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.

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. 

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