Apocryphal Well - The Battlefield

THE Egyptian and Assyrian advance guards met in the middle of the Waste of Garan, where lay a well surrounded by three low hills.

To the east and west were two larger hills, each surmounted by a clump of trees, but otherwise the "rough and uneven" ground - not sandy, note - was featureless, roads being conspicuous by their absence.

The battlefield, viewed from the south, which is where the Egyptians will emerge

Looking from above the west hill

Charles Grant specifies that the hills around the well are low, which, under the rules I will be using - a modified version of Neil Thomas's biblical rules in Ancient & Medieval Wargaming - have no effect on movement.

But they still affect line-of-sight, and, in the first round of a melee, allow those on higher ground to roll an extra die per base.

The large hills on the east and west extremities of the battlefield are unlikely to come into play, but if by chance they do, they are only accessible to open-order infantry.

Otherwise the "rough and uneven" ground does not affect movement.

Battle Of The Apocryphal Well

ANYONE active in wargaming in the 1970s will remember it as a time of great popularity for ancients, particularly in 20/25mm scale.

This popularity was largely due to the success of the Wargames Research Group's innovative rules for the ancient period, helped by the increasing availability of cheap plastic figures from Airfix.

But while many players yearned to refight the great battles of history, one of the best-known ancient battles at that time was a fictional one, the Battle of the Apocryphal Well.

It owed its fame to being the first battle in Charles Grant's 1974 book, The Ancient War Game.

I got this copy secondhand for £16.95 - considerably more than it would have cost 51 years ago when published by Adam & Charles Black

The book is billed as an introduction to wargaming in the ancient period, but is really more of an introduction to the WRG's rules.

In the early chapters Grant bases his discussions of movement, combat and morale on how they are handled by the group's rules, which by 1974 were in their fourth edition.

I no longer have the fourth edition, but it is available in PDF format as a link at a website dedicated to the history of the WRG.

The next two chapters of Grant's book give short potted histories of the Egyptian and Assyrian empires, before getting on to the meat of the matter - miniatures clashing on the tabletop.

As an aside, it is interesting that Grant chose a completely fictional battle to illustrate the clash of Egyptian and Assyrian arms, while in later chapters, featuring Greeks and Persians, Romans and Macedonians, and Romans and Celts, he refought real battles.

The reason, presumably, was that details of actual conflicts from millennia ago were particularly hard to come by in the pre-internet age.

Whatever the reason, Grant matched advance guards from Egyptian and Assyrian armies, clashing over a well lying in the centre of a desert known as the Waste of Garan.

As luck would have it, the two advance guards arrive within equal striking distance of the well, late on the same day, lay down their arms and await the dawn to commence the inevitable battle.

A History Of The World

A RACEY read, it is not, but Diodorus of Sicily's Bibliotheca makes up for that with quantity, covering the history of the known world - known, that is, to Ancient Greeks - from mythical times to shortly before the birth of Jesus.

It originally appeared in 40 'books', of which less than half survive, and was based on the work of earlier historians.

This is volume one - I have a second to go through

An introduction, probably written by historian Giles Laurén, who is listed as having edited the work, admits Diodorus's compilation method "made it almost impossible ... to write either a readable story or an accurate history."

That is somewhat off-putting, to say the least, but, with the proviso that everything needs to be checked before re-use, it nevertheless should make a good reference book.

It does not help that the history starts with ponderous retellings of myths, but the pace does pick up when Diodorus reaches the firmer ground of genuine historical events.

Serbia In The Early 1900s

BACK in August I highly praised Edith Durham's High Albania, a riveting account of her travels in Albania in 1908.

It prompted me to hunt down a copy of her earlier major work, Through The Lands Of The Serb, which has proved an equally entertaining read.

A reprint by Forgotten Books, which includes the author's revealing pencil sketches - the sort of illustration often omitted in reprints

Edith - she preferred her middle name over her first name, Mary - travelled through free Serbia and across the border into Turkish-occupied lands at a time when the Ottoman Empire was very much the sick man of Europe, albeit a sick man nursed by Britain and other powers opposed to Russian expansion.

She does not try to hide on which side of the fence her sympathies lie.

"I was brought up to consider the Turk a virtuous and much-injured individual," she writes, adding: "Now I never cross his frontier without hoping soon to be able to witness his departure from Europe."

Her adventures are not as life-threatening, perhaps, as her later journey through Albanian lands, but they still offer a fascinating first-hand and close-up account of a largely vanished world, albeit one whose heirs seem never all that far from strife today.

