My Biggest Battle so far

[Hard Sarge]

France is in a war with Turkey, Russia, Aus and UK

I am hitting Aus and Russia just took over Poland, and takes over the two big Polish armies

I move into the belly of Prussia (I own 2 cities there) and Russia also moves in

230379 Russian vs 206,000 French (73,000 are really the Army of Holland)

over all, was a little disappointed in the main battle

got off a decent shot with my Arty and dropped some 2000 Cav, then we had some back and forth charges with the Cossaks getting clobbered, a few back and forth with rifle fire and they broke off the fight

of course, that is when the fun started

they lost 38,000 to my 8,000, but then lost 6 divs to surrender

(next month I was able to build 2 Cav and 2 Hv Cav Divs with my spoils)

Russia Surrender when the battle was over

Sweet

HARD_Sarge

[Joram]

Yeah, not one of my biggest battles but I once had a battle where casualties were
18,000+ Sweden, 351, me. LOL. I do hope they improve the AI.

[carnifex]

I was playing last night, and after consolidating my Italian minors, I moved my entire Ejercito de Tierra, composed of 3 Armies and 2 Corps, into Venetia to draw out the Austrians and to provide respite to my French allies who were busy fending off multiple thrusts at their borders.

Venetia fell in one turn. Emboldened, I gave the order to concentrate in Vienna in order to force a definite conclusion. The Austrians responded that same month. The gods of march favored both sides equally and both armies were able to fully concentrate before battle.

My army had roughly 220K men facing 200K Austrians. My slight numerical advantage was more than mitigated by my lower infantry morale (average 3.75 SPA vs 5.5 AUS).

The initial deployement did not favor me, as both flanks of the Austrian line were anchored by forts. Getting ready for a bloody frontal assault, I spent two turns forming a double line of infantry in line formation, with supporting artillery units deployed in the gaps, roughly every 3 hexes. My Cavalry was kept in reserve, massed on the right flank.

I advanced on a broad front until the the enemy dispositions were determined, then ordered my army to execute an echelon attack, leading with the left wing. I had mixed success initially. My infantry were clearly inferior, suffering double and triple the casualties inflicted, and I faced a moment of crisis when charging Austrian cavalry smashed into the most exposed units on my left flank, forcing many of them to rout. The moment was saved by coordinated artillery fire, when several heavy and regular artillery divisions were transferred to the left flank and enveloped the Austrian cavalry with murderous fire (Massed Artillery I,II,and III owns hard).

In the center my attack was also stalled, with my infantry exchanging point blank fire with the better trained Austrians, and I had to abandon my right echelon and use those units to fill in the gaps in the line in the center and on the left. Again my artillery proved decisive. I massed all my artillery (2 Heavy and 4 Regular) in the center, opened the lines slightly to allow better sighting, then let fly for several turns in a massive barrage (love those smoke effects btw). This broke the Austrian center, and I directed my fresh infantry from the now disbanded right echelon to move into the schwerpunkt.

More bloody fighting followed, but again my artillery kept on pouring fire, and after several turns the Austrian army broke. This was a happy moment for me indeed, as I was massing my Cavalry Corps (3 Heavy Cav, 2 Cav, and 2 Lt. Cav) to provide support in the center, and when the Austrians began the retreat I quickly moved my cavalry into the breach and began the pursuit, charging every nearby Austrian unit I could find. The slaughter was horrific - entire divisions were shattered beyond redemption. Night fell and I called off the pursuit and the battle ended shortly.

I suffered about 40K casualties with several infantry divisions disbanded. The Austrians lost a comparable amount, around 45K, but I also accepted the surrender of their Guards division, 2 cavalry and 5 infantry divisions. In short, the Austrian army was smashed and Vienna invested.

