Victory Results:
 38 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  63 %
Total plays 24 - Last reported by SimSportPlyr on 2023-12-13 00:11:56

Historical Background
After Cannae, Rome struggled to rebuild its armies, but needed time. In Spain, Hannibal’s brother Hasdrubal commanded an army large enough to possibly let Carthage win the war – if it united with Hannibal’s victorious veterans. Standing in his way, however, were the legions of two capable (at last) consuls, the brothers Gnaeus and Publius Scipio. Both knew of the tactics used at Cannae, but felt the only way to counter encirclement was to quickly break the Carthaginian center. When the battle commenced, the Roman legions fiercely attacked the Carthaginian center, but, unlike Cannae, there was enough Roman cavalry to hold their flanks. Lacking cavalry superiority (and his brother’s tactical genius), Hasdrubal was unable to surround the Romans before they broke through his center. His cavalry joined the retreat, leaving the splendid heavy infantry to its fate. Rome was granted the time it needed to live and fight another day. Eight years later, Hasdrubal finally was able to march to Italy, but lost both his army and his life at the Metaurus.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

War Council

Carthaginian Army
Leader: Hasdrubal
7 Command Cards 

Roman Army
Leader: Gnaeus & Publius Scipio
10 Command Cards
Move First

Victory
12 Banners

Special Rules
None

 

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Mark-McG replied the topic:
7 months 2 weeks ago
Played this scenario at MOAB is Sydney withn 1/72 miniatures insstread of blocks

Having read the intro to the scenario, and chosen by lot to command the Carthaginians, I set about re-creating the strategy of Cannae, which seemed the best path to Carthaginian success. The middle seemed weak, especially compared to the Roman centre.
     
In the event, the cards played to that strategy, with a move Heavies, and then a Mounted Charge plunging the elephants into the Roman right flank. Lost both elephant units, but eliminated 5 Roman units including a Triari (Heavy Foot). Importantly took out the Roman cavalry, which forced the Romans off this flank section.
 
Meanwhile, the Carthage centre exchanged pleasantries with the Roman velitae, but shuffled backwards as the more serious Hastati approached. With the left flank secured, the line shuffled right, where the initial Roman impact occurred. 

A dearth of Left cards for the Carthaginians meant that the right needed to lend a hand, and the Numidian cavalry came forward to pressure the Roman left. Dashing around the flanks, they quickly intimidated the Roam cavalry, and encircled the Roman light foot. The inevitable clash of cavalry lost 1 unit each, but the Romans had just 1 left, whereas the Carthaginians had 3 units, and 3 more in reserve. 
 

The final Roman push in the centre broke through the Carthage lines, but it was now too late, and the cost too high. Enveloped on both flanks, with no Romans on the left or the right, the Roman army was defeated 12-6

 
esparver73 replied the topic:
4 years 1 week ago
A strange battle, the Roman legion remained in place almost all the battle, leaving the fight to the light units and the wings, which caused some damage to the Carthaginian elephants and light troops but were eventually wiped out. The Carthaginian light cavalry managed to encircle and destroy the Roman cavalry for a final win 13-7.