The Rebel Lands Campaign, episode 4: A Taste of Blood

Herbert von Plischke dared not wait any longer for his subordinate von Spülge's marching column. Thus he arrived at the front earlier with the troops under his direct command, hoping he would be not too late. News of the defeat of the Rebel army reached him while on the march, and at first there was conflicting evidence of his allied command disintegrating. As he neared the scene, he met troops rested and more or less well organised, and by then he knew the situation was not so dire as previously pictured. 

Prince Hegyeshváry Szabolcs's army was falling back in good order on interior lines, and he could even commit a large part of his force to halt the advance of the other Medvetland column, for which von Spülge was grateful - it would have been a very uneven fight without any support from the locals. 

After some milling about, the Allied army met the Medvetland regulars at the Battle of Bodros Hill. Von Plischke could deploy his superior artillery on the commanding height, and direct the battle from there.

The Rebel Lands Campaign, episode 3: Making a Stand

The Rebel Lands army, now thinking themselves sufficient to give battle after major concentrations, chose their ground well and stood against an invading Medvetland column.

Colonial Wars - Major Powers clash

The Qutut Bog was the site of a clash between the Böhnstadter colonial army and the Glambrian expeditionary force. Although a more numerous Glambrian force was the one to start an advance, they were somewhat surprised in their positions - although not on par with the hardy Böhnstadters, the Glambrian soldiers were fleet-footed enough to form battle order and move their heavy battery up the sandhill east of Qutut Town.

The fall of Forte Vecchia

The loyalist patrols in the south-western area of operations have suffered great losses and became ever rarer. Forte Vecchia, the last loyalist stronghold north of the royal road was now isolated, with two hundred provincial infantry bottled up inside.

The fortress itself was built on an old castle, and the recent years of peace had caused it to fall into disrepair. The moat had dried up and the old fort was crumbling.

Count Calvacasa, on the other hand, had a very pressing matter: how to deal with the mountain bandits now that it was his hinterlands they were keen on raiding. He pressed on to abuse the high morale of the bandits after their recent victories, and suggested a storming of Forte Vecchia, reinforced by the foot dragoons moving from the direction of San' Filipo. A straightforward attack would mean high losses on the bandits' side, and a quick taking of the stronghold.

A small town in Quattri Formaggi...

Brigadier Charmant mustered his troops at the Formaggian shore after a series of successful raids against the seaports. He's had three galloper guns, five battalions of skirmisher infantry and three large hussar squadrons, the famous Hussards Bleus included.

He had good reconnaisance - despite his old age, he was a cunning light infantry officer, just the man the Glambrian court needed for the job. Therefore he knew well that Condottiere Lasciato was marching against him with five battalions of line foot, four guns, three dragoon and one cuirassier units - whether they were oversized squadrons or small regiments, he could not tell.

Fight at the Flosse bridgehead

Half of Bishop Michheim's brigade stood at the western bridge on the Flosse that General Hohenspitz was assaulting. The troops hid behind heavy entrenchments, with a battalion of militia as reserve on the right bank.

The battle of Rammsfeld

The retreating Flossian force from Grübsburg reached Elector von Presser south of the town of Rammsfeld. This was a great open plain and the Elector chose this as the site of his battle. He counted on the enemy being aggressive as suggested by earlier reports: every time the Flossians took a beating the Principality forces had the initiative. He hoped to change that. From the 6th Brigade and his own he had a great number of light infantry: three two-company battalions of Pandurs zu Fuss and three full-size battalions of Jäger led by his nephew. The Flossian army, however, lacked cavalry as the complete cavalry force was captured by von Spülge. Knowing the great number of cavalry in the enemy army, the elector feared a flanking attack, so the flanks of the two main lines were reinforced with the Erlblatt Dragoons and one Pandur battalion on each. 

The Flossian main battle line consisted of three infantry regiments, the 8th and 9th fusiliers and the Presser Leib, eight battalions in total. The Grenadier battalion added to the Pandurs was set up in the centre. The centre body had, in fact, three lines, the light infantry making up the third.

Princeps Erhard Berthold had only six foot battalions. These were set up in two lines, similarly to that of the Flossians, but the lines were much closer and the rear could support and reinforce the first line. On the left flank stood two battalions of the 5th Dragoons, on the right, closer to the main line the Prinzess Angela cuirassiers, and then the 3rd regular dragoon company with the Paulitz hussars and the Freelancers. However, instead of the rash tactics employed earlier, the Princeps decided to stand ground.

