Battle of Szczecizierzyn

The Battle of Szczecizierzyn was occurred on March 8, 1773 between the Rictuvian National Army and the Verdictine Army in the village of Szczecizierzyn just outside the city of Lustenstadt.

Background
Szaltsa, still fresh from his third victory against the Verdicts in Gelzovce, was informed that Szczecizierzyn must be reinforced before a Verdictine attack. Szaltsa marched to Szczecizierzyn with 3000 men on March 4.

Szczecizierzyn was a vital point to the Verdicts in the north, whose supplies were running low due to the recent losses. Szaltsa arrived in Szczecizierzyn on March 6, taking command of the forces stationed there, which numbered around 1200 and with a single heavy artillery.

The Verdictine army was led by Colonel Jeremiah Brookes. Brookes received reports from Verdictine loyalists in Lustenstadt that around 4000 troops are going to be stationed to defend against the Verdictine attack. Tasked by General Linvert Orion to defeat any Rictuvian to establish a defensive post for the supply line, Brookes intended to shell the village with artillery and launch a charge on enemy positions once the enemy is in a disorder.

Battle
Brookes arrived on March 8 in the morning. He quickly deployed his troops in the west, ready to march on to Szczecizierzyn. He had positioned his artillery on high ground and signaled the artillery to fire. The first shots hit the Rictuvian troops in the westernmost part of the village. The defenders stood their ground, and began returning fire through their cannon.

Szaltsa was on the other side of the village when the attack began. As soon as he heard the first salvo of the artillery, he immediately commanded his men to the western side of the village.

Brookes sent forward a Grenadier division, planning to push the defenders away from their positions in melee combat. Once the melee started, the Rictuvian troops returned fire before leaving their positions, severely damaging the Grenadiers' numbers. The Rictuvian troops were at a disadvantage in melee and were quickly routed after the combat.

The Grenadiers charged into the village, despite having large casualties. Szaltsa opted to rush the remaining defenders to a melee, and succeeded into defeating the defenders. The remaining Verdictine attackers were charged head-on by the defenders and initiated another melee combat. The formation of the Verdictine army fell in a few hours and were completely routed or wiped out before dusk.

Aftermath
Brookes retreated back to the Verdictine stronghold in Naldwassen, leaving behind 3 of 5 artillery pieces. Failing to take the defensive position and losing for the fourth time against the Rictuvians. The Verdictine supplies were low and Orion resorted into sending foraging armies to find food. Orion's army was soon resupplied.

Szaltsa's fourth victory game him a steady position, although losing around 550 men in the encounter. He also captured 3 heavy cannons he would use in the Battle of Berdychevsk. Due to the Rictuvians holding their position, the battle ended with a Rictuvian Major Victory.