DEI MP Campaign: war Athens vs Baktria (made by both players)

[sol_ilya]

It is the year 230BC and the long-standing rivalry between the dominant Empires of Athens and Baktria, the last remaining successors of Alexander the Great, erupt into a war.

While the Athens spread their influence in the Middle East, Baktria subdued the Eastern Kingdoms. Both Empires became large with a powerful military. Athens and Baktria are ready for this inevitable final war.

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Welcome to our DEI MP Campaign: war Athens vs Baktria. We had a long game, 194 turns passed and now at last we are at outbreak of the war between us. This AAR will be written by two players engaged in this war while comments and questions from readers are also welcomed. Currently, our border goes on the middle east and on the territory of modern Turkey and our armies on positions and ready to attack.

Both countries overview:

[sol_ilya]

Around 120-150 turn both players did not have much desire to capture new provinces due to rising imperium lvl and corruption. For example, my Athen's income was about 10-20 k depending on the season and I have 8 armies and about 20 ships. I still have rooms for 2 armies and I had known after I formed them I would be almost without income. So for Athens new territory would give only more corruption, setbacks with new imperium lvl while nothing good except more agents. Things change after Ancestral update. We found that women 4 lvl decreases corruption by 4%. We quickly decreased our corruption lvl almost to zero and by that time many lvl 4 cities were finished. As result, we have almost infinitive money now without corruption and number of armies defines now imperium lvl but not the money they cost.

More problematic now is the cost for our new generals. As table presents our average army cost is below 8 000 while new general after death would cost us more than 22 000. A death of general is costing in money almost the same as completing loosing three full stack armies without it commanders. So currently most spending in our wars will be the cost of generals and losses in battle defines how much generals survived during the battle.

[Gigantus]

For the next time

[sol_ilya]

Disposition of known Bakrian forces

I must add that is an AAR during our active game so I mostly will tell about the disposition of my opponent forces while I can hide some info about my troops those are still not appeared before my opponent.

Main Baktian army - Gruppen Armee Center was deployed defending Edessa.



Edessa is the richest city and very important because of money it brings. It alone brings 16 700 gold and that income is more than the income of many of our provinces. My troops were deployed to defend Tharkos and were ready to support either defense of Palmira or Antiochia.


Gruppen Arme Nord was placed ... in Crimea?



We do not have common borders there and I still have not any idea what they plan to do there. Get military access through border states and attack me from the north? Transport them by sea to attack Greece? Anyway that Gruppen Armee looks dangerous.

Our intelligence concludes if there are Gruppen Armee Center and Nord, somewhere shall be Gruppen Armee South! Which we are actively looking for!


Athens military plans

Because of my low imperium level, Athens has two armies less than Baktria. Bakrian positions around Edessa looks very hard and I abandoned any idea to advance there and receive battle that destroys my armies. Hold where the enemy is strong, strike where he is soft so I decided to have any chance of success I need to make a local superiority in some area while on others fronts go to defense.

To strike hard I concentrated my four armies ready for the attack on north of modern Turkey in ambush stance.

While on the middle east I hope to hold line based on the defense of major cities Antiochia and Palmira.

On the sea according to my superiority in ports(so I can quickly rebuild destroyed ships in more provinces than my opponent), I decided to destroy enemy fleet so my fleet can block Armee Group Nord from naval transporting to Greece.

[Alwyn]

Welcome to the Writers' Study!

This looks like an enjoyable campaign, I like the way that you explain the thinking behind the disposition of your forces (for example, sending a group of armies to defend Edessa because of the income it provides). The speculation about what the other player might be planning got me interested on what will happen next.

When you have 25 posts, you'll be able to edit your own posts. A good way to reach 25 posts, and to encourage other writers to read and comment on your AAR, is to post comments on AARs and Creative Writing by other writers. If you have questions about AAR writing, you might find useful tips in the Critic's Quill or you could ask questions on the chat thread in the Writers' Lounge. Shankbot's Unofficial Guide for New Members can be a very useful place to find answers to questions such as how to add a link to your AAR in your signature.

