The Timaru Armchair Generals have for some years run a regional wargames convention in Timaru, New Zealand, known as "Tagcon". With local interest in DBA on the rise they included a 15mm DBA themed tournament in 2008. The theme covered armies draw from the DBA section IV lists covering the High Medieval Period (1071AD-1500AD).  For my own part I opted to use a Later Samurai army (IV/59b) which had been built for DBR. For Tagcon I opted to use Ashigaru rather than the Sohei warrior monks or Ikko Ikki religious militants or of course the musket armed Ashigaru of the 16th century.

Above a section of the army arrayed for battle during Tagcon. The figures are from Eureka Miniatures 15mm Samurai range. The army is designed for the Sengoku Jidai period or the "Age of the Country at War".

A total of eight people participated in the DBA event. This resulted in no less than seven rounds being played usi a round robin format. Pre-set terrain was also used. While the terrain did not always comply with the DBA rules it produced interesting games and visually pleasing battles. Tables were all 24" square with the invader determining table orientation as normal. 

The Battles:

Round one found a near historical opponents facing each other as Nick who was also using Later Samurai though an earlier list (IV/59a). Given that the table contained two large woods Nick looked set to achieve an early advantage at least on one flank using his Auxilia. Below, the view of the table with my Japanese advancing from the bottom against Nick's Japanese whoa are aligned along the top and extending from a built up area. His Auxilia can be seen advancing into the wood on my right supported by archers.

My own deployment was hampered by the woods in the centre. I had either to deploy in the woods or deploy in two deep blocks either side. Expecting my opponent to rush such a split deployment I instead opted to deploy in one block. This of course meant I was disadvantaged by terrain and would have to slowly advance from the wood in small groups as PIPs allowed. Fortunately the enemy seemed content to wait preferring to secure a position with light troops on my right flank. Eventually, having finally cleared the centre wood, I advanced against the enemy right wing keeping my own right withdrawn. A struggle of manoeuvre and counter manoeuvre resulted. Amazingly this game ended in a 0:0 draw after one hour of play. 

The second game involved a clash against Steve and his Later Crusaders. The Crusader deployment was hampered by a steep hill which effectively split his army. The Crusader left comprised heavy infantry and his right the mounted. Between the two were the various crossbowmen that completed the Crusading host.

The threat of a mounted charge was somewhat countered by my deployment of the Ashigaru, rated as spear, in a deep formation on the left flank with an extended line to assist against a Crusader charge. The main Japanese attack in contrast was to be on the right and centre by dismounted samurai where it was hoped the Japanese swordsmanship and skill with the yari and naginata would overcome the Crusader foot. Alas it was not to be as the Crusading foot generally held their positions against repeated attacks. Eventually the Crusader Men at Arms charged home on the Japanese left and broke the Samurai army. Above, the Ashigaru prepare for the eventual charge, their left flank can be seen resting on a small river. The final score was a 2:4 loss.

Game three was another middle eastern encounter, this time against Craig's Syrian army (IV/6). The Syrians had an interesting mix of troops including Ghulam cavalry, Turkoman light cavalry and supported by Ghazis warriors and a great host of Ahdath spearmen which are rated as "hordes" in DBA. 

I was a little paranoid about the Ghazis warriors, who being classed as warband in DBA, could potentially sweep my Samurai or Ashigaru away in a wild charge. My aim, therefore, was to block the Ghulam cavalry then drive off the Al-Ashair skirmishers before engaging the Ghazis and Ahdath infantry in advantageous situations. Suffice to say it didn't work. Having driven at least some of the light troops back I found the Ahadath host (horde) simply refused to give ground. With my attacks progressing poorly the enemy cavalry was eventually able to break into my line. The final score was 3:4, a narrow but clear defeat for the Japanese.

Game four was to take place on a battlefield devoid of terrain except for a river that divided the table and comprised a series sweeping bends  Deployed opposite was Robin's Ottoman host (IV/55a). The Ottomans were comprised mostly of feudal Ghazis, which are light cavalry. With such a composition it was obvious that the Ottomans would be attacking my flanks at every opportunity. With the recent string of defeats it was also clear that I needed to play cautiously and keep my army concentrated. 

The Ottomans quickly advanced on their left flank while moving to positions to pin the Samurai centre and left. Soon the Ottomans on the Samurai right were across the river probing for a weakness and attempting to disrupt the Samurai ranks. This is where both players were surprised. Fleeing troops are destroyed by the river, a rule that neither of us were aware of. The first body of Ghazis light horse were killed as the fell back from the Ashigaru. A second, who were involved in extended combat, were caught by Ashigaru who broke ranks to attack the isolated body of Ghazis in the flank, as shown below. The Japanese are shown on the left with the Ashigaru holding the Japanese right flank. Also visible are Azab infantry and other feudal spearmen poised along the river bank. 

