Battle of Tykocin (1831): Last Stand of the Russian Imperial Guard?

Our Christmas game on 28 December was a refight of the Battle of Tykocin, from the Polish November Uprising (1830-1831) against Russia, using my 42mm figures and ‘Unruly Eagles’ rules (3rd edition).

Following the successful defence of Warsaw from Russian attack in February 1831, the Poles began a counter-offensive. After a number of tactical successes, Polish Chief of Staff General Ignacy Pradzynski devised an operation to pursue, trap and destroy the Russian Imperial Guard Corps commanded by Archduke Mikhail Romanov, and the Polish army chased the Guard towards the Russian border. The resulting Battle of Tykocin took place on 21 May 1831.

Terrain

In this scenario, the Russians had decided to make a stand at the town of Tykocin on the River Narew. The town was on high ground, and featured a Franciscan monastery, synagogues, and windmills on its outskirts. The surrounding countryside was flat with woods on either flank. A hidden ford was located on the Russian right flank. I had allowed the Russians to place walls along their line (not present historically), and the hill also halved movement for both sides.

Deployments

The Polish army, consisting of four infantry divisions (24 units), two cavalry corps (8 units), and 10 artillery units, was arrayed as follows, left to right: Alex (Kamienski’s division), Ian (our guest – Gielgud’s division), Patrick (Rybinski’s division), Richard (Trevor’s friend – Milberg’s division), and Rob (cavalry corps of Uminski and Lubienski). Alex’s division would undertake a flank march through the woods and assault the Russian right flank, while the other divisions attacked the centre. The Polish cavalry under Rob would hold the right flank.

The Russians, with two elite Imperial Guard infantry divisions (14 units), and two cavalry divisions (elite heavy and light respectively – 8 units), reinforced by another infantry brigade (4 units), and 11 artillery units, were deployed thus, left to right: Paul (cavalry), Trevor (reinforcements), Neil (first Guard infantry division), Kyan (the second Guard infantry division). The Russians placed most of their artillery in the centre, including the reserve artillery.

The Poles Attack

The frontal assault began to take shape.

Both Patrick and Richard were initially cautious in their advance.

Rob’s cavalry attacked the Russian batteries on Paul’s left, but despite winning a couple of melees, was forced to retire.

Polish Progress

Alex played a card and deployed a battalion of skirmishers in the woods well ahead of the Polish left flank. Kyan soon matched this by using a card to threaten the rear of the Polish skirmishers.

By Turn 4, one of Neil’s Russian batteries had been forced back by Polish fire

Ian (whose division is pictured above), Patrick and Richard deployed into line as they approached the walls

Rob’s horsemen of Lubienski’s cavalry corps were blunted by Russian Cuirassiers, who were elite. But Uminski’s cavalry corps was still shadowing Paul’s Light Cavalry Division (seen in foreground).

Assault on the Russian Centre

After lunch, Rob took over from Patrick, and I took over from Rob on the Polish right with the cavalry.

The Poles pressed on and Rob’s and Richard’s two infantry divisions assaulted the centre of the Russian line, coming up against withering artillery and musketry fire.

Ian’s division attacked the walls in front of Kyan’s position, destroyed some artillery, and one unit made it over the wall!

As Richard attacked Trevor’s position, he dealt five casualties to some Russian dragoons.

Cavalry Battles

On my flank, I fought several melees against Paul’s heavy and light cavalry.

My mounted rifles were pushed back 12″, and I decided to stand off with Lubienski’s cavalry corps to avoid artillery casualties.

However, as Paul was struggling to advance through the woods, I brought up Uminski’s cavalry and attacked again.

Russians Counterattack

Neil’s Russians, having helped decimate Ian’s division (whose unit crossing the wall was soon pushed out), began a counter-attack in the space once occupied by units of Gielgud’s division.

Having trudged through the woods, Alex was now arriving in line against Kyan’s right flank, supported by four batteries of Polish artillery trained on the corner of the Russian line.

Two more Russian batteries were forced back by Polish fire from Rob’s division.

Paul lost one Cuirassier unit to Richard’s artillery fire.

Alex Finds the Ford

Close to three o’clock Ian lost his fifth infantry unit out of six. The Polish centre-left was wide open and Neil’s infantry pushed on…

But Alex now discovered the hidden ford, and pushed one unit across the river, threatening the Russian line of retreat.

On the Polish right, I won two melees against Paul’s cavalry, which had been unable to threaten Richard’s division on the Polish centre-right.

Alex Assaults the Russian Right Flank

Having destroyed another of Kyan’s units on the Russian right, Alex advanced against the Russian right to the roll of the drums…

Rob managed to destroy Neil’s infantry emerging to threaten the Polish centre with artillery fire, thus plugging the gap.

After multiple shots from Polish guns, Paul began to redeploy his two guns from his position.

Victory in Sight?

The Poles had taken frightful losses but had made big gains at this point, with the bulk of Kyan’s division smashed by Alex and Ian’s four guns…

…and all of Neil’s division had fallen back from the walls to the town, after Rob coordinated his infantry and artillery fire on the Russian centre.

Unfortunately, Richard’s Polish infantry division had been virtually destroyed by Trevor’s infantry, as had Ian’s by Kyan’s infantry…

Still, Kyan tenaciously formed a flank guard at a right angle, to receive Alex’s almost intact infantry division.

Russians Plug the Centre

My Lancers and other cavalry were also damaging Paul’s cavalry which was held back from assaulting Richard’s exposed flank.

Alex advanced on the Russian right with gusto, even though two Russian artillery units had stopped the Polish battalion which had crossed the ford.

Although it briefly seemed that the Poles were going to occupy the Russian centre, Neil soon rallied the division there, and the Russian Guards surged back towards the wall, facing Rob, who soon received more deadly Russian fire.

Still, Kyan’s flank was almost broken.

Conclusion

The game ended before four o’clock in the afternoon. Casualties had been horrendous on both sides: the Poles lost 16 infantry units (6 of Ian’s and 6 of Richard’s – both divisions obliterated, while Rob’s division lost 4 units). Alex’s division had only lost two skirmisher bases, and I managed to salvage all the cavalry on the right wing. The Russians lost 9 infantry units (most on Kyan’s flank), 2 cavalry units, and 3 guns. So a Russian victory!

A big, intense, game played with enthusiasm, with all players enjoying themselves. In retrospect, I would have given the Russians fewer wall segments or even none, as the walls were mainly to balance out the scenario parameters, but made it very hard for the attackers especially given the restricted movement on the hill. There were some quibbles over the rules, which I could take another look at, but I suspect we were not following the rules in some instances. With ten players, several new to the rules, it is always hard to ensure that everyone is on the same page at all times during an absorbing game. Historically, the Poles pursued the Russian Imperial Guard to Tykocin, where a bayonet attack by the Polish 1st Light Infantry dislodged the defenders, who retreated across the river – but the Guard escaped…

Thanks to all the players, and to Rob for help setting up, hospitality, and my lift home with 15 boxes. Quite a spectacle!

For those interested in the November Uprising, My book: ‘Eagles Defiant: A Wargamer’s Guide to the Polish November Uprising (1830-1831)’ is available to purchase for £20.