BATTLE OF ROLLING MEDOWS - Fall Campaign Battle 4

With three victories under their belts, the Union of Pacts Commonwealth was well in the lead in the Fall Campaign. This was a do or die battle for the Empire. They needed this win, or the campaign would be over. 

The setting was as follows:

United Packs Commonwealth forces had been scouting a large Empire force advancing from the west, when something unusual for the UPC occurred. They lost track of them. The UPC Senate ordered the army to take up suitable blocking positions along all major avenues into the heart of their territory, with orders for each force to be prepared to send immediate aid to the other dispersed groups as soon as the enemy was located.

A surprised fight on both sides commenced when the UPC’s Advanced Cavalry force accidently bumped into a major Empire infantry group. As more and more Empire forces arrived throughout the day the UPC found itself forced to give ground, but still managing to hold a strong defensive position as night fell. Even as the sun was falling additional UPC forces began to arrive and fortify themselves on the nearby hills. In the morning the Empire realized that they substantially outnumbered their opponents, and by mid-morning began a general assault across the entire line.

Lines are drawn and battle is about to commence. Will this massive Empire army defeat the UPC, or will the Union find the skill to hold here and keep the Empire out of their Heartlands?

 Victory Conditions: The Empire needs to break the Union of Pacts Commonwealth forces by days end, while maintaining a strong force of their own.

The battle was fought on two separate tables, an all-cavalry battle where the victor could move onto the main table to lend their weight, and a larger conflict between both sides' infantry. 

The Cavalry Battle Table.

The Empire's Cavalry. 

The Smaller UPC Cavalry Force. 

The Start of the Infantry Battle. The Empire Forces on the Left and at the Top. UPC Forces on the Right. 

The Angle. Empire Forces on the Bottom and Right. UPC at the Top Left. The Slot in Front (behind the lone command figure) is Where the Victorious Cavalry will Arrive From.

Swarming the Hills and Valley both sides Forces Immediately Charge into Their Foes. Casualties are About Even, but the Empires Numbers are Beginning to Tip the Scales. 

Both Cavalry Forces Battered, but the Empire is Close to Finishing Off the UPC cavalry.

Last Desperate Stand of the UPC Cavalry. The Empire Cavalry Ready to Move Off and Join the Main Battle. 

Empire Forces Begin Their General Assault Along the Entire Ridge. 

The UPC Defenders Concentrate Their Artillery at the Angle, While Sending Their Infantry Reserves to Reinforce the Ridge.   

Dewdrop Hill Looking Very Vulnerable to the Masses of Empire Infantry Advaning on it. 

At Dewdrop Hill Concentrated Fire from UPC Artillery and Infantry See Off the First Line of Empire Troops. 

The UPC Shows Their Aggressive Nature that has Won Them so Many Battles by Launching Their Light Infantry on a Flanking Assault of the Empire's Second Line at Dewdrop Hill. 

By Continuous Fire and Advance the UPC Light Infantry Stall the Dew Drop Hill Assault. It Cost Them Dearly, as the Full Force of the Empire Infantry and Artillery Finally Finished Them Off Shortly After This. 

Empire weight of numbers proved nearly unstoppable. All across the ridge UPC infantry was thrown into flight, and after their light infantry was lost the full force of the Empire broke the angle. 

But what of the cavalry?...

It seemed the UPC cavalry had done its job. It had delayed the Empire's cavalry from joining the battle, but at a horrific cost. Only the UPC light cavalry remained after the encounter. 

With victory in their grasp the Empire forces began to race into the gap behind the UPC defenders on the Ridge. However, it was not to be. The cost to both armies had been too high and armies broke simultaneously. Without this victory the Empire had lost the campaign and both sides limped back to their respective winter quarter. Many howls of lamentation would be heard all winter long throughout all the lands after the bloody battle of Rolling Meadows.

ENCOUNTER IN THE PLUM RIVER VALLEY - Fall Campaign Battle 3

 

The Empire of Wolfenstein's New Army Battle Standard

Couriers from your cavalry screen are reporting that they have encountered the opposing enemy light horse in the Plum River Valley near the town of Miller’s Mill. There are signs of an approaching larger force. Your Light Cavalry General recommends advancing to take control of the hills on the opposite side of the river ahead of the enemy.

The Plum River is known to be fordable throughout out the year and is even known to freeze over most winters. As this is late summer no difficulty is expected except possible for the cannon. 

The following information was unknown at the start except by using pre-game cavalry reconnaissance.  

(The river is very shallow due to the dry summer. All units may cross at half rate, and on first attempt each infantry/cavalry may cross as open ground and gain charge bonus on a roll of 4+)

(Hills are steep and slippery and count as bad going moving up or down them. This prevents a charge bonus for moving up hill and provide a height advantage for units above opponents.)

As this was a Meeting Engagement the Victory Conditions were simple: Drive enemy forces from the field.

