ADLG - Game Report 300

Taifa Kingdom (204) vs Ghaznavids (201)

So after reflection of several games with the Taifa Kingdom, I brought together a different design and one more broadly based on Kevin's suggestions.; after all he did with designing Robin's Komnenan Byzantine army so it was prudent for me to consider his suggestions. So with this new army I went into battle, again, against Kevin's Ghaznavids. In this game I decided to attack in the plains. The terrain all ended on our left, and the marsh was moved by Kevin from my left to the centre, and on deeper reflection after the battle we decided that this was a good move for me and not for him. I went with two equal Cavalry commands deployed on the left and right, with the bulk of my Foot in the centre. I decided to dismount one Knight to support the Foot.

With the Cavalry on the wings the goal was to try and pull the enemy apart, and from the outset that is what they were forced to do to respond to me. Our Foot advanced slowly with the African Spearmen and lights moving to secure the marsh.

On the right the enemy bow fire quickly subdued one of my light cavalry units. The centre and right are moving forward slowly, but the left, with the Knights leading, is taking the fight to the enemy.

The Knights managed to contact the enemy spears supporting their Elephants, but we have the Heavy cavalry in reserve, and one of these has manoeuvred onto the flank of the elephant. Indian Impetuous swordsmen have tried to force their wat into the marsh but have been soundly rebuffed by the spearmen. On the right the lone Light Cavalry unit has survived multiple rounds of bow fire and where necessary rallied off the hits they received.

The engagement is getting more intense. The Ghaznavid right is now under threat from the front and the flank where the Africa Spearmen have won their battle. One of the Knights has died but the General is fighting on laying waste all before him. In the centre the foot closed with the enemy line, and allowed them to charge in. The dismounted Knights have severely wounded their Elephant and in doing so killed the general mounted on his pachyderm charger! And still the Light Cavalry taunts the enemy another time!

On the left the Knight General supported by the Heavy Cavalry have destroyed an Elephant, but the African spearmen perished in their attack against the enemy cavalry. In the centre a cunning counter-stroke by the Taifa cavalry has caught the enemy in the flank and The General and his pachyderm are now deceased. The Light Cavalry have finally withdrawn, under pressure.

The belated enemy counter-attack against the African Spearman has been destroyed assailed in the rear and front. While the main enemy line has been broken with all three elephants now lying dead on the battlefield.

Outcome

A Taifa victory losing 21 cohesion hits in the process.

Lessons Learnt

The Army design seems to work, albeit that we came close to breaking ourselves.

On to Attack!

ADLG - Game Report 299

Taifa Kingdom (204) vs Ghaznavids (201)

So, after junking the French and Arab-Indian, it was a return to the Taifa Kingdom. This time to take on Kevin's Ghaznavids. Spoiler Alert: When the list of Armies for the 15mm competition at Attack was issued we discovered that there would be 5 Ghaznavids brought out to play! So it is perhaps timely that I would have lots of practice games against them. In this game I was asked to defend, the Army deployed with the large cavalry wing on the left (with Heavy and Medium Cavalry hidden in ambush in the gully on the left), infantry centre and the light cavalry on the right.

I decided to dismount two of the Knights to support the infantry line. The Light Cavalry command was moved from the right to the left to support the remaining cavalry. The African medium spearmen had the task of trying to defend the right on their own.

As the two armies moved closer together I withdrew the Light Cavalry Command to preserve it; there was no pint in sacrificing it for no gain. Although one individual Light Cavalry unit has remained as a stay behind party to discomfort the enemy.

The Ghaznavid Bowmen supporting their cavalry on the enemy right were a continuing thorn in our side which constrained the ability of the Cavalry to envelope the enemy. Wherever the Cavalry went the bow men were sure to follow! In the centre we made contact. We have had a little success with our spears destroying one elephant but at the expense of losing two of our own from the elephant's supports.

In the centre the enemy have tidied up the remaining spears and are moving to occupy our camp. The Knights have been forced to support by engaging the remaining elephant. Meanwhile on the right a cunning ploy from the African Spearmen allowed them to engage the flank of the enemy cavalry and spears. The initial contact went well, but regrettably not decisively which has allowed the enemy to regroup and punish the spearmen.

Outcome

A victory for the Ghaznavids in which they lost 14 cohesion points.

Lessons Learnt

After the game we discussed the order of battle I had put together, and Kevin made some sensible suggestions for changes I should make. These amounted to reducing the size of the Cavalry command, and instead making two similar size commands to operate on each flank.

