In order to prevent a link up of Imperial forces Baner moved to attack Hatzfeld’s position at Perlberg. Baner’s approach did not persuade Hatzfeld to leave the safety of his entrenchments as he knew that the devastated terrain would not support the Swedish army for long. Hatzfeld was right and Baner was forced to withdraw his army a few days later. Baner’s next move was to strike at some of the smaller Imperial positions guarding local supply routes, this he did successfully, thus rendering the Imperial position at Perleburg unsustainable. The Imperials were forced to withdraw, Baner with a close eye on the situation moved rapidly to intercept, both armies met at Wittstock. Aware of Baner’s approach, Hatzfeld deployed in another strong defensive position, hoping that this would again deter the Swedes from attacking, however, this time Baner was determined to attack.
Command |
General |
||||
Vanguard |
|
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Imperial Dragoon |
Dragoon |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
Dragoon (Det) |
Dragoon |
Regular |
3 |
2 |
S |
Command |
General |
||||
Right Wing |
Marrazino |
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Imperial Cuirassier |
Trotter |
Regular |
2 |
4 |
S |
Saxon Lifeguard (Det) |
Trotter |
Guard |
1 |
2 |
S |
Saxon Horse |
Trotter |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
Saxon Horse (Det) |
Trotter |
Regular |
5 |
3 |
S |
Command |
General |
||||
Centre |
|
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Imperial Infantry |
Tercio (L) |
Regular |
4 |
5,6,7,8 |
p/S+Bn |
Imperial Infantry |
Tercio (L) |
Veteran |
1 |
7 |
p/S+Bn |
Imperial Infantry |
Tercio (L) |
Conscript |
3 |
5,6,6 |
p/S+Bn |
League Infantry |
Tercio (L) |
Regular |
1 |
7 |
p/S+Bn |
Saxon Infantry |
Tercio (L) |
Regular |
4 |
6,7,7,8 |
p/S+Bn |
Imperial Cuirassier (Det) |
Trotter |
Regular |
4 |
3 |
S |
Imperial Horse |
Trotter |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
Saxon Horse (Det) |
Trotter |
Regular |
3 |
3 |
S |
Imperial Dragoon |
Dragoon |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
Demicannon |
Artillery |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
Falcon |
Artillery |
Regular |
3 |
4 |
S |
Falconnet |
Artillery |
Regular |
2 |
4 |
S |
Command |
General |
||||
Left Wing |
Hatzfeld |
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Imperial Cuirassier |
Trotter |
Veteran |
4 |
5,5,6,6 |
S |
Imperial Cuirassier (Det) |
Trotter |
Regular |
4 |
3 |
S |
Imperial Arquebusier |
Caracole |
Regular |
2 |
4 |
S |
Command |
General |
||||
Right Wing |
Torstensson |
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Finnish Horse |
Galloper |
Veteran |
1 |
5 |
S |
Swedish Horse (Det) |
Gallop/Trot |
Veteran |
2 |
3 |
S |
Baltic Horse |
Gallop/Trot |
Veteran |
2 |
4,5 |
S |
German Horse |
Gallop/Trot |
Regular |
4 |
4,4,5,6 |
S |
Musketeers (Det) |
Regiment |
Veteran |
3 |
2 |
S+Bn |
Command |
General |
||||
Centre |
Leslie |
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Swedish Infantry |
Regiment |
Veteran |
2 |
4 |
p/S +Bn |
Scottish Infantry |
Regiment |
Veteran |
4 |
4 |
p/S +Bn |
German Infantry |
Regiment |
Regular |
4 |
4 |
p/S +Bn |
Lifeguard Horse |
Trotter |
Guard |
1 |
6 |
S |
German Horse (Det) |
Trotter |
Veteran |
2 |
3 |
S |
Demmicannon |
Artillery |
Regular |
3 |
4 |
S |
Demiculverin |
Artillery |
Regular |
3 |
4 |
S |
Command |
General |
||||
Left Wing |
Stalhansk |
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Finnish Horse |
Galloper |
Veteran |
1 |
5 |
S |
German Horse |
Gallop/Trot |
Regular |
1 |
5 |
S |
German Horse (Det) |
Gallop/Trot |
Regular |
7 |
3 |
S |
Command |
General |
||||
Reserve |
Vitzthum |
||||
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
Swedish Infantry |
Regiment |
Veteran |
1 |
4 |
p/S +Bn |
German Infantry |
Regiment |
Regular |
6 |
4 |
p/S +Bn |
German Horse |
Gallop/Trot |
Regular |
1 |
5 |
S |
German Horse |
Gallop/Trot |
Regular |
2 |
4 |
S |
German Horse (Det) |
Gallop/Trot |
Regular |
2 |
3 |
S |
Baner considered the Imperial position to be too strong for a frontal attack and planned to attack both flanks instead. The Swedish advance on the Imperials left flank was screened by the woods and hills that Hatzfeld had hoped would protect his flank. However, the approaching Swedes were eventually spotted as the neared the Scharfenberg, and it was at this point that Hatzfeld realised the threat. The Imperial general personally led a cavalry force to deny this position to the Swedes. Torstensson reacted quickly to this move and intercepted the Imperials, the battle had begun. Baner’s force moved up to reinforce Torstensson and infantry units from the Imperial centre began to support the Imperial cavalry attack. The Imperials had managed to block the Swedish attack and were beginning to drive it back. It was at this point that Leslie arrived with the main body of the Swedish infantry.
Leslie’s infantry now began to apply pressure to the Imperials and this pressure was greatly increased with the arrival of the Swedish artillery. Eventually Stalhansk’s force moved into position and began attacks along Marrazino’s line but by this time evening was drawing on and it was getting too dark to seriously engage the enemy. Although skirmishing continued into the night, the Imperials definitely had the worse of the battle and began to withdraw. It was not until the following morning that Baner noticed that Hatzfeld had withdrawn and by then it was too late to pursue.
The Swedish player will take the first turn. The Imperial side will not be able to react to the Swedish advance until the Swedes move from behind the cover offered by the woods.