Battle of Beeckerhoven
| Date | 1244 IC [2a] |
| Outcome | Victory for The Empire |
| | |
| The Empire, Kislev | Vampire Counts |
| | |
| Einrich Moltke | Dieter Helsnicht |
| | |
| | |
History
In 1244 IC,[2a] the road between Middenheim and Erengrad grew perilous and so Einrich Moltke, Elector Count of Nordland, mobilised his army and easily crushed the Orcs and Beastmen. However, when he entered the Forest of Shadows, he was ambushed by the Undead of the Doomlord, Dieter Helsnicht at the Lake of Woe [2a] still in column of march. As soldiers tried to flee across the lake, they were dragged below the surface by undead under the water. [1a]
Only Einrich himself, together with a group of pistoliers who had been scouting ahead were able to fight their way clear and escape to the village of Beeckerhoven on the Middenheim-Erengrad road. Here, the Elector Count assembled the small local garrison [1a] and, sending messengers for reinforcements to Middenheim and Kislev, he prepared for a bitter defence. [1b]
Battle
Helsnicht advanced slowly, raising the dead from the Nordland army he had defeated, and arrived several days later. He dispatched a small army of Undead to slow down the Kislev army and prepared to attack the Elector Count's meagre troops and sent hordes of zombies, skeletons and ghouls to attack the village. The undead slowly pushed the defenders back and when the Count of Nordland led halberdiers in a counter-attack he and his men were sut off. [1b]
However just as Helsnicht was winning the battle, his army was flanked by the reinforcements from Middenheim, giving the defenders new hope and forcing Helsnicht to commit his reserves - the cavalry and chariots. Dieter himself swooped down to confront the Elector Count of Middenheim and his Knights of the White Wolf. [1b]
As the battle raged on, the Kislevites arrived too, having only slighty been slowed down, and charged into the rear of the undead army, the charge of the Winged Lancers finally turning the tide. Einrich Moltke attacked the Doomlord, his Black Amulet p protecting him from the magic of Helsnicht and the Elector Count struck Helsnicht with his Runefang, runnig him through. Helsnicht slumped in his saddle and the Undead hordes crumbled, but the manticore took Helsnicht's body and dragged it away. [1c][2a]
Location
The village of Beeckerhoven lies about 100 miles north of Middenheim and 40 miles west of Salzenmund. [1c]
Order of Battle
Empire
Nordland
- Einrich Moltke, Elector Count on a barded Warhorse. [1d]
- Battle Standard Bearer. [1d]
- Wizard of the Grey Order. [1d]
- Empire Halberdiers. [1d]
- Pistoliers. [1d]
- Empire Crossbowmen regiment. [1d]
- Empire Crossbowmen regiment. [1d]
- Great Cannon. [1d]
- Helblaster Volley Gun. [1d]
Middenland
- Lothar Metternich, Elector Count of Middenheim. [1d]
- Wizard Lord. [1d]
- Knights of the White Wolf. [1d]
- Pistoliers. [1d]
- Greatswords. [1d]
- Empire Archers. [1d]
- Steam Tank. [1d]
- Empire War Wagon. [1d]
Kislev
Undead
- Dieter Helsnicht. [1d]
- Skeleton Horseman. [1d]
- Zombies. [1d]
- Ghouls. [1d]
- Skeleton Warriors. [1d]
- Skeleton Crossbows. [1d]
- Carrion. [1d]
- Skeleton Chariots. [1d]
- Screaming Skull Catapults. [1d]
Fighting Kislev contingent
- Vraz the Despoiler, Wight Lord. [1d]
- Skeleton Horsemen. [1d]
Notes
Although the Steam Tank was part of the Middenheim force, it blew a gasket on the force march to reach Becckerhoven and had to be abandoned. [1b]
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 174 (UK)
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Undead (4th Edition)
- 2a: Revenge of the Doomlord, pg. 45-49