With the army strengthened, the republic elected on assulting Westphalia with hopes of taking the valuable province to relieve economic pressures in the empire.
The siege began well, but as the winter was starting to thaw the garrison marched against the dutch.
The Infantry quickly formed a line as the cannons opened up.
Musketfire was began as soon as range was reached.
The Westphalians had cut their force in two, each half going around the side of the village.
Concerned about the flanks breaking reserve troops were bought around to the flanks and made lines, firing vicious fire into the German troops.
On the left flank the westphalians responded by beginning a heavy melee assault on one unit of foot, hoping to flow down the line and rout the Dutch, the unit that was attacked was routed, but cannon fire and a recently arrived reserve unit routed the dutch assault and resulted in the sway of the battle turning in the favour of the dutch.
Meanwhile a unit of light calvary made themselves known by sweeping across the Westphalian line, routing numerous already shaken units.
While on the right flank, a unit of pikemen managed to bog down the Enemy general, and killed him.
The news of their generals death and the recent calvary charge caused what morale the Westphalian's had to break, victory was ours and the city taken.
The army, weakened, left the city in order to get reinforcements, France, unnerved by the Dutch Aggressive move against the German state, declared war, however, the French's own aggressive move left them alone against British Dutch, and Austrians, even their Spanish allies deserted them.
However the French still have a strong army, stronger then the UP and they took Cologne and shortly after, Annexed Hannover, leaving the Dutch with no way to Advance against the French without leaving themselves open to attack.
However, the start of the war was not without its victories, as the Colonial army landed in French Guyanna...
...and after a particularly bloody victory,(And one marking the first use of plug bayonets)the Dutch took French Guyanna
As 1703 Nears a new Stadholder is elected, it is hopeful that he and his ministers can lead us to victory over the French, one thing is for sure, this war will either see the Dutch becoming slaves to French ambitions or a major victory marking the formation of a new Dutch Empire.