[SS AAR] Ogniem i Mieczem: Ukrainian AAR

[August]

Phew...
My first one. I've put quite an effort and thought into this, but having no practical AAR experience it would seem I will learn the ropes as I go.

I am trying to recreate the Khmelnytsky Uprising, which in turn was a basis of a book by the Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz, which, was turned into a movie with the same title ("Ogniem i Mieczem" aka "With Fire and Sword"). Initially, I will try to maintain some semblance of a connection to the history and book/movie, but I can do only so much.
Note: the real uprising took place on January 25 1648. I will base all the events on the in-game chronology (in other words, 628 years before it actually happened, and onwards from there ). I am NOT a history buff, so be gentle.



Rules of the game:
SS 6.1
H/H
Technically speaking, I am using Kievan Rus as my nation, with following limitations and advantages:
I start the game with two regions: Zaprozhian Sich and Oleshky Sich(representing Tartar support).
I've done some light modding to enable the use of gunpowder immideately(remember it is 1600's... techinically) and given myself the ability to purchase Cossack Musketeers(Z. Sich) and Cossack Mounted Gunners(O. Sich). I also buffed Poland, by giving it money and territories (including Kiev and Bryansk)

ONLY units I can recruit(unless there are some special story circumstances) are:
-Cossack Musketeers (Z. Sich)
-Cossack Mounted Gunners (O. Sich)
-Spear Militia
-Peasants
-Kazaks (representing Tartars)
-Cavalry Militia
-Obviously, I will use my Generals
-Archer Militia/Peasant Archers, only for defending my settelments
-Mercenaries
-Gunpowder artillery
(this provides unique challenge and also represents the lack of cavalry Cossacks had to deal with - most cavalry during rebellion were the Tartar allies)

Cossacks were skilled seafarers, and liked to engage in piracy and coastal raiding. I will try to recreate that.

I also applied some little innovations to the battle and global map presentation, that I hope will make them more interesting and easy to follow.

My main goal:
Force the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth out of the Ukrainian territories and establish my little newly independent country in the world.
From there on we'll see where the road takes us. In best Zaporozhian tradition, surely something daring and unexpected.


The first chapter is due tonight. Stay tuned for season premiere

[The Sundance Kid]

Interesting and original idea, I'll watch intently

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

I'm tuned in, August!
Gunpowder units will surely spice up the gameplay a little bit.

[August]

Chapter I
"Turning Tides"

First thing first, let's introduce our initial cast:

Hetman* Bohdan Khmelnytky - Ukrainian noble, in service of Commonwealth as a registered Cossack(regular army, so to speak). He was well respected by both Poles and his Cossack brethren. Everything changed however when another powerful Polish noble decided to force Bohdan from his lands. Faced with overwhelming violence that was unleashed, and to protect his family, he had no choise but to give in.
After trying to ask for help from Polish crown with no result he turned to his faithful Cossack friends at the Zaporozhian Sich(Sich is a Cossack city-state). But his active communication with Sich leaders landed Khmelnytsky into prison, under suspicion of instigating a revolt. With help of his old friend Mihailo Krychevski, Bohdan escaped.
He immideately headed back to the Sich. He was determined...
There will be war.

*Hetman - an elected leader and general of the Sich.




Jyrko Bohun - officer of the Ukrainian Cossacks, close friend of Bohdan Khmelnytsky. Dedicated and ruthless to the cause of fighting for Ukrainian independence. Powerful warrior and talented commander, he later became a Ukrainian folk hero(just look at him! 100% badass)



Tugay Bey - Khan of the Crimean Tartars. In the past, he and the Zaporozhian Cossacks were rivals. But things were about to change.

********************************************************
End of January 1020.
Bohdan Khmenytsky was elected Hetman of the Sich, the Cossacks were tittering on the brink of rebellion and Bohdan's determination to fight Polish Commonwealth was met with overwhelming support. The Sich was preparing for war...

