ADLG - Game Report 299

Taifa Kingdom (204) vs Ghaznavids (201)

So, after junking the French and Arab-Indian, it was a return to the Taifa Kingdom. This time to take on Kevin's Ghaznavids. Spoiler Alert: When the list of Armies for the 15mm competition at Attack was issued we discovered that there would be 5 Ghaznavids brought out to play! So it is perhaps timely that I would have lots of practice games against them. In this game I was asked to defend, the Army deployed with the large cavalry wing on the left (with Heavy and Medium Cavalry hidden in ambush in the gully on the left), infantry centre and the light cavalry on the right.

I decided to dismount two of the Knights to support the infantry line. The Light Cavalry command was moved from the right to the left to support the remaining cavalry. The African medium spearmen had the task of trying to defend the right on their own.

As the two armies moved closer together I withdrew the Light Cavalry Command to preserve it; there was no pint in sacrificing it for no gain. Although one individual Light Cavalry unit has remained as a stay behind party to discomfort the enemy.

The Ghaznavid Bowmen supporting their cavalry on the enemy right were a continuing thorn in our side which constrained the ability of the Cavalry to envelope the enemy. Wherever the Cavalry went the bow men were sure to follow! In the centre we made contact. We have had a little success with our spears destroying one elephant but at the expense of losing two of our own from the elephant's supports.

In the centre the enemy have tidied up the remaining spears and are moving to occupy our camp. The Knights have been forced to support by engaging the remaining elephant. Meanwhile on the right a cunning ploy from the African Spearmen allowed them to engage the flank of the enemy cavalry and spears. The initial contact went well, but regrettably not decisively which has allowed the enemy to regroup and punish the spearmen.

Outcome

A victory for the Ghaznavids in which they lost 14 cohesion points.

Lessons Learnt

After the game we discussed the order of battle I had put together, and Kevin made some sensible suggestions for changes I should make. These amounted to reducing the size of the Cavalry command, and instead making two similar size commands to operate on each flank.

I took on board these suggestions and then refought the same battle solo with this revised order of battle. Suffice to say the result was similar result; but I don't think this invalidate Kevin's suggestions.

My conclusion was that the terrain certainly did not favour a defensive battle for my Army. Perhaps I should have more options to dismount more of my Cavalry and Knights if I am placed on the defensive?