Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM

[econ21]

Edessa, 1236, Part II

Once word had reached Henry of Horst’s entry into the city, he had spurred on his main force towards the central gates. As Athalwulf had promised, agents opened the gates for the Germans and the Imperial army was able to spill into the walled city. Word of the disaster soon reached the Egyptians mustering in the centre of the Edessa, however, and enemy regiments of foot began racing towards the central gate.

Even in the dusk light, Kurt’s sharp eyes could make out the nature of the enemy:

“Three regiments of archers, Sire!”

Henry could not believe his luck and spurred on his bodyguard.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Henry leads his escort into the Egyptians packed along the main road to the city centre.

The fighting was brutal – the city streets were too narrow and the enemy too thick on the ground to allow Henry’s men to charge. Instead, there was a bitter struggle, as the veteran knights hacked into the enemy around them. In the crush, knights found themselves dragged from their horses. Gradually, the opposition stiffen as the Mamluk archers, Arab cavalry and Saracen militia began to reinforce the Egyptian archers unlucky enough to have formed the vanguard of the garrison.

Two fifths of Henry’s escort had been cut down when he heard a loud hurrah from behind the Egyptians massing against him. Horst had led his Teutons in an attack on the rear of the enemy blocking the entrance to the city centre.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Horst charges his men into the central melee, aiming to relieve the pressure on Henry. It is a brave, but foolish move.

Kurt looked on appalled, as he saw fresh regiments of Saracen militia moving up behind the Teutons from the city centre.

“Poor brave bastard.” Said the veteran warrior under his breath. But soon his attention had to be turned to the struggle immediately around him.The enemy archers and most of their cavalry were gradually slain. But that left the Imperial knights were now left fighting a tightly packed mass of Saracen spearmen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After prolonged fighting, Henry’s escort is down to a mere dozen men and Horst is the sole survivor of the brave Teutons from the eastern cavalry group.

Horst hacked at the enemies around him in fury, but it was no good. His brothers were all dead and he had mere seconds left to live. For the second time in his life, Horst felt certain he would not see another sunrise. The blow, when it came, was more agonising that any torment Kusan Dolar had inflicted on the Teuton. A Saracen spear cut depth into his lower side; hands grabbed at him and he was dragged to the ground. More spear points were thrust through his plate mail, feet kicked at him and a crowd engulfed his fallen body.

“He is mine! He is mine! Off him, get off! Can’t you see he is a noble? The Captain wants him for ransom! Do you defy your captain?”

A fierce Saracen sergeant had thrust his way into the kicking and stabbing crowd, protecting the wounded Teuton from a killing blow.

Horst looked up at his unlikely saviour as an enormous Mamluk Captain rode up:

“You fought bravely, Teuton,” said the Mamluk. Horst would later learn that this was Captain Fathy, commander of the Edessa garrison. “As does your Kaiser.” continued the Captain – pointing in the distance to the last of the Imperial knights battling the Saracen militia.

“You must forgive me, Teuton, but I have things to attend to. Sergeant: see put him in one of these houses by the street. Tell the occupants they will answer to me for his treatment.” With that the Captain rode off alone down a side street. Horst would later learn that Captain Fathy would single handedly duel the Horst’s entire regiment of mounted sergeants, slaying most of their number during the battle.

[econ21]

Edessa, 1236, Part III

The battle settled into a war of attrition. When only three of Henry’s escort remained, Kurt prevailed on the Kaiser to withdraw and let the crusader sergeants take his place in the struggle for the central road to the city. Two regiments of Saracen militia made their way around the flanks of the Imperial main force. One was caught between the single regiment of dismounted feudal knights and Horst’s mounted sergeants, and destroyed. The other appeared as if from nowhere on the battlements on the west of the city. At first, Henry ordered the pavise crossbowmen manning the captured battlements to retreat but then he noticed they were holding their own against the Egyptians. Consequently, they were ordered to hold their ground while the dismounted knights puffed their way from the east and mounted the battlements behind the Saracens, surrounding and destroying them.

The battle was now swinging in favour of the Imperials. The five regiments of crossbowmen and archers were able to fire over the heads of the crusader sergeants into the Egyptians massing along the main city route. Although Horst’s cavalry group was almost eliminated, the western cavalry group was able to enter the city unopposed, butchering the remaining Egyptian artillery. Slowly, the Saracens blocking the entrance to the city centre were worn down, with the arrival of the German dismounted knights driving back the survivors.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Germans make their way to the centre of Edessa, but still facing four strong regiments of Saracen militia.

