Mongols vs Russians.

Last night we had a 100%  turnout for this fascinating game,pitting a fine Russian army against the might of the Mongol Empire.

Top photo is the scenario,bottom shows the initial attack by the Russian vanguard against the Camp.
Brian was in charge of the Koreans,Paul and I shared command of the Mongols and Dave commanded the main Russian army,and Graham commanded the Vanguard troops.

To the right of the camp,Graham is attacking Brian's Koreans-neither side getting any real advantage early on!!

On move number 2, the Russians arrived,and on move number 3 the Mongols arrived-this shot shows both sides trying to deploy rapidly-the Mongols won the race and hit the Russian infantry as they were still in marching column!!-this was a good tactical ploy by Dave and in keeping with the Russian tactics of the day.

In these two shots you can see the Mongols sweeping forward to pin the Russian centre,whilst attempting to gain the flanks,using masses of fire-power and hit and run tactics-marvelous 

stuff!!

The fight for the camp intensifies!!-The Koreans are weakening and the Russian infantry  are closing in-this could be "touch and go".

The Mongols are making a right old mess of the Russian infantry,but the Russian cavalry are massing,ready to counter attack!!

Graham has managed to beat the Koreans outside the camp,and is now assaulting the camp defences-come on Brian!!!

Oh dear!!-the camp is taken,after an heroic struggle!!

In the centre,the fight is going the Russians way,but we are slowly gaining the flanks-a draw could be on the cards!!

One final shot,showing the Mongols in a spot of disarray!!,but the Russians can not take advantage because of their insecure flanks,so a draw was declared!

This was a good game,and the offer of a loan of books and videos still stands "boys" before the next one!!

We won't be playing next Sunday,as we are putting on a demo game at Border Reiver on Saturday.

Battle of Mongol Camp 1242AD

I am quickly running out of superlatives for our recent games!-last night was absolutely great,I can say no more!!

Top photo is the scenario,and bottom is the table before any movement.Because Graham is "giving it large" in Ibiza,and Dave is working himself into an early grave(!!!) it fell to Paul and Brian to be Mongol commanders,and I was in total charge of the Russians(bit like Putin,but with less "connections!)

This is the Mongol opening position,overlooking the Russian advance towards the Camp-Paul commanded the right,and Brian the left-my attack on the camp is just about to get underway!

The top photo shows my column "trundling" forward,and the bottom shows my initial attack on the camp,which was quite successful-hurrah(short-lived,but hurrah nevertheless!!)

Because my left and centre are being threatened,I am moving my Sword Bretheren Knights over to the left to help out,and my waggons are being put into a defensive semi-circle formation.
As Brian moved against the waggons,my cross-bowmen opened up with a devastating volley,which shocked the Mongols and made them re-consider their attack!!(but only for a short while!)

Whilst all hell was breaking loose on the camp,over to my left.I sent my Polish Knights forward to take on the Mongols-in hindsight,not a good plan!!!

At the camp,Paul is slowly,but surely surrounding my Vanguard,and I am in real trouble,however even trying to get my troops out of this situation,I am being "bowed" in the rear!!(ooh er!!)-great stuff,and hilarious,if you're not Russian!

My Polish knights have clashed with Brian's Mongols,and were,initially, successful,however more Mongols are on their way!!

With the remnants of my vanguard fleeing back to seek safety with the main body,I am being subjected to archery from both Brian and Paul,and my centre is looking "shaky" to say the least-a man can only take so much-so a charge against the Mongol centre is being considered(!!)A wise sage once said "don't poke a sleeping lion with a stick"-what does he know?????

An "un-wise" me said "oh cacky!!)-look at how many they are-woe is me!

I am, everywhere, beaten and being driven back,and as the Mongols complete their encirclement of my troops,all looks lost!!

Brian is on the point of destroying my Poles and even my rearguard troops (which didn't appear on the board until move number 4!) and it is all over!!
This was a very enjoyable and colouful game,played in great spirit-well done lads.
Roll on next Sunday,probably a Crusader game,but not set in stone yet!!