Retreat! Obvs!

With the Bachscuttelers disengaging faster than a man who has just found out that his fiancee is his younger brother, Baron Hunchmausen reaches the difficult decision to withdraw. With the enemy retreating so quickly, he cannot overrun them quickly enough to guarantee that the Nabstrians to the west won't arrive on his flank at some inconvenient time and ruin his fun. He makes the decision, however, to hide his jagers in the woods as retreats, hoping that they might be in a position to ambush someone.

Goethe-Nockenshoppe's Headquarters,  10.15am

'Crikey', says Hammertheim, looking through his telescope. 'The enemy light troops seem to have disappeared. And the enemy cavalry and musketeers now seem to be retreating northwards, presumably back to Schrote. What should we do Colonel Nockenshoppe?'
The colonel consders this before saying: 'Follow them up and keep them under observation but do not become seriously engaged. Send a galloper to Ziegler informing him of the enemy movements and that we are keeping them under observation'.

Hunchmausen's Headquarters, 10.15am

'Well, sir' says Czernazmije. 'It seems as if the enemy are following us as we withdraw, and keeping us under observation! Now, if only the enemy are unobservant, and our jager are as well hidden as shadows in a cupboard full of slightly darker shadows!'
'Indeed', says the baron. 'We'll have to hope that the commander of the jager is a competent fellow. What's his name again, Bumperjumper?'
'Bartoszewicz, sir, a Pole -  no stranger to action; and our jägers are all woodsmen, huntsmen with a fair smattering of poachers, so I have every confidence sir."
The baron nods. ‘Barftosservitch – yes, that’s the chap!

Goethe-Nockenshoppe's Headquarters,  10.17am

The colonel's careful advance and observation commences. After a short time, however, a sudden volley explodes from nearby woods into the vanguard of his force, a squadron of the Kreigwurst hussars! The squadron is broken and flees back to the main column, before rallying. It seems that the enemy jager had ensconced themselves in nearby woods. Clearly hiding themselves very successfully, the enemy at least were spotted at long range, and so were forced to fire prematurely, or matters might have been worse!

Hussaren von Kreigwurst
First Squadron: 76 effectives – six dead, nine lightly wounded, nine heavily wounded.

Hunchmausen's Headquarters, 10.17am

As the main part of your Hunchmausen's force continues to withdraw, there is to the rear the satisfying sound of an explosive volley of musketry! Although spotted by a vanguard of enemy cavalry at long range, the fire from the jager was still able to inflict twenty or thirty casualties on the enemy squadron, which also broke and fled. Hunchmausen is pleased, but orders the jager to retire speedily, making best use of the ground between the wood and Schrote. The hussars return to aid their withdrawal.

Goethe-Nockenshoppe's Headquarters,  10.18am

'Ambush! Bah!' grumbles the colonel. 'Keep at a distance and keep them under observation. Send a rider to the village of Flossen - get the villagers to tend to the wounded. Send a picquet to scout out Hanau-Brancau and report back on whether it is occupied by the enemy'.

Zeigler's Headquarters, 10.27am

A messenger arrives from Colonel Nockenshoppes at 10.20. He acknowledges Zeigler's message of 9.55. He has encountered an enemy force consisting of a battalion at least of regular infantry, supported by jager, and a regiment of enemy cavalry. He intends to move northwest towards Humpe.

Another messenger arrives from Colonel Nockenshoppes at 10.27, sent originally at 10.10. The enemy are now withdrawing. His forces will follow cautiously, keeping them under observation, and join with Zeigler's forces at Schrote.

Slugging it Out!

Baron Hunchmausen's hussars advance to his left. The intention is to try and  pin the enemy but counter-charge if attacked.

The baron's jager arrive on the track. He orders them to work their way round to the right. Hopping off the road, they begin pushing through the trees. The dragoons have already moved off ahead. The Ostmarck battalion then arrives.

The Gelderland dragoons push forwards rapidly, taking up a position at the bottom of the low hill, and hemming in the Bachscuttel troops. They are, however, outside of charge range at this stage.

Surveying the situation, Colonel Goethe-Nockenshoppes reaches a typically Bachscuttel conlusion - to scuttle backwards. 'Pull back!' he orders. 'Disengage!'. He intends to move north east in the direction of Humpe (ie towards the main force), retiring in stages by squadrons and companies. He gives explicit orders to avoid contacting the enemy.

'Hmmmm', says Baron Hunchmauson. 'Chumpbumpy, those Bachscuttelers are suddenly surprisingly agile'.
'It's Czernazmije, sir', says Czernazmije. 'And indeed, sir, from being more sluggardly than a sluggish slug, they now have really got a wiggle on'.
'Like a wiggly slug', says the baron.
'Indeed, sir. If such a thing exists'.

