GI 02 Battle of Taginae 552 AD

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4 years 7 months ago - 4 years 7 months ago #271 by g1ul10


Historical Background

From as early as 549 the Emperor Justinian I had planned to dispatch a major army to Italy to conclude the protracted war with the Ostrogoths. The imperial chamberlain (cubicularius) Narses was appointed to command in mid 551. The following spring Narses led this Byzantine army around the coast of the Adriatic as far as Ancona and then turned inland aiming to march down the Via Flaminia to Rome. At a place known as Busta Gallorum, near the village of Taginae, the Byzantines encountered the Ostrogothic army commanded by King Totila, who had been advancing to intercept them. Although he enjoyed superiority in numbers, Narses deployed his army in a strong defensive position. In the center, he massed the large body of Germanic mercenaries dismounted in a dense formation and placed the Byzantine troops to either side.


War Council
Ostrogoth Army (Use Tan blocks)
• Leader: Totila
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Inspired Action tokens
• Move First

Byzantine Army (Use Purple blocks)
• Leader: Narses
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Inspired Action tokens

Victory
6 Banners

Special Rules
• The Byzantine Medium and Heavy Cavalry units are armed with bows.
• The Ostrogoth Medium and Heavy Cavalry units are not armed with bows
Attachments:
Last edit: 4 years 7 months ago by g1ul10. Reason: Changed deployment and war council data , see discussion below.

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4 years 7 months ago #276 by Peterocka41
Had a chance to play this scenario last night. Really enjoyed it. Well designed. The way you have the initial set up really creates some tough decisions early on for both sides, which created a good amount of tension right from the beginning. The mass of Ostrogoths in the center vs the potential flanking attack of the Romans. The Ostrogoths will be very tempted (depending on cards of course) to attack hard in the middle but this could be a real trap. I also thought the use of the terrain was well done, it presents more decisions early on.

My play resulted in an Ostrogoth victory 6-3, but it was close. In fact total casualties were Byzantines 31, Ostrogoths 32. So the Ostrogoths won, but at a big price.

The Ostrogoths decide to attack the Roman Flanks with their cavalry, hoping to cover/protect an assault in the center by their main forces



The Romans respond dividing their main line in the center to counter the flank assault and successfully repel the Ostrogoth flank attack



Having successfully repelled the Ostrogothic flank attack, the Roman decide to press the attack on each flank



The Ostrogoths reform on the Roman left flank and counter with some success as both side temporarily pull back due to heavy casualties



The Ostrogoths survive a heavy ranged attack by the Romans and prepare for their final assault



The Battle ends in an 6-3 Ostrogoth victory after a successful assault by Cavalry and Warriors on the Roman right

  • The following user(s) said Thank You: g1ul10

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    4 years 7 months ago #278 by g1ul10
    Thank you for the report Peter. The Romans should rely on their missile capabilities and engage the Ostrogoth units only when weakened. At least, this was Narse's idea. It seems you played the Romans more aggressively.

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    4 years 7 months ago - 4 years 7 months ago #279 by g1ul10
    I'm thinking about reinforcing the Roman ranks a bit. I'm unsure about adding a further medium/warrior to the central part, or an aux to the right, in/near the woods. Any suggestion?
    Last edit: 4 years 7 months ago by g1ul10.

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    4 years 7 months ago #288 by g1ul10
    Updated the image with the version I'm playtesting now. I made the Byzantine formation more compact.

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