Battle of the Flemish crossroads

[econ21]

Late Afternoon

Gamesmaster notes

The Outer West Flank:

Hummel’s men advance to the brow of the southern hill as indicated on his diagram. Von Salza’s left wing retires down the slope, trying to “get out of the way” as von Salza ordered in mid-afternoon. The loyalist left wing remains concealed - along with the regiment of mounted sergeants - but has no where else to go and still remain hidden.

The Inner West Flank

Seeing the advance of the rebels and frustrated by their lack of orders, the crossbowmen on the ridge stand and begin firing into the pikemen approaching them. They inflict significant casualties - virtually the equivalent of an entire regiment of pikemen - but cannot hold their ground and are forced to withdraw down the reverse slope.

Units lost: one regiment of rebel Flemish pikemen.

The Centre

Hummel’s foot knights advance, under fire from the single regiment of loyalist crossbowmen. As the rebels close, the crossbowmen are forced to withdraw. The reserve regiment of dismounted feudal knights is sent to replace them, but it is clear that the loyalists are outclassed. In the bitter melee, the rebel foot knights carve through the loyalist spearmen but the loyal foot knights fight bravely and almost to the last man.

Units lost: loyalist DFK, spear and mercenary pikemen regiments
one regiment of rebel DFK

The East Flank

Hummel’s knights approach from the flank and charge, but the loyalists have been told to “prepare” for such a charge. Although the rebel pavise crossbowmen inflict significant casualties, the charge of the rebel knights is held and the rebel cavalry effectively eliminated.

Units lost: all three regiments of rebel imperial knights; loyalists DIK and von Salza’s escort



Feedback on late evening turn

Hummel

You lead your right wing up the southern most hill. As you approach, two regiments of von Salza’s pavise crossbowmen begin firing from the crest of the hill. Their volleys inflict terrible casualties on your Flemish pikemen and you lose the equivalent of an entire regiment. However, the crossbowmen appear unsupported and retire to the base of the reverse slope. All along the crest, your right wing dominates the hill. The slope of the hill below you is wooded down to the base. You still see no sign of the turncoat regiment of spearmen in von Salza’s army that are loyal to you.

You ride to the crest of the hill, so that you can see the situation elsewhere on the battlefield. This is what you can see:



In the centre, your foot knights have broken through - driving all opposition before them. They are now opposed by only some loyalist skirmishers.

On the left wing of the battle, things have not gone so well for your army. Your cavalry appears to have been completely routed off the field. However, the loyalists also have suffered badly - von Salza appears to have no escort and your crossbowmen are inflicting terrible damage on the remaining loyalists.

Evening has come - you have time to order one last push before darkness falls. After that, night will allow either you or von Salza to withdraw from the battle unimpeded.



Von Salza

This is what you can see of the battle:



As you anticipated, Hummel has emerged through the woods on the left. However, he has not turned significantly towards you and exposed himself to your concealed spears as you hoped. Instead, his troops advanced forward up the hill. Your left flank followed your orders and kept hidden, out of Hummel’s way. To do this, it had to retire to the base of the reverse slope. Now Hummel’s men dominate the entire crest of the hill. Many of your men are concealed: the spearmen, the knights, mounted sergeants and zweihanders. However, they have little scope for manoeuvre. If they move even the slightest distance, they will be detected. If Hummel starts to march down the hill even to the smallest degree, they will be detected.

Your crossbowmen did terrible damage to the advancing rebels. However, it has not been enough to stop them taking the hill. Nor did it prevent the massed foot knights of the rebel army carving through your centre. Your archers are now unsupported in the centre of your line.

The only good news is on your right, where the charge of the Imperial knights that you anticipated was decisively crushed. The cost was high, however, with the loss of the equivalent of a regiment of foot knights and all your escort (your unit remains on the map to mark your position, but cannot operate as a combat unit). Your men are underfire from massed rebel crossbowmen and will soon be eliminated unless you do something.

Evening has come. You have to endure another round of fighting before darkness falls. Night will allow either you or Hummel to withdraw from the battle unimpeded.

[econ21]

Evening phase orders

Hummel:

"Charge! Charge, men!" yelled Wolfgang.

As the men surged down the hill, Wolfgang shouted out to the rebel company, whom he assumed was hiding in the woods, "Rise up for your Prinz!". At the same time, Wolfgang raised the Principality's banner.

A runner was quickly dispatched with a note to Hohenburg.

Fire at von Salza and the armoured sergeants guarding him. Give them no respite.

Ignoramus.

Von Salza:

Orders OOC:

Have ALL of my men move to the edge of the map, then set up in a Square formation.

I want Athalwolf in the middle, H-t-H next, then Archers and Crossbowmen. As the enemy moves forward pelt them with arrows, then when there within striking distance, retreat behind my Infantry, still firing.

I expect their Ranged Units to attack, if they do pelt them.

[econ21]

Evening Phase

Gamesmaster notes

Von Salza pulls back his army as Hummel's charges forward. Since Hummel's army lacks cavalry, von Salza is able to form up. However, it has no time to fire more than a single volley.

As Hummel signals to the "turncoat" regiment in von Salza's army, it switches sides. However, the defection has no immediate effect as the regiment is unable to engage the rest of von Salza's army which is withdrawing to form a square.

Nonetheless, the defection leaves von Salza with only three spear regiments and one Zweihander regiment to attempt to form square. Against him are massed four full spear regiments, one regiment of Zweihanders, one of pikes and two of DFKs. Von Salza has something of an advantage in cavalry, but it is not enough - Hummel's escort is more than a match for the loyalist Imperial knights and the light loyalist cavalry is not enough to overturn the imbalance in infantry.

The rebel infantry charge the loyalist heavy infantry and overwhelm it, destroying it completely. von Salza uses his cavalry to screen the withdrawal of his archers. He uses the cover of night to retreat from the battle.

Loyalist losses: all heavy infantry
Rebel losses: the 42 mercenary spearmen and 13 armoured sergeants.




Feedback on the evening phase

Hummel:

As you order your charge, you see many of von Salza's regiments emerge from the wooded slopes below you. They are retreating! Your men pursue them. The turncoat armoured sergeants are on the far left of von Salza's line and they observe your standard, turning their retreat into a pursuit.

Von Salza attempts to form a square to hold off your onslaught, but he is outnumbered 2:1 in heavy infantry. Moreover, your army still includes a sizable presence of foot knights and formiddable pikemen. With relatively modest loss, you destroy von Salza's square.

However, you lack sufficient cavalry to pursue your defeated opponent and he uses the cover of night to slip away, with most of his cavalry and crossbowmen in tact.

Von Salza:

As you order your withdrawal, you see Hummel's men charge down on you. You hastily pull your men back and try to form a square. However, you are mortified to find the veteran armoured sergeants who "defected" to you at Rheims have turned coat and are now on Hummel's side. You have no time to bring your many crossbows to bear. The battle is decided by heavy infantry and in that arm, you are outnumbered 2:1 as well as outclassed. Your square collapses. Your cavalry is not sufficient to turn the tables, but it does screen your withdrawal. Under cover of darkness, your archers and cavalry begin the trek back to Rheims.