'…. we attempt to overwhelm the smaller southwesterly force before the enemy main body arrives'.
The baron nods. 'I like it, Zebrabebra - it's bold; it's ballsy; and, if it goes wrong, it's your idea and not mine!'
Orders are issued swiftly. Apart from a squadron of hussars to screen the main enemy force approaching from the west, all the remaining hussars and the dragoons, supported by the Jägers and Ostmarck Battalion, will attempt a swift strike southwestwards before the enemy can organise properly. “G for Gelderland!”
Much of the success of the plan will depend upon the hussar squadron that will confront Zeigler's force. This squadron will seek to trick Zeigler into deploying out of march column and into battle array. In order to do so, it has been ordered to feint a feint. The force will try to give the appearance of wanting to lure Zeigler's force into a trap. It will approach nearer, then very obviously turn tail, pausing to see if the enemy are following and if not trying again. To aid matters, it turns out that the squadron commander, Major Kinski, is a leading light of the Gelderland Light Cavalry Operatic Society. Obviously, the hope is that Zeigler will assume that a large enemy force is lying in wait somewhere to his front.
Orders are issued swiftly. Apart from a squadron of hussars to screen the main enemy force approaching from the west, all the remaining hussars and the dragoons, supported by the Jägers and Ostmarck Battalion, will attempt a swift strike southwestwards before the enemy can organise properly. “G for Gelderland!”
Much of the success of the plan will depend upon the hussar squadron that will confront Zeigler's force. This squadron will seek to trick Zeigler into deploying out of march column and into battle array. In order to do so, it has been ordered to feint a feint. The force will try to give the appearance of wanting to lure Zeigler's force into a trap. It will approach nearer, then very obviously turn tail, pausing to see if the enemy are following and if not trying again. To aid matters, it turns out that the squadron commander, Major Kinski, is a leading light of the Gelderland Light Cavalry Operatic Society. Obviously, the hope is that Zeigler will assume that a large enemy force is lying in wait somewhere to his front.
Zeigler's Headquarters, 10.05am
A galloper returns from Pfanensteil. The colonel reports that his forces were initially pursued from Schrote by a superior force of enemy horse. This pursuit then stopped. He has now been contacted by what seems to be a single squadron of enemy hussars.
Even as Zeigler reads the message, his force arrives at Pfanenstiel's position. Pfanenstiel reports that the small enemy force has launched a series of furious charges, but each time has then suddenly retreated before contact to its current position near the hill.
Zeigler considers his options. An enemy squadron, all on its own, trying to encourage his forces to charge hell-for-leather into a careless charge forwards? It can mean only one thing ...
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