From Gineipaedia, the Legend of Galactic Heroes wiki
| Battle of Schann-tau
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| (Imperial Civil War)
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| Date:
| 797 UC
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| Location:
| Schann-tau Starzone
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| Result:
| Minor Lippstadt League victory
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| Casualties / losses |
|---|
| Light | Light |
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The Battle of Schann-tau (Japanese: シャンタウ星域の会戦) was a battle of the Imperial Civil War which took place in the Schann-tau Starzone in 797 UC (488 IC / 3597 CE).
History
After initial setbacks for the Lippstadt League at the Battle of Altena and then the fall of Rentenberg Fortress to Duke Reinhard von Lohengramm's forces, High Admiral Willibald Joachim von Merkatz personally took command and engaged Admiral Oskar von Reuenthal. On 9 July, Reuenthal concentrated his forces to attack Merkatz. When a corresponding counter attack came from Merkatz, Reuenthal pulled his forces back somewhat which arranged his ships in a concave pattern. He noted that under Merkatz's command, the Lippstadt forces had greater coordination and cohesion, and after suffering 3 waves of successive attacks, Reuenthal decided to withdraw from Schann-tau. He reasoned that its strategic value did not justify the increased casualties that would result from a more determined defence against the more numerous Lippstadt fleet. In addition, he reasoned that a show of subservience to Lohengramm would inflate his pride and leave a good impression. Sensing the risk of envelopment from the concave formation and Reuenthal's intention to retreat, Merkatz slowed his advance. Once Reuenthal had cleared enough distance, he rearranged his fleet into a defensive sphere and fled at maximum speed. (LOGH: 'Courage and Loyalty', Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 2: Ambition)
Legacy
This would be the sole Lippstadt military success, though Merkatz noted that it was more due to Lohengramm's forces declining to engage in a bigger battle than an actual military triumph. This minor success would, however, further feed the arrogance of the Lippstadt nobles and the contempt with which they viewed their enemy, who came largely from commoner backgrounds. This belittling and underestimation of the enemy would lead to later Lippstadt defeats.