Kurt and Henry approach the final stage of the battle patiently, like hunters stalking a dangerous wounded prey. The modest number of Imperial foot was aligned in front of the enemy as a shield, while the crossbowmen and Armenian archers fired volleys over their heads into the remaining Saracen defenders. A larcenous German sergeant found Horst lying bleeding in a house off the main street and he was brought before Henry. Henry heard admiring of the chivalry of Captain Fathy. But the discussion was interrupted by a young rider from Horst’s mounted sergeants, who told in horror of how his regiment was being dismembered by an indestructible giant Mamluk.

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The indomitable Captain Fathy carves through the mounted sergeants (for the third time that day!).

Henry’s eyes lit up – his escort was all but eliminated and could play no sensible role in battling the hundreds of Saracen spearmen still stoutly defending the city centre. But he personally could ride to the aide of his sergeants.

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Henry seeks out Captain Fathy.

The slow moving barded Imperial horses were no match for the agility of Fathy’s Arabian mount and the Egyptian Captain effortlessly evaded Henry and his few surviving bodyguards. The brave Captain charged back into the mounted sergeants, like a fox running amok in a chicken coop. Finally, Henry and his men caught up with the enemy general. With a well judged blow, Kurt slew the fearsome Egyptian, who fell among the many German sergeants lying dead around him.

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Kurt Altman finally brings down the Henry seeks out the heroic Captain Fathy.

The noose around the neck of the brave Egyptian defenders was tightening ever further. The Teutonic and Feudal knights of the western cavalry group launched repeated charges on the rear and flanks of the Saracen militia holding the city centre. Henry himself charged bravely into the mass of enemy spears, as if heedless of the danger. The Egyptians fought on bravely, never routing or surrendering, but dying to a man.

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The Saracens are finally overwhelmed.

*****

Henry had lost a full third of his force, including Horst’s entire regiment of Teutons. The crusader and armoured sergeants were so depleted in number, they ceased to be effective combat units.

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The butcher’s bill (fought at 2:1 odds).

Henry ordered Kurt to estimate the enemy casualties – trying to ascertain how many were slain by archery, by cavalry or by the Imperial foot. As Henry expected, it was his three regiments of foot that had been most effective – accounting for 425 of the enemy losses. More than half of these were claimed by the single regiment of dismounted knights. The five regiments of cavalry – including Henry’s own, now eliminated, escort – had accounted for only 247 of the enemy casualties; while the five regiments of crossbowmen and archers claimed 175.

“Maybe I should propose a constitutional amendment that all siege forces include adequate numbers of foot.” Henry grumbled.

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Dismounted foot knights excel at urban combat.

Faced with the choice of what to do with the large city, Henry ordered it merely occupied. In recognition of Edessa’s brave fallen captain, the Imperial army was given stern instructions not to loot or massacre innocents.

After the battle, Athelwulf sought out Henry and presented him with a sacred relic discovered in the city – an icon not made by hands, sent from Jesus to heal the King of Edessa.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A holy relic is discovered on occupying Edessa.

Mindful of the plague now raging in the Antioch, Henry gave thanks for this divine gift and then passed it to his son Elberhard for safekeeping. Together, father and son drove off the final two Egyptian armies from the province. The kingdom of Outremer was now complete.

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The butcher’s bill, addendum: battle fought at 20:9 odds

[Stig]

Near Thorn, 1238


It would have been a nice winterday in the fields in East Prussia, would it not have been that two armies had chosen this ground as their field of battle. A vast Russian army had crossed the borders of the province of Prussia-Thorn, belonging to the Holy Roman Empire, and chancellor Hans had ordered a small Franconian army to march against it. And even though the Franconians would be outnumbered 2 to 3 they decided that this was the best that they could do.
When scouts spotted the Russian army however they quickly saw that it lacked strenght and was mainly made up of levy's, apart from its regiment of Druzhina, but even these did not match up against the Teutonic and Mailed Knights in the Franconian army. The battlefield however was not in favour of the Franconians, it was a small forest, ideal for command with light skirmishers, and just the thing that the heavy knights did not like.
Thus Ansehelm von Kastillien, count of Thorn decided do deploy his little but strong force on a small hill just of the road and away from the dangerous forest, which might be full of ambushes.

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Well aware of the dangers lurking in the forest, and knowing the incapablity of his knights to fight in forests he moved his army to the right of the battle field in order to avoid the forest and move onto the enemy from one flank, forcing him make a turn while under arrow fire.

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Not soon after Ansehelm moved his army into position he ordered his missile units to open fire on the enemy ranks.

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The enemy however disregarded the punishment it was getting and decided to stay where he was. Inspired by his early success Ansehelm decided to send in his regiment of Mounted Sergeants to destroy the now almost destroyed unit of Boyar Sons.

