Battle of Cabra 1079 and Smolensk Campaign

Two battles this week to report on. First up a remote ‘hex’ game returning to the Reconquista. The battle took place in 1079 between the Islamic states of Granada and Seville with each side supported by Castillian mercenaries. On the side of Seville El Cid lead in his Christian knights with the Granadian force led by Count Garcia Ordonez. Having searched quite hard I was unable to find anything other than the very thinest of details about the battle. This means I have pretty much made up the forces to create a balanced battle !

The two forces arrayed against each other

Both sides are predominantly Arabs light troops with a small number of Christian mercenary knights.

The Granadian force has slightly more light cavalry on both wings

The Cid impetuous is at the frown on his battle line but will he charge into the fray ?

I didn’t take too many photos of the battle but I did need to capture this one, having chosen to charge in El Cid is thrown back and he retreats back through his own lines !

After several turns of long range shooting the armies are balanced both sides looking for a weakness

Count Garcia also takes the battle to the enemy, eventually breaking through the Sevillian lines and winning an advantage on their right.

But then……..from nowhere the Granadian force falls apart, the enemy knights break through regroup and cause chaos

And in the centre eventually the enemy ‘black guard’ break through butchering the enemy as they go. Literally within two turns the battle went from being close to a massacre ! Such is the way of things, a very enjoyable battle despite the demise of my force !

Next up delayed from last week I went done to George’s to play the next battle in our Smolensk Campaign.

Here is the lovely table setup, the Germans are attacking from the far side against my Russians. The Russians have managed to setup in cover and await the expected German onslaught. Luckily and perhaps mirroring history the Russians surprise the Germans by deploying a single KV.

The Russian infantry cower in the woods whilst the KV rumbles out into the open

The Germans deploying in cover and organising their troops before kicking off the attack. Now at this stage those that have played Chain of Command will know that just occasionally battles don’t go as you expect !

The shock and power of the KV seems to throw the Germans into confusion, having taken a number of casualties amongst their infantry and then having their only armour blown to pieces the Germans decide to pull back. A famous if slightly unexpected victory for the Russians. A fun battle although possible not one the Germans will want to remember. As the campaign approaches its end the Russians now have a chance to put the campaign beyond the Germans but that will require some more luck ?

More gaming planned in for the weekend with another run out of the Peninsular collection.

Matt