The Battle of Gadebusch, 20th December 1712

This battle is to either the 'Regimental' or 'Battalion' scales of the Volley and Bayonet rules. The first number is for 'Regimental', the second for 'Battalion'. In 'Regimental' scale combine units of STR 1 into combined units STR 2 or 3. All infantry are linear.

The Danish and Saxon Army

C in C: Frederik IV, King of Denmark

Left Wing: Genallojnanter Legaard Exhaustion: 3 / 7 *

  • Bulow (Ungarske) Dragonregiment (800): M4, Medium, Fire, may Dismount - STR 2 / 2 + 2

  • 1st Jydske Regiment (400): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 2

  • 1st Fynske Regiment (500): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 2

  • 3rd Sjaelland Regiment (400): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 2

  • Jyske LandKyrasserer Regiment (800): M4, PT, Heavy, Fire - STR 2 / 2 + 2

Centre - 1st Line: Generallojtnanter P. Kragh Exhaustion: 5 / 13

  • Grenaderkorps (1100): M6 - STR 2 / 3 + 2

  • Arnoldts (2nd or 4th ?? Imperial) Regiment (900): M5 - Str 2 / 3 + 2 (NE)

  • Frijs (3rd or 4th ?? Imperial) Regiment (1000): M5 - Str 2 / 3 + 2 (NE)

  • Marine Regiment (1100): M6 - Str 2 / 3 + 3 (NE)

  • Garden Til Fods Regiment (1200): M6 - Str 2 / 3 + 3

Centre - 2nd Line: Generallojtnanter Wedell Exhaustion: 4 / 10

  • Prinds Christians Regiment (550): M5, NE - STR 1 / 3

  • Zeppelins (ex Schacks ?) Regiment (1000): M5 - STR 2 / 3 + 2 (NE)

  • Kraghs (2nd or 3rd ?? Imperial) Regiment (500): M5 - STR 1 / 2

  • Viborgske National Regiment (400): M4, EFD - STR 1 / 2

  • Aarhuske National Regiment (400): M4, EFD - STR 1 / 2

  • Staffelts (1st Imperial) Regiment (600): M5 - STR 1 / 3

  • Dronningens Liv Regiment (600): M5, NE - STR 1 / 3

Right Wing: Generallojtnanter F.G.Dewitz Exhaustion: 4 / 9 *

  • 2nd Fynske Regiment (400): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 2

  • Dewitz (Ungarske) Regiment (800): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 4

  • Livgarden Til Hest (500): M6, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 2

  • 1st Sjaelland Regiment (400): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 2

  • Brockdorff Regiment (500): M5, Heavy, Fire (Trot) - STR 1 / 3

  • Livregiment Dragoner (800): M5, Medium, Fire, may Dismount - STR 2 / 4

The Saxon Contingent: After the Danes had redeployed to face the Swedish attack, but before the battle had started a Saxon mounted contingent arrived to aid the Danes. I suggest that they arrive behind the Danish army, either on the 1st turn or dice for there arrival with an increasing chance. Once arrived join 4 units to the left wing and 4 to the right wing, your may choose which go were. *This will add 2 / 4 to the commands exhaustion levels*.

  • Kurprinz zu Pferd Regiment(450): M5, Heavy, Fire - STR 1 / 2

  • Koningin zu Pferd Regiment(450): M5, Heavy, Fire - STR 1 / 2

  • Johnston zu Pferd Regiment(450): M5, Heavy, Fire - STR 1 / 2

  • Prinz Alexander zu Pferd Regiment(450): M5, Heavy, Fire - STR 1 / 2

  • Brause Dragoner Regiment (400): M4, Medium, Fire, may Dismount - STR 1 / 2

  • Bayreuth Dragoner Regiment (450): M4, Medium, Fire, may Dismount - STR 1 / 2

  • Weissenfels Dragoner Regiment (450): M4, Medium, Fire, may Dismount - STR 1 / 2