It took me several hours to fight this and I had to go to bed real late, so I won't know how the campaign turns out until tonight, but with the Grand Armee having defeated the Prusso-British thrust through the low countries and now sitting in a mighty stack in Tyrol, I'm not too worried [:D][:D]

[Malagant]

Great battle description Carnifex! My battles are seldom so dramatic! I'm jealous!! [:'(]

[Mynok]

I've done that several times as Turkey against the Austrians in detailed battle. I wish I could figure out how to do it in quick battle now. You would have lost that battle in quick combat, carnifex, I guarantee it.

[carnifex]

Without a doubt, with my lower morale my infantería sangrienta would have beat it off the field the first round in quick battle.

[Hard Sarge]

I guess I posted too soon

Turkey, somehow has taken over Poland, and now the Polish Armies are under there control

Massive army group is hitting Austry, and I only got 1 Inf Div in Garrison, I start to shift my troops to try and save the troops, but had already moved 2 Armies into Prussia (they declared war on me ?)

if I can get there I should have a good size army, if...

the last army from the UK has been defeated, so my big Army I had been building in Paris is headed east

Austry, gives up, my 2 armies are in Linz, with orders to move into Austry, when

the Turkish Army shows up in Linz, 422,528 troops, vs my duel army of 211716

I was able to get my battle line set up, but my Arty is out of line, so does not help much, then the rain comes, I am in a great spot, all I got to do is let the Turks try and slug it out, but the rain ruins my firepower advantage, short sharp fights, at close range, then night falls, more and more in and out and confused fights, just as dawn breaks, so do the Turks

36,000 fall to my 14,317

now my armies move, and enter Austry and a another battle starts

494,540 Turks, vs my 198,699 French, oh boy

the weather is clear, and my battle line is formed, and the Turks follow my plan to the letter, and charge, large holes are cut into there ranks, with shot and shell, very HARD to hold the Cav back, but they follow orders and wait

(shocked to see I only have 1 Arty, Ihad two in the first battle, one took some damage, but still ended the battle with 3500 troops ?)

as sun is getting ready to set, so does the luck of the Turks, and the Cav is ordered foward, the slaughter is on, and then the darkness falls, and they run away

33,884 Turks fall, to my 6726

all over the land, nothing but Turks running for home is seen, then over the raise, the next army comes into view, ah come on

151,180 Turks vs my 191,976

6 Divs surrender

early morning and clear weather, open spaces and the line is formed
even better, both Arty Divs are here ?

this time his Inf rush the line, and is cut down in droves, my training and rifle skill is really being show off now, can only get one Arty into place, but it ruins column after column of Turk troops, finally get the 2nd arty unit into line and no targets !

finally the Turks have had enough and the route begins, only, this time, they have to run the length of my battle line, the 2nd Arty gets as many kills as the 1st did, only there are easy kills, the Cav is let loose, and they seem to get the hang of things as they stay in formation, charge after charge

42,821 Turks go down, to 1753 French

can you say, lose a war in a day (well more month) Turk National Morale took a beating, and is now -965 (Pussian morale is -985)

HARD_Sarge

the first battle was a champ, the AI hit me from the front, then from the south, and then from the north, I had went into the battle with a reseave (hmmm) even better, had place them north and south, and was able to counter each move by the AI, with out ruining my main line, but, will say of the 3 battles, the first was the dangerous one, bad weather let the Turks get close, and then his Cav was able to ruin my lines, but just in time, the sun came out

good battle

[Grand_Armee]

Those are some massive troop totals you're talking about there...some 400K Turks. I just ended a game (well, a bug ended it for me where as Prussia I was fighting everyone...yes, everyone! I had two armies of 3 corps each. Each had about 100K strength...usually about 90K.

Britain came first and was easily dealt with. The Swedes who were reinforced by the Brit remnants. After a few battles with the swedes, I had well over 100K POW's starving in Pommerania.

I was already at war with the Turks who I'd beat up a few times, and was in the act of taking some German protectorates when Russia declared against me. Soon, my central European nation was swimming with flags that weren't mine.

