Are You Sure You Want To Do This, Sir ?

 Our Infamy, Infamy! campaign continues with the Roman Centurion, buoyed up by his resounding victory last time out, seeking to bring the German Barbarian force to battle again.

The Optio is nervous about this terrain - there are far too many places from where the Barbarians can ambush and catch the Romans unprepared. Personally, he wouldn't have chosen to attack through here. "Are you sure you want to do this, Sir ?" he asked the Centurion again.

"What is wrong with you, Man ! They are nothing but hairy unwashed barbarians and need to be taught who's in charge around here" was the retort.

Very well, Sir, I'll get the men ready" he answered with a heavy heart.  Scouts were sent out and a couple of ambush points were detected but German cavalry successfully screened others so there were still areas of concern in this heavily wooded terrain. 

Quickly, Iberian cavalry accompanied by Caetrati foot cavalry were despatched to try and "take out" an ambush point in the marshes in the north east.

They could sense that they were being watched from there and the woods

Their approach brought about a charge by German levy from the marsh

and the damned levy threw back the Iberians with severe casualties - not a good omen

Enemy slingers also emerged from the marshes - their slings were enough to force the Iberian cavalry to retire further. Not a sight the advancing legionaries on the wooded hill were pleased to see.

Other Iberian cavalry and foot cavalry had been sent on a circuitous route around the marshes and woods in the west and these were now surprised by enemy woodsmen with bows

The Centurion was not to be put off. He advances his heavy infantry off the hill into the woods facing the tribal levy. Their pila cause problems for the slingers to their front.

The Caetrati in the west have dismounted and charged the woodsmen, destroying them but not without cost.

Their cavalry comrades have been chased off by the arrival of German mounted warriors

German warriors head towards the flank of the Roman lines

The Centurion hears their approach and orders the Optio to turn one group towards this new threat.

The German cavalry continue their pursuit of the Iberian cavalry

The Centurion charges the levy to his front

But more enemy warriors charge through the woods pushing the Centurion back with casualties

They are led by the German War Lord with his Oathsworn warriors

The Centurion's lead group is smashed

and German fanatical warrior are waiting to join in too

Despite the assistance of the Caetrati hitting the enemy in the flank

the German warriors are getting the better of the fight

The Iberian cavalry choose the moment the Fanatics attack to flee past the embattled Romans - thanks for nothing chaps !

The Romans do kill most of the Fanatics but with attrition on them too. And at this point a furious assault by the Oathsworn sees the Centurion wounded and his group annihilated.

The day is lost !  The Optio manages to get his group away and they drag the wounded Centurion with them.

When he comes around again, the Optio gave him that "I told you so" look but dares not voice it as the Centurion is clearly going to survive and the Optio needs to keep his job.

Despite everything, in the post battle phase, the Centurion hangs on to his reputation (probably thanks to the Legatus protecting him) so he continues in command.

Has he learnt his lesson ?  Find out next time !