ADLG - Game Report 5

Early Imperial Roman (84) vs Graeco-Bactrian (46) (Rematch)

For the rematch with Paul's Graeco-Bactrian's I decided to mix things up and add two light ballista's. I also decided to maintain a reserve of 3 elite cohorts. As you can see the terrain was interesting, indicating we were fighting on the plains beneath the foothills! 

The Bactrian light cavalry are trying to move around my right flank.

My left flank was protected by two auxilia and two cohorts screened by slingers.

The light cavalry battle ended in a draw with each of us losing a unit. In the centre the Pikes are forming up on the hill.

The cohorts in the centre are moving to entice the pikes onto the plain.

The Romans blink first with the pressure on the left mounting they decide to rush the hill.

The Roman cavalry has been overwhelmed, despite the valiant efforts of the moorish light cavalry who defeated the enemy to their front despite being hit in the rear!

Result

The reserves have failed to engage before the Roman's suffer an inevitable defeat by losing both their right and left wings!

Lessons Learnt

• Artillery can be effective, as it was in slowing the Cataphracts, but it needs to be positioned better.
• Equally mixing the bows and the artillery along the line isn't a good tactic
• If the enemy want to stay on the hill then let them, instead destroy their flank forces instead.

Rebasing Figures for ADLG

Adventures in rebasing for ADLG

I am currently rebasing my Hoplite army in 15mm for ADLG. The figures are old, but venerable, and deserve to fight again with a new set of rules. They are either Peter Laing or Irregular Miniatures. The spears were all pins, and some have broken off over the years. 

I went out to by some pins to replace the broken and missing ones, and I was about to consider making a start on the first unit when I caught this youtube video by Ross on making your own spears. 

Once I had watched this I rushed downstairs, seized the broom and had a try. Awesome success in my opinion! Before on the right after on the left. And yes, they are Peter Laing Figures for those that can remember them - waste not, want not.

Bataille Empire - Game Report 3

1809 Austrians vs French around Regensburg

Round two for Adam and myself. We decided not to leave it to long between games as we wanted to make sure that we remembered as much of the rules as we could. I don't think we did too bad at all. Overall more than a qualified success, we are both warming to the rules.

Initial Forces - 200 points

Adam's French were similar to the last orbat. This time, however, he decided to have less capable commanders which freed up the points for a Cuirassier Division of two regiments with an accompanying horse battery. The other two divisions were infantry.

My Austrians were similar to the previous game, except that I downrated the infantry to all conscripts. This gave me two infantry divisions, one with 4 regiments and a battery and the other with 6 regiments and a battery (68 points), The same advance guard division and the Dragoon Division. The difference in size between the infantry divisions was to ensure that if we had to fight an Assault battle again, then I would be able to leave the larger infantry division off table as the reserve given it was one third of the army!

Initial Setup

With the Austrian recon points (French Cuirassiers find all this recon nonsense beneath them) they won the initiative and became the attacker with an Attack battle. So all Austrian forces were at last on the board at the same time. Right from the start it was clear that the Austrian left and the French right were constrained by the large wood. The other point without doubt the central (gentle) hill was going to become a magnet for both sides with the cavalry doing their thing on the Austrian right flank.

Game Turn 1

As attacker the Austrians seized the hill; how long could they hold it? On the right the Austrian advance Guard Division moved to attack the building with their right flank secure by their Hussar Regiment and that of the Light Cavalry Division. The Hussar Regiment were charged by the Cuirassiers and were forced to Retreat. In response the Dragoons counter attacked and forced the Cuirassiers to Retreat, yes you indeed did read correctly! 

Game Turn 2

The Austrians change the orders of the Advance Guard to Engage, they lacked the strength to attack the Building objective. 

On the Austrian right flank both sides Cavalry continue to trade blows in charges and counter charges. Honours are broadly even again, but one can see the cuirassiers starting to gain an upper hand against the Austrian lighter cavalry.

In the centre the French attack on the hill has brought them into volley range. In the ensuing fire fights after sustaining more fire losses from the French an Austrian regiment withdraws, and a reserve regiment takes its place.

Game Turn 3

On the Austrian right the French Cuirassiers charged the Advance Guard infantry forcing the lead regiment to square, the other cuirassier regiment charged and destroyed both regiments of dragoons. 

In the centre the firefight has forced the Austrians of the hill. The furthest forward French regiment charged and forced the Austrians to Retreat, even though on its way into the assault it took significant fire casualties from opportunity fire. The Austrians in the centre only have two formed regiments, both to the right of the ditch.

At this stage the Austrians had lost around 28 cohesion points, 12 away from their rout level.

Game Turn 4

This game turn saw the Advance Guard divisions crumble under the French Infantry attack and their hussars eliminated by the Cuirassiers. With that we drew a line under the game, and awarded the French the vicorry based on the Austrian cohesion losses reaching 38 points and they held the hill objective. And Entoyment wanted to close!

Lessons Learnt

• If both players have the rules with them certainly would help speed up the game :).
• Leaving Austrians in attack column to defend isn't the best tactic as they lose their firepower.
• Once again deployment and size of the forces means that one has to choose very carefully an initial deployment.
• As an Austrian with limited command capability once you have deployed you are deployed; you are unlikely to have sufficient command points to respond flexibly.
• Light and medium cavalry are like lambs to the slaughter against Cuirassiers; unless one really gets lucky with the combat dice.
• The terrain was much better this time. It helps to have some large terrain elements and buildings that are the recommended sizes. 

ADLG - Game Report 4

New Kingdom Egyptians(14) vs Incas(274)

The very first time after painting these Egyptians some 25 years ago that they have been into battle, after rebasing for ADLG. Paul Frith's Incas may not be their natural enemies but it gave a surprisingly well-balanced and interesting game.

A better deployment from the Egyptian CinC; apart from failing to take due account of the gully I deployed!

From the Inca's viewpoint. The Egyptian encampment was scratchbuilt from the remnants of an old shirt!

The Inca CinC is carried into battle in his Beach Hut.

Meanwhile the Egyptian chariots advance to engage with fire.

A solid line of Egyptian Infantry with heavy infantry reserves to break through when needed

Colorful Incas

The left Inca refused echelon is under attack from the Egyptians. Multiple breakthroughs by impetuous Sherden warriors were made, but they couldn't be adequately exploited

A very close battle the Egyptians came within 3 cohesion points of defeating the Incas, but some good rallying in the last turn saved the Incas.

Result

A close run victory for the Incas

Lessons Learnt

• Light Chariots are very effective in combat against Mediums or lighter troops.
• If you are trying to breakthrough a line make sure that the commander has sufficient command points to commit the reserves and exploit any hole
• Be more aware of how difficult ground can cramp cavalry deployment and combat capability