The Battle of Bern

[econ21]

Loyalist orders for turn 4 received. Awaiting rebel orders.

[econ21]

Public feedback on Turn 4 (early afternoon)

Moves preparatory to combat

Heidi watches as most of Hans’s army turns and marches to engage the Lutheran relief force. The Lutheran advanceguard on the northwestern slopes is attacked by a combined infantry and cavalry force leading to a large melee (”the advance guard combat”). The rearguard infantry arrive on the north road, but are pinned by a few loyalist infantry and then charged by loyalist cavalry hidden in the northeastern woods (”the rear guard combat”).

She sees Dietrich ordering the infantry defending the north gate to sally out. But after the sergeants leave, a mob of peasants loyal to Hans emerges from the inner city and marches on the north gate. The pavise crossbowmen coming down off the walls are trapped in a sea of bodies. Dietrich’s escort cuts a path through the mob and one regiment of crossbowmen exits the city by the western wall breech. However, two regiments of crossbowmen are left mired in the crowd and only break free by the end of the early afternoon. The crowd is dispersed - its ringleaders shot down or butchered by the angry rebel soldiers.

Heidi takes a moment from observing the battle outside the north wall to look south. There she sees Jan von Hamburg’s advance guard deploy to assault the walls. The Catholic Crusader army forms up in a compact body opposite the southern gate. A detachment of men put aside a Great Cross and begin to push a ram forward. On each flank, two large siege towers trundle towards the walls.

Peter’s eyes follow Dietrich and his force of sergeants sallying from north gate. Regiments of loyalist infantry and the grand bombard await them across the abatis. A bitter melee ensues (”the sally combat”).

Peter also notices two regiments of rebel dismounted knights sally out of the western gate. He sees a regiment of loyalist Teutonic knights ride north to join the assault on Hugo’s advance guard. A single regiment of loyalist crusader sergeants are left to face the rebel foot knights. (”the western sally combat”).

Peter sees the rebel cavalry from the Lutheran relief army enter the woods northwest of Bern. He loses track of them as they lurk concealed.

A graphic depiction of the situation prior to combat resolution:

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Umpire notes on combat resolution

The Western sally:
Loyalists: 1 crusader sergeant (6x)
Rebels: 2 DFK (4x)
Resolution: The rebel dismounted knights outmatch the loyalist sergeants in prowess and numbers. They destroy them with minimal casualties.
Survivors:
Rebels: 2 DFK (4x)

The Sally
Loyalists: 2Pavise (6x-a); 1 AS (8x); 1 G.Bombard (4 shots); 1 DFK (7x-w-d); 1 DFK (6x-w-a), 1 AS (6x-w-a)
Rebels: Dietrich (9x); AS: 1st (6x-a-w); 2nd (6x-w); 3rd (5x-w); 4th (5x-w); 5th (4x-a); X-bow (9x-a)
Resolution: The grand bombard fires a few shots, but then is out of ammunition and retires from the battle. The infantry are locked in vicious combat until a path is created through the abatis for Dietrich. The addition of Dietrich’s mounted escort is decisive in counter-acting the loyalist foot knights and missile superiority. Hans’ men are driven back from the abatis. However, the bitter struggle has left both sides with few combat worthy survivors.
Survivors:
Loyalists: 1 Pavise (6x-a); 1 DFK (7x-w-d)
Rebels: Dietrich (9x); AS: 1st (6x-a-w); X-bow (9x-a)

The Advance Guard
Loyalists: Hans (9x-w); 1 Teuton (6x), 1 IK (8x-w-a); 2 LB (6x), 1DFK (6x), 1 Fanatic (6x), 1 AS (7x-w-a)
Rebels: Hugo (6x); 1st & 2nd Crusader knights, 1st & 2nd Crusader sergeants, Holy Cross. 1st & 2nd Crossbows; 1st & 2nd archers (all 4 xp)
Resolution: Hugo’s professional division moves down the hill slope, allowing their missiles to fire over their heads. Hans launches a vicious assault. Teutons from the western detachment sweep in on the south flank of Hugo’s line, while Imperial knights strike from the left. Hans himself charges a foot knight regiment frontally and wrecks it. However, the rebels fight bravely and Hugo himself charges into the fray to try to hold the line. Ultimately, the rebels are outmatched and cut down. Two missile regiments manage to retreat into the woods as does Hugo himself, although his escort has been destroyed. Casualties among the loyalist force have been high, with the cavalry now being a spent force.
Survivors
Loyalists: Hans (9x-w); 1 LB (6x), 1DFK (6x), 1 AS (7x-w-a)
Rebels: Hugo (non-combat unit); 1st Crossbows; 1st archers (all 4 xp)

The RearGuard
Loyalists: 1 ImpK (7x-w-a), 1 FK (9x-w-a), AS (6x-w-a), 1 Fanatic(6x)
Rebels: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Fanatics, 1st and 2nd Militia Spearmen (all 4x)
Resolution: The two loyalist infantry regiments suffer terribly trying to pin the large rebel volunteer division. However, the rebels are powerless when the Duke’s heavy cavalry attack from the flank. The rebels are routed. The loyalist infantry are no longer combat worthy, but their cavalry has suffered only light casualties.
Survivors: 1 ImpK (7x-w-a), 1 FK (9x-w-a)

Graphical representation on post-combat situation:

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Please don’t ask me where unit X if it is listed as being involved in one of the combats and is not among the survivors (it’s gone).

