DBA 15-19K Dutch vs Spanish

Thirty Years War action now, with a Shot heavy Dutch Army versus the fearsome Spanish. Double sized DBA with a few extras. To add some spice to the proceedings we added a Town, a Redoubt, A Galleon camp & some reinforcements.

The Spanish would be the attackers, with the sole objective of taking the Dutch Town. If any Spanish troops took the town, then Victory would be claimed. Also being Double DBA, it was the first to destroy eight enemy elements. The Dutch would be the defenders, however the Pistol Armed Cavalry would be held off table until a 'successful' reinforcement roll was made. The Dutch would have a 'mean' looking redoubt to defend the town.

Jack took the Dutch & went for Dragoons & extra Pike for his army options. I took the Spanish & elected for Light Horse...... over Pistols/Dragoons. Who would prove to make the correct choices? Jack placed both his Artillery elements in the redoubt. His 4 elements of Pistols would arrive anytime after the 3rd round provided he made his roll, a 5 or 6. He initially didn't place a garrison in the Town, he moved in a Shot element after a few rounds.

Double sized Armies made up of the following:

31b Dutch, 1590-1660.
4x4Pi, 2x3Dr, 4x4Pk, 10x4Sh, 2x4Pk, 2xArt.

33 Spanish 1609-1660.
2x4Pi, 2x4Pi , 2x2LH , 8x4Pk, 8x4Sh, 2xArt.

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The Battlefield & initial movements

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Dutch line up, Jack put his Dragoons on the flank. Pike/Shot combo's were formed either side of the Town.

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Spanish line up, Arty in centre with Pike/Shot formations either side. Pistols & Light Horse on either flank.

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A powerful Dutch formation of Pike & Shot.

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Dutch Guns in the redoubt wait to blast the Spanish.

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Spanish Pistols, with some Pike/Shot advancing on the road behind.

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Spanish view, taking that Redoubt was going to be tough.

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Spanish Light Horse capture a field! Pistols lumbering along behind.

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On the other flank, the Spanish Light Horse go on a Deep Strike mission. Jacks left his camp undefended....... Ah sweet revenge!

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Dutch Dragoons face off against the Spanish Light Horse.....

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......Growl! The Spaniards fall in combat.

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Never mind, the other Spanish Light Horse captures the Dutch Camp.

'Hey Dutchies.... We want your Beer & your Laydees..!!!'

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The area between the Town & the Wood is a bottleneck. I can't deploy all the Pike & Shot.

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Though the Spanish Pistols have a clear field on the right.

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Stand off on the left flank.

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Dutch Shot opens up on the Spanish Shot that is still deploying.

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It's not looking good for the Spanish on the left, the Dutch have a deeper formation.

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Critical point in the Battle. Plumes of dust can be seen approaching on the road ahead (Jack has made his reinforcement roll....). Torn between attacking the Dutch Pike/Shot or facing the oncoming threat, I elect to meet the oncoming Dutch Horse..... Would it be the correct one?

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Clash of Pike & Shot. The combats would last many rounds.

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Another success for the Dutch!

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The Dutch Pistols arrive on Jacks left.

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The Spanish & Dutch are now fully engaged in a MASSIVE fight.

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A moment of re-adjustment & then it's back in again.

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The battle on the left flank results in lots of recoils.

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Again, I'm left frustrated as I can't deploy all the Spanish.

Jack takes advantage & piles on the pressure.

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To help out on the left, I turn the Spanish guns on the Dutch Shot. But the initial bombardment is very poor.

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Bugles ring out as the mighty clash of Horse takes place.

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The Spanish Line swings round on the far left flank.

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Oh careful.... I re-deploy some Spanish Pike, but the recoils are coming closer!

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At last a breakthrough on the left. Some Spanish troops fall.

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Arrgghh the frustration!! Pips desert me & I'm struggling to maneuver.

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The mighty clash of Pistols!

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The prize is in sight, but it's slow going!

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Finally! The Spanish guns take out their target.

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Spanish Success on the left, a Dutch Shot element falls. Victory is close!

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Jacks had enough & the Town garrison attacks the camp & 'boots out' the sneaky Spaniards!

The tide of the battle has changed dramatically.

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NO! NO! NO! The Dutch Horse outclass the Spanish.

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In desperation I throw in the Light Horse... Alas they fall in a heroic charge.

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It's Jacks turn & I curse my luck. So near to victory!

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The Dutch Dragoons perform their own 'Deep Strike', another Spanish Shot goes down under heavy pressure.