[Jonnydread]

The war did not start well for Baktria. Bad intel let to the belief that Sinope was supposedly undefended. After the formal declaration, a quick attack of the Hellenic League took the town of Ameseia and encircled the 2 armies of Baktria


there.
While heavily outmatched, the 3000 men fought honorably and were able to inflict heavy casualties to the invading forces. In the end, though, not a single soldier survived.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

On the Black Sea, Baktrias Admirals attacked the approaching enemy fleet. 2 fleets were not able to reach the battle in time, so Baktria had to fight with even numbers bigger ships, as they are not able to build Penteres. The following battle was pure chaos, a sheer endless stream of ships bumping into each other, ramming, boarding, set on fire etc- with only the sea as clear winner.
Baktria lost 3,5 fleets, while the Hellenic League lost a similar amount of ships

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

After losing Ameseia, Baktria started the encirclement of Antiochia and Palmyra with the main force of the army, while a faster Cavalry Corps bypassed Antiochia and took the town of Sinope.
Too many cavalry soldiers died in a choke point in the city, so a defensive position in Sinope could not be consolidated and the attacking army had to retreat to replenish after taking the town.




South of Palmyra, an approaching Greek army were spotted and another quick Cavalry Army was able to catch & slaughter them, without loosing too many Cavalry soldiers.

[Jonnydread]

while a faster Cavalry Corps bypassed Antiochia and took the town of Sinope.
Too many cavalry soldiers died in a choke point in the city, so a defensive position in Sinope[...]

*Tarsos

[sol_ilya]

Here is Athens with the story of the same events described by Baktria in the previous post. According to the Athens military plan the main attack was made in the north of modern Turkey. My four armies advanced by two routes. But then I understood that I have not scouted the area of operations and I do not have any idea what is waiting for me and I can only hope that my four my armies would have enough numerical advantage to crush the enemy. So my south two armies approached and took small town Amosea without resistance while two north armies encountered two Baktrian armies in an entrenched camp. My South armies turned north and west and attacked those Bakrian forces from the back. In the incoming battle, two Bakrian armies were destroyed by 4 Athens armies but not without completely destroying about 10-15 Athens units and killing one commander. One Athen army was left to recruit new units to replenish losses, others armies continue to advance to exploit success.

On the Black sea, I saw a Bakrian fleet of 40 ships appeared, I gladly sent against them 80 my ships while leaved 20 ships in port to watch and be ready to prevent transporting enemy troops by sea. While another my fleet of 20 ships were still on its route to the Black Sea. Enemy fleet retreated. But on next turn, my 80 ships were attacked there by 80 ships of Baktria. It seems it was a trap! In the incoming battle, two fleets almost destroyed each other. Though enemy fleet retreated I can not call this battle Athens victory while from 80 ships entered the battle from Athens side survived only 10. Both fleets lost all 4 its commanders making that battle cost each side more than 80 000 gold. After the battle, my surviving 10 ships retreated under escort by 40 my ships that did not take part in the battle.




Main Bakrian attack was in Syria. 5 Baktrian armies marched towards Antiochia and besieged the city. Only three Baktrian armies could storm the city defended by two Athens armies + garrison immediately while two more Baktrian armies were still on the march and Backtrian commander decided to wait till all his troops would be around the city. This image represents the beginning of my turn.




A Baktrian cavalry corps bypassed Antiohia and attacked Tarsos. In my opinion, this small city has the best streets layout for defense and cavalry corps faced a hard fight with a city garrison. After arrows of mounted archers were depleted Bakrian cavalry had to attack in front garrison spear infantry. Though no one Baktrian unit was completely destroyed overall losses were about half of their corps. In response I sent my army that was placed in Mazaca. Weakened from the previous fight cavalry retreated and I retook Tarsos without a fight.

In the South, my army in Arabia feels lonely. All fun was in Syria and I do not have any idea what to do with them. Marching through desert road to the enemy territory on the west would be so long. So I decided cautiously march with them to North in hope to lure some Bakrian army and reduce pressure in Syria. Bakrian army engaged me but the fight did not go the way I hoped. It was one more full cavalry Bakrian army. I decided not to form a box formation because of fearing flank archer fire but formed line so my soldiers always receive a frontal fire. At first all was fine I did not get many losses from flanking fire, repulsed enemy cavalry charges by my spear infantry with help of cavalry. But later when enemy ammunition depleted I did not notice that it was time to gather my troops and form at last square. My spear infantry units were too far to help each other. And by that time my cavalry was destroyed and could not help anymore to repulse Baktrian charges to the back of my spear infantry. So several Baktrian cavalry units began attacking my isolated spear units from the front and the back despite my efforts to gather them at last. At the end I manage to form square by three my last units but they also quickly were overrun.