I drubbed the Russians only to have Austria declare against me. By now I had over half a million POW's I couldn't or wouldn't feed...money was pouring out faster than John Q Taxpayer could cough it up...and there wasn't anyone to trade with!

Next turn, Spain declared against me. I've been alternating between detailed and quick battle, depending upon size comparison. Once the Dons reached Hanover...which I'd taken from Britain when the decided they would protect Mecklenburg...The Frogs crossed the Rhine. Musta had some treaty with the Dons which didn't show me a declaration.

I was winning battle after battle, but there were too many opponents beseiging my cities which seem to fall a lot faster to the AI then they do to me.

One army left behind, it was time to make the Austrians pay...I was giving them a good shellacking when the bug hit. I don't like being at war with everyone at once...you can't do much but respond, fight battles, and once every 6 hours or so make adjustments to your economy...usually raising taxes and increasing the draft as your units get smaller.

I haven't fought against a foe of over 200K, yet. I think 400K is just to big to be realistically supportable.

[Hard Sarge]

Yea, looks like the AI seems to want to pick on you

in my game, I have been at war with Turkey for years, and other then a a few sea battles, have never seen them, out of the blue, I seen they had took over Poland (Russia had it, I won vs Russia and forced them to give a good part of it up, but I was never able to get it)

Turkey then fought and beat Prussia, with the Polish Army

odd, how Spain has been at war with Turkey for long then me, and had a ton of troops massing in that area, then broke away and headed north, as the Turks started to mass

think it ended up being a funnel effect, and the only gap was one of my Cities, and I got there to plug the gap just in time, another month or two, and all of the Turk armies, would of split

I am hoping Turkey falls this month, and I will either take over Poland, or at least make Turkey give them up

(1792 I think Poland is the key, it comes with 2 good Armies, and they can move north, south, east or west and are strong enough to take out almost anybody)

HARD_Sarge

[Naomi]

ORIGINAL: carnifex

I was playing last night, and after consolidating my Italian minors, I moved my entire Ejercito de Tierra, composed of 3 Armies and 2 Corps, into Venetia to draw out the Austrians and to provide respite to my French allies who were busy fending off multiple thrusts at their borders.

Venetia fell in one turn. Emboldened, I gave the order to concentrate in Vienna in order to force a definite conclusion. The Austrians responded that same month. The gods of march favored both sides equally and both armies were able to fully concentrate before battle.

My army had roughly 220K men facing 200K Austrians. My slight numerical advantage was more than mitigated by my lower infantry morale (average 3.75 SPA vs 5.5 AUS).

The initial deployement did not favor me, as both flanks of the Austrian line were anchored by forts. Getting ready for a bloody frontal assault, I spent two turns forming a double line of infantry in line formation, with supporting artillery units deployed in the gaps, roughly every 3 hexes. My Cavalry was kept in reserve, massed on the right flank.

I advanced on a broad front until the the enemy dispositions were determined, then ordered my army to execute an echelon attack, leading with the left wing. I had mixed success initially. My infantry were clearly inferior, suffering double and triple the casualties inflicted, and I faced a moment of crisis when charging Austrian cavalry smashed into the most exposed units on my left flank, forcing many of them to rout. The moment was saved by coordinated artillery fire, when several heavy and regular artillery divisions were transferred to the left flank and enveloped the Austrian cavalry with murderous fire (Massed Artillery I,II,and III owns hard).

In the center my attack was also stalled, with my infantry exchanging point blank fire with the better trained Austrians, and I had to abandon my right echelon and use those units to fill in the gaps in the line in the center and on the left. Again my artillery proved decisive. I massed all my artillery (2 Heavy and 4 Regular) in the center, opened the lines slightly to allow better sighting, then let fly for several turns in a massive barrage (love those smoke effects btw). This broke the Austrian center, and I directed my fresh infantry from the now disbanded right echelon to move into the schwerpunkt.

