ADLG - Game Report 322

Bulgar (160) vs Tang Dynasty (175)

While reviewing the valid armies for Kegworth I happened on the Bulgar's which coincidentally very similar to the Ostrogoth list I had used at Oxford. It was different because the Bulgars were heavy spears and not swords. Nonetheless I thought, why not give it a go. I cobbled together a list and army and took it along to our next Thursday at Entoyment. Jon offered battle first against his Tang. I was invited to defend in the plains, and deployed classically, foot centre and cavalry on the wings.

The first thing to do was to avoid wasting my cavalry against his spears and let the left flank do as it will; left to the protection of two light horse archers. Concentration of force on the right wing was the way to go; fortunately, the command and control was sufficient for me to make progress. Importantly the right-wing cavalry moved forward to make space and in doing so potentially brought them in charge distance of the enemy cavalry; that is the enemy light cavalry evaded and we were to go long.

And they did evade and we did go long, and crashed into the line of enemy cavalry as we cam over the brow of the hill. Meanwhile the foot has wheeled to their left bringing their bows within effective range of the enemy foot.

The right wing cavalry has destroyed the enemy horse and the entire enemy left has now been exposed, including the camp.

The foot has engaged and we were fortunate to have the assistance of the bowmen on the flank of the enemy line. Without their assistance it is likely that our own line of foot's right flank might have been exposed. That is until the left wing of cavalry in column has moved to engage the enemy's foot's rear. The enemy camp is in sight and there is only one light cavalry unit to oppose us.

The left flank of our spears has been compromised as has the enemy's. The challenge who would fall first and who could get reinforcements to the centre first?

The opposing lines of foot were crumbling from their left, while in the distance the camp fell to draw a line under the Tang's resistance.

Outcome

A Bulgar victory losing 12 of 24 and sacking the enemy camp.

Lessons Learnt

I was fortunate to be able to redeploy early, however, in spite of this only one of the redeployed heavy cavalry units played an effective part of the battle.

An army that merits further trials.