Prelude to Rovine (1395)

Previous tests of 3.0 have involved nothing more than single commands which gave little opportunity to test LH rear support. Using the big battle option perhaps those chances would be increased.

A breakdown of commands.

Hungarian left flank, 10 elements, Hungarian Central command 14 elements and Wallachians, 12 elements.

The Ottoman Central command had 15 elements, near right 8 elements and far right 13 elements.

Photo one show the terrain from the Wallachian and Hungarian perspective. To negate the superior numbers of Ottoman cavalry, the allies would rest both flanks on the woods. The ground between would be covered by infantry supported by Hungarian knights and Wallachian Boyars. The allied left flank found the remaining Hungarian knights and Cuman cavalry supported by skirmishers.

Faced with an allied army situated between two woods, the Ottomans would place the central command with all the infantry about the hamlet and fields and cavalry in reserve. The remaining two commands of Ottoman cavalry, Serbian knights and Akinjis would dedicate their efforts to rolling up the Hungarian left flank.

Photo two shows the position of Hungarian and Ottoman deployment.

Bound one: Both sides now followed their general strategy during the opening move. The Ottomans took advantage of good dice to advance their Akinjis beyond the woods (Photo three).

Bound two, saw the allied infantry move forward. The Wallachians with their less impeded infantry advanced further giving the overall Hungarian Wallachian battle line an oblique appearance. In response, the Ottoman central command extended their left and exchanged volleys with the Wallachian archers. With excellent die rolls, the Akinjis were able to negotiate the woods and deploy on the exposed Hungarian flank. The smaller Ottoman command struck the infantry line bringing down two Crossbow elements.

Bound three, the Wallachians reformed their bowmen to launch a devastating volley which evened the tally. Infantry spear seeing their crossbow cut down fell on the Akinjis front and flank to give the allies their first lead. Undeterred with poor pip throws, the Ottomans were able to close combat; the Akinjis on the extreme right flank closed with the Hungarian skirmishers and the remainder of the Ottoman cavalry charged the Cuman light horse pushing them back. 5 – 3 for Ottomans.

Bound four, the Hungarian left under extreme pressure from Ottoman cavalry, Serbian knights and Akinjis were attempting patch work measures. Knights and Cuman light horse were dispatched to deal with the Akinjis encirclement. To help bolster the recoiling Cuman lights, the General and guard through themselves into the fight. The Hungarian infantry reformed and surged forward creating maneuver room for supporting Hungarian knights and Cuman horse. The Wallachians redressed their line and with concerted effort eliminated the last of the Ottoman bowmen. Despite the loose of the Serbian knights, the Ottomans held their lead. 6 – 5.

Fortuna smiled again for the Ottomans a supplied better than average pip scores. The Ottoman cavalry and Serbian knights formed line under the central command; Ottoman skirmishers were readied to support a cavalry charge against the Hungarian and Wallachian infantry line. Further to the right, the smaller command occupied the spearmen denuding the main infantry line of their support. Ottoman Sipahi opened a gap further by pushing back Cuman light horse. On the extreme left, the Akinjis cut the last of the Hungarian skirmishers down. The ploughed fields to their left were soaked with the bodies of more Cuman lights while both Generals were desperately fighting in close proximity of one another. Among the furrows of ploughed earth one stallion stumbled bringing its rider down and Sipahi ax and mace finished off the Hungarian wing commander. 9 – 5 for the Ottoman and one Hungarian command demoralized.

Bound five, found the central Hungarian command forming a cavalry line in anticipation of an Ottoman assault from that sector. The Hungarian left, although demoralized might still delay the expected assault. The Wallachians discomforted by the news on the far left could bring no effect with their archery.

Smelling victory nearby, the Ottomans assailed the Hungarian and Wallachian line with all three commands. On the far right, the slaughter continued unabated while the smaller Ottoman command fenced with the Hungarian spearmen, managing to have them recoil. Charging across the fields, the Sipahi and Serbian knights, this brought the Ottoman CinC to a near death experience and delivered the first Wallachian casualties.

Score 14 – 5 for the Ottomans.

