The Battle of Mikata Ga Hara, 1572 - A Battle Report

With Jonathan's table all set up for the Battle of Mikata Ga Hara, we arranged for a head to head clash.  Follow this link to Jonathan's the briefing for the game

I was given the choice of sides.  So, I chose to take Ieyasu's smaller force.  I guess I just like the challenge of being an under dog.  Jonathan, meanwhile, controlled Takeda's army.  

Jonathan used as the rules his finely honed Samurai version of Basic Impetus.

The opening deployment.  My forces (Ieyasu) closest to the camera.
My plan was to spend turn one getting forces into position to then hit one command of the enemy as hard and as quickly as I could.  You will see that this plan quickly unravelled.

Before engaging Takeda, I aimed to form a line so that any attack would be met by supporting units.

I think I went a little too early.  Archery and then a charge against the enemy centre and forward bow units met with initial success before being repelled.  Meanwhile, on my right I advanced my line and sent Ashigaru spear into a wooded area and engagedthe enemy...

...this met with success until it too was hurled back to its starting position and the worse for wear.

Takeda was now bringing his cavalry forward in the centre.  He clearly saw a hole in the line just begging to be exploited.

And so it was that Takeda's Samurai spear cavalry charged my central bow unit...

... inflicting casualties, then pursuing in the hope of a kill...

... and so it was!  Takeda had punched a nasty great hole through my centre.

However, now disordered and isolated, would Takeda's cavalry fall prey to Ieyasu's own Samurai cavalry?  With them turning to face, that seemed to be the intention.  Meanwhile, Ieyasu's lines redressed themselves...

... and then advanced on the left, whilst a unit of Samurai foot launched itself forward to split the centre from the Takeda right.

Having thrown back both a bow and a light cavalry unit the route towards Takeda's tent was opening up.  But at the same time, Ieyasu's Samurai cavalry fell upon the rear of enemy Samurai cavalry.

The result was devastating.  Takeda's spear cavalry were annihilated.

With barely a pause for breath, Ieyasu's foot Samurai decided to attack the retreating units that blocked the route to the tent.

Without mercy, Takeda's bows were dispatched and the supporting missile cavalry compelled to fall back further in disorder.  Takeda's tent was next...

... until a firm defence threw the assailants back.  Despite this setback, Ieyasu's right were still holding and the left was weakened but engaged.

In an attempt to start buying time for space.  I started pulling back the bow on the left, whilst charging the spear at the hill...

... which also ended up going backwards anyway!

With the Ieyasu left looking very thin, Takeda was in position to deal with the troublesome, yet very weakened Samurai foot in the centre, while at the same time advancing against my right.  This despite a desperate melee that only momentarily held up the advance.

As Takeda's cavalry crashed into the rear of Ieyasu's advanced Samurai unit in the centre, the result was never in doubt, and with their elimination the battle was won by Takeda.

Afterthoughts

A well deserved and hard fought victory for Jonathan as Takeda.  It was close... very close, with Takeda being only two points away from collapse themselves.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable evening online playing an excellent, balanced and well conceived scenario.  Once again Jonathan has worked his magic.  How I would love to have his gift.

Whilst my pre-battle plan fell apart at the first contact (I had forgotten how disruptive having a victorious and pursuing unit can be to the maintenance of a battle line) I was pleased that I gave Jonathan something to think about (at least I hope so) and that this was a game that had a number of critical decision making moments in it.  Jonathan did well with his cavalry and was measured with his advance and attacks.  It may be true to say that as the battle progressed, I was compelled to make some desperate decisions to prevent from being overrun and to score some points as well.

I love the big multiplayer games that I have with the Rejects.  However, it was a real treat to go head to head for a change.  Thank you Jonathan for a splendid game and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.