Turn 5: Early November 1756
The belaguered Saxons made a successful surprise attack on a small detachment of Prussians outside Pirna.
Prussia has lost four of its best infantry regiments: the regiments Gemmingen, Ingersleben and the Grenadier Garde as well as the Prinz of Preussen elite regiment have ceased to exist. As an added bonus two much needed supply trains have been captured.
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An enraged King Friedrich shouted "high-treason" and ordered a court martial. However, the idea was quickly dropped, when his brother dared to point out that the destroyed column had been under the personal command of his Highness.
King Friedrich realized that playing his flute all evening instead of commanding his menhad been desastrous. The flute became the last casualty of the day.
On the Saxon side, Graf von Wilster has been the hero of the day. He has earned himself a promotion.
Note:
This victory should never have happened! One complete Prussian column is wiped out and none of the five other columns in the region bothers to engage in the fight???
I am at a loss for explanations. Maybe the AI messed up orders and put only one column on the offensive?
Anyways, only this small Prussian column took part in the battle. It consisted of four infantry regiments and two supply trains. The supply trains were captured, the infantry regiments were completely annihilated.
Still, the combat went on for five rounds. The other Prussian columns should have intervened, shouldn't they?
What to do next? The snow has reached Pirna, soon the pass back to Boehmia may be uncrossable. On the other hand, I have two columns ready to help the Saxons fight their way out.
Here are my options:
1) Retreat the Austrians and hope for a second miracle to save the Saxon army.
2) Stay put and hope that the Austrians march to the guns during my next breakout attempt. However, it is highly unlikely they would reach the Saxons in time. And my main army would be exposed to the weather longer than necessary.
3) Attack. I would probably be repelled. If not, I risk that the pass gets blocked by snow before I can cross back to Boehmia.
4) Try to break out in smaller groups with a higher evasion value.
I have a lot of bad choices to choose from.
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It seems General Browne got cold feet. After having received detailed reports about King Friedrich's army he doesn't believe victory is possible. He orders a general retreat back to Prague and leaves his Saxon allies to their fate.
Rutowski however is not willing to give up hope yet. Encouraged by his latest success he orders a third breakout attempt.
Will King Friedrich continue to make mistakes or will Saxony finally surrender?
Builds: 1 SAX Depot Btl