Writing in Chapter 7 of his wonderful and ageless text, Wargame Tactics, a father of the hobby sets forth:
- What I propose to describe then is a very speculative battle. A Roman column has been following up a large German raiding part; which has just plundered some inoffensive Gaullish settlement and is making its way back to the Rhine and its home territory beyond the river At some stage-so runs the scenario-the various tribal chiefs have got together and decided that it is shameful for warriors of such calibre to turn tail and be hunted across Gaul by these swarthy little men from the south, and that they will turn and fight them. The year is about 50 BC, and the Roman force is under the command of Caesar's lieutenant, Labienus: the Germans are led by Ariovistus, for no other reason than that the name is such a splendid one.
In the last paragraph of "COHORTS & COURAGE," I take myself to task for being unoriginal in the pursuit of completing this hobby year wherein the running theme has been Ancients. In the last sentence of that last paragraph, I explain that the whole idea (albeit unoriginal) for the adapted rules was born out of the reading of Mr. Grant's book. It seems only fitting then, that I begin this, my last article of 2004, with a direct and somewhat lengthy quote from the English master.
Like Mr. Grant, what I propose to describe is also a very speculative battle. As indicated by the "western lingo" in the title, instead of Germans, the Roman column is following up a large party of Gauls. The Pictones, perhaps? Due to the internecine tribal warfare that took place in Gaul, the raid against the inoffensive Gaullish settlement (a neighboring tribe?) can remain as part of the casus belli for the scenario. Similarly, the Gallic chieftains -imposing figures to be sure - have also decided that it is cowardly to "run" from the Romans. The decision is made to turn and fight. Mr. Grant's fictional contest takes place in the shadows of the Mandubian Hills. It is a good name, I think. And so, it might be said that in this speculative battle -designed primarily as a play test for a set of adapted rules-the Romans are revisiting the Mandubian Hills. And that the hills are alive with the sound of Gallic warbands. It is tempting too, to utilize the personalities provided by Mr. Grant. However, borrowing from the saga of Ms. McCullough, I will designate Quintus Cicero as the Roman Legate in charge of the pursuing column. As Tribunes in this force, let me suggest Publius Vatinius and Sulpucius Galba. For Prefect; one Gains Trebatius. As to the Gauls, I will provide just two names: Daderax and Biturgo. Daderax is not king (in the familiar sense) of the marauding barbarians, but is a respected elder chieftain and veteran of many military contests. We may consider Biturgo as his lieutenant or perhaps even a prince-like son, in partial command and following his father into battle against the "swarthy little men."
Having set the stage (if I may use a theatrical term), Mr. Grant then proceeds to flesh out the supporting cast as well as establish or paint a "typical" backdrop for a piece of countryside in Long-Haired Gaul circa the year 50 BC.
ORDERS OF BATTLE
I have modified the play slightly with my revision of the central protagonists. In the same manner, I have made some changes to the composition of the supporting cast as well as to the set on which these thousands of dramatic actors are to be met. The Gauls will be detailed first, as they are the force that is in place and waiting on the Roman appearance and advance.
| MAP ID | UNIT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| a | "select" warband | 00 VET MI; spear, sword, shield - 10 |
| b | warband | OO TR-2 MI; spear, sword, shield - 13 |
| c | warband | OO TR-2 MI; spear, sword, shield - 13 |
| d | warband | OO TR-2 MI; spear, sword, shield - 13 |
| e | warband | OO TR-2 MI; spear, sword, shield - 13 |
| f | warband | OO TR-2 MI; spear, sword, shield - 13 |
| g | skirmishers | OO TR-1 LI; javelin, small shield - 6 |
| h | skirmishers | OO LEVY LI; javelin, small shield - 6 |
| i | skirmishers | OO TR- I LI; javelin, small shield - 6 |
| j | slingers | OO LEVY LI; sling, small shield - 6 |
| k | light cavalry | OO TR-1, LC; spear, sword, small shield - 8 |
| l | medium cavalry | OO VET MC; spear, sword, small shield - 8 |
NOTES:
1. On review, the number of warbands and their general composition are similar to that presented in the Grant scenario. Given the rules adaptation, instead of an actual figure count (40 in the "select" and 50 in the other warbands) there is a count of figure stands. Ten stands represent approximately 640 men (see schematic in previous article); the units with 13 stands would then number around 832 warriors.
2. As also mentioned in the rules and shown in the same schematics, the leadership of each unit is integral and represented by a specially marked stand. With regard to higher level leaders, the Gauls have a King (General) and a sub-general. For narrative purposes as well as to provide some color to the contest, this sub-general is the son of the King: a "Prince" then, among the warrior class.
3. The representation of unit strength has been discussed. It is a simple matter of taking the number of stands in a unit and multiplying by a factor of 64. In terms of understanding the ability of a unit, a little more information must be provided. The "code" of OO TR-2 MI; spear, sword, shield - 13 means: Open Order (formation), TR-2 (unit effectiveness), MI (Medium Infantry - unit weight / type); weapon(s) and, 13 (strength in stands, to be used again when looking at effectiveness and degradation of unit during actual combat).
