Crush the Parliamentarians by Nightfall

(an English Civil War encounter)

As a follow on from our previous battle, the demoralised Parliamentarian forces had taken up a strong position on high ground with their right flank covered by a river and awaited the pursuing Royalists. The intention was to hold out until nightfall, to enable an escape in the darkness.

The Royalist were divided into two bodies of troops, one of veterans,  and massively out numbered the Parliamentarians in all but artillery. They totalled six foot and four horse regiments to Parliament’s three foot and one horse regiments.  The Parliamentarians had therefore to make their massive superiority in guns count if they were to have a chance.

The defending Parliamentarians deployed with their guns along the ridge line and two foot regiments in advance of the ridge, linked by a small body of dismounted dragoons, (of which more later), while their remaining foot and horse were held in reserve.

The first Royalists to arrive, (the veterans), launched an immediate assault on the centre of the position sending a body of horse against the apparently vulnerable dragoons.  These dragoons proved to be made of stern stuff, no only eventually defeating the horse, but also still holding their position at nightfall.

The second body of Royalists to arrive, lead by horse, moved to outflank the Parliamentarian left, which was desperately countered by their only horse regiment.

The battle then became one of attrition, which could only favour the Royalists, as despite the aid of their guns the Parliamentarian foot before the ridge were slowly ground down, both taking and receiving massive casualties.  Even more decisive was the eventual crushing of the lone horse on the left by shear weight of numbers.

With the approach of dusk, the defenders where desperately holding on for nightfall.  But it was not to come soon enough for the imperilled Parliamentarians.  Fresh Royalist horse swung around the now open left flank, preventing any retreat, just as the foot defending before the ridge began to crumble.

With the sun setting the last organised Parliamentarian forces, their reserve foot regiment and their guns, negotiated the best surrender terms they could. 

Wings of War

There was also a game of Wings of War played this evening.

A couple of sorties over the trenches of France saw a number of the Hun shot out of the skies by our jolly brave young airmen.

For more images please click here.