The Plum River Valley Near Miller's Mill

The initial turns saw the UPC Light Cavalry successfully defeat its opposite number of the Empire. This led to the entire UPC Battle Cavalry taking the fight quickly to the opposite shore, while being supported by their artillery.  The cameraman (yours truly) was tied up answering numerous questions and forgot to initially take pictures. The following starts from about mid battle. 

In the North the United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) Cavalry Sweeps Across the Very Shallow Plum River.

In the South the Rapid Advance of the UPC Cavalry Meet with Less Combat Effectiveness that Led to a More See-Saw Cavalry Fight, but Still Managed to Stall and Disrupt the Empires Infantry Advance.  

The Empire Battle Cavalry Stuck in the Traffic Jam Behind the Infantry, Caused by the Unexpectedly Rapid Advances of the UPC Cavalry.  

Massed Ranks of UPC Infantry Following up to Support Their Cavalry. The Lone Remaining Empire Cuirassier Squadron has no Choice but to Withdraw. 

Pressed in From All Sides the Empire Forces in the South Begin to Collapse 

In the North the Empire try for a Final Stand. Heavy Casualties from Artillery Fire and Weakened Morale from Routing Cavalry Cause this to Fail. 

Having Fought Completely Through the Lines UPC Cuirassier Face Off Against the Empires Heavy Cavalry. In the Distance the UPCs Massed Ranks of Advancing Infantry can be Seen.

With its Cavalry and Infantry in Flight Across the Front the Empire Hopes to Hold the Advancing Victorious UPC in Check at the Hill Line While the Rest of Their Forces Retreat. 

THE BATTLE OF FOX RIVER – Fall Campaign Game 2

 

Initial Positions as Seen from the UPC Held Heights

Starting Positions as Seen from the Empire Side

Yesterday, the Empire forces of Lord Stalker’s had taken the crossings of the Fox River. A spirited assault by his troops had driven the UPC from the field. His pioneers had swiftly constructed two pontoon bridges over the river. With their completion, he sent forward his ablest commanders, Sir Arfer with his infantry, and Sir Houndsen’s cavalry. His remaining forces where already on the move to join them.

His orders came directly from the Emperor, and where quite clear. Establish a secured crossing of the Fox River so that on the following day the army can continue unimpeded on its drive to Arlington Heights and make those UPC cubs’ howl.

General Snarling’s forces of the Union of Packs Commonwealth’s held the high ground opposite of the Empire crossing point. His senior infantry commander, General Hunter, cautioned that they should hold the high ground and let the Empire dash themselves to pieces. His fiery cavalry commander General Woof, argued for an immediate attack against the Empire on this bank of the river before they could be reinforced. Snarling took a long thoughtful sip of the fine vintage Riesling wine he kept for important decisions. Giving off his well-practiced official throat clearing, he captured his officer’s attention. “Gentlemen, The Senate has made it clear that we are to stop these Empire curs from going any further. In the morning, we will face them, then drive them from the field.

These were the positions and orders for the second battle of the Fall campaign.

Empire Artillery Opens the Battle with a Massive Barrage 

Empire Cavalry Fanout to the Left of Milton the Prepare for Their Attack

Empire Infantry Advance from the Town of Milton

Empire Infantry Begin the Attack on Their Right

The UPC Artillery Cover the Advance of Their Infantry Who Head Down the Slope to Meet the Empire Advance

The Empire Infantry Massed in the Center is Beginning to Suffer Casualties form the Flanking UPC Infantry and its Supporting Artillery Fire

On the Empire Pinning Force on Their East (Right) Flank Tie-up the UPCs Infantry 

On the Western Side of the Field the Great Cavalry Melee Begins. A Weaker Mixed Force of UPC Battle and Light Cavalry Attempt to Halt the More Numerous Battle Cavalry of the Empire

The Cavalry Battle in Full Swing

Empire Battle Cavalry Vs UPC Mixed Cavalry Supported by Infantry and Artillery

The Battle in the Center Heats up as the Masses of Empire Infantry Continue to Thin Their Opposite in the UPC Lines

UPC Cuirassier Retreat and Recover Behind Their Supporting Infantry While Their Hussars try Desperately to Halt the Advancing Empire Cavalry

The Unheard of Happens! The UPC Prowler's Hussars Defeat the Empire Cuirassier by Driving Them into the River 

In the Center the UPCs Combined Arms of Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery Stop the Empire Advance Cold 

On the Eastern Side the UPC Smashes the Empire at the Bridge

Worn and Demoralized the Empire Center Begins its Retreat

On the Western Side the Arrival of the Empire Infantry is too Little too Late

The Empire suffered from its cavalry being unable to quickly open the area around the Western bridge to allow its supporting infantry to get across and form up. It also suffered on both flanks by having masked its artillery support. Meanwhile the UPC's artillery being on the high ground allowed it to contribute to the overall defense across the entire battlefield. 

Coming soon...the third battle of the Fall campaign, the Battle of the Plum River Valley.