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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Calvin59 on 24 May 2025, 01:48:18 PM

Title: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 24 May 2025, 01:48:18 PM
To continue my research and then bring this conflict and its battles to life. I would like to know which regiments from both nations fought, and which battles they fought.
Thank you in advance for your help.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: George1863 on 24 May 2025, 02:20:32 PM
Nafziger can give you the Swedish army in April,1814 and the Danish army in Norway in July, 1814. Napoleon-series.org website is a little more specific about some engagements (Rakkestad, for instance). I am ashamed to admit that this theatre of Napoleonic warfare has largely passed my (mainly bc I despise Bernadotte, lol).
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Ben Waterhouse on 24 May 2025, 03:40:20 PM
Nafziger can give you the Swedish army in April,1814 and the Danish army in Norway in July, 1814. Napoleon-series.org website is a little more specific about some engagements (Rakkestad, for instance). I am ashamed to admit that this theatre of Napoleonic warfare has largely passed my (mainly bc I despise Bernadotte, lol).

Ah, the arch Jacobin Swedish King. The last man standing out of the Buonaparte Mafia
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 24 May 2025, 03:53:35 PM
Thank you, George1863, for your information, which I will look into. I became interested in this theater of Napoleonic war after reading a bibliography on Bernadotte, which discusses these various conflicts between the Danes/Norwegians and the Swedes.
May I ask why you despise Bernadotte?  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: George1863 on 24 May 2025, 04:47:21 PM
Well, a Jacobin who became a monarch.... the dog that bit the hand that fed him.... good general but a man of flexible principles where personal aggrandisement is concerned. I feel more empathy with simple honest men, who may be lesser generals, such as Ney. You can make your own judgement about his failure to support Davout at Jena, but it's harder to justify his acceptance of the Swedish crown in 1810 were it not for an almighty ego that demanded that somewhere, on some stage, he would prove the equal of the Corsican. I am sure he had his reasons but I would not identify them as pure.

Btw, I don't want to knock anyone's opinion different from mine. Over 30 years of adult life I hope we all change our opinions. But it is a stretch for a convinced republican to accept a crown.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 24 May 2025, 05:36:24 PM
According to Terje H. Holm's Med Plotons! Hoire-Sving! Marsch! Marsch!: Norsk taktikk og stridsteknikk pa begynnelsen av 1800-tallet, med hovedvekt lagt pa fotfolket (Akerhus-Oslo, Forsvarsmuseet, 1991), below are the following engagements in the 1814 campaign:

Lier, 2nd August
Matrand and Skotterud, 5th August
Ingedal, 3rd August
Rakkestad, 6th August
Lagenes and Kjolberg, 9th and 14th August

You'll have to give me a few days to get the orbats and collate them with the Swedish sources I have. Rakkestad was by far the biggest engagement, although Lier saw the Norwegian Akershuske Mtd. Jagers conduct a charge (a rare thing in the history of the Norwegian-Swedish wars). All of these engagements would be considered skirmishes if you compare them to most Napoleonic battles.


Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 24 May 2025, 08:21:24 PM
Thank you, Georges 1863, for giving your opinion on Bernadotte. It is true that he began his military career under the monarchy and that the revolution allowed him to climb the social ladder more quickly. But I do not want to enter into a discussion here because it is true that the book I read about his life was written by an Englishman, and therefore one can imagine that he gives him reasons for his acceptance of the Swedish crown.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 24 May 2025, 08:58:07 PM
Thank you Swampking for your response and the research you are going to do.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: vodkafan on 26 May 2025, 09:37:11 PM
You have got me interested especially if the battles are not too large.
What are the uniforms like?
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: traveller on 27 May 2025, 08:00:24 AM
You have got me interested especially if the battles are not too large.
What are the uniforms like?

