A Touch of Crossfire...

 A WW2 Exercise:

Some experimenting done with a WW2 skirmish.

Sgt Nakamura has been sent ahead by Lt. Kawashima to scout the river valley and associated hamlets around Spring Bridge; a small wooden structure over the Mau Stream. The bridge is believed to be suitable for local carts only, but is the only vehicular crossing of the stream in the immediate area and must be checked. 

The sergeant is to ascertain if there is any enemy presence this side of the bridge, order any civilians in the hamlets to leave, and establish control of the bridge zone. Lt. Kawashima will be following on with the rest of the platoon later.

[Movement and shooting will be based on "Crossfire" principles but with friendly movement limited by "bounds" between cover patches or 8" of open ground, with a Test for hidden enemy/event action per detached unit/individual at "bound" end.

For this exercise a throw of 0 on a 10D on such a Test for moving testers will trigger a card draw.

Stationary testers will carry out a test as above, but then perform another test in the event of a 0 result. In this second test a 6D will be thrown and on a 4, 5 or 6 a card is drawn. Testers in cover take 1 from the second dice throw. Testers prone take 1 from the second dice throw. Testers which have previously fired from their current position add 2 to the second dice throw. All modifiers are cumulative.

Units on ground previously gone over by friendly units do NOT have to test in the same way UNLESS there has been enemy Infiltration

Hostile movement/actions will be as per usual Crossfire principles, with priorities of "Rally", "Seek Objective" (if any), "Shoot", "Advance", "Other".

The Card Draw test results will be based on my "Hidden Enemy" standard playing card-based system to generate events and enemy action.

The card pack will consist of the red suits, one black suit and the two Jokers of a standard card deck. The card draw results will be applied as follows:

The red cards will be violent enemy action - usually shooting - from a previously unknown enemy body cover in at a maximum distance decided by 4x6D. In this scenario Red Court cards will represent 12 shooters (in other scenarios court cards may represent other things; armour, artillery, infiltration, charges, reinforcements, booby traps/mines, other special circumstances etc.).

The Black cards will produce "Blinds" in cover which cannot be identified until a clear Line of Sight is established. These will then be tested for on the table below.

Civilians and Domestic Animals Dice for Number. 

In this scenario the Jokers will represent off-table mortar support (black for hostiles, red for friendly); the number of mortar shells incoming being based on the number on the next Red card drawn. Any Black card drawn thereafter in a mortar number test means that that session of off-table shooting has stopped. A draw of a Black card when testing for mortars the first time will mean six smoke shells are dropped.

Drawn cards in this scenario are returned to the deck. This may not be the case in other scenarios.

Lt. Kawashima's arrival will be tested for a 6D per bound/move. He will arrive on a thrown 6.]

The game starts with the sergeant's arrival on the table.

He orders Cpl. Suzuki with the machine gun section to set up near the stupa so as to command the approaches to the bridge and the space between the nearest hamlet and the stream. Private Tsuchida the best sniper/scout is sent on ahead to scout. He will be followed by the sergeant and three other soldiers. Tsuchida pushes ahead to the central hamlet without incident. 

The sergeant's party catches up with him by the buildings and Privates Yamakawa and Tokuda are ordered to search the huts - but in the very first hut entered they see through the window something moving the other side of the fields.

[Event test and Black card draw. Blind placement.]

The sergeant orders them and Tsuchida to hold at the hamlet while he and private Iwata creep round the nearby patch of woodland to see if they can identify the source of the  movement.

[On reaching the woodland the sgt's party prompts another test - and another Black card draw, with the distance test placing it by the first Blind.] 

Nakamura steps out to identify the movement - and finds eight cowering civilians crouched behind the fence. He orders them to return to their homes, gather their belongings and get out of the area. He gives them fifteen minutes to do this. Meanwhile he gathers his party and begins moving towards the stream and bridge.

While all this is going on Lt. Kawashima arrives with the rest of the platoon. He is happy with the placement of the machine gun. Leaving some of his men to support the machine gun on Stupa Hill he intends to move the rest round the nearby trees to head for the hamlet.

Suddenly though the situation changes [Test.]; there is shooting from a clump of trees by the stream and casualties are taken by the men grouped by the stupa. The men here are pinned .

[My Japanese lose the Initiative so the enemy continue shooting.] 

As the enemy continue firing more men fall on Stupa Hill and the machine gun section is pinned. 