 

'Excellent!' says Colonel Goethe-Nockenshoppes. 'I didn't realise that the men had it in them!'
'Indeed, colonel', says Lt Colonel Klaus von Hammertheim, 'Sometimes, all the men need is an opportunity to take what's inside, and then get it out, and wave it around a bit'.
'It is the Bachscuttel way, Hammertheim. Now, have you answered the message that we received from Colonel Zeigler?'
'Yes, sir, I did'.
'Excellent'.
'Also, I scented the message with some cologne'.
Nockenshoppes considers this. 'Does that set the right tone, Hammertheim?' he asks finally.
'We may be at war, colonel, but we are still gentlemen'.
'Yes, but it was a military message, Hammertheim - I wasn't asking him out to dinner'.
'Well, sir - you never know'.

Herge's Adventures of 10.10!

... charge carelessly forwards! Huzzah! Zeigler guesses that the enemy is clearly outnumbered and is attempting to cover this fact through furious activity. His view is that the enemy squadron’s horses will now be blown and unable to resist a combined charge by two regiments of horse! 'Advance on Schrote!' cries the colonel, and orders the hussars and dragoons to clear away the enemy! If anything, then, Kinski's force has encouraged the advancing Nabstrians to speed up. Cursing, Kinski orders his little force to retire quickly. As this is happening, events elsewhere are unfolding.

Hunchmausen's Headquarters, 10.10

Secure in the knowledge that Kinski will have slowed the enemy advance from the west, the baron prepares his troops for the attack on the Bachscuttelers advancing from the southwest. The cavlry set of immediately at high speed. The jägers follow, preceding the line troops, on the basis they may be a bit faster and able to deploy out into formation quicker or into cover. His guns remain in Schrote, being carefully positioned to cover the enemy approach and having gabions fashioned or other protections created. Leading the bulk of his immediate forces out to the southwest of Schrote, Hunchmausen soon encounters the enemy troops advancing from Redderblau Hill, at a position less than a quarter of a mile from the town. Riding furiously, his five squadrons of cavalry have arrived at the enemy first. His light troops and regulars will follow on behind.

The hussars deploy to the left of the track, the dragoons on the right of it.

The hussars will advance toward the enemy squadron on the hill by way of the field ahead and to their left if passable, swinging round to deploy between the wood and the single tree, with the hill to their rear. The dragoons will advance ahead to the hill and deploy between the first hedge and up the hill.

Nockenshoppe's Headquarters, 10.10

Advancing from Redderblau Hill and pushing to within a quarter of a mile of Schrote, the Bachscuttel light troops and cavalry, under the command of Colonel Goethe-Nockenshoppes, encounter what looks like a force of enemy cavalry. A scouting squadron on the hill to the right determines that the enemy cavalry are being followed by infantry, although the enemy force does not seem so much larger than his own. The light troops will follow on immediately behind the hussars.



As an advanced guard with no main body behind him, the colonel decides that his role is to screen, observe, but not become seriously engaged. He will push his light infantry into the wood to his left. The hussars will deploy into line of battle but will not advance beyond the cover of the light infantry’s muskets. Nockenshoppe's determines that he will hold position until pressed, and then retire by squadrons and companies.

Zeigler's Headquarters, 10.10

The enemy hussars fall back in front of Zeigler's advancing cavalry. To the west, sounds of sustained musketry commence! 'Push on!' declares Zeigler. 'It sounds as if an engagement has begun with the Bachscuttel advanced guard - the main body must come to their assistance!'

A Faint Feint!

At Baron Hunchmausen's headquarters, Czernazmije taps the map and says:
'…. 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.

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 ...

Zeigler's Headquarters: Day One, 10am!

Situation 9.40am, Day One

The weather is fine.

The main body of Zeigler's force is just short of Humpe. A messenger has arrived from Colonel Pfanensteil, who reports that Schrote is held by a weak enemy force: he intends to attack at once and seize the town. Success is assured. A few minutes after the receipt of this message, the firing from the east begins to die down. Thus far, the advancing main force has met no resistance. The few civilians not driven from the roads by the hussar advance guard have evinced unease, but no outright hostility.

Zeigler should be at Schrote within an hour. Probably.


Situation 9.50am, Day One

Zeigler's forces has just passed through the hamlet of Humpe. Not coincidently, ‘Humpe’ rhymes with ‘dump’. Most of the villagers seem to have fled. In Humpe, the colonel detaches his two companies of jager. They will take the road to Tinkel Mill, burn it, and then move on to Oxfurt and Kambritz.

