The Battle of Tabor- 22nd of April 1620
Tabor in Bohemia had been known as one of the most important cities in the reformation of Bohemia, as well as lying on the way to Prague. In Early Spring of 1620, the Armies of the Catholic League had started to move again, with the Bavarian and Austrian troops meeting up at Budweis, one of major catholic cities within the rebellious Bohemia, firmly under Imperial control. The Elector-Palatine and newly crowned King of Bohemia had been moving his troops into position, as with half of the Bavarian Army marching with the Imperial forces, he was able to deploy the Army of the Palatinate to Prague.
The Protestant forces, seeing that they would be outnumbered almost two to one, chose to defend the city, even if that might give the Catholic forces the option to siege them and whittle them down slowly, day after day. The Catholic League chose to siege, until in the morning of the 22nd of April, a messenger arrived to Tilly's siege camp with word of the Swedish having landed in Pommerania. Tilly immediately called a meeting of the highest generals of the Catholic League. "If we proceed to siege every city just as we are currently doing, the Swedes will arrive here before we can even take Prague, then we face a long and bloody rebellion, one that will take decades to crush", Tilly explained. Wallenstein, as eager as ever, replied: "We must assault and crush the uprising, so we can crush the protestant rebels in the north before they can properly organize."
John Tsercales, Count of Tilly
Around noon the troops were ready to assault the City and advance towards Prague. The Defenders Morale was high, defending, unlike the Catholic troops who were mainly fighting for monetary reasons, for their faith and defending their homes and rights. The Catholic troops charged, always switching between salvos of Musket fire and melee charges, but the defenders hold firm, using the houses to get out of the firing ark while the catholics fired, and shot back when their Infantry charged, causing a deadly stalemate for the Austrians.
[-6,000 Regulars to Archduchy of Austria; -2,000 Regulars to Kingdom of Bohemia]
The Bavarian contingent of troops chose a different strategy, using their, albeit low on numbers cavalry force armed with pistols to make the Bohemian Pike formations retreat and charge towards the center of town as quickly as possible. Their attack forced the Bohemian Troops to retreat through the city, getting hit in the rear by both Austrian troops and the small Bavarian contingent. This attack, even though it was not as devastating as it could have been, was vital to the success of the catholic troops, who now were fighting on even ground with the protestants, causing equal casualties.
[- 8,000 Regulars to Kingdom of Bohemia; -2,000 Regulars to Archduchy of Austria; -1,000 Regulars to Bavaria]
The Bohemian defender, not perfectly equipped but high on morale.
The Bohemian commanders had to make a decision, retreat to the keep and hope for the Swedish troops to arrive in time, or starve to death. The decision was made, that Prague was more important to the success of the Bohemian crown, then Tabor was, and they retreated, leaving the keep undefended to the Austrians. Should the Catholic troops advance until Prague however, the city would be defended to the last breath, being so vital to the survival of protestantism in the region.
[Bohemian Forces reassembling in Prague; Austrians marching onwards towards Prague]
Tilly assembled the generals once again, marching up and down in the small room of the Tábor town hall. "This battle was a victory, but this isn't a war about victories, this is a war about success, and we can not let these rebels get away another time, we need to end this madness now and not drag it on for another 30 years, which we surely will if we keep fighting such battles. Imagine - if we can't crush the smallest of our foes, will we succeed? Yes we will, we can not fail, for our duty is sacred. "
[Another War Update possible soon if i get war orders]
OOC: Thank you Tyriet for the war update, Morrell is France. Nations involved in the 30 years war please send war orders ASAP if you want update before next turn.
