Sunday, December 9, 2007

Waiting, waiting, waiting

"Why have we heard nothing from the Tippelbruder Punishment Force?"

"I don't know, your majesty. Perhaps nothing much has happened yet, sire."

"But surely they've fought by now."

"Perhaps, your majesty. Perhaps. But then again the weather might not be favorable there . . . or they could still be maneuvering . . . or something. I'm sure that General von Drednoz will send word once anything significant has been decided."

"He'd better."

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Another Stagonian Conversation

Koenig Maurice the Vile, King of Stagonia, wondered aloud if there had been any word from their secret agent in Scandalusia.

"Not yet, Your Majesty," replied his Foreign Minister, Baron Gustav von Rumpel, "but the cover identity that selected really pleased your spy chief, Count von Drednoz."

"And what was that identity again, Baron?" asked the king.

"I don't know, Sire. The Count wouldn't tell me. He said if he told me, he'd half to kill me . . . and I got the impression he wanted to tell me."

Thursday, November 22, 2007

A Scene in the Palace

(a scene in the palace of Koenig Maurice of Stagonia)


The servants whisper that the rumors are true. His Majesty is indeed playing with some strange toys.

He had glass blowers make a bunch of glass "soldier" figures, then had them painted in Tipplebruder colors.

He has lined them up at one end of the great table and he crouches at the other end and, using a spoon as a catapult, he launches lead shot toward the figures . . . and chortles every time one of the glass figures is smashed.

Surely the man has lost his wits . . . surely.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Planning the Proxy Battle

This is in the way of a summation of what we know so far.

The town of Tippelbruder has been threatened by Stagonia and is expecting to be attacked. Some time ago (August), various other countries volunteered certain troops for its defense.

We are now setting up a "Proxy Battle" to be run by Arthur (of Frankzonian fame), who uses the KOENIG KRIEG rules . . . although he prefers to double the number of stands. If doubled, it meshes very well with my own "Tricorne Wars" rules in terms of numbers.

Therefor, Arthur, I have translated things into the "6-stand battalion" numbers. I have left the artillery and cavalry a bit vague because I understand that you have fewer numbers of these figures available. If you need to play on your smaller table, you'll have to adjust numbers for the smaller battalion size.

Anyhow, here is a rundown using the standards mentioned above (and presuming all reserves have reached the battlefield):


From David of Tippelbruder -- mercenaries + townies:
  • Hussars -- 3 squadrons
  • 1 line battalion of 5 stands (musketeers)
  • 1 light battalion of 3 stands (Croats)
  • 10 skirmish stands of 2-men (combined lights)
  • light artillery
From Jeff of Saxe-Bearstein:
  • 2 line battalions of 6 stands (musketeers less their grenadiers
  • 1 grenadier battalion of 5 stands (includes those from battalions)
  • 1 skirmish stand of 2-men
  • medium artillery
From Jonathan of Hesse-Engleburg:
  • Hussars -- 1 squadron
  • 1 small battalion of 3 stands
  • 2 skirmish stands of 2-men
From Allan of Wittenberg:
  • 1 line battalion of 6 stands
  • light artillery
From Fitz-Badger of Soweiter League:
  • 1 Highlander battalion of 6 stands
From Murdock of Mieczyslaw:
  • Dragoons -- 4 squadrons
  • 1 line battalion of 5 stands
Thus, in total (at the 25-1 ratio), the Defenders have:
  • c.8 battalions (45 stands)
  • 3 mounted forces (8 squadrons total)
  • 13 two-man stands of light troops
  • artillery (almost all light guns)

Now, given the divided nature of these forces, I suspect that Stagonia should make do with approximately the same number of foot rather than the usual greater number. Thus I'm suggesting two brigades of foot (four battalions each) and a brigade of mounted (three units) with the normal light troops and artillery that we use.

We also tend to roll for what actually makes it to the battlefield and I have done that. So, here is what I got with my die rolls for units and numbers:


INFANTRY (total of 43 stands):
  • IR-1 von Hirschbock (elite) -- 6 stands
  • IR-2 du Breiz (veteran) -- 6 stands
  • IR-4 du Lepps (veteran) -- 5 stands
  • IR-5 O'Duffy (veteran) -- 6 stands
  • IR-6 De Marmier (raw) -- 6 stands
  • IR-7 von Gruber (raw) -- 4 stands
  • IR-9 von Krinkle (raw) -- 5 stands
  • IR-10 St. Cyr (veteran) -- 5 stands
MOUNTED (total of 10 squadrons):
  • CR-1 von Kirschstein Kuirassier (elite) -- 4 squadrons
  • DR-9 Moliere Dragoons (raw) -- 4 squadrons
  • DR-10 Pfeiffer Dragoons (raw) -- 2 squadrons
SKIRMISHERS (7 stands):
  • Icelauf Jagers (raw) -- 4 stands
  • Blut Jagers (raw) -- 3 stands
ARTILLERY (all veteran) --
  • 1 x medium battery
  • 2 x light batteries (one with each infantry brigade)
This gives the Defenders a very slight advantage in numbers of foot, double the skirmishers and a bit of a disadvantage in mounted (although I suspect the Stagonian C-in-C will keep the Kuirassier as his reserve, thus negating his mounted edge). Artillery is probably about equal, but again the Defenders will probably have an extra light battery.

While this sounds like Stagonia is set-up to lose, again I will remind you that the Defenders are NOT a unified command. It is composed of six separate forces . . . each having its own "break point" (whatever that may be). And, of course, if Koenig Maurice has miscalculated and Stagonia loses, that's hardly something to cry about, is it?

So, how does this look to everyone overall? Arthur, do you have enough troops to manage this? Or do we need to downsize?


-- Jeff

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Battle of Tippelbruder Looms

(well, not really . . . but we are getting it set up and the forces are closed).

NEWSFLASH . . . A Stagonian field army has been sighted in the close vicinity of the town of Tippelbruder. This appears to be in response to certain "insults" that Koenig Maurice perceived to come from the shop of David, Tippelbruder's uniform designer.

While no one else perceived anything that could have been an insult, several nations mustered troops to the defense of the town. They are:

from Hesse-Engleburg -- under the command of Captain Wilhelm Streicker:
-- Garde du Corps Prinzessin Gertrude -- 2 musketeer companies -- 2 x 120 = 240 men
-- Jäger Regiment Von Behler -- 1 company = 120 men
-- Hussars -- 1 Squadron = 120 mounted men
-- Corporal Sontag (to teach marksmanship to Tippelbruder militia)

from Soweiter League -- (no commander mentioned):
-- Saxe-Urquhart 86th Highlanders -- 1 battalion = c.560 men

from Prince Maurice Duke of Fenwick (vice King Leopold IV of Wittenburg):
-- 1 battalion of infantry (under Colonel Von Feldmouse) -- 4 companies = 600 men
-- 1 battery of artillery (under Lt. Colonel Von Schweeky) -- 120 men and 6 light guns

from Saxe-Bearstein -- under command of Brigadier Ernst von Bruin
-- Regiment von Lowenbrau -- 1 battalion = c.750 men
-- Regiment von Carling -- 1 company of grenadiers = 123 men
-- Regiment von Coors -- 1 company of grenadiers = 122 men
-- Karlsberg Jagers -- 1 small company of jagers = 62 men
-- Artillery -- 1 medium (9#) gun and crew
-- Regiment Von Urquell -- 1 battalion -- c.750 men (reserve -- still in Saxe-Bearstein)

from The Freikorps of Count Hans Trunkenbold von Misthaufen:
-- 1 Musketeer Battalion = c.500 men
-- 1 Jäger Corps = c.400 men
-- Croats -- 3 companies = c.300 men
-- Hussars -- 3 squadrons = c.300 mounted men
-- Artillery -- 6 light (3#) guns

from Town of Tipplebruder:
-- Town Militia -- 1 company = 100 c. men
-- Artillery -- 3 light (3#) guns

from Mieczyslaw -- (in Reserve -- still in Mieczyslaw):
-- Wstrasowo Dragoons -- 4 squadrons -- 150 each = 600 mounted men (not yet arrived)
-- elite Wojskowo Piechota -- 5 companies = 460 men (not yet arrived)


As can be seen, these forces are heavy in infantry, with lots of skirmish power. They also have an abundance of light artillery.

