Thursday 10 April 2008

DDBA Sassanid Persian vs Arab Conquest

The mighty Sassanid Army in a Double sized battle against an Arab Conquest Army. It had the makings of a mighty battle, but it turned out to be a completely one sided affair!! Jack was the Arabs & I the Sassanids..... ;o)

III/25 Arab Conquest 622-660AD
1x4Wb(Gen), 2x2Lh, 7x4Wb, 2x3Bw
1x3Cv(Gen), 4x3Cv, 1x2Lh, 4x4Wb, 2x3Bw
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The Arab list has two entries, Jack decided to take both. The main difference is the proportion of Warband to Cavalry. Was it a wise decision......????
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He placed Light Horse on his left flank & Cavalry with a General on his right. In the centre he had all his Warband, flanked either side by Bows. Another odd decision as Jack would be the attacker, his Bows weren't lined up against my Knights........









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II/69 Sassanid Persian 220 - 651AD
2x3Cv(Gen), 2x4Kn, 8x3Cv, 2x2Lh, 2xEl, 2x3Ax,
4x7Hd, 4x2Ps
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Well my choices were pretty straight forward. I intended to have a centre based on the Elephants & Knights, supported by the Cavalry.
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On flank would be Light Horse & the other, where the rough ground was, would have Psiloi & Auxillia. We used a model of some temple ruins, this was classed as rough terrain.
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The Mighty Sassanid Hordes would be kept in reserve... Ahem! Just in case they would be needed to win the battle..










The Battlefield, Arabs (Top).


The Arab Warbands flanked by Bows
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Arab General & Cavalry
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Sassanid Centre, the 'meat grinder' of Elephants & Knights




They're off!!!! The Sassanids Advance
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Good initial Pips & the Sassanid Psiloi legs it to the rough ground.
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WWWWWAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
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It's looking good. The Battlefield from left......
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........to right!!!
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'Special Cammed Up' sneaky Psiloi!!!!
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The 'Elite' Sassanid Hordes.... (do they have a resemblance to Old Guard...?
I don't think they moved more than 400 paces.....)
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Battlefield view from the ruined temple.
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Saasanid Light Horse race round the flank.
While Sassanid Cavalry, Clibanarii, wreck the Arab Light Horse.


It's a non contest & the flank is open
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The Lines engage.... But that weak flank is going to cost Jack
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The Arab Cavalry advance to the temple & then just stop...

The 'meat grinder' about to trample the Warbands
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Nice view of the slaughter...
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Wayhay!!!! Jacks camp is in sight...
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The Sassanid Prince looks on. He won't be needed today.
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Love this one, Sassanid Elephant versus a Arab Warband with big spears!

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The Sassanids totally destroy the Arab Warbands

The Knights & Elephants proved to be irresistible!
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View of the 'meat grinder' from the Arab lines.
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Final positions....
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Final view from the Sassanid Left.
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Well.. Well.. Well... Not a good match up on open ground. This was a complete slaughter, the Sassanids not losing one single element. Jack admits taking loads of Warband & not enough Cavalry was a big mistake. We'll have to change sides & replay this one... but that's for another day.

2 comments:

Dalauppror said...

Good report. Congrtulation to the Sassanid victory. Although i was hoping that Jack and the Arabs would win:)

MrF said...

I was hoping the Arabs would perform better. A bad set up & poor match ups for the Arabs, led to a slaughter. It's the school holidays here at the moment, but it's the only game weve managed to play. It wasn't a very enjoyable one!
Cheers
MrF