// The Battle of Vierecksbrucke //
The mini-campaign has reached something of a climax as the two armies meet at Vierecksbrucke, the major town in the Viereckstal valley. However this turns out I'll make it the final battle of this phase of the overall "Trinket War", as I need to be getting on with preparing for Partizan next month. If Tattemberg wins this battle then the campaign will be a success, the Gallians will retreat and the pilsner trade will be reopened. Should Gallia prevail then I'm sure we will see a continuation of the campaign later in the year.
Either way, we will return to Tattemberg and the Trinket War in some form.
Right then, over to the battlefield...
// Terrain and Deployment //
Let's start by getting our bearings using the photo below.
The buildings represent part of the town of Vierecksbrucke. This has been held for several months by the invading Gallian army who have constructed some defensive positions. We can see two roads, the better constructed post-road heading south-west towards Flaschendorf and the rougher road leading south-east, up which Von-Trapp has been fighting.
General Kurzerpilz has united his main army with Von Trapp's force and deployed south of town on the area of flat ground known locally as the Ecksfeld. On his left wing he has collected the majority of his cavalry under Baron Weinachtsbrucken. In the centre is Kodenchypz with a brigade of infantry and a battery of 4-pounders. The extended right wing is commanded by Von Trapp and includes dismounted dragoons, light infantry, the veteran Salzenpfeffer Musketeers and a small unit of grenadiers. The Bratensosse jager have been deployed in three companies across the centre and right with instructions to suppress enemy artillery crews as a priority.
The Duc D'Bonbon commanding the Gallian forces has Boudin commanding the cavalry on the right flank, evenly matched with their opponents. Defending the central position is General Croqaumerde with the four fusilier battalions of regiments Chatgeuse and Clafoutis , a battery of 12-pounders and a section of 4-pounders. In reserve he can call upon the combined chasseurs and grenadier companies of the army who have been placed under the command of the able Major Vipernoir. Lastly, the Gallian left is the responsibility of the Duc d'Pommefritte following the capture of Mantelwenden at Sagwerksdorf; with the rather battered Sechshugel regiment, the Chasseurs du Poulet and a section of guns.
Whereas in previous battles I have used the 4-pounders as field guns, for this battle I'll class them as light artillery and the 12-pounders as field guns.
Here are some closer views of the forces:
Pommefritte's left wing: Sechshugel regiment, Chassuers du Poulet and a section of 4-pounders
The central defences guard both southern road approaches
The Chatgeuse Regiment and 4-pounder section, part of Croqaumerde's brigade
The Tattemberg right flank commanded by Von Trapp. The woods in the foreground conceal the Trinketstade light infantry battalion
The Clafoutis Regiment and the 12-pounders face south-east towards the Tattemberg centre
The men of Clafoutis are feeling confident
One section of 12-pounders prepares to fire. The crew are in sone slightly continental-looking uniforms..
...same for the second 12-pounder section
The Chatgeuse Regiment prepare for action
Vipernoir stands ready with the grenadier and chasseur reserve companies
The combined defenders of the salient
The Duc d'Bonbon begins to issue orders
The Gallian reserve crosses the bridge as Von Trapp begins to bring his wing into the attack
Kodenchypz orders the fusiliers forwards
The whole Tattemberg centre sets off
It's all about to kick-off!
Below are some views of civilian life in and around Vierecksbrucke
// Turn 1 //
The battle began with Gallian artillery fire in the centre, the 12-pounders spitting long-range cannister rounds into Kodenchypz's leading units. This slowed but did not stop the Tattemberg infantry who ground forwards, shaking off disruption as well as they could. Their 4-pounder crews eschewed shooting in favour of manhanding their guns forward in order to provide close support once the range had been shortened.
To support the attack, the jager companies each targetted sections of Gallian artillery, inflicting disorder to slow their rate of fire next turn.
On the right, Von Trapp ordered his light infantry and grenadiers forward in an unexpectedly aggressive move. With no artillery of his own, this does make some sense.
Both cavalry brigades eyed each other warily, conscious that the battle may ultimately depend on which of them could gain the upper hand, but very aware that this could be a lottery.
// Turn 2 //
The capricious nature of the card deck saw the attacking Tattemberg forces get to act before any further Gallian artillery fire. Von Trapp's leichte battalion and grenadiers straight into the Gallian defences, taking advantage of the suppressing rifle fire from the jager companies.
The grenadiers and Hahnchinabun light infantry charge home while dismounted dragoons engage a Chatgeuse battalion with muskets and carbines. The Salzenpfeffer Musketeers are held in reserve.
The melee is a narrow (4:3) success for the attackers and despite the defences, the Gallian morale wavers and they fall back as the grenadiers and light infantry scale the defences.
The remainder of the turn saw more manoeuvring and shooting.
Von Trapp orders the Trinketstatde light infantry to demonstrate in front of Pommefrite's command
In the centre, Vipernoir forms the grenadier reserve into line, while the Chatgeuse fusiliers shake off some of the disorder inflicted by the melee. The 4-pounder artillerists have retired to the rear for now.
Kodenchypz encourages one wing of his brigade to continue advancing
Kurzenpilz, aware of Kodenchypz's limitations takes personal command of the rest of the Tattemberg centre, including the 4-pounder battery who continue to drag their guns forward
Weinachtsbrucken brings the Tatemberg cavalry forward cautiously to protect the flank of the infantry
The Clafoutis regiment and 12-pounders look anxiously to their left and trust that their countrymen will re-secure the defenses
Turn 3 should be interesting. Much may hinge on the card deck and which formations activate first
I'll see if I can get a couple more turns done tomorrow!
oOo
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