The Viereckstal Campaign. Chapter 8 (Part 4)

 // The Battle of Marschfurt //

// Turns 6 //

A slower pace of action as work and commuting exert their effects on my time and energy, however I have continued to squeeze in the game turns and push the battle towards a conclusion. An interesting comparison with the previous game is that only one turn this time has been a "long" one generating additional actions for units. This has contributed to a more ponderous battle, as has the Tattemberg army having commanders of notably less ability than their Gallian opponents and the average unit on either side really being of second-line quality with a smattering of veterans. Marschfurt has seen very little dynamism or risk taking.

So, how have we progressed?

The most exciting action of this phase of the battle was a charge by Boudin and a squadron of dragoons into the same light infantry unit that had previously seen off the other dragoon squadron. In between fighting horsemen these poor fellow had been peppered by musketry from Chasseurs du Poulet hiding in the nearby forest and lived in a near permanent state of disorder.

Despite the odds not being entirely in their favour, the light infatrymen again gave a good account of themselves, only narrowly losing the melee and passing thier morale test with flying colours and bouncing the cavalry back towards Marschfurt village.

Below we see the view of this flank from Von Stumpf's position as he continues to reorganise his hussars:

Further towards the centre, the Fleishkuchen Grenadiers have overcome their earlier shock and are advancing in column to support the jager who have been in continuous action and to stiffen the front line as strengthening the flanks has left this central position tissue-thin.

The Tattemberg artillery continue to pummel whatever parts of the Clafoutis Regiment that come into view. Despite shooting uphill their target is still just at the extreme end of cannister range

On the Tattember right, the fusiliers and light infantry continue to exchange fire with Gallian infantry. Neither side has yet found an opportunity for more aggressive action, but the fusiliers are slowly grinding up that hill!

The lead unit of fusiliers are really getting close to the Clafoutis' 1st battalion. It is just difficult for them to move uphill, keep their order and generate the impetus for a charge. It is a tall order without an inspiring leader:

General Kurzerpilz has ordered Kodenchypz to focus his activity on the greandiers, musketeers and artillery, while he rides forward to take personal command of the fusilier attack. He ain't great but he's the best the army has for today.

The Gallian forces continue to feel fairly confident astride the road, hoping that the high ground and their superior command ability will offset the Tattemberg advantage in numbers:

 // Turn 7 //

With both armies now getting a bit battered, this turn saw a lot of rallying of disorder and deep intakes of breath. The Gelbvogel Hussars had now reformed both squadrons:

...as had the Dragoons d'Baguette!

FINALLY! Under Kurzenpilz' control the fusiliers delivered a volley and charged the Clafoutis battalion to their front. Not only did they handsomely win the melee, but Major Cheri also fell wounded and the white-coated Gallian infantry tumbled back in rout:

This prompted a hasty reorganisation by Croqaumerde, the artillery rapidly manhandling their guns backwards, the line infantry repositioning further from harm's way and the battalion of chasseur companies forming column of march and preparing to retreat towards Vierecksbrucke, or set up a rearguard further up the road:

// Turn 8 //

With their defensive position cracked, the Gallians had to decide whether to counterattack or begin to extract their army before things got worse. Conscious that the only Tattemberg cavalry seen so far were the hussars, Croqaumerde concluded that more horsement were likely to appear sometime soon, so played the percentages and ordered an extraction of the army.

On the northern flank Vipernoir and Boudin withdraw their troops back towards Marschfurt village before following the river road to rejoin the rest of the army on the far side of the Higgidsattel ridge on its march to Vierecksbrucke:

In the centre the Gallian withdrawal continued, with th Tattembergers disinclined to make any rash advances. Slow and steady was working so far...

On the southern flank the Chasseurs int he forest were compelled to give ground to maintain contact with the rest of the army, allowing Hahnchinabun to finally cross the treeline:

// Conclusion //

There we have it. Not too many losses, but the Tattemberg army managed to create enough pressure at one point using artillery and a ponderous infantry attack to rout just one unit, which was enough to persuade the Gallians that discretion would be the better part of valour this day.

I think we may be ready for a final showdown in the shadow of Viereckbrucke to see if this will conclude the campaign, or lead into a new phase. This will probably not get to the blog utnil after Easter, but I expect I'll post another interlude sometime over the Bank Holiday weekend. with some more rules musings and maybe a painting update

Hopefully you have enjoyed reading about this battle and the campaign. If you have then please leave a comment below!

Thanks.