Sorry, I was busy yet again. Since the action in my game has dwindled down I will post my AAR on this topic tommrow afternoon.
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
PART 6: PLETTENBERG’S LAST BATTLE
1530 - Situation: In December 1529 Vasily III broke the treaty that Moscowy had with the Teutonic Order. Since winter was settling it gave him time to increase his manpower and he did. The Russian army didn’t increase much since their defeat at the hands of Plettenberg, some wars with the Golden Horde demanded extra troops and were duly authorized by Plettenberg but only temporarily. In March Plettenberg gathered an army along the Muscovite border numbering 45,000 Infantry and 15,000 Cavalry, the largest army the Teutonic Order was ever able to field. Most of the Muscovite army was in position just outside Moscow. Plettenberg’s scouts and spies seemed to agree that the Muscovite Imperial Guard numbered 100,000. The Muscovite army could very well decide the place of battle and it could be disastrous for the Teutonic warriors. In March 1530 Plettenberg began to move his army out of Tver to his surprise the Muscovite army began to move toward his army.
April 7th 1530 Plettenberg had only moved his army a few miles a day to keep them rested and the Muscovite army was marching long and hard everyday, as a result the Muscovite army was tired and not well rested. Both armies came into contact each other about mid day. The Terrain along the border was somewhat steep and upon hilly terrain. Plettenberg arrived just in time to take position upon high ground as he had done so may times. The Russian army had also arrived a half hour later and began their march toward Plettenberg’s army.
3rd Battle of Tver Heights
Forces engaged
Teutonic - 45,000 Infantry 15,000 Cavalry
Muscovite - 70,000 Infantry 30,000 Cavalry
The Muscovite army appeared on the battlefield and assembled in formation, Plettenberg’s men had already formed up. The Muscovite Army then began to advance on Plettenberg’s army. The Muscovite army had placed an immense amount of Infantry on their Left Flank, however Plettenberg’s scouts were of this and he compensated for this, he would lead the Muscovite army into a trap. Since the terrain was hilly the Muscovites couldn’t see over the many hilltops. Plettenberg formed his ranks only 5 men deep on his entire right flank and placed them on the bottom of the hill, the plan would be to run as the Muscovites were on top of them and then throw everything he had to counter them.
Action in the Center: The Russian center was weak compared with the Teutonic center, the Muscovites began their advance up the hills and then the Teutonic Infantry begin to rain down upon them. However the Muscovites had other ideas in mind and as a result they did not retreat but stood their ground.
Action on the Left - The Muscovite army on Plettenberg’s Left was well manned, not to the extent of what they had on Plettenberg’s right but they still were a considerable force. Plettenberg ordered his men to hold their position and the Cavalry would support them. The Muscovite army ran up the hill, some couldn’t keep their balance and thus had to hunch over and use their arm to keep their balance, then as the Muscovite army was advancing up the hill the Teutonic Cavalry charged them. The Teutonic horses stomped many Muscovite soldiers to death and they began to run, as they did the Cavalry broke off and the Teutonic Infantry charged them, however what they didn’t count on is the Muscovites taking positions upon hilly ground and then the Russian Cavalry charged into the Teutonic Infantry.
Plettenberg ordered every last Cavalrymen to rally and charge the Muscovite Cavalry. The Muscovite cavalry put up a gallant defense but the poor quality of the Muscovite army again showed and they were chased from the field. Plettenberg ordered the Teutonic Infantry to halt and stay on flat ground. The Muscovite army had halted as well, they would not give up the high ground. Then something unexpected happened, the Cavalry had rode around them and attacked them from the rear, some of the Muscovite soldiers ran down the hill only to do battle with the Teutonic Infantry, eventually they were driven over the hill and a lot fell backwards some choose to battle it with the Cavalry and some ran into the Teutonic Infantry, the Left eventually collapsed.