The Swedish army had the m/1810 uniform. Which typically looke like this:

(https://i.postimg.cc/wvY1yvbq/IMG-0076.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4KwfjJgq)

Miniatures available from Steve Barber and Eagle Miniatures:

https://www.stevebarbermodels.com/store/Swedish-Napoleonic-c88768729
https://eaglefigures.co.uk/28mm-napoleonic-swedes/infantry/

I used some Perry Swedes for this period even if they had the earlier m1807 uniform. Depending on the pose and the equipment it is hard to see if the coat has one or two lines of buttons

The Norwegians are also available from Perry. A typical uniform:

(https://i.postimg.cc/J7b2B2tM/Norge-Trondheim-National-inf-1810-1814.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXY8Rxwz)

David Wilsons excellent books, available from Perry has all the uniforms for Denmark and Norway

Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 27 May 2025, 12:06:26 PM
Thank you for the information you provide.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 27 May 2025, 09:28:54 PM
From the Norwegian side, I know that the Opplandske Infanteriregiment played a prominent role in the fighting and was present at Langnes. If I was painting figures for this war they would be first on my list for the Norwegians.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 28 May 2025, 07:08:13 AM
Hey Gents,

Before I start posting info, I would like to know how detailed y'all want the info. I have 4 books that I can consult, the aforementioned book by Terje Holm and:

J. Mankell, Falttaget i Norge ar 1814: Kritisk Belysning (Stockholm, 1887)
G. Bjorlin, Kriget i Norge 1814 (Stockholm, 1893
D. Schnitler (Oberstloitnant), Blade af Norges Krigshistorie (Kristiania, 1895)

Schnitler is by far the most detailed. It'll take some time to type in the info but if you want it down to the company level, it's up to y'all. The translation will take a bit of time unless I use Google translate but I don't want to waste people's time with useless information and minutae that wouldn't affect gameplay.

Let me know and I'll get started ASAP!

Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: traveller on 28 May 2025, 08:05:57 AM
Hey Gents,

Before I start posting info, I would like to know how detailed y'all want the info. I have 4 books that I can consult, the aforementioned book by Terje Holm and:

J. Mankell, Falttaget i Norge ar 1814: Kritisk Belysning (Stockholm, 1887)
G. Bjorlin, Kriget i Norge 1814 (Stockholm, 1893
D. Schnitler (Oberstloitnant), Blade af Norges Krigshistorie (Kristiania, 1895)

Schnitler is by far the most detailed. It'll take some time to type in the info but if you want it down to the company level, it's up to y'all. The translation will take a bit of time unless I use Google translate but I don't want to waste people's time with useless information and minutae that wouldn't affect gameplay.

Let me know and I'll get started ASAP!

Great! It would be very interesting to see the OOB for different battles from Schnitler. Maybe you can just take photos of the relevant pages and post here?
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 28 May 2025, 08:49:27 AM
Thank you all for participating in this thread.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Freddy on 28 May 2025, 10:02:19 PM
In Lillehammer, Norway there is a big museum of local houses called Maihaugen, one of the houses is a military barracks of 1814, with some uniforms and equipment displayed. I made some photos when I was there, I put them in my blog for you. As it is a windowless wooden barn in the bright Scandinavian sunlight, some photos might not be studio quality, but I hope that they are useable.
https://makettekeswg.blogspot.com/2025/05/1213-napoleoni-haborus-norveg-katonai.html (https://makettekeswg.blogspot.com/2025/05/1213-napoleoni-haborus-norveg-katonai.html)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 29 May 2025, 06:34:10 AM
Okie dokie! I'll hop on Schnitler after i return from the gym. Tomorrow is work but Saturday and Sunday I can post pics as well. I'll also start reading Mankell and Bjorlin to see what they say about the Swedish forces. However, I believe Schnitler has orbats for the Swedes as well. I could be wrong as I haven't read the book in years.

Info will be incoming in a few hours.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: traveller on 29 May 2025, 07:46:11 AM
Okie dokie! I'll hop on Schnitler after i return from the gym. Tomorrow is work but Saturday and Sunday I can post pics as well. I'll also start reading Mankell and Bjorlin to see what they say about the Swedish forces. However, I believe Schnitler has orbats for the Swedes as well. I could be wrong as I haven't read the book in years.

Info will be incoming in a few hours.

