Somewhere in Southern Italy
Pyrrhus was a second cousin to Alexander the Great and had fought the Romans, travelled to Sicily, defeated the Carthaginians and was now back in Italy to face the might of Rome once more.
General Pyrrhus (AKA Ian)
Greek Field Commander left – Andy T
Greek Field Commander Centre – Roger
Greek Field Commander Right – Andy P
VS
Consul Manius Curius Dentatus (AKA Vinny)
Roman Field Commander Left – Gary
Roman Field Commander Centre - Alan
Roman Field Commander right Wayne
Having gathered his army Ian made a bold night move to catch the Roman Army in camp by surprise.
Surprise it was with the first rays of sunshine accompanied by screaming warriors assaulting the Roman centre, cavalry charging the Roman right and skirmishers firing from the woods into the Roman left. The dead were mounting before breakfast.
The centre held and the Roman skirmishers skirmished back on the left but the right was at risk. The Romans had looked stronger on the right but the ferocity of the attack was overwhelming. The Greeks were pushed back, reformed and charged again, on the third attempt it looked like the morning was going to Greeks, but on that third attempt the Romans struck first breaking the charge, killing their leader (Andy T) and putting an end to the attacks. All fell quiet on the flank but for the sounds of the wounded and Elephants chewing the long grass.
Whilst the Greek left was fighting with valour the Greek right skirmished.
It would come down to the centre to decide this battle.
The Greeks had some confusion between general and Field commander in the centre but edged ever forward.
The Romans hastily assembled their own lines, pulling their heavy infantry out of their encampment. The sides looked even, facing off across a nomans land that neither were willing to cross. Roman Ballista’s kept firing and Greek archers returned in kind, but missiles troops were not going to decide this day.
The Greeks now brought up further troops in double time, the Romans copied the manoeuvre and raised it by one for a “double double time” assault. Not their whole line but their best troops and two glory seeking commanders. The assault worked better than expected but both Roman leaders were now exposed in their quest for medals that their Consul had promised.
The Greeks came back charging with well fed Elephants on the left, seeing off the remaining Roman cavalry and crushing into their Infantry. It met some success and would have been devastating had the leader with them been able to inspire them some more. As it was the lead Elephants stalled, with the leading Elephant deciding it had had enough and breaking back through the others, routing them from the field.
Could the mild Greek success on the left turn the day. Was there any Skirmishing left to do on the right. The Greek centre now came back trapping the Roman left (Gary) leader and killing him and his men. The Centre leader (Alan) though survived, assembled what remained of the Roman line and in one final push broke the Greeks will to continue the fight. The Greeks withdrew, back to Greece never to invade Italy again.
The Greek Commanders pondering how is it possible to roll so many dice with so few hits…..
Topic Author
/pic7337489.jpg)