Marignano solo - turn 4

A momentous turn is about to begin. The French, sure in their numbers throw all caution to the wind and decide to settle the issue with force of will.

They are cock sure and begin to manoeuvre their cavalry accordingly. 

Their Landsknechts are ordered forward too. 

The French have definitely decided that this is the time to finish it.

On the French left, Francis orders another charge. The Swiss are wavering. It will not take much.

But they cannot totally defeat them. 

They are forced back but still hold the field. 

What are the Swiss made of?

Schinner is at hand."Rally boys!" And the rot is stopped. 

He manages to hold the Swiss in the fight.

Then, woe worth the day, he falls. Schinner will take no more part in the action.

Undaunted, and seeking revenge, the Swiss square on the right ploughs forward.

This pike square is destined for history. 

Die roll after die roll it throws puke in the face of death.

Onward....

 Onward.......

Ever onward, it throws back one unit then another.

This is truly unbelievable.

It's the Swiss!

On the other side of the field the Swiss are not fairing so well. Charged from all directions they can barely hold out.

The situation is desperate for the Swiss: They must do something now or fail.

The Swiss are holding on by their fingernails. 

The French are close to cracking.

And then the centre gives way and the Landsknechts, almost spent themselves, give to pursuit.

Francis I, in the thick of the action (rallying his troops), is seriously injured and will take no more part this day.

But his forces are winning. They are in the ascendancy, though it is almost too tight to call. 

Having lost Francis the French are almost at zero morale too. It's only the Swiss losses keeping them in credit. 

The French need the Swiss to draw Major Morale.

The Swiss are down to zero morale and draw back to back Army Morale cards. The Swiss roll a 1. 

The Swiss pike squares begin to withdraw and their shot runs for it. 

The cavalry, largely uncommitted, under Sforza withdraws in the face of overwhelming odds.

The battle is over. 

It has been a very close run thing. D'Alencon didn't activate and the French were down to a single morale chip.

A great little solo battle. I enjoyed that tremendously.

Today, Cristmas Day, I set up another solo battle to fight out. 

I'll post tomorrow on which battle it will be. I love this next battle but the Lads are so fed up of it they will not play it with me any more - so it's a great one to set up and fight solo.

Tomorrow I will play.....................

Merry Christmas,

James