Bad day at Rotter Strom
With the tragic loss of the Luch’s family in the fighting so far a new, younger, relative appeared on the battlefield.
Lt Faust Luchs, for it was indeed his turn next, sat at the head of a column of shock infantry supporting Von Wulfenbuttal’s Brunswickers as they attempted to form a pontoon of the Rotter Strom that would enable a new front to be opened against the Franco Spanish alliance.
He fiddled nervously with his sword before getting the signal to advance from the Brunswicker, himself narrowly having escaped death in a recent action against the French.
It had all seemed a good plan. With the French being occupied by a Russian attack column and the Spanish bivouacked it was left to the Alliance barbary allies under Sheik Yahmunni to defend against the bridging attempt.
Fortunately Yahmunni had arranged some spying in the Confederation camp and this proved successful as they got wind of the Prussian- Brunswick plans for siting the bridge.
What other explanation could there be for the arrival of all those extra units on the battlefield as soon as the fighting started and snipers behind the Germanics lines?
After a bit of confusion the Germanics got going with their skirmishers out in front of the line units who were in turn protecting the engineers.
The skirmishers waded the Rotter Strom but were forced to take a withering hail of fire from the barbaries.
Eventually the skirmishers broke and fled. All that is but one gallant Brunswicker captain. With his unit dying around him he reached the enemy bank and urged on his comrades.
There was no stopping him. Bullets flew past him to the left and right but he held firm and shouted encouragement.
On the Prussian flank with young Faust Luchs now exposed to barbary sniping, things were not going well. Always be well turned out and ride tall on your horse he’d been advised. That proved to be his undoing as a jezzail bullet took him from his saddle. Grievously wounded he was carried from the battlefield.
The Prussians struggled on but increasing losses saw them fall back. The shock infantry made a gallant last ditch charge but it was too little too late.
Things had been going better for the Brunswickers, they’d gained the far bank and seen off some barbaries.
Sheik Yahmunni had been watching the gallant Brunswick skirmisher captain urging on his comrades. He took careful aim with his cannon. The cannon ball dispatched the brave Brunswicker and on seeing him fall the Brunswick force all began to retreat.
That was it , with less than half the bridge built Yahmunni had held the Alliance flank.
No doubt he’ll be seeking more pay from the Franco Spanish.
As far as Faust Luchs was concerned it had been a short military career. He was promoted to colonel as a sign of respect but being as his promotion was rapidly followed by his funeral that wasn’t much help.