The Flossian battery started the battle with ineffectively gunning the Böhnstadter centre. There was a slight slope between the two and most cannonballs struck this. The Böhnstadter cannon did not answer. A short while later the skirmisher line started marching cautiously through the plain between the two armies: now the two five-gun batteries shot two volleys, scattering some Jäger but not halting the advance. The Flossian commanders expected a counterattack and marched slowly to firing distance: soon the Böhnstadter dragoons moved out and the infantry started shooting. In a frenzy, the younger von Presser ordered a full-blown attack which escalated to heavy musket fire and then a charge against the thick Böhnstadter first line, causing more harm to the Jäger than to their enemies. They fell back in disorder but luckly neither the dragoons nor the cuirassiers pursue them.

Now the Princeps ordered the far right to move out, just as the Elector planned: what he did not perceive was the sheer number of this force. The Freelancers mounted to 180, the Dragoon battalion had 90 men and the Leibhussaren von Paulitz 170: despite quickly reinforcing his left, the 180 dragoons and 140 Pandurs could not hold the enemy back. The light cavalry conducted their charge with perfect coordination from the Dragoons' volleys and the ad-hoc battle line broke. Despite the Freelancers being eager to pursue, their commanders (on the Princeps' orders) stopped them. The main Flossian force, stripped of all support, faced them and stood ground. The Böhnstadter cannon stopped shooting again. 

This lasted for roughly half an hour when a Principality emissary arrived at Elector von Presser's headquarters. The man handed the elector a letter bearing the royal seal:

"South-East of Rammsfeld, Bacher Hill, 12:40AM

If your Mercy pleases, he may attack with his battle line, fearing not our flanking units which will stay put. Furthermore, your Mercy may, if his attack falters, retreat in good order without fear of any Böhnstadter pursuit.

Signed, Princeps Erhard Berthold, Commander-in-Chief, 2nd Dreichholm Brigade"

This mockery and gallantry was not very well perceived by the Elector and he ordered the advance immediately. The Princeps' reasoning was that he had the battle won, and his men needed experience: he trusted his soldiers well and not without reason. The Flossian lines came crashing into the Böhnstadter regiments, but the first line held out; then the second line counter-charged the Von Presser Leib and for a while all was a mess; the 5th Dragoons attacked the 9th Flossian on their right, the cannon poured grapeshot then all fell silent...

The Böhnstadter lines held out and the Flossians were beaten again; the Elector organized the ruins of his forces and, as was promised, retreated westwards without further harm done to him.

What von Presser did not and Princeps Erhard Berthold did think of was that not only the battle, but the war had already been won; Hohenspitz under Rückelburg and the main Flossian army again soundly beaten, the heads of Schultze-Böhnstadt were only waiting for a peace treaty by the Union leaders.

The Battle of Skreptsdorf

On the following morning, Elector Michheim devised his battle plan.

His centre consisted of the large body of foot he had at his disposal. These were very low quality troops. 

The centre of the forward line was the large Losenburg battalion, behind it the similarly large Militia battalion that had no firearms. To their right stood one ragged Landwehr unit of two companies and the guns in the second line; West of these again two Landwehr units. The rest was equally distributed on the left centre. 

On the far left flank stood one Dragoon unit, on the right, below the walls, two.

Von Hohenspitz conducted a reconnaisance mission earlier with a Freelancer troop and decided to form a standard battle line, the 1st Prinzipalitär's five battalions in the first and the 2nd's three and the Eugen Jäger in the second. Two large amassed bodies of horse were sent on the flanks, the regulars (one unit of Leibdragoner and Annelise Cuirassiers on both flanks, plus the Garde on the left) were supported by the light Freelancers further outwards. The general wished to hold the two ends of the Flossian line in a pincer then deliver the fatal blow with his superior infantry.

The battle began with the cannon opening fire on each other. The Flossian guns' shot fell short and landed between the 1st Regiment's ranks. The first Böhnstadter battery returned fire towards the enemy cannon while the 2nd battered the first enemy line in the centre.

A little while later the Böhnstadter cavalry moved out and confronted the Flossian dragoons. The right flank gave way quickly but the left held out. Nonetheless, the two main lines became unbalanced. The Böhnstadter main attack swung to the right from its left end and rolled the Flossian defense up. At the first signs of disorder the green Union troops ran away, and in an hour the Landwehr brigade had been totally dispersed. Elector Michheim escaped, carried off by a fleeing dragoon company. Most of the troops ran away too as von Hohenspitz did not pursue. The bishop's delayment tactics seemed to work for a while, but now the Flossian hinterlands are in danger...

While a lot of men were wounded on the Böhnstadter side, most of those were minor and losses were thus minimal. The 1st regiment's Grenadier companies suffered a great deal.