Action on the Right - The Teutonic army had held their position with only 5 ranks deep. The Muscovite army charged and the Teutonic Infantry ran up the hill where the trap was set. The Muscovites were advancing up the hill, they had almost reached the top when they were stormed by Teutonic Infantry, again the Muscovites held their position, slowly they were driven down the hill. The fighting ensued. Plettenberg was riding around to see his army in action, he had stepped off his horse and observed the battle when he felt something sharp pierce his left Kidney, “Ahhh” he yelled silently, he fell to his knees and look behind him, it was General Mihail Glinski, the leader of the Muscovite army. Glinski watched Plettenberg with a smile, “not like this” Plettenberg said to him self. Mihail Glinski turned his back and began to walk away then Plettenberg got back on his feet, “Come General, see how a true warrior fights”. Mihail Glinski turned around to see Plettenberg with his sword drawn, “Very well Plettenberg, this should be very easy”. The two clashed their swords together.
Then after a while Plettenberg noticed that the fighting had died down completely, both armies were watching the fight. “If I fall here while my men watch, the battle will certainly be lost, I must endure this pain and kill him”. For a few minutes both men clashed, then Plettenberg hit Mihail Glinski’s sword hard enough to knock it out of his hand. Glinski’s sword was now six feet away from him, Glinski began to run toward it. Plettenberg ran toward him as fast as he could, and he dare not struggle in front of his men. Plettenberg ran his sword through Glinski’s lower back, Ironically it pierced his kidney and the sword appeared through the other end of his body, Glinski screamed loudly. Both armies stared in amazement, “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, CHARGE!!!” Plettenberg screamed out, the Teutonic warriors easily defeated the Muscovites.
Plettenberg managed to struggle back to his horse and rode back to camp and entered a field hospital. The doctor looked at him with great sorrow.
“Is it mortal?” Plettenberg asked.
“I am sorry sir, but there is nothing I can do for you.”
“Very well, I always dreamed of dieing on the battlefield, not in a field hospital. Help me to my horse doctor”.
“Yes sir.”
Plettenberg rode his horse out to where he was stabbed, he got off and laid down face up, he eventually died. His last words were “In all of my fighting I have never fought so great a battle, and I owe it all to God, I hope he will remember what I have done in his name.”
His body was taken back to Riga. His funeral was April 15th, the Casket was decorated in gold, and he was placed in a tomb made especially for him only. Hermann Brugsenei was his chosen heir, In his last sentence of the Eulogy he said “This man has truly earned the name Plettenberg the Great!”
Here is a Screenshot of what I accomplished under Plettenberg
1530 - Situation: In December 1529 Vasily III broke the treaty that Moscowy had with the Teutonic Order. Since winter was settling it gave him time to increase his manpower and he did. The Russian army didn’t increase much since their defeat at the hands of Plettenberg, some wars with the Golden Horde demanded extra troops and were duly authorized by Plettenberg but only temporarily. In March Plettenberg gathered an army along the Muscovite border numbering 45,000 Infantry and 15,000 Cavalry, the largest army the Teutonic Order was ever able to field. Most of the Muscovite army was in position just outside Moscow. Plettenberg’s scouts and spies seemed to agree that the Muscovite Imperial Guard numbered 100,000. The Muscovite army could very well decide the place of battle and it could be disastrous for the Teutonic warriors. In March 1530 Plettenberg began to move his army out of Tver to his surprise the Muscovite army began to move toward his army.
April 7th 1530 Plettenberg had only moved his army a few miles a day to keep them rested and the Muscovite army was marching long and hard everyday, as a result the Muscovite army was tired and not well rested. Both armies came into contact each other about mid day. The Terrain along the border was somewhat steep and upon hilly terrain. Plettenberg arrived just in time to take position upon high ground as he had done so may times. The Russian army had also arrived a half hour later and began their march toward Plettenberg’s army.
3rd Battle of Tver Heights
Forces engaged
Teutonic - 45,000 Infantry 15,000 Cavalry
Muscovite - 70,000 Infantry 30,000 Cavalry
The Muscovite army appeared on the battlefield and assembled in formation, Plettenberg’s men had already formed up. The Muscovite Army then began to advance on Plettenberg’s army. The Muscovite army had placed an immense amount of Infantry on their Left Flank, however Plettenberg’s scouts were of this and he compensated for this, he would lead the Muscovite army into a trap. Since the terrain was hilly the Muscovites couldn’t see over the many hilltops. Plettenberg formed his ranks only 5 men deep on his entire right flank and placed them on the bottom of the hill, the plan would be to run as the Muscovites were on top of them and then throw everything he had to counter them.
