Trebia 218 BC

Hannibal famously traversed the Alps in 218 BC invading Italy. He defeated a Roman army at Ticinus in northern Italy recruiting a good many Gauls and other allies in the process. 

Rome reinforced Scipio with a second army under the command of Longus and their armies converged near Placentia at the junction of the River Po and Trebia. Hannibal, with approximately 29,000 infantry and 11,000 cavalry, were camped across the Trebia from the Romans. The Romans numbered approximately 16,000 Roman Legionaries, 20,000 allied infantry (most trained in the Roman manner with a contingent of Gauls), and 4,000 cavalry.

Hannibal sent a contingent of light cavalry to harass the Romans who responded by crossing the freezing Trebia in pursuit of the skirmishers. Longus took it upon himself to lead the Roman army who found themselves opposed by the main Carthaginian force.

Initial dispositions with Mago's ambush concealed in the ravine at the bottom right of the photo.

Rules used are Hail Caesar 2. Tabletop size 5'3" x 3'9".

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Caesar's Gallic Wars: The Battle of the Arar (Hail Caesar)

I was pleasantly surprised how Hail Caesar rules played out in the my last Ancients game 'The attack on Mona'. It has been sat on my bookshelves for at least 10 years and had only ever played it briefly using 15mm figures. I decided that a closer look was needed to determine if this was going to be my go-to ruleset for my Ancient games.

I turned to the Hail Caesar supplement 'Caesar's Gallic Wars' as a source of scenarios and for which I pretty much had the required figures, although the Early Imperial Romans will have to stand in for the Late Republican Marian Romans.

The scenario I have selected is the first involving the Romans against the Gauls. It is June 58BC and Caesar moves against the Helvetii after appeals for help arrived from the Aedui tribe whose farms were being raided. 

When the two armies approached, Caesar discovered that the majority of the Helvetii had already crossed the Arar River and only the Tigurini tribe was on his side of the river. Caesar decided to move against them at once.

The Tigurini were surprised and have two objectives in this battle. 1. To defeat the Romans who they outnumber and 2. To get as many supply wagons as they can across the river.

A slight adjustment to the order of battle was made to enable my existing collection to be used. 3 Helvetti light infantry units were replaced by 2 warbands. 3 wagons were used rather than the 4 in the scenario.

The scenario gave the table size as 8' x 4' for 28mm figures. I have reduced this to 3'9" x 2'3" for 6mm. All units are standard size (2 bases per unit). Distances are reduced from inches to centimeters. 

Victory conditions: If only a maximum of wagon safely crosses the river = a Roman victory. 2 wagons = a draw. All 3 wagons = Helvetii victory. Each wagon rolls for activation each turn. 8 or less they are allowed one move.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 8 - 9th Legion Invasion of Mona

 Turning now to what could be the final action of the campaign, the Roman invasion of Mona (Anglesey).

The 9th Legion have crossed the Menai Strait and landed on Mona. The scenario book gives the option of a beach landing but as I will be trying out another set of rules I have decided to keep this more simple. The Romans have just landed when the warbands turn up with one command still on the beach.

For this game I will be using 'Hail Caesar' rules. The original, not the 2nd edition. It's hard to believe now but it is over 10 years since I trialled them using 15mm figures. They did not grab me at the time and they have languished on my bookshelves ever since. 

Using this campaign as a testbed for various rules and given that they were designed for Hail Caesar it seemed silly to not at least give them a try. 

Few changes are needed for conversion to 6mm. I will be using cms instead of inches. The unit sizes are as follows: Small = 1 base, Standard = 2 bases, Large = 4 bases. Each base has a 40mm width.

The orders of battle are a combination of those contained within the book, my own and what I have available.

Board size is 5'3" x 3'9".

Continued -

On the Workbench: Punic Wars - Trebia Completed

The Carthaginians have been completed and with the Republican Romans finished all figures are ready for muster. All are the usual Baccus figures.

Punic Cavalry and Generals.

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On the Workbench: Punic Wars, WW2 Naval.

 More additions to the Carthaginians for Trebia have been completed along with several more refurbished 1/3000 scale ships.

