ADLG - Game Report 181

Medieval Spanish (239) vs Order of St John (263)

For the final battle of the competition I was facing Drakoulis’s noble Order of St John. And once again I was going to attack in the plains. The difficult terrain was all located on my left and hence that is where the Almogavar command was sent. There was an interesting and irritating marsh on the right next to a coastline, which I intended to patrol with my Jinettes.

This was a game of limited subtlety – just advance and give battle as quickly as we both could.

First into contact were the Almogavars over on the left. While the Knights faced off each other on the right.

On the left the Almogavars have turned the enemies left flank. However, on the Spanish right I have left my flank exposed and failed to bring the Jinettes up to protect the right flank of the Mercenary Knights.

Outcome

The Spanish won the day by inflicting 23 to receiving 21. This meant that I came away from the tournament with 2 wins, 2 losses and a draw, to finish as leader in the clubhouse from the usual Entoyment suspects.

Lessons Learnt

I should not have lost 21, and would not have done so if I had protected the Knights open right flank!

ADLG - Game Report 180

Medieval Spanish (239) vs Medieval Scandinavians (251)

Day two of the competition and I was facing another Medieval Scandinavian army led by Gordon. This time with a very different composition that which I faced against Iain! However, I was once again attacking, but this time in the Plains. I placed the Almogavars on the right in order to try and seize the village astride the road.

The Scandies decided they didn’t like the look of my threats to their left flank and quickly moved forward to seal it off. Meanwhile they opened a wide gap in the centre with their right flank moving even further right.

In response I moved the foot command to its right and wheeled left to conform to the movement of the Almogavars, which were sweeping around the right flank. On my left I decided to stall the enemy’s move to the right with the Light Cavalry while half of the Mercenary Knights moved forward to face off against the enemy knights.

After considerable tactical manoeuvring on both sides the point of the battle is getting every closer. The Scandies have closed the gap and have brought both of their foot commands together in a more coherent line for me to break through. In the centre my Halberdiers have passed through the crossbows to be ready to engage the Knights. The Almogavars are now in close support. The Knights are suffering again from the ravages of crossbow bolts fired against them!

The Scandie Knights have been destroyed, leaving the path free for the Spanish foot and Almogavars to move forward to engage the enemy left flank.

In spite of a number of losses the Spanish foot are advancing well and the Almogavars are poised to contribute to rolling up the enemy line from my right.

Outcome

Unfortunately, we timed out with me needing just three more cohesion hits for a victory. It ended with a draw with me inflicting 23 of 26 hits and only receiving 12 in return. At this stage in the competition I was standing at 2 losses, 1 draw and 1 win.

Lessons Learnt

In this game the tactic of passing the Halberdiers through the crossbows worked very well indeed!

The slow advance of the Almogavars was due to poor command and control, perhaps that General if he is on the flank should be better than ordinary?

ADLG - Game Report 179

Medieval Spanish (239) vs Medieval Scandinavians (251)

As I fall down the league table with two losses, my next opponent was an old friend and army I have fought before; Iain’s Scandinavians. I was rewarded for my efforts with the benefit of attacking in the forest. I deployed up with the Almogavars on the left ready to advance through the brush and woods while the infantry command protected the flank, with the Knights looking for something to do on the right.

The Scandie’s primary tactical problem, with their decision to defend between the gully and steep hill to the forest, was to extricate their cavalry on the right, so they formed a caracole in their move to the rear. Meanwhile we advanced in the centre to conduct an infantry battle against the massed ranks of polearmed Scandie infantry.

Both sides mounted troops are being held in reserve, as the infantry lines close up to engage each other.

Battle is joined, and the Scandie Polearms manage to chew up a lot of the spears of the Spanish infantry.

Both sides trade hits along the line with gaps appearing that both sides want to exploit.

In spite of the many wounds they have suffered the Spanish foot are holding their own and creating more gaps. Both sides Cavalry are standing ready to exploit any holes in the line.

The Spanish foot have finally broken through the Scandie line, with only two polearmed units trying to stem the flood of Spanish foot.

Outcome

A Spanish victory by 22 to 11, and finally a win on the board.

Lessons Learnt

Most of the lessons in this battle were for Iain.

ADLG - Game Report 178

Medieval Spanish (239) vs Medieval Scots (232)

On to the second Warfare game to try and redeem the situation, and to move up the ladder, against Andy’s Medieval Scots. Here I found myself defending in the Plains against a Pike equipped infantry army. At least I put the Knights on the correct flank against the Scottish nobility.

The Scots decided to defend the gully on the left, and advance in the centre with their Pikes. For my part we advanced in line to give combat. However, this time the right of the line of knights has started to succumb to the crossbow bolts.

As the Scots command and control starts to improve, they bring more Pikes into line. Meanwhile I studiously avoid any notion of engaging the Pikes with my Knights, and instead advance my infantry forward. Although the end Knight succumbs even further to crossbow bolts.

With the advance of the Scots Knights I have brought my own forward to confront them. Whilst withdrawing the damaged Knight from the line of battle. In the centre the Infantry are ready for battle against the Pikes.

From the colours along the line it is self-evident that the combats have not gone the way of the Spanish. That is apart from the Halberdiers on the left end of the line who have destroyed a foot knight unit.

Against the odds the Mercenary Knights have prevailed against the flower of the Scots nobility! The same cannot be said about the Infantry which have failed to inflict any significant damage on the Scots Pikes. The Almogavars have moved forward to contest the gully and suffered the consequence so their rash action.

Outcome

A Scots win by 23 to 17. A result that was much better than I expected despite the loss.

Lessons Learnt

I should have committed the Almogavars much sooner!