A "Family Squabble", with a different 'Caste' of characters

       Anton and I got together for another of our WRG Ancients Games.  This time we randomized the First book for army selection.  This meant that we each had 60 armies to choose from, and we both happened to select the same army, Ancient Indian.  The Indian Army has four different versions in this time frame.  Anton and I happened to both select the same version (the third which is focused on the infantry).  Furthering the "Civil War" nature of this game we selected almost the exact same armies as each other, with only some difference in unit numbers between our troops.  Below is out initial deployment.  Naturally there was no "out scouting", so it was simultaneous deployment, right to left.  

 

Anton's deployment was as follows left to right.

12 x Maiden Guard, Reg A, LMI, JLS & Sh

24 x Greek Mercenaries, REG C, HI, LTS & Sh

20 x Slingers, IRG C, LI, S & Sh (*)

10 Javelinmen, IRG C, LI, JLS, 2HCW & Sh

50 x Infantry, IRG C, MI, 1/3 - JLS. 2HCW & Sh, 2/3 - 2HCW, LB

Rear rank 48 x Infantry, IRG C, MI, 1/3 - JLS. 2HCW & Sh, 2/3 - 2HCW, LB

 Rear Rank 48 x Infantry, IRG C, MI, 1/3 - JLS. 2HCW & Sh, 2/3 - 2HCW, LB

In the Rear Anton's CinC armed with a JLS and LB on an elephant with an IRG B crew of driver and PA standard bearer.

Rear Right 12 x Cavalry, IRG C, MC, JLS & Sh

12 x Cavalry, IRG C, MC, JLS & Sh

15 x Light Archers, IRG C, LI, LB 2HCW

My Army, again left to right was as follows

24 x Greek Mercenaries, REG C, HI, LTS & Sh (**)

24 x Archers, IRG C, MI, LB, 2HCW

24 x Spearmen, IRG C, MI, JLS, 2HCW & Sh

24 x Archers, IRG C, MI, LB, 2HCW

24 x Archers, IRG C, MI, LB, 2HCW

24 x Spearmen, IRG C, MI, JLS, 2HCW & Sh

24 x "Skirmishers", IRG C, LI, 14 - LB, 2HCW, 10 - JLS, 2HCW & Sh

Second Rank, 24 x Archers, IRG C, MI, LB, 2HCW

Third Rank

CinC armed with a JLS and LB on an elephant with an IRG B crew of driver and PA standard bearer.

13 x Cavalry, IRG C, 6 - HC, 7 - MC, all JLS & Sh

13 x Cavalry, IRG C, MC, JLS & Sh

       The notable differences between our armies were that Anton built his foot troops in large blocks as they absorb casualties the best that way and it is a logical and time tested plan.  I sold out on the notion that Anton was going to take the Marian Romans again and so built my foot troops to match him for units with 24 figure blocks - obviously I was wrong in this presumption, but I knew the risk going in.  Another notable difference in our armies was that Anton noted the later update to the army list which added the slingers as an option, I just flatly missed them and so left them out.  Yet another difference was Anton's inclusion of the Maiden Guard, which is a cool unit, but just too small to be of any value unless they can attack a flank.  The final difference was that I used a rule from the game which allows regular close formation troops to fight on deeper bases allowing the to avoid being disordered in rough terrain, but still moving at half speed.  Anton hates this rule and decided not to use it.  

 

       As is our usual, we forgot to take a picture after turn 2, so the above represents the situation as of turn 3.  Anton has advanced his left and center troops, while my troops have stood to and poured on arrows.  Unfortunately, it became VERY clear to me that Anton's light infantry were MUCH better at missile work, then my un-shielded close order medium infantry.  On his right Anton sent his light infantry archers up on the steep hill and I have advanced my combined skirmisher unit to dislodge them.  Both of our cavalry units are maneuvering to the right flank as that is where the space is for cavalry operations.  

       At the end of turn 3 when our light troops saw each other at the hill we each took a morale test.  My skirmishers went impetuous and charged on turn 4.  During that fight on turn 4, my skirmishers broke Anton's archers on contact.  Otherwise on turn 4 I opened a gap in my line to allow one of my cavalry units (the one with the heavy cav component) to drive off the JLS skirmishers next turn.  In the woods on the left the Maiden Guard and my mercenaries have have advanced into visual range.   

 

       On Turn 5, my mercenaries charged Anton's Maidens and the Maidens evaded away.  On the left end of my line, my archer unit charged Anton's Slingers, who evaded away.  My Heavy Cavalry led unit charged Anton's Javelinmen, who evaded, but unfortunately not far enough and were caught by my cavalry from behind and slaughter ensued.  Meanwhile Anton and I both maneuvered on the right for advantage.  Anton worked to get one cavalry unit on my cavalry's flank.  While the remaining cavalry units lined up for a clash and Anton positioned his largest infantry block to save the routing light infantry.  On the far right Anton's remaining archers managed to outdistance my pursuing skirmishers.  

       On Turn 6 our battle lines in the center charged each other.  Anton's unit on the left was broken by my archers and spearmen.  However Anton's second unit broke both units of my archers it hit.  Anton's Javelinmen evaporated before my cavalry crashed into them so he simply charged my cavalry in the flank with his cavalry unit on the left, my cavalry unit broke instantly and ran off down the gap I provided for just such an emergency.  Our other two cavalry units charged each other resulting in a "peace in" as we both rolled down and managed to push neither side back.  Anton's slingers are milling about in the center of the table having evaded out of charge paths once again.  Ed note, The Housemartin glosses over the heroic contribution of my general who joined into the combat and was crucial in the breaking of his central foot unit, the shocking aspect of this is that my general SURVIVED combat, a rare event indeed!!!)

 

       At the end of turn 6, my mixed cavalry unit had retreated past two formed units of my infantry and thus got a chance to rally and managed to roll well enough to do so.  In Turn 7 Anton's routing mob on the left outdistanced my pursuing spearmen who began rallying facing Anton's slingers and third mob in the center.  Meanwhile my impetuous archer unit charged into Anton's Greek Mercenaries.  The resultant fight did not go well and my archers broke.  In the Right Center, Anton's impetuous cavalry charged into my spearman unit and were pushed back.  Anton was happy with this result and immediately ordered his cavalry to retreat out of combat.  Meanwhile on the Right my cavalry managed to out roll Anton's Cavalry and broke Anton's unit on the second round of combat.  And my skirmishers continued their impetuous move off the table to sack Anton's camp.  

 

 

       Turn 8 my situation was untenable.  On the far left my Mercenaries could begin a slow retrograde movement back toward the village without any real threats.  On the Left Center my spearmen unit was already under a no advance morale result as a result of the routing of the archers next to them and rapidly approaching the losses that would reduce their morale dice.  Plus they were caught between three of Anton's units in the open.  On the right my situation was not as perilous, but Anton would be shifting troops over from the left now.  So I conceded the battle, ending the Civil War, and swearing fealty to my princely brother.