Racing from Northern Germany to the Levant in 1030AD, our reporter was shocked to see other human beings peering over the gaming table.
After a translator had helped with the word “coffeeeee”, the host returned with hot beverages to find the Byzantines already doing well with two Muslim light infantry units “hors de combat”. Would they carry the day and reverse history?
The infantry heavy centres tramped towards each other leaving the critical decisions to those on the flanks.
The Byzantine left soon ran into trouble, finding itself outnumbered and outflanked.
Their right began to suffer the same fate albeit proving more durable. Poor chits for the Byzantines, including a double “1” led to a search for Greg, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Their infantry moved forward at a snail’s pace but did eventually hit the raw Muslim spear. Single disorders and the ignominy of counter-strikes meant Byzantine morale plummeted.
The situation on the flanks got worse, with light cavalry dying and eventually the flanks disintegrated. Malcolm was left with one unit on light archers valiantly holding a hill on the edge of the board,
with Fred having a single cavalry unit pinned on his rear table-edge, and a deep spear unit facing cavalry attacks from front and flank. Fresh Muslim lancers charged in with lance and heroes. Three hits, zero saves and the game was over.
Fred’s comment was that the 11th century Byzantine army was “better than this”. The historical defeat meant the army became a “laughing stock”, so maybe things were realistic. The infantry-heavy Byzantines really needed to get their troops stuck in vs the Emir’s cheap, raw spear. Fred’s chit pulling for Phil’s centre ensured this didn’t happen, leaving the out-pointed and out-numbered Byzantine cavalry to take a beating on the flanks.
Next week we are in Chris’ capable hands...
Simon
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