// The Battle of Sagwerksdorf //
Fusiliers of the Sechshugel Regiment advance through Sagwerksdorf
Clean your musket locks and give the horses extra oats, the campaign is underway again. We find ourselves again over on the eastern side of events, with the Tattemberg column of Von Trapp inching his way north towards Vierecksbrucke in the face of determined resistance from a small Gallian force centred on Major Mantelwenden's Sechshugel Regiment.
Following the recent action at Essigford both commanders had choices to make. The next settlement up the road is Sagwerksdorf, a substantial village situated between hills and forests. I created three options for each side and diced for these to see what scenario would transpire.
Mantelwenden's options were:
- Cautious: Fall back north of Sagwerksdorf to rendezvous with reinforcements
- Passive: Occupy and defend Sagwerksdorf, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements
- Aggressive: Fall back north of Sagwerksdorf, renzezvous with reinforcements and immediately counter-attack the advancing Von Trapp
Von Trapp's options were:
- Passive: Await reinforcements at Essigford before resuming the advance
- Cautious: Resume a slow advance toward Sagwerksdorf to allow reinforcements to catch up
- Aggressive: Advance rapidly to occupy Sagwerksdorf, reinforcements will be some distance to the rear
It was determined by die rolls modified by commander personalities that Von Trapp would take the cautious option while Mantelwenden would be aggressive. The scenario arising would see Von Trapp arriving from the south close to Sagwerksdorf with reinforcements just a few turns behind, while Mantelwenden would be marching hard from the north having been reinforced to replace previous losses. A classic "encounter" battle, no less.
Mantelwenden has also been joined by a senior commander, the Duc de Pommefrite and a new leader for his cavalry, Major Pierre Deuxbistro. Both shared similar characteristics, being very able leaders and adminstrators but lacking a little in the more "heroic" attributes. Von Trapp's initial forces are fellows we have seen before. His reinforcements will be those described in the Fifth Interlude of the campaign diary, including Sir Timothy Trinkett.
I\ve tweaked command ratings a little for some characters when compared to previous games.
// Armies //
Tattemberg:
Von Trapp: (Command 4, Initiative 3)
- Musketeer Regiment von Trapp (Quality 3) [30 figures]
- Bratensosse Jager (Quality 4) [18 figures in two companies]
Captain Schurke: (Command 4, Initiative 2)
- Hahnchinabun battalion of light infantry (Quality 3) [24 figures]
Major Verbockt: (Command 3, Initiative 4)
- Schwarzwald Dragoons, Squadron A (Quality 4) [6 mounted figures]
- Schwarzwald Dragoons, Squadrons B and C (Quality 3) [2 x 6 mounted figures]
- Gelbvogel Hussars, Squadrons C and D (Quality 3) [2 x 6 mounted figures]
Sir Timothy Trinkett: (Command 3, Initiative 3) ARRIVES AROUND TURN 4 or 5
- Salzundpfeffer Musketeers (Quality 4) [30 figures]
- Trinketstadte light infantry battalion (Quality 3) [21 figures]
- Trinketstade Ducal Guard, Light Squadron (Quality 4) [6 mounted figures]
Gallia:
Duc de Pomfrite: (Command 5, Initiative 2)
(no units directly assigned to his command but can issue orders to any unit in the army. If Mantelwenden's aggressive plan runs into trouble he will relieve him of command beyond regimental level and assume the role of C-in-C, no pressure then!)
Major Mantelwenden: (Command 4, Initiative 4)
- 1st Battalion, Sechshugel Regiment (Quality 3) [20 figures]
- 2nd Battalion, Sechshugel Regiment (Quality 3) [20 figures]
- Combined flank companies, Sechshugel Regiment (Quality 4) [16 figures]
- Field gun section (Quality 4) [4 gunners, 1 gun]
- Chasseurs de Poulet [16 figures]
Major Deuxbistro: (Command 5, Initiative 2)
- Hussars d'Etranger, 1st Squadron (Quality 4) [6 mounted figures]
- Hussars d'Etranger, 2nd Squadron (Quality 3) [6 mounted figures with lances]
- Hussars d'Etranger, 3rd Squadron (Quality 3) [6 mounted figures]
-Dragoons d'Baguette, 4th and 5th Squadrons (Quality 3) [2 x 6 mounted figures]
// Setup //
Mantelwenden's troops set up in and around the village of Sagwerksdorf. His infantry and artillery in the centre, cavalry on the left (east) flank to take advantage of open ground and the Chasseurs de Poulet on the right flank where the terrain is dominated by forest and the sawmill. The operational plan is one of aggressive counter-attack, so the army will seek to engage the enemy in the early turns.
Von Trapp's units have depolyed opposite the village. He has also placed is cavalry to the east and has sent his light infantry to the west. The jager have divided into two companies, one will occupy the eastern woods to support the cavalry, while the second will occupy the gap between the infantry centre and the light infantry moving towards the sawmill. The musketeers will seek to occupy the hill in the south-centre of the battlefield. Von Trapp favours caution unless clear opportunities present themselves.