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The End..... Jack takes Victory when his formation on the right destroys another Spanish Shot.

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The Dutch Horse chase the Spanish.....

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Final positions...


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Ah well! Another drubbing, however Victory was very close indeed. A mighty scrap, the Pike/Shot combats seemed to on forever though. Probably a good case for a Morale system.

Where did it go wrong then? In hindsight, I should of charged the Pistols into the Dutch Pike/Shot on my right flank. Plus it was a shame that I couldn't make the Spanish advantage on the left flank count. So close though!

It did feel that there was a 'lack' of Horsepower on the field. Strange, as we did field the correct amount from the Army lists. Dragoons, again, proved to be very useful. Mind you, I didn't even get close to the redoubt!

DBA Later Macedonians vs Polybian Romans

I've always been fascinated by the Battle of Pydna, 168BC. Rome finally defeated Macedonia & became 'Top Boys' of the Med. There is a great picture in Peter Connollys 'The Roman Army' (Macdonald), at the front of the book showing the two forces clashing. A smashing book, which I can remember reading in the School library when I was 11!

Here we go then, a Later Macedonian vs Polybian Roman battle. Jack would take the Macedonians, he was the defender & set up the board. A large Hill, a rough area & a funky Greek temple to be treated as rough. Being the attacker, I rolled for table edge & typically, got probably the worst edge. So Jack started with the hill & a some rough.... Oh the shades of doom!

Army selection for the Polybians is straight forward enough.... Jack went with the Auxilia option for his Macedonians.

II/35 Later Macedonian 260-148BC
1x3Cv(Gen), 1x2Lh, 6x4Pk, 2x4Ax, 1x3Ax or 4Wb or 2Ps, 1x2Ps

II/33 Polybian Roman 275-105BC
1x3Cv(Gen), 1x3Cv, 6x4Bd, 2x4Sp, 2x2Ps

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Initial Battlefield, Jack would cling to the hill with his Pike for extra advantage. His Light troops would flood the Rough. My plan was to attack the Lighter troops, I didn't want to be hacking away at that Phalanx.

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As suspected, the Phalanx lumbers over the Hill.......

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Roman Cavalry spot an open flank..... MMMmmm an opportunity?

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Roman Spears & Blades on the left, would be a decoy. Well that's the Roman plan.

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Jack rolls excellent Pips for the opening rounds(as usual... ZZzzzz), The Macedonian specialists take to the rough.

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Battlefield after a few rounds, the flank is open for the Roman Cavalry.

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The Roman General takes a central position, the Psiloi advance.

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The Roman left & the march of the Legions.

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Could I lure out Jacks Light Troops? It would be key to the battle.

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Love this Pic, Polybian Roman Spears & Blades advance, very slowly though....

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Jack sees the danger & reacts with his Light Horse (Background), I bring up 2 Blades to deal with the Macedonians in the Rough.

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I'm not impressed with the match up, the Roman Cavalry only have a slight advantage.

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Jacks sticking to the rough, the Light Horse/ Cavalry scrap is not fairing well. I spot the Macedonian General on his own...... I transfer a Blade to partner the Roman General.

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Jacks sticking to his Hill, with double ranked Pike. It would be tough even for the Roman Blades to dislodge that lot. Many rounds are spent expanding the line.

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Jacks patience is unbelievable... I finally get the Roman General lined up.

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In go the attacks, but in typical MrF fashion my die rolls are abysmal.

Jacks aren't though.... First the Macedonian Light Horse kill the Roman Cavalry.

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Then the Macedonian General makes short work of the Roman Blades......

All on my turn, I'm speechless. Jack then utters 'Now it's my turn....'

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With a 'demonic' glance he looks up & rolls, '5 for Pips' he says. I stare, slightly dumbfounded, as the Macedonian Light Horse 'gallops' around the board. Although he can't reach my camp on this turn & the fact it will cost him extra Pips. He WILL reach my camp on his next turn....

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There's nothing I can do! I make a pathetic attempt to withdraw troops back to defend the Camp, but they will never get there in time.... Of course he wins the combat & victory belongs to Macedonia!!!!!

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Final positions, another 'Grand Plan' shot to pieces.

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Oh... My head's in my hands & I'm shaking it back & forth. 'So Dad, your putting away the board then...' says Jack in an extremely smug tone.

A very quick end to the game, especially after many rounds of maneuver. The power of Light Horse, it had to happen one day. Never again will my camp go undefended!!!
Well done to Jack. Bah Humbug... ;o)