Mick Yarrow Miniatures (M.Y.Miniatures) | 15mm Conquest of Siberia

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Conquest of Siberia range

See the pdf document for further details.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybdtxey0igd0a4q/Conquest%20of%20Siberia.pdf

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Cossack Russian and Tartars Painted by Kev Ward

Conquest of Siberia

Order code and description. Max'varients, Number,in bag Price

Order Code - Description - (Max number of variants per bag) - Number of figures per bag - Price per bag
CS 1 - Tribal infantry commanders (4) 4 £1.20p
CS 2 - Tribal infantry with spears and palmas (6) 8 £2.40p
CS 3 - Tribal infantry with bows (5) 8 £2.40p
CS 4 - Chukchis/Koryak infantry commanders holding severed heads (3) 3 90p
CS 5 - Chukchis/Koryak infantry in heavy armour with bows (3) 8 £2.40p
CS 6 - Chukchis/Koryak infantry no armour with spears (4) 8 £2.40p
CS 7 - Buryat/Yakut cavalry commanders (3) 3 £1.80p
CS 8 - Reindeer riding scouts (2) 2 £1.20p
CS 9 - Buryat/Yakut heavy cavalry (3) 3 £1.80p
CS 10 - Buryat/Yakut light cavalry (4) 4 £2.40p
CS 11 - Siberian Tartar cavalry commander (2) 2 £1.20p
CS 12 - Siberian Tartar heavy cavalry (3) 3 £1.80p
CS 13 - Siberian Tartar light cavalry (2) 2 £1.20p
CS 14 - Cossack infantry commanders (3) 3 90p
CS 15 - Cossack infantry with arquebus/musket (8) 8 £2.40p
CS 16 - Cossack infantry with half pike (4) 8 £2.40p
CS 17 - Cossack small cannon on a wheeled naval carriage + two crew £1.80p
CS 18 - Russian "streltsi" infantry in bakhterets plate (4) 8 £2.40p
CS 19 - Russian Boyarin heavy cavalry (3) 3 £1.80p

Painting by Kev Ward

Tudor English

Re release soon!

The Conquest of Siberia

Some thoughts for Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World’s End by Nic Wright

Shahid Dadabhoy

The epic Russian (initially more accurately Muscovite) conquest of Siberia, is one of least known conflicts of the Age of Discovery. Largely led by ridiculously small armies of Cossacks in forces numbering in the hundreds, it led to the eventual colonisation of 10% of the world’s landmass. Starting in the 1580s, the process would barely be complete well beyond the period of Irregular Wars, 200 years later. The driving force was the immensely lucrative fur trade. The Russians were after the pelts of many of fauna of Siberia, usually brutally extracting these in the form of yasak or a fur tribute from the many peoples of the area. As the supply dried up, the Russians pushed further east. Like their Slavic and Viking forebears, the Russians took naturally to the forested rivers that crisscrossed the region avoiding the steppe. The various Siberian peoples were very decentralised and were picked off by the interlopers one by one. Like native Americans they had never encountered firearms and tended to get spooked by them very easily, though fighting very bravely. Many were used as auxiliaries to pad out the ever sparse numbers of Russians. The Chukchis and the Koraks represent an exception being very fierce, inveterate head hunters, fanatical (killing themselves rather than be captured). Taking well to firearms themselves in the 18th Century, they genuinely terrified the Russians, helping them to remain unconquered well beyond our period.

Battles in Siberia seldom involved more than a few hundred men on each side and interesting scenarios involving small scale sieges, punishment raids and stealing reindeer herds (the prized livestock) of some of the Siberian peoples abound. The terrain is also fascinating, ranging from the forested taiga covering much of the region to the arctic tundra. Apart from those endless SciFi/Fantasy, WW2 Russian Front, Battle of the Bulge and Lake Peipus 1242 refights, this is a chance to use all that snow terrain. However, it isn’t essential. In homage to it being Siberia, I also use a slightly bigger playing area. If you like fortifications on your table top, the Russian ostrogs (wooden stockades) and blockhouses used to control Siberia should be fun and easy to build. Siberian dwellings bear fascinating parallels to those of the Plains Indians.

