Terra Ferra

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==== The Battle of Meols Halt ====

The colonel Lecointe watched the hawk hovering in the deep blue sky before swooping down on its prey hidden in the moor land which the colonel and his men had been matching through since crossing the Nordsboccoain border that morning. the hawk was having good hunting and the colonel hoped it was an omen for him too. The day was good and the weather fine, only the dust kicked up by the regiment marching ahead marred the day. Lecointe's regiment the 2nd Guards had mustered that morning and as part of the Flamboyance 1st Division was following thier sister regiment as they advanced towards the city of Nordsbocco. After a career in the army which had not included must action he hoped the advance forces would soon identify Nordsbocco defenses and the army could start some real soldiering. Glory awaited him beyond this tussocky  waste land a good showing in the upcoming battle would undoubtibly  stand him in good stead back at court. A commotion up ahead drew the colonel's attention. A groups of officers were trotting back down the road, perhaps some news. gesturing to his adjutant and drawing his horse out of the way of his matching men he awaited their arrival.

The group proved to contain his brigade commander. Brigadier Caillot's girth showed he was a jovial character in the mess but had a reputation as a bit of a marinate on the parade ground, which Lecointe supposed were exactly the requirements for a commander of the Guards Brigade. "Good day colonel" the stout general responded to Lecointe's brisk salute. "The enemy are holding a line just a head at a place called Meols. Damn fellows are holding the railway embankment and we are going to flush them out!" The general Lecointe realized was as excited at the prospect as a bride on her wedding day. The general had, unlike the colonel,  after all never heard a shot fired in anger. "The cavalry brigade along with some light troops are forming a skirmish line. You are to form up to the right of the 1st". the general gestured up the road. " and come to my HQ for further orders. I have set up my HQ on a raise over looking the enemy position". With that the whole group of staff officers like a flock of starlings wheeled their horses and set of back up the road. 

Well now we will see thought Lecointe. Turning to his adjutant "Order the regiment to double time, we don't want to be late do we?" he looked up the road again to where the 1st Regiment had already picked up their pace.

Meols was a very small place the colonel reflected as he stood on the small raise overlooking the Nordsbocco positions. The railway embankment ran across the armys route of advance through the village of Meols. Behind the Nordsboccoain right wing a small hill was situated. General Caillot was studying a map and taking with a courier from Division. As soon as the courier had left he summoned his officers around him. "We have our orders." He smiled, "Quite simple really. We are to break through this line and catch the main Nordsbocco forces before they can occupy their main defensive position. The 1st and 2nd Guards will attack  to the left of that ramshackled place with the 3rd Chassuer du pied in support on the left and the 1st Chassuer du Pied on the right. Our cavalry will take position on the extreme right ready to exploit our success!" He paused as if expecting applause. "What about artillery support?" Colonel Tillon commander of the 1st Guards was, while being well connected, a rather timid man for a army fellow, meticulous was perhaps a more polite term. " The artillery will arrive along with the rest of the division once our attack goes in. There are only a few skirmishers in the buildings and we are avoiding that by out flanking them." Caillot reassured him. " Those Nordsboccain need a lesson and what better way than at the point of a guardman's bayonet?". Lecointe tended to agree, if the Flamboyant guards could not chase some comic opera Nordsboccoain recruits away what would the world think? The die was set.

That smug vision did not look so clear cut down on the front line he realized. The skirmish fire from the buildings of Meols was heavier than he realized, but the main problem was the formidable position occupied the the Nordsboccoain infantry. Behind the unfinished railway embankment he could see little more than rows of shakos and bayonet points, this was going to be a bloody affair. Still orders were orders. Sending his horse to the rear and drawing his sword as the bugles began to sound across the brigade he ordered the advance.

The first volley staggered the regiment but they kept advancing as they reached the embankment a final volley broke out, smoke and flame enveloped the men as they surged up over the tracks. Lecointe's world shrank to a single infantry man and a bayonet point. Beating the blade away he fired his revolver, the infantry man disappeared but where he had no idea. Suddenly or so it seemed the fight was over and the Nordsboccoains were running away! Oh but the carnage, looking around Lecointe could see large numbers of dead and wounded from both sides. With approximately a quarter of his men down the appearance over the nearby hill of Nordsbocco cavalry was a deep concern. If the regiment was caught like this they would be ridden down. " Form line! Prepare to engage the cavalry!" he shouted, other officers taking up his call. The cavalry halted so Lecointe directed the Regiment's fire at the retreating Nordsbocco infantry who were reforming themselves.  The cavalry had just stopped his advance cold he ruefully acknowledged. He the took the moment to look around and take stock. It appeared the bayonet thrust had not been totally miss directed as one of his epaulets was now missing, but worse, far worse,  was the 1st Guards on his left, while they also held the embankment they seemed to be very few number. The sound of artillery drew his attention to the hamlet of Meols. The divisional artillery had appeared and was engaging the enemy occupiers, "Good, at least that announce would some be removed". 

He was conferring with some of his battalion officers as the brigadier  arrived in a clatter of horses hooves on the embankment stones. "Why have you halted the attack Colonel!?" he demanded, " You must keep up the pressure." Lecointe objected it was unclear if the 1st could support his advance and the cavalry still hovered threatening his flank if he advanced alone. Caillot hardly considered before replying. " The 1st along with the 3rd Chassuers will advance to protect your flank. The divisions 2nd Brigade will advance to your support. You must break through colonel or all this sacrifice", he indicated the wreckage of the attack, " will be for nothing!"

So began the second phase of the action. 2nd Guards alone with the 2nd Brigade attacked the reforming line of Nordsboccoain infantry but with their loses already and no embankment they stood little chance against the renewed attack. The Nordsboccoain regiment on the far left slowly gave groups in the face of the Flamboyant cavalry brigade. Only on the Flamboyant left was there any success for the Nordsbocco covering forces. The cavalry swept down the hill and hit the 3rd Chassuer ridding them down before retreating again. Eventually the troops holding Meols, cut off, surrendered leaving the road free for a resumption of the advance. But the delay was too much Nordsbocco would be waiting the Flamboyant advance in its 'position magnifique'.

[[Interlude - Chancellors Office]]
Terra Ferra

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