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Post by Pyotr Alekseevich on Sept 27, 2016 17:38:20 GMT
Some weeks after repulsing the abortive Dutch landings the Tsar has decided that the fortress at Narva must fall, and it must do so before the Swedes can mount a counter attack.
In order to do this the Engineers redouble their efforts in laying massive mines at the base of the walls and digging angled trenches leading to the fortresses. Ladders are constructed to the correct height and methods of filling ditches are prepared. The massive batteries of Siege Howitzers fire night and day. The Tsar personally directs their placements and targets, the guns are split into three massive batteries of 50 guns. The batteries are named Peter, Paul and Mary.
Peter battery is positioned south of the Hermann Castle with its heavy cannon able to blast away from a raised platform of earth, timber and stone some 30 feet high. Paul Battery is located on a similar platform to the East of the Ivangorod fortress with Mary to the North. The batteries (hollows red circles on the map) will look to create breaches in the sections of wall highlighted in red and to expand on existing breaches or weak points.
Once the breaches have been made the irregulars infantry will advance on them in loose order, moving through cover and taking aimed shots at defenders. Whilst this is happening two guns will be brought to each breach, these field guns will be loaded with bags of musket balls. Behind these guns will advance 2 regiments of Line infantry at each Ivangorod breach and two regiments of Life Guards at Hermann, bayonets fixed and muskets loaded. The infantry will wait for the cannon to take position and empty their cruel cargo into the breaches, as soon as the cannon have fired the infantry will charge with the bayonet.
As this is happening the remaining Life Guards will be separated into three reserve battalions to be committed to the fight at the Tsars behest.
The attack will begin in the hours before dawn. Whilst the assault takes place the field artillery will be manned in the Russian defensive walls whilst the cavalry wait in reserve in case of a Swedish counter attack.
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Post by The Viceroy (AdminM) on Sept 28, 2016 17:02:23 GMT
The Royal Army, commanded by Tsar Peter
10,000 Preobrazhensky lifeguards
4,000 Lifeguards (mustering)
2,500 Engineers
2,000 Militia Cavalry
4,250 Dragoons
1,500 Hussars
100 Field Guns
100 Howitzers
The Army of Novgorod, commanded by Tsar Peter
2,000 Irregulars
4,000 Line Infantry
200 Engineers
800 Militia Cavalry
100 Field Guns
50 Howitzers
Army of Finland, commanded by Carl Gustav Rehnskiöld
6,000 Swedish Line Infantry
4,000 Grenadiers
1,000 Engineers
100 Field Guns
The Baltic Expedition, Rehnskiold has assumed command
500 Line Infantry
250 Grenadiers
‘Can’t a man get any Peace!’ Rehnskiold, prone to irritation, was irritated once more. The Russian cannons had reopened fire on Ivangorod fortress, where he had established his quarters. As he marched down the steps of the South-Western tower, he was steadily joined by an escort of officers. Two of those officers were Dutch, who had become trapped in the fortress following the failed landings.
‘We aren’t going to win,’ said one. ‘There are too many of them.’
Rehnskiold scoffed, ‘Your Prince William once said that he would die in the last ditch to defend his precious Republic. A Republic! A state of affairs brought about by man! If he would gladly die for such a Nation, then you should understand, the Russians and the Poles and the Saxons and the Danes and every other fucking people that seeks to undermine us will need to wrestle the life out of every last living man of Sweden before we allow our Lands to fall. Lands, not granted by men, but by God, and to preserve a King anointed by God and ruling by the natural right of his birth.’ They had arrived at the main courtyard, among the mustered men, and Rehnskiold continued his soapbox speech, raising his voice so all could hear. ‘To fight for these rights, there is no greater cause. To uphold the laws handed to men by God, there is no greater virtue. And, to die in the service of the Lord? There is no death with a greater heavenly reward.’
One of the men shouted out, with alarming disregard for decorum, ‘don’t worry boys, this man is the Permenion to Karl’s Alexander.’ This prompted some laughter among the men, the general had a fondness for encouraging his men to familiarise themselves with ancient military heroes. Even Rehnskiold seemed amused, but just for a brief moment.
‘We will probably die today boys.’ Rehnskiold continued. ‘But if we must be killed by Russian savages, let us do it with our muskets, pistols and guns exhausted. Let us die with our sabres bloodied and bent, let us die with our fists broken against the skulls of our fallen foemen. And let us take as many of those bastards with us as we can. Let us escort them to the Pearly Gates and watch, as the St. Peter turns the scum away for the sins of false faith and unjust war. For, even if we are defeated here today, we will truly be victorious.’