4. A last note regarding weapon(s) description: The warbands are not uniformly armed with spears, but have this close missile and melee weapon in abundance. Similarly, all the warriors in the band do not have swords. Some may have an axe, others a type of club. The detail of weapon(s) at hand is more or less a reference, used for combat calculations.
TOTALS
Warbands @ 4,800 warriors / infantry
Light Troops @ 1,536
Cavalry @ 1,024 mounts
In place, awaiting the arrival of the Romans: 7,460 men
With the exception of the Second Cohort, the Eleventh Legion mirrors the organization of the Roman troops in Mr. Grant's table top battle. In one of those rare (ahem) moments where I was not paying attention, the troops/ figures of the Second Cohort were not prepared. As will become clear in the subsequent narrative, Quintus Cicero leads a legion into battle that is less than full strength, but still packing a powerful punch. The barbarian host would see:
| MAP ID | UNIT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| a | 1st Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 15 |
| 3 | 3rd Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 4 | 4th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 5 | 5th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 6 | 6th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 7 | 7th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 8 | 8th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 9 | 9th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 10 | 10th Cohort | CO VET HI; pila, sword, shield - 8 |
| 11 | Auxiliary Cavalry | OO TR-2 LC; spear, small shield - 8 |
| 12 | Auxiliary Infantry | OO TR-1 LI; javelin, sword, small shield - 8 |
| 13 | Auxiliary Archers | OO TR-1 LI; bow, sword - 6 |
| 14 | Auxiliary Archers | OO TR-1 LI; bow, sword - 6 |
NOTES:
1. A stand strength of 8 yields a count of 512 rankers in all cohorts save one. The First Cohort of the Eleventh Legion has 15 stands plus extra command (the senior centurion of the Eleventh is found here), giving a total of 960 men. This results, as shown below in the totals, in a legion with a field strength of just over 5,000 men. By my study, this is a "generous" figure for even a newly trained and fitted legion. The problem might be resolved in this manner: for the elements of the legion only, each stand will represent a block of men 12 across by four ranks deep. This gives a multiple of 48 men (figures) for each combat stand. New totals for the legion are: line cohorts @ 384 men and, the First Cohort @ 720 men.
2. As with their opponents on this day, small unit leadership is integral and designated by the marking of specific stands. The Romans do enjoy an advantage in terms of higher-echelon leaders. Instead of a "king" and "prince," the Eleventh is commanded by a General (one of Caesar's many legates). He in turn, is aided by three lower ranking officials: a prefect, and two senior tribunes.
3. Unit representation and composition has been discussed under the previous Notes section. The reader can see that the Romans also enjoy the advantage of fielding infantry units that are heavier, have more experience and fight in a closer formation than the opposing tribesmen.
TOTALS
Eleventh Legion @ 5,056 infantry
* revised calculations bring total to just 3,792 rankers
Light Troops @ 1,280
Cavalry @ 5 12 troopers
Under the command of Quintus Cicero: 5,584 men
On review, it seems that this adapted contest is a somewhat unbalanced affair. The Gauls enjoy the advantage of numbers (nearly 2,000 more warriors than the Romans) in addition to having the choice of position.
There is also the element of surprise, in that two warbands are using the central wood as an area for ambush. Numbers, position and surprise (if not discovered or "smelled out" by the Roman command) are countered by experience, weight and leadership. However, it must be remembered that the concern or question is not so much directed towards the balance of play in the scenario. The central concern is with the adaptation of the rules. Will the revisions work in the Ancient period?
DISPOSITIONS & TERRAIN
Turning now to a brief discussion of the field of battle, one finds that the terrain lay out in Mr. Grant's narrative is rather simple. Hills flank the long edges of the wargaming table and there is a single wood almost in the center of the field. The Germans (Gauls in my adaptation) are on the north side of the table, in situ. The Romans make their appearance on the south edge of the table. For the purposes of this scenario replay, the respective deployments have not been altered that much. (See accompanying map, please.) The legion in pursuit marches on to the field in a couple of solid lines: light troops and cavalry on the flanks. The First Cohort is screened by a unit of javelin-armed infantry.
The standing-in-place Pictones have weighted the center and right of their line with warbands. The "king" takes up a position on the forward slope, just in front of his warriors. The "select" band of tribesmen holds the most forward part of this line. The center-left of this position is held by the two remaining warbands. One of these, as remarked above, is "hidden" in the dense copse. A supporting unit has been stationed to the rear of this planned surprise. The left flank is held by some light infantry and a unit of light horse. The concentration of warriors on the center-right is screened by some light infantry, to include some sling-armed youths. In addition to the two warbands not in the line of sight of the approaching Romans, the "sneaky" Gaul command has deployed a veteran cavalry unit in reserve.
The nature of the table top battlefield has been altered. Instead of just a single, central wood, there are several areas of the field decorated by a stand of trees or "brush and tumble." Unintentionally, well perhaps not that unintentionally, the variety of woods (cover) favored the Gauls in their deployment. And the Roman legion infantry would not be moving down into a valley, as they did in the original narrative, from a southern height. The smallish rise on the right-front of their line remained, however. Instead, the cohorts would be advancing across relatively open and flat ground into ground not all that open nor flat. For the Gauls, this section of the Mandubian Hills (a large, central hill and a ridge to the left), complete with scattered woods and rough patches, would serve well enough.
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