C. S. Grant describes the action of last month's "Ambush" scenario.

When the "Ambush" Teaser was first

considered by the Dover warlords, it
was thought that to use an ancient
setting would make the battle too much
like the "Wagon Train" battle accounted
in Teaser #2 (Battle May 1978). On
closer inspection, however, it was
quickly realised that, while similar,
fundamental differences make it a quite
separate problem. The primary
difference lies in the concealed placing
of the ambush forces on the table
unlike the other problem where
attackers of the convoy arrive at
random from various sides of the battle
field. This being the case, the ancient
ploughshares were rapidly beaten into
swords and the sides selected. All this
deliberation was, of course, quite
unknown to the contending
commanders.

Map 1, period 11. The ambush is opening, the slingers charge the convoy archers
who evade leading the former onto the heavy cavalry with obvious results.

The cut throat, would be abductors. Peter Sheppard, Rob Walren and Ray McGarry were briefed on the terrain and
concealment conditions as given last month. They then prepared to set their trap for the extremely desirable Princess
Zenobii of Kali and her equally desirable dowry. They were briefed thus: —

"You are to select positions for your force to ambush a convoy proceeding from the west. This convoy consists of
Princess Zenobii of Kali and her considerable dowry escorted by soldiers of the future husband, the Emperor
Osbosis of Dubris. You are to intercept and seize both Princess and dowry before They cross the bridge to the south
and safety.

The motley band of Persian hills-men selected their positions as follows:

Map ref. letter Unit Strength Location

A Light archers 20 (2)
B light slingers 15 (8)
C light medium 40 (4)
javelins
D light cavalry 20 (1)

The ambushers decided that the trap would be sprung as the main body of the convoy reached the area of cover
marked (7). This in fact fell on period 9 of the convoy's progress. However the slingers B at point (8) were seen by
the rear guard just before the signal was given. The column was therefore alarmed in the period 8. (You will
remember the rules for this eventuality were given last month). But more of this anon.

The ambushers having been briefed and their orders written, the column approached. The brief for the latter was: —
"You are the escort force bringing Princess Zenobii and her valuable dowry to your capital where she will marry the
Emperor Osbosis. You have only to pass the bridge, to be in safe territory. Your order of march is as given in
Diagram 2 last month. Your troops are as follows:

Unit Strength
1 Light javelin cavalry 15
2 Infantry Negri(medium) 20
3 Red guard infantry(medium) 20
4 Light archers 15
5 Princess Zenobii's cataphracts 8
6 Heavy cavalry 10

Princess Zenobii travels in a litter followed by an ox cart bearing the dowry".

This select guard force and escort was commanded by the Emperor's cousin. He in his turn was helped or hindered
(depending on your point of view) by his captains Andred Vertegree (Andrew Green) and Haverage Dice (Martin
Dice).

The game commenced very much as planned with the convoy, preceded by the light cavalry, making its entry onto
the apparently barren table. The Princess gazed with mild interest at the bridge to the east and at the broken hilly
ground rising ominously to the north. All appeared to be going well and the Emperor's cousin and his captains waffled
away in their normal manner (eating large quantities of crisps) as they unknowingly approached the killing zone for
the ambush. A movement from the slingers (B) in the broken ground at 8 caused the heavy cavalry rear guard to give
the alarm a period before the ambush was sprung. (If you remember from last month, the penalty for using such
attractively suitable areas of broken ground was that a die throw would determine whether the unit in such cover
would be seen prematurely and thus jeopardize the outcome of the ambush.)

The slingers overcame their initial blunder by inflicting such heavy casualties on the heavy cavalry that they halted for
two periods in uncertainty and confusion. At the same time the light cavalry advance guard scouting ahead, rounded
the re-entrant and saw the enemy light medium javelins, C, at (4). In the next period, nine, the ambush was
effectively sprung and the light medium infantry moved down the reentrant to meet the threat. The column took
immediate counter measures, the infantry Negri forming a screen between the wagons, litter and the broken ground
(7) obviously expecting the enemy to appear' from this direction. The ambushers had, however, been less obvious
and instead archers appeared further north from the wood at point (2). Meanwhile, the slingers from area (8) charged
the convoy archers (4), who were now screening the rear. The archers evaded and the unfortunate slingers found
themselves rushed headlong into the stationary heavy cavalry. The totally predictable result of this action was the
rout of the slingers with severe losses.