But all these battles were minor actions, the fate of war is decided now at the walls of Antiochia ...

[Caillagh de Bodemloze]

Hi, Jonnydread.

As Alwyn has already said to sol_ilya, welcome to the Writers' Study!

I like the idea of an AAR written by both the players in a two-player game, so I'm really interested to see how this will work out.

[Caledoni]

This is original and pretty cool.

Looking forward to seeing how it will work out

[Jonnydread]

Damn it, the previous post could not be sent so i reloaded the page. Turns out that was not the right thing to do.

Antiocheia:
Gate to Syria and Port to the Medditerean. Economic powerhouse and with a Lvl3 Barracks and Level 3 Military Academia,
also the center of Athen's military might at the front.
Long before the war started, it was obvious for Baktria that it had to be taken and destroyed.
Well defended, the question was not "Can we take it? Shall we take it?" but "how many thousand men must die so we can take it?"





In the night before the battle (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ng-times-in-MP), a wise man on a greek horse appeared in the dream of the commanding General and he spoke:
"Never place your Litoboles at the front, place them behind a solid line of spears, so the enemy can not ride out and destroy your offensive capabilities, else all your man will die at the walls!".

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

On the next day, the siege battle started and Athen's cavalry rode out to destroy the Siege Weapons as prophecised, taking heavy losses but not without destroying one Squad of Litobeles.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

While the Litoboles punched a hole in the wall and destroyed the towers, 2 siege towers were placed on a different wall section to stretch the defending forces.
Shortly after, Baktria's heavy infantry poured through the holes and into the city.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The heavy war elephants from Parthia proved to be a valuable break-through unit, striking fear into the heart of every fighting man.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A bloody battle enraged, thousands of man died on both sides, but in the end, Baktria's army managed to take the city of Antiocheia.

Not all of Athenes armies defended the city though, so the counter-attack came swiftly.
There was not enough time to repair the damage of Antiochias defenses, the Garrison was almost non-existend and the fatigued defending army was quickly overrun.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Antiochia lies in ruins and already around 6000 soldiers have fallen on each side for it, but the battle for this strategical city is not over.

North of Antiochia, the now replenished Cavalry Corps managed to catch a reinforcing army of Athens.
Once more, the expansive horse archer encircled the enemy, rained down a hail of arrows and slaughtered every routing squad.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

​

After the pyrrhic victory in Tarsos, i had my doubts about my pure Cavalry Armies.
I knew that a city was not the ideal environment for horse archers, but nevertheless, i feared that spending this huge amount of gold for multiple Cavalry armies was maybe not the right strategy.
Now, after 2 convincing battles in the open, i regained my confidence.
Having the option to engage reinforcing troops that have not caught up with the main groups of armies is valuable and with the high movement points, they can be replenished quickly.

The next important question is how to deal with the Greek spearhead that is pillaging city after city in central Turkey.
The war chest is full enough to lose a few unimportant cities, but sooner or later the invading forces have to be stopped.


If anyone with a good pc is interested in taking screenshots with a higher resolution and nicer graphics, i would upload the replays.

[Alwyn]

Good update, your text and screenshots show the ebb and flow of the action on the battlefield well! I enjoy using horse archers too, it sounds like pure cavalry armies are a challenge to use successfully but that they can be very effective when the circumstances suit them.

[sol_ilya]

The battle of Antiochia

“Antiochia:
Gate to Syria and Port to the Medditerean. Economic powerhouse and with a Lvl3 Barracks and Level 3 Military Academia, also the center of Athen's military might at the front. ”

I want to add to this excellent description that if Baktria took the city they split Athens into two parts and cut Syria and Egypt from Asian and European parts of my country. For me, this is the most important factor. It will severely hurt my communications while let Balktria defeats my country by parts.



