Zeigler's Plan, the First!

After some time spent searching, it turns out, ironically, that a dog has eaten Zeigler's orders. Unenthused by the thought of waiting for their reappearance, he is forced to set about producing another copy. The requirements to re-draft the orders necessitate, first, the ability to find a quill; and then some paper; and then some ink. And then a table. And then, of course, a sense of what he's doing.

Zeigler's Mission

Zeigler is in command of a force of Nabstrian and Bachscuttel troops, positioned directly on the border of Schrote, deployed at the point where the road crosses the border towards the village of Bautzen. The Emperor, who was in the town of Schrote for his coronation as king of Gelderland, has been drugged and moved. His location, which was supposed to have been communicated to the colonel, has been lost. The emperor was last seen at midnight this morning in the cathedral. It is known that a force of Gelderland troops is near the border to the east of Schrote and it will no doubt intervene. This force is of unknown size, but Zeigler should have a head start on them. Of course, he might have lost that advantage, thanks to the late production of his orders.



Zeigler must lead his force into Schrote. He must, as a matter of priority, find the Emperor before any Gelderland rescue force does. He must also generate as much plunder as possible by looting as many villages and farms as possible. At a personal level, this will be hugely profitable and quite therapeutic. In addition, the more damage that he inflicts upon Schrote, the more plausible the ‘Punish the Bishop’ cover story will be. This operation must be completed as quickly as possible, since additional Gelderland reinforcements may well arrive. He is to exit Schrote at the Schrote-Rotenburg border, using the road that passes through Langenzofft. A Rotenburg covering force will be waiting on their side of the border. Probably.

Zeigler's Forces

One battalion of regular Nabstrian infantry (four musketeer companies and one grenadier company, each of 100 men).

One regiment of Nabstrian hussars (four squadrons, each of 100 men).

One regiment of Nabstrian dragoons (four squadrons, each of 100 men)

Two companies of Nabstrian Jager (200 men)

One six-pounder artillery piece.

One battalion of regular Bachscuttel infantry (four musketeer companies and one grenadier company)

One regiment of Bachscuttel hussars (four squadrons, each of 100 men).

One regiment of Bachscuttel light infantry (five companies, each of 100 men)

One three-pounder artillery piece.

In addition, he has two pairs of wagons for booty (allowing two detachments to each have two wagons), and four wagons containing ammunition, supplies and tents.

'Right', says the colonel to Seewurd. 'This is what we'll do ...'