A fallible God

A fallible God

The rulers of two nations have told me "It's your campaign, so you are God"

However the cosmos has rules and I appear to have erred against its physics, in one case at least, to the disadvantage  of a Ruler.

1) I have enforced, am in the process of enforcing, a rule that a force out of supply must withdraw to its home bases. However It appears that it can choose to remain isolated (but of course it cannot be reinforced)

Any force finding itself out of supply from the start of  Spring 1743 now may opt to stay in the province it is in.as per SoK

I need also to point out that a unit in a province with a coast remains "in supply" if there is a fleet in the adjacent sea zone.

2) In the battle between Russia and Turkey, I allowed the bulk of the Russian force to huddle in the capital, effectively taking the siege option when actually it had elected to fight. It has been pointed out that when I was in a similar position in the previous campaign, I was only allowed to place a limited proportion of my force in fortifications. 

Had the Russian force faced the Turkish force in the field the result could have been very different and Turkey has been disadvantaged by my bad decision

I am therefore ruling as follows

The Turkish force is now out of supply. As advised at the end of the game, it must withdraw towards a home base. It is aware it's route back is occupied and conflict is highly likely otherwise it would not be cut off  However as compensation for my error, the Russian force in the capital may not come out and pursue. The Turkish force will have to take its chances with whatever lies in its path alone. Russia retains its income from its capital province which it would otherwise lose.

Not the most satisfactory of compromises but the best I can think of.

3) Supply of Generals

All the games played so far have been hindered by the number of "6" generals. I hadn't advised of the option that a "7" general could be bought at the same price as a unit, although I had said that a new "7" could be created or a "7" be promoted to an "8" or an "8" promoted to a "9" in the winter move.

So from Spring 1743 (next build period) generals may be purchased. In addition, because we are now 6 moves in and I hadn't offered the option, as an "act of God" I am giving all nations one extra "7" general immediately. assume it's one of your "6s" who has passed a "boy done good" roll . Please advise as to his location when you submit moves.

4) To Generate more games.

Where medium size armies meet (say 10 to 15 units) if both players agree the number of units can be doubled to give a tabletop.game. (assume each regiment has two battalions)

I will now wait for the sound of my altars being smashed across Euirope.

Up to date individual locations spread sheets to follow. It's winter, so your treasury grows but there are no builds.

Moves by close of play March 2nd including general promotion and new general location.

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

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.

Seasonal

Buld Deadline Summer 1742:

24:00 Sunday December 23rd

Maps: End of Spring 1742

Maps end of Spring 1742

European Guardian Spring 1742

First Edition

Turkish Cartographer Executed

Sultan Ali 1 has ruthlessly executed his cartographer following his failure to guide the Turkish horde to the gates of Moscow. Instead his vast force is languishing in the vastnesses of Central Russia with only the steppe ponies for company.

Russian Domination of Scandinavia Complete

The last stand of the Swedish Nationalists

Russian forces now stand overlooking the North Atlantic from the Norwegian fjords. At the same time insurrection in Stockholm has been put down and its hold on Sweden in consolidated

Jacobite rebellion finally crushed

The last remnants of the Jacobite Rabble

The hopes of the Stuart Pretender to regain the English Crown have come to naught. There has been a ruthless purging of the Jacobites and the Pretender himself was forced to flee disguised as a woman.

Caught on i-phone

The pretender slips past British grenadiers

Franco-Austro-Prussian Confused Merry-Go-Round

Armies on the move in Central Europe and Northern Italy

European Guardian correspondents report German principalities changing hands almost daily as French, Austrian and Prussian armies march into and out of places like Baden, Berg and Franconia.  Elise von Pullapint who keeps the Soldier's Rest in Frankfurt said There has to be a battle soon"

And from further south there are rumours of an impending Austro-French battle over Milan.

New Rule: The Waterloo Situation

The Waterloo Situation

When a province is attacked from two directions by the same or allied forces and the defender chooses to fight the incoming forces may not be a unified force as battle commences.

We have such a situation in Spring 1742. It has not occurred before

If I give the defender the opportunity to attack one force first and then the other its unfair on the invader whose forces might have had time to unite.

Rule to be applied in all such situations.

To establish whether the attacker has unified his forces or whether the second army is arriving late

Campaign Master's Score of D6 -2.

Adjusted scores of 0 and -1 =. armies united. Defender faces both from the start of the batttle

Adjusted scores 1 to 4 = Moves into the game before the second force arrives at the table edge. Full move on next move.  

Depending on the Campaign Master's interpretation of the map this edge may be a flank in the attacker's half but the defender will be have been advised which flank by his scouts/local population.

Spring 1742

Move Deadline: End of Sunday, November 24th.

Spring 1742 Build Deadline

Spring 1742 Build Deadline

November 10th

Phases of 1742

Phases of 1742: Clarification

As I managed to get us in a muddle, this is for clarification.

I will not ask for builds and moves together this time round 

1) Spring Builds

Umpire determines random events and advises the affected nation, in case there are provinces where he cannot build or affects income

Players asked to spend their resources on new units and advise the Umpire where they are to placed.

Players may promote one general one grade. i.e. Create a 7 or move a 7 to 8 or an 8 to 9. Location to be named.

(Assume he was promoted in the capital at New Year. It's taken until to spring to arrive at the posting.

2) Spring Movement

Umpire publishes list of random events which might hamper movement

Players submit movement

3) Spring Consequences and Results

4) Summer Builds

Umpire determines random events and advises the affected nation, in case there are provinces where he cannot build or affects income

Players asked to spend their resources on new units and advise the Umpire where they are to placed.