Strutzenheim's Onslaught

 As there still are technical difficulties with Cossacks, your humble scribe will describe the battle that happened at the town of Strutzenheim by using the map of the area.
 Strutzenheim lies at a crossroads - the main Störkburger road runs east-west, and the northern road joins in at the town centre. There is a small mill and a church bar some dwellings of the locals, and the town hall at the crossroads. 

April Fools Day

'Ah, motherland', sighed Dietrich von Spülge, looking out to his family estate near the river. He was more than contended with himself: he had beaten the Flossians out of the town and was close to retake Grübsheim and, essentially, end the war while the old Hohenspitz got bogged down in the south.

'Any news of the 1st Brigade?', he asked his aide, but the man just shook his head. 'No, sir, and none from the Princeps.' 'All right. The staff meeting is due this afternoon, Franz, so please look after the dinner. You may find quality red wine in the cellar, had the scoundrels not sacked it.' 'As far as I know, sir, the Flossians respected the civil authority here and did not loot the houses.' 'At least that is what they say now that they are captured. How are their wounded, by the way?' 'The officers are fine, the rank and file not so much. We haven't got enough surgeons.' ''Tis true, my man. Well, send a second errand to the forts nearby and ask for help.' 

As von Spülge told this, the aide knew the Brigade won't be moving for quite a while. On the staff meeting, von Spülge will tell his officers that he wishes to wait: wait for the Flossians to reinforce and rebuild the walls of Grübsheim. 

Erik von Südflosse knocked on the door of the Princeps' main office room. 'Come in!' coughed the head of the state, then sipped some tea from his large mug. 'Blasted hay-fever. What are your intentions, Chancellor?'

'Your Highness. I have, by the reports of my... informators, come to the conclusion that General von Spülge will not be as effective on the North as is expected. Misunderstand me not, he is a great warrior, it seems, but not suitable for leading a brigade.'

'What led you to this conclusion?'

'After beating the Flossians out of his estate, he did not pursue nor march to retake our lost fief of Grübsheim. Grübsheim is strategically important, as it forms the bridgehead on the Grühne.'

'So he did win after all, but how are your subordinates so quick to tell you all this?'

'I have my means and so do you, Your Highness.'

'You wish to suggest something.'

'You know me too well, my Princeps. I propose either the relief of von Spülge as brigade commander or the setting up of a third brigade and joining forces with him.'

'Who would be eligible to lead a brigade?'

'We cannot take commanders from the 1st, Your Highness. Neither can we appoint the old Colonel Spilsske from the 2nd brigade, for he is only a Lieutenant Colonel, although highly trained and experienced. Colonel von Paulitz had died in the charge of his Hussars, so we have Oberst von Kahlen as a sole hope within the Brigade.'

'This implies you have thought of outsiders as well.'

'I have thought of you, Your Highness. It would certainly boost morale and the necessary actions shall be made under your direct control. While you take the lead, you can appoint von Spülge to raise a third brigade and judge him fit when he is done without doing his honor any major harm.'

'It will be so, then. Prepare a pair of my best horses and a dozen of my Guard for the journey.'

'As you wish, Your Highness. Leave the matters of the state for me while you are away.'

'Do you wish to come?'

'I judge myself more fit to fumble with documents and numbers.'

'And spies who are faster than wind. I'll need you there, prepare a horse for yourself too. We'll be done with this war in a month, for this is the most serious threat to the state at present.'

'As you command, my Princeps.'

'No! There will be no cavalry charge against the village!', cried General von Hohenspitz, facing two of his cavalry commanders, Colonels Schalwerden and von Petzger. 'This is a pitched battle, and so we will do everything by the book: may the foe be proven a fool on April Fools Day or not. They have known we would be here for a day; they knew which direction were we coming from; and I will not risk a single branch, especially not in favor of the others. What would the Jäger and the pioneers think? These are but odd jobs for the Brigade, judging by the report of your men, Petzger. So let each and every arm try its strength and believe itself useful for the sake of us all. Understood?'
'Sir', nodded the two cavalrymen. The General gave them the order of the battle.

Bishop Michheim was still considering his options. He could disengage and retreat to any of the three forts nearby. Going to Grübsburg on the North would be a risky move as von Hohenspitz could reach his marching armies. He could take a stand then retreat to Waldhoffen in the nearby woods.
The closest fortifications of Strutzenheim had only nine companies of infantry for defense. The Bishop was not sure to dare leave them to their fate.
'Orders, sir?', the commander of the 1st Landwehr regiment asked him. 'We take battle, but be very cautious and don't push too far. We're only here to delay them.'

Thus it dawned on the battle of Strutzenheim.

