ECW The Battle of Chewton Mendip - Part 2 of 3: Turns 1 to 6

It was my intention to wrap up this AAR in one post, but a combination of available time to play it through and it being rather more involved than I anticipated, I have decided to get part 2 onto the blog rather than wait any longer. So - onto the battle: 

Turn 1

The presence of Waller's dragoons lining hedgerows did not deter the Royalists from seeking to engage the Parliamentarian horse at the earliest possible moment. They were supremely confident of driving them from the field. 

Prince Maurice with his lifeguard leading paid a heavy price for that optimism losing 25% of their number to Waller's dragoons firing into their flank from the hedgerows. Maurice had his horse shot from beneath him removing him from the proceedings for one turn.

The Veteran/Elite troopers shrugged off their losses and continued towards the Forlorn Hope.

Continued -

An overview with Caernarvon's cavalry advancing down from the top left. The two Roundhead cannon opened fire with no effect.

Turn 2

The small unit of Lifeguards now charged the forlorn hope. The latter held their nerve and fired a volley into the charging Royalists but only succeeded in downing one of them. The Royalist cavalry ploughed into the thin Forlorn Hope line. This was too much for the Roundhead dragoons who routed suffering heavy losses.

Caernarvon's cavalry continued to advance (top left) suffering only light casualties from Waller's dragoons secreted behind hedgerows on that flank.

Turn 3

No sign of the Royalist reinforcements this turn nor the mist!

Caernarvon's two Royalist squadrons charge two of Waller's squadrons with Bennet leading the charge on the left of the photo and Caernarvon on the right.

Bennet's squadron came under flanking fire from the dragoons on the left downing 3 of them and wounding Bennet who will be out of the action for 5 turns. This did not halt their charge though with both Roundhead squadrons counter-charging.

Caernarvon's cavalry suffered a penalty in combat due to fatigue caused by their earlier action at Glastonbury. This did not prove too much of a hindrance due to their superiority in the charge (gallopers v Roundhead trotters). The 2nd squadron on the left were involved in a closely fought contest which would continue into the next turn.

The 1st squadron on the right were much more successful, comprehensively defeating Waller's 2nd squadron inflicting heavy losses and causing it to rout.

Prince Maurice attempted and failed to rally the lifeguard from pursuit who were too busy slaughtering the Forlorn Hope survivors.

An overview at the end of the turn. Bennet's cavalry were ordered across the stream to support Maurice who were in danger of being overwhelmed. Two of the Roundhead squadrons without leaders attached failed to change their orders from hold to engage in close combat buying Maurice valuable time.

Turn 4

On the Royalist left all the action now centred around Prince Maurice with his lifeguard whose pursuit of the routing dragoons were intercepted by Burghill leading his 1st Squadron into the melee (middle of photo). The lifeguard lost 2 to the Roundhead's 1 but the melee was inconclusive and would continue into the next turn.

Caernarvon inflicted more casualties on the routing squadron of Waller's horse before successfully rallying his pursuing troops.

Vandruke with Waller's 1st Squadron fought Caernarvon's 2nd squadron to a standstill with each side losing 2 casualties. To the left a squadron of Waller's dragoons mount up.

The right division dragoons have once again failed to activate and await secreted behind a hedgerow.

Ahead of those dragoons an ominous sight. The Royalist reinforcements begin to arrive with dragoons in the lead.

An overview at the end of turn 4. The Parliamentarian right appears to be fairly secure but their left is hanging in the balance. They need to make their superior numbers count before the new Royalist arrivals can intervene.

Turn 5

A mist has rolled in! A test at the start of this turn revealed this weather change restricting visibility to 6cm and all firing would be classed as long range for determining casualties. There was now a danger of friendly fire and close combat, or units simply running away!

Most units had sight of enemy units as the mist descended and were therefore classed as 'identified'. On the Royalist left flank, three melees are now in full swing as various squadrons from both sides charged each other.

On the top left of the photo, Haynes lead Waller's 3rd squadron in a charge into Bennet's horse. The Roundheads succeeded in pushing back the Royalists but Haynes received a light wound - he will be out of the action for a couple of turns.

In the centre the melee between Maurice and his lifeguards with Burghill's horse continued with the latter being pushed back.

On the right, Burghill's 2nd squadron fights an inconclusive melee with Maurice' Horse.

Vandruke gradually gets the better of Caernarvon's 2nd squadron pushing them back. The dragoons in the foreground are blissfully unaware of the approaching Caernarvon and his 1st squadron on the right who have been absorbed by the mist. 

Another view of those dragoons now spread out and peering into the mist.

In the meantime the Royalist reinforcements continue to arrive.

An overview at the end of turn 5. The dragoons of the Forlorn Hope (bottom left) have rallied from rout.

Turn 6

The mist continues!

A turn for the worst for Maurice' Horse! Burghill's 3rd squadron piled in to reinforce the 2nd squadron. The Royalists fought well but numbers told and they were pushed back but only by 1cm. 

The superiority in quality of Maurice lifeguards became apparent as they again pushed back Burghill. They had been pushed back 4cm in total. Much more and they were at risk of routing.

Caernarvon's 2nd squadron prevented any further push backs holding Vandruke. The latter would gradually become aware of cavalry looming out of the mist to his rear as Caernarvon with the 1st squadron gradually closes in. Several dragoons withstand the shock of seeing the Royalist cavalry emerging into view and fire off an ineffectual volley.

And still they come! Sir George Vaughan leads his troopers through the mist not knowing what they may come up against.

Ahead of the lay Waller's dragoons, static throughout the battle so far. And also impervious about what is approaching.

An overview at the end of turn 6. The melee in the upper middle of the photo between one of Waller's squadrons and Bennet's horse continued to turn in the favour of the Roundheads with the Royalists pushed back again amounting now to 4cm.

The early arrival of Royalist reinforcements was unfortunate for the Parliamentarians but it is not over yet!