Alexander versus Hannibal

[Chris]

Following in the giant footsteps of the Madaxeman (see http://www.madaxeman.com/reports/Central_London_ADLG_2015_3.php ) and to a lesser extent, attempting to fill the shoes of an accomplished wargamer by the name of Phil (see http://philonancients.blogspot.com/2016/08/historicon-2016-open-tourney-round-2.html), I put together a "quick and dirty" contest wherein Alexander's empire-busting Macedonians would face off against Hannibal's heterogenous host.

The opposing forces were 200 points strong and drawn from the corresponding army lists found in the "catalog section" of the ADLG rule book. (Sidebar: Attempts to fashion a large counterfactual involving a modified Macedonian order of battle from Gaugamela meeting a similarly modified Carthaginian order of battle from Cannae have not met with success. An IMPETVS version collapsed under its own weight, and a couple of "adjusted scale" adventures using ADLG did not really go anywhere. Anyway and however, the experiment continues and hope springs eternal.)

With regard to deployments, I placed Alexander and his Companions (2 units) and Hypaspists (1 unit) on the right of the line. There were some Agrianians along with some  other cavalry in this command. The fortified encampment was  located behind Alexander's wing. The center was assigned to Craterus (rated competent) and 5 units of the phalanx. Skirmishing slingers and archers screened a portion of the ordered pikemen. As per usual, there was a bit of a gap - nothing major to be sure - between the center and Parmenio's command on the left wing. This veteran general had a unit of hoplites, some Thracians, a unit of Thessalians, and some other cavalry. Adding up the units present, it was determined that the Macedonians would become demoralised when 21 points worth of damage had been inflicted upon their collective morale. On the other side of the fictional field, Hannibal held the center while Hasdrubal and Mago were charged with the flanks. On Carthaginian left, Hasdrubal had a collection of cavalry, some Spanish scutarii, and a stand of elephants. (It was hoped that these pachyderms might "throw a little water" on Alexander's "fire".) In the center, Hannibal formed up 3 units of African heavy infantry in line. Next to these, he deployed a couple of units of mercenary hoplites. Every skirmisher in his army was put in a screen in front of the heavier troops. There were slingers and javelins from hither and yon. Oh yes, there was a unit of Ligurians posted just to the left of Hannibal's African spearmen. Over on the right wing, Mago formed up his Gauls and Numidians. There was another "squadron" of elephants with this command. As to the encampment, well, it was also fortified and was safely tucked in on the long edge of the table top behind Hannibal's heavy foot. As for  the Carthaginians morale "tipping point", it was calculated to be 27.

Interested in a simple game, there were no ambushes, and there was no scheduled flank march. (If I am ever able to put together that large counterfactual contest, I should like to entertain the idea of a flank march. The idea of a Carthaginian ambuscade or similar ruse is also appealing, but as one knowledgeable and respected member of the society has politely explained, Alexander would most likely not fall for or into such a trap.) The fighting formations were modeled to represent 20mm figures on their appropriate stands and or bases. None of the leaders were embedded with a unit. Granted, this does cost a little more when drafting an army, but there is some value in having a "free-ranging" commander or subordinate general.

A few words about the landscape of the table: There was not a lot of it. There were a couple of gentle hills - placed on the outer edges of the field. There was a small patch of woods positioned on the far left of Parmenio's battle line, and there were two areas of brush/scrub, only one of which had any significance or might have some significance. This elongated patch of rough terrain was to the right of Hannibal's center and left of Mago's Gauls and elephants.

A few more words about how the battle progressed . . . 
First blood (meaning the first unit broken and not just the harassing effects of sling stones or the odd volley of javelins from light cavalry) went to the Carthaginians when a unit of elite Numidian horse bested Alexander's Prodromoi in melee. (When elite units roll a 1 and are already disordered by a well-aimed (lucky) volley of javelins, um . . . there is not much that can be done.) Alexander was able to avoid running into the elephants in his sector, but he found that his Companions were outnumbered 3 to 2 by enemy horse. (The Greek cavalry decided to withdraw instead of charging into the enemy elephants.) On the other flank, Parmenio and his Thessalians were forcing all of the Numidians to evade. In the center, the Macedonian slingers and archers had scored a hit on the enemy skirmishers. This was the only volley they could manage before the pikemen advanced through the screen. The Carthaginian slingers (Balearics) flicked stones at the approaching wall of pikes but only managed to dent a few shields and make a racket with their stones. Not a single phalangite fell. In the next turn, their luck improved, as the skirmishers darted forward to close the range and so, they were able to shower the front ranks of the Macedonian phalanx with sling stones and javelins. The elite Libyan and Balearic light infantry did well and 2 hits were marked on the ordered ranks of the pikemen. Over on the left, Alexander's Companions were charged by Spanish, Gauls, and Punic horsemen. The Companions fought stubbornly and well, overcoming the overlap and inflicting damage on the Gauls and Spanish horsemen. In this same general sector, the elephants and Spanish scutarii advanced to force the Agrianians to evade. The fast-moving elephants nearly caught up with the Greek cavalry that had turned tail - literally - the previous turn. In the meantime, way over on the Carthaginian right flank, the Numidians continued to evade, but turned around at their baseline instead of departing the field.

