The cursed third redoubt where the swedish human cannon balls confused the boiling pots of cream sauce for the stacks of hay. Charles was heard yelling at the sky with his fist shaking: "God i wish we had ladders that can be carried in single box when dismantled and made ready on a short notice with simple screwdriver!".
These are so well made. Thank you for all the hard work that goes into these videos. If I were more financially stable I would definitely be subscribing to see these early! Thank you!
You could also consider covering the Gettysburg campaign, too. There was a lot that happened outside of the three day battle, and it wasn’t even Meade’s preferred battlefield. But like most classic meeting engagements it became a contest of getting there firstest with the mostest.
Okay, I clearly need to read up on the great Northern war. By now, I am quite familiar with the players of the eighty years war, but both Peter and Frederik seem like fascinating characters. Honestly, this plan was suïcide from the very start. Maurits rightfully doubted his chances in marching behind enemy lines in Flanders. The idea do so in Russia of all places, with virtually no roads and massive distances, is borderline insane. Yes, the attack on the camp failed miserably. But, in many ways, Peter had already won before the battle had started, thanks to his greater understanding of logistics. Besieging Poltava and then getting arrogant, even though he had just been outsmarted, sealed the deal. A fascinating battle from a tactical, operational and strategic perspective indeed. (that was a very long and winded way of saying: excellent video. :)
Peter Englund's "The Battle That Shook Europe: Poltava and the Birth of the Russian Empire" is really good. I had a copy years ago but seem to have misplaced it :/
Besieging Poltava and giving battle was not, arguably, a sign of arrogance, but rather a sign of desperation. By that time Charles XII's army needed to secure provisions at Poltava or they would starve and disintegrate without ever giving a proper battle. Desertion and other non-combat losses rate in Charles' army is a strong, if cirmustational, evidence to this thesis.
This is right at the tail end of the pike and shot era (around when there's getting to be far more shot than pike). I think this period is really fascinating as a halfway point between medieval and Napoleonic warfare. Just as I find 1870-1914 fascinating as a halfway point between Napoleonic and modern warfare.
@@usuallyhapless9481 The russians had already abandoned the pike by the time of the Great Northern War. Only the swedes retained it, as it was part of their offensive shock element.
What's interesting is how the Danes reintroduced the pikes for a short while after having suffered two devastating defeats at the hands of the Swedes at Helsingborg 1710 and Gadebusch 1712. What's more, both Maurice de Saxe and Jean-Charles de Folard seemingly advocated for the reintroduction of the pike, to be used aggressively (as the Swedes had done), in their works on 18th century tactics.
@@giuseppefazio9313 What's your source here? I'm not saying you're wrong - I've heard/read similar statements before (I think) - but I've only encountered sources saying the Russians did have pikes, at least up until 1709 (e.g., I think this is stated by Chandler in his "Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough"). I would really appreciate it if you could show me the source so that I can refresh my knowledge in regards to Russian military tactics and doctrines in the early 18th century.
In Poland that attack into Poland is called deluge, for obvious reasons, getting swarmed by moles(their love to dig in at any possibility and availability) in blue
Funnily enough the closest other military that springs to mind when talking about the Swedish army during this battle is... the Japanese in WW2. Swedish Banzai charges will continue until morale improves. Another interesting conflict featuring the Swedes is the 30-year war, and not for the Gustav Adolphus part (which is quite brief), but his Field Marshall Lennart Torstenson decade+ campaigning - who came very close to Vienna(!).
Definitely would love to hear this story of the Great northern war from your perspective. From Sweden to the Baltics to Russia, to Ukraine, to the Ottomans. An extremely interesting campaign.
Speaking of interesting less well known wars I have a couple suggestions for potential future War Room topics. First would be the Numantine war from 153BC to 133BC. One of the lesser known Roman wars and I find it interesting just how much trouble Rome had with it. Second would be something from the Northern Crusades. One of the most overlooked parts of European history.
I'm going to admit I havent watched this since 1918, but I enjoyed your analysis especially with the tactical detail and different considerations you provided even if on some level the battle was a bit of a foregone conclusion. Also I would have liked if you gave a bit more background on how logistics and army administration worked in this period, but that was probably out of the scope of this video. Could do one on the war of the spanish succession same period but on the other side of Europe, maybe battle of Denain 1712? It's less famous than Malplaquet, but it saved the sun kings realm from occupation and turned the policy of the Dutch Republic from a one of active defense to a passive one, effectively sending them to 2nd rate power status for good. Anyway I liked the video please do more! 👍
Did the Swedes lose other major battles or was it a case of losing one battle destroying the entire army while the russians lose battle after battle but still have the manpower to keep fighting and eventually win?
Its really interesting to learn the history behind Combat Mission games! Especially after playing the Northern War campaign
Combat mission lore is quite extensive!
The sequels and prequels keep on giving!
I always wondered if my horrific casualties were historically accurate.
@@vampyrekat You know, I even heard that the Germans liked Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin so much they turned it into a real thing!
The cursed third redoubt where the swedish human cannon balls confused the boiling pots of cream sauce for the stacks of hay.
Charles was heard yelling at the sky with his fist shaking: "God i wish we had ladders that can be carried in single box when dismantled and made ready on a short notice with simple screwdriver!".
I see what you did there!
These are so well made. Thank you for all the hard work that goes into these videos. If I were more financially stable I would definitely be subscribing to see these early! Thank you!
Thanks very much man!
You should cover the Vicksburg campaign of the American Civil War. Super interesting both tactically and strategically
Definitely a strong candidate. I need to read up on it again though.