Luckily, some bad shooting from the enemy ensues [Losing them Initiative for a round.].  But then "disaster" ! [We lose the initiative again. Then:..] Enemy mortar fire falls around the machine gun team!!

[The result of a Black Joker triggered by a standard test. To simulate the mortar fire I toss "shell-bursts" from the enemy side of the table to the number marked on the numbers red card towards the triggering unit. Where these "bursts" land is where a mortar shell lands - a bit random, but works well for me. IF a "burst" bounces - they are lightly weighted - more than six inches from where it landed it is thrown again. Men withing a blast radius of the "burst" test to see if they are hit.]

The first mortar rounds do no harm, and with the help some successful rallying we keep Initiative. Kawashima leads some of his men to a more sheltered area behind some trees. Nakamura too makes some progress along the stream towards the enemy firing.

However, for the next four rounds shell after shell lands around the men on Stupa Hill, causing serious casualties. 

This bombardment is VERY bad for me. Not only does it take down my men, but also the Pinning and the casualties caused keeps the Initiative with the enemy; effectively paralysing my side. Eventually all of my men on the hill in view of the enemy have fallen - and the enemy rush the hill [Result of a Test].

But they are premature  - and lose a man to friendly fire as one of the mortar shells falls short. However, more of my men fall to the mortars - including Lt. Kawashima himself. 

But the enemy, flummoxed by the friendly fire, now come under small arms fire from Nakamura's party, now on their rear left flank and Kawashima's men by the trees. Caught in this crossfire the enemy by the stupa are reduced to one man, then none. 

Things are looking better - but my luck doesn't hold....

Another test, and  there is shooting from the other side of the stream in Nakamura's rear -  catching my men here in the open. Nakamura gets his men into some cover - but one of his men falls and they are pinned...

Then, another test (!!!), and MORE shooting; there are about twenty enemy out there, including some LMGs... Nakamura's men start falling and he is briefly pinned. Things don't look good, but he recovers, and he and his only surviving man pull back to the cover of the hamlet.

With only one of his men still on his feet, Nakamura falls further back, to join the handful of men left from Kawashima's command, who have come down the hill.  

The enemy are not pursuing - seeming to want to stay on their side of the stream. We will dig in and hold the line of tree trunks by the track from the hamlet, and send a runner to Company HQ.

I think it is time to call it a day. 

Aftermath:

So.... We lost heavily. Of the men brought down around the stupa there are few survivors due to multiple hits from the mortars. We were able to drag back some of our nearer wounded (three from Kawashima's men and Kawashima himself; badly wounded and unconscious). One of Nakamura's lads staggers in later, hit but treatable, but the rest are lost. 

So, what did we gain...? We explored a good part of the ground our side of the stream and assessed the bridge (sound, but unable to take heavy traffic). We told the civilians to clear out (though they went to ground in the houses during all the shooting). We think we brought down about half a dozen of the enemy at the stupa, but haven't investigated their bodies (we will wait for nightfall to do this) and have no idea if any of them got back to their lines afterwards. 

The enemy aren't crossing the stream (yet), as far as we know, but are clearly in force (mortars and maybe two platoons?) in cover on the other side.

Conclusion:

That was a tense, challenging (!) fun game. 

The Crossfire principles work well. I may need to refresh myself on them, and perhaps do some tweaking (a run of bad luck on the dice really does make or break a plan) but all in all I was happy with the flow.

The uncertainty of what was going to come up (or be thrown at me) felt "right" and deciding how to use my "initiative" when it happened challenging.

The mortar barrage was a MOST unpleasant surprise which I could well have done without - and which scuppered me completely (35 mortar rounds!!??); but life (and war) isn't fair. 

Altogether things hung together well, and I'll have another few plays while the table is up.

As always: thoughts, comments and queries are welcome...      

Here, with a Book of Rules to crease My Brow,

 A flask of Tea, a cup of Dice, and Thou..... 

Back from Madiera (never managed to trek up to the castle; the knees complained too much), reading the "Infamy, Infamy" ruleset,  and with the help of a promised guided tour of the Blockouse I may have rustled up some Pressed Men (if not volunteers) to help in a wargaming experiment to test out some expanded WW2 solo ideas for jungley action.

Tempt them in with promises of "Heroquest", then pounce is the plan...

Watch this space.

In other news: an interesting post seen today on the Kabinettskrieg Blog:

https://kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2025/04/what-were-battles-like-in-revolutionary.html

The Blog:

I think I've mentioned before that one of the things I find interesting about the Blog stats is those countries from whence the Blog gets hits (and, to a lesser extent, those nations noticeable by their absence).