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This bold move however was the signal for the enemy general to attack and he quickly moved in his forces. Now however the Franconians quickly took the advantage. The Spear Militia regiments were no match for the battle-hardened Franconian footknights and walked into a massacre. Ansehelm quickly ordered his father Günther to take the Teutons and the Mailed Knights and to swing around the enemies left flank, in order to attack from behind. At the sight of this show of force the enemy infantry regiments quickly started to rout, while the remaining men, who where still willing to fight fled into the woods.

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The battle was already lost for the Russian though, the Druzhina's had sacrificied themselves in a hope to save the battle but this did not help. Ansehelm himself, together with the Mailed Knights, led the charge into the forest and quickly the Crossbow Militia regiments started to rout. After Günther enprisoned almost an entire regiment of Crossbowmen he too turned and charged into the forest hoping there would be something left for him.
He was too late however, as the Russians had already decided to flee from the field and the Teuton and Mailed Knights made short work of the men who tried to flee and enprisoned them.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ansehelm won himself his third battle, an easy victory, given the fact that his men were far better than the ill-fated Russians.

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Ansehelm however was left with loads of prisoners, and because he did not want these men to return to Russia, which seemed a wealthy country he orded the prisoners to be executed, to teach these Russians a lesson: Do not even try to enter the Holy Roman Empire

[TevashSzat]

Northwest of Paris, 1240

The French had just recently pulled away from their siege of Paris in which Duke Scherer was at in order to prepare for the incoming English threat.

The Duke was not in a good mood having been cooped up in an overcrowded city lacking the technology he was used to back home deep in the Reich.

As an act of retribution, the Duke decided to take some of his forces and attack the nearest French army. When he heard news from his scouts, his reaction was mixed. The army in front of him was battle heartened with every man trained under real military conditions with no militia members.

The Duke however had a ragtag army of subpar troops with most of his House Army still away for retraining. The only elite troops the Duke had were his trusty Imperial Knights and his Pavise crossbowmen.

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As the battle started, he ordered his bodygaurds and his cavalry to hide in some nearby trees. The French only seeing a weak infantry line before them thought it was going to be an easy victory and began to charge. The Duke's elite crossbowmen though made the French pay and took out many French soldiers in their first two volley before falling back behind the infantry line.

The French still weren't deterred and everything seem to be going well for them for the Duke's infantry line was slowly but surely breaking. Suddenly, the Duke and his whole cavalry force charged from behind instantly crushing scores of soldiers. The others confused from the charge suddenly believed a huge force was upon them and fled.

OOC: I forgot to take a battle screen, but I had a heroic victory with 217 casualties on my side and I killed 200 soldiers while capturing 305.

Being merciful, the Duke offered the nearby French castle of Caen their troops in exchange for a hefty ransom and to his surprise, the French accepted and he let the captured go.

[AussieGiant]

1240; Austrian Hungarian Border

Arnold paced the rug in his command tent. Sunset outside meant that in a few hours the attack would begin.

This was his first real action as army commander and the horrors of Durazzo flashed through his mind briefly. Arnold wondered if every battle would be as gore filled as his first under the walls of the southern city now occupied by the Papal States.

At least there were no Roman Nobles to get killed he thought…that was a positive.

Being cooped up in this self made fort was certainly not the plan when they made it all those months ago. At the time is seemed a prudent plan but the Hungarians had rapidly deployed two smaller armies to block and surround him.

Of course the Hungarian’s had thought they had the upper hand by hiding a second force to the north, but, Arnold realised that neither Hungarian Captain knew he would be able to attack at night.

He remembered how his father showed him the art of teaching his Regimental Captains how to fight effectively at night. Hours upon hours of planning and repetition had gone into this attack. At the time of building the fort he had made sure all the captains had walked the terrain until they had memorised every tree and hill.

The past day he had spent drilling them until each Captain could physical move his unit by memory on the simulated battle map he has made in the forts centre.

Now it was simply a matter of waiting until darkness fell and then sallying out to crush the Hungarian pigs.

His thoughts drifted to Sigismund. He was meant to be here and he was meant to be knighted at this battle. Alas that was not to happen. What was even more disturbing was Sigismund’s actions now cast in the light of a letter he had received from his mother. It had explained in great detail the relationship between his father and the oldest surviving member of the von Mahren son’s. He had a brother, but that brother was older and could lay claim to the Austrian lands. There had been plenty of previous examples of that happening throughout the Reich over the centuries.

To hell with it!! Stop thinking and start taking action.

He quickly had his squires finished off covering him in armour. The new suit was from Italy and it was one of his best. It was so finely crafted he could move with ease and even jump off his horse without causing any lose of balance. He always felt the rush of adrenaline when he was ready…covered from head to foot in metal, his father’s long sword hanging from his side, his shield arm weighed down with the Austrian Coat of Arms proudly displayed. This was war and this was what he was destined to do!!

