I missed turn 4 and 5 of the campaign because of weather and then HMGS Cold Wars caused a break. Having said that turn 4 and 5 saw various invasions go astray because of campaign cards that in one way or another defeated the invasions. Example of turn 4 my invasion was against a fellow British Kingdom who had Britain’s Unite card which meant we would not fight each other. In turn 5 I had that card and foiled an invasion the same way.
Turn 6 saw some more action as Will’s British Kingdom of Elmet invaded George’s Saxon Kingdom of Anglia. As Will was unable to attend that Wednesday, Will had Ben command his troops. Ben picked a peasant army with one cavalry unit, one elite infantry, on soldier and lots of units of peasants with a few skirmishers. Ben got a lot of troops with good speed for the points but would they have the staying power? George picked a Cavalry Army, so lots of cav, some soldier infantry and 1 peasant unit. He had fewer troops but they were fast and hit hard. Neither side knew ahead of time what the other picked no the set up so it was a totally blind set up. George picked Del to be his other commander as Garrie, Ben and I commanded the British forces. Click on pictures below for a larger picture.
Original set up for game, rows of troops awaiting orders.
Ben and Garrie and I were British commanders.
The British forces needed to have two of three objectives in control on turn 8 to win the province. Facing off in the center the peasants and soldiers moved off against the Saxon soldiers and peasants. Sadly, for the British that was mostly peasants and few soldiers.
Turn 2 British peasants moving towards Saxon infantry.
Meanwhile the Saxon Cavalry moved around the British left flank. Both Garrie with his peasants and I with my lone cavalry unit tried to stop this. We were not successful.
Saxon cavalry preparing to ride down the British on turn 3.
As George deployed his cavalry to ride down the peasants on the flank I counter-charged with my lone cavalry unit. I did not take photographs but it was ugly. George got 16 attacks to my 12 as he had a hero. I killed 3 he killed 9 of my 12. I broke and George rode them down from behind on turn 4. This began the great turning movement against the British.
George turning the flank the troops in the foreground are destroyed peasants already run down by cavalry.
On the right my infantry attack Del’s infantry in a battle of attrition.
British peasants and elite soldiers meet head on with Saxon soldiers on turn 4
Turn 5 the right center is looking better for the British as they push back and break some Saxons.
Peasant power, breaking a Saxon unit and pushing it back.
Garrie and Ben tried to keep one of the objectives while holding off George’s cavalry. Even with the number of troops they were just too easy for the cavalry to kill and could not do the job.
Garrie’s peasants being hit from behind by Saxon cavalry.
British dead pile mounting turn 5
In the end we could not escape the cavalry attacking from behind, though I was able to defeat some of the infantry to my front and turn my soldier unit around to face the upcoming rush.
British turning to face rear attack.
The skirmishers that Ben put out in front of the cavalry in the above picture were just small speed bumps in the end. George ran through them like a Marylander on get away day before a 3 day weekend.
Saxon Cavalry riding up on what is left of the British forces from behind.
Turn 8 came and the British forces did not have control of 2 of the 3 objective spaces. Actually good morale rolls had kept them in the game that long. The Peasant Army was an interesting choice but Ben felt he needed to spread them out against the cavalry forces. Having said that, they really only win if you bunch them together two on one in combat as they are weak. Sometimes quantity does not win out over quality.
Last turn British with no chance for control of objectives.
Next week my Kingdom invades Rick’s Kingdom. Rick has picked some interesting troop choices in the past and we will see what Wednesday brings. I for one don’t think I will pick a peasant army.
morale roll 