Empire: Total War - The Battle of Breitenfeld

[Wargamer]

1642
For nearly thirty years, Europe has been at war. The Holy Roman Empire and its allies have clashed with with the Saxons, the United Provinces, Bohemia and the Ottomans.

The land is in ruin. Forces have switched sides, alliances have become oaths of vengeance, and it seems there is no end in sight.

That is, until we came. We march under the Protestant banner, but it is our own flag we seek to raise high. The time has come for our nation to rise.

We will continue the work Gustavus Adolphus began. We will show the world that God is with us, that the Swedish Empire is ascendant, and that our people shall not be bent or broken.

The Holy Roman Empire stands against us. Their outnumber us by ten thousand men, and they have guns aplenty. Let them come I say; at Breitenfeld we shall prove our mettle...

Swedish Order of Battle:

The Swedish army drew up in a fighting block at the north of Breitenfeld. Their cavalry arrayed itself on the left flank of the army, seeking to overwhelm the enemy flank and turn to crush the numerically superior Prussians from behind.

Prussian Order of Battle:

The Prussian line is spread out across the south of the field. Their formation makes it difficult for them to be outflanked, and in turn allows them to encircle the numerically inferior Swedes.

Dawn - The Battle of Breitenfeld:

The two lines of battle advance toward one another, the Swedish cavalry choosing to keep pace with the infantry so as not to waste their energy. The Prussians, for reasons lost to history, choose not to set up their guns straight away; instead, they advance them forward with the main line.


The Prussian guns take up position, but they have lost too much time; the Swedish cavalry smash into their batteries and slaughter the crew in a few short minutes of bloody sword work. The Prussian flank is now dangerously open, and their advance falters as units break off to counter the cavalry breakthrough.


"Gott mit uns!" - The Swedish troops open fire point blank upon the Prussian line.


The gun-smoke clears and the armies clash with bayonets. No quarter is given and none is expected; the largest and bloodiest clash of the battle takes place in the centre of the field, with regiments becoming embroiled in a chaotic, incomprehensible melee. On both sides, the generals can only watch as the carnage unfolds. The Swedish reserves advance, seeking to bolster the line where it is failing or break through where the Prussians are weakest, but with fresh troops threatening their western flank there is little hope of a breakthrough.


From the east, the thunder of hooves is all but lost beneath the roar of muskets. The Prussians clash with the rampaging Swedish horsemen and several bloody melees ensue. Well drilled and loyal to the death, the shock of the cavalry charge is not enough to break the Prussian line infantry. One unit of cavalry breaks through the contain and races west, riding behind the main line of battle to hunt down and slay the Prussian general.


Things begin to look bleak for the Swedish army. Their cavalry is all but spent, and the men are beginning to lose their nerve. Field Marshal Lennart Torstenson urges the men on from behind, but the Prussians outnumber them almost two to one in the clash...


Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria is slain by the Swedish cavalry, and his surviving aides ride for their lives.


At last, the battle turns! Tired, bloodied but hell-bent on victory, the Swedish cavalry strikes the fighting line from the rear. The Prussians, their general slain, begin to lose heart despite their superior numbers. It begins slowly; a handful of men abandon the fighting line and run south. Then more, and more still until, within the space of a few short minutes, the entire Prussian line is in total rout. Against all odds, the Swedish have broken the Prussians!


The line turns east to avenge the dead and scattered cavalry regiments. For the first time, the Swedish have numbers on their side. Tired, leaderless and facing insurmountable odds, the Prussians nevertheless give a good account of themselves. They trade fire for several minutes and many good men perish in a storm of lead. Ultimately, they can stand no more and retreat.


Near exhaustion, the cavalry hurl themselves into the fray once more to smash one last pocket of resistance.


A last, heroic stand; a Prussian line regiment holds fast, having broken the cavalry's reckless assault. They hold long enough to buy their allies time to quit the field. Alas, none of their officers remain to record their heroism.


A lone cannon battery, sheltering in the shadow of the treeline, having successfully avoided notice until now, gives a few spiteful volleys into the Swedish line. Their defiance costs the Swedes many men, but it is too little, too late.

[Zen]

You should get into Horse & Musket warfare e.g. Napoleonics