Western and central Europe, plus North America, seem to provide the bulk of my "audience" (though there is scanty interest from Scandinavia or the Mediterranean countries). Australia and Indonesia get a look in (but VERY rarely New Zealand). Occasionally Russia. Rarely "the Baltics" or the Balkans. Occasionally some of the "Stans", especially Pakistan, and India. Once in a blue moon Japan and China.

Africa (apart from South Africa), the Arab world and South America are largely, if unsurprisingly, absent.

Lately I seems to be getting hits from Iran; which as someone with many happy memories (work and travel) of the people and places there is nice. These could (as hits from some other places) be Bot hits, but if not I'd love to know what has led folk to my maunderings...

I DO welcome all comments and queries - or ideas for projects. It lets me know, at least, that folk are listening.

I WAS going to post a couple of pics here today, but Blogger is up to its tricks again. Perhaps they are doing another "one step forwards, two steps back" alleged (and unasked for) "improvement", like the most recent one which messed up image posting... Ho, hum...

The Plans:

Plans for the upcoming months are the WW2 experiment mentioned above, a possible "Mystery" team game if that works, some RPG, some solo or semi-solo NWF action and a totally solo "Fill In The Map" exploring exercise. 

Onwards & upwards...

Aftermath...

 Where next..?

So, the fighting is over. It was hard-fought and genuinely could have gone either way at several points.

With the enemy in flight and his cavalry in pursuit Caesitius counts the cost of the battle.

From the legionary cohorts a centurion and forty nine men have died or been mortally wounded.

Seventy nine men were badly wounded, and thirty lightly wounded. This reflects the bitter fighting against the elite warriors at the top of their slope. 

The Nervii managed to get away with only about thirty guys lightly wounded, the Morini with twenty dead and about the same number badly hurt. The Dalmatian foot lost heavily: fifty men lost (some of their wounded abandoned when they broke), with thirty more suffering light wounds.

The cavalry casualties were ten Dalmatians dead, ditto the Tungrians.  The Gallic horse were left with twenty men lost (dead or overrun) and twenty with light wounds.

In all the Roman force lost 150 men dead or dying, 99 seriously wounded but likely to recover and 110 lightly wounded.

Caeog's men lost badly: three sub-chiefs died and Cyfwlch was wounded.

Some 98 elite warriors of the “knightly” class perished. 89 fell wounded and are in Roman hands. 50 got away with light wounds.  

The warriors of the second class lost 30 dead, 10 left on the field and 30 fleeing lightly hurt.

The levy lost 60 dead, seventy more left to the tender mercies of the enemy, and 110 wounded.

The skirmishers lost around 30 men.

Conclusion: 

The Romans certainly lost more than they might have done in an open fight, without that pesky steep bank. The Dalmatians and Gauls breaking (and abandoning their wounded) also pushed up the Roman losses.

From Caeog's point of view the battle COULD have been worse in terms of casualties, but his men are now scattered and roughly a third of his high status warriors are dead or in Roman hands. 

Cyfwlch, wounded, is disheartened. Cairbre also seems to have lost his fighting spirit. How many of his men, on the run amongst unsympathetic if not actively hostile septs, will rejoin the colours is another issue.

To add to Caeog's problems the zone where the battle took place, and two nearby zones, come out as clearly pro the Pax Romanum. He may not even know about the Roman force now at Leuca, but that could have been a final nail in the coffin.

Caeog, and those men he still has with him, vanish into the hills. The revolt is over...  

Well, that's another campaign done and dusted. The map work re. the Zone testing was a bit "sloggy" at times, and once the rebels failed to raise enough sympathisers in the early stages (due, to a very large part, by Caeog's indecision), it seemed as if the Romans were bound to win. But the narrative worked - and that last battle was, at times, a close-run thing. HAD Caeog won decisively things might have changed, but......

Where did the Post Battle Stats. come from?

For those unfamiliar with my post-battle shenanigans: for a game (and campaign) like the last one my wee guys who are rendered hors de combat during the fight (whether dead, wounded, cut about a bit, terrified, shamming or “Helping someone else”) and removed from the field are tested for again post battle.

This is a very simplistic method; a 1x6D throw per figure “lost”. 

On a result of one or two the guys represented by the figure are dead or mortally wounded. 