Jurko Bohun:
Why do we not make our move, Pan(Pan - honorary, like "sir") Khmelnytsky? Our brothers are anxious to strike!
Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky:
We cannot. Not yet.
Bohun:
We are ready! The longer we wait the sooner Poles will realize what is happening here!
Khmelnytsky:
This is not the first rebellion Cossacks had attempted. Do you know why all of them failed?
Bohun:
I suppose, you are about to tell me...
Khmelnytsky:
We can assemble an army of great infantry, but Commonwealth, in turn, brings it's powerful cavalry. Time and time again, they had proven that they cannot be defeated without horses of our own.
Bohun:
How would you create cavalry force large enough to challenge Poland? Foreign mercenaries?
Khmelnytsky:
Much easier, my friend. Diplomacy. Remember old saying: "Enemy of my enemy is my friend." What we are waiting for, Jurko, is Khan Tugay Bey's army. This time Husarze(Polish cavalry) are in for a surprise.
Bohun:
I can only hope we will remain friends with them long enough to get the job done, Pan Khmelnytsky...
***********************************************************

(note: I realised it might be a bit confusing map - the arrows show the Polish/Ukrainian boder and possible routes of Polish armies that might take to quell the rebellion; the armies never came, even though I tried my best to instigate the hostility My first map, further ones will make MUCH more sense, I promise!)

1090-1097: Polish forces, alerted by the activity in the Sich, begin to gather in Kijov(Kiev).

1098: The word spreads - Pope declared a crusade on Cairo! Catholic Poland will surely send and army to answer the call. Hetman Khmelnytsky knows that the time to strike is upon him.

1099: The Togai Bei and his army had reached the Zaporozhian Sich. Bohdan lays out a plan of action: Tartars will begin moving toward Kiev from the south, crossing river Dnipro, while the Cossacks will liberate the small settlement Bryansk(Siveria) north and continue west, meeting the Tartars outside Kiev.

1108: The Hetman's army had crossed into the Polish territory. The war for independence had begun...

The first step was to support the Ukrainian rebels in Siveria.

Siveria Uprising (August, 1119)
The settlement was guarded by a large group of mercenaries. Superior to Cossack Spear Militia, they would prove formidable if met head on. Hetman Khmelnytsky had to find another way.


Ukrainian marksmanship and firepower was the answer.
Initial bombardment forced the enemy abandon the walls, and created three breaches. Fearing the exposure to the gunfire in the open field the mercenaries hastily withdrew to the center of the city.

Cossacks quickly exploited the situation, and immediately set up fortified firing positions, overlooking the central square, while Tartar allies went around, trying to get behind the enemy.

Tartar were themselves ambushed and forced to retreat.
But the situation in the center of the city was dramatically different. The Polish soldiers found themselves under the unrelenting barrage of bullets and cannonballs.
Forced into a desperate counterattack they only found themselves routed by the avalanche of hot lead. The Cossack formation created a crossfire, robbing any hope of breaking through.
With nowhere to run, they were cut down by gunfire.
Hetman triumphantly stepped onto the central square

Siveria was liberated!
***************************************
Amidst the cheering troops Bohdan stood staring intently to the west.

Bohun:
Pan Khmelnytsky why such a solemn face? Not a single Ukrainian soul had perished in the battle today.
Hetman Khmelnytsky:
*smiles*
Battle? This was no battle, Jurko. The battle is what awaits us on the other side of Dnipro River... Soon.

****************************************************************************************

Coming soon:
Chapter II "Zolte Wody"
(Icannot, in good conscience, translate that - it'll sound ridiculous )

[The Sundance Kid]

The attack arrows and tactical-esque additions were fantastic, a very innovative AAR. Keep it up mate!

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

This is a very promising start, August! I loved the unique pictures and the dialogues.
PM-d my suggestions, as you asked.

[Banzai!]

That movie must be really popular over in Eastern Europe. Everyone I show it to in New Zealand runs away after 30 minutes.

It takes them 15 minutes to run away from Potop (around the drunken shooting at skulls sequence).

[August]

First of all...
THANK YOU ALL!
I feel the
Your support means so much to me!

That movie must be really popular over in Eastern Europe. Everyone I show it to in New Zealand runs away after 30 minutes.

It takes them 15 minutes to run away from Potop (around the drunken shooting at skulls sequence).

I don't live in Eastern Europe anymore, so I can't say for sure. But I do think it had made it's mark. There was a big trend in making epic historical flicks after it's release(Mongol, 1612, Taras Bulba...).
It should be fairly big in Poland though, since the novel it was based on, was the most influential book in Polish literature, and it is considered a classic.
You gotta keep in mind that it is a book, centered around characters, with war as a background, meant to touch the Polish soul. Movie attempted to puff up war to foreground some, but characters were still pivotal.
I think it's worth watching, it has some great moments.

