ADLG - Game Report 234

Feudal French (182) vs Goryeo Korean (223)

For the next Feudal French army design I had put together a list based on the Northern Feudal French, so out came the Almogavars, to be replaced by Pikes and Polearms. Additionally, the Knights were spread across the three commands, and all the commanders were detached.

Harry decided to throw another curve ball and opted to attack me in the forest. The resulting terrain was certainly not conducive for a defensive battle for the French. The wood certainly cramped the deployment area. The French deployed with the infantry command, and the Pikemen, in the centre flanked by two cavalry commands. The major challenge being that I had no troops capable of defending and fighting in the woods in the centre. However, I decided this time to dismount to face the Korean war wagons.

The line will advance! Herein lies the first mistake. I was at pains to try and keep the Knights on the left from engaging the troops on the hill, although I somewhat expected the inevitability of being unable to train their impetuosity from doing so.

The first mistake is manifest as we have left the protection of the flank protected by the wood, which has allowed Koreans to slip behind the flank of the Pikes. On the left the inevitable march of the Knights against the hill has started. While on the right The French struggle to move forward to engage the Warwagons.

The three commands are now fighting for their existence. On the left the Knights have been defeated attacking the hill, and it is not looking favourable with the dismounted Knights against the enemy polearms; one of which was destroyed on contact. In the centre one of the Pikes has destroyed its opponent, but the impact of being attacked in the front and in the flank is telling. While on the right the casualties caused by the Warwagons has compromised the ability to close with them and destroy them.

The French left has been vanquished, the centre fights on, and the attack against the Warwagons has failed.

Outcome

A crushing Korean victory by 5 to 24.

Lessons Learnt

Once again, the attempt to learn something about this army design has been compromised by poor French tactics and the inability to negotiate the terrain.

The one take away was that the French centre seemed to be more coherent and stable with the Pikemen, albeit that they were mediocre.