Second battle of Grunwald (Premysloides Dynasty)

Background
Second battle of Grunwald followed earlier "First battle of Grunwald". From first battle, historians knew only about initial clashes between Pagans and invading crusader army. Some considere "First battle of Grunwald" as early example of reconnaissance by fire effectivelly used by invading army.

Baltic theater of First Pan-European War was rare place of struggle, as it was territory of Angeloides Roman Empire and not territory of Hohenstauf loyalists of Holy Roman Empire. All the more, local battles were much more bloodier and decisive. Especially Second battle of Grunwald which was second bloodiest battle of First Pan-European War after conquest of Hamburg. It was also last great battle before interbellum of "Dark Age" in 1346-1356.

Mazurian province
Roman Empire acquired Mazurian province through alliances and treaties with local pagan chieftans and new vassals, who celebrated religious-tolerance of Constantinople Edicts. From 1287 when Mazuria left Poland and joined Roman Empire, until 1332, Imperial Province of Mazuria became one of most prosperous and populated area benefiting from trade with Russian republics, amber mining and bordership with Free Cities Commonwealth, include mutual administration of large port city Danzig.

While Imperial GDP per capita was in 1332 about 3,500$, in Mazurian province it was about 5,000$. Poland GDP per capita was only third of that.

Because of that and because Mazurian province was separated from remaining Roman Empire, Anti-Imperial Forces decided in November 1331 to strike this area. At first, they wanted to sent only small army, as they knew about lack of imperial military presence in Mazuria, but Imperial Intelligence uncovered this plan and informed Emperor Andronikos.

Opposing forces
Emperor sent warning to his province, to Free Cities and his loyalists and started gathering army. He decided not to move through land, but use large fleet, include hired pirates, but instead of using sea, Emperor used Volga river, which gain him nickname "the Navigator" as he was able to move through Volga river with part of warships and transport ships, while remaining naval forces were hired in Baltic region itself.

Andronikos got message from King of England Edward III, staunch enemy of France, Saint Atlantis and anti-Emperor Henry IX. Edward sent his military strategist John Chandos and corps of archers to support Andronikos.

In about 6 months, both sides were able to gather massive armies. Imperial mercenaries were provided by Free Cities, which also sent about 1,000 militia troops. Holy Roman Empire sent 600 cavalry and gold, while Roman Empire moved with 25 thousands infantry and cavalry. Local pagan chieftans and provincial authorities formed Baltic Guard, hired pirates and volunteered pagan population.

While anti-Imperial Forces were smaller, they had one great and decisive advantage - Grandmaster Lothar of Teutonic Order. Lothar was military genius, talented commander, schemer, strategist and tactician, inspiring leader, expert on deception, traps and ambushes, veteran who lived and wared 20 years in Baltic and Polish regions against remaining pagans. While de iure army was under Crown Prince Henry command, de facto was under Lothar command, who dismissed incompetent Henry.

Henry sent his people to Spain, to hire talented and ambitious Enrico Torquez, experienced spanish admiral. Other envoys were sent to local Baltic catholic church and to Grand Commonwealth. At April 1332, large army crossed Polish borders, joint by Polish knights and Lothar fleet under Torquez command passed Heligoland and Denmark.

Lothar used deceitful tactic. He sent scouts to Grunwald area, to observe local territory and create dozens detailed maps and also sent another scout with "secret documents" through enemy territory. He ordered scout to allow his capture and take over documents, fabricated letters, to Imperial soldiers. Letter adressed to unknown local Teutonic commander determined naval victory as condition of continuous campaign, while in truth, Lothar willingly sacrificed his fleet. Other part of letter described planned campaign movements through swamp territories and near Grunwald. "... imperials will never believe we will move by this area. Then, we will attack their rear. You must be in they rear..." was written in letter. In fact, Lothar splited his army and sent workers and mercenaries to build provisional stoneways in south-north direction of Grunwald swamps.