On a throw of three or four they are badly wounded; likely to survive with treatment, but needing help to move any distance (see “abandoned wounded” below) and requiring evacuation.

On a throw of five or six the chaps are wounded (cuts strains, bruises, minor upper body fractures), but not enough to prevent them from moving or carrying out basic duties if called upon. 

The only factor affecting the above is if wounded are at any time “Abandoned” - i.e. left on the field at any stage at the mercy (or otherwise) of the enemy. A unit which breaks is generally deemed to have left its badly wounded behind. Thus. If an enemy unit passes over the ground previously occupied by a unit as it broke, or if the enemy remain in possession of the field following a whole army breaking, the badly wounded MAY be deemed lost, either as victims of a ruthless enemy, or as prisoners of war (where culturally appropriate).

Last Comment:

Am taking break for a wee while as I'm off to Madiera for a week, but that will give me time to plan the next project before the fighting season kicks off (thus far Battles of Lewes, Bretten, Barnet, Bosworth, Evesham and Hastings are on my reenactment "to do" list for the season, plus some small, fun shows). 

As always, any comments, thoughts, ideas for projects and critiques are welcome; and encourage me to Carry on Blogging.. 

   

The Battle of the Leuca

To the Table:

So, we have a confrontation. Caeog has 2,770 men - more than he had at the Nida. His men are on a rise to the west of the river, with a thin skirmish line in front.

Again, he has organized his force into three "Battles". He commands the centre, with the bulk of the elite warriors and his scatter of pony riders under his direct command. Cyfwlch will command the right. Cairbre, the late Tewdrig's cousin, will command the left

The Romans have built a hurried marching camp on the rising ground THEIR side of the river, then deployed.

Caesitius has his own, 2nd, cohort (at a strength of 304 men), Flaccus's 8th cohort (280 men  - two centuries being left to man the camp), Albinius' 3rd cohort (likewise 280 - one century left at the camp) and Caninia's 9th (294 men - one century left at the camp*). 

(*Also at the camp are the servants attached to the various units and half the ballistae, so Caesitius is happy that he won't have to worry about it during the battle.)

He also has twelve ballistae to deploy, Burriana's Dalmatians (with 38 horse and 165 foot), and the 1st Morini infantry (300 foot), II Nervii (240 foot), plus turmae from IVth Gauls (90 horse) and 1st Tungrians (130 cavalry) 

This totals around a perfectly decent 1,158 legionaries, 705 auxiliary foot and 258 cavalry.

The only thing working against the Romans is the river (more a disruption than an actual obstacle) and the slope set well back from the riverbank, otherwise Caesitius feels confident. 

[Technical: I'll work on a 1:10 scale for the bods on the table.

On the Roman side the tactical unit will be the cohort or individual cavalry regiment/unit. However, foot cohorts above a strength of sixteen figures have sub-commanders and are, in effect, mini "formations" and can alter formation and "split" if desired.

The Silures the three "Battles" are likewise "formations" of units. They can alter formation, but cannot "split" voluntarily. They can be "split" by events.

Activation will be according to basic SP principles, with each Army commander having tokens allocated to activate them and each formation having an activation token allocated. Roman artillery have one token to cover all ballistae.

There are also SP "Command Tokens" for both sides (Romans have more), and an "Army Token" for each side - whereby an entire army can be activated that move, but IF so activated MUST move as if a giant "formation" (i.e moves as one and cannot "split" that move). If moved in this manner the unit cannot again be Activated, but unit commanders can be to remove Disruption. 

There is also a "Cohort Token" allowing the Roman player (only) to move any group of adjacent cohorts as if they were already a "Formation". Late, individual leader activation acts as above. 

The Roman advantages in tokens are there to replicate their superior command and control structure.   

There is also a Wild Token and two "Special Tokens" which, it revealed, are diced for on a 1x6D. On a throw of 6 the Token is Activated and its effect further diced for (see tables). The token concerned is then removed from the mix. If not Activated it is returned to the mix.

As usual, Technical Notes are in Italics and squared brackets.] 

The Game:

First Move and the Romans get a whole Army Activation Token, and throw their troops across the river. All units suffer Disruption from the crossing [Ave D throw], but nothing disastrous.

Caeog moves his skirmish line forward, and these cause more Disruption problems for the Romans. A few auxiliaries and legionaries become casualties - but so also does a centurion from one of the legion cohorts (THAT'S what comes of leading from the front when the stones start flying). 

Caeog also moves his centre to the "military crest" of the slope.

