The opening shots of the campaign were fired as Tattemberg forces launched a diversionary attack from the southwest. Their aim was to distract the defenders while a more determined assault was made on the stone bridge at Flaschendorf. If possible they were to break through and then come across to flank the garrison guarding the bridge.
From the campaign map, here is the starting point for the battlefield:
Tasked with the attack was Baron von Trapp. He is known for his high intelligence and initiative but tends towards caution which might not make him the ideal candidate if this attack is to press its point. His orders are to march northwest, clearing away the defenders and exiting troops from the point shown with the blue star on the map. He is to expect light resistance with the possibility of fresh enemy troops arriving. There is a clear need for alacrity.
He had under his command the following, all arriving at the start of the battle.
- Musketeers von Trapp
- Light infantry battalion Hanhchinabun
- Bratensosse Jager
- Gelbvogel Hussars
- Schwarzberg Dragoons
As a second in command, to lead the cavalry, von Trapp was accompanied by Baron Claus von Weinachtsbrucke a veteran leader of hussars famed for his courage but less so for his good sense or intelligence.
First in line to oppose the advance were two companies of the Chasseurs du Poulet under the command of Captain Lacrosse, an able if not outstanding career officer. They needed to hold out until reinforcements arrive and found the best defensive terrain they could, a small farm on a low ridge. The farm house itself was a fragile affair, but there were a couple of stone-walled cattle pens nearby to provided stout cover. Lacrosse also instructed his men to use some logs to block the road.
Von Weinachtsbricke and the hussars led the Tattemberger column with jagers fanning out to the west. Behind them came the light infantry and dragoons, with the musketeers bringing up the rear. Seeing Lacrosse's strong position the jager commenced long-range fire with their rifles while the hussars worked around to the east and the chasseurs formed line in the centre.
Lacrosse could do little but wait. Crouching behind the stone walls his men were little affected by the rifle bullets. The sound of hoofbeats in their rear caused some anxiety but it was soon revealed to be the arrival of friends in the form of a squadron of the Hussars d'Etranger commanded by Major L'Eclair. The major skillfully brought his troopers into two lines and immediately charged directly at their opposite numbers. The resulting clash of was hard fought, but swung the way of the Gallians who then pursued the shaken enemy and routed the Gelbvogel hussars.
Keeping a clear head Baron Weinachtsbrucken, understanding the need to maintain the pace of advance wasted no time in committing the Schawarzberg Dragoons to a counterattack. They plunged into the recovering Hussars d'Etranger, sabres gleaming in the cold morning sunlight, sweeping them away and mortally wounding the unfortunate Major L'Eclair.
While the cavalry ebbed and flowed on the eastern flank the infantry battle was a slower moving affair. For no good reason the Bratensosse jager abruptly withdrew in panic leaving the light infantry isolated and exposed until the musketeers finally came up on their flank. Lacrosse and his chasseurs could not believe their luck as they watched their enemies milling around in confusion at the foot of the ridge. Arriving with the musketeers was Von Trapp in person. Rallying the jager on his left, he ordered the light infantry to take the cattle pen to their front and the musketeers to form an assault column and seize the roadblock. Abandoning caution the Tattemberg infantry prioritised the advance and eschewed directing any volleys against their opponents. Trusting that their advantage in numbers would carry the day charges were ordered and bayonet-tipped muskets were lowered...
The brave Captain Lacrosse ordered his men to fire a final desperate volley at close range. While not devastating, this caused some disorder among the attackers which was enough to prevent the light infantry coming into contact. With the jager also refusing their orders to enter hand-to-hand, only one melee occurred. The musketeer column crashed into the roadblock and its paltry defenders. Against the odds the Gallian morale held and the attackers stepped back once and then again despite 5:1 odds in their favour.
After an hour or so of fierce fighting the Tattemberg advance was in disarray. To add to their woes their opponents had been reinforced by a squadron of the Dragoons d'Bagatelle and Major Mantelwenden's infantry of the German emigre Regiment Sechshugel. Von Trapp pulled his men back out of musket range to consider his options. While he had drawn in a number of enemy units and a squadron of gallon hussars had been destroyed, he was nowhere near breaking through....
That was a great start to the campaign and a chance to refamiliarise myself with my Bloodybacks rules while working through the tweaks to the melee system that I'm working on. While only featuring a small number of units this kept things manageable and there was no lack of events. I think Von Trapp has no option now other than to try to press the attack again and make better use of his troops. As the chance of a rapid breakthrough has gone he can maybe be more measured the second time around. He does have only rifle-armed troops and has a 2:1 advantage in cavalry, even if the Gelbvogel Hussars are quite cut-up.
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