The following post documents the second battle to take place in Turn 5 of the campaign (The Illyrian invasion of Messaline). Two Illyrian Armies were occupying the objective of the invasion; the area of Messaline containing the Scampa Coalfield. In the first battle, General Cesario had defeated the Illyrian Army 1 and pushed it back towards the border. Would Illyrian Army 2 be more successful?
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| Position at the end of Turn 4 Two Messaline Armies (white) attempt to drive back the invaders |
The Battle of the Coalfields
Messaline Army 1 under the dashing General Antonio (4 Infantry, 1 Cavalry, 1 Artillery) arrived from the South and occupied the high ground. Facing them was Illyria's Army 2 commanded by the cautious General Sir Andrew Aguecheek (4 Infantry 2 Artillery), that had recently been deposited on the West coast by the Illyrian fleet. Sir Andrew's orders were to hold the coalfields at all cost...
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General Aguecheek committed his reserve Infantry began his attack.
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By the middle of the day, both sides were looking exhausted
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was driven back...
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advanced again (one last push lads)...
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fought tenaciously...
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and finally ceded victory.
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The gallant General Antonio had won the day and the remnants of Illyrian Army 2 withdrew.
The situation at the end of Turn 5 looks difficult for the Illyrian invaders: all three of their armies are now seriously battered (as are the defender's forces of course), and Messaline has also got ahead in mobilizing their fourth army that will muster at the Capital at the beginning of Turn 6. Illyria's next moves are yet to be decided, however elements within the War Cabinet are pushing for a full withdrawal to allow time for more forces to be marshalled.
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| Situation at the end of Turn 5 |
A thoroughly enthralling battle report! The Illyrians may have won the latest battle but it looks as if they aren’t going to win the campaign.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading what happens next.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks Bob. It does indeed look like, after a good start, the invasion has failed!
DeleteDo the Illryians have the will to continue the struggle? Or will Messiane take the fight to them before they can regroup? I'm looking forward to finding out.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mark. Both sides have taken such damage it's hard to see them continue, but there's a chance.
DeleteThe kind of situation that leads to a cease fire, but no lasting peace.
DeleteIndeed, a border war that grumbles on for years without resolution is a possibility
DeleteInteresting campaign. I'm looking forward to follow how it evolves.
ReplyDeleteThanks Roger. Something may be happening in the near future
DeleteMethinks the Illyrian high command might start thinking about withdrawing its armies and suing for peace! Do you reckon the Messalinians would be in any mood to listen?
ReplyDeleteGreat campaign! - well, war, really.
Cheers,
Ion
Thanks Ion. It does certainly look like time for Illyria to call a halt to the fighting; unless of course the Hawks in the cabinet persuade the King to make one last bold move...
DeleteBoth armies fought to a standstill. Everyone is exhausted. Does does anyone have the will to continue the fight? Casualties in the campaign have been considerable, both for the invading forces and the defenders so does anyone have the capacity to “go at it” again? An Illyrian withdrawal may seem sensible - but would that signify a military defeat (as the supposedly “inferior” Messalines managed to prevent an Illyrian victory)? That’s your call I suppose - or maybe a dice roll to decide.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Geoff
Geoff, without decisive battle results, the dice will decide in the end and the blog author will build a narrative around the number rolled!
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