This was an equal points (800 points) game between historical opponents. Each side had 4 commanders and 13 battle groups.
The Hungarians had 3 battle groups of knights, 4 of light horse archers, 4 of variously armed light foot skirmishers and 2 of heavy foot spearmen.
The Ottomans had 1 battle group of guard cavalry, 4 of Timariots (feudal spahis), 3 of Akinji (light horse archers), 2 of Azabs (light foot archers), 2 of Janissaries (superior foot archers) and 1 of Serbian vassal knights.
Hungarians
C-in-C TC - - - - - - CinC 1
SG TC - - - - - - - 3
1 Hungarian light horse archers LH Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 4 bases
2 Hungarian light horse archers LH Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 4 bases
3 Szeklers LH Superior Undrilled Unprotected Bow Light spear Swordsmen - 4 bases
4 Szeklers LH Superior Undrilled Unprotected Bow Light spear Swordsmen - 4 bases
5 Royal Banderium Kn Superior Drilled Heavily armoured - Lancers Swordsmen - 4 bases
6 Hungarian nobles Kn Superior Undrilled Heavily armoured - Lancers Swordsmen - 4 bases
7 Hungarian nobles Kn Superior Undrilled Heavily armoured - Lancers Swordsmen - 4 bases
8 Clipeati and armati HF Average Drilled Protected - Defensive Spearmen - 6 bases
9 Clipeati and armati HF Average Drilled Protected - Defensive Spearmen - 6 bases
10 Archers LF Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 8 bases
11 Crossbowmen LF Average Drilled Unprotected Crossbow - - - 6 bases
12 Handgunners LF Average Drilled Unprotected Firearm - - - 6 bases
13 Handgunners LF Average Drilled Unprotected Firearm - - - 6 bases
Ottoman Turks
C-in-C TC - - - - - - CinC 1
SG TC - - - - - - - 2
AG TC - - - - - - Ally general 1
1 Serbian nobles Kn Superior Undrilled Heavily armoured - Lancers Swordsmen - 4 bases
2 Qapu Khalki Cv Superior Drilled Armoured Bow - Swordsmen - 4 bases
3 Timariots Cv Average Undrilled Protected Bow - Swordsmen - 4 bases
4 Timariots Cv Average Undrilled Protected Bow - Swordsmen - 4 bases
5 Timariots Cv Average Undrilled Protected Bow - Swordsmen - 4 bases
6 Timariots Cv Average Undrilled Protected Bow - Swordsmen - 4 bases
7 Azabs LF Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 8 bases
8 Azabs LF Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 8 bases
9 Janissaries MF Superior Drilled Protected Bow - Swordsmen - 6 bases
10 Janissaries MF Superior Drilled Protected Bow - Swordsmen - 6 bases
11 Akinjis LH Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 4 bases
12 Akinjis LH Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 4 bases
13 Akinjis LH Average Undrilled Unprotected Bow - - - 4 bases
FF - - - - - - - Fortification 10
Deployment
The Hungarians deployed their foot on their right supported by one battle group of handgunners, their massed knights in the centre, and their light horse and their remaining light foot on their left.
The Ottomans adopted a historical deployment: A central field fortification manned by the Janissaries. (Field fortifications and their defenders can de deployed up to 15 inches [375mm] on to the table in the central third of the table). Timariot cavalry on each flank, with Akinijs and Azabs in advance. Qapu khalki guard cavalry in reserve behind the camp, together with the Serbian knights.
Code: Select all
HUNGARIANS
Foot--------------Knights-------Light Horse and Foot
Akinjis Azabs---------------------Azabs Ajinjis
----------------XXXXXXXXXXX
Timariots------XJanissariesX-----Timariots
-------------------Serbs--------------------
----------------Qapu khalki--------------
OTTOMANSThe Ottomans planned to make maximum use of their fortification, hoping to use it as both a strong point and a “fire platform”. They planned to withdraw in the face of knights, thus drawing them past the bows of the Janissaries. They planned to attack with Timariot cavalry wherever there were no knights.
The Hungarians planned to avoid a frontal assault on the Ottoman fortified centre. They planned to wheel their knights and deliver a hammer blow against the Ottoman left wing. Their heavy foot would advance in support. Their light horse and light foot would attempt to skirmish with the Ottoman right, hopefully having enough firepower to win a shootout.
The Battle
As the Hungarian knights wheeled to attack the Ottoman left, carefully staying out of bow range of the Ottoman fortification, the Ottomans extended their right, moving up Timariots to take on the higher quality but lighter Szeklers. As a further surety of victory on this wing, they moved out the Qapu khalki guard cavalry to assist.
The Ottoman left wing remained stationary, as bait for the Hungarian knights.
On the Ottoman right, the Hungarian light horse and foot began to withdraw from the heavier Ottoman cavalry. On the Ottoman left, the knights charged the Ottoman skirmishers, who evaded safely out of reach. The left wing Timariots turned and began to withdraw behind the fortification.
The Hungarian knights came under archery fire from the Janissaries and were briefly disrupted, but recovered their order under the exhortations of their commanders. The Hungarian heavy foot moved up to assault the fortification and thus draw the Janissaries attention away from their knights.
The foremost battle group of Hungarian knights rode triumphantly into the Ottoman baggage camp and cut down the Sultan’s pavilion. Before they had time to turn, however, they were charged in the flank and routed by the Ottomans' Serbian allies. Meanwhile, the heavy foot attack faltered under a withering fire from the Janissaries, and collapsed when charged in the flank by Timariots. On the Ottoman right the Qapu khalki and Timariots had ridden down some of the Hungarian light horse and foot.
Unwilling to accept further losses, the Hungarian king sounded the retreat and withdrew his remaining forces from the field.
Comment
A historical Ottoman deployment worked well and brought victory to the Sultan.
The game took 2 hours from completion of deployment.