Skip to main content

The Stollenian Army Awaits. . .

General von Drosselmaier (dark blue coat) and his small staff take stock of the valley in which they will fight for posession of the famous Saegewerksdorf (Sawmill Village).

Krankenstadt, The Grand Duchy of Stollen, 15 March 1769 -- The Stollenian army, under the disgraced General von Drosselmaier, has taken up a defensive position to the southeast of Saegewerksdorf (Sawmill Village), somewhere just inside southeastern Stollen, where they have set up camp for the night. Across the valley to the northeast, von Drosselmaier and his officers can observe the campfires of a large invading force from vile Stagonia as the sunlight slowly fades. The coming battle promises to be a bitter one, which could very well decide the fate of Irwin-Amadeus II, and, indeed, the Grand Duchy of Stollen itself on the stage of 18th Century Apocryphal Europe!

The front line of the Stollenian army, consisting of the Leib (Grand Ducess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers and a batallion of sappers.

Von Drosselmaier's army is the largest ever fielded by Stollen, consisting of large regiments of grenadiers, musketeers, and dragoons along with a full battery of artillery, a battalion of jaegers, and a battalion of sappers. It is generally thought that vile Stagonia has sent its own formidable army to invade, defeat, and occupy the Grand Duchy. As a result, Irwin-Amadeus II has given full authority to his minister of war and senior-most army officers to increase all available units to a full war footing. Despite its realatively small size, the army of Stollen contains a high percentage of veterans within its ranks, so many are confident that the army will conduct itself well in the field this spring.


Another picture, presenting the flower of Stollen's army on which the Grand Duchy pins most of its hopes for a decisive victory against vile Stagonia. . . The Leib (Grand Duchess Sonja's Own) Grenadiers.

And what of the craven General von Drosselmaier? Very generally, his plan is to gain possession of Saegewerksdorf, stopping the advance of the vile Stagonians on the Stollenian capital, Krankenstadt. The general then has orders to drive the enemy from the Grand Duchy, securing the Stollenian frontier in the process. Of course, orders are all very well and good, but we know how even the most carefully laid plans can go awry once battle commences.

Given the Stollenian army's performance in three earlier battles during the previous fourteen months, some government ministers in Krankenstadt are not at all confident that the coming battle will necessarily go Stollen's way. Indeed, the more wealthy residents of the city have been seen leaving in droves over the past several days. Rumor has it that most are heading northwast toward Mittau and Riga as fast as their coaches and footmen can carry them, to wait out battle from a safe distance. If von Drosselmaier wins the day, they can return at their leisure, and if vile Stagonia wins the day, eventually occupying Krankenstadt, no one will suffer the inconvenience brought on by such a vile bunch of fellows.

And how might the battle go? We have no way of knowing at this point. But keep reading Die Krankenstadt Tageblat for regular updates.

#####

Comments

Fitz-Badger said…
Best of luck to Stollen in the impending battle!
Capt Bill said…
Such a fine force certainly looks like they could deliver a great victory. Go, go. go!
Bluebear Jeff said…
My personal hope is that Stollen wins and that Stagonia takes a terrible drubbing . . . but of course the vile ones will not willingly accept that result.

Indeed, I've heard it said that Brigadier Lothar Oppenkopf has been placed in command of the Stagonian forces . . . and he is noted as having a reputation of being a careful commander . . . one not noted for making mistakes.


-- Jeff
tradgardmastare said…
Well I trust the forces of the Duchy of Stollen are as well prepared as they look.
best wishes
Alan
old-tidders said…
The Stollen army looks ready for action; I hope they win.

No sign of the Stagonians yet then, I expect they are up to some vile trick.

-- Allan
ColCampbell50 said…
Such stalwart looking troops surely have nothing to fear from the vile Stagonians! Hip! Hip! Hoorah! for Stollen!

Jim
A J said…
May fortune prosper Stollenian arms!
Best wishes to the forces of Stollen, and down with Stagonia!

Looks like the Stollenians have done fine work in reconstituting losses from the last battle well. Speaks of a good reserve system. The general staff should be well pleased.
DC said…
Great stuff Stokes - your set-up looks just the ticket. Am i allowed to say i don't mind who wins? Savour the journey, not the destination...8-)
Frankfurter said…
Stagger the Stagonians
(those that aren't staggering drunk already)
:)
A
Martin said…
If the stollenian general is not in good odeur with the Court, is there a chance that Irwin Amadus may in these dire circumstances,(Gasp) lead the army in person, to put some steel in their spines...errr...claws?!

"Stollenians wa' ha' wi' Crayfish bled; now bleed wi' your Lobster!"
Anonymous said…
Wow, I almost missed the start of the action. Will you be posting reminders on the OSW Forum after each move Stokes?
I enjoyed the last game so much I'm determined this time not to miss anything.

Steve.
Josh said…
Fantastic looking force!

Popular posts from this blog

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Taking Stock Part II: The (As Yet) Unpainted but Planned OOB. . .

  Two companies of Reichsarmee grenadiers painted back in 2017 or 2018.  Minden Austrians of course. A lovely early autumn day here in the grand duchy.  Bright sunshine and a light breeze with cool temperatures will make for some very pleasant late afternoon lawn mowing in a little while.  But first a bit more discussion of painting plans for the future. Last time, I looked back at the various and sundry units, support troops, and civilians that I've managed to paint in the last 17 years as the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has developed.  So today, let's look into the seemingly bottomless Drawer 'o' Lead to my left for a clue to the new direction.  Be forewarned, it's not going to be a quick job getting everything painted and based, but there we are. The following plans are based on the pile of unpainted figures already here.  Any future purchases will be limited to small things that might be needed to fill out the envisioned units (the odd few officers mounted o

Having a "No Day". . .

  F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day."  A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day.  I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers.  These have stood waiting  untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday a