A prolonged struggle due in no small part to my Annual Spring Cleanup.  It’s a once-a-year ritual here at the Pinecone Lodge.  Yes…..pine cones, pine needles along with pine tree limbs large and small, all on-the-curb by May 1.

It was another (in what is becoming a) typical Irregular Wars battle.  The opening stages are orderly, with matters deteriorating into a series of isolated fights brought on by units wavering, scattering and moving beyond their command radius.

The photos illustrate the progression.  In fairness, the terrain on the Ottoman right (Viewer Right) does not lend itself to  neat and tidy contact.

Here we have opening contact on the Ottoman left, with impending contact on the right.

The Ottomans are positioning their reserves for support to  their left.  Because of the risk of losing resolve due to contact from wavering or scattering units in melee, this positioning has to leave lanes open and 2-inch distances from any units in melee.  Their Lord, in the Sipahi unit with blue flag, tries to stay in the center-rear to maintain command.  His Abyssinian counterpart is positioned on the crest of Temple Hill.

The Ottomans prevail on the left, withstanding a counter-attack by the Abyssinian light horse and lancers (with Lord).  The Abyssinians on the right have driven off the Ottoman Azabs, but do not advance, anticipating providing some support to their beleaguered right, which is unhinged due to units wavering, then scattering due to the Ottoman shot.  Again, this scattering causes a loss of resolve to any unit within 2-Units of movement.  This eliminates any nearby wavering unit and the chain reaction I’ve emphasized in past posts.

The Ottoman Akinjis (light cavalry) and Janissaries have now cleared the threat on their right, and the Abyssinian counter-attack has stalled.

Game Over.

Another fun contest, featuring a set of rules that certainly keeps things interesting.