The Recovery

Hello all! I’ve recovered enough to return to the coal-face. Some hot baths and showers loosened off the strained muscle, which some low-effort activity kept from seizing up. It still gets stiff again each morning from me lying in bed, but I’m mostly back to normal – just in time to get back to work as normal, with the weekend wasted. Ah well… A big thanks to all who posted their best wishes, which was a lovely surprise and cheered me up no end!

I can report developments on the wargaming campaign front. I’ve managed to complete my game of the latest battle, which I’ve posted below. Improving on my previous posts, I’m publishing these ones ‘back to front’ so you can read about the battle in the much more natural top-to-bottom order. Enjoy!

The Battle of Althirschburg

The Luftberg army deployed in linear style, on a ridgeline a short distance from the main road, with open plains in front of it. It was now bolstered by additional allied forces - a brigade of Beerstein Infantry; the General Reich Graf James Louis von Beerstein; and the artillerist Major Ungaurn of the Duchy of Frankszonia. A further brigade of Cavalry under Gen Ludwig third Baron of Brewski was not present on the field, but kept as a strategic reserve to ensure that if defeat was the outcome, the bridgehead over the Rhine would not be lost to a rapid Aschenbach advance.

The Aschenbach army, fresh from it’s victory at Flussburg, attacked in classic ‘Frederickian’ style – it partially orbited the Luftberg position, screening it’s movements behind a large forest, before emerging from the trees to roll up the Luftberg line.

The approach map (with battlefield grid pencilled on!)

The Aschenbach army rolls out of the woods and deploys

At least, this was the intention. As soon as the bluecoat columns emerged from the tree-line, it became clear that their weakened cavalry could not protect both flanks. Gathered into a single attacking ‘fist’ under General von Kleintrink, it had wound up on the trailing right flank of the Aschenbach army rather than it’s leading left. This error in deployment caused terrible problems which were not anticipated on the approach!

Faced with the Luftberg right wing cavalry under General La Spezia (which included the dreaded Schrodinger Cuirassiers KR2), the Aschenbach infantry couldn’t risk being charged down in column and had to deploy early into line, which cut the speed of their advance and permitted the Luftberg army time to rush northwards to form a new line.

Luftberg troops march rapidly to new positions

Von Grumble’s IR3 had to turn to refuse the Aschenbach left and withstood several charges to it’s front and flank. Schrodinger’s Cuirassiers were mauled by the musketry and repeated repulses, but von Grumble was now unable to attack the Luftberg flank as originally intended, reduced to a battered and immobile mass.

Von Grumble faces off on the Aschenbach flank

Unable to press along a narrow front on the flank, the new Luftberg and Aschenbach lines rushed to deploy against each other in the open plain before the hills, which meant the battle resembled a ‘meeting engagement’ where each side’s plan had failed – Luftberg had lost it’s solid defensive position, while the Aschenbach attack had sprawled out into a longer line than intended.

The forces close on each other

General von Kleintrink was certainly not inactive, rushing forward to try and slow the Luftberg response to the attack. He was forced to confront the Luftberg cavalry on their left wing first however, and each side launched several charges and counter-charges. Von Kleintrink was seemingly a man possessed, throwing safety to the wind over and over again to inspire his troopers on. Finally it paid off, and he led Von Schnitzel’s Cuirassiers (C1) as they repelled several attacks from the enemy horse before launching a furious charge that swept away both the Cuirassiers and Dragoons of Haas & Krauss’ regiments. While he was reforming his command however, the Luftberg heir Conrad von Hentsch had turned his adjacent infantry regiment of Negrelli (IR4) to face the horsemen, and they poured a destructive fire into the flank of the recently triumphant Cuirassiers.

Kleintrink's first approach to combat

After the charge, with the blown horsemen being hit in the flank by Negrelli (visible in the background)

The main infantry lines now closed on each other, and although the Luftberg line was stretched thin with no reserves, the delayed progress of the Aschenbach flanks allowed them to adopt a slightly concave line and concentrate fire on the approaching bluecoats. The Major Ungaurn proved his skills as the advancing IR6 von Rechnung found itself being battered by cannon-fire of unerring accuracy. Perhaps they’d simply given too much in the preceding battle at Flussburg, but their attack lacked the fire of before as Ungaurn’s guns and O’Brien’s (IR3) spirited charge battered them down to a stand-off.

The main infantry battle (Major Ungaurn in the front foreground)

More critical was the advance of the Hirschburger grenadiers on Von Rechnung’s flank. The regiment bore down on the opposing Beerstein regiment, and the Elector von Luftberg had a moment’s panic about how they would resist this assault. In the event however, the Hirschburger advance was undermined by the Aschenbach fusiliers on their flank – unexpectedly charged by Radetzky’s IR1and unwisely allowing the Regent von Krumper to interfere with his advice [ie, they used his command dice to reroll a so-so combat dice, only to get a disastrous reroll], they were disastrously scattered. The Hirschburgers were battered by artillery on their slow approach, had concentrated fire from the flanks as Radetzky angled inwards, plus the Beerstein infantry blazed away to their front. Although the doughty grenadiers still pushed to close combat with the Beersteiners, they were too weakened to break through and finally collapsed in the face of canister fire from the Luftberg guns.

The Beersteiners have their moment of crisis

The Aschenbach advance was winding down and collapsing, with no prospect of the desired breakthrough and many regiments reduced to battered remnants. As the Grenadiers were lost, Von Rechnung’s IR6 found itself in danger of a double envelopment and fell back.

