The Battle for Rome

[econ21]

MID-MORNING (TURN 2) - PLAYER ORDERS

The Eastern Battle

Servius's Orders

Servius smiled to himself as he noted the formation of Marcellus's forces. When Decius's gauls arrived, had they not chosen the wiser path and taken Servius up on his offer, they wouldn't even matter anyway with the pathetic formation Marcellus had chosen. He had anticipated everything Marcellus could do and had just received word that Appius was arriving extremely shortly. With Appius falling into formation alongside him this battle would be over before it began.

His orders for the front lines stood. "No change in orders for the bulk of the legion, follow the battle plan as was presented during formation, with only a few exceptions! In the Roman Division, our funditores are to focus on eliminating the skirmishers on the enemies left flank, gallic slingers to focus on eliminating the skirmishers and numidian cavalry on the enemies right flank, engage as soon as they are in range."

His attention turned immediately to the gallic cavalry beside him, making certain to stress parts of his speech. "Redeploy to our left flank a short distance from our Italian spears on the end of the formation. If the enemy cavalry charges you, withdraw into the woods, if they give chase, draw them towards our gallic infantry. Once our gallic infantry engage circle around and hit the enemy cavalry in the flanks. If they don't follow you into the woods and engage our Italian spears instead, immediately charge back out of the woods and engage the enemy cavalry, our italian spears must hold strong."

As the gallic cavalry commanders nodded, understanding his orders perfectly (they're one of the 2 divisions closest to Servius) he continued. "I'll keep a close watch on the enemy cavalry. If they chase you into the woods I'll leave it up to you and I'll remain here to conduct the battle from the front lines. If they engage our Italians I'll reinforce them from behind to bolster morale and make sure the enemy can't break through the line.

Ah..now, to send orders to Appius. Summoning the nearest messenger, he began to relay his orders. "Advance into the woods in guard formation with the spears on the right, swords at center, velites behind the swords and Appius himself behind the spears. If our gallic cavalry are chased into the woods by Marcellus's cavalry, Appius's division is to release a volley of missiles into the enemy cavalry then charge. If our gallic cavalry are not chased, then Appius's division is to advance immediately out of the forest, if our main Italian Division is being attacked by the enemy cavalary, Appius's division is to immediately engage the enemy cavalry. If the enemy cavalry have withdrawn, Appius is to act as our buffer on the left flank against them by holding his ground at the edge of the forest.

Diagram of planned move:



Marcellus's Orders

Division I (Cavalry): Hold, and guard the flank. Hopefully Decius got the message and will bring his cavalry up behind you. Until he does, however, you're not moving. The Numidian Skirmishers will be detached and form a new division, Division VI (see below). If by some chance the infantry come chasing the skirmishers, then countercharge once they are beyond infantry support.

Division II (Marcellus): Shift a little more over to the left. Previous orders apply (You are a last-ditch attempt to stop a flanking maneuver, but mostly you will stay behind. Intercept
all cavalry flanking maneuvers on the left if necessary).

Division III (1st Senate Legion): Hold. If Servius' men come into pila range, then exchange pila with the enemy. Target the triarii. My triarii, same orders apply (Triarii are to be slightly behind, guarding the missile units in the case of a flank attack. If it looks serious, then help
the missiles out). Funditores, begin firing at the enemy missiles as soon as you get in range. If they are untargetable then target the Hastati. Velites, same orders apply (Velites, back them up. In the case of a cavalry attack you are to discharge as many javelins as possible and GET OUT OF THE WAY. Marcellus and the escort will be by shortly to relieve
you). If Servius' army gets in range, then target the infantry.

Division IV (2nd Senate Legion): You're still in reserve. Stay sharp.

Division V (1st Senate Italian Alae): Hold. If Servius' men come into pila range, target their spearmen. That goes for you too, skirmishers.

Division VI (Numidian Skirmishers): Advance forward at a trot. Target their Italian Spearmen when they come into range. Ideally all of your javelins should be used up. If you are pursued, get back to the safety of the heavy cavalry. If you are not, then continue harrassing their spearmen until you are out of javelins. Make your way back to the previous position either way.

Diagram of planned move:



The Western battle

Quintus's planned move:

Orders:

Quintus Naevius’s Consular Army of Gaul Battle Divisional Orders:
General Orders for whole Army -
"We are to join up with the Consuls army and hold his left flank. We will be anchoring our flank against the river away from any fording points."
*Amendment: Sending Cavalry Ala forward to join Servius immediately. 2 Chevron Slingers to move forward and harras flanks of the enemy engaged with Servius. Rest of units await arrival of Rear Guard, we will deploy as a near complete formation (see attached jpg).
As per instructions from the Consul we will attempt to engage Luca's forces as rapidly as we can.
Front-Line Division -
"Hold Position and prepare to receive enemy charge. *Amendment: Charge if enemy Pause within Javelin range, don't wait for them to loose at us! Guard your position."
Second Line Division -
"Exhaust all Javelins and Pila on enemy units once they have engaged with the Front-Line Division only. Charge to support them once you have used your ammunition."
Missile Division -
"Engage enemy troops of opportunity, advance to a position ahead of main formation and withdraw to the flanks before you become engaged in melee."
*Amendment: Rear Guard slingers to join those already engaging as fast as possible.
Cavalry Division -
"You will be sequestered to Servius once we are on the battlefield, follow his instruction."
*Amendment: Covered above in first notes.

Following message sent to Servius, but rolled a one so it was intercepted and then went to Luca (50-50 chance between him and Marcellus]

“Consul,

I send my cavalry to you immediately and some of my skrimishers to attempt to take some pressure from your position now.

I await my rear-guard still before engaging Luca as planned.

Quintus.”

Ammendments to orders:

Sorry, forgot to ask.

Was the enemy army "approaching in my direction" already formed up or in
column much as my one??

If it is in column Quintus will order his 2nd Consular Legion to
immediately secure their left flank against the river and engage the
forward elements of the enemy whilst both sides wait for their
rearguards to arrive.

Please note that my cavalry ala will still be sent to Servius and
general orders remain the same, charge enemy as soon as in range -
javelin units behind only use missiles once front line is engaged.
Slingers engage enemy infantry from flanks.

Picture of ammended plan:



Luca's Orders

The Advance Guard except the cavalry and Luca himself is to move to support
Marcellus in whatever flanking manoeuvre is more appropriate to achieve
local superiority ASAP and also send a message to Marcellus informing them
that there is contact with a large enemy formation in my sector and I will
need help.

Luca himself and his cavalry will wait for the rearguard to arrive, and the
arriving troops will deploy in 3 lines, with skirmishers ahead, principes
and hastati in third line, and italians in second line of battle.
Italian spearmen will take the centre, and the swordsmen the left of the
line.
Luca and his cavalry will stand to the right of the main formation.

The troops may engage in missile fire until they expend all missiles.

The skirmishers will fall back if contact is made to the left in order to
present a very narrow front, and may engage suitably vulnerable enemy
formations in h2h to help achieve local superiority.

Luca will try to stay out of the battle, but if his commitment is required,
he will join the cavalry alae in attempting flanking manouevres and
dispersing enemy light troops.

If the opportunity is presented, Luca and the cavalry will try and kill the
enemy commander.

If the enemy has an inferior number of cavalry, Luca and the cavalry alae
are to attempt their destruction, if the number is superior, principes are
to form up at the right of the formation to prevent flanking.

Hastati and principes should be used as a reserve force to strike in
critical moments or plug gaps in the main battle line. They should attempt
to use up their missile weapons before engaging in melee.