A messenger arrives from the Bachscuttel column, having ridden cross-country. The courier carries a message written at 9.30am, informing Zeigler that the Bachscuttelers have reached Redderblau Hill. It has been searched and there is no sign of Emperor George. From the position on the hill, an enemy force can be seen half a mile or so short of Schrote, approaching along the Hanau-Brancau road. The force seems to be more than a thousand strong, with guns and wagons. The Bachscuttel force will push forwards towards Schrote.

At 9.55am, Zeigler sends a messenger to recall the jager, deciding that there is likely to be a main engagement at Schrote. He then sends a messenger back to the Bachscuttel detachment, ordering them to unite with the main body at Schrote. If this union is impossible due to the location of enemy forces, they are to harry the enemy rear, and attempt to seize wagons and baggage.

Situation 10am, Day One

The cathedral spire of Schrote has come into sight. Zeigler's force is probably only a mile or so from the town itself. The colonel decides to push on but warns all regiments that the main enemy force is likely to be near. He sends a galloper to make contact with von Pfanenstiel and report back.

Hunchmausen's Headquarters: Day One, 9.55am

The situation at 9.40am

At 9.10am, Baron Hunchmausen despatches a messenger to find Colonel Rimmer and inform him of the sounds of firing at Schrote and his intent to hurry there at best speed. At 9.20, a message, written at 9.10, arrives by rider from Colonel Kluck und Gluck: Schrote is being assaulted by a force comprising of a regiment of enemy hussars. He urges the baron to hurry to his assistance.

Hunchmausen hurries forwards towards Schrote. As he nears the town, the sound of firing grows louder and smoke rises from the town itself. At 9.38, a messenger arrives from Colonel Rimmer, written at 8.00am, acknowledging receipt of his orders. He will move his main force to Widenlau according to the route that the baron has specified, and has detached officers on the missions that Hunchmausen has designated.

At 9.40, the Baron arrives in Schrote just as the battle there is ending. Colonel Kluck und Gluck is giving a speech. A few of the houses are smouldering. Luckily, and rather surprisingly given the otherwise fine weather, it seems to have been raining here, which has helped deal with the fires. The enemy have been driven off, but not broken. From the cathedral spire it can be seen that enemy hussars seem to be maintaining posts of observation a short distance to the west, on the Schrote-Bautzen road. The colonel notes that he has captured 29 of the enemy – 19 are heavily wounded; the remaining nine are as healthy as can be expected from hussars that are also Nabstrian. Luckily for the prisoners, they were captured by the Gelderlanders: the Vulgarians would have wasted no time in building a wicker man and offering thanks to Czernobog, the Dark Master.

Hünchmausen congratulates the colonel and sends for a local surgeon/carpenter to tend to all wounded parties. He orders a report regarding the whereabouts of the Emperor, and orders a private meeting in which he will quiz Friar Conviction for any information.

Meanwhile Schtiffi and three hussar squadrons, supported by a squadron of dragoons, scout the enemy outposts to the west with a view to driving them off. The remaining hussars scout a little way down the south west track towards Redderblau Hill and The Eastern Marsh.

The Situation at 9.55am

The weather is fine again. Who knew?

Bishop Baldwin insists that he, and not Friar Conviction, should be the one to talk to the baron. He  engages Hunchmausen in a short and rather elliptical conversation at the cathedral, in which the bishop exhibits only the haziest of recollections as to where the Emperor was when he went missing, or, indeed, who he might have been in the first place. This meeting, however, is suddenly interrupted! Messages arrived from the cavalry forces to the west and southwest. To the west, Major Zchtiffi reports that the Nabstrian hussars have easily given ground and that the line of their outposts now sits some quarter of a mile from Schrote. He wishes to know if he should push harder, as it were, and continue advancing westwards along the road.

More significantly, to the southwest, hussar scouts report bumping into a superior force of enemy hussars on the track to Redderbalu Hill; probably a regiment in strength and probably Bachscuttel, by the shabbiness of their uniforms. The observer on the cathedral spire confirms this information, and reports that the enemy force is advancing rapidly and is now probably half a mile distant. Enemy infantry seem to be following – perhaps in battalion strength!

Hünchmausen casually mentions to the bishop that two Guildsmen of VAGG, two of Chief Justice Kutsnutzov’s most skilled operatives, are accompanying the Vulgarian relief force approaching Schrote and so, with a shudder, answers will no doubt soon be forthcoming in due course. The baron then secretly send a trusted aide to meet with Friar Conviction and question him. A close watch is set on the bishop.

With the arrival of news from the various scouts, Hünchmausen despatches a messenger towards Widenlau to find Rimmer and urges him to move swiftly to join the Gelderlanders at Schrote.

