Battle of Raneheim fields

## Presentation

**The Battle of Raneheim Fields**, also known as the **Battle of the Three Kings**, was one of the most important and decisive military engagements of the Nine Years' War. The battle occurred near the town of Raneheim, in the Falkenherz Regency territory. Around 7,350 troops were involved, of which approximately 1,800 were killed or wounded. The battle is often cited by military historians as one of Vinzent Von Wallenstein's tactical masterpieces. The military victory of King Reiler IV's royal army at Raneheim brought the Nine Years' War to an end, with the Peace Treaty of Danksberg, signed by the Rodinovkans and Pruthenian later in the month. These achievements did not establish a lasting peace on the continent, as many wars would break out after the harsh conditions of the Treaty of Danksberg.

## Prologue

After many invasion attempts by Rodinovka and Pruthenia, the allied armies finally managed to push toward the town of Raneheim, which had significant strategic importance due to its connection to many roads. However, the Falkenherz army was already prepared for such an attack and had, in fact, settled in two months earlier. The objective of the allied forces was to (supposedly) encircle the Falkenherz entrenched forces. However, such a maneuver was extremely risky because it involved crossing a dense forest, which would slow down any forces attempting to cross it and expose them to potential enemy arquebus fire, or even worse, trap them in the forest if the enemy set it on fire. The original idea was then abandoned, with Grand-Duke Queecon recommending a more direct approach.

**The Rodinovkan Forces**

Featuring many battle-hardened soldiers and highly professional commanders, the Rodinovkans had a well-organized division prepared to engage the Falkenherz forces. However, their numbers and vulnerability to cavalry would later expose their weaknesses, which were exploited until the end of the war.

**The Pruthenian Forces**

The Pruthenian forces during the Nine Years' War remained outdated, maintaining old formations and tactics. There existed no permanent formation beyond the regimental level, and officers were often recruited from wealthy noble houses, occasionally resulting in inexperienced officers leading entire armies. These issues were later addressed and rectified following the conclusion of the war.

**The Falkenherz Forces**

Under the command of King Reiler IV and his newly appointed Marshal, Vinzent von Wallenstein, the Falkenherz forces were seasoned from the harsh civil war that had torn through the regency for years. Wallenstein's recent reforms had revitalized them, particularly with the establishment of the Royal Artillery Corps, which emerged as one of the earliest professional artillery divisions globally. Despite certain outdated elements, the Falkenherz Royal Army remained poised and prepared for engagement.

## The battle

### Preliminary moves

At around 6 AM, the allied forces intended to initiate their initial plan of encircling the town before sunrise. However, before the regiments commenced their movement, the order was abruptly canceled, and the troops remained stationary for approximately two hours. By 8 AM, commanders from Rodinovka and Pruthenia arrived at the Falkenherz position to negotiate the commencement of the battle. Refusing to engage in dialogue, Wallenstein boldly ordered musketeers to open fire at them. Roughly fifteen minutes later, the allied forces began a slow march toward the Town of Raneheim.

### The beginning

Although the official start of the battle was at 10 a.m., historians argue it commenced precisely at 9 a.m. when Falkenherz's cannons unleashed fire upon the allied enemies. The Falkenherz forces remained in reserve within the fortified town, while the artillery attempted to weaken the advancing enemy formations, which were steadily approaching the town. A cuirassier charge, commanded by High Prince Oscar Mor II, aimed to neutralize Falkenherz's artillery battery but ultimately failed. Troops stationed within the town were positioned in a long line formation.

**The plan**

Grand Duke Queecon Chydar I directed his troops to fall back to their initial position before devising a strategy with the High Prince. The plan entailed an assault on the weakened center side of the Falkenherz army formation, a situation deliberately engineered by Wallenstein. As the allies advanced, the Falkenherz forces began maneuvering around their opponents, almost encircling them.

### The encirclement

While the Falkenhez forces encircled and engaged the allied forces, the Rodinovkans astutely utilized their artillery to weaken Falkenherz's left flank. Meanwhile, as the Pruthenian reserve moved forward to support their encircled allies, a cavalry charge compelled them to retreat to their initial position, leaving the Rodinovkans isolated. The 2nd Schwarzburg Cuirassiers then launched an attack on the trapped Rodinovkans from behind, completely encircling them. Following an extended exchange of fire and numerous pike engagements, the Falkenherz left flank succumbed, providing an escape route for the allied troops through the nearby forest.

**The Rodinovkan mistake**

By around 1 PM, the allied forces commenced their desperate attempt to regain their original position by crossing the dense forest. Despite the forest's thick foliage slowing their progress, they initiated their retreat. Wallenstein, in a strategic move, commanded half of his troops to engage the Pruthenian reserve. This reserve, initially awaiting a proper attack order (intended to secure the allied camp against potential enemy reinforcements), was unexpectedly targeted. Simultaneously, while the Rodinovkans were navigating the forest, Wallenstein directed musketeers to engage the retreating force within the forest, while the other half of the army moved to assault the allied camp.

The decision to cross the forest was acknowledged by the Rodinovkans as a grave mistake, but they found themselves with no alternative. Recognizing the dire situation, Wallenstein ordered his musketeers to withdraw and deliberately set the forest ablaze.

**The fire**

At approximately 4 PM, the camp fell into the hands of Falkenherz forces, and a dense smoke screen engulfed the battlefield due to the raging forest fire. Tragically, nearly a third of the Rodinovkans perished due to the inferno in the forest, while the remainder of their army attempted to reclaim the lost camp.

**The last stand**

The smoke screen became a significant obstacle for the Allied forces to discern the next movements of the Falkenherz forces. However, it also impaired the defenders' visibility. Seizing this advantage, Wallenstein commanded the remainder of his forces to traverse the smoke screen and eliminate the struggling enemy attempting to recapture the camp. The maneuver proved successful, compelling the allies to face the choice of retreat, fighting to the last man, or surrender.

By 6 PM, recognizing the dire situation, the Grand Duke and the High Prince surrendered to King Reiler IV, and the remnants of their troops were taken as prisoners.