Two Sides of a River Scenario (played on 14 November 2020)

Belisarian Byzantines vs Sassanids. Scott had to clear out a river valley that I was defending. He had 2,000 points & I had 1750. We each took 300 points of characters. I was holding the bridge. The bulk of my army was on the North bank of the river (was was unfordable). Scott got to choose which side of the valley he would advance down after I deployed. He could not split forces. It was a good fight and the issue was in doubt until the very end. Kudos to Scott for a solid victory.

 

My army deployed on the on both sides of the bridge. The bulk had to deploy on the north side of the river. I had two units of Psiloi, the yellow shielded infantry in the center are dismounted Kataphraktoi with the Bucellarii and the general behind them (EHC) and a unit of x10 Goth HC on the north side. The other side of the bridge had two units of Psiloi, a big block of x36 Skutatoi with a sub-general (Ld 8), a unit of Trapeztoi (Spear armed LC) and a unit of x8 Goth HC.

 

These guys are Foundry Late Roman Legionaries. Nice models, but just too big for the army. I have ordered a bunch of Minifig Skutatoi to replace them since they will be right right size. Still for this game they made a powerful unit of dismounted Kataphraktoi with LTS, Bow, & Shield. They have a WS and BS of 4 which made them really tough.

  

The General’s Bucellarii. Elite EHC with the general and the army standard.

 

The “weak side” of the river. I was counting on the Skutatoi with the sub-general (a Cilliarch) to hold the Sassanids while the Trapezitoi and the Goth HC did some dirt to the oncoming Sassanids.

 

My Trapezitoi, light cavalry with Spear and Javelins.  I worked all week to get these guys painted.  I had eight but could only get six done - a very small but viable unit.

 

The Byzantine defenders await the Sassanids.

 

The Sassanid host. It was fortunate for me that Scott had too many guys in not enough space. My hope was I could bust up the light cavalry in the front and get to the Clibanarii behind on breakthrough charges.

 

Scott’s light cavalry came right at me. My Trapezitoi charged at the lead unit. It fired and fled (slaying one guy - right of photo).....

  

The lead unit of LC fired and fled. It’s flight uncovered the second LC unit and I converted my charge onto them. Of course, they could do nothing but stand there. I had the tactical advantage. My Trapezitoi have a WS and S of 4 on the charge to Scott’s T of 3.

 

With part of my right wing engaged, I now moved to the river as quickly as possible with the rest of the missile armed troops to pour volley after volley of arrows into Scott’s open flank.

  

An epic (well.... not quite epic) fight between my Trapezitoi and Scott’s LC.

 

 My higher WS and S on the charge told the tale and the Sassanid LC headed for the hills.

  

Seeing the rout the rest of the skirmish cavalry and infantry that were leading the army routed!!!!

  

Sadly for my Trapezitoi I rolled a 4 for pursuit and did not really go anywhere.......

  

In the next turn my Trapezitoi were charged by a bunch of Clibanarii....... This was not exactly the combat situation I was looking for......

  

Not surprisingly the Clibanarii slaughtered my poor outnumbered and out armored Trapezitoi, but they too did not pursue very far as my Gothic HC prepared to charge them in my turn. 

 

Charge!!!!!  The martial might of wild Germanic cavalry charge home!!!!

  

I seemed to have the upper hand. My dismounted Kataphraktoi poured arrows into the light cavalry.

  

But, the Goths were defeated by the Clibanarii.

  

Scott’s light cavalry shot up my Ld 5 Psiloi and they headed for the rear as fast as their legs could carry them.

  

While Squid could not catch my Goth HC, I could not rally them either....... They have an Ld of 8!!!!

  

Fleeeeeee!!!!!

  

The dismounted Kataphraktoi broke one unit of Sassanid LC with arrows (the white horsetail standard in the upper left), and I charged Scott’s Sassanid HI with the Skutatoi. Both infantry units are WS & T of 3, so it would come down to die rolling. I figured if I could bust that Sassanid infantry then Scott would need to take a bunch of break tests.

  

Sadly, my Skutatoi were not up to the task. I lost by one and rolled poorly and routed. Thus, all the Byzantine units on the south side of the river were gone and the bulk of the Sassanids were there in force. They could continue their march down river without much interruption from me on the north bank. Thus, the Byzantines withdrew to fight another day. Byzantine losses were pretty light really. Two x6 figure Psiloi units, a bunch of relatively low quality Skutatoi, some barbarian Goths..... The only unit that could be considered a total loss was the Trapezitoi who died to the man. It was a good fight and will will have a rematch next week when I get some more guys painted.