Battle of Neuhäusser

Battle of Neuhäusser
Part of 10 Days War
Rotgeheiman troops of the 14th VS-Panzergrenadier Division Balkan fire at retreating Porantan troops from a shell hole in downtown Neuhäusser
Date 24 January – 26 January 1913 (2 days) Location Neuhäusser, Hundermenschen Result Decisive Rotgeheiman victory
Belligerents
Rotgeheim	Porant
Commanders and leaders
Siegfried Feilhaber Sylvester Stadler Franz Roestel Dagmar Mäher Anton Hackl Lothar Lauer	Unknown
Units involved
XII VS-Panzerkorps 9th VS-Panzer Division Hohenstaufen 10th VS-Panzer Division Fuerstenburg 14th VS-Panzergrenadier Division Balkan VS-Fighter Wing 1 Wächter VS-Ground Attack Wing 8 Kater	Unknown Armored Division Unknown Fighter Squadron
Strength
82,129 troops 250 tanks 80 fighter planes 60 ground attack aircraft	20,000 troops 60 tanks 50 fighter planes
Casualties and losses
Dead: 556 Wounded: 1,302 Missing: None Captured: None	Dead: 3,800 Wounded: 7,200 Missing: 600 Captured: 15,600

The Battle of Neuhäusser was a military engagement between the Verteidigungsstaffel of Rotgeheim and Porantan military forces. It took place from 24 January to 26 January 1913.

Background

Rotgeheiman Preparations

Following the capture of Widerhausen on 22 January, the troops of the XIV VS-Panzerkorps, XII VS-Panzerkorps, and II VS-Panzerkorps were required to seize the next three objectives. The small towns of Grünberg, Elssler, and Neuhäusser were the objectives to be taken. The XII VS-Panzerkorps was assigned to attack Neuhäusser, and the II VS-Panzerkorps to attack Elssler, leaving Grünberg to be taken by the XIV VS-Panzerkorps. The capture of the three key towns would form a semi-circle around the Porantan beachhead, entrapping their land forces and preventing any further incursions by Porantan forces deeper into Hundermenschen.

Assigned to the XII VS-Panzerkorps to assault Neuhäusser were its usual complement of two armor divisions and one accompanying mechanized infantry division, but because the airstrips in Widerhausen had been taken and refitted to allow the landing of Rotgeheiman aircraft, close air support could now be utilized. A fighter wing and a ground attack wing were attached to the XII VS-Panzerkorps in order to provide such air support. Roughly 250 tanks were in use between the 9th VS-Panzer Division Hohenstaufen and 10th VS-Panzer Division Fuerstenburg. Nearly all tanks used were PzKmpf XI Panthera main battle tanks that are the standard in all Rotgeheiman armor divisions.

Porantan Preparations

The loss of Widerhausen meant that the Porantan defensive perimeter was now stretched thinly. The fragile defensive line had troops concentrated in three main locations: Grünberg, Elssler, and Neuhäusser. Neuhäusser became refuge to roughly 20,000 Porantan troops of various units, although they all were organized under a single armor division - this armor division, however, was grossly understrength, as it was only equipped with a mere 20 obsolete tanks. Despite the overwhelming odds facing the Porantan defenders, they still barricaded all buildings they possibly could to better defend the town, constructed roadblocks in the streets, and dug out trenches surrounding the town itself. Final defensive preparations were made early in the evening on 23 January. The Porantan defenders were put on watch and ordered to fire upon any being approaching Neuhäusser.

Initial Advance of the XII VS-Panzerkorps

Departure from Widerhausen

First Contact

The Battle

Aftermath