Tricorns vs Turks

Following the disastrous defeat at the Al-Umbraininbar Oasis, the Albionic expedition to the Barbary Coast took up fortified positions in a sheltered bay, awaiting the arrival of the RN to evacuate them.

Facing the brave Britons, a huge host of Ottomans appeared from the woods, determined to storm the redoubts and make an example of the infidels.

The rules used were Easy Tricorne with card activation modified for small battles.

Albionic OOB:

• 3x Veteran foot (3 base) FI2 FP3
• 1x Mercenary foot (4 base) FI2 FP2
• 3x Dragoons/Dragoon Guards (4 base) FI3 FP1
• 2x naval 6-pounders

Turkish OOB:

• 2x Court Janissaries (3 base) FI2 FP2
• 2x Auxiliary Tribesmen (3 base) FI3 FP1
• 1x Tribesmen horde (5 base) FI3 FP0
• 3x Spahi cavalry (4 base) FI2 FP1

The battle commenced with the defenders' guns opening fire on the advancing Janissaries.

Both sides' cavalry soon swung into action, the Spahis opening with a hail of arrows, doing little damage: then the Dragoon Guards and Horse Grenadiers counter-charged and routed one unit.

One Janissary unit used the other as shelter against enemy fire: Ibrahim Pasha, the Turkish leader did not like the commander of the forward group.

The auxiliary tribesmen delivered a close-range volley to the Guard cavalry's flank, but the damage was negligible. On the other hand, soon all three Spahi groups were in flight.

The forward Janissary unit broke, the concentrated enemy fire taking a heavy toll on them.

The Albionic foot was good at shooting volleys, and the exhausted Janissaries had no time to react before another blow had been delivered.

The tribesmen's second volley routed the Guard horse, but they managed to rally.

The great host of tribesmen was prepared to be used as a hammer blow, striking against a weakened Albionic position. Waiting until now in the cover of the woods, they were broguht up, simultaneously with an attack on the flanks and redirecting a group of Spahis to their right for cover.

While the Janissaries pinned the forward Albionic foot unit down, the tribesmen flanked them, causing a rout.

The Spahis charged the routing enemy. Fortunately the redcoats could climb across the redoubts, their comrades inside lending a hand. They took heavy casualties and lost all cohesion.

The Spahis continued their ride to glory, crashing into the mercenary unit's flank and routing them.

The Janissaries ran for cover, but their ranks dwindled, and soon they were unable to carry on.

The naval gun fired canister to the Spahis' flank, but the horsemen, drunk with blood, took little notice.

They rode back instead, to cover the tribesmen's advance from enemy fire.

The other two Spahi units managed to rally and returned to the fight.

The Spahis now rode to the entrance of the enemy camp, and began moving the obstacles aside. Another canister shot, although causing little damage, had sent them flying.

Now the large group attacked, but failed to deconstruct the defense works of the gate. They were in a perilous situation; the naval gun had been reloaded, and another canister shot tore into their deep ranks, causing massive casualties. The tribesmen routed without ever breaking into the camp.

Now the foot manning the redoubts was given the order to fire after them at extreme range; four volleys in a quick succession were enough to make the horde wishing never to come back.

The Guard horse was less fortunate: their attack was checked by the fierce tribesmen, and they quit the field, fleeing into the southern swamps. The same thing happened, as it was found out, with the mercenary foot.

The brave Spahi unit, now at the end of their strength, tore into the camp and killed the gun crew. The enemy foot wheeled like a perfectly tuned machine and delivered a devastating volley; it was over for the horsemen.

Their charge broken and the enemy counter-charge routing one group again, the remaining Spahis were the first to retreat. Ibrahim Pasha soon ordered the remainders of his force to do the same. 

Even with their cavalry relatively fresh, the Albionic army did not risk pursuit, waiting instead, in safety, for the relief to arrive.