Action in the Center: The Russian center was weak compared with the Teutonic center, the Muscovites began their advance up the hills and then the Teutonic Infantry begin to rain down upon them. However the Muscovites had other ideas in mind and as a result they did not retreat but stood their ground.
Action on the Left - The Muscovite army on Plettenberg’s Left was well manned, not to the extent of what they had on Plettenberg’s right but they still were a considerable force. Plettenberg ordered his men to hold their position and the Cavalry would support them. The Muscovite army ran up the hill, some couldn’t keep their balance and thus had to hunch over and use their arm to keep their balance, then as the Muscovite army was advancing up the hill the Teutonic Cavalry charged them. The Teutonic horses stomped many Muscovite soldiers to death and they began to run, as they did the Cavalry broke off and the Teutonic Infantry charged them, however what they didn’t count on is the Muscovites taking positions upon hilly ground and then the Russian Cavalry charged into the Teutonic Infantry.
Plettenberg ordered every last Cavalrymen to rally and charge the Muscovite Cavalry. The Muscovite cavalry put up a gallant defense but the poor quality of the Muscovite army again showed and they were chased from the field. Plettenberg ordered the Teutonic Infantry to halt and stay on flat ground. The Muscovite army had halted as well, they would not give up the high ground. Then something unexpected happened, the Cavalry had rode around them and attacked them from the rear, some of the Muscovite soldiers ran down the hill only to do battle with the Teutonic Infantry, eventually they were driven over the hill and a lot fell backwards some choose to battle it with the Cavalry and some ran into the Teutonic Infantry, the Left eventually collapsed.
Action on the Right - The Teutonic army had held their position with only 5 ranks deep. The Muscovite army charged and the Teutonic Infantry ran up the hill where the trap was set. The Muscovites were advancing up the hill, they had almost reached the top when they were stormed by Teutonic Infantry, again the Muscovites held their position, slowly they were driven down the hill. The fighting ensued. Plettenberg was riding around to see his army in action, he had stepped off his horse and observed the battle when he felt something sharp pierce his left Kidney, “Ahhh” he yelled silently, he fell to his knees and look behind him, it was General Mihail Glinski, the leader of the Muscovite army. Glinski watched Plettenberg with a smile, “not like this” Plettenberg said to him self. Mihail Glinski turned his back and began to walk away then Plettenberg got back on his feet, “Come General, see how a true warrior fights”. Mihail Glinski turned around to see Plettenberg with his sword drawn, “Very well Plettenberg, this should be very easy”. The two clashed their swords together.
Then after a while Plettenberg noticed that the fighting had died down completely, both armies were watching the fight. “If I fall here while my men watch, the battle will certainly be lost, I must endure this pain and kill him”. For a few minutes both men clashed, then Plettenberg hit Mihail Glinski’s sword hard enough to knock it out of his hand. Glinski’s sword was now six feet away from him, Glinski began to run toward it. Plettenberg ran toward him as fast as he could, and he dare not struggle in front of his men. Plettenberg ran his sword through Glinski’s lower back, Ironically it pierced his kidney and the sword appeared through the other end of his body, Glinski screamed loudly. Both armies stared in amazement, “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, CHARGE!!!” Plettenberg screamed out, the Teutonic warriors easily defeated the Muscovites.
Plettenberg managed to struggle back to his horse and rode back to camp and entered a field hospital. The doctor looked at him with great sorrow.
“Is it mortal?” Plettenberg asked.
“I am sorry sir, but there is nothing I can do for you.”
“Very well, I always dreamed of dieing on the battlefield, not in a field hospital. Help me to my horse doctor”.
“Yes sir.”
Plettenberg rode his horse out to where he was stabbed, he got off and laid down face up, he eventually died. His last words were “In all of my fighting I have never fought so great a battle, and I owe it all to God, I hope he will remember what I have done in his name.”