Having recovered their courage, the Numidians galloped forward and threw more javelins at Parmenio's Thessalian horsemen but did not inflict a single scratch. The Gauls and accompanying elephants did much more damage against the peltasts in and around the scrub and brush. The hoplites, nearly bowled over by the shock and awe of the barbarian charge, quickly succumbed in the ensuing melee. Parmenio was powerless to assist his foot soldiers, but he could do something with the Thessalian heavy and Greek medium cavalry. These troopers charged the open order Numidians and sent two-thirds of them fleeing from the field. Having good control of his cavalrymen, Parmenio wheeled them in the direction of the Carthaginian encampment.

In the center of the field, after some skirmishing, the heavy infantry of both sides met. Each line had an overlap advantage on its right. The Macedonians were able to punch a hole through one of the African foot units but elsewhere, these troops have resisted the pressure of the pikemen. The mercenary hoplites ganged up on a portion of the phalanx and sent it reeling. These tough troops now had an open enemy flank on which they could fall upon. Just as they executed the move, the phalangites ground down the last of the African heavy foot. There was now nothing standing between Hannibal and dozens of poised pike points. Having done so well in face-to-face combat, the hoplites faltered in their flank attack. They actually lost men and were rebuffed by the stubborn Macedonians.

Over on Alexander's wing, his Companions had taken some casualties, but they had pretty much chewed up the enemy horse. The tide turned when Alexander joined in the fighting and moved his squadron on to the flank of the Spanish cavalry. They disintegrated and then the Gallic warriors went down next. The Punic horsemen were all that was left, and it did not look good at this stage. Hasdrubal escaped the flank attack by Alexander. He had run away to the center, seeking refuge with this brother and commander. Although Alexander proved nearly irresistible, he had left his other formations in something of a lurch. The Greek medium cavalry unit, pulling itself together after evading the elephants, attacked a unit of Spanish scutarii and wound up routing after two turns of melee. More scutarii and some elephants were making their way to the Macedonian camp. The Hypaspists were out of position and anyway, were being harassed by some Numidian light horse. The Agrianian skirmishers were also out of position to help defend their encampment.

The Punic horse did not last another turn; Alexander's Companions broke them into scattered remnants. The young ruler could now turn his full attention on the exposed flank of Hannibal's much-reduced center. However, just as the Companions were winning the cavalry battle, Hasdrubal's Spanish - accompanied by the elephants - were winning the engagement. With a spontaneous move (no command points required), both of these stands advanced against the fortified enemy camp. The Spanish medium swordsmen rolled first. Success! A six on the die meant six points lost by Alexander. The sack of his encampment pushed the morale of his army past its tipping point.

The victory had been a pyrrhic one for Hannibal. Besting Alexander had cost the Carthaginian all of his heavy horse, most of his Numidians, and all of his African foot. The day was his, however, as were the bragging rights.

[Mark G]

It sounds like a phyrrus for Hannibal against alexander.  Scipio v Caesar next to round out the top 5?

[Duncan Head]

"attempting to fill the shoes of an accomplished wargamer by the name of Phil"

95% of wargamers are called Phil, it sometimes seems.

[Mark G]

But only one is 'that' Phil.

Or so he insists.

[Patrick Waterson]

95% of wargamers are called Phil, it sometimes seems.

A couple of decades ago, it was an article of faith that 50% of wargamers were called Dave ...

Concerning Chris' engagement, we can see why at Gaugamela Alexander brought his camp with him rather than leaving it to be sacked by the Persians.

[John GL]

At the Iceni DBM competition last weekend, of the 18 players there were four Johns and three Pauls.  Not a Phil in sight, and only one Dave.  John is a very common name in my generation, of course, but one of the four is a teenager.