Invasion of Britain, a DBA After Action Report, Part 1

My friend Bob & I resumed our mostly weekly dining-room table wars, this time with Caesar invading the British Isles. We are again using the DBA 3.0 rules and armies for our games.

Landing near Dover (Dubra), Caesar's forces, tired of sea-sickness on crowded galleys, disembarked and moved inland to seek out the Britain's.

Above is the Roman invasion force (all miniatures are Old Glory 28mm). Their army composition is as follows:

3 x Cv (Cavalry, one is the general)

7 x Bd (Blades, Legionaries)

1 x Ps (Psiloi)

1 x 3Ax (Fast Auxilia, Gauls)

The Britain's were assembling nearby.

Above, the various tribes of Britain's have gathered and are ready to meet the invaders. Their army composition is as follows:

3 x LCh (Light Chariots, one is the general).

6 x 3Wb (Fast Warband: we used 4/stand instead of 3, warriors)

2 x LH (Light Horse: cavalry with 3/stand represent the light horse)

1 x Ps (Psiloi)

1 x camp followers (alcoholics mostly, no screaming women, no animal, human, or other sacrifices).

The Romans moved inland trying to find some decent food to eat (probably fish & chips, as Caesar's commentary indicates he was getting tired of spaghetti). We understand that finding decent food can be a challenge today in Britain. Near modern day London, a detachment of Romans under Rufio encounter some massed British tribes under their chieftain, Cassivellaunus.

Above, both armies have deployed before the battle begins. The Romans (left) have deployed with a line of legionaries, with 2 cavalry on the left flank, and the auxilia and psiloi in the woods near the right flank. The Roman cavalry/general and a blade are in reserve. The Britain's (right) have deployed in two groups: the warbands and chariots are on the left, while the light cavalry light cavalry and psiloi are on the right. The terrain is plough, woods, and a gentle hill.

The photo above shows the end of turn 2. The plough is good going. The Britain's have advanced while the Romans shifted their general over to the left flank.

At the end of turn 5 (above), the Britain's, blessed by the gods with many pips, shifted their left flank group of warbands and chariots to the right, deciding to avoid going near the woods where their angry Gaul relatives and Roman psiloi were lurking. The Romans thought it wise to shift an element of blades to their left. 

At the end of turn 6 (above), the Romans advanced towards the waiting Britain's.

Above shows the end of the battle on turn 8. At the top of the photo, the Roman Cavalry destroyed a British light horse and psiloi while losing a cavalry element. The center was more disastrous for the Romans, as they lost 3 blade elements to warband quick kills and melee with chariots. On their left, the British lost a chariot. The game ended a 4-3 victory for the Britain's.

Caesar lamented that his left flank cavalry had not charged sooner and turned the Britain's right flank. Also, the Romans had left 2 blade elements too far in the rear to support the main battle line, where a gaping hole now exists.