Brigadier Colonel Yan Strasser looked south across the pale green fields. His horse pawed nervously at the ground, while his aides de-camp remained quiet though they were, to a gentleman, just as anxious. The view was partially obscured by the pikes of the infantry unit directly to his front, but Strasser was only too aware of the impending threat. His small army was outnumbered and more's the worry, they were outclassed. The Huguenot host arrayed not 1,000 paces distant consisted not only of Knights and a strong detachment of Reiters, but the feared Landsknechts as well.

The sudden advance of the French left shook the Brigadier from these contemplations. His horse snorted and shook its head as the artillery crews to the right and left primed their pieces. Strasser adjusted his helmet and though a veteran of several engagements, checked and rechecked the seating of his sword and pistol. Then, as was also his practice, he muttered a brief prayer.

INTRODUCTION

This report details the third in a series of battles I have fought using the ARMATI system. Having enjoyed my experience with Ancients and the Medieval Period, I decided to venture into the Renaissance Period. As with the previous efforts, simplicity was the key. Armies were of the Epic Scale, and the representation was again, cardboard counters marked with basic identifying information.

I have been thinking however, how nice figures would look under this system. This is especially appealing if one looks at the tray sizes. For example, in the ARMATI system, Heavy Infantry is mounted four figures to a stand measuring 40mm x 15mm. Under the Epic Scale, a Heavy Infantry Unit would total six such stands. The whole unit, deployed in three ranks, measures 80mm x 45mm. As combat in ARMATI is by Battle Points (BPs), it seems to me that it would be easier to deploy a single stand and then mark its strength by some type of colored marker, pin, or disc that would not disrupt the terrain too much. If 15mm figures are used, this total base size would allow for the development of dioramas which would only increase the aesthetic quality of the miniature army. Perhaps this idea is better treated in a separate article. My apologies for the digression.

DEPLOYMENT

Terrain on the 64" x 40" table top was simple and favored the Dutch. On his roll, Strasser earned a gentle hill which he placed in the right-center of his deployment area. The French commander received, a steep hill in addition to a gentle hill. The gentle hill was also placed in the right-center of his deployment area, but more right than center, actually. The steep hill was placed on the far left flank, so as not to interfere with army deployment. He did not want anything to upset his plans to launch a general attack against the Dutch. Strasser recognized this - veteran of several other engagements against the French - and deployed his force with defense foremost in mind.

He took up position on the small hillock with a unit of foot (Pike and Muskets - E) This regiment was flanked by batteries of medium artillery (F) - the Dutch allowed two in their order of battle. To the right of this hill, and securing the right flank of the army, Strasser put two more regiments of foot (Pike and Muskets - E). In the center, to the left of his position on the hill, the Brigadier stationed a strong line of pike and arquebus-armed infantry (D). Supporting this line of foot, was a combined mounted division of heavy cavalry (Lancers and Reiters - A, B). Another unit of Reiters (B) and two units of arquebus-armed light cavalry (C), comprised the left flank of the Dutch deployment.

The French commander adopted a more traditional plan of battle with cavalry on the wings and infantry in the center. Starting on the right then, he deployed his light cavalry to face their Dutch counterparts (3). To the left of these horsemen, he placed a medium artillery battery (7) and two regiments of musket-armed foot (6) on the gentle hill. The infantry line extended down into the center-rear of the French position. The commander was much upset to learn that he had placed his light artillery out of range of the enemy. (Under the ARMATI Rules, in Renaissance Periods, once artillery is deployed it cannot be moved.) The French commander attached to his one unit of knights (Gentry - 1), waited to the left of this infantry formation. To the front, were deployed the fearsome Landsknechts (4). These troops stood silently, looking across the field toward the waiting Dutch. (So colorful were the uniforms that one ranker in the front of the Dutch line remarked that they looked like they were at festival. His companion crossed himself and stated that they looked more like minions from Hell, and fought as such.) A battery of medium artillery (8) was posted at the left end of this infantry line.

The French plan was simple enough: the Reiters would ride over the Dutch right while the Landsknechts smashed the center. The Gentry would exploit and advantage. If things were difficult, the infantry could be brought in to the fight. The light cavalry were to demonstrate and occupy the Dutch on that flank.

BATTLE

The French commander put the above plan into action immediately, as he won the roll for initiative on the first turn. The Reiters moved off quickly, passing the Landsknechts who were also advancing toward the waiting Dutch. The Gentry, with attached General, moved forward as well. Over on the right, the light cavalry surged forward, intent on distracting/harassing the Dutch left. The only firing this turn was from the French medium battery, which directed fire against the regiment of foot on the hill. This fire had no effect. Impetus stayed with the French as the initiative roll was won again for Turn 2. Before any unit could move, the Dutch artillery belched out their fire. Having moved within range, both the Reiters and Landsknechts took hits. Now the Dutch could not fire until Turn 4. (Under the ARMATI Rules, artillery batteries car only fire once every other turn in Renaissance garnets.) These units had also moved within musket range of the Dutch foot on the hill. The first volley told, and more horses and riders collapsed. The arquebus-armed infantry facing the mercenaries also loosed a telling fire. Undaunted, the Reiters and Landsknechts continued to advance. The Dutch light horse moved forward to meet the challenge of the French lights. No contact was made, however each side seemed content to eye the other from a relatively safe distance. The hutch Reiters (single unit - B) moved up to assist their lighter comrades.

