The Battle of Sainte Marie du Bois

 Turn 5 saw further action taking place in the vicinity of Illyria's war objective, the Scampa coal field of West Messaline. 

 Both sides had two armies in the area to the West of the town of Scampa, and it was Messaline's Army 3 (once again fighting Illyrian Army 1) that is the subject of this post.

In the opening battle of the Campaign, the experienced General Belch had defeated the young Messalinian General Cessario, the latter having prudently withdrawn and reinforced. Once again the two met near the small town of Sainte Marie du Bois, and this time the younger man was on the offensive.

The Battle of Sainte Marie du Bois

The two sides exchanged Artillery fire while establishing their positions.

The Messaline force threw its weight of infantry on the right flank seeking to wrest the little town from the enemy's grip.

The Illyrian's, their artillery destroyed, launched their own attack, pushing back the Messaline command and forcing a change of tactic.

Messaline was now on the defensive as General Belch himself moved forward with the Illyrian foot looking for a speedy end to the battle.

But it was not to be. The day wore on and both sides were being sorely reduced.

The Illyrians still held the town, despite the bombardment from Messaline artillery, but General Belch, his resolve like his army, badly weakened, called an end to the fight, and began a strategic withdrawal towards his own border.

A first victory for the young Cessario, though at great cost to both sides.