When letter was read to imperial commanders, they were happy. Except Lithuanian pagan viceroy Mindaugas who was sceptic about letter authenticity. However, Imperial Intelligence mistakenly confirmed authenticity. Kalran decided to use attack from two directions. While Anti-Imperial Forces will pass to east, beside of swamps in south direction, Imperials will block their way at east and attacked from north.

Battle
Naval victory at early start of battle confirmed many hopes of imperials, especially because of very low casualties on imperial side and total destruction of anti-Imperial fleet, as imperials ambushed anti-Imperial fleet amid Denmark islands. Naval battle started and ended in morning 16 May 1332 and in afternoon, Emperor Andronikos got information about naval victory and he ordered navy to move in rear.

Main phase of battle started at 9:00 17 May 1332, when foreward of anti-Imperial forces arrived near imperial blockade. In same moment, anti-Imperial cavalry corps under Lothar personal command was hidden deep in forests surrounding swamps.

At 9:30, Imperial forces blocked routes to east and clashed with foreward anti-Imperial forces. In first wave clashed imperial infantry and Grand Commonwealth soldiers. Grand Commonwealth had largest casualties and their commander Rothbaum was wounded and retreated from battle. But even this retreat was part of anti-Imperial plan, as Lothar need imperials to advance and he could reach their flank. Most of Grand Commonwealth troops were killed or retreated, while imperial infantry was victorious. Even second wave was victorious for Imperials, as Baltic Guard and Mindaugas Pagans clashed with Baltic Catholic volunteers. Lothar knew that volunteers do not have any chance to win, so he just sent them to attack and even did not say them about his plan. Volunteer units were massacred by pagans and 3,000 Catholics were killed or wounded. But with this, imperial victories ended.

At 10:45, imperial forces attacked anti-Imperials from north and most of imperial army passed by hidden stoneway in swamps. At 11:00, Lothar ordered his army to move, while better formations of his army in battlefield was already successful in resisting imperials. Lothar cavalry moved through stoneway and strike in imperial flank. Decisivness of strike was such terrible that battle ended in noon.

In first moment, whole Baltic Guard and Mindaugas army was destroyed, while Mindaugas was killed in battle. Stratégos Kalran tried to overturn battle, but his ranks were split in two, he was encirceled by cavalry, defeated and killed. Princ Nikolaos Thrakos, famous Georgian warrior, led his detachment and with John Chadnos also English archers, but they were ambushed by polish knights, who were able to overwhelm much larger units.

After defeat of English archers, imperial infantry started to retreat and decided to move to swamps, as they seen that Lothar army was able to pass through swamps, they wanted to use swamps to retreat. However, after Lothar cavalry moved on stoneway, most of this provisional bridge was ruined and when imperials step on bridge, it collapsed under them. Thousands other imperials tried their desperate luck in swamps, but about 8,000 drowned.

Emperor Andronikos II ordered total retreat of remaining forces. Only about 4,000 troops survived and returned with Emperor on Volga and back to Roman Empire. Andronikos who was brilliant naval commander and admiral was totally defeated in land battle and it took about 70 years to Roman Empire in regain control over Mazuria, while remaining Baltic provinces were left intact by anti-Imperials.

Aftermath
Decisive and glorious victory was celebrated over whole Saint Atlantis and Lothar gain title of "Warrior of Saint Jihad". He was titled as Duke of Mazuria and joined Grand Commonwealth. Defeat of Imperials at Grunwald opened way to final weakening and defeat of Free Cities Commonwealth, as they lost connection with Roman Empire and also lost strategic port city Danzig, which was captured few days after battle.

Mazurian province as rich and developed province, became new source of money for anti-Imperial Forces. All resistance was swiftly annihilated and thousands Catholic colonists stolen homes of pagan population.

However, battle also had severe diplomatic and political consequences, as it forced Russian republics and principalties to join Imperial side and also Mongolians sent about 10,000 cavalry to support their Roman allies. Participation of Russian republics and Mongolians in later "Invasion of Baltic" became crucial and help with restoring Roman order in Mazuria.