The last furious effort came from (who else?) General Von Kleintrink, who threw his reserve of hussars at the infantry of Negrelli for some revenge on the regiment that had so mauled his horsemen. Leading Negrelli’s men in the fight was Conrad von Hentsch himself, who was in the thick of the fighting. The hussars charged and were scattered, with von Kleintrink once more proving himself indestructible. Such good fortune did not accompany von Hentsch however, who became a casualty as a bullet from some Hussar’s carbine found him in the middle of the fray.

"Victory, thy caress is bittersweet... I mean, I think I'm dying - get a doctor!"

Thoughts on Althirschburg

So, a victory for Luftberg to go alongside Vogelhof and avenge the failure outside Flussburg! Quite an achievement too, as the Aschenbach army was depleted far past the point where it could fight another battle this campaign.

Aschenbach really had their plan collapse through having no cavalry on their attacking wing. It sounds obvious, but I’d never quite realised before now how important cavalry is in delivering a speedy attack, protecting your own troops as they march as well as protecting their flank. As it turned out, Luftberg were able to respond fast enough to form a new line and defeat the attack. Just as at Vogelhof, the Aschenbach army’s failure – or at least a lot of it’s problems – can be largely attributed to it’s pre-battle deployment.

The Luftberg army did perform quite well, and a bit of this was down to the rules and the Elector’s command dice – he rolled remarkably well, typically getting just as many as his opponent did, which is lucky of him. Plus, on a practical note on improving ‘gamesmanship’ I’ve learned that Luftberg command dice need to be lavished on control activation, and not hoarded for possible combat rerolls.

As for leaders, General Reich Graf James Louis von Beerstein and Major Ungaurn both proved themselves capable performers, which sounds like mild praise but it definitely puts them above the average for Luftberg sub-commanders! (And the Beerstein Infantry of course were excellent in holding off the Hirschburger grenadiers long enough to let them and their neighbouring units shoot them down.) As for the notable casualty of the day, the fate of Conrad von Hentsch (potential heir to Luftberg, illegitimate son of the Elector, scion of a powerful family, most talented commander in the Luftberg army, etc.) is still to be decided. He’s become a casualty on the day, but I’ve not yet worked up the nerve to decide his ultimate fate by a dice roll. For now, the surgeons are at work and shall report back shortly…

A slight delay...

Apologies everybody who has been waiting for the battle report, but there's been a slight delay - I'm not well enough to fight it! After getting food poisoning the other week (not much fun) I struggled through work long enough to reach the weekend, then promptly managed to pull a muscle and/or trap a nerve in my left shoulder, just next to the neck. I'm fine if I'm lying down, but can't turn my head, hold it for long unsupported, and certainly can't lean over a battlefield of 15mm figures! With a bit of a rest it should go away, but for the time being I'm not able to do anything for the blog - normal service will be resumed shortly!

C

The Campaign Climax Approaches

Could the end be in sight for the battle-ravaged province of the von Zaubs? The campaign year is nearing it's end, plus the forces are dwindling, so it looks like each side can only realistically push for one more battle.



Luftberg was recently defeated at Flussburg, but due to the Aschenbach army's forced march and surprise attack, this was never really going to be a close-run thing. The force left at Flussburg was quite small, but nonetheless managed to batter down enemy strength that little bit further - Aschenbach's IR6 won't be able to take any major role in the final battle without serious risk!



Overall, the strategic situation is pretty good for Luftberg - it's army is larger, and can fight on the defensive as even remaining stationary will get it a major victory. The defeat at Flussburg only cost the Elector a 'Decisive' result, so a 'Major' victory is still pretty good going!



Aschenbach can muster itself for one last battle, as there is no real room left for raiding or maneuvering around supply lines. If Luftberg can tough it out, the result for them will be a campaign victory. If not, then there's even the possibility of the river crossings being overrun in the retreat and a major defeat resulting. The next battle will be decisive anyway with the most riding on it since Vogelhof, three months' earlier.

Small skirmish near Flussburg – not many hurt.

From the Chevalier du Reproche
Adjutant to the Elector von Luftberg (Currently on campaign)

Following minor skirmishing near the city of Flussburg, the Elector has decided, in his sure-handed direction of the war, to terminate siege works against the city. Due to the changing situation, the backwater city has been pronounced a strategic irrelevancy and “an eyesore” by the monarch, who nonetheless extends his gratitude to the men of the Luftberg army who spent the last month digging trenches round this idle hamlet.

The Elector has expressed his wish to reassure the army that the campaign proceeds well. With the glorious victory of Vogelhof to our credit, and the continuing Luftberg military presence west of the Rhine, the war effort is still heading for a Luftberg victory. Waverers are reminded that no great army ever triumphed in a war without at least one small setback, and are ordered to take heart immediately at these inspiring words.

The elector has also recently had it brought to his attention that his valued subordinate, the General Van Der Dijk, is being referred to by the troops in the most unflattering terms – specifically, his recent nickname ‘the anvil’ on account of him being beaten so often. This is to be stopped immediately – upon his return from captivity. Troops are further reminded that the renowned Major Ungaurn is en route from the Duchy of Frankszonia, where his contribution shall no doubt help ensure that our defensive arrangements are in top order.

Pictures from Flussburg

In a well-executed manouver, von Krumper watches his infantry columns ford the stream and then smoothly deploy into line

On the lower slopes, the Luftberg infantry meets the enemy advance for some close-range volleys

It's no use! The Aschenbach line pushes on up the hill, heading for the summit

Bartok's IR9 makes it's heroic stand, to try and stem the blue tide

Aschenbach cuirassiers descend from behind, and General Van Der Dijk is unhorsed

Post-battle, the Feldmarschall von Krumper rides onto the hill and past the regiments parading on the scene of their victory.