Spring finds Kronos towards the end of setting up a Hellenic Tyrant in Arpi not to leave until the government is fully secured. But, scouts report that a very large (3/4 stack) biQarthadist army is moving just to the south of the city. Overwhelmed with eagerness, Kronos sends message to regional HQ in Epidamnos begging for a chance to fight these bi-Qarthadists. The message comes back denying his request citing Euaimon's II Division to the south as being able to handle the threat if the bi-Qarthadists wish to bypass Kronos. This thoroughly agitated Kronos, but, knowing duty was where his allegiance was owed, he stayed put in Arpi to finish the installation of the government.
During the early
summer months the biQarthadist army had marched south to Rhegion probably hoping to gain forces with troops from Sicily in sieging the city.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/rhegionsummer.JPG Eauaimon chose to stay in Rhegion in the event there was a large bi-Qarthadist army lurking in the dark of Sicily. Seeing this lack of vision he petitioned Epidamnos for 2-3 spies to be given so as to infiltrate Sicily to give a better knowledge of future bi-Qarthadist movements.
In the north, Kronos has "finally" finished setting up the government in Arpi. The VI Corps' II Division moved out of Arpi and laid siege to Kapua. 6 battering rams are now under construction and Kronos is feeling very good about being back out in the field.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/Capuasiege.JPG
In the latter part of the summer the bi-Qarthadist forces in the area surrounding Kapua attacked II Division. The numbers of forces were about even and the enemy was led by Charidemos Chulu a half breed man from Afrika and Iberia. This stock probably granted him favor in the eyes of the Gauls, as he was half-barbarian, his army was made up mostly of these Gaulic men with a core of three Liby-phoenician spearmen and some light cavalry.
Army Composition:
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/Kapuaforces.JPG
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/kapuacommander.JPG
Battle:
Kronos found a nice wide slope at the foot of a mountain and set up his lines there.
The Lines were set up as such PH=Phalanx SH=Spartans SI=Samnite heavy Infantry Cav = Cavalry KT= Kretan Archers Gen=General Th=Thureophoroi
......SH..SH..SHPHPHGen..SH..SH..SH
..SISI...........................................Th
.KT ..KT..........Cav...Cav.....Cav..............KT KT
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/linerightkapua.JPG
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/lineleftkapua.JPG
The Qarthadist army formed up and began marching towards Kronos' position.
After a "watch this"(he was of course half barbarian) to his troops Charidemos charged into the Thureophoroi definding our right side. His bodyguards killed about 5 in the initial charge but then got bogged down in the spearmen and began taking casualties as the closest unit of Spartans moved to engage the general. His men followed suit charging into the Spartan lines on our right. Unfortunately for them, they were forced to run halfway up a rather large hill, so by the time they reached our units they were all very winded. Somehow Charidemos was able to fight his way back out but was left with only 2 bodyguards still on their horses.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/cavchargekapua.JPG
The Qarthadist light cavalry pulled up right on top of the Samnites to throw spears at the Kretans only to have the samnites throw spears back at them.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/SamnitesKapua.JPG
The second batch of enemy arrived on our left side engaging the Spartans and Samnites, these were the Liby-phoenecian spearmen one of the better units in the Qarthadist army and Charidemos had come back to the battle to fight with them. This was not the first time VI Corps had faced these troops, they were hardy warriors who did not run like these barbarian mercenaries were likely too. While the spearmen were pinned in a battle with the phalanx' and spartans, the 3 cavalry units moved out to the left of our lines on a mission to kill the enemy's 2 medium cavalry units. This was quickly accomplished and the Cavalry wheeled around towards the back of the Liby-phoenicians. The 120 horsemen hit the Liby-Phoenician lines line a terrible storm, sending men flying into the air and 3 units routing.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/cavchargemekapua.JPG
After the Phoenicians began to run, the general was killed by a Spartan, and the whole of the Qarthadist line began to melt away. The Infantry were ordered to let them go, as the Kretans began unloading volleys at the backs of the now routing enemy. The battle was won in convincingly fashion, thanks in good part to the positioning on a hill.
Results:
VI Corps took 79 casualties in battle, only 8 were able to be recuperated.
3 of the 4 Kretan units were awarded promotions after the battle for their accuracy and deadliness.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/resultkapua.JPG
In a moment that can only be attributed to the Gods the season of Fall was skipped(i have no pics and can't figure out where the season went, in fact im not really sure which season im missing, darn you RTW hardcoded two season symbol!) for a long
winter.
There are only about 400 enemy left of the once might force set outside Kapua. Now the rams have been built and the city is ripe for the plucking. Kronos moves in, but once again gives his men command(seeing a 2.5:1 advantage in numbers). During the battle for Kapua many units gained honor while the archers and armoured phalanx suffered some of the only casualties, but casualties were higher than normal, and on units that do not normally sustain such high casualties.
Results:
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/kapuataken.JPG
As there was still a small army left outside the city Kronos also allowed his captain to fight this battle. This time a good number of units also gained experience but once again the phalanx units took the hardest hits of all the units. These will now need to be shipped back to the homeland to be replenished taking away valuable units from the Italian front.
The Council is quickly becoming agitated with Kronos' apparent lack of respect for the lives and expense cost when he lets a captain command a batle. If this continues there are plans to send out a spartan family member to take control of the army and send Kronos back to govern a province.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/kapuaoutsidehit.JPG
The bi-Qarthadist forces near Rhegion have moved a small amount closer but have refused to lay siege to the town. Since it is winter Euaimon decided to attack the force while it was still winter and supplies will be hard to find for this large army.
The bi-Qarthadists come to battle but quickly run after only a few minutes of combat. Producing a very nice result.
http://madmatg.googlepages.com/rhegion.JPG
After looting the routing bi-Qarthadist camp Euaimon returned to Rhegium to weather the winter.
186
Spring - Kronos is called back to Athens while his army installs a a Hellenic tyrant in the city. While in Athens he is questioned at length and dressed down in front of the council because of his decision to use a captain to command his troops instead of doing it himself. After securing an oath from Kronos, to no longer frivolously throw his soldiers lives away, they sent him back into the field.
During his absence little happened. It appears the council's funding of the Lusitanians may be paying dividends as reports from our ambassador there say the Lusitanians have already taken back one of their cities, and 2 more are now in rebel hands after rebelling from the bi-Qarthadist's.
Meanwhile, in Rhegion, Euamon sent the 6 units of mercenaries back out into the field not needing their service anymore.
Nothing happened militarily this year with the VI Corps as time was spent consolidating the gains made in Italia.