Bound six and to the finish line. Good pip throws, however, with few reserves the Hungarians and Wallachians could do little. The Ottoman central command was two elements short of becoming crippled. Refusing to rout off the field, the Hungarians of the far left remained defiant. The central command redressed their line. The spearmen were able to push back the Ottoman cavalry. Further, Hungarian blade made red the fields with Sipahi corpses. Triumph was only one element away.

Assessment

Up to now all my games with the Ottomans were with single commands. This match was a departure. Having more space to maneuver, the LH rear support proved very useful, not so much for killing the opposition outright but bringing about timely recoil.

The game flowed nicely as there were no more delayed moments making intricate maneuvers or flank charges. It has taken me longer to write up the report than playing the actual game.

Ah yes, the victor. Both Hungarian blades were in the thick of it. One wielding death and destruction on the Sipahi bringing the Ottoman central command one element away from demoralization. The irony came with the second Hungarian blade falling to the Sipahi next in line to demoralize the Hungarian central command and game won.

Ottoman 5 – Hungarian 16. 

Cheers,

Wallachia – completed

Actually, the Wallachian command were painted and based late last year, however one final touch remained lacking, the headgear. 

The figures came from the Ottoman list of Legio Heroica. Beautiful figures but they lacked the proper headgear to be proper Wallachians. Today, I added Cuman styled caps and fur head pieces to complete the Wallachian cavalry and infantry plus Cuman light horse for the Hungarians.

Photo one show the Wallachian figures (foreground) completed late last year. Most have peasant style caps and cavalry, a fez or no headgear at all.

Illustration two was sent to me by a Fanatici (Jiri) from Switzerland which I used as a guide.

Photo three shows the number treated with Milliput and photo four are the completed Wallachian. In the background are the Cuman cavalry of the Late Hungarian army.

Now complete, the Wallachian and Late Hungarian armies are ready to battle the Ottomans. Next post, a big battle engagement using DBA 3.0

Cheers, .   

Oriental structures

Next on my list of building projects are Russian and Oriental structures. My search on the Internet pulled up more information for Oriental structures than Russian, so I will begin with Chinese.

The Oriental/Chinese structures would follow a similar pattern as the Mediterranean project; a modular BUA and a separate edifice. Modular, as I could add sections to the village to lay a maximum size BUA.  The edifice, in this case a magistrate’s villa, could be integrated with the BUA or set apart.

Using keywords as Chinese architecture, feng shui, and Chinese movie sets brought a number of blogs dedicated to those subjects. Noteworthy are the differences in design from province to province and pattern of roof. I was pleased with the fact that many designs remained in use throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties.

In addition to the structures, I would add several junks to add to the ambiance of village adjacent to a waterway.

In the photo, the structures, walls and towers have been cut and shaped. Thick paper cover the roof of each structure to give an even surface when adding the tiles. The colour of tiles follows a prescribed building code; grey for ordinary structures, yellow for Imperial buildings, and blue or green for important buildings.

At this moment, I will paint the buildings and tiles before basing them as I need to play with combinations of pieces and bases sizes. So nothing will be fixed for the moment.

Cheers, 

Buildings based and ready for use

The Mediterranean style building project stalled lacking triplex wood for bases. My local supplier promised to have stock the following week. That was over three weeks ago.

Stock arrived, so I bought enough for a dozen DBA sized armies and future BUA projects; Russian village and church, Chinese village and docks and more.

The photo shows the individual pieces with Woodland Scenic material serving for vegetation. Three pieces serve for the village and the larger piece as a farm or convent. I like the modular system, as I can adjust the area covered or spread the pieces over the table for a historical game.

Small trees (Woodland Scenic) are based separately as they can be used for other period BUA.  

The last photo show all the pieces clustered as an example of a large village.

Cheers,  

Part 2 – Mediterranean style structures

The “tiled roofing” was quite fragile, such that any indentations would not come out. This had to be applied over an even surface, so I covered each roof with card stock to improve the bond and smooth the roof surface.

