As I mentioned in the earlier blog Bob set
this game up and after a bit of a ‘test’ we decided that the Polish Winged
Hussars, whilst looking spectacular in a mass, were just a bit too powerful
all together.
Bob reset the table and we met to replay the
game. The scenario was the same. In essence the Turks had to get the pillaged
supplies back to their base. The Poles
aim was to free the captives, take back the supplies and see the end of Gothrin
the mad who had led the raid of the Polish frontier and if possible his father
Etrogul the Brutal.
Gothrin the Mad and his train and captives.
Bringing up the rear he has his main force
led by his infantry
The revised Polish lines
Gothrin managed to get this train moving
towards the safety of his father's ‘field army’
We allowed the Turks a two move start but not
everyone got the message! The Poles begin their assault. On the right
the Polish light cavalry spotted the horde of Ottoman irregular infantry and charge!
Some pathetic archery doesn't stop the Poles
from ploughing in. However the sheer size of the Ottoman unit
holds the Polish cavalry – just.
In the centre a unit of Hussars senses the
opportunity to attack the stationary Etrogul and his field army and
charges his elite bodyguard infantry
In support some of the Polish infantry move
forwards slowly but many stay put. Elsewhere the other Polish heavy cavalry advance slowly.
On the left the light cavalry move forward
cautiously.
.
In the centre the Polish Winged Hussars don’t
have it all their own way against Etrogul’s elite infantry bodyguard but
eventually they break and run. At the
same time Etrogul seeks shelter behind his mounted bodyguard. The Poles surge forward in a sweeping advance
and crash into them.
Whilst they weaken the bodyguard it is a step
too far and they are eventually broken and flee!
Gothrin decides to send his cavalry to ward
of the advancing Poles whilst staying with the train to ‘guide it to
safety’! The cavalry charge an infantry
unit whilst the horse archers fire at the supporting Hussars.
The cavalry are already carrying casualties
and suffer at the hands of the ‘two handed’ axes wield by the poles. The fail a ‘Break Test’ and are pushed back.
Meanwhile of the right the Polish light
cavalry have seen one unit come from the fortress to support Etrogul and
decided to act launching a charge on the Hungarian infantry defending the
gates.
The Polish Winged
Hussars who had been supporting the infantry take advantage of the push back of
the Turk cavalry and charge.
Another unit of Hussars attacks the Horse
archers
The Turk cavalry can’t stand the Charge
and are beaten and flee the horse archers scatter to avoid the other unit of
Hussars and suddenly Gothrin and his unguarded spoils and captives are in
sight. The Hussars push on to capture
the supplies and Gothrin is taken in a battle with the ‘wagoneers’. The captives are freed and flee towards the
safety of the Polish lines.
More winged hussars
push forward to support the light cavalry engaged with the Hungarians
With Gothrin defeated and more Poles
advancing Etrogul heads for the safety of the fortress supported by his
bodyguard.
The Turks still didn't manage to field all their support forces before the Poles descended upon them. But a good game nevertheless.
Both army look superb with all their banners and pennants and you almost feel that this is one of those games were all the figures should go on the table for a 'slog it out game' just because it would look so effective. The Hinchcliffe Polish Winged Hussars look brilliant with their huge wings and long lances.