Saturday, January 11, 2025

Agnadello, The Rematch!

Reject Richard joined me on Monday for a rematch of our recent Agnadello battle (Richard's Battle Account and Jon's Battle Account).  In that contest, my French Army won a major victor against Richard's Venetian Army.  In post-battle discussion, we suggested that a rematch was in order.  We decided to swap sides and refight the battle looking from the other side of the table.  Now, Richard has already posted a superb account of our rematch (see Agnadello Rematch).  Really, if you have not already read Richard's account, pop over to his blog and read the battle through his eyewitness account and keyboard.  Great stuff!  While the game only lasted about two hours and ticked off only four turns, those four turns were packed with action from the opening salvo. 
Armies deployed and ready for battle.
Having re-read the historical battle accounts and watched on as Mark and then Richard commanded the Venetian Left Wing, I waffled over whether sending Carpi over the ditch on Turn 1 to confront Chamont was the prudent move.  After careful consideration, rather than standing behind the ditch and being shot to pieces by all of the missile fire from the French, the best strategy was to wade the ditch and bring the enemy to battle.  For the French on a time schedule, I figured King Louis would begin the battle on the attack.

On to battle!
Carpi waits behind the ditch
with Alviano in the background.
Venetian pike blocks at the ready.
The French Army prepares to advance.
As both armies are set into motion, Alviano sends his skirmishers across the ditch to take up positions in the vineyards.  Hopefully these skirmishers will slow the delivery of the King's blow against the Venetian Right.  Chamont, on the French Right, steps off toward Carpi's Venetians positioned beyond the ditch.  Taking missile fire from Gascon crossbowmen, Carpi sends his two pike blocks into the ditch in an effort to drive back the French.  As the leftmost pike block negotiates the ditch, the body of crossbowmen continues sending volleys into the Venetians.  Coming up out of the ditch, the pikemen attack into the vineyard to dislodge the enemy.   
Skirmishers occupy the vineyard as the King advances.
Venetian pike into the ditch!
Reminded of Richard's previous game success with his Stradiot attack against the French guns in the center, I opt for the same tactic.  Rather than seeing French guns overrun and crews cut down, Richard's French guns drop some horsemen and disorder the Stradiots before they can fully launch the attack.  I find no success in this attack and the Venetian Stradiots are driven off with great loss.  Sigh.
Stradiots repulsed!
With Carpi’s Provisionati Square coming up and out of the ditch and into the enemy positioned in the vineyard , the Venetians successfully eject the Gascons from the vineyard sending them to the rear in disorder.  Plowing ahead, the Italians run into a Swiss pike block and a body of supporting crossbow.  As the Venetians close, the crossbowmen manage to get off an ineffective shot before the two pike blocks clash.  Fighting through the Swiss dopplesoldners, the pikemen push forward as the dopplesoldners fall to the rear of the formation.  Despite putting up stiff resistance, the Swiss are pushed back toward the main road.  The now isolated Gascons retreat in sympathy.  The victorious Italians fail to pursue.     
Gascons fall back in front of Venetians...
as the Venetians contact the Swiss. 
Swiss fall back!
Perhaps a little embarrassed by being pushed back by the Italians, the Swiss regroup and then charge into the vineyard.  The Venetians are ejected and tumble back down into the ditch.  The Swiss pursue.  In an extended push of pike between the Swiss and Venetians, the Venetians are forced back once again.  Casualties are heavy with the Swiss losing about two-thirds of their strength.
The Swiss counterattack...
driving the Italians back into the ditch.
Carpi's Cernite Square, on the right, steps into the action by attacking out of a vineyard and into more Gascon crossbow.  While suffering light casualties as they close, the Italians send the Gascons scurrying for the rear.  The Italians do not let up.  In pursuit, many of the Gascons are scattered.  Not much of Chamont's command remains on the field.
Gascons under attack!
Pursuit and annihilation.
Chamont's command is tattered.
Seeing that Alviano is moving his pike blocks up to reinforce Carpi's success on the Left and sensing the battle is slipping away, the King counters by setting his French and Swiss pike blocks into motion.  Leading the advance, mounted crossbowmen clear the vineyards of enemy skirmishers.
Light cavalry move up to challenge enemy skirmishers...
and succeed!
King Louis is not the only commander sensing opportunity.  With thoughts of halting the King's advance, Alviano attacks!  First his Stradiots drive off enemy light cavalry as Alviano and his MAA emerge from the cover of the woods.  Alviano charges the nearest enemy light cavalry and they disappear under the Venetians' hooves.  Facing a French pike block, Alviano pulls up and does not pursue.  
Enemy crossbow are driven back as Alviano charges.
A second body of enemy mounted crossbow are dispatched...
but no pursuit.
While cavalry clashes are swirling on the French Left, Chamont, on the French Right, attacks in an effort to salvage the situation he faces.  Leading his Gendarmes forward, Chamont crashes into Carpi and his MAA.  The initial impact sends Carpi backwards.  Chamont pursues.  Catching the Italian MAA as they retire, Carpi turns around to face his opponent.  In a melee that seems to last forever, Chamont finally drives Carpi and his MAA off.  The Italian heavy horsemen are no match for French Gendarmes.  Watching as Chamont drives off enemy MAA, what is left of the Swiss pike block advances back into the ditch.  There it strikes the enemy pike block and drives the Italians back away from the ditch.
Chamont vs Carpi!
Carpi retreats but is able to regroup to face Chamont.
A lengthy melee, that is one for the record books,
 ends in victory for Chamont.
Swiss in action...
successfully drive back the enemy!
Returning to the French Left, seeing that Alviano hesitates, the King orders the pikemen forward.  In a quick clash, the French are repulsed, no worse the wear for their effort.  As the enemy retires, Alviano seizes this opportunity to pursue. Rather than targeting the pike block, Alviano is after the King!  Skirting the French pike block, Alviano's pursuit is stopped by the King and his Gendarmes.  Alviano's MAA are no match for the King's Gendarmes.  Alviano recoils with the King in hot pursuit.  Alviano cannot make good his escape.  He and his MAA are caught from behind.  His MAA are cut down.  Alviano barely escapes and seeks safe harbor with the nearby Stradiots.  The King wheels and strikes the Stradiots from the side.  Alviano's light cavalry are scattered and Alviano falls dead on the field!   
French pike attack...
but are repulsed.
Alviano pursues into the King's Gendarmes,...
his MAA are cut down...
and Alviano falls in battle!
What looked like the possibility for a Venetian triumph early on, the battle has turned.  Jumping back over to the French Right, Chamont continues his pursuit of Carpi.  This time, the wavering Italian horsemen are defeated but Carpi escapes to seek refuse within the Italian pike block.  The Swiss are not yet finished either.  Again, they attack the Italians.  Again, the Italians retire.  With both flanks turned and Alviano dead on the field, Carpi orders a general withdrawal to save what is left of this army. 
Chamont attacks!
Swiss attack!
Battle is over...
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, this refight of Agnadello saw non-stop action from the opening exchanges.  While lasting about two hours, the fighting and drama were ever present and the turns whizzed by.
Butcher's Bill
Congratulations to Richard for a very well-earned victory.  I thought the Venetians had a chance when Carpi drove straight into the French Right and scattered much of that wing.  That sense of victory was fleeting, however.  Richard came roaring back to secure a decisive victory.  Those darn Swiss and French Gendarmes are tough opponents to stop.  I certainly could not stop them on this day.

