Tha Batte of Gaugamela

Gaugamela 331BC

Today one of the games at the club was a 15mm hex based game using rules written by club member Mick Nichol. These rules have their origins in DBA but have evolved into a system in their own right.

As the game progresses you will notice the use of white and red markers to identify the condition of the units. Basically if you lose a combat you get a red marker and if you win or draw, a white marker. Three white markers are swapped for a red. Once the red equals the number of figures on the base the base is removed. If a modified dice throw of the loser is doubled by the victor then the unit is usually removed, although there are exceptions to this rule.

The figures are all from the collection of Mick (which apparently numbers 40,000 15/28mm figures!!!!!)

The Macedonians were, of course, massively outnumbered particularly in cavalry. This was balanced by the Superior quality of the Macedonians. 

Macedonian left

the centre and right.

The Macedonians advance.

On the left the cavalry attempt to stretch the Persian line.

The cavalry advance on the right with Hypaspists supporting to their left. Persian scythed chariots position themselves looking for an opportunity to charge. 

The first combat results in 1 loss to the Persians and 2 to the Macedonians.

In the centre the lines advance with the Persian spears echeloned back to their left and elephants to the front. The Psiloi to the Macedonian front will try and ware down the Persians before the phalanx goes in.

The Persian left is stretched but their numbers render the ploy less effective than desired 

On the right the cavalry combat continues with Persian cavalry sweeping around the flank.

The Companions and their cavalry supports look like being overwhelmed.

The Macedonians, concerned about the cavalry threat developing on each flank, manoeuvre to defend against it.

On the left flank the Macedonian cavalry attack

a couple of Persian units are destroyed with 2-1 victories to the Macedonians in other combats.

The Persians regroup.

The first infantry combats with with Macedonian light infantry defeated.

With their cavalry to their right gradually being overwhelmed the infantry on the Macedonian centre right must resist the urge to advance.

The confused cavalry fight continues with red markers mounting. Alexander is with his Companions.

The Elephants enter the fray defeating the infantry to their front.

Alexander and a unit of Companions are surrounded!

On the left the cavalry battle resumes with the Macedonians attempting to turn the Persian flank. This would be a theme for the remainder of the battle.

Some of the Persian cavalry have been sent to attach the Macedonian infantry

as the infantry battle in the centre develops.

Will Alexander survive?

his unit of Companions is destroyed but he himself survives.

The single figure with the red marker is Alexander, another red and he will be killed with disastrous consequences for the army.

Combat continues on the left centre with the attritional nature of these rules becoming more evident, an unit of Elephants has been destroyed.

The Macedonian right centre advances to support the main phalanx.

Alexander, the lone figure at the top has escaped death and prepares to attempt to rejoin his army. The Macedonian cavalry on this flank have been annihilated. The chariots await an opportunity to charge.

Two units of psiloi having been pushed back in a previous combat turn their attention to the chariots in an attempt to stop them charging the flank of the infantry.

Once again the Macedonian cavalry attempt to outflank the Persians to prevent them reinforcing the cavalry attacking the centre.

The Persians withdraw to reform their lines.

The Macedonian right flank is exposed to the cavalry.

Persian cavalry reinforce the attack on the infantry leaving enough to guard their flank against the Macedonian cavalry attempting to outflank.

Surprisingly the infantry survive the cavalry attack.

The phalanx advances once more

Isolated units out of command find it difficult to rejoin the combat.

The remnants of the Macedonian cavalry out on the left flank make a further attempt to turn the Persian right and draw them away from the infantry.

The Macedonian right begins to prepare for a cavalry assault by the victorious Persian cavalry.

The Macedonian attempt to turn the Persian right appears to have been thwarted.

In the centre the relatively fresh Macedonians prepare a renewed assault on the exhausted Persian infantry

while to their right a defensive line has been successfully established to protect the flank against the cavalry threat. 

At this point we called it a day and the victory points were totalled up. The value of all destroyed units were added together and the number of red markers added to this to give and overall figure of 143 to the Macedonians and 105 to the Persians. A significant victory for the Macedonians if not quite the slaughter meted out by the real Alexander.

More importantly, however, were the rule amendments identified. These will be added to the rules and implemented in the next game.

Thanks to Mick for putting this on with his usual enthusiasm.

Cheers.