His body was taken back to Riga. His funeral was April 15th, the Casket was decorated in gold, and he was placed in a tomb made especially for him only. Hermann Brugsenei was his chosen heir, In his last sentence of the Eulogy he said “This man has truly earned the name Plettenberg the Great!”
Here is a Screenshot of what I accomplished under Plettenberg
Last edited:
Sorry about the link above I will have if fixed in a min.
Please tell me what you thought of my AAR, critism is welcome, and tell me what you liked best about it. Thanks
Please tell me what you thought of my AAR, critism is welcome, and tell me what you liked best about it. Thanks
Short, but sweet. I think you're definitely getting a feel for how to convey what you're intending to and there is a heroic or epic flavour that's quite interesting. He lived hard, fought hard (but honourably) and died hard. A fitting end.
I guess my preferences lie towards a somewhat more narrative style where, rather than splitting up the battle descriptions by centre/left/right you could try presenting the battle a bit more chronologically, describing what was happing across the filed in the early stages of the battle, and then progressing through the middle stages until the conclusion. As I say, it's more a matter of preference, and I know that your comfort level with English might make the prospects of trying it a little frightening. On the other hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained...
I hope you keep writing and keep working at future AARs. It takes a lot of effort - and I can only image how hard it must be to do it in another language altogether - but I think it's worth it in the end.
Thanks for sharing Plettenberg's story with us.
I guess my preferences lie towards a somewhat more narrative style where, rather than splitting up the battle descriptions by centre/left/right you could try presenting the battle a bit more chronologically, describing what was happing across the filed in the early stages of the battle, and then progressing through the middle stages until the conclusion. As I say, it's more a matter of preference, and I know that your comfort level with English might make the prospects of trying it a little frightening. On the other hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained...
I hope you keep writing and keep working at future AARs. It takes a lot of effort - and I can only image how hard it must be to do it in another language altogether - but I think it's worth it in the end.
Thanks for sharing Plettenberg's story with us.
Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate it.
Would you say my witting is as good as any person who writes English? If not what should I improve?
Would you say my witting is as good as any person who writes English? If not what should I improve?
Last edited:
To be honest, no; but not too far off.
There are so many intangeables in the language that it's hard to put your finger on it precisely. Sometimes it's something like simple grammar or verb tense or word usage (though we're all prone to making those errors on occasion).
In part it's the vocabulary...the language can be used in its basic decriptive sense fairly easily by people with a basic level of training - much as I can hold my own in a conversation in French. What more advanced writers have is an arsenal of words that they employ to convey additional meaning by using their "loaded" values. That's something that's a sure pointer to someone who is very well acquainted with the ins and outs and vaguaries that just aren't really taught it school.
If you anaylise a proficient writer's work, you'll notice that there are also decisions about how long to make sentences, how to reorganise phrases to shift between an underlying passive or active implications. Mostly it's the play on language, where it begins to have a life of its own that extends beyond the simple interpretation that would come out in a direct translation.
I'd suggest reading one or two of Lord Durham's AARs, or Secret Master's current Castile AAR, or Warspite's recent "Encyclopedia or a handful of others who are very strong linguists (dare I suggest my Eminence Grise?). As you're doing so, read each post once to get an idea of the story or theme of the post. Then read it again and pay close attention to the way that the language is used to reinforce the intent.
I don't know if that makes much sense or not.
Last but not least, read as much as you can and write as much as you can. It's only practice that makes perfect.
Fredrick II,
Sorry to hear that Plettenberg has passed on. I was willing to pay good ducats, if he was willing to relocate to Siena. (My stupid generals are obviously forgetting to scout behind them.)
You must have read many histories of battle tactics. There is a clear order behind your battle strategies, and a feeling for the maneuvering in battle, that is missing from many AAR writers' attempts to describe combat. And I was struck by some imaginative details, like the Muscovites struggling uphill, hunched over and using one arm to steady themselves.
I also liked that you gave each chapter a heading, gave each battle a name, and gave the total number of forces engaged. It helped me keep the big picture in mind during each fight.
Congratulations on completing an AAR.