Suddenly, Cyfwlch, on the right, launches his whole wing at the Romans, catching one of their lead cavalry units (IVth Gauls) as they struggle up from the river and, after a brief but bloody fight, scatters them. His high status warriors engage Burriana's blue-shielded Dalmatian foot, who, though bloodied, hold their own.

Move Two: And the leading three Legionary cohorts push forward, as do the Tungrian cavalry on the Roman right, while the Silurian skirmishers get out of the way. 

Cairbre moves HIS wing to the "Military Crest", some distance from Caeog to counter this threat from the Tungrian horse, only to see the Morini, the Roman rightmost (Green Shields) cohort of Auxiliary foot push forwards towards him.

On the right Cyfwlch's warriors continue their struggle with Burriana's command, but his rightmost unit by-passes the fighting to their front and themselves reach the river, following the now withdrawing second (smaller) Roman cavalry unit (Burriana's mounted Dalmatians), while the already-scattered Gauls flee the field.

Behind the fighting the Nervii (Yellow Shields) auxiliaries angle back to protect the Roman flank and rear.

The Roman legionary cohorts' Command and Control advantage allows them to reduce Disruption, but things are by no means certain at this moment, especially when the stones and arrows rain in from Caeog's skirmishers.

Caeog shifts his small cavalry unit towards his right-centre. 

Move Three: The rightmost legion cohort pushes ahead, while the cavalry on IT'S right pull back a little to keep themselves out of reach of Cyfwlch's men.

Caestius brings his cohort across the river. 

The enemy skirmishers, who are keeping well away from the Roman shields, loose off some more volleys as they pull back; causing disruption and a scatter of casualties, but again, nothing to seriously worry about. 

It is on the Silure right that things are developing. The Roman horse are either pulling back or already scattered, and Cyfwlch's far right warriors are across the river. Although his prime warriors are suffering in their fight with Burriena's men Cyfwlch calls for one last effort - and suddenly the Dalmations are running; taking one of the ballista crews with them and abandoning their wounded.

The Yellow Shielded Nervii are shaken, but hold, but the whole Roman left is in chaos and the flank and rear of the legion cohorts exposed. Things are NOT looking good for the Romans - and nobody is more surprised than me....

Caeog mounts up himself, and moves forward to inspire his men in the centre.

Move Four: The Romans shake out their Legionary line, pushing forward to the bottom of the steep slope fronting Caeog's centre and extending their leftmost cohort to guard the flank of the legionaries. They get hit by shooting from the withdrawing Silurian skirmishers, which they can do without.

In the Roman rear left the Nervii withdraw a little, badly upset by the collapse of the cavalry and the Dalmatian foot, but the nearest ballistae loose in a flurry of action* causing chaos and casualties among Cyfwlch's densely-packed command (he himself having a couple of near misses).

[*Thanks to extra Command Points. The Romans have been lucky with these.] 

Although buoyed-up by their success Cyfwlch's command has by now suffered BADLY from accumulated Disruption, due to fighting over the river, casualties, heavy losses from the ballistae* and general disorganization in the heat of battle. Cyfwlch really needs to get his men in hand and sort this, or they will be in no state to attack successfully, and at a severe disadvantage if attacked.. 

[*Their biggest "clump/formation is deep - six figures on the table, so around eighteen to twenty men deep "in real", so every bolt has a greater chance of hitting someone - and with no saving throws this HURTS - and causes more Disruption/Shock than normal missile fire.] 

Suddenly part of Cairbre's wing goes into a spontaneous charge*, hitting the Morini - and driving them back! Cairbre moves his other unit to cover their flank, but this is another unexpected success. The Silures are feeling buoyant.

[*Special Event token draw. Which unit is affected is decided by dice test.]

Move Five: In a sudden rush two of the legionary cohorts in the centre throw themselves up the steep slope to get at Caeog's elite warriors, hurling their pila as they come and taking advantage of the gaps caused as they gain a foothold on the crest.

However, the clamber up the steep slope has caused some Disorder. There is a hard-fought melee, but although Caeog's men have been badly hit by the Roman missiles they are fresh - and, amazingly, the Romans are pushed back; halting at the base of the slope to regroup. No serious losses, but this is a setback for the Romans - their first one-two rush with pila if one of their advantages. That it failed to break the enemy is bad news. 

