Campaign Briefing -The Swedes

• During this campaign simulation you will be required to research the background to the strategies, tactics and politics of warfare during the era of the Thirty Years War.

• Each member of the group will carry out certain functions and collectively you will all come to policy decisions which you will forward to me by email as an attached document (Word for Windows). My email is: toby@strategos.demon.co.uk

When you hand in your orders and decisions it is essential that you support your actions with reasoned argument and historical evidence.

 Background.

The one important advantage that Gustavus Adolphus lacks is money, for Sweden is a poor country. France has offered financial assistance, he has therefore accepted but is careful never to let French wishes interfere with his policy.

Many considerations have led Gustavus Adolphus to enter the war. First, he dares not permit the Habsburgs to consolidate their hold on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea. Sooner or later, they are sure to use the ports of this area as a jumping off place to attack Sweden.

Their ally, the Catholic Sigismund of Poland, has a good claim to the Swedish throne. All he needs was imperial assistance to seek to depose Gustavus Adolphus and re-establish Catholicism in the northern kingdom. But if Sweden seizes the southern shores of the Baltic, no invasion is possible. "It is better,'' the Swedish estates have declared when they learnt of the situation, "that we tether our horses to the enemy's fence, than he to ours.'' Second, the Swedes have long desired to turn the Baltic into a Swedish lake, and Northern Germany would have to become theirs to make this dream a reality. Already a large part of the royal revenue comes from Baltic commerce. Third, Gustavus Adolphus, a sincere Lutheran, is genuinely distressed to see the plight of his coreligionists in Germany.

The Teams:

The Thirty Years’ War was basically a religious conflict, with occasional cases of Machiavellian diplomacy and downright skullduggery, but during the period we are looking at, Germany is divided and some states may well remain neutral.

The Swedes:

Overall Aims:

1. To begin the assault on Germany, without massive cost and restore the Protestant princes’ independence of the Empire.
2. if necessary confront and defeat any Imperial field army which opposes your activities
3. further the prestige of Sweden and prepare the way for the eventual accession to the Polish crown by Gustavus

The time is 4 July 1630.

The Players:

Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden

Warrior King of Sweden and Lion of the North. This player’s job is to lead and co-ordinate the campaign. As the effective political leader the basic objectives are to bring the Imperial forces to a decisive engagement, restoring hope to the Protestant cause in gaining a foothold in Germany for Sweden in her continuing struggle for hegemony in the Baltic.

The Swedish king is a tall, broad-shouldered man with a big appetite but simple tastes. From childhood he has been trained to he a king. When he was six, he began to accompany the army on campaigns; when be was ten, he began to sit at the council table and give his opinions; and when he was in his teens, he received ambassadors unaided. Now thirty-six, Gustavus has already given evidence of being one of the greatest men of his age. In his nineteen years as king, be has proved himself to he as able an administrator as Maximilian of Bavaria and as careful a military organizer as Wallenstein. He should now show that he is a gifted diplomat, a devout Protestant, and at the same time one of the greatest field commanders of his age.

Riksdag (Parliament)

This player should aim to exercise restraint on military spending, especially in Germany, where further commitments will undoubtedly lead to a drain on Swedish resources. You should examine the costs and limits of financing military activity.

Rikskansler (Chancellor)

This player must pursue the diplomatic aims of Sweden, perhaps with the intention of gaining Allies, or prising the German princes away from the Imperial sphere of influence. Also consider other potential avenues of help.

Pfirdmijster (Major General of Horse)

You will gather intelligence on the enemy (by whatever means), advise on their possible actions and strategies, and attempt to pinpoint enemy military strength and strategy. Spying is acceptable.

It is your job to provide the other players with maps and divers other intelligences.

Major General of Foot

This player will examine the manner in which your armies should fight, what your strengths are, the weaknesses of the enemy, formations to adopt etc. You should offer advice on the kind of terrain to fight over, what to avoid, citing evidence to support your ideas.

Kanonemijster (Master of Ordnance)

Your job, Meinherr, is to advise on sieges, and all matters relating to artillery, fortification, transport and supply. There are some remarkable new inventions and tactics that you might like to recommend to the army…

What You Have to Do:

Priority One is to carry out research into your topic. Collective action is probably best. Get the books (use local libraries as well) read up, and offer your arguments in the form of a series of short one or two paragraph per person reports, via e-mail. I will then let you know what is happening, what the enemy is doing etc. You then meet again, discuss the situation and offer new orders.