The Tippelbruder forces are, however, light in mounted troops; and definitely lacking in command officers. Indeed, it is likely that each of the above commands will remain under their own commanders with no recognized overall commander.

The Stagonian forces are as yet unknown (meaning we have to figure out a reasonably comparable force).

Please clarify any names, etc. for the above troops. Other troops may not be added . . . and a die roll will be needed by the proxy player (probably Arthur) to see if they arrive in time.


-- Jeff

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Early Problems at Offenbach

Things have not gone well for Stagonia during the early stages of the Battle of Offenbach. Brigadier Graf Adolf von Voss seemed to have a great deal of difficulty getting his brigade to lead the attack on the Frankzonian forces.

Then, once he finally started, he quickly screeched to a halt . . . and, despite orders from C-in-C General Baron Gaspar du Vile, seemed unable to get them moving again. Meanwhile the Frankzonian artillery continued to pound the lead battalion, that of Colonel O'Duffy, when this reporter had to leave.

* * *

What this all means, is that we were using my "Tricorne Wars" rules to fight this proxy battle. One of its key features is that all command officers have "personalities". Unfortunately for Stagonia, when Murdock rolled for which officers were on the list, three "Political" and only one "Steady" officers were selected.

"Political" brigadiers have a 1/3rd chance of interpreting their orders as "Hold" (wait for further instructions). This is further complicated by the fact that the C-in-C is one of the Political Generals.

Anyway, another of my "fog of war" mechanisms is that any change of orders must overcome the "Inertia" of the previous order (it takes time to change things). Sadly, it took a number of turns before Brigadier von Voss overcame his inertia . . . which gave the Frankzonians time to get into position and unlimber their artillery.

When von Voss finally started moving, he got close enough to the enemy (12") to need to test for interpretation of his orders. You guessed it, he rolled poorly and interpreted his orders as "Hold". It then took time for General du Vile to realize they'd stopped.

When I had to leave (due to my feeling poorly and the weather getting nasty), von Voss had already failed yet again to overcome his inertia. Hopefully Murdock's son, who was taking over for me, will roll better dice.

* * *

As for the basic outline of the battle when I left, von Voss was supposed to be leading the main attack (against the Frankzonian foot) on the Stagonian left . . . but was stalled.

The small mercenary force under Brigadier Prinz Robert Axe of Burtzenia was attaking the high ground and looked like they would push the remnants of the two armies skirmishers off of the ridge.

Brigadier Emile von Rumpel's brigade was positioned facing the Offenbach forces, but was holding off any hostilities (as were the Offenbachers) pending the response to the flag of truce carried by one of the Stagonian aids-de-camp -- which basically was asking that Offenbach stay out of the fight between Stagonia and Frankzonia in exchange for being left alone. The aide-de-camp would need several turns before he could return to General du Vile.

Brigadier Delmar Dijon was shifting his mounted brigade to the open ground on the Stagonian right as he shadowed the movement of the Frankzonian forces to their left.

SUMMARY

If von Voss could have started off when expected, it would have been very bad for the Frankzonians . . . and they may well have folded quickly. However, when I had to leave, I felt that, while very very much in doubt, that Frankzonia had the benefit of momentum . . . and that might give some reasons for Offenbach to decide to enter the fray (or not -- who knows).

Young Murdock is an extremely aggressive player . . . but subject to his eagerness getting him in trouble. It will be interesting to see how the rest of this proxy battle works out.


-- Jeff






Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Frankzonian Betrayal

"It is absolutely, fiendishly vile." swore Koenig Maurice. "Those Frankzonian swine have come up with a plot worthy of me."

"So it seems, Your Majesty" commented the Baron.

"They arrange with us to attack Offenstadt, then use the threat of us to try to get Offenbach to surrender completely to Frankzonia, who then intends to attack us!"

"That's not all, Your Majesty. Frankzonian agents have been posting vile songs about us . . . and singing them gleefully. Here are some of the verses our agents have sent in."

