Tuesday 6 April 2021

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 4 of 4 - Turns 10 to Conclusion

 Turn 10

The 9th Cohort pressed on charged a unit of chariots who counter-charged. The outnumbered chariots were easily defeated with 3 more crew killed for no Roman loss. The last remaining chariots routed. 

Continued -


A near identical result as the 10th Cohort charges a unit of light horse with 3 casualties inflicted for no loss causing them to retreat.

An overview of the Trinovantes left flank and the increasingly precarious situation for them.

On the Roman left, the last of the Trinovantes flanking force with their commander attached who had been gradually overcoming the 7th Cohort, were now attacked to their rear by the 8th Cohort. The 8th carved their way into the helpless warband killing 9 of them for just 1 Roman loss. Their commander would survive only to see his last warriors rout from the field.

The tribal Chieftain's position on his right flank was not much better. With his last warbands both retreating he is now relying on his skirmishers, light horse and light chariots to stabilise the line. 

The Chieftain's slingers lined up behind the retreating warband with the javelinmen pouring out of the wood in the middle left of the photo.

An overview at the end of turn 10.
Turn 11

Turn 11 saw the collapse of the Trinovantes left flank with several units fleeing the field.

The Trinovantes sub-commander forlornly makes his was to his last faltering warband.

It did not look good!

In a last desperate act, the tribal chieftain orders his chariots and light horse to charge the Roman cohorts hoping to buy enough time to rally his warbands. Here the 6th Cohort, who had seen much success, was surprised by the ferocity of the light chariot crews. The chariots ploughed into the Roman line succeeding in breaking their formation. Now unformed the Romans fought desperately to hold the chariots with each side losing just 1 casualty for a draw.

The light horse were not so fortunate failing to make any impression on the 5th Cohort. Losing 6 casualties for no loss on the Romans, the last of the light horse routed.

The Chieftain tries and fails to rally a large warband whose retreat turns into a rout.

The collapse in morale among the Chieftain's warbands now feeds through to his entire command. The Charioteers, buoyed by their success in disordering the Roman cohort, find their confidence quickly evaporating as all around them their fellow tribesmen dissolve in flight.

The same happens on the left with the last warband deciding it is time to leave.

The villagers look on aghast!

Time to pack the bags!!

The game end. Although the 16th Legion were victorious it could easily have gone the other way. The Legate was momentarily staring at disaster and even now would have to account for heavier casualties than anticipated so early in the campaign.

The Trinovantes are now pacified but at a cost of 184 Roman killed and wounded out of 704 at the start. For a Roman victory or draw they receive 50% back representing wounded returning to the ranks. Several Roman units however, were wiped out. These included an auxiliary cohort and two units of Batavians making up an Equitata (combined cavalry and infantry cohort). This resulted in only 52 returning to cohort strengths. A loss of 132 this early in the campaign are bad omens for the 16th Legion.

15 comments:

  1. Well a not entirely unexpected ending, given the state of play at the end of Turn 9, but as you say Jon, it could all have been very different. The great thing is that as this is part of a campaign, the Roman victory was very costly, given they are in the early stages of invading Britain. As always a cracking game to look at and read about and certainly looking forward to the next instalment:)

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    1. Many thanks Steve. As you say, the fact that it is part of a campaign puts a different slant on the Roman victory which may have consequences in the future.

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  2. Jon

    Thanks for sharing this game and for the great podcast on godsownscale. I’m also a big fan of GdeB and wondered if you could put your ancients version on your blog? It would be great to see how it plays out. Keep up the good work. Richard

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    1. Many thanks Richard. There is still a fair amount of work to done on the rules and will consider putting them on the blog if I can work out how files can be attached and once they are in a more presentable state.
      All the best
      Jon

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    2. Jon

      Thanks, that would be something to look forward to. If you’re able to share anything in the meantime that would be appreciated.

      Richard

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    3. I will have a look at what I can do over the next week or two. It may be a case of posting jpegs of the QRS + notes. Food for thought!

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    4. Jon

      That would be great, thanks!

      Richard

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  3. phew. End of this battle and I'm exhausted. Jon, you write such exciting reports, thanks so much

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    1. Many thanks Dale, pleased you enjoyed the read.

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  4. What a disaster for the Trinovantes. It was unlikely that they'd turn it around once the Romans had managed to get the upper hand. Some desperate rear-guard attacks to buy time, but their desperation showed...
    A fine game and wonderful report Jon.
    Regards, James

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  5. Rather enjoyed that Jon, again your reports are excellent.

    Regards Peter

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  6. Not only are your reports exciting, but the visual beauty of your battlefield. The terrain seems just right (not too much, not too little), the attention to detail, and the great photo shots and angles. I wargame with my rough little armies of blocks and markers with primitive terrain on a gameboard because I could never come close to what you have done. I'm glad you do it though, because it is inspiring to hacks like me and one of the reasons why I enjoy blogs like yours.
    thanks as always Jon for a great battle.
    Dale

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    1. Many thanks Dale. Don't denigrate your own efforts, you can have wargaming fun with all sorts of stuff and of course with 6mm it does not take too much outlay or time to start building your forces.
      All the best
      Jon

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