ADLG - Game Report 274

Seleucid (42) vs Carthaginian (55)

For the final game of the day, I was once more fighting Carthaginians, this time owned by Hugo. I was invited to attack in the plains. I decided to form up between the hill with the plantation on the left and the plantation in the centre. The Greeks deployed with an infantry command on the left, one to the right and the Cavalry command in the centre. The plantation hill provided an excellent place for an enemy ambush, and given that they had only deployed two commands it was likely to contain the third command.

Which indeed it did, a command of eight units. To defend the hill I had deployed two Thorakiti and a bowman giving the enemy a more than two to one advantage; would my armour save me? The other surprise was the rapid advance of the enemy cavalry command which contracted and advanced for three moves directly to my rear. I had to react to this, and both Thracian units were detached with the militia cavalry for rear security duties. Additionally, the Greek militia spearmen were tasked with protecting against enemy that might debouch from the plantation hill.

The Thorakiti are acquitting themselves with honour, unlike the previous battles over the weekend. Meanwhile although we are closing to battle the enemy are already well positioned to attack the left flank of the pikes. The rear-area security patrols are now essential, but it seems likely that we will still lose the camp.

The lines of battle are now engaged, and already the Argyraspide General is seriously wounded and in mortal danger. The fight for the plantation hill continues and the Thorakiti have destroyed another two enemy units – their honour and prestige rises even further. In the rear, with the gear, the Thracians supported by the lights have already destroyed two enemy light cavalry, which will be fair exchange for the loss of the camp.

The Argyraspide General continues to survive, barely with all three of his pike phalanxes seriously damaged. However, the supporting attack to their right is going well with many enemy casualties. The enemy now owns the plantation hill, but it has not been won easily.

Final the Argyraspides succumb to their fate. At the same time the enemy line itself is now broken. Casualties on both sides are mounting terribly.

Outcome

A mutual destruction with the Carthaginians losing 25 and the Seleucids losing 23 (of which four are from the camp, and another five from the brilliant Argyraspide General). An excellent game, you have got to love a "Mutual" result.

Four games into the competition and I was one win, one mutual and two losses.

Lessons Learnt

A very cunning and valuable lesson was learnt on how easy it is to contract from line into column and what you can do with it.

Another battle where although I was attacking why did I advance beyond the terrain protecting my left flank? Just because you may be attack doesn't always mean you need to advance.

The units providing rear security eventually came out with a net positive result even though the camp was lost, by destroy or forcing to evade all but one enemy light cavalryman.