Glasgow & District Wargaming Society
|
Glasgow & District Wargaming Society |
|
|
GDWS Open Day 17 January 2010 Scenario 1713 – Moldavian Alliance Background In 1709 Peter the Great destroyed Charles XII’s Swedish army at the Battle of Poltava. Charles and the remnants of his army fled from the Ukraine into Ottoman territory and were allowed to settle at Bender in Bessarabia. Peter demanded that the Ottoman’s hand Charles over and when they refused he declared war. In May 1711 the Russian army supported by Cossacks advanced from the Ukraine into Moldavia. The Moldavians led by Demetrius Cantemir, rose against their Ottoman overlords and joined the Russians. The Ottomans commanded by Grand Vizier Baltadji mobilised a massive army supported by the Crimean Tartars, Walachia and the remnants of the Swedish army and their allies. Peter became trapped between the Crimean Tartar army and the Ottomans on the Pruth River. He was only saved from complete destruction by a favourable treaty in July 1711 and he withdrew back to Russia. Scenario Historically the war dragged on until the Treaty of Adrianople in October 1713. However, in this scenario we envisage Peter trying again to occupy Moldavia with a new invasion. This time he obtains support from the Austrian’s. The War of the Spanish Succession was grinding to halt and the Austrian’s had crushed the Rakoczy (Hungarian) Rebellion by 1711. The Austrian’s were concerned about Swedish troops on their northern border and the Ottoman’s in the Balkans. Historically they went to war against the Ottoman’s in 1716.
Battlefield The battle opens with the Russian army partly in siege works in front of a key fort defending Jassy. The main Ottoman army deploys on the table. The Tartars will arrive from the East and the Austrians from the West. The Austrians will have to cross a river that is bridged and fordable in several places with crossings defended by Russian units. The game played with 28mm figures and the rules are 18th Century Principles of War.
Russian troops of the period. More pictures here...
Initial set up. Russians besieging the castle when the Ottomans arrive.
Siege lines
Russian left wing hanging on.
Austrians arrive to bolster the Russian line.
Austro/Russian right holds after a fierce cavalry clash.
The scenario made a really good game. Thanks to the players. Ottoman - Bob, David B and Derek Austro Russian - Bill, David M and Dave S Game run by Dave Watson who provided the figures and scenery. Those who have read the wargaming tome 'Achtung Swinehund' may recall the author's hypothesis that most wargamers are called Dave. This game appears to prove him right!
|
|
Send mail to
balkandave@googlemail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
|
In this scenario a Russian army
led by Peter the Great crosses the Pruth River and besieges the Moldavian
capital Jassy. An Austrian army is coming through Transylvania to support him.
In opposition the Ottomans have mobilised a large field army and have been
joined by their allies the Crimean Tartars as well as more reluctant support
from their vassals in Wallachia and Moldavia.
