Adalusians vs Normans, battle report - posted by Andrew Bennetts, 20 February 2023

Andalusians in Action!

Ben Hill came around on Friday night providing the opportunity for my nearly completed Andalusians to have their DBMM debut, if only at 240AP. Ben brought over his 1066 Normans who, as a result of a navigational error found themselves in Muslim Spain rather than Anglo-Saxon England.

The Andalusian deployment was straightforward, with a craggy hill on the left swiftly garrisoned by light troops, Ps supported Sp(I) in the centre and massed Cv(O) and LH(O) on the right. A couple of Christian Guards Kn(F) and two more Cv(O) provided reserves.

The Normans deployed a line of Ps and LH(I) on the gentle ridge facing my light troops where a mutual lack of pips meant that nothing much would happen in this sector, the main action being elsewhere. A front line of dismounted Milites Bd(O) faced the Andalusian Spearmen with their left flank covered by a line of Sp(I) and Hd angled back to the woods near their baseline. A powerful command of Kn(F) lurked behind the Bd, under the command of Duke William himself and ready to move to wherever it might be required.

The Andalusian right wing cavalry and light horse surged forward and quickly closed with the refused Norman left wing of Sp(I) and Hd. In what I'm hoping will be an omen for the future, the Andalusians first combat roll under DBMM was a 6-1 for a LH to dispatch a Hd! In fact Ben's first three combat rolls were all 1's as the hordes proved extremely fragile against the Andalusian mounted troops and the Norman flank guard immediately looked vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the dismounted Milites pressed forward towards the Andalusian Spearman and this movement threatened to create a gap between them and the embattled Norman left. With the Knight command becalmed due to an unfortunate drought of pips, the only reserve available to cover the gap was the mounted General for the dismounted Milites. Pressing forward against the Andalusian mounted, the General quickly dispatched a LH but then pursued forward ahead of his supports until, double overlapped, threw the inevitable 1 to perish against the Andalusian reserve line. On top of earlier losses of Sp(I) and Horde, the demise of their General disheartened the dismounted Milites, who then put up only weak resistance to the Andalusian Spearmen, with the whole Norman front line breaking without Duke William and his knights having the chance to intervene.

With the game all but gone, Ben did send the knights in through the broken Bd but they were unable to do much damage and so we called it a night as the Normans were only have a couple of casualties away from breaking.

So victory to the Andalusians in their first outing, although more due to Ben's dice than any skill on my part!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/824840264342234/posts/2296485877177658/ 

Given the way the game played out, Ben's tee shirt selection proved unfortunately ironic 

Kelly Gay

Great tee shirt Ben!

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Ben Vartok

One day it might even apply to the other player....

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Rex Hurley

Very nicely done armies the pair of you.

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Russell Briant

Brilliant!

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Light troops glower at each other in the foreground as the Andalusian right wing cavalry maneuvers into position against the Norman left

With the hordes mostly gone, gaps are appearing on the Norman left

Dismounted Milites push towards the Andalusian spearmen, while top right, the ill fated Norman General looks to cover their flank.

The decisive moment!

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    John Edmundson

• • One nil to the good guys ;^)

    

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    Kelly Gay

    Great looking armies!

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    Vincent Cholewa

    Admin

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    The old light horse into the knight general to make him pursue into double overlap trick! Still a goodie 

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      John Edmundson

      Vincent Cholewa Shhh

      

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    • Ben Vartok

      Vincent Cholewa It was more that the two spear elements on either flank failed to win the 5 vs 2 combats (4 plus in contact with their Slaying General) and let their general down.

      

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        Vincent Cholewa

        Admin

        Group expert

        Ben Vartok I have had a couple of instances where being (S) has “saved” a knight general from defeat and had him draw, while his (O) friends either side lost.

        

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    • Andrew Bennetts

      Author

      Vincent Cholewa Don't forget the rolling a "one" - a vital part of the tactic!

      

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  • Ben Vartok

    Thanks for hosting Benny, a most enjoyable game and your army looks amazing. The kit bashing, the painting detail and overall presentation, top work!

    

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  • Josh Barton

    I need that shirt

    

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