The First Battle in the Campaign for the Voivoideship of Transylvania.
The scouts of the Austrian Household Army gave Sigismund ample warning of the approaching Huns. Though facing the entirety of their forces in the area, in truth he was somewhat relieved to be fighting a defensive battle. Ever since he was confronted by a large Hungarian host and forced to flee his heart had been aching for some great victory to overcome the disappointment, though at the same time it was perhaps making him more nervous then he should have been. The enemy had the initiative, and taking it from them would be much easier than holding it himself.
The night before the battle, there was a meeting in his command tent between himself, his retinue, and the nineteen captains of the AHA. On the wall behind his seat stood the coat of arms of his homeland Mahren, magnificently displayed.
They were all organized around a large table in the center, where a map of the nearby terrain lay along with markers representing both the AHA and their Hungarian foes. Thanks to the intelligence provided by an imperial spy named Andreas Ermolt, they were well prepared to formulate a strategy.
“The good news,” Sigismund continued, “is that the enemy army immediate to us is of medium strength compared to the other two.” Sigismund motioned to the markers on the table. “A couple of catapults, a few dismounted knights and militia, and some scant mounted knights and Hungarian nobles. Our first objective will be to overwhelm this army with all possible speed and secure a good position against their comrades.” He paused, more for emphasis than any real concern.
“After that it will get tricky. The main force should have twice as many catapults, their infantry will be proportionally weaker than the first force but more numerous, and their cavalry has quality and numbers similar to our own. Besides that we will have to worry about one hundred and eighty dismounted knights directly behind us, who could do quite a bit of damage.”
“This is not to say that we are in trouble, of course. The main force may attempt rush to the defense of the advance guard and leave their catapults behind. That would allow our crossbowmen to pick them off as they approach, leaving them tired and decimated when they finally reach us. I am also confident that with our superior numbers and ample cavalry we could easily crush the first force before assistance arrives, no matter how fast.”
“If they are patient and advance so as to bring their artillery to bare, then things can a tad more dramatic. We will have no choice to head at them full force, much as we will with the advance guard. This will probably be a good deal more hectic, but with equal cavalry and superior infantry we will still carry the day. It would also allow us to sick the archers upon the two units of dismounted knights earlier, and even knights will be hard pressed to advance against fire coming from more than twice their number.”
“No matter what happens, we will be victorious tomorrow. The only question is how the remaining battles will leave us. No then, get some rest. Dismissed.” The captains filed out, leaving Sigismund’s retinue. “I trust there are no objections here?” Sigismund asked as they stood up.
“None, m’lord,” remarked Karl as he got up from sitting to Sigismund's left. “I especially like the part where the archers get to chew up some knights and spit them out. No offense to you, of course. As for old Frodric here, I doubt he has much interest in field battles. Isn’t that right?” He punctuated this statement by reaching past Sigismund and giving giving the man sitting there a strong pat on the back, waking him from a subtle slumber in his seat.
“…It’s Frederick, I told you before. You’re also wrong in saying I have no interest, as I am well qualified on how to face artillery in the field as well as using it in sieges.” He clumsily stood up as he continued. “And it’s true that you want them taken out as soon as possible, especially since Sir Sigismund is their most likely target. Now if you’ll excuse, I’m very tired.” With Sigismund’s leave, he departed the tent. Karl shrugged, and left as well.
That left Ludwig, who had been observing the meeting over Sigismund's shoulder. Finally meeting his gaze, Sigismund spoke. “You don’t have to worry, Father. I remember what he talked about, and I am still an agreement. Any difficulty it brings us will just make the triumph more rewarding.” Father Ludwig nodded slowly, and somberly exited the tent as well.
As he retired to his quarters, Sigismund couldn’t help but smile.
“Here’s hoping I can pick up some more characters in Hungary,” he said to no one in particular.
***
The follow day, it rained. And it rained. And it rained.
Before the Hungarians could decide what to do, the Austrian Household Army had already advanced on their position, forcing them to fight or abandon the battle. Fortunately, they choose to stand their ground. In his mind, Sigismund was quite glad to see the enemy’s catapults reduced by the foul weather, and thought it a sign from God.
Before the battle was joined, Sigismund addressed the army as was customary.
“This is a glorious moment in the history of the Empire. Here we dutiful Germans will write a new page of the Imperial chronicles, a page where we will live forever. Remembered and honored down through the years, celebrated in tavern song and bawdy tales. And that’s just if we die here!”
“And remember, good Germans, that we are not just fighting for our homes and families, good reasons though they may be. We are fighting for the idea of a new Roman Empire, universal and holy, where all men are equal just as they are in the eyes of the Lord! Germans, Italians, French, Czechs, Swiss, Poles and even Hungarians all have a place! The men before us stand in the way of a united Christian empire, and they must be defeated before they can be our brothers! And now, let’s to the foe! I feel hungry already, and war gives me an excessive appetite! Let’s to the battle, and then the feast!” At the last, the AHA erupted in large roar. Even his nearest guards could not hear Sigismund whisper “Father, mother. It won’t happen again.”
As the battle began, Sigismund deployed his infantry and cavalry as far forward as possible. The archers he placed on his right flank, to guard against approaching forces.
Immediately he ordered his army ahead at full speed, so that they could take the hill and be ready for the reinforcements. In response, the Hungarians moved forward as well.