So 5 Baktrian armies marched towards the city with the support of cavalry corps that took Tarsos. I reinforced the city so I had 4 armies around the city while my army from the north (Mazaca) retook Tharsos back and made cavalry corps retreat without taking the fight.
The game engine does not let take part in battle more than 4 armies from every side. So despite we had more the 4 armies that could take in the fight we were limited all the time to use only 4.

4 Baktrian armies began storming the city against two Athens armies, garrison, and 2 garrison ships.
Our first battle was ended as disconnect because I failed to load campaign map in time after battle finished. In this fight as soon as the battle started I launched a cavalry attack that was very successful and I destroyed several Baktrian litoboles. That was what Johnydread meant by “ wise man on a greek horse appeared in the dream of the commanding General and he spoke: "Never place your Litoboles at the front, place them behind a solid line of spears, so the enemy can not ride out and destroy your offensive capabilities, else all your man will die at the walls!". So on our rematch defense of litoboles was better and I was not so successful in destroying them. But this time I saw a Baktrian general at front lines and while I was seeing Baktrian litoboles were too hard to attack I made a priority of attacking Baktrian commander this time. When the war cry rose “Enemy general is dead” I considered my sortie successful and ordered remains of my cavalry retreat to the city. Currently in our game commander cost more than 20 000 and his death in money is the same as destroying its entire army.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Ammunition of enemy litoboles was enough only for destroying archers towers and making a breach in the wall. They did not have ammunition for firing at my troops so when bombard was over I placed my troops on the walls, at gates, and around the breach.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

We had a long fight and at last, the enemy broke through my defense into the city streets.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I tried to hold the streets in hope that Baktria would fail to take the city in our one-hour battle timer but my attempt failed and I only lost my commander. Baktria captured the city just 6 minutes before timer would run out. Now I must admit that my commander was unnecessary lost because at that time there was no chance I hold the city and instead of fighting on the street I shall order him to retreat and save his life.
On my turn, I sent the army that retook Tharsos as reinforcements for Antiochia assault. I also moved there the army that was defending Tharsakos (the city on the South of the map on the first screenshot. This city name is not seen on the screenshot). As I wrote only two my armies from three could take part in defense of the city in the previous fight. Luckily for me, it was the siege corps that did not take part in the previous fight and now he can lead a counterattack and I will need his litoboles a much.

My armies advanced from different sides of the city. On one side towers were destroyed by Baktian litoboles during the previous fight and I will need only to destroy towers from another side. I placed my siege corps that side and destroyed towers and made several breaches in the walls. So now the city walls look pathetic from all sides.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I retook the city. I reinforced city defenders with my best troops while removed my all litoboles from city defense and tried to retreat with them to Asia. I had some unsuccessful experience in defending a city with catapults against AI in Warhammer total war and found that they do not have a good line of fire there because of buildings so I considered them useless in the city defense. But I did not give attention that in DeI Antiochia is very different from cities in Warhammer; it is a lot bigger and has a lot of straight streets. Jonnydread in later fight showed that they can be very successfully used during city defense in DeI.

This weakened retreating army with the siege engines was attacked by Bakrian Cavalry corps and was completely destroyed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

One of the reasons of defeat was a confusing action of my javelins cavalry. I had three such units to oppose cavalry archers but when they were attacked by heavy melee cavalry my javelins cavalry did not retreat. Then I noticed that while others skirmishers like archers has default order to retreat under melee attack the skirmisher javelin cavalry do not have such order by default and they were standing and were slaughtered. That difference in behavior of skirmisher cavalry from other skirmisher units makes a lot of confuse. In that battle Baktrian cavalry corps lost only 1/3 of its strength during that fight. The situation after Baktria destroyed my retreating army.



On the same turn, Baktria began a second assault on the city but now only with three armies. Because city towers were destroyed and walls breached now Baktrian litoboles could fire at my troops so I decided to make my defense around the city center in the hope that buildings prevent litoboles from firing into my troops. This time Baktrian reinforcements will appear from both sides. So both of our reinforcements will come on one side but from different corners. I do not think they would fight against each other just because those Baktrian reinforcements will appear the last and there is need a lot of Baktrian units to be destroyed before they come. And I will busy in a desperate struggle for holding city defense and without thinking about blocking these troops.

