Knight Colonel Herbert von Plischke

The Knight von Plischke is one of the richest magnates in the Principality; luckily for the crown, he is a good officer on the field as well. He inherited the rank of owner of the 1st Prinzipalitär Regiment after his father's death a few years before, and had ventured, with General von Hohenspitz, to Quattri Formaggi to fight the rebels earlier: as such, he does not lack military experience. With his years, well above forty, he had learnt to manage his temper, but is prone to make rash decisions.

I/1. Pioneer battalion

The pioneer regiment has three battalions, two assigned to brigades on the field and a third, provisional battalion to train fresh recruits. This last will probably be called to services once Dietrich von Spülge begins recruiting for the third Böhnstadter brigade.

The Pioneers carry out most duties related to construction, but are well trained in combat as well. The 1st battalion, assigned to von Hohenspitz's Schultzdorf Brigade, is led by Lt.Col. Harlein, a very able officer, owner of the regiment.

Eugen Jäger battalion

Coincidentally, Schultzdorf is the recruiting pool for members of the Schultzdorf Brigade. When called to battle, those already mastering the rifle (hunters, foresters and the like) enter the Eugen Jäger battalion, which is quite the addition to the regular army. It is usually deployed together with the 1st Regiment but is a new addition, being just a few years old as a separate unit.

During the wars in the South, battling rebels on the side of the Chancellorette Beatrice Schiavona, it was von Hohenspitz who insisted on raising irregular troops to match the rebels' guerrilla tactics. The Eugen Jäger battalion has been institutionalized only a few years later.

The unit is currently led by Major Jagdfeld, a quite adept but often harsh officer, originating from Störkburg.

Generalmajor Karl von Hohenspitz

A Minden Miniatures 1/56 SYW von Seydlitz figure, painted up as General von Hohenspitz, wearing the uniform of the Garde du Corps with a cuirass. 

Strutzenheim's Onslaught

 As there still are technical difficulties with Cossacks, your humble scribe will describe the battle that happened at the town of Strutzenheim by using the map of the area.
 Strutzenheim lies at a crossroads - the main Störkburger road runs east-west, and the northern road joins in at the town centre. There is a small mill and a church bar some dwellings of the locals, and the town hall at the crossroads. 

April Fools Day

'Ah, motherland', sighed Dietrich von Spülge, looking out to his family estate near the river. He was more than contended with himself: he had beaten the Flossians out of the town and was close to retake Grübsheim and, essentially, end the war while the old Hohenspitz got bogged down in the south.

'Any news of the 1st Brigade?', he asked his aide, but the man just shook his head. 'No, sir, and none from the Princeps.' 'All right. The staff meeting is due this afternoon, Franz, so please look after the dinner. You may find quality red wine in the cellar, had the scoundrels not sacked it.' 'As far as I know, sir, the Flossians respected the civil authority here and did not loot the houses.' 'At least that is what they say now that they are captured. How are their wounded, by the way?' 'The officers are fine, the rank and file not so much. We haven't got enough surgeons.' ''Tis true, my man. Well, send a second errand to the forts nearby and ask for help.' 

As von Spülge told this, the aide knew the Brigade won't be moving for quite a while. On the staff meeting, von Spülge will tell his officers that he wishes to wait: wait for the Flossians to reinforce and rebuild the walls of Grübsheim. 

Erik von Südflosse knocked on the door of the Princeps' main office room. 'Come in!' coughed the head of the state, then sipped some tea from his large mug. 'Blasted hay-fever. What are your intentions, Chancellor?'

'Your Highness. I have, by the reports of my... informators, come to the conclusion that General von Spülge will not be as effective on the North as is expected. Misunderstand me not, he is a great warrior, it seems, but not suitable for leading a brigade.'

'What led you to this conclusion?'

'After beating the Flossians out of his estate, he did not pursue nor march to retake our lost fief of Grübsheim. Grübsheim is strategically important, as it forms the bridgehead on the Grühne.'

'So he did win after all, but how are your subordinates so quick to tell you all this?'

'I have my means and so do you, Your Highness.'

'You wish to suggest something.'

'You know me too well, my Princeps. I propose either the relief of von Spülge as brigade commander or the setting up of a third brigade and joining forces with him.'

'Who would be eligible to lead a brigade?'

'We cannot take commanders from the 1st, Your Highness. Neither can we appoint the old Colonel Spilsske from the 2nd brigade, for he is only a Lieutenant Colonel, although highly trained and experienced. Colonel von Paulitz had died in the charge of his Hussars, so we have Oberst von Kahlen as a sole hope within the Brigade.'