Guidance Notes on Turn 5:

The situation is too chaotic to write messages or send smoke signals. There can be NO communication between generals this turn (messages sent in turn 4 will still arrive).

In general movement distances per turn are as before - half map for unopposed infantry; full map for cavalry.

Jan’s advance guard can assault the walls this turn. Rebel infantry in the town centre could get back to the southern walls in time to contest them. Whether rebel infantry to the west or north could make it, I will not specify in advance. It will be close.

Dietrich’s men on the west and north can destroy the siege engines they have captured. However, an immediate attack by nearby loyalists could prevent this.

Archers engaged in combat in turn 4 have half their ammo expended.

Jan's rearguard will deploy south of the his blue deployment line, but cannot fight or move further unless attacked by rebels.

Deadline for orders for turn 5: 15.00 UK time Saturday.

[econ21]

Loyalist orders received. Waiting on the rebels.

EDIT: Dietrich's order are in. Waiting for Hugo.

[econ21]

Public Feedback on Turn 5

Heidi sees Hans rally his surviving men and attempt to withdraw south, via the west side of the abatis. There appears to be some confusion and his remaining missile regiments are left standing.

Dietrich’s infantry pursue Hans but strangely no rebel cavalry appear from Bern. Consequently, the rebel pursuit of Hans is ineffective. Dietrich has to content himself with routing a loyalist pavise crossbow regiment left hanging in the wind.

Peter watches as the Lutheran cavalry division breaks out of its cover in the woods to charge at Hans’s withdrawing force. With his own cavalry division too far away, Hans is forced to take refugee with his infantry - who take the brunt of the Lutheran attack. The fighting is vicious with the Lutherans determined to bring down Hans, but he endures long enough for his own cavalry to arrive. The loyalist knights rout the remaining Lutherans, slaying Hugo and dispersing his army.

By the time the combat with the Lutherans has ended, Dietrich’s pursuing infantry has arrived to face Hans. The sides are so close that Hans will be unable to withdraw his few surviving infantry in late afternoon.

Heidi returns to the steeple of Bern abbey to get a better look at the southern wall. Ponderously, Jan’s siege engines have to navigate a path through the gap in the abatis along the southern road. Heidi notices rebel foot knights running from the west gate towards the southern wall. Jan’s ram wins the race and smashes down the southern gate unhindered by any significant defending force. However, the Crusader army then stop in the gateway, giving time for a regiment of rebel foot knights to arrive to oppose them.

Meanwhile, four siege towers approach the southern wall. The two on the west side disgorge two regiments of crusader sergeants. No sooner have they secured the wall towers, than a second regiment of rebel foot knights arrives to contest the southern wall. The fighting is brutal, but the foot knights are markedly superior fighters to the Crusader sergeants. Soon, the rebels have taken the western side of the southern wall and cut a way through the gate. In desperation, Jan charges his own escort into the gateway, recapturing it. On the eastern side of the southern wall, two regiments of unhorsed crusader knights have made it to the east wall but one regiment must return to the gateway to contest the southern wall with the rebel foot knights. Some missile troops from the Crusader army have made it to the wall, but those behind the Crusader sergeants are left below.

A graphical representation of the feedback:

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Umpire guidance for turn 6 - later afternoon

Hugo is no longer in play so Stuperman will no longer play a role in the battle. Thanks, Stuperman and sorry your role was so short and violent!

The combats are becoming so small scale, it is no longer appropriate to take off casualties in whole units. Some regiments are now half strength - the bodyguards of Hans and Jan, together with a couple of infantry units. This are marked with a ½ on their unit strength.

Turn 7 will be in daylight, but turn 8 will be at night. Little movement will be possible at night.

The battle will stop when:
(a) one side is eliminated or surrenders.
(b) one side withdraws from battle - Dietrich is now able to withdraw north, although it is likely a cavalry pursuit will cause further casualties on his army.
(c) the loyalists occupy the town centre uncontested at the end of TWO consecutive turns (the townspeople rise up and embrace them).

Movement possibilities - as before, infantry can move half the map unopposed; cavalry the full map. But Hans’ infantry cannot withdraw if the rebel infantry continue their pursuit - they will have to give battle.

Reassigning divisions - if you create new divisions, each unit assigned to it will face an orders test before joining it. This will be in addition to the normal orders test for movement (to divisions or detachments).

Communication: Jan and Hans can send each other a message, but they will receive them only at the beginning of the next turn. If the two generals end a turn adjacent to each other, the players controlling them may freely PM each other. I will inform them if this arises.

