The Battle for Rome

[econ21]

LATE MORNING (TURN 3) - ORDERS

The Eastern Battle

Servius’s Orders

"This is getting us nowhere." Servius thought to himself. The risk of Decius's gauls arriving or having already arrived was already high, but there was yet no news from Quintus's side, although scouts did report a number of Quintus's cavalry approaching from the west. He was unsure yet if this was a good or bad thing.

"We must move now." Looking to his messengers he ushered them over as quickly as he could.

"You, to the Iberian division, order them move a bit further down our right flank and advance slightly behind our Roman division, when they come in range, release their javelins into Marcellus's flank, particularly the triarii, keep an eye out for hidden enemy forces on their right, if they see any, hold ground in guard formation and do not engage unless attacked, if none are present, then one unit is to flank the enemy triarii, the others are to attack the enemy skirmishers, if they run, then hold ground and anticipate a retaliatory charge by their second line."

"You, to the Gallic infantry division. Order them form up alongside Appius's division, deep spear column ajoining his spears, and gallic swordsmen on the right. Advance behind our Italian division in conjunction with Appius's division. Spears engage the enemy cavalry, swords engage the enemy skirmishers!"

"You, to Appius's Division, have him advance alongside our gallic infantry division towards the enemy cavalry, engage them with javelins if you can do so safely before they charge."

"You, to our Gallic cavalry division. Have them form up on Appius's division's left flank and slightly back, when Appius engages the cavalry, flank them."

"You, I hear that a group of Quintus's cavalry is coming our way, head out to them and order them to form up immediately behind our Iberians on the right flank and advance behind them. Also, bring me whatever word of Quintus's battle they can offer."

At that, Servius turned to his two closest divisions, the Roman division and the Italian division on the front. "Romans, Italians! This dilly dallying has gone on long enough. Marcellus fears us, he will not engage like a man, instead he sends out his Afrikan slave warriors to do his fighting for him, and poorly at that I might add! That said, I bid somebody bring me a spoon, so that when I dig out that cowardly traitor's black heart it will be as painful for him as possible!

Romans! Engage with pila first, then charge, march on their traitorous romans on the right. Slingers, engage their skirmishers on the right! Velites, target their libyan spearman at the center! Reaaaadyyy, MARCH!

Italians! March on those wretched traitors that would dare consider themselves loyal men like you have shown yourselves to be. Engage with javelins first, then charge! Spears and swords on the far end, engage their skirmishers but keep a close watch for their cavalry, if their cavalry charge hold firm, both our gallic divisions and Appius's Italian division are being ordered as we speak to march on their foul horsemen! I will be accompanying them soon to be absolutely certain that their right wing crumbles before our might! Reaaaadyyy, MARCH!"

With the call to march sounded, Servius rode quickly down the center towards the Gallic cavalry, then towards Appius's division. He would lead the march from that flank, intent on breaking the back of Marcellus's cavalry division, effectively defeating the senate's hope for a victory.

(You are correct in assuming the gallic slingers have been attached to the Roman division. At the beginning of turn 3, the Roman and center Italian divisions are closest to Servius, at the end of turn three, the Gallic infantry and Appius's division are closest to Servius.

I am assuming you mean Quintus's cavalry arrive on my right flank --as viewed from Servius's perspective, facing Marcellus-- as Quintus is engaged west of my current position, and I had assumed the map to be in line with the regular cardinal directions. If you do in fact mean my left, simply alter my orders to have Quintus's cavalry behind my gallic cavalry.)

Diagram of planned deployment:




Marcellus’s Orders

Division I (Cavalry): The Numidian Skirmishers will be once again included in the division. You are to advance at a slow pace, with the rest of the line. If all goes well Decius' cavalry will join you this turn. Guard the flank should Servius try anything.

Division II (Marcellus): Advance along with the rest of the line, at a slow pace. Shift even more to the left, so that the two divisions you are closest to are the 1st Senate Legion and the incoming Italian Alae. Be in a position to assist the missile troops should they come under attack.

Division III (First Senate Legion): Advance at a slow pace to the point where you can get into pila fire with Servius' infantry. Exchange pila but do not get into a melee unless you are forced into it. Trarii, get into position with the rest of the line. You are no longer needed to guard the flank. Missiles, advance with the infantry and attack whichever troops you have the best chance of downing. Run if Servius goes for you, but I do not think that it is necessary.

Division IV (2nd Senate Legion): Advance, keeping pace with the Italians in front of you. You are still the reserves. Missiles on the right, begin to fire if you have a clear shot. The cavalry will assist you should you be in trouble.

Division V (1st Italian Alae): Advance at a slow pace, maintaining a line with the 1st Senate Legion. Advance until you come into pila range with the Servians, but do not get into a melee unless you are forced into it. Skirmishers, target whatever unit you think has the best chance of going down. If you are chased, retreat. The cavalry will assist you should Servius try anything.

Division VI (Numidian detachment): Make your way to the extreme right of the Senate cavalry, and advance along with them. This division no longer exists, and should be considered a part of Division I.

Division VII (Italian Reinforcements): Move slightly behind and to the left of the 1st Senate legion, so you are behind the missiles. You are in reserve and should guard the missile troops. The next turn, you will ideally flank Servius on the left. Skirmishers, you may begin firing if you have a clear shot.

