Contents Introduction 3 The Miniatures 3 Skirmish at Werben 4 Background 4 Swedish Deployment 4 Command 4 Objectives 4 Imperial Deployment 5 Command 5 Objectives 5 Terrain 6 The Skirmish 6 The Action at Bamberg 7 Aldringer s Vanguard 7 Command 7 The Armies 7 General Horn s Defence 8 Terrain 9 Earthworks 9 Deployment 9 Objectives 9 The Battle 9 Playing the Game 9 The Battle of the Lech 10 Terrain 11 Deployment 11 Flank Moves 11 Hidden Movement 12 Catholic League/Imperial Command 13 Swedish Command 14 On the Islet 14 River Crossings 14 Swedish Artillery 15 Cavalry Carrying Infantry 15 Objectives 15 The Battle 15 Playing the Game 16 A Note on the Armies 16 Copyright Stephen Danes 2010 All rights reserved. No part of this publication or abstraction from it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or trasmission by email or internet, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder.
This supplement covers the end of the conflict between King Gustavus of Sweden and his bitter opponent Count Jean Tserclaus, Baron of Tilly, commander of the Catholic forces in Germany. Three scenarios are described in this booklet, the first (the skirmish at Werben) is a small encounter game that does not require huge numbers of figures and can easily be handled by two players. The next scenario (Bamberg) is a larger affair that requires a more substantial commitment in time and figures. This game can be played with up to two or three players per side. And finally, the last scenario covers the Battle of Lech. This is a large battle requiring around two hundred and fifty figures per side, three to four players per side plus a good five or six hours gaming. The Battle on the Lech was Tilly s final battle. Defending a river crossing to prevent the Swedish forces from crossing into Bavarian territory, the old Catholic general suffered a fatal wound while encouraging his beleaguered troops to stand fast in the face of punishing Swedish artillery fire. Will the Imperial players suffer the same fate as the historical outcome or can they deliver a major reverse to the great Swedish king? Because the Lech scenario is based around a river crossing under enemy fire, this supplement contains special rules that detail such actions. Players will need to have a copy of the Swedish War gaming supplement for the details of Swedish generals, troops and tactics, in order to properly use these scenarios. The Miniatures The miniatures used to illustrate this supplement are from my own collection. The cavalry are mostly from the Assault Groups German Renaissance range and are designed specifically for the Thirty Years War period. The Polish Hayduk infantry figures are also from TAG, these figures add an extra exotic element to any Imperial/Catholic League army and are also excellent at annoying the opponent with their skirmish and irregular tactics. The general figures are from the Perry s ECW range Mounted Staff Command. All of the photo s are by me, I have recently moved from a compact digital camera to a DSLR with sadly little signs of improving picture quality - hopefully skills in this area will improve!
Background By July 1631, Gustavus had concentrated his forces in a camp near the town of Werben. This position made use of the fortified town and extended its defences in a series of redoubts and earthworks. As many as three thousand muskets guarded the walls and numerous cavalry pickets patrolled the perimeter. Tilly had no intention of launching a frontal assault on this formidable position, his only hope was to try and draw the kings forces out. In order to give battle to the Swedish army, Tilly needed to lure the king out. On 6 August the Catholic commander deployed his heavy guns and began a barrage of the Swedish positions. Although the firing did not result in any great damage it did excite the Swedish king enough for him to launch probing attacks against their opponents. Swedish Deployment At the start of the battle only the Cavalry Patrol units are present on the battlefield. These will be placed close to the stream (up to six inches away) and are considered to be patrolling along its length. At least twelve inches behind the cavalry will be the detachment of Mackay s foot that are marching forward to support the horse. On the Swedish armies rear table edge can be placed the rest of Mackay s command - the two Finnish cavalry regiments, the detached shot and the light guns. The remainder of the Swedish force can be brought on during turn eight (Baudissin and Yellow Regiment) under the command of Gustavus. Swedish Forces Command The Swedish army will be commanded by Mackay until the arrival of the king. The subordinate general cannot receive War-Tokens. Objectives The objective for the Swedish army is simply to drive their opponents from the field in order to prevent the artillery barrage on the camp at Werben and dissuade further approaches by the Catholics. Unit Name Unit Type Formation Grade Number Strength Weapon Stalhansk Finnish Horse Galloper Veteran 1 8 S Wunsch Finnish Horse Galloper Veteran 1 8 S Mackay Scots Infantry Regiment Veteran 1 12 S Baudissin German Horse Regiment Regular 1 14 S Yellow (Royal Leib) German Infantry Regiment Veteran 1 24 p/s Cavalry Patrols German Horse Trotter Regular 3 6 S Detached Shot German Horse Trotter Regular 3 8 S Swedish Artillery Regimental Guns Artillery Regular 2 - S