I took on board these suggestions and then refought the same battle solo with this revised order of battle. Suffice to say the result was similar result; but I don't think this invalidate Kevin's suggestions.

My conclusion was that the terrain certainly did not favour a defensive battle for my Army. Perhaps I should have more options to dismount more of my Cavalry and Knights if I am placed on the defensive?

ADLG - Game Report 298

Arab Indian (135) vs Komnenan Byzantine (183)

Robin offered battle for the Arab Indian Army with a Komnenan Byzantine selection. His army was chosen by Kevin for him; and thank you Kevin for that! I was invited by the Byzantines to defend in the desert, a novel choice I thought. With the openness of the left flank the army deployed wit its massed ranks of Cavalry on the right to force the issue with the Elephants in the centre to provide shock against Byzantine Knights, while the foot protected the camp.

The desert sand dunes provided a suitable division in the terrain with neither army willing to enter it. The Elephant moved to the right to engage the Knights while its supporting foot moved to the left to support the Arab and Indian Foot. On the right the Arab Cavalry massed in support of the Elephant looking to exploit the Elephant's shock effect. Out on the right the Indian Cavalry and the Berbers moved to engage the enemy lighter cavalry.

The Arab Cavalry have successfully engaged a Byzantine Knight, but they need to destroy it to be able to exploit the advantage. Unfortunately the Heavy cavalry Bows have been ineffective against the Knights, while frther right the enemy light cavalry have secured an advantage on our right. On the left the Byzantine foot seem reluctant to force the issue.

The Elephant and Arab Cavalry have broken through but lack the command and control to exploit their advantage at the moment. Of greater concern is that the remainder of the Arab Cavalry have been blown away by the Byzantine Knights, to leave the Arab Bow armed heavy cavalry to hold the line! In spite of the advantages held by the Arab foot the Byzantine heavy spears are winning the fight. We will draw a veil over the fact that the Byzantines claimed their Varangian Guard had impact, and we failed to challenge the claim!!!

Across the battlefield the Byzantine forces have pummelled the Arab Indian force into a state of disarray, leaving the Indian Elephant and Arab Cavalry breakthrough force high and dry with no targets and no opportunity to rescue the situation.

Outcome

A Byzantine victory in which they only lost 6 cohesion points. All done and dusted and troops packed away in 90 minutes!

Lessons Learnt

If it sounds too good be true, it isn't true; if the army composition claimed by the enemy doesn't sound right challenge them.

The Arab-Indian Army has potential but it is probably over-faced by potentially Knight-equipped armies at Attack. Back to square one for Army selection.

I know that many people favour Bow-armed Heavy Cavalry, I don't; especially against Knights.

ADLG - Game Report 297

Arab Indian (135) vs Feudal Scots (184)

An army I had been considering for some time and which might be relevant to Attack were the Arab Indians. In theory it brought together the mobility of Arab abd Indian Cavalry with the shock value of an Elephant. A significant challenge for it would be to take on an infantry army and one led by Harry! I was attacking in the plains and massed my mobile troops on the left with the infantry in a holding position on the right.

At the outset we decided to switch flanks and so the grand procession commenced.

With the elephants swinging to their left heading to engage the Scottish Knights. The Arab and Indian cavalry manoeuvred for an opening, or at the very least to pin the enemy foot in place.

Premptively one of the Arab Cavalry charged and engaged the enemy and destroyed them. However in the centre the Scottish Nobles are playing coy and holding themselves in reserve, to allow their foot to win the battle for them.

The Elephant was destroyed by being attacked in the front and flank, while its attackers have now been similarly attacked in flank by our reserves. The foot on the left are now moving to engage and support the Indian swordsmen.

The Arab and Indian Cavalry have deigned to become involved in the battle but with little effect. In the centre the Scottish Knight caught in the flank has survived its assault on its flank by the Arab general and has the temerity to wound the general in turn!. After taking sometime to become involved the Arab and Indian foot have acquitted themselves well.

Outcome

Given the time and casualties and the lack of will the Arab-Indin forces conveded the battle to the infidels from the heather. I don't often concede but time and energy were at a premium on this day.

Lessons Learnt

Fatigue and unfamiliarity with the army compounded to bring to the battle a flawed plan and deployment!

The Army merits a further opportunity to redeem itself, before it too is constrained to the ash heap of potential armies for Attack.