ADLG - Game Report 273

Seleucid (42) vs Seleucid (42)

It isn't what you need when the draw for the next round comes out and you discuss who your next opponent is, and all your local friends say "Oh, Rafa is a very good player – good luck!". Excellent motivational speech gentlemen. In this case I actually won the initiative, and decided that I should attack in the plains. The Initial plan, based on the terrain, was for the Army to wheel forwards to the left protecting its right flank as much as possible by the field on the right. In doing so to try and keep the elephants away from my cavalry.

This movement proceeded according to the plan – which is a first! Meanwhile the enemy elephants are on a route march to my right flank. In the centre right the enemy's cunning use of lights has lost me a light cavalryman.

Once again, the enemies use of lights behind my light cavalry's flank has prevented them evading. At the same time the enemy is now moving more of his troops to their left flank.

The cataphracts have been forced to engage and are suffering the consequences of their action. In the distance the sole surviving light infantry bowmen is being mercilessly hunted down. Meanwhile on the left of the main line poor command has prevented to Greek militia spearmen from moving up to support the pike phalanx.

The Cavalry command on the right has been destroyed, less a sole light cavalrymen who managed to evade. The goal now is to inflict as many casualties as we can before the enemy left wing re-engages along the flank of the line of battle.

The enemy left wing may not be needed as their main line is proving stubborn and inflicting as good as it receives.

Before the elephants can move into contact my line of battle has already lost more casualties than it can afford to do so. Out on the left the failures of command are preventing the Greek militia contributing to the defeat.

Outcome

The Seleucid's won, Rafa's and not mine, but I managed to inflict 15 on his 23.

Three games into the competition and I was one win and two losses.

Lessons Learnt

Perhaps a more cautious defensive approach may have helped?

Another battle where the loss of five sixths of my lights always put me on the back foot.

With at least three units uncommitted I was really fighting with only 20 units.