The Peloponesians chose to remain in place and reduce their quality disadvantage.
The central squadron are in LINE but the right is held by two squadrons
en echelon which prevents a
diekplous from their attackers.
The commander's squadron lurks on the left flank hoping to move across and take some attackers in the flank.
The centre Peloponesians are charged by their opposite numbers who attempt a
diekplous. This works easily due to the quality and speed superiority the Athenians enjoy. A massacre sets the Peloponesians to flight in a single combat round. I should have had them close-up their line, maybe then they would have lasted longer.
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| Athenians charge the P centre |
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| Athenians have got behind the Ps and sink four in the first contact. |
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| The Ps routed by the As for no loss |
The Peloponesian commander comes out to threaten the Athenian flank but is immediately charged. This time the Athenians opt for a head-on clash and a hard-fought melee ensues. Despite the Athenian commander getting sunk, the Peloponesians are routed.
A blue acetate slip means sunk. A card slip means crippled. Ships off a base are out of command.
The two Peloponesian squadrons on the right divide. The front one takse up a single line in CLOSE ORDER after the devastation of a potential
diekplous is appreciated, and are charged by the Athenians. This melee is a tough one but the outcome results in an inevitable Peloponesian rout.
The rear one faces left and tries to take the Athenians who had been successful in the centre in the flank as they are now disordered.
After a successful initial round of combat the Peloponesians lose the disordered melee due to their poorer ratings.
The Peloponesian commander puts up a spirited fight and even sinks the squadron commander opposing him but his unit's rout completes the Peloponesian debacle.
Lessons
The
diekplous works as a deadly tactic if it works. Weaker sides need to really do anything to avoid it if they can. Closing order and deeper formations can extend the combat against more able opponents.
Having tried complex game turns, this scale needs a form of IgoUgo. It seemed to work ok,
Seventy ships fought for 7 rounds to achieve a result. 22 Peloponesians were sunk. 5 Athenians sank. 4 Athenians were cripled and 8 Peloponesians. 17 Peloponesians ran for cover.