Deadline for turn 6 orders: 2pm Sunday UK time. If I get all orders in sooner, I will resolve it sooner.

[econ21]

Rebel orders received. Waiting on the loyalists.

[econ21]

Public feedback on turn 6 - late evening

Peter watches the confrontation between Hans and Dietrich. Although Hans has wrecked the last of the Lutheran army, Hugo Merode’s sacrifice bought time for Dietrich’s infantry to corner the remnants of Hans’ force. The Duke could still flee with his cavalry, abandoning the last of his foot soldiers, but Hans the Mauler lowers his lance.

His escort and two cavalry regiments charge into Dietrich’s infantry. After charging, they break off and charge again. Lacking spears, most of the rebels are almost helpless against these tactics and for a while, it looks like Hans may triumph. But the rebels have numbers and their infantry slowly cut down Hans’ surviving armoured sergeants. The few rebel spearmen help counter the loyalist knights.

Then Peter notices Hans’s depleted escort is temporarily exposed, having broken off from wrecking another infantry regiment. Dietrich has also spotted the opening and charges with his full strength bodyguard at Hans. Peter is shocked to see Dietrich’s men overpower the Duke, with the aid of some infantry. It appears to Peter as if Duke Hans is unconscious - a prisoner of Dietrich.

The Duke of Swabia’s banner falls and the rest of his cavalry are slain or flee. However, the damage they have done is immense - Dietrich is left with half his bodyguard and not a single infantry formation. Moreover, four cavalry regiments from Jan’s Catholic Crusader Army are bearing down on Dietrich.

Heidi’s attention is fixed on the southern gate. Slowly, the Crusader unhorsed knights overpower the rebel foot knights contesting the gate towers. Then Jan’s advance guard rushes towards the town centre. Facing them are Dietrich’s cavalry - two regiment, one of Teutons, the other Gothic knights. Dauntless, Jan raises his sword and orders his escort, now at half strength, to charge into the rebel cavalry. Following behind him come his foot knights and a mass of peasants, who have put away their bows and drawn daggers.

The fighting is brutal, although the rebel cavalry is restricted in its ability to charge in the town centre. Peasants hamstring horses and foot knights help grapple their mounted opponents. Jan cuts and swings with his sword. Even the full plate armour of the Gothic knights cannot protect them from his hammering. He slays the captain of the rebel cavalry. But all around him, the last of his veteran escort are falling. Soon, he is alone - surrounded by heavily armoured Gothic knights. One clubs at Jan’s helmet with a mace and Jan falls to the ground. Others mill over his fallen body, trampling him. Loyalist infantry fight their way through the horsemen to reach their general and try to tend him, but his wounds are too severe. Jan von Hamburg, Franconian exile, Catholic Crusader and ex-King of Outremer, lies dead in the centre of Bern.

Jan’s death does not dent the fighting spirits of the advance guard and they eliminate the last of the rebel cavalry, securing the town centre. Two divisions of fanatics and militia arrive to bolster the advance guard. The only rebel forces left in Bern are three regiments of crossbowmen and a bombard. With the Catholic Crusader cavalry securing the outside of the city, there is no option left to the missile troops but to surrender to the mass of loyalist foot fanning out from the town centre.

The battle of Bern is over. The city lies in the hand of the loyalists. But Jan von Hamburg is dead, while the fate of Dietrich and his prisoner Duke Hans lies in the balance.

A graphical representation of this feedback:

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Epilogue

Peter looks back at Dietrich, standing over Hans. The goatherd cries out “NO!” as he sees Dietrich raise his bastard sword with two hands and grind it down into Hans’s neck. The Duke of Swabia is decapitated. Dietrich hastily mounts his horse and heads north. The oncoming loyalist cavalry are moving fast in pursuit - they ride past what is left of the Duke of Swabia and their expression becomes grim.

Dietrich’s horse is tired from the day’s battle while the Catholic crusaders have fresh mounts. Inexorably, they gain on Dietrich. As loyalist cavalry start to overtake the flanks of his escort, Dietrich realises it is hopeless. He drops his sword and shield, sitting calmly, arms open, waiting for the oncoming loyalist cavalry. His escort hastily raise a white flag.

A Captain of the approaching loyalist Teutonic cavalry lowers his lance. Peter looks on, ashen face, as the Teuton approaches at a canter and skewers Dietrich, who falls from his horse. The Teutonic Captain then dismounts and draws his mace. He kneels down by the fallen Dietrich and proceeds to pulverise the rebel general's skull.

Peter turns away and vomits. One of Dietrich’s escort casts off his armour and starts to slink away. A thin, elderly man, it is clear that the fugitive is no warrior. Amidst the shock of what has happened, only sharp eyed Peter pays him heed. Suddenly Peter recognises the man from Mass - it is Alexander Luther, making good his escape. Still shaking from the terrible scenes he has witnessed, Peter makes his way towards Heidi in the Abbey. There, the bells are already ringing for the fallen hero, Jan von Hamburg.