Great! I have most of the sources on the Swedish forces including the regimental histories. They are not so specific on the Norwegian forces so it would be interesting to see what Schnitler says.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 29 May 2025, 09:13:20 AM
Thank you Freddy for sharing this place and the photos you took with us.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 29 May 2025, 09:17:28 AM
Thank you, Swampking, for your information, which will be invaluable to me, given that, apart from English, other languages ??are unknown to me. But why not learn some basics?  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 29 May 2025, 09:21:17 AM
I hope we can learn a lot from Swampking about the Norwegian army. This way, my dear Traveler, you can get some additional information about the Swedish opponents.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 29 May 2025, 11:55:48 AM
Hey Gents,

Before I start posting info, I would like to know how detailed y'all want the info. I have 4 books that I can consult, the aforementioned book by Terje Holm and:

J. Mankell, Falttaget i Norge ar 1814: Kritisk Belysning (Stockholm, 1887)
G. Bjorlin, Kriget i Norge 1814 (Stockholm, 1893
D. Schnitler (Oberstloitnant), Blade af Norges Krigshistorie (Kristiania, 1895)

Schnitler is by far the most detailed. It'll take some time to type in the info but if you want it down to the company level, it's up to y'all. The translation will take a bit of time unless I use Google translate but I don't want to waste people's time with useless information and minutae that wouldn't affect gameplay.

Let me know and I'll get started ASAP!

Have you read 'Da Dovre Falt - Kampene ved Langnes 1814' by Ola Johnsgaard Moen? He is the foremost historian on the Norwegian Napoleonic army, having spent time researching Norwegian Military archives from the period, and have written several articles about it. I corresponded with him a few years back regarding the war of 1808.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 30 May 2025, 03:57:07 PM
Thank you, Gribb, for the document page you posted on the thread. Unfortunately, I can't get my hands on it since I don't speak Norwegian. But luckily, there are people like you who can help.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 31 May 2025, 09:34:27 AM
According to Norwegian historian Ola J. M. (whom I just corresponded with), choosing a red-coated line infantry unit for the 1814 campaign is tricky, since most were present somewhere, but few stood out consistently. It's is mainly the regimental rifle companies that distinguish themselves in multiple engagements. Some formations are more prominent than others:

Akershusiske Skarpskytterregiment is arguably the most "representative" unit. Its 1st Battalion fought at Lier, Skotterud, and Matrand, while its 2nd and 3rd Battalions were more scattered in Østfold.

Spørck’s detachment under Stabell’s command is an interesting combined force, including:

Lærdalske Rifle Company (from Bergenhus Rifle Battalion),

Parts of the Norwegian Rifle Corps,

Spørck’s own light troops from Søndenfjeldske IR,

Akershus Rifle Regiment,

And regimental artillery.

Note: The grey uniforms that was worn by Norwegian light and rifle units were a lighter gray than the one intended due to the material available in Norway at the time. Source: 'Da Dovre Falt - Kampene ved Langnes 1814'. p.83.

For including red-coated units, one might consider choosing between the 2nd Trondhjemske Infantry Regiment, which fought at Lier and Skotterud/Matrand; the Oplandske Regiment, active at Langnes; the Vesterlenske Regiment, known for its role at Kjølberg; the Bergenhusiske Infantry Regiment, which was assigned a significant role but never fully engaged; or the Søndenfjeldske Regiment, which had its depot battalion stationed at Fredriksten but lost its 1st Battalion at Fredrikstad, among others.

For deeper insight into the Norwegian army structure, he recommends Lindbäck-Larsen’s 'Den norske hær og 1814'. Being somewhat more recent than other major works and the result of thorough research, it stands as the best single reference to date—providing detailed data, operational context, and a comprehensive review of troop movements.


Regarding those mentioned earlier by Swampking:

Björlin is generally regarded as the most reliable source due to his thorough referencing and his background in the War History Department of the Swedish General Staff. However, his work relies minimally on Norwegian primary sources, reflecting a Swedish perspective and the viewpoint of a conservative officer writing shortly before 1905.

Mankell, ironically, often adopts a pro-Norwegian stance and faced considerable criticism for it during his time, but his accounts tend to be rushed and somewhat superficial.

