Dynasty

[AggonyDuck]

We need all the knights we have at the decisive spot. The battle will not be decided at the camp and if the Cumans feel like fighting our peasants in the camp, then that means they are not participating in the decisive battle. A few hundred knights can make or break us here, so we can ill afford to disperse our forces to protect something of questionable value for the battle itself. So Warman, I urge you to reconsider.

[Kagemusha]

I agree with Ducky. Once the imperials will launch atleast those 1500 knights, 1000 horse archers and possible further Alsacian reinforcements against us at some point.We will be needing every man we can muster. Now that our only possibility is to go to offensive tactically. It is better to smash the Kaiser with iron fist, rather then slap him with open hand. I was wrong in my tactic of trying to lure the enemy to attack us as he simply will not do that.Not operationally nor tactically.The enemy is too smart to fall for that, so we have to defeat him by using our own strengths as he doesnt allow himself to be defeated by making a critical error.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

We need all the knights we have at the decisive spot. The battle will not be decided at the camp and if the Cumans feel like fighting our peasants in the camp, then that means they are not participating in the decisive battle. A few hundred knights can make or break us here, so we can ill afford to disperse our forces to protect something of questionable value for the battle itself. So Warman, I urge you to reconsider.

Napoleon once said something about leaving no regiment out of a fight when you need every man you got. But you see, I am just worried that if they attack our camp, they could potentially outflank us.


But I will go with your proposal Ducky anyhow. May we achieve victory with your plan and our mighty troops.

[AggonyDuck]

Luckily, attacking our camp and flanking us are two different things. If they attack our camp, it will most likely tie up parts of their forces that could have participated in the decisive engagement.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 10 – The fighting begins

