ADLG - Game Report 262

Hittites (20) vs Libyan Egyptian (15)

For the final game I was place up against Keith's Libyan's, where I was asked to defend in the plains. The Libyan Egyptian army was one I was familiar with as I fielded it in 15mm at Attack in July. However, Keith's approach to the army differed from my own with greater emphasis in this Army on traditional Egyptian troops, whereas in my own Libyan army I had gone large on the Meshwesh warriors. In setting up my defence I deployed the Chariots on the left to benefit from the openness, with the infantry in the centre and right. Where possible I deployed the Hittite medium swordsmen carefully to counter the threat of the impetuous Libyan warriors.

The army advanced refusing the right.

The Libyan's accepted the challenge and advanced in the centre to into contact. On the left the Hittite chariot command is manoeuvring to engage the Egyptian light chariots. On their left flank (out of picture) their supporting infantry are trying to move around to threaten the flank of the chariots.

To say the outcome of the combats was unfortunate is a little British understatement, as the Libyan's demolished the Hittite centred, while on their left in the fields they were also very fortunate.

There was a significant failure of command and control on the left which prevented the flanking infantry holding the Egyptian chariots in place. While in the centre and on the right the infantry casualties continue to mount with the inevitable consequences.

Outcome

A Libyan victory only suffering 13 out of 26 hits, while the Hittites crumbled like a castle of sand.

Lessons Learnt

A little more aggression from the left wing before command was lost would have been beneficial.

One can only manage with the dice one rolls.

ADLG - Game Report 261

Hittites (20) vs Kyrenean Greek (58)

Day two cometh and the Hittite Empire is fighting William's Kyrenean Greeks. I decided to defend in the plains. I was concerned about how I was going to fight the Hoplites. I therefore placed the Army in echelon to the right with the Chariots on the right; only to find them facing the Hoplites.

With the threat of the Hoplites, the Heavy Chariots were withdrawn and redirected to the left of their infantry supports. The Hittite right wing studiously decided to avoid the enemy Hoplites, but they still had to contend with the Greek Chariots.

The Greek Peltasts on the right fled (aka evaded) from the threat of the Hittite medium spearmen. In the centre right the lines have not yet made contact, but already the Hittite's have an overload on the Greek Chariots' right flank if we can make contact. On the Hittite right we are content to skirmish and threaten the enemy left.

The Peltasts came forward again to assist the withdrawal of the Greek Chariots which have tried to evade. In the centre the Gasgans are now ready to flank the enemy line, while the Heavy Chariots continue their redeployment. While on the right the chariots have engaged each other, and a light chariot has been forced to engage the Hoplites!

On the left the Hittite's have driven all before them and destroyed the enemy right wing. In the centre the Heavy Chariots are poised to re-engage to fill the vacuum left by the Gasgans. On the right the included commander has wisely avoided being caught in contact and has allowed his remaining troops to occupy the Hoplites!

Outcome

A Hittite Empire Victory by only suffering 8 hits to the enemies 25.

Lessons Learnt

The Hittite reserves played a significant part in the victory; perhaps it would have been better to include the Heavy Chariots in the reserve rather than needing to move them around the entire army!

ADLG - Game Report 260

Hittites (20) vs Achaemenid Persian (64)

The final date with destiny on Day 1 at Brixham for the Hittite Empire was an outing against Dave's Persians. I was again defending in the Plains. Fortunately I managed to avoid the unpleasant prospect of facing the Persian Sparabara with my chariots. Instead the Hittite Chariots were better placed to engage the Persian Cavalry. The Hittite centre was refused.

On the left the Hittite spears supporting the Hittite chariots have stood to receive the contact, but have certainly not fared as well as they should have! In the centre the Hittite General has contacted the Persian Cavalry, while the remainder of the Army advances to contact.

The Hittite General in his chariot is holding his own against the Persian cavalry. In the centre the Persian Chariots are threatening the Gasgans, but there are ample reserves to fill the gaps that they may leave. On the right the Hittite infantry has engaged the Sparabara, and has turned their flank.

