Thursday 14 September 2023

The Huns and the Tervingi

A further exploration of light horse strategies brought the Huns in contact with the Tervingi. Lacking any mobility to speak of, their infantry could prove formidable defending their forest regions. To add an extra level of difficulty, a river was to be used in these tests.

Game one.

The Huns had made a partial crossing of the river, yet the Tervingi made a rapid advance to catch the bulk of the enemy as the crossed the river. Fate was against the Tervingi as the Huns quickly crossed the river to contact a disordered infantry. Casualties fell on both sides, but the toll was greater on the side of the Tervingi. A Hunnic victory, 4 – 2. 





Game two

After pillaging a village, the Huns find their exit barred by the Tervingi. Forming on the opposite bank of the river, the Huns planned to cross at a number of spots, hoping to catch the Tervingi off balance. Unfortunately, each attempt to cross was foiled by small groups of Tervingi. This did gain time for the Tervingi to shift their reserves and improve the defense of the river bank. Confident of beating the Huns, the Tervingi general joined the melee seeking the Hunnic leader. This proved a fatal move, yet, the Tervingi continued the fight for another hour. Overcome by exhaustion, the Tervingi fled. Another Hunnic victory, 3+g – 3. 








Observations

Both games were hard fought, especially game two as the river was well defended. Combat factors for LH and Wb were similar, but the Tervingi had the advantage of the river bank. Crossing in column was particularly risky, as flight would mean the death of the lead element. Game one ended in four turns, this was not the case for game two, requiring ten to complete. Despite the loss of their general, the Tervingi held out for another three turns inflicting casualties on the horsemen.

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