[Innos]

A really interesting read!!! I also enjoy playing as Kyivan-Rus in Stainless Steel as my Grandad is Ukrainian and I'm very proud of my heritage

Now we need Bohdan Khmenlytsky to cross the Dnipro and liberate all of Ukraine

[August]

Chapter II
"Zolte Wody"

Victorious Zaporozhians did not waste time celebrating the success in the Siveria. Leaving the battered city behind, the army marched onwards, to Kiev.

Nearing the Dnipro River crossing, the red banners of the Commonwealth appeared on the horizon.
The Polish army has come! Instead of trying to hold Kiev they sent a large force to meet the rebels. This was going against everything that Khmelnytsky had planned, the Tartars were still far south, heading towards Kiev, where they would merge with Zaporozhinas and attack.

Poles were here and Khmelnytsky was facing them alone, with no support and practically no cavalry. Ukrainians could not withdraw fast enough to avoid this fight.
The Zaporozhian army set up a camp, preparing for the inevitable battle in the morning.
Morning came... The army of the Commonwealth was gone!
Thunderous cheer rolled through the Cossack army.

The scouts returned with wonderous news: the Polish took a considerable risk by moving the vast majority of it's troops from Kiev to meet the upstart Cossacks. That left the city relatively vunerable.
Siezing the opportunity, the Ukrainian citizenry and local peasants rose in the major revolt. Revolt so succesful, in fact, that it forced the Commonwealth to pull back the troops, returning situation in Kiev to relative order.
With renewed vigour, Zaporozhians marched on, the battle was upon them, but now it was going to be fought on their terms.


December 1120:
Tartars held their side of the bargain, in fact they intercepted smaller portion of Polish army on the way to Kiev, utterly crushing it, further weaking the Commonwealth's hold on the region.
In the field near the small settelment, called Zolty Wody the decisive battle for the fate of the fledgeling nation was about to begin...

The Battle of Zolty Wody (December 1120)

With it's wanguard destroyed by Tugay Bei's Tartars, Polish army no longer had it's large advantage in numbers, nor did it have the feared cavalry. However, Commonwealth knew that the additional reinforcements from Lithuenian allies were just days away.

The Poles opted to draw the battle for as long as possible(note: the time limit for battles in this game is on), and with the arrival of the reinforcements, descend upon the outnumbered Zaporozhian/Tartar allies.

With the sound of Zaporozhian cannonade, however, the idea of being on defence in this battle was immideately forgotten.
Commonwealth would bring the fight to the enemy today, or perish.





Unfolding themselves into a large front, Poles moved forward. As they got closer, it became clear - they were attempting to overwhelm Khmelnytsky's right flank, letting the numerical superiority to play to their advanatge.

Khmelnytsky and his personal retinue, cautiously moved forth, in an attempt to get around Poish right flank.
In turn, Muskets and Bombards began to take the toll on Commonwealth's troops.
As Polish soldiers got close, thunderous charge rocked the right flank. Khmelnytsky and Bohun had siezed the initiative!



The combination of artillery bombardment, led death raining upon them, and finally, the powerful charge on the flank was too much for Polish troops.

Keeping up with the momentum, Bohun fell upon the next unit in the Commonwealth's battleline. That created a shockwave of panic and moments later, entire right flank was in flight!


With it's right flank in rout, pursued by the Ukrainian cavalry, and, now every Zaporozhian gun aimed at them, remaining 2/3 of the army broke.

[my personal take on this: one of the most exciting battles I ever had, the suspence of seeing getting sooo close and finally buckling under the pressure of the gunfire INCHES before my squishy Musketeers... it was something...]

Only a pitiful handful of troops made it out of the gunfire range, only to find Tartars waiting for them...

Victory!
**************************************************************


Amidst the fallen, Bohun noticed a familiar figure... The Hetman's broken body was lying, surrounded by the dead Poles, chest shattered by a cannonball. The leader of the rebellion, killed, in the moment of his triumph.

It was now up to Jurko Bohun to carry on his name and his vision.
"This song is for you, Pan Khmelnytsky..."

*************************************************************************

Zaporozhians gained a confident victory, but at what cost?..

Next: Chapter III: "Black Heart" or "Czarne Serce"

[Mauzeer]

Great start mate, very interesting pics!
Good luck and keep it coming pls, +Rep

[Banzai!]

