Cossacks are perhaps one of the most famous military formations of Russia and the Soviet Union. They fought on both sides in the Russian Civil War and again for and against the Soviet Union in 1941-45. Given their fame, it is surprising that they appear so rarely in ASL and SASL scenarios, although this may be due partly to the vulnerability of Cavalry. The following is an attempt to create an SASL Cossack company and also to give players an incentive to use the neglected 5-2-7 counters and maybe get a feel for the Cavalry rules at the same time.
Leader x 2: 5-2-7 x 9: 1 x 2-2-7: 1-2-7 x 3: LMG x 3: 4-10 MMG x 1: Lt. Mtr x 1: ATR x 2: 9 Squad-sized Horse counters, 3 HS-sized Horse counters: Wagon x 1.
Leader x 2: 5-2-7 x 12: 1-2-7 x 3: LMG x 3: 4-10 MMG x 1: Lt. Mtr x 1: ATR x 2: 12 Squad-sized Horse counters, 3 HS-sized Horse counters: Wagon x 1.
Should a Cossack unit pass the criteria of S18.56 and gain Guards status, a result of 5-2-7 on the Squad Replacement Table is treated as 6-2-8 and one of 2-2-7 as 3-2-8. A 6-12 MMG and Wagon are also received.
At no time should any Wagon(s) or Horses be counted towards the total US# of the unit, as these are used purely as transport.
Cossack units also fought alongside the German army. The wisdom of this choice, and of the subsequent tragedy that befell those survivors handed back to Stalin, lay outside of the scope of this article. German Cossack units have appeared once in ASL in A33, "The Cossacks are coming!".
A suggested Axis Cossack company is as follows:
Leader x 2: 5-4-8 x 9: 2-4-8 x 1: 1-2-7 x 3: LMG x 3: MMG x 1: Lt. Mtr x 1: ATR x 2: 9 Squad-sized Horse counters, 4 HS-sized counters. ELR is as for German units: the company is treated as German for all purposes.