As the Baron watched his king read these songs, he saw the man grow very very angry . . . and ice-cold. The Baron had only seen Koenig Maurice is this mood a few times and he shivered even though he was not the focus of his king's fury.

"We only attack the Frankzonians . . . but we will accept no quarter. Send messengers to the Offenbachs, tell them that we are there to liberate them from those Frankzonian swine. Warn them not to surrender their sovereignty to Frankzonia. If they can hold off until we arrive, they will see that we'll leave them alone. Urge them to wait and watch the battle . . . Stagonia wants Frankzonian blood!"

"At once, Your Majesty. At once!"

A Letter to Frankzonia

(in the Stagonian capitol)

"Baron, send a letter to Frankzonia."

"Of course, Your Majesty. . . . What do you want me to say?"

"We have marshaled the forces you requested in order to join you in your objective to take the city of Offenstadt. We will assist you as requested . . . but be sure to fulfill your part of the bargain or we will turn our eyes upon your lands just as you do on Offenbach."

"Anything further, my liege?"

"No, no need to sign it. After all it is the Franzonian plot we are carrying out."

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A Foul Calumny!

Be it known to all,

It seems that Frankzonia is falsely alleging that we, the Stagonian people, are somehow planning an attack on the Soweiter League nation of Offenbach.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Indeed, Frankzonia has long coveted the Offenbach Tuba Works and is attempting to use the threat of our attack in order to gain access to the town so that they may capture the Tuba Works for themselves.

We swear that our eyes are turned elsewhere . . . and not at Offenbach. Offenbach's eyes, on the other hand, are aimed soley at the Tuba Works. So who are truly the vile ones?


-- Koenig Maurice of Stagonia

Friday, October 5, 2007

Operation Pinched Threads

"Koenig Maurice, Operation Pinched Threads is a partial success."

"What do you mean 'partial success'?"

We've managed to intercept some of the wagons . . . but not all."

"Well, some is better than none. See that they're sold quickly."

"Yes, Your Majesty".

Thursday, September 20, 2007

An Overheard Plot

"Baron, we are seriously less than pleased by the lack of results from 'Operation Lobster Claw'."

"It did look so promising, Your Majesty."

"Perhaps we need to take a more decisive role. Contact the Electorate of Zichenau; see if they would be willing to hire some of our troops."

"I'm sure that they would, Your Majesty . . . but could they afford them?"

"Baron, isn't it your job to make sure that they can? See to it. Oh, get what you can for them, but be sure that they hire our 'frei corps'."

"Of course, Your Majesty."


(conversation overheard from outside a door in the palace of that vilest of nations.)

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Another Day, Another Plot

"Your Vileness . . . we've received word. Operation Regime Change looks to be moving forward along with the harvest."

"Which one is that? I forget . . . after all, there are so many lovely schemes in the works."

"Well, it really isn't one of ours. Not directly. One of our agents fell in with a group of dissidents in the Banat of Togaras . . . and dropped a little encouragement along with a suggestion or two."

"Ah, yes. I remember now . . . the gullible son. Good, good. Alert the special battalion to be prepared."

Thursday, August 23, 2007

More Plots Afoot

"So, the test in the Bishopric of Uber Gruntshuffen went well, did it?"

"Excellently, Your Majesty. Just as planned."

"Good, see that this line of lead-eating dogs are placed near the appropriate arms suttleries. With luck, our enemies won't have any bullets for their muskets."

"At once, Your Majesty."

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Operation Burning Tailor

"So, are they turning out French-style uniforms yet?

"I'm afraid not, your Majesty. They seem to be working on Russian uniforms."

"Are those 'special troops' in place yet?"

"I believe so, your Majesty."

"Then initiate 'Operation Burning Tailor'."

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Dragoon and Cavalry Standards

Since I'm basing the Stagonian army loosely on a French model, I've decided that Dragoons will be in red coats and Cavalry in blue coats.

Thus, for Dragoon standards, the bottom half will be red (for the coat color).

The upper half of the Dragoon standard will be in the regiment's facing color.

And the fringe (and hat tape color) will be in the button color.

Thus, the first Dragoon standard would be for a regiment with black facings to their red coats and brass buttons with yellow hat tape.

