwick gate with round shot.  The infantry sapped forward.

Trumpton - the Reverend Munnings roundly cursed the Chigley malignants from the top of a Gabion - quickly ducking as cannon ball went overhead...

The Trumpton 'grate cannon' returned fire - no hit.  The Guild of St Brian Canto wisely withdrew to the Town wall

Turn 2

Chigley - artillery reloading, sapping progressing and Meijnheer Clutterbuck and Captain Sneed moved forward from Lord Bleborough's tent.

Trumpton - cannon reloading and a runner sent to call all the Trained Band to the Camberwick Gate

Turn 3

Chigley - first blood - as Roaring Doris hit the Town wall. One member of the Guild killed, and Raggy Dan deafened and MP Chippy Minton stunned for one turn.  Sapping continued, and a second cannon hit on the Camberwick gate.

Trumpton - the Trained Band move towards the Gate.

Turn 4

Chigley - the White Coat being bored of sapping unaccountably dashed forwards to the hedge - to the consternation of Captain Sneed who is a good way back.  Cannon reloading. Sniping from the Blue Caots in the sap.

Trumpton - the Mayor, Captain Bolt, and Reverend Munnings (with a dazed Raggy Dan) rush to the earthworks.  The mortar is fired, with a very loud bang (party poppers in basements are quite loud) but the Trained Band misfired - defective ammunition!!  

Turn 5

Dusk begins to fall...