Combatants
Fullin:France
Byron:France
Pints:France
vs
Avon:Russia
Pally:Austria
Steiner:Prussia
Map
Indian Artillery Fort
Game
NTW3 orange
Deployment and Opening Maneuvers of the Battle
Our armies met on a large open expanse occupied by several notable hills and ridges grouped along the edges and side of the map. In the center of the map there was a small clustering of farmsteads and buildings along with smaller hills and depressions. Small copses of trees and woods spotted the land. It was altogether a very defendable map and allowed the Allied forces to assume strong defensive positions. It would be a tough fight for the French forces made considerably worse by the scorching heat of the unforgiving Indian sun.
The French Army commanded by Fullin in the center, Byron on the left, and myself on the right deployed opposite the Allies on a small ridge. The combined German-Russo force occupied two main ridges: one a long way across from our left was controlled by the stalwart Prussian commander Steiner, another on the right in front of me was controlled by the resilient Austrian forces under the command of Pally, deployed between them were the hardened Russians of Avon's army.
Seeing the Allied deployment we French commanders resolved on a simple plan: push forward on the right as the ground was more forgiving and seize the hills and ridges directly in front of me. With our plan set we formed our armies into more mobile formations and advanced with the attack on the right spear headed by myself followed by Fullin who in turn was followed by Byron. Fullin and myself rushed to deploy our "flying" artillery to cover our advancing troops. I positioned mine on a reverse slope covered by some trees and just as my crews had positioned their guns, the sky above them was overtaken by a horrible noise: the screeching shell of a 20 ilb unicorn barreling down on them. The round landed and exploded amongst the crew killing many and disabling a gun. A grim start to the battle...
The Battle Begins in Earnest
The Unicorn had sounded that start of the battle. French forces pushed forward seeking to exploit and control the few hills and depressions we could. Ultimately though, we had to attack the hill occupied by the Austrians. The Allied commanders were quick to realize our plan and moved some units toward their center and right to bolster the Austrian forces.
The French Commanders realized the struggle needed to take the hill and so revised their plan. I would continue my assault on the right supported by Fullin but Byron would remain in reserve with his ultimate goal being to attack the Prussians or Russians should they abandon their defenses and come down to assault Fullins flank. So, I continued my attack and formed up in large foramtion on the right ins a small depression while my guns focused on silencing an Austrian battery of 12s. Fullin advanced on my left taking good ground and moved a large cavalry force to my right. Byron faithful to the plan remained on the reserve.
The Allies now moved forward in a minor offensive. Just before me the Austrians moved to occupy a ridge looking down on my troops. The Russians advanced some in the center occupying a small copse of woods with jagers. The Prussians remained in reserve but close to the battle.
I now focused my "flying" artillery on the Austrians on the hill sending canon balls through the ranks. Fullin advanced his line and began to exchange volleys with the Austrian and Russian troops. The Allies had taken a strong position and a direct assault seemed perilous, none the less Fullin and I sent our men forward to engage the enemy. Some daring Prussian cavalry made a dash for Fullins limbered yet seemingly unprotected guns but were repulsed by the combined efforts of Byron and my own cavalry.
The situation seemed grim but as the smoked and dust settled between the embattled French and Austrian forces on the right the French commanders noted something strange. The Austrians and Russian were withdrawing!
King of the Hill and the Final Stages of the Battle
"Forward men, and take the hill!" The French officers shouted as their beleagered men rushed forward. The Allies had ceaded us the ridge perhaps in hopes of refocusing on better ground. But ever on their heels were the French. As the Austrians pulled back my forces pushed on their heels firing rounds into their backs. As I advanced I assumed deeper formations to bolster moral but also safe guard against the advancing Russian Guard cavalry moving in behind the weakened Austrian Army. Fullin and myself advanced forward positioning our flying artillery in prime spots to rain death down on the enemy. Meanwhile, Byron moved in taking up a strong position on the center of the map and skirmished with the now advancing Prussian forces.
The battle now seemed to sway in our favor as Fullin's lights fired upon exposed Austrians and my own line exchanged favorable volleys with the now weakening Austrians. However, the Allies were not done yet. Avon's mighty cavalry launched a counter attack on my right against Fullin's own cavalry. His cavalry were charged by the swift lances of the Austrian Uhlans but managed to beat them back with the support of my now repositioned infantry on the right. However, Fullin's weakened cavalry were no match for the Chavialer Guard of the Russian commander Avon. The Russians made quick work of Fullin's remaining cavalry and pressed onward toward my line but were intercepted by my reserve cuirassiers who engaged in desperate melee with them. However, the were quickly supported by my own line who fired shots into the flanks of the engaged Russian Guards. And from behind came the indistinguishable horns of the Dutch Guard Lancers under Fullin's command who entered the fray driving the the Russian Guard from the field.
The Allied counter offensive had failed the battle was now clearly in favor of the French who pressed ever onwards on the Austrians and Russians. Fullin's units though weakened from continual fighting pressed onward.
Resolution
The Austrians were now on the almost continual back pedal from my forces having received greivous casualties. The Russians at the center were in a desperate struggle against Fullin and the Prussians moved cavalry to my right flank which was effeciantly countered by Byron's reserve cavalry. Fullin seeing a weakness in the Russian line launched his men forward and managed to rout many of the depleted Russian regiments however they managed to reform including a Russian Life Guard unit which broke through behind the french lines only to be finished of by Byron's lancers. The Austrians and pulled back to a small ridge and the Prussians had moved forward to engage Byron, but the Russians in the center looked destitute. A perfect target for the Dutch Grenadiers under Byron's command.
As our target became clear I rushed forward to engage and hopefully finish off the Austrians while Fullin began a bayonet charge on portions of the Russian and Austrian line. From behind Fullins and my own very tired forces came the fresh and impetuous drum beats of the Dutch Guard. Byron ahd preserved their stamina well and now was the time to unleash them.
The Grenadiers rushed forward "For the Emperor!" they chanted as their gleaming bayonets pierced the exhausted Russian lines effectively breaking the Allied army in two. Encouraged by the site of the enemy running I gave the order to my troops for a general charge. My tired men lunged forward upon the Austrians as the dreaded Old Guard rolled their flank.
My comrades finished off the Prussians with equal measures. The battle was won.
Notes on the Battle
This was a great battle played very very well by all parties involved. I had great fun. There were some interesting glitches however including poor path finding and simple retardedness of Avon's cavalry which did not reform properly and my own canons which did not fire despite having clear shots. Despite that though it was a lot of fun.
Good job all!