The Battle of Erlangen 1740 - (third Belgravian Wars)

Further extracts from the History of Wittenberg by Brother James of Alt-Wittendorf ...

The Monrovians had crossed the river Oudear in the south near the juncture of the border with the Imperium and Saxe-Jarlsberg (an ally of Monrovia). The commander of the force, General von Stricknein ordered was to capture the town of Zondheim. The army marched eastwards ... Some Uhlan scouts kept the Wittenberg general staff up to date on the progress of the Monrovians' march. The Wittenbergers gathered their nearby troops and marched to intercept them at Erlangen.

It was sleepy early morning at Erlangen, no one was stirring not even a mouse ...

1) The Wittenberg forces:

Commander: King Leopold III and Field Marshall Duke Frederick of Wittenbuffel

Infantry: 2 companies of Jagers, 2 Line Battalions, 1 Fusilier Battalion, 1 Converged Grenadier
Battalion, Guard Grenadiers.
Cavalry: 1 pulk uhlans, 2 regiments of dragoons, 1 guard horse grenadier
Artillery: 2 guns

The King and the Field Marshal arrived at Erlangen and used a rise in the ground next to
the village to watch the approaching Monrovian army.

2) The Monrovian Forces
Commander - General von Stricknein

Infantry: 2 companies of Jagers, 2 Line Battalions, 1 Fusilier Battalion, 1 Converged Grenadier
Battalion, Guard Grenadiers.
Cavalry: 1 regiment of hussars, 2 regiments of dragoons, 1 heavy horse regiment
Artillery: 2 guns

The advance guard arrived in sight of Erlangen and reported the presence of Wittenberg troops to General von Stricknein.

3) The Battle commences ...

Both armies deployed, each had different battle plans, both chose to deny their left flanks.

The Monrovians planned to take the village and the use open ground to get past the village, deploying their infantry in line, with cavalry and artillery protecting the left flank. They started their advance.
The Wittenberg plan was to hold the line of the rise on the ground next to the village, with Jagers in the village and a battalion of Fusiliers plus the Uhlans holding the gap between the village and the forest. When the deployment of Monrovians was in progress the King decided to attack the Monrovian left flank against the advice of the Field Marshal. The troops formed up and advanced over the rise.

The Wittenberg troops advanced, to the sound of the guard band, towards the Monrovian left flank. The Monrovians started to re-deploy their cavalry to meet the threat.

Meanwhile the Monrovian infantry continued their advance, the Jagers were already fighting in the village and the Grenadiers were coming up in support.

Some Wittenberg artillery fire to the flank of the Monrovian Hussars had caused them to rout, the Wittenberg cavalry attack the Monrovian Dragoons ...

The Monrovian Dragoons failed to counter charge and were routed after the first round of melee, falling back through the Monrovian Heavy Horse who joined the rout. The commander of the Heavy Horse managed to rally them and hold the pursuing Wittenberg dragoons. More Wittenberg artillery fire this time on the advancing Monrovian Grenadiers cause them to flinch then rout, along with a company of jagers.

The Monrovian infantry continued their advance but their left flank was now unprotected ..

With the Monrovian left flank melting away and with Wittenberg infantry and cavalry threatening to envelope his position, General Stricknein ordered a withdrawal.

3) Afterwards

The Monrovians withdrew using their remaining cavalry and their guard grenadiers as a rearguard. The Monrovians had been prevented from reaching their target.

The Wittenberg commanders decided to shadow the withdrawal, as the main body of the Monrovian army was still in good order.