Only 2 bases will be required for Trebia but with an extra pack in the unpainted pile it needed to be done. A little more uniform in appearance than I originally intended! As with nearly all my 6mm figures they are from the Baccus range.

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On the Workbench: Ancient Spanish Cavalry, Japanese Floatplanes, Royal Navy Ships

Time for an update on what I have been painting this year so far. Starting with figures for the Trebia project:

4 bases of Spanish Heavy Cavalry. All figures are 6mm Baccus, 10 figures to a 40mm x 30mm base. A base of Italian allied cavalry was also completed having discovered I was one base short!

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On the Workbench: Punic Wars

Some decent headway has been made this year on the Trebia project. Plenty yet to paint but these are the latest on the painting table:

Republican Romans

These will be representing 2 legions for the game but in future games can be one or part of a legion.

Baccus do not provide separate models for the Principes lumping them together with the Hastati without chainmail armour. I merely painted armour on the figures and although not ideal, in this scale it is not too obvious unless you look very closely. It makes it easier to differentiate them from behind.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 8 - 2nd Legion v The Dobunni

 

Focussing on the south west, the 2nd Legion deals with a rebellion by the Dobunni tribe and is the setting for the next game.

I will be using the L'Art De La Guerre rules again but on this occasion I have balanced the points at around 270 to give a more even game.

The initial setup with the Britons on the left having rolled as the attackers once again. Terrain was determined using the Age of Hannibal rule system modified to reflect the type of terrain to be found in this part of the country. The table size has been reduced to 4'6" x 3' reflecting the smaller size of armies deployed.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 7 - 9th Legion v The Cornovii

 

This action focuses on the 9th Legion's advance on Mona. The Cornovii tribe had previously indicated a willingness to be allies to Rome. As the 9th Legion marched through their territory they had a change of heart and rebelled. 

For this game I shall be using L'Art De La Guerre (ADLG) rules for the first time. The orders of battle will remain largely unchanged - more of this later.

Initial dispositions. The Cornovii are the attackers on the left. They have a normal camp and the Romans on the right have a fortified camp.

I retained the 'Age of Hannibal' method of terrain placement which, I felt, was more suited to solo play. All terrain cards were placed face down by each side with just minor adjustments when revealed. 

The river is impassable apart from the ford. At the top of the photo, the stream is classed as difficult terrain. Both woods are also difficult. 

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 6 - 16th Legion v The Iceni

 

The 16th Legion have retraced their steps to deal with the Iceni rebellion which is the setting of the next battle, again using the Age of Hannibal rules.

The Iceni have the initiative and will be the attackers. Only skirmishers can pass through marshes and the lake is impassable. 

The Iceni have a particularly high proportion of light units (skirmishers and light horse) along with chariots. Their lieutenant is placed in command of the light horse, chariots and medium horse on the left. They are tasked with pinning the Roman legionary cohorts while the warbands under the direct command of the chieftain seek to punch through the Roman left, a mix of legionaries and auxiliaries.

Good news for the Romans, their lieutenant has arrived sober!

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 5 - 16th Legion v The Catuvellauni

 I will start with an overview of the campaign situation:

Turn 5: 20th Legion returns to Londinium having pacified the Cantii. In the west. the 2nd Legion moves on the Dobunni tribe who immediately declare themselves as allies of Rome.

In the midlands, the 16th Legion seeks to clear the way for the 9th Legion who are tasked with capturing Mona. The Catuvellauni tribe are expected to be allies and it therefore comes as some surprise to the 16th when they find the warbands arrayed for battle.

The Romans on the left anchor their flanks on a small pond (top of photo) which is impassable to all, and a marsh which is only passable by skirmishers.

The Catuvellauni tribe on the right have their warbands and chariots positioned in the centre with cavalry and some skirmishers on their flanks.

Most terrain is clear and all woods are passable.

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: Turn 4 - 20th Legion v The Cantii

 

The situation in turn 4. The Cantii have rebelled necessitating the 20th Legion, held in reserve around Londinium, to be despatched for lessons to be administered.

This is the setting for the next game of the campaign:

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 4

A reminder of the colour coding for the British tribes. Green - pacified, orange - allied, blue - rebelling. 