I have Phil Barker’s De Bellis Renationis (DBR) Book 3 Army Lists to thank for introducing me to this fascinating episode in history. I never thought DBR, although quite a nice set of rules for larger actions could capture this kind of large skirmish action. My plans lay on hold, until; I stumbled on Mick Yarrow’s 15mm Conquest of Siberia range and Nic Wright’s superb Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World’s End rules (IW) at roughly the same time.

Nic has produced army lists integral to IW for both the Steppe Nomads and Cossacks. The Steppe Nomads list contains options for the Khanty and Mansi subjects whom served the Khanate of Sibir but the Cossack list doesn’t really perhaps capture the forces of the Siberian Cossacks that had very few horses and relied upon tribal auxiliaries. Obviously the rest of the Siberian peoples aren’t mentioned. Other possible protagonists in the IW army lists are the Manchu and Muromachi, but more about that later.

The following is my pitiful attempt at trying to produce IW army list for this fascinating part of the Age of Discovery. I am hugely indebted to Phil Barker’s DBR army lists and to Nic with his work on IW in producing them. Any crass errors are entirely mine.

Notes

I don’t get on well with points in IW and therefore I have left them off. Part of the fun of IW is the unpredictably of what you have to fight with.

I don’t read Russian. I have to rely on English language sources. Unfortunately these are quite sparse and as expected in trying to cover 300 years or more of the history of 10% of the world’s landmass, tend to gloss over details.

What I will do is try to explain my reasoning behind classifications and interpretations. (As my maths teacher always used to say “Show your working son…”) These were only meant as a draft and I am open to suggestions.

I’ve largely extrapolated and tried to reason Nic’s IW interpretation of a DBR troop type. I am not that sure of the number of random elements in the optional companies. I hope that it does not affect game balance. I’ve never been into competition gaming and I don’t think IW had these in mind. A few companies are there for colour. All the native lists get Shamans. Mick produces these in his Inuit range, in addition to reindeer if you want to do an IW “Reive and Retrieve” scenario. This is not ahistorical as shamanism is quite a feature of North Asian peoples. IW tends to produce a broader sweep of list covering a bigger range of peoples but I’ve probably indulged myself by producing several lists covering the general ethnic groups.

I know wargamers tend to get a bit caught up about this sometimes but ultimately we are trying to have a bit of fun.

I am no activist but there is a somewhat serious side to this. Even a cursory look at Wikipedia regarding the Peoples of North Asia (as the various Siberian people are referred to) will show that they and their traditional way of life are fast disappearing. Some are down to maybe less than a dozen speakers of their original language. At least if a few of us are familiar with their names, a bit of their history or even their existence, then perhaps they won’t vanish as easily. I’ll stop there before I get too “preachy”.

Siberian Cossacks

Initiative 3; Command 5u.

In 1581, Hetman Yermak Timofeyevich, a Don Cossack on the wrong side of the law, was sent by the Stroganovs, a Russian mercantile concern, to conquer the Khanate of Sibir with about 800 men. The Khanate was subdued by 1598 but the way was opened for conquest all the way to the Pacific (and beyond our era, even further into Alaska). Forces were extraordinarily small and the Cossacks relied upon native peoples to make up their numbers. Travelling along the rivers and because of the terrain, most forces were largely on foot. The principal advantages were in resolve and the use of firearms which the locals were completely unfamiliar with. Ostensibly under allegiance to the Muscovite Tsars they did receive some assistance in terms of Streltsi and Deti Boyarski. Small brass guns dismounted from their boats tended to be a powerful force multiplier. This list could be used throughout the period and theatre. It can also as an interesting opponent for the Manchurian list as the latter successfully contested Russian encroachment in the Amur Valley from 1652-1689 with the first treaty signed by China with a European power.

Notes

This is a variant of Nic’s Cossack List in IW. Essentially it’s the same list but with a few swaps. I’ve taken out the mounted Cossacks. I’ve added in a few Muscovite supplied odds.) I’m unsure if the small brass guns were Light Ordonnance or Heavy Ordonnance. I have called them the latter because of the devastating effect on the locals. The half-pike which was poor man’s muster substitute for a firearm was being replaced in their western cousins by the berdische axe. It’s unclear if the same development would have happened amongst the Siberian Cossacks or even if half-pikes were widespread enough given the small numbers. The priest is a bit of fun on my part. The Cossacks did not have a great opinion of them, it appears.

