Camp Cromwell 25/06/2003

POTE Battle using Camp Cromwell Rules



Oshin (Steve)
4 MI C2/5 Lsp
8 HC C3/6 k
4 LC C3/3 b

v.

Tancred (Jim)
2 LI D3/2 j
2 MI C2/4 b
8 EHC C2-3/7 k
2 HC D3/5 k
4 LC D3/2 b


We have doubled the numbers, using command groups of 2 units for each POTE unit.

We deployed our way with map deployment, then orders issued after seeing the enemy dispositions.

Steve put 3 HC CGs in the centre, spearmen on the hills each side of centre, 1 LC CG in the centre, 1 LC & 1 HC CG on the far right.

Jim put is Crusaders in the centre in 2 lines, Pisoi in the woods on their left, Bows & LC on the right, LC + HC on the left.

Both sides held their centres back and sparred on the edges.

On his right Oshin attacked with HC, LC & Sp. In response Tancred sent LC forward as skirmishers and sent 1 Crusader CG to the left to help, counterattacking with them & HC. The Crusaders beat the HC, Tancreds HC beat the LC, but was in turn beaten by the Spearmen.

In his centre Steve sent forward LC as skirmishers. Jim countered with his LC. Oshin’s LC was better and destroyed Tancred’s.

The pic is taken about now - Oshin on the right, Tancred on the left.

Tancred’s bows finally got activated and swept the LC away, but not before they got in some casualties on the Crusaders.

The victorious spearmen rallied, then began sweeping towards Tancred’s rear surrounded by a cloud of LC skirmishers. The Pisoi were turned around to meet them. It was hoped that with the support of the skirmishers, they might win, but the horse bows were singularly ineffective and didn’t do enough damage to fair up the fight, and they were soon defeated, routing back towards Oshins HC they had to surrender to the Spearmen.

Meanwhile Oshin had sent 1 Cg of HC from his centre to the right. This attacked the victorious Crusaders in flank as they charged on in uncontrolled pursuit racking up another cheap AMP.

In the centre Oshin’s other Spear unit had come down off the hill and marched towards the Crusader’s right as the main HC force followed up. The Spears were met with the bowmen - coming back from disposing of the HC the bowmen didn’t get a chance to use their bows and were disadvantaged in the fight. The first of Oshin’s HC charged the Crusaders weakened by the horse archers. This made it a fair fight, but the dice favoured Oshin.

Tancred tried to lead a crusader CG around the enemy’s left, but the Spearmen rallied immediately after beating the bowmen and were ready for them.

The two second lines of cavalry charged each other as the 1st lines disappeared towards Tancred’s rear (Crusaders in rout, Armenians in hot pursuit). This time the Crusaders maintained their advantage and won, but it was too little too late. Oshins HC from his far right finally got back into the action riding down the Crusaders weaken by the Spearmen.

Not as decisive as Monday, but close. Counting command groups = POTE units:

Oshin had 2HC & 1LC rout.

Tancred had 2 ½ EHC, ½ HC, 1 bows rout, 1 Ps captured, 1 LC dispersed. The rest of the army was scattered in uncontrolled pursuits.

On our points system the two armies were dead equal (I made Tandred’s Moslems D class to achieve this). I can’t say I can blame luck, I failed to capitalise on my strength - the EHC, and Steve turned it into a battle of manoeuvre and outmanoeuvred me.



Comparison to Iron bow ?

We got through ours quicker with twice the troops, but then we did know what we were doing. Both battles were entertaining, but obviously it’s more enjoyable to know what you’re doing rather than have to scratch through the rule book all the time.

I’ve been unhappy with our army morale test for a long time - the Ironbow army morale track is an interesting idea that’s got me thinking. I liked the alternate deployment start in Ironbow – I think we should do that ourselves sometimes. The small number of units allowed more space for manoeuvre, maybe we have gotten into the habit of having units & armies too big.

The greatest advantage of our rules though is their simplicity and adaptability – they allow us to play a wide range of periods with minimum strain on our aging brains.


Which night is best ?

With Glen & Leigh interstate, numbers are bit thin at the moment. Is there a better night than Wednesday ? Cameron seemed to enjoy himself and would be a welcome addition, but can’t come on Wednesdays.

What about Monday, or Tuesday, or Thursday, or whatever ?

Please let me know which nights you think you can make and can’t make & I’ll tote up the votes and see if there is better option than Wednesday.

Meanwhile, business as usual next Wednesday.