  • Baudissin Dragoner Regiment (400): M4, Medium, Fire, may Dismount - STR 1 / 2

Artillery and 'What if': The Danes had in fact formed a fortified line, with all there guns emplaced on this line, including the battalion / light guns. Unfortunately for the Danes, and their Saxon allies, the Swedes did not approach from the expected direction, instead they arrived on the flank of the position. So this line had to be abandoned and the army redeployed to face the Swedes, leaving all the artillery behind to catch up if they could. In the real battle they never did and thus are not included in the battle. They consisted of 43 * 3pdr or 4pdr (or possibly only 13) - 7 / 11 strength points. They should be organised in strength 1 or 2 'units'.

You could have these as possible reinforcements arriving late in the battle. As an alternative you may wish to game the 'What if' the Swedes had attacked the fortified line. In this scenario all the guns and the infantry of the first line should be in temporary fortifications. While the Saxon cavalry should form a group on their own - Exhaustion 4 / 8, under General Flemming. They will still arrive as reinforcements, but in the middle to the end of the game, rather than early.

The Swedish Army

C in C: Feldmarshal Stenbock

Left Wing: General Aschenberg Exhaustion: 4 / 9

  • Verdiska (Marschalcks) Dragoon Regiment (905): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 2 / 3 + 2

  • Drottningens Livregemente Til Hast (900): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 2 / 2 + 2

  • Pommerska Cavalry Regiment (400): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 1 / 2

  • Offenbusch (part of Pommerska Dragoons ?) Dragoon Regiment (400): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 1 / 2

  • Smiegelskis Polska Dragonskvadron (100): M4, Mil, Light, Skirmish only - STR 0 / 1

Centre - 1st Line: Exhaustion: 4 / 10

  • Sodermanlands Regiment (500): M6, SFD, Shock - STR 1 / 3

  • Dal Regiment (800): M6, SFD, Shock - STR 2 / 4 or 2 + 2

  • Elfsborg Regiment (901): M6, SFD, Shock, Pike - STR 2 / 4 or 2 + 2

  • Vastgotadals Regiment (1058): M6, SFD, Shock, Pike - STR 2 / 3 + 2

  • Narke-Varmlands Regiment (700): M6, SFD, Shock - STR 1 / 4

  • Vastmanlands Regiment (827): M6, SFD, Shock, Pike - STR 2 / 4 or 2 + 2

  • Garnisonsregementet i Straslund - Schoultz (500): M5, SFD, Shock - STR 1 / 3

  • Elbingska garnisonregementet - Ekblad (700): M5, SFD, Shock - STR 1 / 3

Centre - 2nd Line: General De La Gardie Exhaustion: 4 / 10

  • Ostgota Regiment (800): M6, SFD, Shock, Pike - STR 2 / 4 or 2 + 2

  • Halsinge Regiment (1000): M6, SFD, Shock, Pike - STR 2 / 3 + 2

Right Wing: General Marschalck Exhaustion: 4 / 10

  • Vastgota Cavalry Regiment (695): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 1 / 3

  • Bremiska Cavalry Regiment (500): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 1 / 3

  • Bremiska dragoon Regiment (1096): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 2 / 3 + 2

  • Bassewitz (Wismariska) Dragoon Regiment (400): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 1 / 2

  • Mardefelt (part of Pommerska Dragoons) Dragoon Regiment (500): M6, Heavy, Shock - STR 1 / 3

Artillery: The Swedish artillery proved to be very effective at this battle and some account should be made of their greater firepower and mobility - see Swedish Artillery GNW Tactics

It consisted of 18 * 3pdr and 12 * 6pdr.

  • 1 unit of M6, Field, Swedish Artillery - STR 2 / 3

  • 1 / 2 units of M6, Light, Swedish Artillery - 3 / 3 + 2

Map

Many thanks to Dan Schorr for supplying this map of the battlefield: -