On the right the Persian line is disintegrating as the benefit of the flank being turned reaps its rewards. In the centre the Gasgans are proving remarkable resilient – for once.

The Persian left has been destroyed. In the centre the Gasgans succumbed to the ferocity of the Persian chariots.

Outcome

A victory for the Hittite Empire losing 19 of 26 to the enemies 25.

Lessons Learnt

The right flank success was what we should have been capable of achieving against Phil's Assyrians!

ADLG - Game Report 259

Hittites (20) vs Assyrians (7)

After a less than well-deserved pasty, it was on to do battle against Phil's Assyrians, where I was defending in the plains. Here the numbers were very much in my favour, the question would b be could I make them count. The Hittite's deployed with the Chariots to the left with the Heavy Chariots closer to the infantry to support them. On the flanks were medium spears to work and expose the enemy flank.

And at this stage the plan seemed to be on-track.

The Hittite Light Chariots clashed with a grinding of hub against hub. However, in the centre the heavies are falling victim to very accurate bow fire. The Hittite centre has been held to allow the right flank to advance.

Although the Assyrian's have defeated a chariot their flank has now been threatened by medium spearmen. The Assyrian archers have destroyed the Heavy Chariot and the Hittite reserve has been deployed to support the remaining chariot. The Assyrian left flank has retreated in the face of the Hittite advance.

The Assyrian Chariots have brushed away the threat to their flank, leaving the battle on this flank very much in their favour. On the Hittite right although we have managed to overwhelm the enemy we have no meaningful enemy to fight! While, In the centre the Assyrians outnumber the Hittite's in contact.

The Hittite centre has been crushed, but both flanks are far to preoccupied in their own battles to support, or even destroy the enemy from the flanks.

Outcome

A creditable Assyrian victory by losing only 14 of 22 to the Hittite 26.

Lessons Learnt

If one has a significant overload on a flank, it needs to be able to be committed at the right time and place to be of any value; effectively the Assyrian and Hittite numbers were equal at the decision point.

ADLG - Game Report 258

Hittites (20) vs Sea Peoples (24)

Finally, at Brixham, and before I could enjoy the Devon Pasties I was confronted with Max "Call it a Draw" Sea People's Army. This was the other Army I could have built for the competition, and therefore I was looking forward to this battle with some trepidation as I knew its strength lay in its heavy impetuous foot, and the overall numbers in his army. I was invited to defend in the Mountains, where we deployed with a strong centre and the chariot command ready to deploy to the flank.

Once again, the question would be could my medium impetuous swordsmen stand against his heavies.

The Chariot command was able to deploy smoothly from behind the hill, with their flanks ably protected by the medium spearmen. The remainder of the line conformed to the home side of the gully protecting our left flank.

The enemy centre and left advanced as one large force to crush my right flank.

Although the chariots have broken through the Gasgans melted away against the enemy's heavy foot. However, the potential for completing the breakthrough and turning on the enemy flank has been denied us because of the intervention of the enemy chariot reserves.

The Hittite centre has now engaged the enemy centre, and the outcome has not been in our favour! On the Hittite right the remaining chariots have driven of the Sea People's light chariots but they have not yet managed to influence the battle the way they would have wanted to.

Two of the Sea People's chariots have been defeated, but the Hittite chariots are now a long way from being able to support their infantry. The infantry battle is delicately poised with both sides suffering casualties. The Hittite's are winning the battle in the gully, but losing the right and are about to lose the centre.

Outcome

A Sea People's victory by inflicting 26 and only losing 22 of 29.

Lessons Learnt

The Sea People's might have been a good choice for me.

The debate over the choice of Hittite Medium Spears or Medium Swords continues.

ADLG - Game Report 257

Hittites (20) vs Neo-Babylonians (8)

Before we all headed of to Brixham, I had a single opportunity to get the Hittites out for battle. Before Paul and I engaged in battle I took an obligatory picture of the Army deployed. I was given the privilege of attacking in the plains.