'This implies you have thought of outsiders as well.'

'I have thought of you, Your Highness. It would certainly boost morale and the necessary actions shall be made under your direct control. While you take the lead, you can appoint von Spülge to raise a third brigade and judge him fit when he is done without doing his honor any major harm.'

'It will be so, then. Prepare a pair of my best horses and a dozen of my Guard for the journey.'

'As you wish, Your Highness. Leave the matters of the state for me while you are away.'

'Do you wish to come?'

'I judge myself more fit to fumble with documents and numbers.'

'And spies who are faster than wind. I'll need you there, prepare a horse for yourself too. We'll be done with this war in a month, for this is the most serious threat to the state at present.'

'As you command, my Princeps.'

'No! There will be no cavalry charge against the village!', cried General von Hohenspitz, facing two of his cavalry commanders, Colonels Schalwerden and von Petzger. 'This is a pitched battle, and so we will do everything by the book: may the foe be proven a fool on April Fools Day or not. They have known we would be here for a day; they knew which direction were we coming from; and I will not risk a single branch, especially not in favor of the others. What would the Jäger and the pioneers think? These are but odd jobs for the Brigade, judging by the report of your men, Petzger. So let each and every arm try its strength and believe itself useful for the sake of us all. Understood?'
'Sir', nodded the two cavalrymen. The General gave them the order of the battle.

Bishop Michheim was still considering his options. He could disengage and retreat to any of the three forts nearby. Going to Grübsburg on the North would be a risky move as von Hohenspitz could reach his marching armies. He could take a stand then retreat to Waldhoffen in the nearby woods.
The closest fortifications of Strutzenheim had only nine companies of infantry for defense. The Bishop was not sure to dare leave them to their fate.
'Orders, sir?', the commander of the 1st Landwehr regiment asked him. 'We take battle, but be very cautious and don't push too far. We're only here to delay them.'

Thus it dawned on the battle of Strutzenheim.

Info Page update

Updated the 'Basic information' page with rules and an up to date army list of the participants.
Painting begins this weekend.

First figures arrived!

I am not home at the moment, but both the packs from Minden and Essex Miniatures have landed. Can't wait to start painting them.

In 15mm, I am starting to build the 1st Schultzdorf Brigade. The Essex order contains:

8x (Prussian Jäger) 1. Eugen Jäger battalion

8x (Prussian von Schony Grenadier) I/1. Pioneers

24x (Prussian Grenadier) the 2 grenadier battalions of the 1st Prinzipalitär and one of the 2nd Störkburger regiments.

These will be based on 15x15mm square plasticard bases and put on trays for versatility. Say, I'd like to play with different rules, the chance is given. My house rules use 8 men units, and one battalion will make up an in-game unit; while using Risk figures, a unit base was 6x2cm, this will be now 6x3, so only the depth will change.

The order from Minden Miniatures contains a von Seydlitz figure and Prussian staff officers who will be the heads of the Principality's army. 

Schultze-Böhnstadt Comes 'Alive'

In the next few months I will be painting 1/72 GNW figures if I can take my time; however, along with that, I have thought of building a tabletop army for Schultze-Böhnstadt as well.

Rules-wise, I either prefer using my house rules A Risk to Take, or trying out Maurice when the chance is given.

Figures-wise, for 15mm I would be using Old Glory and Essex, and for 28mm Minden Miniatures. The latter is for skirmish gaming and characters, mainly because my pocket is not limitless.

I am a 1/72 buff, it is true, but the range, even with the newer HäT releases, is too far limited. On the other hand, I could use the Italeri AWI range, just like how I intend to use Perry AWI Brits as Flossians. But no, I am set on these two other scales.

Footnotes and technicalities

1. I will need a more reliable way to administer unit strengths than hitting up older blog posts. By that, I mean an extensive excel table with unit strength, location, losses, commanders.

2. I will need to work out more crisp campaign rules regarding spendings and movement.

3. I should instate a campaign diary to keep track of dates and movements.

These are from experiences with running another tabletop campaign for a few sessions now, and while it increases the weight of 'bureaucracy' it makes it easier to track things.

I have changed hardware in the meantime and this beast runs on Win7. This, somehow, messes up all the screenshots I make, so until I find an alternative, I won't be able to publish the results on the battle of Strutzenheim.

I have placed my first order of Minden figures, Prussian staff on foot and a von Seydlitz figure who will be the venerable General Hohenspitz. The bulk will come in later.