12-18-2013, 05:22 AM
After Action Report – Roman Civil Wars Bastarnae Scenario - by Paul Bruffell
Marcus Licinius Crassus the Younger, grandson of the Triumvir defeated at Carrhae by the Parthians, had fought in the civil wars initially with Sextus Pompeius and then Antony before defecting to Octavian (the emperor Augustus). In 29 BC Crassus led a Roman army against the Bastarnae a tribe that inhabited the region between the eastern Carpathian mountains and the Dnieper river (modern Moldova and southern Ukraine). The Bastarnae were probably Germanic in language and culture, but they had cultural contacts with the Sarmatians and Dacians. Crassus fought a pitched battle against the Bastarnae near the river Cedrus and, according to Dio Cassius, killed their King Deldo in single combat.
The initial positions are shown below. In this battle I played the Bastarnae (in blue) against the Roman empire. My opponent was experienced and at the core of the Roman army was a strong contingent of legionaries in the form of Legio III Scythica. I new this would be no easy challenge.
![[Image: 61c07e7d27Turn%201%20Initial%20Positions.jpg]](https://www.theblitz.club/uploads/users/61c07e7d27Turn%201%20Initial%20Positions.jpg)
Having viewed the enemy dispositions as they approached my army arrayed around a convenient hill, I decided on my tactics for this pitched battle. My skirmishers are to keep the enemy missile men from causing heavy casualties on my spear armed infantry (the first rank of three). My main infantry force was to hold the hill and await the enemy’s approach. Meanwhile, my medium cavalry would strike on both wings, to clear the enemy cavalry on the Roman right and pin down the Roman auxiliaries on his left flank. This will reduce the Roman main strike to just his legionaries and right wing auxiliaries. My cavalry were also armed with the bow giving them an added threat potential. This probably came from their Sarmatian neighbors.
The first few moves went ahead as I planned, my cavalry taking positive steps to secure the flanks and threaten the Roman rear. The Roman cavalry on their right flank was quickly overwhelmed and by turn 7 had been overrun. My cavalry on the Roman left flank began to pour archery fire in to the nearest auxiliary units creating significant losses. Action on the flanks was looking good for my Bastarnae army, however, the Roman forward skirmishing line was more experienced than my tribal skirmishers and these Bastarnae light infantry suffered serious losses in the opening moves.
![[Image: 1e963337caTurn7.jpg]](https://www.theblitz.club/uploads/users/1e963337caTurn7.jpg)
![[Image: 9956ae84f5Turn%204b.jpg]](https://www.theblitz.club/uploads/users/9956ae84f5Turn%204b.jpg)
![[Image: 06c932a4c1Turn10.jpg]](https://www.theblitz.club/uploads/users/06c932a4c1Turn10.jpg)
The Roman response to the threat on their left flank was effective and the auxiliaries created a cordon of warrior groups that managed to hold the charging cavalry. On the Roman right the story was not so good for them. Marcus Crassus’ command for the auxiliaries to protect the flank was unheeded and they charged in to my front rank of spearmen. This seriously exposed their rear and my medium cavalry took the opportunity to strike home. You can see below desperate attempts by the Roman skirmishers to hold off my marauding cavalry.
In the center, matters were not going my way. The experienced legionaries of Legio III cut a swathe through my ranks of men and my Bastarnae warriors suffered a heavy price to delay their progress in capturing the hill. I moved in unit after unit sacrificing the flower of our brotherhood to hold the hill and its victory points.
![[Image: ca3ed5efd8Turn9.jpg]](https://www.theblitz.club/uploads/users/ca3ed5efd8Turn9.jpg)
The hard fought battle to capture the hill in the center by the Roman legionaries prevented them from recognizing the closing trap as both Roman flanks collapsed. By turn 11 out of 12 the trap was all but closed and the Romans faced a Major Defeat.
![[Image: 6f30116350Turn%2011.jpg]](https://www.theblitz.club/uploads/users/6f30116350Turn%2011.jpg)
Victory was assured for the Bastarnae on this day but the price in dead warriors was a high price to pay to stop the Roman advance.
Marcus Licinius Crassus the Younger, grandson of the Triumvir defeated at Carrhae by the Parthians, had fought in the civil wars initially with Sextus Pompeius and then Antony before defecting to Octavian (the emperor Augustus). In 29 BC Crassus led a Roman army against the Bastarnae a tribe that inhabited the region between the eastern Carpathian mountains and the Dnieper river (modern Moldova and southern Ukraine). The Bastarnae were probably Germanic in language and culture, but they had cultural contacts with the Sarmatians and Dacians. Crassus fought a pitched battle against the Bastarnae near the river Cedrus and, according to Dio Cassius, killed their King Deldo in single combat.
The initial positions are shown below. In this battle I played the Bastarnae (in blue) against the Roman empire. My opponent was experienced and at the core of the Roman army was a strong contingent of legionaries in the form of Legio III Scythica. I new this would be no easy challenge.
Having viewed the enemy dispositions as they approached my army arrayed around a convenient hill, I decided on my tactics for this pitched battle. My skirmishers are to keep the enemy missile men from causing heavy casualties on my spear armed infantry (the first rank of three). My main infantry force was to hold the hill and await the enemy’s approach. Meanwhile, my medium cavalry would strike on both wings, to clear the enemy cavalry on the Roman right and pin down the Roman auxiliaries on his left flank. This will reduce the Roman main strike to just his legionaries and right wing auxiliaries. My cavalry were also armed with the bow giving them an added threat potential. This probably came from their Sarmatian neighbors.
The first few moves went ahead as I planned, my cavalry taking positive steps to secure the flanks and threaten the Roman rear. The Roman cavalry on their right flank was quickly overwhelmed and by turn 7 had been overrun. My cavalry on the Roman left flank began to pour archery fire in to the nearest auxiliary units creating significant losses. Action on the flanks was looking good for my Bastarnae army, however, the Roman forward skirmishing line was more experienced than my tribal skirmishers and these Bastarnae light infantry suffered serious losses in the opening moves.
The Roman response to the threat on their left flank was effective and the auxiliaries created a cordon of warrior groups that managed to hold the charging cavalry. On the Roman right the story was not so good for them. Marcus Crassus’ command for the auxiliaries to protect the flank was unheeded and they charged in to my front rank of spearmen. This seriously exposed their rear and my medium cavalry took the opportunity to strike home. You can see below desperate attempts by the Roman skirmishers to hold off my marauding cavalry.
In the center, matters were not going my way. The experienced legionaries of Legio III cut a swathe through my ranks of men and my Bastarnae warriors suffered a heavy price to delay their progress in capturing the hill. I moved in unit after unit sacrificing the flower of our brotherhood to hold the hill and its victory points.
The hard fought battle to capture the hill in the center by the Roman legionaries prevented them from recognizing the closing trap as both Roman flanks collapsed. By turn 11 out of 12 the trap was all but closed and the Romans faced a Major Defeat.
Victory was assured for the Bastarnae on this day but the price in dead warriors was a high price to pay to stop the Roman advance.