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Post by Cromwell on Nov 11, 2020 11:34:50 GMT
Before we talk tactics let me make one thing clear. It has been officially acknowledge that I am not the worlds greatest tactician.
Many years ago when undergoing my initial officer training with the Royal Air Force we had to undertake various exercises etc. The instructor was a man named Flight Sergeant Bowskill. As we were officer training he had to address us as Sir or Mr, and this man could put so much contempt into those two words as to be unbelievable!
On one occasion we had to undertake a tactical exercise, and I was in charge. I fouled it up completely, got lost and managed to get all my squad wiped out.
Debriefing from Flt/Sgt Bowskill went as follows.
"Well Sir, that was a complete balls up. I am in despair! I am supposed to turn you into a leader of men. To be honest Sir, the only reason anyone would follow you is out of bloody curiosity!! Sir!"
Now having set out my credentials, everyone will realise any reply must be simply composed with a minimum of jargon.
I have now played two solo battles with 100 years war English IV/62b and French IV/62a. All options available.
Terrain consisted of 2 x plough in the centre, woods just to the front of the French right flank and a difficult hill on my right flank. The first dice rolled was a 2 so no problem from the plough land.
First battle I played the English and the solo system played the French. I shot down the French knights with comparative ease. They never made contact with my line. I won 4 elements, all knights, to 1 element, mounted Longbows for me.
I then using the same terrain set up I played the battle again but this time as the French. I was wary of advancing my Knights to quickly and decieded to use my foot troops first, they did note fare well and the English then began to advance their longbows until in range of my knights and again they were shot to pieces, but I did manage to take out the English armies Welsh contingent, some knights and a longbow elements.
Can anyone please give suggestions of good tactics when playing the French?
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Post by snowcat on Nov 11, 2020 11:42:30 GMT
Oh no, not touching this one. La la la la la! Bowskill...now there's a name! OK, don't take the French a) list, and then dismount all your Kn.  |
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 11, 2020 12:07:22 GMT
Yes his name was actually Bowskill!
Dismounting is not an option I had thought off.
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Post by snowcat on Nov 11, 2020 12:11:29 GMT
Sadly, dismounting is not an available option to the French a) list.
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Post by Haardrada on Nov 12, 2020 0:47:41 GMT
I believe the French did attempt a flanking movement at Agincourt if that helps.
Also if you search Wikipedia for "battles involving" (insert name of English/French King or General commanding) you should get a few results on the subject. If you then select maps from your top browser line it may give you a plan of the Battle. I've found several when looking for the Medieval Swiss, so it may help you with what you are looking for. Failing that the entry on the battle may give you a brief description of the Battle and help you understand what actions led to the outcome. đ
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Post by snowcat on Nov 12, 2020 2:18:54 GMT
Note: I don't think this is for Agincourt. The armies are earlier, especially the French (*much* earlier in the HYW).