To my surprise, Baktria deployed half of his initial army on the side where my reinforcements come. I preferred them to deploy only on their side because that troops threatened my incoming reinforcements. But this deployment gave me chance to attack this part of the Baktrian army from both sides at once. I deployed 1/3 of my army for defending the city and 2/3 sent against that threat. I hoped that with help of my arriving troops I completely destroy that part of the Baktrian army and then quickly return them to city defense before enemy captures the city center. Baktrian isolated troops fought bravely while my reinforcements arrived too slow. That was still a tough fight for my 2/3 of city defenders. Some of them even were routed and destroyed before my reinforcements finished the enemy. Defeating those troops appeared not so easy and I got more losses than I expected.

My troops arrived in time to help defend the center but because I had to weaken my defense Bakria took important heights and begin firing into the flank to my troops from them. I lost all my melee troops and left only with cavalry and archers so I decided not to repeat my previous mistake and retreated from a lost fight at least with the alive commander of reinforcement army and its archers.

So Baktria again took the city. Now they had three battered armies around Antiochia. 2/3 cavalry corps and two fresh Sued armies that took undefended anymore Tharsakos. Against them I had a fresh army in Palmyra which I had to hold there if I do not want to lose the city, quickly formed Elephant corps which had good amounts of elephants but had poor equipped mercs melee infantry, and also an army from the north that I sent to help Antiochia. On the north, after destroying two opposite Baktrian armies my 4 armies successfully advanced and took several Baktrian towns. But because of lack of my troops at Antiochia, I had to weaken this spear in the body of Baktria and I sent one army to help Antiochia.
So against all these forces, I could send only two my armies. One of them consisted of good amounts of elephants with poor infantry. This elephant corps I mostly made for fun just for the epic look of a herd of elephants running towards the enemy. This time I first thought about that maybe I could not retake Antiochia against all these armies. But what is really surprised me: when I hoped to hold the city on good ground or at least inflict Baktria a lot of losses it did not happen and usually I lost more units than my enemy during the city defense. But when I assault the city battle go far more easily for me than I expected. But anyway because of game mechanics during the attack on the city I will fight against only two battered Bactrian armies instead of three and my two fresh armies shall win that fight. So one army from the north which appeared to be Pergamon army (my best army with highest army traditions which received its name for the heroic capture of Pergamon) and Elephant corps began the attack on the city.
Baktria deployed litoboles on the longest and widest street and they began firing. I had to attack quickly to decrease my losses from that fire. Anyway defending the city troops were very small and I quickly overran them but not before litoboles made good losses to my attacking troops. Baktrian reinforcement army did not take part in the fight.


One Baktrian army in the city was destroyed; another retreated without a fight during an attack on the city but not far, so around the city left only last Baktrian army and it was alone. I attacked it, it retreated. My Pergamon army had enough movement points to reach retreating two Baktrian armies. While combined they had even more soldiers than Pergamon army they retreated too far away to help each other. Separated, outnumbered 2 to 1 in every fight Baktrian armies had not any chance against best Athens army; Pergamon army completely destroyed them in two fights, killing their commanders and leaving from them only two battered units.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I looked on the map and understood that the battle of Antiochia was now over. All assaulting city Baktrian armies were destroyed and the city was in my hands. During the battle Antiochia four times changed hands, countless generals died, the city now lies in ruins. We lost almost equal amounts of generals and armies and I consider this battle tactically as a draw but strategically it was Athens victory: Athens held the city while all assaulting Baktrian armies were defeated.





In my opinion, now there are a lot of strategic options for Baktria. They have two fresh Sued armies which made long march from Arabia into Tharsakos. How to use them? I think about such possibilities:
1) Begin a new battle for Antiochia to prevent recruiting and refilling Athens armies, restoring Antiochia garrison and rebuilding its walls. Currently, my Pergamon army was busy to pursue and to destroy retreating Baktrian armies and it separated from another one in Antiochia. I can not hold the city next Baktria turn and it can be easily taken by these two Sued armies. There is also 2/3 full strength cavalry corps that can support this offensive. But was not it too risky to advance into the territory with only two armies where already destroyed 5 armies were? Will not these two armies repeat the fate of the previous ones?
2) Attack with these two Sued armies Palmyra. While Antiochia was hard to hold, maybe Palmyra is an easier target? It defended only by one army and city garrison and two Sued armies have enough ballistas to destroy towers and breach the walls.
3) Consolidate and wait for reinforcements, form a new powerful battle group and then begin a new offensive. That option gives the same benefits for Athens to strengthen its defense.
4) Consolidate and go def here while sending reinforcements to help retake north provinces. No one knows except Baktria how much time there is a need for reinforcements to come to the northern provinces. Also going def will give initiative to Athens and who knows how they will use it.