With a close up of the Gasgans; impetuous medium swordsmen who would be sacrificed by the Hittite empire to secure a breakthrough – or at least that would be the plan.

As one might have predicted Paul went for a classically compact formation. For our part we went with Infantry centre supported on the open flank with the Chariot command. In support to the chariots were medium and light infantry hidden in a gully, miles from the action!

Unfortunately, the Hittite command was conspicuous by its absence, which meant that the perceived hammer blow with its supports was not in evidence. At least the threat of the open flank has meant the Babylonians decided to honour the threat.

The lack of command was compounded by the deployment; it is never a good plan to split an infantry line with mounted troops in the centre as one requires at least one more command point to move the line! The consequence being that the left flank is now on its own.

Of course no matter how good or bad one's command dice are, they are moot when you lose a Heavy Chariot on contact to the enemy. Finally, the Hittite right flank starts to close on the Babylonian camels.

The Babylonian Heavy Chariots have bested the Hittite heavies and are now ready to commit to defeat the Hittite centre. In the centre the Babylonian horse archers are continuing to cause attrition. While on the Hittite right the battle is trying to decide whether they can sweep around the Babylonian left flank.

The Hittite left has won its battle in the field, but elsewhere the Hittite's have failed to secure any of their objectives.

Outcome

A Babylonian victory in which they only suffered 8 losses.

Lessons Learnt

A valuable lesson in what not to do when deploying the Hittite Chariots.

Try better to recognise how your opponent might deploy in the terrain; and avoid deploying troops where they are never going to deploy!

Chain of Command 2 - Game Report 6

Operation Martlet – 1200 to 1600 25 June 1944

Introduction

This was to be the third game of the Operation Martlet campaign scenario. Fortunately Kevin, as a war room where he can leave the table set up!

Situation

The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division were now 8 hours into Operation MARTLET and the mist and stiff enemy resistance has prevented them achieving even their initial objectives. The previous report from the CO of 11 RSF explains the challenges they faced. However, by midday the mist was clearing and the 11 RSF had regrouped its rifle companies that had become widely separated in the initial advance. Importantly for 11 RSF, B Squadron of the Sherwood Foresters Yeomanry (SRY) had now also reorganised and regrouped and were ready to support the advance.

Enemy Forces

The previous 8 hours of battle had shown that the Germans were well organised and unwilling to give ground. They were well equipped with MGs and had excellent fire discipline.

Friendly Forces

OC B Coy 11RSF took his lead platoon commander, 2Lt Archie Sutherland, to one side and explained how he needed to firstly get a grip and lead his platoon. He gave some direction on how he needed to reorganise his platoon and take full advantage of the support he was now being given. Consequently 5 Platoon was reorganised around two infantry sections. The remaining three men were insufficient to field as a section and Cpl Johnstone was therefore given an LMG and a jeep to act as an exploitation or recon force depending on circumstances.

5 Platoon would continue to be supported by the Battalion mortars and a Vickers team from the Battalion MG Platoon. Importantly he would be advancing behind a Sherman from B Sqn SRY.

Mission

11 RSF is to secure FONTENAY within boundaries.

Post Mission Report – 11th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers

Under the cover of the continuing artillery fire the two sections led by Sgt Wilson advanced. No 1 Section advanced in column behind the Sherman while No 2 Section advanced tactically across the field.

Within minutes the Vickers MG was brought up in direct support on the right flank of No 1 Section.

In spite of the continuing bombardment German Panzer Grenadiers were seen deploying around FONTENAY.

A German mortar bombardment prevented No 1 Section continuing their advance. However, the Sherman was able to move out of the beaten zone of the mortar barrage. No 2 Section continued to advance by crawling tactically through the fields. All the time they were under MG fore from their front and right flank. 2Lt Archie Sutherland brought forward his 2" mortar team to provide fire support and to provide motivation and leadership for his advancing sections.

