Confrontation in Royal Prussia: Torun, 1657
A Scenario for While the Devil Rules
It is the autumn of 1657, and the Swedes have left Krakow and moved north into Royal Prussia. Although it is late in the year, the Polish King John Casimir has decided that he will move with his own forces and those of his Austrian allies under Raimondo Montecuccoli to crush the Swedes before the winter sets in. If defeated, it is hoped that they will surrender the Prussian cities which remain under their control. Although Casimir is working to cement an alliance with the Prussians, they are still technically on the Swedish side, and a victory is likely to sway them in the Poles' favor.
A Swedish force has gathered at Torun, where they are hastily repairing the defenses. Casimir and Montecucolli agree that it will be a bloody action, but that with their superior numbers they should be able to triumph. By acting aggressively, they should be able to seize the city bfore it is so well defended that a formal siege will be required - something they will be unable to do once winter sets in.
(Note that historically the Poles and their Austrian allies waited until the following year, when they laid siege to Torun. This scenario is based on the idea that they chose to act more aggressively - not likely, but a nice basis for a "what-if" scenario.)
The map below shows the tabletop. The Poles and Austrians will approach from the western and northern sides of the table, and may set up within 12 inches of either table edge. The Vistula is impassable. Swedish forces must set up inside the perimeter of the fortifications, even though some areas - the dotted black lines - are decayed fortifications which only provide soft cover. The brown lines are trenches, giving hard cover. Only the redoubt is a solid fortification. The woods are rough and provide soft cover. The redoubt may only hold a single base of artillery, but it may fire out of any front side without changing facing. Torun itself is a built-up city which will be very rough for any troops not in March formation. It will provide hard cover. Swedish forces may not set up inside the city itself.
Players should set up on the map before play begins, without knowledge of where the enemy has deployed.
King Casimir: Overall Commander
Polish Contingent: Units may be assigned to the Rotamasters or King Casimir as desired, with a minimum of 4 units per commander. Austrian units may also be assigned to King Casimir, and these will count towards his minimum.
Rotamaster Gostomski: Division Commander
Rotamaster Slabowski: Division Commander
Haiduk Infantry: 2 units Streltzy @ 2 bases
Registered Cossacks: 1 unit Streltzy @ 2 bases
Dragoons: 1 company of Dragoons @ 1 base
Haiduk Riflemen: 1 unit Forlorn Hope @ 1 base
Winged Hussars: 1 unit Lancers @ 2 bases
Pancierni Cossacks: 3 units Reiters @ 2 bases
Cossack Light Horse: 1 unit Irregular Light Horse @ 3 bases
Wallachian Light Horse: 1 unit Irregular Light Horse @ 3 bases
Regimental Guns: 1 unit Light Artillery @ 1 base
Field Guns: 1 unit Medium Artillery @ 1 base
Austrian Contingent: Units may be assigned to any commander as desired, but must have a minimum of 4 units per commander. Any units desired may also be assigned to King Casimir.
Raymondo Montecuccolli (Austrian Commander - counts as 5 points if killed/captured. may command any Austrian unit)
Estavan Delorico (Wing Commander)
Jorge Albrecht (Wing Commander)
Imperial Cuirassiers: 2 units Cuirassiers @ 2 bases
Imperial Harquebusiers: 5 units Harquebusiers @ 2 bases
Imperial Regular infantry: 6 Dutch Battalions @ 3 bases
Imperial Dragoons: 2 units Dragoons @ 1 base
Regimental Guns: 2 units Light Artillery @ 1 base
Field Guns: 1 unit Medium Artillery @ 1 base
The Swedish player(s) may divide forces into 3 commands as desired, but each general must have at least 4 units. These must be specified before play starts.
Count Gustav Skytte: Overall Commander
Captain Jacob Wrangel: Division Commander
Captain Hans Wittenberg: Division Commander
Regular Infantry: 4 Dutch Brigades @ 3 bases
Old & New Blue Rgts (Veteran Infantry): 2 Veteran Dutch Brigades @ 3 bases
Garrison Infantry: 1 unit Commanded Shot @ 2 bases
Uppland Cavalry Regiment: 3 Reiter units @ 2 bases
Vastgota Cavalry Regiment: 3 Reiter units @ 2 bases
Smaland Dragoons: 2 units Dragoons @ 1 base
Town Militia: 1 unit Levy @ 2 bases
Swedish Riflemen: 1 unit Forlorn Hope @ 1 base
Field Guns: 4 units Medium Artillery @ 1 base
Heavy Guns: 1 unit Heavy Artillery @ 1 base
(4 break points for Torun as a camp)
The Polish side must have 3 units inside Torun before Turn 10, and these must not be in combat contact with the enemy. If this condition is met at or before the end of any turn, through the 10th, the Polish player wins. Otherwise, it is a Swedish victory. If either side is broken before Turn 10, then they lose. If both sides break before Turn 10, it is a draw.