Today we tried a battle from Aulus Plautius' invasion of Britain in 43 AD. The real battle happened over 2 days, where, on the first day, the Romans sent Batavians across the Medway to attack the encamped Britons, and these Auxilia used Javelins to damage the British Chariot horses. Then Flavius Vespasian led the 2nd Legion and others over 'in some way' according to Dio Cassius, and beat the Britons. The Brits reformed and fought again the next day, but were beaten mainly by Gnaus Hosidius Geta, who 'Beat them soundly', forcing them back to the Thames!
I tried doing a crossing of the Medway direct, but with 3 fords rather than the 2 in the river crossing scenario in the rules. Rather foolishly I gave the Britons 400pts like the Romans. They should have been 1/3 less - just to see how it would play...
The battlefield at game start, Romans to the left. Brittunculi (the rather rude way the Romans referred to Britons), to the right.
On the Roman right I had a unit of Legionarii, an Auxilia cohort, a Batavian cohort (as Light Infantry today!) - and the Artillery.
Next left I had GH Geta with some Auxiliary cavalry and 2 more Legionary units.
Tony was our Commander today, and had 2 Legionary units, 2 Auxilliary Cohorts, some Auxilia Sagittarii (Formed Archers), as well as some Slingers and more Equites Alares.
Facing me, the Britons had 3 Warbands, some Slingers and Light Javelinmen.
The mass of British infantry was in their centre.
On their right, more Slingers and Javelinmen.
Our job was to cross the river!
Tony sent his Slingers forward, supported by Auxilia.
I sent my Batavians forward, and advanced my Auxilia towards the ford.
One of the British warbands took 2 Stamina loss!
Titus Flavius Sabinus, my Champion, had shot them with his Scorpios
Tony's slingers took damage from the British Slingers who had advanced aggressively.
The other infantry and their light Cavalry was keeping back.
In the centre, our Equites and Legionarii guarded the central ford.
Phil had sent his slingers forward to harass my Batavian auxiliaries. The rest of the wing were keeping well away from my artillery!
The British Slingers rolled well, and my Batavians withdrew, damaged.
On our left, Tony had used a 'Hold Fast' to return his Slingers to full Stamina, and they began a duel with the British Slingers.
An overview at this point, the Romans were trying to clear the enemy light troops before attempting to cross the river.
I used another 'Hold Fast' and got my Batavians back...just!
On Tony's wing the Roman Slingers damaged the British slingers.
I needed to start crossing the river if we were going to win!
The British Light Cavalry raced round and with a great die roll, damaged the Roman Slingers again!!!
Lawrence was moving British infantry from the centre to the flank.
Tony had driven the British Cavalry away with an aggressive move by his Auxilia, but the damaged British Slingers managed to beat the Roman Slingers! (3 Hits from 3 Dice!)
I struggled to get my Batavians round to lead the attack on the ford, all they managed to do was screen my Artillery and stop them shooting!!
On Tony's wing, the British cavalry was harassing the Auxilia
The centre was emptying!
My right was held up with troops not moving!
Tony drove his Auxilia across the stream, but they took damage (5 hits from 6 dice), he tried to use his Formed Archers to clear the Slingers.
The shooting drove the Slingers back, but that's all.
We were making no progress at all!
Finally, I got my Batavians in position to cross the ford.
As can be seen - the British were massed on the fords.
My Scorpions were now free to shoot...
...the British Slingers fled!
Tony's Auxilia Sagittari finally got rid of the British Slingers!
Tony now had a fair chance to cross the ford, which was now guarded by British Javelinmen.
In the centre, Tony sent his Equites to pin the British at the central ford.
I sent my Batavians across the ford, supported by my Auxilia.
The Batavians charged a Warband unit and destroyed it...but they were destroyed themselves and T.F. Sabinus with them!!!
The British attacked my Auxilia, despite appearances that was a frontal attack by the Javelinmen.
Tony had sent an Auxilia unit across the ford, but they were beaten(!) by the British Javelinmen and driven back.
The same happened on my wing, the Britons drove my Auxilia back.
Tony's Auxilia continued to be driven back...
...but they failed a die roll and broke!
Tony sent the supporting Auxilia forward, but these took heavy damage...
...at least they destroyed the Javelinmen!! - their Hero stayed in combat!
The centre was static.
The British were very strong facing Tony's Auxila...
...My Auxilia were surrounded by screaming Brits!
Naturally, they broke!
Tony's Auxilia were attacked by 2 British units.
We decided we had done all that honour required and gave up!
We had 5 Rep left, the British 9.
We think the scenario with equal forces was unwinnable, but it was an interesting exercise to try, next time we will use the official scenarios to see how it differs!
No comments:
Post a Comment