I created a poll for you, vote for best Baktria strategy in your opinion!

[Alwyn]

Good update, the reflections on your strategic and tactical options are interesting and the poll is a good idea.

The pictures in your spoilers don't seem to be visible, at least for me. When you have 25 posts, you'll be able to edit your own posts. A good way to reach 25 is to post encouraging comments on other AARs and Creative Writing. This can also encourage other writers to post on your AAR, especially if you add a link to your AAR in your signature. (If you don't know how to do that, I recommend Shankbot's Unofficial Guide for New Members.)

[sol_ilya]

Your provider blockes site where I store images. No free internet anymore. I am using a Proxy VPN anti-blocking addon for chrome to visit sites which my goverment ordered providers to block.I use ininja addon for chrome and it works fine. I heard opera browser has a default vpn to bybass blocking but I did not try it.

[sol_ilya]

Raiding attempt at Antiochia

We left Baktria with several strategic options for its two fresh Sued armies near Tharsakos. Baktria’s decision was not to make a new battle for Antiochia but to make a raid. Their two armies advanced and made my separated armies retreat and took Antiochia without a fight. This time Baktria deployed its army outside the city. But another its army did not have enough movement points for reaching the city and could not help that army. Now I only need to chase away one army from Antiochia. Funny, but I had some difficulties with finding troops with this small task. Several turns ago there were 4-5 full stacks from both sides fighting each other in the fierce battle for Antiochia and now I had difficulty with opposing one army. I had one fresh army but the Baktrian army would be supported by a small garrison and ballistas from the city. So one army was not enough and I also did not want to risk in the failure of retaking this important city. I had to stop recruiting troops in Jerusalem and sent from there a 16 unit army. It was enough for recapturing the city.

My troops appeared on different sides of the map and were separated. My 16 unit army appeared at the same side as a Baktrian army. I thought either Baktrians would retreat, as I did turn ago, or made an attack on my 16 unit army. I placed that army in a strong defensive position outside the city but I still feared the attack where I would have 4 fewer units. To my surprise, the Baktrian army got past my army and entered Antiochia.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If they just retreated I would not have enough movement points to attack them by two armies. The decision to stay and defend Antiochia doomed Baktrians. Attacked by two armies in the city they were soon overrun. But Baktrian general survived the battle. I was sure he was fighting near the city center but he was fighting on the walls.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

When his unit routed battle was over and I failed to kill him. The deployment of outside the city saved a life for him. From this Baktrian army left only general with another unit.

On the next turn the second Baktrian army advanced against the city. My troops received some losses and I again retreated leaving the city knowing that on my turn I would return in force. Baktrians again deployed outside the city and brought toward the city first defeated an army with two units.
On my turn my fresh reinforcements reached the city and I had not the problem with troops as turn ago. This time Bakrians armies retreated after my attack, were pursued and completely destroyed. At Antiochia the Baktrian raid was over.

Catastrophe at Tharsakos

When Baktria made a raid at Antiochia I had a full-strength army in Palmira and a second army was forming nearby. I saw Tharsakos as an easy target. I thought that all Baktrian forces in the area were moved to Antiochia and Tharsakos left undefended. I marched with my Palmira army towards the city and suddenly saw that there was a full cavalry army with a small additional army consisted of infantry with elephants. Something went wrong with my scouting the town the turn I advanced. Disappointed I retreated. Next turn I thought that now a full stack army + another army with 13 units would be enough for attacking the city. Baktria had there a full cavalry army, an army with 7 additional units and weak garrison that had no more 28 soldiers in each unit. I also could send a half stack army(that previous 16 unit army) that was now marching from Antiochia to Jerusalem for restoring losses. According to the battle odds I had a serious advantage and sending third army would be overkill. So I sent it to recruit troops and restore losses. I strongly underestimated the enemy.

