Northern Wargaming: A First Time at Salute and the Battle of Dänholm 1807

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

A First Time at Salute and the Battle of Dänholm 1807

Salute 2019

Northern Wargaming - in the shape of Andreas, Joakim, Robert and Mattias - all visited Salute (an epic wargaming event, hosted by the South London Warlords) for the first time this year. And what an experience it was! To meet some of our heroes of the wargaming community - like the Perry brothers and Rich of TooFatLardies - was simply fantastic. Also, to have the opportunity to say thank you in person to traders like Empress Miniatures, Warbases and Bad Squiddo Games for putting such great products on the market for us all to buy. :-)

Also, Andreas and Mattias - together with Michael from the Dalauppror blog and many other great guys - put on a display game of the French making a surprise attack on the Swedish held islet of Danholm outside Stralsund, in 1807. Its in Swedish Pomerania, present day Germany, with Prussia and Russia knocked out of the war. With the British leaving to attack Copenhagen Sweden was alone againt the French in northern mainland Europe. The French laid siege to the Swedish fortress city of Strasund. In August the Swedes had to abandon the city itself and move to the islet of Danholm in the Waters outside of Stralsund. The scenario portrays the French surprise landing on Danholm, with the 3rd French light infantry regiment and Sailors of the Guard leading the attack.

It was a true joint effort with contributors from Sweden, Finland and England. For the game we used the newly released Rebels and Patriots rules written by Michael together with Dan Mersey and published by Osprey Publishing.

Between the two of us our contribution was to paint - and convert - just shy of onehundred French miniatures as a part of the assault force. Chasseurs and Voltiguers of the 3rd Light infantry regiment, Sailors of the Imperial Guard, Sappeurs and Mineurs. We also brought some add on terrain for the table. It was a true pleasure to see it all finally come together on location Saturday morning - a beautifully made table with so many skilled contributors adding trees, buildings, a fort, boats, pontoons, civilians, prisoners, casualties, soldiers, a destroyed bridge, it just goes on... A true testament to what a combined effort can achieve.