Because Graham is sunning himself in far off distant climes,it fell to myself,Paul,Dave and Brian to fight this awsome battle based in the "Holy Land".
Top photo is scenario,bottom is the table before any movement.
I commanded the Crusader infantry,Paul the Crusader cavalry,Dave the Saracen cavalry,and Brian the Saracen infantry.We made our plans,wrote our initial orders,and off we went!!
My left hand infantry are advancing towards Brian's Saracens,but my right hand infantry are awaiting some damage done by my Catapult(only had four shots,but managed to hit with three of them!!) against the troops in the town.-In the background,Paul is getting himself into a right old mess,his plan was to form a wedge and attack Dave's Camp,but timing was a bit out!!
We had discussed before the game started,that the Saracen light horse archers were going to be a massive threat,and Paul was going to get a unit of crossbows and a couple of Cavalry units onto the flank and prevent any Saracen moves against the left flank-Store this plan for future information!!!
Paul is desperately trying to form his wedge,with a crossbow screen to his left-to the far left in the background you can see Dave's horse archers moving in an out-flanking manoeuvre!!
In this shot,Dave has instigated a charge by his heavy cavalry,Paul has counter-charged,and all hell has broken loose-both Dave and Paul are moving their elite guard cavalry,complete with commanders(!!!) into the fray-you can tell what is going to happen,can't you????
As the infantry advance towards contact on my left,Brian did something extraordinary,and moved his town troops out of the town!!!-can you spot something happening in the background?
Remember the plan of the crossbows protecting the flank??-well,they've managed to get themselves surrounded by the horse archers,and are slowly,but surely,getting wiped out!!
This left Dave in a great position,on both the flank and rear of Paul's Cavalry-oh dear!!
Both Paul and Dave's heavies are battling it out,and it was swings and roundabouts,until the Saracen guard cavalry beat the Grand Master's cavalry back,forcing(??) Paul to send his King(yes,King!) into the fray-please Dave,don't throw a 5 and a Kill dice!!!!!!!
But,of course, he did!!! and the short lived tour of the "Holy Land" by the king ended in a pool of blood,forcing the whole Crusader army to test morale,which it failed !!!!!!!,just as..................
Top photo shows my left hand infantry beating Brian's,and the bottom photo shows my right hand infantry beating Brian's and entering the town,which should have heralded a Crusader victory-however,my morale was tested and failed!!!!
Dave,trying to suppress a Gloaty Grin, looks on as the Crusader Army leaves the field of battle,and heads for home!!
This was another great game,enjoyed by us all,roll on next week,when we will be play-testing the game we are putting on a t Border Reiver on the 7th of September.
For our first game of 2017,we played a Medieval/Crusader type game,using "El Cid" Spanish and Normans against a Moorish army.
Top photo is the scenario and bottom photo is the table before any movement-Paul was Yusuf ben Tariq,Dave was General Sharaf,Graham was Raymond of Castile and Brian was Robert Duke of Normandy-all was set for a great game..........................
The "boys" in good fettle before the game,discussing a box of "Bolt Action" tanks etc. bought by Dave and Paul off "E-Bay"(Dave,Graham,Brian,Paul)
The game started briskly,with both teams having the same plan,of holding in the centre until the flanks were secured-Brian changed his plan half way through the game but forgot to tell Graham!!!
Dave is advancing on the Norman lines-he had two units of Camels,and used the "smell factor" well,upsetting Brian's Heavy Cavalry.Dave also had two Mangonels,which were manned by Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles!!!-say no more!!!
These lovely little models were bought in a museum shop and are actually "pencil sharpeners"!
Paul's flank is under pressure in this shot,although he used his light cavalry well,by charging up to the Spanish heavies,hurling his javelins then swirling away before the slower moving troops could catch him!!-historically correct,and so frustrating to Graham's plans-and great wargaming!
Brian and Dave have made contact!-note the camel unit "lurking" on the flank,and making the Norman cavalry fight at -1 from their dice-this was a decisive tactic,and upset Brian's plan(which one,I hear you ask!!)
As the "tumbleweed" drifts across the centre.....................................
Paul's "hit and run" tactics are paying off,and the flank is stabilised-hurrah!!
Dave is slowly, but surely, driving the Normans back,and it looks like he has taken the position,so with both flanks fairly secure,it must be time for the central troops to start fighting(?)
The Moors are advancing onto the stationary Spanish-even with Graham's heavy cavalry hitting Paul's light troops in the flank and destroying them,Paul still managed to beat the main central line,and all was lost for the Spanish!!
Brian declared himself as well and truly "ploated"(which is a Geordie word for being well and truly beaten!!) and Graham also declared himself beaten,so the Moors retained the "Bones" and were declared the winners of this cracking game-well done to everyone.
I have been planning ahead,and have issued the lads with a list of games to be played on the Sundays and Thursdays in January and February.........................
Happy "gaming" to you all for 2017,and keep the comments coming(good or bad!)-every comment will be replied to.