The events this turn saw the 2nd Legion defeat the Durotriges tribe and is now pacified. The 16th Legion moved north to the Iceni who remarkably agreed to be allies. Should they be trusted! The 9th Legion has moved north to the territory owned by the pacified Trinovantes prior to advancing towards the Catuvellauni.

A problem has arisen for the Romans however, when the normally amenable Cantii tribe have rebelled. The 20th Legion that had been held in reserve, move to deal with the rebellion and will be the subject of the next battle. 

Britannia Campaign: Vespasian's 2nd Legion v The Durotriges

-Vespasian moves west into the land of the Durotriges leading the 2nd Legion. The rolling countryside is topped by numerous hillforts. It becomes clear that this tribe is more content to sit in their fortifications from which they will need to be ejected. 

Table Size: 6' x 3'9"

Figures: 6mm Mostly Baccus and some Rapier

Rules: My own (based on General de Brigade)

ORDERS OF BATTLE

Roman

1 x CinC + 2 sub-commanders

2nd Legion: 1st Cohort 52 figures. 6 x cohorts of 36 figures each, 1 of 34 and 2 of 32.

4 x Scorpios

Auxiliaries -

1 x Medium Cavalry cohort 30 figures

1 x Light Cavalry cohort 28 figures

1 x Equitata cohort - 1 x 12 light cavalry + 1 x 24 Aux infantry

2 x Batavian cohorts each 1 x 12 medium cavalry + 1 x 24 Aux infantry

2 x Auxiliary infantry cohorts each 36 figures

Total 617 figures

Durotriges

1 x CinC + 2 sub-commanders

1 unit of 30 medium cavalry

1 unit of 16 light cavalry

2 units of 12 light cavalry

2 units of 6 light cavalry

1 x warband 72 figs

2 x warbands of 60 figs

1 x warband of 50 figs

4 x warbands of 40 figs

2 x warbands of 36 figs

2 units of 20 Slingers

2 units of 20 Javelinmen

Total 642 figures

An overview at the start. The Romans deploy around the fort with all infantry ready to form testudos when necessary.  

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 3

 With the 16th Legion's victory over the Trinovantes now complete, we move onto the next map turn -

TURN 3

The 16th Legion posts a garrison and prepares itself for its onward march.

The 9th and 20th Legions move to the area around what will become Londinium with a cohort from the latter forming a garrison in Kent.

Vespasian's 2nd Legion advances into Dorset and Somerset where it meets the Durotriges tribe who prove none too friendly! Yet another British tribe to be enlightened to the Roman way!

Being in the south west an iron age hillfort is a must. Before I can play out this next game I just have to model one!

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 -

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 3 of 4 - Turns 6 to 9

Turn 6

The Roman Legate is anxious to press forward and deal with the warbands in front of him given the concerning messages he is receiving from his left wing. He has been frustratingly delayed by the activities of Trinovantes skirmishers, chariots and light horse. Here the 9th Cohort has been charged by the chariots (middle of photo). They defeated them in the subsequent melee and have pushed them back.

In response to bad news from the Tribune in command of the Roman left, the large 1st Cohort has been ordered to that flank (middle left).

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 2 of 4 - Turns 1 to 5

Turn 1

The chariots, light horse and skirmishers on the Britons right flank surge forward eager to engage the approaching Roman line.

On the Roman left, they steadily advance and observe the rapidly approaching barbarians.

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 1 of 4 - Introduction

The second battle of the campaign involves the 16th Gemima Legion advancing into what is present day Suffolk. They hoped to persuade the local Trinovantes tribe to ally with Rome but as they approached a village at the mouth of an estuary there appeared to be little prospect of that.

A reminder of the present situation -

As the Roman Legions begin their advance into England the Atrebates tribe have now been pacified (see previous battle) and the Cantii allied. 

The task for the 16th Legion is to seize and hold the East, Midlands and North. 

Continued -

Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 2

 

An overview of the map at end of turn 2

With the Atrebates tribe now pacified the 2nd Legion prepares to advance on the south west. It leaves one cohort of auxiliaries as a garrison.

The 16th Legion move out towards the east. The powerful Trinovantes tribe have no intention of allowing the Romans to advance any further which sets the scene of the next clash in the Britannia campaign.