The Lion of the North Survives
Lützen, 16th of November, 1632
The damn fog was slowing the preparation of the troops. The religious war for the Holy Roman Empire had been going on for many years before the Swedes arrived. Prior to them had come the Danes, who were unsuccessful to say the least. Breitenfeld had demonstrated to the protestant princes of the empire that Gustav could beat the catholics, unlike the Danes. But that didn't matter now, the catholics had a new general, Wallenstein. So far he had been at least partially successful in attacking the protestant forces. He was holed up in Leipzig, but clearly he'd known ahead of time of the protestant approach, as they could see a prepared army waiting for them.
The worst part about preparations was the fog, it easily doubled the time it would take to get in formation. People couldn't see where they were going and occasionally fell. In total, preparations took around two hours. Then the battle started.
Wallenstein had a weak point in his defences, his left flank. Unfortunately for Wallenstein, that is exactly where Captain Gars attacked, leading to early successes of the protestants. That wasn't the end of the battle, it was just near the beginning. The Swedish assault suddenly stopped due to being attacked by a cavalry force of 2,000-3,000.
"Thus I know my Pappenheim!" Wallenstein exclaimed. He had sent Pappenheim to gather his army corps and return as soon as possible.
One Swedish soldier at a cannon fired a fateful shot at the approaching cavalry and struck the most important figure of theirs, Pappenheim. He was fatally wounded by the lone cannon shot and died while being evacuated from the field in a coach.
Cavalry action continued against Wallenstein's left wing, then he deployed reserves to attempt to gain an upper hand. Not wanting to lose this battle, King Gustav also deployed reserves to ensure the left wing would fall.
"Assemble a force of cavalry for me to lead," Gustav told a low ranking general.
"At once, my king."
The fog was finally lifting in time for the king's assault. The cavalry charged, with Gustav leading them. Seeing their king's bravery, the centre pushed harder into Wallenstein's heavily guarded centre.
Men on the Swedish side died like flies in the centre until they were saved by the king's other troops. Wallenstein's left wing collapsed to the Swedish cavalry. Afterwards, the Swedes overran the rest of Wallenstein's troops from two fronts, leading Wallenstein to surrender to Gustav.
"Good work, my king."
"Thank you, Axel. Now I'm afraid I must attend to other business, such as speaking to our new guest."
A stroke of luck for the Swedes was capturing Wallenstein himself. After all, he couldn't lead an army against the protestants if he was their prisoner.
The damn fog was slowing the preparation of the troops. The religious war for the Holy Roman Empire had been going on for many years before the Swedes arrived. Prior to them had come the Danes, who were unsuccessful to say the least. Breitenfeld had demonstrated to the protestant princes of the empire that Gustav could beat the catholics, unlike the Danes. But that didn't matter now, the catholics had a new general, Wallenstein. So far he had been at least partially successful in attacking the protestant forces. He was holed up in Leipzig, but clearly he'd known ahead of time of the protestant approach, as they could see a prepared army waiting for them.
The worst part about preparations was the fog, it easily doubled the time it would take to get in formation. People couldn't see where they were going and occasionally fell. In total, preparations took around two hours. Then the battle started.
Wallenstein had a weak point in his defences, his left flank. Unfortunately for Wallenstein, that is exactly where Captain Gars attacked, leading to early successes of the protestants. That wasn't the end of the battle, it was just near the beginning. The Swedish assault suddenly stopped due to being attacked by a cavalry force of 2,000-3,000.
"Thus I know my Pappenheim!" Wallenstein exclaimed. He had sent Pappenheim to gather his army corps and return as soon as possible.
One Swedish soldier at a cannon fired a fateful shot at the approaching cavalry and struck the most important figure of theirs, Pappenheim. He was fatally wounded by the lone cannon shot and died while being evacuated from the field in a coach.
Cavalry action continued against Wallenstein's left wing, then he deployed reserves to attempt to gain an upper hand. Not wanting to lose this battle, King Gustav also deployed reserves to ensure the left wing would fall.
"Assemble a force of cavalry for me to lead," Gustav told a low ranking general.
"At once, my king."
The fog was finally lifting in time for the king's assault. The cavalry charged, with Gustav leading them. Seeing their king's bravery, the centre pushed harder into Wallenstein's heavily guarded centre.
Men on the Swedish side died like flies in the centre until they were saved by the king's other troops. Wallenstein's left wing collapsed to the Swedish cavalry. Afterwards, the Swedes overran the rest of Wallenstein's troops from two fronts, leading Wallenstein to surrender to Gustav.
"Good work, my king."
"Thank you, Axel. Now I'm afraid I must attend to other business, such as speaking to our new guest."
A stroke of luck for the Swedes was capturing Wallenstein himself. After all, he couldn't lead an army against the protestants if he was their prisoner.