Before applying the roof, I needed to undercoat the structures and did this with an earth tone. Some walls were pitted, so daubing white over the earth would leave places uncovered, but importantly the overall structure would not appear even; areas close to the ground would become dis coloured through dust and moisture.

With a marker, I sketched roughly where windows and doors would be. Doors and windows were painted in and typical of the style, I added shutters  painted green. With a fine micro-pen, I outlined the features to tidy the overall illusion.

Adding the tiles was the last step and this was done for both buildings and walls. These too, were undercoated with standard white household paint and hardened when dry. This was an ideal surface to wash a terracotta colour and dry-brush.

The BUA and farm must be based first before adding the finishing touches of shrubbery, ivy and trees. Unfortunately, my local supply shop exhausted their stock of 1.5 mm basswood, so I shall have to wait.

In the meantime, the Russians have arrived from America. 

Mediterranean style structures

While waiting for my order of OG15 Napoleonic figures, I kept myself busy with constructing more BUA and edifices. On my projects list were buildings for the Duchy of Trento (Northern Italy).

From the bag full of useful size scraps of pink foam, I selected enough for a hamlet and a possible enclosed feature; farm or convent.

A simple bread knife is useful when shaping the building walls and roof. My first attempt need some correction as the pitch of the roof was appropriate for the snow bound regions of Germany than the warmer climate of Italy.

The roofing is packaging from tea biscuits (cookies) sold here. Scoring this would effectively create the tiles for the buildings and walls.

More later.

Ottomans vs. Hungarians, latest revision 3.0

Last month I finished three armies of Ottomans but not had the time to use them in battle. Following the discussion about LH rear support and flee movement I decided to test them last night. 

Both Ottoman and Hungarian armies are based on the proposed lists for 3.0 giving the Ottomans an element of Serbian knights and the Hungarian better options balancing cavalry and foot. 

Photo 1
Between the woods and low hill, the Ottomans are deployed in a deeper formation to meet the Hungarian infantry wall. Supporting the infantry wall are Hungarian knights and positioned to the left flank are light cavalry. 

Photo 2

Ottomans center advance while extending their right to envelope the Hungarian left wing.

Photo 3

Hungarian LH, now occupied to their front are helpless to counter the Ottoman Akinjis flanking move. Hungarian knights and skirmishers are dispatched to deal with them. Center is now engaged while the Ottoman left flounder against the Cumans. 0 – 1 Hungary.

Photo 4

The Hungarian infantry hold the Ottomans, who are now helpless to make any break through. Even the Ottoman heavy cavalry are stopped at the base of the hill. 0 – 2 Hungary.

Photo 5

The only units fleeing were skirmishers. LH were tenacious and died on the spot. Here, the Serbian knights have broken through and beating the Hungarian CinC back. Hungarian casualties fell in quick succession, but at cost to the Ottomans. 2 – 3 Hungary.

Photo 6

Ottomans, catching their second wind, sent their lights to support the left wing and center. Ottoman reserves deployed to support the Serbian struggle while the Akinjis, behind the Hungarian lines became active. The Hungarian response, with a pip roll of one, gambled and did the unexpected. Lights attacked the Akinjis uphill and beat the snot out of them. Horse meat is back on the menu. 3 – 4 Hungary.

The Rematch

Photo 1
Ottomans redistributed their winning side to the right flank. Cunning plan nr. 321: Anchoring the left on the woods, the right wing and center would move to the right forcing the Hungarian battle line to wheel. To the left and behind the woods held by skirmishers were two elements of Akinjis.

Photo 2

The oblique maneuver.

Photo 3 and 4

LH support did not shine this time, but delivered up another plate of horse meat. Hungarian battle line are wheeling at a quick pace forcing the Ottomans to counter with their heavy cavalry. Lower left, the Akinjis are bottled up by eager Cumans. 1 – 1

Photo 5

The Ottoman cavalry facing the Hungarian infantry are sliced, diced and sautéed. Unfortunately, the CinC was processed as well, ending the game. 1 – 4 Hungary.

LH rear support is much like a Christmas present, you don’t open it before time

Cheers,