Wednesday 22 January 2014

Maps Summer 1742

Maps: Summer 1742

These are post movement.

The provinces in BLACK are contested.

The situation in North Central Russia is resolved. Russia is beseiged in its capital. The Turkish force remains in the province but will need to withdaw next time as it is out of supply.

Games are to be arranged to determine the other two conflicts


Please note: Norway should show GREEN as a Russian Province



Please note: Norway should show GREEN as a Russian Province



Saturday 18 January 2014

European Guardian: Early Summer 1742

European Guardian: Early Summer Edition 1741


Stalemate in North Central Russia
Sultan Ali I contemplates long retreat


Following Spring's fruitless  trek through the Steppes of Central Russia, Sultan Ali I's Turkish expeditionary force of Sipahis and Janissaries poured into North Central Russia and arrived at the gates of Moscow.



Although retreating most of her forces behind the city defences immediately, Tsarina Elizabeth posted her cavalry in a position to try to weaken the advancing hordes


The Russian forces in "Moscow" with a Russian cavalry brigade stationed outside the walls to exploit weaknesses in the Turkish deployment

The Turks deployed in three divisions, the left flank facing Moscow but hidden from the city by a low ridge


The Turkish left flank, a mix of sipahis and janissaries. 
The ridge hiding them from Moscow top left

The Turkish Centre, comprising janissaries and artillery showed an initial reluctance to advance while the left wing swept forth to the ridge overlooking Moscow.


The Turkish centre with the artillery remaining cautious on the start line

After a cavalry battle on the ridge above Moscow, which initially cost the sultan a sipahi unit, a second round of fighting saw the Turks sweep round the back of Moscow and see off the Russian Cavalry and one hapless militia unit that had ventured beyond the walls.


Turkish Cavalry behind "Moscow" seemingly pursued by Cossacks but the shaking of the cuirassier will force them to leave the table as well

Now effectively trapped behind the walls, the Russians await attempts to assault the walls or to pound them with artillery, however night began to draw closer 


The sipahis on the Turkish right move forward


and janissaries close up

The Sultan went forward to closely observe a hasty but unsuccessful attempt to storm the walls. He then realised his artillery was too far away to make any impact to soften the defences before nightfall


Ali I (Steve Gudmansen)exhorts his forces to storm the walls
while the Empress Elizabeth (Allan Lumley) looks in quiet confidence.


Staalemate
Night falls and "Moscow" is surrounded 
but the Turkish artillery is still too far away.

The conflict has been a tactical victory for the Russians. By delaying accepting the sieige they have cost the Turks an irreplaceable cavalry unit, while behind their back in Central Russia a lightning Russian strike force has regained the province cutting the Turks off from resupply.

Like so many before and possibly after Sultan Ali i is forced into retreat towards the Turkish homeland as winter 1742 apperoaches.