Gotterdammerung

With the snow still falling thick on the woods of Pomerania, August, with Sieniawski to support, begin drawing up plans for the second campaign in Holstein.

Objective:
Degradation of Swedish-Holsteiner force in Germany
Occupation of Sleswig and Holstein and prevention of further Swedish landing
Opening of Bremen-Verden to Saxon Occupation


Allied Forces:

Army of the Saxons (August II)
1 Regiment Winged Hussar
1 Regiment Chevau-leger
2 Regiments of Dragoons
2 Regiments of Grenadiers
2 Regiments of Line (Western)
3 Regiments of Line (Western) (from garrisons)
1 Regiment of Engineers
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Howitzer)

Polish Royal Army (Sieniawski)
2 Regiments Winged Hussar
1 Regiment of Dragoons
7 Regiments of Line (Eastern)
1 Regiment of Engineers
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Howitzer)

Hostile Forces:

Army of Sweden (Rehnskiold)
4 Regiments of Dragoons
4 Regiments of Grenadiers
11 Regiments of Swedish Line
1 Regiment of Engineers
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon)

Army of Holstein Gottorp
1 Regiment of Dragoons
1 Regiment of Guards
4 Regiments of Line (Western)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon)

Plan:
With the news of further Swedish reinforcement, August is forced to draw on the Line Infantry garrisoning Saxony and Pomerania to bolster his force. As well as recruiting a further regiment of Dragoons on the march...

The garrisons will therefore be organised as follows:

Dresden - 1 Regiment of Landwehr
Leipzig - 1 Regiment of Landwehr
Stettin - 1 Regiment of Landwehr
            1 Regiment of Yeomanry
Stralsund - 1 Regiment of Landwehr
                1 Regiment of Yeomanry


This still leaves August in the unenviable position of attacking Holstein with an inferior force. None the less, he determines to attack Holstein in the Spring.

To even the odds, August decides to organise his force as follows:

I. Corps (August)
2 Regiments of Grandiers
5 Regiments of Line (Western)
7 Regiments of Line (Eastern)
2 Regiments of Engineers
2 Regiments of Artillery (Cannon)
2 Regiments of Artillery (Howitzer)

II. Corps (Sieniawski)
3 Regiments of Winged Hussars
1 Regiment of Chevau-leger
3 Regiments of Dragoons
1 Regiment of Dragoons (recruited and mobilised on the march)

He puts Sieniawski, the dashing cavalier, in command of the cavalry and dragoons, while August, staid but inspiring commands the core of the infantry and artillery.

The essence of the campaign must be manoeuvre, with the Polish Saxon superiority in cavalry offsetting the overall superiority of the Swedish force.

The first stage of the campaign will be to advance on Holstein, with Sieniawski's Corps. forming the van, providing reconnaissance and cover for August's force.

Once the location and disposition of the Swedes is determined, August will make camp a safe distance away, and fortify. Sieniawski's corps will then provide a reconnaissance in force of the Swedish position, harrying foragers and supply lines, attempting to draw out the Swedish dragoons. They will use their mobility to avoid engagement with infantry (and steer well clear of the Swedish Artillery). Their aim is to demoralise the Swedish force and deprive them of supply, while keeping the Infantry Corps apprised of the situation.

Using hit-and-run tactics, Sieniawski is to bleed the Swedes white with a thousand small cuts, forcing the Swedes to either attack August's fortified positon, or withdraw to a more fortified position themselves.

Plans will change as the situation on the ground changes, as Sieniawski will be able to provide rapid reconnaissance.

The terrain itself is ideal for cavalry, with few forests, no hills, and difficult boggy terrain only around the lakes to the north-east. Should the Swedes opt to retreat into the lakes, the Polish-Saxon army will reassess their plan.