Imperial Deployment The battle begins with the Imperial battery positioned within twelve inches of the Imperials rear table edge, the guns are accompanied by the units of detached shot. The Isolano and Colloredo cavalry regiments are also present and these can be placed up to six inches from the stream on their own side of the table. barrage against the Werben camp can continue. However, if the Imperial guns look like they are about to be threatened, these valuable pieces must be withdraw from the battle - loss of the guns will automatically result in a lose result for the Imperial side. The Cuirassier regiments will appear on the Imperial rear table edge on turn six. The CinC figure will start the battle within six inches from the Imperial artillery. Command The Imperial force will be commanded by Tilly who is present from the start of the battle. Obviously, Tilly can receive War-Tokens throughout the game. Objectives For the Imperial player the objective is to drive back the Swedish forces so that the Imperial Forces Unit Name Unit Type Formation Grade Number Strength Weapon Isolano Croat Horse Skirmisher Regular 1 6 S Colloredo Mtd Arquebus Caracole Regular 1 8 S Cronberg Cuirassier Caracole Regular 1 12 S Schonberg Cuirassier Caracole Regular 1 12 S Detached Shot German Infantry Regiment Veteran 2 12 S Imperial Artillery Demi-Cannon Artillery Regular 4 - S
Terrain This battle can be fought on a six by four foot table. The area is mostly open but I have added a few trees and ruined buildings for interest and cover. Players can arrange a few small pieces of terrain as they like, but they should ensure that the area is mostly open ground. Across the width of the table is a stream which can be forded at any point, although a few areas of marshy ground can also be placed close to this feature. The location of the Swedish camp at Werben is some distance off-table and is considered to be to the rear of the Swedish players rear table edge, it does not form part of the actual scenario other than as a reason for it. This scenario has the battle played along the length of the table, players can vary the game by playing it across the width if they choose. The Skirmish This skirmish began with exchanges of fire between the Croat and Swedish cavalry across the stream. The Swedish cavalry were reinforced with shot from Mackays infantry, the Croats where beginning to get the worst of the exchange. The King decided to increase the pressure further by strengthening his force with more cavalry and infantry. And on the Imperial side, two Cuirassier regiments were dispatched in response. Finally, Gustavus himself led a regiment of horse and his Yellow infantry regiment forward. These managed to breakthrough the Imperial units and approached very close to the main body of the Imperial army. When Imperial units began to mobilise a response to the Swedish probe, the king withdrew his force back to the camp at Werben, the skirmish was over. This scenario is a good firsttime game for players who may be new to Father Tilly. There are not too many units to control and most areas of the rules should be covered in this game.
Bamberg 9 March 1632 Following the successes of the previous year, a buoyant mood of optimism affected some of the Swedish commanders who did not wish to be restrained by their kings orders or the truce that had just been signed with Bavaria. General Horn began operations in January seizing Hochstadt on January 20th and the town of Bamberg in February. In response, Tilly was mobilised for the defence of Bavaria. Although Gustavus was concerned by Horn s aggression and the risk of Bavarian retaliation, he did not wish to give up the gains made by his wayward general and so ordered the fortification of the exposed town of Bamberg and a concentration of reinforcements to the area. Meanwhile, Tilly was also gathering his forces, but like the Swedish army, had to rely heavily on garrison troops and other recruits of low quality. Despite the build up of Bavarian forces, the king considered the Bamberg position to be strongly held and thought that the blow would fall elsewhere. In fact, the defences of the town were only partially complete and it was held be far fewer troops than Gustavus had hoped for, problems with recruitment and a delay in reinforcements meant that Bamberg now presented an achievable target for the Catholic commander. Imperial/Catholic League Forces Aldringer s Vanguard Despite the high number of poor quality recruits in the Catholic army, Tilly still retained a dependable minority of veteran troops to unleash on the Bamberg defenders. These were entrusted to Aldringer who led the vanguard. Command Both the Swedish and Catholic forces are commanded by one CinC figure each (Horn for the Swedish army, Aldringen for the Imperial/Catholic league army). Only the CinC figures will be able to receive War Tokens (see Father Tilly rules). If there are two or more players per side, additional players can use a sub-general but these will not receive War Tokens. The Armies Players can scale down the armies shown in this section if they have insufficient figures to fully meet these lists. Players can use smaller units or even leave a few units out if they wish, although the overall proportion of the armies should remain the same. If players wish they can even try different armies to the ones listed as the scenario can prove an interesting challenge which every army faces it. Unit Name Unit Type Formation Grade Number Strength Weapon Pappenheim League Infantry Tercio Veteran 1 40 P/s Wahl League Infantry Tercio Veteran 1 50 P/s Sulz Imperial Infantry Later Tercio Veteran 1 46 p/s Fahrenbach Imperial Infantry Later Tercio Veteran 1 24 p/s Free Companies League Infantry Detached Shot Veteran 2 9 S Cronberg League Cuirassier Caracole Regular 1 12 S Blankhart League Horse Caracole Regular 1 6 S Merode League Horse Caracole Regular 1 6 S Fugger Croat Skirmish Regular 1 6 S League Artillery Demi-Cannon Artillery Regular 1 - S League Artillery Demi-Culverin Artillery Regular 1 - S League Artillery Falcon Artillery Regular 3 - S