3. The Second Battle of Mohács, 1687 – the game.

The Opening Moves.

The Ottomans, as defenders, deployed in a thin line just outside the shelter of the woods. On the Ottoman left, the main command were situated on the heights with two columns of Janissaries held in reserve. All Ottoman cavalry were now placed in a position to envelop the advancing infidels. Their presence was masked by the supporting wing of Segbans and Arnout infantry. The artillery were interspersed along the line.

The Imperial forces mirrored the Ottoman position; on their right was the main command of Lorraine and on the left were the Bavarians under the Margrave. Behind the Bavarians, the German States would support their assault. Cavalry flanked each division while the central command amassed all its cavalry into two large brigades.

It would take several turns before the infantry lines could come into shooting range, but in the meantime, the Imperial artillery were scoring their first victory of the battle. Sari Süleyman Paşa planned enveloping maneuver would have greater success if the Imperial lines were kept occupied. To do this, the Ottoman infantry left the safety of the tree line to move forward while bringing their lighter pieces with them.

The Middle Game.

Turn four, general musket fire was took place along the entire line and as planned, the Ottoman cavalry under Mustafa Pasha were making their rendezvous to glory.

Aware of the Ottoman flanking maneuver, Lorraine move the reserve cavalry brigades to counter this. Anticipating the Ottoman cavalry assault and eventually the Imperial counter-stroke, the infantry of the German States were beginning to form square with sufficient space between battalions to allow supporting cavalry through. It was during this time, the Bavarians met the Ottoman infantry to their front and dispatched sufficient numbers that they broke.

On the Imperial right, the Ottomans deployed their Janissary to add their weight to the fusillade taking place. Casualties were inflicted on both sides.

On a subsequent turn, the Bavarians pursued the fleeing Ottomans and would cut down any foolish enough to resist. Some Arnout and Segbans had differing ideas about this and brought down two units of Bavarians demoralizing the command.   

The End Game.

Both sides with a stricken command were now furiously looking to inflict casualties and send a second one on its way. Turns seven and eight brought the cavalry on both sides in a general melee. Numbers were equal, but half the cavalry were cuirassiers giving them a slight edge. With the support of their infantry, the Imperial troops were able to bring Mustafa Pasha’s command to its knees.

Epilogue.

This re-fight did follow the historical events and outcome. One could fault the Ottoman commander for moving out of a secure position among the woods, however, the only striking force available were Ottoman cavalry.  Without the help of the Ottoman infantry keeping the Imperial forces occupied, the cavalry thrust would have easily been parried and with a very good chance of it destroyed in the process.

If that was the case, then I was prepared to continue the battle beyond the woods as both Ottoman infantry commands would have fallen back to a system of trenches.. These did not play a role in the actual battle, but could play a role in a re-fight.

Nonetheless, the gamble did deliver one broken Imperial command which made the game a tight one.

Cheers,