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 12, 2020 8:54:50 GMT
Sadly, dismounting is not an available option to the French a) list. Dismounting with IV/62a is as you say not an option. I have really made it difficult for myself as I am concentrating on the very early HYW. I have the Agincourt era covered by my 2mm collection. |
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 12, 2020 8:55:24 GMT
Note: I don't think this is for Agincourt. The armies are earlier, especially the French (*much* earlier in the HYW). Yes I am looking at very early HYW. |
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Post by snowcat on Nov 12, 2020 11:41:15 GMT
It's not a pretty match-up for the French. You're more likely to be the defender than not, so you should get to choose terrain. But what to do with it? You simply have to find a way to win with your Kn. They're half your army. They're your match winners. You have to keep enough of them from being shot up, while smashing the enemy at his weakest point with them. But how? |
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Post by stevie on Nov 12, 2020 21:34:00 GMT
I have a few little suggestions for you Cromwell. These are tricks I have used in the past, and will do so again. Sometimes they work...and sometimes they donât. 1. Use Terrain: The best features for a mounted army are Gentle Hills, and with the HYW French low aggression it will be they who are the defenders and youâll get to choose terrain. Have two small useless Plough (placed 1 BW from the table edges to keep them out the way), two large Gentle Hills (3 x 6 BW in size), and a Road. Place the Hills so that the longest sides all face the same direction, and they are actually on the centre line so they overlap into the adjacent quarter in front of them, and finally position the Road so that the enemy English have no choice but to face the hill long edges. Now you can use the hill ridge-lines to protect your Knights from shooting, and if the enemy longbows get too close charge over the hill to pounce on them. (However, the English will probably keep their distance from the hill ridge-lines, leading to an
unsatisfying stalemate, as DBA has no rules to force attackers to advance, nor any time-limit
such as nightfall to encourage them to do so...still, a draw is better than a defeat)2. Use Psiloi: Have these skirmishers in front of your Knights to protect them from being shot. Psiloi merely flee when doubled by shooting, plus your Knights can charge through them. 3. Now be creative and use both techniques together: Have one wing behind a hill ridge and the other wing screened by Psiloi. If the enemy avoids the hill, your Knights could advance to outflank your opponent. If they keep their distance but still cover the hill, then youâve at least kept part of their army out of the battle doing nothing while you concentrate on the other wing. As I said, sometimes these tricks work...and sometimes they donât.  |
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Post by gregorius on Nov 12, 2020 22:38:06 GMT
I have a few little suggestions for you Cromwell. These are tricks I have used in the past, and will do so again. Sometimes they work...and sometimes they donât. 1. Use Terrain: The best features for a mounted army are Gentle Hills, and with the HYW French low aggression it will be they who are the defenders and youâll get to choose terrain. Have two small useless Plough (placed 1 BW from the table edges to keep them out the way), two large Gentle Hills (3 x 6 BW in size), and a Road. Place the Hills so that the longest sides all face the same direction, and they are actually on the centre line so they overlap into the adjacent quarter in front of them, and finally position the Road so that the enemy English have no choice but to face the hill long edges. Now you can use the hill ridge-lines to protect your Knights from shooting, and if the enemy longbows get too close charge over the hill to pounce on them. (However, the English will probably keep their distance from the hill ridge-lines, leading to an
unsatisfying stalemate, as DBA has no rules to force attackers to advance, nor any time-limit
such as nightfall to encourage them to do so...still, a draw is better than a defeat)2. Use Psiloi: Have these skirmishers in front of your Knights to protect them from being shot. Psiloi merely flee when doubled by shooting, plus your Knights can charge through them. 3. Now be creative and use both techniques together: Have one wing behind a hill ridge and the other wing screened by Psiloi. If the enemy avoids the hill, your Knights could advance to outflank your opponent. If they keep their distance but still cover the hill, then youâve at least kept part of their army out of the battle doing nothing while you concentrate on the other wing. As I said, sometimes these tricks work...and sometimes they donât. Stevie, you neglected to mention at least one piece of Bad going terrain. Cheers, |
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Post by snowcat on Nov 12, 2020 23:01:22 GMT
You could take both Ps and attempt what Stevie recommends with them. Or take 1 Ps and take the 3Bd option. Then refuse a flank, and use the 3Bd and 2xSp aggressively against a portion/wing of the English Lb, moving your Kn around behind them. Use your 2x4Cb in support against any English mounted Kn, if possible.
If you line up conventionally across the field against the English, you're in strife.
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Post by stevie on Nov 12, 2020 23:10:33 GMT
Stevie, you neglected to mention at least one piece of Bad going terrain. Whoops! Well spotted Gregorius. Very well then, instead of having two small pieces of compulsory useless Plough, have a tiny 1 x 1 BW rough going Hamlet BUA actually touching a table edge:- âOnly 1 feature can have a length of less than 3 BWâ. ...which is even better for the defending French. |
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 13, 2020 9:23:06 GMT
I will give these ideas a go at the weekend and report back.
Thanks all
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Post by haywire on Nov 14, 2020 9:58:43 GMT
" DBA has no rules to force attackers to advance, nor any time-limit
such as nightfall to encourage them to do so" That is why we always use the wonderful time of day (limited number of turns) display. |
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