THE ANNEXSTION OF THE NORTH 2 - THE BATTLE OF JANESVILLE

 

The Starting Locations. The UPC on the Left and Empire on the Right.

The second battle of the western front of the Fall Campaign has a repulsed but still highly motivated United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) army attacking the well positioned Empire of Wolfenstein army at the town and heights of Janesville in the Dane County area. With their flanks secured by the Fox River on their left and a massive forest on their right the Empire felt secure along their line of defense. The UPC needed a major success if they were to be able to attack the capital of Dane County by campaigns end. 

The UPC's Well Supported Cavalry Arm Facing Off Against the Empires Grand Battle Cavalry. Questions Remained if These Two Forces Would Clash Today. 

Empire Forces Have Concentrated Their Elite Infantry on and Around the Hill. The UPC have Massed Their Infantry for a Direct Assault on the Town and Valley Beside. 

After the Initial Bombardment the UPC Begin Their Advance. The UPC has Concentrated Their Artillery Attack on the Empires Cavalry, While the Empire has used Theirs to Damage Units Across the Whole UPC Line. 

The Cavalry Arms of Both Sides Leave no Doubt as to Their Intentions as They Open the Battle with Charges Across the Line. 

In the Center the UPC Infantry Advance as the Empire Stand Ready to Meet Them. 

The UPC Spring Their Trap as a Mass of Light Troops Begin to Emerge from the Woods. Both Side Cavalry has seen Success, but the Empire is Finding Itself Suddenly Caught by Concentrated Fire. 

In the Center the UPC Infantry Continues the Advance into the Teeth of the Empire Defenses. So Far Neither Side has made Much Impression on the Other. 

The UPC First Line Falling Back to Recover Yet Still Advancing Along the Entire Length. On the Right the Empire is Bringing in Their Elite Forces to Meet the Attack, but in the Process is Diminishing the Hills Defense. 

The Route of the Empire Cavalry. Unable to Stand Against the Combination of Firepower and Unrelenting Charges the Empire Flank Forces are Swept from the Field. 

After a strong defense the Empire's collapse was both sudden and unexpected. With the hill's troops stripped to concentrate against the UPC's center attack the UPC's right flank commander who had been tasked with holding the Empire in place seized the initiative and went over to the attack. This proved to be the turning point as while the Empire still held, they were being both worn down and pushed back. A sudden failing from a particularly devastating volley of UPC musket fire caused a catastrophic cascade morale failure to the Empires center. Along with the left flanks cavalry collapse it left the whole of the Empires position untenable. What moments before had looked like another Empire success suddenly became a disaster with the Empire needing to quickly retreat to save what was left of the army. 

While a major setback for the Empire the campaign continues with the battles to the east still to determine the fate of these Counties. 

THE ANNEXSTION OF THE NORTH - THE BATTLE OF GOOD WATER

 I have returned from my trip to the UK, and it was amazing, but more on that in a future post. 

The first battle of the Fall campaign has the United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) launching surprise attacks to take the Northern Counties of Dane and Clever Fox. While advancing in the west along the Rock River the UPC forces encounter a blocking force from the Empire outside of the town of Good Water. Initially outnumbering the Empire, the UPC launch an immediate assault. The Empire have sent out a call for reinforcements and need to hold on until help arrives. 

The Lead UPC Advance to Begin Their Assault on the Limited Blocking Force. 

UPC Artillery Moving into Position. 

Much Sooner Than Expected Empire Reinforcements Begin to Arrive. 

The Battle on the Hill Begins. The UPC has Already Forced Their Way onto the Top. The Empire's Forces are Pouring in on all Sides. 

With There Numbers Increasing the Empire Storms Down the Hill to Engage the UPC in the Valley. 

Both Sides Cavalry Begins to Arrive. The UPC Currently has the Numbers, but the Quality Lies with the Empires Cuirassier. Alongside the UPC Cavalry Their Addition Infantry can be Seen Coming Forward. 

Battle on the Hill Continues and While Battered the Empire Forces now Locally Outnumber the UPC. 

The Tenacity and Fury of the UPC's Assault Continues to Gain Them Ground. Will the Empire's Advantages in Numbers and Quality of Troops be Enough to Halt Them? 

With The UPC Force Concentrated in the Center Their Right Flank is Beginning to Giveaway to the Empire's Mass Pitted Against Them. Light Infantry from Both Sides are Dominating this Part of the Field. 

The Masses of Both Sides Cavalry are Content to Watch Their Opposite Number. A Chance for a Decisive Victory Could Have Been Won here by Either Side, but Neither Felt They Would be the Champion. 

At Battles End Neither Side Could Claim Victory, but the Empire had Not Lost the Hill so the UPC Would Need to Relinquish the Field to Them this Day. 

With the UPC held in check here at Good Water they were forced to give up the field. With their superiority in light troops, they were easily able to withdraw and not only that but break contact with the Empire's forces. The race was now on to see where these staunch enemies would next clash.