A Bloody Flank Attack: When the Wars of the Roses Go Sideways

Today's Wars of the Roses wargame, a twist on the classic "Flank Attack" scenario from the old Warhammer rulebooks, delivered a swift and brutal lesson in battlefield positioning. It was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn when a plan goes awry.

My Yorkist forces, typically so stalwart, found themselves on the back foot from the get-go. I'd hoped to catch the Lancastrians off guard, but the crucial element of surprise was lost. Devereux's division, meant to be a flanking hammer, was agonizingly slow and found itself bogged down behind a thick wood. This immediately negated any advantage I'd hoped to gain.

To make matters worse, just as I thought I had Somerset's Lancastrian centre in my grasp, Herbert's Yorkist division recoiled. They couldn't press their advantage, leaving a gaping hole in my lines. The Lancastrians, ever opportunistic, seized their chance. Their perfectly executed flank attack shattered my resolve, and with Herbert's division badly mauled, the Yorkists had no choice but to retire from the field.

While a tough loss, these kinds of games are invaluable. They highlight the importance of deployment and the unpredictable nature of war, even on a tabletop. And let's be honest, a good thrashing every now and then keeps you honest as a commander!