Schnitler is considered decent but presents a somewhat inconsistent narrative influenced by a "moral" militarization agenda tied to the period before 1905, which is understandable given his position as a Norwegian officer.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 31 May 2025, 11:03:44 AM
Thank you very much for these explanations, which are very interesting and very important to me given that I know nothing about this army.
To reproduce the soldier's photo in a figurine, can we use these figurines from Perry Miniatures?  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 31 May 2025, 02:07:01 PM

Found on the net about the Danish army  ;)

Danish Army
1808-14
by Christian C. Strachan

   
Historical Setting

In 1807 an English force of 30,000 men (among them the later Duke of Wellington) invaded the Island of Zealand, and together with a strong naval fleet of 24 ships-of-the-line forced the Danish Government, after having shelled Copenhagen, to surrender her fleet including 17 ships-of-the-line and 17 Frigates. Denmark declared war on Britain and concluded an Alliance with France. The year after the Danish Army was reorganised, and put on a war footing. Action, however, was mainly limited to skirmishes at sea, and some fighting along the Swedish-Norwegian border. (Sweden was at war with Russia and Denmark). Sweden was forced to cede Finland to Russia, and after Marshal Bernadotte became Crown Prince hoped to wrest Norway from Denmark as compensation for Finland.

In 1812 a division was put at Napoleon's disposal, but did not directly participate in the campaign against Russia. Two months before the Russian campaign started Russia and Sweden had concluded an Alliance, whereby the two States agreed upon forcing Denmark to cede Norway to Sweden. Denmark thus became Napoleon's last ally.

General State of Defence:

After the reorganisation of 1808 the strength of the Army was 39,000 Line and 31,500 reinforcement troops, the letters quality and training not equal to that of the Line. Military service was to be 8 years in the Line, followed by 6 years in the reinforcement battalions, which were only called out during war.

Leadership was generally good, though rather old. Thus the average age of the generals (23 in 1810) was 60. Prince Frederick of Hessen, brother-in-law of the King, and only 42 (1813), was probably the ablest of the generals.

The Danish infantry were about average, while the cavalry were considered to be among the best in Europe.

The main arm of the infantry was the musket, of course. Only the Jager corps were armed with rifles. Effective range was 300-400 paces, 1 round per minute. Because of the low rate of fire, half were armed with sharpshooter muskets. It was found that rifles were ineffective against cavalry. All other Jagers and sharpshooters were armed with sharpshooter muskets. The Sharpshooter corps usually fought in close order, while the Jager corps were used as skirmishers.

There were three main fortresses in Denmark ? Copenhagen, Rendsborg and Kronborg (Elsinore), and a number of smaller ones : Korser, Nyborg, Fredericia, Fladstrand, Hals Skanse (near Aalborg), Frederiksort (near Kiel), Gluckstadt, Gottorp, Helgoland and Christianse. Only Nyborg, Frederiksort and Helgoland had permanent garrison coys.

Infantry

1 Battalion of Life Guards (4 coys): at Copenhagen.

13 Infantry Regiments:

Danish Life Regt; Norwegian Life Regt: King's Life Regt; Crown's Life Regt; Prince Frederick's Foot Regt. -- at Copenhagen.
Infantry Regiment Funen -- at Fredericia
1st Infantry Regt. Jutland -- at Aarhus
2nd Infantry Regt. -- at Viborg
3rd Infantry Regt. -- at Aalborg
Infantry Regiment Slesvig -- at Slesvig
Queen's Life Regiment -- at Gluckstadt
Infantry Regiment Oldenburg -- at Rendsborg
Infantry Regiment Holsten : at Holsten
3 Jager Corps: Zealand, Slesvig and Jutland.

3 Sharpshooter Corps : Zealand (at Kronborg), Jutland, Holsten.

The Jager-Grenadier Coy of Altona (volunteers) : 140 men.

1 Marine Battalion of 4 Coys.

1 Reinforcement Battalion on Langeland Island.

An Infantry Regiment consists of 2 Line and 2 Reinforcement battalions:

1. Battalion 1 Grenadier and 4 Musketeer Coys.
2. Bttn: 1 Jager and 4 Musketeer Coys
Each COY- 3 Officers and 165 others; total 40 Officers and 1,660 men.

3. Battalion 1 Jager and 4 Musketeer Coys.

4. Battalion 1 Jager and 4 Musketeer Coys.
Each COY- 3 Officer and 162 men

A Jager or Sharpshooter Corps has 2 battalions; 1 Line and 1 Reinforcement, each of 4 Coys Of 75-80 men. Thus a battalion has 300-325 men.

