I've just completed an exciting encounter between a Teutonic Order Army and an
Early Polish force. Both were increased to ten units as I wanted to expand on
the number of additional troop types available.
The Order's Grandmaster made a bold advance on the Poles who were deployed in
what appeared to be a strong defensive position of a hill with a marsh to their
right.
The Knights of the Order and the supporting crusader knights wreaked initial
havoc on the Polish flanks, catching the Lithuanian cavalry of the Polish
general off-balance and forcing a supporting unit of Polish Knights to retreat.
Using his superiority in mounted forces, the archers of the Polish line were
gradually broken, leaving the central spearmen for the slowly advancing Teutonic
infantry units. The crossbowmen did considerable damage as the Order approached
the hill. By the time the forces engaged a couple of units were weakened and
this proved critical in the early stages of the infantry assault where two spear
units faced two spear units. Despite being uphill the Poles suffered poor dice
rolls and as a result were pushed back from the ridge line and gradually
destroyed in the ensuing turns.
With the cavalry wings imploding, the Polish general sensed that the game was up
and acknowledged defeat: 7 units v 4 remaining Polish units.
A good game with plenty of medieval atmosphere. Fanatic knights are potent
weapons and with an army stuffed with this type of assault force it takes a
great deal of tenacity to deflect the juggernaut. The Poles did put up a
credible defence and their knights performed a stout duty on the flanks but the
preponderance of both heavy and light cavalry combined with the success of the
infantry assault, assured a clear victory for the crusaders.
