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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