Post by August II "Mocny Sas" on Oct 3, 2016 20:16:53 GMT
Overlooking the causeways approaching the thick walls of Stralsund, August makes his decision. This is where he will make his stand, the Swedes, and their insidious foreign backers can not be allowed to defile German lands any more.
Sieniawski is to take the cavalry (bar one regiment of Russian Militia) and ride for Poland, to rally the relief, the Army of Poland, the Tsar, any he can find. As he and the King part, the Hetman mounts, "look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East", and with that he spurs his horse, bugles blare, and the great mass of the Hussars gallop away.
August observes his army as it passes into the city, a motley band of Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, and Ukrainians. As the last file past, down the long spit between sea and sea into the fortress, he makes his grim calculations...
Army of August II (August II)
1 Regiment Militia Cavalry (Russian)
2 Regiments of Grenadiers (Saxon)
5 Regiments of Western Line (Saxon)
7 Regiments of Eastern Line (Polish)
5 Regiments of Irregulars (Russian)
1 Regiment of Militia (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Engineers (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Engineers (Polish)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon) (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon) (Polish)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon) (Russian)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Howitzer) (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Howitzer) (Polish)
Vastly inferior to the army assailing him. August's only hope, that he can hold out long enough for relief to come...
To that end, he uses every trick and edge available to him to stack the deck in his favour. The engineers are immediately put to work, clearing all obstacle from the main causeways, clearing vegetation on glacis, ensuring the artillery has perfect enfilading fire down each causeway.
The engineers prepare hidden earthworks ahead of the glacis, giving the irregulars a chance to skirmish ahead of the line, slowing down at least any first assault, allowing the artillery to ply its trade for a little longer.
The outerworks are to be manned by 3 Regiments of Saxon Line, supported by 1 battalion of Grenadiers. August wants no risk of chaos when the eventual retreat to the fortress proper is made, and the longer the outerworks hold, the longer the Swedes will have to spend beneath the guns.
August maintains one clear advantage, however. He has more appropriate artillery, allowing him the keep the Swedes further away from the fortress for longer, and the water table is so high sapping will be impossible. This will free up the Allied engineers for maintenance of the walls, and preparation of deeper defences.
The Northern Defences will be manned by 2 Regiments of Saxon Line, backed up by 1 battalion of grenadiers.
The fortress proper will house the reserve, 7 Polish Line, 1 Grenadier Regiment.
August sends a message to the Danish King, requesting the Danish fleet provide support, to keep supply lines open as long as possible, and to ensure the Swedish fleet cannot be brought to bear, lest they be trapped between the Danes and the Fortress.
The Russian Militia Cavalry will provide reconnaissance when able...
"At last", August thinks to himself, "the boy will have to fight like a man to drive me from here, no silly tricks... don't let me down Sieniawski, everything depends on you..."
Sieniawski is to take the cavalry (bar one regiment of Russian Militia) and ride for Poland, to rally the relief, the Army of Poland, the Tsar, any he can find. As he and the King part, the Hetman mounts, "look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East", and with that he spurs his horse, bugles blare, and the great mass of the Hussars gallop away.
August observes his army as it passes into the city, a motley band of Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, and Ukrainians. As the last file past, down the long spit between sea and sea into the fortress, he makes his grim calculations...
Army of August II (August II)
1 Regiment Militia Cavalry (Russian)
2 Regiments of Grenadiers (Saxon)
5 Regiments of Western Line (Saxon)
7 Regiments of Eastern Line (Polish)
5 Regiments of Irregulars (Russian)
1 Regiment of Militia (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Engineers (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Engineers (Polish)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon) (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon) (Polish)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Cannon) (Russian)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Howitzer) (Saxon)
1 Regiment of Artillery (Howitzer) (Polish)
Vastly inferior to the army assailing him. August's only hope, that he can hold out long enough for relief to come...
To that end, he uses every trick and edge available to him to stack the deck in his favour. The engineers are immediately put to work, clearing all obstacle from the main causeways, clearing vegetation on glacis, ensuring the artillery has perfect enfilading fire down each causeway.
The engineers prepare hidden earthworks ahead of the glacis, giving the irregulars a chance to skirmish ahead of the line, slowing down at least any first assault, allowing the artillery to ply its trade for a little longer.
The outerworks are to be manned by 3 Regiments of Saxon Line, supported by 1 battalion of Grenadiers. August wants no risk of chaos when the eventual retreat to the fortress proper is made, and the longer the outerworks hold, the longer the Swedes will have to spend beneath the guns.
August maintains one clear advantage, however. He has more appropriate artillery, allowing him the keep the Swedes further away from the fortress for longer, and the water table is so high sapping will be impossible. This will free up the Allied engineers for maintenance of the walls, and preparation of deeper defences.
The Northern Defences will be manned by 2 Regiments of Saxon Line, backed up by 1 battalion of grenadiers.
The fortress proper will house the reserve, 7 Polish Line, 1 Grenadier Regiment.
August sends a message to the Danish King, requesting the Danish fleet provide support, to keep supply lines open as long as possible, and to ensure the Swedish fleet cannot be brought to bear, lest they be trapped between the Danes and the Fortress.
The Russian Militia Cavalry will provide reconnaissance when able...
"At last", August thinks to himself, "the boy will have to fight like a man to drive me from here, no silly tricks... don't let me down Sieniawski, everything depends on you..."
