Big Battle, First Punic War

[Redwilde]

Here's some photos of a big battle from the Syracuse in Peril theme games I was running at Havoc on April 6 with 2.2+. (eek, I didn't write down the names of all the players!)

Double Polybian + Siciliot (Marmetines) ally vs. double Syracuse + Carthaginian ally. Neither side opted to rearrange the units within their double commands, so at least neither side handicapped itself worse than the other by this novice mistake. As the home team, flank descriptions given relative to the Syracusan positions.




Just prior to initial contact, right flank. In the foreground, Siciliots advance up into a bottleneck of swamp and woods. A corner of the beach along the sideline is visible in the lower left corner. One Syracusan army is gathered defending the pass and woods leading to their camp. With neither side finding a maneuver advantage, they will slowly advance towards each other from here, but it will be several turns before they begin to fight.

Beyond the woods, the Carthaginian army holds the road to Syracuse and is presed by a rapidly advancing Roman army. On the baseline, the Syracusan campers have Archimedes death ray (yes, the LED lights up ^,^). Just beyond that is the Carthaginian camp.




In the center, Carthaginian forces prepare to receive the initial brunt of the Roman attack. On the left, the other Syracusan wing awaits as more Romans slowly advance their line from their camp and across a steep hill.




The battle commences in the center. After the first flurry of fighting, the Cartho's line is staggered. The general can't get the elephants to push forward, so the Cavalry fall back to remove a solid line where the elephants stand. But the fight has been progressing much more favourably for the Sacred Band who are decisively turning the Roman's flank.

On the far left, Syracuse advances towards the stalled Romans.




Then, Romans boldly sweep the far flank. It's risky maneuvering. Hastati will die if they get recoiled into the cavalry behind them. But the cavalry sweep works, an the Romans will eventually break the command of this Syrcusan wing.

[Redwilde]

In the center, following a couple of very lucky combat results killing off Roman hastati, the Carthagians press their advantage hard and roll both flanks. They will break this Roman command, and then spend some time clearing up the remnants who valiantly stand their ground in bitter resolve.




While the Carthos were mopping up the final resistance in the center of the battlefield, the Marmetines finallly advanced to the attack along the beach.

The victorious Carthaginian forces are badly disorganised following their mop up operation, and find themselves better positioned to start streaming over against the Marmetines. They will be able to reach this struggle log before the slow marching Roman wing that is also starting to straggle over from the far left flank.

On the far left outside of this photo, the Syracusan wing there has been broken, but is withdrawing slowly in reasonably good order and avoiding being completely destroyed.




Carthaginians shake into a resemblance of military order as they organise on the march towards the flank. The rearmost unit of spears is facing to protect the march column from the Roman General and supporting cavalry who are now galloping along from the far edge of the field.


Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the very dramatic final stage of the battle.

Along the beach, the Marmetines in a bloody fight break the remaining Syracusan command. But the lead elements of the Carthaginians then fall on them and swiftly inflict the final casualty need to break the Marmetines as well.

In the meanwhile, as the Roman cavalry gallops to the aid of their ally, that final spear unit in the Syracusan rear guard advances close enough to a stand of Roman cavalry to slow it's advance as it has to deal with the impending threat (zocked!) and the Carthaginian cavalry general suddenly swings to engage the Roman general in head on combat out in the open field along the flank of the Cartho column. The first rounds of single combat between the generals is indecisive, first on the Carthaginian turn, then on the Roman turn. then the Carthaginian light horse closes in on the flank of the Roman. The Carthaginian general stands victorious over his vanquished foe.

*****
The 2.2+ rules worked quite well for this battle. The elephant rules and flank contact rules all worked great. The slightly increased movement for heavy foot gave them a nice bit of extra flexibility in the thick of the scrum, but they weren't zooming around. It was careless inattention on the Roman's part that gave the brave Carthaginian spear the opportunity to advance forward and foil the Roman's last best chance for victory.

[itchysama]

Great report - loved the pics!! Woot!

[Terry37]

Very impressive!!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Redwilde]

Glad you enjoyed it! This has been the season of Punic Wars, I've been introducing the local club to BBDBA since I can now provide 4 theme armies in various configurations.

We ran a couple of games one day in May. I forgot to bring my camera
Did borrow one of the clubmember's camera to take shots, but I don't have copies yet.

Doing another BBDBA day this Saturday, will try to remember the camera this time....

[Cromwell]

Great report and love the pictures!

Concerning the first picture, please forgive my ignorance but what is mounted on top of the white building at the rear? It appears to be some sort of laser gun or death ray!!

[Redwilde]

Yes, that is indeed Archimedes' death ray on the Syracusan tower. With working LED. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes#Heat_ray

I need to do some minor repairs to the model following the last big battle day at the club. Then I'll take some close up pix for the Scratchbuilding board.

[Cromwell]

Originally Posted by Redwilde

Yes, that is indeed Archimedes' death ray on the Syracusan tower. With working LED. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes#Heat_ray

I need to do some minor repairs to the model following the last big battle day at the club. Then I'll take some close up pix for the Scratchbuilding board.

Great article, thanks for posting. I knew Archimedes invented many "wonder weapons" but the "heat ray" was new to me.

[geekmeter11]

How did SAt. game go?

[Redwilde]

Light summer turnout this last Saturday, so we didn't get a big battle game in. A few folks were playing a big SYW scenario. Richard and I did a few rounds of single battles, Syracuse v. Athens.

He had little Edwin G. with him So we decided it was better to stick with the smaller armies while he was juggling the small [and very curte] baby.