First Battle of Dantalor

In the Battle of Dantalor, fought on 4th November 1750 during the Baroness' War, The Crown Prince Balin's 6,000 Pyrusians forced 4,200 Anzions to retreat to the Town of Dantalor, which he besieged two days later.
==Prelude==
On 24th October 1750 The Honourable Seulta Ulke, The Baroness of Mudros died in suspicious circumstances, the wife of General The Honourable Melkrone Ulke, 1st Baron of Mudros, Commander of the 1st Army. While the actual reason for her death has not been conclusively established, the Kingdom of Pyrus alleged that agents of the Kingdom of Anzio had arranged her murder. It is likely that the grieving husband used the death of his wife to promote his own agenda, which included declaring war on Anzio.
On 1st November 1750 the 3rd Division of the Pyrusian Army, having received orders the same day, set out from Bugedqueed (where they were stationed) southwards to cross the Pyro-Anzion border with the objective of capturing the Town of Dantalor. The following day scouts reported that the border was undefended and so the 1st Dragroons were the first Pyrusian troops to enter Anzion territory, followed by the rest of the Division. Following the road the division turned westwards, in parallel with the River Mantus on their right. Having covered a significant distance the previous two days and with scouts not reporting the enemy to be close at hand, the division rested on the third day; that evening reports reached the division that significant Anzion forces were assembling to the west - these were the Anzion 2nd Division who had left their billet at Dantalor, further west, on 2nd November 1750.
==Battle==
The battle was fought at the map coordinates of N:11. The forces of the 3rd Division of the 1st Army engaged the Anzion 2nd Division of the First Army of Anzio. The Anzions only had time to deploy about half their force to meet the oncoming Pyrusians, other units were hurriedly brought into action. The Pyrusian force started the battle by attempting to engage the Anzion's left flank.
There were a few hours when neither side would or could advance upon their foe. However, the Pyrusian 1st Dragoons and 2nd Dragoons had notable success against the Anzion's two regiments of Lancers. The Pyrusian artillery opened up on the Anzion's artillery with some effect, while the Pyrusians started an advance on their right wing with the 11th Foot Musketeers and 12th Foot Musketeers. However these were disastrously driven back by the Anzions and the 11th Foot Musketeers routed from the field.
With new Pyrusian reserves arriving the Anzion position was looking weak. The 1st (Royal King's Own Lifeguard) Lancers (Light) charged an Anzion grand battery of 75 guns which had unlimbered on the road and was decimating the 13th Foot (King's Own) Rifles. This charge was spectacular, but only succeeded in driving the Anzion artillery away.
The Pyrusian 3rd Cavalry Brigade, which had early success, was now driven back and had to reorganise. At this moment a second charge came in from the Anzion's two regiments of Lancers, who ware badly mauled in the melee and the Anzion Army Commander Lomin Alda was captured. 
The loss of their Commander forced the Anzion force to withdrew, taking significant casualties in the process.
==Aftermath==
It is estimated that the Pyrusians lost 1,838 personnel killed and and wounded, while Anzion casualties were a greater proportion of their force, estimated at 1,487 personnel killed or wounded.
The battle was a strategic and military victory for the Pyrusians and allowed them to further their objective to take the Town of Dantalor, but it had come at a significant cost - over 30% of the 3rd Division's strength. However, the force would proceed to besiege the town two days following the battle, with a bloodily repulsed first assault on 7th November 1750 followed by a successful storming on 14th November 1750.
However, the costly battle and unsuccessful first siege of Dantalor caused The Crown Prince Balin to order the 2nd Division to cross the River Mantus and support his 3rd Division. It would only be a day after the 2nd Division crossed the river and a week after capturing Dantalor that the Kingdom of Anzio would capitulate with the signing of the Bach Treaty of Capitulation or 21st November 1750.
Category:Battles of the Baroness' War
Category:Battles involving Pyrus
Category:Battles involving Anzio