...in which Baron Von Trapp attempts to breakthrough the Gallian rearguard again!
After the initial combat went so poorly for the forces on Tattemberg (see Chapter 1) the Baron brought his subordinates together to determine their next plan of action. There was no option but to resume the advance and to this end the musketeers were again formed in the centre but this time each flank was covered by a mixed force of jager and light infantry. The covering force on the left flank came under the independent command of Captain Schurke, while the musketeers and their right-hand cover were directly led by Von Trapp himself. Further to the right, both Tattemberg cavalry units (dragoons and hussars) held in place under Baron Von Weinachtsbrucken.
I rolled up the attributes for Captain Schurke, getting the following:
- Leadership 8
- Education 7
- Independence 3
- Aggression 9
- Courage 4
- Constitution 9
- Honour 5
- Patronage 10
- Wealth 5
- AGE 28
- Command Rating 4
- Initiative Points 1
He seems an interesting character, doesn't he? Possessed of decent command ability, if only as a subordinate under close supervision it is has character which may be more in doubt. Lacking in courage, wealth and honour one wonders how long his patronage will last, or indeed how he has managed to drag himself away from the card tables and other dens of iniquity. He really is old enough no know better!
On the other side of the battlefield Major Mantelwenden had not been idle. his two wings of infantry had been placed atop the ridge facing Von Trapp. Captain Lacrosse's chasseurs had been divided into two platoons, on on the left flank and one on the right/rear keeping watch on Von Weinachtsbrucke. Lastly the Dragoons d'Bagatelle formed in the rear where they were joined by one of the army commanders ADCs who had ridden forward to gather information. This young junior officer, Sous-captain Laforge has the attributes below:
- Leadership 5
- Education 9
- Independence 9
- Aggression 9
- Courage 8
- Constitution 6
- Honour 10
- Patronage 5
- Wealth 3
- AGE 17
- Command Rating 4
- Initiative Points 5
His deficit in years may explain his embryonic leadership skills, but he certainly possesses an impressive range of martial talents, which is fortunate for him as he lacks the wealth or patronage that will propel many of his contemporaries up the ranks.
With both forces arrayed in their ranks the battle recommenced. For the next forty minutes the jager detachments sniped at their opponents and the musketeers engaged in long range speculative fire. Some bullets hit home but it soon became apparent that the Gallian commanders were possessed of greater verve and elan than those of Tattemberg and more able to rally away disorder. Weight of numbers would eventually tell, but eventually can take a long time.
Von Trapp had however learned the lessons of earlier impetuosity. He ordered the jager and light infantry to move forward steadily on the flanks, keeping up harassing fire on the enemy, while the musketeers moved up in the centre. Von Weinachtsbrucke likewise formed his two cavalry units side by side but attempted no aggressive manoeuvring at this stage.
Mantelwenden had no intention of sacrificing the initiative to such an unimaginative opponent as Von Trapp, or of seeing his small force strangled. This was a rearguard action, not a suicide mission. Lacrosse was ordered back to the northern cattle pen, while the formed infantry of the Sechshugel regiment withdrew to the rear of the southern pen, still benefitting from the cover of stone walls and the farm.
The Tattembergers pushed up to occupy the vacated ground and reformed their line on this high ground. The cavalry on both sides continued to eye each other warily despite the underlying aggression of their officers. Losing too many horsemen in the opening skirmish could have serious ramifications for the campaign's outcome; the Gillian's having already seen their hussars rout and the Tattemberg hussars suffering significant casualties.
...and that's where we will leave matters for this instalment. Some two hours into the campaign the rearguard is still paving a tricky obstacle for Von Trapp and to the west the rest of the Tattemberg army is preparing to commence its drive towards Vierecksbrucke, an advance which will be so much harder if the diversionary force doesn't achieve its mission, at least in part.
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