The (Unofficial) Great Battles of History

C3i

After Action Reports

From: Charles Szigetvari
Date: 28 Jun 1999

I'm currently playing (PBEM) the Cunaxa scenario from C3i #9. This is really a fun and interesting scenario. We are entering the 4th game turn and nothing is sure. Both players have opportunities to attack and defend and the general low quality of the units involved prevents foolproof strategies.

I'm playing Cyrus. Artaxerxes opened the game with a furious chariot charge which passed through the Greek mercenary hoplites with moderate harm. I reacted by frantically trying to refuse my left flank before overwhelming numbers (or so it seemed) and Arta surged forward to attack the junction between my two lines. He succeeded very well, routing some skirmishers and advancing deep into my rear area. A little too deep because a successful trump allowed me to seal the gap and annihilate the trapped light infantry.

Suddenly there was a lull in the fight as everybody started licking his wounds. Arta probably changed his mind about piecemal unsupported attacks and is now busy building strength in front of my refused flank. At the same time I pushed the hoplites forward, quickly routing his whole left flank (looked like Iraki forces in Gulf War). Still I can't fully exploit this because he has dangerous cavalry around and I need to keep the line. It seems now that the race is on to see if I can collapse his center before he overuns my left flank, though neither job seems easy.

All in all, one of the best scenarios of C3i.

Charles