Thursday, December 30, 2010

DBMM Teutonic vs Mongol Conquest

Dbmm game today at Stephens, I used his brothers Teutonics again versus Mongols. A very interesting cat and mouse game. Mongols much speedier than Teutons although we both suffered from poor Pips for several turns. I used Inert Allied Holsteiner command which had consistently low Pips to emphasise its inertness. A feigned flight by Mongol light horse caused problems due to low Pips by Teutons and resulted ultimately in dispersion and destruction of Holsteiners. Several Mongol light horse only spent so hard to dishearten commands. Did manage to destroy 2 Mongol ArtO (always satisfying killing those sods) but left wing Teutonic foot command also broke ending game.

iPhone pics again



Mongol deployment




Teutonic deployment







Teutonic centre facing by massed Light Horse



Mongol light horse clash with Knights prior to feigning flight


Holsteiners getting into difficulties on right













Turkopoles outnumbered on left with support from Livonian foot



Monday, December 27, 2010

Dbmm Early Crusader vs Burgundian

Played game today vs Stephen trying out Early Crusader versus his Burgundian as practice for Cork at end of January (both still trying to decide which armies to take).
Both compact aggressive armies. Burgundians invaded bit all terrain ended up on my side of table and none had any effect on proceedings. Burgundians have lot of BwX and other Bow/Artillery which shot up my foot commands (although it could have been worse) prior to contact. Made mistake giving brilliant General (Bohemond) lowest of 3 Pip dice (and forgetting to use brilliant stroke to change dice) which slowed his Knight command. Dismounted knights quite effective as BdS but iSpI outclassed. My two large Infantry commands both went disheartened then broken in succession ending game as 23-2 to Burgundians. As ever a good game. An old friend and opponent from 7th edition/Early DBM days attended and watched game and is off to check out lists and rules.

The two compact armies arrayed (Crusaders on left)




The Crusaders




Burgundian right wing




The BwX nasties

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Dbmm Medieval German vs HYW English

Dbmm game last night versus Stephen using early Medieval German against his HYW English (how I hate this army !). Lots of early manoeuvring but once English machine guns (BwS) opened up it was lost cause. Even in melee they are tough especially with second rank and counting overlaps. Small but then so are Medieval Germans. Still good game as ever but as ever rather one-sided.................................







English deployment



Initial Pips (group to rear are Mounted Infantry)



German deployment



Leidang allies watch English advance

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Might & Reason SYW Zorndorf Scenario

Played another superb game with Might and Reason rules this time a Seven Years War bash using Zorndorf scenario contained in rulebook. We used 15mm troops and I fielded Russians against Frederick and his uber mensh (they are very potent in M&R). Terrain a nightmare for both sides and it totally done for isolated right wing Russian cavalry who were hemmed in by impassable terrain to rear and flanks (River and woods)  and were facing Prussian cavalry under Von Seydlitz. Nowhere to evade to and wiped out in two turns with neighbouring Infantry too slow to get to support them. On Russian left their other cavalry at least outnumbered the superior Prussian mounted but an untimely lull (ie inactive) period followed by compulsory mad attack saw their Currassier destroyed leaving only lowly Irregular Hussars and Cossacks to face heavier cavalry and supporting Infantry.  Prussian manoeuvreabilty (ie ability to oblique) and heavier firepower then swamped the exposed Infantry on Russian left. Only a brave but futile charge by a brave Russian Infantry unit yielded any success for Fermors men as it sweep away a Prussian Line unit. Mantueffels Grenadiers shot enemy to pieces and then decisively charged Russian line foot who crumbled before them (their 8sps very tough to blunt) Russian losses mounted and exceeded army breakpoint leading to Decisive victory for Freddies forces.

Lots of iPhone pics

Central Russian Infantry deployments



Predicament of right wing Russian mounted visible (top left)


Central Prussian deployment



Prussian Artillery and Infantry pound Russian across stream (Russian return fire was paltry)



Seydlitzs Mounted force



Prussian right and Russian left wings




Massed Russian Infantry struggle to deploy as Seydlitzs approaches doomed opponents



Russian left Cavalry wing




Russian lines static due to Lull results



Seydlitz retires with minimal damage after annihilating enemy mounted




Initial clash on Russian left goes in their favour but Prussian Infantry join fray




Same wing a few pulses later with Russian cavalry now absent entirely !! and Grenadiers being shot to bits by Prussian foot.



Russian infantry enfilades Prussians prior to charging



Ponderous Russian advance on right



Musketry and Artillery exchanges continue on left



Russian left under severe pressure and about to fold





Glorious but futile Russian infantry charge destroys a Prussian unit but leaves them stranded  in precarious posistion..........................