Hastings Using ADLG, an AAR

Our group likes to re-fight Hastings every year in some form or another. My friend Bob Pavlik & I got together last week and did a small re-fight of Hastings using ADLG. We used 12 units per side, which in ADLG works out to about 100 pts per side, so we used the optional rules for that size game. We used preset terrain and Bob's collection of 25mm Minifigs, which were beautifully painted by Bob back in the late 1970's, when those figures were "state of the art." The figures were based individually for another set of rules, but for this game, Bob made "flying carpet" sabot bases that were 3" wide for using rules like DBA or ADLG. Bob has enough figures that we could have done a much larger game, but he only had enough sabots done for our game.

The photo above shows the deployment. On the left, Saxon Fyrd and Huscarls on the hill. On the right, the Normans were deployed with 2 units of bowmen in the front, a second line of dismounted knights, and mounted knights in the rear. Note: We forgot about the 6 unit maximum frontage of groups in ADLG. It didn't effect the battle, as the Norman dismounted knights split into 2 groups later anyway.

A view from behind the Norman lines.

Behind the Saxon lines.

The Normans advancing.

Normans maneuvering as approaching the Saxons on Senlac Hill. William is a "Strategist" in ADLG, which allows him to add +3 to command rolls. We rated Harold as "Brilliant" (+2).

After a few turns, Norman archery finally took effect and routed a huscarl unit in the center of the Saxon line. The Norman dismounted knights split into 2 groups, manoevering towards each of the Saxon flanks. Note the Saxon javelinmen waiting in the marsh in the lower left of the photo.

The Normans have begun engaging both Saxon flanks. Harold & his Huscarl unit are behind the gap in the line. Saxon & Norman units have taken cohesion hits, marked with small die behind the units.

The far right flank Saxon Fyrd unit has routed, opening a gap in the Saxon line (lower left of photo).

King Harold pondering his fate.

The Norman left is beginning to roll up the Saxon right flank. The Normans have taken fire from the Saxon skirmishers in the marsh. On the Norman right, they have just routed 2 Saxon Fyrd units and pursued into the gap.

The Norman perspective of turning the flank.

The end of the game. Lost and disordered units hvae brought the Saxon casualty count to 13, which ends the game. The Normans casualty count was  7. Harold temporarily survived.

One thing we are not used to in ADLG is that, unlike DBA, there is no recoiling. We enjoy seeing troops recoil. Therefore in our scenario games, we are pondering an optional rule that would allow recoils if a unit suffers a cohesion loss. We are also thinking that a recoiling unit could be prevented from doing so by "standing fast," and taking an extra cohesion point loss. There would also be mandatory pursuit of recoiling units by impetuous enemies.

First ADLG Game: Gauls vs New Kingdom Egyptians AAR

I traveled today to Simon Babbs home north of Chicago & played my first game of L' Art de la Guerre (ADLG). I used a 200 pt Gallic Army that had a mix of medium & heavy impetuous infantry, a mix of medium & heavy (including some elite) cavalry, and some light infantry javelinmen. Since I have more senior moments these days, I forgot to count my elite cavalry as such during the game, although I did remember to count the units containing the generals as elite per my list. Simon used a New Kingdom Egyptian army that contained light chariots, heavy and medium infantry, light medium javelinmen, and a couple light infantry and cavalry. Since this was my first game and Simon's second, setting up and playing took longer as we had to make numerous references to the rules.

Above shows the initial set-up and deployment for our game. A woods, marsh, and gentle hill dominated the center section of the Gallic deployment area. For some reason, I felt that my heavy infantry Galls would be better on the right flank than in the center, so they are deployed on the hill to the right. Two cavalry commands with light & medium infantry support are on each flank. The left flank Gallic command had a much larger area to defend. Simon placed his infantry near the right-center, in front of the bad terrain, with two flanking chariot commands.

Above are initial moves. The Egyptians made multiple moves with their medium infantry through the marsh, towards the woods. The right flank chariots advanced in column, while the left flank chariots held back. The Gauls moved their left flank medium & light infantry into the woods and central marsh, turning their cavalry to face the left flank. The right flank Gaul command moved in column towards the enemy. The error of my deployment became evident, as my heavy infantry Gauls were nowhere near the enemy main battle line.

Above shows the Egyptian r-flank chariots coming around the right. The line of Egyptian javelinmen are approaching two lonely Gallic light infantry in the woods (an ambush in the forward area of the woods to delay them would have been a good idea if I'd thought of it). Egyptian medium & heavy infantry are approaching the Gauls in the central marsh. The Gallic right flank cavalry is shaking out to face the enemy chariots.

Egyptian javelinmen in overwhelming numbers crashing into the lonely 2 Gallic light infantry, while the Gauls in the marsh to the right are under attack.

One of the lonely Gaul Lt Infantry is left to stop the horde in the woods. About 50% of the time, Gallic cavalry takes hits/disorder from Egyptian chariot archers prior to melee.

The battle wages on. The Gallic cavalry on the left is engaged with Egyptian chariots. In the woods, the lone Gaul light infantry is still holding out. The Gaul medium infantry in the central marsh have broken up the medium/heavy Egyptian infantry attack & the melee has become quite confused. The Gaul main battle line has shifted some warriors to the center, while the right flank Gaul cavalry and Egyptian chariots have engaged.

The Gaul right flank. Casualties are slowly mounting.

Battle in the center.

Gallic left flank being enveloped.

The Egyptians have finally cleared the woods. The left flank Gaul general is the lone remaining unit in that command. Both Egyptians & Gauls have suffered heavy casualties in the center, while on the Gaul right, an even trade of casualties is happening. There are several un-engaged groups of Gauls that have not had much impact on the battle.

 The battle nearly over.

The Gaul general takes the 27th casualty point to end the game for the Gauls.

A fun game, but a hard learning experience for someone like me used to playing DBA. Simon had good terrain choices & placement. My deployment was poor, probably should have shifted more of the Gaul battle line to the center, even though it was full of difficult terrain. It would have helped the left flank command be less isolated and brought more Gallic warriors closer to the fighting. I am also used to DBA averaging more pips in a game than AdG command points (CP's), however there are instances in ADLG that do not cost any CP's, such as impetuous charges and a General's unit move.