Light Cavalry

OPEN-ORDER cavalry were more noted in biblical times for their absence from armies than from their presence.

But they were sometimes involved in the fighting, and they played a part in a famous 'biblical' battle I plan to recreate on the tabletop.

Accordingly I have painted these 10mm figures from Newline Designs, configured for Neil Thomas's rules in Ancient & Medieval Wargaming

Slingshot Issue 361

THE Nov/Dec edition of the Society of Ancients' journal Slingshot arrived last week, and proved, at least to me, an even better read than normal.

Top-notch issue

It is hard to pick out just one highlight, but I am going for Mick Hession's The Jagged Black Banner, explaining how the Anglo-Norman militia in Dublin organised, operated and fought.

Summing Up Corunna In 3D

I SUMMARISED my first playthrough of Corunna by calling it "by far the easiest and most convincing victory I have had in all my battles" from Mike Lambo's Battles Of Napoleonic Europe.

My latest playthrough could not have been in starker contrast - almost from the first roll of the dice the British were in trouble.

The two very different experiences are surely a testament to the flexibility and replayability of Lambo's gaming system.
My 3D score against the AI is now 6-4, or 6-5 if you include the scenario I started a unit short.
At this stage first-time through I was tied 6-6, having played one scenario twice, but if the replay is excluded, I was losing 5-6.

Corunna in 3D - Turn Seven

Map

Situation after six turns

My activation dice land 6, 4, 2. I reroll the 2, but get another 4, and I change wildcard 6 into a 3.

I start in area 4 by moving Sir John Moore to the outskirts of Corunna, and I pull the two-strength infantry into the cover of the trees.

In area 3 I leave the infantry in Corunna.

The AI's activation dice land 6,5, 5, 3. Wildcard 6 and a 5 are rerolled, but become two 6s.

In area 3 the infantry climb onto high ground and shoot at Sir John, the three dice decreased for moving, but increased for being on higher ground. The dice land 6, 3, 1, killing Sir John and so winning the battle.

Corunna In 3D - Turn Six

Map

Situation after five turns

My activation dice land 3, 2, 1. I reroll the 2 and 1, but get another 3 and another 1.

There is nothing I can usefully do, so I await my fate.

The AI's activation dice land 6, 5, 3, 1. Wildcard 6 is rerolled, but becomes another 1.

From now on the French infantry, if they cannot attack any enemy unit, advance towards my commander.

In area 1 this takes the infantry obliquely forward to their left, and the cavalry choose to similarly advance two hexes obliquely forward to their left.

In area 3 the infantry advance to the foot of the high ground.

In area 5 the infantry also advance, and the cavalry advance two hexes into the copse.

Can Sir John Moore somehow survive four more turns?

Corunna In 3D - Halfway Verdict

How the battle stood after five turns when I first played it

As can be seen, first-time through I had more units than the AI at the halfway point, and I completely controlled Elviña and its adjacent high-ground.

This time it is surely only a matter of time before the AI succeeds in following historical precedent by killing the British commander, Sir John Moore

Corunna In 3D - Turn Five

Map

Situation after turn four

My activation dice land 6, 5, 3, meaning I can activate all my units without even using wildcard 6.

In area 5 I pull my troops back a hex, and I leave the unit in Corunna where it is.

The AI's activation dice land 6, 4, 2, 2. Wildcard 6 and a 2 are rerolled, but do not change.

In area 2 both infantry units advance.

In area 4 the forward infantry advance to the foot of the high ground, and the rearward infantry form up behind them. The artillery advance a hex, and so does Marshal Soult, putting him next to three friendly units.

The quietest turn yet

Corunna In 3D - Turn Four

Map

Situation after turn three

My activation dice land 6, 5, 2. By changing wildcard 6 into a 3, I can activate all my units.

I start in area 5  where my three-strength infantry shoot at the French cavalry, the three dice increased for being on higher ground and for support from Sir John Moore, but decreased for the target being in cover. I roll 6, 3, 1, 1, eliminating a base. My one-strength infantry fire at the same target, the two dice increased thanks to the British commander's presence, but decreased due to the cavalry being among trees. I roll two 4s, forcing the French back two hexes. Sir John stands pat.

In area 3 my infantry take up defensive positions in Corunna.

The AI's activation dice land 6, 3, 3, 3. Wildcard 6 and two 3s are rerolled, landing 5, 5, 2.

