The Maxims of Lodenlander Warfare

[Nectorist 12875]

The Maxims of Lodenlander Warfare

by Johanes van Aert

19th of Horen’s Calling, 1951

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Maps of the city of Nordengrad and the Krag Castle during the Siege of Nordengrad, c. 1690

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The Lodenlanders, thought to be a petty and insignificant people, owing to our small numbers, have never been studied or documented outside of cultural practices that have faded since the 17th century. The manner by which our people undertake war is, therefore, critically under examined. However, the success of the Blackvale Vrijkorps since the Eastfleet War, and a reexamination of military history dating back to the Pertinaxi Empire, which saw many Lodenlanders in the employ of Aurelius and his successors, has sparked a strong interest in the study of warfare from those who conduct it best. The following are lessons that have been applied across the history of the Lodenlanders:

 

MAXIM I.

Never abandon your line of communication from overconfidence, yet to change that line is a skillful art that may be authorized in highest necessity.

 

(See: The Siege of Arberrang, 1691, where after a first failed assault against the town Emperor Aurelius and Imperial General Joep van den Beld shifted their lines of communication with Carolustadt westward to avoid raiding parties around Curon.)

 

MAXIM II.

Scattered bodies of an army moving towards a fixed point must be united a safe distance from the enemy. If this takes place near the enemy, they are at risk of being defeated in detail or prevented from junction by a concentrated force.

 

(See: The Battle of Ferry’s Folly, 1867, where Emperor Philip III and Duke Willem van Aert concentrated their superior numbers at a ruined citadel outside of Jarad’s Tavern before marching to defeat a force of Ferrymen at the ruins of Haverlock.)

 

MAXIM III.

To besiege a fortification which gives no advantage to yourself nor annoyance to the enemy is a wasted endeavor.

 

(See: The Siege of White Peak, 1668, where King Aurelius bypassed several Courlandic castles and towns to strike at their capital. Renatian Major Hendricus Woordes was able to establish an effective rearguard to ward off any threats from undermanned garrisons in the rear and allow the main army to strike a decisive blow against the Staunton rebels.)

 

MAXIM IV.

Every position must secure protection for your flanks and lines of communication.

 

(See: The Battle of Rolly’s Field, 1918, where Duke Heinrik Sarkozic and Duke Valentin van Aert were able to extend their line of attack to be anchored by the River Reden and Jasper’s Farm, allowing them to encircle the Aaunish army without threat on either flank or of their lines of communication back to Veletzia being cut off.)

 

MAXIM V.

A position cannot be too strong that it cannot be reinforced by field-works that allow for a smaller part of your army to defend against a greater part of the enemy’s so that the greater part of your force may assail the enemy.

 

(See: The Battle of the Forkwoods, 1661, where a majority-Lodenlander battalion on the left flank of the Renatian army, commanded by Colonel Toon Berkenvelder, was able to resist two battalions of Norlandic soldiers by assuming a strong position behind a river bend. A third of Colonel Berkenvelder’s battalion was able to put up a staunch defense against the Norlandic forces while the other two-thirds made numerous flanking attacks and eventually drove them off.)

 

MAXIM VI.

When on the eve of battle recall all your detachments. Never attack with a portion of your force when a short delay may allow you to bring your full strength to bear. One may never have too many soldiers.

 

(See: The Battle of Rochdale, 1640, where a company of Lodenlander freeriders under Renatian Captain Gijsje Hoog Stoevenbeld was recalled to join the main host hours before the battle and played a crucial role in driving back a dwarven surprise attack at dawn.)

 

MAXIM VII.

If your enemy is entrenching and you decide to attack, do not delay, as each hour may lose you a hundred men or more.

 

(See: The Battle of the Rolling Hills, 1660, where a force of Haeseni soldiers attempted to take a defensive position atop a hill to stave off a retreat. Renatian Lt. Colonel Lennerd Wiendels op den Pas acted quickly and immediately assailed their position with his battalion, despite being greatly outnumbered. This gave time for the right flank of the Renatian army to arrive and crush this holdout before they could organize a proper defense.)

 

MAXIM VIII.

An attack made on the enemy’s center is the most decisive. That on a flank is the most secure.

 

(See: The Battle of New Providence Bridge, 1851, where Duke Gaspard van Aert led a direct assault against the center of the Imperial force facing him, which was twice as large. The Imperial line immediately caved inwards, forcing a general rout early into the battle.)

 

MAXIM IX.

An army in an enemy country should never be for a moment without an advance guard and advance posts.

 

(See: The Leuven Campaign, 1716-1718, where Imperial General Marthijn Weggeman led two battalions of Lodenlander light cavalry to secure the northern woods bordering Haense and cut off the southern roads that would have allowed reinforcements from Fenn and Curon. With these two positions held, the Imperial Legion led by Sir Donald Horen was able to advance on the County of Leuven without fear of being attacked from either flank.) 

 

MAXIM X.

Time is the only disadvantage that cannot be mitigated by skill or fortune.

 

(See: The Great Siege of Helena, 1716, where the time that Arthur de Falstaff needed to train and organize his army was better-spent by the Renatians, guided by William Jrent and Imperial General Korneel ter Hedde, who fortified Helena until it could not be conquered by Joseph Marna’s massive host, no matter how much training or supplies they had received.)

[JoanOfArc 4604]

Saskia van Aert, while under the influence of multiple bottles of wine, reassured her cousin many, many times she would read his work and correct any mistakes. "You know you are my favorite author, cousin!"

 

She never ended up reading it.

[Ryanark 2738]

An elden Blackvale mercenary read the maxims over his morning ur'ba, Hannes' soul warmed inside.