However, it is not all bad for the men from Tiberside; their artillery continues to rip though Cyfwlch's ranks and the Dalmatian cavalry on their left rallies behind the Nervii, who themselves get into order and adjust to meet any threat from the enemy right. 

Suddenly the far left legion cohort turns - and hacks into the rear of Cyfwlch's levies. This SHOULD be enough to break them but no! Once again the dice are against the Romans and despite causing casualties with their pila the actual melee is indecisive. It may just be a question of time before the levies break, but time may not be on the Romans' side.

Over on the Silurian left Cairbre pulls his better quality troops further back to guard against the Tungrian horse on the Roman right - who themselves have pushed to overlap round the enemy flank. 

Also on that side of the field the warriors fighting the Nervii are hurled back. The Nervii do not pursue - they have too much Disruption to risk it.

Caesetius shifts the angle of HIS cohort, the reserve, to threaten Cyfwlch's left flank, but he has spent to much time getting his ranks in good order to actually attack.

As the move ends there is still all to play for. Both sides have units which have suffered losses and Disruption - and I have the feeling that the first side to have a unit break will suffer a cataclysmic domino effect... 

Move Six: The Silure skirmishers shift forward and pelt the Roman legionary line, in the centre, causing some minor Disruption issues and casualties. The legionaries themselves spend their move removing Disruption, as do the Nervii to their right. Caeog spends his move steadying his men too.

Both sides seem to be taking a breather, but then, over on the Celtic left, while Cairbre pulls his levies back to the slope to recover, suddenly, with a thunder of hooves, the Tungrians charge his unit of higher class (middling) troops. Some of his men fall, but they hold. The Roman cavalry's advantage in a charge has not done it's job - and the Tungrians would be advised to pull back next move, if they have the chance.. 

Meanwhile, on the Silure, right the legion cohort which had charged the back end of Cyfwlch's command are still in melee. Amazingly the rag-tag-and-bobtail levy are still holding! If they continue to hold next move the Romans MUST pull back.

Not the decisive move it might have been, but interesting.

Move Seven: The skirmishers again pelt the Roman line. The Romans again try to remove Disruption. The melees are inconclusive.

An Event causes the rear units of Caeog's centre to spontaneously pull back. He in turn pulls back his elites, and tries to rally some of the Disruption from them. 

But suddenly the Dalmatian cavalry charge into the flank of Cyfwlch's elite warriors, breaking them. They in turn run up against the levies behind them - and both units flee. This freaks the small Celtic cavalry unit, who ride up towards Caeog. Cyfwlch manages to keep his other warriors in hand, and shifts them back slightly.

Move Eight: The Dalmatians pull back behind the legionary lines as these cohorts reorganize and try to get rid of the Disorder they have, despite more harassment from the skirmishers. The Morini do the same. In fact both armies are desperately trying to bring more order to their units.

The Nervii and Caesitius's cohort advance towards Cyfwlch.

The Tungrians turn to ride off from Cairbre's men, who do not pursue. 

The broken Celtic units continue their flight, while the cohort which attacked Cyfwlch's levies straighten line and wheel to face the enemy skirmish line.

Move Nine: The legionary cohorts get themselves organised, then get on the move.

Caesitius's cohort charges Cyfwlch's remaining unpanicked warriors, as do the Nervii; but the melee is indecisive.

The two right-hand legion cohorts, taking advantage of Caeog's men falling back from the crest, charge uphill at at them; but again, this only results in a slogging match. The steep slope to the crest always seems to disorder the Romans slogging up it enough to make them lose momentum. 

The same happens when the Morini charge Cairbre's levies.

Again, the skirmishers annoy the Roman line.

The small unit of Celtic horsemen charge the only unengaged legionary cohort - but again this becomes a half-hearted melee. Basically both sides are tired*, and with the legionary advantage of pila and charge expended there is nothing in any face to face encounter that's going to cause a major upset without Fate taking a hand.

[*And the dice uncooperative.]

The Tungrian cavalry reform.

Move Ten: Caeog throws his centre warriors at the Roman cohort facing him - and pushes it back !! The Romans who had forced their way up the slopes have NOT managed to pierce his line and are themselves looking vulnerable. 

Caeog's horse are still in melee and, surprisingly, still alive.

On his left Cairbre's men are, also surprisingly, holding their own against the Morini, while the man himself tries to reduce Disruption.

Only on Caeog's far right are things not going well for the Celts, as Cyfwlch's remaining warriors are forced back by the enemy leader's cohort and the Nervii. Almost incredibly the remaining Silures here haven't yet broken - almost entirely due to Lady Luck and Cyfwlch's inspiring presence. However, they are unlikely to survive into another move.

