The Baton Rouge Chapter of the Society of Ancients recently held its Fourth Annual Ancient Wargame Tournament. Photo at right: (L to R) Umpire Joel Penton, Han Chinese player and winner Jim Carlisle, and Ghaz-Navid player Lee Miller. This was the third such Tourney to be held in memory of a local "ancient", Norbert Gisclair. The Tourney consisted of 1,000 point armies in a sudden death, single elimination, series of play using the WRG 5th edition. Prizes were awarded in a painting competition as well as for prowess on the battlefield. The Tourney winner received a 75mm painted figure of Hector and his son. The second place prize was a painted 54mm Roman Centurion, while the runners-up were awarded painted foot knights. NORBERT GISCLAIR Norbert was a French Louisianan, born and raised in the marshy Acadian region of south Louisiana. The language in his home was French and he learned to speak English as a youth. He was a product of the "Cajun" culture, which in many respects is a lingering glow of 18th century France. Seeking advanced educational and business opportunity, Norbert moved to "English" Louisiana where he made a great mark on the local wargame community. He was a formidable gamer in all fields of the hobby. His first love was ancient miniatures and his Caesarian Romans were the terror of a three state area. He so admired Ceasar that he studied latin to able to read him in the original. It was typical of Norbert that he was able to go to college full time while owning his own construction firm. During this period of his life he recorded songs in both English and French at Nashville, as well as built dioramas and undertook an exhausting schedule of wargame activitv. Norbert stories are legion, but the one I like best is an incident when he visited Paris, France. After checking into his hotel he immediately departed for "Les Invalides". Outside this landmark he met an elderly American couple who told him that the famous attraction was closed. Norbert, in the best Gallic manner, loftily informed the night watchman that he was a Canadian Army Officer. He had brought his grandparents from Quebec so that they might view the memorabilia of history's greatest Frenchman before they died. The watchman not only let the three of them in, but gave them a guided tour. In the prime of his life Norbert was struck down by a drunken driver. He was survived by a wife and two children. THE TOURNAMENT Ancient armies used in the Tourney ran from Later Babylonians to Mongol. The usual mix of pike, spear, pile and bow armies were present. The four semi-finalists were: All four of these armies were organized per Milgamex's "TACTICAL ANCIENT ARMIES". Order of Battle for the Finals Chinese General in 4 horse hvy chariot, w/ driver, crewman w/crossbow & general w/javs A,C: MI, Reg C, LTS/shield 23 figs each. B: LC, Reg C, Kontos, 6 figs D: LI, Irg C, bow, 23 figs. E,I: HI, Reg C, 2 handed weapon/ shield 17 figs each. F: Lt Char, Reg C driver L crewman w/crossbow & pike. G,J: HC, Reg C, kontos, 6 figs each H: HI, RegC, pike/shield, 18 figs Ghaznavid 1: Ind. Eleph, Irg. C, Driver & 2 Jav. crew. 2,9: HC, Irg. C, Bow/lance/Lt. spear/shield, 8 figs each. 3,6,10: LC, Irg C, bow/lance/lt. spear/shield 5 figs each. 4: LI, Irg C, bow, 31 figs. 5: EHC General W/Bodyyuard of 9 EHC Irg B, w/bow lance/ lt spear/shield. 7: EHC, Irg C, bow/lance/lt spear/shield, 9 figs. 11: LC, Irg C, bow, 8 figs. The Ghaznavid commander had a comfortable missile and mobility superiority. He reasoned that the Chinese would be unable to withstand a missile exchange, and therefore they must advance. The advance by the Chinese would enable the Ghaznavids to envelop the enemy left flank. This, coupled with the restricted terrain in the center of the battlefield would isolate the enemy left and allow the Ghaznavids to attack the exposed flank from three directions. Ghaznavid action instructions ordered the cavalry to skirmish for six turns, shifting into the attack mode on turn #7, when the Ghaznavid estimated that the time would be ripe. The Chinese commander realized his dilemma. Remaining stationary would result in a certain loss, while advancing was dangerous. The Han decided to give his infantry action instructions to hold, shifting to the attack upon signal. As the game progressed, the Chinese anchored their left flank on the table edge and the wood. The right flank cautiously cleared the defile between the wood and the sand. The Ghaznavid skirmished and inflicted a clear 10% loss on the Chinese. The Ghaznavid's anticipation of a vigorous Chinese advance being thwarted, on turn #6 he positioned his cavalry for a general attack. The Han facing (he thought) sure defeat gave the "army advance and attack" signal on turn #6. Turn #7 saw a series of charges and countercharges on the Chinese left. The Ghaznavid was soundly thrashed in the resulting melees. When time was called the Ghaznavid right flank was buckling giving the victory to the Han. Turn Six Map: Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. 2 #4 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1981 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com