Ready to march ...

continued from the previous post ...

 Hofler had moved the camp to a nearby farm, getting it properly laid out in a field with some open ground nearby which could be used to exercise the troops..

 The men were drilled in platoons,

 and were given plenty of firing practice too

 General Waldebeck dropped by for an informal inspection ...

Waldebeck: Fine looking fellows, you've got them in good shape

Hofler: thank you Sir

Waldebeck: Well I think they are ready for action, get them up to Hofheim and join the Freikorps 

Hofler: Yes sir, we will leave as soon as possible ....

---oXo---

Meanwhile in Saxe-Jarlsberg events are unfolding. The Herzog is in discussion with Count Pottsendorf...

Herzog: I want Hofheim re-taken, then we will hold all the main routes into the Hoflandt.

Pottsendorf: The army is still weak but I believe is it is feasible

Herzog: Make the preparations

Pottsendorf: Yes Sire, I will march when all is ready ....

To Vanderhof and beyond ....

continued from the previous post ... ( figures used change from 28mm to 40mm, part way through)

Steffen Hofler had left Ottenheim a couple of days ago and had stayed overnight in Oberstein, setting out the next day on the last leg of his journey to Vanderhof.

 After a couple of hours he reached the top of a small hill and could see Vanderhof in the distance; he took out his spy-glass for a closer look ...

 Arriving late in the afternoon at Vanderhof he found some accomodation for the night.. The next morning he went up to the army HQ to report for duty.

 The adjutant to General Waldebeck welcomed him and checked his papers ...

 The adjutant showed him a map of the Hoflandt and apprised him in outline of the military situation and gave him his initial orders....

 The Hoflandt is surounded by a range of hills, there are three principle routes through, Saxe-Jarlsberg holds the two southerly ones at Karlebach and Dashagen, while we hold the other in the north-east at Hofheim.  General Waldebeck and the regular troops are based at Montberg, Count Boritzy's freikorps is at Hofheim. You will join your regiment at Marianstadt and have it ready for inspection in two weeks, after which you will march to join the Count's freikorp.

The next day he set off, wearing his new Colonel's uniform,  joining a small convoy of supplies on its way east to Montberg...

Two days later, late in the afternoon he arrived at Marianstadt and located the camp of his regiment ..