TOTAL - 67 battalions.

Cavalry:

Mounted Life Guards : 2 Sqds (each of 70 Officers and Men) at Copenhagen.

4 Heavy Cavalry Regts : Life Cavalry Regt (Slesvig); Cavalry Regt. Zealand (Slagelse); Cavalry Regt. Slesvig (Horsens) and Cavalry Regt. Holsten (Haderslev).

3 Light Dragoon Regiments : Life Regt. Light Dragoons (Itzehoe); Light Dragoon Regt. Funen (Odense) and Light Dragoon Regt. Jutland (Randers).

1 Hussar Regt. of 6 Sqds of Cavalry - 135 Officers and men (4 Sqds on Zealand, 2 (2nd and 6th) in Holsten).

A 7th Hussar Sqd is transformed into Uhlans (the Bosniaks).

A 4th Light Dragoon Regt. was raised 1807 : Prince Frederick Ferdinands Light Dragoon Regt.

The Field Jager Corps (Kiel) : 1 sqd(?) (volunteers).

A Light Dragoon or (heavy) Cavalry Regt. consists of 4 Sqds, each of 5 Officers and 158 men (of which 12 armed with rifles as flankers).

TOTAL - 41 Squadrons and the Field Jager Corps.

Also in existance 3rd November 1813 to 18th January 1814 the Hussarcorps Zealana at Rendsborg (4 Officers and 225 others). There were also several voluntary mounted Jager units on the isles during 1808-14.

Artillery and Engineers:

Line Artillery: 9 Foot Coys; 1 Horse Coy at Copenhagen
Line Artillery: 3 Foot Coys; 1 Horse Coy at Rendsborg

Reinforcement Artillery: 8 Foot Coys on Zealand and 2 in Jutland
Reinforcement Artillery: 6 Foot Coys in the two Duchies.

A company has 165-170 men.
A battery (= Coy) has 8 guns and 2 howitzers.

Guns are 12 pdrs, 6 pdrs or 3 pdrs.

Howitzers are 36 pdrs, 10 pdrs or 6 pdrs. The Horse

Artillery have 6 pdr cannon and 6 pdr howitzers.

Gunners have no muskets, only swords.

1 Coy. of Artisans.
1 Coy. of Miners.
37 Engineer Officers.
A small Sapper Corps 1808-14.

Each infantry regiment earlier had 4 3pdrs attached, which were usually massed. However, there are 3pdr batteries in 1812-13, so I suppose the regimental guns have disappeared. Of the Line batteries at least 2 were heavy 12 pdr batteries. There were about equal numbers of 3 pdrs and 6 pdrs.

Militia

Coastal Militia: Only for local defence. From 1802-12 only about 1/3 were armed with muskets. 1812-14 they were reorganised in 30 battalions all with muskets. These battalions were probably well below the 800 in a regular battalion. 20 on Zealand and isles, 4 on Funen and Langeland, 8 in Jutland, 6 in the twin Duchies.

Bornholm Militia: 1 battalion of reasonably well trained men : 4 Musketeer and 1 Jager Coy each of 200 men. In addition a Landstorm of 11 Coys of variable strength (in all 2,500). 4 Dragoon Coys of Cavalry 120 men each, 2 Artillery Coys of 250 men each, well trained.

Total Militia : 4,500 (including all able-bodied men).

The Landstorm was worthless.

Volunteer Corp and Citizen Militia:

Copenhagen could muster some 11,000 men, of which 4,000 were armed.

N.H. The Norwegian Army, separate from the Danish, only operated in Norway.

1813 Campaign
Refusing to give up Norway, Denmark continued to stand by the side of Napoleon even after his defeat in 1812. The Danish Auxiliary Corps of 11,000 men was formed under Infantry General Prince Frederick of Hessen, and became part of the French XIII corps under Marshal Davout. The corps was divided into 3 Brigades:

Advance Guard Brigade:
The French Brig. General l'Allemand, an excellent French Officer detached by Napoleon.
2nd Bn Jagercorps Slesvig
1st and 2nd Bns Sharpshootercorps Holsten
2nd and 6th Hussar Sqds; 1 3pdr battery.

