ADLG - Game Report 188

Ptolemaic (43) vs Kushans (107)

After a narrow loss to the Vikings, I brough out a trial for the Ptolemaic, in their potential fighting orbat (Order of Battle – for those not aux fait for the abbreviation) for Beachead in February against Paul’s Kushans. The theme for the competition is the “March of the Funnies” with an army that must have at least 2 camels, 2 elephants or 2 war wagons. Which all means for me that my Army must have elephants!

As is oft the case I rather messed the plan up and was caught between ideas and in the end fell between two stools (mixing my metaphors). I failed to anchor myself to the marsh on the left and protect the left flank, and over fixated on the two hills. Hence the early commitment of two Heavy cavalry to the flank of the pikes.

To aggravate the error, I then started to move the pikes en column of march to the left, and decided to vacate the hills which the elephant secured. In doing so I exposed the Peltasts with their Javelins to try and hold off the enemy cavalry. I rather do this to myself rather too often.

The pikes trundle slowly to the left, while the cavalry form in the centre. This only leaves some light cavalry to protect the left flank, if needed.

Eventually the pikes line up against the Kushan Cataphracts. The elephants have been committed in an uphill battle, where they are looking for support from the cavalry on their left. The Peltasts protecting their flan are supported by Greek Cavalry, and at least we have caused some small casualties.

One of my elephants has succumbed to its wounds, while the supporting troops and the rest of the right flank is a heartbeat away from crumbling.

The right has crumbled while the Cataphracts move in to attack, with a well-placed Kushan cavalry unit moving through the marsh to outflank the line of pikes.

Outcome

A significant loss to the Ptolemaic by 22 to only inflicting 11.

Lessons Learnt

Once again there was too much inviting terrain for me to decide to where to place my troops.

In retrospect this classical orbat, with troop types in specific commands, is what also causes tension when doing the plan; I didn’t have the right troops in any of the commands for any of the positions.