In area 2 the forward infantry advance obliquely right, and the rearward infantry occupy the space their comrades vacated.

In area 3 the infantry advance a hex.

In area 5 the two-strength infantry advance to the edge of the hill and shoot at my men on the opposite high ground. The three dice are reduced for moving, but land 6, 3, eliminating a base. The cavalry stand still as there is no enemy within three hexes.

A quiet turn, but the British position remains desperate

Corunna In 3D - Turn Three

Map

Situation after turn two

My activation dice land 4, 3 and 2. I reroll 3 and 2, but get another 4 and 3.

In area 4, Sir John Moore falls back behind the hill, and in area 3 I withdraw my infantry obliquely right.

My revised plan is to avoid, or at least delay, combat as much as possible

The AI's activation dice land 6, 6, 2 and 1. Wildcard 6s are rerolled, becoming 4 and 3.

In area 1 the infantry advance obliquely right to the edge of the sea. The cavalry advance to the river bank.

In area 2 the forward infantry advance and shoot at my retiring troops. The four dice are decreased for the unit having moved, landing 6, 4, 1, eliminating a base and forcing the rest of my unit back a hex to the outskirts of Corunna. The rearward French infantry in area 2 advance a hex.

In area 3 Marshal Soult withdraws obliquely left two hexes on to high ground, putting him adjacent to four French units. The infantry advance a hex.

In area 4 the forward infantry advance down from the hill, and the rearward infantry follow suit. The artillery also advance a hex.

Keeping Sir John Moore alive for the next seven turns is looking a tall order

Corunna In 3D -Turn Two

Map

Situation after turn one

My activation dice land 5, 1, 1. I reroll the 1s, getting 6 and 2, and turn wildcard 6 into a 4.

I start in area 5 by sending my right-flank infantry to clear the wood of French cavalry. The three dice are increased for attacking at close range after moving, but decreased for the target being in cover. I roll 4, 4, 1, forcing the French back two hexes. My other infantry in area 5 shoot at the French infantry directly ahead, the dice landing 5, 4, 2, 1, removing one base and forcing the survivors back a hex.

In area 4 my three-strength infantry occupy Elviña and shoot at the nearest French, the four dice reduced for moving. I roll 4, 3, 3, forcing the enemy back obliquely left. My one-strength infantry advance obliquely left, staying on high ground, and shoot at the French directly ahead. The two dice are decreased for moving, but increased for being on higher ground, and fall 4, 3, forcing the French back a hex. Sir John Moore advances onto high ground so as to be adjacent to two friendly units.

The French suffered no losses this half-turn, but at least their attack has been temporarily stymied

The AI's activation dice land 6, 4, 2, 2. Wildcard 6 and a 2 are rerolled, landing 6, 5.

In area 2 the forward infantry shoot at my one-strength unit (chosen over my nearby three-strength unit as the former is nearer Sir John Moore). The four dice are decreased for firing from a river hex, but increased thanks to support from Marshal Soult, landing 6, 4, 2, 1, destroying my unit's final base. The marshal remains where he is, as do the rearward infantry, whose path to directly advance is blocked.

In area 4 the forward infantry shoot at my men in Elviña, losing one die thanks to the target being in cover, but gaining one from being on higher ground. The dice land 5, 5, 2, 2, eliminating two bases. The rearward infantry advance and shoot at the same target, losing a die for having moved. The remaining dice land 6, 2, 2, just enough to finish the job of destroying my unit. The artillery want to advance, but their way is blocked.

In area 5 the infantry want to advance obliquely right, but their way is also blocked. The cavalry charge down from the high ground, burst through the trees and attack my right-flank infantry, rolling 6, 6, 4, 4, 2, 1, eliminating two bases and causing the survivors to flee two hexes.

This is going so much worse than in my triumphant first playthrough

Corunna In 3D - Turn One

Map

Bird's-eye view from behind the British lines 

My activation dice land 6, 2, 2. I reroll the 2s, but get the equally useless 2 and 1.

I turn wildcard 6 into a 3, so my artillery can fire at the French directly ahead. Their three dice are increased by two for firing at short range, and by a further one for being on higher ground than the target. I roll  6, 5, 5, 5, 1, 1, easily eliminating the enemy unit.

The AI's activation dice land 4, 3, 2, 1.

In area 1 the infantry advance a hex, but the cavalry remain still as no enemy are within three hexes.

