The Moaning Marcomamanni (Campaign 103)

Within days of Flaccus's army digging in, Pleaderdocarex and his chieftains start to complain. The great war chief starts to demand more money for his services and threatens to withdraw his War bands unless his demands are met. Flaccus has a problem, with no gold coin to spare he must come up with a way to appease the wayward chieftain.
Knowing that the Army of Thrace carries with it an almighty baggage train, Flaccus offers it to Pleaderdocarex as an added bonus . Pleaderdocarex's chieftains still grumble and are only silenced when they receive the honoured place in the right of the battle line as well as the baggage train. Flaccus has been bent over a barrel but he knows to lose the German's help at this late stage would mean total defeat.

Flaccus marches to meet Terentius (Campaign 102)

Flaccus marches further south until he reaches the Neretva valley. On hearing of Terentius's advance, Flaccus decides to hold his ground and meet him here, just out side the town of Narona.

Flaccus's Roman force is small and marches along side two huge German formations. However, Flaccus knows what he faces and still worries it won't be enough.

Terentius Enters Dalmatia (Campaign 101)

General L.Terentius enters Dalmatia at the head of one of the finest armies in the Roman world, the Army of Thrace. Made from tough professional soldiers, this army would be unstoppable in the field.

Just across the border Terentius halted his huge force to discuss a plan of action with his generals, after two hours, a plan was decided upon. The army would head up the coast where it could be supplied by sea and use the well established trade roads. This army of full time soldiers could cover great distances in no time and Terentius knew that with it, he could go on to take Rome itself.

Above, Terentius glowers at his generals over a map of the province. Behind him stand his personal assistants, all young boys. This group of young boys and men follow Terentius every where, even on to the battlefield at times. He lovingly refers to them as 'his little bodyguards'. For this reason he has been frowned upon in Rome, but Alanicus knows he is a good general despite his vices and over looks them.

A Roman Baggage Train

A Centurion of the guard holds up the Train until the road can be cleared of a fallen tree, sounds like an ambush to me.
Back on the move again. However, these supply Trains can only go as fast as the slowest waggon, making them very venerable to attack in the wilderness.

Roman Baggage Train

Here is an Idea I've been working on for quite a while now, a Roman baggage train. I thought of the idea about a couple of years ago when I was thinking up the Campaign rules. With all armies having huge supply problems and baggage trains I thought it would be a great idea for the Campaign to include some on the battle field.
I have made them worth 500 resource points in the game so well worth attacking. They have a basic stat line with two attacks and three wounds each. When attacked and taken they will bring the player 500 Denarii in game.

All enemy units passing within 12" of the Baggage Train must test on their leadership value, If they get under it they remain focused on the job at hand. However, If they fail, they attack the Baggage at once loosing all will for the fight in exchange of booty. This could make for some very interesting scenarios involving greedy War bands and less disciplined Auxiliaries.
Kids Ehh...they get every where!
I have placed armed guards on the bases to represent the two attacks the bases get. These few Auxiliaries won't cause any real damage to fighting units, however the three wounds might just give them enough time to hold out until the much needed help arrives.
I have tried to make the bases look as non-combative as posisble by including women and children and old folk.

Pleaderdocarex of the Marcomanni (Campaign 100)

The mighty Pleaderdocarex of the Marcomanni answers Flaccus's plea for help and gathers a huge force on the outskirts of Noricum. They travel with amazing speed down through Pannonia to find the tiny Roman army and their numbers cause much rejoicing in the Roman camp. Flaccus's many years under the Eagles have taught him one thing though, numbers do not guaranty victories. He knows that although his army now looks impressive, it will be going against the full might of a Roman field army with all it's discipline and training. Flaccus lets the men carry on rejoicing to raise moral, but knows inside it is far too soon to be celebrating.

Secundus prepares for battle (Campaign 99)

Secundus was busy conducting the Lustratio Exercitatio, a religious ceremony of the Legions, purifying the standards with perfumes and garlands, when he received word from Flaccus. Flaccus had also sent word to Rome to inform them of his plight, so Secundus would be forced to send aid to his beleaguered tiny army.

Secundus, however, sent word to Flaccus to raise new troops by way of the tribes in the surrounding area, as he was too far away to assist him. Flaccus would have to look to Barbarian help on the fields of Dalmatia.

Fighting in the Ranks ( Campaign 98)

Alanicus receives news from Terentius of the size of the Secundian force in Dalmatia. Alanicus is over joyed and spurs Terentius on to attack Flaccus at once.

His joy is short lived as another report of in-fighting is reported from the Army of Anatolia. The many factions that are being brought together to make the Army are at each others throats again. Alanicus's threats have gone unheeded, for the first time in a ages, Alanicus is speechless.

His mood is lightened by another report from Arabia excepting his huge bribe and joining the cause. The Anotolians finally stop fighting when their ring leaders are assassinated by Alanician agents and piece is restored to the ranks.

The Campaign Map

As you can see things have really started to happen. Tullus now sits in Aquitania facing the Secundian Army of the Rhine under Dewolvous.
Down in Africa, a huge Tullician force threatens the tiny vexiliation commanded by Alanicus himself.
Meanwhile a battle looms in Dalmatia between the massive Army of Thrace and a much smaller force under the 'hit and run' hero, Flaccus.
Secundus has taken his Army of Britannia back to Rome to secure the city after his land grab exercise, but still finds himself caught between armies approaching from the West and the East.

All eyes look toward Dalmatia with the coming of the sun.

Alanicus's Armies Move on Dalmatia (Campaign 97)

When General L.Terentius heard of the foray into Dalmatia by Secundian forces he immediately took it upon himself to stop them. This was the chance he had been long waiting for, a chance to show his worth in battle. Without a moments delay he gathered his Generals and set the massive Army of Thrace into motion. He would march up into Dalmatia and give battle to Flaccus and his tiny force before he had time to gather re-enforcements.
Alanicus, still seeing to the defences of Egypt was livid when he heard the news that his own 'first' Army had started to march without his orders. The move west wasn't in his five year plan and could knock everything out of balance. Alanicus sent more than one messenger to Terentius but it was too late. Alanicus warned Terentius that he had better win Dalmatia or his head would roll! Terentius was more than confident as he rode behind the full might of the Thracian Legions that he would not let Alanicus down.



L.Terentius Albinus prepares to crush Flaccus.

Secundus Tries Again (Campaign 96)

Secundus although being pig headed is no fool, realizing that he left Rome wide open to Tullus in order to take Pannonia, he quickly doubles back to secure the capital. The Generals sigh a breath of relief that their advice has been taken, all except Flaccus that is. He still longs to have a seperate command and begs Secundus for a field army of his own. Secundus, sickened by the rise of popularity and ambition in this powerful General decides to rid himself of this thorn in his career, once and for all.
General Flaccus is told to take what remains of the garrisons in Pannonia and march them south to take Dalmatia.

Flaccus knows what this means, for the Pannonian Legions are at half strength, but the brave, ambitious General does not argue and takes the command. Secundus is surprised at first then a little suspicious, If he returns from that country alive, he is welcome to the throne, jokes Secundus.

So it is that General T. Flaccus heads south with a small force in order to further the Sucundian cause. War is on the wind.

The Cabinet is getting full

Another up date on the Cabinet shows that yet again, space has become an issue. I may have to get my smaller display cases down again from the loft at this rate. I could always claim the first level back from those Planes if the worst came to the worst. I never thought I'd see the day when I filled it, I just hope it doesn't go through the floor boards!

Tullus's African Skirmishers

German Unterfeldwebel (Sergeant)

German officers

This Leutnant prepares to show his Platoon where the Iron Crosses grow.

The finished HMG Team with Its commanding NCO.

German Platoon Finished

This Sniper is wearing his Zelt-bahn quarter tent as camouflage. This fantastic figure is from Blacktree Designs.
At last, here is my German force to play 'Rules of Engagement'. Three Grenadier Squads supported by Mortar and Machine-gun Teams. There is also a spare Volksgrenadier squad to lend a hand for the larger scenarios in the game.