Compulsory Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Ataman’s Retinue

Charge +1

Moloitsy Shot

Charge +1

Optional Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Tartar Horse

Archaic Missiles

Charge+1

Loose

Deti Boyarski

Archaic Missiles

Charge +2

Streltsi

Charge +1

1d2

Moloitsy half pike

Long Spears

1d2

Moloitsy with berdische

Polearms

1d3

Moloitsy shot

Charge +1

1d3

Siberian tribal warriors

Archaic missiles. Charge +1, Natives

1d2

Siberian tribal archers

Archaic missiles, Natives

Plastuny scouts

Elusive, Loose, Wild

Priest

-1

Loose, Pious

Small Brass Guns

-1

Heavy ordonnance

Siberian Forest and Tundra Peoples (Khanty/Mansi/Samoyeds/Yukagirs)

Initiative 1; Command 5u.

The Russians met the Komi (or Zyrians), then the Mansi (or Voguls) and the Khanty (or Ostyaks) in and around the Ural Mountains. Some of them, through trade, had iron helmets and mail, but all fought on foot with bows and spears. They had served in the forces in the Khanate of Sibir and subsequently, the Cossacks used them as well after their subdual by the end of the 16th Century. The Samoyeds of the tundra of the Arctic Coast were next and resisted until 1630. Yukagirs, whom were semi-nomadic reindeer hunters were more easily overcome but revolted against the Russians until the 1670s.

Notes

Although not geographically or ethnically contiguous, I have tried to call all these peoples in one list as I did not want have several near identical ones. The essential way of fighting is similar: similar to Eastern Forest Americans. I’ve graded them as Natives because of their reaction to unfamiliar firearms and their familiarity with their home terrain.

Compulsory Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Noble Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

Optional Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Noble Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

1d6

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

1d4

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

1d3

Tribal Archers

Archaic Missiles,

Natives

1d3

Tribal Archers

Archaic Missiles,

Natives

1d4

Scouts

Archaic Missiles, Loose, Natives

1d2

Scouts

Archaic Missiles, Loose, Natives

Shaman

-1

Natives, Loose, Pious

Tungus

Initiative 1; Command 5u.

The Tungus (Evenks) were related linguistically to the Jurchen tribes that formed the Manchus. They were reindeer pastoralists of the open steppe. A few scouts rode reindeer but their strength was ambushes from foot. They used bone, horn and wooden armours. In addition to the bow they used a distinctive glaive like weapon that pops up all over Eastern Siberia: the palma. They were allied to the Buryats. The Tungus were under subjugation by 1641.

Notes:

There is nothing really contentious here. The Buryats make a guest appearance on this list although have a list of their own. I didn’t think multi-army battles with allied contingents were suited to Siberian warfare.

Compulsory Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

Warriors with bow

Archaic missiles, Natives

Optional Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

1d2

Reindeer Scouts

Archaic missiles, Charge +1, Natives, Loose, Reivers

1d6

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

1d4

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

1d3

Warriors with bow

Archaic missiles, Natives,

1d2

Warriors with bow

Archaic missiles, Natives,

1d2

Scouts

Archaic missiles,

Elusive,

Loose, Natives

1d2

Scouts

Archaic missiles,

Elusive,

Loose, Natives

Buryat Ally Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

1d3

Buryat Ally Horse Archers

Archaic missiles,

Loose

Shaman

-1

Natives, Loose,

Pious

Buryats

Initiative 2; Command 6u.

The Buryats are a partly-sedentary Mongol people who settled in and around Lake Baikal, having emigrated there. Of all the Siberian people, they seem to be holding their own into the modern age culturally.

Notes

I have assumed that they are basically similar to their Eastern Mongol cousins possibly with a few tribal auxiliaries. I am unsure if I should have counted them as Natives. The Mongols would have a familiarity with explosives, fireworks etc, I assume. I maybe assuming wrong but ultimately, for an army mainly on horse-back, it should not make a massive difference.

