Scenario 6/Dark Age

 

Uhtred is leading the English Saxon army against Guthrum the Unlucky.  Both sides have five units. Guthrum has two warbands, one infantry, one skirmisher, and one cavalry.  Uhtred has two warbands, two skirmisher units and one cavalry.  Guthrum seeks to travel from south to north and exit the field on the north side.  Uhtred intends to flank Guthrum's army at the opportune time.  Timing is important.

Picture 1.  Initial Positions.

Uhtred had positioned two warbands at the north edge of the field, blocking the road.  As the Danes move northward, the Saxons launch their flank attacks.   The two Saxon skirmish units are trying to get close enough to throw javelins but not so close that the Danes can rush them.

Picture 2.  The Saxon cavalry hit a Danish warband in the rear but the Danish cavalry then flanked them.

The Danish infantry and one warband reached the roadblock at the north end of the field and all units formed shield walls.  Somehow two skirmish units found themselves in a hand-to-hand battle.  I assumed that they formed clumsy shield walls. The other Saxon skirmish unit is unable to help any of its fellows because they cannot throw javelins into a melee (picture 3).  The Saxons seem to be squandering their surprise attack.

Picture 3.  The flanking maneuvers are going badly.

However, it turned out well for the Saxons.  As expected, the Saxon cavalry was scattered, allowing the Danes to go after the Saxon skirmishers. The first Saxon skirmisher unit finished off its opponent but had taken several hits in the process.  The Danes quickly destroyed one skirmish unit.  However, the Danish warband on the north was scattered and the Saxon warband then flanked the Danish infantry unit.  Assaulted from two sides, it collapsed.  The Saxon warbands rushed toward Danes, arriving too late to save the last skirmisher unit but soon enough to destroy the warband.  The Danes only had one unit left, the cavalry.  They raced for the northern edge of the field and escaped (picture 4).  

Picture 4.  The Danish cavalry escape.

None of this unfolded as expected.  However, the Saxons won.  The Danes needed to exit three units to be declared winners. Guthrum the Unlucky was lucky at first but his luck ran out in the end.