Outstanding fight!  Thank you, Richard!  Very good fun and the Venetians could have been contenders.  Almost.  Perhaps on another day. 

46 comments:

  1. Fantastic report Jonathan. You really had me worried when you ripped through Chamont's command. I thought that you were going to the laurels.
    This was a brilliant game. It just fizzed for the full two hours. A really memorable game. This may actually end up being my favourite game of 2025!
    Well played Jonathan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Richard! Although the year is young, this game could be a contender for favorite game of the year, no doubt. Great fun! Until Alviano and my two MAA fell, the battle was still in the balance.

      Delete
  2. Fantastic report, that seemed a very fast paced game. A stirling effort taking the fight to the French. It's a bit of a conundrum on how to win with the Venetians.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Neil! The game saw non-stop action from the get-go. Winning maybe a tough ask for the Venetians but I thought I had a chance!

      Delete
  3. More excellent Italian Wars, you now do more than me Jon, although I will finish another pike block this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, George! Verginella’s scenario book has provided great inspiration to get this collection to the table.

      Delete
  4. Another excellent refight Jon and Richard! We still have not seen a fully defensive Italian strategy, although I suspect there may be no way for the Italians to prevail in this particular scenario...?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a great fight, indeed! Without going on the attack, I reckon Carpi gets shot to pieces. Now, what if Carpi falls back to join Alviano on the hill?

      Delete
    2. Given the way for the Italians to win is to delay the game ending as long as possible, leaving a "speed bump" force at the first ditch but withdrawing the bulk of Carpis force might delay the French sufficiently.... ?

      Delete
  5. Another splendid Great Italian Wars game, I realised I'd played this as the Venetian commander using pike and shot and got pretty much the same result, Italian MAA bouncing off gendarmes and Swiss kiel steamrolling everything in its path! I don't think you've got much chance with the Venetians so I think you did as well as possible!
    Best Iain caveadsum1471

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Iain! Since Alviano was absolutely crushed historically, overturning history ought to be difficult. So far, it is proving very difficult. I must search your blog to find your battle account.

      Delete
  6. A real barn burner of a game. Switching sides is a good way to mix things up. I may have to dust off my pike and shot stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a barn-burner, for sure! I really thought the Venetians had a reasonable chance this time. Swapping sides is good way to understand the challenges faced by both commanders.

      Delete
  7. A real knife edge battle!
    Given the poor chance of success the Venetians have had I wonder whether a "what if" bringing in the other column would have on their chances?
    Neil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sure was! The French have Tremoille’s large reinforcements coming on later in the game too so I am not sure if allowing Pitigliano to arrive changes there dynamic much. Might be interesting to try but my armies are not large enough to field Pitigliano’s column!

      Delete
  8. Cracking report and what a refight! I thought the Italians were going to pull off an unlikely win, everything seemed to be going their way but the whole thing changed and the French prevailed. A very interesting twist from the previous battle although the outcome was the same, great stuff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Donnie! I thought the Venetians were going to scrape out a victory too! Close but no cigar...

      Delete
  9. It does seem that the best strategy for the Venetians is to attack rather than sit back ad get shot. It is a difficult assignment for them though. The evenness of the respective dead piles is testament to how the Venetian plan nearly worked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In all of the games, the Venetian Left brought great damage down upon the French Right. There is a real chance that Carpi could destroy the French Right and see the King tottering on the brink of defeat if Alviano could chip in to lend a hand. The Dead Piles were quite even, indeed, in this version of the battle. I think I came close...

      Delete
  10. Another lovely looking Italian Wars game Johnathan!

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome game and report Jonathan. A great start for 2025.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another cracking game there Jon, with a lot of action packed into just a few hours:). Once again so close but so far for the Venetians. At least the dead pile looked more even this time. So much eye candy too of your wonderful units, which I shall return to again to peruse and enjoy at my leisure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This fight was a good one with hot action from the get-go! He Dead Pile did show more balance this time but the Venetian losses of both MAA and Alviano spelled defeat. Come back and review the action any time! Thank you!

      Delete
    2. I've been reviewing the images of the game, with the Pendraken website and Oman to hand, purely for research purposes of course:)! Just helping a friend out he says...

      Delete
    3. Purely for research purposes is a worthy endeavor.

      Delete
  13. I have to conclude that it’s best for the Venetian left flank to attack since better minds than mine have come to the same conclusion - but no one seems to make their initial success stick do they? Be interested to see how this turns out on Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since you were first out of the gate with the Venetian Left Wing strategy, Richard and I were simply following you! It will be interesting to see if the Venetians stick to this strategy on Tuesday. I came close to making the Carpi attack work. So close and yet so far...

      Delete
  14. Amazing AAR Jon! Those figures are just awesome. Love those pike blocks...and for me the outcome is irrelevant because the Italian Wars is such a great period, whenever I play I am just happy to see the armies on display! Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank you, John! Getting this collection out onto the gaming table certainly has been fun.

      Delete
  15. Wow! That was one mighty clash, attack being the best form of defence very nearly paying off again, third time lucky perhaps? Look forward to finding out. A great narrative and accompanying photos too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For the Venetians, attack may, indeed, be the best form of defense. This was a brutal clash, no doubt. One more game on deck for Tuesday. We will see if the same approach is put into motion. Glad you enjoyed the report, Phil. Thanks!

      Delete
  16. It was not to be as the Venetians Jonathan! But it looked like great fun and made for a great looking game as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Oli! The battle was great fun even in defeat.

      Delete
  17. Great Batrep and thanks for the running pics, adds lots to following the fight. Been thinking of doing an Agnadello refight for sometime as this one is often overlooked and is of particular interest to me so this one adds to the impetus. Ta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Hendrid! Perhaps my games can offer a bit of inspiration? One more Agnadello battle on deck for Tuesday.

      Delete
  18. Great report and obviously one helluva game! Very well played by both you and Richard.
    We'll see how our upcoming second attempt at this one goes tonight, looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, David! Yeah, I am looking forward to seeing how today's battle unwinds. Just about time to wander downstairs and set up and test.

      Delete
  19. Great battle report Jonathan, and such a beautiful spectacle. I'm resisting the boxes of unpainted Italian Wars and maintaining my discipline...but only just!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Another excellent game in this series Jonathan. Seizing the initiative and attacking as the best for of defense almost worked. Seems that the Franco-allied army is a tough one to beat with superiority in quality and quantity?
    Happy 2025 to you. Looking forward to the many reports and other posts that you'll delight us with.
    Regards, James

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, James, and Happy New Year to you! I suspect the Venetians need to attack to keep from being shot to bits although in Game #4 (this week’s game), the Venetians played a restrained ploy. That approach almost worked.

      Delete