The 11 RSF's Mortar platoon brought in a barrage, supplemented by 2" mortar fire, which started to obscure the troops from fire and allowed the advance to continue, led by the SRY. With great skill the barrage was walked across the entire German position.

Once the German Mortar barrage lifted the troops continued their advance. The Vickers MMG was particularly important in providing direct fire support, but it failed to fully suppress an MG42 team that had opened up on the right flank.

Instead, the SRY Sherman provided excellent fire support that eventually forced the MG42 team to displace. However, Sgt Wilson by this stage thought it was prudent to withdraw No 1 Section from their exposed position on the road. No 2 Section however, kept advancing tactically through the field.

No 2 Section closed in on the first building on the outskirts of Fontenay ready to assault it.

The German resistance was weakening and it appeared that more of their troops were withdrawing. The SRY Sherman continued its advance brassing up the hedges and buildings as it did so.

The SRY bring about the breakthrough that gives the battlefield to the 11 RSF and 2Lt Archie Sutherland's No 5 Platoon.

Outcome

The Battalion had finally broken into the German defences. Everyone was convinced, however, that it was not going to be an easy stroll to RAURAY. This experience had taught them that the Germans were tenacious and would not give ground easily. Archie Sutherland reflected on his experiences through the day and was becoming despondent about the losses his platoon had suffered. The CO of 11 RSF made it clear to him that he needed to do better and was looking for an improvement as the battle progressed.

ADLG - Game Report 243

Ptolemaic (43) vs Early Imperial Roman (85)

For a Thursday's veteran's wargaming opportunity at Entoyment, Kevin leapt at the chance to shout "Roma, Roma, Roma" and bring his Romans out again to battle my Ptolemaics on their revised. There is something deeply engaging about 28mm ADLG, especially when the Army is arrayed and deployed for battle. With my Army of Ptolemy.

Set against the might of Rome.

Back to the battle, after all one can only spend so much time admiring one's army, in which Rome won the initiative and decided to defend in the mountains. The threat presented by the Roman Equites advancing on our flank dictated that the Xystophoroi were redeployed to confront them. Meanwhile the Phalanx advanced to contact.

The Roman Equites decided that discretion was the better part of valour and withdrew to the centre. The Thracians advanced to engage the Auxilia, only for one of the two units to be destroyed on contact (the first of what we think were seven six-one results in combat during the game). 

However, the Numidian's advanced in support to even the odds. The Roman artillery was extremely effective causing a great deal of attrition on the pikes before they could even come into contact. They found their range early in the battle and made a significant difference.

From this point on the battle became one of the most fragmented engagements we had seen for classical armies. No longer did we have nice lines of infantry pushing against each other. Rather each of us punching holes in the opponent's line, which would then try and exploit. In the middle of this mayhem what one does not need is poor command and control, which was about to befall the Ptolemaic Cavalry Commander!

The Roman's have destroyed the Elite Pikes with its included General. However, the Pikes continue to fight on, even to the extent of seizing the opportunity to try and seize the Roman camp. And the Ptolemaic Cavalry stubbornly refuse to move.

However, despite their best efforts the Pikes heading for the enemy camp were destroyed by being charged in the rear; we will draw a veil over the plus eleven they accrued in the combat. By this point the results were swinging in the direction of the Romans. It might have been different if the Ptolemaic Cavalry had been able to be committed to battle. (Three consecutive command rolls of one for a competent general isn't going to go very far.)

Despite being flanked the Ptolemaic Cavalry General destroys his opponent in combat, but it is the last gasp for his army as the losses mount.

Outcome

A Roman victory by 17 to 24, and one in which we had over seven six-one combat results, and that doesn't include those that came up in the shooting!

Lessons Learnt

A poor Ptolemaic deployment meant that 29% of the army, imitation legionaries and cavalry, was unable to engage in support of the main attack.

I remain committed to using the Numidians as shock troops, however, perhaps Kevin's alternative orbat using mediocre elephants instead has merit.