With the situation finally swinging in favour of the Japanese a series of attacks were now launched by mounted Japanese Samurai positioned on the Japanese left. The Ottoman right flank comprised Feudal sipahis and more Ghazis. These were, in a series of charges, swept away by the mounted Samurai. The loss of the Ottoman right flank also sealed the fate of the Ottoman army. At last a victory, 4:0 to the Japanese.

Game five was against the Stan's Wars of the Roses English (IV/83a) on a cluttered battlefield with no less than three steep hills. Two were on the Japanese side of the battlefield creating a valley with a third longer hill near the English battlefield edge and more central. Again hampered by the terrain the Japanese slowly deployed crossing the steep hills on the left and right into the battlefield beyond.

The English had deployed with retinue and shire archers massed in the centre, dismounted retinue  billmen on their right and mounted Men at Arms on their left. English command and control was clearly stretched with the English commander opting to fight mounted on the left. With such a concentration of mounted Men at Arms clearly the English left was to be avoided. Slowly the Japanese advanced on their left concentrating on the English right. After a series of clashes the Ashigaru and dismounted Samurai gained the upper hand. A last desperate attempt by the English commander to attack the Japanese centre resulted in the loss of the English commander and the battle. Final score being 4:0 to the Japanese.

Game six was a near run battle against Ian's Ayyubid Egyptians (IV/20). This battle started quickly with a flanking move against the Japanese left flank by Ayyubid Turkoman light cavalry. The initial Ayyubid attack was repelled with some Egyptian loss and the game slowed to a cunning and desperate battle of manoeuvre. Several times the Ayyubids would fall back in an attempt to draw the Japanese foot forward into a trap. A cautious advance was required against such a strong mounted army. Eventually success was achieved in a narrow 4:2 Japanese victory.

Round six in full swing. In the foreground Ian and myself can be are seen while in the background Oliver engages Stan's Wars of the Roses English.

Game seven and nominally the final round against Oliver with his Medieval Germans (IV/13c). Complete with War Wagons the Germans were clearly going to be a difficult opponent. The terrain also wasn't going to assist the Japanese battle plan. A marsh on the Japanese left was balanced by a gentle hill on the right. However, in the German centre, dominating the battlefield, was a steep hill. This hill both split the German army and concentrated them in two blocks. It also allowed little room for manoeuvre on my part. I could fight either of two sections of the German array frontally, each supported by War Wagons and Men at Arms, or fight in the centre while holding the German flanks. Unfortunately this meant attacking up the steep hill. At least there were no German knights on the steep hill. Therefore, while a number of Samurai, supported by the bulk of the Ashigaru, held the wings a small body of Samurai advanced against the German archers and billmen deployed on the dominating hill in the centre. A desperate battle developed which could have swung either way for some time. Finally, after a very hard fought battle, the Japanese secured the hill and fell on the German right wing achieved a costly 4:3 victory. 

At this stage the total points were reviewed only to find a play off was required between Craig and I to determine first place. I must admit that came as a complete surprise as I had not been following the results from other tables. Once more the armies deployed this time with terrain deployed as per the rules. The Syrians were keen to use their mounted superiority but were hampered in deployment by the two woods, one on each flank of their deployment area. The Japanese, for once, quickly advanced and caught the Syrians before they could fully deploy. The ensuing engagements were over quickly and secured a place in Japanese legend for this particular "campaign". 

Conclusion:

The DBA competition at Tagcon 2008 was a first class event. Certainly it ranks with one of the most enjoyable wargaming events I have participated in. The casual and friendly atmosphere provided a great backdrop to a full days wargaming. Tagcon 2008 was my first DBA competition and certainly will not be the last. The ability to play eight games against seven very different opponents in a single day was refreshing while still being challenging. However, above all it was extremely enjoyable a credit to all involved.

Finally, and certainly not least, special thanks must go to the DBA organiser Dave Batchelor for his efforts before and during the day. The event was a credit to him and was, I am sure, enjoyed by all. 

The full list of players their armies and final positions were as follows:
 

It is worth noting that the event used a modified scoring system where three points were awarded for the win and one for a draw. In addition one point was awarded per enemy element enemy destroyed plus a further point for killing an enemy general. My descriptions of the battles however use the normal victory conditions for simplicity.

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