ADLG - Game Report 246

Communal Italian (189) vs Cilician Armenian (194)

For the final game of the day I was confronted with more Armenians to do battle with. This time Richard's were 100% Armenians; we were again defending, but this time in the plains. Although I didn't have a coastline to provide flank protection we again deployed with the infantry command right with the two Knightly commands refused to the left.

The Armenians were being canny and cautious by keeping their own Knights back, so we reciprocated. But on the right the Italian Communal Militia drove forward to try and drive the irritating horse archers off the battlefield.

Although the Armenian horse archers have not yet vacated the battlefield, the infantry have moved far enough forward to put them in a position to envelope the Armenian left. The Italian Knights have moved forward in support, but the Impetuous French mercenary Knights have been ordered to stay out of combat range for a while before they can be unleashed.

The battle lines have conducted a slow left wheel. Although the Italian Communal Militia have not entirely enveloped the Armenian left, the enemy camp is in sight.

Contact! And so the casualties now start to mount along the line of contact. However, with the withdrawal of the Armenian horse archers from the left to the centre they have opened and exposed their camp and their left. In the centre the French Knights have successfully engaged and survived first contact.

At this stage the casualties are mounting for both sides at a similar rate, but the Armenians have great numbers. If the Italian's can take the camp that will certainly be a significant bonus!

Oh for better command and control! The battle has become piecemeal with individual units fighting to survive, and looking for friends to provide flank support. Even, if in the Armenian case it is some lowly archer unit that is seen to best a French Knight with the support of horse archers.

Outcome

A win for the Communal Italians by sneaking in with a 21 to 26 victory. Leaving me in the healthy position of two wins and a loss for the day.

Lessons Learnt

When one doesn't have the command and control one needs it certainly focuses one's mind on what is important to win.