Zchtiffi is ordered to leave a few men to shadow the enemy and report, but the bulk of his forces, hussars and dragoons, are to regroup with the main force at Schrote. Similarly,since the watchers from the spire can see the enemy advance from Redderblau, the hussar force there withdraws leaving just an observer or two to keep a close watch on the enemy advance. In the meantime, Hunchmausen begins organising forces around the southern area of Schrote, facing Redderblau, looking at defensible positions such as hills and places to position artillery and anchor the flanks.



Returning to his headquarters, the baron considers his situation.
'Schrote is surprisingly large, Czibimibbly', he says ruefully, staring down at the map.
'It's Czernazmije, sir', says Czernazmije. 'But that's a map of Italy, my lord. See, here is our map of Schrote'. He unfolds a tiny piece of paper. The assembled officers lean forward, desperately trying to discern some detail on the undersized drawing. 'So', says the Vulgarian, pointing a finger at the map, and so, incidentally, covering most of it up, 'The enemy advancing from the west is probably half an hour away; and from the southwest only, perhaps, ten minutes. In each case, though, and notwithstanding cavalry deployed to screen the advance, the enemy are in march column for travel on roads/tracks. They can either try and attack straight from the march, with all of the difficulties that would entail; or, they can spend time deploying first, and then attacking us. As to Rimmer: we sent him a messenger about an hour ago. In theory, assuming no cock-ups (the other officers sigh pessimistically) he should at least be at Widenlau and have already received our missive: that would mean that he has three miles to cover: that's about an hour to force march his infantry, but about half an hour or so for his cavalry. Of course, if he's closer than Widenlau, then it'll be less. And if he's stopped for refreshments, then it could be longer'.
'Hmmmm', says the baron. 'What to do; what to do?'
The assembled officers wait expectantly.
'No, seriously, gentlemen', says the baron. 'What should I do?'
Czernazmije clears his throat.
'Chibblybibbly?' says Munchausen hopefully.
'Alas, sir' says Czernazmije', Chibblybibbly isn't here. But, in my opinion, this is what we should do ....'"

The Butcher's Bill!

Two shillings for sausages and some chops. Of more relevance, though, are the losses for both sides.

It is clear that Colonel Kluck und Gluck expected to get a bit of a seeing to in his defence of Schrote, so he is pleasantly surprised by the outcome. He praises the defenders in a short speech and puts money aside to the Bürgermeister to help pay for funerals and also organise a rudimentary uniform for the mighty "Citizens Militia”. He directs an NCO to start giving some rudimentary training.
He turns to Major Freeth, a Scot in Gelderland service:
“Tell me Freeth, you served for a while with the Nabstrians, didn’t you?”
“Aye, sir”
“Do you know anything of this Pfanensteil, fellow?”
“No' a lot sir, he’s a vicious auld teuchter wi’ ainly a care fer swallin' booze an fer hochmagandy, d’ye ken?”
“Erm, not really but thank you for your insight."



The colonel meets up with Major Zchtiffi to discuss matters and dispatch a report to Hünchmausen. He also asks the Bürgermeister to send for further volunteers from surrounding villages to make up the numbers.

In relation to the outcomes of the battle, Colonel von Kluck und Gluck has received an additional trait. Not only is he born under a 'Lucky Star', he is now also 'Impetuous'.

The current strength of the troops in Schrote are:

Lieb Grenadiere Company:

Commander: Colonel von Kluck und Gluck

2ic: Lt Colonel Schlappkopf

89 men present for duty (2 dead, 4 lightly wounded, 3 heavily wounded, 2 seconded to the Schrote militia).

Schrote Militia:

First Detachment: 26 men present, including seconded grenadier NCO (8 dead, 16 lightly wounded, 16 heavily wounded).

Second Detachment: 66 men present, including seconded grenadier NCO (No casualties).


Hussar Regt. Schmetterling:

Commander: Major Zchtiffi

First squadron: 100 men present (no casualties)

On the other hand, the Pfannensteil Hussars now have a total strength of  278 men fit for duty.

Von Pfanensteil is Stubborn; and he was born under a ‘Lucky Star’.

1st Squadron (Major Merten Kruger): 92 men present (8 men have been lost to straggling, but they will no doubt catch up).

2nd Squadron (Captain Siegried Bergmann) 68 men present (7 killed; 13 lightly wounded; 6 heavily wounded, 6 heavily wounded and captured).

3rd Squadron: Captain Karsten Winkler: 27 men present (13 killed, 25 lightly wounded, 13 heavily wounded, 22 captured, of whom 13 were heavily wounded).

4th Squadron: Major Stefan Baumann (also includes Lieutenant Hilbert Kunkel). 91 men present (9 men have been lost as stragglers, but they will no doubt rejoin soon).