Having spotted the enemy light medium infantry, the light cavalry advance guard moved on to cover the road junction
north of the bridge before spurring on to the east to check the far reentrant (5). While the Infantry Negri continued to
cover the flank of the litter and wagon, the ambush forces' light horse moved from the wood (I) to overlook the tail of
the convoy. With the light cavalry advance guard clearing the road to the east the light medium javelins (C) were able
to interpose themselves
between the former cavalry
and the main body of the
convoy. The unit then split
into halves, one element
continuing to the bridge,
and the other heading
boldly towards the front of
the main convoy (see map
1, period eleven).

Map 2 Period 14. At the rear,

the slingers' attack is routed
followed by the light cavalry
who are also beaten off. At the
front, half the light medium
javelins move to hold the
bridge while the other half
attacks the Infantry Negri in
front of the litter. They are
however about to be taken in
the rear by the convoy light
cavalry.

With the slingers routed by

the rear of the convoy, the
fight cavalry D took up the
assault charging the enemy heavy cavalry and cutting down archers from the convoy in the act of evading. The
disruption to the convoy had already slowed it as the half unit of light medium javelins charged the Infantry Negri at
the front of the convoy. As the other half of the unit looked on rejoicing from the bridge they saw the Negri regiment
falter and break. The assault on the convoy now reached its height. If things fared well for the ambushers at the front
of the convoy it was not so at the rear. The light cavalry of the attacking force were no match for their heavy
opponents and they, like the slingers were put to rout (see map 2, period fourteen).

After its success against the Infantry Negri, the half unit of light medium javelins followed up and, to the alarm-of all,
came-abreast of the Princess and her litter. This brought them into contact with the red infantry coming up fast along
the north side of the convoy. The unfortunate light medium javelins not only met this fresh force head on but were at
the same time struck in the rear by the convoy's light cavalry which had raced back from its advance guard position.
Seeing the peril of its parent unit the other half of the javelins rushed off the bridge in a brave attempt to contact or
interpose between the light cavalry and the remainder of the unit. Regrettably, this manoeuvre failed, serving only to
displace these troops from their position and exhaust the soldiers.

The combat now milled about the convoy in a less than organised manner. Meanwhile, the slingers and light cavalry
from the ambush forces, having lost heavily and being beyond rallying, crept back into the hills. The archers (2)
initially having been well back from the main road had made slow progress but at last were in range of the convoy
and were able to fire into the confused mass of men below.

With the sub unit of light medium javelins being gradually overcome and the Princess secure if somewhat shaken,
only the other half of the light medium infantry remained blocking the bridge. Through the swirling dust and flashing
arms an imposing sight now emerged. Moving steadily to the front of the convoy and approaching the insolent
bandits on the bridge came the Princess's body guard. These magnificent specimens of super-heavy cavalry,
gleaming in silver and mail, bedecked with bright plumes and wearing coloured silks beneath their armour, were the
pride and joy of Kali. As they approached the conflict at the head of the column the remnants of the light medium
javelins subunit broke under the pressure of red infantry in front and light cavalry in the rear. They had, however,
punished the red infantry considerably and the Negri regiment were still routing back past the convoy. The ambush
archers now belatedly opened fire but were effectively countered by the convoy's own archers. (Map 3, period
nineteen).

It is a great credit to the medium javelins or the bridge that they stood the first impact of the Princess's body guard.
Their glory was short lived. The massive cataphracts seemed impervious to the puny weapons on the enemy and
they brushed them aside into the river or trampled those who stood underfoot. With the passage clear, the Princess,
dowry and battered escort crossed the bridge to safety. It would be improper to say their haste was unseemly but
there can be no doubt that it had been a close run thing and that Princess Zenobii would long remember her arrival in
her new kingdom. The hill tribes dispersed back into the mountains having lost their prey though not without a fierce
struggle.

Conclusion
"Ambush" is an extremely interesting and realistic scenario with considerable scope. In the future I have it in mind to
refight the battle in the Peninsular War period using French regular troops and Spanish guerrillas. As regards this
particular action, I think the ambushers allowed themselves to be committed piecemeal and could have been bolder
in their choice of cover and plan. Despite this, it proved to be a "close encounter of the worst kind" providing plenty of
action and being of uncertain result until the last moment.

Map 3 period 19 The light

medium javelins, C1, having
been routed or destroyed by
the red infantry and light
cavalry. The remainder (C2)
are being driven off the
bridge by the bodyguard
cataphracts. The Princess
and wagon are free to move
south to safety.