Compulsory Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Buryat Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Buryat Horse Archers

Archaic missiles,

Loose

Optional Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

1d2

Buryat Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

1d2

Buryat Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

1d2

Buryat Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

1d6

Buryat Horse Archers

Archaic missiles,

Loose

1d4

Buryat Horse Archers

Archaic missiles,

Loose

1d3

Buryat Horse Archers

Archaic missiles,

Loose

1d3

Siberian tribal archers

Archaic missiles,

Loose, Natives

Shaman

-1

Natives, Loose, Pious

Yakuts

Initiative 1; Command 5u.

The Yakuts (or Sakha) were of Turkic origin and descendants of the T’u chueh whom migrated into the Lena River Valley from the steppe and assimilated with the surrounding Samoyeds and Tungus peoples. The latter fought in their distinctive styles in Yakut armies. The Yakuts were good at metal working and their armies drew on armoured cavalry using the palma, with nobles possessing horse armour. The Yakuts were conquered by the 1680s.

Notes

Not sure if I’ve got the balance in numbers correct. I like this army as an introduction to the Conquest of Siberia. It’s got a bit of something for everyone. I’ve classed everyone as Natives as I think the Yakuts were sufficiently isolated.

Compulsory Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Yakut Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

Optional Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

1d2

Yakut Nobles

Archaic missiles, Charge +2 Natives

1d2

Reindeer Scouts

Archaic missiles, Charge +1, Natives, Loose, Reivers

1d6

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

1d3

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

1d2

Warriors with palma

Charge +1, Polearms, Natives

1d4

Samoyed Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge +2

Natives

1d3

Samoyed tribal archers

Archaic missiles,Loose, Natives

Shaman

-1

Natives, Loose,

Pious

Chukchis or Koraks

Initiative 3; Command 5u.

These are ethnic groups whom inhabit the far north east of the Asian landmass. Some of them inhabited the arctic sea coasts hunting marine mammals, others were reindeer pastoralists. They were exceptionally fierce and were the only peoples who terrified the Russians. They remained unconquered and eventually, in 1762, forced concessions from them. The maritime tribes were bold enough to venture seaward, raiding into Alaska and the northern islands of Japan. Therefore, potential opponents could be Muromachi and Sengoku Japanese. When I get round to writing lists for North Western Native Americans and Eskimos/Intuits, they are historical adversaries too. Using unique and fantastic armour of bone-plated sealskin, occasionally iron lamellar or wooden armour, they would shoot with composite bows, turn their formidably armoured backs to receive enemy fire, then, charge in for close combat. Headhunting is mentioned and both peoples refused to be caught alive. Chukchis believed in voluntary euthanasia, asking family members to garrotte them when showing the signs of frailty. A macabre Siberian joke relates that if the Chukchis were asked how they would fair in a war against the population of China, they would wonder if there was enough space to bury all the Chinese corpses.

Notes

I had a lot of thinking to do on this list. The Siberian “ninja turtles” as I describe them, I think a few of them more than deserve the IW Savage label. The fact that they readily took to firearms just beyond our period also implies that they did not get spooked by firearms like other North Asian peoples, later on. Classifying them is a bit tricky in IW. The nearest parallel I could find were Chinantec Nobles who used similar tactics. I have made all Charge +3 but have tinkered with the Resolve and cut the numbers down to try to avoid an army of Siberian Supermen. I still think I’ve not got it right. I have put the Native label back to reflect the early days.

Compulsory Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

Headman’s Bodyguard

Archaic missiles, Charge +3, Natives Savage

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge+3, Natives

Optional Companies

Company

Resolve

Move

Melee

Short

Long

Special

1d2

Headhunters

Archaic missiles, Charge +3, Natives, Savage

1d4

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge+3, Natives,

1d3

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge+3, Natives

1d2

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge+3, Natives

Warriors

Archaic missiles, Charge+3, Natives

1d2

Scouts

Archaic missiles,

Elusive,

Loose

1d2

Scouts

Archaic missiles,

Elusive,

Loose,

Shaman

-1

Loose, Pious