2nd Battle of Spülge

The good Dietrich von Spülge and his Dreichholm Brigade crossed the Grühne River the day before, and now they were mounting a full attack on the positions of the Flossian 5th Klaußstadt Cavalry Brigade. They knew little of the enemy besides the stories of the soldiers who managed to escape through the bridge when the Flossians attacked the town, so von Spülge decided the matter should be handled with care.

It's Raining Under Mecklenheim

Despite the ultimatum, the main gates of the little fortress Mecklenheim were still open on the morning which General von Hohenspitz decided to be best fit for the attack.

The garrison consisted of two fusilier battalions and three militia battalions; these latter had two companies only. The companies were separated and stationed around the outer perimeter guarded by wooden walls. The two regular battalions were divided to 10x24-men groups.

Von Hohenspitz woke up to his old bones aching. "Tis the damn rain!', he cried out. The aide-du-camp waiting outside his tent brought his greatcoat while the other one, with a lower rank, looked after his horse. He's usually been in a good mood so far, seeing how fast his campaign progresses, but the foul weather made him grumpy - and that was something his enemies wouldn't like on a battlefield. He has quickly written some orders and passed it down to the ADCs, then mounted his horse and rode off. The Brigade was already in marching order which the General accepted with a quick nod towards the group of regimental commanders. 

'I have exactly one day to finish this, so I do hope your troops did everything to keep their powder dry', he said, reaching them. The commanders greeted him properly, but it seemed they were as much affected by the spring rain as was their general. 'You received your orders? Good. Then let us begin.'

Grübsheim falls

'Today these walls won't hold us back', von Leuchtenberg exclaimed with confidence. He was determined to take the fort no matter how big the brigade's losses are.

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Siege of Grübsheim, Day 1

The Flossian army had prepared to storm Grübsheim. They had a full brigade of foot with two artillery batteries and a pioneer battalion. Von Leuchtenberg studied the outlay of the defensive works:

Grübsheim is near a lake on the left bank of the River Grühne. The lake is connected to the walls with a canal and supplies the moat surrounding the fort with plenty of water. There's one crossing on the canal guarded by three towers. More guntowers are placed around the walls, marked as dark red dots on the sketch above.

The fort itself is a star-shaped one with an outer wall which ties the two ends of the moat together in the south. 'This is where we'll attack', announced von Leuchtenberg. 'After the outer wall is crushed, all we've got to do is take them out by force. Send the Pandurs over that crossing and see if they can pass,' he ordered Colonel von Werther. 'Take the pioneers if you'd want to, but make sure they pack up some siege weapons for the rest of the brigade.'

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The first act of war

In the fog of dawn, the 5th Klaußstadt Cavalry Brigade, which left the town of Geistwold during the last, starless night, gathered and took up formations at the outskirts of Spülge, on the left (western) bank of the River Grühne, and at first sunlight the first squadrons descended on the town.

Rolled 1d10 to see how many miltia battalions are quartered in Spülge = resulted in 4. 
Rolled 1d20 for commander's Training, -1 Militia Officer, = resulted in 18-1, Seasoned.

Von Strutzenheim and the two heavy cavalry regiments arrived from the northern road leading to Geistwold. His plan was relatively simple, but he hoped the spies' informations were correct and there was an ignorable force stationed in Spülge. 'It will be an easy ride, my fellows', he said, then continued on to explain the plan.

The light cavalry regiments, the III. Carabiniers and the IV. Hussars will circle round the town and attack from the southern road as a first wave.

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Schultzdorf Brigade on muster

A small group of riders left the south-eastern gate of Böhnstadt in an early March morning. The group was led by a middle-aged man riding a white horse: Princeps Erhard Berthold von Jazygia, who, by the invitation of the man accompanying him, Generalmajor von Hohenspitz, managed to make some changes in his schedule and rode to see the 1st or Schultzdorf Brigade.

They left the gate galloping but slowed their steeds soon to enjoy the morning weather. 

'So you're saying, Hohenspitz, that our army is ready to fight?' The Princeps was eager to start a conversation.

'Yes, your Highness, they are very fine and well-behaved men...'

'Well?'

'At least most of them. No complaining, they do their job and that's all I need.'

'Do you keep discipline then?'

'Of course I do. The first principle of maintaining an army is discipline.'

'Let's see the army then, my good man.'

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Attack on the outpost

Captain Fritz von Braun, while smoking his clay pipe, prepared a patrol at a guard post near the Flossian border of Schultze-Böhnstadt. They were just a few miles west of Rotsdorf but the Captain did not like this place at all. He had a platoon of lazy foot soldiers, four hussars who were more lazy if that could even be possible, and another platoon of the local Border Guards who were just unmentionably lazy.

Doesn't matter, the patrol began. At least they are accepting orders, von Braun told himself. But as they wandered off to the woods westwards of the outpost...

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