Decius’s Orders

Decius' orders if no message comes from GH:

"My undying gratitude Publius for your report. I need you to lead the Advance force to the battle. Line up the Praetorian Cavalry to the left of Marcellus' line, near his skirmishers.

Praetorians, advance to battle before the Alae, form up behind and to the left of Marcellus' line. Stay out of danger, and watch for an ambush on the left. When our 1st and 2nd Gallic Alae arrive, remain where you are, behind the Alae lines. You have nothing to fear in this battle except an ambush. Keep your eyes up and to the left, watching for anything. Immediately send messengers to Marcellus and to me if there are hidden troops on that flank, and then warn the Alae.

1st Gallic Alae, when you reach the battle, line up on the left flank of Marcellus' battle line. Skirmishers should be in front of the line.

2nd Gallic Alae, the same orders go for you, except line up to the left of your comrades and just a little ahead of them. Skirmishers should be in front.

Alae, if you arrive in time to join battle, advance straight forward. If there is an ambush, your position will be precarious so listen for any warning from the cavalry.

Alae Skirmishers, concentrate your fire on the Roman part of the front line. Your missiles may not have great effect, but the enemy will be off their guard for Marcellus' advance if you sting them hard enough.

The rest of us will be there by noon. May Mars watch over us all."

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If a message does come unhindered from Marcellus, the orders remain the same, except that everything switches to the right flank. The picture should explain this.

In that case, I have positioned the Alae in front of Marcellus' cavalry. If they can get into that position before Marcellus advances, then super. If not, they will line up behind Marcellus' cavalry.

The image for these orders:

The Western Battle

Quintus's Orders for Turn 3

Advanced Guard Orders for turn 3. (NOTE: Going to try and cover all eventualities so these are actually orders but hopefully will cover for this turn and next turn at least)

Move forward to secure flank firmly against river (as pic -


and align roughly on Servius' left flank position.

The idea about moving the Advanced Guard forward was to ensure we secured that flank against the river mainly.

Once up with Servius' forces Quintus will hold for the rest of the army and redress formation to the previously sent main battle formation:


IF enemy Advance Guard move on Quintus' position or have reached near to Servius' flank then Quintus' Advance Guard will engage in combat agressively (charge in formation, missile troops bombard from flanks).

IF the enemy Advance Guard are mainly Cavalry, Quintus' formation remains the same for his Advance Guard as above BUT the Velites will not be skirmishing away. They must hold and be bait for the cavalry, if the Velites are charged by Cavalry then the Triarii will break formation to counter charge the cavalry.

Use of Pila and other missiles are at the descretion of the Centurions of the units, they will know when and where to use for greatest effect (assuming against facing units).

Turn 4 and beyond.

IF Qunitus either holds or defeats the enemy Advance Guard then the rest of his army will attempt to get "as close as" the main battle formation given above when it arrives - discounting engaged units who will NOT disengage from melee but will be supported by Rear Guard units as they arrive.

IF Quintus DEFEATS the enemy Advance Guard, then units will redress upon arrival of Quintus' Rear Guard fully and engage the Enemy Rear Guard agressively (as per main orders, charge into Melee, 2nd row use exhaust missiles then charge into support).

NOTES ON QUINTUS' Praetorians - Quintus will only engage in melee with already engaged units IF they threaten his right flank. He will attempt to outflank and rear-charge the enemy units causing the problem.

Recap: The key issues are - Turn 3, ensure my advance guard have secured their left flank against the river and are on the left (or nearby) of Servius' formation. If the enemy advance guard is within range at that point they will attack agressively! If the enemy hang back then the advance guard will hold position, prepare to defend themselves and await the arrival of the rest of their army.

Slingers - these will take on any targets they can range upon. That covers enemy on Servius' left as well as enemy directly threatening Quintus' own forces.

After either Turn 3 or Turn 4 Quintus' forces will either be fully engaged and/or full battle formation and you can hand control over to Lucjan I think.

It's a shame that I'll miss the end of this battle but I hope that I've been agressive enough to make a difference early on. If I can catch and destroy Luca's lighter advanced guard it'll turn the battle completely.

Whilst I don't know I ASSUME that Luca's advance guard will mainly be cavalry + 2-3 infantry units, which my (mainly heavy) infantry units should be able to handle very well if dressed up well.

Andy

Luca’s Orders

Here are the orders for next turn, and attached the disposition once the rearguard arrives. If I misunderstood and the river is on the other side,
the formation should be symmetrically switched.

As I said before, as many missiles as possible should be used before engaging. This battle's formation is mainly defensive, waiting for MArcellus to resolve his conflict and flank the attacking army. Of course, if the opportunity is there, it should be taken.

Principes, spearmen and hastati should be in guard mode.

All troops should attempt to use their pila before engaging so as to maximise the effect.

Cavalry should prevent flanking to the main formation and protect Luca.

The unit of principes on the right flank is also there to prevent flanking and should be used either as reserves or face appropriately, or even attempt to flank the enemy themselves if the opportunity is presented.

The other principe and swordsman unit are in reserve and should be used to plough the line if needed, or extend it to flank or prevent flanking.

Now, the formation should advance until skirmishers make contact.

Once this is achieved, and if pressed by the enemy, the slingers should fall to a position from which to continue harassing the enemy, and the velites towards the river flank, and using the narrow front offered, occupy a place in the line if needed.

Luca may be used as an extra cavalry in a sensible way.

Diagram of Luca's planned disposition: