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Some time ago I fought another Teutons testgame with the author of the game, Waldek Gumienny. We made some photos durting the game, so I`ll be able to present you picture based after action report. If you are curious about Teutons game, please follow this thread, I`ll try to post another parts regularly. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.
On the July 15, 1410, one of the largest battles in Medieval Europe begun (more than 50.000 combatants!). Hostile armies mustered their ranks on the opposing banks of the "Great Stream". The stage was set, the actors took their places... the bloody spectacle began.
We look at the battlefield from Teutonic camp perspective.
Teutonic Knights (led by Waldek) deployed their infantry in the camp, and cavalry in defensive position between two willages: Ludwigsdorf and Tannenberg. Grand Marshall, Friedrich von Wallenrode - held left flank, Great Master of Teutonic Order, Ulrich von Jungingen - lead the centre, and Komtur Konrad Lichtenstein - held right flank.
Polish-Lithuanian (Commonwealth) troops emerged from the woods. Lithanian army on the left, supported by Tatar horse archers, lead by Grand Duke Vytautas. In the center stood King of Poland, Władysław Jagiełło. Right flank of Commonwealth army, with main bulk of Polish knights, held Marshall of the Polish Crown - Zbigniew z Brzezia.
Teutonic army was better organized, so it was ready for battle before Commonwealth troops - Waldek get initiative card for the first turn. He had two options. First one was to give the initiative card to me (sending me two naked swords, in a knightly call for battle). If he does so, first turn would be mine, but he would get 3 VPs. He had also second option - start the battle now, with the initiative in the first turn in his hands. As he got nice assault cards in his first card draw, he decided to attack! Great Master's messanger rushed towards Wallenrode's staff with short message: "Marshall, the beginning is yours!"
The trumpets sounded, and the knights moved into charge...
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Waldek used his card as an activation and threw Wallenrode with 5 units of heavy cavalry into charge on the Lithuanian flank.
Combat closeup:
It was a niece move as heavy cavalry fights very well in the open ground against light cavalry and infantry.
Movement phase is followed by the combat phase, where we had two combats to perform. In both of them Waldek used "charge" order card, which gave his knights great hitting power.
First Lithuanian unit was completly destroyed, with no single Teutonic loss. Such unit - which lost its main cube (silver colour, in case of the Lithuanian units) can`t be reorganized. They were so strongly beaten, that they run towards Wilno, shouting that the battle is completly lost. 
Second unit fought better, loosing 2 blue cubes, and hitting German knights once. It withdrew from combat strongly confused, but still under command (silver cube survived), so it was capable for movement, combat and reorganisation. Of course if only I had time and order cards to reorganize it...
So, the opening Teutonic move was quite succesfull, with 2 units beaten Lithuania lost one third of its initial strenght.
First Teutonic move from the bird's eye perspective:
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After combat phase Waldek drew two cards from his deck and gave me the initiative card. Now it was my turn.
I had a dilemma. Waldek is an experienced player, his opening's move intention was to seize the initiative, and make me to play his game. I should move my Lithuanians off the open ground and hide them between woods, as heavy cavalry isn`t so deadly there. But that was just what Waldek was wishing for. And those who hide in the woods, doesn't win chivalry battles, yes?
So I decided to risk my light cavalry and attack with Polish flank - throw into fight my numerous heavy cavalry units. If I succeed, I would force Waldek to dance with my music - under strong pressure he wouldn't have enough time to bully my Lithuanians. I just needed to hit hard.
But, saddly, I had only one charge order card at hand. Attacking with cavalry without charge order may be ineffective. And if my enemy would play countercharge order, that attack may be also very costly. In blood of my knights.
So I decided to move as far as I could, to make a threat of circumvention of Teutonic flank in the next turn. And to initiate only one combat.
Polish opening move:
My knights bent their lances and charged German knights, who, obviously, countercharged. My men were better (due some support from other units) and forced Order's knights to withdraw with 2 cubes lost (for a price of 1 Polish cube).
Combat result:
Waldek withdrew his units, but kept Lichtenstein on his place. If he withdrew him with his unit, he would have to leave main bulk of Teutonic right flank - which would make it difficult to command. So Komtur stayed with shaken unit, being a nice target in the frontline. But I was sure, that Waldek will counterattack, to hide Lichtenstein under the steel wall of his knights.
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Andrzej Sieradzki
Poland
Opole
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Keep going, man...an interesting AAR.
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Go for it!
I am eagerly waiting for some more info.
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Thanks for the thumbs and support!
 And so the story goes:
After my combat i drew 2 cards from my deck (it is mandatory, I can't take more or less cards) and gave the initiative card to Waldek. He decided to do three different things in three different places of the battlefield. He spent his activation card (with value of 3) not to activate a leader, but to activate 3 single units.
At first, he moved one of his infantry units towards the battleline. Commonwealth army is much stronger in numbers than Teutonic army, so it is wise for Teutonic player to throw his infantry into combat - it will make the odds less painful.
Then he used one of Wallenrode's units to finish the beaten Lithuanian unit.
At last he used 4 cube unit behind Lichtenstein to counterattack Zbigniew's knights.
We had two combats to perform.
Lithuanian unit was easily wiped out, with no losses at German side. Damn, second unit definetly broken, with no chances of returning to the battlefield.
But my Polish knights doesen't fail. Waldek used charge order, I countercharged and we... got no hits. Oh my... probably his Silesian mercenaries clashed with... my Silesian mercenaries (both sides had in battle mercenaries from Silesia under Saint George banners). Knights culturally exchanged greetings, simulated a few blows, and went back to the line. Thats the spirit of the Middle Ages! We were surprised, but I was glad that his counterattack changed nothing in our positions. Waldek had to retreat, as defenter always win ties.
Waldek falied to improwe his position on Zbigniew's flank, so the opportunity for further outflanking emerged.
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I used this favorable opportunity to continue my flanking move. If my troops had enter the space between Teutonic army and their camp, Waldek would have been forced to attack. Otherwise I would be able to seize Teutonic camp, which is worth 3 VP per area in this scenario.
So, my wise King activated Zbigniew, and Marshal grabbed his flag to order further move towards Teutonic camp, through village of Ludwigsdorf.
I used also this nice opportunity to attack lone German unit standing on the edge of Teutonic formation. Unfortunately Teutonic knights fought very well, and I had to withdraw with two hits taken, scorning only one.
Waldek's reaction was reasonable, he didn't engage in combat under unfavorable conditions. In his turn he activated Lichtenstein and left Ludwigsdorf area, to combine flank of his army with Teutonic camp.
Thanks to Waldek's maneuver our armies again faced in parallel formations. Probably Zbigniew's flanking move was to shallow, but I didn't wanted to loose contact with the main bulk of Commonwealth army.
So, after first few turns we were again at starting positions, but the clock was ticking. Waldek had 2 VP, for breaking 2 Lithuanian units. I had 0 VP.
Waldek had lost 4 cubes of distracted knights (white cubes, they may be reorganized), and had no bloody losses (no black cubes lost).
I had lost 3 cubes of distracted knights (red cubes, they may be reorganized), and 6 cubes of light cavalry: 2 silver cubes - bloody losses, completly lost, and 4 cubes of distracted cavalrymen, who won't return to their ranks, as their main cubes - silver (with banners, command staff, best knights) - are destroyed.
So far, Waldek has skilfully combined prudent defense with agressive counterattacks. I had to try harder, to have a chance to win this battle...
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I spent my next turn on improving my position. I used card with value of 3 points to activate three units. I sent two idle units toward the Zbigniew's flank, to let these gentlemen to taste the German blood.
On third activated unit (with 2 cubes strength) I played reorganization order. It was succesfull, so I returned to this unit one red cube from my losses pool. Dispersed knights returned under their banners, with new lances, crossbow bolts and horses. Here we go again!
I could reorganize this unit, as it didn't move this turn and wasn't in contact with the enemy.
In reaction to my move, Waldek again increased strength of Lichtenstein's wing. German infantry left the camp and joined the battleline. The third unit activated (he also used card with value of 3) was the one on the edge of the Wallenrode's flank. It joined Wallenrode's group, to return into his command sphere. Is he preparing a new assault, or going to return onto initial position?
So, both sides prepared for another round of this bloody match.
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Andrzej Sieradzki
Poland
Opole
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The cubes idea is very smart!
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There will be a short pause, as everyone in my work is sick, and I am the last man standing.
I`ll be back...  (in thursday).
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Waldemar Gumienny
Poland
Opole
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Before Michael is back on-line, I have a chance to present my point of view, the holy Teutonic Order's side
First of all, we must say that we have played the Tannenberg scenario many times, the setup (although it has 3 variants) is rather unchanged, but the game rules we played are constantly developing.
Teutons, by starting the game in active attack versus Lithuanian wing, with "charge" cards in hand have a good chance to permanently eliminate 1-2 lithuanian units, while the commonwealth can only watch and sream.
I call this "Ozy gambit" since it is Michael, who has played in this manner first.
As you could see, Michael is very familiar with this opening and he knew that it would be wrong e.g. to spend a #3 card to activate Jagiello or #1 card to activate Vytautas and react to the enemy's pressure. He decided to press me on the other flank, near Ludwigdorf.
There is an open space between this village and board's edge, a nice place for a nice outflanking maneuvre (as it was done historically).
Generally, there are 13 Polish vs. 13 Teutonic heavy cavalry units.
Only the 6 Lithuanian and 1 Tatar light cavalry make the advantage the Commonwealth has against my army (3 infantry units from the camp are good only for defensive purposes, but moving only 1 area per activation is veeeery slow). Just killed 2 of the Lithuanian units without loosing any unit (just one cube).
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In the next round our armies exchanged blows as professional boxers - with short punches and the memory to hold the guard.
I stuck to my plan: keep the initiative, flank, stretch Teutonic line. To do so I had to move and fight at once, to keep the pressure and force Waldek to react to my moves, than act on his own.
I activated 2 units from my left flank's reserves and moved them towards Teutonic camp.
First unit joined Zbigniew's command zone. Doing so I build large, strong (four fresh units, with 4 cubes, fifth unit with 3 cubes) and easy to activate armored fist.
Second unit assaulted farthest Teutonic unit from their right wing, to open the road for Zbigniew's troops, in their future move toward German camp. The attack was succesfull, my brave knights managed to disperse 2 Teutonic cubes on a cost of one Polish cube. Waldek had to do necessary retreats, and situation on his right flank started to look bad. Five Polish units, led by Zbigniew, stood in a great wedge, pointing towards Teutonic camp. And only two weak German units were standing on their way.
This made Waldek to use hs reserves. At last.
He activated Grand Master (best leader on the board, with the lovest activation cost) and used his reserves to save the crumbling ranks of Lichtenstein's defense. Jungingen (in eastern tradition) stayed out of combat, but his knights charged Poles furiously.
Well supported charge of fresh troops had to be succesful, Poles were beaten (with no German losses) and had to withdraw.
With this move Waldek prevented his right wing from collapse. Now Zbigniew's wedge was opposed by a similarly strong formation. Damn.
Once again Waldek prevented the crisis. But It won't be possible indefinitely, as Commonwealth army is stronger in numbers than Teutonic army. Except that it's not easy to use this advantage - my leaders are worse, and I have to move along external lines of his position, which consumes more time, than his movement along internal lines of his position.
He has weakened his centre. Mine was still standing idle in the woods. Could it be the time to activate the main body of my army? Led by the King himself?
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Andrzej Sieradzki
Poland
Opole
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Do it. Crush the Krzyżaks. Charge!!!
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Waldemar Gumienny
Poland
Opole
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ozy_pl wrote:
This made Waldek to use hs reserves. At last.
He activated Grand Master (best leader on the board, with the lovest activation cost) and used his reserves to save the crumbling ranks of Lichtenstein's defense. Jungingen (in eastern tradition) stayed out of combat, but his knights charged Poles furiously.
Activation of e.g. Lichtenstein was not an option. Crisis on my flank was pretty serious and I had to immediately concentrate my forces there, to prevent dangerous outflank by Zbigniew forces.
However, there was a nice opportunity of successful strike on advancing Polish unit. The suporting 2-cubes units were already in place, I only had to take the shock-force from elsewhere. Keeping the line is essential,if you do not want to be cut in pieces and destroyed.
Activation of Jungingen was good, since I have been able to place him in better position on board (note that there was a 4-cube unit 'out-of-command' acting as a 'pivot' of my whole army). The golden rule of this game is to always have as many of your units as possible withing the command range of your leaders - you never know when you have to use them.
With combat ratio 5:3 and charge card to be played, I was pretty sure that my attack will be successful and this flank will be secured.
Lichtenstein was now my 'reserves', but they had to rally up first.
Lithuanians are not a serious threat, and Wallenrod can easily react if Michal tries to attack my 'weaken' centre. Only the 3-cube unit is too far for Wallenrod unit to combat there (4 areas away, while movement range of my cavalry is only 3 areas).
Will Michal notice it? I doubt, since my pivotal 4-cube unit looks as it was really exposed on enemy attack...
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Teutonic army was strong on both flanks, but weak on it's centre. It was the time to move main body of Polish army and hit Germans, where they were weakest.
Cunning leader of the Commonwealth, Lithuanian on the Polish throne, Władysław Jagiełło ordered to move (by a value 3 card - he was a master of long-term strategy, not battle tactics). 5 fresh Polish units joined the fight, quickly showing, that numerical superiority was on my side.
The central pivot of Teutonic army was assaulted. I won the fight and once again broke through outer circle of German knights. Connection between the two wings of Teutonic army was now based on a lonely, only 2 cubes strong, unit. Waldek had to react.
Hard times force us to make difficult decisions. Waldek made a decisive move, which changed his battle order. He activated Wallenrode and shortened his line, placing the left wing back on it's initial position. 2 spare units, led by Wallenrode himself, strengthened the centre.
Waldek started one combat, to restore his position in the centre. He used Wallenrode in this assault. It is a risky move, as leader can die (or become PoW) in unsuccesful combat. But on the other side he gives additional hitting power to the fighting unit. Waldek made the wise decision, and charge nearly destroyed Polish unit, with no losses on the attacking side!
Again, at the cost of battle positions (space), Waldek won some time. He was playing damn good battle.
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Waldemar Gumienny
Poland
Opole
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Uff... Michal attacked the exposed unit, and I was really close to kill one of his units. But ok, these guys are out. Now Michal will be forced to move back his 1-cube unit.
And if any other Polish unit wants to fight my pivotal unit, Wallenrode will take care of it.
The only bad thing is that there is no leader on my left wing...
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I continued the battle of attrition, with usage of minimal amount of resources. I had to shield the 1 cube unit, which was nearly broken in previous Wallenrode's charge, and I was eager to revenge this defeat. So I attacked once again the very centre of Teutonic army. Only one unit was activated, and my bold knights charged Wallenrode himself!
This time the God was on Polish side, so my knights won, and forced Wallenrode, his unit, and unit behind his back, to withdraw towards German camp. With this single move I have restored solid frontline and made new hole between Teutonic ranks.
Now was Waldek's turn. He surprised me here, as he didn't performed another counterattack! He had to be weak in cards, as he spent only one value 1 card for his activation. He activated Jungingen, and rebuilded the frontline, with another fresh unit taken from his reserve.
Now he had four dispersed units in the second line of his army. German reserves were running out. And, at last, I seized the initiative, because of no counterattack of Teutonic side. I had nothing to fix, no movement was forced on me.
So the decision, about where will be the next fight, belonged to me.
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Andrzej Sieradzki
Poland
Opole
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Press on, His Majesty, the Krzyżaks are vawering!
 Give them a final blow on their weaker wing and then turn to the center section to envelope them.
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Waldemar Gumienny
Poland
Opole
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ozy_pl wrote:
Now was Waldek's turn. He surprised me here, as he didn't performed another counterattack! He had to be weak in cards, as he spent only one value 1 card for his activation. He activated Jungingen, and rebuilded the frontline, with another fresh unit taken from his reserve.
Attacking 4-cube PL unit would be just the thing Michael looked for.
"Teutonic Order must always remeber that the Eastern PseudoChristianic Hordes are superior in numbers, and massive slaughter is the thing they are looking for.
Let's form a strong line of Christian knights and wait for their action!"
- short speech of Hochmeister v. Jungingen to his men prohibiting them another bloody counterattack.
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As my centre grew stronger thanks to arrival of King's troops, I could contiune my slow flanking maneuver on Zbigniew's flank. I activated Zbigniew and further extended my line. Obviously I started a single fight, as a round without a bloodshed is a lost round.
It was in fact a bloody combat, as both sides played cards as combat orders. I had to withdraw, Germans stood firm and pushed away my knights.
Now Was Waldek's turn. He had not many options - he should evacuate his dispersed unit from the frontline. But he was short of cards (having at hand one 1 value card and one 2 value reorganization card), and decided to make a risk, activating single unit under von Jungingen for reorganization. He hoped, that I won't destroy his exposed 2 cube frontline unit in the next turn, but he was wrong...
Unlucky his reorganization failed (or maybe they were loosing fighting spirit?), and my turn started.
Obviously I attacked these bold knights, sentenced to death by their command. My troops fought well and I could scratch my first... flattop!... yyy... Teutonic unit!
Yeach, these guys left the battlefield in panic! I've just earned my first 2 VPs in this game.
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Unfortunately Waldek restored good defensive position with ease. He activated Lichtenstein, who withdrew his wing to make his line shorter. Now it was running straight with the line of Germian infantry. Again, I won some space, loosing too much time.
I was short of cards, I couldn`t even activate Zbigniew to continue my flanking move and hit these pesky infantrymen. So I spent value 1 card to assault single German unit in the centre, which was most exposed to my attack. This time my knights failed to make any damage, and retreated with heavy losses. Teutonic army seemed to be unbreakable.
Waldek decided to finish my morale off, and succesfully reorganized the unit under von Jungingen. Have I already written somewhere, that Teutonic army seemed to be unbreakable?
I made no activations, I've just took cards. Single attacks, like that from the last turn, had no sense. I had to gain some resources to make bigger operations.
I was loosing this battle all the time, as my attacks did not bring results. I couldn`t use my superiority in numbers, Waldek's defense was continous and solid.
There is an advice, free of any charge: do not write AARs about games with experienced opponent - they are as frustrating as the game played earlier!
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Brian Mc Cabe
United States
Arizona
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ozy_pl wrote: Unfortunately Waldek restored good defensive position with ease. He activated Lichtenstein, who withdrew his wing to make his line shorter. Now it was running straight with the line of Germian infantry. Again, I won some space, loosing too much time. I was short of cards, I couldn`t even activate Zbigniew to continue my flanking move and hit these pesky infantrymen. So I spent value 1 card to assault single German unit in the centre, which was most exposed to my attack. This time my knights failed to make any damage, and retreated with heavy losses. Teutonic army seemed to be unbreakable. Waldek decided to finish my morale off, and succesfully reorganized the unit under von Jungingen. Have I already written somewhere, that Teutonic army seemed to be unbreakable? ;) I made no activations, I've just took cards. Single attacks, like that from the last turn, had no sense. I had to gain some resources to make bigger operations. I was loosing this battle all the time, as my attacks did not bring results. I couldn`t use my superiority in numbers, Waldek's defense was continous and solid. There is an advice, free of any charge: do not write AARs about games with experienced opponent - they are as frustrating as the game played earlier! :)
So far, the battle seems to be going historically. The Lithuanian light horse was swept from the field, Polish counter-attacks gave them the advantage and Teutonic re-inforcements stablized their lines.
An attack on the Polish King was driven back and when a lone Teutonic knight was slain attacking him, sixteen regiments of Germans retreated to regroup and were eventually routed.
What you really seem to need is a figure to appear in the sky over the gameboard that appears to be blessing the Poles. If that doesn't happen, I can't guarantee the outcome.
This sounds like an extremely well-balanced rule set. As you mention, though, experience always helps.
Brian
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Waldemar Gumienny
Poland
Opole
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apatheticexecutioner wrote:
So far, the battle seems to be going historically. The Lithuanian light horse was swept from the field, Polish counter-attacks gave them the advantage and Teutonic re-inforcements stablized their lines.
An attack on the Polish King was driven back and when a lone Teutonic knight was slain attacking him, sixteen regiments of Germans retreated to regroup and were eventually routed.
What you really seem to need is a figure to appear in the sky over the gameboard that appears to be blessing the Poles. If that doesn't happen, I can't guarantee the outcome.
This sounds like an extremely well-balanced rule set. As you mention, though, experience always helps.
Brian
Nice to see that somebody is reading it Thanks for good words Brian.
Unfortunately, I have made one mistake, will be described in next post of Michal.
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Arunas Rudis
Lithuania
Vilnius
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Not many games where my country is mentioned
Must have for me
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Waldemar Gumienny
Poland
Opole
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What is more, Vytautas is one of the best leaders in the game!
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