Or, indeed, this one: their moral shatters, and they, with Cyfwlch, flee the field.

Move Eleven: The Dalmatians charge the rightmost elements of the enemy skirmish line, and harry them into withdrawing, but causing minimal loss.

Caesitius organises his left wing, steadying his two leftmost cohorts and bringing the Nervii across the river. 

The enemy cavalry pull back, and hover on the hill facing Caesitius.

In the centre, Caeog holds his men in hand, but to his left, while the Morini engage their front, a cohort charges into the flank of Cairbre's levies. They break.

Move Twelve: In the centre Caeog's elites are engaged with a cohort. His men are exhausted and shaken, but they hold; shaking the Romans in their turn. This has been a hard-fought melee in the centre, with both sides unwilling to give up.

But the end is in sight. Cairbre's warriors, having seen their supports flee, are charged by the Morini. They fight them off, but start to pull back. Caeog's centre is being outflanked on the left, and the enemy cavalry are still hovering in the distance beyond the disintegrating left wing. Caesitius, with two cohorts and the Nervii, is advancing in good order on his right.

Move Thirteen: Cairbre pulls his remaining men off the field, as the Roman right creeps forward.

The skirmishers pull off the field too, followed by Caeog's reserve warriors, who have done practically nothing all battle, and who now back away.

The Silure cavalry likewise turn and trot off as Caesitius presses forward with his now dressed and steady ranks of legionaries and auxilia.

Caeog, his battered elites still screaming defiance at the exhausted Romans in front of them, slowly backs them off, carrying their wounded.

By pulling back in good order now, before Caesitius can bring his wing up to the ridge, Caeog seems to have avoided a rout - and pursuit off-table.

Move Thirteen: Or not.... The Roman central cohort surges forward in one last  one push, then, as Caeog's elites fight back, one of Caesitius's his cohorts slams into their flank. They break, finally shattering army morale.

While the bulk of Caesitius's men are exhausted or too far away to affect matters he still has his cavalry. They thunder off-table after the fleeing enemy. 

The battle is over.

Summary: That was tense and fun. I had no way of calculating which way that was going once  battle was joined.

From the outset, once their left side cavalry and Burriena's men had cut and run (!), Roman Army Morale was dented. This, and the stalwart (!!) efforts of Caeog's and Cyfwlch's commands, plus Cairbre's steadiness, added to the problem of the steep slope, prevented a Roman walkover.

With their first pilum-assisted rushes proving to be of no avail, the battle in the centre became a slogging match, and with Lady Luck helping to keep Cyfwlch's men on the table longer than they perhaps deserved, the Romans couldn't even rush the flank in the early stages.

The Silure skirmishers were MUCH more effective than they had any right to be (Fate again), constantly niggling away at the legionary Disruption levels, and most of the levies held up better than expected.  

As always, comments and queries welcomed. Next; the post-battle accounting and finding out "What Happens next"

More Siluria Shenanigans...

Or, "Will they won't they"...

Day 17 continued:

So, as we left it, Caeog was convening with his fellows to decide what to do, with the nearest Romans hunkered down in their camp. This was NOT a good meeting, and went on for nearly four hours.

Caeog was for pushing south to raise more zones (and men), Cyfwlch did eventually agree with him, but his sub-chief and one the late Tewdrig's surviving sub-chief were for scattering to the hills (had they heard rumours of the Roman forces nearby, but were keeping it from Caeog? We know that some of THEIR home areas were now back under Roman control. Was this a factor?).

One of Caeog's sub-chiefs wanted to attack the fort, but he was eventually, reluctantly, bought round to Caeog's way of thinking.

At one point it looked like the homesick sub-chiefs would walk out of the meeting, and take their men with them, but with both Caeog and Cyfwlch singing from the same songsheet, they eventually gave way. The army would march to raise the valleys to the south and west. However, what with the fight, the caring for the fallen, and the talking (talking, talking), it was early afternoon before they set out. 

[Technical Note: as usual, my "Council of War" playing card procedure was used, each "round" taking between half an hour to three quarters of an hour's discussion.]

Meanwhile: Caninia's men stood nervously at their ditch and stakes....

