FALL CAMPAIGN '25 - FIRST ENCOUNTER: THE BATTLE OF NILES

 

A new campaign season has opened and in the first battle outside of the village of Niles the Wolfenstein Empire has dug in along a line of hills to halt the advance of the Allied United Packs Commonwealth (UPC) and Von Mutts advances towards Onion City, the Empire's Western Jewel. To get past this formidable obstacle the Allies need to reduce or capture the redoubts on Fairview Heights in the south and Howard Hill in the north. Additionally they need to cut the central road that is the Empire's main line of communication. 

The Plain River is a serious obstacle. While fordable along its length, its muddy bottom and high slopes will disrupt any unit crossing. The conditions mean that artillery will not be able to cross anywhere safely except the bridges. Using the fords will be a serious hazard. The Steepness of Fairview Heights is itself a major obstacle require great effort by any force trying to climb them.  

The Redoubts on the Fairview Heights Garrisoned by the Empire Infantry and Artillery. Across the Plains River are the Massed Ranks of UPC Forces.  

The Empire Defenses on Howard Hill. The UPC Line Advancing to Put Them Under Fire, While the Von Mutts Maneuver to Turn the Flank. 

UPC Cavalry Face Off Against Their Empire Opposite. Both Cavalry Arms are Maneuvering but Unwilling to Cross the Plains River. On the Right Can be Seen the Empire's Elaborate Defenses on Fairview Ridge.    

Advancing Across the Plains River UPC Massed Columns are Meet by a Barrage of Artillery Fire . 

In the North on Howard Hill the Empire's Defense in Depth can be Seen as the First Wave of UPC Troops Advance to Give Close Fire to the Defenders. 

In the Center the Massed Ranks of Cavalry on both sides Await for the Other to be the First to Cross the Plains River. The UPC Brings up Their Guns to Try and Coax the Empire Cavalry to Come to Them. 

The Empire's 2nd Brigade Begins to Shift to Act as Support to the Main Fairview Redoubt When it Becomes Obvious that the UPC is Bringing the Full Weight of Both the Guard Brigade and the 2nd Brigade Against the Works.   

A View From the North of the Battlefield Near Noon. The Assault on Howard Hill and the Von Mutts Advance to Turn the Flank can be Clearly Seen. 

The Battlefield as Seen from the South where the Fight for Fairview Heights Continues in Full Force. Again the UPC is Attempting to Flank the Position, but is Being Delayed by the Empire's Light Infantry.   

Here at Howard Hill the First Line of the UPC has Been Repulsed. In the Background the Cavalry Begins to Stir Looking for Some Opening to Exploit. 

Meanwhile the Empire Cavalry Continues to Hold Their Position not Yet Sure Which Direction to Support. 

At Howard Hill the Von Mutt's Launch a Successful Flanking Assault that Forces the Empire's Troops to the Rear. With Their Militia and Line in Place the Empire Prepares a Counter-attack. The Von Mutt's Succeses is Nullified Some by the UPC Frontal Assault Being Shot Down as They Advance.

In the Center Empire Cavalry Begins to Maneuver to Each Flank to Strengthen the Defenses.  

The UPC Assault on the Fairview Redoubt Suffers a Major Setback when the 2nd Brigade's Lead Battalion is Repulsed and Causes Cascading Morale Failure Leaving Only Their Grenadiers to Continue. 

Over on Howard Hill the UPC Line Presses Forward to Dislodge the Last of the Empire Defenders from the Redoubt. The Von Mutts Press Forward to Prevent the Empire Reinforcements From Interfering.   

With a Desperate Surge the UPC Grenadier Brigade Presses Forward in a Final Assault to Capture the Fairview Redoubt. Meanwhile the Empire Brings Forward Reinforcements to Relive the Troops Who have Been Fighting so Valiantly all Day.  

At Howard Hill the Empire Line Routs the First of the Von Mutts. While The Empire are Forced to Retreat Themselves They have Opened the Way for Their Militia to Strengthen the Troops Still Holding the Redoubt. 

While the UPC Grenadiers have Forced Out Half of the Fairview Heights Defenders the Empire still Controls the Rest of the Redoubt. With Their General Carried Off the Field Wounded the UPC is Unable to Rally Thier Forces Before the Empire Troops can Advance Back in to Seal Up the Weakened Defenses.  

With their forces exhausted the Allies need to fallback having failed to gain a foothold in either redoubt. While the cavalry of both sides never came to grips with each other the UPC's horse are in a fit state to prevent any serious pursuit of their infantry. With their forces broken the Allies offensive is at a end. The only question now is where will the Empire strike back?