The smaller Hermann castle was the First to be breached, and the Lifeguards advanced. They were under fire, but lighter fire than they might have expected. Perhaps the resolve of the Swedes was wavering? The lifeguards lost a number of men in the advance, but they quickly overcame the defenders. The reason for this rapid defeat became evident, the Swedes had only one unit defending Hermann. ‘Shit…’ Menshikov muttered as he was told the news. Rehnskiold had gambled, sacrificing Hermann in order to defend Ivangorod more vigorously.
Menshikov could not get word to his Tsar before the assault on Ivangorod Fortress had begun. The irregulars were darting forward, avoiding the cannon fire due to their sparse formations. The Swedish Line infantry, occupying what was left of the walls were more effective, however, and proved to be better shots than their irregular counterparts. The Russians had already started to move their guns into the breach, or they attempted to at least. The men moving the guns were easy targets for the Swedish Line, and their supporting guns. As too were the Russian Line infantry advancing forward. The Russians took great losses, but eventually managed to get two cannons to each breach, and unloaded a hefty payload into the Swedes, who were lined up behind walls and blockades crafted by their remaining engineers. The guns caused some damage, and destroyed a few of these defences, but were quickly overwhelmed by Swedish Grenadiers. Their job had been completed, however, and they had occupied their opponents long enough for the Line infantry to charge with their bayonets. Peter could hear, even from his safe vantage point, the crash of infantry on infantry. The Swedes had been engaged.
Peter watched, with bemusement, as he saw Menshikov’s detachment moving south, to the bridge. One of his aides posited that Hermann must have fallen, this was going to be a great victory. Peter, knew better, before Menshikov’s messenger arrived to give him the news he reasoned that Rehnskiold must have concentrated his force heavily in Ivangorod. His suspicion was confirmed as panicked irregulars began to flee the breach. A short while later, they were followed by a small collection of line infantry. Peter rode out a short distance to accost one of the fleeing men. He claimed the lines of blue were never-ending and unrelenting, for every two Swedes killed, three Russians died.
It was clear, to Peter at least, that he would need a counter-gambit. With a heavy heart, he made his move. The dragoons assembled, with his remaining line infantry behind them, followed by the large force of Lifeguards. Upon the Tsar’s order, the dragoons charged, with the infantry in hot pursuit. The Swedes were not expecting such a bold move. The Grenadiers exhausted their grenades as the dragoons flooded through the multitude of breaches. Line infantry released the salvos, but the dragoons were numerous. They deserted their steeds and found cover, and held meaningful ground inside the fortress for the first time in the battle. As soon as they had taken this ground, the infantry arrived to consolidate the position. The courtyard was large and presented its fair share of obstacles for the Russians, but they were slowly gaining traction.
The battle inside the fortress was long and arduous. The Swedes, outnumbered now, were still fighting viciously and did as they had been bid by Rehnskiold in offering no quarter. The superior Line Infantry, bolstered by the presence of the elite Grenadiers, would prove a tougher to break down than even the stone walls of Ivangorod. The contest was a spectacle of brutality, when the Swedes ran out of ammo, they engaged with bayonets and sword. When they were disarmed, or their weapons faltered, they continued to fight with bare hands. The Dutch in the fortress, many injured, also fought hard, but eventually broke, losing faith in their Swedish Parmenion. They were unable to escape, and were cut down by crossfire. Rehnskiold himself eventually found himself holding the front line as his officers fell. His presence was commanding, as he fought off a number of Russian infantrymen in melee combat, before being brought to his knees by a pistol shot. He was then surrounded and hidden from the view of the Swedish forces.
The battle continued for many hours, and Peter was forced to grab a bite to eat whilst waiting for it to end. Eventually, a smattering of green uniforms began to dot the walls, and a huge Russian flag, drenched in blood, was flung down the side of the wall. A dragoon captain rode out and, despite many wounds, he beamed as he knelt to present a fine sabre to the Tsar. Engraved on the blade were the initials C.G.R.
Losses
Russia:
7,350 Lifeguards
2,000 Irregulars
4,000 Line Infantry
3,000 Dragoons
15 Field guns
Sweden:
6,000 Swedish Line Infantry
4,000 Grenadiers
1,000 Engineers
50 Field Guns
50 Field Guns (Captured)
Dutch:
500 Line Infantry
250 Grenadiers
Peter won a valuable victory, and one of Sweden’s great Generals has fallen, but it was a bloodier battle than he would have hoped. The Russians could almost hear Rehnskiold laughing to himself from the Heavens, still satisfied with his sacrifice of Hermann Castle. Of course, now both fortresses are in Russian hands, though both will require lengthy repairs.
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