Battle of Okehazama Fort Marune - 1560 - BatRep

Game 2 in the DEC 23 Samurai Battles' replays, Imagawa against Oda.  Imagawa's first objective on the approach march to Kyoto was a series of forts controlled by Oda.  After a failed attack on the fort, Imagawa withdrew from battle.  The Oda garrison followed up on the withdrawing attackers which led the garrison into a trap.  That's the setup.  Now for the game.  First player to five banners wins.

The battle begins with Imagawa (predominately red) forces holding strong wing positions with a weaker center.  Oda forces hold a more central position.

Initial deployment

Imagawa right wing

Imagawa battleline

Imagawa leads with the mounted Samurai in an attempt to make a pre-emptive strike against Oda foot Samurai on the left.  Oda Samurai are destroyed but Imagawa cavalry suffer heavy damage in the exchange.  Oda cavalry commit to supporting the Oda right.

Samurai strike

Oda Samurai destroyed

In turn, the damaged Imagawa cavalry are destroyed by Oda Samurai and Imagawa Ashigaru spear on the Imagawa left are damaged through missile fire.  On the Oda left, attacks against the hills are thwarted.  Oda foot take heavy casualties and are repulsed by both missile fire and hand-to-hand clashes.

Imagawa cavalry destroyed

The first repulse on the Oda left fails to dampen the commander's ardor.  Into battle the line advances for a second time.  In the clash, an Oda foot unit is destroyed.  

Oda foot advance into the hornet's nest

Heavy fighting

Battle for the Oda left

While the battle rages in the valley below, Imagawa forces on the heights watch the action from relative safety. 

Imagawa force on the heights

Oda forces gain ground in the center but not without sustaining heavy casualties.  The damage to the Oda line is too much.  Imagawa counterattacks!  First the damaged cavalry capitulate and then a damaged unit of foot is destroyed.  Launching one more assault against Oda foot results in the yellow Ashigaru being destroyed.

Oda army breaks and Imagawa is victorious!  Banner count 5-3.

Oda gain ground

Imagawa Victorious!