1st Brigade:
Major-General Ct. v. Schulenburg
1st, 2nd and 3rd Has Infantry Regt. Oldenburg
4th Bn Infantry Regt. Holsten.
1st Bn Queen's Life Regt and Jager Coy of 2nd Bn. Cavalry Regt. Holsten (4 Sqds).
1 6pdr Foot Battery.
Jager Coy of 4th Bn Infantry Regt. Oldenburg.

2nd Brigade:
Major-General of the Cavalry Lasson
1st and 2nd Has Infantry Regt. Funen.
3 Bn Infantry Regt. Holsten.
1st and 2nd Has Infantry Regt. Slesvig.
Light Dragoon Regt. Jutland (4 Sqds).
1 6pdr Foot Battery and 1 3pdr Battery.

Total: 13 Battalions, 2 Independent Jager Coys, 10 Sqds and 40 guns (4 bat

Reinforcements end of August
Light Dragoon Regt. Funen and 1 Coy of sailors (125 men)

Reinforcements end of November
1st Bn 3rd Infantry Regt. Jutland. 2nd Bn (3 Coys) Infantry Regt. Slesvig. Jager COY, 3rd Bn./Inf.Regt. Slesvig. 1 Coy of Louise Augustas Lifejagers (Volunteer unit). The Jager Grenadier Coy Altona.

At Gluckstadt:
3rd and 4th Bns Queen's Life Regiment (very bad).
2nd Bn Sharpshootercorps Jutland.
1 Jager Coys from Jagercorps Zealand and Jutland.
1 3pdr battery.

After Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, a combined Swedish-Russian-German army pressed north and after several fierce combats and one minor battle pushed the Danes into Rendisburg. King Frederick VI with the main army on Funen refused to come to Prince Frederick 'a aid and on the 15th December 1313 an armistice was signed. The army was demobilised, all reinforcements and volunteer units dissolved.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 31 May 2025, 04:13:42 PM
Thank you very much for these explanations, which are very interesting and very important to me given that I know nothing about this army.
To reproduce the soldier's photo in a figurine, can we use these figurines from Perry Miniatures?  ;)

The main thing that I can see at first glance is that the Perry figures are armed with rifles, whereas Norwegian sharpshooters were using muskets. This may be regarded as a minor detail at this scale. They should work for Regimental Jägers.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 31 May 2025, 08:26:13 PM
Thank you Gribb for your advice on the figurines, perhaps this one would be a good fit for the photo you posted above.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 31 May 2025, 09:20:37 PM
Thank you Gribb for your advice on the figurines, perhaps this one would be a good fit for the photo you posted above.  ;)

Honestly, I would go for the first figures you suggested instead. The Perry's are as close at it will get. And the poses are more suitable for the small-scale actions in the war. I am tempted to get them as well at some point, but I am too busy trying to finish the 1808 forces. Still tempting:) But using those packs you could paint up forces to represent Akershusiske Skarpskytterregiment, Bergenhusiske og Valderske Skarpskytterbataljon.

Have you considered how many figures and what rules you will settle for?
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 01 June 2025, 10:03:27 AM
Thank you again for your feedback. I wanted to tell you that I became interested in this conflict when I read a monograph by Bernadotte. I then decided to instead of falling into the trap of nations like the French, English, Prussians, and many others, the author spoke very succinctly about the conflicts of 1808 and 1814.
That's why I chose the Danish and Swedish from the Perry brothers. It's true that the latter have fewer references to the Swedish, but I like the sculpture compared to Eagle.

I also have a dilemma about the conflict of 1808 or 1814; I haven't decided yet.