On the spur of the moment Ottokar changed his mind: “Messengers, to me!”
Several riders popped up.
“You, bring my message to Ekkehardt, and you, bring it to Wladislaw. Tell them to strengthen their right side. They shall shift heavy armored knights to this side and leave the left side to the lights. Try to break through at the right flank and do not with the left one. If the Kumans break through – leave this to me. If you manage to break the enemy on the right side, push to the river! That is all, now hurry!”
The messengers shot off and soon the groups of Ekkehardt and Wladislaw changed their orders. Finally, Ottokar gave the sign for departure.
Long columns moved out of the camp. The reserve was the last group, leaving only the peasants behind.
“Heinrich, I changed my mind. We will not hide behind the camp, we will look after a position closer at the battle field instead. I want you to go with your men to the left. In case our left side is torn apart, I want you to come into action. If our men will hold the fort, wait until I call you! I will stay on the right side. I will protect our flank and be ready to support the right flank. If everything goes well, we will break through on the right, then press the imperials against the river and annihilate them. However, I fear that Richard has something in mind. He must have some hidden reserve and we have to be aware that he is going to play some tricks.”
It was about one hour ante meridiem when the forces of the Iron King took their positions. The first group trotted towards the enemy followed by the second group. The Wladislaw gave the order to stop, Ekkehardts men were moving forward.
From his lookout point Ottokar could overview the maneuvers of his forces, and he also saw how the enemy on the left side disgorged a swarm of riders. Even Ottokar could hear the shrill screams of the Kumans. At first it seemed as if this would not affect Ekkehardt’s group, but then there were signs of disorder on the left and Ottokar saw single riders falling to the ground. Then Ekkehardt raised his sword and his force began to gallop. 3,000 horses made a sound like an approaching thunder storm. Ekkehardt’s men were now covered by dust and Ottokar could hardly see what was going on. But it looked as if the Kumans went back behind their lines and yes, Richard’s first force began to move and the two forces galloped towards each other. The sound of the drumming hooves ended with a loud bang when the two forces collided and then Ottokar heard something else – a sound he had heard on every battle field and which haunted him in his dreams – the cries of wounded and dying horses.
Now that the combat began, the combatants were wrapped up in dust. Ottokar became nervous, because he could not see what was going on. At this moment we wished he was on top of his men. Anything was better than to wait behind the lines.
Minutes passed but it was as if time was standing still. Nothing seemed to happen, at least from Ottokar’s lookout he could not observe any movement. Wladislaw, what was he waiting for. The right moment for the second wave was now, now that Richard’s men were pinned in close combat. But Wladislaw did not move. Ottokar tried to catch his eyes by waving the banner, but Wladislaw did not look at his king. Then Ottokar saw Richard's second line set in motion. It stormed forward and disappeared in the cloud of dust. The sound of beating metal and the crying was getting louder. Still Wladislaw hesitated. Ottokar called for a messenger when he finally raised his arm and his group began to storm forward. Like the opponents before, Wladislaw and the second wave disappeared in the cloud of dust and noise.
“All Saints!” Ottokar shouted. Still he could not discover which side was gaining upper hand. But now he felt the sweat running down under his armor. It was hot, one of the hottest days of the year. Ottokar took off his helmet.
“Sire, you should not do that. Think of the mounted archers!” said a knight of his personal guard.
“Mind your own business” Ottokar flied into his face. “Hurry back and bring me my tent!”
Two hours were gone since the beginning of the battle. From his position Ottokar could see several men leaving the cloud. Some of them going, some riding and some carried.
Ottokar looked at a group of men which came slowly closer to his position. He saw that two men carried the young Heinrich IV, Duke of Breslau, on a stretcher. Ottokar beckoned them over: "Heinrich, what happened?"
Heinrich raised his head and Ottokar saw by the expression in his face, that the mind of the duke was still caught in combat.
"How is the battle going, Heinrich?"
"It is just like hell"; Heinrich answered croaky. "Do you have something to drink?"
A servant brought some wine.
"Now, Heinrich, tell me what is going on!"
"Err - we marched against Rudolf, when the Kumans attacked us. We were covered with arrows, I heard four of them banging against my corselet, but I came through. However, many of the light knights were wounded, especially on our right. We lost more than 100 men, I guess, before we even got in contact with the enemy. And we lost even more horses."
"Alright, but then you hit Richard's knights."
"Yes, and they hit us. The clash was awful, many brave men fell from their horses. And then close combat began immediately."
"And how was it going then?"
"Have I already told you that it was hell? The imperials fought good. They did not have strong armors, but they are more agile. We were hammering as good as possible, but it was pure chaos. Everyone tried to find an enemy which he fought with. Although I guess we were more numerous, this was no advantage. We were pressed together and I could hardly use my sword. All around were dead horses and knights on foot and more men were pressing from behind. This would have been the right moment for the second wave, but we waited in vain. Suddenly I saw Ekkehardt trying to call me. Together with Przemysl and me he wanted to break through on the right side. We called some of our best men and united we attacked the enemy again. It was then when Ekkehardt saw Richard's banner. The Habsburgian moved from the center to the right side, as if he had the same idea as we had. Ekkehardt shouted out loud and galloped to get to the Emperor and we shouted too and followed him. Yet, Rudolf's guard threw itself between and intercepted us. It was as if we stormed a brick wall. Enemies surrounded us, we had to beat in all directions and it was so hot and dusty. I was hit three times, but that did not stop me. Richard's guard pushed us to the side, but we kept on attacking and finally we made it, we broke through their lines. Immediately something was drumming at armor and when I turned around, I saw the horse archers. I did not care, I did my best to follow Ekkehardt who tried to get to Richard's back. Then Ekkehardt disappeared and I did not see him again. And honestly I had to do my best to save my skin. I had not realized that Rudolf's second line charged until something hit the flank of my horse. I flew from the saddle and must have had a black out. It must have been only a couple of moments, but when I woke up again, I lay on the ground beside the corpus of a horse. My head was aching and I had lost my sword. I was surrounded by enemies. I tried to get up, but my leg must be broken. So I lay there quite helpless. For heaven's sake Wladislaw arrived in time. Our second wave drove the enemy back and so I was rescued. That is all."
"And how is the battle going now?!
"I do not know."
"Which enemies did you fight?"
"Most of them were Hungarian knights, I assume. Brave men, indeed, but most of them only with light armors. And Rudolf's guard, of course."
"Who is commanding our army now? Is it Wladislaw, and what about Przemysl."
" I do not know. If you want to know, you have to go there to find out. But please, give me a horse, I have to go back to my men!"
Ottokar was wondering if Heinrich already had temperature.
"No, bring him to the camp."
The Bohemian King turned and looked to the battle. He saw men leaving the battle, some went just a couple of yard, then they laid down, others went westwards and disappeared in the woods. Ottokar could not recognize if those men were friends or enemies.
Ottokar felt that he had to do something. This was the right moment. Maybe Richard's line were ready to fall. He had already four and a half thousand knights in combat, enough. It seemed as if there was enough crush. A flanking maneuver would be the right thing, but how? Ottokar was wondering if it was really impossible to bypass the enemy in the west.
At this moment he saw Heinrich von Schlesien coming.
"Ottokar, we must do something. Let me charge with my men. I promise to bring you Rudolf's head!"
Ottokar was uncertain. He knew he had several options and hesitate, because he feared to make the wrong decision.

A) Do nothing - it is too early to use the reserves
B) Allow Heinrich to assault and to attack Richard
C) Leave Heinrich as a reserve and try to bypass the enemy in the west.
D) Wait, but send a patrol to recon the western area.
E) Take the whole reserve and charge. Then you can decide this battle at once.
F) something else!

[Kagemusha]

d) Hold steady but sending patrols to recon would be a wise move. The enemy reserve is somewhere and we have to find out where. The numbers are on our side in the current battle and we should not commit our reserve untill enemy does so.

[AggonyDuck]

F) Allow Heinrich to assault and to attack Rudolf, but also send out a patrol to recon the western area.

From the sound of it our left is holding up and the fighting is concentrated to the right. Our first line has taken quite a beating, but the second line seems to have the advantage. Killing Rudolf is paramount to winning this battle and this seems like an occasion to commit a part of our reserve to take him out. In addition to this, we need to scout out the western area, to find out what is there.

[ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88]

F) Allow Heinrich to assault and to attack Richard, but also send out a patrol to recon the western area.


Agreed with Ducky on the recon part. Attack Ricard now, and crush him and his force.