Sunday 15 July 2018

6mm ancient battle report/aar. Romans vs Ancient Britons


Hi!
Having a couple of days off I decided that instead of painting I would use the Ancient Britons I had recently painted to wage war. Coupled with that wish was a chance to use the carts and baggage mules painted a while ago and the rarely used Hadrian's wall purchased many years ago at Salute. I think the company was Village Green, now merged with Stronghold Miniatures/Terrain.
The scenario is one probably familiar to many ancient wargamers.
The Romans, as is their wont, went out into the hostile lands to gather supplies from the unwilling natives.
As usual, they were heavy handed and had to crack a few heads. But it takes time to gather tribesmen and sometimes you have to make the best of what you have.

Romans - on the road
2 x Blades ord
2 x Aux ord
1 x Cavalry ord
2 x baggage

Romans - behind the wall
1 x General cavalry ord
2 x Aux ord
4 x Blades ord

Ancient Britons
1 x Knight hvy Chariot
3 x Cavalry ord
4 x warband ord
2 Psiloi ord

A successful mission
Home in sight

The Psiloi appear out of the woods
Is it the normal annoying skirmish?
The Romans march on with the auxiliaries moving to cover the flank

The psiloi close. But a warband appears coming out of the woods
Overview of the position
Centurion is of two minds. There is still a way to go but the auxiliaries wouldn't be able to hold the warband and the psiloi.

He opts for battle prepared and turns to meet the warband.
Expecting the warband to catch them anyway he turns to meet them, hoping there are no more about to spoil his day. The alarm is raised and a return call is heard from the wall garrison.
How long will it take them to come to their aid?

The psiloi move to engage the romans
But are recoiled.





The warband charge in

Heavy fighting sees the warband destroyed.


A resounding win for the Romans
But the Britons aren't finished yet.
 Commander in chariot and cavalry arrive on the other flank. Late.


A view from the wall

A view from the wall.
The Romans are on the march





Psiloi try to hold the Romans up
The psiloi's main aim was to delay the Roman's They weren't entirely successful.
The auxiliaries put the caligae into the psiloi. As well as javelins and swords

Suffering heavy losses, the psiloi were destroyed


The Britons close on the baggage


Squaring up for a cavalry clash.
Knowing the battle was lost, the general of the Britons could not afford to lose even more face in front of his men. He ordered the charge.


Meanwhile, the relief column came ever closer.



Honours even in the cavalry clash, and face saved (partly) the Britons withdraw.

I had hoped the Romans would advance a little further along the path. But, if you play by the dice you must accept the outcome.
As it was with the arrival of the British. It was a bit haphazard, as you would expect from tribal warriors.
I think I will try this scenario again with different troop quantities and starting positions.
But I enjoyed the outing of both armies, and that's what counts.

2 comments:

  1. Nice lookin game, beautiful armies and baggages!

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  2. One tries ones best Phil.
    I rather enjoyed this scenario.
    Just playing the finishing moves of an Early Achaemenid vs Assyrian battle. Coming soon.

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