As for the rules, I don't know; I haven't chosen yet, and I'm waiting to meet my gaming partner to discuss it. But I settled on two rules: "Sharp Practice" and "One-Hour Skirmish Wargames Rules." A member of this Traveller forum recommended this rule to me because he thought it was excellent for skirmishing. Could I ask your opinion on these rules? ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 01 June 2025, 02:08:05 PM
That's great :) Gaming wise, 1808 may be more balanced and contain more interesting troops if I should put it that way. The Norwegian army was, in spite of poor funding and old uniforms, highly motivated and had widespread civilian support as the strain of the naval blockade had not yet strained the economy as badly as in '14. That is not to say there was no fighting will then, but the army only had food for a couple of weeks, and the Swedish population was also more worn out by then. As I suspect was the case all over Europe by the final years of the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1808 the Norwegian army in the field employed Grenadiers as the main fighting force, supported by regimental artillery (amusettes), light infantry, ski troopers and some Dragoons. The Perry's have made the Norwegian Grenadiers, the amusette+crew and Dragoons. The Perry light infantry are not in the correct uniform for the units fighting in the major battles during the spring of '08. They would be wearing m/1793 ski uniforms. Again thanks to Ola J.M. for pointing that out, as I was about to purchase these for Lærdalske Light Infantry Compagnie: https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-33-jaeger-and-light-infantry-command-1802-08/

Again, the terrain and small number of troops meant that the army as a whole were instructed to act more as skirmishers than regular linear formations. Christian August’s, commander-in-chief of the Norwegian armed forces, wrote instructions on how he believed the war should be fought. He wrote the following to Major General de Seue on April 8, 1808:

“Instruct the troops to avoid fighting on open plains. In hilly terrain, they should spread out in skirmish lines, use every opportunity for ambush and cover. On the plains, they should quickly regroup and face cavalry head-on from all sides. Do not fire without orders. When firing, aim at a specific enemy. Hide the size of your force. Avoid purely defensive positions — that only leads us to retreat from position to position all the way to Lindesnes.

In narrow passes, make it impossible for the enemy to get in or out. Remember what happened at Kringlen [1] — if the farmers had held their ground there, Sinclair would not have broken through. Be quick to gather, and just as quick to scatter. Ban parade drills and outdated maneuvers — the Seven Years' War is over.

Don’t shoot unless you are confident to hit the target. Go for the assault, use the bayonet. Don’t shoot until the enemy is right up close — close enough that you can’t miss. Do not surrender. If you must fall, take three enemies with you into the next life.”

Notes:
1.'Kringlen' is a reference to a battle taking place two centuries earlier against a Scottish Invasion force: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kringen
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 01 June 2025, 02:24:41 PM
Once again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It's true that I'd be more inclined to choose 1808, because I really like the headgear of both nations (a kind of top hat). The Perry brothers also made quite a few figurines from this period. The only thing missing is the skiers, but hey, we can't see everything.
And what rules do you use?  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 01 June 2025, 02:27:39 PM
Could I ask you if it would be too much trouble to give me the references of the Norwegians from the Perry figurines. That way I would not make a mistake since I would have a source from a person who knows this army well.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 01 June 2025, 02:33:34 PM
Here's part 1 of Schnitler
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 01 June 2025, 02:49:09 PM
Part 2 (if the damn Net will cooperate this time!  lol):
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: traveller on 01 June 2025, 02:52:02 PM
Excellent! Thanks!
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 01 June 2025, 02:55:50 PM
Could I ask you if it would be too much trouble to give me the references of the Norwegians from the Perry figurines. That way I would not make a mistake since I would have a source from a person who knows this army well.  ;)

Glad to be of help! Most of my knowledge, however, should be credited to what Ola J.M. conveyed in correspondence, as well as the works he recommended.

Sharp Practice is a good fit for these wars, as it is entirely dedicated to skirmish games.

For spring 1808, these figures would work:

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-1-infantry-command-with-two-standard-bearers-1803-08/

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-4-norwegian-grenadiers-in-m1789-caps-marching-1803-08/

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-26-danish-rytter-1802-08-norwegian-dragoons-1804-10-command-in-round-hats-galloping/

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-27-danish-rytter-1802-08-norwegian-dragoons-1804-10-galloping-swords-shouldered-round-hats/

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-57-1pounder-amusette-with-1803-08-crew-aiming/

https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product/dan-43-foot-artillery-firing-howitzer-in-round-hats-1803-8/

Ski troops are made by Steve Barber in the correct attire:

https://www.stevebarbermodels.com/store/Norwegian-Napoleonic-c58807401

Note: Only the artillery and cavalry wore the long blue trousers often depicted in artwork. The infantry wore short white breeches with tall black gaiters that stopped just below the knee—except for sharpshooters, who were issued long white trousers.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 01 June 2025, 04:41:13 PM
Part 3:

Hey Gribb,
I tried looking for the book by Moen but none of the usual suspects had it (antikvariat.net and norli.no). Do you have any ideas of where else to buy a copy?

