ADLG - Game Report 228

Libyan Egyptian (15) vs Ancient British (98)

Final game of day 1, and I found myself against Harry; we had both won 2 on the bounce and this would be a fight out for who might move up or down the leaderboard. If there is one ting Harry knows well it is how to mess with his opponent’s head. Most of the times it is by placing the terrain at odd angles; which is surprisingly successful tactic. This time he surprised me by winning the initiative and deciding to attack me in the desert! I knew I was outnumbered in Chariots by 2 to 1; but what I did not know was that they were split between each of his three commands. I therefore deployed the Libu warriors forward on the right, with the Meshwesh Warriors refused to their left, and the Chariots refused to their left.

The Brit chariots arrived to suffer a wave of bow fire from the Libyans.

As could be expected it was not long before contact was made. Already the Libyan armoured light chariots are providing more robust than the British chariots. The Libu warriors have inflicted hits on the British infantry. Although no one seems keen to contact the Meshwesh heavy warriors.

Contact continues along the line with the Meshwesh warriors now in contact with the enemy. We were matching each other for casualties at this stage.

More British chariots suffer losses and in the centre they have broken off contact.

By this stage it was looking to be a close run thing, with the losses favouring the Libyans. Only for the Brits to get their second win and for the dice gods to desert the Libyans

Outcome

The Brits snatched a mutual destruction from the jaws of defeat on the last turn, with the Brits losing 28 to our 27.

Lessons Learnt

Neither of us had sufficient reserves to win the day.

ADLG - Game Report 227

Libyan Egyptian (15) vs Saitic Egyptians (57)

Onto the second game of the day, against a new enemy; Lance’s Saitic Egyptians. Once again, I attacked in the plains. I didn’t like the look of the enemy ambush in the village on the left and therefore placed the Chariots on the right. I was less sure of whether they would stay there or move centre or left depending on what targets of opportunity presented themselves.

We advanced and I opted to take forward two chariots at this stage. On the left the medium Meshwesh warriors are advancing towards the marsh occupied by enemy light infantry.

The enemy are holding their main line in place and therefore I have decided to move forward my warriors. The Chariots remain in reserve as I do not want to be forced into using them against the enemy spearmen; even if they are mediocre.

Multiple waves of Libyan troops are in echelon ready to engage. I am a little concerned about the enemy cavalry behind the Libu Warriors flank.

The enemy have come out from their ambush position in the village, and the Libyan’s have been forced to disperse to protect the flank. In the centre the main clash of arms is taking place, and importantly the threat of the flanking cavalry has been shrugged off. On the right the enemy heavy chariot has bee flanked and is looking in a weak position.

Outcome

After the clash of the mainline the Saitic Egyptians left the field to the Libyans, leaving them victors by inflicting 29 and suffering only 19 losses.

Lessons Learnt

On balance the Chariots were on the correct flank, although they did not materially contribute to victory.

ADLG - Game Report 226

Libyan Egyptian (15) vs New Kingdom Egyptian (14)

All the test games, and pondering over what army to choose, and then what that army should contain, is all behind us all as we all arrive for the 15mm ADLG Competition at Attack in Devizes. A competition which seemed to be overwhelmed with armies from the along the north African Shores – ranging from Early Carthaginians, through Kyrenean Greeks to various flavours of Egyptian dynasties. For my part this is the Libyan Egyptian Army I went with in the end!

So onto battle, first up I was playing Charles and his New Kingdom Egyptians. Charles had been my first opponent at Beachhead where his Seleucids handsomely beat my own Seleucids. I was attacking in the plains. I decided to deploy the Chariots out on the left with the Meshwesh warriors in the centre and the Libu Warriors out on the right.

As we closed to contact I allowed the Libu Warriors to fall back from the gully, while the centre command advanced happily towards the enemy main line. Meanwhile the lights are contesting the Plantation while two of the chariots have moved left around the plantation.

The Libyan light infantry have prevailed in the plantation, and have moved forward to provide flank protection for the Chariots. Elsewhere down the line the commander has held his warriors in place.

The Libyan light infantry are now in an excellent position behind the enemy flank. On the right the mediocre bows and swordsmen have manoeuvred to provide flank protection in the gully for the Meshwesh warriors to their left.

Contact! The enemy chariots have evaded, as they didn’t want to face the Meshwesh warriors. Out on the left the remaining two chariots have advanced around the plantation and are poised to ride down the enemy line. To their left the remaining warriors have engaged the Egyptians. On the right the Libu warriors have made a breakthrough.

The enemy chariots have been forced to engage the warriors with bow fire. All be it a little late as their line of infantry falls apart from the tender attentions of the Meshwesh and Libu Warriors.

Outcome

A Libyan victory by inflicting 26 losses and losing 18 of 27

Lessons Learnt

I could have reinforced the chariots flanking the plantation in order to ensure that the full weight of the Meshwesh warriors could engage the enemy centre.

Bolt Action - Game Report 40

Operation Castellan II 1946

Introduction

For the final game of the day I was up against Adam’s Soviets. We were all given the “Seek and Destroy” scenario, deployment was in quarters and there were prepared positions.

Situation

Following the failure to prevent the Soviet incursion into northern Persia, 1 DOG were withdrawn into reserve. However, the Soviet success emboldened their leaders, and they decided to commit more forces and release armoured units to try and force their claims. The British commander was forced to commit his forces piecemeal across the region and he place 1 DOG on a higher state of readiness as a counter penetration force to counter any breakthrough made by the Soviet Force. The breakthrough came with Soviet armoured forces and infantry penetrating the thin line of British troops. CO 1 DOG was tasked with committing his battlegroup into blocking and destroying this breakthrough.

Enemy Forces

Initial reports indicated that the breakthrough had been made by an Infantry force supported by a number of T34 tanks.

Friendly Forces

Officer Commanding (OC) C Coy would lead the advance guard to find and fix the enemy using 9Pl and Battalion assets from the MG, Mortar and Sniper Platoons and his usual artillery observer. Armour support would continue to be provided from the Wessex Yeomanry through a Sherman and a Humber armoured car. Engineer support, in the form of a Wasp flamethrower, from 33rd Armoured Engineer Squadron also remained task organised with C Company.

Mission

C Coy is to advance to contact and engage the enemy forces and fix them in place while the Battalion prepare a hasty defence to stop the breakthrough.

Post Mission Report

OC C Coy kept the force closely grouped together to provide mutual support. The artillery observer and sniper team were forward deployed to gather enemy and seek out targets of opportunity.

One of the Soviet T34s was destroyed early in the engagement by the Sherman. Additionally valuable artillery support was provided which caused significant disruption and losses to the enemy. No 1 Section was sent left to flank the enemy and destroy any enemy infiltrators.

The rest of 9Pl moved forward in tactical bounds using fire and manoeuvre to close with the enemy. They were supported on their right by the armoured vehicles.

The remainder of 9Pl advanced and destroyed all the enemy. However, the remaining T34 manoeuvred around No 1 Section to attack the depth of the British position. The Sherman was recalled and provided depth support. Both the T34 and Sherman engaged each other on the move and at close range neither inflicting hits or damage on each other.

Outcome

The Soviets lacked the supporting troops to exploit any limited early success they had made and were driven back, leaving British victorious.

Honours and Awards

CO 1 DOG failed to agree any awards recommended by OC C Coy.