More bloody fighting followed, but again my artillery kept on pouring fire, and after several turns the Austrian army broke. This was a happy moment for me indeed, as I was massing my Cavalry Corps (3 Heavy Cav, 2 Cav, and 2 Lt. Cav) to provide support in the center, and when the Austrians began the retreat I quickly moved my cavalry into the breach and began the pursuit, charging every nearby Austrian unit I could find. The slaughter was horrific - entire divisions were shattered beyond redemption. Night fell and I called off the pursuit and the battle ended shortly.

I suffered about 40K casualties with several infantry divisions disbanded. The Austrians lost a comparable amount, around 45K, but I also accepted the surrender of their Guards division, 2 cavalry and 5 infantry divisions. In short, the Austrian army was smashed and Vienna invested.

It took me several hours to fight this and I had to go to bed real late, so I won't know how the campaign turns out until tonight, but with the Grand Armee having defeated the Prusso-British thrust through the low countries and now sitting in a mighty stack in Tyrol, I'm not too worried [:D][:D]

Your reporting just sniffs of a soldier's memoir of military encounters. I'd like to read more. :p (Though I had to read twice searching for clues about which nation you served with.)

[Hard Sarge]

Well, not really in the big battle idea, but I thought it was interesting to follow up on how Turkey is doing

next month

battle in Austria, they came in

73,617 vs 212,651

they lose 20,677 to Frances 1667 (battle line and good weather, with good training, is murder, besides the face, I outnumber them 3 to 1)
5 Divs Surrender

samll battle follows
8438 Turks fall

3rd battle in Austria
53,787 Turks, vs 221,747 French (my reinforcments are coming into area)
battle fought in FOG, but the Turks give up before they even got to my lines

11670 Turks fall to 213 French, 2 Divs surrender

Battle for Switerland (no one owns)
50,168 Turks (what is left of the 2 Polish Armies plus a Turk Corps)
vs 181,716 French, the reinforceing Army from Paris

16,784 Turks fall, vs 757 French, 4 Divs surrender

and still Turkey does not fall !, in fact there morale took a little upswing

I believe that is over 150,000 losses in 2 months to me, plus 17 Divs that have surrendered, how do they keep fighting

Sweden breaks our Alliance, and Russia declares war on me

I now have close to 400,00 troops in the area, plus the 200,000 troops in Prussia, I am going onto the attack

really hate to hammer the Polish Army so much, I hope to take it over soon !!!!!, but, it is all but broken now

HARD_Sarge

[Hard Sarge]

next month

Wurttemburg
93,163 vs 171,716 French
12,886 Turks for 305 French, 1 Div Surrenders

small battle in Austria, no losses

Pressburg
34,344 vs 148,576 Frecnh
19,712 for 1382 losses, 2 Divs surrender

Posen
33,244 vs 135,858 French
16,856 for 10084 losses, 1 Surrender

add another 48,000 to the lost total for the Turks, with 4 more Divs surrender

the next month !

Wurttenburg
a small battle, 8000 Turks down and 1 Surrendered, no French losses

Nurmburg
a combined UK/Turk army
30,549 vs 110,000 French
11,012 for 10,128 ( I fought for some Forts, shouldn't have)

now battles against Russia, but the Turks seem to be out of troops ????

next month
Prussia surrenders, Turkey surrenders to Spain

battles vs the Russian

Turks morale is on the raise, from -986 to -346 !!!!

Turkey losses the Polish Armies, but still control most of Poland

HARD_Sarge

[ericbabe]

These are great battle descriptions, thanks!

I should point out that even when it is reported that something like 400,000 troops meet 300,000 troops the actual troops that reach the battle will be limited by the battle size limit rules (which is why you might not get all your artillery in the battle, for instance.) The base size limit is around 200,000, and the maximum is perhaps 260,000, and it can be as small as 60,000 in the right circumstances. I realize there aren't very clear messages for the battle-size rules; they were something we added late in development by the request of several people on the Matrix forums (and I think they are good rules).

Nations with really low national morale (NML) will actual gain some NML from surrendering (their people are relieved no longer to be at war.)


Eric