Sorry to hear that Plettenberg has passed on. I was willing to pay good ducats, if he was willing to relocate to Siena. (My stupid generals are obviously forgetting to scout behind them.)
You must have read many histories of battle tactics. There is a clear order behind your battle strategies, and a feeling for the maneuvering in battle, that is missing from many AAR writers' attempts to describe combat. And I was struck by some imaginative details, like the Muscovites struggling uphill, hunched over and using one arm to steady themselves.
I also liked that you gave each chapter a heading, gave each battle a name, and gave the total number of forces engaged. It helped me keep the big picture in mind during each fight.
Congratulations on completing an AAR.
MrT thanks for the advise I will apply it next time I write.
Varus thanks for the compliment. Military History is my favorite subject to study. Since I have studied so many battles I thought I could describe an EUII battle good enough.
Varus thanks for the compliment. Military History is my favorite subject to study. Since I have studied so many battles I thought I could describe an EUII battle good enough.
Last edited:
Just 1 more thing, I would like you guys to rate this AAR on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best).
Thanks again
Thanks again
My selection for this week is a first time presentation that covers a fixed period of time, but written from a rather unique perspective. I hope you enjoy it.
LD
LD
Man..
I must say i´m very impressed, especially since it seems this is your first try and everything.
Great work, and once again i just love the battles.
About that whole rating thing, it´s rather hard for me but i´d say it was a 7 that perhaps would´ve been an 8 if it had only been a bit longer.
Looking forward to reading more from you.
Props.
Oleg
I must say i´m very impressed, especially since it seems this is your first try and everything.
Great work, and once again i just love the battles.
About that whole rating thing, it´s rather hard for me but i´d say it was a 7 that perhaps would´ve been an 8 if it had only been a bit longer.
Looking forward to reading more from you.
Props.
Oleg
OMG thank you Lord Durham for everything! I am really excited about this and again thank you for this honor and thank you all for reading. I am actually thinking about writting another one as I have a couple of months of free time.
Anyway thank you so much! This was very unexpected.
Anyway thank you so much! This was very unexpected.
This was a very nice short story.
It's a nice break from those '1419 to 1820 conquer the world AAR's ' that are everywhere these days...
Keep up the good work!
It's a nice break from those '1419 to 1820 conquer the world AAR's ' that are everywhere these days...
Keep up the good work!
This contiues to be a great example of how good an AAR you can write even when English isn't your first language or one that you're comfortable with.
For some reason I missed your question about "rating" the AAR on a scale of 1-10. I'm reluctant to apply a number to anyone's artistic creation, seeing as there are so many different factors that come into play... Rather than give it a number, I'll just say that I enjoyed it very much and it made a memorable impression. I'm looking forward to reading your next AAR.
Good selection LD. A very deserving AAR of the week.
For some reason I missed your question about "rating" the AAR on a scale of 1-10. I'm reluctant to apply a number to anyone's artistic creation, seeing as there are so many different factors that come into play... Rather than give it a number, I'll just say that I enjoyed it very much and it made a memorable impression. I'm looking forward to reading your next AAR.
Good selection LD. A very deserving AAR of the week.
I missed this one until it came up as an AAR of the week - which is a very good idea BTW LD. Did you come up with it during one of your milk and cookies sessions with MrT?
Fredrick II,
You have captured the distilled essence of what a good AAR is all about. The Triumphs of Plettenberg was short, sweet, and to the point while still exhibiting an obvious flair for creative and descriptive writing. An excellent job. I thought the ending was very fitting.
Did you come up with it during one of your milk and cookies sessions with MrT?Fredrick II,
You have captured the distilled essence of what a good AAR is all about.
The Triumphs of Plettenberg was short, sweet, and to the point while still exhibiting an obvious flair for creative and descriptive writing. An excellent job. I thought the ending was very fitting.
Well this AAR is now heading into the vast void of completed AARs. Thank you all for reading and thak you LD for AAR of the week.
Backpack: AAR of the Week is the brainchild of Warspite. I merely continued the tradition.
Fredrick II, get cracking on a new one, now
Fredrick II, get cracking on a new one, now