T A C T I C A L F O R U M

PersianPlanforBattleofIssus,333B.C.BYULRICHBLENNEMANN

Turning the tables on the Macedonian Army, thanks to the Free Deployment Variant offered in theIssus scenario in

IN MY EXPERIENCEwithThe Great Battles ofAlexander, I have found thatthe game system captures theessence of tactical ancientwarfare, particularly aspracticed by Alexander. Thegame appears so realistic, infact, that the various scenarioscannot help but heavily favorthe Macedonians. Perhapsonly through poor judgementand careless mistakes can

the Persians claim victoryon the battlefield.

Having watched Alexanderconquer at will, I decided it'shigh time to turn the tables onthe Macedonian Army,thanks to the Free Deploy-ment Variant offered in theIssus scenario. I believe Ihave formulated an initialdeployment for the Persiansthat can't be cracked, even byAlexander and his phalanxes.Provided below is myproposed Perfect Persian Plan.Go ahead and try this set-upfor yourselves. If anyone

comes up with a Macedonianplan to crack this setI hope to see it set forthin these pages.

Per s i an F r ee D epl o y men t

for Issu s

Pinarius River defense line:

Greek Mercenary 1 HO:

1418/1517Greek Mercenary 2 HO:

1617/1716Royal Guard 1 HO:

1816 » abatisRoyal Guard 2 HO:1916 » abatisGreek Mercenary 3 HO:

2016/2115Greek Mercenary 4 HO:2215/2315

T A C T I C A L F O R U M

PersianPlanforBattleofIssus,333B.C.BYULRICHBLENNEMANN

Turning the tables on the Macedonian Army, thanks to the Free Deployment Variant offered in theIssus scenario in The Great Battles of Alexander.

comes up with a Macedonianplan to crack this set-up,I hope to see it set forthin these pages.

Per s i an F r ee D ep lo y men t

Issu s

Pinarius River defense line:

Greek Mercenary 1 HO:

1418/1517 » abatisGreek Mercenary 2 HO:

1617/1716 » abatisRoyal Guard 1 HO:

abatisRoyal Guard 2 HO:

abatisGreek Mercenary 3 HO:

2016/2115 » abatisGreek Mercenary 4 HO:2215/2315

Cardacenes 5 LI: 3309/3409Cardacenes 6 LI: 3508/3608Cardacenes 7 LI: 3708/3808Cardacenes 8 LI: 3807/3806Cardacenes 9 LI: 3905/4005Cardacenes 10 LI: 4104/4204Archers 3 + 4 SK: 4304

Archers 5 + 6 SK: 4405Archers 7 + 8 SK: 4505Archers 9 + 10 SK: 4606Archers 11 + 12 SK: 4706Archers 13 SK: 4807Archers 14 SK: 4808Javelinists 1 SK: 4908Javelinists 2 SK: 5008Rhodes 1 SK: 5207

Rhodes 2 SK: 5307

Rhodes 3 SK: 5407

South of the Pinarius:Archers 15 + 16 SK: 5209Archers 17 + 18 SK: 5309Reserve line:

Median 1 LC: 1315Median 2 LC: 1415Royal Guard 3 HC: 1514Bactrian 1 HC: 1614Darius + Royal Bodyguard CH:1613Bactrian 2 HC: 1713Median 3 LC: 1813Median 4 LC: 1912

Nabarzanes: 1914

Median 5 LC: 2012Hyrcanian 1 LC: 2512Hyrcanian 2 LC: 2612Hyrcanian 3 LC: 2711

T A C T I C A L F O R U M

PersianPlanforBattleofIssus,333B.C.

Turning the tables on the Macedonian Army, thanks to the Free Deployment Variant offered in the

Thymondas: 2812Bactrian 3 HC: 2811Bactrian 4 HC: 2810Asian Levy 14 LI: 2809Bactrian 5 HC: 2909Hyrcanian 4 LC: 3009Hyrcanian 5 LC: 3008

Persian 1 LC: 3107Persian 2 LC: 3207Asian Levy 1 LI: 3306Asian Levy 2 LI: 3406Asian Levy 3 LI: 3505Asian Levy 4 LI: 3605Asian Levy 5 LI: 3604Asian Levy 6 LI: 3703Asian Levy 7 LI: 3803Asian Levy 8 LI: 3902Asian Levy 9 LI: 4002

Aristomedes: 4004Asian Levy 10 LI: 4101Asian Levy 11 LI: 4201Asian Levy 12 LI: 4301Asian Levy 13 LI: 4402Persian 3 LC: 4502Persian 4 LC: 4603Persian 5 LC: 5104

Reomithres: 5105

Initial DeploymentStrategy Notes

A Macedonian attack on thePersian left flank is prettymuch ruled out due to theLevel 3 and 4 terrain in thearea. Only infantry andskirmishers will be able totransverse this terrain, butonly after absorbing severalcohesion hits, thus weakeningthem before they are able toinitiate shock combat. Shouldone or two Macedonian unitsactually slip across thePinarius (having to absorbfurther cohesion hits), theywill be easily overwhelmedby the Persian reserves.

The five Persian unitsdeployed south of thePinarius River should bewithdrawn immediately tothe northern side. Oneshould not become overconfi-dent; play conservatively.Advancing further to thesouth in strength robs thePersian player of his advan-tage and plays into theMacedonian's hands.

The most vulnerable part ofthe Persian line is the rightflank, or upper Pinariusarea, which consists solelyof Level 1 terrain. GreekMercenaries, with the helpof abatis and supported bycavalry in the rear, shouldbe able to counter anyserious assault byMacedonian phalanx andhypapists. Besides, enemycavalry has no chanceagainst them.

The same also holds true forthe Persian center. Althoughonly light infantry is defend-ing this area, the inherentterrain advantage coupledwith a strong cavalry andinfantry reserve should beenough to stop any potentialMacedonian breakthrough.Although the Persians maynot hold every hex adjacent tothe Pinarius, there certainlyare sufficient reserves to

counterattack immediatelywhen necessary.

One final and critical point.As soon as you realize wherethe Macedonians are formingtheir Schwerpunkt, deployyour best leaders to thissector. In the meantime,watch those flanks!

The Great Battles of History Series: Issus

counterattack immediatelywhen necessary.

One final and critical point.As soon as you realize wherethe Macedonians are formingtheir Schwerpunkt, deployyour best leaders to thissector. In the meantime,watch those flanks!

The Great Battles of History Series: Issus