Battle of Malbdoux

Battle of Malbdoux
Part of South Terrifica War
Painting of the Battle of Malbdoux, depicts the Duc' de Cationne's forces arriving on the field of battle.
Date 11th September 1822 Location Malbdoux Result Gallandic Victory
Belligerents
Vionna-Frankenlisch	Kingdom of Gallandia
Commanders and leaders
Duke of Teutonberg	Comte de Marchand Duc' de Cationne
Strength
45,000 Men 101 Guns	42,000 Men 110 Guns
Casualties and losses
9,000	4,500

The Battle of Malbdoux was a major battle of the South Terrifica War and the closing battle of the Vionna-Frankenlischian South Gallandia Campaign. Two Gallandic armies under the joint command of the Comte de Marchand and the Duc' de Cationne fought a pitched battle against the Vionna-Frankenlischian army of the Duke of Teutonberg. In a six hour battle, the Duke of Teutonberg's force was beaten soundly and he was forced to retreat to Adeleux, which was put under siege the following month.

Background

Malbdoux was the final decisive battle of the short-lived Imperial South Gallandia Campaign. The army of the Duke of Teutonberg had won three victories against smaller Gallandic armies but Malbdoux was where the winning streak met its end. Following the Vionna-Frankenlischian victory at the Battle of Harsoin, the Duc' de Cationne and the Comte de Marchand decided to split their forces to catch up with the Imperial army.

Taking two seperate routes, the two Gallandic generals hoped to catch the Imperial army on the march and strike from two different directions, keeping in close communication to avoid being defeated in detail. Neither side strayed more than six hours march from one another. The Duke of Teutonberg, on the other hand, dithered following his victory at Harsoin and it took him a day to get his army back in order before deciding to march on Malbdoux. Had he made his decision the preceding afternoon, he could have reached Malbdoux before the Gallandians and taken the town. In reality, his delay allowed the Comte de Marchand's army of 21,000 men to reach Malbdoux and form up for battle.

Battle

As the Duke of Teutonberg's army deployed for battle, the Gallandic guns opened fire from long range. The accuracy of the Gallandic gunners was poor and the gunpowder was not of the same quality as the Imperial artillery, however, one battalion of Vionna-Frankenlischian infantry was badly mauled and Lord Poltov withdrew it to the reserves.

Resolving to take Malbdoux before Gallandic reinforcements could arrive, Poltov ordered the 1st Division under Major General Rowland Villiers to advance against De Marchand's centre.