Groeninghumpe, the Final!

Nothing makes a Zentan braver than attacking an enemy's flank when they also outnumber them two to one. (Below) Advancing with an unusual show of swagger and aggression, Bulbous' irregulars hurl themselves into the fray!

(Above, right) On the hill, the FitzInisholl Horse look down upon the developing melee. They pray earnestly for the success of their compatriots; not least because they are, as it would be termed in Zentan military vocabulary, the FitzInisholl's 'meat shield'; or McMeat shield; or, whatever.

(Below) Alas, taken in both front and flank by the Zentans, the Wurstburpers are ridden down, trampled, frisked, rummaged, stroked disconcertingly, and then dispersed. Thanks to the small print in his life insurance, Robert de Casside survives and transfers his command to the FitzInnisholl Horse: the last remaining Wurstburp cavalry regiment. Still, at least they are on a hill.

(Below) Unpronunski decides that being on a hill is for girls. Running out of options, and with his army's morale teetering on the edge, Unpronunski concludes that only aggressive action will suffice. He orders Casside to advance to his front and ride down the enemy. Laughing in the face of death, or at least tittering a little (something that also can't be done in Fenwick), the FitzInnisholl Horse ride down the hill to death or glory. Robert de Casside rides behind them, furiously trying to scribble an addendum to his life insurance.

(Above, right) The reason for Unpronunski's decision is evident: his cavalry are being sniped at by the Zentan infantry. If they remain where they are, they will no doubt simply be whittled away, like little horsey sticks.

(Below) A triumph for Casside! One enemy regiment scarpers, having remembered that they have an urgent appointment to rub some badgers; the other stand there in disorder. Or more disorder.

(Below) Showing the callous disregard for the butchering of innocent lives that makes him such a hit at Zentan parties, Bulbous orders the remains of the defeated Zentan irregulars to attack! It's a tad risky since, if they are defeated and have to withdraw, then they will back into another Zentan unit causing all kinds of unpleasant consequences. But Bulbous is unconcerned with this kind of nit-picking tactical detail. 

What! Unfeasible! General Bulbous stares in incredulity! (Below) By some miracle, the Zentans win the cavalry encounter! Perhaps the Wurstburpers were tired; or asleep; or already dead? Robert de Casside succeeds in passing himself off as a wandering insurance salesman, and manages to evade capture. He heads across the battlefield and takes command of some artillery, which is a less exciting, but also less life-threatening, activity.

For the margravial army, this final loss of troops is too much: as the cavalry rout, the army's morale breaks and the battle is over!

(Below) The Wurstburp right is still in good shape, although the wood to their front has prevented them from exploiting the passivity of their out of command adversaries. Alas, though, the centre has worn away; and the left has disappeared entirely, now consisting only of General Unpronunski and his headquarters, perched on the lower slope of Little Groeninghumpe. Best for the general and his entourage to slip away quietly before the Zentan cavalry find and ravage them in unseemly ways. To the sad skirl of mournful German bagpipes, the remaining elements of the Wurstburp army run from the field.

It is a major victory for Zenta! In addition, they have inflicted carnage upon their adversary, and are able to pursue, adding to the success! Three Zentan irregular cavalry units have been routed; and two irregular infantry units as well. But no one really cares. One of the palace sipahi horsed regiments has watched enough of the rest of their army die that they are elevated to elite status. Wurstburp has lost all three of its cavalry regiments, which is a nice change. Three regiments of ex-Jacobite highlanders have also been lost. Thanks to their training depots (or 'taverns' as they are more widely known) the replacements for these troops will be just as *cough* effective, as their predecessors.

Groeninghumpe, the Ninth!

One the Wurstburp right, the process of attrition continues. (Below) Volley fire routs another unit of Zentan irregulars; but the Djivileks also manage to shoot into rout the unit of ex-Jacobites that are hanging around in front of the woods. There is now quite a gap in the Zentan line. (Below, right) The Albanians are now out of command, and more-or-less useless. So, no change there, then.

On the other side of the battle, Bulbous has been closing in with his irregular cavalry. The Zentan infantry have also been taking pot-shots at the Wurstburp horse. 

General Unpronunski realises that unless he takes some decisive action, his mounted troops will simply be skirmished to death. 'Death by Zentan' is a slow and ignominious way to go. At the general's order, Wustburp trumpets gurgle, and Unpronunski's horsed regiments commit themselves to a do or die attempt to smash the Zentan light troops. 

Now the battle begins to reach what might be called, in anywhere but Fenwick, its climax. (Above) Fitzbadlie's Cavallerie charge the enemy with a loud 'hurrah!' Their attack is helped by the fact that their Zentan adversaries suddenly begin to falter!

(Below)  At the same time, Baggins' Horse charges forwards in an attempt to drive off the enemy infantry. Nothing if not ambitious, the cavalry take on two units of Zentan irregular infantry.

It is a bold and desperate gamble! (Below) In charging forwards, the Wurstburp cavalry are exposing their flanks to other Zentan regiments. Robert de Casside, the notable serving with the Wurstburp army, takes a worried look at the enemy irregulars hovering to his left. A practical man, he joins the Wurstburp cavalry in their charge, but not before updating his life insurance.

(Below) As it turns out, the results are mixed: which is certainly a triumph by Zentan standards, The Fitzbadlie's ride down their opposition, scattering and routing them. But Baggins' Horse, the hairy-footed half-wits, are worsted and rout the field!

Emboldened, General Bulbous decides that it's time to really commit to offensive action. Wurstburp casualties mean that their army morale is now low, and the loss of only a unit or two more might seal a Zentan victory. 'Charge! Charge!' orders the general. With the thunder of hooves and the mewling of riders, the Zentan light cavalry are now committed en masse to the fray! The battle enters its final act! Thank the lord.