I made an attack by two armies against a town with an advantage in 7 units. I was sure in my victory so told odds on prebattle screen. First, no one side had an upper hand. I had enough archers for countering fire from Baktrian mounted archers and all heavy Baktrian cavalry (4 units) were defeated. I also lost all my melee cavalry and received serious losses. The situation on the battlefield looked like a draw but not my victory as odd screen had told. I separated my army on two parts and made an attack with thorax spearmen on a front and flank of the city. Baktrian elephants were hiding on the streets from my archer fire and they smashed my spearmen. While my elephants were running through an open field and were routed by city defender’s fire. At the end came Baktrian mounted archers and attacked my forces from the back. They have killed my both generals. From two my stacks left only three thorax spearman units that stood on the street covering back of each other. There was about a minute left for our battle till timer was out and Baktrians left them standing alone. After such defeat, I left with about 15 units in two armies. But I did not want to risk losing two more generals in case of finishing counterattack by victorious Bakrian forces in Tharsakos and I disbanded these armies. That is how I lost two my armies at Tharsakos.

Situation on the map



On the north of modern Turkey Athens(red) advanced and took several Baktrian towns. Baktrian armies from Crimea made a long march and arrived to pull back Athens forces. On the South Baktrian armies from Arabia made a march towards Antiochia, raided it and were defeated there. The small red arrow shows Athens failed attack at Tharsakos.

Naval operations

I have not seen any signs of a strong Bakrian fleet and thought about possibility Baktria decided to abandon its navy. I saw only their weak fleet of 3-4 ships. So when I finished rebuilding my three fleets I sent them to finish what was left from the Baktrian navy and to take some port in Crimea if it would be practical. To my surprise, at Crimea I saw 4 weak fleets that were actively building new ships. The news that my enemy was actively building a new fleet was very unpleasant. I attacked them, they retreated. I was satisfied that I stopped them from building new ships and was going to destroy them on my next turn. On next Baktrian turn I knew the shocking truth. Baktria is not rebuilding the fleet, they already have a full armed fleet! My three fleets were attacked by three Baktrian fleets and were defeated. Two my generals and supply ships were only what left from my three advancing fleets. Both fleets lost one general from each side. My guess that Baktria did not have big fleet again was false and in a second naval battle my fleet was destroyed while Baktria received serious losses and our naval forces is out of action for some time.

[waveman]

I'm loving this aar/campaign/conflict. It's really interesting to see the feints, mistakes, and the good strategies, and that despite the size of your empires defeats can be quite costly!

[Alwyn]

I agree with waveman! I wonder what the consequences of the disaster at Tharsakos will be, that sounds like a major event.

[sol_ilya]

Alwyn, results of disastor at Thrasakos - comlete destraction of my my two armies at Palmyra and a a bit slower my later advance in that area. On the same turn I destroyed two raiding armies at Antiochia. So these two battles cost each other. I did not sent my third army towards Tharsakos though it could take part in battle too, instead I sent it to Jerusalem to finish recruiting. Next turn this fresh army occupied Palmyra and prevented any Baktria desire for offensive with its beaten two victoriuos armies against Palmyra.

This batle decided if Athens have full domination against Baktria. If we make score for domination I give three points for victory at Antiochia. 1 for annihilation two rading armies at Antiochia and 1 for Tharsakos. We started 0:1 in favour of Baktria, becouse it had two more armies and more territory. If Athens win also at Tharsakos our score will be 4:1 in favour of Athens,when half of Baktrain armies is destroyed. When my two armies were annihilated at Tharsakos and two Baktrian armies survivied it became only 3:2 with such outcome, so the game became more interesting with that my lost; our forces is now equal and each side has chance for victory.

And guys thank you for your attention and encouraging posts!

[King Athelstan]

Glad you like encouraging posts, as here's another one!

I have never seen a two-player AAR before, it really fascinates me to see both sides of a conflict by two people, it's a very refreshing take on the AAR genre. It's a very good read, I'm looking forward to see how the conflict develops.
I do have a question for both of you though: How does what is written here, seeing as you read your opponents posts as well affect your game?