You could also consider covering the Gettysburg campaign, too. There was a lot that happened outside of the three day battle, and it wasn’t even Meade’s preferred battlefield. But like most classic meeting engagements it became a contest of getting there firstest with the mostest.
The War Room is the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks once again for making these!
Okay, I clearly need to read up on the great Northern war. By now, I am quite familiar with the players of the eighty years war, but both Peter and Frederik seem like fascinating characters.
Honestly, this plan was suïcide from the very start. Maurits rightfully doubted his chances in marching behind enemy lines in Flanders. The idea do so in Russia of all places, with virtually no roads and massive distances, is borderline insane.
Yes, the attack on the camp failed miserably. But, in many ways, Peter had already won before the battle had started, thanks to his greater understanding of logistics. Besieging Poltava and then getting arrogant, even though he had just been outsmarted, sealed the deal.
A fascinating battle from a tactical, operational and strategic perspective indeed.
(that was a very long and winded way of saying: excellent video. :)
Peter Englund's "The Battle That Shook Europe: Poltava and the Birth of the Russian Empire" is really good. I had a copy years ago but seem to have misplaced it :/
@@usuallyhapless9481 Ah, thanks.
Besieging Poltava and giving battle was not, arguably, a sign of arrogance, but rather a sign of desperation. By that time Charles XII's army needed to secure provisions at Poltava or they would starve and disintegrate without ever giving a proper battle. Desertion and other non-combat losses rate in Charles' army is a strong, if cirmustational, evidence to this thesis.
Basically, Sweden had to win every battle. Russia only needed to win one.
Poltava
Rode to certain death and pain
Swedish forces met their
As a swede, this battle is always interesting and always painful. Video is very well done!
This is right at the tail end of the pike and shot era (around when there's getting to be far more shot than pike). I think this period is really fascinating as a halfway point between medieval and Napoleonic warfare. Just as I find 1870-1914 fascinating as a halfway point between Napoleonic and modern warfare.
Yep. The Swedes and Russians were unusual in that they still brought pikes to the fight.
@@usuallyhapless9481 The russians had already abandoned the pike by the time of the Great Northern War. Only the swedes retained it, as it was part of their offensive shock element.
Its not realy pike and shot anymore I think. The swedes were the only ones keeping pikes. They used them for theire shock tactics.
What's interesting is how the Danes reintroduced the pikes for a short while after having suffered two devastating defeats at the hands of the Swedes at Helsingborg 1710 and Gadebusch 1712. What's more, both Maurice de Saxe and Jean-Charles de Folard seemingly advocated for the reintroduction of the pike, to be used aggressively (as the Swedes had done), in their works on 18th century tactics.
@@giuseppefazio9313 What's your source here? I'm not saying you're wrong - I've heard/read similar statements before (I think) - but I've only encountered sources saying the Russians did have pikes, at least up until 1709 (e.g., I think this is stated by Chandler in his "Art of Warfare in the Age of Marlborough"). I would really appreciate it if you could show me the source so that I can refresh my knowledge in regards to Russian military tactics and doctrines in the early 18th century.
Really getting some Stannis Baratheon-vibes here
I think he died in some bad fan-fic, but he's still going in books, right?
In Poland that attack into Poland is called deluge, for obvious reasons, getting swarmed by moles(their love to dig in at any possibility and availability) in blue
It is not, Swedish Deluge was in 1655
@@PP-sm6ow thanks for correction
Funnily enough the closest other military that springs to mind when talking about the Swedish army during this battle is... the Japanese in WW2.
Swedish Banzai charges will continue until morale improves.
Another interesting conflict featuring the Swedes is the 30-year war, and not for the Gustav Adolphus part (which is quite brief), but his Field Marshall Lennart Torstenson decade+ campaigning - who came very close to Vienna(!).
Definitely would love to hear this story of the Great northern war from your perspective. From Sweden to the Baltics to Russia, to Ukraine, to the Ottomans. An extremely interesting campaign.
Heck yeah, War Room!
Do you think the Combat Mission game engine could handle linear warfare?
Not without some serious changes.
Speaking of interesting less well known wars I have a couple suggestions for potential future War Room topics. First would be the Numantine war from 153BC to 133BC. One of the lesser known Roman wars and I find it interesting just how much trouble Rome had with it. Second would be something from the Northern Crusades. One of the most overlooked parts of European history.
Reminds me of the classic "carolus rex praematura morte" cartoon on r/polandball
Yep. There's a reason there are so many conspiracy theories about Charles XII's death
I'm going to admit I havent watched this since 1918, but I enjoyed your analysis especially with the tactical detail and different considerations you provided even if on some level the battle was a bit of a foregone conclusion. Also I would have liked if you gave a bit more background on how logistics and army administration worked in this period, but that was probably out of the scope of this video. Could do one on the war of the spanish succession same period but on the other side of Europe, maybe battle of Denain 1712? It's less famous than Malplaquet, but it saved the sun kings realm from occupation and turned the policy of the Dutch Republic from a one of active defense to a passive one, effectively sending them to 2nd rate power status for good. Anyway I liked the video please do more! 👍
Did the Swedes lose other major battles or was it a case of losing one battle destroying the entire army while the russians lose battle after battle but still have the manpower to keep fighting and eventually win?
HELL YES
A historian from metropoly is taking interest in historical events valued in British North Eurasia. All hail the King, lads!
I'm from Poltava.
This battle changed Ukraine's history and plunged us into Russian slavery for 300+ years. Talk about pivotal events in history.
From 50.000 Cossacks only 5.000 defected on Swedish side with Mazepa, so ur own army choose to be with Russia
Well researched and refrechingly accurate. My minor critique is about pronounciation wich is easily looked up these days so I do not get that.