At Fort Ninednum Albinius was considering HIS options, having received Caninia's message about Caeog's army during the night. As dawn approaches his instincts were to press towards the known enemy. His men had rested, after their march the day before, and had had a peaceful, stress-free night in the security of the fort. If he asked them to march to the relief of their fellows to the north they would do so. Thus, at about 09:00hrs, Albinius marches to seek Caninia - and possible battle. 

Albinus has 3rd cohort II Augusta (actual strength unknown) and 1st Morini (paper strength of 500 foot) with him, along with the three turmae from Difforum, which he has retained.

An hour into Albinius's march a further courier arrives from Caninia, giving an account of the "battle" and updating that he is now holed-up in his camp, menaced by superior numbers. This changes things. Even with Caninia's men Albinius will be outnumbered. He hesitates - and calls his own Council of War, while pushing scouts ahead and sending a reassuring, yet noncommittal, message to Albinius.

[Technical Note: all of the above needed careful note-taking - basically an hour by hour War Diary - and dice tests for leaders, courier progress etc.]

At Albinius's meeting all of his legionary centurions are for pressing ahead, as are the majority of the Auxiliary centurions. However, those who are against proceeding have convincing arguments, and Albinius is indecisive. After nearly three hours Albinius is persuaded that his good name depends on acting aggressively. He orders the march to continue, but cautiously.

Towards mid afternoon he arrives at Caninia's camp. Apart from a few stragglers Caeog's men have already left, heading west and south for the friendly, upper valley of the Tawa - watched by Caninia's scouts.

The two Tribunes seem to have several choices:

a) To chase Caeog and bring him to battle (risky, as they are outnumbered).

b) To march for one of the forts.

c) To stay put, and try to get in touch with Caesetius, currently thought to be operating east of their position, bringing him to join them.

While these officers discuss how to proceed what they (and, indeed, I) do NOT know is that Caesetius is already marching.

Sweeping south and then west, by early afternoon he is in Hillfort Cluster XIX, and being informed of Caeog and Albinius passing though there the day before. He presses on, following the trail of the two forces: his own outriders approaching Albinius's camp late in the afternoon.

By evening he is with the other Tribunes. More by luck than judgement, the Romans now have combined their forces. 

The Tribunes hold a quick conference, but Caesetius (IInd Cohort II Aug.) who has seniority, presses for aggressive action. They will pursue Caeog on the morrow....

Meanwhile, unknown to EVERYONE a vexilliation (strength currently unknown) has been sent from Isca westwards. By nightfall it will reach Fort Bovium. 

[Technical Note: As throughout Caesetius's and other commander decisions are dice-driven, based on IMP options. The results were VERY lucky for the Romans..] 

Day 18:

Caeog leaves the Tawa valley and moves though the hills south westwards, trying to raise support. He succeeds in attracting another 150 men to his banner, moves on, then camps overlooking the Leuca Valley (leading to Fort Leuca,) and sends scouts to ascertain the garrison strength. When he stops to camp he does not know that there is a large Roman force behind him.

Caesetius's force follows Caeog's trail and erupts into the rebellious zone at the headwaters of the Tawa. The locals here scatter to their homes - but some individuals scurry west to inform Caeog of the Roman presence. Caesetius presses on, ending his march some four miles from Caeog's camp.

By nightfall Caeog knows that, again, he has an enemy force within striking distance. He has some idea of the size of their force, and still outnumbers them. Should he fight? Part of him says "Yes". Part of him says to push into the Leuca Valley to see if he can raise more men before confronting the enemy. He calls another Council.

The wrangling goes on into the night, but, despite some serious opposition, he gains a majority; the army will march into the valley and try to rally supporters. Two sub-chiefs are VERY unhappy; they want to attack the Romans at first light; but they are not daft enough to go it alone. 

The force from Isca arrives at Fort Ociamium at the end of the day. They will march for Leuca in the morning. Caoeg still doesn't know this.

Movements day 17 and 18

Day 19:

Caeog marches into the Leuca valley - but as with the hill zone he spent the night in, the locals do NOT want to get involved with the revolt. Caesetius is hard on his heels (the Romans got up nice and early and sent out a cavalry screen to stop any scouting from Caeog) having marched out an hour after Caeog had moved off.

The River.

Mid morning, aware the Romans are close on his heels, Caeog crosses the Leuca and forms line of battle. Most of the valley is pretty flat - Caeog has perhaps gone further south than he ought - and the river really no more than a stream.

However, he is confident, as are his chiefs. He finds a slope fronting the river and deploys his men. We have The Battle of The Leuca to fight.