King Karl X in a skirmish with Polish Tatars at the Battle of Warsaw Johann Philip Lemke

 Battle of Warsaw

By Fire and Sword 15mm

 Have to mention this rule and figure system while on the subject of the Deluge. Now available in the UK.  

Johann Philip Lemke - Matchlock musketeer c1660

 In the below book - drawn when visiting Germany. Artist wiki

Charles X's Wars volume 1 - Armies of the Swedish Deluge 1655-1660

Michael Fredholm von Essen

A little known conflict to English readers this is an essential volume 

There were eight hostile powers involved in the Deluge. Sweden, the Commonwealth of Poland, Brandenburg-Prussia, Crimean Tatars, Ukrainian cossacks, Muscovy, Denmark and the Holy Roman Empire. They all had distinctly different military systems and armies and this is the great part about this book, First up is the forces of Sweden. Still maintaining the same system as during the 30 years war. Next up is the Commonwealth (Poland) and its famous military, encompassing eastern and western influences. Mainly a cavalry army with the celebrated Hussars. Next up is the army of Brandenburg-Prussia an army at its very beginnings and styled very much on the Swedish model. The next chapter os on the Muscovite military establishment with its horse archers and cavalry. The following chapter is on the Ukrainian cossack army. The next chapter is on the Transylvanian army and followed by a chapter on the Imperial army during the deluge. Final army examined is the Crimean khanate. All these chapters are well illustrated with colour plates by the talented Sergey Shamenkov. Flags are depicted and weaponry which is diverse in this war. Definitely a good idea to get this book. Would make a great wargames campaign. 

CHARLES X’S WARS VOLUME 1 Armies of the Swedish Deluge, 1655-1660

 

This is another book I have - it is the first in a series # read about it here.  Volume 2 is about the Danish wars. 

By Fire and Sword The Deluge

I have been enjoying the artwork by Tomasz Tworek for the new expansion for the Fire and Sword rules.

1612 trailer and siege scene

I haven't seen this Russian fantasy movie from 2007 set during the historical Polish invasion of 1612 but it looks pretty spectacular and the winged hussars look impressive. The siege scene is recommended by me as being pretty watchable. Wiki on the movie

More New Plastics!

Saw a news item on Plastic Soldier Review here about a new set from Mars, Polish "Mercenary" Haiduks that looks quite interesting. These do not appear to be direct copies of the Strelets or Zvezda Russian Streltski, but new sculpts of actual Polish infantry! Quite useful for our friends fighting in the Eastern Theater.

While visiting Mars web site (not all the links work), I also discovered that they have produced a set of TYW "Arquebusiers" which actually includes pikemen and command as well, and also doesn't appear to be a direct copy. Now, for those not familiar with Mars or their history, this probably bears a bit of an explanation. Several years ago now, they began offering direct copies of the old Revell-Germany TYW range. The arrived in plain wrappers, were cast on rounded sprues like a centrifugal cast product, and the detail left a bit to be desired. Will McNally can speak to the quality, as I passed-on to him several sets of their Swedish Cavalry, some of which he's painted. Many of us assumed these were pirated castings, as we couldn't imagine Revell going along with the quality or the "low profile" maintained by the company.


Now however, they are offering almost the entire Revell-Germany TYW range (they split the huge artillery set into two sets, same with the Swedish Cavalry) as well as the Spanish Conquistadors and some other Revell-Germany product. They have been reviewed on PSR and are even credited as copies there, much like Hät's copies of the older Airfix sets. They are properly boxed with suitable artwork (some from the film "The Deluge"), advertised openly and everything. So, either the folks at Mars have a very large set of "cajones" as we say here in Tejas, or they have worked out a licensing arrangement with Revell-Germany.

Assuming everything is on the up-and-up (and I feel it is if PSR is reviewing them), this is a great deal for those interested in the early years of our Good King's reign (you knew I had to tie him in somewhere, now didn't you?). We must remember that Louis XIV's actual "birthright" as King began in 1643, within days of the victory at Rocroi, although under a regency of Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin until his ascension in 1661.

We tend to focus on the "Sun King" era on this site, post 1672, and with good reason. However, we could just as easily use these Mars figures, mixed with Zvezda's recent "Austrian Infantry" and any old Revell sets we can find, to model the later period of the TYW around Rocroi; the period of the Frondé in the 1650's leading up to the 2nd battle of the Dunes at Dunkirk (where we could add in "A Call To Arms" ECW figures for the British on both sides and a few Conquistadors to the Spanish Tercio's); to the French expedition to the Turkish Wars and the battle of St. Gotthard in 1664, since several makers produce Ottoman's and their allies/clients. When all is said and done, if you're into a bit of plastic, it's a pretty good time to look into some of these periods. Since "formal" uniforms (as opposed to whatever the Colonel paid for) really didn't arrive until the Dutch Wars, one could paint a single French army (a few extra standards as some of these did change), and then bits of British, Irish, Scots, Swedes, Imperialists, Spanish, Walloons and what-have-you and have some pretty fair battles.

And here's a tip, if you want to add a little variety to your Cuirassier's and model some of the "German" or Eastern Imperialist units, pick up some of the Orion or Zvezda Winged Hussars, fill the holes in their back with a bit of Milliput or Green Stuff, and you have some fierce looking Eastern Cuirassier's!

If I didn't already own all the figures to do this in 15mm (and don't have the time to finish painting them), I would seriously consider it. For a nominal investment, one could produce some very colorful units and fun battles.


Bill

Husaria!

While it really deals with a time frame before our period, one can't help but be inspired by this film clip. It is from the Polish movie made in 1974 "Potop", or "The Deluge" in english. It deals with the Winged Hussars in their battles with the Swedes and includes some excellent battle footage. Of particular interest to 17th century gamers is a very good depiction (starting at about the 4:45 minute mark) of both fire by countermarch and the classic "ready your pike for horse" drill, planted pikes, drawn sword and all.

This movie is part of a three part series based on the writing of Henryk Sienkiewicz, for which he won the Nobel Prize, and directed by Jerzy Hoffman. The other two movies in the trio are "Colonel Wolodyjowski" (1969) and "With Fire and Sword" (1999). The actual movie DVD's do feature english sub-titles and, yes, they are already on my birthday wish list.

When I finally finish my 15mm forces for the Flanders and Rhineland campaigns, I will be doing the extra figures for the Siege of Vienna. I just happen to know a friend with a 15mm Ottoman army (friends can be a good thing) that I think needs running over.

If this video doesn't put you in the mood for Winged Hussars, here are a couple more videos celebrating the Winged Hussars by user "Rogvist" that are pretty good too:

Husaria, Part II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbM16IT8Mxw

Husaria, Part III http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa5cAbHBHcA

Bill