Stepping out into the cool night air Arnold nodded to his assembled Captains;

“Ok you bastards!! I’ve had it with being stuck in this fort with you scum!! YOU ALL STINK AND IT’S TIME TO RECTIFY THAT!!

As a group the captains could be seen grinning in the fading light, their teeth shining white in the gloom.

THERE’S NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT YOU HEATHEN PIGS!!

Pacing now, Arnold's energy could be felt by all. The Guards either side of his tent gripped their weapons tighter, the hairs on the back each mans head stood in anticipation.

This is the first battle those stinking Hungarians are having with me, so there's a few things I need from you all this evening!!

Pausing in his pacing Arnold stares at his Captains...the torch light glinting of an increasingly malevolent glint in his eyes.

I WANT…every living thing out there killed this evening!!

I WANT them to fear me just as much as my father!!

I WANT these filthy stinking, whoreson’s sent to hell!!

I WANT this night to be the beginning of total Hungarian fear towards me!!!

Get the men ready!!! We leave in thirty minutes!!

Oh and one other thing boys!!! Let a few men escape and return word to the Hungarian Nobility that Duke Arnold has now come of age and will be hunting them until he dies!!

The situation:

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Sallying Forth:

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The crossbow hail storm:

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Arnold with a rush of blood:

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The charge:

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The Hungarians breaking:

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The Rechnungen:

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The Dread:

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*****

Looking back the plan was brutal in its simplicity, as all good night actions should be.

Storm out, let the crossbowman murder them in droves, then charge!!

All in all it was a pretty successful evening thought Arnold.

Now where was that maniac Sigismund. If he didn’t get his ass back here soon he’d miss out on the next battle with the Northern Hungarian force.

Looking around the battle field Arnold was suddenly extremely thirsty

You there, stop hacking that mans arm off and get me a drink!!

[TevashSzat]

1242, Battle northwest of Paris

After a quick removal of a French expeditionary force that was too close for the Duke's liking he began to move towards Paris at once hearing news of a large French force sighted near the city.

On his way though, the Duke was suddenly ambushed by a French force waiting for him to pass by. The French forces however did not plan out their ambush very well and the Duke was not taken that much by surprise.

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Again the Duke finds himself with little elite troops to fight with having mostly halberd militia recently recruited from Paris, but the French force did not have much elite troops either with even peasants stationed in their infantry line.

Once the battle begun, the Duke quickly charged into a small crossbow force that was brave enough to fire at him and the force had to quickly retreat. The French infantry line soon followed however, but the Duke was quick and retreated off to the flanks.

The French infantry thinking that the Duke had run off to save his own hide charged into Swabian militia with great eager. The battle seemed to be all but won when suddenly the duke came out of nowhere with his elite bodyguards and quickly dispatched the commanders of the French force spreading panic throughout the French infantry.

The French quickly began to rout, but it was too late for most were captured by Swabian forces and quickly executed to show what happens when the Duke gets annoyed.

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[TevashSzat]

Battle West of Paris, 1246

Duke Scherer has been very annoyed recently, he and his army was stuck right outside of Paris due to some unforeseen circumstances making him go through yet another cold French winter. The reinforcements that should have arrived in Paris to help the never ending French assaults have yet to come without any news of whether they will ever come.

Only did urgent news that the French have besieged Paris, currently with a minimal garrison of some crossbowmen did the Duke manage to get his men to march in the snow. Upon arriving within site of Paris, the Duke was gravely concerned. There was one huge and well trained French army divided in 2 surrounding the Western and Southern gates of the city.

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The French brought the very best of their army, with no militia or under trained troops nearby. The Duke was going to fight against soldiers that have fought in many campaigns before.

After much argument with his advisors, the Duke came to the realization that he cannot take on the whole army by himself or with the garrison from Paris, so he had to sneak attack the larger of the two parts.

That night, the Duke had a clever plan. His cavalry and him will be deployed off to the side hidden from the French. The few pavise and mounted crossbowmen he had would be used to draw the French into an open and unorganized charge at his infantry line.

Before the French could reach the infantry line, the Duke and his cavalry would break ranks and charge. The French forces would be between a rock and a hard place. No matter whichever force they will choose to engage, more of the Duke’s forces will be ready t charge them from behind. Their hesitation proved fatal as they received the charge of the Duke’s cavalry and infantry together and the French forces, sleepy and hungry routed almost instantly only to be chased down and executed as a symbol of the Duke’s displeasure.

(OOC: I forgot to print screen post battle statistics yet again so here are the stats: I lost 93 men, but killed 280 and captured 503)