Christmas 2024 Wargame

My former students contacted me about getting together for a game as they were home for the holidays. I was more than happy to comply. They have been terrific in keeping this tradition going over the years, and it is one that I enjoy very much. This time around James and Chris commanded the British forces while Max and I took charge of the Jacobites. We were able to play out several turns. In the end, it appeared that the Jacobites had bested the King's forces. We all had a great time. The lads.

Shots of the game

Merry Christmas to all. May the meaning of this wonderful holiday bring you hope and peace. We can love because He first loved us.

Hail Caesar Rome versus Macedonia

My new Macedonians saw their first action today. Their three divisions faced off against three Republican Roman legions. It was quite a slugfest as both sides attempted to find and exploit weak spots in the other's line. Here are the two sides as the battle begins.

Turn 1- The Macedonians won the initiative. Their left hand division advances rapidly towards the Roman line. The center division rolled high on its first command roll and stayed in place. On the right, only the supberb cavalry was able to move out in an attempt to turn thr Roman left. The Roman right was rather lethargic despite getting a re-roll from the commanding general. Only its cavalry managed to move out. In the center, the allied legion showed much more zeal as it threw out its cavalry and advanced its infantry up the strategic hill. The Roman left advanced some skirmishers. Other than that, it seemed content to stay in place.

Turn 2- The cavalry of both sides were very active this turn. The elite units on the Macedonian right destroyed their Roman counterparts and moved into position to threaten the Roman left flank.

In the center, it was the allied cavalry that was successful in drving back a unit of Thracian peltasts.

The Roman cavalry on the right is also able to best the Macedonian light cavalry facing them. A phalanx comes up short in its attempt to strike the Roman line.

Turn 3- The significant event this turn was the Macedonian charge on the Roman right flank. Winning the initiative, the Macedonians wasted no time in striking the exposed flank of the Roman's best legion. A unit of hastati was hit on its flank and front. The principes behind them were hit by the elite Macedonian heavy cavalry. The fighting was furious, but the beleaguered Roman units had just enough support to withstand the blow.

On the opposite end of the line, another unit of hastati was decimated as it charged a supported Macedonian phalanx. In the center, the allied legion continued to climb the hill.

Turn 4- The Romans attempt to regroup on their right. They counterattack and are able to make a veteran phalanx shaken while at the same time angle their flank to be better able to defend against the cavalry.

Up on the hill in the center, the allied legion charges home against a phalanx, fighting to a draw.

On the Macedonian left, a brave phalanx storms the Roman line unsupported. The combat is a draw, but the advantage of numbers is definitely with the Romans.

Turn 5- The climax of the battle was at hand. The Macedonians desperately tried to gain the advantage with a series of charges. The results, however, proved to be disappointing. The veteran legion on the Roman right was able to withstand yet another assault by the Macedonian heavy cavalry and the supporting infantry has become spent.

In the center, the Macedonian division here has also exhausted itself. Most alarmingly, a unit of peltasts has broken leaving a troop of Roman cavalry free to wreck havoc in the rear of the army.

The telling blow, however, comes on the Macedonian left. Its most battle worthy phalanx is whittled down to breaking point by a coordinated attack on its flank and rear. While the Romans still have fresh units on hand, the Macedonians have used up their strenght and lost its offensive ability.

The deciding factor in this battle, at least it seemed so to me, was the advantage gained by the Romans as a result of being armed with pilum. Time and again the Macedonians suffered significantly more casualties because of the reduced saving rolls they had to endure. Live and learn.

Victrix Macedonian Army

Victrix offered 20% off of their figures this month. I had a Macedonian army in the shopping cart for quite awhile and the sale was just what I needed to pull the trigger. I am just about done with the project; just three more units of peltasts to do as well as base a third commander. Here is what I have put together. I have six stands of phalangites. Each stand has either 13 or 14 figures.

I have three units of light/medium infantry

Three skirmisher units; two of archers and one of slingers

Four small units of light cavalry

A unit of Macedonian heavy cavalry

A unit of Thessalian medium cavalry

Two divisional commanders (with one more just needing to be based)

I am just about finished with three more units of peltasts. Each division will have two units of phalangites, two units of peltasts, one unit of skirmishers and two units of cavalry. Quite a formidable opponent.