Imperial Skirmish Force During the Campaign

in Poland and Denmark 1657-1660

Authors: Micha Kadrinazi Paradowski, Rafa Szwelicki
Authors note: This skirmish force is a part of the Imperial army which will be featured in The Deluge expansion. The rules presented here might differ from those in the final full army list.

espite the fact that the activity of the Imperial army in Poland and Denmark was focused
mainly around siege operations the cavalry of the corps also played an important role by
countering Swedish patrols, conducting reconnaissance and foraging. Imperial troops,
including mainly cuirassiers (in fact counterparts to Polish and Swedish reiters) supported by
dragoons, were especially active during operations in Prussia. Patrick Gordon, who served in
1658 in a Swedish reiter regiment recalled in his memoirs numerous clashes with Imperial patrols. However Imperial soldiers fought with changing fortunes, they did not know the terrain
in which they operated against the Swedes and their commanders were restricted by orders
from Vienna. A peculiar example of ineffectiveness of Imperial operations was the capture of
general Gotfried Heister (Hester) by Swedish reiters. He rode from his camp at a distance of
a musket shot in order to inspect the terrain and was taken by a Swedish unit. Despite a prolonged chase the Imperial cuirassiers were unable to retake their commander. Further repercussions followed this incident the commander of the sentries of the camp colonel Johann
Flettinger was arrested and deprived of command of his dragoon regiment.

COLONEL [
Commander

Formation

Move

Armor

Morale

Skill

Colonel

20/+10

CAVALRY MAJOR [

Close Combat

Shooting

Weapons

Effectiveness

Range

Special Rules

Hand weapon

CC

Commander

Pistols

Scarce ammunition
Shooting in Charge
- pistol

Effectiveness

Range

Special Rules

Hand weapon

CC

Commander

Pistols

Scarce ammunition
Shooting in Charge
- pistol

Effectiveness

Range

Special Rules

CC

Shooting in Charge
- pistol

Commander
Formation

Move

Armor

Morale

Skill

Major

20/+10

Close Combat

Shooting

Weapons

CUIRASSIERS
Cavalry

Formation

Move

Armor

Morale

Skill

Cuirassiers

20/+10

Armored

20/+10

Cuirassiers

Close Combat

Shooting

Veteran

20/+10

Armored
veteran

20/+10

1. Some cuirassier companies may wear armor: breast and

back plates, helmets (Armor: 6) check the Skirmish Force
Structure for details

Weapons

Hand weapon
Pistols

Arquebus*

1/0

10/20

Caracole
Good Tactical
Discipline

2. Some reiter companies may be equipped with arquebuses check the Skirmish Force Structure for details.
3. Use SWE-1, SWE-2, SWE-3 and SWE-4 sets as figures (depending on the equipment and armor option)

DRAGOONS
Dragoon

Formation

Move

Armor

Morale

Skill

Mounted

20/+10

Mounted

20/+10

Dismounted

10

Hand weapon

CC

Dismounted
veteran

10

Half-musket

3/1

10/25

veteran

Close Combat

Shooting

Weapons

Hand weapon

Effectiveness

Range

Special Rules

CC

Dragoons
Counter-march
Salvo

1. Use SWE-9 as Imperial dragoons.

Special rules
Military Drill

[Rulebook p. 291]

This is Not Our War!

Imperial forces fighting in Poland and Denmark suffered from high number of desertions. Especially if a unit was stationed in one place for a longer time (garrison duty, siege operations) its
strength depleted very much and deserters often enlisted in the Polish, Danzig or even Swedish
armies.
Before the battle begins (after the figures are deployed) check the level of desertion. Roll four dice
(if the Skirmish Force Commander has Command Points ###) or three dice (if the Skirmish Force
Commander has Command Points ####) against the Skirmish Force Commanders Skill. Each
failed test means 1 desertion (point of losses). Then allocate those losses amongst your Units. Not
more than two points may be allocated per Unit. These losses cannot be removed by Ordering the
Units (they must be marked with a special token).

Damn This Country!

Despite having numerous cavalry and dragoons the Imperial corps often had difficulties with reconnoitering terrain and enemy intentions.
Value of Imperial Reconnaissance is decreased by 2 points.

Imperial skirmish force in Poland and Denmark 1657-1660

NOTES:

Special Rules:
Military Drill, This is not our war!, Damn this country!

+1 FSP for Colonel

instead of
+1
FSP for Major
* You may deploy up to half of cuirassiers (any type) with arquebuses
* Maximum of two companies of cuirassiers from the base of force can be
replace with dragoon companies of same size and quality. Dragoon company
can be then expanded to 3 bases.

+1 FSP for 3 bases of dragoons

+1 FSP for 2 bases of veteran dragoons
+1 FSP for deploying up to half of cuirassiers (any type) in armor
(Armor:6)