A different kind of Pyrrhic victory - Asculum Day II

Yesterday saw our second day as Asculum being fought out, this time on much better terrain for Pyrrhus and his Allies.

Following the first day's encounter Pyrrhus mustered early and deployed on better terrain, more suited for his army than the previous days fighting. Taking full advantage of this he deployed his strong cavalry force on his right wing, intending to replicate his famous cousin's charges. On the right he deployed his light infantry and several of his elephants. This flank would have no horse, so the elephants would serve as both anchors and battering rams if they could over come the secret weapons the Romans were rumoured to have ready. The Pyrrhic center was formed from his Italian allies on the left and then the phalanx. Lastly he deployed his remaining elephant, again to act as an anchor for that flank should it become exposed by the lack of cavalry protection.  To allow time for his cavalry to charge and take out their opponents and arc round the rear of the Romans, Pyrrhus staggered the positions of his phalanx, deploying in echelon back from the left.

Facing him the Romans deployed their allies on the left along with the bulk of their horse. The legions deployed to their right whist the remaining roman cavalry unit and the velites deployed at the far end of the line.

Emulating his famous cousin, Pyrrhus lead his cavalry out on a wide attack on the right, quickly detaching the Roman horse from their battle line. His second line of cavalry turned sharply and headed towards the now exposed Latin infantry. In the center the two lines advanced to contact. However, perhaps shaken by the non appearance of one of their maniples, perhaps by the wall of spears facing them over level ground, the Roman dice throwing was poor and the phalanx drove the legions back.

On the left the light troops skirmished with the velites as the Italian hopltes advanced and the Elephants moved up. Hoping to cause mayhem the Romans drove their cart and herd of pigs forward. Seeing an opening the Romans put touches to the pigs and sent them rushing towards the nearest elephant.....

The beast was surprised, but it's mahout kept it under control and the poor porkers were seen off by the crew with javelin and bow fire.... Secret weapon one had been foiled and emboldened by this the Epirote lights swarmed over the cart and destroyed it too. Suddenly this flank looked unstable as the Italians locked their shields and lowered their spears to charge into the legions.

The Epirotes had driven off the Roman cavalry on the right and were dealing with horse brought across from the opposite flank, but had succeeded in starting to roll up the legions from the side. Caught between phalanx, elephant and cavalry the Roman line started to give way beginning with the Italian allied troops.

The end was nigh, the Roman consul screamed to his tribunes to withdraw, before turning his horse and galloping from the field. The battle was over. 

"One more victory like this....and we shall have them!", said a triumphant Pyhrrus as he watched the Romans stream defeated form the field.

A Pyrrhic Victory? Ascalum Day 1

Had a cracking game on Sunday at my local club. Having decided to refight Ascalum we were lucky enough to manage to squeeze in another game before hand as it was my local club's Sunday game slot, so rather than make up another scenario I decided it would be good to take advantage of the club's terrain and fight the first day's action as well. 

At Ascalum Pyrrhus was forced initially to fight on ground which was less the suitable for his phalanx. However he was able to commit his reserves and drive the Romans back, despite setbacks. By doing so he was able to seize better ground the following day and fight another costly battle, after which he was heard to proclaim that another such victory would be his undoing.

For our Ascalum day 1 we used some existing terrain build for the club's Cruden Bay game some years ago. It featured a steady slope and some ridges which would give the Romans a clear advantage. We dotted some trees around to break things up and set a wood up on the highest point of the battle.

We used the Neil Thomas Ancient and Medieval rules adapted by John and myself to fit our single based armies. Small dice are used to track the hits, rather than base removal. 

John and Eric took the Romans and their Latin allies and Mike and myself the Epirotes and their Italian allies. 

The Advance to Contact

Both sides advanced to close with their foe, Pyrrhus's men crossing a stream and moving up the slope to engage. Treachery had already weakened their ranks, (a random event card!), and a phalanx unit had failed to deploy. This probably had a serious effect on the battle, as its presence would have meant the Romans would have been outflanked early on.

 

The Clash of Spears

The battle was in the favour of the Romans as they could draw on their supporting troops in manipulate formation and the benefit of high ground, however the Italians had surprising success on the far left, coupled with a light infantry skirmish on both flanks that lasted far into the game. However eventually the toll began to tell and the phalanx units collapsed. 

This was the signal for the reserve to appear.

The Thunder of Beasts!

The Elephants crashed into the legion inflicting heavy losses, whist the Pyrrhic heavy cavalry swept in on the flanks. Unable to move their anti elephant devices to the front line, the Romans were clearly in trouble and facing heavy losses. 

A perfect point to pause and regroup for day two.....!

So next Sunday, will Rome triumph or will the gods favour Pyrrhus? Will one more victory be his undoing......?