General views of the battlefield at the start:
Closer views of some of the forces:
Tattemberg right flank cavalry
Gallian cavalry
Mantelwenden's infantry and artillery move through Sagwerksdorf
The Duc de Pommefrite issues orders to is ADC, the uncertain Major Haddoque
The combined grenadier and chasseur companies of the Sechshugel Regiment
Hahnchinabun light infantry battalion marching to the west flank
The Tattemberg centre and right, keen to be reinforced!
// Turn 1 //
The turn of the first card revealed a "4" indicating that this would be a 'long' turn providing all activated units with an additional action. This was amplified by some excellent command rolls providing an extremely exciting first turn in which units were able to leap forward as their commanders sought to put plans into practice. In the east the Gallian cavalry under Deuxbistro charged headlong at their opponents. The 2nd squadron of the Hussars d'Etranger contacted Squadron A of the Schwarzwald Dragoons in the first melee, while to their right a squadron of the Gelbvogel Hussars was caught to the front by the 1st squadron of the Hussars d'Etranger and to the flank by the 5th squadron of the Dragoons d'Baguette who had made some awesome movement die rolls to reach them. All the jager could do was pick away at the supporting squadron of hussars.
The ensuing combat saw the Schwarzwald dragoons repel the lance-armed hussars, who routed and exposed their supporting squadron to the pursuing the Schwarzwalders. At the same time, the pincer movement on the Gelbvogel hussars was successful, routing the yellow-clad horsemen and causing the collapse of their supporting squadron. These actions led to pursuits and a second round of melee:
After the initial charges. Red arrows show routs and green ones show pursuits
Once pursuits were resolved we see each side has two squadrons of hussars in rout
A closer view of the action
Meanwhile, in the centre we saw the Von Trapp musketeers occupy the hill while a company of jager moved further forward into the forests, only to feel overexposed as the elements of the Sechshugel Regiment marched forward:
Well, that all felt a bit non-stop and frantic. I wonder what will happen next?...
// Turn 2 //
The first card this time was a less-exciting "2". This would be a normal turn with no extra actions. Both cavalry forces were very disordered so would need to focus on getting themselves back into shape. Lots of rally orders were issued. The Gelbvogel Hussars managed to recover both squadrons from their rout, which was fortunate given their proximity to the table edge. The Hussars d'Etranger were less lucky; 2nd squadron continued to rout northwards while 3rd squadron proved unrecoverable and was removed from the battle. While no-one was able to take offensive action, the turn did see the Squadron A of the Schwarzwald Dragoons very exposed, with a squadron of the Dragoons d'Baguette manoeuvring to their rear. Next turn could get a bit spicy. The jager company in the wood continued to look for targets of opportunity.
The fight for the forest saw both light infantry battalions exchanging musket volleys around the sawmill.
The centre position continued to develop as the Gallians brought their artillery forward before it became masked by the infantry battalions. The combined grenadiers and chasseurs engaged the Von Trapp musketeers and a steady firefight ensued, with the support of the jager company who hurried back from the woods to form up on the musketeers' left flank.
A more "slow and steady" turn, but the situation continues to develop.
// Turn 3 //
Another 'long' turn following a "4" being revealed. More action and more excitement to follow?
Let's start in the forest, where the additional action and the personal direction of Captain Schurke saw the Hahnchinabun battalion deliver a rough volley and charge the Chassuers de Poulet. Suffering some disorder from the volley and being slightly outnumbered, the Chasseurs caught the worst of things and were compelled to cede ground to their opponents. This will leave them in open ground next turn...
The cavalry on the eastern flank continued to prioritise the rallying of disorder. Sadly for the Gallians the 2nd sqadron of hussars continued to rout and exited the table. This left them with only three squadrons facing five. The aggressive tactics of turn 1 seem to have not paid off so far. In an effort to alter the odds, the Dragoon d'Baguette squadron charged the Schwarzwald Dragoons in the rear:
The charge goes in!
The dice rolls are...OK but not great...and the Tattembergers are driven back but not broken
When their time comes, the men in blue even attempt a charge of thier own to take advantage of the Gallian disorder. They just need to roll a move of 6 inches on 2d12...a 4....and a 1...oh dear
The Tattemberg cavalry look to be getting back into the game more effectively than the Gallians!
Focusing now on the centre, the Sechshugel Regiment now has to worry about cavalry threatening its flank in a way that was never in the plan. The 2nd battalion swings east, while the 1st battalion wheel to the west to enfilade the Von Trapp musketeers. There's not enough actions to actually shoot, but that hill could get very uncomfortable for someone next turn. This really will be the time to strike. Both Gallian flanks are under pressure and this counterattack is in real danger of utter failure.
That's where we will pause things for now. The next turn may be decisive. The Gallians need to achieve something significant in the centre and they need to do it before any Tattemberg reinforcements show up.
Will Mantelwenden be bested by von Trapp of all people? Will the tortoise overcome the hare?! Is it time for Pommefrite to decide someone's had their chips? See you next time...
Fantastic stuff, Steve, the mileage you’re getting from my little book is so gratifying! H
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