Camel/Elephant Screens

[Chris Brantley]

In a number of historical battles, baggage camels and/or elephants were deployed in thin screens on an army's flank or across its front to discourage enemy mounted They were thinly deployed and were not expected to fight...their function was simply to look (and smell) menacing, which seved to spook enemy horses, who were unfamililar with them, their smells, etc. Per accounts, they seem to have been moderately effective in those limited roles.

Any suggestions on how to simulate that in DBA as a variant rule? Perhaps a camp follower/baggage element with a ZOC of 40mm to front AND flank, that doesn't fight (or fights as camp followers)? Or a pip penalty for enemy mounted that seek to cross through the screen? Or a non-fighting barrier (like a terrain feature) impassable to other mounted? Any other ideas?

Just a quick note on this, that Phil now thinks that Camels were not so bad for cavalry. Did I hear that DBMM has camels with lower factor vs mounted than DBM/DBA?

Originally posted by Bob.(& his dog):
Did I hear that DBMM has camels with lower factor vs mounted than DBM/DBA?

Yep. 2 v mounted, 3 v foot. (Instead of 4 v mounted, 2 v foot). But DIBing Kn, and putting Cv to flight instead of recoil. There are several combat factor modifications more.

One idea is to have elephants provide protection for friendly troops against mounted. This could mean that foot that are side by side with elephants are not subject to quick kills i.e. foot are protected against knights, and psiloi protected against all mounted.

What about the Camels disguised as elephants? Same effects almost in a scattered line as elephants, but easier for the owning army to field. I have two Chariot examples, but never get the chance to field them

There was an article about this matter in the slingshot magazine about 5 years ago It was about how a screen of elephants and infantry could block Demetrius's Knights and prevent them from rejoining antigonos's phalanx.

I will try to find the article and post it here

Michael, what are the reasons for the camel combat changes in DBMM ?
Regards,
Don

A long time ago when the 2.1 rules were being formulated I suggested a rule to Bob Beatie to simulate just these thin screens of Elephants in front of armies to disorder attacking horse but not having a great fighting impact themselves. It was to allow an El figure placed behind a foot element to add +1 to th element in front and to those on either side against mounted in an analagous way to Ps rear support.