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:
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:
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.
Re: The Battle of Bern
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