Touchdown

Rout du Roi

Belatedly realising that discretion might be the better part of valour, Felop withdrew back towards the stream. The triumphant Prinz Karls, led by their ferocious commander, Lutz Jahnke, launched themselves in pursuit.

Herr Janhnke:  Felop by name....

If Felop's plan was to lure the Saxons away from the Blasthof Bridge, he was only too successful. As the Saxon dragoons smashed into the depleted ranks of the Garde du Roi, Felop watched helplessly as his men were ruthlessly cut down. It was simply too dreadful. He longed once more for the peace and tranquility of the family estate, the Chateau de Thongue.

Jahnke:...und Felop by nature!

As the last of the Gendarmes fell, Felop snapped out of his reverie. 'At least I can save the Kettle Drummer!', he cried. 'Come on Taps, let's get out of here!'

Kornberg watched the unfolding tragedy on the flank and steeled his heart. Nearer the bridge the Imperial artillery superiority was beginning to tell.

A Coup de Main

The Schönburgs were falling fast. There was just enough time, thought Kornberg, to seize the objective! 'Now's your time, Diesbach's!', he thundered. Drilled to perfection, the elite Swiss infantry wheeled and advanced. The bridge was taken!

Soubise was aghast at Kornberg's audacious Coup de Main. 'The Elector will have my guts for this!', he exclaimed. Kornberg was beginning to wonder what it might be like to be an Imperial duke.

By the fading light of the setting sun, the Swiss prepared to do or die while the Prinz Karl's and Schönburgs wheeled to face them. As the volleys crashed, the Saxon horsemen made a desperate charge around the Swiss flank and seized the bridge. Soubise had snatched victory in the final moments!

La Soumise au Soubise, as it was remembered forever afterwards in the Empire, was commemorated in a doleful woodcut.

In the Electorate, on the other hand, Kornberg's Come-Uppance, as it was known, was depicted much more colourfully.

My sincere thanks to Rob for what was the most gloriously entertaining game. I was really caught out by the speed at which the squadrons and companies can manoeuvre in the simple version of Charge!

My sincere apologies are also due for the endless delays in producing this. There is, however, one mitigation, which is that there are now lots and lots of newly painted soldiers, which will be following in shiny succession over the next few weeks....

Till then,

WM