Haha Bohdan died already. All Ukrainians are very sad.

[Innos]

Another good read! Looking forward to the next chapter

[Mr. Kim]

nice AAR! i'm trying to get medieval 2 gold collection for christmas. Next chapter yet?

[August]

Should be up tomorrow, I was vainly trying to dig up some more shots from this bloody movie. Sorry for the hold up.

trying to get medieval 2 gold collection for christmas

I'm rooting for ya, man

[August]

Chapter III:
"Black Heart" or "Czarne Serce"

Bohun was trembling with anger. Hetman of the Sich was cut down by a friendly cannon. But there was no time for mourning, nor time for celebration of victory - the belated reinforcement army of Commonwealth had arrived. Leaving behind cannon crews, impaled on stakes, Zaporozhians marched on.
The army of the Poles was formidable, lead by the Field Crown Hetman Marcin Kalinowski and Great Crown Hetman Mikołaj Potocki himself, fielding the mass of elite Polish-Lithuanian infantry.



The battle was joined once more...

Battle of Korsun(December 1120)

Having the full of advantage to choose where and when to meet the foe, Hetman Bohun set the army on the slope of the nearby hill, arranging the soldiers into two lines: first line of the Spear Militia, followed by the Muskets with artillery cover.
The reinforcement from Kijov were on the way to the field, expected to arrive in time to support Bohun.

The vast forces of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth marched forth.


Punishing barrage of hot lead poured forth on advancing Commonwealth, cutting swathes in the ranks. But with unyielding leadership of Great Crown Hetman Potocki they march forward.



Tension grew with every step that enemy took towards the artillery line. We simply did not cause enough damage. Something had to be done, lest Ukrainian army be overwhelmed by superior Polish-Lithuanian alliance forces. The Commonwealth was getting strained but, not enough to dent the battleplan, laid out by Crown Hetman.



Death proved once more that it does not distinguish the ranks and standing in it's rampage - Mikołaj Potocki, the feared iron fist of King Władysław IV Vasa was blasted apart by the cannonade.
Devastating explosion of fear, confusion and panic engulfed enemy army. Commonwealth's greatest strength, turned into it's swift demise...

In a moment, the entire Polish-Lithuanian army tuned into full rout, still under punishing Cossack gunfire.

Victory!
******************************************************************

Bohun was not finished with the Poles, his eyes were still brimming with fury. In the end, only pitiful few escaped Hetman's unsatiable thirst for venegance.
Every prisoner was impaled by it's own spear, Korsun's beautiful plain was turned into macabre forest of death.
There was nothing left in the heart of Bohun, but desire to see Poland burn, and it's people with it. Time for diplomacy was over, new Zaporozhian Hetman, Jurko Bohun, prepared to write his history in Polish blood.

May, 1131 - Bohun's armies invaded the lands of Polish Crown itself, leaving only ash and blood behind. They do not look to occupy the territory, but destroy it utterly. Panic grips the peasants and nobles alike, the rumors of the "Black" Hetman Bohun spread far and wide. The Polish-Lithuanian alliance is under strain by the series of recent military disasters, each side now looking for means to protect itself.
Noble young Crown Prince Jeremi Wiśniowiecki, raises forces to stop the invaders. By his order, the army fortifies the fortress of Halych - the only thing that stands between marauding Zaporozhians and the ancient capital of Krakow, the seat of King Władysław himself.

The fortress must hold!


**********************************************************************************

Jurko "Black hetman" Bohun had now been unleashed upon Commonwealth...


Next
Chapter IV:
"With Fire and Sword" or "Ogniem i Mieczem"

[Chevalier IX]

Excellen AAR.This is by far one of my favourite episodes in the entirety of the eras history.Keep up the excellent work,I wait eagerly to hear how this all turns out.

[August]

Excellen AAR.This is by far one of my favourite episodes in the entirety of the eras history.Keep up the excellent work,I wait eagerly to hear how this all turns out.

That is why I desperately try to get the AOR get to work, so I can really play with this period in history.

[Chevalier IX]

We will figure out the issue,but for the time being...have you had a chance to try the OIM mod for Rome total war/BI????That one would be your very best bet for living out the tragedies and triumphs of this glorious and bygone age

[Graf Nacht]

very nice AAR, can't wait for the next chapter. And a good choice for a movie too, the only bad part about it though is that it favors the poles to much.