In area 2 the forward infantry move down from the high ground to ford the river, shooting at my artillery as they do so. The three dice are decreased for firing from a river hex and for firing at range after moving, but the remaining die lands as a 5, eliminating one of my artillery's two bases. The rearward infantry in area 2 advance obliquely to behind their comrades.

In area 3 the infantry move obliquely left, into the river hex, from where they also shoot at my artillery. The three dice are decreased by two for having moved into a river hex, but the remaining die lands as a 6, eliminating my unlucky artillerymen.

Marshal Soult boldly advances two hexes to be adjacent to three French units.

In area 4 the forward infantry advance obliquely right, staying on the high ground, and shoot at my men directly ahead, who are also on high ground. The four dice for infantry shooting at infantry are decreased by one for having moved, but they land 6, 5, 1, reducing my unit to one base. The rearward infantry want to advance, but their way is blocked. The French artillery advance across the high ground.

In area 5* the infantry advance to the edge of the high ground and shoot at my men directly ahead, the four dice decreased for having moved, but increased for the target being on lower ground. The dice land 4, 3, 3, 3, forcing my unit back obliquely right. The cavalry advance into the trees.

A good turn for the French

*The AI should not have been allowed to activate its units in area 5, but I have no one to blame for this error but myself - clearly I was not thinking straight.

Corunna Setup

I have concentrated my British forces on the high ground beside Elviña, in a similar formation to the one I used in my first playthrough 

The French setup is nothing if not impressive, but will they be able to kill Sir John Moore in the 10 turns available?

Corunna In 3D

THE 11th scenario in Mike Lambo's Battles Of Napoleonic Europe is Corunna (aka Coruña, or similar, in various versions of Spanish), fought from the British side.

Sir John Moore was fleeing before French forces commanded by Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult, heading for the coast, where the British hoped to be evacuated by the Royal Navy.

The British set up between the red dashed lines

In addition to Sir John, the human receives six units of infantry and one of artillery.

The real battle saw the British army successfully escape, but at the cost of Sir John being fatally wounded.

To win the refight, the human has to keep Sir John alive for 10 turns.

The French approach from the top of the map, with the AI receiving, in addition to Marshal Soult, eight units of infantry, two of cavalry and one of artillery.

The starting positions of the French infantry and cavalry are pre-determined, but dice decide where the artillery and Marshal Soult start.

I won this battle comfortably when I first played Corunna, using the map and counters provided in Lambo's book.

Here is how the forces set up

I wrote after the battle: "This was by far the easiest and most convincing victory I have had."

For this 3D version of the scenario, I am using 10mm figures from Transylvania's Wofun, with Hexon II hexes from Nottinghamshire-based Kallistra.

The battlefield, with the four sea hexes on the left created by using "picture beads" from a Hobbycraft store

Sir John Moore and the British troops

Marshal Soult and the French

As usual I will write up the battle as it proceeds.

Spanish Steps VI

This tower, from about the 16th century, guarded a royal road that passed by Benidorm

The entrance - now bricked-up - on the ground floor suggests the building was not expected to withstand serious attack, but was probably more used to regulate traffic and collect tolls.

Spanish Steps V

MUCH of modern Altea is spread along the seafront, but when taken from the Moors in 1244 it was mostly a hilltop settlement.

The Virgen del Consuelo (Virgin of the Consolation) Church was erected in the1600s, and quickly became a local landmark.

Most of what can be seen today dates to the late 1800s and early 1900s 

The church was at least partly built with defence in mind

Picturesque house facade

Spanish Steps IV

FURTHER along the coast from Benidorm is Altea, once a Greek colony but now a centre for tourism, thanks to its climate and picturesque old town.

Altea, like most of the rest of Alicante, was Republican in the Spanish Civil War, and its coast was blockaded by the Italian and German navies in support of Franco's Nationalists.

Miles of flat beaches were easily accessible from the sea

Eight machinegun pillboxes, called búnquers in Catalan (bunkers or búnkeres in Spanish) were built in the Altea area.

This pillbox near Cap Negret is one of three survivors, and only two of those are now above sea level

Another view - none saw action, but they are believed to have had a deterrent effect

Spanish Steps III

THE trek from Cala de Finestrat to Villajoyosa is enjoyable in its own right, but also has a fair bit of historical interest.

Known as the Colada de la Costa, the route was originally a livestock trail, which makes for easy walking for most of the way between the two towns

Old terracing is evidence of farming in harder times

Abandoned farmhouse

Cacti have no complaints about the quality of the soil

Old military barracks, a forward post for anti-smuggling patrols in Franco's times