Army Structure

As the time for war grows close, His Higness the Duke has asked me to set down how our army is organised and will be deployed in time of battle.

The army of our Duchy comprises of 5 regiments of Foot, 4 of Horse and the Artillery regiment. In time of extreme danger there is also the Loyal Militia. In order of seniority the regiments of Foot are -

Lieb
Von Schmetterling
Markgraf Hussen
Platzach
Danuire

The Lieb has 10 musketeer companies while the other Foot have 10 musketeer and 2 grenadier. When on campaign, the grenadier companies are merged to create 2 grenadier battlions. These are normally brigaded with the Lieb regiment to form the armies first Brigade.

The second brigade is composed of the Von Schmetterling and Markgraf Hussen regiments and the Von Bothmer and Baron Katte regiments make up the third brigade.

Each Foot regiment includes two 3pdr guns commanded by the junior lieutenant. Each gun has two NCO's appointed by the Artillery regiment, and the balance of the gun crew is drawn from the regiment itself. In wartime, these guns are grouped into Brigade batteries. The Lieb regiment has four 3pdr guns, so the first brigade also has a complete Brigade battery.

The Horse comprise -

Lieb Ryttar
Klinkerhof Dragoons
Munchplitz Dragoons
Mantrow Hussars

The Ryttar wear black cuirasses and are the senior regiment in the army. Each cavalry regiment has eight companies grouped into four squadrons.

The artillery regiment comprises five companies -
No 1 company 4 x 18 pdr - Garrison Artillery at Grafstein
No 2 company 4 x 18 pdr - Garrison Artillery at Kaubenstein
No 3 company 6 x 12 pdr - Army reserve battery
No 4 Company 4 x 6 pdr - Army Heavy battery
No 5 Company is responsible for training and assigning NCO's to the regimental gun batteries. It also provides technical support and tests new guns before they are sent to regular units.

Finally there are the Loyal Militia regiments. Each comprises 4 fusileer companies based on a local town or group of parishes.

First Units Arrive

Five weeks since the bare metal arrived, the first units are ready to parade.

The first picture shows the two battalions of the Von Schmetterling Infantry Regiment alongside the Markgraf Hussen/Von Schmetterling Grenadiers, a 3pdr gun detachment and General Hermann von Kruger, commander of the Second Brigade.

The other shows the Klinkerhoffen Dragoons and the Franzotzich Jaegers.

The figures are the rather large '15mm' sold by Lancashire Games.

Rumour has it that the perfidious Swedes have landed and are marching south towards the Duchy and contact is expected very soon. Thus more of the Grand Ducal army has been mobilised, and a detachment of Prussians are marching to assist the Duchy as well. Despite this not being the ideal season for campaigning, a battle is expected soon.

In Service to the Duke

How it all began.

Although I've been gaming with metal figures for over 35 years, the SYW never really interested me until recently.

In early September 2008, I took the plunge and decided to start building a pair of armies for the period, Prussian and Swede. Although I wanted to build armies with sizeable battalions and regiments, I didn't have a rule set in mind. I also want to use this as a chance to build up my own Imagi-nation, the Grand Duchy of Kolanhomm.

My first batch of new metal arrived from lancashire Games at the end of September, and I started painting. I'll update this blog as I go along.

The Royal Family

Our ancient and historic state is governed by the hereditary ruler, Grand Duke Johannes IX.

His grace was born in 1715, and acceeded to the Ducal crown on the death of his uncle - Johannes VIII - in 1746

He is married to Marise von Kammestein since 1735 and they have five surviving children -

Johannes b.1736

Karl b.1738

Marise b.1739

Gulielma b.1741

Fredreich b.1744

Crown Prince Johannes is currently attached to the Lieb Grenadier Infantry regiment, learning the basics of soldiering, so important for our future Duke.

Markgraf Hussen Grenadier

This is the uniform of the Grenadiers of the Markgraf Hussen Regiment Infantry Regiment of the Grand Ducal Army. All regiments apart from the Lieb wear the same uniform, but with the colour of the and turnbacks in different colours.

Von Schmetterling - White

Markgraf Hussen - Pink

Platzach - Dark Blue

Danuire - Yellow

Founded in 1652, the regiment is third in army seniority.

Initially just a single battalion regiment, a second battalion was raised as part of the army reforms of 1749.

Von Schmetterling Infantry Regiment

This is the uniform of the Von Schmetterling Infantry Regiment of the Grand Ducal Army.

Founded in 1701, they saw service in the campaigns of 1704 - 1705 before being sent to Portugal with the Anglo-Dutch army in 1706 where they were virtually destroyed at Battle of Almansa.

Recruited back to full strength in 1708 the served as garrison troops until the Treaty of Utrecht. The regiment is second in army seniority, only the Lieb Grenadiers having precedence over them.

Initially just a single battalion regiment, a second battalion was raised as part of the army reforms of 1749.

At full strength the regiment musters 8 musketeer and two grenadier companies for a total of 1,750 officers and men, plus 9 Artillery specialists.

When the army takes to the field, the Grenadiers are merged to form a single 4 company battalion.