Battle of Thorne (1228 AW)

Combatants| * Kingdom of Wyrsia
* Hexad Empire
* Kingdom of Fühlgart

Commanders| * Cecilia von Kalzberg-Mitthel
* Oliver Oakfield
* Heng Jui
* Cynthia Grey
* Rowland Spencer
* Roland Marwell †

Forces| * Army for the Liberation of Wyrsia
* Army of the Emerald Heaven
* Wyrsian Assistance Army
* Purple Army of Wyrsia

The **Battle of Thorne** was a major battle in the Woodhall Campaign of 1228 AW. The Republican forces of the Protectorate of Woodhall had heavily fortified their positions south of Thorne after rapidly losing most territory west of the River Clech in the previous weeks. Led by George Wallace himself, the Protectorate intended to defend Thorne and then use the momentum to drive the Monarchist force back into the sea.

On the other side, the Wyrsian ALW had linked up with the Hexad and Fühlgartian forces, marching on Thorne head-on. What followed was three days of bloody fighting before the Republican forces retreated hastily across the River Clech. The Battle of Thorne would be the bloodiest battle of the Woodhall Campaign, with more casualties than even the Siege of Woodhall.

## Events

### Day One

* 06:00 - The National Army receives warnings that the Monarchist force will arrive later in the morning.
* 07:00 - George Wallace puts the National Army on high alert.
* 10:45 - Hexad scouts are spotted in the treeline. The National Army opens fire and the scouts retreat.
* 11:30 - A combined Monarchist cavalry force arrives south of Republican positions.
* 12:30 - The Army of the Emerald Heaven arrives in full force and begins skirmishing until reinforcements arrive.
* 13:50 - The Wyrsian Assistance Army arrives.
* 15:00 - The ALW arrives.
* 15:10 - With all Monarchist forces present, Heng Jui launches a frontal charge.
* 15:30 - Heng Jui's charge is repelled.
* 16:00 - The ALW begins shelling the National Army with cannons.
* 16:30 - Members of the Purple Army arrive to aid the National Army.
* 17:15 - A company of National Army conscripts suddenly rushes towards the Monarchist positions, waving the white flag. They defect to the ALW.
* 17:17 - Rowland Spencer orders his troops to open fire on the defectors.
* 18:00 - Both sides begin settling down for the night.

**Day Two**

* 02:45 - A massive explosion suddenly occurs in the camp of the National Army as an ammo store is sabotaged by an unknown force.
* 02:50 - Scattered gunshots ring out across the lines of the National Army. Shadowy figures run off into the night.
* 6:30 - Fighting resumes.
* 09:17 - General Roland Marwell is killed by a stray bullet, leaving the right flank without a commander.
* 10:15 - ALW cavalry breaks through the left flank and rushes into Thorne.
* 10:20 - The National Army's left flank breaks. Rowland Spencer fails to take control.
* 11:00 - The Wyrsian flag is flown from Thorne Castle, the city has been taken without bloodshed.
* 12:30 - Rowland Spencer abandons the center and forms a new defensive line closer to the river.
* 14:00 - George Wallace abandons the left and joins Spencer's new line.
* 14:30 - The National Army is put under siege as they are stuck with their backs against the Clech.
* 14:45 - Republican troops are brought to the other side of the Clech on small boats. Evacuations start.
* 17:00 - The Monarchists launch an assault.
* 17:14 - The assault is repelled.
* 18:00 - Fighting stops, the National Army is left on the western banks of the Clech and is largely trapped for the night.
* 20:00 - Fog starts to set in.
* 22:00 - Shielded by the fog, the National Army continues their evacuation under the cover of the night.
* 23:30 - Some of the boats are set on fire by shadowy figures.

**Day Three**

* 01:12 - Failed assassination attempt on George Wallace, two partisans are captured.
* 01:30 - Scattered gunfire rings out throughout the night.
* 01:35 - A series of flares are shot over the river, revealing the retreating National Army to the camped Monarchists.
* 01:45 - The Monarchist forces are woken from their sleep and an offensive is hastily planned.
* 01:50 - The ALW is joined by Cynthia Grey, the leader of the partisans responsible for the sabotage thus far.
* 02:00 - The Monarchists launch a disorganized assault. Most of the National Army is pinned.
* 02:35 - Rowland Spencer launches a suicidal countercharge to buy time for Wallace to retreat. Extreme casualties on both sides.
* 02:45 - Wallace crosses the Clech.
* 02:55 - Spencer initiates an organized retreat alongside his heavily battered force.
* 03:30 - Spencer crosses the Clech with most of his remaining forces, some are left behind.
* 03:37 - Last forces west of the Clech are killed. The Battle of Thorne is over.

## Aftermath

After taking Thorne, the remaining territory belonging to the Protectorate of Woodhall west of the Clech began to fall rapidly, as the National Army regrouped around Luver. Both sides tended to their wounded and buried their dead after the immense casualties that were sustained by both sides in the battle. A little over a week later, the Monarchists would act first, leading to the First Battle of Luver which would be a bitter defeat for the until-then victorious Wyrsian army.