5) Summer Moves

Umpire publishes list of random events which might hamper movement

Players submit movement

6) Summer Consequences and Results

7) Winter No builds

Umpire determines random events and advises the affected nation, in case there are provinces where  income affected. Otherwise income banked

8) Winter Moves

Umpire publishes list of random events which might hamper movement

Players submit movement

9) Winter Consequences and Results

 

Maps Winter 1741

European Guardian: Winter 1741: Final Edition

Russian fire power too much for the Swedish army

Sweden now spelled Швеция

Frederick's last throw ends in tragedy

After losing Stockholm to the Russian invaders in the Summer of 1741, Frederick I of Sweden pulled in all his remaining forces from Norway and Pomerania together in a desperate attempt to liberate his capital and retain his monarchy. It was not to be as his army disintegrated in a short sharp battle. Frederick is now a lonely figure seeking sanctuary in the Royal Courts of Europe.

Frederick, without an army, flees the battlefield

Russia hold on the Europe's northern flank is consolidated. 

European Guardian: Winter 1741

European Guardian Winter 1741

Jacobite insurgents crushed

The "Yes" Campaign tries to make a point

The armies of King George, who had stationed a moderate sized force in Scotland reacted firmly when the Jacobites sioaught a referendum on Scots Independence. After a short battle a quarter of the clansmen fell while the others disappeared into the Highland fastness. King George, who is commanding here personally knows he will have to pursue them ruthlessly for one more season at least.

Turkey Nibbles at Southern Ukraine and Kiev

Ottomans march nrth

Taking full advantage of Russia's preoccupation with swallowing up little Sweden far to the marched into Kiev and the Southern Ukraine meeting little resistance. It might have been stopped if the Czarina hadn't inadvertantly  concentrated her southern garrison in Burkovina

Swnngs and roundabouts in Italy

Austrian Artillery in Modena

With her troops in Venetia quarantined by the presence of disease in the province, Maria Theresa was unable to reinforce her army in Milan and has conceded it to the French although the Austrian force in Milan slipped south to secure a new base in Modena  With Venetia now free from plague, are the French in Milan facing an attack from two flanks?

Maps Summer 1741

Maps Summer 1741

Deadlines etc for Winter 741

Information as circulated with your end of Summer briefings

Builds and moves for Winter 1741 by midnight on September 8th

 

Please state

a) Build location

b) Movements showing troops remaining in start province in brackets and then state destination and movuing force

 

e.g.

Lancashire (1inf) to Yorkshire SG8, 1 Gd, 4 inf, 1 HC, 1 Art

Derbyshire (2inf 1 Art) to Yorkshire 2 Inf 2 HC, 1 Art

Nottingham (1 Inf) to Derbyshire 3 Inf  (which will make Derbyshire 5 Inf 1 Art)

 

If you don't name a province, I will assume the current garrison is standing unchanged.

 

Please try to list units in a moving force in the following order.

Generals, Gd/Gren Inf, Line Inf, Skirmishing Infantry (e.g. Grenzers) Gd Cav, Cuirassier Cav, HC, LC, Art

Provision of Generals

Provision of Generals

From Winter 1741, in addition to the original Generals you are moving with your forces, any force of at least 4 units without a General, will be deemed to be under the conttrol of an SG7.  In any conflict any number of SG6 can be appointed (presumably from senior regimental officers) to meet the needs of the situation but must command a brigade of at least 3 units. 

In Winter moves each player may either create another SG 7 to move with their forces or may promote one existing SG7 to an SG8. The location of the new SG7 or the promoted SG8 must be stated

Season Clarification

Season Clarification

Following a query from the King of France

Spring

 Moves are sought and made. Conflicts determined. Revenues determined. Builds made*.These Build Rules still stand Please note the last paragraph From Spring 1742 include  Upgrades (see 4th pragraph)

Summer

Moves are sought and made. Conflicts determined. Revenues determined. Builds made*

Winter

Moves are sought and made. Conflicts determined. Revenues determined.  These winter rules still stand  See also the post "Upgrading generals" (yet to be written



*However to streamline things you will be asked to spend your Spring income when I ask for your Summer moves and you will be asked to spend your Summer income when I ask for your Winter moves .

Stockholm Burns

European Guardian

Stockholm August 25th 1741

Stockholm Burns

Pomerania Saved

The armies of  Sweden clashed today on the plains north of Stockholm. Although outnumbering the invading Russians by 25 percent and holding strong defensive positions behind field wall and the ramparts of Stockholm itself, the Swedes through away their advantage in a series of impetuous cavalry charges which denied with the possibility of exposing the Russian cavalry  to flanking fire. What was left of the Swedish army retreated westwards towards the safety of Norway 

To the south, a smaller Swedish army stood off an English incursion into Pomerania although the English were able to retire to Mecklenberg with no significant losses.

The Empress of Russia deploys her forces

Frederick of Sweden deploys his

Before contemplating his moves

While the Czarina loses all dignity in encouraging her infantry forward

Sweden Awaits

European Guardian

Stockholm August 21st 1741

Sweden awaits Russian onslaught

(From our Northern Correspondent)

Nervousness is apparent in the population of Stockholm as word from Swedish cavalry outposts reaches the court of King Frederick that the invading Russian army is only four days march away. 

However Frederick has summoned up the martial spirit of his ancestor Gustavus Adolphus and he has mustered a sizeable force to defend the capital

The environs of Stockholm