We're Back!

Still wanting to continue with some large battles I came up with the idea that as the Romano-British had foiled the Saxon attempt to bring all Britain under the Saxon heel, the last remnants of the Romans in the West saw an opportunity to regain some glory and reconquer Britain. Rob of the Britons had succumbed to his wounds from the earlier battle so Stewart of the Britons would now lead the army, the Romans arrived under Patrician Matt, desperate to gain enough kudos to perhaps dream of the Imperial throne.

The armies met somewhere in the South West, the British typical with a line up of heavy and medium infantry along with a couple of cavalry units and some skirmishers. The Romans were reliant on their Foederatii so half the army were Goths, large warbands and cavalry, the Roman element consisted of four Legions, half of which were heavy infantry and some excellent cavalry, firepower was provided by some skirmishers and two boltshooters. The British had infantry in the centre and cavalry out on the flanks, the Romans kept a tighter formation with the Legions on the right along with two units of cavalry, the Goths made up the left flank along with the bolt shooters.

The Romans advanced rapidly to take the hills to their front, the Goths stayed where they were, the British threw their cavalry forward but the infantry only slowly edged forward. The British cavalry attacked aggressivley and closed with the enemy as did their skirmishers, arrows and javelins flew and men began to die. The Roman cavalry managed to charge the British on their right and routed them while taking position on the central hill and slowly making their way up the second hill. The British commander now saw the danger and ordered his infantry to move more quickly. A desperate fight now developed on the right flank hill, the elite household Legion Lanciarii Gallicani Honoriani should have beaten the Milites to their front but the Milites refused to budge, it was now known that the British cavalry had rallied and would be back in the fight once they had reorginised, the Roman plan to overwhelm the British right after a good start now began to stutter. The Goth allies still held their ground on the left.

The main British line had now got into javelin range of the Legions and barbs began to fly, casualties mounted in the Roman ranks, having left their darts with the baggage train the Romans had no answer to the hail of steel coming at them. The attack on the right could still bring success, but despite the best efforts of the Gallicani under the gaze of their Tribune, the Milites on the hill simply could not be moved. The British cavalry now returned and were met by the Equites and another desperate fight ensued. The Goths were now ordered to advance just as the British right moved against them. The British in the centre now threw caution to the wind and attacked the Roman centre on the hill, the lighter armed Legions, Quinta Macedonica and Regii failed to stop this attack and soon ran for the rear. The Celtae Seniores met the British Dux's household troops and stood for now, back on the now aptly named Red Hill the Gallicani at last beat the Milites but were so exhausted they failed to catch and disperse the survivors.

The Goths were now in combat with the British right and looked to be winning despite the efforts of a second British household unit. The Romans now threw a desperate cavalry charge into infantry covering the British left, a valiant effort but one which failed to move the Pedyts, the Roman cavalry disengaged from the losing fight, nearby the Equites had been routed and the British pursuit brought them into position on the flank of the tired out Gallicani. The Regii had also been defeated so the Gallicani braced themselves for a last stand as the victorious Britons surrounded them. These men fought bravely around their wounded leader but it was to no avail, the Roman part of the army had been destroyed. The Goths meanwhile had routed the British right but as their leader looked toward the Red Hill it was obvious the battle was over, it was time to head back to the fleet.

Another excellent Dark Age clash and a big thanks to Stewart and Matt for taking part, especially Matt who has never played a game of WAC before, but like Rob of the Britons a veteran wargamer who knows a thing or two about tactics. Matt's plan was actually very good and was foiled by the rallying of the British cavalry which meant he had to peel off a cavalry unit to intercept them when they came back, the second problem which arose was the astounding defence by the Milites (men of the match) in the face of the Gallicani, this act gave the British centre time to advance and defeat the main Roman forces. I was kind of hoping I could continue the story line with a third battle between a revitalised Saxon army and the victorious Romans, but it was not to be.

I have an idea to go back to WWII for the next game, I have been fairly busy organising the going forward of the 'Berlin Project' and painting some Goths to upgrade their warbands so have not got around to it yet. With the country closing again soon and the awful weather I might get sorted this weekend.