Between the sound and fog of the rain and the issuing of orders, Sigismund failed to notice that the Hungarian nobles had decided not to pepper the cavalry with arrows. Indeed, he was quite surprised when one of his guards blocked a sword aimed for Sigismund’s head, though he recovered quickly. The Teutons moved to flank the nobles, the mailed knights turned to face the town militia.
The reduced visibility in turn made the eventually joining equally chaotic.
Soon the Hungarian’s left disintegrated, and the Austrian cavalry was free to flank the main line, such as it was.
Meanwhile, the cavalry on the right had gone too far without being given orders. In the fog they did not notice the bulk of the enemy army until they were right in front of them. To far to even see the rest of the battle, with a shrug the knights charged the enemy. They opted for a hit-and-run strategy.
But those responsible failed to remember the ample enemy cavalry. This included a unit of mailed knights with the advance guard that had not been engaged and had turned around to attack the german knights from behind.
Though the knights routed, most of them escaped and within short order they had rallied. Meanwhile, the Hungarians had yielded the hill. Unfortunately, between the crossbowmen and the fleeing knights much of the Hungarian forces were drawn away from the hill. The unoccupied infantry were drawn up in order to attack.
While this was going on, the rain progressed beyond annoyance. Imperial soldiers gave a good account of themselves as always, but the difficulty in seeing what was going on lead many soldiers to pursue their beaten foes as if they were the only enemies on the field. This resulted in some awkward locations for skirmishes.
Similarly, the battle line was also quite chaotic. As Imperial and Hungarian forces clashed, the rallied feudal and gothic made a poor attempt to flank a unit of mailed knights.
Fortunately the Austrians get their first good news, when Captain Istok of the advance force fell to the Teutonic Knights. Istoks forces soon ceased to be a factor in the battle.
Unfortunately, at this point the battle was complete chaos.
Even the archers could not escape grim melee.
Fortunately, the Gothic Knights succeeded in defeating Captain Boldyszar of the main force.
Unfortunately the battle was still not over, as Hungarian catapults decided at last to have their say.
Sigismund cursed silently. He ordered his tired guard to wheel from wherever the hell they were and attack the catapult with all due haste. As he approached, he noticed that the mailed knights had momentarily stopped.
“Come on, you lot! There are two division of catapults, and two of us!”
Together, they plowed through no less then five fleeing regiments of Hungarians before attacking the catapult crew.
During the melee, Sigismund was only vaguely aware of the battle the raged around him.
The artillerists soon died or fled, and Sigismund rode forward to see the battle progressing nicely.
There was still a few moments of hard fighting, but eventually the Hungarians gave way and the Reich took the field.
***
After a short time, the army had reassembled. As he reviewed the army whilst on horseback, it was obvious to Sigismund that they were badly depleted. The official report confirmed this.
Half the army gone. Though Sigismund was not seriously considering withdrawal, this was still a serious matter. As he pondered the difficulty that awaited him, a squire rode up him excitedly.
“Sir, sir! Our scouts have just discovered the prisoners that the Hungarians took! They're all alive, one hundred and eighteen men!”
Sigismund joyously laughed out loud. This was almost a fifth of the casualties.
“Very good! It seems our friends the Hungarians know when to show respect to a worthy foe! Let us return the favor and let our prisoners free as well!”
At that moment, there was silence in the entire Austrian Household Army. In their entire history, such an order had never been given. But they were good soldiers, they quickly recovered and went about their orders.
Back at camp, the good mood was somewhat tempered as the reality of the situation began to sink in. Sigismund was received in earful from Karl in private, but that was balanced by Ludwig’s silent approval of the mercy that was shown by both sides. Sigismund even conducted an after-action analysis with his captains, and they were able to draw up a few conclusions on what mistakes could have been avoided.
“So then,” Sigismund thought to himself as he read the final report. “Firstly, we agreed that the rain was most likely a great deal worse than anything the catapults could have done. Unit commanders were largely left to their own initiative, and forced to rely on simply skill at arms rather than good strategy. The two units of knights charging the main army, as well as the largely unguarded crossbowmen, were both tactical mistakes due to the large amount of enemy cavalry.” He paused. It was clear that having leaving the two units of dismounted knights to the crossbowmen was a much better idea. The enemy’s cavalry would have had to go completely around in order to intercept them their. He had also forgotten a cardinal rule of keeping casualties low: Ganging up on few enemy units with as much force as practical. The rest, was simply due to the confusion and poor perception caused by the storm. At least, that's what he told himself. A part of him knew that he still had a lot to learn about calm in battle.
Sigismund sighed, and stood up from his modest desk to give the camp one last look around before going to bed. While on his inspection, he happened to notice the man who had saved his life in the early moments of battle. He walked up to the man with a pace that was borderline undignified, and when the man stood up to attention Sigismund spoke.
“I’m glad that there are men who can watch my back when I am not. You… You said your name was Welf von Tyrol, correct?”
“Correct, mein Count.” the man replied rigidly. Like most general’s bodyguard, he was lesser noble who had seen countless battles.
“Welf, eh?” Sigismund chuckled. “It seems our fathers both had high hopes for us. Well then Welf, I could use an advisor who’s seen his fair share of battles. How about joining my personal retinue as a veteran warrior?”
At this, Welf relaxed somewhat. “Why lord, I would be honored.”
“Excellent! I’ll have my adjutants fill you in come the ‘morrow. Get a well disserved rest, Welf.” They parted ways, and Sigismund continued with his inspection. It was a heavy trust he placed in this man, but he had a hunch that this Welf would help he not end up like his brother or namesake.
Re: Battle reports thread - King of the Romans PBM
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