To the Strongest Punic Wars action

 

My Carthaginian central command with units of Scutarii and Numidian lights

Steve and I played a wonderful game at the NWS on busy Wednesday night. His Polybian Romans, who have had a pretty good record against my Gauls in recents months, were ready yo take on my Later Carthaginian’s of the Second Punic Wars.  This was the first time I’d ever used this army as well as a first for taking Carthaginians.  

As a slight deployment surprise I put the Veteran spear in captured Roman armour and weaponry
along with some Spanish lights and African elephant to counter the Roman cavalry

The Gallic war bands, cavalry and Numidian light cavalry on the left flank

Freshly painted Victrix Numidian cavalry arrive on the field just in time and smelling of varnish

Steve’s Roman command on his right flank

Mighty Romans Velites set up against the woods with cavalry support

How are these for superbly painted figures? Beautiful.

Light infantry on Steve’s sabot bases look the part

The main Roman central command

The freedom loving Peoples army of Carthage laid out in all their glory

The central position showing Gauls and Scutarii

The battle started with an aggressive move by the Roman’s and Carthaginians on the left. The impassable terrain was to prove both a boon and vane for both armies, however the Gallic war bands were more cautious for a change.

Finally the Gallic war bands advance under the watchful eye of their paymaster General

A close up of the Victrix Numidian light cavalry. First plastic figures in my ancients collection 

Gallic cavalry on the left of the Carthaginian line

The Numidian lights advance in front of the elephant 

The Veteran spearmen advance on the right. The Romans were very reluctant to take them on which
 did cede this area of the battlefield to my forces. However Steven was happy to hold on here.

Forced into action the cavalry hit the enemy frontally whilst the light cavalry skirmish with
the Roman’s Italian allies and Velites look for a sneaky opening

Contact!

In the centre the battle rages on fiercely. The Roman’s are tough to beat as the manipulation swap rule, which is brilliant by the way, makes them hard to destroy and counter. In my mind they should be tough as this is the army that started the entire domination of Europe.

Can’t resist another shot of Steve’s troops painted expertly by Big Chris

Those Gallic cavalry are fighting hard however the end is coming

Those rocks look ominous however that wasn’t going to be the problem 

A critical part of the battle on the right flank saw the veteran spearmen neutralise the Romans cavalry whilst also sending their other regiment into the large legion flank.  It would be decisive as both armies were on the edge of total defeat via Victory Medals.

Same action, slightly different shot

A view from Steve’s side of the field

The end. The Roman legio is destroyed and the Carthaginians take the field. It was so close as the turn before Steve had bet all on the exact same action in taking on the Veteran Spear.

Once again this was a cracking game of ancients. As always,historical opponents in my opinion makes all the difference in the world and these rules are wonderful . Taking on Jeff c next week so let’s see what we end up matching up against each other. 

GdA action in Germany 1813

Austrian Hussars charge Bavarian Chevaulegers during the night’s battle 

After a series of great fun games of General D’Armee I have pleasure to report that the streak continues. Last Wednesday night saw a combined Austrian and Prussian force encountering a combined Hesse Darmstadt and Neapolitan Corp. 

The Austrian Brigade on the left advance quickly on a “Forwards” order to take 
the hill and push forward into the wood on the extreme edge of the field

Neapolitan artillery in the foreground reap a heavy toll on the advancing Austrian
columns as they advance.  Skirmishers also take some crucial shots.

In the centre the cavalry brigades of both sides do battle. This would go on for the entirety of the action with the Austrian Hussars proving particularly

The second Austrian brigade readies itself for an assault on the Neapolitan garrison

Two battalions hit the village

A close up of the Austrian position on the hill

The Neapolitan line prepare for the impending attack. The Austrians would be a bit more prudent
in determining when and how they would try and crack that nut

A view of the Prussian flank as the cavalry battle rages on over the hill. The Hesse Darmstadt 
brigade has ventures beyond the woods and the Reservists and Landwehr are preparing.

Another view of the Austrian assault. In the end the Neapolitans would be swept away from 
this position and the brigade would falter and retreat away from the position. 

The Austrian cavalry have the upper hand in the foreground whilst the Prussian infantry 
brigades have steadied and are fighting hard again the enemy 

Hesse Darmstadt skirmishers take on the Prussian battery

Superbly painted French Allies from the brush of Big Chris.

So the battle raged on however the collapse of the Neapolitan flank and the Cavalry won their fight. This would  allow the allies to turn two reasonably intact brigades onto the Hesse Darmstadt  troops on the enemy side.

Once again a great fun encounter battle and more players at the club being exposed to General D’Armee as a first choice set of Napoleonic rules.