The Freikorps deploy at the bottom of the map, or enter from off-board on later turns. The defending Estonians deploy in the top half of the map. The Estonians retreating from Old and New Crossing deploy on the western side of the map. Yes, this does mean that they could set up next to the Freikorps. That would almost certainly be a bad thing for them though.
Identified Freikorps forces (count exhausted):
6 Infantry companies
2 Mortars
4 Machine-gun detachments
1 AA Machine-gun
Identified Estonian Forces:
2 Infantry companies (1 clearly understrength)
1 Cavalry company (clearly understrength)
1 Machine-gun detachment
1 Mortar
1 Mark V Tank
2 105mm Howitzers
1 Sopwith Camel
The Battle
Set-up:
The battle progressed slowly as the Freikorps sought to advance on both flanks. On their right flank (bottom of photographs) they came under fire from two 105mm guns that drove one company of Freikorps back into the woods. Meanwhile the advance up the left flank encountered a tank but took no serious damage is it moved through. Casualties on both sides were light but morale seemed brittle. Although the Estonians had taken first and second blood, the Freikorps were able to rout a machinegun that was located in one of the central buildings thus restoring some semblance of honour. However the battle was not yet over.
The development of the battle in pictures (Click the pics for larger images):
The end of the first part with the main movements marked on:
The Freikorps advance continued despite the heavy fire, pausing only to reorder their ranks. Meanwhile the Estonians redeployed one of the 105mm Howitzers to their left flank to shore up the infantry that were now in full rout.
The tank sought to enfilade the Freikorps infantry near it but the troops raced into the shelter of the woods, suffering only disorganisation from its shots.
The Freikorps advance looked unstoppable as the troops advanced through the woods and the corn. Suddenly two previously unseen companies of Estonian infantry jumped up from concealment to ambush the Freikorps troops. This was too much for a Landswehr company and they routed, taking the company behind them along for the ride. The Freikorps on the other flank were made of sterner stuff though. They held on and set up for a firefight.
With the Landswehr companies in full flight, their officers sought to restore order. The first company to rout had had enough. It dispersed with its members heading for Germany. The other was soon back under control though and ready to resume the advance. The other ambush fared less well. The Freikorps companies returned fire with smooth precision while a machinegun enfilade the ambushers' position. This was too much for the Estonians who dispersed homewards, refusing to rally.
The Estonian artillery on the hill now decided to limber up. Their enemies were too close. Will they get away or will they be caught with their limbers down?
Reports from the front were not good, so the Estonian general ordered his men to withdraw. The greatest threat to his forces now was the Freikorps company that was racing after the artillery on the hill. They came close to capturing it:
The artillery was able to maintain its distance but came under heavy close-range fire and eventually that told. They galloped off in full rout with the gun bouncing madly behind the limber. Meanwhile, the tank cleared its own path and routed a Freikorps machine-gun before clanking back to join its compatriots. There was little the Freikorps could do to stop it, so their infantry remained hidden in the woods as much as possible.
On the other flank, the other gun covered the retreat of the Estonian infantry, managing to break the Freikorps company that was eagerly pursuing the retreating Estonians before it too limbered and withdrew in good order. All in all, the Estonian colonel conducted the withdrawal perfectly and with a minimum of losses. Unfortunately, Prnovo was now in Freikorps hands.
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