Bob did
not have a true Alexandrian Macedonian army so made some slight
changes so that the game was effectively an Alexandrian Successor,
Bactrean Greek army trying to emulate Alexander’s achievements.
It was
an interesting set up as the battle was played between 4 players on
two tables.
There
was a larger battle where the Bactrio-Greeks were attempting to force
a crossing of the river and then on the other table a predominantly
cavalry action set up to represent an crossing further upstream and
attempted flank march by the Greeks.
I played
Porus and Andy played Porus’ son who had been sent upstream to
shadow the Bactian flanking force. Craig and Mick played the
Bactrian King and their flank march force respectively.
Each
player was given a separate briefing and though we all were aware of
the other game we had no idea if and when reinforcements or a flank
march would occur.
I had a relatively simple brief. I was to stop the Bactrian King affecting a crossing of the river. I knew that I had sent a force of cavalry and chariots to shadow an enemy force that had marched upstream but I did not know the outcome of this. As such I may receive some cavalry reinforcements but by the same token I may be attacked in the flank by enemy forces.
I also
had a problem in that the majority of my army were bowmen but I had
to keep them well back from the rivers edge as the humid conditions
affected their ability to shoot.
The game
began and Craig quickly identified the ford. This was three units
wide. He then had a juggle his forces round to try and reorganise
his forces in to what was effectively an attack column in order to
cross. He led with some light troops, elephants and skirmishers with
two large pike phalanx’s following up behind.
I simply
formed my mostly bow armed troops in to a crescent shape facing the
ford ready to unleash on the enemy as they emerged from the river.
A glance
over at the other table told me that the two cavalry forces had
smashed straight in to each other and were slugging it out.
Craig’s
tactics were sound in that he clearly knew that he would be advancing
in to a storm of arrows and the priority was to protect the two pike
phalanx’s and allow the other units to absorb this. Once the
phallangites were safely on the other side they would hopefully be
fresh and be therefore could be unleashed on the Indians.
The
Bactrians started taking casualties the minute they entered the water
and though my shooting wasn’t devastating it had sufficient effect
that upon exiting the river none of the Bactrian units were fresh and
all had lost their impetus bonus ( a melee bonus for troops that
charge in to combat and only given if units have not suffered
casualties).
However
Craig was now in a position to close with my bow armed troops and
start serving up some pay-back. Unfortunately things did not quite
work out that way. Some rather lucky rolling on my part (3 hits
from 4 dice!) and some poor rolling by Craig (2 hits from 11 dice)
meant that my bow armed troops opened what can only be described as a
“can of whoopass” on a Bactrian Elephant unit. The Elephant
hung on and a few turns later swept the Indians away but they had
suffered significant damage and were no longer much of a threat.
Unfortunately for me my Indians in the act of being destroyed fell amongst my elephant unit disordering and weakening it.
At this
point my left wing remained unengaged and they angled in towards the
centre ready for the advance of the Bactrian phalanx.
These
emerged from the steaming waters of the River and surged up the bank
in to my centre. Here they started to do some damage but with very
little flank support I was able to start pouring Javelins and Arrows
in to their flanks.
At this
point the news came that the battle on the other table (upstream of
us) had ended with both sides fighting each other to a standstill.
There would be no flank attack but also no reinforcements.
This
actually suited me as I was in the stronger position. A flank attack
would have caused me serious problems but there was little I could do
with reinforcements now the Bactrians were across the river.
My left
wing and centre was in tatters but I still had an uncommitted right
wing. These were well positioned to disengage and withdraw which
seemed to me to the be right idea. Craig had crossed the river but
had suffered heavy losses and was not in a position to pursue or
indeed do anything but lick his wounds.
The
ultimate result was a pyrrhic victory for Craig in that he did manage
to cross the river.
I would
have used exactly the same tactics as Craig but on reflection I
wonder if he would have been better leading with the Phallangites who
with their large units may have been able to absorb more damage than
his auxiliaries and Elephants and therefore the army as a whole may
have emerged more intact on the other side of the river.
Historically
the battle is seen as one of Alexander’s masterpieces however as in
this game the Greeks suffered high casualties and were seriously
freaked out by the elephants. Alexander was so impressed with King
Porus and his soldiers that he allowed him to remain king of Hydaspes
as his Satrap. Alexander’s army took such a hammering by the
Indians that ultimately they refused to fight them again and
Alexander could not persuade them to advance and to attempt a
crossing of the Ganges.
The good
news for me is I did not have to resort to my game winning dice. Two
large dice purchased which I bought on entry to Vapnartak this year
(the excellent wargames show at York Race Course). All proceeds for
these dice went to Help for Heroes. As such these dice must be
brimming with positive Karma and so I am holding them in reserve for
the crucial moment.
