ADLG - Game Report 222

Libyan Egyptian (15) vs Mycenaean (30)

So by the 7th June, only 14 days after the last outing of the New Kingdom Egyptians, out came the Libyans to do battle against the Mycenaeans. The figures were Wargames Atlantic Digital STL files. The figures are 28mm with spears. So, I grafted on some bronze age swords onto the figures in Microsoft 3D Builder and shrunk them down to 15mm scale (16mm to the eyeline). Simple to print and paint with a variety of ethnic painting for the figures.

On to the battle. In this army design I split the chariots between the commands which had the benefit of protecting the ends of the infantry line and the potential benefits of being able to outflank around the enemy line – think big!

I was forced to move the Meshwesh heavy swordsmen through the plantation, but fortunately they were not opposed by the enemy, instead only by my poor command dice and the enemy’s proximity.

On the right the Libyan medium warriors and Chariots are playing catch up while the remainder of the line closes in on the enemy line. In the centre the chariots are playing with the enemy to keep them occupied. While on the Egyptian left once again Achilles is out to play with some impetuous Libu warriors!

At this stage the results of the combat are certainly in favour of the Mycenaeans. Many of the Meshwesh have been wounded and one was destroyed on contact. However, could it be that the Egyptian reserves on the right could intervene, could the Meshwesh rally and defeat the Greeks?

On the left the Libu warriors are defying Achilles for as long as they are able, buying time for the rest of the army. In the centre the Chariots are similarly battling for supremacy and occupying the enemy, with their armour saving them! On the right there are now gaps in the line where the Meshwesh have prevailed and the chariots are now trying to manouvere to find a suitable flank to engage.

In spite of losses the Meshwesh continue to fight and win. As do the Libu on the left who have prevented Achilles intervening in the centre.

Outcome

A Libyan victory by inflicting 29 and suffering 23 of 27 hits.

Lessons Learnt

I remembered to say thank you to Paul for suggesting this army, and of course to Wargames Atlantic for having figures available to print!

The army design needs a little tinkering. The question is would it be better to have all the Chariots in one command or split between commands as in this battle. The challenge being the limited command and control of the army.

ADLG - Game Report 221

New Kingdom Egyptian (14) vs Mycenaean (30)

After a somewhat lacklustre performance against the Carthos on to the final game of the day against Kevin and Achilles. I was attacking in the plains. The terrain to be fair in this game was far more conducive to Kevin than it was for me, hence the double row of Chariots on the left flank. The main regular infantry command in the centre and the holding command with fewer troops out on the right flank.

The Mycenaeans advanced with their left, and Achilles, leading. I responded with my left leading as I held back the right as I knew the Sherden were no match up for Achilles and his Band of Brothers. My goal was to try and get the chariots between the Mycenaean’s centre and right commands and use the Chariots bows to attrit the enemy before engaging in contact.

By accident or design Achilles has moved to support the centre, which has allowed the Egyptian command on the right to gather their breath and regain their composure. The plan to attrit the enemy before contact has not gone according to plan.

The Egyptian Chariots have been forced into contact and to occupy the Mycenaeans. In the centre there has been the clash of the main forces with casualties on both sides. Achilles has turned his attentions to the Egyptian right and is poised to move down the line and destroy it.

The Egyptian forces have broken through the centre but their challenge will be reestablishing sufficient command and control to exploit their breakthrough. However, the Mycenaeans on the Egyptian right have regrouped and are throwing Achilles in to support the remains of their main line. Out on the Egyptian left the Sherden have failed to deliver the effective blow we were looking for!

Outcome

A victory for the Mycenaeans by suffering 17 out of 29 to inflicting 24.

Lessons Learnt

The major lesson is that Biblical period armies, are fragile because of the number of units with 3 cohesion points. Therefore army numbers count and 24 is far to small an army for a competition.

There are ways to increase the numbers in the New Kingdom Egyptians but at the expense of quality.

After the battle it was suggested by Paul, that I have a look at the Libyan Egyptians (15). As Paul said, “ It wouldn’t take you long to print off and paint the Libyan warrior figures you just showed me!”

ADLG - Game Report 220

New Kingdom Egyptian (14) vs Early Carthaginians (54)

Second game for the Egyptians was Cid’s Carthaginians. Given my somewhat mixed experience fighting (and mostly losing) against the Carthaginians I wasn’t expecting too much from this battle. Here I was defending in the plains. The open part of the battlefield was on the right, which is where we placed the Chariots. This rather left the infantry to face off against the Heavy Chariots with their impact factor.

I decided that I couldn’t let the infantry face of against the enemy chariots by themselves so I despatched three of the chariots to move against them. This left the remainder and the Sherden warriors to hold the flank.

Once the Egyptian Chariots had deployed it started to look a little better. Even more so because I have deployed the ambush to give the Carthaginians something to think about on their right.

I committed the chariots against the enemy cavalry, while the remainder spared with the line of Hoplites by firing arrows at them. Unfortunately, the Sherden had to be thrown in early, as is the way with impetuous troops.

Although a lone chariot has broken through into the back field, the other was destroyed. The remaining Chariots withdrew after inflicting no casualties on the Hoplites. As for the Sherden we need to draw a veil over their plight. On the left the Egyptians are barely holding on in the gully with one unit already destroyed opening the line for the Carthaginians to exploit at their leisure.

A brave Egyptian fight back in the gully has stabilised that flank for a time. However with the centre not yet engaged the Carthaginians seem to be winning on the flanks and unwilling to commit against the centre.

The lone Chariot that was in the backfield has been destroyed. While the flanks continue to move forward to encircle the Egyptian centre.

Finally contact is made in the centre and the Heavy Chariots have had a good day destroying one Egyptian unit and making another very uncomfortable indeed. The Carthaginians have redouble their efforts against the gully and now seem to have the benefit of numbers on their side.

Outcome

A Carthaginian victory by 17 to 27.

Lessons Learnt

None of my commands seemed capable of doing much against any of the Carthaginian commands. By this stage I was seriously considering a re-design of the army.

ADLG - Game Report 219

New Kingdom Egyptian (14) vs Kyrenaen Greek (58)

It was aback to a Saturday gathering in May at Entoyment to allow us to trial our armies for Attack. I only made minor change to the army by moving the mediocre bowmen to the centre command, and the light infantry bows to the smaller command. My first opponent for my Egyptians was Pete’s Greeks, where I was attacking in the plains. The Egyptians deployed with the infantry commands in the left along the coast and in the centre with the Chariots doing their thing out on the wide-open right flank.

The Army will advance by the right.

Doing their own thing, the chariots have already lost one of their number – but at the same time they destroyed a Greek chariot!. On the left the odds are certainly in the Egyptian favour who have already moved beyond the enemy main line.

The battle has exploded into three separate fights. On the right the Chariots and Sherden are trying to roll up from the right. In the centre the two opposing lines are locked in combat. While on the Egyptian left the fight seems balanced despite the fact that we are behind the main enemy line.

The Greek main line is starting to collapse as its right flank suffers losses. While on the Egyptian right the Greeks are now in a parlous state.

Outcome

An Egyptian win by 11 losses to inflicting 26. The smaller army one the day.

Lessons Learnt

The benefits of a sound deployment.

This time the economy of effort force, the left wing, more than achieved its goal.

I am still not sure that there are sufficient numbers in the army.