The last 3 pages contains info about the Swedish Army that invaded Norway in 1814.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 01 June 2025, 05:03:00 PM
Part 3:

Hey Gribb,
I tried looking for the book by Moen but none of the usual suspects had it (antikvariat.net and norli.no). Do you have any ideas of where else to buy a copy?

The last 3 pages contains info about the Swedish Army that invaded Norway in 1814.

It seems that the book is no longer for sale at Norli (Askim), who used to have it in stock. To obtain copies, the best option now would be to contact Indre Østfold Kommune, who commissioned the author to write it and had it published.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 01 June 2025, 06:00:06 PM
Again, thank you Gribb for finding the right figures at Perry. Can the command go with the DAN1 reference for the grenadiers? Otherwise, are there no infantrymen like the DAN2 reference? And is it possible to take the DAN 33 and DAN34 references, to represent light troops.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 01 June 2025, 06:22:46 PM
Again, thank you Gribb for finding the right figures at Perry. Can the command go with the DAN1 reference for the grenadiers? Otherwise, are there no infantrymen like the DAN2 reference? And is it possible to take the DAN 33 and DAN34 references, to represent light troops.  ;)

The Grenadier command would wear top hats, actually. So DAN1 will work with DAN3.

DAN2, regular musketeers, were mostly stationed in forts and did not participate much in spring 1808. They could work for summer/autumn.

If you want to have the light troops represented DAN 33 and 34 could work as the Jägers, but they did not participate in spring. But still, you can use them as a representation for light infantry, even though they would have used the m/1793 ski trooper uniform:

Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Swampking on 01 June 2025, 07:09:36 PM
I have Lindbäck-Larsen’s Den norske hær og 1814; however, I haven't read it in forever and a day. I might have to go back and read him again. From what I remember, the book was based on his PhD research, although I might have mixed him up with someone else. I've also got some of Munthe's work on the Norwegian army but as with the above, I haven't read him in a decade or more.

I believe the 3 recent books on the Danish/Norwegian Army written by David Wilson (published by Helion) is probably the best modern source in English. I'm basing my 15mm Norwegian 1814 army on Wilson's book. However, I've only painted up the mounted artillery and some of the generals and cavalry.
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 02 June 2025, 12:46:38 PM
Found some engravings online. First image: Norwegian soldiers in 1814 by Andreas Bloch.
Second image: Skiers fighting the Swedes during the border battles of 1808. Drawing by Andreas Bloch.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Calvin59 on 02 June 2025, 12:59:37 PM
Norwegian and Swedish soldier during the Seven Years' War, 1807-1814.  ;)
Title: Re: Swedish-Norwegian War in 1814
Post by: Gribb on 02 June 2025, 03:24:26 PM
I have Lindbäck-Larsen’s Den norske hær og 1814; however, I haven't read it in forever and a day. I might have to go back and read him again. From what I remember, the book was based on his PhD research, although I might have mixed him up with someone else. I've also got some of Munthe's work on the Norwegian army but as with the above, I haven't read him in a decade or more.

I believe the 3 recent books on the Danish/Norwegian Army written by David Wilson (published by Helion) is probably the best modern source in English. I'm basing my 15mm Norwegian 1814 army on Wilson's book. However, I've only painted up the mounted artillery and some of the generals and cavalry.

That's correct. If you have Lindbäcl-Larsen you have it covered. Wilson's books appear to be well researched.

However, he has presented the amusette as being painted in red, whereas it would be a shade of blueish-grey or grey like the rest of the artillery. There may be more but I need to look throughly through the book. He does seem inclined to speculation, as to whether blue trousers were worn by infantry units, if colours other than the Dannebrog was in use (most were stored anyhow), and the use of portable 10pdr mortars which also is not verified in action in either wars that I know. I have only briefly talked with him on messenger.