This one-sided firefight continued into the third turn, though the French retained the initiative. The French artillery did finally score one BP against the regiment placed on the small hill. But again, muskets and arquebus had an impact against the compact French formations. Both divisions of Reiters and Landsknechts now had a total of three BPs. Movement for the turn brought contact (at last) between the French horse (2) and the Dutch foot regiments (E). Due to their weakened state, the charge and pistol fire was relatively ineffective. The heavy cavalry lost another two BPs in the ensuing melee. In the center, the Dutch decided that the best defense was a good offense, and so commenced to march forward to meet the depleted ranks of Landsknechts. The light cavalry divisions of both forces (3, C) spent this turn engaged in long-range skirmishing. The French fire was ineffective here too; the Dutch did manage to score one BP however.

On Turn 4, the reloaded Dutch artillery had no targets. The melee continued to their right-front, while the Landsknechts came to grips with the foot regiments facing them. The Dutch delivered a volley that took another BP from the center unit, but did little to stem the steady advance of these angered troops. The melee between these divisions revealed as much, as the Dutch took a beating, losing a BP from each unit involved. The situation remained basically unchanged on the light cavalry flanks of each force. Both sides were moving up additional units however. The French commander had maneuvered his knights (1) to the right of the Landsknechts, in preparation for an attack against the Dutch Reiter unit (B). The small division of musket-armed infantry (6) was also moving forward. While the Dutch cavalry had moved into range of the battery on the hill (7), the shot fell short of the mark.

Turn 5 witnessed the beginning of the end for the French cause, as the initiative roll, and most melee rolls, went to the Dutch. The single Reiter unit (B) charged the French knights (1), throwing them into disorder with pistol fire and following up with a spirited attack with sword. The knights took two BPs from this charge and the Dutch player was fortunate enough to roll a second '6', thereby killing the French commander. ( Under the ARMATI Rules, Reiter-class cavalry may discharge pistols immediately before their first melee is fought. Any result of this fire is separate from what may happen in the normal round of melee. Additionally, if a General is attached to a unit that takes a BP in melee, the scoring player gets another die roll. On a roll of '6', the General becomes a casualty. In this system, the General is considered a Key Unit for victory purposes. ) He would be the first of three key units lost by the French on this turn. The contest in the center continued unabated, this time the Dutch gave as good as they got. Both divisions received two BPs in the melee. This left the Landsknechts in a predicament: one unit could take another hit and then was broken, the other two were at half strength. The Dutch were bloodied but holding.

Yan Strasser won the initiative again on Turn 6. There was no movement by either side, as both commanders elected to wait and see how things would go with the melee phase of this turn. In terms of artillery fire, the Dutch concentrated on the French medium battery. The effect of this fire was negligible, however. As he had won control of the direction of melee, Yan Strasser started on his right. Here, the steady Dutch foot (E) faced the remnants of the French Reiter cavalry (2). In desperation, the last few squadrons threw themselves against the wall of pikes, dying in the process. The Dutch did not lose a BP in this turn of the contest, but did need some time to reorder their ranks. The loss of Army BP now stood at 4 for the French and O for the Dutch. (According to the Army List in the ARMATI Book, the French Huguenots have an Army BP value of 5.) This total was reached in short order, as the melee in the center was decided in favor of the Dutch infantry. The Landsknechts unit that was so depleted, broke under the pressure of the Dutch resolve.

CONCLUSION Of the three ARMATI games played, this engagement was the most one-sided. The French, initially thought to be invincible, were victims of superior dice rolling by Yan Strasser. To be sure, one must also compliment Strasser for his dispositions. He was aware of the French might, in both infantry and cavalry, and set his own small force to counter these advantages. (This is perhaps one of the most attractive and educational aspects of the rules as deployment forces one to think like the enemy and evaluate the scenario from his point of view.) Though the impact of terrain is usually minimal in ARMATI games, Strasser again, used what he had to the utmost.

The French commander learned the hard lesson that cavalry cannot frontally attack unshaken infantry. The Reiters were wasted in the effort against the Dutch right. Upon review, it seems that the French general would have been better able to carry out his plan of battle had an unorthodox deployment been considered. While artillery fire is restricted under this rules system, it was a poor error to place one battery out of range of the enemy at the beginning of the action. It is an additional error with this support arm, to fire upon units that are not subject to eventual attack by friendly foot or horse. The cavalry deployment has already been discussed. Perhaps the Dutch would have suffered more - if not total defeat - had the French right and center been weighted with cavalry. Both divisions, Reiters and Landsknechts, were hurt by the fire from the Dutch batteries. This obvious strong point of the Dutch position should have been screened, pinned, or even ignored. Finally, the French could have used their terrain pieces to an advantage. Not only will terrain channel the advance of an attacking force, it will also block or hinder the counter-attack or line-of-sight of the defender. Properly placed, the two hills could have isolated the Dutch center or left. But then, this was just one problem faced by the French on this fateful afternoon. Yan Strasser believed he had a date with destiny during the opening phases of the engagement. As events revealed, it was the French (especially the general) who met with destiny . . . and it was anything but a "Dutch Treat".