The second Dragoon unit would be similar to the first except that it would have yellow facings to their red coat.

Cavalry standards are square (rather than swallow-tailed). Like the Dragoon standards, the central device is the Stagonian Stag. But unlike the Dragoon standards, the stag is not on the Stagonian silver-blue of their national flag.

The white stag is on the unit's "facing color". And, again, the fringe is the same as the button (and hat tape) color.

Thus the first flag would be for a blue-coated regiment with gray facing color and silver buttons and white hat tape.

The second unit would have red facings with brass buttons and yellow hat tape.

Thus there once again is a "system" that connects the standards to the units they belong to.


-- Jeff

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Stagonian Infantry . . . for Now

Since we have been unable to obtain French-style uniforms from the usual source, it was necessary to obtain them from . . . well, let us just say "a former ally" and leave it at that.









Discerning observers will note the alternating fawn and chamois waistcoats and breeches. This is to facilitate telling units apart.

For example, the colors of the two garments mentioned above are reversed in the two battalions with blue and light blue facings . . . likewise with green. Orange facings can be mistaken for either red or yellow, depending upon the light . . . but not in the Stagonian army because of the difference in these garments.

So, until we obtain our rightful uniforms, we will use these.


-- Koenig Maurice

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Stagonian Infantry Flags

One of the most recognizable national flags in imaginary 18th century "Urope" is that of Stagonia.

It has a lavender-blue backround with the white deer of the von Hirschbock family. The white stars in the corners complete this very recognizable national flag.

This "white deer" image is central to all of the military flags of Stagonia.

The first "military flag you see (white cross with gold corners) is the standard Stagonian line infantry pattern.

Notice that the "white deer on light blue" echoes the image on the Stagonian flag

The "white cross" indicates that the basic coat color is . . . white.

The corner color is the same as the facing color -- in this case, golden yellow.

The second flag you see (red cross with black corners and a "gold" central oval) is in the pattern of "foreign" units within the Stagonian army.

The red cross would show that the unit wears a red coat -- and, no, this would not be a Saxe-Bearstein unit, but rather most likely an Irish one.

The black corners would be in the unit's facing color . . . but notice the central oval. Instead of the Stagonian light blue background, it is a "gold" color. This indicates that it is a "foreign" unit within the Stagonian army.

(Note that this flag would essentially be the Stagonian equivalent of the Dillon regiment in French service -- the Stagonian forces essentially echoing those of France.)

The next flag (gray cross with royal blue corners), is typical of the
"irregular" units within the Stagonian army.

In "Tricorne Wars" terms, the companies of these troops would be based in the "diamond" pattern.

Again, the cross (gray) would represent the coat color and the corner colors (blue) is the facing color.

Jager units would be similar except that they would have a green cross and then their facing color, but the central figure would be a white "standing deer" instead of the regular Stagonian deer.

The final infantry flag is therefor quite typical of a jager unit. This one would have maroon facings to go with its green coat.

So there you have a "thumbnail" view of the various types of Stagonian infantry flags.

As mentioned before, conceptually the Stagonian army is more-or-less based upon that of 18th century France. And, like France, it has a number of different troop types in its service.


-- Stagonian Jeff

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

And Now He is King!

I have decided that Stagonia deserves its own blog. Previously it had been just a minor sidelight on my major blog -- Saxe-Bearstein -- but now it needs its own blog because its ruler, Maurice von Hirschbock has declared Stagonia to now be a Kingdom.

Of course he is mad. Originally he was simply Graf Maurice von Hirschbock; then he decided he was PfalzGraf Maurice von Hirschbock; but now he has named himself simply Koenig Maurice. Of course, this is a most vile thing to do . . . but then, what is the guiding light of Stagonia if not vileness?

Thus, the Kingdom of Stagonia officially joins other 18th century imagi-Nations. It occupies the same space as Bavaria -- immediately to the west of Saxe-Bearstein (which co-insides with Bohemia).

The armies of Stagonia will be uniformed much as those of France -- just as Saxe-Bearstein's troops are modeled on those of Hanover. Thus, while the location is different, our fights might well be mistaken for those of the western front of the Seven Years War.


-- Stagonian Jeff