The Battle of Two Rivers: 15mm Hail Caesar

 

The Battle of Two Rivers

Last chance for the Greeks to defeat the Carthaginian Invaders.

After their recent victory at Inicum the Carthaginians now advance inland, reclaiming land that they had previously ruled. The Greeks have fallen back into the Gemelii Hills to regroup. In an attempt to halt the Carthaginian advance Gelon, the Greek commander assembles his forces between two rivers, the Halycus and the Hypsas and now awaits the re-enforcements he has called for. The Carthaginians advance towards the Greek position but have sent their main cavalry division on a flank attack but they seem to have got lost as they are late for the battle?

Talking of cavalry, the front unit of Greek cavalry in this photo are 'Tin Soldier' 15mm and the rear unit are 15mm Greek Cavalry from 'Museum Miniatures'  All nice figures but the size difference is amazing? 

Both armies are around 400 points and should be divided into 4 divisions split between the 3 Leaders (Ld8) and their main commander Hamilcar and Gelon (both Ld9). The Carthaginian division that contains most units of cavalry is the one that is missing. The Greeks deploy two divisions set between the two rivers, so a good position to defend. The Carthaginians may deploy along the Northern edge upto 18” in. The rivers are not fordable.

The Carthaginian cavalry division if/when it arrives may enter the table on either flank in the Carthaginian half, up to midway across the table. Their arrival is decided by throwing two dice from the start of turn 2.

On turn 2 on a score of double 1 on two dice.

On turn 3 on a score of double 1 or 2.

On turn 4 on a score of double 1,2 or 3.

On turn 5 on a score of double 1,2 3 or 4.

On turn 6 on a score of double 1,2,3,4 or 5.

On turn 7 onwards, on a score of any double on the dice.

The Carthaginians decide the flank of their cavalry arrival by a single d6, 1,2 or 3 = west flank, 4,5 or 6 = east flank, as per the map.

The Greeks throw a d6 and follow the scores also indicated on the map for where their extra divisions arrive.

The extra two Greek Divisions will arrive anytime after the first turn. From turn 2 onwards throw a single d6, on a score of 4+ one division may enter the table along the road from either the east or west flank or from between the two rivers as decided by the dice.Throw each turn until both extra divisions have arrived.

As in the two previous games Ian and Phil were the Carthaginians and Nigel and I were in charge of the Greeks. 

The Greeks deployed between the two rivers and in turn 1, disaster, Nigel's division 'blundered' and retreated off the table. Nigel then failed another two command rolls to try and bring them back on, they finally returned to the table on turn 4. 

Ian and Phil meanwhile were quite successful in advancing their troops rapidly, trying to get across the board before the Greek re-enforcements arrived. 

Looking across the advancing Carthage troops, top right you can see the Greek Cavalry division has arrived on the eastern flank. 

A view from behind the Carthaginian line, spot the Greek Cavalry, top right. 

Another blunder sent my light cavalry rushing forward into melee with Ian's Carthaginian Medium Cavalry who easily won the fight.  

My Greek Medium cavalry came to help and after a few rounds of melee destroyed the Carthaginian cavalry. So far so good for the Greeks

The Greeks chase away the Carthaginian Medium cavalry.

In the centre, one of my Elite Hoplite units catch some Carthaginian Spearmen in the flank. With some truly disastrous dice throwing by me the first round of melee was drawn and Ian was able to turn to face and then destroy the hoplites by forcing them to withdraw into an elephant that had snuck around their rear. This is the point where it really started going wrong for the Greeks. 

The centre soon became packed with units as the Greeks fought desperately to prevent the Carthaginians from breaking through. The Carthaginian leaders were hoping for their cavalry reserve to show up...it never did!

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Gelon, the Greek commander was wounded in this melee. It was not long before the Carthaginians broke through and stormed forward into the heart of Sicily. 

The Greek Cavalry and the re-enforcements were far too hesitant in their approach to be of any use in the battle. So it was another resounding victory for the Carthaginians whose bold advance certainly paid off. Sicily is theirs for the taking and another great game.