ADLG - Game Report 91

Andalusian Arabs(133) vs Ostrogoths (95)

Second game was against Mick’s Ostrogoths; this was at my suggestion because I thought they might be a good historical match-up for my Andalusians. That shows how much I know about this period of history – sorry Mick!

The Ostrogoths deployed a strong ambush on their left, we were to discover much too late that Mick had mis-read the ambush rules and had placed too many troops in them, but we decided to soldier on regardless. The Andalusian’s deployed with the infantry in the centre with two cavalry groups on the wings. On the far right the Andalusian lights went out to play.

Once the ambushes were blown it was then that we discovered Mick’s mistake. Not only had he deployed a few too many troops in the ambushes, but also regrettably he had deployed all his heavy infantry there which made them a prisoners in the terrain!

The left wing of Andalusian cavalry made short work of the Ostrogoth horse, and in the centre the infantry held their own. The light troops contested the Ostrogoth lights in the brush, and largely ignored the Ostrogoth heavy infantry as they were moving so slowly in regrouping out of the wood.

The Ostrogothic centre has been destroyed. Although the Ostrogothic bows are forming and the Andalusian right they will not be able to influence the battle before the Javelinmen seize the enemy camp!

Outcome

A win for the Andalusians.

Lessons Learnt

Valuable lesson learnt by Mick on the type of troops best placed in ambush in difficult terrain.

Again the need to keep a reserve for the unexpected, if possible. Or as General Rupert Smith used to say “to reserve or not to reserve”.

ADLG - Game Report 90

German-Tencteri (91) vs Romano-British (101)

Time for another get together for the local ADLG community at Entoyment. I took along the Germans and also my Andalusian Arabs for the day’s gaming. First up it was another game against Harry and this time against his Romano-British, along with the Lady-in-the-Lake in the camp. As a side point Harry had only finished painting the army the previous day.

It isn’t wise to repeat the same plan over and over again, irrespective of whether it is a different enemy. As one can see I have adopted a similar plan to that which I used when I fought Kevin’s Indians! Additionally, all the terrain was of my choosing.

I was certainly overambitious on expecting my Allied command to hold off the great swathe of Arthurian warriors! Besides they forced through their command dice to move out of the wood to engage the Britons. In the centre I had a nice blocking force, while on the right I decided to withdraw the German cavalry into reserve, and allow the warband to hold the gap in the line between the gully and the wood.

On the right the German cavalry have formed in the rear as a reserve. The Left and Centre are looking decidedly challenged.

The Allied corps has crumbled. Hardly surprising when one considers the odds against them. Meanwhile another mixed bag in the centre, but on the right the odds are certainly looking far more favourable.

The centre continues to hold and cause losses to the Britons allies. It is taking some time for the Britons to reorganise after their success against my Allied command.

The centre command has caused significant damage to the Welsh allies, and on the right the reserves are having an impact on the British cavalry.

Outcome

Another very close game with Harry. It seems our battles always go down to the wire, with once again him coming out on top!

Lessons Learnt

A poor deployment, contributed to the German Allies being destroyed with little to gain.

The Allies attached commander makes them far too inflexible.

ADLG - Game Report 89

German-Tencteri (91) vs Classical Indians (79)

For the next trial against Kevin’s Vedic Indians, the orbat was changed, along with newly painted reinforcements of the correct base sizes for their troop type, to:

Right Flank, the brilliant CinC’s command of 5 heavy swordsmen (of which 4 were elite), 2 light infantry bow, 4 medium cavalry (of which 3 are elite) and 2 light cavalry with javelins.

Centre, an attached ordinary general with 5 heavy swordsmen and 2 light infantry javelins.

Left Flank, an unreliable allied attached general (in ambush) with 6 medium swordsmen and 2 light infantry javelins.

The ambush was sprung immediately by the proximity if the Indian light infantry, with no need to roll for hesitancy! However, even in woods the speed of movement was significantly constrained by poor command dice. I decided to hold my main line back while the allies drew in the enemy forces – or at least was the intention.

Once again on the left the German light infantry have not fared well. We, have however, forced the commitment of one elephant to the Indian right flank. I have committed the German cavalry to engage their Indian peers on the right.

On the right a mixed result for the German cavalry, having lost some units it has penetrated the line and capable of coming around on the flank of the chariots. In the centre we are awaiting contact, but on the left the Allied warband has encircled an elephant and is about to destroy it.

Although the right flank has taken some losses from the heavy chariots in contact it is fighting hard. The centre is more successful against the elephants. Whilst the allies have destroyed the elephant and are regrouping to pursue to the enemy camp.

On the right the battle against the Indian heavy chariots has been hard fought, and the German cavalry after penetrating has now reformed and is charging back into the fight. In the centre another elephant has met its maker and another will shortly do so. The Allies are fighting hard to advance on the enemy camp.

Outcome

A victory for the Germans.

Lessons Learnt

The army is much better balanced.

Although the jury is still out on how to command and deploy the Allies.

ADLG - Game Report 88

German-Tencteri (91) vs Patrician Roman (88)

I decided that it was high time I spread my wings and enter a non-UK ADLG event, and decided I would get permission from the travel authorities to visit the US for a week at Historicon in Lancaster PA. With that in mind I needed an Army that would physically travel well, and I decided that the German Tencteri tribe would be the perfect choice. Now, the next step would be to trial a number of orbats.

As a starting point I thought it best to revisit the same troops as their previous battle against Paul’s Patrician Romans. Although there look as if there are a lot of medium troops, it is misleading as they were in fact costed as heavy infantry. With the actual heavy infantry bases being the elite bases. With that minor clarification we went over to the attack!

The German Cavalry has managed to start to work the flank, while the bulk of the troops advance. On my left my light infantry javelins are struggling against the Roman elite light infantry in the wood.

As predicted the javelins more than struggled they were defeated! On the right the Cavalry are having more success.

The left wing has committed two warbands to defend the flank, while their peers close in on the Roman line. The Roman Cavalry has been soundly defeated and the remaining units have been outflanked. Although the German Light cavalry are not doing well in protecting the right flank.

The Light Cavalry on my right have been defeated which is limiting the opportunity for the remaining German cavalry to penetrate deeper into the Roman left flank. Of even greater concern is the unwillingness of a lone Roman Cavalry unit to die despite being assailed on all flanks. The German left flank is not looking very comfortable either with the heavy infantry failing to defeat some light infantry in the marsh.

Once the Roman line engages the warbands it is effectively game over as warband after warband is rapidly overrun. However, the Roman Cavalry unit that was surrounded finally died.

Outcome

A significant defeat for the Germans.

Lessons Learnt

The simple expedient, based on the Roman example, of employing attached commanders, or unreliable commanders might provide more points for more troops.

The current orbat lacks medium troops that could be much more effective in broken terrain.

There is no merit in impetuous troops in holding them back for too long; they need the opportunity to secure the benefit of the furious charge.