A Punic Rumble using Hail Caesar.

The Devon Wargames Group has grown rapidly in recent years, from a club that entertained around ten to fifteen members a month and two to three games, to one now boasting some forty members and regularly hosting four games for twenty to twenty five members at any one meeting.

I say at a meeting, because to facilitate the demand for games the club has had, for the last four years offered two meetings a month in the first quarter instead of our usual one, and recently for the last two years added April to the two meeting schedule, seeing in recent times eight games a month not being uncommon.

So this marvellous Hail Caesar, Punic War battle, hosted by Mr Steve was indeed one of the eight games played in last month's roster of meetings.

 

Our two armies arrayed for battle with the Romans on the left and the Punics on the right.

The two armies can be seen as the respective commands arrayed their battle lines, with both Romans and Punics choosing to anchor one flank on the temple and sacred grove that were known to be found in this specific part of the Iberian peninsula, securing their opposite flanks with cavalry operating on the higher ground at the opposite end of the table.

The other end of the opposing lines with the temple and its grove off limits to each side with the threat of unspeakable curses and seven years bad luck to any miscreant that despoiled its sacred grounds.

Opposing lines of heavy infantry glowered at each other across the open plain beyond the temple, the Romans in their cohorts of silent ranks contrasting with the yells and battle horns blaring from their Punic foes.

The Roman cohorts flanked by archers.

Slingers to the front lead the Punic line forward.

On the high ground the Punic cavalry presented a formidable threat with heavy and medium armoured, shielded horseman, backed up by ranks of javelin armed skirmishers.

A formidable force of Punic cavalry

The Romans in the opposing line were outnumbered five to three in similarly clad and accoutred men, but supported by their Numidian allied light horse, very able at overcoming heavier less manoeuvrable opponents with their hit and run javelin attacks, and also capable of harrying a beaten foe from the table.

The Roman cavalry with Numidians out front behind javelin and slinger armed skirmishers.

The Punic infantry, a mixture of Gauls and Iberians, advance with skirmishers to the fore.

Our battle followed a predictable process of the infantry making steady progress into the plain with both sides skirmishers attempting to get at each others heavy types, whilst on the flank the Romans aggressively advanced looking to fight their battle as far forward as possible to buy time for their infantry to seal the result in Rome's favour before any enemy cavalry might try and intervene.

Punic heavy and medium cavalry backed by attached javelin armed skirmishers.

The massed ranks of legionaries are given the order to advance.

As the two opposing lines advanced the Roman cavalry pushed forward at a steady trot, noting the unsteady advance of their opposition and with the Numidians emboldened to press the advance further, feeling out the flank of the Punic line.

The Roman commander orders the cavalry forward.

The Punic cavalry advanced to meet the Romans but the odd blunder interfered with their progress allowing the Romans to press their line more rapidly with the Numidians seen far right feeling out the enemy flank.

Meanwhile in the plain the Roman infantry line advanced steadily.

Taking full advantage of the disjointed approach of the Punic cavalry due to unforeseen blunders amid their ranks the Numidians attacked the exposed flank of one of their number, further adding to their woes as they won the ensuing close combat and proceeded to chase the enemy from the table.

First clash as the Numidian light cavalry get the drop on their opposition, first flanking them and then attacking them from the rear as casualties caused them to break and flee. 

It seemed the rest of the Roman cavalry line had embraced the boldness of the Numidians as they jauntily trotted into close combat with the enemy inflicting casualties in the approach and all seemed well with the first close encounters going in Rome's favour, that was until the wheels fell off, and suddenly the lost Numidians were joined by two Roman medium cavalry units, off table and out of the battle.

The only positive that could be gained was that the fight to overcome the Roman cavalry had battered the Punic horse quite badly and had taken up time allowing the two infantry lines to close into javelin range.

Oh dear, how sad, the Roman cavalry is all but broken and dispersed save for one unit close in to the infantry line, but they have battered the Punic horse in return with white dice among the rear ranks indicating the damage done and effectively taking them out of the battle.

Meanwhile the two infantry lines closed and the pilum flew as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash of arms.

Thus it was left to the steady legionary to decide the outcome of our battle and they lived up to their billing, thinning enemy ranks with a shower of pilum before closing to drive the enemy back from a remorseless stabbing wall of shields.

Not a great place to be skirmisher between serried ranks of heavy infantry

The Punic line is in trouble as it recoils before the might of Rome's legions

The Punic line was only going in one direction when time was called on our game as a well-earned beverage awaited at the all important post game wash-up in the local pub.

Much fun was had by all and thank you to Mr Steve for bringing his lovely collection of toys and terrain down to club all the way from deepest darkest Cardiff and to Stephen H, Steve L, Ian Mc, Nathan and Gavin for their company and fun of the game.

JJ